Bowled over

Published>Fri, Apr 02 10 02:59 AM

Ace cricketer Anil Kumble has also always been an avid photographer. Over the years, he has immortalised many a unique moment, personal and those in the glare of global arclights. The moment when his son Mayas slid down the sand dunes in Dubai. Or the moment of the Johannesburg victory against South Africa in the first Test in 2006-07. "A rare moment for all of us desperately seeking a victory abroad," writes Kumble. "After being hounded in the ODI (we lost 4-0), this was a great celebration for all of us. It was the last time we (Tendulkar, Laxman, Ganguly, Dravid) played together in South Africa?it was very special for us." Indeed.

Wide Angle , which is available at wideangle.canvera.com, also brings together candid moments of the Indian team in their less visible avatars? in the dressing room, and even fancy dress outfits at a team-building exercise. For those immortalised in this book, these are memories brought to life.

Source: Web Search

India beat USA in Kabbadi

Published Fri, Apr 02 10 01:09 AM

Patiala, Apr 3 (PTI) Indian Kabaddi Team today started its campaign in the World Cup in style trouncing the United States 62 - 25. India, led by renowned stopper Mangat Singh Mangi, dominated from the word "go" and retained dominance throughout the 40-minute action-filled match. The USA tried to come back in the game in the middle but failed to match the skill and determination of the Indians, who were playing in front of a huge gathering. Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal opened the first World Kabbadi.

Source: Web Search

Mumbai Indians outplay Deccan Chargers

Published>Fri, Apr 02 10 12:39 AM

Mumbai, April 3 (IANS) Mumbai Indians turned on a flawless performance to outplay defending champions Deccan Chargers by 63 runs in Indian Premier League match here Saturday.

After setting a tough target of 179 runs, Mumbai Indians bowlers made the most of a slow track to restrict Deccan Chargers to 115.

For Mumbai Indians, Ambati Rayudu smashed an unbeaten 55 off 29 balls with six fours and two sixes. Saurabh Tiwary made 44 while Sachin Tendulkar struck 35. Kieron Pollard gave the late charge with a 10-ball 21.

Deccan Chargers were never in the hunt and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Andrew Symonds (21) was the top scorer. Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Pollard and Ryan Mclaren all took two wickets each to pack off the visitors in 18.2 overs.

It was Mumbai Indians' seventh victory in eight matches and they continued their march towards the semi-finals. With 14 points, Mumbai Indians are at the top of the table. Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils are next in the standings with eight points each.

For Deccan Chargers, the road to the semi-finals will be difficult from here as they have gone down to seventh place in the league standings. It was their fifth loss in eight matches and they have only six points to show.

Deccan Chargers were disappointing both with the bat and the ball. Their fielding too was unimpressive.

Herschelle Gibbs (17) and Adam Gilchrist (19) were kept on a tight lease by Mumbai bowlers.

Harbhajan and Lasith Malinga, opening the bowling for Mumbai Indians, did a fantastic job in keeping the two dangerous batsmen on a tight lease.

Zaheer dismissed both Gibbs and Gilchrist while V.V.S.Laxman was run out after a terrible mix-up. Mumbai Indians were thus three wickets down for 40 runs and could never recover.

Pollard took a briliant catch to get rid of Rohit Sharma (11) while Symonds fell to McLaren and then the lower order fell apart.

Earlier, Mumbai Indians chose to bat after winning the toss. Tendulkar struck five sweetly-timed fours, scoring 35 off 25 balls.

Tiwary, who had been the find of the tournament, came good hitting three big sixes in his 35-ball knock.

Rayudu then entertained with a 29-ball 55 and together with Pollard hit 64 runs in the last four overs. Rayudu hit six fours and two sixes while Pollard struck three fours. Left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha took three wickets.

Source: Web Search

Clijsters crushes Venus to win Sony Ericsson Open

Published>Fri, Apr 02 10 12:31 AM

Belgian Kim Clijsters crushed Venus Williams 6-2 6-1 in a one-sided Sony Ericsson Open final on Saturday.

Williams, wearing bandaging on both legs, was never in a contest which was won in just 58 minutes by the 2009 U.S Open winner.

