Gambhir bats in favour of Umpire Decision Review System

HYDERABAD: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni might have expressed his displeasure over the Umpire Decision Review System on quite a few occasions but Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir said that he is in favour of the use of technology as it can reduce human errors.

The UDRS, which received a mixed response during the World Cup, is not in use in the ongoing Indian Premier League but Gambhir was of the view that if available there is no harm in using technology.

"These (UDRS) are part and parcel of the game. It is good to have UDRS when you don't get a plumb lbw. In tight games, if you have technology rather use it. I am all for UDRS," Gambhir said at the post-match press conference after KKR beat Deccan Chargers by 20 runs to zoom to the top of the team standings.

The KKR captain also lauded his teammates for putting up a professional performance against Deccan and hoped to carry on the winning momentum in the remaining matches of the Twenty20 tournament.

"I have always said that momentum is very important. When you have that momentum, you have to keep continuing to play well. It was a good overall performance. The batsmen scored 170 and the bowlers backed it up. I think it was good professional effort.

"We have to take each game at a time. The last six games are history now and we have to concentrate on the next game. As a professional cricketer, you have to keep thinking of each and every game and keep thinking as it is first game of the tournament," Gambhir said.

The left-hander also said that he was enjoying his stint as KKR captain.

"I always enjoyed my captaincy whether it is for India, whether it is for Delhi or this one. You end up taking responsibility, you end up learning a lot, you feel happy when you end up winning," Gambhir said.

"I always believed that there were never great captains and there will be no great captain. There are only great teams. No captain can win you the game. It is the team that wins the game. So far, I am enjoying my captaincy."

Gambhir also brushed aside any bad feeling between him and Deccan all-rounder Daniel Christian after the duo engaged in an altercation during KKR innings on Tuesday.

"That's part and parcel of the game. When you are playing professional sport, it keeps happening. That's history now. If you are playing such competitive cricket, such things are bound to happen. It's fine, nothing too serious," he said.

Gambhir, who came at the fall of Eoin Morgan in the sixth over, collided with Christian while going for single in the last delivery of the ninth over and no sooner it happened the duo engaged in a heated argument.

Both Gambhir and Christian came menacingly close to each other before Deccan skipper Kumar Sangakkara and the on-field umpires -- Sudhir Asnani and Rod Tucker -- intervened to separate the duo.

Warrior Dada gets IPL lifeline

KOLKATA/NEW DELHI: It may appear to be a classic case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted, but there is more to Sahara Pune Warriors signing up Sourav Ganguly in place of injured pacer Ashish Nehra than meets the eye.

The Yuvraj Singh-led Warriors, languishing at the bottom of the table following six consecutive losses, need to win all their remaining six games to give themselves a realistic chance of nicking a playoff berth in IPL 4.

Yuvraj hasn't been batting badly, even though he has refused to come up the order, but has failed to lead from the front. By roping in Sourav, who has always been a mentor to Yuvi, the Warriors management has clearly sought to boost their skipper's confidence.

"We needed someone with experience after key players like Angelo Mathews, Ashish Nehra and Tim Paine were ruled out due to injuries. Who wouldn't want Sourav? He brings experience. After all he has played with Yuvraj, Uthappa and Karthik and is one of the most successful captains that the country has seen," Abhijit Sarkar, director, Sahara Adventure Sports Limited, told TOI. "

We were lucky that everything fell into place for us," said Sarkar. "The team has had some bad results... we are sure Sourav's arrival will turn things around for us."

According to TOI sources, the first move came from Pune's side after the team owners decided to go for someone with experience. When Ganguly was given the offer to play for Pune, his first reaction was: "Why not! I am willing to even play without money."

The Bengal southpaw is keen to prove a point to those who think his cricket career is over. Sources close to Ganguly said he is simply looking to avenge the 'insult' at the auction.

If veterans like VVS Laxman, Shane Warne and Rahul Dravid could play in the IPL, why couldn't he? Ganguly will be paid around Rs 80 lakh for playing the rest of the season.

As of now, Ganguly's new job profile would require him to do quite a bit of mentoring besides contributing with the bat. After six consecutive losses, two of them from winning positions, the morale of the team is very low.

The only problem is the franchise owners may have left it too late. For Sourav, it is a case of being fifth-time lucky. Twice ignored by all the 10 franchises at the players' auction in January, and after two unsuccessful attempts by the Kochi Tuskers to get him on board, Sourav finally gets a chance to show the world that he still belongs.

Sourav, who has spent an agonizing four months post auctions but refused to give up on his IPL dream, has been hitting the gym regularly. Two days after sending fans in a tizzy at the Eden Gardens by showing up in the stands during KKR's match against Kings XI Punjab, Bengal's favourite son returned to his 'spiritual home' and indulged in some serious practice in the nets on Tuesday.

On his way out, he paused only to confirm the deal with Pune Warriors, promising to speak at length after being formally unveiled. A twist of fate may have prevented him from being anointed as the 'King of Kochi', but a turn of fortunes will now see him in the avatar of 'Warrior Prince' at Pune.

It's a pity that the Warriors are not slated to play at the Eden Gardens against KKR, but do expect fireworks on May 19 when the two teams clash at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

PRINCE OF COMEBACKS

1996: Recalled for the England tour after being dropped in 1991-92, after an unimpressive ODI debut. Scored an imperious ton in debut Test at Lord's.

2006: Recalled to the Test team for the South African tour after being dropped earlier in the year.

2007: Came back into the ODI team for the home series against the West Indies. Ganguly was also dropped from the ODI team in 2006.

