“The Mother of All Finals”….

“The Mother of All Finals”….

Leave battles of this teams Australia vs England, Manchester vs Liverpool, Real Madrid vs Barcelona, Internazionale vs Milan, Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal… or to say personal battle of likes of Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier, Tiger Woods vs Phil Mickelson, Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi vs Pete Sampras, Damon Hill vs Michael Schumacher… This is bigger than the Ashes and any other sports rivalry you will ever see… when the heart of billion people beat to cheer for the respective nations is something else or out of this world… its something that words would be less to express such a feeling.

The emotions, drama, passion, excitement and the edge of the seat entertainment is something else and you fill in it in your heart when the blood rush through the veins when Shoaib Akhtar with a ball in hand streaming to his strides and running like a Gazelle and ready to unleash a missile at 150 kmp/ hour at Sachin Tendulkar standing a across 22 yards is something which only a true cricket lover will know….

Already in the battle is tipped as the Pakistani bowlers vs Indian batsmen… the likes of Shoaib, Umar, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Razzaq against the likes of Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, and the captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be there to tackle the pace, guile and the reverse swing of the Pakistan in the match which is easily the match of the tournament. Most of us would have liked India, Pakistan to clash in the Finals, but the destiny has his things to surprise us… so be it….

Rather than the skill and talent, these matches are more towards the grit and determination, attitude and the pressure to handle such high octane matches…. Generally over the decade or so it’s not been talent but the steer determination, attitude of the team and the individual which has been the major factor in the win or defeat.

This is clash which most of the countries and the respective countries will be following…

Everyone would be there on the TV, radio and PC checking score and the action…..its something the heart pounds and vocal chords are at the highest… really hope and pray to see India lift the World Cup… and see Sachin hold it; its been his dream to hold the World Cup for the past two decades….Cheers India…. It's time to Bleed Blue!!!

Some of the Memorable Moments for India

* In 1984, the Indian team led by Kapil Dev was bowled out for 125 in Sharjah. In the dressing room, Kapil asked his bowlers to just go and make things difficult for Pakistan, since they had nothing to lose. In reply, India bowled out Imran Khan's Pakistan team for a paltry 87. Catches win matches, and it was a cliche come true at Sharjah. This was one of those rare matches in the sub-continent a low-scoring game that was a thriller all the way. With Imran Khan firing on all cylinders, India were shot out for a miserable 125 and it seemed all over bar the shouting. It was India's fielding that won the day and leading the way was veteran opening batsman Sunil Gavaskar. Pakistan were all out for 87. Gavaskar's four brilliant catches at slip would stand as a world record till it was broken by Jonty Rhodes in 1993.

* During 1996 World Cup Quarter Final, in Bangalore, Aamir Sohail smashed a delivery from Indian seamer Venkatesh Prasad through the covers for a four. After this, he pointed his bat towards the Prasad & boundary where the ball had gone. In the very next delivery, Prasad bowled out Sohail and pointed his finger towards the pavilion. In the same match, Ajay Jadeja had hit Waqar Younis for 18 & 22 in 48th & 50th over. Though numerically insignificant, Ajay Jadeja smashing 45 swung the match away from Pak in this tension-packed knockout match. Coming in for the slog, Jadeja was particularly severe on Waqar whose first eight overs had cost 47 runs. The next two went for 18 and 22 with Jadeja smashing four 4s and two 6s off a mere 26 balls. That took India to a formidable 287 for 8 which proved too much for Pakistan.

* In Sahara Friendship series, Toronto, 1997 Sourav Ganguly dominated a series with both bat and ball like no cricketer has before or since. He almost single-handedly guided India to a 4-1 rout of Pakistan. A total of 222 runs, 15 wickets and three catches in the six games (the third was abandoned after 31.5 overs) was a dazzling performance and earned Ganguly the Man of the Series award. Ganguly started quietly with two wickets and 17 runs in the first game. In the second he again took two wickets and scored 32. He took two of three wickets to fall in the washed out third game and then routed Pakistan in the fourth with figures of 5 for 16 to make it three wins in a row. The fifth saw him shine with the bat 75 not out plus two wickets and then in the sixth and final the only defeat for India-he top scored with 96 and picked up another two wickets. It was virtually Ganguly vs Pakistan.

* In the final of the Independence Cup at the national stadium Dhaka, India pulled off a sensational three-wicket win with one ball to spare against Pakistan when Hrishikesh Kanitkar's hit Saqlain Mushtaq for a crucial boundary off the second-last ball of the match in India's memorable victory over Pakistan. In this match Sourav Ganguly played a wonderful knock of 124, and this was the India's first such a big chase. Sourav was adjudged man of the match for the breath-taking knock that he played.