The match was reminiscent of last year's final at Key Biscayne when Williams's sister Serena, also looking short of fitness, surrendered in similar fashion to Belarussian Victoria Azarenka.

Clijsters returned to tennis last year from a two-year break to give birth to daughter Jada, who watched from the stands.

The Belgian, winner of this event in 2005, never looked back from the moment she broke in the third game of the first set.

Clijsters won 55 total points to Williams' 29 and her victory ends the American's 15-match winning streak.

Source: Web Search

Kabaddi World Cup begins in Punjab

Published>Fri, Apr 02 10 12:27 AM

Patiala (Punjab), April 3 (IANS) The first edition of World Cup Kabaddi Punjab-2010 (WCKP) championship, with nine countries participating, got off to a colourful start amid the presence of many dignitaries here Saturday evening.

Bollywood actors Dharmendra and his son Sunny Deol also participated in the function.

Declaring the tournament open, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal promised to add more focus on rural games like kabaddi in the new sports policy of the state.

The opening ceremony of this first-ever international kabaddi tournament showcased the strong cultural legacy of India through folk dances of 14 different states. Besides, spectators were regaled by Punjabi singers and comedians.

The team winning the competition will receive a cash award of Rs.1 crore, and the first runner-up will bag Rs.51 lakh. The second and third runner-up teams will take home Rs.21 and Rs.10 lakh respectively.

Besides Rs.500,000 each will be given to other participating teams.

Nine countries like Pakistan, US, Great Britain, Canada, Iran and Australia are participating in this 11-day event.

Source: Web Search

Mumbai Indians beat Deccan Chargers by 63 runs

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 11:59 PM

Mumbai, April 3 (IANS) Mumbai Indians defeated Deccan Chargers by 63 runs in an Indian Premier League match here Saturday.

Set a target of 179 runs, Deccan Chargers were all out for 115 in 18.2 overs.

For Mumbai Indians, Ambati Rayudu smashed an unbeaten 55 off 29 balls with six fours and two sixes. Saurabh Tiwary made 44 while Sachin Tendulkar struck 35. Kieron Pollard gave the late charge with a 10-ball 21.

Andrew Symonds (21) was the highest scorer for Deccan Chargers.

Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Pollard and Ryan McLaren all took two wickets each

Source: Web Search

Chelsea go top after victory at Man United

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 11:49 PM

A controversial goal from Didier Drogba helped Chelsea to a 2-1 victory at Manchester United on Saturday as the Londoners leapfrogged the champions at the top of the Premier League.

Joe Cole scored Chelsea's first after 20 minutes before substitute Drogba made it 2-0 after 79 despite being offside when he collected the ball.

Substitute Federico Macheda then handled the ball when he pulled one back for United two minutes later.

Arsenal stayed in the title race by beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium thanks to a goal four minutes into stoppage time from Nicklas Bendtner.

With five matches to play Chelsea have 74 points, United 72 and Arsenal 71.

Tottenham Hotspur stumbled in the race for fourth place when they lost 3-1 at Sunderland.

Former Tottenham player Darren Bent scored twice, one a penalty, but also missed two other spot kicks as Spurs lost for the first time in 10 matches.

Manchester City will go above Spurs if they win at Burnley in the evening kickoff (1730 GMT).

"Chelsea are in the driving seat now, there's no question about that," United manager Alex Ferguson told his club's website (www.manutd.com) before complaining about Drogba's goal.

"What I don't understand is the linesman's directly in front of it. He has no one near him and he gets it wrong. A game of that magnitude, you really need quality officials and we didn't get them today."

Chelsea, inspired by an outstanding display from Florent Malouda, had the better of the opening half. United, without injured striker Wayne Rooney, improved in the second in a tense game with few scoring chances for either side.

TITLE FIGHT

The match was the first of two titanic encounters in Manchester on Saturday, with the WBA heavyweight title fight between champion David Haye and John Ruiz taking place in the city later in the evening.

Haye was presented to the crowd ahead of kickoff before Chelsea started the game with real verve.

United looked leaden-footed and flat following their defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday and Chelsea's early dominance was rewarded with a goal.

Malouda, who has shone recently, powered his way through three defenders before holding off Darren Fletcher and crossing for Cole to score with an impudent flick off his heel.

