[Nasheman news]New Delhi  Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting believes that Rishabh Pant is perfect for playing the role of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s deputy in the upcoming World Cup, slated to begin on May 30 in England and Wales.

With the 15-member squad still to be picked for the showpiece event, Ponting has said some good knocks for the Delhi Capitals would make Pant the favourite.

Notably, Pant was subjected to “Dhoni, Dhoni” chants in Mohali during the fourth One-Day International between India and Australia after the stumper missed a couple of stumping chances. 

“I think it’s actually a big job for me and the coaches when he comes in, to make him forget what’s happened in the last few days. He’s probably lucky it happened in the last couple of games. It would have been hard to play all five games under that kind of pressure. Now he’s back in a competition where he has dominated in the past,” Cricbuzz quoted Ponting as saying.

“If he can win a couple of games for us then everything will be forgotten. I can’t see anyone better than him as a second wicketkeeper in that Indian World Cup squad,” he added.

Pant has been termed as Dhoni’s successor but the Delhi boy hasn’t received much opportunities with the presence of the experienced stumper. 

However, with Dhoni likely to retire after the World Cup, the Delhi lad would get more opportunities to showcase his talent.

Nasheman News : The debate on whether India skipper Virat Kohli is as good or better than the legendary Sachin Tendulkar shall not die down any time soon. But former Australia leg-spinner and current Rajasthan Royals brand ambassador Shane Warne has a fun take on this. Asked on and off about the two and who he considers best, Warne says he “would not wish to bowl to either of the Indian batsmen”.

Speaking to IANS even as the Royals prepare for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, Warne said while Viv Richards was the best ODI batsman he has seen, he would like to judge Kohli once his career is done.

Going back to who he would bowl to, Warne joked that he would rather bowl to someone like former South Africa batsman Daryl Cullinan — known to have been his bunny during their playing days.

“Sachin in the mid 90s and also Brian Lara in the mid 90s were a class above everyone else. Not so much in the later half of their careers, but in that phase of four to five years from 1994-95 they were just a class above. 

“Virat and Sachin are two completely different players altogether, but they are greats. None (I would wish to bowl to) actually (Warne laughs). To me both are terrific players, I couldn’t chose one,” he said. 

“To me we all know Don Bradman was the best batsman and that is unanimous. Outside that, to me Viv Richards was the best player I saw. I would rather bowl to someone else. Bring me Cullinan to bowl to, he is easy. 

“To me the best ODI batsman I have seen would be Viv and Virat. Virat’s record is just insane — that how good he is. It is just so hard to judge a player when he is playing,” he added.

Commenting on his role with the Royals this year, Warne said he was looking forward to the role of promoting the franchise as also he would look to find some time to go and have a chat with the players.

“I love the evolution of the IPL, the passion of the fans and the evolving of the tactics of the players. I have been a captain and coach for four years, I was a consultant, I was a mentor with the team last year and now a brand ambassador. 

“I will be working more off field this year, spreading a word on the Royals globally which is pretty cool. But yes, I will try and have some interaction with the players at some stage. I have really enjoyed it,” he recollected.

Royals batsman and former Australia skipper Steve Smith will look to technically make his return to the world stage — post the 12-month ban for his part in the Sandpaper Gate fiasco — with the IPL and Warne believes that he is a class act and he will definitely return to action a lot more hungry. 

Warne also believes that the Australian team will wear a far more composed look with the return of both Smith and David Warner.

“He is a huge player. If you look back at the time in March last year and you say — who were the top five players in the world,– you would say Kohli, AB de Villiers, Steve Smith, David Warner and Kane Williamson. 

“So Australia had two of the top five players and to lose them was a big loss, just as was the case for Royals with Smith.

“This year, Royals will have him back and hungry and wanting to show the world how good he is. He is fresh and has missed the game that he loves. I think he will be terrific for the Royals this year and I am looking for some big things,” he explained.

This year’s IPL will be followed by the World Cup and if India are to stay true to their tag of being favourites, the duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have to put on a quality show. 

While Kuldeep is a self-confessed fan of Warne, the master spinner has also worked with Chahal and feels that they could actually spin a web over the opposition batsmen in England this year.

