Ashwin scalps Perera to take 100th wicket

NEW DELHI: Indian made a remarkable comeback with a double strike by spinner Ravindra Jadeja against Sri Lanka in the league match of Asia Cup at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, Bangladesh.

Scorecard

Jadeja jolted Sri Lankan chase when he dismissed Mahela Jayawardene and Dinesh Chandimal on consecutive deliveries to leave them struggling at 148/4 in 31.2 overs.

Ravichandran Ashwin broke the crucial second wicket stand between Kusal Perera and Kumar Sangakkara by removing the former.

Perera played a fine knock of 64 studded with four fours and two sixes. Ashwin struck at the time when India were desperately looking for breakthrough.

With Perera's dismissal, Ashwin also completed his 100 wickets in the ODIs.

India finally got a breakthrough when spinner Ashwin struck to dismiss Sri Lanka's Lahiru Thirimanne.

Kusal Perera led the Sri Lankan charge from the front slamming his third ODI fifty and continued to defy Indian bowling attack. Perera smashed three fours and two sixes during the course of his fifty.

Openers Thirimanne and Perera started off well to lay the foundation for Sri Lankan chase against India.

The duo had no problem negotiating Indian bowlers as they completed 50-run stand in the 10th over and went on to add 80 runs for the first wicket.

The luck was not going India's way when Ravindra Jadeja almost caught Kusal Perera at mid wicket but could not hold on to it when his elbows hit the ground.

Earlier, opener Shikhar Dhawan missed out on a century by six runs as spinner Ajantha Mendis returned to haunt India by restricting them to 264 for nine.

Sent into bat, Dhawan (94) and captain Virat Kohli (48) led India's recovery in a 97-run second-wicket partnership, before Mendis, more than three years after his mystery was decoded by the Indian batsmen, came back to trouble them with figures of 4/60 at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

Mendis castled Kohli and Dhawan with his carrom ball while off-spinner Sachitra Senanayake scalped 3/41 as India's new-look middle order sorely missed Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Thanks to the duo's exploits, India slipped after being comfortably placed at 175 for two in the 36th over.

Ajinkya Rahane (22), Ambati Rayudu (18) and Dinesh Karthik (4) looked good but could not covert their starts, while Stuart Binny did not trouble the scorers after being out for a zero.

Having come into the limelight with his career-best 6/13 against India in Karachi in 2008, Mendis got a reality check after the currently out-of-favour Virender Sehwag unleashed his fury on him the next year.

But that was then and on this day Mendis, who was included in place of medium pacer Suranga Kamal, did not let the Lankans down.

The pitch behaved differently with the ball staying low right from the very first over. It was the perfect condition to test the openers who were in the middle of a prolonged lean patch.

Sharma, particularly, struggled against the odd ball as Sri Lanka, who were playing with three specialist spinners, brought on offie Senanayake in the sixth over.

Lanka seemed in perfect control, conceding only 37 runs in the first power play which also yielded Sharma's wicket.

After all his struggle, Sharma'a anxious stay finally came to an end when he got to out to a dubious decision. Umpire Nigel Llong ruled the batsman out despite being long way down the track.

The breakthrough incidentally turned around India's fortunes with last match centurion Kohli starting off with a boundary.

At the other end, Dhawan looked to have got his fluency back and Kohli's reassuring presence further calmed the left-hander's nerves.

Sri Lanka's pace attack lacked bite after skipper Angelo Mathews left the field midway into his third over with a niggle as the Lankans resorted to an all-spin attack with Mendis coming into bowl in the 16th over.

With Kohli in exquisite form and Dhawan back among runs, the duo looked in control of the proceedings.

Dhawan completed his half-century in 68 balls, the left-hander's first 50-plus score in nine matches. Kohli punished Chaturanaga de Silva before Dhawan joined the party with a boundary and a six against Perera, as India raced to 128/1 in 26 overs, when a smart decision to bring in Mendis from the pavilion end did the trick.

Mendis, who had a listless 4-0-22-0 in the first spell, bowled a carrom ball to castle the in-form Kohli, who fell two short of a half-century.

The prized scalp of Kohli broke India's back and the new- look middle order, without Dhoni, could never recover.

India took the batting power play early in the 33rd over but the inexperienced middle order in Rahane, Rayudu, Karthik and Binny failed to cash in.

Only 28 runs and Rahane's wicket in the batting powerplay was the beginning of India's downfall.

Mendis two wickets in one over, including that of Dhawan with another carrom ball, to deny the lefthander a century.

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Spinners lead India's fightback vs SL

NEW DELHI: Indian made a remarkable comeback with a double strike by spinner Ravindra Jadeja against Sri Lanka in the league match of Asia Cup at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, Bangladesh.

Scorecard

Jadeja jolted Sri Lankan chase when he dismissed Mahela Jayawardene and Dinesh Chandimal on consecutive deliveries to leave them struggling at 148/4 in 31.2 overs.

Ravichandran Ashwin broke the crucial second wicket stand between Kusal Perera and Kumar Sangakkara by removing the former.

Perera played a fine knock of 64 studded with four fours and two sixes. Ashwin struck at the time when India were desperately looking for breakthrough.

With Perera's dismissal, Ashwin also completed his 100 wickets in the ODIs.

India finally got a breakthrough when spinner Ashwin struck to dismiss Sri Lanka's Lahiru Thirimanne.

Kusal Perera led the Sri Lankan charge from the front slamming his third ODI fifty and continued to defy Indian bowling attack. Perera smashed three fours and two sixes during the course of his fifty.

Openers Thirimanne and Perera started off well to lay the foundation for Sri Lankan chase against India.

The duo had no problem negotiating Indian bowlers as they completed 50-run stand in the 10th over and went on to add 80 runs for the first wicket.

The luck was not going India's way when Ravindra Jadeja almost caught Kusal Perera at mid wicket but could not hold on to it when his elbows hit the ground.

Earlier, opener Shikhar Dhawan missed out on a century by six runs as spinner Ajantha Mendis returned to haunt India by restricting them to 264 for nine.

Sent into bat, Dhawan (94) and captain Virat Kohli (48) led India's recovery in a 97-run second-wicket partnership, before Mendis, more than three years after his mystery was decoded by the Indian batsmen, came back to trouble them with figures of 4/60 at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

Mendis castled Kohli and Dhawan with his carrom ball while off-spinner Sachitra Senanayake scalped 3/41 as India's new-look middle order sorely missed Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Thanks to the duo's exploits, India slipped after being comfortably placed at 175 for two in the 36th over.

Ajinkya Rahane (22), Ambati Rayudu (18) and Dinesh Karthik (4) looked good but could not covert their starts, while Stuart Binny did not trouble the scorers after being out for a zero.

Having come into the limelight with his career-best 6/13 against India in Karachi in 2008, Mendis got a reality check after the currently out-of-favour Virender Sehwag unleashed his fury on him the next year.

But that was then and on this day Mendis, who was included in place of medium pacer Suranga Kamal, did not let the Lankans down.

The pitch behaved differently with the ball staying low right from the very first over. It was the perfect condition to test the openers who were in the middle of a prolonged lean patch.

Sharma, particularly, struggled against the odd ball as Sri Lanka, who were playing with three specialist spinners, brought on offie Senanayake in the sixth over.

Lanka seemed in perfect control, conceding only 37 runs in the first power play which also yielded Sharma's wicket.

After all his struggle, Sharma'a anxious stay finally came to an end when he got to out to a dubious decision. Umpire Nigel Llong ruled the batsman out despite being long way down the track.

The breakthrough incidentally turned around India's fortunes with last match centurion Kohli starting off with a boundary.

At the other end, Dhawan looked to have got his fluency back and Kohli's reassuring presence further calmed the left-hander's nerves.

Sri Lanka's pace attack lacked bite after skipper Angelo Mathews left the field midway into his third over with a niggle as the Lankans resorted to an all-spin attack with Mendis coming into bowl in the 16th over.

With Kohli in exquisite form and Dhawan back among runs, the duo looked in control of the proceedings.

Dhawan completed his half-century in 68 balls, the left-hander's first 50-plus score in nine matches. Kohli punished Chaturanaga de Silva before Dhawan joined the party with a boundary and a six against Perera, as India raced to 128/1 in 26 overs, when a smart decision to bring in Mendis from the pavilion end did the trick.

Mendis, who had a listless 4-0-22-0 in the first spell, bowled a carrom ball to castle the in-form Kohli, who fell two short of a half-century.

The prized scalp of Kohli broke India's back and the new- look middle order, without Dhoni, could never recover.

India took the batting power play early in the 33rd over but the inexperienced middle order in Rahane, Rayudu, Karthik and Binny failed to cash in.

Only 28 runs and Rahane's wicket in the batting powerplay was the beginning of India's downfall.

Mendis two wickets in one over, including that of Dhawan with another carrom ball, to deny the lefthander a century.

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India fight back with quick wickets vs SL

NEW DELHI: Indian made a remarkable comeback with a double strike by Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami against Sri Lanka in the league match of Asia Cup at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, Bangladesh.

Scorecard

Jadeja jolted Sri Lankan chase when he dismissed Mahela Jayawardene and Dinesh Chandimal on consecutive deliveries to leave them struggling at 148/4 in 31.2 overs.

Pacer Mohammed Shami also joined the party dismissing skipper Angelo Mathews to put India on top.

Sri Lanka suffered another blow in quick succession when Shami claimed his second wicket in the form of Sachithra Senanayake.

Kumar Sangakkara kept Sri Lanka in hunt by slamming 85th ODI fifty.

Ravichandran Ashwin broke the crucial second wicket stand between Kusal Perera and Kumar Sangakkara by removing the former.

Perera played a fine knock of 64 studded with four fours and two sixes. Ashwin struck at the time when India were desperately looking for breakthrough.

With Perera's dismissal, Ashwin also completed his 100 wickets in the ODIs.

India finally got a breakthrough when spinner Ashwin struck to dismiss Sri Lanka's Lahiru Thirimanne.

Kusal Perera led the Sri Lankan charge from the front slamming his third ODI fifty and continued to defy Indian bowling attack. Perera smashed three fours and two sixes during the course of his fifty.

Openers Thirimanne and Perera started off well to lay the foundation for Sri Lankan chase against India.

