Dravid happy with Watson at the top

Rajasthan Royals skipper Rahul Dravid was happy that star all-rounder Shane Watson would be available for the team right at the start of the tournament. Watson is expected to join the team for their second game against Kolkata on April 08.

In an interview to the Times of India, Dravid stated that Watson brings a lot of depth to the team. "Last year, he was not there for eight or none games and we really missed him. This year, we are lucky to have him at the start. If he plays to his potential, then Rajasthan will benefit immensely." Dravid went onto add that Watson will be promoted to open the innings with Ajinkya Rahane.

Paddy Upton, Rajasthan's coach, said that he was very upbeat about the team's chances this time around. Speaking to the Hindu newspaper, Upton stated that it was important to work out a fine balance between personal and team performance. "The focus will be on delivering top performances at a consistent level. We provide space to the players to take their own decisions. Along with improving their sporting skills, we help them develop their personality in a holistic way."

We are powerless to stop the players: SLC

Reacting to mounting pressure on the authorities to prevent the Sri Lankan cricketers from taking part in the upcoming Indian Premier League, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has said it was powerless to stop the players.

"We can't force players not to go", Nishantha Ranatunga, the SLC secretary said on Saturday.

Buddhist nationalist groups throughout last week petitioned SLC to stop the cricketers from going to India to play in the IPL, after the government clarified that the players were free to go as long as they would not be playing in Tamil Nadu. Ravana Force, one of the groups which pressurised the SLC for a player boycott, said they would resort to sterner action if the players go to India.

"We will not let this happen. We will resort to much drastic action if they go", Ven Ittakande Saddhatissa, a Buddhist monk said.

Both Ravana Force and National Bhikku Federation have said that the Sri Lankans must skip the IPL in protest of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's ban on the Island's players from entering the state. Particularly there is anger among the locals on the reported dropping of Nuwan Kulasekara and Akila Dananjaya by the Chennai Super Kings as means of appeasement of anti-Sri Lankan forces in Tamil Nadu.

Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga described the axing of the two CSK players as too serious a snub that Sri Lankans must think about. As many as 13 Sri Lankan players are scheduled to appear for different franchises at the sixth edition of the IPL, commencing on April 3.

Lee prepared for role of KKR bowling coach

KKR pace ace Brett Lee said that he was fully prepared for the role of bowling mentor for the Kolkata team. The 36 year old takes the place of Pakistani legend, Wasim Akram, who was the bowling coach for the past couple of seasons. Lee said that he was proud to be the bowling mentor while still playing. He said that it was a challenge that he liked to take it up.

The former Australian fast bowler replaced Akram who earlier stepped down as KKR bowling coach as Akram wanted to spend more time with his family. "Wasim decided to spend time with his family and I wish him all the best. He was a great help for the bowlers and I will try my best as the new mentor," said Lee.

Lee admitted that he had big shoes to fill as Akram was an integral member in the KKR side captained by Gautam Gambhir. He was part of the core team along with coach Trevor Bayliss and Akram had a massive influence in KKR winning their first ever IPL in 2012.

The pace spearhead stated that he was ready to play second fiddle to Jacques Kallis, whom he described as the "go to man" in the team. "The bowling attack has variety thanks to the presence of players like Kallis. He has been a crucial player for KKR, be it with bat or ball."

KKR have a varied bowling attack with Lee and West Indian offie Sunil Narine. Both played a key role in the Kolkata franchise winning its maiden IPL crown in 2012. Medium pacers Laxmipathy Balaji and Rajat Bhatia are two other important members in the bowling attack which also boasts the likes of young left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla.

The loss of competitiveness in the IPL

Much newsprint has already been used in the country over debating the ban on Sri Lankan players in Chennai. Should sport and politics mix? Is the decision prompted by political expediency in view of the forthcoming general elections and where do we finally stop with such decisions? Should the BCCI have moved IPL matches away from Chennai like the way they had done in the case of Hyderabad during the Telengana unrest in 2010? And finally should the franchise owners abide by this decision or should they protest against the ban? Each of the questions are relevant and merit discussion. However, in this piece I'd like to concentrate on what this decision does to the Indian Premier League and how the tournament has lost competitiveness as a result of this imposition from the top.

