Monday, November 25, 2013

Shrivastava scores daddy hundred

Vidarbha captain unbeaten on 187, Ruikar batting 48; hosts 457-6 in first innings against Karnataka

 By Paritosh Pramanik

RESPONSIBILITY brings the best out of those who crave to excel. There are few who love performing under pressure. Vidarbha captain Shalabh Shrivastava belongs to that breed. He had done the same last year while scoring 97 against the same opposition at Mysore and on Friday, too, he continued his love affair with Karnataka, this time at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium.
What Vidarbha needed was big innings from overnight batsmen Faiz Fazal and Shrivastava. But where Fazal failed to convert his century into a big innings, Shrivastava dug deep to score his career’s second century on the second day of their Group A Ranji Trophy match.
Though Vidarbha scored only 213 runs in 89 overs on the day, it was a change in gameplan once they lost two middle-order batsmen in quick succession.
At stumps, the hosts were 457 for 6 from 189 overs. Shrivastava was still unbeaten on 187 with Sumit Ruikar giving him company on 48.
If the opening day belonged to Fazal, the second day was all about Shrivastava’s innings which revolved around one unfortunate and one silly run out decision.
A lot was expected from Fazal (147) but he could add only eight runs to his overnight tally as he nicked one to captain and keeper CM Gautam off HS Sharath.
Karnataka took the new ball on the second morning and the red cherry did the trick as Sharath managed to move it slightly away from Fazal. It kissed his bat and landed in keeper’s gloves.
Shrivastava, 75 overnight, negotiated the seam well in the first hour. He hit a straight boundary off Sharath to move into 90s. The carpet driven shot had both, power and timing. Shrivastava completed his century with a nudge to legside. His open arms celebrations showed how important this innings was for him as well as for the team. The Vidarbha captain did not stop there. He continued his dream innings and scored some beautiful boundaries, straight down, through covers and a couple to third man with deliberate nudges.
When it looked that Vidarbha would consolidate their position they suffered a blow in Rashmi Ranjan Parida (2) getting run out. Parida drove towards covers and immediately set off for a run only to be send back by Shrivastava. Abrar Kazi threw the ball to Gautam for a simple run out.
Former skipper Ranjit Paradkar and Shrivastava added another 54 runs for the sixth wicket and when it looked that the scoring rate would increase Paradkar was unfortunate to get run out. 
Shrivastava’s powerful straight drive got deflected off Kazi’s fingers into the stumps with Paradkar stranded outside the crease.
Shrikant Wagh, known for his flashy and hard hitting batting, failed to score as he managed only four from 37 deliveries before being caught at slips by Manish Pandey from a Sharath delivery. 
That forced Vidarbha to change their gameplan.
In between, Shrivastava completed his 150 from 367 deliveries as his partners changed at other end.
With Ruikar, Shrivastava managed to add unbeatable 88 runs for the eighth wicket.
Karnataka toiled for two days and looked mentally and physically tired. With no assist from pitch, Gautam used as many as eight bowlers. Frustration was writ large on their faces as they indulged in negative bowling after tea. 

The umpires even warned the Karnataka skipper but to no avail. Debutant Kazi bowled well giving 90 runs from 53 overs which included 18 maidens.
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We can take ten wickets on this pitch: Shalabh
n Principal Correspondent

VIDARBHA might have crawled to 457 for six on the second day and have lost the initiative of at least taking first innings lead against Karnataka but skipper Shalabh Shrivastava enthused confidence in his bowlers saying they were capable of taking ten wickets.
“Definitely, I would look for a double ton tomorrow. It is not yet decided when to declare innings but I have faith in my bowlers. We have Umesh Yadav who can bowl at a speed of more than 140 kmph. After fielding for two days Karnataka batsmen are tired and I am confident that our bowlers would trouble them,” Shrivastava said after the day’s play.
Shrivastava is on way to his maiden double hundred ending the day at 187. “I am happy with my performance. But I would rate by innings of 97 against the same opponents last year at Mysore higher because that team had better bowlers. They had R Vinay Kumar, Stuart Binny, Abhimanyu Mithun, Sharath. That innings was more satisfying,” said the Vidarbha skipper.

Shrivastava said they had to change their plan after losing quick wickets. “We lost Faiz early and then the two big wickets in Parida and Paradkar forced us to change our gameplan. Their departure forced me to play more responsibly and take the total past 450 without any further damage,” he mentioned.

Karnataka take three points from drawn tie

By Paritosh Pramanik


NOBODY had thought of such an exciting draw to this Ranji Trophy Group ‘A’ game between Vidarbha and Karnataka after first three days saw Vidarbha crawling to 542 and Karnataka responding solidly. Till the stroke of tea Karnataka had the three points for first innings lead in their sight till the game changed. Three wickets in 13 deliveries brought the hosts back in contention but in the end Karnataka’s tail proved more gritty than Vidarbha.
After a tense battle for almost 15 overs at the fag end of Sunday, Karnataka managed to take the first innings lead dashing Vidarbha’s hopes.
Karnataka were going strong till Umesh Yadav produced a breakthrough from nowhere at the stroke of tea. The rock-solid Lokesh Rahul, with a superb 158 in his bag, played on an incutter to his stumps and Vidarbha barged in soon.
This was the opening the tired Vidarbha team were waiting for. They pounced on the chance when off-spinner Akshay Wakhare got into the wicket-taking act removing Abhimanyu Mithun. With two wickets in space of eight balls there was sudden life in Vidarbha camp.
The hosts had toiled for whole afternoon with Rahul (158), Manish Pandey (69) and Ganesh Satish (42) piling on the agony.
Yadav added more drama with his reverse-swing when he trapped Satish plumb in front. Three wickets for three runs put Vidarbha in firm control. They needed another two wickets to earn three points, which was no where in their sight till tea break. 
But the Karnataka tail wagged as debutant Abrar Kazi (25*) and KP Appanna (32) added 92 runs for the ninth wicket to cross Mount 542 and take the honours.
With 291 runs still to score for lead, Rahul and Manish Pandey started the cloudy morning with flurry of boundaries as Vidarbha bowlers failed to take advantage of the overcast conditions. As the day progressed, the pair continued their demolition act, decorating their wagon wheels with fours to all parts of the field.
Barring Kunal Kapoor, who managed only five runs, every Karnataka batsman had boundaries against their name. That aggressive batting helped Karnataka ease pressure. Vidarbha bowlers looked clueless as they allowed Karnataka build partnerships one after another.
Two partnerships of over 100 runs and four partnerships of over 50 showed how strong the Karnataka batting line-up was. 
As for the hosts, their snail’s pace progress on the second day was the main reason for ‘losing’ this battle. Add to that, the club-level bowling, despite having one of India’s fastest bowlers in Yadav, did no good for them. Yadav bowled 34 overs, maximum by the three seamers Vidarbha used, but came into his rhythm pretty late. He finished with three wickets.
Left-arm seamer Shrikant Wagh was the most impressive bowler for the hosts. He created chances but the butter-fingered Vidarbha fielders dropped it. On the fourth day too, skipper Shalabh Shrivastava dropped his opposite number CM Gautam at slips off Wagh.
Shrivastava’s tactics, too, were surprising. When Karnataka were eight down he chose to employ a defensive field. That allowed the Number 9 and 10 gain confidence.
With this draw, Vidarbha have lost the initiative of climbing on the points table. It will get more difficult from here on as they would now play all their matches away. The first big test is coming in four days’ time against champions Mumbai at Wankhede. Vidarbha will have to immediately arrest their problems if they want to put some decent fight in next 30 days.
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Vid skipper Shalabh lashes out at indisciplined bowlers
Principal Correspondent

NO CAPTAIN would be happy if his bowlers concede 61 boundaries and seven sixes from 149 overs. Vidarbha skipper Shalabh Shrivastava was no different in putting the blame on his bowlers, which included one of the fastest bowlers Umesh Yadav.
Karnataka scored 286 runs from boundaries and sixes to take three points from first innings lead after the hosts had posted 542 in their innings.
“Our bowlers did not bowl according to plan. They were indisciplined. While Karnataka bowlers bowled tight line and length, our bowlers failed to stick to it,” said Shrivastava after game.
“Karnataka have a strong batting line-up. You have to be very tight while bowling which our bowlers failed to do. We gave too much of width and there were short deliveries too.”
Karnataka centurion KL Rahul said his side was confident of crossing 542. “We were confident of crossing that target. We have a very strong batting line-up and today the way we batted showed how close we are as a team,” said Rahul about the partnerships they made in the match. But the way he got out irked the right-hander. “I was disappointed with the way I got out. It has happened to me earlier also. But overall, I am satisfied with my innings,” he said. Rahul said their plan was the see off Umesh Yadav and target others. “We wanted to see off his (Yadav’s) overs and target others. But we managed to pick runs from him also which helped us. We all played with a positive mindset,” he said.

