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| Bangladesh fighting with their backs to the wall CHITTAGONG, Dec 18: India recovered from a middle order slump to post a mammoth first innings total and had Bangladesh in dire straits taking three quick wickets on the second day of the second and final cricket Test against Bangladesh here today. After the heroics of century makers Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir, captain Sourav Ganguly held the innings together after a middle order collapse with a responsible 88 which took India to a commanding 540.........more Australia
set PERTH (Australia), Dec 18: Australia twisted the knife in a lifeless Pakistan today, setting a massive 564-run victory............more Former
Indian captain VARODARA, Dec 18: Former captain Vijay Hazare, who led India to its first ever Test win, died here today following a......more My dream
is to play CHITTAGONG, Dec 18: Harbhajan Singh may have got himself closer to legendary E A S Prasanna’s tally of 189 wickets but the off-spinner is more focussed on playing for the country as long as possible rather than aim for records............more |
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Khoda pats state wrestling team Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: President, J&K Wrestling Association, Kuldeep Khoda today witnessed the selection trials for the state team and boosted the moral of the final 16 wrestlers who have been picked up for the 51st senior national wrestling championship to be held at Nadai (Jindh) in Haryana from December 30 to January 2..............more Big win
for Aryan Excelsior Sports Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Dec 18: Aryan Bahu Fort XI today entered into the semi-finals of fourth qualifying round cricket tournament beating Yorkshire Jammu at Sports...........more Ramesh
memorial Excelsior Sports Correspondent KATHUA, Dec 18: Organised by Volleyball Club Gurah Mundian, the 7th Romesh memorial North Zone volleyball.......more Gill
scripts Vishal’s Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: A brilliant knock of 60 ball 60 runs by Rajesh Gill today guided Vishal Cricket Club (VCC) to a 35-run win over.......more |
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meet of Jammu Club begins..... *Sawhney gives away prizes to winners of 2003 |
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Bangladesh fighting with their backs to the wall CHITTAGONG, Dec 18: India recovered from a middle order slump to post a mammoth first innings total and had Bangladesh in dire straits taking three quick wickets on the second day of the second and final cricket Test against Bangladesh here today. After the heroics of century makers Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir, captain Sourav Ganguly held the innings together after a middle order collapse with a responsible 88 which took India to a commanding 540. The hosts began on a steady note without losing a wicket in the first 25 overs but lost their way as Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh claimed three wickets in the space of 26 balls to leave them tottering at 54 for three at stumps. The hosts, who had struggled to match the standards of their opponents and buckled under the slightest hint of pressure, put up an improved performance in all departments of the game as they first checked the roll of Indian batting juggernaut with some tidy bowling and then batted with rare resilience to deny the visiting bowlers till the spinners inflicted the damage. India had to rely on the sensible batting by their skipper and some spectacular pyrotechniques by ‘turbanator’ Harbhajan Singh to overcome an inexplicable middle-order collapse before being all out at the stroke of tea. Bangladesh, needing 340 to avoid follow on, reached 54 for three, the loss of Nafis Iqbal (31) and nightwatchman Mashrafe Mortaza (4) somewhat spoiling an otherwise good day for the hosts. Captain Habibul Bashar, yet to open his account, was at the crease at stumps. Javed Omar blocked 78 balls and hit one four for his 10 before he went for a drive and edged Kumble to Dravid at slips towards the close of play. Bashar had said on the eve of the match that he wanted his team to at least put up a fight, and his batsmen to see off the new ball. Iqbal and Omar did exactly that even as Irfan Pathan and Zaheer