Viru fit to face Knight Riders

Johannesburg: Virender Sehwag has not been having a great time on the field. Criticised for his form, of late the dashing opener has often been plagued by injuries as well.

With a long season awaiting Team India, the Champions League T20 would be an excellent 'practice pitch' for Sehwag to find his strokes back. But an ankle injury had almost ruined that possibility.

However, the opener had a reason to smile when he was declared fit for the Delhi Daredevils' opening CLT20 game against the Kolkata Knight Riders, at Centurion, on Saturday.

On Thursday, Sehwag reportedly gave a fitness test. He not only cleared that scrutiny, he also went on to play in the Daredevils' warm-up game, against CLT20 competitors the Sydney Sixers.

Deccan Chargers terminated from the IPL

Hyderabad, (IANS): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday terminated the contract of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Deccan Chargers after their failure to pay the stipulated bank guarantee of Rs.100 crore.

Aussies in final as Hunter goes for the kill

Julie Hunter would hope her male counterparts do equally well in the evening.

COLOMBO: Medium-pacer Julie Hunter snared five as defending champions Australia defeated the West Indies by 28 runs to enter their second successive ICC Women's World Twenty20 final, on Friday. Australia will meet England, the 2009 winners, in the title clash on Sunday.

Tendulkar admits contemplating retirement

"When I play in November, I will reassess things," he said.

Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar admitted on Friday that he is contemplating retirement and said he would reassess his future next month.

In an interview to be broadcast on Indian television Friday, the 39-year-old said he would decide on a "series by series" basis as he acknowledged that the clock was running down on his record-breaking career.

Akhtar blames low pay for fixing

"Some are corrupt, but some cricketers are turned into criminals by the system," he said.

Controversial former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said on Friday the cricketers are being tempted into fixing matches because they are underpaid by their board.

"Fixing happens in our culture because there's less money, there are even lesser opportunities. Cricketers victimised by their boards return (to the team) to mint money," Akhtar, 37, told the Headlines Today news channel.

I am not a playboy, says Gayle

My personality is such that it’s easy for me to talk to people and vice-versa," he said.

Colombo: Chris Gayle, inarguably the most destructive batsman in ODIs and T20 Internationals, doesn’t see himself as a playboy.

“I’m not one... In fact, who is a playboy? My personality is such that it’s easy for me to talk to people and vice-versa... I’m a relaxed type of person, with an open mind,” Gayle told The Telegraph.

World s Richest Cricketers

India may have plummeted in international rankings, but this hasn’t really hurt their pay packets. According to Forbes, the top five of the world’s highest paid cricketers are all Indians.

1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni - According to Forbes, the Indian skipper has made over $26.5 million over the past one year, with just $3.5 million of that coming courtesy of his on-field play and the rest from endorsements. He reportedly endorses as many as 25 brands including the likes of Pepsi, Reebok and Sony.

The Great Indian Odyssey

Highest Impact ODI Players from India

Continuing in our series of pieces on each country’s ODI history, we come home. From 1974 to 2012 (before the start of the current series in Sri Lanka), India played 804 matches and won 397 with a win loss ratio of 1.08. Their highest score is 418, lowest 54. They won the World Cup twice, in 1983 and 2011 and finished as runners-up in 2003.

Captaincy is not a big deal

Chennai, July 17 -- From being a brash kid brought up in the heart of the national capital to have emerged as the future India captain, Virat Kohli has seen a lot during his four years of international cricket.

And if you are wondering whether Virat the person is as mature as Virat the batsman, then you will get your answer in his freewheeling chat with HT during the team's preparatory camp ahead of the tour to Sri Lanka. Excerpts:

Cricket, Cancer survivor Yuvraj named in India squad

India on Wednesday picked Yuvraj Singh, who is recovering from cancer, in a 30-man preliminary squad for the World Twenty20 to be played in Sri Lanka later this year.

