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Sports Reporter
VIDARBHA Hockey Association’s (VHA) decision to conduct selection trials for sub-junior women’s team has landed in controversy after President of Vidarbha Hockey Association Arvind Joshi alleged that the selection committee itself was illegal.
The VHA faction, led by suspended president BC Bhartia and secretary Vinod Gavai, whose names still have a mention on the letter head, has sent a press note regarding selection of Vidarbha sub-junior girls women’s team for 9th Hockey India’s Sub-Junior Women Championship to be held at Sikar, Rajasthan from May 15-25.
The letter signed by Vivek Siriah, Chairman, VHA Sub-Junior (Men/Women) Selection Committee, mentions May 1 and 2 as dates for selection trials to be held at VHA ground. They have also attached two-page High Court order that says that (if there is no dispute) they can select the players and forward their names to Hockey India.
Countering the press note, Joshi released a letter on a plain paper with VHA seal at the end, claiming that the Selection Committee (comprising Siriah, Ravi James, Kunal Patil, Roshani Kupale and Manisha Akare) was itself illegal.
He claimed that all the sub committees had been dissolved in the executive committee held on 25-08-2018 and after that no executive meeting had been called. He added that according to the VHA constitution, it is the responsibility of secretary to call selection trials and selection committee has no power to call and conduct such trials.
Joshi concluded by mentioning that though they respect court’s decision, there are many facts that were not presented before the honourable High Court.
Nagpur, Railways’ star player selected in
33-member core group by Hockey India
By Paritosh Pramanik
SAYYAD Niyaz Rahim is just a step away from fulfilling his as well as Nagpurians’ dreams. The star player, who plays for Indian Railways has made it to the 33-member core group of Indian hockey team.
Niyaz was first selected for the 60-member Senior Men’s National Hockey Camp by Hockey India two weeks ago. After the 12 days trials at SAI Centre Bengaluru, the squad was pruned to 33.
Hockey India generally picks 18-member team from these 33 members for various tournaments. With a couple of tournaments lined up, Niyaz is all but sure to get his India cap sooner than later.
An elated Niyaz thanked Almighty for his selection in the core group. “As I have already said my first target was to get in core group. That target I have achieved now,” said Niyaz from Bengaluru where the core group’s camp is under way.
Niyaz said it was not an easy task to get selected in the list of 33 as the competition was too hard.
“I was the only fresh face in this core group as all the others have been here for quite some time. The competition was too tough. Everybody gave more than 100 per cent. But by the grace of Almighty I managed to overcome all the challenges,” said the midfielder, who has won half a dozen national championships for Indian Railways and other teams.
Even as getting selected in the core group is a welcome news, Niyaz knows the road ahead would be more tougher. From here on he will now have to perform at the top to get into the final 18.
“It won’t be easy from here on. I have to be on my toes all the time. Now I can’t relax. The road is much tougher now. I will have to give 110 per cent to get included in the 18-member team because all the other 32 members selected are of top class,” explained Niyaz.
India would be travelling to Australia next month before the team is selected for Hockey World Series Final to be held at Bhubaneswar. Niyaz said he would try to get in selected and will work hard for it. “I would try to get selected for the Australia tour. That’s the target now,” said Niyaz.
Hailing from a hockey playing family, Niyaz, son of former national-level player Mumtaz-ur Rahim, fondly called as ‘Rabbani chacha’ in hockey circle, learned the tricks of trade playing at his school Tidke Vidyalaya. At the same time he joined Bright Club and then Police Boys before settling with Dhyanchand Sports Academy, one of the best clubs of the region. After passing out from Tidke in 2005, the fleet-footed Niyaz did his graduation in Bachelors in Physical Education in 2011. He travelled with South East Central Railways team and started playing all over the country. He was selected by SAI, Mumbai and later got a job with the South Central Railways on the basis of his unbeatable performance.
“All credit to my family and all those who helped me reach this far,” said Niyaz.
“The list of my well-wishers is long. I don’t want to miss out anybody hence not taking any name,” said Niyaz.
Niyaz is an integral part of Indian Railways (RSPB) team for more than six years and has won Hockey India Nationals on three successive seasons.
By Paritosh Pramanik
WITH Hockey India suspending Vidarbha Hockey Association, the hockey governing body of the region has no other option but to allow players from Nagpur and its affiliated districts to attend the selection trials organised by Hockey Maharashtra.
Hockey Maharashtra is conducting trials for the 9th Hockey India Sub-junior Men and Sub-Junior Women Nationals, at Pune.
Several players from Nagpur as well as from Akola, Amravati, Yavatmal districts which are affiliated with VHA, are attending the trials.
VHA generally does not allow its players to attend trials organised by other state bodies. But with Hockey India suspending them for the 2018-19 season due to bickering among the executive members, they had no other option but to allow the players.
“Generally, it is against the rules. VHA registered players can’t take part in selection trials of other state units.
“But looking at the present scenario and future of players, they can attend the trials,” said Arvind Joshi who has been appointed as the president of the association by eight members of the 13-member executive committee.
Joshi also said this would not be allowed once the ban is lifted from next season.
“We are hoping that the ban will be revoked soon. Players won’t be allowed to give trials for other states once we are back in HI fold,” added Joshi.
He also said that if the ban is lifted and VHA gets a chance to take part in this year’s sub-junior men and sub-junior women championships (Division B), those selected for Maharashtra team won’t be allowed to appear for selection trials of VHA team.
“Maharashtra team plays in Division A and we are in Division B. If any of our players are selected in the Maharashtra teams, they would not be allowed to appear for trials for Vidarbha team this season,” Joshi clarified.