Khan surprisingly failed to find their rhythm and often strayed in their line. With the pitch playing true, and although there was good bounce and turn, it was hard toil for the bowlers in general and the Bangladesh openers showed maturity in their shot selection to almost survive the evening session. Despite what the scoreline might indicate, it was overall an under-achieving batting by the Indians as they lost five wickets for 78 runs in the morning session and failed to consolidate on the good work done by Dravid and Gambhir. Right-arm fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza (3-60) triggered the collapse when he rapped Sachin Tendulkar (36) on the pads off the very first ball of the day. Dravid (160) himself was guilty of a loose shot when he played away from the body for an edge to wicketkeeper before V V S Laxman was dismissed in controversial fashion. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique (4-156) appeared to grass the ball after taking a diving return catch of Laxman. Dinesh Kaarthick did not last long either, although he looked displeased at being adjudged caught behind to Rafique. Ganguly’s sensible half century combined with Harbhajan’s cavalier 47 then resurrected the Indian innings. Ganguly displayed calm while wickets fell rapidly at the other end before being caught at long on as he went for big shots towards the tea break. He faced 153 balls and hit nine fours during his 231 minute stay at the crease. Harbhajan’s 43-ball 47 studded with seven fours and two sixes fetched 75 runs for the ninth wicket partnership with Ganguly. The captain also received valuable support from Anil Kumble (23) as the two added 53 runs for eighth wicket that lifted India from 412 for seven at one stage. Bangladesh then did well to reign in the free stroking Indians by claiming five wickets for 78 runs before Ganguly and Kumble did the repair job. Resuming at 334 for two, Tendulkar departed in dramatic circumstances after his concentration was affected by movements behind the bowler’s head as he got ready to take strike. Tendulkar (36) needed a few minutes to take his stance as he was disturbed by people moving in the press box. And when he finally settled down, Mortaza had him plumb in front with a sharp in cutter. Dravid, 145 overnight, seemed in good nick as he drove Mortaza off the pads to the midwicket fence. The vice-captain added 37 runs for the fourth wicket with Ganguly before he played away from the body for a snick. His 160 came from 304 balls and contained 24 fours. Mortaza’s tidy opening spell of 6-2-18-2 checked the Indian scoring rate at one end but runs kept flowing at the other. Rafique then dealt three quick blows to push the visitors on the backfoot. He first dived to take a brilliant return catch to dismiss Laxman (9) but he appeared to grass the ball as he landed. Kaarthick (11) was lucky when he was dropped by Manjural Islam Rana at first slip off rafique but did not last long when he was ruled caught behind off the same bowler in the next over. Irfan Pathan (4) then played a wild heave to top edge Rafique and wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud did well to hold on to the skier. (PTI) SCOREBOARD India 1st innings: V Sehwag c Bashar b Mortaza 10 G Gambhir b Hossain 139 R Dravid c Mashud b Mortaza 160 S Tendulkar lbw b Mortaza 36 S Ganguly c Jubair b Rafique 88 V V S Laxman c and b Rafique 9 D Kaarthick c Mashud b Rafique 11 I Pathan c Mashud b Rafique 4 A Kumble st Mashud b Ashraful 23 Harbhajan Singh c Islam b Hossain 47 Zaheer Khan not out 0 Extras (b-5, lb-4, w-2, nb-2) 13 Total (all out in 148.2 overs) 540 Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-273, 3-34, 4-371, 5-384, 6-402, 7-412, 8-465, 9-540. Bowling: Mashrafe Mortaza 26-5-60-3, Nazmul Hossain 25.5-4-114-2, Talha Jubair 19-1-95-0, Mohammad Rafique 50-2-156-4, Manjural Islam Rana 16.3-0-63-0, Aftab Ahmed 4-0-14-0, Mohammad Ashraful 7-0-29-1. Bangladesh 1st innings N Iqbal c Gambhir b Harbhajan 31 J Omar c Dravid b Kumble 10 M Mortaza lbw b Kumble 4 H Bashar batting 0 Extras (b-4, lb-2, w-2, nb-1) 9 Total (for 3 wkts in 30.3 overs) 54 Fall of wickets: 1-48, 2-54, 3-54 Bowling: Irfan Pathan 9-4-17-0, Zaheer Khan 5-1-10-0, Anil Kumble 10.3-5-14-2, Harbhajan Singh 6-2-7-1. (PTI) |
