AN INNING ENDS

Fans shocked as Master Blaster calls it a day

Mumbai: For a generation, which started watching cricket around the time Sachin Tendulkar began playing, Sunday meant the end of an era as the Master Blaster announced his retirement from One-Day International cricket.
    Even as fans were shocked and saddened by Tendulkar’s announcement, social networking and micro blogging sites were inundated with messages from all corners of the country. While some congratulated Tendulkar for his “brave” decision, others regretted and expressed how he would be missed in the ODI field. Some others thought it was a good move on the part of the cricket maestro to let room for newer talent in the team.
    While celebrities like Manoj Bajpai, Huma Quereshi and Mandira Bedi expressed their disbelief by posting innumerable messages on social networking sites, other fans tried to piece together their thoughts on what Tendulkar meant to them. “What made Sachin unique was that he cut across celebrities from all walks of life and even though his performance dipped from time to time, he always resurfaced stronger than ever. I can’t believe we will not watch ‘the Sachin Tendulkar’ play ODIs anymore,” said Naveen Pancholi (68), a resident of Kurla and a ‘die-hard’ Tendulkar fan.
    Pancholi’s dismay was reflected in the thousands of comments and tweets on the various social networking sites that were brimming over by Sunday evening. “The Mayans were right about the world ending on December 22. Sachin Tendulkar retires today,” said one of his million fans.
    Shreyas Nair, a student, said it was a very sad day for him: “I guess an entire generation will stop watching one-day cricket from now on.” For Adarsh Suvarna, a software professional from Powai, watching Sachin play was like a long-term relationship. “In the initial years, it was sheer bliss to watch a diminutive kid take on and butcher bowlers well above his stature. Later, as I got emotionally involved, every ball he played was an intense moment. As years passed, even a small inning, which got him closer to a milestone, was so satisfying that the outcome of the match didn’t matter,” said Suvarna.
    Another cricket enthusiast looked at Tendulkar’s retirement from the ODI in a more realistic way. “There are too many upcoming players who deserve a shot. The selectors wouldn’t have had the bones to drop Sachin outright, and that’s why his stepping down on his own is the only way it could happen. Hopefully, this will give his form in tests a boost. If he doesn’t hit a purple patch, he should seriously consider full retirement from cricket. With his cricketing acumen, he could be a huge asset to the Indian team as an adviser,” said Sameer Nabar from Malad.

The Mayans were right about the world ending on December 22. Sachin Tendulkar retires today
A FAN
I guess an entire generation will stop watching one-day cricket from now on
SHREYAS NAIR |
STUDENT I can’t believe we will not watch ‘the Sachin Tendulkar’ play ODIs anymore
NAVEEN PANCHOLI |
A RESIDENT OF KURLA ...as I got emotionally involved, every ball he played was an intense moment
ADARSH SUVARNA |
SOFTWARE PROFESSIONAL

SACHIN CALLS IT A DAY IN ONE-DAYERS BCCI Denies Nudging Master Blaster To Quit

SACHIN CALLS IT A DAY IN ONE-DAYERS

BCCI Denies Nudging Master Blaster To Quit

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar will never again be seen on the field in the blue Indian jersey. After a 23-year-long career during which he broke virtually all records worth breaking, the world’s greatest ODI batsman announced his retirement from the 50-over game on Sunday.
    “I have decided to retire from the one-day format of the game. I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup winning Indian team. The preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest,” Tendulkar said in a statement released by the BCCI.
    The board said the Mumbai maestro had spoken to BCCI president N Srinivasan and conveyed the decision. “I would like to wish the team all the very best for the future. I am eternally grateful to all my well wishers for their unconditional support and love over the years,” Tendulkar added.
    The decision came on the day when the selectors announced the ODI squad for the series against Pakistan, giving rise to speculation that Sachin was nudged by the board to call it a day. In fact, a BCCI source said Sachin wanted to play the series before bidding goodbye to the format. He changed his mind after getting feelers from the selectors that he won’t be considered for the ODI team on the basis of his current form. The BCCI, however, denied this and said it was Sachin’s own decision.
    The source added that Tendulkar was keen for a last duel against the Pakistanis. “It’s a marquee series and no player of his stature would say no to such a contest and retire on the day when the team is announced,” a source close to the team told TOI.
    Sources said two selectors—chief Sandeep Patil and Roger Binny—were in touch with Tendulkar and discussed the issue at length with him. The board insisted that Sachin has been contemplating retirement from ODIs for quite some time and had last week informed those close to him about his decision.
NATION'S FLAG BEARER FOR 2 DECADES Sachin’s stunning ODI records include most matches (463), most runs (18,426), most centuries (49) and most 50s (96)
First man to score 200 in ODI
Most runs (1,894) and tons (9) in a calendar year (1998)
While Kallis (aged 37 and going strong) is not too far behind Sachin in Test stats, no one comes close to threatening his records in ODIs
SIX OF HIS BEST (in chronological order) 82 (49 balls), March 27, 1994 vs NZ at Auckland: Opened the innings for the first time on Holi day and unleashed a stunning blitz
143 (131 balls), April 22, 1998 vs Aus, Sharjah: Singlehandedly took India into final. Two days later, scored 134 against Aus to help India win tournament
140* (104 balls), May 23, 1999 vs Kenya, Bristol: Rushed home from England after his father’s death during World Cup. Flew back and hit an emotion-charged ton
98 (75 balls), March 1, 2003 vs Pak, Centurion: In the ultimate high-stakes game, he piloted India’s chase of 273. His uppercut against Shoaib for six was one for the ages
175 (141 balls), Nov 5, 2009 vs Aus, Hyderabad: Almost took India to a target of 351 runs
200* (147 balls), Feb 24, 2010 vs SA, Gwalior: Became first man to score an ODI double hundred
    Stats: Rajesh Kumar & Anant Gaundalkar ‘He didn’t fit in ODI plans anymore’
New Delhi: Refuting claims that BCCI officials had been asking Sachin Tendulkar to quit, a top BCCI official told TOI: “It’s been Sachin’s decision to pick and choose his ODI series and today he has decided to announce his retirement on his own. There was no pressure from BCCI. He played cricket on his own terms and no one influenced his decision.”
    Reacting to the decision, Ratnakar Shetty, the BCCI’s chief administrative officer, said: “I won't say it is a shocker because he has also been thinking about this, waiting for the right time to call it a day. Today, he has expressed his desire to retire from the One-day format, and the BCCI really respects his wishes.”
    A BCCI source, however, said Sachin was no longer fitting in the scheme of things in the ODIs. “One, he was picking and choosing his ODI contests which wasn’t allowing the team to settle with a combination. Two, the selectors were keen to give young players more opportunities keeping the 2015 World Cup in mind,” he said.
    The selectors, according to sources, want Sachin to play Ranji Trophy before the Australia Tests. “They respect his abilities, but you need to keep performing no matter how big you are,” another source said.

