ABU DHABI, Nov 3: Skipper Virat Kohli says Royal Challengers Bangalore batsmen can be more “brave with the bat” as his team earned qualification to the Indian Premier League Playoffs.
RCB slumped to their fourth defeat on the trot after losing to Delhi Capitals by six wickets on Monday but still made the cut, courtesy their net run rate.
RCB did not score much in the first half of the innings against DC and even had a quiet Powerplay.
“We have a shot, an opportunity and that’s all we want as a team. I’m sure the guys will be excited about what’s ahead for us. We can be more more brave with the bat in pockets,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“With the ball, we were decent, probably we could have a strong powerplay which is our strength. If we implement those things, we’ll be at the right end of the result. It’s important to stay positive. There are going to be learnings along the way, but we are glad that we are through.”
They lost a number of matches but Kohli said they deserved to be in top-4.
“It’s a mixed bag. As I said at the toss, you come to games to try and get the result your way. We are happy that we’ve qualified. Top two would’ve been very really nice. But I think we’ve played good enough cricket to earn a qualification spot,” said.
Kohli said they were made aware by the team management that they need to force the match beyond 17.3 overs and they did well to manage that with some superb middle overs bowling.
“Even if the game’s drifting away from you, we controlled that middle phase really well where they could have taken the game away from us.”
RCB will have to wait and watch who they face — Sunrisers Hyderabad or Kolkata Knight Riders — in the eliminator.
“You could say just before the qualification, the mindset was a little bit tentative. We’ve got two games to reach the final.”
Asked about injured pacer Navdeep Saini and all-rounder Chris Morris, who walked off the field after bowling just two overs, the skipper said the duo will have to be assessed.
“We’ll have to asses what’s happening, hopefully they’ll be fine by the time we play our next game. And see how they go in the next few days.” (PTI)
We can be more more brave with bat in pockets: Kohli
Some countries have still not removed restrictions : Puri
NEW DELHI, Nov 3: Some countries have still not removed restrictions on the entry of Indian nationals and the Central Government is ready to fly passengers to these countries whenever they ease their limits, said Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia is one such country that does not allow airlines to bring passengers from India currently amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are operating international flights under VBM (Vande Bharat Mission) since May 6, 2020. However, some countries, including some in the Gulf region, have still not removed restrictions on the entry of Indian nationals,” Puri said on Twitter.
“We are ready to fly passengers to these countries whenever they ease restrictions,” he added.
On October 22, the minister had said that the average fares on special flights operating between Kerala and Bahrain are between Rs 30,000 and Rs 39,000 as the Gulf country allows only 750 passengers to come from India per week. Scheduled international flights have been suspended in India since March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, special international passenger flights have been operating in India under the Vande Bharat Mission since May and under bilateral air bubble arrangements formed between India and other countries since July. India started scheduled domestic passenger flights on May 25 after a gap of two months due to the coronavirus pandemic. (PTI)
Rohit knows he has long career and not just this IPL: BCCI president Ganguly
NEW DELHI, Nov 3: BCCI president Sourav Ganguly wants injured senior opener Rohit Sharma to tread cautiously while deciding on competing for his IPL team Mumbai Indians in the play-offs as he risks aggravating the hamstring tear that led to his exclusion from the Australia-bound India squad.
Rohit has been out of action since the second leg fixture against Kings XI Punjab due to a left hamstring tear and has been left out of the Indian squad for Australia tour starting later this month.
The BCCI president said that the board will do everything possible to get an “asset like Rohit” back in the park as that’s their job. Mumbai are scheduled to take on Delhi Capitals on Thursday in the playoffs.
“Rohit is injured at the moment. Otherwise, why would we leave out a player like him. He is the vice-captain of the national (limited-overs) team,” Ganguly told PTI in an exclusive interview.
“We will have to assess him. I don’t know (when he can come back). He hasn’t played so far since the time he has got injured. We want him to recover. It’s the BCCI’s job to get their best players on the park. If he recovers, he plays,” said the former captain.