Karnataka go full throttle

Visitors score quick runs on Day Three as Vidarbha bowlers disappoint

n By Paritosh Pramanik

THE two days’ toil in the middle seemed nothing for Karnataka. Openers Robin Uthappa and Mayank Agarwal clobbered a hapless Vidarbha bowling in their pursuit of taking first innings lead on the third day of their Ranji Trophy Group A match at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium on Saturday.
At stumps on Day Three, Karnataka were 252 for 2, needing another 291 runs to take crucial first innings lead. The manner in which they scored those runs in 62 overs gives a belief to Karnataka to earn three points.
Vidarbha skipper Shalabh Shrivastava had enthused confidence of taking ten Karnataka wickets. But the way things panned out on Saturday it will take a real special effort from his bowlers to prove Shrivastava right.
Vidarbha were banking on tearaway pacer Umesh Yadav. What was on offer was his pale shadow. He failed to intimidate Karnataka openers with his pace even once. He was wayward, spraying deliveries down leg stump and never came close to taking a wicket.
The flat wicket was definitely an added advantage to Karnataka. But what stood out was the way they started the chase despite facing a mountain of 542.
Karnataka openers wasted no time in reducing the gap, scoring at a rate of over five. Uthappa, who missed two matches due to injury, used this game as the best platform to gain his confidence and form.
Uthappa and Mayank Agarwal played with intent as they knocked off 50 runs from just 14.2 overs. There were boundaries hit all over the field as both batsmen clobbered the pedestrian attack.
The openers added 137 runs and Uthappa hit a brutal 86 from just 96 balls before being brilliantly caught by Shrivastava at short covers. He tried to hit Akshay Wakhare over covers but Shrivastava timed his leap to pouch a brilliant catch. The India discard hit 13 boundaries and a six in his short but entertaining stay.
Other seamers Amol Junghade and Shrikant Wagh also failed to trouble the batsmen. Wagh, though gave Vidarbha three chances. But all went in vain. Two came in one over, first when Faiz Fazal dropped Uthappa at point and then the opener’s edge went between wicketkeeper Amol Ubarhande and Rashmi Ranjan Parida at slip.
The strike rate fell marginally after Uthappa’s departure but after tea Agarwal took charge. He hit spinner Sumit Ruikar for two successive sixes and raced to 48 with an exquisite cover drive off Wagh. A pull to fine leg gave him a well deserved half century.
Fortune had favoured Agarwal when on 58 when Ubarhande dropped a sitter off Wagh. The frustrated bowler sent down the next ball down the leg for four byes.
Agarwal missed out on century after being caught at long-on by Wakhare off Ruikar.
KL Rahul and Manish Pandey continued to pile runs. Rahul scored seven sweetly-timed boundaries as he raced to his half century in 94 balls.
Earlier in the morning, Shrivastava could add only six runs to his overnight 187. After surviving a drop in the slip, he edged one again in the same over to CM Gautam. Later Yadav hit three sixes as the tail went for slog. 

The last day promises an interesting battle for three valuable points.

Fazal unconquered, Vidarbha solid

By Paritosh Pramanik

IMMEDIATELY after completing his century Vidarbha opener Faiz Fazal took a fresh guard and continued the way he started in the morning. There was hardly any animated celebration after his well-timed shot through mid-wicket raced to the fence assisting him complete a commanding century. It helped the hosts score 244 for two on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka.
A punch from his left fist followed by acknowledgment towards the pavilion, a handshake with partner and captain Shalabh Shrivastava (75*) and Fazal was back at crease.
Fazal, unbeaten on 139, became the first and only Vidarbha batsman to score two centuries in one Ranji season.
As the shadows lengthened, the opener suffered cramps which forced him play a bit defensive. That was bound to happen as the southpaw ran hard and picked runs from every Karnataka bowler. His well crafted unbeaten century gave Vidarbha a good start but they still need more to test the strong Karnataka batting line-up.
The 28-year-old left-handed Vidarbha opener was concentration personified. Hardly anything bothered him. Amidst the eerie silence in an empty 42,000 capacity Jamtha stadium, the only buzz was around Fazal with Karnataka players cheering their bowlers and fielders. However, that failed to disturb Fazal’s focus. He created his own surrounding where nothing mattered. Faiz had scored 44 runs when he saw his opening partner Akshay Kolhar (0) and Amol Ubarhande (18) back in hut cheaply. Still, Fazal continued with his sublime form. The century in the last game against Odisha helped him in building confidence, which the Karnataka bowlers failed to deter.
There were gentle flicks to the fine-leg boundary, a couple of backfoot punches through covers and square of the wicket, a dab between slips to frustrate Karnataka pacers. All of his boundaries, 21 so far in an unconquered innings, were gems and a treat to watch.
Karnataka bowlers, Abhimanyu Mithun and S Sharath hardly troubled Fazal as he picked runs quite easily from the seamers. An excellent wrist work off Mithun saw Fazal score his first boundary. As the game progressed, he hit some audacious cover drives too to pile agony on Karnataka.
With nothing to offer from wicket, even Karnataka spinners failed to get any assist. The ball came quite easily on bat and Fazal had ample time to go on backfoot and gather runs. He completed his half century off a backfoot punch through covers from a Mayank Agrawal delivery that raced to boundary. Fazal got an able ally in skipper Shrivastava who rotated the strike and helped the opener reduce pressure.
Shrivastava too showed his class with some exquisite cover drives after a shaky start. 
He did not waste time and drove one from spinner Abrar Kazi to cover to mark his arrival. At the stroke of tea, the Vidarbha captain completed his half century from 137 balls with six fours.
The last session of the day again belonged to the hosts. Fazal and Shrivastava ruled the 22-yard strip demoralising Karnataka bowlers with their chanceless innings. They have added unbeaten 181 runs for the third wicket.
With both well settled and the wicket failing to help bowlers, Vidarbha would have to put up a mammoth total before they ask Karnataka
to bat.

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‘Need to bat throughout the day tomorrow’
n Principal Correspondent 

VIDARBHA opener Faiz Fazal, who re-wrote a few records on the first day of their Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka, said their plan is now to bat whole day on Friday and put up a huge total.
Fazal became the first Vidarbha batsman to score seven centuries in Ranji Trophy overtaking the record from Yogesh Ghare who had five to his name. He also became the first Vidarbha batsman to score two centuries in one Ranji season. To add icing to the cake, Fazal also became the top scorer in this Ranji season with a total of 442 runs so far leaving behind Kerala’s Sanju Samson (420 runs) and Maharashtra’s Kedar Jadhav (415 runs). Talking after the day’s play, the opener said, “We would like to bat whole day tomorrow and put up a big score. The wicket is helping batsmen and there won’t be an outright result so we would like to bat whole day and score big.”
On his own form, the southpaw said that he was more determined this time than earlier. “Last year I squandered some great opportunities. But this time I was more determined to perform well. Playing in ‘V’ was very crucial for me and I tried to do the same today,” said Fazal who is unbeaten on 139.
The opener also praised his captain Shrivastava with whom he added unbeaten 181 runs for the third wicket. “It was because of Shalabh I managed to score century. He supported me very well and himself played brilliantly,” added Fazal. 

