'Inzamam to blame for dearth of batting talent in Pak team'

Pakistan's former Test captain, Aamir Sohail feels the country's most capped player Inzamam-ul Haq is responsible for the dearth of quality batsmen in the national team. Sohail said by the time Inzamam retired he had disturbed the national team and left it facing numerous problems. "When
Imran Khan retired, he left behind a pack of quality bowlers, when Javed Miandad retired he left behind a legacy of good batsmen but when Inzamam retired he left behind nothing," Sohail told 'Geo super channel'.

Sohail said during Inzamam's tenure as captain, no batsman was allowed to settle down or groomed to take over when the big guns retired.

"Good players like Yasir Hameed, Asim Kamal, Faisal Iqbal, Taufiq Umar or Hasan Reza who had done well in the chances given to them were never allowed to settle down in the team and establish themselves," he explained.

"The result is that today we don't have a ready line of batsmen to replace seniors. That is why I blame Inzamam for the current crisis in the team," Sohail said.

Inzamam, who played 120 Tests and 398 one-day internationals, retired in 2007 after having remained captain since 2003.

Sohail also lashed out at the national selectors and the management of the team for misleading the board into believing that there was enough back up talent to replace experienced players like Muhammad Yousuf, Younus Khan or Faisal Iqbal.

"The truth is they misled the PCB Chairman into believing that he could manage the national team without Yousuf and Younus and that is why we are facing problems in England on Monday," Sohail said.

Kalmadi takes Mani Shanker Aiyer head on

Unfazed with the barrage of accusations of corruption, Suresh Kalmadi said his conscious is clear. There is no direct charge of corruption against him. There is no question of quitting the games when it is so near. CVC has not pointed any finger on him. Now, he is only concentrating in order to organize the Commonwealth games successfully.

In a no hold-barred interview with Anurradha Prasad for her `Aamne -Saamne` show on News 24, Chief of Commonwealth organising committee said, “ I am ready to face any judicial inquiry to clear my name. i am really surprised that as to why there is such a campaign for the last one week against him,though everything was going nicely before that.” He also added, “ I would like to clear my name from all the charges before games. I would also like to clear name before my family and my constituency.”

Replaying to a direct barb regarding the involvement of his close aides of financial bung lings, Suresh Kalmadi said, “ Around two thousand people work under me. I do not know every body. I constituted an inquiry committee and suspended two officials when i came to know about their involvement in bungling.” He also completely denies that the suspended officials namely, TS Darbari and Sanjay Mahendroo were very close to him. This is not at all true. “ I even do not know Mahendroo at all.”

Taking the ten days deadline of Commonwealth Games federation president Mike Fennell to put the house in order rather lightly, the ex – fighter pilot of India Air force said, “ I am sure within next ten days everything (stadiums) would be completed.”

On a question related to incomplete infrastructures and stadiums where important events would suppose to take place, Kalmadi completely washed off his hands of taking the responsibility of their present condition. “ I am not involved in the construction related activities. Various agencies are looking after the construction of stadiums and other infrastructures. This question should be asked to them.”

He, however, made it clear that if there would be any problem in staging the games, then it would be a collective responsibility of organizing committee as well as all the agencies responsible for construction of stadias.

`But you are now face of the commonwealth games...?` Suresh Kalmadi said, “ I do not want to pass the buck. I take the responsibility of any corruption charge. I do not have sanctioning authority of even single paise.”

Taking his bete noire and party colleague Mani Shanker Aiyer head on, Kalmadi said, “ I do not want to comment against his utterances. He has lost the Lok Sabha elections and entered Parliament as a nominated member. Hence, I do not know whether he is in Congress or not.”

Did you talk to him? With contempt, he said, “ Yes, I did. When he was a sports minister i used to meet him. That two years as his minister of sports was the worst phase. He has been against the games since long. Even when he was minister of sports, he was against the games. After the games, I will meet him.”

Kalmadi revealed that he has been meeting both Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi. “ PM has given us Rs600 crores. That money is spent on providing training to our players. I am sure this time our players will win 70 medals and India would be in third position in medals tally.”

