Mohun Bagan remained on course to avoid relegation with an upset 2-1 win over holders Dempo in a round 15 I-League fixture here today.
     Syed Rahim Nabi (7th) gave Bagan an early lead while Odafa Okolie (47th), who returned after recovering from fever, completed the tally to hand the Goan heavyweights a fourth successive defeat.
     Peter Carvalho pulled one back for Dempo SC in the 51st minute to add to the excitement in the second session but they could not add to the tally.
     Now Bagan have 13 points from 18 matches while Dempo remained on 35 points after 22 rounds.
     Bagan fired up an early lead thanks to an acrobatic effort from Nabi, who dived low to find the net.
     Nabi's spectacular finishing set the tone of the action and Bagan continued a long session of dominance against the most successful team in the NFL/I-League history.
     Bagan had three more chances to bolster their lead in the first-half but the second goal remained elusive as Dempo goalkeeper ...

Mohun Bagan stun Dempo 2-1

PTI Automatic

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting today assured that the infamous "Monekygate" episode won't have an effect on the Mumbai Indians dressing room as he gears up to lead Mumbai Indians in the sixth edition of IPL.
     "No, no. We are all friends for the next few months. That's one thing I have made very clear to the guys already. Sachin and Harbhajan have not been around the team yet. We will meet up with those guys. We are one, the Mumbai Indians are one," said Ponting at his first media conference ahead of the IPL franchise team's campaign in season 6 of the cash-rich T20 League commencing on April 3.
     "I want to play well and captain the side well. I will not leave any stone unturned as far as preparation of team is concerned and ensure that everything we do is for one another," Ponting, who has retired from international cricket, said.
     Ponting and MI team's chief mentor Anil Kumble were the rival captains in the controversy-marred Sydney Test of January 2008 when ...

'Monkeygate' memory won't be allowed to rear its head: Ponting

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting is very keen to put his best foot forward both as skipper and player for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, a tournament in which he took part only for a while in its inaugural edition in 2008.
     "Obviously, I am very excited to be back in IPL. I said when I had finished playing last time, hopefully I will be able to come back and play again. The way things have worked out -- with my retirement from international cricket and finishing off the domestic season for Tasmania and playing well -- have given me the opportunity to be back here," said the Aussie at his first media conference here today.
     He said retirement from the hectic international schedule has given him time to concentrate on T20 leagues.
     "The reason I did not come back to IPL 2 and 3 was because I had too much international cricket on at that time. And now that I don't have international cricket, the opportunities for me to play in these domestic tournaments ...

Very excited to be back in IPL, says Ponting

Gujarat today clinched the Syed Mushtaq Ali Twenty20 Championship title after registering a thumping six-wicket victory over Punjab in the summit clash here.
     Electing to bat, Punjab suffered a top-order collapse to be reduced to 20 for four in the sixth over before they recovered a bit to score 122 for eight in their allotted 20 overs at the Holkar Stadium.
     Gujarat chased down the target with 13 balls to spare.
     Pacer Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the Gujarat bowlers as he returned with three wickets for just 14 runs from his four overs. Mehul Patel chipped in with two wickets, while Rohit Dahiya and Rakesh Dhurv took wicket apiece.
     Amitoze Singh top-scored for Punjab with a 42-ball 49, while wicketkeeper-batsman Chandan Madan contributed with 25 runs.
     Chasing a modest target of 123, Gujarat started badly as they lost their wicketkeeper captain Parthiv Patel (1) with the score on two.
     Opener Asad Pathan (32) and one-down batsman Niraj Patel (14) put up a .

Gujarat lift Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

The Indian women's cricket team will start its limited-overs series campaign against Bangladesh in Baroda on Tuesday.
     The first T20 international will be played at Baroda's Reliance Sports Complex.
     The three-match T20 international matches will be played at Baroda on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
     The three-match ODI series will be played at the Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera on April 8, April 10 and April 12.

Indian women to play Bangladesh in April

Divij Sharan and Purav Raja fought valiantly before losing to Marco Chiudinelli of Switzerland and Peter Gojowczyk of Germany in the semifinals of the ATP Challenger event, here.
     The Indians lost the last-four stage match of the clay court tournament 6-7(3) 7-6(7) 11-13 in little over two hours.
     The two pairs broke each other twice in the first set to push the issue to a tie breaker in which the Swiss-German team prevailed.
     The Indians clawed their way back in the match by winning the second set which was also stretched to a tie-breaker as the two pairs held their serves throughout.
     Divij and Raja were trailing 3-6 at one stage but went on to win 9-7 to force a match tie-breaker.
     The Indians yet again put up a good fight but lost the closely fought match tie-break. Divij and Raja won a total of 84 points to 92 of their opponents.

