Poonam Pandey upset over morphed nude image

The girl who thrives on shooting from the mouth statements, and uploading her bedroom antics videos seems to have turned a new leaf.

Post the morphed picture brouhaha in Kolkata that brought the city of Joy to a standstill, strip queen Poonam says she doesn't want unwanted controversies in her life. Poonam recently posted on Twitter saying, "I am really shocked and hurt over the incident in Kolkata, a fan made stupid morphed pic of mine was published by mistake on a News Paper.

Tweet Hearts and all my Fans round d World I do appreciate ur Love towards me but such edited/Morphed pix really hurt me. Please keep me away from any such unwanted controversies which could hurt one's sentiments."

The model's nude morphed picture is circulating on web, made by one of her fans, which showed a morphed image of a Pakistani cricketer bowing before the portrait of a Sachin Tendulkar and a nude Poonam. But this didn't go well with Kolkata citizens when an English daily published the morphed picture.

Sachin said "No one should tell me when to retire"

Sachin Tendulkar does not want to predict whether his seemingly unconquerable record of 100 international centuries would ever be broken but the iconic cricketer hopes that as and when it happens, the feat is accomplished by a fellow Indian.

In a wide-ranging interaction with the media, the 38-year-old Tendulkar also said that he does not intend to retire anytime soon no matter what the critics have to say.

"I don`t know. I guess all the records are meant to be broken but I hope it`s an Indian. I don`t think you can predict that (whether it will be surpassed) but I hope it`s an Indian whenever it happens," Tendulkar, who reached the milestone during the recent Asia Cup, told reporters here.

"I feel that when I retire is something that I would decide because when I started was not decided by someone else. Those who are advising me about retirement did not bring me in the team.

"I get my strength from my coaches and family. When I feel I don`t have that, on that day, I will think of retirement. I feel those who say you should retire at the top are selfish because when you are at the top, you should serve the country instead of retiring," he said.

India went on to lose the match, that too against Bangladesh, in which Tendulkar got to the feat and he said the disappointment meant that the celebrations were muted.

"I don`t think that we are celebrating that one match. Where I am right now took 23 years and not one match. I feel the result was very important. It was very disappointing. The day I got the hundred there was no celebration," he recalled.

For a player who has virtually every batting record that is there to be taken, Tendulkar said the biggest compliment for him was when the legendary Sir Don Bradman included him in his all-time Test XI.

"I think the best compliment was from Sir Don Bradman when he announced his all-time Test XI and I was part of that squad. That would be the best compliment," he said.

Talking about his journey so far, Tendulkar, the highest run-getter in both Tests and one-dayers, said his late father Ramesh Tendulkar was his idol growing up.

"My hero is my father because he is the one with whom everything started in my life. I follow my father. In cricket, even whose who haven`t scored a hundred were advising me but as long as it was in good intention, it was fine," he said.

When asked about India`s early exit from the Asia Cup, Tendulkar said credit should also go to the rivals who played better than them.

"All three teams won two matches, it eventually boiled down to who beat whom. I want to clarify that Bangladesh are a good team and played well in all the four matches. The rival teams also come to win. Sometimes you play well but the other team plays better," he explained.

The diminutive right-hander said he does not have to prove anything now and would continue as long as he enjoys the game.

"I don`t think I need to prove anything right now. I started playing this game because I loved it, I enjoy it. The passion for cricket was there. The dream was to play for India and win the World Cup, I don`t think anything can be bigger than that," he said.

"I can`t think of milestones. I have been able to play for India and win the World Cup. I don`t know what is in store for me but my focus would be to just enjoy the game. I don`t want to focus on what I have to achieve because I have already achieved what I wanted," he added.

Tendulkar also detailed the one year barren spell during which he got into 70s and 80s but somehow missed out on hundreds.

"At the time of the World Cup when I got to 99 hundreds, no one was discussing about my 100th hundred because the focus was on the World Cup. But after the World Cup, the media built on it and started asking. I was only focused on playing cricket like always. I just wanted to score runs," he recalled.

"But as time went by, people who were listening to the media, those people, excluding my friends and family, would wish me about the 100th hundred. But I felt cricket should be the focus and that is what I kept telling myself," Tendulkar said.

"I can say that from a cricketing point of view, it was a tough phase because the good wishes were not stopping. Now, at least they won`t pray for my 100th ton and my ears will get some rest," he joked.

"I can`t complain about all these good wishes."

Talking about his own form in this one year, Tendulkar said, "I can say that there were patches when I didn`t bat well, there were patches when I felt that I batted my best. I felt that sometimes you need luck to be on your side."

"Sometimes that luck factor was missing because as far as preparations were concerned, my commitment and passion was in place. I scored 100 out of 100 on that. But you don`t always achieve the results that you dream of," he said.

"Something that is more important is not to lose hope. I did not lose hope, I continued trying my best. Here I only waited for a year but for the World Cup I waited for 22 years and it happened."

Tendulkar said being a celebrity, his struggles hogged the limelight even though every individual goes through tough times.

"There are going to be rough phases in life. I don`t think there is anyone who hasn`t experienced rough phases but they are personal. But because we are public figures, our rough phases are on camera. But I didn`t lose faith in my ability and that is what has allowed me to be where I am."

Asked to assess himself, Tendulkar said he would leave that job to his fans and critics.

"I can`t judge myself but definitely there was a dream to be regarded as one of the top players to have played the game. To be in that league that was my dream. I wanted to be right at the top or to be there in that group and I feel I am there but if you ask me to judge myself, I can`t do that. That`s for others to say," he said.

Asked to compare the pressure he felt at the time of his debut hundred and the 100th hundred, Tendulkar said it is incomparable.

"I think in 94` when I did a press conference, even half of the journalists present right now were not there. There were few expectations. Today the expectations are a lot more. Even if I score 70-80, it is a disappointment like in Delhi last year against the West Indies.

"It`s about how you look at things. My first century and this one can`t be compared because expectations are different," he said.

