We will try to win every match in Bangladesh: Virat Kohli
www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 13th June 2015
The acrimonious World Cup encounter is history and will have no bearing on the upcoming series, India test captain Virat Kohli said on the eve of the departure of the Indian team to Bangladesh. "We had issues in the past but we have moved ahead. The World Cup is over and we have played a lot of cricket since then. So I don't think there will be any lingering memory of those incidents," said Kohli during a pre-departure press conference in Kolkata. "We are going there to play and win a Test match and that's our primary focus. There won't be any grudges or ill feelings about the opposition. It's
Virat Kohli pure and simple professionalism," Kohli asserted. Team Director Ravi Shastri backed his captain, saying, "We respect every opponent, including Bangladesh and we are confident of putting up a good show against them." Asked what would be his team's approach in Bangladesh, Kohli said
the focus would be on winning matches. "We learn everyday but it is not enough. I don't think we need to play with a mindset of playing to learn. We have played long enough now, we know what we want to achieve as a unit. We will play to win every game," said Kohli. Kohli, who led India to victory in the 2008 U-19 World Cup, has grown in his leadership role in the senior ranks over the years. He also captained India in two Tests on India's recent tour of Australia, but is looking forward to the challenge of leading in the game's longest format. "I have captained teams before. At a certain
level, you learn while doing the job. Tests are a difficult ball game compared to ODIs or T20s because you have to strategise for a whole day in one go I have learned a lot while captaining in Australia. The team has good skills and it's all about improving on your mistakes and being more consistent," he added. Hailed as an aggressive captain, Kohli said he wants create an environment in the dressing room where players feel confident to give their best. "We do have goals that we want to achieve as a team. To do that there has to be an environment where guys want to improve every day," he said.
AAI officials is that the visas were denied in spite of the fact that the tour had the sanction of the government of India and that the US Archery Association had formally invited the Indian teams. Kamineni said AAI approached the US organisers as well as FITA, archery's world governing
body, to help resolve the issue. "They all tried to help us but with just a weekend in between, the window was too small. It made it impossible for the archers to report for the tournament on time. Hence, we had no option but to withdraw our teams," he said. Kamineni said that the AAI had re-applied for the visas, but the US officials sought more papers to convince them that the archers intended to return after the tournament. "We tried to arrange more supporting documents from the organisers in the US, too. But it was difficult to have all papers in order in time," Kamineni stated.
US denies visa to 20 Indian junior archers
The US embassy in New Delhi has denied visa to 20 Indian archers forcing the Archery Association of India (AAI) to withdraw the Indian junior and subjunior squads from the World Youth Archery Championships scheduled to be held at Yankton, USA. "The visas were denied on the basis of section 214 (b) of US visa law where the archers failed to satisfy the visa officers that they will return to India after the event," AAI secretary general Anil Kamineni said, adding that in spite of the best of efforts, AAI was unable to convince the US embassy officials. The Indian contingent,
comprising Under-20 boys and girls (junior archers), was scheduled to leave for the US on Saturday, but had to abandon their plan after the US embassy denied visa not only to the archers but also their South Korean coach Chae Wom Lim and his three Indian assistants. What has surprised
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India's Sundaram Ravi in ICC Elite Panel of Umpires
India's Sundaram Ravi was inducted into the Elite Panel of International Cricket Council (ICC) Umpires for 2015-2016, commencing from July 1, 2015, following the annual review and selection process. New Zealand's Chris Gaffaney and Ravi were promoted from the International Panel to the Elite Panel. They replaced Kiwi Billy Bowden and the retiring Steve Davis, the ICC said. The Elite Panel of ICC Umpires for 2015-2016 would now feature Aleem Dar, Kumar Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker and Bruce Oxenford.
Wawrinka stuns Djokovic to win French Open title
The 30-year-old Swiss Stan Wawrinka shattered Novak Djokovic's dream of a career Grand Slam on Sunday when he became the oldest winner of the French Open in 25 years. Wawrinka claimed 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory to secure his second career major after the 2014 Australian Open. It ended world number one Djokovic's bid to become only the eighth man to secure a career Slam as he slumped to his third defeat in a Roland Garros final in four years. Wawrinka became the oldest champion in Paris since Andres Gomez in 1990 after just his fourth win in 21 meetings against the Serb.
Serena wins women's crown
Serena Williams won her 20th Grand Slam title and third French Open crown on Saturday by defeating the 13th seed Czech Lucie Safarova 6-3, 6-7 (27), 6-2. In what was a disjointed affair, the 33-year-old American was coasting to a straight-sets win, a set and 41 up against the Czech 13th seed, playing in her first Grand Slam final at the age of 28.But a combination of serving woes for Williams and some top play from Safarova forced a third set, the fifth of the tournament for the American. She fell 0-2 down in that, but recovered her composure in the nick of time to rattle off six games in a row for the title.
Indian-American Sunil Gulati likely to run for Fifa chief's post
Indian American Sunil Gulati, who is currently serving a record third term as president of the US Soccer Federation, could be in the race to replace Sepp Blatter as the new Fifa chief. Various US media outlets said Allahabad-born Gulati, 55, who has played a key role in the development of soccer in the United States in the past few decades, could be a potentially strong contender to replace Blatter, should the US have an interest in the position of Fifa chief. Blatter was re-elected recently resigned after a corruption scandal implicated some top Fifa officials. In a statement, Gulati welcomed the resignation of Blatter as president of Fifa, which has
been rocked by a major corruption scandal, resulting in arrest of more than 10 top football officials both in the US and Zurich. "I commend him for making a decision that puts Fifa and the sport we love above all other interests. This is the first of many steps towards real and meaningful reform within Fifa. Today is an occasion for optimism and belief for everyone who shares a passion for our game," Gulati said in a statement. In the elections for Fifa president, Gulati had backed Prince Ali Bin AlHussein. Gulati and US have been opposed to Blatter. Detroit Free Press Journal said, Gulati is in a strong position to gain support within the CON-
Sunil Gulati
CACAF confederation that governs soccer in America and the Caribbean. A native of Allahabad, Gulati has played a role in the development of US Soccer since the early 1980s and has been intimately involved in the rise of the US team to prominence. He served as US Soccer's executive vice president from 2000 to 2006 before stepping into
his role as president. Fifa scandal: one admits to taking bribe The Fifa corruption scandal escalated as one suspect talked about World Cup bribes and another promised to reveal an “avalanche” of secrets, including about Sepp Blatter. The storm went around the globe with South African police opening an investigation into claims that money
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was paid to secure the 2010 World Cup. The Australian police are looking into their country's bid for the 2022 World Cup, while in Venezuela investigators raided the country's football headquarters looking for evidence against a Fifa official held in the scandal. Following the shock resignation of Blatter, focus has shifted to the US investigation which led to seven Fifa officials being arrested last week in Zurich. Evidence given by ailing whistleblower Chuck Blazer to US investigators told of attempts to buy the 1998 and 2010 World Cups hosted by France and South Africa respectively. Now battling cancer in hospital, the disgraced former North American
football supremo said in testimony released by prosecutors that Fifa executives conspired to accept bribes during bidding for the 1998 and 2010 events. Blazer has admitted to charges related to his leadership of the North and Central American body CONCACAF and membership of Fifa's executive committee. In a plea deal with US prosecutors, the 70-yearold agreed to record conversations with other Fifa officials. None of the other suspects are named. “Among other things, I agreed with other persons in or around 1992 to facilitate the acceptance of a bribe in conjunction with the selection of the host nation for the 1998 World Cup,” Blazer said in his plea.