The duo had no problem negotiating Indian bowlers as they completed 50-run stand in the 10th over and went on to add 80 runs for the first wicket.

The luck was not going India's way when Ravindra Jadeja almost caught Kusal Perera at mid wicket but could not hold on to it when his elbows hit the ground.

Earlier, opener Shikhar Dhawan missed out on a century by six runs as spinner Ajantha Mendis returned to haunt India by restricting them to 264 for nine.

Sent into bat, Dhawan (94) and captain Virat Kohli (48) led India's recovery in a 97-run second-wicket partnership, before Mendis, more than three years after his mystery was decoded by the Indian batsmen, came back to trouble them with figures of 4/60 at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

Mendis castled Kohli and Dhawan with his carrom ball while off-spinner Sachitra Senanayake scalped 3/41 as India's new-look middle order sorely missed Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Thanks to the duo's exploits, India slipped after being comfortably placed at 175 for two in the 36th over.

Ajinkya Rahane (22), Ambati Rayudu (18) and Dinesh Karthik (4) looked good but could not covert their starts, while Stuart Binny did not trouble the scorers after being out for a zero.

Having come into the limelight with his career-best 6/13 against India in Karachi in 2008, Mendis got a reality check after the currently out-of-favour Virender Sehwag unleashed his fury on him the next year.

But that was then and on this day Mendis, who was included in place of medium pacer Suranga Kamal, did not let the Lankans down.

The pitch behaved differently with the ball staying low right from the very first over. It was the perfect condition to test the openers who were in the middle of a prolonged lean patch.

Sharma, particularly, struggled against the odd ball as Sri Lanka, who were playing with three specialist spinners, brought on offie Senanayake in the sixth over.

Lanka seemed in perfect control, conceding only 37 runs in the first power play which also yielded Sharma's wicket.

After all his struggle, Sharma'a anxious stay finally came to an end when he got to out to a dubious decision. Umpire Nigel Llong ruled the batsman out despite being long way down the track.

The breakthrough incidentally turned around India's fortunes with last match centurion Kohli starting off with a boundary.

At the other end, Dhawan looked to have got his fluency back and Kohli's reassuring presence further calmed the left-hander's nerves.

Sri Lanka's pace attack lacked bite after skipper Angelo Mathews left the field midway into his third over with a niggle as the Lankans resorted to an all-spin attack with Mendis coming into bowl in the 16th over.

With Kohli in exquisite form and Dhawan back among runs, the duo looked in control of the proceedings.

Dhawan completed his half-century in 68 balls, the left-hander's first 50-plus score in nine matches. Kohli punished Chaturanaga de Silva before Dhawan joined the party with a boundary and a six against Perera, as India raced to 128/1 in 26 overs, when a smart decision to bring in Mendis from the pavilion end did the trick.

Mendis, who had a listless 4-0-22-0 in the first spell, bowled a carrom ball to castle the in-form Kohli, who fell two short of a half-century.

The prized scalp of Kohli broke India's back and the new- look middle order, without Dhoni, could never recover.

India took the batting power play early in the 33rd over but the inexperienced middle order in Rahane, Rayudu, Karthik and Binny failed to cash in.

Only 28 runs and Rahane's wicket in the batting powerplay was the beginning of India's downfall.

Mendis two wickets in one over, including that of Dhawan with another carrom ball, to deny the lefthander a century.

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Summons to Akmal for jumping signal

LAHORE: A day after he struck an unbeaten match-winning century against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal Friday received a court summon for March 11 to face charges of jumping a traffic light and fighting with a traffic police personnel.

Pakistan daily The News quoting an official said a local sessions court had issued an order for Akmal to appear before it March 11.

The 23-year-old batsman was arrested Feb 1 in Lahore before being released on bail on charges of jumping a red light and then scuffling with a traffic warden.

Akmal has denied the charges and has accused the police of being biased.

Meanwhile, Umar's elder brother Kamran was also fined Thursday for a traffic violation.

Kamran was fined for talking on his mobile phone while driving.

"It was my mistake so I surrendered before the warden who fined me," Kamran said.

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India tighten grip as Sri Lanka stutter

NEW DELHI: Indian made a remarkable comeback with a double strike by Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami against Sri Lanka in the league match of Asia Cup at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, Bangladesh.

Scorecard

Jadeja jolted Sri Lankan chase when he dismissed Mahela Jayawardene and Dinesh Chandimal on consecutive deliveries to leave them struggling at 148/4 in 31.2 overs.

Pacer Mohammed Shami also joined the party dismissing skipper Angelo Mathews to put India on top.

Sri Lanka suffered another blow in quick succession when Shami claimed his second wicket in the form of Sachithra Senanayake.

Kumar Sangakkara kept Sri Lanka in hunt by slamming 85th ODI fifty.

Ravichandran Ashwin broke the crucial second wicket stand between Kusal Perera and Kumar Sangakkara by removing the former.

Perera played a fine knock of 64 studded with four fours and two sixes. Ashwin struck at the time when India were desperately looking for breakthrough.

With Perera's dismissal, Ashwin also completed his 100 wickets in the ODIs.

India finally got a breakthrough when spinner Ashwin struck to dismiss Sri Lanka's Lahiru Thirimanne.

Kusal Perera led the Sri Lankan charge from the front slamming his third ODI fifty and continued to defy Indian bowling attack. Perera smashed three fours and two sixes during the course of his fifty.

Openers Thirimanne and Perera started off well to lay the foundation for Sri Lankan chase against India.

The duo had no problem negotiating Indian bowlers as they completed 50-run stand in the 10th over and went on to add 80 runs for the first wicket.

The luck was not going India's way when Ravindra Jadeja almost caught Kusal Perera at mid wicket but could not hold on to it when his elbows hit the ground.

Earlier, opener Shikhar Dhawan missed out on a century by six runs as spinner Ajantha Mendis returned to haunt India by restricting them to 264 for nine.

Sent into bat, Dhawan (94) and captain Virat Kohli (48) led India's recovery in a 97-run second-wicket partnership, before Mendis, more than three years after his mystery was decoded by the Indian batsmen, came back to trouble them with figures of 4/60 at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

Mendis castled Kohli and Dhawan with his carrom ball while off-spinner Sachitra Senanayake scalped 3/41 as India's new-look middle order sorely missed Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Thanks to the duo's exploits, India slipped after being comfortably placed at 175 for two in the 36th over.

Ajinkya Rahane (22), Ambati Rayudu (18) and Dinesh Karthik (4) looked good but could not covert their starts, while Stuart Binny did not trouble the scorers after being out for a zero.

Having come into the limelight with his career-best 6/13 against India in Karachi in 2008, Mendis got a reality check after the currently out-of-favour Virender Sehwag unleashed his fury on him the next year.

But that was then and on this day Mendis, who was included in place of medium pacer Suranga Kamal, did not let the Lankans down.

The pitch behaved differently with the ball staying low right from the very first over. It was the perfect condition to test the openers who were in the middle of a prolonged lean patch.

Sharma, particularly, struggled against the odd ball as Sri Lanka, who were playing with three specialist spinners, brought on offie Senanayake in the sixth over.

Lanka seemed in perfect control, conceding only 37 runs in the first power play which also yielded Sharma's wicket.

After all his struggle, Sharma'a anxious stay finally came to an end when he got to out to a dubious decision. Umpire Nigel Llong ruled the batsman out despite being long way down the track.

The breakthrough incidentally turned around India's fortunes with last match centurion Kohli starting off with a boundary.

At the other end, Dhawan looked to have got his fluency back and Kohli's reassuring presence further calmed the left-hander's nerves.

Sri Lanka's pace attack lacked bite after skipper Angelo Mathews left the field midway into his third over with a niggle as the Lankans resorted to an all-spin attack with Mendis coming into bowl in the 16th over.

With Kohli in exquisite form and Dhawan back among runs, the duo looked in control of the proceedings.

Dhawan completed his half-century in 68 balls, the left-hander's first 50-plus score in nine matches. Kohli punished Chaturanaga de Silva before Dhawan joined the party with a boundary and a six against Perera, as India raced to 128/1 in 26 overs, when a smart decision to bring in Mendis from the pavilion end did the trick.

Mendis, who had a listless 4-0-22-0 in the first spell, bowled a carrom ball to castle the in-form Kohli, who fell two short of a half-century.

The prized scalp of Kohli broke India's back and the new- look middle order, without Dhoni, could never recover.

India took the batting power play early in the 33rd over but the inexperienced middle order in Rahane, Rayudu, Karthik and Binny failed to cash in.

Only 28 runs and Rahane's wicket in the batting powerplay was the beginning of India's downfall.

Mendis two wickets in one over, including that of Dhawan with another carrom ball, to deny the lefthander a century.

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Pak inch close to win vs Afghanistan

NEW DELHI: A stupendous unbeaten century by Umar Akmal and a brilliant show by the bowlers helped Pakistan secure a comprehensive 72-run win against Afghanistan with a bonus point in their Asia Cup clash at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah on Thursday.

Scorecard | Points Table

After Akmal's 102* knock steered the defending champions to 248/8, Afghanistan were bundled out for 176.

After Umar Akmal's brilliant century powered Pakistan to 248/8, Afghanistan got off to a good start.

Pacer Umar Gul gave Pakistan first breakthrough by sending back Mohammad Shahzad. Gul struck on the final ball of the fifth over to get Shahzad (9) caught behind at the score of 32.

Noor Ali Zardan (44) then took the score past fifty but before he could get his half-ton, he was trapped infront of the wickets by Saeed Ajmal while trying to play around his pads in the 19th over.

Asghar Stanikzai and Nawroz Mangal then steadied Afghanistan innings. However, they found scoring tough as they managed to take the score past 100 mark in the 30th over.

After a solid 74-run stand for the third wicket between them, Afghanistan lost both Stanikzai and Mangal in quick succession, giving Pakistan total control.

While Shahid Afridi got rid of Stanikzai after his 40-run knock, that came of 91 balls, in the 37th over, Mangal (35) was run out in the next over, triggering Afghanistan's collapse.

Earlier, young wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal hit a scintillating century and played the role of a saviour to perfection as he lifted Pakistan to a competitive 248 for eight.

