THE HIMALAYAN MAIL JAMMU Q FRIDAY Q MARCH 26, 2021 11

Injured Iyer exits bio-secure bub- Torch relay for Tokyo Olympics ble; says will be back soon stronger kicks off its 121-day journey TOKYO, MARCH 25: isolated parts of the coun- Iyer dislocated his left shoulder while fielding during the first ODI against England The torch relay for the post- try. Vaccinations have not everyone.” poned Tokyo Olympics be- been rolled out yet in Japan The 26-year-old Iyer is gan its 121-day journey to the general public. About also unlikely to play for across Japan on Thursday 9,000 deaths in the country English county side Lan- and is headed toward the have been attributed to cashire in their one-day opening ceremony in Tokyo COVID-19. tournament. on July 23. About 10,000 runners Lancashire had on Mon- The relay began in north- are expected to take part, day announced the signing eastern Fukushima prefec- with the relay touching of Iyer for the tournament ture, the area that was dev- Japan’s 47 prefectures. starting on July 23. astated by the 2011 After the postponement a Iyer suffered the injury in earthquake, tsunami and year ago, there was early the eighth over of the Eng- the meltdown of three nu- talk of eliminating the relay land innings when he dived clear reactors. About to save money. However, on a drive hit by Jonny 18,000 died in the tragedy. that idea was quickly The first runner with the Fans were told to social- with a statement. dropped with the relay Bairstow off pacer Shardul distance along the roadside “The Olympic torch relay Thakur. torch was Azusa heavily sponsored by Coca- Iwashimizu, a key player in as the torch passes, and starting from today is a Cola and Toyota. He looked in tremendous they were to refrain from valuable opportunity for the pain as he left the field the Japan team that won The relay is a prelude to the Women’s in loud cheering. Organizers people to get a real sense of the difficulties the Olympics clutching his shoulder. have said they will stop or the Olympics and Para- On Tuesday, the BCCI 2011. and Paralympics will pre- Wearing a white track reroute the relay if crowd- lympics that are approach- sent with 15,400 athletes had stated, “Shreyas Iyer ing becomes a problem dur- ing,” Suga told reporters. subluxated (partially dislo- suit, she carried the torch entering Japan, along with out of the J-Village indoor ing the four-month parade. Local organizers and the thousands of other officials, cated) his left shoulder in Spectators cooperated in International Olympic PUNE, MARCH 25: ing the first ODI against the injury even stronger. soccer training center and judges, VIPs, media, and the 8th over while fielding. Naraha Town, just down Committee hope the relay Injured India batsman England on Tuesday and he “You know what they say, was surrounded by 14 other broadcasters. He has been taken for fur- the road from where the will turn public opinion in Shreyas Iyer has left the is set to undergo surgery, the greater the setback, the members of that 2011 Athletes will be kept in a ther scans.” torch started its trip. A few Japan in favour of the bio-secure bubble here af- which will rule him out of stronger the comeback. I World Cup squad and coach “bubble” like atmosphere in Iyer had led Delhi Capi- hundred people stood on Olympics. Sentiments ex- ter he was ruled out of the action for a minimum four shall be back soon,” Iyer Norio Sasaki at the rear. Tokyo and will be limited to tals to the final in the previ- the roadside and were pressed in polls in Japan so ongoing ODI series against months. tweeted. They were also decked out the Athletes Village on ous edition of the IPL. safely spread out. far are overwhelmingly neg- England as well as the en- “Shreyas Iyer has exited “I’ve been reading your in white track suits. Tokyo Bay, the competition In his absence, the DC “At first I didn’t think ative with about 80% sug- tire IPL starting next month the bio-bubble,” the BCCI messages and have been The ceremony was closed venues and training areas. captaincy could be handed much of it,” said 20-year- gesting another delay or even as he vowed to come said on Thursday ahead of overwhelmed by all the out- to the public because of the Most others will be outside to either Rishabh Pant, old Takumu Kimura. “But cancellation. back even stronger. the second ODI here. pouring of love and sup- fear of spreading COVID-19 the bubble and will be kept Australian Steve Smith or when I actually saw it, it felt The relay and the Iyer dislocated his left Earlier in the day, Iyer port. Thank you from the but was streamed live. at a distance from the ath- senior off-spinner R Ash- like: — yes, it’s the Olympics both stir fear that shoulder while fielding dur- vowed to come back from bottom of my heart to win. “The torch of Tokyo 2020 letes. will become a bright light Olympics.” the events could spread the Organizers announced a for hope for Japanese citi- Setsuko Hashimoto, a 63- virus. There is also opposi- few days ago that fans from zens and citizens in the year-old local resident, was tion to the soaring cost of abroad will be banned from Gaganjeet Bhullar, Shubhankar Sharma world and a light at the