Confident Vidya hopes to go the distance at 6-red Worlds

September 28, 2013

VidyaBangalore, Sep 28: Having completed a rare double when she annexed the National 6-red snooker championship two days ago at Lucknow, the seasoned Vidya Pillai exuded confidence on her chances at the World 6-red Snooker Championship, due to kick off in Carlow, Ireland, on September 29.

Vidya, who took a sabbatical from the circuit to embrace motherhood before returning in stunning fashion this January in Gwalior when she lifted her seventh national 15-red snooker title with very little practice. She showed hunger for more glory, while beating Neena Praveen for the 6-red title as well in Lucknow on Wednesday.

Now, the 36-year-old, struggling to manage time between her love for the green baize and son Surya, leaves to Carlow where the women’s 6-red worlds is being staged for the first time with greater determination.

“Just like the 15-red event, I went to the 6-red with very little practice,” said Vidya. “Every title I win now is a bonus because I don’t practice as hard as I would’ve in my prime. Such victories give you a lot of confidence.

“The worlds is going to be a unique experience. This is the first time women will be involved in the 6-red format and I guess the shortness of it makes for some interesting games. I’m feeling very confident and I hope to go the distance.”

Apart from competing for individual honours, Vidya will also be teaming up young Arantxa Sanchis in the team event. Bangalore’s Chitra Magimairaj and Varsha Sanjeev will form the second team and will also be taking part in the individual championship.

“I honestly think we have a good chance. Chitra and I are there for experience while Varsha and Arantxa are extremely talented. Hope we are able to maintain the intensity.”

Besides Vidya, Chitra will be one of the cueists to watch out for after having won a 6-red snooker bronze medal early this year at the Asian Indoor Games in Incheon, Korea. “I am extremely disappointed with my Nationals show and I’m determined to make amends,” said Chitra who lost in the quarterfinals of the Nationals.

“I’m generally good at international events and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been practicing hard in the last few months and I hope to make the country proud yet again,” added Chitra.

The Indian contingent, including the men, left for Ireland in the wee hours of Saturday.

The squad: Men: Individual championship: Shivam Arora, Laxman?Rawat, Brijesh Damani, Manan Chandra, Shahbaaz Adil Khan.

Team: Manan Chandra/ Brijesh Damani; Shanbaaz Adil Khan/ Shivam Arora.

Women: Individual championship: Chitra Magimairaj, Vidya Pillai, Arantxa Sanchis, Varsha Sanjeev.

Team: Arantxa Sanchis/?Vidya Pillai; Chitra Magimairaj/ Varsha Sanjeev.

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News Network
February 29,2020

Feb 29: India were all out for 242 in their first innings following a stunning battling collapse, triggered by paceman Kyle Jamieson on the opening day of the second cricket Test against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval, here on Saturday.

India were steady at 194 for five at tea but lost wickets in quick succession after the play resumed. Jamieson returned figures of 14-3-45-5.

Hanuma Vihari top-scored for India with his combative 55 while Prithvi Shaw (54) and Cheteshwar Pujara (54) hit contrasting half-centuries.

Virat Kohli's (3) poor run continued while his deputy Ajikya Rahane (7) also fell cheaply.

India lost last five wickets for 48 runs, of which 26 were contributed by last-wicket pair of Mohammed Shami (16) and Jasprit Bumrah (10).

Brief Scores:

India 1st innings: 242 all out in 63 overs. (H Vihari 55, P Shaw 54, C Pujara 54 batting; Kyle Jamieson 5/45, Tim Southee 2/38, ).

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Agencies
January 26,2020

Chennai, Jan 26: Former India cricketer Kapil Dev on Saturday said that it will be a big loss for the Indian side when MS Dhoni decides to hang up his boots.

"I think he has served the country so well and nobody has done it like him. Everyone has to retire sooner or later. He is not playing matches currently. So I don't know when he will come out one day and say -- I have had enough. I think it will be our loss because he is such a fabulous cricketer," Dev told reporters here.

In the recently released BCCI contracts list, Dhoni did not find a place for himself. The former World Cup winning captain Dev said that it is unfortunate that Dhoni was not included in the contract list.

"I feel sorry that they have not included him. 

Tendulkar, Gavaskar had to witness the same. It's not my job and I am not there to give the contract to anyone. It is the job of the cricket board. So, I don't know. You can ask this question to the cricket board. They will be able to answer this question," Dev said.

The 38-year-old Dhoni is currently enjoying some time away from the game. He last played competitive cricket during the 2019 World Cup.

Dhoni had to face criticism for his slow batting approach during India's matches in the tournament. 

Especially in the games against England and New Zealand (semi-final), he had to bear the brunt of netizens, who deemed him as the reason for the Men in Blue's loss.

BCCI released the list of central contract list of players for the period from October 2019 to September 2020.

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News Network
March 4,2020

Mar 4: The BCCI has decided to implement strict cost cutting measures with the notable decision being IPL 2020 champions' prize money will be halved as compared to 2019. In a circular sent to all IPL franchises, the BCCI has notified that instead of a whopping Rs 20 crore, the IPL champion team will now receive Rs 10 crore only. "The financial rewards have been reworked as a part of the cost cutting measures. The champions will get Rs 10 crore instead of Rs 20 crore. The runners-up will get Rs 6.25 crore from earlier Rs 12.5 crore," a BCCI notification, in possession of news agency, read.

The two losing qualifiers will now get Rs 4.375 crore each.

"The franchises are all in good health. They also have multiple ways like sponsorships to bolster their income. Hence the decision on prize money taken," a senior BCCI source said.

However, a state association hosting IPL games will get Rs 1 crore each with franchises and BCCI contributing Rs 50 lakh each.

It has also been learnt that mid-level BCCI employees won't be allowed to avail business class flights like earlier times for flying to the Asian countries (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE) where the flying time is less than eight hours.

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