I am successful because of a good team: Dhoni

KOLKATA: Skipper of the No. 1 Test side, Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday attributed his success to the team and said he was lucky to get a good side.

"I am a successful captain because I have got a good team. Cricket is all about a team game. I have got some great players who back each other, help each other and that really helps the cause of the team," Dhoni said of his side which boasts of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag.

Asked about India's preparation for the World Cup next year, Dhoni said, "It's about four months away which seems a short time, but we have two series against New Zealand at home and South Africa away, in between. I really hope that the top players don't get injured and are available."

Dhoni was at a promotional programme with wife Sakshi Singh Rawat who hails from Kolkata.

Read more: I am successful because of a good team: Dhoni - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/new-zealand-in-india/interviews/I-am-successful-because-of-a-good-team-Dhoni/articleshow/6816156.cms#ixzz13WwtxqOE

Poonia accepts Samuels challenge but spurns January date

NEW DELHI: Commonwealth Games gold medallist Krishna Poonia is game for the $20,000 winner-takes-all discus throw contest with world champion Dani Samuels of Australia but rejected January 22 date for the duel as she wants to spend time with her family after a gruelling season.

Poonia said she has been contacted by Samuels' representatives but has made it clear that she is ready for the contest in India next month before Asian Games which starts on November 12 or it will have to be after February next year.

Samuels' coach Hayden Knowles had proposed a January 22 contest between Poonia and the Australian world champion who had pulled out of the Commonwealth Games citing security and health concerns.

"I have accepted Dani's challenge and my federation has also given me permission. The two managers are discussing the date now. If Dani wants to come to India for the contest I am ready to take her in November before Asian Games. But I can't go abroad now as I am preparing for the Asian Games in Guangzhou," Poonia told reporters.

"In January, I want to spend some time with my family. After January, I have no problem going to Australia for the contest. It can be anytime before World Championships (in August in South Korea)," she said.

Poonia's husband Virendra said she is ready to take on Samuels anytime between March and the World Championships in August if not next month.

"If she (Dani) does not come to India next month before the Asian Games it can be anytime between March and August. After the gruelling season Poonia wants to take rest at least a month or two. For now, she is concentrating on her preparations for the Asian Games," he said.

If the contest materialises, it would be the first of its kind high-stake duel involving an Indian athlete.

Hurt by the reported comments of Poonia that Samuels had pulled out of the Commonwealth Games due to "poor form", the support staff of the Australian had dared the Indian to the contest.

Knowles had proposed to hold the contest at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Center as part of Pirtek Athletic Allstars Meet which is considered as athletics counterpart of Twenty20 cricket with celebrities from Hollywood and sports world taking part.

Pirtek Athletic Allstars organisers will raise the $20,000 amount for the contest between Poonia and Samuels through sponsors.

Recently on September 15, world and Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt took part in men's 100m relay event in the Pirtek Athletic Allstars Meet.

In that Meet, Samuels won the discus throw event with a 61.90m effort to beat Olympic champion Stephanie Brown Trafton of United States and former world champion Beatrice Faumina of New Zealand, who finished fifth in Commonwealth Games.

Read more: Poonia accepts Samuels challenge but spurns January date - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/athletics/Poonia-accepts-Samuels-challenge-but-spurns-January-date/articleshow/6816275.cms#ixzz13WuJYf8j

Somdev achieves career high rank of 94

NEW DELHI: Rising singles star Somdev Devvarman on Monday gained two positions to career best 94 in the latest ATP ranking chart.

Somdev, who now has 568 points, failed to make the main draw of the ATP 250 event in Austria after losing the second round of the qualifiers.

In the WTA list, Sania Mirza gained a place to 166 in the singles chart with 356 points while she jumped three positions in the doubles to 64 with 1238 points.

Leander Paes (5), Mahesh Bhupathi (14) and Rohan Bopanna (16) remained static in the doubles chart.

Read more: Somdev achieves career high rank of 94 - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Somdev-achieves-career-high-rank-of-94/articleshow/6809713.cms#ixzz13R6kN6ge

Gambhir, Ishant return for New Zealand series

CHENNAI: When the selectors met here to pick the Indian team for the Tests against New Zealand, the only concern was the fitness of Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma and VVS Laxman.

Once they received news of their availability it took less than an hour to finalise the team at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday.

In the end, the 15-member squad for the three-Test series is the same one which played against Australia. Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma have recovered from knee injuries, while Laxman has also recovered from the back injury which plagued him during the Australia series.

However, despite a blistering double ton in the Irani Trophy early this month, Yuvraj Singh will have to wait a little longer to regain his Test spot. With Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay performing well in the second Test in the absence of the senior players, the selectors obviously chose to overlook Yuvraj.

With Ishant Sharma back in the squad, Sreesanth will be the third seamer. Abhinav Mukund and Jaidev Unadkat, who were included in the squad after the injuries of Gambhir and Ishant, will now be available to play Ranji Trophy for their respective state sides, Tamil Nadu and Saurashtra.

