Monday, March 1, 2010

India open with a blast

India open with a blast

Hero Honda FIH World Cup • Sandeep Singh scores twice as the host outclass Pakistan 4-1

NEW DELHI, March 1: Ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh rose to the occasion and converted two penalty corners as hosts India outplayed Pakistan 4-1 in a thrilling Pool B match of the Hero Honda FIH World Cup at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Sunday.

With this victory India had avenged their 3-6 Champions Challenge defeat at the hands of the sub-continental rivals in Salta, Argentina last December.

The victory not only gave India a 3-2 head-to-head record against Pakistan in the quadrennial event but also one lakh purse each to the players and support staff of the team.

Sandeep (35th minute, 57th), Shivendra Singh (27th) and Prabhjot Singh (37th) were the scorers for India, while Sohail Abbas (59th) scored Pakistan’s lone goal.

Both India and Pakistan earned five penalty corners each, out of which the home team converted two while their opponent found the net once.

The match was also of huge significance for India and Pakistan on diplomatic front as both the countries are meeting in the sporting arena in India for the first time after 26/11 Mumbai carnage.




Bopara will join team by Wednesday: Kings XI

Bopara will join team by Wednesday: Kings XI

NEW DELHI, March 1: Kings XI Punjab on Monday dismissed media reports that Ravi Bopara is doubtful for this year’s Indian Premier League and said the England batsman would join the team by Wednesday.

“Ravi Bopara is going to be in India no later than March 3 to play in the IPL as part of the Kings XI Punjab squad. All media reports on his non-participation are speculative,” the franchise said in a statement. “We have spoken to Bopara and he has confirmed his participation and is eagerly waiting to join in the hunt for the 2010 IPL trophy,” the statement said.Earlier, Bopara was quoted in the British media as saying that he has delayed his trip to India indefinitely because of security apprehensions. “Cricket is my living and in many way my life. But it is not worth dying for,” Bopara had said. (PTI)