Novak Djokovic capped one of tennis's greatest seasons with a awe-inspiring US Open triumph on Monday that could just signal an end to the sport's obsession with "Rafa v Roger" finals.
The 24-year-old Serb broke the pain barrier to beat defending champion Rafa Nadal 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-1 and claim his third grand slam title of the year, underlining that the balance of power in the men's game had well and truly shifted.
Seven-times grand slam winner Mats Wilander said Djokovic was on target for a rush of major title after winning a first in New York and the fourth of his career.
"He's jumped up a level," Wilander told Reuters. "I think this is the very beginning. He may be riding the wave, but it's not like the wave is going to end. This is how good he is."
Djokovic struggled with rib pain, lower back pain and cramping and needed a medical timeout and pain killer to carry on in a punishing final but stubbornly refused to yield.
Serbia's Davis Cup hero had also saved match points against Roger Federer in the semi-finals, underlining the steel that has produced an astonishing 64-2 record and 10 titles this year.
"At this level you need those tough matches against top guys," said the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion. "To get confidence that you can really win majors and win the big matches.
"I guess it just clicked in my head. Throughout the last couple of years I didn't change my game in any major way. I think most of the strokes are the same that they were.
"It's just that I'm hitting the shots that I maybe wasn't hitting in the last two, three years now. I'm going for it. I'm more aggressive and I have a different approach to the semi-finals and finals of major events."
Djokovic showed his go-for-broke attitude in surviving his semi-final when, down match point in the fifth set after clawing his way back from two sets down, he ripped an all-or-nothing forehand return across court for a jaw-dropping winner that destroyed Federer's spirit.
"I was always kind of trying to wait for their mistakes," the Serb, who replaced Nadal as world number one earlier this year, said about his attitude in the past.
"Not really having the positive attitude and kind of belief that I can win."
Even when his body looked like giving out on him, Djokovic dug deep with a determination and courage normally associated with Nadal himself.
"I had the rib problem and they had to mobilize my back as well and some cramps in the leg," said Djokovic, who had grabbed at his back after several overhand shots and serves.
"I felt the most discomfort and pain with my serve, so I tried to go more for the precision rather than for speed," said the Serb, forced to spin in deliveries at about 90 miles per hour.
"I had to make the points very short, because it's obvious that he is the one that's physically fitter than me on the court today after the third set was done.
"I knew that and I had to go for my shots, and I did."
Nadal was gracious in his praise of Djokovic.
"This season he's (been) fantastic. His level is really, really high," 10-time major winner Nadal told reporters after congratulating the winner on the court.
"Obviously, I'm disappointed now. But this guy's done unbelievable things. So just congratulate Novak. What you did this year is probably impossible to repeat."
Showing posts with label Breaking News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Breaking News. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Peace, Harmony And Unity: Narendra Modi To Fast For Three Days
NEW DELHI: Bouyed by the Supreme Court verdict in Gulbarga Society riot case, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at his detractors for "defaming" him for the 2002 riots and announced he would undertake a three-day fast for peace, harmony and unity in his state.
"One thing is apparent from the Supreme Court's judgment. The unhealthy environment created by the unfounded and false allegations made against me and government of Gujarat, after 2002 riots, has come to an end. For the past ten years, it has become fashionable to defame me and the state of Gujarat," Modi said in an open letter to Gujarat people.
The controversial chief minister, who is increasingly being seen as BJP's poster boy who could play a larger role in national politics in the run up to 2014 Lok Sabha polls, insisted those defaming him could not tolerate any positive development of Gujarat.
He charged these people have not left any stone unturned to defame his state.
"It is difficult to say whether this campaign of defamation will stop even after the judgment of the Supreme Court. But one thing is certain that the credibility of those who have been spreading lies and defaming Gujarat has come to its lowest ebb. The people of this country will not trust such elements anymore," he said.
Modi said that as part of his responsibility to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood, he is planning to start a movement called "Sadbhavana Mission".
"As part of this Sadbhavana Mission, I have resolved to fast for three days from Saturday, 17th September 2011. My fast will conclude on 19th September. I deeply believe that this fast will further strengthen Gujarat's environment of peace, unity and harmony," Modi said.
"One thing is apparent from the Supreme Court's judgment. The unhealthy environment created by the unfounded and false allegations made against me and government of Gujarat, after 2002 riots, has come to an end. For the past ten years, it has become fashionable to defame me and the state of Gujarat," Modi said in an open letter to Gujarat people.
The controversial chief minister, who is increasingly being seen as BJP's poster boy who could play a larger role in national politics in the run up to 2014 Lok Sabha polls, insisted those defaming him could not tolerate any positive development of Gujarat.
He charged these people have not left any stone unturned to defame his state.
"It is difficult to say whether this campaign of defamation will stop even after the judgment of the Supreme Court. But one thing is certain that the credibility of those who have been spreading lies and defaming Gujarat has come to its lowest ebb. The people of this country will not trust such elements anymore," he said.
Modi said that as part of his responsibility to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood, he is planning to start a movement called "Sadbhavana Mission".
"As part of this Sadbhavana Mission, I have resolved to fast for three days from Saturday, 17th September 2011. My fast will conclude on 19th September. I deeply believe that this fast will further strengthen Gujarat's environment of peace, unity and harmony," Modi said.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
‘Us, Uk Spy Agencies Had Links With Gaddafi’
London: American and British spy agencies built close ties with Libyan intelligence services during the 'War on Terror', according to documents which says, prisoners were offered to the Muammar Gaddafi regime for interrogation under a controversial "rendition" programme.
Secret files have been unearthed in Tripoli that reveal the astonishingly close links that existed between British and American governments and Muammar Gaddafi, the Independent said. The documents were discovered from the office of the former spy chief of Gaddafi.
The documents chart show how prisoners were offered to the Libyans for brutal interrogation by the Tripoli regime under the highly controversial "rendition" programme, and also how details of exiled opponents of the Libyan dictator in the UK were passed on to the regime by MI6.
The papers show that British officials actually helped write a draft speech for Colonel Gaddafi while he was trying to rehabilitate his regime from the pariah status to which it had sunk following its support for terrorist movements.
Further documents disclose how, at the same time, the US and UK acted on behalf of Libya in conducting negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
With the efforts they had expended in cultivating their contacts with the regime, the British were unwilling, at times, to share their "Libya connection" with the closet ally, the US. In a letter to his Libyan intelligence counterpart, an MI6 officer described how he refused to pass on the identity of an agent to Washington.
The documents, many of them incendiary in their implications, were found at the private offices of Moussa Koussa, Col Gaddafi's right hand man, and regime security chief, who defected to Britain in the days following the February revolution.
Secret files have been unearthed in Tripoli that reveal the astonishingly close links that existed between British and American governments and Muammar Gaddafi, the Independent said. The documents were discovered from the office of the former spy chief of Gaddafi.
The documents chart show how prisoners were offered to the Libyans for brutal interrogation by the Tripoli regime under the highly controversial "rendition" programme, and also how details of exiled opponents of the Libyan dictator in the UK were passed on to the regime by MI6.
The papers show that British officials actually helped write a draft speech for Colonel Gaddafi while he was trying to rehabilitate his regime from the pariah status to which it had sunk following its support for terrorist movements.
Further documents disclose how, at the same time, the US and UK acted on behalf of Libya in conducting negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
With the efforts they had expended in cultivating their contacts with the regime, the British were unwilling, at times, to share their "Libya connection" with the closet ally, the US. In a letter to his Libyan intelligence counterpart, an MI6 officer described how he refused to pass on the identity of an agent to Washington.
The documents, many of them incendiary in their implications, were found at the private offices of Moussa Koussa, Col Gaddafi's right hand man, and regime security chief, who defected to Britain in the days following the February revolution.
