Indian lifters finish with 117 medals

NEW DELHI: Indian weightlifters ended their Commonwealth Youth, Junior & Senior Championships in style, bagging six medals today to take their overall tally to a staggering 117, including 57 gold, on the final day of the event in Penang, Malaysia.

Besides 57 gold, Indian lifters finished with 39 silver and 21 bronze.

The biggest contributors to the tally were the youth boys, who notched up 24 medals, including 16 gold and eight silver.

The youth girls were not too far behind with 21 medals, inclusive of a dozen gold.

The junior men and women's teams also bagged 21 medals each, while senior men won 12 and senior women accounted for a total of 18 medals.

Youth boys and girls, Junior men and women, and senior men -- all pocketed the Winners Team Trophy -- while the Senior women had to be satisfied with the runners-up team title.

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IPL salary cap fixed at Rs 60 crore

The figure is finally out. It is in Indian rupees and not in US dollars. The IPL has gone desi. Even foreign players will have to take their fee in India rupees.

The Governing Council of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has proposed a salary cap of Rs 60 crores for the IPL 7 auction. It is almost equivalent of the upper limit for IPL 6 which was $12.5 millions. The franchises will not have to spend the entire amount but they can't go beyond that.

Concurrently, it was also proposed that there would be a five per cent increase every year. The franchises, thus, will know what can be their spend on the players each year.

The proposals were put before the franchise workshop in Singapore on Friday. There was no explicit effort to build a consensus over the salary cap but that has never been the IPL's policy anyway. The teams were just informed about the number.

Reservations

A few teams have privately expressed reservation over the high figure but they could not force a change. It is an established norm that the policies of the league have always been for the deep pockets. Teams like Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians will benefit from the decisions. That is a different matter though.

The IPL player fee will be independent of the Champions League's earnings. If a team qualifies for the CLT20, the players will be eligible for extra money - their income being something calculated on a pro rata basis depending on the number of matches they play in the Champions League.

As briefly mentioned in these columns on Friday, the teams will be permitted to go for retention up to five players. How many of those can be foreigners and uncapped players has not been finalised. The IPL will come up with a concrete proposal to this effect soon.

The teams were told that IPL 7 will be held in April-May, and efforts will be taken to host the entire league in India despite the inevitable clash of dates with the general election.

Maximum matches in India

The teams were told that efforts will be made to hold maximum matches in India and then go to an offshore venue if required. There was no mention of any overseas venue. The plan will be clear after the announcement of the election dates.

Ravi Savani, the chief of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), made a presentation about the code of conduct for the players and the teams but that was more or less on the expected lines, particularly after the revelations of spot fixing during IPL 6.

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Test specialists may go early to S Africa

MUMBAI: The BCCI is keen to send Test specialists, including seasoned fast bowler Zaheer Khan, to South Africa earlier than scheduled for acclimatization if logistics work out in its favour.

"We are trying to send not only Zaheer but all others in the Test squad too who are not part of the ODI team early to South Africa. The issue is logistics over the number of available hotel rooms," BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said on Saturday.

Zaheer Khan, opener Murali Vijay, one-down batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, reserve wicket keeper Wridhiman Saha and left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha are part of only the Test squad picked by the selection committee on November 25.

"Zaheer will leave one or two days later," informed Mumbai Cricket Association's secretary Nitin Dalal, making it clear that the left arm pace bowler would not be available for champions Mumbai's subsequent league games in Ranji Trophy.

The ODI squad comprises 16 members, including limited overs specialists Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Mohit Sharma and Amit Mishra, while the Test team is made up of 17 players.

The ODI squad is set to depart from here on December 1 night. The ODI series commences on December 5 ends with the third and final game on December 11 followed by the two-Test series from December 18 to 30.

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Ian Bell wants to bat at number three

ALICE SPRINGS (Australia): England's Ian Bell said Saturday he wants to bat at number three after Jonathan Trott pulled out of Thursday's second Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide.

"I'm absolutely willing to go to number three," said regular number five batsman Bell, who with three centuries was the star of the last Ashes series in England.

"But that decision is probably out of my control. "We've got a number of options with the batting and balance of the side... but I put up my hand to go up the order."

The withdrawal of regular number three batsman Trott with a stress-related illness following the first Test in Brisbane has left a hole in England's top order.

Bell and number six Joe Root are vying to slot into first-drop. And Zimbabwe-born Gary Ballance, who was man of the match during Saturday's draw in Alice Springs for his first-innings 55, is pushing for his Test debut in Adelaide in the middle order.

Test offspinner Graeme Swann gained some confidence following his mauling at the hands of Australia's batsmen in last week's first Test by picking up four for 56 in the game against the Australia Chairman's XI.

Test hopeful Monty Panesar claimed three for 41. Trailing one-nil in the Ashes series, England may be tempted to recall Panesar in a twin-spin attack for Adelaide.

"It is a possibility. We've got that flexibility, two spinners, that he could play," Bell said.

England head to Adelaide on Sunday to prepare for the second Test.

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Bell 'willing' to fill in for Trott at No. 3

ALICE SPRINGS (Australia): England's Ian Bell said Saturday he wants to bat at number three after Jonathan Trott pulled out of Thursday's second Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide.

"I'm absolutely willing to go to number three," said regular number five batsman Bell, who with three centuries was the star of the last Ashes series in England.

"But that decision is probably out of my control. "We've got a number of options with the batting and balance of the side... but I put up my hand to go up the order."

The withdrawal of regular number three batsman Trott with a stress-related illness following the first Test in Brisbane has left a hole in England's top order.

Bell and number six Joe Root are vying to slot into first-drop. And Zimbabwe-born Gary Ballance, who was man of the match during Saturday's draw in Alice Springs for his first-innings 55, is pushing for his Test debut in Adelaide in the middle order.

Test offspinner Graeme Swann gained some confidence following his mauling at the hands of Australia's batsmen in last week's first Test by picking up four for 56 in the game against the Australia Chairman's XI.

Test hopeful Monty Panesar claimed three for 41. Trailing one-nil in the Ashes series, England may be tempted to recall Panesar in a twin-spin attack for Adelaide.

"It is a possibility. We've got that flexibility, two spinners, that he could play," Bell said.

England head to Adelaide on Sunday to prepare for the second Test.

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SRT was uncomfortable with computer

MUMBAI: Recently-retired Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar on Friday said he was not too comfortable with the idea of having a computer in the dressing room but came to accept the device after realizing how important an aid it was to plan and strategize better.

"I had already played for India for 12-13 years. This was in 2002-03, when computer was brought to our dressing room. We were told that computer is going to store all the data and you will have access to whatever you want to see. I asked what is the computer doing in the dressing room?" he recollected at the Aviva Life Insurance's 'what's your big plan' event.

"Computer is not going to bat for me, it is not going to bowl for Zaheer Khan or Harbhajan (Singh). But Over a period of time I realised that the data stored was accessible within seconds. If I wanted to see how I batted in Australia in 1999, in year 2007, it was available in five seconds.

"If I wanted to see all the straight drives, if I wanted to see all the balls I had left outside the off-stump, it was available. Then I accepted it," he added.

Tendulkar said adapting to the new technology helped him prepare better.

"Things have become different. It has helped us plan better against the opposition, whatever their weaknesses or strengths are, it has helped us. It is just about exposure and with time you learn to accept all these things. It has become a way of life for us," he said.

The batting icon interacted with children and encouraged them to follow their dreams and work towards realizing them.

"It is really important to have a big plan in life. I wouldn't say that when I was 10 or 11, I knew exactly what was going to happen for the next 20-25 years. But I did have a plan," he said.

He added that the level of satisfaction he got from playing cricket cannot be compared with anything else.

"Just be true to yourself. Don't try and fool around. It is important that you take life seriously. Yes, you need to enjoy. I played cricket for so many years, I had lot of fun. I enjoyed doing what I wanted to do in life. It gave me the kind of satisfaction which cannot be compared with anything else," he said.

Talking about his own kids, Tendulkar said his daughter Sara wants to be a doctor while his son Arjun is passionate about cricket.

"I have always told my children they should become what they want to be in life and they will have our full support. My daughter wants to become a doctor which is a fantastic thing. I am glad she is following her mother's footstep. My son, he is passionate about cricket," he said.

Tendulkar, the first sportsperson to be conferred with the Bharat Ratna after being a top cricketer for 24 glorious years, said people have become liberal in career choices and are encouraging kids to venture into unconventional territory.

"Things are changing and with time, thinking has also changed...20 or 30 years back, how many parents would have wanted their child to become a chef. Today we have seen fantastic programmes on television where children are cooking and it is fantastic to watch," he said.

The 40-year old advised children to persist with their dreams and not give up.

"Something you have got to remember in life, whatever you want to be in life, the journey is never going to be smooth all the time. There are going to be rough patches along the way but then you prepare yourself in such a manner that if any obstacle comes in your way, you are following the right path always.

"If you are on the right path, nothing can stop you. All you need to have self belief and determination and things will change. You can't be stopped at a red signal forever. Wait for your opportunity and don't give up," he said.

Tendulkar said his bi plan involved having belief, ignoring distraction and giving his best.

"For me big plans start with a B. B is belief. You have got to believe in what you want to be. And above all, you need to realize your passion in life and then you have got to fall in love with your passion. For me, I was passionate about cricket and I fell in love with cricket. I didn't think of anything else. All I wanted to do was go out there and try my best," Tendulkar said.

"I would move to I -- ignoring all the distractions. For a young child, it is but natural that you are going to have birthday parties, you would want to watch movies...For me, to stay away from distractions was really important. I wouldn't call it a sacrifice because I thought I was doing something I really enjoyed.