Vidarbha take on mighty Karnataka

By Paritosh Pramanik

THIS is the crucial stage before ‘half-time’ for Vidarbha. A demoralising defeat in their opener at the hands of Gujarat followed by a morale-boosting victory over Haryana and a tame draw against Odisha, Vidarbha Ranji Trophy team has tasted everything that could be served on platter, that too in their own den.
After the three mixed results, Vidarbha face a mighty Karnataka in their last outing at home from November 21 at Jamtha Stadium and they would love to make most of the home conditions.
It would be an interesting battle between the two sides as both have gained strength with arrival of their respective India players. Karnataka got a Robin Uthappa boost, who missed the first two games due to hamstring strain while India pacer Umesh Yadav is back after being a bench warmer during the two-Test Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell series against the West Indies.
Uthappa showed no signs of discomfort in the nets on Wednesday as he batted for more than 25 minutes under the watchful eyes of coach J Arun Kumar.
For the hosts, Yadav’s return will give more power to their bowling attack. Yadav would be supported by in-form seamer Shrikant Wagh. The southpaw has so far taken 12 wickets from three games. Looking at the 22-yard strip, which hardly has any green on it, it seems Vidarbha would opt for an extra batsman. Yadav and Wagh would be the opening bowlers for sure with Amol Junghade likely to be the third 
seamer.
Azhar Sheikh, who failed with both bat and ball against Odisha, in all probability, would lose his place.
Lanky spinner Akshay Wakhare, who took eight wickets against Haryana, is likely to be the specialist spinner along with Sumit Ruikar.
Opener Faiz Fazal, with a century under his belt against Odisha, is the highest scorer for Vidarbha in three matches with 303 runs. He will have a new opening partner in wicket-keeper Amol Ubarhande who, too, looked confident in the last two matches.
“Amol has done well and we would stick to the same opening pair,” said coach Sairaj Bahutule.
A lot would depend on professionals Hemang Badani and Rashmi Ranjan Parida. They had a forgettable start to their season but have shown what they are capable of in the next two games. Both scored half centuries in both innings against Haryana and Odisha.
“It’s good to have seniors like them (Badani and Parida). We three are experienced and are trying to give as much as we can to these youngsters,” remarked Bahutule.
As for Karnataka, it’s a big boost with India discard Uthappa coming back. But they would miss last game’s centurion Stuart Binny who has an injured right knee. With R Vinay Kumar doing India duties, Karnataka would be led by 27-year-old wicketkeeper Chidhambaram Muralidharen Gautam.
In first two matches, Mayank Agrawal impressed with a composed 90 in his debut game against Jharkhand.
They have a strong middle-order with Manish Pandey, Kunal Kapoor and Gautam himself in fine touch. The bowling department would be spearheaded by medium pacers Kotarangada Prabhu Appanna and S Aravind.
For Vidarbha, it all depends on how they take advantage of home conditions. The result of this game would evaluate where they stand at ‘half-time’.
Teams (from): Vidarbha: Shalabh Shrivastava (Captain), Amol Ubarhande (wk), Hemang Badani, Faiz Fazal, Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Akshay Wakhare, Ranjit Paradkar, Sumit Ruikar, Umesh Yadav, Amol Junghade, Akshay Kolhar, Urvesh Patel, Azhar Sheikh, Ravi Thakur. Coach: Sairaj Bahutule.
Karnataka: CM Gautam (capt & wk), Mayank Agarwal, Robin Uthappa, Lokesh Rahul, Kunal Kapoor, Manish Pandey, Ganesh Satish, Abhimanyu Mithun, Hosagivappa Shivalingaiah Sharath, Sreenath Aravind, Kotarangada Prabhu Appanna, Karun Nair, Ravikumar Samarth, Abrar Kazi, Ronit More. Coach: J Arun Kumar.
Umpires: Rohan Pandit, Rajesh Deshpande. Third Umpire: Sanjay Hazare.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Cracker of a contest explodes in celebrations



BY PARITOSH PRAMANIK, ANUPAM SONI, RAHUL DIXIT

ALL eager to soak up the atmosphere that a One-Day International brings with it, cricket fans in the city did not miss even a single opportunity on Wednesday. After all they were witnessing a live game after over two years. The last ODI was played in March 2011 when India lost to South Africa in a World Cup game.
Charged-up fans were entertained by some big hitters from both sides during the run riot. And they entertained themselves too in the stands. All the fun associated with a One-Dayer was back at Jamtha. There was noise, there were slogans, there were screams and there were those Mexican waves. Even as the Aussies plundered the Indian bowlers, the fans were indulged in their own match, coming up with new slogans and tricks, to keep the Indian team going.
When the Indians began to return the compliment it was mayhem. Over 43,000 cheered on the Men in Blue bringing the place alive.

FALSE ALARMS
There were some false alarms, too, when the crowd used all their high-fives twice on the fall of Aussie wicket but later realised it was a no-ball. The decibel level touched the roof when Shane Watson was caught by Rohit Sharma off Ravindra Jadeja. However, a hush followed when the umpire called back the batsman ruling it a no-ball after checking with the third umpire. The free-hit that followed had George Bailey caught. It only evoked a sarcastic laugh.
Towards the end of the innings Adam Voges holed out off the same bowler but the celebrations were cut short as Jadeja was the culprit of bowling a no-ball yet again.

ONE-DAY OF 
QUICK BUCKS

It was also the day for making a few quick bucks for the petty vendors. By selling Indian flags at pretty high rates they, too, went home a happy lot. They were not only near the stadium but were seen in the city too. There were many with flags and paints in their hands around 6 kms away from Jamtha selling the tricolor to Indian supporters at a price of Rs 200 and above. The rates went northwards and as one neared the stadium. Interestingly, fans were ready to shell out money and there was hardly any bargaining.

‘JAM’ SESSION

Vehicles moved at snail’s pace on the Nagpur-Hyderabad Highway, the main approach road to Jamtha Stadium. Two-wheelers and four-wheelers made a bee-line that stretched to as long as four kms. Those failing to reach the stadium well ahead of time failed to witness the fine century made by Shane Watson. But with India batting second, footfalls continued till the 40th overs of the Australian innings.

COPPING IT UP!

The security was too tight at the Jamtha stadium and none of the spectators was allowed to carry any ‘banned’ substance. But lack of proper briefing to the policemen made it difficult for the official scorers as well as a few journalists.
Cops deployed at the gate did not allow scorers to take laptop, calculators and other equipment inside the stadium. They had only one answer: “We were ordered not to allow anybody to carry anything with them.”
Similarly, scribes too were asked not to take laptops inside. After several minutes of heated arguments, the cops relented and scorers and journos were permitted to carry their ‘valuables’. Hope they are properly briefed next time.

CRICKET SCORES A GOAL

The cricket fever was so high in the city that it also had an impact on other sports. The local football matches for the day had to be cancelled in view of the One-Dayer. Giving in to the love for cricket the organizers decided to put off the game for Wednesday in an afternoon decision.

ISHANT STILL
THE VILLIAN

People are just in no mood to forgive Ishant Sharma for his infamous 30-run over in Mohali that sealed India’s fate. The cyberspace was agog with jokes on the lanky pacer for days together. He was not picked in the playing XI for the next game at Ranchi and not even here. But people still had taunts for him whenever he was out for practice.
However, things took a bad turn when a spectator hurled a pouch at Ishant during the innings break when the bowler was practicing along with fellow pacer Jaydev Unadkat near one stand. Nothing serious was reported though.

