Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Starc feels they had India on the mat and should not have allowed the control to slip towards the end of day one of the first Test at the Adelaide Oval here on Thursday.

India were reduced to 127/6 by the 50th over before Cheteshwar Pujara hit a 246-ball 123 to bail out the tourists, helping them reach 250/9 at close of play.

The pace trio of Starc (2/63), Pat Cummins (2/49) and Jose Hazlewood (2/52) shared six wickets, while spinner Nathan Lyon accounted for another two.

“I thought we bowled really well for four hours, probably pretty well for another hour and probably got it a bit wrong at the end there,” Starc told reporters after the first day’s action.

“Cheteshwar Pujara batted a lot of time. He’s someone who likes to absorb pressure and bat a long time, and credit to him he scored a fantastic hundred today.

“I think if you asked us at the start of the day if we’d take losing the toss and India being 9 for 250 at stumps I think we’d bite your arm off.”

Asked about the wicket, which Pujara said was difficult to bat on, Starc commented: “You can’t judge a wicket until both teams have had a crack. One good day isn’t going to win a series. It’s going to go a long way to helping win a Test but it’s nothing to win a series.

“I think we’ve planned and prepared really well for this week and had a lot of vision to look at, and how India have played in the past.

“They did go quite hard (at the ball) but we bowled exceptionally well for the first four hours, especially when the ball got soft and stopped moving around, the scoreboard never got away from us,” Starc said about keeping the run-rate under control.”

Cummins effected a brilliant run out to dismiss Pujara on the last ball of the day.

Talking about the run-out, Starc said: “It was a special moment for him, especially after a long day in the field. It was a good little effort from him.

“Usman Khawaja 3.0 isn’t it? He’s on fire,” Starc said.

“He’s made a huge effort over the last nine months I guess and it’s showing in his batting and now it’s showing in his fielding. A great catch and probably one he’ll keep bringing up now as well, so a great effort from him.

“It was a great catch and hopefully he’s going to have a great couple of days with the bat as well,” said the pacer.

Starc also shed light on his change of action that has helped him generate movement with the Kookaburra ball.

“I’ve been sort of tweaking a few things and trying a few different things with David Saker, looking at perhaps how I bowled in 2015 throughout that World Cup and trying to perhaps get over my front leg a bit more.

“Little things have worked and hopefully the swing that I’ve got the last couple of weeks hangs around for the summer.

“Just little changes and little cues I used to have that I probably went away from or unknowingly went away from. But it’s nice to see the ball moving around and I think we’ve all been preparing brilliantly for this Test series with a little period off after the Shield game.”

Starc hoped to be more consistent with the ball in the coming days.

“Between the batters and bowlers, our preparation’s been fantastic, so it’s one good day out of a long series. So hopefully, personally I can keep swinging the ball around and being that bit more consistent than I have been in the past,” he added.+

IANS

 Cheteshwar Pujara fought his way to a gritty century even as familiar batting woes on foreign soil left India struggling at 250/9 on the opening day of the first cricket Test against Australia here on Thursday.

Pujara posted a wonderfully patient and composed 123 off 246 deliveries before being run out off the last ball of the day. His stay in the middle was studded with seven boundaries and two hits into the stands.

Pacer Mohammad Shami (6) was at the crease when umpires dislodged the bails for the day.

The visitors have only themselves to blame for their troubles as most of their top order batsmen virtually threw away their wickets by going after deliveries which they should have left alone.

Pujara was the only saving grace for the famed Indian batting line-up, which has come into this series with a big reputation.

Despite the regular fall of wickets at the other end, the Saurashtra batsman continued to bat patiently, carefully avoiding the big shots and playing the ball along the ground.

With half their line-up back in the pavilion even before the score had crossed the 100-run mark, it seemed at one point that the Indians would find it hard-pressed to even put 200 on the board.

But Pujara’s grit and determination and his crucial partnerships with Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin restored some respectability to the Indian total.

