Hyderabad, May 1 (PTI) A struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad face an uphill task to find their way through in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) as they get ready to take on formidable Chennai Super Kings at the Rajiv Gandhi International cricket stadium here tomorrow.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have six points from seven matches, having won three, and a win in the contest tomorrow is important for them to advance in the highly-competitive tournament.
Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, are the table-toppers with 12 points from eight matches, having lost just two.
The Super Kings defeated the Sunrisers by 45 runs in their previous encounter in Chennai on April 11. Having lost to Kolkata Knight Riders yesterday, the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai side would look to consolidate its position in the tournament with a win over the home side.
Chennai’s strong contingent of S Dhoni, Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith, Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis, Dwayne Bravo in the batting department and Ashish Nehra, Mohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja and Pawan Negi in bowling can give nightmares to any team with their brilliance.
It is the combined strength of the side that puts it on top of others in the event and the opposition will have to come with all their guns blazing to gain the upper hand.
The Sunrisers, playing their first match in Hyderabad this season, are beset with middle-order batting problems.
Captain David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan, the opening pair, have given a decent start to their innings in the tournament and the other batsmen K L Rahul, Naman Ojha, Ravi Bopara, Moises Henriques and local lad Hanuma Vihari are expected to help the team’s cause tomorrow.
Bowling has been the potent weapon in the armoury of Sunrisers with the presence of highly-competitive Trent Boult, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, all-rounder Moises Henriques, Dale Steyn, and Ishant Sharma.
Sunrisers suffered a setback with their overseas player Kevin Pietersen pulling out of the IPL this season to play for English cricket.
The home ground has often been lucky for the Hyderabad side.
New Delhi, Apr 28 (PTI) The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has been suspended with immediate effect for an unlimited period of time following poor management in the conduct of 15th National Para Athletics Championship 2015.
Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the PCI was fully responsible for the lack of facility required for differently-abled athletes such as ramps, disabled-friendly toilets, lodging facilities etc., during the event held in Ghaziabad recently.
“There was total lack of planning in conceptualisation and conduct of the event. It was completely sorry state of affairs. There were mismanagement, negligence and completely irresponsibility on the part of PCI,” he said during question hour in the Lok Sabha.
Sonowal said the Sports Authority of India had conducted an enquiry and on the report submitted by it, a show cause notice was issued to PCI. The government received a letter on April 15 from the International Paralympic Committee suspending PCI with immediate effect for an unlimited period of time.
“Keeping in view the serious complaints from different quarters including players and media, alleging poor management in the conduct of the 15th National Para Athletics Championship 2015, enquiry report submitted by SAI and suspension of PCI by the concerned international federation, the government suspended the recognisation given to PCI with immediate effect,” he said.
Chennai: Enduring an erratic campaign so far, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders face a stiff challenge when they take on the smooth-sailing Chennai Super Kings in an IPL cricket match here on Tuesday.
KKR are currently placed third on the points table with three wins, two losses and one abandoned match. CSK, on the other hand, have lost only one game in six outings and are steady on the second position.
The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side, dominating on home turf, is coming off a massive win over Kings XI Punjab in which they thrashed the team by 97 runs.
If the big names in Chennai’s batting order, like Dwayne Smith, Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina and Dhoni, has come good in trying times then the bowling has also risen to the challenge.
Led by Ashish Nehra and Ishwar Pandey, CSK’s bowling arsenal has looked well equipped and delivered whenever required.
Even left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, whose non-performance was under the scanner came good in the previous game to pick 3 Kings XI wickets and break the opposition back.
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KKR, meanwhile, cooled their heels inside the dugout after rain forced abandonment of their clash against table-toppers Rajasthan Royals.
And before the abandoned game, KKR had lost to SunRisers Hyderabad, a game in which the team’s batting frailties were thoroughly exposed by a struggling side fighting to stay afloat.
