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SUNDAY SPPORTSORTS 6 23 DECEMBER 2018 CHENNAI Ravi Shastri ‘FITNESS UNDER SCANNER’ India coach Ravi Shastri Sunday revealed that senior spinner Ravindra Jadeja had ‘Top-order been suff ering from stiff shoulder from the time he was playing Ranji Trophy and was given injections four days after landing in Australia. Jadeja’s fi tness issue came up as a surprise as he was included in the 13-man squad for the second Test in Perth. And he fi elded for a major part of the two Australian innings as well, thus posing questions about Indian team’s injury management pro- problems are gramme. ‘Problem with Jadeja was that he had taken an injection four days after coming to Australia because of some stiff ness in his shoulder,’ Shastri said. ‘It has taken a while for that injection to settle down. He had some stiff ness when he was in India as well but he did play domestic cricket after that. Then he felt the same on coming here to Australia and he was injected,’ Shastri replied but it did raise ques- tions if the player travelled Down Under without being hundred percent fi t. a big concern’ ‘ Looking back at Perth, we felt he was 70-80 per cent fi t and we didn’t want to risk him in the second Test. If he is 80 per cent fi t here (Melbourne), he will play,’ u Ravi Shastri speaks tough, takes a dig at critics too said Shastri. Shastri didn’t take any names but in his inimitable style rubbished all criticism Responsibility and fi eld behaviour has been questioned by through the ranks and when you look at making it evident that he has not taken it the Australian experts. ‘He was fantastic. his domestic record, his performances are too well. ‘When you are millions of miles accountability has to be taken What is wrong with his behaviour? Of as good as anyone. So that’s a call we will away, it is very easy to fi re blanks. Their course, you can question but as far as we have to take,’ he added. comments are too far away and we are by the top order. I am sure are concerned, he is an absolute gentle- When asked if India have lost any in the Southern hemisphere. We have to man,’ said Shastri. Shastri however momentum in Perth, Shastri said that do what’s best for the team, as simple as they have got the experience admitted that top-order has been an issue the team are in a unique position at 1-1 that,’ the India head coach fi red a counter for the team with both KL Rahul and in the series, one they didn’t experience salvo at all the ex-cricketers, who haven’t and exposure over the last Murali Vijay failing in four successive in South Africa or England. ‘We have had exactly charitable comments about innings in the two Tests. not lost any morale in Perth. We knew Melbourne, Dec 23 (PTI): the team. few years to get out there and ‘Top-order problems are a big concern, we had our chances there in Perth as When asked about selection conundrum, that’s obvious. Responsibility and ac- well, so we are ready. We are at 1-1 in Ravi Shastri was dismissive of all the Shastri said the only dilemma is whether deliver,’ said Shastri countability has to be taken by the top a Test series in Australia. Very rarely fl ak that the Indian team copped taking to play Ravindra Jadeja or not unlike order. I am sure they have got the experi- have we been in a position (this year) a dig at critics for ‘fi ring blanks while what some experts made it out to be. ence and exposure over the last few years where we are 1-1, and it is not often for sitting million miles away’. India were ‘Apart from Jadeja, I don’t think there ‘I am never surprised (by such coverage). to get out there and deliver,’ said Shastri, a team, when they travel overseas, that humbled by Australia in the second Test was any other selection dilemma and if I love coverage, bring it on, as simple as backing Rahul-Vijay to come good. they are placed 1-1 with two Tests to go. in Perth by 146 runs, prompting the likes there was, it is not my problem,’ Shastri that. In many ways, it can inspire a team He did gave indication that team man- So the boys know what they can do and of legendary Sunil Gavaskar to question replied with his usual swagger. When to come together and let us hope it does,’ agement is seriously looking at Mayank what they are capable of. The potential the team management’s selection policies asked about Jadeja’s on-fi eld spat with Is- the coach