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Crunch time for KKR, KXIP
From underachievers to table toppers
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CWG medal prospect out due to car accident
Pistorius attends Pretoria hospital for mental tests
Krakow citizens reject 2022 Winter Olympic bid
Germany eager to end World Cup third-place curse
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Crunch time for KKR, KXIP
Kolkata, May 26 Kolkata Knight Riders, the 2012 champions, can actually relate the change in weather at home to the change in their performance in the second-half of the tournament For the early part of their campaign, KKR were down in the dumps after losing four matches on the trot and languished at the bottom half of the points table. If the batting unit failed to fire against their opponents, the bowlers too found it hard to contain the flow of runs. It was all downhill for the KKR until it required a serious introspection on the part of the team management to put their campaign back on track. A morale-boosting eight-wicket win over Delhi Daredevils on May 7 provided the soothing effect for the KKR and since then, the home side never looked back. They have seven wins on the trot, which is their longest winning streak ever in the IPL, and are the only team in the competition who have directly knocked Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad out of the playoffs contention. The return to form of their batsmen and bowlers alike has made the KKR a firm favourite against an equally determined Kings XI Punjab in the Qualifier 1 to be played at the hallowed Eden Gardens on Tuesday. Momentum plays an important role in the great game of cricket and those who believe in this saying must know that KKR has an edge over George Bailey's men. Club that with Baroda Bomber, Yusuf Pathan’s brutal innings of 22-ball 72 against Hyderabad, which made sure Kolkata finished in the top 2, and playing in their own fortress — the Eden Gardens — where the Purple Brigade have won 3 out of 3 matches this season, it could well be a daunting task for the Punjab franchise to upset the applecart of the crowd favourites. The form of skipper Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa, who has the Orange Cap with 613 runs from 14 matches, at the top, has only added more teeth to their attack. KKR have peaked at the right time. However, the nature of T20 cricket is totally unpredictable, and there are as such no clear favourites. Overall, there's little to choose between the two teams — having played 13 matches against each other, with KKR winning seven of them. The riveting encounter could well be dubbed as a clash between Punjab's formidable batting against Kolkata's effective bowling. It could also turn out to be a contest between Glenn Maxwell and Yusuf Pathan. The likes of Maxwell, David Miller, Virender Sehwag and George Bailey make Punjab a formidable batting side, while KKR boast of one of the best bowling attacks in Sunil Narine, Shakib Al Hasan, Morne Morkel and Umesh Yadav. KXIP, the perennial underachievers in the IPL, wouldn't like to let go the advantage from here on after all the hard work. Only once in their six outings have they managed to reach the knock-out stage of the tournament, that too in the first edition in 2008 when they reached the semi-finals. KXIP always seemed destined for the playoffs after their record 200-plus run chase against two-time champions Chennai Super Kings in their tournament opener and as league toppers, they are now just one game away from the final. Standing in their way and the trophy is a resurgent Kolkata side. For KXIP, it's time to begin from the scratch and do the basic rights as KKR, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians would also be beginning from zero. The Punjab team showed right intent by retaining Miller and Manan Vohra and played street smart in this year's players' auctions, signing Mitchell Johnson, Maxwell, Sehwag, Bailey and Thisara Perera. As Kolkata gets ready for Tuesday’s crunch game, there are doubts if the clouds will stay away. Several parts of the city witnessed drizzle on Monday. Qualifier 1 KKR vs KXIP 8PM LIVE ON SONY SIX |
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From underachievers to table toppers
