India were 59 for no loss at lunch in reply to Australia's 262 all out in first innings on the second day of the fourth and final cricket Test here today.
     Brief scores:
     Australia: 262 all out in 112.1 overs (Phil Hughes 45, Peter Siddle 51; Ravichandran Ashwin 5/57).
     India: 59 for loss in 14 overs (Murali Vijay batting 23; Cheteshwar Pujara batting 28).

India 59/0 at lunch in reply to Australia's 262

PTI Automatic

Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha today completed his 100 wickets in Test cricket on the second day of the fourth and final match of the series against Australia here, becoming the third fastest Indian to reach the milestone.
     Ojha dismissed James Pattinson as his 100th victim in the morning session to bring an end to Australia's first innings at 262 all out at the Feroze Shah Kotla ground.
     Ojha achieved the feat in his 22nd Test and, in the process, becomes the third fastest Indian to get 100 wickets behind legendary spinners Erapalli Prasanna (20 Tests) and Anil Kumble (21).
     The 26-year-old from Orissa dismissed Pattinson on the first ball of his 27th over when the Australian pacer got the leading edge while playing for the turn and Virat Kohli completing a sharp catch at slips. Ojha finished with innings figures of 26.1-6-75-1 at an economy rate of 2.86.
     Ojha, who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Kanpur in 2009, has not played a single match in the longer ...

Ojha reaches 100-wicket milestone in Tests

Fauja Singh, the world's oldest marathon runner, is set to inaugurate the 26th Australian Sikh Games to be held here on March 29.
     The India-origin runner, who is turning 102 on April 1, had recently announced his retirement after participating in the Hong Kong marathon.
     He said that he has decided to give up marathon because of health reasons but will continue to run for charity works.
     "I have quit marathons but I will continue to run. Running is my addiction and I am alive because of this activity," Singh said at a press conference here today.
     "I am growing old and losing weight," he said, giving reasons why he decided to quit.
     Singh is currently visiting the country for the first time and has been invited to participate in the opening ceremony of the Australian Sikh Games this year. He will be participating in a run tomorrow which has been organised for a charity for children. He is also going to be felicitated by the New South Wales Parliament next week.
   

Fauja to inaugurate Australian Shikh Games

India's Mahesh Bhupathi and his partner Daniel Nestor of Bahamas advanced to the second round of the men's doubles event of the Sony Open ATP tour tennis tournament after a hard-fought victory over Richard Gasquet and Edouard Roger-Vasselin here.
     Bhupathi and Nestor notched up a 7-6 (3), 6-3 win over their French opponents in a 79-minute opening round match in the USD 4,330,625 prize money hard court tournament.
     The third-seeded Indo-Bahamian pair came from behind to force a tie-break in the first-set but they were in control of the second set. Bhupathi and Nestor won 82 per cent of their service points and saved both break points they faced.
     They next play Spaniard Nicolas Almagro and his Austrian partner Oliver Marach, who beat Colombian Juan Sebastian Cabal and his Mexican partner Santiago Gonzalez 6-3, 6-4, in their first round match.
     Another Indian, Leander Paes and his French partner Michael Llodra, seeded seventh, have also advanced in the second round after 

Bhupathi-Nestor in 2nd round of Miami ATP event

Australia were all out for 262 in their first innings on the second day of the fourth and final cricket Test against India here today.
     Brief scores:
     Australia: 262 all out in 112.1 overs (Phil Hughes 45, Peter Siddle 51; Ravichandran Ashwin 5/57).

Australia all out for 262 in 1st innings

Pakistan Cricket Board has signed a memorandum of understanding with its Afghanistan counterparts under which it will increase its support for the sport in the neighbouring country.
     PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad said that Pakistan wants not only to spread in Afghanistan but the new agreement would also increase cooperation between the two countries.
     "We have always supported and backed Afghanistan cricket because we see great potential in this country to become a major cricket nation," he said.
     Afghanistan has also reciprocated the support they have got from Pakistan by being the only country to send its cricket team to Pakistan since 2009 after all Test playing nations refused to do so because of security concerns.
     International cricket came to a standstill in Pakistan since March 2009 when militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore and killed six Pakistani policemen and a van driver.
     Ahmad said under the new agreement, the PCB would provide .