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Australia set Pakistan a mammoth 564 for victory PERTH (Australia), Dec 18: Australia twisted the knife in a lifeless Pakistan today, setting a massive 564-run victory target and giving themselves two full days of the first Test to bowl the visitors out. After Australia had declared their second innings at 361 for five, Pakistan were 18-1 at stumps. Badly out-of-form opener Imran Farhat had gone for one while Salman Butt was on eight and Younis Khan seven. To add to the visitors’ woes, star paceman Shoaib Akhtar was taken for x-rays after injuring his left shoulder while fielding shortly after lunch. His condition was not immediately known. Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was also in the wars, unable to take the field between lunch and tea due to a stomach virus. Australia, with a lead of 217 when play began, turned the screws further on Pakistan during the day. But their tally featured two disappointing dismissals for captain Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer, the first innings hero with 191. Langer went agonisingly close to becoming the first player to score a century in each innings of a Test at the Western Australian cricket association ground, reaching 97 before he was bowled by all-rounder Abdul Razzaq. Ponting went even closer to a century but fell for 98, dragging his back foot and stumped by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal while trying to sweep legspinner Danish Kaneria. The Australian skipper had not scored a Test century in his last 17 innings, since the boxing day test against India in Melbourne last year. But local hero Damien Martyn made amends when he reached 100 — his fifth century for the year — prompting ponting to declare. Opener Matthew Hayden earlier was bowled by Shoaib Akhtar in the morning session for 10 with the score on 28. But Ponting and Langer crushed any lingering Pakistani hopes, adding 163 for the second wicket. (AFP) SCOREBOARD Australia first innings 381 Pakistan first innings 179 Australia second innings: J Langer b Razzaq 97 M Hayden b Shoaib Akhtar 10 R Ponting st Kamran b Kaneria 98 D Martyn not out 100 D Lehmann b Kaneria 5 M Clarke c Inzamam b Sami 27 A Gilchrist not out 0 Extras (lb-15, w-2, nb-7) 24 Total (for 5 wkts decl., 85.2 overs) 361 Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-191, 3-271, 4-281, 5-360 Bowling: Shoaib Akhtar 6.3-1-22-1, Mohammad Sami 14-1-55-1, Abdul Razzaq 12.3-1-48-1, Mohammad Khalil 9.2-0-38-0, Danish Kaneria 32-3-130-2, Imran Rarhat 11-0-53-0. Pakistan second innings: Imran Farhat lbw McGrath 1 Salman Butt batting 8 Younis Khan batting 7 Extras (lb-2) 2 Total (for 1 wkt, 6 overs) 18 Fall of wicket: 1-5. Bowling: McGrath 3-0-6-1, Gillespie 3-1-10-0. (AFP) |
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Former Indian captain Vijay Hazare passes away VARODARA, Dec 18: Former captain Vijay Hazare, who led India to its first ever Test win, died here today following a prolonged illness, family sources said here today. Hazare, 89, was suffering from intestinal cancer and breathed his last this afternoon at a private clinic where he was kept on life support system for the past couple of days, his son Ranjeet said. Considered as one of India’s finest batsmen ever, Hazare played at the highest level for six years — between 1946 to 52 — during which he represented the country in 30 Tests scoring 2192 runs at an impressive average of 47.65 runs. He scored seven centuries — two of them coming in the same match against Australia at Adelaide in 1947-48, and two more in his first two matches as captain, against England in 1951. An effective right-arm medium pacer, Hazare captured 20 wickets at 61 run apiece. Born on March 11, 1915 in Sangli, Maharashtra, Hazare played for Maharashtra, Central India and Baroda in the domestic circuit. He had a fabulous first class career record averaging 58.38. He amassed 18,740 runs in 238 matches that included 60 centuries. The highlight of Hazare’s first class career was the two triple centuries he scored, 316 not out and 309 — the latter being more memorable since it came out of the side’s total score of 387. His wicket-taking abilities got him a whopping 595 wickets in first class matches at an average of 24.61. The man, who was immensely talented with the bat, however only had moderate success as captain of the Indian team. In 14 matches he captained, India won just one test —against England — while losing five. The remaining eight matches ended in draws. The legendary batsman’s wife, daughter and friend were present when the end came today. Hazare was chairman of the Indian Cricket Committee in 1960 when Nari contractor was the captain of the Indian team. The cricket club of India had recently honoured him a lifetime achievement award comprising Rs 25,000. (PTI) |
