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India looking at CHENNAI, Oct 13: Having been thoroughly outplayed in the Bangalore, India may opt to go into the second cricket Test against Australia with a three-pronged spin attack and also reshuffle its top order batting by promoting Yuvraj Singh as opener................more Sachin may
be CHENANI, Oct 13: Indian team captain Sourav Ganguly, who is all set to take on Australia in the second of the four Test series, today said master batsman Sachin Tendulkar could be fit for the third Test at Nagpur.............more Rs two
million LAHORE, Oct 13: President General Pervez Musharraf has announced a cash prize of Rs two million for Sohail Abbas after the illustrious penalty corner expert emerged as the highest scorer in international hockey during the...............more Rains
raise doubts CHENNAI, Oct 13: The forecast of a rain over most parts of Tamil Nadu in the next 48 hours, has raised doubts over the second cricket Test match between India and Australia beginning here tomorrow.............more |
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Arun leading J&K in Santosh Trophy Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: International footballer from Jammu, Arun Malhotra, who is presently member of one of the country’s top club Mahindra United..........more U-15
team leaving for Patiala on Oct 16 Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: President of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), Dr Farooq Abdullah has said that the Punjab coach, Devinder Arora will look after coaching (forthcoming season).......more Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: Rehari Cricket Club (RCC) today entered into the final of cricket tournament being organised by Roshni Cricket............more Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Players Association (JKCPA) has expressed gratitude to the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA)........more |
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| Rajesh elected president of Football Players Welfare Association...... |
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India looking at three-spinner option CHENNAI, Oct 13: Having been thoroughly outplayed in the Bangalore, India may opt to go into the second cricket Test against Australia with a three-pronged spin attack and also reshuffle its top order batting by promoting Yuvraj Singh as opener. Yuvraj’s promotion as an opener would mean Mohammad Kaif would be brought in the middle order while opener Aakash Chopra would have to sit out. "Mohammad Kaif is almost sure in the eleven and Yuvraj Singh will be promoted to opening slot while Chopra is unlikely in the eleven," Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly said on the eve of the match here at the Chepauk. Ganguly said he would discuss the matter with the selectors who would have a final say on any changes in the team. Asked specifically if he was planning to go into the match with three spinners and two pacemen, he said, "at present we are thinking on these lines. You cannot rule that out (fielding three spinners) in Chennai. "The heat will make the wicket look a completely different one tomorrow morning. If the surface changes tomorrow, may be we will go for it," he said. Ganguly felt the spinners would get extra bounce from the wicket which he said would behave quite differently from the one at Bangalore. "The pitch is not like Bangalore, there will be bounce in it here. This is a better surface. Here, the wicket will last a bit more. I don’t think the toss will be as crucial — it would not be a decisive aspect in a team’s performance. It would all depend on how we play on all the five days." Ganguly said the team missed the services of Sachin Tendulkar but his absence should not be made as an excuse for poor performance. "Obviously, we missed Sachin. Whichever team he plays for and if he is not there, the team will definitely miss him. But if he is not playing, the rest of the guys should stand up and perform." "As far as I know he should be fit for the third Test in Nagpur. That is what I have come to know from the physio. But it is a different sort of injury." Asked whether Tendulkar’s absence had affected the performance of the team in Bangalore, Ganguly said, "it is difficult to say but the overall lack of performance by the key batsmen had affected the result in Bangalore." On whether the batsmen were finding it difficult to negotiate the incoming deliveries, he said he could not understand this theory as a batsman needed to face all kinds of balls in Test cricket. "I do not understand this theory of incoming and outgoing balls. Once you play at this level, you need to play both types of deliveries." "It is not the first time that our batsmen are playing balls that are coming into them. They are successful batsmen, they are not newcomers. They have to think positive and stay confident and it will turn around in their favour," Ganguly said. The skipper said it was imperative for his team to bat well if it nurtured any hopes of levelling the four-match series in Chennai. "I have been saying throughout that we have to bat well. To win Test matches we have to put up 400 runs in the first innings on the board. Possibly 350 or 400 will ideal on this track. But we will have to look to do that." Ganguly also said the team was not downcast after the reversal in the first test. "The mood is upbeat and there is a lot of cricket left in the series. We have won a test series after being 1-0 down, I am pretty much sure that the players have realised that it is high time that they start scoring runs. The guys are pretty keen to achieve their goal." Asked to comment on role being played by Sunil Gavaskar, the captain said, "he is helping us out. He is trying to work together with John Wright, who is the main guy. We have had Bruce Reid as our coach for bowling in the past. This time we thought we could have somebody who could help us in batting." (PTI) |
