T20 World Cup: Gavaskar bats for Rohit-Virat opening pair against Ireland

IANS Photo

SPORTS 4th June 2024, New Delhi, June 4 (IANS) Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has backed skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as the opening pair for Men in Blue's opening T20 World Cup clash against Ireland on Wednesday.

Gavaskar named his playing 11 for India's opening encounter in the T20 showpiece at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 5. Interestingly, the veteran batter dropped pacer Arshdeep Singh from his final 11 and backed all-rounder Shivam Dube to strengthen the batting department.

"I don't really like selecting teams because you can never satisfy everybody there will always be somebody's favourite player who's not being pick but here is my effort to try and pick the 11 for the game against Ireland. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to open the batting along with Yashasvi Jaiswal at three Suryakumar Yadav at four Rishabh Pant at five and at number six, I would have Hardik Pandya," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

The former India captain picked Kuldeep Yadav as the sole spinner along with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

"Number seven would be Ravindra Jadeja, number eight mean not necessarily in that batting order Shivam Dube number nine Kuldeep Yadav number 10 Jasprit Bumrah and number 11 will be MD Siraj," he added.

Gavaskar's predicted playing XI against Ireland: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

In the recently concluded IPL, Kohli finished as the highest run-getter while opening the batting for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He slammed 741 runs including a century and five fifties. Keeping his recent form in mind, many have voiced his elevation at the top in the T20 World Cup. Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/t20-world-cup-gavaskar-bats-for-rohit-virat-opening-pair-against-ireland

Read More........ → June 04, 2024

ICC World T20 2014: Indian Women Impressively Defeated Westindies

India openers Mithali Raj and Punam Raut took India to a nine-wicket win over West Indies at the Sylhet Stadium. Both openers scored half-centuries as India cantered to victory after their bowlers restricted West Indies Women to 117.  Chasing 118, Raj and Raut got the team off to a flying start. Kaur set the tone of the innings with a boundary off Shanel Daley in the first over. The pair milked the West Indies bowlers as they cruised towards the target. Both reached their half-centuries as they leveled scorers with WI. Their partnership was worth 117 when S Selman claimed Raut to deny India a 10-wicket victory. Earlier in the over, Raut had smashed the bowler twice to the boundary and ran twos couple of times to claim 12 runs off it. After the opener had to return for 56, Smriti Mandhana came to the middle and struck Anisa Mohammed for a four in the next over to take the team to victory. Raj remained unbeaten on 55 as India attained the target with 14 balls to spare. Source: Article

Read More........ → April 02, 2014

Having a Perry good time in cricket and football

Sydney, June 09, 2011, Cricketing all-rounder Ellyse Perry will get a chance to win her second world title in just over a year after being included in Australia's squad for the women's soccer World Cup on Wednesday. Perry, who made her debut for her country in both sports four years ago as a 16-year-old, helped Australia win the women's cricket Twenty20 World Cup in May last year and now has a chance to double the glory in Germany from June 26-July 17. "To be given this opportunity is just fantastic for me, purely from the perspective that I absolutely love playing football as much as I love playing cricket," Perry told. "Having had that experience with cricket and also winning a World Cup I know how great that is and how enjoyable that is. "To be involved in this team now, in a football World Cup, is really special and something I'm tremendously excited about." Love for the game The demands on top sportsmen usually force players to make a choice between sports in their late teens, as happened to former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh when he packed in a promising soccer career. As well as being a defender for soccer's Matildas and an all rounder for cricket's Southern Stars, however, Perry also manages to juggle university studies with her sporting exploits. "The way that I view things is that playing the two sports is what makes me happiest and what helps me to perform as well as I can," she said. "There's never been that point where I've felt like things were too much or I really needed to make a decision." Unlike in cricket, Australia, ranked 11th in the world in the FIFA rankings, are considered just an outside chance to lift the World Cup next month. "It'll be interesting to be in that position, not being one of the teams that's hunted or looked at," Perry added. "Rather we're the ones that have got the opportunity and freeness to play the football that we want to play." Source: Hindustan Times

Read More........ → March 20, 2014

Steve Waugh wants female players in men-only Twenty20

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has advocated the presence of least one female player in each team in the men-only Big Bash Twenty20 (T20) League. Waugh, though, said the idea might seem to some as "out there". "I think it's about time where we could have one woman player per Big Bash side. Going forward, I can't see why the girls can't have representation in the Big Bash," Waugh said. He suggested allowing the likes of Alex Blackwell, who was on Thursday presented with the Belinda Clark Medal as New South Wales' best female cricketer, fast bowler Ellyse Perry and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy, the opportunity to match it with the men in the modified version of the game. "It's a bit out there, that thought, but I think it might be time," Waugh told 'The Sydney Morning Herald'. A similar suggestion was made in 1994 when Zoe Gross played for Western Australia in a charity match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The male players involved in the game were Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Sunil Gavaskar, David Hookes, David Gower, Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Barry Richards, Brian Lara and Graeme Pollock. Zoe ended up scoring 29 and dismissed West Indies batting great Brian Lara, forcing the organisers to consider including one female in each state team. Before the Bradman XI-World XI game, Lara had slammed then world record Test and first-class highest scores of 375 against England and 501 for Warwickshire in English county. The plan, however, did not materialise as it was seen as a huge risk. Meanwhile, Waugh advised the national selectors to "pick and stick" with their players despite the 0-4 Test series whitewash against India recently. "I think we're just going to have patience with the current team. It reminds me a lot of 1985-86 when I first came into the Australian side. "It took us a couple of years to know how to win...13 Test matches before I played in a winning Test side; 26 Tests before I scored a century," he said. Source: The Indian Express, Image: flickr.com

