Naseer Hussain should tender an apology for calling indian fielders 'donkeys' :Azharuddin

Former Indian skipper and Moradabad MP Mohammed Azharuddin on Friday said commentator Naseer Hussain should tender an apology for his 'donkey' jibe on Indian fielders during the Twenty20 match against England. 

"Coming from a player, who has played for England and has been the captain. He (Nasser Hussain) has been one of the finest commentators, but I think he should not have said that. There are so many ways of criticizing people, but to call players donkeys is very unbecoming of a player of his stature," Azharuddin told mediapersons outside Parliament here.

"I am not sure whether he should be removed or not, but I think he should definitely tender an apology to the Indian Team and especially in the context to whoever the fielder was at that time," he added, when asked whether Hussain should be removed from the post of commentator after this incident.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President and MP Rajiv Shukla earlier in the day termed Hussain's jibe to be inappropriate, and said the board would look into the issue.

"There should be restrain while making observations about players. Every player has to be respected irrespective of his performance. I don't think this comment was appropriate. We will definitely look into it," said Shukla.

Former England cricket skipper Nasser Hussain had equated some of the Indian fielders to donkeys during the Twenty20 match played between India and England in Manchester on Wednesday.

Nasser Hussain called Indian fielders 'donkeys', comment was inappropriate:BCCI

The BCCI on Friday took strong objection to former England captain Nasser Hussain's comparison of Indian cricketers to 'donkeys', saying the comment was totally uncalled for.

BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said that the Board would look into the reported 'donkey' comment of Nasser Hussain during the lone Twenty20 match between India and England in Manchester on Wednesday.

"Hussain's comment was totally uncalled for. One should adopt restraint while making observations about players.

"Commentators should not make such comments. We will definitely look into it," Shukla told reporters outside the Parliament.

"Every player has to be respected irrespective of his performance. I don't think this comment was appropriate," he added.

Hussain's comment came after Parthiv Patel misjudged a Kevin Pietersen's catch off Munaf Patel's bowling.

"I would say the difference between the two side is the fielding. England are all-round a good fielding side. I do believe that India have few...3 or 4 very good fielders and one or two donkeys in the field still," he had said.

Hussain's comments have already evoked criticism from the Indian media and some former players.

Injuries to key players ruin Dhoni-Fletcher's plans

Zaheer Khan moved gingerly at Lord's on July 21 and since then India's tour of England has turned out to be a case of the walking wounded. The tale of injuries got worse due to a mix of old scars and fresh twitches of pain and over a month, M.S. Dhoni has seen six key men depart. Zaheer, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Ishant Sharma and Gautam Gambhir have all been laid low by injuries and if ever fate and fitness conspired to derail a team, this has to be that nightmarish moment.

Gambhir is the latest player to rush his departure plans after medical opinion stated that his current stint with the Indian team is untenable due to a concussion in his head. After his combined spell of 13.3-8-18-2 at Lord's, Zaheer has gone under the scalpel for an old ankle ailment that flared up in the current tour. Sehwag after a forgettable Test series with scores of 0, 0, 8, 33, felt that his right shoulder has not fully healed from a surgery that he underwent at London in May.

And a moot question remains – did India's force-multipliers in bowling and batting rush their respective rehabilitation stints at Bangalore's National Cricket Academy ahead of the England tour while riding on adrenaline and banking on sheer will-power?

The answers will never be known though they cleared the fitness tests.

Harbhajan was a shadow of his former self in the Tests against England with two wickets averaging 143.50. An abdominal tear eventually ruled him out after the second Test at Trent Bridge.

In the same match, Yuvraj suffered a left index finger fracture after Tim Bresnan thudded into him and the southpaw packed his bags. Gambhir's fall in the final Test at the Oval while back-pedalling for a catch off Kevin Pietersen, left the opener with a concussion and dizzy spells and that affected India's batting mix though Rahul Dravid offered resilience atop the order. Ishant meanwhile suffered an ankle injury and was ruled out of the Indian ODI squad.

It is scary that the majority of injured players are not callow youth and they are all hovering around the 30-year mark while Ishant at 22, still has age on his side. Zaheer (32), Sehwag (32), Harbhajan (31), Yuvraj (29) and Gambhir (29) were expected to cushion the blow when the golden generation of Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman bowed out.

Dhoni said that a mix of rest and rotation is required to keep the players fired up.

“The schedule looks cramped and it is important to give players rest. Somebody like Suresh Raina is participating in all the formats for a long time. The rest is more to deal with the mental aspect and it also helps you keep injuries away,” the Indian captain said.

