India get tailor-made track to plot South African downfall

KANPUR, Apr 10: Captain Anil Kumble will get one more day to regain full fitness as a nervous India go into the third and final cricket Test against South Africa here tomorrow seeking to capitalise on a pitch tailor-made to suit the home team’s spinners.

The Indians, who suffered a humiliating drubbing in Ahmedabad, need to win the crucial match to level the three-Test series 1-1 and have been provided with a dry and grass-less track to plot South Africa’s downfall at the Green Park Stadium.

But the fitness of Kumble, laid low by a groin injury, is a worrying factor for the hosts and the Indian captain has decided to wait till tomorrow to decide on his participation.

"I will take a call tomorrow morning. I am not yet fully fit and I will see how I feel tomorrow," Kumble said.

There was, however, some good news for the Indians with pace sensation Ishant Sharma, who missed the first two tests because of injuries, being declared fit to bolster the fast bowling department.

Although the pitch has been designed to help the hosts, there is also a risk that the ploy could boomerang against the Indians as a strip with uneven bounce could be exploited by the South African pacemen who have proved quite a handful for the home team.

The Indians are toying with the idea of going into the match with three specialist spinners and a lot will depend on whether Kumble is declared fit or not. Kumble, if declared fit, and Harbhajan Singh have a big role to play while the third spinner’s place may go to young leg-spinner Piyush Chawla.

In case Anil Kumble is not fit, Ramesh Powar, who has been included in the squad as a cover for his captain, is also an option and the stocky spinner’s ability with the bat could earn him a place in the playing eleven. (PTI)

State Wrestling team selected for nationals

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Wrestling Association has selected an 11 member team for the forthcoming 27th Sub-Junior (Cadet) boys 3 Free Style and Greeco Roman Style and 11th Girls National Wrestling Championship slated to be held at Jalandhar (Punjab) from April 10 to 13.

Before final selection, the team had underwent a 15-day long coaching camp at M A Stadium under the supervision of coaches Babu Ram and Dheeraj Sharma.

Krishan Lal Sharma, Sports Officer, J&K State Sports Council and Kuldeep Magotra were also present during the final selection of the team.

History, Sociology Deptts seal easy wins

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 10: History Department and Sociology Departments notched up convincing wins today in the ongoing Inter Department Cricket Tournament being played at Jammu University.

In the first match, History Department defeated Geology Department by 17 runs.

Batting first, History Department posted 148 in the allotted 20 overs with Omar (28), Vikas (25) and Satinder (20) were the notable contributors.

For Geology Department Sanjay was the most successful bowler with four wickets followed by Sandeep, Karun and Harshdeep who grabbed one, two and one wicket respectively.

In reply, Geology could manage 131 runs in their allotted quota of overs.

Narinder played a gutsy knock of 45 runs. For History Department, Yawar took two wickets while Zaheer, Taqdeer, Vikas, Sanjeet and Sushil chipped with a wicket each.

The umpires in the match were Naveen and Rajkumar. The scorer was Ashwani.

Sociology Department prevailed over MCA Department by 7 wickets in the second match.

MCA Department accumulated 131 in 18.3 overs. Sahil was the top scorer with 42 runs followed by Manish (33) and Ashish (21).

For Sociology Department, Nasir Ali Shah was the most successful bowler with a three-wicket haul.

Rahul and Amit shared a wicket each. Sociology Department had no difficulty whatsoever in chasing a modest target in 13 overs.

Rahul played a match winning knock of 42 runs studded with four hits to the fence.

He was equally well supported by Naseer (30) and Arun (21). For MCA Department, Sahil, Farooq and Vikas took one wicket each.

The match was officiated by Ashwani Kotwal and Vijay Kumar. The scorer was Satpal.

Rohit Memorial Cricket Tournament
RSCC trounces SCC by 4 wickets

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 10: Rajeev Sameer Cricket Club (RSCC) got the better of Sari Cricket Club (SCC) by 4 wickets today in the ongoing Rohit Dogra Memorial Cricket Tournament being played at MAM College Grounds today.

Batting first, SCC made just 89 runs in the allotted 20 overs with Ricky and Naresh top scored with 31 and 11 runs respectively.

For RSCC, Ravi Turkey and Sanjit grabbed one wicket each. In reply, RSCC overhauled the target in 18.4 overs losing six wickets in the process.

Amit and Chintoo were the main architects who played fine knocks of 36 and 11 runs respectively.

For SCC, Ricky snared three wickets whereas Vishal, Vicky and Ankur chipped in with a wicket each.

Amit was declared man of the match. The umpires in the match were Ajay Raina and Sanjay Raina.

The scorer was Gokul Verma.

In the second match, Unique Cricket Club (UCC) drubbed Bantalab Cricket Club (BCC) by 5 wickets.