FINEST HOUR: Sachin after India won the 2011 World Cup. He retired on Sunday with a record 49 ODI centuries

I am not proud of the heated exchanges I’ve had on the field

I am not proud of the heated exchanges I’ve had on the field

Cricketer Ambati Rayudu on playing for Team India and more

    Ever since Ambati Rayudu started playing for Baroda about a couple of years ago, his fortunes have been on an upswing. After some fabulous performances and a couple of great seasons for Team Mumbai at the premier league, he will now join the Indian team for two T20 matches against England. “I
was hopeful that I would get selected sometime. I don’t want to be under any pressure and want to cherish every moment with the Indian team. I am very happy that I got this break,” says Rayudu. , who has waited for years for this moment. Considered one of the most talented batsmen in the country, he was expected to don India colours at least eight years back. But circumstances (like his shifting to the Indian Cricket League) delayed his India debut and having finally got the opportunity, Rayudu doesn’t want to look back. “I am well prepared. As cricketers, this is what we live for! I just want to give it all that I have for my country.” he says. Excerpts from a chat:
INTROVERT TO THE CORE “Off the field, I have always been an introvert. I know that I have been involved in some heated exchanges on the field in the past and it’s not something that I am very proud of. However, I am really passionate about the sport and there are moments when tempers go out of control. But I am now better at managing such situations!”
BEYOND CRICKET “I am very passionate about photography and crazy about road trips. It helps that I and my wife have the same set of friends. Also, I can sit through any kind of movie (laughs)!”
TENSE SITUATIONS? “I love challenges thrown at me and enjoy close finishes (Rayudu had won a game with a last-ball six in the IPL). I have learnt a lot from Sachin Tendulkar on how to stay calm under pressure. He is a great human being and has helped me immensely with my game. It has been my privilege to be involved in some good partnerships with a legend like him.”

Ambati Rayudu

Mahendra Singh Dhoni loses Sam

Mahendra Singh Dhoni loses Sam

    Caption Mahendra Singh Dhoni sent out a series of tweets mourning the loss of his pet dog, Sam. “On 7.12.12 I lost someone who was very dear to me. 9 yrs back wen she came I was not there, she was hardly 10 days old. I was busy, Playing cricket at jamshedpur but on the nxt off day came on my bike to ranchi just to c her. I was always busy with cricket since she came… But somehow she got really close to me. last 7 yrs I hardly spent any time with her. if I was home she won’t leave even for a second... cd not even c her before she got buried. Her name was SAM. rest in peace.” Sam was Dhoni’s favourite pet, a German Shepherd. He also has a Labrador named Zara.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MSD may have to share captaincy

MSD may have to share captaincy

    The last time England won a Test series in India, present England skipper Alastair Cook was barely a month old. On Monday, Cook proudly led his team to a historic victory, even as Indian captain M S Dhoni stoically contemplated yet another debacle.
    Dhoni’s supporters may believe that he bought himself some more time by scoring 99, but there is a growing body of opinion that it may be time to split the captaincy. Legendary former captain Sunil Gavaskar on Monday batted for Virat Kohli as Test captain while some sections of the India cricket board are said to favour Gautam Gambhir.
    In a sense, Dhoni can consider himself fortunate to be leading India in this era. Back in the 1970s, Ajit Wadekar won India three Test series in a row; including two historic away triumphs against England and West Indies. But one 0-3 loss against England in 1974 and he was gone. From Bishen Singh Bedi to Kapil Dev to Sunil Gavaskar, nobody has been given a longer rope as Indian skipper than Dhoni.
    Dhoni has led India to 0-4 drubbings in Australia and England—and survived. Hard-won victories against lowly ranked teams like New Zealand and West Indies were allowed to lull India into a sense of complacency.
DID DHONI'S BLUNDERS COST INDIA DEAR?
1 Insisted on spin track, backed Ashwin and Ojha alone
2 Played 4 spinners in Nagpur at the cost of a pacer
3 Stuck to bowling team despite failures
4 Underbowled Harbhajan Singh
5 Didn't lead from the front 6 Team split wide open
7 Took on curators 8 Lost attacking instinct
WITH A STRAIGHT BAT Sunil Gavaskar's Takes On captaincy | I think Virat (Kohli) is ready to take on the mantle from Dhoni
On coach Duncan Fletcher | Under the present coach and support staff, the football skills of the players have got better, but the same can't be said of their cricketing skills
On Sachin | In the Nagpur Test he looked just a bit lost. Maybe that's the sign. I think he will reassess his future before the Australia series

