Guwahati: With a fine record against India in Test cricket, Pakistan vice-captain Younis Khan would like to do the same in One-Day Internationals as well and improve his average to match his whopping Test average of 106.10 against the neighbours when the series starts here Monday.
In six Tests against India, the smiling assassin has amassed an amazing 1,061 runs at 106.10 against India, with four centuries and three half-centuries. His highest score against India is 261, on which Pakistan rode to win the third Test in Bangalore in 2005.
Tendulkar, Afridi will be the key players, says Inzy
Now, Younis would like to rectify his modest ODI record against the same opponents, though the right-hander from the North West Frontier Province says he does not play for records. "I don't go by past records. In fact, I have never played for records," he said.
Younis, however, pointed to the early start of day matches as one of the reasons for his not-so-good ODI record against India. He has scored only 81 in 22 ODIs innings with three half-centuries. "You people start the day matches so early here in India that even before one could open his sleepy eyes, he finds himself on the ground," the friendly player said with a big smile.
He would gain confidence from the fact that he had some good scores in the recent home series against South Africa. He finished off with 82 and 58 in the last two ODIs before heading for India.
Pakistan in India – Tour Itinerary
Younis would also like to score runs in a dignified manner, the spirit for which cricket is known. He would not be drawn into unnecessary aggression. "It is going to be a contest between bat and ball. In my seven-year career I have never abused any opponent," he said.
Younis was also quick to jump to the defence of Indian medium pacer S. Sreesanth, who at times hogs headlines more for his on-field aggression than his bowling. "Sreesanth has never done anything against us. Even in the last series he did not do anything like that," he said.
He, however, pointed out that the line should never be crossed.
He believed that the India-Pakistan series would be fought on a level playing field despite Pakistan's two losses to India in the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa last September.
Younis said his team would not play with an aim to avenge those setbacks. "It will be a level contest," he said, while trying to play down his own role in the batting line-up that comprises the likes of Mohammad Yousuf and Misbah-ul-Haq.
Source : sify.com
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Friday, November 2, 2007
Indian Cricket and Hockey stars felicitated together!
The President of India felicitated the Indian cricket and hockey players together. It was wonderful when the captains of the two teams posed with the President, putting to rest the animosity of a step-motherly treatment to hockey players.
OCTOBER 30 was a memorable day for our country, as the President Pratibha Patil felicitated the Indian cricket and hockey players. Before that, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh felicitated the Indian cricket players. In fact, this was a rare opportunity when players from two different forms of games were honoured together.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his cordon first met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur. Indian team, which had won the ICC World Twenty20 Cup after beating Pakistan in the finals by five runs, was looking highly excited. Dr. Singh congratulated members of the Indian cricket team and felicitated them with the mementos for their achievement.
After meeting with the Prime Minister, the Indian cricket players headed towards the Darbar Hall of the Rasthrapati Bhawan. The Indian hockey team that has won the Asia Cup last month was also present in the interaction session with the President. Mahendra Singh Dhoni greeted the hockey captain Prabodh Tirkey and the duo together posed for the cameras. Later Dhoni presented a bat to the President signed by all the players of the winning team. The President also interacted with the players of the hockey team and Prabodh Tirkey presented her a replica of the Asia Cup.
"It is heartening to know that it has been a successful year for Indian sports. I congratulate the victorious teams for their hard work. As a sports loving nation we should see that achievements of sports persons do not go unappreciated," the President said in a brief speech before coming down from the dais to meet the players. "You deserve all the compliments for that. Not only me, the entire nation is proud of your achievements. I have called you to appreciate your triumph so that the younger generation can derive inspiration from you," she added.
Meanwhile Patil also appreciated the feat of Indian football team of winning the Nehru Cup and made a special mention of chess player Viswanathan Anand’s World Championship triumph. Yesterday’s meeting with the President has not only increased the moral of the players, but it has also pleased the people who always complain about the government’s step attitude about hockey. It is a fact that all greet the rising sun, if the players will give their good performance, every citizen of the country will appreciate it.
Of course, cricket is more glamorous and much popular among young generation, but hockey also has it distinct fervour. It would be illogical to say that the national game of India is not getting proper attention, whenever the team has got a big success all have praised that. Recent example is the triumph of the hockey team in Asia Cup when the whole national celebrated. If the team will give good performance consistently than hockey will also get popularity like game like cricket. Here we can’t deny that from financial point of view, the hockey players are getting less add than cricket players and the government should think about that.