In fact, all their wins have come against teams which have turned out to be laggards of this season.
If the batting, led by Gautam Gambhir, has been inconsistent, then bowling attack has been a bit patchy and a cause of concern.
Just when it looked that star off-spinner Sunil Narine was getting adjusted to his re-modelled action, the West Indian was called for chucking again by the on-field umpires during the team’s away match against SRH on April 22.
Even in the head-to-head count CSK lead the race in 14 games with 10 wins and 4 losses against the Kolkata-based outfit.
CSK also enjoy the home advantage after winning 4 games out of the 6 that have happened between the two teams at Chepauk.
Teams (from):
Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni (capt, wk), Ashish Nehra, Baba Aparajith, Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith, Faf du Plessis, Ishwar Pandey, Matt Henry, Mithun Manhas,Mohit Sharma, Pawan Negi, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Samuel Badree, Suresh Raina, Ronit More, Michael Hussey, Rahul Sharma, Kyle Abbott, Ankush Bains, Irfan Pathan, Pratyush Singh, Andrew Tye and Eklavya Dwivedi.
Kolkata Knight Riders: Gautam Gambhir (capt), Robin Uthappa (wk), Manish Pandey, Andre Russell, Yusuf Pathan, Suryakumar Yadav, Johan Botha, Piyush Chawla, Sunil Narine, Morne Morkel, Umesh Yadav, Ryan ten Doeschate, Azhar Mahmood, Pat Cummins, Brad Hogg, KC Cariappa, Aditya Garhwal, Sheldon Jackson, Kuldeep Yadav, Sumit Narwal, Veer Pratap Singh and Vaibhav Rawal.
PTI
Mumbai, Apr 27 (PTI) Sim Bhullar, who earlier this month became the first player of Indian descent to play in the NBA, will visit India from May 2-7 to promote the growth of basketball in the country.
The 7’5 feet tall center player will help train top 140 youth from across India, who participated in the Reliance Foundation Juniuor NBA program, the NBA’s premier grassroots event.
“I am very excited to travel to India to see firsthand how basketball’s popularity has grown and to meet young basketball players across the country,” said Bhullar.
“Hopefully sharing my story will help inspire young Indians to pursue their dreams on and off the court, just as I have.”
The 22-year-old Bhullar will first travel to Mumbai on May 2 to interact with fans, tour the city and appear on Sony SIX’s IPL Extra Innings show on Sunday, May 3.
Bhullar will then travel to Noida to inaugurate the Reliance Foundation Junior NBA Elite National Camp on May 4.
On May 5, Bhullar will travel to Amritsar to visit the Golden Temple and Pingalwara, a home for individuals suffering from incurable and terminal diseases, to which the player’s family will make a contribution.
On May 6, he will visit Chandigarh to conduct a Reliance Foundation Junior NBA clinic for 150 children at New Public School.
Bhullar will then return to Noida on May 7 to celebrate the final day of the Reliance Foundation Junior NBA Elite National Camp.
The inaugural Reliance Foundation Junior NBA Elite National Camp, which consists of skills training, competitions, games, fitness training and team building exercises, will be held in Noida from May 4 to 7.
The camp is the culmination of the Reliance Foundation Junior NBA program that promotes health, fitness and an active lifestyle through basketball, and teaches the values of the game such as teamwork, sacrifice, discipline, dedication and sportsmanship.
Since 2013, the program has reached more than one million youths in 1,000 schools in eight cities. The NBA has also trained more than 1,000 PE teachers, and donated more than 15,000 basketballs and 300 rims to partner schools. As part of the program, NBA legends Bruce Bowen and Muggsy Bogues, and WNBA players Swin Cash and Tamika Catchings have visited Chandigarh, Kolkata, Kochi, Ludhiana and Mumbai to conduct basketball clinics for players and coaches.
