KKR beat Delhi by 18 runs, reach IPL-5 final

PUNE, May 22: Kolkata Knight Riders beat Delhi Daredevils by 18 runs, during their first Qualifier at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium in Pune, to seal their place in Indian Premier League - 5 final.

Earlier, Yusuf Pathan and Laxmi Ratan Shukla's 56-run partnership helped Kolkata Knight Riders post 163-run target for Delhi Daredevils during the first Qualifier, at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, in Pune on Tuesday.

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir had won the toss and elected to bat against Delhi Daredevils.

The winner of Tuesday's match will qualify for Sunday's title clash.

The loser of Tuesday's match will clash with winner of the Eliminator between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.

DLF IPL-V kicks-off with dazzling opening ceremony

CHENNAI, April 3: A spectacular mix of Bollywood razzmatazz and high-octane performances by International stars were the highlights of a glittering opening ceremony which set the ball rolling for the fifth edition of the IPL in Chennai on Tuesday night.

The glamour quotient was at an all-time high as a galaxy of stars, led by megastar Amitabh Bachchan, descended at the at the YMCA College of Physical Education and set the stage on fire with their performance.

Amitabh, returning to work after two abdominal surgeries earlier this year, started the proceedings for the evening with a rendition of a poem 'If I were to be born again', written by renowned lyricist Prasoon Joshi.

The 69-year-old's baritone voice and inimitable style, coupled with a dance performance choreographed by Shiamak Davar at the background gave an apt start to the glittering ceremony, which set the stage for the 54-day extravaganza featuring nine teams.

South African percussion band First Project, composer DJ Ravi Drums and Colonial Cousins then took the stage and churned out their brand of music, setting the pulses racing.

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra then enthralled the audience with her dance and heroics during her performance to the hit numbers from her films such as 'Don', 'Don 2' and 'Kaaminey', which even saw India spinner Harbhajan Singh shaking a leg on the stage.

India's dancing sensation and Chennai's own Prabhu Deva then burned the dance floor with his power-packed performance where he danced to songs from films such as (Wanted) and 'Hum Se Hai Muqablah'.

Two-time title winners, Chennai Super Kings then took the stage and Priyanka Chopra shared some light moments with the cricketers as she quizzed skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and also taught Australian Doug Bollinger and Indian spinner R Ashwin some dancing steps.

The 'Chammak Challo' of the Tinsel town, Kareena Kapoor then set the heart racing with her dance numbers from films such as 'Ra One' and 'Agent Vinod'.

The opening Nite then saw the oath taking ceremony by the skippers of the nine teams, including retired Rahul Dravid and Australian Adam Gilchrist, as they signed the MCC Spirit of Cricket pledge.

Defending champions CSK skipper Dhoni placed the trophy back on the podium and BCCI president N Srinivasan and IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla then joined the players on stage.

"IPL has grown from strength to strength and has established itself as a premiere tournament. BCCI is extremely proud of this achievement. But who is the cause, first the commitment of the players both international and domestic, who participated in the event, the enthusiasm of the franchises and assistance of the supporting stuffs and the cricket fans in India and around the world have contributed to its great success. We expect IPL V to be no less," Srinivasan said.

"We have not forgotten who played for us. The BCCI will give an one-time opportunity to cricketers who have graced Indian cricket -- International cricketer as well as domestic cricketers who played from a long time. Over 185 players will be benefited from it and we will start the distribution from this year. It is a small thank you from us to those who have done yeoman service to Indian cricket," he added.

Shukla then flagged off the fifth edition, saying: "It gives me a great pleasure to flag off the fifth edition of the DLF Indian Premier League, an arena where quality international and domestic cricketers take part in intense contest of strategy and skill. IPL is a platform where talent meets opportunity."

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan then set the stage ablaze with his "Dhinka Chika' act from the film 'Ready', followed by performances to some foot-tapping numbers from 'Body Guard', 'Wanted', 'Partner' and 'Jab Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kiya'.

After some Bollywood razzle-dazzle, Perry dished out a sumptuous musical treat and performed some of her superhits such as 'fireworks' and 'California Girls', leaving the audience not only mesmerised but also asking for more.

The singer, who had tied the knot with now estranged husband Russell Brand, in India in 2010, was the cynosure of all eyes as she kept the audience on their toes in her maiden performance in the country.

Dazzling fireworks lit up the evening sky as the ceremony which lasted about two and a half hours came to end.

Harpreet Duggal wins Madhavrao Scindia Golf Cup

GURGAON, March 5: The seventh edition of the Madhavrao Scindia Golf Tournament was organized at the DLF Golf & Country Club here where prominent persons from the corporate, sports and business world were present.

It was a fundraising event, held in remembrance of Madhavrao Scindia, and was hosted by his son Jyotiraditya and Maharani Madhavi Raje Scindia. The funds raised through this event go towards supporting social development projects undertaken by the Madhavrao Scindia Foundation.

This one-day tournament, known for participation by eminent personalities from the field of sports, business and politics, was attended by former cricketers Kapil Dev, Nikhil
Chopra, Murali Kartik, cricket commentator Charu Sharma, industrialists Pankaj Munjal and Rohit Relan among others.

As many as 120 players teed off to play the fast-paced and exciting Skins Format. This format offers continued excitement! Each hole is a contest with a prize to be won by a golfer in each four-ball. Charu Sharma won the A Category with 40 points to Arunjeet Sodhi’s 37 points. Ravi Chopra came in with 33 points but lost out to Arvind Chowdhry (B Category) who put in a card with 35 points. The overall winner of the Madhavrao Scindia Cup was Harpreet Duggal.

S Africa’s Kruger wins Avantha Masters 2012

GURGAON, Feb 19: South Africa’s Jbe Kruger finally shed his perennial bridesmaid tag when he closed with a final round three-under-par 69 to win the Avantha Masters 2012.

Kruger, who had come close on many occasions, especially in 2010, where he had to settle for the runner-up spot three times, was clearly relieved when he lifted his maiden Asian Tour title with a winning total of 14-under-par 274.

Spain’s Jorge Campillo signed off with a 67 to take a share of second place with Germany’s Marcel Siem on 276 while Australia’s Marcus Fraser and Spain’s Manuel
Jose Lara closed with matching 277s for a share of fourth place.

Thailand’s Prom Meesawat emerged as the leading Asian after he signed for a 71 to take a share of sixth place with three other players while compatriot Kiradech Aphibarnrat closed with a 68 to finish in tied-10th.

After a sputtering start where he opened with two bogeys, Prom recovered with a birdie on the third to turn in 37. He added two more birdies on the 12th and 17th holes to reach home in 71.