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By Paritosh Pramanik
IN TIMES when the medical profession is reeling under charges of blindly going after commercialism, a city neurosurgeon has provided a booster dose of selfless service by helping a sportsman serving the country.
Indian hockey goalkeeper Akash Chikte, and who hails from Yavatmal, saw a big save made by Dr Pramod Giri of Neuron Hospital when the doctor performed a life saving surgery on his father absolutely free of cost.
Akash’s father Anil, a welder by profession, was suffering from a brain decease called aneurysm which can lead to vasospasm (sudden constriction of a blood vessel, reducing its diameter and flow rate) and multiple infarct. He needed immediate surgery costing lakhs of rupees.
Akash, hailing from Lohara village in Yavatmal, was on duty at BEG Pune when he received the news of his father’s ailment on Wednesday.
“My father was first taken to Sanjivani Hospital in Yavatmal where doctors referred him to Neuron. As I was in Pune my family members and friend Shahid bhai brought him to Nagpur in an ambulance,” said Akash.
“When Dr Pramod Giri came to know that I am an international and current India player he was more than happy to help and assured the best possible facilities to my father,” narrated Akash, who won the Asia Cup gold medal for India in 2016 and also won the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.
With his family already facing burden of loan, Akash was struggling to arrange money for the operation.
Dr Giri was generous to waive off all cost needed for the costly surgery.
“You have made the country proud, gave countrymen many happy moments with your stellar performance. Also, you serve the armed forces for whom I have a great respect. I feel honoured and privileged to help you in this hour of need,” Dr Giri told Akash.
An emotional Akash was lost for words to thank Dr Giri.
“I am highly indebted to Dr Giri. God works in many ways and I have seen it today. He is a god-send man for me. I can’t explain how much relieved I am now,” Akash told ‘The Hitavada’ after his father’s successful operation.
“I will now work harder to keep India’s flag flying high because such kind-hearted people follow us,” added Akash, who made his India debut in 2014 at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Tournament in Malaysia.
Dr Giri, who has successfully operated around 250 such cases, said the operation was successful and Anil was on recovery path.
“Clipping has been done successfully and Akash’s father is fine. The complications of the disease leads from vasospasm to cardiac abnormalities. All these have to be managed in the post-operative phase to take out the patient from the critical status,” added Dr Giri who was assisted by anesthetist Dr Shivaji Deshmukh.
For Akash, Dr Giri was like an elder brother counselling him in a difficult situation. He has to leave for the Indian hockey team’s conditioning camp for the forthcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and Commonwealth Games beginning February 11.
When Akash narrated this peculiar situation, Dr Giri said, “Bindhast jaa... ???? kaalji karu nako.... Mee aahe na ithe tujhya baba sobat...changla khel desha sathi (Don’t worry....go and attend the camp. I am here to take care of your father. Do well for the country).”
This is one save Akash would never forget for the rest of his life!
DADA MITRA PASSES AWAY
A TRIBUTE
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Feb 21, 2018
ALL the arrangements were in place at Hinganghat to introduce a postage stamp on his 100th birthday. But God Almighty had other plans.
Durga Pado Mitra, fondly known as Dada Mitra by football lovers in central India and specially in Nagpur, fell six months short of completing his century.
Dada Mitra, aged 99, went for heavenly abode on early Wednesday morning (February 21) due to old age.
The last rites were performed same afternoon at Mokshadham where a large number of football and hockey lovers paid their last respect.
There was a wave of shock and disbelief among his well-wishers and friends as the news of Dada’s passing away spread.
Sports organiser Prof Dongarwar from Hinganghat had made all necessary arrangements to felicitate Dada on his 10th birthday. He had also sought necessary permission to introduce a postage stamp in Dada’s name. But that was not to be.
Dada, born on August 13, 1918, was not keeping well for past couple of weeks after he fell at his Surendra Nagar residence.
Dada, a 1991 Shiv Chhatrapati Award winner was known as ‘Bhishmapitamah of football’.
Even in life’s evening, barring last couple of weeks, Dada was glowing bright. Wherever there was football, Dada, in his trademark white dhoti-kurta would be seen. He was mad for soccer. His passion for football was alive till his last breath.
In his late 90s, an age when many retire from their daily routine, Dada was still going strong.
A few years back when this scribe met Dada at Triloki Nath Sidhra’s shop in Sitabuldi, Dada had said, “You are lucky to meet me today. I got my left eye operated recently and today is the first day I am out of my house.”