Like him, the Indian team has also gone through a tough phase since winning the World Cup in April last year. Tendulkar said the key to recovery lies in not losing hope.

"Wherever we go, we want to win. When you lose the number one ranking, it means someone is playing better cricket than you, you need to perform better and win. That is what we go out for. At no stage should we lose hope. It is a rough patch but we can overcome that obstacle, we require hard work and we will do that," he said.

"I think our team has had a few injuries. During the England tour, we suffered because of injuries. I don`t want to give excuses because whoever plays, he is expected to do well. I can`t pinpoint reasons but we can get better.

"I don`t know how to put it across. I don`t think you can find solutions in 3-4 sentences. It is a process. When we became number one, it was a process and we will have to repeat that," he added.

Talking about the state of the game in general, Tendulkar said Test cricket should remain the pinnacle.

"There has to be more importance to Test cricket. This format is very challenging for which you need planning. You need to play at a different pace at different times. If you ask any player, most would tell you that Tests have to be number one and I have no different opinion," he said.

Sachin Tendulkar thanked God at Siddhivinayak Temple

Back home after scoring his 100th international century, senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar was spotted at the famous Siddhivinayak temple at Dadar on Friday morning offering prayers on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, the beginning of Hindu New Year.

Relieved after completing the much awaited feat - which took him more than a year to complete - Sachin thanked God for his achievement.

Earlier, Sachin Tendulkar had ended the speculations on his retirement rumours saying he will give up only on the day when he feels a little less passion towards the game. He added he had played cricket because he loved to do and there was nothing better than playing for India.

When asked whether the final hurdle of scoring the hundredth century was the most difficult, the veteran batsman said: "There is no doubt it was. The 100th hundred was the most difficult to get. I really don`t know why but it was."

Sachin told in Asia Cup 2012, "I am not god, I am Sachin Tendulkar"

I am not god, I am Sachin Tendulkar" -- said the iconic Indian cricketer who watched in dejection as his 100th international century, which he described as the "toughest" of his career, was overshadowed by the team's shock loss to Bangladesh in an Asia Cup match here.

"I am not God. I am Sachin Tendulkar," said the 38-year-old right-hander after India lost by five wickets despite posting 289 on board.

"Yes, I have to be honest. I am human and I have emotions so I was frustrated. It does play on your mind," Tendulkar told reporters.

It took him 36 balls to go from 80 to 100 last night and his 114-run knock came off 147 deliveries in all but the veteran insisted that personal milestone was the last thing on his mind.

"The hundred was not the only thing on my mind. I was thinking about getting a good total for the team. When I looked at the scoreboard, I was looking at the run-rate and what we needed to do; I was avoiding looking at my personal score," he said.

Tendulkar, who endured a year-long wait to reach the 100th century, said the delay made him realise the value of a century and admitted that his patience was tested.

"After scoring 99 tons you are made to realise the value of a hundred. It's not easy, it was a testing period, but there were many people who helped me.”

"There are opinions, some for some against. I don't read them, I have a job to do. Ups and downs are a part of life, there is no person who has not experienced it, and they teach you a lot in life," he said.

Sachin Tendulkar celebrates scoring his 100th international century

The wait is finally over! Sachin Tendulkar scored his 100th international century on today against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup encounter at Mirpur, Dhaka.

Tendulkar took 138 balls to reach the milestone which had eluded him more for than a year. His 99th hundred had came on March 12, 2011 against South Africa during the Cricekt World Cup held in India.

The master batsman, who made his debut in international cricket way back in 1989, has now scored 51 centuries in Tests and 49 tons in ODIs.

He also has the record of scoring centuries against all the Test playing nations. Incidentally, this was Sachin’s maiden ton in ODIs against Bangladesh.


His first Test century came in 1991 at Manchester against England while he hit his maiden ODI ton against Australia at Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The master batsman, who is the highest run-getter in both Tests and ODIs, has amassed 15,470 runs in Tests so far in 188 Test matches. In 453 ODIs, he scored more than 18,000 runs.

Sachin, who helped his team win the ODI world Cup after 28 years in 2011, was Widen’s cricketer of the year in 2010.


He recently received the ESPN Cricinfo award for the best individual Test batting performance of 2011 for his knock of 146 not out against South Africa at Cape Town. And not to forget, he was the leading run-scorer for India in the ICC cricket World Cup 2011, and the second-highest run scorer in the tournament after Dilshan.

Apart from his 100th ton, he scored 65 half-centuries in Tests while in ODIs he slammed 95 fifties.

With an over two decade long career, records are fairly routine for Tendulkar but for the cricketing fraternity every run he scores just adds to the legend that the diminutive right-hander has become.

The champion batsman has perhaps every batting record that is there to be taken under his belt and adding to the countless tally is the historic hundred he scored against England in the post-lunch session.

Much before his debut on November 15, 1989, Tendulkar's precocious talent was there to be seen when he shared an unbeaten 664-run stand with buddy Vinod Kambli in the Lord Harris Shield Inter-School Game in 1988.

The 1989 international debut was far less spectacular, in fact forgettable. A Waqar Younis bouncer left him with a bleeding nose but Tendulkar did not wince and the next two decades saw him punishing bowlers all over the world on all kind of surfaces.

His first Test century came in England next year at Old Trafford and the Mumbaikar rose in stature after the 1991-92 tour of Australia, hitting sublime centuries on a Sydney turner and a Perth minefield.

The rest is history. No existing batting record seemed safe. Other than Brian Lara's Test match highest of 400 not out and first class highest score of 501 not out, every batting record became Tendulkar's.

A staggering 15470 runs scored in 188 Tests at a robust average of 55.44 confirmed Tendulkar's greatness in the longer version of the game.

And in the 462 ODIs he played, a whopping 18,260 (before the Asia Cup match against Bangladesh) were added to his mountain of runs at an average of 44.64.

indai vs Bangladesh in an Asia Cup league match on today.

India would look to continue their recovery from the horror tour of Australia while Sachin Tendulkar would aim to the get the burden of a 100th international ton off his back when the team squares off against Bangladesh in an Asia Cup league match on today.