BCC won the toss and opted to bat first. They bowled out for 61 runs in 17 overs with Daleep Bhan the top scorer with 18 runs.

For UCC, Lucky was the chief destroyer with four scalps while Sunny Raina fetched two wickets.

In reply, UCC chased the target in 18.1 overs. Dheeraj and Sheetal contributed 25 and 11 runs respectively.

For BCC, Pawan was the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets while Amit and Deepu took one.

Lucky was adjudged man of the match.

The umpires in the match were B K Tikoo and Vinod Koul. The scorer was Gokul Verma.

Inter Zone Sports Meet
DySP Sanjay clinches Table Tennis title

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 10: DySP Sanjay Sharma cruised past DySP Atul Sharma in the summit showdown to clinch table tennis title today in Gazetted Officers events of the ongoing Inter Zone Sports Meet.

Earlier in the semifinals played, DySP Sanjay Sharma edged out SSP T Punchok while DySP Atul Sharma subdued DySP Sanjay Bhagat in the second semifinal.

In Lawn Tennis and Badminton, DySP Ranjit Singh emerged victorious after beating his opponents with consummate ease.

In Lawn Tennis, DySP Ranjit Singh overwhelmed SP Deepak Kumar while in Badminton, he defeated DySP Sanjay Bhagat.

Other Results:

Team Events (final):

Football: INTELSECT beat Auxiliary Zone by 2-1.

Hockey: Armed Zone beat INTELSECT by 3-2.

Volleyball: Armed Zone beat INTELSECT by 3-0 sets.

Athletics:

200mts (final): Tahir Ahmed (1st), Kundan Lal (2nd) and Shabir Ahmed (3rd).

800mts (final): Showket Ahmed (1st), Reyaz Ahmed (2nd) and Ram Raj (3rd).

Hammer Throw (final): Mohd Sadique (1st), Mohd Sadeeq (2nd) and Mandeep Singh (3rd).

4x100mts (final): Tahir Hussain, Showket Ahmed, Zulfkar and Raghubir Singh (Armed Zone, 1st).

Jasbir Singh, Kultar Singh, Magar Singh and Mustan Singh (Training Zone, 2nd).

Vijay Kotwal, Sunil Sharma, Pardeep Singh and Kundan Lal (Jammu Zone, 3rd).

4 km Cross Country (individual final): Ram Raj (1st), Reyaz Ahmed (2nd) and Reyaz Ahmed (3rd).

4km Team championship (final): Dinesh Kumar, Amit Kumar, Reyaz Ahmed and Nissar Ahmed (Training Zone, 1st).

Reyaz Ahmed, Ved Kumar, Mohd Rafiq and Ab Quoom (Armed Zone, 2nd).

Showket Ahmed, Farooq Ahmed, Mushtaq Ahmed and Ishan Ahmed (Auxiliary Zone, 3rd).

12km Cross Country (individual final): Reyaz Ahmed (1st), Ram Raj (2nd) and Amit Kumar (3rd).

12km Cross Country Team Championship (final): Amit Kumar, Mager Singh, Lal Singh and Sarferaz Mehmood (Training Zone, 1st).

Jatinder Singh, Mohd Rafiq, Reyaz Ahmed and Ram Lal (Armed Zone, 2nd).

Ab Majid, Imran Aslam, Imtiyaz Ahmed and Sajad Ahmed (Auxiliary Zone, 3rd).

Boxing: 48kg: Ram Lal (1st) and Dinesh Kumar (2nd).

51kg: Rajinder Sharma (1st) and Nissar Ahmed (2nd).

54kg: Jatinder Singh (1st) and Sheikh Junaid (2nd).

57kg: Sanjeev Sharma (1st) and Rakesh Sharma (2nd).

60kg: Saranjit Singh (1st) and Vikram Singh (2nd).

64kg: Mohd Razwan (1st) and Nazir Ahmed (2nd).

69kg: Nissar Hussain (1st) and Tuffail Hussain (2nd).

75kg: Arun Kotwal (1st) and Arun Choudhary (2nd).

81kg: Davinder Gupta (1st) and Sunil Kumar (2nd).

91kg: Gulzar Ahmed (1st) and Rakesh Kumar (2nd).

Above 91kg: Shafquat Hussain (1st) and Arjun Singh (2nd).

Roller Skating Championship concludes

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 10: The Open Roller Skating Championship concluded at Heritage School today.

Babu Singh, Minister, Power Development Department was the chief guest on the occasion.

Sunita Gupta, Chairperson, Heritage School B N Sarkar, Principal, Principals of Jodhamal Public School, JP World School and Delhi Public School were also present.

Final Results (Link Race):

U/6 age group: Aryan Sharma (1st) and Volga (2nd).

6-8 yrs: Druv Gupta (1st) and Saijal Gupta (2nd).

