Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, a name which has made the country proud, promoted the game and brand INDIA worldwide. The aggressive right hander is better known as the “Little Master-Blaster” and is the demon for the world’s best bowlers. Even the great Sir Don Bradman once said, “Sachin is one of the greatest players in the history of cricket.”

Sachin Tendulkar turns 38 today. (24th April)

The talent and greatness of this maestro is unmatched and his humility makes him more adorable. He is the one player who has faced more criticism than anyone else in the game. The ‘good part’ is that the most of his critics are not even near him in his stature, and their knowledge about the game can also be disputed. He has been subjected to criticism every now and then few years back (2007) all hells broke loose where the self proclaimed critics were clamouring for his retirement. The good thing about Sachin is that he never speaks but lets his bat do all the talking. He has scored maximum runs in recently concluded World Cup and his form in last year or two has been superb. He has scored runs in every format including T-20.

The basic problem is that people want him to score a century every match. The fact is that the cricket crazy mass of India have been so spoilt by the Masters’ exploits and thus they expect so much from him. The more he has succeeded, the more has been expected. This is the reason they are not ever satisfied by him. I doubt if there has been any player in the world, in any sport, who has been subjected to such intense and back breaking pressure. Sachin has taken all those things in his stride. This was the reason Shane Warne regarded Sachin as the mentally toughest batsman he ever bowled to.

With the 2011 World Cup, it is said that there is nothing left for genius to achieve. But his hunger for runs is amazing and he still has plenty to offer to Indian cricket. Only he can best decide what he wants to do in the future. But I can tell you this, age is no bar to his success in either Tests or one-day internationals. His mere presence in the dressing room motivates the team to do well. There is no denying that Sachin is approaching the twilight of his career, but he is not over yet. His selfless approach and devotion to the game coupled with no ego or attitude problems make him the most respectable person in the arena. We are the luckiest people to see Sachin playing in front of us because you get this offer once in a lifetime. We must cheer for whatever he has in store for us.

Wish him lot of success in years to come and I wish him to see playing in 2015 World Cup!

पहला कदम बढाया तूने जानिब-ऐ-मंजिल
अब न रुकेगा और न ही थमेगा तू   
किये बिना उसको हासिल!

मुश्किल है सफ़र
कठिन है राह
पर तू बढ़ता चल
जिस तरफ है तेरी चाह

तेरा सपना
तेरी हिम्मत
तेरे हौसले से
पथ प्रकाशित है
एकाग्र हो कर बढ़ता चल
जिस तरफ तेरी मंजिल है

मंजिल हासिल करने का एहसास
रास्ते के सब पीड मिटा देगा
तुझे विजयी बना देगा
अब खुद से किया वादा निभाना है
अपनी मंजिल को हर हाल में पाना है!!

• The only time they have faced each other in a World Cup match, Bangladesh caused one of the biggest upsets in 2007 by defeating India and being instrumental in their early elimination.
• Brett Lee has taken 22 wickets in 10 World Cup matches at an average of 17.91. He has claimed a wicket every 22.68 balls, or once every fourth over, a strike-rate unmatched by any bowler.
• West Indies batting great Vivian Richards scored 1013 runs in 23 World Cup innings, at an average of 63.31, with a strike rate of 85. The 138 he scored against England in the 1979 World Cup is considered by Wisden as the best World Cup innings.
• Herschelle Gibbs smeared the Dutch leg-spinner Dan van Bunge for six sixes in an over in the 2007 World Cup to become the first to achieve the feat in an ODI.
• India last defeated Australia in a World Cup match 24 years ago on October 22, 1987. India trumped eventual champions Australia by 56 runs.
• West Indies legend Vivian Richards is the only player who had played both FIFA World Cup and ICC World Cup. Richards represented Antigua in football and West Indies in cricket.
• Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar batted through the full 60 overs in the opening match of 1975 World Cup against England at Lord’s to score just 36 runs.
• One of the greatest knocks of World Cup history, Kapil Dev’s 175 against Zimbabwe during 1983 World Cup, was neither recorded nor broadcasted because the BBC cameramen were on strike at the time.
• Kepler Wessels played for Australia in the 1983 World Cup before playing for South Africa in the 1992 World Cup.
• India’s Madan Lal bowled the first ball of the World Cup history to England’s Denis Amiss at Lord’s on June 7, 1975.
• Australia is the only team thus far in the history of World Cup to remain undefeated throughout the World Cup (in both 2003 and 2007 World Cups).
• Australian seamer Glenn McGrath (71) is the highest wicket-taker in World Cups so far.
• The 1992 World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand was the first World Cup where matches were played under lights.
• The 1992 World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand was the first World Cup in which white cricket balls and coloured team uniforms were introduced.
• Australia is the only country to win three consecutive World Cup titles. Aussies have won the tournament in 1999, 2003 and 2007.
• All players had worn the traditional white uniform and red balls were used during the initial four editions of the cricket World Cup.
• Mohammad Kaif has held most catches in a World Cup match. He took 4 catches against Sri Lanka at Johannesburg on March 10, 2003.
• England have played the World Cup final three times – in 1979, 1987 and 1992 – but have never won it.
• Wasim Akram completed his 500 ODI wickets during the 2003 World Cup.
• Sunil Gavaskar’s only ODI century came off 85 balls and it came in the same match in which Chetan Sharma took the World Cup’s first hat-trick.
• Chetan Sharma took the World Cup’s first hat-trick. He achieved the feat against New Zealand at Nagpur on October 31, 1987.
• Since their 10-run loss to Pakistan on May 23, 1999, Australia have not lost even a single match at the World Cup.
• Making his debut during the 1975 edition, Javed Miandad has played in most World Cups – six.
• Ricky Ponting and Glenn McGrath have played 39 matches each in the World Cup, the most for players.
• In the 2003 World Cup, Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar, bowled cricket’s first recorded 100 mph delivery. At the receiving end was England’s Nick Knight.
• Sri Lanka became the first side batting second to win the World Cup when they beat Australia in the 1996 World Cup final.

