The champions exhibited contrasting styles ? Hilpert playing solidly from the baseline to beat Nitin Kirtane 7-5, 6-3, while Manisha charged and volleyed to dismiss Archana Venkatraman 6-3, 6-4.

It was a fine triple for the US-based Manisha who won the doubles and mixed doubles yesterday. Kirtane, partnered by city boy Saurav Panja, beat Hilpert and Asif Ismail for the men?s doubles title.

The men?s singles final saw Hilpert begin tentatively and he struggled with his service initially before conceding a break in the third game. But the fourth seed recovered in time to break the left hander in the eighth game before breaking him again in the 12th game which won the German the first set in 44 minutes.

Kirtane tried to play the serve-and-volley game in order to counter Hilpert?s strong replies from the baseline but mistimed some backhand volleys at crucial points. Hilpert, on the other hand, rarely changed his approach and played some telling passing shots but there were not many lobs to trouble Kirtane who charged the nets very often.

The third seed could barely put up a fight in the second set and lost his rhythm and cool after a couple of foot-faults. He was issued an official warning by the chair umpire in the sixth game when he banged the ball and almost hit one of the line judges. Hilpert pocketed this set in just 25 minutes.

Hilpert said he was losing sight of the ball against the sun while serving during the initial stages. ?But I think I got back in rhythm pretty soon,? he said.

Kirtane said he lost to the better player and also cited an injury on his left elbow which has been bothering him since the last couple of weeks.

The women?s final began with both players making a number of unforced errors and frequent double faults. Archana, however, was able to put that behind her and got the first break in the third game. But she again got into trouble against the second seed?s powerful serves and crisp volleys. Manisha broke back in the next game, and then broke the sixth game to take the first set in 32 minutes. Manisha, who had lost to Uzma Khan last year, was error prone again in the next set and was broken twice. But Archana struggled with her own service and lost the set in 48 minutes.

FINAL RESULTS

(prize money in parentheses)

Bedi, after all, was part of the quintet (others being the late Ghulam Ahmed, Pankaj Roy, Chandu Borde and Chandu Sarwate) which picked that world-beating XIV.

?No credit to the selectors ? we just did our job,? Bedi told The Telegraph, from New Delhi, while taking a jog down memory lane.

Predictably, Bedi was candid.

Following are excerpts

Memories of the selection meeting (in New Delhi) where the 1983 World Cup team was picked

Well, all 14 players got picked unanimously... The best possible side was selected.

Delhi mediumpacer Sunil Valson?s inclusion

He made it on merit. If you recall, he?d done well on the domestic circuit that season (1982-83). That he didn?t get to play a single match (in the World Cup) doesn?t reflect on him. Rather, that alone says much for the consistency of the frontline players.

Actually, we had an excellent combination... And, of course, the team was being led ? from the front ? by the best thing to have happened to Indian cricket: Kapil Dev.

Whether the selectors intentionally packed the team with allrounders (Kapil, vice-captain Mohinder Amarnath, Madanlal, Kirti Azad, Roger Binny, Ravi Shastri)

Like I?ve said, the best possible side was picked and the regulars complemented each other. It so happened that many in the line-up were allrounders. All were fit and available, so we (the selectors) didn?t have a problem.

Just how optimistic had the selectors been

Reasonably. One-day cricket, after all, can be anybody?s game. Also, don?t forget that we?d beaten the West Indies (in Berbice) just before the World Cup. That wasn?t any ordinary win.

Looking back, I would say we were equal to all teams except the West Indies.

Whether the selectors received kudos for picking a World Cup-winning side

(Laughs) Never expect anything... I?ve always believed in that. We did an honest job, that?s it.

The 19 probables shortlisted for this year?s World Cup

I?m disappointed Sunil Joshi isn?t there. Then, I?m not quite sure where Vinod Kambli fits... But, yes, I?m glad Virender Sehwag is there. The lad is a good investment.

India?s chances

It?s going to be a struggle, making it to the final stages. The weather, I fear, will be a big factor. It?s not easy playing in the first-half of the summer. In fact, when light isn?t a problem in England, they ought to have gone back to 60 overs each team.

Those ten additional overs allow a side to make a comeback ? certainly allowed India stage that phenomenal recovery in Tunbridge Wells (vs Zimbabwe). Sixty overs definitely is a much fairer deal.

India?s preparations

What preparations? What strategy? Instead of playing so many tournaments, the boys ought to have been rested and, then, called for a focussed pre-World Cup camp where importance should have been given to strategy too.

It?s simple to say we?ve got to bat, bowl and field well. Fair enough. But, how does one bat, bowl and field well? That?s where strategy comes into play, that?s where a clear communication is needed.

Whether a pro motivator should accompany the team

Provided people want to listen to the chap. If nobody?s going to, then what?s the point? Personally, I?m not opposed to the idea. Of course, getting geared up may come naturally to some players, but not to all. That?s where a psycho-analyst can come in handy.

Having interacted with so many cricketers, across generations, I can tell you that some of them do need to be given that boost. It can make a difference.

