Delhi Daredevils v Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL 2015, Delhi

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On their tour to the west and the south east of the country, Delhi Daredevils managed to bury the ghost of 11 straight losses. But back in the Kotla, they face another equally discomforting spectre. Daredevils have lost their previous eight games at their home venue, a sequence that stretches back to 2013. No wonder then that while the teams from other big cities – Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata – have built up strong fan bases, Daredevils are still waiting to connect.

The inclusion of Yuvraj Singh, therefore, was not just based on cricket, it was perhaps thought to be the hook for fans. That hook is yet to work, but the signs are encouraging. Daredevils’ young Indian openers have quietly racked up more than 100 runs each, the legspinning duo of Imran Tahir and Amit Mishra is a constant threat, and the batting is yet to show it’s full colours. The only vulnerability at the moment seems to be in their pace bowling, and with Mohammed Shami ruled out, it is most likely to be that way throughout the tournament.

Kolkata Knight Riders have no such problems. The defending champions are well served with Morne Morkel and Umesh Yadav up front. However, the most interesting aspect of their start to this season is the lack of dependability on Sunil Narine, who has been economical, but has managed just one wicket.

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Monday felicitated badminton star Saina Nehwal and tennis player Sania Mirza for creating new records in the sport, saying the “stupendous” achievements are a matter of national pride.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said Saina has become the first woman badiminton player from India to achieve number one rank in women’s singles while Sania has become the first woman tennis player from India to achieve the world number one rank in women’s doubles.

Amid thumping of desks from members, she said these “stupendous” achievements are a matter of national pride and will be a source of inspiration for all budding sportspersons in the country. “We convey our best wishes to Saina and Sania in their future endeavours, too,” Mahajan added.

NEW DELHI: Indian Super League ( ISL) football franchise Delhi Dynamos will be holding open trials for children in the age group 11-13 from April 11 onwards, as part its grassroots programme.

Those born in 2002, 2003 or 2004 will get an opportunity to showcase their talent. The chosen ones will get a chance to be a part of a skill enrichment workshop and get to train alongside some of the best fresh talent from across the country.

The first of these open trials will be held in the Capital on April 11 at the Ambedkar Stadium, and will be open to all participants from the Delhi NCR area aged between 11 to 13 years.

The participants will be given a chance to showcase their talent under the guidance of the Delhi Dynamos FC’s technical team. Talented children will be shortlisted to participate in the Reliance Foundation Young Champs selection camp. Delhi Dynamos FC hopes to find the next ‘Face of Indian Football’ from Delhi.

The Dynamos aims to create sustainable opportunities for children (born in 2002, 2003 or 2004) in the region through open trials.

In 2014, the inaugural year of the Hero Indian Super League, the Dynamos had initiated a grassroots football development program ‘Junior Dynamos’, which became one of the largest ever inter-school football tournament with participation of over 2400 players from over 180 schools.

“The Dynamos are now stepping up their game by holding Delhi’s first ever open football trials to identify and nurture real footballing talent at a young age. DDFC hopes to refine these children’s game skills, enhance their technical knowledge and ultimately mould them into professional football players,” the Dynamos said in a statement.

Chennai Super Kings defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 45 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) here today.

Electing to bat, the Super Kings posted 209 for four and then restricted Sunrisers to 164 for six in 20 overs at the M A Chidambaram stadium.

Brief scores:

Chennai Super Kings: 209 for four in 20 overs (Brendon McCullum 100 not out, Mahendra Singh Dhoni 53)

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 164 for six in 20 overs (David Warner 53; Mohit Sharma 2/29).

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday congratulated the Kolkata Knight Riders squad and its co-owner. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan for their emphatic victory over Mumbai Indians at the Indian Premier League opening match. Match Photos
“Congratulations to @iamsrk, @GautamGambhir and @KKRiders for the great win in the opening match. Very good start. Keep it up,” Banerjee posted on Twitter.

Defending champions KKR, led by Gambhir, sailed to a seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday night.

Banerjee, who was unable to attend the IPL inaugural ceremony, met actor Hrithik Roshan in Kolkata prior to his performance at the event. She heaped praises on the ace dancer after watching a re-run on television.
“My dear @iHrithik you asked me to watch your performance at #IPL8 ceremony. I watched the repeat on TV. Excellent and full of energy,” she said.

No other cricket event in the whole world brings as much oomph and panache to the sport as the Indian Premier League does. The T20 tournament brings together the superstars of the game in an epic festival of club cricket at its best. In its eight edition, the 2015 Indian Premier League promises to be even better with a star-studded opening ceremony at the Salt Lake Stadium declaring the tournament officially open. Here are the highlights from the ceremony.

Hrithik Roshan’s energetic performance adds zesty touch to proceedings.
2212: Farhan Akhtar’s voice reverberates across the stadium as he comes out to perform with his band – Farhan Live!
2203: Fans in Kolkata will always cherish memories that Ganguly gifted them. The former India captain keeps getting loud and repeated cheers.
2152: Virat Kohli reveals a smile as girlfriend Anushka’s performance comes to a spectacular end.