The 50-run victory over Sri Lanka was just the kind of start India needed in the continental tournament after being quite literally thrashed during an over-three-month-long tour of Australia.

The team`s batsmen, who were hopping about in misery on the pacy tracks Down Under, found comfort in the familiar sub-continental environs and made enough for their bowlers to come through despite leaking runs early on an unhelpful pitch.

But one man, whose woes seem unending is Tendulkar. The 38-year-old right-hander, who has almost every international record under his belt, has been without a hundred for over a year now.

The much-awaited 100th international ton has proved so elusive that it has raised concerns as to whether the stat is hampering Tendulkar`s form to an extent and the seasoned cricketer would be desperate to get the monkey off his back.

Tendulkar`s determination can be gauged from the fact that he turned up for an optional net session yesterday where only three of India`s 15-member squad turned up.

Tendulkar has gone 33 century-less innings, which is just one less than his longest barren spell ever. Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli have successfully carried their good one-day form from Australia to this tournament as well and both scored their 10th international centuries to make that point against Sri Lanka.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni also got some much-needed feel of the conditions when he pushed himself up the order against the islanders to fire an entertaining 46-run knock.


Suresh Raina too seemed to be recovering from the disaster Down Under in the batting-friendly conditions here. It will be interesring to see if Manoj Tiwary, who did not play a single ODI in Australia, gets a chance to play.

On the bowling front, the growing confidence of comeback pacer Irfan Pathan, who grabbed four wickets against Sri Lanka, is a massive plus for India. But given that express pace is missing from the attack, the bowlers would have to rely on their willow-wielding counterparts to bat oppositions out of the game.

Despite being overwhelming favourites, India cannot afford to be complacent given Bangladesh`s past record of being giant-killers.

They gave Pakistan a scare in the tournament-opener, showing they are quite a handful in front adoring home fans. Tamim Iqbal and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan batted well against Pakistan but the home team would expect stronger performances from the likes of skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and Nazimuddin.

Their top bowler Mashrafe Mortaza would also be expected to tighten up against a formidable Indian line-up, which is known to flourish in sub-continental conditions.

"We are confident about the next game against India and we are looking forward to do something good. It would be good game if we can restrict India within 260 to 265 runs on this wicket and I`m confident that`s possible for us," said all-rounder Nasir Hossain.


On the chances of senior India batsman Sachin Tendulkar scoring his elusive 100th international hundred against Bangladesh, Nasir came up with an interesting reply: "A good ball is a good ball for everyone irrespective of whether Tendulkar is playing it or not."

Quick facts
* The century against Sri Lanka in the first match was Virat Kohli’s second consecutive. Another century against Bangladesh will make him the first India batsman, and the fifth overall, to score hundreds in three consecutive ODIs.

* Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni averages 99.85 in 16 innings since the World Cup including nine not outs.

Match starts at 1.30 pm

Asia Cup: India face familiar foes Sri Lanka today

Desperate to restore their battered reputation, title holders India will face familiar foes Sri Lanka in familiar conditions in their Asia Cup opener at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur on Today.

India had a poor outing in the recently-concluded triangular series in Australia where they failed to make the cut for the finals. The Asia Cup will provide Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men a chance to make amends for their miserable show in the series where they won just three out of eight matches.

After having flopped in two consecutive overseas tours in England and then Australia, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni knows the importance of a good start that will hold them in good stead in the regional tournament.

"Over the years the format has changed in the sense now there are four good sides. It is a very short series, and it is very important to start with a positive note because it`s not very often that you play in a tournament where all the Asian countries are playing together," Dhoni said.

India are coming into the tournament with just a few changes in the squad that played in Australia with hard-hitting batsman Yusuf Pathan and pacer Ashok Dinda drafted into side, while Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan and Umesh Yadav have been `rested` due to injuries.

The Asia Cup is also an ideal platform for Sachin Tendulkar to record his much-awaited 100th international ton after having missed the feat in the Test series against Australia and the subsequent triangular series.

The tournament will also provide another opportunity to young players like Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja to prove their worth after producing a below-par performance in tough Australian conditions.

Young Virat Kohli, on the other hand, will be oozing with confidence following his impressive showing in Australia, which earned him the post of vice-captain in Sehwag`s absence.

But looking at India`s inconsistent showing in Australia, Dhoni has a lot to ponder ahead of his side`s tournament opener against Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

The series will also see a keen contest between Jadeja and Yusuf Pathan for the lone all-rounder`s spot in the playing eleven.

On the bowling front, India boasts of a relatively young pace attack in R Vinay Kumar, Ashok Dinda, Praveen Kumar and Irfan Pathan, while the spin department will be led by Ravichandran Ashwin and will have leg-spinner Rahul Sharma for company.

Going by the present form Sri Lanka are a much better side and will start the tournament as favourites ahead of India. Sri Lanka have been a resurgent side this year. They narrowly lost the five-match series in South Africa 2-3 early this year and reached the finals of the just-concluded triangular series in Australia, only to lose it but not before giving a tought fight to the home team.

But the Sri Lankans have come here as a tired side after the long tri-series in Australia, where they played five matches in the last 10 days.

"The intensity (of the CB series) was really high because we were performing at a very high level. Even though we lost the finals I thought the commitment of the players and the energy level was very good," Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said.

"International cricket is such now, you need to adapt very quickly mentally and physically to the schedules that we have," he said.

If the islanders wish to win their fifth Asia Cup title, they will have to rejuvenate themselves in no time as one bad day in office can hurt their cause.

Match starts at 1.30 pm (IST). Live on Neo Sports.

Batsman Rahul Dravid likely to announce retirement on today in Bangalore

Rahul Dravid’s glittering international career may come to an end as the veteran batsman likely to announce his retirement on today in Bangalore.

Dravid has called a press conference on today in Bangalore that will also be attended by BCCI president N Srinivasan. It was learnt that Dravid would pull curtains down on his illustrious career during the press conference.

