India 4-0 whitewash against Australia

Whats happening to the Indian team?? Have they forgotten how to win overseas..Looks like this saga started and ended with Sourav Ganguly. He became the captain when the team was suffering from match fixing scandals and then led the team with an attitude "Do or Die" to win overseas but now again after his retirement we can see that the team has learnt nothing and they have lost 8 consecutive overseas Test matches.

Its this Indian team that won the ICC Cricket World Cup and with the greats of Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS laxman and Sehwag present in the team they were not able to even draw one test match rather they couldn't even survive 5 days of Test cricket.

Its a shame to see this kind of performance from the team where Dhoni's captaincy is making no sense anymore looks like he has forgotten how to lead the team, wrong field placements, poor bowling changes, etc.

The poor show was from the batsmen all the way. The top order collapsed in every innings and neither there was any support from the middle order batsmen. Rahul Dravid called as "The Wall" due to his defensive abilities was bowled out 9 times, looks like he has forgotten how to guard his wickets. All the batsmen were out of form, poor shots selection and lack of ability in their techniques. Sachin Tendulkar looked a little comfortable against the Aussies but it looks like the burden of his 100th 100 is too much for him..

Still the players think that they are not embarrassed after this kind of loss and are making excuses like let them come to India and we will show them.

Everyone knows how good we are in the subcontinent thats the main reason we won the World Cup but the team who goes and wins overseas is considered as the No 1 team and it looks like we lack that capability after the kind of performance we saw recently.

Well I have said enough against the Indian team..but nothing can be done unless the BCCI makes some harsh decisions..

Sourav Ganguly captain cum coach in IPL5

Since Yuvraj Singh was ruled out of IPL5 due to injury there was no option left but for Ganguly to lead the PWI team. This adds more responsibility than the last edition where he was only a player but now with the lead coach Geoff Marsh not available, Sourav Ganguly will have to play the role of coach also for the team.

PWI had a very bad last season. They came second last in the tournament but we very well know that DADA is the king of comebacks (remember his comeback in the Indian team). So it will be interesting to see how he leads the team and how they move forward in this year of IPL.

The very exciting match will be between PWI and KKR when these two teams will clash in Kolkata. Who do you think the crowd will cheer for DADA or KKR?

I am going with DADA.

EXCITED!!!   

RCB retain Chris Gayle

Finally, Royal Challengers Bangalore has signed Chris Gayle for the upcoming season of Indian Premiere League just one day before the transfer window closes i.e just one day before retaining players for your squad.

I dont know why they waited so long to sign the player who single handedly made RCB reach the finals of the fourth season of the Indian Premiere League. There was no bowler available to stop him with his explosive batting in IPL 4.

If RCB hadn't signed him today, then he would have been available for the auction starting on 4th Feb,2012 and then it would have been interesting to see which all teams are fighting to get a hand on Chris Gayle.

Reports say, that Mumbai Indians were very much keen on signing Gayle.

Last year RCB bought Chris Gayle as a replacement for injured Dirk Nannes for $560,000 and that's the price Gayle will officially continue on. So, RCB will move into the auction with this sum reduced from their $2 million purse but as it is heard Gayle will earn more from endorsements.

Well, i am just waiting to see how he performs in this season of IPL and can he produce the same kind of explosion with his bat as the last time.

HOPE SO!!!

Sorry Team India loses series

It was a Test match but we couldn’t even last three days. Team India has lost the Perth Test by an innings and 37 runs and the series 0-3 to Australia. Out of a possible 15 playing days, the hosts need only 10 and half days to vanquish us. Now we have lost seven Tests on the trot abroad. It doesn’t get any worse than this. But wait, there’s one more match to go.

 

FALL, RISE, FALL OF INDIAN CRICKET

You can’t quite blame the ICC for scheduling this ‘Champions of Champions 2011’ sort of tournament in India. Their timing couldn’t have been better, technically, with the country newly crowned World Champions. Sadly, the Indian Cricket team seems to have played a cruel joke on the Cricket Governing body- duly getting slaughtered in England, almost with a vengeance, for ICC’s repeated rejection of their UDRS objections. And ultimately, once again, in a twisted way- the BCCI is having the last laugh.

