Sachin, the best son-in-law says Anand Mehta

Kolkata: Anand Mehta, the father-in-law of India's most loved cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar is a 7-time national bridge champion.

Mehta was felicitated at Kolkata's Kshudiram Anushilan Kendra for his feat.

But the microphones started buzzing no sooner than the media present at the function got to know that Mehta was Sachin Tendulkar's father-in-law.

Expectedly, the session began with a quest to find a key to Sachin's greatness.

“I think it is clearly his determination and a desire to do well for the country. For him cricket is everything and everything else comes after that,” said Mehta.

Over the last 20 years, everybody has had a thing or two to say about Sachin Tendulkar's batting.

Anand Mehta is not perturbed that the media wants to quiz him on his hugely famous son-in-law.

“He is a wonderful father and a husband and we are privileged to have him as a son-in-law,” said Mehta.

But if being seen oftener than he is heard is the virtue of the son-in-law, the father-in-law is not far behind.

Attempts to get a word about Tendulkar's future plans were met with a straight bat as the amiable Mehta, like his son-in-law, kept his cards close to the chest.

“I have no idea. It is up to him to decide what he wants to do and how he wants to proceed further,” said Anand Mehta.

Even as the master blaster prepares to help India conquer the Kiwis, Anand Mehta will focus on what he is in Kolkata, which is to win the championship in Bridge.

Sachin's presence will make the ODIs exciting: Ryder

New Zealand players are on a high after their Twenty20 wins over India and opener Jesse Ryder said the team is looking to carry that momentum to the one-day series.

"The boys are on a big high after the games. It turned alright for us. The Indians are world class performers. To come out on top against them is big. We want to be the winning side and that is what we have done so far. We had our game-plan which we implemented well. We hope to carry the confidence to the one-day series," Ryder said in Wellington on Saturday.

The burly opener, however, felt with Sachin Tendulkar joining the visitors in the one-dayers, things could turn out different.

"They are still a world class side and we need to play to the best of our ability. But we are looking forward to the one-dayers. They have Tendulkar coming in and that adds to the excitement," said the 24-year-old.

Ryder was effusive in his praise for fellow opener Brendon McCullum. "He is arguably one of the best T20 players in the world. He is in good form. We hope he carries this into the ODI series," said Ryder.

McCullum scored 56 not out in the first Twenty20 match and an unbeaten 69 in the second to steer New Zealand to successive wins over India.

Ryder said both he and McCullum believed in getting the team off to a flier in Twenty20 cricket.

"Brendon and me have a similar game. We like to get the team to a good start. We had had good starts, but I have got a bit carried away and lost my wickets," said Ryder, who managed one and 26 in the two matches.

Ryder, who was lapped up by Bangalore Royal Challengers, said he was looking forward to the Indian Premier League. "I can't wait for that experience. I will be playing with the world's best. And it will be good challenge for me."

Batting apart, Ryder is also trying his arm in bowling. "I may bowl for my state in domestic cricket, but I expect to bowl only a few overs for the Black Caps. I was happy to get a full quota last night," said the right-arm medium pace bowler who conceded just 18 runs in his four overs.

I want Sachin to acknowledge me as a decent bowler

Andrew Flintoff, probably England’s best ever all rounder after Ian Botham, been so troubled by injury that he has missed 60 test matches since his debut in 1998. And as he says it is always a proper injury, never just a niggle. The ECB and its plans notwithstanding, Flintoff plans to be fit in time for the IPL. He was reported in the cricket news as saying, "By the time the IPL comes along I'll be fit. It's not an injury that will take weeks, or that needs an operation."

When asked about the latest and most sordid international cricket scandal, of Allen Stanford, he said that he did not really know the man having met him on for the “so-called” Stanford super series. However he did not have a high opinion of the whole episode as was evident when he said, “It's been a circus from start to finish, and it's carrying on that way. It's not often you get a chance to play a game for a million dollars, but it's not a week I'll miss if we don't go again. It wasn't the most pleasurable week of my life, I must admit."