Divij-Raja bow out of Mexico ATP Challenger

Rajasthan Royals batsman Brad Hodge today said he was not sure whether allrounder Shane Watson would be bowling in the upcoming Indian Premier League and added it was up to the Aussie allrounder to take a call.
     Watson was restricted solely to batting duties during Australia's recent 0-4 whitewash against India in the Test series as a part of an injury-prevention plan so that he could be available as an all-rounder in full capacity for the Ashes series in July.
     "I'm not sure. He might start bowling from third or fourth match. But it is up to him to decide if he wants to bowl or not. The Rajasthan team management is considering strategies in both cases. He would be available for entire IPL and it would be good to see him bowl," Australia batsman said.
     Watson had decided to put bowling on the backburner after injuring his calf during the Sri Lanka series, but while watching Indian skipper MS Dhoni bludgeon the Aussie attack in the first Test he was convinced to eventually .

It is up to Watson to decide to bowl or not: Brad Hodge

Former India under-19 captain Ashok Menaria, who is part of the Rajasthan Royals squad, says he is ready to bat at any position in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).
     "I am ready to bat anywhere according to demands of situation. I often get out caught because I hit in air but I try my best to fill in the role given to me," Menaria said.
     The 22-year-old left-handed batsman said he was looking forward to do a lot of bowling in the cash-rich Twenty20 league starting on April 3.
     "I had a good season in domestic cricket where I batted and bowled well. I am looking for more opportunities to bowl in IPL-6."
     Conceding that he has failed to live upto the expectations, Menaria said the requirements of the team have compelled him bat at different positions.
     "I have batted from number three to seven but it is not an excuse. I would be the worst cricketer if make it an excuse."
     Regarding Rajasthan Royals' first match on home ground against defending champions ..

I am ready to bat anywhere, says Menaria

Senior BCCI official Rajeev Shukla feels that Sachin Tendulkar should be allowed to retire on his own terms considering the huge contribution the veteran batsman has made to Indian cricket.
     "He (Tendulkar) has made a huge contribution to Indian cricket and is a guiding spirit of the team. Nobody has to tell him to go. When Sachin feels, it's time; he will go on his own," Shukla said.
     Tendulkar could score just a half century in India's recent 4-0 whitewash of Australia in the Test series with an average of 32, but Shukla was not concerned about it.
     "Nobody has a higher record than Tendulkar in the world. You can't take him lightly and dismiss him unceremoniously," he told 'Aaj Tak' channel.
     Shukla's views are in agreement with that of the BCCI President N Srinivasan, who has also suggested that Tendulkar should be treated differently and people should not sit in judgement of the senior batsman.
     Asked about the controversy regarding the participation of the Sri 

Tendulkar should be allowed to retire on his terms: Shukla

Three days after suffering severe head and lung injuries in a fight outside a Christchurch bar, New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder has been moved out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and has reassured his well-wishers about his well-being, saying, "I'm ok".
     Ryder is in a stable condition in a general ward at the Christchurch hospital.
     "I just want to let everyone know that I'm ok. I feel heaps better today but still really tired," Ryder stated in a press release by New Zealand Cricket.
     "I've been reading your messages that have been sent so thank you to everyone for thinking of me over the last few days. I want to thank everyone who has been caring for me at the hospital -- they have been awesome. Thank you to my family and friends who have been here also," he added.
     Ryder's manager, Aaron Klee, said that the batsman may not be making any more statements in the near future as he would focus on his recovery.
     "Now that Jesse is out of intensive care, we aren't ...

Ryder out of ICU, says "I'm ok"

Mumbai Cricket Association's five-year ban imposed on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) owner Shah Rukh Khan last year stands and he will not be able to attend his team's IPL match against hosts Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium here on May 7.
     "There is a clause in the agreement we are to sign with Mumbai Indians tomorrow that any person who has been debarred by the association cannot enter our premises. It's not specific to any single person," MCA Joint Secretary Nitin Dalal told PTI today.
     "We had informed everyone concerned, including IPL authorities and team owners, about the ban after the decision had been taken," Dalal added.
     The other Joint Secretary, P V Shetty refused to discuss the matter any further and merely said that "the ban stands."
	The Bollywood super star was banned for five years from entering MCA premises, including the Wankhede Stadium, by the Association's Managing Committee, headed by the late Vilasrao Deshmukh, on May 18 last year after he was ...