Source : merinews.com
OCTOBER 30 was a memorable day for our country, as the President Pratibha Patil felicitated the Indian cricket and hockey players. Before that, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh felicitated the Indian cricket players. In fact, this was a rare opportunity when players from two different forms of games were honoured together.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his cordon first met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur. Indian team, which had won the ICC World Twenty20 Cup after beating Pakistan in the finals by five runs, was looking highly excited. Dr. Singh congratulated members of the Indian cricket team and felicitated them with the mementos for their achievement.
After meeting with the Prime Minister, the Indian cricket players headed towards the Darbar Hall of the Rasthrapati Bhawan. The Indian hockey team that has won the Asia Cup last month was also present in the interaction session with the President. Mahendra Singh Dhoni greeted the hockey captain Prabodh Tirkey and the duo together posed for the cameras. Later Dhoni presented a bat to the President signed by all the players of the winning team. The President also interacted with the players of the hockey team and Prabodh Tirkey presented her a replica of the Asia Cup.
"It is heartening to know that it has been a successful year for Indian sports. I congratulate the victorious teams for their hard work. As a sports loving nation we should see that achievements of sports persons do not go unappreciated," the President said in a brief speech before coming down from the dais to meet the players. "You deserve all the compliments for that. Not only me, the entire nation is proud of your achievements. I have called you to appreciate your triumph so that the younger generation can derive inspiration from you," she added.
Meanwhile Patil also appreciated the feat of Indian football team of winning the Nehru Cup and made a special mention of chess player Viswanathan Anand’s World Championship triumph. Yesterday’s meeting with the President has not only increased the moral of the players, but it has also pleased the people who always complain about the government’s step attitude about hockey. It is a fact that all greet the rising sun, if the players will give their good performance, every citizen of the country will appreciate it.
Of course, cricket is more glamorous and much popular among young generation, but hockey also has it distinct fervour. It would be illogical to say that the national game of India is not getting proper attention, whenever the team has got a big success all have praised that. Recent example is the triumph of the hockey team in Asia Cup when the whole national celebrated. If the team will give good performance consistently than hockey will also get popularity like game like cricket. Here we can’t deny that from financial point of view, the hockey players are getting less add than cricket players and the government should think about that.
Source : merinews.com
India’s practice session under clouds at Eden
Kolkata: The Indian cricket team's outdoor net sessions at the two-day camp, beginning here tomorrow, could be a casualty to rains with the Met office's forecast of light rains or thundershowers for the next 24 hours.
The practice facilities at the Pankaj Gupta Indoor Coaching Centre housed within the Eden Gardens could become the hub of activity if the weatherman's predictions come true.
Mohammad Asif pulls out of ODI series
The players are unlikely to risk injury by tuning up on the lush-green ground if the field is rendered soggy and slippery. The sky remained cloudy during the day with the sun making intermittent appearances, amidst sporadic drizzles since morning.
Samar Pal, joint secretary of Cricket Association of Bengal, however, expressed confidence that the Indian team would get perfect practice conditions at the camp. "Nobody has a control over the elements. As of now, the ground is in perfect shape," he said.
Indian team’s coaching staff who were originally scheduled to arrive in the city this afternoon to chalk out the plans and programmes for the camp, will now reach here tomorrow morning. "The players have to report by 1 pm. The nets will begin from 3 pm," cricket manager Lalchand Rajput said from Mumbai.
Bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad, fielding coach Robin Singh and Rajput would supervise the camp. The session is likely to stretch into the evening to allow the players practice opportunities under lights.
Pakistan in India – Tour Itinerary
Meanwhile, the Board today dispelled doubts expressed in some sections of the media about the camp to be held in Kolkata because of the rains. "There is no shift in the camp venue. It will be held at Kolkata," Cricket Board's Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said.
>> More News
The practice facilities at the Pankaj Gupta Indoor Coaching Centre housed within the Eden Gardens could become the hub of activity if the weatherman's predictions come true.
Mohammad Asif pulls out of ODI series
The players are unlikely to risk injury by tuning up on the lush-green ground if the field is rendered soggy and slippery. The sky remained cloudy during the day with the sun making intermittent appearances, amidst sporadic drizzles since morning.
Samar Pal, joint secretary of Cricket Association of Bengal, however, expressed confidence that the Indian team would get perfect practice conditions at the camp. "Nobody has a control over the elements. As of now, the ground is in perfect shape," he said.
Indian team’s coaching staff who were originally scheduled to arrive in the city this afternoon to chalk out the plans and programmes for the camp, will now reach here tomorrow morning. "The players have to report by 1 pm. The nets will begin from 3 pm," cricket manager Lalchand Rajput said from Mumbai.
Bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad, fielding coach Robin Singh and Rajput would supervise the camp. The session is likely to stretch into the evening to allow the players practice opportunities under lights.
Pakistan in India – Tour Itinerary
Meanwhile, the Board today dispelled doubts expressed in some sections of the media about the camp to be held in Kolkata because of the rains. "There is no shift in the camp venue. It will be held at Kolkata," Cricket Board's Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said.
>> More News
Source : sify.com
Pakistan captain Malik promises exciting cricket against India
Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik promised Thursday to play exciting cricket during a six-week tour of India.
"Playing India is always exciting, we all love to play India," Malik told reporters after the Pakistan team arrived in India for the tour comprising five limited-overs internationals and three Tests matches.
"We're eager to play exciting and competitive cricket," added Malik, whose team was escorted out of New Delhi's international airport by security staff that blocked a crowd of fans from approaching the players.
Pakistan's coach, former Australian Test player Geoff Lawson, said he was anxious to experience the atmosphere of an India-Pakistan series, which he termed the biggest rivalry in world cricket.
"I think an India-Pakistan contest is bigger than the Ashes," said Lawson. "I understand a fair bit what happens here when India plays Pakistan. It's more than a cricket contest, it becomes a national rivalry."
The Pakistan team is without paceman Mohammad Asif who dropped out of the limited-overs internationals due to an elbow injury just before the team embarked on the tour.
"Asif's a quality player. We'll always miss him, but we have quality replacements," said Lawson.
The Pakistan team still features four pace bowlers in Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar and Sohail Tanveer.
Lawson said the Pakistan team had learnt a lot from its mistakes during the recent series against South Africa that Graeme Smith's team won 3-2.
Lawson said he was not bothered by that fact that India has been dubbed the stronger side for the upcoming one-day series that begins Nov. 5 in the northeastern city of Gauhati.
"Whether we start as the favourites or not, what matters is how players handle the pressure," he said. "There's very little difference between the two sides."
Malik said the Pakistan team was determined to repeat its one-day series triumph during the last tour of India in 2005.
"The recent matches against South Africa were very close contests, showing us that small mistakes can prove expensive," said Malik.
Pakistan will open the tour with a one-day practice match against a Delhi XI on Friday.
The Delhi team will be led by Test opener Gautam Gambhir, but will miss star batsman Virender Sehwag, whose father died this week.
The Delhi XI will also be without the injured pace pair of Ashish Nehra and Ishant Sharma. Nehra has pulled out of the match due to an ankle problem, while Sharma is recuperating from a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket board said it would ask its government to loosen a restriction that will see just 250 tickets per match sold to Pakistani fans.
Niranjan Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, said Thursday that the allocation was too small and that the board would ask for more tickets for travelling Pakistani fans.
"Our president will also meet with the (Indian) foreign minister," Shah said.
Source : canadianpress.google.com
"Playing India is always exciting, we all love to play India," Malik told reporters after the Pakistan team arrived in India for the tour comprising five limited-overs internationals and three Tests matches.
"We're eager to play exciting and competitive cricket," added Malik, whose team was escorted out of New Delhi's international airport by security staff that blocked a crowd of fans from approaching the players.
Pakistan's coach, former Australian Test player Geoff Lawson, said he was anxious to experience the atmosphere of an India-Pakistan series, which he termed the biggest rivalry in world cricket.
"I think an India-Pakistan contest is bigger than the Ashes," said Lawson. "I understand a fair bit what happens here when India plays Pakistan. It's more than a cricket contest, it becomes a national rivalry."
The Pakistan team is without paceman Mohammad Asif who dropped out of the limited-overs internationals due to an elbow injury just before the team embarked on the tour.
"Asif's a quality player. We'll always miss him, but we have quality replacements," said Lawson.
The Pakistan team still features four pace bowlers in Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar and Sohail Tanveer.
Lawson said the Pakistan team had learnt a lot from its mistakes during the recent series against South Africa that Graeme Smith's team won 3-2.
Lawson said he was not bothered by that fact that India has been dubbed the stronger side for the upcoming one-day series that begins Nov. 5 in the northeastern city of Gauhati.
"Whether we start as the favourites or not, what matters is how players handle the pressure," he said. "There's very little difference between the two sides."
Malik said the Pakistan team was determined to repeat its one-day series triumph during the last tour of India in 2005.
"The recent matches against South Africa were very close contests, showing us that small mistakes can prove expensive," said Malik.
Pakistan will open the tour with a one-day practice match against a Delhi XI on Friday.