Ready for a swap!

Bored in the glass confines, a few cricket enthusiasts, who purchased higher denomination tickets, were ready to swap their costly tickets for the stands. “Mahual ka kuch maza hi nahi aa raha,” they said. Whether they succeeded in their attempt could not be ascertained.

Jam helps cops relax

When Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled first over of the match, Jamtha was not house full. Spectators were queued up for about two kilometres outside the stadium. With seats empty, police personnel, security men and even MIDC Fire Service team members, who made their debut at Jamtha, occupied the chairs and relaxed.
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Virat, the 
next big thing
Virat Kohli seems to be the most popular Indian cricketer theses days. It was confirmed at Jamtha. The young player, a certain future Indian skipper, attracted maximum crowd attention. There would be chants of Veeeeeeeeeeeerat.... Veeeeeeeeeeeerat....whenever he fielded a ball or came to man the boundary ropes. The Delhi player responded to the chants by either waving, clapping or a namaste.
His respect for good performance too was on the view. Virat kept clapping till Bailey disappeared in the pavilion after getting out at 156 even as Nagpurians gave the batsman a standing ovation.
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It’s action time!



By Paritosh Pramanik

THERE was a serene calmness with just a few policemen standing at a paan kiosk at the turning of the Jamtha cricket stadium on Nagpur-Hyderabad Highway. But as one moved towards the stadium the men in ‘khakhi’ multiplied into hundreds. The 45,000 capacity stadium was readying to take shape of a fortress. It will resemble one when the much-hyped One-Dayer between India and Australia will begin on Wednesday at 1.30 pm.
As the teams slugged out a day prior to the match in the nets the policemen deployed at the stadium took the opportunity to capture the cricketing heroes from close distance in their smartphones.
More than 500 policemen were enjoying Indian team’s nets session. Most of them, laced with smartphones, were busy capturing their favourite cricketer in their mobiles. There was no public to guard and the men in ‘khakhi’ used the opportunity to savour the moment.
However, the situation would be exactly different on Wednesday when India and Australia square up in what is called a do-or-die game for India.
Indian team is trailing the seven-match series 1-2 and a win here at Nagpur would keep them alive in the series. 
The tranquillity of the area would be replaced by boisterous fans who would descend at the venue to cheer Team India. To support Men in Blue, spectators from Nagpur and nearby areas and states would occupy their seats well in advance, hours before the start.
The stage is set for the all-important game.
After clearing all the hurdles which came in the way of hosting this ODI, VCA officials are more than satisfied with the huge response from the spectators.
It’s a sold-out game and it would be deafening on Wednesday when Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men walk out in the middle.
Both the teams had their last practice sessions on Tuesday with India occupying the field first. 
Unlike Monday, the nets session was not that rigorous.
While the batsmen batted in the nets spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and seamers Mohd Shami and R Vinay Kumar had an extended session at the 22-yard strip adjacent to the main wicket. 
All the bowlers were seen targeting single stump under the watchful eyes of bowling coach Joe Dawes.
Ashwin later said it was not any special session for the bowlers. “It is not about any special session. We needed to do something specific for our own self rather than just go in there and keep bowling to the batter. We thought that we needed a bit of a break, needed a change in the way we are practising,” he said adding, “So we thought that we will try and do some spot bowling, try and take the onus away from what the batsman is doing. We were trying to work on more mental space, a good space to be in before a game.”
Later in the afternoon session, it was Australians who did their nets. 
Hard-hitting batsman Shane Watson and others were given throw downs and they clobbered balls into the stands on numerous occasion.
The same might be seen on Wednesday from batsmen from both the side as the track looks like a batsmen’s paradise.
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ROHIT’S DILEMMA
After the net session in the morning Rohit Sharma was all eager to catch the action between Mumbai and Haryana in the Ranji Trophy. The match, under way at Lahli in Haryana, is being telecast live. Rohit, a key Mumbai player, wanted to follow his team’s fortunes but the television set in the dressing room had only one channel that was re-running an old game.
Rohit tried his best himself, changing the channels, and then requesting the officials at the dressing room but to no avail. He could catch up the action live only after returning to the team hotel.
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60 buses to Jamtha
FOR the convenience of spectators, 60 star buses would ply on match day from Sitabuldi to Jamtha and back on Wednesday starting from 11 am. The one way fare will be Rs 20 per person. Two buses would start from VCA Civil Lines Stadium at 11 am while 30 buses would start from Bhagini Mandal, Variety Square from 11 00 am onwards.
All the buses will start returning from Jamtha to Sitabuldi after completion of the match.

Don’t know what is a bad performance: Skipper Dhoni

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Oct 30

THE massive chase of 350 plus runs for the second time in the series has confused Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni whether his bowlers have bowled poorly or their performance was good.
India, after chasing 359 at Jaipur, overwhelmed another 350-run target with six wickets in hand to level the series 2-2 against Australia at VCA Jamtha. “I am confused whether 80 runs in 10 overs or 60 runs in 10 overs is good or bad performance. I don’t know whether the bowle
rs bowled badly or not. Because we also chased the same target in same number of overs,” said Dhoni after the victory.
“The new rules are really hard on the bowlers. We are yet to figure out how to use our bowlers. But in last 20-40 years we have seen that bowlers are the ones who adapt quickly. So the bowlers will learn quickly,” he added.
Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 115 runs to make the chase look easy and the Indian captain rightly praised the Delhi batsman’s innings.
“Virat’s innings was excellent. He has grown up as a player. He has grabbed the opportunity with both hands and he loves to perform. The chase was very difficult but he made it look so easy,” said the Indian captain.
“Virat’s got aggression and he is channelising it very beautifully. He is an outstanding player and eager to perform every time,” Dhoni added.
Though Kohli played an outstanding innings, Dhoni did not fail to laud opener Rohit Sharma’s innings.
“We are talking about only Virat but Rohit played really well. He and Shikhar (Dhawan) laid the platform for the chase. The way they started nobody thought that we would chase that target but they played a big role in this win. The most important was they kept the wickets intact,” said Dhoni.
BAILEY STANDS BY 
HIS BOWLERS
Australian captain George Bailey was lost for words but said Australia gave a tough fight and he was happy with the performance of his bowlers.
“I don’t know what to say. All credits to Virat Kohli. He snatched the game away from us. But I am not disappointed with my bowlers. They bowled really well,” said Bailey.
With the new rules Bailey said chasing big totals was becoming quite easy.
“With new rules, chasing 350 plus scores is now like chasing 290-300s. But Mitch (Johnson) and other bowlers really bowled well. You can’t do much in such a situation (only four fielders outside circle).
He even praised Indian bowlers who were clobbered by himself and Watson. “I don’t think India’s bowling is too weak. They are world class bowlers and even they can’t do much in such conditions. It’s really hard on the bowlers,” said Bailey.

Bailey banks on high confidence

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Oct 29

THE smile on the face of Australian captain George Bailey said it all. Any team, coming to India and giving a tough fight to the hosts, would feel proud of their efforts. Australians are no different. Leading the seven-match series 2-1, Australian skipper looked relaxed and replied all the queries with a bright smile.
A satisfied-looking Bailey said the team’s confidence was high after their two wins at Pune and Mohali and they were looking to another good fight on Wednesday.
“We are very happy to be 2-1 up. We have played some very good cricket. We look forward to tomorrow’s game. The three (finished) games have been outstanding. We are finding a lot of confidence at the moment. That stems from the way the tour has gone so far,” Bailey said.
Bailey, who was named captain after Michael Clarke was ruled out due to injury, said he tends to be happy most of the time. “I am quite happy most of the time. I am enjoying the tour. We are playing some good cricket.”.
With over 100-plus average in the current series, the Australian captain was all praise for his other team-mates because of whom they managed to post 300-plus totals in almost all the matches. “We have been pretty consistent with our batting and probably most important is, we are clear about our roles over the last 6-7 games (going back to series v England),” he said.
The 31-year-old hinted that there won’t be any changes in his playing eleven since the team was performing exceedingly well. Seldom a team gets a chance to stick with the same eleven in such a big series, he said. “You will not have the opportunity to do it every time. It’s no surprise to pick players who have been doing well and not make many changes.”
Like any other player Bailey sympathised with the bowlers who are at the receiving end due to the change in the ODI rule.
“The way the rules are, they are certainly challenging for the bowlers. They have to keep a plan every time they are bowling and still some balls will travel the distance. That’s the nature of the game. The challenge is to be consistent with their approach mentally, make sure they have a plan and execute it to the best of their ability,” Bailey concluded.

