Recovering from back spasm, Australian captain Michael Clarke trained with the team ahead of the fourth Test against India but remained a doubtful starter for the match, beginning tomorrow.
     "I still have 24 hours, just need to make sure my treatment goes off well. I'll take the call in the morning," said Clarke at the pre-match conference.
     "It's the same bulging disc issue I've battled on and off since I was 17. I have to make sure that I'll remain injury-free for the next assignment. I'll have to first assess my injury and then take a call in the morning. I haven't missed a Test through injury since my debut in 2004 and I'll do everything to keep it that way ahead of the fourth Test."
     Clarke suffered back spasm during a fielding drill in the Mohali Test. He had supported Watson's candidature for captaincy in case he fails to recover in time.
     Asked to comment on Watson leading the side, Clarke said, "Shane is an important part of our team, there's no doubt about ...

Uncertainty continues over Clarke's participation in 4th Test

PTI Automatic

Indian spinners might be ruling the roost against the listless Australia in the ongoing Test series but it is Sachin Tendulkar who is the most talked about cricketer on social networking sites these days.
     The analysis on social sentiment of cricket fans and alike conducted during the first three matches shows that Tendulkar consistently leads the overall conversation in this period, an IBM study stated.
     Fifty per cent of the public sentiment revolved around his batting performance followed by his past records, his stature and retirement plans, among others.
     Tendulkar was followed by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and opening batsman Murali Vijay, who has scored two consecutive centuries in the last two Tests, while allrounder Ravindra Jadeja performance with the ball in the series makes him the most popular bowler in the Indian team, IBM's Social Sentiment Index stated.
     It further revealed that negative sentiment towards Dhoni was high at the beginning of the first ..

Tendulkar most talked about cricketer online

In a major relief for Kolkata Knight Riders, skipper Gautam Gambhir has said that he is available for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League since he is suffering from just a mild jaundice.
     The left-handed batsman said he will be back on field in four to five days.
     "I AM AVAILABLE FOR THE IPL. It's a mild jaundice, hoping to be good in 4-5 days time," Gambhir tweeted.
     Gambhir's manager also confirmed the news, saying the star opener will be back in action when defending champions Kolkata take on the Delhi Daredevils in the tournament opener on April 3.
     Gambhir was selected to replace an injured Shikhar Dhawan in the Indian side for the fourth Test against Australia but he missed out due to jaundice.
     Gambhir missed the last two matches for Delhi in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy due to illness.

I am available for IPL: Gambhir

Former captain Ricky Ponting says he himself failed repeatedly before learning to perform in India and the bunch of Australian cricketers playing there will be able to handle the conditions better next time.
     As Australia stare at a 4-0 whitewash, Ponting said it was always going to be a "tough tour" for them.
     "I found the first three of four tours I went there I couldn't score a run. It wasn't until a few tours down the track that I started learning about playing spin bowling and coping with the conditions that I started to work it out," Ponting said.
     "Those guys on that tour will be a whole lot better off next time they go there and are confronted with conditions like that. We'll keep our fingers crossed and hopefully they can finish on a winning note this week," Ponting, one of the most successful captains of his country, told 'The Australian'.
     Ponting scored his first half-century on his second tour of India and his first century on his fifth tour after 15 ...

Guys will be richer in experience after India tour: Ponting

Defending champion Digvijay Singh believes age is not a barrier as he eyes another magical run at his title defence of the Panasonic Open India from April 4.
     The dashing Indian ended a 12-year barren run when he claimed his maiden Asian Tour victory by producing a grandstand finish with a 12-foot birdie putt on the last hole to pip Bangladesh's Siddikur and compatriot, Gaganjeet Bhullar to the title by two shots.
     Memories of his career breakthrough are still etched firmly in Singh's mind and he is hoping he can revive them as he chases his second Asian Tour win at the Delhi Golf Club.
     "I'm looking forward to playing the tournament again. Delhi Golf Club is one of my favourite venues and it's a pleasure to play here. By the looks of it, the course will be in great shape come April," said Singh.
     "It'll be my first time defending a big tournament, so I'm taking positives from last year and we shall see what happens. I just hope to go out there and enjoy myself."
     .

Digvijay confident of retaining title

Continuing his impressive comeback post a shoulder surgery, Somdev Devvarman erased a one-set deficit to beat world number 78 Evgeny Donskoy in his opening round of the ATP Miami Masters, here.
     The 254th ranked Indian recorded a 4-7 7-6 (5) 6-2 win over his first-round Russian rival.
     A stern test though awaits Somdev as he next faces world number 34 Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, who got a bye in his opening round.
     Somdev has beaten a few top-100 players after making a comeback this season. Victories against world number 39 Benoit Paire and 78th ranked Bjorn Phau were memorable ones.
     In the match against Donskoy, Somdev saved six break chances in the opening set but failed on one occasion and that let the Russian run away with lead and momentum.
     In the second set, the two players traded breaks and Somdev prevailed in the tie-breaker.
     In the deciding third set, Somdev saved all three breakpoints and converted two of the five chances to move to next level.
     .

