Ferrari defends veto over engine prices

Ferrari has defended its use of a veto to block plans for a price ceiling for Formula One engines and gearboxes, according to team boss Maurizio Arrivabene.

“We just exercised our commercial right as a powertrain manufacturer,” said Arrivabene, when asked about the veto during a news conference at the Mexican Grand Prix.

“If someone is asking you to produce a specification, you produce that specification. If then someone says ‘OK, we want you to reduce the price’, what are we going to do?

“It's not a position against the other teams, it's a position defending commercial principle. We're open to find any other solution.”

Unique option

Ferrari's use of its unique historic veto was exercised at an F1 Strategy Group meeting against a proposal from the sport's ruling body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), to introduce a budget engine as an alternative to the 1.6-litre V6 turbo engines currently in use.

It was suggested at that meeting that Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault should cut the prices of their engine for the 'privateer' independent customer teams in F1.

Arrivabene said that it was unreasonable to ask manufacturers to lower their prices after they had committed to development costs.

“If you are a public company, as we are, or a company as Mercedes is, you have research and development costs which is something you have to recover. I don't know any commercial entity giving produce out for free, or at cost. This is a principle.

“We are not applying the veto at every single meeting. If we do it, we think a lot about it. We do it if, in our opinion, it is necessary to do it. The last one was applied by Jean Todt — many years ago.”

Set of rules

Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff said: “This is a controversial topic and as many things, black and white is not the answer. There is a set of rules which were implemented in F1 two years ago. We started developing those engines three, four, five years ago based on that set of rules.

“You have to calculate how much you can charge for those engines, how much MONEY] you can recover for those engines. I understand Ferrari's standpoint and also understand that it's a difficult situation for some of the smaller teams.”

Force India looking at Aston Martin rebranding

Meanwhile, Force India boss Vijay Mallya on Friday confirmed media reports that his team was discussing a rebranding title sponsorship deal with Aston Martin.

In a news conference at the Mexican Grand Prix, Mallya was asked about the prospect of the Silverstone outfit being renamed as Aston Martin Racing, a move that would see the British car-maker’s return to F1 for the first time since 1960.

He said: “It’s premature to say anything has been done. We have many options and I will be able to confirm or otherwise when I have something to say.

“And as I said to Autosport (autosport.com) nothing is done until it is done and I don’t like to count my chickens before they are hatched.”

Aston Martin has discussed a return to F1 with Red Bull and Williams before switching to Force India, which races using Mercedes engines.

Mercedes-Benz is a shareholder in Aston Martin. — AFP

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Matsushita comes up trumps

Japanese GP2 driver Nobuharu Matsushita beat the heat and stiff challenge from closest contenders Jake Dennis and Tatiana Calderon to record his second win by clinching Race 3 of the MRF Challenge 2015 at the Yas Marina Circuit here on Saturday.

Matsushita was in a class of his own crossing the finish line nearly six seconds ahead of Formula 3 driver Jake and Tatiana.

Pietro Fittipaldi served a reminder that he is a force to reckon with, after losing Race 3, to take his first win ahead of ahead of Calderon and India’s Tarun Reddy in Race 4.

Calderon was the cynosure of all eyes as she pulled off two brilliant moves on the last lap of both races to get on the podium.

Matsushita currently leads the championship with 80 points followed by Fittipaldi (68) and Calderon (61).

In Race 3, pole-sitter Matsushita was off to a near perfect start and easily led from the first corner.

Close race

It was a close race as second-placed Dennis had a better start today and managed to hold off Fittipaldi into the first corner. Following them were Calderon slotted into fourth place ahead of a fast starting Tarun Reddy, who jumped from eighth on the grid to fifth.

The battle for second place was very close with Dennis, Fittipaladi, Calderon and Tarun within two seconds of each other.

In Race 4, Fittipaldi and Tarun jumped pole sitter Nikita Troitckii to lead 1-2 after the first corner. Calderon also passed the Russian to go third.

Fittipaldi won the race comfortably with the drivers behind him embroiled in an intense battle.

On the last lap, Calderon made her move once again into the final corner which saw both drivers crossing the finish line side-by-side. It was an exciting finish by Calderon as she had beaten Tarun by just 0.013secs.

Interestingly, this was also the first time three women drivers had finished in the top 10 in the championship.

Matsushita later remarked, “I had a clean start and managed to pull away. I am very impressed with the whole set-up,” he said.