8-10 yrs: Vidhant Gupta (1st) and Diviya Gupta (2nd).

10-12 yrs: Udhay Singh Jawmal (1st) and Damini (2nd).

12-14 yrs: Adhitya Gupta (1st) and Rahil Gupta (2nd).

Above 16 yrs: Ankush Gupta (1st) and Shriya Sharma (2nd).

G D Goenka School organizes ‘orientation programme’

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 10: G D Goenka Public School Jammu today, a day before the commencement of first academic session, organized its maiden orientation programme to familiarize new students and their parents about the values, policies and functioning of the school.

Dewan Chand Bansal and Suman Bansal were the chief guests on the occasion.

In his address, Rahul Bansal, chairman of the school, assured the parents of high educational standards in the school. The programme commenced with "Saraswati Vandana" followed by presentation focused on vision, academics, extra-curricular activities and facilities etc.

S B Singh, Principal, in his message stressed upon interactive teaching and learning. He also emphasized on the role of parents in both academic and physical well being of child.

On the occasion, Dr Shivani Vashisht, primary segment coordinator, Seema Gupta, pre-primary coordinator and other staff members were introduced. The first academic session of the school is commencing tomorrow.

Fit Bopanna to play first singles today

NEW DELHI, Apr 10: With internal squabbles sorted out for now and Rohan Bopanna back to full fitness, India will bank on home advantage and their superiority on grass when they take on Japan in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania zone group second round tie here tomorrow.

Bopanna, who had been battling a knee inflammation that forced him to skip practice yesterday, declared himself fit for the tie in the draw ceremony held today.

The 27-year-old, the nominated number two of the team after Prakash Amritraj, will open the campaign for the hosts against 18-year-old Kei Nishikori.

Though Bopanna trails his younger Japanese opponent by more than 200 rungs in the ranking ladder, the lanky Indian said his experience, coupled with home advantage, would be enough to see him through.

"My knee is fine now and I am absolutely ready for the tie. I always like starting first up and I am looking forward to give Prakash a 1-0 advantage to build on," Bopanna said after the draw.

The Japanese teen may be short of experience but his confidence is certainly sky high after becoming the first from his country in 16 years to win an ATP title at the Delray Beach tournament in United States in February.

"I am a little nervous but I am glad that I am playing first and don’t have to wait. I have seen Rohan in the US and know his game well," Nishikori quipped.

In the second singles tomorrow, world number 261 Amritraj will be up against Go Soeda, ranked 156th.

The US-based Amritraj said he was comfortable playing the second singles despite the temperatures that would soar during the day.

"I am not really bothered whether I play first singles or second. I am absolutely ready for the tie and can’t wait for tomorrow," Amritraj said.

Skipper Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi will have a rare reunion to take on Satoshi Iwabuchi and Takao Suzuki in the doubles match as the veterans look to guide the team to the world group playoff.

Paes, trying to present a unified house after the controversies of the past two months triggered by a players’ revolt, said he was happy with the draw and the team was focussed on the task at hand.

"It has worked out well for us. Now it’s about getting down to playing good tennis. At this moment when the draw was announced, the tie has already started for us," he said.

A confident Paes also said that he did not see the possibility of a fifth match like it happened in the tie against Uzbekistan in February.

"I don’t have a feeling that it will go down to the fifth match. But even if it goes goes down to that we are ready for it," he said.

Bhupathi, though, had a word of caution for the team.

"The Japanese are better than us on paper but it’s no secret that our guys are very good on grass," he said.

Japanese skipper Eiji Takeuchi, meanwhile, hinted that a more experienced Suzuki could be called in for the fifth tie if the need arises.

"We have come here for winning and would do our best to achieve that. The weather is going to be a problem but we will manage. Whether Suzuki comes in will depend on how we do on the first two days," he said.

"The surface is perfect and very fair for the two teams," he added, referring to the grass courts at DLTAA. (PTI)

Jeev wants US Open, PGA C’ship

AUGUSTA (USA), Apr 10: The Masters and British Open have opened doors for the Asian tour players and Jeev Milkha Singh now wants organisers of the two other majors — US Open and PGA Championship — to follow suit.

Jeev, along with Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng and China’s Liang Wen-Chong, has been invited to tee up in the first major of the year despite slipping out of top 50. The British Open too offers an exemption to the Asian tour Order Of Merit champion and Jeev believes other major events too should invite the asians.

"Every tournament has their own rules and it’s up to them to make a decision. But I would love to see that happen for the Asian tour players because it’s a global sport now. If that happens, it’ll be great for Asia," said Jeev, who finished tied 37th in last year’s masters.

He pointed out how difficult it was for marksaeng to finish in 72nd place on the official world golf ranking last season after his achievements on the Asian tour and in Japan, which receive fewer world ranking points compared to events in Europe and US.