Iran's First Nuke Power Plant Connected To Grid
Tehran: Iran's first nuclear power plant has started adding electricity to the national grid, media reported on Sunday, coming on stream on Saturday night after years of delays.
"The Bushehr nuclear power plant joined the national grid on Saturday at 23:29 with the power of around 60 megawatts," the ISNA news agency reported.
Hamid-Khadem Qaemi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organisation, told Iran's Arabic language TV station al-Alam the plant would be officially inaugurated by September 12, by which time it would be operating at 40 per cent capacity.
The agency was not immediately available to comment.
The $ 1-billion, 1,000-megawatt plant on the Gulf coast is the first of what Iran hopes will become a network of nuclear facilities that will reduce its reliance on its abundant fossil fuels.
Started by Germany's Siemens in the 1970s before Iran's Islamic revolution, the project was later taken over by Russian engineers and has since suffered a series of delays.
The West fears Iran's nuclear program is aimed at making atomic weapons, which Tehran denies.
Experts say firing up the Bushehr plant will not bring Iran any closer to building a nuclear bomb because Russia will supply the enriched uranium for the reactor and take away spent fuel that could be used to make weapons-grade plutonium.
"The Bushehr nuclear power plant joined the national grid on Saturday at 23:29 with the power of around 60 megawatts," the ISNA news agency reported.
Hamid-Khadem Qaemi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organisation, told Iran's Arabic language TV station al-Alam the plant would be officially inaugurated by September 12, by which time it would be operating at 40 per cent capacity.
The agency was not immediately available to comment.
The $ 1-billion, 1,000-megawatt plant on the Gulf coast is the first of what Iran hopes will become a network of nuclear facilities that will reduce its reliance on its abundant fossil fuels.
Started by Germany's Siemens in the 1970s before Iran's Islamic revolution, the project was later taken over by Russian engineers and has since suffered a series of delays.
The West fears Iran's nuclear program is aimed at making atomic weapons, which Tehran denies.
Experts say firing up the Bushehr plant will not bring Iran any closer to building a nuclear bomb because Russia will supply the enriched uranium for the reactor and take away spent fuel that could be used to make weapons-grade plutonium.
Djokovic Goes Past Davydenko At Us Open
New York: Always eager to entertain U.S. Open fans with more than his tennis skills, Novak Djokovic dusted off some dance moves this time.
Djokovic cut a rug on court while music blared over the Arthur Ashe Stadium loudspeakers on Saturday night after he improved to 60-2 in 2011 by beating 39th-ranked Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
During his post-match interview, Djokovic decided to change the subject and make note of someone in the stands who'd been grooving to songs played during changeovers.
"Need to congratulate the dancer up there. He was amazing. Let's just talk about him. ... Leave tennis aside. You, man, you can dance. Really. Unbelievable," Djokovic said.
And that's when the 24-year-old Serb requested some music so he could dance a bit, too.
It's the sort of extroverted display that Djokovic has engaged in during past U.S. Opens. After one match, he demonstrated his spot-on impersonations of other top players, including Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal. After another, he played some points for fun with seven-time major champion John McEnroe.
Djokovic is nothing but serious when it comes to his tennis, though. Especially this season.
The top-seeded Djokovic is trying to win his third Grand Slam championship of the year and fourth of his career.
He's seeking his first title at the U.S. Open, where he was the runner-up to Roger Federer in 2007 and to Nadal last year.
"I know most people expect top players to get to the late stages of the tournament, so there's extra pressure on us," Djokovic said. "But it's a challenge we're ready to accept. This is what we work all our lives for, to be on this court."
Davydenko is a four-time major semifinalist, including twice at the U.S. Open, but he wasn't able to provide too much resistance against Djokovic on Saturday.
Next up for Djokovic is a match against 22nd-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine, who eliminated Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic cut a rug on court while music blared over the Arthur Ashe Stadium loudspeakers on Saturday night after he improved to 60-2 in 2011 by beating 39th-ranked Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
During his post-match interview, Djokovic decided to change the subject and make note of someone in the stands who'd been grooving to songs played during changeovers.
"Need to congratulate the dancer up there. He was amazing. Let's just talk about him. ... Leave tennis aside. You, man, you can dance. Really. Unbelievable," Djokovic said.
And that's when the 24-year-old Serb requested some music so he could dance a bit, too.
It's the sort of extroverted display that Djokovic has engaged in during past U.S. Opens. After one match, he demonstrated his spot-on impersonations of other top players, including Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal. After another, he played some points for fun with seven-time major champion John McEnroe.
Djokovic is nothing but serious when it comes to his tennis, though. Especially this season.
The top-seeded Djokovic is trying to win his third Grand Slam championship of the year and fourth of his career.
He's seeking his first title at the U.S. Open, where he was the runner-up to Roger Federer in 2007 and to Nadal last year.
"I know most people expect top players to get to the late stages of the tournament, so there's extra pressure on us," Djokovic said. "But it's a challenge we're ready to accept. This is what we work all our lives for, to be on this court."
Davydenko is a four-time major semifinalist, including twice at the U.S. Open, but he wasn't able to provide too much resistance against Djokovic on Saturday.
Next up for Djokovic is a match against 22nd-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine, who eliminated Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Serena Overwhelms Azarenka At Us Open
New York: If anyone still harbored any doubts about whether Serena Williams is back at her best, she put on a pretty persuasive performance during the first 17 minutes of her third-round match on Saturday at the U.S. Open.
That's how long Williams needed to build a 5-0 lead en route to a 6-1, 7-6 (5) victory at Flushing Meadows over one of the best players the women's field had to offer: fourth-seeded Victoria Azarenka, a Wimbledon semifinalist two months ago.
Listen to Azarenka describe how it felt to stand across the net from Williams during her superb start:
"What's it like? It's painful," said Azarenka, who won eight points in those opening five games. "To have somebody just going at you like that, it's a little bit painful."
Eventually, though, Azarenka straightened her own play out enough to make things interesting in the second set. She erased four match points, broke when Williams served for the match at 5-3, and left Williams saying she wasn't pleased.
"She won the first set very easily, and it was a little bit too easy, so then she got tested — and she needed to be tested," said Williams' mother, Oracene Price.
Williams passed the test, and showed off her fitness, which is much improved from when she lost in the fourth round at Wimbledon. At the end of one point, she did the splits. On another, she raced all the way over to the blue sign near the stands to smack a forehand winner.
She and Azarenka described the level of play as being worthy of a Grand Slam semifinal, rather than the Week 1 matchup that it was. But they wound up being drawn to meet this early because Williams is seeded only 28th, a reflection of her lower-than-usual ranking as a result of nearly a year's absence from the tour because of a series of health scares.
The 29-year-old American already owns 13 major championships, including three at the U.S. Open, which is why, when she was asked how she can play so well now, Williams replied: "I mean, I was a pretty good player before. So just trying to get back into that rhythm and feel it again."
In the fourth round, Williams will face former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, the 2008 French Open champion, who is seeded 16th.
"It's exciting, at least for me. I think she's the hottest player out there at the moment. She's been playing so well lately. It is going to be a good challenge," Ivanovic said after ending Sloane Stephens' surprising run by beating the 18-year-old American 6-3, 6-4 in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday night.
Ivanovic acknowledged that Williams will be the "favorite, that's for sure" but also said: "I know I can give her a tough match. She beat me in the past, but maybe I can go for revenge on Monday."
The woman who's seeded No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki, eliminated Vania King of the United States 6-2, 6-4, and will continue her bid for a first Grand Slam title against 15th-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, owner of two major trophies.
Also into the fourth round with victories on Saturday were 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy, who got past Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-3; No. 17 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, who beat 2008 U.S. Open runner-up Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-4, 6-4; and No. 10 Andrea Petkovic of Germany, who defeated No. 18 Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-4, 6-0 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the second year in a row.
