India beat Uzbekistan
63-61 in Asian
Basketball Champ

BEIJING, July 21: India squandered a 20-point second half lead before regrouping to pull off a 63-61 victory over Uzbekistan in a Group C match in the Asian Basketball Championship in Shanghai today.............more

No need to panic after
first loss: Ganguly

COLOMBO, July 21: Team captain Saurav Ganguly says India have no reason to panic after losing ............more

India needs great leap
in performance level

COLOMBO, July 21: Having lost their opening encounter meekly, India will have a tough task cut out when they meet a confident Sri Lanka tomorrow in their second match of the Triseries here.......more

Henman appoints
Stefanki as new coach

LONDON, July 21: British number one Tim Henman has appointed American Larry Stefanki as his ......more

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, July 21: White Cricket Club defeated Sanjay Cricket Club by 30 runs in the inaugural......more

J&K Triathlon Asso to hold
trials for Cheenai camp

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, July 21: The Jammu and Kashmir Triathlon Association is holding trials at M A Stadium swimming pool......more

Big win for RCC
in Gagandeep
Memorial Cricket

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, July 21: Rimpy Cricket Club registered 60 runs victory over BCC in the.....more

Guru Hargobind
Sahib hockey
champ from July 22

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

SRINAGAR, July 21: The Jammu and Kashmir Hockey Association is holding Guru Hargobind......more

Minister of State for Rural Development, Mr Ajay Sadhotra being introduced with the players on the opening of 3rd Major Ajay Singh Jasrotia Memorial Cricket Tournament at Jammu.

India beat Uzbekistan 63-61 in Asian Basketball Champ

BEIJING, July 21: India squandered a 20-point second half lead before regrouping to pull off a 63-61 victory over Uzbekistan in a Group C match in the Asian Basketball Championship in Shanghai today.

Both India and Uzbekistan got of to a slow start with the former trailing 10-11 after the first quarter. India outscored Uzbekistan 24-12 in the second quarter to end up the first half 34-23, Xinhua News Agency reported.

After the game resumed, the Indians raced on to a 57-37 lead late in the third quarter. However, they were held pointless in the following eight minutes while Uzbekistan surged back with five consecutive three-pointers.

India then had two successive baskets but Uzbekistan bounced back with a 9-0 run, capped by Mikhail Shafenov’s three-pointer, to tie the score at 61-61 with eight seconds remaining in the game.

J Murali, who had eight points in 20 minutes of action, hit in a jumper near the baseline two seconds from the end to give India (1-1) its first victory at the tournament.

In the following Group A match, China’s Hong Kong came from behind to beat Thailand 92-87 in overtime. In another match in Group B, South Korea beat Lebanon 97-71 after leading 49-39 at half time.

Uzbekistan will take on Chinese Taipei, who routed India 85-55 yesterday, in the group’s final match tomorrow. (PTI)

No need to panic after first loss: Ganguly

COLOMBO, July 21: Team captain Saurav Ganguly says India have no reason to panic after losing their first game of a Triangular Tournament by 84 runs to New Zealand.

India restricted New Zealand to 211 from their 50 overs yesterday but folded for 127 in reply on a slow, turning wicket.

"There are still five matches to go for us. The loss last night was disappointing but there’s no need to panic," Ganguly told reporters today.

"The conditions were difficult for the team batting second and we’re confident of a turnaround."

"It wasn’t one of the best surfaces to play a one-day match on and the toss became vital."

India take on hosts Sri Lanka tomorrow in another day/night game at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium.

"I’ll be praying I win the toss tomorrow because there are no secrets, the team that wins it will want to bat first," he said.

Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya did not disagree.

Jayasuriya led his team to victory in the tournament’s opening game on Wednesday when he scored 80 in of Sri Lanka’s 220 runs and then bowled out New Zealand for 204.

"The pitch is the same for both teams but I hope I win the toss," he said.

"We have been bowling well but our batsman struggled in the first game. We are hoping to set that right tomorrow."

Jayasuriya said he was not underestimating India, despite their opponents being without top batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who is out with a fracture in his right foot.

"Yesterday was just one bad day for India," he said. "They have been playing well ever since beating Australia earlier this year. We can’t afford to take them lightly."

Jayasuriya said his team would especially watch out for off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, nicknamed ‘turbanator’ because he wears a traditional Sikh turban.

Singh picked up two wickets for 25 runs from his 10 overs yesterday. "He is a very dangerous guy. We’ll have to handle him with care," Jayasuriya said.

India are not planning many changes in their team, although coach John Wright said they may switch the batting order around.

Left-hander Yuvraj Singh filled Tendulkar’s opening slot of yesterday but scored only six runs.

"We have to think about our opening options. Our batting line-up has to be more flexible since Sachin is not there. Amay Khurasiya could still come in to open," Wright said.

Khurasiya, 29, is a hard-hitting batsman who is making his return to the India side after almost two years.

India have already ruled out fast bowlers Debasish Mohanty and Ajit Agarkar, who suffered sunstroke, for tomorrow’s match.

The tournament’s final will be played on August 5. (REUTERS)

India needs great leap in performance level

COLOMBO, July 21: Having lost their opening encounter meekly, India will have a tough task cut out when they meet a confident Sri Lanka tomorrow in their second match of the Triseries here.

The same 13 have been named for tomorrow’s game by India though coach John Wright indicated that a change or two was likely in the line-up.

The Sri Lankan side may not see any change but they may choose to strengthen their batting by including Kumar Sangakkara.

The Indian bowlers tried to make most of the pitch and stuck to a neat line and length in the 84-run loss to New Zealand yesterday, but it is the batting line-up which should be the cause of concern for all.

