McGrath to be inducted into ICC Cricket Hall of Fame

Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath will be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame during the third Test between Australia and Sri Lanka starting January 4 in Sydney.
    
McGrath will join Enid Bakewell and Brian Lara to become third inductee of 2012-13, the ICC said in a statement.
    
"McGrath becomes the 68th male member of the Hall of Fame and joins fellow 2012-13 inductees West Indian Brian Lara and England's Enid Bakewell in being recognized by the ICC and the living members of the Hall of Fame." 'Pigeon' flies into ICC's Hall of Fame

The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame had 55 initial inductees. They were: Sydney Barnes, Bishan Bedi, Alec Bedser, Richie Benaud, Allan Border, Ian Botham, Geoffrey Boycott, Donald Bradman, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Denis Compton, Colin Cowdrey, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Lance Gibbs, Graham Gooch, David Gower, WG Grace, Tom Graveney, Gordon Greenidge, Richard Hadlee, Walter Hammond, Neil Harvey, George Headley, Jack Hobbs, Michael Holding, Leonard Hutton, Rohan Kanhai, Imran Khan, Alan Knott, Jim Laker, Harold Larwood, Dennis Lillee, Ray Lindwall, Clive Lloyd, Hanif Mohammad, Rodney Marsh, Malcolm Marshall, Peter May, Javed Miandad, Keith Miller, Bill O'Reilly, Graeme Pollock, Wilfred Rhodes, Barry Richards, Vivian Richards, Andy Roberts, Garfield Sobers, Brian Statham, Fred Trueman, Derek Underwood, Clyde Walcott, Everton Weekes, Frank Woolley, Frank Worrell.

Unexpected Retirement;Sachin retires form ODI

The Little Master of the cricket Sachin Tendulkar says good buy to the ODI cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar,  the greatest batsman in  cricket, on Sunday retired from one-day internationals, bringing the curtains down on a glorious career spanning 23 years during which he re-wrote record books with his phenomenal feats.

The 39-year-old Sachin conveyed his decision to the BCCI, which issued a statement on his behalf to make the announcement. The champion batsman will, however, continue to play in Tests.

  
"I have decided to retire from the One-Day format of the game. I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup wining Indian team. The preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest," Tendulkar was quoted as saying in the statement released by the Board.

"I would like to wish the team all the very best for the future. I am eternally grateful to all my well wishers for their unconditional support and love over the years," he added.

Then he added that I am proud of that as a member of a world cup team.

Tendulkar, considered the most complete batsman in modern cricket, retires from the ODI format at the top of the run-getters' list.
  
He amassed 18,426 runs in 463 one-dayers at an average of 44.83. The diminutive right-hander has an astonishing 49 hundreds in the format, including a double hundred – the first in this form of the game. Tendulkar also has a mammoth tally of 96 ODI 50s to his credit.
  
Tendulkar's Test records are as awe-inspiring. The right-hander has 15,645 runs at an average of 54.32 in 194 Tests that he has played so far. The tally includes 51 hundreds and 66 half-centuries.
  
Tendulkar's decision to quit the ODI format came on the day when the ODI team for the series against Pakistan was announced. There was speculation that he would play in the series to regain form ahead of the Test series against Australia. Of late, the batting great had been under intense pressure to take a call on his future following a prolonged form slump, particularly in the Test series against England where he averaged a poor 18.66.
  
Tendulkar has been choosy about his ODI appearances, the last of which came in the Asia Cup in march where he completed his century of international hundreds.
  
Tendulkar made his ODI debut against Pakistan way back in 1989 and interestingly he is quitting the scene just ahead of another series against the arch-rivals.
  
The Mumbaikar, who made himself unavailable for Twenty20s after playing just one game in 2006, will now remain active in only the Test arena.
  
The brightest moment of his ODI career came last year when he finally became part of a World Cup winning Indian team after five previous appearances.
  
He was stuck on 99 international tons for quite a while after scoring two hundreds during India's successful World Cup campaign.
  
The biggest compliment to his batting came from the legendary Sir Donald Bradman himself in 1999 when he said that Tendulkar's style of playing resembled his batting style. "That touch I used to feel when I batted," the great Australian had said.
  
Despite the recent slump in his form, Tendulkar's overall tally of runs is unlikely to be matched anytime soon given that the distant second-best in the list, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, has already retired with 13,704 runs under his belt.
  
Sri Lanka's retired great Sanath Jayasuriya occupies the third spot in the overall chart with 13,430 runs.
  