The Australians bowled with discipline and aggression which saw Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon bag two wickets each.

After a poor first session which saw the fall of four wickets, Pujara and Rohit Sharma tried to stem the rot with a partnership of 45 runs.

However, spinner Nathan Lyon took two wickets during the post lunch session to plunge the Indians into deeper trouble.

Rohit, who scored 37 runs off 61 balls, seemed to be in good touch and set for a big score.

But attempted big shot off Lyon’s bowling handed an easy catch to Marcus Harris.

Rishabh Pant displayed the same tendency to play in the air and go after deliveries outside the off-stump which his more experienced teammates had shown further up the order. It was thus only a matter of time before he also gifted his wicket away.

Almost inevitably, Lyon delivered another blow shortly before tea when Pant edged one to Australian captain Tim Paine behind the stumps.

Asnwin and Pujara then stitched together a stand of 62 runs before the former was dismissed by Cummins.

Earlier, a disciplined bowling attack by Australia left India struggling at 56/4 at lunch.

Opting to bat, the visitors were off to a disastrous start as opener Lokesh Rahul’s (2) thick edge was superbly taken by Aaron Finch at third slip off a Hazlewood delivery with just three runs on board.

Soon, Murali Vijay (11) also followed his partner after falling in the seventh over, leaving India at 15/2.

With the addition of just four runs in the visitor’s scorecard, pacer Pat Cummins gave a huge blow to India after packing back skipper Virat Kohli (3), thanks to a stunning catch by Usman Khawaja at gully.

Pujara and Rahane (13) then tried to put things back in control, adding 22 runs for the fourth wicket however, Hazlewood struck again in the the 21st over to dismiss the latter.

Incoming batsman Rohit Sharma and Pujara then played some sensible cricket as India crept past the 50-run mark.

Brief scores:

India: 250/9 (Cheteshwar Pujara 123, Rohit Sharma 37; Mitchell Starc 2/63, Josh Hazlewood 2/52, Pat Cummins 2/49, Nathan Lyon 2/83) vs Australia on Day 1.

IANS

Rio de Janeiro Argentine legend Diego Maradona was a better footballer than the country’s modern-day idol Lionel Messi, according to Pele.

Barcelona forward Messi — a five-time winner of the Balon d’Or, awarded to the world’s best player — is not even rated in the top three of football’s greatest players by the 78-year-old Brazilian.

“As far as I’m concerned, Maradona was one of the best players ever,” Pele said on Wednesday in an interview with the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper.

“If you ask me, ‘Was he better than Messi?’ Yes, he was. Much better. (Franz) Beckenbauer, (Johan) Cruyff are also better. They’re also excellent players.”

Pele and Maradona have not always seen eye to eye, but Pele said the pair now enjoy a “perfect” relationship.

The only man to win the World Cup three times, Pele is widely regarded as the best footballer of all time.

In recent years he has suffered a series of health problems, but said he is now feeling 100 per cent.

“I don’t feel any more pain, but I feel some weakness. I had some good legs and look how they are now,” the former Santos and New York Cosmos player said, Xinhua reported.

Pele also revealed that he spoke to compatriot Neymar about the Paris Saint-Germain forward’s penchant going to ground when tackled.

“It’s difficult to defend Neymar for all the things he does beyond playing football. I talked with him, I told him that in soccer, he’s got it. He had bad luck because the team didn’t win the World Cup and he was branded,” Pele said.

“I was with him twice in Europe. We talked and I told him: ‘In soccer, God gave you a gift, but what you did is what made it difficult.”

(IANS)

Adelaide, Dec 6 (IANS) Poor shot selection by Indian batsmen coupled with excellent bowling by Australia left the visitors struggling at 143/6 at tea on the opening day of the first cricket Test here on Thursday.

