Anand brilliant in draw against Karpov
Playing black, Vishwanathan Anand put up a superb display of defensive chess in the ongoing Credit Suisse grandmasters tournament.
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Last nail in selectors' coffin?
Arguably the most controversial selection committee in India's cricket history could, unwittingly, have done the game a bit of good. For it has finally prompted a review that could lead to its own abolition, come September.
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India into Asia Cup final
A clinical performance powered India into the Asia Cup final, Saturday, against hosts Sri Lanka. And the national selectors deferred the picking of replacements for the upcoming Tests against the host country till after the final.
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Anand shines in masters tourney
Vishwanathan Anand joined Anatoly Karpov at the top of the table after the second round of the Credit Suisse grandmasters chess tournament now on in Switzerland with a fine win over Boris Gelfand.
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Depression Inc
Harsha Bhogle reviews a dismal week. And wonders if we will ever have reason to smile again.
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Reinventing the wheel...
Amrit Mathur makes a strong case for taking a look at the format of one day internationals, with a view to a change.
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Counting the chickens before the eggs are laid
K Bhaskaran reviews the off-field -- and some on-field -- happenings in the Kalyani Black Label football tournament final between East Bengal and Salgaocar of Goa.
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Selectors to pick Test squad on Thursday
The national selectors will meet in Bombay to pick two players to augment the Indian team now taking part in the Asia Cup quadrangular in Sri Lanka, for the forthcoming Test series.
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Indian players to sue Outlook
Following the naming of four Indian cricketers in connection with allegations of betting and bribery in the latest issue of the weekly newsmagazine, the concerned players have decided to fight back.
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Sri Lanka make it three in a row
As expected, the home team waltzed into the Asia Cup final with a clean sweep of its league games.
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"Out there, you are all alone..."
Mohammad Azharuddin talks to Amrit Mathur on the pangs and pleasures of his cricketing comeback.
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Batsmen? They broke the mould!
You don't have batsmen these days, argues Prem Panicker. Merely mollicoddled milksops.
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Pakistan named Team of the Year
Pakistan capped a wonderful 1996-1997 cricket season by winning the inaugural Ceat Team of the Year award.
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"Thanks, no thanks!"
Kapil Dev returned his cheque. And with that gesture, ended his involvement in the much-hyped BCCI initiative to improve the state of cricket pitches in India.
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Needed, an SPCFB
Harsha Bhogle on the need for a society for prevention of cruelty of fast bowlers.
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Sohail ready to testify before Chandrachud
Former chief justice Y V Chandrachud says he is ready to listen to testimony from the Pakistan opener.
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Behind the box office lurks danger
K Bhaskaran on the dangers of record-breaking crowds in Indian football.
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Ghei loses at the British Open, but learns his lessons
Gaurav Ghei's much-lauded entry into the British Open ends in a fiasco, but the Indian golfer says all is not lost.
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When the lion roars
Sri Lanka is, no other word for it, awesome. And on the day, they proved their depth with a fluent six wicket win over India in game three of the Asia Cup.
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Madipa's musings
The Indian cricket manager on the team's strengths, weaknesses and related matters.
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US open champ's applause for Ghei
U S Open champ Ernie Els has endorsed the achievement of India's Gaurav Ghei and Singapore's Mardan Mamat in qualifying for the British Open.
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ICC rules, okay!
Harsha Bhogle raises a cheer for the recent ICC guidelines governing cricket.
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Pak take it home in style
Newbies Bangladesh were outplayed by Pakistan in the former's first foray into the highest echelons of international cricket, in the Asia Cup.
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Anand favoured to take world chess title
With Garry Kasparov opting to sit this one out, the world chess championship, to be played under a new format this December, could see India's Vishwanathan Anand taking the crown.
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14 divided by 5
A national cricket selector reveals the intricacies of quantum mathematics, Indian cricket style.
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Lights, camera, action
An analysis of the latest guidelines issued by the International Cricket Council, governing the conduct of the game.
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Ghei makes the grade
Gaurav Ghei came a commendable second in Scotland and, in the process, qualified for the prestigious British Open golf tournament slated for later this week.
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BCCI gags Indian cricketers
The cricket board has put in place an edict forbidding any member of the Indian cricket team from talking to the media.
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Lanka pips Pak in Asia Cup curtain-raiser
The Lankan ODI machine fired on all cylinders in a 15-run win over Pakistan in the inaugural match of the prestigious contest.
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Rebel with a cause
Harsha Bhogle on recent off-field developments.
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BAI holds out the bait, but Padukone isn't biting
The gulf between the official badminton body and Prakash Padukone's IBC widened to unbridgeable levels on Monday.
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'How can a national team be picked by 3-2 majority?'
Kapil Dev blasts the selectors.
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Stand up and be counted!
We assess national cricket selection committee chairman Ramakant Desai's reaction to the recent controversy. And argue a case for full public disclosure.
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Mind over natter?
Whatever happened to the initiative of providing a sports psychologist to hone up the mental fitness levels of the Indian cricketers bound for Sri Lanka?
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Government announces new sports guidelines
Athletics, boxing, hockey, shooting, weightlifting and archery have been named priority sports in a new set of sports guidelines announced by the Federal government.
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BPL announces support for Padukone academy
Electronics goods giants BPL reiterated its faith in Prakash Padukone's commitment to the cause of badminton, and confirmed that it would continue to back his badminton academy.
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Tendulkar, Desai fought for Kambli, Mongia
National cricket selection committee chairman Ramakant Desai admitted on Thursday that there was a major dispute during the selection of the team for the Asia Cup.