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Himanshi, Sharvari in Maharashtra probables list
CITY’S Himanshi Gawande and Sharvari Kumbhare have been included in Hockey Maharashtra’s list of probable players for the 9th Hockey India’s sub-junior women championship which is going to be held at Hisar in Haryana from May 27 to June 7.
The selection trials were organised by Hockey Maharashtra at Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Mhalunge, Balewadi on Wednesday. Twenty-six probable players were selected.
The conditioning camp will be held at Pune from May 2 during which an 18-member Maharashtra sub-junior women’s team will be selected.
While Himanshi appeared for forward position, Sharvari gave trials for midfielder’s post.
Both the players are students of Ira International School. Himanshi has represented Vidarbha in three national meets while Sharvari has played twice for Vidarbha.
By Paritosh Pramanik
WITH Hockey India (HI) suspending Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) for the season, players from several districts affiliated with VHA have no other option but to seek help of Hockey Maharashtra in saving their careers.
Several players from Nagpur as well as from Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal, Chandrapur, Wardha—all affiliated with VHA — have left for Pune to attend the selection trials for the forthcoming Hockey India’s 9th Sub-junior men and sub-junior women nationals, it has been learnt.
Hockey Maharashtra plays in Division A while Vidarbha participates in second-tier Division B national tournaments organised by Hockey India.
The 9th Hockey India Sub-Junior Men National Championship ‘A’ Division is going to be held at Raipur, Chhattisgarh from May 11 to 22 while the sub-junior women’s meet is going to be held at Hisar in Haryana from May 27 to
June 7.
Hockey India has suspended VHA for the season due to the infighting among the executive members.
VHA, which is divided in two groups, had sent two teams for men’s senior and junior nationals late last year which forced Hockey India to bar both the teams from participation. Immediately, Hockey India suspended VHA until the dispute is resolved.
This had put a big question mark on the career of players without any fault of theirs.
BC Bhartia, the then president of the association approached High Court challenging Hockey India’s decision to suspend them. The High Court has asked Deputy Charity Commissioner, Nagpur to appoint an Administrator until the dispute is resolved.
In the meantime, eight executive members of VHA passed a resolution to suspend president Bhartia and secretary Vinod Gawai for irregularities and dictatorial functioning.
They also promoted vice-president Arvind Joshi as president and joint secretary Pramod Jain as secretary.
But still, the ‘newly appointed’ heads of the association failed to revoke Hockey India’s decision of suspensions. This forced helpless players to move to greener pasture and they decided to appear for Hockey Maharashtra’s trials. The sub-junior women’s trials will be held on April 24 while the sub-junior boys’ trials will be held from April 25 at Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Mhalunge, Balewadi.
City’s sub-junior girls, who have played a combined eight nationals for Vidarbha, have left for Pune on Tuesday.
Himanshi Gawande, Sharvari Kumbhare, Prerna Bodkhe and Ishika Mondal will be reaching Pune on Wednesday morning to attend the one day trial.
Similarly, Kaustubh Baradiya and Raunak Chaudhary, both of Nagpur, too, left for Pune to attend the sub-junior boys trials.
“Players from Amravati, Akola, Wardha, Yavatmal, Armori will also be attending trials at Pune. We have no other option but to send players to Pune as the bickering between two factions of Vidarbha is unending.
“They (VHA officials) have nothing to lose but it is the players who are suffering,” one of the officials of VHA affiliated units said on condition of anonymity.
Hockey Maharashtra had already announced that they will open their doors for Vidarbha players.
“We will definitely allow players from Vidarbha to attend selection trials. There is infighting in VHA and players are suffering. We will not let them lose their chance to play nationals, if selected,” Hockey Maharashtra secretary Manoj Bhore had told ‘The Hitavada’ after VHA was
suspended.
Staff Reporter
IN AN effort to save the game of hockey from factional feud within Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed Deputy Charity Commissioner to appoint a body of fit persons as administrator to manage the affairs of VHA. This body of administrator will run the show and also select the VHA teams for future tournaments.
The High Court was hearing a petition filed by VHA President B C Bharatiya and Secretary Vinod Gavai against Hockey India’s communication dated January 7, 2019 debarring VHA teams from participating in upcoming hockey nationals in the year 2019.
This action by the Hockey India against VHA has been preceded by the suspension of the associate membership of VHA due to confusion prevailing in it due to groupism.
A division bench consisting of Justice Ravi Deshpande and Justice Shriram Modak after a detailed hearing found that due to factional feud within VHA, young and talented players were deprived from participating in national matches and hence passed direction to handover reins of VHA to administrator.
All the sides have been directed to appear before Deputy Charity Commissioner on April 22 and submit names of eminent sports persons. The authority has been directed to form a consensus panel which will handle VHA’s administration till the controversy is not settled.
The 13-member executive committee of VHA was divided with AP Joshi group allegedly suspending president BC Bhartiya and secretary Vinod Gavai for irregularities and running the association in a dictatorial manner.
This resulted in VHA sending two teams for senior nationals at Chennai and Jabalpur where Hockey India did not allow any of the teams to participate putting a question mark on careers of budding players. Bhartiya then approached court against Hockey India’s decision to suspend the association.
In the meanwhile, the eight members of rival panel (AP Joshi panel), claimed to appoint vice-president Arvind Joshi as its new president and joint secretary Pramod Jain as its secretary. They also approached Hockey India and submitted minutes of the meetings in which the eight members unanimously elected Joshi and Jain.