He also spoke candidly about the humiliating collapse suffered by the English players in their first test against the West Indies. "I've been involved in some collapses, but none quite like that. It was bizarre. It happened so quickly. I'm not sure they bowled that well, but they kept bowling us out. We sat in the dressing room afterwards in a complete state of shock. We couldn't believe what had just happened. But the nature of the game is that you play again very soon after, and we came back in the best possible way, posting 566 runs in the first innings in Antigua."

Speaking at length about his all round performance, his past captaincy of the English team, and relationships with Kevin Pietersen and ex coach Peter Moores, he also spoke about some of the greats of the game when asked about whether he was looking forward to bowling to Ricky Ponting in the upcoming Ashes series:
That he is a huge admirer of Sachin Tendulkar became evident when he said, "Well, they're the people you want to bowl at, the Pontings, Laras, Tendulkars. It brings out the best in you, because if you're slightly off the mark you get found out. The one I'm in awe of is Sachin [Tendulkar]. He's not much older than me, you know, but he started playing international cricket when I was playing for Lancashire Under-13s. And when you play against someone like that, you hold them in such high esteem that you try to earn their respect as well. I want him to acknowledge me as a decent bowler, so I try my nuts off. It's the same with [Rahul] Dravid."

Sachin Tendulkar at Madame Tussauds

Cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar will be the latest sporting great to be featured at the internationally-renowned Madame Tussauds in London when a new wax figure of the Mumbai-born batsman joins the A-list line-up in April.

Tendulkar follows in the famous footsteps of Bollywood greats Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan and will join other cricket legends Brain Lara and Shane Warne to become the very first Indian sports personality to be portrayed, the waxworks museum said in a statement on Friday.

The cricketing legend has already had a sitting with the Madame Tussauds studios team who last week travelled to Mumbai to capture a catalogue of reference photographs and hundreds of precise measurements.

The information they collected at the two hour session at the Taj Lands End Hotel will prove invaluable as the sculptors and hair and make up artists get to work on his figure.

"We are delighted to confirm our next Indian superstar is going to be Sachin Tendulkar; his achievements on the cricket pitch are phenomenal and he is one of the biggest names in international sport," says Liz Edwards, Madame Tussauds PR manager.

"The Bollywood stars we have included over the past ten years have proved enormously popular with Asian guests and film fans from all over the world. We know Sachin will be just as popular for sports fans from home and abroad and are looking forward to introducing the real Sachin to his wax double soon."

Tendulkar, the Mumbai Indians Captain will be featured in typical celebratory "on the pitch" pose after another century marked in the scorebook.

He will be dressed in his cricket whites which he has donated. The figure will be created at Madame Tussauds studios in West London at a cost of 150,000 pounds.

The cricket star will join the ranks of sporting greats, including David Beckham, Mohammed Ali, Tiger Woods and Jesse Owens, in Madame Tussauds interactive Sports Zone.

There will also be a cricketing challenge around the introduction of the figure, where guests can test their cricketing skills against the 'masterblaster'.

Sachin and Royal Bank of Scotland Episode Still On

When India had played against England a cricket series recently, there was a new endorsement on the dress worn by Sachin. It was RBS or the Royal Bank of Scotland, a Bank based in Scotland, which was trying to gain mileage from the series, and trying to establish its base in India. It is altogether a different matter that the bank is now under serious financial trouble and a detailed probe is being undertaken to find out the state of affairs of the bank, and how it approved of endorsements being given to the sports star for a figure of 200 million pound sponsorship binge. 

It appears more galling as the government has recently bailed out this bank, after it reached a state of pathetic financial state. While the controversy is still simmering it may assume the proportion of Stanford, and if it happens it would again be a major dent to the reputation of England as a cricket-playing nation. It is owing to the fact that being associated with the tainted money of Stanford has led to quite of flake for its authorities.