Read More........ → March 13, 2014

Former Players Hail Kallis As The “Greatest SA Cricketer”

Published As South Africa’s the greatest all-rounder of his era, Jacques Kallis, called it time on his Test career,tributes flew in from various quarters in admiration of the legend. Kallis, cricket’s fourth highest Test run-getter, on Wednesday, announced that he would be hanging his boots from the longer version of the game, however, for selection in the limited-over formats. “It’s been an honour and a privilege to have been part of the South African test team since making my debut 18 years ago,” said the 38-year-old, who has amassed 13,174 runs and taken 292 wickets from 165 tests. “I have enjoyed every moment out in the middle but I just feel that the time is right to hang up my test whites. “It wasn’t an easy decision to come to, especially with Australia around the corner and the success this team is enjoying but I feel that I have made my contribution in this format.” Former captain Kepler Wessels described Kallis as “the greatest cricketer this country has ever produced.”Source: Article, Image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/

Read More........ → December 28, 2013

Make Sachin Tendulkar sports minister: Milkha

Panaji: Sachin Tendulkar should be made sports minister to improve India's sporting prowess, ace athlete  

MilkhaSingh said here. "Sachin should be made sports minister so that he can work for the betterment of sport. It's only a sportsman who will work sincerely and with dedication for the cause of sports," the "Flying Sikh" said. Milkha Singh was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the unveiling of the mascot for the Lusofonia Games in Panaji. Make Sachin Tendulkar sports minister: Milkha Singh "It's only a sportsman who will work sincerely and with dedication for the cause of sports," said Milkha Singh. Singh, who unveiled "Jojo", the mascot for the Portuguese Commonwealth Games 2014 scheduled to be held in Goa, also said he has "never given any thought" as to whether the Bharat Ratna should be have been conferred upon him, instead of Sachin Tendulkar. He, however, said there was one athlete who really deserved India's highest honour. "One person who deserved the Bharat Ratna before anyone else was Dhyanchand," he Singh said. Source: Article, 

Read More........ → December 16, 2013

We Just Keep Picking Winners: Not Only Ferrari, but Also a Centurion!

We Just Keep Picking Winners: Not Only Ferrari, but Also a Centurion!

March 29, 2012, Eugene Kaspersky: As I’ve mentioned here before, tearing up the rulebook is an internal slogan of our marketing department. Sometimes the proverbial tearing up of the rules occurs in explosive fashion (for example when we recently arranged for a Japanese Awa Odori dance to be performed at the Barcelona Carnival); other times, the ripping up takes place at a calmer pace and over a longer term. Incidentally, there’s a completely separate format – that of our philanthropic initiatives; but we tend not to harp on about these too much. Anyway, let me tell you about another rulebook-shredder of the calmer, longer-term kind…For several years our “face” in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC) was Jackie Chan. Everyone was pleased with this set-up, me included of course, and so we decided to continue in the same vein, but with a slightly different – Indian – slant, especially since KL’s prospects in this country are looking nothing less than spectacular. So in September 2011 we gladly announced that Sachin Tendulkar – the international cricketing legend – became our Brand Ambassador. As you probably know, Cricket has English genealogy, and therefore it logically became popular not only in the motherland but also in the former British colonies: Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri-Lanka, the West Indies… Today, a billion-plus people around the world are just crazy about the game. Just recently I was told that Sachin had broken a world record. And not just any old record. It’s one that will make sure his name will 

forever be one of the key figures in the annals of the game, and one that has the whole of India currently in a frenzy. So, what’s all the fuss about? The fuss, in a word, is about a centurion. A cricketing centurion. Though the title was thought up eons ago, no one had ever become one – so tough was it to pull off. To become a centurion one needs to score a century – 100 runs – in 100 international matches. And it’s only Sachin who’s ever clinched it. Attaboy! Way to go! Now that’s how we like it – being a winner! The only 
other cricketer on the planet that comes close to Sachin Tendulkar in terms of cricketing achievements, is the brilliant Sir Don Bradman with a batting average of 99.94 runs. So it’s congratulations from me to our new face for APAC – a true champion; no! – a true centurion! I’m really looking forward to getting acquainted with him personally. I’ll leave you with a few photos…Courtesy: http://eugene.kaspersky.com/2012/03/29/sachin-tendulkar/

Read More........ → November 14, 2013

Exclusive Tendulkar merchandise up for sale

.

