Manohar might take the plunge

Former BCCI president could run against Srinivasan if win can be guaranteed

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali in New Delhi

SHASHANK Manohar’s next birthday could bring double joy for him. On the day he turns 56, September 29, he might return as president for a second stint, as that’s the day when the BCCI’s annual general meeting is set to be held. 

Manohar’s return, however, is not an absolute certainty as of today. What has been established at this juncture is that his name is being talked about as a possible challenger to N. Srinivasan. Some BCCI associations that are not happy with the way the BCCI’s name is being sullied all around following the IPL fixing scandal have propped up Manohar’s name.

These associations, which are still keeping their cards close to their chests, are re-thinking their loyalty to incumbent president Srinivasan, who is currently in selfimposed exile following his son-inlaw Gurunath Meiyappan’s involvement in the IPL fixing scandal. Telephones lines, according to sources, are buzzing across the country, with the epicentre being Nagpur, which co-incidentally is also the central-most point of the country.

Rapid developments related to the IPL scandal — largely in the domain of the courts and police — in the last few days have made tongues within the BCCI wag a little more. The reason is that these developments are either related to Srinivasan himself, his son-in-law or his company or India Cements This and other events, like the PIL by the Cricket Association of Bihar over the composition of the two-member probe commission that is being heard in Supreme Court, have forced some BCCI associations to rethink support to Srinivasan, who has one more year left in his three-year tenure, subject to a contest if a challenger emerges. And the most likely challenger could be Manohar. 

There are several factors that are in his favour. He is an eminent lawyer, is non-controversial, carries an impeccable image, and, perhaps most importantly, is not greedy for power. But ask Manohar and he brushes aside any talk of him being interested in the top BCCI post.

“I was away in my village. I returned only last night to Nagpur and went to the court today. There is nothing as such...media can write any name it wishes. You know that I don’t answer hypothetical questions,” Manohar told MAIL TODAY from Nagpur when asked if he was game for a second term.

However, sources close to Manohar say that something is surely brewing. “His name is definitely being floated around as he carries a very clean image. These days, he often remains busy on teleconferences,” a source said, giving a small hint of the background strategy that might be chalked out ahead of the September 29 AGM.

Practically, Manohar’s return would require a lot of drama, as there is no provision yet for a former BCCI president to come back for a second term — the amended constitution to that effect would be implemented only in September next year. However, if a Board president can step aside and an interim president can be appointed in an extraordinary situation, Manohar’s return can also not be ruled out.

If Manohar, who doesn’t hold any position in the Vidarbha Cricket Association, agrees to the disgrun-tled associations’ wish, he would have to come from the south zone as Srinivasan has one year still left. Manohar will need a proposer and seconder from the south zone. Manohar is not desperate for power at all and will not take the plunge until he is not 100 per cent sure of his win. 

“He wouldn’t want any opposition. He would to return to the BCCI only when he would feel fully secure,” said another source, who knows Manohar well. "It is important to know the current dynamics of the Board. Manohar is very close to Sharad Pawar, who is also opposed to Srinivasan and hasn’t forgotten his defeat by the casting vote of Jagmohan Dalmiya in 2004. Then there’s A.C. Muthiah, who introduced Srinivasan to the BCCI, but has since parted ways and even filed a conflict of interest case against his protégé in the Supreme Court.”

Indications are ominous for Srinivasan. The Goa Cricket Association last week abstained from a meeting of the six zonal associations that Srinivasan had called, thus setting off speculation. Although Kerala was present at the meeting, a source said following the life ban on their star fast bowler Sreesanth, the state association must feel hurt and could switch sides.

IMG, WHICH ORGANISES IPL, CUTS OFF PORTIONS OF KAHSMIR FROM INDIA

BISHAN BEDI AND POLITICAL PARTIES FURIOUS AT THIS 'SACRILEGE' BY THE FOREIGN COMPANY


EXCLUSIVE STORY

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali in New Delhi

International Management Group (IMG), which has been managing the IPL since 2008 as part of a contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, has unilaterally altered the boundaries of Kashmir, an integral part of sovereign India.