"We have selected the best possible squad for the series. Gambhir and Ishant have been declared fit and Laxman has recovered from the back injury. So, we'll have a full-strength team against New Zealand," selection committee chairman Krishnamchari Srikkanth said after the meeting.

He made it clear that he and his colleagues were satisfied by the performances of the youngsters. "We are proud of the bench strength we have. The young guns played superbly along with the senior pros in the Tests as well as in the only one-dayer. We look to continue this victory march and be in supreme touch before the South Africa series commences. Hence, we have decided to pick a full-strength side," he said.

With Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh leading the pace and the spin departments and Ishant and Pragyan Ojha doing the back-up job, the bowling looks formidable. Amit Mishra will be the reserve spinner.

However, the reserve wicket-keeper still does not seem to be an area of concern for the selectors, though Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been overworked for quite a while.

After the New Zealand series, the long South Africa series and World Cup follow and the selectors must ensure Dhoni is fit and well-rested before these big events. The skipper did not attend the meeting but was consulted over phone by the selection panel.

Test squad: MS Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice-captain), Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Suresh Raina, Cheteshwar Pujara, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, S Sreesanth, Pragyan Ojha and Amit Mishra.

Read more: Gambhir, Ishant return for New Zealand series - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/top-stories/Gambhir-Ishant-return-for-New-Zealand-series/articleshow/6809191.cms#ixzz13R6PjLjk

Tendulkar in ESPNcricinfo's all-time Test World XI

NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar was the only current cricketer named in ESPNcricinfo's all-time Test World XI which did not include Australian captain Ricky Ponting and the likes of Brian Lara, Glenn McGrath, Sunil Gavaskar.

Tendulkar has been chosen at number four batting position along with legends like Don Bradman, Vivian Richards, Garry Sobers and Shane Warne.

Others in the World XI, dominated by Australians and West Indians, were Jack Hobbs, Len Hutton, Adam Gilchrist, Malcolm Marshall, Wasim Akram and Dennis Lillee.

Gavaskar and Lara found themselves in the second World XI along with Barry Richards, George Headley, Wally Hammond, Imran Khan, Alan Knott, Bill O'Reilly, Fred Trueman, Muttiah Muralitharan and SF Barnes.

Ponting was not in any of the two teams, the same as McGrath and India's world Cup winning captain Kapil Dev.

The jury comprised one former captain from each of the top Test-playing teams -- Ian Chappell, Clive Lloyd, Tony Greig, Duleep Mendis, Ali Bacher, Intikhab Alam, John Wright, Ajit Wadekar -- and four cricket historians and writers.

Warne, Gilchrist and Akram were the other players from the last two decades to make it to the XI, which featured seven players who made their debuts after 1970.

Four Australians, three West Indians, two Englishmen, an Indian and a Pakistani make up the XI.

Three players were unanimous choices, figuring in the first XIs of each of the 12 members of the jury (each juror was asked to pick a first XI and a second) -- Don Bradman, Garry Sobers and Shane Warne, each of whom got the maximum points possible in the exercise, 60. Tendulkar followed with 51 points.

The biggest surprise the XI threw up was the gap between Warne and Muralitharan, the two leading wicket-takers in cricket history. Muralitharan made it to the World Second XI, tallying 34 points fewer than Warne.

The closest battles were for one of the opening spots and for number five. Gavaskar lost out to Hobbs by one point and Headley by two to Richards.

Hutton (47 points) partners Hobbs at the top. They are followed by Bradman, Tendulkar, Richards and Sobers. While there was no competition to Sobers for the all-rounder's spot, Imran (19) narrowly edged out Keith Miller to make it to the Second XI.

Gilchrist beat Alan Knott to the wicketkeeper's spot by eight points. The next closest contender was Kumar Sangakkara, who got nine points.

The bowling positions were all decided by handsome margins. Three of cricket's most highly rated fast bowlers - Dennis Lillee, leading with 48 points, Wasim Akram and Malcolm Marshall (in addition to Sobers, who could bowl left-arm fast, spin and chinamen) -- accompany Warne.

Tendulkar, Bradman, Sobers, Gilchrist, Warne and Akram were voted by the ESPNcricinfo readers in their XI which also have Virender Sehwag, McGrath and Gavasakar.

Sehwag and Gavaskar were the overwhelming favourites for the opening slots, while Lara edged out Richards for a place in the middle order.

The readers went with a two-spin, two-quicks bowling combination. Their XI has Warne and Murali bowling in tandem. McGrath and Akram comfortably beat competition from all the West Indian bowlers in the shortlist.

The World XI:

Jack Hobbs, Len Hutton, Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Viv Richards, Garry Sobers, Adam Gilchrist, Malcolm Marshall, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Dennis Lillee.

