Daily Excelsior.........sports

Indian team to
leave for Australia
on Nov 21

CHENNAI, Nov 20: The 16-member Indian team will embark on the tour of Australia, leaving for Adelaide via Kuala Lumpur from here tomorrow afternoon............more

Gordon may sit with
Indian cricketers before
first test in Australia

KOLKATA, Nov 20: Renowned sports psychologist and consultant to BCCI Sandy Gordon may have a session with the Indian cricketers ahead of their first test against Australia in Brisbane, down under........more

Shivlal Yadav geared
up to give his best shot

HYDERABAD, Nov 20: Former test off-spinner Shivlal Yadav today expressed happiness at his appointment as the manager of the Indian team for the tour of Australia and exuded confidence in doing a good job......more

No player is
irreplacable:
Vidya Stokes

NEW DELHI, Nov 20: Commonwealth and Afro-Asian Games champion India were today cautioned about the tough challenge that awaits them in the Women Asia Cup Hockey to be held here in January next year.............more

Khalsa Club,
Digiana Eleven win
opening matches

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 20: President of Jammu and Kashmir Hockey Association and Additional Director General of Police P S Gill......more

Semi-final of Jr Snooker from Nov 22
Ishuk, Turki, Azad win
opening QFs league
round matches

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 20: Ishuk Chowdhary, Sumesh Turki and Nishant Azad today registered victories over their respective opponents.........more

Science College, PG
enter final of Inter-
College Basketball

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 20: GGM Science College and combined team of Post Graduate Departments of Jammu University (PG) entered....more

Vismadh Singh,
Jasmeet Kour win
matches in Rural Chess

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 20: Master Vismadh Singh of Nargis Dutt Montessori High School R S Pura played......more

Geet Sethi, Pankaj edge past rivals ......

Dinesh Karthik a victim of politics .....

It requires toil to be a champion......

Karunesh Vashishat bags gold medal in Jr National Judo......

Indian team to leave for Australia on Nov 21

CHENNAI, Nov 20: The 16-member Indian team will embark on the tour of Australia, leaving for Adelaide via Kuala Lumpur from here tomorrow afternoon.

The members of the team started arriving individually here since this evening. The team will stay overnight at a five-star hotel near the airport and emplane for Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.

The Indian team is scheduled to play four tests against Australia, before figuring in a triangular one-day series, which also has Zimbabwe in the fray. (UNI)

Gordon may sit with Indian cricketers
before first test in Australia

Talking to UNI here today, Gordon said, "there is a distinct possibility of me having a session with the Indian side touring Australia."

"Though details of the fixture are yet to be worked out, if I sit with the Indian squad it will be ahead of their first test on December four."

He also expressed satisfaction at working with the Indian side, calling them a very "keen and receptive side."

India play four tests in Australia, beginning in Brisbane, followed by Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

Earlier in the day, Gordon had a detailed meeting with BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya about developing and formulating a programme for the junior cricketers. Asked about the meeting, the South African said, "it went off really well. However, the details will be available only next year when I submit my report."

It has been learnt that he is using examples of former Indian cricketers to educate the present crop of players on ways to develop mental toughness.

Gordon had been asked by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to carry out research on former players by using video clippings of previous matches, among other things, to demonstrate the strong mental attitude of players like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Mohinder Amarnath.

Asked to comment on the tour of India when he had been meeting several senior and former cricketers across the country, Gordon said, "I have been meeting the players across the country and talking to them, learning about their experiences. I have evaluated them and will incorporate it in my report. It has been an interesting experience in terms of watching the former greats and the current players. Can’t say anything more at the present moment."

"I will submit the report early next year and then start working on it. It will be after three months that the first evaluation will be made and then again after a definite period of time. So the results will start to show for all practical purposes after an year," Gordon said about the time the project will take to bear fruit.

Asked how the youth development programme is followed in countries like South Africa and Australia, he said, "the coaches have a very important role to play in developing the mental strength of the cricketers. Delivery of mental skills is a crucial aspect of the game. Coaches are to be trained in this area and they are the ones who pass on the information and skills to the players according to their intake capacity. That’s the right way to approach the game."

