Media is putting pressure on Tendulkar: Dhoni

New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni Wednesday requested the media not to put pressure on Sachin Tendulkar for scoring his 100th international century and said the milestone was round the corner.
Tendulkar fell 24 short of his 100th international century but his fine 76 gave India a five-wicket win over the West Indies in the first cricket Test at the Ferozeshah Kotla here.

'We are not under pressure as a team. The media is putting pressure on him. Let him score his hundred and he will do that at some point of time. He is pretty good at doing that (scoring centuries). Let him score the hundred without pressure,' Dhoni told reporters at the post-match press conference.

Dhoni said expectations from Tendulkar are as high as 'Everest' and that the batting maestro was very much aware of it.

'If you are talking about the gentleman, expectations from him by the people have been as high as (Mount) Everest. Since his second year in international cricket he has been the star. When he scores 50, people say he had not scored runs and it has been like that each and every match,' Dhoni said.

'What we have seen is that any individual, when he reaches a milestone, he may take a little bit longer time than usual. But I think it's around the corner. We have to wait and see,' he added.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy said he would be happy to see Tendulkar achieving the milestone during next month's tour to Australia but not against his side.

'As I have said, we admire Tendulkar, he is a great cricketer. But I would want Tendulkar to score his hundred against Australia. I would want to watch it and enjoy and not when playing against him,' he said.

Ashwin bowled very well, says Gibson

West Indies coach Ottis Gibson said his team needed some early wickets on Wednesday morning to stay in the first Test.

“276 is a good target. A lot of things have happened in the morning session and, hopefully, we can get a few wickets and put India under pressure. Ashwin bowled very well and put it in the right areas and that is something we haven't done very well. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir got off to a flier but they still need 120-odd,” Gibson said. The coach wished his batsmen had performed better in the second innings.

“They could have been positive (like Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Darren Sammy) without being reckless.

“Somebody like Sehwag stays positive irrespective of the surface but he has 10 years of international experience and has been exposed to various situations.

“That is something our younger players need to learn as well,” Gibson said.

I have never got wickets on such a pitch: Ashwin

There were no nerves and no fumbles in R. Ashwin's approach as he squared up to the media after setting up India well in the first Test against the West Indies. The replies were sharp and focused while the off-spinner discussed his craft and the angst of a Test debutant, which he denied.

Excerpts:

The approach

“I didn't expect any wickets or so many of them, but before the Test match I was hoping to get a five-wicket haul and probably some more runs as well.

“Unfortunately the second part did not happen.”

Wickets that mattered

“Marlon Samuels was probably playing for the turn and he seemed worried about the bat-pad to short-leg but probably if you have played in Delhi and the Kotla, you do know that it won't go to short-leg.

“Unfortunately he did not know that and he was looking for the spin and it went straight on.

For Chanderpaul, I was bowling around the wicket in the first innings, so here I came over the wicket and was just trying a different angle. Fortunately it worked.”

The Harbhajan shadow

“I am a youngster and he is a senior professional and he has done his job and probably when I am given my duties I need to live up to my conscience and do my job.”

Pitch and other turns

“Honestly speaking I have never got wickets on such a pitch. It is not my bread and butter as I need spin and bounce. There was nothing for the batsmen or the bowlers. If the batsman is not patient enough you can get a wicket.

“Today I tried to bowl a wee bit quicker and on to the stumps and it paid off.”

“I didn't feel any nerves but yes the body wasn't moving the way I wanted it to in the first few overs. I didn't know whether my hip was turning, whether the release was perfect.

“All I was doing was concentrating because I have never seen a wicket that is so less receptive to so many revolutions on the ball.

“All these things were weighing on my mind before I went in for the lunch break (on the first day) but as time went on, I just had to handle myself.

“I don't think I was that nervous.

“To play alongside Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid is a blessing.”

Ashwin turns it India's way with a brilliant spell

India's most experienced pair now has the task of finishing an assignment set in motion by a debutant. Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, with their latest combined tally of 27,864 runs, were at the crease as the third day of the first Test wound to a close here at the Ferozeshah Kotla Ground.

India scored 152 for two in its second innings, still needing 124 to get past the West Indies and secure a 1-0 series lead.

The path ahead could be tricky, but India's blue-chip batting order has another opportunity to reiterate its credentials that were dented in England. But before the oscillation between past defeats and the promise of a better tomorrow, it has to be acknowledged that India's current winning position is a direct result of R. Ashwin's match-haul of nine for 128, inclusive of an incisive second innings effort — six for 47.

The off-spinner's performance on debut is second only to Narendra Hirwani's 16 for 136 against the West Indies at Chennai (then Madras) in 1988. And Ashwin became the seventh Indian to claim a five-for on debut, though it is the eighth instance as Hirwani bagged eight wickets in each innings at Chennai.

