THE HIMALAYAN MAIL JAMMU Q SUNDAY Q NOVEMBER 01, 2020 11

Amit Panghal, Sanjeet strike We still need to do a bit to gold at French boxing tourney make the play-offs: Smith NEW DELHI, OCTO- in Jordan in March. ABU DHABI, OCTO- BER 31: World silver- In that event, nine Indi- BER 31: A seven- medallist Amit Panghal (52 ans — five men and four win over Kings XI Punjab kg) and Sanjeet (91 kg) women — qualified for the ensured struck gold in their first Tokyo Olympics, postponed maintained their new- competition after a coron- to next year because of the found momentum in the avirus-forced break, claim- COVID-19 pandemic. ongoing IPL but skipper ing the top honours at the The Indians’ competition acknowledged Alexis Vastine International calendar as well as training they still “need to do a bit” Boxing Tournament in schedule has been severely for keeping their play-offs Nantes, France. hampered by the shutdown prospects alive. Amit, also an Asian that followed the spread of A few days before Friday Games champion besides the pandemic which has night’s victory over KXIP, being Commonwealth caused a bar on sparring at RR had beaten defending Games silver-medallist, de- the national camp in Pa- champions and this edi- feated American Rene tiala. The camp resumed in tion’s in-from team, Mum- Abraham 3-0 with a domi- August amid strict health bai Indians, by eight wick- nating performance on Fri- after his opponent, Ameri- three bronze medals safety protocols and was ets. day night. can Joseph Gerome Hiks, through four-time Asian open to only the Olympic- “The season has ebbed Sanjeet, a former India gave him a walkover due to medallist Shiva Thapa bound and hopefuls. and flowed, yes. Would Open gold-medallist, too, injury. However, Asian sil- (63kg), Sumit Sangwan The Indians are currently have been nice to have a match. was the star . put up a clinical show to get ver-medallist Kavinder (81kg) and Satish Kumar on a 52-day training trip to couple of wins in the mid- On ’s run- performer for the team as “I think when you are in a past Frenchman Soheb Singh Bisht (57 kg) settled (+91kg). All three of them Europe during which they dle. We still need to do a bit out on 48 against KXIP, he smashed a breezy 50 and position like we are, you Bouafia in his summit clash for a silver medal after go- lost in the semifinal stage. have been primarily based to make the playoffs, and Smith said, “It was unfortu- also claimed two . have nothing to lose. We and secure a gold. ing down to local favourite This was the first interna- in Assisi, Italy. we need things to go our nate, but you take positives On the star England all- are still hanging in. That is In the 75-kg category, Samuel Kistohurry in a split tional competition that In- The boxers and their sup- way,” Smith said at the pre- from every situation. It gave rounder, Smith said: “Ben pleasing. The sixes are al- Asian silver-winner Ashish 2-1 verdict. dian boxers featured in port staff left for the trip on sentation ceremony here. Jos (Buttler) a chance to bat is a class player, plays ways pleasing. I went in the Kumar also claimed a gold India had earlier secured since the Olympic qualifiers October 15. “Having said that, if that happens, we are playing after a five-day break. He proper shots, hits balls in same mentality like I did very good ,” he hit them well so this is a weird areas, and did a job against MI. Wanted to go added. good sign. with the ball too. One of the hard with the new ball,” Will hopefully sneak in on number The Australian run-ma- “Sanju started the tour- best in the world.” Stokes said. chine was a happy man af- nament really well, then in Stokes, who was ad- “We had a decent break ter his side notched up the middle couldn’t get go- judged the Man of the from the last game. We nor- back-to-back wins but said ing, but that is T20 cricket. Match for his all-round mally have a quick turn- four position: Rahul You have got to keep trust- show, said he came into the around. I cut down on the they still have a job at hand as they face Kolkata Knight ing the process,” Smith game with the same men- part in the break to “We have a strong added. tality as he did against remain fresh.” unit and everyone is playing Riders in their final league with responsibility. Earlier, we used to lose wickets in the powerplay. Now, every Gayle fined 10 pc of his match fee, player is taking responsibil- ity. “We’re clicking with the bat and wins against MI and flung his bat after getting out on 99 KXIP show the character of the team,” Tewatia said at ABU DHABI, OCTO- League’s (IPL) Code of Con- the post-match presser. BER 31: The swashbuck- duct during his team’s He praised the recent per- ling has been match against Rajasthan formances of Ben Stokes fined 10 per cent of his Royals at Abu Dhabi,” the and Sanju Samson — both match fee for breaching the IPL said in a statement. shone in the