Joshi and Shandilya in title clash

By Avinash Nair

BANGALORE, FEB. 11. It was just not Bhaskar's day. But then stating that Devendra Joshi hogged the limelight is an understatement. For so clinical was his execution that Ashok Shandilya's upset of the defending champion - Alok Kumar of Punjab - took a backseat, in the penultimate round of the Lachmandas V. Kalro 66th National billiards championship for men at the KSBA hall today.

Devendra Joshi, last year's runner-up scored an intimidating 1857-805 victory over local hero, Balachander Bhaskar, that sure would have sent signals to Ashok Shandilya. Shandilya on his part overcame early hiccups to silence his critics, and the defending champion Alok Kumar with a 1418-1062 margin.

Devendra Joshi made his every visit count. But then it was ordained that Bhaskar was left twiddling his thumb in his corner every time Joshi piled on a big one. The form that Joshi is in was on expected lines. But then Bhaskar on his part too has had a good outing and only needed a good early start. But it was not destined, more so thanks to his nerves.

``I was tensed and could not come out of it,'' he admitted later. But within the twinkle of an eye Joshi led 303-47 and the contest, the four hour match in two hour sessions, was as good as over.

If Bhaskar is to be pardoned it could be as the balls did not roll well for him today. But then playing in home conditions and with the goodly knowledgeable crowd behind him, at least initially, the home challenger had no reasons to complain.

But then Joshi played as though possessed. Forties and fifties came in regularity and it was only the big hundreds, which again came as if in routine that won the applause. For then, the crowd by then took it for granted. After an early 51 followed by a 181, missing the red in an attempt to cross the `baulkline', was Joshi's undoing. But then after a 97 in the 13th, Joshi came up with 137, 203 and 99 in three successive visits (15th, 16th and 17th) which helped the Maharashtra cueist sit pretty on 883-392 at the end of the first two hour session.

That Bhaskar failed to continue his unfinished break of nine on resumption showed the poor touch he was in. And adding to his woes, was the openings that he conceded. Not that Joshi wanted any. But then, not one to forgo a chance, Joshi rode rough-shod with a 185 followed by a 135 that left the Karnataka lad shaking his head in disbelief. True, Bhaskar did not have an answer today. If his potting was bad, Bhaskar's touch was so horrendous that all Joshi had to do was `finish' upon the openings and this the canny artist did with aplomb.

The match between defending champion Alok Kumar and former champion Ashok Shandilya was expected to be keen. But the `baulky' Shandilya, who came through the qualifying rounds with a touch of arrogance, added life to the contest.

Alok Kumar, as is his wont, came up with early breaks to take a decent lead. But then Shandilya needed time to settle down. And once he did, the contest only hotted up.

Both preferred to play it safe for a period. It only stemmed the scoring. A 106 in his 21st visit by Shandilya, bridged the lead that Alok had taken earlier, from 265-425 to 371-425.

A 91 later and Shandilya had breached the 500-mark ahead of his Punjab rival. Shandilya looked like going for another big one when the buzzer terminated the first session with the scores reading 640-529 in the Railway cueist's favour.

The three-time former National champion was not finished. With Alok seemingly struggling to get his rhythm back, Shandilya was on a roll and a series of 62, 134, 95 and 145 gave Shandilya the cushion to relax.

Alok did fight back with a 57 and 112 in succession. But it only added to the excitement, for, Shandilya by then was mentally preparing for his shot at the title. For a qualifier to stride like a champion amidst champions only showed the Railwayman's confidence.

The results (semifinals):

Ashok Shandilya (Rlys) bt Alok Kumar (Pun) 1418-1062; Devendra Joshi (Mah) bt B. Bhaskar (Kar) 1857- 805.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Parrott, Stevens enter semifinals
Next     : Chanda holds Korchnoi