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Maxwell, Miller do it again
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The idea of Shastri as IPL investigator causes outrage
Solanki punches his way into the quarters
Liverpool go five clear, Everton beat Man U
Boston Marathon looks to shake shadow of last year’s deadly bombing
Malaysian Open: Lahiri finishes 10th
Wawrinka beats Federer to win Monte Carlo Masters
‘Kirsten has given me a new perspective’
Chinappa stuns former world No. 1 to clinch squash title
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Maxwell, Miller do it again
Abu Dhabi, April 20 Chasing an imposing target, Maxwell took off from where he left in the last match. Maxi, as he is popularly known among his teammates, took just three overs to turn the game on its head. Coming into his own in the 11th over, Maxwell hit Rajat Bhatia for 16 runs with three blistering fours, all switch hits. In the next over, he meted out the same treatment to Dhawal Kulkarni as the medium fast bowler went for 17 runs. This time it was three consecutive fours off the last three deliveries. Bhatia came back for another over, but Maxwell deflated him with two huge sixes. Within a span of just three overs, Maxwell brought his team back into the hunt. But just when it looked he would take them across the finish line, he holed out to Steven Smith at long on, missing a well-deserved hundred for the second time in a row. There was still a lot of work to be done but David Miler unleashed even more ferocious attack on the Royals. While Pujara struggled for big hits on one end, Miller sent everything flying over the ropes and saw the Kings home in the second last over for an impressive seven-wicket victory. Earlier, breath-taking half-centuries by Shane Watson and Sanju Samson helped Rajasthan Royals post a big total of 191/5. Shane Watson (50;29b, 5x4, 3x6) and Sanju Samson (52;34b, 3x4, 4x6) went hammer and tongs against the Mohali team till the end of 17th over. Both the batsmen scored through clean hits. Having taken a lesson from the earlier hiding against Chennai Super Kings, Punjab entrusted more faith in their batting rather than bowling as they opted to chase. Not surprisingly, Kings bowlers were given a severe treatment by the opposition. While Mitchel Johnson, their strike bowler, could scalp only one wicket for 29 runs, L Balaji and Murali Kartik, known for their economical bowling, went for runs at an average of 11.71 and 12.75 respectively.
— TNS Scoreboard Rajasthan Royals Nayar lbw b Kartik 23 (20) Rahane run out (Bailey) 13 (8) Samson b Awana 52 (34) Watson b Patel 50 (29) Binny c Miller b Johnson 12 (8) Smith not out 27 (15) Faulkner not out 8 (7) Extras (b 2, lb 1, w 2, nb 1) 6 Total (5 wkts; 20 ovs) 191 Fall of wickets: 1-22 2-54 3-128 4-144 5-159 Bowling Patel 4-0-22-1 Johnson 4-0-29-1 Awana 4-0-40-1 Balaji 4-0-46-0 Kartik 4-0-51-1 Kings XI Punjab Pujara not out 40 (38) Sehwag c Binny b Kulkarni 2 (7) Saha c Kulkarni b Faulkner 2 (3) Maxwell c Smith b Richardson 89 (45) D Miller not out 51 (19) Extras (lb 5, w 4) 9 Total (3 wickets; 18.4 overs) 193 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-10, 3-126 Bowling Richardson 3-0-25-1 Kulkarni 4-0-50-1 Faulkner 3.4-0-45-1 Tambe 4-0-26-0 Bhatia 3-0-38-0 Binny 1-0-4-0 MoM: Glenn Maxwell
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Pujara looking to shed Test specialist tag
New Delhi, April 20 In his quest to find a spot in India's ODI squad, Pujara has even gone to the extent of working on his leg spin in the nets. That's a little strange, probably sad too, for if his sublime skills with the willow can't get him a spot in the side, how could his hitherto unheard ability to tweak the ball do that. Anyhow, Pujara is eyeing the current season of the IPL as an opportunity to shatter the perception about him being just the Test specialist, and convince the selectors to consider him for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year. “I am confident of achieving success in the 50-over and the T20 format; it's about getting more games and better exposure. I am working hard to be successful in all three formats. This year I have prepared well for the IPL and I am confident of putting up a good show for Kings XI Punjab,” said Pujara in a telephonic interview from Abu Dhabi. Is he eyeing the IPL to get into the ODI side? “I love playing T20 cricket and I enjoy this format. If I can prove myself in the
IPL, I am confident that I can get success in ODIs too. I would love to be part of the ODI squad for the 50-over World Cup, which is a dream tournament for me. After the