‘India under no pressure’

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Oct 29 

THE sixth One-Day International between India and Australia might be crucial and important for the hosts, who are trailing 1-2, but spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that team-mates were relaxed and under no pressure.
“It’s been a good tight series so far. It has been pretty relaxed inside the Indian dressing room. There’s no pressure as such. We are just going to enjoy the game. This game is going to be crucial so we just want to enjoy it and see where we can take it,” said Ashwin on the eve of the must-win game for India.
Indian bowlers are at the receiving end in the series so far. The Australians have plundered almost all bowlers. Ashwin stressed that all bowlers were working hard on certain areas to improve.
“There are always areas on which you can work upon on, so constantly looking to improve on that...Bowling more and more because that’s the only way you can get better. Name of the game is to keep improving so just doing that,” he explained.
Ashwin admitted that the Australians are very strong in batting and have scored big runs with some risky shots. However, he assured that Indian bowlers would try to counter them in the next two games.
“It is the trend of the series. We have been chasing down big scores. We have chased down 360. The score has predominately been around 300. Any team that has batted first has predominately got around 300-run mark. It’s definitely challenging in terms of what the batsmen are doing. They are going for their shots. They are playing the high risk shots, the credit needs to be given,” said the lanky spinner.
On the new ODI rules Ashwin said, “The demands of the games are such that you have to keep evolving as a player. Till the decision-making is not in my court I cannot do much about it. So whatever decisions have been made I have to try to cope up with it. I’m sure all the cricketers are doing the same and there’s not much you can do about it.”
Indians have been poor fielders and have dropped catches at crucial times in the series. But Ashwin said it is part and parcel of the game.
“These things do happen in the game. A couple of catches go down and it catches with other fielders and soon it becomes the trend of the day. But you don’t have to worry too much about it as long as you are putting in the hard yards,” he said.

We want to wrap up the series here itself: Doherty

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Oct 28

WITH their nose ahead in the seven-match series, Australia want to seal the issue on Wednesday itself and do not want to leave it for the last game at Bangalore.
After last two games were marred by rains at Ranchi and Cuttack, Australia and India will fight it out in the sixth match of the series here at VCA Jamtha on October 30. The day-night encounter holds more significance for India as a win here for would make it Even Stevens and both the teams would move to the Bangalore for the ‘final’.
But Australian spinner Xavier Doherty wants his side to wrap up the series here itself and not wait till the Bangalore game.
“We want to wrap it here. We want to win this game in Nagpur itself,” said the Australian after the visitors had a strenuous practice session at Jamtha on Monday 
morning.
Doherty said they were not thinking about Bangalore game and fully concentrating on the game at hand. “Bangalore is not in our mind. We have come here to win. We have been playing good cricket so far and as I said we will be looking to wrap it up here. Being 2-1 up is pretty good position than being 1-2 down,” he said.
The 30-year-old spinner was happy with the way he has bowled in the series so far, especially to Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The Indian captain has failed to score a single boundary off Doherty from 80 deliveries from four matches. Apart from that Doherty’s average of 5.63 too is commendable in this high-scoring series.
But the left-armer does not want to get carried away by the stats. “Well, stats do lie sometimes. I think I haven’t bowled to MSD in last five overs that’s why the stat (favour me). We all know that MSD is one of the best power-hitters of the world,” replied Doherty with a smile.
The Australian said with 1-2 down in the series, India were definitely under pressure.
“It’s obviously a very crucial game for India. We don’t want to take it to the last game. They are under pressure and we would like to maintain it,” he said.
Doherty was surprised with the wickets which do not assist spinners as they did when the Australians travelled here for Test series.
“When flying out of Australia I was expecting some turning tracks. Like the ones we faced during the Test series here… the pitch here (in Nagpur) looks like it will turn, so looking forward to it,” he said.

Friday, October 11, 2013

RTM Nagpur University hockey team qualifies for all India meet


By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Oct 10

AFTER missing the bus for four continuous years, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University’s men’s hockey team made it a point not to let it slip this time as they qualified for the prestigious All India Inter-University hockey tournament. The all India meet will be held at Hyderabad in November.
In the Central Zone inter-university tournament, under way at Sambalpur in Odisha, Nagpur University boys dazzled on the green turf thrashing one team after another to book the all India berth with aplomb. The performance of Nagpur team is more praiseworthy

RTMNU hockey team qualifies...
as the selection process was questioned by a few people.
The team, led by Ganesh Kawle, showed great co-ordination that helped them in clinching the coveted spot for all India meet.
Last time, it was under the leadership of Gaurav Shukla Nagpur University team had qualified for the all India meet at Gwalior in 2008. That was after 27 long years, when the Nagpur team made the all India meet for the first time. Under the leadership of Valentine George Nagpur University had qualified for the All India inter-varsity meet in 1981-82.
At Sambalpur, Nagpur University team remained unbeatable throughout the knock-out round.
In their first match, RTMNU thrashed Vikram University, Ujjain 10-0. Sakib Rahim (2), Shahbaz Pathan (2) Savio Francis, Rakesh Sukhdeve, Tushar Venchilwar, and Asif Rahim (one each) were the scorers.
The second match, too, was no different as Nagpur drubbed the formidable Jiwaji University, Gwalior 6-1.
They faced a stiff resistance from Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar but ended victors via sudden death with a 3-1 verdict.
Nagpur University rounded off the knock-out round with a huge 8-0 win over Bilaspur University with Shahbaz Pathan slamming the board thrice. The other scorers were Sukhdeve, Wasim, Sakib and Sharvilak Bhimte.
Shahbaz Pathan was the top scorer with nine goals. Defender Fahi Syed was rock solid in defence while goal-keeper Mohsin Pathan made some fine saves.
Sakib Rahim and Rakesh Sukhdeve did well in the midfield which helped the forwards in banging the target. Harish Mohite is the coach of Nagpur University team.
Nagpur team is currently playing position matches at the same venue where they have lost their first match to Bhopal but bounced back in their second encounter defeating Raipur University 3-1.
They will play their last league match against Sambalpur University on Friday.
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The team: Mohsin Pathan (GK, RS Bidkar College, Hinganghat), Fahim F Sayyed (Jyotiba College of Phy Edu), Sagar Kale (RS Bidkar College, Hinganghat), Wasim Khan (Jyotiba College of Phy Edu), Ganesh Kalwe (GTM College, Lakhandur), Rakesh Sukhdeve (Ashok Moharkar Mv, Adyal), Asif Rahim (Jyotiba College of Phy Edu), Sharvilak Bhimte (SKP College, Kamptee) Shakib Rahim (Jyotiba College of Phy Edu), Harshan Linganwar (SKP College, Kamptee), Savio Francis (Hislop College) Prassanna Motghare (SKP College, Kamptee), Rakesh Kumar (Ishwar Deshmukh Phy Edu), Tushar Venchilwar (SKP College, Kamptee), Anup Barva (Ishwar Deshmukh Phy Edu), Mohd Sahbaz Pathan (Jyotiba College Phy Edu), Nikhil Gotaphode (GK, Ashok Moharkar Mv, Adyal), Saurabh Kolhe (JM Patel College, Bhandara).