Advocate Rohit M Sharma appeared for the petitioner-VHA. Adv Saurabh Chaudhari (Union Sports Ministry), Adv Shreerang Bhandarkar (other faction) appeared in the matter.
By Paritosh Pramanik
April 10, 2019
AFTER scratching their heads with rooks, bishops, knights and pawns, city’s chess prodigies will now be turning hundreds of pages from their curriculum when they return to city and appear for their Class VII exams.
City’s ‘King’ and ‘Queen’ chess wizards International Master Raunak Sadhwani and Woman International Master Divya Deshmukh, both students of Std VII, have won accolades in last couple of months when they participated in Sharjah and Dubai International chess competitions.
With the tournaments clashing with their examinations, both were given exemption by their schools to appear for the same at later dates.
With Dubai Open concluding on Tuesday where they gave commendable performances apart from winning important rating points, Divya, a student of Bhavan’s Bhagwandas Purohit Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines branch, and Raunak, a student of Centre Point School, Katol Road, will keep the chess boards aside and concentrate on their exams.
Both are equally talented and sharp in their studies and would have no difficulties while switching from board to books preparing for their final exams.
The best part is the support both the chess genius get from their respective schools.
Youngest Shiv Chhatrapati award winner Divya has been carrying an extra baggage of her study material while playing tournaments. She has made it a point to balance studies and sports equally. Her school has permitted her to appear for final exams once she returns from Dubai.
“Divya will appear for her exams once we are back. School Principal Anju Bhutani is very supportive and has agreed to take her exams after the tournament. From tomorrow it’s exam time for her,” said Divya’s mother Dr Namrata Deshmukh while talking to ‘The Hitavada’ from Dubai.
“We are carrying books and she studies daily till she finishes the decided chapter. Sometimes if chess preparation is more she does not get time to study,” added Dr Namrata.
It’s been a long tour for Divya since she left the Indian shores for Moscow meet.
“We were in Moscow, Vietnam before coming to UAE. In February, we were in Moscow and then moved to Ho Chi Minh for Vietnam Open. From there we came to UAE for these meets,” said Divya’s mother.
In Moscow Divya got Second WGM norm. She missed the IM norm by a whisker but managed to raise her ELO Rating. At Vietnam, Divya gave a decent performance. She again improved her ELO by around 59 points.
The Sharjah meet was a big learning experience for Divya. And at Dubai, she is playing with altogether different rating and is learning to adjust with that
rating.
“Playing with this rating is different as she has to fight back strongly. She is learning and also playing with maximum power, fighting back,” said Divya’s mother.
Similarly, Raunak, too, has performed well in these two tournaments and will be appearing for his exams immediately after returning to India.
“School plays a very important role in Raunak’s journey. They are very supportive and co-operative,” said Raunak’s mother Hina.
Unlike Divya, Raunak does not carry any school books. He wants to concentrate only on chess at the moment. But he has the ability to grasp quickly and thus believes that he will be ready for his examinations.
“During tournaments studying is not possible for him (Raunak). He is focused on his game.
“Actually at this level balancing both is very difficult.
“To some extent studies get affected. Once Raunak becomes Grandmaster he will take a break from chess and focus on his studies,” said Hina.
Hina credited Raunak’s school for their support. “School is very supportive, Principal Shilpi Ganguly encourages him to move ahead in chess and bring glory for everyone. As for his grasping power, he learns very fast. Normally, chess players grasp things very fast.
“At this level he is very close to becoming a Grandmaster. So we are focusing on that and keeping studies aside for time being. It’s a brain game, so distractions are not good during tournaments.
“Once his GM title is achieved, he will keep chess aside for sometime. He needs just two GM norms and a rating of 25 more points to become a Grand Master,” said Hina, who is with Raunak in Dubai.
Mrudul Dehankar, who appeared for her Std IX exams and flew for tournaments just a couple of days later, did not have a great tournament. But she too is a bright future of the city.
“This time Mrudul could not concentrate on chess as she had her Std IX exam. She got just two days to prepare for these meets,” said Mrudul’s father Vilas.
He also thanked Mrudul’s school Bhavan’s Trimurti Nagar branch for supporting her.
“They are very supportive. Principal Parvati Iyer has supported Mrudul which helped her achieve this success,” said Vilas.
n
By Paritosh Pramanik
FINALLY, his hard work and perseverance has paid off, though partially. Niyaz Rahim, an excellent hockey player of city, has been selected in the 60-member squad which will be part of the Senior Men’s National Hockey Camp to be conducted by Hockey India.
The 12-day camp is going to be held at SAI Centre, Bengaluru from April 8 to 20.
The 60 campers will be pruned to 33 core probables who will continue with the camp which will be held from April 21 to May 5 after which Indian team for World Hockey Series will be picked.
This is for the first time in several decades that a player from Nagpur has been included in the national camp.
Niyaz, an enterprising midfielder as well as a quick forward has been included after his consistent performance in the national championships.
Niyaz is presently working with the South Central Railways as a TTI at Secundrabad.
Hailing from a hockey playing family, Niyaz, son of former national-level player Mumtaz-ur Rahim, fondly called as ‘Rabbani chacha’ in hockey circle, learned the tricks of trade playing with his school Tidke Vidyalaya. At the same time he joined Bright Club and then Police Boys before settling with Dhyanchand Sports Academy, one of the best clubs of the region.
After passing out from Tidke in 2005, the fleet-footed Niyaz did his graduation in Bachelors in Physical Education in 2011.