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Sachin may be fit for third Test: Sourav CHENANI, Oct 13: Indian team captain Sourav Ganguly, who is all set to take on Australia in the second of the four Test series, today said master batsman Sachin Tendulkar could be fit for the third Test at Nagpur. "As far as I know, Sachin must be fit for the third Test," he said at a press conference after the Indian team wound up the net practice at the M A Chidambaram Stadium. However, asked if Sachin’s absence had made a big difference to the team’s batting, Sourav observed "a player like Sachin is an asset to any team he plays for." But that should not deter the other players from giving their best, Sourav said, adding "irrespective of Sachin, the rest of the guys must stand up." Asked if Sachin’s tennis elbow injury had completely healed, Sourav said one could not set a time frame for any injury to heal in cricket. Sourav also parried a question on whether Sachin’s absence had any adverse affect on India’s fortunes in the first Test at Bangalore. Things should not be seen in this perspective, he said, adding that "the other guys in the team are not new comers. Some of them have big scores." (UNI) |
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Rs two million for Sohail Abbas LAHORE, Oct 13: President General Pervez Musharraf has announced a cash prize of Rs two million for Sohail Abbas after the illustrious penalty corner expert emerged as the highest scorer in international hockey during the eight-Test friendship series against arch-rivals India. Sohail Abbas scored in the seventh Test at Amritsar to go past Dutchman Paul Litjen’s worlds record of 267 goals. "President General Pervez Musharraf is very happy with the performance of this penalty corner specialist and he will call him in presidency this week to honour his great talent," Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) president general Arif Hasan informed. Saying that president Musharraf was fond of sports and wished to see Pakistan at the top of the hockey world, Gen Hasan said,’’he called me and expressed his desire to meet the record-breaking player.’’ General Musharraf also hoped that more talented youngsters would come up with Sohail Abbas as their inspiration and the cash award would also encourage them, the POA chief said. Earlier, General Musharraf greeted the Pakistan hockey team on its 4-2 victory against India in the series. Meanwhile, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Brig Musharatullah Khan hailed the gesture and said,"President Musharraf expressed great concern by recognising the performance of the brilliant player. It will surely improve the standard of game in country and would also attract the youngster towards national sport." (UNI) |
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Rains raise doubts over Chepauk Test CHENNAI, Oct 13: The forecast of a rain over most parts of Tamil Nadu in the next 48 hours, has raised doubts over the second cricket Test match between India and Australia beginning here tomorrow. But as officials of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) indicated, the response from cricket lovers of Chennai had been very encouraging. TNCA had already raked in rs one crore through the sale of tickets. The expectation of selling 35,000 seats in the 45,000 capacity stadium, when the sale of tickets began along with that for the first Test in Bangalore, had come true. (UNI) |
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Arun leading J&K in Santosh Trophy Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: International footballer from Jammu, Arun Malhotra, who is presently member of one of the country’s top club Mahindra United, has been made captain of the State team for Santosh Trophy (senior National) football tournament. The team, which will leave for Delhi, the venue of the competitions, tomorrow has high prospects of qualifying for the knock-out state because it has another two experienced players— vice-captain Ishfaq and Mehraj. Iqhfaq plays for Dempo Club of Goa while Mehraj is a member of famous Kolkata Club, Mohan Bagan. Another international veteran footballer of the State, Abdul Majid Kakroo has been appointed coach while J&K Police coach, Nazir Ahmed has been named Manager of the 20-member state team. In the opening pool league match, J&K will take on Nagaland on October 16, followed by the second match against Tamil Nadu. When contacted by EXCELSIOR, the skipper said, "One can expect results from the present side of J&K which is comprised of best stuff among young lot and the important thing is that two experienced players in Ishfaq and Mehraj, who have the exposure of playing in country’s top clubs will be the turning point." Arun joins ONGC as an executive After striving hard to get a job in his home State of Jammu and Kashmir, the Jammu lad, who has to his credit silver medal in Afro-Asian Games, Arun Malhotra has finally joined the ONGC on an executive post. It was for the first time that a fooball player was taken direct recruit as an officer. Arun joined the ONGC three months back alongwith two other international players, Gaganajit Singh (Hockey) and Powar (cricket). ONGC already has to their pay roll the top cricketers, Varinder Sehwag, Mohd Kaif and Ashish Nehra. Besides being an employee of ONGC, Arun will continue with Mahindra United till the expiry of the contract. It may be recalled that Arun was denied a job through SRO-349 by the State Government though he had to his credit a silver medal Afro-Asian Games and a gold in LG Cup, another international tournament. |
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U-15 team leaving for
