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Mumbai open their account
Royal thrashing for Delhi
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RCB hope to get back to winning ways at home
NRAI criticises SAI over non-payment of salary to coaches
In-form Gangjee tied seventh, Lahiri a stroke behind in Singapore
Sandeep, Khushbir better their best
Maheswary nominated again for Arjuna Award
9 Euro clubs in trouble due to financial losses
Sandhu, Sodhi to train in Delhi camp
Thomas, Uber Cup camps from May 7
AIFF invites bids for new I-League season
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Mumbai open their account
Mumbai, May 3 Kieron Pollard smashed Sandeep Sharma for a six over long-off in the first ball of the final over as MI surged past Kings XI score of 168 for 5 by scoring 170 for five. Pollard remained unconquered on 28 off 12 balls and put on 44 runs in only 15 balls for the unfinished sixth wicket with Aditya Tare (16 off 6 balls) at the Wankhede Stadium. Prior to their quick-fire partnership, MI were put on the victory path by significant contributions from opener C Gautam (33), skipper Rohit Sharma (39) and Corey Anderson (35). The dismissal of Sharma and Anderson in successive overs brought Punjab back into the game but Pollard and Tare shattered their hopes. It was MI’s first win in six games. It was also their first game at home in this edition and they have now extended their winning run at this venue to nine since the last edition. It was Punjab’s first defeat after a glorious winning streak of five out of five. Mumbai’s chase started on a none-too-promising note when they lost opener Ben Dunk in the fifth ball of the innings and then Ambati Rayudu, struggling at 33 for two. Dunk was caught brilliantly by a diving Wriddhiman Saha behind the wicket off Sandeep Sharma, who also accounted for Rayudu by trapping the batsman in front with a ball that moved in sharply and also kept low. Chidambaram Gautam, promoted in the order in yet another new opening combination for the title holders, and Rohit Sharma then repaired the innings with a stand of 47. After the power play, MI were 49 for two and then advanced to 70 for 3 following the exit of Gautam who was dismissed by Rishi Dhawan. New batsman Anderson smashed a six off Dhawan over long on to make a good start. The left hander from New Zealand, whose highest score has been 39 batting at No. 3 against Chennai Super Kings, then hit left-arm spinner Akshar Patel for three fours and a six in the next over— the 13th — to swing the game in MI’s favour. Patel conceded 20 runs in his last over for expensive figures of 0 for 40. Earlier, Kings XI Punjab wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha cracked his maiden half century of the season and Glenn Maxwell struck a quick 45 to Kings XI compile a challenging 168/5. Saha started slowly but gained confidence in the company of the in-form Glenn Maxwell, who slammed a quick-fire 45 in 27 balls, to remain unconquered on 59 in 47 balls. Virender Sehwag, who had looked dangerous in the previous game, was run out early on. — PTI Scoreboard Kings XI Punjab Mumbai Indians
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New Delhi, May 3 The opener struck an impressive unbeaten 50-ball 73 to guide Royals to a thumping seven-wicket win over listless Delhi Daredevils. Nair dropped anchor on one end, allowing others to play around him as they overhauled Daredevils’ fighting 152-run total with a plenty to spare. The other key contributors to the facile win were Sanju Samson (34), Shane Watson Watson (16) and Rajat Bhatia (17). Earlier, Delhi opener Quinton de Kock fired at the top, while in-form JP Duminy provided the late charge to power Delhi Daredevils to a competitive 152-5 at the Ferozshah Kotla stadium. De Kock blasted 43 off 33 balls, studded with five fours and a six, while Duminy smashed 39 off 31 balls, laced with four fours and one six. Kedar Jadhav’s cameo of 28 from 14 balls helped them cross the 150-run mark. For Rajasthan, James Faulkner (2/26) and Pravin Tambe (2/25) were the prime performers. — TNS/PTI Scoreboard Delhi Daredevils Rajasthan Royals
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RCB hope to get back to winning ways at home
