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IPL helping India? Think again!
Kohli will break all records: Abbas
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Qualifiers
‘Windies can’t rely just on Gayle’
India bowlers ignore Dawes’ training method
Karnataka hat-trick, lift Hazare Trophy
Rosberg steers Merc to crushing win
Ronaldo winner at Malaga keeps Real Madrid on track
Hockey nationals
Dazzling Liverpool crush Man U
Federer to meet Djokovic in Indian Wells final
Bayern beat Bayer to make it 50 league games unbeaten
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IPL helping India? Think again!
Here’s what the duo said on the first two days of their arrival in Dhaka for the World T20. Dhoni, when asked how his bowlers would cope after being pretty ineffective of late, said: “Our bowlers have played a lot of T20, not internationally you may say, but quite a few games in India, especially in the IPL… The standard of IPL is very high, I think that will really help them.” Kohli, on the other hand, hoped that the IPL experience would make up for India not having played enough T20Is at the international level. The two Indian stalwarts were basically stressing that India’s IPL experience was a big advantage going into the T20 World Cup. Results, however, don’t support that assertion. India have not made even the semis in the three World Cups played after the IPL came into existence in 2008. They did win the inaugural edition of the tournament but that was before the league stormed the cricketing world. They’ve played 15 T20Is in three World Cups from 2009, winning eight times. But four of those wins came against Bangladesh, Ireland and Afghanistan (twice). So the “rich IPL experience” has clearly not helped India’s cause in the T20 World Cup. In fact, India’s poor performance in at least two of the three T20 World Cups could be blamed on the IPL. The 2009 event in England and the one hosted by West Indies in the subsequent year were held immediately after the IPL and the Indian players were apparently too exhausted to give their best. And guess which team has been the most successful in the World T20? Well, it’s Pakistan, the team which has the minimal IPL experience. Pakistani cricketers haven’t been part of the IPL after the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2008. But Pakistan have won the Cup once, been losing finalists, and made the semis on the other two occasions. So, this is the equation — the team with the most IPL experience has been just average at the world stage after the mega-rich tournament came up; the team with the least IPL exposure has been the most successful and consistent. Incidentally, Australia, who host the second biggest domestic T20 tournament, the Big Bash, too are yet to win the World T20 crown. Is that a mere coincidence, or is there something more to it? Take your pick. |
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Kohli will break all records: Abbas
Fatullah, March 16 “Pakistan too have talented bunch of batsmen but we are in the process of rebuilding,” said Abbas, who is a batting consultant with the Pakistan team. Talking about the India-Pakistan clash on March 21, Abbas said MS Dhoni’s return would make India a stronger unit. “Dhoni’s return will definitely make India stronger but we beat a good Indian side in the Asia Cup. A lot of people thought Pakistan aren’t good chasers but we proved them wrong during the Asia Cup.” For Abbas, the best thing about the current Pakistan team is its self-belief. “What I love about these young boys is their confidence. Even in tense situations, they tell me, ‘Zaheer bhai, hum jeetenge’. I love this attitude,” the touch artist of the 70s and 80s said.