Making his position clear in respect of huge sum that has already been incurred on games related projects, Kalmadi said, he has so far received only Rs900 crores out of sanctioned Rs1600 crores. “We have already collected Rs700 crores as revenue from sponsorships,sale of tickets and TV rights. We were expecting Rs30 million from TV rights, but we got Rs50 million. BBC,Australia,South Africa have taken TV rights. US would also show the games. Three billion people across the world would watch the opening and closing ceremonies.”

So, will you return the Rs1600 crores to government? “ Yes, of course.” `But so far only three per cent tickets were sold ?` Kalmadi was hopeful that the sale of games tickets would pick in days to come.

Is it true that sponsors like Railways and NTPC are also worried as the corruption charges against the Organizing committee is becoming more and more frequent? Rather than replaying to the question, he said now he is only concentrating on the games.

India thrashed Lankans, great ton by Laxman

With VVS Laxman`s 16th Test ton India has surpassed Sri Lanka in the third Test. India overshadowed The Sri Lankan team by 5 wickets. With this victory India levelled the series by 1-1 at the P. Sara Oval.

Chasing a victory target of 257, India made 258 for five in the second innings with VVS Laxman remaining unbeaten on 103. Sri Lanka made 425 in the first innings and 267 in their second. India were bowled out for 436 in their first innings.

Laxman persistently played his natural game throughout the decisive day as he first made a 109-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar to lead India to a commanding position, and then played the concluding 87-run innings with Suresh Raina.

Chasing 257 runs in the second innings, India suffered an early loss in the form of Ishant Sharma as Suraj Randiv dismissed this night-watchman at a mere score of 4.

Thereafter Tendulkar and Laxman took the lead and their fearless and confident game took India to a very satisfactory situation.

Sachin achieved another milestone in his career by adding his 56th Test fifty to it.

India went for lunch with their scorecard reading 145/4. Post lunch, the Tendulkar-Laxman duo put up a remarkable 109-run fifth wicket partnership that turned around the wheel of fate in favour of the Indians.

But soon after his half century, the run machine Sachin was hindered by Randiv, who dismissed the Little Master (54) to claim his maiden five-wicket haul.

After Tendulkar’s dismissal, the onus entirely fell on Laxman`s shoulders .

Laxman slammed a total of 12 boundaries to later clinch his 16th Test century. Alongside, Raina accompanied him as he scored 41 runs.

Raina dispelled the clouds of doubts by hitting a six, which marked Indian victory on Sri Lankan soil.

Bachchan named brand ambassador of Champions League T20

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan was on Friday named brand ambassador of the upcoming Airtel Champions League Twenty20 by the tournament's official broadcaster and commercial partner ESPN Star Sports.



"I am delighted to be associated with Airtel CL T20. It is an interesting format, an international T20 tournament where only champion teams compete for the top prize. I am a huge fan and want to see Indian teams win laurels on the international stage," Bachchan said at a function.



"T20 cricket is just exciting. The time, the constraint, the fact that each player has to perform from the very first ball ... I'm honoured that I've been a part of this now. I wish all the three Indian teams well. I hope that Sachin (Tendulkar), (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni and (Anil) Kumble do well," he said.



When asked about his cricketing capabilities, he said he would bowl left-handed and bat right-handed.



The actor recalled how while playing an exhibition match he had failed to identify Indian cricket legend Vinoo Mankad.



"When I joined the film industry, there used to be many celebrity matches. I think it was during one of them at Brabourne (stadium in Mumbai). I was bowling left arm spin when the 'umpire' advised me to bowl from the other side of the wicket. I was irritated and I completed the over from the same side," he said.



"After finishing the over, I asked a friend about the umpire and it turned out he was Vinoo Mankad. I was so embarrassed that I could have dug a pit and jumped into it," he added.



Praising Sachin Tendulkar, Bachchan said the batting maestro was getting better with age.



"Much has been written about Tendulkar. The way he plays is exceptional. I generally believe that sportspersons wane with age. But Sachin is making new records every day," he said.



When asked whether he would like to take up sports commentary, Bachchan replied in the negative.



On whether he was interested in buying an IPL team, Bachchan said, "I have joined ESPN, now this is my only team."



Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly, who was present at the function, said, "He (Bachchan) is in a profession where he has mesmerised us all these years. He is in the right place and we are lucky to have him amongst us."



