THE HIMALAYAN MAIL JAMMU Q THURSDAY Q APRIL 08 2021 11

Bengaluru FC confirms 3 COVID-19 ICC ready with backup plans if T20 cases ahead of AFC Qualifiers World Cup moved out of India NEW DELHI, APRIL healthy." 07: Indian football club BFC will take on either NEW DELHI, APRIL technology to get correct Bengaluru FC on Wednes- Nepal Army Club or Sri 07: ICC's interim CEO Ge- decisions but striving for day said three COVID-19 Lanka Police at the GMC off Allardice on Wednesday perfection becomes impos- cases have been detected Stadium in Bambolim on said the body has backup sible."We are very comfort- among its players and staff April 14. plans in place for the T20 able with where we are at after the side assembled for Earlier, BFC skipper and World Cup in India later the moment," he said. training in Panaji ahead of India star Sunil Chettri had this year but is currently not Allardice acknowledged its AFC Qualifiers (Prelimi- tested positive for COVID- entertaining any thoughts the challenges countries are nary Stage Two) match on 19. The striker, however, of moving it out of the coun- facing in order to host April 14. has recovered. try despite a surge in matches and tour- The positive cases were BFC finished seventh on COVID-19 cases. naments in terms of main- reported during BFC's the table at the end of the The tournament is sched- taining communication training camp which began last ISL league stage. uled to be held in October- with their respective gov- on April 5. The former champions November in India, which ernments."The vaccination is reporting over one lakh role in different countries "Latest COVID-19 tests and staff," the club said on to take all the necessary pre- logged 22 points after win- The 53-year-old Aus- for the shortest format's daily cases for the past few might change the dynam- within the Blues' camp in its twitter handle. cautions at the highest levels ning five matches, drawing tralian, who has played do- biggest international event days. Amid the COVID ics... They have done an Goa have shown three posi- "Bengaluru FC continues to stay safe, secure and seven and losing eight mestic cricket in his coun- should the situation de- tive cases among players games. surge, the IPL is due to start try, said the ICC is also in mand a shift. amazing job in the last 10 on Friday in Chennai be- touch with other sports During the interaction, he months in hosting hind closed doors. bodies to understand how was also asked about the matches." "We are certainly pro- they are managing in the Decision Review System He also admitted that Bio-bubbles a 'never-ending nightmare' ceeding with the event as COVID era. (DRS), of which the con- COVID-19 has affected the planned," Allardice said "Cricket is being played in tentious Umpire's Call is a women's game. during a virtual media a number of countries at the part, something that was When asked if the pan- for cricketers, says Maxwell round-table. moment and we are learn- dubbed confusing by India demic has pushed back "Plan B we have, but we women's cricket just at a NEW DELHI, APRIL conditions could turn out to ing from all of them. during haven't activated those time when it was gaining 07: Big-hitting Australian be handy for Kohli and the "We have been talking to the limited overs engage- plans yet. We are working momentum following the all-rounder RCB in their endeavour to others sports bodies about ments against England. with the BCCI, we do have roaring success of the last says being continuously lift a maiden IPL title. what they are doing, we are Allardice said there was backup plans that can be T20 World Cup in Aus- confined to bio-bubbles can "...I think my perfor- in a good shape at the mo- "a good discussion" on DRS activated if the time tralia, he said, "Last 3-4 become a 'nightmare' and mances will take care of ment but acknowledge that during the recent ICC comes," he added. years the momentum we cricketers are leading a diffi- themselves. I want to have a the world is changing at a Board Meeting. Allardice, ICC's general built around international cult lifestyle right now to en- positive influence of every- rapid rate. "DRS was designed to manger - cricket, was re- cricket is fantastic. The final sure that they continue to thing I do, be it attitude, "We have also got the overturn the clear errors. cently made the interim (between India and Aus- do their job. helping out around the World Test Championship There has been no whole- CEO after Manu Sawhney tralia) at MCG was a special Maxwell, who had his team, leadership wise help- final coming up in two sale changes in it. was sent on "leave" after his moment. share of problems with ing out Virat when he needs months' time, but we are "I think more