Dada was never an exceptional footballer but being a Bengali passion for soccer was in his blood since childhood. “I used to play for Dinanath High School, then played for Hislop College. But I was never an outstanding player. I was an average footballer and played at centre half, stopper and right-in positions,” Dada had once said during an interview.
Dada joined Central Railways in 1942 as a clerk and after serving for 34 years retired as head clerk in 1976.
Dada was the first Indian to become the secretary of Central Railway Institute Ajni after India gained Independence in 1947.
Interestingly, Dada never wanted to do a government job and was inclined towards business but after his father’s death he had to make this compromise. “My family was big. I was third in the family of seven brothers and two sisters. Being one of the elder brothers I had to look after them and hence joined Railways at a monthly salary of Rs 30,” Mitra had said.
After receiving the Chhatrapati Award, Dada, a down to earth man, had said, “This award was not for my success on the field but it was for what I did off it. I won the award in the best organiser category.”
Dada also served as secretary of Vidarbha Football Association in 1976. He was also secretary of Central Railway Institute, Ajni for 12 years where he was instrumental in organising many tournaments including Independence Cup hockey, kabaddi and kho-kho.
Dada’s love for football continued to grow with his age. He was instrumental in organising the YMCA football tournament for schools for 20 years.
Dada was also the first secretary of Nagpur District Football Association in 1976 and also served the association at various other posts. He was also the last serving Trustee and Patron of Vidarbha Hockey Association.
With the passing away of Dada, city has lost a genuine sports lover and administrator.
May his soul rest in peace.
Vidarbha Ranji cricket team’s historical and maiden semi-final appearance in this format has been hailed by those associated with Vidarbha Cricket Association for quite some time. The coaches and players applauded Vidarbha’s performance this Ranji season where Vidarbha registered five outright wins, the last one being over Kerala in the quarter-finals. Vidarbha thrashed Kerala in Surat by 412 runs to reach their first semis.
The Hitavada’s Principal Correspondent Paritosh Pramanik spoke to a few coaches and players on Vidarbha’s successful run this season.
Excerpts
SULAKSHAN KULKARNI
(Former coach)
The professionals have done really well this season. The team under Faiz Fazal clicked as a unit. They are among the very few teams that has taken 20 wickets on any given track be it a seamer friendly, a spinning or a flat track. The team had the strength to beat any side with their all-round performance.
This historical moment is due to the residential academy which VCA started around a decade ago. Most of the players are products of this academy. It all started in 2009 and the results are here today.
Playing with professionals taught the lads the finer points of the game. Three players inside the boundary line make a big difference in players’ confidence.
Similarly, professional coaches like myself, Sairaj Bahutule, Paras Mhambre and now Chandrakant Pandit...VCA believed in professionalism.
This season Vidarbha had five outright wins which is really commendable. I am very happy for the side and wish them luck for the next two games. They have the strength to win the title.
PREETAM GANDHE
(Former captain)
It is the result of hard work put in by the association and of course by the players. This bunch is a very talented lot. The team clicked as a unit this time and above all we had a very talented coach in Chandrakant Pandit.
He is a taskmaster and reads the game very well. He plays a role of a mental trainer during the training sessions and during matches.
Most of the players in the current team are products of the residential academy. Players like Aditya Sarwate, Apoorv Wankhade and others have come from the grind of junior level.
Earlier, we had difficulty in opening order where we had only one batsman. But now Faiz and Sanjay both are doing well. Sanjay was not among runs last season but the selectors and management kept faith in him. That gave him confidence and today he is one of the best openers we have. The semis and the final (if we reach) will be battle of nerves. It won’t be like who has strong line-up. All the four teams are strong. The team which will keep their emotions in control and play strongly will come out victors. I am sure Vidarbha will reach till the end.
S Badrinath
(Former captain)
I am very happy for the Vidarbha team that they qualified for the semi-finals. The team has been doing well for quite some time and they have the quality to be on the top. I would like to mention a few names that have really done well...some of whom with I have played. Opener Faiz Fazal is a great talent and so is Akshay Wakhare. This season Rajneesh Gurbani has done exceedingly well and I hope the team achieves greater heights. What I want to see is Vidarbha players’ representation at the higher level. They have talent and players can play at the next level. I wish the team luck and hope the players play at the highest level.
Pravin Hinganikar
(Former captain)
It is a great news that Vidarbha qualified for Ranji semis for the first time. The team is really playing well this season. It shows how fast Vidarbha cricket is improving.
