Will try to repeat last edition’s performance: Jennifer after being picked in Indian TT team

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR’S table tennis sensation Jennifer Varghese has been selected in the Indian team that will participate in the South Asian Youth Table Tennis Championship.

The championship will be organised by Table Tennis Arunachal under auspices and authority of the Asian Table Tennis Union and Table Tennis Federation of India from May 14 to 17 at Dorjee Khandu Badminton Hall, Rajbhawan, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.

At the last edition of the championship Jennifer had won three gold medals for the country. This year, too, the 14-year-old is hoping to repeat her performance.

“I am very happy about the selection and am looking forward to the championship,” Jennifer told ‘The Hitavada’ over phone from Delhi on Thursday.

Last year, Jennifer had won three gold medals in team, doubles and individuals event in the South Asian Championship which was held in Maldives. “I am hoping to repeat my performance this time too,” Jennifer, who trains under R Rajesh at Chennai, said.

This year, matches will be held in U-19 Boys’ and Girls’ Teams, U-15 Boys’ and Girls’ Teams, U-19 Boys’ and Girls’ Singles, U-15 Boys’ and Girls’ Singles, U-19 Boys’ and Girls’ Doubles, U-15 Boys’ and Girls’ Doubles and U-19 and U-15 Mixed Doubles.

In all probability, Jennifer will be participating in Under-15 events as she is ranked second in India. In U-19, she is at the third position.

Recently, Jennifer won the U-15 National Championship held in Alleppey, Kerala.

Earlier this year, Jennifer had won the Under-19 women’s singles title in the National Ranking Table Tennis Championship in Surat, Gujarat.

In an all-Maharashtra ‘B’ final, Jennifer rallied from a game down to beat Sayali Wani 4-1. 

The teenage prodigy of Nagpur, who trains at Chennai, has been excelling in the international arena since the last couple of years including a couple of WTT Youth Contender medals.

City’s Peter gets WIFA referee’s award

By Paritosh Pramanik

Acknowledging the excellent  performance in I-League matches, Western India Football Association (WIFA) recently felicitated Nagpur’s top referee Christopher Peter.

The first WIFA Referee’s Award Function was 

held at Cooperage in Mumbai, recently.

Peter was felicitated by WIFA Secretary Souter Vaz, with a memento and a citation during the awards night.

Peter, who is an All India Football Association’s Category-II referee, has officiated in 12 I-League matches (Senior Division) along with Santosh Trophy final last year. At present he is officiating in the I-League Second  Division matches at Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh.

“The first referees’ awards function of WIFA was organised to recognise the performance of officials of the State. It is a good move by WIFA as it will motivate referees and other technical officials to perform much better,” Peter told ‘The Hitavada’.

Twenty-eight-year-old Peter took to officiating football matches at an early age and developed interest as the years passed. He has also cleared FIFA Members Association’s referees’ course last year at Kochi. After completion of this year’s I-League matches, he would be promoted to Category-I on the basis of his performance.

“My aim is to become FIFA  referee and I am working hard on achieving that goal. Officiating a football match is not easy as it looks from outside. It requires continues upgradation of knowledge,” said Peter, who is the third AIFF certified referee from Nagpur after Stanley Peter and Mohd Kaleem. In 2019, Peter became Maharashtra’s youngest Category-II referee after he cleared the exam.

Niyaz leads Indian Railways to another hockey title

By Paritosh Pramanik

HE HAS made it a habit to lead the Indian Railways’ side to the podium. For the past five years, Nagpur’s Sayyad Niyaz Rahim is leading the Indian Railways’ team and under his captainship the team has won all the major hockey tournaments in the country.

On Saturday, the ace midfielder, who was also in the core probables list of Indian hockey team, escorted Railways to another podium finish when his side won the trophy at the 4th Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Tournament at Chandigarh.

Indian Railways defeated hosts Chandigarh 5-4 in which Niyaz scored a goal.

