In a landmark move in India's cricket administration, former India captain Anil Kumble, and pace bowling partners Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad are all set to contest Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) elections for the 2011-2013 term scheduled to be held on November 21.
Rahul Dravid, who is also a former captain and is still playing international cricket, is likely to be part of the set-up if Kumble, Srinath and Prasad win.
Both Srinath and Prasad admitted that they are set to contest the elections but didn't divulge much about their prospective move.
"Yes, we are contesting the KSCA elections but we will only speak to the media in detail tomorrow," Prasad said when PTI contacted him.
"I don't want to say anything now since we will talk to the media tomorrow," Srinath said.
Earlier, long-standing KSCA secretary Brijesh Patel confirmed that he won't be contesting for the secretary's post during the upcoming term in a press release.
"I had the honour of serving the Karnataka State Cricket Association as its Honorary Secretary for the past twelve years. I contributed to the Association in all my might and put my heart and soul to the growth and development of the association during these years.
"Now, I have decided to step aside and not contest the ensuing elections and support the young distinguished Test cricketers Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Rahul Dravid and others in the coming elections who have pledged to take KSCA forward in the coming challenging years," the release stated.
"We cricketers, GR VIswanath, Syed Kirmani, Roger Binny, Sudhakar Rao, J Abhiram, others and myself came together in 1998 to contribute to KSCA's growth and prosperity. We put in our best efforts collectively for the past twelve years with utmost sincerity with the interest of the institution as our single goal.
"With the changing times, I'm of the firm belief that fresh energy, new ideas and young feet are always good for an institution. We at Karnataka are indeed lucky that we have living cricketing legends Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Javagal Srinath and others who are willing to sacrifice their time and energy to take Karnataka cricket forward," it further stated.
"I've seen these cricketers closely and I've immense faith and utmost confidence in their ability and commitments to make KSCA a model association not only of the country but also of the world."
Although there have been ex-cricketers in cricket administration, there have never been a clutch of cricketers of such stature deciding to enter cricket administration. Given their vast accomplishments and standing in the cricketing community, it will be interesting to see if anybody opposes the former Indian players in the elections or they are chosen unanimously without the need of an election.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly had also expressed his wish to be a part of the CAB administration but his role has mainly been restricted to attending the Annual AGMs and working committee meetings.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Modi gets 10 days to file reply before Passport Office
Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has been granted a further 10 days time by the Mumbai Regional Passport Office (RPO) to reply to its notice as to why his passport should not be cancelled.
Modi, who is currently in Europe, is facing a probe by multiple government agencies for alleged financial irregularities in the IPL.
Modi's lawyer, Mehmood Abdi, confirmed that the Regional Post Office, Mumbai, has responded to their letters and reminders today and has given his client additional time of 10 days to file his reply.
"The letter dated November 1 says if no reply is received within the stipulated period, necessary action under section 10(3)(C) will be initiated by this office," Abdi told PTI.
"We received this communication from the Passport office today, which sets out the time frame of 10 days from the date of issue of this letter, whereas the time frame usually starts from the service of the communication and not from the issuance of the correspondence," he said.
"The passport office has not supplied the documents requested for by Mr Lalit Modi. However, they have briefly reproduced contents of communication between Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Passport Office," he added.
Abdi said all documents relied upon by the Passport Office for the issuance of such a notice, particularly the communication dated October 4 and October 15 between the ED and the Passport Office, were essentially required for having a proper perspective of the issues involved and the jurisdiction and scope of the proposed action under the Passport Act.
Abdi said the response to this notice of the Passport Office is under active consultation with the senior counsel and the reply would be filed within the stipulated period.
The Regional Passport Office (RPO) had issued show-cause notice on October 15 to Modi as to why his passport should not be cancelled under section 10(3)(c) of Passports Act, 1967.
In response to the letter written by Modi's lawyers to the RPO seeking the clarification and supply of documents on which the Passport officer has relied upon for issuing the show-cause notice, the Modi camp wrote a letter on October 26 and three others on October 28 besides a reminder again on October 29.
Since no response was received from the RPO, Modi's lawyers again wrote a detailed letter on 30th October, Abdi said.
Modi, who is currently in Europe, is facing a probe by multiple government agencies for alleged financial irregularities in the IPL.
Modi's lawyer, Mehmood Abdi, confirmed that the Regional Post Office, Mumbai, has responded to their letters and reminders today and has given his client additional time of 10 days to file his reply.
"The letter dated November 1 says if no reply is received within the stipulated period, necessary action under section 10(3)(C) will be initiated by this office," Abdi told PTI.