Bangalore, May 3 Both RCB and Hyderabad have garnered four points each, but the home side are placed above in the points-table because of a better run-rate. RCB started off really well in the tournament by winning their first two matches even in the absence of the explosive West Indian Chris Gayle, but things went awry for them since then. A lot of team’s success, as has been the case all these six years, will revolve around Gayle, Kohli, Yuvraj Singh and AB de Villiers. In the five games RCB have played so far, they have not fired as expected. Captain Kohli will be hoping that a return to familiar territory will be just the boost his team needs. Yuvraj has been getting decent knocks but he is not getting his rhythm right. De Villiers also have been miserable except for the 45-run knock against Mumbai Indians. Dhoni helps me with slower balls: Mohit
Mohit sparkled with a three-wicket haul against the Kolkata Knight Riders in an IPL match in Ranchi on Friday night. “I use the slower one according to the batsman. There is also a knack of bowling that slower one and using it according to the situation. When the batsman is on a roll and trying to hit you outside the off—stump, you need to bowl the slower one at a proper line and length that could make it difficult for the batsman to connect,” Mohit told IPL’s official website. “Dhoni bhai makes me understand all these things, like which batsman is moving which way and how I have to bowl my deliveries, which is of great help,” he said. — PTI
Today’s match:
RCB vs Sunrisers (Live on Set Max, 8pm)
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NRAI criticises SAI over non-payment of salary to coaches
New Delhi, May 3 NRAI asked SAI why payments were released on a “pro-rata basis” for a 15-month period when no such clause was discussed when the coaches were appointed. The NRAI’s response came a day after The Tribune reported that most of the coaches are ready to skip the preparatory camp this month after the SAI failed to offer them new contracts and clear their long-pending payment dues. The SAI had, on its part, alleged that it was the federation which did not pursue the matter with them seriously. NRAI, blaming the SAI for delaying the contract process, asked the sports body to clarify why it took them more than a year to release the salary to coaches when appointments were made in October 2012. “SAI was provided with information as and when asked by them. The panel of coaches recommended by NRAI was approved by SAI in October 2012 and chief coaches and other coaches were appointed by SAI. The salary as per the scales of SAI was agreed upon by SAI with effect from October 2012. The contracts were to be prepared by SAI, which is the appointing authority. NRAI has no role to play in this case,” NRAI said. When the coaches had signed up with the NRAI in October 2012, the payment agreed upon was Rs 50,000 per month for chief coaches and Rs 30,000 for other coaches. But when the SAI made the payment to coaches in December last year — there are 24 coaches on the panel — some of them received only around Rs 60,000 for the 15-month period. Jaspal Rana, chief coach of the junior pistol team, and Deepali Deshpande, junior rifle chief coach, received “No salary was released by SAI till December 2013 and the NRAI president (Raninder Singh) took up the matter at various meetings held with SAI officials and this issue was also raised in meetings with officials of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Every time, we were given the assurance that salary would be released shortly. In December 2013, salary was released by SAI to coaches on a “pro-rata basis” which was never discussed at the time of appointment of coaches,” NRAI said. The shooting federation informed that a meeting between NRAI, the coaches and SAI officials took place in January this year where it was decided that SAI would offer a regular monthly salary to the coaching staff after they sign a new contract, starting February 1. “In January, the NRAI president met the DG SAI and requested him to release the full salary of the coaches. SAI agreed to release the full salary from February 1 onwards and also agree to pay the full arrears from October 2012. DG SAI also agreed to prepare a new appointment letter effective February 1, 2014. We may mention here that no contracts were prepared by SAI in October 2012 when coaches were appointed for the first time. Despite their commitment, SAI did not start releasing salary from February 2014 nor was any appointment letter/contract prepared till today, NRAI alleged.
