Thursday, 5 September 2013
Tuesday, 3 September 2013
BCCI puts CSA on notice, could host Lanka or Pakistan
NEW
DELHI: The Indian cricket board (BCCI) has decided to play a severely
truncated series of five matches - two Tests and three ODIs - against
South Africa, a minimum requirement to fulfill ICC's Future Tour
Programme (FTP) obligation.
The available window for this is between the first week of December and the second week of January. India will be on a short tour of New Zealand after that.
Sources said BCCI is hoping to hear from CSA before its AGM (this September end) to get the final confirmation on the series.
If CSA doesn't get in touch with BCCI on time, India is planning to invite either Sri Lanka or Pakistan (subject to clearance from home ministry) for a home series this December. This would mean an extra income of almost Rs 300 crore for the board through television and other title rights. Both the teams have been sounded out.
The CSA officials have so far been in touch with BCCI's working committee members who are not in a position to decide on the fate of the series. "They need to get in touch with the officials who are taking decisions in the board not the working committee members," a top BCCI official told TOI on Monday, hinting to a growing rift between BCCI and CSA.
Differences between the two boards came to the fore after CSA went ahead and appointed Lorgat as its CEO despite BCCI's strong objection.
Lorgat had irked BCCI with his views on commercial, administrative and cricketing issues when he was the world body's CEO. The gulf widened when CSA announced a two-month itinerary of India's tour of South Africa without consulting the BCCI.
"You can't do this if two countries are planning to play a bilateral series. In any case, out of 200 days of international cricket this year, the Indian team is playing only 25 days at home and that too against Australia. So we needed a series at home," another BCCI official explained, pointing at sudden announcement of West Indies' tour of India.
He added that if the West Indies tour would not have been planned, each state association would have lost at least Rs 12 crore each. India will host the West Indies between November 6 and 28, with the two teams playing two Tests and three ODIs.
This development has left CSA chief Lorgat clueless. "We have not had any communication from the BCCI about our tour or their West Indies series. Until we speak to BCCI officials we will refrain from commenting on this." Lorgat was quoted as saying in the media.
The available window for this is between the first week of December and the second week of January. India will be on a short tour of New Zealand after that.
Sources said BCCI is hoping to hear from CSA before its AGM (this September end) to get the final confirmation on the series.
If CSA doesn't get in touch with BCCI on time, India is planning to invite either Sri Lanka or Pakistan (subject to clearance from home ministry) for a home series this December. This would mean an extra income of almost Rs 300 crore for the board through television and other title rights. Both the teams have been sounded out.
The CSA officials have so far been in touch with BCCI's working committee members who are not in a position to decide on the fate of the series. "They need to get in touch with the officials who are taking decisions in the board not the working committee members," a top BCCI official told TOI on Monday, hinting to a growing rift between BCCI and CSA.
Differences between the two boards came to the fore after CSA went ahead and appointed Lorgat as its CEO despite BCCI's strong objection.
Lorgat had irked BCCI with his views on commercial, administrative and cricketing issues when he was the world body's CEO. The gulf widened when CSA announced a two-month itinerary of India's tour of South Africa without consulting the BCCI.
"You can't do this if two countries are planning to play a bilateral series. In any case, out of 200 days of international cricket this year, the Indian team is playing only 25 days at home and that too against Australia. So we needed a series at home," another BCCI official explained, pointing at sudden announcement of West Indies' tour of India.
He added that if the West Indies tour would not have been planned, each state association would have lost at least Rs 12 crore each. India will host the West Indies between November 6 and 28, with the two teams playing two Tests and three ODIs.
This development has left CSA chief Lorgat clueless. "We have not had any communication from the BCCI about our tour or their West Indies series. Until we speak to BCCI officials we will refrain from commenting on this." Lorgat was quoted as saying in the media.
Sachin Tendulkar will be judged on performance alone: BCCI
NEW DELHI: If Indian cricket board (BCCI) sources are to be believed, the board would like master batsman Sachin Tendulkar
to hang his bat after the two-Test home series against West Indies. One
of the ostensible reasons that this series has been organized in a
hurry by BCCI is to give Tendulkar a grand platform to say goodbye.
The second Test of the series is likely to be played at Mumbai's Wankhede, Tendulkar's home ground, thus giving him the best stage for a final hurrah. The BCCI would like him to play ball as per the plan.
A senior BCCI official told TOI on Tuesday that if Tendulkar continues to play after the West Indies series, he will be treated at par with other players and his selection in the national team will depend solely on his performance. This means Sachin's awesome record and reputation won't have any bearing on his selection anymore.
Tendulkar reiterated on Tuesday that he has not taken a call on his retirement when asked if his 200th Test would be his final goodbye. "I like to take one step at a time. I have been playing for the last 23 years and I have never thought of all this. I don't like taking things for granted," he told a TV channel.
"Tendulkar will be judged on the basis of his performance in the series against West Indies and the selectors will take a call. The board will have nothing to do with it," a top BCCI official told TOI on Tuesday. The official, in a way, has indicated that Tendulkar's continuance in the side despite his failing form in the last two years or so had more to do with his reputation than cricketing reasons.
The second Test of the series is likely to be played at Mumbai's Wankhede, Tendulkar's home ground, thus giving him the best stage for a final hurrah. The BCCI would like him to play ball as per the plan.
A senior BCCI official told TOI on Tuesday that if Tendulkar continues to play after the West Indies series, he will be treated at par with other players and his selection in the national team will depend solely on his performance. This means Sachin's awesome record and reputation won't have any bearing on his selection anymore.
Tendulkar reiterated on Tuesday that he has not taken a call on his retirement when asked if his 200th Test would be his final goodbye. "I like to take one step at a time. I have been playing for the last 23 years and I have never thought of all this. I don't like taking things for granted," he told a TV channel.
"Tendulkar will be judged on the basis of his performance in the series against West Indies and the selectors will take a call. The board will have nothing to do with it," a top BCCI official told TOI on Tuesday. The official, in a way, has indicated that Tendulkar's continuance in the side despite his failing form in the last two years or so had more to do with his reputation than cricketing reasons.
Gujarat encounter cops followed Modi and Amit Shah’s policy: DG Vanzara
AHMEDABAD: Jailed DIG DG Vanzara,
the man who allegedly carried out successive fake encounters in
post-Godhra Gujarat, resigned from the Indian Police Service on Tuesday,
accusing the Modi government of betraying its loyal officers "to save
its own skin from the CBI" as well as to "gain political benefits".
Vanzara's explosive 10-page resignation letter describes the jailed officers as those who carried out the "proactive policy of zero tolerance for terrorism" which was adopted "at the highest level of its (Gujarat's) hierarchy". He targets Gujarat's former junior home minister Amit Shah for "betrayal and treachery", but also warns CM Narendra Modi that since the loyal officers were not protected, there was no "one-sided obligation" on Vanzara's part to protect the "traitors sitting in the government".
Vanzara clearly indicates that what he did to counter the jihadi menace was done with the explicit sanction and encouragement of the Gujarat government. In fact, he says the trumpeted success of the "Gujarat model of development" was possible only because of the "sacrifices made by me and my officers in thwarting the onslaught of initial disorder in the state".
He said the CBI would "have to arrest the policy formulators also as we, being field officers, have simply implemented the conscious policy of this government which was inspiring, guiding and monitoring our actions from very close quarters. By this reasoning, I am of the firm opinion that the place of this government, instead of being in Gandhinagar, should either be in Taloja Central Prison at Navi Mumbai or Sabarmati Central Prison at Ahmedabad"
Vanzara's explosive 10-page resignation letter describes the jailed officers as those who carried out the "proactive policy of zero tolerance for terrorism" which was adopted "at the highest level of its (Gujarat's) hierarchy". He targets Gujarat's former junior home minister Amit Shah for "betrayal and treachery", but also warns CM Narendra Modi that since the loyal officers were not protected, there was no "one-sided obligation" on Vanzara's part to protect the "traitors sitting in the government".
Vanzara clearly indicates that what he did to counter the jihadi menace was done with the explicit sanction and encouragement of the Gujarat government. In fact, he says the trumpeted success of the "Gujarat model of development" was possible only because of the "sacrifices made by me and my officers in thwarting the onslaught of initial disorder in the state".
He said the CBI would "have to arrest the policy formulators also as we, being field officers, have simply implemented the conscious policy of this government which was inspiring, guiding and monitoring our actions from very close quarters. By this reasoning, I am of the firm opinion that the place of this government, instead of being in Gandhinagar, should either be in Taloja Central Prison at Navi Mumbai or Sabarmati Central Prison at Ahmedabad"
Painting
Amit Shah as the main villain, Vanzara wrote that he once adored Modi
like a "god", but the CM failed "to rise to the occasion under the evil
influence of Amit Shah who usurped his eyes and ears and has been
successfully misguiding him".