2011: Now back in the IPL in mid-season with Pune Warriors after being unsold in the initial auction.

'Comeback King' Ganguly back in IPL with Pune Warriors India

KOLKATA: Ignored at this year's IPL auctions, former India captain Sourav Ganguly made a dramatic return in the cash-rich league on Tuesday signing for Pune Warriors India in place of an injured Ashish Nehra.

"I was approached by them yesterday and I've confirmed about my availability to them. I am leaving for Mumbai today and the details will be announced there," Ganguly told reporters on Tuesday. Ganguly is however unlikely to feature in Pune Warriors' match against Mumbai Indians on Wednesday.

Ganguly, who was captain of Kolkata Knight Riders for the first and third season was given a cold shoulder by Shah Rukh Khan co-owned franchise as well as nine others who didn't bid for him during the auctions.

The Pune Warriors are in the midst of a disastrous campaign having lost six consecutive matches under Yuvraj Singh's captaincy. With the batting looking depleted, the new franchise couldn't have thought for a better replacement as Ganguly brings with him vast experience.

Confirming the development, Pune Warriors team director Abhijit Sarkar said that roping in Ganguly was not a gamble and he would prove his worth with the former India captain being the "best cricketing brain" in the country.

"He is playing in IPL not for money but to prove a point. He deserves a lot of respect, but not the way he has been treated (by Kolkata Knight Riders)... He is the best cricketing brain in the country. Taking Ganguly is not a gamble," Sarkar explained.

Sarkar said their side was plagued by a lot of injuries and they thought of Ganguly.

"At the start of the tournament, Angelo Mathews, the best all-rounder, was ruled out. Australian T20 vice-captain Tim Paine, South African skipper Graeme Smith too are injured, while Ashish Nehra too was battling with injury. We waited for the Nehra's fitness report that came yesterday."

"We have been in talks for last two three days. Our team think-tank felt that Sourav Ganguly is the best possible option available so we went for him. He has been a fighter and a master of comebacks. We are very much confident that he will prove his worth."

Sarkar however said Ganguly would not be available for their next match against Mumbai Indians at Navi Mumbai on Wednesday.

"We welcome him on board. He is joining the side (in Navi Mumbai) this evening and will train with the coach and support staff. I don't think that he will be playing in our next match (against Mumbai Indians) tomorrow."

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Sourav Ganguly to join Pune Warriors India for IPL 4

NEW DELHI: Former Indian and Kolkata Knight Riders captain Sourav Ganguly, who went unsold in IPL auction, will finally play in the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League.

Bengal tiger will play for the new inclusion of this edition Pune Warriors India.

Ganguly is expected to replace injured Ashish Nehra and will join the Pune team in Wednesday's game against Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil stadium.

Abhijit Sarkar, director of Pune Warriors said, "We were waiting for the report of Ashish Nehra. Meanwhile, we were in talks with Ganguly. Once the report came, we requested Dada to join our team and he has agreed to do so. We were looking at the kind of experience Ganguly has and we are hopeful he make a difference."

Earlier, IPL clears Pune Warriors application to allow Ganguly to play in the lucrative league.

Ganguly's base price was $400,000 and went unsold in the IPL auction held in January.

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Sreesanth has toned down a bit, says Jayawardene

NEW DELHI: S Sreesanth may have irked Mahendra Singh Dhoni on quite a few occasions with his on-field antics, but Kochi Tuskers Kerala skipper Mahela Jayawardene is at ease with his behaviour so far in the IPL, and said the temperamental pacer sometimes need to be left to his aggressive self.

"Honestly, he (Sreesanth) has been ok. He has toned down a bit. We did not play him in a few games because of conditions but he bowled brilliantly in the last two games. Sometimes, you need to leave him to be a little aggressive and at times you need to talk to him," Jayawardene said of the maverick Kerala pacer after his side's seven-wicket win over Delhi Daredevils at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Monday.

With this win, Kochi jumped up to the sixth position in the table with eight points from nine games, and Jayawardene hoped this victory brings some consistency in his side's performance.

"We would love to have that consistency in Twenty20 but if you see we have lost some games in the last two overs. Hopefully, with this win we can get some momentum," the Sri Lankan said.

After playing their last match on a low and slow Nehru Stadium pitch at home, he heaped praise on the Kotla track.

"The Kochi wicket was tough for us inspite of being the home team. But this was a good wicket. We thought 160 was a par score."

Jayawardene also lauded his bowlers for restricting Daredevils to a mediocre 140 for six on a batsmen-friendly wicket.

"Our guys bowled to a good plan which we couldn't do in Kochi."

The Kochi skipper said his counterpart Virender Sehwag's early dismissal was vital to his side's fortune on Monday.

He also praised left-arm pacer Prasanth Parameswaran (2/29) for his impressive performance on debut, which includes the vital wicket of Sehwag.

"Credit to Prasanth. He bowled a good angle to Viru. It was a gamble I took (and) that paid off. We knew we need to get him (Sehwag) early," Jayawardene said.

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Chennai Super Kings beat Deccan Chargers by 19 runs

CHENNAI: Fielding made the difference between Deccan Chargers and Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. While the Chargers had to pay for dropping a few genuine chances from the bats of Mike Hussey and Suresh Raina, CSK were brilliant in the field, refused to give up and made it difficult for the Hyderabad players to chase down a formidable target of 166.


The Chargers, who had beaten CSK twice here before, failed to carry on after a rock-solid start and lost by 19 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

Though the Chargers' hard-hitting opener Sunny Sohal (56; 30b 4x6, 6x4) showed tremendous intent, DC's star-studded middle-order failed to rise to the task.

