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special coverage
Bangladesh ready to put up a good fight against West Indies
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Steyn, Duminy steer S. Africa to thrilling win over New Zealand
Shami should work on run-up: Shoaib
Can’t blame us for Harbir’s case: IOA
Walker Gurmeet ready for big year
Murray, Federer sizzle in Miami
Every clinches upset victory over Scott
Yang deserves to win: Jeev
Services, Odisha record easy wins in junior Nationals
Paliwal, Rasool take North to Deodhar Trophy final
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Yuvraj a shadow of himself
Mercurial allrounder has been struggling with his form and rhythm Subhash Rajta in Mirpur Imagine this. India lose their next two matches and they are locked at equal points with some other team, say Australia, for a place in the semifinals. However, they lose out on the spot by a whisker, on account of a marginally lower net run rate. What are they going to regret at that moment the most? How they dragged the match against West Indies into the last over on Sunday without a doubt, given that they could have finished it off much faster. And even though it would be unfair to blame any individual for this yet hypothetical but possible situation India could find themselves in, Yuvraj Singh’s excruciatingly slow 19-ball 10 would be the first thing that will spring to everyone’s mind. The larger picture aside, it was painful even otherwise to see Yuvraj struggle the way he did on Sunday. After all isn’t he the same batsman who smashed six sixes in one over from Stuart Broad in this very event in 2007, isn’t he someone who will be remembered as one of the most powerful and clean hitters of the cricket ball? Yet, he looked as nervous as a fresher on his very first day to a college notorious for ragging, inducing expressions ranging from anxiety to disbelief and embarrassment on the faces of his teammates in the dugout as he groped for that winning run in the last over. Skipper MS Dhoni, though he too appeared to have his composure ruffled a bit with that self-made crisis threatening to turn into a disaster, quite understandably sounded generous as he defended the left-hander. “Yuvraj is the best T20 player. Right now, he isn’t in a good rhythm. It is a bit tough, he has been dropped from ODIs and is coming back in T20s, there is a bit of pressure on him. It takes one-two matches but once he gets his touch back, we all know the kind of match-winner he is… I am glad he got a bit of time because it will only settle his nerves,” said Dhoni. Well, Yuvraj’s Sunday stint in the middle wasn’t the type that helps settle the nerves and boost confidence. It was after all just about a tentative nudge here, a timid push there, and finally almost a brain-freeze. The left-hander had come into the tournament fighting an existential battle, having already lost his place in Tests long ago and gradually moving out of contention in ODIs too. As it is, he seems to be fighting a losing battle, unless of course the real Yuvraj shows up sooner than later. For that he just needs to take a leaf out of Suresh Raina’s book, the other left-hander who came into the tournament under circumstances no different than his. He, too, was under tremendous pressure after losing his place in the other two formats and, just like Yuvraj, needed to perform to save his place in this format too, which he has, unlike Yuvraj. One obvious reason for their contrasting fortunes seems to be the difference in their mindset and approach. While the senior left-hander has looked tentative, fighting the demons of doubts in his head, Raina has been aggressive and confident. “I realised where I had been faltering earlier. I analysed my game, and worked out what could be done. I worked hard with my coach in the nets, played a few domestic games, and spoke to Sourav (Ganguly), he gave me some suggestions about my footwork,” said Raina. More than the technical adjustments he might have made, it’s his mental clarity that appears to have turned things around for him. Apart from these two, India coach Duncan Fletcher, too, was under the scanner coming into this tournament. One could only assume he must be a relieved man after this brilliant start, for it’s impossible to make out anything from his stony, inscrutable face and pursed lips. dhaka diary The confident group
Having ‘confident group’ embossed across the shirts of the West Indian team looked redundant, merely stating the obvious for confidence is one of the most innate traits of the Caribbean cricketers. But it was there for a different reason, as their manager pointed out. “We are of course a very confident group but we wouldn’t be vain enough to have it imprinted on our shirts. It’s actually the name of the group sponsoring us, based in South India,” he said. And then, there were Bangladesh players wearing shirts with Sahara, India’s long time sponsor until very recently, imprinted across it. The Indian company bought the sponsorships rights two years back for what was the biggest ever sponsorship deal for Bangladesh. With the money flow from India supporting cricket in almost every nook and corner of the world, maybe it’s not that unfair for the BCCI to ask for a larger share in the ICC revenues.
