MEN IN BLUE ARRIVE FOR THE COUNTDOWN

The Men in Blue, The Indian Team, led by the “Captain Cool” Mahendra Singh Dhoni arrived in Barbados on Tuesday with their aim firmly on the Super Eight Stage after trustworthy performance in the starting stage of the World Twenty20 confirmed that they had 2 convincing wins in their belt.

The Team, which effortlessly went past Both Afghanistan and the Mighty South Africa, face tough teams when they play second placed team, most probably Sri Lanka of Group-B, at Kensington Oval on May 6.

After their arrival, Indian think tank gave the players a chance to recharge their batteries by scheduling an optional practice session.

Gautam Gambhir, recovering from a stomach ache, Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, Yusuf Pathan, Suresh Raina and Vinay Kumar made a light practice session under Coach Gary Kirsten.

Karthik has played one match in this tournament in place of Gambhir and Pathan could not make the most of being sent in to bat at number five against South Africa, scoring 11 during his seven-ball stay at the crease.

India’s campaign here will unfold on a Kensington Oval pitch that is expected to offer more pace and bounce than the surface at the Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia.

India has an opportunity of increasing their preparations suitably and building the momentum on having the three day gap.

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Manchester City give forward Carlos Tevez more time away

Carlos Tevez needed much time off as the Manchester City forward in advance had the birth of his baby daughter.

Tevez, whose 26, missed the city’s last 3 matches after being allowed sympathetic holiday to go to Argentina where his daughter, Katie, rigorous care.

Tevez has spoken to the club representatives but they do not know where he will return.

Roberto Mancini’s men in blue faces Stoke city in the FA Cup on Wednesday and play the Premier League Heads Chelsea on Saturday.

Manchester City manager Mancini expecting to have Tevez available for those matches but has not spoken to the Argentine, who  scored 19 goals since joining  the team from local opponents Manchester United last summer, since Wednesday.

“I don’t know where Tevez is,” said Mancini after Sunday’s 0-0 draw match with Liverpool as they were dropped to the sixth place in the Premier League table. “I think he is in Argentina. Added Mancini

“It’s a big problem for us because we have an important week and we don’t have Tevez. For me it is no good. Carlos has been eight days at home and I don’t know if, while in Argentina, he has been working [on his fitness].

“I hope Carlos, within the next two days, can come back here because we need him. Maybe he is on the plane. He had some problems with his family but now it has been resolved and I hope he comes back. I need him.” Said the city manager

Tevez’s consultant Kia Joorabchian said the player was aiming to return in time for City’s trip to Stamford Bridge.

Kia Joorabchian Tevez’s consultant said that he was aiming to come back to Manchester city.

He also persisted that the former West Ham striker’s fitness was good and that Carlos had been in regular contact with the club.

“He hopes to be back for the Chelsea game,” said Joorabchian. “He hopes things will get better, for his daughter’s sake and because he wants to get back and play. He loves to play.

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It’s THE MEN IN BLUE vs THE PROTEAS

With the wicket being supportive to the batsmen, a high scoring encounter is on the deck when India takes on South Africa in the first cricket one-day match  on Sunday at sawai man singh stadium. If the curators of the ground — Ashok Joshi and Taposh Chattejee — are to be assumed, they have made a batting loveliness for the opener which will set the quality for the three-match series.

Joshi said.”There is no doubt that it would be a fine batting wicket. People come to watch runs in ODIs and we won’t   disappoint them”.

Fellow curator Chatterjee said the surface looks in great figure and would be ideal for stroke play. “We have kept grass on the wicket and underneath too which will help in binding the soil.

We had watered it adequately and we are rolling it to help it dry. “A little of evaporation and rolling pulls out the moisture from underneath.

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