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

We will return triumphant
from SA: Sachin

MUMBAI, Nov 6: Sachin Tendulkar today assured the country that the Indian team, knocked out of the Champions Trophy before the semi-final stage, would return triumphant from the upcoming tour of South Africa. .....more

Great team effort
behind victory

By Brett Lee

Thank You. Sukhriya and Dhanyabad India for hosting the Australian team and helping us to close an important chapter in the history of our cricket .........more

Tendulkar criticises
Australians’ behaviour
after victory

Sachin Tendulkar today indirectly hit out at triumphant Australian captain Ricky Ponting and his teammates’ behaviour during the prize distribution ceremony . ...more

Inter-Collegiate Men
Cricket Tournament
GDC Kishtwar registers
6 wkts victory over KC College

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: Government Degree College Kishtwar won by six wickets the inaugural match of the Inter-Collegiate Cricket Men Tournament at University .......more

Kamal, Nikhil, Sohail,
Jaideep enter semis
of Sr Billiards

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: Semi-finals position in the Senior Billiards of the 16th Jammu District Open Billiards and Snooker Championship .........more

State Open Table Tennis Championship
Shorya to take on Arjun
in final of Junior Boys

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: Shorya Sharma to lock horns with Arjun Kohli in the final of the Junior Boys ......more

Athletic competitions
of Girls conclude

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: Athletic competitions of Girls in all age groups concluded today at Higher Secondary School ........more

Tiny Tots School bags
Ist place in Inter-
School Taekwondo

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: Tiny Tots Higher Secondary School bagged first place in the Inter-School Taekwondo Championship organised by Sky Sports Society at Project Model Higher Secondary School Pamposh Colony.....more

We will return triumphant from SA: Sachin

"We are disappointed at not doing well in the Champions Trophy, but we would return triumphant from South Africa. As a team we have to look at the positives heading into the tour. Dwelling on Champions Trophy (debacle) would not do us good," he told a press conference here after signing up as the global brand ambassador for Canon products.

Tendulkar reminded public about the team’s run-in towards the 2003 World Cup when the squad did not do well in New Zealand in late 2002, started badly in the warm-up phase in the mega event in South Africa but eventually finished runners-up to Australia.

"I keep reminding people of what happened in 2003. We did not do well in New Zealand. We also lost to Natal B team in the World Cup warm-up phase and then went on to make the final. We beat everyone except Australia," he said.

About India’s Champions Trophy loss at home, the ace batsman, only the second sportsperson to endorse Canon products after Russian tennis champion Maria Sharapova, said India fell short of extra 10 runs against the West Indies in their group a encounter at Ahmedabad.

"Had we made ten extra runs against the West Indies we would have won," said Tendulkar.

India lost the match in the final over when the Windies chased successfully and then were dumped out by eventual winners Australia in a must-win clash for both teams at Mohali.

Tendulkar endorsed the wicket on which India played against Australia and said it was a good wicket and such wickets should be prepared for playing domestic cricket.

He also called upon the cricket authorities to start using Kookaburra brand of cricket balls in domestic cricket.

"It was a good wicket. I have always maintained that we should play our domestic matches on such wickets. We should also use Kookaburra balls in domestic cricket, if not the international ball the one just below it," he said.

On Australia’s Champions Trophy win, Tendulkar said Ricky Ponting’s team was undoubtedly the best team in the world at present.

"Australia are the number one side and I am not the only one to say this," Tendulkar said.

Tendulkar, who would be endorsing all products of the Japanese company as compared to sharapova who is promoting one particular product, was politely aggressive when a scribe suggested that the Indian cricketers were shying away from playing in domestic cricket unlike the australians.

"If you remember we returned from Malaysia and played in the Challenger Series prior to the Champions Trophy. People tend to forget this or not willing to notice these things. I played in a ranji tie after returning from New Zealand which is a long way off from India and was half asleep while fielding," he said.

Tendulkar also said that none of the Indian team members allowed their endorsement shoots to interfere with their cricket and these were done only during periods when there were no cricket activities. (PTI)

Great team effort behind victory

By Brett Lee

Thank You. Sukhriya and Dhanyabad India for hosting the Australian team and helping us to close an important chapter in the history of our cricket team. Winning the Champions Trophy has been the most important assignment in the recent days and now that we have won it convincingly, the emotions within the team in tremendous. Really, it used to hurt us a lot whenever people talked about our team's lack of ability to win the Champions Trophy.