At break, Cheteshwar Pujara was unbeaten after a gritty innings during which he posted a patient 46 off 141 deliveries, with Ravichandran Ashwin was batting on 5 at the other end.

The visitors have only themselves to blame for their troubles as most of their top order batsmen virtually threw away their wickets by going after deliveries which they should have left alone.

After a poor first session which saw the fall of four wickets, Pujara and Rohit Sharma tried to stem the rot with a partnership of 45 runs.

However, spinner Nathan Lyon took two wickets during the post lunch session to plunge the Indians into deeper trouble.

Rohit, who scored 37 runs off 61 balls, seemed to be in good touch and set for a big score.

But attempted big shot off Lyon’s bowling handed an easy catch to Marcus Harris.

Despite the regular fall of wickets at the other end, Pujara continued to bat patiently, carefully avoiding the big shots and playing the ball along the ground.

But Lyon delivered another blow shortly before tea when Rishabh Pant edged one to the slip cordon.

Earlier, a disciplined bowling attack by Australia left India at 56/4 at lunch.

Opting to bat, the visitors were off to a disastrous start as opener K.L. Rahul’s (2) thick edge was superbly taken by Aaron Finch at third slip off a Josh Hazlewood delivery with just three runs on board.

Soon, Murali Vijay (11) also followed his partner after falling in the seventh over, leaving India at 15/2.

With the addition of just four runs in the visitor’s scorecard, pacer Pat Cummins gave a huge blow to India after packing back skipper Virat Kohli (3), thanks to a stunning catch by Usman Khawaja at gully.

Pujara and Rahane (13) then tried to put things back in control, adding 22 runs for the fourth wicket however, Hazlewood struck again in the the 21st over to dismiss the latter.

Incoming batsman Rohit Sharma and Pujara then played some sensible cricket as India crept past the 50-run mark.

Brief scores:

India: 143/6 (Cheteshwar Pujara 46 batting, Rohit Sharma 37; Josh Hazlewood 2/28, Nathan Lyon 2/51) vs Australia at Tea on Day 1.

 In-form NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) will look to break Bengaluru FC’s dominance and close the gap at the top of the table when the two sides clash in an Indian Super League (ISL) game at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium here on Wednesday.

Bengaluru have been the best team in the league so far, remaining unbeaten in eight matches, wining seven of them, including six on the trot.

But they will still be on their guard as they are challenged by the next best side in the league, who are placed second and have 18 points from nine matches.

NorthEast coach Eelco Schattorie will be highly motivated to end Bengaluru’s unbeaten run. The home side have not exactly been in red-hot form this season, particularly at home.

They have registered a single win in their four matches on home soil but coach Eelco Schattorie will hope they can get a positive result as they attempt to break the 20-point mark at the start of the second leg.

It will not be easy for the team, particularly with matches coming in thick and fast.

“I think Bengaluru have an advantage here (because of the fixtures). But they don’t have their best player (Miku) available, so I think that’s a disadvantage. But they have shown that they can win games even without him. They have conceded just six goals so far so breaking them open will be difficult,” said Schattorie.

In midfield, Jose Leudo and Rowllin Borges will have to shoulder additional responsibility as they come up against a solid midfield pivot consisting of Dimas Delgado and Erik Paartalu.

Bengaluru have maintained a 100 percent record on the road, winning each of their four away games. Despite the continued absence of Miku, who has been a vital cog in their team, the likes of Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh and others have stepped up to the challenge.

Bengaluru coach Carles Cuadrat will be pleased with the collective effort of his squad in front of goal. Players such as Rahul Bheke and Nishu Kumar have contributed with a goal or two as Bengaluru continue their march into the play-offs.

“NorthEast United FC have done really well this season. From all their games that I’ve watched this season, I can see that there’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes. They’ve been working hard and you can also see that they have done well with their scouting. They’ve brought in some good players and you can see that the club is growing,” said Cuadrat.