Source: TimesofIndia

One billions heart
One desire
2011 World Cup
Should be ours!

The 28 years wait has been long
It shouldn’t be any longer
Get over the opponents
And show them our vigor

Sachin Sehwag will anhilate
Gambhir Virat Yuvraj causing devastation
Dhoni Pathan will desolate
Zaheer Bhajji: a lethal combination
supported by Nehra Patel
will demolish any opposition

Let there be no doubt
Thump the world
and send the message
clear and loud
2011 World Cup
is going to be ours!

Being brutal and austerous
Obdurate and relentless
is the key for execution
and to open the doors of realization

The countdown is over
The game has begun
Stakes are high
Expectations and nerves even higher
We are sure that 2011 world cup
will be ours!

Chak de India!!!!

This is a tale – unfinished so far

Of a fiery cricketer – a lode star

An attacking player… with elegance to match

India’s most successful Captain – and in the 10,000 (ODI) runs batch

For a man who has done so much for Indian cricket

Isn’t it bizarre he’s always on a sticky wicket

For a cricketer who has plundered 18,000 + runs (Test and one-day combined)

Not to mention the 22 one-day tons

It’s ironical that he has to fight his way back

Battle the odds and ignore the flak

This story has had many twists and turns

But ‘Dada’ keeps his end up – the fire fiercely burns

Let’s now take guard and take stock

The ‘hitherto’ Ganguly Saga’ lets unlock

We’ll examine the issues – such as they are

What the critics fall back on, in trying to pull down this star

‘Dalmiya’s man’ – he was dubbed

Shouldn’t he with Sachin, Sanath, Inzy – be clubbed? (10,000-ODI-Runs Select Club)

His place was assured in the team – they say

Thanks to his ‘Godfather’ – come what may

Then – may I ask the public this

Whose are the runs – Dalmiya’s or his?

Some other ‘crimes’ – charged to his name

Shows dissent – slows down the game

Unfit – fakes injuries – late for the toss

Lazy – princely – ask Freddie Flintoff!

Some tag the word ‘Parochial’ to him

Ironical that memories can be so dim

Wasn’t it Ganguly – the ‘new broom’

(Who swept away zonal politics)

Exciting ‘Indian’ talent he did groom

Talent that he picked and backed

A ‘fighting spirit’ in the team was packed

He turned the Indian team around

Battle it out- stand your ground!

This took Indian cricket to new heights

Putting up some of the great fights

(Remember Eden Gardens…Barbados…Headingley…Adelaide…Chennai…Lords-NatWest?)

Won matches at home and away

Won accolades for the way we play

Then there’s the talk about ‘green tops’

Facing fast bowling Ganguly ‘hops’?

