Indian news round-up

Staff and Agencies

March 31, 2001

Langer's century helps Western Australia overpower Mumbai

Justin Langer's timely century helped Western Australia to defeat Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai by seven wickets in the Champions Cup one-day tournament at Perth on Friday. Langer celebrated his appointment as captain of his State side by scoring an excellent 119 not out, embellished with nine fours and a six, from 149 balls. Chasing a target of 232 runs for a win, Western Australia coasted to 234 for three from 46.5 overs. He was ably assisted by Michael Hussey (32 not out from 33 balls), Simon Katich (30 from 57) and former Zimbabwe Test star Murray Goodwin (30 from 40).

Earlier, Mumbai won the toss and their innings began promisingly as openers Robin Morris and Wasim Jaffer put on 98 runs from the first 24 overs. But the middle and lower order failed to capitalise on the good work of Jaffer (82 from 108 balls, with 10 boundaries) and Morris (a sheet anchor 32 from 73 balls). Only Sairaj Bahutule who clubbed 32 not out from as many balls made some impact. The others like Vinayak Mane (22) and captain Sameer Dighe (26) failed to capitalise on a good start and Mumbai were restricted to 231 for eight in 50 overs. The only successful bowler for the Western Australians was medium-pacer Kade Harvey, who snapped up 3-40 from nine overs.

Mumbai played Western Australia on the second day of the four-nation contest in which South African side KwaZulu Natal and New Zealand's Central Districts are also competing.

Lele slams Chauhan for commenting on team selection

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jaywant Lele on Friday came down heavily on the Indian team manager Chetan Chauhan for his comments in the press. Questioning Chauhan's remarks made to the media on team selection and cricketing matters, Lele said in Indore that Chauhan had "no business to comment on selection matters and he cannot comment on other cricketing matters either as he is just an administrative manager of the Indian team".

Chauhan had told reporters on Thursday that the selectors might consider Punjab allrounder Reetinder Sodhi for the remaining two one-dayers against Australia at Vizag (April 3) and Goa (April 6) as he had been performing well recently. The former Indian opener had also said that he would like India to play at Sharjah in the biannual Tri-series tournament.

Jadeja finally ties the knot with Aditi

Former Indian captain Ajay Jadeja tied the knot with his childhood friend Aditi Jaitley at Kashmir House in New Delhi on Friday. Jadeja was dressed in a white achkan and wore red coloured headgear in traditional Rajasthani style. The marriage was solemnised at the auspicious time of 2030 hours. Aditi is the daughter of former Samata Party president Jaya Jaitley and Ashok Jaitley, Chief Secretary to the government of Jammu and Kashmir.

The wedding was attended by leaders of political parties including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Minister of State for Railways Digvijay Singh, cricketer turned politician Kirti Azad and Agricultre Minister with the additional charge of Railways Nitish Kumar. Some of the other notable invitees also said to have attended the wedding were cine artiste Madhuri Dixit and classical dancer Sonal Mansingh. Jadeja's former Indian team mate Nikhil Chopra also attended the wedding.

Reema Malhotra bowls Western Railway to victory

Western humbled South Central by 65 runs in the opening match of the 15th inter-Railway women's cricket tournament in Kolkata on Friday. Western won the toss and in their allotted 50 overs, made 223 for eight. Indian player Hemalatha Kala made 52 off 77 balls and was associated in a partnership of 69 runs for the third wicket with Arundhati Kirkire (36). Later she added 54 runs for the fourth wicket with top scorer Sangeeta Kamath (56 off 69 balls). For South Central, Ranjani Venugopal picked up three wickets for 52 runs.

Chasing the target, South Central lost wickets at regular intervals and could muster only 158 in 43.5 overs. A quickfire 54 off 46 balls from top scorer Mithali Raj could not help the side from losing. The pick of the Western Railway bowlers was Reema Malhotra who picked up five for 29.

Scindia's pat for Indian team

The former BCCI president and Congress leader Madhavrao Scindia on Friday lauded the Indian team for their recent Test series triumph over the Australians. Scindia, in Indore to watch the third one-dayer, told reporters in a lighter vein, "whatever may be the performance of Indian government, I am happy that at least the Indian team is performing very well."

Commenting on the ground at Indore, Scindia said "I will see to it that no injustice was done to this city of cricket." Indore was banned for some time by the ICC for improper facilities.

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