PCB signs MoU with Afghan Board

Turbo-charged, all-wheel-drive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X would be making its debut in the AVT Premium South India Rally, the first round of 2013 FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship commencing here tomorrow.
     The event received strong support from country's top drivers following a reconnaissance run on today ahead of the two-day event that would see many firsts.
     Another first is the participation of team Mahindra who are fielding three of their top-end XUV500 in the newly-created SUV category while Volkswagen would also be making marking their presence in the form of the popular Polo, a diesel driven car, with three of the hatch-backs in a 35-vehicle grid.
     The Evo, prepared by Bangalore's Racetech, would be driven by Samir Thapar of JCT Rallying with seasoned Vivek Ponnusamy, the 2012 APRC co-driver champion, on the left seat. As many as nine makes of cars will be seen in action and they include: the Evo X, Mitsubishi Lancer Cedia, Volkswagen Polo, Mahindra XUV ..

FMSCI Indian National Rally Ch'ship 1st round begins tomorrow

Pakistan's former chief selector and national team coach, Mohsin Khan is expected to get an important assignment in the cricket Board shortly, signalling the end of differences between him and the PCB, according to sources.
     A reliable source told PTI today that Mohsin, a former Test batsman, had agreed in principle to accept a coaching assignment with the Board.
     "The offer has come from the Board and it is for the national youth team and to prepare them for the coming World Cup," the source said.
     Mohsin made an acrimonious exit from the Board and as national team coach in early 2012 after guiding Pakistan to a whitewash in the Test series against England.
     The PCB had replaced Mohsin with Australian coach Dav Whatmore insisting that Mohsin had been working as interim coach and the Board had never offered him a permanent post.
     "But now the differences appear to have been settled through an influential peacemaker and Mohsin has told to consider becoming the coach 

Mohsin set to get an important assignment: sources

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has decided to give Rs two crore cash reward to its triumphant Ranji Trophy team for winning the coveted crown for the 40th time in January.
     This was announced at the MCA's AGM by its president Ravi Savant.
     MCA had earlier announced that the winning team members would be given Rs 3 crore as bonus in addition to the Rs 2 crore prize fund they would receive from the Cricket Board.
	Mumbai thumped Saurashtra in a one-sided final at the Wankhede Stadium to regain the crown after a gap of two seasons.
	All the affiliated clubs of MCA would be entitled to 10 tickets for each Indian Premier League match to be played at the stadium which is the home venue of IPL franchise Mumbai Indians after a resolution to this effect was passed.
     A resolution to name the media centre at the Wankhede Stadium after the late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray could not be taken up at the AGM on a point of technicality as it had to be discussed first by the MCA's ...

MCA to award Rs 2 crore bonus to triumphant Ranji team

Set to leave for home after leading Australia to a Test debacle in India, Michael Clarke could come back here next month to captain IPL side Pune Warriors, according to reports.
     Clarke, who is flying home tonight to get treatment on his back injury after being ruled out of the final Test against India here, is considering taking part in the IPL starting April 3.
     A report in the 'Australian' said that Clarke has been under pressure to captain Pune Warriors franchise with the owners keen for him to take over the job after Yuvraj Singh expressed reluctance to lead the side.
     The report talked about suggestions that Clarke could be paid more money to encourage him take up the captain's job.
     "There are suggestions Clarke will be offered considerably more money to encourage him to do what the business chief (Pune Warriors owner Subrata Roy) wants, but he will be torn," the report said.
     Clarke was bought at IPL auction earlier this year by the Pune Warriors for UISD ..

Clarke could be paid more to lead Pune Warriors in IPL: report

Australia's coach Mickey Aurthur faces a tough task to save his job following the debacle in the Test tour of India, with former player Darren Lehmann emerging as a candidate to replace him, according to reports.
     Besides being a decent batsman during his 27-Test career from 1998 to 2004 with an average of nearly 45, Lehmann has won the Indian Premier League in 2009 as coach of Deccan Chargers. He is now the coach of Queensland.
     Lehmann, though, has been weighing his options as he doesn't know whether he would be prepared for so much time overseas, a report in 'Daily Telegraph' said.
     Those close to Lehmann said there were few men like him who know more about Australian cricket system and at same time good at educating young cricketers and helping them reach their potential.
     "He was a very good cricketer himself and he is trying to teach these blokes about the game as a whole," said Queensland chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns, the former national selection boss.
   