Kolkata, May 26 KXIP even finished with wooden spoon in IPL 3, while on other occasions, they remained perched in the middle of the points table. Last season was no different either for the Preity-Zinta co-owned franchise as they finished sixth in the table to miss out on a knockout berth. However, the seventh edition of the Twenty20 league has been different for the Punjab franchise as they smartly won the pre-IPL battle in the players' auction this year. KXIP retained just two players in David Miller and Manan Vohra and utilised Right-to-Match card to buy back Mandeep Singh. They made impressive use of their IPL purse to buy some of the most destructive names in the shortest format of the game — Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Johnson, Virender Sehwag, George Bailey and Thisara Perera. KXIP coach Sanjay Bangar should be credited for making the franchise rise above the also-ran tag by assembling a balanced squad in both batting and bowling. Patiala-lad Sandeep Sharma is one of his finds who is a serious contender for the Purple cap. Shaun Marsh, Maxwell, Miller have tore apart the opposition bowling with their power hitting while Bailey's astute leadership is reflecting in KXIP's successful campaign in the tournament —they are the favourites to lift the IPL trophy this time around. On the bowling front, Mitchell Johnson is experiencing the form of his life after tormenting the English batsmen with his pace and aggression in the 2013-14 Ashes series while he has found able allies in Laxmipathy Balaji, U-19 star Sandeep and Himachal Pradesh lad Rishi Dhawan. Just two games separate them from their maiden IPL trophy and the journey begins against 2012 champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the Qualifier 1 on Tuesday at the Eden Gardens. “The key is not to think too far ahead and try and do things you’re good at and challenge your limitations that has been the emphasis of our team. We wanted to have some impact players in the batting department which we did. In the bowling department, we felt we were a few bowlers short but the young Indian bowlers have come out and delivered in style. The idea was to put up a well-balanced squad and so far things have worked out,” said Bangar. “The teams that have got to the playoffs have played really good cricket and whichever team plays well on that day will hold an edge,” he said. Manan Vohra, after winning the Man of the match award on Sunday, said, “It's my home ground, so it's always fun to bat out there. I guess the management had a better plan for me. I was just waiting for my turn. I knew when I get a chance I could do something special. Players like Maxwell, David Miller, George, Viru. They're stroke players, and it gives me the freedom to go after the bowling.” |
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CWG medal prospect out due to car accident
Patiala, May 26 Dinesh, accompanied by a few friends, was returning to Patiala in a Verna car after spending a day with his family in Bhiwani ahead of the hectic competition schedule. The car collided with an SUV, loaded with vegetables, coming from the opposite direction, leaving Dinesh severely injured. The driver of the SUV also sustained injuries and was admitted at Civil Hospital, Samana. India’s chief coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu informed that Dinesh had gone home after the final trials for the Commonwealth Games that concluded on Friday. He had gone home in order to get some warm clothes as the team was supposed to participate in the Chemistry Cup in Halle, Germany. However, since the team could not get the visas, he was returning to the camp. After the accident, a car driver returning from a marriage party took him to the Columbia Asia Hospital here for treatment. Sandhu, who rushed to the hospital after hearing about the accident, said that Dinesh has fractured his upper right arm and has also suffered muscle loss. He also sustained fractures in his wrist. A team of orthopedicians, physiotherapists and neurologists thoroughly investigated the injuries and he was operated upon today. They said that Dinesh was fortunate that he had not suffered a head injury. The Executive Director of NIS, SS Roy, also visited the hospital to inquire after Dinesh’s condition. Dinesh’ elder brother Tanej Pal, who himself was a renowned boxer, said that Dinesh’s condition was stable. Deeply saddened by Dinesh’s accident, his closest friend and roommate Vijender Singh said it was very unfortunate that Dinesh got injured at this crucial moment. “But I know he will come back as he is a fighter,” Vijender said. “I wish him a speedy recovery.” He added that India will badly miss him in this year’s Commonwealth and Asian Games. “His health is the first priority as of now. I am sure he will come back with a bang for the next World Championship and Olympic Games,” he added. SHO Ghagga, Ranbir Singh, confirmed that the occupants of both the vehicles involved in the accident had reached a compromise and no case was registered. Dinesh Kumar on Friday had drubbed Punjab boxer Amritpreet Singh in the final trials for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in the 91kg weight category, leaving no doubts about his entry into the Indian squad. He scored an easy, one-sided victory over Amritpreet Singh. Archer Gagandeep recuperating after crash
