FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2020 (PAGE 10) DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU I feel pressure, scared too like Australian Open organisers I wasn’t unlucky, Dhoni made it count: everyone else: M S Dhoni admit cancellation possible Parthiv Patel on playing in MSD era CHENNAI, May 7: ing coach should not be the one SYDNEY, May 7: event. "We have to look at all the NEW DELHI, May 7: was standing at the who comes for 15 days, because Tennis Australia conceded Brisbane dressing room His ice cool demeanour is when you come for 15 days you angles because a lot of the deci- Out-of-favour wicketkeeper- the stuff of legends but former today that January's Australian sions will be beyond our control which is like a tunnel. He are only sharing the experience. Open faces cancellation under a batsman Parthiv Patel does not was standing there, and he India skipper Mahendra Singh "If the mental conditioning and related to government consider himself unlucky to Dhoni has no qualms conceding worst-case scenario, but said it guidelines and restrictions," she said 'if you do this again, I coach is constantly with the was looking at a range of have played in the same era as will punch your face'. I that he is not immune to pres- player, he can understand what said. Mahendra Singh Dhoni as he sure and fear. options in hope the COVID-19 "We do need to have all the said 'sorry', I stood around are the areas which are affecting crisis eases. knows that the former captain and he went off," Patel Dhoni, lending support to his sport," Dhoni, who led protocols in place to ensure grabbed his opportunities way MFORE -- an initiative offering This year's tennis calendar everyone's safety." This year's said. Chennai Super Kings captain to has been suspended until at least better than him. The two cricketers mind conditioning programs to three IPL titles, said. Wimbledon has been cancelled Patel led Gujarat to the 2016 achieve peak performance in July 13 and, with global borders for the first time since World became teammates at when I go to bat, the first 5 to 10 India skipper Virat Kohli Ranji Trophy title. His last Test because he made sure of the sports --, offered his perspective closed, there is uncertainty War II and the French Open Chennai Super Kings, deliveries my heart rate is ele- was quoted as saying that mental appearance for India was in opportunities he received. I don't on the issue of mental health. about when the international cir- postponed until the end of four years after that incident. vated, I feel the pressure, I feel a clarity was important in life. 2018, while the last time he feel unlucky at all," Patel assert- "In India, I feel there is still a cuit can resume. September. Patel said he also got invited bit scared because that's how "I think mental health and played an ODI for the country ed. big issue of accepting that there The season-opening Grand The United States Tennis by Hayden at his home in everybody feels - how to cope mental clarity is the most impor- was way back in 2012. Going down memory lane, is some weakness when it comes Slam is scheduled to take place Association will decide in mid- Australia for dinner after the with that?" the World Cup-win- tant factor in life; not just in "I don't see myself as Patel also recalled how "good to the mental aspects, but we in Melbourne from January 18- June whether or not the US IPL. ning icon asked. sports," he said. unlucky to be playing in the friend" Matthew Hayden had generally term it as mental ill- 31, more than eight months Open will be able to begin on "Yeah, Hayden wanted to "This is a small problem but MFORE has been founded Dhoni era. I started my career threatened to punch him in his ness," Dhoni was quoted as say- away, and Tennis Australia said schedule in New York in August. beat me up in Brisbane. But we a lot of times we hesitate to say by former Indian batsman S before him, and I had the oppor- face. The incident took place ing in a press release issued by it would abide by whatever Australia has banned all trav- became good friends after that. it to a coach and that's why the Badrinath and Saravana Kumar. tunity to perform before him," during an ODI series in 2004. MFORE. restrictions were in place at that el into the island nation for non- We played a lot of cricket relationship between a player Star Sports 1 Tamil is set to the 35-year-old Patel said during "I was carrying drinks in MFORE stated that Dhoni time. residents. together at CSK. We enjoyed and coach is very important be it launch a show 'Mind Masters by an interaction with Fever Brisbane, it was the match in made these comments while "We've certainly