In the semi-finals, Railways’ drubbed star-studded India Oil 3-1 and Niyaz, who works with South Central Railways, was declared man of the match.

The tournament also had teams from Bangladesh and United Kingdom.

Under Niyaz, Indian Railways have won the Surjeet Singh All India Hockey Tournament in Jalandhar, Punjab, Obaidullah Gold Cup in Bhopal, Jawaharlal Nehru Gold Cup in New Delhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri Gold Cup in New Delhi to name a few.

“It feels great to lead the Indian Railways team to the podium. I am happy that under my leadership the team has won so many titles. I will continue to perform the same way in future also,” Niyaz, who was adjudged best player of Lal Bahadur Shastri Gold Cup and Obaidullah Gold Cup in 2017 and 2022, told ‘The Hitavada’ after the final on Saturday.

With Hockey India planning to re-start Hockey India League, Niyaz hoped that he would get a chance to show his talent in the multi-team franchise-based league.

“It is a great news that Hockey India League will be organised again. If I get a chance to play for any team, I would try to give my best,” said Niyaz who parted ways with Vidarbha and Nagpur after he was selected by Sports Authority of India Mumbai in 2008.

“With no astro turf in Nagpur, I had to move out. Had there been an astro turf I would have got an opportunity to show my talent in my home town itself. 

“I still feel that Nagpur has lot of talent in hockey and city players would perform in much better if they get a chance to play on astro-turf. It is a good news that an astro turf is being sanctioned at Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur. The  sooner it is constructed, the better for local players,” said Niyaz who has led Indian Railways to eight podium finishes in Hockey India nationals since 2012. 

This year, Indian Railways finished second best at Bengaluru Inter-Department Nationals.

Vora meets AIFF Prez Chaubey, requests for I-league, ISL matches in Nagpur

By Paritosh Pramanik

Nagpur District Football Association  (NDFA) President Haresh Vora recently met All India Football Association President Kalyan Chaubey in Mumbai and requested him organise I-League or ISL matches in Nagpur, which is in the heart of the country.

The informal meeting was held in Mumbai last month where Vora, who is also Vice-President of Western India Football Association (WIFA), the football governing body of Maharashtra, gave several proposals to the AIFF chief ranging from change in recruitment procedure in sports quota for departmental teams to promotion of football in the State.

“The meeting was an informal one. We held discussions on various topics and Chaubey  gave a positive response,” Vora told ‘The Hitavada.’

 Vora requested Chaubey for a few I-League or Indian Super League (ISL) matches in the city.

“Now we have our own ground. I requested Chaubey to allot us a few I-League matches, at least the Second Division ties, or  ISL matches at Nagpur. Our city is in the centre of the country. Logistically, it will be convenient for all stakeholders. But for that we will have to construct a stadium with galleries for spectators,” he said.

“We have enough land at our Suyog Nagar’s Dr Ambedkar Stadium and I think space would not be a problem for constructing spectators’ gallery,” stated Vora.

“I also requested him to hold Indian teams selection trials in Nagpur as it has a couple of football fields including that of South East Central Railways,” the NDFA chief said.

Vora also requested Chaubey to redesign sports recruitment procedures in government, departmental teams. 

“I have asked Chaubey to request the central government to re-start sports recruitment in Railways and other government departments and also relax the education qualification criteria.

“Like, for a Class-IV appointment in Railways, the education qualification should be Standard 8 or 10 pass. This would help talented footballers get a decent job through sports quota,” said Vora.

MBA warns its shuttlers against playing unauthorised tournament

By Paritosh Pramanik

MAHARASHTRA Badminton Association (MBA) has warned its shuttlers against participating in any unauthorised tournament in the State.

Neterwala Open Badminton Tournament has been organised by Neterwala Group in Tumsar from April 7.

According to MBA, the organisers have not taken any prior permission to host the tournament which is being held in various age categories.