“I will not give away the secrets of what me and Kuldeep spoke about, but Anil Kumble first introduced him to me a few years back. And then in Australia, Ravi Shastri and Kohli asked me if I would mind speaking to him. 

“Chahal himself messaged me asking if we could have a session, and I said sure. So we started working and every morning before my commentary stint he would walk up to me and we would chat about things.

“I would give him some tips, discuss some basics, talk about some tactical stuff which would also have some technical aspects, but more about plans and how to set up batsman. 

“When you help someone a bit and then you see him do well, it is rewarding. I am always keen to help any spinner. I have also had a few sessions with Chahal. 

“In the World Cup, a lot depends on the weather. If the weather is like last time when India was there, they will have a role to play. They will have a big impact in the World Cup,” he said.

Coming back to the IPL, Royals player Ashton Turner made a huge impact in the just concluded series between India and Australia and Warne says that speaking to Dimitri Mascheranas and watching him playing in the Big Bash was behind the move to rope him in at the Royals. 

The maestro in fact called up the Royals owners and asked them to bag Turner at the auctions in Jaipur this season.

“Just watching him play, a good friend of mine Mascheranas and me were speaking about the Big Bash and he asked me to take a good look at Turner. So, I studied him a bit and then rang the Royals owners and said that they should get Turner as the kid was good. So they went ahead and bought him and now the 50 grands spent on him looks pretty good. 

“Turner has a very level head on his shoulders for a young player. He is a future leader and has done a great job at Perth Scorchers. He plays spin just as good as he plays pace,” he signed off.

Nasheman News :The Supreme Court on Friday cancelled life ban on India cricketer S. Sreesanth and asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reconsider his punishment.

Sreesanth was arrested by Delhi Police along with Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan on charges of spot-fixing during the 2013 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

In a relief for the pace bowler, the apex court set aside the life ban imposed on him as a bench headed by Ashok Bhushan asked the BCCI to consider the quantum of punishment on Sreesanth.

The top court though maintained that he is guilty of betting/match-fixing.

Delhi Police had arrested Sreesanth from his friend’s house while Chandila and Chavan had been picked up from the team hotel as the three were plying their trade for Rajasthan Royals in the T20 league.

Nasheman News : India skipper Virat Kohli blamed poor death overs bowling for the 35-run loss to Australia in the fifth and final One-Day International (ODI), here on Wednesday.

The Australians rode a century from in-from opener Usman Khawaja and a half-century by Peter Handscomb to post 272/9 before dismissing the hosts for 237 runs to claim the match and the series.

“Yeah, we thought it was a gettable target. They got away from us a little bit at the end, and 15-20 more than we thought we were going to concede. One or two overs can make a whole lot of difference. But if you look at the overall series, Australia played with more passion, hunger and heart and they deserved to win,” Kohli said after the match. 

“They were brave in pressure situations compared with us, especially in the last 3 games the way they handled the pressure, they really deserved to win,” he said.

Admitting that Australia were the better team in the five-match series, Kohli revealed the World Cup squad is more or less set.

“The guys will reflect on the series quite a bit. It’s been a long season, and we can be proud of the cricket we have played over the last few months. Both teams played with equal intensity, but the deserving side won in the end as I said before. We are more or less sorted with what we want to do,” he said.

“The guys just need to get their roles for the World Cup and expect them to stand up and deliver. Just one spot in the side needs some discussion. The last three games were all about giving the fringe guys some chances, but that’s not an excuse at all. You don’t need any motivation for the World Cup. All the sides will enjoy the tournament. Full stadiums. We just want to relive the big moments and do well in the World Cup.”

Nasheman News : The last ODI series before the World Cup might not have gone as planned for the Indians. They lost to Australia 3-2. However, skipper Virat Kohli is happy with the experimentation the team did ahead of the World Cup in England.

He now wants the boys to go into the Indian Premier League (IPL) and enjoy themselves before the showpiece event, starting May 30.

“What we spoke in the dressing room was go and enjoy in the IPL these two months. Must enjoy ourselves and play because we enjoy the game. 

“Being on the road for so long does take a toll, but when there is a long season, you can reflect on it. 

“I think it has been a hectic season, but we are proud of how we have played. Guys have come around and shown character. 