* It was a golden moment when Anil Kumble took 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan to become one of the two bowlers in Test cricket history to achieve the feat. On 8 February 1999, History was created at d Feorzeshah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi when One of India's Greatest Spinners Anil Kumble became only the Second Bowler ever (the other being Jim Laker(England)) to have taken all 10 wickets in a Test innings. Anil Kumble achieved this feat against Pakistan in the second Test played at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi and leading India to Victory by very huge margin of 212 runs.

* In a group game of the 2003 Cricket World Cup, at Centurion, India were chasing 273 against a legendary Pakistani attack (Wasim, Waqar, Akhtar, Razzaq, Afridi) on a lively pitch. In response, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag got of to a stunning flyer scoring 53 in 5 overs by demoralizing Pakistan's bowlers hitting heavily with sixes & fours to Shoaib Akhtar. India eventually won the game with 4 overs to spare. Thus, India maintained always a "winning consistency" or "never loose" against Pakistan in world cup cricket history. Sachin Tendulkar scored 98 in that Centurion, World Cup, 2003 match. It is one of the ironies of cricket that despite his tons of centuries in ODIs, Tendulkar's most momentous innings was one that fell two short of the mark. From the very start of India's reply to Pakistan's 273, the full house were treated to a dazzling exhibition. Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar had been talking up a storm and Tendulkar went about his bowling with a vengeance. In his very first over he was carted for a six and two fours and the fight went out of the Pakistan camp as Tendulkar and the rest raced to victory.

* India won a stunning game in a thrilling finish- 1st ODI Karachi 2004 India tour of Pakistan, as Pakistan failed to hit the nine runs needed off the final over. Ashish Nehra held his nerve brilliantly, conceding just three runs and ending with the wicket of Moin Khan needing a six off the very last ball to win the match.

* Sachin Tendulkar scored 141 in Rawalpindi, 2004. It was the first ODI century on Pakistan soil by an Indian batsman in 26 years of trying. But just as his fantastic 123 failed to prevent victory for Pakistan in the fourth ODI at Ahmedabad the other day, it was a similar story a year back at Rawalpindi. Having narrowly won the first match at Karachi after topping 300, it was now the turn of India to fail in the chase while going after Pakistan's 329 for 6. It was Tendulkar's highest ODI score against Pakistan at more than a run a ball and was full of glorious shots which brought him 17 fours and a six. India fell short by 12 runs but the Man of the Match award went to Tendulkar. It was his 37th ODI hundred and during the innings he crossed 13,000 runs.

* Virender Sehwag's blazing knock of 309 (375 balls, 531 minutes, 39 fours, 6 sixes) had come against Pakistan in 1st Test match-India's tour of Pakistan-2004 played at Multan Cricket Stadium, Pakistan. Virender Sehwag became the first Indian to hit a Test triple century. This test match was memorable because India clinched an historic win i.e India's first-ever Test victory in Pakistan. At the stroke of 1 Six, Sehwag launched Saqlain Mushtaq into the stands over midwicket to become the first Indian to reach 300 in style with a fearless six. In this match Anil Kumble (6/30 in the second innings) and Sachin Tendulkar (194 not out in the first inning) played sterling roles in the win.

* India's 2004 tour to Pakistan was a huge success, with both Test and one-day series victories. For the first time ever India won a series in Pakistan. India won the Test series by 2-1 and ODI series by 3-2 in Pakistan in the tour. The Indian cricket team went for a complete tour to Pakistan after a long gap of 15 years in 2004 and hence, the tour was considered as historical even before it started. And it ended in India`s First Test Series Win in Pakistan, 2004 with the powerful performance of complete Indian team specially Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and the strong emergence of Virender Sehwag, Irfan Pathan, Lakshmipathy Balaji.

* At the Vishakhapatnam Ground in 2005, Mahendra Singh Dhoni celebrated his maiden ODI century against Pakistan with a cracking 148, the highest score by an Indian against Pakistan, off just 123 balls, with 15 bounadries and four sixes, batting at number three, Dhoni hit a breezy ton of 148 as India posted their highest total against Pakistan i.e. 356 for 9. Thus Dhoni arrived to international cricket by this marvellous inning and he was always remembered for this killing innings that destroyed Pakistan bowling attack completely. There were two magic moments in course of Dhoni's innings, and neither had anything to do with the free-flowing player's shot-making. The first was when he completed his century; the second, when he was finally out. On both occasions, the cameras panned to the team dressing room -- and there, up on his feet, a smile as wide as all outdoors, stood Virender Sehwag, furiously applauding. Virender Sehwag clapped right through as Dhoni walked into the pavilion. And as the young wicket-keeper walked up to him, Viru grabbed his hand and slapped him on the back, his smile getting even wider. The signal was clear: Sehwag, who increasingly has become the go-to guy every time India needs quick runs, was recognizing the emergence of a kindred spirit, a young lad without a shadow of fear in his heart or doubt in his mind.