"The third one is G -- giving your best all the time. It doesn't matter who your opposition player is, it doesn't matter you play on which ground. For me I didn't need an external factor to motivate me. The ultimate dream was to play for India. I just thought of giving my best all the time and leave the rest to the almighty. That was my plan and try and keep things simple. The more you complicate them, the more complicated they will get," he said.

He told the kids to be serious about what they want to do and remain focussed.

"I dreamt and I chased my dreams. It applies to each and every child. There comes a stage where you have to become serious in life. You have got to dedicate, you need to have discipline, you need to have focus and if you want to succeed there has to be consistency in your concentration level.

"Your concentration level cannot have dips for a long period. There are professions where you need to switch on and switch off. But someone like a doctor, who is in the middle of the surgery, you cannot switch off," he said.

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SRT was uncomfortable with computer

MUMBAI: Recently-retired Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar on Friday said he was not too comfortable with the idea of having a computer in the dressing room but came to accept the device after realizing how important an aid it was to plan and strategize better.

"I had already played for India for 12-13 years. This was in 2002-03, when computer was brought to our dressing room. We were told that computer is going to store all the data and you will have access to whatever you want to see. I asked what is the computer doing in the dressing room?" he recollected at the Aviva Life Insurance's 'what's your big plan' event.

"Computer is not going to bat for me, it is not going to bowl for Zaheer Khan or Harbhajan (Singh). But Over a period of time I realised that the data stored was accessible within seconds. If I wanted to see how I batted in Australia in 1999, in year 2007, it was available in five seconds.

"If I wanted to see all the straight drives, if I wanted to see all the balls I had left outside the off-stump, it was available. Then I accepted it," he added.

Tendulkar said adapting to the new technology helped him prepare better.

"Things have become different. It has helped us plan better against the opposition, whatever their weaknesses or strengths are, it has helped us. It is just about exposure and with time you learn to accept all these things. It has become a way of life for us," he said.

The batting icon interacted with children and encouraged them to follow their dreams and work towards realizing them.

"It is really important to have a big plan in life. I wouldn't say that when I was 10 or 11, I knew exactly what was going to happen for the next 20-25 years. But I did have a plan," he said.

He added that the level of satisfaction he got from playing cricket cannot be compared with anything else.

"Just be true to yourself. Don't try and fool around. It is important that you take life seriously. Yes, you need to enjoy. I played cricket for so many years, I had lot of fun. I enjoyed doing what I wanted to do in life. It gave me the kind of satisfaction which cannot be compared with anything else," he said.

Talking about his own kids, Tendulkar said his daughter Sara wants to be a doctor while his son Arjun is passionate about cricket.

"I have always told my children they should become what they want to be in life and they will have our full support. My daughter wants to become a doctor which is a fantastic thing. I am glad she is following her mother's footstep. My son, he is passionate about cricket," he said.

Tendulkar, the first sportsperson to be conferred with the Bharat Ratna after being a top cricketer for 24 glorious years, said people have become liberal in career choices and are encouraging kids to venture into unconventional territory.

"Things are changing and with time, thinking has also changed...20 or 30 years back, how many parents would have wanted their child to become a chef. Today we have seen fantastic programmes on television where children are cooking and it is fantastic to watch," he said.

The 40-year old advised children to persist with their dreams and not give up.

"Something you have got to remember in life, whatever you want to be in life, the journey is never going to be smooth all the time. There are going to be rough patches along the way but then you prepare yourself in such a manner that if any obstacle comes in your way, you are following the right path always.

"If you are on the right path, nothing can stop you. All you need to have self belief and determination and things will change. You can't be stopped at a red signal forever. Wait for your opportunity and don't give up," he said.

Tendulkar said his bi plan involved having belief, ignoring distraction and giving his best.

"For me big plans start with a B. B is belief. You have got to believe in what you want to be. And above all, you need to realize your passion in life and then you have got to fall in love with your passion. For me, I was passionate about cricket and I fell in love with cricket. I didn't think of anything else. All I wanted to do was go out there and try my best," Tendulkar said.

"I would move to I -- ignoring all the distractions. For a young child, it is but natural that you are going to have birthday parties, you would want to watch movies...For me, to stay away from distractions was really important. I wouldn't call it a sacrifice because I thought I was doing something I really enjoyed.

"The third one is G -- giving your best all the time. It doesn't matter who your opposition player is, it doesn't matter you play on which ground. For me I didn't need an external factor to motivate me. The ultimate dream was to play for India. I just thought of giving my best all the time and leave the rest to the almighty. That was my plan and try and keep things simple. The more you complicate them, the more complicated they will get," he said.

He told the kids to be serious about what they want to do and remain focussed.

"I dreamt and I chased my dreams. It applies to each and every child. There comes a stage where you have to become serious in life. You have got to dedicate, you need to have discipline, you need to have focus and if you want to succeed there has to be consistency in your concentration level.

"Your concentration level cannot have dips for a long period. There are professions where you need to switch on and switch off. But someone like a doctor, who is in the middle of the surgery, you cannot switch off," he said.

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Wenger feels English game is clean

LONDON: Match-fixing cannot be eradicated but English soccer in 99.9 percent clean, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday shortly before two men were remanded in custody after being charged with conspiracy to defraud.

The arrest on Thursday of two men alleged to be part of an illegal betting syndicate based in Singapore after an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) has raised doubts about the integrity of the game.

No Premier League matches are thought to have been targeted with the focus, according to media reports, on the lower reaches of English football but Wenger admits he is concerned.

"I don't believe that in England people fix matches, but we live in an international world and you cannot just stop it at the border anymore," Wenger said at his Friday news conference.

"It's a new problem that we all face.

"I still think that 99.9 percent, the English game is completely clean. I hope that (the recent charges) are an isolated incident."

"When you see the happiness of the players when they score goals, even in the lower divisions, the passion of the fans when I was at Barnet for example, I can't believe there is a match-fixing problem in England.

"Can it be eradicated completely? I'm not sure. Is it a concern for me and you who love the game? Certainly yes."

Wenger said match-fixing needed to be fought around the world to save the sport from a bleak future.

"Once you don't know anymore if everyone is genuine out there, that is something absolutely disastrous," he said.

"I think we have absolutely to fight against that with the strongest severity to get that out of the game."

While Wenger feels the huge salaries of Premier League players makes match-fixing in the top echelons unlikely, he said the lower leagues could be vulnerable.

"Maybe the lower divisions are a bit more under threat because it is a bit more anonymous, there is less money so it is easier to buy people," he said.

Wenger has first-hand experience of the effects of the problem described as a "cancer" by FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce, having been at Monaco when Marseille were relegated from the French first division in 1994 following a match-fixing scandal.

"That was much more serious," he said. "It was a period where European football was not clean, for different reasons, but I hope we have that behind us.

"It was one of the most difficult periods in my life. But I think even in France now, the championship is completely clean."

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Dhawan looks to scale new peaks in SA

MUMBAI: In-form India opener Shikhar Dhawan is looking forward to play on the bouncy tracks during next month's tour of South Africa and feels the conditions there are suitable to his aggressive style of batting.

"I personally feel the bouncy track suits my game. And we have been playing good cricket for a long time now and we are really confident.

"As a team we are gelling very nicely. All boys are confident, I am confident, too, about myself. I have been performing well and looking forward to extend that purple patch a long way," Dhawan told reporters here today.

India are to start the tour with a best-of-three ODI series against the hosts starting December 5, which would be followed by a two-match Test rubber from December 18.

The left-handed Delhi batsman, who spoke on the sidelines of a promotional event, exuded confidence about the team performing and winning the series against the Proteas in their backyard.

"We are all very confident going into the South Africa series that we will do well. We did well in England. Even in the West Indies we did well and our aim will be do well in South Africa and win the series."

A few months ago, Dhawan went to South Africa with the India 'A' team and scored a smashing 248 against South Africa `A' in a List 'A' game. The 27-year old said that experience would stand him in good stead on the upcoming visit.

"I went to South Africa before (with India `A'). So you have the advantage of having played on these pitches and performed well. I can take confidence from that (as) the pitches there will be good.

"They have bouncy tracks which will be helpful for the bowlers and good for the batsmen. Our shots and preparation will be according to the pitch," the left-hander said.

"I play according to the wicket. I assess the wicket and then play my game. Of course, I am a stroke player so I am going to play my shots and back myself, whatever strength I have and play my game."

India would be playing their first Test series post Sachin Tendulkar's retirement and Dhawan said the team would miss the batting legend's presence in the dressing room.

"Sachin paaji was a great player and we will miss him in the side. His experience and presence in the dressing room was big for us."

The dashing player was of the opinion that all the players picked for the tour are in form.

"The good thing is that all the batsmen are performing very well and the bowlers too and we got a great fielding side - that is a big bonus for us. I feel our team is very confident, and as a team we are gelling very nicely."

Asked if he was doing some special preparation, Dhawan said the team has been playing continuously and there wasn't time for preparation.

"We guys have been playing so much of cricket that we are totally into cricket. We don't get much time for preparation like now we have got just three days off. I guess the boys need to take a bit of rest and get out of cricket mode for 2-3 days at least and then come back.

"Before playing the main matches, we will have enough of time to prepare over there, on those pitches and get used to them," he said.

The 27-year old said the Indian Premier League (IPL) has helped the country's players to get used to international fast bowlers.

"I feel that all players in our side have benefited from the IPL because we got a chance to play against international bowlers. The nervousness when facing international bowlers is no longer there because we have already faced them in the IPL.

"When you perform against them (in the IPL) you get the confidence that if you can do well in the IPL against them you can do well when playing for India as well," said the swashbuckling cricketer, who played for Sunrises Hyderabad in IPL-6.

Asked if he experienced mental blocks while batting in the 90s, he said, "I just try to play normally when in the 90s. I try to reduce the nervousness which you generally get in the 90s. I control myself and look to continue in the same way that I am playing and once you cross 100 all the nervousness goes away. So that's what I try and do.

