Sach will remain special

Sachin Tendulkar has been the most wholesome batsman of his time, and arguably the biggest cricket icon as well. His batting is based on the purest principles: perfect balance, economy of movement, precision in stroke-making, and that intangible quality given only to geniuses, anticipation. If he doesn't have a signature stroke - the upright, back-foot punch comes close - it is because he is equally proficient in each of the full range of orthodox shots (and plenty of improvised ones as well) and can pull them out at will.

Though he has adopted a noticeably conservative approach in the last quarter of his career, there are no apparent weaknesses in Tendulkar's game. He can score all around the wicket, off both front foot and back, and has made runs in all parts of the world in all conditions.

Some of his finest performances have come against Australia, the overwhelmingly dominant team of his era. His century as a 19-year old on a lightning fast pitch at the WACA is considered one of the best innings ever to have been played in Australia. A few years later he received the ultimate compliment from the ultimate batsman when Don Bradman confided to his wife that Tendulkar reminded him of himself.

Blessed with the keenest of cricket minds, and armed with a loathing for losing, Tendulkar set about doing what it took to become one of the best batsmen in the world. This was after he was turned away from a fast-bowling camp in Chennai by Dennis Lillee.

Tendulkar's greatness was established early: he was only 16 when he made his made his Test debut. He was hit on the mouth by Waqar Younis but continued to bat, in a blood-soaked shirt. His first Test hundred, a match-saving one at Old Trafford, came when he was 17, and he had 16 Test hundreds before he turned 25. In 2000 he became the first batsman to have scored 50 international hundreds, and he currently holds the record for most hundreds in both Tests and ODIs - remarkable, considering he didn't score his first ODI hundred till his 79th match.

Tendulkar's considerable achievements seem greater still when looked at in the light of the burden of expectations he has had to bear from his adoring but somewhat unreasonable followers, who have been prone to regard anything less than a hundred as a failure. The aura may have dimmed, if only slightly, as the years on the international circuit have taken their toll on the body, but Tendulkar remains, by a distance, the most worshiped cricketer in the world

Your date describes you!

An Italian horoscope given below. You can find a lot about you by just searching your own identity in Italian way.

What you have to do is to find your group with the help of your date of birth.

Date of Birth - GROUP

01,06,11,16, 21,26,31- A1

02,07,12,17, 22, 27 - B2
03,08,13,18, 23,28 - C3
04,09,14,19, 24,29 - D4

05,10,15,20, 25,30 - E5

Group A1

You consider love as the most beautiful thing and you love to fall in love, but a number of your group members think that the person they love is not sincere with them.

You love to be with your friends and you are always found to be a dutiful friend.

You can hardly control your patients, which is a very big drawback of your nature.

The Person who is ruling your mind & heart these days is perfect for you.

Group B2

Your dreams and ambitions are much important for you and you can do everything to fulfill your dreams. Love is much valuable in your life but you always search for someone perfect. You hardly trust someone.

Your friends are really important for you but normally you hide a lot from them.

You are a deep thinker you always study the negative view as well as positive.

You can lead a happy life with a person for whom you care a lot these days.

Group C3

You always prefer mantel decisions more then emotional ones due to this you don't have a limited number of friends. You consider life a very beautiful gift and you love to enjoy its colors. There are a number of peoples who are your ideals and you loved to spend a big part of your time with them. You are found to be a very sincere lover.

You have a perfect control on your emotions but sometimes your decisions really effect your beloveds.

The person who has just appeared in your mind and you has decided to forward this mail especially to him/her is your real and special friend.

Group D4

Your always have goals to achieve and you can do everything to fulfill the dreams of those who loves you.

You have a sketch of an ideal in your mind and you always search for that personality.

Your friends means a lot to you and you can do everything for the sake of your friend, you a normally found to be an emotional personality.

You have a very less control on your patients and due to this sometimes you over react.

The one who sent you this mail & the one to whom you will send this mail first are your real friends.

Group E5

You are found to be a person who loves to love. You prefer emotional decision more then mantel decisions. You consider life just to enjoy; You love to increase the list of your friends and beloved's. You have a number of dreams but you never work hard to make your dreams come true which is the biggest drawback in your nature you take everything much lightly. With in 7 days you will meet a person whom you have never met before that is the person ideal for you.

E-mail threatens attacks on Pak Test team

New Delhi: A privately-owned television channel has received an e-mail threatening terrorist attacks against the Pakistan cricket team.

The email, sent from guru_boys2000@yahoo.com, has demanded that the Pakistani cricket team withdraw from the ongoing Test series.

The mail carries the threat that Pakistani cricketers may be assassinated if they do not go back to their country.

BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla has confirmed that the Board is in touch with the Home Ministry over the security of the Indian and the Pakistan teams.

“The security has been beefed up. High alert has already been issued. Since, the BCCI works in a close coordination with the Home ministry before every series, we don't worry a lot about the security as the home ministry takes care of it. We have special security setup for Indo-Pak series every time,” Shukla said.

It also says that there will be more bomb blasts in various places in India and Pakistan and has given the dates and venues for these attacks:

K K Nagar in Chennai will be attacked on November 30, Ghaziabad on December 10, J J Colony in Delhi on December 25, Mulund West in Mumbai on December 28 and Fairlawn Hotel in Kolkata on January 1.

The email has even threatened a blast in Islamabad on January 1.

The authenticity of the email, however, is yet to be ascertained. The possibility of this being a prank cannot be ruled out.

"We will check the message once the television channel hands us over the email," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Alok Kumar said.

Investigations have shown that the e-mail was sent from a French domain. It was tracked to a cyber cafe in Laxmi Nagar, east Delhi. The police have taken the café’s owner in for interrogation.

The police are taking the help of the locals to create a likeness of the e-mail sender, who is believed to stand 5 feet 8 inches tall, according to sources.

Karthigai Deepam Festival

The Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated in the Tamil Month of Karthigai (November - December). It begins on Uttradam day with flag hoisting and goes on the nine days. In the early hours of the tenth day Bharani Deepam in five agantams will be lit in Arunachaleswarar's Sannithi. In the evening, the Pancha Murthis will be brought to the Katchi Mandapam. At dusk (Pradosha) the Karthigai day synchronizing with the full moon day, the deity, Ardhanareeswarar is taken out to this place with the five deepams, which are put in a big receptacle near the flug-stuff. At the same time the beacon light on the hill is lit. The huge concourse of devotees from all parts of our country in a million voice raise a cry simultaneously "Harohara to Annamalai" which will rend the air. It is a sight for the Gods to see!