The results:

MRF Challenge Race 3: 1. Nobuharu Matsushita; 2. Jake Dennis; 3. Tatiana Calderon; 4. Tarun Reddy; 5. Pietro Fittipaldi; 6. Nikita Troitckii.

MRF Challenge Race 4: 1. Fittipaldi; 2. Calderon; 3. Tarun; 4. Matsushita; 5. Dennis; 6. Troitckii.

‘I have only one focus and that is to win the ISL’

David Platt.

An unsmiling martinet, David Platt has put his mind into correcting the errors and keeping the bubble alive. In an email interview to the The Hindu , the FC Pune City coach talks about the possibility of fielding Tuncay Sanli behind Adrian Mutu and the Indian players in the squad.

What would you consider to be a successful season?

I have only one focus and that is to win the ISL. From day one of accepting the job as a club we have worked towards that goal. Situations may arise such as injuries to key players and decisions going against you but we put a squad together to overcome that.

You have got talented strikers at your disposal… Have you ever thought of playing Tuncay behind Mutu?

It’s an option we have but up until the last couple of games I haven’t felt that both could sustain a full 90 minutes and be effective as to their characteristics. Tuncay, via his game time, is now getting to that level and as such it becomes more of a possibility.

Lenny Rodriguez and Didier Zokora have been phenomenal in front of the defence thus far. The return of Lenny will be key to your progress… Your thoughts…

Lenny has been exceptional since day one and is a real bonus for me. We have Eugene who also plays in that position but we knew he would be missing for International games. Lenny is versatile enough to occupy different roles and as such, as I say, he has been a real bonus.

Your team has not been solid in transition and defending crosses… Are you working on these areas?

In transition we have been fine. We are a team that has offensive players so inevitably there are times when you concede space to the opposition. The goals we have conceded can be attributed to errors that shouldn’t occur, and we have spoken and have worked to negate these.

Which are the teams that will make the last-four stage?

At this stage it’s hard to predict. Any team that records back-to-back wins is firmly in position to make the final four.

There is a general perception that the Indian players are technically sound, but tactically naïve. What is your take on that?

I don’t agree that they are tactically naive, but they often play against internationals who have learned through experience to be cute. You improve by playing against these kind of players and understanding that time and space on a football field are the same thing. Often players think they have more time but the internationals close the options down naturally very quickly and put them in difficulty. It will take time for them to get this experience as only by playing and learning can you do so.

Among the Indian players who has impressed you the most & why?

All my players have impressed me in different ways. It’s those I focus on a daily basis and so wouldn’t pass judgement on others.

England considers third spinner option

Skipper Alastair Cook admitted playing a third spinner would be a tough call as England prepares to take on Pakistan in the third and final Test at Sharjah from Sunday.

England is 1-0 down after losing the second Test in Dubai and drawing the first in Abu Dhabi, so is seeking to level the series, as New Zealand did last year.

The Black Caps also used three spinners in Daniel Vettori, Mark Craig and Ish Sodhi to beat Pakistan by an innings, also in Sharjah for a 1-1 result.

Asked if England would play a third spinner in Samit Patel in place of Mark Wood who is rested with an ankle problem, Cook termed it a tough call.

“That’s the major decision we have to make,” Cook said on Saturday. “Yesterday when we turned up they had just watered the wicket so it didn’t give us too many clues.

“It will be really easy after the game in hindsight to see whether we’ve made the right decision but it will be a tough call.”

If England loses the series 2-0, it will slump to as low as sixth in Test rankings and Pakistan will jump to its best-ever second spot.

Cook, who hurt his groin during the second Test, said he was feeling better.

“I feel fine.... I’ve been confident since the second day after that game. The medical team worked pretty hard on me and I felt fine from there. Hopefully it will be as normal.”

England will also bring in James Taylor for Jos Buttler to bolster its struggling batting.

“He’s itching to play and you don’t average 47-48 in first-class cricket without being a fine player,” said Cook of Taylor whose only two Tests were in 2012.

“One of his very strong points is that when he gets in he goes on to get big scores. We know how important first-innings runs are to set the game up.”

Cook warned England will have to be at its best to beat Pakistan, unbeaten in a series in United Arab Emirates (UAE), being forced to play away from home due to security fears since 2009.

Cook admitted Pakistan’s leg-spinner Yasir Shah will again be a major threat.

Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq ruled out the option of playing a third spinner in Bilal Asif, whose bowling action was cleared on Friday.