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In-form Gangjee tied seventh, Lahiri a stroke behind in Singapore
Chandigarh, May 3 Gangjee is tied seventh going into the final round, five strokes behind tournament leaders Anders Hansen and Panuphol Pittayarat, who are tied at a 16-under 200. Gangjee’s round consisted of a double bogey on the par-four third and a bogey on the 14th but he maintained his cool to salvage the situation with birdies on the second, fourth, eighth and 18th holes. Meanwhile, Anirban Lahiri edged closer to the top with a round of 68 today. He started with a bogey on the par-five second but picked up birdies on the third, eighth and ninth to make the turn at two-under for the round. Birdies on the 11th, 13th and 16th holes were disrupted by his second dropped shot of the day, on the 12th hole, resulting in a 68 that took his total to an 11-under 205. This leaves him tied 11th heading into the final round. “Last week in Indonesia was a great result for me. I’ve to focus on what needs to be done here next. This event is a great opportunity for me to step up another level in my game and there is still a lot to play for this week,” said Lahiri. SSP Chowrasia could only muster a one-under 71 but is well placed at nine-under 207 while Chiragh Kumar carded a 72 for a total of 211. Chandigarh’s Jeev Milkha Singh failed to capitalise on his first round. He carded a two-over 74 today and dropped to a three-under 213 for the week, right to the bottom of the leaderboard, with just three players trailing him. Tavleen cards only sub-par round, Drall wins
Chandigarh golfer Tavleen Batra carded the only under-par round of the tournament in the recently concluded Usha IGU Army Ladies Open Golf Championship, played at the Army golf Course in New Delhi last week. Another local golfer, Armandeep Drall won the tournament at the Dhaula Kuan course with a total score of 224, carding rounds of 74, 71 and 77. Delhi’s Ridhima Dilawari finished second with a total of 225 while Tavleen carded rounds of 82, 74 and 70 to finish third with a total of 226. The next tournament of the season, the IGU Northern India Ladies, will be played at the Delhi Golf Course this week.
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Sandeep, Khushbir better their best
New Delhi, May 3 Sandeep finished 23rd in his event, clocking 3:56:22s to better Basanta Bahadur Rana’s earlier national record timing of 3:56:48s set during the 2012 the London Olympics. Sandeep had a personal best of 4:02:19s before this effort. Later, India’s woman walking star Khushbir erased her own national record in the 20km event, clocking 1:31:40, to finish 35th in the ongoing competition. Khushbir’s previous record of 1:33:37 was set recently at the Asian Race Walking Championship in Nomi, Japan in March. Sixty walkers took part in the event and 48 finished the race that was won by 2013 Moscow World Championships silver medallist Mikhail Ryzhov of Russia in a record time of 3:39:05s. Another Russian, Ivan Noskov, finished second in 3:39:38s, while Jared Tallent of Australia was third in 3:42:48s. — PTI
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Maheswary nominated again for Arjuna Award
New Delhi, May 3 A top AFI official told PTI that Maheswary’s name has been nominated again for this year’s Arjuna Award on the ground that the Sports Ministry’s eligibility rule does not bar him from getting the award. “Sports Ministry’s eligibility clause says that any athlete who failed a dope test conducted by a WADA or IOC accredited laboratory will be barred from getting the award. But Maheswary’s case relates to a test conducted in 2008 while the NDTL got WADA accreditation in 2009 only,” the official said. “So, we have recommended his name again for the award. Let’s see what the new government does,” he said. Interestingly, this same eligibility rule (4.2) was considered when he was denied the award last time. The eligibility rule (4.2) for Arjuna Awards as amended on March 15, 2010 states that “sportspersons found positive for use of drugs banned by the International Olympic Committee in any laboratory accredited by the IOC will not be eligible for Arjuna Award”. — PTI |
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Ban for dope-tainted Gay
Raleigh (N. Carolina), May 3 Gay has also returned the silver medal he won with the U.S. 4x100 metres relay team at the 2012 London Olympics but will be eligible to return to competition as early as next month after admitting his offence and co-operating with investigators. “We are thankful he decided to come in and be truthful in his cooperation with us,” USADA chief executive Travis Tygart told Reuters. “With the loss of results since 2012, including an Olympic medal, he has suffered serious consequences, but by cooperating he has tried to help the sport move forward for the good of clean athletes.” As part of the suspension he accepted, Gay, the joint second fastest man in history, was disqualified from all competitive results since July 15, 2012, the date he first used a product that contained a prohibited steroid. The start of his ban was backdated to June 23, 2013, the day his doping sample was collected at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and when he voluntarily stopped competing after being notified of his positive test. His first race back is planned for July, Reuters has learned. The American 100 metres record holder had tearfully admitted last July he had failed an out-of-competition doping test, saying “I basically put my trust in someone and I was let down.” “I don’t have a sabotage story. I don’t have lies,” Gay, who had previously spoken out against doping, said in a 2013 interview, adding he had never knowingly taken a performance-enhancing drug. “I made a mistake.” The 31-year-old could have been suspended for two years for his first doping offence but received a reduction because of his substantial assistance, USADA said. — Reuters Big fish banned in recent times