— PTI |
B’desh thrash Afghans, avenge Asia Cup defeat
Mirpur, March 16 Shakib was the pick of the bowlers, giving away just eight runs for three wickets in his 3.1 overs, while Abdur Razzak (2/20) claimed two in his four overs to help their side avenge the Asia Cup defeat to the minnows. Opener Anamul Haque (44 not out) and No. 3 batsman Shakib (10 not out) took Bangladesh home after the Afghan batsmen could not negotiate the Bangladeshi spinners on a pitch that offered a bit of turn and bounce. Haque’s knock off 33 balls included four boundaries and three sixes, while Tamim Iqbal made 21 in 27 deliveries before he was trapped in front by Samiullah Shenwari. Nepal beat Hong Kong Nepal beat Hong Kong by 80 runs in Chittagong. Nepal scored 149-8 after being asked to bat first, as Gyanendra Malla top scored with 48 from 41 balls. Hong Kong collapsed to 69 all out in 17 overs, having lost their last seven wickets for 11 runs. Brief Scores: Nepal 149/8 (Malla 48, Haseeb 3-25) bt Hong Kong 69 (Gauchan 3-9, Regmi 3-14) by 80 runs. — Agencies
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‘Windies can’t rely just on Gayle’
Dhaka, March 16 Sammy warned his teammates that the West Indies cannot afford to be a one-man army if they are to replicate their success of two years ago. “Chris to me is the most destructive T20 batsman in the world,” Sammy told reporters in Dhaka. “It’s a great asset for us having him in the side but like in Sri Lanka, when we won the title, it took a total team effort. The key players (contributed), different guys chipped in in different games. It’s no difference this time, we got to play as a team, we got to gel well together and hopefully performance will come from the key players,” Sammy said, terming Gayle as an important dressing room figure who would play a “pivotal role” in their title defence. Gayle totalled 222 runs in the 2012 World Twenty20 but Marlon Samuels (230) was the top scorer for the side in Sri Lanka. Gayle was at the forefront, however, when the entire team broke into a Gangnam-style dance to celebrate the victory in Sri Lanka. Sammy ruled out an encore if they clinch the April 6 final at Mirpur’s Shere Bangla National Stadium. “Will come up with something new probably,” said the ever-smiling all-rounder. “Somebody will come up with something and the rest of us will follow. Chris probably has something up his sleeves, (Dwayne) Bravo, (Andre) Russell, maybe me, you never know. “Something will come up and we’ll use it and enjoy the ceremony.” West Indies begin their World Twenty20 campaign against 2007 champions India in a Group 2 match in Mirpur on March 23. — Reuters |
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India bowlers ignore Dawes’ training method
None of the Indian bowlers practised against the giant seven-feet mannequin that was positioned on one of the centre strips, specifically for the quicker bowlers. The idea behind using it during training sessions is to help fast bowlers practise in a specific area and bowl bouncers or a yorkers. During the two and half hour training session here on Sunday evening, the quartet of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Aaron, Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma did not seem interested in bowling against the mannequin. This mannequin was first brought during the tour of South Africa but the bowling unit seems to have lost interest in the gimmick. The four-man Indian pace attack looked keener bowling to the batsman at the two adjacent nets. Johnson ruled out
Paceman Mitchell Johnson has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup due to an infected toe. The 32-year-old, the form bowler in world cricket at the moment, will be replaced by fellow left-arm quick Doug Bollinger. “We have given Mitchell as long as we can but unfortunately his infection hasn’t responded to the treatment as quickly as we had hoped with swelling remaining in his toe and foot,” Cricket Australia’s Dr Justin Paoloni said in a news release on Sunday. Sanga to quit T20Is
Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara will retire from Twenty20 internationals after the World T20, the left-hander told a newspaper on Sunday. The 36-year-old said he wanted to make way for younger players in the national team, but made himself available to play the shortest format in franchise-based competitions. “Definitely, without a doubt, this is my last World T20,” Sangakkara told the Colombo-based Sunday Island newspaper. “I won’t be playing any T20 internationals after this. — PTI |
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Karnataka hat-trick, lift Hazare Trophy
Kolkata, March 16 However, some sensible batting by youngsters Karun Nair (53 not out) and Lokesh Rahul (38) set up the chase with a 66-run partnership. After Rahul’s fall, the 22-year-old Nair, who made his first-class debut this season, showed the right temperament as his unbeaten half-century, his third in List A, saw the team through with seven overs to spare. Despite the small total to defend, the Railways duo of Anureet Singh and Krishna Kant Upadhyay didn’t give up and ripped apart the Karnataka top order. Having impressed behind the stumps, Lokesh Rahul was solid with his batting technique as well. Rahul also had luck on his side as he survived a close lbw appeal when he was on 23. Chanderpal Saini broke the partnership but Nair stood tall as he, along with Kunal Kapoor (24 not out), took Karnataka to an unprecedented hat-trick of titles in domestic cricket. Earlier, No. 8 batsman Rongsen Jonathan top scored for Railways as his gritty 46 from 57 balls (3x4) helped them recover from 83/7 to 157 all out in 47.4 overs. It was a pathetic display from the Railways’ top and middle-order batsmen until Jonathan’s positive intent put them past 150. Brief Scores: Railways: 157 in 47.4 overs (Rongsen Jonathan 46, Arindam Ghosh 33; Abhimanyu Mithun 4/19, Abar Kazi 2/27, Robin Uthappa 2/19) lost to Karnataka 158/6 in 43 overs (Karun Nair 53 not out, Lokesh Rahul 38; Krishna Kant Upadhyay 3/30, Anureet Singh 2/41).
