Sachin Tendulkar becomes an MP

Earlier this week Sachin Tendulkar was nominated in India's upper house of Rajya Sabha for seat as Member of Parliament. President Pratibha Patil validated his admission and approved Sachin's nomination for a seat in India's upper house of parliament. This makes Sachin Tendulkar to be the first active sportsman in the parliament house. The 39-year-old Tendulkar became the first cricketer to score 100 international centuries in March.

 

Sachin Tendulkar becomes the first sports person to be an MP in the Rajya Sabha

Tendulkar met the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday and was offered a seat in the upper house's nominated category. He accepted the offer and his name went from the prime minister's office to the home ministry, and then the office of the President, who formally approved the candidature. 

Tendulkar will fill one of 12 seats in the Rajya Sabha that are reserved for those persons "having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as literature, science, art and social service."  Previous nominated MPs, who serve a six-year term, include the musician Ravi Shankar, the singer Lata Mangeshkar and the artist MF Husain.

 

Sachin Tendulkar accepted to be a Member of Parliament

Lots of people supported this move but it was met with a few criticisms.. the biggest from fellow retired cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar who felt Sachin can't fit into this role as he doesn't have enough experience in this. Anyway, I treat it as a honor for him and he might learn a few things which could be good. He could also contribute what he knows. Lets see how it goes :)

Ganguly's wild run and an allround victory for Pune Warriors

Ever see Ganguly run so fast like today after Pietersen's victory?? That should be ranked second amongst Ganguly's special moments after his shirtless act after the Natwest series victory in Lords.. :)

It has to be Dada's day today... Whatever Sourav Ganguly was doing today turned out to be a master stroke.... be it his batting, promotion of Smith, bowling, field placements.. everything went for him today...
Ganguly was due for some good performances in this IPL 2012 but what a match-winning performance it was today.

Picture this - Ganguly running rather sprinting like a 100meters champion.... taking off after Pietersen got bowled off the very first ball Dada bowled in this IPL.

 

Pune Warriors' captain Sourav Ganguly starts his wild celebration run after the dismissal of Delhi Daredevils Kevin Pietersen which was the turning point in the match today

A swashbuckling knock from Jesse Ryder (86 runs) and an all-round performance by Sourav Ganguly (41 runs and 2 wickets) gave Pune Warriors a convincing 20-run win over Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League (IPL) game at the Ferozeshah Kotla in New Delhi today.

Dada got the wicket of Pietersen who was in a dangerous mood and the allrounder Irfan Pathan.. He should have got a 3rd wicket too but for Mathews' drop catch.

 

Ganguly's famous run after taking the key wicket of Kevin Pietersen in th IPL match

 

Dada being mobbed by his Pune Warriors' teammates after his celebratory run taking Pietersen's wicket

Pics courtesy: AP Photo

Delhi Daredevil's captain Virender Sehwag said in the presentation ceremony that he has never seen Ganguly running so fast like how he did today after taking Pietersen's wicket.

 

Sourav Ganguly taking off his shirts after India beat England in Lords during the famous Natwest Series...This act ranks first amongst Ganguly's finest moments :)

After the Natwest series famous celebration that Ganguly did by taking off his shirts, this amazing run celebrating Pietersen's wicket would probably rank second... 
I was also pretty amused by the way Ganguly's hair was behaving :)  There is something fishy in it ;) you know what I mean.. hehe..
Hail Dada!!  Looking forward to many such moments :)

Yuvraj Singh back in India after treatment

Good news for cricket fans... Indian world cup superstar and allrounder Yuvraj Singh returned home to India after completing a successful cancer treatment.  He returned home to a rousing welcome from adoring fans and was received by his mother Shabnam Singh at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, in New Delhi.

 

Yuvraj Singh tweets his return to India

Yuvraj was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer called "mediastinal seminoma" which is a germ-cell tumour located between his two lungs.  Yuvraj had three sessions of chemotherapy in Indianapolis, at the IU Simon Cancer Centre at the Indiana University Medical Centre, under Lawrence H Einhorn, who headed the treatment of cycling champion Lance Armstrong in 1996. He finished the last chemo session in mid-march, and his response it had left his medical team "fairly confident" that he would not suffer a relapse. He had spent a few days in London while recuperating from the side effects of the treatment.