Akmal smashed 102 off 89 balls after Afghanistan won the toss and reduced Pakistan to 117 for six inside 30 overs on a sluggish pitch at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

Akmal reached his three-figure mark with a huge six in the penultimate ball of the innings.

The 23-year-old, who scored 74 off 72 against Sri Lanka in the last match, clobbered three sixes and seven boundaries while taking Pakistan to recovery from a precarious position.

Opener Ahmed Shehzad (50) contributed with a half-century and along with Sharjeel Khan got Pakistan off to a fine start, compiling 55 runs for the opening wicket before the former was scalped for 25 off 37 balls, including two fours and a six.

Next batsman Mohammad Hafeez (10) joined hands with Shehzad but the duo could only add 23 runs before Mirwais Ashraf sent Hafeez back to the pavilion.

Shehzad's departure triggered a mini collapse and from 89 for two, Pakistan slumped to 117 for six. They lost four wickets for mere 28 runs on the board.

The Asia Cup-debutants removed Sohaib Maqsood (13), skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (0) and allrounder Shahid Afridi (6) to put Pakistan in a spot of bother.

While leg-spinner Samiullah Shenwari cleaned up Shehzad, who hit seven fours in his half-century.

Misbah was unlucky to be run-out without facing a ball, and Afridi missed a slog only to find his off-stump uprooted by pacer Dawlat Zadran, sending the Afghanistan camp in jubilation.

But Akmal continued with his good form as he took Pakistan to a respectable total.

For the seventh wicket, Akmal added 60 runs with Anwar Ali (21 off 36 balls) to calm down nerves in the Pakistan dressing room and followed it with a 50-run stand with Umar Gul (15).

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Djokovic reaches Dubai Open semis

DUBAI: Novak Djokovic advanced to the semifinals of the Dubai Open more quickly than he would have wished when his opponent, Mikhail Youzhny, was taken ill and withdrew on Thursday.

The sixth-seeded Russian had twice reached the final in Dubai and would have provided a good test for the seven-time Grand Slam champion from Serbia, and Djokovic would certainly have preferred to experience that.

Returning to the tour more than five weeks since the loss of his Australian Open title, his greatest need is match practice.

However, he approaches a possible semi-final meeting with Roger Federer after little more than two hours court time from two encounters.

Djokovic was pleased enough with his performance after a very routine 6-1, 6-3 win on Wednesday against Roberto Bautista Agut, a Spaniard just outside the top 50, and suggested that accumulated knowledge helped make up for ring rustiness.

"The experience that I have playing, you know, the top players for many years helps me to understand what I need to do and what kind of approach I need to have," he said.

Nevertheless a maximum possible four matches here is less than he wanted going into the back-to-back high prestige American hard court tournaments, in Indian Wells and Miami, which can be physically and mentally very demanding.

Djokovic's greatest gain so far has possibly been the working relationship between his long-time coach Marian Vajda, and his new coaching consultant, Boris Becker, the six time former Grand Slam winner from Germany.

Djokovic originally admitted that this arrangement was "a potential risk", but here he has been more upbeat about it.

"They are getting along really well," he claimed. "That means a lot to me, because Marian is more than just a coach to me.

"He's like a friend, like a brother. We have a very good and friendly relationship. We shared a lot of good and bad moments in my life, in my career. So he knows me really well.

"And Boris, you know, when he was joining the team, obviously he had some meetings with myself and with the rest of the team, especially with Marian, to try to understand, you know, who I am as a person, as a player. That's an important thing.

"Obviously now they are working together, you know. Whatever he's trying to work on, you know, he discusses with all of us, and, of course, we all have a big respect for Boris.

"I'm really glad that he's in the team, and I feel like he can contribute in a positive way to my game and to my mental approach on the court," Djokovic concluded, without specifying what these contributions were.

Later Djokovic was joined in the semi-finals by Philipp Kohlschreiber, the sixth-seeded German who capitalised on the withdrawal of the injured second-seeded Juan Martin Del Potro by winning 6-2, 6-3 against Malek Jaziri, the wild card from Tunisia.

Kohlschreiber will play the winner between Tomas Berdych, the in-form third-seeded Czech, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the fifth-seeded Frenchman who contested the Marseille final on Sunday.

Djokovic will meet the winner of the fourth-seeded Federer, who holds a record five titles here, and Lukas Rosol, an unseeded Czech who was the surprise conqueror of Rafa Nadal at Wimbledon in 2012.

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Stanikzai, Mangal steady Afghanistan

NEW DELHI: Saeed Ajmal struck in his first over to get rid of Noor Ali Zardan after his steady knock of 44, leaving Afghanistan two down for 65 in their chase of 249 in their Asia Cup match on Thursday.

Scorecard | Points Table

In the 19th over, Ali was trapped infront of the wickets while trying to play around his pads after his 63-ball stay.

Pacer Umar Gul gave Pakistan first breakthrough by sending back Mohammad Shahzad after a fiery start by Afghanistan.

Gul struck on the final ball of the fifth over to get Shahzad (9) caught behind at the score of 32.

Earlier, young wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal hit a scintillating century and played the role of a saviour to perfection as he lifted Pakistan to a competitive 248 for eight.

Akmal smashed 102 off 89 balls after Afghanistan won the toss and reduced Pakistan to 117 for six inside 30 overs on a sluggish pitch at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

Akmal reached his three-figure mark with a huge six in the penultimate ball of the innings.

The 23-year-old, who scored 74 off 72 against Sri Lanka in the last match, clobbered three sixes and seven boundaries while taking Pakistan to recovery from a precarious position.

Opener Ahmed Shehzad (50) contributed with a half-century and along with Sharjeel Khan got Pakistan off to a fine start, compiling 55 runs for the opening wicket before the former was scalped for 25 off 37 balls, including two fours and a six.

Next batsman Mohammad Hafeez (10) joined hands with Shehzad but the duo could only add 23 runs before Mirwais Ashraf sent Hafeez back to the pavilion.

Shehzad's departure triggered a mini collapse and from 89 for two, Pakistan slumped to 117 for six. They lost four wickets for mere 28 runs on the board.

The Asia Cup-debutants removed Sohaib Maqsood (13), skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (0) and allrounder Shahid Afridi (6) to put Pakistan in a spot of bother.

While leg-spinner Samiullah Shenwari cleaned up Shehzad, who hit seven fours in his half-century.

Misbah was unlucky to be run-out without facing a ball, and Afridi missed a slog only to find his off-stump uprooted by pacer Dawlat Zadran, sending the Afghanistan camp in jubilation.

But Akmal continued with his good form as he took Pakistan to a respectable total.

For the seventh wicket, Akmal added 60 runs with Anwar Ali (21 off 36 balls) to calm down nerves in the Pakistan dressing room and followed it with a 50-run stand with Umar Gul (15).

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Pak tighten noose around Afghanistan

NEW DELHI: After a solid 74-run stand for the third wicket between them, Afghanistan lost both Asghar Stanikzai and Nawroz Mangal in quick succession, giving Pakistan total control in their Asia Cup clash against Afghanistan.

Scorecard | Points Table

While Shahid Afridi got rid of Stanikzai after his 40-run knock, that came of 91 balls, in the 37th over, Mangal (35) was run out in the next over.

After the fall of Noor Ali in the 19th over, Stanikzai and Mangal steadied Afghanistan innings. However, they found scoring tough as they managed to take the score past 100 mark in the 30th over.

Saeed Ajmal struck in his first over to get rid of Noor Ali Zardan after his steady knock of 44, leaving Afghanistan two down for 65.

Ali was trapped infront of the wickets while trying to play around his pads after his 63-ball stay.

Pacer Umar Gul gave Pakistan first breakthrough by sending back Mohammad Shahzad after a fiery start by Afghanistan.

Gul struck on the final ball of the fifth over to get Shahzad (9) caught behind at the score of 32.

Earlier, young wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal hit a scintillating century and played the role of a saviour to perfection as he lifted Pakistan to a competitive 248 for eight.

Akmal smashed 102 off 89 balls after Afghanistan won the toss and reduced Pakistan to 117 for six inside 30 overs on a sluggish pitch at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

Akmal reached his three-figure mark with a huge six in the penultimate ball of the innings.

The 23-year-old, who scored 74 off 72 against Sri Lanka in the last match, clobbered three sixes and seven boundaries while taking Pakistan to recovery from a precarious position.

Opener Ahmed Shehzad (50) contributed with a half-century and along with Sharjeel Khan got Pakistan off to a fine start, compiling 55 runs for the opening wicket before the former was scalped for 25 off 37 balls, including two fours and a six.

Next batsman Mohammad Hafeez (10) joined hands with Shehzad but the duo could only add 23 runs before Mirwais Ashraf sent Hafeez back to the pavilion.

Shehzad's departure triggered a mini collapse and from 89 for two, Pakistan slumped to 117 for six. They lost four wickets for mere 28 runs on the board.

The Asia Cup-debutants removed Sohaib Maqsood (13), skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (0) and allrounder Shahid Afridi (6) to put Pakistan in a spot of bother.

While leg-spinner Samiullah Shenwari cleaned up Shehzad, who hit seven fours in his half-century.

Misbah was unlucky to be run-out without facing a ball, and Afridi missed a slog only to find his off-stump uprooted by pacer Dawlat Zadran, sending the Afghanistan camp in jubilation.

But Akmal continued with his good form as he took Pakistan to a respectable total.

For the seventh wicket, Akmal added 60 runs with Anwar Ali (21 off 36 balls) to calm down nerves in the Pakistan dressing room and followed it with a 50-run stand with Umar Gul (15).

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Pakistan thrash Afghanistan by 72 runs

NEW DELHI: A stupendous unbeaten century by Umar Akmal and a brilliant show by the bowlers helped Pakistan secure a comprehensive 72-run win against Afghanistan with a bonus point in their Asia Cup clash at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah on Thursday.

Scorecard | Points Table

After Akmal's 102* knock steered the defending champions to 248/8, Afghanistan were bundled out for 176.

After Umar Akmal's brilliant century powered Pakistan to 248/8, Afghanistan got off to a good start.

Pacer Umar Gul gave Pakistan first breakthrough by sending back Mohammad Shahzad. Gul struck on the final ball of the fifth over to get Shahzad (9) caught behind at the score of 32.

