MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni

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Graeme Smith

Graeme Smith

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Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik

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Roelof van der Merwe

Roelof van der Merwe

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AB de Villiers | South African

AB de Villiers however steadied the South African

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JP Duminy | South Africa

JP Duminy had South Africa right back

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Jacques Kallis

Jacques Kallis

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Shahid Afridi,

Shahid Afridi,

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Kamran Akmal

Kamran Akmal

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Ajantha Mendis

Ajantha Mendis

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Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle

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Angelo Mathews

Angelo Mathews

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Dwayne Bravo boosted West Indies

Dwayne Bravo boosted West Indies

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Pakistan ICC World Twenty20 final WINNER

Pakistan, after an indifferent start to the tournament, were crowned the ICC World Twenty20 champions

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England and New Zealand T20 WORLD CUP 2009 FINAL

England and New Zealand met for the second time in less than a year in pursuit of a word title

Claire Taylor finished off proceedings with an unbeaten 39

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Kapil Dev profile | INDIA

Full name Kapildev Ramlal Nikhanj

Born January 6, 1959, Chandigarh

Current age 50 years 170 days

Major teams India, Haryana, Northamptonshire,Worcestershire

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm fast-medium

Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj (Hindi: कपिल देव) (born 6 January 1959, Chandigarh), better known as Kapil Dev, is a former Indian cricketer regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders of all time. He was captain when India won the world cup in 1983. Kapil Dev was named by Wisden as the Indian Cricketer of the Century in 2002. . Kapil Dev had a rather prosaic stint as India's national cricket coach for 10 months between October 1999 and August 2000.

Kapil was a right-arm pace bowler noted for his graceful action and potent outswinger, and was India's main strike bowler through most of his career. He also developed a fine inswinging yorker during the 1980s which he used very effectively against tail-enders. As a batsman he was a natural striker of the ball who could hook and drive effectively. A naturally aggressive player, he often helped India in difficult situations by taking the attack to the opposition. His nickname was The Haryana Hurricane — he used to represent the Haryana cricket team. He retired as highest wicket taker in both forms of the game and to date is the only person to take 400 wickets and score more than 5,000 runs in test cricket.

Batting and fielding averages

	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	6s	Ct	St
Tests	131	184	15	5248	163	31.05			8	27	61	64	0
ODIs	225	198	39	3783	175*	23.79	3979	95.07	1	14		71	0
First-class	275	384	39	11356	193	32.91			18	56		192	0
List A	309	270	48	5461	175*	24.59			2	23		99	0

Bowling averages

	Mat	Inns	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	4w	5w	10
Tests	131	227	27740	12867	434	9/83	11/146	29.64	2.78	63.9	17	23	2
ODIs	225	221	11202	6945	253	5/43	5/43	27.45	3.71	44.2	3	1	0
First-class	275		48853	22626	835	9/83		27.09	2.77	58.5		39	3
List A	309		14947	9161	335	5/43	5/43	27.34	3.67	44.6	3	2	0

Profile

Wisden overview
Kapil Dev was the greatest pace bowler India has produced, and their greatest fast-bowling allrounder. If he had played at any other time - not when Imran Khan, Ian Botham and Richard Hadlee were contemporaries - he would surely have been recognised as the best allrounder in the world. In any case he did enough to be voted India's Cricketer of the Century during 2002, ahead of Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar. His greatest feats were to lead India almost jauntily, and by his allround example, to the 1983 World Cup, and to take the world-record aggregate of Test wickets from Hadlee. It was the stamina of the marathon runner that took him finally to 431 wickets and only a yard beyond. He might not have been quite the bowling equal of Imran, Hadlee or Botham at his best, and his strike rate was less than four wickets per Test. But he was still outstanding in his accuracy and ability to swing the ball, usually away from right-handers. And he could hit a ball even more brilliantly than he bowled it, with uncomplicated flair.

Kapil had a rather ordinary stint as India's coach for ten months between October 1999 and August 2000. Att the height of the match fixing allegation by Manoj Prabhakar -- a charge that was subsequently dismissed - Kapil resigned as coach. Hurt by the betting controversy, he announced that he was leaving the game. However, he returned from a significantly quiet period when Wisden named him as one of 16 finalists for the Indian Cricketer of the Century award. He won, and then returned to cricket as a bowling consultant and served as chairman of National Cricket Academy for two years. In May 2007, Kapil joined the breakaway Indian Cricket League, which led to his removal from the NCA.

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Sachin Tendulkar Profile | INDIA

Full name Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar

Born April 24, 1973, Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra

Current age 36 years 61 days

Major teams India, Asia XI, Mumbai, Mumbai Indians, Yorkshire

Nickname Tendlya, Little Master

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm offbreak, Legbreak googly

Height 5 ft 5 in

Education Sharadashram Vidyamandir School

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MS Dhoni Interview - 'Sehwag will play a crucial role in Tests'

After demolishing the New Zealand bowling attack with consummate ease in One-dayers, explosive opener Virender Sehwag will once again be crucial for India to dominate New Zealand in the Test series starting on Wednesday, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of the first Test, Dhoni said he wants Sehwag to play his natural game.