 

Yuvraj Singh was received by his mother Shabanam at the New Delhi ariport

"He is absolutely fine and will rest at home for another 10-15 days," his mother Shabnam Singh told reporters at the airport.

 

Yuvraj Singh showing thumbs up as he reached India after a successful cancer treatment

Pic courtesy: AFP Photo

Flashing a victory sign and a smile, Yuvraj walked through patiently towards a white Audi SUV, which drove him to his home from the airport.

"Yuvi- Got well soon ?. Welcome back home my brother after winning a tough battle with cancer," Sachin Tendulkar wrote on his Twitter page.  Tendulkar, who is nursing his injured finger, had met the left-handed batsman in London last month.

 

Sachin Tendulkar's twitter message to Yuvraj Singh

Virender Sehwag and Kevin Pietersen are planning to meet Yuvraj this week. 

"I am very happy Yuvraj is back. We all prayed for him. In the coming 2-3 days I will go and personally meet him," Virender Sehwag said during a promotional event.

"I was lucky enough to speak to Yuvraj last night before his return from London. I plan to meet him this week," Englishman Kevin Pietersen said.

Question: What did Yuvraj had for food after he returned to India?
Yuvraj Singh had gobhi-ka-parathas after his return to India...

Wishing Yuvraj for a successful rehabilitation and hoping to see him in the field soon...

Yuvraj Singh gets message from Lance Armstrong...

Good news!! Yuvraj Singh tweeted that his tumor is almost out of his system... glad to hear this news... 

Yuvraj's tweet...  "Got very good news from dr lawrence today! The tumor is almost way out of the system Aftr reading my todays scan !Second cycle has started"

Another wonderful news is that Lance Armstrong and his team Livestrong has sent an inspirational message to Yuvraj... which Yuvi tweeted happily...

 

Lance Armstrong's message to Yuvi

Lance Armstrong, a seven time Tour de France champion after surviving cancer, sent the message to Yuvi saying that "Knowledge is power, Unity is strength, and Attitude is everything". Quite inspirational.. 
Hope Yuvi gets his wish to meet his inspiration Lance Armstrong..

Also, Yuvraj posted his bald look after he lost his hair in chemo therapy radiation treatment to remove the tumor... 

 

Yuvraj Singh after his radiation treatment without hair.. Get well soon Yuvi!! We miss seeing you in the cricket ground

Following Yuvi's twitter for more updates.... eagerly waiting to hear the good news of his successful treatment n back to India...
Best Wishes Yuvi!! We are all behind you....

Yuvraj has cancer? Get Well Soon, Yuvi!!!

Indian cricketer and World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh was earlier diagnosed to have  a "non-malignant tumour" in his left lung. But, recent news is that he has a rare cancer diagnosis – "mediastinal seminoma", a germ-cell tumor located between his lungs.  People are mistaking that Yuvraj has lung cancer... which is not true...
The 30-year-old Yuvraj is currently undergoing chemotherapy in the United States.

 

Yuvraj Singh is undergoing chemotherapy in US

Yuvraj Singh, who is scheduled to undergo a chemotherapy session on Wednesday, is under the care of Dr Lawrence H Einhorn, an oncologist with Indiana University's Cancer Centre who is credited with revolutionizing the treatment for germ cell cancers. Dr Einhorn's most famous patient so far has been another leading sportsman, Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. Incidentally, Yuvraj has tweeted about reading Armstrong's book titled It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life.

 

Yuvraj Singh - India's World Cup Hero - is diagnosed to have a rare form of cancer caused by a germ-cell tumor

Quite a lot of messages and wishes poured in from all quarters of the world for Yuvraj Singh to get well soon.. It is said that Yuvraj would recuperate soon and would be ready for competitive cricket by May. Lets hope that its true!.

 

GET WELL SOON YUVI!!! WE WILL BE WITH YOU AND PRAY FOR YOU... 

Will See You Soon Playing for India!!!

Lets give Yuvraj and his family some privacy during this testing time! Waiting to hear the news of his successful therapy soon.. 

Dhoni and team watch Agneepath movie???