Patiala on Oct 16 Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: President of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), Dr Farooq Abdullah has said that the Punjab coach, Devinder Arora will look after coaching (forthcoming season) of the Jammu wing only. Commenting on the story published in today’s edition of the EXCELSIOR, Dr Farooq said that the services of Arora will be utilised by the Jammu wing only because there is already very short time left for the coming Ranji season. However, he admitted that the services of this Punjab coach can be utilised for next year after going through the outcome of cricketers getting coaching from him (Devinder Arora) at Jammu. Meanwhile, the vice-chairman of Jammu wing, Rahul Bharati too has confirmed the appointment of Devinder Arora as JKCA’s coach for Jammu wing. He said, " we have taken the initiative to bring Devinder to Jammu so how can he be named as State coach as this point of time. We have taken the approval of president in this regard in the meeting held at Srinagar yesterday evening." But the sources within JKCA were strict to the reports published in EXCELSIOR that Devinder Arora’s name was confirmed as JKCA’s official coach in the deliberations that took place in yesterday’s meeting at the residence of president. In the meantime, JKCA general secretary, M L Nehru has confirmed the reports regarding setting up of a committee which will look into boarding and lodging besides trevelling of the teams in all age groups. The team will be headed by Ramesh Mahajan. Other members include Praveen Kapahi, Saleem Khan, Sudershan Mehta, Imtiyaz Ahmed Zargar and C L Chrangoo. Meanwhile, according to Ramesh Mahajan, the under-15 team will leave for Patiala (Punjab) their first match against Punjab on October 16. The match will be played on October 18. Kashmir probables will be reporting at Jammu tomorrow to join their counterparts from Jammu for their final selection, he added. |
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Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: Rehari Cricket Club (RCC) today entered into the final of cricket tournament being organised by Roshni Cricket Academy at GGM Science College hostel ground, here. In the first semi-final played today, RCC defeated R S Pura Cricket Club (RSPC) by five wickets. Batting first after winning the toss, R S Pura Club made 117 runs losing all their wickets in 29 over of the 30 overs match. In reply, RCC reached target making 120 runs losing five wickets in 26.2 overs. Earlier, after a dismal start by the openers, RSPC was given a face saving target by Ashwani and Anil who together added 53 runs for the sixth wicket partnership bringing the score from 36 for five to 89 for six. Ashwani remained the top scorer with 44 (off 39 balls, 5x4) while Anil contributed 29 (2x4). From RCC, Parkash Singh took three wickets while Rohit, Abhijeet and Prince shared two each. Batting second, RCC started well and their first wicket added 42 runs. After a smooth sailing in the first 10 overs, RCC suddenly found themselves in troubled waters when two wickets fell within a gap of four runs at score of 46. However, the middle order steadily progressed towards their target and attained their goal in 26.2 overs for the loss of five wickets. Deepa made unbeaten 29 while Abhishek, Abhijeet and Pankaj contributed 21, 15 and 18 runs respectively. Narinder Singh took two wickets or RSPC. Deepa of RCC was later adjudged as man of the match for his crucial match winning unbeaten 29 runs. Next match: Shastri Cricket Club will take on Vishal Cricket Club in the second semi-final to be played on October 15. |
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Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Players Association (JKCPA) has expressed gratitude to the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) president Dr Farooq Abdullah for initiating measures for the welfare of the cricketers for the forthcoming Ranji season in the state. The JKCPA senior vice-president and spokesman, Ranjeet Kalra in a handout issued here today said, "we thank Dr Farooq Abdullah for personally taking stock of the difficulties faced by the players last season and ordering their rectification by setting up different committees". It may be recalled that a delegation of JKCPA had in April this year presented a charter of demands to Dr Abdullah which included appointment of a cricket coach and better traveling and lodging facilities for players while they were on tour. The cricket players have expressed joy over the fulfillment of their aspirations. JKCPA also thanked working president, Aslam Goni for presenting the cricketers views before the president. Rajesh elected president of
Football Players Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: Senior player, Rajesh Sumbaria was today elected as president of the newly floated Jammu Football Players’ Welfare Association. The meeting, which held under the chairmanship of Narinder Gupta, also elected Ajay Pal Gill as acting president and Amardeep Singh as general secretary of the association. Other members elected were Sardari Lal, Darshan Kumar, Peeter Sandhu, Ravi Sharma (vice-presidents), Rakesh Sandhu (treasurer), Ranjeet Singh (joint secretary) and Surinder Singh (spokesman) as also Sunil Khajuria, Rakesh Kumar, Yousaf Don, Rakesh Khanna, Sudesh Sharma, Gaurav, Eliaja Sotra (all executive members). India to host world men’s team squash championship CHENNAI, Oct 13: India will host the 2007 world men’s team squash championship, the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) announced here today. India won the bid to host the prestigious championship, which would be staged here, at the Annual General Meeting of the World Squash Federation held in Mauritius from October 8 to 10, SRFI joint secretary Srivatsan Subramanian said in a release here. The championship will be held at the TNSRA Squash Academy. SRFI secretary general and president of Asian Squash Federation N Ramachandran said he was delighted that another world event would be held in India and Asia. The academy, which has eight courts, including an all-glass court, had already hosted three Wispa and two Psa events besides asian junior and world junior championships. (PTI) HYDERABAD, Oct 13: Sania Mirza defeated Jenifer Schmidt of Austria 6-2, 6-1 to enter the quarterfinals of the USD 25,000 ITF women’s tennis event in Lagos, Nigeria, today. Sania had won the singles and doubles titles in a $25,000 event at the same venue last week. (PTI) |
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