The five outright wins in the competition shows the domination of the team. Similarly, Faiz Fazal and Sanjay Ramaswamy have batted really well. To win any match, good batting from top order is essential and both the openers have performed above expectation. I think this team can give a tough challenge to Karnataka in the semi-finals.
Pandit’s mantra for Team Vidarbha
n By Paritosh Pramanik
HE IS a taskmaster who wants to instill the habit of winning. He is never satisfied with small wins but wants his wards to emerge victors in big wars. In a very less time, this ‘no nonsense’ coach has infused belief in the players’ abilities.
Chandrakant Pandit has replaced the ‘I’ with ‘We’ in the team which has helped the side reach their maiden Ranji Trophy semi-finals. With five outright wins from seven games so far Vidarbha team has been on a dream run.
Talking to ‘The Hitavada’ after Vidarbha’s crushing 412 runs win over Kerala in the quarter-finals, Pandit said he was happy with the way the team carried the momentum. “The boys have carried the momentum from match one. They continued in the same way and that shows their character. They are playing as a good unit and are enjoying their performance on the field as well as off the field. This win has definitely raised the confidence of the team going into the semi-finals,” said Pandit.
The former India stumper does not want his wards to do anything different in the semis.
“I don’t want them to do anything extra. I want them to do what they are doing since last month.”
Pandit is well-known for his disciplined nature and he believes it only helps players. He wants to instill the winning culture of Mumbai in Vidarbha.
“My method of coaching is entirely different. I might be a little harsh, probably more disciplined but that is only for players to play good cricket. I come from Mumbai where I spent my entire career and have instilled a habit of winning. That culture I want to implicate here.
“Looking at this unit for first time, I thought they have lot of talent. What I did to this team is I made a system. We made separate committees among the players on which they all worked together for everybody’s happiness. This has helped in keeping the team together as a cohesive unit. I told them that we all wanted to raise the reputation of Vidarbha cricket. We all should be known in Indian cricket,” Pandit elaborated.
Pandit kept motivating the players by narrating several stories related to Mumbai cricket. A greedy man that he is, Pandit is never happy with small wins. He wants Vidarbha to win the championship. “I have motivated players with Mumbai’s winning stories. There were many instances which I narrated to these players to motivate them. There are several different methods too.
“The players know I never get happy with the small victories or performances. So, till now there is no celebration in the team. I want them to win the championship,” he said.
Lauding the talent Vidarbha cricketers have, Pandit said the players have now started believing in their abilities.
“There is huge talent in the team. The way Apoorv Wankhade batted yesterday, Faiz Fazal scoring runs, Sanjay is also scoring in abundance, Sarwate getting wickets, Gurbani doing well. I think they have started believing in their individual abilities and that is helping the team. I always say that it is the team first than individual heroics,” concluded Pandit.
Persons above 70 years of age can not hold any post in sports managing committee as per HI rules and MSYA directions, claims HPP president
n Principal Correspondent
AHEAD of the elections of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), rivals of Hockey Lovers Panel (HLP) have accused the present body of fielding ‘overaged’ and ‘ineligible’ candidates and also claimed that they have failed in managing the affairs of the association properly.
Triloki Nath Sidhra, former secretary of VHA and president of Hockey Promoters Panel, has appealed voters not to cast their vote in favour of ‘overaged’ Atal Bahadur Singh, DS Karunashankar and Salim Baig in the ensuing December 17 elections.
There is a straight fight between Hockey Lovers Panel and Hockey Promoters Panel for 13 posts.
According to Sidhra’s appeal, Atal Bahadur Singh, former city mayor, DS Karunashankar, who is contesting for the post of secretary and Salim Baig, who will be fighting for vice-president’s post, are over 70 years of age and hence can not contest the elections as per the rules of Hockey India (HI). VHA is Associate Member of HI.
Sidhra also warned of a possible disaffiliation of VHA by Hockey India if these candidates were elected. The appeal letter to the voters, which was posted on Facebook page of HPPs secretarial candidate Vinod Gawai, stated: “It is brought to your kind notice that as per constitution of Hockey India/Indian Olympic Association and as per direction of Government of India, Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs vide letter F-No. 8-17/2009-SP. III dated 01.05.2010, no person over 70 years of age can hold any post in any sports managing committee. Hockey India and being its affiliated unit VHA are bound by these directions. This can be a sole reason for disaffiliation of VHA by Hockey India.