— PTI |
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Rosberg steers Merc to crushing win
Rosberg, Hamilton’s German team mate, capitalised on a brilliant start from third on the grid to snatch the lead before the first turn and roar to the fourth win of his
career. Ricciardo crossed the finish 24.5 seconds behind but his joy at becoming Australia’s first driver to stand on the home podium was shattered more than five hours later when stewards disqualified the 24-year-old for a fuel flow irregularity. That promoted McLaren’s Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen to second place, making the 21-year-old Formula One’s most successful debutant since Canadian Jacques Villeneuve in Melbourne in
1996. Magnussen’s podium was also the first by a Dane in F1. Team mate and 2009 world champion Jenson Button moved up to third with
McLaren, who failed to finish in the top three all last season, leading the constructors’
standings. Rosberg, tipped to duel with team mate Hamilton for the championship, celebrated his first win since last year’s British Grand Prix — when he was also the beneficiary of technical mishaps to Hamilton and Red Bull’s
Vettel. “The car was just really, really quick today,” he said, looking forward with relish to the next race in Malaysia in two weeks. Fourteen finishers
The gaping margin of victory underscored Mercedes’ superior preparations for F1’s technical revolution, which saw all teams struggle during winter testing with the new V6 turbocharged hybrid engines. The glitches continued as only 14 of the 22 cars finished on a gusty day at the bumpy street circuit which was doused by a brief rain-shower early in the race. Hamilton noticeably lacked power on his start and was called in by his team to retire on the third lap. Mercedes later clarified his car had suffered a misfiring cylinder. “We will recover from this, it’s only a small hiccup. There’s a long way to go still,” Hamilton said. Twelfth off the grid, Vettel also struggled at the start and retired only a few laps after Hamilton, complaining of engine performance
problems. Ricciardo, who replaced Mark Webber at Red Bull after crossing from sister team Toro
Rosso, had thrilled home fans after seeing off Magnussen’s late challenge. Two hours after the race, FIA officials said they were investigating Ricciardo for “consistently” exceeding permitted fuel consumption during the race. After deliberating late into the night, the FIA announced Ricciardo had been disqualified. Red Bull said they would appeal. “Inconsistencies with the FIA fuel flow meter have been prevalent all weekend up and down the pit lane,” the team said.