He says: "I would like to state in the most unambiguous words that this government, thorough the dirty tactics of Amitbhai Shah, is unfortunately managing only for its own self so as to swim and continue to prosper in all directions, while ditching the police officers so as to sink and allow them to die unnatural death by drowning. By adopting such a suicidal path, this government, I am sure, is doing nothing else but is hastening and facilitating its own death by drowning."
He adds: "Apprehending the arrest of political leaders of Gujarat by CBI, all efforts, legal and political, were made by this government to ensure that none of us was released on bail so as to prevent the investigation going from the hands of Gujarat CID to Union CBI. The most heartless and shameful act of betrayal on the part of this government was that when Dinesh M N, and Narendra Amin got released by their own individual efforts, it got their bails cancelled at the earliest opportunity and pushed them back behind the bars of Sabarmati jail."
He goes on to say, "But for the legal and political intrigues, machinations and maneuverings of Amitbhai Shah, the trial of Shohrabuddin encounter case, followed by that of Tulsiram encounter case, would not have gone out of the state of Gujarat." Vanzara further added that "the crux of whole matter is that it was just to facilitate his trivial personal interest of fighting assembly election of 2012 that Shri Amitbhai Shah got the trial transferred and betrayed our trust."
In what seems a warning to Modi, Vanzara says, "As the government has miserably failed in protecting its encounter police, there remains no one-sided obligation on part of me to protect the traitors sitting in this government who almost have pushed patriotic and nationalist police officers into the jaws of death."
Asking Modi not to dump his officers in the quest for power in Delhi, Vanzara says the chief minister "has very rightly been talking of repaying his debt which he owes to Mother India... But, it would not be out of context to remind him that he, in the hurry of marching towards Delhi, may kindly not forget to repay the debt which he owes to jailed police officers who endowed him with the halo of Brave Chief Minister among the galaxy of other Chief Ministers who do not bear the same adjective before their names. This, as per my humble opinion, is also a part of the repayment of debt to Mother India."
He says: "I would like to state in the most unambiguous words that this government, thorough the dirty tactics of Amitbhai Shah, is unfortunately managing only for its own self so as to swim and continue to prosper in all directions, while ditching the police officers so as to sink and allow them to die unnatural death by drowning. By adopting such a suicidal path, this government, I am sure, is doing nothing else but is hastening and facilitating its own death by drowning."
He adds: "Apprehending the arrest of political leaders of Gujarat by CBI, all efforts, legal and political, were made by this government to ensure that none of us was released on bail so as to prevent the investigation going from the hands of Gujarat CID to Union CBI. The most heartless and shameful act of betrayal on the part of this government was that when Dinesh M N, and Narendra Amin got released by their own individual efforts, it got their bails cancelled at the earliest opportunity and pushed them back behind the bars of Sabarmati jail."
He goes on to say, "But for the legal and political intrigues, machinations and maneuverings of Amitbhai Shah, the trial of Shohrabuddin encounter case, followed by that of Tulsiram encounter case, would not have gone out of the state of Gujarat." Vanzara further added that "the crux of whole matter is that it was just to facilitate his trivial personal interest of fighting assembly election of 2012 that Shri Amitbhai Shah got the trial transferred and betrayed our trust."
In what seems a warning to Modi, Vanzara says, "As the government has miserably failed in protecting its encounter police, there remains no one-sided obligation on part of me to protect the traitors sitting in this government who almost have pushed patriotic and nationalist police officers into the jaws of death."
Asking Modi not to dump his officers in the quest for power in Delhi, Vanzara says the chief minister "has very rightly been talking of repaying his debt which he owes to Mother India... But, it would not be out of context to remind him that he, in the hurry of marching towards Delhi, may kindly not forget to repay the debt which he owes to jailed police officers who endowed him with the halo of Brave Chief Minister among the galaxy of other Chief Ministers who do not bear the same adjective before their names. This, as per my humble opinion, is also a part of the repayment of debt to Mother India."
'Andaz Apna Apna' sequel with Ranbir, Shahid Kapoor
With his Shahid Kapoor-Ileana D'Cruz starrer, Phata Poster Nihkla Hero, almost ready for release, Santoshi is eager to put the sequel on floors. Mirror has learnt that instead of waiting for the two Khans, the director has decided to revamp the film with a contemporary storyline and a younger cast.
He has bounced off the idea to Shahid, who has already impressed him with his comic turn in Phata Poster. For the parallel lead, Santoshi is keen on roping in Ranbir Kapoor, with whom he has previously worked in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani.
A source close to the production said: "Although Rajji ideally wants to do the film with Aamir and Salman, he is keeping his options open. Since it has almost become an impossible task to get combination dates from the two, Rajji might go ahead with Ranbir and Shahid - who are both young and commercially viable."
However, no official announcement has been made yet. When contacted, Santoshi said, "It's very early for me to take the call on the actors. I am still in the process of putting together the script, so wouldn't like to comment on the casting of Andaz Apna Apna 2."
*****Don't rely on someone else for your happiness and self worth. Only you can be responsible for that.
If you can't love and respect yourself - no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are - completely; the good and the bad - and make changes as YOU see fit - not because you think someone else wants you to be different.
Sometimes, we never know if the decision we made was the right one, but that's when we have to trust ourselves & believe everything worked out for a reason*****
If you can't love and respect yourself - no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are - completely; the good and the bad - and make changes as YOU see fit - not because you think someone else wants you to be different.
Sometimes, we never know if the decision we made was the right one, but that's when we have to trust ourselves & believe everything worked out for a reason*****
Monday, 2 September 2013
Asaram capable of sexual assault: Police
JODHPUR: Controversial preacher Asaram Bapu, arrested from his Indore ashram for sexually assaulting the 16-year-old daughter of a follower by Jodhpur police,
was on Sunday subjected to a "potency test", which confirmed that the
72-year-old's libido is active. He was made to take the test after he
told cops that he was impotent and therefore incapable of committing the
crime he was charged with.
The police said Asaram's testing positive gives them strong "circumstantial medical evidence" against the self-claimed godman. Jodhpur commissioner of police Biju Gorge Joseph said a team of doctors was called to the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary headquarters where Asaram was questioned.
"A potency test was conducted on him, which confirmed that he was strong enough to commit the crime of sexual assault and rape on the 16-year-old girl," said Joseph. Another senior police officer said this was "normal procedure". Potency test proves in a rape case that the offender is capable of committing the crime, he said.
Asaram was questioned for four hours at RAC headquarters and then produced in a court that sent him to one-day police custody, said Joseph. Although the police had sought two-day police remand, the court of district and sessions judge Manoj Kumar Vyas allowed only one day.
From the court, Asaram was taken to his Manai Ashram, about 30 km from Jodhpur, where the girl was allegedly sexually assaulted. Police said they conducted a physical verification and tried to recreate the scene of crime. Citing security reasons, police kept journalists out of the precincts.
Asaram remained in the ashram for around 15 minutes and brought back to RAC headquarters for further questioning during the night. "We've done preliminary interrogation and shall verify few more facts. This will require more time, so we sought his police remand," said Joseph, adding that Asaram hasn't produced any concrete evidence in his defence.
Asaram's counsel Jagmal Choudhary raised the questions on the viability of section 376 of IPC and argued in the court where police had filed remand application saying the section is not applicable and is motivated by an ill-will of the conspirators, who have implicated Asaram in this case.
Soon after Asaram was brought to Jodhpur by a flight from Delhi around 12.20 pm, the city witnessed people rising both in protest and in support of Asaram. While he was shown black flags by those demanding strict action against him, his supporters shouted slogans against the police calling it a conspiracy and blocked the road being used to transport Asaram.
A medical team from S N Medical College also examined his health. Joseph said that his health is fit and there is nothing which could prevent us from proceeding in our investigation.
Timeline
Aug 15: A 16-year old girl alleges sexual assault by Asaram in Jodhpur
Aug 20: Girl's parents lodge police complaint in Delhi
Aug 21: FIR registered in Jodhpur
Aug 27: Asaram served notice to appear before police for questioning on Aug 30
Aug 30: Asaram fails to turn up
Sept 1: Arrested from his Indore ashram
The police said Asaram's testing positive gives them strong "circumstantial medical evidence" against the self-claimed godman. Jodhpur commissioner of police Biju Gorge Joseph said a team of doctors was called to the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary headquarters where Asaram was questioned.
"A potency test was conducted on him, which confirmed that he was strong enough to commit the crime of sexual assault and rape on the 16-year-old girl," said Joseph. Another senior police officer said this was "normal procedure". Potency test proves in a rape case that the offender is capable of committing the crime, he said.
Asaram was questioned for four hours at RAC headquarters and then produced in a court that sent him to one-day police custody, said Joseph. Although the police had sought two-day police remand, the court of district and sessions judge Manoj Kumar Vyas allowed only one day.
From the court, Asaram was taken to his Manai Ashram, about 30 km from Jodhpur, where the girl was allegedly sexually assaulted. Police said they conducted a physical verification and tried to recreate the scene of crime. Citing security reasons, police kept journalists out of the precincts.
