Rohit to lead Mumbai in ranji
Mumbai: Indian batsman Rohit Sharma, who led Mumbai Indians franchise to the IPl and Champions league T20 titles this year, was named as the Mumbai Ranji team captain for this season. The announcement came after former India pacer Ajit Agarkar, who guided the Mumbai team to their 40th Ranji Trophy title last season, announced his retirement. "Rohit Sharma has been selected as captain of the Mumbai Team for the season 2013-2014," the MCA said in a statement issued here today. However, left-arm Indian pacer Zaheer Khan will lead the side in the first match against Haryana that begins on October 27 and concludes on October 30, at lahli, Haryana, the statement said. Rohit would be doing national duty against Australia in the ongoing ODI series at that time. Sachin Tendulkar, who is retiring from Test cricket after playing his landmark 200th match against the West Indies, has also been picked in the 15-member squad against Haryana. Mumbai Squad: Zaheer Khan (captain), Abhishek Nayar (vice captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Wasim Jaffer, Ajinkya Rahane, Dhaval Kulkarni, Iqbal Abdullah, Vishal Dabholkar, Sufiyan Shaikh, Kaustubh Pawar, Siddhesh lad, Javed Khan,Hiken Shah, Balwinder Singh Sandhu (Jr), Aditya Tare.
Decision on Munde's appeal today
Mumbai: A decision on the appeal filed by BJP leader Gopinath Munde against rejection of his application to contest for the presidentship of the Mumbai Cricket Association at its biennial polls on October 18 would be taken on Thursday, according to his lawyer Nitin Pradhan. The former Maharashtra deputy CM, whose application to contest the polls was rejected on the basis of his residential criteria, has also decided to move the court if he is not given "natural justice" over his appeal. Munde came to MCA office, along with his lawyer, to appeal against the rejection of his candidature to MCA president Ravi Savant after filing a formal, written appeal yesterday. He also cited a bye-law by which only another candidate can raise an objection against other candidate. Pradhan said the decision on the appeal is expected around 11 AM.
Sharif wants cricket ties with India
lahore: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has taken over as patron-in-chief of the country's Cricket Board, has asked its Chairman Najam Sethi to focus on reviving bilateral series with India even if it has to be done at a neutral venue. "PM Sharif has tasked Najam Sethi to especially focus revival of cricketing ties with India even on a neutral venue," a close aide of Sharif said. The aide said that Sharif's love for cricket "forced" him to appoint himself patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Earlier, this position was held by the President of Pakistan. Sharif often plays cricket at his private residence in Murree, a hill station some 50 kilometres from the capital city, Islamabad. "Mian sahib not only watches some matches but also plays cricket sometimes," the aide said. Sharif used to play cricket against top clubs of the city at lahore's Gymkhana in 1980s. He had also played against West Indies in a practice match in mid 1980s at Gymkhana.
KXIP duped of 14 crore
New Delhi: KPH Dream Cricket Pvt ltd, the owners and promoter of the IPl franchise Kings XI Punjab, has filed a criminal complaint against its title sponsor, NVD Solar ltd and its officials, for "cheating and duping" them of around Rs 14 crore which they were supposed to pay it as per the contract. The KXIP has also issued a legal notice to the company, one of India's leading solar equipment makers, for bouncing of four cheques of Rs 25 lakh each tendered by NVD India to KPH. Kings XI Punjab's co-owner and noted industrialist Ness Wadia said that they have been left with no other option but to take a legal recourse against NVD Solar ltd and its Managing Director Saibal Hazra. PNS/Agencies