Dravid, like most other Indian batsmen, had a poor run in the four-Test series to give Australia a clean sweep. He made 194 runs at an average of 24.25 in this series.

Dravid had already announced his retirement from one-day cricket and Twenty20.

The elegant right hander, nicknamed `The Wall` for his dour defence, is the second highest run getter in Test history with 13,288 runs, behind only Sachin Tendulkar who has 15,470 runs. He has 36 Test centuries with a highest score of 270 and an average of 52.31.

Dravid has also taken more catches (210) than anyone else in Test history during his 164 Test matches since he made his debut against England at Lord`s in 1996. He captained India from December 2005 to August 2007.

There is a question mark over another Indian veteran V V S Laxman who too had a miserable run against Australia in the current series.

There was no word yet about his future plans.

Hobart exploits leave selectors in a tricky situation

Indian team’s redemption at Hobart against Sri Lanka on Tuesday may have come as a respite for its under fire cricketers but it has left the selectors in a dilemma.

When selectors meet to choose the squad for Asia Cup on Wednesday beginning from March 12 in Bangladesh, the foremost thing in their mind would be to decide whether or not to tinker with the winning combination.

The top order that boasts of names like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag has failed to give a substantial start in the current tri-series barring Tuesday’s clash against Lanka.

MS Dhoni who has continued playing non-stop cricket since India’sWorld Cup triumph last year, might also be rested for the four-nation continental championships to be held in Dhaka.


India are the defending champions and five-time winners of the trophy and a huge alteration in the composition of the squad is unlikely.

But there are going to be changes after the consecutive flop show in England and Australia by the World Cup-winning team.

There are some injury worries too, notably to R Vinay Kumar and Irfan Pathan.

Kumar sat out the team`s penultimate league game against Australia and also missed the last game against Srilanka at Hobart, while Pathan, who collided on the field with Suresh Raina at Sydney, was not fit enough to take the field in their final round-robin match against the Lankans.

The selectors might also take into note the domestic performances when they put on their thinking hats.

Irfan`s brother Yusuf, who has started playing after getting injured in the earlier part of the season, has shown how much of a game-changer he could be when conditions suit his style of batting in the sub-continent by blasting his way to a century against Saurashtra two days ago with the help of 10 sixes and six fours.

With Jadeja being out of sorts and Test specialist Pragyan Ojha also not among the thick of wickets in the one-day domestic event, Yusuf is very likely to be recalled to the squad for his all round abilities as a powerful hitter lower down the order and an economical off-break bowler.


Also in the selectors` radar could be Robin Uthappa, another big-hitting batsman, who is third in the top scorers` list in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with 292 runs, including a belligerent century.

The selectors will certainly have to take tough decisions dropping underperforming players and giving a chance to youngsters while also resting overworked skipper Dhoni.

Match in Hobart 2012: India Vs Sri Lanka live score

21.5: 50 up for Dilshan. It is his second of the series and came with a boundary off Ashwin. With this the Sri Lankan score crossed 100-run mark.

Scorecard: India V Sri Lanka»

Live Commentary»

12.4: 50 up for Sri Lanka.

Over 12: Out! Jadeja removed Mahela Jayawardene.

Mahela (22) tried playing a late cut but somehow forgot there was a slip. He ended up gifting his wicket to Ravindra Jadeja as Virender Sehwag took a nice catch. Score: 49/1

Over 11: First bowling change for India. Umesh Yadav introduced into the attack.

Over 4.5: First six of the day. Mahela Jayawardene again skipped down the track playing a controlled shot over long-on boundary for a six.

Over 2.2: First boundary of the day. Mahela Jayawardene charged down the track dispatching Zaheer Khan over mid-on for a boundary.

Over 1: Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene took guard for Sri Lanka as Zaheer Khan opened up bowling for India.

India won the toss and elected to field first on Today.

India take on Sri Lanka in their last league match on Today with a difficult task of defeating them with a bonus point. Not only this, they will have to pray--if they manage to secure win--that Australia also defeat the Lankan team that will give India any hope of making it to the finals of the CB series.

Given India`s current form, it looks like a tall ask since none of their batsmen has been a source of assurance even as their bowling and fielding has put up a better show. The uncertain top order gives way to a middle order that surrenders unexpectedly when the things are under control.

The team will have to produce their best performance hoping all their departments fire in unison unlike as has been the case so far in the tri-series.


On the other hand Sri Lanka have been a contrast to India improving with each match as their bowlers and batsmen have performed at crucial times complementing each other’s effort. For Sri Lanka, they can play safe and still be assured of a place in the finals.

Indian team has dropped Irfan Pathan and Zaheer Khan comes into the side.

Tendulkar to go for precautionary MRI scan today

Senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar is likely to go for a precautionary MRI scan on Monday after he was hit on his head by a sharply lifting delivery from Brett Lee while batting in the tri-series match against Australia here.

Tendulkar seemed to have misread the pace and lift of the final delivery of Lee`s second over, which hit the grill of his helmet and bounced off to mid-on where Xavier Doherty took the "catch".


Every Australian fielder went up in appeal, thinking they had their man, but umpire Steve Davis was convinced it hadn`t touched Tendulkar`s bat before striking his helmet at the Gabba on Sunday.

Apparently, some sort of blow from that delivery had also deflected on to Tendulkar`s forehead, above his right eye.

The batsman continued with his innings, which ended off the very next delivery he faced, in Ben Hilfenhaus` next over from the other end.

After his dismissal, Tendulkar was given ice treatment on the swelling in the dressing room, and even though he`s shown no discomfort, a precautionary MRI scan has been advised for him.

It capped a miserable day for the champion Indian batsman who was hit on his shin off an edged stroke from Peter Forrest in the slips in the 25th over of Australian innings and while batting, he made an unconvincing three off 12 balls as the visitors lost the match by a whopping 110 runs at the Gabba.

Dhanush has released his anthem for Sachin

Here’s some really good news for all the crazy fans of Sachin Tendulkar. India’s latest youth icon Dhanush is all set with his tribute to the cricketing legend. The Tamil film star’s Sachin anthem is out on YouTube.

