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Sushil aims for elusive Asian Games medal
hockey nationals
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Chandigarh, March 18 But must they?
Interestingly, the players themselves have no doubt about cricket’s shortest format or its World Cup. It’s a fun format. It’s a carnival. They give it their best, win a game or lose it, and then move on. They know T20 is a game of chance – a few good hits and even Zimbabwe can stun Australia, and even West Indies can win a World Cup. This won’t happen in the toughest formats. The players are grounded in the classical, long-form cricket, where they’re taught to value their wicket. Defeat hurts, but not as much as it does in the longer formats of the sport. How much is the hurt if, say, you lose your wicket in a Twenty20 match, going for a wild slog? I had put this question to Mahendra Singh Dhoni once. “It doesn’t hurt as much as it does in Test cricket,” Dhoni said. “In Test cricket, the bowler is trying to get you out using all his skills. In T20 cricket, you’re trying to hit almost every ball, and the chances of getting dismissed are greater.” You, thus, really can’t read too much into a T20 performance. Yuvraj Singh has two hat-tricks in the IPL. Even Rohit Sharma has one, for god’s sake! And how much does a slog for six over the head of a fast bowler anger him? “It upsets me in Test cricket,” Zaheer Khan told this writer once. The International Cricket Council has put a cap on the T20 matches a team can play in a year. At present the number is 12, six home and six away matches. There can be a maximum of three T20 matches in a bilateral series. In 2007, after the first T20 World Cup, Yuvraj Singh said: “It's more of an entertainment for the crowd and the batsmen. So the ICC's decision to put a restriction on the number of T20Is to be played in a calendar year is a welcome relief.” But then T20 became the most lucrative format of the sport – the players, perforce, must love it and talk it up. Dale Steyn realised this in 2008, soon after he called the first IPL “a paid holiday”. He had said: “The IPL was only four overs a game and it was like a paid holiday; you only had to work hard if you felt like it…” It may have been a fact-based statement, but it made absolutely zero economical sense. Steyn promptly called himself a “fool”. As Chris Gayle said the other day, Twenty20 cricket helps him to pay the bills. Twenty20 cricket is the least skill-intensive format of the sport. In this format, professionally trained batsmen play in the manner of amateurs, endangering their wicket with cavalier play. Many players, including Sachin Tendulkar, have said that the toughest format, Test cricket, should pay players the most. That’s not going to happen, because revenues generated from Test cricket are much less than those generated from T20 cricket. In the four T20 World Cups, we’ve had four different winners. In four events, a maximum of eight different teams could have reached the final once each – six have made it. Anyone can win the tournament. All Test-playing nations will win it once in the foreseeable future – except Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. In the UK, in 11 years of T20 events, eight different teams have won it. In three years of Australia’s Big Bash, three different teams have won the title. In South Africa, in 10 years of premier T20 championships, each of the six teams has won at least one title. In India, five different teams have won the IPL title in six years. Rest assured, the others will win one too, sooner or later – it’s high time RCB won something. In T20, everyone wins because everyone can win. India have had a bad time of it on their recent tours. But this is T20, and they can’t be ruled out — no one can be. It’s important, thus, to not react as if the world is ending if we lose, and not go crazy with joy if we win. A win would help the mood of the nation’s cricket fans and bolster the confidence of a young team; but India’s problems in serious cricket can’t be allowed to be papered over by good show in Bangladesh. In T20 cricket, stoicism is a useful virtue. Premier T20 competitions
UK: 8 winners in 11 years -- Leicestershire (3), Hampshire (2), Kent, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Somerset, Surrey, Sussex Australia: 3 winners in 3 years South Africa: 6 winners in 10 years
-- Titans (3), Knights (2), Cape Cobras (2), Dolphins, Warriors, Highveld Lions India: 5 winners in 6 years -- Chennai Super Kings (2), Rajasthan Royals, Deccan Chargers, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians World Cup: 4 winners in 4 events
-- India, Pakistan, England, West Indies |
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MS Dhoni Is the aura fading? His first triumph as a leader came in the first Twenty20 World Cup. India became the No. 1 Test team and the 50-over World Cup-winners under him. But since 2011, with the team in transition, his record has suffered, though he himself remains an influential ODI and T20 player. He’s led India in 22 T20 World Cup matches, winning 12, but India have never reached the semifinals after 2007. Familiar conditions in Bangladesh might help him regain some of his lost glory. Virat Kohli Over the two years, Kohli has emerged as India’s most dependable batsman in all formats of the sport. Many experts think the time has come to make him the captain in one of the formats of cricket, perhaps T20 or ODI cricket. Led India in the Asia Cup recently, when India failed to make the final. His own form has been below his imperious best in the recent past in One-day cricket. He struggled in South Africa before making a century and two half-centuries in New Zealand. Smashed 136 against Bangladesh in Asia Cup, followed by 48 against Sri Lanka. His T20Is batting average is an impressive 34.52 and the scoring rate is 130.44.