made no While talks have begun on each other's company. any sport," said Dhoni, who has- MFORE' on May 10, where Network's '100 hours 100 stars'. which Irfan Pathan got him out. speaking to coaches from vari- secret about the number of sce- opening up borders to neigh- "Opening the batting was fun n't played any international besides Dhoni, Kohli and "Dhoni came in to the team He had already scored a hun- ous sports during an interaction, narios that we're looking at," a bouring New Zealand, which with him. We've had good times cricket since India's World Cup Ravichandran Ashwin along because I did not have a couple dred, and it was a crucial stage which was organised before the spokeswoman told AFP. like Australia has successfully off the field as well. So we semifinal exit last July. with others will share their of good series and I was when Irfan got him out. And I country went into a lockdown to "We're hoping for the best controlled the epidemic, offi- patched up after that Brisbane Highlighting the importance thoughts on mind conditioning dropped. I know people can say was just passing him by and I contain the COVID-19 pandem- but planning for everything." cials have said it could be many incident. of a mental conditioning coach, and mind skills in sports. (PTI) it just to gain sympathies that I did a 'hoo hoo' to him," Patel ic. Possibilities range from can- months before other internation- "...After the IPL finished, I Dhoni said: "Mental condition- was born in the wrong era. But I said. "Nobody really says that, cellation to imposing quarantine al arrivals will be allowed. went to Australia with the India don't believe that," he added. The gesture did not go down on overseas players and allow- (Agencies) Emerging side. Hayden called ing only Australian fans into the "Whatever Dhoni has well with the burly Aussie who me home, prepared chicken Current WI T20 team is better achieved was something very, gave the Indian an earful. biryani and dal for me," Patel NRL backs down on compulsory very special and he achieved "He got so angry at me. He fondly recollected. (PTI) than 2016-WC-winning side: Bravo Football set to allow five substitutions in NEW DELHI, May 7: figure in limited flu shots before season restart over cricket, hav- SYDNEY, May 7: The official nrl.Com website All-rounder Dwayne Bravo ing played in sev- had reported that players refus- ‘temporary’ response to virus suspension is in awe of the current West Australia's National Rugby eral leagues ing to get the vaccination includ- LAUSANNE, May 7: time." ture schedule that could be even Indies T20 team's batting depth, League backed down today on a across the globe, ed the Gold Coast's Bryce Limiting the number of occa- more packed than usual poten- saying it is better than the 2016 demand that players undergo including the IPL. Cartwright and the Canberra Football's lawmakers are this sions on which teams can make tially leading to an "increased World Cup-winning side and compulsory flu vaccinations Bravo Raiders trio of Sia Soliola, Josh week set to announce a "tempo- changes would remove the risk of injuries". can intimidate any opposition. before playing in a resumed described Pollard Papalii and Joseph Tapine. rary" change to the laws of the incentive to do so purely for While the measure is intend- "In the last series in Sri competition, clearing another as a "figurehead" It said 97 percent of the sport allowing teams to make up time-wasting purposes. ed to be temporary, it could be Lanka, we had a team meeting, hurdle in its bid to restart its and someone who league's 800 players had already to five substitutions in games A sixth change may also be maintained for the whole of the and coach Phil (Simmons) put virus-interrupted season on May commands had the vaccination. The cash- when the sport resumes after the permitted in matches that go to 2020-21 season and right the team down, the list, and he 28. respect across the strapped NRL suspended its sea- coronavirus-induced suspen- extra time. Currently teams can through to the next European put it down in batting order, and The jabs had been included globe for his son on March 24 due to sion. make three substitutions during Championship, which was post- he had my name down at No. 9," in strict health protocols agreed achievements. Australia's coronavirus shut- The proposal to help teams games, although since 2018 poned by a year until June and Bravo told ESPNcricinfo. by the league in return for clear- attack, Kesrick Williams on the "I think what down and has pushed hard to cope with likely fixture conges- teams have been allowed to July 2021 because of the pan- "And I said to the guys, I ance to resume