Frankly, CSK hasn't lost much at all. Nuwan Kulasekara and Akhila Dhananjaya wouldn't even have made MSD's first team for most games. In fact, Kulasekara has been part of the team for a while now and has not played more than 25% of the games. And it is difficult to imagine Dhananjaya making the team ahead of the spin duo of Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Rather when Mumbai play Chennai at the Chepauk sans Malinga it is clearly an unfair contest. Without Malinga to bowl the death overs, MI is half the side. It is like Chennai without MSD or Ashwin.

The same is true for the Pune Warriors and more so in the absence of Michael Clarke. Without the services of Ajantha Mendis and Angelo Matthews, the Warriors will be seriously weakened when they play Chennai in Chennai. The ban will also affect the Daredevils because they'd have to leave the skipper Mahela Jayawardene out. Delhi, who have traded Ross Taylor for Ashish Nehra and are without the services of Pietersen who is out of the IPL due to injury, will be a seriously weakened lot when they step out at the Chepauk. Finally, the Sunrisers without skipper Kumar Sangakkara in the team dressing room will be a ship without its captain.

Now let us conjure up a hypothetical situation. Imagine three teams locked in a tussle for a semi-final spot and one of them facing CSK in Chennai without the key players in their ranks. The other two teams, playing in other parts of the country, are in full strength. Simply put, it is blatantly unfair. This ban has seriously dented the credibility of the IPL and has the potential to seriously impact the final results. Team owners, who have picked particular players for particular roles, will now have to adjust last minute. And some players are simply irreplaceable. On the spin friendly Chepauk pitch Ajantha Mendis could well have been a match winner for Pune. Similarly, Malinga is always a match winner for Mumbai.

At a time when the IPL is in need of innovation and team owners are doing everything to grow the support base, the ban comes as a real problem for most of the teams. Weakened significantly as a result, they will now find it immensely challenging against a strong Chennai outfit, which is easily the most consistent team of the competition.

Finally, one should spare a thought for these players. For no fault of theirs they are being treated as pariahs in one part of India. To even suggest that by forcing Malinga out of the Mumbai-Chennai game we can force the hand of the Sri Lankan establishment is naive. This is not even a symbolic gesture. Rather, it trivialises the real issue, which is one of real serious significance. Each of us condemn genocide and by saying that Sri Lankan players will not play in Chennai we are suggesting that only Tamils can only mourn the loss of their brethren. What about Tamils in Kolkata or Mumbai? What about heir sentiments? How will they feel seeing Malinga play going by the same logic? And what about other Indians who feel equally strongly about genocide?

While politics and sports have always been the two sides of the same coin, playing of the national anthem at the start of play is a clear indication of such mixing; these blanket bans just don't serve any purpose. In this case all it has done is render some of the much anticipated games lopsided.

Ryder regains consciousness

New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder has regained consciousness and is talking to friends and family as he recovers from an alleged assault in Christchurch earlier this week, his manager said on Saturday.

Ryder, 28, was rushed to hospital early on Thursday with serious head injuries after being involved in two altercations outside a bar and fast food restaurant in Merivale, a suburb of Christchurch.

Local media reported Ryder had sustained a fractured skull and a collapsed lung in the assault. Two men have been charged with assault and will appear in court on April 4.

"Jesse's condition has improved to the extent that he is now out of the induced coma and off the ventilator," Ryder's manager Aaron Klee said in a statement issued through New Zealand Cricket. Jesse is awake and talking to us, but he is obviously still working through the immediate effects from being in the coma and the drugs the medical team have been using.

"Naturally we are thrilled with this progress. This is only the start of the recovery process for Jesse and there is still a big battle ahead to full health, but the progress is positive."

Ryder had been expected to travel to India for the lucrative Twenty20 tournament with the Delhi Daredevils this week, but had been in a self-imposed exile from international cricket after a series of alcohol-related incidents.

Despite publicly swearing off alcohol, Ryder had begun drinking again in recent weeks, New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills said on Thursday.

Police, however, told reporters on Thursday they did not think alcohol was a factor in the alleged assault. Ryder was not expected to return to international cricket for New Zealand's tour of England in May-June, following their 0-0 draw in the recently completed home test series.

An aggressive batsman with a superb eye and delicate touch, Ryder has made 1,269 runs in 18 tests at an average of 40.93 with a highest score of 201 and 1,100 runs in 39 one-day internationals at 34.37.

Daniel Christian rates IPL higher than Big Bash

Australian all-rounder Daniel Christian on Friday rated the Indian Premier League (IPL) ahead of his country's domestic T20 Big Bash.

"Big Bash popularity is massive in Australia, but obviously not like IPL. The viewership for IPL is pretty high for the IPL than Big Bash," Christian told reporters after a training session at the Chinnaswamy stadium here.