game against ’s “Mr Gayle admitted to the KXIP and ensured Gayle’s code of conduct during Level 1 offence 2.2 of the blazing knock went in vain. Kings XI Punjab’s match IPL’s Code of Conduct and “Our top order is scoring against Rajasthan Royals accepted the sanction. For runs and our middle order here. Level 1 breaches of the Code also looks stronger. Every- The IPL did not specify of Conduct, the Match Ref- ABU DHABI, OCTO- the outcome and that his worked for them and dew one is taking responsibility the exact incident for which eree’s decision is final and BER 31: Kings XI Punjab bowlers would need to oper- was a big reason behind and that’s showing in the re- he was penalised but it is binding,” it added. K L Rahul is hoping ate better with the wet ball. that,” he added. sults. Our coach had also understood the Jamaican The 41-year-old smashed to “sneak” into the playoffs “We did discuss before the The KXIP skipper called told us to show intent and was penalised for throwing the sanction. but the willow slipped from eight sixes and six fours on of the hotly-contested 13th game. It was an important the swashbuckling Chris deliver our 100 per cent on his bat away in disgust after Requiring a run to com- his hand and landed a few the way to becoming the Indian Premier League on game for us. If I would’ve Galyle an “inspirational” fig- the field. getting out for 99 at the plete his century, Gayle was metres across the pitch. first player to score 1000 the fourth position. won the toss, I would’ve cho- ure who keeps the dressing “Ben Stokes is giving us Sheikh Zayed Stadium on cleaned up by a Jofra “Chris Gayle, the Kings XI maximums in T20 cricket. Having suffered a seven- sen to bowl as well because room positive. The Ja- good starts and Sanju Sam- Friday night. Archer yorker in KXIP’s last Punjab batsman, has been However, Gayle’s blazing wicket defeat to Rajasthan we expected dew later. maican made a sparkling 99 son is also delivering strong The Kings XI Punjab over and reacting to his dis- fined 10 per cent of his effort went in vain as Ra- Royals on Friday, KXIP are “We’ve seen dew so many in his latest outing. performances with the bat,” batsman has admitted to missal, he tried to hit his bat match-fee for breaching the jasthan Royals secured a currently placed fourth in times in IPL as well as inter- “Gayle is a huge part of our he said. the offence and accepted on the ground in frustration Dream11 Indian Premier seven-wicket victory. the standings followed national cricket. Our dressing room. Not only be- Tewatia, who took a fine closely by RR and Kolkata bowlers have done really cause of his consistency but catch to send back Nicholas Knight Riders with equal well this season and one to have somebody like that Pooran, lauded his side’s numbers of wins and points. game doesn’t change much. is very inspiring. He keeps fielding. Do-or-die game for KXIP, CSK play for pride KXIP are scheduled to We must keep our heads the dressing room positive “Fielding is all about confi- ABU DHABI, OCTO- New Zealand spinner play Chennai Super Kings in high and come back and there’s a lot of fun hap- dence and we’ve been work- BER 31: Their playoff Mitchell Santer, has done their last league engagement stronger in the next game,” pening when Chris is bat- ing hard in practice sessions chances hanging in bal- well in the previous two on Sunday. he said. ting. too. We adjusted well ac- ance, Kings XI Punjab will outings and will look to “We’ll try finishing on a One of the big reasons “No one will say he’s 41. cording to the lights and put leave no stone unturned as keep the momentum going. winning note and hopefully why the Royals could bat He still looks like the Gayle up a strong fielding perfor- they take on Chennai Super Teams: sneak in on the number four their way was the dew factor. when he first burst out in the mance. Kings in a must-win Indian position,” Rahul said at the Not taking anything away IPL,” Rahul said. Kings XI Punjab: KL “Ben Stokes is one of our Premier League game here post-match press confer- from their batsmen. They Rajasthan Royals’ Rahul Rahul (C), , best fielders and he took a on Sunday. ence after the game against did put pressure on our Tewatia said the back-to- , Mandeep brilliant catch to boost our KXIP’s chances of a top RR. bowlers and used the pow- back wins — against defend- Singh, James Neesham, morale. Talking about my four finish took a serious hit While Rahul did not mean erplay efficiently. Every ing champions Mumbai In- Tajinder Singh, Chris Jor- catch, I was at the boundary after Rajasthan Royals to take anything away from batsman who came in dians and Kings XI Punjab dan, , Deepak line and I jumped at the handed them a seven- Rajasthan Royals’ win, he started striking the ball and — showed the team’s char- Hooda, , Ar- right time to pull it off,” he wicket loss, snapping their said dew