PREMIERSHIP UNITED IN CRUISE CONTROL

PREMIERSHIP

UNITED IN CRUISE CONTROL

RVP, Cleverley, Rooney Help Team Drub Black Cats 3-1

London: Robin van Persie was back on target for Manchester United as the Premier League leaders swept aside Sunderland 3-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday to stay six points clear at the top.
    United were 2-0 up after 19 minutes, Van Persie opening the scoring with a left-foot finish from close range for his 12th league goal of the season and Tom Cleverley adding a quickfire second
three minutes later.
    England striker Wayne Rooney, who had been doubtful due to midweek sickness, made it 3-0 in the 59th minute before substitute Fraizer Campbell pulled one back with a header four minutes after coming on.
    Champions Manchester City, beaten 3-2 by United in last weekend's derby after an agonising Van Persie stoppage-time winner, had earlier narrowed the gap to three points after defeating Newcastle United 3-1 at St James' Park.
    Elsewhere, Queens Park Rangers celebrated their first win of the season after beating west London rivals Fulham 2-1 thanks to two-goal Adel Taarabt to end a record run of 16 matches without a victory and move off the foot of the table. The win stopped QPR becoming the first top-flight team since Bolton Wanderers in 1902-03 to fail to win any of their opening 17 games. Aston Villa fans had plenty to cheer after a fighting 3-1 win at Liverpool moved them three points clear of the relegation zone. Christian Benteke scored in each half at Anfield with Andreas Weimann grabbing the other goal for Villa who were 2-0 up at halftime. Steven Gerrard headed an 87th-minute consolation for Liverpool. Norwich City beat Wigan Athletic 2-1 while Stoke City and Everton drew 1-1. Fifthplaced Tottenham Hotspur host Swansea City on Sunday while West Ham United visit West Brom. REUTERS

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra (left) heads past Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet (third left) during their Premiership match at Old Trafford, on Saturday. United maintained their six-point lead

RANJI TROPHY SAURASHTRA VS MUMBAI

TARE TWINKLES IN RAJKOT

Youngster Slams Ton As Mumbai Score 306-2 On Day One

Rajkot: Riding on an unbeaten century by Aditya Tare and a couple of half-century knocks, Mumbai reached a massive 306 for two against Saurashtra at the end of the first day's play of their Ranji Trophy Group A match here on Saturday.
    At stumps, Tare was not out on 122 and giving him company at the other end was Rohit Sharma on 72.
    Electing to bat, Mumbai got off to a fabulous start with opening partnership between Wasim Jaffer and Tare yielding 135 runs.
    Jaffer was the first one to depart when Saurya Sanandiya provided Saurashtra the breakthrough. He scored a fine 79 off 116 balls, studded with 11 fours and a six.
    After his departure, Tare continued in the company of Ajinkya Rahane (24) before the latter's stay at the crease was cut short by Kamlesh Makvana.
    Thereafter, Saurashtra bowlers toiled hard but the visitors held fort to deny them any more wickets on the day.
    When stumps were drawn, Tare had already spent 369 minutes in the middle, facing 262 balls, and hit 18 boundaries and a six.
    While Rohit Sharma scored an unbeaten 72 off 110 balls, laced with seven fours and three sixes. PTI

Aditya Tare, who plays for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, scored a fine century to help Mumbai to a comfortable position in their Ranji Trophy tie, against Saurashtra, in Rajkot, on Saturday

Kohli masters art of patience

Kohli masters art of patience

Nagpur: Virat Kohli has been India’s run machine for the past one and half years in the One-day arena, and is now showing signs of slowly transforming into a very good Test cricketer. Until Saturday, though, he had had a very poor series against England.
    With the series and Team India’s reputation at stake, Kohli displayed character, resilience and patience during his 103-run knock and 198-run stand with skipper MS Dhoni. Yet again, the 24-year-old Kohli showed he has the match-turning ability to perform in crunch situations.
    “This century is very pleasing for me because of the way I played. I didn’t think about the runs; I didn’t think about the number of balls I was playing; I was just batting. I was pretty pleased to bat for long hours in this game. It was a learning experience for me,” Kohli said.
    Kohli admitted he was desperate to do well against England and that probably affected his batting. “You need to be desperate, you need to be hungry but you can’t get too desperate and start putting pressure on yourself. I am really pleased to have got this hundred.”

Anjali Tendulkar’s arrival creates a buzz in Nagpur

Anjali Tendulkar’s arrival creates a buzz in Nagpur

Anjali Tendulkar had  been to Nagpur only once. Four years back, she attended a BCCI function to
    honour Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman. However, she wasn’t there when Sachin Tendulkar was on the verge of achieving a big milestone—his 50th Test hundred—two years back during the third Test against New Zealand here.
    So, her second trip to the city during the ongoing Nagpur Test created quite a buzz here on Saturday. The master batsman has been going through a lean patch for quite some time and talks surrounding his retirement were gaining momentum, especially after his failure in the first innings here.
    However, BCCI sources denied any major development on that front. “He is on wrong side of 30, so it’s natural that every failure will be a talking point. It’s not Sachin alone who is not making runs, others are also going through a lean patch. We should leave him alone. Nobody has played more cricket than him in the world so he knows best,” a source told TOI on condition of anonymity.
    When asked about his wife’s presence during the Test, he added, “As far as my knowledge goes, she goes during the home Tests whenever she feels like. It’s nothing unusual. Sachin will certainly discuss his retirement with top BCCI officials. Everyone will know when that will happen,” he said.

