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FIFA urges India to look beyond cricket
FIFA president Sepp Blatter urged cricket-mad India to embrace football and lift the sport's infrastructure in order to compete with other nations in the region.
"We are here not to fight against an established sport," Blatter told reporters on his first official visit to India, during which he will also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"I admire the game called cricket and I don't want to change the most established sport in your country now," he said.
"But I always campaign for football because in this game there is no difference between caste, culture and creed, or rich and poor. It is the fascination of this game that attracts people all over the world."
Blatter said FIFA had special plans to improve football in India, who are currently ranked 165th in the world and 34th in Asia in the sport.
But he urged the country's football administrators to work harder to match world standards.
"The Indian dream of reaching top international levels can be realised through the work done by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) with support from the government and corporate houses," he said.
"But it is only if you help yourself that heaven will help you. As Confucius said: 'If your brother asks for a fish, don't give him the same, instead teach him how to catch it'."
Blatter said football's future lay in Asia, since Europe was "saturated for foreign players and coaches."
"Good coaches will come to India if a good technical and administrative infrastructure is in place," he said.
Blatter also dismissed India's chances of hosting a World Cup in the near future.
"I wonder when India will have the infrastructure to host even age-group tournaments, let alone the World Cup," he said.
"The time to start is now. I want to wake up the sleeping giant that is India."
Asian Football Confederation chief Mohammed bin Hammam of Qatar, who is accompanying Blatter on the three-day trip, was highly critical of the AIFF which is headed by federal minister Priyaranjan Das Munshi.
"With the existing structure, don't think of progress even in the next 100 years," Hammam said.
Bhaichung Bhutia, the only Indian to play professional football in England - he spent three years with third-division Bury - blamed a lack of planning for the current state of the sport.
"We have no infrastructure at all at the grassroots level," he said recently. "There is no system in this country to encourage young boys to play football. There is no professionalism."
Very nice idea from Sepp Blatter. The way how they marketed football in china they should try it also in India. Vast potential is there.
Indian One Day Team to Bangladesh
Rahul Dravid (captain), Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa :evil: , Virender Sehwag :evil: , Dinesh Karthick, M S Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Munaf Patel, Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth, Piyush Chawla, R P Singh, Ramesh Powar, Dinesh Mongia, Manoj Tewary
Indian Test Team to Bangladesh
Rahul Dravid (captain), Wasim Jaffer, Sachin Tendulkar, V V S Laxman, M S Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthick, Sreesanth, Zaheer Khan, V R V Singh, Munaf Patel, Anil Kumble, Ramesh Powar, Rajesh Powar
goutham gambir ...ivana edhuku eduthainga!
top edge vaangiye pazhaka pattavan
What ?? where is sachin ???????
only in test squad!Quote:
Originally Posted by Nerd
one-day squad-la dravid-uku enna vela
ithellAm romba overu.. ithukku dhAn appovE singam ODI lerunthu retire aayirukkalAm :cry:Quote:
Originally Posted by thimuru
nerd...they termed it as rest!
nambittOm.Quote:
Originally Posted by thimuru
They have 'rested' Ganguly ? The only guy who has been performing in the last few matches.
:-( The WC was the last straw, now I have turned apostate.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nerd
I thought the whole bunch: Sachin,Sourav, Kumble would quit after a better WC. EllAm pOcchu :-(
sachin rested :cry2:
have to introduce our
sadu kudu / kilithaddu
and capture CUPs
Sehwag asked to curb his aggression
Chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar has asked struggling opening batsman Virender Sehwag to curb his attacking instincts and focus on consistency.
"He can't seem to control his exuberance. If he hits four fours in an over, he wants to hit a fifth one," Vengsarkar said on Monday.
"As one of the seniors in the team, he should be able to play longer innings." Sehwag failed to build on starts of 30 and 21 in the first two one-day internationals in Bangladesh last week which India won to take an unassailable lead in the three-match series.
The final one-dayer is on Tuesday.
"I'm disappointed with his performance," Vengsarkar told Hindustan Times newspaper.
"He has so much talent. But he's wasting it."
A fierce striker of the ball, the 28-year-old Delhi batsman made a name as a destructive batsman, but a prolonged slump in form has led to him being dropped from the Test team for the two-match series in Bangladesh starting from May 18.