The Second XI:

Sunil Gavaskar, Barry Richards, George Headley, Brian Lara, Wally Hammond, Imran Khan, Alan Knott, Bill O'Reilly, Fred Trueman, Muttiah Muralitharan, SF Barnes

Readers' XI:

Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Garry Sobers, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Muttiah Muralitharan, Glenn McGrath.

Read more: Tendulkar in ESPNcricinfo's all-time Test World XI - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Tendulkar-in-ESPNcricinfos-all-time-Test-World-XI/articleshow/6807939.cms#ixzz13R6A2sua

India-Aus final ODI abandoned, hosts win series 1-0

STAFF WRITER 15:33 HRS IST

Margao, Oct 24 (PTI) The third and final ODI between India and Australia was today abandoned without a ball being bowled due to wet outfield caused by overnight rains to give the hosts a 1-0 series victory, their first in over two decades.

With the abandonment of today's ODI, the second such case in the three-match series, Australia returned home without winning a single game in their tour of India. They had lost the two-match Test series 0-2 before the ODI series.

India had beaten Australia by five wickets in the second ODI at Visakhapatnam on October 20 while the first match in Kochi on October 17 was washed out.

India thus notched up their first ever whitewash of Australia in both Test and ODI series in the same tour.

Rajasthan Royals to appeal in Bombay HC on Monday

MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals is set to file an appeal in the Bombay High Court on Monday against the Board of Control for Cricket's October 10 order throwing it out of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Royals, which won the 2008 IPL tournament, had its contract terminated after BCCI charged that it had changed its shareholding pattern without taking the consent of the board or the IPL governing council.

The promoters of Rajasthan Royals have now retained Supreme Court lawyer Harish Salve to argue their case. Salve, who was out of the country, returned late on Saturday and is learnt to have met Royals co-owner Manoj Badale in New Delhi. Following the meeting, it was decided to go to court.

When contacted, Badale told TOI, "As a group of overseas investors promoting Indian cricket, I still fail to see what we have done wrong. We will now have to put our full faith in the legal system."

Ranjit Barthakur, chairman of Jaipur IPL Pvt Ltd, said; "As an early promoter of Indian cricket, I am saddened the situation has come to this. Manoj and I have made multiple attempts to meet the BCCI without success. So, legal recourse is the only option." Salve, despite several attempts, was unavailable for comment.

Suresh Chellaram, a 44% stakeholder in the franchise, is suspended IPL chief Lalit Modi's brother-in-law. However, when asked, BCCI chief Shashank Manohar had insisted, "The decision to sack Royals has not been taken because of any individual."

toi

Top players likely to skip ODI series vs Kiwis

New Delhi, Oct 21 (PTI) Some of India's top cricketers are likely to miss the ODI series against New Zealand next month with the Cricket Board planning to send them to South Africa to prepare for the Test series there.

India has never won a Test series in South Africa yet and the BCCI is keen to send the senior cricketers well before the start of the rubber to get fully acclimatised to the conditions.

"We are planning to send the key Test players to South Africa early to prepare for the series. The conditions in South Africa are quite different and we want to give our players enough time to come to terms with the conditions" a BCCI source said.

New Zealand are scheduled to play three Tests and five one-dayers in India from November 4 to December 10.

India, Australia arrive for final ODI in Goa

STAFF WRITER 19:54 HRS IST

Margao, Oct 21 (PTI) India and Australia today arrived here from Vishakapatnam ahead of the third and final one-dayer scheduled to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Sunday.

After the first ODI was washed off in Kochi, India won the second match by five wickets yesterday at Vizag to take an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The Australians arrived here with only 12 playing members after injured speedster Doug Bollinger and key middle order batsman Michael Hussey flew home at the conclusion of the second match.

Cricket Australia's Communications advisor Lachy Patterson, who is traveling with the visiting team, said that no replacements have been called for as the October 24 fixture was the concluding tie of the rubber.

"Yes, that's correct. We have come here with 12 players.

2nd ODI: Kohli, Raina power India to 5-wicket win over Australia

VISAKHAPATNAM: Young Virat Kohli overcame a bout of cramps to make a career-best 118 as India posted a thrilling five-wicket win over Australia in the second one-day international on Wednesday.


The 21-year-old hit one six and 11 fours in his third hundred to help India achieve a stiff 290-run target with seven balls to spare in the day-night game for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The opening match was washed out due to rain. The third and final international will be played in Goa on Sunday.

Kohli upstaged Australia captain Michael Clarke, who scored an unbeaten 111 for his fifth one-day hundred, helping his side post a big total.

Australian paceman Clint McKay jolted India with two quick wickets before Kohli and Yuvraj Singh (58) steadied the innings with a 137-run stand for the third wicket.

Batting with a runner because of leg cramps in the later part of his innings, Kohli was also involved in an 84-run stand for the fourth wicket with Suresh Raina, who smashed one six and nine fours in his 47-ball 71 not out.

McKay took three wickets and debutant paceman John Hastings two.