ESPN STAR Sports managing director Manu Sawhney said, "An aggressive marketing campaign to build traction on ground has been launched across all forms of media. We have committed a lot of resources this year to building the property and I believe that our association with Mr Bachchan will take the entire event into a different dimension."

Vidya Stokes elected as Hockey India President

Vidya Stokes was on Thursday elected Hockey India President after defeating former national captain Pargat Singh in the much-awaited HI polls here in New Delhi.

Stokes, who is the interim HI President, won the straight contest by a big margin of 41-21 though the official results will be announced later as per Delhi High Court directives.

The 83-year-old Stokes was fighting the elections after defying government's age limitation guidelines.

Stokes' close ally Narinder Batra also defeated Gunjam Haider of Hockey Arunachal 41-18 for the Secretary General's post.

Another candidate from Stokes' faction, Mustaq Ahmed won the election for treasurer's post after defeating Haider with a margin of 45-17.

The HI polls were postponed four times earlier for varied reasons, most recently on July 28 after the Delhi and Bombay High Courts stayed the election process.

While the Delhi High Court stayed the polls following the failure of the Central government to clarify its legal position regarding HI and IHF, the Bombay High Court did the same on a petition filed by the Maharashtra Hockey Association.

HI, however, moved the Supreme Court against the orders and managed to vacate the stay on July 30 and obtain a green signal from the apex court to hold its elections.

The World's Farthest Basketball Shot

Sports Ministry orders Kalmadi aide's removal

Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairperson and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Suresh Kalmadi`s trouble has increased as the Sports Ministry has asked to remove CWG OC joint director- general TS Darbari.

The Sports Ministry has written a letter to Kalmadi and asked for his aide`s removal. Darbari, who is considered to be close to Kalmadi, is being investigated in a six-month-old customs duty evasion case.

He is currently facing an inquiry for allegedly smuggling a diamond from Dubai. His name also featured in the Queen`s Baton Relay controversy in which a large sum of money was paid to AM Films by the organisers of the Commonwealth Games.

Darbari is considered to be the second most powerful man in the Organising Committee after Suresh Kalmadi.

Kalmadi`s decision to include Darbari in the OC faced opposition from other members of the Committee, say reports.

Darbari is a key face of OC. He heads important functional areas like revenue, marketing & merchandising and marketing, and the government feels that his presence "affects the credibility of OC".

Earlier, CBI registered the first case of corruption relating to Commonwealth Games (CWG), against five MCD officials and the managing director of a private firm for causing a loss of Rs 3.62 crore to the government.

Tendulkar becomes most-capped Test player

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar has become the most-capped Test cricketer in the world after taking field for his 169th match, the third and final of the ongoing series against Sri Lanka.

The 37-year-old batsman holds almost every batting record. He overtook retired former Australian captain Steve Waugh with whom he was tied at 168 matches after the second Test at SSC.

Tendulkar has scored 13,742 runs in 168 Tests at an average of 56.08, notching up 48 hundreds and 55 half-centuries in the process.

Tendulkar has also played 442 one-day internationals, just a couple of matches less than Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya`s record of 444.

He has 17,598 runs, including 46 centuries, in his 442 one-dayers. He also holds the distinction of being the first batsman to score a double hundred in ODIs.

Test milestone for Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar became the most capped Test player in history on Tuesday, a fitting record for the Little Master to achieve at the back end of a wonderful career.

The milestone was achieved as Tendulkar strode out for the third Test against Sri Lanka at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo - marking the 169th time he has taken the field for a Test match for India.

A talismanic figure for his country over the years, Tendulkar made his Test debut against fierce rivals Pakistan in Karachi at the tender age of just 16 and has gone on to become arguably the best batsman ever seen.

Now 37 years old, Tendulkar shows no signs of slowing down and he scored 203 in the second Test against Sri Lanka a couple of weeks ago.

With his latest Test appearance, the Little Master moves above former Australian captain Steve Waugh in the standings.

Dream

"It's been a privilege to play for India for so long, because it was my dream to represent the country," Tendulkar said. "Cricket is my passion. I think it is a gift from God that I have been able to live that passion for so many years. It's just fantastic."