* India won the 5 match ODI series 4–1 in India's 2005 tour to Pakistan in which Indian batsmen demonstrated a pressure handling run chase through out the series by Yuvraj Singh (who scored 344 runs in 5 matches) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni(who scored 219 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 137). Dhoni's performance in that tour of Pakistan propelled him to number three in ICC 2005 ranking among ODI batsmen.

* Irfan Pathan claimed a first over hat-trick against Pakistan, becoming the second person , after Nuwan Zoysa, to achieve this feat in a test match in the first over. In a sensational start to the third Test of India's tour to Pakistan Jan 2006 played at National Stadium Karachi, Irfan Pathan took the wickets of Pakistan's top order batsmen - Salman Butt (caught by Rahul Dravid at slip), Younis Khan (LBW) and Mohammand Yousuf (bowled) of the last three deliveries of the first over. This feat made Pathan the second Indian to achieve a test hat trick (the other being Harbhajan Singh).

* The First T20 World cup was played in South Africa, 2007 & the First T20 match between India & Pakistan ended in Tie and then the bowl-out took place, India won the bowl-out by 3-0. Twenty20 doesn’t allow a result to end in a tie and now it was time for the ‘Bowl Out’ as scores are levelled. Each team has to nominate five bowlers to bowl a ball each with both sides alternating. The team that hits the stumps most times would be the winners with overstepping the crease not counted. Shoaib Malik won the toss and he asked India to have first go. The crowd didn’t leave the stadium at all, they were praying for their respective teams to prevail in this unique contest on a cricket ground. India’s five bowlers were Virender Sehwag, Robin Uthappa, Harbhajan Singh, Sreesanth and Irfan Pathan while Pakistan’s were Asif, Umar Gul, Afridi, Arafat and Tanvir. Sehwag started the Bowl Out and bang he was on the target and in response Yasir Arafat nervously bowled it oustide the offstump! Next Harbhajan bowled an off break that went straight onto the stumps and in reply, Umar Gul bowled with cross seam which nicely swung away outside the offstump. Pakistan under all sorts of pressure, they now needed to fire in three out of three to just tie the Bowl Out and start it all over. Robin Uthappa came in next, hit the stumps and took a bow. His competitor Shahid Afridi drifted his leg break down the legstump leaving India victorious with a score of 3-0. The only consolation for Pakistan was the Man of the Match award which went to Mohammad Asif.

* In the grand final of ICC T20 world cup 2007 between IND vs PAK, that held in South Africa, both the teams reached the finals and Pakistan needed 6 runs in 4 balls with 1 wicket remaining, Misbah Ul-Haq batting on 53 was on strike and got out to Joginder Sharma on the 4th ball and India won the match by 5 runs. India triumphed emphatically in the inaugural edition of the World Cup T20. This was also a golden moment for Indian Cricket team because India under captaincy of M.S.Dhoni beat their arch-rival Pakistan in the World Twenty20 final by five runs to clinch their first major trophy since 1983 World Cup.

* In Asia Cup 2008, Karachi Sehwag's 119 and Raina's 84 seal thumping win against Pakistan. The 198-run stand between Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina shut Pakistan out of the game. India 301 for 4 (Sehwag 119, Raina 84) beat Pakistan 299 for 4 (Malik 125 retd, Younis 59) by six wickets. Raina did most of the early scoring with free-flowing cover drives when offered width outside off stump by Sohail Tanvir and Anjum. Raina scored his maiden hundred against Hong Kong during the first match of 2008 Asia Cup played in Pakistan. Bristling with confidence after his century against Hong Kong, He scored 84 of 69 against Pakistan and 116 of 107 against Bangladesh, in next two matches. Hence, Raina won man of the match award successively for three times in that 2008 Asia Cup played in Pakistan. This led to the emergence of Suresh Raina. Since then, Raina has been a member of India's full-strength ODI and T20 team.

* India and Pakistan's eagerly anticipated clash at The Oval in a warm up match of second ICC T20 World Cup June, 2009 had been designated as a "Catch the Spirit" match by the ICC, a fundraiser to help support families of the victims of the attack on the Sri Lanka team and officials in Lahore in March. India thrashed Pakistan in that T20 warm-up match making it a one-sided Twenty20 game. Rohit Sharma with a 80-run blitzkrieg & Gautam Gambhir 52 not out continued to give India a combination dilemma and made the chase seem like an afternoon walk in a London park. Rohit Sharma tore apart Pakistan's bowling attack as India bulldozed their arch-rivals by nine wickets with three overs to spare in their final warm-up match of the ICC World Twenty20 on Wednesday night.