"I don't let nervousness get the better of me. When you are on 94 you get thoughts to hit a six but you have to control that and continue playing. You have to play according to the situation of the match, and according to bowling."

His opening partner in ODIs, Rohit Sharma, has also done extremely well in this current season and Dhawan said he is happy that the top order is providing a good platform to the middle-order batsmen.

"Rohit has been doing really great for India this season. Making a double century in one-dayers is one of the biggest things. He scored 4 centuries this season and two centuries in Test cricket. I am really happy for him.

"We all are very good friends and we enjoy each other's success; that is the beauty of the team at the moment.

"I feel happy that he is doing well (and) I am doing well. Virat (Kohli) has been doing consistently well over two- three seasons, so I am really happy that the top order is firing and giving a good base to our batting line-up," the Delhi dasher said.

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Schumacher happy not to be racing Vettel

Seven times world champion Michael Schumacher hailed Sebastian Vettel's record-breaking Formula One season on Friday and said the gulf between his fellow German and his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber had been 'shocking'.

Vettel ended the year as the first driver to win nine races in a row in a single season. His total of 13 for the championship equalled Schumacher's record 2004 haul with Ferrari.

"He won all those races, 13 this year; Mark Webber, he won none. That is pretty shocking," Schumacher said in a season review posted by the Mercedes team on You Tube on Friday.

"I'm glad I'm not his (Vettel's) teammate."

Webber departed Formula One at the end of the season to join Porsche in endurance racing, with Australian compatriot Daniel Ricciardo replacing him.

Schumacher said he was happy for Vettel, the youngest quadruple champion at 26.

"If somebody can break all these records I prefer it to be him, than somebody else," added the German, who left the sport at the end of last season after coming out of retirement for three years with Mercedes.

Mercedes ended last season as overall runners-up to Red Bull, a big improvement on fifth place in 2012, with Germany's Nico Rosberg and Britain's Lewis Hamilton both winning races.

Schumacher, who is good friends with Vettel and races with him in the annual race of Champions event as Team Germany, said he had no regrets about his second retirement.

He felt Mercedes, who announced on Thursday that his old friend, ally and principal Ross Brawn was leaving at the end of the year, would be able to launch a real championship challenge in 2014.

"Everything now is there to have the base to fight the championship in the future. And that's what I think can happen," he said.

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Dhawan looks to scale new peaks in SA

MUMBAI: In-form India opener Shikhar Dhawan is looking forward to play on the bouncy tracks during next month's tour of South Africa and feels the conditions there are suitable to his aggressive style of batting.

"I personally feel the bouncy track suits my game. And we have been playing good cricket for a long time now and we are really confident.

"As a team we are gelling very nicely. All boys are confident, I am confident, too, about myself. I have been performing well and looking forward to extend that purple patch a long way," Dhawan told reporters here today.

India are to start the tour with a best-of-three ODI series against the hosts starting December 5, which would be followed by a two-match Test rubber from December 18.

The left-handed Delhi batsman, who spoke on the sidelines of a promotional event, exuded confidence about the team performing and winning the series against the Proteas in their backyard.

"We are all very confident going into the South Africa series that we will do well. We did well in England. Even in the West Indies we did well and our aim will be do well in South Africa and win the series."

A few months ago, Dhawan went to South Africa with the India 'A' team and scored a smashing 248 against South Africa `A' in a List 'A' game. The 27-year old said that experience would stand him in good stead on the upcoming visit.

"I went to South Africa before (with India `A'). So you have the advantage of having played on these pitches and performed well. I can take confidence from that (as) the pitches there will be good.

"They have bouncy tracks which will be helpful for the bowlers and good for the batsmen. Our shots and preparation will be according to the pitch," the left-hander said.

"I play according to the wicket. I assess the wicket and then play my game. Of course, I am a stroke player so I am going to play my shots and back myself, whatever strength I have and play my game."

India would be playing their first Test series post Sachin Tendulkar's retirement and Dhawan said the team would miss the batting legend's presence in the dressing room.

"Sachin paaji was a great player and we will miss him in the side. His experience and presence in the dressing room was big for us."

The dashing player was of the opinion that all the players picked for the tour are in form.

"The good thing is that all the batsmen are performing very well and the bowlers too and we got a great fielding side - that is a big bonus for us. I feel our team is very confident, and as a team we are gelling very nicely."

Asked if he was doing some special preparation, Dhawan said the team has been playing continuously and there wasn't time for preparation.

"We guys have been playing so much of cricket that we are totally into cricket. We don't get much time for preparation like now we have got just three days off. I guess the boys need to take a bit of rest and get out of cricket mode for 2-3 days at least and then come back.

"Before playing the main matches, we will have enough of time to prepare over there, on those pitches and get used to them," he said.

The 27-year old said the Indian Premier League (IPL) has helped the country's players to get used to international fast bowlers.

"I feel that all players in our side have benefited from the IPL because we got a chance to play against international bowlers. The nervousness when facing international bowlers is no longer there because we have already faced them in the IPL.

"When you perform against them (in the IPL) you get the confidence that if you can do well in the IPL against them you can do well when playing for India as well," said the swashbuckling cricketer, who played for Sunrises Hyderabad in IPL-6.

Asked if he experienced mental blocks while batting in the 90s, he said, "I just try to play normally when in the 90s. I try to reduce the nervousness which you generally get in the 90s. I control myself and look to continue in the same way that I am playing and once you cross 100 all the nervousness goes away. So that's what I try and do.

"I don't let nervousness get the better of me. When you are on 94 you get thoughts to hit a six but you have to control that and continue playing. You have to play according to the situation of the match, and according to bowling."

His opening partner in ODIs, Rohit Sharma, has also done extremely well in this current season and Dhawan said he is happy that the top order is providing a good platform to the middle-order batsmen.

"Rohit has been doing really great for India this season. Making a double century in one-dayers is one of the biggest things. He scored 4 centuries this season and two centuries in Test cricket. I am really happy for him.

"We all are very good friends and we enjoy each other's success; that is the beauty of the team at the moment.

"I feel happy that he is doing well (and) I am doing well. Virat (Kohli) has been doing consistently well over two- three seasons, so I am really happy that the top order is firing and giving a good base to our batting line-up," the Delhi dasher said.

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SRT was uncomfortable with computer

MUMBAI: Recently-retired Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar on Friday said he was not too comfortable with the idea of having a computer in the dressing room but came to accept the device after realizing how important an aid it was to plan and strategize better.

"I had already played for India for 12-13 years. This was in 2002-03, when computer was brought to our dressing room. We were told that computer is going to store all the data and you will have access to whatever you want to see. I asked what is the computer doing in the dressing room?" he recollected at the Aviva Life Insurance's 'what's your big plan' event.

"Computer is not going to bat for me, it is not going to bowl for Zaheer Khan or Harbhajan (Singh). But Over a period of time I realised that the data stored was accessible within seconds. If I wanted to see how I batted in Australia in 1999, in year 2007, it was available in five seconds.

"If I wanted to see all the straight drives, if I wanted to see all the balls I had left outside the off-stump, it was available. Then I accepted it," he added.

Tendulkar said adapting to the new technology helped him prepare better.

"Things have become different. It has helped us plan better against the opposition, whatever their weaknesses or strengths are, it has helped us. It is just about exposure and with time you learn to accept all these things. It has become a way of life for us," he said.

The batting icon interacted with children and encouraged them to follow their dreams and work towards realizing them.

"It is really important to have a big plan in life. I wouldn't say that when I was 10 or 11, I knew exactly what was going to happen for the next 20-25 years. But I did have a plan," he said.

He added that the level of satisfaction he got from playing cricket cannot be compared with anything else.

"Just be true to yourself. Don't try and fool around. It is important that you take life seriously. Yes, you need to enjoy. I played cricket for so many years, I had lot of fun. I enjoyed doing what I wanted to do in life. It gave me the kind of satisfaction which cannot be compared with anything else," he said.

Talking about his own kids, Tendulkar said his daughter Sara wants to be a doctor while his son Arjun is passionate about cricket.

"I have always told my children they should become what they want to be in life and they will have our full support. My daughter wants to become a doctor which is a fantastic thing. I am glad she is following her mother's footstep. My son, he is passionate about cricket," he said.

Tendulkar, the first sportsperson to be conferred with the Bharat Ratna after being a top cricketer for 24 glorious years, said people have become liberal in career choices and are encouraging kids to venture into unconventional territory.

"Things are changing and with time, thinking has also changed...20 or 30 years back, how many parents would have wanted their child to become a chef. Today we have seen fantastic programmes on television where children are cooking and it is fantastic to watch," he said.

The 40-year old advised children to persist with their dreams and not give up.

"Something you have got to remember in life, whatever you want to be in life, the journey is never going to be smooth all the time. There are going to be rough patches along the way but then you prepare yourself in such a manner that if any obstacle comes in your way, you are following the right path always.

"If you are on the right path, nothing can stop you. All you need to have self belief and determination and things will change. You can't be stopped at a red signal forever. Wait for your opportunity and don't give up," he said.

Tendulkar said his bi plan involved having belief, ignoring distraction and giving his best.

"For me big plans start with a B. B is belief. You have got to believe in what you want to be. And above all, you need to realize your passion in life and then you have got to fall in love with your passion. For me, I was passionate about cricket and I fell in love with cricket. I didn't think of anything else. All I wanted to do was go out there and try my best," Tendulkar said.

"I would move to I -- ignoring all the distractions. For a young child, it is but natural that you are going to have birthday parties, you would want to watch movies...For me, to stay away from distractions was really important. I wouldn't call it a sacrifice because I thought I was doing something I really enjoyed.