Indian fans believe Tendulkar is a gift from God and he is worshipped in his cricket-mad homeland - no wonder given the length and quality of service he has given them over the years.

Tendulkar also holds the record for the most Test runs with 13,742 and the most Test centuries with an astonishing 48 to his name - all this coming with an average of 56.08 and throwing in just the 55 half centuries.

He is not just a Test specialist though, turning from Little Master to Master Blaster in the one-day format. Tendulkar showed as much in February when he became the first player ever to make a double hundred in an ODI against South Africa.

The maestro from Bombay also holds the records for one-day runs scored with 17,598, and one-day centuries with 46, cementing his place as the dominant batsman of his generation in both forms of the game.

Records

Tendulkar has 442 ODIs under his belt, just two behind Sri Lanka stalwart Sanath Jayasuriya's record of 444, while to add another string to his bow he has collected 44 Test wickets and 154 one-day scalps with the ball.

When asked if his records would ever be beaten, Tendulkar said: "Records are meant to be broken. But one will have to play a long time for that. When it happens, I just hope an Indian does it."

It would take anyone a long time to topple Tendulkar's achievements, but he is not done yet, and whether anyone can match his dominance in both forms of cricket remains to be seen.

There may never be another Tendulkar - Indian fans would agree with that - and the Little Master rightly sits at the top of all the important batting records in the game. Remarkably, he still looks in as good a touch as ever.

Somdev in top 100

Somdev Devvarman was ranked No. 96 in the latest rankings released by the ATP on Monday.

The big breakthrough was pending a long time for the No.1 tennis player of the country, who had beaten the towering John Isner of the US, ranked No.19 now, in the final in 2007, for the first of his two NCAA titles.

Devvarman became the sixth Indian men's tennis player after ATP computer rankings started in August 1973, to figure in the top-100 behind Vijay Amritraj (16), Ramesh Krishnan (23), Leander Paes (73), Anand Amritraj (74) and Sashi Menon (87).

Ramanathan Krishnan who had reached the singles semifinals of Wimbledon in 1960 and 1961, apart from the quarterfinals of French Open in 1962, was unofficially ranked as high as No.3 in the world in his time.

“It was long time due. The time has come for Somdev at last,” said the captain of the Indian Davis Cup team, S.P. Misra, quite pleased to hear the news.

Devvarman's effort in the tournament in Los Angeles last week, when he came through the qualifying event and won a round, helped him collect 32 ATP points and break the barrier, 12 years after Paes had broken into the top-100 in 1998. When he made the final of the ATP Tour event in Chennai last year, Devvarman broke through into the top-200 and was ranked 155.

Narang qualifies for London Olympics

Shooter Gagan Narang became the first Indian to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics when he bagged the bronze in the 10 metre air rifle event at the World Championship in Munich. He was overlooked for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna on Friday.

The World No 2 shot 597 in the qualifying and 102 in the final round for a total of 699 to win the bronze.

Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra finished a disappointing 25th and failed to qualify for the final round.

The gold went to Italian Niccolo Campriani, who shot a total of 702.5 (599 qualifying + 103.5 final) while Hungarian Peter Sidi bagged the silver with 700.4 points (599 qualifying + 101.4 final).

"Even before the start Narang told me that he was sad after being left out. I told him just to go and bag a medal and show the whole world that he deserves the Khel Ratna," Thomas was quoted as saying by IANS.

Narang, who is now seen as India's best bet in the Commonwealth Games, shot the bronze in his pet 10m air rifle event at the Beijing World Cup and qualified for the World Championships.

Kalmadi refutes Indian High Commission's denial

Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Sunday insisted that the UK-based firm at the center of a corruption row that has hit CWG OC was recommended by the Indian High Commission despite an embarrassing denial issued by it.

The Indian High Commission had denied recommending AM Films, the little-known UK-based firm which allegedly received lakhs of pounds for providing its "services" during the Queen`s Baton Relay in London.

Kalmadi refuted the claim and asserted that the recommendation came from the High Commission only from a protocol official Raju Sebastian, who has been dubbed in media reports as "too junior an official to make any recommendation on behalf of the High Commission".

"The Organising Committee would like to clarify that we had written to Mr Vikrant Ratan, the first secretary (Protocol) of the Indian High Commission, to provide us the list of agencies for transportation, accommodation and other services and their approved rates,” Kalmadi was quoted as saying by PTI.