Bharat Chipli (17), Kumar Sangakkara (15), Cameron White (13) and JP Duminy (17) all got starts but failed to get going. Albie Morkel (3-38) was the most successful bowler for CSK, who scripted the most amazing comeback in the second half of the game.

Earlier, the Chargers' Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara took a cue from Dhoni when he opted to open the Chargers' bowling with part-time spinner Duminy. Though the move took the Chepauk crowd by surprise, Duminy did not disappoint and helped restrict CSK in the initial stages.

Shrugging off the initial hiccup, CSK came back to score165 for five in their stipulated 20 overs. Raina (59; 35b, 4x6, 2x6), Hussey (46; 41b, 4x5) and Morkel (19; 6b, 3x6) made full use of their opponents' fielding lapses and guided CSK to a massive score.

Sangakkara used his bowling resources accurately as Ishant, Daniel Christian, Harmeet Singh, Ojha and Amit Mishra maintained a tight line. But they conceded extra runs at the death which proved crucial.

Teams:

Chennai Super Kings: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Capt.), Murali Vijay, Michael Hussey, Suresh Raina, S Badrinath, Srikkanth Anirudha, Albie Morkel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Doug Bollinger, Shadab Jakati, Suraj Randiv.

Deccan Chargers: Kumar Sangakkara (Capt.), Sunny Sohal, Shikhar Dhawan, Jean Paul Duminy, Cameron White, Daniel Christian, Bharat Chipli, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, Harmeet Singh.

Who stands where at midway point in IPL 4

MUMBAI INDIANS

7 Games 10 Points

Captain Tendulkar is among IPL4's top run-getters and Lasith Malinga the leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps.

Surprise Package: Wicketkeeper-batsman Ambati Rayudu's consistent showing.

Prospects: Despite stunning loss against Raj Royals last week, Mukesh Ambani's men favoured to reach last four. Could go all the way.

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS

8 Games 10 Points

Among the finest fielding sides. Can defend low totals thanks to Dhoni's sharp captaincy. Have stifled seemingly rampant opponents, like Chargers on Sunday.

Surprise Package: S Badrinath has frequently held a shaky middle-order together.

Prospects: Far from their best but still look good enough to reach last four.

DELHI DAREDEVILS

8 Games 6 Points

Occasionally sublime, generally ridiculous. Despite notching up the season's highest score, DD are the season's biggest disappointment. No match-winning bowler.

Surprise Package: Middle-order bat Venugopal Rao is often the boy on the burning deck.

Prospects: Face stiff task of winning 4 or 5 out of remaining 6 to reach last four.

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS

8 Games 10 Points

Gautam Gambhir's team is second only to Mumbai Indians in all-round balance.

Surprise Package: Batsman Manoj Tiwary has muscled his way back into national reckoning.

Prospects: Have quality and intent to reach last four and sail beyond.

PUNE WARRIORS INDIA

8 Games 4 Points

The bowling unit has misfired consistently. Firangs in the team too must do more.

Surprise Package: Nobody really. But spinner Rahul Sharma has held his own against the best.

Prospects: After dream start, in nightmarish form now.

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE

8 Games 9 Points

Displayed great fighting abilities against KKR. But Vettori's team doesn't have a single bowler in top 15.

Surprise Package: T Dilshan. But for the wrong reasons.

Prospects: Could be a challenger for the fourth semifinal spot.

KINGS XI PUNJAB

6 Games 6 Points

Not the strongest or the most balanced of squads. Sub-par bowling and fielding unit.

Surprise Package: Opener Paul Valthaty has come up with electrifying starts and decent spells in a couple of matches.

Prospects: Need to lift their game urgently.

RAJASTHAN ROYALS

9 Games 11 Points

Warne's inspirational captaincy ensures IPL 1 winners punch way beyond their weight.

Surprise Package: Young Ashok Menaria has impressed with bat and ball. Johan Botha's batting is a revelation.

Prospects: Surprise leaders. Well in line for semifinal spot.

KOCHI TUSKERS

8 Games 6 Points

Captain Mahela Jayawardene is the team's prime mover. But the desi players must raise their game.

Surprise Package: Ravindra Jadeja is a vastly improved version of his previous self.

Prospects: Seem to have faded away after a bright start.

DECCAN CHARGERS

8 Games 6 Points

K Sangakkara leads from front but team lacks batting muscle.

Surprise Package: Leg spinner Amit Mishra and opener Sunny Sohal.

Prospects: Dim unless the IPL 2 champions show more determination and drive.

Hashan Tillakaratne alleges match-fixing in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: The ghost of match-fixing has returned to haunt international cricket with former Sri Lankan skipper Hashan Tillakaratne claiming that his country has been rigging matches since 1992 and questioned the selections made in the World Cup final loss to India.

"I can tell this in agreement with my conscience. Match fixing is not something that started happening yesterday or today. According to my knowledge, it happened since 1992. I say this with great responsibility," Tillakaratne, who played 83 Tests and 200 ODIs for Sri Lanka, claimed.

Tillakaratne, who led the side in 10 Tests during his tenure as captain between 2003 and 2004, stopped short of calling the World Cup final on April 2 a fixed match but had some reservations about selection.

"I am not saying that this match (The world cup final) was fixed. But anyway match-fixing is something which has been in this country over a period of time. This has spread like a cancer today," he was quoted as saying by 'The Daily Mirror'.

"Why were four players changed for this match? Those are questions that should be asked. Arjuna (Ranatunga) spoke about this, we who have played cricket talk about this. We were playing an entirely different side.