In case of Sachin he has been signed for a contract of five years to endorse RBS and would the contract be effective in light of the bail out that has been provided to it by RBS. It is billion of pounds of tax payers’ money that has been given to the sports persons to be the brand ambassador of the bank and it is this issue that is trigger for generation of controversy.

Sports, more so cricket is emerging as an arena whose popularity is increasing so much day-by-day that more and more money is getting attracted to it, just like the flies getting attracted to honey. In the zeal to get money the authorities are also not probing the source of money, whether it has a taint associated with it, or it is clean money and when it blows into a full-fledged controversy, all those who are associated with it, unnecessarily get caught in the firing line. In the Stanford case, Kevin Pietersen is the live example. So, there needs to be a call for some kind of a rear guard action about the nature of sponsors who are getting associated with cricket these days.

Sachin & Karthik Pull out of exhibition match

The Indian team management has withdrawn Sachin Tendulkar and Dinesh Karthik from Friday's Masters Twenty20 match in Wellington because they would have played alongside Hamish Marshall, the former New Zealand batsman who featured in the unauthorised ICL last year.

Tendulkar was to turn out for the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association (NZCPA) while Karthik was to play for the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) Masters in a game billed as a curtain-raiser to the second Twenty20 between India and New Zealand later on Friday.

Marshall, who played for the Royal Bengal Tigers in the ICL, was part of the NZCPA squad.

The BCCI has shunned official contact with ICL players and last year, refused to let VVS Laxman appear for Nottinghamshire because the county had ICL players in its ranks. The Indian board banned players associated with the unsanctioned league from all forms of official cricket and barred them from using any of its facilities. The BCCI also used its influence within the ICC to ensure that other national boards banned ICL cricketers and officials alike.

BCCI in a spot over Tendulkar Twenty20 appearance

he Indian board faces an embarrassing situation after letting Sachin Tendulkar appear for a Masters Twenty20 match in Wellington on Friday where he will play alongside Hamish Marshall, the former New Zealand batsman who featured in the unauthorised ICL last season.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has confirmed in a press release that Tendulkar will turn out for the Samsung NZCPA (New Zealand Cricket Players Association) Masters side while Dinesh Karthik, the other Indian player to appear in the game, will play for ACA Masters.

Heath Mills, the NZCPA chief executive, told Cricinfo that Marshall, who played for ICL's Bengal Royal Tigers, will also be part of the NZCPA squad.

The BCCI has shunned official contact with ICL players and last year, refused to let VVS Laxman appear for Nottinghamshire because the county had ICL players in its ranks.

"The ICL players are allowed to play in New Zealand domestic cricket," Mills told Cricinfo. "Moreover, Hamish is not an ICL-contracted player. He finished his contract last year." But an ICL spokesperson told Cricinfo that Marshall, who played his last ICL game on November 8, is still with the private league.

According to Mills, Marshall is currently playing for Gloucestershire.

Ratnakar Shetty, the BCCI's chief administrative officer, declined to comment "for the moment". Gary Kirsten, the India coach, was quoted in the NZC press release as saying that the Masters game was "a great opportunity for Tendulkar and Karthik to have a few hits - we were happy to work with the Players' Association to bring them into the Masters teams."

Niranjan Shah, the Indian team's manager in New Zealand, told Cricinfo that the BCCI would take up the issue with Justin Vaughan, the NZC chief executive. "No indian player will play for a team that has an ICL player," Shah said. About Marshall, Shah said that it "would not be a problem" if the batsman is no longer an ICL player.

New Zealand has about eight ICL players and currently there are four of them - Marshall, Shane Bond, Chris Harris and Daryl Tuffey - playing on the domestic circuit.

NZC has billed the International Masters game at the Westpac stadium on Friday as "the curtain-raiser to the Twenty20 International between India and New Zealand" that will be held later the same day at the same venue.