"We want him to play the way he wants to play, because that is his natural style. We all know if he gets going he can dominate the bowlers and all of a sudden you see the bowling attack rattled," the 27-year-old said.

"We have seen if he plays for two hours or three hours, he is a batsman who is capable of getting big scores. He is not the kind who gets out in 30s or 40s; 50s or 60s. If he gets going, he gets big scores."

With India chasing an elusive Test series victory in New Zealand, something they haven't achieved in 41 years, Dhoni knows the importance of an in-form Sehwag up the order.

The right-handed batsman can change the course of the game in one session by pulverising any bowling attack into submission.

"We don't want individuals to change their game. That is the strength, because of which they are part of the Indian team. Definitely in between you may want them to curb your natural game, but more often -- about 80 per cent of the times -- we want them to play their natural game," Dhoni explained.

However, the wicketkeeper-batsman also made it clear that the team's success over the last 18 months wasn't based on individual performances alone but depended largely on a collective effort.

"We don't rely on individuals. If you see our record in the past one and a half year, we don't really depend only on batsmen. The bowlers have come out with plenty of aggression on flat tracks. They bowled the right lines and have got the best batsmen out because of their consistency and execution of plans. We don't rely on just batsmen or bowlers, we have been good totally as a team."

Speaking about the three-match Test series, the India captain said he expects New Zealand to come back hard after losing the One-day series 3-1.

"New Zealand lost the One-day series, but that doesn't mean they are not a good side. They are a very competitive team, especially when it comes to exploiting the conditions out here. We expect tough cricket over the next 20-25 days," Dhoni said.

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MS Dhoni interview

1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni…you have already played some scintillating knocks in your short career for India, so has the world seen your full potential yet or there’s much more to come out of you?
Yeah I think I have done reasonably well because my innings of 148 at Vizag was I think I had done almost everything in that. But the main thing is the consistency levels. So I think the expectations are very high and I have to score runs at regular intervals and whenever the team needs. So that’s one point, I have been working really hard on.
2. What’s the secret of the 'Dhoni Power'?
I even don’t know the secret because I really don’t do the Gym works and all. But I started off as a footballer, so the training I did over there is helping me a lot.

3. And what about the story about the 4 litres of milk that you have daily?
Actually it is just a bit exaggerated. I love milk and I just have 1 litre of milk every day. Previously it used to be just plain milk, but now its shakes or whatever... like hot chocolates in any form.

4. One big question now, can Dhoni ever repeat or play a better innings than the 148 he hit against Pakistan at Vizag?
Yeah hopefully I am looking forward for it. With the new form of play that of the powerplays and all, if I get a chance I would really like to go even 1 run more than the 148. Obviously I like to get a 150. It’s not easy to repeat this kind of performance at the international level. But with this powerplay, I think it can be done. It’s not impossible, if I have done it once, I can do it once again.

5. What would happen if a batsman like Sehwag or Dhoni bat all the 50 Overs in a One Dayer?
I think we would be looking forward for a score of 350 or above. Easily 350 or more because there are batsmen who are even more devastating than even Virender Sehwag or myself like Shahid Afridi, like Adam Gilchrist and they are big hitters at the international level. With this powerplay rule, 350 would be a gettable score especially in the sub continent.

6. Dhoni, now you have played 5 years of first class cricket and about 1 year of international cricket, so who has been the most difficult bowler you had faced so far and the best 6 you hit?
Hmmm…I think the best six, I have hit was in Kenya. I think I hit a Pakistani medium fast bowler. So I stepped out and hit him, it was a quite a long six and may be it was a 150 yards six or even more than that. I think that was the best six and the best bowler I have faced… I think I have faced lots of them. I mean I have faced bowlers who are very difficult on different kinds of tracks. So there are lots of bowlers like that both at international and domestic level and I wouldn’t like to name any one of them.

7. Where was that six, was it over the covers?
No it was straight down the ground, over the bowler’s head and over the camera man’s head and over the parking lot and it was gone.

8. 19 One Day Internationals and 525 runs, where do you think you are heading towards in your career?

Aaah…hopefully I would love to score as many runs as possible in the One Dayers. Obviously I love to score some runs at the Test Level too.

9. How do you spend your day when you are not having any cricket to play?

Actually I love music, I love driving particularly bikes. I love my bikes, I love playing computer games, I play quite a bit of badminton when I get time. But I love bikes more than anything.

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Mahendra Singh Dhoni interview , Wicket Keeper Batsman, India

on September 12, 2005

Mahendra Singh Dhoni…you have already played some scintillating knocks in your short career for India, so has the world seen your full potential yet or there’s much more to come out of you?

Yeah I think I have done reasonably well because my innings of 148 at Vizag was I think I had done almost everything in that. But the main thing is the consistency levels. So I think the expectations are very high and I have to score runs at regular intervals and whenever the team needs. So that’s one point, I have been working really hard on.

