Virat Kohli guides India to victory by 6 wickets

Virat Kohli guides India to victory by 6 wickets

Riding on a fluent unbeaten century (128) by Virat Kohli - his 13th hundred - and a career-best bowling figures (four for 61) by Manoj Tiwary, India beat Sri Lanka with 46 balls to spare and took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series in Colombo.

It was Team India's 400th win in ODIs. 

Kohli's dream run continued and his undefeated fourth wicket partnership of 146 runs with Suresh Raina (58) helped India reach the 252-run target in 42.2 overs at the R Premadasa stadium.

This was Kohli's 13th century in his 89th ODI appearance, a feat hitherto unattained by any other batsman in ODI history. The Delhi batsman, on his way to another three-digit figure, also completed quickest 1000 runs in a calender year with a whopping average of 77.15. 

This was Kohli's his fifth century in last eight matches.

Continue reading Virat Kohli guides India to victory by 6 wickets

Photos: India sneak past Lanka in 3rd ODI

Photos: India sneak past Lanka in 3rd ODI

 Gautam Gambhir's superb century and brilliant counter-attacking cricket from Suresh Raina helped India beat Sri Lanka by five wickets and go 2-1 up in the five-match One-day International series in Colombo on Saturday.

Chasing 287 to win, India overhauled the target with two balls to spare.

Gambhir's 11th ODI century may have been in vain had Raina not come up with a stubborn knock in the company of Irfan Pathan.



Continue Reading Photos: India sneak past Lanka in 3rd ODI

Sachin Tendulkar launches BMW 328i

Sachin Tendulkar launches BMW 328i
  
Sachin Tendulkar was present at the launch of the BMW 328i at the NCPA on Friday.

The BMW 328i is the sports version of the BMW ULTIMAT3 seires of cars.

The Master Blaster was seen posing for the shutterbugs on the occasion.


Tendulkar skipped India's ongoing tour of Sri Lanka to spend time with his family.


Continue reading Sachin Tendulkar launches BMW 328i

India vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI

India vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI

Seamers Thisara Perera and Angelo Mathews shared six wickets as Sri Lanka came back strongly to level the five-match series at one-all with a crushing nine-wicket win over India in the second One-day cricket International on Tuesday.

India, who won the toss and opted to bat, were shot out for 138 off 33.3 overs with only Gautam Gambhir making a noteworthy contribution with a patient 65 off 96 balls, including four fours. 

Perera, with figures of three for 19, was named man of the match. Mathews took three for 14. 

Sri Lanka knocked off the runs in 19.5 overs, scoring 139 for one with openers Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan posting a first-wicket stand of 119. 

Dilshan was dismissed for 50 scored off 49 balls when he top-edged a sweep off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to hold on to a simple catch with Sri Lanka needing 20 for victory. 

Tharanga was unbeaten on 59 scored off 60 balls with eight fours and Dinesh Chandimal was on six not out.

Continue Reading India vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI

Amla flails England with superb triple century

Amla flails England with superb triple century

Hashim Amla hit the highest Test score by a South African, an unbeaten 311, to put his side within sight of a crushing victory over England on the fourth day of the first Test at the Oval on Sunday. 
At the close England were 102 for four in their second innings, trailing by 150 runs.

Jacques Kallis stroked an unbeaten 182, his 43rd test century, as South Africa reached a commanding 637 for two before declaring at tea. Amla surpassed the previous record of 278 by teammate AB de Villiers.

"I'm happy, surprised and really excited that I have done something that's never been done before by a South African," Amla said.

Continue Reading Amla flails England with superb triple century

India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI

 India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI

India survived some jittery moments at the fag end before snatching a thrilling 21-run win over Sri Lanka in the first One-day international of the five-match series, in Hambantota, on Saturday. 
Virat Kohli cracked a superb 106 and Virender Sehwag scored 96 runs as their 173-run stand for the second wicket laid the foundation for India's imposing 314 for six after electing to bat. 
Diminutive left-hander Suresh Raina (50 off 45) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (35 off 29) added valuable runs towards the end to take the side past 300-run mark. 
India then restricted the hosts to 293 for nine to take a 1-0 lead in the series, which it needs to win by a 5-0 margin to reclaim the number one position in ODIs. 
The hosts' resistance was built around Sangakkara's fighting 133 but he fell short of partners at the other end until he was joined by Thisara Perera, who scored a quickfire 44 off just 28 balls. 
Sangakkara's knock, his 14th ODI hundred and fifth against India, came off 151 balls and included 12 boundaries. 
Sangakkara and Perera rattled up a 78-run stand for the seventh wicket, giving some anxious moments to India, but their effort only reduced the defeat margin.