In a 76-page manual prepared for the television coverage of the recently-concluded IPL-6, IMG, whose international headquarters are based in London, has printed the map of India at two different places and at both places, it has changed the political boundaries of the northern-most part of Kashmir.

In the first map on page 37, while giving information about IPL venues and stadiums, the missing areas of Kashmir is starkly evident (see map on top right). Just beside the map, these words are printed: “The borders of Kashmir are in dispute. India, Pakistan, and China have differing claims therefore the borders of India may not be correct.”

That, however, doesn’t absolve IMG of altering the boundaries accepted by the Indian government.

In the second map, on page 72, the manual shows the alleged “disputed” area with dotted lines (see main map). Through this map, the company had warned its employees/workers of malaria in different parts of the country.

Below the map are written these words: “This map is only intended as a guide and is not exact. The map must always be used in conjunction with the malaria advice text. Bite avoidance measures should be taken in all areas.”

When contacted, IPL chief operating officer Sundar Raman, who is largely responsible for executing the plans and who must have seen the manual, even refused to listen to the question. “Sorry, I don’t have the time to talk. I am not in the country,” he said and cut the line.

It is not known if any BCCI official objected to the maps during the 54-day IPL, or if they saw and ignored it.

Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi condemned BCCI for allowing IMG to tinker with the map. “It’s highly objectionable. Is IMG going to decide the political heritage of India? You are compromising with the sovereignty of the country. You wonder why IPL is taking place,” Bedi thundered.

“If IMG has done what they have, they have done it with the approval of the BCCI. So, you give one reason why IPL should carry on,” he told Mail Today.

Political leaders were also furious.

Senior Congress party leader Rashid Alvi, who was a member of the Yashwant Sinha-headed Lok Sabha standing committee on ‘Tax Assessment/Exemptions and Related Matters Concerning IPL/BCCI 2010-11, was also furious.

“Without doubt, it’s highly objectionable. We don’t consider Kashmir a disputed territory at all. IPL people should look into this issue. It’s my considered opinion,” Alvi told Mail Today. “I am sure the government will take up the issue once it is brought up to its notice.”

BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman too was angry. “I have not seen the map, but from what you are saying, it cannot be acceptable to us. The Indian territory is a sovereign country. It’s sacrilege, absolutely,” Sitharaman told Mail Today. “How can anyone do that? The external affairs ministry should immediately take cognisance of this issue.”

MISSION 200: Sachin looking forward to playing 200th Test in South Africa in Dec

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali in Mumbai

FOR months now, cricket fans have been resigned to the inevitability of Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement from the game that he has graced internationally for the last 24 years. Despite falling form and slowing reflexes, Tendulkar, now 40, has not made it clear when exactly he will walk into the sunset.

But, in an exclusive interview to MAIL TODAY in Mumbai on May 28, Tendulkar did confirm that he was looking forward to playing his 200th Test in South Africa at the end of this year, making it clear that his white flannels would still be in use till January 2014 at the very least.

“The South African tour still has some time to go [ in December], but it would be interesting to play the 200th Test. It’s a big number and it will be a special feeling when I reach there,” said Tendulkar, who has played 198 Tests for a mind- boggling 15,837 runs since making his debut in 1989. He retired from One- Day Internationals in December last year, while his Indian Premier League farewell came on Sunday after Mumbai Indians won the title.

NO MAN in the 136- year history of Test cricket has managed to play more matches than the Mumbai maestro, and asked how he felt about the impending landmark, Tendulkar said: “ I am not aware of that feeling right now. When it comes, I would probably be able to answer that better.” However, the first man with 100 international centuries, including 51 in Tests, clarified that more than the 200- Test mark, what would serve as incentive for him would be to help India’s cause on the tough tour.

“Whenever we go [ as Team India], we go to win. We always focus on doing well and play to win. That’s the way I look at it. If anything [ record] comes along, it’s a coincidence, which is fine,” he said.