United looked livelier after the break with Dimitar Berbatov leading the line and going close with a header after 60 minutes.

Just when United seemed likely to find an equaliser Chelsea doubled their lead.

Drogba, who replaced Nicolas Anelka 10 minutes earlier, got the goal when he blasted the ball past keeper Edwin van der Sar but he was clearly in an offside position when he collected the ball from Salomon Kalou.

Italian teenager Macheda then set up a frantic finale when he bundled the ball in from close range.

Arsenal scored their third injury-time winner in six matches to beat Wolves.

The Gunners were made to fight by Wolves who had skipper Karl Henry sent off after 66 minutes for a foul on Tomas Rosicky, a red card Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said was harsh.

Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham slipped up at Sunderland where Bent scored in the first minute before making it 2-0 with a penalty in the 29th.

Bent, who also missed a spot kick when Sunderland played at Spurs in November, then missed two more penalties before Anton Ferdinand had a goal disallowed for Sunderland.

Peter Crouch pulled a goal back for the visitors with 18 minutes to go before Boudewijn Zenden volleyed in Sunderland's third.

"It was one of the all-time great volleys," said Spurs manager Harry Redknapp.

Bottom club Portsmouth drew 0-0 with Blackburn Rovers while Stoke City defeated relegation-threatened Hull City 2-0.

Source: Web Search

Liquor licence cancelled for one Ferozshah Kotla enclosure

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 11:29 PM

New Delhi, April 3 (IANS) The Delhi government's excise department Saturday withdrew licence of one of the enclosures allowed to serve liquor inside the Ferozshah Kotla Stadium as it was too near the field.

'Though the organisers had applied for liquor licenses in seven enclosures, the excise department has decided to withdraw license of one enclosure close to the ground, as it was near the playing arena,' according to an official statement here.

The stadium is at present hosting T20 cricket matches of Indian Premier League, which is India's domestic T20 league.

'The department directed the organisers to ensure that the people consuming liquor in the licensed enclosures do not go out with liquor in their hand and if any such instance is noticed, then necessary action will be taken as per law including revocation of the liquor licences,' the statement added.

A strict vigil would be kept by the enforcement staff of the excise department who will closely monitor the situation during the match Sunday.

Delhi Finance Minister A.K Walia has asked the Delhi police to maintain law and order during the IPL matches at the ground.

Source: Web Search

KKR spinner Kartik doubtful starter for KXIP match

Published Thu, Apr 01 10 11:09 PM

Kolkata, Apr 3 (PTI) Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Murali Kartik is down with a niggle and is a doubtful starter for his side''s return leg Indian Premier League match against Kings XI Punjab at the Eden Gardens here tomorrow. Even as the team management remained tightlipped about the left-arm spinner''s injury, sources said he has developed some back problem. "He was taken to a city hospital for an MRI. It''s all precaution," said a KKR source. Kartik incidentally did not turn up for the optional practice in the evening today. Coach Dav Whatmore during the media interaction hinted that his side might have an injury concern but refused to give further details. "It''s difficult to answer. We have one or may have. I don''t really know and is not quite sure. It''s not the time to tell you," Whatmore said when asked whether his side has any injury concerns. Kartik, who has taken five wickets from seven matches with a tidy economy rate of 5.96, is a vital cog in the Knight Riders bowling attack. In Kartik''s likely absence, Mumbai leg-spinner Iqbal Abdulla might be picked.

Source: Web Search

Motta double helps keep Inter in front

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 11:03 PM

Midfielder Thiago Motta scored twice to help suspension-hit Inter Milan maintain their slim lead in Serie A with a 3-0 win over Bologna on Saturday.

The Brazilian midfielder's goals were separated by a 52nd minute effort by 19-year-old forward Mario Balotelli, who returned to action after being frozen out of the team for a month following a row with coach Jose Mourinho.

Second-placed AS Roma, who stayed in the hunt by beating Inter last week, remain one point behind thanks to a 1-0 victory at Bari.

AC Milan remained third after snapping a three match winless streak with a 3-2 victory at Cagliari.

With six matches to go, Inter have 66 points, Roma are on 65 while Milan stayed in contention with 63. Fourth placed Palermo, who face Catania later on Saturday (1700 GMT) lag far behind on 51.

