Slow over rate: Add a few minutes, it'll not hurt the game

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 12:16 PM

Mumbai, April 1 -- The Mumbai Indians' late charge with the bat wasn't the only worrying aspect for Mahela Jayawardene on Tuesday night. The Kings XI Punjab stand-in skipper had to keep his team's over rate in check as well. After all, he was forced to take over the reins from Kumar Sangakkara who was banned for a match following three offences of slow over rate in the tournament. And Jayawardene wasn't sure if his team hadn't exceeded the time limit for the fourth time in seven games after the end of the match. When he was asked at the post-match media conference how difficult was it to maintain the over rate in a high-pressure Twenty20 match, Jayawardene's spontaneous reaction was: "Am I out as well after this? "Though Jayawardene made it clear that he was "joking", he did admit it was very tough for captains to maintain the over rate. "Just imagine that we are given four minutes an over and all these are crucial matches. The first six overs are very, very crucial. You've to think a lot as the batsmen are always going after the bowlers. Probably, in the middle overs, you can just run around and try and finish off the overs. And then again in the last few overs, you've to think. It's very tough," Jayawardene said after yet another heart-breaking loss for KXIP. Though Jayawardene was lucky to have escaped punishment, his counterpart Sachin Tendulkar wasn't. The Mumbai Indians were found one over short during their fielding stint. Since it was the second time they were found guilty of the same offence, skipper Tendulkar was fined $40,000 while each of his teammates was fined $10,000. With so much at stake in the IPL, a captain may not mind being fined if he has to take a little time to shift from plan B to C. Jayawardene certainly felt that if the duration of an IPL innings is increased, it will help Twenty20 cricket a great deal. "If a few minutes are added to a T20 game, it will be very beneficial," Jayawardene said.

Over to you, Mr Modi.

Source: Web Search

Time for Ganguly to prove a point at home

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 11:54 AM

Kolkata, April 1 -- The pressure will be as much on Sourav Ganguly as his team when they face the Deccan Chargers at the Eden Gardens on All Fools' Day. The skipper of the beleaguered Knight Riders hasn't done anything of note as opener ever since he has tried himself out in that role barring a solitary exception and his team is not far behind as far as performance is concerned. It has not gone unnoticed and team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan has already twitted that he is sick with the string of defeats and the excuses offered thereafter. The Knights and the Chargers are equal on points with the visitors having played a game less and there is still some way to go in this marathon tournament. The concern for the Knights, however, is the fact that their skipper isn't firing. Ganguly is adamant that he would open, the aspects of being unable to rotate the strike and playing too many dot balls in the first six overs going unnoticed. It is hurting the team big way, but he refuses to understand it and continues to waste deliveries in the period when the fielding restrictions are on. The reason is unknown but a shrewd reader of the game like Ganguly is rigid about it in a form of the game that is about flexibility. Nobody knows why a proven T20 batsman like G. Vignesh has been warming the bench so far and even fewer know why the name of an orthodox and classical batsman like Cheteshwar Pujara is doing the rounds when it comes to batting at No. 3. The Knight Riders have surely got something wrong in the plot and it's showing in the results. There isn't much time for them to sort it out and their second half of the tournament begins on Thursday. All eyes including those of the critics will be on Ganguly when the umpires call play at the Eden Gardens on Thursday. He has a proud record of proving people wrong when the chips are down. But that is restricted largely to the other formats of the game where things don't happen so fast. This is Twenty20 with minimal room for error and no time to correct them.

Source: Web Search

Arsenal keep hope alive after Barca pummelling

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 11:24 AM

Outclassed by Barcelona for more than an hour at the Emirates on Wednesday, Arsenal produced a late rally to earn a 2-2 draw in a rip-roaring Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Two classy finishes from Zlatan Ibrahimovic early in the second half gave holders Barcelona a two-goal lead that could have been double figures but the Catalans were stunned as Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas replied in the final 20 minutes.

Fabregas, who recovered from a bruised knee to start against his former club, buried a spot kick past Victor Valdes after Barca captain Carles Puyol was harshly sent off for fouling him in the area in the 85th minute.

Both players will miss what will be an intriguing second leg next Tuesday after Fabregas was himself harshly booked in the first half, earning himself a one-match suspension.

Fabregas, who played the last few minutes virtually on one leg, will be badly missed. "Cesc is a soldier, he's our captain," England winger Walcott told ITV. "We don't know what the damage is so fingers crossed."

AWFUL PUMMELLING

Arsenal, so used to putting opponents to the sword at the Emirates, were subjected to an awful pummelling from the first whistle as Barca, playing in yellow, swarmed all over them like bees with Lionel Messi in the thick of the action.

Messi, the world's best footballer, signalled his intent with a surging run deep into Arsenal territory in the opening minute, signalling a sustained spell of pressure that produced nine Barca goal attempts in the opening 15 minutes.

Ibrahimovic somehow poked a point-blank effort over the bar from a cross by raiding right back Daniel Alves and Almunia then saved a Messi blast with his legs before a crazy passage of play saw Messi and Ibrahimovic both denied by the keeper before Xavi's effort was cleared off the line by Alex Song.

Fabregas was booked for a foul on Sergio Busquets and Arsenal lost William Gallas to injury as they somehow hung on until the halftime interval all square.

There was no respite, though, and Barcelona, who beat Arsenal in the 2006 final, went ahead within 30 seconds of the restart when Gerard Pique played in Ibrahimovic who dinked a lob over Almunia who was in no-man's land near the edge of his box.

Thirteen minutes later Arsenal looked dead and buried when Xavi caught their defence square and Ibrahimovic had time and space to pick his spot, blasting a right-foot shot past Almunia.

Arsene Wenger threw on Walcott for one final fling and the England substitute breathed some fire into Arsenal with his pace unsettling the previously serene, often showboating visitors.

Nicklas Bendtner found Walcott with a clever pass and the winger beat Valdes with a firm drive before Fabregas kept his nerve late on to end an enthralling evening.

Source: Web Search

My bet is on an Indian winning

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 11:13 AM

India, April 1 -- "A healthy mind resides in a healthy body" is what we believe at SAIL. By sponsoring the SAIL Open Golf Championship for the third time, the public sector giant has furthered its corporate philosophy of promoting sport in India. Out of the top-10 at the halfway stage of the SAIL Open 2010, we have nine Indians and the young brigade of Gaganjeet Bhullar, Himmat Rai and Shiv Kapur are in that group. A few others like Manav Jaini, Baaz Mann and Rahil Gangjee are also within striking distance at 3 and 4 under par. Anyone who can keep his nerve for the last two days will surely be the winner. At the Delhi Golf Club, we have two very crucial stretches, one in the front nine and the other in the back nine. The fourth through the sixth and the 14th through the 16th are crucial in any tournament played at the DGC. I have seen many a tournament decided on the outcome of these holes. The DGC has once again proved to be a truly world class venue. The fairways and the greens played superbly once again. All the foreign professionals from 22 countries, participating this week, praised the unique course set-up with its intimidating bushes, dancing peacocks and historical monuments. A perfect environment for an international golf tournament in India has been provided to the guests from abroad. The SAIL Open 2010 has been played in calm golfing conditions for the first two days. The wind has not really picked up, providing low-scoring opportunities for professionals. The final two days are sure to provide a lot of drama to the galleries, who always come out in hordes whenever an international event is played at the DGC.

Source: Web Search

Wie holds high hopes at happy Mission Hills hunting ground

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 10:33 AM

Energised after finally winning her first LPGA Tour title four months ago, Michelle Wie has great expectations for this week's Kraft Nabisco Championship where she has flourished in the past.

The 20-year-old Hawaiian has posted three top-10s in the opening women's major of the season and is eager to build on her breakthrough victory at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational.

"I'm really excited for this week," Wie told reporters in the build-up to Thursday's first round at Mission Hills Country Club. "I've been looking forward to it basically all year.

"I have a lot of good memories here and hopefully this year will be the year for me.

"One of the best feelings I've felt in my career was walking down 18 to that green by the huge grandstand with people cheering for you. That has to be one of my fondest memories."

Wie tied for ninth at the 2003 Kraft Nabisco Championship where she became the youngest player to make the cut at a LPGA event aged 13 years, five months and 17 days.

"I got to play in the last group with Annika (Sorenstam) and Patricia (Meunier-Lebouc) and that was really neat as well," recalled the tall Hawaiian, who was the game's most trumpeted teenager since fellow American Tiger Woods.

SPECIAL TOURNAMENT

"This is just a very special tournament and it has a lot of tradition. It's also a really fun tournament. I'm really ready, I'm really excited and I just can't wait."

Asked whether the challenging 6,673-yard Dinah Shore layout at Mission Hills suited her power game, Wie replied: "It's hard for me to say. It all really depends that week how I play.

"When you're playing well, every golf course seems like it's perfect for you. It's a fun golf course but it's not an easy one. You have to keep it in the fairways and this week the rough is very healthy and very green.

"So I'll try and keep it in play and make some putts."

Wie has twice finished in the top five at Mission Hills, placing fourth in 2004 and tying for third in 2006. A lingering wrist injury prevented her from competing in 2007 and 2008 before she finished a disappointing joint 67th last year.

"Looking back on last year, I was still injured at this point. I wasn't driving the ball well at all and I wasn't hitting the ball well.

"I was still in the process of getting better. I think it really took me a lot longer than I expected."

