Kolkata Knight Riders’ Robin Uthappa starred as Mumbai Indians’ hopes of defending their Indian Premier League title received another blow.

With only four matches remaining, Mumbai languish second from bottom in the table, four points adrift of the top-four spot that would see them qualify for the play-offs and a chance to retain the crown they won 12 months ago.

Occupying that fourth spot are their opponents on Wednesday, who were grateful to a sublime 80 from opening batsman Uthappa as they eased to a victory target of 142 with six wickets and eight balls to spare.

After winning the toss in Cuttack, Kolkata skipper Gautam Gambhir opted to field and he was rewarded early on when Chidhambaram Gautam was caught at cover off the bowling of Morne Morkel (2-35) for eight in the third over.

Lendl Simmons (12) followed soon afterwards, bowled after aiming an ugly swipe at Shakib Al Hasan.

The Bangladeshi went on to record figures of 1-21 from his four overs as he and spin partner Sunil Narine kept the Mumbai total in check.

Narine was even more economical, taking 1-18 from his four, including the prize scalp of Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma.

Rohit, badly dropped at long on by Yusuf Pathan when on 11, played patiently for his 51 from 45 balls, before attempting an unorthodox paddle shot against the West Indian and seeing the ball crash into his stumps.

Uthappa and Gambhir got the reply off to a strong start, looking untroubled in reaching a stand of 50 before the skipper chopped a Harbhajan Singh delivery onto his stumps to depart for 14.

Harbhajan also accounted for Manish Pandey (14) in the same manner on his way to taking 2-22, but by then the hosts were looking in control at 96-2 with almost six overs remaining and Uthappa well-set on 64.

In the next over, the wicketkeeper-batsman took the game further away from Mumbai, driving Simmons for consecutive sixes over the off side, before the West Indian had the final say, cleaning up Uthappa as he looked for another expansive stroke.

It did little to disrupt Kolkata’s charge to victory, Pathan pulling Lasith Malinga (1-30) to the fence to finish 20 not out and seal a comfortable win for the Knight Riders, while Mumbai’s hopes of play-off qualification are looking increasingly in danger.

source: http://www.sportal.co.nz / Sportal / Home> Cricket / by Sportal / May 15th, 2014

Karnataka will be fielding a strong team, featuring the likes of quartermilers M R Poovamma and Ashwini Akkunji, in the National Inter-State athletics meetin Lucknow next month.

The team will also feature sprinter H M Jyothi, and high jumper Sahana Kumari.

The squad: Men: 100M: Sanjay V, Sonith Menden. 200M: Sajjin V, Sanjay V. 400M: Sachin JP, Sajjin V, Jayaprakash Shetty. 800M: Ranjan Kariappa. 1500M: Ranjan Kariappa, Girish Ramachandran. 110M hurdles: MK Sumanth, Srikanth Madyastha. 400M hurdles: Jagadish, Prashanth Kumar. High jump: Harshith S, Chetan B, Suprith Raj. Pole vault: P Balakrishna. Long jump: Arshad, Rositto Sax. Triple jump: Karthik. 4x400M relay: Sajjin, Sachin, Jayaprakash Shetty, Jagadish, Prashanth Kumar (reserve).

Women: 100M: Jyothi HM. 200M: Jyothi HM, Poovamma MR. 400M: Poovamma MR, Ashwini Akkunji, Vijayakumari. 800M: Sini A Markose, Mahalakshmi. 1500M: Sini A Markose. 100M hurdles: Meghana Shetty, Pragna Prakash. 400M hurdles: Arpitha. High jump: Sahana Kumari. Long jump: Aishwarya GM, Pragna Prakash. Triple jump: Joyline M Lobo. Heptathlon: Sahana Kumari, Varsha Shivashankar. 4x400M relay: Poovamma MR, Ashwini Akkunji, Vijayakumari, Arpitha, Sini A Markose. Coach: BP Aiyappa; Manager: Lakshmana M.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports / DHNS – Bangalore, May 13th, 2014

Robin Uthappa talks to Taus Rizvi about changes in his batting and his efforts to make comeback into national side

With scores of 47, 65, 47 you are back among runs in IPL…
Great to be opening. Frankly speaking, I deliver the best when when I open. Day in and day out, I have been working on my batting and my technique. I feel a lot more confident, sure about my skills and ability. I know, I will be able perform my role as an opening batsman. That is what is most important. Once you set good a foundation, you can build on from there. I am confident about playing well. Happy to repose faith having got an opportunity to open the innings.

Clearly, you were unhappy batting in the middle-order…
I am an opener. Opening the batting is what I do and is my bread and butter. It is here where I am comfortable the most.

Was it difficult to adjust after playing in the middle-order?
I wouldn’t say it’s difficult but it’s a challenge of a different kind. I played in the middle-orderin the last two IPLs. It was quite new for me, but had to do it since the team had asked me to.

How is it opening the innings with Gautam Gambhir in Kolkata Knight Riders?
Gauti and I go way back opening for India. We were competing for the same same spot with Sachin, Ganguly, Sehwag. We share a healthy relationship. I enjoy opening with a lefty as it unsettles the bowlers and gives opportunity to score. The left-right combination is always good.