Meanwhile, discussions are still on between the BCCI and NZC over a practice match for India's Test specialists, including Rahul Dravid and Laxman, who will join the tour later. It was previously proposed that these players be drafted into any one of New Zealand's domestic squads for a match but that plan has been opposed by NZCPA, who said it breached the board's one overseas player per team rule.

"We will be having a meeting with the NZC soon," Mills, NZCPA CEO, said. "Justin Vaughan is in South Africa for the ICC meeting, so we are waiting for him to be back. But we are expecting a decision in the next couple of days."

Teams (As per the NZCPA website):

NZCPA Masters Stephen Fleming (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Kerry Walmsley, Dion Nash, Matthew Horne, Hamish Marshall, Simon Doull, Bryan Young, Shane Thomson, Andrew Jones, James Fuller and Paul Wiseman

ACA Masters Darren Lehmann (capt), Dinesh Karthik, Greg Blewett, Ian Healy, Greg Matthews, Brad Hogg, Andy Bichel, Michael Di Venuto, Michael Dighton Josh Hazlewood, Mick Lewis, Greg Campbell and Wayne Holdsworth

Tendulkar to play exhibition game

Sachin Tendulkar will make his first appearance on India's cricket tour of New Zealand on Friday, but it will be in a lighthearted exhibition game and not for his country.

Tendulkar will play by invitation in a Twenty20 match between former Australia and New Zealand internationals preceding India's second Twenty20 international against New Zealand at Wellington.

Tendulkar's India teammate Dinesh Karthik will also play in the match which includes players such as Stephen Fleming, Kyle Mills and Andrew Jones for New Zealand and Greg Matthews, Brad Hogg and Greg Blewett for Australia.

IPL schedule: Royals to face Daredevils in opener

New Delhi: Defending champions Rajasthan Royals will take on Delhi Daredevils in the opening encounter in the second season of the Indian Premier League on April 10.

The opening match will be hosted in Jaipur, it was announced in a statement issued by the IPL on Tuesday.

 

The semi-finals will be held in Chennai on May 21 and 22 while the final will be once again hosted by Mumbai on May 24.

 

Deccan Chargers will host their matches at two venues, Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi Stadium and the ACA and VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

 

Day matches would be held from 4pm to 7 pm and those at night would be held from 8 to 11pm.

 

IPL schedule:

 

Apr 10: Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Daredevils at Jaipur.

 

Apr 11: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Deccan Chargers at Kolkata; Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers at Chennai.

 

Apr 12: Delhi Daredevils vs Kings XI Punjab at Delhi ; Mumbai Indians Vs Rajasthan Royals at Mumbai.

 

Apr 13: Deccan Chargers vs Chennai Super Kings at Hyderabad.

 

Apr 14: Royal Challengers vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Bangalore.

 

Apr 15: Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians at Mohali.

 

Apr 16: Deccan Chargers vs Delhi Daredevils at Hyderabad; Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals at Chennai.

 

Apr 17: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers at Mumbai.

 

Apr 18: Kings XI Punjab vs Deccan Chargers at Mohali; Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Darevils at Kolkata.

 

Apr 19: Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings at Mumbai; Royal Challengers vs Rajasthan Royals at Bangalore.

 

Apr 20: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab at Kolkata.

 

Apr 21: Delhi Daredevils vs Mumbai Indians at Delhi.

 

Apr 22: Rajasthan Royals vs Deccan Chargers at Jaipur.

 

Apr 23: Royal Challengers vs Kings XI Punjab at Bangalore.

 

Apr 24: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Mumbai.

 

Apr 25: Delhi Daredevils vs Royals Challeners at Delhi; Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab at Chennai.

 

Apr 26: Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Jaipur; Deccan Chargers vs Mumbai Indians at Vizag.

 

Apr 27: Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers at Mohali.

 

Apr 28: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Daredevils at Mumbai.

 

Apr 29: Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals at Mohgali.

 

Apr 30: Deccan Chargers vs Royal Challengers at Vizag.

