Twenty20 cricket world champions hosted by Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi (PTI): India’s World Twenty20 cricket champions were on Tuesday hosted by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi after the players were honoured by the Prime Minister and the President earlier in the day.

SoniaGandhi, who returned from China on Monday night, exchanged pleasantries with the players and complimented them for their outstanding feat.

“She also enquired about the upcoming series against Pakistan and Australia and China being introduced to the game,” said BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla.

Gandhi also singled out paceman Rudra Pratap Singh, who belongs to her constituency Rae Bareli, to pose for a photograph.

Her daughter Priyanka and two grandchildren were also present on the occasion.

Middle order batsman Yuvraj Singh, who was feeling feverish, and Virender Sehwag, whose father passed away earlier in the day, were not present on the occasion.

Taufiq Umar opts for ICL

Lahore, Oct 29- Pakistani Test discard Taufiq Umar is to join the Indian Cricket League (ICL) even though other senior players who had earlier opted for the rebel league have returned to the fold.

‘Taufiq, an opening batsman, does not foresee any future prospects for himself in Pakistan cricket,’ Dawn reported Monday, quoting sources.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq and Imran Farhat had also opted for the ICL, but Yousuf then decided to disassociate himself from the league.

Razzaq, who announced his retirement from international cricket to join the ICL, backtracked Saturday and there are reports he is also thinking of saying goodbye to the ICL, the newspaper said.

Inzamam and Farhat are, however, firm on their commitment to the ICL.

Taufiq along with Farhat was involved in three opening century stands in the last home series against South Africa, and his decision to switch to the ICL ‘will definitely compound Pakistan’s problems in finding a reliable opening pair in the future’, Dawn said.

India vs Pakistan: Time to fire

In a way, it’s perhaps ironical that both India and Pakistan will be without their best batsman when they resume ‘hostilities’ on the cricket field in a week’s time. While one was forced into retirement, the other has been clearly put on notice.

Indo-Pak cricket is hardly about individual players, for the traditional rivalry between the two neighbouring Asian countries draws heavily on history and is rich in emotional content. However, when the ‘missing’ players in question happen to be the best of their generation, it becomes the sub-plot of a thriller that marketing whizkids would be quick to sell as ‘war minus the shooting’.

But then, Inzamam-ul Haq and Rahul Dravid are no ordinary players. The absence of Inzamam, who has been ‘forced’ into retirement by the powers that be in Pakistan cricket is bound to tell on Shoaib Malik’s side when they cross swords with India on this side of the Wagah border, while the axing of Rahul Dravid from the Indian ODI side has already put a glee on their rivals’ faces much before the first ball has been bowled.

Team India, so good in Twenty20 of late, seems to have forgotten the winning mantra in ODIs. Two successive series loss — to England and Australia — has seen them slide down the ICC ranking ladder. A further slip-up against Pakistan will see India right down there with the minnows.

As the debate over Dravid’s exclusion continues to rage in the cricket world, it’s perhaps time to run a reality check on the arsenal that the selectors have made available to skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to counter the Pakistanis, who would be thirsting for revenge.

From the look of it, the 15-member Indian squad seems to have the right mix of youth and experience even though there are quite a few players who have been picked because their past record or reputation precedes them.

The rehabilitation of Virender Sehwag, who has ostensibly been picked because of his record against Pakistan, is a case in point. For, Viru’s ‘phenomenal’ record against Pakistan happens to be in Test cricket and not ODIs where his career average is still a poor 31.61 despite batting at the top of the order.

If a brisk 75 in a Challenger Trophy match is good enough to earn Sehwag a recall to the national side, spare a thought for Suresh Raina, who was easily the ‘Man of the Series’. Logic is hardly the strong point of our selectors, who are known to be afflicted with regional bias. Perhaps that explains the inclusion of rookie UP pacer Praveen Kumar, apparently picked for his all-round ability.

The rest of the squad comprises of the usual suspects, most of whom have done enough to justify their places in the squad. Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly have been amongst runs for sure, but have not fired decisively enough to win matches for the team. With Sachin, Sehwag and Sourav available to launch the innings, the top-order has a healthy look about it, but the same cannot be said of the middle-order which has crumbled time and again in the crucial middle-overs.

With an embarrassment of riches in the opening slots, especially with Gautam Gambhir in roaring form and Dravid missing, it might be time for Sachin to slip down the order to hold the innings together, something he had done so successfully in 2002 when India won the historic NatWest Trophy final at Lord’s. With Sachin there to milk the middle-overs, the big-hitters like Yuvraj Singh, Uthappa and Dhoni can play their natural game.

One-day cricket is all about batting, and on paper, India are a far superior batting side than Pakistan, who, however, boast a formidable attack. India, must therefore always look to put the runs on the board in bid to give their relatively inexperienced pace attack some cushion. Compulsory ball-change after the 35th over is certain to take the reverse swing out of the equation, making Pakistan pacers’ life a bit more difficult.