Somdev in 2nd round of Miami Masters with win over Donskoy

Kings XI Punjab today appointed former India opener W V Raman as the team's assistant coach for the upcoming Indian Premier League, which starts in Kolkata on April 3.
     Commenting on the appointment, Col Arvinder Singh, COO, Kings XI Punjab said, "We are pleased to have W V Raman as the assistant coach of our team for IPL 2013. Given his vast experience as an ex-India player and his coaching stints over the years, I am certain that he shall bring another dimension to our coaching staff and help our players perform to the best of their abilities."
     Raman said, "I thank Kings XI Punjab management for providing me with this wonderful opportunity and I am extremely delighted to join Kings XI Punjab as the assistant coach.
     "I look forward to helping out the team achieve its objectives for the upcoming IPL. Kings XI Punjab have the right mix of experienced as well as young players supported by a world class coaching staff and I shall do my best to get the best out of the ...

Kings XI Punjab appoints W V Raman as assistant coach

Australian skipper Michael Clarke has backed his deputy Shane Watson to step up and lead the side in case he misses out the fourth Test against India with a back injury.
     "He (Watson) has my vote to take over the captaincy if I'm ruled out. If I don't pull up 100 per cent to perform at my best, I won't be putting my hand up for selection. And if that's the case, I am confident Watson would be embraced by the team in my place if the CA board appointed him as captain," Clarke wrote in his column for 'Courier Mail'.
     Watson is being reunited with the team ahead of the fourth Test starting here tomorrow after he was dropped from the playing XI of the third Test in Mohali for not completing a presentation on team performance.
      Watson went back home as his wife was due to give birth to their first child but returned back to join the team here for the final Test.
     "He understands why the decision was made to stand down four players, himself included, after our loss in ...

Clarke backs Watson to lead side in case he misses out

Australia opener David Warner says he harbours ambitions of leading the national team in the future.
     "It's definitely something I'd love to do," Warner said ahead of the fourth Test against India starting on Friday.
     "Obviously 'Pup' (Clarke) is doing a great job now, but in time I think I'd have something to offer," the 26-year-old left-handed batsman was quoted as saying by 'Courier Mail'.
     Warner was kicked out of the Centre of Excellence in Australia as a 20-year-old.
     "The setback of getting kicked out of the cricket academy was disappointing. That was a lack of maturity on my part. The group we had there was fantastic, but we were kidding ourselves if we thought we were doing the right thing.
     The flashy batsman, who has played for Delhi Daredevils in the last IPL, believed he has learnt from past mistakes.
     "That showed me you have to do the right things along the way. I had some setbacks but I'd like to think I learned from my mistakes and I still have 

I'd love to lead Australia in future: Warner

Delhi Daredevils team mentor T A Sekar today said losing Kevin Pietersen to injury was a big blow but pointed out that the squad has exciting resources to be competitive in the upcoming Indian Premier League which starts in Kolkata from April 3.
     "We have received a mail from the England and Wales Cricket Board informing us about KP's knee injury and the decision to withdraw him from all cricket, including the IPL," Sekar said.
     "It is unfortunate to lose a player of KP's class and it is indeed a big blow. But we believe we have the combination of players to be competitive."
     Pietersen was today ruled out of the IPL due to a knee injury which he sustained during the ongoing New Zealand tour.
     The ECB said Pietersen experienced knee pain while fielding in preparation for the four-day game in Queenstown ahead of the Test series, which has failed to resolve satisfactorily.
     Sekar said since Pietersen was not available to play the full IPL season, the team's think-tank 

Losing KP big blow but Daredevils have resources: Sekar

Senior batsman Yuvraj Singh has set his sights on the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has started preparing for the Twenty20 League starting from April 3 in Kolkata.
     "I have started preparing for the IPL season 6," said Yuvraj, who plays for Sahara Pune Warriors in the IPL.
     Yuvraj's comments came on the sidelines of the launch of the limited edition 'YouWeCan Swiss Army Knife' in the capital today.
     The Yuvraj Singh Foundation, which is the initiative of the champion cricketer to spread awareness about cancer, has partnered with Victorinox, the legendary Swiss Army knife manufacturer since 1894, to come up with the special edition of Swiss knifes.
     "The Victorinox YouWeCan knife conveys a spirit of reliability and versatility and I feel it is a fitting tribute to the cause of Yuvi Foundation. All that I would like to say is if Yuvi Can, YOU CAN," said the 31-year-old from Chandigarh.
     Yuvraj, who fought the dreaded disease himself before ..