On a day that largely cruised on the contrasting wheels of rapid wickets and steady runs thanks to the West Indies second innings halting at 180, India was set a target of 276. It was a truly challenging signpost, but the pressure of the chase was reduced at the start with Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag latching onto Fidel Edwards's errant length.

Sehwag (55, 5x4, 2x6) enjoyed a reprieve too, on 12, as Ravi Rampaul failed to hold on to a catch on his follow-through and the openers put on 51 runs. Unfortunately, just like in the first innings, the duo failed to build on it.

Gambhir might consider himself unlucky to be adjudged leg before wicket to Marlon Samuels in an over that saw Sehwag strike a six.

Sehwag dished out similar treatment to Devendra Bishoo before chopping Darren Sammy onto his stumps. Dravid and Tendulkar then set forth on their unfinished 57-run third-wicket partnership.

Dravid initially charted risky angles past short cover and short mid-wicket and then settled down. A close run-out appeal in the final few minutes tested his nerves though.

Tendulkar, meanwhile, was strong in defence and ever alert to opportunities. His class was obvious in the manner in which he turned the bat face at the last second to guide Edwards for four.

Tendulkar, with a single off Bishoo, became the first man to post 15,000 Test runs (182nd Test, 300th innings) and indulged in his signature style of glancing at the skies and waving the bat towards the dressing room and crowd, while Dravid and Sammy's men trooped in to shake hands.

India's chances of winning the game, bright at the moment, will depend on Dravid and Tendulkar, either together or as lone rangers, continuing their vigil.

In the morning, the West Indies slumped, though Shivnarine Chanderpaul (47) again tested the Indian bowlers. The slide began when Fidel Edwards edged one behind to Dhoni off Ishant Sharma. The other Edwards — Kirk — inexplicably shouldered arms to an Umesh Yadav delivery that was unerring in its pursuit of the stumps.

Ashwin, who bowled well, stepped in and rapped Darren Bravo on the pads and later, his carrom-ball left Samuels and Sammy with broken stumps. The West Indies, however, found valuable runs through Chanderpaul, who started with two fours off Yadav.

The southpaw and Sammy added 40 runs for the eighth wicket. Ashwin again helped India breathe easy as he trapped Chanderpaul, but Sammy (42) continued to play fearless cricket, as promised in press conferences, until he lost his timber. Ashwin also nipped Ravi Rampaul's cameo and India now awaits victory on Wednesday.

Tendulkar keeps scaling new heights

Sachin Tendulkar's footprints are getting bigger and better on batting's Mount Everest. He has etched a series of incredible numbers that broaden his halo.

On a Tuesday that veered towards an Indian chase at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium, Tendulkar was at the crease and as usual he was the carrier of a billion hopes with another man of impeccable batting credentials giving him company.

Along with Rahul Dravid, Tendulkar has the onerous task of playing a vital part in the final stretch of the first Test but before that he can have a quiet moment in the confines of his hotel room, thinking about the 15,000 Test runs, 15,005 to be exact, he has notched in an illustrious career that has spanned from 1989 across 182 Tests and 300 innings.

In his debut Test at Karachi, Tendulkar scored 15 before Waqar Younis castled the emerging genius.

The aberration was forgotten as Tendulkar kept scaling new statistical heights that rode on luminous talent, enormous hard work and an outstanding work ethic while a batting god took shape for his ardent devotees cutting across nations.

A single past cover off Devendra Bishoo helped Tendulkar become the first batsman to reach 15,000 Test runs and as he thanked his late father by looking up at the skies, the sheer goodwill that he owns was evident all over as the entire West Indies team applauded and most of them lined up to congratulate him while Dravid hugged him.

The 100th international hundred is yet to be registered but that will happen too in due course as the 38-year-old man has lost none of the enthusiasm that mirrored his distant debut as a 16-year-old.

Keywords: West Indies tour of India, Sachin Tendulkar

Rajasthan, Karnataka have different targets

It is interesting to know the different targets of Rajasthan and Karnataka as they gear up for their opening Ranji Trophy Super League Group ‘A' match at the Field Club ground here from Thursday.

Rajasthan knows its strengths and weaknesses well. So, the tag of the defending champion does not bring any additional pressure on it. The meteoric rise of the team — from Plate Division to Super League stage to beating strong sides like Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and Baroda on the way to win the title — was the result of a collective effort.

“It was a dream come true. The challenge now is to play consistently well for a few years,” said home team captain Hrishikesh Kanitkar on Wednesday.

Rajasthan suffered in its pre-season game against Rest of India and Kanitkar said the absence of a couple of key bowlers, including strike bowler Pankaj Singh, was a major reason. “Initially, we lost our grip over the match and the Rest batsmen batted well. But now we hope to start well tomorrow.”

