ICC Tries to Convince Teams!

ICC is trying to convince Australia, England, New Zealand about playing in the champions trophy. These teams were not ready to participate in the Champions Trophy 2008 stating the current situation Pakistan.

They were not convinced about the security of the players and all the players are worried about playing in Pakistan.

South Africa was considered as the second option, but ICC finally decided to stay with Pakistan. After this decision, Australia, England and New Zealand continued to say that they will not be participating and ICC is talking with each team.

Ponting is not sure about his team's participation. New Zealand continues to remain with their decision of not participating and ICC is not able to convince them yet.

Indian Squad: Sachin and Harbhajan in; Yuavaraj and Pathan dropped!

The Indian team Test Squad was announced. The team is touring Sri Lanka starting July for 3 Test Matches and 5 ODIs. As expected, Sachin has returned from injury. He played against South Africa in the first test and did not play the in remaining two tests. He has made another come back from the injury.

Harbhajan, who was banned for slapping Sreesanth in the IPL match, also made a come back.

Dhoni, who opted to take rest is also sitting out and will be back for the ODI. So, he is not available for half of the tour.

The other top stars of Indian cricket, Dravid, Ganguly and Laxman also part of the test side.

Yuvaraj Singh and Irfan Pathan were dropped for their poor form in Asis Cup. Also, they did not contribute in the South African tour.

Rohit Sharma and Ojha were given the chance this time.

The Squad:

Anil Kumble (Captain), Virender Sehwag (Vice Captain), Rahul Dravid, Gautam Gambhir, Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh, Dinesh Karthik, Zaheer Khan, VVS Laxman, Pragyan Ojha, Munaf Patel, Parthiv Patel, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, RP Singh, and Sachin Tendulkar

Surprise and Shocking! Pepsi Drops Sachin!

The master batsman of world cricket Sachin Tendulkar's contract with Pepsi came to an end in May. Pepsi has already dropped the veterans Ganguly and Dravid.

Industry sources said Pepsi did not renew the contract with Tendulkar, who has been their brand ambassador since the 90s, following its decision to focus on younger cricketers.

In an earlier interview, Pepsi Co's Executive Director hinited about having second thoughts over Tendulkar's contract. He said, "Its about how much you (as a company) can afford and how many new faces you want to introduce".

So, like Dhoni, Pepsi is also focusing on youngsters! But, it was really surprising that they dropped Sachin, the brand ambassador of Pepsi for around 19 years.

IPL Semi Final Tickets Rate Increased!

Even without the confirmation of local team Mumbai Indians yet to qualify for the semi finals, the ticket rates for the semi-finals in Wankhede Stadium have been increased multi fold.

Thogh the sources said that they have maintained the price for the East lower stand at Rs 250 and they have all been sold out, it is absolutely unnecessary to increase the price more than 100% in few stands. It looks like the board is becoming more money minded than anything.

It was said that the costliest stand was Garware Club House, which is left of the players in tier II, priced at 12,000 rupees.

Tendulkar stand is costing 2000 rupees as against 500 rupees during the league matches--four-time increase.

Gavaskar stand costs 5000 rupees per ticket.

Hayden Not to Sledge Sreesanth or Bhajji!

In an interview to the online website, Hayden said the slapping incident between Harbhajan and Sreesanth is a stray incident and did hurt him. The game is bigger than any player and he loves the game.

He also said that he will not use this to sledge either Sreesanth or Harbhajan. He said that it is between them and it has nothing for him to comment on.

"I was very upset, I just think we play this great game, in a great competition and both these guys are young men with enormous responsibilities as two fine players and prospects for the country that adores cricket and its cricketers," he said.

He said, Australia has been branded as the master of sledging. But that is not true as every team has few players who also sledge other teams. He said, for India, Harbhajan, Sreesanth and Robin Uthappa.

For India, he surprised by adding Robin Uthappa to the list.