He started playing all over the country and was selected by SAI, Mumbai. Later he got a job with the South Central Railways on the basis of his unbeatable performance.
A few years back, he was also shortlisted for the Hockey India League (HIL) Auctions but as luck would have it, was not picked by any franchise.
“Bhaiyya, we need a Godfather. Only performing on the field is not enough,” he had said to this newspaper then.
“But I will continue to do what I have to... perform...that’s the only thing in my hand,” Niyaz had said.
Today, Niyaz is proud winner of five national gold medals. He is an integral part of Indian Railways (RSPB) team for more than six years and has won Hockey India Nationals on three successive seasons.
Niyaz was part of the history-making Railways team that won three straight Hockey India organised senior nationals at Pune (2015), Saifai, UP (2016) and Lucknow (2017). The team won bronze last year. They bettered their performance with another gold earlier this year at Gwalior, of which Niyaz was vice-captain.
While representing Mumbai in 2010, Niyaz had won gold at Bhopal nationals.
Niyaz was also selected by now defunct Indian Hockey Federation for Under-16 IHF Centre Talent Hunt held at Amritsar in 2005.
“It is a very proud moment for our family. Niyaz has been working hard for several years to see this day. We are very happy for him,” said his elder brother Imtiyaz who himself was an excellent forward before a knee injury cut short his career.
With medals dangling around his neck, Niyaz never lost hope of making it to national camp. He has rubbed shoulders with almost all the current India players during All India or Hockey India national championships, some of which are his Railways-mates.
Niyaz has partially fulfilled his dream by making it to the list of 60. His continued hard work for next couple of weeks will see whether he fulfils his long pending dream of donning India colours.
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Mar 6
AUSTRALIAN pace spearhead Pat Cummins might have taken four wickets for his side including that of Virat Kohli but the seamer felt that the innings of Indian captain made the difference in the second One-Day International on Tuesday night.
India posted 250, thanks to Virat Kohli’s responsible 116 and then the bowlers bowled out Australians in last over to win the match by eight runs at VCA Stadium in Jamtha on Tuesday night.
“I think he (Kohli) was the difference, for sure. We had a couple of really good partnerships, Marcus got 50-odd, couple of guys got really good starts but we didn’t have that one guy who got on with it. We knew the longer the game went on, the harder it was going to be to score. So for them to have someone like Virat in at he end, facing lots of balls, he was probably the difference between them getting low-200 or 250.”
“He batted beautifully and he didn’t give any chances. If someone bowls well he’s happy to wait on them and cash in later. But Kohli doesn’t miss out on too many bad balls. It was really good innings. That was the difference today.”
The seamer also praised Kohli’s chanceless innings.
“Really good innings, chanceless. He just played really good shots. I think for the most part we bowled quite well to him but especially the way he played some of the spin, which looked quite tough to play on that wicket, was certainly the difference,” admitted Cummins during a press conference.
Cummins took positives from the lost battle and said that would help them in future.
“It was another close one. Just like the first game. We just couldn’t close out. I thought there were lots of good things we did. To bowl them out obviously is a good thing to get 250 from the position they were win was a pretty good result for us. Then a couple of partnerships were really good. But just — it’s happened a couple of times, we’re just off the mark a little bit,” felt Cummins.
Marcus Stoinis batted well for his 52 runs and the Australians had a chance until he was there in the middle. Cummins praised his innings.
“Yeah when Marcus is there, you always feel like you are in for a chance. He’s been the closer for us the last couple of years, played some unbelievable knocks and assesses the game really well. So with him out there I thought we were a massive chance. He played it beautifully, the way he just counted down the balls, chose the bowlers. To have 11 off the last over against probably their fifth bowler is a pretty good position from where we were. He set it up beautifully (but) just wasn’t his day that last over,” Cummins explained.
Cummins said he loves bowling with the new ball.
“I love bowling with the new ball. Especially in One-Day cricket on these sort of wickets, the ball deteriorates quite quickly. So I love getting the brand new ball and try to swing it around, get a bit of pace and bounce out of the wicket before it tends to go soft. I enjoyed that and am really happy with how I landed pretty much my whole 9 overs.”
Despite two losses Cummins believed that they had some excellent match winners in the side and others are learning how to cope in close games.
“I think we’ve got match-winners in the side. It’s maybe yeah — games like today, we are trying to learn off those guys who won it for the opposition and try to do it. It’s one of those things. When you’re one of the best sides in the world, you do finish those close ones.”
Cummins lauded the innings of their out of form captain Aaron Finch.
“He (Finch) batted really well with Usman at the start there. I think he has played a beautiful innings today. You see how effective he is – one he gets going, the field goes back. He’s one of those batsmen, I know bowling in domestic cricket against him, you do feel under pressure if he’s firing. It’s good to see him (back among runs). He’s such a class player. His record is great in ODI cricket so runs were always going to come around the corner. It was a good innings from him today, I’m sure he’ll keep cashing in,” said Cummins.
India take on Australia in second ODI today
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Mar 4
ON THE eve of the second One-Day International, Shikhar Dhawan had a long stint in the batting nets. He batted for more than two hours facing net bowlers and India spinners. At times, coach Ravi Shastri went to him and the two had lengthy discussions. Dhawan was not given any respite. He had to even face the throw downs from the support staff.
Last Saturday, the opener had spent maximum time in the Indian dressing room when the hosts chased down the Australian target to go one up in the five-match series at Hyderabad.
