Zaheer, Shami still not fit for selection in playing XI
New Delhi: Veteran pace bowler Zaheer Khan's fitness issue has come under scanner since the time he joined Delhi Daredevils training session ahead of the IPl and the franchise on Monday said that he along with colleague Mohammed Shami are still not fit for selection. The franchise issued a press release on Monday which states that the pace duo is nursing "minor injuries". While 36-year-old Zaheer, who has not bowled a single delivery in competitive cricket since last May (incidentally in an IPl game), is said to be recuperating from a "niggle", Shami is reportedly nursing a "minor knee injury". For the record, Shami has been troubled by a dodgy knee throughout the World Cup despite his lion-hearted performances. In fact, he was rested for a group league match against UAE due to the same knee injury. "Zaheer has a niggle, but is progressing well and should be available for selection once the medical team has assessed him. Right-arm fast bowler Shami has a minor knee injury and is consulting a specialist to chart a quick recovery process," the DD release stated. When a DD support staff was asked, he said that they are expecting Zaheer to be fit by Delhi's fifth match in the tournament while the timeframe for Shami's comeback is not yet known.
Srinath denies any complaint of Uthappa-Sarfaraz scuffle
Kolkata: IPl match referee Javagal Srinath on Monday denied receiving any complaint from Royal Challengers Bangalore after reports emerged of a scuffle between their player Sarfaraz Khan and Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Robin Uthappa post the game at Eden Gardens, here on Saturday. "Nothing of that sort has happened... I've not received any complaint," Srinath, who was the Match Referee of the KKR-RCB clash said. A Kolkata Knight Riders official also rubbished the reports and said: "We've not heard anything about it." According to reports, KKR opener Uthappa, who had scores of 35 and 9 in two matches, allegedly had an altercation with the 17-year-old RCB recruit from Mumbai and went on to the extent of "holding him by the collar". The incident is said to have happened behind the sight screen as RCB's AB de Villiers and Ashok Dinda rushed to the rescue of their fellow player. later at night Srinath reportedly summoned Uthappa and KKR CEO Venky Mysore, with RCB's de Villiers attended the meeting. Though it is learnt that Uthappa has sought an apology for the incident but Srinath denied having any knowledge of this.
losing too many early wickets made it difficult: Harbhajan
Mumbai: After his stellar all-round performance against Kings XI Punjab went in vain, senior off-spinner Harbhajan Singh attributed Mumbai Indian's 18-run loss to top-order collapse from which they found it difficult to recover. Harabhajan turned the clock back as he first bowled beautifilly to take 2/20 in 4 overs and then hit 64 off 24 balls with six huge sixes. "We could have had different results but we lost too many wickets up front. One early partnership could have got us out of trouble, but it did not happen. Credit to Punjab bowlers as they bowled very well with the new ball," Harbhajan said at the post-match press conference. "It was always going to be tough when you are 25 for 4 and 46 for 5. It always became a chasing game from that point," he lamented. "It wasn't a great game for us but am glad we came very close in the end and it will give us confidence going forward. "Mumbai's strength has always been the first six overs while bowling which are crucial. We gave away too many runs. Viru (Sehwag) was going very strong and so was (Murali) Vijay. They batted well and got 50-odd in five overs. We pulled things and I felt 170 on this wicket was chaseable," said Harbhajan.
lucky to play alongside a legend like Sehwag: Maxwell
New Delhi: There aren't too many better exponents of explosive batting in shortest version than Glenn Maxwell but on his own admission, the Australian all-rounder feels that he is lucky to be playing alongside Kings XI Punjab teammate Virender Sehwag in the IPl. Talking about the role IPl has played in his career, Maxwell says there is lots he has shared with the Indian domestic players besides learning a trick or two from legends like Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar, who used to be his teammate at Mumbai Indians . "You learn as you move along. The way they (Indians) play the conditions here. It has been a great experience to play with legends of the game such as Viru (Sehwag). I was lucky enough to play alongside Sachin previously. It is just a great competition to be a part of," said Maxwell, who has not much to show in his two first two outings of IPl-8. Are there any specifics that he and Sehwag discuss at netsIJ "Not really, but we have our regular chats about the game and the way we go about it. He always tells me about sticking to your game no matter what and back your instincts, and not worry about the external rubbish that goes on," said the 26-year-old Victorian.