— Subhash Rajta |
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Bangladesh ready to put up a good fight against West Indies
Mirpur, March 24 While this record appears theirs for the taking, they might create another on the eve of the big day as thousands would throng the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium on Tuesday to cheer their team against West Indies in their Super 10 opener. The team of course hasn’t lived up to their expectations in recent times -- Bangladesh lost to Afghanistan in the Asia Cup and Hong Kong in the qualifiers a couple of days back-- but that’s promptly forgiven, if not forgotten. “It’s a bad accident, it happens some time, they are much better team than that,” said a policeman, stationed at the stadium. Tell Bangladesh fans that their team hasn’t progressed as much as it should have after getting the Test status way back in 2000, and they respond without hesitation. “Maybe you are right to an extent but it’s not that we haven’t progressed at all. A few years back we would win maybe 3-4 out of 30 games, but now we win that many in about 10,” said a local sports scribe. “And in the last two years especially, the team has had a good run. They have blanked New Zealand in the ODIs, have beaten West Indies in ODI as well as Tests, and made the final of the previous Asia Cup,” he said. “Incidentally, wasn’t it India they beat to make the Asia Cup final,” he asked, making little effort to conceal the obvious sarcasm. Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, too, cautions against reading too much into their loss against Hong Kong. “We didn’t play well in the last game against Hong Kong but it’s the T20 format where anything can happen. We’ve learnt our lessons from the defeat and we are ready to put up a good fight against West Indies,” he said. And to deal with the big-hitting West Indians, they are looking to use the India template — exploit their inability to rotate the strike against spinners and don’t give them enough room to swing their arms to hit big shots. If Bangladesh put it across West Indies, people will have that much more verve and delight in their voice as they sing the national anthem and make it to the Guinness Book of World Records. |
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Steyn, Duminy steer S. Africa to thrilling win over New Zealand
Chittagong, March 24 New Zealand seemed to be cruising in their reply thanks to Kane Williamson's 35-ball 51 and Ross Taylor's 62. They needed 31 off 24 deliveries with seven wickets in hand but a brilliant two-over spell from Steyn (4-17) turned the match on its head. The fiery paceman dismissed Corey Anderson for seven in the 18th over and then picked up two for four in the last over with the Kiwis requiring seven for victory. Taylor, needing three off the last ball, was run out. “I was thinking all the time, Dale is my trump card and I need to bring him back in the game because he was bowling beautifully,” South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who missed the Sri Lanka match with injury, said at the presentation. “But with the way they were hitting the ball... it was a fantastic effort from Dale. We were in huge trouble at the start. JP took his time and then hit it sweetly at the end. Fantastic effort and one of the best innings I have seen him play.” Leg-spinner Imran Tahir also played a key role, taking two for 27, but paceman Morne Morkel had a day to forget as he went for 50 in three overs. "Credit to South Africa for the way they hung in there... We probably should have won it pretty easily," New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said. “But you can't probably take it to the last over against such a quality bowler like Dale Steyn. "Little bit of luck today and we would have got across the line but credit to South Africa for their performance.” Earlier, Hashim Amla (41) and Duminy fought back with a 55-run stand after South Africa had slumped to 42/3. The fourth-wicket partnership was broken in bizarre fashion when Amla thumped a ball from Anderson and it hit Duminy's bat at the non-striker's end before spooning up for the bowler to complete an easy catch. Duminy was full of improvised strokes, bludgeoning 10 fours and three sixes. Brief Scores: South Africa 170/6 (Duminy 86*, Amla 41, Anderson 2-28, Southee 2-46) bt New Zealand 168/8 (Taylor 62, Williamson 51, Steyn 4-17) by 2 runs — Agencies |
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Shami should work on run-up: Shoaib
Dhaka, March 24 “Whatever I have seen, Mohammed Shami is the best fast bowler that India have at the moment. He is talented and should be nurtured with a lot of care.