"The third one is G -- giving your best all the time. It doesn't matter who your opposition player is, it doesn't matter you play on which ground. For me I didn't need an external factor to motivate me. The ultimate dream was to play for India. I just thought of giving my best all the time and leave the rest to the almighty. That was my plan and try and keep things simple. The more you complicate them, the more complicated they will get," he said.

He told the kids to be serious about what they want to do and remain focussed.

"I dreamt and I chased my dreams. It applies to each and every child. There comes a stage where you have to become serious in life. You have got to dedicate, you need to have discipline, you need to have focus and if you want to succeed there has to be consistency in your concentration level.

"Your concentration level cannot have dips for a long period. There are professions where you need to switch on and switch off. But someone like a doctor, who is in the middle of the surgery, you cannot switch off," he said.

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SRT was uncomfortable with computer

MUMBAI: Recently-retired Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar on Friday said he was not too comfortable with the idea of having a computer in the dressing room but came to accept the device after realizing how important an aid it was to plan and strategize better.

"I had already played for India for 12-13 years. This was in 2002-03, when computer was brought to our dressing room. We were told that computer is going to store all the data and you will have access to whatever you want to see. I asked what is the computer doing in the dressing room?" he recollected at the Aviva Life Insurance's 'what's your big plan' event.

"Computer is not going to bat for me, it is not going to bowl for Zaheer Khan or Harbhajan (Singh). But Over a period of time I realised that the data stored was accessible within seconds. If I wanted to see how I batted in Australia in 1999, in year 2007, it was available in five seconds.

"If I wanted to see all the straight drives, if I wanted to see all the balls I had left outside the off-stump, it was available. Then I accepted it," he added.

Tendulkar said adapting to the new technology helped him prepare better.

"Things have become different. It has helped us plan better against the opposition, whatever their weaknesses or strengths are, it has helped us. It is just about exposure and with time you learn to accept all these things. It has become a way of life for us," he said.

The batting icon interacted with children and encouraged them to follow their dreams and work towards realizing them.

"It is really important to have a big plan in life. I wouldn't say that when I was 10 or 11, I knew exactly what was going to happen for the next 20-25 years. But I did have a plan," he said.

He added that the level of satisfaction he got from playing cricket cannot be compared with anything else.

"Just be true to yourself. Don't try and fool around. It is important that you take life seriously. Yes, you need to enjoy. I played cricket for so many years, I had lot of fun. I enjoyed doing what I wanted to do in life. It gave me the kind of satisfaction which cannot be compared with anything else," he said.

Talking about his own kids, Tendulkar said his daughter Sara wants to be a doctor while his son Arjun is passionate about cricket.

"I have always told my children they should become what they want to be in life and they will have our full support. My daughter wants to become a doctor which is a fantastic thing. I am glad she is following her mother's footstep. My son, he is passionate about cricket," he said.

Tendulkar, the first sportsperson to be conferred with the Bharat Ratna after being a top cricketer for 24 glorious years, said people have become liberal in career choices and are encouraging kids to venture into unconventional territory.

"Things are changing and with time, thinking has also changed...20 or 30 years back, how many parents would have wanted their child to become a chef. Today we have seen fantastic programmes on television where children are cooking and it is fantastic to watch," he said.

The 40-year old advised children to persist with their dreams and not give up.

"Something you have got to remember in life, whatever you want to be in life, the journey is never going to be smooth all the time. There are going to be rough patches along the way but then you prepare yourself in such a manner that if any obstacle comes in your way, you are following the right path always.

"If you are on the right path, nothing can stop you. All you need to have self belief and determination and things will change. You can't be stopped at a red signal forever. Wait for your opportunity and don't give up," he said.

Tendulkar said his bi plan involved having belief, ignoring distraction and giving his best.

"For me big plans start with a B. B is belief. You have got to believe in what you want to be. And above all, you need to realize your passion in life and then you have got to fall in love with your passion. For me, I was passionate about cricket and I fell in love with cricket. I didn't think of anything else. All I wanted to do was go out there and try my best," Tendulkar said.

"I would move to I -- ignoring all the distractions. For a young child, it is but natural that you are going to have birthday parties, you would want to watch movies...For me, to stay away from distractions was really important. I wouldn't call it a sacrifice because I thought I was doing something I really enjoyed.

"The third one is G -- giving your best all the time. It doesn't matter who your opposition player is, it doesn't matter you play on which ground. For me I didn't need an external factor to motivate me. The ultimate dream was to play for India. I just thought of giving my best all the time and leave the rest to the almighty. That was my plan and try and keep things simple. The more you complicate them, the more complicated they will get," he said.

He told the kids to be serious about what they want to do and remain focussed.

"I dreamt and I chased my dreams. It applies to each and every child. There comes a stage where you have to become serious in life. You have got to dedicate, you need to have discipline, you need to have focus and if you want to succeed there has to be consistency in your concentration level.

"Your concentration level cannot have dips for a long period. There are professions where you need to switch on and switch off. But someone like a doctor, who is in the middle of the surgery, you cannot switch off," he said.

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Wenger feels English game is clean

LONDON: Match-fixing cannot be eradicated but English soccer in 99.9 percent clean, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday shortly before two men were remanded in custody after being charged with conspiracy to defraud.

The arrest on Thursday of two men alleged to be part of an illegal betting syndicate based in Singapore after an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) has raised doubts about the integrity of the game.

No Premier League matches are thought to have been targeted with the focus, according to media reports, on the lower reaches of English football but Wenger admits he is concerned.

"I don't believe that in England people fix matches, but we live in an international world and you cannot just stop it at the border anymore," Wenger said at his Friday news conference.

"It's a new problem that we all face.

"I still think that 99.9 percent, the English game is completely clean. I hope that (the recent charges) are an isolated incident."

"When you see the happiness of the players when they score goals, even in the lower divisions, the passion of the fans when I was at Barnet for example, I can't believe there is a match-fixing problem in England.

"Can it be eradicated completely? I'm not sure. Is it a concern for me and you who love the game? Certainly yes."

Wenger said match-fixing needed to be fought around the world to save the sport from a bleak future.

"Once you don't know anymore if everyone is genuine out there, that is something absolutely disastrous," he said.

"I think we have absolutely to fight against that with the strongest severity to get that out of the game."

While Wenger feels the huge salaries of Premier League players makes match-fixing in the top echelons unlikely, he said the lower leagues could be vulnerable.

"Maybe the lower divisions are a bit more under threat because it is a bit more anonymous, there is less money so it is easier to buy people," he said.

Wenger has first-hand experience of the effects of the problem described as a "cancer" by FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce, having been at Monaco when Marseille were relegated from the French first division in 1994 following a match-fixing scandal.

"That was much more serious," he said. "It was a period where European football was not clean, for different reasons, but I hope we have that behind us.

"It was one of the most difficult periods in my life. But I think even in France now, the championship is completely clean."

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Schumacher happy not to be racing Vettel

Seven times world champion Michael Schumacher hailed Sebastian Vettel's record-breaking Formula One season on Friday and said the gulf between his fellow German and his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber had been 'shocking'.

Vettel ended the year as the first driver to win nine races in a row in a single season. His total of 13 for the championship equalled Schumacher's record 2004 haul with Ferrari.

"He won all those races, 13 this year; Mark Webber, he won none. That is pretty shocking," Schumacher said in a season review posted by the Mercedes team on You Tube on Friday.

"I'm glad I'm not his (Vettel's) teammate."

Webber departed Formula One at the end of the season to join Porsche in endurance racing, with Australian compatriot Daniel Ricciardo replacing him.

Schumacher said he was happy for Vettel, the youngest quadruple champion at 26.

"If somebody can break all these records I prefer it to be him, than somebody else," added the German, who left the sport at the end of last season after coming out of retirement for three years with Mercedes.

Mercedes ended last season as overall runners-up to Red Bull, a big improvement on fifth place in 2012, with Germany's Nico Rosberg and Britain's Lewis Hamilton both winning races.

Schumacher, who is good friends with Vettel and races with him in the annual race of Champions event as Team Germany, said he had no regrets about his second retirement.

He felt Mercedes, who announced on Thursday that his old friend, ally and principal Ross Brawn was leaving at the end of the year, would be able to launch a real championship challenge in 2014.

"Everything now is there to have the base to fight the championship in the future. And that's what I think can happen," he said.

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I don't need Ballon, says Ibrahimovic

PARIS: Cristiano Ronaldo or Franck Ribery can have the Ballon d'Or, Zlatan Ibrahimovic does not need it.

The Swedish striker has been in superb form this year for Paris St Germain, scoring eight goals in this season's Champions League - as many as Real Madrid's Ronaldo - to help the French side ease into the last 16.

The Portugal forward, however, has emerged as favourite for the FIFA-Ballon d'Or award after netting a hat-trick for his country in a 3-2 defeat of Sweden in last week's World Cup playoff second leg, qualifying his country for the 2014 finals.

French winger Ribery helped Bayern Munich secure a treble last season and was early favourite for the award, won three times in a row by Barcelona's Lionel Messi, until Ronaldo garnered some late support for his performances with Portugal.

"I don't need the Ballon d'Or to know I'm the best," Ibrahimovic, who played a key role in PSG's Ligue 1 title triumph last season, told reporters on Wednesday.

"It matters more to some players."

Ibrahimovic scored his 39th Champions League goal on Wednesday as PSG won their group with a game to spare by beating Olympiakos 2-1 at the Parc des Princes.

No Swede has ever won the Ballon d'Or or the FIFA player of the year award but that statistic is unlikely to cause Ibrahimovic to lose any sleep.

"It's not something I think about and it is something that is not important for me," he said.