From the quicks he shys away

Then how on earth did he flay

The opening bowlers in the one-day game

Dispatching them – on his way to fame

Some more chat – that he detests

‘Chin Music’ in the Tests

May I refer all – to the Brisbane Test

The Aussie quicks at their furious best

‘The Wall’ and ‘The Little Master’ fell

Sounding for the tour – a ‘death knell’?

But out came striding the Captain bold

Unleashed his repertoire manifold

Leading from the front – at Brisbane

Treating the Aussies – with disdain

Thus at the ‘Gabba’ – of bounce and pace

Ganguly – to a ’setting-the-tone’ century did race

From the ‘Brisbane heights’ to the ‘Chappell era lows’

The Prince has stoically taken many blows

No ‘fair-weather’ friends – his legion of fans

They believe in him – he vindicates their stance

Experience, resolve – and the ‘Ganguly’ knack

Was behind the dramatic 2006-7 comeback

Sachin-Ganguly-Dravid-Laxman- Kumble – our Magical Five

Contrary to ‘death-knells’ – they are still very much alive

Currently the ‘Fab Four’ may not be at their batting best

All credit to a tre’mendis’ display by Sri Lanka in the Tests

But if old Hayden and Hussey and Sanath are still around

Why should our ‘younger’ ‘Seniors’ not stand their ground? (didn’t Leander Paes?)

‘Out of form’ – is how we dismiss and dispatch

Don’t all great batsmen go through a rough patch? (Ponting is still around)

The press doesn’t often bother to tell all

In the minds of the greats – Ganguly stands tall

Ask Gavaskar, Boycott, Bhogle – to name a few

His county (Glamorgan) also gives him his due

“An outstanding professional” – was the Glamorgan call

He’s as committed as the ‘Wall’

Not for power – or for pelf

It’s cricket that spurs him on – improving himself

At ’sixes and sevens’ – but not for long

At ’sixes and fours’ – is where he still belongs

There are few better sights than the southpaw’s grace

“God of the off-side” – is how he stays!

PS: I am a long-time cricket follower, a current ‘interning’ lawyer and a non-stop supporter of the Indian Cricket Team. (Particularly of ‘Dada’ and the Seniors). And I am not a Bengali !!

Source: NDTV

Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova

Croatia’s Blanka Vlasic

Russia’s Maria Sharapova

Australia’s Libby Trickett

Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia

Kerri Walsh

Swimmer Amanda Beard

Venus Williams of the US

Misty May-Treanor

Team Asics’ Lolo Jones

US Natalie Coughlin

United States Softball Team pitcher Jennie Finch

Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic and my favourite!

Source: Yahoo

This story appeared in HT Cafe on 22/04/08 and this is what i call “IPL Effect”.

Indian’s are crazy about two things – Bollywood and cricket. And with both coming together this season in the form of IPL matches, which will continue till June 1, many have shifted their loyalties from their loved ones and even work, to the idiot box.

Twenty-six-year-old Ashish Sinha, recently told his girlfriend Neha not to ‘bug’ him on days when his favourite teams were playing.

And how did she react? Says Neha, “I was kind of prepared for it; I might even watch a couple of matches with him.” Unlucky few While their problem has been nicely sorted out, Sachin Kumar, a chartered accountant, will have to go underground for a while. “I’ve told my girlfriend that I’ll be doing late shifts in the office. But I’ll be watching the matches on the big screen. Women never understand these guy things,” he sighs.

Kashmeera Sahni, an HR executive, and her group, have come up with a special strategy “Since all of us . can’t be absent from work at the same time, we have a plan – we’ve decided on days when we will ‘fall sick’, depending on which team is playing,” says Sahni.
I ndian’s are crazy about two things – Bollywood and cricket. And with both coming together this season in the form of IPL matches, which will continue till June 1, many have shifted their loyalties from their loved ones and even work, to the idiot box. Twenty-six-year-old Ashish Sinha, recently told his girlfriend Neha not to ‘bug’ him on days when his favourite teams were playing. And how did she react? Says Neha, “I was kind of prepared for it; I might even watch a couple of matches with him.” Unlucky few While their problem has been nicely sorted out, Sachin Kumar, a chartered accountant, will have to go under- ground for a while. “I’ve told my girlfriend that I’ll be doing late shifts in the office. But I’ll be watching the matches on the big screen. Women never understand these guy things,” he sighs. Kashmeera Sahni, an HR executive, and her group, have come up with a special strategy “Since all of us . can’t be absent from work at the same time, we have a plan – we’ve decided on days when we will ‘fall sick’, depending on which team is playing,” says Sahni.

