Pathan brothers lead India to victory

COLOMBO: World champions India relied on a late blitzkrieg by Pathan brothers Yusuf and Irfan to snatch a thrilling three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the one-off Twenty20 International on Tuesday. Chasing a stiff target of 172, Irfan (33 not out) and Yusuf (22 not out) scored 59 runs from 25 balls in the tense final moments to steer India home in a pulsating floodlit contest at the Premadasa Stadium.

Suresh Raina (35) and Yuvraj Singh (32) were the other notable performers for the visitors as India capped their brief tour of Sri Lanka with a stunning victory in the Twenty20 game in addition to their 4-1 ODI series triumph.

Earlier, captain Tillakaratne Dilshan led from the front, smashing his maiden half century to guide Sri Lanka to 171 for four after he won the toss and elected to bat. Veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya contributed a quickfire 17-ball 33 in the first Twenty20 match between the two sides

Source: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/quickiearticleshow/4108601.cms

India targetting higher ranking by year-end: Harendra

CHANDIGARH: The runners-up finish in the Punjab Gold Cup has lifted the morale of the Indian hockey team which will now chase the number six spot from the current 11th in the world rankings by the end of this year, coach in-charge Harendra Singh said on Tuesday.

"After we failed to qualify for the Olympics, the team was low on confidence and morale. Now, after their performance in the Argentina Test series and the Punjab Cup, the confidence level is back and you will see results in upcoming tournaments as well," Harendra said.

He said the team was eyeing the Champions Challenge in Argentina in December which would take them to the number six spot. After that, breaking into top four would be the next target.

"I have set realistic targets for my team. Now, if somebody expects us to be world champions overnight, I think that would be too much," he said.

Harendra said though India lost 1-2 to European Champions Holland in the Punjab Gold Cup on Monday, the result has not been a disappointment at all.

"I think we were equal to the challenge and we delivered. If my team goes down fighting, there is nothing to be disheartened about. Yesterday also though we lost, but I think our hockey won. The Cup has also proved to be a good platform to take our hockey forward," Harendra said.

He, however, said, "it does not mean we will not work on our shortcomings. Of course, there is a lot of scope for further improvement which we will sit back and discuss with the team."

Harendra said India faced a major problem of conceding "soft penalty corners" besides some lapses in the defence, an area where they will need to improve.

Harendra said he has taught his wards to play attacking hockey.

"I cannot think of being defensive. I always tell my team that you have to play for a win and even if the result is not in our favour on some days, we must not surrender without putting up a fight," he said.

Asked why the nation's hockey had lost its glory in recent years, Harendra said, "One of the reasons for the downfall of Indian hockey in recent years is not having international tournaments at home."

"People don't get to see their players in action back home and the support which the national game needs from the crowds is not there," Harendra said.

"We need more events like the Punjab Cup, which was a state government organised event, for which former captain and organising secretary of the tournament, Pargat Singh deserves a lot of credit. Such tournaments and even Test series with different nations should be held in other parts of the country as well for the revival of hockey," he suggested.

"Our hockey needs a collective effort by all to bring back its old glory. I don't think one person like me or for that matter any other individual alone can restore the sport's lost glory," he added.

Harendra said India would be leaving for Australia on February 11 for a two-match series followed by another four-match series in New Zealand from February 19.

Source: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_targetting_higher_ranking_by_year-end/articleshow/4105548.cms

Mind your business, Jankovic tells Federer

PARIS: Roger Federer should concentrate on his own career rather than criticising others, Serb Jelena Jankovic said on Tuesday after being irked by the Swiss master's unflattering verdict on her No. 1 world ranking last year.

Last month, former world No. 1 Federer hit out at the way the WTA rankings were calculated, saying a player who has never won a Grand Slam should not be granted the No. 1 spot.

Jankovic reached the top spot in the WTA rankings in August having never won a major. She lost her first Grand Slam final to Serena Williams at last year's US Open.

The Serb has since dropped down to third in the world following a shock fourth-round defeat to France's Marion Bartoli at the Australian Open.