But I think he has one basic technical flaw in his bowling. His run-up to the crease is not very smooth and he needs to work on that aspect in order to get better in the coming days,” Akhtar said on Monday. Asked to elaborate on what he meant about run-up problem, Akhtar said, “I think his run-up is not a measured and consistent one. It looks at times that he is labouring to the crease. That should not be the case. They should have a smooth action because that will help to generate a lot of pace on a consistent basis. Shami, I believe will serve Indian cricket for a long time, if he can work on that aspect.” Someone, who never believed in cutting down on pace despite several injuries during his more than a decade long career, Akhtar has one advice for the budding pacers. “Do everything required but never cut down on pace. Look, pace is the key for any fast bowler. I am not saying that you shouldn't concentrate on maintaining a good line and length but you can always work around keeping the pace intact,” he said.
— PTI |
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Facile victory for Sri Lanka
Paceman Angelo Mathews blew the Dutch top order away with a three-wicket burst while spinner Ajantha Mendis mowed down the lower order as Netherlands folded in 10.3 overs. Sri Lanka lost Kusal Perera (14) but chased down the target in five overs to top Group One with four points after their second successive victory in the tournament. It was also the biggest victory in Twenty20 Internationals in terms of balls to spare. Put into bat, the Dutch, who stunned Ireland in their previous match, offered little resistance to a Sri Lankan side eyeing their maiden World Twenty20 title. Nuwan Kulasekara dismissed Stephan Myburg with his third delivery before the sorry Dutch could open their account and Mathews came up with a three-wicket burst to reduce the minnows to nine for four in four overs. The Dutch gloom was reflected in a partial floodlight malfunction in the second over that held up play for a short while. Lasith Malinga's double strikes further pegged back the Dutch before Mendis wrecked the lower order to complete the rout. For Netherlands, only Tom Cooper (16) reached double figures. Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 40 for 1 bt Netherlands 39 (Mathews 3-16, Mendis 3-12) by 9 wickets.
— Agencies |
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Treblesome Messi hits Real hard
Madrid, March 24 Chasing a fifth title in six years, defeat for Barca at Real's Bernabeu stadium would have all-but killed off their challenge and they came out swinging and took a seventh-minute lead when playmaker Andres Iniesta burst clear on the left and lashed the ball into the roof of the net. It was fitting start to a game featuring some of the world's most expensive and best-paid talent and watched by millions around the world that also set the stage for one of the most entertaining encounters between the game's two richest clubs of recent times. Real, looking to restore their three-point lead at the top and undefeated in 31 matches in all competitions, were reeling but hit back with a Karim Benzema double before Messi's first, a close-range snap shot through a crowd of players to make it 2-2 at the break. Cristiano Ronaldo put Real ahead from the penalty spot 10 minutes into the second half after he was tripped by Dani Alves and the match turned when home captain Sergio Ramos was sent off for felling Neymar when he was through on goal in the 63rd. Messi clipped home the resulting penalty to level at 3-3 and after some relentless Barca pressure struck the winner from the spot six minutes from time after Iniesta was knocked to the ground in the area. The Real players were furious about both penalty decisions but Barca played a courageous game as they had promised and dominated possession, particularly after Ramos was dismissed, and thoroughly deserved the victory. With nine games left, Real have 70 points, level with city neighbours Atletico Madrid, who won 2-0 at bottom side Real Betis in the earlier kickoff, and one ahead of third-placed Barca. "It was an emotional match," Barca fullback Jordi Alba said. "We started strongly and then fell behind but we reacted well and managed to get an important win," added the Spain international. "The games that remain are like finals for Barcelona, Atletico and Real Madrid. This victory will give us a big morale boost." Ronaldo and Ramos were particularly harsh in their criticism of referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco, suggesting he should not be allowed to officiate another 'Clasico', but Real coach Carlo Ancelotti refused to get drawn into the debate. He urged his players to put Sunday's reverse behind them and regroup for a potentially tricky encounter on Wednesday at fifth-placed Sevilla, who won 2-1 at Osasuna on Sunday. "We made some small mistakes and that's why we did not win," Ancelotti, in his first season in charge after succeeding Jose Mourinho, said. "We pressured them high up the pitch, we had chances and we are not happy but not to worry, the league is still open," the Italian added. "We fought and played with intensity but we have to forget this match. Wednesday's game could be a key match in the season." Messi record
Messi's treble, his second in two games after his hat-trick against Osasuna last weekend, meant the four-times World Player of the Year became the all-time top scorer in 'Clasicos' with 21 goals, surpassing Real great Alfredo Di Stefano who scored 18. Still only 26, Messi has also moved into second on the list of record scorers in La Liga on 236 goals, ahead of former Real striker Hugo Sanchez on 234, and he is fast closing in on Telmo Zarra's mark of 251.