Asaram remained in the ashram for around 15 minutes and brought back to RAC headquarters for further questioning during the night. "We've done preliminary interrogation and shall verify few more facts. This will require more time, so we sought his police remand," said Joseph, adding that Asaram hasn't produced any concrete evidence in his defence.
Asaram's counsel Jagmal Choudhary raised the questions on the viability of section 376 of IPC and argued in the court where police had filed remand application saying the section is not applicable and is motivated by an ill-will of the conspirators, who have implicated Asaram in this case.
Soon after Asaram was brought to Jodhpur by a flight from Delhi around 12.20 pm, the city witnessed people rising both in protest and in support of Asaram. While he was shown black flags by those demanding strict action against him, his supporters shouted slogans against the police calling it a conspiracy and blocked the road being used to transport Asaram.
A medical team from S N Medical College also examined his health. Joseph said that his health is fit and there is nothing which could prevent us from proceeding in our investigation.
Timeline
Aug 15: A 16-year old girl alleges sexual assault by Asaram in Jodhpur
Aug 20: Girl's parents lodge police complaint in Delhi
Aug 21: FIR registered in Jodhpur
Aug 27: Asaram served notice to appear before police for questioning on Aug 30
Aug 30: Asaram fails to turn up
Sept 1: Arrested from his Indore ashram
Gareth Bale joins Real Madrid in world-record transfer
Madrid announced Sunday that Bale had joined on a six-year contract, and a person familiar with the deal said the fee was a world-record 100 million euros ($132 million). The person spoke on condition of anonymity because financial details are not being disclosed.
"I am not sure there is ever a good time to leave a club where I felt settled and was playing the best football of my career to date," Bale said in a statement published on the Tottenham website. "I know many players talk of their desire to join the club of their boyhood dreams, but I can honestly say, this is my dream come true."
Bale will be paraded at Madrid's stadium on Monday after undergoing a medical examination.
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said earlier in the week that Bale's move was set to be "the biggest transfer in world football," and the fee eclipses the (euro) 93 million Madrid paid Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.
Madrid, whose annual revenue reaches (euro) 500 million, previously broke the transfer record in 2009 when Kaka joined from AC Milan for 65 million euros ($92 million).
All three blockbuster deals came under Florentino Perez, the club president who built the "Galacticos" team that included David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Figo.
The move for Bale, who had around three years remaining on his Tottenham contract, caps a rapid rise from White Hart Lane misfit to one of European football's most exciting players.
The 24-year-old Welsh winger has dazzled audiences around the world with swerving free kicks, defense-splitting surges and mesmerizing footwork.
But Bale was frustrated that Tottenham only qualified once for the Champions League, the stage where the world took notice of his talents for the first time in the 2010-11 season.
Now he's joining a club that has won the European Cup nine times.
"I am well aware that I would not be at the level I am today were it not for firstly Southampton and then Spurs standing by me during some of the tougher times and affording me the environment and support they have," Bale said. "Tottenham will always be in my heart and I'm sure that this season will be a successful one for them. I am now looking forward to the next exciting chapter in my life, playing football for Real Madrid."
Bale has been signed by Madrid despite not winning a single title in his playing career.
What the Wales star has is a collection of personal honors - and long highlight reel of spectacular goals.
In April he won the top two awards in English football after being voted player of the year and the young player of the year by his fellow professionals in English football.
The last player to achieve the Professional Footballers' Association double was Ronaldo in 2007, and the pair will now be on the same side in Spain.
In Bale and Ronaldo, Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will have one of the most formidable attacks in football to compete with Spanish champion Barcelona, which boasts Lionel Messi and new recruit Neymar.
Tottenham's apparent insistence to complete its squad before selling Bale led to the deal being dragged out almost until the end of transfer window on Monday.
"Gareth was a player we had absolutely no intention of selling as we look to build for the future," Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said. "He is a player whose career we have fostered and developed and he was only a year into his new four-year contract.
"Such has been the attention from Real Madrid and so great is Gareth's desire to join them, that we have taken the view that the player will not be sufficiently committed to our campaign in the current season."
Bale joined Tottenham in 2007 from Southampton for 5 million pounds (then $8 million) but endured a frustrating start to his Spurs career.
Although he scored three times in his first four starts, a series of injuries stymied his progress and Tottenham failed to win any of the first 24 Premier League games he appeared in for the club. That made him a symbol of poor results for fans until finally being part of a win on his 25th attempt, when he emerged as a substitute after 84 minutes.
Since then, Bale has never looked back. Neither has Tottenham, which at one point was reported to have tried to use Bale as a make-weight in deals to bring in new players.
After shaking off his substitute's role in January 2010, Bale began to consistently show the flair and pace that made him the first-choice left back.
And, as the attacking side of Bale's game began to flourish, he was pushed forward to the left wing.
Having helped steer Tottenham into the Champions League for the first time in May 2010, Bale was rewarded with a lucrative new deal - the first of three successive annual contract upgrades.
Bale announced himself to the world with two dazzling displays against Champions League holder Inter Milan in the group stage in the 2010-11 season, including a hat trick at the San Siro.
Bale's importance to the London club was underscored last season by the fact his 21 league goals helped win 22 points for Spurs although they still finished a place outside the top four.
And Bale had outgrown the team.
"I have had six very happy years at Tottenham but it's the right time to say goodbye," Bale said. "We've had some special times together over the years and I've loved every minute of it."
Sunday, 1 September 2013
Sachin Tendulkar to quit after playing 200th Test at home against West Indies?
KOLKATA: Sachin Tendulkar will play his 200th Test match at home against the West Indies later this year. BCCI interim secretary Sanjay Patel confirmed on Sunday that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has agreed to tour India in November during which they are likely to play at least two Tests and five ODIs.
The itinerary for the tour will be drawn up in consultation with the
WICB, but in all likelihood the second Test will be played at the
Wankhede Stadium. Assuming he figures in both Tests, Sachin would not
only become the first player in cricket's history to play 200 Tests, he
would also get to achieve the landmark in Mumbai, his own backyard.
It could also be his farewell series as indications are that the Little
Master is likely to announce his retirement from all forms of the game
at the end of that series.
BCCI's tour and fixtures committee,
which will meet shortly to finalise the dates and venues, is also likely
to award the first Test to Kolkata.
The proposed tour by the
West Indies was sprung on the Working Committee members by BCCI's
president-in-exile N Srinivasan and was passed unanimously, ostensibly
to appease host broadcasters and sponsors. Under the Future Tours
Programme (FTP), India are scheduled to host only a seven-match ODI
series against Australia in October.
Sachin, who recently
started practising after undergoing surgery on his left palm, has
confirmed his availability for the Champions League T20 where he will
turn out for the Mumbai Indians. The peerless batsman has so far played
198 Tests, scoring 15,837 runs at an average of 53.86. He is also the
only batsman in the world to log 100 centuries in international cricket,
51 of them coming in the longest (five-day) format.
He had
announced his retirement from ODIs late last year after having played
463 games in the course of his 24-year long career, amassing a record
18,426 runs, including 49 centuries at an average of 44.83.
21 TESTS WITHOUT A TON
Sachin's Career Stats vs Last 2 Years
Career Last 2 Years
Tests 198 17
Runs 15,837 872
Highest Score 248 n.o. 94
100s 51 0
Average 53.9 31.1
Avg. at home 52.8 (92) 29.3 (13)
Avg. abroad 54.7 (106) 35.9 (4)
Figures in brackets are no. of Tests played
* Sachin's last Test century (146 vs South Africa, Cape Town,
Jan 4, 2011) was 21 Tests ago. It's the longest spell without a ton in
his career. On average, Sachin's hit 1 century every 4 Tests.
*
It's almost 3 years since Sachin hit a century at home (214 vs Aus,
Bangalore, Oct 11, 2010). He has played 14 home Tests without a ton —
again the longest in his career.
Sachin's magical moments in India
* Only Indian to score a century on debut in each of three domestic
championships — 100 not out for Mumbai against Gujarat in Ranji Trophy
at Mumbai in 1988-89, 103* for Rest of India against Delhi in Irani
Trophy, at Delhi in 1989-90 and 159 for West Zone against East Zone in
Duleep Trophy at Guwahati in 1990-91.
* Bowled his first and last over against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata to help India to a thrilling two-run win in the Hero Cup semis. He conceded just three runs.
* Played his first Test as skipper at Delhi — against Australia in October, 1996. He guided India to a seven-wicket victory.
* Was in team that won the 100th Test against Sri Lanka, in Kanpur, in
November 2009. A week later, at the CCI, in Mumbai, he was part of the
team that became World No. 1 in Tests, beating Sri Lanka.
* Played his only World Cup winning final in India: against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 2, 2011
Saturday, 31 August 2013
Hillary Clinton tops Barack Obama in gifts from foreign leaders
Clinton received gold jewellery worth half a million dollars from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. The State Department said the gift included a necklace bracelet, ring and earrings. The white gold was adorned with teardrop rubies and diamonds.