ROWS OF agal vilakkus in front of every house... this is the image that at once comes to mind when we think of Karthigai Deepam - the festival of lights that is celebrated throughout Tamil Nadu during the month of Karthigai (November-December). Not many of us are aware that it is one of the oldest festivals celebrated in the State, perhaps even before people began celebrating Deepavali and Navarathri. Also, unlike many other Hindu festivals, Karthigai is basically a Tamil festival and is virtually unknown in most other parts of the country.

One of the earliest references to the festival is found in the Ahananuru, a book of poems, which dates back to the Sangam Age (200 B.C. to 300 A.D.). The Ahananuru clearly states that Karthigai is celebrated on the full moon day (pournami) of the Tamil month of Karthigai. It was one of the most important festivals (peruvizha) of the ancient Tamils. Avaiyyar, the renowned poetess of those times, refers to the festival in her songs.

Karthigai is essentially a festival of lamps. The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol. It is believed to ward off evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy. While the lighted lamp is important for all Hindu rituals and festivals, it is indispensable for Karthigai.

Legend !

There is an interesting story explaining the link between Karthigai and lamps. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma began to quarrel as to who was the more powerful of the two. While they were fighting, Lord Shiva appeared before them in the form of a huge pillar of fire. Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma gave up quarrelling and decided to find the top and the bottom of the pillar.

Accordingly, Brahma assumed the form of a swan and moved upwards. Vishnu transformed himself into a boar and started digging deep into the earth. But even after searching for several years, neither of the two was able to find the ends the pillar. Finally, they realised that the pillar was none other than Lord Shiva.

Soon afterwards, Lord Shiva appeared as a hill (Arunachala Hill) at Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. Indeed, the very names `Tiruvannamalai' and `Arunachala' translate as `holy fire hill.' The Shivalinga in the temple here is the agni linga. The tiny lamps lit during the Karthigai festival (Karthigai Deepam) are believed to be the miniature replicas of the fire linga. Every year thousands of devotees from Chennai and elsewhere flock to Tiruvannamalai to see the spectacular Karthigai Deepam there.

THIS WAS DONE BY MY SISTER ON THE FESTIVAL DAY.....

Sachin Tendulkar-Player profile

Full name Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar
Born April 24, 1973, Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra
Current age 34 years 211 days
Major teams India, ACC Asian XI, Mumbai, Yorkshire
Nickname Tendlya, Little Master
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm offbreak, Legbreak googly
Height 5 ft 5 in
Education Sharadashram Vidyamandir School

Batting and fielding averages

	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s	Ct	St
Tests	140	226	23	11150	248*	54.92			37	45		42	93	0
ODIs	407	397	37	15962	186*	44.33	18669	85.50	41	87	1747	166	120	0
T20Is	1	1	0	10	10	10.00	12	83.33	0	0	2	0	1	0
First-class	239	373	38	19894	248*	59.38			63	91			160	0
List A	494	482	51	19514	186*	45.27			52	105			155	0
Twenty20	5	5	0	198	69	39.60	119	166.38	0	2	30	5	2	0

Bowling averages

	Mat	Inns	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	4w	5w	10
Tests	140	115	3718	2135	42	3/10	3/14	50.83	3.44	88.5	0	0	0
ODIs	407	263	7985	6774	154	5/32	5/32	43.98	5.09	51.8	4	2	0
T20Is	1	1	15	12	1	1/12	1/12	12.00	4.80	15.0	0	0	0
First-class	239		7077	4024	67	3/10		60.05	3.41	105.6		0	0
List A	494		10161	8402	201	5/32	5/32	41.80	4.96	50.5	4	2	0
Twenty20	5	4	57	65	2	1/12	1/12	32.50	6.84	28.5	0	0	0

Career statistics

Test debut	Pakistan v India at Karachi, Nov 15-20, 1989
Last Test	England v India at The Oval, Aug 9-13, 2007
ODI debut	Pakistan v India at Gujranwala, Dec 18, 1989
Last ODI	India v Pakistan at Jaipur, Nov 18, 2007
Only T20I	South Africa v India at Johannesburg, Dec 1, 2006
First-class debut	1988/89
Last First-class	England v India at The Oval, Aug 9-13, 2007
List A debut	1989/90
Last List A	India v Pakistan at Jaipur, Nov 18, 2007
Twenty20 debut	South Africa v India at Johannesburg, Dec 1, 2006
Last Twenty20	Bengal v Mumbai at Ahmedabad, Apr 19, 2007

Notes

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1997

Profile

Sachin Tendulkar has been the most wholesome batsman of his time, and arguably the biggest cricket icon as well. His batting is based on the purest principles: perfect balance, economy of movement, precision in stroke-making, and that intangible quality given only to geniuses, anticipation. If he doesn't have a signature stroke - the upright, back-foot punch comes close - it is because he is equally proficient in each of the full range of orthodox shots (and plenty of improvised ones as well) and can pull them out at will.

Though he has adopted a noticeably conservative approach in the last quarter of his career, there are no apparent weaknesses in Tendulkar's game. He can score all around the wicket, off both front foot and back, and has made runs in all parts of the world in all conditions.

Some of his finest performances have come against Australia, the overwhelmingly dominant team of his era. His century as a 19-year old on a lightning fast pitch at the WACA is considered one of the best innings ever to have been played in Australia. A few years later he received the ultimate compliment from the ultimate batsman when Don Bradman confided to his wife that Tendulkar reminded him of himself.

Blessed with the keenest of cricket minds, and armed with a loathing for losing, Tendulkar set about doing what it took to become one of the best batsmen in the world. This was after he was turned away from a fast-bowling camp in Chennai by Dennis Lillee.

Tendulkar's greatness was established early: he was only 16 when he made his made his Test debut. He was hit on the mouth by Waqar Younis but continued to bat, in a blood-soaked shirt. His first Test hundred, a match-saving one at Old Trafford, came when he was 17, and he had 16 Test hundreds before he turned 25. In 2000 he became the first batsman to have scored 50 international hundreds, and he currently holds the record for most hundreds in both Tests and ODIs - remarkable, considering he didn't score his first ODI hundred till his 79th match.