The Big Bash and IPL are fantastic and is a pleasure and honour to play in both the tournaments, he said.

Christian said he has not played under Virat Kohli, but had words of admiration for the Indian vice-captain. He also said he is excited to play alongside Chris Gayle and Muttiah Muralitharan.

"Yeah. I am looking forward to play with Chris, especially after having had to bowl at him a fair bit in the past," he said.

Replying to a query, Christian said in the next couple of days he would catch up with coach Ray Jennings and captain Kohli to know about his role in the team.

"More than likely I will be batting somewhere in the middle and offering some overs like I normally do," he said.

Christian said the team's set-up is very good and was pleased to hear that he had been bought by RCB to play in this year's IPL.

"Obviously, I admired RCB, when I was playing for the Deccan Chargers. I am very pleased when I found out in the auction that I was picked for RCB," he added.

FIXTURE

T20 KKR v DD at Eden Gardens, Kolkata - 04/03/2013
T20 RCB v MI at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore - 04/04/2013
T20 SH v PWI at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad - 04/05/2013
T20 DD v RR at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi - 04/06/2013

Graeme Smith receives ICC Test Championship mace

Dubai: South Africa captain Graeme Smith on Thursday received the ICC Test Championship mace and prize money of USD 450,000 for leading the team to the top spot in ICC Test rankings on the annual cut-off date of April 1.

Smith received the mace from the ICC`s umpires and referees manager, Vince van der Bijl, in a ceremony at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

"I am truly honoured and humbled to receive the Reliance ICC Test Championship mace and prize money, not just on behalf of myself, the players and the team management but on behalf of all South Africans," said Smith.

"We all appreciate the enormous privilege of representing our country and taking on the responsibility that goes with it," he added.

South Africa have finished at the number one spot for the first time since the current ranking system was introduced in 2003.

India are placed third behind England in the current rankings.

Ex-Liverpool defender Aurelio set for Gremio debut

Rio de Janeiro: Former Liverpool and Valencia defender Fabio Aurelio is set to make his debut for Brazilian top-flight club Gremio, more than nine months after suffering a serious knee injury.

The 33-year-old trained freely on Wednesday and was included in coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo`s preliminary squad to face Cruzeiro in the Campeonato Gaucho on Thursday.

Aurelio underwent surgery in July to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee suffered during a training exercise just days after signing with the Porto Alegre club.

He will compete for Gremio`s left-back spot with Arsenal loanee Andre Santos and highly rated teenager Guilherme Biteco.

Aurelio was released by Liverpool in June last year after six seasons and 87 first-team appearances for the Merseyside club.



He also spent six years at Valencia having joined the Spanish outfit from Sao Paulo in September 2000.

I don`t like to set targets for myself: Tendulkar

Mumbai: Mumbai Indians` iconic player, Sachin Tendulkar does not want to set any targets for himself in the Indian Premier League season-6 as the senior Indian batsman is focused on winning the maiden IPL crown for the home team`s loyal fans.

"I don`t like to set targets for myself, even if I set targets, I like to keep it to myself. I am little superstitious that way," said Tendulkar.

"The (team) target is to win the tournament, that`s what all of us wanted to do. It would be a fantastic gift for all the Mumbai Indians fans. I always wanted to win it. We go out there to win and give our best. Leave the rest to the almighty," Tendulkar told `Times Now` on the sidelines of a function here.

Tendulkar, who would be playing under the captaincy of former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting this season, said the team has prepared well for the tournament and will go all out to win the trophy.

"In the earlier seasons also, we always went out to win the tournament but it wasn`t so. Once we got really close and on a couple of occasions, we made it to the semis. All I can promise on behalf of Mumbai Indians team, on behalf of the players, our commitment, focus and dedication will be there.

"No one can guarantee results but one thing we can guarantee is our commitment. Our commitment will be there and we expect the same kind of support that we have received in the last five years. It`s terrific to have that kind of support which helps us to give our best as a team," he added.