 

May 1: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Daredevils at Chennai.

 

May 2: Mumbai Indians vs Deccan Chargers at Mumbai; Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajhasthan Royals at Kolkata.

 

May 3: Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings at Mohali; Royal Challengers vs Delhi Daredevils at Bangalore.

 

May 4: Deccan Chargers vs Rajsathan Royals at Hyderabad.

 

May 5: Delhi Daredevils vs Chennai Super Kings at Delhi.

 

May 6: Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab at Jaipur; Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians at Kolkata.

 

May 7: Royal Challengers vs Deccan Chargers at Bangalore.

 

May 8: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings at Kolkata.

 

May 9: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians at Jaipur; Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Daredevils at Mohali.

 

May 10: Deccan Chargers vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Hyderabad.

 

May 11: Delhi Daredevils vs Rajsathan Royals at Delhi.

 

May 12: Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab at Mumbai; Chennai Super Kings vs Deccan Chargers at Chennai.

 

May 13: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers at Kolkata.

 

May 14: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings at Jaipur; Delhi Daredevils vs Deccan Chargers at Delhi.

 

May 15: Royal Challengers vs Mumbai Indians at Bangalore.

 

May 16: Delhi Daredevils vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Delhi; Deccan Chargers vs Kings XI Punjab at Hyderabad.

 

May 17: Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers at Jaipur; Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians at Chennai.

 

May 18: Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Mohali.

 

May 19: Royal Challengers vs Chennai Super Kings at Bangalore.

 

May 21: First semi-final at Chennai 

May 22: Second semi-final at Chennai.

 

May 24: Final at Mumbai.

Master troubles bhajji

Over the last few days in New Zealand, one man has been talked about all over – the Master. One has heard stories of how people take a step back for Sachin Tendulkar when he passes. This would be next to impossible in India, what with the overbearing security never letting that theory be put to test. In New Zealand, though, Tendulkar has moved around freely during training, nets and what not, with only two security guards looking after the whole team.

The Indian team has attracted not only Indian expats, but New Zealanders too. Lots of students from the Lincoln University, whose cricket facility has been India's base camp so far, have been around to watch them train. The other day two youngsters walked across to see why there was a crowd around the nets. Just as they were about to turn, one of them said, "Hey wait the Master is batting." And they waited. Good old-fashioned Tendulkar.

On the field Tendulkar entertains the crowds with his masterful batting, but off it, he chooses to entertain himself, sometimes at the expense of his ‘less skillful’ team-mates. During India’s net session at the indoor facility of the New Zealand High Performance Academy on Monday, he managed to coax Harbhajan Singh into batting against the bowling machine, which he decided to operate himself. While regular batsmen tackle the machine with ease, the others aren’t as comfortable. The feet shuffle and often, while waiting for the ball to pop out, they lose their balance and then run for cover.

Harbhajan stood there, looking like a child resisting his parent's push to get into the swimming pool. "Paaji nahi ho raha… [I can't do this]," he said after a few unsuccessful attempts. "You just look at the light, the ball will come out five seconds after it goes on," said Tendulkar.

So Harbhajan tried again. The feet trembled and the ball still didn't hit the sweet spot. Fearing injury, Harbhajan was reluctant to face the inswinger. "Paaji don't bowl inswingers," he pleaded. And paaji bowled an inswinger. "Paaji aap to maje le rahe ho [You are having fun at my expense.]" And then Harbhajan mistimed and got bowled. He went to pick up the plastic stumps again, his back covered, and sure enough another delivery came while he adjusted the stumps – safely swinging away from the stumps. And paaji laughed loudly. He was entertained. So were those around. And when Tendulkar is happy, usually so is the rest of India.

Rahman's contribution is immense: Sachin

Batting ace Sachin Tendulkar is extremely elated by India's showing at the Oscars.

"It is a brilliant achievement. For the entire nation, it is a very proud moment," Tendulkar said this morning.