Clarke earlier played a key role in boosting Australia as he added 144 for the third wicket with Mike Hussey (69) and 129 for the unfinished fourth with Cameron White (89 not out).

White hammered six sixes and as many fours in his 49-ball knock as the tourists plundered 84 runs in the last five overs.

Australia were struggling at 16-2 after being put in to bat before Clarke and Hussey steadied the innings.

Clarke completed his century in the 46th over, hitting paceman Vinay Kumar for two successive fours and then turning the next ball to mid-wicket for a single. He cracked one six and seven fours in his 138-ball knock.

Hussey was trapped leg-before by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin after hitting seven fours, but not before setting the stage for a closing-overs onslaught.

Left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra did the early damage when he dismissed openers Shaun Marsh and Tim Paine in his opening four overs.

India had to work hard for their next success as Clarke and Hussey paced their innings remarkably well, taking no risks and relying more on singles and twos to keep the scoreboard moving.

India and Australia rested top players for the series to test their bench strength ahead of next year's World Cup.

Read more: 2nd ODI: Kohli, Raina power India to 5-wicket win over Australia - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/australia-in-india/top-stories/2nd-ODI-Kohli-Raina-power-India-to-5-wicket-win-over-Australia/articleshow/6782471.cms#ixzz12xled0tM

Kochi investors fail to form JV, seek 10 more days from BCCI

MUMBAI: The future of the Kochi franchise of the Indian Premier League remains uncertain. The franchise managed to submit a reply to the BCCI before the deadline of 6pm on Wednesday to incorporate their joint venture elapsed. However, the shareholders have merely sought more time from the board to resolve their dispute.

The Kochi investors have submitted to BCCI that they need time (approximately another 10 days) to bring changes in their shareholding pattern. They have thus put the ball back in BCCI's court.

"Our legal team is going through it (Kochi's reply)," top BCCI officials said on Wednesday evening about the Kochi reply. The board, it is learnt, is looking at legal implications if it decides to grant Kochi an extension.

Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab, the franchisees that were recently axed, are bound to protest if Kochi does get an extension. Further, allowing changes in the Kochi franchise's shareholding pattern would mean allowing it to do exactly what the board had held against the two expelled franchises.

Over the last two months, the Kochi investors had met several times to resolve their internal dispute but failed to do so. However, the last 24 hours seem to have made them see the issue in a different light when they all unanimously agreed to the bigger picture that the franchise was slipping out of hand.

Therefore, backed with a horde of legal advisors, the Kochi investors and the sweat equity holders met at an undisclosed location in Mumbai and are learnt to have come to certain agreements in changing the shareholding pattern. "The only way they could reach a solution to their internal problems is by making the Gaikwads listen to their demands. So, if there's finally a patch-up, that means the Gaikwads have relented," said another official. The proposed idea is likely to have been submitted to the board.

The Gaikwads partly own the 25% free sweat equity held by Rendezvous Sports World Pvt Ltd (RSWPL) that includes Kisan, Shailendra and Pushpa Gaikwad, Puja Gulathi, Jayant Kotalwar, Vishnu Prasad and Sundip Agarwal. Apart from this, Shailendra Gaikwad also holds 1% paid up equity.

The bone of contention was that the remaining investors didn't want the Gaikwads to hold such a huge stake which would give them a larger say in the team affairs.

The Kochi franchise, jointly owned by RSWPL, Anchor Earth Private Ltd, Parinee Developers, Anand Shyam Estates, Film Waves Combine and Vivek Venugopal, was bought at $333.333m, making it IPL's second costliest team. As per the 10-year contract, the franchise would earn BCCI a minimum of $33.33m per year which, as one official pointed, is far more than Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab put together.

TOI

India aim to keep all-win record intact at Vizag

VISAKHAPATNAM: Back in their happy-hunting ground, an upbeat India will look to take the lead against a wounded and depleted Australia in the second ODI on Wednesday after the series-opener was washed out in Kochi.

The three-ODI series has now been reduced to a two-match affair after the first match in Kochi two days ago was abandoned before a ball could be bowled because of heavy rains.

Back-to-back losses in the recently-concluded two-Test series have dented the world champion Australia's pride and they would be looking to get back at the hosts at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ADA- VDCA Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Known for their fighting spirit, Australia have won every one-day series in India since 1998 and the pressure will clearly be on Michael Clarke who had a barren Test series that added fuel to criticism against him.

Clarke will lead a side light on experience after regular skipper Ricky Ponting, all-rounder Shane Watson and pacer Mitchell Johnson were rested from the series, while the fast bowling stocks were further thinned by injuries to Shaun Tait, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle among others.

For Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men, it is all about carrying on the momentum on a ground where India have won all the two matches they have played.

It was at the same venue that Dhoni had announced his arrival on the big stage with a 123-ball 148 against Pakistan in what was his fifth ODI on April 5, 2005.