Mumbai Indians will start their IPL 2013 campaign on April 4 in Bangalore against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

New Delhi: India`s most successful golfer, Jeev Milkha Singh has signed up for his maiden appearance at the Panasonic Open India next week with the aim of finally winning his first Asian Tour title on home soil. Singh, a two-time Asian Tour number one, confirmed his participation in the third edition of the USD 300,000 tournament at the Delhi Golf Club, a course where he has never won previously. Long regarded as the flag bearer for the Indian golf, Singh has won six times on the Asian Tour and multiple times on the Japan and European Tours, including last year`s Scottish Open. His two Order of Merit triumphs came in 2006 and 2008 on the Asian Tour, which is celebrating its milestone 10th season in 2013. "I`ve played in the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan previously and I`ve done well there, so I`m looking forward to my first time in India," said Singh. "I`m going to play at the Delhi Golf Club after such a long time. I think I last played there some five years ago (at the Hero Indian Open where he finished fourth in 2008). I`m looking forward to that. In April, the course will be firm and hard and I`m looking forward to the challenge." "It`s a very different golf course. I don`t carry my driver on this course...just a three wood and three iron. It`s an amazing course, a demanding course. You have to hit it well and mentally you have to be strong to win on that course." Singh included the Indian Open onto his early 2013 schedule to ensure he achieves the minimum number of tournaments required to keep his Asian Tour card for 2014. "I`ve got to get my numbers up on the Asian Tour this year. I couldn`t do it last year due to injuries. This is my last year of exemption on the Asian Tour (through his Order of Merit triumph). Although I have my career earnings ranking to count on, I want to get my numbers up and keep my full exemption going," said Singh, who was conferred an Asian Tour Honorary Membership in 2009. Singh believes the staging of world-class tournaments such as the Panasonic Open India, which is one of four to be played on the Asian Tour annually, is the perfect platform for India`s emerging talent to enhance their burgeoning reputations. "Indian golf is the fastest growing sport in our country. A lot of new guys are taking up the game, big corporate wigs play the game and they love it. And they put in the money to help the game grow in this country," said Singh. "There is a lot of talent coming out from the country. Anirban Lahiri, Gaganjeet Bhullar and Himmat Rai... they are world class. They can play anywhere in the world and they can do really well," said Singh. The top-three players in the tournament will be extended invitations to the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation, which will be held in Osaka, Japan, in September. The event will be beamed live throughout four days on the Asian Tour Media`s global television platform which reaches over 200 countries and 650 million homes.

New Delhi: Sahara Force India and Mercedes-Benz on Thursday signed a long-term agreement for the Silverstone-based team to use a full Mercedes-Benz powertrain from the 2014 season onwards.

The agreement will see Mercedes-Benz supply Force India with a complete Power Unit (internal combustion engine plus energy recovery system), transmission and all associated ancillary systems under the new regulations for 2014.

Mercedes-Benz entered the era of customer engine suppl

y in 2009 with
the Silverstone-based team and this close working relationship is now in its fifth season.

These historic links and the growing competitiveness of Force India helped pave the way for an expansion of the existing partnership to also include the supply of the gearbox and hydraulic systems.

"Our new agreement with Mercedes-Benz for the coming years is the most significant in the history of Sahara Force India," Dr Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director of Sahara Force India, said.

"With new powertrain regulations being introduced next year, I can`t think of a better partner to work with as Formula One enters a new and exciting era. The agreement gives us the long-term stability we require and will enable us to continue our journey towards the front of the Formula One grid," he added.New Delhi: Sahara Force India and Mercedes-Benz on Thursday signed a long-term agreement for the Silverstone-based team to use a full Mercedes-Benz powertrain from the 2014 season onwards.

The agreement will see Mercedes-Benz supply Force India with a complete Power Unit (internal combustion engine plus energy recovery system), transmission and all associated ancillary systems under the new regulations for 2014.

Mercedes-Benz entered the era of customer engine suppl

y in 2009 with
the Silverstone-based team and this close working relationship is now in its fifth season.

These historic links and the growing competitiveness of Force India helped pave the way for an expansion of the existing partnership to also include the supply of the gearbox and hydraulic systems.

"Our new agreement with Mercedes-Benz for the coming years is the most significant in the history of Sahara Force India," Dr Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director of Sahara Force India, said.

"With new powertrain regulations being introduced next year, I can`t think of a better partner to work with as Formula One enters a new and exciting era. The agreement gives us the long-term stability we require and will enable us to continue our journey towards the front of the Formula One grid," he added.

eev Milkha Singh set for Indian Open debut

New Delhi: India`s most successful golfer, Jeev Milkha Singh has signed up for his maiden appearance at the Panasonic Open India next week with the aim of finally winning his first Asian Tour title on home soil.

Singh, a two-time Asian Tour number one, confirmed his participation in the third edition of the USD 300,000 tournament at the Delhi Golf Club, a course where he has never won previously.

