End of Yuvraj's worst year as cricketer, says mother Shabnam

MUMBAI: Khaate peete ghar ka lagta hai (Looks like he comes from a prosperous family). Till a month ago, if you walked to any chowk and overheard a conversation on cricket, that's what you would have perceived about Yuvraj Singh. (Read: Yograj credits son's success to God ) ( Read: Favourite 'kadhi chawal' awaits Yuvi ) 

Yuvraj? 36" waistline, under-arm biceps, paunch.World Cup haath se gaya bhaiyya (The World Cup is already gone). It looked like a terrible decision when he was selected to play the World Cup. His form had touched its lowest ebb yet. Less than 1,300 runs in 47 one-day innings and one injury after the other seemed like the beginning of a national crisis. The fielder in him too looked lost in the woods. He was also supposed to be supercilious, almost faking his way into the team and He was living on reputation alone. 

Yuvraj was finished, wasn't he? "He used to come home, go to bed and suddenly get up in the middle of the night. He couldn't get a grip on what was happening around him. Overnight he went from being one of the nation's best batsmen to one who was struggling to find a place in the team. It had to be his worst year as a cricketer," says Shabnam, Yuvraj's mother. She couldn't understand what fans, media, experts and those who were not so expert wanted from him. "I don't know what people expected from him." 

In India, where national and regional politics, the movie industry, information technology and art and culture sell like nobody's business, cricket tops the list. 

Yuvraj couldn't understand why his two fifties in 14 innings in 2010 and a batting average of 31.73 were not cutting any ice with selectors. "It came like a jolt when I was dropped," he now admits. During this phase, a reporter called Yuvraj's father to ask him what was going wrong with his son's cricket. "Mera bachcha sher hai lad ke wapas aayega" (My son is a tiger, he'll fight back), said a confident Yograj Singh. 

As his career hit an all-time low, there were reports suggesting that had started contemplating quitting the game. Thankfully, he shrugged them off. "I would like to thank my parents and my gurus (Guru Ram Singh and Guru Ajit Singh) and my friends," says Yuvraj. 

Yuvraj is a religious man and if he has respect for certain people, it remains that way. Parents and gurus, friends and family members and one Sachin Tendulkar form the crux of those certain people. In fact, Tendulkar is the 'special person' for whom he famously declared, after India's quarterfinal victory against Australia, that he wanted to do well in this World Cup. "But this win is not just for Sachin or any team member alone. This is for all of us and the nation. We fought like champions and won the Cup. And we're very proud of it," he says. 

To many Yuvraj may come across as arrogant, brawny and egotistic even. Those close to him say these are traits that make the myth, not the man. When he says, for instance, "Our nation had been waiting for this moment for long and we're glad we've achieved it" those who know him well insist how much this means to him. 

As his mother puts it "He was challenged and he fought back." In the process, he not just changed the way people think of him but simply made them stand up and clap in awe. 

Khaate peete ghar ke ladke ne World Cup jeeta diya! The boy from the prosperous background wonIndia the World Cup.

Another record? 68 million watched World Cup final

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Team India's victory at Wankhede will not only go down in history as one of the greatest cricketing victories for the country, but also as one of the most viewed sporting events on television ever. 

An unprecedented 67.6 million people watched the gripping final that had most Indians at the edge of their seats. The number of viewers on Saturday—according to the data collated by audience measurement agency aMap—has surpassed the Indo-Pak semi-final that was perhaps the most anticipated match of the tournament for the subcontinent audience. The number of viewers for the semi-final was 67.3 million. The other semifinal—Sri Lanka vs New Zealand—paled in comparison with only 32 million viewers. 

Incidentally, TRP viewership for India matches leaped from 3.7 before the quarterfinals to 6.4. About 53 million watched the India vs Australia clash in the quarter-finals. aMap vice-president Jinita Shah said, "Yesterday's viewership broke all records. Every Indian was glued on to TV to see the big win. Viewership increased almost four times on Saturday.'' According to aMap, 64% of cable and satellite homes watched the Men in Blue clinch the World Cup. The average viewership rating for the final was 13.6, which peaked at 21.4 during the end of the match—higher than the high-voltage Indo-Pak encounter at Mohali. However, most industry watchers will wait for the TAM ratings that most media agencies subscribe to for a full analysis. 

The aMap data, though, is an indication of the unprecedented viewership that the final clocked. The average time spent recorded on the match was an impressive 187 minutes. 

"The World Cup finals will break all records possible as far as cricket viewership or any other programme in recent times is concerned. Peaks could touch ratings of 40 and average would be higher than 30. Considering India won and it happened in India while the contests were well fought, this World Cup has given the sponsors the biggest returns compared to other years," said Ajit Varghese, MD of Maxus, which bought media for brands like Vodafone, Fiat, Nokia and Hero Honda among others.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Another-record-68-million-watched-World-Cup-final/articleshow/7860559.cms

Men in Blue party all night after World Cup triumph

MUMBAI: The victory celebrations didn't end with the ceremony and trophy presentation at theWankhede Stadium on Saturday night. Like most of the country, Team India partied hard into the night, finally hitting the sack only way past dawn at around 7.30 am on Sunday. 

The party was in three stages. First there was an impromptu bash with the Taj Mahal Tower's guests, then a party among the teammates themselves outside their rooms and finally a bigger bash at the Zodiac Grill with family and friends. 

The Indian team had left the Wankhede to reach the hotel at around 12.15 am. When the guests in the Taj Tower came to know that the victorious players were arriving - and being sneaked into the hotel through the backdoor - they knew where to gather so that the Men in Blue wouldn't miss them. And they didn't! 

The moment the players walked in, chants of "Indiaaa, Indiaaa" greeted the team at decibel levels that could be heard as far away as the Gateway. The hotel had been barricaded to not let in outsiders and what followed inside were maniacal celebrations. 

The hotel's leading chef, Hemant Oberoi, had baked a special cake in the shape of the World Cup for the team. The players cut the grand chocolate cake at the Starboard, a portside bar with a maritime theme housed at the lobby level. 