Moody quits as Sri Lanka coach
Former Australia Test player Tom Moody has accepted a deal to coach Western Australia after rejecting an offer to remain in charge of Sri Lanka.
Moody coached Sri Lanka to the final of this year's World Cup but turned the offer of a renewed contract to return home to Australia.
"I am extremely proud of my involvement with WA cricket as a player and the success we enjoyed as a team throughout the 1980s and 1990s," Moody said in a statement released by the Western Australia Cricket Association on Monday.
"I am looking forward to working with former team mates such as Graeme Wood and Justin Langer, two men I was able to share the thrill of winning Sheffield Shield and domestic one-day titles with."
Interestingly, WACA also chose the occasion to announce its partnership with Indian industrialist Vikas Rambal and the Rambal family, who will be its first coach sponsor.
Moody brings with him Trevor Penney, who has been appointed assistant coach after two years in a similar role with Sri Lanka. WACA Chief Executive Officer Graeme Wood said securing the services of Moody and Penney was a major coup for cricket in WA.
"This is one of the most significant appointments that the Association has ever made. We have been able to secure an internationally-respected mentor with an impeccable record and in the prime of his coaching career to take the Retravision Warriors forward," Wood said.
"Tom is a legend of WA cricket and has led the state to domestic first-class and one-day titles. He brings a wealth of coaching experience after his success with Sri Lanka and Worcestershire, and will command instant respect from the Retravision Warriors squad," he said.
Wood also thanked the Rambal family and said, "It is also a measure of Tom's standing in the cricket community that the highly-regarded Rambal family would come on board with the WACA as the first coach sponsor we've had."
Vikas Rambal said his family was delighted to be involved in the landmark sponsorship with the WACA. "I believe every cricket lover in Western Australia will be delighted at the news that the Warriors will have the talents of such a sought after, international coach to steer them to success in the coming years," Rambal said.
Chess:
Sasikiran hangs on to joint 3rd place
A cautious Krishnan Sasikiran played it safe and split the point with former European champion Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu to hang on to joint-third place after the fifth round in the third Mtel Masters International Chess tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria.
After a debacle against Veselin Topalov in the previous round, this was sort of a recovery by Sasikiran, the lowest ranked player in the category-20 super tournament.
At the half-way stage of this six-player double round-robin tournament, twice world junior champion Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan remained in sole lead with 3.5 points after signing the peace pact with Michael Adams of England, who is in sole second spot on three points after a desired result.
Sasikiran and Nisipeanu maintained their overnight status on 2.5 points while Topalov, who drew with tail-ender Gata Kamsky of the United States, is in fifth position on two points.
With five rounds still to come, Topalov, generally known to fire towards the end, is in fifth spot on two points while Kamsky, who is yet to win a game, languishes at the bottom on 1.5 points.
Nisipeanu's attempts to confuse Sasikiran by going for an irregular opening came a cropper as the Indian equalised with his black pieces in quick time in copy-book style.
The Romanian decided to go for a balanced position in the middle game itself with some regulation exchanges and Sasikiran complied to get an easy half point with the slightly unfavourable colour in the game. For the record, the game was drawn vide repetition on move 27.I
Mamedyarov, meanwhile, employed the Taimanov Sicilian and Adams went for known theoretical manoeuvres leading to a dynamically balanced position. The Englishman went for complications but Mamedyarov gave a professional display to keep white pieces at bay.
They traded pieces at regular intervals and the ensuing endgame was just level. The longest game of the day lasted 64 moves.
Topalov tried to make headway but did not succeed against a resolute Kamsky in the Queen's Indian defence game where the Bulgarian played white. A few pieces changed hands in the opening itself and while the game was heading towards level territories, Kamsky did not allow Topalov to gain any ground.
The players arrived at a rook and pawns endgame and soon the truce was signed in 43 moves.
Results (Round 5): Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu (Rom, 2.5) drew with Krishnan Sasikiran (Ind, 2.5); Veselin Topalov (Bul, 2) drew with Gata Kamsky (USA, 1.5); Michael Adams (Eng, 3) drew with Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Aze, 3.5).