Obama's most expensive gift was a USD 16,500 gold-plated clock from Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, the Saudi defense minister.
Obama, a big sports fan, scored a red, white and blue basketball from and autographed by Chinese President President Xi Jinping. British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha, gave Obama a customised Dunlop table tennis table with United States and United Kingdom decals and paddles worth USD 1,100.
The gifts were among a bounty of vases, watches, artwork and other items given to the Obama family and top US officials in 2012, according to the department's Office of Protocol, which catalogues the gifts and publishes an annual listing. But don't look for Clinton or Obama to pocket the gifts. Under law, most of them must go to the National Archives or General Services Administration, unless recipients reimburse the US Treasury for them.
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny gave Obama a package of gifts worth USD 7,246.19 that included a certificate of Obama's Irish heritage, two silver shamrock charm bracelets and a lamb's wool scarf and blanket.
Myanmar President Thein Sein offered gifts of jewelry for the first lady, Michelle Obama, and the Obama daughters, Malia and Sasha. The first lady was given a USD 4,200 pearl necklace with a gold and diamond clasp. The Obama daughters received two flower brooches of pearl, diamond and gold valued at USD 4,440.
Britain's Samantha Cameron gave the first lady a cashmere scarf by J Saunders worth USD 480.
There were gifts that could be consumed and those from display.
Clinton got USD 560 worth of cognac from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Obama received a saber with a 34-inch blade and a silver filigree handle from Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj.
Vice President Joe Biden got a silver knife and chopsticks with silver ends from Mongolia's prime minister and a female bare-breasted bust from Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
The gift list published in the Federal Register also included a present Obama received back in 2009. It was package of artwork worth USD 124,000 given to the president by Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's flamboyant former premier. Included was a large book of art, photographs and text by Marilena Ferrari along with a gold-painted box with bookmark and magnifying glass.
Facebook: 6 posts you should never click on
Random posts often appear on our Facebook timeline which appear to be
posted by our friends, but many of them turn out to be malware designed
by cybercriminals. Most of these posts are potential threats that may
expose sensitive information which may be stored in our Facebook
profiles. Wondering how to know which posts are to be avoided?
Slovakian antivirus and security software developer ESET has listed six social posts that Facebook users should never click on.
Often our timeline is flooded with posts that offer great dieting tips or ‘Amazing weight loss’ programmes. Scammers often hawk "diets offering weight loss". So better to stay away from posts promising amazing diets or slimming programmes on Facebook.
Slovakian antivirus and security software developer ESET has listed six social posts that Facebook users should never click on.
"One-fact story"
First is posts that suggests giving "one-fact story". We often we come across links on our timeline which highlight a breaking celebrity gossip or expose. It is better to Google about the matter rather than directly click on it as it can be a potential malware intended to steal your personal information.
First is posts that suggests giving "one-fact story". We often we come across links on our timeline which highlight a breaking celebrity gossip or expose. It is better to Google about the matter rather than directly click on it as it can be a potential malware intended to steal your personal information.
Breaking news
The links which appear to be breaking a global news story too are best to be stayed away from. These links may often appear in our Facebook feed as suggested posts. It is best to avoid them as they can inadverantly lead to downloading of malware.
The links which appear to be breaking a global news story too are best to be stayed away from. These links may often appear in our Facebook feed as suggested posts. It is best to avoid them as they can inadverantly lead to downloading of malware.
The post which begs for ‘Likes’
Never
"like" posts which ask for more likes for some sort of a social cause.
It is better to go to your Facebook’s Activity Log in the new Graph
Search and ensure that you haven't "Liked" any companies, products or
sites that you don't want the world to know about.
Often our timeline is flooded with posts that offer great dieting tips or ‘Amazing weight loss’ programmes. Scammers often hawk "diets offering weight loss". So better to stay away from posts promising amazing diets or slimming programmes on Facebook.
Unknown news sources
On
internet, unknown spells danger. Same is on Facebook. Abstain from
clicking on posts from news outlets you have not heard about.
Cybercriminals often send out bogus news links to blend in with the
flurry of "real" news.
Gift cards
Gift cards offering free samples or gifts is one of the fastest
spreading online scams. It was recently seen on on picture-sharing
network Pinterest, where a stage of getting that "free gift" is,
inevitably, to share the post with all your friends. Users don’t get any
free gifts, but instead, end up giving their personal details or
downloading malware which steals sensitive personal information.
Friday, 30 August 2013
Brett Lee to come to India for Bigg Boss 7?
Bigg
Boss 7's promos are getting expected attention and the makers are
planning to make the show more entertaining than last year.
Every year lot of names grab attention to be an inmate of Bigg Boss house. However, this year it seems cricketer Brett Lee is on their top list and reportedly the makers are trying to negotiate with the cricketer.
As reported in certain section of media, Brett Lee might come to India to be a part of Bigg Boss 7. Last year too Brett Lee was supposedly considered for the show, but things didn't work for both the parties.
According to the reports in media, he has been offered Rs 25 lakh per episode but currently nothing has been finalised. In one of the seasons of the show Andrew Symonds entertained the Indian audience. It will be interesting to see Brett Lee in Bigg Boss this year!
Every year lot of names grab attention to be an inmate of Bigg Boss house. However, this year it seems cricketer Brett Lee is on their top list and reportedly the makers are trying to negotiate with the cricketer.
As reported in certain section of media, Brett Lee might come to India to be a part of Bigg Boss 7. Last year too Brett Lee was supposedly considered for the show, but things didn't work for both the parties.
According to the reports in media, he has been offered Rs 25 lakh per episode but currently nothing has been finalised. In one of the seasons of the show Andrew Symonds entertained the Indian audience. It will be interesting to see Brett Lee in Bigg Boss this year!
Mumbai Indians drop Ponting; Sanga opts for Kandurata
Even as the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid gear up for a final dash at glory in the shortest format, IPL champions Mumbai Indians have curiously dropped Ricky Ponting for the tournament.
Bought by the cash-rich franchise to lead the side in the sixth edition of the IPL earlier this year, Ponting chose to bench himself after failing to perform.
The task of leading the star-heavy side was thrust on Rohit Sharma, who ably handled the responsibility to give MI its first IPL silverware.
The other notable absentee is Kumar Sangakkara, who will play for the Sri Lankan side Kandurata Maroons instead of Sunrisers Hyderabad, ostensibly due to some serious pressure exerted by Sri Lanka Cricket.
Sangakkara, while speaking to a cricket website vented his ire, saying that he had to choose Kandurata over Sunrisers after his "loyalty to the country was questioned."
The CLT20 governing council has also taken care of the grouse of the clubs whose star players preferred to play their trade for their IPL teams rather than home clubs. Ten out of the 12 international cricketers have chosen to play for the IPL franchises instead of their domestic sides.
"Players who were named by more than one team were asked to select which team they were going to play for. Teams were then allowed to replace any player who withdrew from their squad and chose to turn out for a different outfit. CLT20 regulations state that when a player chooses to play for an 'away' team, that team must pay the 'home' team $150,000 as compensation," CLT20 GC said in a statement.
PCB applies for Wolves' visa
KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board has applied for visas for the Faisalabad Wolves team which is scheduled to take part in the Champions League T20 in India next month.
An official source said that BCCI had not yet confirmed the participation of the Faisalabad team in the league. "We have been in regular contact with the BCCI over the participation of the Faisalabad Wolves team in the Champions League but so far they have said they were awaiting final word from their government. But they advised us that we should continue our process to send the team to India like obtaining all travel documents and visas for them," the source said.
Gambhir scores century in second innings against Gloucestershire
After four successive failures at the start including a duck in the first innings of this match, the Delhi left-hander showed glimpses of his old self with a delightful knock at the County Ground.
This is Gambhir's first century in county cricket and 34th first-class century of his career.
Rssex were 191 for no loss in their second innings at tea with Gambhir batting on an even 100 off 144 balls with 11 boundaries and a big six. He reached his century off 141 balls. The 100th run came with a push off left-arm seamer David Payne.
Gambhir reached 90's with a four and a big six off medium pacer Benny Howell. Gambhir's footwork was assured from the start and he played both new ball bowlers Payne and Will Gidman with ease.
Gambhir was prepared to wait for the loose balls but also didn't lose out on opportunities to take a lot of singles to keep up the run-rate as Essex will be aiming for an outright win.
No final decision but no US troops in Syria: Obama
"We're not considering any open ended commitment. We're not considering any boots on the ground approach," Obama told reporters in a brief interaction with the leaders of three Baltic countries.
Obama emphasised that he has "not made any decisions" about what actions the US will take.
"We have consulted with allies. We have consulted with Congress," Obama said after secretary of state John Kerry indicated that the US is preparing to go it alone without the United Nations, because of Russian opposition.
He noted that lots of people, himself included, are "war weary."
"There is a certain weariness, given Afghanistan. There is a certain suspicion of any military action post-Iraq. And I very much appreciate that," Obama said.