Playing hard and true, unlike typical Indian wickets, the Vizag strip saw a total of 654 runs scored with India winning comfortably.

India followed it with a win over Sri Lanka in the second ODI that the stadium hosted on February 17, 2007.

Dhoni did not get a chance to bat then as Yuvraj Singh guided the team home and the Team India skipper would look for another big knock when the match is played on Wednesday for the first time under lights.

Bright and sunny weather here means that the cricket starved crowd of the coastal city in Andhra Pradesh will witness an international match after about four years.

Star players including Sachin Tendulkar and Ponting being rested, the series is seen as a battle of upcoming prospects in the two cricketing powerhouses ahead of the ICC World Cup early next year.

Dhoni will lead a new-look Indian side in absence of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, while the bowling department will see the absence of speedster Zaheer Khan and spinners Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha.

But the team is bolstered by the return of an off-colour but determined Yuvraj Singh, who was dropped for the Asia Cup.

The stylish Punjab batsman, not in best of form, will look to find the rhythm at the same venue where he had scored an unbeaten 95 in India's win over Sri Lanka.

With one more series -- against New Zealand -- coming up, this will perhaps be his last chance to pass the litmus test before the quadrennial extravaganza next year.

In the absence of regular openers, the in-form Murali Vijay will start the proceedings with Shikhar Dhawan looking to don Team India colours as well.

The line-up may also mark the debut of explosive rookie batsman Saurabh Tiwary who played for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

"He has got exposure against the best bowlers in the IPL and CL T20. I think it is an ideal opportunity for us to give him a place in the final XI and let him play the kind of cricket he plays," Dhoni had said.

The side also has the tried and tested trio of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who will again be under scrutiny for the middle order slots.

With little assistance from the Vizag strip, Indian seamers of Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar and rookie Vinay Kumar will be tested.

In R Ashwin, India have an in-form off-spinner who had a fantastic run in the Twenty20 version helping Chennai Super Kings win the Champions League. It will be a big test for him ahead of the World Cup.

Australia too will have a new-look side, with players like David Warner, John Hastings and Mitchell Starc keen to show an aptitude for Indian conditions.

"This is great experience for a lot of the guys who haven't played international cricket especially in India," said Clarke.

"I think India is one of the greatest places to play international cricket, but it is a challenge, it is hard, and this is where the World Cup is going to be as well.

"There's a lot of guys who've been waiting for an opportunity, been doing well in first-class cricket, but now with Watto, Punter and Mitch resting and the other bowlers being injured, it has given the guys an opportunity.

"Our preparation is for the World Cup, the selectors pick certain guys to see how they go in these conditions to work out who is going to be in that squad.

Warner will be the danger man for India especially on the flat track of Vizag while the Aussie middle-order will be manned by Clarke who will be keen to score runs after forgettable outings in the Test series.

In Michael Hussey, the Aussies have the experience while Callum Ferguson will be the one to watch out for especially after his stupendous show in Champions League Twenty20.

Doug Bollinger will lead the bowling attack if he has recovered from the abdominal strain that ruled him out of the Bangalore Test.

Youngster Clint McKay is likely to partner him while Mitchell Starc may make his debut in case the senior-most bowler misses out.

A batting paradise, the Vizag strip is seen as one of the best batting pitches of the country and has seen totals of more than 650 and 500 in the last two occasions.

Andhra's director of cricket operations MSK Prasad has promised a run feast for the fans.

"The pitch is a batting beauty. We expect another run feast," the former India wicketkeeper said.

But with the stadium hosting its first match under lights, dew may play a role towards the evening.

Teams (from)

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt/wk), Murali Vijay, Shikhwar Dhawan, Saurabh Tiwary, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar and Vinay Kumar

Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), Cameron White, Michael Hussey, Tim Paine (wk), Doug Bollinger, Callum Ferguson, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, Clint McKay, Shaun Marsh, Steven Smith, Michael Starc and David Warner.

Umpires: Billy Bowden, Shavir Tarapore
TV: Sudhir Asnani
Match Referee: Chris Broad.

Hours of play: 2.30pm to 6pm and 6.45pm to end of the match.

Read more: India aim to keep all-win record intact at Vizag - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/australia-in-india/top-stories/India-aim-to-keep-all-win-record-intact-at-Vizag/articleshow/6773616.cms#ixzz12rrQ0vcG

Wrestlers removed from Delhi Games now in Asiad squad

CHENNAI: Sushil Kumar's exclusion from the 18-member wrestling squad for Asian Games came as no surprise as he is recovering from shoulder and knee injuries.

However, the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) selection committee's decision to pick three grapplers who are under the dope cloud did lead to raised eyebrows in wrestling circles.

Freestyle wrestlers Rajiv Tomar (120 kg), Mausam Khatri (96 kg) and Gursharan Preet Kaur (women's 72 kg), who didn't feature in the Commonwealth Games (CWG) after testing positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine (MHA) just days before the Games, have made it to the squad for the Guangzhou Games.