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Poor communication, unimpressive coaching cost Nobbs dear

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, July 9

IT WAS not only below-par performance but also his unimpressive coaching style that forced Hockey India and Sports Authority of India to sack chief coach Michael Nobbs.
Barring the Asian Champions Trophy, qualifying for the London Olympics and a fourth place finish at the Champions Trophy, Australian Nobbs had hardly done anything worthwhile to galvanise the sagging fortunes of Indian hockey. After just two years out of his five-year contract with Hockey India, the Australian, who was rated highly at the time of his appointment, has been unceremoniously sacked as coach due to non-performance.
Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra, in a statement, said that Nobbs’ contract has been terminated and is presently serving a one-month notice period. Roelant Oltmans, who is currently the High Performance Manager, has been given charge of the team until a new coach is appointed.
Olympian Maharaj Kishan Kaushik is the front-runner for the top job. Nobbs became the fourth foreign coach to be shown the door before completion of full tenure after Australian Ric Charlesworth, German Gerhard Rach and Spaniard Jose Brasa were sacked midway.
Sources said it was not only Nobbs’ performance but his mediocre style of coaching also became a reason for his sacking.
Several current players who played under Nobbs said the Australian brought nothing new and wanted only attacking hockey like the Australians play. Players, too, were not happy with Nobbs as he had communication problems with players non-English speaking players.
“He was a normal coach. He was never exceptional nor gave any special tips to us,” one of the players on condition of anonymity told ‘The Hitavada’.
“Nobbs only wanted us to play attacking hockey like the Australians. He was a simple coach and had very limited interaction with players. His communication skills too were poor,” the forward added.  Another senior player, who was part of Indian team at London Olympics, said that Nobbs only complicated things.
“There was hardly any new style or movement he taught us as coach. I would rate Jose Brasa much higher than Nobbs. Brasa was exceptional. He brought several new things. Brasa changed players’ position and made them much better than what they used to be. The best example is Sardara Singh. He played as a defender, as a forward and now is world’s best midfielder. It’s all because of Brasa. Nobbs did nothing like that,” said the forward.   
“Rather Dutchman Roelant Oltmans (who has been appointed incharge of the team till new coach is appointed) has brought a few new things to the team. He left linkmen free and has asked them to play their own game. It’s just few months and I think Oltmans would bring more good changes to the team,” said the player, who played more than 100 international matches.
Arjun Halappa, one of the great Indian midfielders and newly appointed selector of Indian senior team, said that Hockey India might have taken the decision looking at the future.
“It is a practical decision. Nobbs has not performed upto the expectations for last two years. Hockey India might have taken a tough decision looking at the future of Indian hockey,” said Halappa from Bangalore.
“I won’t call it’s a decision in a haste but yes they should have taken into consideration the immediate tournament, Asia Cup which would be very important for India to qualify for World Cup to be held in The Netherlands,” said Halappa.
Halappa also endorsed other players’ views that Nobbs hardly brought anything new to Indian hockey, “India, though, qualified for Olympics, finished with a wooden spoon in London. At World League we finished sixth. There are hardly any major victories under Nobbs. India’s performance has gone down drastically under him,” he mentioned. 
“Unlike Brasa, under whom I played a lot of international matches, Nobbs was less interactive. Brasa treated us like a family. He used to mingle with us, joke with us and was very open in expressing his views. I don’t think Nobbs was that open with players,” the India selector said.


Tuesday, June 11, 2013

SC dismisses VHA’s Special Leave Petition

Elections to be held  as per 2005 voters’ list only

Principal Correspondent

IN A major jolt to the ruling Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) body, the Supreme Court has dismissed the Special Leave Petition challenging the order passed by the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court to hold association’s elections as per 2005 voters’ list.
Supreme Court verdict means VHA would be forced to hold its elections as per the voters’ list of 2005.
The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, on September 3, 2012, had asked the Deputy Charity Commissioner to hold VHA elections as per the voters’ list of 2005. VHA had challenged the decision and approached Supreme Court in February.
In 2005, VHA had conducted its elections after a gap of 18 years. At that time it had 316 voters (271 life members, 45 schools/colleges/affiliated units).
VHA life member DS Karunashankar, a retired district judge, had challenged VHA’s voters’ list after Deputy Charity Commissioner declared “the 2005 and 2006 elected body illegal.”
The Deputy Charity Commissioner had set aside and declared the elected body of year 2005 and 2006 as illegal as the Constitution was not amended. Karunashankar then filed an application with the Deputy Charity Commissioner requesting to hold elections as per the 1962 Constitution which states that elections should be held every year. At that time there were 271 life members and 45 affiliated units.
On 23-5-2011 Deputy Charity Commissioner appointed an election officer and ordered to conduct the trust’s (VHA) election within three months as per the 2005 voters’ list. But the Deputy Charity Commissioner modified the judgment by an impugned order dated 28-6-11 holding that members validly enrolled till the date of elections could be the voters in the said elections.
Karunashankar appealed in High Court and the division bench consisting Vasanti Naik and SP Deshmukh in their observation said that the order dated 28.6.11 was passed without hearing the parties concerned and the judgment of 23-5-11 was modified and passed behind the back of the petitioner.
“It appears that the judgment dated 23-5-11 was modified by Deputy Charity Commissioner by the impugned order dated 28-6-11 and it was held by the Deputy Charity Commissioner in the said order that the members validly enrolled till the date of the election could be the voters in the said election.
“It also appears from the order as also hearing counsel for the parties that the impugned order is passed without hearing the parties concerned and the judgment dated 23-5-2011 is modified,” the bench said in its observation while setting aside the order.

............
I accept SC’s decision but
elections not that easy: Gawai
VIDARBHA Hockey Association secretary Vinod Gawai accepted the Supreme Court’s order and said he would abide by the Apex court’s judgement. “This is Supreme Court’s decision and every Indian citizen has to follow it,” said Gawai while talking to ‘The Hitavada’.
But Gawai also hinted that VHA elections, if held, would not be a smooth affair. “As per Supreme Court’s orders, Deputy Charity Commissioner has no right to declare the validity of voters. Patrons and life members who become part of VHA after 2005 are prepared to challenge this decision of Deputy Charity Commissioner in court of law.
“There are several Supreme Court decisions which states that Deputy Charity Commissioner has no power to decide number of voters of any association or trust. As far as elections are concerned I, personally, am ready for elections. I am confident of winning, be it 271 or 300 voters,” Gawai averred.

Monday, June 10, 2013

VHA joins Hockey India, becomes associate member

 By Paritosh Pramanik

TO SAVE its existence and for a better of its players and officials, Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) finally joined Hockey India as an associate member.
The major decision to part ways with Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and join hands with Hockey India, the game governing body in the country, was taken by VHA recently. Since Hockey India came into existence in 2008, VHA, several times, declined the offer given by HI.
But looking at the future of their players as well as officials, VHA decided to toe in line with other units like Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy, Hockey Bhopal and Mumbai Hockey Association Ltd to name a few. With this affiliation VHA became the 12th association to get associated membership of HI.
With VHA getting Hockey India affiliation, its team would now be eligible to take part in all national level tournaments organised by Hockey India.
Similarly, the officials, umpires and other members would also be eligible to take part in all programmes, tournaments, seminars conducted by Hockey India.
“The decision was taken a few days back. VHA is now an associated member of Hockey India,” said Narinder Batra, secretary, Hockey India, while taking with ‘The Hitavada’ over phone from New Delhi.
Batra said “the official confirmation would be made on June 11 after our rectification meeting.”
“VHA would not have voting right in Hockey India but more importantly its players would be able to participate in HI organised tournaments.
“Till now, they (VHA) were not allowed to participate as they were not our members,” said Batra.
VHA president BC Bhartia said the decision to join Hockey India was taken after lot of thinking. “We have to save our existence. There was no point in keeping this association just for the sake of it. We wanted our players to play national meets. Hockey India is running the game in the country and their certificates hold importance. That’s why we decided to take associated membership of Hockey India.”
Vinod Gawai, secretary, VHA said it is a great moment for all those related with VHA.
“The most important is that our players would now be able to participate in Hockey India nationals. We took this decision for the better future of our players,” said Gawai.
“Our jurisdiction would be same as it was. We have all 22 districts affiliated with us,” added Gawai.


