Chandigarh, March 11
Could you think of a captain lucky enough to lead a team into the World Cup even after the side failed to make the semis under him in the last three editions of the tournament?

Well, you are absolutely right if MS Dhoni’s image just popped up in your head. Dhoni, who will lead India in the WorldT20 starting in a few days in Bangladesh, led India to victory in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2007, but thereafter, in the subsequent three WorldT20 championships, the captain apparently lost his magic, and the team failed to progress beyond the Super Eight stage in each of the three tournaments.

That leaves one wondering about the secret behind this amazing staying power of the skipper. It can’t be performance for sure, for India have won only 21 T20Is out of 43 under him; and the record in WorldT20s stands at 12 wins and eight losses. Not too bad, but certainly not good enough for him to lead the side for five consecutive world championships.

Dhoni’s continuance as the T20 skipper, in addition to leading the side in the ODIs and Tests, for such a long time looks all the more puzzling when the trend world over is of split captaincy. Most of the teams, including Australia (Michael Clarke in Test and ODIs and George Bailey in T20Is), South Africa (Graeme Smith, who retired a couple of days back, in Tests and AB de Villiers in ODIs and T20Is), England (Alastair Cook in Tests and ODIs and Stuart Broad in T20Is), Pakistan (Misbah-ul-Haq in Tests and Mohammed Hafeez in ODIs and T20Is) have opted for different captains for different formats.

It seems a good idea for, one, it takes some load off the shoulders of the captain who would otherwise have too much on his plate; two, it gives the team a chance to try and prepare someone else for captaincy for the future as well as for the time when the regular skipper isn’t available for reasons like injury, fatigue.

So aren’t India making the mistake of putting all their eggs in one basket, and, in the process, denying themselves an opportunity to try out an alternative.

“Dhoni has done well as a captain in all formats and that’s perhaps the reason why he’s getting a slightly longer rope. But having said that, it’s a fact that India have failed to reach the semis in the last three WorldT20s and that must be playing on Dhoni’s mind too. The selectors too would be watching and if Dhoni fails again, selectors could start looking for an alternative in this format,” said Reetinder Sodhi, the former India all-rounder.

Coming to think of an alternative, India have Virat Kohli who is widely seen as Dhoni’s successor. So won’t be it be better if he’s given the T20 reins so he has some experience under his belt as and when he’s required to take over as the Test or the ODI skipper.

“It would of course help, and for that he should be given opportunity to lead in T20Is,” said Sodhi.

But for that to happen, Dhoni needs to step aside from the T20 captaincy, irrespective of what happens in the WorldT20 this time.

New Delhi, March 11
As his quest to find a permanent spot in One-day side continues, Cheteshwar Pujara has also started bowling in order to fit the bill for the ODI selection.

“I have started bowling in the nets so that I can contribute as a part-time bowler. I want to help my team with part-time bowling if the captain wants me to. I am looking to bring improvement in my game, most important being playing on the rise. I am targeting specific areas, which include analysis of my batting and what mistakes I am committing in the middle. It will help me in the longer run,” Pujara said.

Ever since making his debut in the 50-over format against Zimbabwe last year, Pujara has played only two ODIs. And when the team management did not consider him even for the dead Asia Cup rubber against Afghanistan, many former players were left astounded.

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar slammed the team management for not experimenting with the playing XI by including Pujara and medium pacer Ishwar Pandey in the match. He went to the extent of saying that the fear of reserve players succeeding over “current favourites” prompted the management to play the same team.

The Indian batsmen were found wanting against quality pace attacks in South Africa and New Zealand, but the team management decided not to tinker with the ‘balanced’ side.

Pujara has all the makings of becoming one of India’s most consistent players in both forms of the game, provided he gets the opportunity to showcase his batting prowess in the ODI format, too. He averages 55 in List A matches and his impressive strike rate resulted in many double and triple hundreds.

