Newsfile: May 3

Pollard faces another week on sidelines: Mumbai Indians’ allrounder Robin Peterson has said his team-mate Kieron Pollard is likely to be out of action for another week at least, because of his injured shoulder. Pollard, who has scored 64 runs and taken 11 wickets in eight games, had picked up the injury in last Friday’s game against Delhi Daredevils, while attempting to take a catch. "According to the medical reports and scans done, Pollard will be out for at least another week," Peterson said. “It’s a big loss for us. He is a quality player.”

Big screens across Kolkata for Pune tie: Kolkata Knight Riders match Pune Warriors, scheduled for Saturday, has been sold out for a while. No surprises there, as the match marks the homecoming of Sourav Ganguly, albeit as an ‘opposition’ player. To cater to the masses who have not secured tickets, the Cricket Association of Bengal plans to set up 12 giant screens across the city, which will display the action, live, from Eden Gardens. "At home you have your television. But what about those who will be out on the roads for various reasons? As the local cricketing body we want them to savour the flavour of the match while on the move," CAB joint secretary Biswarup Dey told IANS. "We have already discussed the matter verbally with the police. We will now send them a formal letter for permission.” If the plan comes to fruition, it will be a first for the IPL, but then, as Dey said, “No other game in the tournament's history has aroused such raw passion."

Watson scalp pleases Negi: Delhi Daredevils' Pawan Negi, with his figures of 4 for 18 against Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday, is the latest uncapped Indian player to come to the fore. His haul included the wickets of Ajinkya Rahane, Shane Watson, Brad Hodge and Ashok Menaria, and he said he valued Watson’s wicket most of all. “I was just trying to stop the flow of runs. It was a good wicket and they [the batsmen] played a few bad shots too. The wicket of Watson was the prized one, because he is such a good player," Negi told PTI. "He [captain Virender Sehwag] told me that Rajasthan batsmen play a lot of inside out shots over extra cover. So he asked me to keep balls a bit short so as to not allow them to go for such shots. This worked to perfection."