Lehmann emerges as candidate to replace Arthur: report

Sachin Tendulkar's elder brother Ajit Tendulkar today dropped in at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground to watch the first day's play between India and Australia, here.
     According to sources close to the cricketer, Ajit is expected to stay back for the entire duration of the final Test, with India standing on the cusp of a historic 4-0 clean sweep.
     Ajit, who has been a friend, philosopher and guide of the legendary cricketer, as usual kept a very low profile and quietly left the stadium after watching first day's proceedings.
     Ajit played a pivotal role in shaping up the career of the cricketer.
     Tendulkar, who will turn 40 in a month's time, is playing his 198th Test match of his illustrious career.
     This is the last Test match that India play at home in the next 15 months. India's next Test assignment is in South Africa in December-January while they go to New Zealand in February.

Ajit Tendulkar drops in at Kotla to watch India play

Ruled out of the final Test here due to a back injury, Australian captain Michael Clarke will be flying back home tonight to receive treatment.
     Clarke watched the first day's play of the final Test today from the Australian dressing room but will not be around tomorrow as he has been advised a series of tests on his back and a hamstring complaint that affected him during the summer.
     Clarke has been battling a degenerative disc condition since he was 17 and will be assessed by medicos to ensure he is at peak fitness for the Champions Trophy in June before the Ashes showdown in England.
     "Whilst there has been some slow improvement, he is still well short of full function so was unable to train and (was not) available to play the fourth Test," CA physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said.
     "The plan is for Michael to return to Sydney as soon as possible to have a series of scans and we will monitor his progress over the coming days before deciding on the best course of ...

Clarke flying home to receive treatment for injured back

Defending champions Pune FC were held to a goalless draw by Tata Football Academy even as Mohun Bagan and East Bengal suffered defeats on the fourth day of the final round of the 6th Under-20 I-League here today.
     Sesa Football Academy continued their winning streak defeating Mohun Bagan 2-1 while East Bengal went down to Salgaocar 1-2.
     Against Mohun Bagan, Sesa took the lead in the 25th minute through a strike from striker Olvin Cardozo.
     The lead was extended just before the half time when Sesa were awarded a penalty and their in-form striker Mauvin Borges made no mistake in converting from the spot.
     The Kolkata team found the net in the 88th minute when mid-fielder Adarsh Lama Tamang scored.
     Pune FC, with the draw, consolidated their chances of winning the league for the second time with a game in hand.
     Pune FC, with three wins and a draw, have ten points while TFA are second on eight points from two wins and two draws.
     Salgaocar took the lead on ...

Mohun Bagan, East Bengal lose; Pune FC held by TFA

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar today said that he can't predict whether Sachin Tendulkar has played his last Test on Indian soil in the ongoing fourth and final match against Australia here.
     "You never know. From 2006-07, there has been this talk of Tendulkar's retirement going on. But he has been playing the same way," Gavaskar said.
     "Only he (Tendulkar) would know this," he said when asked if Tendulkar has played his last Test on Indian soil at the Feroze Shah Kotla here, considering that the team would mainly play outside the country in the next 12 months.
     Gavaskar said India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni would not be unhappy for losing the toss in all the four matches of the Test series against Australia.
     "At hindsight, Dhoni would not be complaining. He lost the toss in all the three earlier Tests in the series and today also he lost the toss. But India won all the three matches and so he would not be complaining," Gavaskar told NDTV.
     He also felt that ...

Can't tell if Sachin has played his last Test in India: Sunny

Delhi suffered a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Services in their final North Zone leg match to slump to their first loss in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy here today.
     Opting to bat, Delhi, who had already qualified for the knockout phase of the tournament to be held at Ranchi, could only manage 110 for seven in their 20 overs.
     Delhi's decision to bat first backfired as only three of its batsmen managed double digit scores. Opener Unmukt Chand top-scored with a 51-ball 56, while Manan Sharma and skipper Punit Bisht made 20 and 13 respectively.
     For Services, medium pacer Sumit Singh (3/15) picked up three wickets while left-arm spinner Avishek Sinha (2/13) accounted for two Delhi batsmen.
     Chasing the paltry total, Services rode on Yashpal Singh's 46 and useful contributions from Nakul Verma (26) and skipper Rajat Paliwal (23 not out) to overwhelm the target with five balls to spare.
     Medium pacer Shelley Shaurya picked up two wickets for Delhi.
     Delhi ..

