Sunday, March 28, 2010

Tendulkar threat looms large as Chargers take on MI

Tendulkar threat looms large as Chargers take on MI
Mumbai, March 27: The threat of Sachin Tendulkar taking the game away by the scruff looms as the biggest hurdle between defending champions Deccan Chargers and a victory in their Indian Premier League tie against Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.
Tendulkar, who created history by making a double hundred against South Africa in Gwalior ODI last month, has not let up in his run-scoring ways and stands tall for Mumbai Indians in their quest to clinch the coveted IPL crown after the disappointment of the first two seasons.
The champion batsman has been in sublime form and has literally led his team from the front with his superb poise at the crease, which is reflected in MI going into the tie atop the points table with eight points.
Tendulkar’s masterly knocks of 63 off 32 balls with 10 fours floored Delhi Daredevils at the Ferozeshah Kotla.

Lajong stun Mohun Bagan

Lajong stun Mohun Bagan
Kolkata, March 27: Last year’s runners-up Mohun Bagan’s title hopes today went up in smoke after succumbing to a humiliating 1-4 defeat at the hands of debutant Shillong Lajong FC in a round 18 match of the I-League here. Having stunned by last-placed Sporting Clube de Goa in their last round fixture, Mohun Bagan were dealt another big blow at Yuba Bharati Krirangan today when the club from North-East scored two goals in each half to register a comfortable win against the local favourite.

Lajong drew first blood through Seikhohao Tuboi in the ninth minute and then Kelechi Okoya doubled the scoreline in the 20th minute. Bagan, however, reduced the margin through Surkumar Singh in the 37th minute.

But injury time goals from Niwan-O-Gatphoh (90+2”) and Anil Gurung (90+3”) sealed Bagan’s fate. With this win , Lajong climbed up from the relegation zone to be on third last spot with 20 points.