Top Indian compound archer Gagandeep Kaur, Commonwealth Games bronze and World Cup silver medallist, met with an accident and fractured her left shoulder a few days back. She was returning to her hometown Patiala from the SAI Training Centre in Shilaru, Himachal Pradesh, on the completion of a summer camp there. Gagandeep Kaur and Trisha Deb, another international archer, were returning from Shilaru when a car coming from the opposite direction tried to overtake a bus and collided with their Innova taxi, leaving her shoulder fractured. She was administered first aid at ESI Hospital in Parwanoo and was then rushed to Patiala for advanced treatment. This injury has raised doubts about her participation in the forthcoming Asian Games. If she is unable to participate at the event, this would be doubly disappointing since this is the first time that compound archery has been included in the Asian Games. Upadhyay replaces injured Ramandeep in Hockey World Cup squad
The Hague: Indian forward Lalit Upadhyay arrived at The Hague, Netherlands on Monday afternoon and joined the team ahead of the Hockey World Cup in place of the injured Ramandeep Singh. Ramandeep got multiple fractures in his right eye socket and cheekbone, after which he was immediately rushed to the hospital and got the surgery done. He has been discharged from the hospital and has been advised complete rest by the doctors and is also due for medical review on May 30. Upadhyay said, "Ramandeep's injury is a sad incident and a big blow for the team. I will give my best to live upto the expectations of the coaches and selectors. I would like to thank the selectors and Hockey India for imposing their faith in me and giving me this opportunity to represent the country in the World Cup. “This is a moment which is a dream come true for any player and I will give my 100 percent in the
tournament.” PTI |
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Blake at the double as Kenya smash record
Nassau, Bahamas, May 26 But it was traditional powerhouses the United States who dominated the second and final day of the inaugural event in the Bahamian capital, winning four of the six finals raced in a carnival atmosphere at a sell-out 15,000-seater Thomas A Robinson stadium. There was also heartbreak for Blake’s female teammate Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce as the reigning two-time Olympic sprint champion was left with too much to do on the final leg of the 4x200m. After two ropey baton exchanges, the ‘Pocket Rocket’, who also claimed world 100m gold in Moscow last year and world indoor 60m gold in Sopot in March, could only look on as she ran her quartet home in third behind the winning US team and silver medallists Britain. “We’re happy with the bronze and the national record,” said Fraser-Pryce. “It was a great opportunity for me to be part of this inaugural event and I’m happy to have raced here.” There was no such drama for Blake, the 2011 100m world champion steaming his team of Nesta Carter, Nickel Ashmeade and Julian Forte home in 37.77 seconds, while the US missed out on the final after being disqualified in the heats. Ashmeade will also depart the Bahamas with a brace of golds after running alongside Blake in the world record-setting 4x200m effort on Saturday. “After our world and Olympic golds, we wanted to confirm our number one position today,” said Blake.
— Agencies |
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Pistorius attends Pretoria hospital for mental tests
Pretoria, May 26 The 27-year-old track star, who faces life in prison if convicted of murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine's Day last year, sped past a scrum of waiting television cameras in a car with tinted windows. A heavy police contingent kept reporters from entering the grounds of the hospital, one of South Africa's foremost mental institutions. Pistorius has denied murdering Steenkamp, saying he shot four times at a toilet door in his luxury Pretoria home to protect himself from what he thought was an intruder lurking behind it. However, a defense forensic psychologist testified that Pistorius also had an anxiety disorder, leading judge Thokozile Masipa to send him for a mental evaluation to determine whether or not the condition affected his criminal responsibility. The trial, which started in early March, has drawn huge domestic and international attention. Before the shooting Pistorius, whose lower legs were amputated as a baby, was one of the biggest names in world athletics.