Tendulkar's considerable achievements seem greater still when looked at in the light of the burden of expectations he has had to bear from his adoring but somewhat unreasonable followers, who have been prone to regard anything less than a hundred as a failure. The aura may have dimmed, if only slightly, as the years on the international circuit have taken their toll on the body, but Tendulkar remains, by a distance, the most worshipped cricketer in the world.

Mostly tentative, Tendulkar still thrills

For England, it was a day of long, hard and fruitless toil; for India, a day of consolidation rather than conquest. By the end of it, however, there was no question where the momentum of the series was headed. Aside from a hard-earned victory over West Indies last June, and the obligatory dismissal of Zimbabwe in 2005, India have not won a Test series outside the subcontinent since their tour of England in 1986. Now, however, they are three good days away from the most improbable of series leads, and with just the Oval Test to come next week, England's failure to close down the Lord's Test grows more acute by the minute.

As Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid used what now amounts to almost 20,000 runs-worth of Test knowhow to inch their side ever further into the ascendancy, it almost felt that the clock had been turned back by half a decade. On this very ground in 2002, the seeds of India's last recovery on English soil were sown. Defeat in the Lord's Test was followed by consolidation at Trent Bridge, and then by glory at Headingley, where Dravid, Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly each made hundreds in what remains, arguably, the finest collective batting performance by an Indian team overseas.

Dravid won't match that effort (at least, not now in this innings) but for Tendulkar and Ganguly, who knows? Both remained in situ at the close, their competitive juices whetted by the scent of probable victory. For Tendulkar in particular this was - for the English fans who have not tracked his recent travails - an uncharacteristically dour performance. It was far removed from the twinkle-toed majesty of his earlier appearances on English soil, not least his glorious 177 on this very ground in 1996, when he was at the absolute peak of his powers.

"In my era, I think he's the best player I've ever had the pleasure of playing against," said Allan Donald, who was on the receiving end of two of Tendulkar's greatest performances - his 111 at Johannesburg in 1992-93, and his wonderous 169 at Cape Town (in partnership with Mohammad Azharuddin) five years later. "He's something special, very freakish, and I think that what he's done for the game and his country has been absolutely phenomenal. He's a credit to cricket and today he looked quite his old self out there."

That latter statement was something of a moot point. Tendulkar eventually looked his old self. He brought up his 11,000th Test run with a sumptuous cover-drive off Monty Panesar, and rifled Ryan Sidebottom in the same direction two balls later. Before that, however, he seemed listless at the crease - like the Mohammad Ali of the late-1970s, punch-drunk from years and years of fighting, and surviving through reputation and determination in equal measures.

Panesar, who so gleefully scalped him for 16 at Lord's, seemed almost apologetic when he served up a help-yourself leg-stump full-toss to get his hero off the mark first-ball, but after another single in the same over, Tendulkar managed just one more run from his next 28 deliveries, a torrid spell that included a clanging blow to the visor when James Anderson, the "bowling captain" as Donald later described him, dug one in short. In the first half-hour of his innings he changed his bat and gloves so many times that the 12th man eventually decided to wait by the edge of the pitch in case of a further change of mind.

For Tendulkar in particular this was - for the English fans who have not tracked his recent travails - an uncharacteristically dour performance. It was far removed from the twinkle-toed majesty of his earlier appearances on English soil, not least his glorious 177 on this very ground in 1996, when he was at the absolute peak of his powers

But eventually the confidence was coaxed out of his performance, and England's bowlers began to flag through their lack of rewards. "They showed a hell of a lot of courage and responsibility, and they were patient," said Donald. "I think the stage is set for these three youngsters - with all the senior bowlers injured around them - to grab this opportunity and show what they are about."

Tendulkar's efforts notwithstanding, it's been that sort of a series, one in which the young bucks have shown up their more experienced peers. None did so more effectively than Dinesh Karthik, whose splendidly forthright 77 came to an end through a loss of concentration straight after tea. The importance of his innings will doubtless be forgotten if Tendulkar and Anil Kumble secure the win that is there for India's taking, but even at this early stage of proceedings, Karthik was content to pass the praise directly to his idol.

"I'm so happy to be part of this team and I'm honoured that a person like Sachin even knows my name," said Karthik. "It's such a fantastic feeling for me. For me he's the greatest player I've ever seen, and I'm 100% sure he's going to beat the record. There's no doubt about that. It's just a matter of time."

It should be just a matter of time before India take the lead in this series as well. After India's depressing denouement at the World Cup, there may yet be a glorious finale in prospect for an extraordinary generation.

'Yuvraj will have to wait his turn' - Kumble

Yuvraj Singh will have to wait for his chance in Tests despite his outstanding one-day form © Getty Images

In one of the more poignant moments in Michael Curtiz's Casablanca, Rick Blaine sums up the nature of his accidental love: "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine." The Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi, a ground where India's new Test captain has a phenomenal 48 wickets in five Tests might be thinking on similar lines. "Of all the grounds in all the towns in all the world, Anil Kumble walks in to toss here for the first time."

Kumble must love coming here: five Tests, five wins, four four-wicket hauls, two five-fors, one six-for, and one unforgettable afternoon in 1999 when he gobbled up all ten. And all these years after his Test debut here he was, dapper in his practice gear, addressing a media posse firing questions.

Did he expect anything different? "I've been around for 17 years," he said wearing a wry smile, "and I know what to expect." About two years ago, Rahul Dravid started a series against England at this venue and, unable to bear the media chaos, walked away in a huff. Kumble didn't have to endure as much pandemonium but the equanimity was hard to miss.

How he handled the Yuvraj Singh issue, it was said, could be an indicator for his captaincy. Yuvraj, who last featured in a Test in June 2006, has made statement after statement in ODIs and has a strong case for Test selection. Would Kumble, the elder statesman, back the old warhorses or prefer youth instead?

"It's tough on Yuvraj," he said without skirting the issue. "He's shown tremendous form and his quality is really important for Indian cricket. Moving forward, he'll have to probably wait a little bit more to become a regular member in the Test squad. It's unfortunate with the circumstances that we have for this game. That's the way it is. He's a great player and I'm sure the Indian team's batting will revolve around him very soon."

At some level Kumble might be feeling out of sync, joining the side after nearly four months. He's missed one-day series against England, Australia and Pakistan and wasn't part of the heady celebrations after the World Twenty20 victory. Surely he might be feeling out of loop.