The stadiums are more than half-empty. Games that involve local teams like CSK, MI, RCB and KKR aren’t faring any better either. Here is what I hope, rather than gather: The public finally seems to have woken up to the detrimental effect that T20, as a form of cricket, is having on the long-term future of Indian cricket.

To put it mildly, we are in tatters. Couldn’t come at a better time if you’re an optimist, because India has four full years to rebuild, re-develop and reform. The title will still be ours, but we can’t help but think:Was it really worth it?

No IPL Auction For Ganguly, To Play For PWI Directly

The common question on everyone`s mind is does Sourav Ganguly have to go to the IPL auctions on 4th February or will he play for Pune Warriors without having to go for the auctions. And after the terrible experience in the last auctions, most Sourav Ganguly fans would love to avoid the auction part.

So its confirm now that the players who were replacement players in the last IPL like Ganguly & Gayle, can sign up with those teams only if they mutually agree! So, if Pune Warriors and DADA agree, then DADA can play for PWI!!!

According to the new rules, the Team that these players played for in IPL 4, have the first rights of refusal of the player & only of they reject the player, he will go into the auctions.

So, we can confirm you the news, that yes, Sourav Ganguly will not enter the IPL auctions & will simple sign a contract of mutual agreement with PWI & play for them. 

Earlier, Gayle has already done the same thing, and has signed the contract with RCB to play IPL 5 in red & gold.

So rest assure Ganguly fans, the Maharaj is all set to take the IPL 5 full on.

Why Sourav Ganguly is one of India’s Greatest Test Batsman ever ?

Do you know, Sourav Ganguly has been the most consistent Indian Test Cricketer in the last 15 years ? Yes, it’s not Mr. Dependable Rahul Dravid, but a certain Sourav Ganguly, and its not be but a certain set of stats that prove it. Sourav Ganguly is the only Indian Cricketer in the last 15years, to have a consistent test average of 40+ throughout his career. The great Rahul Dravid, had 5 such occasions, yes 5 when his test average was below 40.

Best Quotes on Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar's Proudest Moment

Sachin Tendulkar said 2011 World Cup triumph was the proudest moment of his life as India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets to capture the "ultimate" prize. "I couldn't have asked for more," said Tendulkar". 

"Winning the World Cup is the ultimate thing. It is the proudest moment of my life. It shows it is never too late.

I thank my teammates who were fabulous. I could not really hold back my tears. These are happy tears so I don't mind crying." 

Virat Kohli said the victory was a fitting tribute to Tendulkar. "This goes out to all the people of India. Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years. It was time we carried him." 

Gautam Gambhir, who played a key role with the bat in making 97 off 122 balls, said the win was a gift to his great teammate Sachin Tendulkar from the entire squad. "All credit for this win should go to Tendulkar. We were all playing for him, this trophy is for him." 

Little Tendulkar, on his part, thanked each of his team-mates and the support staff including polar explorer Mike Horn. I would like to thank the support staff especially Mike Horn who joined us at the start of the tournament and was there for our last couple of games" He worked on the mental side and has helped us deal with the expectations and pressure.

The team stuck together in the rough phases and proved people wrong who doubted our ability. Self-belief has been always there but in the last two years, we have been very consistent.

"It's been great honour to be part of this team. Thanks to (coach) Gary (Kirsten) and Paddy Upton (mental conditioning expert)." 

Milestones Set By Sachin Tendulkar

1988

As a schoolboy scores a century in every innings he plays, including a then record partnership for a Lord Harris Shiled inter-school match of 664 with his friend Vinod Kambli.

On December 11 (aged 15 years and 232 days) makes 100 not out on his first-class debut for Mumbai against Gujarat, the youngest player to score a century on his first-class debut.

1989

Becomes the youngest player to play at Test level for India, at just 16 years and 205 days. It was against Pakistan in Karachi.