Dhanush took to Twitter to announce the video on Youtube. He wrote, “THE SACHIN song officially out 4m today!Here s d link:) let`s sing along-u.A humble attempt from a simple fan.god bless(sic).”

Young and happening music composer Anirudh Ravichander too expressed his excitement by tweeting, “Sachin anthem is out! Check it out folks :)(sic).”‘Kolaveri Di’ became a national sensation. Hope the anthem on Sachin follows suit.

Australia crush India in 1st ODI series

Australia beat India by a comprehensive margin of 65 runs after the batsmen lost the plot completely in the rain marred 32-over-a-side game.

Starting without the services of Virender Sehwag, the onus was on Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir to give a fiery start and they fizzled out quickly, an act that was followed by a lot of other batsmen throughout the Indian innings.

The first ODI saw bowlers coming in with superb performances as Clint McKay claimed three scalps for the Australian outfit while Vinay Kumar got three of his own in the first part of the match.

However, it was the willow of debutant Matthew Wade (67*) Michael Hussey (45) and David Hussey (61*) that got the Aussies their first win of tri-series as they bludgeoned the visitors for sixes and boundaries at will.

Not learning from the past mistakes, the Indian batsmen were found uneasy against the clinical effort by the Australian bowlers and surrendered without a fight, failing to look like the ODI World Champions that they are supposed to be.

Losing wickets with clinical precision, the final nail in the coffin for the Indians was as early as the 22nd and 23rd over, where three middle order batsmen surrendered like school kids under pressure.

From there on, no comeback was possible, especially with the Oz camp in no mood to lose the momentum.

Ravichandran Ashwin was run out in the next over and the misery continued with Rahul Sharma being clean bowled as the scorecard read 123/8 (23.5 Ovs).

India were set a target of 217 runs (D/L) by a charged-up Australian outfit at the MCG. The game saw rain reduce the number of overs and the home team simply stepped-up the run-rate and made sixes and fours a regular feature.

The first ODI saw Vinay Kumar take three wickets to bolster his chances on the tour and he was on cue for most part of the game, a respite from his wayward performances earlier.

Australia, riding high on the flurry of runs scored in the last 12 overs, gave a steep total to chase as David Hussey (61*) became the wrecker-in-charge with a whirlwind half century. 19 runs came off the last over to end the Australian innings at 216/5.

Hussey brothers slammed sixes and fours, ran aggressively and put Dhoni’s men under pressure as the death overs approached. They took the total past 150 runs and the last 50 were scored in just 33 balls.

Rounds of Melbourne showers had thwarted the efforts to start play but the primary concern was the passing away of the water-laden cloud cover that was bucketing the ground. After a long pause, the D/L system was adopted and thankfully, there were no rain stops in the second half.

India captain MS Dhoni had won the toss and surprisingly elected to field first against Australia in the first ODI of the tri-series.

India made one change to the squad by resting opener Virender Sehwag. Team India was bolstered by the return of Sachin Tendulkar back into the ODI squad first time after the World Cup final as the visitors locked horns for dominance in the most popular format of the game.

None of the tricks up the sleeves of MS Dhoni worked and with a charged-up Sri Lanka too in the fray, making a comeback into the series would be a tough task for the Men in Blue.

Ind vs Aus: India 92/2 at tea on Day 4, trail by 407 runs

Chasing a massive 500-run target, India lost Virender Sehwag (62) and Gautam Gambhir (3) in the post-lunch session on Day 4 of the fourth and final Test in Adelaide on today.

Rahul Dravid (19) and Sachin Tendulkar (7) took India to 92/2 at tea as India need 408 runs more to win the match in next four sessions.

Spinner Nathan Lyon took the prize-wicket of dangerous Sehwag to give the hosts a crucial breakthough.

Sehwag led the run chase for India with his typical 62 runs off just 53 balls as he raced to fifty in 36 deliveries. He hit twelve boundaries in his rapid knock before throwing his wicket to a mistimed shot resulting to an easy catch for Ricky Ponting at cover.

Sehwag added 66 runs for the second wicket with veteran Rahul Dravid as they tried to resurrect the Indian run chase after losing Gautam Gambhir (3) early.

India started poorly as they lost opener Gambhir inside five overs. Pacer Ryan Harris struck early in 4.3 overs to dismiss Gambhir cheaply and reduce India to 14/1.

Earlier, Australia declared their second innings soon after the play resume in the post-lunch session and set 500 runs target for India with less than five sessions left in the match.

Ricky Ponting (60) and Brad Haddin (11) took Australia's overall lead to 499 runs when skipper Michael Clarke declare their innings close. Australia scored 167/5 in 46 overs in their second innings of the match after they declared their first essay at 604/7 on Day 2.

Australia lost Clarke (37) and Michael Hussey (15) in quick succession in the morning session of the fourth day of the fourth Test on Friday.

The hosts were 154/5 at lunch in their second innings with an overall lead of 486 runs with Ponting and Haddin at the crease.

Ishant Sharma trapped Hussey to give India second breakthrough. Umpire Dharmasena took his time before giving Hussey, who wasn't happy with the decision, marching orders. Australia lost their fifth wicket at the score of 147.

Ricky Ponting, who added 71 runs for the fourth wicket with Michael Clarke, hit another fine half-century to take Australia's overall lead past 475-run mark. Ponting's 50 came off in 73 balls and included four boundaries.

Seamer Umesh Yadav got rid of Clarke, who scored 43-ball 37 with the help of four boundaries. Australia lost their fourth wicket at the score of 111.

Yadav's full-length delivery got a faint outside edge from Clarke's bat en-route to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha's hands.

Ponting hit two successive boundaries off Ishant Sharma to bring up 500 runs for the series and also take Australia's overall lead past 400-run mark against India. .

Clarke and Ponting resumed Australia's second innings on Day 4 after India conceded a huge first innings lead of 332 runs after the end of third day's play at the Adelaide Oval.