Kolkata, Apr 27 (PTI) Already three of their top players injured, East Bengal will not risk further and field a second string side when they face table leaders Johor Darul Ta’Zim in the penultimate league round of the AFC Cup football tournament here tomorrow.
It is a gamble that paid off in their last outing against relatively weaker Balestier Khalsa FC as East Bengal had blanked the Singapore outfit 3-0.
The result meant East Bengal had climbed past BKFC to the third spot in the four-team group F table but against the reigning Malaysia Super League champions it may backfire.
East Bengal coach Eelco Schattorie is trying to be realistic and has given up hope on advancing to the knock out stage.
It’s an improbable task as they have to win their remainder two matches which includes one against Kitchee in Hong Kong.
“My biggest fear is to get more injuries so I will play mainly with my second team. I am going to try to win but my priority will be on the I-League,” East Bengal’s Dutch coach said about the injuries to Saumik Dey, Milan Susak and Leo Bertos.
“It’s a difficult decision…You always want to perform at the highest level. But I had to look for the bigger picture. Theoretically, we can still qualify but realistically it’s difficult.”
Schattorie further said he did not want to derail their campaign in the I-League where they are placed fourth with five matches left.
“If I put out my strongest team and if we get an injury, that will derail my I-League campaign. The wisest thing to do at this moment is to give more importance to the I-League.”
East Bengal will start with Baldeep Singh who had struck the opening goal in their win over Balestier Khalsa FC as Ranti Martins and Dudu Omagbemi may start on the bench.
To East Bengal’s advantage, JDT will be without a head coach after the team management had fired Bojan Hodak in a recent development.
The team will play under assistant coach Ismail Ibrahim as it remains to be seen how the players cope up to the change and also the artificial playing surface at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan.
East Bengal were thrashed 1-4 in the first leg match against JDT and their assistant coach Ibrahim they have come here to win.
“We have a full strength side and we have come here to get full points.
Kathmandu, Apr 26 (PTI) At least 17 bodies have been recovered at the base camp on Mount Everest where hundreds of climbers, including many foreigners, are stranded after an avalanche triggered by Nepal’s massive earthquake slammed into a part of the camp on the world’s highest peak.
More than 60 climbers were injured and hundreds of foreign adventurers, hikers and guides at the base camp were feared missing when the avalanche swept down the Everest and buried under snow a section of the mountaineering camp yesterday.
Twenty-two of the most seriously injured climbers were today ferried by helicopters, including from the Indian Air Force, to Pheriche village, the nearest medical facility, though bad weather is hampering rescue and relief operations.
There were more than 100 climbers also at camps 1 and 2 on Mount Everest, above the base camp, and all are reported safe, Nepal Mountaineering Association officials said today, adding it will take time before these people can be evacuated.
A mountaineering team of Indian Army who were hiking on Everest were also safe, an Indian army spokesman said.
One Chinese climber was among the dead while tech-firm Google today reported the death of one of its California-based executive, Dan Fredinburg, in the avalanche on Everest.
Tourism ministry officials estimated that at least 1,000 climbers, including about 400 foreigners, had been at the base camp when Nepal’s worst earthquake in 80 years yesterday noon triggered the avalanche on Everest. The quake also shook neighbouring India and China.
The death toll has crossed 2,000-mark, of which nearly 1,000 are reported killed in Kathmandu valley alone, according to the Home Ministry.
The avalanche began on Mount Kumori, a 7,000-meter-high mountain just a few miles from Everest, and gained strength as it headed downwards towards the base camp, flattening at least 30 tents.
An avalanche in April last year just above the base camp of Everest had killed 16 Sherpa guides.
Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak at 8,848 metre, is scaled by hundreds of climbers every year. The peak was first conquered by New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.
Today’s match highlights
Toss: Kolkata Knight Riders won the toss and elected to field against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
It hasn’t been a happy homecoming for Hyderabad as the side has lost both its matches at Visakhapatnam, and would be looking to turn things around when they take on Kolkata in Wednesday’s first game. Another let-up at home could see them sliding further down in the points table and with majority of the teams having settled in on their combinations already, David Warner’s outfit is yet to figure out its best eleven with some overseas players not firing.