Recently Neterwala Group constructed two “international standard” badminton courts at Shirinbai Neterwala School in Tumsar, Bhandara district. The tournament is being organised as part of its celebration.

However, as the organisers did not take permission from Bhandara District Badminton Association, the State body declared it as an unauthorised competition.

Though no special notice has been issued by any of the district associations, a notice is being circulated through various social media platforms warning players not to participate in the competition.

The notice which is on the letterhead of Maharashtra Badminton Association, and signed by Nitin Gabhane, EC Member, MBA, stated “the tournament, which is being held at Tumsar from April 6, is being held without MBA permission. All MBA registered players will not be able to participate in the tournament. If any member is found participating in the tournament then strict action will be taken on them and they will be barred from participating in any State-level matches.”

Gabhane is also member of Bhandara District Badminton Association. When contacted Mangesh Kashikar, MBA Vice-President and Secretary, Nagpur District Badminton Association, he said that the tournament does not have any official permission.

“They did not take any permission either from Bhandara District Badminton Association nor contacted MBA. The BAI and MBA rules for players for participating in any tournament are clear and are posted on the website. They should participate in any tournament only after verifying its legal status,” stated Kashikar.

Kashikar said that it is not necessary for district associations to give notice for every unauthorised tournament “as the rules are framed and are posted on the website.

“We (associations) do not want to stop shuttlers from playing any tournament. It is good that people come forward and organise competitions. But we want proper procedures to be followed,” Kashikar explained.

Sharma 2nd best at UNESCO photo contest

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR’S amateur photographer Ashutosh Sharma has done it again!

Though he could not repeat his numero uno feat, Sharma finished on the podium on second successive occasion after his ‘From the slums to smiles’ photo was declared as second best at UNESCO 3rd ‘TRUST, Sport as it Should Be’, photo 

competition.

Sharma had sent his entry for the competition online.

The online awards ceremony took place on 31 March at the Third International Conference SPORT4IMPACT in Milan. Sharma will be receiving a certificate from UNESCO Chair MTU.

A total of 79 entries from 19 countries were selected by the judges panel which included Stephen McCarthy, double World Press Photo award-winning photographer and filmmaker at Sportsfile Dublin; MTU team – UNESCO Chair team & Department of Sport, Leisure, and Childhood Studies; Olga Maryntseva, Petro Mohyla Black Sea University in Mikolaiv, Ukraine and Daithi Kerin, GameOn Golf. Sharma’s photo was declared second best in ameteur category.

Glenn Tondo of Philippines won the first place.

“I am delighted to win the award once again. Last year I was the winner but this year I finished second best. Still, I am happy, Sharma told ‘The Hitavada’. Sharma clicked the picture with kids playing football in a muddy field, in Nagpur. “These slum kids may come from impoverished backgrounds, but they are full of life and passion on the football field. Playing football brings these kids together, allowing them to forget about their struggles and just enjoy the game. They prove that a love for something can transcend any obstacle, and that the power of play can bring joy and happiness to even the most challenging of circumstances,” read the caption of the photo.

Sharma regularly participates in such photo competitions. His photos were selected for UN Exhibition for #IDSDP2017, Pearsons Global Learning Centre in 2015 and 2016. 

Sharma has also won photography award of UNESCO Power of Sports Award (7th Globally) in 2015.

Sharma’s photo has also been featured in Power of Sports Book Globally.

RTMNU’s athletics synthetic track getting in shape

By Paritosh Pramanik

Despite several weather interruptions, the work of athletics synthetic track of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University at its Ravi Nagar Sports Complex is going at a fast pace.

The unwanted rains since past one week might be a hindrance but the laying of the synthetic track is being carried out on a war footing with workers even doing ‘extra hours’.

After the black liquid solution spreads at the base of the track, the work of sprinkling black granules and then coating the red layer is being done.

“This is the first layer of red solution after black granules were spread on the entire track. There will be two more layers of red solution. This work is being done at the long jump pit area. Though rains have delayed our progress a bit, we are on time,” Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Department of Physical Education and Sports, RTMNU told ‘The Hitavada.’