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My
dream is to play for India as long as CHITTAGONG, Dec 18: Harbhajan Singh may have got himself closer to legendary E A S Prasanna’s tally of 189 wickets but the off-spinner is more focussed on playing for the country as long as possible rather than aim for records. Harbhajan, who needs two more wickets to equal Prasanna’s tally, said he would be happy to become India’s leading off spinner ever but he would like to play longer for India rather than look at such milestones. "Let me get those wickets first, but it would be nice to become India’s leading off-spinner. I am looking forward to bowl tomorrow," he said. "I am still young, just 24-years old. So I don’t want to look at that few wickets. My dream is to play for india as long as possible." Harbhajan has not been among the wickets in Bangladesh but he more than made up for that with a 43-ball 47 that was crucial for India posting a huge total of 540. "I always enjoy my batting. It is a good wicket to bat on, has good bounce and shows enough turn as well. It would help the fast bowlers also, but we should bowl the right line and length." "I have enjoyed my bowling here (in Bangladesh). We (spinners) have not got to bowl much as Irfan (Pathan) took 11 wickets (in the first Test in Dhaka)," Harbhajan said. Bangladesh fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza was delighted at grabbing Sachin Tendulkar’s wicket and the 21-year-old said it was a "surprise delivery" that got the maestro on the first ball of the day’s play. "It was a surprise delivery. I planned at bowling an inswinger and it came out very well," Mortaza said at the end of the second day’s play here. Tendulkar was trapped plumb in front when he was rapped on the pads by a sharp in cutter from Mortaza. But the ace batsman seemed to have lost his concentration due to constant movement behind the bowler’s arm which held up the start of the day’s proceedings for a few minutes. "It is very inspiring for any bowler to get a wicket off the first ball," said Mortaza who had consistently troubled the Indian batsmen with his pace in the series. "The wicket was flat, so I was advised to stick to a line to contain the run flow," he said. "Sachin’s wicket would be memorable but the delivery that got Rahul Dravid was the best." Dravid, well set on 160, was lured by a ball that dragged him outside the off stump for a thick edge to wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud. (PTI) |
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Khoda pats state wrestling team Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: President, J&K Wrestling Association, Kuldeep Khoda today witnessed the selection trials for the state team and boosted the moral of the final 16 wrestlers who have been picked up for the 51st senior national wrestling championship to be held at Nadai (Jindh) in Haryana from December 30 to January 2. He was introduced with wrestlers selected for two events of Free Style and Greco Roman by the general secretary of the Association, Dushyant Sharma at the wrestling hall of MA Stadium, here in the afternoon. President was informed by Mr Dushyant that these selected wrestlers will undergo a 10-day coaching camp beginning from December 20 at Jammu. Present among others were Narinder Mahajan, vice-president, Prem Choudhary, senior coach, Krishan Lal Sharma, Rakesh Khajuria, Rajesh Bittu, Kulbir Singh and members of the Association. The team will leave for Haryana on December 28. Teams: Free Style: Lal Hussain (50 kg, Jammu), Sunny Sharma (55 kg, Jammu), Krishan Singh (60 kg, Jammu), Qasim Din (66 kg, J&K Police), Omkar Singh (74 kg, BSF), Anil Kumar (84 kg, Jammu), Sanjeev Sharma (96 kg, Pouni Udhampur) and Allah Mai. Greco Roman: Romesh Singh (50 kg, Udhampur), Mohd Mushtaq (55 kg, Jammu), Naresh Kumar (60 kg, Jammu), Mohd Zulf (66 kg, J&K Police), Ravinder Kumar (74 kg, J&K Police), Murad Ali (84 kg, J&K Police), Dheeraj (96 kg, J&K Police) and Mohd Sadiq. |