Australia resumed Day 4 at 50/3 in the second innings enjoying an overall lead of 382 runs.

There was some artificial excitement towards the end of third day's play when the home team lost their top-three for just 50 runs, but with an overall lead of 382 and seven wickets standing, Australia were merely stirred, not shaken.

Barring a miracle, it is hard to see this Indian line-up denying Australia a clean sweep of the four-Test series that was lost 10 days ago in Perth.

Virat Kohli provided the only bright moment by cracking his maiden century but India were still faced with a herculean task of preventing a 'whitewash' against Australia in the fourth and final Test.

Kohli stood bravely amidst the ruins with a gritty 116 but most of the other top batsmen surrendered meekly as India folded up for 272 in the first innings, and even though they were 332 runs in arrears of Australia's first innings tally - and therefore liable to follow-on - skipper Michael Clarke decided not to enforce the same.

Credit should also be given to young Wriddhiman Saha (35) who helped Kohli add 114 runs for the sixth wicket which helped the Delhi lad push for his three-figure mark. Kohli's delightful knock contained 11 boundaries and a six over deep mid-wicket off Michael Clarke's bowling.

The second new-ball again did the trick for Australia as India who were 225/5 at one stage lost five wickets for 47 runs in little over 10 overs.

Aussie paceman Peter Siddle charged in on the unresponsive flat Adelaide pitch to take five for 49, denting a few more Indian batting reputations and prolonging Sachin Tendulkar's wait for a 100th international century.

Adelaide Test Live Score:India dismissed for 272

Australia have wrapped up the Indian innings for 272 runs as Peter Siddle and Virat Kohli emerged as the star of their respective sides on day 3 of the Adelaide Test on Today. They have a lead of 332 runs.

Scorecard: India Vs Australia »

Australia have decided not to enforce follow-on.

Highlights from the Indian innings

11:23 a.m. Over 96: Ben Hilfenhaus trapped Kohli in front of the wickets to put an end to a superb innings of 116 runs. With the fall of this wicket, India have been dismissed for 272 runs in their first innings.

11: 17 a.m. Over 94: Out! Hilfenhaus gets Ishant Sharma the next delivery after being hit square for a boundary. India have lost nine wickets.

11: 04 a.m. Over 92: Virat Kohli slammed a maiden Test ton and the first from India in the series to stand tall amid weathering Indian batting.

10: 44 a.m. Over 88: Double strike! Peter Siddle has once again proven to be the tormenter of Indian batting. He first removes R Aswhin and then Zaheer Khan of back to back deliveries reducing India to 230/8.

Tea Report

Virat Kohli and Wriddhiman Saha had forged a 100-run partnership before the latter's departure to provide stability to the Indian innings as India were 225/6 at tea on the third day of the Adelaide Test on Thursday.

India lost the wicket of set batsman Wriddhiman Saha at the stroke of tea just as they were looking steady.

Kohli went past his previous best score of 75 runs, to be unbeaten at 91 while Saha (35) played with belief and confidence to steer Indian innings in a positive direction after morning session blues got the better of the Indian batsmen.

However, in the last over of the second session, he misjudged Ryan Harris’s delivery--shouldered his arms and the result-- his bails were off as India lost their sixth wicket.

Kohli's approach to the innings was evident from the two hits-a boundary and a six towards mid wicket-- off Clarke in the 72nd over in consecutive deliveries.

Highlights from the second session

Over 85: Out! Wriddhiman Saha misjudges and shoulders arm to a delivery pitched just outside off stump that jsut nips in to hit the stumps. Ryan Harris gets his first wicket.
Over 80: New ball taken and also a testing time for the batsmen before the tea break.
Over 77: 100 run partnership between Kohli and Saha. Both have played a positive cricket unlike the top order batsmen and are exhibiting much needed character and resilience.
Over 73: A cover drive from Kohli brings 200 for India
Over 72: Virat Kohli hits a boundary and then follows it up with a six over mid wicket off Clarke’s consecutive deliveries.
Over 69: Wriddhiman Saha dispatches Nathan Lyon over midwicket boundary for a six. Certainly, they need a positive batting like this.
Over 63: 50-run partnership between Saha and Kohli
Over 52: Play resumes as India need 283 to avoid follow-on.

Lunch Report

India were 120/5 after three early blows in the morning left them struggling in pursuit of Australian first inning’s total of 604 runs. They still trail Australia by 482 runs with Kohli (21*) and Saha (5*) on crease.

A tight Australian bowling and a defensive approach from the Indian batsmen was the highlight of the session.

Peter Siddle, who led the charge with the dismissal of Virender Sehwag on day 1, again came charging on Thursday morning to do what he has done all this series. He first removed Tendulkar with an angled delivery that was pitched up and led him to drive forward. The ball was edged towards Ponting in the slips where he completed a low catch to end Tendulkar’s inning at 25 runs.

Next to go was Gautam Gambhir who fell to a brilliant Siddle bouncer. The delivery caught Gambhir by surprise and all he could do was hop and play it towards the gully area where Hussey came forward and took a diving catch to remove the opener at 34 runs.

Nathan Lyon then stifled the Indian batsmen with a tight line and length and was aptly rewarded when he found the edge of VVS Laxman who looked positive before departing after scoring 18 runs.

The mantra was simple. On a pitch full of runs, Australians kept a tight, attacking length and their discipline earned them rich dividends in the 30 overs they bowled before lunch where they gave only 61 runs while picking three wickets.

Highlights from the morning session

7: 12 a.m. Over 47: Out! Laxman is caught behind off Lyon delivery that spins outside off. Laxman’s (18) wicket means that India are five wickets down when they are trailing Australian score by 493 runs.

7: 12 a.m. Over 46: Hussey into the attack, India 111/4

6: 54 a.m. Over 41: 100 up for India. Virat Kohli and VVS Laxman are in the middle. India 100/4

6: 27 a.m. Over 34: Out! It’s Gambhir who is the second wicket to fall and it is Peter Siddle again who is troubling Indians. Siddle produces a brilliant bouncer on a flat track and all Gambhir could do was hop and play it towards gully where Hussey takes a good diving catch to end his innings at 34 runs.

