News , Views and More

India - 616/5 dec.
Pakistan- 385/6
centuries from Kamran Akmal and Misbah ul haq

 So, another brave effort being put by these two pakistani batsmen but still they need some 80 odd runs to ave follow on and india require 4 wickets. If Pakistan save this follow on then this test match might be heading towards draw. I think first session on Day 4 should decide the fate of the match, Lets wait and watch.

Still wondering do really India need a Cricket coach, they are playing so well for the last 6 months without any head coach but yes the real test for them will be in Australia.

A most unexpected and tricky coach selection by Selection Committee comprising of Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and also BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah in New Delhi on Monday. Most probably, Gary Kirsten, a talented South African batsman, will be the successor of Greg Chappell as a Indian Cricket coach.

The 40-year-old left-handed batsman enjoyed a great playing career, playing in 101 Tests and 185 one-day internationals, before retiring in 2004. No doubts, he is one of the most talented consistent stout batsman but limited experience as a coach.

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BCCI has gagged Shahrukh for promoting Om Shanti Om and has asked him not to attend matches . This happened because of an interview with Ramiz Raja where he talked about the movie.

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As depicted in ongoing first test match at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi, this test series will be one of the most exciting series in a cricket events. Where in India, first time under Kumble guidance, wants to keep up with their One day winning trend. Other hand, Pakistan will try to take back home some victorious taste.

Till now, this 1st test match is behaving like a pendulum. Neither of the teams is able to maintain a upper hand. India started well this morning with Laxman and Kumble trying to make partnership & enhance the India’s 1st inning lead. But suddenly, after Kumble dismissal, tail was wrapped up within 15 runs keeping 45 runs lead for the 1st inning.

Pakistan fought back and opener Salman Butt gave solid foundation to Pakistan with its contribution of 67runs having 1st wicket partnership of 71runs with Yasir Hameed. As Pakistan was building their innings, India bowlers strike again and break the top order batting line in quick succession. Spinners Harbhajan and Kumble share 5 top wicket between them.

Another twist towards end of the day, when Kamran Akmal and Misbah Ul-Haq show some reluctance and stand for 51 runs partnership.

This game is open for both the teams and tomorrow 4th day will be crucial for this match and series.

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When Zee launched Indian Cricket League website they had something which BCCI didn’t had , that is having a website but today when I went to that website it was down and showing a beautiful page which said domain default page.

ICL website was launched to provide a window for many aspirants to apply for ICL so I would expect that it will come up sooner.

ICL is getting started sooner and this is not the type of problem I would imagine as they already have handful of issues from grounds not available to BCCI threats.

Check here http://indiancricketleague.in/

Yuvraj Singh is not selected for the first test match between India and Pakistan at Delhi . Yuvraj Singh must be wondering what he should be doing after fantastic series against Pakistan where he got man of the series and a dream run in 20-20 world cup.

With all the talk of young Vs seniors I was expecting him to be in the squad as Yuvraj Singh is the only young (or may be not so young ) contender who can replace anyone in middle order on current form .Looks like the policy of playing young is followed in one day cricket only or to humiliate seniors or to settle some points with the seniors.

As a passing comment Yuvi is should concentrating on bowling or on wicket keeping as for batting goes I don’t think he can be do any better then this.

T20 in India and now IPL. Cricket is getting to new stages in India.  Someone/Something (may be ICL) has galvanised the long complacent Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) into action and they launched the Indian Premier League (IPL), severely denting the ambitious plans of the rival Indian Cricket League. 44-days long T20 and all the major players worldwide, differences to few months ago T20 world cup event are geographical location and competing team then countries.

Although this approach is new to cricket, but this concept is not new to the world of sports, its a famous phenomenon for football. English premier league and Primera Liga are best examples. If IPL can stand on expectations , it will be a win-win situation for all - be it players, new comers, sponsors, spectators, board or GAME as a whole. New comer will get a platform to come and show their talent, bringing the best for talent. Board will get more funds to raise the standard of game. Existing players can get really heavy cheques, spectators can enjoy better game and better standards with improved facilities and sponsors can reap real big money.

World is aware of importance and criticality of event to game hence so many people like business tycoon Vijay Mallaya, Anil Ambani, Hollywood actor Russel Crowe, Bollywood actor Sharukh Khan, cousin of former New Zealand cricket captain Martin Crowe, England-based Lord Swaraj Paul are among prominent bidders (courtesy - NDTV).

Concerns are whether event can generate same competitive edge as say a Test or a one-day match between two countries.  Can it generate same excitement as Pak-India series or ashes series? Can it stand to a expectations and deliver it?

It will be more of wait and watch. But hoping to see some good franchises coming up.

I was playing with google maps and thought of presenting the schedule of India Pakistan Cricket Matches on google maps , so here it is . Click on the balloon to see the match timing and city .
Leave comments for the kind of India centric mash up which can be interesting and useful .

Just launched India Premier League is attracting who’s who of Indian Business and the world . Shahrukh Khan has reported interest in owning some stake in India Premier League. Sachin tendulkar has been offered some stake in the league . Anil Ambani , Mallaya , Russel Crowe has reported interest in the league . The floor prize is set to be 50$ million . This will definitely generate lot of interest globally if things go as per plan for BCCI.

One thing this has surely done is taken the fizz out of Indian Cricket League launched by Zee . ICL is looking poor cousin right now and a playground for not in reckoning and retired players

As expected, yet another high scoring match but this time India manage to win convincly over its arch rival. It was fantastic 46 runs win over pakistan and most importantly,it was team effort with everyone contributing in the batting line vis-a-vis successful performance by bowlers.

India got a flying start with yet another half century(68) run opening partnership between Sachin and Sourav. There was no respite for Pakistan as Yuvraj and Dhoni series of boundaries, helping their side plunder 89 runs in the closing 10 overs.
Rest is taken care by bowlers with wickets in good interval. Harbhajan(most economical bowler), Zaheer and Yuvraj controlled the run rate & RP singh cleared the tail.

Salman Butt posed the main threat to India with it century and an explosive start but received little support from the other end as his side lost their way.

Turning point of the match was early dropped of Yuvraj which was later proved to lynchpin of India batting line up.Another important factor is EXTRAS conceded by Pakistan bowlers. The gave 29 runs in extras in compare with 13 from Indian bowlers. Pakistan bowler is really lacking some discipline with line and length in this series.

India now lead the series 2-1. Pakistan being favourites (as per the poll till date) and to emerge as favourites, they have to win rest of the encounter in the series. The 4th day-night ODI will be held at Gwalior on Thursday the 15th.