Cricket

DURBAN: Mahendra Singh Dhoni conceded that even though they devised a few plans for the South African batsmen, it didn't work out well. The Indian bowlers were plundered for 620 runs at the Centurion and they managed to dismiss only four South African batsmen. "It was difficult because there was not much help from the wicket. We don't have bowlers with express pace. They don't bowl in 140s so they have to be even more precise with their line and length," Dhoni tried to defend the pace trio of S Sreesanth, Ishant Sharma and rookie Jaydev Unadkat. "We tried different fields. We tried to contain them but were unsuccessful for the better part of their innings," the Indian captain said. When asked whether Zaheer Khan's absence made a big difference in the first Test, he said, "It's not that whenever Zaheer plays, he gets wickets. But with the amount of experience in his repertoire, he always has a back-up plan ready in case the first ...

Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar, along with Virender Sehwag, on Wednesday found a place in the list of players nominated for an ICC online poll to pick the all-time greatest team as part of one-day cricket's 40th anniversary celebrations. The retired Sourav Ganguly is also part of the list of openers, from which only two would make the final dream team. In the nominees for the Greatest ODI team of all time, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the lone Indian in the list of wicketkeepers. However, no Indian has found a place in the list of middle-order batsmen and fast bowlers, while the legendary Kapil Dev has found a mention in the all-rounders' nomination. Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh have made the list of spinners shortlisted for the dream team.

Mumbai  has produced several record-breaking batsmen, found  another child prodigy when Armaan Jaffer, nephew of Ranji Trophy captain and former India opener Wasim, compiled the highest-ever score of 498 in school cricket history. Armaan, playing for Bandra school Rizvi Springfield against Raja Shivaji of Dadar, struck as many as 77 fours in 490 balls at the Karnatak Sports Association ground at Cross Maidan in South Mumbai before he was caught behind two short of a well-deserved 500. Incidentally Armaan's 498 also bettered the record set last year of 439 by Sarfraz Khan in the Harris (under 16) Shield inter-schools tournament. Armaan, who was 295 not out last evening, later said Sachin Tendulkar, who had created the world record school-level partnership of 664 with Vinod Kambli in the Harris Shield, was his idol. "Sachin Tendulkar is my idol. I was not looking to set records but wanted to bat as long as possible," he said after his marathon knock lasting more t...

Indian selector announced strong 16 member squad for South Africa ODI and twenty20 series in South Africa. The surprise inclusion in the squad is leg-spinner Piyush Chawla who last played in ODI for India in 2008. Virendra Sehwag who missed the last one day series against New Zealand also included in the squad, while Sachin Tendulkar who has not played any series after his double century in ODI is also included in the squad. This is the last series for the Indians before they will play in the world cup so by considering this, it may be the final members who will take part in the mega event. Middle order batsman Rohit Sharma who played in the ODI series against New Zealand also failed to retain his place. Ravidner Jadeja, Saurab Tiwary, Parthiv Patel and Ishant Sharma also not included in the squad. Indian team comprises of six specialist batsmen, one wicketkeeper M.S.Dhoni, eight bowlers and only one all-rounder Yusuf Pathan. Indian ODI Squad: MS Dhoni (Captain & WK), Virender ...