What’s the secret of the 'Dhoni Power'?

I even don’t know the secret because I really don’t do the Gym works and all. But I started off as a footballer, so the training I did over there is helping me a lot.

And what about the story about the 4 litres of milk that you have daily?

Actually it is just a bit exaggerated. I love milk and I just have 1 litre of milk every day. Previously it used to be just plain milk, but now its shakes or whatever... like hot chocolates in any form.

Not only do you hit those big big sixes, but you also run excellently between the wickets inspite of the conditions being hot and humid. So are you a big fitness freak?

I am not really a fitness freak, I think its quite natural for me, I am from a place where the genes do matter, I am from the mountains. I am from Almora, Uttaranchal. Basically the genes are helping me and obviously I am working hard on my fitness right now with the training schedule given by Gregory King, our trainer. I am working hard on it but it’s quite natural to me.

One big question now, can Dhoni ever repeat or play a better innings than the 148 he hit against Pakistan at Vizag?

Yeah hopefully I am looking forward for it. With the new form of play that of the powerplays and all, if I get a chance I would really like to go even 1 run more than the 148. Obviously I like to get a 150. It’s not easy to repeat this kind of performance at the international level. But with this powerplay, I think it can be done. It’s not impossible, if I have done it once, I can do it once again.

What would happen if a batsman like Sehwag or Dhoni bat all the 50 Overs in a One Dayer?

I think we would be looking forward for a score of 350 or above. Easily 350 or more because there are batsmen who are even more devastating than even Virender Sehwag or myself like Shahid Afridi, like Adam Gilchrist and they are big hitters at the international level. With this powerplay rule, 350 would be a gettable score especially in the sub continent.

But what about the individual scores that can be scored by the Sehwags, Dhonis and others when they bat through all the overs?

I think some players would get the 200 runs mark. It wouldn’t be very hard I would say, somebody would get it.

Dhoni, now you have played 5 years of first class cricket and about 1 year of international cricket, so who has been the most difficult bowler you had faced so far and the best 6 you hit?

Hmmm…I think the best six, I have hit was in Kenya. I think I hit a Pakistani medium fast bowler. So I stepped out and hit him, it was a quite a long six and may be it was a 150 yards six or even more than that. I think that was the best six and the best bowler I have faced… I think I have faced lots of them. I mean I have faced bowlers who are very difficult on different kinds of tracks. So there are lots of bowlers like that both at international and domestic level and I wouldn’t like to name any one of them.

Where was that six, was it over the covers?

No it was straight down the ground, over the bowler’s head and over the camera man’s head and over the parking lot and it was gone.

Could you tell us about your background and how you have come to this level through the ranks of playing for small cricketing states like Bihar and Jharkand?

I think I started off as a footballer, I played couple of years of football and then shifted to Cricket as a school cricketer playing the schools cricket and I managed to get into the Under 16 Districts and then the Under 19s. We played the U19 finals in 1999-2000 and that was the season, six players of our team including me made their debut in the Ranji Trophy. 2000-2001, I played in the Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy, I was very consistent in the domestic competitions. Last year we had gone to the India A tour of Kenya and Zimbabwe and that was the turning point, I performed well over there and got my berth in the Indian team on the tour of Bangladesh.

Dhoni was under John Wright and now Dhoni is under Greg Chappell, so has there been any difference you found in the methodology of the two?

Actually they are two different coaches, definitely there will be techniques and this and that things that differ from person to person. Hopefully it’s for the better of the team and hopefully we will start the next series with a positive note and definitely win some finals in the Tri Series that are coming up.

Talking about finals, what was it like in the Indian dressing room after going down in yet another final? We were not feeling well you could say that. Because we had given them a good target of 277. But they started off well, they played well and we came back and then lost. We gave them a good fight but obviously would have loved to have won that game. What are the things that you want to improve in your game currently? Both…my batting and my wicket keeping. There are points like I would love to improve my keeping especially against the spinners. Like we have quality spinners like Harbhajan and Anil Bhai, so it’s really difficult to keep them particularly when they are bowling in the rough. So that’s one part you can say. Of course batting, I have been shifted a lot in the batting order, so the more I play, the more I would get used to the batting slots like batting at 6 or 7 or 3 or even opening. So lots and lots of things that are going on in my head… Many people actually raise their eyebrows watching your footwork while batting. So do you think you can handle the best of the best bowlers in the future? I think time is the best thing that can say about it. But I don’t think I can change much about it because that’s how I got into the international level and I think I would continue with that. 19 One Day Internationals and 525 runs, where do you think you are heading towards in your career? Aaah…hopefully I would love to score as many runs as possible in the One Dayers. Obviously I love to score some runs at the Test Level too. How do you spend your day when you are not having any cricket to play? Actually I love music, I love driving particularly bikes. I love my bikes, I love playing computer games, I play quite a bit of badminton when I get time. But I love bikes more than anything.