Source: Web Search

Jhappis, prasad, slaps for Kings XI Punjab

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 09:15 AM

Mohali (Punjab), April 1 (IANS) 'They (Kings XI Punjab) have had enough jhappis and prasad from Preity Zinta. It is high time they got some slaps from her.' The SMS joke had started doing the rounds in Punjab circles even before the Mohali team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) crashed to its sixth loss in seven outings in the 2010 edition of the tournament.

Except for a high in the first edition of IPL in 2008 when the US$76 million Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) reached the semi-final stage, the team owned by industrialist Ness Wadia, scion of the Bombay Dyeing textile group, his ex-girlfriend and Bollywood actor Zinta and two other businessmen (Karan Paul-Apeejay group and Mohit Burman-Dabur group) has been forced to bite the dust in the IPL-3.

In fact, so bad and disjointed have been the Kings XI Punjab performances that at the near full-house attendance at the magnificent Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium here, 10 km from Chandigarh and the home ground of the team, fans have been rooting for other teams and players.

The team has lost all its three matches on the home ground this season.

The Mohali team has managed to win only one match, against Chennai Super Kings, that too through sheer luck in the super eliminator over March 21. Their last loss was to Mumbai Indians in Mumbai Tuesday.

Team co-owner Zinta had her pictures splashed in the print and electronic media for her now-famous jhappis (affectionate hugs) to her players, especially former KXIP captain and Chandigarh boy Yuvraj Singh. The 'jhappis' and jumping around from Zinta was commonplace in the first two editions, 2008 in India and 2009 in South Africa.

This time, though, the hugs are all but gone and Zinta has literally started banking on the gods by distributing prasad (holy offering) to team players before matches. But the heavenly intervention has not come so far given the below-par performances of team players, especially Yuvraj Singh.

The southpaw was removed as the KXIP captain for this season, replaced by Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumara Sangakkara. Though the players and team management see nothing amiss in this, the team is clearly putting up disjointed directionless performances - a fallout of the captaincy issue. Yuvraj, who hit six sixes in one over in the T20 world cup in South Africa in 2008, himself has failed to put up any sterling performance.

Even with the presence of big names like Aussie fast-bowler Brett Lee, Ravi Bopara, Mahela Jayawardane, Irfan Pathan, S. Sreesanth, Shaun Marsh and others in the KXIP line-up, the team is on a losing spree.

To add salt to the injury, the loss-prone team has been slapped with penalty running into nearly $400,000 (Rs.1.8 crore) for slow over-rate.

The KXIP has been a controversy-ridden team too.

Rumours of the KXIP team being divided into the Wadia and Zinta camps have also been doing the rounds even though both have denied these. But the two who broke their relationship last year have not been seen together at any of the team outings even though they have been around at the ground and at post-match parties.

The team and its owners face summons from a Chandigarh court for using the pictures of national martyrs like Bhagat Singh in team advertisements. The summons were issued this month.

Earlier, the team was caught in a controversy after two black cheerleaders complained of racism in 2008, saying they were sent back by the KXIP management because of the colour of their skin.

Wadia had a run-in with the Mohali district police chief in 2008 over payment for security at the PCA stadium. Wadia even accused the Punjab police of stealing KXIP goodies, including liquor and merchandise.

The team also had its 'slapgate' controversy when off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who incidentally belongs to Punjab but plays for Mumbai Indians, slapped fast bowler and Indian cricket teammate S. Sreesanth in the ground here after Bhajji's team lost to KXIP.

Source: Web Search

Barcelona play sweet music but fat lady yet to sing

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 08:33 AM

Barcelona made good on a promise to show how vintage football should be played in Wednesday's Champions League humdinger with Arsenal.

Worryingly for coach Pep Guardiola, their generosity of spirit extended so far they forgot they are in the business of winning matches as well as drawing gasps of admiration from the crowd.

Given the value of away goals, a 2-2 draw in London put the holders in a strong position to roll their title defence on into the last four but the second leg will be an unnecessarily tense affair after the Catalans let Arsenal off the hook.

"The feeling in the dressing room is one of frustration that we didn't get the job done," said midfielder Xavi, whose perfect pass set up Zlatan Ibrahimovic's second goal.

"We showed that we were the superior team," he told reporters. "It was a great performance from Barcelona and we know we should have closed this one down."

INTRICATE PASSING

That Arsenal still have a chance going into next Tuesday's return at the Nou Camp is incredible, given the footballing lesson they were forced to sit through in the first half.

The intricate passing and one-touch control Barcelona have made their hallmark under Guardiola earned them a succession of chances they seemed to have to strive to miss before Ibrahimovic finally took them clear with two simple strikes early in the second half.

A place in the semis should have been all but secure given their dominance but they lacked ruthlessness to go with the resourcefulness and goals from England's Theo Walcott and Barca old boy Cesc Fabregas, the latter a debatable penalty, brought Arsenal back from the brink.

"We should have killed them off and we wasted that chance," Guardiola told reporters. "We have to be focused or we run the risk of going out."

Guardiola will doubtless have words with his players for their lack of a killer touch but the man who defined an era as an elegant midfielder with Barcelona, and is doing so again as a coach, could not resist accentuating the positive.

"I'm happy that we came here and showed how football should be played," he said. "It was the best away performance we've put in. I'm happy to have people watch our team playing like that."

Source: Web Search

Bowlers lead Saupin Fighters' march into final

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 05:29 AM

A Fine display of bowling by their bowlers propelled Saupin Fighters to a comprehensive nine-wicket win over MCM Blue Caps Academy in a semi-final encounter of the DD Sharma Memorial Cricket Tournament played on Wednesday. MCM Blue Caps Academy won the toss and elected to bat first. Batting first they were bundled out for a total of 76 runs. Shubham Vij was the main scorer for the team as he played a knock of 41 runs. For Saupin Fighters, Uday, Raman and Inderjit Singh claimed two wickets each. Chasing an easy target of 77 runs, Saupin Fighters reached the target for the loss of one wicket in ten overs. Nipun was the top scorer for the team playing a knock of 35 runs while Nipun played a knock of 30 runs.

In the second semi-final encounter, Shri Shri Cricket Academy scored an eight-wicket win over GNPS and CCA. GNPS and CCA won the toss and elected to bat first. Batting first, they were bundled out for a total of 71 runs. Shubham made 28 runs while Rizul scored 18 runs. For Shri Shri Cricket Academy, Resham claimed three wickets while Sagar and Abhishek claimed two wickets each. Chasing an easy target of 72 runs, Shri Shri Academy reached the target for the loss of two wickets in 11 overs. Sagar played a fine knock of 46 runs while Vaibhav contributed 22 runs. For the losing side, Mandeep and Lakshya claimed one wicket each.

Source: Web Search

Inter Milan 1 CSKA Moscow 0 - result

Published Thu, Apr 01 10 02:53 AM

Inter Milan 1 CSKA Moscow 0 - Champions League quarter-final first leg result:

At the San Siro, Milan

Scorer: Diego Milito 65

Halftime: 0-0

Referee: Howard Webb (England)

Source: Web Search

Sony Ericsson Open women's singles quarter-final result

Published Thu, Apr 01 10 02:33 AM

Sony Ericsson Open women's singles quarter-final result from Miami, Florida, on Wednesday (prefix denotes seeding)

Justine Henin (Belgium) beat 2-Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4

Source: Web Search

Arsenal 0 Barcelona 1 - latest

Published Thu, Apr 01 10 02:13 AM

Arsenal 0 Barcelona 1 - Champions League quarter-final first leg latest score:

At the Emirates Stadium, London

Scorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic 46

Halftime: 0-0

Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)

Source: Web Search

Inter Milan 0 CSKA Moscow 0 - halftime

Published Thu, Apr 01 10 01:53 AM

Inter Milan 0 CSKA Moscow 0 - Champions League quarter-final first leg halftime score:

At the San Siro, Milan

Referee: Howard Webb (England)

Source: Web Search

Inter Milan 0 CSKA Moscow 0 - latest

Published Thu, Apr 01 10 01:13 AM

Inter Milan 0 CSKA Moscow 0 - Champions League quarter-final first leg latest score:

At the San Siro, Milan

Referee: Howard Webb (England)

Source: Web Search

Gambhir's tips worked for Karthik

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 12:53 AM

New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) Dinesh Karthik said it was tips from his Delhi Daredevils captain Gautam Gambhir that helped him come up with a match-winning knock of 69 against Rajasthan Royals here Wednesday.

'It was new track, so Gautam asked me to delay the shots. It helped me adjust to the slow nature of the track and score runs,' said Karthik.

Daredevils were reeling at 67 for four and it was the 79-run partnership between Gambhir (43) and Karthik that helped them to get to a total of 188 for six in 20 overs.

'We lost too many wickets in the Power Play. But Gautam told me that if we can hang around, the runs would flow in and that's what happened,' he said.

Asked why he went in even when Kedar Jadhav stepped in after the fall of fourth wicket, Karthik said: 'I was supposed to go in at No.5 followed by Jadhav. But Jadhav went in by instinct as he went in at No.5 in the last match. When I went in a few second later, the umpire asked me to go back because Jadhav was already in.'

Rajasthan Royals' assistant coach Jeremy Snape said: 'Delhi played intelligent cricket on a slow track. We made an excellent start but Karthik took away the match from us.'

Source: Web Search

Scoreboard: Delhi Daredevils vs. Rajasthan Royals, IPL

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 12:43 AM

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Following is the scoreboard of the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals at the Feroze Shah Kotla here Wednesday.