Besides his batting, Tendulkar also did service as an effective partnership-breaking bowler before a shoulder injury limited him and would be finishing his ODI career with 154 scalps, including two five-wicket hauls.

     

 

First T20:Yuvraj helps India win by five wickets

Yuvraj singh took three for 19 from his four overs to restrict England to a manageable 157 for six and then blasted 38 off 21 balls to set up an easy chase as the home team reached the target with 13 balls to spare.
 
     After the humiliation in the Test series, Indian team saw a change in fortune in the shortest format to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
    
The turning point during India's chase was the eighth over when Yuvraj launched into inexperienced left-arm spinner Danny Briggs hitting him for 18 runs which included two huge sixes over the deep mid-wicket region and a boundary.


Yuvraj also got another six in the 10th over bowled by Luke Wright before being dismissed trying to hit a fourth six.
    
Such was the impact of Yuvraj's innings, the other Indian batsmen didn't need to do anything special in order to reach the target. Skipper Ms Dhoni and Suresh Riana chipped in with useful contributions of 24 not out and 26 respectively. Dhoni hit Stuart Meaker for successive boundaries and then took a double to finish with flourish.

4th Test: ‘Impatient’ Dhoni run out for 99

In Nagpur test the Indian captain Dhoni run out for 99.Kohli and Dhoni played a fine innings after a bad start.Virat Kohli made his second century after a bad continuous innings against England.

Kohli played a matured innings and faced 288 balls to reach his hundred. The 24-years old displayed some excellent cricketing shots and smashed 11 boundaries. He was caught before wickets on a tricky ball from England’s key turner Greame Swann.

Dhoni and Virat Kohli batted resolutely to take India to 227/4 at tea on the third day of the fourth and final cricket Test against England at Nagpur on Saturday.

Dhoni doesn't deserve a place in the team;Mohinder Amarnath

The 'quit captaincy' calls for MS Dhoni grew louder with former selector Mohinder Amarnath questioning his position in the Indian team on future, accusing him of blocking entry for other deserving wicket-keepers like Saha or Partiv Patel …etc.
   
"Who is Dhoni to say that I want to stay in the team and take this challenge that  of captaining the side. What has he done?" asked the hero for India's 1983 World Cup triumph Mohinder Amarnath asked.

And he added that Selectors want to sack Dhoni.
     

Dhoni had refused to step down from captaincy despite the team's humiliating loss to England in Kolkata, insisting that he doesn't want to run away from the challenge.
   
"He doesn't deserve a place in the team. There are better keeper-batsmen in the country. They are not getting an opportunity because he is the captain," Mohinder Amarnath added.

And the record is before Messi.Lionel Messi beats Mueller record of maximum goals season

We all know that the God of cricket is Sachin.Because most of the records in cricket is in the name of Sachin.Now we can tell that the God of football is Messi.Now Messi stands in the finger tip of  one of the main  record in football.Now Messi broke the record that Mueller created in 1972 that is most Goal scorer in a particular year.

He beats the German legend's record set in 1972, and now has 23 in the league this season, six more than Radamel Falcao who hit five goals for Atletico in their win.

Lionel Messi surpassed Gerd Mueller's record of 85 goals in a calendar year with a first half double that helped his side to an important 2-1 win at Real Betis.The Argentinian striker now moved up to 86 goals in 2012.

India smells lose against England in 3rd Test Match

India stands on the edge of an humiliating defeat, but it has has been delayed by the Indian tailenders on fourth day of the 3rd Test match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday.In Eden Gardens India never lose now a days.

In an act, R Ahswin played some sensible cricket to reach his second Test fifty. India has also taken lead in the second innings but this will not be enough for a favourable result.

Sachin came back to form. 3rd test India 273/7 stumps Day 1

India won the toss and Electing to bat, India were 273 for seven in their first innings at close on the opening day of the third cricket Test against England on first day of the third Test match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

India lost its sixth wicket in form of Sachin Tendulkar just after the drinks break on first day of the third Test match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Sachin played a calm and composed innings to score 76 off 155 balls before being caught behind the wicket by Matt Prior on a length ball from Anderson.

Sachin is the Best player I played against:Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting, who retired from all forms of the game after playing his last Test match at Perth against South Africa, on Monday, said that India's Sachin Tendulkar is the best player he has played against.