Just read the news in the ndtv site that some of the Indian cricket team in Australia went to watch a show of Agneepath...
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, pacer Umesh Yadav and spinner Rahul Sharma were spotted going to watch Agneepath in Sydney, Australia.

After the drubbing that the Aussies gave us down under, I guess the players were too much pressurized that they decide to take more breaks :) 
Am not against them watching or having some fun.. but time and again, this series they've been found lacking match practice and having more fun than usual.. Anyways, hope they come up with a better show in the shorter version of the game...

 

Captain Dhoni with Umesh Yadav and Rahul Sharma to watch Agneepath movie in Sydney

 

Dhoni is ready with popcorn to watch Agneepath movie while Rahul Sharma and Umesh Yadav carry the drinks inside the theatre.. hope they had a good movie show

Pics courtesy: ndtv site

I hope our team plays well in the one day triangular series atleast... and salvage some pride!!!

Wedding bells for Zaheer Khan-Isha Sharvani?

Zaheer Khan and Isha Sharvani, the bollywood actress are supposedly getting married in March 2012 as per the reports going around. So, are these reports of Zaheer and Isha Sharvani's wedding a rumour or fact?? Only time will tell...

 

Zaheer Khan and Isha Sharvani wedding on cards - Rumour or fact??

 

Zaheer Khan's girlfriend Isha Sharvani (or should I say fiancee?) 

 

Stylish Indian pacer Zaheer Khan going to wed Isha Sharvani in March

 

Bollywood star Isha Sharvani reportedly marrying Zaheer this year

 

Isha Sharvani and Zaheer Khan - hottest couple in the current cricket circle

The Indian star pace bowler had first met Isha Sharvani in 2005 after her Bollywood debut in Subhash Ghai's flop movie Kisna. After dating for a couple of years, Zaheer and Isha split. But Zaheer got back together with Isha Sharvani in 2010 and its been going strong as per the reports.

 

Zaheer Khan and girlfriend Isha Sharvani together (for life?)

According to reports, Zaheer and Isha's marriage is likely to happen in March. But the final decision will be taken once Zaheer Khan returns from the current Australian tour. There are also reports that if they don't marry in March, then they might tie the knot in October.
Despite repeated attempts, Isha and Zaheer remained unavailable for comment.

Wishes for this lovely couple... I would definitely like them to settle down.... :)

Ishant Sharma's turn to show the finger in Australia

Its Ishant Sharma's turn now to show the middle finger to hecklers after Virat Kohli showed the finger to the Sydney crowd and got fined.

This incident happened last Monday when Ishant Sharma had just finished a go-karting session in Belmont. The whole Indian team minus some seniors had gone for a go-karting session before heading over to Perth for the third test match.

 

Ishant Sharma showing his middle finger to a heckler in Perth, Australia after a go-karting session

Pic courtesy: Sharon Smith/WA News

"Why don't you go learn how to bat and bowl before you go go-karting. It will be 3-0 mate," an Australian heckler said. Ishant Sharma reacted to the taunts by showing a finger gesture to the heckler which was captured by a photographer from the West Australian newspaper.

Indian team management claimed that the paceman Ishant Sharma was simply waving to the fans :) hehe...

India will not take any action against Sharma despite the lanky quick producing an identical response to batsman Virat Kohli who was fined half his match fee for giving the finger signal to the SCG crowd during the second Test.

But these incidents did not go well with the Indian team management and led to the banning of using twitter or any social networking site by the Indian team as such comments from the cricketers might further cause trouble.

As far as I feel about these incidents, the team should take a chill pill and not worry about these incidents... there would be more such hecklers waiting now that they've got some of the junior Indian cricketers irked...
Lets hope that the team copes up with these incidents and comes up with a better performance in the Perth test. It'll be something that every Indian fan would be looking forward to.  

Virat Kohli fined over finger gesture in Australia

This news is a bit odd to report.. nevertheless, here is it..

Indian batsman Virat Kohli was fined 50% of his match fee after he was seen gesturing to the crowd with his middle finger on the second day of the second test match between India and Australia in Sydney.

Kohli was charged with a level two offence by the match referee Ranjan Madugalle of Sri Lanka on the third morning of the SCG Test. Kohli went to the hearing along with manager Shivlal Yadav and pleaded guilty.