Delhi Daredevils:

David Warner b Narwal 4 (8 balls)

Virender Sehwag c Dogra b Narwal 19 (12 balls, 4x3, 6x1)

Gautam Gambhir c Pathan b Narwal 43 (37 balls, 4x3)

Paul Collingwood run out (Voges/Ojha) 16 (8 balls, 4x2, 6x1)

Kedar Jadhav c Pathan b Warne 10 (9 balls, 4x1)

Dinesh Karthik c sub (Raut) b Tait 69 (38 balls, 4x6, 6x4)

Andrew McDonald not out 14 (9 balls, 4x2)

Extras (lb 4, w 4, nb 5) 13

Total (for six wickets in 20 overs) 188

Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Warner, 3.1 overs), 2-25 (Sehwag, 3.3), 3-50 (Collingwood, 5.4), 4-67 (Jadhav, 8.3), 5-146 (Gambhir, 16.5), 6-188 (Karthik, 19.6)

Bowling:

Yusuf Pathan 3-0-25-0

Sumit Narwal 4-0-36-3

Adam Voges 1-0-9-0

Shaun Tait 4-0-53-1

Shane Warne 4-0-26-1

Siddharth Trivedi 4-0-35-0

Rajasthan Royals:

Michael Lumb c Warner b Maharoof 0 (2 balls)

Naman Ojha c Karthik b Mishra 27 (14 balls, 4x4, 6x1)

Faiz Fazal lbw Maharoof 0 (2 balls)

Avishek Jhunjhunwala run out (Ladda/Karthik) 2 (5 balls)

Adam Voges c Warner b Mishra 15 (17 balls, 4x1)

Yusuf Pathan c Warner b Mishra 24 (14 balls, 4x2, 6x2)

Paras Dogra st Karthik b Ladda 20 (25 balls, 6x1)

Shane Warne run out (Warner) 0 (1 ball)

Sumit Narwal c Warner b Collingwood 12 (9 balls, 4x2)

Shaun Tait st Karthik b Sehwag 11 (12 balls, 4x1)

Siddharth Trivedi not out 7 (5 balls, 6x1)

Extras (w 3) 3

Total (all out in 17.4 overs) 121

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Lumb, 0.2 ov), 2-1 (Fazal, 0.5 ov), 3-29 (Ojha, 3.4 ov), 4-32 (Jhunjhunwala, 4.1 ov), 5-66 (Pathan, 8.2 ov), 6-71 (Voges, 10.3), 7-73 (Warne, 10.5) 5-66 (Pathan, 8.2), 9-113 (Dogra, 16.2), 10-121 (Tait, 17.4)

Bowling:

Farveez Maharoof 3-0-13-2

Andrew McDonald 2-0-17-0

Amit Mishra 4-0-25-3

Umesh Yadav 3-0-21-0

Sarabjit Ladda 4-0-37-1

Paul Collingwood 1-0-6-1

Virender Sehwag 0.4-0-2-1

Toss: Delhi Daredevils, who chose to bat

Points: Delhi Daredevils 2, Rajasthan Royals 0

Player of the match: Dinesh Karthik (Daredevils)

Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka) and Simon Taufel (Australia)

TV umpire: Sanjay Hazare

Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (Sri Lanka)

Source: Web Search

Daredevils snap Rajasthan Royals four-match winning streak

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 12:25 AM

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Dinesh Karthik hit a power-packed 69 as Delhi Daredevils snapped Rajasthan Royals' four-match winning streak, beating them by 67 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) here Wednesday.

Karthik's whirlwind 38-ball knock and skipper Gautam Gambhir's 43 helped Daredevils get to a challenging total of 188 for six in 20 overs.

While chasing, Rajasthan Royals batsmen faltered right from the start and their innings folded in for 121 in 17.4 overs at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium. Leg spinner Amit Mishra picked up three for 25 and David Warner was outstanding on the field taking four catches and affecting one run out.

With their third consecutive win, Delhi moved to the second spot in the IPL with 10 points from eight matches while Rajasthan Royals are fourth with eight points from as many matches.

Opting to bat on a strip that was being used for the first time in the IPL Daredevils made a poor start by losing the first two wickets of the in-form David Warner (4) and Virender Sehwag (19) for just 25 runs on board.

Gambhir during his 37-ball stay did the repair act as Delhi lost another two quick wickets in Paul Collingwood (16) and Kedar Jadhav (10), who was surprisingly sent ahead of Karthik.

Karthik was padded up and after Collingwood fell he started to walk in, but was sent back as the team management opted for the young Jadhav. It was a short wait for Karthik in the dug out and once he stepped in, he was simply unstoppable. He slapped Shane Warne for a crisp four through the covers to set the tone for his innings, during which he struck six fours and four sixes.

Karthik added 79 runs with Gambhir for the fifth wicket and came down hard on fast bowler Shaun Tait in the last five overs during which Delhi smashed 68 runs.

Karthik spanked Tait for three consecutive fours in the 18th over and in the last hit the Australian for a six and a four as the bowler ended up giving 53 runs from his four overs.

Rajasthan Royals were off to a disastrous start with medium pacer Farveez Maharoof picking up opener Michael Lumb and Faiz Fazal in the first over with just one run on board.

Naman Ojha (27) on the other end played a valiant knock and spanked Maharoof for a six and four in consecutive deliveries in the third over. Mishra also suffered the same fury as Ojha slapped the leg-spinner for two consecutive fours, but Mishra had the last laugh dismissing the batsman in the next ball caught behind by Karthik.

Yusuf Pathan came up with a cameo hitting two fours and two sixes in his 14-ball 24 but his efforts were not enough as Daredevils romped home to their fifth win in the IPL.

Source: Web Search

Scoreboard: Delhi Daredevils vs. Rajasthan Royals, IPL

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 12:19 AM

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Following is the scoreboard of the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals at the Feroze Shah Kotla here Wednesday.

Delhi Daredevils:

David Warner b Narwal 4 (8 balls)

Virender Sehwag c Dogra b Narwal 19 (12 balls, 4x3, 6x1)

Gautam Gambhir c Pathan b Narwal 43 (37 balls, 4x3)

Paul Collingwood run out (Voges/Ojha) 16 (8 balls, 4x2, 6x1)

Kedar Jadhav c Pathan b Warne 10 (9 balls, 4x1)

Dinesh Karthik c sub (Raut) b Tait 69 (38 balls, 4x6, 6x4)

Andrew McDonald not out 14 (9 balls, 4x2)

Extras (lb 4, w 4, nb 5) 13

Total (for six wickets in 20 overs) 188

Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Warner, 3.1 overs), 2-25 (Sehwag, 3.3), 3-50 (Collingwood, 5.4), 4-67 (Jadhav, 8.3), 5-146 (Gambhir, 16.5), 6-188 (Karthik, 19.6)

Bowling:

Yusuf Pathan 3-0-25-0

Sumit Narwal 4-0-36-3

Adam Voges 1-0-9-0

Shaun Tait 4-0-53-1

Shane Warne 4-0-26-1

Siddharth Trivedi 4-0-35-0

Rajasthan Royals:

Michael Lumb c Warner b Maharoof 0 (2 balls)

Naman Ojha c Karthik b Mishra 27 (14 balls, 4x4, 6x1)

Faiz Fazal lbw Maharoof 0 (2 balls)

Avishek Jhunjhunwala run out (Ladda/Karthik) 2 (5 balls)

Adam Voges c Warner b Mishra 15 (17 balls, 4x1)

Yusuf Pathan c Warner b Mishra 24 (14 balls, 4x2, 6x2)

Paras Dogra st Karthik b Ladda 20 (25 balls, 6x1)

Shane Warne run out (Warner) 0 (1 ball)

Sumit Narwal c Warner b Collingwood 12 (9 balls, 4x2)

Shaun Tait st Karthik b Sehwag 11 (12 balls, 4x1)

Siddharth Trivedi not out 7 (5 balls, 6x1)

Extras (w 3) 3

Total (all out in 17.4 overs) 121

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Lumb, 0.2 ov), 2-1 (Fazal, 0.5 ov), 3-29 (Ojha, 3.4 ov), 4-32 (Jhunjhunwala, 4.1 ov), 5-66 (Pathan, 8.2 ov), 6-71 (Voges, 10.3), 7-73 (Warne, 10.5) 5-66 (Pathan, 8.2), 9-113 (Dogra, 16.2), 10-121 (Tait, 17.4)

Bowling:

Farveez Maharoof 3-0-13-2

Andrew McDonald 2-0-17-0

Amit Mishra 4-0-25-3

Umesh Yadav 3-0-21-0

Sarabjit Ladda 4-0-37-1

Paul Collingwood 1-0-6-1

Virender Sehwag 0.4-0-2-1

Toss: Delhi Daredevils, who chose to bat

Points: Delhi Daredevils 2, Rajasthan Royals 0

Player of the match: Dinesh Karthik (Daredevils)

Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka) and Simon Taufel (Australia)

TV umpire: Sanjay Hazare

Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (Sri Lanka)

Source: Web Search

League fears top players may shun England after ruling

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 12:13 AM

The ability of English clubs to continue attracting top players will be hit by a ruling from British regulators that caps the amount pay-TV group BSkyB can charge rivals for its sports channels, the Premier League said.

Describing the ruling by Ofcom as 'misconceived and unjustified', the Premier League, the richest soccer league in the world, said on Wednesday the ruling would discourage rival broadcasters from bidding for sports rights.