Once that was done, the bubbly flowed. The players and the hotel guests popped the finest of Moet & Chandon Magnum and the party began. Indian and continental delicacies were served and the players were drenched in champagne. 

The party went on in the lobby for close to an hour. 

The hotel receptionists, floor managers, security men, bell boys, attendants and other employees had no choice but to stand and watch the pandemonium as the guests partied with the cricketers like there was no tomorrow. Champagne was sprayed, cake scattered, seats were climbed over; there was shouting, yelling and singing of 'Saare jahan se achcha.' 

Every guest wanted a picture. This, they knew, was going to be their best brush with cricketing glory. The Taj, lit in blue to go with Team India's colour, added to the mood and it was only after the players began making repeated requests for their share of privacy that they were allowed to go up to their rooms in the heritage wing of the hotel. 

Once they reached their floor, the teammates went to their respective rooms, refreshed themselves and came back to party by themselves at the lobby of the same floor. 

It was already 2.30 am by then. That, perhaps, was the first time since lifting the Cup that Dhoni's bunch of world beaters could soak in their moment of truth and let what they had achieved through the evening sink in. They stayed there for around another hour, in their very private huddle, where emotions ran high and tears flowed. 

It was important to get a grip over themselves before moving any further into the night and the players did just that. At around 3.30 am, they walked into the Zodiac Grill, where the Taj had even prepared a dance floor for the team members and their personal guests, including family and friends. 

It was 7 am by the time they returned to their rooms, tired enough to hit the sack. On arrival, they were greeted with congratulatory notes on beds crisply made up with white linen. 

Expectedly, the cricketers, their support staff, coaches and officials of the International Cricket Council had a late meal on Monday, with some placing orders up to their rooms. They then gathered on the Taj Chambers terrace for a photo-op with the Cup before heading to Raj Bhavan for high tea with the President of India. 

It was 3.30 pm when they got into the bus to head to Walkeshwar.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/news/Men-in-Blue-party-all-night-after-World-Cup-triumph/articleshow/7861594.cms

Ind vs SL: Bookies favour India for World Cup final

MUMBAI: With everything looking good for the Indian team on the eve of the cricket World Cupfinal against Sri Lanka, the team has attracted the attention of followers of form. Besides, playing at Wankhede Stadium, the home of cricket in India, also made the hosts clear favorites in the betting market. 

Major betting sites like Ladbrokes, Betfair and Bet365 are offering average odds of around 60 paisa per rupee for an Indian victory while rivalsSri Lanka are available at an average odds of rupees 1.50 for every one rupee. 

That bookies are offering lucrative odds against Sri Lanka also reflects that doubts over the participation of Muttiah Muralitharan in this high stakes game have not gone unnoticed by punters. 

However, these odds are likely to change drastically once it becomes clear whether Murali will play the final or not on Saturday afternoon. In case Murali is ruled out, the odds on India's win are expected to come down to 50 paisa and odds for a Sri Lankan victory go up to rupees 1.60. 

According to early betting patterns, the prospect of Sachin Tendulkar scoring his 100th international century looks great with a lot of bets being placed on him. 

The maestro scoring a 100 and India lifting the Cup is available at a combined odds of 8/1 on Betfair. Betting is also heavy on Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag scoring a century, with odds of 6-to-1. 

But the actual scene will unfold on Saturday once the game begins. A lot will depend on who bats first and how the innings progresses. "As of today the volume of betting that has taken place till now is far below our expectations. However, given that the Indians are in with a real chance to win the Cup, we expect the scene to change by 2.30 p.m. tomorrow," says a bookie. 

Betting options & odds on offer 

Indian win: Ladbrokes (8/13); Betfair (8/13); (60 paisa in the Indian market); SL win:Ladbrokes (5/4); Betfair (13/8); (14/10 in Indian market); Sachin Tendulkar: Scoring 50 (2.68/1); scoring 100 (6/1); scoring 100 and Indian winning (8/1) and MoM (7/1) - all from Betfair; Leading scorer in tournament: Tendulkar (10/11); T Dilshan (11/10); K Sangakkara (9/1) - all from Ladbrokes.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/off-the-field/Ind-vs-SL-Bookies-favour-India-for-World-Cup-final/articleshow/7847797.cms

Model committed to strip if India wins final against SL

MUMBAI: She is all of 20 and ready to strip for Team India. Mumbai-based model Poonam Pandey wants to keep her commitment to bare all if India wins the World Cup. 

Pandey told TOI on Thursday: ''Of course, I am going to do it. But where? I can bare all wherever they want. It can be inside the players' dressing room or even in the stadium.'' 

Pandey insisted she has got overwhelming support from the people of India. ''They are encouraging me. Even my parents are proud of me because I am doing something for Team India. They have no issues with my going nude.'' 

When told that nudity is considered an offence and that she may get into trouble, the model said: ''I am going to take permission from BCCI. I really don't want to do anything that is against the law.'' 

Her friends and colleagues on Facebook, though, requested that she must strip with or without BCCI's permission. Fellow model Shweta Sharma posted: "Poonam has to bare all even if BCCI says no. Please don't give an excuse saying I will go nude only if they agree". 

Pandey said daring to bare is the best way to cheer team India after their win. Her Facebook status says: "I am a New Generation Girl!!! Anything for my country to get home the World Cup. So INDIA cheer with me that we need 1983 World Cup BACK." Pandey has been one of the most searched persons on the internet in the past two days.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Model-committed-to-strip-if-India-wins-final-against-SL/articleshow/7839613.cms

Fitting Finale: Sachin Tendulkar vs Muttiah Muralitharan

MUMBAI: It may not provide the pure thrill of an India-Australia encounter; it may not offer the political drama of an India-Pakistan clash either. Yet, this India-Sri Lanka final has something that makes it even more engrossing. 