"In response, Mr Raju Sebastian of the Protocol Division of the Indian High Commission, giving reference to our mail to the First Secretary Vikrant Ratan, informed that the approved vendors for transport are AM Car and Van and the Chauffeur Company," Kalmadi stated.

Kalmadi, also the Indian Olympic Association President, said the rates were also approved by the High Commission.

"He (Sebastian) also indicated the approved rates of the High Commission for accommodation and transportation. In view of the clarification which clearly indicates that the Indian High Commission had recommended AM Car and Vans to the Organising Committee for QBR Launch Function at London, it is requested that the factual position in projected," Kalmadi said.

Kalmadi denies corruption charges, takes on Indian High Comission in London

Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, has dragged the Indian High Commission in London into the Commonwealth Games corruption controversy by saying a verbal agreement involving payments of two lakh pounds to AM Films, a little known company in London, was decided after the High commission recommended the firm.

The UK government is probing irregularities in this business deal and has raised questions about why there was no written contract.

Speaking exclusively to NDTV's Barkha Dutt, Kalmadi said, "It was the Indian High Commission's letter that recommended Ashish Patel's firm to us and the total money paid to the firm is two lakh pounds."

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/cwg-corruption-kalmadi-says-every-paisa-accounted-for-41161?cp

The Indian High Commission has denied Kamladi's saying they did not recommend AM films.

"This company AM films limited, was not on the panel of companies that the High Commission recommended by the High Commission. Raju Sebastian is an assistant in the High Commission of India, not in a position to make such a recommendation but for the HCI (High Commission of India) to make any such statement, we need to scrutinise the email held up by Suresh Kalmadi," the Indian High Commission said in a statement.

"We don't know the contents of the email, which email address it was sent to, whether it is genuine or not," the statement also read.

Earlier in the day, addressing a press conference on the Commonwealth corruption issue, Kalmadi rubbished claims that 25,000 pounds were being paid to the UK-based firm each month. The CWG boss also showed mediapersons a letter in which the firm had been recommended by the Indian High Commission in London.

Kalmadi said he was "pained by the baseless charges of corruption" and that "every paisa spent on the Commonwealth Games was accounted for."

At the centre of the corruption charges, a letter written by Deputy High Commissioner of India in London, Rajesh N Prasad, to the Sports Ministry about allegations of corruption made by the UK government, which says that 25,000 pounds sent from the CWG in India to a company, AM films, in UK, is unaccounted for.

When asked him why the CWG didn't enter in any contract with the firm, Kalmadi said, "There was no written contract with Patel's firm as the decision was taken at the last minute. We had to get logistics for London in a hurry, so there was no time for tender."

Mr Kalmadi, who maintains that the Games will be word class when they are held in New Delhi in weeks from now, also said that foreign nations are satisfied with the security preparations which have been made.

'DELHI GOVT, SPORTS MINISTRY MUST ANSWER CVC'

As corruption allegations mount against the organisers of the commonwealth games, Kalmadi says the Delhi government and the sports ministry have to answer for many of the allegations raised by the Central Vigilance Commission. "The report of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on corruption charges has nothing to do with the Organising Panel. The Sports Ministry and the Delhi government have to answer the report."

CVC report has asked the CBI to register a corruption case against certain MCD officials in connection with irregularities in a tender issued for a Commonwealth Games project worth several crores.

The CVC has found serious discrepancies like award of works at higher rates to bidders, poor quality of construction and grant of work to ineligible agencies in different Games-related construction works being carried out by various departments in the capital.

As per the assessment report prepared by the CVC's Chief Technical Examination Wing, large-scale procedural violations, including corruption, have been noticed in 16 projects.

The cost of the projects has been estimated to be about Rs 2,000 crore.

Mr Kalmadi said today said, "The CVC report is on inferior quality of work at the venues. We are now in a time when we have to take over venues. So before that we will ask for all approvals and clearances."

Meanwhile, the opposition BJP says the 2010 corruption scam must be thoroughly probed. BJP General Secretary Vijay Goel said, "The BJP demands a judicial probe into the CWG scam."