The grim reality is that player-injuries ruined Dhoni and coach Duncan Fletcher's best-laid plans though the duo are banking on a revival in the shorter format against England.

Sourav Ganguly , Ranbir Kapoor invited for Lionel Messi-starrer Argentina`s friendly against Venezuela

His love for football is no secret and keeping that in mind organisers of the Lionel Messi-starrer Argentina`s international friendly against Venezuela have made it a point to extend an invitation to city`s favourite cricketer, Sourav Ganguly.

Bollywood actors Ranbir Kapoor, Rahul Bose, Chunkey Pandey, director Anurag Basu are also expected to watch the match.

"Sourav is a busy person and we are not sure whether he would be here on September 2. But of course, we will be inviting him," said Dharamdutt Pandey, chief executive officer of CMG.

A host of top politicians from various states have also expressed their willingness to watch the match.

"Chief ministers from Mizoram, Meghalaya and Jharkhand have expressed their willingness to come here. Apart from that many top corporate honchos have booked tickets, though we don`t know the exact names," Pandey said.

Besides, the state sports ministry have bought about 200 tickets that will be distributed to ex-players, Olympians and Arjuna awardees from Bengal.

"We don`t want our stars of yesteryears to be deprived. We have bought about 200 tickets for the sports council and we will take the ex-players for the match," sports minister Madan Mitra said.

Altogether 88,000 tickets from a seating capacity of 120,000 in the stadium are up for sale.


Meanwhile, the organisers also claimed this match would be recorded for the first time in India in high-definition (HD) format.

"Greymind Communication who has the TV rights will be installing 15 HD cameras of equal specifications in the stadium. For the first time we will have an HD broadcast from India. We have sold TV rights to 152 countries. It will be an event to remember," Bhaswar Goswami, executive director of CMG, said. 

Poor preparation behind India’s Test debacle, says Clive Lloyd

LONDON: Former West Indian captain Clive Lloyd on Friday said that he was surprised in India’s 0-4 whitewash in the Test series against England and blamed poor preparation of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men as the main reason for the debacle.


‘‘Nobody expected England to beat India 4-0. But you can’t come to any country and play just one warm up game,” said Lloyd who, as chairman of ICC Cricket Committee, was here to announce the names of shortlisted players for various awards for the ICC Awards ceremony on September 12.


‘‘Young players especially need 3-4 four-day games before Tests and couple in between. If you are out of form, you don’t get your form in nets,’’ he said.


Lloyd gave the example of Virender Sehwag to drive him his point that without preparation a player howesover big would struggle.


‘‘You don’t get runs by walking straight in. I don’t care how good you are, you don’t get it. You are not going to run into form in Test matches. You need to get your timing right, the foot movement, picking the ball properly,’’ he said.


Lloyd described the current Indian bowling attack, especially the spinners, as the weakest he has seen during his years of association with the game.


“Spin-wise, it looks the weakest. You always had good spinners. As for fast bowlers, anyone would break down with the sort of workload which (Ishant) Sharma had.” —

England’s winning ways continued thanks to Eoin Morgan

England’s winning ways continued against India on a nippy Wednesday night here at Old Trafford. In a NatWest Twenty20 match that careened to the last over with England needing 10 runs, Samit Patel struck two fours against Vinay Kumar to guide the host to a six-wicket victory.

Chasing India’s 165 in 19.4 overs, England scored 169 for four in 19.3 overs. The pursuit initially hinged on Kevin Pietersen’s bluster while Praveen Kumar trapped debutant Alex Hales for a blob in the first over. Craig Kieswetter stayed busy but it was Pietersen, who rattled the bowlers. A dropped catch by a scrambling Parthiv Patel helped Pietersen to stay afloat and he also did not allow R. Ashwin to settle down, finding his spots on the leg-side.

India sniffed a chance when Munaf Patel, prone to the angry aside against batsmen, snapped up Kieswetter. In the next over, Virat Kohli drew Pietersen out for M.S. Dhoni to do the rest and at 61 for three, England needed a partnership, which chimed in through Eoin Morgan (49) and Ravi Bopara. The duo added 73 runs for the fourth-wicket with Morgan shifting gears against Rohit Sharma, clubbing two fours and a six.

Morgan reverse swept Ashwin, caned Praveen before a square-drive against Munaf turned fatal. Bopara and Samit Patel then anchored the final stretch. Amidst the gloom, the Indians found some comic relief when Samit’s bat broke while trying to carve Munaf, who bowled a tight penultimate over, conceding just three runs.

It all boiled down to the last over but Vinay bowled a wide, the next delivery turned out to be four byes and then Samit scooped a four beating third-man and pummelled one over covers to seal the match.

