Indian news round-up
The Indian team had a work-out at the Indore stadium ahead of the third ODI on Saturday
Staff and Agencies
30-Mar-2001
A target of 300 runs will be ideal: Chauhan
The Indian team had a work-out at the Indore stadium ahead of the
third ODI on Saturday. Talking to reporters after the practice
session, the Indian team manager Chetan Chauhan said the players
on Thursday specifically practiced running between the wickets for
45 minutes to ensure better co-ordination between the batsmen at
the crease. Three Indian batsmen were run out at crucial junctures
in the Pune match which India lost by eight wickets for the five-match
series to be level at 1-1.
After having a look at the Indore pitch, Chauhan said the team was
hoping to set a target of around 300 if it batted first. "Since it
is a batting wicket and outfield is also very well prepared, a
target of 300 runs would be ideal for the match," Chauhan told
reporters after net practice.
On the poor form of skipper Sourav Ganguly, Chauhan said it was only
a matter of time before the stylish left-hander got his touch back.
"Ups and downs do come in the career of everyone and there is nothing
more about it." The former Indian opener also said the team lacked a
genuine allrounder and missed the services of Virender Shewag who was
injured. On Rahul Dravid's injury, Chauhan said "Dravid, who was kept
under observation for a day after being hit on his shin while fielding
in the second match in Pune yesterday, has recovered fully." He added
that the entire team was fit.
Indore accords traditional welcome to both teams
The Indian and the Australian teams were accorded a warm welcome by
the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association on their arrival on Thursday.
In a traditional welcome, two elaborately decorated elephants stood
at a vantage point to receive the teams along with the MPCA officials
and staff.
Instead of meeting reporters, the India team players went straight
into the hotel while the Australians had a ride on the elephants.
The hotel staff have also planned a memorial service for cricket
legend Sir Donald Bradman which would be attended by both teams.
Government, BCCI seek time to reply to Jadeja's petition
The Central government and the BCCI on Thursday sought more time
from the Delhi High Court to file their replies to a petition by
former Indian captain Ajay Jadeja challenging imposition of a
five-year ban on him and a notice to return the Arjuna award.
Appearing on behalf of the BCCI, Kapil Sibal said both AC Muthiah
and anti-corruption commissioner K Madhavan had filed their replies
in their personal capacities, but the board needed some more time
to submit its affidavit.
Central government counsel Maninder Singh also said the sports
ministry, which had given the notice to Jadeja for return of the
award after his indictment by a CBI report on betting and matchfixing, required further time to file its reply. After their
submissions, Justice Vijendra Jain directed the Centre and BCCI to
file their affidavits within three weeks and adjourned the matter for
further hearing to May 9. The court also directed Jadeja to file his
response within two weeks of the filing of counter affidavits by the
board and the government.
Inter-Railway women's championship begins today
The 15th Inter-Railway women's cricket championship will be played
from March 30 to April 6 at Kolkata. Holders Western, South
Central, Northern and hosts Eastern are in the fray in the round-robin
league matches to be played under lights.
Some leading players including a few Indian players namely Mithali
Raj, Rajani Venugopal (South Central), H Kala, Rupanjali Shastri and
Deepa Kulkarni (Western), Purnima Chowdhury (Eastern) and Neetu David
and Ranjini Sharma (Northern) are likely to play in the tournament.
The schedule: March 30: Western vs South Central; March 31: Eastern vs
South Central; April 1: Northern vs Western; April 3: Northern vs
South Central; April 4: Eastern vs Northern; April 6: Western vs
Eastern.