S P O R T S

India warm up to a win
Mirpur, March 19
What would have been on India’s wish list going into their last practice game ahead of their opener against Pakistan on Friday? That’s easy, one would say.


Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina shared an 81-run partnership in the winning cause. AFP

Team India due to pay popularity price
Mirpur, March 19
Could you please get me a ticket for the India-Pakistan match? The request hardly takes any time coming as one strikes a conversation with the locals in small, busy shops or on the chaotic and noisy roads of the Bangladesh capital. Clearly, the Indian team is as popular here as anywhere else in the cricketing world.

T20s maximum impact men
This is where the intense action begins in the World T20. A clutch of X-men are likely to set the pulse racing. The Tribune list...
Chris Gayle, West Indies
The tall Jamaican is dreaded for his big-hitting ability. No boundary is big enough for the left-handed opener and even his mishits often land in the stands. In recent times, Gayle has been more watchful during the initial overs, signalling his intent to bat long and launch into the slower bowlers in the middle overs.

Anand stays ahead with draw
Khanty Mansiysk (Russia), March 19
Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand remained in sole lead with a third straight draw, signing peace with Russian Sergey Karjakin in the sixth round of Candidates Chess tournament here today. After scoring two victories in the first three rounds, Anand did not get many chances for the third day running even as Karjakin had to work hard for the half point.

Viswanathan Anand (right) played out a draw with Russian Sergey Karjakin in the sixth round of Candidates Chess tournament on Wednesday. Photo courtesy: FIDE

Punjab men fail to qualify for semifinals in Nationals
Lucknow, March 19
Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) defeated last year’s runners-up Punjab 3-1 to enter the semifinals of the Hockey India senior men’s National Championship at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here today. Punjab drew first blood in the Pool B contest when Parvinder Singh scored a field goal in the 32nd minute. CAG, who struggled in the first half, showed remarkable composure to make a comeback in the second period.

Haryana (in orange) beat Madhya Pradesh 2-1 in the senior women’s National Championship on Wednesday. Tribune photo

Australia beat Kiwis by 3 runs; WI beat Sri Lanka
Fatullah, March 19
Australia beat New Zealand by three runs at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium here today. Batting first, Australia made 200/7 in 20 overs. David Warner scored 65 off just 26 balls while Aaron Finch hit 47 off 22 balls. For New Zealand, Kyle Mills bagged two wickets by giving away 21 runs.

Champions trophy
Real, Chelsea ease into quarters
London, March 19
Chelsea reached the Champions League quarterfinals with a 3-1 aggregate win against Galatasaray on Tuesday, with Real Madrid joining them in the last eight after thrashing Schalke 9-2 over two legs of their last-16 tie. Chelsea’s clash with Galatasaray was finely balanced after a 1-1 draw in the first leg, but the hosts eased the tension around Stamford Bridge when Samuel Eto’o’s deflected shot crept under visiting keeper Fernando Muslera after four minutes.

Open to support any faction, says Vijender
New Delhi, March 19
Boxer Vijender Singh today made a u-turn from his stance that he is backing the former IABF secretary-general P K Muralidharan Raja-led faction, saying that whichever group gets the national boxing body’s suspension lifted by the AIBA will receive his support.

India warm up to a win
Raina shows revival signs; spinners choke England to give 20-run victory
Subhash Rajta
Tribune News Service

Mirpur, March 19
What would have been on India’s wish list going into their last practice game ahead of their opener against Pakistan on Friday? That’s easy, one would say. A solid opening partnership, the middle order building on the foundation, the final flourish, and then the bowlers mending their ways and turning in a good performance for a morale-boosting win over England.

That’s of course a lot to ask for, but India managed to tick more boxes than they left blank. First up, they notched a 20-run win, a crucial victory even if it was just a practice game as it’s been a while since India beat a top nation in any format of the game.