The Delhi team will be led by Test opener Gautam Gambhir, but will miss star batsman Virender Sehwag, whose father died this week.
The Delhi XI will also be without the injured pace pair of Ashish Nehra and Ishant Sharma. Nehra has pulled out of the match due to an ankle problem, while Sharma is recuperating from a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket board said it would ask its government to loosen a restriction that will see just 250 tickets per match sold to Pakistani fans.
Niranjan Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, said Thursday that the allocation was too small and that the board would ask for more tickets for travelling Pakistani fans.
"Our president will also meet with the (Indian) foreign minister," Shah said.
Source : canadianpress.google.com
What links cricket and Bollywood
There are two things Indians are crazy about -- cricket and Bollywood.And when the two meet, fireworks are bound to happen. Just look at what followed after Om Shanti Om's Deepika Padukone cheered for the Indian cricket team at the recent Twenty-20 match against Australia held in Mumbai.
Speculation was rife that she was there to cheer the captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Though Deepika claims to be just friends with the Indian captain, reports say the actress was invited by Dhoni after she asked him for a special Om Shanti Om preview.
Whether there is any truth to that is debatable, but there is always been a strong romantic link between cricket and Bollywood. While some have 'run out' of steam, others are hoping to last at least half a century.
rediff.com takes a look at some of these partnerships.
Also read: Making beautiful music together
Source : specials.rediff.com
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Sachin back into top 10 ODI batsmen rankings
Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar has moved back into the top 10 of the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings for One-Day International (ODI) batsmen. In the latest rankings issued on Monday, Sachin moved up three places to sit at joint 9th, alongside Chris Gayle of the West Indies.
He is the only Indian batsman in the top 10. Vice-captain Yuvraj Singh is at 15th place, while captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni occupies the 16th position.
On the debit side of the ledger, however, former captain Rahul Dravid has slipped seven places and is now lies in 22nd place. India's highest-placed bowler in the relevant table is Harbhajan Singh, down in 29th position.
Australia's Andrew Symonds is within touching distance of top spot in the ODI batsmen rankings.
The powerful right-hander, who bludgeoned a brutal 107 from just 88 balls against India in Nagpur on Sunday, has rocketed up six spots to second place and is now just eight rating points behind his captain and team-mate Ricky Ponting.
That rise is a reflection of his outstanding form during the ongoing series as he is the leading run-scorer from either side with 365 runs at an average of 91.25 and a strike-rate of 110.94 runs per hundred balls.
Symonds, who has reached a career-high tally of rating points, forms an impressive Australian 1-2-3 at the top of the batting table, behind Ponting but ahead of Matthew Hayden, the winner of the ODI Player of the Year award at the ICC Awards in September and the second highest run-getter in the current series.
Three other Australians are in the top 11 - Michael Hussey (5th), Michael Clarke (8th) and Adam Gilchrist (11th).
The news is just as good for Ponting's men in the bowling list with left-arm wrist spinner Brad Hogg breaking into the top 10 on the back of being joint leading wicket-taker (alongside team-mate Mitchell Johnson) in the India series with 11 victims.
Hogg is one of three Australia bowlers in that top 10 with Nathan Bracken (3rd) and Brett Lee (9th) also featuring.
Source : cricket.indiatimes.com
All eyes on Dravid but India plans to pound Pakistan with a young team aided by big weights
A big debate is going on Dravid. While the debate is on, young Indian team equipped with the T20 triumph and a respectable show against the Aussies are ready to take on the Pakistan team that looks weaker than normal.Sandeep is seeking Pawar's intervention in bringing Dravid back. But BCCI is adamant. They want to rest Dravid for now. A message is being sent all Indian crickets. It is simple and clear – ‘perform or quit.’
Indian team is not affected by these controversial political maneuvers. They are determined to take on the Pak Team.
The team got further excited as they were greeted by the PM Manmohan Singh and Indian President.
It is a young team with a young outgoing dashing captain that resembles Kapil Dev in the past. India performs the best when such non-conventional non text book style cricketers dominate the scenes.
This team will be aided by the experience and guidance of Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly. Very soon, trust me, Dravid will be back after resting a little bit and getting things together for him.
Source : indiadaily.com
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Dravid at fifth, Dhoni drops to 15th in latest ICC player rankings
Team India captain Rahul Dravid has made it to the top five ODI batsmen list in the latest LG ICC Player Rankings following his good form in the ongoing seven match series against England.
Dravid, who hit 46, 92 not out and 56 in the three matches, is at the fifth position with 738 points.
