Sunil’s return was a mistake; Gurpreet should also retire for the new generation: Bhaichung
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia has said that talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri should not have returned to international football, breaking his retirement to help India in the AFC 2027 Asian Cup qualification campaign. Bhaichung termed it a mistake. Chhetri last scored for the Blue Tigers in March this year against the Maldives but has drawn a blank in the country’s next matches since then. While reacting to India’s exit from the Asian Cup qualifiers after a 1-2 defeat to Singapore in the third round in Goa, the former Indian captain urged goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to consider stepping aside to give the next generation a chance, also. “It’s time for Sunil. He’s had a great career and a wonderful farewell, but his comeback was a big mistake, for him and for Indian football. I had mentioned that earlier, too. It’s also time for senior players like Sunil and Gurpreet to say goodbye. They have served Indian football well, but now the next generation has to take over,” Bhutia told PTI. Bhutia urged India to move away from glamorous European football models and instead emulate Asian nations such as Uzbekistan and Jordan, which have achieved consistent success with modest resources. India’s 1-2 defeat against Singapore came after a 1-1 draw in the away leg, resulting in the Blue Tigers missing out on the continental tournament for the first time since it expanded to 24 teams in 2019. “It’s very disappointing because the Asia Cup is something we should at least be qualifying for regularly. When 24 teams qualify for the Asia Cup and you still can’t make it, then it’s very, very disappointing. “We keep talking about the World Cup and other big things, but if we can’t even qualify for the Asia Cup, then we are very far away from our goal,” the 48-year-old Indian football icon added.
Dronacharya Bimal Ghosh advises for a ‘better scouting’ of footballers
Dronacharya awardee coach Bimal Ghosh advises for a ‘better scouting’ of footballers for the senior national team. Ghosh, speaking to Parallel Sports on Wednesday after the senior national team’s exit from the Asian Cup qualifiers with a 2-1 defeat against Singapore at home on Tuesday, explained, “Despite having delivered an inspiring performance for the first 30 minutes, India could not increase the scoreline due to poor conversion. India could have taken the lead by at least 2-0 during the phase.” He continued, “So, I feel that before the selection of the national team, the selectors have to spot those footballers who are proficient scoring goals. Not only ISL, the selectors have to scout footballers from the I-League, the Senior National championship, even from the Second Division I-League. There can be a pool of 50 footballers, and then you put them into rigorous training. Looking forward to the future, you do not have any other option.” He added, “Today, teams should not depend only on the strikers. You can have a wing-half who is flawless in converting chances. You can have a midfielder whose shooting ability is accurate. So, the selectors have to scout those footballers across different competitions whose striking ability is precise. Then only national team can get rid of poor conversion in their crucial international engagement and it will need time.” The 69-year old coach admitted India’s defensive organization was not up to the mark, especially the defenders faltered in positioning at the time of Singapore’s second goal. “In the case of Singapore’s equalizer also, I would blame the lack of defensive organization.” When asked whether the team could benefit by playing Sunil Chhetri in the match, Ghosh opined, “I feel Sunil should have been fielded in the latter half of the match.
Khalid says players’ ‘lack of concentration’ forces India to get out of contention for the Asian Cup final round
Khalid Jamil, the chief national coach, held the players’ ‘lack of concentration’ after India’s chances of qualifying for the Asian Cup finals next year were spoiled with a 1-2 defeat against Singapore at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Tuesday. India have been winless in four matches. Lallianzuala Chhangte gave India a lead in the 14th minute, unleashing a brilliant 25-yard right-footer from the middle. But Ui-Young Song’s double strike, courtesy India’s disjointed defensive organization, guided Singapore to the desired victory before facing Hong Kong in their next encounter. Singapore coach, while speaking to the official broadcaster of the match Jio Hotstar, admitted that India had an inspiring start, but that prevailed only for the first 25-30 minutes before they snatched the midfield possession from India. On the contrary, Khalid, in his post-match explanation to the Jio Hotstar, said, “Even after starting well in the second session, we conceded a silly goal due to lack of defenders’ concentration. Despite playing good football, we missed several chances. This was also the lack of players’ concentration in a crucial time.”
First time in 14 years; Two West Indian centuries against India!