The Premier League said the decision, which requires Sky to cut rates for its sports channels by as much as 23 percent, 'would make it harder to recruit and retain top talent' and leave less money to filter through to the clubs.

Chief executive Richard Scudamore called the ruling 'ill-judged and disproportionate'.

"Their proposed action will strip out competition for sports rights and hugely reduce the incentives of all bidders, Sky included, to invest in sports rights," Scudamore said in a statement.

"Of course we will be considering Ofcom's findings in full and do not rule out a challenge to protect the interests of fans, clubs and the wider game," he said, without the clarifying the nature of any potential challenge.

Sky have also said they will appeal the decision.

A statement from the League said: "It will be harder to recruit and retain top talent, youth development will come under pressure, investment in grounds and facilities will be deferred."

Sky have had the rights to the Premier League since the division's inception in 1992 and the millions poured into clubs from a series of coverage deals has fired the League to its pre-eminent position on the world stage.

However, even the cash-rich Premier League has started to show the strain of the stratospheric wages played to its leading players, with Portsmouth this year becoming the first club from the division to enter administration.

"Ofcom has concluded that Sky has market power in the wholesale provision of premium channels," the regulator said in a statement.

"Ofcom has also concluded that Sky exploits this market power by restricting the distribution of its premium channels to rival pay-TV providers.

Other sports such as rugby and cricket, who also rely on Sky broadcast deals, will be potentially hit by the ruling and the English Rugby Football Union, which is staging the 2015 World Cup, said the decision was a 'disappointment'.

"It's unbelievable how they could take the stance that it is unfair competition as every channel had the opportunity to bid for our rights in the first place," the RFU's business operations director Paul Vaughan told Reuters.

Source: Web Search

S.Korea to offer North matches in World Cup bid

Published>Wed, Mar 31 10 11:53 PM

If South Korea win the bid to host the 2022 World Cup, they plan to offer North Korea the right to host a few games to help ease tension between the two neighbours, bid chairman Han Sung-joo said on Wednesday.

"It (hosting the World Cup) will contribute greatly to not only the football game itself but to the international situation in and around the Korean peninsula," Han told Reuters by telephone on Wednesday.

"We have plans to arrange a couple of games, maybe two or three games to be played in the northern part of Korea."

Tensions between the two foes rose again last week after a South Korean navy ship sank in the disputed Yellow Sea border off the west coast on Friday, with reports the North may have been involved although that was later ruled out [ID:nTOE62POAP].

Han said ties in sport, especially soccer, could help the two countries become closer.

"We don't know exactly what the situation will be by the year 2022, we might be a unified country or we might still be a divided country, either way it will be a good opportunity to bring North Korea into the mainstream of the world and it will contribute good relations between north and south."

The hosting of World Cup matches would help the impoverished North, who will play in their first World Cup finals for 44 years in June.

North Korea has come under mounting pressure to end a more than one-year boycott of international talks to end its efforts to build a nuclear arsenal.

The tensions have spread to the football sides after the South beat the North 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier last year.

North Korea complained to world governing body FIFA that their players had suffered vomiting, diarrhoea and headaches as a result of poisoning by the South, a claim rejected by the south.

But Han was confident that the offer of hosting matches could go someway to help repair relationships.

"We have not discussed this matter in any official way and I don't expect the North Korean football people to be able to say anything authoritative about this but we will have plenty of time between this year and 2022 regarding the collaboration," Han said.

Korea and Qatar are bidding to host the 2022 event with Australia, England, Japan, Russia, United States and the joint bids of Belgium/Netherlands and Spain/Portugal bidding for 2018 and/or 2022 with the decision on the both hosts being made in December.

DOING IT OURSELVES

Han also rejected a claim that it was too soon for South Korea to host another World Cup after they jointly held the 2002 event with Japan.

"It looks like it is too soon... but it will be 20 years apart. It will be a whole new game than 2002 and we are emphasising that it will be our first bona fide full World Cup if we can get it.

"Doing it ourselves, we will have greater responsibility but also greater opportunity to accomplish a more coherent and efficient and much more focused World Cup that we have seen before."

Should South Korea be chosen, Han believes they can set an example for emerging countries to host major international events.

"It would be giving a message that a country that came out of war, under development and division can become a very successful developed and capable country and provide a World Cup that contributes to regional and world peace."

Source: Web Search

Shoaib''s family dares Siddiqui to sue him

Published Wed, Mar 31 10 11:35 PM

Karachi, Mar 31 (PTI) The family of Shoaib Malik today challenged M A Siddiqui -- who claimed the cricketer had married his daughter Ayesha before dumping her -- to sue the former Pakistan captain in court. The Hyderabad-based Siddique had claimed that his daughter was the legal first wife of Malik and that he wanted the Pakistani cricketer to divorce her before marrying Indian tennis star Sania Mirza. Siddique said if Malik didn''t give a divorce to his daughter, he would sue him in court and also approach Ulemas for a fatwa against the Pakistani cricketer. Reacting to the charge, Shoaib''s brother-in-law Imran told PTI that Siddique was raking up a dead issue for cheap publicity. "We have said it clearly in the past that Shoaib was never engaged to married to Ayesha. They were just friends and that friendship also broke off because of a problem," he said. "But if Mr Siddique wants to dig up this issue again and sue Shoaib, he is most welcome to do so. In fact we would like to see him taking us to court on this issue," Imran said. He also made it clear that as per Islamic laws, the girl''s family should produce some evidence of Shoaib''s ''Nikah'' with her instead of making claims in the media. He said the controversy would not affect Shoaib''s planned wedding with Sania in Hyderabad in April.

Source: Web Search

Daredevils set 189-run target for Rajasthan Royals

Published>Wed, Mar 31 10 11:23 PM

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Delhi Daredevils made 188 for six in 20 overs against Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Ferozeshah Kotla here Wednesday.

Dinesh Karthik struck an unbeaten 69 while Gautam Gambhir made 43.

Source: Web Search

Privilege motion on IPL referred to committee

Published Wed, Mar 31 10 10:43 PM

Bangalore, Mar 31 (PTI) Chairman of Karnataka Legislative Council Veeranna Mathikatti today referred the privilege motion, sought to be moved against the promoters of IPL by both the opposition and ruling party members in the House recently, to a nine-member committee. Members cutting across party lines charged in the Council that promoters of the IPL had insulted the members of the House by sending a "pass" to all legislators to watch a match between Royal Challengers of Bangalore against Kings-XI Punjab on March 16 last. The IPL promoters had distributed one ticket each to all the legislators, priced at Rs 49 which entitled the members to enter the stand, which actually cost Rs 3,000. The members also took exception to liquor being served during the match, in violation of excise rules and accused IPL organisers of converting the game into a revenue generating model while evading tax payment. After allowing a brief discussion on the issue, Mathikatti reserved his ruling before referring it to the Privileges Committee. The committee headed by K C Kondaiah (Cong) can summon the IPL organisers for hearing on the issue and can also admonish them if found guilty.

Source: Web Search

Daredevils set 189-run target for Rajasthan Royals

Published>Wed, Mar 31 10 10:23 PM

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Delhi Daredevils made 188 for six in 20 overs against Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Ferozeshah Kotla here Wednesday.

Dinesh Karthik struck an unbeaten 69 while Gautam Gambhir made 43.

Source: Web Search

Biswal named manager of Twenty20 World Cup team

Published Wed, Mar 31 10 10:13 PM

Bhubaneswar, Mar 31 (PTI) Orissa Cricket Association president Ranjib Biswal has been appointed manager of the Indian cricket team for the World Cup Twenty20in the West Indies next month. "This is a great responsibility on me. I will try my best to manage the team in the Twenty20 world cup," Biswal told reporters. OCA secretary Asribad Behera thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India for selecting Biswal as manager of Team India for Twenty20 World Cup.

Source: Web Search

Delhi to have international football stadium: minister

Published Wed, Mar 31 10 09:59 PM

New Delhi, Mar 31 (PTI) Delhi government today announced that it would soon build an international standard football stadium which will be given to Delhi Soccer Association on completion. Delhi Education and Transport Arvinder Singh Lovely said the stadium would be built at Najafgarh on six acres plot of land. Lovely was speaking at the prize distribution function of DSA Annual Senior Division Football League Championship 2009. "The minister has already taken the initiative to construct an International standard football stadium at Najafgarh on 6 acre plot and which will be given to Delhi Soccer Association on completion," a DSA release said. "He also assured DSA President Subhash Chopra that from next season, he would ensure that four school grounds would be converted into stadium and be given to DSA to conduct their annual activities," the release added. Champions Hindustan Football Club were presented a cash prize of Rs. 1,50,000 along the winners trophy while Gorkha Heroes received Rs. 75,000 for finishing runners-up.

Source: Web Search

Raina top scorer in IPL

Published>Wed, Mar 31 10 09:53 PM

Chennai, March 31 (IANS) Suresh Raina's unbeaten 44 off 35 balls in Chennai Super Kings' five-wicket win over Bangalore Royal Challengers Wednesday catapulted him to the top of the run scorers list in the Indian Premier League.

Aggregating 1,093 at an average of 36.43 in 38 matches, Raina overtook Deccan Chargers skipper Adam Gilchrist's tally of 1,081 in 36 matches at an average of 30.88.

Other statistics of Wednesday's match:

Murali Vijay recorded a career-best 78 off 39 balls -- his maiden half-century and his highest innings in the IPL.

Vijay's knock was his second fifty in Twenty20 and his career-best.

Vijay's innings was embellished with six sixes, registering a strike rate of exactly 200.00.