Bengaluru have looked susceptible to pressure outside their Fortress as they have conceded at least a goal in their last three away games. Schattorie would have done his homework and now it’s over to his boys to do the needful.

 The Delhi franchise of the Indian Premier League (IPL) unveiled its new identity on Tuesday, which includes a new name, new crest and new colours for the upcoming season.

Delhi Daredevils have renamed themselves as Delhi Capitals. The new name originates from an identity that’s exclusive to Delhi — the capital of India.

Delhi Capitals will compete in the 12th season of the Indian Premier League under the guidance of head coach Ricky Ponting, assistant coach Mohammad Kaif, bowling coach James Hopes and captain Shreyas Iyer.

“We, at JSW Sports, are proud to be associated with the capital city of India and wanted our team, our players, our fans to wear that fact with pride.” said Parth Jindal, Co-Owner and Chairman, Delhi Capitals.

“With a new name, a new logo and a new look, Delhi Capitals’ vision is to continuously entertain fans all across through high quality performances, both on and off field. We also want to revolutionize the way the fans connect and engage with their favourite franchise. We believe a change in identity for the club was necessary to effectively live and breathe this vision,” he added.

Delhi Capitals will sport a new logo and crest for the upcoming Indian Premier League season.

“I have been through a lot of ups and downs in my time as a cricketer, and have realised how important it is to sometimes take a step back and start afresh,” Ponting said.

“A new ideology and approach can do wonders towards revitalising a team, renewing their energy and spirit, which will in turn permeate into the team’s performances. Our team currently has all these in abundance and our goal is to achieve our new vision,” he added.

Delhi Capitals traded in Shikhar Dhawan and have retained 14 players ahead of IPL 12 auctions and are aiming for a right mix of players for the upcoming season.

IANS

Australia outclassed England 3-0 in a complete one-sided Pool B affair of the ongoing 2018 Hockey World Cup at the Kalinga stadium here on Tuesday.

With this win, Australia topped their group chart with two wins from as many games and six points in their kitty, while England are at the second spot after suffering a loss and playing a draw.

The contest remained goalless for the first three quarters before Jake Whetton found the back of the net in the 47th minute to put Australia ahead.

Three minutes later, Blake Govers’ goal extended Australia’s lead to 2-0, while Corey Weyer also scored in the 56th minute to make the scoreline read 3-0.

IANS

 The hockey players, who are showing their mesmerising skills on the ground in the Men’s Hockey World Cup, entertained the fans with their dancing skills at Kalinga Stadium here on Tuesday.

The participating teams visited the Fan Village and shared their experience, likings for different Indian foods and journey so far with the spectators. While they shook a leg on several Bollywood numbers, they also took selfies with the fans.

The Fan Village set up in an area of 18,000 square meters has been designed to keep the visitors engaged in various activities.

The players of South Africa, Belgium and India visited the village on Tuesday.

“It’s nice to see that people here are more interested in sports much more than Europe. It is amazing while interacting with the people and participating in the event,” Belgian player Simon Gougnard told IANS.

Some Belgian players shared their liking for the Indian foods including chicken and paneer.

“Although the Indian foods are little spicy, I like these. I like black dal and butter chicken,” said Arthur Van Doren.

The Indian players, who visited the Fan Village with their chief coach Harendra Singh, also shared their experiences with the audience.

“I feel very happy being here. This is not the first tournament I am playing here. I have already played two tournaments here. The support of the crowd is amazing. It is like the second home for us. The support of the crowd works like a 12th player. They are very friendly,” said Indian hockey team captain Manpreet Singh.

The Indian team was accorded a grand welcome at the Odisha Police stall at the Fan Village.

The Indian hockey team on Tuesday visited seabeach in pilgrim town Puri and played football.

“We feel relaxed and we are enjoying the gap time. We went to Puri and spent some time there. We also played football on the beach,” said Birendra Lakra.