"I've been chatting with Mahendra Singh Dhoni. I wanted to find out what was going on in the one-day side over the last three months and his inputs will certainly matter. Going ahead for Indian cricket, it's important we form a core group of young cricketers who need to take our team forward. We're not looking only at this series but my job as a senior cricketer is to ensure that Indian cricket moves ahead."

One of those young players, Harbhajan Singh, is set to play his first Test for over a year and a half. Dropped after a five-wicket haul in Kingston, Harbhajan comeback has taken a queer route; his performances in the World Twenty20 earned him a one-day spot, which in-turn catapulted him into the Test squad.

"We'll certainly look at playing the best combination that we believe will get us 20 wickets," Kumble said. "At this point we feel Harbhajan and I will play. Let's see if things change in the morning."

Woolmer’s final e-mail to wife

Woolmer…

Kingston: Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer was a “little depressed” following his team’s ouster from the World Cup but he was looking forward to going home, according to an e-mail that may have been his final words before his surprise death.

A police official on Sunday read the e-mail to jurors in the inquest into the death of Woolmer, who was found sprawled on the bathroom floor of his Kingston hotel room on the morning of March 18, a day after Pakistan was upset by Ireland and eliminated from the tournament.

The e-mail, sent hours before his body was found, was sent to his wife, Gill, in Cape Town, South Africa.

“Hi, darling, feeling a little depressed currently as you might imagine,” the note begins. Woolmer, a native South African and highly regarded former player, then went on to critique the performance of his team in the World Cup, which was being held in the Caribbean.

“Our batting performance was abysmal and my worse fears were realised,” he wrote.

“I could tell the players were for some reason not able to fire themselves up.”

The coach said he was relieved that he would not have to travel to Guyana for the next round in the tournament and looked forward to seeing his family in South Africa.

“I hope your day was better but I doubt it as you were probably watching! Not much more to add I am afraid but I still love you lots,” he wrote.

Woolmer’s death set off a globe-spanning criminal investigation after a Jamaican government coroner declared the coach had been strangled.

Jamaican police called off their probe in June after three foreign pathologists concluded the 58-year-old coach died from natural causes, most likely heart disease.

Deputy Police Commissioner Mark Shields, a former Scotland Yard investigator who read the e-mail to jurors, is among the final witnesses in the inquest, which is expected to conclude this week

Classic contests within the contest

GEARING UP: Indian captain Anil Kumble and vice-captain M.S. Dhoni at the practice session on Tuesday.

New Delhi: A few high-voltage individual battles could make things exciting in the three-Test India-Pakistan series that begins on Thursday.

Shoaib Akhtar vs Rahul Dravid: This is a classic cricketing confrontation. Power, speed and swing versus purity of method and temperament. Sparks could fly when Akhtar bowls at Dravid. Akhtar is gradually regaining his rhythm, while Dravid’s form is looking up if his domestic exploits are any indication.

In the Rawalpindi Test in 2004, Akhtar sent down a blistering spell with the new ball but was blunted by Dravid’s resilience at No. 3. It turned out to be the decisive duel of a historic series. If Dravid holds firm against Akhtar’s thrust, the host will be hard to beat.

Sachin Tendulkar vs Umar Gul: V.V.S. Laxman’s bemused look is fresh in mind. Gul delivered a ball from wide of the crease which straightened and breached the Indian’s defence in the Lahore Test of 2004. This was a real high quality delivery.

Now, Gul has added speed and fitness to his skill. His run-ins with the in-form Sachin Tendulkar are bound to be significant. Gul can be crafty with the older ball too and it is here that India will require Tendulkar’s technical excellence in the middle-order. This is a battle that can witness momentum shifts.

Anil Kumble vs Mohammad Yousuf: For Pakistan, Kumble is a bad memory. The leg-spinner’s subtle variations, which have consumed the Pakistani batsmen in the past, threaten to do so again. The Indian captain’s match of skills with the solid Yousuf could set the tone for the series.

Yousuf uses the width of the crease in a precise fashion and is a fine player of spin. He also has the precious ability to milk the spinners with singles that could prevent Kumble from creating the pressure. Once set, Yousuf can ease his big shots through the gaps. Kumble faces a challenge but so does Yousuf.

Zaheer Khan vs Younis Khan: Here are two key cricketers. Given his ability to swing the ball away or bring it back, Zaheer is a threat to the right-handers. How Zaheer bowls to Younis, expected to bat No. 3, can be critical to the outcome. Younis is strong on the off-side. He also tends to rock back on to his back-foot.

The left-arm paceman will strive to have Younis caught at the crease with the delivery straightening into the right-hander.

He may also seek to get Younis on to the front foot by pitching the ball up and then the dreaded away movement could do the damage. Younis will have other thoughts...a perfect square-drive maybe.

Danish Kaneria vs Sourav Ganguly: Ganguly is one of the cleanest strikers of the spinning ball. The left-handers do have certain inherent advantages against the left-armers and the leggies since they can strike with the spin. But then, Kaneria has an effective googly and could test Ganguly with a slip in place and should be an exhilarating contest.

Tendulkar still teaching lessons

There is no weaseling out of this: I was wrong about Sachin Tendulkar. Earlier this year, his struggle painful to watch, I wondered: if he couldn’t mirror the exalted standard of his past, then why play? It was a miscalculation of the rage that courses through the uncommon athlete’s veins.

Even now, across continents, you can hear the hum of Tendulkar’s desire. For just playing. For runs. For winning. He knows that the great athlete has to prove himself, constantly, that we’re not interested in his yesterdays but only his todays.

I first met Tendulkar 20 years ago when he was 14 and have admired him since. Not because he scored runs with a ferocious beauty but because he possessed a powerful sense of duty and met acclaim with serenity. No sportsperson in 20 years has moved me like him except the elastic Michael Jordan, who was like a Michelangelo statue come to athletic life. But the batsman was ours, he was hope tugging at his box and our hearts. Jordan taught us that human flight was possible. Tendulkar is still teaching us.

Like some bonzai schoolmaster holding class, he taught us that don’t judge a kid by his voice. He taught us to sit down and back in our drawing rooms because he was going to hang around the crease for a while. He taught us that champions find the necessary calm amidst the delirium. He taught us that playing for India was fun but also a responsibility. And he taught us he could make grown men cry, sometimes watches, sometimes bowlers.