* In response to the Sharma-Miandad classic, in the 4th game of the Asia Cup 2010, India were chasing 268 to win against Pakistan. With 9 needed off the last over, Harbhajan Singh hit a six in the penultimate ball sealing the victory for India, followed by a loud roar towards Shoaib Akhtar. That reaction was sparked by an altercation with Akhtar in the previous over. In response, Akhtar hand-gestured Singh with a 'V' sign.

Let the games. Begin..!!!

Let the games. Begin

Who are you supporting!!!!

Who will win this time..???

Once known as the gentlemen’s game….Now come to an aura when its fought fiercely as ever...Team for most continent will be putting there best efforts for the Glory of Holding World Cup in there Hands.

World Cup returning to Subcontinent after 15 after the 1996 spectacles…where Sri Lanka came winners, where likes of Sanath Jayasuriya, Romesh Kaluwitharana at top with followed by classy Aravinda de Silva and Smart Captain as Arjuna Ranatunga …followed with the likes of Roshan Mahanama, Hashan Tillakaratne Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Kumar Dharmasena and team to support in Bowling department.

Happening in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh if would be highly competitive affairs where 14 Team would be challenging for the World Cup from the hands of Australia, winner of 1999, 2003 and 2007 trying to go after unprecedented quadruple of major trophies. The team which won Australia was of different league altogether and had a captain who was a warrior in Steve Waugh, it started the dominance of Australia which was followed by Ricky Ponting. Now to forget there Victory in 1987 under Allan Border and there dominance of International cricket from there on…

Coming to 1992 world cup where the Pakistan under the captaincy of the one of the great all rounder Imran Khan went on win the world cup, it was a world cup where World Noticed one of the greatest left arm pacer of all time…Wasim Akram. As well there was upcoming and ferocious lad known as Inzamam-ul-Haq with chipping performance from the like of Javed Miandad, Aamir Sohail, Rameez Raja and Saleem Malik. There was Mushtaq Ahmed who seems to be a find in the leg spinning department with a Googly which was not readable by most batsmen.

Now if we talk about flare and brut power and elegance we will come to West Indies once known as super power with there dominance of World Cricket from 70’s… its been a unconditional slide to the bottom… think of guys like Clive Lloyd, Gordon Greenidge, Alvin Kallicharran, Rohan Kanhai, Desmond Haynes and an upcoming start know as Viv Richards. With a Bowing line up of Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Colin Croft, Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner this was a line up for a decade which will have shivers in your throat… bowlers coming down to knock your heads off… the "Big Bird", Joel garner, 'Whispering Death' Michael Holding, just imagine a ball coming from 7 feet to your toes and crushing it…such where there dominance the before playing the opponent there where aware of the threat from there bowlers, and the likes of Greenidge and Haynes at top followed with destructive Richards, Lloyd, Kallicharran and the Jeff Dujon a street smarter cricketer who was behind the stumps to cheer the Windes all the time.

People who follow England, would be the most disappointing once after reaching three finals they still an allusively trophy which is alluded them for 36 years, WORLD CUP’s invented in the Mecca of cricket the Lord’s.

South Africa, know as the biggest choker in the World cricket…are the most deserving with what they brought to the game in 1992 with the fielding standards going sky rocketing and every one to be a Jonty Rhodes… Kepler Wessels, Hansie Cronje, Andrew Hudson, Brian McMillan, Dave Richardson, Peter Kirsten, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, Daryll Cullinan, Shaun Pollack, Allan Donald, Lance Klusener …it was team with maximum All-rounder in the world…at that time…player who could change any instance of match with there performance.

Just Imagine if Donald had kept his nerve in 1999 semifinal, Klusener was wining on his own, there calculation in 2003 where they where knocked out on Duckworth–Lewis… as host nation.

New Zealand, the most underrated team in this world cup there are coming after a disastrous campaign in India and back Home against Pakistan. Zimbabwe, Canada, Kenya, Netherlands, Ireland will try to have giant killing in offer with defeating one of the contenders to upset the competition and have it open contest.

Bangladesh as a host nation will have there hands full with crowd cheering and number of matches in home will be there to upset a set team and qualify further in the rounds.

India at last will be there to compete and get this trophy back after 28 years, its was a moment when thing changed in the cricket fraternity…and the fan following increased like anything….