The National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) had cleared the wrestlers for CWG after the provisional hearing on the technicality that World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) has moved MHA from non-specified substances to specified substances category in the 2011 list of prohibited stimulants.

With MHA coming into the specified list, its usage will attract, at the most, a warning. Earlier, its abuse invited a two-year ban.

The trio will appear before a NADA panel for a final hearing on Thursday and if the authorities don't clear the wrestlers, the WFI will have to look for replacements. This brings us to the question: Why were they included in the first place? And, why didn't WFI wait for the Thursday hearing?

WFI president GS Mander explained: "We are very strict about doping. And we follow the NADA and WADA codes. Here, the substance in question (MHA) has been removed from the non-specified list by WADA. It was just added in January and now the authorities have changed their stance. These wrestlers were cleared to take part in the CWG along with the other 10 sportspersons who were originally pulled up by NADA. In fact, one of the athletes from that group (shot-putter Shaurab Vij) took part."

Mander added, "The use of MHA is not a big offence according to doping rules and that is why we have included the wrestlers in the Asiad squad. We are confident they will be cleared by NADA in the next hearing too. If they are not we will find replacements for them."

But with our coaches advertising the depth of talent in Indian wrestling now, was it that difficult to find replacements for these wrestlers? "All three are the best in their respective categories. Rajiv Tomar would have won gold in CWG had he played.

"But we didn't allow him or the other two, even after they were cleared provisionally by NADA, as we wanted to set an example that we wouldn't tolerate any form of substance abuse," said Mander. "Now, since the authorities are clear that it is not a serious offence, we wanted to go with the best possible team to China."

Meanwhile, Sushil was confident the team, even without his presence, would come back with a rich haul from China. "Yogeshwar (60kg) and Narsingh Yadav (74kg) are strong gold medal contenders. They are in good form right now. Besides, Rajiv and Mausam are also back in the team and they are in good touch," he said. "But tough competition will be there from Iran, Japan, China, Korea and wrestlers from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan."

The team: (Freestyle) Vinod Kumar 55kg, Yogeshwar Dutt 60 kg, Pradeep Kumar 66 kg, Narsingh Yadav 74 kg, Ram Vir 84 kg, Mausam Khatri 96 kg, Rajiv Tomar 120 kg; (Greco-Roman): Rajender Kumar 55 kg, Ravinder Singh 60kg, Sunil Kumar 66kg, Sanjay 74 kg, Manoj Kumar 84 kg, Anil Kumar 96 kg, Dharmender Dalal 120 kg; (Women): Nirmala Devi 48 kg, Geeta 55 kg, Suman Kundu 63 kg, Gursharan Preet Kaur 72 kg.

Read more: Wrestlers removed from Delhi Games now in Asiad squad - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/2010-asian-games/Wrestlers-removed-from-Delhi-Games-now-in-Asiad-squad/articleshow/6777494.cms#ixzz12rrAajxo

Asian Games: Easy for Saina, tough draw for other Indians

NEW DELHI: Going by current form and the draw, India's badminton star Saina Nehwal should have little difficulty in making the women's singles semifinals at the Asian Games at Guangzhou, China, starting November 12.

Other Indian players, however, will have a tough time right from the first round.

India won two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze at the Commonwealth Games, but repeating the feat at the Asian Games will be a tough ask. They will have to reckon with powerhouse China who will be in full force.

World No.3 Saina and the gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games, is seeded second and has a bye in the first round. Saina could face Hong Kong's Pui Yin Yip, sixth seed, in the quarterfinal. She is likely to encounter her first Chinese opponent only in the semifinals, possibly third seeded Shixian Wang.

The other women's singles player Aditi Mutatkar may face fourth-seeded Eriko Hirose of Japan in the second round as she is expected to beat her first-round opponent Thilini Jayasinghe of Sri Lanka.

In the men's singles, Chetan Anand will open against Sri Lankan Niluka Karunaratne in the first round and may face sixth-seeded Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand in the next round.

Parupalli Kashyap, who emerged India's star player at the Commonwealth Games with singles bronze, will take on world No. 9 Vietnam's Tien Minh Nguyen, seeded fifth, in the first round.

World No.1 Malaysian Lee Chong Wei and China's Lin Dan are seeded one and two respectively in men's singles.

In the men's doubles, Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas will face top-seeded Malaysian Kien Keat Koo and Boon Heong Tan.

India's women's pair Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, who won the doubles gold at the Commonwealth Games, meet Thailand's Savitree Amitrapai and P. Munkitchokecharoen in the first round. However, they are expected to run into second seeded Chinese Shu Cheng and Yunlei Zhao in the next round.

In mixed doubles, Gutta and V Diju, seeded fourth, have got a bye in the first round.

In the men's team event, India will open against Chinese Taipei. If they win they will meet third seeded Indonesia in the second round.