Monday, May 6, 2013

Dada Mitra to head NDFA’s powerful advisory committee




Sale of nomination forms begins today

By Paritosh Pramanik

DP MITRA, a father figure in city football who is also known as Dada Mitra, will continue to head the all important and powerful Advisory Committee of Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA).
According to sources, NDFA top officials have decided to retain Mitra for the coveted post for another term of five years.
The elections of NDFA are scheduled to be held on May 12. Sale of nomination forms begins on Sunday at NDFA office from 6 pm. The last date of filing of nomination form
is May 9.
There are two likely changes in five-member committee with Pradeep Nagarkar, Ratan Masih and Ashok Raut filling in the posts.
Masih had resigned after being selected as secretary. Tarun Gedam and late GV Badjate were the other members of the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee has power to supervise the NDFA executive committee and, if need arises, has power to take over the functioning of NDFA executive body.
The Advisory Committee was selected by the council. Only those members who have served football for at least ten years can become a part of Advisory Committee.
There is all probability of a unanimous elections to all posts of office bearers of NDFA with Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh retaining the president’s post.
As per NDFA constitution, there will be no election for secretary’s post. “The executive committee nominates a secretary who is called as ‘Secretary of President’s Secretriat’. Eugene Norbert’s name is almost final for secretary’s post,” said one of the top NDFA officials.
Similarly, Iqbal Kashmiri will be the candidate for treasurer’s post.
There is also a possibility of re-jigging in five vice-presidents’ posts. Haresh Vora, Salim Baig, Abdul Latif are sure of retaining their posts. “Remaining two slots will see some new faces,” the official added.

Atal Bahadur to remain NDFA president




By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR District Football Association (NDFA), the football governing body of the city, will once again put their whole-hearted trust and support in their very own ‘Santa Claus’ Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh and re-elect him as the president of the association for one more term.
The elections of NDFA has been announced recently and will be held on May 12 after the annual general meeting at its Vora Complex office off Kamptee Road.
The new body will be elected for  a term of two years.
According to sources, there is hardly any opposition to Atal Bahadur and in all probability will be re-elected as the chief of the association. “Without any doubt Atal Bahadur will remain as the president,” said a source while talking with ‘The Hitavada’.
There are likely to be a few changes in the 23-member executive committee with names of former secretary Iqbal Kashmiri and Abdul Bari being discussed for the treasurer’s post. At present Karamchand Chaurasia is the treasurer of the association. Chaurasia and Eugene Norbert’s names are doing rounds for the coveted post of general secretary. “The decision on the entire proposed body would be taken in next few days,” said a top NDFA official
on condition of anonimity.
There is also a possibility of re-jigging in five vice-presidents posts. Haresh Vora, Salim Baig, Abdul Latif are sure of retaining their posts. “Remaining two slots will see some new faces,” the official added.
With the present committee too powerful there will hardly be any opposition and the body would be elected unopposed, felt another official.
“Everybody’s name would be considered and I am sure a unanimously elected body will rule for next two years,” he hoped.
The nomination forms will be available at the NDFA office from May 5 to 7 while date for filing of nomination form will be May 5 and May 6. The scrutiny will be done on May 9 while the date of withdrawal is May 10. The list of contesting candidates will be displayed at the NDFA office on May 11 and the elections, if needed, will be held on May 12 with voting between 12 noon and 3.30 pm.
The 23-member body will have one president, five vice-presidents, one secretary, one assistant secretary, one joint secretary, one treasurer, one assistant treasurer and 11 executive members.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Reliving the Golden dream



By Paritosh Pramanik
BETUL, Mar 16

IF BETUL is searched on Google one is guided to a small district in the southern part of Madhya Pradesh. The 2001 census (as per Google) shows a thin population of around 83,000. But a few die-hard hockey lovers of this nondescript place did something unthinkable, unimaginable, something which no one did in India.
To celebrate 38 years of hockey World Cup win, Hemant Dubey, in support with Pratidhwani Sanstha and Kantishiva Theatre, procured a CD of the final match between India and Pakistan played at Malaysia on March 15, 1975. They invited members of that gold-winning Indian team and showed them the entire match on 70mm screen making it a ‘Friday Blockbuster’.
Ashok Kumar, Aslam Sher Khan, Onkar Singh, BP Govinda, Ashok Diwan, Leslie Fernandes and VJ Phillips made it a point to celebrate the triumph by reaching Betul and they watched the ‘First Day First Show’. The icing on the cake was added by Afaque Ahmed, a railway employee from Jhansi and a commentator, who added Hindi commentary of the match a day before it was shown. The match CD had Malaysian commentary but the young Afaque did the commentary as if it was done live, 38 years ago.
Not a single member, present in the hall, had ever seen the recording of that match ever. They might be remembering every second of that 70-minute epic final and might have narrated them on ‘n’ number of times, to media, to friends and to players. But never in their life, for 38 long years, they got a chance to witness how they played, how they tackled, how they dribbled, and above all…how they celebrated the triumph on that hot and humid day at Kuala Lumpur stadium. “It is something unique. It’s (the CD) a treasure....priceless,” said Ashok Kumar while talking with ‘The Hitavada’.
Some 2000-odd spectators, along with hockey stars, present at Kantishiva Cinema Hall were taken 38 years back in Malaysia where our hockey heroes turned lucky, on third attempt, winning the trophy after missing the gold at 1971 (bronze) and 1973 (silver) World Cups. The 70-minute ‘Friday Blockbuster’ at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ brought tears of joy, not only to the eyes of players but also to those who were not even born, and who had only heard about that historic triumph.
It was as if sitting in a Time Machine, going several years back. The match was recorded in black and white. Those were the days where wooden goal posts were used and matches were played on ‘chat’ or lawn grounds with white balls. The sticks were less curved at the bottom and had wide blades.
All the ‘young’ players looked smart in creased shirts and knickers.  A slim goal-keeper Ashok Diwan’s thin legs were covered with caned pads with cotton kickers stitched along, the hand gloves were barely helpful to save his palm and fingers. No helmets, no chest guard, no thigh pant and no elbow guards. The protection was limited to bare minimum. he present bald BP Govinda looked the most handsome of all with stylish hairstyle. So did defender Aslam Sher Khan, tall, smart and fair. Captain Ajitpal Singh, VJ Phillips, Ashok Kumar, Shivaji Pawar and all others looked fit as fiddle. All the players sat in the middle row amidst public to see the match. At times, they felt embarrassed when were tackled. But on most of the occasions, their chest grew wider when they saw themselves beating a Pakistani player.
The entire match was fast-paced, a rarity now-a-days. Even after 38 years, that match had a gripping effect on those present in hall. BP Govinda and Ashok Kumar were simply outstanding in the centre. Watching them dribbling, passing with a tap and running at an unimaginable speed was a treat to watch. They were the two who made most of the threatening moves.
Ajitpal Singh looked robust and hard worker who ran front to help forwards Shivaji Pawar, VJ Phillips and others and at the same time was quick to support Aslam Sher Khan and Surjit Singh in defence clearing the ball with his long reach.
Aslam Sher Khan clearly was the best defender of the match, thwarting Pakistan forwards’ moves several times. On Friday, Aslam Sher Khan, sitting besides Ashok Kumar, nodded in dejection when Mohd Zahid scored from the left to put Pakistan ahead in the first half.
But the smiles were back when their team-mate Surjit Singh converted a penalty corner. They all gestured in appreciation after Surjit’s cracking hit stormed into the board as scores read 1-1.
However, the best shot of the ‘movie’ was when Ashok Kumar got a pat on his shoulder from Aslam Sher Khan and shook hands after Kumar had pushed the ball across the goal line off a melee to put India ahead (2-1)!
For the first time spectators saw how Ashok Kumar celebrated his goal. Immediately after scoring, he ran towards India’s half. Defender Surjit Singh kissed him and so did Shivaji Pawar while captain Ajitpal Singh hugged him, with a sigh of relief. Ashok Kumar, wearing jersey number 17, raised his hands heaven wards as cameras got locked on him to capture the defining moment. The son of hockey legend Dhyanchand took a short but fast stroll on the field moving forward and returning back like a triumphant tiger after killing his prey.
The hall reverberated with ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ even though there were still several minutes left in the match. They were aware of the result. In the dying minutes ’keeper Ashok Diwan invited a huge applause when he made a daring save advancing and stopping Pakistan’s Akhtar Rasool’s hit from right with those bare minimum protective gears.
Indian supporters ran onto the field as umpire blew the final hooter. The 1975 heroes wiped their misty eyes and the hall echoed with applause which was followed by a long felicitation function where the players received one of the prized and most sought gift—the final match CDs.
Harendra Singh, Olympians, Jalaluddin Rizvi, Jamsher, Mukhbain SIngh, Deepak James, Yusuf were also felicitated.