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Oeiras (Portugal), May 3 The top seeded Indo-Zimbabwean pair, playing their third final of the season, was tested by the Czech-Russian team in summit clash, which lasted one hour and 18 minutes. Before, this Sania and Cara had ended runners-up at Indian Wells in March and at the Stuttgart event last week. Courtesy an early break, the top seeds raced to 3-1 lead in the opening set but Eva and Valeria raised their game by a few notches to not only break their rivals back but also snatch the lead by the seventh game. Stunned by the fightback of the Czech-Russian pair, Sania and Cara broke Eva and Valeria in the eight hgame to make it 4-4 and one more time in the 10th to pocket the first set. After trading a break each, the two pairs were 3-3 in the second set. A double fault by Cara put the top seeds down a breakpoint but they saved it to be up 4-3. They broke their fighting rivals in the next game and Sania served out the match in the ninth game. Sania and Cara shared Euros 9,919 as the prize money and earned 280 ranking points each for the win. — PTI
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India fall again, to play for 7th
Glasgow, May 3 This was India’s third consecutive defeat in the tournament, after earlier losses to South Korea and Scotland. Belgium captain Charlotte de Vos scored the first goal for her team in the 20th minute. Five minutes later Poonam Rani drew parity for India by converting a penalty corner. The Belgians came back well as Emilie Sinia found the net through a field goal in the 28th minute. The Indian team defended well and did not let Belgium score any more goals till the end of the first half. In the second half the Indian eves came back strong and Monika neutralised the lead in the 44th minute through a field goal, making it 2-2. In the very next minute, Louise Versa Vel scored to yet again to put Belgium ahead. In the 60th minute, Sinia scored her second goal to take the game away from the Indians. India next play hosts Scotland for a chance to finish at the seventh place in the eight-team event. — TNS
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London, May 3 Ross Barkley’s stunner put hosts Everton ahead in the 11th minute, but Sergio Aguero quickly equalized and a brace from Edin Dzeko secured victory for Manuel Pellegrini’s side despite Romelu Lukaku reducing the arrears. City now lead previous leaders Liverpool on goal difference — +59 to +50 — and will therefore be practically assured of winning the title if they win their two remaining games. Chelsea and Liverpool each have opportunities to take over at the summit over the next two days, but if City beat Aston Villa on Wednesday and win at home to West Ham United next weekend, they are unlikely to be caught. Everton’s fans were in the uncomfortable position of knowing that victory for their side would hand the title initiative to their city rivals Liverpool, but Barkley’s strike was a goal that demanded to be celebrated. After Steven Naismaith rolled Leighton Baines’s pass into his path, the 20-year-old England midfielder looked up and arced a magnificent first-time shot into the top-right corner from 25 yards. Aguero equalized just 11 minutes later, however, rattling home at the near post from Yaya Toure’s pass, and although he was then forced off with an apparent groin injury, City powered on. Dzeko put the visitors in front in the 43rd minute with an imperious header from a James Milner cross and after Joe Hart had saved from Naismith early in the second half, the Bosnian stabbed home Samir Nasri’s cross to make it 3-1. Lukaku’s 65th-minute diving header brought Everton back into the game, but City survived a nail-biting last half an hour — Hart notably saving from substitute Gerard Deulofeu — to close on the title. Barca's last major title chance slipping away
Barcelona were left facing their first season without any major silverware in six years after they conceded in the second minute of added time in a tepid 2-2 La Liga draw at home to lowly Getafe on Saturday. Barca's feeble showing means Atletico Madrid can stretch their advantage at the top to six points with two games left. Real Madrid are three points behind Barca in third and well placed to overhaul their arch rivals as they have Sunday's match at home to Valencia and Wednesday's trip to struggling Real Valladolid in hand. — Reuters |