Noor Ali Zardan (44) then took the score past fifty but before he could get his half-ton, he was trapped infront of the wickets by Saeed Ajmal while trying to play around his pads in the 19th over.

Asghar Stanikzai and Nawroz Mangal then steadied Afghanistan innings. However, they found scoring tough as they managed to take the score past 100 mark in the 30th over.

After a solid 74-run stand for the third wicket between them, Afghanistan lost both Stanikzai and Mangal in quick succession, giving Pakistan total control.

While Shahid Afridi got rid of Stanikzai after his 40-run knock, that came of 91 balls, in the 37th over, Mangal (35) was run out in the next over, triggering Afghanistan's collapse.

Earlier, young wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal hit a scintillating century and played the role of a saviour to perfection as he lifted Pakistan to a competitive 248 for eight.

Akmal smashed 102 off 89 balls after Afghanistan won the toss and reduced Pakistan to 117 for six inside 30 overs on a sluggish pitch at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

Akmal reached his three-figure mark with a huge six in the penultimate ball of the innings.

The 23-year-old, who scored 74 off 72 against Sri Lanka in the last match, clobbered three sixes and seven boundaries while taking Pakistan to recovery from a precarious position.

Opener Ahmed Shehzad (50) contributed with a half-century and along with Sharjeel Khan got Pakistan off to a fine start, compiling 55 runs for the opening wicket before the former was scalped for 25 off 37 balls, including two fours and a six.

Next batsman Mohammad Hafeez (10) joined hands with Shehzad but the duo could only add 23 runs before Mirwais Ashraf sent Hafeez back to the pavilion.

Shehzad's departure triggered a mini collapse and from 89 for two, Pakistan slumped to 117 for six. They lost four wickets for mere 28 runs on the board.

The Asia Cup-debutants removed Sohaib Maqsood (13), skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (0) and allrounder Shahid Afridi (6) to put Pakistan in a spot of bother.

While leg-spinner Samiullah Shenwari cleaned up Shehzad, who hit seven fours in his half-century.

Misbah was unlucky to be run-out without facing a ball, and Afridi missed a slog only to find his off-stump uprooted by pacer Dawlat Zadran, sending the Afghanistan camp in jubilation.

But Akmal continued with his good form as he took Pakistan to a respectable total.

For the seventh wicket, Akmal added 60 runs with Anwar Ali (21 off 36 balls) to calm down nerves in the Pakistan dressing room and followed it with a 50-run stand with Umar Gul (15).

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India lose openers after cautious start

NEW DELHI: A sparkling half-century by skipper Virat Kohli revived India's run-chase after suffering early blows in their Asia Cup match against Bangladesh in Fatullah.

Scorecard | Match in Pics | Points Table

Kohli, who reached his 31st ODI half-century with the help of 6 smashing boundaries and a single six, also put up a stable 100-plus run partnership for the third wicket with Ajinkya Rahane.

Chasing a solid 280-run target, India earlier faced a major setback as they lost opener Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma in consecutive overs.

Shikhar (28) was the first scalp when Abdur Razzak was successful in catching him plumb soon after he and Rohit Sharma helped India cross the 50-run mark in the 12th over.

In the very next over, ​Ziaur Rahman got the better of Rohit's (21) stumps.

Shikhar and Rohit gave India a cautious start after Mushfiqur Rahim led from the front earlier with a sparkling century to propel Bangladesh to 279/7.

Mushfiqur, who smashed 117 off 113 balls, was grounded after being hit on his ribs by a nasty beamer by Varun Aaron, but the diminutive captain showed enough resilience to complete his second ODI century, a first for Bangladesh against India since Alok Kapali's ton in the 2008 Asia Cup.

The 25-year-old started his innings patiently with Anamul going freely at the other end, but after the opener's dismissal, the skipper came into his own, hitting two sixes and seven fours.

The duo was involved in a 133-run third wicket partnership that came after Bangladesh were reduced to 49/2 in the 13th over.

Despite the big partnership though, the lower order failed to fire against a side that boasts of a strong batting line-up.

Mohammad Shami was the pick of Indian bowlers, scalping 4/50 from his quota while it was a flop show for Aaron, who gave away 74 runs before being barred after 7.5 overs for two waist high deliveries, with one of them hitting Mushfiqur.

A less than seven thousand crowd in a 17,000 capacity stadium in Narayangonj district in the southern suburbs of Dhaka did not exactly give it a home-like feel for Bangladesh, as India opted for a run-chase.

A disciplined Shami, who made the first breakthrough in the form of Shamsur Rahman (7) and Ashwin's first-ball wicket after a brilliant stumping by Karthik, reduced the hosts to 49/2 in the 13th over and for a moment it seemed like Bangladesh were playing away from home with the stadium not even half-filled.

But the young Anamul turned it around with his array of strokes in a sensible third-wicket partnership with Mushfiqur as the duo got past their individual half centuries.
Some mindless bowling by India's third pacer Aaron, who chose raw pace over disciplined length, did not help the side's cause as Anamul danced down the track to smash the bowler over long-on for two sixes.

Aaron was bowling well past the 140kph mark but his length was easily picked by up the promising 21-year-old.

The listless India pacer conceded 39 runs from his first spell of five overs.

To add to the woes, Aaron was barred from bowling from the fifth ball of his eighth over after a second waist-high beamer that floored the Bangla skipper after hitting on his left side ribs.

Aaron leaked 74 from 7.5 overs in two spells, which incidentally was the second highest conceded by a bowler against Bangladesh after UAE's Khurram Khan (78).

The only bright spot in Aaron's bowling is that he denied the impressive Anamul a second International century after the Bangla batsman played on.

The innings then belonged to Mushfiqur, who showed resolute spirit despite being hit badly to complete the milestone century for Bangladesh.

Earlier, a lovely display of line and length bowling by Shami greeted the hosts, and the first one hour was a testing time for both the openers.

Persisting with an off-stump line, Shami found some outside edges that went in the vacant slip region as the Bangla duo looked tentative to start with.

Shami got the desired result when his short ball was mistimed by Shamsur to be taken by the bowler.

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India lose openers after cautions start

NEW DELHI: A sparkling half-century by skipper Virat Kohli revived India's run-chase after suffering early blows in their Asia Cup match against Bangladesh in Fatullah.

Scorecard | Match in Pics | Points Table

Kohli, who reached his 31st ODI half-century with the help of 6 smashing boundaries and a single six, also put up a stable 100-plus run partnership for the third wicket with Ajinkya Rahane.

Chasing a solid 280-run target, India earlier faced a major setback as they lost opener Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma in consecutive overs.

Shikhar (28) was the first scalp when Abdur Razzak was successful in catching him plumb soon after he and Rohit Sharma helped India cross the 50-run mark in the 12th over.

In the very next over, ​Ziaur Rahman got the better of Rohit's (21) stumps.

Shikhar and Rohit gave India a cautious start after Mushfiqur Rahim led from the front earlier with a sparkling century to propel Bangladesh to 279/7.

Mushfiqur, who smashed 117 off 113 balls, was grounded after being hit on his ribs by a nasty beamer by Varun Aaron, but the diminutive captain showed enough resilience to complete his second ODI century, a first for Bangladesh against India since Alok Kapali's ton in the 2008 Asia Cup.

The 25-year-old started his innings patiently with Anamul going freely at the other end, but after the opener's dismissal, the skipper came into his own, hitting two sixes and seven fours.

The duo was involved in a 133-run third wicket partnership that came after Bangladesh were reduced to 49/2 in the 13th over.

Despite the big partnership though, the lower order failed to fire against a side that boasts of a strong batting line-up.

Mohammad Shami was the pick of Indian bowlers, scalping 4/50 from his quota while it was a flop show for Aaron, who gave away 74 runs before being barred after 7.5 overs for two waist high deliveries, with one of them hitting Mushfiqur.

A less than seven thousand crowd in a 17,000 capacity stadium in Narayangonj district in the southern suburbs of Dhaka did not exactly give it a home-like feel for Bangladesh, as India opted for a run-chase.

A disciplined Shami, who made the first breakthrough in the form of Shamsur Rahman (7) and Ashwin's first-ball wicket after a brilliant stumping by Karthik, reduced the hosts to 49/2 in the 13th over and for a moment it seemed like Bangladesh were playing away from home with the stadium not even half-filled.

But the young Anamul turned it around with his array of strokes in a sensible third-wicket partnership with Mushfiqur as the duo got past their individual half centuries.
Some mindless bowling by India's third pacer Aaron, who chose raw pace over disciplined length, did not help the side's cause as Anamul danced down the track to smash the bowler over long-on for two sixes.

Aaron was bowling well past the 140kph mark but his length was easily picked by up the promising 21-year-old.

The listless India pacer conceded 39 runs from his first spell of five overs.

To add to the woes, Aaron was barred from bowling from the fifth ball of his eighth over after a second waist-high beamer that floored the Bangla skipper after hitting on his left side ribs.

Aaron leaked 74 from 7.5 overs in two spells, which incidentally was the second highest conceded by a bowler against Bangladesh after UAE's Khurram Khan (78).

The only bright spot in Aaron's bowling is that he denied the impressive Anamul a second International century after the Bangla batsman played on.

The innings then belonged to Mushfiqur, who showed resolute spirit despite being hit badly to complete the milestone century for Bangladesh.

Earlier, a lovely display of line and length bowling by Shami greeted the hosts, and the first one hour was a testing time for both the openers.

Persisting with an off-stump line, Shami found some outside edges that went in the vacant slip region as the Bangla duo looked tentative to start with.

Shami got the desired result when his short ball was mistimed by Shamsur to be taken by the bowler.

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Virat Kohli's fifty resurrects run-chase

NEW DELHI: A sparkling half-century by skipper Virat Kohli revived India's run-chase after suffering early blows in their Asia Cup match against Bangladesh in Fatullah.

Scorecard | Match in Pics | Points Table

Kohli, who reached his 31st ODI half-century with the help of 6 smashing boundaries and a single six, also put up a stable 100-plus run partnership for the third wicket with Ajinkya Rahane.

Chasing a solid 280-run target, India earlier faced a major setback as they lost opener Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma in consecutive overs.