"I feel Sachin was the best player I played against and that's coming from more of a captain's point of view as well, knowing he had so much success against us in our conditions and their conditions."Said Ponting

After beating Australia,South Africa retains top in ICC test ranking

South Africa today retained the top spot in the ICC Test rankings after beating Australia by  309 runs in the third and final Test in Perth and lead the series 1-0 .

     South Africa's series victory means that it is the clear leader at the top of the table, leading second ranked England by six ratings points.

     Australia is still in third position but has dropped to 114 after conceding three ratings points, the ICC said in a statement.

     However, Australia will move ahead of England if India wins the remaining two Tests in India.

Ricky Ponting out for eight in final Test innings

Australia's former captain Ricky Ponting was dismissed for eight in his final Test innings on Monday, bringing the curtain down on a 17-year career that saw him become the second-greatest run scorer in history(First  Sachin).
     Ponting, who was caught by Jacques Kallis off the bowling of Robin Peterson, announced his impending retirement before the Perth Test against South Africa .This is  his 168th Test.

India thrash Eng 3-1 in Champions Trophy campaign

India start Champions Trophy campaign with 3-1 win over England.

India made a bright start to their campaign at the Champions Trophy hockey tournament with a come-from-behind 3-1 win over England in Pool A at the State Hockey Centre on Saturday.

    The new-look Indian team clinched a morale-boosting win through goals from opportunistic field goals from Danish Mujtaba on 22nd minute and Yuvraj Walmiki on 38th before Gurwinder Singh Chandi scored in a set-piece penalty corner on 66thMinute

    

One Final task for Ponting;Ricky Ponting announces retirement

Ricky Ponting, Australia's 366th Test player and 42nd Test captain announced that the Perth Test against South Africa starting from Friday will be his last.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting on Thursday announced that he will retire from Test cricket after playing in the third Test against South Africa which begins from Friday.

"A few hours ago I let the team know that this upcoming Test will be my last," Ponting said .

Rafael Nadal will come back to tennis ground

Rafael Nadal,a Spanish citizen who is former 1st rank holder also an 4th seed in tennis Would play Australien open tennis in january after a long gap.Since he had some injuries.He hasn't played any game after the lost in wimbledon from second round.

Cricketer Become Boxer

 

The former English cricketer Andrew flintoff will initialize his Boxing career on this friday.He Will fight against the American player : Richard Dawson  first  .The 34 years old flintoffhas ended up his cricket life in 2010.

FIFA names Brazil's 2014 World Cup mascot

FIFA has named for the 2014 Brazil World Cup logo as "Fuleco," This word means that which organisers say transmits a message of environmental awareness.

Almost half of the more than 1.7 million people (41%) who voted in an online poll chose Fuleco ahead of 'Zuzeco' and 'Amijubi'.

The mascot is a three-banded armadillo, which is an endangered species in Brazil.

The Delhi and District Cricket Association honour Virendra Sehwag

The Delhi and District Cricket Association honour Virendra Sehwag for playing 100 Test matches.

DDCA on Tuesday decided to honour Viru with 100 gold coins apart from naming a gate of the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in Delhi after him for reaching the history of playing 100 Tests for India.

Messi’s double ;Barcelona stay clear

The Argentinen's Barcelona means he now has 82 goals in 2012, just six short of German legend Gerd Mueller's all-time calendar record set in 1972. He also tops the La Liga charts for the season with 19 goals.

Lionel Messi strike twice as Barcelona won 4-0 at Levante to remain three points clear of Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.

     

Messi's goals were both laid on by Andres Iniesta who also hit the target himself before supplying Cesc Fabregas for the fourth on Sunday.

     

At last India Losed by 10 wkts in 2nd Test

England thrash India by 10 wkts in 2nd Test

England beat India by ten-wicket in the second cricket Test to level the four-match series 1-1 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday.

Resuming at a precarious 117 for seven after conceding a vital 86-run first innings lead, the Indians were skittled out for a paltry 141 within an hour's play on the fourth morning, leaving the visitors an easy target of 57 for victory which they achieved without much fuss with more than five sessions to spare.

Only Indian Opener Gautam Gambhir (65) provided a semblance of resistance before being the last man to be dismissed though television replays indicated that he was distinctly unlucky to be ruled out.

While Viru is on Ground I am only supposed to be a spectector : Sachin

 Sachin said that Sehwag would turn over the match Summery.He also said that Viru is a cool man.Viru Sings songs and tells comedy during the play,which is not applicable to him.Sachin added that this would be the same opinion of Dravid about Viru.
He told that so many person commented Sehwag was only imitating him but his response was although he weared morantry pad and helmet,he has his own style of play............

