Mumbai Indians kicked off their Indian Premier League training camp today at the Wankhede Stadium under the watchful eyes of chief coach John Wright, chief mentor Anil Kumble and assistant coach Robin Singh.
     Seven players -- including members of the triumphant Mumbai Ranji squad Dhawal Kulkarni, Aditya Tare, Sushant Marathe and Suryakumar Yadav -- attended the first day's session, a team spokesperson said.
     "The others are expected to join the camp as and when they are free from their domestic duties," the spokesperson added.
     MI will be led by former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting in the T20 tournament, commencing on April 3 this season.
     The IPL franchise is starting its campaign against Royal Challengers in Bangalore on April 4.
     MI's first home game is scheduled for April 9 against Delhi Daredevils after their second away game against former champions Chennai Super Kings on April 6.

Mumbai Indians start training camp for IPL

PTI Automatic

An 18-member team of mountaineering club of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar has returned after successfully scaling 4200 meter high Patalsu Peak situated in Solang valley in Himachal Pradesh.
     The team returned to Manali by skiing.
     While stating this today, a spokesman of the university said that the team led by Dr Anil Panwar included 15 boys and three girls.
     They managed to scale the peak in eight days. The team also participated in adventurous activities like river crossing, rappelling and monkey crawling.

HAU mountaineering team returns

The 4-0 clean sweep against Australia in the just-concluded Test series has justified the BCCI's faith in the team and its leader Mahendra Singh Dhoni, according to Board President N Srinivasan who said a "stern" test awaits the team when they tour South Africa.
     Lauding India for its historic series victory over the Australians, Srinivasan said the Board "always had confidence in the team" despite its below-par performances in recent times.
     "It is very nice to see India winning. We always had the confidence in the team. We understood that the team was going through a period of transition after some great stalwarts of Indian cricket chose to retire. But I think our faith in the team, the captain and the players have been justified," he told NDTV.
     "Cricket is a sport. In sport you cannot be winning all the time. I don't think that the Indian players want to lose. They also want to win, they fought hard. Sometimes they had bad luck, circumstances were against them. But ...

BCCI's faith in team and captain justified: Srinivasan

Goa Legislative Assembly today moved a motion congratulating Team India for its historic victory over Australia in the Test series.
	BJP legislator Vishnu Surya Wagh moved the motion lauding Team India for whitewashing Australia 4-0.
	Terming the win as "historic", Wagh said the powerful Aussies were whitewashed by Indian cricket team after 81 years.
	"Test matches are said to become boring day by day and hence 20-20 format was introduced. But the latest victory has brought back the glory to the test matches", he said.
	Wagh specially mentioned captain M S Dhoni and Man of the Series R Ashwin, during his speech.
	Supporting the motion, Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar said that Goa government had been working relentlessly to encourage cricket in the state.
	He announced that land at Dhargal village would be provided to construct a stadium for Goa Cricket Association.

Goa Assembly moves motion thanking Team India for emphatic win

YES Bank is the latest addition to Indian Premier League's list of partners, which includes the likes of Pepsi and Vodafone.
     Commenting on the development, Rana Kapoor, Founder, Managing Director & CEO, YES Bank said: "We are confident that YES Bank's association with IPL for 5 years will facilitate our brand recognition, and further propel our pan India Retail Banking franchise."
     IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla welcomed the bank on board, saying, "Our relationship will only get stronger in the weeks and months to come, and we shall together ensure that we deliver a stupendous tournament.

YES Bank signs up as official partner of IPL

BCCI president N Srinivasan today refused to be drawn into a debate on whether it was time for Sachin Tendulkar to call it quits from Test cricket, saying he is the "greatest batsman India has produced" and it won't be fair to the batsman to discuss about his retirement.
     Asked whether the BCCI was giving special treatment to Tendulkar when compared to the likes of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, both of whom are presently out of the team due to non-performance, Srinivasan said, "I don't think any one us can talk about Sachin (Tendulkar)".
     "Sachin is probably the greatest cricketer India has ever produced. I don't think it is wise to sit and analyse his performance series wise," Srinivasan told NDTV.
     Srinivasan's personal opinion was that Tendulkar has no comparison as he belongs to an altogether different league.
     "Sachin is different from others. This is my personal view and I distinguish between selection matters and personal view," the BCCI chief said.
     ..