"We received this communication from the Passport office today, which sets out the time frame of 10 days from the date of issue of this letter, whereas the time frame usually starts from the service of the communication and not from the issuance of the correspondence," he said.
"The passport office has not supplied the documents requested for by Mr Lalit Modi. However, they have briefly reproduced contents of communication between Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Passport Office," he added.
Abdi said all documents relied upon by the Passport Office for the issuance of such a notice, particularly the communication dated October 4 and October 15 between the ED and the Passport Office, were essentially required for having a proper perspective of the issues involved and the jurisdiction and scope of the proposed action under the Passport Act.
Abdi said the response to this notice of the Passport Office is under active consultation with the senior counsel and the reply would be filed within the stipulated period.
The Regional Passport Office (RPO) had issued show-cause notice on October 15 to Modi as to why his passport should not be cancelled under section 10(3)(c) of Passports Act, 1967.
In response to the letter written by Modi's lawyers to the RPO seeking the clarification and supply of documents on which the Passport officer has relied upon for issuing the show-cause notice, the Modi camp wrote a letter on October 26 and three others on October 28 besides a reminder again on October 29.
Since no response was received from the RPO, Modi's lawyers again wrote a detailed letter on 30th October, Abdi said.
Gavaskar and BCCI spar over IPL payment
Gavaskar, who was controversially omitted from the IPL's Governing Council in September this year, claimed he had not been paid for the last three years but Board secretary N Srinivasan rubbished the claim, saying it was not factually correct.
The Cricket Board did not give any reason for Gavaskar's ouster from the IPL Governing Council during its Annual General Meeting in September this year, but there were reports that it could be a result of the payment dispute.
The legendary batsman created a flutter by stating that he had not been paid for the last three years which forced him to sent a "gentle reminder about the non-payment" to BCCI.
"I am yet to be paid by the BCCI for my role on the IPL Governing Council. I have not been paid at all by the BCCI, since I took on the offer. All I have been doing is that sending a gentle reminder about the non-payment... I am just reminding them of what was offered to me and what was ommitted to me by the BCCI," Gavaskar said.
"I have just been told that Mr. Sharad Pawar (ICC President) will organise a meeting between Shashank Manohar (BCCI chief) and me in his presence to sort out the matter and that for me is good enough," he said.
The former India captain, however, refused to divulge what the pay packet would be, saying, "Never ask a woman her age and never ask a man what he gets."
Srinivasan, however, gave a different version by insisting that the former Indian captain had been paid as per the contract.
"There is no dispute in this regard. He has been paid," he said.
Asked whether there was a miscommunication between Gavaskar and the Board on the payment issue, Srinivasan said "There is no misunderstanding. I am just stating the fact. You asked me whether Gavaskar has not been paid, I said he has been paid... I have a lot of admiration for him as a cricketer," he pointed out.
On whether Gavaskar had asked for Rs 20 crore for his five-year term in the IPL Governing Council, Srinivasan said "He had sent a mail to the BCCI President mentioning that amount. It was placed in the AGM but since there was no prior agreement or any understanding, it was not paid. The BCCI had not made any commitment."
"There was no contract. We had a contract with him for Rs one crore plus taxes and was have paid him that. That's all," he said.
Gavaskar also denied that he had any links with the beleaguered Kochi IPL team and said he had still not made up his mind whether to accept the franchise's offer to head its cricket operations.
"They only came to me for advice," he said.
"I will wait for Kochi's internal problems to be resolved before deciding to take up the offer. Apart from Kochi, I have also been approached by another franchise to head cricket operations," the former opener added.
Sri Lanka to keep heat on Ponting-less Aussies
Sri Lanka will keep the heat on an Australia side that will be without their skipper Ricky Ponting for Wednesday's opening one-day international in Melbourne, captain Kumar Sangakkara said Tuesday.
The Sri Lankans received a significant boost ahead of the Melbourne Cricket Ground match when Ponting said he was withdrawing to attend his grandmother's funeral in Tasmania.
Sangakkara's team hold the whip hand going into the three-match ODI series after thrashing Australia by seven wickets in a Twenty20 match in Perth last Sunday.
The wicketkeeper-batsman warned that Sri Lanka must keep applying the pressure to the world's number one-ranked one-day team.
"A player of Ricky's calibre not being in the side, he's a huge blow to anyone," Sangakkara told reporters.
"He's one of the best batsmen probably in the last two decades or so.
"I'm not sure how it will affect the Australians, but for us again it's a case of thinking more about us and trying to keep a focus on the processes that we try and do setting the tone for the innings and getting our combinations right."