2146: Anushka Sharma is greeted with cheer from spectators. She takes the stage with a graceful dance from PK and Jab Tak Hain Jaan numbers
2142: Past winners of IPL remembered. Chennai have won the title twice while Kolkata have claimed the title as many times. Shane Warne led Rajasthan Royals to the title in the inaugural season.
2134: Shahid delivers an electric performance which ends with fireworks and laser lights.
2128: Shahid Kapoor rides a bike onto the stage. Gets a massive applause. The actor, though, hits a ramp slightly. He then slips on the stage but recovers quickly.
2121: Captains take the MCC Spirit of Game oath. They sign the Spirit of Cricket bat to uphold the spirit of the game at all times.

2116: Salt Lake stadium gives a loud welcome to Kohli and Dhoni but crowds absolutely erupt as home captain Gautam Gambhir walks out with the IPL trophy.
2114: Massive applause as team captains make their way out. Rohit is the first, followed by Shikhar Dhawan, JP Duminy, Shane Watson and others.
2112: Loud cheer for host Saif Ali Khan as the actor makes his way to the center of the stage.
2110: Music director Pritam starts opening ceremony with a Rabindra Sangeet – Anandaloke. Dancers wearing traditional bengali sarees dance to the famous song.
2105: Everybody is working at fever pitch to start proceedings. A loud cheer across the stadium as stage lights are switched back on for one last test.
2055:Rain has stopped and the start to the ceremony is expected in roughly 15 more minutes from now!
2040: Did you know? Salt Lake Stadium has an artificial turf which means there is no chance of water getting stagnated here. Even the stages can be wiped off quickly enough for the ceremony to begin. For all of this though, it needs to stop raining though. Meanwhile, here’s a list of superstars who will miss IPL 2015 action – either a part of in full.
2010: Rain is getting slightly light about now. The drenched stage is being cleared of water.
19055: Farhan Akhtar urges fans to hang on. “We are all as anxious to get this event started. Once can’t do anything against nature but our fingers are crossed,” says the actor.
1945: Unfortunately, no good news yet from Salt Lake Stadium as rain continues unabated. Word is that the ceremony can begin within half an hour of the rain coming to an end.
Meanwhile, here’s looking at some unbelievable statistics from IPL 2014.
1920: Sunil Gavaskar tells NDTV that IPL has maintained its interest over the years and across all age groups.
“People wonder what to do after 8 once IPL ends. There’s ups and downs in everything but the tournament has maintained its level of interest.”
1915: Umbrellas are out as all electronic equipments are being covered in a rush with rain getting heavier by the minute.

It will be another fabulous event. Every team has done its homework from the last year. They have made the additions to their team looking at their shortcomings in the previous year.So, till we have to till we get an idea what the combinations look like very very tough to predict who is going to be the winner.”
1853: Frequent lightening and rain has delayed the start of IPL opening ceremony. Spectators here have been requested to wait for more details.
1850: Earlier today, Chennai captain MS Dhoni reached Kolkata with wife Sakshi and baby daughter Ziva.

1836: It has begun drizzling in Kolkata. While when it rains, it pours in this city, fans are keeping their fingers crossed that there is an exception to this pattern tonight.
1825: Did you know? Hrithik Roshan – one of the star performers today – has an old and precious link with Kolkata. Find out more about it here.
1820: Earlier – on Monday, all eyes in Kolkata turned towards one couple. RCB captain Virat Kohli touched down in the city with actress girlfriend Anushka Sharma. (Read more here)
1815: Fans are braving the weather and tight security measures put into place. The area around Salt Lake Stadium has been turned into a fortress but no number of checks can dampen the spirit of the passionate Kolkata fan.

Australia today clinched the coveted ICC Cricket World Cup for the fifth time, thrashing New Zealand by seven wickets to provide a perfect farewell gift to skipper Michael Clarke, who played a key role with a 74-run knock in his final ODI appearance.

After the bowlers produced a clinical performance skittling out New Zealand for 183, the stage was set for the Australian captain, who used the platform to the fullest with a stylish 72-ball innings as the hosts regained the trophy winning the match in 33.1 overs — ending an eight-year wait.

The moment Steve Smith (56) hit the winning runs, the entire Australian team was out in the ground delirious in joy celebrating the very special achievement.

All performers yearn for a stage as grand as the World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Clarke got his walking out as a hero with the entire MCG giving him a standing ovation once he was dismissed after getting his team to the doorstep of victory.

It was a touching sight to find all his teammates standing at the boundary line to greet him.
Clarke added 112 runs in the company of his deputy Smith (56) and it looked as if the skipper was passing on the team’s baton to his heir apparent.

Having announced his retirement from ODIs a day before the finals, it was a free-spirited Clarke in action.

The drives flowed from his bat, the footwork was as immaculate as ever and so was the manner in which he charged out to the spinners. Each and every shot was greeted with thunderous applause by the capacity crowd.

There were 10 fours and two sixes in his final ODI innings. Clarke had the Herculean job of checking his emotions and carrying on with the business of guiding his team to victory after losing openers Aaron Finch (0) and David Warner (45). And the skipper was up for it with.