India survived a valiant fightback from Australia to win the second Commonwealth Bank final by nine runs and claim the series 2-0.

Defending a target of 259 after Sachin Tendulkar’s classy 91, India made a fine start as Praveen Kumar (four for 46) removed Adam Gilchrist – playing his final international innings – Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke.

Matthew Hayden (55) and Andrew Symonds (42) put on 89 and James Hopes (63) threatened to see Australia home until Irfan Pathan struck twice in the final over.

Man of the Match—- Pravin Kumar 4 for 46

कंगारू को घर में घुस कर धोया……….. या हू!!

Report from Hindustan Times

These moments come hard in a cricketer’s career. Going to Australia and winning a tournament must have began as a distant dream for Dhoni’s men, but it turned out to be a reality. India clinched the humdinger of a second final against Australia and with it, won a one-day tournament for the first time in 22 years. Irfan Pathan finished the game off with two wickets in the final over to give India hard-fought victory at Brisbane.

It was a run-chase that had many aspects to it. The initial burst from Praveen Kumar ripped off Australia’s top-order with Adam Gilchrist leaving caught behind in the first over itself. Then followed Ponting, attempting an unusual pull-shot early on to one that was straight from Kumar. He departed for 1, with Australia 2 wickets down for 8. Michael Clarke then made his way back for 17, when he was cleaned up by the young UP-all-rounder.

Australia were in all sorts of trouble when the two local boys came into bat. Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds had a job in hand and they did manage to pull things back a bit for the Aussies, by adding a fruitful partnership. The two started cautiously, giving the bowlers their due when the ball was jagging around. But, once they settled down – Hayden and Symonds eased into their typical bully-like innings – scoring at a decent pace to give Australia some hope.

Hayden reached his fifty off 62 balls, and that included six hits to the fence at that stage. However, four runs later, he saw his end – thanks to a mix-up between him and Symonds. Hayden’s dismissal came at a wrong time for Australia as a definite partnership was building. One then became two, as Harbhajan Singh trapped his nemesis, Andrew Symonds for 42 leg-before and by the time he was gone, the Aussies were five down.

James Hopes and Michael Hussey came into the dark with a humungous task awaiting them – scoring consistently at over a run-a-ball. Hussey and Hopes seemed like coming to terms with the enormous score ahead of them and Hussey, in particular with his brisk running between the wickets and the occasional boundary took Australia close.

The bowling change from Dhoni worked for India, when Sreesanth dented Australia’s chances by removing Hussey caught behind for 44. Hopes in the meanwhile was suddenly falling short of partners and once that happened, he started going for the runs himself. Praveen Kumar then picked up Brett Lee clean bowled to give India a good chance of clinching the tournament. Sreesanth followed it up with Mitchell Johnson’s wicket and then it was upto Irfan Pathan’s brilliant last over for India to clinch tournament glory. Hopes reached his fifty and gave Australia a ray of hope with a flat six over mid-wicket off Sreesanth in the second-last over.

If we had to replay the last over, it went something like this – Hopes took the single off the first ball with Australia needing 12 off the last five balls. And then Pathan struck a blow to remove Bracken caught by Chawla for 1. Hopes got the strike and then took two off the next ball to take it down to ten. Then the moment – when the Gabba went berserk, high on an Indian victory – with Hopes driving it up to Chawla and Pathan finishing things off.

Earlier, it was an innings that started on a rather sedate note, built a gradual momentum towards a total in mind and then lost its way. That perhaps sums up India’s effort after winning the toss and opting to bat first on a belter of a wicket at Brisbane in the 2nd CB Series final. Sachin Tendulkar was yet again the man with the runs, scoring 91 to guide India to 258/9 off their 50 over quota.

Bouyed by their win against Australia in the first final at Sydney, India began the second contest on a rather sedate note – with both batsmen preferring to be cautious than adventurous. The first boundary of India’s innings came as late as the seventh over, when Uthappa helped Lee’s ball on its way to the fence. Tendulkar’s approach was also similar – to see the new ball through and then he opened himself. A superb baseball-like straight pull welcomed Stuart Clark into the attack. India reached their fifty in 79 balls.

Sachin Tendulkar reached his fifty when he dabbed one down to third man off Clark. The 70-ball fifty was highly composed of a larger percentage of boundaries, which he began stroking once he got his eyes in. Some of the usual shots were back in action – the straight drives, the cover-drives, the dabs over third man. He looked extremely confident, keen on giving his innings the momentum it needed to put a competitive score.

