Page 13 - The Hindu 2 March 2019 Ad Free

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SPORT 15
THE HINDU DELHI
SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2019
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Team India has an enviable ODI record to protect

The host’s challenge will be in finding the ideal combination to counter Australia’s batting depth

AUS IN INDIA Australia will be confident
after victory in the two
T20Is; starting tours well, its
Shreedutta Chidananda
hero Glenn Maxwell noted,
Hyderabad
made a huge difference to
India enters its final One­Day team morale.
International series before
the World Cup with a great Hard to beat
degree of certainty around At the end of this trip, Aaron
the squad. Finch’s men have five more
There were “just one or one­day matches, against Pa­
two places” that remained to kistan in the UAE, to settle on
be filled in the final 15­man their squad.
group for the big tourna­ India, though, will be hard
ment, M.S.K. Prasad, chair­ to beat here. It has won 12 of
man of the Senior Selection its last 13 ODI series, and has
Committee, said recently. lost only one series at home
Last week, Virat Kohli felt since the start of 2013. After a
every piece of the jigsaw was first T20 series defeat at
"more or less sorted". It is home in over three years,
clear that Kohli and the selec­ Kohli will not want another
tors have no intention of record to fall.
making any dramatic last­mi­ The teams (from):
nute additions or excisions, India: Virat Kohli (Capt.), Rohit
instead largely keeping faith Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Amba­
in the unit that has taken ti Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, M.S.
shape over the last year­and­ Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit
a­half. Buckle up, boys! India goes into the final dress rehearsal for the World Cup with a great degree of certainty around the squad. Bumrah, Mohammed Shami,
Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Ya­
* K.V.S. GIRI
One last look dav, Vijay Shankar, Rishabh Pant,
This five­match series against It is also a final opportuni­ land and had, according to seem is leading the race for now make a case for himself. tal of over 3,500 runs. injury scare in the nets on Siddharth Kaul and K.L. Rahul.
Australia, which begins with ty — going by Kohli's pro­ Prasad, "changed the dynam­ the reserve opener's spot, Kohli will be wary of Aus­ India will seek to bat deep Friday), Kedar Jadhav and Vi­ Australia: Aaron Finch (Capt.),
Pat Cummins, Alex Carey, Jason
the first ODI at the Rajiv nouncement that IPL perfor­ ics" of selection. Rishabh may also be seen at the top of tralia's batting depth this se­ and strong, which makes jay Shankar filled those plac­ Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter­
Gandhi International Stadi­ mances would not be a factor Pant was underwhelming in the order over the course of ries. numbers 5, 6 and 7 in the or­ es in India's last one­dayer, in Nile, Peter Handscomb, Usman
um here on Saturday, will — for players not yet sure of the two T20s, but he will the series. Ravindra Jadeja Both sides will remember der important. It will be in­ New Zealand, but the ab­ Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn
give the home side a last look their spots to make a mark. have to justify his presence was only called up as a re­ — the bowlers with a little less teresting to note what combi­ sence of Hardik means Kohli Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, An­
at itself in a competitive envi­ Among those would be Vi­ ahead of Dinesh Karthik over placement for Hardik Pan­ fondness — their manic run­ nations Kohli tries out over will have to consider how drew Tye, Marcus Stoinis, Ash­
ronment ahead of the World jay Shankar, who impressed the next two weeks. dya, who is injured, but the fest in this country in 2013, the five matches. many overs he can get out of ton Turner and Adam Zampa.
Cup. under pressure in New Zea­ K.L. Rahul, who it would Saurashtra all­rounder can when six ODIs produced a to­ M.S. Dhoni (who had an Kedar Jadhav and Vijay. Match starts at 1:30 p.m.

IPL will have no bearing on WC selection: Kohli Aussies look for improvement

Chahal­Kuldeep duo best spin combination in the world, says India captain Finch angling for a long over­due victory