“We have been thinking about it but the pitch doesn’t look like that sort of a turner where you can go with three spinners,” said Misbah. — AFP

Rosberg fastest in practice

IN THE VAN:Nico Rosberg set the fastest time for Mercedes in Friday’s Mexican Grand Prix practice.— PHOTO: AFP

Nico Rosberg bounced back from his disappointment in Texas to top the times in Friday’s second free practice for this weekend’s Formula One Mexican Grand Prix, the first in the city for 23 years.

Rosberg clocked a fastest lap of one minute and 21.531 seconds to outpace nearest rival Daniil Kvyat of Red Bull by two-tenths of a second in a busy session that saw many drivers struggling for grip and spinning on the high-altitude, low-grip surface of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

“It is great to be here and to learn a new track and visit a new country,” said Rosberg.

“They have done a really good job and today was a good day for me. It was fun.

“I love the section with the stadium and, actually, I just paid real attention to it on my in-lap.

“It is nice to see so many people there and close and tight to the track. I think it is a great layout.” Asked if he was motivated to make sure he finished second in the championship, Rosberg then narrowed his eyes.

“No, my motivation is to beat the guy next to me,” said Rosberg. That guy, of course, is Hamilton whose success in Texas left Rosberg feeling bitter disappointment and anger, an emotion he has struggled to shake off as his teammate revelled in his celebrations.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo was third in the second Renault-powered Red Bull ahead of Hamilton, in the second Mercedes, four-time champion Sebastian Vettel and his Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen.

Valtteri Bottas, who smashed the front wing off his Williams in a high-speed off-track excursion, was seventh ahead of two-time world champion Fernando Alonso and his McLaren teammate, 2009 champion Jenson Button of McLaren. — AFP

Nadal enters final

Rafael Nadal beat Richard Gasquet 6-4, 7-6(7) to reach his first career final at the Swiss Indoors on Saturday and knock the Frenchman out of the race for the World Tour Finals.

The win by the Spanish third seed also settled the field for the eight-man season wrap-up in London from November 15, with Japan's Kei Nishikori and David Ferrer of Spain taking the last two spots.

Federer, Nadal, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych make up the World Tour Finals field.

Earlier in the quarterfinals , top seed and six-time champion Roger Federer held off David Goffin 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to win a re-run of his 2014 final victory over the Belgian.

In another last-eight clash, Nadal, the third seed, scored a hard-fought 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Marin Cilic, his third three-set victory this week.

The results:

Semifinals: Rafael Nadal bt Richard Gasquet 6-4, 7-6(7).

Quarterfinals: Roger Federer bt David Goffin 6-3, 3-6, 6-1; Jack Sock bt Donald Young 5-7, 6-4, 6-2; Rafael Nadal bt Marin Cilic 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.— AFP

Coutinho strikes stun Chelsea

Philippe Coutinho struck twice as Liverpool won 3-1 at Chelsea on Saturday to ratchet up the pressure yet further on the Premier League champion’s beleaguered manager Jose Mourinho.

Ramires put the hosts ahead in the fourth minute at Stamford Bridge, but Coutinho equalised in first-half stoppage time and put Liverpool ahead with a deflected shot in the 74th minute before substitute Christian Benteke rubber-stamped Chelsea’s sixth defeat in 11 league games.

While visiting manager Jurgen Klopp was left to celebrate his first league win — Liverpool’s first on the road since the season’s opening weekend — it was a Halloween nightmare for Mourinho, whose job is thought to be on the line after a run of just one win in eight matches in all competitions.

Some newspaper reports had even suggested that he could be dismissed in the event of another defeat and he was assailed with chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning!” by the away fans as the game wound down.

The result: Chelsea 1 (Ramires 4) lost to Liverpool 3 (Coutinho 45+3, 74, Benteke 83); Crystal Palace 0 drew with Manchester United 0; Manchester City 2 (Otamendi 67, Toure 89-pen) bt Norwich 1 (Jerome 83); Newcastle 0 drew with Stoke 0; Swansea 0 lost to Arsenal 3 (Giroud 49, Koscielny 68, Campbell 73); Watford 2 (Ighalo 39, 48) bt West Ham 0; West Brom 2 (Rondon 30, Lambert 84-pen) lost to Leicester 3 (Mahrez 57, 64, Vardy 77). — AFP

Woman O War appeals most

Woman O War appeals most in the first division of the M. L. N. Reddy Memorial Cup (1,400m), the main event of the opening day’s races to be held here on Sunday (November I).

There will be no false rails.