Shikhar (28) was the first scalp when Abdur Razzak was successful in catching him plumb soon after he and Rohit Sharma helped India cross the 50-run mark in the 12th over.

In the very next over, ​Ziaur Rahman got the better of Rohit's (21) stumps.

Shikhar and Rohit gave India a cautious start after Mushfiqur Rahim led from the front earlier with a sparkling century to propel Bangladesh to 279/7.

Mushfiqur, who smashed 117 off 113 balls, was grounded after being hit on his ribs by a nasty beamer by Varun Aaron, but the diminutive captain showed enough resilience to complete his second ODI century, a first for Bangladesh against India since Alok Kapali's ton in the 2008 Asia Cup.

The 25-year-old started his innings patiently with Anamul going freely at the other end, but after the opener's dismissal, the skipper came into his own, hitting two sixes and seven fours.

The duo was involved in a 133-run third wicket partnership that came after Bangladesh were reduced to 49/2 in the 13th over.

Despite the big partnership though, the lower order failed to fire against a side that boasts of a strong batting line-up.

Mohammad Shami was the pick of Indian bowlers, scalping 4/50 from his quota while it was a flop show for Aaron, who gave away 74 runs before being barred after 7.5 overs for two waist high deliveries, with one of them hitting Mushfiqur.

A less than seven thousand crowd in a 17,000 capacity stadium in Narayangonj district in the southern suburbs of Dhaka did not exactly give it a home-like feel for Bangladesh, as India opted for a run-chase.

A disciplined Shami, who made the first breakthrough in the form of Shamsur Rahman (7) and Ashwin's first-ball wicket after a brilliant stumping by Karthik, reduced the hosts to 49/2 in the 13th over and for a moment it seemed like Bangladesh were playing away from home with the stadium not even half-filled.

But the young Anamul turned it around with his array of strokes in a sensible third-wicket partnership with Mushfiqur as the duo got past their individual half centuries.
Some mindless bowling by India's third pacer Aaron, who chose raw pace over disciplined length, did not help the side's cause as Anamul danced down the track to smash the bowler over long-on for two sixes.

Aaron was bowling well past the 140kph mark but his length was easily picked by up the promising 21-year-old.

The listless India pacer conceded 39 runs from his first spell of five overs.

To add to the woes, Aaron was barred from bowling from the fifth ball of his eighth over after a second waist-high beamer that floored the Bangla skipper after hitting on his left side ribs.

Aaron leaked 74 from 7.5 overs in two spells, which incidentally was the second highest conceded by a bowler against Bangladesh after UAE's Khurram Khan (78).

The only bright spot in Aaron's bowling is that he denied the impressive Anamul a second International century after the Bangla batsman played on.

The innings then belonged to Mushfiqur, who showed resolute spirit despite being hit badly to complete the milestone century for Bangladesh.

Earlier, a lovely display of line and length bowling by Shami greeted the hosts, and the first one hour was a testing time for both the openers.

Persisting with an off-stump line, Shami found some outside edges that went in the vacant slip region as the Bangla duo looked tentative to start with.

Shami got the desired result when his short ball was mistimed by Shamsur to be taken by the bowler.

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Sehwag will rock IPL-7: Preity Zinta

MUMBAI: India's most explosive batsman Virender Sehwag might not have found favour with selectors since March last year and even his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Daredevils, where he served as captain, but the right-hander was bought for Rs 3.2 crore by Kings XI Punjab and the seventh edition of the IPL may serve as a lifeline to his struggling career.

Sehwag made his last international appearance against Australia in March last year, in which he scored just six runs in the second Border-Gavaskar Test at Hyderabad. He had managed a paltry 31 in the second ODI against Pakistan at the Eden Gardens in January that India lost by 85 runs.

He had a disastrous domestic season and his decision to bat down the order also bombed. So, keeping his poor record in mind no franchise rallied behind him in the recently concluded IPL-7 auctions. But Kings XI Punjab co-owner Preity Zinta is convinced that he may lead the team to their first title since reaching the semifinals in the first season.

"I am ecstatic and thrilled that we have Viru on our side. First of all he is a very simple player. I believe form is temporary and class is permanent and this guy has achieved all sorts of records. He has slammed a double and a triple ton, so on his day he can tear the opposition apart," Preity told TOI in an exclusive chat.

"My prediction is that Viru is going to rock this tournament. It's not to put him under pressure but A.) I'm a great fan of his and B.) He's more suited to us. He's the kind of player who can crack 150 runs on his day and single-handedly destroy the rival team. He has that potential which nobody can deny. We would give him that support, let him play his natural game, be happy and do whatever he wants," the actor added with her dimpled smile.

Indians have struggled abroad on bouncy tracks and with the IPL being staged in South Africa, there are more chances of that. But Preity believes Sehwag's game is more suited to such conditions.

"Looking at his game, he's one guy who always likes the ball to come to him. He goes back in his crease and plays on the backfoot rather than step out and reach the ball. So I think Mohali pitches or for that matter any fast wicket is good for him, with the ball coming to him he can whack it to any part of the ground. So his style of batting is much more suited to Mohali than the Kotla wicket. He offers a really good blend to our team," she added. But would Sehwag captain her side? "You need to wait for the announcement. We haven't decided it as yet but will let people know in some while for sure."

With the likes of Shaun Marsh, George Bailey, Cheteshwar Pujara and David Miller in their side Kings XI have a good chance to claim the elusive title.

"Our middle-order was not very good, so we ensured we had a solid line-up. So, we got Bailey and Maxwell and retained Miller the 'cub'. Three years in a row we missed the semifinals by just one game. It was unfortunate, now that we don't have court cases, no problems and we have shown our intent by picking a good team. We have the best chance to win this time. I don't want to hear our team is good on paper but I want to see them do well on the ground," she said.

Kings XI Punjab were the only IPL team besides Rajasthan Royals which saved a decent sum from the available Rs 60-crore purse despite some great buys in the auction. Not only did they buy the most in-form Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson (Rs 6.5 cr) but also all-rounder Glenn Maxwell (Rs 6 cr). Johnson was the architect of Australia's Ashes victory and Mumbai Indians' decision to release him for auction came under scrutiny but Preity is more than pleased to have him in her side.
"God has been kind, that Mitchell was not retained by Mumbai and Viru by Delhi. We thank our stars that we got Mitchell. We always had an issue with our foreign pacers. First it was Brett (Lee) who got injured, then Jerome Taylor who never made it to the squad. Then we got Stuart Broad, he too was injured so finally we have Mitchell. We wanted him in our team at any cost as I am a big fan of his, the way he dominated in the last edition. Though I couldn't watch him play the Ashes. But he's the sort of bowler who has the ability to dominate without being negative in his game — being nasty or unreasonably aggressive. He shows his aggression through his bowling. I saw him play for Mumbai, he has variation but he keeps his calm. He doesn't flip out," she said.

Most of Kings XI's auction decisions were influenced by former India opener Sanjay Bangar, who has been hired as assistant coach. But it was India's 2011 World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh who recommended Bangar's name for the job after Cricket Australia refused to release Darren Lehmann for IPL.

"We were really worried after we lost out on Darren. I was discussing this with Yuvi one day that we will have to compete this time without a good coach and he said 'why don't you go for a good Indian player'. He was the one who suggested Sanjay's name and I was like who is this guy. Yuvi told me that he's a good guy, think about him and he will be good for youngsters. I realised big players don't need a coach its for the younger guys, its like seasoned actors don't need a big director. A seasoned actor knows where to get inspiration from, how to handle complexities in a character," she revealed.

Preity credited Bangar for not only managing the team's finances well but also helping them get some good uncapped players.

"Thank god after all these years we were able to save some money. Thanks to some sound planning, a few impulsive decisions and Sanjay. Sanjay is a young, dynamic guy who doesn't talk much but was really focused about whom we wanted in the side. Sanjay was the one who guided us about the uncapped domestic players as we didn't know much about Rishi Dhawan or Akshar Patel. People have applauded us for that. We wanted players who had amazing skill sets and could also be incredible all-rounders. In auctions you do not win every time. The only person we thought we missed was Yuvi. We would have liked to have him as he is from Mohali but we couldn't.

"I felt bad to let PC (Piyush Chawla) go but he went for a good price, so I am happy for him. But we had our budgeting issues and from Day One we had plans to keep Rs 12-15 crores separate for the final day of the auctions. It's the IPL and Indians should get a chance so we wanted to buy some talented youngsters and with Sanjay's help we pulled it off well," she added.

Cheteshwar Pujara, hasn't figured ever in a international One-dayer let alone Twenty20, but Preity believes he will play the role of an anchor well.

"Test is the ultimate format in cricket. So if you can do the ultimate well why can't you do well in T20. Cheteshwar was on our list but it was Sanjay who had more confidence on him than anybody. He's a stealth player, he can rotate the strike let somebody else do the bang bang and that's also imp. So when somebody is on a roll the other guy needs to wait.T20 is a short format but its not that short also. You need that balance, somebody to anchor. We have seen that with Rahul Dravid or the greatest players in cricket. Cheteshwar is capable of some big hits too but it depends on the match situation. Marsh did that as an opener, Gurkeerat did that for us. Miller gave us big hits but if you start losing wickets, its then when the batsman on a blizzard gets nervous its then you need someone like a Cheteshwar," the ever-bubbly actor said.

Adam Gilchrist had assumed the role of a mentor and captain in the last season but Kings XI will miss him this time, with the wicketkeeper-batsman skipping the IPL to spend time with his family.

"He's not here with us, we would have been happy to have him but he said he will not be available. He's such a nice guy, I remember Mandeep was warming the benches for KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) but Gilly gave him a chance. It was Gilly who spotted him in the nets and asked him to go and play and Mandeep then produced some really good knocks. Gilly also supported Paul (Valthaty)," she said.

The Mohali outfit decided not to pick Aussie David Hussey, who went unsold, despite winning some crucial matches for them.

"There's a cap on the number of players you can have. So that's why we had to leave him out and that helped us to save some money as well. I would have loved to have David back and even Azhar Mahmood for that matter as he's a great all-rounder but you got to go with the bigger plan. You need to listen to people who know cricket more than you and take their advice."