play, but several bench, so things starting to look Pollard has is his honesty, resume play so it can retain rev- tion in a packed calendar was make a fourth substitution in demic. said listen, I don't think I was players had refused the injec- bright again, things starting to which is the most important enue from broadcasting rights. made by world governing body extra time. FIFA have said that imple- ever involved in a T20 team tions. look good again." thing. You have leaders in the It plans to stage matches in FIFA and is expected to be vali- Leagues will not be obliged menting the measure will be "at when I am down to bat at No. 9. On Thursday, the NRL Bravo also was effusive in past sometimes that said, okay, Sydney, with the New Zealand dated by the International to implement the change, a the discretion of the organiser of "I'm just in awe of our bat- announced that players could his praise for skipper Kieron well, I don't get involved in Warriors based in rural New Football Association Board source said, but they will be free each competition". ting line-up, and I said to the decline the vaccination for Pollard, who had taken over the selection, I had no say, you South Wales and the Melbourne (IFAB) this Friday. to do so as soon as they restart "If the measure is still in guys, I said listen, I think this "compelling reasons" such as reins of limited over teams last know, they give all types of Storm setting up camp on the The IFAB said last week that after almost all football around force, UEFA could then adopt it team is actually better than our medical, religious or conscien- year. excuses and stuff, and the sys- NSW-Victoria border. it was working with FIFA on a the world shut down in mid- for the Euro," a source said. World-Cup-winning team, and tious grounds if they signed a "He loves to win (Pollard). tem will be able to manoeuvre But a string of lockdown "temporary dispensation of Law March because of the pandemic. It remains to be seen if the that is no joke, because at the liability waiver acknowledging That's the most important thing, them and control them, but breaches by high-profile players 3 (The Players) allowing compe- The German Bundesliga is measure could be left in place end of the day, you have batting their heightened risk of contract- and as a captain, he'll do any- Pollard, you can't control him," has prompted warnings from titions to give teams the option set to be the first leading permanently, but doing so may all the way down to No. 10." ing influenza. thing to win, in the right way Bravo said. authorities that the competition to use a maximum of five substi- European league to restart later play into the hands of the Bravo, who returned from "Until an NRL-approved and the right spirit, and he's "... The players also respect will not go ahead if the rules are tutes on up to three occasions this month. wealthiest clubs with the largest international T20 retirement in release is acknowledged and very determined to win, to him, because of whatever he not obeyed. (Agencies) during the match, plus at half- The IFAB's objective is to squads and greatest strength in December last year to strengthen signed by players, they will not make a difference," he said. has done and achieved in the "protect players' health" when depth. (Agencies) West Indies' title defence, said be permitted to train," the league "I remember when they white-ball format, especially in Online chess tourney helps raise matches do resume, with a fix- the batting resources of this approached him to take over, I T20 cricket. So if someone like said in a statement. "intimidating" team has reduced said to him, it's going to be a Pollard is speaking in the dress- It was not immediately clear Rs 15 lakh for COVID-19 relief fund I've evolved in last 13 years, enjoying his role to a specialist bowler. good challenge, a big one, a if Australian health authorities ing room about T20 cricket, we BENGALURU, May 7: tournament, which was held on "It's an intimidating team, it's tough one, but now is the best had approved the exemptions, all have to listen, because he's May 2 and 3. mentor’s role now: Vandana a team to intimidate the opposi- time. You get both teams at the played the most games, he's had after both Prime Minister Scott The 'CheckmateCovid' GM Bhakti Kulkarni won the BENGALURU, May 7: India. tion, and that excites me. So I bottom of the table. There's success, and he's highly respect- Morrison and his powerful home online chess tournament raised will just do my part as a bowler, award for the top-ranked female With training activities shut only one way you can go, which ed around the world."' affairs minister, Peter Dutton, an