CRICKET

2008-09-23T21:27:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Irani Trophy Delhi vs ROI LIVE

Irani Trophy Delhi vs Rest of India LIVE

It is the start of the cricketing season in India, with so many matches coming in the next few months, I am sure the momentum will be back on cricket matches.

So the start of the season is going to be the Irani Trophy match between Delhi and Rest of India.

According the latest reports Rest of India elected to bat first after winning the toss.

Here are the playing XI from both the sides:

Rest of India (Playing XI): Rahul Dravid, Wasim Jaffer, Mohammad Kaif, Subramaniam Badrinath, VVS Laxman, Mahendra Singh Dhoni(w), Anil Kumble(c), Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Rudra Pratap Singh

Delhi (Playing XI): Gautam Gambhir, Akash Chopra, Virender Sehwag(c), Mithun Manhas, Virat Kohli, Rajat Bhatia, Puneet Bisht(w), Chetanya Nanda, Pradeep Sangwan, Ashish Nehra, Ishant Sharma

The match is being played in vadodara. Keep watching this space for LIVE coverage and LIVE scores of Irani Trophy match between Delhi vs ROI

2008-09-23T00:19:00.001-07:00

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2008-09-23T00:06:00.000-07:00

http://www.indyarocks.com/videos/Kotha-Bangaru-Lokam-trailer-2-214082

2008-09-23T00:05:00.001-07:00

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2008-09-22T23:41:00.000-07:00

Megastar's Advantages :

1. Chiranjeevi is the most popular telugu cine hero and commands a huge popularity.

2. His social activities like (Blood donation and Eye donation) helped so many poor people.

3. He is a legend in his Kapu community and very popular in in some BC Communities like Balija.

4. He is a rare cine personality who little egoism and mingles well with all sections.

5. Chiranjeevi commands huge fan following in the whole state especially in the coastal belt.

6. In the politically active Godavari districts, He can get maximum seats.

7. His clean image may help for his party to get more neutral votes.

2008-09-22T23:26:00.000-07:00

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2008-09-22T22:47:00.000-07:00

venky

2008-09-22T22:44:00.000-07:00

Venky and Anushka in 'Chintakayala Ravi'

Venkatesh is on vacation. But that hasn’t stopped his producers from announcing the films. We had reported that Yogi is directing a film for Nallamalapu Srinivas with Venkatesh in the lead.

So, the latest on the film is that it will be called Chintakayala Ravi. Well, some title for a mass hero. But then, we have always known that Venkatesh does not take his star image too seriously.

He is ready to try out things. Hence the unusual title. It’s going to be an entertainer and will have two heroines in the lead.

2008-09-22T22:35:00.001-07:00

Digicel-WICB dispute

Stanford 'will not be bullied' in sponsorship row

Allen Stanford: caught in a row with West Indies' sponsors, Digicel © Getty Images

The organisers of November's Stanford 20/20 for 20 have hit back in the row over sponsorship rights that is threatening to engulf the contest, accusing Digicel, the main sponsors of West Indies cricket, of "bullying" tactics as they attempt to secure the billing to which they believe their five-year deal with the WICB entitles them. In the opinion of the Stanford camp, their behaviour is little more than an attempt to muscle in on the considerable media attention that is being generated around the US$20 million event.

Digicel maintains that its existing contract includes the Stanford match as it is officially sanctioned by the board and the team is, in effect, a fully representative side. Stanford counters that its "All-Stars" side is not official and, as such, is outside any existing sponsorship deal, and in a strongly worded press release on Monday afternoon, stated that it was "disappointed, though not surprised" by Digicel's behaviour. The matter has already reached the High Court in London where Digicel were granted an injunction against Stanford proceeding with the event, and arbitration is due to begin on October 3.

On Sunday, Digicel accused Stanford 20/20 of "inaccuracies" in its presentation of the facts of the case, and claimed that its representatives had "flatly refused" to consider a compromise deal. The Stanford camp has rebutted this charge and responded to the accusations with some robust language of its own. "Stanford 20/20 has no wish to conduct its business through the media," read a statement, "but feels it must respond to the inaccurate and misleading statements being issued by Digicel in this regard."

In particular, the Stanford camp objects to the suggestion that Digicel's original compromise solution - which involved the All-Stars side wearing official West Indies kit with Digicel branding, with no other telecommunications company involved in the event; and with Digicel's costs being paid for by the board - was "rejected outright" by the organisers. Stanford claim that, after Digicel made its proposal public on September 11, a counter-proposal was returned and "ample time" was allowed for Digicel to respond away from the pressure of media scrutiny.