Bangalore, May 27 (IANS) A new collection of Sachin Tendulkar branded merchandise was launched which is up for sale exclusively on Collectabillia.com and Flipkart.com. The collection is the first of such an initiative by Collectabilia.com and caters to Sachin's fans around the world. The merchandise, such as pen drives, helmet-shaped paper-weights, diaries, and accessories including tie-pins, wallets, cricket-themed cuff links are among the many items that will be sold. "It's an interesting line of merchandise and a way to keep connected with my fans. Collectabillia has been able to create this unique line and I wish them all the success", said Tendulkar. Image Credit: Flixcart, Source: News Track India

Read More........ → November 08, 2013

IPL styled Football league to kick off in India

New Delhi: If all goes well then Indian football fans would be much delighted as an IPL-styled football league is being planned that Indian would host. According to Economic Times, media mogul Rupert Murdoch and richest Indian industrialist Mukesh Ambani have joined hands to kick off an Indian Premier League like football league in India. India might be a cricket-crazy nation, but there are millions of football fans too. Murdoch’s Star India has picked up a one-third stake in a company that is jointly owned by Ambani’s Reliance Industries and IMG. The company is set to promote football in India through the league that is about to start in January next year, reported the Economic Times. Although it was the Premier Hockey League in 2005 that marked the inception of sports leagues in India, the format was popularized by cricket’s Indian Premier League or IPL. Recently Indian Badminton League’s first season concluded. But for the first time a major broadcaster has shown interest in this manner in a sports league in India and Star is apparently going to pay a whopping 2,000 crore in a deal that would include both equity and broadcasting rights for 10 years. Mukesh Ambani's wife and IMG-Reliance's chairperson Nita Ambani has said that the launch of such a league would let the Indian population enjoy and cherish the 'most loved game' across the globe. Source: News Bullet, Image

Read More........ → October 30, 2013

After 200 Tests and Rs 500 crore, new innings for Brand Sachin Tendulkar

Across 24 years, Tendulkar is estimated to have endorsed over 50 brands including Coca-Cola, Pepsi.

The show will go on for Brand Tendulkar for many more years even after the curtains come down on his cricketing career on November 18, said advertising, marketing and brand pundits on the day the Master Blaster announced his decision to retire from cricket. Tendulkar made his debut against Pakistan in 1989 and his journey with Indian brands started almost immediately, picking up the first few endorsement deals in 1990 for health supplement Boost and Band-Aid from Johnson & Johnson. Tendulkar may play his last match on the fifth day of his 200th Test match in Mumbai. Across 24 years, Tendulkar is estimated to have endorsed over 50 brands including Boost, Pepsi, MRF, Adidas, Britannia, Fiat Palio, Airtel, Sanyo BPL and Coca-Cola with accumulated endorsement fees over Rs 500 crore. His prominent business deals included the Rs 30-crore plus with WorldTel in 1995 which was renewed in 2001 with more than double the price tag of Rs 80 crore. In 2006, Tendulkar inked a contract with advertising firm Saatchi and Saatchi’s Iconix which was reportedly valued at Rs 180 crore for three years. For ad-film maker Prahlad Kakkar, Tendulkar is an icon whose value cannot be measured in currency. “Like we do not call Mahatma Gandhi a brand, Tendulkar for us is an icon. He is much ahead of being a brand. He is an embodiment of values which will continue to inspire young and old for many years to come.” Kakkar directed Sachin in Pepsi commercials. KV Sridhar, chief creative officer at Leo Burnett South Asia said that Tendulkar was timeless and had moved well beyond cricket. “His price may come down but his value won’t. If you have a timeless classic brand, Tendulkar would be the right person to endorse it. He is unblemished by controversies.” Sridhar pointed out that actor Aamir Khan did only one movie a year. Yet Khan’s brand value hadn’t plummeted.

World Sports Group (WSG) has been managing Tendulkar’s brand endorsements since 2006, when his contract with WorldTel ended.

Titan continues to be endorsed by him. “But if I had to compare Tendulkar with any endorser, it would certainly be Amitabh Bachchan. They are two timeless people who inspire millions”. Echoes Anirban Das Blah, managing partner at CAA KWAN, a leading entertainment, fashion, celebrity and sports management company: “Tendulkar has stood for integrity, value and a fighting spirit for us in the post 1990 liberalised India. He showed that we could win against any opponent. He will remain sought after for brands that embody reliability and integrity even after retirement.” However, brand-strategy specialist & CEO, Harish Bijoor of Harish Bijoor Consults disagrees: “Unfortunately, the world of brand endorsement is very cruel. We have seen the decline in the endorsement deals for Sachin since past four years and almost in line with his decline in the ability to score and deliver. I doubt if he will have any endorsement deals one year from now.” According to Kakkar, brand Tendulkar stands for reliability, integrity, dedication and honesty. “Categories like banks, insurance, government schemes and health schemes will always find Tendulkar a perfect brand-fit even after his retirement. In this era of corruption and scams, Tendulkar is the one icon you can showcase to your children. He will always be bigger than any brand,” said an emotional Kakkar. Cricket writer Ayaz Memon said: “Brand Tendulkar is not going to be diminished. His legacy will endure,” Memon said, putting him in the same league as Michael Jordan. He agreed that over time, Tendulkar had matured in terms of the endorsements he took on. He’s been tilting towards more serious kind of advertising. Sensing his ability to connect with the masses, the government has already used Tendulkar as a spokesperson for National Egg Coordination Committee and the AIDS Awareness Campaign. But his critics said he may not be of much commercial value post-retirement. “He peaked when he did well with his bats. In those days, Tendulkar used to charge Rs 8-10 crore per endorsement. That was his peak. Of later,  Tendulkar has only stood for records and milestones. We are emotional people, but brands and marketers are not. He will remain an icon, but his space will be filled by younger cricketers as is already happening,” said a senior executive in a sports apparel brand. Hiren Pandit, COO of TransStadia which has diversified interests across sports academies, intellectual property rights, consulting and infrastructure said that brands may need to strategise differently on how they used Tendulkar. “He (Tendulkar) may need to re-position himself. His brand value will depend a lot of how much he manages to stay in the public and media eye. We will have to wait and watch as to what he does next”. @ Financial Express