The master blaster, who had had a word with A R Rahman a couple of days ago, was confident that the musical genius will walk away with the honours.

"Rahman's contribution to music has been immense and this award is only a mere reflection of what he has been able to contribute to music and to India.

"I had spoken to him not only about this, but about other albums as well. He has always been able to produce something special in every album," Tendulkar said.

Rahman won two Oscars - for the best original score and the best song.


http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/feb/240209-Sachin-lauds-Rahman.htm


Sachin the Rahman of Cricket... Rahman the sachin ofmusic...

I Came To Cricket To See Sachin Play: Ross Taylor

With a young and inexperienced batting line-up to boot, Ross Taylor’s aggressive and fluent hitting seems New Zealand’s best bet against India’s pace battery of Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Co.

The 25-year old is approaching the India series as one of his biggest challenges. “Not only the fast bowlers, even Harbhajan Singh, with all his experience, can make all the difference… It`s a champion side we are taking on,” Taylor said on Saturday.

He admitted that after facing Nathan Bracken and Mitchell Johnson in the recently concluded tour of Australia, would keep him in good stead as her prepares to face the Indian challenge. “The team has such great players in all departments, it would be an exciting clash, more so as it comes on the heels of an exciting Australian tour,” said Taylor.

Taylor has had a good run in one-dayers, scoring 576 runs in his last 10 games, but is keen to prove his mettle in Tests as well. “I like the shorter versions… They are exciting, but proving my mettle in Test matches will be the ultimate thing,” he said.

The Wellington-born batsman said that lack of Test match experience is a matter of concern for him and his inexperienced side.

He acknowledged that New Zealand were undergoing a rebuilding process under the leadership of Daniel Vettori, and was eager to don a senior batsman`s role. “We don`t have big stars in the team but Danny (Daniel Vettori), Brendon McCullum and Jacob Oram bring enough flair and experience in the side,” explained Taylor.

Like millions around the world, he to credited Sachin Tendulkar as an inspiring force behind him picking up the willow. “I came to cricket due to my father and seeing Sachin Tendulkar play… They are my vivid memories”, remembered Taylor.

Taylor also recounted found memories of his stay in India during the IPL Season 1.

“During my stint with Bangalore Royal Challengers in the Indian Premier League, I enjoyed the food and hospitality. I`m eagerly awaiting the second season,” said Taylor.

Tendulkar is the best, says Vettori

Daniel Vettori has not only declared himself an unashamed fan of Indian cricket but has also waded into the greatest living batsman debate - endorsing the credentials of Sachin Tendulkar ahead of co-contenders Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting.

The New Zealand skipper, who in his autobiography last year named Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman in a personal world Test eleven, said it was good for cricket in his country that supporters would have a final chance to witness such an outstanding trio of batsmen.

“Who's the best of the three modern greats (Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting or Tendulkar)? he asked? “I think Tendulkar is. Ponting runs him pretty hard but I think Tendulkar, for the manner in which he's handled the pressure; for the no-nonsense, lack of drama, even-keeled approach, has to rank as the best in my lifetime - at least so far.

“Laxman is simply the best player of spin-bowling in the world, and a very fine batsman against all-comers. He may not get the plaudits that some of his team-mates attract but he has immense respect around the cricketing world. Everyone I've spoken to about him sings his praises.”

And while Dravid was no longer in the Indian one-day squad, Vettori said the 36-year-old right-hander would probably make most other international 50-over line-ups, and that his skills remained largely undiminished, despite his age.

“Dravid might be remembered mainly for his Test match achievements but he's played some brilliant one day innings as well. I remember once at Hyderabad when he just took us apart; smashing Jacob Oram everywhere and setting up a huge total for India.”

Add to the mix India's exceptional skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, fast-developing paceman Ishant Sharma, dependable left-arm swing merchant Zaheer Khan and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, and Vettori said it was clear his side will have to be on top of their game to emerge triumphant.