"Grand Slams are very stressful," Petkovic observed. "I think any player that you ask — and if he answers honestly — it's a lot of stress."
That, as much as anything, could explain why so many players have been quitting during matches because of injury or illness: No. 9 Tomas Berdych (shoulder) and No. 31 Marcel Granollers (abdominal muscle) did so Saturday, raising the total retirements in men's and women's singles to a record 14 by the third round.
Also advancing Saturday were No. 8 Mardy Fish, the top-seeded American, who has yet to drop a set after beating Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3); No. 20 Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia; No. 22 Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine; and 2003 French Open champion and U.S. Open runner-up Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain. Tipsarevic (Berdych's opponent) and Ferrero (Granollers') play each other next.
On Monday, Fish faces a potentially difficult match against No. 11 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga — the 2008 Australian Open runner-up who beat No. 19 Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 — and so was pleased to finish off Anderson in three sets.
"I'll be physically fine in two days," Fish said. "But, you know, I'm 29. I don't wake up in the morning feeling like I'm 20."
That's how long Williams needed to build a 5-0 lead en route to a 6-1, 7-6 (5) victory at Flushing Meadows over one of the best players the women's field had to offer: fourth-seeded Victoria Azarenka, a Wimbledon semifinalist two months ago.
Listen to Azarenka describe how it felt to stand across the net from Williams during her superb start:
"What's it like? It's painful," said Azarenka, who won eight points in those opening five games. "To have somebody just going at you like that, it's a little bit painful."
Eventually, though, Azarenka straightened her own play out enough to make things interesting in the second set. She erased four match points, broke when Williams served for the match at 5-3, and left Williams saying she wasn't pleased.
"She won the first set very easily, and it was a little bit too easy, so then she got tested — and she needed to be tested," said Williams' mother, Oracene Price.
Williams passed the test, and showed off her fitness, which is much improved from when she lost in the fourth round at Wimbledon. At the end of one point, she did the splits. On another, she raced all the way over to the blue sign near the stands to smack a forehand winner.
She and Azarenka described the level of play as being worthy of a Grand Slam semifinal, rather than the Week 1 matchup that it was. But they wound up being drawn to meet this early because Williams is seeded only 28th, a reflection of her lower-than-usual ranking as a result of nearly a year's absence from the tour because of a series of health scares.
The 29-year-old American already owns 13 major championships, including three at the U.S. Open, which is why, when she was asked how she can play so well now, Williams replied: "I mean, I was a pretty good player before. So just trying to get back into that rhythm and feel it again."
In the fourth round, Williams will face former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, the 2008 French Open champion, who is seeded 16th.
"It's exciting, at least for me. I think she's the hottest player out there at the moment. She's been playing so well lately. It is going to be a good challenge," Ivanovic said after ending Sloane Stephens' surprising run by beating the 18-year-old American 6-3, 6-4 in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday night.
Ivanovic acknowledged that Williams will be the "favorite, that's for sure" but also said: "I know I can give her a tough match. She beat me in the past, but maybe I can go for revenge on Monday."
The woman who's seeded No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki, eliminated Vania King of the United States 6-2, 6-4, and will continue her bid for a first Grand Slam title against 15th-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, owner of two major trophies.
Also into the fourth round with victories on Saturday were 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy, who got past Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-3; No. 17 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, who beat 2008 U.S. Open runner-up Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-4, 6-4; and No. 10 Andrea Petkovic of Germany, who defeated No. 18 Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-4, 6-0 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the second year in a row.
"Grand Slams are very stressful," Petkovic observed. "I think any player that you ask — and if he answers honestly — it's a lot of stress."
That, as much as anything, could explain why so many players have been quitting during matches because of injury or illness: No. 9 Tomas Berdych (shoulder) and No. 31 Marcel Granollers (abdominal muscle) did so Saturday, raising the total retirements in men's and women's singles to a record 14 by the third round.
Also advancing Saturday were No. 8 Mardy Fish, the top-seeded American, who has yet to drop a set after beating Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3); No. 20 Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia; No. 22 Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine; and 2003 French Open champion and U.S. Open runner-up Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain. Tipsarevic (Berdych's opponent) and Ferrero (Granollers') play each other next.
On Monday, Fish faces a potentially difficult match against No. 11 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga — the 2008 Australian Open runner-up who beat No. 19 Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 — and so was pleased to finish off Anderson in three sets.
"I'll be physically fine in two days," Fish said. "But, you know, I'm 29. I don't wake up in the morning feeling like I'm 20."
Rohit Sharma Ruled Out Of Odi Series
Chester-le-Street: India's injury woes refused to end as young batsman Rohit Sharma was on Saturday ruled out of the remainder of the five-match ODI series against England after suffering a fracture in the index finger of his right hand here.
Sharma was hit by a Stuart Broad delivery in the 38th over of the Indian innings during the first ODI here.
He has been advised rest for three weeks to recover from his injury and it automatically puts him out of the remaining four ODIs.
Sharma retired hurt after facing that ball. He went for a check up and a fracture was confirmed though no official word has come from the BCCI yet on his availability for the series.
It has been a disastrous tour for India as many leading players, including Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Yuvraj Singh suffered injuries at various stages of the tour.
Tendulkar had to miss Saturday's opening match due a toe injury.
Sharma was hit by a Stuart Broad delivery in the 38th over of the Indian innings during the first ODI here.
He has been advised rest for three weeks to recover from his injury and it automatically puts him out of the remaining four ODIs.
Sharma retired hurt after facing that ball. He went for a check up and a fracture was confirmed though no official word has come from the BCCI yet on his availability for the series.
It has been a disastrous tour for India as many leading players, including Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Yuvraj Singh suffered injuries at various stages of the tour.
Tendulkar had to miss Saturday's opening match due a toe injury.
Dhoni Questions Dravid's Dismissal
Chester-Le-Street: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday questioned the third umpire's controversial decision to rule Rahul Dravid out even though television replays did not show any edge off the bat during his side's first ODI against England here.
"There are quite a few things (about that dismissal). There was no mark on the Hot Spot, no visual deflection and the umpire had given not out. The benefit of doubt in such cases go to the batsman," Dhoni said at the post-match press conference after the match was abandoned due to heavy rain.
"I still don't know how exactly he was given out. Whether it was off snickometer; whether snicko is allowed to be used; whether it was an audio technician or a third umpire who gave him out. There are any number of fair questions to be asked; why should not the benefit of doubt go to a batsman?" Dhoni asked.
Dhoni was worried at the ever-growing list of injured players in the Indian camp after Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma joined the casualty list list on Saturday.
"We could do with 15 more players, initially I said what could have gone wrong did go wrong. But it has only increased since then," stated Dhoni
While Tendulkar has an inflamed right toe, Rohit got his right index finger fractured during the Indian innings.
"Coming from India and performing here straightaway can be difficult. We are fighting with whatever resources we've got. May be increasing the strength of the team can be the key. We could look at travelling with 18 players if needed," he said.
Dhoni confirmed that the team would be asking for Rohit's replacement straightaway as the right-handed batsman is definitely out for the rest of the series.
"Rohit would be visiting a specialist and it's almost certain he would not play any further in this series.
"Tendulkar will also see a specialist. It's an old injury which has flared up. He had practice with us last evening but this morning it flared up," Dhoni informed.
He said India would have won the match had England got only to 20 overs to play and with 164 to win. England were 27 for two in 7.2 overs when rain interrupted and match abandoned later.
"A lot has happened in this series. This alone (abandonment) was left. It could have been difficult for them to get close to 130 runs in 12 overs. It was a difficult target to achieve as we had bowled well in the first seven overs," he said.