So, this time, we guys actually determined to prove every wrong and also made it a point to give 100 per cent on the field. In fact, when the West Indies started their batting and the Chris Gayle storm was rocking, we thought that our batsmen would have to chase a target something close to 300.

But fortunately, we got the breakthrough when our team needed the most. Gayle was in tremendous touch, watching the ball well and was all set for a big score. That delivery from Nathan changed everything and Gayle was dismissed. Right after that, we knew that our team would have a good chance to make a comeback into the match.

Thanks to our bowling effort that we dismissed Brian Lara and his men cheaply. From my side, I would have been happier if I would have got some more wickets for my team. Nevertheless, the other bowlers did an exceptional job.

Even while chasing when we lost two early wickets, we knew that our middle-order batsmen were capable of producing match-winning innings. Leading by example, Both Shane Watson and Martyn were in tremendous touch and kept their nerve intact after early hiccups. Here I would also like to repeat that this victory was possible because we had a great team effort going throughout the tournament. The win in Malaysian tri-series was an important one and thereafter, we told ourselves that we could really the reputation of not winning the Champions Trophy.

It was a self-belief that helped us to have psychological strength. After the win, we had a memorable party, knowing fully well that we have got some serious work back at home. Winning the Ashes back is the next big assignment for us.

Tendulkar criticises Australians’ behaviour after victory

Sachin Tendulkar today indirectly hit out at triumphant Australian captain Ricky Ponting and his teammates’ behaviour during the prize distribution ceremony after the ICC Champions Trophy final against the West Indies at the Brabourne stadium last night.

Eager to take hold of the trophy and pose for the cameras with his teammates, Ponting was seen tapping Indian Cricket Board President Sharad Pawar on the shoulder as a gesture to leave the stage.

Tendulkar, saying he had heard about the incident from others as he did not himself watch it because he was travelling, termed it an unpleasant experience and an "uncalled for" behaviour against a person who was dear to all the cricketers.

"I wasn’t watching the proceedings because I was travelling, but from what I heard (from others) it was an unpleasant experience which was uncalled for (action)," the ace batsman told reporters today.

"Firstly, it should not have happened. It’s important to show respect to the person who is so dear to the cricketers and is involved with cricket. So it’s good that we avoid such incidents," he said in response to a specific query. (PTI)

Inter-Collegiate Men Cricket Tournament
GDC Kishtwar registers 6 wkts victory over KC College

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: Government Degree College Kishtwar won by six wickets the inaugural match of the Inter-Collegiate Cricket Men Tournament at University of Jammu Grounds, here.

Kishtwar College defeated KC Law College. Winning the toss, KC Law College decided to bat first and made a total of 76 runs in 20.4 overs by losing all wickets. Only Ankit, Azim and Zahoor played well and they contributed 23, 15 and 10 runs respectively.

KC Law College’s 76 runs include 24 runs through extras given by the bowlers of Kishtwar College.

Shabir Ahmed was the main bowler of Kishtwar College whose bowling proved devastating for the KC Law College. He took six wickets in 5.4 overs that too at the cost of 12 runs.

Mudassar Ali clinched two wickets in five overs by giving 20 runs while Amit Sharma and Nishad took one wicket each.

Government Degree College Kishtwar chased the intended target in 17.4 overs that too by losing four wickets. Irshad scored 22 runs with the help of one hit to the fence while Adil contributed 17 runs. Shabir and Imran made 12 runs each.

Shabir Ahmed was declared Man of the Match for scoring 12 runs and clinching six wickets which restricted KC Law College to 76 runs.

Pappu Dogra and Roopali Slathia were the umpires while Rajeev Kumar was scorer.

Tomorrow, Degree College Akhnoor will take on Degree College Rajouri at 9 am.

The Tournament is being organised by Department of Physical Education, University of Jammu.

Kamal, Nikhil, Sohail, Jaideep enter semis of Sr Billiards

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: Semi-finals position in the Senior Billiards of the 16th Jammu District Open Billiards and Snooker Championship was cleared today.

Kamal Rohmetra, Nikhil Kapahi, Sohail Khalid and Jaideep Manocha sailed into the semi-finals by defeating their respective opponents in the quarter-finals matches played today.

Kamal Rohmetra entered semi-final by defeating Vidit Gauri by 483-265. Right from the very beginning, Kamal was leading the game thereby winning the match.

In the second match, Nikhil Kapahi defeated Sumesh Turki by 370-355. This match witnessed close contest between the cueists, who never left any opportunity to clinch scores. But, finally Nikhil emerged as winner by 15 points.