With the spot-fixing scandal tarnishing IPL's image, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) came out with some stringent guidelines. But have the franchisees done much to curb players' temptation to engage in fixing.
"Firstly, we have gone for players who are known for their integrity throughout the world. Secondly, there's a code of ethics and conduct formulated by each franchisee besides the BCCI and thirdly, with the spotlight on fixing I don't think any player will have the guts to do anything like that. If somebody still indulges in fixing he should face a harsh punishment - banned for life - which means not only stopped from playing the game but also not work as commentators or anyone sharing their opinions on cricket," she signed off.

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Kohli slams fiery ton to torment B'desh

NEW DELHI: Chasing solid 280-run target, India were boosted by skipper Virat Kohli's dazzling century in their Asia Cup match against Bangladesh in Fatullah on Wednesday.

Scorecard | Match in Pics | Points Table

Kohli, who reached his 19th ODI century with the help of 12 smashing boundaries and a single scintillating six, also put up a stable 130-plus run partnership for the third wicket with Ajinkya Rahane.

India earlier faced a major setback as they lost openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma in consecutive overs.

Shikhar (28) was the first scalp when Abdur Razzak was successful in catching him plumb soon after he and Rohit Sharma helped India cross the 50-run mark in the 12th over.

In the very next over, ​Ziaur Rahman got the better of Rohit's (21) stumps.

Shikhar and Rohit gave India a cautious start after Mushfiqur Rahim led from the front earlier with a sparkling century to propel Bangladesh to 279/7.

Mushfiqur, who smashed 117 off 113 balls, was grounded after being hit on his ribs by a nasty beamer by Varun Aaron, but the diminutive captain showed enough resilience to complete his second ODI century, a first for Bangladesh against India since Alok Kapali's ton in the 2008 Asia Cup.

The 25-year-old started his innings patiently with Anamul going freely at the other end, but after the opener's dismissal, the skipper came into his own, hitting two sixes and seven fours.

The duo was involved in a 133-run third wicket partnership that came after Bangladesh were reduced to 49/2 in the 13th over.

Despite the big partnership though, the lower order failed to fire against a side that boasts of a strong batting line-up.

Mohammad Shami was the pick of Indian bowlers, scalping 4/50 from his quota while it was a flop show for Aaron, who gave away 74 runs before being barred after 7.5 overs for two waist high deliveries, with one of them hitting Mushfiqur.

A less than seven thousand crowd in a 17,000 capacity stadium in Narayangonj district in the southern suburbs of Dhaka did not exactly give it a home-like feel for Bangladesh, as India opted for a run-chase.

A disciplined Shami, who made the first breakthrough in the form of Shamsur Rahman (7) and Ashwin's first-ball wicket after a brilliant stumping by Karthik, reduced the hosts to 49/2 in the 13th over and for a moment it seemed like Bangladesh were playing away from home with the stadium not even half-filled.

But the young Anamul turned it around with his array of strokes in a sensible third-wicket partnership with Mushfiqur as the duo got past their individual half centuries.
Some mindless bowling by India's third pacer Aaron, who chose raw pace over disciplined length, did not help the side's cause as Anamul danced down the track to smash the bowler over long-on for two sixes.

Aaron was bowling well past the 140kph mark but his length was easily picked by up the promising 21-year-old.

The listless India pacer conceded 39 runs from his first spell of five overs.

To add to the woes, Aaron was barred from bowling from the fifth ball of his eighth over after a second waist-high beamer that floored the Bangla skipper after hitting on his left side ribs.

Aaron leaked 74 from 7.5 overs in two spells, which incidentally was the second highest conceded by a bowler against Bangladesh after UAE's Khurram Khan (78).

The only bright spot in Aaron's bowling is that he denied the impressive Anamul a second International century after the Bangla batsman played on.

The innings then belonged to Mushfiqur, who showed resolute spirit despite being hit badly to complete the milestone century for Bangladesh.

Earlier, a lovely display of line and length bowling by Shami greeted the hosts, and the first one hour was a testing time for both the openers.

Persisting with an off-stump line, Shami found some outside edges that went in the vacant slip region as the Bangla duo looked tentative to start with.

Shami got the desired result when his short ball was mistimed by Shamsur to be taken by the bowler.

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Misbah slams 50 to revive Pakistan chase

NEW DELHI: Chasing a 297-run target, Pakistan were given some respite by skipper Misbah-ul-Haq as he slammed a gritty fifty in the first match of the Asia Cup in Fatullah.

Scorecard | Match in Pics

Misbah, who reached his half-century in 62 balls with the help of 4 boundaries and a single six, also put up a steady stand with Umar Akmal.

Akmal too reached his 18th ODI half-century in the 41st over to take the partnership pass 100 runs and give Pakistan a fighting chance.

Misbah and Akmal helped revive Pakistan's run chase after they got off to a bad start as they lost their top order cheaply against Sri Lanka.

The wickets started falling when pacer Suranga Lakmal gave Sri Lanka the first breakthrough when he dismissed opener Sharjeel Khan (26).

Sharjeel was caught comfortably at mid-on by skipper Angelo Mathews after the Pakistan opener mis-timed a short of length delivery.

Pakistan then tried to get its run chase back on track courtesy a steady stand between Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez when the duo stitched a crucial 49-run partnership for the second wicket.

However, Chaturanga De Silva and Mathews struck in consecutive overs to send Shehzad (28) and Hafeez (18) back to the pavilion.

Spinner Sachithra Senanayake then joined the wicket taking party when he scalped Sohaib Maqsood (17) by getting him caught at deep mid-wicket.

Earlier, opener Lahiru Thirimanne notched up his second ODI hundred to power Sri Lanka to a challenging 296 for six against Pakistan.

Thirimanne hit 11 fours and a six in his 110-ball 102-run innings and starred in a 161-run stand with Kumar Sangakkara (67) for the second wicket to lay the foundation for a huge score at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

Pakistan tried to make a comeback in the middle overs as they picked up a few wickets, before skipper Angelo Matthews provided the late charge, cracking a 50-ball 55, to take Sri Lanka close to the 300-mark.

For Pakistan, Umar Gul (38) and Shahid Afridi (56) picked up two wickets each, while Saeed Ajmal (1/50) took one.

Electing to bat, Sri Lanka made a watchful start before opener Kusal Perera (14) edged an Umar Gul delivery straight to Umar Akmal behind the stumps in the eighth over to slip to 28 for one.

However, Thirimanne continued his good run and notched up his fifty off 56 balls in the 20th over, his first half-century since last July.

He and first-down batsman Sangakkara ensured Sri Lanka suffer no more damage as the two left-handed batsmen amassed runs at good pace and took Sri Lanka to the 100-mark in the 20th over.

The duo then changed gears, piling up 68 runs in the next 10 overs. Sangakkara, who has been in red-hot form, brought up his 84th fifty in as many balls in the 27th over when he blasted Mohammad Hafeez for a boundary through the midwicket area.

In the 31st over, Thirimanne picked up Hafeez for special treatment as he sent him over deep midwicket to bring up the first six of the match and move into the 90s.

However, Pakistan came back into the match with Gul dismissing Sangakkara in the 32nd over when his miscued pull landed in the hands of Ahmed Shehzad.

Thirimanne brought up his hundred with a cover drive off Gul, but the Lankan opener could not stay longer as off-spinner Ajmal disturbed his off stump in the 36th over.

Skipper Matthews, who had come to bat after Sangakkara's dismissal, plundered a four and six in consecutive balls off Ajmal in the 38th over.

But Sri Lanka suffered another blow in the next over when Shahid Afridi deceived Mahela Jayawardene and induced a thick edge from his bat which disturbed the off-stump.

Afridi then picked up the wicket of Thisara Perera in the 43rd over when the spinner had him caught at deep midwicket as Sri Lanka slipped to 245 for five. Another mix-up in the middle and new batsman Chaturanga de Silva, too, had to walk back to the hut.

Ajmal and Junaid bowled well at the death overs but Dinesh Chandimal and Matthews shared an unbeaten 45-run stand for the seventh wicket to ensure Sri Lanka reach close to 300.

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Somdev wins as Del Potro retires hurt

DUBAI: India number one Somdev Devvarman today recorded the biggest win of his career by beating world number five Juan Martin Del Potro but the victory came when the Argentine retired mid-way into the first round match of the Dubai Duty Free Championships, here.

Somdev, ranked 78, had won the first set 7-6 (3) in an hour and seven minutes and immediately after this, Del Potro took a medical timeout due to pain in his left wrist.

The Argentine second seed found it tough to continue and conceded the match.

Somdev had lost 4-6 4-6 to Del Potro last year at this very event in the pre-quarterfinals.

This is Somdev's first ever win against a top-5 player who is also a Grand Slam champion. Del Potro is the 2009 US Open winner.

Somdev has competed against the legends of the game, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic but haven't won against any of them, although he fought well against all these multiple Grand Slam winners.

He lost to Nadal in 2011 at Indian Wells Masters in two close sets and the same year he had lost to Federer at this very Dubai event.

Last year in his second meeting against the Swiss legend at the Roland Garros, he suffered a tame defeat in the second round.

Against Djokovic, he lost in straight sets at the Miami Masaters last year.

Before today's match, his one of the biggest wins were against Croatia's Marin Cilic (world number 15) and Ivo Karlovic (world number 25) in 2009 and against Cyprus' world number 22 Marcos Baghdatis (world number 22) in 2010.

Somdev was well prepared coming into this tournament as he had won the Delhi Open Challenger tournament on Suday. He had reached the semifinals of the Chennai and Kolkata events in the preceding weeks.

The Indian traded a break with Del Potro before pushing the match into tie-breaker. He kept hitting it on the backhand of the Argentine, inducing unforced errors from his big-bodied rival.

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Sri Lanka fight back with quick wickets

NEW DELHI: Pakistan seemed to lose the plot right at end at Sri Lanka bounced back with quick wickets to choke them in first match of the Asia Cup in Fatullah on Tuesday.

Scorecard | Match in Pics

Chasing a 297-run target, Pakistan were given some respite by skipper Misbah-ul-Haq when he slammed a gritty fifty; however, he fell victim to Lasith Malinga soon after.

Misbah, who reached his half-century in 62 balls with the help of 4 boundaries and a single six, also put up a steady 121-run stand with Umar Akmal.