The former Barcelona and AC Milan striker showed how much of an asset he can be all over the pitch on Wednesday, taking on his share of defensive duties when PSG were reduced to 10 men following Marco Verratti's dismissal early in the second half.

"I was really tired," he said after being replaced by defender Marquinhos in the 79th minute.

"Helping the team defend or attack is my job. You have to think about the team first."

The French champions, who visit Benfica in the final group game next month, lead Ligue 1 on 34 points from 14 games ahead of Sunday's home game against Olympique Lyon.

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Wasim Jaffer slams 50th 1st class ton

MUMBAI: Seasoned opener Wasim Jaffer cracked his 50th century in first class cricket to rally champions Mumbai from a difficult situation on day one of their Ranji Trophy Group A clash against fellow-state rivals Vidarbha at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

The lanky Jaffer remained unbeaten on 133 at stumps after batting right thorough the day and guiding the 40-time champions from a precarious 39 for 3 to a close of play first innings total of 254 for 8.

The 35-year-old former India batsman showed immense patience and tenacity even as wickets fell from the other end. But for his 393-minute vigil, the hosts, who were asked to take first strike, would have folded up for a meagre score.

There were only two significant partnerships for Mumbai, who were rocked by the initial three-wicket burst by medium pacer Sandeep Singh whose victims included South Africa-bound Ajinkya Rahane who was caught in the slip cordon for one run.

Jaffer, who faced 261 balls and struck 13 fours and a six to remain unconquered with tailender Vishal Dabholkar (0), put on 64 runs for the fourth wicket in 98 balls with Abhishek Nayar (27) before the latter was bowled round his legs by off spinner Akshay Wakhre who grabbed 2 for 65.

Later the opener added 58 in 111 balls with Shardul Thakur (26) who was one of three victims snapped up by Rajasthan-born Vidarbha left arm spinner Ravi Jangid.

It was Jaffer's 34th hundred in Ranji Trophy and his tally of 50 hundreds in first class cricket includes five in Tests.

Vidarbha opted for the second new ball towards close after 87 overs but neither South Africa-bound Umesh Yadav, who went wicketless after six spells, nor Sandeep Singh could break through the ninth wicket stand which was worth 27 runs.

Yadav bowled six overs in his first spell and then was used in short bursts of three overs without success and the best bowler on view on a wicket that offered some bounce and movement was 32-year-old Sandeep who finished with 3 for 29.

Speaking to the reporters after the end of the day's play, Jaffer said his team has recovered well now in a good position to call the shots.

"We are in a good position though we would have liked it to be something like 270-6. It was a good recovery," he said.

Satisfied with his day's rescue work, Jaffer said the team's batsmen knew that the first session would be a tricky one with the ball seaming around a bit.

"It feels good to score a century. Someone had to stand there and make runs. Happy to have compiled my 50th first class hundred. The first session was very trying. We needed to hang around. There was not a big partnership at all but at the end of the day we are happy.

"They bowled well in the first session and the ball was seaming around and it was a very criticial period. We knew once we played out the first session the wicket will ease out.

"A few bad shots were played, but they will learn with time. The wicket was not doing much after the first session and at end of the day we have recovered well," he emphasised.

Asked about whether Umesh Yadav's pace has fallen a bit after his comeback from a serious back injury, Jaffer said it was the first time he had faced him and cannot make a comparison.

"He bowled all right. I have not played him before today and cannot compare," he said.

"Sandeep bowled all right. He does not have pace but swings the ball and bowls to his strength," he noted about Vidarbha's most impressive bowler of the day.

Brief Scores: Mumbai 254 for 8 (Wasim Jaffer 133 not out; V Dabholkar 0 not out; Sandeep Singh 3 for 29, Ravi Jangid 3 for 48)

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Ross Brawn out as boss of Mercedes

LONDON: Ross Brawn will stand down as principal and leave the Mercedes Formula One team at the end of the year, Mercedes said in a statement on Thursday.

The Briton, who turned 59 last week, will hand over his responsibilities to executive directors Toto Wolff (business) and Paddy Lowe (technical) and formally leave the British-based team on Dec. 31.

The official announcement ended one of the longest running sagas of the season, with speculation surrounding Brawn's future since before the championship started in March.

"The most important consideration in my decision to step down from the role as team principal was to ensure that the timing was right for the team in order to ensure its future success," Brawn said in the statement.

"The succession planning process that we have implemented during this year means we are now ready to conduct the transition from my current responsibilities to a new leadership team composed of Toto and Paddy."

His departure will bring change for drivers Lewis Hamilton, Britain's 2008 world champion with McLaren, and Germany's Nico Rosberg although the succession has been widely discussed and Brawn's successors have had time to work themselves in.

Lowe was with Hamilton at McLaren previously while Austrian Wolff, a former Williams team director, is also in charge of Mercedes's broader motorsport activities.

Brawn is one of the most successful and respected figures in the sport after winning a string of world championships with three different teams.

The bespectacled Englishman, a keen Manchester United football fan, was the tactical brains behind Michael Schumacher's seven world championships - two with Benetton and then five in a row at Ferrari between 2000-04 .

After leaving Ferrari at the end of 2006 to take a sabbatical, and spend some time fishing, he joined the Honda team at the end of 2007 and led them until the Japanese manufacturer withdrew from the sport a year later.

With Brawn GB, the team that emerged from the remains of Honda and was later sold to Mercedes, he won both world championships in 2009.

NEW ERA

Brawn said that, with a new V6 turbo engine being introduced in 2014 and significant changes to the regulations, now was the right time to go "to begin a new era of team management".

"The team is uniquely positioned to succeed in 2014 and I am proud to have helped lay the foundations for that success," added the Briton, who steered Mercedes to second place overall this season behind Red Bull.

"In its different guises over the past six seasons, this team has delivered some of the most memorable moments of my career. Our second place in this season's Constructors' Championship is an important milestone on the road to championship success," Brawn added.

"I am confident that the future will hold just as much success for the team and will take real pride in having played my own part in those achievements."

Non-executive chairman Niki Lauda thanked Brawn for his contribution and said Wolff and Lowe were the right men to take the team forward.

"When you consider the step that has been made from finishing fifth in 2012 to the second place that we have secured this season, he has been the architect of this success," the Austrian triple champion said.

"He put the plans in place to recruit key people since early 2011, and the performance this season shows that the team is on the right track.

"We have had long discussions with Ross about how he could continue with the team but it is a basic fact that you cannot hold somebody back when they have chosen to move on. Ross has decided that this is the right time to hand over the reins to Toto and Paddy and we respect his decision."

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Six arrested or fixing football matches

LONDON: English football was left shell shocked on Thursday after Britain's National Crime Agency made its first ever arrests around match fixing of Premiere League matches.

NCA has confirmed that six men have been arrested across the country as part of their investigation into football match fixing.

Three current footballers and a former Premier League player were among those detained on suspicion of fixing games in England.

The Agency said the focus of the operation is a suspected international illegal betting syndicate.
NCA said in a statement "The NCA is working closely with the Gambling Commission and the Football Association. This is an active investigation and we are unable to provide further detail at this time".

The men were held after a recent sting operation saw a bookie brag about how easily football matches in UK could be fixed at as low as £50,000.

The secret taping of a conversation in Manchester saw a fixer from Singapore claiming how there was a fortune to be made if matches could be fixed in UK with help of companies in Asia.

The bookie went ahead to correctly forecast outcome of three games played by a particular team at lower league matches.
The agent infact admitted he was targeting two other matches in November.

The recording shows the agent explaining his ways "In England the cost is very high, usually for the players it is £70,000. It is simple, I commit myself and they commit".

He then further bragged that "For example, within the first 10 minutes, I will ask them to take one yellow card. So, one yellow card is about £5,000".

He said pointing to the club listed on a gambling website on his mobile phone "This is my team. I know what they're going to do".

The bookie also said he was connected to Wilson Raj Perumal, who has been convicted of rigging football matches abroad.
"Wilson Raj Perumal, he is the king, he's my boss," the fixer said.

The Football Association said it was working closely with the authorities in relation to these arrests.
Recent years have seen a massive increase in match fixing, with a scandal recently breaking out in European football, fuelled by Asian betting syndicates.

In February, Europol said it was probing 380 suspicious matches. Matches were said to include Champions League ties and World Cup qualifiers.

The major investigation involving Europol and police teams from 13 European countries had uncovered an extensive criminal network.

A total of 425 match officials, club officials, players and serious criminals, from more than 15 countries, are suspected of being involved in attempts to fix more than 380 professional football matches.

The activities generated over 8 million in betting profits and involved over 2 million in corrupt payments to those involved in the matches.

It also arrested who they claimed was the brain behind the massive match fixing scandal in European football.
A raid in Singapore by Interpol resulted in the arrest of 14 people who were suspected to be part of an organized crime group involved in match-fixing.

Operation Soga (short for soccer gambling) is an on-going tactical operation coordinated by INTERPOL to disrupt the illegal soccer gambling activities of criminal organizations in Asia.

As of 2013, four Soga operations have resulted in 2,360 successful raids. The closure of illegal gambling dens which handled illegal bets worth more than $ 2 billion resulted in seizure of more than $ 27 million in cash.

The European Commission recently went on record to admit that match-fixing and corruption pose the greatest threats to European sport today.

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'Real can win the Champions League'

MADRID: Gareth Bale believes Real Madrid have all it takes to end a 12-year Champions League title drought as they cruised into the last 16 with a 4-1 win over Galatasaray on Wednesday.

Nine-time winners Madrid made light of Sergio Ramos' sending off midway through the first-half as Bale opened the scoring with sumptuous dipping free-kick from 35 yards to put the hosts in front.

Umut Bult levelled for Galatasaray a minute later, but, despite the numerical disadvantage, Madrid were rampant after the break as goals from Alvaro Arbeloa, Angel di Maria and Isco extended Carlo Ancelotti's men's unbeaten run to six games, in which they have scored 26 goals.