Inter, without suspended quartet Samuel Eto'o, Lucio, Maicon and captain Javier Zanetti, enjoyed possession from the start with Bologna's only real chance coming early on when Adailton hit the post with a freekick.

But, as in Wednesday's 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, they wasted many chances before Motta broke the deadlock with a diagonal shot just before the half hour.

Balotelli, who was included in the team after apologising to Mourinho, sidefooted home to double the lead before Motta sealed it with a crisp shot five minutes from time.

Roma remained hot on Inter's heels after Mirko Vucinic sprinted on to a Luca Toni pass and produced a cool finish for their winner in the 19th.

In Sardinia Marco Borriello drove into the bottom corner after a one-two with Clarence Seedorf to put Milan in front in the seventh minute.

Daniele Ragatzu took advantage of some sloppy defending to equalise 10 minutes later but Klaas-Jan Huntelaar responded almost immediately with a splendid long distance left-footed strike.

Alessandro Matri fired Cagliari level again only for defender Davide Astori to hand the advantage back to Milan with an 38th minute own goal.

Sampdoria boosted their bid for Italy's final Champions League place when they beat Chievo Verona 2-1 away to pull level with fourth-placed Palermo.

But sixth placed Napoli's European drive slowed when they were held 1-1 at Lazio.

Juventus, who are three points behind Palermo and Sampdoria and one behind Napoli, meet relegation-threatened Udinese away in the late game.

Third-from-bottom Atalanta lifted their survival hopes by winning the relegation dogfight against Siena 2-0.

Source: Web Search

Poor fielding and bowling cost us match: Warne

Published Thu, Apr 01 10 10:35 PM

Chennai, Apr 3 (PTI) Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne considers Indian Premier League as the toughest Twenty20 event in the world and said his side paid the price for lack of intensity in fielding and bowling against Channai Super Kings here today. "We are playing in IPL where the intensity is high more than the other games in any part of the world. And, if your fielding is not good and catching poor then you have to be blamed," he said after his side''s 23-run defeat. "It is a flat wicket and a tiny ground. I knew the total would be little over 200 and 210 was par. Our fielding was quite bad. We dropped a lot of catches especially of Albie Morkel. Bowling at the death was also a concern for us. I think the difference probably was up in fielding and catching. We missed catches at crucial times," he said. "I could have had Morkel on couple of times and things would have been different then. It is of course credit to him to have hit the balls too. It is just the nature of the game and we are going to get smashed. On a wicket like this everyone is getting smashed," he added. He, however, praised his batsmen for a spirited run chase, especially Naman Ojha who made an unbeaten 55-ball 94. "It was hell of a chase but our batsmen responded well enough. To chase 246 for a win and losing the match by 20 odd runs is hell of a chase. Ojha did exceptionally well and more so as he has to keep the wicket. He showed tremendous stamina," said the Australian. Warne said his side will have to address fielding and bowling woes if they want to qualify for the semifinals. "Something we need to address our fielding and bowling. We have three more matches coming at home. We showed a lot of character and spirit but the whole thing was not enough as we lost two games in a row. Winning the next match is crucial against Deccan Charges. We do not want to get in to a scenario in which you lose one and then pushed to win all other for a semifinal berth," he said. .

Source: Web Search

Ferguson nonplussed as Drogba goal gives Chelsea impetus

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 10:29 PM

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was left nonplussed after a linesman failed to flag for an offside against Didier Drogba which gave Chelsea the edge in the race for the Premier League title.

United, trailing 1-0, were having the lion's share of the chances midway through the second half of a fraught match at Old Trafford on Saturday when Drogba made what might prove the decisive intervention in the race for the crown.

The Ivory Coast international was in an offside position when he received the ball from Saloman Kalou before smashing home superbly from an angle past Edwin van der Sar to give Chelsea a 2-0 advantage. They held on for a 2-1 win.

"What I can't understand is the linesman's directly in front of it," said an exasperated Ferguson after watching his side slip two points behind their London rivals.

"He has no one near him and he gets it wrong. A game of that magnitude, you really need quality officials and we didn't get them today. It was a poor, poor performance."

Ferguson refused to be drawn on referee Mike Dean, whose appointnment for the match had caused debate ahead of the game.