The Indian captain was all praise for his top order batsmen for posting 274 for seven in their allotted 50 overs.
"They (the openers) batted well. What was important was to see off new ball. It initially swings at this time of the year. What we wanted was stable partnership. They were careful initial but then nicely built up their innings. After Rahane was out, Parthiv made sure he had some partnership so that lower order batsmen could come and score runs.
"It was important knock for them. If you think, these players will be playing in next 3-4 years time. They did it against a good bowling attack and when the most experienced players in your side were missing. It's a big learning experience for them and it would help them in future."
Dhoni, however, said that his side did not quite capitalize on the fine start of the top order.
"We were a few runs short because we lost Rohit. We wanted to cash in on the slog overs, get as many runs as possible without taking too many risks."
"There are quite a few things (about that dismissal). There was no mark on the Hot Spot, no visual deflection and the umpire had given not out. The benefit of doubt in such cases go to the batsman," Dhoni said at the post-match press conference after the match was abandoned due to heavy rain.
"I still don't know how exactly he was given out. Whether it was off snickometer; whether snicko is allowed to be used; whether it was an audio technician or a third umpire who gave him out. There are any number of fair questions to be asked; why should not the benefit of doubt go to a batsman?" Dhoni asked.
Dhoni was worried at the ever-growing list of injured players in the Indian camp after Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma joined the casualty list list on Saturday.
"We could do with 15 more players, initially I said what could have gone wrong did go wrong. But it has only increased since then," stated Dhoni
While Tendulkar has an inflamed right toe, Rohit got his right index finger fractured during the Indian innings.
"Coming from India and performing here straightaway can be difficult. We are fighting with whatever resources we've got. May be increasing the strength of the team can be the key. We could look at travelling with 18 players if needed," he said.
Dhoni confirmed that the team would be asking for Rohit's replacement straightaway as the right-handed batsman is definitely out for the rest of the series.
"Rohit would be visiting a specialist and it's almost certain he would not play any further in this series.
"Tendulkar will also see a specialist. It's an old injury which has flared up. He had practice with us last evening but this morning it flared up," Dhoni informed.
He said India would have won the match had England got only to 20 overs to play and with 164 to win. England were 27 for two in 7.2 overs when rain interrupted and match abandoned later.
"A lot has happened in this series. This alone (abandonment) was left. It could have been difficult for them to get close to 130 runs in 12 overs. It was a difficult target to achieve as we had bowled well in the first seven overs," he said.
The Indian captain was all praise for his top order batsmen for posting 274 for seven in their allotted 50 overs.
"They (the openers) batted well. What was important was to see off new ball. It initially swings at this time of the year. What we wanted was stable partnership. They were careful initial but then nicely built up their innings. After Rahane was out, Parthiv made sure he had some partnership so that lower order batsmen could come and score runs.
"It was important knock for them. If you think, these players will be playing in next 3-4 years time. They did it against a good bowling attack and when the most experienced players in your side were missing. It's a big learning experience for them and it would help them in future."
Dhoni, however, said that his side did not quite capitalize on the fine start of the top order.
"We were a few runs short because we lost Rohit. We wanted to cash in on the slog overs, get as many runs as possible without taking too many risks."
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Anna Out Of Hospital, To Leave For Ralegan Siddhi
New Delhi: Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare was discharged from Medanta Medicity on Wednesday. Anna was discharged from the Gurgaon hospital where he was recuperating since he broke his 13-day fast against graft on Sunday.
The Lokpal activist will leave for Pune on Wednesday night itself from where he will go to his hometown Ralegan Siddhi on Thursday where a grand welcome awaits him. Anna spent four days in hospital and doctors had earlier said Anna's health is improving.
His blood pressure was down to 140/90, his pulse rate was 80 and his temperature was also normal.
Dr Naresh Trehan, who's hospital Anna was being treated at, said that the 74-year old's organs were performing reasonably okay and that he was slowly putting on some weight.
Anna had lost over seven kilos in 13 days of fasting.
The Lokpal activist will leave for Pune on Wednesday night itself from where he will go to his hometown Ralegan Siddhi on Thursday where a grand welcome awaits him. Anna spent four days in hospital and doctors had earlier said Anna's health is improving.
His blood pressure was down to 140/90, his pulse rate was 80 and his temperature was also normal.
Dr Naresh Trehan, who's hospital Anna was being treated at, said that the 74-year old's organs were performing reasonably okay and that he was slowly putting on some weight.
Anna had lost over seven kilos in 13 days of fasting.
Dravid's T20 Debut And Retirement On Same Day
New Delhi: Jim Laker's 19 wickets in one Test is a perpetual cricket record and on Wednesday India's Rahul Dravid may follow suit with a debut and retirement from Twenty20 internationals (T20I) on the same day.
India's struggling batting dwindled further on the eve of their only Twenty20 game against England, when a concussed Gautam Gambhir was ruled out. And with just seven fit batsmen available, Dravid's T20I debut is imminent.
But that's only one part of the news. The other half is that in all probability it will also be Dravid's last T20I, as the 38-year-old debutant is expected to retire from the format on the same day.
Dravid, a Test specialist who ironically has scored India's second fastest ODI fifty, would have never expected to play T20s and ODIs on the England tour. But 'The Wall' will stand tall to answer the call of duty, with the squad falling by the wayside due to injuries.
The T20 swansong will precede Dravid's decision to retire from ODIs after the series against England. He announced that decision on the same day selectors surprised him with an ODI call-up.
"In the short term, I am committed because now I have been picked for the series, but in the long term, I think it is best for me and Indian cricket that I focus on Test cricket," Dravid had said then.
Dravid, though never part of India's T20 setup, has featured in all four editions of the cash-rich Indian Premier League. So to say he is completely alien to the design won't be appropriate. And he gave a glimpse of that in the warm-up game against Leicestershire, where he scored 29 off 31 balls.
But at the age of 38, even if he plays a swashbuckling innings on Wednesday, it will be wrong to judge that India missed out by sidelining Dravid for so long. By doing that, those who praised the Fab Four's decision to leave T20 to youngsters will appear foolhardy.
Rather a honest admission will be that 'Team Man' Dravid is currently indispensable for India in Test cricket. Debut and retirement on the same day may be unique, but not something any cricketer cherishes. Dravid is doing this for India, like he has done a number of times.
India's Ideal Xi For T20 Clash Vs Eng
New Delhi: Team India was decimated in the Test series versus England and looked as clueless as new born babies with the cricket bats. After the hammering of a lifetime in Tests, Team India has fought back strongly in three tour matches but the real action begins on Wednesday Old Trafford, Manchester.
The upcoming T20 against England provides an opportunity for the Men in Blue to redeem themselves. The team management should carefully select the playing eleven for this match keeping one eye at the upcoming ODI series.
Injuries to Gambhir and Sehwag, has forced the team management to give veteran Rahul Dravid a chance to make his debut in the T20 format at 38 and surprisingly he would call it a day in the shorter format after making his debut. It wouldn’t be surprising if The Wall decides to shed his normal approach and be more aggressive in his batting style.
Selectors should also find this the right match to give opportunities to rookies such as Varun Aaron and Ajinkya Rahane so that they can show off their much talked about skills.
With Virat Kohli tailor made for the shorter format of the game he is a sure shot to bat at No 4. With aggression in batting and fielding it will surely provide much needed energy and enthusiasm to the whole team who's morale is definitely low. Suresh Raina could also find this match as a perfect platform to get back in business after a disastrous outing in the Test series.
Middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma will be one of the key members in the middle order. He has the ability to play an anchor role in the middle and has the ability to shift gear at any given time. The Mumbai Indian batsman is touted as one of the best talents for the future.