Having said that, the Indian batting line-up, arguably the best in the world, has rarely stood up and delivered consistently. But deliver it must, for the bell has tolled early and rather cruelly for Dravid. It may not be long before it rings again for the floundering old guard which gets one last chance before the youth brigade takes over.

So, expect yet another high-voltage series this Diwali, for there is never a dull moment in Indian cricket.

Conspiracy behind Dravid axe?

NEW DELHI : Is there more behind Dravid’s ouster than poor form? Two days after the ex-skipper was sacked, many former colleagues of chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar have come out in support of Dravid, and hinted that there could be an element of intrigue behind the decision.

Ex-cricketer Sandeep Patil said on Monday that he felt Dravid performed poorly against Australia because he was “under pressure”. “I suspect he is a victim of conspiracy,” he said. Manjrekar had this to add: “If anyone deserved a lifeline in troubled waters, it was Dravid. Rested has become an interesting word.”

There were reports that Dravid had annoyed Vengsarkar by not informing him when he quit captaincy. According to reports, during the selection meeting in Ahmedabad, Vengsarkar reacted strongly to a suggestion from a colleague that Dravid be informed about the decision by saying: “Did he inform us while resigning?”

Close associates of Dravid, including those who have a fair idea of the recent turn of events, are shocked by Vengsarkar’s reported stance. One of them said, “Dravid kept quiet about his decision to quit the captaincy because of the launch of the Indian Premier League. But then he wrote to Pawar and sent CCs to the chief selector (Vengsarkar) and to the secretary (Niranjan Shah). Vengsarkar’s behaviour has been bizarre.”

Reading a clear conspiracy behind Dravid’s ouster, those who have known Dravid for years maintained that he was disturbed by recent events and was keeping his own counsel.

“He has withdrawn into his shell,” one of them said, “Dravid oozes dignity. He is proper and correct, which is not the way the system works. He won’t lobby or jostle for anything. Was this kind of treatment necessary?”

They added that Dravid was also upset about the questions raised by Vengsarkar about his fitness. “He is as fit as ever,” they said, “And if he was dropped on the basis of form, why was he not asked to play in the Challenger series? And why say he has been ‘rested’ for two games when he was clearly dropped?”

Quite clearly, the last word hasn’t been heard yet on this issue.

Twenty20 defeat has whetted appetite for India series:Lawson

LAHORE: Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson said the two Twenty20 World Cup cliff-hangers against India had only whetted the appetite of his players for the forthcoming series against the arch rivals.

“India has certainly been at the back of their (Pakistani players’) minds. In fact what happened in the T20 World Cup has only whetted the appetite for the coming series,” Lawson said on Sunday.

“Although an Indo-Pak series always produces high tension. But it is becoming more exciting with the induction of new players,” the Australian said.

He said he got a taste of the intense rivalry between the two sides in the T20 World Cup but playing in India would be a whole new experience for him.

“I am looking forward to it. We have a good side and we are confident we can do well. We played against them in the Twenty20 World Cup and there is nothing much between the two sides in the instant form of the game,” Lawson said.

The former paceman said an ODI series victory against the visiting Proteas would serve a big morale booster ahead of the India tour.

“People have a high level of anticipation for the coming series but we have to first go through the one against South Africa. If we can win the final game against tomorrow, it will be the biggest stepping stone for us for India,” Lawson said.

He said that the coming series promised more because of the change of guard in both teams.

“Great players leaving always leaves you with a great deal of sadness but they are a few exciting new talents coming through in both teams. All this is adding more and more to what will be a great series,” he said.

Lawson expressed satisfaction at his stint with the Pakistan team so far.

“We want to win every game but we need to do a whole lot of things before we can do that. We have a fair way to go in that but we have started doing some things really well,” he said.

Lawson was of the view that the Pakistan team lacked consistent intensity.

“At the moment, at times the intensity is missing and we tend to go one step backward after a few good things. But the Pakistan cricket culture is different and they have different ideas. I always knew it will take time to change things and old habits.”

“What is frustrating for me is at times we do some things really well and then fall back. But I am willing to be patient with them. Because there is a whole lot of talent in the Pakistan cricket system,” Lawson observed.

Haryana and ATC enter semi-finals of Twenty20 cricket

CHANDIGARH: Association for Twenty20 Cricket (India) and Haryana stormed into the semi-final of the inaugural  National Twenty20 Cricket Championship for Under-15 being organized by the Chandigarh Twenty20 Cricket Association under the aegis of the ATC ( India ) and the Chandigarh Olympic Association here Sunday.

ATC routed Himachal Pradesh by five wickets and  Haryana eliminated Delhi by 50 runs in the quarter-finals matches at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium.