A straight contest between the world's best batsman and best bowler of all time: Sachin Tendulkar versus Muttiah Muralitharan. 18,093 runs against 534 wickets. (And we are only talking one-dayers here.) A maestro and a magician on the game's biggest stage. 

Add the cauldron-like atmosphere at the Wankhede Stadium, and it promises to be a match for the gods, a battle for eternity. There's been some concern whether Murali's aching hamstring and dodgy knee will allow him to play but given the stage and the occasion, it's safe to bet that if he can walk, he'll be out there wheeling away. 

There is also a twist to the contest that makes it even more gut-wrenching: it is the last World Cupfor both. Only one of them will be going home with the trophy; the other will go away with a heavy heart and a strange feeling of emptiness. 

Sure, it may not hurt Murali as much as it will Sachin: he has, after all, already been part of one Cup-winning side. He has also often shown the ability to take triumphs and tribulations alike in his stride. The tsunami and accompanying devastation back home has clearly helped him see life's bigger picture. 

Sachin has probably not reached that stage yet: winning the World Cup has been a lifelong dream for him. He wants it desperately because that's the only thing missing from his array of exploits. If the hundredth ton comes along with it, it would be a fitting last chapter, to at least his one-day career. 

"It's the most important tournament in my life," he had said just before the tricky quarterfinal against Australia; they were the magic words that made his mates in the team wake up to the possibility of a day without him. Since then, Team India has been a transformed side. 

Murali does not believe in such hyperbole: he makes his own destiny. More importantly, he makes his mates do the 'dirty work' by unleashing his charm offensive in the dressing room. "We will really miss him," said vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene. "He keeps us laughing all the time. 

That itself is amazing if you consider his long and tumultuous journey, from a maverick spinner who had to bowl outside the leg-stump simply to stop Tendulkar once, to the world's greatest. He has been in the midst of many storms, and been the cause of quite a few too, only to emerge with a smile. 

It may just be a joke but Murali apparently believes he is a better bat than Sachin. That is what makes this last battle so delightful while being intriguing too. In the 46 times that they have crossed paths, however, Murali has got him only five times; Sachin has managed 8 hundreds and 12 fifties. 

The numbers are evidently in favour of Sachin. Murali, however, will be backing himself this time, even though his body is battered; after all, Sachin did go through a nightmare against the two Pakistani off-spinners in the semifinal. 

Murali has much more variety, much more control and much more guile. He will lure Sachin with his flight; he will trick him with his turn and he will try to mesmerize him with his big, big eyes. If nothing works he will ambush him with his doosras. 

Sachin, though, will be unperturbed for the most part; if the ball doesn't stop or grip as it did in Mohali, he won't even worry. He will use his feet, soft hands and firm pushes to counter the magic. If the ball comes on nicely to the bat, it will transcend into a battle in the minds. One legend against another.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/news/Fitting-Finale-Sachin-Tendulkar-vs-Muttiah-Muralitharan/articleshow/7839040.cms

Ponting predicts India will beat Pakistan in the semifinals

AHMEDABAD: Australian captain Ricky Pontingon Thursday predicted that India would beatPakistan in the World Cup semifinal and Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men are the strong favourites to win the coveted title after a gap of 28 years. 

"India played well as a team today and deserved victory. Today we were not good enough (to win). Going forward they will be pretty hard to beat. They will beat Pakistan in the semifinal and go on to win the World Cup now," Ponting said at the post-match press conference after Australia were knocked out of the World Cup by India. 

"India have a very good batting line-up. We played very competitive cricket tonight but I'm disappointed with the two successive losses (against Pakistan in their last league game and today against India)," he said after his side's five-wicket loss in a high-octane World Cup quarterfinal. 

He said he would not be playing in the next World Cup but ruled out quitting one-day cricket. 

"I am not quitting one-day cricket but this is probably my last World Cup game. I will be happy to look back after retirement that I made a century in my last innings in the World Cup," Ponting said

He also said that the talk of the end of an era in Australian cricket was misplaced. 

"It's a bit premature to say it was the end of an era for Australian cricket, it was a pretty good game tonight. I do not think we were far away from winning the game against a very good Indian team on their home soil. I think it's a bit too early to say it's the end of an era," said Ponting. 

Ponting said his side had the chances to win the game and they were devastated by the loss. 

"We had great expectations from the game. We were a well organized group. We are devastated. We found it difficult to get momentum. Not performing at critical moments cost us the game. We did not grab our opportunities," he said. 

"We were 15 to 20 runs short with the bat. 250-260 was a good total but we lost wickets at bad time and never got the momentum going. We did not execute the plans properly," said the 36-year-old Tasmanian who scored a superb 104 after having struggled in the earlier part of the tournament. 

The Australian captain felt the schedule of the tournament could have been spread out better but said that that cannot be an excuse for his side's crashing out in the quarterfinals. 

"The schedule did not help us. But that cannot be put as an excuse for the loss. Over the last ten days my team has played four games. It would have been nice to have them (games) evenly spread out," he said. 

He sympathised with his key fast bowler Brett Lee who had made a great effort to get back into the team after a 14-month injury lay-off. 

"Brett has given a lot for Australian cricket during his entire career and at times coming back after big injuries. He will be shattered as he has worked very hard to get here," he said.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/news/Ponting-predicts-India-will-beat-Pakistan-in-the-semifinals/articleshow/7784011.cms

Ind vs Aus Live: Ponting stays but India go after the others

Australia are 158/4 in 35 overs with Ricky Ponting and Cameron White at the crease against India in their World Cup quarter-final match at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, on Wednesday. Live Score

Earlier, Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat. Not an unusual decision considering that seamers won't have much bounce and carry and it is a good batting wicket.

The wicket looks dry and there will be some turn in offer for the spinners. Considering this, it was a good move by India captain MS Dhoni to give the ball to offie R Ashwin in the first over. And Ashwin did get the breakthrough though a bit late. On the last ball of the 10th over he scalped Satson with his turner that crashed into his stumps. He fell for 25 and Aussies went down to 40/1.