1990

Becomes the second youngest player to score a Test century when he hits a match-saving 119 on India’s tour of England at the age of 17 years and 112 days. He finished the series with an average of 61.25.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

An inspired India on Saturday night regained the coveted World Cup after 28 years as they suppressed Sri Lanka with a six-wicket victory in a nerve-wrecking inal to script a glorious new chapter in their cricketing history.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, in a special display of courage and gamble, played the innings of his life to inspire India defeat Sri Lanka by six wickets and win the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 title after 28 years at Wankhede Stadium of Mumbai on Saturday.

Two good innings proved enough for the hosts to create history as they become the first team to win World Cup title at their home ground. Guatam Gambhir (97 from 122) and MS Dhoni (91 not out from 79) played superbly against one of the most disciplined bowling attacks in the cricket world to help India achieve a stiff 275 runs target in front of the packed Wankhede Stadium.

Sachin Tendulkar

Early Life 

Sachin Tendulkar was born on 24th of April, 1973 in Mumbai to a Marathi Novelist, Ramesh Tendulkar. Sachin got inspired to play cricket from his elder brother Ajit, and started playing the game at an early age in his school, Sharadashram Vidya Mandir. Under the guidance of his coach, Ramakant Achrekar, he learnt the basics of the game and showed his prowess along with his school mate and another future batsman of the Indian team, Vinod Kambli. 


Test and ODI Debut 

Sachin Tendulkar made his Test Cricket debut with a Test match played against Pakistan in Karachi in the year 1989, in which he scored 15 runs before being bowled out by Waqar Younis, a yet another Cricketer who debuted with this match. He began his ODI Cricket career in a match against Pakistan played on 18th of December 1989 at Gujranwala, Pakistan. He could, though, not make a single run in this match and just after facing 2 balls was caught by Wasim Akram on a Waqar Younis ball. 

Remarkable Achievements 

Tendulkar has shown some of his best batting performances against the Cricket team of Australia, one of the strongest teams during his period. As a matter of fact, the legendry Sir 

Donald Bradman had at one time reportedly told her wife that the playing style of Sachin reminded him of his own game in his youth.

Sachin has always created new records and destroyed innumerable of them that had been already established. At the age of 17 years he scored his first Test century, and by the age of 25 he had scored 16 of them. At the moment he is the Cricketer with largest number of Test and ODI centuries to his credit, and outclassed Brian Lara as the biggest Test scorer in the year 2008. 


Overall Performance 

In his overall Test Career, Sachin Tendulkar has played 186 Test matches and has scored 15409 runs in them, including 51 centuries and 65 half-centuries, with an average of 56.03 runs and a highest score of 248 Not Out. In these matches, he also grabbed 45 wickets giving away 2445 runs at an average of 54.33 runs. 

In his One Day International (ODI) Cricket career, however, Sachin has played 453 matches till date, and scored 18111 runs including 48 centuries and 95 half-centuries, with an average of 45.16 runs and a highest score of 200 Not Out. 

Rahul Dravid

Early Life 

Rahul Dravid was born on the 11th of January 1973 at Indore, Madhya Pradesh and was brought up in Bangalore, Karnataka. He studied at St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Bangalore and St. Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bangalore. Dravid had begun playing Cricket at quite an early age, and made a place for himself in the State Cricket team at Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 levels. In the year 1991 he made his debut in Ranji Trophy while playing against Maharashtra. He scored 82 runs in the match, which was eventually resulted in a draw. In the year 1991-12 he also represented South Zone in the Duleep Trophy. 

Test and ODI Debut 

Rahul made his debut in One Day International (ODI) Cricket with an ODI match between India and Sri Lanka, played at Singapore on 3rd of April, 1996. He scored just 3 runs in the match. His debut in the Test Cricket was made on the June 20th, 1996 with a Test match against England, and he scored 95 runs in the match. 


Overall Performance 

In his overall Test Cricket career, Rahul Dravid has played 162 Test matches till date. In these matches, he has scored 13206 runs with an average of 52.82 runs and the highest score of 270 runs. While in ODI Cricket, he has played 344 ODI matches till date and has scored 10889 runs with an average of 39.16 runs. His highest ODI score is 153 runs.