“All of us deserve to go into the IPL and enjoy ourselves. Everything will be taken over by the World Cup when it comes to the tournament,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation on Wednesday.

“We have discussed workload and asked the players to be smart and inform the franchises. All the workload will be monitored and the players will take the opportunity to take breaks. 

“We will be committed to play the IPL but the World Cup comes once in four years. Everyone is committed to the World Cup and want to be a part of the bus,” he said.

Commenting on the loss in the last series before the World Cup, Kohli said: “The fact that Australia came and won here means it was a hard fought series. They played better and won. 

“We have been playing good cricket and doesn’t feel like a loss. Nobody is panicking because we know the things we were looking to do in the last three games. They just showed more composure in pressure situation.”

“I think this is exactly how we played in Australia. We were more brave than them in their situation. We just went out and expressed ourselves. 

“When they saw they had a foot on the door, they showed more heart and deserved to win as they are a young team. Good for their confidence to do well in India. We didn’t play as well as they did,” he added.

While dew did play a major role in this series, Kohli said that one cannot complain about one’s home conditions. 

“We cant be weighed down by our own conditions. They were more positive and brave and so they won those important moments. 

“It gets difficult to go past those sides. Here and Ranchi there was constant pressure on us. Credit has to be given where due,” he said with a smile.

The team did experiment with the playing XI keeping in mind the World Cup and Kohli said he would not use that as an excuse for the loss in the ODI series.

“We won’t give trying players an excuse. We expect every player who comes to play for India must do well. Conditions based changes will be there in England, but we know the XI we wish to play. 

“We have a balanced side as Hardik Pandya will return to the team. We know where we need to go as a team. Must take better decisions in tough conditions,” the Indian skipper said.

“I can’t comment on who will take pressure in the World Cup. We must wait till the side is announced. Cannot speak on the combinations. Whoever gets a chance to play must take responsibility and pressure,” he pointed out.

While everyone has spoken about India being one of the favourites to win the tournament, Kohli clarified that nobody is a favourite in a World Cup.

“Every team in the World Cup is a threat. Any team on a roll can be defeated in the big matches by a team that is brave and expressive on that day. 

“No team is favourites going into the World Cup. Any team is dangerous. Everyone will look to take positive mindset into the showpiece event,” he added.

Nasheman News : Swiss Roger Federer, a five times Indian Wells champion, has qualified for the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells tournament, the first Masters 1000 of the season, by defeating the UK’s Kyle Edmund 6-1 and 6-4 in 64 minutes.

Federer, current world number four, disarmed his opponent from the beginning and took the first five games on Wednesday. 

The Briton improved in the second set, but in the fifth game could not avoid a key break that led to victory for the Swiss and his advance, for the thirteenth time in his career, to the quarterfinals of the California desert classic tournament, reports Efe news.

On the other hand, Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, current world No. 2, got his ticket to the quarterfinals after beating Serbian Filip Krajinovic 6-3 and 6-4 in one hour and 27 minutes.

His rival in the quarterfinals will be Russian Karen Khachanov who beat American John Isner 6-4 and 7-6 on Wednesday.

Earlier, Spanish tennis player Garbine Muguruza was eliminated in the quarterfinals of Indian Wells losing 6-0 and 6-1 in 53 minutes against the young Canadian Bianca Andreescu, who is 18-years-old.

Andreescu will face the winner of the match between Ukrainian Elina Svitolina and Czech Marketa Vondrousova in the semi-finals of the tournament.

Nasheman News :Australia skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and opted to bat against India in the fifth and final ODI of the rubber at the Ferozshah Kotla here on Wednesday.

The visitors Shaun Marsh misses out for Marcus Stoinis while Nathan Lyon has replaced Jason Behrendorff. On the other hand, Yuzvendra Chahal has been replaced by Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami replaces Lokesh Rahul.

The series is currently tied at 2-2.

Teams:

India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(Captain), Rishabh Pant(wicket-keeper), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.

Australia : Aaron Finch(Captain), Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey(wicket-keeper), Jhye Richardson, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon.

[Nasheman news] Kolkata The development at the grassroots level must be strong for any footballing nation to rise through the ranks and that is exactly what India aims at as it takes baby steps in the soccer world.