As far as sledging, he said, you choose the target. I never say anything to Sachin, Rahul, or Kumble or anyone like that. I believe they have marked the test of time. I have enormous respect for them. You start it with the player who is new, less experienced and you do not know whether that guy has the skills to deal with it.

He finished by saying, he entered the game like that, a guy not sure whether he will be able to deal it!

Sachin Withdraws from Carrying Olympic Torch!

In a surprise move, the master batsman Sachin Tendulkar, has withdrawn from carrying the olympic torch citing his fitness has the reason. He earlier volunteered to participate in the run, has cited the groin injury that he is suffering as the reason for withdrawing.

He has been advised rest by the Indian physio after the down under tour of Australia. Though he played the first test against South Africa in Chennai, he did not play the remaining two test, which India lost and won respectively.

ICC Seeks Explanation on Kanpur Pitch!

The ICC has received a copy of the match referee's poor report on the Kanpur pitch and is now waiting for a response from the Indian board on the same. But the BCCI played down the issue of what Mickey Arthur, the South African coach, called a "poor cricket wicket".

"It's a normal process where the match referee submits a pitch report to the ICC at the end of the match, a copy of which is also given to the board," said Ratnakar Shetty, the board's chief administrative officer.

South Africa beat India by an innings and 90 runs in Ahmedabad on a bouncy track but lost the Kanpur Test by eight wickets after their batting line-up crumbled on an under-prepared surface. Both matches ended in three days.

"This is not the first time that a match ended in three days," Shetty said. "Definitely there were suggestions for some corrective measures but I don't think it was a notice to the BCCI."

Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, said a letter had been sent to the BCCI seeking an explanation on the pitch.

Sydney's Sadistic Story

WORLD CHAMPIONS, BUT NOT HONEST AND OPEN

What happened in the first test match of 2008 (the 2nd test) between Australia and India is a history that explained to the entire cricketing and other sports related world that EVEN WORLD CHAMPIONS WOULD DO ANYTHING TO WIN, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY WANTED TO CREATE A RECORD!

Few questions and points in my mind:

1. Why are the branded as sledging, because they are masters in it. Why are they focusing on sledging when they are supposed to play the sport?

2. Ricky claiming that he caught the ball (when Dhoni was batting) though TV replay showed that he grounded the ball? He questioned the reporter's presence and became emotional about his integrity! You are not an honest man, Ricky! If you are, at least after seeing TV replays, you should have come out openly and accepted the mistake! The courage is not in making mistakes, but in accepting it. You are not going to teach good things to your kids and grand kids! You forgot that you are a leader and looked up as an example by so many people in the world, including India.

3. Clarke, provided that he is the deputy of Ricky! He is the next captain of Australia and already learnt how to lie! He also didn't accept grounding the ball and not a good example to anyone in the world!

4. Steve Waugh claimed that it is not a sledging and it is a cultural difference. The way Cricket is played in Australia is by sledging and hurting others by words! Why is there a ball and bat in Cricket, Mr. Waugh? Why do you want to use your tongue to hurt others? Haven't your teachers' never taught you about speaking right things, having a clear and good mind! Please come to India to learn the basic values of human beings!

5. Greg Chappell: You are not fit to be a coach in any part of the world and in any game! The coach is in "Guru's" position--a teacher, who should teach to the disciples about being truth to self and others, honesty, open, learning from mistakes, accepting the mistakes with courage, etc. But, you started supporting the Aus team without looking into the facts! You are not a good example to any team and should resign from coaching! What would you tell your son / daughter / grand kids / neighbors, if they ask you, being a coach, why are you supporting sledging and talking bad words in the field? I am sure you would laugh, lie again, tell them, that's the world! Lessons of good things are only for others and who believe in inner soul and god. You were already a cheat and what to expect out of you! You bowled an underarm (calling it a tactic and presence of mind) I am sure you have never understood the terms "SPORTSMANSHIP" and "HONESTY"