It could be concluded then that the prescription for the junior indian cricketers will have a big role for the regional coaches as well.

"The players must think ahead positively," he said. (UNI)

Shivlal Yadav geared up to give his best shot

In a brief chat with UNI here today, he said his experience down under should come in handy for his new assignment. He was no stranger to cricket administration either, considering the fact that he has been secretary of the Hyderabad Cricket Association for three years running, he said.

As a player, he had a tally of 102 wickets from 35 tests for India. On the eve of the team’s departure to Australia, he said his five for 99 at sydney in the 1985-86 series was close to his heart.

"The pitch was helpful, but hitting the deck was important. I got the line and length spot on. I will rate it as one of my best performances, though marginally short of my career-best five for 76 against Sri Lanka at Nagpur," he recalled.

He also fondly recalled his forging a match-winning partnership with little master G R Viswanath, confronting the likes of Lillee and Pascoe in the 1981 away series, despite a toe fracture. (UNI)

No player is irreplacable: Vidya Stokes

"The winning of commonwealth and Afro-Asian titles has put enormous pressure on India to do well in the Asia Cup and the players have to gear up for that challenge," Indian Women Hockey Federation (IWHF) president Vidya Stokes said here this afternoon.

Talking to mediapersons at a ceremony to felicitate the team for winning the gold at Afro-Asian Games, Ms Stokes said the recent showing by the Indian team has increased the popularity of the game in the country and India has emerged as a force to reckon with in this disciline at the international level .

For the team, the road ahead is full of challenges. There are a couple of important competitions,including Asia Cup, coming up. In this situation, physical fitness is of very important, she said.

She said the most postive development about the recent good showing of the team was the promising display and showing by the young players.

"This is a very healthy sign,we now have very good reserve strength," she said adding that "it was also a signal for the senior players not to take their place in the side "for granted."

Ms Stokes said the "the team that played in Hyderabad (in the Afro-Asian Games) comprised mostly of new faces and their showing was very commndable and pleasing. The young players brought laurales for the country."

The IWHF chief said "we just can not ignore these players. They have established themselves. The senior players, who opted out of the competition, will have to compete with these (new) players for selection for the Asia Cup."

The ‘big five’ of women hockey — Mamta Kharab, Sabah Anjum, Sita Gossain, Manjinder Kaur and Pritam Siwach — did not play at Hyderabad but still India beat South Africa in the final to win the gold.

The IWHF chief was of the view that physical fitness was very crucial for team’s good showing. "We will not compromise on this aspect. For the team, there are a couple of important tournaments, including Asia Cup, coming up. In this context physical fitness is of very important. The players will have to prove their fitness before they could be consider for national team."

"We will just not go by previous reputation of the player. No player is irreplacable" she said adding "only best will find a place in the national side." (UNI)

Khalsa Club, Digiana Eleven win opening matches

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 20: President of Jammu and Kashmir Hockey Association and Additional Director General of Police P S Gill today declared open the Guruteg Bahadur Hockey Tournament at K K Hakhu Astroturf Stadium.

In the opening two matches, Khalsa Club and Digiana Eleven registered victories and made their entry into the semi-finals because due to the participation of total eight teams in the tournament the matches started from quarter-finals level.

In the first match, Khalsa Club defeated Govind Club Chatha by 11 goals to nil. For Khalsa Club, Omkar Singh scored four goals in the first, 5th, 43rd and 60th minute of the game, Karanjeet Singh scored three goals in 40th, 48th and 59th minutes, Sartaj Singh scored two goals and Jatinder Singh and Rajinder Singh scored one goal each.

In the second match, Digiana Eleven defeated Fateh Club Bhour Camp by three goals to nil.

From Digiana side, Amarjeet Singh, Manmeet Singh and Ritesh Kumar scored one goal each in the 16th, 40th and 59th minute of the game. The lone goal from Fateh Club side was scored by Kamal Kishore Singh in the 58th minute.

Amardeep Singh, Harmenon Singh, Jasbir Singh and P D Singh were the umpires.