Madrid's victory was even more impressive as it was achieved without star man Cristiano Ronaldo as he sat out the game due to a slight muscular injury.

And with the favourite for this year's Ballon d'Or still to return, Bale is confident Real can go all in the way in the Champions League this season.

"We showed character and good team spirit when playing a man short," he told Real Madrid TV.

"There are no limits to what we can achieve in the competition. We have a good chance of winning the Champions League this year."

Bale's goal was his fifth in his last six games as he has began to find top form following his reported 91 million euro ($124 million, £76 million) move from Tottenham Hotspur in September.

And he believes his free-kick was amongst that left Galatasaray keeper Eray Iscan flummoxed was one of the best he has ever scored.

"I am happy about the match and the goal. I've been practicing free-kicks and was lucky that this one came off. It is one of the best goals of my career."

With regular centre-forward Karim Benzema also rested on Wednesday, Bale ended up playing in a variety of positions across the frontline as he switched wings with Di Maria at times in the first period before spending the majority of the second through the middle.

However, with Ronaldo and Benzema expected to return for the visit of Valladolid on Saturday, Ancelotti insisted he still sees Bale's best position as being on the right side of the attack.

"I think he is most dangerous when he plays on the right and has more chances to use his shot.

"He played very well tonight in different positions, but I think he is more comfortable when he plays on the right."

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India beat Windies to clinch series 2-1

KANPUR: India clinched the ODI series against West Indies 2-1 with a comfortable five-wicket victory in the third and final match, riding on Shikhar Dhawan's sparkling century.

Scorecard | Match in Pics

The Indians first restricted West Indies to 263 for five and then overhauled the target with 23 balls to spare to lift yet another ODI trophy at home.

Dhawan stole the limelight with an attacking 119 that came off 95 balls, his fifth ODI hundred, while Yuvraj Singh notched up a 74-ball 55 to seal the issue for the home side at the Green Park Stadium which was hosting an international game after a gap of nearly four years.

It was a welcome return to form for Yuvraj, who cautiously put together 129 runs for the third wicket with Dhawan to set the platform for the easy win.

Earlier, the trio of Kieran Powell, Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo struck half-centuries to propel West Indies to a challenging total.

Powell (70) carried on his good form from the last match and registered his second fifty of the series. Together with Samuels (71), he shared a 117-run second-wicket partnership to lay the foundation for West Indies after the visitors were put into bat by India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Towards the end, Darren Bravo (51 not out) and Darren Sammy (37 not out) played aggressively to take West Indies past the 260-run mark.

Comfortably placed at 137 for one at one stage, West Indies looked set for a big score but India staged a comeback with quick wickets to restrict West Indies to the manageable score.

For the hosts, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers with figures of two for 45 from his quota of 10 overs.

India's chase did not start on a very good note even though Dhawan made his intentions clear in just the second over of the innings when he clobbered Jason Holder thrice to the fence.

The hosts lost Rohit Sharma in the fifth over with just 20 runs on the board. Rohit gave a straight-forward catch to Dwayne Bravo at the first slip while trying to push at an away going delivery from Ravi Rampaul.

Virat Kohli looked in great touch during his brief 19-run stay but he too was undone by Rampaul's probing length outside the off stump.

While trying to leave a delivery at the last moment, the ball just brushed Kohli's bat on to the safe hands of wicket-keeper Johnson Charles.

But from there on it was a Dhawan-Yuvraj show as the duo went about its business in style and shared the run-a-ball century partnership.

Dhawan was the aggressive one among the two. The hallmark of Dhawan's innings was his elegant drives through the extra cover region and short-arm pulls.

Dhawan sent the West Indies bowlers' on a leather hunt and found the fence at will. He completely dominated the Caribbean attack and hit as many as 20 boundaries during his fiery knock.

By the time Yuvraj and Dhawan got out, they had ensured the series-clinching victory for India.

Yuvraj was caught by Dwayne Bravo at the slip off Sunil Narine in the 31st over but not before the left-hander reached his fifty which was laced with seven fours.

Dhawan finally departed in the 38th over, caught by Dwayne Bravo of his own bowling as the bat turned in his hand.

Dhoni (23 not out) and Ravindra Jadeja (2 not out) completed the formalities for India with consummate ease.

Dhoni's decision to bowl first after winning the toss did not yield the desired result as his bowlers could pick up just one wicket before Powell and Samuels joined hands to take West Indies forward.

Opener Johnson Charles (11) failed yet again when Bhuvneshwar Kumar went through his defence in the fifth over with a perfect inswinger leaving West Indies at 20 for one.

But thereafter Powell and Samuels got together and played sensibly, mixing caution with aggression to stitch a century stand for the second wicket and lay the foundation for a big total.

Both Powell and Samuels were cautious in their approach as they brought up the West Indies fifty in 11.3 overs.

Both the batsmen were content to see off the new ball in the morning. The duo kept rotating the strike with ones and twos and punished loose deliveries that came their way.

But once they managed to set in their eyes, both Powell and Samuels played freely and in the process brought up their 50-run stand in 53 balls.

Samuels finally opened up and welcomed off-spinner R Ashwin with a huge six over long-on as West Indies reached the 100-run mark in 21.2 overs.

Powell was the aggressor as he reached his half-century in 66 balls with the help of six boundaries. Samuels, on the other hand, played second fiddle and took 73 balls to score his fifty.

But just when it seemed the duo might run away with the initiative, both Powell, who scored 59 in the last match, and Samuels once again threw their wickets away.

Powell and Samuels, who was dropped on 60 by Virat Kohli at slip off Ravindra Jadeja, failed to convert their fifties into three-figure scores as Ashwin brought India back into the match by dismissing both the set batsmen in a span of 37 balls.

Ashwin broke the dangerous-looking 177-run partnership when Powell gave a simple catch to Shikhar Dhawan at short fine-leg trying to sweep the off-spinner.

He scored 70 runs off 81 deliveries and struck nine boundaries in the process.

A few overs later, Ashwin was once again in the thick of things when he went through Samuels' defence by luring the batsman with a tossed up delivery.

Samuels, who made 71 off 93 balls, laced his innings with seven boundaries and one six. Darren Bravo, on the other hand, started in an attacking fashion and hit Ashwin for a four and six in consecutive balls.

West Indies decision to take the batting powerplay in the 35th over backfired as the visitors lost two key wickets scoring just 26 runs.

New man in Lendl Simmons (13) too perished early in search of quick runs. He hit Jadeja for two boundaries in the 39th over before the left-arm spinner took his revenge when the batsman failed to negotiate extra bounce and edged one to Dhoni while going for a cut.

Skipper Dwayne Bravo (4) did not help his reputation either and holed out to Ashwin while going for his favourite extravagant lofted shot over extra cover off Mohammed Shami as West Indies slumped to 196 for five from a comfortable position.

But Darren Bravo and Sammy ensured a decent total for their bowlers to defend, stitching unbeaten 69 runs off 49 balls for the sixth wicket. Both Darren Bravo and Sammy used their long handles to great effect.

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Coins by Achrekar are priceless for SRT

MUMBAI: One would be spoilt for choice if he is asked to choose his favourite pick from the following memorabilias: a signed boxing gloves by Muhammed Ali, a guitar signed by Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler, a bat autographed by none other than Sir Don Bradman.

But ask Sachin Tendulkar and the answer will be the coins that he earned from his childhood coach Ramakant Achrekar after those rigorous training sessions at the Shivaji Park Gymkhana ground.

During those days, Achrekar would put a Re 1 coin on top of the stump and if Sachin wouldn't get out, the coin would be his.

"I think the most important memorabilia for me is the coins that I have got from my coach Achrekar sir, those are the most important ones," Tendulkar said at the launch of India's first celebrity commerce website Collectabillia in association with Cafe Coffee Day lounge.

The Collectabilia Celebrity Walls which would feature some rare authentic memorabilia autographed by legends from different walks of life.

The collection includes Sachin Tendulkar 200th Test commemorative autographed bat, along with boxing gloves signed by Muhammad Ali.

After having a look at Ali's big gloves, Tendulkar said that it was exactly the same that is there in his Bandra bunglow.

"On my 40th birthday, I got a pleasant surprise from Anjana (Anjana Reddy, who is MD of Universal Sportsbiz that operates Collectabilia.com). The Muhammad Ali's glove that you are seeing here --I have one exactly like that at home signed by Muhammad Ali. That has to be a special memorabilia."

Another priceless piece of memorabilia has to be the framed picture and bat signed by Sir Don.

"Apart from Ali's signed gloves, Sir Don's autographed bat and framed picture another precious item that I possess," the cricket legend said.

A music buff and a big fan of Knopfler, it is obvious that rock star's signed personal guitar is also a treasured item for Tendulkar.

"Other than cricket, I like motorsports and football but moving away from sport then it is music. Music, obviously from the western part of the world, it has got to be Dire Straits. Knopfler presented me his personal guitar. So that has to be the top of the music (collectors' item) list," he said.

The iconic Lata Mangeshkar treats Tendulkar like his son and by cricketer's own admission, he is waiting for the gift from his "Lata Didi".

"Something which I am really looking forward to is Lata Didi has promised me something, so hopefully I should have that with me. It is a surprise. That is something I am looking forward to. It will be a special one. These are the top three artistes as far as music is concerned for me.

"Among Indian musicians, Ashaji gave me her own personal record, which was from the 70s. It was signed and a song the way it is meant to be sung (notations) in her handwriting, which is really special to me. AR Rahman, who is a good friend, gave me his personal guitar, so that is dear to me."

For Tendulkar, what makes these memorabilias special is the feeling associated with those items when these great musicians parted with them.