said. Agarwal as an option. ‘Mayank is a good lies ahead. We will be third time lucky and demanding more accountability from hant Sharma that was caught on camera There was no surprises when Shastri young player. He has got loads of runs (after South Africa and England),’ Shastri captain Virat Kohli and the head coach. during the second Test, the coach replied, backed skipper Virat Kohli, whose on- for India A. He is someone who has come signed off. Tamilnadu boys Hyderabad Hunters start with win win sub-junior title Mumbai, Dec 23 (PTI): point for Hunters 10-15, 15-12, 15-14 on the and it looked like the Dutchman would | NT Bureau | decider point. runaway with the second game when he Hyderabad Hunters proved that they are Sen kicked off the proceedings of the opened up a 13-9 lead. Chennai, Dec 23: primed to defend the title they won last year fourth season with a mixture of sliced drops Lakshya, however, managed to close the when they took an unassailable lead of 3-0 and down the line smashes and followed gap to just one point before a slip between Tamilnadu defeated Telangana in the lead over newcomers Pune 7 Aces in the them up with quick tap on the net to win the rally cost him the point and Caljouw fi nal to win the sub-junior boys Trophy at Premier Badminton League that started here points in the opening game. The Asian wrapped up the game on the fi rst op- the 80th Cadet and Sub-Junior National Saturday. junior champion went into the mid game portunity. But the late fi ghtback seemed Table Tennis Championships in Chandi- They took the lead even before P V Sind- interval of the fi rst game leading 8-6 and to have rejuvenated Sen who raced to a garh recently. hu and Carolina Marin took the court for though Caljouw tried to fi ght back with 5-0 lead in the decider and changed ends The 3-0 verdict in fa- the marque encounter of the fourth sea- an aggressive game plan, the Indian was with a fi ve-point advantage at 8-3. vour of Tamilnadu in the son, scoring 4-(-1) points. The Pune team always in control and wrapped up the game However, it was the experience of world final must have come sprung a surprise by fi elding junior world 15-10. number 35 Caljouw that mattered the as a disappointment championship bronze medallist Lakshya In the second game, Sen opened up a 4-0 most in the fi nal analysis as he forced for Telangana, but Sen for the opening men’s singles tie and lead before Caljouw fought back with four the youngster out of his comfort zone the boys from the new the 18-year-old almost pulled off an upset straight points and then started to test and pulled the match off on the decider state deserved all the ap- against world number 35 Mark Caljouw. the Indian’s patience by playing longer point by suddenly changing the speed preciation for edging out overwhelming Solskjaer praises The youngster was solid in defence and show- rallies. The ploy worked as he managed of the rally. Pune 7 Aces then suffered title contender Delhi 3-2 in the semi-fi nals. cased some of his trick shots but it was Caljouw to win four of the next six points to open a major reversal when they lost their With Preyesh Suresh Raj and Vishwa who had the last laugh as he bagged the first up an 8-6 lead at the midgame interval trump match. Deenadayalan in its ranks, TN had players after stylish win the experience and guile. So, it was no surprise that it came first. However, Cardiff, Dec 23 (AFP): TN sub-junior girls were not lucky as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised his Man- MANGAONKAR, MALHOTRA ENTER FINAL Karnataka won 3-2 in a thrilling final chester United players after they gave to claim the title. Mumbai, Dec 23 (PTI): UP’s Ranjit Singh (UP) 11-6, disposed Yash Fadte of Goa got the better of joint 3rd-4th him the perfect start to his reign with a In the final, in the fifth rubber 11-6, 12-10 in the semi-fi nal. showed tremendous resilience seed Rahul Baitha 12-10, 11-4, 5-1 victory at Cardiff just days after Jose Tamilnadu\92s Kavyashree Baskar had National champion Mahesh Malhotra, also from the host and ousted top seed Tushar 11-9 in the other semi-fi nal. Mourinho was sacked. beaten Anargaya Manjunath 3-2 to level the Mangaonkar and second seed state, brushed aside his state- Sahani of Maharashtra in four Other results: Boys’ U-15 Former United striker Solskjaer had just score 2-2.

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