In the absence of Harbhajan Singh, MS Dhoni will surely go with R Ashwin and the young off-spinner is one of the vital weapons for Team India. He has the ability to pick wickets and at the same time he is gutsy enough to try variations and can put the breaks on the scoring rate.
With the in-form Praveen Kumar almost a certainty in India's playing eleven, the visitors could use Vinay Kumar as the supporting act from the other end.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Us Open: Sharapova Survives Watson Scare
New York: Maria Sharapova survived a US Open first round scare on Monday when she clawed her way back from a set and a break down to defeat gutsy British teenager Heather Watson, the world 104.
Former world number one Sharapova, the third seed and 2006 champion, won 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 but only after being stretched by the 19-year-old 2009 junior champion who was making her main draw debut.
Exactly 100 places separate the two women in the rankings, but Watson wasn't overawed until the final set when Sharapova, a French Open semi-finalist and Wimbledon finalist this summer, switched on the turbo-power.
The Russian finished with a blistering 41 winners to Watson's nine although her 58 unforced errors and eight double faults were hardly the statistics of a champion-in-waiting.
"It was one of the toughest (opening matches) that I've had. Obviously not really knowing too much about my opponent and not facing her before. She just came out and played really smart," said Sharapova, who has yet to lose a three-set match this year.
"There's no doubt that I wasn't playing my best tennis. She was smart in making me hit another ball. I was making so many errors out there. She stuck to her game plan. She kept grinding."
Sharapova was plagued by mistakes in the first set on the showpiece Arthur Ashe stadium. She fell 4-1 down, but managed to save two set points in the ninth game before a netted second service return gave Watson the opener.
The Russian also dropped serve in the opening game of the second set before she hit back to lead 4-1.
Back came the battling Briton as Sharapova double-faulted in the seventh game to surrender the break.
But at 5-6 down, Watson's nerve finally failed her.
A handful of silly errors allowed Sharapova, who had been a set and 1-4 down to French teenager Caroline Garcia at Roland Garros, to level the tie.
The Russian was quickly into a 3-0 lead in the decider as her young opponent wilted under the barrage of groundstrokes as well as the Sharapova ear-piercing vocals.
But from 1-4 down, Watson recovered the break to go to 3-4 before another thrilling twist saw Sharapova once again summon all of her renowned fighting spirit to break again for a 5-3 lead.
Watson saved a match point but a long forehand confirmed her defeat and a place for Sharapova in the next round where she will face Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus, who beat Thailand's Noppawan Lertcheewakarn 6-0, 4-6, 6-3.
Despite her victory, Sharapova's customary on-court shrieking was not to everyone's liking.
Star British golfer Lee Westwood wrote on Twitter: "Glad Sharapova's not playing in Crans this week! They'd hear her in Geneva! Come on Watson finish her off for the sake of our eardrums!"
Former world number one Sharapova, the third seed and 2006 champion, won 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 but only after being stretched by the 19-year-old 2009 junior champion who was making her main draw debut.
Exactly 100 places separate the two women in the rankings, but Watson wasn't overawed until the final set when Sharapova, a French Open semi-finalist and Wimbledon finalist this summer, switched on the turbo-power.
The Russian finished with a blistering 41 winners to Watson's nine although her 58 unforced errors and eight double faults were hardly the statistics of a champion-in-waiting.
"It was one of the toughest (opening matches) that I've had. Obviously not really knowing too much about my opponent and not facing her before. She just came out and played really smart," said Sharapova, who has yet to lose a three-set match this year.
"There's no doubt that I wasn't playing my best tennis. She was smart in making me hit another ball. I was making so many errors out there. She stuck to her game plan. She kept grinding."
Sharapova was plagued by mistakes in the first set on the showpiece Arthur Ashe stadium. She fell 4-1 down, but managed to save two set points in the ninth game before a netted second service return gave Watson the opener.
The Russian also dropped serve in the opening game of the second set before she hit back to lead 4-1.
Back came the battling Briton as Sharapova double-faulted in the seventh game to surrender the break.
But at 5-6 down, Watson's nerve finally failed her.
A handful of silly errors allowed Sharapova, who had been a set and 1-4 down to French teenager Caroline Garcia at Roland Garros, to level the tie.
The Russian was quickly into a 3-0 lead in the decider as her young opponent wilted under the barrage of groundstrokes as well as the Sharapova ear-piercing vocals.
But from 1-4 down, Watson recovered the break to go to 3-4 before another thrilling twist saw Sharapova once again summon all of her renowned fighting spirit to break again for a 5-3 lead.
Watson saved a match point but a long forehand confirmed her defeat and a place for Sharapova in the next round where she will face Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus, who beat Thailand's Noppawan Lertcheewakarn 6-0, 4-6, 6-3.
Despite her victory, Sharapova's customary on-court shrieking was not to everyone's liking.
Star British golfer Lee Westwood wrote on Twitter: "Glad Sharapova's not playing in Crans this week! They'd hear her in Geneva! Come on Watson finish her off for the sake of our eardrums!"
Federer Matches Agassi For Grand Slam Wins
New York: Roger Federer tied Andre Agassi for the second-most match victories in Grand Slam tournaments by beating Santiago Giraldo in straight sets on Monday.
The third-seeded Swiss won 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 to move level with Agassi on 224 singles wins at tennis majors; nine behind Jimmy Connors.
Federer said he wasn't aware of that mark.
"I've played many Slams in a row already. I'm healthy. It's just another way of saying, 'Roger, you've been doing many right things throughout your career,'" he said. "It gives me good satisfaction and points me in the right direction."
Federer improved to 12-0 in first-round matches at Flushing Meadows, and 57-6 overall at a venue where he's lifted the champion's trophy five times.
The Swiss star, who turned 30 on Aug. 8, is trying to win at least one Grand Slam title for what would be a record ninth consecutive year. He also would like to become the first 30-something man to win a major tournament since Agassi at the 2003 Australian Open.
Federer has won each major trophy at least once, so he knows the ins and outs of the various Grand Slam surfaces - the hard courts at the Australian Open and U.S. Open, clay courts at the French Open, and grass courts at Wimbledon - and was concerned organizers have made the Flushing Meadow courts too slow this year.
"Did they make a mistake? Maybe they did paint the court a bit too rough. It's just unfortunate that maybe all the Slams are too equal," the 16-time major champion said. "They should feel very different to the Australian Open, and now I don't feel it really does."
He showed a few signs of rust early under the lights against Giraldo, losing serve three times in the first two sets. Federer thought that might have been connected to his sense that the court played "definitely slower" than at the hard-court tuneup tournaments at Cincinnati and Montreal this month - and slower than in New York in 2010.
"It takes some getting used to. You're not getting as many free points with your serve," Federer said. "Maybe that was part of the inconsistent play I had early on in the first couple of sets."
Explaining how the conditions felt Monday, Federer said: "The night session just feels like you can take huge cuts at the ball, you can run everything down. It's great for tennis, but I'm not sure if it's really what the game needs. The game needs different speed at Slams and so forth. I don't feel we quite have that at the moment, especially if the U.S. Open is getting slower."
On the other hand, Federer noted that he thinks that will lead to "amazing points."
"It's going to be super athletic, which is fun," he added. "So it's all good."
The third-seeded Swiss won 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 to move level with Agassi on 224 singles wins at tennis majors; nine behind Jimmy Connors.
Federer said he wasn't aware of that mark.
"I've played many Slams in a row already. I'm healthy. It's just another way of saying, 'Roger, you've been doing many right things throughout your career,'" he said. "It gives me good satisfaction and points me in the right direction."
Federer improved to 12-0 in first-round matches at Flushing Meadows, and 57-6 overall at a venue where he's lifted the champion's trophy five times.
The Swiss star, who turned 30 on Aug. 8, is trying to win at least one Grand Slam title for what would be a record ninth consecutive year. He also would like to become the first 30-something man to win a major tournament since Agassi at the 2003 Australian Open.