The difference between the 1983 team and the current lot

That side had lots of pride and the players played with passion. I?m afraid I quite agree with Wasim Akram that, today, we lack the will to win. Somehow, we don?t put our best foot forward collectively.

The favourites

South Africa and Australia. England is the dark horse.

His message for the Indian players

(After a pause) There are times one gets the impression the players know everything, that they don?t want to listen. If they wish to, I?ll only say this: Think of India and play with pride.

Finally, if he has a message for captain Mohammed Azharuddin

The Lankans, who arrived here on a chartered flight from Jamshedpur this morning, were not allowed to practise as the police, busy with the PM?s security, pleaded helplessness when it came to providing cover for Ranatunga?s men.

Anticipating this, the world champions had wanted to stay back in the Steel City for practice, but permission was not granted.

Salgaocar may have already been crowned champions but for the Goan giants, full points in the final tie would be the perfect sign-off. That they did not skip training today, hours after having sealed the top slot, is proof of their keenness for a win.

Good news for coach Shabbir Ali is striker Alvito D?Cunha?s recovery from injury. Though coach Shabbir Ali did not disclose the starting XI, D?Cunha, he said will be in the 18. Having used 24 of the 25 players Salgaocar registered for the competition, the question of giving bench-warmers a game does not really arise.

And having pocketed the League, Salgaocar can be expected to be a lot more relaxed than they were against Mohun Bagan yesterday. That could translate into some attacking football.

Not if JCT have their way. Reliable central defender Deepankar Mondal is out with two yellow cards and captain Jasbir Singh not fully fit. But knowing that a point stands between them and the fourth spot, motivation shouldn?t be a problem for coach Sukhwinder Singh?s young brigade.

Storm Trooper also lifted the Calcutta Racehorse Owners Society Cup from end to end. However, the Soheil Ahmed-trainee had to wait until the authorities threw out a frivolous protest by jockey C. Alford astride the runner-up, Abashed.

RESULTS

1. Vasto Handicap 1,200m: (5-3-1-7) Chicarica (E.Smith) 1; Another Hope (Rabani) 2; Hamriyah (Amil) 3; Feather In The Cap (Nasruddin) 4. Won by: 1-1/4; 4-1/4; 1/2; (1-7.9). Tote: Win Rs 29; Place: 13; 16; 15; Quinella: 73; Tanala: 208. Fav: Hamriyah (1). Winner trained by Jaiswal.

2. Mauritius Belle Handicap 1,200m: (1-2-5-3) Hero Number One (D.Locke) 1; Star Turn (Tamang) 2; Finale (Akhtar) 3; Orient Express (Amil) 4. Won by: Nk; 3/4; Nk; (1-16.9). Tote: Win Rs 42; Place: 16; 33; 30; Quinella: 379; Tanala: 3,776. Fav: God?s Blessing (8). Winner trained by P.Locke.

3. Delhi Race Club Cup 1,400m: (14-5-1-13) Citadel (Rabani) 1; No Surrender (Shahid) 2; Starry Flag (Shanker) 3; Adventure (C.Alford) 4. Won by: Nk; 3/4; 1-1/4; (1-25.5). Tote: Win Rs 81; Place: 23; 23; 33; Quinella: 225: Tanala: 4,223. Fav: Adventure (13). Winner trained by Bharath S.

4. Phoenecian Handicap 1,400m: (1-6-9-7) Desert Shot (Rabani) 1; Milano (C.Alford) 2; Nishwan (Asghar) 3; Fatherland (Connorton) 4. Won by: 2-3/4; 2-3/4; 1-1/4; (1-26.5). Tote: Win Rs 38; Place: 16; 11; 35; Quinella: 36; Tanala: 726. Fav: Milano (6). Winner trained by Bharath S.

5. Calcutta Racehorse Owners Society Cup 1,200m: (2-1-6-3) Storm Trooper (Connorton) 1; Abashed (C.Alford) 2; Alpenliebe (Rabani) 3; Angstrom (Manohar) 4. Won by: Nk; 2-1/4; 3/4; (1-13.7). Tote: Win Rs 24; Place: 11; 12; 28; Quinella: 21; Tanala: 198. Fav: Storm Trooper (2). Winner trained by S.Ahmed. (Note: The winner survived objection by the rider of Abashed).

6. Indian Gold Vase 1,200m: (5-6-2-7) Prosperous (Manohar) 1; Bold Invader (Shanker) 2; Self Made (P.Alford) 3; Advancing Star (C.Alford) 4. Won by: 9-1/2; 1/2; SH; (1-11.3). Tote: Win Rs 15; Place: 12; 89; 25; Quinella: 349; Tanala: 2,632. Fav: Prosperous (5). Winner trained by R.Alford.

7. Port Desire Handicap 2,000m: (3-4-6-8) Iron Warrior (C.Alford) 1; Coalbrookdale (Shahid) 2; Amerrico (Khalander) 3; Young Spirit (Razzak) 4. Won by SH; 3/4; 3/4; (2-10.6). Tote: Win Rs 64; Place: 19; 15; 23; Quinella: 97; Tanala: 738. Fav: Prince Of War (2). Winner trained by D.David.

Jackpot: Rs 7,391; (C) Rs 373.

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