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THE HINDU DELHI SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2020 SPORT 15 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE How Azharuddin opened up Dhoni will get one ICC Board discusses last chance: Banerjee contingency plan Press Trust of India selves. The ICC manage a new chapter for Tendulkar NEW DELHI Childhood coach says the icon is using ment will continue our con The International Cricket tingency planning around Former India skipper recalls the tour which saw the ‘Little Master’ don a new role the facilities at home to stay fi t Council (ICC) Board dis ICC events and will also Press Trust of India cussed, via teleconference, work with Members to ex CRICKET KOLKATA on Friday various contin plore all options available to M.S. Dhoni’s muchantici gency plans for its fl agship us based on a range of sce V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM pated comeback with the tournaments, including the narios connected to the HYDERABAD IPL may not happen any World T20 and World Test pandemic.” Mohammad Azharuddin and time soon, but his child Championship, in the wake When a Board member Sachin Tendulkar shared a hood coach Keshav Ranjan of COVID19 pandemic. Sou was asked what happens if special bond when it came to Banerjee remains hopeful rav Ganguly was welcomed England, which is due to scripting some of the most that the wicketkeeperbat as the BCCI representative host Pakistan and West In memorable moments in In sman will fi nd a place in In on the Board. dies at home is unable to do dian cricket history. dia’s T20 World Cup squad. ICC Chief Executive Manu so, he said the matter of On March 27, 1994, at “In the current scenario, Sawhney said, “We continue points allocation will be re Auckland in New Zealand, the IPL looks unlikely and to undertake a comprehen ferred to the technical com skipper Azhar, in consulta we will have to wait for sive business continuity and mittee. tion with the manager Ajit Mohammad Azharuddin. BCCI’s call. His (Dhoni’s) po contingency planning exer A couple of Board mem
Wadekar, promoted Tendul * FILE PHOTO: K.V.S. GIRI sition will become tough ob cise which will allow us to bers felt that World T20 in kar to open the innings for viously. But my sixth sense adapt to the rapidly evolving Australia is not under threat the fi rst time, and the rest is knew Sachin had the talent. says he will get a chance in world in which we fi nd our as it is still some time away. history. The gifted cricketer He just needed that oppor the T20 World Cup, which M.S. Dhoni. responded with a stunning tunity to showcase his abun will be his last,” Banerjee * FILE PHOTO: K. PICHUMANI onslaught on the Kiwi bow dance of talent,” Azhar said. told PTI from Ranchi. ling, scoring a 49ball 82 But, what was it about Sa The Chennai Super Kings badminton court, and a run Disappointing to see our (15x4, 2x6). chin’s batting that made you captain trained in Ranchi in ning corridor.” How exactly did that mate take the call? “He is an attack the lead up to IPL 2020 and “Let’s wait for the BCCI’s sincerity questioned: rialise? “I had been noticing ing batsman and with the also led the camp in decision. There are no tour that nothing big was happen fi eld restrictions on, we Chennai. nament. ICC tournaments ing with Sachin even though thought once he gets going “I spoke to him last after are off till June. So we will BWF secretarygeneral he was batting well at No. 5 half the job is done for the he returned from Chennai have to wait and see.” placing money above and 6. We (Wadekar sir and I) team,” the 57yearold, form and I’m in constant touch Head coach Ravi Shastri BADMINTON players’ safety. talked on this issue and de er India captain said. with his parents. He’s doing had earlier said the IPL Press Trust of India In an open letter, BWF se cided to let Sachin open after Even Sachin acknow his fi tness training and is ful would decide the fate of NEW DELHI cretary general Thomas regular opener Sidhu (Navjot ledged it in his autobiography ly fi t. Dhoni, who turns 39 in July. The Badminton World Fed Lund said the decision to go Singh) was unwell,” recalled Playing It My Way. “I went India greats including Su eration said it is “disap ahead with the All England Azhar, in an exclusive chat up to Azhar and our manager Experience counts nil Gavaskar and Virender pointing” that some top Championships was made with The Hindu on Friday. Ajit Wadekar, a former India “True that he has not played Sehwag had raised a ques players questioned its “sin based on the best advice at captain and a leading bat a tournament (since July tion mark on the return of cerity and motives” when it that time. Sachin’s desire sman of his time, and plead 2019) but for someone with the 2011 World Cupwinning continued with the All En “It has been very disap “And, importantly, Sachin al ed with them to give me an 538 International matches, I skipper. gland Championships des pointing to see some mem so wanted to open and we are opportunity at the top of the don’t think it would take “I’m sure BCCI (presi pite the rapidlygrowing bers of the badminton com glad that he went on to be order,” he wrote. much time to adjust.” dent, selectors, captain) are threat of COVID19 pandem munity speculate on the come one of the greatest bat “I can’t take credit for his “He trained in Chennai aware of the scenario. They Smashing start: Sachin Tendulkar’s 82 off 49 balls — after he ic. The decision to conduct sincerity and motives of the smen of alltime,” he added. achievements. In fact, nobo for a week or so. Now he’s will make the announce volunteered to open — made a mockery of New Zealand’s the