One of the most powerful strikers in the team, he was dropped for the Asia Cup after poor ODI form. He’d made only one 50-plus score in his previous 24 innings. He’s one of the stalwarts of the IPL, has got a T20I century (in the 2009 World Cup), but questions hang over ability at the highest level. Recent form in ODI, first-class and List A matches has been bad — no century and a highest of 82 vs Madhya Pradesh.
Did well in his first-class debut season for Haryana but came into limelight after the IPL in 2013, when his CSK captain MS Dhoni trusted him at crucial times. Is accurate though not very quick. Economy rate of 5.77 in ODIs. South Africa took 82 runs off his 10 overs in an ODI in December.
Mishra has been around — he made his ODI debut way back in 2003. But he’s been an inconsistent performer even after he got a real chance after the retirement of Anil Kumble. Has not done much in recent months, so his figures of 2/28 in 10 overs against Pakistan in the Asia Cup should boost his confidence.
Shami became India’s latest fast-bowling hope when he debuted in ODIs (1/23 in 9 overs vs Pakistan) and Tests (9/118 vs West Indies) last year. He was seen an important factor on the tours of South Africa and New Zealand, and though he picked up wickets, he gave away lots of runs there. Hasn’t played T20Is, but ODI economy rate is a high 5.82.
Isn’t particularly fast but can make the ball curve alarmingly when the conditions are right. Struggled in the one ODI he played in South Africa. Got four wickets in five ODIs in New Zealand, though his economy rates there (5.43) and in the Asia Cup (4.72) would please Dhoni.
Took the IPL route to the national ODI team but is yet to play a T20I match. Can tonk the ball hard but bowling is not quite up to international standards. Did well for Karnataka in the recent Ranji Trophy, but wasn’t given much of a role after he made his ODI debut in January this year. Can be a useful lower-order hitter.
Had a dream year in 2013, with great form on Test debut and at ODIs at home and the Champions Trophy. Is not particularly impressive in domestic T20s, with a strike rate of 120 and average of 31. Struggled in ODIs in South Africa and New Zealand before finding form vs Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup.
India’s limited-overs cricket stalwart has been working hard to again cement his place in the Indian team. His allround abilities can be priceless, but his recent form has been erratic. In the national limited-overs championship, he made 96* and 28 vs Delhi and J&K, but failed against Services, Himachal Pradesh and Railways. Likes the ball to come to the bat, so may not like the Bangladesh tracks.
Bowls fast, but can he last? That’s the question that hangs over every Indian pacer, and so is the case with Aaron. Came into prominence when he touched the 150 kmph mark in 2011, but he’s not been able to make a place for himself in the team. Can be expensive. Yet to play a T20I, but his economy rate in ODIs is 6.64. In his last ODI, gave away 74 in 7.5 overs vs Bangladesh last month.
After suffering a long period of ridicule for his batting failures in international cricket, Jadeja has shown better form in recent months, making 66* and 62* vs New Zealand, and 22* and 52* vs Sri Lanka and Pakistan, respectively, in the Asia Cup. His bowling, accurate if not destructive, had kept him in the team. This would be his third T20 World Cup.
Came into the Test team on the basis of performances in the IPL and did well at the start, but has been struggling in recent times. Excessive ODI/T20 cricket, and the need to experiment, seems to have left him confused and he’s become quite defensive. Recent ODI form, in the Asia Cup, is encouraging.
A gifted batsman, Rahane can bat time and unfurl big shots when needed. Scored his first Test century last month in New Zealand, 118 off 158 balls. Has played lots of T20 cricket at home, got 61 off 39 balls on T20I debut in 2011. Averages 24.85 in T20Is, strike rate of 122.53.
Immensely talented, has been around for seven years, but continues to be highly erratic. Hit an ODI double century last November but has had to battle hard in South Africa, New Zealand and in the Asia Cup. Averages 55 in 17 T20 World Cup matches.