The success of Indian Arrows is definitely a step in that direction and head coach Floyd Pinto is elated. 

The Youth Development Programmes (YDP) project of AIFF, which majorly comprises of boys who played in the Under-17 World Cup and some talented 16-year-olds, saw 11 players being called for the U-23 national camp for the AFC Qualifiers. 

Speaking to IANS, Pinto said that the call-ups were truly deserved and the kids must take a step at a time and make the opportunities count as the Super Cup beckons.

“The 21 points in the I-League is a testament to the potential of youth in football. Surpassing last season’s numbers was a good feeling indeed. Ending the season with a win against the mighty Mohun Bagan at the majestic Salt Lake Stadium was an indicator that the boys are ready to compete at the highest level against the best teams in the country,” he smiled.

Commenting on the significance of the upcoming Super Cup, he said: “The Super Cup is another opportunity and platform to showcase the abundance of talent, capability and ever-improving competency of this youthful Arrows side. 

“The boys truly believe that they are in it to compete, and not just make up the numbers.”

Talking about the chosen 11, Pinto is filled with a sense of pride. 

“We felt a sense of pride and achievement. It is the next logical step in their development towards the goal of representing the country at the senior level,” he expressed.

Commenting on Mahesh Gawli’s contribution, Pinto said: “He has brought in experience of highest level. He has always had a calm influence under pressure, and adds robust work ethic to the Arrows setup.”

[Nasheman news] Basel (Switzerland) Young India shuttler Riya Mookerjee has qualified for the main draw of the Yonex Swiss Open.

In her qualifying match, 19-year-old Mookerjee defeated Laura Sarosi of Hungary 21-15, 21-10 in the 30-minute affair late on Tuesday. She will take on Linda Zetchiri in the first round of the main draw.

Meanwhile, the Indian men’s doubles pair comprising Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Chirag Shetty got the better off Chinese Taipei combo of Lee Fang-chih and Lu Chia-Pin 21-15, 17-21, 21-19 in 51 minutes.

Another Indian pair of Krishna Prasad Garaga and Dhruv Kapila registered a hard-fought 21-17, 19-21, 21-18 victory over Germany’s Bjarne Geiss and Jan Colin Volker.

[Nasheman news] Turin (Italy) Cristiano Ronaldo notched a hat trick to lead Juventus 3-0 over Atletico Madrid for a 3-2 aggregate victory in their Champions League round-of-16 tie.

Atletico, whose Wanda Metropolitano stadium is the venue for this year’s final, won the first leg 2-0 and took a conservative approach to Tuesday night’s duel at Turin’s Allianz Stadium, where the home side went for goal from the starting whistle.

Juve’s Giorgio Chiellini put the ball in the Atletico net in the 4th minute, but the goal was called back for a Ronaldo foul on goalkeeper Jan Oblak, reports Efe news.

Atleti did an admirable job of keeping their shape, yet the pressure continued to build and the breakthrough came in the 27th minute, when Ronaldo got his head to Federico Bernardeschi’s cross and beat Oblak to cut the visitors’ edge in half.

Cristiano threatened twice more before half-time: a bicycle kick and another header that both went wide and the teams went to the dressing rooms with the tie still in the balance.

Three minutes into the second half, Ronaldo’s header off Joao Cancelo’s cross drove Oblak back into the net. Though the keeper made the stop, enough of the ball crossed the line for the referee to signal goal.

Both coaches made changes. Atletico’s Diego Simeone pulled Thomas Lemar in favour of Angel Correa and Bianconeri manager Massimiliano Allegri opted to replace Leonardo Spinazzola with Paulo Dybala.

The match then settled into an extended quiet stretch until the 80th minute, when Allegri took the bold step of sending in 19-year-old Moise Kean, the star of last week’s Serie A win against Udinese.

Kean had a chance to score the winner, but failed.

With five minutes left in regulation, Correa brought down Bernardeschi in the box and the referee awarded a penalty.

Ronaldo, who dispatched Juve from the spot last season for Real Madrid, fooled Oblak and converted to set off delirium among the 40,000-plus in the stands at the Allianz.