Moves (Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu v/s Krishnan Sasikiran):
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Na3 a6 4. Nxc4 b5 5. Ne3 Bb7 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Nbd7 8. O-O e6 9. b3 c5 10. Bb2 Be7 11. Qc2 O-O 12. Rfd1 Qb6 13. Rac1 Rac8 14. Qb1 Rfd8 15. Qa1 Ne8 16. d4 Ndf6 17. Ba3 Ne4 18. dxc5 Nxc5 19. Bb2 Bf6 20. Ne1 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 h6 22. Nf3 Ne4 23. Rxc8 Rxc8 24. Rc1 Rd8 25. Rd1 Rc8 26. Rc1 Rd8 27. Rd1 game drawn.
'Sachin can easily play for another few years'
Aminul Islam will always be remembered as Bangladesh's first Test centurion. He attained the milestone in their first Test, against India in November 2000.
Famously referred to as 'Bulbul', the 39-year-old played 39 One Day Internationals and 13 Tests between 1998 and 2002. He was captain of Bangladesh in the 1999 World Cup and led the team to that historic victory over Pakistan, which he believes is the country's "greatest moment in cricket".
Even Islam was amazed by Bangladesh's recent giant-killing run at the 2007 World Cup, but he believes the team deserved the success for the hard work it put in.
"If for some luck, we could have gone all the way to the semis; may be next time."
He was disappointed not to find his hero, Sachin Tendulkar, in the one-day squad for the ongoing series.
"Why didn't you bring Sachin and Sourav [Ganguly]?, he asked. We want to see them play."
Islam, who is into coaching nowadays, spoke with Special Correspondent Harish Kotian on eve of the second one-day international in Dhaka.
Bangladesh seems to have done well recently against India, having won two of the last four matches before this series. You also did well against India, remembering that famous century of yours in Bangladesh's first ever Test against India. Is there is extra motivation for you guys when it comes to playing India?
I think India is one of the top teams in the world and Bangladesh has always been a follower of Indian cricket. India has had so many stars like Sachin [Tendulkar], Sourav [Ganguly], Rahul [Dravid], [Javagal] Srinath, Anil Kumble and others, though it has never affected us in a match.
Bangladesh has been lucky in a way that it has always played some good cricket against India. One of the reasons for it, I think, is because both the countries have similar type of wickets and in most of the home matches we have done well against India.
It was Bangladesh's first ever Test match. How was the general mood in the dressing room?
India had a bowling side in Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan and Ajit Agarkar for that match. Bangladesh had never played a Test before so we had no idea what Test cricket was.
So I just thought of keeping on batting. I was a bit slow at the start of my innings but one good thing I did was concentration and good shot selection. I also remember that when I was 90 my partner at the other end, Khaled Mashud, told me in Bangla 'Bulbul bhai, you are close to your hundred', so then I remembered an innings from my friend in India, Pravin Amre, who scored a century in his debut Test match in Durban [in 1992].
So I was thinking that Amre had got a century in his first Test match, so even I could get a hundred in my first Test match.
Also, another memorable thing on that day was that when I completed my hundred, my hero Sachin Tendulkar came up to me, shook my hand and congratulated me. I can never forget that moment.
Your hero, Sachin Tendulkar, has come under a lot of flak recently. After a poor showing in the World Cup, there have been calls for him to retire. Do you also believe that the master batsman is past his prime?
I think Sachin has already finished his best. He is already 34 and he has got all the experience with him, scoring so many hundreds and thousands of runs in international cricket. So with the experience that he has got, if he can keep himself fit, I think he can play for another few years easily.
He can still produce match-winning performances because he has got so much experience.
I still enjoy him batting. I also enjoy Brian Lara's batting, but he now has retired. But Sachin is Sachin and he is a great player.
Boxing
Pugilists return with four medals from Turkey
Indian pugilists put up a commendable show against tough competition from countries like Cuba and Russia to bag a silver and four bronze medals at the Ahmat Comert Cup International Boxing Championship, held from May 8 to 14, in Istanbul, Turkey.
While the men's team -- fielded for the first time in the event -- clinched two bronze, the women proved one better, returning with a silver and two bronze.