With controversies dogging Commonwealth Games, a "worried" Congress today said any irregularity should be probed into and the organisers as well as others involved should ensure that the country's prestige does not suffer.

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/cwg-corruption-kalmadi-says-every-paisa-accounted-for-41161?cp

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/cwg-corruption-kalmadi-says-every-paisa-accounted-for-41161?cp

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/cwg-corruption-kalmadi-says-every-paisa-accounted-for-41161?cp

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/cwg-corruption-kalmadi-says-every-paisa-accounted-for-41161?cp

Saina to get Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna

Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal continued to shine as she was on Friday selected for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award for her oustanding achievements on the badminton court.

The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is the highest award given for achievements in sports in India.

National sports awards (Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Dhyan Chand) selection committee headed by PT Usha met on Friday and decided to bestow the Khel Ratna on Saina after considering her brilliant performance in the last one year, PTI reported.

"I am really happy. It's unbelievable, a dream come true for me to get another within one year. National awards gives you a lot of motivation and it definitely has inspired me to achieve bigger glories for my country," Saina said.

"I have done well in the last two years and the three titles that I won recently have really boosted my confidence. I am now preparing for the World Championship and I hope to win the title," she added.

The World number two Indian has been in red-hot form in the last one year, where she reached the semifinals of the All England Super Series in March before winning three successive titles in June.

The award, to be given away on August 29 by President Pratibha Patil, consists of a cash amount of Rs7.5 lakh, a scroll of honour and medal.

Team India stays top-ranked Test side

India has retained the No1 position in the ICC Test Championship table after the annual update and is now 11 ratings points clear of second placed South Africa.

By virtue of earning a draw in the second Test against Sri Lanka, India has also ensured that it will still be on top of the table following the conclusion of the current series irrespective of how the third Test pans out.

The result of Sri Lanka and India Test series will only reflect on the table at the end of the final Test on August 7 as the Test Championship can only be updated at the end of each series.

The annual update of both the Reliance Mobile ICC Test and ODI Championship tables take place so that both lists continue to reflect recent form with older results being discarded.

India has hugely benefited from the annual update as it has gained six ratings points to jump from 124 ratings points to 130, 11 ahead of its closest rival South Africa which had dropped one ratings point to 119.

However, India's 11-point lead at the top will be short-lived following its failure to win its current series in Sri Lanka.

If India wins the third Test, which starts at P Sara' Oval, Colombo, on Tuesday 3 August to draw the series at one-all, it will drop to 127 ratings points, while Sri Lanka will move into third place on 115 rating points, ahead of both Australia and England.

If the Test is drawn, India will slip to 124 ratings points, just five points ahead of both South Africa and Sri Lanka. However, Kumar Sangakkara's side will be placed just below Graeme Smith's side when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.

Another defeat for India will not only see it plummet to 122 ratings points but will lift Sri Lanka to 121 ratings points and into second position on the Test Championship for only the second time since the current Test ranking system was introduced in 2003.

Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship table (after annual update on 30 July. In brackets is rating points before the annual update)

1India130 (124)

2South Africa119 (120)

3Australia113 (116)

4England111 (108)

5Sri Lanka111 (115)

6Pakistan84 (84)

7West Indies79 (77)

8New Zealand 78 (80)

9Bangladesh7 (9)

Khel Ratna for Saina, Chettri gets Arjuna Award

Ace Indian shuttler and World no.2 Saina Nehwal will get the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the country's highest sports award, while Indian footballer Sunil Chettri, currently playing for American club Kansas City Wizards, is among the 15 sportspersons selected for the Arjuna Award.

The award's committee, headed by legendary athlete P.T. Usha, met here Friday to finalise the winners of this year's national sports awards.

Saina has been in great form and recently won three back-to-back tournaments, including two Super Series titles. The 20-year-old from Hyderabad won the Indian Open Grand Prix, the Singapore Open and the Indonesian Open.

Earlier this month, she jumped one spot to World No.2, and it came as a major boost for the star shuttler ahead of the World Championships at Paris from Aug 23.

'I am very happy and it is a surprise for me. It has come just before the World Championships. In fact, the last couple of months were great for me. I have done consistently well this year,' said Saina.

'Everything has happened quickly in my career. But it has been tough for me as well. Things will be different now as expectations will be high from me,' she said.