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The South dominates the Indian side
A statistical guide to the team for the Asia Cup.
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Pax! BAI begs Padukone
A beleaguered Badminton Association of India virtually went down on its knees to buy peace with the Indian Badminton Confederation, offering to consider any suggestion.
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Not feudal slaves, anymore
K Bhaskaran says there is no justification about the WIFA's seven-month ban on footballer Arif Ansari
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'Lankan, Pak bowlers haven't caused our players as much damage as Prabhakar has'
Prem Panicker on how Indian team reacts to the former all-rounder's 'betting' allegations.
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Unfair, unfair cricket!
Harsha Bhogle on the chinks in the new Indian cricket squad.
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The politics of silence
Every single thing the BCCI touches goes silent.
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The day of the spinners
They are neglected, but still call the shots, argues Anant Gaundalkar.
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RAAAHHHUUULLLLL!
Why are the gals going crazy over Mr Dravid? Prem Panicker reports from the coaching camp at Bangalore.
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'I have not seen any evidence of betting, bribery and match-fixing'
Indian coach Madan Lal tells the Rediff Chat.
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India, Pak, England, WI to vie for Sharjah Champions trophy
Richie Richardson, three Indians, three Pakistanis will be the beneficiaries of the first-ever floodlit tournament at Sharjah.
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Anand loses concentration, lets Hubner off the hook
...and Kramnik takes the lead in International Chess Tournament
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Azhar, Sidhu in, Kambli, Mongia out
Prem Panicker reports from Bangalore on the team selected for the Asia Cup.
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Prabhakar refuses to identify player as Chandrachud begins inquiry
His lawyer Nitesh Gupta said the cricketer had refused to divulge the player's name despite repeated requests by Justice Chandrachud as he was not in a position to prove his allegation.
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Ramesh, Bates win senior Wimbledon title
Look who's winning!
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When silence isn't golden
Harsha Bhogle goes into mourning for Indian cricket. The reason is self-evident. So too, he says, is the cure.
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Pakistan board unfair to the fair sex
Women cricketers in Pakistan are on the warpath. The PCB chief, meanwhile, tries to wish them away.
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Sohail fails to prove his charges
Aamir Sohail paid his fine. But failed to produce, before the disciplinary committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board, sufficient evidence to back up his charges of betting and bribery.
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Madan Lal happy with progress
At the end of day four of the Bangalore camp for the Asia Cup probables, manager Madan Lal expressed cautious optimism over the progress of his wards.
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Paes and partner move into fourth round at Wimbledon
Leander Paes kept the Indian flag flying at Wimbledon as he along with his partner moved into the fourth round of the mixed doubles competition on Friday.
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Instant fitness for Asia Cup probables
One fitness expert, and one specialist in alternative medicine, get stuck into gearing the Indian probables physically and mentally for the upcoming cricket season.
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Sohail to put his money where his mouth is
The Pakistan selectors deferred naming the Asia Cup squad by a day, pending Aamir Sohail's appearance before the disciplinary committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
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South Africa, Australia to turn the lights on Test cricket
If the ICC nods approval, South Africa's tour of Australia this December could witness Test cricket under lights for the first time.
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A house divided against itself
In the space of a little over 24 hours, the national selection committee has, it would seem, effectively ruined whatever remains of morale within the Indian cricket team.
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Tendulkar to ask for less cricket at ICC meet
Sachin Tendulkar, representing India at the meeting of Test captains in London on July 11, will pitch for longer rest periods between international cricket fixtures.
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Pakistan's Asia Cup squad shorn of stars
The Pakistan selectors have to pick 14 players for the upcoming Asia Cup quadrangular competition in Sri Lanka. Problem being, only 12 players showed up at the conditioning camp.
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Chandrachud gets his brief
The BCCI presented the former chief justice with the brief for his one man commission of inquiry into allegations of betting, bribery and match fixing in cricket. "I will begin work later this week," Chandrachud said.
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Kunjurani becomes a heavyweight - literally
Ace lifter Kunjurani, holder of 42 medals in world and Asian competitions, has made it to the elite list of the 100 best weightlifters of the century.
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List of improbables!
You'd think a shortlist of 27 probables should satisfy everyone, wouldn't you? Think again -- Harsha Bhogle, from the vantage point of having monitored domestic cricket through the previous season, raises some questions regarding the Asia Cup probables.
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Time is ripe for revolt
K Bhaskaran looks at the fall out of the Padukone rebellion. And argues for similar attempts at cleaning up the system, in sports such as hockey and football.
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Padukone rules out compromise
The resignation of Fazil Ahmad as chief of the Badminton Association of India has changed nothing, argues Prakash Padukone, head of the breakaway badminton body that is taking the sport by storm.
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"The terms of reference must be made public"
The BCCI has finalised the terms of reference for the Justice Chandrachud committee. So what is the secrecy about, asks the man tasked with clearing Indian cricket of its cloud.
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Trimming Tendulkar down to size?
The national selectors felt the need to review Sachin Tendulkar's performance as India's cricket captain. Or was there more to that than meets the eye?.
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Tendulkar retained as captain
The national selectors retained Sachin Tendulkar as captain of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming Asia Cup. And announced a 27-member squad of probables for the upcoming coaching camp.
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Windies, India climb the Wisden ladder
The latest Wisden rankings of Test nations show the West Indies and India as the biggest gainers..
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Haroon Rashid to coach Pakistan
Mushtaq Mohammad, who coached Pakistan through the successful 1996-1997 season, has been axed. And former Test star Haroon Rashid prepares to take over.