"Why was Mendis removed to put another spinner, Kapugedara was never among runs but he was chosen to replace Chamara Silva. It is not fair, is it?" he added.

Interestingly, Tillakaratne had first made these comments on match-fixing in a television chat show almost a week after teh World Cup final but his comments largely went unnoticed at that time.

Sri Lanka's Sports Minister Mahindanada Aluthgamage rubbished Tillakaratne's claims and said that his comments were totally uncalled for.

"I deny his comments and Hashan should show proof of match-fixing to the Ministry. If he gives us something in writing, we will look into it. I don't think any Sri Lankan player would do such a thing, they play for the country and they would never think of doing such a thin. These allegations are baseless," he said.

Aluthgamage said Tillakaratne is making these claims to defame the government as he is now a part of opposition United National Party.

Tillakaratne said people involved in fixing matches have been successful in burying the issue with money power but he vowed to expose them soon.

"There were threats of this issue being exposed during various times. But it was pushed down by giving money to various people. If the people who were responsible for that are listening to this, I state this today with great responsibility, I will shortly reveal the names of those responsible," Tillakaratne said.

The former Lankan skipper also doubted the timing of the selection of the World Cup squad.

"The World Cup team was selected on the (January) 7th. I questioned at a TV show why this team was picked on the day before the IPL auction. The IPL auction was on the (January) 8th. Then it was said that we have time when we pick the team before the IPL auction and it was said that we have enough time as there were ten more days. Those were the excuses given.

"Also at the provincial tournament on the (January) 11th, 12th and 13th, we had the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the finals. If Sri Lanka Cricket conducted a tournament, we could have watched those tournaments and picked the team two or three days later. If that happened, I believe another two or three players could have replaced some of the players. I had my doubts whether it was the best team that was picked.

"In this country, there is a side which you don't know but I know. We discussed this. Inquire into this. Anyone can investigate this. Why was the team picked before the IPL?" he asked.

Tillakaratne said it was a vicious circle and the way things are moving, Sri Lanka would soon surpass Pakistan in terms of match-fixing.

"This has been happening since 1992 and I know all the people who are connected to it. I say this with responsibility. It is just like a relay. I run my lap and hand over the baton to you, you complete your lap and give it to another. This is a network. No one can ever go out of it and no one can come into it

"This situation was always there. When it came out from time to time, it was quietly swept under the carpet. If someone doesn't intervene and stop this menace, within another two-three years in this country, with these politics, with these corrupt administrators, I believe this country won't be second to Pakistan in the near future," he said.

Three Pakistani cricketers -- Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif and Mohammad Aamer -- were recently handed lengthy bans by the ICC on charges of spot-fixing.

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Rajasthan Royals spin a web around Mumbai Indians

AIPUR: It was a moment that had Rajasthan written all over it. Sachin Tendulkar stumped Dishant Yagnik (of Jaipur) bowled Ashok Menaria (of Udaipur). And it was a delivery that would have made Shane Warne proud.

That was the beginning of a rare Mumbai Indians batting failure after Warne decided to chase. Managing just 94 for eight on a slow turner at Sawai Mansingh Stadium against Rajasthan Royals, the Mumbai team knew they just had not done enough.

If the Royals batsmen started off the reply as if they were playing Test cricket, they can be pardoned. The wicket called for caution and they had a less than five-an-over chase.

A few good blows were enough to make up for the dot balls. Those blows duly happened, with Johan Botha throwing in a few in his 39-ball 45. With his stunning three-for-six earlier, the South African was clearly the most valuable player on the field on Friday.

The Royals achieved the target with seven wickets remaining and regained the second spot on the points table. Mumbai remain on top.

The talking point was of course Menaria's left-arm orthodox spin (delivered with a rather unorthodox action), which tempted Tendulkar to charge down the wicket. The ball fell just short and moved away enough to elude the batsman's slashing bat. Yagnik was swift enough to leave the 'God of cricket' stranded in no-man's land. It is not often that Tendulkar is foxed in such a manner. He was gone for seven and Mumbai Indians were struggling at 28 for two in the fifth over.

The best part for the home team was that their main bowlers -- Warne, Botha, Shane Watson and Siddharth Trivedi -- hadn't even bowled by then.

After Menaria, Warne played a remarkably economical hand before Botha came in to shatter whatever fight Mumbai Indians had left in them. Menaria had more to say before completing his quota. He dismissed dangerman Ambati Rayudu, caught and bowled for 11. The Udaipur lad finished with figures of two for 20, not bad for a batsman who bowls only if required.

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Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Pune Warriors India by 26 runs

BANGALORE: A Virat Kohli special and a collective bowling effort aided Royal Challengers Bangalore for the second consecutive match in IPL 4 while a vastly-improved fielding show spiced up the proceedings as the home side eased to a 26-run victory over Pune Warriors at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday.

With their third victory on the trot and their first on home turf, the Daniel Vettori-led side has now jumped to the second spot in the points table, with nine points.

At the halfway stage of the chase, Pune were 119 runs away from the 182-run target despite yet another vital contribution by Jesse Ryder (51, 34b) at the top of the tree. The other dangerman in the Pune ranks, skipper Yuvraj Singh (41, 23b, 2x4, 3x6), fell to Zaheer Khan in the 17th over and it was all over for the visitors.

The Karnataka pace duo of S Arvind and A Mithun made great impact with the former claiming an early wicket and the latter revving up high speeds under pressure. Vettori was yet again impressive with his economy while defending a challenging total, thanks to Kohli's pyrotechnics at the second half of the RCB innings.