Sourav Ganguly

Early Days 

Ganguly started playing Cricket at a very early age, as he got inspired by his elder bother Snehashish who played Cricket for Bengal. Interestingly, Sourav started playing with his left hand so that he could use his brother’s Cricket gear who himself was a left handed batsman. In his school days, Ganguly was the captain of St. Xavier’s School. 

Beginning of the Cricket Career

Sourav Ganguly showed a good performance in the Ranji Trophy season of the year 1990-91. In the year 1992 he started his One Day International (ODI) Cricket career with a match against West Indies, in which he grabbed just 3 runs. 

Again in the domestic Cricket he performed quite nicely during the years 1993-95. He scored 171 runs in an innings during the Duleep Trophy tournament of 1995-96 and was included in the national team for the England tour of the year 1996.

Test Debut

Sourav Ganguly made his Test Cricket debut at Lord’s Cricket Ground, in which he scored a century with 131 runs. This has been the highest score a batsman has achieved at Lord’s in his debut Test match. 

Throughout his Test Cricket career, Ganguly played 113 Test Matches and scored a total of 7212 runs, including 16 centuries and 35 half-centuries. He scored 900 fours and 57 sixes as a Test Cricket batsman. His highest score in Test Cricket was 239 runs, and the overall Batting Average was 42.17 runs. 

In the One Day International (ODI) Cricket, Ganguly played 311 matches and made a total score of 11363 runs comprising of 22 centuries and 72 half-centuries. The record included 1122 fours and 190 sixes, and the overall Batting Average was 41.02 runs.

Successful Captaincy

Sourav Ganguly is said to be one of India’s all time greatest Test Cricket Captains. After the match fixing scandal of the year 2000, He was declared Captain of the team. Under his Captaincy the Indian Cricket team reached the finals of the World Cup Cricket 2003, where Australia beat India to win the championship. During the year 2000-2005, he led the Indian Test Cricket team to 49 matches, out of which 21 were won by the team. He also led the Indian team to 146 One Day International (ODI) Cricket matches, out of which 76 were won by the team. In the year 2004, Ganguly was conferred upon with the Padma Shri award. 


The Comeback

Ganguly made a comeback to the Indian Cricket team in a tour match against Rest of South Africa, in which he scored 83 runs leading India to victory. In his first Test Cricket innings after the comeback, he grabbed 51 runs in a Test match against South Africa. He also came back to the Indian ODI team in the year 2007, and in his first ODI innings after the comeback scored 98 runs in a match against West Indies. 

Ganguly’s score of 66 runs was the highest in the first round match of the Indian team against the Bangladesh team in World Cup 2007, although the Indian team lost the match by 5 wickets. 

He was named the Captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders team in the IPL Twenty-20 Cricket tournament 2008. In a match played between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals during the tournament, Ganguly scored 51 runs off just 39 balls, which was his highest Twenty-20 Cricket score. 


Achievements


 Most number of Test victories as India captain; more than 10,000 runs in ODI cricket; highest ODI score by an Indian in World Cup; first Indian captain to win a Test series in Pakistan; India captain in most number of Tests 

Sourav Chandidas Ganguly, commonly known as Sourav Ganguly has been a member of the Indian Cricket team, and regarded to be one of the most successful Captains ever of the Indian Cricket team. As a matter of fact, the Indian Test Cricket team won 21 Test Cricket matches out of total 49 that were played under his Captainship, which is one of the best success rates any Captain of the Indian Test Cricket team has ever managed to accomplish. Not only this, Ganguly, fondly known as Dada by his fans and Maharaj by his teammates, has to his credit the feat of having nurtured a number of efficient players who played under his Captainship. These include Virender Sahwag, Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh among others. 

Anil Kumble Ten Wickets Haul

Anil Kumble achieved the historic feat of grabbing all ten wickets in an innings against archrivals Pakistan at Delhi's Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium. India went into the match already 1-0 down in the two match series, eager to avenge the narrow 12-run defeat by Pakistan in Chennai a week previously.

Having won the toss and electing to bat, India found the off-spin of Saqlain Mustaq too hot to handle and were all out for 252 early on day two. With the pitch providing generous assistance to spinners, Kumble and Harbhajan Singh bowled out Pakistan for a measly 172. 