A duck in the series opener after failing to make much of an impact in the second T20 (scored 14 of 24) and that too two months ahead of the World Cup might have concerned the Delhi batsman in general and team management in particular. India are in search of a second opener for the World Cup and Dhawan’s
lack of form would put more pressure on the side while picking the final 15.
The second ODI against Australia here at Jamtha Stadium would give another chance to the left-handed opener.
KL Rahul has done exceptionally well in the two T20 Internationals he has played with a half century in the first game and a 26-ball 47 in the second. He would be keen to grab the opportunity, if given, in the coming games.
India, with a morale-boosting win after the T20s loss, would be eager to stretch the gulf with another good show at the venue where they had a good record against the same side. Rohit Sharma, who had scored 125 last time when the two sides met, would love to do an encore.
Captain Virat Kohli is among runs and will continue to do the good work. But he will have to be cautious while negotiating Australian spinner Adam Zampa to whom he has given wicket twice in the series.
“Virat’s wicket is always big but there are also other big wickets,” Zampa said during the pre-match presser.
The little bit of clamour of a “finished Dhoni” has suddenly, and rightly, died down after the responsible innings from the Indian stumper. His match-winning undefeated stand with Kedar Jadhav has forced all the doubters to eat crow. It would be interesting to see how Australian seamers — Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile — and spinner Zampa attack the most matured player of the Indian side. Jadhav has done a world of good just head of World Cup selection. His morale would be high in the second game as well.
Indian bowling looks perfect. They are on the spot. Though Jasprit Bumrah was tad expensive in the first game, he would be a dangerous customer to deal with. Mohd Shami is peaking at the right time and would love to continue in the same vein. Spinners Kuldeep Yadav and part-timer Jadhav bowled exceedingly well but how much assist from this wicket they could get would remains to be seen.
“The wicket here looks on the slower side. It will be a challenging game,” said Yadav ahead of the match.
As for the Australians, their biggest worry is the form of captain Aaron Finch on this tour. The opener has just eight runs from three innings.
“Finchy is worried about his form but the atmosphere in the dressing room is great,” Zampa tried to play down the issue.
Usman Khawaja, with a half-century in the first game, will look to building on the same confidence while Marcus Stoinis and Peter Handscomb will have to shoulder the middle order.
Kohli has lost all the three tosses in this series and would pray the coin falls on his side. The wicket looks to assist the batsmen and it would be interesting to see how Dhawan bounces back.
Teams (FROM)
India: Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rishabh Pant, Siddarth Kaul, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja.
Australia: Aaron Finch (captain), D’Arcy Short, Shaun Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey, Peter Handscomb, Ashton Turner, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff, Jhye Richardson, Pat Cummins, Andrew Tye, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Nathan Lyon.
Kohli hits 40th ODI ton as India make 250
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Mar 5
IT WAS not a colossal innings. Neither was it a hurricane knock. What Virat Kohli produced was an innings filled with responsibility, stitched with calmness and driven by sheer control.
The Indian captain slammed a responsible century but other batsmen faltered as India posted 250 against Australia in the second One-Day International here at VCA Stadium in Jamtha on Tuesday.
It was an innings of substance from Kohli who slammed 116 from 120 deliveries and 10 boundaries. His fourth wicket partnership of 81 runs with rookie Vijay Shankar (46, 41b, 5x4, 1x6 ) gave India stability after the hosts were reeling at 75 for three.
Kohli, who entered the field as early as in the second over of India’s innings, frustratingly saw wickets fall from the other end but used all his mental toughness to carve out another best effort. The Kohli-Shankar partnership gave India some edge. More than that, it gave more confidence to Shankar who was playing only his sixth ODI.
India had a poor start with Rohit Sharma (0) and Shikhar Dhawan (21) failing with the bat.
Sharma, who had a century at the venue in 2017, got out for a duck as tried to slap-cut the ball towards third-man only to see Adam Zampa collecting an easy catch off Pat Cummins.
Dhawan started with a couple of boundaries but failed to convert it into big. He flicked one to fence off Nathan Coulter-Nile and then pulled one towards long on to open up his arms. With captain Kohli, the duo added 38 runs for the second wicket. But Dhawan’s innings was cut short by Glenn Maxwell who trapped him in front. Australia asked for DRS after umpire turned down their appeal. However, TV replays showed that the ball was hitting the leg stump and Australia retained their review.
Ambati Rayudu (18) and Kohli tried to resurrect the innings but boundaries dried up. There was a passage of time when not a single boundary was scored for 51 deliveries.
But in the 15th over Rayudu played a beautiful cover drive to hit his first four off Maxwell. In the next over, a Zampa full toss was sent to mid-wicket fence as India started gaining the momentum.
Kohli started well but had to contain his shots after Dhawan’s fall. Occasionally he punished the loose deliveries but most on the times, he played for singles and twos. The Rayudu-Kohli partnership too did not last long. Rayudu was trapped by Nathan Lyon in his first over. After Rayudu’s departure, the Indian captain continued to absorb pressure and hit two successive boundaries off his nemesis Zampa. The first one was between fine-leg and square-leg and the second was through covers giving no chance to the boundary fielders. Shankar, on the other hand, started with a couple and a few singles. He then slapped a boundary in the next Coulter-Nile over breaching three off-side fielders as India reached 100 in the 21st over.
Shankar, who did not get chance in the first ODI, grabbed the opportunity and played some breathtaking shots which even Kohli acknowledged. He once glanced a ball to fine leg boundary and then in the 25th over hit a straight boundary off Coulter-Nile to pace up the innings.
Though Kohli did not entertain the crowd with his huge hits, he cleverly stitched his innings to inch closer to his 40th century.