Raina's runs tally of 238 at an average of 47.60 in eight matches is the highest for Chennai in the third edition of the IPL.

Raina now needs just one six to complete 50 sixes in the IPL, the top two being Gilchrist (57) and Yusuf Pathan (56).

Chennai Super Kings recorded their third victory in the third edition of the IPL.

Bangalore's defeat by five wickets is their third in seven matches in the 2010 edition of the IPL.

Chennai have posted their third win in seven games against Bangalore in the IPL.

Jacques Kallis has taken his run-aggregate to 362 at an average of 120.66, including four fifties, in seven innings.

Kallis became the second player to post four fifties in the third edition of the IPL.

With 314 at an average of 52.33 in seven innings, Sachin Tendulkar is the second in terms of runs' tally.

Kallis has now completed 900 runs in the IPL, amassing 922 at an average of 34.14, including 8 fifties, in 33 matches.

Shadab Jakati's excellent figures of 4-1-17-2 are his best in the third edition of the IPL.

Source: Web Search

We lost momentum towards end of our batting: Kumble

Published Wed, Mar 31 10 09:43 PM

Chennai, Mar 31 (PTI) Bangalore Royal Challengers captain Anil Kumble today attributed his side''s five wicket defeat to Chennai Super Kings in Indian Premier League to the loss of momentum towards end of their batting, saying that it had made them 20 runs short of a challenging total. "We had the momentum until the 13th or the 14th over, but then we lost it a little bit," Kumble said referring to Jacques Kallis'' inability to force the pace of scoring at a crucial stage of the game. "We were some 20 runs short, and that made it a little hard for us," said Kumble. The former India captain said RCB were still well placed for a semifinal berth as seven more matches are left in the league stage. "There still are seven matches to go. Four out of seven is not a bad start. Yes, we lost a bit of momentum in the batting period and there were no early wickets. But Murali Vijay batted really well, and you must give credit to the Super Kings," he said. RCB lost back-to-back matches in the IPL III but Kumble compared it to last year''s performance. "We had plenty of losses at the start last year as well but we changed that. We have two games in the next three days, and hopefully they will go our way," he said. Chennai Super Kings opener and man of the match, Murali Vijay was happy that he contributed to his side''s win but said he should have carried his bat till the end of run chase. "It''s something I will work on. I am really happy that my contribution helped the team win. I enjoyed batting out there today in front of my home crowd," said Vijay, who made a scintillating 78 run off 39 balls. "This match really mattered to us as a team. Everyone was pumped up. From now on, we will take every match as it comes. Our next match is against the Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, and we will concentrate on what we can get out of that game," he added. On his quickfire 78, Vijay said, "I have proved a few things to myself. Getting runs in Twenty20 cricket under pressure is really difficult. This format is very intense and it tests you physically and mentally. I really enjoyed this knock, but what makes it even more special is that it helped the team register a victory and keep us in the hunt for a semifinal berth." PTI RE PDS

Source: Web Search

Shillong Lajong hold Air India to 1-1 draw

Published Wed, Mar 31 10 09:29 PM

Mumbai, Mar 31 (PTI) Shillong Lajong FC rallied to hold Air India to a 1-1 draw in a 19th round I-League clash at the Cooperage ground here today. Striker N D Opara converted a penalty in the 19th minute to give the airmen an early lead, but Wailadmi Passah''s strike in the 83rd minute restored parity for the north-east club. A penalty was awarded to the home side after Opara was brought down by Passah. Opara made no mistake to convert it. Shillong Lajong made valiant attempts to equalise and they got a couple of opportunities to restore parity in the first half. However, Seikhohao Tuboi''s shot off a pass from Anil Gurung was blocked. Air India custodian Arnab Das Sharma then pulled of a fine save of a shot by Daniel Bidemi, who was set up by Tuboi after beating a couple of defenders. Fifteen minutes into the second half, Tuboi was again in the thick of action as he was in a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Sharma. But his shot from the left was wide of the target. Lajong continued to make inroads into the Air India citadel and finally found success when Passah took advantage of a goalmouth melee and scored the equaliser. Following the draw, Air India have 23 points from 19 games, while Lajong have 21 points, also from 19 matches. PTI VKV AT PDS

Source: Web Search

Daredevils pacer Nannes out for a week with injury

Published>Wed, Mar 31 10 09:15 PM

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Delhi Daredevils fast bowler Dirk Nannes missed Wednesday's game against Rajasthan Royals with a finger injury and has been ruled out for a week from the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The left-arm pacer sustained the injury after being hit by a scorching drive from Wriddhiman Saha in Daredevils' last game against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Feroze Shah Kotla Monday.

Nannes received stitches on the fingers and had to leave the field immediately without completing his over.

Nannes will surely miss the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore, April 4, but a top team official told IANS that he would be fit for the away match against Kolkata Knight Riders April 7.

Delhi have already been hit by injuries to captain Gautam Gambhir, who had to sit out for three matches, while paceman Ashish Nehra is yet to play a game.

Source: Web Search

Ghei soars to 2nd place, Randhawa also in hunt

Published Wed, Mar 31 10 08:29 PM

New Delhi, Mar 31 (PTI) Old hand Gaurav Ghei rolled back the years and brought home a sparkling five-under 67 to grab the second place while pre-tournament favourite Jyoti Randhawa also hurled himself in title contention as 32 Indian golfers made the halfway cut in the USD 300,000 SAIL Open here today. Swede rookie Richard Karlberg''s strong second round of three-under 69 kept him atop the leaderboard at 10-under 134 but Ghei, whose last win on Asian Tour came in 2007, put himself hot on Karlberg''s heels. After rounds of 68 and 67, Ghei trails Karlberg by one shot and is followed by the talented Shamim Khan (136) who jumped to third place after a strong three-under 69. Randhawa, who has won four Asian Tour titles at the Delhi Golf Club, also joined the mix and his four-under 68 today placed him fifth in the leaderboard -- four shots off the lead. Overnight second SSP Chowrasia slipped down the leaderboard after going one-over 73 today and the Kolkata pro joins compatriot Shiv Kapur, who turned in 72, at sixth place at five-under 139. Eight professionals crowd the eighth place at four-under 140 and the list includes Rahil Gangjee (71), Gaganjeet Bhullar (72), Himmat Rai (71) and Pappan (69). Indian Open winner C Muniyappa (145) slid to tied 52nd after carding a 76 today. Ghei''s sterling show brought smiles on the Indian faces and barring the 13th hole bogey, the seasoned golfer hardly put a foot wrong. Ghei began with a bang when he had an easy tap in for an eagle three on the first hole after a pin point approach shot with his rescue club. On his way back, Ghei sunk birdies on the 11th, 15th, 16th and 17th holes -- while dropping his lone bogey on the 13th -- to sign off with a five-under card. .

Source: Web Search

Fennell feels Delhi Commonwealth Games preparations are 'in great shape'

Published>Wed, Mar 31 10 08:13 PM

Montego Bay, Mar. 31 (ANI): Commonwealth Games Federation President Mike Fennell has expressed optimism that Delhi will put up a first-class show as host of the XIX Commonwealth Games later this year.

"Things are in great shape. We had hoped all the venues would be ready ahead of time so we could test them but they will be completed ahead of the start of the Games," he said on the sidelines of the Queen's Baton Relay 2010 Delhi's visit to Jamaica.

Speaking at a reception hosted by the Indian community at Montego Bay, Fennell said the perceived setbacks in the planning especially in operations and management was no different from those of other major sporting events.

"India has spared no resources for the Games and everything will be first class," he said.

Fennell said the main concerns were about the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium that will host the opening ceremony, but assured that they should be completed soon.

He added that the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, which hosted the FIH World Cup hockey recently, is one of the finest anywhere in the world and promised that the Thyagaraj Stadium where the netball event will be held will impress. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

S.Korea to offer North matches in World Cup bid

Published>Wed, Mar 31 10 07:53 PM

If South Korea win the bid to host the 2022 World Cup, they plan to offer North Korea the right to host a few games to help ease tension between the two neighbours, bid chairman Han Sung-joo said on Wednesday.

"It (hosting the World Cup) will contribute greatly to not only the football game itself but to the international situation in and around the Korean peninsula," Han told Reuters by telephone on Wednesday.

"We have plans to arrange a couple of games, maybe two or three games to be played in the northern part of Korea."

Tensions between the two foes rose again last week after a South Korean navy ship sank in the disputed Yellow Sea border off the west coast on Friday, with reports the North may have been involved although that was later ruled out.

Han said ties in sport, especially soccer, could help the two countries become closer.

"We don't know exactly what the situation will be by the year 2022, we might be a unified country or we might still be a divided country, either way it will be a good opportunity to bring North Korea into the mainstream of the world and it will contribute good relations between north and south."

The hosting of World Cup matches would help the impoverished North, who will play in their first World Cup finals for 44 years in June.

North Korea has come under mounting pressure to end a more than one-year boycott of international talks to end its efforts to build a nuclear arsenal.

The tensions have spread to the football sides after the South beat the North 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier last year.

North Korea complained to world governing body FIFA that their players had suffered vomiting, diarrhoea and headaches as a result of poisoning by the South, a claim rejected by the south.

But Han was confident that the offer of hosting matches could go someway to help repair relationships.

"We have not discussed this matter in any official way and I don't expect the North Korean football people to be able to say anything authoritative about this but we will have plenty of time between this year and 2022 regarding the collaboration," Han said.