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Aussie fitness ace for MRF Foundation trainees
Fitness coach of the Australian Cricket Academy Richard Done is in Chennai, to hone up MRF Pace Foundation trainees to international fitness standards.
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Bowled off a no ball!
Harsha Bhogle, part of the commentary team that covered India's tour of New Zealand when Rajesh Chauhan was first indicted for chucking, takes a stand on the controversy.
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Sound and fury, signifying nothing
The Chandrachud committee to probe the cricket scam, argues Hemant Kenkre, is just an attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of cricket fans.
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Sohail to be asked to prove allegations
Aamir Sohail will shortly be summoned before Pakistan Cricket Board officials to substantiate his charges of betting, bribery and match fixing.
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"I feel at ease again!"
"I've been tense these last few months... now I feel relieved again," off spinner Rajesh Chauhan tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf.
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Bradman marches to Mumbai
It was the great Don's finest cricketing moment. Today, a commemorative painting goes on exhibit in Mumbai.
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Asia Cup probables on June 28
The national selection committee will announce the probables for the Asia Cup, and the series against Sri Lanka to follow, later this month.
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Chandrachud takes strike!
Justice Y V Chandrachud readies for his new role. And tells Rediff that his probe into the scandals surrounding Indian cricket will be his contribution to the game he loves.
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Chauhan cleared for national selection
The two-man committee comprising Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev see nothing suspect in the ICC tapes. And the BCCI clears Chauhan for selection to the national team for the upcoming Asia Cup.
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IOA official backs Padukone
Prakash Padukone's rebellion against badminton's officialdom received unlooked for support, when a top Indian Olympic Association official took up the cudgels on his behalf.
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Warne to top the million mark
Australian leg spinner Shane Warne is poised to become the highest paid professional cricketer of all time.
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India's Caribbean tour ends in losses for TV consortium
The Caribbean Broadcasting Union reported losses approximating $500,000 while covering the recent tour of the West Indies by the Indian cricket team.
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Chandrachud commission to probe cricket scam
The BCCI has appointed former chief justice Y V Chandrachud to probe the allegations of betting, bribery and match-fixing in Indian cricket.
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An agenda for The Boss
Harsha Bhogle salutes the triumph of individual ambition. And sets an agenda for Jagmohan Dalmiya's presidentship of the ICC
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Bansal out of ICC panel
The controversial S K Bansal has been dropped from the ICC panel of international umpires.
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Lele succeeds Dalmiya as BCCI secretary
Jaywant Y Lele will on July 1 take over from Dalmiya as secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
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Cashing in on cricket
In India, in Australia, in the West Indies and elsewhere, cricketers are getting restive about the size of their paychecks. We examine the issues involved.
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Prakash smashes a winner
K Bhaskaran examines the implications of Prakash Padukone's revolt against Indian badminton's officialdom.
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Cricket goes Mickey Mouse
Global cricket has a new boss - Jagmohan Dalmiya. And a new centrestage - Disneyland!
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England's pot of gold is at the end of the World Cup rainbow
The World Cup will return to its roots in 1999. And England, the host nation, looks likely to laugh all the way to the bank.
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Prabhakar is a nice fellow, but he talks too much..."
Kiran More, who kept wickets for India during the disatrous tour of South Africa in 1992-1993 - a period that has now become the focus of controversy - discusses bribery and betting, and other matters cricketing, in an exhaustive interview with Haresh Pandya.
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Kiwis out of Siyaram's Cup
Pakistan pulled off a professional win over New Zealand in the second league game of the Siyaram Cup. And set up not one, but two clashes with India over the next three days.
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Of music and melodies...
Hemant Kenkre meets up with a cricketing icon. And finds B S Chandrasekhar in total harmony with his world.
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Major government drive to improve hockey standards
A planned initiative has been launched to raise the standards of hockey in the country, with the setting up of a national centre for excellence in Bangalore.
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396/4
Freed of all pressures, the Indian batsmen turned it on in a display as awesome as any you want to see, in the inaugural game of the Siyaram Cup ODI triangular.
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"It is all part of a conspiracy to malign Asian cricket"
Krishnamachari Srikkanth takes strike against the issue of bribery and betting. And in trademark style, blasts for the boundaries.
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Payyoli Express losing steam?
She didn't make the medals list at the just concluded National Games. But P T Usha walked off the track to the applause of the packed house. So where's she headed next?
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The cups runneth over
Beginning June 12, India, Pakistan and New Zealand engage in triangular ODI competiton. An officially unofficial competition, what's more. Truly, the cricketing cup is in danger of running over.
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Wadekar, media at war over telephone tapping
The former Indian manager backtracks on a recent statement. The Indian Express calls his bluff. What are the issues involved?.
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Nothing official about Sachin. Nothing cheap about him, either
Pepsi's most visible sporting icon has upped the ante. And the soft drinks giant ain't buying into Sachin Tendulkar - not at the quoted price.
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Indian football - confusion confounded
The football season has already begun. And, says K Bhaskaran, the controversies are already piling up.
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Game, set and Grand Slam title for Bhupati
Indian Davis Cupper Mahesh Bhupati did the country proud, becoming the first Indian to win a Grand Slam title as he joined with Rika Hiraki of Japan to annex the French Open mixed doubles crown.
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Cricket to be banned from Eden Gardens?
If a controversy regarding payment for official security cover is not resolved, says CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya, international cricket may not been seen at the Eden Gardens for the foreseeable future.
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Jaspal Rana - bang on target
Ace Indian marksman Jaspal Rana equalled the world record for the centrefire pistol event in the ongoing 4th National Games.