When asked about the videos put out by Mumbai Indians where Rohit is seen batting at the nets, Ganguly struck a note of caution for the senior player.
“Yeah, you don’t want him to get injured again. He has a hamstring tear and it will get ruptured again. It will then get longer for him to come back. But yes, there are people working with him.
“The Mumbai Indians physio is working with him. The Indian physio (Nitin Patel) is there. Rohit himself knows that he has got a long career ahead and its not just this IPL or next series for him.
“I am sure he is mature enough to do what is best for him,” said the man, who played 424 international matches for India.
For someone who has played 113 Tests and 311 ODIs, Ganguly feels that what looks good during training might not hold up in a match situation.
“…I can tell you that things you do easily at the practice might be a bit of struggle during match situation. The muscles react differently to pressure situations.”
However on a positive note, the BCCI president said that Ishant Sharma’s recovery from a side strain is going well and he “expects” the senior speedster to be available for the Tests against Australia, starting mid-December.
“Yes, we are expecting Ishant to be back for the Test matches. He has already started bowling from shorter run-ups and short spells. He has bowled at NCA. But as there is a BCCI protocol for fast bowlers, Ishant will be playing the two first-class games in Australia.”
There has been a few injuries in the ongoing IPL and Ganguly said that it was bound to happen after such a long break due to COVID-19.
“Injuries are a part of sport and it will happen. The lesser you play, the more injured you will get. The more you keep playing, your body gets fitter, stronger and you will get less injured.
“All of them came back after seven months of being locked at home with literally no activity. I don’t think injuries should be looked at like ‘Oh God something is not right’.
“That’s what sport is all about. High intensity part of life and you will have injuries,” the BCCI president said.
Ganguly also backed the young Rishabh Pant, who has been under fire for not playing his natural game and scoring at a strike-rate below 115.
“Don’t worry. His bat swing will come back. He is a young guy and all of us need to guide him. He’s got tremendous talent. Rishabh will be fine. He and Wriddhiman Saha are our two best wicketkeeper-batsmen in the country.”
Asked if Pant, who has already been dropped from two white-ball squads, will get to play Test matches given that Saha is a better keeper and is in good batting form as well, Ganguly was non-committal.
“Only one can play, so whoever is in best form will play.”
Having conducted the IPL successfully, the BCCI president has now trained his eyes on having a bio-secure Ranji Trophy from early next year.
“We have zeroed in on venues where we can create a bio-bubble for Ranji Trophy but we will not make an announcement till we discuss with the state associations.
“There are 38 state units and some of the members have offered to host as they all have multiple grounds in their main cities. We will create what’s the best secure environment for the players,” he assured.
He also confirmed that BCCI will very soon appoint three new selectors in place of Devang Gandhi, Sarandeep Singh and Jatin Paranjape, who have now completed their four-year tenure.
“Yes, we will have a new selection committee. Only two stay back (Sunil Joshi and Harvinder Singh). The other three have finished their tenures. We have to add three more.”
Ganguly is confident that India can host England successfully next year while managing the COVID-19 situation in the country.
“We will have the England series in India. I can assure that there are no apprehensions from the England side.”
On the next IPL, which will be held in April-May, the first priority will be India, he said.
“IPL is a tournament for India, we want it to happen in India. There is still 6 months. We will keep assessing.” (PTI)
Tendulkar urges authorities to make helmets mandatory for batsmen
NEW DELHI, Nov 3: Concerned about safety of the players, Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to make it mandatory for batsmen to wear helmets while playing at the professional level.
Tendulkar shared a video of Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder Vijay Shankar getting hit on the head when Kings XI Punjab fielder Nicholas Pooran threw the ball towards the striker’s end, attempting to run out the batsman.
In the video, originally posted by the official website of the Indian Premier League, Shankar is seen falling on the ground after taking the hit as physios rushed to check on him. Fortunately the 29-year-old was wearing a helmet.
“The game has become faster but is it getting safer? Recently we witnessed an incident which could’ve been nasty. Be it a spinner or pacer, wearing a HELMET should be MANDATORY for batsmen at professional levels. Request @icc to take this up on priority,” Tendulkar tweeted.