"There is absolutely no merit in Digicel's latest suggestion," read the statement. "After careful consideration with WICB and the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Stanford 20/20 agreed to the majority of Digicel's original demands, even offering valuable sponsorship rights to which Digicel was not entitled under its agreement with WICB, and offering to pay Digicel's legal costs. Stanford 20/20 declined to meet only one of Digicel's demands - the demand that the Digicel logo appears on the Stanford Superstars jersey at no cost for a five-year period.

"Digicel has contended repeatedly in the media that it already owns the right for the Digicel logo to appear on the Stanford Superstars jersey and that it has already paid for such right," the statement continued. "In fact, such claims go way beyond any rights Digicel has in its contract with WICB and, so far as Stanford 20/20 is aware, Digicel has not made any similar claims in its court proceedings against WICB. Stanford 20/20's counter-offer addressed all of Digicel's legitimate rights under its agreement with WICB and so Stanford 20/20 is mystified as to why Digicel publicly continues to demand more.

"Stanford 20/20 suspects that such claims are in fact a barely concealed attempt to create media pressure upon Stanford 20/20 in order that Digicel can achieve some commercial advantage beyond that to which it is entitled. It is hard for Stanford 20/20 to understand how such behaviour can be deemed to be in the "best interests of West Indies cricket" as Digicel continually claims. Stanford 20/20 will not be bullied in this way and will respond appropriately to such behaviour under legal advice."

"Stanford 20/20 has informed Digicel that should it wish to have its logo carried on the Stanford Superstars jersey the two companies can engage in negotiations for Digicel to come on board as a presenting sponsor for the Stanford Super Series. Digicel has rejected this outright but that offer remains open for discussion as far as Stanford 20/20 is concerned."

2008-09-22T22:25:00.000-07:00

Chappell helps Australia in India

Greg Chappell arives in Jaipur with the Australia squad © AFP

Australia have enlisted the help of the former India coach Greg Chappell as they prepare to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy away from home. Chappell is travelling with the Australia squad as an assistant coach and he will pass on plenty of advice to the players and support staff about cricket and life in India.

"It's good to be involved this time," Chappell told the Herald Sun. "Obviously it's a transition period and always an exciting time.

"I'll have the opportunity to work with some of the young players. Just talk about the conditions in India, generally, will be part of the role, just what to expect in India, conditions, weather, food - all those different things.

"We'll be talking about the whole strategy involving bowling and batting in India. There will be discussions certainly with the coaching staff and probably with the individuals."

Chappell was the coach of India from 2005 to 2007 and still works with the Rajasthan Cricket Academy. The new role touring with Australia follows his appointment as the head coach at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.

"It's a role that the Centre of Excellence head does from time to time," Chappell said. "Tim Nielsen obviously did it with the team on various occasions when he was with the academy, so it's no different to the past. Some people will want to make it look different, but it's not."

Chappell's inclusion in the off-field staff will be a major boost for a squad that has only four men who have played a Test in India: Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke and Simon Katich. The Australians arrived in Jaipur on Monday and they will have two warm-up games before the Test series begins on October 9.

Kamal Hassan

2008-09-20T22:42:00.000-07:00

Biography

Kamal Haasan (born on November 7, 1954) is a four time National Film Award winning Indian film actor.

Kamal is the youngest of four children born in to an Iyengar family to Rajalakshmi and Srinivasan. His father, an attorney by profession, gave all his sons (Charu Haasan, Chandra Haasan, Kamal Haasan) the suffix of "Haasan" as a sign of his friendship to one Mr. Haasan. Kamal is also a playback singer and sometimes pens the lyrics for the soundtracks of some of his recent films. He is an able performer of the Bharatanatyam dance form. He had assisted in choreography early in ...

2008-09-20T22:37:00.001-07:00

Dhoni boys started with the bang with winning there first 4 games but after that they seems to have lost the way plus the loss of some of the key players like hayden. But all that happen the table still shows that they are having 14 points which means they have to beat the Hyderabad boys to go through the semi finals.

As Mumbai lost to royals yesterday so if Dhoni boys manages to win against Hyderabad they will be ok but if they lost that match they will have to pray that Mumbai loosses its match against royal challangers tomarrow.