Fit again Zaheer targets Lankans

Says too early for him to prioritise formats

BANGALORE: Like beer and the inevitable belly, fast bowling and injuries go hand in hand.
 
India’s bowling spearhead for the past decade, Zaheer Khan, is no stranger to such physical inconveniences, having broken down in matches and on tours, most famously when he hobbled out of action on the opening day of India’s first Test against England, at Lord’s in 2011.

Weary Lee quits international cricket

Lee said he would continue to play the less demanding Twenty20 cricket in the Indian Premier League and the Australian Big Bash League.

Brett Lee addresses media representatives at a press conference to announce his retirement from International Cricket …

Gambhir, Always wanted to be a leader

India, July 12 -- He may no longer be the India vice-captain, but that does not bother Gautam Gambhir, for he aims for a much bigger role - one that can make do without an official designation. In a freewheeling chat with HT, the opening batsman speaks out about being a leader of men beyond the playing field - and explains his sullen game face.

I should not have acted in anger, Ganguly

Ganguly said: I’m definitely not playing because of money. In fact, I can earn more if I give more time to television.

Calcutta: India’s most successful Test captain, Sourav Ganguly, turns 40 on Sunday. On the eve of his birthday, Sourav spoke to The Telegraph for over 45 minutes at his Behala residence.

The following are excerpts

BCCI to nominate Dravid for Khel Ratna, Yuvi for Arjuna awards

Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid

After the Sports Ministry provided the BCCI with an extension for nominating cricketers for the government issued sports awards, they have now decided to recommend Rahul Dravid for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Yuvraj Singh for an Arjuna Award.

Chappell opens old wounds

Former India coach says Dravid as captain did not get team’s full support

Greg Chappell with Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly during his stint as India coach

Former India coach Greg Chappell has opened old wounds, claiming that some players did not give their best when Rahul Dravid was leading the national team. Had Dravid been given “ wholehearted support” by all the players, he could have gone on to become India’s most successful captain ever, says the former Australia captain.

The choosy patriot

How are Tendulkar's selective appearances helping rebuild the Indian team?

Tendulkar has opted out of another tour, again.

For a fortnight, players of the Indian team have been arriving at Bangalore’s National Cricket Academy one by one. They’re here to shed holiday flab and get ready for the arduous cricket schedule ahead. One player not expected for the training sessions was Sachin Tendulkar, who, having completed his hundredth hundred and appearing for Mumbai Indians in IPL, was vacationing. This hinted at his possible sitting out of the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. 

On Wednesday, announcing the Indian squad for the tour, chairman of selectors Krishnamachari Srikkanth said, “Sachin is not available (for selection). He must be aiming for the England and Australia series later this season.” Since Srikkanth didn’t mention any health issues, it can be safely assumed Tendulkar is fit, but wants to extend his break. Although he is expected to play New Zealand in a home series in August, a trip to the Emerald Isle, it appears, ranks below IPL duties for the little master.

Now that he has skipped the tour, let’s recall what Sachin had said in one of his many interviews after completing his century of centuries: “I feel when I am batting well, it is important that I continue to serve the country and not give up. It is extremely selfish to suggest that I should give up when I am doing well. That’s the time to serve the country. And when I am not doing well and am unable to serve India, I will stand down and give it all up.” 

Another aspect that begs discussion is Tendulkar’s unwillingness to give up his batting positions.The above quote is taken in its entirety, leaving no room for misinterpretation or misunderstanding. Tendulkar had said this in response to a question about the possibility of his retirement. It was a valid query. He’d been through a full year in search of an elusive hundred. Days passed, failures piled up and — by his own admission — frustration grew. He can’t say he was “doing well” in this period. 

Tendulkar then played the tri-series in Australia — a myopic decision that was deservedly criticised. And when he failed to cross fifty in that tournament, he played on in the Asia Cup, still on a quest for the mother of all centuries. Consequently, two opportunities to groom a young batsman were missed. Tendulkar insisted he wasn’t in it for records. But the moment the milestone was reached, he proceeded to celebrate it – somewhat defiantly – with a succession of media events, accepting praises with practised modesty. 