Although Sri Lanka are using the Australian tour as a buildup to next year's World Cup on the sub-continent, Sangakkara said his focus would be on trying to beat the home side.
"The World Cup is there, everyone knows when it is and this is a build-up for it," he said.
"But for us, this tour is very important, so we take this series in that context, as a series on its own.
"Of course, the combinations we play will probably allow us to make some decisions about certain players, it will also give players opportunities to grab those elusive places in a final World Cup squad.
"But we have to play this, we have to play the West Indies and then think about the World Cup."
Like Australia, Sri Lanka are yet to decide their line-up for Wednesday's game, but Sangakkara confirmed Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan would open the batting.
ICC not against Pakistan, says former president
"ICC is not against Pakistan, it's Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) which is against their cricket and has not sorted out their problems, forcing the ICC to take the matters in its hands," Pakistani Ehsan Mani told AFP.
"The way PCB is being run, it is only to protect the position of one person," said Mani, ICC president 2003-2006, without specifically naming under fire PCB chairman Ijaz Butt.
Pakistan's recent tour of England was marred by newspaper allegations of spot-fixing during a Test at Lord's in August, leading to the ICC suspending three key players.
The ICC on Sunday turned down an appeal from Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and bowler Mohammad Aamer against the suspension. The third accused, Mohammad Asif, had withdrawn his appeal.
The ICC has ordered Pakistan to implement measures to curb alleged corruption and other problems, warning failure to clean up its act could result in sanctions.
No international teams have toured Pakistan since a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team's bus in March last year, meaning huge financial losses and fears that interest in the sport will start to wane among the youth.
"The PCB should have taken the lead and sorted those things out," Mani told AFP late Monday.
"It is because we are not capable of doing it that the ICC has said we will step in. I know some of the people on the (ICC) committee and they seriously have Pakistan?s cricket at heart, I?ve got no doubt about that," said Mani.
Mani said the PCB had plenty on its plate.
"Domestic cricket, schools' cricket, clubs' cricket -- I hear there are quite a lot of issues in domestic cricket in Pakistan which needed to be addressed," he said.
"You will always find that the boards with the best systems, like Australia and India, their teams will always do better because the team selection, the selection of the selectors, is a whole process.
"At the moment our system... it is only at the whim of one person. You will only get a board as good or bad as its chairman."
Friday, October 29, 2010
Would like to take one series at a time: Tendulkar
Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar said that he would like to focus on one series at a time rather than thinking too far ahead including the World Cup that will be held in the sub-continent, next year.
"I am not yet thinking about the tour of South Africa and the 2011 Cricket World Cup. My immediate focus is on the upcoming New Zealand series and only when that is over, I will start talking about South Africa," Tendulkar said on the sidelines of a function that marked his association as a brand ambassador with a high-end watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet.
However, Tendulkar admitted that he would be happy if India can maintain the winning momentum in the coming series.
"The momentum is with us right now and we should not let it go. We are not taking anything for granted and want to be on our toes. We would be looking to keep on producing competitive cricket and stick to the basics."
When asked whether he is currently enjoying the form of his life, the iconic batsman who recently completed 14,000 Test runs said that although he is happy but he is still not satisfied.
"There is always room for improvement. I am happy with my current performance but not satisfied. I want to get better.
In fact, in any profession one must strive to get better and better," said Tendulkar, adding, "I always want to remain a student of the game because that is when you grasp more and is always keen to improve."
The 37-year-old, who had one of the most fruitful years of his career in 2010 as he won his first ICC's Player of the Year Award and returned to the top of the world batting rankings for the first time since 2002.
In February, he scored centuries in successive Tests against South Africa before becoming the first man to reach 200 in an ODI against the same opponents.
When asked what all has remained in his wish list which he still want to achieve, Tendulkar said, "There is no wish list. I play because I always love playing cricket. The only thing I ever wanted to do was to play for my country.
"Now, my track is only cricket, where a lot of stations come and I cherish arriving at all of them. But I personally just want to do something for my country and go on playing. In this journey I want to achieve whatever I can till the time remains," said the man, who remains just one short of scoring 50 Test centuries.
"It was a fantastic win the Test series against Australia. In fact, it was great to see some guys produced special cricket. (VVS) Laxman is definately one such special guy, who snatched the victory for us. He was struggling to even jog as he was injured but he went out there and produced such a brilliant innings.
Buzz Up Sachin Tendulkar yearns for 'next level'
He has been hailed as one of the most accomplished players in world cricket but Sachin Tendulkar still yearns to reach the "next level" as a batsman.