This is World Cup is goin to be one of the most open WORLD CUPS with team gunning to battle against each other for the Trophy….India started in 1975 with Srinivas Venkataraghavan as there captain which consisted of Syed Abid Ali, Mohinder Amarnath, Bishan Singh Bedi, Sunil Gavaskar, Anshuman Gaekwad, Eknath Solkar, Gundappa Viswanath and many more… India did not qualify for the semis…in 1979 as well they did not qualify for the semis.

In 1983, no one expected any great things for a team like India, with a captain who was a fighter there was new spirit inherited in the whole squad which consisted of some great names as Kapil Dev, Mohinder Amarnath, Roger Binny, Sunil Gavaskar, Syed Kirmani (wk), Madan Lal, hard hitting Sandeep Patil, the Banana Ball Man (Do you remember that!!!) Balwinder Sandhu, Yashpal Sharma, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Dilip Vengsarkar though there was Kirti Azad, Ravi Shastri, Sunil Valson… it was team with self belief and a fighter mentality which was inherited from Kapil Dev, playing with care free attitude and not fear the opponent was the highlight…It was a David Vs Golith match where the 2 time champions West Indies where expected to win the world, and the way Richard started trashing the India Bowler they felt, that he had some engagement and want to finish the match soon as chasing mere 183 in 60 overs wasn’t a difficult challenge to Windes…with there line up… and then a brilliance from the captain came the moment with taking that catch running back ward that was a highlight of that match .. He ran backwards and took a stunner for the Joy to Indian Supports... then with the brilliance on Amarnath slow military medium pace it finished of the tail…and as they say the rest is history….

1987 was the Brilliant batting from Graham Gooch and captain Mike Gatting… took England to finals…1992 was India did not qualify for the Semis.

1996 event happening in India with the greatest batmen ever (You know who!!!) firing in all cylinder, India Stormed to Semis against Srilanka, but the disgrace of the crowds and wicket falling the match awarded to Sri Lanka by match referee Clive Lloyd when play could not continue due to the rioting crowd. 1999trying to repeat the 1983 glory the team tried to put performance but eventually losing to Australia and New Zealand in Super Six.

2003 was a totally new chapter after a disastrous tour of New Zealand, not many gave India any chance to do well… but after there defeat to Australia in Group stage… they did pretty well to reach the Final… with good performance from the team especially at the top from the mater himself who was the highest run getter (673) and Man of the Series.. His performance against Pakistan…. but to lose to Australia in Finals still hurts….

2007 was the Disaster as India where knocked out in Group stages itself….

2011….????? Is I am waiting for a new chapter in the history of Indian Cricket with the team lead by astute captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni…with team supported by the likes of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Yusuf Pathan with the bowing lead by Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh, Nehra, Munaf Patel, Sreesanth, Piyush Chawla, Ravichandran Ashwin and the Master to up the ante whenever required.. Hope to see them do well in this World Cup…

It’s a wish to God to see Sachin Lift the World Cup trophy non 02^nd of April in Mumbai it would be a fitting tribute to the man who has entertained every on over more than decades…

About a Little Master known as SRT

SRT has done it I yelled to my friends while discussing Cricket (Cricket is religion in India and its always discussed)…who is SRT; asked one of my friends from back… ohh you don’t know SRT you should be a ****** is life to not know SRT… Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar… a boy wonder, the phenomenon, the little master and heat beat of billion people in India (leave the rest of the world aside)

Once my friends told me “Commit all your crime, when SACHIN is batting, god will go unnoticed, because GOD is watching his play"… So this the some one says about a man who brings all the people Hindu, Muslim, Sikhs, Christian and all together whenever he is batting for India.

Just recently had the privileged to see he score his 50th Century in Test (From Home). Each time he walk to bat it’s a really pleasure to see such a great personality to take the field who is still humble and grounded with all he has achieved over a period of 20 odd years in the game.

I am still amazed to how can a man been so humble and generous and the passion for the game is still the same when he debut for India at the age of 16 against a fierce attack of the rival Pakistan with like of Imran Khan, Waqar Younis, Akram and the wily old fox Abdul Qadir.

Lasting for your 20 years is difficult and staying at the top is more difficult than that…but he has done this without any drama, fuss or any controversies…No remarks, No late parties, No abusing/ sledging… would like to say this the English invented the Gentlemen’s Game, but the TENDULKAR MASTERED it!!!!