WELCOME PLATE (1,400m), 3-y-o & over, rated upto 50 (Cat. III), 1.40 p.m.: 1. Amethyst (7) Deepak Singh 61.5, 2. Pakat Pakat Pakat (3) Aneel 61.5, 3. Shivalik Bird (4) A. S. Pawar 61, 4. Flamboyant Star (5) B. Dileep 60.5, 5. Symbol Of Honour (6) K. Mukesh Kumar 59.5, 6. Accelerator (2) A. M. Tograllu 57.5, 7. Dolce (1) Ajeeth Kumar 53.5 and 8. Royal Glow (8) Kunal Bunde 50.

1. Accelerator, 2. Amethyst, 3. Shivalik Bird

BEGINNERS PLATE (1,000m), (Cat. II), maiden 2-y-o only (Terms), 2.10: 1. Cashel (7) Kiran Naidu 55, 2. Magical Skill (3) Deep Shanker 55, 3. Amazing Venus (2) C. Henrique 53.5, 4. Avenida (5) Sai Kumar 53.5, 5. Creative (6) Ravinder Singh 53.5, 6. District Attorney (1) Chary 53.5 and 7. Golden Adara (4) A M Tograllu 53.5.

1. District Attorney, 2. Magical Skill, 3. Creative

OWN OPINION PLATE (1,600m), 3-y-o & over, rated upto 50 (Cat. III), 2.45: 1. Hal Chal (ex: Chal Raja Chal) (8) A. M. Tograllu 60, 2. Belatrix (5) Deep Shanker 58, 3. Bharat Princess (4) C. Henrique 57, 4. Bon Ton (3) Ajit Singh 56.5, 5. Silvassa (2) Deepak Singh 54.5, 6. Junior (6) N. S. Rathore 52, 7. Sol Invictus (1) P. S. Chouhan 52 and 8. Aakash Vani (7) K. Mukesh Kumar 51.5.

1. Bellatrix, 2. Bharat Princess, 3. Silvassa

M. L. N. REDDY MEMORIAL CUP (Div. II), (1,400m), 3-y-o & over (Cat. I), 3.15: 1. Carlton (2) G. Naresh 64.5, 2. Vijay Vidhata (6) Kuldeep Singh 62, 3. Decathlon (8) P. S. Chouhan 61.5, 4. Super Falcon (3) Aneel 61.5, 5. Power Planet (5) A M Tograllu 58.5, 6. Azaiba (4) Ajeeth Kumar 56, 7. Hometown Hero (1) N. Rawal 53.5 and 8. Lopamudra (7) C. Henrique 51.

1. Vijay Vidhata, 2. Power Planet, 3. Carlton

DAWN PLATE (1,400m), 3-y-o & over, rated upto 75 (Cat. II), 3.45: 1. Lips Locking (9) Deepak Singh 62, 2. Time To Climb (4) S. S. Tanwar 55.5, 3. Vallee Secrete (5) Akshay Kumar 55, 4. O Ms Akilah (8) A. S. Pawar 54.5, 5. Delta Force (7) N. S. Rathore 52.5, 6. Rocking Racer (1) Chary 52.5, 7. Catherine (6) K. Mukesh Kumar 52, 8. Pegasus (2) C. S. Vikrant 50 and 9. Roma Rouge (3) Ajeeth Kumar 50.

1. Vallee Secrete, 2. O Ms Akilah, 3. Time To Climb

M. L. N. REDDY MEMORIAL CUP (Div. I) (1,400m), 3-y-o & over (Cat. I), 4.15: 1. Always Bullish (3) Deepak Singh 65.5, 2. Shamrock Lady (7) A. S. Pawar 62.5, 3. Brahmani (2) C. Henrique 59.5, 4. Golden Essence (9) Kiran Naidu 59.5, 5. Woman O War (6) P. S. Chouhan 59.5, 6. My Star (8) Akshay Kumar 57.5, 7. Modern Sniper (4) N. S. Rathore 56, 8. Hidden Power (1) Ajit Singh 52.5 and 9. Symbol Of Choice (5) Ajeeth Kumar 50.

1. Woman O War, 2. My Star, 3. Always Bullish

MOMENT OF GLORY PLATE (1,100m), 3-y-o & over, rated 25 (Cat. III), 4.50: 1. Dorian (3) Sai Kumar 62, 2. Exclusive Theodora (7) Deepak Singh 62, 3. Give Me A Chance (4) K. Mukesh Kumar 62, 4. Pensacola (2) Ajit Singh 62, 5. Team Motto (8) B. Dileep 62, 6. Sprint Saloni (5) R. B. Shinde 61.5, 7. Cruiser (6) Kiran Naidu 60, 8. Arrey O Samba (9) M. F. Ali Khan 59.5 and 9. Gun Stream (1) K. Sai Kiran 50.