Tendulkar, who made history earlier this month by becoming the first batsman to score 14,000 runs in Test cricket, says his desire to improve remains as intense as it has ever been.
"I'm really focusing now on how I can get to the next level as a batsman. How can I get even more competitive? How can I get even more consistent? How can I get better?" Tendulkar said, according the extract of an interview to 'The Guardian' to be published in full tomorrow.
Instead of struggling for form with advancing age, 37-year-old Tendulkar has had the most prolific year of his Test career in 2010 and he insists rather than considering retirement he has many more goals to fulfill.
"Life would be flat without dreams. I think it's really important to dream - and then to chase those dreams. I really believe in this because it's this dreaming that makes me work so hard. I want to continue doing that because I've worked very hard the last couple of years on my batting," he said.
"(Coach) Gary Kirsten has been instrumental in this. Together we've worked hard in the last couple of years to improve my batting. He's given me the freedom to express myself, and to pace my innings as I see fit. I can slow down occasionally. Gary has helped me do this and it's because he's more a friend than a coach," said Tendulkar who is just one short of hitting 50 Test centuries.
He described 2010 as his "sweetest year" as he won his first ICC's Player of the Year Award and returned to the top of the world batting rankings for the first time since 2002.
In February, Tendulkar scored centuries in successive Tests against South Africa before becoming the first man to reach 200 in an ODI against the same opponents.
Tendulkar was the highest run scorer in IPL and also made a Test double-hundred against Sri Lanka before his remarkable performances against Australia which saw him reach the 14,000 landmark in the second Test at Bangalore while scoring 214 and an unbeaten 53 to complete India's 2-0 series victory.
The iconic but down to earth batsman conceded that his form subsided a few years ago, prompting critics like Australia's Ian Chappell to call for his retirement.
"There was a little dip for me, around 2005 and 2006. But I had a lot of injuries then. I had finger and elbow injuries, and then a back injury. All these upper-body injuries may have altered my back-swing a little. But, fortunately, all that is behind me now and I've been able to put in the hours of practice that I need," he said.
Tendulkar had earlier expressed his desire to win the 20111 World Cup and he said the cricket-mad Indian fans would be demanding to win the prestigious tournament at home.
"It's going to be massive. Everyone in India is already looking forward to hosting a mega tournament and although people haven't started talking yet about 1983 (when India won the World Cup) it will happen soon. But, given our recent form, people have a right to be excited and have extremely high hopes for us. There are going to be big expectations." Tendulkar also talked about the influence of his late father, a novelist and poet, as well as his brother, Ajit, who remains his closest cricketing confidante.
He also revealed the surprise identity of the bowler who has troubled him most in Test cricket and reflects on the day he and Shane Warne visited Don Bradman on his 90th birthday.
Buzz Up Sachin Tendulkar yearns for 'next level'
He has been hailed as one of the most accomplished players in world cricket but Sachin Tendulkar still yearns to reach the "next level" as a batsman.
Tendulkar, who made history earlier this month by becoming the first batsman to score 14,000 runs in Test cricket, says his desire to improve remains as intense as it has ever been.
"I'm really focusing now on how I can get to the next level as a batsman. How can I get even more competitive? How can I get even more consistent? How can I get better?" Tendulkar said, according the extract of an interview to 'The Guardian' to be published in full tomorrow.
Instead of struggling for form with advancing age, 37-year-old Tendulkar has had the most prolific year of his Test career in 2010 and he insists rather than considering retirement he has many more goals to fulfill.
"Life would be flat without dreams. I think it's really important to dream - and then to chase those dreams. I really believe in this because it's this dreaming that makes me work so hard. I want to continue doing that because I've worked very hard the last couple of years on my batting," he said.
"(Coach) Gary Kirsten has been instrumental in this. Together we've worked hard in the last couple of years to improve my batting. He's given me the freedom to express myself, and to pace my innings as I see fit. I can slow down occasionally. Gary has helped me do this and it's because he's more a friend than a coach," said Tendulkar who is just one short of hitting 50 Test centuries.
He described 2010 as his "sweetest year" as he won his first ICC's Player of the Year Award and returned to the top of the world batting rankings for the first time since 2002.
In February, Tendulkar scored centuries in successive Tests against South Africa before becoming the first man to reach 200 in an ODI against the same opponents.
Tendulkar was the highest run scorer in IPL and also made a Test double-hundred against Sri Lanka before his remarkable performances against Australia which saw him reach the 14,000 landmark in the second Test at Bangalore while scoring 214 and an unbeaten 53 to complete India's 2-0 series victory.