Then, Robin Uthappa threw his wicket away to Stuart Clark after getting off to a good solid start when he got a leading edge that went straight into the hands of James Hopes, who made no mistake in grabbing a straightforward, easy catch. Uthappa departed for 30.

Michael Clarke struck an important blow for Australia when he removed Gautam Gambhir early for 15. It was tossed outside the off-stump by Clarke. Gambhir came down the track to clear long-on and drove it very hard – but could only manage to find the waiting Mitchell Johnson, who completed the catch. India were 121/2 when Gambhir departed.

Yuvraj Singh went in the same way he came into bat. A six off the second ball he faced showed signs of an innings that could change the course of the game. But, it only flattered to deceive. While Yuvraj was in the middle, the innings developed a gusto-type momentum to it – with the Australians looking totally down. Yuvraj stroked intermittent boundaries to apply more pressure and then a huge impulsive stroke for six before departing two balls later, trying to hit one out of the park – came on slow to the batsman and holing out to Hayden for a run-a-ball 38.

There was ecstacy in the reverse-sweep he played in the 80s – a shot we dont see often from Tendulkar that late in the innings. And, there was agony – when he tried to come down the track, but could only manage to push the ball to short mid-on, where Ponting arrived in time to take a brilliant diving catch. Tendulkar went for 91, just nine runs short of a second consecutive hundred. India, 205/4.

Immediately after Tendulkar’s wicket, the Indian innings seemed like losing its way when Michael Clarke removed in-form batsman Rohit Sharma for 2. He bowled it around outside off, the batsman drove it on the up, where Symonds did the rest by snapping a sharp catch. India were 209/5, when Sharma departed.

And then, the innings fell apart. They lost two wickets in an over – that of Irfan Pathan, cleaned up by Bracken trying to go for the late-inning hoick and then Dhoni off the last ball, caught at long-on by Clarke. In between those two dismissals, Dhoni struck an important six to push India closer to the 250 mark.

Brett Lee then removed Harbhajan Singh in the penultimate ball of the 49th over, caught in front of the wickets – struck on the backleg and then eventually, Praveen Kumar departed in the final over of the innings – caught by Ponting in the covers.

Nathan Bracken ended with figures of 3/28 for Australia, bringing them back into the contest. On a good wicket, 259 may not be a tough ask for Australia, but with early wickets India can put them under the pump.

Photos courtesy Cricinfo

I am also great lover of “CRICKET” but after recent Harbhajan-Symonds controversy on racial slur i think that Cricket is no more a Gentleman’s game and so i have now moved away from Cricket.

Now I say: “kissing”. Yes, kissing is the greatest sport on earth.

Kissing is the “Pact” between two players and it is played in such a way that no one can accuse each other of breaking the trust, not like of Kumble-Ponting pact which was breached by Clarke. There is no racial comments involved. There will be no wide criticism even if you fail once or twice.

Allow me to explain just a few more reasons.

• Kissing is the most versatile sport around. There are so many types of kisses to choose from – at least one for just about any occasion.
• Kissing is easy to transport. It really doesn’t matter where you are. You can kiss: at the gym, in the boardroom, in the space shuttle.
• Kissing requires so little equipment, which means you can do it even when not prepared for the occasion, and even when you have to travel light. This makes it the ideal participation sport for businessmen, world travelers etc
• Kissing always livens things up. Try this: the next time you are in an oh-so-booooring meeting that seems to last oh-so-foreeeeever, why not just kiss somebody. Go ahead; try it. See how it livens things up?
• Kissing is legal in all 50 states and most earth-bound countries. Rumors are circulating that kissing will even be legalized soon on Mars, Jupiter and in Afghanistan.
• Kissing is 100% biodegradable, so when you kiss somebody, you help the environment.
• Kissing is safe to do in a moving vehicle, as long as you are not driving.
• Kissing is non toxic…unless you kiss somebody who has just swallowed a bottle of Drano.
• Kissing is non-fattening. This is perhaps the best news of all, because dieters now have something to keep their mouths busy while not eating, and smokers can quit smoking without having to chew candies until they a) need to diet or b) induce diabetes. So KISSING PREVENTS DIABETES
• Kissing meets the toughest safety regulations of any national or international sporting organization. Kissing has a tremendous safety record, except for the occasional locked braces.