"I don't know about that. I'm not going into that. When I saw it was Mike Dean, I did worry, I must admit. Plenty of people are criticising him but I'm not going to go down that road," he told the club's website (www.manutd.com).

Ferguson conceded that that Chelsea were now favourites to win the title for the first time since 2006 after Carlo Ancelotti achieved the Premier League double over Ferguson in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.

"Chelsea are in the driving seat now -- there's no question about that," added Ferguson.

"They're two points ahead of us with five games left. They also have a better goal difference than us.

"I'm sure we'll respond. But we can win our next five games and not win it because Chelsea can win their five and win the league."

Ancelotti told his players, who still have tough matches away to Tottenham and Liverpool, not to get carried away.

"Nothing has been decided," said the Italian. "We have to stay focused. We are happy to win here because it's important for our confidence. But nothing has been decided.

"We've obviously now got more possibility than Manchester United of winning the title but there are still five games to play.

"What did I think of the referee's performance? I have never spoken about the referee during the season and I don't want to speak now."

How United must have wished Wayne Rooney had been on the pitch instead of watching in one of Old Trafford's executive boxes nursing an ankle injury.

Source: Web Search

Chennai Super Kings beat Rajasthan Royals by 23 runs

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 09:49 PM

Chennai, April 3 -- The Chennai Super Kings beat Rajasthan Royals by 23 runs in a high scoring match where they posted a target of 247 as M Vijay scored 127. The Chennai Super Kings, who elected to bat first scored highest IPL score 246 against Rajasthan Royals in Chennai. An explosive 56-ball 127 by opener Murali Vijay and his 152-run partnership for the third wicket with Albie Morkel carried a rejuvenated Chennai Super Kings to 246 for five in their 20 overs against the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) game in Chennai on Saturday. In the process, the Super Kings bettered their own IPL record total of 240 for five (in 2008 vs Kings XI Punjab at Mohali) as Vijay (11 x 6, 8 x 4) and Morkel (62, 34b, 5 x 6, 3 x 4) ran riot against a rather sloppy Rajasthan Royals who were guilty of dropping a couple of sharp chances. Opting to bat first on winning the toss, the Super Kings were on a roll with Vijay, following up on his 78 in the previous game, leading the way with a sublime innings that took the edge out of the Royals attack. Lending Vijay excellent support was fellow-opener Matthew Hayden who made a rapid 34 (24b, 1 x 6, 5 x 4) before Morkel joined him after Suresh Raina (13) fell cheaply to indulge in big-hitting that saw the Super Kings piling on 91 runs in the first 10 overs and a further 155 in the next 10. The Teams:

Rajasthan Royals: Shane Warne (c), Naman Ojha, AS Raut, S Narwal, S Wagh, A Jhunjhunwala, Yusuf Pathan, F Fazal, Shane Watson, M Lumb, Shaun Tait.

Source: Web Search

Swann arrested on suspecion of drink driving, gets bail

Published Thu, Apr 01 10 09:35 PM

London, Apr 3 (PTI) England cricketer Graeme Swann, currently the number three bowler in the ICC Test ranking, was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving, police has revealed here today. The 31-year-old off-spinner, who had a successful tour of South Africa and Bangladesh recently, was stopped by police while returning to his home in the West Bridgford area of Nottingham yesterday morning. "A 31-year-old man was arrested on Byron Road, West Bridgford, at 3.23 am on Friday, April 2 on suspicion of drink-driving," a Nottinghamshire Police spokesperson said. Swann, however, later got bail. Swann had reportedly been out to celebrate his birthday, which was last week. The right-arm bowler was stopped just yards from a police station and 1.5 km from his home.

Source: Web Search

IPL scoreboard: Chennai Super Kings vs. Rajasthan Royals

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 09:19 PM

Chennai, April 3 (IANS) The following is the scoreboard of an Indian Premier League match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals:

Murali Vijay c Fazal b Watson 127 (56b, 11 x 6, 8 x 4)

Matthew Hayden c Watson b Wagh 34 (21b, 1 x 6, 5 x 4)

Suresh Raina c Tait b Warne 13 (7b, 2 x 4)

Albie Morkel run out Narwal 62 (34b, 5 x 6, 3 x 4)

Mahendra Singh Dhoni c Narwal b Watson 00 (1b)

Subramaniam Badrinath not out 4 (1b, 1 x 4)

Anirudha Srikkanth (not out) 0 (0b)

Extras: (b-4, w-2)6

Total: (for five wickets in 20 overs) 246.