The incredible Indian captain finally completed his century with a backward point boundary off Coulter-Nile. The innings was totally an unlike Kohli. It did not had even a single six. Most of his shots were carpet driven. The captain achieved personal milestones but wanted to take India miles ahead of the Australians.
But he lacked in partners. Two quick wickets put pressure back on India. Last match’s heroes Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni failed to produce heroics as they were sent back on successive deliveries by Zampa.
First, Jadhav gave a regulation catch to Finch at short cover and then Dhoni nudged one back to Usman Khawaja at first slip for a first ball duck.
Ravindra Jadeja and Kohli added a valuable 67 runs for the seventh wicket which helped India reach 249.
Cummins was the most successful bowler for Australia with four wickets which included the prized wicket of Indian captain. Zampa was the most expensive bowler and took two wickets while Coulter-Nile, Maxwell and Lyon took one each.
Kohli, Shankar give India thrilling win in second ODI
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Mar 5
PRESSURE brings the best out of this Indian team. Put under pressure in the last game, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav came out victors with their match-winning effort. Here at VCA Jamtha Stadium, Virat Kohli and Vijay Shankar first took the total to 250 and then the latter bowled over of his life taking two wickets in space of three deliveries that helped India beat Australia by eight runs.
In the edge of the seat encounter which went to the last over, Indian bowlers complemented captain Kohli’s responsible century (116; 120b, 10x4) with sharp bowling and thinking to take 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Australia needed 11 from the last over but Shankar took two wickets from his first and third balls to crush their dream.
Seamer Jasprit Bumrah once again proved why he was rated among the top bowlers in the world with figures of 10-0-29-2. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Jadhav shared five wickets amongst them which shut the door on the Australians.
After putting up 250, thanks to Kohli’s knock, bowlers strangulated Australia with tight and accurate bowling.
An impressive Bumrah bowled an excellent ninth over picking wickets on his second and fourth deliveries to strengthen the grip. This after Yadav had sent back dangerous-looking Alex Carey (22), after being hit for a four in the same over.
Indian bowlers delivered what their captain demanded. Despite defending a meagre 250 and with Australia starting off well with an 83 runs first wicket partnership between Aaron Finch (37) and Usman Khawaja (38), India never lost hope.
Boundaries flew thick and fast as the Aussie openers raced to 50 in just 9.2 overs. Shankar was hit for 13 runs from his first over with Finch picking up two boundaries and Khawaja one.
But introduction of spinners put brakes on the flow of runs. India managed to halt scoring with two quick wickets.
By 15th over, both openers were back in hut. Yadav trapped Finch in front and exactly after six deliveries, Jadhav bowled a beautiful delivery to force Khawaja give a simple catch to Kohli at short covers.
Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb added 39 runs for the third wicket but never looked comfortable against spinners. Dhoni showed agility behind the stumps taking a sharp catch off Yadav to see the back of Marsh. Dangerman Glenn Maxwell was kept quiet as he consumed 18 deliveries before being bowled by a Yadav delivery which kept low.
Handscomb waged a lone battle scoring 48 runs but was sent back by Jadeja who ran him out with a direct hit.
Marcus Stoinis kept Australian hopes floating with a gritty half century (52) but his departure in the last over sealed the deal.
Earlier, Kohli’s was not a colossal innings. Neither was it a hurricane knock. What he produced was an innings filled with responsibility, stitched with calmness and driven by control.
The Indian captain slammed a responsible ton but other batsmen faltered as managed 250.
It was an innings of substance from Kohli who slammed 116 from 120 deliveries and 10 boundaries, the last one being his 1000th four. His fourth wicket partnership of 81 runs with Shankar (46; 41b, 5x4, 1x6 ) gave India stability after the hosts were reeling at 75 for three.
Kohli, who entered the field as early as in the second over, saw wickets fall from the other end but used his mental toughness to carve out another best effort. The Kohli-Shankar partnership gave India the edge. More than that, it gave confidence to Shankar playing only his sixth ODI.
Apart from the 81-run stand, Kohli also had a very important 67 runs partnership with Jadeja (12) which was instrumental in India reaching 250 mark.
Kohli started well but had to curtail his shots. Occasionally, he punished loose deliveries but most of the times he played for singles and twos.
His innings was unlike Kohli. It did not have a single six. Most of his shots were carpet driven. The captain achieved personal milestones but wanted to take India miles ahead of the Australians. But he lacked in partners.
Two quick wickets put pressure back on India. Last match’s heroes Jadhav and Dhoni were sent back on successive deliveries by Zampa.
Shankar played perhaps the best match of his just-started career. Batting with Kohli, flourished. He did exactly that while bowling the last over of the match.
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Mar 6
CRICKET fans all over the country as well as pundits of the game might have selected Vijay Shankar in the final 15 for the upcoming 50-overs World Cup after his match-winning performance in the second ODI against Australia on Tuesday. However, the Tamil Nadu all-rounder is not losing any sleep over his selection. He is well aware that there is still plenty of cricket to be played before the first ball is bowled in the World Cup.
Shankar first produced an 81 runs partnership with captain Virat Kohli in which he slammed a quickfire 48 off 41 deliveries and then bowled the final over in the pressure situation to take two wickets in three balls to bowl out the Australians.
When asked what was going through his mind during that final over Shankar said, he was mentally prepared for it and was not under any pressure.