The Bhoomipujan of the work (spreading rubber solution on the track) was held last Tuesday by RTMNU Vice-Chancellor Dr Subhash Chaudhari.

The Poly Urithin rubber solution has been spread all over the track which will be completed in 20-22 days.

After that around 10-12 days will be required for marking of lanes.

If all goes as per schedule, the eight-lane synthetic athletics track will be ready for competitions by the month

of June.

Rs 10 cr sanctioned for hockey astro turf at Div Sports Complex

By Paritosh Pramanik

AFTER more than 20 years, the dream of hundreds of players of having a hockey astro turf in Nagpur is going to be fulfilled.

Despite having two hockey grounds in the heart of the city, Nagpur is bereft of a hockey astro turf which has hampered careers of several players.

However, the efforts of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with District Collector Vipin Itankar, Divisional Commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari and others have now bore fruits.

The Maharashtra State Planning Department, through District Collector, has sanctioned Rs 10 crore for astro turf which will be constructed at the Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur.

Shekhar Patil, Deputy Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, Nagpur, confirmed the news and expressed happiness on getting the funds.

“It’s a great news for all sports lovers, especially hockey players of the region. It is because of the efforts of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Collector Vipin Itankar, Divisional Commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari madam and others, that funds for astro turf has been sanctioned,” Patil, who is also the Secretary of Divisional Sports Complex Committee, told ‘The Hitavada’.

The Divisional Sports Complex off Koradi Road in Mankapur was constructed in 2001 and since then a hockey astro turf was demanded. But previous governments showed little interest. But with the Eknath Shinde-led Government taking charge and Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis taking keen interest in sports infrastructure development, the funds have been allocated.

Earlier this month, the Maharashtra Government had sanctioned Rs 100 crore to the Divisional Sports Complex in Nagpur.

The Maharashtra government had proposed Rs 491 crore State Sports Budget out of which Rs 100 crore was allocated for the Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur.

In an order dated 30.3.2023, District Collector sanctioned Rs 10 crore for astro turf under Sports field development scheme.

According to Patil, a master plan is being prepared and will be submitted to the relevant authorities in a couple of months.

“The astro turf will be constructed behind the athletics synthetic track. There are minute chances in the previous plan,” said Patil.

“Architect Shashi Prabhu along with a few others are working on the master plan and if all goes well, it will be ready in next two months,” hoped Patil.

‘The Hitavada’ has been relentlessly pushing forward the construction of hockey astro turf at Divisional Sports Complex. Many reports were carried out in the newspaper. On occasions, the files were not moved an inch which 

was also reported by this 

newspaper. 

However, with the funds being sanctioned, it seems that the work will begin soon and players would be able to ply their trade on the turf.

Synthetic track material ready, laying work to begin in 8-10 days

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE wait is finally over. After several delays, the laying of synthetic track at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) Sports Complex in Ravi Nagar will commence in a week’s time.

RTMNU’s athletics synthetic track will be second in Nagpur after the one at Divisional Sports Complex, Mankapur.

“The rubber material for the eight-lane synthetic track has already arrived in the city and the work of laying will begin once the World Athletics officials (Observers) arrive in Nagpur,” informed Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Physical Education and Sports Department, RTMNU while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ on Saturday.

“We received the World Athletics approved material two months back. The contractor for the track is Sports Facilities Company Limited, Mumbai. Licensed officials from World Athletics will be arriving in a week’s time and we will start laying off the track in 8-10 days. At present the solution, which will bind the synthetic track, has been applied on the track,” Dr Suryawanshi informed.

The synthetic track is being constructed as per the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) or World Athletics’ norms. It will have eight lanes along with steeple chase, jumping pits for long and triple jumps.