IPL, we would be heading for the England tour. If I get chance there and do well, the World Cup could be a reality for me,” he said. Pujara has become a permanent member of India's Test side, succeeding Rahul Dravid at No.3. But as for the ODIs, he has had just two outings in India Blue since making his debut in the limited-overs format against Zimbabwe last August. Pujara has the ability to become one of India's most consistent players in both forms of the game, provided he gets the opportunity in the ODI format, too. And one could easily notice the urge in him to make the transition. “I am working on my fitness, batting… pretty much everything that I can do of my own.” Asked about his poor IPL record with a strike rate of run-a-ball, Pujara said, “I had injuries in IPL-2 and IPL-4. I faced a lot of trouble coming out of that injury phase. I have not achieved much success in the IPL because I have not played too many games. I lost out playing in two-three editions because of my injuries. But this time I am well prepared.” |
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The idea of Shastri as IPL investigator causes outrage
Chandigarh, April 20 The names will be proposed to the Supreme Court, which last Wednesday had directed the BCCI to come up with the course of action it would take to ensure a free and fair probe into the IPL corruption scandal. The Supreme Court had stipulated that the probe should be conducted by a credible set of investigators, and noted that to ensure that, “Srinivasan cannot come back” as BCCI president. The decision to propose the name of Shastri, a paid employee and someone widely regarded as the mouthpiece of the BCCI, has caused surprise among observers. Rahul Mehra, the activist who for years has been raking up the issue of corruption within the BCCI, termed it a “cruel joke”. “God save Indian cricket, it seems dead and buried if Supreme Court doesn't get its act together,” he said. “Sunil Gavaskar to run IPL-7 and Ravi Shastri to investigate it? It's a cruel joke on Indians and cricket lovers. Amongst eminent players, Gavaskar and Shastri are kings of conflict of interest just as N Srinivasan and Lalit Modi are amongst administrators.” Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, in a self-imposed exile in London, said on twitter.com: “Ravi Shastri completely biased and on BCCI payroll. CBI must do enquiry. It will end all bias. There should be no compromise on the new panel. Current proposed panel has Srinivasan cronies on it. Supreme Court should allow only CBI to do enquiry.” While Modi himself is no angel, he seems to be right in this case. Shastri depends on the blessings of the BCCI officials to earn his lucrative fees as a commentator. He cannot afford to antagonise powerful officials like Srinivasan, just in case Srinivasan survives. Shastri's long career as a commentator indicates that he has a knack of remaining friends with those in power in the BCCI. Shastri, incidentally, was a big fan of Modi, going to the extent of likening him to Moses when Modi wielded enormous power in the BCCI. Reports suggest that when Shastri's name came up during the meeting, one member objected on the grounds that Shastri is a paid employee of the BCCI, apart from being part of the IPL Governing Council. He is also on the tournament's Code of Behaviour and Technical panels. Shashank Manohar, one of the few vocal critics of Srinivasan, represented the Vidarbha Cricket Association in the meeting. Manohar, who was the BCCI president before Srinivasan, reportedly objected to the name of Raghavan, though no details have emerged about his reasons. The Justice Mukul Mudgal Committee, which probed the IPL betting and spot-fixing scandal, had given the Supreme Court a list of 13 individuals against whom further investigations needed to be conducted. The Supreme Court revealed on Wednesday that Srinivasan's name figured in this list. A BCCI official who supports a thorough investigation against Srinivasan said: “Instead of Shastri, it would have been wiser to form an investigative committee that included Justice Mukul Mudgal as he is well-versed with the case.” The unrecognised Cricket Association of Bihar chief Aditya Verma, who has dragged the BCCI to the Supreme Court over the IPL spot-fixing scandal, today opposed the three-member committee suggested by the Board to probe into the case. Verma demanded a probe by either the Central Bureau of Investigation or National Intelligence Agency into the IPL scandal. “Only CBI or NIA inquiry is acceptable to me because if Hon'ble apex court-formed Justice Mudgal Committee is not acceptable to the BCCI, then why will I consider their probe panel,” said Verma. “On April 22, on behalf of CAB, I will strongly object to this panel in the Supreme Court and demand for a CBI or a NIA inquiry. Only apex court can change the image of the BCCI,” he said. Verma objected to the inclusion of former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri in the three-member panel in its emergency Working Committee meeting in Mumbai. “I have no doubt about the credentials of two other members but Ravi Shastri is a paid employee of the BCCI from a long time. In the days following the IPL 6 scam, he always read Srini Chalisa, so no hope from Shastri,” Verma said. |
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Hamilton eases to first hat-trick