His solid performance in the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy 2012-13, where he hit two hundreds and a fifty in three innings, led to his call-up for India’s tour of Zimbabwe, but the Saurashtra batsman didn’t get enough opportunities thereafter.

With the focus on building the team for the World Cup in Australia-New Zealand next year, Pujara knows that he has limited time on his hand.

“It’s all about getting more and more opportunities. I have the ability to perform in all three formats of the game,” he said.

Pujara has become a permanent fixture of India’s Test side, succeeding Rahul Dravid at No.3. He has an outstanding Test average of around 60, with six hundreds and four fifties.

But somehow the opportunities in the shorter formats aren’t coming his way. “It’s just a perception. I have a good domestic record in limited overs cricket. I have scored runs at an impressive strike rate in domestic matches. So, I don’t think it would be a problem adjusting to the shorter formats,” he said.

Also, the top order batsman feels a good showing in the IPL could see him on the plane to Australia and New Zealand for the World Cup.

“If I can prove myself in the IPL, I am confident I could be a success in ODIs too. I had played a couple of good innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore, my last IPL team. It’s all about getting more opportunities in the future. I am looking forward to have a successful IPL,” the middle-order batsman said. — PTI

New Delhi, March 11
Venkatesh Prasad, the former India bowling coach, feels Zaheer Khan’s second spell is becoming a “struggle” for the left-arm speedster. The former India bowler, known for his variations, said that none of the current India bowlers has the required variations to cope with the new field restrictions in ODI cricket.

“Zaheer is a great bowler but I think his second spell is slowly becoming a struggle. His fielding is a concern too. He is 35, made his debut some 14 years back... there must have been a lot of wear and tear in his body,” said Prasad.

Asked if Zaheer should call time on his career, Prasad shot back, “He is a quality bowler with a seam position to die for but who are we to decide on his career?”

Prasad was categorical in stating that there isn’t a bowler who has caught his imagination. “If you ask about bowling with four fielders outside the circle, it is a very difficult job. You have to be spot on with your length and have variations. I don’t want to name any bowler but no one has caught my imagination. In my time as bowler, we would bowl a lot of variations in the nets and take batsmen’s feedback. These things don’t happen now.” said Prasad.

Prasad refused to get drawn into a controversy on whether Duncan Fletcher should be removed and Rahul Dravid be made the captain.

“Look Gavaskar is a legend but I can’t comment on his opinion. As far as Rahul is concerned, I was the bowling coach when he was a captain. He is great cricket brain,’’ he concluded.

Prasad said he would be more than happy to take on the role a bowling coach if his services are rought by the board. — PTI

KOLKATA, March 11
Considering his extremely good record at the Eden Gardens, spinner Harbhajan Singh likened the venue to a mother, who has always given something to her son, and hoped that it would yet again prove to be special for him as he aims to win Vijay Hazare Trophy for Punjab.

Leading his state side in the ongoing domestic One-day trophy, Harbhajan is optimistic that he would be able to get a favourable result.

New Delhi, March 11
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has contended that the promoters of the Indian Grand Prix have not fully met their contractual obligations to see through the five-year deal.

The Indian promoters, the Jaypee Group, in a polite yet firm retort, refused to discuss the contractual terms in public. They have promised to sort them out with the Formula One Management.

Ecclestone said that he and his organisation was still committed to see through the five-year contract, provided what he called certain “surmountable obstacles” were sorted out.

He said the Indian GP promoters have not fully complied with the race contract to put the 2015 race in jeopardy. It now seems that the tax and bureaucratic hurdles cited for the uncertainty over the race returning to the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) were not the only reasons. Ecclestone’s revelation comes days after he said that he wants the race to be pushed to 2016 so that the country “gradually gets over all the bureaucratic and the tax issues to improve the general financial conditions”.

His statement fuelled speculation whether the race will ever see through the remaining two races of the contract.

Ecclestone hastened to add that he was still hoping India to be back on F1 calendar next season.