Read More........ → October 28, 2013

India beat SL, enter final of the tri-series

Port of Spain: Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar wreaked havoc with a brilliant opening spell as he powered  India 

into the final of the Celkon Mobile Cup Tri Series tournament with a commanding 81-run victory over Sri Lanka via Duckworth Lewis method in another rain-affected match. The 22-year-old Kumar had career-best figures of 4 for 8 runs in six overs as Sri Lanka were bundled out for a paltry 96 in 24.4 overs in pursuit of 178 in stipulated 26 overs as Virat Kohli, in his maiden stint as captain, guided the 'Men In Blue' into the title round. India will again meet Sri Lanka in the final at the same venue on Thursday. India thus topped the table with 10 points including bonus points from the last two encounters having lost the first two matches and also eliminated hosts West Indies in the process. Put into bat, Rohit Sharma contributed 48 as India reached 119 for three in 29 overs when rain halted proceedings. Courtesy Duckworth-Lewis method, Sri Lanka's target swelled up to 178 in 26 overs. For India, the magic figure was 167 under which they had to restrict the islanders in order to make it to the summit clash. Kumar's knack of picking up early wickets reaped dividends for India as he rocked the opposition removing Upul Tharanga (6) and Kumar Sangakkara (0) off successive deliveries. Tharanga got one that shaped away after pitching as he edged one to Suresh Raina stationed at wide second slip. Sangakkara got a raw deal as the delivery from Kumar seemed to be going well above stumps as he was adjudged leg before. If that wasn't enough, Mahela Jayawardene (11) was also dismissed cheaply to make it 27 for three. Jayawardene slashed hard at a rising delivery only to be holed at third man where Murali Vijay was stationed. Kumar soon got his fourth wicket when Lahiru Thirimanne (4) offered a simple catch to Virat Kohli at cover as Lanka looked down and out at 31 for four. The manner which the young UP lad swung the ball under overcast conditions was a treat to watch. He bowled those beautiful out-swingers which Dinesh Chandimal (26, 54 balls) played and missed repeatedly with an occasional one coming into the right-hander.Source: News-Bullet