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A silent cinema hall

THE Kantishiva Cinema Hall in Betul turned into an ‘indoor hockey stadium’ where the 1975 World Cup final between India and Pakistan was replayed. The atmosphere was unlike any movie hall as every one present there, players, women and kids, watched the history-making game with pin-drop silence. The usual comments during a movie were eschewed as the excited lot kept glued to then fascinating action. The mobile phones too were silent, a complete rarity! Mobile lights did go on but it was only to click glimpses of the match on screen. It was one film that was to be savoured for eternity.                                  —Paritosh Pramanik

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INDIA’S FINAL XI (WITH JERSEY NUMBERS):
Ashok Diwan-2 (goal-keeper), Aslam Sher Khan-5, Surjeet Singh-4, Varinder Singh-6, Ajitpal Singh-7, (captain), Mohinder Singh-8, VJ Phillips-10, Ashok Kumar-17, S R Pawa-16, B P Govinda-11, Harcharan Singh-15.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

FIH is surviving because of India: Harendra Singh


By Paritosh Pramanik

EIGHT-TIME Olympic gold medalist India might be going through the worst phase with last-place finish in London Olympics but the fact is the International Hockey Federation (FIH) is surviving only because of India. India has money power and that is why FIH is allotting so many tournaments to India, stated former India hockey coach Harendra Singh.
Harendra made a pit stop in the city on Friday morning on way to Betul for the felicitation and get-together of 1975 Hockey World Cup winning team.
“FIH is surviving only because of India. It is earning handsomely in India by allotting major international events,” Harendra said while talking to ‘The Hitavada’.
India will be hosting Junior World Cup and World League final by end of this year.
The former coach said India should take advantage of FIH’s inclination towards India and develop game in the country. “The international body is minting money in our country. We should take advantage of it and develop infrastructure and set up a Research and Development Department with its help. FIH knows it cannot survive without India’s support. We should mark pockets at different parts of the country and set up high performance centres with top class facilities.”
Despite India’s ouster from the final race at the ongoing Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Malaysia Harendra felt the youngsters would be a force to reckon with in the Junior World Cup.
“I am very happy with the juniors playing in Malaysia. If we keep the results aside, the players have performed exceedingly well so far in the tournament. Hockey India’s move to send a second string team will help us in longer run. We will be hosting Junior World Cup by the end of this year and this set of players will make the team. So, playing together for almost a year will only help India in the World Cup,” Harendra said.
“India’s investment will also help us in the 2016 Rio Olympics. The seniors won’t be around then and these junior players would be part of the Indian team.
“In 2010 World Cup, the average age of German team was 24 years. They won the title and last year emerged as Olympics champions,” Harendra said.
Asked about foreign coach Harendra cited examples of winners of World Series Hockey and Hockey India League. “If you remember, WSH and HIL were won by teams coached by Indians. So I think there is enough potential in an Indian to coach the national team.”
However, he advocated the need of a coach for coaches at grassroots level.
Harendra said India have a bright chance to qualify for the World Cup. India would be playing the Hockey World League III in Holland who will also host the World Cup next year.
“India have a bright chance of qualifying for World Cup in Holland. Three spots would be up for grab in the third phase. India will have to reach semis to make it to the World Cup. It would have been tougher had we got pitted with Malaysia. They are very tough in their own backyard,” he explained.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Indians lack fitness, speed and stamina: Ajitpal Singh

By Paritosh Pramanik

“GONE are the days when hockey was known by its artistry. Today, it has become a hit-and-run game. Only the fittest can survive on the green turf. The reason for India’s downfall is that players lack fitness, speed and stamina,” said three-time Olympian Padmashri Ajitpal Singh while talking to ‘The Hitavada’ on the sidelines of Gafoorbhai memorial hockey tournament at Dr Ambedkar College ground, on Thursday.
The World Cup winning Indian captain said Europeans were way ahead of India in fitness and stamina. “They (Dutch, Germans and even Australians) are very fit and work very hard on their stamina. They play with great speed.
“In India we lack all the three qualities. We should develop speed from grassroots level. This game is too slow,” Ajitpal said pointing to the match between Dr Ambedkar College Sports Academy and Athletic Club.
The former centre-half ducked questions on need of foreign coach. “After Olympics debacle, India have done well in Champions Trophy and Asian Champions Trophy under (Michael) Nobbs...It’s upto you (media) to decide,” said Ajitpal.
“A coach should talk with players as much as he can. Then only he can know a player inside out. He should get personal with them and should discuss vital, including personal, problems,” he suggested.
Ajitpal said Hockey India should send Indian coaches to China and other countries to learn coaching. Indian coaches have talent but need to be fine-tuned. I think they can become world famous coaches,” he opined.
The former Border Security Force player gave a thumbs up to Hockey India League and said it brought money in the game.
“Today Sardar Singh is getting Rs 45 lakh...When was last time a hockey player had earned this much of money in a short span? Hockey India must be thanked for their initiative. And the tournament too was a huge success. I was manager with Delhi Waveriders. People’s response at each and every venue was overwhelming,” said Ajitpal.
Lamenting the bottom place finish at Olympics, Ajitpal called it a “disgraceful moment” in Indian history but added that things have changed in last few months.
On the Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation feud Ajitpal said they should come together and sort out the differences. “The game has suffered a lot and this bickering should end.”

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Of yellow card and memories

By Paritosh Pramanik

HOCKEY umpire Gurumurthy Pillay might have officiated his last international match decades ago but there are several international stars who still remember this ‘no-nonsense’ umpire.
On Thursday, three-time Olympian Ajitpal Singh was pleasantly surprised to see ‘Guru Anna’ at Dr Ambedkar College ground where he was invited to inaugurate a tournament. Ajitpal recounted how he was yellow-carded by Pillay during the World Cup hockey in Bombay in 1982.
“Ajitpal committed a foul which was unpardonable and I had to suspend him with a yellow card. After that incident we met on quite a few occasions, at some tournaments, at railway stations, at airports...and Ajitpal always recalled that incident,” said Pillay while talking to ‘The Hitavada’.
The two were seen reminiscing memories of old matches. Pillay also inquired about former stars of Indian hockey.
The duo told this scribe that at one time Indian hockey had nine players from Border Security Force. “We were so dominant in those days that in a few tournaments we had almost our entire BSF team. Once there were nine players on the field,” narrated Ajitpal.