Olympian Diwakar Prasad (57kg) and Sanjay Kolte (48kg) bagged bronze medals in a high class field of 19 other teams, including the likes of Cuba, Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Mandakini Chanu was the star for the women's team, bagging a silver in the 48kg category after a close final.
"I beat the European champion en route to the final, which was a very even contest. I lost narrowly but I am happy with my performance, because I was competing for the first time in this tournament," Chanu said.
The other medallists from the women's team were Renu and Aswathi Mol, who claimed bronze in the 75kg and 70kg categories respectively.
"Since it is an invitational event, we thought the competition would be manageable but we were surprised to see that all the 19 teams had fielded their best. But, overall, I am very happy with my bronze medal performance," Diwakar said.
"Ours was a mixed team comprising first-timers as well as experienced boxers and I am very pleased with their performance," women's chief coach Mahavir Singh said.
Ex-India cricketer held with cocaine
ibnlive.com | Posted May 22, 2007 at 22:19 | Updated May 22, 2007 at 23:53
New Delhi: Former Indian Test cricketer turned television commentator Maninder Singh has been arrested for possessing cocaine at his residence in the Capital on Tuesday.
The narcotics department of the Delhi Police arrested Maninder with 1.5 grams of cocaine from his Preet Vihar residence on Tuesday night after the police got a tip-off. He was being questioned by police.
A suspected drug peddler, identified as Sayam Siddique, who was with Maninder when the police raided his house, was also arrested.
Former left-arm spinner Maninder Singh, who made his India debut at the age of 17 against Pakistan in 1982-83, played 35 Tests and 59 one-day internationals for the country.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act makes a distinction between possession for personal consumption and trafficking, the punishment for the former being limited to between six months and one year only.
The onus is on the accused to establish that the drug in question was meant for personal consumption and not for sale or distribution.
More than 3 grams of cocaine classifies a person as peddler. A peddler gets more than 10 years jail. Below 3 grams only classifies the person as a user.
-----------------------------
:omg: He was a mainstream umpire as well for first class matches
Adidas drags Nike, BCCI, Tendulkar to MRTPC
Sports goods maker Adidas dragged its rival Nike and the Board of Control for Cricket in India to the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission over use of Sachin Tendulkar's images for endorsements when he is not playing for the country.
Accepting Adidas's petition, an MRTPC bench, headed by Justice O P Dwivedi, issued notices to Nike India, the BCCI, Tendulkar and his business managing firm Iconix, asking them to file replies within three weeks. It also asked Adidas to file a rejoinder within two weeks from the receipt of replies.
During the proceedings, Adidas alleged that Nike was violating its exclusive personal endorsement agreement with Tendulkar by using his name for promoting its products.
Adidas also argued that the BCCI granted Nike only sponsorship and licensing rights and trademarks of the batsman only while playing for the country.
Nike had won the five-year sponsorship rights for the Indian cricket team in 2005, outbidding Reebok and Adidas.
"Sachin Tendulkar is our brand ambassador since 1997 and ... [this] is in public perception not only in India but globally too... What is the basis of their right," Adidas counsel Shailendra K Kapoor said.
"Nike tried to indicate that Sachin's brand name was with them, which is an unfair trade practice by them. We are the exclusive owner of that brand name globally," he said, urging the Commission to restrain Nike from "deceiving public".
However, declining any immediate relief to Adidas, the MRTPC Bench said: "When you have waited for six months, then wait for one more month."
The matter was then posted for hearing in July.
Kapoor said Adidas had sent Nike evidence of its exclusive endorsement rights with the cricket star, including a letter written by Tendulkar. He also produced a Nike sports T-shirt before the commission bearing his name and number on its reverse.
In the letter, Tendulkar confirmed he has an exclusive deal with Adidas, and Nike has no right to use his name in individual capacity. The cricket star has also stated that Adidas's loss would also be his personal loss.
"Personal endorsement right was never subject to Nike's contract with the BCCI for sponsorship of Indian cricket squad... for that they would have to deal with the cricketers independently... This was also never denied by Nike," Adidas's counsel contended, seeking compensation from its rival.
Adidas, however, added that the company has not assessed the quantum of financial damages caused by Nike.
