Sachin is already a Bharat Ratna: Thackeray

Sachin is already a Bharat Ratna: Thackeray

MUMBAI, March 5: After brickbats, it is now bouquets for cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar from Shiv Sena.

Sachin’s double-hundred against South Africa in Gwalior has not only silenced his critics, but clean bowled the Shiv Sena, which had taken on the iconic batsman over his ‘Mumbai for all’ remark. “Hundred crore people of this country have already crowned Sachin as Bharat Ratna,” Sena chief Bal Thackeray said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana.

“Shivaji Maharaj used to vanquish Moghuls on battlefield. Similarly, Sachin is a warrior on cricket battlefield. Such warriors are born only in Maharashtra,” Thackeray said.

“Shivaji wielded the sword. Similarly, Sachin wields the bat,” the editorial said. “Sachin does not need anyone’s recommendation to be awarded Bharat Ratna. He is already one,” it said. The Shiv Sena leadership had last year questioned Tendulkar’s loyalty to Maharashtra following his Mumbai for all remark. (PTI)

Somdev let the opportunity slip

Somdev let the opportunity slip

Davis Cup World Group tie vs Russia

Moscow, March 5: Somdev Devvarman let advantage slip out of hands, losing the opening rubber 7-6 (8) 6-7 (4) 3-6 4-6 to Igor Kunitsyn as India conceded lead to injury-hit Russia in the Davis Cup World Group first round tie here today.

Somdev had taken control of the first singles match after winning the first set and taking a 5-2 lead in the second set but lost the plot after that in a marathon contest which lasted close to four hours.

Kunitsyn took the court in place of Igor Andreev, who was sidelined due to a left knee injury. Andreev himself was a last minute relacement of injured Nikolay Davydenko.

Due to slow nature of the court, long rallies came into play and rather than the power, it was persistence, precision and stamina that was required to earn points.

These types of courts suit Somdev’s game but Kunitsyn was brilliant at the net and his tenacity paid in the end.