“I was just ready for the challenge because I knew I had to bowl that one over. And I was just telling after the 43rd-44th over, I’m going to bowl anytime. Maybe the last over and I should be ready to defend a total of 10 runs or 15 runs. So, I think basically I was mentally prepared for that,” said the match winning all-rounder. Shankar who was criticised for his slow batting during the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka late last year said that tournament has taught him a lot.
“To be honest the Nidahas Trophy has taught me too many things. I learnt to how to stay neutral after that. Be it high or low, it doesn’t matter. I need to stay calm and neutral all the time. I’ve told previously also that I never think about the selection or World Cup thing because it’s a long way off from now and we have too many matches to play after this. Every game is very important. I just look to giving my best and win a game for the team,” added Shankar.
Shankar, who was hit for 13 runs in his first over during the second ODI, said he is working hard on his bowling
“Every session, I work very hard on all aspects of my game, especially bowling. I know I need to keep working on it. Sometimes, in the last two games that I played, I might not have bowled much, I might have gone for runs in the overs that I bowled. Last over was much-needed over for me and to defend that... this will give the team some confidence that I can do it. Only when I start doing it (bowling well), the team will start trusting me a lot more and I’ll start bowing a lot more. It’s all in my hands. I need to keep delivering wherever I get the ball,” Shankar explained.
Shankar said his is not goading over the two wickets he got in the last over and also played down his freak run out during the match.
“I am just pretty neutral. Just because I got the two wickets in the last over does not make me feel really high or happy. I am happy about that but I am not so high and all. I am trying to enjoy the moment and then go ahead with that.
“Of course, when you get run out like this, I won’t say unfortunate, that was struck and he (Kohli) hit the ball so hard and I didn’t have much time to get back in (to the crease) but then these things happen in cricket. As long as I bat well and as long as contribute to the team’s win, I will be happy.”
It was his seam partner Jasprit Bumrah who guided him after the 48th over was bowled. Bumrah gave only 1 run in that over which put more pressure on Australia.
“After the 48th over, Bumrah came up to me and said that the ball is reversing a bit and he told me that I need to hit the right length on this wicket, where I give myself a chance to hit the stumps. When he told that, I was mentally clear and I thought I should do that.
“The only way to defend those runs is (by) picking wickets, if I can bowl straighter, (I’ll) give myself a chance to take wickets, I’ll have more chance to hit the stumps,” said Shankar.
The all rounder said it was difficult to bat on the wicket which was slow and had low bounce.
“It was little bit difficult in the morning, I felt it was coming a bit slow and the bounce was also not that much. It was bit low when compared to other normal wickets. It’s a challenge for us to adapt ourselves quickly to it (the pitch) and do it for the team, whatever the team needs at that point of time…. We had good communication in the middle, me and Virat had a good partnership and it was very important for me as well, so I enjoyed playing (in) that situation and did reasonably well,” he added.
This was not for the first time that Shankar had bowled the last over of the innings.
“I have bowled the last over for my club or for my team that I play for. But, this is something, everyone would love to take that challenge, because you are representing your country and it is an opportunity for you to win the match for your country, so as I said I was (prepared).
“The preparation which I did after the 40th over helped me a bit to stay really calm. To be honest, I was not under any pressure, because to defend 10 runs, it is going to be a challenge but the good thing was they were (down) for eight and I had the opportunity to pick those two wickets and give myself a chance to win it for the team,” Shankar concluded.
The Yavatmal-born custodian has been handed a two-year doping ban by NADA, ADDP
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Oct 19
A SHATTERED, out-of-favour Indian hockey goalkeeper Akash Chikte, who has been handed a two-year doping ban by National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) and Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) for “unknowingly” taking prohibited substance earlier this year, has decided to fight against the decision.
Chikte was provisionally suspended by NADA from March 27 and the minimum sanction of two years was imposed by the ADDP after a final hearing on October 8.
However, the Pune-based custodian has decided to fight against the duration of the ban and has also roped in a Delhi lawyer to fight his case. Chikte has 21 days to appeal against the suspension.
Chikte tested positive for banned anabolic steroid (Norandrosterone) during an out-of-competition test during the senior team’s hockey camp in Bengaluru on February 27.
“I am really shattered. I never took any prohibited substance in my life. The medicine which I took after consulting doctor had prohibited substance which I never knew,” Chikte told ‘The Hitavada’ from Pune.
Recalling those days when he was mentally tired due to his father’s ill health, Chikte said his intention was never to take any performance enhancing drugs and he will never do so in his life.
Chikte’s father Anil, a welder by profession, was suffering from a brain decease called aneurysm which could lead to vasospasm (sudden constriction of a blood vessel, reducing its diameter and flow rate) and multiple infarct. He needed immediate surgery. Chikte, hailing from Lohara village in Yavatmal, was on duty at BEG Pune when he received the news of his father’s ailment. He immediately rushed to Nagpur to get his father treated.
“During that course of time I was mentally tired and I couldn’t think of anything else than my father’s health. During that time I had injured my left foot. There was unbearable pain and I took the medicine prescribed by the doctor. I never knew it had a banned substance,” said Chikte who has won gold medal for India in 2016 Asia Cup.
Chikte said he has decided to contest the decision of two-year ban, which, he hoped, could be reduced to one year.
“I will be challenging the one-year ban. I have roped in a Delhi-based lawyer who will fight my case against NADA. Looking my clean background and my future I hope the ban would be reduced to one year,” said Chikte, the 2016 Asian Men’s Champions Trophy gold medal winner.
“This was an important year for me as I missed all the major tournaments — Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, Asian Champions Trophy and the forthcoming World Cup. I am shattered but I can’t do anything now. I am now working hard for 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” said the lanky goalkeeper.