India will play New Zealand in an opening Twenty20 match on Wednesday in Christchurch, followed by a rematch in Wellington on Friday, after which they will start preparations for the first of the five ODIs, at Napier on the following Tuesday. The tour will end with three Tests, at Hamilton, Napier and Wellington.

“It's a very important series for us in terms of our development and evolution and we'll naturally be doing everything in our power to carry the day,” he said. “But there is a lot of respect within our camp for the Indian side, and that's only grown since they beat Australia during the spring series.”

“It's going to be tough work, no doubt. But on the other hand, there's a hell of a lot for us to play for.”

Preserve Tendulkar for top matches: Shastri

Former India captain Ravi Shastri feels that India's star batsman, Sachin Tendulkar, should be allowed to pick and choose which matches he would like to play in.

Speaking about the recent debate over Tendulkar opting out of the Twenty20 match in Sri Lanka, Shastri told Gulf News: "Tendulkar knows his body better than anybody else. He has realised that Twenty20 is a young man's game. He feels that he can prolong his career and add value to India as a Test match player and by playing only in the important one-day tournaments and series."

Shastri, who as a senior player for Mumbai and India guided Tendulkar in his early days, continued: "Tendulkar has realised that he has reached an age where he has to look after his body and see where he can give optimum value to India. In Twenty20 it is just a matter of 20 overs and even if he is in prime form he will get to bat a maximum of seven to nine overs. It is good that he has decided to give a younger player a chance and at the same time ensure that he is not burnt out."

Shastri is hoping that Tendulkar will play in the 2011 World Cup.

"Tendulkar must play as much Test cricket as he can and play in only the big one-dayers like the World Cup, Champions Trophy and against strong oppositions where his contribution is needed."

When asked about the dropping of Rahul Dravid from the one-day squads, Shastri said: "Dropping Dravid from the one-day squad is the right decision because one-day cricket is today a young man's game. You need younger legs to run between the wickets and strong arms to throw. This adds 30 to 40 runs to the eventual score."

Shastri is on his way to New Zealand as a commentator for the India tour.

"The New Zealand tour will be a big challenge but this Indian team has it in them to turn things around. They have got the right blend of experience and a mixture of caution and aggression. They have some real aggressive cricketers. It is nice that they are starting with a one-day series and whenever India has started a series with a one-dayer they have done well," he said.

Asked whether India's young batsmen can reach the heights of Tendulkar, Shastri said: "Rohit Sharma is the most talented player in the country. At his age he is as good if not better than Dravid and Ganguly. He is a tremendous striker of the ball.

The recall of Dinesh Kaarthick is an excellent move. He is a very capable batsman. Gambhir has shown he is a tough little cricketer in both forms of the game."

Shastri attributes India's success in the last year to the Sehwag-Gambhir opening partnership.

"An established opening pair plays a big role in victories. Openers Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenidge did it for West Indies. Michael Slater and Mark Taylor and later Matthew Hayden with Slater and Justin Langer too did it [for Australia]. Gambhir and Sehwag are good in all three forms of the game."

Shastri feels that India will emerge as a strong contender to win the next World Cup.

"The 2011 World Cup team will be more or less the same, except for two or three changes. They will be more experienced and will be at their peak. They need to get two good spinners by that time. If Harbhajan Singh remains and Pragyan Ohja develops into a good spinner then they can win the World Cup," he concluded.

Team India arrive in New Zealand

A strenuous journey, prolonged by transit layovers at Hong Kong and Auckland, was followed by baggage-collecting hassles and rain as the Indian team arrived here for the cricket series against New Zealand starting February 25.

In Picture: Indian cricket team member Sachin Tendulkar, center, signs his autograph on his arrival at Christchurch airport, New Zealand, Friday, Feb. 20, 2009.