“I was hoping that things would get better in India but they haven’t unfortunately. The race promoters there have not been able to comply with parts of the contract and they are mostly money related. I must clarify here that we still have very good relations with the promoters and we still want to see through the remaining two years of our contract. But that can happen only if we get the financial guarantees,” said the 83-year-old Monday night, adding that Jaypee did meet most of the terms of the agreement in the first three years (2011-2013).

For his part, Jaypee Sports International CEO Sameer Gaur said it would not be prudent to make the contractual details public and reiterated he would soon meet Ecclestone to bring the race back next year. — Agencies

Indian Wells (USA), March 11
Rafa Nadal and Maria Sharapova were both knocked out of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on Monday after stunning upsets at one of the world’s biggest tournaments outside the four grand slams.

Nadal was sent packing by Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7-5) after Sharapova fell to Italian qualifier Camila Giorgi 6-3 4-6 7-5 as last year’s men’s and women’s singles champions both crashed out.

Nadal blew a 4-2 lead in the deciding tiebreak after the Spaniard had fought his way back from 5-2 down in the deciding third set.

“I wanted to play very well here. I had good success in this tournament in the past, a tournament I always feel good about,” said Nadal.

Nadal beat Dolgopolov in the final of the inaugural Rio Open last month but the Ukrainian got his revenge on the world No. 1 in the Californian desert.

“I feel great, as after every win, of course. I beat the defending champion and the number one in the world,” said Dolgopolov, whose next opponent is Fabio Fognini after the Italian saved two match points in a 6-2 3-6 7-5 win over Gael Monfils.

Giorgi, a 22-year-old ranked 79th in the world, made the fourth round of the US Open last year as a qualifier, but her win over the world No. 5 Russian was the biggest of her career. “I did not play a good match at all,” said Sharapova, who dropped serve eight times and committed 58 unforced errors.

Giorgi will play Flavia Pennetta, who beat Sam Stosur 6-4 3-6 6-1, in the next round.

There were no other major surprises although Andy Murray was forced to dig deep to see off promising Czech Jiri Vesely and avoid a similar fate. Murray won 6-7 (7-2) 6-4 6-4 but only after clawing back from the brink of defeat against Vesely.

Roger Federer also advanced after he was pushed all the way by Dmitry Tursunov before winning 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-2). Stanislas Wawrinka extended his unbeaten run this year to 13 matches with a ruthless 6-0 6-2 win over Andreas Seppi in just 49 minutes. — Reuters

Lucknow, March 11
Diwakar Ram slammed a hat-trick to help Uttar Pradesh to a 5-2 win over Odisha on the opening day of the Division A matches of the Hockey India senior men’s National championship here today.

In the other matches, Railways beat Food Corporation of India (FCI) 3-0, while Jharkhand beat Hockey Bhopal 3-0.

UP dominated the first half of the Pool C game and took a 2-0 lead through a field goal by Amir Khan (10th minute) and a penalty corner strike from Ram (33rd). The hosts continued their dominance in the second half, extending their lead in the 44th minute through Ajit Pandey.

Odisha tried to forge a comeback when Amon Mirash Tirkey pulled one back in the 48th minute. But UP proved too strong as Ram scored two more goals to seal the match for his team.

Earlier, Birshu Bhengra (57th, 63rd, 68th) also scored a hat-trick to lead Jharkhand to a win over Hockey Bhopal in their Pool C encounter. — PTI

Neymar takes part in a training session on the eve of Barcelona’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Manchester City. AFP

Barca have reached at least the Champions League semi-finals in the last six seasons and it is likely to take something special from City to turn around the tie.

Aguero the man for City

Aguero has a proven scoring record against Barcelona and the City forward may have a crucial role to play if his side are to upset the odds and reach the quarterfinals for the first time. Aguero, who missed the first leg through injury, scored five goals in 10 La Liga games against Barca for Atletico Madrid between 2006 and 2011.