Pujara Strike for india

Indian batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravichandran Ashwin led India to reach 266 for the loss of their six wickets on 1st day of the 2nd Test match  at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai against England on Friday.

Pujara ( 114* per 279 balls ) and Ashwin (60* per 84 balls) were still at the ground.

Pujara along with Ashwin completed 97 runs with teir 7th partnership .

Earlier in the day, Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara played a calm  innings to complete his century.

Usain Bolt may be play Cricket Or Football after Rio Olympics Games

Usain Bolt the Jamaican sprint king, who ready to play cricket or football after the Rio Olympics Games,Brasil.
He may trying to contribute his hand and his racing track LEG at Cricket or Football.
"I always wanted to try to play soccer," he said in October. "May be at the end of my career, it would be something that I would love to try," he had said.

Viru Want 100/100

The millions of Indian cricket fans are waiting for Sehwag's century in his 100 th test match.The India v/s England 2nd test match started on friday on Vangade stadium,Mumbai.This is Sehwag's 100th test match.We can tell with no doubt Sehwag is the greatest cricketer in Indian team.Because, He got only ever Indian batsman who scored 300 in Test Cricket.With 3 highest test score produced by an Indian batsman is Sehwag.that is 319,309,299.So Sehwag deserve century in 100th test match.The former Indian captain Kapildev said that,Now te new Indian cricket team want greatest players like Sehwag.

India beat England by 9 wickets in 1st Test And lead the series

India broke through the stubborn England resistance with a morning burst of five wickets before surging to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory in the opening Test for a 1-0 lead in the four-match series on Monday.

Needing 77 runs to record their first win at this venue in seven years on a crumbling and dusty pitch, India achieved the target when they made 80/1 in 15.3 overs after lunch with more than half a day to spare.

Openers Virender Sehwag (25) and Cheteshwar Pujara (41 not out), who scored a double hundred in the huge first innings total of 521/8 declared, polished off the major part of the target by adding 57 runs in only 9.5 overs.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha prised open the victory door for the hosts when he broke through England's resolute batting by packing off overnight batsmen Matt Prior (91) and Alastair Cook (176) in 12 balls to virtually bring the visitors to their knees.

The two had kept England afloat on Day 4 with a determined partnership which had helped the visitors avoid an innings defeat and had raised their hopes of even saving the game. The pair remained unconquered on Day 4 with the visitors on 340/5, an overall lead of 10 runs.

Ojha's 2/18 burst in 11 overs was complimented by Umesh Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin and Zaheer Khan who grabbed a wicket each as England slumped from 356/5 to 406 all out in just over 16 overs and in 113 minutes of play on Day 5.

Ojha, who grabbed 4/120 in the second innings to add to his superb haul of 5/45 in the first, emerged as the most successful bowler from the game.

Pujara, who made an unbeaten 206 in the first essay and opened the innings in place of a bereaved Gautam Gambhir, was the most successful batsman for India.

In the second innings, Pujara and Virat Kohli (14 not out) steered Indian home without being separated.

Sehwag was caught just inside the long on rope by Kevin Pietersen off Graeme Swann after striking one four and a six in his 21-ball knock.

Kohli hit the winning run, a four off Swann, 51 minutes after lunch to seal victory while Pujara remained unconquered after facing 51 balls and striking eight fours.

The victory broke the seven-year winless run for India at this ground. The team had last won at Motera in December 2005, Sri Lanka being the losing side.

This was also their fourth win here in 12 encounters and their fifth in the last six Tests played at home going back to last season's triumphant series against the West Indies.

The two teams will now proceed to Mumbai for the second Test at the Wankhede Stadium commencing on November 23, to be followed by the third and last Tests at Kolkata (December 5-9) and Nagpur (December 13-17).

England's first innings collapse for 191 against Ojha and Ashwin was the root cause of their massive defeat though they fought back well through captain Alastair Cook who batted for a marathon 560 minutes spread over three days.

But once Ojha broke the partnership between Cook and Prior at 356, the England resistance started dwindling and the captain's dismissal virtually ended it though the last three wickets put on 41 runs.

The visitors were all out seven minutes before the scheduled lunch interval, prompting an early break.

Ojha dealt the crucial blows on England in the space of only 12 balls, breaking the stubborn sixth-wicket stand between Cook and Prior.