Saina has been made the captain of the Indian team for the World Championships.

Saina, who won the Padma Awards last year, was the first Indian girl to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Olympics in Beijing and the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships.

Footballers got an Arjuna Award after a gap of eight years. Delhi boy Chettri is the third Indian to ply his trade in a foreign football league and also scored a hat-trick in the AFC Challenge Cup final that India won to qualify for the Asia Cup after 24 years. Chettri's team mate in the national team Dipak Mondal, who plays for Kolkata club Mohun Bagan, will also get the Arjuna Award.

This is the first time, since the inception of Arjuna Awards, that two footballers have been conferred with the prestigious award.

Former India international Mohammad Habib, a member of the award's selection committee, feels the recognition will boost the game in the country.

'After a long time footballers got this prestigious award. In the last three years the team has done exceptionally well by winning two Nehru Cups and the AFC Challenge Cup. This will surely give confidence to the players,' Habib, an Arjuna Awardee, told IANS.

In cricket, fast bowler Jhulan Goswami, who was adjudged as the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's Player of the Year award in 2007, will also get the Arjuna.

Arjuna Awardees: Krishna Punia (athletics), Joseph Abraham (athletics), Dinesh Kumar (boxing), Parimarjan Negi (chess), Jhulan Goswami (cricket), Deepak Mondal (football), Sunil Chettri (football), Rajiv Tomar (wrestling), Sandeep Singh (hockey), Jasjit Kaur (hockey), Jajseer Singh (paralympics), Dinesh (kabaddi), Kapil Dev (volleyball), Rehan Poncha (swimming), Sanjeev Rajput (shooting)

Khel Ratna for Saina, Chettri gets Arjuna Award

Ace Indian shuttler and World no.2 Saina Nehwal will get the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the country's highest sports award, while Indian footballer Sunil Chettri, currently playing for American club Kansas City Wizards, is among the 15 sportspersons selected for the Arjuna Award.

The award's committee, headed by legendary athlete P.T. Usha, met here Friday to finalise the winners of this year's national sports awards.

Saina has been in great form and recently won three back-to-back tournaments, including two Super Series titles. The 20-year-old from Hyderabad won the Indian Open Grand Prix, the Singapore Open and the Indonesian Open.

Earlier this month, she jumped one spot to World No.2, and it came as a major boost for the star shuttler ahead of the World Championships at Paris from Aug 23.

'I am very happy and it is a surprise for me. It has come just before the World Championships. In fact, the last couple of months were great for me. I have done consistently well this year,' said Saina.

'Everything has happened quickly in my career. But it has been tough for me as well. Things will be different now as expectations will be high from me,' she said.

Saina has been made the captain of the Indian team for the World Championships.

Saina, who won the Padma Awards last year, was the first Indian girl to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Olympics in Beijing and the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships.

Footballers got an Arjuna Award after a gap of eight years. Delhi boy Chettri is the third Indian to ply his trade in a foreign football league and also scored a hat-trick in the AFC Challenge Cup final that India won to qualify for the Asia Cup after 24 years. Chettri's team mate in the national team Dipak Mondal, who plays for Kolkata club Mohun Bagan, will also get the Arjuna Award.

This is the first time, since the inception of Arjuna Awards, that two footballers have been conferred with the prestigious award.

Former India international Mohammad Habib, a member of the award's selection committee, feels the recognition will boost the game in the country.

'After a long time footballers got this prestigious award. In the last three years the team has done exceptionally well by winning two Nehru Cups and the AFC Challenge Cup. This will surely give confidence to the players,' Habib, an Arjuna Awardee, told IANS.

In cricket, fast bowler Jhulan Goswami, who was adjudged as the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's Player of the Year award in 2007, will also get the Arjuna.

Arjuna Awardees: Krishna Punia (athletics), Joseph Abraham (athletics), Dinesh Kumar (boxing), Parimarjan Negi (chess), Jhulan Goswami (cricket), Deepak Mondal (football), Sunil Chettri (football), Rajiv Tomar (wrestling), Sandeep Singh (hockey), Jasjit Kaur (hockey), Jajseer Singh (paralympics), Dinesh (kabaddi), Kapil Dev (volleyball), Rehan Poncha (swimming), Sanjeev Rajput (shooting)

Double ton by Sachin as test is heading for a tame draw

In his yet another masterly knock, Sachin Tendulkar hit adouble ton (203) and Suresh Raina scored his maiden century as India surpassed Sri Lanka`s first innings total with a solid batting display in the second cricket Test which is heading for a tame draw here today.