West Indian batsman Shai Hope scored his first Test hundred in over eight years, during his side’s second Test against India in New Delhi on Monday. This was Hope’s third Test hundred, the first two having come against England in the same match at Leeds in 2017. Hope was eventually dismissed for 103, bowled by Mohammed Siraj. The 31-year-old’s effort came with the West Indies following on against India. Hope put on a 177-run partnership for the third wicket with opener John Campbell, who smashed a hundred as well. This is the first time in 14 years that two West Indian batters have scored centuries in a Test innings against India. The partnership between Hope and Campbell helped the visitor stave off an innings defeat. John Campbell especially, broke a 20-year drought, scoring his first century against India as an opener. But significantly, legendary batsman Brian Lara still made it a point to visit the visitors’ dressing room after the second day’s play in the second Test. The 56-year-old Lara is in New Delhi alongside another legend, Sir Vivian Richards, as a part of the ‘Mission India’ campaign as they are trying to help the cash-strapped Cricket West Indies get some extra funds, which will help them revive the dilapidated structure of their long-form game. Lara was in the West Indies dressing room after the end of the day’s play. He did not make any general address to the players but spoke (separately) to coach Darren Sammy and captain Roston Chase, and a couple of players, as reported by PTI.
‘Let them do whatever, we will follow our protocol,’ says Salman Agha before the Asia Cup final
For the first time, ahead of the Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan today in Dubai, Pakistan captain Salman Agha opened up about the ‘no handshake’ controversy that has already rocked the cricket fraternity. While speaking at the media conference, Salman described the situation as ‘unprecedented’ and stated that he has not seen or heard anything like this before in his life. “I have been playing cricket since 2007, and I have never seen two teams don’t shake hands. All I have heard is that such an incident has never occurred.” He added, “Previously too, India and Pakistan matches have taken place, when situations were worse than this one, and then also handshakes used to happen. This is not good for cricket.” Rumors are also there that there will be no ‘captain’s photo shoot’ ahead of the final. While reacting to this question, the Pakistan skipper had a simple response. “Let them do whatever, we will follow our protocol. It is up to them. We can’t do anything about that.” Meanwhile, there is still no clarity on the captain’s photo shoot, anyway. Coming to the cricket aspect, India and Pakistan have played two matches so far in the Asia Cup, where India have won both, convincingly. Still, it is not going to be simply a cricket match. The electric game in Dubai will be treated as a proxy war. For all those naive people who say, ‘sports should not mix with politics,’ they also realize that they have already been drawn into the warmth of this high-voltage match. India must be desperate to clinch the title, as both teams will be playing in the final for the first time in the Asia Cup.
Ishfaq awaits India’s hat-trick in SAFF Under-17; Proud to have been in part of scouting the boys
Sudeep Pakrashi: Ishfaq Ahmed, the former India international and national coach is waiting for the result of today’s SAFF Under-17 football championship final between India and Bangladesh. There is a reason behind. Ishfaq was the man who scouted the footballers who will be vying for the title for the third consecutive time in the SAFF Under-17 championship. While speaking over phone from Srinagar on Saturday morning, Ishfaq explained, “Bangladesh is undoubtedly tough opposition. Bangladesh have an advantage that they have been to retain most of their boys who participated in the championship last year when I was coach of India Under-17. But Considering India’s performance in the last match, I believe now we have been stronger than them.” India’s one of the key strikers, Rahan Ahmed who is playing as number.9 in this championship, is being talked about. Ishfaq also applauded saying, “His key strength is that he is a good finisher. He is technically strong also. He is potential although he has long way to go.” Rahan has been in excellent form in the tournament, could not make a goal-scoring contribution in the semi-final against Nepal, but his attacking threat will keep Bangladesh on their toes in the final. He has played an instrumental role in carrying India to the knockouts with his clutch performances against Bhutan and Pakistan. Had it not been for his late winners, India might not have stayed in contention for defending their title. Bibiano will expect his ‘Super Sub’ to replicate his group stage brilliance again in the final. However, India and Bangladesh have been locked in some fierce contests in the past at all levels of international football. The group A toppers have been in fine form. They were sublime in the group stage, hammering both Nepal and Sri Lanka with a 4-0 score line. The semi-final against Pakistan also saw Bangladesh making the opposition helpless.