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India draws tough group in World Cup hockey
India has been drawn in a tough group for the men's World Cup hockey championships to be held in Utrecht next year.
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Srinath to undergo surgery for injured shoulder
With Dr Mark Ferguson's treatment failing to yield results, India's pace ace will now go under the scalpel for the rotary cuff injury that has kept him out of international cricket since March 1997.
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World Test championship on ICC agenda
The ICC annual meeting has been scheduled for June 11-16. And some very important cricketing decisions are due to be taken - including a proposal to stage a world championship of Test cricket.
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Bribery scandal: Prabhakar asked to reveal names
Indian cricket board secretary Jagmohan Dalmiya, in a letter addressed to Prabhakar, said, 'We are sure you will appreciate the seriousness of the allegations and we would request you to furnish full details of the persons involved and also other relevant details so that the Board can make full inquiry into the matter".
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'Indian cricketers can never be bribed'
"For every Indian cricket player, the nation's pride is more important than money. And I don't think any Indian player can be involved in this disgraceful act," says former captain Bishen Singh Bedi.
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Pakistan will play Lanka in inaugural Asia Cup encounter
Runners-up India will play its first match against Sri Lanka on July 18 in the Asia Cup cricket championship to be held on the island from July 14 to 26.
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The best is yet to come!
The life and times of Nayan Mongia.
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Bhupati steps into the sunlight
Mahesh Bhupati became first Indian to enter Grand Slam mixed doubles final.
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Siyaram's Cup to go annual
Hyderabad readies to become another Sharjah, with its own annual benefit tournment.
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Azhar back in Indian team
The Indian team for the upcoming Siyaram Cup triangular involving Pakistan and New Zealand has been announced. And -- surprise, surprise -- Mohammad Azharuddin comes in from the cold.
More

Dravid moves ahead in Pepsi rankings
Rahul rockets past Sachin to number four in the Pepsi world rankings. Anant Gaundalkar weighs in with some stats.
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It's just not cricket, Pak women tell board
The Pakistan Cricket Board attempts to put women cricketers in purdah. The fair sex cries foul.
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'Sharjah is the Mecca of bookies'
Vivek Shukla draws Manoj Prabhakar out on the subject of his match-fixing allegations.
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'Sachin seems too hyper. He gives you the feeling that he can't relax'
Harsha Bhogle tells the Rediff Chat.
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Caught in the slips!
The betting slips, that is, as Syed Firdaus Ashraf investigates the latest bugbear of Indian cricket -- the betting mafia.
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The feline is out of the bag
A national newsmagazine does a major story on betting and match fixing in Indian cricket. Prem Panicker assesses the aftershocks.
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IOC takes note of National Games
For the first time, the International Olympic Association steps in to patronise the country's national games. And corporate houses perk up and take notice.
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Does the cap fit?
Is Sachin Tendulkar the best cricket captain India could have right now? The debate continues.
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A time for change
The 1996-1997 cricket season has ended. Two weeks from now, the 1997-1998 cricket season will begin. Will it be a repeat of the year gone by?.
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You can bet on "match fixing"
Hemant Kenkre on cricket's latest bogey, the betting mafia. And related matters.
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Revival of Indo-Pak hockey ties mooted
Former Olympians argue in favour of hockey ties between the neighbouring nations. And the IHF secretary general responds.
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'Lanka is the world's best'
Bruce Yardley, Dave Whatmore's successor as Sri Lankan coach, discusses his team's many strengths and few weaknesses.
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Steps to immortality
Anant Gaundalkar, on the gradual evolution of the world ODI batting record.
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Neutral umpires? Not really
A statistical look at the "neutrality" of picking impartial umpires for international games.
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"I don't intend to retire"
Sir Garfield Sobers rates him the best one day captain in the world. Up close, Arjuna Ranatunga gives indications of the reason for this rating.
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Move over, King Viv!
Harsha Bhogle on Saeed Anwar, the man who took batting achievement a step ahead of the great Viv Richards.
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Clash of the titans
A comprehensive dossier of previous Sri Lanka-Pakistan clashes, as prelude to the Independence Cup finals.
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The past, as prelude
Anant Gaundalkar looks at the performance of the two contestants in the Independence Cup final.
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Rahul Dravid, up close and personal
An encounter with Indian cricket's latest pin-up boy.
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Down to the wire
Anant Gaundalkar checks out India's great escapes in recent ODIs, when the team came back from the brink to make the knockout stage. And finds a common factor - Sachin Tendulkar.
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World champs win in a canter

A great spell from Chaminda Vaas. And a display of explosive batting from Sanath Jayasuriya. These were the ingredients in a fine win by Sri Lanka over India at the Wankhede.
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The heat is on
A resurgent Sri Lanka and a determined New Zealand - the ingredients for a contest in Hyderabad that promises to be hot as the weather, if not hotter.
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CBI probe into PCA affairs stymied
The CBI's attempts to get to the bottom of financial scams in the Punjab Cricket Association have been seriously hampered by non-cooperation on the part of the state government and the cricket body..
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Cash crunch at the BCCI? Tell me the other one!
If BCCI bigwigs are to be believed, the cricket body is going through a financial crisis. Even Ripley will find that hard to swallow, says Anant Gaundalkar.
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Srinath - spearhead or work horse?
As India steps up its campaign in the Independence Cup, Javagal Srinath packs his bags for yet another trip to South Africa, for consultation with a specialist in sports injuries. Anant Gaundalkar chips in with some timely stats.