"Like me, there are so many millions and millions of fans who have enjoyed their music. This is something which must have been personal to them before they decided to part with. So it has a special value to me because AR being a close friend. Also the blessings of the two great singers of many generations Lata Didi and Ashaji make these items special," he said.

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India beat Windies to clinch series 2-1

KANPUR: India clinched the ODI series against West Indies 2-1 with a comfortable five-wicket victory in the third and final match, riding on Shikhar Dhawan's sparkling century.

Scorecard | Match in Pics

The Indians first restricted West Indies to 263 for five and then overhauled the target with 23 balls to spare to lift yet another ODI trophy at home.

Dhawan stole the limelight with an attacking 119 that came off 95 balls, his fifth ODI hundred, while Yuvraj Singh notched up a 74-ball 55 to seal the issue for the home side at the Green Park Stadium which was hosting an international game after a gap of nearly four years.

It was a welcome return to form for Yuvraj, who cautiously put together 129 runs for the third wicket with Dhawan to set the platform for the easy win.

Earlier, the trio of Kieran Powell, Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo struck half-centuries to propel West Indies to a challenging total.

Powell (70) carried on his good form from the last match and registered his second fifty of the series. Together with Samuels (71), he shared a 117-run second-wicket partnership to lay the foundation for West Indies after the visitors were put into bat by India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Towards the end, Darren Bravo (51 not out) and Darren Sammy (37 not out) played aggressively to take West Indies past the 260-run mark.

Comfortably placed at 137 for one at one stage, West Indies looked set for a big score but India staged a comeback with quick wickets to restrict West Indies to the manageable score.

For the hosts, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers with figures of two for 45 from his quota of 10 overs.

India's chase did not start on a very good note even though Dhawan made his intentions clear in just the second over of the innings when he clobbered Jason Holder thrice to the fence.

The hosts lost Rohit Sharma in the fifth over with just 20 runs on the board. Rohit gave a straight-forward catch to Dwayne Bravo at the first slip while trying to push at an away going delivery from Ravi Rampaul.

Virat Kohli looked in great touch during his brief 19-run stay but he too was undone by Rampaul's probing length outside the off stump.

While trying to leave a delivery at the last moment, the ball just brushed Kohli's bat on to the safe hands of wicket-keeper Johnson Charles.

But from there on it was a Dhawan-Yuvraj show as the duo went about its business in style and shared the run-a-ball century partnership.

Dhawan was the aggressive one among the two. The hallmark of Dhawan's innings was his elegant drives through the extra cover region and short-arm pulls.

Dhawan sent the West Indies bowlers' on a leather hunt and found the fence at will. He completely dominated the Caribbean attack and hit as many as 20 boundaries during his fiery knock.

By the time Yuvraj and Dhawan got out, they had ensured the series-clinching victory for India.

Yuvraj was caught by Dwayne Bravo at the slip off Sunil Narine in the 31st over but not before the left-hander reached his fifty which was laced with seven fours.

Dhawan finally departed in the 38th over, caught by Dwayne Bravo of his own bowling as the bat turned in his hand.

Dhoni (23 not out) and Ravindra Jadeja (2 not out) completed the formalities for India with consummate ease.

Dhoni's decision to bowl first after winning the toss did not yield the desired result as his bowlers could pick up just one wicket before Powell and Samuels joined hands to take West Indies forward.

Opener Johnson Charles (11) failed yet again when Bhuvneshwar Kumar went through his defence in the fifth over with a perfect inswinger leaving West Indies at 20 for one.

But thereafter Powell and Samuels got together and played sensibly, mixing caution with aggression to stitch a century stand for the second wicket and lay the foundation for a big total.

Both Powell and Samuels were cautious in their approach as they brought up the West Indies fifty in 11.3 overs.

Both the batsmen were content to see off the new ball in the morning. The duo kept rotating the strike with ones and twos and punished loose deliveries that came their way.

But once they managed to set in their eyes, both Powell and Samuels played freely and in the process brought up their 50-run stand in 53 balls.

Samuels finally opened up and welcomed off-spinner R Ashwin with a huge six over long-on as West Indies reached the 100-run mark in 21.2 overs.

Powell was the aggressor as he reached his half-century in 66 balls with the help of six boundaries. Samuels, on the other hand, played second fiddle and took 73 balls to score his fifty.

But just when it seemed the duo might run away with the initiative, both Powell, who scored 59 in the last match, and Samuels once again threw their wickets away.

Powell and Samuels, who was dropped on 60 by Virat Kohli at slip off Ravindra Jadeja, failed to convert their fifties into three-figure scores as Ashwin brought India back into the match by dismissing both the set batsmen in a span of 37 balls.

Ashwin broke the dangerous-looking 177-run partnership when Powell gave a simple catch to Shikhar Dhawan at short fine-leg trying to sweep the off-spinner.

He scored 70 runs off 81 deliveries and struck nine boundaries in the process.

A few overs later, Ashwin was once again in the thick of things when he went through Samuels' defence by luring the batsman with a tossed up delivery.

Samuels, who made 71 off 93 balls, laced his innings with seven boundaries and one six. Darren Bravo, on the other hand, started in an attacking fashion and hit Ashwin for a four and six in consecutive balls.

West Indies decision to take the batting powerplay in the 35th over backfired as the visitors lost two key wickets scoring just 26 runs.

New man in Lendl Simmons (13) too perished early in search of quick runs. He hit Jadeja for two boundaries in the 39th over before the left-arm spinner took his revenge when the batsman failed to negotiate extra bounce and edged one to Dhoni while going for a cut.

Skipper Dwayne Bravo (4) did not help his reputation either and holed out to Ashwin while going for his favourite extravagant lofted shot over extra cover off Mohammed Shami as West Indies slumped to 196 for five from a comfortable position.

But Darren Bravo and Sammy ensured a decent total for their bowlers to defend, stitching unbeaten 69 runs off 49 balls for the sixth wicket. Both Darren Bravo and Sammy used their long handles to great effect.

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Our bowlers have improved, says Dhoni

KANPUR: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Wednesday credited the 2-1 ODI series win over the West Indies to team effort and said bowling performance has also improved a lot as compared to the recent contest against Australia.

Dhoni said while the top-order batsmen were in fine form, what was heartening was the improved show by the bowlers.

"If you compare the Australia series to the kind of death bowling we did today...even if we were missing the yorkers, it was not by much. They were ending up as low full tosses and that is a big improvement for us," he said, comparing the performance of his bowlers against the West Indies with the seven-ODI series against Australia, which India won 3-2.

"Also in the middle overs, the two spinners and Raina, is a big positive," Dhoni said after India beat West Indies by five wickets in the third and final one-dayer to win the three-match series 2-1.

On his batsmen's consistent performance, Dhoni said: "Rohit (Sharma) and Shikhar (Dhawan) gave a very good start, Virat has been as consistent as ever, and we have finished well with the lower order."

Dhoni was all praise of his bowlers for restricting West Indies to a gettable target on a Green Park track, which was more conducive to batting than expected.

"Once you win the toss and field, it is important to restrict the opponents. We bowled well, but were unlucky, some edges did not carry, there were lots of play-and-misses. 280 becomes quite a big score. I felt it was not a normal Kanpur wicket, it was much better to bat on. That is why 260 seemed just below a par score."

Man of the Match, Shikhar Dhawan, who hit 119 on Wednesday, said he was comfortable with the tract as he played on such kind of wickets in Delhi.

"We usually play on these kinds of tracks in Delhi and I am used to playing on them. I knew there would not be much bounce and the drives were on. Happy with my form, the team is doing great," he said.

"This year has been great and I hope to continue to play like this. In the previous two ODIs also, I was playing well but got out. So I wanted to score big today," Dhawan, who has scored five centuries this season, said.

Man-of-the-Series Virat Kohli said the series win augured well for the team but the real test would start with the upcoming tour of South Africa.

"We have scored a lot of runs...all the batsmen and that is why we are ODI number one side now. But the real challenge will begin with the South Africa tour. It's a challenge but this team likes challenges. I think we are good enough to stand up to it and we won't disappoint our fans," said Kohli, who scored 204 runs in three matches against the West Indies.

Asked about his current form, which has seen him score most number of runs in a calendar year, he said, "I am just trying to make the most of the sort of form I am in now. Trying to stay in the zone. Been coming off well.

"But the most important month for us is coming now in South Africa, so good to get a few runs before going there. I try to score as many as I can, staying in a nice happy space."

West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo felt his team was short by 20 runs but said they have fought well in the series and can hold their heads high.

"We did very well (with the bat), Darren Sammy played a fantastic innings, can't forget the innings of Marlon Samuels. We lost a few wickets at crucial times. (Lendl) Simmons and I got out at crucial times, we could have capitalized better," he said.

"So we were short by some 20 runs. Chasing 280 instead of 260 could have been a different ball game."

"We should have given a better bowling effort. But overall it was a very good performance by the team. Defeating India in India has been very difficult and we gave the number one ODI team a close fight. Our players can hold their heads high," Bravo added.

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Will focus on line and length: Umesh

MUMBAI: Back in the side after being sidelined for some months due to poor form, Indian pacer Umesh Yadav today said he will focus on getting his line and length right in next month's Test and ODI series against South Africa.

"I am not thinking too much. I will just focus on line and length. The conditions will be different there and the wickets too will be different there," Yadav told reporters here ahead of the crucial which features two Tests and three ODIs starting December 5.

"Mentally I will be ready to bowl to a length, which could be three-quarter and around the off stump. I am focused on this aspect. Bowling wicket to wicket is very important in Test match cricket," he said.

Yadav was part of the squad for the Test series against West Indies but didn't make it to the final XI and said he is keeping his fingers crossed to play against the Proteas in the upcoming tour.