Not fair to discuss about Sachin's retirement: Srinivasan

PepsiCo India today announced its association with eight out of nine Indian Premier League teams as the 'Exclusive Pouring Partner' for the sixth edition of the tournament beginning April 3.
     The teams are Delhi Daredevils, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pune Warriors India, The Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kings XI Punjab and the reigning champions, Kolkata Knight Riders.
     The company will have exclusive pouring rights at partner teams' home matches along with the title of the official beverage for the eight teams.
     While activations with Delhi Daredevils will be led by both Pepsi and Mountain Dew; Kolkata Knight Riders and Pune Warriors will be led by Pepsi; Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab by Mountain Dew; Chennai Super Kings, The Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore by 7UP.
     On securing the pouring rights, Gautham Mukkavilli, CEO, Beverages, PepsiCo India Region said, "At PepsiCo, we believe that winning the title ...

PepsiCo India bags pouring rights with eight IPL teams

Indian racer Karun Chandhok will now ply his trade in FIA GT Series as he sealed a last-minute deal with Seyffarth Racing.
     The former Formula One driver will be joined in the car by Jan Seyffarth who has been competing in the German GT series for his family-run team.
     The newly reformed FIA GT Series is promoted by the Stephane Ratel Organisation and will include six rounds, with the first race taking place in Nogaro, France on April 1.
     Chandhok will join Ricardo Zonta as the only two former F1 driver's on the grid, alongside nine-time rally champion Sebastien Loeb.
     "I am very happy to have secured a last minute deal to drive in the FIA GT Series. I tested the car last week and it seems fun to drive but we will never know our true pace till the first race. I would like to thank Stephane Ratel (Series Promoter) and Riger Seyffarth (Team Principal) for making this happen on such short notice," Chandhok said.
     Chandhok also said that he is close to securing a drive 

Chandhok to race in FIA GT Series

Savouring their stupendous series-win over Australia, six Indian cricketers, including skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, today spent time driving on the Buddh International Circuit here, country's only Formula One track.
     Dhoni rode his 'X132 Hellcat', which he bought last year, on the 5.14km long circuit. The Indian captain is known for his passion for high-speed mean machines and even owns a team in FIM Supersport World Championship.
     Batting legend Sachin Tendukar, who had waved the chequered flag during the inaugural Indian Grand Prix in 2011, had a taxi ride as a BIC official drove him around the free-flowing circuit.
     Paceman Ishant Sharma brought his own Audi RX5 while young batsman Virat Kohli also drove a sports car.
     Spinner Pragyan Ojha rode Dhoni's bike as well as drove Ishant's car. Ajinkya Rahane also tasted high speed action.
     Dhoni, who visited the BIC for the first, time rued his delayed visit to the circuit.
     "It was an amazing experience. I think 

Indian cricketers drive in fast lane

Fighting a far superior opponent, Somdev Devvarman suffered a straight sets defeat against world number one Novak Djokovic to bow out of the ATP Miami Masters, here.
     Top seed and defending champion Djokovic took 28 of his 31 first serve points in his 6-2 6-4 win in the third round. Somdev won 17 of his 28 first serve points in his one hour and eight minute battle.
     Somdev earned a break choice in the second set but Djokovic saved that without any problem.
     Disappointment was in store for India in the doubles event also as Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi crashed out with their respective partners.
     Third seeds Bhupathi and Canadian Daniel Nestor went down 3-6 3-6 against Nicholas Almagro and Oliver Marach.
     Paes and his French partner Michael Llodra fought their heart out before losing 6-7 (6) 6-7 (4) Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Frederik Nielsen of Denmark.
     Bopanna is now the only Indian surviving in the men's doubles with Rajeev Ram. The unseeded ...

Somdev humbled by Djokovic at Miami Masters

Gangling India paceman Ishant Sharma was today fined 15 per cent of his match fee for gesturing towards the pavilion after dismissing Australian batsman James Pattinson during the third day's play in the fourth Test here.
     Sharma admitted to the charge and accepted the sanction imposed by ICC Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle.
     Through his admission, Sharma was found to have breached Level 1 Article 2.1.6 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel (the "Code"), which relates to pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion by a bowler or a fielder upon the dismissal of a batsman during an International Match.
     The incident happened on the fourth ball of the 45th over when Sharma, after dismissing Pattinson, repeatedly gestured towards the pavilion while in his follow through.
     "Ishant's reaction after dismissing James Pattinson was inappropriate and clearly in breach of the Code. I'm sure Ishant will learn from this incident and ensure such actions ..