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47,000 fans... and 11 Indian cricketers on a high...
An overview of the Indian performance at Bangalore, when the home side convincingly put one over a match-fit, in-form New Zealand team.
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AIFF waffles on F C Kochy issue
Priyaranjan Das Munshi's explanation regarding F C Kochy's exclusion from the Federation Cup lineup leaves K Bhaskaran less than convinced.
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No Azhar, no cricket
Hemant Kenkre, tongue firmly in cheek, takes a look at the whole business of cricket-related protests.
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Pak dumps world champs
Minus three stars, Pakistan produced a superlative all round performance to dump world champions Sri Lanka by a healthy 30-run margin in the second league game of the Independence Cup.
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Kiwis begin in style
They batted, bowled and fielded with competence and flair. And walked off with a fine win over Pakistan in the inaugural of the Independence Cup.
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And soft into the twilight...
Harsha Bhogle's heart and head are at war as he analyses the omission of Mohammad Azharuddin from the Indian team.
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Aamir Sohail to apologise; PCB to withdraw ban
The government-sponsored compromise is in place - but does it solve the deeper problem?. More

FC Kochy denied berth in FedCup lineup
K Bhaskaran analyses the AIFF decision not to allow the country's premier club to participate in the Federation Cup tournament. More

Kambli comeback highlight of Indian team for I-Cup
The national selectors picked a 14-member team to play the forthcoming Independence Cup quadrangular. And recalled the errant Vinod Kambli, even as they dropped Azharuddin, Navjot Singh Sidhu and Saba Karim. More

"We are here to win friends"
Rameez Raja landed in India at the head of a Pakistan team sans Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed. And hailed the upcoming ODI tournament as a step towards restoring friendly relations between the neighbouring countries. More

Brickbats for Azhar omission
Former Test stars and cricket officials reacted angrily to the omission of Mohammad Azharuddin from the Indian team for the Independence Cup. More

DDCA, SAI at loggerheads over I-Cup fixture
For a tournament meant as a celebration, the forthcoming Independence Cup has brought its share of heartburn already. More

IT exemption the highlight of new sports policy
Contributions to the proposed national sports fund will merit 100 per cent tax exemption, HRD minister S R Bommai announced while revealing details of a draft sports policy for the country. More

Soft drinks, hard battles!
The biggest excitement of the upcoming Independence Cup quadrangular ODI tournament could well lie in the showdown between rival soft drinks giants Coca Cola and Pepsi.
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"We are here to win friends"
Rameez Raja landed in India at the head of a Pakistan team sans Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed. And hailed the upcoming ODI tournament as a step towards restoring friendly relations between the neighbouring countries. More

PCB yet to decide on Aamir Sohail affair
The deadline has come, and gone. Without the Pakistan cricket board announcing its reaction to a compromise formula that bears governmental sanction, in the matter of Pak cricketer Aamir Sohail's two-year suspension. More

...But never the bride!
V Gangadhar, on why India came off second best on the twin tours of South Africa and the Caribbean.
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Tendulkar talks tough - again!
Non-performers will be sacked, says the Indian skipper. Which is a bit like a gunfighter walking into the OK Corrall - with a pistol loaded with blanks. More

Windies take ODI series 3-1
A superb batting display by Shivnaraine Chanderpaul drove the last nail into the Indian coffin - at, predictably, Barbados, where earlier, India had lost the only Test to yield a result. More

India toss it in the trashcan
India revealed, in the third one-dayer, a positive genius for losing from an impregnable position..
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Kerala poised on the verge of a footballing revolution
Kerala has always produced top class footballers, and fanatical followers of the game - but never a club side of any real quality. With the emergence of the privately funded and cash-rich FC Kochy, this situation may be poised for change. More

Dalmiya's global agenda for change
Just over a month from now, Jagmohan Dalmiya will take over as the first president of the International Cricket Council. What then?.
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Kapil in charge of Indian pitches
For once, the BCCI appears to have gone beyond talking of changes, and taken steps aimed at making a real difference to the state of Indian pitches.
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India clinch a 10-wicket win
First they bowled out the West Indies for its lowest ever score against India. And then got to the target without losing a wicket, to round off a professional performance that makes you wonder why they don't play to potential all the time..
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Windies takes lead in ODI series
Wrong team selection, the odd umpiring gaffe, irritatingly frequent rain interruptions - the first game in the Cable & Wireless ODI series was a bit of a patchwork quilt.
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India readies for ODI series with warm-up win
A fine century by Saurav Ganguly, a 150-run opening partnership with Navjot Sidhu, cameos by Jadeja and Tendulkar and good bowling by Joshi and Noel David - the Indian tour management got a bit of a boost on the eve of the ODI series against the Windies, beginning Saturday.
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Srinath to miss Independence Cup
BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur and chairman of the selectors Ramakanth Desai indicate that the star quickie may have to wait a while before returning to the national side..
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JCT hit by exodus of stars
JCT ended a great season in the national football league on an unhappy note, as major stars deserted it for greener pastures. R Bhaskaran analyses the recent transfers..
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Adios, Dennis, thanks for the memories
V Gangadhar pays personal tribute to a childhood hero. Plus links to a collection of Compton-related stories from across the web.
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Bon voyage, Denis!
Doyen of Indian cricket writers K N Prabhu recalls fond memories of a cricketing cavalier.
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Chanderpaul, Rose top Test averages
Anant Gaundalkar sums up the statistical highlights of the just concluded Cable and Wireless Test series between India and the West Indies.
