India Beats Pakistan in First Test - Hurray!

Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly relied on their vast experience to put India on the threshold of a memorable victory against arch rivals Pakistan with the hosts needing just 32 runs on the final day to clinch the first Test.

India ended an action-packed fourth day at 171 for three in 54.5 overs when bad light dropped early curtains on proceeding.

Earlier, spurred on by a near capacity holiday crowd, the home team took little over 17 overs to polish off the remaining five wickets to bundle out Pakistan for 247, leaving them with a moderate target.

Australia Beat India in 6th ODI - Andrew Symonds Showed all rounder performance

Australia held on their nerves to win the sixth One-Dayer against India by 18 runs at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium today few minutes back. With this win, Australia also claimed the seven-match ODI series and now lead 4-1 in the Future Cup. Andrew Symonds celebrated a fast century in Nagpur with a nice spell in bowling as well.

The match turned to be very exciting match when I watched the opening pair, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourabh Ganguly opening up with century partnership. The middle order of India could not help the great opening partnership when Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh could not show some hard hitting. Those were the overs probably costed a lot to India as they struggled to achieve 12 runs per over run rate towards end.

I still kept on sticking my eyes to the television and I at least could enjoy the fast hitting of Robin Utthappa, he could not finish his 50 but he went close to it within 28 balls only.

Any ways, I wished India could win this match but they could not. Now, I don't think there would be lot of excitement for the last One day match in Mumbai.

Sachin Tendulkar's Plethora of Records

In the 4th One Day International cricket match against Australia at Chandigarh, India; Sachin made 79 runs in his innings. Tendulkar got a few important records on his name.

Tendulkar became the highest run-scorer against Australia in one-day internationals when his score reached 23. He surpassed Desmond Haynes' tally of 2,262 runs. Interestingly, Tendulkar needed 13 matches lesser than Haynes to obliterate his record.

Tendulkar's half-century was 84th of his career, which puts him ahead of Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq. Tendulkar has now scored more fifties than any other batsman in ODI history. He already holds the record of scoring most number of centuries.

When his score reached 53, Tendulkar completed his 1,000 runs in ODIs in the calendar year 2007. He is the second Indian after Sourav Ganguly (1,065 runs) and seventh batsman overall to accomplish this feat this year.

Tendulkar has now aggregated 1,000 runs in a calendar year on seven occasions - in 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2007, which is also another world record. Tendulkar was earlier at level with fellow teammate Ganguly. Wow! Go Sachin Tendulkar Go!!!

Dilip Vengsarkar sends notice to senior players of Indian cricket team

After the victory in the Twenty20 World Championship by a young Indian cricket team, there has been a clamor to give youngsters more opportunities. The Big Three - Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid - haven’t set the stage on fire with their batting in the ODIs against Australia in Future cup. Now chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar, too, has put the non-performers on notice saying many young players are waiting in the wings.

If he stands true to his words, you would see the young Indian cricket team setting the fire against Australia in remaining 4 One day International matches.

Ducky Sachin Tendulkar and Sreesanth's Dance for Matthew Haydon

I was pretty excited today for this match which was the first match for Indian cricket team after winning the prestigious T20 World cup. Specially, when the series of matches is against the ODI World cup winner Australia.

But India Australia Match Called off Due to Heavy Rains in Bangalore. Australia played really well, specially Clarke and helped them to build the mammoth total of 307 and made it a difficult task for Indian team to achieve, specially when the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar got out for a duck. After just 4 balls after Sachin got out, heavy rains started and match needed to be abandoned. Sachin must have been thinking why rain delayed for 4 balls, could have saved him getting out for a duck at least.. LOL!

In today's match, I liked the moment of Matthew Haydon losing his wicket to Sreesanth. Did you enjoy Sreesanth's flying high after he has clean bowled Matthew Haydon in consecutively second match - I did.

Open letter to Shoaib Malik - Pakistan Skipper

Mr Shoaib Malik,

We have been Pakistan team's matches in this T20 world cup and has due respect for your performance and coming up with spirit with all young Pakistani boys.

When we realized that the final would be between India and Pakistan, our lungs were filled with excitement. We wanted to experience the thrill of playing with the traditional opponent.

Though you have played a great game and have given a tough fight, you have unwittingly revealed your thoughts in your gratuitous thanks to Muslims all over the world. Don't you think you have been immature enough now to show the world your thoughtlessness.

Don't you think that you have taken all the Muslims all over the world for granted. I partly agree that they might be loving you as a good player... but I am certain that there are many Muslims in India who support home team because we always have a healthy representation of Muslims and other minorities and a showcase for India's secular society.

Can you answer this legitimate question even,

Why would Shoaib think, then, that the Muslims of the world were collectively rooting for the Pakistan team or that they felt let down by its defeat? Did he stop to think of how Danish Kaneria, his Hindu team-mate, might feel hearing his Test skipper all but declare that the Pakistan team is a Muslim team that plays for the Muslims of the world?

I don't have much to say that suggesting you to grow up and be mature. Don't mix cricket with religion or you not gonna go anywhere dear!

Yours,
Avid Cricket Fan

Shame on Communal Riots in J&K

I thought everyone will celebrate the Indian magic on 24th Sept when India beat Pakistan in the heart throbbing match. But never that there would be communal riots on cherishing these moments.

Thirty people were injured on Tuesday when Hindu organizations protesting the beating of their community members by another group while celebrating India's victory over Pakistan in Twenty20 World Cup clashed with police.

Police fired in the air and used teargas to quell the demonstrators in Rajouri district.

A rally of over 1000 people was taken out by VHP, Bajrang Dal, RSS and BJP in Rajouri city to protest against the incident and alleged high handedness of the police in beating the community youth in Rajouri town, official sources said.

Trouble started on Monday night soon after India won the match as some persons belonging to a community pelted stones on a group of people of the other community who were bursting crackers to celebrate India's victory over Pakistan.

I don't know when these people will grow up and think beyond communities - I don't understand why they can't think only about the COUNTRY than anything else. Hopeless fellows!

India is World Cup Winner back again after 24 years

What a day I spent in front of TV. The match was supposed to be start at 5.30 pm and I was home already with my friend... with the snacks and cold drinks, with heart full of excitement and eyes starving to see the Indian boys coming to the field.

I have hardly see cricket matches and I think lately this was the best match I have seen full of excitement where India wins at the end - true! I have seen India playing most of the matches full of excitement where Indian team loses at the end.

This match was special - as it was against Pakistan. I could remember the day when India had beaten Pakistan in world cup semi finals. I have seen the roads full of crowd, people going in their cars and vehicles - no one wanted to sit inside it looked like. Everyone was greeting each other whether they know them or no.

And I can imagine, this must be the same thing going on the streets today.