The tragic death of young Australian batsman Phillip Huges after being hit by a Sean Abbott bouncer during a domestic match in November 2014 had triggered a debate on players’ safety.
The 25-year-old was hit on the neck, just below the helmet. It forced the manufacturers to redesign the helmets to enhance safety of the batsmen.
Tendulkar also tagged all the cricket boards including the BCCI, Cricket Australia and England and Wales Cricket Board.
In another tweet he tagged Ravi Shastri, recalling an incident when the India head coach got hit by a full-toss bowled by Sunil Gavaskar during an exhibition match.
“This also reminded me of the time when you got hit after top-edging a full toss bowled by Mr Gavaskar during an exhibition game. That could’ve been a grave injury too but thankfully wasn’t!” (PTI)
Probe ordered into disbursement of J’khand pre-matric scholarships: Naqvi
NEW DELHI, Nov 3: The Minority Affairs Ministry has initiated an investigation into the distribution of pre-matric scholarships in Jharkhand following reports that the funds were being allegedly diverted by a nexus of middlemen, and bank, school and state employees.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren has said he would order an inquiry into the alleged scam, which was disclosed by a national daily through a series of reports that pointed out instances of fraud in the distribution of the pre-matric scholarships sanctioned by the ministry for 2019-20.
Asked about the reports, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Tuesday that the ministry had initiated a probe into the matter and was in touch with the state government.
Naqvi underscored that the ministry had put in many safeguards to ensure that the money reached the beneficiaries without any lapses and the process was transparent.
The Union minister said the process of verification was carried out by the state and the ministry was in touch with the Jharkhand government, which was also looking into the matter.
According to the newspaper, minority students in several districts of the state have been being duped of a centrally-funded scholarship by a nexus of bank staff, middlemen, school and government employees.
Soren has pinned the blame on the erstwhile BJP state government, while former welfare minister Louis Marandi has refuted the charge. (PTI)
DC skipper Iyer has faith in his fearless bunch of boys to go past Mumbai Indians
ABU DHABI, Nov 3: Delhi Capitals’ skipper Shreyas Iyer is quite “chuffed” about the way his team bounced back from four consecutive losses to make the IPL playoffs and insists that the “fearless” bunch has what it takes to upstage defending champions Mumbai Indians up next.
Delhi Capitals earned a top-two finish with an easy six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday. They will take on the defending champions on Thursday for a place in the IPL title clash.
“The Mumbai Indians are one of the best teams. Having said that, I feel we are also a fearless and amazing bunch of boys,” Iyer said at the post-match press conference.
“It really depends on the day. They are pretty experienced in such (finals) stages but the team has a good attitude and good composure on that given day is going to make it through.”
With Prithvi Shaw, Iyer himself, Rishabh Pant and South African paceman Kagiso Rabada, Delhi is packed with talented youngsters.
Iyer said the key to getting past holders Mumbai on Thursday in Dubai would be handling pressure with ease.
“We need to keep things simple and not complicate in pressure situations. The way we have been going, this was a really good win and it’s going to be a really good booster as well for us.”
The four-match losing string snapped, Iyer was a relived man.
“This win was very essential and it has put smiles on our faces after four consecutive losses. Today the way we played, it was a comprehensive win. All the departments were covered up well by the players.
“I am really chuffed by their performance, the way they came up and delivered at the right time. The second place obviously makes you feel good after the season you had, with all the ups and downs,” he said.
“The IPL is always a roller-coaster journey.”
Iyer also hoped that Ajinkya Rahane will continue to play a significant role. Rahane scored 60 runs in the win against the RCB.
“He (Rahane) carries a lot of experience in the IPL and the way he paced his innings, it was amazing to see. It was great example and he peaked at the right time, just when we needed him.
“With a few important matches coming up, he will definitely play an important role.”
Meanwhile, RCB all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed said getting the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan was special.
“The practice camp before the IPL helped me. And the first wicket in IPL that too of Shikhar Dhawan is a special feeling,” he said.