Semi-final of Jr Snooker from Nov 22
Ishuk, Turki, Azad win opening QFs league round matches

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 20: Ishuk Chowdhary, Sumesh Turki and Nishant Azad today registered victories over their respective opponents in the quarter-finals league round matches in the ongoing 13th State Billiards and Snooker Championship being played at MA Stadium here.

In the first quarter-finals league round match, Ishuk defeated Pallav Gupta by 3-1. In the first frame, Ishuk remained ahead of Pallav in clinching scores but he could not repeat his performance in the second round and lost the same to Pallav by 24-72.

In the third and fourth round, Ishuk again played good snooker and won both the frames by 65-31 and 81-23.

In the second match, Sumesh Turki beat Ankush Gupta by 3-1. The detailed score was 61-46, 69-7, 45-47, 55-41 while Nishant Azad defeated Rashu Gupta by 3-1 in the third match. The detailed score was 62-33, 74-16, 57-59, 78-36.

Earlier, in the remaining five pre-quarter final matches Sumesh Turki, Ankush Gupta, Rashu Gupta, Kuldeep Sharma and Tarun Singla defeated their respective opponents and entered quarter-final.

Sumesh Turki defeated Owais by 3-0 (53-47, 52-45, 69-45), Ankush Gupta beat Umar Maqbool 3-1 (28-48, 67-18, 84-10, 62-47), Rashu Gupta beat Tarun Goswami 3-0 (61-48, 42-32, 75-31), Kuldeep Sharma beat Avish Sharma 3-0 (73-44, 66-32, 60-27), Tarun Singla defeated Prabhdeep Singh 3-2 (30-40, 52-29, 64-27, 36-79, 72-27).

The semi-finals of the Junior Snooker will be played on November 22 and matches in Senior Snooker will start from November 23. Draws can be seen on November 22.

Science College, PG enter final of Inter-College Basketball

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 20: GGM Science College and combined team of Post Graduate Departments of Jammu University (PG) entered the final of the ongoing Inter-College Basketball Tournament being played at University Ground, here today.

In the first semi-final of the Tournament, GGM Science College defeated MAM College by 58 points to 38. Till half time, MAM College maintained lead while in the second half, GGM Science College pounced on each and every opportunity and won the match.

For Science College, Rakesh and Amit scored 20 and 21 points respectively while for MAM College Amit Gupta clinched 15 points and Rashid scored six points.

In the second semi-final, PG beat ASCOMS by 46 points to 35. The half time score was 24-14. For PG, Bhanu Partap Singh scored maximum 28 points.

The officials of the match were Mohd Shafi, Aman Sharma, Solanki Sohan Singh and Manoj Kumar.

Vismadh Singh, Jasmeet Kour win matches in Rural Chess

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 20: Master Vismadh Singh of Nargis Dutt Montessori High School R S Pura played a draw with Master Gurmeet Singh of Army School Maralia Miran Sahib in a spirited competition in one hour stipulated time in the ongoing Rural Chess Tournament being played at Guru Harkrishan Memorial Academy, Simbal Morh.

In the second match, Jasmeet Kour of Guru Harkrishan Memorial Academy, Simbal Morh defeated Gurleen Kour of Saint Peter Convent School, Karan Bagh.

Mr Bhagat Singh, Principal of Guru Harkrishan Memorial Academy Simbal Morh, sponsor of the Tournament has apealed all the institutions to send their students for participation in the Tournament which is a part of computer promotion programme. Mr Navdeep Singh acted as umpire.

Geet Sethi, Pankaj edge past rivals

HYDERABAD, Nov 20: Top seed Geet Sethi and teen sensation Pankaj Advani won their league rounds to move into the knock-out phase but not before surviving a scare in the World Billiards Championship here today.

Also doing the country proud with victories were Siddharth Parikh and Ashok Shandilya.

But it was the 18-year-old Pankaj who pulled off the biggest coup of the tournament so far beating professional Nalin Patel 127-150, 33-150, 150-42, 150-0, 151-0 amidst thunderous applause from the spectators.

The veteran cueist baffled the young world snooker champion by his canons and brisk potting and although Pankaj reached 127, Patel took the first frame and won the second with ease.

However, in the third frame both the players looked out of sorts and made very simple errors to let go a plenty of scoring opportunities.