The dashing youngster's come-what-may attitude was on full display as the RCB No. 3 enthused the home crowd with a fruitful late charge to set up a formidable 181/5 after Yuvraj had won the toss and elected to bowl. Kohli's 42-ball 67 (4x4, 4x6), crafted with those trademark pulls and silken cover drives, took the cake as the Delhi lad snatched the Orange Cap from maestro Sachin Tendulkar with an aggregate of 294 runs.

The young right-hander spliced up a crucial 66-run stand with No. 4 AB de Villiers (26) for the third wicket but the Delhi lad easily was the surprise aggressor between the two.

A maximum off leg-spinner Rahul Sharma set things rolling for Kohli in the 15th over but his now famous use of wrists in those audacious pulls was easily the spectacle for the connoisseur. Though he escaped a run out early in the innings, none of the Pune bowlers could trouble Kohli and ironically, his dismissal in the penultimate over of the innings came off a mistimed pull.

The goodly crowd watched the home team racing to 50 in just 5.4 overs despite two tight overs by new-ball bowler Alfonso Thomas (4-0-23-2). Chris Gayle (49, 26b, 4x4, 4x6) was his usual nonchalant self, mixing blind heaves with brutal strokes, Kamran Khan suffering the most when the big Jamaican connected well.

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Let Hashan Tillakaratne prove the allegations first: Mahela

KOCHI: Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene has urged his one-time teammate Hashan Tillakaratne to come out with substantial proof about the allegations of fixing matches since 1992 including the team composition for this year's World Cup final.

"People can say whatever they want. You need to prove the allegations," Jayawardene told the reporters on Friday.

Jayawardene refused to get into the details of the allegations stating that it is Tillakaratne who first needs to come out with substantial evidence of any kind of wrongdoing.

"I have no comments. Honestly, I just saw the news. We will have to wait and see what he has to say and what he has to come out with to be honest with you, no comments till then."

On the Kochi strip that saw Ishant Sharma creating a havoc just the other night, the Kochi Tuskers captain said," Wickets look okay. We are not the ones who are making the wickets. Our job is to go out and play. We will have a look tomorrow as well and see what is the best combination for that wicket and opposition and play that."

On his team's back-to-back defeats, Jayawardene said "If you see the entire tournament, in the last 7 matches we played, we kept changing the few things in the team according to opposition, and according to the conditions, that's how we have gone about and we will keep thinking in the same lines.

"If the last two outings were a bit disappointing, we need to concentrate on the processes and try and execute a proper game plan," he said.

When asked about the Kochi Tuskers defeating the formidable Mumbai Indians in Mumbai, while losing to bottom ranked Deccan Chargers at home, Mahela said," If you have a look at the points table, it's still very open. A couple victories can get you at the top."

About their opponents Delhi Daredevils, Jayawardene said, "There are some wonderful players in their list. They haven't executed few things properly in most of the games with close matches. I'm sure they are disappointed, when you are down they can be dangerous opponents.

"We have to make sure when we go up against them, that we handle those situations well and try and keep them in where we could control them from. They have some match winners and we have to be very careful about them."

Local lad S Sreesanth hasn't done well but coach Geoff Lawson defended the temperamental pacer.

"He has good pace and is a match-winner. He was a close to taking a wicket and that probably would have changed the match (against Deccan chargers)."

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Harbhajan resorts to unusual act to retain strike

JAIPUR: In an unusual act, Mumbai Indians off-spinner Harbhajan Singh intentionally did not complete the first run and returned to his crease after covering two-third of the pitch in a bid to retain strike during his side's IPL match against Rajasthan Royals on Friday.

With MI at a meagre 87 for eight with just three balls to go in their innings, Harbhajan hit Rajasthan Royals bowler Shane Watson towards deep square leg and then followed it up with a tactic which might have been prompted by his desire to retain strike but not exactly in line with fair play.

Harbhajan did not complete the first run by several yards. He just about crossed half the pitch and passed his partner Ali Murtaza and then turned back for the second run.

It was quite clear Harbhajan did it intentionally as he completed two-thirds of the first run and as much of the second.

Harbhajan got one run and the strike and he hit a six off the last ball to take Mumbai Indians to 94 for eight, their lowest total in IPL 4.

When the players trooped out for the dressing room at the innings break, Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne was seen throwing his arms around Harbhajan apparently discussing the incident.

Mumbai Indians are at the top of Fair Play Award table but they could lose some points after Harbhajan's act on Friday.

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Hashan Tillakaratne alleges match-fixing in Lanka

Dropping a bombshell, former Sri Lanka skipper Hashan Tillakaratne has claimed that match-fixing is common in his country since 1992 and promised to reveal names of those involved soon.

Tillakaratne, who played 83 Tests and 200 ODIs for Sri Lanka, made the sensational claim while appearing in a TV show.

"I can tell this in agreement with my conscience. Match fixing is not something that started happening yesterday or today. According to my knowledge, it happened since 1992. I say this with great responsibility," Tillakaratne said.

Tillakaratne, who was Sri Lanka's captain between April 2003 and March 2004, said people involved in the menace have been successful in burying the issue with money power but promised to expose them soon.

"There were threats of this issue being exposed during various times. But it was pushed down by giving money to various people. If the people who were responsible for that are listening to this, I state this today with great responsibility, I will shortly reveal the names of those responsible," he said.

Tillakaratne, who led the side in 10 Tests during his tenure as captain, stopped short of calling the World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka a fixed match but had some reservations about the team selection.

"I am not saying that this match (The world cup final) was fixed. But anyway match fixing is something which has been in this country over a period of time. This has spread like a cancer today," he said.