The women's team will face Indonesia first and is likely to take on fourth seeded Chinese Taipei in the next round. China is the top seed in both men's and women's team event.

Read more: Asian Games: Easy for Saina, tough draw for other Indians - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/2010-asian-games/Asian-Games-Easy-for-Saina-tough-draw-for-other-Indians/articleshow/6769478.cms#ixzz12m3yvKkJ

Asian Games: Easy for Saina, tough draw for other Indians

NEW DELHI: Going by current form and the draw, India's badminton star Saina Nehwal should have little difficulty in making the women's singles semifinals at the Asian Games at Guangzhou, China, starting November 12.

Other Indian players, however, will have a tough time right from the first round.

India won two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze at the Commonwealth Games, but repeating the feat at the Asian Games will be a tough ask. They will have to reckon with powerhouse China who will be in full force.

World No.3 Saina and the gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games, is seeded second and has a bye in the first round. Saina could face Hong Kong's Pui Yin Yip, sixth seed, in the quarterfinal. She is likely to encounter her first Chinese opponent only in the semifinals, possibly third seeded Shixian Wang.

The other women's singles player Aditi Mutatkar may face fourth-seeded Eriko Hirose of Japan in the second round as she is expected to beat her first-round opponent Thilini Jayasinghe of Sri Lanka.

In the men's singles, Chetan Anand will open against Sri Lankan Niluka Karunaratne in the first round and may face sixth-seeded Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand in the next round.

Parupalli Kashyap, who emerged India's star player at the Commonwealth Games with singles bronze, will take on world No. 9 Vietnam's Tien Minh Nguyen, seeded fifth, in the first round.

World No.1 Malaysian Lee Chong Wei and China's Lin Dan are seeded one and two respectively in men's singles.

In the men's doubles, Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas will face top-seeded Malaysian Kien Keat Koo and Boon Heong Tan.

India's women's pair Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, who won the doubles gold at the Commonwealth Games, meet Thailand's Savitree Amitrapai and P. Munkitchokecharoen in the first round. However, they are expected to run into second seeded Chinese Shu Cheng and Yunlei Zhao in the next round.

In mixed doubles, Gutta and V Diju, seeded fourth, have got a bye in the first round.

In the men's team event, India will open against Chinese Taipei. If they win they will meet third seeded Indonesia in the second round.

The women's team will face Indonesia first and is likely to take on fourth seeded Chinese Taipei in the next round. China is the top seed in both men's and women's team event.

Read more: Asian Games: Easy for Saina, tough draw for other Indians - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/2010-asian-games/Asian-Games-Easy-for-Saina-tough-draw-for-other-Indians/articleshow/6769478.cms#ixzz12m3yvKkJ

Gavaskar first non-Australian in Bradman Hall Of Fame

MUMBAI: Sunil Gavaskar and Adam Gilchrist will be recognised as Bradman Honourees at the annual Bradman Foundation's gala dinner to be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 20.

Adam Gilchrist's award is significant as he is the first honouree to still be playing the game at some level. Gavaskar will be the first international Bradman Honouree. According to the citation, "Embodying the Bradman principles of courage, honour, humility, integrity and determination, Gavaskar had a profound impact on cricket in India and around the world. He is recognised as the most successful of all opening batsmen and is credited for teaching his teammates and their successors the virtue of unconditional professionalism."

Gilchrist and Gavaskar join the ranks of cricketing greats such as Sam Loxton, Norman O'Neill, Alan Davidson, and Arthur Morris. Dennis Lillee, one of last year's Honourees, will also be attending the dinner.

The 2010 gala dinner which is now recognised as the premier cricket event will feature Michael Slater and Ian Healy as masters of ceremony with Barry Humphries giving his unique view on cricket.

The event will also have special significance as it will be held only a few weeks before the world's only International Cricket Hall of Fame will open at Bradman Oval in Bowral.

Read more: Gavaskar first non-Australian in Bradman Hall Of Fame - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Gavaskar-first-non-Australian-in-Bradman-Hall-Of-Fame/articleshow/6771485.cms#ixzz12m3aGYg2

Rain abandons India-Australia Kochi ODI

KOCHI: The first one-dayer between India and Australia was called off without a ball being bowled due to heavy rains on Sunday.

Incessant rains for the last few days resulted in a wet outfield and fresh downpour in the morning, forced match referee Chris Broad to abandon the match.

The umpires inspected the conditions at 9:00 am but found the areas near the bowlers' run-up and a few parts near the boundary lines quite damp.

They were scheduled to carry out a second inspection at 11:00 am but after the fresh drizzle hitting the port city at around 10:20 am, Broad decided to abandon the opening encounter.

The officials were of the view that with all the water already on the field, it was impossible to play.

Though, it was not raining at the time of toss, but the wet outfield caused due to persistent rain in the last few days, delayed the start of play at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.

Groundsmen were making efforts to make the field dry for play but the heavy downpour again meant covers were brought back on the ground.