1. Cruiser, 2. Dorian, 3. Gun Stream

Day’s best: Woman O War

Double: Vijay Vidhata-Vallee Secrete

Jkt: 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7; Tr (i): 2, 3 & 4; (ii): 5, 6 & 7; Tla: All races.

Force India eyes Aston Martin rebranding

Force India boss Vijay Mallya on Friday confirmed media reports that his team was discussing a rebranding title sponsorship deal with Aston Martin.

In a news conference at the Mexican Grand Prix, Mallya was asked about the prospect of the Silverstone outfit being renamed as Aston Martin Racing, a move that would see the British car-maker’s return to F1 for the first time since 1960.

He said: “It’s premature to say anything has been done. We have many options and I will be able to confirm or otherwise when I have something to say.

“And as I said to Autosport (autosport.com) nothing is done until it is done and I don’t like to count my chickens before they are hatched.”

Aston Martin has discussed a return to F1 with Red Bull and Williams before switching to Force India, which races using Mercedes engines.

Desperate ATK faces upbeat Mumbai

Iain Hume can hurt any defence on the counter-attack, if given room to manoeuvre. The Canadian striker can score with head or feet and create chances for teammates.

Atletico de Kolkata requires him fit for the away Hero Indian Super League match against a supremely confident Mumbai City FC, riding high on home turf at the D. Y. Patil stadium on Sunday.

Disappointed

ATK coach Antonio Habas is disappointed, in the wake of three defeats in a row. There is nothing wrong with his forwards, but momentary lapses in concentration neutralise hard work done to keep ball possession.

The head coach changed goalkeepers, moving Amrinder Singh after first two games for Juan Sanchez, then brought back the Indian for the sixth match.

Custodian Edel Bete’s absence is being felt by the Spanish head coach (the Cameroon shot-stopper switched sides to Chennaiyin FC). The backline is not settled, due to changes by Habas in an effort to lend solidity.

Bete’s exit is something ATK has to live with. Marquee player and striker Helder Postiga’s non-availability due to injury picked up after two goals in the opener is another problem the team has to deal with now.

Hume’s efforts upfront in creating chances with slick passing have not been successful so far, leading to the defending champion in the lower half of the table after three losses in six matches.

Habas’s assembly of midfielders includes Valmiro Rocha (Valdo) from Real Madrid, who came on as substitute against Chennaiyin FC and scored off a Hume pass.

ISL 2014 sensation Borja Fernandez is another ace in the pack. This Eibar and Real Madrid player, armed with La Liga experience in defensive midfield role, is influential on the pitch and will be marked, besides Hume who was lucky to escape without major injury following repeated fouls by Delhi defenders.

Izumi Arata’s fitness problems limit Habas’s hand in the offence, even as he seeks the right personnel at the back against Nicolas Anelka’s upbeat team tomorrow.

Railways struggles against Tamil Nadu seamers

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  DEFIANT:Railways opener V. Cheluvaraj (63 batting) stood firm amongst the ruins to offer some resistance against Tamil Nadu on the second day.– Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

CRICKET / Crist and Kousik share the spoils after Indrajith finishes with 151

NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu seamers relish outstation assignments. The spinner-friendly tracks at home reduce their role but away games give them the opportunity to make an impact.

Aswin Crist and J. Kousik gave an excellent exhibition of sustained swing and seam bowling by leaving Railways in tatters at 129 for seven in reply to Tamil Nadu’s first innings score of 328 in the Group ‘B’ Ranji Trophy match at the Karnail Singh Stadium here on Saturday.

Resuming at 288 for six, Tamil Nadu added 40 runs this morning with Baba Aparajith, 121 overnight, contributing 30 of them before falling after facing 233 balls. Railways was well served by Anureet Singh who finished with a five-wicket haul while Krishnakant Upadhyay picked up two wickets this morning to restrict the opposition.

Weak front

Railways was rattled early and then towards the closing stages. First by Crist and then Kousik as Railways put up a weak front against the Tamil Nadu seamers.

“The pitch was a gift really,” exclaimed Crist, who took four wickets. “We (seamers) feel happy to see pitches like this.