Hyderabad and Kolkata have had distinctly contrasting outings in the 2015 IPL so far. Both teams have played four games each with Hyderabad winning one and losing three, while following back-to-back victories, Kolkata have jumped to the third spot in the standings with three wins and a defeat.
Searing conditions in Visakhapatnam have meant sparsely filled stands and a pitch that has offered inconsistent turn and bounce, and after two defeats, Hyderabad would be hoping to break their duck in their home territory. For Kolkata though, things have begun falling in place after Andre Russell saw them home in a tense contest in Pune followed by a comfortable victory in Delhi.
Sunrisers Hyderabad:
The team has benefited in the bowling department upon the arrival of Dale Steyn, who was overlooked for the first two games for new arrival Trent Boult, and the form of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Praveen Kumar has been encouraging, although they would want their premier spin bowler, Karn Sharma, to tidy up. Karn’s less-than-impressive displays thus far should have prompted a change, but his lower-order hitting against Delhi got his team to within five runs of their target.
The other worrying point has been Hyderabad’ fourth overseas player, with Eoin Morgan not being able to shrug off his poor form with the bat, and he had replaced Kane Williamson after the New Zealander’s twin failures. The management may opt for a swap yet again on Wednesday.
Kolkata Knight Riders:
After registering a comfortable win in the 2015 IPL opener, Kolkata were sluggish against Bangalore but returned to winning ways after Andre Russell’s heroics saved them from defeat against Punjab. The defending champions reeled off another victory in Delhi on Monday thanks to a clinical performance with the ball and there is no real reason for a change when they play Hyderabad.
Stat-Attack:
After enduring a horror start to last year’s IPL campaign where he scored 0, 0, 0 and 1 in his first four innings, Kolkata captain Gautam Gambhir has scored 57, 58, 11 and 60 in his first four innings this year.
Dale Steyn, Sunil Narine and Morne Morkel have the best economy rates in the tournament so far.
Quotes:
Kolkata captain Gautam Gambhir chooses to lead by example: “It’s very easy to get complacent but I assure you that till I am there (at the crease), I will not let them (his team) become complacent.”
Hyderabad batsman Shikhar Dhawan and his opening partner David Warner are not going to back off from any challenge: “We both look to go out in the middle with an attacking mindset. We are naturally aggressive and enjoy playing our shots. We complement each other and that has worked well for our team so far.”
Teams(from):
Kolkata Knight Riders: Gautam Gambhir(c), Robin Uthappa(wk), Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Yusuf Pathan, Andre Russell, Johan Botha, Piyush Chawla, Sunil Narine, Morne Morkel, Kishan Cariappa, Vaibhav Rawal, Aditya Garhwal, Sheldon Jackson, Sumit Narwal, Brad Hogg, Azhar Mahmood, Kuldeep Yadav, Veer Pratap Singh, Ryan ten Doeschate, Pat Cummins, Umesh Yadav
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Shikhar Dhawan, David Warner(c), Kane Williamson, Lokesh Rahul, Naman Ojha(wk), Ravi Bopara, Ashish Reddy, Karn Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Praveen Kumar, Dale Steyn, Eoin Morgan, Ishant Sharma, Moises Henriques, Parvez Rasool, Ricky Bhui, Chama Milind, Kevin Pietersen, Bipul Sharma, Trent Boult, Hanuma Vihari, Prasanth Padmanabhan, Siddarth Kaul
Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ipl-8-sunrisers-hyderabad-vs-kolkata-knight-riders-live-score-match-19/1/431537.html
Ahmedabad: After edging out Rajasthan Royals in a nail-biting IPL game, Kings XI Punjab captain Virender Sehwag credited local boy Axar Patel and Australian allrounder Mitchell Johnson for the victory.