Yuvraj Singh gets ready for IPL-6

Gaganjeet Bhullar says being on top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit will not add unwanted pressure in his search for glory at the USD 2.75 million Maybank Malaysian Open which starts here tomorrow.
     Bhullar, a four-time Asian Tour winner, enjoyed a second place finish at the Avantha Masters in India last weekend, thanks to a battling final round of eight-under-par 64.
     The result propelled him to the summit of the Order of Merit with winnings of USD 262,648.
     "If I can carry this form till the end of the season then I will feel some pressure. There are many big tournaments. Subconsciously it is in my mind that I'm leading the Order of Merit and that's one of my goals to win it but there's no pressure as of now," said the 24-year-old.
     The young Indian took pride in his never-say-never attitude and is determined to make amends for his close shave at this week's Maybank Malaysian Open which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
     "I played really well ...

Bhullar upbeat ahead of Malaysian Open

Mahendra Singh Dhoni still feels shy to speak to his idol Sachin Tendulkar off the field but says his honest opinions on a cricket field about team strategy, including occasional differences of opinions with the veteran, might have landed him the India captaincy in 2007.
     Dhoni said he used to have on-field discussions with Tendulkar on team strategy and would not mind disagreeing with his senior colleague even before he was made captain.
     "Tendulkar is my sporting hero and because of the aura he carries, I still have difficulties speaking up to him outside a cricket field. But on field, I always give my honest inputs about team strategy," Dhoni said.
     "Tendulkar and I used to discuss team strategy on the field. If I am convinced I would even disagree with him and it happened quiet often. I think my honesty has paid dividends when he recommended me for captaincy. He might be thinking that I have learnt in quick time on different aspects of the game and team strategy," he ..

I have at times disagreed with Sachin on team strategy: Dhoni

Star batsman Virat Kohli today announced the launch of his charity foundation to help the underprivileged kids.
     The organization will be known as Virat Kohli Foundation.
     "It (Foundation) has been in my mind since very long time. But I was going through transition phase, so could not start off with the venture. Now, I feel it's the right time to get on with it," Virat told reporters during a promotional event to announce a football match between Bollywood stars and cricketers.
     "I know it takes time but I think I have matured enough to start an organisation for children who cannot afford education or play any sport," he said.
     "If I am able to inspire kids to achieve something, that will be my biggest achievement," the 23-year-old said.
     Virat said the organisation has plans conduct events to raise funds for the charity.
     "We have announced the name of the organisation today but the formal launch will be after the football game on 30th of this month," Kohli ...

Virat to start charity foundation for underprivileged kids

United SC rode on Ranty Martins' second-half strike to pip defending champions East Bengal and break their 14-match unbeaten run for their maiden IFA Shield title here today.
     The purple brigade also avenged their last year's loss in the Shield final as Man of the Match Martins' 80th minute goal denied overwhelming favourites East Bengal a record 25th title.
     In the repeat of last year's final which East Bengal had won on penalties, the giants looked like a shadow of their former self as they missed opportunities while Chidi's injury proved to be a big blow.
     East Bengal had defeated United SC 4-2 in the penalty shoot-out in the last year's final. This was the young Kolkata team's second big win after their 2010 Durand Cup triumph.
	In pursuit of their record 25th titles, East Bengal were tentative to start with as they played a watchful game in the first 45 minutes.
	Playing without their ace forward Edeh Chidi who was benched because of a hamstring pull, East Bengal ...

United SC pip East Bengal for maiden Shield triumph

Two late goals in the injury time helped Sporting Clube de Goa beat Salgacoar 3-1 in their I-League match, played at the Duler Stadium in Mapusa here today.
     Augustin Fernandes gave Salgaocar the lead in the 38th minute before Juan Francisco Gacia Pena restored parity for Sporting in the 61st minute.
     But two late goals in the stoppage time by substitute Victorino Fernandes and Kalu Ogba saw Sporting collect full points. Sporting have 26 points from 20 matches, while Salgaocar remained on 20 points from 20 matches.
     Both the teams fought evenly in the first half as play was confined to midfield for a better part of the first half.
     Sporting Clube de Goa, who have not lost in their last four matches, made moves mostly from the right and had their first chance through Rogen Singh, but his weak shot was collected by Salgaocar's keeper Karanjit Singh.
     Randeep Singh showed a lot of enterprise on the flank for Salgaocar, as he tried to feed his strikers with long ...