Early into day four, India were all out for 339 in their second innings and set Pakistan a target of 420 runs. Post-lunch, Kumble got his first success when he had Shahid Afridi caught behind by Nayan Mongia. The very next ball, Ijaz Ahmed was trapped LBW and Kumble was on a hat-trick. 

As the spin wizard went about weaving his web around the hapless Pakistanis, the specter of matching Jim Laker's record started emerging. Pakistan's tail folded out to Kumble's guile and precision and when Washim Akram fell as the last man, Kumble's name made its entry into the record books alongside that of Jim Laker's.

Kumble's analysis of 10 for 74 masks the fact that he took all ten Pakistani wickets in one 21.3 over spell, conceding only 49 runs in the process.

Famous Kolkata Test Victory 2001

Before the Kolkata Test, the Australian juggernaut has piled up 16 consecutive Test wins and India was already down 0-1 in the three Test series. With their back to the wall, Indians came up with a memorable performance to win the Test and level the series.

As the Test progressed, Australia appeared to have carried on from where they had left in the first Test and put up a challenging total of 445 despite Harbhajan Singh registering India's first ever Test hat-trick. In reply, India were bundled out for a paltry 171 and asked to follow on by Steve Waugh. Still 274 behind, India were losing early wickets with the well-set VVS Laxman holding fort at one end.

After Ganguly's departure, Rahul Dravid joined Laxman and what followed was a mammoth partnership of such magnitude that it changed the cricketing fortunes of this country. They just went on and on and the 376-run partnership helped India put together an overwhelming 657/7 declared.

Pursuing a challenging target of 384 runs of a minimum 75 overs, Australia were 161 for 3 at tea on the final day. Post tea, Australian wickets started falling in a heap with Harbhajan Singh (6/73) and Tendulkar (3/31) knocking the stuffing out of the visiting side. All out for 212, Australia's 16 match winning streak came to an end in a 171 run loss.

INDIA won the Border Gavaskar Trophy, 2001

22nd March 2001, India wins the Border Gavaskar Trophy (IND v AUS 3 Matches Test Series). 2nd Test at Eden Gardens when Australia leads the series 1-0 and forces India to Follow-on, India comeback strongly by the 376 runs partnership between Laxman(281 runs) & Dravid(180 runs) and Harbhajan Singh’s wicket fest including a Hat trick . Since then India dominates the series and wins last 2 Tests as well as the Series 2-1. Man of the Series Harbhajan Singh takes 32 wickets. Indian captain Sourav Ganguly wins the popular Rivalry against Australian captain Steve Waugh.

INDIA won NatWest Trophy, 2002

13th July 2002, India wins the Trophy by a thrilling 2 wickets victory over England at Lord’s. Yuvraj Singh(69 runs) and Man of the Final Mohammad Kaif(87* runs) has seized the initiative back for India after a sudden collapse has seemed to dash their hopes when they are chasing huge 326 runs.Indian captain Sourav Ganguly celebrate the winning moment by taking his shirt off and flying it over head at the historical Lord’s balcony as he takes revenge against English All-rounder Andrew Flintoff’s charged topless around the Wankhede Stadium a few months earlier.

INDIA was joint winner of ICC Champions Trophy, 2002

30th September 2002, after two days of one innings play and second session rain, the ICC Champions Trophy 2002 is sharing between Sanath Jayasuriya’s Sri Lanka and Sourav Ganguly’s India. Both the final India restricted Sri Lanka 244 & 222 runs but not able to complete the chase due to rain.

INDIA achieved No.1 in ICC Test ranking, 2009

6th December 2009, India is only the third team after Australia and South Africa to surge to the top of the ladder since the Test Championship was first introduced in May 2001. India’s ascent to the No.1 position in the ICC Test ratings is largely due to their improved performances overseas which were started under the captaincy of Sourav Ganguly and continued under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, & current Indian captain M. S. Dhoni. Basement of this success majorly constructed by the Fabulous 5 of the Indian Cricket (Tendulkar, Kumble, Ganguly, Dravid & Laxman). Shewag, Harbhajan, Zaheer Khan, Dhoni & Gambhir the Young Stars are also contributed consistently to achieve the No. 1 spot in Test ranking. 