“This was the reason why Hockey Promoters Panel did not field any person over 70 years of age. Unfortunately, Hockey Lovers Panel has knowingly filed nomination of following candidates over 70 years of age: 1. Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh, 2. Salim Baig, 3. Karuna Shankar.
“Election of the above candidate can be a blunder on the part of VHA. Thus, being a senior most member of VHA I appeal to all hon’ble members not to cast their valuable votes to the above candidates for the welfare of VHA.”
Interestingly, Sidhra was part of Singh’s panel in the 2014 elections in which they swept all 13 posts.
In another appeal attached with the same post, Gawai accused VHA executive committee of not holding annual general meetings, not preparing annual books of accounts. His post also accused the association of not sanctioning any budget. It also alleged that the association has not conducted tournaments, coaching camps/umpire clinic.
Former VHA secretary Gawai’s post also accused the present committee of lack of maintenance of ground/building and premises.
In the end, the post requested the voters to say “no (to) the present governing body who reduced VHA status of 22 Districts to 6 Districts only.”
Hockey Lovers Panel will be holding a press conference on Wednesday.
Sale of nomination forms today
Principal Correspondent
IN ELECTION season, the voters’ list of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) has seen sudden surge in the number of affiliated units which crossed the 100-figure mark for the first time.
The elections of the association are going to be held on December 17 at its office off Amravati Road.
Last year, the number of affiliated units (clubs, schools colleges and districts) were 99 but the elections were cancelled after High Court’s order.
This year, it seems members have worked round the clock to increase their vote base which resulted in 118 affiliated units registering their names. Whether all these affiliated units field their teams for competition is there to be seen.
In B Division, 48 Clubs have registered themselves while 38 schools got affiliated with the association.
In contrast only seven colleges have registered with the hockey governing body.
Surprisingly, with hardly any competition held since last few season for women teams, 13 women clubs got affiliated. Despite Out of 11 districts in Vidarbha, only six are affiliated with VHA. With six patrons, 321 life members and 118 affiliated units, the total voters list has been increased to 445.
Since the first elections of the association in 2005, the subsequent governing bodies surprisingly failed to delete the names of deceased members which comes around 100.
On Wednesday, Election officer Srigopal Madanlal Soni heard the objections raised by the members on voters’ list.
Two representatives, Subashchandra Gupta and Anoop Kumar Damble, filed their names from Vijayanta Hockey Club. Tanveer Ahmed, President of Vijayanta Hockey Club personally visited the election office on Wednesday evening and gave written assurance that Mr Damle will be his representative, election officer deleted the name of Gupta who’s name was filed by Salim Baig.
Hockey Promoters Panel raised objection on voters list and alleged that several affiliated units were given registration after the scheduled date. They demanded to have a look at the lists submitted by various units but Soni rejected their application stating that the Panel is not registered with VHA.
“I have verified the receipt book and the minute books of the association and have found that the receipts issued by the association to 118 affiliated units was well within prescribed time. Since the Panel is not a member of VHA, I am unable to grant you inspection of the records to Hockey Promoters Panel,” stated the letter from election officer Soni.
Meanwhile, final voters list will be displayed on Thursday ad sale of nomination forms will be held same day (5 to 7 pm). Submission of nomination form will be held on December 5 while the withdrawal can be done on December 9 between 4 and 6 pm after which the final list of contestants will be displayed.
Soni is being assisted by CA Balkisan Bang, Rajesh Lahoti and Satish Biyani in election process.
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Nov 27
A LACKLUSTRE performance in the match by Sri Lankan team has left coach Nic Pothas hugely disappointed. He said the players should be themselves embarrassed by their show.
“You hit the nail on the head, you can talk all you want to you, can plan a lot but at the end of the day you’ve got to execute. As a player your currency is runs, wickets and catches and you can do all. But you are not producing them obviously there will be repercussions. I am hugely disappointed with the defeat because of the amount of work ethics that goes in behind the scenes.
It’s embarrassing players should be embarrassed in their own performances. Practicing in the nets means nothing if you do not go out and put runs on the board,” thundered Pothas in the post-match press conference.
Pothas lauded the Indian pacers and said they have worked for a long time and have a strong bench strength.
“They are in a position because they worked for a long time to ensure they got a strong bench. If you are going to be successful at the top, of any sport, your bench is important and India has a very strong bench. Not only they have pace but a huge amount of skill at the same,” he mentioned.
Pothas believed that the team is learning a lot while playing against India. The results would be seen in next two years. Sri Lanka played with India in two series in less than a year.