Umesh Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin and Zaheer Khan polished off the tail in style to leave the hosts a small target to chase.

Ojha finished with 4/120 after a fine morning spell of 2/18 in 11 overs.

The visitors lost their last five wickets for the addition of 66 runs in 26.3 overs.

After being frustrated by Cook and Prior since the afternoon session on Day 4, Ojha dismissed the two in superb fashion by deceiving both with his turn off the bowlers' rough to prise open the doors of victory for India before lunch.

Yadav then packed off England vice captain Stuart Broad for 3 to leave the visitors tottering at 378/8 in their second innings, in effect 48/8 having conceded a 330-run first innings lead to the hosts.

Zaheer Khan ended the England innings by having Tim Bresnan (20 in 75 minutes) caught at short extra cover by substitute fielder Ajinkya Rahane.

On Day 5, Ojha dislodged Prior by accepting the return catch and then struck the biggest blow to the English hopes by clean bowling Cook.

India opened on Day 5 with Zaheer keeping it tight from one end and Ojha attacking at the other and the move paid off in grand style after 35 minutes with the left arm spinner striking two body blows on England.

First he made Prior drive on the up a sharply turning ball that seemed to stop a bit on pitching to accept the easy return catch with the fourth ball of his third over of the morning.

The England stumper had stayed at the wicket for 240 minutes and faced 225 balls in which he hit 11 fours. He also put on 157 runs for the sixth wicket with his captain in 364 balls, the partnership starting on Day 4 after lunch and ending on Day 5.

Cook's defiant knock, that had commenced two days ago in the afternoon session and lasted the entire day on Day 4, finally ended 55 minutes after start of play on the last day.

At Cook's dismissal, England were just 35 runs ahead of the hosts with three wickets in hand and their first defeat in the four-game series loomed large. And it was also the 26-year-old Ojha's fourth wicket of the innings and ninth of the match.

The visitors lost three wickets for the addition of 22 runs in seven overs to leave India on the doorsteps of their first victory at this venue after December 2005 when they defeated Sri Lanka by 259 runs, and their fourth here in 12 Tests.

Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan got together to put on 28 valuable runs before the former's off stump sent back by Ashwin as he tried to reverse sweep the off spinner to leave England 76 runs ahead overall.

Ashwin, wicket less in the second innings after his three-wicket haul in the first, was brought on in place of Ojha after the 23rd over, 25 minutes before the end of the first session after the left arm spinner was carted for a six by Swann.

Vettel wins pole position at US Grand Prix (GP)

Austin :Vettel secured pole position for the US GP, putting the German in the perfect spot to chase his third consecutive Formula One (F1) championship.

Sebastian Vettel is on the brink of history with two races left on the calendar. He would be just the third driver and youngest to win three consecutive championships, joining Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher.

Dubbed the "Boy Wonder,,!" Vettel made his F1 debut at the US Grand Prix in 2007 as a 19 year old. At the ripe old age of 25, the Red Bull driver appears ready to join the series' elite.

England came back to the Game;1st Test:1st Test: England 340/5 at stumps on Day 4, lead by 10 runs

Even as wickets kept falling at one end, England skipper Alastair Cook stood firm with an unbeaten century to take the visitors to 264 for five in their second innings after following on against India at tea on the penultimate day of the first Test at Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera on Sunday.

At tea, Cook was unbeaten on 138 and Matt Prior was giving him company at the other end on 40 with England still trailing India by 66 runs with five wickets remaining in their second innings.

The duo had an unconquered partnership of 65 runs for the sixth wicket.

England were following on 330 runs behind the hosts' after collapsing for 191 in the first England innings in reply to India's mammoth 521 for eight declared.

After lunch break, two more English wickets fell with pacer Umesh Yadav picking up both the wickets in successive balls though he failed to take a hat-trick at Sardar Patel Stadium.

Yadav struck two body blows by making the 76-over old ball reverse swing to trap Ian Bell and Samit Patel leg before wicket off the fifth and sixth balls of his first over of a new spell to leave the tourists gasping at 199 for 5 in the first hour of play of the post-lunch session.

Left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha had done a similar damage in the first session by dismissing Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen cheaply within a space of seven balls spread over two overs to push England on to the back foot after openers Cook and Nick Compton (37) had put on a stand of 123 runs.

After the fall of two wickets however, Cook continued to stand tall with his excellent technique and calm demeanour against the spinning ball. He cracked his third century against India and the 21st in his 84th game.