— Reuters Australian GP result
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Ronaldo winner at Malaga keeps Real Madrid on track
Madrid, march 16 Costa, continuing a rich vein of form that has seen him bag 22 goals in the league and become a Spain international, outsprinted the defence before beating keeper Kiko Casilla in the 55th minute. It was a cagey game but Atletico generally carried more threat in front of goal and now have 67 points, three fewer than Real. "Espanyol played very well and made it very difficult for us but we were strong and knew how to cope," Costa said. Ronaldo is top scorer in La Liga and notched his 25th league goal of the campaign with a clinical finish from the edge of the area to see off Malaga who battled hard but lacked a cutting edge. Isco missed an excellent chance to give Real a more convincing win against his former club but the only true downside for the leaders was the injury picked up by France striker Karim Benzema. He hurt his thigh after colliding with Ronaldo and had to be substituted but it did not look a serious injury. "We suffered because they pressed us in the second half and we were not able to get forward much," Real midfielder Xabi Alonso said. Real were without the suspended Sergio Ramos at the back and brought in Raphael Varane. Angel Di Maria, one booking away from a suspension and with the 'Clasico' looming next weekend against Barca, was on the bench and Isco started. Malaga went out looking to assert themselves and they had plenty of the ball, Nordin Amrabat a threat with his movement and energy. The Andalusian side have had defensive problems all season, though, and they stood off Ronaldo too much, giving him time to pick his spot in the bottom corner of the net after 23 minutes. The Portuguese forward could have added a quick second goal but was denied by a good block from Willy Caballero. Di Maria was introduced after half an hour for Benzema and Real started to play at their rhythm. Isco was sent clear by Di Maria after the break but failed to keep his cool in front of goal and fired over.
— Reuters Inter Milan brush past Hellas Verona
Milan: Goals from Rodrigo Palacio and Jonathan handed Inter Milan a comfortable 2-0 win at Hellas Verona on Saturday and move into fourth place in Serie A. Walter Mazzarri’s side secured the three points after Palacio’s 13th minute tap in was followed up by a messy goal from Jonathan. The Brazilian wingback needed two attempts at goal before finally slotting past Verona keeper Rafael in the 63rd minute. Inter occupy a Europa League spot for next season with 47 points, eight adrift of third placed Napoli, who travel to Torino on Monday.
— Reuters |
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Uttar Pradesh, Railways enter Division A semis
Lucknow, March 16 Hosts Uttar Pradesh have remained undefeated in the championship so far. Diwakar Ram’s goal-scoring spree started as early as in the 5th minute of the game. His second goal came in the 18th minute and ended with another one in the 63rd minute. For Bhopal, the lone goal was scored by Nadeem Uddin in the 51st minute. The Pool D match between Hockey Haryana and Railway Sports Promotion Board witnessed a sturdy fight that ended in a draw. The first half saw Railway Sports Promotion Board dominating with Belsajar Horo scoring a field goal in the 14th minute. In the second half, Shivdeep and Damandeep netted the ball in the 38th and the 46th minutes to turn the game in Haryana’s favour. But a crucial field goal in the 56th minute by Vinod Kumar Singh helped Railway Sports Promotion Board tie the match and book a semifinals berth. In other matches of the day, Air India Sports Promotion Board registered a 3-0 win over Chandigarh Olympic Association in Pool A, while Hockey Karnataka defeated Hockey Jharkhand 7-2 in a Pool C tie. In a Pool B match, Comptroller & Auditor General of India thrashed Manipur 8-1. — PTI Delhi women through to last four
Bhopal: Delhi got the better of Rajasthan 4-0 in a Pool D match to secure their third consecutive win and enter the semifinals of the senior women’s National Championship (Division B). Delhi scored their first goal in the 33rd minute through Ruby Khod to go into the half time with a 1-0 lead. In the second half, Delhi picked up the pace and scored three more goals. Sunita Rani converted a penalty corner in the 45th minute, while captain Teena scored a field goal in the 52nd minute. Ruby Khod scored her second goal of the match when she netted the ball in the 67th minute. Three other semifinalists are Assam Hockey, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu and Hockey Himachal Pradesh.