Dhoni and Kohli embraced their seminal moment in style

Dhoni and Kohli embraced their seminal moment in style

    Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the finest finishers, if not the most destructive batsman, in One-dayers and T20; Virat Kohli is a dashing young player, with flair, strokes and an attitude to match.
    At the start of the Nagpur Test, however, both were virtually on the same boat, feeling a similar kind of heat: Dhoni’s captaincy was under threat while Kohli’s reputation as a future leader, if not as the immediate successor, had taken a severe beating.
    For at least some, this was their seminal moment; another failure, to cap a run of highly-discussed poor shows, would have changed the equation within the team, if not its composition itself. It is under this kind of pressure, when it boils down to self rather than team, that India’s players show a different kind of mettle.
    Dhoni and Kohli abandoned their fanciful shots; they dug themselves into a cocoon on an adulterous pitch, and batted like their lives depended on it. It probably did. They eliminated the risk factor, watched the ball like it was laced with poison, and embraced the survival mantra.
    In the end, they came out unscathed if not cleansed. Mind you, it wasn’t an exhibition of high batsmanship; they simply displayed greater willpower, inordinate patience and underlined that they can curb themselves when it comes to personal doom.
    One only wishes they, and other members in the Indian side, would show the same application, the same desperation, when the team seems to be in as much trouble.
    Dhoni battled for close to 300 minutes, grappling with over 200 deliveries for the first time in Tests; Kohli’s vigil lasted longer in which he gave utmost respect to 295 deliveries. One lost his concentration immediately after reaching his 100, the other in the rush to get there.
    Their dismissals merely underline the turmoil in their minds, and the significance a century holds during a crisis.
    At close of play, India were 297 for eight, still 33 runs behind; clearly, they can sniff danger even now. Interestingly, though, it’s possible to still win this Test and level the series. As far as Dhoni and Kohli are concerned, however, the storm clouds have moved away.
    The same cannot be said about the golden set: Dravid and Laxman have already left; Harbhajan and Yuvraj have been dropped; Sehwag, despite a 100, and Gambhir, despite flickers of form, must be wondering how long they are safe.
    Tendulkar, on the other hand, has only seemed to be either overanxious or overcautious. Those close to him know that he is working harder and is in no mood to walk into a sunset that is rapidly losing its golden hue; those who understand the vagaries of the game insist that he will soon come good.
    The problem in India is that fans, even those who can barely distinguish between an on-drive and an off-drive, don’t have patience; they believe their heroes are supermen who have to save the world every day. Worse, if they fail on two or three occasions, they are ready to lynch them as charlatans.
    The selectors, luckily, are by temperament not so extreme; sooner or earlier, they might feel compelled to talk to the big man, just to help him relax and not worry about them. But one thing is undeniable: Team India is at the crossroads; worse, you can feel the undercurrents even from afar.
    Dhoni and Kohli’s fightback, and even a possible victory, can only be a temporary balm; bad blood is coursing through every vein and it won’t be long before it starts raging again, ready to burst out in the open. It needs just one more bad defeat. 

INDIA REDISCOVER STEEL

INDIA REDISCOVER STEEL

Dhoni, Kohli Take The Fight To England; Late Wickets Leave Test Hanging In Balance

Nagpur: The challenge couldn’t have been more daunting. The response couldn’t have been more resolute. Under immense pressure to deliver following poor returns with the bat in this series — and with India staring at another embarrassment in the fourth Test — Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni dug deep to produce out-of-character marathon innings on Day Three.
    Having batted the longest they ever have in Tests, Kohli (103; 11x4, 295 balls) managed to get to three figures while a brain freeze resulted in Dhoni being run out on 99 in an absorbing, occasionally dramatic day’s play. That run-out tilted the scales a bit back in favor of England, since Saturday’s script could have been a perfect one for the hosts but the loss of four wickets before the close.
    What Kohli and Dhoni did with their steadfast approach was serve a reminder that Team India — down and out in recent times — could still engineer a patient fightback and show some spine.
    The day began with India fighting to avoid defeat and finished with them at 297/8, trailing England by just 33 runs to set the Test up nicely. With England already leading in the series, all the pressure is on India to somehow manufacture a result in their favour.
    With his captaincy under the scanner and his batting ability in Tests at the point of being ridiculed, Dhoni displayed supreme patience — an aspect which isn’t considered his strongest suit — on the low and slow Jamtha wicket to play out 246 balls, the most he has ever faced in a Test innings.
    Kohli’s 295-ball stay was his longest in Tests too. Together they added 198 runs and opened up a possibility, however slim, of India levelling the series.
    Dour defence and hard graft was the need of the hour when India resumed at 87/4 in the morning, and the two unlikely candidates, both known for their flamboyant strokeplay, proved they could curb their natural exuberance and grind it out. In between the day’s long exhibition of self denial, Dhoni’s natural instincts did rear up occasionally. With it came the allmuscle slog-sweep to Swann and a flat-bat slap to the covers off James Anderson. But a classic outswinger with the new ball from England’s best seam bowler Anderson served up a reality check, and very soon Dhoni was back to blocking.
    Dhoni’s half-century came off 137 balls, his slowest Test fifty in 72 matches.
    Past fifty, and with the onus on India to make things happen, the urge for flashy runs reappeared. Dhoni hit a six over mid-on off Greame Swann and survived a heartin-the-mouth moment off Tim Bresnan a few overs later. The near caught-and-bowled evoked a shake of the head and
subsequently Dhoni didn’t let impatience get the better of him till the ill-judged single on 99 — after being stuck in the 90s for more than an hour — brought about his downfall.
    At the other end, Kohli was a picture of calm, barring a solitary false shot post his fifty. There was no exhibition of his natural flair as he admirably embraced the waiting game, save for occasional glimpses of his gorgeous cover drive and some square cuts and wristy clips. Each of Kohli’s boundaries had class written over it. The tide turned when Kohli, just after his century, fell to Swann. Ravindra Jadeja was a disappointment, and with Piyush Chawla gone too, the onus is on Ashwin to come good.
MEASURED AGGRESSION Kohli was a picture of calm, barring a solitary false shot post his fifty. There was no exhibition of his natural flair as he admirably embraced the waiting game...