played a big part in hitting boundaries. It acter. said. shdeep Singh, Glenn impressive five match-win- run rate of -0.133, will have It remains to be seen if Maxwell, Mujeeb Ur Rah- ning streak. a good chance of qualifying , who has man, Sarfaraz Khan, Shel- The defeat means KXIP’s provided they win against missed three games, re- don Cottrell, Mayank Agar- Rajasthan Royals look to win, end KKR’s campaign fate is not solely in their CSK on Sunday. turns to the side. wal, , DUBAI, OCTOBER In that case, RR will go Friday. can put any attack to the hands as even a win against On the other hand, CSK, KXIP’s bowling has been , 31: They have just given through with 14 points, The 2019 World Cup final sword on his day. CSK will not ensure them a already out of the reckoning instrumental in their recent Nicholas Pooran, Chris their playoffs qualification without net run rate com- hero getting his mojo back, No opposition takes Jos play-off spot. The Punjab for the first time ever, will wins. However, against the Gayle, , hopes a lift and Rajasthan ing into play. at such a crucial juncture of Buttler lightly and then outfit will need other re- aim to end their dismal Royals they leaked runs and Jagadeesha Suchith, Krish- Royals will look to sustain However, RR’s first task the tournament, is great there is and sults to go their way. campaign on a positive were unable to pick wickets nappa Gowtham, Hardus the momentum against is to do what is within its news for the Royals. And, young down If note. and skipper Rahul will hope Viljoen and Simran Singh. Kolkata Knight Riders in control -- win the match needless to say, a bad one the order, beefing up RR’s (10 points from 12 games) The Mahendra Singh his bowlers will be on top of Chennai Super Kings: MS another must-win IPL against the Knight Riders for KKR as the leading all- batting. win both their remaining Dhoni-led team, languish- their game against a CSK Dhoni (C), M Vijay, Ambati game here on Sunday. and then hope for the best. rounder can singlehand- has been the matches and the loser of the ing at the bottom of the side, which cruised to a 10- Rayudu, Faf du Plessis, Besides a victory in their Given the tight situation, edly influence the outcome standout performer with (14) and points table, head in to the wicket win in their previous Shane Watson, Kedar Jad- last league game, the inau- the bigger the margin of of a game. the ball and he will again Royal Challengers Banga- clash after notching up meeting. hav, Ravindra Jadeja, gural edition winners will win, the better it will be for Sanju Samson rediscov- shoulder RR’s responsibil- lore (14) game finishes back-to-back wins over For CSK, 23-year-old Ru- Lungi Ngidi, Deepak Cha- also need other results to go the Steve Smith-led side. ering his touch must have ity in bowling. higher on the points table -- RCB and Kolkata Knight turaj Gaikwad has shown a their way if they are to make The Royals can certainly also gladdened the hearts of While they have as many har, Piyush Chawla, Imran either in terms of points or Riders. lot of spark, notching up the playoffs of the lucrative look forward to their bat- the RR team management. points as RR and KXIP, Tahir, Mitchell Santner, by virtue of a superior net With skipper Rahul, the back-to-back fifties to set event, in its 13th edition ting at the Dubai Interna- The wicketkeeper-batsman KKR’s road to the playoffs Josh Hazlewood, Shardul now. tional Stadium. Their talis- had started the tournament looks the toughest, thanks run rate -- than KXIP, then leading run-scorer of the up the wins against RCB KL Rahul and his men will tournament, and the flam- and KKR. Ravindra Jadeja Thakur, Sam Curran, N Ja- The best-case scenario manic England all-rounder on an explosive note before to their abysmal net run gadeesan, KM Asif, Monu for RR would be Kings XI Ben Stokes has just won a going off the rails midway, rate. Their only chance of not qualify. boyant Chris Gayle coming has been in fantastic form, However, if Sunrisers are good and the marauding smashing boundaries and Kumar, R Sai Kishore, Ru- Punjab losing their last Man-of-the-Match award, only to come back all guns qualification is if they beat turaj Gaikwad, Karn match and Sunrisers Hy- having made a breezy half- blazing against KXIP. Royals and finish on 14 beaten in any match, then Nicholas Pooran to follow sixes towards the end of the Sharma. derabad winning no more century after picking up two Skipper Smith can play points, with none of the KXIP, who are currently at No 4, KXIP will fancy innings. than one in their last two wickets, in the team’s win according to the situation other contenders reaching placed fourth with 12 points their chances at the Sheikh The CSK bowling unit, The match starts at 3:30 outings. over Kings XI Punjab on and opener that tally. from 13 outings with a net Zayed Stadium. boosted by the inclusion of pm.