Secondly, how middle order, Suresh Raina in particular, stood up to the challenge after the initial reverses, must have warmed the hearts of the team management.

The left-hander, who has already lost his place in the Test and ODI side, looked determined not to slip up and risk losing his place in this format too. India were on the brink of trouble, wobbling at 39 for 3, when Raina strode in. If he was nervous with a lot of focus on him, he didn’t show it. He began assuredly, rotating the strike for the first couple of deliveries, and then began asserting himself. Off to a brisk start, he motored along and reached his fifty with a flurry of boundaries.

At the other end, Virat Kohli, as always, stood like a rock. Having allowed Raina a free run, he took charge once the left-hander departed and saw India to a daunting 178-run total with an unbeaten 74.

The only disappointment in the batting department was the failure of the opening pair. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, both of whom departed before India could cross even 30, will need to do far better if India are to pose a serious challenge in the tournament.

India would be happy with their bowling effort too, save for the opening spell by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami.

The duo began reasonably well but looked a little lost once the English batsmen put them under the pump. The spinners, however, pushed the charging England batsmen back in the middle over by stemming the flow of runs and building up the pressure.

And then, the final overs, which have been a thorn in India’s flesh for a long time, were seen off without any real scare to the target. The pacers, although not under serious assault from the English batsmen, held their nerve and bowled India to a 20-run win. Coming as it did just ahead of the clash against Pakistan, the victory will put India in a much better frame of mind for the crucial clash.

Scoreboard

Team India due to pay popularity price
Subhash Rajta
Tribune News Service

Mirpur, March 19
Could you please get me a ticket for the India-Pakistan match? The request hardly takes any time coming as one strikes a conversation with the locals in small, busy shops or on the chaotic and noisy roads of the Bangladesh capital. Clearly, the Indian team is as popular here as anywhere else in the cricketing world.

It’s this massive fan following across the globe that gives India the first-among-the-equals status. It’s this popularity that translates into mindboggling cash for the Indian board and the team.

While the privileges of being the most popular team, or at least the most-watched team on television, are of course numerous, there are a few downsides to it too.

And India are ‘scheduled’ to face one during the course of the tournament. They are the only team who will play all their matches late in the evening; every other team will play at least a couple of their games in the afternoon.

“India matches are slotted for prime time TV hours because it involves a lot of money. All India inventories are sold well in advance; it attracts maximum eyeballs and that means more money for the broadcaster and more mileage for the sponsors,” said a broadcaster, without wanting to be named.

Well, there’s nothing wrong as such playing late in the evening. The problem arises from dew, which gets heavier as the evening progresses into night. What a commentator and a Bangladesh pacer said on Tuesday night during the Bangladesh-Nepal match give a fair idea about how big a factor dew could turn out to be in the tournament. “The ball looks like a cake of soap, it’s difficult for the bowlers to hold it,” a commentator observed as the Bangladesh bowlers struggled to hit the right line and length. Seconding his thoughts, Al-Amin Hossain, a Bangladesh pacer, has this to say after the game. “I bowled a few wides but I must say I have never faced such dew in my life…”.

This game was played in Chittagong where dew factor comes more into play, but Dhaka too will have its share of the problem — not as severe but enough to cause some concern among the teams. So the all-evening schedule for India essentially means that they will go into the tournament with a slight disadvantage compared to others in their group. While Australia will play three games and Pakistan and West Indies two each out of four in the dew-free conditions, India will have to face the problem in every game.

And if MS Dhoni embarks on a toss-losing spree, as he does once in a while, India’s chances will take a massive hit. Bowling second, unless chasing a really small total, isn’t going to be easy in moist conditions, especially if the attack is more spin oriented like India’s.

It’s something the beleaguered India, going through a rough patch for some time now, would have been happy to avoid. But then, popularity too comes at a price.

T20s maximum impact men
This is where the intense action begins in the World T20. A clutch of X-men are likely to set the pulse racing. The Tribune list...