Post that wicket, Brad Haddin and Ricky Ponting got on with a fine partnership to put 70 runs for the second wicket. Brad Haddin went on to score his fourth half-century in the World Cup, but he could not carry any further as Yuvraj Singh got the man India wanted. Haddin went for a big hit off Yuvraj but failed to get the elevation and Suresh Raina took a fine catch to dismiss him on 53. Aussies lost their second wicket on 110/2.

Yuvraj, who is on a purple patch at the World Cup, came up with another vital breakthrough to send Aussie vice-captain Michael Clarke home. A top edge off Clarke's bat was taken by Zaheer Khan at mid-wicket. He departed for 8 and Australia fell to 140/3 in the 31st over. 

Then it was the turn of India paceman to join the party and Zaheer came headon scalping Michael Hussey with his slower ball that pitched on the off and turned in a little to take the batsman's off stump. Australia lost their fourth wicket on 150. 

In World Cups, India and Australia have played each other nine times. Australia have won seven times and India have won twice. However, in the knock-out stages of ICC events, they have met four times where India have won thrice and the Australia just once. At Motera, they have played twice and both have won one game each. 

Teams -

India: Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (capt./wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel  

Australia: Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Ricky Ponting (capt.), Michael Clarke, Cameron White, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait 

Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/133165/top-stories/ind-vs-aus-match-report.html

Ind vs Aus: India on the edge as Men in Blue face Australia

AHMEDABAD: This is it. Hold your breath whenIndia take on Australia on Thursday, for there will be no second chances. The biggest stage, and the crucial moment, has arrived. 

Where India and Australia stand in ODIs/World Cup 

Reputations are at stake for MS Dhoni and his beleaguered counterpart Ricky Ponting. India lost to Australia in the 2003 World Cup final and endured an awful campaign in 2007, but the scales have tilted since. This isn't the invincible Australia of old. Rather than a sublime and uplifting battle between two powerhouses of the international game, current form indicates this second quarterfinal might be more of a scrap. 

Neither side has been awe-inspiring in the build-up to this moment. Both have obvious chinks in the armour just waiting to be exploited, and both need to shed the blow-hot, blow-cold approach which has characterized their campaign so far. 

Then there's the enormous pressure breathing down their necks, especially Dhoni's men. India are playing at home and millions expect nothing less than victory. The backlash, in case of defeat, will be painful. Australia have dominated this stage for so long that this bunch of players wouldn't like to be remembered as children of a lesser god. Whichever team can raise its game now will go through to meet Pakistan. 

As many as six players in Dhoni's current squad were losing finalists in 2003 and will be looking to make amends. It's a great opportunity to settle an old score. Yet, making a statement of intent might not be easy, even though the Motera is expected to be dry and spin-friendly. India's bowling, apart from Zaheer Khan, has been ordinary. Time and again, they have faltered in the Batting Powerplay. Even the middle-order has collapsed twice. Australia's pacers can be a handful. Can the sight of a familiar opponent get the competitive juices flowing? 

The issue of Virender Sehwag's fitness is another complication the team could have done without. The opener is struggling with a troublesome knee and Dhoni said a call on his availability would be taken in the morning. Sehwag, however, spent a lot of time at the nets fielding and batting, and seems more likely to play than not. 

The Australians too have been anything but impressive. Ponting's time seems to be running out. His form and confidence is under the scanner and his fierce temper has shown through. Controversy and bad blood seems to be hounding the Aussies and they've been forced to maintain a quieter profile. The loss to Pakistan meant drawing the curtains on a 34-game unbeaten streak in this tournament and this loss of aura is a boost for opponents. 

Will this be India's turn to deliver a knockout blow?

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/news/Ind-vs-Aus-India-on-the-edge-as-Men-in-Blue-face-Australia/articleshow/7775807.cms

India vs Australia: We are a better side, says Sourav Ganguly

Former captain Sourav Ganguly on Monday saidTeam India have the ability to beat Australia in theWorld Cup quarterfinals in Ahmedabad on Thursday, maintaining 'M.S. Dhoni's men are a better side'.

Sourav's team had lost to Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting's side in both the league match and the final in WC 2003. 

On being asked if India can beat Australia in what is being called a revenge game, Sourav told Headlines Today Executive Editor Rahul Kanwal, "Yes, there is no doubt about it. India have a good chance of beating Australia. India is a better side."

Speaking on India's prime hope against the Aussies, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav said, "I don't mind him failing against the West Indies. Every time he has got out cheaply, he comes out all guns blazing (referring to his two centuries against England and South Africa in this WC) in next match. I hope to see him putting India in a good position against the Aussies."

Tendulkar had failed to score big in both the games in WC 2003, when India won all their matches, except against the Aussies. 

India's only WC winning captain Kapil Dev also said, "They have the ability to do it (beat the Aussies)."

Ind vs WI: India beat Windies by 80 runs, to play Australia in quarters

India beat West Indies by 80 runs in their World Cup Group B match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.Score | Photos

They will now play Australia for a place in the semi-finals on Friday. Chasing 269, West Indies were bundled out for 188 in 43 overs with Man-of-the-Match Yuvraj Singh delivering an all-round performance.

Yuvraj Singh scored his maiden World Cup ton and finished with figures of 4-0-18-2 to help India win.

The West Indies openers Devon Smith and Krik Edwards had batted for a few minutes when R Ashwin justified his inclusion by scalping debutant batsman Edwards. But the off-spinner had to take the help of the review to get his man after umpire had turned down his appeal. Edwards fell for 17 and West Indies lost their first wicket on 34/1 in the 7th over.

Post that wicket, the other opener Devon Smith and Darren Bravo put 57 runs for the second wicket before Suresh Raina decided to break their stand in the 17th over. Bravo played an unnecessary pull shot dragging the ball from the off and ended up giving a catch to Harbhajan Singh on 22. West Indies lost their second wicket on 91.

However, Smith was still at the crease and he along with Ramnaresh Sarwan went ahead with another timely partnership.