Tendulkar said he is savouring Mumbai Indians’ maiden IPL triumph, after realising his dream of being part of a World Cup- winning team in 2011. And since Mumbai have qualified for the Champions League T20, he might play in that tournament in October. But as of now, he wants to take his mind off the game and go on a holiday.

“I will be resting for a while. I will continue to train. I’ll have net sessions as I still play Test cricket and will focus on fitness. After the holiday, I will train again,” he said.

His son Arjun is also coming up through the ranks as a junior cricketer, and the master has often been seen giving him tips.

Asked if he’ll use the summer break to focus more on his son’s game, Tendulkar replied: “He has a couple of coaches and I don’t want to disturb that arrangement. I will give him the freedom to listen to his coaches, because too much advice can confuse him.”

Tendulkar has been working closely with a British publication house on the Tendulkar Opus , for which he had earlier agreed to give half a pint of blood to be inserted in 10 premium copies, but later decided against it.

Opus Media CEO Karl Fowler had told MAIL TODAY that it would be launched soon after Tendulkar scores his 100th international century. But more than a year after he got that, against Bangladesh during the Asia Cup in Dhaka, there’s still no news of the project.

Asked about the probable date of release, Tendulkar said: “Nothing has been decided as yet. I have to meet World Sports Group (with which he has a tie-up) people on this.”

Tendulkar is a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha. Asked if he would be attending the next Parliament session, he said: “Whenever I am not doing anything, I would go.”

FICA CEO Tim May blasts BCCI for misuse of power


EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali in New Delhi

New Delhi: THE Indian cricket Board has “ inequitable power” and it doesn’t blink while using it ruthlessly when it comes to cases like having someone like Laxman Sivaramakrishnan elected on the ICC Cricket Committee, alleges Tim May, CEO of the Federation of International Cricketers Association (FICA).

May feels actions like the BCCI allegedly takes would only make players’ unions eventually stronger. BCCI, incidentally, does not recognise any player association; rather, there is none in India at the moment.

Former Australia off- spinner May, who lost to Sivaramakrishnan in a poll to be the players’ representative on the committee, also says that the bigger concern for him is the way the International Cricket Council operates. He alleges “threats and intimidation” is used in decision making at the highest level.

“I am not hurt or disappointed with the BCCI; it’s commonly accepted in cricket circles that they are the most powerful cricket body and do not hesitate to use such inequitable power around the decision- making table,” May told Mail Today.

He said that FICA has long been questioning the way ICC works in certain spheres. “This isn’t an isolated instance; it’s a concern that has been consistently expressed about the governance style of the ICC, most recently by an independent Woolf Report,” he said about the former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales who recommended many changes in ICC’s structure.

The Aussie insisted that the issue is bigger that merely his defeat and the manner in which it came about.

“It’s the ICC’s voting process,” May said, referring to the voting done by the 10 Test captains who choose players’ representative on the ICC Cricket Committee.

“It’s up to them to police their processes and members’ codes of conduct,” he said. “ It’s important that cricket gets its governance correct, so as to ensure that the ICC can meet its charter of acting in the best interests of the game overall.”

The 16- member ICC Cricket Committee now has three Indians, including chairman Anil Kumble, who succeeded Clive Lloyd.

Ravi Shastri, the media representative, is the third one.

The first meeting of the committee will be held on May 28 and 29 in London. M AY and critics like him point out that the Indian has never held any position in either BCCI or ICC. And that it’s only because of his association with his employer India Cements, the company owned by BCCI president N Srinivasan, that Sivaramakrishnan has been treated preferentially.

On the other hand, May has been fighting for players’ cause for more than 15 years and was instrumental in setting up FICA, which now has the national player unions of seven of the 10 Test playing nations. India, Pakistan and Zimbabwe are still not on board.

May, however, is sure that incidents like this would make players gel strongly. “These sorts of actions by Boards only make the player group and player associations more determined and stronger,” May said.