“It was a good game for us. Mitchell Johnson bowled and batted well, credit of the victory should go to Mitchell and Axar,” Sehwag told reporters after Kings XI Punjab defeated Rajasthan Royals in a pulsating ‘Super Over’ contest.
Chasing 192, Punjab spinner Axar Patel blasted a four of the last ball to take the game into a tie.
Shaun Marsh then cracked three boundaries to amass 15-2 in the Super Over, before Mitchell Johnson dismissed Shane Watson and later James Faulkner was run out as Rajasthan suffered to their first defeat following five straight wins.
“Today, luck favoured us but in next games, we will focus on good cricket rather than depending upon luck,” Sehwag said.
“Glenn Maxwell was in good form in previous IPL, but this time his form is concern for the team,” Sehwag said adding that he will soon come back to form.
Rajasthan’s Chris Morris, who bowled the super over, said the score of 192 was not easy to chase.
Morris said he was bowling in a Super over for the first time but he did not feel any pressure.
The South African pacer also praised Ajinkya Rahane, describing him as one of India’s best player, whose good form will help Rajasthan.
When asked whether they will try the bench-strength of the team, Morris said the decision will be finally taken by the team management, but all the players are doing pretty well in the nets and they can take the players, who have not played yet in next games.
PTI
Kolkata Knight Riders cruised to a six wicket win over Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla. Chasing 147 to win, Gautam Gambhir put up a resolute show to guide Kolkata home.
A fifty from Gautam Gambhir and an unbeaten 40 from Yusuf Pathan helps the Kolkata Knight Riders hand a six-wicket defeat to the Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla. Chasing a modest 147 to win, KKR ran into heavy weather as Robin Uthappa and Manish Pandey departed early. However, a solid Gambhir saw the Kolkata team through first with a resolute display with the bat.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Gambhir asked Delhi to bat because, he wasn’t sure about the Kotla wicket. His bowlers however, knew exactly where to bowl. Led by Umesh Yadav and Morne Morkel, the Knight Riders put on a disciplined bowling effort to restrict Delhi to a modest 146/8. Although, young Shreyas Iyer played a defiant innings up top, the failure of the big guns in the middle saw Daredevils lose steam and slump in front on the trio of Yadav, Morkel and Chawla.
Catch all the highlights of the game here (SCORECARD|FIXTURE |TABLE):
23:21 (IST): That’s it! KKR beats Delhi Daredevils by 6 wickets.
23:18 (IST): BOWLED! Gambhir (60) tries to cut Tahir but drags it on to his stumps. Would be disappointed not to have finished the job.
23:17 (IST): SIX! Massive hit from Yusuf Pathan! Lofts Tahir straight over his head.
Delhi Daredevils v Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL 2015, Delhi
Big picture
On their tour to the west and the south east of the country, Delhi Daredevils managed to bury the ghost of 11 straight losses. But back in the Kotla, they face another equally discomforting spectre. Daredevils have lost their previous eight games at their home venue, a sequence that stretches back to 2013. No wonder then that while the teams from other big cities – Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata – have built up strong fan bases, Daredevils are still waiting to connect.
The inclusion of Yuvraj Singh, therefore, was not just based on cricket, it was perhaps thought to be the hook for fans. That hook is yet to work, but the signs are encouraging. Daredevils’ young Indian openers have quietly racked up more than 100 runs each, the legspinning duo of Imran Tahir and Amit Mishra is a constant threat, and the batting is yet to show it’s full colours. The only vulnerability at the moment seems to be in their pace bowling, and with Mohammed Shami ruled out, it is most likely to be that way throughout the tournament.
Kolkata Knight Riders have no such problems. The defending champions are well served with Morne Morkel and Umesh Yadav up front. However, the most interesting aspect of their start to this season is the lack of dependability on Sunil Narine, who has been economical, but has managed just one wicket.
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