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London, May 3 An own goal by Spurs striker Harry Kane and Stewart Downing’s free kick put West Ham in control before halftime after Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul was red-carded for bundling over Downing who was racing towards goal. The Hammers had lost their previous four games and were not mathematically safe but have now reached 40 points with one game, away to Manchester City, left. Tottenham remain in sixth spot with one match left, although Manchester United, who are six points behind, have three games to play and could still snatch a Europa League place. The north London club were also beaten 3-0 at home by West Ham in the Premier League and in the League Cup quarterfinals this season. At the bottom Cardiff City, Fulham and Sunderland are all seeking away wins, at Newcastle United, Stoke and Manchester United respectively as they battle to avoid relegation. — Reuters
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9 Euro clubs in trouble due to financial losses
London, May 3 Media reports this week said big-spending Manchester City and Paris St Germain have been given the chance to settle breaches of the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules that will leave them free to play in next season’s Champions League. There had been speculation that details of those settlements would emerge as early as this week. In a statement issued after a two-day meeting of its Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), UEFA said it had given a clean bill of health to 67 of the 76 clubs who had been asked earlier this year to supply additional information about their accounts. The remaining nine clubs have exceeded the maximum permitted losses under the new regulatory system and sanctions are expected to be announced by the end of next week. — Reuters
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Sandhu, Sodhi to train in Delhi camp
New Delhi, May 3 Sandhu, a gold medal winner at the World Cup in Tucson last month, and Sodhi will be among the 14 shotgun shooters who will be attending the camp from May 7-18 at the Karni Singh Ranges. Shagun Chowdhary and Shreyasi Singh, among others, will be attending the camp in the women’s section. — PTI
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Thomas, Uber Cup camps from May 7
New Delhi, May 3 The finals are to be held at the Siri Fort Sports Complex in the capital between May 18 and 25. India have picked up a 30-member core group to prepare for the tournament, out of which 10 men and 10 women would be picked up later in the week. In the Thomas Cup competition for men, India have been grouped with Malaysia, Germany and South Korea in a virtual group of death. The Indian women face Thailand, Canada and Hong Kong in Group C in the Uber Cup. While the team and coaches are aware that qualifying for the knockout round won’t be easy in the Thomas Cup, they are banking on the women to create history by reaching the last eight for the first time in the tournament. The Indian women have managed to qualify for the main tournament for only the second time in over four decades. Reaching the quarterfinals is in the realm of possibility, given that India now boast of two singles players in the world top-10. Gopichand said the Indian teams are upbeat about the prospects and look forward to putting up a grand show. “I don’t want to predict where we will reach in the tournament at this stage. But I can promise you that the teams would give their best in every match to justify our rising status. We know it will be tough against higher ranked teams in the Thomas Cup but we assure you of a cent per cent effort in the group stages,” he said. |
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AIFF invites bids for new I-League season
New Delhi, May 3 “The invitation to tender sets out the details on how the bids are required to be submitted and can be obtained from AIFF Headquarters, ‘Football House’, from May 6, 2014 onwards,” the AIFF said in a statement today. The pre-bid meeting is scheduled to be held on May 15, and the last day for submission of bids is June 2, according to the AIFF. “The success of the bidding process for teams in the I-League has come as an eye-opener for all. Only prior to the last edition, JSW had successfully bid to get an I-League team from Bangalore and have won the title in a convincing fashion in their first season itself,” the AIFF stated. In order to broadbase the game, AIFF says that it might give preference at its own discretion to bids received from clubs/entities who want to operate from cities where there is no I-League team,s cities like Ahmedabad, Baroda, Chennai, etc. “The invitation for the tender will be published on Monday (May 5, 2014) in some national dailies,” the AIFF said. The I-League currently features 14 teams. — PTI
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Defending champions Mumbai Indians finally snapped their losing streak on the back of a collective batting effort as they defeated Kings XI Punjab by five wickets in Mumbai on Saturday.
Rajasthan Royals is different from other franchises in one major way — every season they spot an upcoming domestic talent and make him perform like a star. If last year it was Sanju Samson, this time it’s Karnataka’s Karun Nair.