“There was swing for us even though the bounce was low and the pitch was a bit slow too,” said Crist.

Crist struck three blows in a row — Saurabh Wakaskar, Faiz Ahmed and R. Jonathan — before Arindam Ghosh and V. Cheluvaraj added 104 runs in what was the best phase of the day for the home team.

The short and compact Cheluvaraj gave a decent account of potential by playing the ball on merit in the company of an equally determined Ghosh, who played a waiting game.

Railways slipped from a healthy 124 for three, given the early dents, and lost four wickets for two runs as Tamil Nadu established its dominance through Kousik, who removed Ghosh (48, 133b, 5x4), Ashish Yadav and Anureet Singh after Crist ensured Mahesh Rawat’s dismal run with the bat this season continued. Rawat was taken on the leg-side as he attempted a glance.

“There was pressure because the team has not been doing well. It could have been different with some application. We could have saved 50-60 runs,” said Cheluvaraj, who has batted 158 balls and hit seven fours.

The scores:

Tamil Nadu — 1st innings: B. Aparajith b Anureet 3, Abhinav Mukund lbw b Bhima Rao 49, Dinesh Karthik c Ghosh b Mali 27, Vijay Shankar lbw b Anureet 19, B. Indrajith c Upadhyay b Anureet 151, R. Prasanna c Rawat b Ashish 22, J. Kousik c Rawat b Anureet 32, Malolan Rangarajan c Rawat b Upadhyay 12, Aswin Crist c Rawat b Anureet 0, M. Mohammed c Rawat b Upadhyay 6, Rahil Shah (not out) 0; Extras (lb-1, nb-5, w-1): 7; Total (in 111.2 overs): 328.

Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-67, 3-95, 4-101, 5-180, 6-258, 7-300, 8-303, 9-328.

Railways bowling: Anureet Singh 43.2-8-104-5, Krishnakant Upadhyay 31-6-93-2, Ranjeet Mali 19-4-57-1, Bhima Rao 11-1-47-1, Ashish Yadav 7-2-26-1.

Railways — 1st innings: Saurabh Wakaskar b Crist 11, V. Cheluvaraj (batting) 63, Faiz Ahmed c Kousik b Crist 0, R. Jonathan c Karthik b Crist 4, Arindam Ghosh c Indrajith b Kousik 48, Mahesh Rawat c Karthik b Crist 1, Ashish Yadav b Kousik 0, Anureet Singh b Kousik 0, Bhima Rao (batting) 0, Extras (lb-1, w-1) 2, Total (for seven wkts. in 59 overs) 129.

Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-12, 3-20, 4-124, 5-125, 6-126, 7-126.

Tamil Nadu bowling: Crist 14-2-42-4, Mohammed 16-6-22-0, Vijay Shankar 10-2-33-0, Malolan Rangarajan 11-3-19-0, Kousik 6-1-7-3, Abhinav 2-0-5-0.

Milind leads Delhi’s revival

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  GOOD SHOW:Milind Kumar came up with a responsible knock to lend respectability to the Delhi innings.

Milind Kumar is fast emerging as a reliable middle order batsman for Delhi. The 24-year-old scored his second half-century in consecutive matches to help Delhi post 245 for seven in its first innings on the second day of the Ranji Trophy Group A match against Odisha here on Saturday.

Resuming at 99 for one, Delhi effectively dealt with some accurate bowling from Odisha pacers, spurred by the nippy Suryakant Pradhan’s four-wicket haul, to put up a decent total when bad light stopped play 35 minutes prior to the scheduled end.

The young Delhi batting line-up showed a lot of maturity even as the batsmen continued to collect runs at a slower pace, scoring 146 runs off 66.4 overs, amidst several stoppages due to rain and poor light.

Pradhan targeted Gautam Gambhir and him early. Gambhir (41, 168b, 4x4), who began from 35, survived a huge lbw appeal before inside-edging Pradhan in the seventh over of the day. He added 42 runs with the other overnight batsman Nitish Rana (37, 79b, 6x4) for the second wicket.

Rana, who showed a lot of fighting spirit, could not succeed in his attempt to stay longer. He was caught behind off Deepak Behera to leave the touring side at 132 for three.

Sensing a chance, the Odisha bowlers sustained pressure by sticking to a tight line.

Composed knock

However, Milind exhibited his mettle to get Delhi out of a possible crisis. Banking on his natural composure, good technique and awareness about the situation, the right-hander blunted the challenge thrown by the home seamers.