Akmal (74) too reached his 18th ODI half-century in the 41st over to take the partnership pass 100 runs before being dismissed by pacer Suranga Lakmal.

Misbah and Akmal helped revive Pakistan's run chase after they got off to a bad start as they lost their top order cheaply against Sri Lanka.

The wickets started falling when Lakmal gave Sri Lanka the first breakthrough when he dismissed opener Sharjeel Khan (26).

Sharjeel was caught comfortably at mid-on by skipper Angelo Mathews after the Pakistan opener mis-timed a short of length delivery.

Pakistan then tried to get its run chase back on track courtesy a steady stand between Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez when the duo stitched a crucial 49-run partnership for the second wicket.

However, Chaturanga De Silva and Mathews struck in consecutive overs to send Shehzad (28) and Hafeez (18) back to the pavilion.

Spinner Sachithra Senanayake then joined the wicket taking party when he scalped Sohaib Maqsood (17) by getting him caught at deep mid-wicket.

Earlier, opener Lahiru Thirimanne notched up his second ODI hundred to power Sri Lanka to a challenging 296 for six against Pakistan.

Thirimanne hit 11 fours and a six in his 110-ball 102-run innings and starred in a 161-run stand with Kumar Sangakkara (67) for the second wicket to lay the foundation for a huge score at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

Pakistan tried to make a comeback in the middle overs as they picked up a few wickets, before skipper Angelo Matthews provided the late charge, cracking a 50-ball 55, to take Sri Lanka close to the 300-mark.

For Pakistan, Umar Gul (38) and Shahid Afridi (56) picked up two wickets each, while Saeed Ajmal (1/50) took one.

Electing to bat, Sri Lanka made a watchful start before opener Kusal Perera (14) edged an Umar Gul delivery straight to Umar Akmal behind the stumps in the eighth over to slip to 28 for one.

However, Thirimanne continued his good run and notched up his fifty off 56 balls in the 20th over, his first half-century since last July.

He and first-down batsman Sangakkara ensured Sri Lanka suffer no more damage as the two left-handed batsmen amassed runs at good pace and took Sri Lanka to the 100-mark in the 20th over.

The duo then changed gears, piling up 68 runs in the next 10 overs. Sangakkara, who has been in red-hot form, brought up his 84th fifty in as many balls in the 27th over when he blasted Mohammad Hafeez for a boundary through the midwicket area.

In the 31st over, Thirimanne picked up Hafeez for special treatment as he sent him over deep midwicket to bring up the first six of the match and move into the 90s.

However, Pakistan came back into the match with Gul dismissing Sangakkara in the 32nd over when his miscued pull landed in the hands of Ahmed Shehzad.

Thirimanne brought up his hundred with a cover drive off Gul, but the Lankan opener could not stay longer as off-spinner Ajmal disturbed his off stump in the 36th over.

Skipper Matthews, who had come to bat after Sangakkara's dismissal, plundered a four and six in consecutive balls off Ajmal in the 38th over.

But Sri Lanka suffered another blow in the next over when Shahid Afridi deceived Mahela Jayawardene and induced a thick edge from his bat which disturbed the off-stump.

Afridi then picked up the wicket of Thisara Perera in the 43rd over when the spinner had him caught at deep midwicket as Sri Lanka slipped to 245 for five. Another mix-up in the middle and new batsman Chaturanga de Silva, too, had to walk back to the hut.

Ajmal and Junaid bowled well at the death overs but Dinesh Chandimal and Matthews shared an unbeaten 45-run stand for the seventh wicket to ensure Sri Lanka reach close to 300.

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Somdev wins as Del Potro retires hurt

DUBAI: India number one Somdev Devvarman today recorded the biggest win of his career by beating world number five Juan Martin Del Potro but the victory came when the Argentine retired mid-way into the first round match of the Dubai Duty Free Championships, here.

Somdev, ranked 78, had won the first set 7-6 (3) in an hour and seven minutes and immediately after this, Del Potro took a medical timeout due to pain in his left wrist.

The Argentine second seed found it tough to continue and conceded the match.

Somdev had lost 4-6 4-6 to Del Potro last year at this very event in the pre-quarterfinals.

This is Somdev's first ever win against a top-5 player who is also a Grand Slam champion. Del Potro is the 2009 US Open winner.

Somdev has competed against the legends of the game, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic but haven't won against any of them, although he fought well against all these multiple Grand Slam winners.

He lost to Nadal in 2011 at Indian Wells Masters in two close sets and the same year he had lost to Federer at this very Dubai event.

Last year in his second meeting against the Swiss legend at the Roland Garros, he suffered a tame defeat in the second round.

Against Djokovic, he lost in straight sets at the Miami Masaters last year.

Before today's match, his one of the biggest wins were against Croatia's Marin Cilic (world number 15) and Ivo Karlovic (world number 25) in 2009 and against Cyprus' world number 22 Marcos Baghdatis (world number 22) in 2010.

Somdev was well prepared coming into this tournament as he had won the Delhi Open Challenger tournament on Suday. He had reached the semifinals of the Chennai and Kolkata events in the preceding weeks.

The Indian traded a break with Del Potro before pushing the match into tie-breaker. He kept hitting it on the backhand of the Argentine, inducing unforced errors from his big-bodied rival.

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Misbah, Akmal slams 50s to revive chase

NEW DELHI: Pakistan seemed to lose the plot right at end at Sri Lanka bounced back with quick wickets to choke them in first match of the Asia Cup in Fatullah on Tuesday.

Scorecard | Match in Pics

Chasing a 297-run target, Pakistan were given some respite by skipper Misbah-ul-Haq when he slammed a gritty fifty; however, he fell victim to Lasith Malinga soon after.

Misbah, who reached his half-century in 62 balls with the help of 4 boundaries and a single six, also put up a steady 121-run stand with Umar Akmal.

Akmal (74) too reached his 18th ODI half-century in the 41st over to take the partnership pass 100 runs before being dismissed by pacer Suranga Lakmal.

Misbah and Akmal helped revive Pakistan's run chase after they got off to a bad start as they lost their top order cheaply against Sri Lanka.

The wickets started falling when Lakmal gave Sri Lanka the first breakthrough when he dismissed opener Sharjeel Khan (26).

Sharjeel was caught comfortably at mid-on by skipper Angelo Mathews after the Pakistan opener mis-timed a short of length delivery.

Pakistan then tried to get its run chase back on track courtesy a steady stand between Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez when the duo stitched a crucial 49-run partnership for the second wicket.

However, Chaturanga De Silva and Mathews struck in consecutive overs to send Shehzad (28) and Hafeez (18) back to the pavilion.

Spinner Sachithra Senanayake then joined the wicket taking party when he scalped Sohaib Maqsood (17) by getting him caught at deep mid-wicket.

Earlier, opener Lahiru Thirimanne notched up his second ODI hundred to power Sri Lanka to a challenging 296 for six against Pakistan.

Thirimanne hit 11 fours and a six in his 110-ball 102-run innings and starred in a 161-run stand with Kumar Sangakkara (67) for the second wicket to lay the foundation for a huge score at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

Pakistan tried to make a comeback in the middle overs as they picked up a few wickets, before skipper Angelo Matthews provided the late charge, cracking a 50-ball 55, to take Sri Lanka close to the 300-mark.

For Pakistan, Umar Gul (38) and Shahid Afridi (56) picked up two wickets each, while Saeed Ajmal (1/50) took one.

Electing to bat, Sri Lanka made a watchful start before opener Kusal Perera (14) edged an Umar Gul delivery straight to Umar Akmal behind the stumps in the eighth over to slip to 28 for one.

However, Thirimanne continued his good run and notched up his fifty off 56 balls in the 20th over, his first half-century since last July.

He and first-down batsman Sangakkara ensured Sri Lanka suffer no more damage as the two left-handed batsmen amassed runs at good pace and took Sri Lanka to the 100-mark in the 20th over.

The duo then changed gears, piling up 68 runs in the next 10 overs. Sangakkara, who has been in red-hot form, brought up his 84th fifty in as many balls in the 27th over when he blasted Mohammad Hafeez for a boundary through the midwicket area.

In the 31st over, Thirimanne picked up Hafeez for special treatment as he sent him over deep midwicket to bring up the first six of the match and move into the 90s.

However, Pakistan came back into the match with Gul dismissing Sangakkara in the 32nd over when his miscued pull landed in the hands of Ahmed Shehzad.

Thirimanne brought up his hundred with a cover drive off Gul, but the Lankan opener could not stay longer as off-spinner Ajmal disturbed his off stump in the 36th over.

Skipper Matthews, who had come to bat after Sangakkara's dismissal, plundered a four and six in consecutive balls off Ajmal in the 38th over.

But Sri Lanka suffered another blow in the next over when Shahid Afridi deceived Mahela Jayawardene and induced a thick edge from his bat which disturbed the off-stump.

Afridi then picked up the wicket of Thisara Perera in the 43rd over when the spinner had him caught at deep midwicket as Sri Lanka slipped to 245 for five. Another mix-up in the middle and new batsman Chaturanga de Silva, too, had to walk back to the hut.

Ajmal and Junaid bowled well at the death overs but Dinesh Chandimal and Matthews shared an unbeaten 45-run stand for the seventh wicket to ensure Sri Lanka reach close to 300.

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Ranchi Rhinos beat UP Wizards 2-1

LUCKNOW: Defending champions Ranchi Rhinos eked out a close 2-1 win over Uttar Pradesh Wizards to consolidate their position in the points table of the Hero Hockey India League at the Dhyan Chand Stadium, on Saturday.

The Rhinos were, by far, the better side on display as they dominated the proceedings from start to finish and enjoyed the better share of ball possession.

The Rhinos outplayed the Wizards in terms of circle penetration as well as they made inroads into the hosts' citadel 21 times as compared to their opponents' nine attempts.

To sum up, it was a close contest between the two finest teams of the tournament, but it was the Rhinos who utilised the chances that came their way.

The Rhinos took the lead through star English drag-flicker Ashley Jackson, who converted a penalty corner in the 18th minute.

The Wizards had their chances in the match but the forward line, led by Ramandeep Singh, failed to cash in on the opportunities.