He taught us that only the exceptional performer can recalculate his skills and alter himself. Haile Gebreselassie, unable to maintain the speed of the 10,000 metres, has morphed into a marathon champion. Tendulkar rearranged his repertoire, and while he was not the greatest anymore, he taught us he could still find a way to be good.

One last lesson

But this year, I began to believe he was declining, and quickly, because he was unconvincing for long periods, wearing an unsurety that looked so foreign on him. The vincible hero. At 34, how do you stop time, and deterioration? But 20 years after first learning from Tendulkar, there was one last lesson he had to teach. About concentration.

If first his getting beaten made me flinch, what made me keep watching was his refusal to flinch. The ball went by and he started again, like a student trying again to solve a problem. Every ball was a new ball to Tendulkar, a new life, a new start, it was like he had cleansed his memory of the previous delivery that hissed past his bat. It was like Jimmy Connors swearing the last point was unimportant, only the next one mattered.

What control of mind does it take to erase the immediate past, to not let doubt fester, to stay alert even as the bowler is exposing your hesitancy? The easy option would be to react, to swish harder. The hard choice was to just stay, to start afresh every ball with hope, to view temptation with priestly detachment. Tendulkar chose well. He taught us in this time that the first rule of sport is not to look good, it is to survive.

Tendulkar’s body may have healed and allowed him a fuller expression of strokes, but it is his confidence in himself, confidence that was shaken and rattled surely but never extinguished, that carried him on. He still gets beaten some days, but he is also more fluent, too, astonishing no less in his ability to rack up scores of 99, 93, 8, 17, 99, 8, 55, 71, 94, 30, 0, 16, 43, 79, 47, 72, 21, 4, 99, 29, 97 in his last 21 one-day innings.

What does Tendulkar play for? Team, himself, pride, records? Maybe he plays because part of him is just a boy who finds himself when bat meets ball. Maybe he plays because of a boy agog in the stands. Maybe he has summoned this last reservoir of energy to show a kid, now old enough to understand, why, for 18 years, the world has made such a fuss about his fathe

UMPIRE APOLOGISES.......

South African umpire Rudi Koertzen apologised to Kumar Sangakkara for giving him out in controversial circumstances within sight of his seventh Test double-century here Tuesday.

The star batsman was stunned when Koertzen gave him out to a catch by Ricky Ponting, which effectively ended Sri Lanka's remote chances of snatching victory from the Australians after being set a massive 507 runs to win.

Australia won the second Test by 96 runs to clinch the series 2-0.

Television replays showed the ball bowled by Stuart Clark appeared to deflect off Sangakkara's shoulder to Ponting at second slip.

During his innings, the elegant 30-year-old right-hander passed Aravinda de Silva's 167 in Brisbane in 1989 as the highest score by a Sri Lankan in this country.

Sangakkara faced 282 balls and hit 28 boundaries and a six in his 431-minute vigil at the crease.

He came on to the field after the fall of the last wicket and put his arm around Koertzen's shoulder.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene said Koertzen had apologised to Sangakkara for giving him out.

"Rudi came and said sorry to him. But that's it. Kumar being Kumar was fine with it," Jayawardene said.

"He was very disappointed at the particular moment but when you sit back after half an hour, you know it's a mistake made by a human and that's it."

Sangakkara's sublime innings was the talk of the final day.

"Kumar's innings was fantastic. One of the best I've seen. He batted the plan we had for him after he got his hundred yesterday, to bat through the day today while the other guys rotate around him so that we can challenge the 500-run total," Jayawardene said.

"Unfortunately, the other guys couldn't do it. But Kumar batted exceptionally well. The way he handled the situation was brilliant.

"I was very disappointed the way we got out. He's very upset about it, but that's how the game goes I guess."

Ricky Ponting, who led Australia to their 14th consecutive Test win, was also lavish in his praise of Sangakkara.

"He played beautifully today. I thought the way he struck the ball from about 120 onwards was some of the best hitting that you'll probably ever see with his back to the wall and running out of partners," Ponting said.

"It was a terrific knock. He's obviously been in great form lately. I read in the paper this morning that's six hundreds in his last 12 innings so he's in some good touch.

"He's a very, very good player, he's one of the best Test batsmen going around."

Sangakkara has now scored 5,741 runs in 68 Tests at an average of 55.73.

IND vs PAK: New India captain Kumble faces Pakistan test

Anil Kumble begins his new innings as India captain against Pakistan.

Anil Kumble returns to his happy hunting ground here on Thursday in the opening Test against Pakistan, hoping to begin his new innings as India captain on a winning note.

India's last Test against Pakistan at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground here in 1999 was a personal triumph for the leg-spinner, who became only the second bowler after Englishman Jim Laker to bag 10 wickets in an innings.

Kumble, the third-highest wicket-taker in Test history on 566 after retired Australian Shane Warne (708) and Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan (704), is a proven match-winner with disciplined bowling and subtle variations.

But his turn as captain in this high-pressure three-Test series will be a different challenge altogether, with the 37-year-old holding the key to his nation's fortunes on pitches expected to favour spin.

"All India-Pakistan series are closely contested and I don't see any reason why this should be any different. In terms of Test cricket, we have done very well in the recent past," Kumble said in a recent interview.

"We have a good team that is experienced and we are playing at home which is an advantage."

Kumble carries a burden of expectations after taking over the captaincy from Rahul Dravid, who led India to rare Test series wins in the West Indies in 2006 and then in England this year.

He will be called upon to make a couple of tough decisions in his very first Test.

India have three spinners in Harbhajan Singh, Murali Kartik and Kumble in the squad, with only two likely to figure in the playing eleven for the opening match to maintain the balance.

The dilemma is that both off-spinner Harbhajan and left-arm spinner Kartik were in form in recent one-dayers at home against Pakistan and World Cup winners Australia.

India's other problem lies in the middle order, where in-form batsmen Yuvraj Singh and Venkatsai Laxman are vying for one spot.

The aggressive Yuvraj was India's top scorer with 272 in five one-dayers against Pakistan, while Laxman has always been considered a safe bet in the longer version of the game because of his temperament and technique.

Pakistan may have lost the recent one-day series 3-2, but have the resources to stretch India in Tests despite the absence of formidable batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq who quit the game last month.