end emotional as the torch staging the Olympics, now attending the Olympics and of the tunnel,” said Seiko passed. put officially at $15.4 bil- Paralympics. Most volun- Hashimoto, the president of “Ten years ago there was a lion. Several audits suggest teers from abroad have also make cut at Kenya Savannah Classic the local organizing com- nuclear accident so (seeing it’s twice that much and a been ruled out. mittee and a former the torch) it felt like I could University of Oxford study Organizers are to an- NAIROBI (KENYA), MARCH result. Olympian herself. really look forward to some- says these are the most ex- nounce the venue capacities 25: Indians Gaganjeet Bhullar and In the second round, Bhullar had Homare Sawa, the thing and live,” she said. pensive Olympics on in April. Ticket revenue for Shubhankar Sharma landed an eagle four birdies and an eagle against two biggest star on the 2011 “When you become my age, record. the Olympics was to be and a birdie, respectively, on the clos- bogeys, while Sharma had six birdies team, missed the ceremony. this is the last Tokyo The relay is a big test for $800 million but will be se- ing hole to make the midway cut at the against a double and two bogeys. She is being treated for a Olympics and it’s here. It the upcoming Olympics verely reduced by the lack of Kenya Savannah Classic here. Chawrasia, who was in trouble after condition affecting her in- was very touching.” with fear among the public fans. Japanese government However SSP Chawrasia, despite a 75 in first round, needed a blinder on ner ear and had to withdraw Prime Minister Yoshihide that the event could spread entities will have to make getting six birdies on the front nine of the second nine. He did have a sensa- from the event. Suga chimed in from Tokyo the virus to rural and more up the shortfall. the course and his own second nine, tional stretch with six birdies, but that missed out at the halfway stage with still saw him fall well short. rounds of 75-66. eagled each of Chinki leads gold rush, is a Tokyo certainty Bhullar sitting the wrong side of the the three par fives at Karen Country cut-line at 3-under, holed his second Club as the South African moved into a NEW DELHI, shot on par-4 ninth, his closing hole to one-stroke lead at the halfway point. MARCH 25: In a historic leap to 5-under and make the week- The 30-year-old, who won four of first, the Indian girls swept end cut. birdie on the 18th to stay on in the his seven titles in the the podium places in the 25 Sharma, sitting pretty at 6-under for tournament and he did. 2020 season, had ten threes on his metre pistol competition. 29 holes made things difficult for him- Bhullar, second at card on day two in Nairobi – three of Chinki Yadav pipped her self with a double bogey on par-5 12th and tied 16th at , will have them birdies and three of them eagles – more experienced and ac- and bogeys on 16th and 17th. a chance to make up over the weekend as a seven under par 64 added to his complished teammates That left him with a task of getting a as will Sharma, who is due for a good opening 65 for a 13 under pat total. Rahi Sarnobat and Manu Bhaker in the closely con- tested final. Both Chinki and Rahi, Ishan, Suryakumar deserve to be part of who finished 1-2, started shots. Rahi had fought back the win. Rahi, meanwhile, was slowly after failing to score from eighth early on to sec- The win also puts away all happy the way the competi- hits, ie shots registering ond. speculation about Chinki’s tion went. “I had come here India’s T20 World Cup squad: Laxman 10.2 points and above. Manu eventually finished place in the Tokyo-bound to get back to competing Manu, with three hits af- NEW DELHI, MARCH 25: New- cause what we have seen in this series is players can make it to the squad with third with 28 hits. The final team, with the National Rifle again. See we did not com- ter the first series of five comers Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar that lot of youngsters have capitalised some good performances in the up- went to the wire when Rahi Association of India (NRAI) pete at all because of pan- shots, was third, while Yadav have capitalised on the opportu- on their opportunities,” Laxman said coming IPL. and Chinki both finished president Raninder Singh demic. So I am happy that I nities to deserve a place in India’s T20 on Star Sports show ‘Cricket Con- “There is a lot of time remaining Chinki stood sixth with two tied on 32 hits after the 50- confirming that today’s am back competing again,” World Cup squad later this year, said nected’. “But the way Ishan Kishan from now to the start of the World and Rahi was seventh with shot final. Chinki edged winner would be part of the she said. “All three of us former India batsman VVS Laxman. played in his debut innings and then Cup. In between, there is an IPL tour- only a solitary hit. However, Rahi 4-3 in the shoot-off to team. were in the fight. I over- The 22-year-old Ishan and Suryaku- also the way Suryakumar Yadav nament as well. So, taking into ac- as the final progressed, so win her maiden ISSF World The 23-year-old did mar, 30, made dream starts to their in- played, I think