"Why were four players changed for this match? Those are questions that should be asked. Arjuna (Ranatunga) spoke about this, we who have played cricket talk about this. We were playing an entirely different side.

"Why was Mendis removed to put another spinner, Kapugedara was never among runs but he was chosen to replace Chamara Silva. It is not fair, is it?" a report in the Daily Mirror quoted him as saying.

The former Lankan skipper also doubted the timing of the selection of the World Cup squad.

"The world cup team was selected on the (January) 7th. I questioned at a TV show why this team was picked on the day before the IPL auction. The IPL auction was on the (January) 8th. Then it was said that we have time when we pick the team before the IPL auction and it was said that we have enough time as there were ten more days. Those were the excuses given.

"Also at the provincial tournament on the (January) 11th, 12th and 13th, we had the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the finals. If Sri Lanka Cricket conducted a tournament, we could have watched those tournaments and picked the team two or three days later. If that happened, I believe another two or three players could have replaced some of the players. I had my doubts whether it was the best team that was picked.

"In this country, there is a side which you don't know but I know. We discussed this. Inquire into this. Anyone can investigate this. Why was the team picked before the IPL?" he asked.

Tillakaratne said it was a vicious circle and the way things are moving, Sri Lanka would soon surpass Pakistan in terms of fixing.

"This has been happening since 1992 and I know all the people who are connected to it. I say this with responsibility. It is just like a relay. I run my lap and hand over the baton to you, you complete your lap and give it to another. This is a network. No one can ever go out of it and no one can come into it

"This situation was always there. When it came out from time to time, it was quietly swept under the carpet. If someone doesn't intervene and stop this menace, within another two-three years in this country, with these politics, with these corrupt administrators, I believe this country won't be second to Pakistan in the near future," he said.

Three Pakistani cricketers -- Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif and Mohammad Aamer -- were recently handed lengthy bans by the ICC on charges of spot-fixing.

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Fletcher will be successful with India: Atherton

Former England captain Mike Atherton on Thursday predicted that Duncan Fletcher's stint with the Indian cricket would be successful, just like that of his predecessor Gary Kirsten.

The BCCI appointed Fletcher as India's coach for two years after Kirsten decided against extending his contract.

"Fletcher will be closer to his predecessor Gary Kirsten, who helped to take India to the top of the Test rankings, as well as winning the World cup, than to Greg Chappell, whose bruising confrontational nature proved to be calamitous," Atherton wrote in 'The Times'.

The former England skipper said since Fletcher will have some known faces around, he is unlikely to face any problem while doing his job.

"Kirsten is a protege of Fletcher's and India's most successful coach would have spoken highly of Fletcher's abilities, something that may have influenced the BCCI's decision.

"Already in place is another Fletcher charge, Eric Simons, the bowling coach whose tenure was extended on Wednesday, so ensuring that Fletcher has a friendly face when he starts in the job," Atherton said.

Fletcher is the fourth successive foreign coach that India has appointed, after the trailblazer John Wright, now in charge of New Zealand, followed by Chappell and Kirsten.

Meanwhile a report in the 'Guardian' said, Fletcher's main role will not be not much of "maintaining the performance of the star players but of bringing on the next generation, particularly bowlers, where there appears a dearth of emerging talent."

"Kirsten's success as national coach gave him absolute credibility with the players, administrators and supporters alike and his recommendation, which Fletcher's appointment appears to be, would carry consequent weight," the report said.

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I am available for WI tour: Harbhajan

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said that he would be available for the forthcoming tour of the West Indies but wasn't aware of the plans of other senior players.

"I have no idea from where the news (of senior players opting out of West Indies tour) have poured in. As far as I am concerned, I am available for the tour," Harbhajan said.

"As far others are concerned neither have I spoken to anybody nor has anyone spoken to me. We will be playing three Tests there and I don't want to miss any of those," he said.

Talking about the winning streak of the Mumbai Indians, Harbhajan said that he was happy the way things were going.

"I am happy with the way things have gone till now. We have been through rough patches but one player or the other has been able to pull us through. Like in the last match Rohit Sharma and Andrew Symonds batted well to help us to a reasonable score, which we defended successfully," he said.

Asked about the good form of Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne, Harbhajan said: "He is a great cricketer and the greatest spinner. I would be talking to him to get tips so that I can prolong my international career."

Harbhajan also praised his MI teammate Ambati Rayudu, saying that the Hyderabadi is a "special talent".

"It would also be a challenge for players like Rayudu to face a great spinner (in Warne). Rayudu is a special talent and we always knew that. He was unfortunately lost in between but lately he has been performing well. He is capable of filling in the big shoes of great Indian batsmen like VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid," he added.
© PTI

Kolkata Knight Riders beat Delhi Daredevils by 17 runs

NEW DELHI: It was bowlers' night out but Manoj Tiwary's day at the Ferozeshah Kotla as the Delhi Daredevils were undone by their own hand on Thursday. Languishing at the bottom of the table before the match began, the Devils chose to field on the latest local novelty - a greenish strip - and found their pacers coming to the party early against the Kolkata Knight Riders. It all seamed too good to be true as Irfan Pathan magically rediscovered his inswing and Umesh Yadav harried the batsmen with pace and bounce.


But their over-reliance on an underperforming top order and a continuing muddle with batting combinations ensured that Delhi couldn't chase down even 149, falling short by 17 runs as the match meandered into an unlikely battle of attrition instead of the frenzy of strokeplay it was supposed to be. The chase clearly centered around Sehwag and Warner and once that didn't pay off, there were no contingency plans in place. Delhi's dismal season veers from the bad to the woeful while the Knights have now shot up to second on the points table.