“I firmly believe that if you play a team like India in such a short space of time, twice six Test matches, the guys with the right characters which I keep talking about and keep asking for, will get better into the future. As long as the curve is in a general upward trend when you look down the line that persons going to get better.
Pothas compared cricket with the game of chess saying, “When you play a team like India if one team makes a move you better have a counter move. If you don’t, you will fall off that bus. At the moment, we got a few in our change room who keep making the same move and losing pieces off the chess board.”
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Nov 27
IT WAS in 2010 when Rohit Sharma, about to make his debut here in Nagpur, twisted his ankle on the morning of the first Test against South Africa. That freak injury gave Wriddhiman Saha a chance to make his debut and Rohit had to wait for almost three years to don the India whites.
As if making up for that delayed arrival, Rohit chose to wipe the memory with a sparkling century at the same place. It was icing on the cake for a player who was just happy to be back in Tests after a wilderness of more than 500 days.
Speaking to the media after India crushed Sri Lanka, Rohit said finally the Jamtha stadium gave him something.
“Personally for me, it was very important as I was playing Test cricket after nearly 500 days. I have been waiting for this opportunity and I am glad that I could put some runs on the board for myself and team. I clearly remember this was the ground where I got injured and I had to wait three years to make my Test debut. This ground has now given me something to go back,” said Rohit, who scored an unbeaten 102 in India’s first innings.
On the race to reach personal milestones between R Ashwin and Umesh Yadav, Rohit said they were not going for milestones but wanted to finish the game as early as possible.
“I think it was just about getting the batsman out and finishing the game off. I think this team has never worried about individual milestones. If it happens on the way, well and good, and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. There’s another Test match where Umesh can probably get his 100th wicket,” he said.
“However, hat’s off to Ashwin. He’s been, in the last maybe five, six years, one of the match-winners of the team. The way he has performed and the way he’s brought the team back from difficult situations, hats off, and I hope that he continues and wish him all the luck,” Rohit heaped praises on India’s number one spinner.
Rohit felt that Sri Lankans played some shots which they shouldn’t have.
“They played some shots that were not necessary and they should have taken the game till the end. It’s all about creating pressure, bowling at right channels. All four bowlers, who bowled, it seemed like they can get wicket anytime. On a wicket like this, where the pitch is slow where an odd ball is turning and bouncing, there was a bit of reverse swing, you have to stay patient and keep the balls in right channels.”
Rohit said the Indian bowlers have evolved immensely in last couple of years.
“I think they have evolved immensely, the last home season was a great eye opener for all the bowlers. Playing on slow pitches is never easy and then to come out victorious and put on some match-winning performances was really pleasing. The last 13 matches we played in India, I think, there was a huge contribution from the bowling unit as well. Now, when we go and play abroad, the confidence is there,” he said.
The Mumbaikar felt that present bowling unit has come of age and will deliver in foreign lands too.
“They have learned a lot in the last two years of Test match cricket where they have played. When we went to South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and England before, these guys were a little inexperienced and now they have come of age. They exactly know their bowling, which is the most important thing – for any cricketer to know their game,” Rohit added.
On the regrets of not playing as many matches as he could have, Rohit said, “There will always be regrets in your life. Even if you score 10,000 runs, you will feel, “oh, I should have scored 15,000 runs”. Or people will tell you, “you should have scored 15,000 runs, man”. So that’s what it is. That’s what this world is and that’s what we’re living in. But
for me I’m glad that I’m back on my feet.”
Ashwin completes 300 Test wickets, India crush hapless Lanka
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Nov 27
AFTER the first day’s play, Sri Lankan coach Nic Pothas had said his players were empowered to play their shots. On Monday, after his side surrendered meekly by an innings and 239 runs to India, he was again asked about his batsmen’s failure. The coach said his batsmen “hit the bats on their heads.”
It took just a session and a bit more for India to nail the ‘headless’ Lankan batting. They motored to a thumping win in three and a half days with Ravichandran Ashwin cruising to fastest 300 wickets in Test cricket. The win, India’s joint biggest has given the hosts an unassailable 1-0 lead.
Ashwin was not even born when Australian pacer Dennis Lillee took 300 Test wickets from 56 matches in 1981. Thirty-six years later, 31-year-old Ashwin climbed to top of the chart by taking 300 wickets in lesser number of matches (54) when he bowled Lahiru Gamage after lunch. His match figures read 130 for eight from 45.4 overs.