Shanghai, April 20 It is also the first time that Hamilton — who moved ahead of Clark to become the top British qualifier on Saturday — has managed to win three races in a row. “I just can’t believe how amazing the car is,” said Hamilton, who led from pole and punched the air with both fists after parking up and leaping out. “I was just really racing myself. This team is on a roll, that’s for sure.” Fernando Alonso, winner of last year’s race in China, finished third to give Ferrari their first podium of the season. “Being here on the podium is some kind of surprise for us, it’s a nice surprise finally,” he said. Rosberg continues to lead the drivers’ standings despite not having won a race since the season-opening Australian Grand Prix but Hamilton’s three straight wins have allowed the Briton to close to within four points. Hamilton made a clean getaway from pole position and immediately showed his car’s untouchable pace, the Briton extending his advantage over his nearest rival to a gaping 10.4 seconds by the end of the tenth lap. Rosberg, however, was not as fortunate as his team mate and was on the back foot even before the start of the race with his engineers unable to view any telemetry information from his car. The German was hoping to clear the two Red Bulls separating him from the Briton early on but his challenge never materialised after a poor getaway and a collision with the Williams of Valtteri Bottas dropped him down to seventh at the start. The 28-year-old was able to call upon his car’s formidable pace to fight his way through the field, eventually crossing the line 18 seconds behind his team mate. “It’s really a pleasure, you know, to drive this car at the moment. This thing is so quick, you know,” Rosberg said. Daniel Ricciardo maintained his early season edge over Red Bull team mate Sebastian Vettel, the Australian crossing the line fourth ahead of the quadruple world champion. However, the gloves came off in the battle between the two, with Vettel asked to let the faster Ricciardo through for the second race in succession. “What tyres is he on?” Vettel asked his team when instructed to let Ricciardo go past. When told that Ricciardo was on the same tyres as him, the 26-year-old responded by saying “tough luck.” Force India followed their Bahrain podium up with another double points finish as Nico Hulkenberg took sixth and Sergio Perez ninth. The Silverstone-based team dropped a place in the constructors’ standings to Red Bull, but are still an impressive third ahead of Ferrari.
— Reuters Chequered blunder
Hamilton nearly backed off while still a lap away from his win after the chequered flag was waved early in a blunder that led to a post-race revision of the results. “That was very strange. I was thinking ‘Am I seeing things?’ I was coming across the line expecting to do another lap and all of a sudden I saw the flag, I lifted for a second and I saw there was no-one on the wall, so I just kept going.” The error led to the 56-lap race being shortened by two laps. The rule stipulates that if for any reason the flag is waved before the leading car has completed the race, it will be deemed to have finished when the leader last crossed the line on the previous lap. Chinese Grand Prix
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Solanki punches his way into the quarters
New Delhi, April 20 Solanki defeated Ireland's William Donoghue 3-0 to set up a clash against China's L V Ping, who got the better of Spain's Gabriel Escobar in the pre-quarterfinal bout. Solanki had been battling fever for the past two days and in the absence of a team doctor, the Indian contingent had to seek help from the doctor of Belarus' team. But he did not let that affect his performance in the ring as he out-witted his Irish rival. However, what it once again highlighted was the problems that Indian boxers are facing due to the termination of the IBF. Owing to it, the International Boxing Association has barred any officials, including doctors, from accompanying the Indians. However, it was curtains for Neeraj Parasar (64kg), who lost to Richard Toth of Hungary. The Indian fought hard but eventually lost 1-2. The mega-event is doubling up as a qualifying event for the Youth Olympics to be held in Nanjing, China from August 16 to 28. The youngsters, all in the age bracket of 17-18, will have to reach at least the semi-finals of the world event to make the cut for the Youth Olympics. The Indians are competing under the International Boxing Association (AIBA) flag due to the termination following the federation's failure to comply with the world body's directives on holding elections. India had won a couple of silver medals and a bronze in the previous edition in Yerevan, Armenia. Later in the day, Shyam Kakara scored a technical knockout victory over Ireland's Brendan Irvine in the first round itself. The Indian gave his Irish rival a tough time and eventually came out easy winner in the men's light fly 46-49kg bout. In the quarterfinal bout, Kakara will take on the winner of the match between Yoel Finol of Venezuela and Poland's Michael Legowski.
