Shane Watson 185 Runs Against Bangladesh | 2nd ODI | 11/4/2011

Tendulkar fined for MI's slow over rate

Mumbai: As if the loss to IPL debutants Kochi Tuskers Kerala was not enough, Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar was fined USD 20,000 for maintaining a slow over-rate during the match.

"The IPL on Saturday advised that the Mumbai Indians have been fined for maintaining a slow over rate during Friday night's DLF IPL match against Kochi Tuskers Kerala in Mumbai," said a statement which did not specify the amount that the team has been docked.

"At the end of the match, Mumbai Indians were assessed to be one over behind the required rate after allowances were taken into consideration.

"Since it was Mumbai Indians first fence of the season, under the IPL's Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, the captain, Sachin Tendulkar, was fined USD 20,000," it added.

Mumbai went down by eight wickets against Kochi despite Tendulkar's maiden Twenty20 century on Friday night.

DO YOU THINK SUCH A FINE SHOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSED ON THE GOD OF CRICKET???

Sachin is an Ageless Wonder : Gilchrist

Sachin Tendulkar would be 42 when the next World Cup comes around but former Australian batsman Adam Gilchrist says the Indian batting icon could well be seen in action in the mega-event as he is "ageless".

Gilchrist heaped praise on Tendulkar, who would be celebrating his 38th birthday on April 24.

"Sachin is ageless," Gilchrist toldPTI.

"He has obviously shown his desire and hunger to continue and that's great for him. Sachin is one of the iconic figures in world cricket history," he said.

Speaking in a lighter vein, Gilchrist said that he would not be surprised to see Tendulkar playing in the next World Cup.

"Anything is possible with Sachin," Gilchrist, the veteran of 96 Tests and 287 ODIs, said smilingly.

Former Australian all-rounder Michael Bevan, who is coaching the Kings XI Punjab, said Tendulkar just loves his batting.

"He certainly spends lot of time at the crease. He has been batting extremely well and when you are part of the successful team, it is always more enjoyable," 40-year-old Bevan told PTI.

It's been one of the hardest good byes to say: Kirsten

The following is the farewell statement of Gary Kirsten as he prepares to leave for South Africa on Tuesday night after the end of his tenure as coach of the Indian cricket team:-

"Tonight I leave with my wife to return home to South Africa. It has been a remarkable journey with Team India over the last three years. This will remain one of the most cherished experiences of my life.

We set our goals as a team way back in October 2008. We wanted to become the number one ranked Test team in the world and win the World Cup. We have achieved both of these goals, and the players of both the Test team and World Cup squad can be extremely proud of this magnificent achievement.

They have all worked really hard for a long time to improve and grow as people and as cricketers they deserved the many good wishes they are received. The weight of expectations to meet the dreams of millions bears down heavily on these young shoulders. The courage they show to go out on the field and meet these expectations has been an achievement on its own. For me personally, it has been a massive privilege to be part of Team India. I want to say that in M.S. (Dhoni), the country has one of its great leaders. It has been an honour to work with him over the last three years and I want to thank him for his support and friendship.

To Sachin, I want to thank you for your friendship. You are the greatest sporting role model I have ever met. Your humility, your work ethic and your pure love for the game of cricket has been a pleasure to watch.

To all the players who have played for Team India in the last three years -- in particular the World Cup and current Test squad — you have and are doing your country proud. You all take representing your country very seriously and you have all put in a massive effort for Team India to reach its goals. Congratulations on your achievement and thanks for the many cherished memories I leave with.

To the president of BCCI, Mr. Manohar, to the secretary Mr. Srinivasan, and to all the BCCI staff, thank you for your commitment to Team India and for the support you have given me over the last three years.

Huge thanks and appreciation must go to all the Indian support staff and in particular Paddy Upton and Eric Simmons who have stood by me during my time with the team. They deserve enormous credit for the success that Team India enjoys.

To the Indian people — you have accepted my family and me into your beautiful country with open arms. We are honoured by this and want to thank you for this unique and amazing opportunity. The way you passionately support your team from every corner of India has been a privilege to witness and be a part of. I have made many friends in India and a huge part of my heart now remains in this incredible country—believe me when I say, this is one of the hardest goodbyes I have ever had to make, but know that I will return many times over to visit this amazing land and its beautiful people and rekindle the many friendships I have made. Know that India will always remain part of my life and future.

My family and I wish to thank everyone in India for this amazing journey.”

We Will Miss u Gary!!

A Day in The Life of a Pakistani Cricketer

8:00 am: You wake up in the morning with a colossal hangover.


8:15 am: You notice that the struggling actress you brought home last night has disappeared.

8:20 am: You also notice that your phone which had ‘important information’ is also missing.

8:30 am: You go down for breakfast.

8:35 am: You spill some orange juice on the table. The PCB chief gets pissed and drops you from the team.

8:36 am: You apologize profusely and clean up the orange juice. They decide to let you back in.

9:30 am: You show up for practice. Sadly, no one else does.

10:15 am: The rest of the team finally shows up. The PCB Chief gets pissed again and drops you from the team for being early.

10:25 am: You beg, you plead, he lets you back in.

12:00 pm: Practice ends.

12:30 pm: You get a phone call from some “agents” who promise you some cash.

12:32 pm: You’re confused. You can either tell the team management what just happened or you can buy a Ferrari.

12:33 pm: Ferrari!

3:00 pm: The match starts. Pakistan is batting first.

4:00 pm: The innings collapses. You were the highest scorer with 8 runs.

7:00 pm: Another embarrassing defeat for Pakistan.

7:15 pm: The PCB chief drops you for scoring too many runs also he didn’t like your shoes.

7:30 pm: On the bright side your new red Ferrari arrives. Oh well, life is good!

Sanga knew he lost the Toss : Vaughan

London: Former England captain Michael Vaughan has accused Kumar Sangakkara of cheating during the coin toss of the cricket World Cup final against India, saying it was the Sri Lankan skipper's "skulduggery" which prompted a re-toss.

There was confusion during toss of the ICC Cricket World Cup final, which India won by six wickets to reclaim the World Cup after 28 years.

The start to the match was marred by confusion when the coin toss had to be performed twice after match referee Jeff Crowe failed to hear what Sangakkara had called.

But Vaughan wrote on his Twitter page that Sangakkara conned his Indian counterpart Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

"Sangakkara has stuffed Dhoni. He shouted tails in the first toss and lost it. You can hear it on air."

He later tweeted: "I hear tails shout at the toss..

Others hear heads... Inconclusive on the replays."

Vaughan went on to insist that the Sri Lankan skipper knew he had lost the toss the first time around.

"I think there was a bit of skulduggery at the toss.

Kumar Sangakkara knew he'd lost that first toss, but he saw Dhoni hadn't really heard him!"