Federer has won each major trophy at least once, so he knows the ins and outs of the various Grand Slam surfaces - the hard courts at the Australian Open and U.S. Open, clay courts at the French Open, and grass courts at Wimbledon - and was concerned organizers have made the Flushing Meadow courts too slow this year.
"Did they make a mistake? Maybe they did paint the court a bit too rough. It's just unfortunate that maybe all the Slams are too equal," the 16-time major champion said. "They should feel very different to the Australian Open, and now I don't feel it really does."
He showed a few signs of rust early under the lights against Giraldo, losing serve three times in the first two sets. Federer thought that might have been connected to his sense that the court played "definitely slower" than at the hard-court tuneup tournaments at Cincinnati and Montreal this month - and slower than in New York in 2010.
"It takes some getting used to. You're not getting as many free points with your serve," Federer said. "Maybe that was part of the inconsistent play I had early on in the first couple of sets."
Explaining how the conditions felt Monday, Federer said: "The night session just feels like you can take huge cuts at the ball, you can run everything down. It's great for tennis, but I'm not sure if it's really what the game needs. The game needs different speed at Slams and so forth. I don't feel we quite have that at the moment, especially if the U.S. Open is getting slower."
On the other hand, Federer noted that he thinks that will lead to "amazing points."
"It's going to be super athletic, which is fun," he added. "So it's all good."
Rooney Wants Walcott At His Best Against Bulgaria
London: Wayne Rooney said he hoped Theo Walcott would put the memory of Manchester United's 8-2 rout of Arsenal behind him to focus on England's upcoming Euro 2012 qualifier away to Bulgaria.
Rooney scored a hat-trick for United at Old Trafford on Sunday as Arsenal, for whom Walcott netted one of two goals, shipped eight for the first time in over a century.
But the two players now find themselves on the same side as members of an England squad that play Bulgaria in Sofia on Friday before the Group G leaders face Wales in another Euro 2012 qualifier at Wembley a week on Tuesday.
"We're here to concentrate on England," Rooney told a news conference at the squad's hotel on Tuesday.
"We want Theo at his best so don't really want him to remember that result."
However, United striker Rooney was certainly buoyed by his own performance last weekend.
"It's always great to be in good form and scoring goals.
"I'm looking forward to getting back playing for England, playing well, and helping us get the points we need."
As for the upcoming England fixtures, Rooney said: "I think it'll be a really tough game, Bulgaria away.
"I'm sure it'll be a good atmosphere and a difficult game to come away with three points from.
"Wales are a good team but I'd like to think we've got enough to beat them at home.
"So hopefully we can come away from those two games with six points."
Rooney has started to link up well with new United team-mate Ashley Young, a pre-season arrival from Aston Villa and the pair could prove equally effective at international level.
"In the last few games for England he's done really well," Rooney said of Young. "He works really hard for the team. A lot of people don't realise how hard he works.
"If he gets the chance to start he'll take it with two hands."
Rooney scored a hat-trick for United at Old Trafford on Sunday as Arsenal, for whom Walcott netted one of two goals, shipped eight for the first time in over a century.
But the two players now find themselves on the same side as members of an England squad that play Bulgaria in Sofia on Friday before the Group G leaders face Wales in another Euro 2012 qualifier at Wembley a week on Tuesday.
"We're here to concentrate on England," Rooney told a news conference at the squad's hotel on Tuesday.
"We want Theo at his best so don't really want him to remember that result."
However, United striker Rooney was certainly buoyed by his own performance last weekend.
"It's always great to be in good form and scoring goals.
"I'm looking forward to getting back playing for England, playing well, and helping us get the points we need."
As for the upcoming England fixtures, Rooney said: "I think it'll be a really tough game, Bulgaria away.
"I'm sure it'll be a good atmosphere and a difficult game to come away with three points from.
"Wales are a good team but I'd like to think we've got enough to beat them at home.
"So hopefully we can come away from those two games with six points."
Rooney has started to link up well with new United team-mate Ashley Young, a pre-season arrival from Aston Villa and the pair could prove equally effective at international level.
"In the last few games for England he's done really well," Rooney said of Young. "He works really hard for the team. A lot of people don't realise how hard he works.
"If he gets the chance to start he'll take it with two hands."
Dhoni Fears Losing Gambhir Against England
Leicestershire: India skipper MS Dhoni said on Tuesday that to lose Gautam Gambhir to an injury would hurt his side but felt that he was confident that one of the team members will stand up and fill the void, if created.
A decision on whether Gambhir will stay on in England or return home will be made after his consultation with a medical consultation in Manchester. Dhoni though was generous in his praise for the south-paw.
A decision on whether Gambhir will stay on in England or return home will be made after his consultation with a medical consultation in Manchester. Dhoni though was generous in his praise for the south-paw.
"I do not know the technical details of his injury but he has done really well for us. Not only opening for the side but he has also played in the number three position for us and playes the spin department well. It will be a big loss (if he is ruled out) but some one will take the responibility," he said at a press conference.
Pm Sends Flowers And Get Well Soon Message To Anna
New Delhi: It was Dr Manmohan Singh's intervention in Parliament that created the room for a truce between the government and activist Anna Hazare, who was on a hunger strike against corruption.
Today, Dr Singh has sent flowers and a short message to Anna, who is recovering at a hospital in Gurgaon.
The Gandhian, who is 74, ended his fast on Sunday after Parliament accepted his three must-have powers for the Lokpal, a new anti-corruption agency that will act on complaints against public servants. For months, the government and Anna's associates had argued about whose vision of the Lokpal was more practical and well-rounded. On August 16, Anna began his hunger strike at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan.
While Anna's team thanked the PM and other MPs on Sunday for accepting their conditions, in principle, there have been some bumps to the happy landing. Kiran Bedi and actor Om Puri face the possibility of a breach of privilege motion against them - both made comments about politicians at Ramlila Maidan that have offended several MPs. While Mr Puri has apologized, Ms Bedi has said she stands by her remarks because they reflected the anger of the people.
An accusation of breach of privilege is effectively a charge of contempt of Parliament. If any individual or authority violates the privileges, power of immunities awarded to MPs, the House has the power to punish them with a warning or in extreme cases, imprisonment. The House has the prerogative to decide whether breach of privilege has been committed.
Today, Dr Singh has sent flowers and a short message to Anna, who is recovering at a hospital in Gurgaon.
The Gandhian, who is 74, ended his fast on Sunday after Parliament accepted his three must-have powers for the Lokpal, a new anti-corruption agency that will act on complaints against public servants. For months, the government and Anna's associates had argued about whose vision of the Lokpal was more practical and well-rounded. On August 16, Anna began his hunger strike at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan.
While Anna's team thanked the PM and other MPs on Sunday for accepting their conditions, in principle, there have been some bumps to the happy landing. Kiran Bedi and actor Om Puri face the possibility of a breach of privilege motion against them - both made comments about politicians at Ramlila Maidan that have offended several MPs. While Mr Puri has apologized, Ms Bedi has said she stands by her remarks because they reflected the anger of the people.
An accusation of breach of privilege is effectively a charge of contempt of Parliament. If any individual or authority violates the privileges, power of immunities awarded to MPs, the House has the power to punish them with a warning or in extreme cases, imprisonment. The House has the prerogative to decide whether breach of privilege has been committed.
Chinese Ships Spying On India?
New Delhi: A Chinese spy ship disguised as fishing trawler was detected near India by the Indian Navy off the Andaman coast. The incident was reported a few months ago.
The Navy tailed the Chinese ship, which it said was collecting key sea data. The Chinese ship had 22 labs on board to collect the data.
The movements of the Chinese ship were increased during India's missile tests.