Eventually, Zaheer Khan got the better of Smith with his slower ball that pitched on the off and curved in to uproot his off stump. That brought an end to their 63-run partnership and Smith's innings of 81 runs. The Windies lost their third wicket on 154. 

Zaheer got the much-needed breakthrough and things started falling in place for India as big-hitter Kieron Pollard too fell. He hooled out on Harbhajan Singh's ball and ended up getting caught in the deep by Yusuf Pathan on 157/4.

Next the man who performed with the bat and came around to showcase his bowling prowess. Yuvraj Singh claimed Devon Thomas in the 35th over to reduce the opposition to 160/5.

Two more wickets -- skipper Darreny Sammy and Andre Russell -- and the Windies tail was out. And when the tail-enders come to bat things get easy for the bowlers. And they did as India wrapped up the opposition on 188 with seven overs to spare.

India innings

Yuvraj Singh scored his first World Cup century as India posted 268 after a dismal start that saw Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir walk back on partly scores.

Ravi Rampaul scalped Sachin Tendulkar on two. The ball had extra bounce to it and rose to Tendulkar's throat; even as he tried to defend it the ball took the edge of his bat and keeper Devon Thomas took a clean catch. India fell to 8/1 after winning the toss.

There was more to come as a few minutes later, the other opener Gautam Gambhir, opening in place of Virender Sehwag, too fell on a Rampaul delivery. Gambhir went for a big hit but ended up giving a catch to Andre Russell in the deep. He fell for 22 and India fell to 51/2.

But, Yuvraj Singh, who has been performing well in the tournament, and Virat Kohli took the Windies bowling head on forging a partnership. However, the two had batted for over an hour that Rampaul struck again to break their 122-run partnership in the 33rd over.

The ball dipped in sharply after pitching to crash against his stumps even as Kohli tired to sweep it away. He missed and fell for 59 when the India total was 173.

But, Yuvraj Singh was still at the crease and he went on to score his first World Cup century. His ton came off 112 balls and included 10 fours and one six. But, the batsman at the other end, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has not been in form for long, soon departed with leggie Devendra Bishoo claiming his wicket in the next over on 218/4. He could only manage to put 22 runs on board.

Post Dhoni's wicket, new man Suresh Raina too fell with skipper Darren Sammy claiming his wicket 232/5. He could only increase the team total by four runs. 

Finally Yuvraj Singh too fell after scoring a fine 113 off 123 balls. He wanted to smash Kieron Pollard across the fence but miss-timed the ball to Pollard who made no mistake in taking the big wicket for the day. And India were reduced to 240/6 in the 45th over.

Big-hitter Yusuf Pathan too had a brief stay at the crease and departed in the face of Rampaul's pace. India were 251/7 at the stage. Harbhajan Singh was the next to fall with Pollard taking a fine catch to dismiss him off Andre Russell's ball.

Later, Rampaul struck back to send tail-ender Zaheer Khan packing and ending with a fiver. Then Russell claimed the last man Munaf Patel to end India's innings on 268/10 on the first ball of the 50th over.

Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/132753/sports/ind-vs-wi-match-report.html

Ind vs SA Live: Sachin completes his 50, India put pressure on South Africa

India are 119/0 in 14 overs with openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar at crease against South Africa during their World Cup Group B match at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground in Nagpur. Live Score

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag charged down at the South African bowlers from the word go. The two helped India cross 100-run mark and in the process completed their half-centuries.

But, there was more to come as clearly the two were enjoying their stay in the middle and scoring at a brisk rate.

Earlier, India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat. 

India are already in the quarterfinals, but a win here will boost their confidence ahead of the KO stage. India have included Munaf Patel in place of Piyush Chawla and South Africa have called in Johan Botha in place of Imran Tahir.

These changes have been done keeping in mind that the VCA pitch does assist the seamers.

Teams: 

India: Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni(w/c), Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel,

South Africa: Graeme Smith(c), Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers(w), Faf du Plessis, Jean-Paul Duminy, Johan Botha, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Morne van Wyk

Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/132111/top-stories/ind-vs-sa-match-report.html

HP called out for director selection improprieties

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A week before Hewlett-Packard's annual meeting, a shareholder advisory firm is urging clients not to endorse the company's newly nominated board members.

International Shareholder Services sent a report to clients that accuses HP and its new CEO Leo Apotheker of not following the board's own guidelines for director appointments, in particular saying Apotheker should have had no role in the process. ISS says HP board members are to be nominated by independent directors only, which would rule out Apotheker.

Bloomberg got its hands on the report and published excerpts today. According to the report, ISS writes: "The direct participation of Apotheker in the appointment of five new directors raises red flags...The board is responsible for representing shareholders and overseeing management, in particular the CEO."

On January 20, HP announced four board members would retire and nominated five new members: Shumeet Banerji, CEO of Booz & Company; Gary Reiner, former CIO at GE; Patricia Russo, former CEO of Alcatel-Lucent; Dominique Senequier, CEO of AXA Private Equity; and Meg Whitman, former president and CEO of eBay and recent California gubernatorial candidate.

ISS points out some extra-familiarity Apotheker has with four of the nominated directors--he's on an advisory board of Senequier's company, and the two are both board members of Schneider Electric; and counted Whitman, Russo, and Reiner as customers while he was chief executive at SAP. ISS says that is not necessarily in shareholders' best interests since these directors, if elected, will essentially be Apotheker's bosses.

When asked for comment, HP defended its selection process and said the ISS report was based on a "misinterpretation."

"HP has strong and robust governance practices. We believe that ISS's recommendation is based on their misinterpretation of the process that HP employed in identifying, selecting, and nominating our directors," said an HP spokesperson in a statement. "We do not believe that it would be in the best interests of HP's stockholders to lose the service of the experienced and dedicated Board members who have been delegated primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining those governance practices and who, by any standard, have carried out their obligations in a fully compliant manner."

Shareholders will have an opportunity to vote next Wednesday, March 23 at HP's annual meeting.