BCCI

BCCI PLAYS TOUGHIE

Lalit Modi’s defence team alleges BCCI is dissuading witnesses from deposing before disciplinary committee

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali in New Delhi

THE Indian cricket board is trying to dissuade some key witnesses who Lalit Modi wants to appear before a BCCI disciplinary committee, the suspended IPL chairman and commissioner has alleged.

Modi, who is facing the BCCI inquiry for his alleged “ individual misdemeanours” in the IPL, has alleged that Board president N Srinivasan sent a “ subtle message” to Punjab Cricket Association ( PCA) president IS Bindra to refrain from deposing.

IPL chief operating officer Sundar Raman did something similar with an official of the Rajasthan Royals, Manoj Bithal, Modi’s defence team has alleged.

Besides Bindra and Bithal, Modi’s defence team has sought the presence of Sunil Gavaskar, Andrew Georgio and Venu Nair of the World Sports Group (WSG), and IMG top gun Andrew Wildblood for examination.

“These witnesses should be summoned if the true aim of the inquiry is to know the truth,” Mehmood M. Abdi, general counsel & constituted attorney of Modi, says in the letter to the special BCCI disciplinary committee.

These six “important and relevant” people have been summoned in connection with issues ranging from the IPL television rights deal with Sony to some tender documents.

“We had requested Mr. Bindra to provide us with a witness statement. However, BCCI president Mr. N. Srinivasan sent [a] subtle message to Mr. Bindra, asking him not to depose in the inquiry. Through Mr. Srinivasan’s mechanisation the matter was even taken up at the level of PCA,” alleges Abdi.

“Mr. Bindra was told that to give evidence in favour of Mr. Modi would be construed as going against BCCI, which, as an administrator, he cannot do,” he has written. “Our request to the committee is that this is an in- house proceeding and when witness[es] depose about matters in their knowledge, even on behalf of Mr.Modi, they are not acting adversarial to the BCCI’s interest.” 

Abdi has alleged that Raman did something similar to Bithal. “Even in respect of Mr. Manoj Bithal, after he gave evidence in favour of Mr. Modi, Mr. Sundar Raman, acting ostensibly on instructions of Mr. N. Srinivasan, sent message to Mr. Manoj Badale that as [a] franchisee of IPL how he could provide witness statement in favour of Mr. Modi,” he has written. “Mr. Badale clarified that he had not made a witness statement, but it was Mr. Bithal who had done so.” Modi’s constituted attorney further hinted that BCCI even indulged in arm twisting tactics.

“At that point of time, BCCI was seeking to compromise its arbitration dispute both with Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals.

The consent terms with Kings XI Punjab were filed in Bombay High Court on 7.12.2012,” the letter says. “ However, only because Mr. Bithal gave witness statement in favour of Mr. Modi, Rajasthan Royals was told that they can forget about same treatment as given to Kings XI Punjab, though termination of both Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals was on identical grounds and for identical reasons.”

Abdi has asked the disciplinary committee to send request letters to Bindra and Gavaskar under regulation 1(q). But he is sceptical that certain people might not eventually turn up, though WSG’s Georgiou and Nair have indicated that they would provide evidence if summoned.

“We, therefore, face a situation where all our witnesses who are working in some capacity with BCCI would suffer if they give statement suo- motto on our behalf. In fact, looking to the treatment given to Rajasthan Royals, IMG would not [on] its own allow Mr. Wildblood to appear as it would be perceived as acting against BCCI. Therefore, Mr. Wildblood should also be sent [a] request letter to give evidence,” Abdi writes.

“Further direction should be given to BCCI and Mr. N. Srinivasan that they should not hold out any threat to witnesses seeking to depose in Mr. Modi’s favour,” he says.

Till Monday, 78 sittings of the disciplinary committee – comprising Arun Jaitley, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Chirayu Amin – have taken place. BCCI suspended Modi on April 25, 2010, slapped him with show cause notices, and initiated a disciplinary inquiry against him. Modi has replied to the notices and has since been living in London.