The Navy tailed the Chinese ship, which it said was collecting key sea data. The Chinese ship had 22 labs on board to collect the data.
The movements of the Chinese ship were increased during India's missile tests.
Rajiv Gandhi Assassination: Madras High Court Stays Convicts' Execution For Eight Weeks
Chennai: After the political controversy over the hanging of Rajiv Gandhi's assassins comes a legal one. The Madras High Court today suspended the execution, scheduled for September 9, by eight weeks.
Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan - all convicted for being part of the group that conspired to kill the former Prime Minister in 1991 - were sentenced to death by the Supreme Court in 1999. Their mercy petitions, filed 11 years ago asking for their sentence to be commuted to life in prison, were rejected earlier this month by President Pratibha Patil.
The convicts have appealed to the High Court against this decision on the grounds that the President's office showed "an inordinate and inexplainable delay" in deciding their mercy petitions violates Article 21 of the Constitution (Protection of life and personal liberty).
"It takes just 30 seconds to take a man from his cell and pronounce him dead. Imagine an 11-year wait," said noted lawyer Ram Jethmalani, who is among those representing the assassins.
The issue has been a politically-loaded one in Tamil Nadu, where Mr Gandhi was killed by an LTTE suicide bomber at an election rally in Sriperumbudur. Inside court, there was thunderous applause when the judges announced that the hanging, meant to take place at Vellore Jail, has been stayed while the case is studied.
This morning, the Tamil Nadu Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution urging President Patil to reconsider the mercy petitions. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who just yesterday had said that she was powerless to intervene given that the President had ruled out a life sentence. "Many political parties have appealed to me to commute the death sentences and in order to respect the sentiments of the people of the state, I appeal to the members of the House to pass the resolution unanimously," she said.
The Chief Minister was no doubt prompted to change her stand by the open support for the assassins' case stated by her political opponents. Yesterday, her arch rival and DMK chief M Karunanidhi said, "Had young leader Rajiv Gandhi been alive today, that noble man would have definitely come forward to save the lives of Santhan, Perarivalan and Murugan, responding to the voice of true Tamils." In 2000, however, when Mr Karunanidhi was in power, the Tamil Nadu Assembly had recommended the death sentence for the same trio.
In Delhi, Law Minister Salman Khurshid said that the resolution adopted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly is not binding in any way. However, he added that the request will be given serious consideration by the Centre.
Constitutional experts say a court can question the President's decision in this case, though it could set a worrying precedent. "The power of courts is above the executive powers of President. Even after the President has rejected the mercy petition, courts can step in," explained PP Rao. "Not only death convicts, even other criminals would ask for clemency and pardon," said Cho Ramaswamy, political analyst.
Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan were sentenced to death in 1999, along with Nalini, who is married to Murugan. After Nalini gave birth to a baby girl in jail, her death sentence was commuted to life at the request of Mr Gandhi's wife, Sonia, who is the Congress president. Perarivalan's mother, Arputhammal , who was at court today, broke down. "I was grieving over whether I will get my son back. But Amma (Jayalalithaa) has passed a resolution and has given me joy. She has given me the hope that my son may be saved."
Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan - all convicted for being part of the group that conspired to kill the former Prime Minister in 1991 - were sentenced to death by the Supreme Court in 1999. Their mercy petitions, filed 11 years ago asking for their sentence to be commuted to life in prison, were rejected earlier this month by President Pratibha Patil.
The convicts have appealed to the High Court against this decision on the grounds that the President's office showed "an inordinate and inexplainable delay" in deciding their mercy petitions violates Article 21 of the Constitution (Protection of life and personal liberty).
"It takes just 30 seconds to take a man from his cell and pronounce him dead. Imagine an 11-year wait," said noted lawyer Ram Jethmalani, who is among those representing the assassins.
The issue has been a politically-loaded one in Tamil Nadu, where Mr Gandhi was killed by an LTTE suicide bomber at an election rally in Sriperumbudur. Inside court, there was thunderous applause when the judges announced that the hanging, meant to take place at Vellore Jail, has been stayed while the case is studied.
This morning, the Tamil Nadu Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution urging President Patil to reconsider the mercy petitions. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who just yesterday had said that she was powerless to intervene given that the President had ruled out a life sentence. "Many political parties have appealed to me to commute the death sentences and in order to respect the sentiments of the people of the state, I appeal to the members of the House to pass the resolution unanimously," she said.
The Chief Minister was no doubt prompted to change her stand by the open support for the assassins' case stated by her political opponents. Yesterday, her arch rival and DMK chief M Karunanidhi said, "Had young leader Rajiv Gandhi been alive today, that noble man would have definitely come forward to save the lives of Santhan, Perarivalan and Murugan, responding to the voice of true Tamils." In 2000, however, when Mr Karunanidhi was in power, the Tamil Nadu Assembly had recommended the death sentence for the same trio.
In Delhi, Law Minister Salman Khurshid said that the resolution adopted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly is not binding in any way. However, he added that the request will be given serious consideration by the Centre.
Constitutional experts say a court can question the President's decision in this case, though it could set a worrying precedent. "The power of courts is above the executive powers of President. Even after the President has rejected the mercy petition, courts can step in," explained PP Rao. "Not only death convicts, even other criminals would ask for clemency and pardon," said Cho Ramaswamy, political analyst.
Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan were sentenced to death in 1999, along with Nalini, who is married to Murugan. After Nalini gave birth to a baby girl in jail, her death sentence was commuted to life at the request of Mr Gandhi's wife, Sonia, who is the Congress president. Perarivalan's mother, Arputhammal , who was at court today, broke down. "I was grieving over whether I will get my son back. But Amma (Jayalalithaa) has passed a resolution and has given me joy. She has given me the hope that my son may be saved."
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Johnson Wins Barclays To Kick-Off Fedexcup Playoffs
EDISON (New Jersey): Dustin Johnson fired a six-under 65 on Saturday to launch the FedExCup playoffs with a two-shot win over US Ryder Cup teammate Matt Kuchar at The Barclays, an event cut to 54 holes because of Hurricane Irene.
Johnson ended with a 19-under total of 194 at a rain-softened Plainfield Country Club after a day of intermittent showers ahead of the approaching storm.
"This feels great," said the 27-year-old after claiming his fifth US Tour win and first this season after four top-four results including runner-up finishes at the British Open and WGC-Cadillac Championship.
"I feel like I've played pretty well all year but just haven't quite been able to get that win. The putter has been lacking a little bit. This week I finally rolled in some putts."
Holder Kuchar began the day one ahead of Johnson and Vijay Singh of Fiji and was tied with his fellow American at 19-under before taking three-putt bogeys on the par-five 12th and par-four 13th.
An eagle two at the fourth from a greenside bunker gave Johnson an early lead as the big-hitter blitzed his way to a six-under 29 on the front nine.
FRONT NINE FEAST
He feasted on the outward half in every round, shooting 29 on Friday and 30 in the opening round for a cumulative 17 under par on that nine.
"I don't know what it is about the front nine but I played it pretty well," said Johnson. "I wish we could have just kept playing the front nine."
Singh returned a 68 to finish tied for third with American Brandt Snedeker on 197.
Snedeker compiled a spectacular 10-under 61 after starting his round with five successive birdies.
Another shot back on 198 was American Jonathan Byrd, one ahead of Yang Yong-eun of South Korea, Britons Justin Rose and Brian Davis and Camilo Villegas of Colombia.
Yang, the 2009 US PGA champion, also flirted with breaking 60 as he reeled off six birdies in a row from the second and was nine-under for the day with three holes to play before missing a birdie putt at 16 and taking bogey at 17 to record a 63.
The victory lifted world number nine Johnson to the top of the FedExCup standings ahead of next week's Deutsche Bank Championship, the second tournament of the four-event series that pays the overall winner a $10 million bonus.