Local boy Umesh Yadav, who made his home international debut in this match, took two wickets in the innings to stand on the cusp of reaching of his personal milestone of 100 wickets in Tests. His tally stands at 99 from 35 matches.
It was never easy for Sri Lanka to lose the first day and then make a come back against the World Number 1 Test team.
Resuming the day at 21-1, Sri Lankan batsmen fell like nine pins losing wickets in heap. Their ordeal ended at 166 runs.
Wiping out India’s lead of 384 was always going to be an arduous task. For that, Lanka needed the grit and patience of Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara. None of the Sri Lankan batsmen showed stomach to stand in the middle and buy time.
After Dimuth Karunaratne got out to a freaky catch by Murali Vijay at forward short-leg, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, all gift-wrapped their wickets to the Indian bowlers. Former captain Mathews disappointed again by giving a simple catch off Ravindra Jadeja to Rohit Sharma at mid-off.
Shanaka went for Ashwin and hit two sixes in same over but
that little cameo ended when he ballooned a simple catch to KL Rahul.
Sri Lankan batsmen scooped, lobbed and skied their hits to give some catch practice to the Indian fielders.
With eight wickets down and India in total command, lunchtime was extended to 15 minutes to see whether
Kohli’s men could complete the formalities.
However, Sri Lanka managed to hang on with captain Dinesh Chandimal and Suranga Lakmal. Chandimal stood alone at one end for his fighting 61 from 82 balls while Lakmal added 31 from 42 balls as the eighth wicket
partnership produced 58 runs, the best of Sri Lanka’s second innings. Chandimal’s dismissal, a few overs after lunch,
meant Kohli will reach
South Africa with a record of not having lost a Test series as a
captain.
Chandimal admitted his team was outplayed from Day One. “It was a good toss to win. Unfortunately, we were outplayed from the first day. Our batting let us down again,” he said.
Kohli said the pitch was good to bat but was on a slower side. “The pitch was good to bat on. It was on the slower side, but there was nothing much happening from the pitch. I just wanted to bat the way I bat, get into good position, rotate strike, and score quickly so our bowlers have time to bowl the opposition out. We will need that overseas so I was looking at doing that here as well,” said Kohli.
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Nov 26
WITH the team looking down the barrel, Sri Lankan bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake feels that this side had done pretty well against India as compared to their previous record.
“The whole system has to think of that. What we have for the tour is what we have. We have to manage with that. Saying that with the past record in Sri Lanka against India, we have done quite well comparing that they have scored 600 runs in 176 overs compared to some of the runs they scored in Sri Lanka which was much earlier than that,” he said while stressing to look at the future.
Ratnayake said the wicket was good to bat on and his side should have put up more runs. “First and foremost, we have to say that it was a good track and we should have put on more than what we have done. India showed that (how to bat on such tracks).”
When informed that his side was unable to bowl out India
in last five games, the bowling coach said they came very close to doing so.
“We came quite close in the first Test. People then said that it was a green track. We took 17 wickets in Kolkata. It is a concern. I am not trying to say that we have the best bowlers. We have to do things in a way so that we have the best. In today’s context we have not done well. I would like to, still, encourage the bowlers saying that they have slowed the process a little bit. We need to take 20 wickets that’s for sure.”
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Nov 26
VIRAT Kohli, the Indian captain is in the zone. He is breaking records at will. On Sunday, Kohli hit his fifth double century in 16 months. Team-mate Cheteshwar Pujara praised his captain saying Virat is a player who can perform well in all formats of the game.
“He is a kind of player who performs well in all formats of the game. The way he started off, if there was some other batsmen, I don’t think they could have started in the same way.
“I think, it’s his confidence and way he is batting, in last two-three years, it would have been difficult for any other batsman to score with such strike rate,” Pujara said after the day’s play.
Pujara himself scored a sublime 143 and had two huge partnerships, first with Murali Vijay (209) and then with Kohli (183) to floor the Sri Lankans. When asked to assess his hundred in context of his half century he scored in the first Test at Kolkata, Pujara said both the tracks were different.
“Kolkata was a different wicket altogether with lot of assistance for the fast bowlers especially in the first innings. Coming to this particular wicket, I think, it was difficult to score runs as this wicket was on the slower side. It wasn’t easy to get boundaries and we had to rotate the strike, whenever we got some opportunities, we tried playing some shots. But overall, it was a tough pitch, where you might not get out but it was also difficult to score runs.”
Pujara said the ball had started turning and Indian spinners would come in play on the morrow.