WITNESSES MODI IS SEEKING

ANDREW WILDBLOOD: Required to examine him in respect of second show cause notice as he was one of the attendees of the lunch meeting in Delhi with county officials

I. S. BINDRA: To depose that the Sony contract was approved by the IPL GC on Aug 11, 2009, & that on Dec 17, 2009, no tender for two new teams was approved by the GC & that BCCI witness Sundar Raman had lied on this point in his witness statement. Also to show the ill- will Giles Clarke harbours against Modi 

SUNIL GAVASKAR: To depose that in meeting dated March 7, 2010, IPL GC never reprimanded Modi nor intended to take any action against him on the bid conditions of first round of ITT and the word “reprimanded” in the minutes was incorrect 

ANDREW GEORGIOU & VENU NAIR: To depose regarding the BCCI TV rights issue as set out in the show cause notice & their facilitation fee arrangement with Sony (Quoted from the letter)

BCCI IN A FIX OVER SERVICE TAX

Undecided if it will pay the 12.36% tax on behalf of cricketers & other professionals who render services

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali in New Delhi

March 31: WITH only three days left for the money-spinning Indian Premier League (IPL) to begin, the Indian cricket Board said that it was still undecided on paying the 12.36 per cent service tax in addition to the match fee of players.

IPL is one of the biggest sources of income for players as well as the Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI), the richest cricket body in the world.

On March 29, BCCI service tax consultants held a workshop for north and central zone state associations at the Ferozeshah Kotla here in New Delhi, but BCCI treasurer Ajay Shirke said that the Board was still undecided on whether to pay the service tax on behalf of players’ match fee and their share of annual BCCI profit.

Ideally — and as per normal practice — the BCCI should be paying service tax on behalf of cricketers, besides the match fee, much like consumers pay excise duty and VAT etc. in addition to the cost of any product.

The service tax for sportspersons came into effect on July 1 last year. Shirke emphasised that the BCCI would indeed abide by the law of the land. “The Board is yet to decide if it will pay the Service Tax amount of players. We are still considering that. But whatever taxes are due to the government will be paid by the Board,” Shirke told MAIL TODAY.

“For paying the service tax, players will first have to be registered with the relevant tax authorities [department of revenue of the ministry of finance],” said Shirke, who is also president of the Maharashtra Cricket Association.

All professionals earning more than Rs.10 lakh annually will have to pay service tax.

The BCCI itself has been paying service tax. As per its records, the Board, as on March 31, 2012, accounted for Rs.25.30 crore as service tax on input services it had received. 

And as on March 31, 2011, it was Rs.7.69 crore.

The BCCI shares with players 26 per cent of its total profit every year. For the year ending March 31, 2012, the Board shared Rs.47.49 crore of its profit with the players.

Besides, BCCI pays players for representing India as well as their state teams that compete in various domestic tournaments. During a home series, a player gets Rs.7 lakh for a five- day Test match, Rs.4 lakh for an ODI, and Rs.2 lakh for a Twenty20 International. For overseas tours, players are paid a lump sum amount. A player appearing for his state gets Rs.10,000 per match day.

The Board also awards central contracts to top players on an annual basis. A total of 37 players given contracts in October last year in Grade A ( 9 players are getting Rs.1 crore each), Grade B (8 are getting Rs.50 lakh each) and Grade C (20 are getting Rs.25 lakh each).

Asked if the BCCI would facilitate players in filing Service Tax, Shirke said: “If players seek out our help, we will help them.”

Pratik Jain, partner, KPMG (Service Tax), said that players’ salaries that they receive from companies (not BCCI) would not be levied service tax. “Any income which is not a salary or is not towards sale of a product, service tax will be levied on it,” Jain told MAIL TODAY.

After being extended a few times following representations to the government, the deadline for paying service tax for the first quarter — July to September 2012 — was extended and now it has been set as April 25.

Before last year, service tax was applicable on only those services that were specified under the Finance Act 1994. Services by sportspersons were not a specified service, so didn’t have to pay this tax. Last year, the government replaced the ‘positive list’ with a ‘negative list’ to remove confusion.