and more conduct came under the "Then COVID hit and mental fatigue in the past, it..."I suppose with my ex- proceeding with both as when you see a replay, the scanner during an internal made life very difficult to admitted that adjusting to perience, I think its my planned," he said. natural reaction is what can investigation by UK-based reestablish it. That will be such a life amid the COVID- 22nd trip to India... so with The UAE, which hosted we do... overruling a clear audit firm Pricewater- the focus in the next 12 19 pandemic is definitely that sort of experience you the IPL last year, could be error. We have got to a houseCoopers. months." taking a toll on players have got to help out the rest one of the backup venues point where we are using around the world. "It does put a strain on a ously having known them of the group," Maxwell said. "It's very difficult (to lot of relationships as well. very well off the field, played Maxwell said having move from one bubble to You need your support net- against them fair bit but fi- spent the entire lockdown other)... you being sheltered works to get you through nally I got to play in the period with his fiancee Vini How Dhoni's tips helped from people outside your those tough times." same team," Maxwell said. Raman at his Melbourne bio-secure bubble and you Talking about the upcom- "Not really," was his re- home, he is feeling fresh get stuck into this never- ing IPL, Maxwell said sponse to a query on now and can't wait to take couldn't care less for all the whether he was surprised Natarajan improve his bowling ending nightmare where the field for his new IPL you are living the same day chatter around his hefty by the high bid he attracted side."I was so excited to get NEW DELHI, APRIL over and over again," he price tag despite under- at the auction."I thought going. A new team, a new 07: Left-arm yorker spe- said in an interview posted whelming past perfor- that there might be a little tournament we are back in cialist Thangarasu Natara- by his IPL franchise Royal mances as he is excited bit of interest. A lot of teams India after Dubai last year, jan says former India cap- Challengers Bangalore on about living a long-cher- have brought that middle- I was so excited. Happy to tain Mahendra Singh YouTube. ished dream of playing order overseas player but I be outside of quarantine. It Dhoni's advice to bowl slow "You almost tend to forget alongside Virat Kohli and knew a couple of teams was nice to see some bouncers and cutters dur- how to have a normal con- AB de Villiers.Despite poor were looking at a batting friendly faces, meet a few ing his breakout IPL season versation with the outside outings in the last two IPLs, off-spinner and I am glad new people, get out and run last year helped him get bet- world. That can be very Maxwell managed to earn that two teams went harder around. ter at his craft. hard mentally and is a mas- big bucks again in this year's and RCB got hold of me." "Hopefully, that lifts other The 30-year-old Natara- sive challenge. But it's great auction when RCB signed RCB will take on Mumbai people as well when they see jan, who bowled a maxi- to be back playing and to be him for a whopping Rs Indians in the tournament- you happy running around. mum 71 yorkers among all able to do our jobs and en- 14.25 crore. opener in Chennai on Fri- It can be infectious, it can pacers in the IPL last year, tertain people. But it's still a "It's been a long time day. spread through the group dismissed big names such difficult lifestyle at the mo- (dream of playing alongside He said his vast experi- pretty quickly as much as a as Dhoni and AB de Villiers ment," he added. Kohli and de Villiers). Obvi- ence of playing in Indian negative reaction can." during the season. "Speaking to somebody like Dhoni itself is a big thing. He spoke to me about Confident that Harbhajan will do a fitness and encouraged me, saying that I will keep get- who was later included in with him." n't really tell the others ting better with experience. the main team. Another of his big (about the baby). He said 'use slow bouncers, great job for KKR, says Karthik Recalling that , he during the IPL was of South "I thought I will tell every- cutters, and variations like said, "I pitched one in the African great de Villiers, one else after we win the NEW DELHI, APRIL that'. It has been useful for slot and he hit me for a big who represents Royal Chal- game, but my captain 07: Kolkata Knight Rid- me," Natarajan was quoted six - 102 metres or some- lengers Bangalore in the lu- (David) Warner spoke ers wicketkeeper-bats- as saying by ESPNCricinfo. thing. The next ball I got his crative league. On the same about it, I think, at the post- man Dinesh