Ishant Sharma fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Pune FC today retained the Under-20 I-League football title after a 3-0 thrashing of East Bengal at the concluding final round match here.
     Needing a win to emerge outright winners, Pune FC settled the issue with a dominating performance over East Bengal at the JRD Sports Complex here.
     Right wing back Henry Monsang was the hero with a double strike in the 38th and 53rd minute while playmaker F Lalrempuia scored in the 89th minute as Pune FC signed off the league in style.
     The win was Pune FC's fourth in the final phase of the league and helped them finish on 13 points.
     Hosts Tata Football Academy, who were waiting for any slip-up by Pune FC, beat Mohun Bagan 2-0 to finish runners-up on 11 points.

Pune FC retain U-20 I-League title

A livid Australian media today labelled their side as "worst" in 34 years and compared the shot selection of their top order batsmen to "insanity" as India inflicted a humiliating 4-0 whitewash on the visitors.
     "IT's official. Australian cricket's class of 2013 are the worst to tour India ... And the nation's worst Test outfit in 34 years. That is the macabre reputation Michael Clarke's battered troops will bring home," a write-up in the Telegraph read.
     'Herald Sun' was more harsh in chiding the batsmen.
     "THEY say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Unless Australia's batsmen change something - starting today - they might wake up in a mental ward before the Ashes."
     "The real concern ahead of the Ashes is not so much the batting averages in India, but the wider mentality that governs the decisions, and mistakes, Australia's batsmen are making," the report added.
     The Australian sports writers came ...

Australian players face media fury in the wake of debacle

Highly impressed by India's young players, legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar says they needed to be developed into top players as they look ready to face the stern challenges that tough Test cricket throws.
     Gavaskar said the best way to build on the series-win would be help youngsters grow into mature and top players.
     "There is so much of hope for the future. The guys who won the games for India were youngsters. All in their 20s with almost 8-10 years to go. I think they are ready to take on the tough world of Test cricket. If they have the same kind of impact as they had in India, though remains to be seen, certainly what has happened is development of a lot of players," Gavaskar said.
     "It is important that useful or good players quickly develop into top players and I think that is a big plus for India after this series," he added.
     The former skipper was pleased with the way India outplayed Australia in all departments of the game.
     "4-0 win has not happened ...

India dominated in all departments of the game: Gavaskar

Mohun Bagan managed to pulled off a narrow 3-2 win over a resurgent Pailan Arrows in a closely-contested round 21 I-League fixture here today.
     The relegation-wary Mohun Bagan took a 3-0 lead in no time with Aibor Khongjee (5th) and Tolgay Ozbey (19th, 20th) striking in tandem.
     But the AIFF developmental outfit showed fine character after the early setback and made their way back brilliantly with goals from Shaiju Mon (41st) and Seminlen Doungel (49th) but could not find the equaliser.
     With the win, Mohun Bagan remained on course to avoid relegation as they jumped to nine points from 16 matches, three behind the other relegation-threatened side United Sikkim FC.
     Mohun Bagan, who were without Odafa Okolie -- suffering from fever, got the breakthrough when defender Khongjee found the net off a Jewel Raja corner that was helped along by Rahim Nabi.
     Australian striker Ozbey doubled the lead in the 18th minute with a spectacular goal when he shielded his marker and .

Mohun Bagan pip Arrows 3-2

Dempo's bid to defend their title went up in smoke as they lost to Sporting Clube de Goa through a self goal by defender Rowlison Rodrigues in the 21st round of the I-League played at Duler ground here today.
     Sporting, who had more possession of the ball throughout the match, managed to win through a self goal scored by Dempo's defender Rowlison Rodrigues in the 51st minute.
     With today's win, Sporting leaped to seventh position with 29th points from 21 matches while Dempo remained at the third position with 35 points from 20 matches, eight points behind leaders Churchill Brothers.
      Sporting Clube de Goa, who beat Salgaocar 3-1 in their last match, started earnestly and had the first look at the rival goal but Juanfri effort was wide off the target.
     Dempo, who struggled to find their rhythm initially, got into their grooves and came close to find the net as Ryuji Sueoka's header off a Anthony Pereira cross from the right was thwarted by Sporting keeper Bruno Colaco .