The entire track area is already fenced. The track also has a grass surface football ground in the middle. “The work of the water filtration plant is also over. A sump of around 5 lakh litres has been constructed where the used water of track will be collected and treated. The treated water will then be used to water the football ground,” said Dr Suryawanshi. “An added sump with a capacity of around 2 lakh litres has also been constructed to store the overflowing water from the bigger sump,” added Dr Suryawanshi, who is also Secretary of Nagpur District Athletics Association.

State Government grants Rs 44.41 cr for RTMNU indoor sports complex

By Paritosh Pramanik

SPORTS is getting its deserving due in Nagpur. The State Government, which has recently granted Rs 100 crore for Divisional Sports Complex a few days ago, has okayed financial assistance worth crores of rupees for the development of multi-storied sports complex of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU).

Already, the laying work of synthetic athletics track of RTMNU at its Ravi Nagar Sports Complex is in final stages. The material (track rubber) will be laid in a few days’ time. On its heels has come the new announcement. 

Celebrating its centenary year, RTMNU had requested the Maharashtra Government for funds for construction of an international standard sports complex on its land situated off Ravi Nagar.

The State Government, in a major decision, granted Rs 44,41,38,000 for construction of indoor sports complex, on Wednesday.

The international standard multi-storied sports complex will come up behind Subhedar Hall on around three acres of RTMNU land.

‘The Hitavada’ was first to report about RTMNU’s plans to construct indoor sports complex in its centenary year.

“We had requested the State Government for funds for construction of an international standard sports complex. I am thankful to the Government for sanctioning the funds. The structural plan is ready and we will perform the bhoomipujan as soon as possible,” said an elated Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Department of Sports and Physical Education, RTMNU while talking with ‘The Hitavada’, on Wednesday.

The three-storied indoor sports complex will house international standard volleyball, basketball, handball courts, table tennis area, wrestling rings, separate kabaddi and gymnastic areas, squash area, gymnasium, sports medicine room apart from rest rooms, changing rooms, store rooms on every floor with lift facilities.

“We will be using the space very sensibly. We will try to make hanging basketball boards so that the area can be utilised for other sports as well. We will also decide later about the slots to each sport,” informed Dr Suryawanshi, who is a former international runner.

The construction work will be done by the Public Works Department. “The structural map has been already sanctioned. We will not waste any time in starting the work,” assured Dr Suryawanshi.

To make the indoor stadium one of the best in the country, Dr Suryawanshi, along with former Director Dr Dhananjay Welukar, Arjuna awardee Vijay Munishwar, architect Aanand Sarda, had visited Manipal Indoor Sports Complex, NIT Suratkal, Karnataka and Savitribai Phule Pune University. They studied the structure and planning in and around the sports complexes and prepared the best possible design.

“At our indoor sports complex, which would be three-storied, the seating arrangement will be detachable. That will help us in utilising space as per our need,” Dr Suryawanshi elaborated.

Apart from this, RTMNU is also planning a sports hostel adjacent to the indoor hall.

“A youth/sports hostel is also in our scheme of things. However, that will be done in the second phase. Our priority is to give our city the best indoor sports complex in the country,” Dr Suryawanshi concluded.

Divisional Sports Complex gets Rs 100 cr boost

Deputy Director (Sports) Patil says, funds would be used to develop best sports infrastructure

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE Maharashtra government has proposed Rs 491 crore State Sports Budget out of which Rs 100 crore has been allocated for the Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur. 

The sports complex, which is spread on 61 acres of land, has an athletics synthetic track apart from a multi-sport indoor hall at present.

Since its official inauguration in 2001, the development of the Sports Complex is at snail’s pace. However, with Rs 100 crore allocated for the infrastructure development, it seems that more facilities would be added in near future.

In January, 2020, the then State Government had proposed an ambitious Divisional Sports Complex expansion plan worth Rs 123 crore. The plan included construction of an international standard swimming pool, shooting range, hockey astro turf, a multipurpose sports indoor hall, an athletics track for practice apart from renovation of the present indoor hall.