You have changed your style of batting. Earlier, you would deal only in sixes and boundaries and now you have adopted a cautious approach. What prompted the change.
I am still aggressive but I don’t need to go hammer tongs when I can played good cricketing shots and still score runs. I think in the last couple of years, I have cleaned up my technique and learnt to respect the ball, bowlers and the wickets on merit. Play true to the merit and that is when you get the best chance to score. I am aware about the fields, what the bowlers are bowling. I keep it simple now and there is no need to panic. I do what I need to do for the team and that’s the approach which you can say is a lot more calmer.

You have a different stance now. What other technical changes have you made to your batting?
I have changed quite a lot actually. About the stance — two or three different set ups in technique for (different) bowling and pitches. I have been taking some time. That is one of the reason I am feeling confident and sure of the all work and the hours I have put in. I feel strongly about my skills — batting, shot selection and mindset. Have gone into a lot of details — changed my feet position, initial movements depending on the bounce on the wicket.

You have been working with Pravin Amre. What has been his role in the new ‘Robin Uthappa’?
Choosing to work with Amre sir was my best decision. He is someone who practically helped me change my game, from where it used to be to where it is now. I am very grateful to him. He has worked hard with me and has been patient. I know him since my days with the junior Indian team. There is a certain comfort level which I don’t share with anyone else. As his pupil, I have complete faith and trust in him. He gave me things on the platter and asked me to pick whatever I like the most, which is what I have done.

You are 28 and have been wanting to make a comeback to the Indian team. How far is that destination?
Frankly, I think with the talent I used to have, I played maximum to the potential. But now, I have cleaned up my technique. Today, I feel it is the start of my journey and there is no specific destination. The destination will be when I am done (with cricket) but I am far from done as I am in the best shape of my life, being skillfull, I have to continue working hard. Right now, I am happy enjoying my game putting in hard work. There are no ulterior reasons for playing cricket but I am enjoying and loving it more.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com/ DNA / Home> Sport / Place:Mumbai, Agency:DNA / Sunday – May 11th, 2014

Top woman shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa and Grandmaster Tania Sachdev participated in the ‘Wings for Life’ World Marathon competition, that was flagged off from Sonepat, Haryana, on Sunday.

For both Ashwini and Tania, it was their first tryst with a marathon and both seemed excited to be a part of a very noble cause. The proceeds from the event will go to the ‘Wings for Life’ a foundation that carried out research to find a cure for spinal cord related injuries.

“It’s an amazing feeling to take part in the marathon. I don’t know how long I will be running but it will be a unique experience for me. I had been so busy with my playing schedule that I have never been able to find time to participate in any marathon events earlier. I hope it’s a memorable first for me,” said Ashwini, who recently claimed the women’s doubles bronze in the Asian Badminton Championship pairing up with Jwala Gutta.

On the achievement, Ashwini said, “It came at the right time for us. It will be a great confidence booster for me and Jwala ahead of the CWG.”

source: http://www.asianage.com / The Asian Age / Home> Sports> Other Sports / by Age Correspondent / May 05th, 2014

One week in the city she loves and Joshna Chinappa feels rejuvenated. Spending time in Chennai is always special for her. The IPL flavour has hit the country but not her. Joshna prefers to stay away from the idiot box and trains at a doubles camp in the city. One week is up, the bags are packed and she is off to England to get more training ahead of the British Open which starts on May 14.

In between all this hustle, she takes time out to share her experiences. Forty minutes, a gruelling match and a victory, that’s how long it took for Joshna to bag her ninth WSA tour title at the Country Club of Virginia. The World No 21, seeded second, upset former world champion and top seed Rachael Grinham to win the Richmond Open recently.
The win was all the more memorable as it was Joshna’s first win against the Australian in six meetings and came just a week after she lost to the same opponent in Texas. “I have moved past that win,” she says. “I have lost to Rachael many times before. It was good to finally beat her in a final.”

So what’s different this time around? “I was a lot more relaxed and did not take any pressure. I didn’t make specific changes. Just played the way I wanted to. Staying calm was the key. The plan was to keep the ball tight, for she is a very crafty player and has had a good season,” Joshna adds.

A household name of squash in India, it’s been a dream run for the Coorgi this year. She broke into the top-20, won two WSA titles and is looking to add many more to her kitty. “It has been one of my best seasons so far. I hope to move further up the rankings. It’s only May and there are seven more months to go. I hope to take this good form further.”

Considering that the Commonwealth and Asian Games are just around the corner, her form is encouraging. “A medal depends on how well you play on that day. But I feel I have a good chance of winning in the individual category and a much higher chance of bagging a medal in doubles at the Commonwealth Games.”

Three years ago, she injured her knee and had to take a break for almost 10 months. Her ranking dipped to 71. But Joshna isn’t one to give up and soon after, she was back doing what she loves the most.

“I definitely wanted to play again. Never thought of quitting but I also didn’t think I would make it to the top 20. In the beginning, it was tough as I could not even walk properly. So I moved to Mumbai to start afresh. Everything was new there. I worked with an Egyptian trainer and he is one of the reasons I play squash today,” she recalls.

It was worth all the pain as she made a phenomenal comeback which included winning more national championships, a much-awaited title in Chennai, WSA crowns and being honoured with the Arjuna Award. “Winning in Chennai was special because though I am a Coorgi, I am a squash player because of this city. That was a great way to make a comeback,” she says.

On promoting the sport, she said, “We need more tournaments in India so that top players come here. That’s how squash will grow in India. The sport is most focussed in Chennai, that’s why we have many players emerging from the city. It should be the same throughout the country,” she adds. For now, it’s over to England.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport / by Krithika Gopalkrishnan – Chennai / May 05th, 2014