Dempo score self-goal against Sporting

A battery of current and former cricketers today hailed India's historic 4-0 whitewash of Australia as the hosts completed the clean sweep with a six-wicket win in the fourth Test, here.
     Dropped opener Gautam Gambhir, who is down with jaundice these days, led the congratulatory messages on the social networking website.
     "Congrats boys, well done. Njoy it big time, a well-deserved whitewash," wrote the Delhi opener on his twitter page.
     Legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne appreciated the young guns of India.
     "Congrats to India on the series win and the way their young players have played..." he tweeted.
     The BCCI also joined in praising the team and the exemplary leadership by skipper M S Dhoni.
     "The overwhelming 4-0 Test series triumph of India over Australia in the Border-Gavaskar trophy is a historic achievement to say the least. The triumph is indeed a reflection of Dhoni's able leadership skills as the chemistry and camaraderie between the Indian ..

India lauded for historic 4-0 whitewash

Jeev Milkha Singh was unable to carry on from where he had left on Saturday as he signed off tied 17th at the Maybank Malaysian Open after ending with a third and final round of 68, here today.
     Jeev dropped from overnight 10th and finished six shots behind the winner, Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who completed a sensational wire-to-wire victory at the weather-shortened event.
     Shiv Kapur, who was even par through seven holes on Saturday, did well to pick up five birdies against no bogeys in the remaining 11 holes and finished with a 67 that saw him finish tied 22nd.
     Kiradech overcame a host of stars with a gutsy performance on Sunday. The big-hitting 23-year-old held his nerve for a battling two-under-par 70 to lift his second Asian Tour title by one-shot from Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari of Italy, who signed off with a 67, at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
    Anders Hansen of Denmark shot a 66 to finish two shots back while 2011 Masters champion Charl ..

Jeev drops to 17th, Shiv 22nd, Kiradech wins title in Malaysia

Arjun Atwal suffered steep fall following a disappointing round of two-over 73 on the third day of the Chitimacha Louisiana Open on the Web.Com Tour, here.
     Atwal, lying second after the second round at 10-under, is now eight-under 205 and tied 24th.
     Atwal was hit by closing woes as he was fine at one-under through 12 holes, before dropping shots on 13th, 14th and 18th to finish at 73.
     Meanwhile Lefty Edward Loar of Dallas fired a 7-under 64 and moved into the lead after 54 holes at 15-under 198 total. Loar, who tied for second at the Chile Classic two weeks ago, is one ahead of Troy Merritt (66) and two in front of Morgan Hoffmann, who decimated the Le Triomphe Country Club with a 9-under 62.
     Loar, the 35-year old father of triplets rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt on the closing hole to retake the lead from Merritt.

Atwal drops down to tied 24th from second after round 3

Former Pakistan captain and coach, Waqar Younis minced no words while criticising allrounder Shahid Afridi's performance during the ongoing fifth and final One-day International against South Africa at Benoni today.
     The former fast bowler, commenting in a television channel as a expert, said he was appalled at the way Afridi (0) got out today against South Africa in the fifth ODI.
     "He got out two balls before the power play was to start. He knew there was a fielder in the deep and he knew (Ryan) McLaren would bowl a short one, and with 15 overs remaining he still played the shot and got out. I just don't understand this and don't know what to say," Waqar said.
     Afridi, who has stood out twice in the current series with blistering knocks of 34 and 88, was sacked as captain of the Pakistan ODI side in May, 2011 after having a clash with Waqar, who was the coach on the tour to the West Indies.
     Afridi had twice walked out of team meetings on that tour after differences .

Waqar criticises Afridi

Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza advanced to the second rounds of their respective events at prestigious ATP/WTA Sony Open after hard fought wins with their partners, here.
     Bopanna and his American partner Rajeev Ram saved all the seven breakpoints in the second set to beat Eric Butorac and Paul Hanley 7-6 (8) 6-4.
     Only once Bopanna and Ram were broken in the match and they next face Marin Cilic and Lukas Dlouhy.
     In the women's event, seventh seeds Sania Mirza and her American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands defeated Eva Birnerova and Varvara Lepchenko 7-5 6-3 in one bour and 21 minutes.
     Sania and Mattek-Sands saved 11 break chances out of 16 chances and committed three doubles fualts to five of their opponents.
     They will now fight it out with Jarmila Gajdosova and Sabine Katharina Lisicki.

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