ICC World T20, 2007

24th September 2007, India won the inaugurate ICC World T20 Championship by beating Pakistan by 5 runs in a thrilling final at Johannesburg, South Africa. Indian T20 captain M. S. Dhoni becomes first captain ever to lift the trophy of ICC World T20 Championship. Player of the final Irfan Pathan’s brilliant bowling (4-0-16-3) and Indian Opener Gautam Gambhir’s excellent knock (75 runs of 54 balls) helps India to win the final. . One of the biggest record in the tournament done by Yuvraj Singh by hitting 6 sixes in an over & scoring 50 in just 12 balls.

World Cup, 1983

This is one of the biggest achievement of Indian cricket team. India beats defending champion West Indies in the final by 43 runs. When Indian captain Kapil Dev lifts the World Cup at Lord’s in England, the World gets the 2nd champion of the ODI cricket after West Indies. Man of the Match in the Final & Semi-final Mohinder Amarnath’s all-round performance in the tournament helps India to become the World Champion.

Virender Sehwag, 219

When Sachin Tendulkar conquered the Mount 200 - the equivalent of scaling Mount Everest for a batsman in ODI cricket - a little over 21 months ago, experts called it a once-in-a-lifetime-achievement.

They were wrong!

Virender Sehwag, who has often spoken about Tendulkar being his role model, and imitated his shot-making early in his career, smashed a one-day record 219 to help India amass a record 418 for five - their highest total in ODIs - during the fourth ODI against the West Indies.

Sehwag became only the second player to score a double century in ODIs, making it an exclusive Indian club.

Indian Controversies

VVS Laxman and Vaseline

On the second day of the Trent Bridge Test, VVS Laxman was on 27, in the total 48 for 1, when the last delivery of James Anderson's ninth over passed his bat. The bowler and the rest of England players promptly went up in appeal for a catch behind the stumps and began gathering around the batsman. As umpire Asad Rauf ruled in Laxman's favour, England skipper Andrew Strauss went for DRS but that too didn't favour the home side. Kevin Pietersen and Laxman were seen getting into a bit of an argument. Later, Michael Vaughan tweeted: "Has Vaseline on the outside edge saved the day for Laxman?".

Trouble in Eden

Last time when the Indian sub-continent hosted the World Cup, it did not live up to the expectations. A bomb blast in Colombo, Sri Lanka before the start of the tournament made Australia and West Indies reluctant. Their decision to forfeit their group matches was criticised by the organisers. The World Cup opening ceremony in Calcutta (now Kolkata) was promised to be a gala event but it flopped. The much-hyped laser show malfunctioned. Another crisis struck the Eden Gardens when Indian fans disrupted the semi-final against Sri Lanka as defeat was looming over the home team.

Zaheer and jellybeans

If it was Vaseline this time, it was jellybeans in 2007 at Trent Bridge. During the second Test in 2007, England players were throwing jelly beans on the pitch while Zaheer Khan was batting. The pacer reacted angrily and went to Kevin Pietersen to sort out the issue. He also complained about it to the umpires. Interesting, Michael Vaughan was England's captain. He apologised to Zaheer after India beat them by 9 wickets.

Gambhir vs Afridi

During the third ODI at Kanpur in 2007, another episode in Indo-Pakistan rivalry was added when Indian opener Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi got indulged in a verbal war. Gambhir was scoring at a good rate when Afridi said some undesirable words. This fired up Gambhir and he retaliated with equal vengeance.

The notorious Nagpur pitch in 2004-05

After failing to conquer the 'Final Frontier' in 2000-01, Australia came back under in 2004-05. They won the first Test at Bangalore that was followed by a washed out match in Chennai. The two teams reached Nagpur and to the horror of hitherto skipper; it was a green track, much like an Australian pitch. He tried to persuade the curator and the VCA President Shashank Manohar to shave off the grass but they didn't budge. Of course, the guests were feeling at home.