He said visiting the Fan Village and interacting with the hockey fans was amazing.

Pool D teams Malaysia, The Netherlands and Germany will visit the Fan Village on December 6. France, New Zealand, Argentina and Spain will visit on December 7 while China, England, Ireland and defending world champions Australia will pay a visit to meet their fans on December 8.

There are plenty of other activities in the Fan Village with activities that range from anti-gravity photo booth which lets people click gravity-defying photos in a hockey stadium ambience while those who wish to take a 360 degree photo can do so at the 360 degree photo booth.

The massive fan village also features several eatery stalls including those of local specialities like the Odisha Millet Missions for those who prefer to eat healthy.

The organisers have also created a three-a-side hockey turf for those who feel inspired by their favourite stars playing the prestigious event and wish to emulate the action on a mini-turf.

 India discard Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The Ranji Trophy game between Delhi and Andhra starting on Thursday at the Feroz Shah Kotla here will be his last game.

“The next Ranji trophy match against Andhra will be my last game in the sun. It is all coming to an end from where it started at Feroz Shah Kotla,” Gambhir said in a video message on social media.

“As a batsman I have always valued timing. I know the time is just right and I am sure it’s sweet as well,” he added.

The 37-year-old Delhi batsman has played 58 Tests (4154 runs), 147 One-Day Internationals (5238 runs) and 37 Twenty20 Internationals. He has also played 197 first-class matches.

While reflecting on some of the high points of his career, Gambhir admitted that the dreaded feeling that his ability to play at the highest level is decreasing has haunted him for sometime.

“Grounds, dressing rooms, wash rooms, you name it the thought has rarely deserted me. Each time I got out playing for India or KKR or Delhi Daredevils this thought would turn into a sharp, disturbing noise and walk with me all the way to the dressing room shouting: “IT IS OVER GAUTI”.

“It slapped me hard when I got those three ducks in a row in 2014 IPL. Then again when I had a dreadful tour to England the same year. In 2016 I was on my knees again. I was dropped after Rajkot Test match against England. But once again I refused to pay attention. I wanted to beat this noise. Instead of getting knocked down, I punished my body even more.

“After a decent 2017 domestic season I entered this year’s IPL with confidence as my best buddy. My feet seemed to have got fresh batteries. My head was still as a pond. And my game, roaring as a raging ocean. I thought all those negative noises were dead. But I was wrong. Six games of IPL for Delhi Daredevils it was back. And this time it was louder than before. Perhaps, my time was up. Yes, my time was up,” he said.

“So, here I am, after more than 15 years of cricket for my country I want to retire from playing this beautiful game. Despite all the aches and pains; fears and failures I won’t mind a repeat of this in my next life too. But obviously with a few more wins for India, a few more hundreds and in the next life may be a few 5-wicket hauls as well.”

While reflecting on the high points of his career, he said: “The historic series wins in New Zealand and in CB series in Australia will be reflected upon fondly. But I do hope the current Indian team Down Under can overshadow our feats. I won’t say the list is satisfactory as I feel I was good enough for a lot more.”

“This may sound a little wishful but then I have seen wishes do come true. Two World Cups, highest run-getter in finals of both these games is a stuff dreams are made of and I only had this dream of winning the World Cup for you all. I think someone up there was writing my script but looks like now he has run out of his ink.

“But along the way he wrote some fascinating chapters. Somewhere on the top is being part of the number one Test team in the world. A trophy that I look at very fondly is the one that I got for being awarded ICC Test batsman of the year in 2009. For a purist like me it is a reward of somewhat knowing where my off-stump was,” he added.

The former India opener also thanked everyone he has encountered during the course of his career.

“Next on my thank you list are the curators, groundsmen and numerous dressing room attendants across India. They toiled for little or minimal returns for what is essentially treated as a thankless job. I hope their life standards improve from that they are now. A big thanks to each one of you. I’d also like to thank numerous net bowlers who bowled to me so that I can become a better batsman. They travelled long distances just to help me practice. Thank you very much.