Fall of wickets: 1-62 (Hayden, 5.5 overs); 2-83 (Raina, 8.2); 3-235 (Morlek, 19.2); 4-241 (Vijay, 19.4), 5-241 (Dhoni, 19.5).

Bowling:

Yusuf Pathan 4-0-44-0

Sumit Narwal 2-0-41-0

Shaun Tait 4-0-44-0 (1w)

Shane Watson 4-0-47-2 (1w)

Shrikant Wagh 1-0-16-1

Shane Warne 3-0-32-1

Abhishek Jhunjhunwala 2-0-18-0

Rajasthan Royals:

Michael Lumb c Anirudha b Morkel 37 (26b, 1 x 6, 6 x 4)

Naman Ojha (not out) 94 (55b, 6 x 6, 8 x 4)

Yusuf Pathan c Bollinger b Morkel 4 (2b, 1 x 4)

Shane Watson b Bollinger 60 (25b, 5 x 6, 5 x 4)

Faiz Fazal c Anirudha b Muralitharan 4 (5b)

Abhishek Jhunjhunwala c Raina b Bollinger 7 (4b, 1 x 6)

Abhishek Raut not out 2 (4b)

Extras: (b-4, lb-6, w-4, nb-1)15

Total (for 5 wkts, 20 overs) 223

Fall of wickets: 1-69 (Lumb, 7.2); 2-80 (Pathan, 7.6); 3-177 (Watson, 15.1); 4-192 (Fazal, 17.1); 5-210 (Jhunjhunwala, 18.3).

Bowling:

Albie Morkel 4-0-56-2

Doug Bollinger 4-0-15-2

Sudip Tyagi 4-0-45-0

Muttiah Muralitharan 4-0-55-1

Shadab Jakati 3-0-37-0

Suresh Raina 1-0-8-0

Source: Web Search

Nehwal top seed in Asian Badminton Championships

Published Thu, Apr 01 10 09:05 PM

New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI) Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal has become the first Indian to get top billing in Asian Badminton Championships as she has been seeded number one in women''s singles in the tournament starting at Siri Fort Stadium here from April 12. Besides Saina, the mixed doubels pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju also became the first Indian combine to get top seeding in the continental tournament that will also be a test event for the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games here. The draw was announced by Badminton Asia Confederation Secretary General V K Verma in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Three-time champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia''s is the top seed in men''s singles ahead of reigning world and Olympic champion Lin Dan of China, a release said today. Saina, currently world number five, will start her campaign against Thailand''s Porntip Buranaprasertsuk. "Overall, I would rate it as fighting draws for Indians in men''s singles. With Taufiq and Lin Dan participating, it promises to be a very high level tournament," Indian chief national Coach P Gopichand said. The championship has drawn an unprecedented 257 entries. The qualifying rounds will be played on April 12 and 13 before the main competition gets underway on April 14.

Source: Web Search

Rajasthan two down in chase of 247

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 08:59 PM

Chennai, April 3 -- The Chennai Super Kings who elected to bat first have scored 82 runs for the loss of one wicket against the Rajasthan Royals in Chennai. For Chennai, Australian pacer Doug Bollinger replaced Thilan Thushara, while Sudeep Tyagi came in place of Manpreet Gony Aniruddh Srikkanth replaced C Ganapathy, while Shane Watson came in place of Adam Voges in the Chennai team. Rajasthan have made two changes. Siddharth Trivedi and Paras Dogra have been replaced by Srikant Wagh and Abhishek Raut. The Teams:

Rajasthan Royals: Shane Warne (c), Naman Ojha, AS Raut, S Narwal, S Wagh, A Jhunjhunwala, Yusuf Pathan, F Fazal, Shane Watson, M Lumb, Shaun Tait.