The top 100 on the points list qualify for the Deutsche Bank event that starts on Friday.
Asked if he had thought about the big cash bonus, Johnson said: "It would look good in the bank account that's for sure".
As if to vindicate the organisers for reducing the tournament to 54 holes, it began pouring with rain around an hour after the final putt was holed.
Johnson ended with a 19-under total of 194 at a rain-softened Plainfield Country Club after a day of intermittent showers ahead of the approaching storm.
"This feels great," said the 27-year-old after claiming his fifth US Tour win and first this season after four top-four results including runner-up finishes at the British Open and WGC-Cadillac Championship.
"I feel like I've played pretty well all year but just haven't quite been able to get that win. The putter has been lacking a little bit. This week I finally rolled in some putts."
Holder Kuchar began the day one ahead of Johnson and Vijay Singh of Fiji and was tied with his fellow American at 19-under before taking three-putt bogeys on the par-five 12th and par-four 13th.
An eagle two at the fourth from a greenside bunker gave Johnson an early lead as the big-hitter blitzed his way to a six-under 29 on the front nine.
FRONT NINE FEAST
He feasted on the outward half in every round, shooting 29 on Friday and 30 in the opening round for a cumulative 17 under par on that nine.
"I don't know what it is about the front nine but I played it pretty well," said Johnson. "I wish we could have just kept playing the front nine."
Singh returned a 68 to finish tied for third with American Brandt Snedeker on 197.
Snedeker compiled a spectacular 10-under 61 after starting his round with five successive birdies.
Another shot back on 198 was American Jonathan Byrd, one ahead of Yang Yong-eun of South Korea, Britons Justin Rose and Brian Davis and Camilo Villegas of Colombia.
Yang, the 2009 US PGA champion, also flirted with breaking 60 as he reeled off six birdies in a row from the second and was nine-under for the day with three holes to play before missing a birdie putt at 16 and taking bogey at 17 to record a 63.
The victory lifted world number nine Johnson to the top of the FedExCup standings ahead of next week's Deutsche Bank Championship, the second tournament of the four-event series that pays the overall winner a $10 million bonus.
The top 100 on the points list qualify for the Deutsche Bank event that starts on Friday.
Asked if he had thought about the big cash bonus, Johnson said: "It would look good in the bank account that's for sure".
As if to vindicate the organisers for reducing the tournament to 54 holes, it began pouring with rain around an hour after the final putt was holed.
Team India will bounce back: Brett Lee
MUMBAI: The Indian team might have been pilloried for suffering a 4-0 loss in the Test series against England but Australian pacer Brett Lee on Friday sympathised with Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men by saying he knew how difficult the conditions can be in "Old Blighty".
Asked about the whitewash suffered by Dhoni's men against England, Lee said while India would be hurt by the rout, he was certain the team would bounce back.
"The loss is going to hurt India. But they are very difficult conditions to play with the ball seaming and swinging around, which we found out in the 2005 Ashes series. I am not surprised they (England) are playing very well," he said on the sidelines of a promotional event for apparel firm Alok Group on Friday.
Lee was referring to the 1-2 defeat suffered by the then high-flying team led by Ricky Ponting against the Michael Vaughan-led England after the Aussies had gone 1-0 up by winning the series opener at Lord's.
"England played really well and you would point your fingers at India when they lose 4-0 and India hasn't played the best cricket. But look at the other side of the fence as well and think may be England has played some very, very good cricket. But I think they (India) will bounce back," he added.
Looking ahead to Team India's visit to Australia later this year for a four-Test rubber followed by a triangular ODI series, Lee said though he is no longer a part of the Test squad, he wanted the rubber to be a competitive one.
"India are visiting Australia later this year and though I am not part of the Test squad I hope Australia do well and it (series) is competitive," said the 34-year-old New South Welshman, who had grabbed 310 wickets from 76 Tests before quitting the longest format of the game.
Lee also gave a big thumb's up to the Argus committee's recommendations to Cricket Australia decision, following a review of their Ashes defeat in 2009 at home, to include the captain and coach as part of the selection panel.
"I'm not an expert to talk about it, but if it's going to improve Australian cricket it's a win-win situation. In other sports the captain-coach play a vital role [in selection]. To me it makes sense. The captain is well qualified person for the job and Michael Clarke and coach can make a direct impact on team selection. It strengthens Australian cricket," said Lee, who quit Test cricket to prolong his international career.
India is currently grappling with injuries with two of its frontline pacers -- Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma -- out of the team and Lee, who himself had to struggle through out his career against injuries, said fast bowling remained the toughest job in cricket and it was up to the individuals to maintain fitness.
"Fast bowling is the toughest job in cricket. You have to work hard to stay strong and fit. You need to know your body. You need to love it (fast bowling) too. Enjoyment is the most important thing in life. If you do believe in something, then you are going to get a lot better out of it and have fun along the way," said the blond pacer, who has taken 357 wickets from 205 ODIs.
"When you land on your front foot, 15 times of your body weight lands, so a lot of pressure is there (on the foot). It is hard work in hot and gruelling conditions, but it is also a lot of fun. You got be strong and fit and you got to train hard. I wish them all the very best because we love to see fast bowlers around the world," Lee said.
Asked about the whitewash suffered by Dhoni's men against England, Lee said while India would be hurt by the rout, he was certain the team would bounce back.
"The loss is going to hurt India. But they are very difficult conditions to play with the ball seaming and swinging around, which we found out in the 2005 Ashes series. I am not surprised they (England) are playing very well," he said on the sidelines of a promotional event for apparel firm Alok Group on Friday.
Lee was referring to the 1-2 defeat suffered by the then high-flying team led by Ricky Ponting against the Michael Vaughan-led England after the Aussies had gone 1-0 up by winning the series opener at Lord's.
"England played really well and you would point your fingers at India when they lose 4-0 and India hasn't played the best cricket. But look at the other side of the fence as well and think may be England has played some very, very good cricket. But I think they (India) will bounce back," he added.
Looking ahead to Team India's visit to Australia later this year for a four-Test rubber followed by a triangular ODI series, Lee said though he is no longer a part of the Test squad, he wanted the rubber to be a competitive one.
"India are visiting Australia later this year and though I am not part of the Test squad I hope Australia do well and it (series) is competitive," said the 34-year-old New South Welshman, who had grabbed 310 wickets from 76 Tests before quitting the longest format of the game.
Lee also gave a big thumb's up to the Argus committee's recommendations to Cricket Australia decision, following a review of their Ashes defeat in 2009 at home, to include the captain and coach as part of the selection panel.
"I'm not an expert to talk about it, but if it's going to improve Australian cricket it's a win-win situation. In other sports the captain-coach play a vital role [in selection]. To me it makes sense. The captain is well qualified person for the job and Michael Clarke and coach can make a direct impact on team selection. It strengthens Australian cricket," said Lee, who quit Test cricket to prolong his international career.
India is currently grappling with injuries with two of its frontline pacers -- Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma -- out of the team and Lee, who himself had to struggle through out his career against injuries, said fast bowling remained the toughest job in cricket and it was up to the individuals to maintain fitness.
"Fast bowling is the toughest job in cricket. You have to work hard to stay strong and fit. You need to know your body. You need to love it (fast bowling) too. Enjoyment is the most important thing in life. If you do believe in something, then you are going to get a lot better out of it and have fun along the way," said the blond pacer, who has taken 357 wickets from 205 ODIs.
"When you land on your front foot, 15 times of your body weight lands, so a lot of pressure is there (on the foot). It is hard work in hot and gruelling conditions, but it is also a lot of fun. You got be strong and fit and you got to train hard. I wish them all the very best because we love to see fast bowlers around the world," Lee said.
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