The quality of that hundred against Bangladesh, and what it cost India, has been discussed elsewhere. Yes, he batted slowly. Yes, the bowlers bowled badly. Yes, India lost. We needn’t bring that up again. The point of interest now is the clever patriotic spin Tendulkar gave to the achievement when he said he wants to serve the country when on top. 

Never mind that he had limped to the milestone. Tendulkar said the hundred was a gentle reminder to his critics that he was still around — and he emphasised that he will be around. “When I retire is something I will decide because when I started it was not decided by someone else,” he said. 

There are two points to be made here. One: normally, it’s the selectors who pick, drop or rest players.  Tendulkar must be the only player in international cricket who decides when he will condescend to play, and when he will not. After the World Cup, he appeared in the IPL for Mumbai Indians, but skipped national duty in the West Indies. The selectors, who clearly need to grow a pair, obliged him and his whips every single time. To them, or to Tendulkar’s countless cheerleaders, he has earned the right to rest when he wants. 

Two: let’s nitpick his 'patriotic' comments for a bit. If he’s fit, and when he clearly believes he is on top of his game, why hasn’t Tendulkar now agreed to tour Sri Lanka? Shouldn’t he be serving the country this moment? Is it because no apparent records are at stake? Is it because he knows he has the Board (and his legions of fans) by their family jewels? Or has unprecedented, incomparable success blinded the great man into believing that he can do no wrong? 

Another aspect that begs discussion is Tendulkar’s unwillingness to compromise on his batting positions. In ODIs, he always opens. In Tests, he always bats at No. 4. Remember that India at the moment are in the dumps (forget the IPL, remember the recent 0-8 Test record!). It’s important for the country to try out new players and discover batting combinations that would see them through the next decade. But every time Tendulkar returns from his self-imposed breaks, potential combinations have to be broken up to accommodate him in his usual slot. 

Finally — and it all boils down to this — where is Tendulkar taking the team to with his super-selective tactics? Srikkanth mentioned he wants to prolong his career since there’s a long season ahead. But he doesn’t mention how Tendulkar will help the team recover from its slump. For too long, there’s been an individualistic streak to India’s pursuits on the cricket field. When that changes, the team can hope to start winning again. And who better to ring in the change than the favourite son who can do no wrong.

Sachin opts out, Sehwag and Zaheer make comeback for SL tour

No place for Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja in the squad.

Mumbai, (IANS): India's batting great Sachin Tendulkar has opted out while Virender Sehwag and fast bowler Zaheer Khan made a comeback to the 15-member squad for the ODI tour of Sri Lanka in July-August.

Stars of the Southern Cross

Presenting part 3 of the ongoing series: Australia's greatest Impact makers in ODIs.

Dean Jones is perhaps the most underrated ODI player in history.

Continuing in our series of pieces on each country’s ODI history, we move towards Australia. From 1971 to 2012 (before the current series in England), Australia played 793 matches and won 490 with a win loss ratio of 1.82 – making them easily the most successful country in ODI cricket history. Their highest score is 434, lowest 70. They won the World Cup four times, in 1987, 1999, 2003 and 2007 and finished as runners-up in 1975 and 1996. 

The emasculation of cricket

In the old days, cricket was hardcore and hairy. We examine how it became its current metrosexual version.

Ground staff cover the pitch at SuperSport Park on December 16, 2010 in Centurion.

THE COVERING OF PITCHES

Till the 1960s, it was standard practice to leave the playing area unprotected from the harsh effects of rain and sun. This led to wickets becoming ‘sticky’. The ball would grip, bounce and turn inconsistently. Batting to finger spinners on such wickets was nightmarish, so it needed great skill and concentration. The covering of wickets has significantly reduced the extent of damage spinners can cause.