Prior also ably supported his captain at the other end and made sure England fightback.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni took the second new ball in the 83rd over when England were 219 for five just before the end of the first hour in which the visitors added 42 runs in 14 over for the loss Bell and Patel.

Earlier, in the first session some tight bowling by Zaheer Khan and Ojha kept them down to 71 runs from 31 overs for the loss of Compton, Trott (17) and Pietersen (2), with the opener falling to Zaheer and the last two to Ojha.

Ojha, who picked up 5 for 45 to help skittle out England for a paltry 191 in the first innings, had figures of two for 54 at lunch.

Gambhir goes back to NewDelhi after grandmother's death

Indian opener Gautam Gambhir(Gauti) on Sunday flew back to Delhi before commencement of the fourth day's play in the first Test against England following the death of his grandmother.

Confirming the development, media manager Vinod Deshpande said that the opener took a flight to Delhi this morning after hearing the news of his grandmother's death.

"I don't know when he will be back. It probably will depend on what happens today in the match," Deshpande said.

Reserve Ajinkya Rahane came as a substitute for Gambhir when play started at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera on Sunday.

Spinners on charge , 1st Test: England 111/0 at stumps on Day 3

  1st Test:   England 111/0 at stumps on Day 3

Following on, England fight back strongly in their second innings as they reached 111/0 at stumps on the third day of the first Test played at Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera on Saturday.

England captain Alastair Cook scored 74 runs off 124 balls and smashed 13 boundaries with fight back spirit. Steady Nick Compton scored 34 runs (4*2) off 104 balls.

Earlier in day, Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha claimed his fourth five-wicket haul to bundle out England for 191 runs on the third day of the first Test at Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera on Saturday.

Early to compare Pujara with Rahul Dravid: Kapil Dev

Former India captain Kapil Dev heaped praises on double centurion Cheteshwar Pujara but said it was too early to say that the Indian team has found Rahul Dravid's replacement in him.

"He has just started. He has shown great temperament but you cannot compare him with Rahul so early. Let him make his own position in the team and name for himself. It is unfair to put him under pressure and say he is the replacement of so and so," said the 1983 World Cup winning captain.

"Rahul gave 15 years to cricket and then became what he is," added Kapil.

Pujara Strike for india 1st Test: India declare at 521/8 on Day 2

1st Test: India declare at 521/8 on Day 2

Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara kept his composer to slam his maiden double century against England on second day of the first Test played at Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera on Friday.

Pujara took 374 balls and smashed 21 boundaries to complete the milestone.

Earlier,, Cheteshwar Pujara inched closer towards his maiden double hundred to pile on England's misery and guide India to 502 for six at tea on the second day.

The 24-yar-old Rajkot-born batsman was just four runs short of his double ton in only his sixth Test after having batted for a marathon period of almost eight hours.

At the tea break, the hosts were confortably placed 502 for six in 152 overs, with Pujara one shot away from becoming only the sixth Indian batsman to hit a double century against England. He will join the list of Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Sunil Gavaskar, Gundappa Viswanath, Vinod Kambli and The Wall Rahul Dravid.

Virender Sehwag Strike for India..1st Test: India 323/4 against England at stumps on Day 1

 

Riding on the superb knocks of Virender Sehwag and Cheteshwar Pujara India scored 323 runs for the loss of four wickets against England on first day of the first Test match at Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera on Thursday.

Pujara (98* off 181) and Yuvraj Singh (24* off 47) were still at the crease.

England spinner Graeme Swann claimed his fourth wicket of the day in form of Virat Kohli and continued to trouble India. Kohli scored 19 runs off 67 balls and smashed three boundaries before being bowled out by Swann in the 77th over of the innings.

Virender Sehwag slammed his first century in two years before Graeme Swann brought England back into the game with a three-wicket haul as India reached 250 for three at tea on the opening day of the first Test.

Sehwag, playing in his 99th Test, blasted his way to a run-a-ball 117, his 23rd ton, containing 16 fours and a six in his usual swashbuckling fashion. It was his first ton after November 2010 in the first Test against New Zealand at the same venue.

The 34-year-old opener from Delhi, who dominated the rival bowling attack after India opted to bat on a bone-dry pitch at Sardar Patel Stadium, was bowled by off-spinner Swann while trying a slog-sweep from outside the off after completing his second ton against England.

Virender Sehwag Strike for India..1st Test: India 323/4 against England at stumps on Day 1

 

Riding on the superb knocks of Virender Sehwag and Cheteshwar Pujara India scored 323 runs for the loss of four wickets against England on first day of the first Test match at Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera on Thursday.