Chris Gayle, West Indies

The tall Jamaican is dreaded for his big-hitting ability. No boundary is big enough for the left-handed opener and even his mishits often land in the stands. In recent times, Gayle has been more watchful during the initial overs, signalling his intent to bat long and launch into the slower bowlers in the middle overs. Gayle smashed the first century in T20Is against South Africa in the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007 and can upset the opponent's gameplan.

David Warner, Australia

A stocky left-handed opener who can single-handedly win a match for his team. Whenever the diminutive southpaw has batted deep, Australia have invariably posted imposing totals. Warner boasts of a strike rate of 138 in T20Is and can clear the boundary at will. Also an excellent fielder, the 27-year-old is in rich vein of form after highly successful Test series against Australia and South Africa.

Virat Kohli, India

One of the world's most exciting talents, the 25-year-old right-hander has become India's most dependable batsman in recent times. His aggression and youthful exuberance reflect in the way he bats. Kohli can score fast without looking ugly and can pace his innings according to the game's demand. A smart runner between the wickets and a sweet timer of the ball, his brilliant fielding is an asset to a team not really known for its agility.

AB de Villiers, South Africa

I've had a lot said about me in the past and it's hurtful, by my own fans in the Caribbean and sometimes by others. But they need to know that it's always a cricketer's dream to wear his international colours and that term ‘mercenary’ will hurt cricket. Chris Gayle, West Indies

The talented middle-order batsman has the ability to adapt to any situation and can effortlessly shift batting gears which makes him an indispensable part of the South African team. When in flow, De Villiers is a nightmare for any bowler for his knack to improvise which can upset any field setting. The 30-year-old, South Africa's best batsman currently, also dons the gloves which affords his side more balance.

Brendon McCullum, New Zealand

Lalit Modi is credited with the birth of IPL but it is this man who actually got the million dollar baby off to an electryifying start with 158 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the very first match. Since then McCullum has continously dominated the mindspace in T20s. When he weilds the bat, he is brilliant, brash, and brutual.

Shahid Afridi, Pakistan

An aura of unpredictability always hangs around Shahid Afridi when he takes the cricket field. His swashbuckling batting and fiery legspin make him an exciting player in the shortest format of the game but there is always a chance for him to self-destruct. Afridi, who hurt his hamstring during the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, was at his adventurous best there when he took Pakistan to the final with close wins against India and Bangladesh.

Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka

Malinga has now played international cricket for almost 10 years but batsmen still struggle to read the paceman with blond-tinted hair and a sling-shot action. Malinga's fast, unorthodox action, toe-crushing yorkers, slow bouncers and pinpoint accuracy make him one of modern day cricket's most versatile bowlers. The 30-year-old plays only the shorter formats now and it is difficult to score briskly off him due to his subtle variations.

Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan

Another key bowler in Pakistan's World Twenty20 triumph, Ajmal, who was the joint second highest wicket-taker in 2009, will harass the batsmen with his bag of tricks. The off-spinner, the best exponent of the other way turning 'doosra', is also the most successful bowler in the format.

Sunil Narine, West Indies

The West Indian is the latest addition to the list of mystery spinners with his ability to turn the ball appreciably in both directions without any perceptible change in the bowling action. Batsmen have found it extremely difficult to score against the off-spinner who enjoys an enviable economy rate of 5.85 in the batting-dominated format. Narine's miserly bowling puts extra pressure on the batsmen to score off the other bowlers and he is expected to be a key player during the defending champions' campaign.

Dale Steyn, South Africa

Undoubtedly the best fast bowler in the world across all formats in recent times. Steyn’s accuracy and his lethal pace become even more effective in T20s. There’s no one like him who can get rid of the top order. His death bowling is remrakable too. Having suffered at his hand recently, the Oz would vouch for it. Steyn’s fitness is under a cloud after he aggravated a hamstring injury in a warm-up match vs Bangladesh.