A LEAP OF FAITH: Virat Kohli is a bundle of joy after scoring a patient hundred against England on the third day of the fourth Test against England, at Nagpur, on Saturday

RANJI REPORT MUMBAI VS PUNJAB 

TWISTS & TURN AT THE WANKHEDE 

 Chavan’s 9-23 Gives Punjab The Jitters  

 Mumbai: It was a Tuesday that Mumbai’s left-arm spinner Ankeet Chavan will not forget in a hurry.
    From watching his team sweat under the burden of having to chase a mountain of runs, he turned Punjab’s second innings affair at the Wankhede Stadium here into a molehill, bringing the tabletoppers to the brink of a shocking defeat against Mumbai in the Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy league tie.
    Nine Punjab wickets fell to Chavan’s left-arm guile in their second innings on Tuesday afternoon, triggering an unthinkable collapse that put Mumbai back in the game with the thought of an improbable victory playing on their minds. With a bit more time on hand, a victory could have been achieved.
    Coming into Tuesday, Mumbai were 216 runs short of Punjab’s mammoth first innings total of 580, but dramatically fell short by 95 runs after losing three middle-order wickets for just one run. Rohit Sharma, batting overnight on 163, walked out and completed his double ton but he would be extremely disappointed at surrendering three points for the first innings lead.
    However, just when it seemed that there wouldn’t be any further drama and a dull draw was expected, Chavan bowled a dream spell to wreck an in-form Punjab batting order in their second outing. With the exception of Amitoze Singh caught off Ramesh Powar’s bowling, the remaining nine Punjab batsmen, beginning with the openers, failed to negotiate Chavan as they were dismissed either caught behind or were caught at slip.
    It was an aberration of sorts for a team whose batting exploits have been the flavour of this Ranji season.
    Punjab’s lame 59 meant Mumbai were back in the game, staring at an unlikely target of 155 runs in 11 overs. The hosts opened with the aggressive Abhishek Nayar and Sharma and they made their intent clear immediately. Punjab pushed their fielders in the deep as Sharma slammed three sixes until he was caught at long-on for a brisk 28. Mumbai lost their second wicket soon, in Aditya Tare, and by then, the hosts were way short of time and overs to score another 106 runs off 42 deliveries.
    The victory, that could’ve been the season’s most astonishing, never came.
    Chavan, who has 38 wickets to show from 11 first-class matches, managed nine of them right here with what looked like a combination of luck, pluck and bowling the right line and length.
    It was his first five-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy which earned him a total of 12 wickets in this nerve-wracking game.
Top-ten bowling figures in Ranji Trophy Ankeet Chavan’s nine-wicket haul (9-23) is the best-ever figures by a Mumbai bowler in the Ranji Trophy. This is only the second instance, the first being 9-38 by Raghunath Wadkar way back in 1937-38. Besides, Ravi Shastri had a nine-wicket haul for Mumbai, but that was in the Irani Trophy match in 1981-82. Here’s a list of top ten bowling figures in Ranji Trophy:
10-20: P Chatterjee Bengal vs Assam, Jorhat 1956/57 10-78: P Sunderam Raj vs Vidarbha, Jodhpur 1985/86 9-23: A Chavan Mum vs Punjab, Mumbai 2012-13 9-25: S Hyder Ali Railways vs J&K, Delhi 1969/70 9-29: F Shaikh Goa vs Services, Delhi 2002/03 9-31: Madan Lal Delhi vs Haryana, Delhi 1979/80 9-34: T Gyaneshwar Delhi vs J&K, Delhi 1961-61 9-35: VB Ranjane Maha vs Sau, Khadakvasla 1956/57 9-38: RR Wadkar Bombay v WI, Jamnagar 1937/38 9-45: Amarjith Singh Kerala vs AP, Kannur 1971/72

Mumbai spinner Ankeet Chavan celebrates his ninth wicket against Punjab on Tuesday

VIEW POINT If I was Sachin, I would retire after Nagpur: Ganguly

VIEW POINT

If I was Sachin, I would retire after Nagpur: Ganguly 

London: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has claimed that if he was in Sachin Tendulkar’s shoes, he would have retired after the Nagpur Test against England. Tendulkar has averaged 25 in 2012 and his innings of 76 at Calcutta against England was his first Test half century since Jan 3. “Sachin desperately needs to get runs. He has achieved a lot. He is getting a long rope because of what he has achieved,” the Telegraph quoted Ganguly as saying. “By now he should know how to turn it around. As somebody watching it from outside, Tendulkar is not performing and I think if I were Tendulkar, I would go (retire). But it’s up to him at the present moment. We want to see the great man going with a bat held high and not in terrible form.” ANI

FOR AND AGAINST: Ganguly (top) and Graham Gooch

 

Rungta recalls selectors’ ‘fearless’ era

Money factor has changed selection policies, says BCCI veteran who ‘sacked’ skipper Tendulkar in 1998