Read More........ → July 10, 2013

Shah Rukh Khan: top 15 controversies he has courted

Bollywood badshah Shah Rukh Khan tends to attract controversies from all sides. King Khan has become one of the most controversial actors in B-Town owing to either his celebrity status, religion or behaviour. As we await response from actor Shah Rukh Khan on recent allegations of foetal sex determination of his reported surrogate child, here are some of the major controversies that the King Khan has encountered in his public life. 1. SRK went for foetal sex determination? After reports of Shah Rukh Khan, Gauri Khan going for a third baby surrogacy, speculations that the celeb-couple went for sex determination test were rife. On Tuesday (June 18), Maharashtra government ordered probe into the allegations. 2. Hafiz Saeed invited SRK to Pak: In an interview to Outlook Turning Points, Shah Rukh Khan said, “I sometimes become the inadvertent object of political leaders who choose to make me a symbol of all that they think is wrong and unpatriotic about Muslims in India... I have been accused of bearing allegiance to our neighbouring nation rather than my own country...”  Reacting to his statements, Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed has asked Shah Rukh Khan to move to Pakistan if he feels ‘insecure’ in India, and assured that the Bollywood actor will “enjoy all the freedom that he wants in this country."  3. Shiv Sena threatened to stall release of My Name is Khan: SRK faced the ire of Shiv Sena after he stated that he would like Pakistani cricketers to participate in the third season of Indian Premiere League. The political party even threatened to stall the release of his film My Name Is Khan. Shah Rukh Khan reacted on Twitter saying: "Sad my statements are seen as a stand against a group instead of a stand for myself and my individuality. Differences in ideology should be grounds for debates & discussion. A must for freedom of thought. To see it any other way is so unfortunate." 4. SRK banned from entering Wankhede Stadium: The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officials have lodged a police complaint against Kolkata Knight Riders' co-owner Shah Rukh Khan for his alleged misbehaviour at the Wankhede Stadium. They have even decided to ban him for life from entering the premises. "He misbehaved and abused the MCA security personnel as well as MCA officials, including our president Vilasrao Deshmukh, after the IPL match," said MCA secretary Nitin Dalal. 5. SRK-Salman Khan: There was an time when Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan called each other brothers. But now the rivalry between the two is out in the open. While Salman says "SRK and I can never be friends," SRK thinks "Salman and I don't talk which is absolutely right." So what went wrong? Things apparently got ugly at Katrina Kaif's birthday bash in 2008. It is believed that SRK made inappropriate comments about Salman's ex-flame Aishwarya Rai Bachchan which annoyed him. King Khan in an interview had said that Salman got angry because he turned down a cameo in Main Aur Mrs Khanna (while Salman agreed to do a guest appearance in Om Shanti Om). Salman in turn said he never offered him the film, adding, "Shah Rukh was like my brother. He used to call me sir, sir during his struggling days." In 2011, on Koffee With Karan, SRK publicly apologised to the actor saying: "If Salman is angry with me, it is 100% my fault." However, Salman retorted saying SRK's apology was for TRPs. At Mukesh Ambani's bash in Tendulkar's honour, Salman took a dig at SRK saying: "Tendulkar karecord todna mushkil hi nahi namumkin hai. Aur yeh Don nahi main bol raha hu." King Khan reacted saying: "I get numb by the kind of stories I keep hearing about myself. I try not to take them seriously or comment about them." 6. SRK-Priyanka Chopra: Family man Shah Rukh Khan has found himself in a link-up controversy for the first time in his career. While SRK is maintaining a dignified silence over the issue, PC isn't taking it too well. At a camera launch event, when a reporter asked her about her alleged link-up with SRK, the Fashion star lost it and said with a straight face: "By being extremely loud, doesn't mean I'll answer your questions sir. Thank You." At the first look launch of her upcoming film Teri Meri Kahani opposite Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka denied SRK was the man who made her blush. "I never said anything of that sort," she retorted. However, she had admitted it on Karan Johar's talk show Koffee with Karan. Shahid and the filmmaker had even teased her with SRK's name. She is reportedly not on good terms with his wife Gauri Khan and his pal Karan Johar because of these rumours.  7. Shah Rukh Khan-Big B, Amar Singh: Shah Rukh Khan allegedly supported the event organisers when Amar Singh objected to the fact that front row seats were not alloted to him or his close friend Amitabh Bachchan at an awards function in 2007. 8. SRK-Gauri Khan: The fact that Gauri Khan is missing from the IPL action is creating a strong buzz about a trouble in paradise. Although SRK's team Kolkata Knigh Riders is performing well this season, Gauri isn't there by her hubby's side to cheer and support the team. The Don star was recently spotted with his sister Shenaz and his children Aryan and Suhana at a nightspot in Mumbai sans Gauri Khan.  Is SRK's link-up with PC the reason? Who knows! 9. SRK-Aamir Khan: During a promotional event of his TV debut Satyamev Jayate, Aamir Khan praised his colleagues who made it big on TV like Amitabh Bachchan (Kaun Banega Crorepati), Hrithik Roshan (Just Dance) and Salman Khan (Dus Ka Dum). He simply forgot to mention SRK, who has hosted shows like KBC, Zor Ka Jhatka and Kya Aap Panchvi Paas Se Tez Hain. When asked about SRK, he ignored the question. Aamir Khan had also reacted to SRK's detention saying: "I have never faced such problem." Aamir had earlier posted on his blog that a dog called Shah Rukh was licking his legs: "Shah Rukh is licking my feet and I am feeding him biscuits every now and then. What more can I ask for? Now, before you jump to any conclusions let me add that Shah Rukh is the name of our dog. And before you jump to any further conclusions let me add that I had nothing to do with naming him. In fact Shah Rukh is the dog of the caretakers of our house." Incidentally Aamir is quite close to Salman! 10. SRK-Shirish Kunder: The RA.One actor allegedly assaulted Farah Khan's husband and filmmaker Shirish Kunder at Sanjay Dutt's Agneepath bash. Farah Khan also SMSed reporters saying: "Shahrukh has always told me that physical abuse is the worst way 2 sort out a problem, n that its means the person who's hitting has either a personal or professional crisis going on, n it saddens me 2 see him doing the same (sic)." However, the truce happened after Shirish and Farah, along with latter's brother Sajid Khan and their common friend Sajid Nadiadwala, went to SRK's home, Mannat. 11. RK-Abhijeet Bhattacharya: Another addition to SRK's enemy list is Abhijeet Bhattacharya. The singer recently blasted SRK in an interview saying the actor should apologise to him for not giving him due credit in Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om. When asked by a tabloid to comment on what Abhijeet said, SRK quipped: "Isn't it a coincidence that whoever doesn't want to work with me becomes famous?" 12. SRK-Airport: Part 1: In August 2009, SRK was detained at the Newark Airport in New Jersey for nearly two hours because of his last name. The actor was visiting the country to attend a South Asian event where he was the guest of honour and was released after Congress MP Rajiv Shukla spoke to the authorities in the US. 13. SRK-Airport: Part 2: King Khan was detained again in April at a New York airport by immigration officials after arriving from India in a private plane with Nita Ambani, to address students at Yale University. While Nita, wife of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, and the rest of their group were cleared immediately, Khan was stopped and was given immigration clearance only after about two hours. He laughed it off with a generous dose of sarcasm. "Whenever I start feeling too arrogant, I always take a trip to America. The immigration guys kicked the star out of stardom," Khan said, addressing the students at the Yale University where he was honoured as a Chubb Fellow.  14. Sunil Gavaskar-SRK: Sunil Gavaskar and Kolkata Knight Riders' owner Shah Rukh Khan had a dirty war of words in 2009. In his column for the Hindustan Times, Gavaskar termed John Buchanan (coach of KKR) a "failed former cricketer making a living telling international players to do what he couldn't do". 15. Smoking SRK: Shahrukh Khan has been spotted smoking in public several times. When he was caught smoking in Sawai Maan Singh Stadium in Jaipur, a complaint was filed against him. (Image: Shah Rukh Khan spotted smoking openly at Star Screen Awards 2011.), Source: Hindustan Times