2008-09-20T22:36:00.000-07:00

Dhoni happy with response

Mahendra Singh Dhoni thinks that the good start of Chennai Super Kings’ in the IPL help them to maintain a focus on there game although many big names left in middle.
Chennai super kings started very well with winning there first four games in the IPL, but the leaving of some big names like, Michael Hussey, Matthew Hayden and Jacob Oram affected them with 3 losses.
But the Dhoni’s side got there confidence back on after defeating Delhi Daredevils in nail Delhi Daredevils biting the last ball win.

2008-09-20T22:34:00.000-07:00

Team India’s One-Day International (ODI) captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni clinches the ODI player of the year trophy and his team mate Yuvraj Singh honoured with best Twenty20 Performer of the Year award.

MS Dhoni along with Sachin Tendulkar also fearured in the ICC ODI team of the year, 2008 while Virender Sehwag get himself a name in Test team of the year, 2008.

Dhoni emerged as winner of ODI player after beating three big names, Sachin Tendulkar, Nathan Bracken and Mohammad Yousuf. Dhoni is also at No.1 position in ICC ODI Rankings for batsmen.

2008-09-20T22:31:00.001-07:00

Some experts feel that a younger generation of one-day players, led by wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, will pile extra pressure on the seniors.

Dhoni, who led the team to last year's World Twenty20 win, shone with the bat to help clinch India's first one-day series win in Sri Lanka, countering Mendis much better than the seniors did in the preceding Tests. - Also see: Dhoni is India's mos

2008-09-20T22:29:00.000-07:00

Ag becomes an issue for India's Fab Four

Experts and the media have speculated that the first casualty could be Ganguly, the oldest among the senior batsman at 36 and India's most successful Test captain.

Ganguly, who made a splendid second comeback in late 2006, has been omitted for next week's Irani Cup five-day game between Rest of India and Ranji champions Delhi, seen as a selection game for the Australia series.

2008-09-20T22:28:00.000-07:00

India's four most senior batsmen, the engine room of the national side for more than a decade, are facing a debate over their age and whether the time is ripe to inject fresh blood into the Test squad.

Dubbed the "Fab Four", former captains Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar plus VVS Laxman are coming under pressure ahead of a high-profile home Test series against Australia starting on October 9.

The heated debate has been sparked after they struggled during a 2-1 Test series defeat in Sri Lanka in July and August, where spin sensation Ajantha Mendis repeatedly foxed the

2008-09-20T22:27:00.001-07:00

Tendulkar out of Irani Trophy

Sachin Tendulkar is yet to recover from the elbow injury he sustained in Sri Lanka last month © AFP

Sachin Tendulkar has pulled out of the Irani Trophy to recover from his elbow injury ahead of the Test series against Australia starting October 9. He will be replaced by Tamil Nadu batsman S Badrinath.

"Tendulkar is not playing the Irani Trophy because he has been advised a week of rehabilitation," Ratnakar Shetty, the BCCI's chief administrative officer, told Cricinfo. "Paul Close [the National Cricket Academy's physio] has suggested he [Tendulkar] needs a break from the Irani Trophy to recover from the stiff elbow."

Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, said that Tendulkar will be available for the Test series against Australia which begins on October 9.

Tendulkar will work with Close in Mumbai from September 20 to get fit in time in order to join the national camp in Bangalore. He had twisted his elbow while fielding during the third Test in Sri Lanka last month and was forced out of the one-dayers that followed.

2008-09-20T22:25:00.001-07:00

Hayden ready for Harbhajan threat

Matthew Hayden: "Harbhajan is very competitive, especially in his own environment. He's a big threat to our side, no doubt about that" © Getty Images

Australia fly out to India for a four-Test series on Sunday, and opening batsman Matthew Hayden is geared up for the challenge of tackling the hosts, and especially the threat posed by Harbhajan Singh.

India have been one of Hayden's more favoured opponents - he leads the run-charts against them among the current touring party. Hayden's record in India is equally impressive, and he expected bowlers to vie for his wicket.

"Having played over there, and played well over there, I think I'm going to be the obvious target," Hayden told the Courier Mail. During the 2001 visit, Hayden scored 549 in three Tests, and has since been a regular member of Australia's Test team.