Pankaj finally got two nice breaks and stopped Patel in his track to win the frame.

Patel hardly got any chance to resist as the youngster from Karnataka took a break of unfinished 150 and 151 in the next two games to emerge victorious and reserve a berth in the knock out phase.

On the other table, the storyline of Geet Sethi’s match was no different. The Myanmar cueist U Kuaw oo provided the former world champion with the toughest challenge as yet and threatened to run away with the game by taking the first and fourth frames and leading Sethi in the decider.

Sethi lost the first frame 134 as oo exhibited some thrilling in-offs and fast canons. But the Indian pro paid him in the same coin to take the second frame with an identical margin and stretched his form further to win the third frame with a break of 64.

Tables turned again as oo pulled off a very convincing break and displayed some top table play to win the fourth frame leaving Sethi behind at 58 points.

The decider was a test of nerves and the players fumbled at delicate junctures. I could not pot a simple in-off when he was at 135 and Sethi was in his 20s. Subsequent visits by both the cueists yielded no good result. Despite being within sniffing distance of victory, the Myanmarese caved in by the sheer pressure of it all.

Taking advantage of the situation, Sethi recouped his poise to take an unfinished break of 42 to settle the issue.

Among other Indian winners Siddharth Parikh trounced Joe Minici (Aus) 150-119, 150-133, 100-150, 150-87 while Ashok Shandilya beat Khurram Hussain Agha 150-104, 151-59, 151-19. Devendra Joshi defeated Mohammed Yousuf of Pakistan in straight frames.

However, Rishab Thakkar lost to second seed Praput Chaithanskun of Thailand. (PTI)

Dinesh Karthik a victim of politics

HYDERABAD, Nov 20: Dinesh Karthik should consider himself unlucky to have missed the ticket to Australia.

The most promising wicketkeeper from Tamil Nadu had a great time in the recent U-19 Asia Cup at Pakistan. Sources said that his name propped up in the selection meeting but was edged out Deep Dasgupta.

Dinesh has been performing with amazing consistently at all levels. No less than former Indian keeper Kiran More had gone on to say that Dinesh will make it to the national team sooner than later. In a six-day training camp for wicketkeepers at Bangalore few months ago, with more at the helm, Dinesh was one of the beneficiary to hone his skills under one of the best man in the business.

A delighted Dinesh said that it was the best experience he had ever. "There was so much to learn. There may be only a thin line of difference between pouching and plucking a catch but we realised that it made so much difference. I learnt the art of gathering without making heavy weather of it. That was the hallmark of wicketkeeping as more harped on the importance of not letting the ball slip from the keeper’s grasp.

Dinesh’s consistency has been amazing right from the time he knocked those tons in the under-10 category. Season after season he has been churning runs with the comfort of a seasoned campaigner. That has gone well with his bagful of dismissals. Small wonder that he has been the highest run-getter in all the categories he had represented for the state. But then, wicketkeeping is his first love, something which came to him naturally. In his own words, he would like to be known as a wicketkeeper batsman and not the other way round.

Dinesh got into the groove quickly bagging the promising cricketer of the year award in the U-10 category. A regular with the state U-14, 16 and 19 categories, Dinesh’s consistency has been the talking point in cricket circles. For a state, starved of good keepers, Dinesh’s arrival at the scene has been the best thing to have happened. The selectors have been encouraging him in every possible way. One knock which the youngster savours till this day is the stroke filled double hundred when his knock went some distance in attaining the challenging target of 420 against Andhra in an under-19 final clash at home not long ago.

Dinesh found a place in the Zonal Academy Camp in Chennai where the top 22 of the state were called. "Robin Singh, Raghuram Bhat and W V Raman were the coaches. The long duration of 45 days were profitable in every sense. Meaningful nets at the nets interspersed with yoga exercises made it an unforgettable experience," said Dinesh.

His good showing ensured that he was picked in the 14-member squad which represented the zone in the Col. Hemu Adhikari tournament. Expectedly, he was among the runs. Then followed the National Cricket Academy Camp at Bangalore where he was one among the 25 picked. "Besides indoor nets facilities, there were video analysis to showcase the bowlers strengths with a monitor to gauge the speed.