amount of Rs 15 lakh, which Indian women's hockey try to control the back end of the player and Shakuntala Devi won because of the coronavirus- is up, right? The 36-year-old also had insisted on a "no jab, no play" was donated to the Karnataka team striker Vandana Katariya innings, especially closing off the award for top- forced national lockdown, "I said now is the right time, words of appreciation for for condition for allowing the NRL believes she has evolved as a the innings with death bowling, ranked player above Vandana said currently their you build a team and you create coach Phil Simmons. (PTI) to resume competition. player over the last 13 years which has been, in the past, a bit 60 years of age. focus is on physical fitness and a dressing-room environment and is cur- of a concern for us," said Bravo, The tournament analysis of opponents. where everyone is on the same rently who made his international CA to start pre-season under new saw a total of 2.37 "Obviously the main thing page." enjoying comeback in January against lakh chess games. for all of us is always to play Pollard has represented the role of Ireland. rules from May end: Report "I thank all the hockey on the field, but this West Indies in 113 ODIs and 73 a mentor in "You saw how Oshane MELBOURNE, May 7: in the nets - there's two or three players who partici- time has given us the chance to T20Is, scoring 3619 runs and a side that Thomas did with his pace in Sri bowlers in each net. One bowls pated and con- focus on other key factors taken 88 wickets. The 32-year- figures Lanka. Then you have Sheldon Cricket Australia is set to at a time, the batter is 22 yards tributed to the which make a team so success- old all-rounder remains a huge quite a lot Cottrell, now a leader of the begin the team's pre-season later away so it's not a big problem," CheckmateCovid ful. We haven't been able to be this month under a set of new Kountouris said. Chess Tournament. of young- on the pitch, but our minds are training protocols devised for We are glad to have collected a sters. always on the pitch," she said. Ponting ensures that every player is "We don't see it as too big a Chief Minister's COVID-19 the safety of players amid the "When "We are trying to maintain problem to manage, but these Relief Fund. large amount for the CM's COVID-19 pandemic. I had started off at the age of our fitness levels as best as we valued, respected: Harshal Patel are the things we're spelling out. A total of 19,245 players reg- Covid Relief Fund. We must According to a report in 'The 15, I was always very fearless. can, so that when we are back, This is what you should do: keep istered for the tournament, continue to come together and NEW DELHI, May 7: Sydney Morning Herald', CA is I would try to use my skills, we are sharper than our oppo- your distance, how you should which had a total prize pool of fight this crisis," said Karnataka churning out strategies for retain possession for as long as nents. Another aspect which Delhi Capitals pacer Harshal handle the ball, these are things Rs 10 lakh, a media release Sports Minister CT Ravi. resumption of training under the possible and then aim for goal. has been talked about is how Patel believes that head coach easy to manage." issued here said today. The matches were played in watchful eyes of its chief med- But with time, I realised that we are able to analyse different Ricky Ponting's leadership and Kountouris said with social The tournamemt was con- the Speed Chess format, with ical officer Dr John Orchard and you can't play like that, espe- teams." man-management skills have distancing becoming mandatory ducted by Karnataka govern- each player getting three min- head of sports science and sports cially when the sport has Both the men's and played an important role in the in the post-COVID world, teams ment along with the United utes in the game. Winners were medicine Alex Kountouris. evolved so much. I also had to women's hockey teams are cur- team's turnaround over the past will have to find out new ways Karnataka Chess Association decided on the basis of maxi- The duo is working closely evolve," said Vandana, who rently stuck at SAI centre here. two years. of on-field celebrations. and Mobile Premier League mum such games won over the with counterparts of other crick- made her senior debut in 2007. Vandana also emphasises on "Ricky ensures that every "You might not see high-fiv- (MPL). two-day duration of the tourna- et playing nations and are part of "Now with experience, and the need to remain positive in player feels valued and respect- ing after a wicket or people ruf- GM Ankit Rajpara won the ment. (PTI) committees of