event came for sharp BWF in this time of crisis,” “I won’t say I was sur dy can. He had the talent to total of 142 at Eden Park, Auckland, on March 27, 1994. making use of the facilities ment when it’s the right criticism from the top shut Lund wrote. “Our number prised by his response, I go places,” Azhar felt. * FILE PHOTO: V.V. KRISHNAN at home. He has a gym, a time,” Banerjee added. tlers of the world, including one concern has always Saina Nehwal, who had ac been the health and safety We will talk about Adhere to lockdown rules, pleads Kartik cused the administrators of of all of our participants.” IPL later: Rohit The experience of isolation when injured has helped the former India cricketer Shukla contributes MLA VIJAY LOKAPALLY the past now helps him cope Let life get back to normal fi rst, NEW DELHI with the lockdown. salary, BCCI pension For a man used to “living out “I have had several injuries says the opening batsman Press Trust of India of a suitcase”, former India that kept me in isolation. NW DELHI Press Trust of India spinner Kartik Murali has When I had my knee and Mumbai “adapted” to a life indoors. shoulder operated on I could Former India cricketer Lax Sport is of least priority in The cricketer has lost little not move out. I once got hit in mi Ratan Shukla, currently these troubled times, feels time in accepting the situation Pakistan and I have had jaw the sports minister of West India batsman Rohit Shar and also strictly adhering to bone surgery. Bengal, has donated his ma, who wants to talk about lockdown rules. “Once I was in bed for two three months’ MLA salary, IPL only after normalcy re “This is something that has Forced break: Kartik Murali had a back injury during the 2001 months. The back injury kept along with his BCCI pension turns. never happened in our life. series against Australia in which V.V.S. Laxman and Harbhajan me out of the 2001 ‘V.V.S. Lax for the same period, to fi ght Rohit, who has been out Can we fret or fume about it? Singh were India’s stars. * FILE PHOTO: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA manHarbhajan Singh’ series COVID19. Laxmi Ratan Shukla of action for last two Do we have control over it? (against Australia). All those “It is the need of the hour * FILE PHOTO: P.K. AJITH KUMAR months due to calf muscle From day one I never pan stranded all over the country. in a chat with The Hindu. occasions were spent at that we all contribute to the injury was due for a come icked. It was acceptance of the There will be issues to sort out He spoke of his “respect” home,” he said. best of our abilities. I have month’s salary to the Assam back in the Indian Premier extraordinary circumstances. in future, but now the chal for people working to keep already donated three government to help it com bat COVID19. Hima is em League, which has been Rohit. * FILE PHOTO: VIJAY SONEJI “Focus was on ways to curb lenge is to protect yourself and others safe. “My heart goes out Things to do months of my MLA salary to postponed till April 15 but it now that the outbreak has others. It pains all of us to see to the health workers. To the A voracious reader — like Sunil the Chief Minister’s Relief ployed with Indian Oil as an stands a good chance of get mate Yuzvendra Chahal. happened. I have always been so many people struggling. doctors. To all the people pro Gavaskar, W.V. Raman and Fund. HR offi cer in Guwahati. ting cancelled if the prevail Thanks to the lockdown, an outdoors person — golf, “I am shocked to see people viding essential things risking Deep Dasgupta — Kartik has a “I also get pension from She joins a growing list of ing situation continues. all the Indian metropolis are cricket, travelling — but not venturing out for walks as if their own safety. I pray for few books to fi nish. the BCCI and I have donated sports personalities who “We should fi rst think wearing a deserted look. anymore. these are normal times. If you them daily. “I am currently reading The three months of that too,” have come forward to pro about the country. The sit “I haven’t seen Bombay “For the sake of the world, I want to walk, walk inside your “I fi rmly believe that Lone Empress on the life of said Shukla, who played vide fi nancial aid to fi ght the uation needs to get better like this before. As cricke have to stay indoors. I may house. There is a compelling prayers and faith can move Jayalalithaa [former Tamil Na three ODIs for India in 1999 pandemic. fi rst then we can talk about ters, we don’t get time with miss my golf, but that is the reason why the authorities mountains,” said Kartik, who du Chief Minister]. Next will be and was part of IPLwinning The Assam Cricket Asso the IPL. Let life get back to family. So much of tours and smallest thing in the larger want us to say at home. You has made arrangements for HalfLion on P.V. Narasimha KKR team. ciation off ered to convert normal fi rst,” Rohit said. cricket is there. scheme of my responsibilities can read, connect with the families of the domestic Rao [former Prime Minister]. I the Barsapara Stadium into The opener was respond “This is a time to spend to the planet,” he says. friends, family and yourself. helps employed by him. also have a list of movies to Hima’s gesture a quarantine centre as the ing to questions during an with them and loads of it,” “It is a luxury to be at home, You can do what you could not Time spent in isolation watch. We can all fi nd ways to Meanwhile, India sprinter state government braced up Instagram chat with team said Rohit. remember the homeless for so many years,” Kartik said while attending to injuries in be busy. Stay at home, please.” Hima Das has donated a for the COVID19 pandemic.