Chikte might get a leeway as NADA’s order mentioned that his case of dope violation was “unintentional” as he had taken medicine for an injury on his left foot.
Chikte admitted that he failed to inform the NADA officials about taking the medicine. “I was shuttling between Pune, Nagpur and Yavatmal due to my father’s illness. Hence it (mentioning NADA about my medication) skipped my mind,” Chikte claimed.
While it was proved that Chikte neither sought Therapeutic Use Exemption Certificate (TUE Certificate) nor did he mention about the injection taken on the Doping Control Form, he was able to establish that he had no knowledge of the injection prescribed by the physician, whom he consulted in Pune.
Thus, he was able to avoid the maximum sanction of four years although NADA still has provision to appeal against this decision.
According to the NADA order, Chikte’s urine sample report had Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF) for 19-Norandrosterone (19 NA, metabolite of Nandrolone or its Precursor) at a concentration level greater than 15 ng/ml, Androgenic Anabolic Steroid, which is non-specified substance as per NADA/WADA prohibited list. Once Chikte’s ‘B’ sample also showed similar AAF finding, a hearing was conducted on August 13. The player appeared before the panel and he said he had consumed medicines prescribed by his doctor for treatment of his index finger on his left foot.
(with inputs from PTI)
By Paritosh Pramanik
A SPORTSPERSON’S life is full of sacrifices, turbulence, hardships and difficulties. There are inspiring stories which show the valour and determination of how medal-winning athletes are made after overcoming difficult hurdles. Same is the story of high jumper Abhay Gurav, who has passed through a lot of turbulence at the age of just 19 but got over it to start a golden journey in athletics.
Gurav, a native of Khondamali village, 15 kms from Nandurbar district, won his maiden gold medal on Tuesday at the state junior athletics championship under way
at Nagpur.
Flashing his maiden gold medal, Gurav was all smiles at the Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University’s Sports Complex. He left all his troubles behind for a while and was soaked in this moment of joy.
A leap of 2.03 metres in U-20 boys category fetched Gurav the gold that, in his own words, “is the best thing to happen in his life so far.”
Gurav has previously won gold in the school games’ athletics meet at Karad and silver at the Nashik state level meet. But this medal is more important as it has opened the gates to the Maharashtra athletics team.
At 5.5 ft in height, no one would believe that Gurav could perform this better in a sport like high jump. But the 19-year-old athlete has proved everybody wrong with his gold winning feat.
Gurav’s life is full of hardships and difficulties. He lost his mother when he was just one year old. He missed a state championship a couple of years back because his father had a bad fall and went into coma. Though he went for the state meet after admitting his father to the hospital, he could not participate because he reported at the venue 20 minutes late.
Living with his paternal aunt, Gurav had to spare time from his studies to work at a cloth shop or in cotton farms to make ends meet. Despite all these turbulences, a determined Gurav has made it a point to excel in sports and find a decent job in Army to take care of his family.
“After I lost my mother, I was sent to an orphanage in Wavdade village in Jalgaon district by my uncle. A few years later my aunt took me to her home,” said Gurav.
The difficult days did not stop there. With family’s financial condition not that sound, Gurav immediately understood the challenges of life. At a very tender age, he started working at a shop, which makes turbans in Nandurbar.
“I have to feed a family which has an ailing father, a brother and an aunt. I decided to work at the shop to earn livelihood. From Khondamali village I daily travel to Nandurbar in bus. My day starts at 5.30 am as I go to Nandurbar for practice. After practising till 10 am, I go to Yashwant Vidyalaya where I study (12th Commerce). After college I go to the shop and work for a few hours and then return home by 3.30-4 pm,” said Gurav about his daily routine.
Living at a remote place, Gurav does not have proper training facilities what athletes at metros usually get.
“I started with long jump but then shifted to high jump on my coach Mayur Thakre’s insistence. There are no facilities for high jump in my village. I used to erect makeshift bars and jump over them. There were sacks of cotton on which I used to fall as the surface was too hard. There is one mat in Nandurbar but officials do not give it to me. They say it is not possible to provide the mat and poles for only one player. Somehow I have to manage with whatever resources I have,” lamented Gurav.
As this is his Board exam year and he had to participate in the junior state meet, Gurav gave up his job at the cloth store. “It was not possible to get leave from the shop as I also had to come to Nagpur for this meet. Hence, I decided to leave the job. To make ends meet I go to sell ‘bel patta’ (Bel leaves) at Nandurbar thrice a week. In return, I get some rice, jowar etc. It’s like a barter system,” mentioned Gurav.
It’s the will power and determination to excel in high jump that brought Gurav this far. The members of Gurav tribe were also very kind to fund him.
“My Gurav tribe members
help me financially a lot. They provide us with a financial aid every month with which I somehow manage to feed my family. My tours are sponsored by Thakre sir. He looks after my needs on the field,” Gurav proudly said.
High jump is not an easy sport and needs a lot of technical training. Gurav could not get the best of training at his village. However, he has learnt the tricks of trade through YouTube.
“I watch high jump competitions on YouTube. How to run, to take a jump, how to time the jump and all technicalities…I learned watching on YouTube,” informed Gurav.
“If I get a job in Army I will be financially secured. Getting a job is my first priority. But for that, I will have to keep winning medals. Only then my performance would be noticed,” he said adding, “there is an Army recruitment in Jabalpur next month and I will start preparing for it from tomorrow.”
Gurav has timed his jump well to win his maiden gold at the junior meet. Only time will tell how high he can take his leap in life.
