I am still an ordinary boy: Ishant Sharma

With his curly long lock and standing at 6 feet 4 inches, Delhi boy Ishant first caught the public’s attention during the 2007-08 Test series in Australia, especially when he delivered bowling at a pace of 152.6 kph at Adelaide, the fastest ever bowled by an Indian. Though he veered towards serious cricket at the rather tender age of 14 and made his rapid Ranji Trophy debut at 18, Ishant got his chance to play in the big league as a replacement of another pace Prince Munaf Patel. Thereafter, he found a place in the Team India when it was touring Bangladesh in May 2007. And now, he is definitely a rock-star on the ground.

Q: How do you describe your school days?

Ishant Sharma: Whatever the best one can describe about his or her alma-mater! As I studied in Ganga International School at Hiran Kudna, Delhi, I’ll definitely term it as my second home or a temple, where I learned discipline and toughness to go ahead and lead my life. Though I was average at studies, my teachers and buddies supported me a lot at every step in every possible way. Thanks to my principal and the school management, who figured out my bowling-prowess and encouraged and promoted me. Moreover, it was not only me, but our school still has a record pool of budding talents in different sports and extracurricular activities. Many of them are excelling in their respective fields.

Q: Was there ever a family pressure against cricket?

Ishant Sharma: No. Though I come from a lower middle-class background, my parents never let me feel low. Instead they have been encouraging throughout. However like all middle-class family, they would also advise me to take study seriously. I think my family was much surer of my rising and flourishing future that whenever I asked for sports-equipments and money, they would never say No. Instead, killing their own basic needs they would complete my demands immediately.

Q: Now, as you are a successful cricketer and buck is raining over you from different quarters, what do you want to pay back or return your parents?

Ishant Sharma: Every success of mine is dedicated to my family. So, what they will ask, my reply will unarguably be ‘Yes’. By the way, no person on the earth can return the hard-earned fortune of his parents. For me, my parents top the priority chart. I feel blessed of being their son.

Q: How has your life changed from an ordinary middle class guy to a celebrity?

Ishant Sharma: I am still an ordinary boy, and satisfied with my down-to-earth status. However, it feels great when I look back to my success stairs. Earlier, I could move freely but now I’ve to think twice before venturing out, as wherever I go I get mobbed. Thanks to the well wishes of my friends, fans, the people of India and the Media or Press that I could achieve this position.

Q: Besides your family, friends, and school, to whom do you owe the credit for your success?

Ishant Sharma: Undoubtedly, my coach and guru, Shravan Kumar. Whatever I am today at the professional front, the credit goes straightly to Shravan sir, who made me technically profound in bowling and other aspects. Though he lives a low-profile life, every chapter of his coaching paid me. He is quite friendly and more like my parents. His disciplinary approach drove me to this stature.

Q: Do you believe in God and destiny?

Ishant Sharma: Certainly, yes. The Almighty power plays a paramount role in carving and designing one’s career. God is more like a support-vehicle. If you work hard with sheer dedication, he’ll definitely bail you out to your goal. I am a true God-fearing person and pray to God daily in all his forms.

Q: How much time do you spend on cricket practice daily?

Ishant Sharma: Earlier, it was 4-6 hours daily but now it depends on the schedule of the matches, tours and locations.

Q: Which have been your favourite cricket ground(s)?

Ishant Sharma: Kotla, because it is in Delhi, where I have been playing since my formative phase of cricket. Eden Gardens, as I am associated with the Kolkata Knight Riders. And the Adelaide, where my pace- attack was first noticed at a global level, which grabbed people’s attention.

Q: Who is your idol?

Ishant Sharma: Mc Grath. He is one of the best pacer in the history of cricket. It is not only his sporting skill but he is also a very nice person by heart. His perfect line and length with variations during delivery, makes him an extraordinary bowler.

Q: If not a cricketer then …?

Ishant Sharma: I never thought of this because I was in school and my timing of selection in the national squad was a bit early unlike many struggling cricketers.

Q: Which format of cricket do you like most; Test, ODI or Twenty20?

Ishant Sharma: It’s quite difficult to choose because every version has its own appeal. The only difference is that both the ODI and T20 emerged in two different eras keeping in view the taste and interest of two respective generations. T20 is super-hit because it matches the mood of today’s rocket-paced life.

Q: As a celebrity-cricketer now, how do you cope with the alleged controversies?

Ishant Sharma: After becoming famous, it’s a usual phenomenon. So, it is better to ignore them instead of taking seriously. One should focus on his priorities and I follow the same.

Q: How do you feel when cricket-pundits compare you with the speedsters like Mc Grath, Shoaib Akhtar, Bret Lee, etc.?

Ishant Sharma: It feels great but I am nothing before them. They are seasoned pacers while I am a beginner. I have a long way to go to parallel their stature.

Q: What keeps you engaged apart from cricket in off time?