"To be honest, I do not like to talk about players, I really prefer to focus on myself," Jankovic said in an interview at the Paris Open. She said she could not understand why Federer felt the need to hit out at women's tennis while his great rival Rafa Nadal, who took over from the Swiss as world number one, was so "humble".

"Why should he even care? I don't like putting my nose in other's business. I mean, one thing I like about Nadal is that he is such a great champion, he is so humble, always has kind words for everybody, he is a role model for everybody," said Jankovic.

Federer also led the charge against Jankovic's compatriot Novak Djokovic when he quit because of the heat in his Australian Open quarter-final match.

Source: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mind_your_business_Jankovic_tells_Federer/articleshow/4108619.cms

Brazil turn on style to beat Italy 2-0

LONDON: Brazil turned on the style to beat world champions Italy 2-0 in a friendly on Tuesday thanks to first-half goals by Elano and Robinho.

Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi missed out on a record 32 unbeaten matches in charge as Brazil made light of Kaka's absence to put on a performance which belied their coach Dunga's reputation as a dour tactician.

The defending was not good on either side but the capacity crowd at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium decked in Brazilian and Italian colours were not complaining about the open match.

Elano added to the two goals he scored for Brazil against Argentina at the same stadium in 2006 with a fine opener in the 13th minute after laying the ball back to Robinho and picking up the return pass to slot it past Gianluigi Buffon.

Robinho then had the Brazilian section of the crowd in raptures with a brilliant solo goal.

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro's attempted overhead shot was cleared and his opposite number Lucio broke fast downfield before laying the ball off to the right.

Ronaldinho, who mixed silky skills with wayward passing all night, crossed poorly and Italy's Andrea Pirlo appeared to have control of the situation.

But Robinho robbed him of possession and tricked his way past two other defenders before shooting clinically into the far corner.

Italy twice had he ball in the net but were denied first when a high Pirlo ball into the Brazil box was brilliantly volleyed past Julio Cesar from an offside position.

Substitute striker Luca Toni had a second-half effort ruled out after he controlled the ball with his arm under pressure from Lucio and Juan before steering the ball into the net.

Toni might have pulled one back near the end but Julio Cesar blocked his neat close-range flick from a low cross.

Dhoni backs Yuvraj to take up Ganguly’s Test spot

Dhoni backs Yuvraj to take up Ganguly’s Test spot

Colombo, Feb 9: Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has little doubts over Yuvraj Singh’s abilities as a Test player and was hopeful that the south paw will carry on his superb form into the longer version of the game during the New Zealand tour. Yuvraj has been an integral part of the India’s ODI and Twenty20 for a long time now but it was only last year when he was recalled into the Test side. The 27-year-old earned his place in the Indian team with some good performances in the limited-over format and Sourav Ganguly’s retirment also played an important role in his selection for the Test matches. “He deserves a place in the Test side,” Dhoni said adding, ''The good thing with him is that if he settles, he puts in a lot of pressure on the opposition. “His bowling is a plus point and he is a brilliant fielder too,” Dhoni pointed. India will begin its tour to New Zealand later this month and is scheduled to play two Twenty20 matches, five ODIs and three Tests. Dhoni admitted that Ganguly’s retirement did open the gates of Test side for Yuvraj and was hopeful that he will make the most out of that opportunity. “Sourav Ganguly’s retirement gives him a good opportunity,” Hopefully, he can cash in on it. “A batsman like him who can come in at number five or six and who can support VVS Laxman will be a big help,” he added. Yuvraj wasn’t amongst the runs the last time India toured Sri Lanka but this time he made the amends, earning the man of the series in India's 4-1 win. Dhoni said Yuvraj was susceptible to spin in the past but he was sure that the left-hander has overcome that problem. “I spent a lot of time in the nets figuring out how to tackle the spinners.” “I haven’t changed too many things in my game. The more you play, the more you learn, so I just backed myself and played to my strengths,” Dhoni said.