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-20041378-260.html#ixzz1GC6LQWgH

Ind vs Ned: Yuvraj helps India beat Netherlands by 5 wickets

NEW DELHI: As twilight merged into night at Ferozeshah Kotla, the din became louder. The party was on and the raucous crowd was having its fill asSachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag tore into the modest Netherlands attack. Just 190 needed to wrap this one up against the minnows, it was celebration time. Suddenly, the grand march towards victory became a painful lurch towards the post as profligate Indian batsmen gave new sheen to the expression, "cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties." 

Scorecard | Match in Pics 

Sehwag, Tendulkar and Pathan sacrificed their wickets while trying to finish the game before the waiters stopped serving evening tea in the dressing room. Virat Kohli's expansive drive only helped the ball hit the off-stump and Gautam Gambhir was unlucky to see his leg-stump clipped around his legs. 

From 69 without loss to 99 for four and then 139 for five was almost surreal. The tension in the air was palpable, just as it was in the last game against Ireland. The old firm of Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni then took charge and sanity was restored.India won the World Cup Group B game on Wednesday by five wickets with more than 13 overs remaining, also making to the quarterfinals in the process. But with tougher tests coming up, doubters would still be shouting from the roof tops, such was the display overall. 

Yuvraj turned in another remarkably saviour-like, man-of-the-match performance to soothe nerves and see India home. He was nagging with ball (9-1-43-2) and resolute with the bat (51 not out, 73 balls, 7x4). One was reminded of what Dhoni said on Tuesday in the pre-match press meet: "I'm a great fan of Yuvraj Singh." 

In the first half of the day, the script went the way India's spin doctors would have wanted it to. A web of spin on a low, slow and turning Kotla track, not your 'ideal' One-day wicket by any means, suffocated the life out of Dutch batsmen. The visitors huffed and puffed their way to 189 all out in 46.4 overs after winning the toss and batting first. 

That spin would be the order of the day was established quite early when Pathan replaced Ashish Nehra after the comeback man had bowled just one over of his medium pace. Star off-spinnerHarbhajan Singh was in operation by the seventh over and soon, Piyush Chawla too was creating confusion in the Dutch ranks with his assortment of leg-spinners, googlies and flippers. 

All this while, Yuvraj, fresh from a five-wicket haul in the last game against Ireland, was rubbing his hands in anticipation. It was not long before he also got his chance to make hay in the sun, which he did immediately by picking up a wicket in his first over. 

The medium-pacers, especially Zaheer Khan, also benefited from the pressure applied by the spinners. Zaheer picked up three in his second spell to help India wrap up the innings in a hurry. The Netherlands essay, which had a promising start, began misfiring as soon as the tweakers came on. The Dutch batsmen did not have the wherewithal to counter quality spin in these conditions. Thus, the 56-run opening stand proved a flash in the pan as wickets fell at regular intervals. 

It was left to skipper Peter Borren to launch a late riposte with a breezy 38 off 36 balls. He crashed Yuvraj for two fours in the 42nd over of the innings and then whack two sixes off Chawla in the 43rd to bring some substance to the total. 

Chawla finally found a track where he could turn the ball and hoodwink the batters. Of course, the Dutch could not exert too much pressure on him but his confidence would have got a fillip nonetheless. He could even turn his googlies which normally do not turn much. 

A wickets, though, eluded Harbhajan once again, despite the sardar bowling his full quota. In the field, the hosts looked flat. They might be saving the fire for the bigger tests. But it's fielding which exhibits the collective attitude of a group. And since skipper Dhoni has himself thrown the towel — he said India's fielding can't improve — one cannot hope for anything better. Besides a lack of quality effort from many in the field, two return catches were fluffed, one each by Chawla and Yuvraj, though both were tough ones.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/news/Ind-vs-Ned-Yuvraj-helps-India-beat-Netherlands-by-5-wickets/articleshow/7662342.cms

Can vs Ken: Hansra, Bagai lead Canada to 5-wicket win

Ashish Bagai and Jimmy Hansra put 132 runs for the fourth wicket as Canada beat Kenya by five wickets in their World Cup Group A match at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi on Monday. Score

Chasing 199, the duo helped Canada reach the total in the 46th over. This was after team-mate Henry Osinde scalped four wicket to bundle Kenya for 198. Osinde earned the Man-of-the-Match award for his efforts.

In the fourth over of the innings, Elijah Otieno scalped Canada opener Rizwan Cheema when the score was 19. Cheema tried to play a pull shot on a short ball from Otieno but missed the line and was completely beaten as the ball crashed into his stumps. he fell for 17.

In the 10th over Zubin Surkari got run out and Kenya lost their second wicket on 37/2. He scored 10. An over later Ruvindu Gunasekera was stumped out in James Ngoche's over with keeper Maurice Ouma performing the final rites. He fell for 18 and Canada to 48/3.

Three wickets down and the score not too impressive, it was time for the Canadian batsmen to forge a partnership. And that's when skipper Ashish Bagai and Jimmy Hansra into into the picture. Batting impressively and patiently the two helped Canada cross the 100-run mark in the 25th over. 

Deep into their partnership the two decided to go according to the book. While Hansra upped the tempo hitting boundaries and over the fence shots, Bagai chose to go steady and provide Hansra with support from the other end. The two batted on to put 132 runs for the fourth wicket before Hansra fell to Nehemiah Odhiamboin the 43rd over of the innings. He went for an aerial shot but James Ngoche in the deep claimed a fine catch to send him back on 70. Canada score at the stage was 180/4. His 70-run innings was punctuated with seven fours and two sixes.

But skipper Bagai was still at the crease and he batted on to help Canada win by five wickets. Bagai remained unbeaten on 64, scoring six seven fours on the way. Canada reached the target in the 46th over when an Elijah Otieno ball was driven towards the boundary by Bagai and Canada score read 199/5 in 45.3 overs.