Earlier the Indian innings was a contrasting blend of a debutant’s moment under the lights and an inexplicable batting collapse with Man of the Match Jade Dernbach grabbing four wickets. After Dhoni opted to bat, the start was brisk as India’s openers Parthiv and Ajinkya Rahane remained positive. Parthiv chanced his arms often and finally succumbed to Dernbach.

The evening however belonged to Rahane (61, 39b, 8x4), who displayed no nerves of a debutant. His first run might have been an ungainly single off Tim Bresnan but after that Rahane played a bouquet of shots that spelt ease and that extra second.

Rahane pulled Stuart Broad and when the England skipper over-compensated in length, the flick was unleashed. Graeme Swann was greeted with dancing feet and a free bat-swing and the debutant’s vigour rubbed onto another player making his first step in an international Twenty20 match. Rahul Dravid proved equal to the task and in a second-wicket partnership of 65 runs, the veteran pounded three consecutive sixes off Samit Patel.

Inexplicably India suffered a mini-collapse as four wickets fell in a span of 15 balls. Dravid failed to drill one past the in-field against Bopara and Broad prised out Rahane and Kohli. The tumble got worse when Rohit Sharma was left stranded by Swann and India lost half its men for 117 in 14 overs.

Further alarms were paused when Suresh Raina struck Broad and Bresnan over the mid-wicket ropes. The southpaw also stole a four off his nemesis – Swann. At the other end, Dhoni remained circumspect and soon another collapse tripped the Indians with the last five wickets falling for eight runs and it did have a bearing on the result.

The scores. India: Parthiv Patel c Broad b Dernbach 10 (12b, 2x4), A. Rahane c Dernbach b Broad 61 (39b, 8x4), R. Dravid c Morgan b Bopara 31 (21b, 3x6), V. Kohli c Kieswetter b Broad 4 (5b), R. Sharma st Kieswetter b Swann 1 (3b), S. Raina c Broad b Bresnan 33 (19b, 2x4, 3x6), M.S. Dhoni c Hales b Dernbach 8 (8b, 1x4), R. Ashwin (run out) 4 (2b, 1x4), Praveen Kumar b Dernbach 1 (4b), Vinay Kumar (not out) 2 (4b), Munaf c Kieswetter b Dernbach 0 (1b). Extras (lb-7, w-3): 10. Total (all out in 19.4 overs): 165.

Power Play (Overs 1 – 6): 49/1.

Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Parthiv), 2-104 (Dravid), 3-106 (Rahane), 4-108 (Kohli), 5-117 (Sharma), 6-158 (Dhoni), 7-162 (Ashwin), 8-162 (Raina), 9-165 (Praveen).

England bowling: Bresnan 4-0-33-1, Dernbach 3.4-0-22-4, Broad 4-0-37-2, Samit Patel 3-0-34-0, Swann 4-0-28-1, Bopara 1-0-4-1.

England: A. Hales lbw b Praveen 0 (2b), C. Kieswetter c Raina b Munaf 18 (13b, 2x4), K. Pietersen st Dhoni b Kohli 33 (23b, 5x4), E. Morgan c Sharma b Munaf 49 (27b, 7x4, 1x6), R. Bopara (not out) 31 (36b, 2x4) , Samit Patel (not out) 25 (16b, 3x4). Extras (lb-7, w-6): 13. Total (for four wkts., in 19.3 overs): 169.

Power Play (Overs 1 - 6): 58/1.

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Hales), 2-58 (Kieswetter), 3-61 (Pietersen), 4-134 (Morgan).

India bowling: Praveen 4-0-27-1, Vinay 3.3-0-35-0, Munaf 4-0-25-2, Ashwin 4-0-37-0, Kohli 3-0-22-1, Sharma 1-0-16-0.

Dhoni blamed batsmen for failure,again failed to build partnerships.

Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni blamed his side's six-wicket loss to England in their one-off Twenty20 International on the batsmen's failure to build partnerships.

"Partnership is key, doesn't matter what format it is. Once you lose quick wickets, like we did after 12 overs, it doesn't help. You want to have at least five or six wickets in the slog overs," remarked Dhoni after his side lost nine wickets in the final eight overs as England pulled off a rather easy win yesterday.

India were 104 for one in the 13th over before being bowled out for 165, with three balls remaining.

Dhoni said one of the reasons for his side losing quick wickets was because they wanted to press on for 15-20 runs extra to make up for the lack of a fifth bowler.

"Since we don't have the fifth bowler, we wanted to push a bit hard. We wanted to get those extra 15-20 runs and in the process we lost quick wickets.

