Royals bat for cleft patients
Jaipur: They have a tough match lined up against Royal challengers Bangalore tomorrow but IPl side Rajasthan Royals took a break from practice to spend time with cleft patients at the Santokba Durlabhji Hospital here. Chairman of Rajasthan Royals, Manoj Badale, team Coach Paddy Upton, all-rounder Shane Watson and pacer S Sreesanth spared their time for the cause and spent almost two hours with the patients, doctors and Yogi Durlabhji, secretary of Santokba Durlabhji Trust. The Rajasthan Royals, Operation Smile India and SDMH with the support of Rotary, have established a Cleft Care Centre in the SDMH Hospital to deliver free cleft lip and palate surgeries to the underprivileged affected by the deformity. Up to 25 surgeries are being performed every month to restore smiles to the faces of those afflicted with cleft lip and palate problems. “We cricketers lead a high life. We smile when we win but are unhappy when we lose. Winning or losing is not that significant. It does not mean much in life for me. Making a genuine contribution to the lives of people is more significant,” said Upton who himself runs a charity back home in South Africa for street Children.
‘Effective with old ball too’
Raipur: Talented India seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar wants to change the popular perception that he won’t be as effective with the old ball as much as he is with the new ball. “It’s true that I have got wickets with the new ball in Test matches but that doesn’t mean that I can’t bowl with the old ball. Even during the Australia Test series, I have bowled a number of overs with the old ball. I have full confidence that I can be equally effective with the old ball too,” Bhuvneshwar said. Bhuvneshwar’s comments came close on the heels of Ishant Sharma’s view that the Uttar Pradesh seamer is good with new ball while he does better with old ball.
BCCI appreciates Raipur stadium
Raipur: BCCI is initially impressed with the facilities at the newly-built Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium but will analyse the preparedness of the venue to host international matches through the two IPl matches, here. “The kind of infrastructure which they have got, I think this is the most suitable venue to be allotted for the international matches,” IPl chairman Rajeev Shukla said ahead of the Pune Warrior’s clash with Delhi Daredevils. Shukla said they will consider the demand of state board to bring Champions league and other big matches here. Appreciating the arrangements, he said that hosting IPl matches with such great facilities has opened up the door for international cricket here.
PNS/Agencies