On being asked by the bench what was Nike and BCCI's stand on the notices issued, Adidas said they did not reply.
"Instead, Nike asked us to disclose the agreement with Sachin and all financial details of that. How can we publicly show all the financial deals.
"Nike behaved as if it was running a trial and passing orders on us. They even do not recognise Tendulkar's right with Iconix (his brand manager)," the company said, adding it was also a trademark violation case.
The counsel contended that Tendulkar and Iconix are only performa respondents and made party to the case to state before the commission that the former has exclusive personal endorsement rights with Adidas.
The BCCI has a five-year contract with Nike for the team's on-field clothing. Nike had won the sponsorship rights for the Indian cricket team in 2005 with a bid of Rs 199.66 crore, beating Reebok, whose bid stood at Rs 119.48 crore, and Adidas, who bid Rs 127.50 crore.
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/irela...ry/296355.html
The three-match one-day series between India and South Africa due to take place in Belfast at the end of June is in doubt after the broadcast deal between Zee TV and the Indian board reportedly ran into difficulties.
ada pongappa! :sigh2:
http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2007/jun/12woolmer.htm
Sridhar Sports thread kulla varavE mudiyala...
pEsama COFFEE CORNER POLA.. inga oru SPORTS CORNER arambichudu.. Generala sports pathi discuss panna...
illana marubhadi oru CONTEST arambichudu.. :lol:
btw
wrs the gift for YORKER-07
RD ennoda friendship-ey oru periya gift thaane...! :cry:
Brazil win Copa America
Brazil produced a ruthlessly efficient performance to beat old rivals Argentina 3-0 on Sunday and win the Copa America for the second time in a row.
Despite starting as outsiders, Brazil stung Argentina with a fourth-minute goal from Julio Baptista; then Argentina captain Roberto Ayala, making his 115th appearance, put through his own goal before half-time.
Daniel Alves added a third as Argentina coach Alfio Basile, who won the 1991 and 1993 tournaments in a previous stint with the team, lost a Copa America match for the first time in 19 outings.
With playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme anonymous, Argentina could not find their previously flowing football and were muscled out by the powerful Brazilians, who committed 37 fouls.
It was a bitter pill for Argentina, who lost on penalties to the same opponents in the 2004 final and were facing a Brazil team without Kaka [Images] and Ronaldinho [Images], who asked to be rested from the tournament.
It was also their third successive defeat against Brazil by a three-goal margin, Brazil having won 4-1 in the Confederations Cup final in 2005 and 3-0 in a friendly last year.
Brazil coach Dunga, on the other hand, celebrated his first title only 11 months after taking over following last year's World Cup quarter-final defeat to France [Images].
"We came here to rescue the self-esteem of the Brazilian supporter, the worker who leaves home early in the morning and comes back at late night and whose only satisfaction is when Brazil wins," he said.
He warned that Ronaldinho and Kaka would both have to fight to regain their places.
"Obviously, the player who comes is ahead of the player who doesn't," he said. "If a player comes and does well, how can I take him out of the team?"
TROPICAL SUN
Argentina coach Alfio Basile refused to talk to reporters.
His side had scored 16 goals in five games before the final while Brazil lost to Mexico in the group stage and needed a penalty shootout to beat Uruguay in the semi-finals.
Argentina were also attempting to end a 14-year title drought stretching back to their 1993 Copa America title under Basile.
With the temperature at kickoff time around 32 Celsius and the tropical sun still burning, a cagey opening had been expected but instead Brazil snatched a quick lead.
A long crossfield ball by Elano found Julio Baptista on the left and, as Ayala held off, the player known as 'the Beast' advanced menacingly and unleashed a shot into the top right hand corner.
Riquelme rifled a shot against the post five minutes later and forced a brilliant save from Brazil goalkeeper Doni.
SYSTEMATIC FOULING
But Argentina's usual flowing game was interrupted by systematic Brazilian fouling, while their defence was always shaky.
Maicon nearly added a second in the 17th minute when Roberto Abbondanzieri fumbled his low shot and the same player forced Javier Zanetti to clear off the line one minute later.
Five minutes before halftime, Daniel Alves, who replaced the injured Elano, produced a dangerous inswinging cross from the right and Ayala turned the ball into his own net.