Inzamam was instrumental in squaring a three-match series in India in 2005, cracking a century in his 100th Test at Bangalore to pave the way for his team's victory.

Pakistan have reliable batsmen in Mohammad Yousuf, vice-captain Younis Khan and skipper Shoaib Malik to put pressure on the Indian attack. The trio will have an added responsbility in the absence of a settled opening pair.

Pakistan tried two different opening combinations in a two-Test series at home against South Africa last month, but have yet to find a durable pair.

Left-handed Salman Butt alone has cemented his place as an opener following his impressive one-day performances on the current tour.

Pakistan expect fiery paceman Shoaib Akhtar to deliver in a bid to contain a strong Indian batting line-up. He has been steadily regaining form and fitness after serving a 13-match ban.

Akhtar was suspended primarily for hitting teammate Mohammad Asif with a bat ahead of the Twenty20 World Championships in South Africa in September, but showed glimpses of his old form in the recent one-dayers against India.

Pakistan (from): Shoaib Malik (capt), Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Faisal Iqbal, Kamran Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Abdur Rehman, Mohammad Sami, Danish Kaneria.

India (from): Anil Kumble (capt), Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Karthik, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Venkatsai Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Rudra Pratap Singh, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Murali Kartik.

Cricket: India could move up to third place in ICC Test Championship table

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's India could be moving places.

India could move up to third place in the LG ICC Test Championship table if it secures a convincing series win over arch-rivals Pakistan.

A 3-0 or 2-0 success in the three-match clash that gets underway in New Delhi on Thursday would catapult India, currently fourth in the list, above South Africa and hot on the heels of second-placed England, which starts a three-Test series of its own against Sri Lanka on 1 December.

India has 107 rating points but a 3-0 series win would lift it to 112 points, just one behind England; a 2-0 win would raise India’s tally to 110 points, still enough to lift it above South Africa, which currently occupies third spot with 109 points.

If sixth-placed Pakistan was beaten in all three Tests it would lose five rating points and slip below New Zealand, which currently occupies seventh spot on the ladder but, conversely, the visitors also have a chance to make progress up the table.

A 3-0 series win would not only lift Pakistan to fifth position with 103 rating points – it currently has 96 – but would also drop India below it and into sixth place with 100 points. A 2-0 win for Shoaib Malik’s side would have the same effect in terms of positions in the table, with Pakistan having 102 points to India’s 101.

Australia heads the LG ICC Test Championship table, extending its advantage over England to 32 rating points after a 2-0 series success over Sri Lanka that was confirmed on Tuesday.

The good news for Pakistan in the LG ICC Player Rankings is that it is the most represented side in the bowling top 20 with four players in the elite group – fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar (10th), leg-spinner Danish Kaneria (14th), pacer Mohammad Asif, currently sidelined with an elbow injury (17th), and another fast bowler Umar Gul (20th).

India, by contrast, has three players in the top 20, new Test captain leg-spinner Anil Kumble – who once took ten wickets in a Test innings against Pakistan in New Delhi – in seventh position, Zaheer Khan in 11th place and Zaheer’s fellow left-armer Irfan Pathan in 19th spot.

In the batting list both teams have two players inside the top 20, but while Pakistan’s players are both in the top 10 – Mohammad Yousuf in fourth place and Yunus Khan three spots further back – India’s players are Rahul Dravid, left out of the recent ODI series between the two sides, in 11th position and the resurgent Sachin Tendulkar, who lies 18th.

The batting list is headed by Australia’s Ricky Ponting who is just one rating point clear of Jacques Kallis of South Africa, with Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka in third position.

The LG ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers is topped by Sri Lanka’s talismanic spinner Muttiah Muralidaran, clear of the South Africa pace duo of Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn.

The schedule for the India – Pakistan Test series is as follows:

22 – 26 November – first Test, New Delhi

30 November – 4 December – second Test, Kolkata

8 – 12 December – third Test, Bangalore

ENG vs CRO: Gerrard - Aerial assault can rock Croatia

Gerrard wants Peter Crouch to lead the attack.

LONDON, - Steven Gerrard believes England can destroy Croatia with an aerial bombardment in Wednesday's Euro 2008 crunch clash at Wembley.

England coach Steve McClaren is likely to use Peter Crouch as a lone striker as his side try to clinch a place at next year's finals.

Gerrard is convinced his Liverpool team-mate can rattle Slaven Bilic's team with his height and he wants to see plenty of crosses flying into the Croatia penalty area.

"It's important we get crosses into the box early because Peter thrives on good deliveries," the England captain said.

"We can cause Croatia lots of problems with aerial balls into the box. We are confident we can win the game. We need to start really quickly, with a high tempo and let Croatia know we want this bad."

Gerrard admits he is determined to make sure England get the point they need so he can avoid a repeat of the misery that followed defeat in Russia last month.

"There was a lot of hurt and pain after the Russia result. I don't want to experience that on Thursday morning," he said.

"People assume because of the results on Saturday we can just turn up and get the point to qualify. We've still got to work hard and put in a big performance.

"We've been through a lot. Hopefully those experiences will make us stronger and make us improve. We need to go to the tournament having learned from the experiences."

England needed a sizeable stroke of luck to get back on track as Israel helped them out by beating Russia on Saturday.

Gerrard acknowledges his team's good fortune but echoed his manager's belief that the top two sides at the end of the campaign are the ones that deserve to go through.

"I suppose we can feel slightly fortunate; we had a bit of luck and we did need other people to help us.

"But tables don't lie, everybody in football knows that. If we qualify on Wednesday we will deserve it."

With so much at stake on Wednesday, Gerrard believes McClaren has to keep faith with his most experienced players.

So he will be relieved to hear the coach looks set to pick David Beckham and Paul Robinson, despite doubts over their fitness and form respectively.

"There will be times on Wednesday when it won't be perfect. That's when the big players have to stand up," he said.

"If mistakes happen or we do go a goal behind we have to make sure we keep fighting to get the right result.

"These are big games. This is when it matters. The rewards at the end are massive."

Atapattu announces his retirement

Former Sri Lanka captain quits international cricket

Marvan Atapattu's comeback after two years out of Test cricket has been brief © Getty Images

Marvan Atapattu, one of Sri Lanka's finest batsmen, has finished his eventful tour of Australia by ending his international career. Atapattu announced his retirement in a letter to Duleep Mendis, the Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive, before lunch on the final day of the second Test in Hobart.