Read More........ → June 20, 2013

Srinivasan steps aside, Dalmiya interim president

Chennai: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president N. Srinivasan stepped aside to make way for Jagmohan Dalmiya as the "interim president" here Sunday following the spot fixing row. Dalmiya, a former BCCI and International Cricket Council (ICC) chief, is currently the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). "Srinivasan announced he will not discharge his duties as president of the board till such time that the probe is completed," BCCI said, referring to the investigation against his jailed son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan's role for betting in the Indian Premier League (IPL). "Till such time, Dalmiya will conduct the day to day affairs of the board," BCCI joint secretary Anurag Thakur said in a statement. BCCI also requested Sanjay Jagdale and Ajay Shirke, who Friday resigned as the secretary and treasurer on moral grounds, to reconsider their stand. "The (working) committee expressed full confidence in Jagdale and Shirke and requested them to withdraw their resignations in the larger interest of the board," added the statement. The BCCI constitution, however, does not permit an "interim president". Sunday's meeting followed mounting pressure on Srinivasan to vacate his post in view of his son-in-law alleged wrongdoings as chief executive of Chennai Super Kings, owned by Srinvasan's India Cements company. Source: News Bullet

Read More........ → June 03, 2013

Superb double ton by Dhoni, India take control of 1st Test

Mahendra Singh Dhoni gave an exhibition of blistering strokeplay to hit a career-best undefeated 206 while Virat Kohli cracked 107 as India rode on their captain's batting brilliance to gain control of the first cricket Test against Australia by taking a substantial 135-run first innings lead in Chennai on Sunday. Dhoni produced a stunning counter-attacking knock to notch up his maiden double hundred, his sixth Test century overall, while Kohli recorded his fourth in longer format as the hosts reached a commanding 515 for eight at close, on an eventful third day's play. The Indian captain set the M A Chidambaram stadium ablaze with his amazing strokeplay as he smashed 22 boundaries and five sixes during his 243-ball assault much to the delight of a sizeable Sunday crowd which cheered the Indians as they went about consolidating their position in the match. Dhoni, who was agonisingly run out for 99 against England in India last Test in Nagpur, changed the complexion of the game with his aggressive batting after the hosts lost Sachin Tendulkar (81) early in the morning session. Tendulkar, who gave glimpses of his vintage form yesterday, could add just ten runs to his tally. The Indians found the going a little tough in the pre-lunch session as the runs dried up but the second new ball ball saw the game slipping away from the Australians as both Dhoni and Kohli attacked the bowlers with an array of shots on both sides of the wicket. The duo added 128 runs for the fifth wicket before off-spinner Nathan Lyon provided the breakthrough for the visitors with India still 56 runs short of Australia's first innings total. Kohli paid the price for a lapse in concentration as he tried to lift a dlivery from Nathan Lyon over mid-on but could not get the desired elevation and Mitchell Starc latched on to a good catch. Kohli clobbered 15 boundaries and a six during his 206-ball knock. Source: Hindustan Times

Read More........ → February 25, 2013

Australia win ICC Women's World Cup

Australian cricketer Elysse Perry (3R) is sorrounded by teammates as they celebrate the wicket of unseen West Indies cricketer Stafanie Taylor during the final match of the ICC Women's World Cup 2013 between Australia and West Indies at the Cricket Club of India's Brabourne stadium in Mumbai. AFP Photo

Australia clinched the women's World Cup for the sixth time when they defeated the West Indies by 114 runs in the final in Mumbai on Sunday. Australia, electing to bat, scored 259-7 before dismissing the West Indies for 145 in the day-night match. Brief scores: Australia 259-7 in 50 overs (Jess Cameron 75, Rachael Haynes 52, Jodie Fields 36 not out, Meg Lanning 31, Ellyse Perry 25 not out; Shaquana Quintyne 3-27) West Indies 145 all out in 43.1 overs (Merissa Aguilleira 23, Deandra Dottin 22, Kyshona Knight 21 not out; Ellyse Perry 3-19, Lisa Sthalekar 2-20, Erin Osborne 2-26, Megan Schutt 2-38). Source: Hindustan Times, 

Read More........ → February 18, 2013

Voges ton sees Australia whitewash West Indies

Australia bowled out West Indies for 257 to secure a 17-run victory and a 5-0 whitewash in their one-day international series on Sunday, thanks to a century from stand-in Adam Voges. West Indies had looked on target to chase down a 275-run target at the MCG when Johnson Charles struck his maiden century to match Voges, who scored a magnificent unbeaten 112. The West Indian opener struck a boundary to bring up his 100 off 120 balls, including eight fours and a six. But he fell next ball, caught by Ben Cutting at square leg playing a poor shot to Clint McKay. He had ridden his luck, surviving two dropped catches and two television reviews. After that West Indian wickets fell regularly as the required run rate soared and they were forced to hit out. Captain Darren Sammy had a late chance to guide the tourists to the target but he was caught behind by Brad Haddin off McKay for 23 off 18 balls. West Indies still needed 18 runs off five balls and it proved too much. Opener Kieran Powell had been the first to go, caught in the slips by Aaron