Brazil continued to frustrate Argentina after halftime as goalkeeper Doni and Gilberto were both booked for time-wasting.
Brazil produced the killer punch as Vagner Love broke down the left and fed Daniel Alves, who scored with a clinical shot into the bottom right-hand corner.
Sachin Tendulkar went past Steve Waugh's tally of 10927 test runs to become the third highest run-getter in test history after Brian Lara (11953) and Allan Border (11174) on the second day of the first test against England at Lord's here Friday.
:clap:
Lord's sightscreen is a problem, says Dhoni
Things at Lord's, the spiritual home of cricket, are not so perfect after all.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni , India's saviour in the first Test, has said "a problem with the sightscreen" led to his dismissal in the first innings and he was lucky enough to stay unbeaten in the second and see India through.
"There was a problem with the sightscreen at the pavilion end. I could not see the ball on three occasions, and on all those occasions, I played the same shot," Dhoni said.
"In the first innings I got out, but in the second innings it went for four," the wicketkeeper-batsman said after the match.
He said the problem was that due to the shorter sightscreen the ball was difficult to spot in the similar coloured background.
"The sightscreen is small but the background is also maroonish and the ball mixes up with the colour," he said.
"There is also the clothing of the spectators. During the first innings, it was also bright (because of the sun)."
Dhoni hit 76 not out which, in captain Rahul Dravid's words, "got India out of jail" against England on Monday.
His uncharacteristically subdued knock helped India hang in until the rains arrived to keep them unconquered at 282 for nine while chasing a target of 380 on the fifth and final day.
Dhoni said his match-saving innings showed how far he has come from being a slam-bang batsman to one who plays "according to situation".
Angry Dravid slams TV channel
India captain Rahul Dravid came down heavily on an Indian television channel on Friday and asked them to verify the facts before running stories.
The channel in question was Times Now and Dravid was angry after the channel ran a story with regards to the Twenty20 World Cup selection, where Dravid along with Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly were left out.
According to Times Now on Tuesday, it was the Board of Control for Cricket in India that told the India captain to opt out and also convey the message to Ganguly and Tendulkar.
But it went on to add that Dravid did not consult Tendulkar and Ganguly before agreeing to the board's call.
The Indian captain got into a heated argument with the reporter in the lobby of the team hotel in Nottingham.
"I have played over 100 Tests. Sachin and Sourav have played more than 100 Tests. Do you think I can take such a decision without asking them? This is just crazy," Dravid said.
"Why didn't you guys confirm the story with me before airing it?" he stressed.
He stressed that no such thing happened and the decision to opt out of the Twenty20 World Cup was taken in consultation with Tendulkar and Ganguly.
"If they say anything different from what I have said now, I will quit international cricket tomorrow," he declared.
"You can say I cannot bat, I cannot captain, I don't know how to field, I will not say a thing, because that is your job. But you can't just distort facts like this and produce a story," a fuming Dravid said.
However, the channel maintained its stand, saying that the story has not been made up or fabricated.
National selection committee chief Dilip Vengsarkar had also confirmed earlier this month that Dravid called him from Hove, where the touring Indian team was playing Sussex in a tour match, to say that the three senior players were opting out of the tournament, to be held in South Africa from September 11 to 24.
"I got a call from Rahul today morning who said on behalf of all the three players that they were opting out of the Twenty20 World Cup," Vengsarkar had said.
But, Ganguly, speaking to the channel before the start of the first Test at Lord's, expressed his disappointment on missing out of the Twenty20 World Cup.
"Obviously, it was tempting to participate and I was eager for the inaugural Twenty20 Championship. It is sad to opt out of any form of cricket," Times Now had quoted the left-hander as saying.
"It was a difficult decision but Rahul and Sachin had already said 'no'. I had a word with Rahul and he said it will be right to sit out," he added.
The television channel went on to say that Tendulkar too was eager to participate in the tournament 'but when the decision was made, he expressed his disapproval by not talking to Dravid at the nets session at Sussex.'
The final squad for the championship will be named on August 7.