 

Virat Kohli showing the middle finger to the Australian crowd in Sydney

Pic courtesy: Getty Images

The incident happened when Virat Kohli was fielding at the boundary for much of the day and some of the spectators poked fun at him and his family. Kohli also tweeted that he had been sorely provoked before responding with the finger gesture.

 Kohli also said he had heard abuse worse than he ever had in his life. Virat posted on his twitter account, "i agree cricketers dont have to retaliate. what when the crowd says the worst things about your mother and sister. the worst ive heard"

Kohli found support in England's Kevin Pietersen, who replied to his tweet saying "ha ha ha ha ha!!! Welcome to Australia buddy!!" 

Kohli tweeted back saying that he "never heard crap like that. EVER".

Virat Kohli, after losing half of his match fee, began the third day on a more positive note tweeting, "New day new beginning! :)" 

So then, after Clarke hit a triple ton and Ponting & Hussey with hundreds of their own, Australia are sitting pretty in this test match...  What are the odds that India blame this one on the pitch :) 

Same old story.... looking forward for some brand new beginnings.. not sure when though :(

Photos of Sachin Tendulkar as a young kid - Part 2

This is a continuation to the first part of Sachin Tendulkar's pictures as a young boy and kid. Being an ardent fan of the Cricketing God, I can't resist posting more of Sachin's photos...  Am still waiting patiently for his 100th ton... though he missed it in Melbourne, looking forward for it in Sydney.  Meanwhile, check out these young Sachin Tendulkar's pictures and enjoy :)

 

Sachin Tendulkar's picture on his debut test match against Pakistan at Karachi in the year 1989

 

Sachin Tendulkar with Sandip Patil and Vinodh Kambli

 

Sachin Tendulkar with his father Ramesh Tendulkar

 

Sachin Tendulkar scoring a century in Ranji Trophy

 

Sachin Tendulkar with the under-17 Indian team

 

Young Sachin Tendulkar's colorful picture

 

Sachin Tendulkar with the then captain Dilip Vengsarkar during a test match

 

Teenage Sachin Tendulkar's vintage picture

 

Sachin Tendulkar with Atul Ranade

Waiting for the 100th ton from our Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar :) All the best..

Sehwag and Pattinson clash in Boxing Day Test

The Boxing day test match between India and Australia which started yesterday the 26th of Dec 2011 in Melbourne has already had its share of news and controversies in just two days.

After a couple of controversial decisions against Australia for Mike Hussey and Ed Cowan (though I feel this is out) and one more that India didn't get (that of Zaheer Khan's lbw appeal of Brad Haddin), today was another day for fresh controversy brewing.

 

Virender Sehwag and Pattinson clash in the Boxing Day Test match

Indian opener Virender Sehwag was involved in an altercation with Australian pacers James Pattinson and Peter Siddle during the visitors` first innings today. The incident happened in the fourth ball of seventh over bowled by the latest Aussie sensation James Pattinson. 

Virender Sehwag was on 16 when this happened. He played the ball down to fine leg and ran for a single during which Pattinson stood at the middle on his follow through with his elbow stretched , though unintentionally, which Sehwag evaded. 

Sehwag had a few harsh words for Pattinson after he completed the run and he was also seen pointing his bat towards Pattinson. Pattinson was not to be held back as he retorted agressively too. Peter Siddle who was fielding nearby too joined the banter to support Pattinson. 
Finally, umpire Marais Erasmus calmed the proceedings speaking to Sehwag and things were back to normal. 

After a few overs, Sehwag while taking a second run clashed with Peter Siddle who was on his follow through after the delivery. Sehwag apologized immediately but Siddle didn't even look or respond to that :)
 
Sad to see that Sachin Tendulkar missed out on his 100th century though.. just a matter of time... 
Things are heating up in the Boxing day test match.. lets see what happens in the remaining days.

Zaheer Khan's New Hairstyle

Boxing Day test match between India and Australia at Melbourne witnessed a new debut today...  It was Zaheer Khan's new and latest hair style...

Indian bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan came out of the pavilion today in a new hairstyle which stunned quite a few folks including me. Its an interesting hairstyle which can't be said good or bad :)

Check out Zaheer's latest hairstyle and pass your thoughts on it.