Long regarded as the flag bearer for the Indian golf, Singh has won six times on the Asian Tour and multiple times on the Japan and European Tours, including last year`s Scottish Open. His two Order of Merit triumphs came in 2006 and 2008 on the Asian Tour, which is celebrating its milestone 10th season in 2013.

"I`ve played in the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan previously and I`ve done well there, so I`m looking forward to my first time in India," said Singh.

"I`m going to play at the Delhi Golf Club after such a long time. I think I last played there some five years ago (at the Hero Indian Open where he finished fourth in 2008). I`m looking forward to that. In April, the course will be firm and hard and I`m looking forward to the challenge."

"It`s a very different golf course. I don`t carry my driver on this course...just a three wood and three iron. It`s an amazing course, a demanding course. You have to hit it well and mentally you have to be strong to win on that course."

Singh included the Indian Open onto his early 2013 schedule to ensure he achieves the minimum number of tournaments required to keep his Asian Tour card for 2014.

"I`ve got to get my numbers up on the Asian Tour this year. I couldn`t do it last year due to injuries. This is my last year of exemption on the Asian Tour (through his Order of Merit triumph). Although I have my career earnings ranking to count on, I want to get my numbers up and keep my full exemption going," said Singh, who was conferred an Asian Tour Honorary Membership in 2009.

Singh believes the staging of world-class tournaments such as the Panasonic Open India, which is one of four to be played on the Asian Tour annually, is the perfect platform for India`s emerging talent to enhance their burgeoning reputations.

"Indian golf is the fastest growing sport in our country. A lot of new guys are taking up the game, big corporate wigs play the game and they love it. And they put in the money to help the game grow in this country," said Singh.

"There is a lot of talent coming out from the country. Anirban Lahiri, Gaganjeet Bhullar and Himmat Rai... they are world class. They can play anywhere in the world and they can do really well," said Singh.

The top-three players in the tournament will be extended invitations to the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation, which will be held in Osaka, Japan, in September.

The event will be beamed live throughout four days on the Asian Tour Media`s global television platform which reaches over 200 countries and 650 million homes.

Afridi ready to retire if proper replacement surfaces

Islamabad: All rounder Shahid Afridi has claimed he doesn`t think there is currently any player who is good enough to replace him in the Pakistan team, adding he is ready to retire if a suitable substitute for him is available. Afridi stated that there was a dearth of talented all-rounders and the moment there was someone ready and able to take the responsibility, he would call time on his international career.

Afridi said he would quit as soon as a replacement for him surfaces, adding at present it seems there is no one who has the talent to play as an all-rounder and make a sustained impact at the international level. The all rounder added he has said time and again he would not block anyone good enough for Pakistan. Afridi, who is regarded as the most popular Pakistani cricketer of the present times, also thanked his supporters for renewing their trust in him.

Yusuf Pathan ties the knot with Afreen

Mumbai: Out-of-favour India all-rounder Yusuf Pathan on Wednesday tied the knot with fiancee Afreen, at a family function here.

The 30-year-old big-hitting batsman had got engaged in a private ceremony at his farmhouse in Nadiad, 60 kms from Vadodara, last year.

Afreen was born and brought up in Mumbai but practises physiotherapy in Vadodara.

It is an arranged marriage and the match was decided after both families gave their consent.

Pathan, who has been out of the Indian team for some time now, has scored 1365 runs in 57 ODIs and 438 runs in 22 T20s.

Manchester United could be my last top club: Van Persie

London: Robin van Persie says that he may finish his career at Manchester United, insisting that it is a club where older players are valued.

The 29-year-old has been little short of a revelation since his £24 million summer switch from Arsenal, netting 23 goals in 38 appearances to fire the Red Devils to the summit of the Premier League.

Despite a barren run that has seen the Netherlands international find the net just once in 10 games, Van Persie says that he is relishing life at Old Trafford.

"For the coming years, it`s Manchester United. And maybe longer. United would be my last top club," he told Voetball International.

"I have every day at United a new challenge. My development is an ongoing process. That gets an extra boost when you are surrounded by new coaches and team-mates, all with their own ideas, in a totally new environment."

The former Arsenal talisman went on to laud the club for valuing experience, with 38-year-old Paul Scholes and 39-year-old Ryan Giggs lining up alongside the Dutchman on a regular basis.

"You have a number of clubs in Europe where older players are valued," he added.