Both India and Australia players were indoors at the hotel and it was decided that after second inspection of the pitch and outfield by match referee Broad, they would be asked to leave the hotel for the ground.

The teams now travel to Visakhapatnam for the second one-dayer on October 20.

The organisers have decided to refund the cost of tickets bought by the 30,000-odd spectators.

Kochi has been witnessing heavy downpour since last Thursday which washed out the practice sessions of both the teams.

The Indian and Australian team members had reached Kochi on Thursday after the second Test in Bangalore, which the host won. India had also won the first Test at Mohali.

Read more: Rain abandons India-Australia Kochi ODI - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/australia-in-india/top-stories/Rain-abandons-India-Australia-Kochi-ODI/articleshow/6762477.cms#ixzz12g6LPwuV

Indian Cricket team to debut in new ODI kit

STAFF WRITER 15:41 HRS IST

Kochi, Oct 16 (PTI) Team India will debut in the new Nike One-Day International kit, which has brighter and bolder blue jersey made from recycled polyester in their first match against Australia at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here tomorrow.

The new jersey is made entirely from recycled polyester, each one produced from up to eight recycled plastic bottles, Ravi Kallayil, Business Director-Cricket Nike India Private Ltd, told reporters here.

The new kit is an important step in the process to make all Nike products more sustainable.

Kallayil said Nike continuously strives to bring technology and innovations into the sport and help athletes improve their game.

"The new ODI kit not only looks great and delivers performance benefits, but is also made with recycled materials, creating less impact on the environment," he said.

Nike would provide cricket fans an assortment of jersey replicas, including the authentic game day jersey.

Aussies should learn the 'art of cricket' from Tendulkar: Jones

MELBOURNE: Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar's dominance in batting is well known, but what makes him a genius and separates him from other batsmen in world is his ability to perform the basics in a better manner, and that too also in pressure conditions, according to Australian legend Dean Jones.

"Tendulkar is a freak, a pure sporting genius. I have seen a few in my time, such as Viv Richards, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting, players who had something different to others," Jones said.

"What makes a genius? To me, the difference between a genius and mere mortals is that their defence is better. They perform the basics better. When athletes or teams are under pressure and momentum goes against them, it is their defensive skills that stand out the most," he writes in The Age.

"For a mortal to aspire to something higher, he needs to know this. Take Andrew Symonds, whose defensive game was non-existent when he started playing Test cricket. He learnt to defend and became a better player," Jones said.

Commenting on the Australian players slide in form during the Test series in India, Jones said that spinner Nathan Hauritz was struggling because he forgets the basics of bowling under pressure.

"He simply cannot bowl six balls in a shoe box when he is under the heat. For Marcus North, his problem is that he does not read the length early enough and doesn't play straight early. Therefore he struggles with inconsistency. Our top-line bowlers do not bowl straight enough, particularly to new batsman at the crease. Just basics, really," he said.

Jones further asked Australia to take a few lessons from Tendulkar in the way he goes about his game, and added that never mumbles to himself when he is batting, never curses or gets rushed or irritated.

"Tendulkar is 37 and showing everyone up; making runs at will. He has about six gears in his batting, but for a while he was boring to watch as he never got out of third. Now, his attitude has changed and he is bringing some fun into his batting by hitting sixes. His current bat has made 13 Test centuries," Jones said

"He is meticulous about the way he prepares for a series or a game. When India is training, you never see him sitting down, he is always busy. Tendulkar hates running and is not keen on the gym. But he works hard on the stationary bike and watches what he eats. He plays enough cricket and makes enough runs to keep himself in top condition," he added.

Read more: Aussies should learn the 'art of cricket' from Tendulkar: Jones - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/australia-in-india/top-stories/Aussies-should-learn-the-art-of-cricket-from-Tendulkar-Jones/articleshow/6758429.cms#ixzz12Wdo3OPW

120 billion yuan invested in Guangzhou Asian Games

The gross investment for the upcoming 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games reached up to more than 120 billion yuan, said Wan Qingliang, mayor of Guangzhou City, on Oct. 13.

Wan said that the investment mainly covered three aspects.

The city budgeted 6.3 billion yuan for construction and maintenance of stadiums and 7.3 billion yuan as operating funds for the upcoming Asian Games and the Asian Paralympic Games.

Moreover, Guangzhou City also invested 109 billion yuan to improve the urban landscape and environment, which included the construction of subways, city roads and bridges. It also built up of infrastructure, integrated environmental management and industrial wastewater treatment and carried out a program of comprehensive environmental improvement, including air, water, transportation, living environment and comprehensive environmental barrier-free facilities.

It was reported that 70 stadiums are to be used in the Asian Games, of which 12 are newly built and 58 are renovated or expanded. Meanwhile, the Asian Games Village, covering an area of 2.73 square kilometers, was built to gather major non-competition venues, including the athletes' village, the technical officers' village, the media village and a main media centre.

By Li Mu, People's Daily Online