The hockey astro turf and shooting range were proposed at the far corner of the premises, behind the athletics synthetic track gallery.

But nothing moved since that announcement.

Shekhar Patil, Deputy Director, Sports, said that it is a good news that such a huge amount is proposed for Divisional Sports Complex in the State budget.

“Its a very good news for all Nagpurians. Rs 100 Crore allocation for Divisional Sports Complex will help in developing best sports facilities at the complex.

“The process of increasing and improving facilities have already been started and we will meet again soon to discuss the way ahead,” Patil told ‘The Hitavada’ on Thursday.

“We will try to provide the best infrastructures to the athletes. Grounds for various sports, be it football, hockey, or swimming pool, sports science centre, sports hostel will be definitely developed with this fund,” assured Patil.

When asked when the meeting regarding allocation of work will be held, Patil said, “the assembly session is going on in Mumbai and our Sports Development Committee will be meeting soon to chalk out the plan.”

The committee includes District Guardian Minister, Divisional Commissioner, Commissioner of Police, Deputy Director of Sports among others.

Nagpur’s Slum Soccer shortlisted for Laureus Sport for Good Award

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Feb 22

IT WAS started to divert the minds of slum-dwellers from committing petty crimes. Slum Soccer, founded in Nagpur by the then Head of Sports Department of Hislop College Prof Vijay Barse, was ‘born’ to help the down-trodden and neglected ones shape their wayward careers.

But today, the organisation has grown into an institution which has shaped and saved many careers.

With its disciplined hard work and commitment, the organisation which was started in 1999 by Prof Vijay Barse, started getting recognition nationally.

Slum Soccer has made a lasting impact in the lives of many and it has now been acknowledged around the globe. The organisation has been nominated for this year’s Laureus Sport for Good Award.

The Laureus World Sports Awards is a much-awaited annual award ceremony that honours individuals and teams from the world of sports along with sporting achievements throughout the year.

Laureus tweeted on its social media about the nomination of Slum Soccer for Laureus Sport for Good Award.

“@slumsoccer has been shortlisted for the #Laureus23 Sport for Good Award for the work it does tackling the root causes of poverty in India and giving young people the skills to break the cycle of deprivation.”

Slum Soccer is doing several life changing programmes through soccer which includes EduKick, DeafKidz Goal, Shakti Girls, Community Centre, GameChangers Youth Leadership and National Inclusion Cup.

‘EduKick’ is teaching math, language and life skills in low income schools through football while through ‘Shakti Girls’, it focuses on reproductive health, women’s rights and leadership through football.

Similarly, ‘DeafKids Goal’ works with hearing impaired children and youth while through ‘Community Centres’ it helps youth stay away from drugs and alcohol.

The ‘GameChangers’ is to promote leadership in youth while the National Inclusion Cup is a national-level football tournament that gives a platform to youth from the country to showcase their football talent. The organisation also selects players who represent India at the Homeless World Cup.

Abhijeet Barse, CEO, Slum Soccer was elated with the nomination and said that it’s their disciplined hard work that has led the organisation to get recognised globally.

“It is an immense honour to be shortlisted for this award. I am grateful for the opportunity given to use sports to make a positive impact in the community and I look forward to continuing this work,” Abhijeet Barse shared his happiness with ‘The Hitavada’.

“While our work has been recently in the spotlight regionally, this award will take us to an international level of recognition,” Barse proudly said.

Slum Soccer had won the TimesNow Amazing Indians Award last August (2022).

With a small centre at his Civil Lines residence, Prof Vijay Barse took Slum Soccer to Pune, Kolkata and Delhi along with smaller training centres in Chandrapur and Wardha as well.