The result ensured sweet revenge for Delhi boy Gautam Gambhir's KKR as the goodly crowd found its affections split down the middle. Each KKR wicket was cheered, Gambhir's each move was greeted with roars and Delhi must have felt they were playing an away game. Even at the end, as one Delhi batsman after another got run out with panic setting in and Gambhir jumping in excitement, the confused cheering continued.

Ironically for Delhi, KKR's spinners Iqbal Abdullah and Yusuf Pathan played a key hand in choking the chase. Only a struggling and injured James Hopes (25 off 29 balls; 12x4, 1x6) offered brief resistance, and Yogesh Nagar and Venugopal Rao flailed wildly as the end neared, but once Brett Lee produced an exceptional run out, Venu was back in the hut and it was all over.

Sehwag's decision to bat with poise too didn't quite pay off, Jaydev Unadkat getting the prize wicket with a bouncer after Balaji had cramped Warner for room and dislodged Delhi's scary opening combine. Lee kept Warner quiet at the other end as Delhi began the chase but once Balaji started giving Sehwag room - the batsmen peppering the region between cover and point with savage drives and deft cuts - it seemed an early end was in the offing. It all unravelled fast with Sehwag's wicket.

The standout act of the day was easily KKR's Manoj Tiwary (62 not out; 47b, 2x4, 3x6), who proved his credentials on a fastish T20 track.

Cricketers up ad rates after World Cup win

NEW DELHI: India's top cricket stars have hiked their endorsement tags, hoping to cash in on the historic World Cup triumph, according to industry sources. But things haven't quite gone according to plan: advertisers are opting for IPL players who come a lot cheaper and have good brand value while the T20 league is on.

Industry insiders say Team India skipper MS Dhoni has been demanding Rs 10 crore per endorsement after having signed a deal for around Rs 6 crore just before the World Cup. Man of the tournament Yuvraj Singh's fee has reportedly jumped from Rs 2-2.5 crore to Rs 5 crore.

The agencies managing top cricketers confirmed to TOI that their clients' price tags had gone up after the Cup. However, Sachin Tendulkar's brand managers said the figures doing the rounds were exaggerated.

"We don't quote figures like this. Sachin is an exclusive brand and he doesn't sign for money. He balances his commercial and private life very carefully. But he is certainly at par with Dhoni," a spokesperson for his agency said.

Advertisers cited two reasons why no Team India player had bagged an endorsement after the Cup. One, advertisers felt the rates being demanded were too high. And two, with the IPL currently on, they could get three cricketers from any of the IPL teams for Rs 2.5 crore. Getting an individual cricketer for a higher amount would not bring proportionate returns, they felt.

If the advertisers do eventually match the fee being demanded, the value of top Team India players like MS Dhoni would be at par with Bollywood biggies like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. Dhoni would still be a notch lower than Aamir Khan, who commands the highest endorsement fee.

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Rajasthan Royals elect to bowl against Mumbai Indians

NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne won the toss and elected to bowl In their IPL tie against Mumbai Indians in Jaipur on Friday.

It will a clash between the two ageless legends at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium and it would be interesting to see if the Warne-led Rajasthan Royals could tackle a formidable Mumbai side under Sachin Tendulkar.

Mumbai Indians, who are tagged as hot favourites for this edition of the Indian Premier League, have been able to live up to their reputation by winning all but one of their six matches in the tournament.

The Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, have had a roller-coaster ride so far. Out of seven they have played, they won three and lost as many, while one match got abandoned due to rain.

And it is high time that Royals' batting line-up that boosts of Watson, Rahul Dravid, Ross Taylor, Ashok Maneria, fire together and make an impact. Although, the batsmen have shown some firepower but they are yet to win a match for the team as a batting unit.

Led by batting maestro Tendulkar, Mumbai's batting has clicked extremely well in this competition. And with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Andrew Symonds, Kieron Pollard doing their job to perfection, Mumbai would hope for a cake-walk.

Teams (from): Mumbai Indians: Sachin Tendulkar (c), Harbhajan Singh, Rohit Sharma, Munaf Patel, Kieron Pollard, Lasith Malinga, Andrew Symonds, Davy Jacobs, James Franklin, Abu Nechim Ahmed, Aditya Tare, Ali Murtaza, Ambati Rayudu, Dhawal Kulkarni, Pawan Suyal, R Satish, Sarul Kanwar, Suryakumar Yadav, T Suman, Yuzvendra Singh Chahai.

Rajasthan Royals: Shane Warne (C), Swapnil Asnodkar, Stuart Binny, Johan Botha, Deepak Chahar, Ankeet Chavan, Aakash Chopra, Aditya Dole, Nayan Doshi, Rahul Dravid, Samad Fallah, Faiz Fazal, Ashok Menaria, Sumit Narwal, Jacob Oram, Pankaj Singh, Amit Paunikar, Ajinkya Rahane, Abhishek Raut, Dinesh Salunkhe, Pinal Shah, Amit Singh, Shaun Tait, Ross Taylor, Siddharth Trivedi, Shane Watson and Dishant Harendra Yagnik.

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None of our plans are working, says a dejected Sehwag

NEW DELHI: Delhi Daredevils skipper Virender Sehwag on Thursday conceded that it has become difficult for his team to reach the play-offs of the Indian Premier League after suffering a 17-run defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders.

The Delhi team lost their fifth overall match in the tournament to languish at the bottom of the points table with just four points from seven outings.