"Once you lose quick wickets it becomes difficult. Virat (Kohli) hasn't bowled much in Twenty20 format and there were two part-time off-spinners," he said.

BCCI should rotate players to avoid them from getting injuries: Akram

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said that it is high time for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to rotate players and reduce injuries.

Akram backed Dhoni’s view that too much of cricket is being played round the year, and that is increasing the chances of players getting injured.

“It’s high time the BCCI did something about rotating players to avert the injury crisis the team is facing right now. Dhoni is one hundred per cent right. Indian players are playing cricket round the year and they need adequate rest to recharge their batteries. But that is not happening. I think the time has come for the BCCI to give a serious thought to it,” Akram was quoted as saying byMobile ESPN.

The legendary fast bowler said Indians are going to miss Gautam Gambhir.

“India are certainly going to miss Gambhir in the ODIs. He has performed really well in the last two years. His injury (blurred eyesight after a head injury) makes matters worse for India who are already playing without Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan,” Akram said.

Gambhir was ruled out for the remainder of the England tour after failing to recover from a concussion he received during The Oval Test last week while attempting a catch.

“Gautam has been a bit unfortunate on this tour. First, he injured his elbow in the first Test at Lord’s and before he could completely recover, this injury came his way. You can’t do much about injuries,” he said.

Akram also rubbished suggestions made by England all—rounder Tim Bresnan that they are on their way to another whitewash of India in the 5—ODI series, starting from September 3.

“That, for me, is going overboard. It’s true India did not play to their potential in the Test series and that England were sublime in all departments. But this is another ball game. For me, India are going as favourites in the series,” he said.

“They have got Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are proven match—winners in the limited—overs format. And I have no doubt that they will come off good here as well,” he added.

England looking to hit India hard in the upcoming One—day series.

England paceman Tim Bresnan said they are looking to hit India hard in the upcoming One—day series, as they aim to inflict another whitewash on the World Champion side.

India will go into the five—match ODI series, starting September 3, without five of their World Cup heroes due to injuries.

Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan have all been ruled out of ODI action, and Gautam Gambhir is also likely to miss the series due to a concussion.

“India might be favourites because they won the World Cup only a few months ago. But we’re quite difficult to beat at home in one—day cricket as we showed against Sri Lanka.

“If we hit our straps against India we should get the result we’re after. We hit them hard in the Test matches and we’ll be looking to do the same in the one—dayers,” Bresnan, who is also utility batsman, said.

The burly pacer said they are eyeing nothing short of victory in all the remaining matches in the tour, which also includes a one—off Twenty20 on Thursday.

“India are a top side and we have to respect them in all forms, especially the shorter ones. But we’re out to win every game, that’s our mentality,” Bresnan was quoted as saying by ‘Daily Mirror’

Bresnan felt that it was right decision to rest Kevin Pietersen for the ODIs.

“It’s good for him to get a break. No Kevin Pietersen in the side just provides a chance for someone else to step up to the plate and show us what they can do.”

Ravindra Jadeja to replace Gambhir for ODI series against England

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was included in the Indian squad for the One-Day International series from Saturday.

Jadeja will replace the injured Gautam Gambhir, who was ruled out of the series due to concussion.

We should not take West Indies Lightly: Harbhajan Singh warned team-mates

Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has warned his young team-mates not to take the West Indies lightly in the limited overs series starting tomorrow, saying that the Caribbeans still have some quality players in their ranks.

"We don't want to take them lightly because they have some quality players," said Harbhajan, who is the seniormost player in the touring side.

He said the absence of senior players in the touring Indian squad has given the youngsters a chance to "cement their place in the team" and vindicate their selection.

"A lot of these (new) guys have done well before. It's a great opportunity for the young guys to perform well and cement their place in the team," said Harbhajan, who is also the vice captain of the visiting side.

India have come here with a weakened team without the likes of captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and fast bowler Zaheer Khan.

Harbhajan, however, was optimistic that the visitors, even without some of their star players, have the wherewithal to win the series.

"We are a good side and if we play to our potential we can come out very strong," he said.

On the personal front, he said he was looking forward to contribute to the team's cause both with the bat and ball.

"My personal goal is to win the series and just do well with the bat and ball," he said.

"It's always nice to be back in the Caribbean. Playing in the Caribbean is always special. I've always enjoyed playing here. The people are always friendly and nice to talk to. The Caribbean is where we used to look at with all the strong cricketers (in the past)," Harbhajan was quoted as saying by 'Trinidad and Tobago Newsday'.

(PTI)

India's Tour To West Indies : Chris Gayle out,Suresh Raina relieved

Indian captain Suresh Raina on Friday expressed relief that Chris Gayle would be missing at least the first three games of the present limited overs series against his team.