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I was not expecting to be selected, says Rohit Sharma

In an interview with Preeti Hoon , Rohit admits his inexperience in longer version of the game that has kept him out of the upcoming South Africa Test series. And in a very delightful way, confesses his passion for cars too.

You have not been selected for the upcoming South Africa Test series. What was your reaction?

Like I have always said, selection is not in anyone's hands. Even I was not expecting to be selected in the Test squad against South Africa. I have not played much of four day games and if you want to get selected you must be experienced enough in the same format. I feel I need to play lot more of longer version of the game, need to do well and I guess there's still time for me.

You were part of Team India that registered a historic tri-series win Down Under. How does it feel to defeat world No.1 Australia on their soil?

It's a great feeling to beat Australia in Australia because it's not that easy. We will continue our winning spree in future as well.

How do you see your life changed after this glorious victory?

It has changed in many different ways. The kind of reception we got when we arrived in India was fabulous. People have started recognizing me more which was not the case before this tour. And there's nothing like it.

You were always confident of beating Australia in the tri-series finals. What made you so optimistic?

(Smiles) Yes, optimism was the key to our success. We went with a positive mind in Australia and all the youngsters were confident enough to beat the Aussies.

How was the on-field aggression?

We were on our toes right from the first game. And we enjoyed the sledging part too. It was a great experience.

Sachin Tendulkar found out a great combination with you in the first tri-series final and had all the praises and compliments for you. How does it feel? What did he exactly tell you?

(Smiles) It was a great feeling to bat with a legend like him and I was enjoying every moment when I was with him at the crease. When I came in to bat, I didn't feel any sort of pressure. As soon as I came, Sachin made me comfortable by advising me and gave me some useful tips. He asked me to play my natural game. And also, not to think about anything else, just concentrate and we will win it today for India. That made me really comfortable. It was the only reason that allowed me to play my natural game.

What about the controversy-ridden tour Down Under, did that distract you?

Yes, as everyone knows, there were a lot of controversies. But we just concentrated on our game. And because of such things happening around, it only made us tougher, focused and we performed even better. All the youngsters in the team, including me, were concentrating on the match as we had nothing to do with the controversies.

You often spoke with Harbhajan Singh about the controversies. Did you give any kind of advice?

No I didn't give him any advice. On the field or off the field, we never discussed it (controversies). We always talked about the game.

You came in limelight after the crucial knock in Twenty20 World Cup against South Africa. Did that give you a 'top of the world' feeling?

Yes, of course. It was an amazing feeling. I'm really happy that it came at the right time when the team needed the most. It was a great feeling at the end of the day.

Pepsi has signed you and Ishant for their 'youngistaan' campaign whereas, Sourav Gagnuly and Rahul Dravid being their ambassadors for quite some time now, have been dropped as they could not make it to the One-day squad in Australia. What do you have to say on that?

I would not be able to comment on this as it's just the matter of time. We all know, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid are legendary players and such things happen. There's nothing much to talk about it. Definitely I am very happy to be associated with Pepsi. But rather than thinking about this, I'm more into my play. It's just the beginning for me and I know all these (ad offers) things will come eventually. It's very important at this stage of my life, I can only think of cricket and more cricket.

What were your expectations from Indian Premier League?

We were in Australia that time of bidding, so didn't know much about it. Though some of the guys (players) had an idea as to what was going on (in Mumbai). We knew all the players who would play in IPL would be getting good money.

How does it feel to be a part of IPL's Hyderabad team? Were you expecting to be in Mumbai side?

I was expecting to play for Mumbai. It's a disappointment if you are from Mumbai and you are not playing for it. Somehow, it's unfortunate to miss out on Mumbai but playing for Hyderabad is also good and it's my hometown and I'm fine with it. It's just the matter of 44 days.

How will you find yourself placed with Andrew Symonds in same IPL team? What will be the strategy like?

(Exclaims) Strategy? Let's see what happens when we all meet together.

What will you do with the humungous amount of money you will get from IPL?

Firstly I would like to buy a car because I'm very passionate about it. My favourite is BMW of course. I do have couple of cars in my mind, let's see after IPL.

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Sachin Tendulkar Interview, “I dont listen to critics”

I really don’t know at what stage of my career I am in. I just know that I still love the game, that I am still doing the job for the country. So, Sachin Tendulkar tells Bobilli Vijay Kumar, there’s…

Another big series, a very important season ahead. How are you looking at it?

I am looking forward to it. It’s obviously a big series, against Pakistan. The whole team is up for it. We’ve had this little break but I am sure everyone has been preparing for it. It’s going to be competitive, no doubt about that. I am sure people will enjoy it.

How are you preparing for it?

I am just doing basic practice, started about 10 days ago. Only when the team gets together and we have a couple of meetings we will plan our strategy. Otherwise, it’s just normal preparation. Going to the nets, getting a feel of the ball, the rhythm and all that. Just trying to get those things back after the break.

How do you rate India’s chances against Pakistan without Inzy and Asif? Will we start favourites?