He switched gears to hit eight delectable fours, including three off an over from left-arm spinner Dhiraj Singh and two in a Basant Mohanty over, to relieve the pressure.

Milind gave a tentative-looking Vaibhav Rawal (19, 124b, 1x4) the confidence to forge an excellent 65-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Odisha fought back in the post-lunch session by claiming three Delhi wickets in the space of five overs. Pradhan had Rawal brilliantly caught by Dhiraj at deep-midwicket and followed it up with a beauty of a delivery to get rid of Manan Sharma with wicketkeeper Rajesh Dhuper diving forward to complete a spectacular catch.

Mohanty claimed Puneet Bisht early to tighten the screw.

Milind hung on to rescue his side with an invaluable 59 off 138 balls before being Pradhan's fourth victim.

The scores:

Delhi — 1st innings: Dhruv Shorey b Mohanty 42, Gautam Gambhir b Pradhan 41, Nitish Rana c Dhuper b Behera 37, Milind Kumar c Dhuper b Pradhan 59, Vaibhav Rawal c Dhiraj b Pradhan 19, Puneet Bisht lbw b Mohanty 9, Manan Sharma c Dhuper c Pradhan 0, Pradeep Sangwan (batting) 15, Subodh Bhati (batting) 5; Extras (b-10, lb-7, nb-1): 18; Total (for seven wicket in 115 overs) 245.

Fall of wicket: 1-74, 2-116, 3-132, 4-197, 5-212, 6-213, 7-230.

Odisha bowling: Basant Mohanty 35-8-78-2, Suryakant Pradhan 32.5-11-83-4, Deepak Behera 30-16-32-1, Dhiraj Singh 4-1-18-0, Biplab Samantray 13.1-3-17-0.

Brave Blasters hold Chennaiyin FC

The home team snaps a four-game losing streak with the morale-boosting draw

GOOD BEGINNING:Chennaiyin FC's Elano celebrates with his teamates after scoring the first goal of the match in the 34th minute against Kerala Blasters.— Photo: H. Vibhu

What a transformation! Despite the odds heavily stacked against it, a 10-man Kerala Blasters FC stunningly forced Chennaiyin FC to a 1-1 draw in the Indian Super League at the Nehru Stadium here on Saturday night.

Blasters were coming home after a four-game losing streak which saw the exit of its head coach Peter Taylor and Chennaiyin, known for its attacking game and with stars like the league’s joint top-scorer John Stiven Mendoza and Elano Blumer, started as the big favourite.

But it was Blasters, who played the last 18 minutes with just 10 men and walked away with their heads held high. Chennaiyin’s goal came through a penalty too, through Elano in the 33rd minute, while the home side’s English striker Chris Dagnall, the hero of the match, came up with the Blasters’ equaliser with a stunning header soon after the break.

As expected, Blasters dropped Taylor’s favourite 5-3-2 and chose the 4-3-1-2 system with Sanchez Watt playing just behind the two strikers Mohammed Rafi and Dagnall. Meanwhile, Chennaiyin stuck to its regular 4-4-1-1 in the match which was played under a steady drizzle. Both sides made three changes from its last game.

Joao Coimbra, the Portuguese midfielder, made Blasters look lethal tonight, working his way up nicely and sending a steady stream of crosses to the forwards till his exit in the 40th minute after a back injury.

At the half-hour mark, Coimbra sent a lovely through cross to Chris Dagnall. With the crowd roaring, the English striker raced into the box but got into a tangle with the goalkeeper Karanjit Singh.

Chennaiyin took the lead soon after, through a penalty. Sandesh Jhingan, who got away scot-free when he pulled down the dangerous Mendoza a few moments earlier just outside the penalty area, appeared to bring down the Colombian striker inside the box following a collision in the 33rd minute. Elano comfortably slotted it home, sending it to the left corner, giving Bywater no chance.

Splendid save

Bywater was tested once again when Mendoza turned and fired a fiery shot from the top of the box but this time the home goalkeeper made a splendid save. Chennaiyin went into the break with a happy lead but the home side struck the equaliser stunningly soon after the break. The move started on the left with the young Spaniard Josu Currias Prieto, who came in for Coimbra, following which left-back Saumik Dey sent a curling floater to Dagnall.

The Englishman was quick to react and headed it home to the joy of nearly-48,000 fans.