Pujara (98* off 181) and Yuvraj Singh (24* off 47) were still at the crease.

England spinner Graeme Swann claimed his fourth wicket of the day in form of Virat Kohli and continued to trouble India. Kohli scored 19 runs off 67 balls and smashed three boundaries before being bowled out by Swann in the 77th over of the innings.

Virender Sehwag slammed his first century in two years before Graeme Swann brought England back into the game with a three-wicket haul as India reached 250 for three at tea on the opening day of the first Test.

Sehwag, playing in his 99th Test, blasted his way to a run-a-ball 117, his 23rd ton, containing 16 fours and a six in his usual swashbuckling fashion. It was his first ton after November 2010 in the first Test against New Zealand at the same venue.

The 34-year-old opener from Delhi, who dominated the rival bowling attack after India opted to bat on a bone-dry pitch at Sardar Patel Stadium, was bowled by off-spinner Swann while trying a slog-sweep from outside the off after completing his second ton against England.

Messi surpasses Pele's milestone

Barcelona: Lionel Messi surpassed Pele's milestone of goals in a calendar year by scoring for the 75th and 76th time in 2012 to move within nine of Gerd Mueller's all-time record as Barcelona won 4-2 at Mallorca in the Spanish league.
   
Xavi Hernandez unlocked Mallorca's defense with a free kick in the 28th minute before Messi st0ruck in the 44th. Cristian Tello added a third goal a minute later at Iberostar stadium on Sunday.
   
After Mallorca netted twice early in the second half to breathe life into the match, Messi stepped up to score again the 70th to ensure victory as Barcelona rebounded from its loss at Celtic in the Champions League.
   
"Leo's records are spectacular" said Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova. "It's spectacular when you think that he scores so many goals. Some few players reach these numbers in seven or eight seasons, he does it in one. And most of his goals are great goals."
   
This is the latest scoring feat for the Argentina forward, one of the leading candidates for the Ballon D'Or. Messi scored 73 goals in the 2011-12 season for Barcelona, breaking the previous European club record of 67 goals set by Mueller in 1972-73.
   
He also set a Spanish league record of 50 goals last season and broke Cesar Rodriguez's 57-year milestone of 232 goals to become Barcelona all-time leading scorer. Barcelona's 10th win in 11 rounds extended its club-record start and opened up a provisional 11-point gap over third-place Madrid ahead of its game at Levante.
   
Also, second-place Atletico Madrid stayed three points behind the pacesetters by easing past visiting Getafe 2-0 thanks to goals by Adrian Lopez and Arda Turan. Joaquin Caparros' Mallorca tried to follow Celtic's defensive blueprint from Wednesday's upset in Glasgow. But the strategy didn't last even half an hour.
   
Xavi Hernandez took full advantage of a foul earned by Cesc Fabregas on the edge of the area. The Spain midfielder bent a beautiful free kick over the defensive barrier that turned goalkeeper Dudu Aouate into yet another spectator as it fell into his net.
   
"Both Xavi's opener and Leo's goal to make it 4-2 were the turning points to the match," said Gerard Pique, who made his first start for Barcelona since injuring his foot in September. Messi converted Barcelona's 75 percent of possession into a deserved second goal when the Argentina forward dribbled by several defenders and unleashed a left footed-shot that Aouate let slip through his hands.
   
Tello then quickly made it 3-0 by curving a strike from outside the area into the far side of the goal. When it appeared Barcelona would cruise to the comfortable victory, two errors allowed Mallorca to get back into the game.
   
Mallorca's Michael Pereira pulled one back in the 55th after Javier Mascherano lost the ball. Two minutes later, Victor Casadesus made it 3-2 from the penalty spot following Sergio Busquets' handball in the box.
   
But Messi received a chested pass from Alexis Sanchez and smashed the ball into the top corner to restore Barcelona's two-goal advantage and crush Mallorca's hopes. Messi's seventh double of the season increased his league-leading tally to 15 goals. He has 20 in all competitions this season.
   
Pele scored 75 goals for Brazil and Santos in 1958. Mueller had 85 in 1972 for West Germany and Bayern Munich.
   

Elsewhere on Sunday, Athletic Bilbao beat visiting Sevilla 2-0 for its first back-to-back wins of the season, while 10-man Valencia stayed winless away this season after drawing 1-1 at Valladolid.