Anand stays ahead with draw
Third straight draw, with Sergey Karjakin in sixth round, keeps him in sole lead

Khanty Mansiysk (Russia), March 19
Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand remained in sole lead with a third straight draw, signing peace with Russian Sergey Karjakin in the sixth round of Candidates Chess tournament here today.

After scoring two victories in the first three rounds, Anand did not get many chances for the third day running even as Karjakin had to work hard for the half point.

It turned out to be another high-tension round in the event that will select the challenger to Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the next World championship match later this year.

Bulgarian Veselin Topalov reacted like a wounded tiger after losing the previous round to Peter Svidler and defeated second seed Vladimir Kramnik of Russia in a fine display while Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan put it across Peter Svidler of Russia to announce his arrival as a contender in the tournament.

If this was not enough, top seed Levon Aronian of Armenia spoiled all the hard work of the first few hours and mishandled a winning position to let Russian Dmitry Andreikin off the hook with a draw.

After the lopsided round, Anand took his tally to four points and remained a half point ahead of Aronian.

While Kramnik and Svidler slipped to joint third spot along with Topalov and Mamedyarov who came back to a fifty percent score.

Karjakin moved to 2.5 points and is now on seventh spot, a half point clear of Andreikin who was simply lucky to survive today.

For the first time in Candidates, the main line of the Berlin defense came on board. Anand has not been able to crack it since the last world championship match and today was no different even though Karjakin had to find some right way to equalise.

After the usual trading of queens, Anand got the typical breakthrough on the king side but while that gave him a better control on the king side, Karjakin punctured the other flank by parting with his bishop.

Even as Anand’s king walked to the center, black`s position remained impregnable and the draw was agreed to after 33 moves.

Kramnik was outplayed in a Queen’s gambit declined.

The closed nature of the position gave Topalov the upper hand with white and he showed tremendous application in winning a pawn with some wily manoeuvres.

The technicalities remained but Topalov made them look like child`s play and secured his first victory in the tournament.

Mamedyarov continued with his catch-up act and scored a splendid victory against Svidler.

It was a Leningrad Dutch by Svidler that did not turn out to be a good choice.

Mamedyarov got the initiative in the middle game and his tactical acumen was simply too much to handle.

Aronian had a winning position in the middle game but the Armenian chose to reach a pawn up endgame against Andreikin that was not so easy to convert.

As it happened, Andreikin defended with grit and determination to salvage an important half point. — PTI

Punjab men fail to qualify for semifinals in Nationals

Lucknow, March 19
Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) defeated last year’s runners-up Punjab 3-1 to enter the semifinals of the Hockey India senior men’s National Championship at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here today. Punjab drew first blood in the Pool B contest when Parvinder Singh scored a field goal in the 32nd minute. CAG, who struggled in the first half, showed remarkable composure to make a comeback in the second period.

CAG levelled the score in the 42nd minute when they converted a penalty corner through Darshan D S.

Darshan gave his side the lead in the 63rd minute through another penalty-corner strike. Sarvjeet Singh (69th) scored in the dying moments to register their fourth win in a row, while Punjab failed to qualify for the semifinals for the first time in three years.

Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy (MPHA) overcame Manipur 3-2 in their Pool A match. MPHA came back strongly in the second half to take the match away from Manipur after trailing 0-2.

Earlier, Air India Sports Promotion Board routed Association of Indian Universities 7-2 in Pool A.

Haryana eves beat MP

Bhopal: Haryana eked out a 2-1 win over Madhya Pradesh in the Hockey India senior women’s National Championship here today.

Bharti provided the lead for Haryana in the 15th minute before Ritu Rani (64th) cancelled out Shyama Tidgam’s 48th-minute equaliser for Madhya Pradesh.