the Australian fling someone else's hair. It will with the influx of so many these difficult times. ed in equal measure. government and the ICC which young players in the team, I real- Irrespective of whether you be a spaced huddle. It will be the Ashwin, Yasir or Lyon need enough "Our chief coach Sjoerd COVID-19 pandemic, the 29- are trying to find ways for the new norm. That's one of those ly enjoy the mentoring bit. I Marijne has been very vocal are playing or not, he gives reg- year old remains confident of his resumption of sports. know I have the experience ular feedback to each person and things, the physical distancing variations to survive in ODIs: Mushtaq about having mindfulness, and team's prospects. The report said CA's imme- for the time being, that will def- which can be helpful to the that has also made us realise a makes them feel like an impor- "The IPL will return when diate priority is to draw up pro- NEW DELHI, May 7: wickets in 39 Tests) have won younger players, and I keep talk- tant part of the team," said initely be out until a vaccine or innumerable games for their lot of things. We feel we are at the time is right, and when it tocols for players' pre-season, some sort of solution like that The likes of Ravichandran ing to them about different situ- a stature where we can end up Harshal during an Instagram does, Delhi Capitals' will be the which include barring the use of countries in the longest format ations that they will face on the Live session with DC's official (comes up). Ashwin and Nathan Lyon have helping other people too which team to beat." saliva or sweat to shine the ball only to be found wanting in field, and what all they can do. handle. "I think we'll have to find a been world class bowlers in we did through our crowdfund- In the meantime, the pacer is during training. ODIs and T20s. "It is not as if I want them to The right-arm seamer also different way to celebrate, Tests but their failure to translate ing initiative," she said. staying focused on maintaining CA's head of sports science "Look at Yuzvendra Chahal follow exactly what I say, but I believes that Ponting's handling they'll have to be innovative," he red ball success into white-ball "We are lucky to have such his fitness during the nation- and sports medicine Kountouris and Kuldeep Yadav. They have try to make them use their of players provides much-need- said. cricket could be due to the "lack great facilities at our disposal. wide lockdown. said the coronavirus-forced new won so many (white ball) games vision and think for themselves ed stability to the squad. "There are things you won't of variations" on flat decks, feels We understand that not many "I am determined to not let normal shouldn't have much for India in the last two years. about what decisions they can "In IPL, there are frequent be able to chop out overnight but former Pakistan leg-spinner people are blessed with this, my training suffer in this period. impact of teams' training in a May be the likes of Lyon, make," added the 28-year-old changes in the team with new people will gradually get used to Mushtaq Ahmed. and therefore it is a chance for Luckily, I have some expertise sport like cricket. Ashwin and Yasir don't have from Uttarakhand, who has faces coming in each season. doing things differently." (PTI) Ashwin (365 wickets from us to make full use of what we in strength and conditioning, so "There's physical distancing enough variations to survive in over 240 international caps for The support staff does a great 71 games), Lyon (390 wickets in one-day cricket," Mushtaq, a have." (PTI) job in creating consistency with- I am using the limited equip- 96 Tests) and Pakistan's leg- ment I have at home to stick to a ECB launches ‘Emergency Loan Scheme’ Pakistan great, said in an exclu- in the squad by ensuring that break bowler Yasir Shah (213 sive interview. (PTI) every new and old player strict fitness regime which involves 5-6 days of workout in to help affiliated cricket leagues believes in the ethos of the team. LONDON, May 7: cost of cricket balls purchased SAI makes services inside its "Once everybody is on the a week. "The key is to mix up your for the year, plus unrecoverable Government of India same page and each player The England and Wales costs? above 2,000 pounds in understands their role, it workouts to avoid monotony," Cricket Board (ECB) today stadiums free for IOA, NSFs said Harshal, who could only the 2020 season, which may Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment becomes easier to gel and per- launched a scheme offering NEW DELHI, May 7: water, hostel (subject to avail- played two matches for DC in include cost of