— Reuters |
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Can’t blame us for Harbir’s case: IOA
New Delhi, March 24 IOA secretary general Rajiv Mehta told PTI that Harbir was the only one who was denied accreditation by the orgainsers out of the provisional list of 700 Indian athletes for the 2014 Glasgow Games. "We sent a provisional list of more than 700 athletes. Except for Harbir, there was no issue for any other athlete. The communication from 2014 CWG organisers was that the player was denied accreditation after a background check by UK Home Office.” “We had written twice earlier to furnish the reason but each time we have been told that UK Home office can only tell the reason," he said. "In this situation, there is little IOA could have done. But we want our athlete to take part in the Games and we are taking the issue seriously. So, we are writing to 2014 CWG organisers again as well as to British High Commission here to give us the reason through the Home Office," he added. Mehta also said that the player himself can also approach the British High Commission here to furnish the reason of refusal of accreditation to him. "He (Harbir) can ask for the reasons. There is a procedure. He should first deposit a check of 10 pound to the British High Commission and submit an application to furnish the reasons," said Mehta. A miffed Hockey India had earlier asked the IOA to withdraw the men's hockey team from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games after it came to light that the full-back had been denied accreditation by the organisers of the 2014 CWG.
— PTI |
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Walker Gurmeet ready for big year
Chandigarh, March 24 The 28-year-old won the bronze medal at the Asian 20 km Race Walking Championships held at Nomi, Japan, on March 16. This was his third medal at the event – he won a bronze last year and a silver in 2012. But more importantly, Gurmeet won the medal in a time of 1 hour 21 minutes and 30 seconds, his best at the event and also his personal best in recent times. Gurmeet, who held the national record of 1:20.35 for many years, was one of the three Indian race walkers to participate in the London Olympics. But he had a disappointing outing, finishing 33rd with a timing of 1:23:34, while Irfan Kolothum Thodi finished 10th in a national record time of 1:20:21. Since then Gurmeet has been working hard and has won two consecutive bronze medals at the Asian Race Walking Championships, both in under 1:22. He defended his title at the National Open Race Walking Championships held in Kochi in February. “I am aiming for the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. The Asian Games will be a tougher event, but I am confident as it will have the same competition I faced at the Asian Championships,” said Gurmeet, who is currently attending the national camp in Bangalore. Gurmeet said his big target was the 2016 Olympics. “The qualifications will start next year. I am aiming to go below the time of 1:19.” Gurmeet, who did most of his early training in Jalandhar, first at Sports School and later at Lyalpur Khalsa College, was recently in the city to attend a function at Khalsa College. He said that the youth of Punjab is steering away from sport. “I don’t see as many kids taking up athletics, especially long distance disciplines, in Punjab.” He said the state government needs to motivate the youth by providing job stability. “Money and acknowledgment are the two biggest motivators. Other states give cash awards – Haryana gave awards even for participation in the Olympics,” said Gurmeet, a recipient of the 2006 Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award, which he received in 2013. Gurmeet had shifted to the Railways after being in the Punjab Police for six years because there was no opportunity for a promotion. “There are very few job opportunities for an athlete in Punjab. They haven’t hired coaches in 20 years,” he added. Gurmeet was recruited as a coach by the Sports Authority of India last year. And the athlete said that he would like to coach in Punjab to do his part for the state. |
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Bhullar, Lahiri take aim at inaugural EurAsia Cup