“My cricket coach Mr Sanjay Bhardwaj stood with me during thick and thin of life. Whenever in trouble I could count on him. “Sir, I don’t know if I have you proud but I can assure you sir I gave it all that I had.” Sanjay sir introduced me to the other coaching influence of my life, the late Mr Parthasarthy Sharma. He was an institution in the art of batting. A lot of credit for my ability to play spin bowling should go to him. I hope I was worth his time,” he said.

“The thing that I will miss the most is the camradrie of an Indian team’s dressing room. It was a wonderful place to be in. Yes, there are pressures of international sport but then when you have team-mates like I had these pressures look elementary. I learnt heaps from each one of them. I will miss all of that and more. Thank you guys, you all will be my one, big family,” he added.

“Thank you DDCA and BCCI for helping me realise my dreams. Thank you KKR for giving me an opportunity to express myself as leader.”

Gambhir also thanked the fans for their support.

“Along this journey I have fostered some meaningful partnerships. None more than with you guys, the supporters of Indian cricket, the most important stakeholders. I have always disapproved of the terms “fans” or “crowd”. Its quite demeaning because I think at the end of the day it is you guys who make cricket or cricketers what they are,” he said.

Talking about the support from his family, Gambhir said: “In the end I’d like to thank all my family members for their love and support. My parents, grand parents, both the mamas and maamis, my wife and my two little angels who took all my tantrums and mood swings.”

“I’d like to begin with the original talent scout of my family, my mom. It was she who took me to a proper cricket academy at the age of 10 and rest is history. In my tough times Mom was and is my favourite punching bag. I am extremely sorry mom I have been an absolute jughead. My dad took more pressure than me whenever I played. He never shared with me but his colleagues would tell me he’d never watch TV when my game was on. Dad, you too can relax now.”

IANS

Thousands rushed to watch India’s match against Kenya at the Intercontinental Cup 2018 after skipper Sunil Chhetri made an appeal on Twitter asking fans to fill the stadium. India won the match and his tweet has now been recognised as the most “retweeted tweet” of the year from India.

All the 7,000 tickets at the Mumbai Football Arena were sold out days ahead of the match after Chhetri’s appeal went viral.

The video Tweet from @chetrisunil11 has been retweeted almost 60,000 times, Twitter India said on Wednesday.

In his video message, Chhetri said: “Abuse us, criticise us but please come to watch the Indian national team play.”

“To all of you, who have lost hope or don’t have any hope in Indian football, we request you to come and watch us in the stadium.”

The Indian team captain made the appeal after just around 2,500 fans came to watch their previous game.

Virat Kohli’s (@imVkohli) tweet featuring a picture with Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) on the occasion of Karvachauth, also won hearts on Twitter.

With over 215,000 likes, the Tweet showcasing the celebrity couple in ethnic wear emerged as the “most liked” Tweet of 2018.

In 2018, regional entertainment conversations expanded and generated massive engagement on Twitter in India.

South Indian films #Sarkar, #Viswasam, #BharatAneNenu, #AravindhaSametha, #Rangasthalam, #Kaala and TV show #BiggBossTelugu2 clinched seven of the top 10 hashtags this year.

Beyond entertainment, the return of Chennai Super Kings with #WhistlePodu and the emergence of #MeToo in India added to the top hashtag trends.

2018 was also the year when Twitter reacted en masse as people demanded #JusticeForAsifa, engaged in ongoing political debates on #KarnatakaElection and #Aadhaar.

But it was not just politics and movements that had people tweeting in 2018. India celebrated Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s (#DeepVeer) romance as well as major wins at global sporting occasions like #AsianGames as Indian athletes, including Bajrang Punia (@BajrangPunia), Hima Das (@HimaDas8) and PV Sindhu (@Pvsindhu), won laurels.

IANS