Tendulkar took little over five to score his fifth double century as India cruised to 669 for nine at close on the penultimate day in response to Sri Lanka`s first innings total of 642 for four declared.

Debutant Raina scored 120 while captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (76) was the other notable performer for the Indians.

Ishant Sharma (10) and last man Pragyan Ojha (0) were at the crease at stumps with India having a slender lead of 27 runs.

With just one day left, it is almost certain that the match will end in a draw. In case of a draw, India will

maintain their status as the number one Test team in the ICC rankings.

It was Tendulkar again who stole the spotlight as he notched up his fifth double century and featured in a 256-run partnership for the fifth wicket with debutant Raina which proved to be the backbone of

India`s resistance.

The senior statesman of world cricket was a picture of concentration as he steered India to safety with a masterly knock which spanned almost four sessions.

Raina became the 12th debutant century maker for India and was involved in a record fifth wicket partnership with Tendulkar.

Raina first since Viru to hit ton on debut

Middle order batsman Suresh Raina on Thursday became the first Indian player since Virender Sehwag to hit a century on his Test debut on day four of the second Test against Sri Lanka here.

Raina, who started the day on his overnight score of 66, brought up his ton with a four off Damnika Prasad in the 126th over of the Indian innings. He is also the third left-hander to score 100 on debut after Surendra Amarnath and Sourav Ganguly and the 12th overall.

Raina, who has had to wait for a long time to get a chance in Test cricket, has made it count in the first go itself. With this knock, he is sure to be picked for the third and final Test of this series.

What is interesting to note is that both the debut centurions for India in the last decade played alongside Sachin Tendulkar and hit tons in tough situations.

In 2001, Sehwag had come to the crease as India struggled at 68/4 before Tendulkar showed him the way with a brilliant 155 off a mere 184 deliveries. Playing alongside his idol, Sehwag scored 105 runs and the two put on 220 runs for the fifth-wicket partnership.

Raina's ton too has come playing at the same position in the batting order. He joined Tendulkar after the fall of VVS Laxman's wicket with the scoreboard reading 241/4 and added 141 runs on day three.

Raina and Tendulkar put on a 256-run partnership before the southpaw was dismissed for 120.

Pietersen given all clear despite football injury

England — Kevin Pietersen was passed fit to play in the opening Test against Pakistan despite injuring himself treading on a stray football during practice here on Wednesday - just a day before the first of a four-match series is due to get underway at Trent Bridge.

Pietersen's right foot and ankle were both strapped up afterwards but England captain Andrew Strauss, speaking to reporters, was confident the star batsman would be fit.

England banned players from warming-up by playing football after Owais Shah injured Joe Denly while tackling his fellow batsman at The Oval last year.

"I think we've just got to ban footballs being on the ground because they're still causing problems even though we're not playing it," said Strauss.

South Africa born Pietersen has not played any cricket for nearly a month because of a thigh injury and it is over a year since he last made a Test century.

But opening batsman Strauss said: "I'm not concerned particularly about his lack of cricket.

"He is a guy who spends a lot of time in the nets practising and for someone like him, being in the right state of mind mentally is as important as anything.

"He's in a good state of mind, he has had a good rest, he has the bit between his teeth. I think he wants to come out and prove himself again and I think he'll have a really good series."

England's selectors wanted the 30-year-old Pietersen to play for Hampshire but the county opted against picking him after he announced his intention to leave the south coast club at the end of the season.

"For counties generally it's always an issue," said Strauss.

"They have their squad they have built up without the England players being involved and when the England player comes up it is disruptive to those squads in one way or another.

"I implore the counties to realise the importance of a good strong England team. Even though temporarily that might be difficult for their side, in the bigger picture it's helping both England cricket and indirectly those counties as well.

"So in that sense I was disappointed, though I can understand Hampshire's reticence given KP's comments about what he planned to do in the future."