— Agencies |
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Come rain or come shine
The sun pierced through the clouds midway through the third set as Nadal wasted two match points, ending the match on his third attempt when Ginepri's backhand sailed long. The start of play was delayed for about one hour, and Maria Sharapova managed to finish off fellow Russian Ksenia Pervak for the loss of only three games before the rain returned to stop play for another hour. Djokovic was leading 4-1 at the time and, on the resumption, broke Sousa to love. He then recovered from 0-40 on his own serve to wrap up the first set with two crushing first serves. Rain began to fall again with the Serb, who is strongly fancied to end Nadal’s hold on the title, preparing to serve for the set at 5-2. Djokovic sat, looking slightly ridiculous, in a white hooded waterproof jacket as the umpire decided whether to take the players off court. Djokovic made a series of faces at the camera before inviting a ball boy to share his seat, and a soft drink. They chatted about his racquet and life in general under a large umbrella to the amusement of the sheltering crowd. When play resumed after five minutes, they shook hands politely before resuming their previous roles. Blown kisses Sharapova, the seventh seed and 2012 champion, blew kisses to the crowd after she won 6-1 6-2. The warmup on Philippe Chatrier featured seventh seed Sharapova in fetching pink and Pervak in what looked like army camouflage trousers and jacket. Once the match began, her fighting spirit proved insufficient to trouble Sharapova. Winner of the Stuttgart and Madrid claycourt titles, Sharapova went on the attack early, moving her left-handed compatriot around the court to break at the first opportunity. But a wild volley at the net, with the whole court open, allowed Pervak to break back before Sharapova finally emerged with a 4-1 lead and took the set in 27 minutes. Sharapova broke early in the second set and while Pervak kept defeat at bay in her final service game, she handed Sharapova victory when she hit a return of serve too long. Sharapova showed she had fully recovered from her thrashing by Ana Ivanovic in the third round in Rome, winning 92 percent of points on first serve. — Reuters
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Krakow citizens reject 2022 Winter Olympic bid
Krakow(Poland), May 26 The proposal, which included plans to hold some events in neighbouring Slovakia, was rejected by more than two thirds of those who voted on Sunday, leaving bid officials with little option other than to throw in the towel. Almost 70 percent of voters were against the plan that was seen as potentially bringing the region of Lesser Poland more than 20 billion zlotys ($6.6 billion) in infrastructural investments, including a long-awaited transport link with Zakopane, the capital city of the Polish Tatra mountains. Krakow’s overwhelming rejection of a bid means that the picturesque medieval town is likely to become the latest potential host to drop out of the troubled race. With Krakow’s chances essentially dead in the water, Ukraine’s Lviv, China’s Beijing, Norway’s Oslo and Kazakhstan’s Almaty are the last remaining cities in contention for the hosting rights. Lviv’s hopes have been severely dented by the ongoing political crisis in the country. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will select the winning city in July 2015 but with Oslo also facing strong public and political opposition, it could become a straight race between Beijing and Almaty. Stockholm pulled out only months after launching a bid last year.
— Reuters |
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Germany eager to end World Cup third-place curse
“I do not want to go out in the semifinals again or visit Brazil just to soak up the sun,” insisted Lahm after a decade in the Germany team. In order to break their duck, improved counter-attack and a tighter defence are the key areas coach Joachim Loew wants to improve. The squad is packed with attacking potential, but there have been rumours of discontent in the past with disgruntled stars disrupting the squad’s harmony from the bench at both the 2012 European Championships and in the World Cup qualifiers. “We have the necessary punch to win the title, but we must be sure that the talent and ego of every individual provides only for the team’s benefit,” said Lahm. The 24-year wait for a fourth World Cup title is Germany’s longest since first winning the global crown in 1954. Younger members of the squad, including midfield star Mario Goetze, were yet to be born when West Germany won Italia 1990. In the past, Loew’s strength has been to instill impressive cohesion into his side by hours of drilling. But injuries and a lack of fitness in his first-choice stars could hamper the process.
— PTI |
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‘Rosberg and I aren’t friends’
Monaco, May 26 If you studied their body language, the relationship was cool, in the most distant sense of the word. There was no eye contact, congratulatory handshake or embrace. Rosberg suggested that things had been sorted between them prior to the start. “It’s fine. We’ve had discussions and the benefit we have is that we’ve known each other for so long. We always sit down and discuss it and then move on and that’s what we’re doing this weekend also.” Hamilton, however, admitted that there was no warmth between the pair. “We are not friends. We are colleagues.” He admitted that he and Rosberg had sat down with team bosses Niki Lauda and Toto Wolff, the same Lauda who recently suggested that once his men got to the point where one of them will be crowned champion, he didn’t mind whether they drove over each other. That day is still a while away despite the fifth Mercedes 1-2 of the season. “I think we run things successfully,” he said of their relationship, “but it’ll never be perfect. You can’t expect to be best friends and fight as fiercely as we do. Niki keeps saying that we must inevitably collide, but we’ve done a good job up until
now.” — The Independent |
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Berlin, May 26