— PTI |
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Dazzling Liverpool crush Man U
London, march 16 Skipper Gerrard could have completed a rare hat-trick of spot kicks but struck the foot of the post after Nemanja Vidic was red-carded for tripping Daniel Sturridge shortly before Suarez completed the rout. With nine matches remaining to Chelsea’s eight, Liverpool’s run of five consecutive league wins has left them four points behind Jose Mourinho’s side. Liverpool, seeking a first English title since 1990, could have won by an even bigger margin as they underlined the incredible turnaround in fortunes for English’s football’s two great north west rivals. Manchester City catch up as Chelsea falter
The race for the title was blown wide open when leaders Chelsea had two players sent off in a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday and Manchester City overcame a red card to win 2-0 at Hull City. Chelsea also had manager Jose Mourinho sent to the stands in stoppage time as the match exploded into life in the last few minutes but the normally loquacious Portuguese bit his tongue after the game. “I prefer not to talk,” he said. “If I talk I will bring the game into disrepute and I don’t want to be in big trouble.”
— Reuters |
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Federer to meet Djokovic in Indian Wells final
Melbourne, march 16 Then Djokovic succeeded in blunting the booming serve of John Isner to beat the American 7-5 6-7(2) 6-1 and join Federer in Sunday’s championship match. It will be the 33rd time overall and the ninth time in a final that the pair have locked horns. Federer holds a 17-15 lead in their head-to head matches and they are tied 4-4 in finals. The Swiss has already won the Indian Wells title four times and made it through to a fifth final without dropping a set this week. Federer pounced on Dolgopolov from the outset, breaking him once to snatch the opening set. The Ukrainian had beaten three higher ranked players, including world number one Rafa Nadal, to reach the semis but was powerless to stop the Federer, who fired down seven aces in a brilliant serving performance. Isner had upset Djokovic in the semifinals at Indian Wells two years ago but the Serbian was better prepared this time. The key to beating the 6ft 10in Isner has always revolved around how his opponents cope with his devastating serve. Djokovic had to save three set points on his serve in the 10th game of the opening set. But in the following game, Djokovic made his move, breaking Isner’s serve for the first time then serving out the set.
— Reuters Sania-Black lose to top seeds in final
Sania Mirza and her Zimbabwean partner Cara Black went down to top seeds Hsieh Su-Wei of Taiwan and Peng Shuai of China in the doubles final. Hseih and Peng maintained their perfect record in the finals, improving to an 11-0 mark with a 7-6(5) 6-2 win over Sania and Cara on Saturday. Hsieh and Peng edged a tight first set after nearly an hour’s play and rolled out to a 4-0 lead in the second. They relinquished a break, but regrouped to win the final two games.
— IANS |
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Are MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli completely out of sync with reality? Or has it just become a habit with the Indian players to talk up the Indian Premier League (IPL) wherever they can and attribute credit to the league even where none is due?
Legendary Pakistan batsman Zaheer Abbas is the new entrant in the list of illustrious former cricketers who feel that Virat Kohli is destined for greatness.
“Virat Kohli will break all records in international cricket. The transition phase in Indian batting is over, and now they have a settled line-up,” said Abbas.
Karnataka completed a historic treble by emerging champions in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with a four-wicket win over Railways in yet another low-scoring affair at Eden Gardens here today. Chasing 158, the Ranji and Irani Trophy champions had a jittery start, and were reeling at 47/5 in the 12th over.
Nico Rosberg celebrated a dominant win for Mercedes in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Sunday while Red Bull’s home hero Daniel Ricciardo suffered the heartbreak of being stripped of his first podium hours after the finish.
Pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton and world champion Sebastian Vettel retired early on with reliability problems, the German’s exit ending his record run of nine successive victories racked up for Red Bull since last
August.
Two Steven Gerrard penalties helped Liverpool to a crushing 3-0 victory at bitter rivals Manchester United on Sunday to leave them breathing down the necks of Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Gerrard’s strikes either side of halftime put the visitors in control and Luis Suarez sealed only Liverpool’s second win at Old Trafford in nearly 10 years with a well-taken third.
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic set up another mouthwatering final at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells after winning their semifinals on Saturday.
Federer ended the giant-killing run of Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov when he cruised to a 6-3 6-1 victory in a one-sided semifinal that lasted just a tick over an hour.
Chandigarh, March 16
Fatullah, March 16
Melbourne, march
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