"But its important for us to recognise that when over a thousand people are killed, including hundreds of innocent children, through the use of a weapon that 98 or 99 per cent of humanity says should not be used even in war, and there is no action, then we're sending a signal. That is a danger to our national security," he said.
He said that whatever the US does, it would not be a "major operation".
"We are confident that we can provide Congress all the information and get all the input they need. We're very mindful of that...but ultimately we don't want the world to be paralysed. A lot of people think something should be done but nobody wants to do it," said the US President.
Noting that the horrific images of the chemical weapons attack have shocked all, Obama said this kind of attack is a challenge to the world.
"We cannot accept a world where women and children and innocent civilians are gassed on a terrible scale," he said.
"This kind of attack threatens our national security interests by violating well-established international norms against the use of chemical weapons, by further threatening our friends and allies in the region like Israel and Turkey and Jordan, and it increases the risk that chemical weapons will be used in the future and fall into the hands of terrorists who might use them against us," he said.
"So I have said before, and I meant what I said, that the world has an obligation to make sure that we maintain the norm against the use of chemical weapons," he said.
"Now, I have not made a final decision about various actions that might be taken to help enforce that norm. But as I've already said, I have had my military and our team look at a wide range of options. We have consulted with allies. We've consulted with Congress. We have been in conversations with all the interested parties," he said.
"And in no event are we considering any kind of military action that would involve boots on the ground, that would involve a long-term campaign. But we are looking at the possibility of a limited, narrow act that would help make sure that not only Syria but others around the world understand that the international community cares about maintaining this chemical weapons ban and norm," Obama said.
He said, US is not considering any open-ended commitment. "We're not considering any boots-on-the-ground approach. What we will do is consider options that meet the narrow concern around chemical weapons, understanding that there is not going to be a solely military solution to the underlying conflict and tragedy that's taking place in Syria," he said.
Meanwhile, a senior administration official said the US is not contemplating a military effort aimed at regime change.
"What we have said, though, and what we'll continue to do is pursue a strategy in Syria that seeks to strengthen the opposition, including through the provision of many different types of assistance, and we are coordinating our efforts in providing that assistance with other countries in the region and other allies and partners," the official said.
"What we'd like to see is a situation where there is a political process in which Bashar al-Assad leaves power. Because frankly, we think he's lost the legitimacy to lead. Anybody who has carried out the attacks he has against his population is not a legitimate leader in our eyes; and frankly, the use of chemical weapons only reinforces that point," he said.
In another statement, Senate Intelligence Committee chairwoman Dianne Feinstein said, the world cannot let such a heinous attack pass without a meaningful response.
"I hope the international community will take appropriate action," she said after the intelligence assessment released by the White House said that the chemical weapons attack carried out by the Assad regime killed 1,429 people, including at least 426 children.
Tendulkar, Dravid named in CLT20 squads
Sachin Tendulkar, who has retired from the IPL, and Rahul Dravid,
who has indicated the upcoming Champions League would be his last
tournament, have been named in the Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals
squads for the Twenty20 event. A Faisalabad Wolves squad has also been
announced, in an indication of the Pakistan side's probable
participation in the qualifying stage of the league, after political
tensions between India and Pakistan had cast doubts over whether they would be allowed to come over.
Kumar Sangakkara is the only player who hasn't preferred his IPL franchise for the tournament among the 12 wanted by two sides, and has decided to play
for his home side Kandurata Maroons. Explaining the process for
deciding which teams these players would represent, Dean Kino, a CLT20
governing council member and director of legal and business affairs,
said: "Players who were named by more than one team were asked to select
which team they were going to play for. Teams were then allowed to
replace any player that withdrew from their squad and elected to play
for another side.
"CLT20 regulations state that when a player elects to play for their
'away' team, that team must pay the 'home' team $150,000 compensation
per player. A 'home' team is classified as a team from the country a
player is eligible to represent in international cricket.
"This payment is applicable for 10 of the 12 players that were eligible
for more than one team. The exceptions are Kumar Sangakkara, who will be
representing Kandurata Maroons, which is classified as his home team,
and Thisara Perera, who qualified for Brisbane Heat and Sunrisers
Hyderabad, neither of which is classified as his home team."
Lasith Malinga has not been named in the Mumbai Indians squad as he wanted to be with his wife and family, as they expect their second child late in September.
Group A includes Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Lions, Perth
Scorchers and Qualifier 1 while Group B has
Chennai Super Kings, Brisbane Heat, Titans, Trinidad & Tobago and
Qualifier 2. Otago Volts, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Faisalabad Wolves and
Kandurata Maroons will play the qualifiers beginning on September 17 in
Hyderabad, with the top two sides advancing to the main draw starting
September 21 in Jaipur and to be played across Ranchi, Ahmedabad,
Hyderabad and Delhi.
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, Dinesh Karthik,
Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Ambati Rayudu, Aditya Tare, Rishi Dhawan,
Abu Nechim, Akshar Patel, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Smith, Nathan
Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn Maxwell
Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, M Vijay, Wriddhiman
Saha, R Ashwin, S Badrinath, Imtiaz Ahmed, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohit
Sharma, Michael Hussey, Dwayne Bravo, Albie Morkel, Jason Holder, Faf du
Plessis, Chris Morris
Rajasthan Royals: Rahul Dravid, Ajinkya Rahane, Stuart Binny,
Sanju Samson, Ashok Menaria, Dishant Yagnik, Vikramjeet Malik, Rahul
Shukla, Pravin Tambe, Siddharth Trivedi, Shane Watson, Brad Hodge, James
Faulkner, Kevon Cooper, Shaun Tait
Brisbane Heat: Joe Burns, Daniel Christian, Ben Cutting, Peter
Forrest, Dom Michael, Chris Hartley, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes,
Matthew Gale, Chris Lynn, Alister McDermott, Cameron Gannon, Alex Kemp,
Kemar Roach, Chris Sabburg
Perth Scorchers: Ashton Agar, Michael Beer, Jason Behrendorff,
Ashton Turner, Liam Davis, Brad Hogg, Burt Cockley, Simon Katich,
Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Joel Paris, Alfonso Thomas, Tom Triffitt,
Adam Voges, Sam Whiteman
Titans: Jacques Rudolph, Henry Davids, AB de Villiers, Farhaan
Behardien, Heino Kuhn, David Wiese, Eden Links, Ethy Mbhalati, Rowan
Richards, Mangaliso Mosehle, CJ de Villiers, Graeme van Buuren, Morne
Morkel, Roelof van der Merwe, Marchant de Lange
Highveld Lions: Temba Bavuma, Gulam Bodi, Quinton De Kock, Neil
McKenzie, Lonwabo Tsotsobe,
Ethan O'Reilly, Hardus Viljoen, Rassie van der Dussen, Alviro Petersen,
Aaron Phangiso, Dwaine Pretorius, Jean Symes, Imran Tahir, Sohail
Tanvir, Thami Tsolekile
Trinidad & Tobago: Denesh Ramdin, Rayad Emrit, Jason
Mohammed, Nicolas Pooran, Sunil Narine, Evin Lewis, Samuel Badree, Navin
Stewart, Shannon Gabriel, Yannick Ottley, Adrian Barath, Sherwin Ganga,
Lendl Simmons, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Bravo
Faisalabad Wolves: Misbah-ul-Haq, Asif Ali, Ali Waqas, Khurram
Shehzad, Mohammad Salman, Waqas Maqsood, Samiullah Khan, Asad Ali, Saeed
Ajmal, Ehsan Adil, Hasan Mahmood, Jahandad Khan, Farrukh Shehzad, Imran
Khalid, Ammar Mahmood
Otago Volts: Nick Beard, Michael Bracewell, Neil Broom, Iain Butler, Mark Craig, Derek de Boorder,
Jacob Duffy, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, James McMillan, Jimmy Neesham, Aaron Redmond,
Hamish Rutherford, Ryan ten Doeschate, Neil Wagner
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Shikhar Dhawan, Parthiv Patel, Cameron
White, JP Duminy, Dale Steyn, Darren Sammy, Biplab Samantray, Thisara
Perera, Karan Sharma, Hanuma Vihari, Ashish Reddy, Amit Mishra, Ishant
Sharma, Anand Rajan, TBC
Kandurata Maroons: Lahiru Thirimanne, Nuwan Kulasekara, Upul
Tharanga, Thilina Kandamby, Kumar Sangakkara, Shehan Jayasuriya, Chamara
Silva, Milinda Siriwardana, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Dhammika Prasad,
Ajantha Mendis, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Lahiru Jayaratne, Dhananjaya De
Silva, Suraj Randiv
Sachin Tendulkar is India's Bharat Ratna, says Sourav Ganguly
They have been doing well in ODIs, but Ganguly doesn't think that India's Test team is on the decline either.
"You need to give them some time and as I said, they have played overseas and at home in the past 10-11 years. Yes, we have had a hiccup in Australia and England but we have an opportunity this season in South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia to improve our performance and I don't agree with the tag," Ganguly said.
"Yes, They are a very good limited overs side but in Test matches too they have given results," he added.