India have always had a rich quality of wicketkeepers right from the days of P Sen, Naran Tamhane to the next generation of Farokh Engineer and Budhi Kunderan. Syed Kirmani’s exploits need no reminding.

Bharath Reddy feels that Dinesh is ready to take the mantle . On one of the private tours which reddy organised, Dinesh came good with the bat and keeping in trying conditions in England. "Having watched Dinesh from close quarters I can confidently say that Dinesh will go very far. The field is rich with the likes of Parthiv Patel, Ajay Ratra, Tilak Naidu and Dinesh. The board should be happy to have had so much of choices unlike the olden days. I feel that it is just a matter of time dinesh gets his due. Ideally he should play for India A and before that the Duleep Trophy," said Reddy.

Having sealed a place in the Ranji level, the next step is the Duleep Trophy. Having had a fine time in the Buchi Babu Trophy, Dinesh is tuned-up for the engrossing battles ahead.

Dinesh had a successful outing in the emerging trophy tournament preceding the Asia Cup, at Sri Lanka. He was the top scorer with 42 in the opener against the hosts following it up with five dismissals against Pakistan.

Dinesh is waiting patiently for the all important break. His amazing consistency has brought him this far. An extension of that will see him break into the highest level. (UNI)

It requires toil to be a champion

By Ravi Shastri

The tri-nation one-day tournament confirmed Australia’s status as the top cricketing side in the world, but it also showed the hard work and motivation that is necessary to be a champion side.

Without four or five key players, Australia were not expected to have things easy, especially on the slow turners. But after the defeat in the first match at Gwalior, Ricky Ponting’s side did not look back at all, in fact went from strength to strength and won the final in convincing fashion.

What this performance revealed was not only the bench strength of Australian cricket, but the fierce pride and commitment with which they play the game. Not once during their stay in India, did they look a weak or beleaguered side. There were no complaints about the absence of McGrath, Lee, Gillespie and Warne. The main players and the rookies went about their business as if they had only come here to win.

That is something that both New Zealad and especially India can leanr from. The Kiwis were disappointing after a reaonsably good start. With injury dogging Chris Cairns, they were frequently without their best one day player. Unlike Australia, New Zealand were unable to overcome this handicap.

I was quite astonished at the success of the stand-in Australian players. Natahn Bracken, especially, and Brad Williams were outstanding, never letting Ponting feel the absence of his regular fast bowlers. Young Michael Clarke was another success, with bat, ball and the attitude with which he played. I think Australia have for the future in these players.

The ability of the lesser known players to rise to the occasion, helped

Australia overcomes all odds in the final. The big guns failed to fire, but the others came good, and team work prevailed in the end.

That unfortunately was not the case with India, which still depend on a few players, and individual runs and wickets, instead of all round team effort, for success. There may not be another opportunity like this to beat Australia for a long, long time.

The gains for India came through the bowling of Agarkar and Karitk, and the batting of Badani. Agarkar showed that it is foolish to levae him out of the one-day side because he can also strike hefty blows in the slog overs, but it was his bowling which was the more impressive. He bowled a beautiful line and disguised his slower deliveries cleverly to trouble all batsmen. Murali Kartik for me was perhaps the best bowler from the side. He is aggressive and plays positively apart from having the skills that make for a fine left-arm bowler. He is unlucky to have missed the tour to Australia, but I mark him out as a regular member of the side in the future. Badani showed he has the talent, and if he can improve his shot selection, can be a mjaor player for India.

But overall, it was a limp performance from the Indian team. A win here would have allowed them to got to Australia full of confidence. Now they have to begin at the beginning.

Karunesh Vashishat bags gold medal in Jr National Judo

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 20: Karunesh Vashishat of Dashmesh Bhartiya Vidya Mandir School, Gangyal has won gold medal in the Junior Judo National championship organised by the Vidya Bharti at New Delhi recently.

Master Arvind Kant of the same school bagged bronze medal in this championship. Other members of the team who could not win medal were Inderjeet Singh and Manjot. The management, Principal and staff members have appreciated the students.