both of them will defi- count on how the decisions have been did the unpredictability. came a deficit to come Cup medal. Chinki conceded that specu- within touching distance of ternational careers with the former nitely be in my squad of 15. made, I believe that there are still a lot Chinki jumped to tied top “I am happy because this lations regarding her place smashing a 32-ball 56 on debut and “It’s a tough choice, but I think both of spots that are up for grabs,” he said. by registering five hits. The the gold medal. We have a is my first medal in a World in the Olympics team did af- lot of talent and it showed the latter scoring 57 off 31 balls and a of them deserve to play in the Indian “Players who were being sidelined Bhopal girl stayed in the Cup. Though I shot in a few fect her. “I have thought today it also keeps us on our 17-ball 32 in the fourth and fifth T20Is squad come the World Cup.” have still had a big season lined up be- medal hunt throughout World Cups this was my about it (Tokyo selection) a toes, as I cannot be compla- against England in the recently-con- Former India batting coach Sanjay tween the World Cup selection. So, I even as fortunes fluctuated first medal and that too gold few times and by doing this I cent about my place on the cluding series. Bangar said there is still a lot of time would not like to count anybody out of in the final. Manu slipped to so I am very happy,” a bring unnecessary pres- “Well, it’s a very tough question be- before the T20 World Cup and lot of the World Cup contention as yet.” seventh after the end of 35 beaming Chinki said after sure,” she added. team.” Can’t plan so ahead, I take it series to series: Misbah on contract extension fore the T20 World Cup in India later in the year. “... he has to work hard and meet the required fitness and 13 officials tested negative for COVID-19 on Thursday. “I always say that one can’t plan so ahead as far as my standards of the team. He has to reach a certain level where Pakistan will play four T20Is and three ODIs in South coaching is concerned. I take it series to series. When the there are no compromises,” Misbah said. Africa starting next month and Misbah said it would be time comes it is time for the PCB to decide what is best for “We will see how he progresses and improves his fitness challenging going and playing the ODI series without any Pakistan cricket,” he said in a virtual press conference. without damaging his skill levels.” practice games. Misbah said the selectors and team management are on Chief selector Muhammad Wasim had recently said that “We have less time to acclimatise to conditions in SA but the same page on selection matters, making it clear that he fitness benchmark was being brought down to occupy more I am confident that we can produce good results,” he said. doesn’t want to dwell on tainted T20 opener Sharjeel skilful players. Misbah said that no players, including seniors, have been Khan’s selection. Misbah said: “We have had a detailed discussion on the fit- written off and they will be considered for future selection. “I had to say this is a Pakistan team because such things ness issue and we are trying to simplify the process for play- “It is all a matter of who is in form. We can consider any appear in the media and an impression is created that there ers by introducing parameters for players on which there will player at any time who is in form. No player is written off.” is discord among team management and selectors over se- be no compromise. Misbah also said that the postponement of the PSL 6 had lection matters. But I say everything is done collectively,” he “But also relate it to performances on the ground by the allowed players to have a break and the training camp was said. players. We are giving targets to players depending on their also short. I don’t know why Muhammad Asif or Salman Butt were requirements. “We had some concerns that if the PSL had been com- not selected after completing their bans but what I know is “We are not reducing the fitness benchmarks of the team. pleted on schedule and we would have left immediately for KARACHI, MARCH 25: Pakistan head coach Misbah- that until there is a law that bars us from selecting a player af- We are trying to relate it to match and ground fitness. It is not South Africa remaining in the bio-secure bubble for such a ul-Haq on Thursday made it clear he doesn’t want to look too ter he has served any ban we can’t keep anyone out.” that we will reduce the benchmark of Yoyo tests from 18 to 15 long time,” he said. far ahead and is taking one series at a time, saying the deci- The Pakistan coach said Sharjeel has been selected be- marks.” “But now this break has been welcome and I think our sion to give him an extension lies solely with the PCB. cause of his form and he has been told that he has time before Pakistan will leave for the twin tours of South Africa and players are mentally very strong in these circumstances and Misbah’s three-year coaching contract will expire just be- the T20 series in South Africa to achieve his fitness. Zimbabwe on Friday after all the 22 members of the squad the team bonding is very good.”