Ahead of what is going to be a gruelling tour of South Africa, Ganguly had a piece of advice for Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men.
"He (Dhoni) has been to South Africa before and he knows how tough it is. It is not going to be just a one-day combination as Test matches are a different ball game. South Africa have got a great attack, they are a very good side at home. India have to play really really well.
"India have been a good touring team in the past 10-11 years apart from the hiccups in England and Australia. So, I can suggest that play positive and realise that it is a hard tour. It will be a tour that will challenge a lot of players and you have to raise your game," he said.
As discussion turned to his long-time teammate Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly said the decision of retirement from Test cricket should be left to the Mumbaikar himself.
Asked if Tendulkar should retire after the South Africa tour, Ganguly said, "It's his decision. He has done a lot for world cricket and let him decide the time as he deserves it.
On Tendulkar becoming a Rajya Sabha member, the Kolkatan said: "I asked Sachin what is he doing in Rajya Sabha? Obviously he was nominated by the President of India, I hope he does well in what ever he does as I have a tremendous respect for him for what he has achieved for Indian cricket.
"I have seen him closely when he was at his best, I have got terrific admiration for him. For whatever he does, he does it well and he makes his family and his country proud.
He also hoped Tendulkar gets the Bharat Ratna. "He is India's Bharat Ratna!" Ganguly said.
Ganguly did not rule out the possibility of currently out-of-favoured players like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh making a comeback to the Indian team.
"Yuvraj Singh has been India's great ODI player, Virender Sehwag is probably the best opening batsman I have seen after Sunil Gavaskar, his records speak about his ability. Sehwag is 32-33, you can't write them off. Will they make a comeback, only time will tell because it depends on how they play and how many runs they get."
Ganguly said he was not interested in joining politics. "I don't want to be in politics, I want to be involved in the game as it gives me a lot of happiness and will find out more opportunities and make the most of it."
Talking about controversial pacer S Sreesanth, who was jailed on charges of spot-fixing in this year's IPL, Ganguly said it will be a complete waste of talent if the allegations against him are proved.
"He has done well as a Test bowler but had been a bit inconsistent which was something to do with his temperament. But if things (allegations of spot-fixing in IPL) are proved, then it is a complete waste of talent," Ganguly said.
Salman Khan beats the bloat, 8 kilos in 5 months
But Sallu has triumphed again. At a recent appearance on a television show, Salman looked trim as ever and TOI has found out that actor has shed 7-8 kilos with a rigorous regime. After a health scare at the beginning of the year, doctors had advised Salman to go slow on the heavy weights. Coupled with his decision to quit smoking this resulted in a very evident bloat, which was also commented upon by good friend Aamir Khan.
"He was aware that he had put on some weight. Though the intensity of his workouts reduced for a short phase, he never missed the sessions. Even Aamir, when he was shooting nearby around April pointed it out and told him that he needs to get back to his old physique," said the source.
Salman soon chalked out a plan with strenuous gym sessions and a strict diet. "He planned his work out sessions divided into cardio sessions and weight training. He goes for cycling or jogging for an hour, dead lifts to improve leg and back muscles. His push up count can go up to 1000 and up to 500 crunches," added the source.
About Salman's diet, the source added, "His diet is very simple, depending on whether he is shooting on that day or not. He eats a lot of fruits and salad's throughout the day. He loves non-veg food like chicken or fish and ensures he doesn't over stuff himself. He prefers to end his day with a soup. The dedicated diet has helped him to get his old physique back."
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
Ekta Kapoor to dance to 'Ooh La La
Says a source, "It is a three-day affair, and Ekta has decided to dance to Ooh La La at the sangeet ceremony. After attending the wedding, Ekta will join her family for a holiday in Goa."
Barcelona beat Atletico on away goals to win Super Cup
After last week's first leg at the Calderon ended 1-1, expectations of an entertaining spectacle were high when new signing Neymar, who came off the bench to head the equaliser in Madrid, was included in the starting lineup for the first time since joining from Santos.
World Player of the Year Lionel Messi was also back from injury but both struggled to cope with the visitors' muscular tactics in what turned out to be a poor quality game littered with fouls including the 81st-minute dismissal of Atletico fullback Filipe Luis.
Messi smashed a penalty against the crossbar in the 89th minute after Miranda had bundled substitute Pedro over in the area but Atletico, constantly looking to catch Barca on the break, had the clearer chances from open play.
Arda Turan skipped into the area shortly before halftime and belted the ball toward goal but Valdes flung out an arm and diverted it to safety.
David Villa, playing against the club he left in the close season, drew another brilliant stop from his Spain team mate in the 56th minute, Valdes diving full length to tip his curling effort from just outside the box around the post.
Filipe Luis had been tangling with Brazilian compatriot Daniel Alves all night and another incident led to him being shown a straight red card before Messi saw his penalty ricochet back off the bar.
"This Atletico team is a team of winners, who fight and battle and are a very tough opponent," Barca centre back Javier Mascherano said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster TVE.
"It was a very close match," added the Argentine. "Atleti make things very difficult for you and we have to congratulate them. They compete very well."
FIRST TROPHY
Barca's triumph was the first time any club has claimed the Super Cup without winning either leg and a first trophy for Barca's new coach Gerardo Martino, who replaced the ailing Tito Vilanova last month.
Martino got the better of his Atletico counterpart and Argentine compatriot Diego Simeone but Barca's inability to create scoring opportunities will be of some concern as they bid for a fifth La Liga crown in six years.
They will find out their opponents in the Champions League group stage in Thursday's draw before bidding for a fifth success in Europe's elite club competition.
Atletico's ability to nullify Messi and snuff out any attacking threat from elsewhere was worryingly reminiscent of last season's semifinal against Bayern Munich, which Barca lost 7-0 on aggregate.
"When there is a title up for grabs the important thing is to win it," Martino said at a news conference.
"We need more pace, more precision and we need to attack the space so that we avoid running into the opposition defence.
"But considering the season has only just begun I don't think it's too bad. Sometimes a team needs results like this to find its form."
Simeone was proud of his players but lamented their inability to take their chances.
"We had two clear opportunities and in these matches you have to put them away," the former Argentina and Atletico player told a new conference. "Valdes was very good."
Barca now have 11 Super Cups, winning four of the last five.
Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid defeated them last year to break their run of three trophies under Pep Guardiola from 2009-2011.
Played between the La Liga champions and the King's Cup winners, the Super Cup typically serves as the season opener but this time came after two rounds of La Liga.
Indian marathon man Somdev Devvarman wins after eight hours
The 28-year-old former US college star defeated Slovakia's Lukas Lacko 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in three hours and 11 minutes of match time, although rain halted the match for more than four hours after he won the third set.
"Bummer for me, momentum switch," Devvarman said. "But you have to pull your pants up and deal with it. Just the nature of the beast."
Devvarman made 36 unforced errors, fewer than half of Lacko's 73 such mistakes, and hung tough at the finish
"When you are playing in the fifth set, a lot of it is you play with adrenaline at that point. I know both of us were dying at the end," Devvarman said.
"I was pretty antsy and he was too. The nervous energy affected the both of us. We were just trying to do our best."
Devvarman had just battled back to secure the third set when showers began to fall, sending him into the locker room. After a tease of returning quicker, more rain left him to sit and the marathon wait continue.
"I got two quarters of a meal at different times," Devvarman said. "You just take a shower, eat and try to relax. You are in there with a bunch of your friends, playing games and the time passes pretty quickly."
So did his momentum. "Stopping and starting, it was a little unlucky to stop there," he said. "You can't control the weather. It changed the momentum. He came out and played well, changed his tactics. He played a great fourth and fifth sets."
But at 4-4 in the final set, Devvarman came through with a break and held to book a second-round date with Italian 20th seed Andreas Seppi.
"I'm very happy with the way I played. It was an incredibly tough match," Devvarman said. "I played a few great scramble points there in the fifth set at 4-4. I'm happy with that last bit of effort out there."
Devvarman said having to fight through three qualifying matches has been an advantage.
"Less time on the court is better but you do what you can to take advantage of what you have," Devvarman said. "I'm familiar with the speed of the courts. I've played a lot of matches.
"I'm match sharp. I hope I can take advantage of that in the next match. The only way I can improve is to fight through every match and I feel like I've done that."
I always regretted not being born in India: Pallavi Sharda
Pallavi Sharda talks to TOI about her Indian-Australian upbringing, her observation on her co-star Ranbir Kapoor and how the Indian-Australian issues were sensationalised by the Indian media.
Pallavi Sharda, 25, is an Australia-born Indian, who harboured the dream of being in Bollywood right from her childhood. She is emotional and reacts quickly, though she tries to maintain a straight face, being trained as a lawyer. She is extremely close to her academic and independent family, but considers her brother her soulmate without whom she would often feel morose even as a kid. She just wants to make her parents proud and be able to hold her head high and is extremely proud that she bagged her role in the upcoming film 'Besharam' purely on merit.