Sachin has a lot to give to India, says Giles
England spinner Ashley Giles on Friday stressed that even though Sachin Tendulkar's batting prowess has faded a bit in the last few years, he still has a lot to offer to Indian cricket.
"Sachin might never play as well as he has done in the past but that certainly doesn't make him a bad player. He still has a lot to give to Indian cricket," Giles told rediff.com in Nottingham on Friday.
Giles is widely remembered for his tactics of bowling outside the leg stump to Tendulkar, which the master batsman found it hard to counter.
Tendulkar had a good run during India's tour of England in 2002, having scored 401 runs in 4 matches.
Giles says it would be lethal to write off the veteran batsman, even though he is not at his best, as he is still capable of producing match-winning knocks.
"It's difficult for me to say because I have just seen him bat twice at Lord's. I think it is easy to make swift judgments on one game. But he could easily get some big runs here and take India towards winning the Test match," added Giles, a key member of England's Ashes winning squad two years back.
Giles, who is recuperating from a hip discomfort, also believes that the experienced Indian middle order cannot be taken lightly even though they are struggling at the moment. Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid , Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman failed to deliver in the first Test at Lord's as India managed to escape with a draw.
"I think it's always easy to underestimate the quality of the players that Indians have in their middle order," the left-arm spinner said.
The 34-year-old is impressed with the way the young England attack countered the experienced Indian batting line-up.
"Their seam bowlers bowled very well (at Lord's) led by James Anderson. It is good to see young guys putting their hands up and coming to the party if you like," he said.
Giles has no regrets losing his place in the team to Monty Panesar [Images], who has become a huge rage in England since making his international debut last year.
"Monty has done very well all year. The way the wicket looks at the moment he might not have a big part in this Test match. But you can never write him off because he has taken wickets in all conditions," Giles said
Dhoni to lead 20/20 team
http://ia.rediff.com/cricket/2007/aug/07teams.htm
Srilankan first-class player Dhanuka Pathirana scored 277 of 72 balls in a 20/20 match in Lancashire's Saddleworth League to steer his Austerlands side to 366/2 and an easy win over Droylsden.
Dhanuka Pathirana - 277(72 balls ; 29 * 6 ; 18 * 4)
:shock: :shock: :shock:
50 over-la oru team adikkara score-ai 72 ball-a adichurukkan :shock: :shock: :shock:
Afridi instigated me: Akhtar
http://ia.rediff.com/cricket/2007/sep/08akhtar.htm
Afridi denies provoking Akhtar
http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2007/sep/08afridi.htm
This guy has a serious attitude problem. This is not the first time he is in the headlines for wrong reasons.
But, I think PCB will let him go this time too :roll:
http://espnstar.com/epl/newsdetails.cmd?id=7015400
England aren't qualified for Euro 2008 8-)
Match-fixing: Boje denies charges
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv...OEN20070035590
Tiger wins Player of the Year award
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv...209:51:00%20AM
IPL announces payment details
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv...5937&site=ndtv
Shane Warne - USD 400,000
Glenn McGrath - USD 350,000
Stephen Fleming - USD 350,000
Mohammad Yousuf - USD 330,000
Shoaib Malik - USD 300,000
Shahid Afridi - USD 250,000
Mutthiah Muralitharan - USD 250,000
Sanath Jayasuriya - USD 250,000
Kumar Sangakkara - USD 250,000
Mahela Jayawardene - USD 250,00
Mohammad Asif - USD 225,000
Younus Khan - USD 225,000
Daniel Vettori - USD 225,000
Shoaib Akhtar - USD 225,000
Jacques Kallis - USD 200,000
Shaun Pollock - USD 200,000
Albie Morkel - USD 200,000
Shivnarine Chanderpaul - USD 175,000
Justin Langer - USD 175,000
AB De Villiers - USD 175,000
Herschell Gibbs - USD 225,000
Graeme Smith - USD 225,000
Chaminda Vaas - USD 175,00
Makahaya Ntini - USD 175,000
Ashwell Prince - USD 150,000
Nuwan Zoysa - USD 100,000
Selectors TA/DA Doubled
Day-Night Test matches to threaten red balls
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv...OEN20070035922
Narain creates history
http://www.rediff.com/sports/2007/dec/16narain.htm
:clap: