PUNE, Nov 25: Tainted cricketer Abhijit Kale’s main supporter Maharashtra Cricket Association today backtracked on its stand saying he has lost its "trust" by going to court on the bribery issue............more

Sachin, Ramesh help
India recover from
batting collapse

SYDNEY, Nov 25: Sachin Tendulkar and Sadagopan Ramesh helped India recover from a top-order batting collapse to reach 266 for nine on the opening day of their three-day tour match with Victoria at the Melbourne..........more

Tendulkar says team
has set goals against
Australians

MELBOURNE, Nov 25: Sachin Tendulkar today said India have set certain "team goals" for the present cricket tour of Australia and they are determined to achieve it.........more

PP retain Nehru
Gold Cup

NEW DELHI, Nov 25: Two stunning penalty corner conversions by Baljeet Singh Dhillon in the late stages of the match enabled holders Punjab Police to chalk out an emphatic 3-0 win over Indian Airlines and to extend their lease over the Nehru Hockey gold Cup here today............more

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: Guru Harkrishan Public School (GHPS) and Girls High School, Nowabad have reached the final of sub-junior group in the ongoing Jammu......more

Indian Style Wrestling
Mangloor Club
lifts distt trophy

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

KATHUA, Nov 25: Mangloor Club lifted the 4th Kathua district Indian Style Wrestling championship which was organised by the J&K Indian Style Wrestling........more

J&K fade Haryana
chances for win

ROHTAK, Nov 25: Unbeaten knocks of 42 and 30 runs by Dhruv Mahajan and Majid Dar today helped Jammu and Kashmir to pile up 229 for five in their second innings on the third day of the Plate A Ranji Trophy league match against hosts Haryana at the Maharaja Aggarsein.....more

Jammu Distt Indian
Style Wrestling
meet on Nov 28

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: Ninth Jammu district Indian Style Wrestling Championship, organised by J&K Indian Style Wrestling......more

Impressive win by Kuldeep ......

MHAC Nagbani excels in distt Athletics......

MAM blanks Science College in Football......

Bribery scandal
MCA backtracks on Kale support

PUNE, Nov 25: Tainted cricketer Abhijit Kale’s main supporter Maharashtra Cricket Association today backtracked on its stand saying he has lost its "trust" by going to court on the bribery issue.

"The MCA will no longer support Kale since he has gone to the court and also made CMA a party," association chairman Balasahab Thorve said here.

Talking to PTI after the court hearing, Thorve said "I had earlier backed him because he was suspended merely on the basis of allegation without being given an opportunity to present his side. I told him that the MCA will stand by him when he faces the inquiry committee.

"But by going to court and making us a party he has lost our trust and now we will not not support him in this matter," Thorve said.

On Sunday Thorve had fully backed Kale giving him a clean chit and asking the two selectors — Kiran More and Pranab Roy along with the player to undergo lie-detector tests.

Meanwhile, a district civil court posted Kale’s petition challenging his suspension from first-class cricket by the cricket board for hearing on November 27.

Kale’s lawyer Manoj Wadekar argued that the batsman had been "suspended merely on the basis of allegations and was not even given a show-cause notice".

Kale was present at the district civil court which took into account the request of lawyers representing BCCI and MCA that they needed some time to file their replies.

But after the court hearing today thorve was singing a different tune. "Since Kale has gone to the court against us he has lost our support and sympathy. Whatever the consequence, he will have to face it himself," he said.

But Kale got fresh support from former cricket board secretary Jaywant Lele who predicted that the batsman would come out clean of the scandal.

"After the inquiry (set up by the board) by the one man commission, (Kiran) more and (Pranab) roy will no longer be selectors. This is not the first time such a thing has happened and this will not the last either," Lele told PTI from Vadodara.

"Though money has changed hands in Indian cricket with a very few incidents being proved, this bribery issue is totally bogus as I personally thing that someone like Kale cannot afford huge amounts," Lele said. (PTI)

Sachin, Ramesh help India recover from batting collapse

SYDNEY, Nov 25: Sachin Tendulkar and Sadagopan Ramesh helped India recover from a top-order batting collapse to reach 266 for nine on the opening day of their three-day tour match with Victoria at the Melbourne cricket ground today.

Tendulkar made 80 while Ramesh top-scored with 87 after the Indians slumped to 45 for three.

They added 128 for the fourth wicket. Tendulkar drove left-arm paceman Mathew Inness to David Hussey at backward point to end a fine innings off 111 balls.

"It was a good outing," Tendulkar said. "I just wanted to be out in the middle and spend some time."

Tendulkar’s departure triggered another crisis as the next six wickets fell for 76 runs.

Ramesh, batting at three, adopted a more cautious approach, holding up an end as Tendulkar attacked before falling to leg spinner Cameron White.

The only other players to reach double figures were opener Virender Sehwag (23) and wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel (52 not out). Inness and white captured four wickets each.

The match is India’s first on their 12-week tour of Australia. They have another three-day game against a Queensland XI starting on Saturday before the first test begins in Brisbane on December 4. (AGENCIES)

Tendulkar says team has set goals against Australians

MELBOURNE, Nov 25: Sachin Tendulkar today said India have set certain "team goals" for the present cricket tour of Australia and they are determined to achieve it.

Downplaying an innings of beauty and style against the Victorians on the opening day of the tour opener today, he said he was more interested in what the Indian team could achieve on the present tour despite a whitewash predicted by the critics.

"I don’t want to discuss what people feel or say. We are more concerned about what we have on our mind. I think as a team we are really geared up to go out and entertain people and play some challenging cricket," Tendulkar told reporters here.

"We have a few plans jotted down for us. We have set team goals and as a team we would like to achieve those."

Tendulkar also did not agree with the long-held belief that Indian batsmen were not too good against short-pitched deliveries.

"Whatever has happened in the past, you cannot always go by that. One can always turn around and start a new chapter," said the little genius.

The two Indian openers, Virender Sehwag and Sadgopan Ramesh had contrasting fortunes at the MCG and Tendulkar played with a straight bat on the chances of these batsmen for the Test series.

"Sehwag is a very dangerous player. He can turn around and play a big innings, even match-winning innings. He has done that in the past and stroke-players like him are very exciting to watch. Let’s hope we see more of him on this tour," said Tendulkar.

"Ramesh has given himself a nice build-up for the series with this innings. But I can’t really comment if he would play in the Tests. It is up to the coach and the captain to decide... I don’t take part in that."

Tendulkar was modest about his brilliant two-hour innings against the Victorians saying the wicket had really eased up after lunch and the ball was coming on to the bat.

"I thought initially the wicket was too slow. It was not coming on to the bat and one had to wait for deliveries. After lunch it became a good strip to bat on and there were more opportunities to play shots."

He also tried to downplay the fact that he played more hook shots than usual and hit bowlers on the up, straight down the ground in a bid to prepare for the short-pitched attack which the Australians are planning for him in the forthcoming series.

"It was all because the wicket had become better after lunch. I was letting go similar balls before lunch because the wicket had not dried up. After lunch, I just picked the line and length and that is the reason I played so many shots." But Tendulkar admitted it felt good to fall into a groove so early in the series.

"I think the outing (today) was very good. I enjoyed it. I have fond memories of Melbourne where I got a hundred the last time I batted here. Hopefully, I will continue with this form and just do it out in the middle."

"We had some good domestic matches for the season’s build up. I’m now feeling in real good nick."

On his personal goals for the series, Tendulkar said he was only interested in going out and doing his bit for the team and enjoy his cricket in the process.

"I don’t know what is in store for me. I just want to go out and enjoy my cricket. I don’t want to think what I have to achieve and put any pressure on myself. But I hope the tour becomes a memorable one."

Tendulkar said he did not lack in motivation despite being a part of top flight cricket for 14 years.

"I have always loved this game. It has given me everything. Whatever has happened to me in life is only because of cricket. I am very grateful to the game." (PTI)

PP retain Nehru Gold Cup

NEW DELHI, Nov 25: Two stunning penalty corner conversions by Baljeet Singh Dhillon in the late stages of the match enabled holders Punjab Police to chalk out an emphatic 3-0 win over Indian Airlines and to extend their lease over the Nehru Hockey gold Cup here today.

The victory fetched Punjab Police team a cheque of Rs two lakh fifty thousand while Airlines received a cheque of Rs one lakh fifty thousand.

Earlier. Bharat Petroleum beat Tamil Nadu XI 3-2 to claim the third place and a cheque of Rs one lakh.

Punjab Police, who had beaten Indian Airlines in last year’s final also, dominated the second half and it was only the strong defence spearheaded by skipper Dilip Tirkey, Lazrus Barla and V S Vinay that Airlines avoided bigger humiliation.

Former Indian skipper Baljeet Singh Dhillon was the be the hero for Punjab Police, who inscribed their name on the cup for the sixth time, as he led their victory charge.

Apart from two direct penalty corner conversion, Baljeet played a major part in the first goal which was scored by his brother Daljeet.

All the three goals came in the second session.

Daljeet scored in the 55th minute while Baljeet’s brace came in the 57 and 68th minute.

It was Airlines aged forwardline pitted against youthful Punjab Police defence in the 70 minute final of the 40th edition of the tournament.

Dhanraj Pillay, Mukesh Kumar, Sameer Dad and Shakeel Ahmed sparkled in patches but that was not enough to see their team through.

Punjab Police attack was led by Gagan Ajit, who did nothing special, but had a good support from other young forwards.

Gagan Ajit’s running around apart, it was Daljeet Dhillon, Daljeet, Jagbir Singh and Sarabjeet who kept the pressure on the Airlines.

The Airlines attacked lacked punch was evidence from the fact that they could earn only one penalty corner as against seven by their rivals.

The police men were on their job from the word ‘go’ and they troubled the Airlines defence no end. They forced their first penalty corner in the 9th minute which was wasted but they missed the second narrowly.

In between Airlines were awarded a penalty corner but that went abegging. The Airlines goal survived in the 19th minute when off the second penalty corner, Subbaiah blocked Baljeet’s shot but on the rebound Balwant shot missed the target.

Dhanraj Pillay made few moves but must have realised that it was no longer possible for him to dart past young defenders on his own and when he managed to make an opening his teammates were found wanting. After a barren first session, Airlines, who have won this cup eight times, had a chance to surge ahead. Dhanraj ran down the right flank and sent a fine measured cross but it was cleared as their was no Airlines player to deflect it.

Punjab Police launched a furious counter and Gagan Ajit intercepted a ball inside airlines circle but his reverse hit missed the target.

Couple of minutes later, Dhanraj again created an opening from the right but his cross was muffed by Arjunhalappa Whop failed to stop the ball outside the goal.

Sameer Dad and Mukesh Kumar did create some commotion in the left flank but Punjab Police defenders-Balwant Singh and Jaskaran Singh-were alert enough to cut them short.

Midway through the second session the Airlines players seemed to have lost steam as they looked tired and the police men captalised on the situation and launched frontal attacks.

The Airlines defence caved in and conceded two penalty corners-4th and 5th-in succession. Off the fifth, Baljeet Dhillon instead of taking a direct crack relayed the ball to Daljeet on his left whose first time beat the defenders and goalkeeper Subbaiah all ends up(1-0).

Three minutes later, another attack followed and which led to the-sixth penalty corner. This time, Baljeet with a powerful drag flick sent the ball home (2-). (UNI)

GHPS to take on GHS Nowabad in Sub-Jr girls final

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: Guru Harkrishan Public School (GHPS) and Girls High School, Nowabad have reached the final of sub-junior group in the ongoing Jammu district women hockey championships at Green Field ground, here today.

In the first semi-final, GHPS defeated Girls High School, Pul Tawi by a solitary goal. The only goal was scored by Daswinder Kour in the 22 minute of the match.

Stadium XI became the victim in the second semi-final losing to Girls High School, Nowabad 2-3 in tie-breaker.

Earlier, in the given time the match ended in a goalless draw. It was followed by the extra-time which too yielded no result. Later, in the tie-breaker, Nowabad girls emerged winners. Ruhi, Pushwinder and Kamalpreet Kour were successful shooters from winners while Monika and Nisha made two goals for Stadium XI.

Meanwhile, in the junior group, Girls Higher Secondary School, Canal Road outplayed Girls High School, Nowabad 1-0 in the semi-finals. Neeru scored the all important goal for Canal Road in the 40th minute converting a penalty corner.

These championships are being organised by the J&K Women’s Cricket Association under the supervision of DD Singh, general secretary.