In a home series, you obviously have a few things in your favour. The crowd support, for example. So yes, we have a good chance. But then, in a One-day series everything depends on how things pan out on that particular day. How you play those 100 overs. I think we are confident, but not over-confident.

What about against Australia, when we go there? After all they don’t have McGrath and Warne either.

Australia will be the next step. For the time being, I want to focus on this series as it is an extremely important one. But yes, when somebody like Warne or McGrath — both world class bowlers — is not there, a team would surely miss them. But Australia have the bench strength. It’s not that if they are not there things are going to be easier. It’s still going to be very tough.

What is it about Australia that makes them so formidable?

They are very skillful players, to begin with. Their standard of domestic cricket is very high too. I was watching a few games on TV and you can see they play it hard. So we know whoever scores runs or gets wickets will be good. It’s not easy for somebody to get into the Australian team either. It doesn’t happen overnight there; it’s not about three-four good games and suddenly you are in the team. It’s a slow process but when they are brought in, they get a fair chance, a long enough run.

So given their strengths and their record, was the 4-2 result in the just-concluded series fine?

Ideally, we would have liked to win the series. But I thought the games in Baroda and Nagpur were disappointing. We made only 145 in Baroda and messed up the second part in Nagpur. But they were close matches. If we had played a little better, it could have been a different story. We are obviously not happy with the result although it was good we managed to win the last one in Mumbai.

Do you think not having a fixed batting order, especially against a team like Australia, hurts the team?

I think not losing early wickets is more important. It’s very important against a team like Australia to go through the initial overs without too much damage. Whenever we have not lost early wickets, we have piled up good totals and done well against them.

Yet, India managed to easily beat them not once but twice in Twenty20. How was that possible?

Twenty20 is a kind of game where everything happens so fast. If you do well in those three hours, you can beat anybody, win against anyone. But if you are caught on the wrong foot, by the time you realise it the game is over. Don’t forget, we played very well too. You have to give credit for that.

Personally, do you like the format? Do you enjoy it?

Oh, I enjoy it. When I played in Ahmedabad, I got runs and I really enjoyed it. I played my first Twenty20 game in 2002 in New Zealand, and I scored 77. It was fun. I played another game in South Africa. I had fun there too. It’s nice and enjoyable. You have to think of two or three shots for every ball.

Your game was made for a Twenty20 game. You would have been a huge hit at it too…

Oh yes, I would have liked to play it a little more. But then you have to take certain decisions and this was one of them. I felt I could probably step aside this time and let the youngsters play. Nobody asked me to step aside, not the BCCI, not the selectors. Nobody told me to pull out of it. It was my decision entirely.

But you were in good form, and you can’t really be called old either?

Well yeah, I am 34 but I have played over 400 One-dayers and 140 Test matches. That is a fair amount of cricket. I just felt this was the right decision. And no, I am not regretting that I missed out on the opportunity to win a world title. It has always been a dream to be part of a world champion team. But as an Indian I am very happy that the Cup is with us. I am very proud of it.

What do you like about the team that played the Twenty20 World Cup? Is it the attitude? Better fitness? More skill?

It’s a very good team. We had the ammunition, the firepower to go out and deliver. It has always been there. It’s not that we suddenly found it in Twenty20. It’s just that everything happens much, much faster here. Our players also have the natural ability to hit the ball and that’s very important in this format.

Would you say the team won because it had so many younger players?

It’s not really a totally young team as such. Don’t forget the same players are playing in ODIs too. There is Gambhir and Sehwag; both have been around for some time. Then there are others like Yuvraj, Harbhajan; they have been around for a little longer. Dhoni and Irfan have been playing for three-four years too. Uthappa is the only one who has been at it for just over a year. They all have played a fair deal of cricket. So the experience was important too.

Is it possible to incorporate some of these things in One-dayers or even Test cricket, basically play with the same spirit?

No. I don’t think so. It’s just not going to work. It’s a different game altogether. You need a different mental setup, different technique. The approach, the preparation is also different. Everything is different. Comparing Test cricket to Twenty20 is like comparing the North Pole to the South Pole, with the One-dayers somewhere in between.

Coming to you, at what stage of your career are you at the moment?

I don’t know really (laughs). I wish I knew. But I have never looked at it that way. Not when I was 20, not 25, nor 30. Maybe when I was 16, things were different. Then, I just wanted to go out there and do lot of things. I still want to do those things. I have always believed that whenever I go out to play, I should give my best, deliver and do my job for the country. Everything else is secondary.

You have achieved almost everything there is in cricket, virtually all the batting records. What more do you want to achieve?

I just want to continue to do the same things. I didn’t start playing cricket so that I could achieve something, or break records. I started playing because I LOVE this game. And even today, I LOVE going out there. It’s not about records; but you walk out there to do well. I do not want to play to break records; I want to play because I love playing cricket. The enthusiasm, passion is still there. The day I feel I am slacking or something like that, I would think about my options. There is no reason for me to think about it at the moment. Absolutely not.