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Big win for Aryan Bahu Fort XI Excelsior Sports Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Dec 18: Aryan Bahu Fort XI today entered into the semi-finals of fourth qualifying round cricket tournament beating Yorkshire Jammu at Sports Stadium, here. Batting first, Aryan Bahu Fort made 252 runs for seven in 30 overs, which, in reply, Yorkshire could not chase and bowled out for mere 64 runs in 14.4 overs. Sanjay and Baldev were top scorers with 54 and 51 runs respectively. Raju and Lippu contributed 32 and 25 runs respectively. From Yorkshire Parveen and Paramjeet bagged two wickets each. Chasing a big target, Yorkshire could not reach each half of the required mark and bowled out for just 64 runs in 14.4 overs. Except Vikram (14) and Vicky (17) no batsman could score in double figure. Raju was main architect of Bahu Fort’s big win after he claimed five for 26 in five overs. Masood, Montu, Sunny and Partap shared one each. Raju was adjudged man of the match for his five wicket haul. |
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Ramesh memorial North Zone volleyball tourney begins Excelsior Sports Correspondent KATHUA, Dec 18: Organised by Volleyball Club Gurah Mundian, the 7th Romesh memorial North Zone volleyball tournament started today at Government High School, Gurah Mundian, in Hiranagar, Kathua. In the opening day match, Services and BSF Jammu Frontier emerged winner. Services defeated Kashmir Frontier in straight sets 25-19, 25-19, 25-21 while in the second match, BSF Jammu outplayed J&K Police against in straight sets 25-17, 25-22, 25-17. Other teams participating in this tournament are Amritsar Volleyball Club, Jullander Volleyball Club. However, there was no local state team taking part in this competition. Competitions were declared open by Vikrant Kuthiala, managing director, M/s R B Jodhamal and Co., Jammu. President of the J&K Volleyball Association, Raj Daluja presided over the inaugural function. Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest announced an assistance of Rs 32,000 to the host club. Earlier, president of Volleyball Club Gurah Mundian, M L Toofan welcomed the teams and other distinguished guest. Others present were Kuldeep Magotra, S D Singh, Subash Sharma, P K Tikkoo, Superintendent Central Excise, Jugal Kishore and DySP Border Kathua. |
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Gill scripts Vishal’s win in final Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: A brilliant knock of 60 ball 60 runs by Rajesh Gill today guided Vishal Cricket Club (VCC) to a 35-run win over Friends and Friends Cricket Club (FFCC) in the final of third qualifying round cricket tournament which was organised by Roshini Cricket Academy at Science College ground, here. Gill’s fine innings of 60 studded with seven boundaries helped VCC set a target of 185 runs for six in 30 overs after latter won the toss and decided to bat. In reply, FCC could not maintain the required run-rate and exhausted their quota of allotted overs at 149 with four wickets in hand. Besides Rajesh, Ajay Kumar and Sameer Malik too batted well and contributed unbeaten 20 and 22 runs respectively. From FFCC, Dimple and Ashish took two wickets each while Sandeep Singh and Rakesh shared one each. Batting second, FFCC made 149 runs for the loss of six overs in the stipulated 30 overs. Dimple, who was retired hurt made 26 runs including three boundaries. Riaz was top scorer with 32 (4x4) and Rakesh made unbeaten 21 (4x4). Ajay took two wickets for Vishal. Shafaqat Baba, Rakesh Koul and Ram Dayal shared one each. Rajesh Gill was declared man of the match for his 60-run contribution. Next match (Veteran): Laxmi Cricket Club to take on Jewel Cricket Club at 10 am tomorrow. Sports meet of Jammu Club begins Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: Minister of State for Sports and Technical Education, Yogesh Sawhney in a function held today declared open the annual sports meet of Jammu Club and also gave away prizes to the winners of 2003. Prizes were distributed among those who excelled in the events of billiards and snooker, squash, table tennis, badminton and lawn tennis. Later, Minister declared open the sports meet for 2004. He alongwith other members of the club witnessed an exhibition billiards match which was played between