(This story first appeared in Mail Today, New Delhi/Chandigarh)

NEUTRAL VENUES FOR RANJI TROPHY KNOCK- OUT GAMES FROM 2013-14 SEASON

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali in New Delhi

March 27, 2013: THERE is a very strong possibility that the seven knock-out matches of the 2013- 14 Ranji Trophy season would be played on neutral, or identified, venues.

For this purpose, 10 venues would be identified based on their performances (pitches and other aspects) in the league phase of the tournament. Out of those, seven would host the four quarter- final matches, two semi- finals and the final of the national championship. No venue would host more than one knock- out match.

This was a view that gained currency both in the captains and coaches conclave held on March 5 and again at a meeting of the Anil Kumble-headed technical committee in Mumbai on March 15.

The working committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI) discussed the issue at its meeting on March 15.

“The issue of the identified venues, as we are calling them, was discussed at the last working committee meet and got the approval of the house. It was left to the technical committee, and also the programme and fixtures committee, to finally chalk out a suitable schedule,” a top BCCI official told MAIL TODAY.

“A total of 10 venues would be identified during the league phase of Ranji Trophy, based on factors like pitches and ground conditions etc., and seven out of them would host matches,” he said.

North zone, however, may not get to host any knock- out match mainly due to weather conditions and poor visibility during winter. “The December- January period is most affected by fog and lack of proper sunshine, and sun also sets sooner during this time than in summer. So, north may not host any knock- out matches,” he said.

The Ranji Trophy points system, which underwent a change this season, may be slightly tweaked to provide more encouragement to teams to go for wins.

“In the present structure, teams that take a first innings lead but still lose get no points. It has now been suggested that they should get three points, so that they are encouraged to compete better,” said a member of the technical committee.

The gap between matches was the other major issue the committee discussed on March 15. 

From next season, the second half of the tournament may have four- day gaps instead of three. The panel will finalise its recommendations next month, before sending them to the working committee.

(This story first appeared in Mail Today)

DETERMINED SEHWAG SLOGS IT OUT IN HIS COMEBACK BID

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali in New Delhi

March 26, 2013: GOING by his daily practice regime, Virender Sehwag seems more determined than ever before in his bid to stage a comeback to the Indian team.

An intensely focused Sehwag is slugging it out in the field these days, running and polishing his batting, and, at times, spending up to one-and- a-half hours in the state- of- the- art gymnasium in the basement of his Hauz Khas home to improve his fitness.

Sehwag is also practising at his alma mater, Jamia Millia Islamia, where Delhi Daredevils are having a camp these days.

He is practicing with white Kookaburra balls as the same brand is being used for both the T20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which began on March 18, and the IPL, starting on April 3.

Sources close to Sehwag, ignored for the last two Tests of the series against Australia, say he is practicing daily and with “a clear mind-set” as to which areas of his batting he has to improve.

 “Viru is very clear in his mind as to what he’s trying to do and achieve. He has a point of view, and he’s trying to consolidate his strong points and improve upon what he sees as the weak areas,” coach Ajay Verma, who has been assisting Sehwag by providing him bowlers and space at his academy, told MAIL TODAY.

Sehwag, 34, faces up to 300 throw- downs in one session and bats up to one hour in a single net session, besides trying to improve his running between the wickets with specific drills.

Amar Nath Sharma, Sehwags coach since his school days, says hed do well to draw inspiration from the hard work he did in the 2007 summer after being dropped from the Test team for the first time on performance.

“I’ve never seen anyone practice as hard as Viru did in two months that summer. If he catches the same lai aur taal (rhythm) again, nothing like it,” Sharma told MAIL TODAY. “But he’s a few years older now and will have to work harder as competition is tougher now and there are at least three players vying for each spot.”

Sehwag can also draw inspiration from year 2008, when he staged a roaring comeback after missing 10 Tests in 2007. It turned out to be the best calendar year of his career as he amassed 1,462 runs at 56.23 in 14 Tests.