V.V. Subrahmanyam my game doesn't change, be­ difficult to get a few guys to Special Correspondent
HYDERABAD cause the template is the chip in with a few overs here HYDERABAD
India captain Virat Kohli says same. I always back myself in and there. Captain Aaron Finch says
he doesn't think the IPL will any position," he said. “We will have to work out the ODI series against India
have any influence on World "I think the Aussies know the batting combination to is a great opportunity for
Cup selection. the conditions here as many try and give game­time to the Australia to concentrate on
"We need to be absolutely of them play in the IPL. So, guys we want to. But, I don’t improvement in some areas
clear of what team we want we have to be at our absolute see the bowling combination after a very good T20 series
for the World Cup. I don’t see best. changing," he said. win.
anything changing on how “The focus is on winning On the 11th anniversary of “We're here to win. It’s
the IPL goes for any of the the series and not just expe­ leading India to the Under­19 been a long time since we
players,” Kohli said here on rimenting. We will continue World Cup win, a smiling won a one­day series here, On a high: Australia goes into the ODIs with its confidence
Friday. to experiment. We always Kohli said: “That was a long so we're very keen to keep boosted by the T20 series win. * K.V.S. GIRI
#398299
He rated the spin duo of want to improve as a team,” time ago. The one thing I re­ improving and win,” he said
Yuzvendra Chahal and Kul­ he said. member from that time was here on Friday. than No. 7, I'd imagine,” he On handling Kuldeep Ya­
deep Yadav as the strongest On Rishabh Pant getting we always had the belief we said. dav and Yuzvendra Chahal,
in the world right now. more chances in the series, could do it.” Maxwell’s form Finch admitted they he said: “the spin duo is a big
On their toes: K.L. Rahul, Kedar Jadhav and Siddarth Kaul will Kohli said it would depend Kohli was all praise for On Glenn Maxwell, Finch would have to manage the threat. They have had the
Impact bowlers be looking to stake their World Cup claims. * K.V.S. GIRI on the combination. “I don’t K.L. Rahul.“When he plays said: “He's been in great workload of the fast bowlers better of us in recent times.
“These guys are impact bow­ think playing a bowler short well, he operates at a diffe­ form. His one­day cricket over the next 10 ODIs as “We have been working
lers in the middle­overs, they On a suggestion he should needed he would be more is a good idea. Because with rent level. It’s good he’s in has been really good as well. most of them like Pat Cum­ hard on that and there are
have been outstanding,” he be batting at No. 4, Kohli said than happy to do it. "I have the extra fielder in till the great nick and hopefully he I'm not sure where he'll bat mins have been playing a lot plans in place for improve­
said. if that was what the team batted at that slot before and 40th over it becomes very can carry it forward. just yet, but it'll be higher of cricket. ment.”