Suryakumar Yadav faces ‘caution’ only by the ICC referee
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has only been cautioned by the ICC against Pakistan’s complaint after Yadav dedicated India’s Super-Four victory to India’s armed forces and the victims of Pahalgam terror attack. On Thursday, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav was summoned by the ICC after a formal complaint from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). According to those present, Suryakumar, accompanied by BCCI COO Hemang Amin and Cricket Operations Manager Summer Mallapurkar, appeared before match referee Richie Richardson. The Indian captain “pleaded not guilty,” arguing that his words were in solidarity with his countrymen rather than political messaging. According to PTI, Richardson, however, reminded the 34-year-old to steer clear of comments that could be construed as political. A Level 1 offence under the ICC code of conduct usually carries a warning or a fine of 15% of match fees. For now, Surya has escaped with just a caution. If India’s skipper had to defend his words, Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Shahibzada Farhin must defend their actions. The BCCI has lodged a separate complaint, citing their provocative gestures during Super-Four clash on 21st September 21. Rauf allegedly mimicked the shooting down of an aircraft, a gesture that instantly reminded Indian supporters of past military confrontations. Farhan, after his fifty, went a step further as he wielded his bat like a machine gun in celebration. All this was quite bewildering considering the two nations went into a war a few months ago. It was apparent, for Indians, as a mockery. Farhan later shrugged it off as “something that came to mind,” but the ICC is unlikely to be so forgiving. Their hearing, slated for Friday, could set an important precedent on how far on-field theatrics can go before they cross the line.
Irfan Pathan slams Pakistan, says even a domestic team from India can beat them!
Irfan Pathan slammed Pakistan, saying even a domestic side from India could beat them. He went on to say teams like Mumbai and Punjab, which have become consistent in white-ball Indian domestic tournaments, could beat Pakistan. “If you ask which of our domestic teams can beat Pakistan, I know for sure Mumbai can beat them. Punjab can beat them,” said Irfan on Sony Sports Network. India were clinical in their approach, limiting Pakistan to 127/9 in 20 overs after being asked to bowl first. While chasing, the toothless Pakistani bowling attack was no match for the Indian batters either, as the Men in Blue chased down the modest target in 15.5 overs with seven wickets in hand. Former Mumbai cricketer Abhishek Nayar also agreed to Pathan’s notion, explaining that the match could have been a better preparatory match for India if it was India versus India! “We were thinking about how to build up the game. Pakistan came with spinners and did not have fast bowlers. Their bowling was different, but there was no actual difference. From the start to the end, after winning the toss and batting first to the chase, Pakistan were not in the competition at all. If India were playing versus India, and it was more of a practice match for the future,” said Nayar.
India to stick with ‘no handshake’ policy against Pakistan in Asia Cup
It is learnt that Indian cricket team have decided to carry on with the ‘no handshake’ policy with Pakistan even if both teams meet again in the Super-4 stage of the ongoing Asia Cup. India captain Suryakumar Yadav and his players showed a symbolic protest, leaving the ground directly without handshaking with the Pakistani cricketers after drubbing them in the group league match on Sunday. According to reports published in The Economic Times, it is believed that India will not shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, both in the Super 4 stage and in the final, if they meet. According to the reports, the decision of not exchanging the sporting gesture through handshakes after the match was taken after Team India received an instruction from the BCCI. It is also believed that the BCCI and the team management were reportedly involved in a discussion over the recent demand from a section of fans and political parties to boycott the game against Pakistan. Defending the decision, a BCCI official explained while speaking to PTI, “Look, if you read the rule book, there is no specification about shaking hands with the opposition. It is a goodwill gesture and a sort of convention not law that is followed globally across the sporting spectrum. If there is no law, then the Indian cricket team is not bound to shake hands with an opposition with whom there is a history of strained relationship,” the BCCI official said. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has officially lodged a complaint to the Asian Cricket Council, mentioning India’s gesture as ‘unsporting’.
A ‘new kid on the block’ in Indian tennis, named Dhakshineswar Suresh
Dakshineswar Suresh is the ‘new kid on the block’ in Indian tennis. The 25-year-old Madurai-born tennis player has been chosen as the singles player, along with Sumit Nagal, in India’s forthcoming Davis Cup tie against the formidable hosts Switzerland for the World Group I indoor tie, beginning on Friday. The six-foot-five-inch tennis player had drawn the attention of India’s tennis fraternity after drubbing Alejandro Tabilo, who was the world’s former 19th-ranked player, and achieved a special victory against legendary Novak Djokovic last year. India’s captain in the Davis Cup Rohit Rajpal when asked about his decision to field Suresh in a crucial Davis Cup match against Switzerland, revealed that he had convinced the coaches of Suresh in USA and they allowed Suresh to fly for Switzerland from the USA directly. Commenting on the reason behind selecting Suresh in the team, Rajpal said, “Dhakshineshwar has a powerful serve and it is going to be an asset in indoor court ties. There were visa issues so I had requested Dhakshineshwar’s coaches in US College to prepare him on indoor courts.” Rajpal also added that he was already impressed by Dakshineswar’s recent performance in a few international matches. “He defeated quite a few quality players recently on the tour,” stated Rajpal.