"You used to have that at Juventus and AC Milan. Manchester United today is a good example."

Goal.com

Oscar Pistorius can leave SA to compete internationally, with conditions

Pretoria: There was a sigh of relief for Paralympian superstar Oscar Pistorius after he won appeal against bail conditions, and was allowed to leave South Africa to compete in international competition, with certain conditions.

Judge Bert Bam asked the 26-year-old to provide authorities with his travel plans at least a week before he leaves the country. Pistorius was also asked to return his passport to the court within 24 hours of returning to South Africa

Pistorius had also sought an end to supervision by a probation officer and compulsory drug and alcohol testing. His lawyers argued that the “Blade Runner” should be allowed to return to his home and to travel.

Pistorius who is nicknamed "Blade Runner" as he competes on special carbon fibre blades, has been accused of premeditated murder of his model girlfriend and law graduate Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine`s Day.

Pistorius said that it wasn’t premeditated as he mistook her for a burglar who was hiding in the bathroom.

Pistorius was granted bail on a record one million Rand ($112,770) after his bail plea hearing lasted for four days.

Finch replaces Clarke for Pune Warriors

Australian top-order T20 specialist Aaron Finch is all set to replace Michael Clarke in the sixth edition of IPL. Clarke was earlier ruled out of the tournament with a back injury and will be out of action for 10 weeks. Angelo Mathews will captain the team in his absence.

Playing for the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League, Finch scored 332 runs at an average of 66.40 in the last season. However, he was plagued with poor form during the T20s in January against Sri Lanka and West Indies scoring only 12 runs in three matches. On the domestic T20 circuit, he averages 36.14 in 58 matches having scored 1699 runs at a strike-rate of 130.49.

This will be his third IPL franchise after playing for Rajasthan Royals in 2010 and Delhi Daredevils in 2011 and 2012. Delhi Daredevils released him after the 2012 season and he went unsold in this year's auctions at a base price of $200,000.

Finch is expected to leave for India on the 30th. The Warriors will play their first game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 5.

Dhawan to miss Sunrisers opener

Sunrisers Hyderabad, the new IPL outfit, have suffered a blow ahead of the tournament with star player Shikhar Dhawan being ruled out due to injury for at least their opening tie against Pune Warriors, to be held on April 5.

"Shikhar Dhawan at this stage will not be available for the first game. We are obviously working closely with the BCCI and the medical team with regard to his progress," Sunrisers coach Tom Moody said.

"We are hoping that within a couple of weeks he will be available to join the team," he added.

Dhawan, who scored fastest ever century on debut in the recently-concluded Test series against Australia, had sustained an injury during the series.

Asked how many matches Dhawan is likely to miss, Moody replied: "We don't know as yet. We are hoping that he is going to have a speedy recovery."

Stating that the team has a good mix of youth and experience, the coach said that the efforts are being made to improve the bonding among them.

"It (preparation for the IPL) has been going on well. Our first official training session will be this afternoon. We have had a number of meetings with players. Myself, Waqar (Younis), who is the bowling coach and our assist coach...we spent a lot of time on a individual basis," he said.

"For us obviously it is new. Lot of new faces we need to get familiar with. So we spent a good time getting to know the players. We had a good team evening, a good bonding session, which we will continue to do over the next week also.

"Lot of international players are scheduled to come in the next few days. We are obviously excited," Moody added.

Regarding the Sri Lankan players in the team -- Kumar Sangakkara and Thisara Perera -- who would not be able to play in Chennai, Moody said the issue will be dealt by the officials.

"We will let the officials deal with the delicate situation. Both the players (Sangakkara and Perera) are coming and I am sure the officials will sort out the situation in Chennai," he said.

Meanwhile, Waqar Younis, who is the bowling coach of Sunrisers, said it is going to be a big challenge for him.

"It is very exciting for me and also a big challenge. I am appearing in IPL for the first time, hopefully, with Tom and me, Dale Steyn, Ishant Sharma and a lot of other players , we make a good unit and try to do well," he said.

Waqar insisted that he would not be doing anything with seasoned players like Dale Steyn and Ishant Sharma but take care of the younger ones.

He also said it is a great advantage to have VVS Laxman as the team mentor.

Shakib snapped up by Leicestershire

Shakib Al Hasan has been roped in by Leicestershire for their Friends Life T20 competition this season. The young and inexperienced squad are expected to struggle in Division two of the County championships and they will need the addition of some star players to boost their chances. However, Leicestershire have shown that they have T20 pedigree, having won the Friends Life T20 competition in 2011 and making it to the qualifying stages of the T20 Cricket League.