“It’s good that we had better net run rate and we qualified despite the loss. The good thing is we had intensity, that’s one of the positives.” (PTI)
Shekhawat holds meet with state ministers over Jal Jeevan Mission implementation
NEW DELHI, Nov 3: Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday held a meeting with state ministers and officials in-charge of water departments, and discussed the implementation of the Centre’s flagship Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide tap water connection to all rural household by 2024.
West Bengal, whose performance over the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission was termed as “dismal” by the ministry last week, did not attend the meeting, the minister told reporters.
Haryana Chief Minister M L Khattar and Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb were present at the meeting.
“Our political commitments could be different but the enthusiasm the states have shown in implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission is extraordinary,” he said.
Shekhawat said since the mission was launched in August last year, 2.55 crore households have been provided tap water connections. “Despite the pandemic, states have performed well,” he said.
The minister said Goa has already achieved the target of providing tap water connections to all rural household. Telangana, Puducherry, Gujarat, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are among the states that have shown a good pace in implementation of the mission.
He said the 15th Finance Commission has allocated Rs 30,375 crore as ‘tied grant’ in 2020-21 for critical sectors like supply of drinking water, rain water harvesting and water recycling. Rural local bodies are being urged to utilise the grant on water and sanitation activities in villages, Shekhawat said.
The total mission outlay is Rs 3.6 lakh crore, of which the central share is 2.08 lakh crore. (PTI)
SRH slay MI to qualify for IPL play-offs, KKR knocked out
SHARJAH, Nov 3: Sunrisers Hyderabad thrived on pressure of a must-win game to thrash table toppers Mumbai Indians by 10 wickets and qualify for the IPL play-offs here on Tuesday.
Skipper David Warner (81 not out off 57) and Wriddhiman Saha (58 not out off 44) lit up the last league game of the tournament with an unbeaten 151-run opening stand to chase down the 150-run target in 17.1 overs.
The bowlers had set up the game nicely for SRH by restricting MI to 149 for eight despite a timely 41 off 25 from veteran Kieron Pollard.
With their third straight win, SRH finished third in the points table with 14 points and a much better run-rate than Royal Challengers Bangalore, who finished fourth on the same number of points. Both teams play the Eliminator in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
The outcome also knocked Kolkata Knight Riders out of the competition with the Eoin Morgan-led side having an inferior run-rate with 14 points.
The fact that Mumbai rested star pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult for the game also made the task easier for SRH.
The sole good news for Mumbai was the return to action of their skipper Rohit Sharma after a two-week injury lay-off, declaring he was “fit and fine” after concerns over his fitness, that led to him being excluded from the India squad for the Australia tour.
In the run chase, it was a delight to watch Warner and Saha showcase their range of strokes. On way to a resounding win, Warner also crossed the 500-run mark for the sixth time in IPL history, showing his remarkable consistency in the tournament.
Saha, who is in the team in place of Jonny Bairstow, has repaid the faith the team has shown in him with consistent performances. He was once again in sublime touch on Tuesday, collecting seven fours and a straight six of Nathan Coulter-Nile.
Warner, at the other end, hit 10 fours and a six.
Earlier, MI would have ended up with much less score if it wasn’t for Pollard, who ensured his team put up a fighting total. The defending champions collected 51 runs off the last five overs.
Needing a victory to make the play-offs, Sunrisers bowlers made merry on a helping surface after their skipper Warner decided to put the opposition in to bat.
MI skipper Rohit (4), who missed the last four games due to a hamstring injury, made a surprise return in his team’s last game ahead of the play-offs.
However, he lasted for only seven balls as pacer Sandeep Sharma (3/34) had him caught at mid-off with a well-disguised knuckle ball.
Sandeep also found the stumps of Rohit’s opening partner Quinton de Kock (36 off 29) who played on after smashing the SRH pacer for couple of sixes and a boundary.
It was the turn of spinners Rashid Khan (1/32) and Shahbaz Nadeem (2/19) to provide wickets in the middle-overs.