Finch off paceman Mitchell Johnson for just two. Darren Bravo managed 33 in a partnership of 106 with Charles before all-rounder James Faulkner held a fine low catch off Xavier Doherty's finger spin. Brother Dwayne had made 13 when Johnson clean-bowled him with a late inswinger. After Charles went, Narsingh Deonarine was out for four, caught Haddin bowled Cutting. Devon Thomas smashed 19 off 18 balls but was run out by Shaun Marsh. Big-hitting Kieron Pollard, who made a century in Sydney on Friday, holed out for 45, caught by Finch at long on off Faulkner. Voges, batting at number five, had earlier steadied the Australian innings after a disastrous start and went on to complete his ton off 98 balls. The 33-year-old was only drafted into the side on Friday to replace the injured George Bailey, but he played the star role despite being a fringe player in the six years since he made his debut. West Indies had the home side at 2 for 2 wickets as Tino Best cleaned up the openers, but they let Australia off the hook and went for 100 runs in the final 10 overs. When Voges came to the wicket they were three for 63 and a high total looked unlikely with skipper Michael Clarke also on the injured list following more hamstring trouble. But only two more
wickets fell. Voges showed his domestic high-scoring feats were no fluke, cracking a six to bring up a 100 partnership with fellow veteran Brad Haddin. Haddin skied a top edge off Kemar Roach to Kieran Powell in the deep when he had made 43 off 45 balls out of a partnership of 111 with Voges. Faulkner accompanied Voges through the final overs, adding a quickfire 31 off 24 balls. The pair put on 81 runs from 51 balls. West Indies had looked in control in the opening stages when Best bowled replacement captain Shane Watson first ball. Finch then top-edged a Best bouncer to Narine at fine leg on the boundary in the third over for just one run. Shaun Marsh, in for Clarke, found the first boundary in the fifth over. Phillip Hughes patiently built a partnership of 61 with Marsh before Dwayne Bravo had him caught for 29 off 61 balls. Pollard took the freak leaping catch at backward point, knocking the ball into the air with an outstretched left hand and holding it easily at second bite. Keeper Devon Thomas snapped up Marsh, who had reached 40 off 58 balls and was looking set at the start of the 25th over. It was Dwayne Bravo's 150th ODI wicket, the third quickest West Indian to the milestone. Australia take on the West Indies in a a T20 format, the final game of the tour, at the Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday. Image: Screen Shot On Youtube, Source: Hindustan Times

Read More........ → February 12, 2013

India beat England by five wickets in T20

Pune: Yuvraj Singh produced a brilliant all-round display as India finally brought about some cheer for their fans with a comfortable five-wicket victory over England in the first Twenty20 International on Thursday night. Yuvraj took three for 19 from his four overs to restrict England to a manageable 157 for six and then blasted 38 off 21 balls to set up an easy chase as the home team reached the target with 13 balls to spare. After the humiliation in the Test series, Indian team saw a change in fortune in the shortest format to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The turning point during India's chase was the eighth over when Yuvraj launched into inexperienced left-arm spinner Danny Briggs hitting him for 18 runs which included two
huge sixes over the deep mid-wicket region and a boundary. Yuvraj also got another six in the 10th over bowled by Luke Wright before being dismissed trying to hit a fourth six. Such was the impact of Yuvraj's innings, the other Indian batsmen didn't need to do anything special in order to reach the target. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina chipped in with useful contributions of 24 not out and 26 respectively. Dhoni hit Stuart Meaker for successive boundaries and then took a double to finish with flourish. Credit should also be given to openers Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane as they helped the hosts race to 41 within the first four overs taking full advantage of the Powerplay. While Gambhir hit three boundaries in his 16 while Rahane hit two sixes in his 19. Although they didn't score many but they set the momentum. The second and final T20 International will be played on Saturday. Source: News-Bullet

Read More........ → December 21, 2012

Where do film stars put their money?

Shah Rukh Khan is bringing the Mexican edutainment brand KidZania to India. The brand, which will launch a theme park in April 2013, will be co-owned by Khan.

Hobbies and personal experiences from martial arts to motherhood are deciding actors’ investment choices. Shah Rukh Khan is famously enamoured with children. So, when he decided to bring the Mexican edutainment brand KidZania to India, it did not come as a surprise. The brand, which will launch a theme park in April 2013, will be co-owned by Khan. The park will enable children to gain real-life experiences through role plays such as being a chef, pilot, surgeon, lawyer and fire-fighter. “India is a young country and we need to focus on building a strong future. KidZania will try to build awareness among children through an experience that is hands-on, engaging, educational, and most importantly, fun,” says Khan. For a long time, Bollywood actors have invested in film production houses, restaurant chains, clothing lines and cricket teams. Several stars now seem to be looking beyond the obvious. Like Khan, there are several others who are willing to put their money into projects which are not confined to entertainment and luxury alone. Khan’s co-star of many films, Juhi Chawla, has invested in an education website called Ubqool.com, which will help children plan their studies. Ajay Devgn has invested in a solar park in Gujarat, while Karisma Kapoor has opted for an online baby care portal Babyoye.com. Shilpa Shetty has invested in a group buying site called GroupHomeBuyers.com, which offers deals on real estate and home loans, and plans to include furniture deals as well. Akshay Kumar, a martial arts buff, is using a part of his pay cheque to organise an annual competition to promote karate. There are many reasons for celebrities stepping out of their comfort zones as far as money is concerned. While the thrill of doing something new is one, Chawla feels that age also plays a major role in the decision. Motherhood changed her perspective towards many things. “Launching this educational website was one such instance. I thought it would benefit all children, including mine,” she adds. A friend of Devgn says that the actor’s investment emerges from his long commitment to the environment. Devgn’s Juhu home and Karjat farmhouse, both run on solar power. Kapoor, a mother of two, came across Babyoye.com as a customer. The site’s Co-founder and Director, Arunima Singhdeo, says that Kapoor had offered many tips and was offered the chance to become a partner. “I want to share this service with other parents. I have put in my time and money but, most importantly, I’m putting my heart into it,” says Kapoor.  Source: Screen-India

Read More........ → December 17, 2012

Ponting Announces Retirement

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting Thursday called time on his Test career, announcing this week's clash against South Africa in Perth will be his last.