V K Luthra and Arvind Sawhney. According to secretary of Jammu Club, Kiran Wattal, who himself is a national medalist in weightlifting and body building, informed that this year the competitions shall be held in billiards and snooker, squash, table tennis, badminton and lawn tennis. The preliminary rounds in these events will start from tomorrow onwards, he added. Results (2003): Dependent category: Billiards: Jyoti Anand, Ist and Manav Gulati, 2nd. Snooker: Ankush Gupta, Ist and Manav Gulati, 2nd. Table Tennis (singles): Ashish Gupta Ist and Abhik Gupta, 2nd. Table Tennis (doubles): Vasu Dewan and Karan Dewan, Ist and Kanav Sharma and Rajat Dewan, 2nd. Badminton ( girls singles): Harleen, Ist and Ashika Nayyar, 2nd. T Tennis (under-12 year): Abhijeet, Ist and Akshun Gupta, 2nd. Badminton (singles): Sumeer Sankhyadhar, Ist and Vasu Dewan, 2nd. Badminton (doubles): Sumeer Sankhyadhar and Vasu Dewan, Ist and Karan Dewan and Gourav, 2nd. Bridge (EW): Vinod Sharma and S C Aggarwal, Ist and Arun Gandotra and Arun Sharma, 2nd. Bridge (NS): M M Fotehdar and Akhtar Murtaza, Ist and Aman Rathore and Vinay Kotwal, 2nd. Billiards Open: K K Khosa, Ist and Arun Gandotra, 2nd. Snooker: Kamal Rohmetra, Ist and K K Khosa, 2nd. Table Tennis (single member): V K Luthra, Ist and Dr Sudesh C Sharma, 2nd. Table Tennis (doubles member): Kiran Wattal and V K Luthra, Ist and Vijay Dewan and B S Manocha, 2nd. Badminton (singles): A K Pandhoi, Ist and Vijay Dewan, 2nd. Badminton (double): Prem Dewan and Vijay Dewan, Ist and A K Pandhoi and Sumeet Puri, 2nd. Squash: Arvind Sawhney, Ist and Col. D S Trehan, 2nd. Shuttle stars shine at fag end of the year NEW DELHI, Dec 18: A handful of international titles at the fag end of the year and some satisfactory performances in the Olympics could lead optimists and officials to believe that India’s entry in the top flight of world badminton is just round the corner. But if one looks at these successes in the backdrop of the two title triumphs of ‘half-fit’ Pullela Gopichand and the sheer dominance of Aparna Popat in the women’s section for the sixth year in succession, the writing is on the wall — there is still a long way to go for Indian shuttlers. Gopichand, who was out of competitive circuit for almost 10 months, came back to win the Asian satellite event in Hyderabad and the Syed Modi international tournament in Lucknow, even though no one can vouch that the former all England Open champion has regained full fitness after the knee-injury. Enroute the two title, the 31-year-old defeated almost all those who had been touted to take over the mantle from him in the international circuit. Though he was happy about his performance, Gopichand gave voice to the sentiments of the badminton world after winning the Syed Modi tournament. "This is a good victory for me, but a bad sign for Indian badminton." On the other hand, there was a vast gap between Popat and the lot chasing her, as the former world junior runner-up never came under any pressure from any of her compatriots, a trend which has not changed for years now. It has become a foregone conclusion that the 26-year-old would emerge the winner if she is competing in any domestic event and the others would have to vie for the second best spot. Trupti Murgunde has, of late, made that second spot her own and one needs to wait how the up and coming Saina Nehwal and Aparna Balan turn out in the next few years, if the Indian eves have to make a mark in world badminton. (PTI) Dalmiya condoles Hazare’s death KOLKATA, Dec 18: Cricket Association of Bengal president Jagmohan Dalmiya today expressed profound grief at the death of former Indian skipper Vijay Hazare. In a condolence message to the celebrated batsman’s family, Dalmiya said "I am aware that he was not keeping in good health for the last few days, but his demise has come as a shock". Describing Hazare as one of the greatest cricketers the country has ever produced, Dalmiya recalled that he was affectionately called ‘India’s Jack Hobbs’ because of his run scoring ability. "I had the opportunity of interacting with Hazare Sahab a number of times. To me, he was a man of character and dignity, with so much of humility. I guess that was the sign of a truly great cricketer. He was the real ambassador of the gentleman’s game," Dalmiya said. (PTI) |
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