She is naturally happy but has a tendency to get into contemplative phases, where she will stare into space all by herself. Her parents always gave her a lot of space and respect and allowed her to take her decisions by herself. She loves baking for people and is known as the Bandra chaiwalli. She talks to TOI about her Indian-Australian upbringing, her observation on her co-star Ranbir Kapoor and how the Indian-Australian issues were sensationalised by the Indian media. Excerpts:
Tell us about your background?
We are Saraswat Brahmins. My father is originally from Punjab and my mother from UP, but they both grew up in Delhi. They are both engineers from IIT and are now professors in Australia. Their romance was like 3 Idiots as my nanaji was a professor at IIT and my father was his junior, who fell in love with his daughter on the campus and married her. My mother's family had migrated to the US and my father loved adventure and travel and moved to Australia, just after my brother was born. Even though my father was really sought after, he was always an academic soul. Money is almost a negative value in our family.
Three years later I was born in Perth and grew up in Melbourne. My brother and I were also academically inclined and I finished school at 16, as I skipped a year due to a double promotion. I finished my double degree in Law and BA within four-and-a-half years instead of six, as I wanted to just come to India to be a part of Bollywood. From the time I could enunciate that word from my childhood, I had only dreamt of being a Bollywood actress.
Tell us about your life as an Australian Indian?
I learnt Bharatnatyam since the age of three. Most parents would drag their kids to class. In my case, I would be dragging them to take me to class. I am a dancer before I am anything else. I grew up on Madhuri and Sridevi. After Lamhe, I was always known as Pallu the dancer. I later started teaching dance while studying. We learnt Hindi watching films. When you live abroad, you are more in touch with your roots. The Indian community is close-knit, your functions revolve around the same set of people and you have exposure to different Indian cultures. In Australia, I was the heralding Indian woman carrying my Indian culture everywhere. On my casual clothes day, I would wear a lehenga choli to school and would often wear a bindi to McDonalds.
How did you bag a role with a big star like Ranbir Kapoor?
I have always been extremely independent. I travelled to Chennai alone at the age of 10 to learn dance at Kalakshetra. I went to school in Chennai for six months as that was my dad's condition for allowing me to go to Chennai. I was this absurd child who regretted not being born in India and the Bollywood fantasy was too much inside me. Now I think it's got balanced out as I live here. My mom, unlike other NRIs, would come to India three times a year being the head of South Asia relationship for her university and I would come with her.
I travelled every nook and corner of the country. But the Bollywood dream never left me. I would watch films and come home and feel morose as I wanted to be a part of them. I had told everyone and, when I finally came, no one was surprised as it was inevitable. During my law internship, I only remember emailing production houses in India during my lunch hour. I was crazy and knew I had to do it, as I would otherwise regret it for the rest of my life. I just wanted to dance in films. I was 21 when I first came here. I did a bit of theatre and was a lead actress in Vaibhavi Merchant's musical Taj Express due to my dance.
I did a small film called Dus Tola with Manoj Bajpayee. I did not want to become a famous actress, I just wanted to work. I also did a small role in Love Breakups Zindagi and an Australian film. I always knew that I am hardworking, passionate and knew dance, but did not know how to navigate my life in Bollywood. Abhinav Kashyap met me at a screening and two months later I got a call to audition for Besharam. He told me, 'It's a fair game. You audition. If you are good, we take it forward.' It's rare to be made to feel that way and I respect him because of the way he believes in merit. After several rounds of audition, I was selected.
How was the experience of working with Ranbir?
I was so ecstatic on my way back after being selected in a Ranbir film that I put on blasting music in my car. I had never dreamt of walking a red carpet. My dream had only been to be in a khet dancing, wearing a salwar kameez with a hero singing to me. Ranbir is very supportive and a fabulous actor. He was really focused on the set and just remained in his character. I would observe him on what he would do between shots. For instance, there is a scene where there is tension between our characters and he had to be a bit awkward and fidgety. Between shots, he kept playing with a piece of paper to remain fidgety.
Is Melbourne back to being safe for Indian tourists and students?
I remember when I came to Mumbai, I said, 'Namaste aunty' and they made me feel I had said something so tacky. I was considered backward and I called my mom to say, 'You made me a villager.' But I still do that, as it reminds me of my roots and makes me feel nostalgic about the way I grew up. In Melbourne, I could be so Indian and Australian at the same time and have no qualms about my heritage. What was carried in Indian media was sensational. My mother would hold a Diwali dinner for all the Indian students in our house and would provide pastoral care to them as they were immigrants.
So when I heard about this disharmony, where I had grown up in so much harmony and been given the freedom to live as an Indian- Australian, it bothered me and I went back to see if it was true. If you have a sudden jump in the number of immigrants in any society, there are issues, but those are only teething problems. It is peaceful today. Melbourne is a multicultural place. I was the ambassador for Australia last year, as the High Commission felt I stood for Indian culture, having been a young leader in many walks of life and a role model to Indians in Australia through my dance. I am known within the Indian community there. I went home this time in May and the reaction of the Indian public was so overwhelming.
I cried meeting all my uncles and aunties. I knew that it was the dandiya nights and the chana jor garam nights they had organised that had made me realise how much I loved Indian dance and music. And that is probably how I have been able to play the role of Tara in Besharam, who is a very Indian girl who never left India.
Pallavi Sharda, 25, is an Australia-born Indian, who harboured the dream of being in Bollywood right from her childhood. She is emotional and reacts quickly, though she tries to maintain a straight face, being trained as a lawyer. She is extremely close to her academic and independent family, but considers her brother her soulmate without whom she would often feel morose even as a kid. She just wants to make her parents proud and be able to hold her head high and is extremely proud that she bagged her role in the upcoming film 'Besharam' purely on merit.
She is naturally happy but has a tendency to get into contemplative phases, where she will stare into space all by herself. Her parents always gave her a lot of space and respect and allowed her to take her decisions by herself. She loves baking for people and is known as the Bandra chaiwalli. She talks to TOI about her Indian-Australian upbringing, her observation on her co-star Ranbir Kapoor and how the Indian-Australian issues were sensationalised by the Indian media. Excerpts:
Tell us about your background?
We are Saraswat Brahmins. My father is originally from Punjab and my mother from UP, but they both grew up in Delhi. They are both engineers from IIT and are now professors in Australia. Their romance was like 3 Idiots as my nanaji was a professor at IIT and my father was his junior, who fell in love with his daughter on the campus and married her. My mother's family had migrated to the US and my father loved adventure and travel and moved to Australia, just after my brother was born. Even though my father was really sought after, he was always an academic soul. Money is almost a negative value in our family.
Three years later I was born in Perth and grew up in Melbourne. My brother and I were also academically inclined and I finished school at 16, as I skipped a year due to a double promotion. I finished my double degree in Law and BA within four-and-a-half years instead of six, as I wanted to just come to India to be a part of Bollywood. From the time I could enunciate that word from my childhood, I had only dreamt of being a Bollywood actress.
Tell us about your life as an Australian Indian?
I learnt Bharatnatyam since the age of three. Most parents would drag their kids to class. In my case, I would be dragging them to take me to class. I am a dancer before I am anything else. I grew up on Madhuri and Sridevi. After Lamhe, I was always known as Pallu the dancer. I later started teaching dance while studying. We learnt Hindi watching films. When you live abroad, you are more in touch with your roots. The Indian community is close-knit, your functions revolve around the same set of people and you have exposure to different Indian cultures. In Australia, I was the heralding Indian woman carrying my Indian culture everywhere. On my casual clothes day, I would wear a lehenga choli to school and would often wear a bindi to McDonalds.
How did you bag a role with a big star like Ranbir Kapoor?
I have always been extremely independent. I travelled to Chennai alone at the age of 10 to learn dance at Kalakshetra. I went to school in Chennai for six months as that was my dad's condition for allowing me to go to Chennai. I was this absurd child who regretted not being born in India and the Bollywood fantasy was too much inside me. Now I think it's got balanced out as I live here. My mom, unlike other NRIs, would come to India three times a year being the head of South Asia relationship for her university and I would come with her.
I travelled every nook and corner of the country. But the Bollywood dream never left me. I would watch films and come home and feel morose as I wanted to be a part of them. I had told everyone and, when I finally came, no one was surprised as it was inevitable. During my law internship, I only remember emailing production houses in India during my lunch hour. I was crazy and knew I had to do it, as I would otherwise regret it for the rest of my life. I just wanted to dance in films. I was 21 when I first came here. I did a bit of theatre and was a lead actress in Vaibhavi Merchant's musical Taj Express due to my dance.
I did a small film called Dus Tola with Manoj Bajpayee. I did not want to become a famous actress, I just wanted to work. I also did a small role in Love Breakups Zindagi and an Australian film. I always knew that I am hardworking, passionate and knew dance, but did not know how to navigate my life in Bollywood. Abhinav Kashyap met me at a screening and two months later I got a call to audition for Besharam. He told me, 'It's a fair game. You audition. If you are good, we take it forward.' It's rare to be made to feel that way and I respect him because of the way he believes in merit. After several rounds of audition, I was selected.