Ishant Sharma: Listening to music and watching movies especially comedies and patriotic. Lagaan, Chak De India, Hera Pheri  and Munnabhai series are my all time favourite. Hanging out with friends gives me a great pleasure to share views. I am also passionate of driving and motor-biking.

Q: What are your aims and targets?

Ishant Sharma: To play as long as I can and make records for my country.

Q: Any message for upcoming players?

Ishant Sharma: Draw an objective or goal. Work hard with maximum capacity and leave rest to the God.

Akshay Kumar on Desi Boyz

Akshay Kumar gets chatty about pole dancing in his latest film and why he is not making his directorial debut anytime soon

Over the past few days, Akshay Kumar has been hopping from one promotional event to the other. Ask him if he believes that promoting a film can make or break a film, he quickly retorts, "I'd rather put my heart and soul into making a film, instead of wasting most of my year just promoting them," he says. In a free- wheeling chat, the Khiladi Kumar gets chatty about pole dancing in his latest film and why he is not making his directorial debut anytime soon.

Excerpts from the interview:
We have seen you playing such characters earlier. What made you take up 'Desi Boyz'?

Actually you haven't. When you see the film, you will realise that it is actually a first of many scenes for me, but I'm keeping all that under wraps so that I can give my audience something unfamiliar to look forward to. Our director Rohit Dawan has made sure that only subtle humour was allowed though the film is full on 'dramedy' with fresh and hot ideas. I'm so proud to be a part a film about male escorts, so it's already in a league of its own.

Then, what is different about your role in 'Desi Boyz'?

I begin the film as a bit of a carefree slob. I work as a temp so one week I'm serving behind a chicken joint, next week I'm a mall security guard. My goal in life is just to have fun with my best friend Nick and I won't let anything or anyone come between our friendship. When the recession kicks us both in the butt, we have no other choice but to turn to the oldest profession, we become male escorts. But that is not what the film is about, there's a lot of drama involved since the film is based on real circumstances.

We see you pole dancing in the promos. Did you take lessons to perfect your move?

Luckily for me, my 'Parkour Gym' is made of poles that I swing, jump, climb and play on a daily basis, so apart from having to perfect a few gyrating hip dance moves, I actually had a riot shooting this song. The innocent old me has never actually been to a bachelorette party, so performing in my first one was entertaining for sure. As for the fire breathing, that was a spontaneous last solo shot of the song where the set dada was walking around setting the pillars from props on fire, and I decided to take the flaming stick off him and make some fire of my own.  You can tell the surrounding models were as shocked as the director.
Watch: 'Subah Hone Na De'

Film promotions are getting bigger and better. We saw you and John set the stage on fire recently. Do you think marketing a film can make or break a film?

I believe it depends on the film. You'll never see me go all out for all my films. It's almost humanly impossible and I'd rather put my heart and soul into making a film, instead of wasting most of my year just promoting them.

Promotion is always a win-win situation, for both media and the film itself. Until it becomes too much, expectations do become high. Media and critics focus so much on a film that that controversies tend to get created, opinions fly high and comments are made. I think all films should be given a fair chance and audiences should be strong enough to make up their own minds about a film. Cinema is not about going to court and trying to prove your innocence, it is about entertainment.

John and your chemistry in 'Garam Masala' was appreciated a lot but surprisingly no one cast you both in a film together before this one. How have you both evolved as actors during this period?

When you have a pair like me and John, you have to have a script and a half. It is a fabulous reason to come together, other wise the purpose will be defeated. We've both waited many years to be reunited and this is a perfect situation to be joined at the hip again. John has grown not only upwards and outwards; he's also been experimental with the roles over the years. He knows how much I love shooting with him, and now we're already doing another film together 'Housefull 2'
Check out: John-Akki on fire

There seems to be a disparity between the critics and the audience. Even though critics have often thrashed your films, the audience has mostly given them a thumbs-up. Why is there a disconnect?

I feel most of the time; the difference is only about the kind of audience the film is pleasing. A lot of my kind of films tends to cater to good old masala loving fanatics, which a few of our critics are not huge fans of, which is why I think there is a clash. Most of my flops have been hugely critically acclaimed so how does one argue with great films that are loved by audiences but unappreciated by intelligent critics, or dramatic artistic films which will never do well at a box-office but get you so much recognition as an actor?It is strange but true.

After being in the industry for so long, what has been your biggest learning curve?

Learning to trust my own instinct. You can get very swayed by many people in this kind of an industry, so being able to see people at face value and remembering why they are around you is a very important lesson to learn. As glamorous as being a star may seem to be, it can be a very sad lonely place also, keep the real people around you and one has a chance at being sane after so many years.
See: Akki-Chitrangada’s hot jodi

You have always been forthcoming about your 'desi' roots. What keeps you grounded?