Sohail Khalid defeated Abhishek Pathania by 367-287 in the third match of the day. Abhishek could not pose any major challenge to Sohail thereby losing the match.

In the fourth match, Jaideep Manocha beat Vishal Abrol. Now, Kamal will take on Nikhil Kapahi in the first semi-final while Sohail Khalid to lock horns with Jaideep Manocha in the second semi-final. Both the semi-finals will be played tomorrow at 1 pm and 3 pm respectively.

State Open Table Tennis Championship
Shorya to take on Arjun in final of Junior Boys

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: Shorya Sharma to lock horns with Arjun Kohli in the final of the Junior Boys category of the ongoing State Open Table Tennis Championship being played at Indoor Sports Complex of MA Stadium, here.

In the first semi-final, Shorya Sharma defeated Kanav Bhardwaz by 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 3-11, 11-5 while in the second semi-final, Arjun Kohli beat Rohit Pal Singh by 6-11, 11-3, 11-3, 11-6.

In the Men’s category, semi-finals position was cleared today. In the quarter-final matches, Devam Puri defeated Hitanshu by 11-3, 11-7, 11-4; Ashish Basin defeated Sandeep by 11-3, 11-7, 11-9; Arjun Kohli beat Harshit by 11-6, 11-2, 8-11, 11-8 and Ahil Gupta beat Harpreet by 11-3, 11-6, 11-6.

In the Women’s category, Deepshikha beat Umang by 11-2, 11-4; Nitani beat Kriti by 11-7, 6-11, 11-9; Nidhi beat Saba by 11-5, 11-6; Shzar beat Bavneet Kour by 11-5, 8-11, 11-8 and Lavanya beat Monika Chouhan by 11-3, 11-6.

In the Junior Girls category, Deepinder beat Lavanya by 6-11, 11-3, 11-4; Deepshikha defeated Saba by 8-11, 11-7, 11-8 and Shzar beat Umang by 11-1, 11-2.

Tanvi defeated Akishta by 11-8, 11-6 and Lavanya beat Tanvi by 11-9, 11-9 in the Cadet Girls category.

Athletic competitions of Girls conclude

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: Athletic competitions of Girls in all age groups concluded today at Higher Secondary School ground in the presence of Chairman of Organising Committee of the Meet Devinder Kour, Principal of HSS Bishnah.

In 100 metres event for Under-14 years girls, Sonia Sharma of MS Chak Jaralan, Anuradha of MS Khairi and Roshni Sharma of MS Khairi bagged first three positions while in 200 metres event for Under-14 years, Mamta Devi of MS Dabbar, Anita Devi of MS Khojipur and Manjana Kumari of MS Khojipur clinched first three positions.

In 600 metres event for Under-14 years, Shallu Choudhary of MS Khojipur, Dimple Sharma of MS Chak Jaralan and Priya Bala of MS Dabbar bagged first three positions.

Shallu Rani of Girls HSS Bishnah and Renu Bala of Girls HSS Bishnah bagged first two positions in 100 metres event for Under-17 years. In 400 metres event, Shallu Rani of Girls HSS Bishnah and Sheetal Khullar of Girls HSS Bishnah bagged first and second positions. In 800 metres event for Under-17 years, Seema Motton and Rajni Devi of Girls HSS Bishnah bagged first and second positions respectively.

Tiny Tots School bags Ist place in Inter-School Taekwondo

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

Project Model Higher Secondary School clinched second place while Sky Sports Society secured third position.

In the Sub-Junior Boys, Rahul Singh, Sumit, Tushar, Nishant Daler, Akshey, Narinder, Nigam, Sahil Bhau, Shavinder Bhan, Ankush Bharti, Sahil Sharma, Devashish, Sunil Kumar, Raja Akhil, Aftab Ahmed, Arjun Singh, Sagar Pandita, Sanjay Singh, Malik Shah Fahad, Bhanu Pratap, Nitin pandita, Ankush Kamotra, Nasir Khan, Rakesh Raina, Rakib Aslam, Rohit Sharma, Deepak Thakur, Lakshmi, Sahil, Kailash, Anil, Shakti Prakash, Raj Prakash, Rajinder, Himanshu Sharma and Ankush Sharma won the medals.

In Sub-Junior Girls, Akanksha, Priya Kumari, Nishu Pandita and Preeti Charak won the medals.

Rajni Bala, Corporator Municipal Ward Paloura was the chief guest on the occasion and she distributed prizes among the winners.