booking of form better as a team." interest-free loans to its affiliat- ability) and other allied servic- the 2019 season due to injury. grounds, purchase of kit and Department of Social Justice & Empowerment As uncertainty looms over ed cricket leagues which are The Sports Authority of es/facilities excluding food and (PTI) equipment etc. Applications are invited for scholarship for pursuing higher edu- this year's IPL due to the reeling from the financial impact India (SAI) has decided to make cosumables for any International "We're pleased to be able to all services, excluding food, at cation viz. Masters degree and Ph. D abroad under the Central of the COVID-19 pandemic. offer a new League Emergency and National level competitions Gopichand stresses on physical The 'League Emergency its stadiums free for tournaments organised by National Sports Sector Scheme namely National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Loan Scheme to help affiliated conducted by the IOA and for Scheduled caste etc. candidate being implemented by the Loan Scheme' is aimed to sup- cricket leagues during the cur- Federations within the premises National Sports Federations, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government literacy to tide over tough times port open-age and junior leagues rent shutdown of the sport," said of Sports Authority of India free affiliated to the ECB "partner- which have already been of all costs," stated an order of India. The applications can be submitted through the portal NEW DELHI, May 7: to promote the need for physi- ECB's Director of Participation exempted from paying any rent cal literacy and see it as a key ship agreement via their County and Growth, Nick Pryde. issued on May 5. "www.nosmsje.gov.in" only. In order to be eligible, the prospec- Chief national badminton Cricket Board (CCB) or the for the venues. The Government waived off tive candidate should belong to Scheduled Caste or De-notified pillar for national level devel- "It has been great to see The organisers will only coach Pullela Gopichand today National Asian Cricket Council rent on SAI facilities in October Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribe or Landless Agricultural opment. clubs receiving financial support have to make arrangements for stressed on the importance of (NACC), National Cricket last year. Labourers and Traditional Artisans category. The prospective "Physical literacy is a very through national and local gov- food and beverages at the time physical literacy as people important part of our life. I Conference (NCC) or Afro- ernment schemes, as well as "The sports facilities of SAI candidate should be having minimum 60% marks in the qualify- Caribbean Cricket Association of an event with SAI deciding across the globe battle the think physical activity needs to through the ECB's emergency have been made available free of ing examination. The qualifying examination for Master's degree COVID-19 pandemic. (ACCA) in 2019 or 2020". that electricity, water, house- take centre stage," Gopichand support funding, which cost vide order dated October is Bachelors degree and for Ph. D., it is Masters degree. The Speaking to Margaret Under the scheme, a league keeping, and hostel (wherever 25, 2019 for various purposes said during an ELMS Sports launched last month, and now available), would be given to the total family income of the prospective candidate should not Whitehead, who is an esteemed Foundation webinar. will be able to apply for a loan of we are in a position to help inter-alia sports events organ- philosopher and stalwart of the up to 50,000 pounds to cover a IOA and NSFs without any ised by the IOA and NSFs exceed Rs. 8.00 Lakh in previous year. Applications or docu- "Health, fitness and all of leagues across England and charges. ments received through any mode other than the NOS portal are modern interpretation of physi- number of unrecoverable costs Wales with the costs they will recognised by the Central these things are important espe- "...With a view to encourage not acceptable. For details, refer to the scheme guidelines for cal literacy, Gopichand also cially in these days of COVID- incurred for the 2020 season, the incur in 2020, regardless of Government," the order signed highlighted the importance of ECB said in a statement more sports events, it has been by SAI secretary Rohit selection year 2020-21 available at the NOS Portal. 19. We see the need for it more whether cricket is able to return decided to provide electricity, support from the top leadership and more," he added. (PTI) The scheme will cover the this summer," he added. (PTI) Bharadwaj read. (PTI) davp 38101/11/0003/2021