He was due to face a hearing on his return to Sri Lanka for his outburst during the opening match in Brisbane when he said the Sri Lankan selectors were "muppets headed by a joker". Despite the complaints about the administration, he retained the support of his team-mates and signed off with a satisfying 80 as he gave Sri Lanka a chance of saving the second Test.

The decision is not a surprise as there have been reports he will lead Delhi Jets in the Indian Cricket League and he is also considering playing for the St George club in Sydney grade cricket. He has had a difficult relationship with the selectors since coming back from a serious back injury and was picked for the World Cup but did not play a game. He then refused to join the squad when chosen for the Bangladesh Test series and joined the touring party to Australia only after government intervention.

Atapattu, who was Sri Lanka's most determined batsman during the series, praised his former national captains for their support and also recognised the help of his players during his time as captain. "Last but not least I thank the cricket-loving public of Sri Lanka and overseas for their continuous support during the best and worst times," he wrote to Mendis.

Mahela Jayawardene, the captain, was surprised by Atapattu's decision and said there were emotional scenes in the dressing room when he told his team-mates. "He made a strong comeback after not playing for some time and was very determined to show what he was capable of," Jayawardene said. "He proved that to a lot of people. The work ethic he had was incredible. It's sad, but he made a very good speech in the dressing room."

Jayawardene was pleased Atapattu was able to make the decision on his future on his own terms. "You've got to respect that," he said. "He felt it was the right time to leave Sri Lanka cricket and give others the opportunity. He made that decision himself, that was great."

This match was Atapattu's 90th and he finished with 5502 runs at 39.02, including an amazing six double-centuries. He struck 16 hundreds overall and 17 half-centuries, including one each in Brisbane and Hobart. A careful and technically correct player, Atapattu made his debut in 1990-91 in awful fashion, with his first six Test innings yielding five ducks and a single. He was persisted with in the mid-nineties and scored his maiden ODI and Test hundreds in succession, both against India. His success in the limited-overs game ensured his place in the Test side despite a 13-match slump after his 108 against India, but he shrugged it off with the first of six double-centuries, against Zimbabwe in early 1998.

He soon cemented his place as an opening batsman, with his ability to graft providing the perfect foil to Sanath Jayasuriya's dashing approach at the top of Sri Lanka's Test line-up. Continued success in both forms of the game earned him recognition as a fighter. After being Jayasuriya's understudy for three years, Atapattu was made captain of the ODI side in April 2003. The Test captaincy followed a year later and after various series wins, especially in late 2004 and early 2005, Atapattu was widely credited for bringing a new emphasis upon personal responsibility.

A chronic back problem hampered him throughout his career and forced him out of a lot of cricket. He soon lost to the captaincy to Jayawardene as he fell out of favour with the national selectors. For Atapattu, 2007 was a year of turmoil and he is now reportedly interested in various future projects, including the soon-to-start Indian Cricket League, being a commentator for Channel Nine in Australia and playing grade cricket in Sydney.

Sreesanth and RP Singh ruled out of first Test

Munaf Patel has been called in to bolster the depleted fast-bowling department

India have been jolted ahead of their series opener against Pakistan in Delhi with RP Singh and Sreesanth, two of their three fast bowlers, being ruled out due to injury. Munaf Patel, recovering from injury himself, has been drafted into the squad.

It leaves India with two fast bowlers and three spinners in their squad. Sreesanth, who sat out the first four matches of the one-day series against Pakistan, picked up a shoulder injury during the final ODI in Jaipur. He did not take part in the practice sessions today. RP Singh, who was rested in the fifth ODI, has aggravated an old injury - an oblique abdominal strain. He didn't bowl today but took part in the fielding sessions.

Munaf, who was a controversial pick for the one-day series in England, impressed in Maharashtra's Ranji Trophy match against Rajasthan, picking up four wickets in the first innings during an extended spell of more than ten overs. He also took a five-wicket haul in the Irani Trophy match last month to hasten Mumbai's defeat. Munaf last played for India in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town in January.

However, India's bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad didn't seem to have an idea about the injuries during the team's practice session at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

Dhoni question
Last evening, though, the big question surrounded Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Will his ankle hold up for the game? Will Yuvraj get a chance? Will Dinesh Karthik have to keep wicket? On today's evidence all speculation can be put to rest. He sprinted with an Olympian zeal, comfortably outdoing Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly, threw slip catches with fervour, and moved around athletically while keeping wickets.

His batting was fluent, his tattoo on his right arm resplendent and his superstardom highly conspicuous. "Well, though it has not healed yet and there is slight pain, I think it's getting okay and I did not have much trouble," Dhoni told PTI. Basically it was Dhoni doing what Dhoni does best. Basking in the attention and gearing up for a challenge.

India might still have to answer the Yuvraj conundrum. Has he reached a stage where he is demanding a Test spot? Laxman, who's stiff back forced him to come in at No. 9 in Hyderabad's second innings against Punjab recently, has recovered and probably deserves a chance given his scores in England. Sourav Ganguly, arguably India's best batsman in the England Tests, should walk in too. It probably means another bench-warming exercise for Yuvraj, who, since his last Test in June 2006, hasn't found a way to break through.

Some bowlers please?
If first impressions are any indication things aren't the same at the Feroz Shah Kotla these days. It's refreshing to see the revamped stadium - old-style architecture blending with modern practice facilities - and even more heartening to note that you can actually obtain a media pass without running from pillar to post. Some things, though, remain the same. Officious police officers still think the turf needs to be guarded with their life and the local association couldn't call on a set of competent net bowlers for the Indian batsmen, and this two days before an important series opener against Pakistan. A collection of schoolboys - all from local clubs - rolled their arms over and left the Indian team management exasperated halfway through.

The sight of Lalchand Rajput, the manager, and Greg King, the physio,trying to get their lines right was enough to suggest a paucity in bowling options.Yuvraj had a lengthy bowl and Sachin Tendulkar and Prasad gave themselves a good work-over too. Zaheer was the only Indian fast bowler who had a go in the nets.

Kumble checks in
Mid-way through the net session, in walked Anil Kumble. It was tough to miss the symbolism - India's most experienced bowler walking in when the rest of the full-time and part-timers were panting away. It was also difficult to ignore the irony - India's most unassuming of champions instantly surrounded by television cameras and reporters.