6: 12 a.m. Over 32: Peter Siddle removes Sachin Tendulkar as he is caught at slip by Ponting at the score of 25 runs. India have lost their third wicket. Siddle has again provided Australia with the crucial breakthrough as has been the case so far in the series. India 78/3.

5: 36 a.m. Over 22: First runs of the day, Tendulkar gets a boundary off Hilfenhaus at square leg.

Bharat Ratna for hockey player Dhyan Chand? Tendulkar left out

The Sports Ministry on Wednesday recommended the name of legendary hockey player Dhyan Chand for the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.

The ministry has also recommended the name of mountaineer Tenzing Norgay, one of the first two individuals known to have reached the summit of Mount Everest.

Interestingly, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not sent the name of Sachin Tendulkar, who is also seen as a sports icon of an age by many.

Rajiv Shukla however, tried to explain BCCI’s failure to send the recommendation saying that ‘the ministry itself decides the names and not BCCI’.

The Australian media target Sachin; say his ‘deepest shame’ at SCG

The Australian media on Monday started playing mind games with Sachin Tendulkar ahead of the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, accusing him of not coming clean on the Harbhajan Singh-Andrew Symonds ‘Monkeygate’ scandal, years after it has been buried and forgotten.

“The stage may be set at the SCG for Sachin Tendulkar`s finest hour but it is also the venue where his deepest shame was born. Some recent Australian players have not forgiven his role in the Andrew Symonds ‘Monkeygate’ scandal,” wrote Herald Sun website.

The leading Australian news site also added, “But despite the unparalleled greatness of his achievements, some Australians lost respect for him when he gave completely different accounts of what took place as a key witness in the Harbhajan Singh-Andrew Symonds racism meltdown.

The site also quoted Adam Gilchrist in his book True Colours, who retired at the end of that 2007-08 season, was furious, describing the appeal as a "joke".

"Tendulkar, who`d said at the first hearing that he hadn`t been able to hear what Harbhajan had said - and he was a fair way away, up the other end, so I`m certain he was telling the truth - now supported Harbhajan`s version that he hadn`t called Symo a `monkey` but instead a Hindi term of abuse that might sound like `monkey` to Australian ears," Gilchrist wrote

"The Indians got him off the hook when they, of all people, should have been treating the matter of racial vilification with the utmost seriousness."

The media attack on Sachin Tendulkar comes in wake of the fact that he is in good form to go into the second Test at Sydney and his phenomenal record at the SCG makes him the favourite to score the unparalleled feat of 100 international centuries.

Indian batting stars under fire after MCG debacle

The Indian media on today lashed out at the country's famed batting line-up for letting the team down in the opening Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Chasing a 292-run target on Thursday, India failed to cope with Australia's pace attack as they were shot out for 169 despite the batting experience of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag.

"Melbourne Meltdown" said a Times of India headline after the tourists' 122-run defeat. "Those expecting India's much-vaunted batting line-up to give Australia a run for their money were disappointed when Dhoni and Co surrendered without even putting up a semblance of a fight," the paper wrote.

Australian fast bowlers James Pattinson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle all struck it rich on a seamer-friendly track, grabbing 19 of the 20 Indian wickets to lead their side to a crushing victory.

"'Foreign fever' returned to grip the Indian team as Pattinson, Hilfenhaus and Siddle tormented them - much like the English bowlers had done in England - with a heady cocktail of pace, bounce and movement served with relentless consistency," said the paper.

It was India's fifth successive Test defeat away from home after a 4-0 loss in England.

"Mauled in Melbourne" the Hindustan Times said on its front page and "Bat-erred India fall apart" on its sports page.

"The chase was always going to be an uphill task, considering the recent barren run which has seen the famed batting line-up not cross the 300-run mark in the last 10 away innings," said the paper.

The Hindu newspaper also blamed the batsmen for defeat, saying the "famed batting line-up fails to deliver".

Ravi Shastri, former India all-rounder and now a noted TV commentator, said the Indian batsmen needed to show grit to bounce back in the four-Test series.

"India need runs from all their main batsmen. Now that bowlers look the part, batters have no business to let them down," he wrote in the Times of India.

"I wouldn't be surprised if this completely turns out to be a bowlers' series. If so, then every run saved or made would count. India have the skills. All they need is resolve," he wrote.

Former India paceman Javagal Srinath said the tourists could fight back.

"Saddled with the reputation of being poor starters overseas, India did precious little to rectify the anomaly in the Melbourne Test," he wrote in the Hindustan Times.

"Barring England, where nothing went right for them, India have bounced back after first-Test losses. There is no reason, given the experience and quality of the India batting, why they can't do so again in Sydney."

The second Test starts in Sydney on January 3.

Ending the year 2011 with a smile!

From India lifting the World Cup to Vidya Balan making women feel comfortable in their own skin, 2011 gave us much to smile about. reports

As 2011, four days shy of lapsing into the past, makes way for 2012, we recall the people and events that had us breaking into a smile. A smile, like the Mona Lisa painting has famously taught us, spreads forth from the wellspring of happiness as it does from the depths of despair. Smiles that emanate from the cockles of our heart were aplenty this year, and smiles that say 'serves him well' abounded too. And, best of all, smiles that assured us that all's truly well with the world. Here's our pick...

Anna Hazare: His war cry against corruption and the corrupt galvanised a countrywide movement and mobilised the young and old like never before in post-Independent India. That he refused to be cowed by powerful politicians or critics, who identified with his cause but questioned his means, made him the unyielding crusader whom neither prison nor Parliament could tame.

Virender Sehwag: He gave us a two-ton reason to smile. Kolaveri became Kola-Viru as he, in 219 masterful strokes, erased the ignominy of our England tour. With the World Cup win and Viru's veer double knock against the West Indies, we pretty much owned the game .