Chandigarh, March 24 The duo, who won a silver medal at the 2006 Asian Games as teammates, are confident of success this time around too. A five-time winner on the Asian Tour, Bhullar earned his place by finishing fifth on the 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit while Lahiri enjoyed a third place finish. “I am excited to be a part of a team event. Gagan and I were both talking about the importance of the EurAsia Cup and what it means for golf in the region,” said Lahiri, currently the highest ranked Indian on the World Golf Rankings at 104th place. “We have grown up watching the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup which are the two biggest team events in the world and EurAsia Cup will come in right behind those two events.” “We have got a good team and home turf advantage. Every member is a great player. If we play to our potential, we shouldn’t have a problem beating the Europeans," said
Bhullar. |
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Murray, Federer sizzle in Miami
Miami, March 24 Federer, twice a winner on the Miami hardcourts, needed just 62 minutes on a sweltering centre court to dispose of Dutch qualifier Thiemo De Bakker 6-3 6-3 while Murray appeared to be adjusting just fine to life without coach Ivan Lendl, easing past Spain's Feliciano Lopez 6-4 6-1. After getting the defence of his Sony Open title off to a shaky start with a three-sets win over Matthew Ebden on Friday, Wimbledon champion Murray was more in command against Lopez improving his record to 9-0 against the Spaniard in just 73 minutes. In other third round action, Frenchmen Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga advanced in contrasting fashion. The ninth seeded Gasquet had easy passage beating 17th seeded South African Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-4 while 11th seeded Tsonga rallied for a 4-6 7-6(6) 7-5 win over Cypriot wildcard Marcos Baghdatis.
— Reuters Del Potro to undergo left wrist surgery
Florida: Former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro will undergo surgery on his left wrist on Monday and is expected to be sidelined for at least several months. Del Potro said his wrist has bothered him off and on for two years. He underwent surgery on his right wrist in 2010 and was off the tour for eight months. |
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Every clinches upset victory over Scott
Orlando, March 24 “It’s tough. You just never know if it’s going to happen,” Every said after edging Keegan Bradley at Bay Hill. Scott, the Masters champion, finished third. Every, who started the final round four strokes behind Scott, charged to the front with four birdies in a five-hole stretch around the turn. The 30-year-old built a three-shot lead, before bogeying the 16th and 18th holes, missing a five-footer at the last. Bradley missed a 30-foot birdie putt that would have forced a playoff, while Scott finished two shots behind.
— Reuters |
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Yang deserves to win: Jeev
New Delhi, March 24 The winner will be revealed on April 22. Jeev, who is currently recuperating from a shoulder injury, said: "For someone who grew up with the Asian Tour, this is a tremendous honour. Just to be named alongside these great players fills me with an immense sense of pride.” "If I have to vote, I will give it to Yang. To be honest, a golfer's career is always judged by how well he played in the Majors, or how many he has won. Of us five players, only Yang can boast of achieving that."
— PTI |
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Services, Odisha record easy wins in junior Nationals
Chennai, March 24 In the opening match of the day, Hockey Gangpur (Odisha) thrashed Puducherry 14-1 in a Pool A encounter. In Pool B, BHA defeated Vidarbha Hockey Association 4-1 while SSCB spanked Hockey Bihar 10-2. In other matches of the day, Kerala and Goa drew 3-3 while Tripura beat Jammu and Kashmir 5-1.
— PTI |
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Paliwal, Rasool take North to Deodhar Trophy final Visakhapatnam, March 24 Put into bat, the North recovered from 63 for four in the 21st over to post a challenging 265 for seven thanks to Paliwal’s 113-ball 107 not out and Gurkeerat Singh’s 66-ball 77 in the first semifinal. The highlight of the innings was the 151-run stand for the fifth wicket between Paliwal and Gurkeerat. Opener Prashant Chopra contributed 34 while Gautam Gambhir could only score two runs from 12 balls. South Zone began well with openers Robin Uthappa (47) and Baba Aparijath (21) putting on 72 runs for the first wicket. But Rasool and Harbhajan Singh, spun the North to victory as the duo strangled the South batsmen from the 20th over onwards. Brief Scores: North Zone: 265/7 (Paliwal 107*, Gurkeerat 77; Vinay 3/57) bt South Zone: 165 all out in 36.3 overs (Nair 51, Uthappa 47; Rasool 3/15, Harbhajan 3/35). — PTI
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Chittagong, March 24
