Indian men post third straight win

September 1, 2012

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Harikrishna defeated former world championship candidate Alexander Beliavsky, while Gupta accounted for Malej Sebenik to ensure a 3-1 victory for the team while the other two games ended in draws.

For the third day running the Indian eves matched their male counterparts. Former Asian queen Tania Sachdev turned out to be the Indian ace here as she scored a much needed victory over Lilit Galojan, while three boards ended in truce.

Thanks to the third victory in as many matches, the Indian men and women find themselves on the top board in the fourth round in respective sections.

This is inspirational given the fact that both teams are without their best players — world champion Viswanathan Anand and Koneru Humpy.

For the record, it’s a 13-way lead in the open section and Indian men take on higher ranked United States in the next round.

The other leaders are, Russia, China, Azerbaijan, Germany, France, England, Philippines, Armenia, Ukraine, Poland and Hungary who all have an identical six match points from a possible three matches.

Important results, Round III (Open): Slovakia (5) drew with Bosnia & Herzegovina (5) 2-2; Venezuela (4) lt to USA (6) 0.5-3.5; Faroe Islands (4) lt to Azerbaijan (6) 0.5-3.5; France (6) bt Bulgaria (4) 2.5-1.5; England (6) bt Cuba (4) 3-1; Ukraine (6) bt Israel (4) 2.5-1.5; Armenia (6) bt Spain (4) 2.5-1.5; India (6) bt Slovenia (4) 3-1; Iran (4) lt to Germany (6) 0-4; Romania (4) lt to China (6) 1-3; Kazakhstan (4) lt to Philippines (6) 0-4; Russia (6) bt Latvia (4) 2.5-1.5; Hungary (6) bt Switzerland (4) 3-1; Poland (6) bt Chile (4) 3-1.

Women: China (5) drew with Ukraine (5) 2-2; Georgia (5) drew with Germany (5) 2-2; Poland (6) bt Hungary (4) 3.5-0.5; Austria (4) lt to France (6) 1-3; Serbia (6) bt Spain (4) 3.5-0.5; Slovenia (5) drew with Kazakhstan (5) 2-2; Russia (6) bt Mongolia (4) 3.5-0.5; USA (5) drew with Uzbekistan (5) 2-2; India (6) bt Armenia (4) 2.5-1.5; Romania (4) lt to Czech Republic (6) 1.5-2.5; Slovakia (6) bt Israel (4) 2.5-1.5; Argentina (6) bt Turkey (4) 2.5-1.5.

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CSK's success due to Dhoni's instincts, behind-the-scenes work, feel Dravid and Srinivasan

Agencies

August 2,2020

New Delhi, Aug 2: Batting great Rahul Dravid has attributed Chennai Super Kings' consistent run in the IPL to skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's instincts, game-smarts and the incredible amount of work that goes behind the scenes.

N Srinivasan, the former BCCI president and head of India Cements, which owns the CSK franchise, agreed that Dhoni is a man of instinct who doesn't believe in attending team meetings and going over data.

Both were speaking at a webinar organised by the Great Lakes Institute of Management.

"If you look at the success CSK has had, they've got really good access to data and they've got really good access to people behind the scenes and they've run cricket teams at the junior level," Dravid said at the webinar according to ESPNcricinfo.

The former India captain added, "They understand talent and they've obviously got a good scouting process in place. But, what they also have is a captain who really understands instincts.

"So, I mean, look, I know Dhoni quite well and I hope he hasn't changed, but I know Dhoni is probably not one to look at reams of data and statistics."

The Super Kings have won the lucrative tournament three times -- one less than Mumbai Indians -- and reached the knockouts in each of the 10 seasons they have been a part of.

Srinivasan also spoke about how Dhoni's instinct and judgement contributed to his team's success at a time when a lot of emphases is placed on data.

"We're awash with data just now. To give you an example, there are bowling coaches and in a T20 game, they play videos of every batsman whom they're going to come against and they see how he got out, what's his strength, what's his weakness etc.

"So, MS Dhoni doesn't attend this, he's a pure instinct man. The bowling coach, (head coach Stephen) Fleming will be there and everybody will be there, everyone is giving opinions, (but) he'll get up and go.