Karthik said Before that, Dhoni was wicket (and didn't cele- day, he also became a fa- match (presentation)," picking Harbhajan Singh dismissed by the Sunrisers brate) -- I was just thinking ther."On one side there was Natarajan said. at the IPL players' auction Hyderabad pacer, who also about that previous ball. my girl and on the other Natrajan's Sunrisers Hy- was not easy, while shone during India's tour of "After coming back to the side, I got that wicket in an derabad will open their adding that the veteran Australia following a sur- dressing room, though, I important knockout game. campaign in the IPL against spinner has left everyone prise call-up to the national was happy. After finishing Romba santhosham (I was Kolkata Knight Riders on impressed with the team as one of the reserves amount of 'interest and the match, I also had a chat extremely happy), but I did- Sunday. intensity' he has shown in the practice sessions. Harbhajan, who will RCB's Sams tests positive for turn 41 in July, was bought at his base price of Rs 2 crore by KKR in the auction in February. COVID; Padikkal recovers "Picking him I think NEW DELHI, APRIL tive. Sams is currently batsman Padikkal. IPL games for Delhi Capi- wasn't easy, considering 07: Royal Challengers Ban- asymptomatic and he is Padikkal, however, came tals last year. that he has been around galore's Australian all- currently in isolation at a out negative in the latest On Tuesday, Mumbai In- for so long. But the rounder Daniel Sams on designated medical facil- round of testing. The 20- dians' wicket-keeping con- amount of interest and Wednesday tested positive ity," the RCB said. year-old had been in home sultant and talent scout Ki- intensity he has shown in April 11 against SunRisers as you can ask for from a Harbhajan to our squad for COVID-19 ahead of the "Royal Challengers Ban- quarantine since March 22 ran More had also tested the last one week is just Hyderabad in Chennai. man of his stature! He has has strengthened our spin IPL, starting in Chennai on galore medical team is in after being infected. He was positive for the virus, but all fabulous. He has been "Even in a practice achieved everything. Yet department. If you look at April 9, but opener Devdutt constant touch with Daniel RCB's highest scorer last other members of the de- coming to practice ses- game that starts at 7 PM, to show this kind of inter- our spin department, on Padikkal recovered from Sams and continue to mon- season with 473 runs from fending champions' squad sions early, much ahead he had come at 4 o'clock! est at this stage of his ca- paper it is one of the best the dreaded infection to join itor his health and abide by 15 matches. returned negative reports. of all other players! And He was batting before reer speaks volumes of in the tournament and the side. the BCCI protocols." ", has IPL 2021 has been hit he has been doing it con- that, he bowled to Shakib him as a character. I am that is factual. We have to According to a statement RCB will take on defend- joined the team on 7th April hard by the coronavirus sistently! I think he is a Al Hasan and Eoin Mor- sure he will do a great job play in Chennai and it can issued by RCB on Twitter, ing champions Mumbai In- 2021 with negative reports even before its start as a different man now from gan, and then did his for KKR," he added. turn there, it can raise the the 28-year-old Australian dians in the tournament- for COVID-19 as per BCCI number of ground-staff at whatever little I have seen stretching again before Earlier, KKR skipper eyebrows of our spinners all-rounder arrived in India opener on Friday. protocols. RCB medical the Wankhede Stadium in of him this week," former getting into the practice Eoin Morgan had said there. If we do well in the on April 3 and had a nega- Sams was traded to the team was in constant touch Mumbai, broadcast crew captain Karthik told game. He is bowling in that the addition of Harb- tournament, our spinners tive COVID-19 test report at RCB this season from Delhi with Devdutt to ensure his event management offi- KKR's official website. the match and also field- hajan will further bolster would have bowled well," that time but later tested Capitals. He became the safety and well-being," the cials, and some cricketers, KKR will play their first ing all 20 overs." his team's spin bowling Morgan had said. positive. second RCB player to test franchise stated in a sepa- including the likes of Axar "His report from the 2nd positive for the infection af- rate release. Patel and Nitish Rana, have match of the IPL 2021 on "That's about as much options."I think adding test on 7th April came posi- ter left-handed opening Sams played only three contracted the infection.