Ahead of him, batting at the nets, were India's probable No. 3, 4, 5,and 6. Yuvraj, a one-day sensation, was hovering around. Behind him was India's latest superstar Dhoni. Here he was, 37 years of age, surrounded by the men who dictate television TRPs, the cricketers who attract the most eye-balls.

He walked up towards the nets, placed his kit-bag, turned back towards the region where Dhoni was practising his wicketkeeping, took a few catches, returned to the nets, picked up the ball, and plugged away. The first ball hurried VVS Laxman, rapped him on the pads and forced him to let out a smile. Many things change in Indian cricket but Kumble's intensity, ever since his Old Trafford debut in 1990, has remained a constant.

Murphy’s law

Murphy’s law - or so called the Murphy’s golden rules will say -

He, who has the gold, makes the rules.

Whenever I find the key to success, someone changes the lock.

To err is human; to forgive is not a COMPANY policy.

The road to success is always under construction.

Alcohol doesn’t solve any problems, but if you think again, neither does MILK. But an Alcoholic creates new problems for himself and others.

In order to get a Loan, you first need to prove that you don’t need it.

All the desirable things in life are illegal, expensive or fattening.

Since Light travels faster than Sound, people appear brighter before you hear them speak.

Everyone has a scheme of getting rich, which never works.

If at first you don’t succeed destroy all evidence that you ever tried.

You can never determine which side of the bread to butter. If it falls down, it will always land on the buttered side.

Anything dropped on the floor will roll over to the most inaccessible corner.

As soon as you mention something if it is good, it is taken. If it is bad, it happens.

If you come early, the bus is late. If you come late the bus is still late.

Once you have bought something, you will find the same item being sold somewhere else at a cheaper rate.

When in a queue, the other line always moves faster and the person in front of you will always have the most complex of transactions.

If you have paper, you don’t have a pen. If you have a pen, you don’t have paper. If you have both, no one calls.

Especially for engg. Students—-If you have bunked the class, the professor has taken attendance.

You will pick up maximum wrong numbers when on roaming.

The doorbell or your mobile will always rings when you are in the bathroom.

After a long wait for bus no.20, two 20 number buses will always pull in together and the bus which you get in will be crowded than the other.

If your exam is tomorrow, there will be a power cut tonight.

Irrespective of the direction of the wind, the smoke from the cigarette will always tend to go to the non-smoker

YUVI ROX!!!!!!!

Yuvraj Singh 6 Sixes vs England Twenty20 World Cup Match

THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW THAT YOUR CELL PHONES CAN DO....

There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies.
Your mobile phone can actually be a lifesaver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it: -

1. EMERGENCY
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112
If you find yourself out of coverage area of your mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.

2. Have you locked your keys in the car? Does you car have remote keys? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone:
If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone.
Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button.
Your car will unlock. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other “remote” for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

3 Hidden Battery power
Imagine your cell battery is very low, you are expecting an important call and you don’t have a charger. Nokia instrument comes with a reserve battery. To activate, press the keys *3370# Your cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell next time.
AND
4. How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
To check your Mobile phone’s serial number, key in the following digits on your phone:
* # 0 6 #
A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless.
You probably won’t get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can’t use/sell it either.
If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

Please spread this useful information around.

Please check and let me know if ‘Things you never knew your cell phone could do’ really works!!!!!!

Wonder attitude of children has a secret

As a child I have wondered at Rain, Clouds, the common crow, Elephant, monkeys and science inventions.
I have also wondered at prayer and it’s effect.

As I grew the childhood in me slowly was over shadowed by external knowledge, adulthood temptations and competition.
As a result many complexes like superior, inferior, chauvinism, feminism and many -isms took over me.

I forgot the wonder in me, the nature and power of God. I forgot even natural smiling and laughter.
I was afraid of myself and the world.

I have wondered at many films like ET by Spielberg, Anjali by Maniratnam to mention a few. The directors of film know how to bring back the childhood in me. This is not enough.

When health problems attack me I wonder at the kindness, professionalism and advice of medical people.

When I can do nothing regarding the situations like health, vehicle breakdown or people talking sense or nonsense, I pray to God like a Child.
I GET THE ANSWER AND I AM HAPPY

RAVI SASTRI AND DHONI.......

India won the T-20 World Cup Cricket. As usual the dull interview and standard questions are a bore to watch!

Here is mock of Ravi Shastri interview Twenty-20 - World Cup Final interview between Ravi Shastri and winning captain Dhoni :)

Shastri, “Who was the main reason for this thrilling victory?”
Dhoni, “All us played well but I would say the main reason and man behind this great victory is Ajit Agarkar”

Shocked Shastri, “Agarkar? How come Agarkar… he didn’t played in the final”..
Dhoni, “Yeaph.. that’s the reason we won this low scoring match.. if he could have bowled in final, Pakistan would have scored the winning runs from his 4 overs….”

Shastri, “ok.. fine, To whom you want to thank for winning this final…”
Dhoni, “The team doctor deserves the credit… he really helped us to prepare for the final…”
Shastri, “Is it? ?…. how the doctor helped to prepare for the final…he is not the coach or physical trainer…Dhoni.. I am getting confusion”
Dhoni, “Ravi… nothing to confuse… he has failed Sehwag in the fitness test according to our game plan and we managed to pick a good playing team.. thus we weigh the doctor’s contribution as very high…infact its better than our team effort in the field.. our game tactic worked well”

Shastri, “To whom you want to dedicate this World Cup?”
Dhoni, “The entire team including myself wants to dedicate this cup to Sachin, Dravid and Ganguly…”
Shastri, “I really really appreciate you… its good that you have so much respect to the seniors….and you ….”
Dhoni interrupts….
“Ravi.. let me complete… India would have exited in the Group matches if they decided to play in the series… thank god they opted out and we managed to play cricket and won the cup..”

Shastri, “The match was thrilling encounter and was concluded by a single mistake of Misbah.. Isn’t it? ”
Dhoni, “Yes you are right, after lofting the ball Misbah told me that he has sent the ball to where there was no one….but he didn’t know that there is a malayali in every corner of the world…. This single mistake has coasted the game and won the cup…”
Shastri faints and Dhoni receives the CUP and that’s the end of the great Twenty-20 world cup…
Ravi Shastri Dhoni interview