Mumbai sporting reclamation

Having given up ODIs, Tendulkar has made clear his intention of continuing vigil in the Test side. Four Tests against a weakened Australian attack on dry, summer wickets in February-March hold promise for the veteran who moves closer to his 40th birthday. While he will look to find his long-lost form against the Aussies, a record-breaking 200th Test appearance beckons later in the year when India tour South Africa.

Zaheer will have to fight to regain his place in the Test squad for the first time in five years. For Sharma, time is running out.

LIGHTS OUT for Fighters?

WITH a catchy theme song — Dishum... Dishum — pyrotechnics and a bunch of talented pro-boxers from around the world, Mumbai Fighters captured the imagination of the city's adrenaline junkies on Friday nights. They didn't do badly either as India's first-ever representatives in World Series of Boxing, reaching quarterfinals. Unfortunately, the Fighters ended up being a flash in the pan with their owners throwing in the towel and withdrawing from the 2012-13 season citing paucity of funds and lack of support from Indian Amateur Boxing Federation.

They have promised to return after a break but with no clarity on POA, only 2013 can tell if the boxing franchise makes it to suburban malls.

MHA stick-checked

While packed stands and floodlit matches during World Series Hockey (WSH) showed what the city has been missing out on for the past few years, it was off-field drama at Mumbai Hockey Association (MHA) premises that generated most headlines. The government slapped MHA with an eviction notice for "failing to do enough to promote the game". Many believe it was more because MHA refused to let Hockey India (HI) use the ground for its cash-rich league. The matter is sub-judice but is likely to be swept under the carpet as MHA has been made an HI associate member. Some serious hockey action will return to the city with HI's Dabur-owned Mumbai Magicians likely to play at MHA.

... contd.

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