A target of 300 runs will be ideal: Chauhan

The Indian team had a work-out at the Indore stadium ahead of the third ODI on Saturday. Talking to reporters after the practice session, the Indian team manager Chetan Chauhan said the players on Thursday specifically practiced running between the wickets for 45 minutes to ensure better co-ordination between the batsmen at the crease. Three Indian batsmen were run out at crucial junctures in the Pune match which India lost by eight wickets for the five-match series to be level at 1-1.

After having a look at the Indore pitch, Chauhan said the team was hoping to set a target of around 300 if it batted first. "Since it is a batting wicket and outfield is also very well prepared, a target of 300 runs would be ideal for the match," Chauhan told reporters after net practice.

On the poor form of skipper Sourav Ganguly, Chauhan said it was only a matter of time before the stylish left-hander got his touch back. "Ups and downs do come in the career of everyone and there is nothing more about it." The former Indian opener also said the team lacked a genuine allrounder and missed the services of Virender Shewag who was injured. On Rahul Dravid's injury, Chauhan said "Dravid, who was kept under observation for a day after being hit on his shin while fielding in the second match in Pune yesterday, has recovered fully." He added that the entire team was fit.

Indore accords traditional welcome to both teams

The Indian and the Australian teams were accorded a warm welcome by the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association on their arrival on Thursday. In a traditional welcome, two elaborately decorated elephants stood at a vantage point to receive the teams along with the MPCA officials and staff.

Instead of meeting reporters, the India team players went straight into the hotel while the Australians had a ride on the elephants. The hotel staff have also planned a memorial service for cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman which would be attended by both teams.

Government, BCCI seek time to reply to Jadeja's petition

The Central government and the BCCI on Thursday sought more time from the Delhi High Court to file their replies to a petition by former Indian captain Ajay Jadeja challenging imposition of a five-year ban on him and a notice to return the Arjuna award. Appearing on behalf of the BCCI, Kapil Sibal said both AC Muthiah and anti-corruption commissioner K Madhavan had filed their replies in their personal capacities, but the board needed some more time to submit its affidavit.

Central government counsel Maninder Singh also said the sports ministry, which had given the notice to Jadeja for return of the award after his indictment by a CBI report on betting and match- fixing, required further time to file its reply. After their submissions, Justice Vijendra Jain directed the Centre and BCCI to file their affidavits within three weeks and adjourned the matter for further hearing to May 9. The court also directed Jadeja to file his response within two weeks of the filing of counter affidavits by the board and the government.

Inter-Railway women's championship begins today

The 15th Inter-Railway women's cricket championship will be played from March 30 to April 6 at Kolkata. Holders Western, South Central, Northern and hosts Eastern are in the fray in the round-robin league matches to be played under lights.

Some leading players including a few Indian players namely Mithali Raj, Rajani Venugopal (South Central), H Kala, Rupanjali Shastri and Deepa Kulkarni (Western), Purnima Chowdhury (Eastern) and Neetu David and Ranjini Sharma (Northern) are likely to play in the tournament.

The schedule: March 30: Western vs South Central; March 31: Eastern vs South Central; April 1: Northern vs Western; April 3: Northern vs South Central; April 4: Eastern vs Northern; April 6: Western vs Eastern.

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