Source: Web Search

Vijay''s stunning ton helps Chennai beat Rajasthan

Published Thu, Apr 01 10 08:49 PM

R Eswar Chennai, Apr 3 (PTI) Opener Murali Vijay cracked a blistering 56-ball century as Chennai Super Kings kept their semifinal hopes alive by beating Rajasthan Royals by 23 runs in a high-scoring Indian Premier League match here today. Opting to bat, Chennai rode on Vijay''s stunning knock of 127 to post a highly challenging 246 on the board, which is the highest score in the cash-awash tournament. Vijay lit up the M Chidambaram Stadium with the stunning innings, which he adorned with 11 sixes and eight fours, while Albie Morkel also made a breezy 34-ball 62. The hosts then restricted Rajasthan to 223 for five, as opener Naman Ojha''s unbeaten 55-ball 94 and Shane Watson''s 60 off 25 balls went in vain. Chasing the stiff 247-run target, Rajasthan were off to a flying start with Michael Lumb (37 off 26) and Naman Ojha producing a 69-run opening partnership, before the Englishman was removed by Morkel in the eighth over. Lumb struck four six fours and a six during his innings. Hard-hitting batsman Yusuf Pathan (4), however, failed to show his pyrotechnics and returned cheaply when Morkel struck for his second wicket in the last ball of the same over. Watson, who hit five fours and as many sixes, then paired up with Ojha in the middle and the duo added 97 runs for third wicket partnership. But the partnership came to an end just when their team was cruising to the target, thanks to Doug Bollinger who bowled out Watson in the 16th over. From thereon, Rajasthan''s runrate continued to dip and they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Faiz Fazal (4) and Abhishek Jhunjhunwala (7) failed to deliver in the middle as despite a classy knock by Ojha, Rajasthan failed to achieve the target. For the hosts, Bollinger and Morkel took two wickets apiece, giving away 15 and 56 runs respectively. Earlier, Rajasthan''s bowlers literally scurried for cover as Vijay came out with the stunning knock and Chennai bettered their own record of 240 runs against Punjab in an earlier match this season. It was a scintillating batting display by Vijay, who came out to open the innings with Australian power-hitter Matthew Hayden. Although Hayden also looked dangerous but yet again he failed to convert the good start and fell for a 21-ball 34 that included five fours and one massive six. Hayden was dismissed by Shrikant Wagh when he hit a half volley to extra cover, giving a simple catch to Watson, playing his first match for Chennai this season after being kept busy by national duty so far.

Source: Web Search

Rajasthan two down in chase of 247

Published>Thu, Apr 01 10 08:29 PM

Chennai, April 3 -- The Chennai Super Kings who elected to bat first have scored 82 runs for the loss of one wicket against the Rajasthan Royals in Chennai. For Chennai, Australian pacer Doug Bollinger replaced Thilan Thushara, while Sudeep Tyagi came in place of Manpreet Gony Aniruddh Srikkanth replaced C Ganapathy, while Shane Watson came in place of Adam Voges in the Chennai team. Rajasthan have made two changes. Siddharth Trivedi and Paras Dogra have been replaced by Srikant Wagh and Abhishek Raut. The Teams:

Rajasthan Royals: Shane Warne (c), Naman Ojha, AS Raut, S Narwal, S Wagh, A Jhunjhunwala, Yusuf Pathan, F Fazal, Shane Watson, M Lumb, Shaun Tait.

Source: Web Search

Bhandarkar, Das qualify for first Youth Olympic Games

Published Thu, Apr 01 10 08:15 PM

New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI) Youngsters Mallika Bhandarkar and Avik Das will carry India''s medal hopes in the girls and boys categories of table tennis at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore from August 21-26. Bhandarkar and Das made the grade on the basis of their good performance in the ongoing Continental Qualification Event for Asia in Bangkok, Thailand. Bhandarkar beat G Yulia of Kazakhstan 7-11 11-6 11-5 11-7 11-5 to enter semifinal of the girls singles, while compatriot Das got the better of Molarajabi Ali Reza of Iran 11-9 11-8 18-20 7-11 11-4 11-7 in a long-drawn boys quarterfinal. Bhandarkar now plays Kim Song of DPR Korea and Das will take on another Korean Kwang Song in their respective final-four matches, a Table Tennis Federation of India release said today. The top four finishers of the tournament qualify directly for the Youth Olympic Games.

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