Hope to see much more century from his blade and hope to see him drive India to a series victory in South Africa and more important the final nail in the coffins would be holding the World Cup in his own back yard in on 02nd April 2011 in Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai…


Some Quotes!!!! About Sachin…

1. “AB, this little prick will make more runs than you.” — Merv Hughes to Allan Border. [1991]
2. “This kid bats just like I did.” — Donald Bradman, World Greatest Batsman Ever. [1998]
3. “I'll be going to bed having nightmares of Sachin just running down the wicket and belting me back over the head for six.
He is the best batsman I’ve ever bowled to.” — Shane Warne, World’s Greatest Leg Spinner. [1998]
4. “Shit, I’m sick of this *$#%!” — Michael Kasprowicz, Australia’s Fast Bowler. [1998]
5. “He will end up with 50 tons in each form of the game.” — Wasim Akram, World’s Greatest Left-arm Pacer. [2002]
6. “Jaanta hai tooney kiska catch chhoda hai?”— Wasim Akram to Abdul Razzaq. [2003]
7. “All we need is 11 Sachins.” — Paul Strang, Zimbabwe Leg Spinner. [1996]
8. “Cricket is our religion, Sachin is our god.” — [Repeated ad nauseum by millions of fans].
9. “Nothing bad can happen to us if we’re on a plane in India with Sachin Tendulkar on it.” — Hashim Amla, South Africa Batsman. [2004]
10. “The archives recall not one single incriminating incident, not one drunken escapade, not one reported affair, not one spat with a team-mate or reporter. As Matthew Parris wondered of Barack Obama in these pages recently, is he human?” — Michael Atherton, Former England Captain. [2008]
11. “I have seen God; he bats at No. 4 for India.” — Matthew Hayden, Australia Opener. [2008]
12. “There will never be another Sachin.” — Muttiah Muralitharan, World’s Most Successful Bowler. [2009]
13. “If I’ve to bowl to Sachin, I’ll bowl with my helmet on. He hits the ball so hard.” Dennis Lille, Cricket’s McEnroe & Fast Bowling Legend. [Undated]
14. “Tendulkar is the best batsmen in the world ahead of Steve Waugh and Lara.” — Glenn McGrath, Australia’s most successful Pace Bowler. [Undated]
15. “Sachin is a genius. I’m a mere mortal.” — Brian Lara, Tendulkar’s Greatest Frenemy. [Undated]

Who are you supporting? In the coming FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa!!!

Who are you supporting? In the coming FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa!!!

All the football fans across the globe are waiting for a mega event cheering there respective currently and people like me, where the countries like India is not representing there are host of nations to cheer and support for.

As of for me I am support England to go all the way this time...the so called super star of the English premier league have to come to the party this time round and they need there talisman to really make a impact “WAYNE MARK ROONEY”.

England would be most relying on there super star midfield led by the Captain Steven Gerrard; with Rio Ferdinand been injured he taking over from him and then the player maker as Frank Lampard with support of dynamic Aaron Lennon and Joe Cole; both are coming from a long lay of due to injuries. With support from Gareth Barry, James Milner, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Carrick.

As for the defense would be led by the former captain John Terry and experience of Ledley King; Ashley Cole, Jamie Carragher, Glen Johnson and the talented and upcoming defender Michael Dawson.

England have the most worries in the post as the number 1 goal keeper is yet to taken with sloppy performance by the rest. Eventually it was handed over to experienced David James, with back up from Robert Green and upcoming Joe Hart.

The attack would definitely would be led by the Manchester United striker with 34 goal in the concluded season for Manchester United; the world would be having one eye on the Wayne Rooney. He would be having support from lanky Peter Crouch, Emile Heskey and Jermain Defoe.

Really hope they do well…

Messimesmerized

Messimesmerized.......

Barcelona magician Lionel Messi mesmerized Arsenal so much over the two legs of their Champions League quarter-final that the English team was left chasing shadows, manager Arsene Wenger reflected.

The world player of the year single-handedly led the European champions into a semifinal with Inter Milan, with the Argentine scoring all of Barca's goals in a 4-1 victory at the Nou Camp on Tuesday.

"Messi can make a difference at any moment in a game. He can take advantage of any mistakes you make," Wenger told a news conference.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi celebrates his fourth goal during Tuesday's Champions League soccer match against Arsenal in Barcelona.

"Messi's very young but he can achieve a lot. I don't know many players who can score the four goals he scored tonight and he has the team to help him.

"Barca is more than Messi. They are an exceptional team with an exceptional player. In exceptional games, it is the exceptional players that make the difference."

The 22-year-old Messi grabbed his team by the scruff of the neck and dragged it back into the game after it was shaken by Nicklas Bendtner's 18th-minute opener.

He sprinted towards the area three minutes later, and when Mikael Silvestre's weak clearance rebounded back into his path, he hammered a shot high into the net for the equalizer.