In the same series, Harbhajan took 32 wickets in a gripping contest that India won 2-1. Hayden, one of four members in the squad with Test experience in India, said he would need to step up to the threat. "Harbhajan is very competitive, especially in his own environment," he said. "He's a big threat to our side, no doubt about that. He's skilful and has got some weapons in conditions that will really favour him. My job will be to combat that so, for me, it's a battle I'm really looking forward to."

Relations between the two players were strained during India's recent tour of Australia. Hayden called Harbhajan "an obnoxious little weed" on a radio show in the aftermath of Andrew Symonds alleging the offspinner had racially abused him - charges that were not proved.

Hayden said the "whole dynamic" of the Australian Test side had changed in recent years, with Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist retiring. "To be part of the No.1 cricket side in the world is always a big challenge because we are the benchmark. I expect no mercy from the Indians but that's why I'll enjoy this series. I'll be right in the thick of it. I think this series is tailormade for guys like me."

2008-09-20T22:23:00.000-07:00

Other boards should let ICL players play' - Atapattu

Marvan Atapattu: "This decision has come from a guy [Arjuna Ranatunga] who has led Sri Lankan cricket from the front, first as a player and now as an administrator" © Cricinfo

Sri Lanka Cricket's decision to lift the domestic ban on five of its ICL cricketers is a "strong message" to other national boards, according to Marvan Atapattu, the former Sri Lankan captain. Atapattu, who plays for the ICL's Delhi Giants, said the decision will lead to a situation where Sri Lankan cricketers can play for their country and choose between the unauthorised cricket league and the IPL.

"It's a very strong message to other boards that have imposed similar bans," Atapattu told Cricinfo. "It's a message that the game is not ruled by any single body, and nobody should try to rule the game. I hope that other boards, including India, also let all their ICL players play in all forms of cricket. The players in India have taken a brave stand by joining ICL; they are very young and talented. Why not give them a chance now?"

Atapattu, 37, who also represents ICL's World XI, was among the five who are now free to play domestic cricket again after the one-year-old ban was lifted by an interim committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), headed by Arjuna Ranatunga. The others who benefited from the decision, taken last week, were Russel Arnold, Upul Chandana, Avishka Gunawardene and Saman Jayantha.

Atapattu described the removal of the ban as "a positive step" that will level the field between ICL and IPL at least for Sri Lankan cricketers. "I don't think there should have been a ban in the first place but we are very happy that the Sri Lankan board has taken such a positive step," Atapattu said. "We are hopeful this will soon lead to a situation where our cricketers can play for their country and choose between the ICL and IPL. Right now, the situation is grossly unfair where some of our players play in IPL while the others sit at home and watch it on TV. It's not fair that only players who play in the IPL can play for Sri Lanka. The ICL is a similar tournament, with a similar format, and only the name is different. So why is there this discrimination?"

Admitting he was "relieved" that the ban was lifted, Atapattu said the decision has prompted him to think about a comeback, possibly even to international cricket. "But for that, the first move has to come from the cricket board," he said. "The previous administration wasn't quite sure about me and the end wasn't too good. This time, if they approach me, I will definitely think about it [an international comeback]. I just don't want to jump the gun."

Sri Lanka's ICL cricketers, he said, had Ranatunga to back them and that made the difference. "This decision has come from a guy who has led Sri Lankan cricket from the front, first as a player and now as an administrator. He has once more shown the aggression that he showed as a World Cup-winning captain [in 1996], and we are thankful to him for that.

"Right now, I am just relieved that the ban has been lifted, and I haven't given much thought to what I will do next. I have played all my life for Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), and I am still fit and can play in all formats of the game. Let's see what lies ahead."

2008-09-20T22:13:00.001-07:00

Describing Tendulkar as among the greatest players and batsmen to have graced the game of cricket, 69-year-old Scot Stewart said, "Lots of people are going to be very pleased that you are going to be the ambassador of RBS," said Stewart in his video greeting to Tendulkar.

John McCormick, the CEO of the combined wholesale and investment banking businesses of RBS and ABN Amro in Asia Pacific, and his colleague John Baines, welcomed Tendulkar's signing as the group's new global brand ambassador.

"When we considered which sport to support in India there was no alternative to cricket. We are going to be the associate sponsors for the India-Australia Test series and the association will culminate with the best-of-seven ODI series followed by the two-Test rubber against England for the inaugural RBS Cup," McCormick said.