But there might be days when you wake up and feel, ‘My god, another day of waking up at 6, and being in the field for a full day.’ Isn’t it?

Maybe, the bowlers feel that way…

You mean, the opposition bowlers…

(Laughs) No, I mean… more than the batsmen, the bowlers might feel that ‘it’s going to be a long, hard day.’ You know when the wicket is flat, and you have two well set batsmen, and you know you really have to work hard to get them out. That’s when probably the bowlers feel that way. It happens.

What is it that really turns you on even after a 17-year grind?

I think I still like to do a lot of things on the cricket field. When I am bowling, I would want to do something more, surprise the batsman, beat him with a little bit of extra seam or some spin or whatever I am doing. That excitement is something else. Even today when I do that all that I feel happy. When you hit a cover-drive, a straight-drive or a cut, whatever, the feeling touches your soul. The sound of bat hitting the ball, even hitting it exactly where you want to do it, those feelings are special. I enjoy that feeling, I live for it. The moment I feel I am losing it, then I can start thinking in the other direction. Right now I don’t want to think like that.

But recently you spoke about your body and the rigours of One-day cricket that triggered speculation about your future. What exactly did you mean?

I was asked a question ‘is your body the same since you started playing cricket at the age of 16′ and I simply said ‘no, it is obviously not the same, that it takes a little longer to recover after all these years, and matches’. That is all. You know, so many times we carry niggles; it’s not only me, everybody does but you go out there and push yourself. That is a common thing. As long as I can get up in the morning and go out and give my best I won’t even look in that direction.

So it wasn’t a hint about your future at all? No revelation about what you were planning?

Not at all. I wasn’t thinking of any such thing. I just made a simple statement in response to a question. As far as I am concerned there was nothing complicated about what I said. It all came straight from my heart. If somebody wants to read between the lines, I can’t help it. But from my side I wasn’t trying to say anything.

What role do you see yourself play in One-dayers?

I just go out there and try and read the surface and play accordingly. You know we do that all the time, have a look at the pitch and say we should get so many runs on this track, that so many will be a fighting total, and so many a winning one. Then as the match progresses, we keep revising our targets. I just play my part in it, the way I feel is the best thing for the team. I have been doing that for some time now and that’s what I want to do in the future too.

Do you see yourself play fewer games or only one version of the game some time in the future?

I have honestly not thought about that. That I only need to play one version of the game to play the other longer. As I said earlier I am enjoying whatever I am doing at the moment. The moment I feel I am not enjoying myself, I will start thinking about it. Right now I am very happy with myself and my game.

To put it bluntly, you have neither thought of retiring from One-dayers nor are you thinking about it right now.

Absolutely. At this point of time I just want to keep things like they are. I have no reason to think of my future.

Two years ago, you told me you were 16, 16 years ago. How much has life changed since then? How much has your batting changed since then, if at all?

A lot. My batting has changed for the good, I would like to believe. You know, there is no person in this world who doesn’t want to get better. Similarly, I want to continue to get better. The way I look at things if I find one positive thing every year that I play I will be happy. I won’t be able to pinpoint but I know that when I got out in the middle now I do things a little differently. Things that I was not able to do earlier. You continue to raise that bar, to get better. I definitely feel there have been a lot of changes; my shot-selection has improved. I can say out there in the middle I have more options now. If somebody is bowling a particular ball, maybe earlier I had only one or two options; now I may have four or even five options. And I am able to pick the best option for that particular moment and I go for it. ”

To put it more simply, are there any strokes that you play a little less or a little more?

No. Not really. But more or less I play whatever strokes I feel more comfortable playing at that particular moment. Everyday your body or your mind doesn’t feel the same. There are times when you feel you are not connecting the ball as well you’d like to, or there are times when you are not picking the ball off the wicket nicely or you are not moving well enough. Those are the times when you can’t be adamant and say ‘no, no I will still go and play the same strokes.’ With experience you learn to curb yourself occasionally and that helps. You know it’s all about experience, as you look at things differently. It’s part of growing up.

But does it upset you when people say you have slowed down? You are not the same anymore?

To be honest, I don’t listen to them much. I do my own things. I feel if somebody wants to tell me something, if he wants to really help me, he will contact me and tell me personally instead of doing it through newspapers or television. I would appreciate that. I don’t worry about what is being said or being written about me as long as I know I am giving my best, that I am doing the right things for the team.

So does this raging debate over young vs old hurt you? Do you think you can ever choose between youth and experience?

No, it doesn’t bother me. But I don’t think it should be like that. If somebody is performing, he should be in the team. As simple as that.

So age should not really matter

Yes, I believe that. I believe in that very strongly. As long as you are playing well, as long as you are delivering and you are fit, nothing else should matter.

You had a couple of interesting battles in England recently, one with Sidebottom when he bowled a long and brilliant spell at TrentBridge, and then with Anderson who attacked you with short-pitched bowling. What do you remember about them?