Vidya Balan: The actor taught us how to embrace sexuality without being apologetic. With her role in Dirty Picture, she conveyed a message to women that fat and flab were no reasons to feel insecure about or ashamed of their bodies.

Veena Malik: It takes guts to pose the way Veena did on the cover of a magazine. And if you're from the other side of the border, it takes much more than that. Heck, we even sniggered at the ISI stamp inked on her arm.

Kapil Sibal: No one quite knows how and when this once enlightened and suave political figure went senile in his 60s, but advocating for Internet censorship in today's age and time was evidence enough that Sibal is a man far removed from ground realities. He had the country's Netizens laughing away at the absurdity of the state playing net nanny.

Dhanush: The actor gave Tamil and Kollywood a leg-up in a country where Bollywood and item songs rule the entertainment roost. His Kolaveri-di video became such a 'murderous rage' online that many think this could well be the beginning of the end of the north-south divide. Despite some venerable critics slamming the song, its popularity continues unabated. The rip-offs too!

Beti B: Hers was easily the most anticipated delivery of the year. While bookies placed huge bets on Aishwarya and Abhishek's baby, its sex, the due date, and whether it would be a normal or Caesarean birth, Beti B slid forth into this world on a sweet 16 November morning, proving most speculations just that, and also proving that from day one she's very much her own person. She's also become the nation's new blue-eyed (or is it green?) girl.

Sunny Leone: When she made the transition from Karen Malhotra to Sunny Leone, little did we know that one day she'd have us furiously scouring the net to get to know her better. She added luscious variety to a reality show that was becoming jaded and boringly scripted. She raised the show's TRPs and enlarged many an err.. eyeball! The men made sure they had an academic reason to justify their playful pursuits by insisting they were simply 'checking out' the Bigg Boss inmate!

Harvinder Singh: Though some questioned his literally strong-arm tactic, for young India, disillusioned and let down by the political class, the fact that he'd taken on the high, mighty and heavyweight politico Sharad Pawar was reason enough to smile and feel empowered.

Siddhartha Mukherjee: This biographer of cancer put the dreaded C-word centrestage and brought it to the realm of everyday conversation. The Emperor of All Maladies, which won him the Pulitzer Prize, is neither ominous nor reverential or steeped in sentimentality peculiar to diseases that, generally, have a terminal consequence. It is anchored in reality, and narrated in tellingly impactful prose.

William and Kate Middleton: They made us believe in fairy tales and happily-ever-after endings. If Diana had become the people's princess, Kate Middleton arrived as one.

Pippa Middleton: Boy, did she lead from behind! Her pert, firm butt became this year's most photographed and Facebooked posterior. A bottom(less) reservoir of happy smiles!

The World Cup victory: After 28 years, we were holding aloft the Worl Cup. It was full-on celebration unleashed in the entire country. And when teammates lifted Sachin Tendulkar on their shoulders and did the victory lap around the stadium, the smile on our lips had the tear in our eye for company.

Formula One: With the fiasco of the Commonwealth Games behind us, we'd lost belief in our ability to pull off an event of this magnitude and sophistication. But we raced to victory with this one!

The world's not coming to an end next year, or indeed in a zillion years, so have yourselves a Happy New Year, and spread the cheer!

Boxing Day Test Live: Australia crossed the 250-run, partnership between Brad Haddin and Peter Siddle

Australia crossed the 250-run mark as a handy partnership between Brad Haddin and Peter Siddle averted a complete collapse in the final session of play.

Ed Cowan (68) finally caved-in to the pressure mounted by the Indian bowlers, caught behind by MS Dhoni off Ravichandran Ashwin’s spin.

The scorecard read 214/6 at the fall with the Indian outfit dominating for the first time in the day.

Before the collapse, Zaheer Khan had finally struck hard as he clean bowled Michael Clarke (31) with an awesome delivery that was dragged back onto the stumps. He followed it up with another beauty and dismissed Michael Hussey for a duck on the very next delivery.

The spectators were treated to Test cricket of the highest quality as the world’s top teams competed with full fervour, not giving the other any room to breathe. However, it was the Australians with the home advantage that held a slightly upper hand.

Second Session

Umesh Yadav struck gold on being reintroduced into the attack, claiming the all important scalp of Ricky Ponting (62). The third breakthrough from Yadav got the bounce back into the Indian outfit as the scorecard read 170/3 at tea on Day 1.

The second session of play belonged majorly to Australia as Cowan and Ponting kept on piling runs and did not give away their wicket cheaply.

Ponting had looked dangerous as he slammed a solid fifty to steady the innings, his 59th in Test cricket for Australia in the last fifteen years. He was given apt support from opener Ed Cowan who toiled for his runs but kept the wicket intact against a disciplined attack, slamming a fifty of his own.

The post-lunch session had begun a bit late as rain gods kept on bothering the proceedings in a largely filled MCG.

First Session

Rain stopped play as an early lunch was taken at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with the Australian scorecard reading 68/2. The game was delicately poised at the break as the Indian bowlers pegged back towards the later part of the session while the home team averted any collapses.

India had got the first breakthrough as Umesh Yadav claimed David Warner (37) right after a short break that could have resulted in a lapse of concentration on the batsman’s part.

Shaun Marsh was the new man on the crease and he was out for a duck, giving Yadav his second scalp of the Australian summers. Warner gloved a short one into the hands of India skipper MS Dhoni while Marsh was caught by Kohli with the scorecard reading 46/2.

Just before that, covers had come on the turf at the MCG because rain stopped play after 13 overs. The break was however short lived as the drizzle stopped within a few minutes and play resumed.

Openers Ed Cowan and Warner had started the proceedings on a positive note as speedsters Ishant and Zaheer looked for an early breakthrough while there was still some movement in the air.

Zaheer was particularly tight in his line and length as he had a couple of loud appeals and close calls.

An Oz summer had begun with home captain Michael Clarke winning the toss and electing to bowl against India in the Boxing Day Test. There was some good news for the Indian camp as both pacers Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma proved their fitness and were drafted for the test Down Under.