The iconic but down to earth batsman conceded that his form subsided a few years ago, prompting critics like Australia's Ian Chappell to call for his retirement.
"There was a little dip for me, around 2005 and 2006. But I had a lot of injuries then. I had finger and elbow injuries, and then a back injury. All these upper-body injuries may have altered my back-swing a little. But, fortunately, all that is behind me now and I've been able to put in the hours of practice that I need," he said.
Tendulkar had earlier expressed his desire to win the 20111 World Cup and he said the cricket-mad Indian fans would be demanding to win the prestigious tournament at home.
"It's going to be massive. Everyone in India is already looking forward to hosting a mega tournament and although people haven't started talking yet about 1983 (when India won the World Cup) it will happen soon. But, given our recent form, people have a right to be excited and have extremely high hopes for us. There are going to be big expectations." Tendulkar also talked about the influence of his late father, a novelist and poet, as well as his brother, Ajit, who remains his closest cricketing confidante.
He also revealed the surprise identity of the bowler who has troubled him most in Test cricket and reflects on the day he and Shane Warne visited Don Bradman on his 90th birthday.
Gavaskar says Kochi link-up sad
Former captain Sunil Gavaskar seems angry at the way the media has portrayed him for his alleged link with the Kochi IPL franchisee. Some people have even alleged that he had been giving advise to them even while he was a member of the IPL governing council, thus entering the conflict of interest area.
"Pray, tell me how does an offer to be in charge of cricketing aspects of a franchise make so much news when I have not even accepted it.
Isn't it futile to respond to any questions, especially when the angle and line of the article has already been decided by the writer or TV channel?" he told MAIL TODAY.
He further wrote in his e-mail reply that he responded in "good faith" to media houses, but it seems his reply provided "credibility to the biased article written" and to the story shown by channels.
"So, I can shout from the roof tops that I declined to be on the governing council, but it will still be said that I was sacked, expelled, dropped and what not. Sad, really sad," he rued.
Gavaskar also maintained that the BCCI hasn't removed him from the chairmanship of its technical panel. "I don't know where these things are coming from. I'm still the chairman of the technical committee."
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Tendulkar was core to Mumbai Indians' success during IPL III
Mumbai Indians was the first team to arrive in South Africa for the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20), which gets underway on Friday, when the Indians take on Bizhub Highveld Lions at the Wanderers.
There is an aura around Mumbai Indians, largely because they are captained by Sachin Tendulkar, who is arguably the most exciting and successful player of the modern era. There is a buzz of excitement wherever the Little Master goes, and South Africans are lucky to have seen him on numerous occasions.
Although he has retired from international Twenty20 (T20) cricket, Tendulkar, who owns just about every batting record in the world, was an integral part of the Mumbai Indians' success in the IPL earlier this year, where they were runners-up to Chennai Super Kings.
He scored 618 runs for his team, which earned him the record for most runs scored in any edition of the IPL.
He says he is very excited about playing in the Champions League.
"Having played cricket for more than 20 years, this is the first time I am doing something like this. You have champion sides from most of the cricket-playing nations. It's as tough as it can get. It will be competitive and exciting. You have some world-class players participating in this tournament and I think the crowds will thoroughly enjoy it.
"Twenty20 has always been an exciting format; this takes it to a new level altogether."
He said the team had no problems settling down as a unit again.
"We had a superb third IPL season and the players understand each other very well, so there is no question of trying to understand each other again. We already know what the thinking is."
Tendulkar also said he did not think the Australian and South African teams would have any particular advantage because of the conditions in South Africa.
"It all depends on how you perform on any given day," he said.
"Many of the players taking part in the tournament have been travelling around the world, and have grown accustomed to different conditions."
The master batsman said that playing unknown teams posed a new challenge as well.
"All the teams have some world-class players, so it's always a challenge to play against them. But for me, it's all about playing to the best of my potential. It doesn't matter who the opposition is. That is the way I have always approached the game, and I continue to do that now."
Tendulkar said the Lions would have a slight advantage in the opening match because of their knowledge of conditions at the Wanderers.
"After having played for such a long time, I'm playing in South Africa in September for the first time in my career, so conditions are slightly different. But that doesn't mean that we can't produce good cricket. We're here to compete hard and to compete fairly. The Lions have the advantage of knowing the conditions and the ground better than us, but that doesn't mean we can't beat them."
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
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Rockunlimited.in provides free Bollywood Movies, Download free Online Music, Play Online Games, Bollywood News, Hollywood News,Live Cricket Scores and updates in India.
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