Korea and Qatar are bidding to host the 2022 event with Australia, England, Japan, Russia, United States and the joint bids of Belgium/Netherlands and Spain/Portugal bidding for 2018 and/or 2022 with the decision on the both hosts being made in December.

DOING IT OURSELVES

Han also rejected a claim that it was too soon for South Korea to host another World Cup after they jointly held the 2002 event with Japan.

"It looks like it is too soon... but it will be 20 years apart. It will be a whole new game than 2002 and we are emphasising that it will be our first bona fide full World Cup if we can get it.

"Doing it ourselves, we will have greater responsibility but also greater opportunity to accomplish a more coherent and efficient and much more focused World Cup that we have seen before."

Should South Korea be chosen, Han believes they can set an example for emerging countries to host major international events.

"It would be giving a message that a country that came out of war, under development and division can become a very successful developed and capable country and provide a World Cup that contributes to regional and world peace."

Source: Web Search

Button looks for repeat glory in Malaysia

Published>Wed, Mar 31 10 07:33 PM

The Formula One season exploded into life in Melbourne on Sunday and while fans will be hoping for more of the same in Malaysia this weekend, officials will be happy just to see the race completed.

After a tedious opening race in Bahrain, a combination of a ban on refuelling, rainy weather, an early pitstop and Sebastian Vettel's mechanical misfortune means Jenson Button will be looking for back-to-back wins for a second year in a row.

Button won six of the first seven races last season on his way to a maiden world championship with Brawn GP but the Briton's victory in Malaysia was only worth half points as a tropical downpour ended the race after just 32 of the scheduled 56 laps.

More rain is forecast over the Sepang circuit this weekend, putting an even greater emphasis on strategy as the prospect of another rain-shortened race looms large on the horizon.

Following an off-season switch to become compatriot Lewis Hamilton's partner at McLaren, Button won his first race with the team last week in Australia in a car that still lags behind the Red Bulls and Ferraris in terms of pace.

The Briton made his own call on an early change of tyres in Melbourne and capitalised on the latest problem with Vettel's fast-but-unreliable Red Bull to inherit a lead he would not relinquish after a mechanical failure ended the German's race early.

"I think we travel to Sepang mindful that the characteristics of the circuit probably won't suit our car as well as it will suit some of the others, but I'm confident that, once again, we'll be fighting at or near the front," Button said.

Hamilton could only qualify 11th in Melbourne but after roaring through the field to press Renault's Robert Kubica for second, an ill-advised tyre change left him stuck behind the Ferraris before a late collision with Mark Webber consigned him to sixth place.

"Last year we saw what could happen once the weather took over," Hamilton said as he looked forward to the Malaysia race.

"While I'm hopeful that this year's race will be run in the dry, you can never discount the threat of rain. Either way, I think we'll be competitive."

CLASSY ALONSO

Fernando Alonso showed his class by winning the season opener on his Ferrari debut and had it not been for a first-lap spin, the Spaniard could have challenged for a second victory in the only car capable of matching the speed of the Red Bulls.

Despite that setback, the Ferraris have started the season well with a Bahrain one-two followed by Felipe's Massa's podium finish in Australia, ahead of Alonso in fourth, which put the Italian team clear of McLaren in the constructor's standings.

"We are happy with the Melbourne result, even if, on Sunday morning, we might have expected a slightly better one," Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said.

"Considering what happened in the race, we can be pleased with finishing third and fourth, partly because our closest rivals either failed to score, or at least did not pick up many points."

Vettel remains positive of his team's chances but still curses his bad luck in the opening two races.

"I would have rather left Melbourne with 50 points (25 for a win) on my side instead of 12. We have a very fast car, that is a fact. We just have to make sure that we see the chequered flag," Vettel said.

"But it is only the second race so there is no need to get nervous. We just have to see that we have a good car at hand for the second half of the season."

In Melbourne, the first four finishers completed the race on a one-stop strategy by nursing their wearing tyres through to the finish.

The Sepang circuit has two very long straights which leads to the likelihood of more stops than the Australia race due to the abrasive effect of heavy braking on the Bridgestone tyres.

Source: Web Search

Churchill hold advantage over JCT

Published Wed, Mar 31 10 07:13 PM

Margao, Mar 31 (PTI) High on morale after their good performance in the AFC Cup, Churchill Brothers would look for a win over JCT to keep themselves in the title race in a 19th round match of the I-League at Nehru Stadium here tomorrow. Churchill, who have 26 points from 17 matches, are nine points adrift of leader Dempo, and they must win tomorrow to stay in the title race. Churchill coach Carlos Pereira said his players are fit and high on morale after their win against Al Hilal in the away match of the AFC Cup. "JCT are doing well in the second leg and we need to play to our potential. We want to win tomorrow to improve our home record which is not impressive so far," he said. .

Source: Web Search

No county games for Indian cricketers this season

Published>Wed, Mar 31 10 07:03 PM

London, March 31 (IANS) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided not to allow contracted players turn out for English counties this season due to a hectic international schedule.

The BCCI cited 'heavy workload' of the national team this year, while revoking the no-objection certificate issued to star batsman Virender Sehwag for Northamtonshire.

Sehwag was given the all-clear to play for Northamptonshire a few days ago but the NOC has left the county shocked.

'Northants Cricket were stunned by the news that just days after receiving the all-clear for Virender Sehwag to play for the county during the Twenty20 tournament, the Indian Board of Control have now revoked the NOCs for all of their players for this summer,' the club said in a statement on its website.

Northants chief executive Mark Tagg said: 'I received an email out of the blue from the BCCI, which said 'BCCI has (since) reviewed the international calendar of the Indian team during 2010 preceding the World Cup 2011. Considering the heavy workload of the Indian team during the year, it has been decided to revoke the NOC granted to all Indian contracted players, including Mr. Virender Sehwag'.'

'This is really difficult news for us and Virender himself who was very keen to play in this country this summer. After the excitement of receiving the NOC on Thursday we were planning the season with confidence but now we have to rethink and we are already actively seeking the possibility of bringing alternative potential match winners to supplement the fine squad that we have at the county ground,' he added.

Source: Web Search

Augusta Masters policies to protect Woods from 'excessive media glare'

Published>Wed, Mar 31 10 06:45 PM

Augusta (U.S.), Mar 31(ANI): Ace American golfer Tiger Woods' big press conference on Monday during the Augusta National would be governed by the club officials, citing Masters' policies on media coverage.

According to reports, the press conference will be held in a small interview room, and will not be relocated to the adjacent auditorium, where all reporters have assigned seats.

It is also believed that not everybody covering the event will be granted entry to the press conference, and tournament officials will determine who gets to ask questions, and who listens outside the room.Masters officials expect those desiring access to exceed capacity in the interview room," The New York Daily News quoted the Augusta National Golf Club, as saying in a statement.

"They are asking credentialed outlets who wish to have a representative considered by the Media Committee to submit the name of one credentialed reporter via e-mail," the statement added.

The procedure certainly works in Woods' favour, as it will limit his inquisitors when he returns from his four-month break from the game.

Woods had taken time off from the game to rebuild his marriage after a late-night car crash outside his home in Florida in November last year sparked revelations of his infidelities. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Royal Challengers post 161 for four against Chennai

Published Wed, Mar 31 10 06:29 PM

Chennai, Mar 31 (PTI) Jacques Kallis struck a 49-ball 52 to help Royal Challengers Bangalore post a competitive 161 for four against Chennai Super Kings in their Indian Premier League match here today. Kallis, who struck seven fours during his innings, got good support from Virat Kohli (34 off 24) as the duo added 63 runs for the third wicket before the latter fell to Chennai spinner Shadab Jakati in the 16th over. Kohli cracked three fours and a huge six during his stay in the middle. Englishman Kevin Pietersen (32 not out off 14 balls) and Australian Cameron White (21 not out off 13 balls) -- both playing their first IPL III matches -- were the other main contributors. Opting to bat first at M Chidambaram Stadium, Bangalore suffered an early loss in the third over when opener Manish Pandey (5) fell prey to paceman Thilan Thushara. Despite the early blow, the visitors maintained a good run rate thanks to a quick 42-run second-wicket partnership between Kallis and Robin Uthappa, who made 21 off just 13 balls with the help of two sixes and a four. Jakati struck in the seventh over for his first wicket removing a dangerous looking Uthappa, following which Kohli paired up with Kallis. Kallis and Kohli played sensible cricket finding the gaps for one and twos while hitting the loose deliveries for boundaries. After the fall of Kallis and Kohli, Englishman Kevin Pietersen and Cameron White -- both playing their first IPL III matches -- carried the tempo till the end of the innings. Both hit two fours and a six in their brief stay at the crease. For Chennai, Jakati took two wickets giving away 17 runs while Thushara scalped one for 30.

Source: Web Search

Royal Challengers set 162-run target for Super Kings

Published>Wed, Mar 31 10 06:25 PM

Chennai, March 31 (IANS) Royal Challengers Bangalore made 161 for four in their 20 overs against the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament here Wednesday.

Opener Jacques Kallis (52, 49b, 7 x 4) was the mainstay of the innings while Virat Kohli (34 off 24 balls) and Robin Uthappa (21 off 13), who was dropped first ball, chipped in usefully.

At the fag end of the innings, the pair of Kevin Pietersen (23 not out) and Cameron White (21 not out) added 44 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket after the Super Kings had the Bangalore team in shackles earlier on.