....

"A few hours ago I let the team know that this upcoming Test will be my last," he said at a hastily-called press conference, adding that he will continue to play for Tasmania in the domestic competition this summer. Ponting, who turns 38 next month, has failed in three innings against the Proteas during draws in Brisbane and Adelaide and pressure has been building on the 167-Test veteran ahead of Friday's series decider in Perth. He will equal Steve Waugh's mark of 168 Tests in the upcoming match -- the most in the
history of Australian cricket. The Tasmanian, who has 13,336 Test runs to his name, including 41 centuries with only  Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar scoring more, said it was time to call it a day. "Over the last couple of weeks my level of performance hasn't been good enough," he said. "My passion and love for the game hasn't changed but at the end of the day (the decision) was based on my results. "In this series so far they have not been up to the level required of batsmen and players in the Australian team. "I'm glad I
have got the opportunity to finish on my terms." Despite skippering Australia in more than 300 Test and one-day matches, taking over from Steve Waugh, his magnificent innings were blighted by three Ashes series losses as captain. Nicknamed Punter by Shane Warne for his penchant for a bet (punt) on the greyhounds, Ponting has amassed 13,366 runs in 167 Tests at 52.21, and 13,704 runs in 375 one-day internationals. As captain he oversaw a painful transition in Australian cricket in the wake of several high-profile retirements, including Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer. But even with such greats in the ranks, Ponting, as captain, lost the 2005 Ashes in England. Despite engineering a 5-0 revenge in the ensuing home series in 2006/07, he again lost in 2009 and 2010/11. That last failure was badly received in Australia -- it was their first Ashes loss at home for 24 years and followed a series of defeats by Ponting-led teams. Australia lost a home series against South Africa for the first time in 2008/09 and a two-match series in India in 2010. Born the eldest of four children in the working-class Tasmanian suburb of Mowbray, Ricky Thomas Ponting was influenced to play cricket by his
uncle Greg Campbell, who played Tests for Australia and in 1989, 1990. Ponting went on to make his state debut at 17, the youngest player to represent Tasmania in the domestic Sheffield Shield competition, before making his international one-day debut aged 20 in 1995. He only scored one against South Africa in his first match but went on to become one of cricket's batting titans, with his Test debut coming 10 months later in December against Sri Lanka in Perth. Ponting had a rocky beginning in the public eye and was banned for three matches in 1999 by the (then) Australian Cricket Board following an early-morning brawl in a Sydney bar. He had been disciplined for a previous off-field incident. A contrite Ponting, with a blackened eye, gave a press conference the next day to apologise, but he matured into a valued mentor in the Australian team over time. His fierce competitiveness also brought him trouble. He was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council for damaging a dressing room television in an angry reaction to being run out against Zimbabwe at the World Cup in India. Married with two children, he is known as a campaigner against cancer and established The Ponting Foundation with his wife Rianna to raise money for young Australians afflicted by the disease. Punter's Fact file: Test debut: v Sri Lanka, Perth, December 8, 1995, ODI debut : v South Africa, Wellington, February 15, 1995, T20 debut : v New Zealand, Auckland, February 17, 2005, Career: Tests: Matches 167, Runs 13,366, Highest 257, Average 52.21, Strike-rate 58.74, Centuries 41, One-dayers: Matches 375, Runs 13,704, Highest 164, Average 42.03, Strike-rate 80.39, Centuries 30, Twenty20 internationals: Matches 23, Runs 477, Highest 98 not out, Average 23.85, Strike-rate 121.06. Source: Deccan Chronicle

Read More........ → November 30, 2012

The bond grows as Sachin gets Order of Australia

Minister for Regional Australia and Minister for the Arts Simon Crean displays the Order of Australia conferred upon Sachin Tendulkar during an event in Mumbai. AP Photo

Ever since his first tour in 1991-92, Sachin Tendulkar has established a special bond with Australia. Being one of the best to play the game, it was natural for the Little Master to win respect in Australia, known to be the toughest place to play cricket. On Tuesday, the bond grew stronger when Tendulkar was conferred the Order of Australia. Simon Crean, a senior minister, honoured the batsman with a medal and stump. He now joins Brian Lara, Clive Lloyd and Gary Sobers as the non-Australian cricketers to be given the honour. Highlighting a reason for the admiration Australians have for him, Tendulkar  said, “They are fierce competitors and if you do well against them, they shower you with compliments and that's what happened to me.” Recalling his initial impression of the country, Tendulkar said, “After seeing matches in floodlights as a 12-year-old in 1985, I started dreaming of playing there.” It turned into reality when Tendulkar played in the 1991-92 tour of Australia. “Playing for three-and-a-half months transformed me, one had to play Down Under to experience it,” he said. Source: Hindustan Times, Image

Read More........ → November 08, 2012