“If India ignore him for the South Africa tour in November- December, it’ll be very difficult for the team,” warns Sharma. “Viru is an attacking batsman and he would be needed against their strong pace attack.”

But before that tour, India will play an ODI tri- series in the West Indies from June 28, also involving Sri Lanka, and Sehwag will naturally try to retain his ODI spot by performing well for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, beginning on April 3.

HARBHAJAN SINGH CAN PLAY ROLE OF MENTOR, SAYS FORMER INDIA TEST OFF-SPINNER ARSHAD AYUB

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali in Hyderabad

March 7, 2013: AFTER the two successive Test wins over Australia, former India off- spinner Arshad Ayub wants the hosts not to get complacent and target a 4- 0 series whitewash.

That would avenge the similar scoreline inflicted on India Down Under in 2011- 12.

 “It’s (4- 0) possible. We must strive for that and look in that direction very seriously,” Ayub told MAIL TODAY on Wednesday. (As it turned out, India defeated Australia 4-0 – a historic whitewash)

 “Most of the time when we got out [abroad], they look at that [clean sweep]. Give nothing to them, put the pressure on. I would encourage the team to make sure that they dont get any leverage and try and whitewash them,” he said.

Ayub, who played 13 Tests and 32 ODIs in 1980s with reasonable success, was particularly happy with the spinners and felt that Harbhajan Singh still has a lot more to offer, as a mentor.

“Anil Kumble played an excellent mentors role when Harbhajan was coming in. It was always between Harbhajan and Anil; when the pressure was there, both used to perform well. Also, Zaheer Khan was playing the role of mentor to young fast bowlers,” said the former manager of the Indian team.

“Harbhajan can now play Kumbles role as he knows how to go through pressure, and how to come out of it. It’s the mind-set that plays the major role in international cricket,” he emphasised.

Ayub feels Harbhajan the bowler can still contribute a lot. “ Although he hasn’t taken many wickets [ in the two Tests], hes got a lot to offer. If he looks at some pointers himself, he’d probably know where he can improve now. It’s a learning curve for everyone. As far as spinners are concerned, I think hes still young,” he said about the 32- year- old off- spinner.

“He fields well, runs well, and bats decently. I think he’s got a few more years to give to India.” Overall, says Ayub, the spinners have performed well in the two Tests, bagging 34 of the 39 wickets to fall.

“Spinners have been the strong point for India. There’s definitely an improvement here. R Ashwin bowled a really good line in this particular series, something that I didn’t see in the England series,” he said.

Ayub suggested that India may consider picking an additional spinner in place of a pacer. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Harbhajan played both Tests while Pragyan Ojha has sat out.

“In India, you’re going to win matches on spin bowling. So, you must have that option of having a genuine spinner.”

(This story first appeared in Mail Today)

SQUASHED UNDER THE INDIAN SPINNING WHEEL

India beat Australia by innings & 135 runs in 2nd Test, take 2- 0 lead

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali in Hyderabad

March 6, 2013: THE INDIAN spin trio once again cast a web around Australian batsmen for a second successive Test victory here on Tuesday to give their team 2- 0 lead in the series that made Mahendra Singh Dhoni the countrys most successful Test captain.

Indias innings and 135- run win, sealed with more than a day and a half to spare, was their sixth biggest against in Tests and the second biggest over Australia, after the innings and 219- run verdict in Kolkata in 1998.

Like in the first Test in Chennai, spinners R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Harbhajan Singh again made the Kangaroos dance to their tune, thus putting India on way to 4- 0 clean sweep.

The three spinners had snared all 20 wickets in Chennai and captured 14 of the 19 to fall at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, as Australia were all out for 131 in their second innings.

Michael Clarkes team had declared the first innings at 237/ 9 and India, thanks for Cheteshwar Pujaras brilliant 204 and Murali Vijays patient 167, piled up 503 for 266- run lead that turned out to be decisive.