— PTI |
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Liverpool go five clear, Everton beat Man U
London, April 20 Arsenal beat Hull City 3-0 in a dress-rehearsal for next month's FA Cup final to stay one point ahead of Everton, who beat Manchester United 2-0 on the return of David Moyes to Goodison Park, in the race for fourth spot and next season's Champions League. Two Raheem Sterling goals and Luis Suarez's 30th league strike of the season helped Liverpool to their 11th consecutive Premier League victory and ensured them of a place in Europe's elite club competition next season. They moved to 80 points, five ahead of Chelsea who suffered a shock 2-1 defeat by bottom club Sunderland on Saturday. Third-placed Manchester City, on 71 points and with two matches in hand, play West Bromwich Albion on Monday. Arsenal, for whom Lukas Podolski scored twice after Aaron Ramsey's opener, moved to 70 points, one clear of fifth-placed Everton, who beat United thanks to first-half goals by Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas. Juventus edge towards title with Bologna victory
Rome: Juventus moved closer to a third consecutive Serie A title when a long-range Paul Pogba goal beat a dogged Bologna side 1-0, while AS Roma secured second spot and a Champions League place by winning 1-0 at Fiorentina. Juve are still eight points clear of Roma after Pogba’s powerful low drive secured their 17th home win in a row this season 64 minutes into a nervy display against a well-organised Bologna team. Roma’s eighth win in succession was secured with a neat goal from Radja Nainngolan in the 26th minute of a tight game in Florence.
— Reuters |
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Boston Marathon looks to shake shadow of last year’s deadly bombing
Boston, April 20 Some 36,000 people, the second-largest field in the race’s 118-year history, will set out from Hopkinton, a town west of Boston, for the 26.2-mile race that finishes on Boston’s Boylston Street, where two homemade pressure-cooker bombs last year killed three people and injured 264. For the top men and women runners, including 2013 winners Ethiopia’s Lelisa Desisa and Kenya’s Rita Jeptoo, the focus will be entirely on the competition. The fans, hundreds of thousands of whom are expected to line the course, will also be rooting for top US entrants including Ryan Hall of California and Desiree Linden of Michigan. Either could be the first American to stand atop the podium in three decades, breaking a long domination of the event by African athletes. A heavy police presence is planned and racers and supporters will face new restrictions including a ban on backpacks, which the ethnic Chechen brothers accused in the April 15, 2013, attack were believed to have used to carry the bombs. While the memory of the attacks has hung heavy over Boston through the week of events leading up to the race, Linden said it wouldn’t affect her thinking come race day. “That’s a backward thought process,” said Linden, who in 2011 finished in second place, missing victory by two seconds. “I don’t need a terrorist event to be motivated. I’m inspired by the city and the people and I’ll honour that.”
— Reuters |
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Malaysian Open: Lahiri finishes 10th
Chandigarh, April 20 Lahiri played consistently, carding a hat-trick of birdies on the third, fourth and fifth holes to shoot three-under for the front nine. A bogey on the par-four 13th took his total to eight-under 280 for the tournament. “I played really good but I am disappointed I didn’t make any birdies on the back nine. All in all it has been a solid week but I can’t help but feel that I left a lot out there. I was hitting the ball really good. I hit 16 greens on regulation but didn’t make the putts. I gave myself a lot of opportunities but couldn’t hole the birdies,” said Lahiri. “I was a little anxious to do well this week. I came into the event feeling good about my game. I really wanted to contend badly. I tried a bit too hard and forced the issue. I didn’t focus on what I needed to do. It got better on the weekend.” Discussing the final round, he said, “I was not monitoring the scoreboard because I was too far off to catch the leader. I was personally trying to get to 12-under because I shot a 66 yesterday and I was hitting the ball exactly like I did yesterday. The rain came down on the back and that put me off a little bit. I missed two or three fairways which cost me a stroke.” This week’s performance moved Lahiri to fourth position on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. “I’ve been playing well for some time now and I feel like I am playing well enough to win. I just need to be patient and stay relaxed. That’s what I’ve learnt from this week. I need to get up in the rankings as fast as I can,” said Lahiri. Meanwhile Shiv Kapur finished 31st at three-under 281 after carding a 71 today. SSP Chowrasia carded a two-over 74 today and finished tied 33rd, a stroke behind Kapur. Rahul Gangjee had a disappointing finish to the week with a 76 today. He finished 45th at level-par 288. Chiragh Kumar covered some ground with a 71 and finished 45th while Rashid Khan finished 68th at six-over 294. |
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Wawrinka beats Federer to win Monte Carlo Masters
Monaco, April 20 “I am really happy, after having won a first Grand Slam title to win a Masters, it’s outstanding,” Wawrinka said. “Roger, you’re the best player ever, it’s always special for me to play against you and I hope we will have a great year you and me.” Federer, whose only defeat in 14 previous matches against Wawrinka was in Monte Carlo in 2009, said: “I had a great week. Congratulations to Stan, I hope it will continue for you like that for years.” Fourth seed Federer, who beat an injured Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, was his brilliant old self for almost an hour but the 17-times Grand Slam champion was eventually overwhelmed by his opponent’s power. Wawrinka played with great depth as Federer was eventually pushed back far from his baseline and was prevented from attacking. “I don’t think I served quite so well early on in the third set,” Federer said.