TV PICKS Latham, Rawal tons Team on the right path, says Dhoni Not shifting

New Zealand vs Mohali, Delhi
Bangladesh: 1st Test, SS Se­ put Kiwis on top
lect 1 (SD & HD), 3.30 a.m. One of the fittest sides across all sport, avers former skipper ODIs: Khanna
NBA: Sony Ten 1 (SD & HD),
6.30 a.m. Agence France-Presse partnership by a New Zea­ Special Correspondent
Syed Mushtaq Ali T20: Star Hamilton HYDERABAD
Sports 2 (SD & HD), 9 a.m. & land pair. Press Trust of India
1.30 p.m. Centuries by Tom Latham Latham punished Bangla­ Star finisher M.S. Dhoni said Hyderabad
India vs Australia: 1st ODI: and Jeet Raval, and the best desh for dropping him be­ the Indian team was on the The BCCI has “no plans to
Star Sports 1 (SD & HD), 1.30 opening partnership for fore he had scored at the right path in its preparations shift” India’s final two ODIs
p.m. New Zealand in nearly half a start of the innings. for the World Cup. against Australia in Mohali
Snooker: Indian Open, Sony century left Bangladesh on “It is a long and demand­ and Delhi, acting­president
Ten 1 (SD & HD), 7 p.m. the ropes on day two of the He occupied the crease ing schedule and all the C.K. Khanna said on
ISL: Star Sports 2 (SD & HD), for more than six hours,
7.30 p.m. first Test here on Friday. scoring freely around the players are up for the chal­ Friday.
West Indies vs England: Kane Williamson, unbea­ ground and reaching the lenges ahead — gamewise The fourth ODI in Moha­
5th ODI, Sony Six (SD & HD), ten on 93, added to the run boundary with 17 fours as and physically. In fact, I must li is scheduled on March 10
8.30 p.m. fest in a century stand for well as hitting Mehidy Hasan say this Indian team is one of while the fifth game at Del­
the fourth wicket with Hen­ over the mid­wicket fence the fittest across all sport,” hi will be held on March 13.
IN BRIEF ry Nicholls. At stumps, New three times. said Dhoni at a promotional “There is certainly no
Zealand was 451 for four, Raval, frustrated by hold­ event of the specially de­ such plan to shift any of the
leading by 217. ing the New Zealand record signed Nike gear here on games. I can confirm that
Latham made 161, Raval for the most fifties (eight) Friday. both ODIs in Mohali and
notched up his maiden cen­ without a century, finally “Definitely, the 2007 T20 Dressed for success: Jemimah Rodrigues, Ajinkya Rahane, M.S. Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Harmanpreet Delhi are happening as per
tury with 132, while Nicholls got that monkey off his back World Cup and 2011 ODI Kaur and Prithvi Shaw at the unveiling of the Nike gear in Hyderabad. * K.V.S. GIRI schedule,” said Khanna.
departed two overs before in his 17th Test. World Cup triumphs mean a
stumps for 53. The scores: Bangladesh 234 vs lot. What impresses me most chase excellence to earn the performance in a season,” well and the goal was to win It’s Federer
ith the assistance of a flat New Zealand 451 for four in 118 about this team is the consis­ right to wear this jersey. Kohli said. the the next World Cup. Je­
Steve Smith returns to track, Latham and Raval put overs (Jeet Raval 132, Tom tency, about which I am real­ There is a lot of pride at­ India women’s T20 cap­ mimah Rodrigues, Ajinkya vs Tsitsipas
nets after elbow surgery on 254 for the first wicket — Latham 161, Kane Williamson ly proud of,” he said. tached and it is not someth­ tain Harmanpreet Kaur said Rahane and Prithvi Shaw
SYDNEY the third­highest opening 93 batting, Henry Nicholls 53). “My message to kids is to ing one gets with one good the team had been doing were also present.
Steve Smith has returned to
the nets after elbow surgery,
with Australia coach Justin
Langer expecting the banned A hotline to Churchill puts a spoke in Chennai City FC’s wheel
former captain and his
deputy David Warner to be fit the middle
for the Indian Premier Plaza’s brace caps a fine victory for the host
League. “Great to have my ANI
first hit back. The elbow is
London rected into goal by a sliding several chances.
feeling good,” Smith posted I-LEAGUE
to his 1.4 million Instagram Broadcasters in Australia Plaza. There were several an­
followers with a short video recently made a small ex­ K. Keerthivasan xious moments for CCFC ear­ Difficult pitch
periment where they al­ ly in the first half, and it CCFC head coach Akbar Na­
early on Friday. AFP VASCO
lowed no commentary in should consider itself lucky was cited the bouncy pitch Roger Federer. * REUTERS
cricket matches but stump Any plans Chennai City FC not to have conceded more as one of the reasons for the
microphones were turned had of celebrating a title win goals. defeat. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
on all the time. has been put on hold. The second session fol­ “There was no pressure DUBAI
The International Crick­ Requiring victory to bag lowed a pretty much similar on our team. The pitch was Roger Federer will play for
et Council (ICC) is now con­ the I­League crown, Chennai pattern. Plaza had an open difficult to play on, it was his 100th career title on Sa­
sidering replicating the City lost to a superior Chur­ goal but hit wide over the bouncy. It is not good for turday after demolishing
idea for the World Cup. chill Brothers 3­2 at the Tilak post. Churchill then surged competitive football. But full Borna Coric 6­2, 6­2 in the
Tournament director Steve Maidan Stadium here on Fri­ ahead through a brilliant credit to Churchill. They semifinals of the Dubai
Elworthy said he was in fa­ day. With 40 points, the ta­ strike by Lorougnon. The Championships.
Valencia to meet were better," he said.
Barcelona in final vour of it. “People want to ble topper has to wait till Ivory Coast forward struck a Churchill coach Petre Gi­ Federer will face Stefa­
get close to their heroes. March 9 and hope to put it Aerial duel: Churchill, CCFC players fight for possession. * PTI blinder after receiving a pass nos Tsitsipas in the final af­
MADRID giu was magnanimous in vic­
Valencia set up a Copa del They want to understand past Minerva at Coimbatore. from Wayne Vaz. tory. "I am sure Chennai City ter the Greek carved out a
Rey final with Barcelona as what goes on in the heat of Churchill came up with an free­kick by Sandro and the contention for the Golden Plaza scored the match­ will become champion." 4­6, 7­6(4), 7­6(4) win over
Rodrigo’s (in pic) goal in the battle. But you’ve also got attractive and attacking other a penalty conversion Boot award with Manzi. winner with a fierce shot The result: Churchill Brothers 3 Gael Monfils. Federer, 37,
56th minute secured a 1­0 to understand there are game, while CCFC was way by Pedro Manzi. Churchill equalised 10 mi­ from the centre after taking a (Willis Plaza 38 & 71, Christ Re­ was shocked by Tsitsipas in
second­leg win over Real sensitivities around these below par. Of CCFC’s two For Churchill, striker Wil­ nutes after Sandro's goal. A fine pass from Khalid Aucho. mi Loroungon 50) bt Chennai the fourth round of the
Betis on Thursday. It was 2­2 things. So it is a fine balanc­ goals, one came via a deflec­ lis Plaza scored a brace to fine cross by Nicholas from Not content, Churchill conti­ City FC 2 (Sandro 29, Pedro Australian Open in their
after the first leg. AFP ing act,” Elworthy said. tion off the ‘Wall’ through a complete 20 goals and is in the left was wonderfully di­ nued to attack, but missed Manzi 69). only previous meeting.
CM A ND-NDE
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