Blasters got a penalty too when its captain Peter Ramage was brought down by the Chennaiyin defender Mailson Alves inside the box as the goalkeeper Karanjit rose to save a long-ranger. Josu took the penalty but Karanjit anticipated the shot well, diving to his left to make a brilliant save.

Outstanding day

Karanjit had an outstanding day. He made two more good saves before the hour-mark, pushing away a curling Josu freekick and a little later, a Dagnall header from close range, following another Josu freekick.

Meanwhile, Bywater made a couple of smart saves denying Elano and Mendoza in quick succession around the 70th minute. Rafi saw his header go wide for Blasters.

The Kerala side suffered a massive setback in the 74th minute when its tall Brazilian midfielder Bruno Perone’s boot hit Mendoza’s jaw as he jumped and turned to thwart the Colombian’s dangerous move forward. Was it intentional? The referee thought so and gave Perone the marching orders. But despite being a man down, the home side put up a brave face and finished with honours even.

The result: Chennaiyin 1 (Elano Blumer 34rd min., penalty) drew with v Kerala Blasters 1 (Chris Dagnall 46th).

de Villiers runs up a century

Cricket / Shardul Thakur and Nathu Singh make their mark

On Song:A.B. de Villiers was once again in the thick of things, making 112 against Board President XI.— Photo: Vivek Bendre

The potential of Shardul Thakur and Nathu Singh against an international side showed itself up in the opening session of the two-day warm-up game against South Africa at the Brabourne Stadium. Thakur may have even climbed a notch or two and could be considered as a replacement should there be an exigency caused by injury to any among the present set of pace men in the national squad.

The two-day match ended in a draw, with South Africa taking a six-run lead and the home team making 92 for no loss.

The pocket-sized Thakur seized an opportunity to show his mettle and largely succeeded capturing four wickets with the new ball — two in the last session on Friday and two in his opening burst on Saturday.

Nathu Singh took time to get his rhythm and accuracy and there were odd instances when he gave glimpses of possessing special deliveries to rattle batsmen at the highest level.

He dismissed a well settled left-handed opener Dean Elgar with a genuine wicket-taking delivery.

After an excellent demonstration of fast, seam bowling by Thakur and Nathu Singh that reduced South Africa to 57 for five by the 16th over, A.B. de Villiers (112, 208m, 131b, 18 x 4s) took the centre-stage and stamped his authority with a fourth century in the ongoing tour; he had scored centuries in the one-day internationals played at Kanpur, Chennai and Mumbai.

The attacking right-hander was involved in two recovery partnerships with Temba Bavuma (54 for the sixth wicket) and with Dane Vilas (115 for the seventh wicket).

From the home team’s point of view the focus was on Thakur and Nathu Singh.

The Mumbai speedster who recently crossed 100 first class wickets, trapped Faf du Plessis leg-before with a yorker. Thereafter he sent back captain Hashim Amla with an outswinger that took the edge of the bat and landed into the hands of Karun Nair in the first of the slip cordon.

The South African team coach Russell Domingo said that there is nothing to worry about leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who appeared to have hurt his non-bowling hand when Rahul hit a firm shot in the second innings.

The scores: Board President’s XI — 1st innings: 296.

South Africa — 1st innings: Stiaan van Zyl c Chand b Thakur 18, Dean Elgar c Chand b Nathu Singh 23, Simon Harmer c Ojha b Thakur 4, Faf du Plessis lbw b Thakur 4, Hasim Amla c Nair b Thakur 1, A.B. de Villiers b Jayant 112, Temba Bavuma c Chand b Pandya 15, Dane Vilas b Jayant 54, Vernon Philander b Kuldeep 12, Dale Steyn b Kuldeep 37, Kagiso Rabada (not out) 1, Extras (b-7, lb-1, nb-7, w-6) 21; Total in 69.2 overs: 302.

Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-46, 3-54, 4-57, 5-57, 6-111, 7-226, 8-259, 9-285.

Board President’s XI bowling: Shardul Thakur 16-3-70-4, Nathu Singh 14.4-2-56-1, Hardik Pandya 14-1-64-1, Karn Sharma 8-0-43-0, Jayant Yadav 8-2-37-2, Kuldeep Yadav  8.4-0-24-2.

Board President’s XI — 2nd innings: K. L. Rahul (not out) 43, Cheteshwar Pujara (not out) 49; Total: (for no loss in 30 overs) 92.

South Africa bowling: Simon Harmer 10-2-24-0, Dane Piedt 10-3-32-0, Imran Tahir 5-0-25-0, Dean Elgar 5-0-11-0.