"I will keep my fingers crossed. Anything can happen. We have spinners who can extract turn on any wicket. It would be good if I get a chance, but the composition and balance of the team is vital," he said.

The 26-year-old Vidarbha bowler will be representing his side in the Ranji match against Mumbai starting here tomorrow.

Asked about his interaction with the host skipper and senior India bowler Zaheer Khan at the nets, Yadav said, "We met after a long time today. He enquired about my fitness and advised me to concentrate on line and length."

Yadav, who has played nine Tests and 26 ODIs for India, said he is playing Ranji games to get some match practice.

"For every fast bowler match practice is very important. There will be lot of bounce on the South African wickets. So, this match against Mumbai will be a good preparation on a probably helpful wicket here," he said.

"The Ranji games are good practice games for me to improve fitness," he added.

The speedster had a back injury which ruled him out for the Australia series but he said he is feeling fine now.

"Right now I am bowling well and feeling fine. I have already played two Ranji games. I am getting better and feeling better," he said.

He admitted that he is not bowling at the same level right now.

"I have started playing after the injury. It takes time to get into the rhythm, but I am feeling much better. The more I play I will be able to get into top rhythm," he said.

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Win in Vizag gave us confidence: Bravo

KANPUR: The series-levelling win in the second ODI at Visakhapatnam gave a struggling West Indies the self belief that they can beat India at their own backyard, the visiting team skipper Dwayne Bravo said on Tuesday.

After the six-wicket loss to India in the first ODI at Kochi, West Indies pulled off a narrow two-wicket victory against the hosts in the next match to liven up the three-match rubber.

"Winning the last game gave us the confidence and the belief that we can actually beat India in India," Bravo said on the eve of the third and deciding ODI at the Green Park stadium, which would be hosting a international match after nearly four years.

"From our point of view, we are just focused on improving on our previous performances and try to play together as a team more consistently. In the last five encounters we've had with India in ODIs, we've won two and lost three.

"So, tomorrow's game will be very important to get even and of course win the series," said the West Indies captain.

Bravo conceded that it will take something "special" from the Caribbean side to beat the Indians in two consecutive matches at home.

"The Indian team will come back hard after the hurtful loss and since it's a day game, it will be very hot and humid. It's not going to be easy but I will keep reminding the team of the importance of beating the number one team in the world," he said.

The West Indies skipper said execution of plans is very important to win matches and they were focusing to do that on Wednesday.

"Before the last match we had a very good team meeting - it was very interactive and thorough. In all meetings we formulate our plans but never really executed them on the field, which we did well the other day. I will remind the guys of the good things we did in that match and encourage them to repeat them tomorrow," Bravo said.

The batting performance of West Indies in second ODI was a huge improvement from their previous matches on this tour, but none of the visiting team batsman has been able to play a big knock so far. But Bravo said it was not a concern for him as long as his batsmen were contributing to team's success.

"It is good they are getting starts, some of us are not even getting them. It is good for us as a team that some guys are getting fifties and building partnerships to put the team in winning situation. Rather than one person scoring a hundred and we losing the match, if four or five half-centuries can win us matches, I will take that any day," he said.

Bravo, however, wants his batsmen to learn from their Indian counterparts on how to convert starts into big scores.

"I encourage the young West Indies batsmen to learn from the Indian batsmen, particularly inculcate their appetite for runs. I want guys like Darren Bravo, Kieran Powell and Johnson Charles to learn from the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan," he said.

Darren Sammy, who was the man-of-the-match in Visakhapatnam for his match-winning unbeaten 63, has always been under scrutiny. Considered as a bits-and-pieces cricketer, Sammy's place in the West Indies team has often been questioned by the media and cricket pundits.

But Bravo backed the all-rounder and termed him as a "match-winner" for West Indies.

"The talks are on in media and outside that Sammy should not be part of team but for us he is a big part of our team. As captain, he is an important player for me, especially with likes of Kieron Pollard and Chris Gayle out," he said.

"He is a main player in our side and will be an asset as long as he plays. If he is out of form, it's important for us as a team to give him all support and continue to encourage him because he is a match-winner on his day. He showed that in the last game. He also brings in a positive vibe in the dressing room and I would always want someone like him around at all times," Bravo said of the West Indies Test captain.

Bravo feels spinners will play a crucial role in Wednesday's day-game.

"I am happy to have two good spinners at my disposal in Sunil Narine and Veerasammy Permaul in Indian conditions. Tomorrow, it being a day game, they will play an even bigger role," he said.

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Zaheer gearing up for South Africa tour

MUMBAI: Veteran India pacer Zaheer Khan, who has made a comeback to the Test side after nearly a year, on Tuesday said he was gearing up for the challenge against South Africa next month.

"I have ironed out things I felt were pulling me back. I am ready to take on the challenge. It is great to accept challenge and to live up to it," Zaheer told reporters.

The 35-year-old has been selected in the 17-member Test squad after taking 13 wickets in three Ranji Trophy matches at an average of 19.84 this season. His last Test was against England in Kolkata in December 2012.

The senior pro said that incidentally his last comeback was also in South Africa.

"I have had some good memories of South Africa. My last comeback was there, so I am looking forward to it," he said.

Zaheer will be leading the Mumbai team in its Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha, which commences on November 28 and he said it would be good to get some match practice before the South Africa tour.

"Looking forward to join the team (Indian). I will be playing this Ranji game (against Vidarbha). It is going to be good to get some overs under the belt," he said.

The left-arm seamer, who had been battling fitness issues, said he expected to make a comeback after working hard on the physical aspect.

"I was expecting that. Last year when I sat down and was thinking about exactly how to go about, firstly if I want to make my comeback or no. That was the biggest question for me. When the answer was yes, I then chalked out a strategy. What exactly was needed and I did everything possible to make sure that I am there. Obviously, physical aspect was a big thing and I had to tackle that.

"In consultation with lot of trainers and physios I chalked out a plan and so far it worked," he said.

"Mentally there was no problem, physically there was a little (problem). It was important that I keep believing in myself, my abilities and just keep on putting the work. That's what I have always been doing so far in my career. This time it was no different," he said.

Zaheer said he progressed slowly and the spell against West Indies 'A' in Hubli last month helped his confidence.

"It has been a slow progress right from Shimoga. When I went to Shimoga I knew that I needed some overs under my belt and to progress gradually. I didn't want anything to happen suddenly and I was kind of progressing slowly but surely.

"As I bowled a few overs in that game, I have always believed that match practice is always the best practice, so that was on my mind and slowly things started picking up. The spell which I bowled in Hubli towards the end gave me lot of confidence and from there I just picked it up," he said.

He added that the spells in the Ranji games helped him to get into that zone.

"It was more to do with getting in that zone as far as matches are concerned. Those spells I was looking at it more from trying out different things. Once I had overs under my belt, I was comfortable being on the field, I was feeling that the recovery in between the spells was spot on.

"I was able to recover in between the spells and comeback the next day. So those were the things I was looking at. As far as Test matches are concerned, you have to not only put in effort on the first day, but the important thing is make sure that you are from ball one," he said.

Zaheer had a training stint at Bloemfontein, South Africa with fitness expert Adrian le Roux in September and he said it was a plan to get acclimatised to those conditions.

"That was the plan. Obviously, Adrian is someone with whom I have worked with before when he was with the Indian team. We have that rapport. I knew what kind of credibility he has. During the IPL, we had a plan that I would do my strength and conditioning base first in France and then join him for the cricketing skills there in Bloemfontein. Basically, I just stuck to the plan," he said.

Zaheer also said that he planned to start something in the country on the lines of what he did abroad.

"I have plans of start something here that I did abroad because lots of people get benefited. I had the privilege to go abroad and I could afford to do those things but I feel in India you need a setup like that in terms of physiotherapy and fitness. So hopefully instead of giving you a lowdown I will give you the real thing here," he said.

On leading the bowling outfit against the Proteas and helping the youngsters, Zaheer said, "That has come naturally to me. If I can help someone, I don't hesitate to go up to him and say what I feel. Being a bowler in sub-continent is never an easy task. You have to keep encouraging them, keep giving them confidence. And it is about just backing yourself and believing that. The thought process is very important I feel, especially when you are playing in sub-continent."

He was effusive in his praise for pacer Mohammed Shami and said it was a dream spell and a dream debut for him.

"The (bowling attack) is very promising. Shami produced a brilliant spell against the West Indies. It was like a dream spell and a dream debut for anyone. Considering sub-continent, it is hard to get wickets and he not only bowled well with the new ball but also with the old ball," said Zaheer.

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Federer can play until he is 60: Nastase

Roger Federer should play until he is 60 if he wants to, according to Romanian former world number one Ilie Nastase.

The Swiss 17-time Grand Slam champion has slipped down to sixth in the world rankings and won only one title this year, prompting many to suggest he is a spent force at 32.

Nastase the former bad boy of tennis, believes Federer should not listen to the naysayers, however.

"I wish people wouldn't say that Roger Federer has to retire," the 67-year-old former French Open and U.S. Open champion was quoted as saying in Romanian media.

"I think he should play for as long as he wants.

"I don't agree with those people who say that you should retire when you're past your absolute best or prime.

"No, Federer doesn't have to prove anything, he can play to 60 if he wants to."

Federer, who has spent a record 302 weeks as world number one during his illustrious career, is still one of the biggest draws in tennis, according to Nastase, even if he has fallen behind players such as Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

"If Federer wants to carry on playing, no-one is going to say: 'No, we don't want Federer to play'.

"He is going to retire when he feels like it. I don't think that he has to retire just because he is no longer the world number one. That happens to everybody, as you can't stay as the world number one forever. He retires whenever."

Nastase himself retired from the Tour at the age of 39 but continued playing invitational seniors events into his 60s.

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