Shakib has been named the No 1 all-rounder in the ODI rankings and is also 2nd in the Test match list. He has been out of cricket since November last year with a stress fracture on his shin but he is confident that he will be fit for Bangladesh's forthcoming tour of Zimbabwe.

He will play alongside Joe Burns, the Australia A batsman, during a tournament which Leicestershire will hope to put in a performance which keeps the fans happy. The coach of the Leicestershire cricket team, Phil Whitticase has said that the team was really pleased to sign on the world's best all-rounder in Tests and ODIs. He pointed out that Shakib has an exceptional record and he hopes that Shakib will contribute in the team's success. Reiterating Mr. Whitticase's statement, Chief Executive Mike Siddall stated, "We are glad to have the services of Shakib who brings in experience and calibre. He has an excellent record and we are looking forward to his wonderful play." Joshua Cobb, who was Shakib's team-mate in the Dhaka Gladiators outfit, will also be in the team.

Kohli, Raina among top 10 in ICC T20 rankings

Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina are the two Indians to figure in the list of top 10 in ICC Player Rankings for T20I batsmen, while India continue to hold onto the number three slot in the teams category, issued here on Friday.

Kohli with 731 points is at number eight position, followed by Raina (719) in the latest rankings table, which is headed by New Zealand's wicketkeeper captain Brendon McCullum (810).

Yuvraj Singh (14) and Gautam Gambhir (18) are the other two Indians to have found a place in the top-20 batsmen's list.

In the team rankings, India are placed third behind Sri Lanka and T20 champions the West Indies.

Offie Ravichandran Ashwin is the only Indian to have featured in the list of top-20 bowlers in the shortest format, which is headed by Sunil Narine of the West Indies.

Gambhir ready to resume battle for KKR

Gautam Gambhir, the KKR skipper, has said that he should be fit in time for Kolkata's opening game against Delhi Daredevils at the Eden Gardens on April 3. Gambhir, who was dropped for the Test series against Australia, recently suffered a bout of jaundice, has resumed training in order to get into the groove quickly.

In an interview to the Hindustan Times newspaper, Gambhir stated that he did not push himself immediately and he started out slowly as he was still suffering from fatigue. He stated that he will be ready for the opening game against Delhi. "After the end of that match, we have a decent break and that should give me time to recuperate."

Gambhir was instrumental in helping Kolkata win the IPL trophy for the first time last year. He was the second highest run-scorer for the team as he led by example. He reiterated that he did not have any regrets on been left out of the Indian team that had whitewashed Australia 4-0. He added that his biggest motivation is playing for India but it is not the only thing in his life. "As a sportsperson, my main aim is to keep on performing. It felt great to be back in the Delhi team after a long time. We won the Vijay Hazare trophy after a gap of 17-18 years and that was a great feeling. I want to score runs to help my team win and I ensure that I do not complicate things. I want to keep my life and cricket simple and that can only be achieved by scoring runs.

KKR Coach Trevor Bayliss, meanwhile, believes that the lack of match practice heading into the IPL will not be a deterrent for Gambhir. Bayliss stated that players like Gambhir and Jacques Kallis would prove their mettle once the tournament starts on account of their experience. In an interview to the Telegraph, Bayliss went onto say, "We have a squad that boasts of highly effective players in the middle order who can handle their responsibilities. There is added pressure upon us due to our achievements in the 2012 edition and we will have to work hard to defend the trophy this time." He added that it was a wonderful feeling to start the tournament as champions and they will look to carry forward the momentum through the competition.

The squad has slowly started to assemble for training. England batsman Eoin Morgan, Lakshmipathy Balaji and Iqbal Abdullah joined the team in Kolkata on Thursday.

Two held in Jesse Ryder assault case

Christchurch: A 37-year-old man has also been arrested and is being questioned regarding his involvement in the assault on New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder.

Earlier, a 20-year old man had been arrested in connection with a late-night attack on New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder.

The two men arrested so far are believed to be related but the police refused to elaborate on their relationship.

The cricketer remains in critical condition after suffering severe head injuries in a brawl outside a bar.

The arrested men will appear in the Christchurch District Court on Thursday.

Ryder was set to represent Delhi Daredevils in IPL season six. The Delhi franchise had paid USD 260000 for his services in the latest IPL players` auction.

The match that revolutionized Indian cricket!