For the Super Kings, left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati was the pick of the bowlers with figures of two for 17 in his four overs.

Source: Web Search

Bangalore chose to bat

Published Wed, Mar 31 10 06:13 PM

Chennai, March 31 -- With C White and K Pietersen, the Royal Challengers Bangalore chose to bat against the Chennai Super Kings in their sevnth match in Chennai.

Source: Web Search

Porn star mistress to be lurking in the 'Woods' during Augusta Masters

Published>Tue, Mar 30 10 12:58 PM

New York, March 30(ANI): While Tiger Woods makes his return to golf on April 8, porn star Joslyn James, who is allegedly one of the his numerous mistresses, will be shaking her booty at a strip club in the vicinity.

The hottie is reportedly set to perform at Pink Pony strip club in Atlanta, just two hours before Woods hits the Augusta course.

"She was invited out to Atlanta to make an appearance at Pink Pony," the New York Daily News quoted James' manager, Gina Rodriguez, as telling the sportsBYbrooks web site earlier.

James has starred in adult films such as 'Big Breasted Nurses' and 'My First Sex Teacher #12.'

Meanwhile, Woods wife Elin has decided to skip his comeback tournament, following the exposure of his multiple affairs last year. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Messi is from another planet, says Wenger

Published>Tue, Mar 30 10 12:50 PM

London, Mar 30 (ANI): Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger knows that his players face a monumental task trying to stop Barcelona superstar Leo Messi ahead of their crucial Champions League clash.

The Argentinian World Player of the Year poses a big threat to the Gunners' Champions League dream.

European Champions Barcelona comes to the Emirates tomorrow with Messi in explosive form ahead of the quarterfinal. And Wenger readily reveals he is in awe of the Argentina genius.

"You go to football to watch players like Messi. What he does is so beautiful it becomes art. What he does at his age, has never been seen before," The Sun quoted Wenger, as saying.

"To take the ball in the middle of the pitch and go score goals like he was in the school playground, it is just incredible. I was thinking a couple of years ago he couldn't go any higher, but I am conscious that today, he's on another planet," he said.

Messi was crowned European and World Player of the Year after leading Barcelona to an historic Treble last year.

He scored 38 goals, including the clincher in the 2-0 Champions League final triumph over holders Manchester United in Rome.

This year he is again favourite to retain the World Player of the Year title - with United's Wayne Rooney his main rival.

Messi already has 32 goals this term, including back-to-back La Liga hat tricks and a Champions League brace against Stuttgart in recent weeks. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Gayle, Roach to play for Western Australia in Twenty20

Published>Tue, Mar 30 10 12:10 PM

Sydney, Mar 30 (ANI): West Indies captain Chris Gayle will return to Western Australia next summer to play for the Warriors' Twenty20 campaign. Fast bowler Kemar Roach will also join him.

Gayle was restricted to just two games for WA last summer after picking up a side strain in his first outing for the Warriors.

But the 30-year-old still made a sizeable impact, hammering 40 off just 16 balls against South Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Roach has quickly emerged as the most exciting pacer in the Test arena.

The 21-year-old has taken 20 wickets in five Tests and injured Australian captain Ricky Ponting last summer with a fearsome bouncer.

"In Chris Gayle we have secured one of the game's best Twenty20 players for the second successive season, while Kemar Roach is one of the most promising young pacemen in world cricket," WACA chief executive Graeme Wood said.

"It has been extremely disappointing to miss out on the opportunity to compete at the first two Champions League Twenty20 tournaments," he added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Tiger Woods' wife 'to skip his comeback tournament'

Published>Tue, Mar 30 10 11:54 AM

New York, March 30 (ANI): Tiger Woods' wife Elin Nordegren will not be present when he makes his return to golf at Augusta on April 8, sources say.

The Swede model has apparently decided to skip the Masters event and instead visit his homeland to meet her family.

"She is also being asked by Tiger to attend the Masters, even if for a half day, to look like she is interested in supporting his return to golf," the New York Daily News quoted a source as telling People.com.

The insider added: "But she would rather not be there."

Meanwhile, pornstar Joslyn James will be performing at the Pink Pony strip club in Atlanta on the same day Woods makes his comeback.

Earlier, James' manager, Gina Rodriguez, told the sportsBYbrooks web site: "She was invited out to Atlanta to make an appearance at Pink Pony".

Woods has publicly apologized several times for cheating on his ife. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

After 'miracles' for Gambhir, Sachin, Rajapaksa's doc wants to 'cure' Becks

Published>Tue, Mar 30 10 11:48 AM

'Miracle doctor' Eliyantha White has treated several Sri Lankan players, while Gautam Gambhir - who returned to the field on Monday - swears the cure works. In fact, White says he can even ensure footballer David Beckham overcomes his Achilles tendon injury to play the World Cup later this summer.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's personal physician and spiritual healer claims he uses herbs from the high Himalayas, thick rain forests and from deep inside the sea, besides his inner powers to cure his patients.

White's quick-cure is rapidly gaining popularity among the walking wounded in the Indian Premier League. Days after India and Delhi Daredevils mates Gambhir and Ashish Nehra travelled to Lanka to consult White, the doctor says he has added Mumbai Indians batsman Ambati Rayudu to his list of high-profile cricketer patients - one that already includes Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya, Lasith Malinga and Tillakaratne Dilshan.

"Because of the high stakes and hectic schedules, cricketers can't afford to sit out nursing an injury for long. I have the fastest and most reliable cure possible," the Sinhalese-speaking White told The Indian Express from Colombo, through his translator-cum-coordinator Ruwan Edirisinghe.

The doctor claimed that Gambhir's hamstring strain and Nehra's rib injury were healed within 48 hours of them being given a special herbal potion. Gambhir, returned to captain the Daredevils against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Kotla on Monday, endorsed the claim. "Before I went for the treatment, I had pain but now it has disappeared," Gambhir said.

While it was Daredevils teammate Dilshan who suggested White to Gambhir and Nehra, Rayudu took the word of his Mumbai Indians senior Jayasuriya and flew to Lanka. "Rayudu had an elbow fracture. A couple of days after the visit he was on the field," said White.

Dilshan, Jayasuriya and Malinga have in the past credited White with their quick recovery from cricket injuries. After returning to action after a long knee injury lay-off last year, Malinga said, "President Rajapaksa introduced me to Dr White. He works with supernatural powers and herbs. I don't know what he does and how he does it but it works. I am very grateful to him and the President."

Tendulkar had visited the doctor late last year, after the series against Australia. "His knee joints were paining because of constant strain on them but he was completely cured. We couldn't treat his elbow problem because Sachin's schedule was too tight. He has promised to return," said White.

The doctor is reluctant to reveal the secret of his healing touch. "A lot of people have asked this question. This is a special formula that is very close to Ayurveda. It has taken me more than 15 years of research to get it right. It requires no surgery and it can cure anything," he said. Coordinator Edirisinghe added to the mystery by saying, "He has inner powers that are difficult to explain. He has even treated patients even without giving any medicines, by just sitting in front of him."

White said he has extended an invitation to Beckham to consult him. "I am willing to help any person in the world coming from anywhere in the world. I am ready to treat Beckham. His condition (Achilles tendon injury) can be easily treated. Within three days he will be playing. It's a very simple case," said White.

Source: Web Search

Shoaib Malik 'married' Indian girl, 'divorced' her

Published>Tue, Mar 30 10 11:20 AM

While Sania Mirza is all set to marry former Pak cricket team captain Shoaib Malik, there is no getting away from the scandal he was involved in.

This is an agency report carried by Indian Express online on February 1, 2008.

Hyderabad: The father of a Hyderabadi girl whose love story involving Pakistani cricket captain Shoaib Malik went sour contested his claim that the couple did not enter into a 'nikah' and pressed the player to give a "formal divorce."

M A Siddiqui in a statement said the family will move the court if his daughter does not get divorce which was needed to help her start a "new life."

He was reacting to Malik's statement in Karachi on January 21 when the cricketer claimed that no 'nikah' took place between him and Ayesha Siddiqui.

"The 'nikah' of my daughter (Ayesha) with Shoaib Malik took place on June 3, 2002. We also have the proof," said Siddiqui amid reports that the couple got 'married' through a telephone 'nikah' on that date.

Siddiqui, a resident of posh Banjara Hills in the Andhra Pradesh capital, also challenged Malik's claims that his marriage plans with the Hyderabadi girl ended because both families could not reach an understanding on certain issues.

"Yes I had a long relationship with her and we planned to get married. But no nikah ever took place and in the end our families could not reach an understanding on various things," Malik had said.

Siddiqui alleged Malik wanted to end the relationship not for the reasons he had stated but "just to gain goodwill and build his image."

Siddiqui said his daughter is "devastated and traumatised" by the whole issue and claimed she was hospitalised many times.

Siddiqui claimed that his family called Malik and his family umpteen times but they "refused to talk to us."

"Shoaib Malik never tried to even talk to us even once. This behaviour has saddened deeply," he said.

On his daughter's future, he cited a media report quoting a Maulvi as saying that rightly his daughter needed a "divorce" in order to start a "new life".

Pakistani players were even feted to a grand reception by the Siddiqui family in Hyderabad when the team toured Indian in 2005.

Source: Web Search

Nowitzki's triple-double boosts Mavericks over Nuggets

Published Tue, Mar 30 10 11:10 AM

Dirk Nowitzki recorded the second triple-double of his career to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 109-93 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday.

Nowitzki, who had failed to reach 20 points in his last four games, posted 34 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists as Dallas maintained their grip on second spot in the Western Conference.