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Denis Compton, cricket cavalier, passes away
Think of the sweep, one of the most audacious shot in cricket, and what comes to mind? That ultimate cricket cavalier, Denis Charles Scott Compton - who, on Tuesday, was finally swept into the arms of Death.
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A "test"-ing time for India
Proliferation of ODIs? Too little Test cricket? Think again - the statistics of the season now ending tell a different story.
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Lara lights up the gloom at Guyana
In the cloud-bearing rain that reduced the fifth Test of the Cable and Wireless Series to a farce, there was yet one silver lining - Brian Charles Lara.
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Going through the motions, at Guyana
To no purpose that anyone could see, play did resume at the Bourda - late in the evening of the fourth day.
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It's not cricket at the Bourda
Thanks to one of the most inexplicable demonstrations of negative bowling in recent memory, day one of the fifth Test between India and the West Indies turned out to be one big yawn.
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"Majid Khan is a bad CEO for Pak cricket
Former Test star Hanif Mohammad, in an explosively frank conversation with V Gangadhar.
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Of close-in fields, and umpiring goofs
A day before the fifth and final Test between India and the West Indies, we look at a couple of key issues.
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Teeing off with Kapil Dev
Hemant Kenkre takes a tongue in cheek look at Kapil's recent offer to form part of the cricket establisment.
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Race for Ceat award hots up
Brian Lara was the winner in the inaugural year. And as the 1996-1997 cricket season heads towards a climax, question is, who will be Ceat International Cricketer of the Year this time round?.
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India boosts morale with warm-up win
The Bourda, in Georgetown, Guyana, is a spin-friendly wicket. And India took advantage, to force a 91-run win in the warm-up game leading up to the fifth Test.
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Calcutta soccer faces cash crunch
The erstwhile cradle of Indian soccer bears a desolate look, as stars go where the money is.
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Eider Nehru football - an overview
Poor participation. Low quality soccer. Organisational bungles. Another day, another tournament..
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Sidhu slams ton in warm-up game
Navjot Singh Sidhu indicated his return to full fitness with a scorching century against Guyana, to put the touring Indians in a commanding position on the third day of the warm-up game at the Bourda, venue of the upcoming fifth Test against the West Indies.
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Anand shares Dos Hermanas title with Kramnik
Indian ace Vishwanathan Anand justified his rating with a fine win over Judith Polgar in the Category 19 tournament, to share the title with Vladimir Kramnik.
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Bangladesh pulls off fine win in ICC Trophy final
A result off the last ball of the match - and it goes in favour of Bangladesh, the hottest team on the ICC circuit..
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Jadeja's ton highlight of day one of warm-up game
A flat, bald batting track at the Bourda in Georgetown, Guyana, gave the Indian tourists a preview of what is to come in the fifth Test. And Jadeja and Ganguly took full advantage.
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China pips India to third spot in Eider Nehru football
From what looked like a possible final slot, the Indian football team slumped to fourth spot in the Eider Nehru football tournament now on in Kochi.
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Kapil calls for abolition of selection committee
It's Kapil Dev's turn to join the anti-selectors bandwagon, as the ace all-rounder called for a three member cricket selection committee comprising former Test players to replace the present set up.
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Mumbai retain Ranji Trophy
The batting marathon at Gwalior finally ended with Delhi failing - just - to pip Bombay in the final of the Ranji Trophy championships.
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Uzbekistan in final of Eider Nehru football tourney
Later today, India plays Iraq for the right to take on the Uzbeks in the final of the Eider Nehru international football tournament now on in Kochi.
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Player power to the fore at ICC
Test skippers meet at Lord's promises reform... Another bribery scandal rocks Pak cricket... Aamir Sohail's allegations highlight a growing malaise... and Michael Holding reveals the secret of how to become a fast bowler.
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Jadeja and Ganguly bag mega sponsorship deals...
India, like Little Tommy in the nursery rhyme, wanted to play, rain or no rain. Meanwhile, India stars Jadeja and Ganguly will sport the UB logo on their bats in a mega deal..
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Indian openers come good at Antigua
India is a funny side, isn't it? The makeshift combination of Ajay Jadeja and Venkat Laxman - the ninth combination to be tried in the last one year - actually went on to put up the best opening partnership for either side in the ongoing series.
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Leader Paes dumped in first round of Gold Flake Open
Indian ace Leander Paes hit a trough, and found himself dumped on the inaugural day of the prestigious Gold Flake Open at Chennai.
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Lara ton marks day one of pointless Test
On the ground which marked his record-busting 375 against England, Brian Charles Lara got his first ever century against India on day one of what has, in effect, been reduced to a two-day 'Test'.
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Of rain delays, Jagmohan Dalmiya, and suchlike
Rain rules in Antigua while officials dither... Jagmohan Dalmiya takes one step closer to the ICC top slot... and godmen become cricket sponsors.
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Revised schedule of Independence Cup tournament
Following a dispute with the Delhi cricket association, the inaugural game of the upcoming Independence Cup ODI quadrangular tournament has been shifted to Mohali.
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Dravid - Indian cricket's rising star
Anant Gaundalkar takes a statistical look at the Mr Cool of Indian cricket.
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Bindra named in Mohali cricket stadium scandal
Allegations of irregularities surface in the construction of the Mohali cricket stadium, and guess who finds himself in the middle?
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Indians in the Wisden hall of fame
As Sachin Tendulkar takes his place in Wisden's list of cricketers of the year, Anant Gaundalkar looks at the other 14 Indians who have held the honour in the past.