Just a day before, Ganguly announced that he was injured and vice-captain Rahul Dravid had to lead the side. The Australians relished the conditions and went on to win the match and consequently the series.

The monkey-gate affair

Though it was in the Sydney Test in 2007-08 that the 'monkey-gate affair' came to the fore, it all started in Mumbai when Australia toured India for an ODI series. In the Mumbai ODI, was allegedly upset with Harbhajan Singh for calling him 'Monkey'.

It was only in his den that Symonds took him on for this. At Sydney, while batting alongside Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan had some exchange of words with Symonds who along with his teammates complained to the on-field umpires and later to the match referee. Symonds accused Bhajji of racially abusing him. Match referee Mike Proctor even slapped the Indian spinner with a three-match ban. The Indian team with the BCCI's backing protested. The series was on the verge of being called off when a special tribunal cleared Bhajji of all racism charges but fined him for using abusive language.

Umpires blunder Down Under

Apart from the Symonds-Bhajji spat, the umpires too had their share out in the sun in the (in)famous Test. Steve Bucknor, whom Ganguly had given a zero rating in his report during the 2003-04 series, continued to fiddle with India's chances and along with Mark Benson gave more than ten wrong decisions against India, which swung the result in Australia's favour. The relations between the two teams touched rock bottom during the series. India won the next Test at Perth and many believed if the umpires had not erred in Sydney, would have won the series.

Sachin Tendulkar hits first ever Double Century in ODIs

The record-breaking Indian master blaster, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar made yet another record Wednesday when he scored the first-ever double century in the One-Day Internationals.

He made the record during the second ODI against South Africa at Gwalior.

Tendulkar made 200 from 149 deliveries to first break the world record of Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar and Zimbabwe’s Charles Coventry of 194 runs each and then embarked upon rewriting cricket record books as he completed the first ever double century in ODI cricket format from just 147 balls hitting 35 boundaries and 3 sixes.

Saeed Anwar made the record in 1997 when he scored 194 runs against India in Chennai, while Charles Coventry equalled the record last year when he scored 194* not out against Bangladesh in Bullawayo.

Sachin should target 110

India’s master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who has again missed his 100th ton in the Boxing Day Test match against Australia at Melbourne on Tuesday, has been advised by Team India’s ex-motivator, Mike Horn to focus his sight on 110 centuries.

Mike Horn was talking exclusively to The Sports Encounter scribe from Switzerland and said, “Sachin should not focus on his 100th ton, his focus should be on his 110th ton. Why? Because it is a way to unload the pressure connected to getting it as soon as possible. I do not think it is important for him to think about it as a milestone in his cricket career, but his focus should be on the way he plays”.

“If he plays like he played to get the 99 tons it will be automated. He will not change the way he plays only to get 100 tons”.

“If you expect too much and you do not reach your goal you are disappointed in yourself  and that puts the pressure on the players. Sachin knows how to deal with pressure but he does not want more than he can cope with. He is the world’s best cricketer and when the time is right he will reach much more than what we as public expects from him. If one man can do it Sachin can!” Horn further added.

'One important aspect will be that India’s supporters do not sit on his shoulders but take him by his hand and help him to reach this milestone in his career. The whole Indian cricket team will play a major role in his 100th ton that will make Sachin’s job much easier”, Horn, who was invited by Indian team’s former coach, Gary Kirsten during World Cup, said.

Virat Kohli fined

The International Cricket Council (ICC), on Thursday, fined Indian batsman Virat Kohli 50 per cent of his match fee after found him guilty of breaching its Code of Conduct during the second day’s play in the Sydney Test.

Kohli was charged with a Level 2 offence under article 2.2.8 of the code which relates to “Using language or gesture(s) that is seriously obscene, seriously offensive or of a seriously insulting nature to another Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other third person during an International Match”.

“Kohli pleaded guilty to the charge and apologised for his action. As such, under the provisions of the code, I determined the matter as there was no requirement for a full hearing,” said Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees.

The charge was brought by on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Ian Gould, both from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, third umpire Bruce Oxenford from the Emirates International Panel of ICC Umpires, and fourth umpire Gerard Abood.