Images: AP (Any unauthorised reproduction is prohibited)

"I did not get time to drive the Ferrari at all last year,"

He owns a Ferrari but has not driven it for a year -- just one price that Sachin Tendulkar pays for his iconic status in cricket-mad India.

But his popularity does mean he is one of the few men in the world who can talk his way onto a plane without a passport.

Tendulkar, revered for his extraordinary exploits with the bat, said the adulation makes him "uncomfortable" and he would rather remain a regular family man at home with his wife Anjali.

"I used to receive letters written in blood," the 35-year-old was quoted as saying in the latest Indian edition of celebrity magazine "OK!"

"It feels strange when a fan comes and touches your feet and says you are God. I don't feel comfortable with it, but it is the way they feel about you."

Tendulkar regrets he cannot drive around Mumbai in the sports car with his son Arjun and daughter Sara as they would be mobbed by wild crowds as soon as the car got stuck in the city's endless traffic jams.

"I did not get time to drive the Ferrari at all last year," he said. "I can drive only early in the morning and the kids cannot wake up at that time."

Tendulkar, however, admitted fame can have its advantages -- as in Australia when he was once allowed to board a flight without a ticket or passport.

"I was out with two other players and when we got back to the hotel, the rest of the team had already left for the airport," he recalled.

"We had no way of reaching them... We had no tickets, no passports, nothing.

"I got to the counter at the airport and explained the situation. The guy at the counter recognised me and he gave us three boarding passes from Sydney to Melbourne... without passports, without tickets.

"I felt that I was truly special."

The soft-spoken Tendulkar, who is the world's leading batsman with 12,429 Test and 16,440 one-day runs, said he enjoyed doing simple things like dropping his children off at school or cooking for friends and family.

He also took a swipe at the media, saying "criticism is hardly ever constructive".

Tendulkar, who began playing international cricket in 1989, left for a tour of New Zealand with the Indian team early Thursday.

Tendulkar uncomfortable with fans touching feet

He doesn't receive letters written in blood any more, but Sachin Tendulkar says that he does not feel comfortable when a fan touches his feet and tells him he is God.
Tendulkar, whose achievements with the bat have won him fans worldwide, says the adulation never ceases to surprise him.

"I used to receive letters written in blood...But not any more. It feels strange when a fan comes and touches your feet and says you are God. I don't feel comfortable with it, but it is the way they feel about you...That happened again just a couple of weeks ago actually," he says.

In a light-hearted interview published in celebrity magazine 'OK!', Tendulkar spoke about his love for Ferrari cars, his post-retirement plans and how he handles criticism.

Tendulkar said retirement thoughts were far away from his mind at the moment but he may start a business when he stops playing competitive cricket.

"That's a big question. I don't know...I will definitely be involved with the game. When I retire, that is when the doors to other opportunities will open. As of now, other than just promoting various products, I haven't opened the door to anything else. Maybe I'll start a business," he said.

Sehwag says he was inspired by Tendulkar

Flamboyant opener Virender Sehwag today said he wanted to emulate his idol Sachin Tendulkar and win the Best Cricketer of the Year Award of the Cricket Board and was happy to achieve the feat after eight years in international cricket.
"I have always watched Sachin on TV and wanted to emulate him. It's a great honour to win this award, especially a year after my role model Tendulkar won it. It took me eight years to do so. My first award was the Castrol Award. I thank the BCCI for this honour," Sehwag said after receiving the Polly Umrigar Award from Board President Shashank Manohar.

Gundappa Viswanath, the ex-India skipper and one-time middle-order mainstay, received the C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award from Manohar at the annual awards function.

The former wrist specialist, who brought unbridled joy to millions of Indian fans with his stylish play, said he considered the twin triumphs in 1971 in the West Indies and England as his best moments.

"I consider the 1971 tour under Ajit Wadekar of the West Indies and England as my best cricketing moments. Again we chased 400-plus and won (at Port of Spain in Trinidad in 1976) and I got a hundred which also is a special moment for me," said the Bangalore-based Vishwanath.