Djokovic beats Federer in ATP World Tour

London: Top seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia edged arch rival Roger Federer in straight sets to claim his second Barclays ATP World Tour Finals trophy. Djokovic captured his sixth title of the season Monday, defeating the six-time champion Federer 7-6(6), 7-5 in two hours and 15 minutes, reports Xinhua.

The second-seeded Federer broke the Serb's service to enjoy a flying 3-0 start in the opening set but Djokovic bounced back quickly to even the games. The first set remained tight and went down to a tie-breaker after Djokovic wasted a set point in the 10th game. The Swiss maestro managed to save another set point in the tie-breaker before the top seed wrapped up the set 7-6 (8-6).

The second set seemed to be a repeat of the first one as reigning champion Federer who swept the last two ATP finals titles in a row, took a 2-0 early lead. But Djokovic rallied back again to level it to 5-5.After saving his own serving game to make it 6-5, the Serb never looked back and clinched victory with a backhand winner.

"This is my first time to be in this position here in London at the tournament," said the Serb who started 2012 with an Australian Open title."This success is tremendous; it's very satisfying for my team and me to conclude this fantastic season with a World Tour Finals win. I never got to the finals of this tournament in London."It was the second finals title Djokovic claimed after he managed the feat in 2008 in Shanghai, while the Swiss missed the chance to accomplish the third consecutive victory in the year-ending tournament.

Lionel Messi becomes a dad but still ready to play

Barcelona: Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi announced the birth of his first child, Thiago, although the club say he will still play on Saturday.

Messi's partner, Antonella Roccuzzo, delivered their son at the Dexeus hospital about 700 metres (less than half a mile) from Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium.

"Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son was born and thanks to God for this gift! Thanks to my family for the support! A hug to everyone," the 25-year-old Argentine said on his Facebook page.

Hope to do well in the England series: Sehwag

New Delhi: Refusing to call it a revenge series, Virender Sehwag is rather focused on his game having scored a century against Uttar Pradesh in a Ranji Trophy tie and hoped to carry on the good form in the upcoming four-Tests rubber against England, starting next week.

"I am happy that I scored 100 against UP. Whether I am back in form or not, is not for me to decide but I thought I played well enough and hope to do well (against England).

"I think they are a good side but so are we. We are preparing well for the series. We are confident of playing good cricket against them. We have a practice camp before the series starting November 9. I think it will be a tough series for both of us. We are eagerly waiting for the series to start," said Sehwag.

Dada is one of greatest cricketers: SRK

Kolkata: Shah Rukh Khan and Sourav Ganguly may not be the best of friends but the Bollywood actor considers the former India captain as one of the "greatest" cricketers of the country.
    
"Beyond IPL and beyond the bits and pieces (written about) Sourav Ganguly without any argument is one of the greatest cricketers this country has ever produced.
    
"We can never take that away from him by any discussion," the KKR principal owner said during a promotional event on Saturday.
    
"I love him yaar. He is the coolest cricketer ever produced. He is a hero for me. With him, we put up our team together. But due to situations and circumstances that happened unfortunately a couple of years ago he did not play for us," he added.
    
As there are speculations that the retired cricketer might make another comeback for the newly-owned team by Sun TV, Khan chose to avoid any more controversy wishing Ganguly all the best for future.
    
"I will always respect him, love him like a brother. If he's free, we would invite him to watch our matches, cheer the boys when KKR play at Eden next year. I wish him all the best in any endeavour."
    
SRK also said he was looking forward to the sixth edition of IPL.
    
"I am always attached to the city of Kolkata. Be it because of IPL or anything else. It was a great last season having won the IPL V. Now we are looking forward to IPL 6.
    
"We had a bad time in the Champions League T20 recently. The boys could not acclimatise to the conditions in South Africa,"

Soccer God in Kerala,Kannur

A thunderous applause from the fans in the stadium, which has an official capacity of 50,000, greeted Maradona as he made his appearance at around 11 am.

KKR vs DD

Big match coming 13/10/2012 9.00pm    KKR vs DD     Gambhir vs Sehwag  Don't miss it   

west indies come back

west indies come back with Gangnam Style
After a long time West indies come back to cricket with their old strength ........................
Now they are the new T20  champions  

Pray for India's win and Pak's lose

Please Pray  for India's win and Pak's lose ..
Because if Pak win in very margin against Aus.India should Out of the T20 World Cup 2012..
So Please pray ...........My dear Indian fans.  

Me superb

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