Another Englishman Barry Middleton (26th minute) doubled the Rhinos' lead with a field goal in the second quarter as the visitors' went into the halfway break with a comfortable 2-0 advantage.

At the change of ends, the Wizards adopted an aggressive approach and created a few bright openings but the Rhinos defense led by captain Moritz Furste stood like a rock to thwart any danger to their citadel.

The Wizards, however, managed to pull one back in the 50th minute when Edward Ockenden scored from a field effort to raise the hope of the home fans in the entertaining match which was witnessed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

But that was all the home team can manage as the visitors fell back and defended their citadel with precision to register their second win in the six-team franchise-based event.

The Rhinos and Wizards are presently tied at the third position in the standings with 11 points from three matches each.

Uttar Pradesh Wizards will next face Jaypee Punjab Warriors here tomorrow, while the Ranchi Rhinos will face Dabur Mumbai Magicians on February 4.

Speaking on his team's performance, Ranchi Rhinos head coach Gregg Clark said, "It was an important game today as in the first match against Uttar Pradesh Warriors we did not deliver as per expectations. Our next game is against Mumbai Magicians and they look like a difficult team to play against and we have to be extra careful against them."

Uttar Pradesh Wizards chief coach Roelant Oltmans said the team lost the momentum as the game progressed.

"We started off very well but somewhere lost the momentum. Our next match is against Punjab Warriors and we will prepare accordingly. We will work on our strategy and techniques accordingly."

This was the first match in Lucknow of the second edition of the league and 'King of Bhangra' Daler Mehndi performed on his hit numbers at the opening ceremony.

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Kohli inches closer to top spot in ODIs

DUBAI: Virat Kohli's individual brilliance during India's disastrous show in the lost ODI series against New Zealand has helped the young batsman inch closer to the top spot in the latest ICC rankings issued on Saturday.

ICC Rankings: Teams | Batsmen | Bowlers | Allrounders

India were drubbed 0-4 in the series which concluded on Friday but Kohli, placed second in the rankings right now, stood out by contributing 291 runs in the five-match affair.

That performance fetched him 11 ratings points in the ICC list, taking his overall tally to 870, just two points behind number-one ranked AB de Villiers.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the next best-placed Indian batsman at sixth in the list, followed by Shikhar Dhawan, who slipped a rung to 11th after an indifferent outing against New Zealand.

In the bowling charts, Ravindra Jadeja is the highest-placed Indian at ninth spot, which is a loss of three positions.

Meanwhile, Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson have made impressive gains in the rankings for batsmen.

Taylor, named Player of the Match in the final ODI at Wellington on Friday, jumped six places to return to the top 10, and now sits in 10th place. Taylor was the second highest run-getter in the series with 343 runs from five matches.

Williamson ended as the highest run-getter in the series with 361 runs, and risen 20 places to a best-ever ranking of 11th with 688 ratings points, only 25 ratings points behind Taylor. Williamson shares the 11th position with Dhawan.

The latest rankings update also takes into account Australia's 4-1 series win over England. As a result, Australia batsman George Bailey is now up a place to a third, just 14 ratings points behind Kohli and 16 behind de Villiers.

Meanwhile, England batsman Eoin Morgan has jumped four places to 13th even as New Zealand's Martin Guptill returned to the top 20, moving up five places to 19th.

Outside the top 20, the batsmen to move up include Ian Bell in 23rd (up by three), Glenn Maxwell in 32nd (up by nine), Corey Anderson in 34th (up by 51), David Warner in 40th (up by 17), James Faulkner in 50th (up by 15), Jesse Ryder in 52nd (up by three), Shaun Marsh in 64th (up by 17), and Ravindra Jadeja (up by eight) and Aaron Finch (up by 35) in joint 65th.

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Somdev, Bopanna-Myneni seal Cup tie

INDORE (India): Hosts India fought off a spirited challenge from Taiwan to grab an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania group one tie in Indore on Saturday.

Somdev Devvarman wrapped up the marathon second singles against Chen Ti of Taiwan that had been stopped due to bad light on Friday with the scores level at 7-7 in the fifth set.

Devvarman held his service game and then broke Chen in the next to win 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/3), 1-6, 6-2, 9-7 after an attritional battle that lasted more than four hours.

The 103rd-ranked Indian, who was expected to ease past the number 284 Chen, had wasted four match points in the decider on Friday evening, but played aggressive tennis when it mattered to win.

"Five-setters are never easy, so it was nice to get out of this one," Devvarman said. "I attacked and went after his serve today which paid off in the end."

India's new doubles team of Rohan Bopanna and debutant Saketh Myneni were stretched by the Taiwanese pair of Lee Hsin-Han and Peng Hsien-Yin before winning 6-0, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) later on Saturday.

Yuki Bhambri had given India the lead in Friday's opening singles when he overcame an ankle injury in the third set to beat Yang Tsung-Hua 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (1/7), 6-3.

The inconsequential reverse singles will be played on Sunday. India, led by their newly-appointed non-playing captain Anand Amritraj, are without two long-time regulars as Leander Paes opted out of Davis Cup duty for the entire year and Mahesh Bhupathi was dropped.

India next play South Korea in April for a place in the World Group playoffs.

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Kiwis promise more short-pitched test

WHANGAREI (New Zealand): The Indian batting frailties against short-pitched bowling stood exposed in the ODI series and New Zealand coach Mike Hesson on Saturday said the Kiwis will continue with the tactic even in the upcoming Test series starting February 6.

The Kiwi bowlers sent down some short stuff, aided by the longer square boundaries, as the Indian batsmen fell to their habit of compulsive pulling in the five-match ODI series which the hosts won 4-0.

Hesson said the tactic would be re-used in the two-match Test series.

"Yes, if conditions allow, then absolutely, we will deploy it," agreed Hesson.

"It is the ability to push guys back and then bowl their natural length, the ability to do that and obviously presenting the seam so that we can find the outside edge. That is the sort of formula that we have had for a while," he said.

"I think we showed that at the Basin Reserve the last time we played, and the way we forced the West Indies back and got them out, that is something that we will look to continue against India as well," he added.

As India prepare to start the Test leg of their tour with a two-day tour game here, Hesson said the Black Caps certainly have a spring in their step post the ODI triumph.

"There is definitely some confidence within the group that we can compete with these guys and India are a good side. But we know it is a different format. We will have a few new faces but we will certainly take some confidence into the series after the ODI series win," said Hesson.

"Even in our wildest dreams we didn't think we would win 4-0 against such a quality side. It all went very well as planned but you need quality players to have executed those plans. Players understanding their roles and training for those roles specifically and going out under pressure and being able to execute those plans was the key to our success," he added.

India were soundly out-classed in all departments throughout the series, while tying one game in Auckland. The Men in Blue are yet to win a game on the tour.

"Even after the tie, we played pretty well. You have to give credit to the way R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja played that day. But we never felt there was a shift in momentum and we always felt we were playing pretty good cricket," he explained.

"Then, we backed it up in Hamilton on a tough wicket for us against a sub-continent side and that was exceptional. Some people considered it to be a dead rubber (the last game in Wellington) but we certainly didn't. We prepared well for it and were focused today," said the happy coach after the white-wash.

Even so, India will be hoping for a chance as they have reinforcements coming in, as Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay, Zaheer Khan, Umesh Yadav and Wriddhiman Saha join the squad.

It was a turning point for them in South Africa earlier and Hesson is wary of the threat these new players pose in the longer format.

"Zaheer and Pujara are extremely well performed players. Pujara especially, in the last couple of years when we played against him while we were in India a year, a year-and-a-half ago. He was in his infancy then.

"Today, he looks a high quality player and obviously his record suggests that. Zaheer obviously has been out for a while but he is quite a crafty character especially in conditions that suit him. So it will be a challenge for us," he said.

The Kiwi batsmen were hardly troubled by the Indian bowlers in the ODIs but Hesson said he respected the visiting attack.

"We have had a good look at the Indian seam attack in the ODIs. Clearly the conditions will be a little different, especially in the first innings of the Tests. The Indian seamers are good bowlers, especially if there is a little bit in the wicket.

"We have got to prepare accordingly, and obviously it will be a change in format so we need to make that shift quickly. Our openers in the Tests are coming off some domestic form, so hopefully they can set the tone for us," said Hesson.

New Zealand have had a fantastic year in international cricket, except perhaps the tour of Bangladesh, and now pose a great threat to India.

"In Bangladesh, we had a different group of players. The Sri Lanka tour afterwards was really important for us as we introduced a number of new guys there, who did well. We won our first game in a long, long time and that we did with a lot of inexperienced guys.

"Some of them are playing today, some aren't. But some are sort of pushing underneath, and when we got our full squad back we just saw how good we can be," he signed off, referring to the 4-0 whitewash as a marker for the upcoming Tests.

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T20 turns cricket batsmen-centric: Ian

SYDNEY: Former Australia captain Ian Chappell feels that Twenty20 cricket has made the game more batsmen-centric and more needs to be done to maintain a balance between the bat and the ball. According to him, if this continues it could lead to the demise of the sport.

Chappell in his column in the Daily Telegraph feels the organisers are putting more emphasis on big hitting and bringing entertainment through bowlers being battered all over the park.

"While sixes are becoming as common as cheerleaders at T20 matches, over 30 percent of the runs at Bellerive were registered via rope-clearing shots. This is more than 10 percent above the previous highest yearly average for international T20 matches. The number of games and the on-ground fireworks aren't the only explosions occurring in T20 cricket," Chappel said.

"T20 sixes are on the increase and while this may sound exciting for the patrons, the administrators need to ensure they retain the right balance between contest and entertainment."

The former prolific batsman points out that this sort of imbalance between the bat and ball could have dire consequences for the sport.

"If they don't get the balance right the consequences down the track could be dire and the game may eventually become unrecognisable as cricket," quipped Chappell.

According to the Australian batting technique and proper shot selection is being neglected to score quick runs and that eventually that could lead to the sport becoming a poor amalgamation of cricket and baseball.

"Batting is an art but with the boundaries being reduced and bats improving at a rapid rate, there's plenty of incentive for players to completely ignore technique and concentrate on raw power. If this trend continues, T20 will eventually become a poor impersonation of baseball," Chappell said.

"There's definitely a place for hitters who excel but some batting artistry must remain for the game to resemble cricket."

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