 

Indian pace bowler Zaheer Khan's new hairstyle

Photo credit: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images and cricinfo site

 

Zaheer Khan's latest hairstyle that he had for the Boxing Day test match against Australia

Photo credit: Hamish Blair/Getty Images and cricinfo site

 

Zaheer Khan new hairstyle in display for the Boxing Day Test match

Photo credit: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images and cricinfo site

New look for the changed Zaheer Khan.. hope this brings new luck to India too and gets him back to a match winner again.... His dismissal of Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey were classy and looking forward for many more :)

Young Sachin Tendulkar Photos - Part 1

Its been a while since I posted something on our cricket god Sachin Tendulkar...  This time I thought its good to start a series of Sachin Tendulkar's vintage photos...

These are a collection of Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar's pictures taken when he was young at school and at club level....thanks to the Sachin fans like me all over the internet, I got hold of quite a few young Sachin's pictures...

 

Starting with my favourite kid Sachin Tendulkar's photo... Sachin as a kid looked quite cute.. my fav pic 

 

Teenaged Sachin Tendulkar at around 14 years getting ready for International cricket

 

Schoolboy Sachin Tendulkar displaying his trophy

 

Another cute Sachin photo as a small kid

 

Young Sachin with Dilip Vengsarkar during a match

 

School boy Sachin with his friend Vinod Kambli sharing a light moment

 

A group picture of young Sachin with many other club cricketers... 

 

Sachin as a teenage kid got lots of accolades and trophies.. here is one more to show

 

Young Sachin Tendulkar with Kapil Dev and Azharuddin in a match

 

Now a legend with nearly 100 International centuries, Sachin as a teenage boy here acknowledging one of his early centuries :)

Hope you enjoyed these pictures of Sachin Tendulkar as a kid and school boy... more to come... stay tuned..

Virender Sehwag's ODI double century in pictures...

Virender Sehwag Breaks Sachin's Record of 200 Runs. This has been the headlines all over the web and newpapers earlier this month....

 

Virender Sehwag scores a world record 219 runs in an ODI against West Indies in Indore on Dec 8th 2011

Virender Sehwag created history scoring a double century in the fourth one day international cricket match against West Indies in Indore on December 8, 2011.

Sehwag hit 219 runs in  149 balls and the carnage was laced with 25 fours and 7 sixes.  Sehwag's 219 is currently the highest total by an individual in the One Day International Cricket.  He got past Tendulkar's record with a four through point off Andre Russel.

Sehwag became only the second batsman in history to score a double century in a one-day international following Sachin Tendulkar, who made 200 against South Africa in Gwailor last year.  Tendulkar's 200 off 147 balls (25x4, 3x6) came against South Africa at Gwalior in February 2010. He is the first cricketer to score a double century in ODIs.

More pictures of Virender Sehwag breaking Sachin's record on his way to set the highest score in an ODI match

 

Sehwag shared a wonderful partnership with Gautam Gambhir during his double ton

 

Sehwag smashed six sixers in his double century

 

Virender Sehwag smashes his way to a double century to break Sachin Tendulkar's highest ODI run of 200

 

Virender Sehwag exults after reaching the magic figure of 200 against West Indies

 

Sehwag acknowledges the crowd appreciating him after reaching 200 runs to become the second cricketer after Sachin to reach the landmark

 

Gambhir and Sehwag during Sehwag's amazing double century

 

Sehwag smashing one out of the park during his outstanding double century in the ODI against West Indies in Indore

 

Sehwag acknowledging after reaching his century which became double very quickly....

 

Virender Sehwag thanking almighty after his amazing double ton 

(pics courtesy - various cricketing sites)

"I was playing my shots throughout the innings,” Sehwag said. “I thought [about] it [the double-century] when I was batting in the batting Powerplay and thought if I just bat this Powerplay, maybe I'll cross that 200-mark. When Sammy dropped the catch [Sehwag was on 170 at the time], I thought God was with me and was telling me you just bat till the 45th or 46th over and get your 200.”

I was glad to catch this match live in TV...  Hope to see many such innings from Sachin, Sehwag and many other talented cricketers for that matter.. good for cricket ain't it?

Wishing Sehwag for his amazing double century and breaking Sachin's record!