However, Mahendra Singh Dhoni who will be captaining India in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa next month has dropped down ten places to 15th position following his dismal form in the first three matches of the series.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting continues his dominance on the batting chart with 799 points with Englishman Kevin Pieterson following him at 782 points. Australia's Mike Hussey 766 points and fellow Aussie Matthew Hayden 746 points are at the third and fourth positions respectively.
The LG ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers chart shows England's Andrew Flintoff, who took five wickets in the second ODI at Bristol, breaking into the top ten with 658 points.
Leading the chart is South Africa's Shaun Pollock, who is way ahead with 874 points, with a gap of 80 points between him and the next in line Nathan Bracken 794 points. New Zealand's Shane Bond is at the third place with 790 points while Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas and M.Muralidaran are at the fourth and fifth places with 741 and 730 points respectively.
In the team rankings, India remains at the fifth place with 110 points, only one point behind Sri Lanka at the fourth. However, Australia's dominance 129 points is continously under threat by South Africa 124 points who won the series against Zimbabwe 3-0. New Zealand 114 points is at the fourth place while England is at the eighth position following their two wins in three matches against India.
Source : http://www.newindpress.com
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Dravid, who hit 46, 92 not out and 56 in the three matches, is at the fifth position with 738 points.
However, Mahendra Singh Dhoni who will be captaining India in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa next month has dropped down ten places to 15th position following his dismal form in the first three matches of the series.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting continues his dominance on the batting chart with 799 points with Englishman Kevin Pieterson following him at 782 points. Australia's Mike Hussey 766 points and fellow Aussie Matthew Hayden 746 points are at the third and fourth positions respectively.
The LG ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers chart shows England's Andrew Flintoff, who took five wickets in the second ODI at Bristol, breaking into the top ten with 658 points.
Leading the chart is South Africa's Shaun Pollock, who is way ahead with 874 points, with a gap of 80 points between him and the next in line Nathan Bracken 794 points. New Zealand's Shane Bond is at the third place with 790 points while Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas and M.Muralidaran are at the fourth and fifth places with 741 and 730 points respectively.
In the team rankings, India remains at the fifth place with 110 points, only one point behind Sri Lanka at the fourth. However, Australia's dominance 129 points is continously under threat by South Africa 124 points who won the series against Zimbabwe 3-0. New Zealand 114 points is at the fourth place while England is at the eighth position following their two wins in three matches against India.
Source : http://www.newindpress.com
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8/22/2007 -Aussies researching on Zaheer, reveals Lee
8/22/2007 -Flintoff key to ODI revival: Vaughan
8/21/2007 -Sidebottom out of first one-day match against India
8/21/2007 -Collingwood buoyant after Flintoff return, defends Prior
8/21/2007 -After Tests, India look for a positive start in ODIs
8/21/2007 -Sachin's 'fan club' in English team
8/21/2007 -Yuvraj will play at No.4
8/20/2007 -We can all learn from Zaheer's out of the box ideas: Vaughan
8/20/2007 -Indian bowlers need to get their act right for ODIs
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Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Indian Cricket Team for 20-20 World Cup Cricket Tournament
01. M. S. Dhoni (C/WK) - Wicket Keeper/Batsman
02. Yuvraj Singh - Batsman All-rounder
03. Virender Sehwag - Batsman All-rounder
04. Harbhajan Singh - Bowler
05. Ajit Agarkar - Bowling All-rounder
06. Dinesh Karthik (WK) - Wicket Keeper/Batsman
07. Gautam Gambhir - Batsman
08. Robin Uthappa - Batsman
09. Joginder Sharma - All-rounder
10. Yusuf Pathan - Bowliing All-rounder
11. Piyush Chawla - Bowler
12. Sreesanth - Bowler
13. Irfan Pathan - Bowling All-rounder
14. RP Singh - Bolwer
15. Rohit Sharma - Batsman
02. Yuvraj Singh - Batsman All-rounder
03. Virender Sehwag - Batsman All-rounder
04. Harbhajan Singh - Bowler
05. Ajit Agarkar - Bowling All-rounder
06. Dinesh Karthik (WK) - Wicket Keeper/Batsman
07. Gautam Gambhir - Batsman
08. Robin Uthappa - Batsman
09. Joginder Sharma - All-rounder
10. Yusuf Pathan - Bowliing All-rounder
11. Piyush Chawla - Bowler
12. Sreesanth - Bowler
13. Irfan Pathan - Bowling All-rounder
14. RP Singh - Bolwer
15. Rohit Sharma - Batsman
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