“I think he really found his range and started to hit bigger, deeper. He didn’t miss that many second serve returns anymore. He gave me a couple cheap points in the first couple sets which he later on really didn’t give me anymore.” Bryan Brothers’ win
gives Mike 100 titles
Mike Bryan is the first player to win 100 tour-level doubles titles after he and twin brother Bob Bryan triumphed on Sunday. The Americans captured their 98th team title as they defeated Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo 6-3 3-6 10-8 in 72 minutes. “It’s amazing to hit triple digits,” said Mike. “It’s a great milestone to say that you have a hundred, to be the first player to hit a hundred titles. Kind of snuck up on us pretty quick. Last few years we’ve been really hot. We always wanted to beat the Woodies’ record of 61. Then trying to clip Todd Woodbridge’s 83 titles. All of a sudden I’m at 99,” he added. “It will feel a lot better when we do it as a team. We’ve always looked at our career as team titles, doing it together. That’s the huge goal for this year, to do it together.”
— Agencies Kerber puts Germany into Fed Cup final
Brisbane: Angelique Kerber put Germany into their first Fed Cup tennis final in 22 years, with a fighting victory over Australia’s Samantha Stosur in the semifinal in Brisbane on Sunday. World No. 7 Kerber fought back from dropping the opening set to beat former US Open champion Stosur 4-6 6-0 6-4 in 2hr 14min to give Germany an unassailable 3-0 lead over Australia. The Australian pair of Casey Dellacqua and Ashleigh Barty prevented a wipe-out when they claimed the “dead” doubles rubber 6-2 6-7(5-7) 10-2 over Julia Goerges and Anna-Lena Groenefeld. Germany will play the Czech Republic in the final in November, after the hosts beat Italy in Ostrava. Leading 2-0 overnight, former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova beat Roberta Vinci 6-3 7-5 to put the Czechs 3-0 ahead.
— Agencies |
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‘Kirsten has given me a new perspective’
Abu Dhabi, April 20 “Gary has been really good. He is always willing to come to you and have a chat and has always got an open door, which is fantastic. His insight into cricket is like nothing I have seen before. He has a lot of game awareness, which I haven't really thought too much about,” Coulter-Nile, who did well to pick up two scalps in last night's four-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, said. “Gary literally sat me down and talked about how I construct my overs and stuff, which I have never thought about. To sit down and actually think about what I am doing is probably the biggest thing I can grasp,” he told the IPL's official website. Delhi lost their tournament-opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore before bouncing back last night. “Of course! First win for the boys and that is a huge positive. It was a good all-round performance by the guys,” he said.
— PTI |
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to propose the names of cricketer-commentator Ravi Shastri, former CBI director RK Raghavan and former Calcutta High Court Chief Justice JN Patel for a probe panel to investigate allegations of corruption in the IPL. This decision was taken at the BCCI's Working Committee meeting in Mumbai today afternoon.
lowly Norwich City on Sunday, opening up a five-point lead over second-placed Chelsea with three matches remaining.
Arsenal beat Hull City 3-0 in a dress-rehearsal for next month's FA Cup final to stay one point ahead of Everton, who beat Manchester United 2-0 on the return of David Moyes to Goodison Park, in the race for fourth spot and next season's Champions League.