Messi later pulled wide and fired the second goal over the diving Arsenal goalkeeper in the 37th minute and completed his hat-trick with a scooped lob over the advancing Manuel Almunia, after bursting away on a counter-attack just before the break.

The fourth goal, at the end of the game, saw Messi beat Almunia after twisting and turning past defenders inside the area.

"He is a brilliant player. He was fantastic," Almunia told Sky Sports. "As a goalkeeper you try and anticipate what he is going to do, but he can do anything, so it is very hard to stop him because he has such fantastic skill.

"He was great tonight, I think he is the best player I have ever played against and is the best in the world."

INTER MILAN 1 CSKA 0

MOSCOW / Wesley Sneijder propelled Inter Milan to its first Champions League semifinal since 2003 when his early goal provided a victory over CSKA Moscow in the second leg of their quarter-final clash.

The playmaker, who will have a key role for the Netherlands at the World Cup in South Africa, fired the visitors ahead less than six minutes into the game when his low 20-metre free kick skidded under CSKA's defensive wall and evaded goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev.

With Inter holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg, Sneijder's goal all but killed the home team's chances as the Italian champions held firm for a comfortable 2-0 win on aggregate.

CSKA's Nigerian defender Chidi Odiah was sent off in the 49th minute after he picked up his second yellow card after a foul on Samuel Eto'o.

Tuesday's match was played amid high security after 40 people were killed in last week's two bomb blasts in the Moscow metro.

AND for todays match up between Manchester United and Bayern Munich, with a upper hand and late injury stoppage winner by Olic…has bayern in strong position, but united playing in Old Trafford with the home support and the atmosphere the best can feel the pressure. With the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arjen Robben back from suspension and injury; with there first leg scorer in Franck Bilal Ribéry the Bayern Side looks good going forward; with Mark van Bommel in front of the defenders.

About the United side the major upset would be the talisman Wayne Rooney been injured and unlikely to take part in important leg. With the likes of Edwin van der Sar; Ryan Giggs, Scholes have gone through this; the Red Devils are having good experience to go ahead…the major incentive would be for Dimitar Berbatov's to prove that he is a world class player and to perform when the talisman Rooney is not around…

United must play with pace, passion and power to beat Bayern…

SAVE TIGERS.....

Save Tiger…..




The tiger is a unique animal which plays a pivotal role in the health and diversity of an ecosystem








How can we save the tiger
What WWF-India is doing to save the tiger?
At the turn of the 20th century, according to sources, India had an estimated 40,000 tigers in the wild. In 2002, based on pug mark census, this number was 3,642. As per the monitoring exercise by Wildlife Institute of India in association with National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Government of India using camera traps, in 2008 we were left with only 1,411 tigers. This number is so small that they will be gone soon if we don’t wake up to the crisis.

WWF-India aims for a strategic and focused approach in its tiger conservation efforts. Our goal is to restore, maintain and protect tigers as well as their habitat and prey base in important tiger landscapes in India.

The objectives are to:
• Protect, restore corridors to ensure connectivity between tiger habitats while ensuring that human-tiger conflicts are reduced.
• Reduce pressures on the tiger habitats by promoting alternative livelihoods for local communities in and around tiger habitats.
• Create incentives for local communities as well as state and regional government and opinion-makers to support tiger conservation.
• Enhance capacities of the Forest Department to control poaching of tigers and prey species.
• Provide policy inputs at state and central levels to ensure effective measures for conservation of tigers and their habitats.
• Promote the political will as well as popular support within all sectors of society for tiger conservation.



With one tiger, we protect about a 100 sq. km of forest
Volunteer with us








• Volunteer form for ‘Save Our Tigers’ campaign
What you can do to save the tiger?
The tiger is not just a charismatic species. It’s not just a wild animal living in some forest either. The tiger is a unique animal which plays a pivotal role in the health and diversity of an ecosystem. It is a top predator and is at the apex of the food chain and keeps the population of wild ungulates in check, thereby maintaining the balance between prey herbivores and the vegetation upon which they feed. Therefore the presence of tigers in the forest is an indicator of the well being of the ecosystem. The extinction of this top predator is an indication that its ecosystem is not sufficiently protected, and neither would it exist for long thereafter.

If the tigers go extinct, the entire system would collapse. For e.g. when the Dodos went extinct in Mauritius, one species of Acacia tree stopped regenerating completely. So when a species goes extinct, it leaves behind a scar, which affects the entire ecosystem. Another reason why we need to save the tiger is that our forests are water catchment areas.

When we protect one tiger, we protect about a 100 sq. km of area and thus save other species living in its habitat. Therefore, it’s not just about saving a beautiful animal. It is about making sure that we live a little longer as the forests are known to provide ecological services like clean air, water, pollination, temperature regulation etc. This way, our planet can still be home to our children.