Slum Soccer will compete with four other nominees for the award which include TeamUp a movement-based psychosocial support intervention developed by War Child, Save the Children and UNICEF the Netherlands that uses physical activity to relieve stress in children affected by war or conflict; ‘Boxing Girls’ that uses boxing to challenge stereotypes and empower young women in Kenya; ‘Made For More’, a programme whose mission is to make sport inclusive for people with disabilities in South Africa and ‘High Five’, a project that uses action sports to help orphaned and migrant children integrate into new communities in Germany.

Recently, a movie on Prof Vijay Barse named ‘Jhund’ was released with Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan in lead role. The movie was based on the works of Barse through Slum Soccer.

In 2016, Slum Soccer had won the inaugural FIFA Diversity award.

The award winners will be announced at the Laureus World Sports Awards.

India beat Australia in first Test

 

Rohit delivers a masterclass

Skipper Sharma leads from the front

Jadeja, Patel hit half centuries as 

India take first innings lead

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Feb 10

CAPTAIN Rohit Sharma banged his bat into pads. He was furious after Cheteshwar Pujara threw his wicket giving a simple catch to Scott Boland off debutant Todd Murphy at short fine leg. India were still trailing by 42 runs to Australia’s 177 during the first Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Sharma knew the importance of Pujara’s wicket. He also knew the task at hand as the Indian captain (120; 212b, 15x4, 2x6) came up with a masterclass to put his team in the driver’s seat.

After Pujara’s departure Sharma saw wickets fall at the other end but continued to bat superbly in testing conditions. Despite falling short of partners, the Indian captain led from the front and hit an excellent 

century which helped India 

to 321 for seven, a first lead of 144 runs.

Apart from Sharma, it was ‘Rockstar’ Ravindra Jadeja (66*) and Axar Patel (52*) who stood strong scoring unbeaten half century each.

Jadeja’s undefeated partnership of 81 runs with Axar Patel should not go unnoticed as that helped India frustrate the Australians the most in the third session of the second day.

The way the Indians batted on the track proved that there were no demons in the 22-yard strip. A section of visiting Australian media termed it as ‘doctored’. But they were proved wrong by some sensible batting from the hosts, especially from Rohit Sharma.

Sharma’s century was chanceless. Barring a run-out chance before lunch, there was hardly anything that troubled the captain. He completed his 9th Test century with a cover driven four. There were 14 boundaries and two sixes in those 100 runs which came from 171 deliveries.

Sharma, who scored his second century at this venue (the earlier one came against Sri Lanka (102*) in 2017) showed how to bat on this track which had a low bounce. He was in a different zone and never looked in trouble while facing Todd Murphy who made a dream start to his Test career. Sharma’s innings was a controlled one, full of confidence and concentration. His shot selection was perfect. He used his feet well against Murphy denying him any chance to dominate.

Murphy, who took five wickets in the match, cleaned up India’s top order single-handedly but could not breach the Indian captain’s defence. He was lucky to get Pujara and Kohli apart from night-watchman R Ashwin, but Sharma did not give him an inch to dictate.

Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin had seen the day’s first hour well and had managed to take the score to 118 when Ashwin perished to the Victorian spinner.

India were looking strong in the first hour of the morning but lost the plot to some extent losing Pujara and Kohli in the space of just eight overs. The two mainstays managed to add only 19 runs to India’s total.

Pujara (7) edged an attempted sweep to short fine leg. Kohli fell on the first delivery after lunch for 12. He poked his bat to a leg side delivery from Murphy only to see wicketkeeper Alex Carey collecting the ball on the second attempt.

After Kohli’s departure, debutant Suryakumar Yadav could not replicate his T20 heroics as he was bowled by Lyon who found enough gap between the batter’s bat 

and pad.

Jadeja and Sharma then stretched India’s lead as they went to tea 226-5 with a lead of 49 runs.

But like the post lunch session, India lost the Indian captain four balls after tea. Rival skipper Pat Cummins cleaned up Sharma with the new ball which moved enough to crash into the stumps.

Debutant KS Bharat, like Yadav, couldn’t survive long and was trapped in front to give Murphy his maiden five-for. Jadeja and Axar then frustrated Australian bowlers with their rearguard unconquered partnership.