"I believe that’s why prayad is given the invite to the masters as they recognise that he played well last season and it’s great to see," Jeev said. (AGENCIES)

Venus pulls out of Charleston tournament

NEW YORK, Apr 10: Venus Williams has pulled out of next week’s WTA tournament in Charleston, increasing speculation about her health ahead of next month’s French Open.

The American world number six and six-times Grand Slam champion also withdrew from this week’s Amelia Island event for unspecified medical reasons.

"I regret that I will not be participating in the Family Circle Cup,’’ Williams was quoted as saying in US newspapers today.

The former world number one still intends to play in the Italian Open starting on May 12.

"I look forward to returning to competitive play in Rome,’’ she said.’’

The French Open begins in Paris on May 26. (AGENCIES)

Dharamveer the cheerleader eggs on Team India

KANPUR, Apr 10: Faced with a do-or-die battle to level the series, Anil Kumble and his men don’t need to look far for motivation.

As the players slugged it out in the nets, they were joined by Dharamveer Singh Pal, who cannot stand on his two legs but lives a charmed life mingling with Team India members wherever they go to play matches in the country.

The boy from Gwalior has not gained the status of Sri Lanka’s Percy Abeshekhara or Pakistan’s "Chacha Cricket" but Dharamveer has been almost a 12th member of the Indian contingent wherever the team goes.

A childhood polio attack does not allow him move on his legs but the boy with an indomitable spirit has not let it affect his morale.

"Call it addiction but I have to travel wherever the team goes," said the boy from Madhya Pradesh, who is here with the Indian team for the final Test against South Africa.

Looking tired after ‘training’ with Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid, the 18-year-old said, "for the past three years, I am accompanying the team during its matches in various cities. Yuvraj bhaiyya and other players bear my expenses. I practise with the team and watch the matches also."

Dharamveer, who captains the Madhya Pradesh Handicap Cricket Association team, in fact looked more enthusiastic than some of the Indian members in the nets, sweating in the batting and fielding practice.

He kept throwing the ball at the practising batsmen at the Green Park Stadium. And when he got tired, an amused Gary Kirsten offered drinks to the boy, treating him like another player.

Dharamveer said it was his excitement and enthusiasm for the game that led to Indian players allowing him travel with them.

"They know me well and seeing my passion for the game, they allow me travel with the team. Not only that, they also allow me don the same colours," said the youngster, with a palpable sense of pride.

Dharamveer is naturally upset at India’s humiliating defeat in Ahmedabad that has left the hosts facing a do-or-die battle to level the three-match series.

"Yes, that defeat hurts but I have full confidence in the players and I feel we are going to win this match to level the series," he said. (PTI)

Smith undaunted by dry pitch

KANPUR, Apr 10: Unfazed by the dry pitch provided for the third and final cricket Test, South African captain Graeme Smith today warned India that such a ploy could boomerang as his team had more bowling options at its disposal.

Smith, seeking to lead South Africa to a landmark Test series triumph on Indian soil, said his team was confident and prepared to face any challenge thrown at them.

"We are not worried about the pitch. We have to maintain our focus. For us, its just about executing our game plan well. I believe things have worked for us so far and it will work again," Smith said on the eve of the crucial game.

"We have a settled team now and we are more comfortable in handling everything thrown at us. The pressure will be more on India", he said.

After an innings victory in three days in Ahmedabad, the Proteas skipper knows the onus is on the hosts as the visitors are sitting pretty with a 1-0 lead in the series.

"Definitely, we are a more confident team now after winning in Ahmedabad. There will be less pressure on us. India has more question marks in terms of fitness and composition of the team," the South African opener said.

He said the pitch prepared for the match has opened up a lot of possibilities.

"With the pitch looking as it does, it has certainly opened up a lot of possibilities. We have got a lot of variety in our bowling. We also have spinners who can exploit the conditions."

Asked whether he expected the track to crack from the third day onwards, Smith quipped "not pretty sure. The pitch has already cracked though."

Smith said his team will adopt a game plan after observing how the Green Park pitch behaved.

"In such a situation, the plans keep changing according to the situation."

On whether the presence of a half-fit Indian captain Anil Kumble would give an advantage to South Africa, he said it would be a tough call for Kumble.

"It’s a difficult one for Kumble. Obviously, he wants to lead the team but he has to take several factors into account. If he is not fit, a new captain has to take over for the important game. So its tough whether to take that risk or not," he said.

"He (Kumble) certainly could not bowl the spells (he is capable of) in the last game. So he has a difficult decision to make", he said.

On Kumble’s statement that India had drawn up certain plans for the third Test, he said "all the teams prepare to beat the opposition. We too have plans, it’s part of playing Test cricket."

Asked to compare the South African team that last played a Test in Kanpur in 2004, Smith said the team was different then with a lot of fringe players.

"Now we have a settled team and a confident team," he added. (PTI)