MCA ban on SRK stays, say officials

It was a different ball game altogether when the Indian cricketers took on movie stars at the floodlit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in a maiden charity football match here.
     The cricketers emerged victorious by a scoreline of 4-3 last night but they were given a run for their money by the All Star team led by Abhishek Bachchan.
     The funds raised from the match went to the Magic Bus Organisation, which works for charity for underprivileged children. Virat Kohli launched the team for his foundation 'All Heart Football Club' against the All Stars Football Club.
     With 'RK' emblazoned on his back and the loudest cheers from the crowd every time he had the ball, the 'Barfi' star Ranbir Kapoor stole the show.
     He dribbled past defenders at ease, outpaced the cricketers, made numerous attempts at goal and capped off his night with a blistering strike from the edge of the penalty box. The only blip was a missed penalty, which however he made up for by winning another one for his ...

Cricketers win but Ranbir Kapoor steals the show

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir has recovered from jaundice and is set to join the side tomorrow, three days ahead of the IPL-six opener against Delhi Daredevils.
     "He has recovered really fast. He will be fine once he lands in Kolkata tomorrow. He is looking forward to play the first match," KKR assistant coach Vijay Dahiya said after their practice today.
     Windies mystery spinner Sunil Narine will also join the squad tomorrow.
     Being the champions, KKR will host the opening ceremony and the final will also be held in Kolkata.
     "We have earned it (by winning IPL V) for the people of Kolkata. We have set high standards. Having done that, we all are looking forward to doing it again," Dahiya said.
     Former Aussie pacer Brett Lee will double up as mentor in absence of Wasim Akram.
    "It's difficult to replace somebody of the stature of Akram. Lee is a fantastic bowler and his first role will be that of a player. Of course his experience will be ...

Fit-again Gambhir set to join KKR team mates tomorrow

Rajasthan Royals paceman Sidharth Trivedi today said he has become more watchful after last year's controversy and admitted that that it has put him under a lot of pressure.
     A TV Channel through a sting operation had claimed that Trivedi agreed to pass on information about Rajasthan players, who wanted to switch team.
     "It was unfortunate that I was dragged into such a controversy when I had done nothing wrong. I am thankful to Rajasthan Royals who trusted me and allowed me to continue with them. This incident has made me more watchful. My focus would be on cricket and nothing else. But it is true that such incidents create pressure on you," said Trivedi, who has been with Rajasthan Royals since first edition of the IPL.
     Confident of a good showing in the tournament, Trivedi said they have a well-knit unit.
     "We have been preparing well. Off late I was shouldered with the responsibility of keeping up the pressure in the middle overs. The death overs were a little bit 

I have learnt my lessons from past controversy: Trivedi

Dinesh Chandimal, Sri Lanka's T20 international skipper and has rejected offers to play in the sixth edition of the IPL, cricket board sources claimed.
     Chandimal was not among the 13 Sri Lankan players originally contracted to play in the IPL auction. He is said to have rejected offers from Pune Warriors to fill in the void of the injured Australian captain Michael Clarke and from Delhi Daredevils to replace English batsman Kevin Pietersen, who is also injured.
     His rejection came amidst controversy over the Sri Lanka players' participation in the Chennai matches of the IPL.
     The ongoing political row with Sri Lanka involving the Tamil Nadu politicians and the resultant ban on Sri Lankan IPL players to play in Chennai has caused public anger in Sri Lanka.
     Nationalist organizations have urged the government to ensure that the players boycott of the T20 league.

Chandimal rejects IPL offer

India will start favourites against Indonesia in the upcoming Davis Cup tie but coach Zeeshan Ali said they will not take the visitors lightly in the relegation play-off tie, starting April 5.
     "Sure, we have an all win (5-0) record against them, but we will not take them lightly as it is a 'must win' tie for us after the defeat against South Korea in February," Zeeshan told reporters here.
     Zeeshan regretted that India were unable to field a full strength squad against South Korea.
     "It was a missed opportunity and we could have won that tie with full team and later at home in October, we could have played Japan on home courts. But I am glad all the boys are back and are keen to put on a good show."
     Zeeshan said that the team is yet to finalise the doubles combination. "Either it could be Leander Paes with Yuki Bhambri or Leander and Sanam Singh."
     Zeeshan said that Indians would practice every day from April 1 from 3 pm to get used to conditions under lights.
   