Without Sachin Tendulkar to fall back upon, the Indian batting looked fragile. The team management may juggle with the second opener’s position as Yuvraj Singh disappointed, though he was a trifle unlucky to have been given out LBW, and may consider dashing Amay Khurasia for the job tomorrow.

It is now clear that Wright’s reasoning for preferring Yuvraj Singh to Khurasia boiled down to the former’s superior fielding skills and and ability to bowl. In fact, Yuvraj Singh completed his quota of 10 overs yesterday.

Saurav Ganguly also appeared shaky during his short stint at the crease and gifted away his wicket. Ganguly must realise the enormous responsibility he shoulders being the leader and the most experienced player in the side.

The way the series has gone so far, it would be important to win the toss and bat first as the slow pitch deteriorates further under night-lights, making the task of chasing anything beyond 200 runs a herculean one.

But it should not be reduced to just winning of the toss and the organisers must realise this and try and make the pitch more suitable for 100 overs in each match as there is still a lot to be played here after the controversial Dambulla Stadium was ruled out for hosting any of the scheduled matches.

It has been disappointing for the fans as the games have been low-scoring ones with boundaries coming infrequently.

Ganguly, who can be very dangerous for the opposition on any kind of pitch, will have to bridge the gap between potential and performance if India is to outsmart the hosts.

His 70 off 58 balls including 5 huge sixes in a practice match against a second string Sri Lankan side had raised hopes of a comeback after a poor run of form, interrupted by a couple of hesitant knocks in Zimbabwe, but he would have to deliver the goods when it really matters.

The skipper must be feeling the additional pressure of being the only team that is yet to open its account in the tournament. He said after last night’s match that they still had five matches to make good for the first match loss. If a new beginning is to be made, they will have to start with tomorrow’s match.

Sri Lanka, who started their campaign on a winning note defeating New Zealand by 16 runs, are undoubtedly the more superior of the other two sides with depth both in batting and bowling and start on their home ground as obvious favourites.

The hosts, so used to characteristic explosive starts from Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana, may find it diffcult to open up on the slow pitch as was evident when the skipper took 108 balls to get his 80 runs in the match against New Zealand.

But they have a battery of world-class bowlers including left-arm paceman Chaminda Vaas and off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who are capable of striking when most required.

They would certainly go for the kill to take a clear lead in the round robin league, leaving India and New Zealand to fight for a place in the final to be played here on August 5.

India’s bowling will revolve around left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan and off-spin sensation Harbhajan Singh, and the team management may opt for a second spinner by inducting Rahul Sanghvi in the final eleven.

Teams (from):

Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya (Capt), Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Dharmasena, Chaminda Vaas, Dulip Liyanage, Avishka Gunawardena, Chamara Silva, Suresh Perera, Dilhara Fernando and Dinusha Fernando.

India: Saurav Ganguly (Capt), Rahul Dravid, Amay Khurasia, V V S Laxman, R S Sodhi, Sameer Dighe, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Hemang Badani, Virendra Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Sanghvi. (PTI)

Henman appoints Stefanki as new coach

LONDON, July 21: British number one Tim Henman has appointed American Larry Stefanki as his new coach, the Wimbledon semifinalist said on his personal website.

"As of Monday, Tim Henman will begin working with Larry Stefanki as his coach through the U S hard-court season," a statement on his website yesterday said.

"The partnership will be reviewed after the U S Open to determine whether to continue on a long-term basis."

Stefanki, 43, a former tour player, has previously coached John McEnroe, Marcelo Rios and Yevgeny Kafelnikov.

Henman has been playing without a coach since he split with long-time mentor David Felgate in April.

Felgate coached Henman for nine years, during which time he won seven ATP titles and reached number five on the world rankings.

Henman also reached two Wimbledon semifinals before losing to seven-times champion Pete Sampras.

The Briton stepped up his search for a new coach following another semifinal defeat at the All England Club last month, where he went down to eventual champion Goran Ivanisevic in five sets. (REUTERS)

Major Ajay Jasrotia Memorial Cricket Tourney
White Club wins opening tie

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, July 21: White Cricket Club defeated Sanjay Cricket Club by 30 runs in the inaugural match of the Third Major Ajay Singh Jasrotia Memorial day-night Cricket Tournament which was declared open by the Minister of State for Rural Development, Ajay Sadhotra, here yesternight.

Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, White Club made 98 runs in the allotted 15 overs, which Sanju Club could not score and bowled out for 68 in 12 overs.

Raman and Kambli were the main scorers from White Club who scored 26 and 18 runs respectively. Kambli’s 18 runs came through three consecutive sixes. Sunny contributed 14 runs hitting one six and a four.

From Sanju Club, Shitu, Sanjeev, Vikram and Tinku shared two wickets each.

Batting second, Sanju Club bowled out for 68 runs in the 12 overs. Vikram was the maximum scorer with 20 runs in his account, while Shitu and Ripin added 13 and 14 runs respectively. From White Club, Javed took three wickets in four overs. Pawan and Kambli shared two each.

Kambli was declared as man of the match for his all-round performance.

Sanjeev and Manjeet Singh were umpires, while Sunil Chib maintained score. Shailender Slathia was commentator on the occasion.

The tournament, which will be played on knock out basis with Cosco ball, is being organised by the Chib Cricket Club at Vikas Nagar, here. The competitions are being held through Vishal Singh (Kala), Manjeet Chib, Vicky Chib and Akshay Bali (Ashu).

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Caption: p-10\3col with 2col news

Minister of State for Rural Development, Mr Ajay Sadhotra being introduced with the players on the opening of 3rd Major Ajay Singh Jasrotia Memorial Cricket Tournament at Jammu.