Sporting rally to beat Salgaocar

Captain Parthiv Patel hit a fluent 82 as Gujarat defeated Baroda by eight runs to record their third straight victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Tournament at the Motera 'A' Ground here.
     The last-minute resistance from Irfan Pathan, who hit a quick-fire 32, was wasn't enough for Baroda, who fell short of the target of 171 in a West Zone leg match of the tournament late last night.
     Batting first, Gujarat reached a competitive 170-6 in 20 overs. Besides Parthiv's half-century, decorated with seven fours and five sixes, veteran southpaw Niraj Patel chipped in with a 28-ball 31.
     The experienced duo shared an 111-run third-wicket partnership after the home team lost opener Asad Pathan (6) and No. 3 batsman Manpreet Juneja (1) cheaply.
     Parthiv was caught by Kedar Devdhar off the bowling of Aditya Waghmode. His departure was followed by three more wickets in a space of four balls as Gujarat slipped to 131-6 from a comfortable 122-2.
     However, Jesal Karia and Rakesh ..

Gujarat beat Baroda by 8 runs in T20 tourney, Parthiv shines

Delhi won their third successive match in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy beating Jammu and Kashmir by 17 runs despite another failure by veteran Virender Sehwag.
     Delhi with 12 points from three matches are now through to the knock-out round of the competition that will be held in Ranchi.
     Batting first, Delhi scored 133 for six and then restricted Jammu and Kashmir to 116 for nine in stipulated 20 overs.
     Opting to bat at the Teri Oval, Sehwag (4) lasted only three balls as young off-spinner Parveez Rasool dismissed him caught by Ahmed Bandy.
     Skipper Rajat Bhatia (3) was also dismissed cheaply as Humaid Ronga caught him off Rahil Sombayal's bowling
     Unmukt Chand (23) smashed four boundaries but lost another senior partner in Puneet Bisht (10) who hit a huge six but got out trying to have left-arm spinner Raman Datta.
     Dutta's arm ball then accounted for Unmukt as Delhi were reduced 48 for four within eight overs.
     At this stage, left-hander Jagrit Anand (34, 

Sehwag fails again but Delhi beat Jammu & Kashmir by 17 runs

Defending champions Pune FC maintained their excellent form to register their third consecutive win, defeating Mohun Bagan 2-0, while Tata Football Academy edged past Salgaocar FC by an identical margin in the final round of the 6th U-20 I-league here today.
     First-timer Sesa Football Academy, Goa, exhibited impressive football to outplay East Bengal 3-0.
     Mohun Bagan, who trounced archrival East Bengal 2-0 in the previous encounter before it drew against Salgaocar 1-1, was off colour as Pune FC dominated the proceedings right from the kick-off at the JRD Tata Sports Complex here.
     The outfit in red jersey kept mounting pressure on the opponent and succeeded in drawing the first blood when mid-fielder F Lalrempuia netted in the 22nd minutes.
     Ten minutes later mid-fielder Nikhil Kadam struck to extend the margin to 2-0.
     Barring a couple of occasions in each half, Mohun Bagan could not come close to threatening Pune FC.
     Pune FC have nine points after three ...

Pune defeat Mohun Bagan 2-0

Top woman golfer Sharmila Nicollet today said she has all the ingredients of what it takes to win a title on the Ladies European Tour as she prepares for Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocoo, beginning March 28.
     Sharmila said her confidence has grown manifold after win at the Hero Women's Pro Tour in Mumbai recently.
     "This year I have chance, because I have the talent, will power and mindset. Hopefully I can win a tournament this year. After winning Hero Women's Pro Tour, my confidence has amplified, and going into Morocco Tour next week, I think I have the confidence and right kind of game. Hopefully I can sustain myself," she told reporters after she was announced brand ambassador of Champion Reef Golf County, the newest golf course here.
     Sharmila said last year was really tough for her.
     "I however have learnt a lot and made many changes. I am working on my yoga, nutrition and fitness," she said.
     Sharmila said her game was improving slowly and it would take her two ..

Sharmila all fired up for Morocco event on LET

Delhi golfer Vani Kapoor shot a four-over 76 to grab the top spot after the second round of the sixth leg of Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour 2013 here today.
     Vani, who was tied second after the first round, has now opened up a three-shot lead over the trio of Saaniya Sharma, Neha Tripathi and Gursimar Badwal, who are tied at the second place.
     Vani, who played extremely well in her maiden season as a pro last year, made a strong comeback today, carding three birdies on the third, fifth and 14th holes to finish the second day on top with a total score of 154.
     She had bogeys on the first, second, fourth, sixth. 12th, 15th and 18th at the Panchkula Golf Club.
     Local girl Saaniya came up with the best score of the day with a two over 74 which propelled her from her overnight tied 10th position to a tied second place after round two.
     She carded four birdies on the third, 10th, 11th and 16th. Neha, who was tied eighth after round one also made a strong comeback and carded .

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