I thought on both the occasions I went into bat at the most crucial moments in the Test matchec. In the second Test (against Sidebottom), if I had lost my wicket at that stage, we would have been on the back foot. Even the result might have been different. I am not saying the batsmen behind me would not have done the job. I am just saying we would have been under more pressure. At that particular stage it was important that we didn’t lose any wicket. Just play out that spell and gradually start building our innings again. In the third Test as well, that evening spell (by Anderson) was very crucial. I thought if I could just hang in there it would put us in a better position. I knew he won’t be able to go on and on with that line and length. And that’s exactly how it worked out. Later on when the other batters came on, the pressure had eased out.

So basically it’s a question of slogging it out? Doing some hard work

Yes, there are times in a Test match, when some players have to do the hard work. They have to work harder than the other guys. That is when you do well as a team. It’s all about strategy and team work. But yes, the top players in the team, basically the main batters, if they can take more pressure, the later players can go out and play their strokes, even swing their bats. It then becomes difficult for the fielding side to get control over the game. That is what happened in England, during those crucial phases of the series.

You took so many blows on your body against Anderson. That was a different Tendulkar that we saw…

It was all intentional. I took them on my body because I though that was the best way of playing at that point. He was trying to intimidate me and I said fine, ‘try it as long as you want.’ I had basically used a different technique, a different approach to overcome it. I don’t know how to express this but I was like ‘if you are gonna do this I will handle it like this.’

Didn’t you feel the urge to hit the ball, to hit him?

Not at all. They had fielders there for that specific shot and if I mistimed even one shot they would have been successful in their plan. And I wasn’t going to let that happen. Here it is not a battle between Anderson and me; it is about the team. About England and India and you can’t afford to bring ego into it. I was looking at the big picture all the time.

Ten years ago, you would have hit him? Taken it differently…

(Laughs) That’s what I said. The thinking changes. I have more options now and I take whatever I feel is the right one now. It may not always be the correct one but I never think twice about it; I just go by instinct. Probably 10 years ago I would have played my strokes, tried to dominate. I didn’t mind not doing it that time.

They were not typical Tendulkar-knocks but were those two extra special because they helped the team win the series?

No doubt about it. I was extremely, extremely happy at the end of the series as we had actually won in England after 21 years. We all were very excited because we fought very hard and we played tough cricket. There were some difficult times on the field, some big challenges but as a unit we were able to overcome them and cross those hurdles. It was all very satisfying.

Just before those two knocks, you might recall former English cricketers particularly were saying that you had slowed down, that you are not the same batsmen anymore. You silenced them, didn’t you?

It’s not the first time somebody has criticised me. It won’t be the last time either. Everyone will have his own opinion. But it might not be the right one. I can’t anyway go by all their opinions. I have my own opinion, at least for my own batting. And as long as I know what I am doing and what I am trying to achieve, it’s fine.

Everything seemed to be all right with Indian cricket but then suddenly Rahul decided to give up captaincy. Were you surprised?

Frankly, it won’t be right for me to comment on that.

But you were offered the captaincy again. You didn’t take it up…

Well yes, there were feelers towards that end, nothing official really. But I felt I probably wasn’t up to it. My feelings about captaincy were still the same. I am happy to be performing as one of the players…

What about Test captaincy? Are you ready for it?

It won’t be appropriate for me to say anything at the moment.

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Sachin Tendulkar interview

There was a time when watching Sachin Tendulkar was exciting. Today it is a joy.

The free spirit is now the senior statesman in the team with new priorities and greater goals to achieve.

But that has not taken anything away from his batting prowess and his insurmountable achievements. His 141 in the second one-day game at Rawalpindi was one of the better one-day knocks witnessed in Pakistan.

After returning to Pakistan, the country where he made his Test debut 15 years ago, it has been a dream come true for Tendulkar to be part of the first Indian team ever to win a cricket series in Pakistan in more than 50 years.

Two days after the historic win, Tendulkar spoke to Assistant Editor Faisal Shariff about the one-day series and his goals.

The Indian team has time and again repeated that this is just another game of cricket for them, but do you feel that extra edge when playing Pakistan?

Of course, it is a little more than playing anyone else. You realise that this is special when the calls from friends and well wishers increase. It is no doubt more challenging and more of a pressure game than playing any other country.

But eventually it is a game of cricket. My point of view is that when I am playing cricket I cannot think that this game is less or more important. I want to give my six hours of serious cricket on the ground and then take whatever the result. There will
always be expectations, but then you can't do much about it.

You had sleepless nights before the game against Pakistan in the World Cup. How many sleepless nights have you had here playing back to back matches against Pakistan in Pakistan?

It has been very good here, but the World Cup game was different. It had a different significance to it. It was a crunch game for us because before that we hadn't done well in the World Cup.

This is obviously a big tour for us and I am happy we have been well prepared for it. The Australian tour was good for us; it was ideal preparation for us. We spent four months together and that really helped. As a team we figured out our strengths and weaknesses. It has been a very exciting tour, there is pressure and there is the joy of victory. But this tour will not match the World Cup game.

How has the experience been so far with regard to the cricket?