Delhi end North Zone campaign with 5 wicket loss to Services

Punjab defeated Himachal Pradesh by two wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Twenty20 tournament here today.
     Punjab invited Himachal to bat first after winning the toss.
     Siddharth Kaul proved to be the star performer of the day, picking up four wickets to help Punjab bowl out Himachal for 100 in 19.5 overs.
     Rishi Dhawan top-scored for Himachal with 31 runs that came off 33 balls, and included four boundaries.
     Chasing a rather easy target, Punjab lost wickets at regular intervals but scored at an good pace to get the better of Himachal.
     Punjab scored the required 101 runs in 9.4 overs losing eight wickets.
     Amitoze Singh made 15 runs in six balls with the help of two boundaries and a six.

Punjab beat Himachal by 2 wickets

Salgaocar would look to bounce back to winning ways when they take on Mumbai FC tomorrow in the 21st round of the I-League at Duler Stadium here.
     Salgaocar were disappointed after losing to Sporting Clube de Goa 1-3.
	The team was playing well in the first half as they created ample scoring opportunities and took the lead in the first half. But things changed drastically in the second half, as they were reduced to nine men after their keeper Karanjit Singh and striker Josimar Silva got marching orders from the referee.
	Sporting, who were also reduced to 10 men, enjoyed the numerical advantage and held a upper hand by scoring two late goals in the stoppage time after they had equalised through Juanfir to fashion their win.
	Salgaocar, who have slipped to ninth position with 20 points from 20 matches, will miss their regular keeper Karanjit Singh and striker Josimar Silva tomorrow, who were out after receiving a red card each in their last match.
	"It's really disappointing to ...

Salgaocar take on Mumbai FC

East Bengal will look to overcome the fatigue factor as they resume their campaign in the top tier I-League against Air India here tomorrow.
	Having played 15 matches in the last 47 days at home and abroad, East Bengal looked jaded against United SC to go down in the IFA Shield final.
     The one-and-a-half month breather in the I-League did not really help the red-and-gold brigade as they were forced to play the local league, IFA Shield, besides in the continental AFC Cup when other teams rested.
     But with six more rounds left in the I-League, time is running out for the last two season's runners-up who are are now placed behind leaders Churchill Brothers in the table.
	"The fatigue factor has become a major worry as the team played frequently in the last couple of months," coach Trevor Morgan said.
	"We have to win at least five out of the six matches in order to have a go at the title," Morgan said.
	The Englishman sounded positive as they are to play five of the six matches ..

Fatigued EB look to bounce back from Shield debacle

After Shiv Sena, it is now Ramdas Athawale-led Republican Party of India (RPI) which has demanded that the Indian Premier League (IPL) should contribute match profits for drought relief in Maharashtra.
	"If IPL organisers don't declare contribution towards drought relief, RPI workers will disrupt matches," Athawale said here today.
	Last week, Shiv Sena had said that IPL team owners who are rich industrialists and Bollywood stars should have no problem coughing up the amount generated from the IPL cricket matches set to start next month.
	"The state faces an unprecedented drought and needs funds urgently. IPL owners should contribute at least Rs 500 crore which they earn," Sena leader Sanjay Raut had said.

RPI threatens to disrupt IPL unless it funds drought relief

Olympic medallists Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt are expected to take part in a protest march in support of wrestling, which has been dropped from the Olympic Games after 2016, to be held here tomorrow.
     The "Save Olympic Wrestling" march will start from the Ram Leela Ground and end at Jantar Mantar.
     One of the organisers and international wrestler, Naveen Singh Suhag said Sushil and Yogeshwar have confirmed their participation in the march.
     "Sushil and Yogeshwar told me they would participate. Other wrestlers, coaches, Arjuna Awardees and supporters of the game will also participate tomorrow," he said.
     "Other sportspersons are also taking part as show of solidarity to wrestling. Akhil Kumar is also likely to participate," he added.
     "There has been no official gathering and protest by Indian sports fraternity after the dropping of wrestling from Olympic Games, so we are organising the protest march," Suhag said.
     The executive council of the International 

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