Earlier, a collective display of disciplined bowling from the Australian bowlers helped them restrict a nervous New Zealand to a paltry 183 in 45 overs after Brendon McCullum opted to bat.

A mid-innings collapse which saw New Zealand lose their last seven wickets for only 33 runs in 10 overs effectively ended their hopes of putting up a respectable total despite semi-final hero Grant Elliott’s gutsy innings of 83 off 82 balls.

Ironically, this is the second time that a team in a World Cup final was bowled out for 183 after India in the 1983 final against West Indies, which they won by 43 runs.

Seamer James Faulkner’s brilliant change-ups during the middle overs saw him end with impressive figures of 3/36 in 9 overs as the Black Caps collapsed from decent 150/3 after 35 overs to 183 all-out in 45 overs in about an hour.

This was after Elliott along with Ross Taylor (40) had added 111 runs for the fourth wicket after the visitors were tottering at 39 for three.

Faulkner was well complimented by the two Mitchells — Starc (2/20 in 8 overs) and Johnson (3/30 in 9 overs) — who had the opposition batsmen in trouble with pace and movement on a lively MCG track.

Starc bowled a brilliant delivery first up, to get rid of Brendon McCullum, who was out without scoring. McCullum charged and missed out on a couple of balls dug short and the result was full delivery at the base of off-stump which the batsman had no answer.

Guptill, at the other end, got a freak six when his intended pull off a Josh Hazlewood short delivery flew behind the wicketkeeper for a six. Before that, he had hit a copybook square drive.

Both Guptill and Williamson were cautious during the first 10 overs in which New Zealand scored 31 runs as they got rid of the impetuosity that brought about McCullum’s downfall.

The best shot during that particular phase was a straight drive from Williamson off Hazlewood’s bowling.

Clarke introduced Glenn Maxwell in the 12th over and it brought dividends immediately. Guptill (15) was bowled trying to cut a rather innocuous Maxwell delivery that was tossed up on the off-stump with not a hint of turn.

Williamson’s rather uncomfortable stay at the wicket ended when Johnson bowled a well disguised slower as the right-hander failed to check his shot. The result was a simple return catch which Johnson gleefully accepted. Williamson scored 12 off 33 balls.

Elliott and Taylor then started the repair job. While Elliott was the aggressor, the normally attacking Taylor was ready to hold one end up while nudging and pushing for singles and twos.

Elliott started with a cut off Maxwell and a mistimed hook shot fetched him a six. There were a couple of flowing cover drives off James Faulkner as he reached his 50 off 51 balls. With Taylor for support, the fourth wicket partnership crossed the 100-run mark in 126 balls.

However, the New Zealand innings lost direction from that point. Taylor tried to steer a wide delivery from Faulkner as Brad Haddin took a fantastic one-handed catch stretching to his right.
Corey Anderson (0) was fooled by a yorker as Faulkner suddenly cranked up the pace and the left-hander couldn’t get his bat down.

From 150/3 New Zealand slumped to 150/5 and it soon became 151 for six as Mitchell Starc got Luke Ronchi (0) to flash hard as Michael Clarke took a nice catch at first slip. Daniel Vettori (9) was yorked by Johnson and Elliott, who looked good for a century was then taken by Faulkner as it became 171 for eight.

BIRMINGHAM: London Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal on Saturday scripted history by reaching the final of the prestigious All England Badminton Championship with a straight-game victory over Sun Yu of China in the women’s singles competition.

The World No. 3 Indian, who reached the semifinals of the event in 2010 and 2013, defeated the unseeded Sun 21-13, 21-13 in a match that lasted for 50 minutes at the Barclaycard Arena.

Saina is now just one step away from joining Indian legends Prakash Padukone (1980) and P Gopichand (2001) who have bagged the prestigious title in the past.

Australia vs India
ICC Cricket World Cup, Game 48
Today, 9:00 am
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

Australia
vs
India

328/7 (50) 233/10 (46.5)
Australia won by 95 runs
Match Centre

Parel- Under two categories of below 20 and above 20 years of age a body building competition was held by Social Service Gym, Parel Mumbai.
Social Service Gym is supported by the government and makes it possible for middle class youth to join.

Chief instructor Praveen Kadam has transpired these young aspirant body builders into confident and healthy young people. He has transformed them from local street boys into something worthy.

There were 4 rounds of bout for under 20 category. From seven in a group they were short-listed to five and then 3 and ultimately the first, 2nd and 3rd were finally selected.

Shadil was selected as the best poser. Shadil is a young hard working man who goes to work and takes body building as a hobby. Many of my friends crave to have a body like me comments Shadil.

According to Akash Patil a contestant says that body building enhances longevity of life, it gives a better healthy life. The mind is always fresh and to remain physically fit is always an attraction.

The young body builders feel very sorry for a section of the youth who have become drug addicts. They wish that these boys come out of this addiction and lead a healthy life. They have encouraged the youth to kick off such dreadful habits which becomes an embarrassment and pain for themselves as well as their family members and loved ones.