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Jadeja for Laxman in Indian team for Antigua
While Courtney Walsh returns to lead Windies in the fourth Test at a grassy Recreation Ground pitch at St John's, Antigua, India replaced off-form opener Venkat Laxman with Ajay Jadeja.
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Aravinda D'Silva joins elite 6000-club
Sri Lanka's Aravinda D'Silva became only the ninth player in ODI history to score 6000-plus runs in limited overs cricket, while spearheading his side to a fine win over Zimbabwe in the Singer Cup at Sharjah.
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Craig McMillan in Kiwi squad for Independence Cup
The New Zealand cricket board announced a 14-member team for the Independence Cup ODI tournament scheduled to be played in India between May 8-28.
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The fitness question again
You might have noticed it. And wondered why. Indian batsmen staying rooted to the crease during the recent South African and Zimbabwe cricket tours.
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Mark Taylor hints at retirement
The Australian cricket captain has finally admitted that leadership pressure has undermined his batting.
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Independence Cup inaugural fixture cancelled
The inaugural match of the Independence Cricket Cup between Pakistan and New Zealand will not be staged, as slated, at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in New Delhi.
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United Front plans a Rs 1 billion national sports development fund
The central government is planning a national sports development fund to promote sports in India.
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Kudos for Kuruvilla!
India's inexperienced fast bowlers blast the West Indies for 140 in their second innings.
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Umpiring gaffe short-circuits Tendulkar century
Tendulkar looked set for a hundred when umpire Lloyd Barker overlooked Bishop overstepping the crease and declared the Indian skipper out, eight runs short of his his twelfth century.
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In the end, the day belonged to the Guyanese fisherman's son
Shivnarine Chanderpaul's maiden hundred takes the West Indies to safety on the first day of the Bridgetown Test.
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Srinath could still play in Independence Cup
Javagal Srinath may be available for the four nation Independence Cup which will be played at different Indian venues between May 9 and 28.
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Ganguly takes India to a draw in Barbados tie
Saurav Ganguly hit a defiant, unbeaten 73 as India held on for a draw on the final day of their three-day match against Barbados at the Kensington Oval.
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Jayasuriya takes Lankans to easy win over Kiwis
Sanath Jayasuriya scored a quick-fire 79 from 63 deliveries to lead Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win over New Zealand in a day-night limited-overs cricket match at Lancaster Park.
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`They thought I lacked seriousness'
Venkatapathy Raju on his ouster from the Indian cricket team.
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Those fast bowlers.. they hunt in pairs
Fast bowlers, like opening batsmen, work in pairs. They seem to get inspired and perform better in the company of their partners, then going from strength to strength.
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Didn't Board know extent of Srinath’s injury?
A fax sent by the doctor who treated Javagal Srinath has put the Board of Control of Cricket in India in a spot.
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Unshakeable, unflappable Haynes
When Des Haynes walked back from his last innings with a duck, he was assured he was in august company. Don Bradman, who himself had done the same thing, told him it was a good idea to end one’s career with a duck.
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Dreary draw in Port of Spain Test
Stuart Williams and Shivnarine Chanderpaul's combined tenacity coupled with pretty ordinary Indian bowling ensured that the West Indies rescued the second Test.
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And not a wicket fell all day...
For cricket fans it is a treat to watch the scoreboard ticking at a run-a-minute with over 300 runs scored in a day's play and not one wicket falling all day.
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Age has not withered these great men...
On March 13, Australia's oldest living Test cricketer and the second oldest Test cricketer in the world, Leo O' Brien, died in Sydney at 89 years and 255 days.
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Srinath will need two months to recover
Javagal Srinath has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India that he has been advised him to undergo a rehabiliation programme for the next two months.
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Sidhu 13th to score double-ton in West Indies
He is only the third Indian and the 13th player in the world to score a Test double-century against the West Indies in the Caribbean.
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Sidhu makes 17th Indian double-century
He becomes the eleventh Indian batsman to score a double-century in Test cricket.
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The ins and outs of Navjot Sidhu
At 33, Navjot Sidhu has made an amazing comeback to Test cricket.
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Independence Cup fixture snarled in red tape
A bureaucratic dispute has jeopardised the inaugural match of the Independence Cricket Cup.
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Odds and trends from the cricket field
Woolmer defends sledging, Lloyd defends "designer wickets", novelist Shashi Tharoor proposes reform in domestic cricket, racism rears its head in ICC corridors, and the mystery of Noel David continues.
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Stump vision
Cricket writer K N Prabhu on an encounter with Test star turned star umpire S Venkatraghavan.
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Long march for the Chinamen
When Michael Bevan and Paul Adams took the field for the recently concluded first Test between Australia and South Africa, they signalled the revival of a lost art.
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Three of a kind
For the second time this season, as many as three Test matches will begin on the same day.
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`Sachin, Prasad will be the next casualties'
Former India captain and manager Ajit Wadekar has warned the Board of Control for Cricket in India that if 'overtaxing' of the players continues, then captain Sachin Tendulkar and Venkatesh Prasad may soon join Javagal Srinath on the injured list.
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'Azhar gives 150 per cent to the team. I shall do the same'
Noel David is bubbling with confidence to justify his inclusion in the Indian team. An exclusive interview.
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47.4 overs per Test!
Javagal Srinath has bowled more than any other fast bowler in recent international cricket.
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India has won just 2 of the 28 Tests played in the Caribbean
India, on their seventh tour of the West Indies, begin their campaign on Thursday.
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The ticklish issue of team selection
Jagmohan Dalmiya, on Rediff Chat, defended the present system of team selection as the best possible. Is it, really? We propose an alternative.