"In the context of instinct, he feels that okay he can assess a batsman or player on the field, that's his judgement. On the other hand, there is so much of data that is available to help a person also analyse. It's a very difficult line to draw (between data and instinct)."

Srinivasan also recalled how Dhoni once refused to take "one outstanding player" suggested by the franchise boss as that could have broken the team's cohesion.

"There was one outstanding player that we suggested to MS, he said: 'no sir, he will spoil the team'. The cohesion within the team is important and see in America, franchise-based sport has been there for such a long time," he said.

"In India, we're just starting and we're new to it. But we at India Cements have had a lot of experience running teams at junior levels."

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Chahal among best in world, can get better with better use of crease: Mushtaq Ahmed

News Network

May 4,2020

May 4: Yuzvendra Chahal is among the best leg-spinners in international cricket right now but he can be more effective with better use of the crease, says former Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed.

Ahmed picked Chahal, Australia's Adam Zampa and Pakistan's Shadab Khan among the top leg-spinners in white-ball cricket.

"Chahal as been impressive. He is definitely among the top leg-spinners of the world. And I feel he would be more effective if he uses the crease a lot more," Ahmed said.

Ahmed, who has coached all around the world and is currently a consultant for his native team, said India's ability to take wickets in the middle-overs in the limited overs format through Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav has been a game-changer for them.

Both the wrist-spinners were brought into India's limited overs set-up following the 2017 Champions Trophy. Though, of late, both Chahal and Kuldeep havn't been playing together.

"He (Chahal) can go wide of the crease at times. You got to be smart enough to understand pitches. If it is a flat pitch, you can bowl stump to stump," said Ahmed, one of the best leg-spinners Pakistan has produced.

"If the ball is gripping, you can go wide of the crease because you can trouble even the best of batsmen with that angle. That way your googly also doesn't turn as much as the batsman expects and you end up taking a wicket."

Chahal has taken 91 wickets in 52 ODIs at 25.83 and 55 wickets in 42 T20s at 24.34. He is not a huge turner of the ball but uses his variations very effectively.

Ahmed also feels the likes of Chahal and Kuldeep have benefitted immensely from former captain M S Dhoni's advice from behind the stumps.

"You have got to be one step ahead of the batsman. You should know your field position as per the batsman's strength. I always say attack with fielders not with the ball. If you understand that theory, you will always be successful," the 49-year-old, who played 52 Tests and 144 ODIs, said.

"India has become a force to reckon with in all three formats as it uses its bowlers really well. Dhoni was a master at getting the best out of his bowlers in limited overs cricket and now you have Virat Kohli."

He also said the art of leg-spin remains relevant more than ever.

"You need leg-spinners and mystery spinners in your team as they have the ability to take wickets at any stage of the game. I see a lot of them coming through in the next 10-15 years.

"Most batsmen now like playing express pace but with a good leg-spinner in the team, you are always in the game," added member of the 1992 World Cup-winning squad.

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Virat Kohli only Indian again in Forbes' list of highest-paid athletes

News Network

May 30,2020

New York, May 30: Cricket superstar Virat Kohli remains the only Indian in the Forbes' list of world's highest-paid athletes with total earnings of USD 26 million, jumping to the 66th spot from 100 in the 2020 standings.

Kohli's earnings from endorsement stand at USD 24 million and USD 2 million from salary/winnings. The 31-year-old is also the only cricketer in the top-100 list.

With earnings of USD 25 million, Kohli was ranked 100th in 2019 and 83rd in 2018 with USD 24 million.

Tennis legend Roger Federer has toped the list for the first time with earnings of USD 106.3 million, rising from fifth place last year.

Football icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are second and third respectively with earnings of USD 105 and USD 104 million.

The others in the top-10 are Neymar (football), LeBron James (basketball), Stephen Curry (basketball), Kevin Durrant (basketball), Tigers Woods (golf), Kirk Cousins (American football) and Carson Wentz (American football).

The athletes' earnings have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic which led to suspension of sporting activities all around the world.

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Saina Nehwal is the only Indian to feature in the world’s 20 most charitable athletes, as per a list compiled by the US based website in Athletes Gone Good.