In Pool C, Hockey Bhopal hammered Mumbai Hockey Association 14-1, while Odisha routed Chhattisgarh 12-1 in a group A contest. In another goal-fest, Railways blanked Uttar Pradesh 20-0 in Pool B. — PTI

Australia beat Kiwis by 3 runs; WI beat Sri Lanka

Fatullah, March 19
Australia beat New Zealand by three runs at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium here today. Batting first, Australia made 200/7 in 20 overs. David Warner scored 65 off just 26 balls while Aaron Finch hit 47 off 22 balls. For New Zealand, Kyle Mills bagged two wickets by giving away 21 runs.

In reply, New Zealand made 197/9 in 20 overs. Martin Guptill (62) was the top scorer.

West Indies win by 33 runs

Mirpur: West Indies beat Sri Lanka by 33 runs in another warm up game. West Indies scored 172/5. Dwayne Smith scored 60 runs while Dwayne Bravo made 43. In reply, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 139 runs. Tillakaratne Dilshan scored 43. Sunil Narine bagged four wickets by giving away just 24 runs.

Zimbabwe beat The Netherlands

In the first Round Group B match at Sylhet Stadium, Zimbabwe beat The Netherlands by five wickets.

Batting first, the Netherlands scored 140/5 in 20 overs. Tom Cooper made an unbeten 72 runs. In reply, Zimbabwe reached home (146/5) in 20 overs. Brendan Taylor made 49 runs.

Du Plessis, Steyn injured

South Africa’s T20 captain Faf du Plessis and pace spearhead Dale Steyn are in doubt for the team’s opening World T20 match against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Both have hamstring injuries which kept them out of South Africa’s final warm-up match against Pakistan, which the South Africa won by eight wickets.

After bowling Pakistan out for 71 in 17.3 overs, South Africa comfortably chased down the score (72/8) with six overs to spare. — Agencies

Dhaka diary

Champions trophy
Real, Chelsea ease into quarters

Galatasaray’s Didier Drogba (L) bids farewell to Chelsea’s John Terry at the end of their Champions League last 16 second leg match in London on Tuesday. AFP

London, March 19
Chelsea reached the Champions League quarterfinals with a 3-1 aggregate win against Galatasaray on Tuesday, with Real Madrid joining them in the last eight after thrashing Schalke 9-2 over two legs of their last-16 tie. Chelsea’s clash with Galatasaray was finely balanced after a 1-1 draw in the first leg, but the hosts eased the tension around Stamford Bridge when Samuel Eto’o’s deflected shot crept under visiting keeper Fernando Muslera after four minutes.

Gary Cahill doubled Chelsea’s advantage two minutes before halftime, smashing home from close range after Muslera parried John Terry’s powerful header from a corner.

Schalke were playing for pride at Real Madrid, after a humiliating 6-1 home defeat in the first leg, but struggled again to contain the Spanish team’s dynamic forwards.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with his 40th goal of the season, tapping in Gareth Bale’s cross after 21 minutes.

Schalke equalised nine minutes later when right back Tim Hoogland’s shot from distance took a mean deflection off Sergio Ramos and trickled into the corner with Iker Casillas wrong-footed. Ronaldo added a second with a typically spectacular low drive after 74 minutes, his 13th in this season’s competition. — Reuters

Open to support any faction, says Vijender

New Delhi, March 19
Boxer Vijender Singh today made a u-turn from his stance that he is backing the former IABF secretary-general P K Muralidharan Raja-led faction, saying that whichever group gets the national boxing body’s suspension lifted by the AIBA will receive his support.

“I am with every faction. I am supporting Raja, Abhay Singh Chautala (former IABF president) or for that matter Ashok Matoria (present IABF president). I am supporting every group. I am a boxer and my job is boxing. I am not a politician that I would be supporting this group or that group. Whichever faction will help in taking the Indian boxing forward, I am with that group,” Vijender said.

The boxer said he wants an early resolution to the impasse so that Indian boxers can compete under the national flag at the international events. “I want something good to happen to Indian boxing soon. I want an early resolution of this issue. — PTI