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Polly kaka lasted 10 years in a place where petty politicking
has been perfected into an art form
Why did Polly Umrigar resign as executive secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India?
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Chris Cairns may miss Independence Cup
The Kiwi allrounder will need an operation to treat an ankle injury.
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Noel David to fly to Windies
Less than a fortnight after chairman of selectors Ramakant Desai said, "Show me an off spinner and I will include him in the side", he discovered one. And Noel David, the Hyderabad and India A off spinner, gets a ticket to the Windies.
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The Achilles heel factor in international cricket
As the Javagal Srinath affair dominates the headlines, V Gangadhar recollects other instances of famed cricketers succumbing to physical injuries.
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Return ticket - a look back in time
Anant Gaundalkar leafs through the record books. To find other instances of Indian cricketers forced through injury to abandon tours.
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Double Trouble as the Waugh twins create a world record
Twin brothers Steve and Mark Waugh of Australia broke a world record - held, incidentally, by compatriots Ian and Greg Chappell - when they turned out for Australia in the just concluded first Test against RSA at Johannesburg.
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Srinath likely to miss West Indies tour
India's aspirations to perform well in the West Indies received a setback on the eve of the first Test, when pace spearhead Javagal Srinath's shoulder packed finally packed in after months of continuous cricket.
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Polly Umrigar refuses to reconsider, stands firm on quitting
Polly 'Kaka' Umrigar's 50-odd years of service to Indian cricket, first as player, then as executive secretary to the BCCI, came to a sorry end on March 1.
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ICC bid to formalise world championship of Test cricket
By year-end, we could have an official system in place to determine which of the nine Test-playing nations is the real champion of Test cricket.
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"We will look to dominate from day one"
West Indies skipper Courtney Walsh, fully fit and raring to go, warns the touring Indians that sun, sand and samba won't be all they will find when the Carlton and United Series begins on March 6.
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Windies name squad to take on India
The West Indies selectors named a 13-member squad for the first Test against India beginning March 6. With a surprise inclusion, ditto omission.
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Indian team leaves for Windies tour
The 16-member Indian cricket team on Tuesday took off for a gruelling three-month tour of the Caribbean. Shortly before the flight took off, captain Sachin Tendulkar and coach Madan Lal assessed the team, the rivals and the possibilities.
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Just Do It!
The meek shalt inherit the earth, goes the old Biblical exhortation. Judging by events in course of India's recent cricketing tour of South Africa, one thing is for certain - the meek shalt definitely not win cricket matches.
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11 players - but where is the team?
Is all well within the Indian cricket team? Not, judging by available evidence. And a sorry augury it is, too, on the eve of the team's departure for the West Indies.
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Dalmiya takes a second shot at ICC chairmanship
Jagmohan Dalmiya spearheads an Asian bid to break the British-led monopoly of the ICC, when he stands for election to the top slot come July.
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Walsh to miss English county season
West Indies captain Courtney Walsh will not turn out for Gloucestershire in the English county season this year, thanks to international commitments. More to the point, he could also miss the first Test against India beginning March 6.
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BCCI proposes, and disposes
The Board of Control for Cricket in India met in Bombay on Thursday, and debated the hot issues of the day. An overview.
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Pakistan confirms participation in I-Day Cup
Pakistan has confirmed its participation in the Independence Cup. This four-nation one-day tournament will witness the India-Pak match in Madras.
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Sidhu returns!
Navjot Singh Sidhu is back, in the 16-member Indian team to tour the West Indies for a five-Test, four ODI series beginning early March.
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L'Affaire Vinod Kambli
Within the next 24 hours, the national selectors will pick the side to tour West Indies later this month. And one question dominates all discussions - why does Vinod Kambli continue to find himself out in the cold?.
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"The tour of S'Africa was not a disaster" - Sachin
Minutes after landing in Bombay at the end of the South African tour, Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar told the media that the team's just concluded cricketing tour was not a complete washout.
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Protest march planned against national selectors
On Wednesday, even as the national cricket selection committee meets in Bombay to pick the squad to tour the West Indies, the streets of Bombay will witness a protest march against Messers Ramakant Desai and company. A report.
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Windies Ahoy - the Rediff selection for the Caribbean tour
We present the Rediff team for the West Indies tour - and the reasons for the various picks.
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Of fours, sixes and runouts
That India, in the recent ODI series, preferred to get their runs in fours and sixes rather than singles and twos is obvious. Or is it? Anant Gaundalkar presents a startling analysis.
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Arjuna Ranatunga slams "racist" Taylor
Recently, Australian captain Mark Taylor bracketed Brian Lara and Arjuna Ranatunga as chronic "antagonists". The Sri Lankan captain responds and, as per usual, pulls no punches.
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National cricket selectors face flak
A galaxy of former Indian cricket stars have trained their guns on the national selectors following the team's performance in South Africa.
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Sauce for the goose is not sauce for the gander
Of rain... match referees... selective myopia... and other matters.
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Indian skipper to have more say in tour schedules
The BCCI recently announced that the Indian captain and manager would, henceforth, have a greater say in the finalisation of schedules for forthcoming tours. Why? And wherefore?.
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Aussies keep faith with off-form Taylor
Australian skipper Mark Taylor is now in the middle of a batting slump unparalleled in the history of that country's cricket - and yet, coach Geoff Marsh says that the side will keep faith in the skipper.
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SA officials allay Aussie security concerns
South Africa's cricket boss Dr Ali Bacher assured the touring Australian cricket team that apprehensions of safety in light of recent rioting in Johannesburg was unfounded.
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