Himachal Pradesh won the toss and elected to bat. They made 132 before being all out in 19.5 overs. The highlight of their innings was a 40-run association for the second wicket between Ved Dutta (23) and Aman Walia (33, 6x4s). Later, Vikrant (13) and Shorya (20 not out, 3x4s) were associated in a 35-run stand for the ninth wicket. This pair carried the score to 132 from 97 before Vikrant was bowled by Kunal (3 for 20). Harpreet captured four Himachal wickets for 9 runs.

In reply, ATC achived the target in 19.2 overs. Himachal were let down by their fielders as ATC opener Gaurav Tandon (57, 4x4s, 1×6) was dropped  at his indivudal score of 8, 9, 11, 15 and 56). Man of the Match Harpreet (45, 7x4s) also enjoyed two lives. He was dropped by Aman at his individual score of 8 and 12. And the bowler to suffer was Achin. Rohit contributed 12 runs.

In the second quarter-final match, Haryana defeated Delhi by 50 runs. After winning the toss Haryana captain Rahul Sharma opted to bat and made 157 for 8 in stipulated 20 overs. Rahul was who adjudged the match of the match topscored with 45 runs which contained six fours. Dharmender (27),   Abhishek (27) and Harish Kumar (14) were the other principal scorers for the winners. Delhi ‘s Akshay got three wickets for 19 runs.

In reply, Delhi were bowled out for 107 in17.5 overs. Sunil and  Rahul captured two wickets each for 27 and 21 runs, respectively.

Meanwhile, Bihar became the eighth team to qualify for quarter-finals as the best losers on the basis of run rate after completion of the league stage. Their run rate was +1.934. Other states in contention were Pondicherry (-2.22), Jharkhand (+0.2) and Mumbai (-0.85). The league matches were played at the DAV SSS-8 ground and the Punjab Engineering College round.
Amrinder Singh Grewal presented Man of the Match awards.
Brief scores (Q-finals): Haryana: 157 for 8 in 20 overs (Rahul Sharma 45, 6x4s, Dharmender 27, 4x4s, Harish Kumar 14, Abhishek not out 27, Lakshay 3 for 19) bt Delhi: 107 all out in 17.5 overs (Sufian Alam 11, Rishab Sharma 18, Lakshay Suri 12, Surinder 17, Sunil 2 for 21, Rahul 2 for 27) by 50 runs. Man of the Match: Rahul Sharma.

Himachal: 132 all out in 19.5 overs (Ved Dutta 23, Aman Walia 33, 6x4s, Vikrant 13, Shorya not out 20, Kunal 3 for 20, Harpreet 4 for 9) lost to Association for Twenty20 Cricket (India) XI: 136 for 5 in 19.2 overs (Gaurav Tandon 57, 4x4s, 1×6, Harpreet 45, 7x4s, Raj Kumar 3 for 20, Aman Walia 2 for 24) bt five wickets. Man of the Match: Harpreet.

League matches: Mumbai: 159 for 5 (Jayaraj Bashyal 65, 5x4s, Audumbar Kirdat not out 44, Rohit Patel 3 for 26, Anand Jain 1 for 29) bt Goa: 91 for 9 in 20 overs (Mauyur Mahajan 43, 6x4s, Shubhum Barkhunte 13, Raaj Bora 3 for 7, Rattan   Jamatiya 3 for 19) by 68 runs. Man of the Match: Raaj Bora. Jharkhand: 142 all out in 18.5 overs (Avishek Pandy 40, 3x4s, Dhiran Kumar 30, 3x4s, Swapnil Jadhav 4 for 16, Surindra Meghwat 3 for 34, Kushal Darda 1 for 8) bt Dadar Nagar Haveli: 38 in 14.1 overs ( Swapnil Jadhav 8, Kulveer Saini 7, Avishek 3 for 7, Mukesh 3 for 5, Dhiraj 2 for 9, Sagar 1 for 14) by 104 runs. Man of the Match: Avishek Pandey.

Pondicherry: 134 in 19.1 overs (Sankarana 21, Gajenderna 18, Sarayana 21, Manikadaran 13, Abhinash 4 for 21, Ravi 2 for 5, Sandeep 2 for 40, Sachin 1 for 19, Ankur 1 for 11) bt Madhya Pradesh: 102 all out in   14.1 overs (Parshant 13, Avinash 15, Ravi 13, Sankar Nayanya 2 for 19, Kramesh 2 for 10) by 32 runs. Man of the Match. Sankar Narayana.

Rajasthan: 40 all out in 10.4 overs ( Pawan 3 for 19, Amarjit 3 for 6, Amit 2 for 1, Niraj 1 for 0) lost to 44 for no loss in 2.4 overs (Pawan 26 not out, 5x4s, 1×6, Barun not out 1). Man of the Match: Pawan.