Continue Reading  India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI

Rahul left out of Indian team for 1st ODI

Rahul left out of Indian team for 1st ODI


Leg-spinner spinner Rahul Sharma, who tested positive for recreational drugs after being caught at a rave party, was on Saturday left out of the Indian cricket team for the first One-dayer against Sri Lanka at Hambantota.


ahul, along with South African cricketer Wayne Parnell, was detained by police after being caught in a rave party in Mumbai during the Indian Premier League in May.

The two were among 42 people who tested positive for drugs, the Mumbai Police said on Friday.


Continue Reading Rahul left out of Indian team for 1st ODI

Should India play cricket with Pakistan again?

Should India play cricket with Pakistan again? 

With leaders of the two countries meeting frequently in recent times, coupled with the fact that the respective Boards are keen for the same, speculation was rife that it won't be long before an announcement to this effect was made.

But even if cricketing ties do resume, one cannot negate the possibility of them getting affected by political considerations yet again.

Even though sporting relations between the two countries have suffered owing to political tensions, cricket diplomacy has played a part in bringing the neighbours closer.

Continue reading Should India play cricket with Pakistan again? 

Brett Lee quits international cricket

Brett Lee quits international cricket


Australian fast bowler Brett Lee retired from international cricket on Friday, just days after he was forced to return home from England after sustaining another injury.

The 35-year-old sustained a right calf strain in the fourth one day match of Australia's limited overs tour of England and was forced to return home for further examination and treatment.


Continue reading Brett Lee quits international cricket

Happy Birthday, Sunil Gavaskar !

Happy Birthday,  Sunil Gavaskar!

It is 25 years since Sunil Gavaskar called it a day. And twenty-five years is a very long time by any yardstick, any stretch of imagination. Yet, the world is yet to come across a Test opener who can approach the Indian in technique and temperament. It is at once a tribute to the class and quality of Gavaskar, who is celebrating his 63rd birthday today (July 10).

As an opening batsman of the highest order, Gavaskar ruled the world for 17 years -- from the day he appeared on the Test scene with a bang.

Continue reading Happy Birthday,  Sunil Gavaskar!

Sourav Ganguly celeberates his 40th b'day

Sourav Ganguly celeberates his 40th b'day

 Fans of Sourav Ganguly will get a lifetime chance to spend time with their idol on the former India captain's 40th birthday on Sunday.
Click here!

Known for keeping his birthday celebrations strictly a private affair, Ganguly will come out in the public on the special occasion and will be at the Music World outlet on Park Street from noon onwards and oblige his fans.

To be up and close with their hero, the fans will have to buy the DVD of The Warrior Prince, a documentary on the life of the most successful Indian Test skipper.
Continue Reading  Sourav Ganguly celeberates his 40th b'day

India Tour of Sri Lanka 2012 Squad

India Tour of Sri Lanka 2012 Squad


Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan made a comeback to the Indian squad that will play five One-dayers and a Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka .

Manoj Tiwary and Ajinkya Rahane, who impressed during the last edition of the Indian Premier League, also made it to the 15-member squad, as did pacer Ashok Dinda and leg-spinner Rahul Sharma.

Pragyan Ojha, who replaced out-of-form all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, is the third spinner in the squad, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, with Virat Kohli the vice-captain.



Indian team for SL ODIs: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Zaheer Khan, R Vinay Kumar, R Ashwin, Ashok Dinda, Manoj Tiwary, Umesh Yadav, Rahul Sharma, Pragyan Ojha.

Dravid open to coaching Team India in future

Dravid open to coaching Team India in future

Recently-retired Rahul Dravid indicated that he is open to the idea of coaching the Indian cricket team in future.

"Who knows someday in the future," Dravid answered when asked if he would be interested in taking up coaching responsibility of the Indian team in future.

Though he refrained from making a commitment, Dravid pointed out his stint with Rajasthan Royals in this year's IPL when he was the captain-cum-mentor of the side.

Continue Reading Dravid open to coaching Team India in future