The return of a fit Pankaj and the form of another pacer, Aniket Choudhary, who made a mark in his first class debut in the Irani Trophy, would definitely boost the confidence of the host.

Karnataka has a well-balanced team and its main objective is to “win the cup.” The target looks all the more achievable despite the side's failure in the final and semifinals in 2009-10 and 2010-11 respectively.

“We have got a better side and we are ready to deliver the results,” said Karnataka skipper R. Vinay Kumar.

He considered the track to be good for batting and expected some initial help for the pacemen. Spinners might play a part later as the pitch dries out.

The teams (from): Rajasthan: Hrishikesh Kanitkar (capt.), Aakash Chopra, R.R. Parida, Ashok Menaria, Vineet Saxena, Robin Bisht, Pankaj Singh, Deepak Chahar, Shamsher Singh, Sumit Mathur, Vaibhav Deshpande, Dishant Yagnik, Rohit Jhalani (wk), Aniket Choudhary and Madhur Khatri.

Karnataka: R. Vinay Kumar (capt.), Robin Uthappa, K.B. Pawan, Ganesh Satish, Bharath Chipli, Manish Pandey, Amit Verma, C.M. Gautham (wk), Stuart Binny, Abhimanyu Mithun, S. Arvind, K.P. Apanna, Sunil Raju, K. Gowtham, S.K. Moinuddin, S.L. Akshay.

Keywords: Ranji Trophy Super League

Ranji Trophy needs to get the importance it richly deserves

The Hindu V. V. S. Laxman has often taken pride inn turining out for Ranji Trophy matches. File Photo

It is Ranji Trophy time again. Once the most-awaited domestic competition that provided the stage for the accomplished and the aspiring to display their prowess, sadly lacks the appeal and importance it enjoyed.

With the plethora of international matches on offer for the cricket fans each season, Ranji Trophy's charm is clearly lost. Matches are played to empty galleries.

Barring the players, officials and a few from the staging association who have no choice but to stay around, cricket lovers are hard to find for these games at most urban venues.

For those who are not tired of repeating the worn-out cliché “Cricket is a religion in India,” should come to any of the domestic cricket matches and try counting its devotees.

The infrastructure is for sure improving in every state but the quality of pitches, rather the lack of it, often proves a dampener.

Bowlers toil on lifeless wickets and batsmen's run-making ability stands magnified on flat pitches. All it takes is one tour of England, South Africa or Australia for things to fall in perspective.

Financial bonanza

It is indeed a financial bonanza for the lesser mortals to be part of first class cricket. Driven by commerce, the international calendar ensures that India's regulars are seldom available for Ranji Trophy. Harbhajan Singh has played just two matches in nine years for Punjab.

After being on National duty for long, most cricketers are obviously happy to gain an exemption from turning up for Ranji Trophy matches.

There was a time when Sachin Tendulkar would not miss a single opportunity to be available for Mumbai. Sunil Gavaskar has headed straight from the airport to the stadium to be part of Mumbai's campaign.

In recent times, too, there have been exceptions. Rahul Dravid takes pride in turning out for Karnataka whenever possible, as does V.V S. Laxman for Hyderabad.

Virender Sehwag played crucial roles in key encounters, once each in away games against Railways and Haryana in the chances he got to play for Delhi in past few seasons. Sourav Ganguly has come out of retirement to play for Bengal. Suresh Raina will assist Uttar Pradesh. But glaringly absent is the commitment of most players.

Fatigue is an understandable reason for the leading names to give Ranji Trophy matches a miss. Ever heard of players skipping an IPL season or even a game due to fatigue?

Since the players in the National team these days come from more states than ever before, their non-availability impacts quite a few teams. There were seasons when Mumbai contributed its cream to the National team but still managed to be better than the opposition.

These days, when its players are on National duty, Delhi, Mumbai, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and to an extent Uttar Pradesh feel the pinch, in varying degrees.

In the past decade, it is creditable that without the services of Tendulkar and its pace spearheads in most matches, Mumbai has won the Ranji Trophy five times!

In fact, between 2002 and 2005, a starless Railways claimed the title twice. On the flip side, Railways also became the first defending champion to be relegated to the Plate division.

In contrast, Rajasthan battled it out from the Plate division this year to become National champion!

Rajasthan's triumph proved that reputations do take a serious beating and the underdogs sometimes nose ahead of the favourite.

Baroda's remarkable consistency also reinforces the point. No doubt, the non-availability of stars brings down the difference in strengths between a reputed and a lesser team. It does make things more competitive but only at the cost of quality.

For India's overseas record in Tests to improve, the Board needs to give importance to the quality of pitches and competition in Ranji Trophy. It is time to give the National championship the importance it so richly deserves.