2008-09-20T22:12:00.001-07:00

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Indo-Aus rivalry bigger than Indo-Pak one: Tendulkar

September 18, 2008

About his signing as brand ambassador with RBS, who are associate sponsors of the home Test rubber against Australia and title sponsors of the following series of Tests and ODIs against England, Tendulkar said "it was a dream come true" to be associated with the foreign bank alongside sports legends like golfer Jack Nicklaus and race driver Jackie Stewart.

"It is indeed a great honour and a dream come true to join a select and prestigious group of sporting stars like Sir Jackie Stewart and Jack Nicklaus. Cricket is my passion and I am looking forward to an exciting home season of cricket with Australia and England," Tendulkar said about his latest endorsement deal.

Nicklaus, winner of 18 golf majors in his career in which he has captured 73 PGA titles, and three-time Formula One world champion Stewart, welcomed Tendulkar to the stable of brand ambassadors of RBS.

"We love Sachin and I'm looking forward to working with Sachin in future and take it (brand ambassadorship) forward," said the 68-year-old American golf legend in his video message.

2008-09-20T22:11:00.001-07:00

Indo-Aus rivalry bigger than Indo-Pak one: Tendulkar

September 18, 2008

Asked about his impending landmark (of highest Test runs), Tendulkar said he never played with an eye on creating records but if and when they come they were welcome additions to his well-adorned cricket cap.

"I don't think much about records. I want to enjoy my game. If players focus on their performance, records automatically fall into place. I focus on playing the game well. If it (new landmark) comes in doing so I will be happy," said the ace batsman who is only 76 runs short of overtaking Lara's world bench mark.

Tendulkar has 11, 877 Test runs to his credit as compared to the retired West Indian champion's 11, 953.

The champion batsman did not agree with the general view that he had the habit of singling out Australia for special punishment.

"I look at it differently. Whenever I play, whether for India or not, and against any opposition, I try and put my best foot forward. Whenever I lift my bat I do so. I respect cricket and enjoy playing it," he countered.

2008-09-20T22:09:00.000-07:00

Indo-Aus rivalry bigger than Indo-Pak one: Tendulkar

Tendulkar did not lay too much emphasis on the fact that the Australian team, led by Ricky Ponting, was lacking in experience, saying the team looked to be a good blend of experienced players and new comers with lots of first class experience.

"They (Australian squad) have a lot of experienced players and some of them have been playing for a long time now. They are the number one team in the world and we are prepared to face all challenges.

"It's going to be an extremely well-fought series which would be played in the right spirit and the cricket would be played very hard," said the scorer of 81 Test and ODI hundreds.

2008-09-20T22:08:00.000-07:00

Indo-Aus rivalry bigger than Indo-Pak one: Tendulkar

Asked whether the absence of Andrew Symonds from the Australian side would lessen the tension in the upcoming rubber starting on October 9, Tendulkar said such things had happened even before the unsavoury spat between the Aussie all-rounder and Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh during the ill-tempered Sydney Test in January.

"Such things happen but don't happen every week. They have happened in the past (before the Sydney Test)," Tendulkar said and indicated the incidents grabbed more attention nowadays because of media coverage and the presence of ICC match referees.

Symonds, an integral part of the recent Test and ODI sides, has been omitted from the Aussie touring party to India on disciplinary grounds after preferring to go fishing instead of attending a team meeting during the recent ODI series against Bangladesh Down Under.

Sports

2008-09-20T22:00:00.000-07:00

Indo-Aus rivalry bigger than Indo-Pak one:

Champion batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday rated the current rivalry between India and Australia as bigger than that of the traditional one between India and Pakistan because of the "competitiveness" exhibited by the two teams over the last eight years.

"I think it (India v Australia) has become bigger largely because of the competitiveness. All the series between us from 2001 onwards have been very keenly fought and have been very close ones," said Tendulkar at a function in Mumbai to unveil him as the global brand ambassador of Royal Scottish Bank Group.

The ace batsman, who is at handshaking distance of overtaking West Indian great Brian Lara as Test cricket's highest run-getter, pointed out that India have been the only team in the world to have run world champions Australia close of late in the latter's backyard.

"We have gone to Australia and beaten them. We have been able to surprise the Australian team and that's what the Australian public likes: competition and high standards of play. They love to see challenges and competitiveness.

"The fan following for the India-Australia series has definitely increased as compared to say 15 years ago. The coming series would also be very closely fought. Talking on behalf of the Indian team I can say we will play hard but fair and I feel the Australians also will do so," said Tendulkar.