Without adequate and timely protection there is a real possibility of these children never seeing a tiger in the wild once they grow up
Spread the word: Go out loud and tell others that tigers are dying and that they need our help. You can form forums (or join existing ones) on the web for discussions and exchange views on tiger conservation. Reach school going children. WWF can help you in this regard.

Be a responsible tourist: The wilderness is to be experienced and not to be disturbed and polluted. Follow the forest department guidelines when visiting any wilderness area, tiger reserve in particular. As the saying goes ‘Don’t leave thing anything behind except foot steps, and don’t take anything except memories.’

Write to the policy makers: If you are really concerned and feel that more needs to be done for tiger conservation, then write polite letters to the decision makers - the Prime Minister, the Minister for Environment and Forests or even your local MP.

Informing the nearest police station: If you know of any information on poaching or trade of illegal wildlife. You can also contact TRAFFIC- an organisation fighting the powerful poachers and pass on the information to them.

Reducing pressure on natural resources: By reducing the use of products derived from forests, such as timber and paper.



Without adequate and timely protection there is a real possibility of these children never seeing a tiger in the wild once they grow up








Support our work: Donating for this cause and encouraging others to donate too.

United show the best form of attack is to counter attack

United show the best form of attack is to counter attack

Manchester United’s game plan of containment, control and speed on the counter left Arsenal outgunned at the Emirates.
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It was time again for Sir Alex Ferguson to get re-acquainted with the back of his hand. The wily Scotsman has enough big match experience – and success – against contemporary Arsenal to comfortably make it his chosen specialist subject on Mastermind as his side went about dismantling Arsenal’s title bid and reaffirming theirs title aspiration, Manchester United met thrust with counter-thrust and vice versa but where much more ruthless from the latter.
There was little to separate the teams with half an hour on the clock as both teams found it troubling to break down each other’s defense from open play. United opting to play without Ryan Giggs missed a bit of invention in the final third and as a result Arsenal sucked up their attacks and looked to punish them on the break – Andrey Arshavin going closest with a drive wide of Edwin Van der Sar. But Arsenal has been slow starters this season, having scored only once before fifteen minutes in the league and once they started getting into their groove, Manchester United sensed their moment pounce. Luis Nani’s wonderful trick and run forced the ever-growing culpable Manuel Almunia to claw into his own net (although in fairness the cross looked to be headed for Park at the back post).
However, it was two devastating moments on the break that settled the tie. William Gallas was crowded out in the United box following a corner and as the ball fell to Wayne Rooney, the England striker, starting the counter-attack ended it with a finish of real conviction after running close to the full length of the pitch. Rooney then showed Arsenal the movement they tried to create with Arshavin as the false nine, as the forward took three defenders out by dropping short and the rest was rudimentary for Park. There were only two options for Gael Clichy - gamble and close down the attacker but risk the early pass or delay and hope the angle narrowed. As it turned out, Clichy left it two late for the latter and Park poked the ball past Almunia (could the ‘keeper have been more committed?). Counter-attacking is not merely a policy for Manchester United but a deadly and utterly ruthless weapon in their armoury.
“Transitions have become crucial,” says Jose Mourinho, who always seeks to keep his side organized with five at the back in guard of such moments. “When the opponent is organized defensively, it is very difficult to score. The moment the opponent loses the ball can be the time to exploit the opportunity of someone being out of position.” That was the situation that was also posed to Arsenal; the Gunners’ expansive style meaning more resources are committed forward and therefore less organization at the back. And those gaps are even bigger this season due to the play being stretched on account of the switch to 4-3-3 and cover for the full-backs minimal. Sir Alex would have targeted the right-hand before hand with or without Valencia and deployed a ‘defensive’ winger on the other side. The slight surprise was in deploying Carrick as the deep-lying playmaker as the manager decided to sacrifice a bit of energy for extra tactical nous lower down, while Scholes’ creativity was to be translated higher up the pitch.
Arsenal in contrast were unlikely to play any differently. Arsene Wenger went into the game wanting to control proceedings but found in front of him a sea of black shirts that were very committed in not opening the floodgates and letting Arsenal have the initiative. Dynamism on one hand has waned since their electric start to the season and the late flurry could not hide the defects. The best Wenger can hope his side can regroup and find that extra spark again.
United are breathing down Chelsea's necks again after a maiden league win at the Emirates Stadium left Arsenal's title credentials in tatters.
As of now for Manchester United they will be hoping that Chelsea drop some points, which Arsenal can help to do that as they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge…
United Rockkkksssss