The Australians were clearly tired toiling under the sun the whole day. They dropped at least four catches including that by Steve Smith who spilled Jadeja two deliveries before stumps.

Ponytailed Jadeja foxes Kangaroos

 

Takes five-for as Australia skittle out for 177

Captain Rohit Sharma hits unbeaten half century as India make 77-1 on opening day of first Test

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Feb 9

LAST September during the Asia Cup, Ravindra Jadeja injured his knee and was out of India set-up for quite a while. During the recovery course he missed the T20 World Cup held in Australia as well.

After four months, a fit-again Jadeja returned to the field for Saurashtra with a bang. He picked up eight wickets against Tamil Nadu in a Ranji match sending warning to his rivals that he is back to his best.

On Thursday at VCA Jamtha Stadium, the pony tailed spinner wreaked havoc as he took his 11th five-wicket haul which saw Australia skittle out for 177 under 64 overs on the first day of the first Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India then knocked off 77 runs for the loss of KL Rahul who got out in the penultimate over of the day. Captain Rohit Sharma 

was unbeaten on 56 in 

company of night-watchman Ravichandran Ashwin (0).

For more than a week before the Test, all talk was about the spinning Jamtha track but it was Indian seamers Mohd Siraj and Mohd Shami who shattered Australia’s confidence with two wickets in the first three overs. Jadeja then broke Australia’s back taking five wickets to see the visitors bundle out in 4.5 overs after tea. Ashwin took the other three important wickets.

India made an aggressive start to their chase with Sharma hitting three boundaries from the first over of their innings. He and KL Rahul (20) batted without any trouble playing against spinners Nathan Lyon or Todd Murphy. Sharma was more severe on the Australian bowlers hitting nine fours and six in his unfinished innings. India raced to 50 runs in 15.3 overs with the captain 

scoring bulk of runs. He 

completed his half century with a sweep off Nathan Lyon 

two overs before the end of day’s play.

In the morning, Siraj made an instant impact, trapping Usman Khawaja (1) in front on his first delivery. The ball swung back and kept relatively low to bang on Khawaja’s pads. India took the review just on the stroke of the last second and got immediate success. Next over, first ball, Shami got David Warner (1) as the ball banged onto the top of the off stump sending it cart-wheeling.

Australia’s trusted pair of Marnus Labuschagne (49) and Steve Smith (37) then showed how to bat against spinners and added 82 runs for the third wicket. Both looked at ease while tackling Jadeja and Axar Patel despite walking in under pressure.

They used their feet to perfection by going down to the reach of the turning deliveries. The Australians went into lunch break 76-2.

Indians waited for their chances. They knew it wouldn’t be too long for the Australians to commit a mistake. After lunch, the spinners found that chink in Australian batting as six wickets fell 

during that period, all to the slow bowlers.

A few overs after lunch, Jadeja gave India the much-needed breakthrough with two wickets in two balls. He first forced Labuschagne to step out only to see the batter stumped. Needing a single to complete his half century, Labuschagne stepped out to guide the ball for a single but completely missed the turn and an agile debutant 

wicketkeeper KS Bharat rattled the stumps. The next delivery was a straighter one and new man Matthew Renshaw could not read it to be trapped leg before. A few overs later, Jadeja got the big fish in Smith who presumed that the ball would turn but it went through the gap between his bat and pad.

“I tried to bowl to the stumps as there was no bounce and the ball was keeping low. We knew we would get wickets only we needed to remain patient,” said Jadeja after the day’s play.

Peter Handscomb (31) and Alex Carey (36) tried to dominate Indian spinners and added 53 runs from 68 

deliveries for the sixth wicket before the latter was cleaned up by Ashwin, to become the second highest wicket-taker for India with 451 scalps. Two deliveries later, he found an edge of rival captain Pat Cummins and Kohli took the catch at the lone slip.