Jaipur: Even as the clamour grows for Mahendra Singh Dhoni to be removed from captaincy, a perception is growing that the Indian selectors are not ‘brave’ enough to take tough decisions. Things were different back in 1998, though, when a similar quandary was resolved by the selectors taking a stand and asking Sachin Tendulkar to step down as skipper.
    At that time, Kishen Rungta, a member of the then-selection committee, played an instrumental role in an eventful meeting in Mumbai.
    “The situation was such that a strong decision had to be taken,” the Jaipur-based Rungta told TOI on Tuesday. “Ramakant Desai was the chairman of that selection committee, but I must say that I played an instrumental role in that decision (to ask Sachin to step down). The atmosphere was quite tense and there was an element of fear hanging over the meeting. The selectors were afraid of the repercussions, but then we had to take the step.”
    Even after it was decided that Tendulkar would be removed as skipper, Desai refused to sign on the paper. “I asked him what he was waiting for,” Rungta said. “Ramakant told me that he couldn’t face the media after taking the decision and said he would sign only if I agreed to do that job.”
    Rungta agreed to take on the media. “We realized that it would be embarrassing if only I went out to face the media, without the chairman by my side. So, we decided to call the media into the room,” Rungta recalled.
    That wasn’t the only high-profile case of an Indian captain being sacked in recent times. Mohd Azharuddin, who had ironically replaced Tendulkar in 1998, was sacked soon after India’s disastrous World Cup campaign in 1999.
    Sourav Ganguly too was removed from the job despite winning his last two Tests as skipper in Zimbabwe in 2005.
    Will the current bunch of selectors be able to bite the bullet and sack Dhoni if needed? Rungta is not sure. “Nowadays, being a selector is a highly-paid job. There are many things that they have to be wary of,” he said. “If a selector loses his job now, it is very unlikely that he will get another one at such high salary. It was different during our days. We did not have to worry about being sacked and could afford to be fearless. The selectors then were people of high stature and dignity. Now, the money factor has changed a lot of equations.”
    However, Rungta is against the idea of removing Dhoni as captain during the England series. “That would send wrong signals. I agree that there is need for change, but doing it right now will damage the team’s morale further.”

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE: Gautam Gambhir trains in Nagpur

India need to bat well for revival

India need to bat well for revival 

When you are in a corner and all exits look sealed, there is only one way out. You have to fight and scrap your way past your aggressor. Overpowering the enemy is the only alternative you have. Once you do that, you will find that not all exits are shut.
    For the Indian cricket team, the last Test in Nagpur is such a situation. Before this series began, India were favourites and after the first Test, almost certainties to win the whole thing, almost. England fought their way through the tiny gap given by that ‘almost.’
    India have been outplayed, outthought and cornered and now we have to see some real fight. It can be done. Firstly, though, the most important attribute that each and every player, including the debutants, have to take into this match is that attitude to fight. The batsmen must know that there are to be no easy shots, no soft dismissals. Only patience and determination to grind the England attack down, and then prosper. Then with the ball, to give England nothing and hold those catches and chase every ball like your life depends upon it.
    An Indian revival has to start with the bat. Winning Tests in India is about putting together totals of 450-plus minimum during your first turn at bat. To control the game, you just have to bat five sessions. In the first Test, Sehwag, Pujara & Co put together 521 and India prevailed.
    The foundations for victory must be set with the sheer weight of runs. So far in the series only Pujara and Sehwag have scored centuries for India, Pujara twice. In the last two Tests, batsman with first use of the wicket squandered the opportunity. Totals of around 300 on paper may look respectable, but they are simply not enough.
    It’s come to the time where the Indian batting has to stand up and deliver. Whatever your style this is, however you play, the end result must be delivery and performance. Batting for long periods of time in Tests is about rhythm.That rhythm is very simple.Getting a start and then get to drinks. Establish yourself again after the break and then make certain you walk off with the umpires for lunch. After lunch, back out there and get in again.
    Getting in after a break and getting to the break are both identical and equally critical. Ball by ball, hour by hour, session by session. Staying in the present and taking it one ball at a time. All the time with your goal — that you are going to bat all day — dug into the back of your mind.
    In the early editions of Don Bradman’s book The Art of Cricket, it is said that when batting, the Don’s approach was governed by two key thoughts. Firstly, he didn’t believe any bowler was good enough to get him out.
    Secondly, he played every ball as if it was his first. Not a bad place to start for Indian batsmen. 360 CORPORATE RELATIONS 

IS DUNCAN DONE AND DUSTED?

IS DUNCAN DONE AND DUSTED?