Canada innings 

Canada's Henry Osinde scalped four as Kenya were bundled out for 198. Earlier, Kenya won the toss and elected to bat. But, the decision didn't really go in their favour as they lost their opener Maurice Ouma to Henry Osinde on the second ball of the innings.

Soon the other opener Seren Waters too departed with Osinde claiming him in the fifth over. Kenya fell to 7/2.

But that wasn't the end of the misery for Kenya as they lost two more wickets with Osinde claiming David Obuya on the last ball of the seventh over and Harvir Baidwan scalped Collins Obuya in the 12 over to reduce Kenya to 41/4. 

Experienced batsman Steve Tikolo (12) too could not stay at the crease for long. As Rizwan Cheema accounted for his wicket on the last ball of the 15th over to push Kenya to 57/5.

After these assaults, Kenya captain Jimmy Kamande and Tanmay Mishra tired to revive the innings with their partnership. The duo batted on to help Kenya cross 100-run mark. But their partnership came to an end when a Balaji Rao's turner got the better of him on 109/6. He got out for 22 after a 52-run partnership with Mishra.

But their innings was far from over as soon Mishra forged a partnership with Thomas Odoyo. Mishra took the onus of pushing up the run-rate. He dealt in singles and doubles to counter the Canadian attack. But, no sooner had he crossed his half-century that he fell.

John Davison lured Mishra into playing a big hit with a flighted delivery. He took the bait and went for an aerial shot but ended up giving a catch to Zubin Surkari at mid-off. He fell for 51 and Kenya went a wicket down to 166/7 in 42.1 overs.

From here on it was easy for the Canadians, who went for the kill and wrapped up their innings in good time. Thomas Odoyo scored 51 before being bowled out by Harvir Baidwan on the last ball.

Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/131724/sports/can-vs-ken-match-report.html

World Cup: India defeat Ireland by 5 wickets

BANGALORE: An Indian victory at theChinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday was never in doubt and so their five-wicket win did not come as a surprise to anyone. But the fact is that Irelandran India somewhat close, far closer than they should have been allowed to. Too many wickets were lost, too many overs were used up while chasing 208 for victory against an attack that was honest at best. 

Scorecard | Match in Pics 

Yes, the Indians did collect full points in the end but then these matches against the qualifiers should be more about making a point or two. And who knows, had the big Trent Johnston, who picked up two early wickets, not gone off injured after five overs, it could have been even closer. 

Yuvraj Singh, though, will take such a match everyday. The left-hander starred with the ball and his showing with the bat later justified his skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's call to chase after he had won the toss. 

That Yuvraj was India's unlikely bowling hero goes without saying. It was his maiden five-wicket haul that pushed back the Irish cause a long way. The visitors were dismissed for a paltry 207, barely three days after they had chased down more than 300 against England. 

The Indians in turn stuttered a bit, losing Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir cheaply and thenSachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and Dhoni all in their 30s but then were well served by Yuvraj the batsman as the target was reached with four overs to spare, setting off wild celebrations in the packed stadium. 

That little cushion in the end was chiefly because of Yusuf Pathan, the only Indian batsman, apart from the composed Yuvraj (50 not out, 75b, 3x4), to make a statement. Pathan (30 not out, 24b, 2x4, 3x6) walked in and straightaway got going with the big hits to ensure that Ireland didn't come too close to causing a second upset in this edition of the World Cup. 

In the afternoon, the pitch afforded some turn early on but it was a factor neither Piyush Chawlanor Harbhajan Singh, India's frontline spinners, could exploit. Yuvraj, with his part-time left-arm spin was easily the best on view, as his figures (0-0-31-5) reflect. He bowled all ten in one go. 

The early damage was done by Zaheer Khan, who should have had Ireland skipper William Porterfield before he had got off the mark had Pathan held on to the edge at second slip of just the third ball of the innings. Porterfield (75, 104b, 6x4, 1x6) went on to anchor the innings and give it some respectability before that man Yuvraj struck. 

Following the twin strikes by Zaheer, it was a sensible, 148-ball 113-run third wicket stand between the left-handed pair of Porterfield and Niall O-Brien that shored up the Ireland innings. The duo was also helped by some terrible bowling by leg-spinner Chawla, who even sent down two no-balls, the resultant free hit off the first handing the momentum to the Irish innings.

Source:-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/news/World-Cup-India-defeat-Ireland-by-5-wickets/articleshow/7639191.cms

Preview: England vs Ireland, Match 15

So far in the World Cup, the ICC's stance on minnows not being a part of it from 2015 has proved ably justified. Every team that is sub-standard, has been treated as such. However, it is also a fact that since 1996, each World Cup has seen at least one minnow upset an established Test nation. 

If there is anything in that, it would suggest that in this World Cup too, an upset is waiting to happen. In the first match in Bangalore after the epic tied one, England will want to ensure that the upset that is due, happens another day. 

Team News: 

England: England will be going into the match high on confidence. Not only did they chase an imposing total under the lights in the second innings, but they did it against a side that had 40,000 people cheering their every move. They will also be boosted by the return of Stuart Broad, who missed the match against India. Broad's entry will almost certainly mean that Ajmal Shahzad - who struck the six that enabled the tie - will sit out of the final eleven. England's batting was shown to be world class, and with Andrew Strauss in exceptional form, the Pietersen-Strauss combo at the top of the order will be difficult to contain. England's only real worry is their bowling, and more specifically the bowling of spearhead James Anderson. Anderson has gone for plenty of runs in both ODIs England have played so far, and while it hasn't cost them a match yet, it nearly did against India, and surely will in the future if he doesn't get his act together. If England sort out their bowling woes, they will go from being amongst the good sides in the World Cup to being a formidable one. 

Ireland: Ireland gave Bangladesh the fright of their lives, but ultimately could not keep up and ended up losing their first tie. They will have seen how the Indian batsmen and the Netherlands batsmen handled the English bowlers and are sure to take tips from that. Ireland will go in with one major psychological advantage over England: They have nothing to lose, and England have everything to lose if the result of the match is not a big victory for England. By having no pressure, Ireland can play more freely. 