"It's difficult and pressure is on us. We have to pull ourselves and really bat and bowl in coming games," Sehwag told reporters at the post-match press conference.

But the skipper sounded optimistic and said they still have an outside chance of making it to the next stage.

"Nothing is impossible. We can still back ourselves from here on and if we win two three games from here on, then it's possible for us but yes it's quite difficult," Sehwag added.

Kolkata Knight Riders comprehensively beat Delhi to notch up their fourth win in the IPL while Delhi suffered their fifth loss in the tournament and their road to recovery from here on looks pretty bleak.

Sehwag added that he has to back his own performance in order to turn around Daredevils' fortune.

"I have only got one fifty in the seven games. So I need to look at my performance also. If I get going it will be difficult for other teams to come back," the Delhi skipper said.

"I'll have to shoulder the responsibility and need to stay at the wicket for 12-15 overs. It will be good for my team," he said.

Sehwag defended his decision to send Travis Birt ahead of in-form Y Venugopal Rao, saying, "We thought a left-hander would be a better option against left-arm spinner. But nothing seems to be going our way."

"None of our plans are working. T20 game is like that only. Probably we will send Venu and Naman Ojha up the order in the coming games," he said.

His opposite number Gautam Gambhir lauded his bowlers for defending a modest total like 148.

"We just played very well as a team. We bowled and fielded well. It just goes to show how desperate we were for a victory," he said.

"If we can continue like this, definitely it will help our campaign. I am satisfied with the all-round performance today."

About man-of-the-match Manoj Tiwary, who scored a 47-ball unbeaten 61 to help his team's cause when wickets were falling at the other hand, the KKR skipper said, "He set the game for us. Entire credit goes to him for setting the game for us. He played a good innings."

About KKR's fielding today, Gambhir said they saved 15-20 runs which meant that the opposition had to chase a score of around 160-165 runs.

"When you start defending the modest totals, it gives you confidence for the games ahead. We defended the target and it has acted like a confidence-booster for us," he said.

He also defended Yusuf Pathan, who has been off-colour in this tournament so far.

"He has hardly played enough. He is hitting the ball good and till the time, he sticks to our gameplan, he remains a very important member of our scheme of things," Gambhir insisted.

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Kohli leads Royal Challengers to win as Daredevils flop again

NEW DELHI: It was clobbering time at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Tuesday, but with a few heart-in-the-mouth twists. The bats flailed and heaved as usual, and an electrifying Virat Kohli (56; 38b, 8x4, 2x6) reminded his city of what they had missed out on by not hiring him. But the grassy side strip which produced a 433-run riot in the last game played a tad slower and there were a few precious moments when the bowlers and fielders did not resemble those nameless villains from superhero flicks who get smashed around for no good reason.


Zaheer Khan and Vettori had been impressive earlier in the afternoon and just when it seemed Kohli and Gayle were running away with the game - a whirlwind 82-run stand off just 43 balls with Royal Challengers Bangalore chasing a seemingly modest 160 - Delhi seemed to engineer the most remarkable T20 turnaround. Three wickets in the space of 11 balls and with Gayle, Kohli and AB de Villiers back in the pavilion, the Devils had their tails up. Could they script their most memorable win of the season?

Morne Morkel got rid of a defiant Saurabh Tiwary to make it 139/6 in the 17th, but in the end the blitz up the order was just enough to see RCB through as Vettori and left-arm spinner Syed Mohammad calmed the nerves. But the drama hadn’t ended yet. Three to defend in the last over, two to get off the last five, and Vettori was dropped by Irfan Pathan at mid-off! Finally the roller-coaster had come to a stop. RCB had sneaked through by 3 wickets and the Devils had lost the spring in their step. They hadn’t done enough with either bat or ball.

It was all going according to the script for RCB until the eighth over when Hopes, who had earlier resurrected Delhi’s innings with a half-century, got Gayle caught at deep square leg. AB de Villiers fell victim to a stunning fielding effort from David Warner in the next over and then Morkel found the inside edge of Kohli’s bat.

But maybe Gayle and Kohli had already done enough by then. With RCB boasting three players from previous season’s Delhi team, it was supposed to be a match-up between the old Devils and the new. Instead, the party was gate-crashed by one of Delhi’s favourite sons who has never represented his city in the IPL - Kohli - and that grim enforcer called Chris Gayle.

Kohli at No. 3 got off the blocks with electrifying style, pure timing soiling Dinda’s figures and Irfan Pathan quickly discovering he wasn’t up to the task, four fours off Kohli’s bat making a mockery of the out-of-sorts bowler’s high billing at the auction. The outcomes of most T20 matches are settled in the first few overs and RCB’s first four with the bat yielded 49, with Gayle pounding Morkel through covers and heaving him over long before taking a liking to Dinda. The first six overs yielded 65 and the early dismissal of Dilshan was forgotten.

It appeared the debate would settle faster than one could argue the demerits of Delhi benching Colin Ingram and playing Matthew Wade. It was only a promoted James Hopes (54 off 43; 7x4) who came up with a resurrection act in a 47-run stand with Venugopal Rao which allowed Delhi to make a match after Warner and Sehwag were puffed out early.

Zaheer got the ball to talk after an indifferent and expensive IPL season so far, keeping Sehwag relatively quiet and beating Warner repeatedly with away-going deliveries before getting one to magically sneak back in. A quick-thinking Mithun ran out Sehwag and Hopes seized the spotlight, a no-ball reprieve from Mithun after the batsman had holed out to point proving handy. But Delhi were 20-30 runs short and Kohli’s brilliance sealed the day for RCB.

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