"To be honest yes (I'm relieved)," Raina remarked on the eve of the Twenty20 match which opens the six-week tour against the West Indies here on Friday.

Gayle took the recent IPL by storm. The West Indian was the highest scorer (608 runs) with a strike rate in excess of 183 for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Raina remarked there is enough for his boys to be motivated to do well in the present series.

"There is no shortage of motivation now that we have a reputation to defend, we are the world champions."

Raina is personally looking to perform consistently which would help to exorcise his demons against the short-pitched delivery and cement his place in the Test team.

"I am hitting the ball well and learning all the time in the company of Stephen Fleming, Gary Kirsten and now Duncan Fletcher."

Incidentally, all the three were left-handers during their careers.

Indian coach Duncan Fletcher is excited by the Indian team's talent, which he had a chance to see first hand as a consultant to New Zealand side last winter.

He also realises the challenge confronting him, not the least because a different approach would be required while dealing with seniors and juniors.

"I was consultant to New Zealand (last winter) and just watching those young Indian players was very exciting.

These young players have the calibre, they have been exposed early to top class cricket. They look very positive," he said.

"Dealing juniors from seniors present different scenarios. Each player needs different handling. Personally for me, its difficult to keep up with the standards they have set. Yet there is scope to get better and improve."

Fletcher seems to not consider the volume of cricket played in the negative light.

"With the volume there is also a bigger pool of cricketers. It is a reality and you need to adjust to the present demands."

West Indian captain Darren Sammy said his side was equally motivated to do well.

"They are the best side in the world and you are motivated to do well against them. I haven't performed as I would have liked to but I want to give my best."

Sammy was not worried about the comments in the Caribbean that he did not quite deserve his place in the squad.

"I can do little about these comments. Fortunately I have a set of people around me who think differently, they support me. I too have belief in my ability."

West Indies presently are having difficulty against spinners and coach Ottis Gibson believed his team has talent to tackle it.

Gibson did not want to get drawn into the controversy of players vs board in the Caribbean presently and said it was not for him to comment on it.

(PTI)

India' key players Tendulkar, Gambhir,Yuvraj to miss Carribean Tour

India' key players including Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh will miss the entire tour of the West Indies next month

Sachin Tendulkar will not be a part of the Indian squad for the three-Test series in the West Indies beginning June 20.

The BCCI said here on Friday that Tendulkar had requested for rest to spend more time with his family. The maestro, just one short of his 100th international century, will be available for the Test series in England.

The all-India selection panel, headed by Krishnamachari Srikkanth, met here on Friday to pick the Test team to the West Indies and announce injury replacements for the Twenty20 and ODI teams for the series in the Caribbean.

Gautam Gambhir, the skipper for the limited-over leg of the campaign, was ruled out of the tour due to a shoulder injury. Suresh Raina will now skipper the Twenty20 and ODI side in the West Indies. Harbhajan Singh will be the vice-captain.

Setback for Yuvraj

There was yet another injury setback for the Indian team. Like Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh will miss the entire tour. The left-handed Yuvraj is suffering from an upper respiratory infection, with a small patch of pneumonitis in his left lung.

Shikhar Dhawan and Manoj Tiwary will come in for Gambhir and Yuvraj in the limited-over squad.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni returns to skipper the Test side. Zaheer Khan too is back after being rested for the ODI series.

Dhoni's deputy

The experienced V.V.S. Laxman has been named vice-captain. In fact, much of India's prospects hinge on Laxman and Rahul Dravid.

With both Virender Sehwag and Gambhir not figuring in the side, Murali Vijay and Abhinav Mukund will be the specialist openers. Parthiv Patel, the second wicketkeeper, can double up as an opener in the event of an emergency. Raina, S. Badrinath and Virat Kohli make the cut but there is no room for Cheteshwar Pujara.

Harbhajan, Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha are the specialist spinners. The pace attack will be manned by Zaheer, Ishant Sharma, S. Sreesanth and Munaf Patel.

The squads:

Tests: M.S. Dhoni (captain), V.V.S. Laxman (vice-captain), M. Vijay, Abhinav Mukund, R. Dravid, V. Kohli, S. Badrinath, S. Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, S. Sreesanth, A. Mishra, P. Ojha, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Parthiv Patel.

ODIs/T20: S. Raina (captain), R. Ashwin, S. Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh (vice-captain), V. Kohli, Praveen Kumar, A. Mishra, Munaf Patel, Parthiv Patel, Yusuf Pathan, W. Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Vinay Kumar, M. Tiwary, S. Dhawan.