“I think, the ball has started turning and we are hoping Day 4, spinners will come into play and at the same time, there is variable bounce for fast bowlers, Ishant and Umesh will also come into play.”
Saying that they had to run hard to score singles, Pujara said he had worked hard on his fitness in last two years, which helped him a lot.
“I think last one and half to two years, I have been working hard on my fitness and luckily there has not been any injuries, and injuries are something I have gone through and that is in past,” Pujara said.
On playing in South Africa on pacy and bouncy tracks, Pujara said he has the experience of playing in the South African conditions.
“I have enough experience of playing in South African conditions. I have been there in 2010 and then again in 2013, so experience will definitely help.”
Talking about the time for preparation for the SA series, Pujara felt the Test players would get enough time to prepare.
“Those we who are part of Test team will have enough time to prepare for SA series. First Test starts on Jan 5, before that there’s plenty of time to prepare. Personally, County experience and past SA experience will certainly help because I have improved my technique specially playing in overseas conditions.”
On the lack of warm–up games Pujara said, “As far as practice games are concerned, I should not be the one commenting.
“It also depends on schedule and how BCCI plans the tour. But, going there little bit early – a week or 10 days early, and then practicing on those pitches are important.”
Rohit also slams hundred as India smell victory
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Nov 26
HIS hunger to score runs never ends. Whenever Virat Kohli walks in to bat, scorers world over have to be on their toes and statisticians get ready to update their record books.
On a lazy Sunday at VCA Jamtha, the captain broke several records as India piled on the agony on a pedestrian Sri Lankan bowling to declare at 610 for six. At stumps, Sri Lanka were 21 for 1, trailing by 384 runs.
Ishant Sharma had sent Sadeera Samarawickrama back for the second time in the match. Sharma’s second delivery nipped in and kissed the bails on off stump to stun the opener.
The day, though, belonged to Kohli. On July 21, 2016, he had slammed his first double hundred against the West Indies. After just 16 months, the batsman now has five under his belt after he hit a magnificent 213 against Sri Lanka. Kohli also joined Rahul Dravid who also has scored five double centuries.
It was Kohli’s 12th century while leading the Indian team and he surpassed Sunil Gavaskar’s previous record of 11 tons.
Kohli also slamed his 10th International century in a year which has six in ODIs and four in Tests.
Ricky Ponting with nine hundreds (each in 2005 and 2006) and South African Graeme Smith (nine in 2005) held the record for most number of tons in one year whil leading their sides.
Kohli had scored a century in Nagpur against England in 2012. Three years later the captain was not among runs against South Africa with (22 and 16 runs) nothing to show. However, this time Kohli cracked the code with his fifth double hundred to bat Lanka out of the second Test. Rohit Sharma, too, hit an unbeaten 102 to end his four-year wait for a Test century. Once the Mumbai batsman crossed the three-figure mark, India declared their innings. This is only the third instance when India had four centurions in the innings.
The opposition showed semblance of attack as Kohli picked runs without any fuss. After tea, India increased the pace and Kohli and Rohit, who both added 173 runs for the fifth wicket, hit a couple of boundaries and sixes. The India captain raced to 194 with a six of Dilruwan Perera over mid-wicket. He tapped one straight to complete one of his easiest double centuries. The celebration was mild, not animated. Kohli just raised his bat and looked heavenwards. The pedestrian bowling attack might be the reason.
Cheteshwar Pujara (143) and Murali Vijay had laid the foundation with 209 runs for the second wicket. Kohli joined Pujara to add 183 runs for third wicket. Then he and Rohit Sharma made it impossible for the Sri Lankans to come back.
The door was shut on Lanka on third afternoon itself when Kohli and Pujara continued to fetch runs easily. Though Pujara started slowly, scoring his first run of the day after playing 23 dot balls, he did not give the visitors any space. The duo picked up singles from gaps and in the process Pujara completed 3000 Test runs becoming the quickest Indian batter to do so in 53 innings. He wiped off Tendulkar’s record of 55 innings.
But the year is all of Indian captain. He has now scored 10 Test centuries as a captain surpassing Australian Ricky Pointing who had nine.