“As always in important games the individual performance of players is key,” City coach Manuel Pellegrini, who has labelled Aguero the third best player in the world behind Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, said on Monday.

“Of course it’s difficult. But I don’t have any doubt that we are going to Barcelona thinking we can do it, that we can beat them.” — Reuters

Margao, March 11
Cristhian Lagos struck twice as Churchill Brothers drubbed New Radiant of Maldives 3-0 to secure their first win in the AFC Cup here today.

Lagos scored in the 31st and 75th minutes while Anthony Wolfe got the other goal in the 52nd minute in the Group E league match.

With today’s win, Churchill, who lost to Persipura Jayapura of Indonesia in their opening encounter, opened their account with three points from two matches.

Churchill Brothers were determined today to put it across New Radiant and started brightly by moving the ball on the flanks well with the Costa Rica striker Lagos and Trinidad and Tobago’s Wolfe combining well upfront. — PTI

London, March 11
Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso is Formula One’s most marketable driver with Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel only fourth despite winning the last four world championships, according to a report published on Tuesday.

The report by global sports marketing research firm Repucom found the Spaniard, a double world champion, enjoyed the greatest worldwide recognition and celebrity impact while Germany’s Vettel ranked only fourth.

Britain’s 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton, who drives for Mercedes, was second on the list and Brazilian Felipe Massa, who moved from Ferrari to Williams at the end of last season, took third place.

Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion who has returned to Ferrari this season after leaving the sport and then making a comeback with Lotus, rated higher than Vettel in awareness but below him in overall marketability. — Reuters

BRIEFLY

Indian women beat Bangla by 8 wickets, clinch T20 series
Cox’s Bazar: Indian women produced a clinical bowling performance to comprehensively beat their Bangladeshi counterparts by eight wickets in the second T20 International and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series here on Tuesday. Medium pacers Jhulan Goswami (2/15) and leg-spinner Poonam Yadav (2/9) rattled the Bangladesh top and middle order as the home side could only muster 65 for nine from their 20 overs. The Indians chased down the paltry target in just 12.3 overs while losing two wickets.

Bopara, Samuels and Sammy fined over row
Antigua: England all-rounder Ravi Bopara and West Indian duo Darren Sammy and Marlon Samuels have been fined for their on-field confrontation. The three were found to have breached the ICC’s Code of Conduct during Sunday’s first Twenty20I in Barbados. The confrontation took place in the 12th over of England’s innings when Bopara made insulting comments towards Samuels, who responded. Sammy too joined the spat, and traded insults with Bopara.

New Tendulkar silver coins to be launched on Mar 14
Mumbai: Special edition Sachin Tendulkar silver coins, with his face, name and signature embossed on them, will be launched on March 14. Valuemart Gold & Jewels and Diamond India would launch 15,921 coins, corresponding to the number of runs that the batting maestro scored in Tests during his glittering 24-year international career between 1989 and 2013.

Bayern Munich boss Uli Hoeness admits tax fraud
Berlin: Uli Hoeness, president of Bayern Munich, has admitted in court to defrauding Germany’s tax authorities of 18m euros (£15m; $25m). Prosecutors had earlier accused him of evading a far smaller sum of 3.5m euros in taxes and are seeking a jail term. The former World Cup-winning German international footballer, 62, kept the funds in a secret Swiss bank account.

Sharath to lead India at Tokyo world championships
New Delhi: Sharath Kamal will lead the 10-member Indian contingent, including five women, in the World Table Tennis championships to be held in Tokyo from April 28 to May 5. Members of the men’s team include Soumyajit Ghosh, Harmeet Desai, Anthony Amalraj and Sanil Shetty besides World No. 54 Sharath.

Advani advances to second round, Mehta bows out
New Delhi: Eight-time world champion Pankaj Advani overcame a stiff challenge before prevailing over World No.25 Xiao Guodong 5-4. The other Indian, Aditya Mehta, however did not make it and lost 3-5 in the first round to a lesser-ranked player in England's Michael White. — Agencies