Pujara was adjudged Man of the Match while Dhoni won his 22nd Test to go past Sourav Ganguly as the most successful captain. But Ganguly has 11 wins abroad to Dhoni/ Rahul Dravids five each.

Pujara and Vijay, who rediscovered his form, were so dominant that their combined 370- run tally was three more than Australias two innings grand total of 368.

While Pujara and Vijay set up the win, Ashwin bagged three more wickets on Tuesday to complete the eighth five- wicket haul ( 5/ 63) in his 14th Test – and a match haul of 6/ 104. It was his third five- wicket burst in four innings.

Jadeja turned his golden left arm over to claim three wickets for 33, the deadliest one being that of Clarke, Australias best player of spin, whom he beat in defence for a mere 16 to rattle his off stump, before running out Moises Henriques with a direct throw.

Only Harbhajan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who gave a flying start with three wickets on the opening morning, went wicketless in the second innings.

Ishant Sharma managed one wicket in 22 overs in the match.

Ed Cowan with 44 ( 176 minutes, 150 balls, 6x4s) was Australias top scorer in the second innings and had a 56- run opening- wicket partnership with David Warner ( 26, 72 mins, 56 balls, 3x4s, 1x6).

At the start of the day, Australia, who had lost David Warner and Phillip Hughes to Ashwin for 74 by Monday evening, needed 192 to avoid an innings defeat. But they lost their last eight wickets for just 57 on Tuesday.

Shane Watson was the first to depart, in the days third over, and it was Ishant’s first wicket of the series.

After adding 33 with Cowan for the fourth wicket, Clarke ( 16) was bowled by Jadeja for the second time in the match.

Jadeja had a hand in the next two dismissals too, when he had Cowan caught by Virender Sehwag at slip and then ran out Henriques from cover with a direct hit.

After the game had virtually ended as a contest, Ashwin had debutant Glenn Maxwell LBW and Jadeja had Peter Siddle caught by Virat Kohli at gully.

Ashwin ended Wades 45- minute vigil with Sehwag catching him.

(This story first appeared in Mail Today, New Delhi/Chandigarh)

ANDHRA GOVT SLAPS RS.7.73 CRORE TAXES ON HCA

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali in Hyderabad

THE Andhra Pradesh income tax authorities have slapped taxes close to Rs 8 crore on the Hyderabad Cricket Association ( HCA) under “various heads” for assessment year 2010-11, during which the body hosted an India- New Zealand Test match.

A top HCA official said that the association has decided to file an appeal against the tax amount of Rs.7,73,79,157 as it feels that it has been levied unfairly, though the 30- day period for filing an appeal has lapsed, as per the details mentioned in the notice recently served by the office of the Deputy Director of Income Tax ( Exemptions)- II in Hyderabad.

“The amount should be paid to the manager, authorised bank/ State Bank of India/ Reserve Bank of India at Hyderabad within 30 days of the service of this notice. The previous approval of the Additional Commissioner of Income Tax has been obtained for allowing a period of less than 30 days for the payment of the above sum,” reads the notice, a copy of which is with MAIL TODAY. 

The tax notice says that if the amount is not paid within the stipulated period, a simple interest would be imposed on it, besides a possible penalty.

Current HCA president G Vinod, who was not in the chair during 2010- 11, said: “HCAs chartered accountants are studying the notice to see if the taxes, levied under various heads of accounts, are justified or not. Once they have assessed it, we will appeal to the appropriate authority against the taxes soon.”

Vinod, a former Andhra labour minister, had played a key role in BCCI getting income tax exemption from the government for the ICC for staging the Champions Trophy in 2006.

Former India Test off- spinner Arshad Ayub, who was HCA president in 2010- 11, said the heads under which taxes have been imposed are the ones through which it earns money. 

“These areas include hosting of international matches and giving the stadium [Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium] on rent etc. We’ve to pay 50 per cent of the taxes now and wait for the outcome of the appeal that we file,” Ayub told MAIL TODAY.