It was as exquisite as it gets for Kohli. His footwork was marvellous, executing the drives and punching off backfoot. The opposition was weak and Kohli took full advantage of it. There was no change of gears as his fifty and hundred and double hundred came at the same pace and
from almost equal number of deliveries. The boundaries, too, were equally divided. For his half century, Kohli had taken 66 deliveries and had hit five boundaries. His next fifty came from 64 deliveries and had five fours. He took 63 balls to reach 150 and then another 66 to complete his double century. His flamboyant knock included 17 boundaries and two sixes. However, Kohli’s double ton overshadowed the fine innings of Pujara who held the innings from one end and also of Rohit, who was making his First Class comeback after 13 months layoff. For the visitors, they were on a leather hunt for whole day, except for the nine overs they batted in their second innings.
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Nov 24
SRI Lankan coach Nic Pothas credited Indian bowlers for their superb bowling on a wicket that has no demons. The visitors’ poor run with the bat continued as they were bundled out for 205 in the first innings of the second Test here at Jamtha.
“Credit to the Indian bowlers. They bowled really well on this wicket. There was no demon in it,” said Pothas during the presser. Pothas rued the fact that they gave wickets to straighter deliveries. “I said there are no demons in the wicket and six of our wickets fell to straight balls. (Ravindra) Jadeja bowled stump to stump and (Ravichandran) Ashwin got wickets on straight balls so I think that’s bit disappointing.”
The coach said their plan was to first settle well in the beginning. Sri Lanka scored only 32 runs by lunch at a rate of 1.74. “In the first session of a Test match you generally try to settle pace to bat for a long time. But it was not that difficult to bat on. I think India bowled pretty well. There were hardly too many free balls going around. But we adapted after lunch,” he felt.
Sri Lankan batsmen played lot of sweep shots and the captain Dinesh Chandimal, too, got out while sweeping but coach said the batters in the middle are the sole decision makers.
“We empower batters to make decisions out in the middle. He (Chandimal) obviously would have felt to increase scoring at that time but it didn’t come off. May be the timing of that shot was not at its best. But we back our batters to be positive.”
From 160 for four, Sri Lanka lost six wickets for 45 runs. It was the fall of wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, which triggered the downfall. The Lankan coach said Dickwella plays that shot (sweep) well. “But I certainly won’t say that his wicket was reason for the downfall. There were six other batsmen in the team after him,” he said.
Though they have only 205 on the board, Pothas said they have plans for the morrow. “We will have a new day tomorrow and have plans. We will execute them.”
Sri Lanka were humbled in their own backyard by India a few months back but they performed well against Pakistan later. When asked whether they are back to the square one, the coach replied in negative.
“No…we are not back to the square one. Yes, it’s disappointing we did not bat well as there are no demons in the wicket. Pakistan happened a long time back and it is done and dusted. Today, it is a different story and probably we didn’t bat as we should have.”
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Nov 24
DESPITE the wicket looking green, there was hardly anything for the bowlers, said Ravindra Jadeja, who along with Ravichandra Ashwin, took seven wickets between them to floor Sri Lanka on the first day of the second Test at Jamtha.
Jadeja said though he was happy to bowl so many overs he was critical of the Jamtha track, which is always under the scanner, saying that there was nothing in the wicket. Yet the bowlers managed to get 10 first innings wicket.
“I am happy that I got to bowl so many overs but there was no help from the wicket and we have to bowl in the right areas. We tried to restrict Sri Lankans and decided not give them easy boundaries. We were just doing supporting role as the fast bowlers were doing great job in first session,” said Jadeja, who took three wickets for 56 runs.
When asked whether the pacers did not get any help from the wicket, the spinner said, “The bowlers got too much help at Kolkata that’s why it looked that they did not get help from the track. The wicket had grass but the bounce and swing was not there which we got at Kolkata. Both the seamers bowled well and did not give much runs in the beginning,” said Jadeja as he praised Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav.
Ashwin bowled round the wicket quite a few overs and Jadeja said they tried to do something different, as there was no assistance from the track. “As I said there was nothing in the wicket. We thought it would be good to try something new. That is why Ashwin bowled round the wicket. We wanted to try to
create a chance. It doesn’t
matter whether you are bowling round the wicket or over the wicket till it’s helping you,” Jadeja said.
When asked if he was the captain, then who he would have chosen between him and Ashwin in the playing XI for South Africa Tests, Jadeja replied: “Yeh bhi koi puchne ki baat hain (Is this a question that you even need to ask?),”.
“If I am the captain, I will not even give the ball to anyone. I will keep bowling from one end.”
Then on a serious note, he said, “It all depends on team’s balance and what it wants. At times on overseas tours, we assess if there are more left-handers or right-handers in the opposition and accordingly, the team’s composition is set.”