Coach Under Scanner, But His Role Is Limited Within The Team

Mumbai: Had Team India’s steep and shocking downfall been in football and not cricket, coach Duncan Fletcher would have already been sacked.
    In football, the coach (or the manager) is always at the forefront, strategizing, forming the line of play. In cricket, it is the captain who is in charge on the pitch. That is perhaps the reason the guillotine hangs over captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and not so much over Fletcher, who has been mostly in the background ever since he took charge of the team post the 2011 World Cup.
    There is hardly any doubt about the power Dhoni wields in Indian cricket today. He is the one who gets to sit with the selectors and pick a team of his choice, has almost absolute authority in choosing the eleven, is famously known to trust his own instincts over anybody else’s and reports to the high command (read: BCCI president) but nobody else, not even Fletcher.
    The latter is merely the strategist required at the drawing board, looking into the finer nuances of some of India’s biggest cricket stars. Fletcher’s daily workload involves a lot of one-on-one discussions with players, be it the 39-yearold Sachin Tendulkar or the 24-year-old Virat Kohli, helping them develop a deeper understanding of their own game.
    As Kohli had told TOI recently, “Duncan has great knowledge and he can talk about the game at a totally different level. Some of the things he told me have helped a lot and I’d say, the improvement has shown.” However, questions will be asked of a man certainly not part of Team India’s 2015 World Cup agenda, who was hired for a whopping annual pay-packet of $250,000 last year with a carte blanche to hire any support staff of his preference and remain unanswerable to India’s appetite-whetting sports media.
    That’s quite a deal for a coach who’ll probably be best remembered as the one during whose time, India came crashing from the World No. 1 ranking in Test cricket to fifth, with the road ahead only looking gloomier.
    It is also ironical that England, who was responsible for building Fletcher’s reputation as a coach, is now busy undoing it. It was never going to be easy for a 64-year-old to come to the subcontinent and adjust to India’s ways.
    His predecessor Gary Kirsten, on whose express recommendations Fletcher landed the job, had just about turned 40 when he took over as India coach. As a Test cricketer, Kirsten had toured India twice and played against Tendulkar, Dravid & Co. at home and away over a decade. He remained as good as a teammate for the senior Indian players and would be seen bowling in the nets for hours together. A connect was only natural.
    Fletcher, on the other hand, has a giant of a reputation for being cricket’s Mr Brains, which doesn’t make it very easy for a youngster to just walk up to him and strike a conversation. Fletcher’s an elder too, who unlike Kirsten, is often seen leaning against a rest watching his players go about their daily routine.
    “He doesn’t go to the player if he spots something wrong. He waits for the player to come to him,” says a domestic cricketer on the fringes of the national team, who has had his sessions with the man. “Not everybody has felt comfortable with him around,” he adds. Insinuations are fast surfacing that Fletcher isn’t such a hands-on coach after all, which may be a result of the growing frustration because of India’s string of losses. Or maybe, he is simply not doing enough.
    To be fair to Fletcher, even before he could settle down in India, several losses on and off the field – matches and retirement of Dravid and Laxman – came as big jolts. For the man, who had been assigned the task of overseeing Indian cricket’s transition from one generation to another, much happened before he could take charge of responsibilities he’d signed up for.
    Further, if a team constituting seven to eight top batsmen, some of them the world’s best, going into a Test match consistently fail to put at least 300 runs on board, clearly the coach alone cannot be blamed. The BCCI has to clearly underline Fletcher’s role here.
    If the role assigned to him simply involves working in the background, then Fletcher has no business occupying the chief coach’s role inside the Indian dressing room. And if it is the latter, it’s time he’s asked to leave.
DUNCAN FLETCHER Age: 64 I Played cricket for: Zimbabwe Best known cricketing moment: Helping Zimbabwe shock Australia in 1983 World Cup Early coaching career: Western Province (SA) and Glamorgan (England) 1st national team as coach: England — 1999 to 2007
High point: England’s first series win in the West Indies in 36 years, series win in South Africa, but most importantly helping England win the 2005 Ashes Other credits: Awarded an OBE in the New Year’s honours list Best known for (off the field): At 45, his main claim to fame was having devised Zimbabwe’s car registration system Lowest point: Watching India suffer back to back whitewashes in England and Australia and then debacles against England at home India contract: Replaced Gary Kirsten as coach of the Indian team on a twoyear contract, negotiable again in 2013. Salary: Estimated to be $250,000 pa. Job profile: Control over coaching affairs and power to choose support staff; also responsible for overseeing the transition of Indian cricket from the seniors to the juniors. Media role: Enjoys the privilege of not being answerable to the media unless the BCCI requests, has always been a media-basher Recommended by: Gary Kirsten INDIA UNDER FLETCHER Tests: Played 19 Won 6 Lost 10 Drawn 3 ODIs: Played 36 Won 21 Lost 12 NR 1 Tied 2

DO WE KNOW THE WAY FORWARD?
Duncan Fletcher (centre) should share part of the blame for India’s horror run in Test cricket since he took over

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Selectors wanted Viru to replace Dhoni: Amarnath ‘But Decision Was Vetoed By Indian Cricket Board’

Selectors wanted Viru to replace Dhoni: Amarnath

‘But Decision Was Vetoed By Indian Cricket Board’ 

 

Mumbai: Indian cricket’s worst kept secret in recent times is out: M S Dhoni was on the verge of being replaced as Test skipper by Virender Sehwag just after India’s 0-4 whitewash at the hands of Australia.
    Confirming TOI’s front page story dated January 29, 2012, former India all-rounder and outspoken former selector Mohinder Amarnath admitted that “certain internal reasons” stopped the selection committee from replacing Dhoni then.
    In a tell-all interview to TIMES NOW, Amarnath, who was tipped to replace Krish Srikkanth as the chief selector before being unceremoniously booted out, said, “Definitely, there were discussions to replace Dhoni and people had even agreed to do so, but for some internal reason it didn’t happen.” The former allrounder, who was the man of the match in the semifinal and final of India’s victorious 1983 World Cup campaign, added, “I would not like to divulge what the reasons were. But when the time is right, I will let the people of this country know about the reasons.” ‘Dhoni not good for Tests’
Mumbai: On Monday, former India all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath had called for the selectors to show guts and sack M S Dhoni.
    He admitted that ‘internal reasons’ stopped the selection committee from removing Dhoni as the skipper after India’s 0-4 whitewash against Australia.
    It is now learned that Amarnath and the selection committee were overruled because a BCCI insider showed him the constitution and confirmed that the selectors’ decision could be overturned by the powersthat-be. The 69-Test veteran though refused to confirm this. “I would neither agree (with) nor deny this,” was his pregnant comment.
    Known for his plainspeaking and non-compromising attitude, Amarnath referred to his differences with BCCI president N Srinivasan, whose IPL outfit Chennai Super Kings Dhoni captains. “In Indian politics and cricket, it’s always the same,” he said sarcastically. There are people who are controlling the game and others who are too scared to take a stand.”
    Stating that he had nothing personal against Dhoni, Amarnath reckoned that the Indian skipper should be someone who should merit a place in the playing XI. “I believe that Dhoni should be removed as captain from the Tests. He hasn’t set the Test stage on fire. A captain’s place in the team should be secure and I don’t see his place secured in the side. He doesn’t have the technique for Test cricket.” In the same vein though, Amarnath acknowledged Dhoni’s ODI exploits and referred to him as a match-winner.
    “I am a person who doesn't believe in being controlled. I love to do my work freely. I don't think there should be interference in the selectors’ job,” he added.