Nadeem got rid of in-form Suryakumar Yadav (36) and Krunal Pandya (0) in the 12th over and then Rashid removed Saurabh Tiwary in the following to reduce Mumbai to 82 for five.
Just when the partnership between Ishan Kishan (33 of 30) and Pollard was looking dangerous, Sandeep removed the southpaw to tighten the screws on the opposition.
However, Pollard came to his team’s rescue yet again with a valuable cameo.
Pollard hammered four sixes, three of those came in the penultimate over bowled by death overs specialist T Natarajan.
West Indian all-rounder Jason Holder (2/25) also produced a tidy spell. (PTI)
Mumbai Indians:
Rohit Sharma c Warner b Sandeep Sharma 4
Quinton de Kock b Sandeep Sharma 25
Suryakumar Yadav st Saha b Nadeem 36
Ishan Kishan b Sandeep Sharma 33
Krunal Pandya c Williamson b Nadeem 0
Saurabh Tiwary c Saha b Rashid Khan 1
Kieron Pollard b Holder 41
Nathan Coulter-Nile c Garg b Holder 1
James Pattinson not out 4
Dhawal Kulkarni not out 3
Extras: (LB-1) 1
Total: (for eight wickets in 20 overs) 149
Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-39, 3-81, 4-81, 5-82, 6-115, 7-116, 8-145
Bowling: Sandeep Sharma 4-0-34 -3, Jason Holder 4-0-25-2, Shahbaz Nadeem 4-0-19-2, T Natarajan 4-0-38-0, Rashid Khan 4-0 -32-1.
Sunrisers Hyderabad:
David Warner not out 85
Wriddhiman Saha not out 58
Extras: (b 0, lb 0, w 8, nb 0, p 0) 8
Total: (0 wkts, 17.1 Ov) 151
Bowling: Dhawal Kulkarni 3-0-22-0, Nathan Coulter-Nile 4-0-27-0, James Pattinson 3-0-29-0, Rahul Chahar 4-0-36-0, Krunal Pandya 3.1-0-37-0.
CEC convenes meeting for establishment of SKI institute at Kargil
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
KARGIL, Nov 3: Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) LAHDC Kargil, Feroz Khan today convened a meeting with concerned officials regarding establishment of a snow SKI institute to promote winter sports, here today.
The meeting was organised in presence of Colonel JS Dhillon, Principal IISM (Ministry of Tourism) Gulmarg whereas Director Tourism, Kunzes Angmo, AD Tourism Kargil, Aga Syed Taha, members of Ladakh SKI and Snow Board Association were also present.
Colonel Dhillon apprised the CEC that he has been deputed by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India to submit a detailed report regarding the winter tourism potential of Ladakh UT so that winter sports and adventure sports can be initiated here through IISM.
During the meeting, it was decided that a winter sports institute would be established in Kargil district on the lines of IISM Gulmarg.
It was also decided to identify and earmark snow ski slopes in the district at Naktul area near Kargil town, Lamochan and Goshan area in Drass besides Sankoo and Panikhar areas.
CEC Khan assured that he will direct the concerned authorities of Revenue Department to identify land at the suggested areas and submit the report to the Ministry concerned as soon as possible.
The meeting also decided to organize snow ski camps for at least 100 boys and girls in the district this year for which the Principal IISM assured the CEC that they will provide skies and other equipments needed for the coaching camps and workshops.
Police Martyrs Cricket Tournament concludes
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
RAMBAN, Nov 3: Police Martyrs Cricket Tournament, organised by District police in loving memory of police martyrs, concluded, here today.
Chandrog XI lifted the winning trophy by defeating Kings XI Sunari. Waseem of Chandrog XI was declared as Man of the Match in the finals.
The tournament had started on October 26.
SSP Ramban, Haseeb-Ur-Rehman was the chief guest of the concluding ceremony. He awarded both winning and runner-up teams with cash prizes and trophies.
The SSP while speaking on the occasion, the tournament was organised in loving memory of police personnel who made supreme sacrifices to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.
The motive behind to organise the tournament was to provide a platform to the local youth so that they can explore their hidden sports talents, he said.