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India take on England in warm up game
Dhaka, March 18 India will be playing their first group league match against Pakistan on Friday and a win against England is a necessity considering the team's continuing poor run. The Indians went down by five runs in the opening warm-up match against Sri Lanka last night. Although they did not set the stage on fire, the two comeback men Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh had a decent outing with the bat, which makes their case even stronger. Yuvraj scored 33 and Raina contributed 41 in a losing cause but both were out after they had got set. That both can also roll their arms over on this slow track at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium makes young batsman Ajinkya Rahane's case a bit weaker. By getting out for nought having misread the flight of a Sachitra Senanayeke delivery, Rahane has done himself no good. The batsmen who automatically select themselves are Virat Kohli, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina. While Raina batted at No 3, it was done with an aim of giving skipper's trusted lieutenant a chance to settle down and play more deliveries since Kohli's place is settled in the side. Yuvraj got four man-of-the-match awards in India's last five official T20 internationals. Dhoni files Rs 100-crore defamation suit
Chennai: The Madras High Court restrained Zee News and News Nation channels from telecasting any news linking MS Dhoni with the IPL betting/fixing scam. The interim order, effective for two weeks, was passed by Justice S Tamilvanan on a defamation suit filed by Dhoni claiming Rs 100 crore damages for allegedly telecasting “malicious” news that he was involved in betting, spot and match-fixing of IPL matches. “I am of the view that there is a prima facie case and the balance of convenience is also in favour of the plaintiff,” the judge said. — Agencies Brief scores
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Anand stays in the lead
Khanty Mansiysk (Russia), March 18 It turned out to be a no-hassle day for Anand as he was seen pressing for an advantage towards the end. The draw took Anand to 3.5 points out of a possible five and he keeps his half-point lead. Anand chose the Berlin defence, an opening he has not been able to break himself as white for some time and Andreikin employed the closed set-up that was on expected lines. The Russian got into a slightly favourable position in the middle game but was made to sweat hard for more by Anand who played at a good speed. It was a mild time pressure for Andreikin that led him into difficulties and Anand was fighting for an advantage towards the end of the first time control. The Russian, however, got his act together just in time to find the path to equality after trading the queens. "I was trying but I didn't see anything concrete, my hope was when his king came out but after the queen exchange it’s just a draw," said Anand. In the other games, Peter Svidler of Russia beat Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria, while Sergey Karjakin of Russia played out a draw with Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan. Russian Vladimir Kramnik was close to winning against Levon Aronian of Armenia, but after a long struggle the latter was able to hold his fort together. Svidler, Kramnik and Aronian are half a point behind leader Anand. Topalov, Karjakin and Mamedyarov are on two points each, while Andreikin remains at the bottom on one and a half points. — PTI
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Sushil aims for elusive Asian Games medal
New Delhi, March 18 Sushil has won medals in Olympics, World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Asian Championships but is still without a podium finish at the Asian Games. He missed the last Asiad in 2010 in Guangzhou due to injury. “I have won medals in all the major events, be it the Olympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games. Only an Asian Games medal is left for me. So I want to win a medal in Incheon. I hope I can win a gold there,” he said on the sidelines of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games Roadshow here. Sushil said that his preparations for Glasgow Commonwealth Games (July-August) and Incheon Asian Games (September-October) has been going on well despite having to shift to higher weight categories due to change in rules. “My preparation has been going on well though it's not easy to shift weight category. My body may be affected because I have to fight in two different weight categories in Glasgow and Incheon. But that's part and parcel of a sportsman's career. I think I will be able to cope with that," said Sushil, who was today made Incheon Asian Games Goodwill Ambassador along with archer Deepika Kumari. India finish sixth in Wrestling World Cup
India lost to Mongolia 3-5 in the 5th-6th position match after finishing third in their group. The Indians started the competition with one wrestler down as Krishan Kumar (125kg) did not get the visa clearance to the US. Against Mongolia, Amit (57kg) made a solid start as he beat Nomi Batbold levelling the handicap. But Bajrang (62kg) and Rajneesh (65kg) lost their respective contests. — PTI |
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HP eves to face Assam in final
Bhopal, March 18 HP beat Delhi 5-2 via penalty shootout after the regulation 70 minutes ended in a 2-2 draw. It was Delhi who broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when Pooja converted a penalty corner. But HP levelled the score in the 32nd minute from a penalty corner which was converted by Pooja Devi. Three minutes later, Delhi restored their lead through Pooja. After the change of ends, HP once again drew level when Rachana Jamalta successfully converted a penalty corner in the 44th minute. Thereafter, both the teams tried hard for the winner but it eluded them as the match went into the shootout. In the shootout, Sonia Rani, Sonia and Jamalta scored for HP, while Delhi failed to get past a resolute Kanika Devi in HP goal even once. In the other semifinal, Assam came from a goal down to beat Tamil Nadu 3-2. Meanwhile, Haryana defeated Hockey Odisha 11-0 in Pool A to register their first win in Division A. Navneet Kaur and Navjot Kaur scored five and three goals respectively. — PTI
Punjab men thrash Manipur 11-0
Lucknow: Services Sports Control Board beat Chandigarh Olympic Association 2-0 to register yet another win in Pool A in the senior men’s National Championship (Division A) at Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium here today. In another match, Punjab trounced Manipur 11-1. For Punjab, Harpreet Singh (26th, 35th, 60th) scored a hat-trick, while Ajay Kumar (13th, 57th), Parvinder Singh (14th, 34th), and Prabhdeep Singh (33rd, 53rd) scored two goals each. — PTI |
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Batting: Right-hand bat
Suresh Raina
Mohit Sharma
Amit Mishra
Mohammed
Shami
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Stuart Binny
Shikhar Dhawan
Yuvraj Singh
Varun Aaron
Ravindra Jadeja
R Ashwin
Ajinkya Rahane
Rohit Sharma