Berbice, March 29, 1983. The venue and the date might not ring a bell with the younger cricket enthusiasts but they will make the older and middle generation’s eyes sparkle with delight even 30 years after the event. What happened on the date in an ODI played between India and West Indies set off a chain of events that revolutionized the game in this country.

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India were on a tour of the West Indies and came to Berbice one down in both the Test and the ODI series. This was along expected lines for the West Indies were then the No 1 team in the world in both formats of the game. India were way down in the list when it came to Test cricket and even further down when it came to the limited overs game. They had played ODIs for a few years but the players were still to come to terms with its intricacies and the overall record was abysmal.

West Indies on the other hand had won the World Cup twice and had outplayed all their opponents in a format that seemed tailor made for them. In Indian cricket Tests still ruled the roost as far as the spectator and TV audience was concerned. Perhaps because of the poor performances of the Indian team, limited overs cricket had yet to catch the fancy of the followers.

Against the backdrop of what Indians teams have achieved over the last decade in particular, it might be easy to shrug off the victory in an ODI in the West Indies exactly 30 years ago as one of no particular significance. On the contrary it occupies – and will continue to occupy – a very special place in Indian cricket.

Put in to bat India led off with an unthinkable total of 282 for five in 47 overs. Leading the run charge was most unexpectedly Sunil Gavaskar. Eight years before he had gained notoriety for scoring 36 not out off 174 balls in a World Cup game against England. This time around he galloped to 90 from 117 deliveries after reaching his 50 off 52 balls.

With Ravi Shastri (30) he put on 93 runs for the first wicket and when Gavaskar after hitting eight fours was second out at 152, Kapil Dev rightly promoted himself in the batting order and proceeded to make mincemeat off the West Indian bowlers. And what a line-up it was! The four pronged fearsome pace attack of Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall and Winston Davis supported by the spin of Larry Gomes and Vivian Richards.

The Indian captain slammed 72 off just 38 balls with seven fours and three sixes. The other batsmen all chipped in with Mohinder Amarnath getting 30, Yashpal Sharma a bright 23 off 26 balls and Dilip Vengsarkar hitting 18 off 19 balls in the slog overs. The Indian total compiled at exactly six an over was the highest any team had made against the West Indies.

Even a star-studded West Indian batting line-up that started with Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes and continuing with Richards, Gomes, Clive Lloyd, Jeff Dujon and Faoud Bacchus was going to find it difficult to get the formidable target and so it proved.

The openers falling with just 22 runs on the board made things even tougher. Richards however kept West Indies in the fight batting in the manner as only he could. But after getting 64 off 51 balls with eleven fours and a six he was bowled by Madan Lal.

The middle order tried to keep the ship afloat. Bacchus got 52, Gomes 26 and Dujon an unbeaten 53 but it was always going to be a losing cause and the West Indies were restricted to 255 for nine in 47 overs leaving India shock winners by 27 runs. Kapil, Madan Lal and Balwinder Sandhu all took two wickets while Shastri did even better finishing with three. Needless to say it was India’s first victory over West Indies in an ODI.

Back home the result was received with utter disbelief. How could the Indians, novices in this format, get the better of the mighty West Indies? Suddenly cricket fans started to take keener interest in limited overs cricket and even though India lost the third ODI to go down 1-2 in the series it did nothing to dampen the new found confidence of the touring squad.

The third World Cup was to be staged in England in June and even though hardly anyone gave the Indians a chance (they were predictably ranked 66 to one outsiders) Kapil Dev and his men went on to pull off one of the biggest upsets ever in the history of cricket.

They first defeated West Indies in their opening match to hand the defending champions their first-ever defeat in the competition, endured a few anxious moments thanks to two successive defeats midway through the campaign, unexpectedly made it to the semifinals, stunned England and then, biggest surprise of all, shocked the West Indies in the final at Lord’s on June 25 (now that’s a date which even the younger fans will be familiar with!).

The World Cup triumph was generally traced to the victory at Berbice three months before - a view that even Kapil concurred with, saying it gave them a lot of self-belief. Most important it gave one day cricket a tremendous fillip in this country. No more was the interest just lukewarm.

The fan following increased manifold, spectators thronged the stadium to see the matches against Pakistan and West Indies held during the 1983-84 season and the greater interest and the historic event at Lord’s brought in sponsors, advertisers and specialized television coverage. It was only a matter of time before ODIs became more popular than Test cricket, a trend that stayed for nearly quarter of a century before Twenty20 took over in the new millennium.