Key questions that Wimbledon faces Age factor worries Tarundeep Rai But says, ‘the good thing is that we have already qualifi ed’ Agence France-Presse For example, in the 2017 LONDON 2018 fi scal year, it was ARCHERY we have already qualifi ed. The All England Club will reported that Wimbledon The younger generation of hold an emergency generated $336 million Y.B. Sarangi the country can also get a meeting next week to with a pretax profi t of $52 KOLKATA chance (as the quota place discuss the possible million. Over 90%of that Following the postponement belongs to the country), and postponement or even was ploughed into British of the Tokyo Games, 36year should grab it as they will not cancellation of Wimbledon tennis. old archer Tarundeep Rai get another such in the light of the The BBC, which has only one concern – he is opportunity.” coronavirus pandemic. broadcasts Wimbledon, getting older. Sharing his ideas about AFP Sport looks at the will have a twoweek black Waiting to compete in his training during the lock key questions facing the hole if the event is called third Olympics in his 17year down, Tarundeep said, organisers of the world’s off . It reportedly shells out international career, two “Whatever archeryspecifi c most prestigious tennis Much to mull over: The organisers of The Championships around $72 million a year time World championships exercises are there, one tournament. will have lots to ponder about before deciding the fate for the rights. team silver medallist Tarun should do that. In this age of of this year’s event. * GETTY IMAGES deep is assessing the chal internet, everything is avail What are the options for Who would be the losers of lenges the new scenario may able on the phone. One Wimbledon this year? peak and the United of that opening would a cancelled Wimbledon? pose for him. should take advantage of Wimbledon, scheduled to Kingdom has been badly solve little. As well as the purely that. When the lockdown take place from June 29 hit. “At this time, based on sporting implications of a Loss for athletes ends, then one should be until July 12, has been Health is the top issue the advice we have binned Wimbledon, “The postponement is a loss ready to resume shooting.” staged every year in peace for an event which attracts received from the public Britain’s wellheeled for every athlete. In my case, time since 1877, shelved not only the superstars of health authorities, the would suff er a jolt to their I am 36 years old. Next year, Stuck away from home only during the two world the sport, but also close to very short window busy summer social I will be 37. I am not getting Tarundeep, who has not wars. 500,000 spectators each available to us to stage The season. younger, but if I train harder, been to his home in Sikkim The grass court season year as well as 6,000 staff Championships due to the The Henley Royal then I will not lag behind. for about a year now, was is relatively short, fi ve and around 3,200 nature of our surface Regatta on the River But, I have to start afresh,” part of the national camp at weeks for the leading accredited media. suggests that Thames, a feature since Tarundeep told The Hindu. the Army Sports Institute, events, so Wimbledon postponement is not 1839, has already been Tarundeep, who compet Pune. Even after the camp would appear to have time Why can’t the tournament without signifi cant risk cancelled. Wary eyes will ed in 2004 Athens and 2012 was shut down on March 22, on its side. be played later in the year? and diffi culty. Playing now be cast towards June’s London Olympics, bagged he could not go home owing However, building and A slot has opened up in behind closed doors has Royal Ascot, which has recurve men’s team silver to the lockdown. preparation work at the All the calendar after the been formally ruled out,” drawn British royalty and medals in 2005 Madrid and In the time of social dis England Club site in leafy postponement of the said a spokesman. the cream of society since 2019 Den Bosch World tancing, Tarundeep, never southwest London takes Tokyo Olympics until next 1911. championships. theless, is happy to have two months to complete year. What would be the The British tabloids The Armyman looked at stayed connected with his fa and is set to start at the However, Wimbledon fi nancial implications of a would also be stripped of the brighter side. “We have mily from a distance. “At cancelled Wimbledon? end of April. organisers know that a their twoweek to take it positively. The ar least, I am safe here and my There is also the issue of postponement by a just The tournament is an Wimbledon headline chery community may suff family is safe in Sikkim. I am Starting afresh: While he is not getting younger, Tarundeep when the coronavirus will fortnight to take advantage annual moneyspinner. bonanza and celebrity fi x. er, if we look at the nega getting a lot of time to speak Rai feels that if he trains harder, he will not lag behind. tives. The good thing is that to my family,” he said. * FILE PHOTO: M. MOORTHY
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