Will not take Indonesia lightly: Zeeshan

India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni shared his mantra of handling pressure with his Supersport team riders Kenan Sofuoglu and Fabien Foret, asking them not to worry about results.
     Sofuoglu and Foret met Dhoni, the owner of the Mahi Racing Team India, yesterday and had a first look at the Buddh International Circuit today, where they will compete in the season-finale in November.
     They were driven around the BIC track as competition rules do not permit them to ride on the track they would race in the season.
     Dhoni, who had formed Mahi Racing Team India in 2012, spent over three hours with his two riders, talking about bikes, strategy to win races and cricket.
     The two riders were surprised by Indian cricket skipper's knowledge about bikes.
     "I follow the progress of the team very keenly and want to see more and more Indian youths take to Superbikes in the future," said Dhoni.
     Sofuoglu was extremely happy with the meeting.
     "It was a great evening. .

Dhoni talks about pressure with his SuperSport bike riders

Left-hander Manprit Juneja smashed an unbeaten 108 as Gujarat thrashed Kerala by 90 runs to set up title date with Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 championship here today.
     Juneja produced a sensational exhibition of strokeplay as he struck 16 fours and three sixes in his 50-ball knock to help Gujarat score 233 for three after they were put into bat in the Group A match at Emerald High School Ground.
     Chasing the huge target, Kerala were bundled out for 143 in 19.1 overs.
     With four points from today's match, Gujarat topped Group A and they face Punjab in the summit clash tomorrow. Punjab beat Uttar Pradesh by 51 runs in another match here today to top Group B.
     Kerala captain Sachin Baby must have rued his decision to put the opposition in though it seemed that his gamble would pay dividends as Gujarat were struggling at 31 for three in the fifth over.
     But Juneja and Abdulahad Malik (84 not out)turned the match on its head with an unbroken partnership of 202 ..

Juneja sets up Gujarat's summit date with Punjab

Smriti Mehra shot an a creditable even par 71 to make the cut in tied 25th place after two rounds at the Lalla Meryem Cup golf tournament here.
     Smriti, winner of three events back on her home tour, is one-over 143 for two rounds.
     However, things were not so pleasant for fellow Indian Sharmila Nicollet, who missed the cut with a round of 71 after the first round of 78.
     A seasoned golfer, Smriti had pulled out midway through Hero Women's Pro Tour earlier in the month, while leading by 10 shots, because of being charged with indiscipline.
     She also lost her place at the top of the Indian Order of Merit because of that, and dropped to second.
     Smriti had an aggressive round with four birdies and four bogeys in her 71, but will need another good round to move up in the tournament.
     Thai teenager Ariya Jutanugarn shot a four under 67 yesterday to lead by two strokes after the second round.
     Fellow teenage rookie Charley Hull, who turned 17 nine days ago, ...

Smriti makes cut, Sharmila misses out in Morocco

Amidst controversy over Sri Lankan players' participation in Chennai matches of the IPL, spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan today joined Royal Challengers Bangalore's conditioning camp at the National Cricket Academy for the Twenty20 league, starting April 3.
     The 40-year-old off-spinner, who retired from international cricket in 2011, bowled in tandem with left-arm spinner Murali Karthik in the nets.
     Muralitharan looked unfazed by the controversy and gave some tips to Tamil Nadu lad Karthik during the net session.
     Muralitharan did not try anything unusual and concentrated on line and length. He surprised some RCB batsmen with his famous doosara.
     Muralitharan appeared friendly and jovial, making younger team-mates feel comfortable.
     Mahendra Singh Dhoni look-alike Saurabh Tiwary also joined the training camp, first loosening his muscles and then going in for fielding and catching drills. Later, he sweat it out with his bat in the nets.
     RCB spearhead Zaheer ...

Muralitharan joins RCB training camp

Former international player Anadi Barua was today retained chief coach of the Indian women's football team for the 2014 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers to be held in Palestine in May.
     Barua, a FIFA diploma holder, has been given the charge of the women's team for the Group D qualifying round matches to be held in West Bank from May 21-25.
     In January, Barua was appointed chief coach of the Indian women's team that beat a visiting club side from the Netherlands in one of the two friendly matches in Pune.
     Barua represented India in Nehru Gold Cup and he was an integral member of Delhi for seven years in Santosh Trophy. He has been an All India Football Federation selector for different age-group teams. He has also been the coach of Delhi in Santosh Trophy.
     Delhi Soccer Association chief and AIFF vice-president Subhash Chopra has congratulated Barua on his appointment as chief coach of Indian women's football team.
     Meanwhile, the camp for the national players starts on ..

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