Head to Head: 

The two teams have gone head to head in 3 ODIs till now, with England winning all three. None of their meetings have come at the World Cup, though. 

Quotes: 

"Nothing dramatic has to change, we played well in the warm-up games -- we've just got to be a bit more ruthless with the bat." - Ireland captain William Porterfield. 

"We haven't played our best cricket yet and we have just tied with India, chasing 338. That has got to be a good sign." - England batsman Ian Bell.

Source:-http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/37400/preview:-england-vs-ireland-match-15/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+CricbuzzFeed+(Cricbuzz:+Cricket+Scores+and+News)

World Cup: Bangladesh beat Ireland by 27 runs

MIRPUR: Bangladesh spinners, so ineffective against India, rediscovered their magical touch on Friday to fashion an exciting 27-run win over Ireland in a low-scoring Group B match of the 2011 World Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here. 

It was a torturous win for Bangladesh, who were bowled out for a meagre 205 after frittering away a blistering start, but it kept the co-hosts firmly in contention for a berth in the knock-out stage. 

Ireland batsmen, who had no inkling about how to play the play the turning ball, were easy pickings for wily Bangla spinners, who bundled them out for 178 in 45 overs with some help from pacer Shafiul Islam, who passed a fitness test in the morning. Shafiul, who grabbed three of the last four Ireland wickets, finished with figures of 4/21. 

Ironically, it was part-timer Mohammad Ashraful's innocuous off-spin that turned the match Bangladesh's way after frontline spinners Abdur Razzak, skipper Shakib Al Hasan made the initial breakthroughs. Playing in place of Mahmudullah, Ashraful, who had earlier played a horrendous shot to get out cheaply, made amends by dismissing the experienced duo of Ed Joyce (16) and Andrew White (10), fooling both with a clever variation of pace and trajectory. 

Ireland's hopes of sneaking an improbable win under the lights rested on the O'Brien brothers, Niall and Kevin. While Niall, looked more compact of the two, Kevin showed he had the big shots. They contributed 38 and 37, respectively, but threw away their wickets after having played themselves in. 

Joyce's soft dismissal to Ashraful showed why he failed to win an England Test cap and skipper William Porterfield's unshakable faith in gangly pacer Boyd Rankin was hard to fathom, particularly as he struggled with both length and direction right through the Bangladesh innings. 

In the end, it was a crucial 23-run ninth-wicket partnership between Naeem and Razzak, that made all the difference. Bangladesh, who got off to a rousing start through their openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes, ought to have posted a total in excess of 250 after Shakib elected to bat. 

Tamim, who top-scored with 70 against India, looked to be in super touch as he cut, drove and flicked Rankin and Trent Johnston to log 44 off 43 balls that won him the Man-of-the-Match award. With Kayes also joining the party with a brilliantly square-driven boundary off Rankin, Bangladesh raced to 50 off 5.4 overs. 

A smart leg-side stumping off a wide, effected by wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien to send Kayes packing, and Joyce scoring a direct hit from mid-off to catch Junaid Siddique short of the crease, brought Ireland back in the game. 

Alarm bells started ringing in the Bangla dressing room when Tamim played a lazy cut off Andre Botha shortly afterward and was held by Porterfield at point. Shakib began with a flourish, but refused to mix caution with aggression despite being dropped by Porterfield at point off Rankin when he was on 15. He paid the price for pushing early at a Botha delivery as the ball popped up for nicely for the bowler to hold. 

Mushfiqur Rahim and Rokibul Hasan rebuilt the Bangladesh innings with a sensible 61-run partnership for the fifth wicket before the former had a rush of blood and departed, top-edging an intended sweep off left-arm spinner George Dockrell. And with Mohammad Ashraful departing much in the same fashion two overs later, early 'dinner' was on cards. However, Roqibul (38), Naeem (29) and Razzak (11) ensured that Bangladesh spinners had something to bowl at.

Source:-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/news/World-Cup-Bangladesh-beat-Ireland-by-27-runs/articleshow/7576580.cms

Indian World Cup 2011 squad: Sreesanth, Rohit Sharma, Ojha dropped

The BCCI on Monday announced the 15-member Indian squad for the 2011 World Cup beginning from February 19.

The team comprises seven batsmen, one all-rounder, four pacers and three specialist spinners.

Sachin Tendulkar,Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh andSuresh Raina have been retained from the present team on a tour of South Africa. Vice-captainVirender Sehwag, who had opted out of the ODI series in South Africa, has made a return for cricket's biggest event.

Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar and Ashish Nehra will take care of pace-bowling while Harbhajan, R. Ashwin and Piyush Chawla form the spinners' trio.

Yusuf Pathan has been handed the all-rounder's job. Wicket-keeping has been entrusted entirely to captain M.S. Dhoni.

Those who failed to find a place in the team include spinner Pragyan Ojha, pacer S. Sreesanth and all-rounder Rohit Sharma.

The selection panel, headed by chief selector K. Srikkanth, chose the team out of a list of 30 probables. Dhoni and coach Gary Kirsten, who are currently busy with the ODI series in South Africa, were also part of the consultations done through teleconferencing.

The 15-member team is:
MS Dhoni (C)
Sachin Tendulkar
Virender Sehwag
Gautam Gambhir
Yuvraj Singh
Suresh Raina
Virat Kohli
Yusuf Pathan (all-rounder)
Zaheer Khan
Ashish Nehra
Munaf Patel
Praveen Kumar
Harbhajan Singh
R. Ashwin
Piyush Chawla

Chief selector K. Srikkanth said a well-balanced team had been picked up keeping in mind the ground and wicket conditions in the sub-continent.

"We have selected the best combination after consultations with the captain and the coach. I am confident the team will win the World Cup for us," Srikkanth said in Chennai.

He brushed aside concerns over fitness of the players, saying: "Every team has injury concerns. Why worry about it?"

Source:-http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/126851/most-popular/indian-squad-for-world-cup-2011-announced.html