It has been great. It has been a collective performance from the team. And that is the reason why this victory is great, because different players have made contributions to the win. Someone scored a quick 10 runs, someone got a run-out and the team clicked as a whole unit.

Peshawar was a different track and the toss was crucial, but other than that the whole team played well.

How would you describe the catch you took to dismiss Inzamam-ul-Haq in the final game?

It was a crucial catch. I had it at the back of my mind that he had played that shot before in the first one-dayer in Karachi and in the fourth one-dayer in Lahore. I was ready for that catch, hoping that Inzy would go for the shot again. Inzy is a great player who can just take the game away from you. His wicket was very important.

How is the Pakistan bowling attack as compared to the bowling attack you played 15 years ago?

This is a good bowling side with a good blend of youth and experience. Shoaib Akhtar has been playing for 5, 6 years and is an experienced bowler. Along with Mohammad Sami and Shabbir Ahmed they form a formidable team. Saqlain Mushtaq has done well against us.

But the attack in 1989 had Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. That attack was more experienced. Imran Khan did not become Imran Khan overnight. He worked hard to become a legend. Wasim and Waqar were amazing bowlers. I would put them right up there with the best in the world.

Does the 136 you scored in Chennai play at the back of your mind on the eve of another Test series against Pakistan?

Before coming here I had a minor back problem and I thought whenever I play Pakistan I get a back problem. Why is that? But thankfully it has settled down now and I am fine. Even in South Africa during the World Cup when I played Pakistan I had a back problem and so also in Chennai.

But that defeat still is a huge disappointment for me.

You have more runs than anyone else in international cricket. What is your ultimate goal?

There is no set goal. There is no target as such. I just keep it simple. Watch the ball and play it on merit.

I have played for 15 years and it has been a dream. I always had a dream to play for India but I never let it put pressure on me. I never let it affect me; instead I kept positive thoughts and made sure that I have something to show. I have never thought where I will go, or forced any targets on myself.

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Graham Napier | England

Full name Graham Richard Napier

Born January 6, 1980, Colchester, Essex

Current age 29 years 152 days

Major teams England, England Lions, Essex,Essex Cricket Board, Mumbai Indians, Wellington

Nickname Plank

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm medium

Height 5 ft 10 in

Education Gilberd School, Colchester

Profile

Graham Napier's appeared to be making a steady rise prominence when in July 2004, when he was named in a pool of 30 players for the Champions Trophy. As a product of the Essex youth system, Napier made his mark in county cricket as an allrounder of great promise, particularly in the one-day game, where his hard-hitting batting was complemented by a nifty line in seam bowling, which can prove frustratingly hard to dispatch in the closing overs of a match. In 2003, he equalled the highest number of wickets taken by an Essex player in a one-day league campaign (33), and was subsequently selected for the ECB academy tour of Malaysia and India in early 2004. In recent seasons he has been troubled by injuries and slipped well down the Essex pecking order, to the point where he wasn't even sure of his place in the team. A few difficult seasons following, but in 2008 he wrote his name in the record books with an astonishing 152 against Sussex in the Twenty20, which included a world record 16 sixes. That innings drew the attention of England but also Mumbai Indians, the IPL franchise, and in 2009 he was named in England's World Twenty20 squad.

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Eoin Morgan | England

Full name Eoin Joseph Gerard Morgan

Born September 10, 1986, Dublin

Current age 22 years 270 days

Major teams England, Ireland, England Lions, Ireland Under-19s, Middlesex, Middlesex 2nd XI

Nickname Moggie

Batting style Left-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm medium

Fielding position Occasional wicketkeeper

Height 5 ft 9 in

Education Catholic University School

Profile Eoin Morgan has never hidden his desire to play a higher level of cricket than Ireland, his birth-country, can afford him. And in skipping through the age groups in Ireland, he was quickly identified as a future star, possibly more naturally gifted than Ed Joyce, his fellow Irishman who he joined at Middlesex in 2006. A compact left-hander with a full range of attractive strokes, he captained Ireland at the 2006 Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka in which he finished with an average of 67.60, and was a member of the teams that played in the 2003-04 tournament in Bangladesh. He was an NBC Denis Compton award winner in 2003 and 2004 and has enjoyed plenty of success in the Intercontinental Cup for Ireland, hitting 151 of 150 balls in the 2005 semi-final against UAE, then scoring 209 not out against the same opponents to put his side into the final in 2007. That knock followed his successful time in Kenya with Ireland at the World Cricket League where he averaged 52.20 including his first ODI century against Canada, a sublime 115 from 106 balls. He was disappointing in the 2007 World Cricket League and, in the World Cup - while showing fleeting glimpses of his class and potential - he finished with just 91 runs in his nine games. However, his development continued at county level; his inventive and audacious strokeplay in the middle-order for Middlesex helped them to the Twenty20 Cup in 2008, and he earned selection to the England Lions. In 2009 he was named in England's squad for the ICC World Twenty20, effectively ending his time with Ireland.

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