The Nuggets (48-27) have lost five of their last six games and dropped to fifth in the West behind the Phoenix Suns. Denver also surrendered their leaed in the Northwest division to Utah.

J.R. Smith had a team-high 27 for Denver but Carmelo Anthony had an off-night, finishing with just 10 points.

Source: Web Search

Tevez hat-trick keeps Man City on course for fourth

Published Tue, Mar 30 10 10:48 AM

Carlos Tevez grabbed a quickfire hat-trick against 10-man Wigan Athletic to give Manchester City a 3-0 victory and boost their bid to finish fourth in the Premier League on Monday.

City, five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur before kickoff, struggled until Wigan's Gary Caldwell was shown a red card for a foul on Tevez after 56 minutes but finally clicked into gear thanks to the Argentine striker.

Roberto Mancini's side moved to 56 points from 31 matches, two more than Liverpool who have played 32. Tottenham, who City still have to play at home, have 58 points from 31.

After spending vast sums of owner Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's money on signing the likes of Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz, fourth spot and a chance of Champions League football was the minimum requirement for City.

Tevez brought that possibility a step closer at Eastlands with an inspired second-half display which brought him three goals in 13 minutes.

Wigan, desperately trying to stay clear of the relegation zone, still looked dangerous after Caldwell's slightly harsh sending-off but Tevez put City ahead on minutes when he tapped in as Wigan keeper Vladimir Stojkovic failed to gather a routine ball under pressure from Adebayor.

Another simple finish made it 2-0 two minutes later and Tevez wrapped up the points with his best effort of the night, a classy finish after waltzing into the Wigan area.

Source: Web Search

Bayern wait on Robben and Ribery, Lyon eye first semi

Published>Tue, Mar 30 10 10:44 AM

Bayern Munich will know hours before their Champions League quarter-final first-leg match whether key midfielders Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery will be fit to face Manchester United on Tuesday.

Robben, who pulled a calf muscle in Bayern's 2-1 loss to VfB Stuttgart on Saturday, will play only if fully fit to avoid a longer-term injury as the team are also in the running for the Bundesliga and German Cup, coach Louis van Gaal said on Monday.

It is also unclear whether French playmaker Franck Ribery, recovered from an ankle injury, will be on the pitch from the start or will come on as a substitute. Bayern will certainly be without suspended midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.

"I don't know if Robben and Ribery will play but I will have to plan against them," Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson said on Monday.

United, in a record 11th Champions League quarter-final, have no injury scares with striker Wayne Rooney and defender Rio Ferdinand rested over the weekend as they attempt to make their fourth consecutive Champions League semi-final.

In the other quarter-final match of the day, Olympique Lyon need to come out on top in the first ever Champions League all-French tie against Girondins Bordeaux to make their first semi-final appearance.

Lyon, who won seven Ligue 1 titles in a row before seeing Bordeaux break their run last season, are almost at full strength.

Bordeaux, who lost their League Cup final to Olympique Marseille 3-1 on Saturday, will be without suspended holding midfielder Alou Diarra and defender Marc Planus, who is nursing a knee injury.

Source: Web Search

Ill Cavendish quits Catalunya three days after stage win

Published>Sat, Mar 27 10 01:49 AM

British sprinter Mark Cavendish abandoned the Tour of Catalunya during Friday's fifth stage after coming down with flu three days after his first win of the season.

The most prolific winner of 2009, with 24 victories, quit 80 kilometres into the 181.2-km stage won by Italian Davide Malacarne.

"I've been feeling ill for the last couple of days and today was worse," Cavendish told Reuters.

HTC-Columbia team manager Brian Holm added the illness was nothing to worry about.

"It's nothing too serious, he said he was feeling bad the last few days and it's got worse today," he said.

"I told him he should stop if he was feeling so bad, he wasn't happy but it was the right thing to do."

Cavendish's start to racing in 2010 was delayed by two weeks after a severe tooth infection wrecked his early season training programme.

On Tuesday he ended a six-month wait for a win by taking an emphatic bunch sprint victory in stage two of the Tour of Catalunya.

The Tour of Catalunya finishes on Sunday in Montmelo. Spain's Joaquim Rodriguez is the overall leader.

Source: Web Search

IPL scoreboard: Deccan Chargers vs Rajasthan Royals

Published>Sat, Mar 27 10 01:19 AM

Ahmedabad, March 27 (IANS) Scoreboard of the Indian Premier League match between Deccan Chargers and Rajasthan Royals.

Deccan Chargers

Adam Gilchrist c Pathan b Narwal 1 (3b)

VVS Laxman c Pathan b Tait 10 (12, 1x4)

Herschelle Gibbs st Ojha b Warne 25 (14b, 2x4, 2x6

Andrew Symonds run out (Jhunjhunwala/Warne) 22 (14b, 3x4

Rohit Sharma c Lumb b Tait 49 (35b, 2x4, 3x6)

T Suman b Tait 9 (15b)

Y Venugopal Rao run out (Jhunjhunwala) 2 (5b)

Chaminda Vaas run out (Dogra) 8 (13b)

Rahul Sharma c Jhunjhunwala b Narwal 10 (5b)

RP Singh not out 1 (4b)

Pragyan Ojha not out 0

Extras (b 2, lb 2, w 7) 11

Total (for nine wickets in 20 overs) 148

Fall of wickets 1-2 (Gilchrist, 0.4 overs), 2-40 (Laxman, 4.4), 3-58 (Gibbs, 6.4), 4-71 (Symonds, 8.1), 5-99 (Suman, 12.3), 6-103 (Venugopal Rao, 13.3), 7-128 (Vaas, 17.6), 8-138 (R Sharma, 18.5), 9-147 (RG Sharma, 19.4)

Bowling

Sumit Narwal 4 0 35 2

Abhishek Jhunjhunwala 1 0 16

Siddharth Trivedi 3 0 35 0

Shaun Tait 4 0 22 3

Shane Warne 4 0 15 1

Yusuf Pathan 2 0 12 0

Adam Voges 2 0 9 0

Rajasthan Royals

Michael Lumb run out (Singh/Gilchrist) 45 (32b, 7x4)

Naman Ojha st Gilchrist b Ojha 14 (17b, 1x4, 1x6)

Yusuf Pathan not out 73 (34b, 2x4, 8x6)

Faiz Fazal not out 8 (11b, 1x4)

Extras (lb 4, w 7) 11

Total (for two wickets in 15.4 overs) 151

Fall of wickets 1-55 (Ojha, 6.3 overs), 2-101 (Lumb, 11.2)

Bowling

Chaminda Vaas 3 0 29 0

RP Singh 2 0 22 0

RG Sharma 2 0 17 0

R Sharma 3.4 0 30 0

Pragyan Ojha 3 0 40 1

Andrew Symonds 2 0 9 0

Source: Web Search

Yusuf Pathan powers Rajasthan Royals to victory against Deccan Chargers

Published>Sat, Mar 27 10 12:59 AM

Ahmedabad, March 27 (IANS) Phenomenal Yusuf Pathan went on a six-hitting spree as Rajasthan Royals crushed defending champions Deccan Chargers by eight wickets and tore apart the form book of Indian Premier League here Friday.

Yusuf struck eight towering sixes in his unbeaten 73 runs off 34 balls that saw Royals chase down the victory target of 149 runs in just 15.4 overs. It was Royals opener Micahel Lumb, who gave an explosive start to their chase with a 32-ball 45 that included seven fours, four smashed in an RP Singh over.

With Lumb on fire, Royals blasted 55 runs off 21 balls before losing their first wicket in Naman Ojha (14).

From there on it turned out to be a one-man show as Pathan whacked the bowlers all over the park sending the ball soaring over the stadium effortlessly amid huge roar from the home crowd. Deccan Chargers skipper Adam Gichrist ran out of ideas with Yusuf in such murderous mood.

When Yusuf hit the winning six off Rahul Sharma, it was his 19th six of the tournament in six matches, the most in this year's IPL. Bangalore's Robin Uthappa and Super Kings' Mathew Hayden are way behind at second and third spot with 12 and 11 sixes.

Pathan, who had struck nine sixes en route IPL's fastest 100 off 37 balls in their opening match against Mumbai Indians, took his runs tally to 242 at a strike rate of 181.95, the best by any batsmen so far.

Rajasthan Royals, who lost their first three matches, bounced back with three wins in a trot that saw them jump to third place with six points. Deccan Chargers lost their second match of the tournament and are placed behind Royals at fourth position.

The Royals suddenly looks a formidable outfit. They had a dream run in the inaugural IPL in 2007 when they went on to become the champions without any star power in their ranks.

Charismatic Shane Warne had inspired the team and plotted downfall of their opponents.

Tonight Warne again was back to his best, bowling with guile and spot on with his strategies.

With Warne leading the attack, the Royals bowled intelligently to restrict a strong batting side like Deccan Chargers to 148 for nine.

Warne looked in ominous form as he had dangerous Herschelle Gibbs (25) stumped with a beautiful flighted delivery. Warne showed the way conceding only 15 runs in four overs and one again his bowling changes did the trick.

Express fast Shaun Tait was the pick of the bowler, getting three wickets for just 22 runs. Sumit Narwal claimed two wickets.

Rohit Sharma, the top scorer for Chargers with 49 runs, hit three sixes and two fours before falling to Tait.

Abhishek Jhunjunwala was outstanding in the field as he effected two run outs.

Source: Web Search