How was the experience of working with Ranbir?
I was so ecstatic on my way back after being selected in a Ranbir film that I put on blasting music in my car. I had never dreamt of walking a red carpet. My dream had only been to be in a khet dancing, wearing a salwar kameez with a hero singing to me. Ranbir is very supportive and a fabulous actor. He was really focused on the set and just remained in his character. I would observe him on what he would do between shots. For instance, there is a scene where there is tension between our characters and he had to be a bit awkward and fidgety. Between shots, he kept playing with a piece of paper to remain fidgety.
Is Melbourne back to being safe for Indian tourists and students?
I remember when I came to Mumbai, I said, 'Namaste aunty' and they made me feel I had said something so tacky. I was considered backward and I called my mom to say, 'You made me a villager.' But I still do that, as it reminds me of my roots and makes me feel nostalgic about the way I grew up. In Melbourne, I could be so Indian and Australian at the same time and have no qualms about my heritage. What was carried in Indian media was sensational. My mother would hold a Diwali dinner for all the Indian students in our house and would provide pastoral care to them as they were immigrants.
So when I heard about this disharmony, where I had grown up in so much harmony and been given the freedom to live as an Indian- Australian, it bothered me and I went back to see if it was true. If you have a sudden jump in the number of immigrants in any society, there are issues, but those are only teething problems. It is peaceful today. Melbourne is a multicultural place. I was the ambassador for Australia last year, as the High Commission felt I stood for Indian culture, having been a young leader in many walks of life and a role model to Indians in Australia through my dance. I am known within the Indian community there. I went home this time in May and the reaction of the Indian public was so overwhelming.
I cried meeting all my uncles and aunties. I knew that it was the dandiya nights and the chana jor garam nights they had organised that had made me realise how much I loved Indian dance and music. And that is probably how I have been able to play the role of Tara in Besharam, who is a very Indian girl who never left India.
Chawla hoping county stint translates to India recall
Leg spinner Piyush Chawla
is hoping his stint with English county Somerset helps pitchfork him
back into the Indian team. In his first two matches with Somerset, he
said, he has already "picked up tips" that could improve aspects of his
bowling.
"After my last spell in county cricket, I received an international
call-up and I'm hoping the same happens this time around. I'm hoping
that the volume of wickets and runs catches the eye of the selectors
back home in India," Chawla told Pakpassion. "I think it's vital
to grab this opportunity, perform consistently, and ensure that I make
the selectors sit up and take notice of my performances."
Chawla had played for Sussex in 2009, claiming 36 wickets
in six championship matches at 27.25, following which he was recalled
for 2010 World Twenty20. "I want a repeat of my performance for Sussex
when I played there four years ago. That spell in county cricket really
gave me confidence and was a massive boost for my career."
In his first match for Somerset, Chawla went wicketless in 34 overs,
against Warwickshire. But he learnt by observing his team-mate, Ireland
left-arm spinner George Dockrell, he said. "There are areas of my
bowling that I need to improve upon. Leg spin is a very difficult art
and I believe it's one of the most difficult skills to master in
cricket. I feel I'm learning with each match.
"Even during my debut for Somerset, despite taking no wickets, the game
was a learning experience for me. I wasn't up to the mark and watching
George Dockrell bowl made me realise where I was going wrong. He bowled
at a slower pace than I did and he reaped the benefits."
Chawla last played an international during England's tour to India last December. In the Nagpur Test
- only Chawla's third since his debut in 2006 - he picked up four
wickets in the first innings, including those of Ian Bell and Joe Root.
He was disappointed to not be given another go after that performance,
he said. "I never imagined that seven years after my debut, I would have
only played two more Tests. My last Test … I thought I did well. That
was a very flat deck against England and I was the leading wicket-taker
in that match for India.
"However, I was not selected for the next series. I was greatly
disappointed at not being given a chance in the following series, but
the selectors must have had something else in their minds. All I can do
is to wait for my opportunity. I'm still young and I have time on my
side, but that figure of only three Tests is an eyesore for me."
Ranbir, Katrina in 'Jagga Jasoos'
Anurag Basu's next, post his superhit Barfi, is a family entertainer titled Jagga Jasoos.
We have learnt that after much speculation, Katrina Kaif will play the leading lady opposite the charming Ranbir Kapoor.
While the film was originally to be shot in 2014, our sources tell us that all efforts are being made to start shooting the film this year itself to ensure that it releases next year.
We had already reported earlier that Ranbir and Anurag are partners on this one.
The trade is excited about Ranbir and Kat teaming up for the third time, especially because their earlier two film outings — Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and Raajneeti — were both well received at the box office.
We have learnt that after much speculation, Katrina Kaif will play the leading lady opposite the charming Ranbir Kapoor.
While the film was originally to be shot in 2014, our sources tell us that all efforts are being made to start shooting the film this year itself to ensure that it releases next year.
We had already reported earlier that Ranbir and Anurag are partners on this one.
The trade is excited about Ranbir and Kat teaming up for the third time, especially because their earlier two film outings — Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and Raajneeti — were both well received at the box office.
Send that ‘stick’ for forensic test, demands Om Puri
Your estranged wife Nandita has accused you of physical violence...
She has gone to town saying that I hit her with a stick. Pray, who keeps sticks at home? There is a bamboo cane at home, a decorative item purchased by Nandita. I am ready to send that for forensic tests. She complained to the cops at 4.30 pm claiming that I had beaten her up at 9.30 am. What made her wait for seven hours?
Are you seeking anticipatory bail?
Yes. What else can I do? Our legal system is soft on women in such cases. But I have nothing to fear. I have been in the film industry for 35 years and everyone including the spot-boys will vouch for my character. Six weeks ago, Nandita filed a criminal case against me and my ex-wife Seema Kapoor accusing us of trying to kidnap our son Ishaan. The very next day she backtracked saying she 'suspects' that we will kidnap him. That just explains her state of mind.
What transpired on August 22?
We simply had an argument. She said I had to shell out Rs 10,000 to ten girls who had tied a rakhi to my son, Ishaan. I handed over Rs 10,000. Then she said that our maid had also tied a rakhi and she had given her a mobile phone worth Rs 3,000 and she demanded that I pay for that too. I put my foot down. The next thing I knew I was accused of domestic violence. I never thought our marriage will come to such a sorry pass.
What went wrong in the marriage?
We've not been getting along for the past 15 years. We are two very different people. While my roots are absolutely rural, her tastes are very elitist. Yes, I smoke a few cigarettes and have an occasional drink. But that's it. I don't spend on expensive brands. I don't need foreign holidays. She has taken 35 holidays abroad in 15 years. She dropped in on every foreign shoot and I had to pay through my nose every time.
Nandita says you've stopped paying for household expenses. Is that true?
Rubbish! I am paying for everything in her and Ishaan's life and I am not complaining. Be it electricity bills, telephone bills, chaffeur or servants. But Nandita does not know how to control her expenses. It was her idea to sign a MOU, then I gave her joint ownership of three flats and transferred two-thirds of the contents of my bank account to her and Ishaan, but she still wants more. She refuses to sign divorce papers because she doesn't want to give away a single penny. Moreover, she always wants to be known as Mrs Om Puri.
How much has this affected Ishaan?
I try my best to keep him out of this. But he is totally under Nandita's influence. Yesterday I tried to reach him on the domestic help's phone, but I overheard him saying, 'Tell him I have a sore throat'. Now I am going to request the Court to provide me access to him on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
You were recently on a holiday with Nandita and Ishan. Pictures suggested everything was fine...
I wish it was true. I wanted to enjoy a holiday with my son but Nandita tagged along.
How has Nandita behaved during this conflict?
She is very aggressive and uses abusive language against me. She has grabbed my collar on more than one occasion. I try to remain calm and just walk out of the house. But she stands by the door blocking my way and if I try to make my way past her, she says that I am attacking her. She went to Seema's building and screamed expletives.
Would you like to stay with Seema after the divorce?
I can go and live with anybody, but first let me get out of this mess.
That doesn't answer my question.
Yes. I would like to live with Seema, I like her. But if that happens, it would happen only when I have legally parted ways with Nandita.
Nandita says you are in an adulterous relationship with Seema. Is there truth in the allegation?
At the age of 64? I can't write properly, my signature has changed because my hands shake. How will I indulge in adultery? And let me tell you Nandita is responsible for my ill health too. We were in Punjab, when I suffered a neuro problem. The doctors told her to fly me back to Mumbai/Delhi and get a spine surgery done but she ignored the doctors and did not inform me too. Was her holiday more important than my health? I got the surgery done when a doctor in Mumbai pressed the panic button but it was too late.
Have you lost out on work because of problems at home?
Workwise, I won't blame Nandita. Perhaps age has caught up with me. Also stars like Amitabh and Rishi have started doing character roles. But I did a nice film Trafficker in Bangkok recently. And I am doing a film with Spielberg.
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