 

EXTRA TIME ROUND-UP FA set to probe coin attack on Ferdinand

EXTRA TIME ROUND-UP

FA set to probe coin attack on Ferdinand 

Manchester: The Football Association (FA) have opened an investigation into the incident that saw Manchester United’s RioFerdinandhitby a coin during his side’s 3-2 win at Manchester City on Sunday.
    The English centre-back was left with blood pouring from his face after being hit by the coin apparently thrown from the crowd in the aftermath of Robin van Persie’s injury-time winner for United at the Etihad Stadium.
    “It is disappointing that after a great game and advert for the Premier League, that we are discussing this issue,” said an FA spokesman. “We will work with the clubs and authorities to identify those responsible and support the strongest sanctions available, including life bans.
    “We condemn any such acts and it is simply unacceptable that any player is exposed to injury in this way. “To witness Rio Ferdinand leaving the field with a cut above his eye to receive treatment is appalling.”
Fabregas out for 3-4 weeks with thigh injury: Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas could be out of action for up to four weeks after tearing a thigh muscle in Sunday’s 2-1 win at Real Betis. “He’ll be sidelined for three to four weeks. Therefore, he’ll miss the team’s last three games in 2012 — the two Liga matches against Atletico Madrid and Valladolid and the away leg of the Copa del Rey against Cordoba,” said a Barcelona statement.
Falcao thumps five past
Deportivo: Radamel Falcao hailed an “unforgettable night” after the coveted Atletico Madrid striker hit five goals past Deportivo Coruna to become the first man to achieve the feat in Spain's top league in more than a decade.
    Fernando Morientes was the last player to score five in a match playing for Real Madrid against Las Palmas in February 2002 .
Inter beat Napoli to move
second: Inter Milan moved up to second and closed the gap to Juventus to four points in Serie A Sunday thanks to a clinical buthard-fought2-1win over fellow title chasers Napoli.
    A pair of goals from south Americans Fredy Guarin and Diego Milito settled Inter's nerves before half-time and despite Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani reducing the arrears just before the hour the visitors failed to pull level in a tighter second half. AGENCIES

Atletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao celebrates his goal against Deportivo La Coruna at Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, on Sunday

 

MY LEFT FOOT

MY LEFT FOOT

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi sets the record for most goals in a calendar year by scoring his 86th goal, against Real Betis

Madrid: Lionel Messi insists that his record-breaking 86-goal haul in 2012 will count for nothing if Barcelona miss out on La Liga and Champions League titles. The Argentine star wrote his name into the history books by overhauling German legend Gerd Mueller’s 1972 record of 85 goals in a calendar year with a first-half double that helped his side to an important 2-1 win at Real Betis.
    But the 25-year-old was happier to highlight the win more than the record as his team eye a domestic and European double. “I’ve said it a lot, it’s nice to beat records but the win for the team is what is important and the points difference at the top,” said Messi as Barcelona maintained their six-point lead over Atletico Madrid and 11-point gap on Real Madrid.
    “My goals are to win titles
with the team, the Spanish league, Spanish Cup or Champions League is more important than any personal records.”
    It did not take long for Messi to equal Mueller’s record with his side’s first real attack on 16 minutes in Seville, making a diagonal run across the Betis defence before hitting a left footed shot into the right hand corner. His history-making moment came nine minutes later when he struck from almost an identical position after good play from Adriano and Andres Iniesta. “My objective at the start of the season was to win another La Liga title,” added Messi, who is also in line to win a record fourth successive Ballon d’Or. For that accolade, he will face competition from teammate Iniesta and Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
    “If Iniesta wins, it will be well-deserved for all that he has done, for the way he plays. Again, it will also be a prize for the dressing room.”
    Barca coach Tito Vilanova looked forward to more to come from Messi, who now has 74 goals in all competitions for Barcelona this year as well as 12 for Argentina, having played 66 games in all.
    His La Liga tally is already up to 23 for this season alone and he can add to his year’s tally with three games still to play in 2012 — in La Liga against Atletico Madrid and Valladolid and the Spanish Cup tie at Cordoba. “It seems impossible to score so many goals, let’s hope he can add to the record in the games to come,” said Vilanova.
    “He is still young and gives us so much, even tonight he helped us out defensively when we needed it, he has so many more qualities than just his goals.” Vilanova was quick, however, to dampen the euphoria surrounding his star player.
    “We shouldn’t heap more pressure on him. His record this year is absolutely brutal. Let's enjoy the moment and not focus on how many goals he might score in the future,” added the coach.
    Barca’s sporting director, Andoni Zubizarreta, was happy to sing Messi’s praises.
    “I think his records will be valued more in the future, it’s one more for now but he makes it seem so easy it’s hard to measure his talent,” said Zubizarreta. AFP