I keep myself grounded; I couldn't live with myself if I became too big for my boots and my roots. Plus I have the luxury of being surrounded by my family always, and considering our background, I don't think we'll ever forget where we came from. Only true Desis remain to live eat breathe from the very soil they grew up in, even if they are thousands of miles from there homes, they take their hearts & their families blessings with them.

When can we see you donning the director's hat?

The auspicious director's hat has to wait as I have no sudden urges as of now. I'm busy with my own production house.  Whatever energy I have left after acting my heart and soul out, I am putting into realizing my fathers dream of producing 'Our kind of films' under my banner 'Hariom Entertainment'. I am leaving directing for the future, when my back can't take stunts anymore and my knees become more than happy sitting at a monitor directing all day, but right now I have so much energy to perform and create so that is exactly what I am doing.

Global award for Buddh International Circuit

New Delhi, Nov 17 (IANS) The Buddh International Circuit (BIC), which hosted India's maiden Formula One Grand Prix last month, has been awarded the 'Motorsport Facility of the Year' award at the Professional Motorsport World Expo 2011, held in Cologne, Germany.

Boris Lazaric, COO Construction, Jaypee Sports International (JPSI) received the award on behalf of JPSI, Tuesday. Baltimore Street Circuit, Mugello Circuit and Phoenix International Raceway were the other contenders.
'This is a very proud moment for us and it feels great to be acknowledged for the hard work that made the inaugural Indian Grand Prix at BIC a resounding success. I would like to congratulate my team and dedicate this award to every member who worked tirelessly in making BIC a world class racing facility,' Manoj Gaur, the Chairman of JPSI said in a statement.
Gary Anderson, a member of the PMW Expo Awards judging panel, said the BIC was an excellent circuit.

'Over the last 10 years we have seen many new F1 circuits created around the world, most of these to an excellent standard as far as the overall facility is concerned but lacking imagination when it comes to the actual circuit design. Buddh International Circuit has gone the other way and created an excellent circuit layout, which the drivers, engineers and spectators love. With adequate facilities to put on a great event, it will mature into one of the best,' he said.

Professional MotorSport World Expo is central Europe's leading trade-only motorsport exhibition.

Kallis passes Lara but South Africa stumble

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Jacques Kallis became the fourth leading run-scorer in tests as he passed 12,000 runs but South Africa ruined the party by being bowled out for 266 on the first day of the second test against Australia on Thursday.
South Africa were in a strong position thanks to half-centuries by Kallis (54), AB de Villiers (64) and Ashwell Prince (50), but they lost their way after tea as Australia took six wickets for 25 runs in 11 overs.

The home side were all out in 71 overs, having won the toss and chosen to bat at the Wanderers.
Paceman Peter Siddle claimed three for 69, while spinners Nathan Lyon and Michael Clarke took two wickets apiece as South Africa let a weakened Australian attack off the hook in perfect batting conditions.
The visitors were a man down for most of the day after seamer Shane Watson limped off with a hamstring strain after bowling just 3.5 overs.
South Africa had the bowlers at their mercy as Kallis and Hashim Amla (19) added 80 runs off just 85 balls for the third wicket and their collapse was down to loose strokeplay more than anything else.
Kallis lashed his 54 off just 41 balls before casually flicking Siddle to midwicket.
Amla fell three overs later, edging a slash off debutant Pat Cummins to second slip, before De Villiers and Prince combined to put South Africa back in control with a fifth-wicket stand of 112.
The left-handed Prince began the final-session collapse when he shimmied down the pitch and drove off-spinner Lyon to deep mid-on.
De Villiers fell five balls later as a loose pull shot skied the ball over bowler Siddle's head, Cummins doing well to run backwards and hang on to the half-chance.
Vernon Philander was trapped plumb in front of the stumps by Lyon for a duck and Mark Boucher (3) also fell to an unconvincing pull shot off Siddle.
The floodlights came on and bad light would almost certainly have intervened if Australian captain Clarke had not turned to the slow bowlers.
Clarke himself took the last two wickets - Morne Morkel for six and Imran Tahir for a duck - to claim impressive figures of two for six in four overs.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith had earlier won what seemed a valuable toss and he and opening partner Jacques Rudolph put on a first-wicket stand of 24.
Smith (11) then edged a top-class delivery from left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson to Clarke at second slip, while Rudolph scored a bright 30 before he edged a catch off Watson to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
Kallis played with tremendous authority and a sumptuous cover drive sent his first ball, bowled by Watson, racing to the boundary and drew him level with West Indian left-hander Brian Lara on 11,953 runs.
He then took a single off his third delivery to surpass Lara, leaving only Indians Sachin Tendulkar (15,086 in 183 tests) and Rahul Dravid (12,979 in 159 tests) and Australia's Ricky Ponting (12,495 in 155 tests) ahead of him on the run-scorers' list.
South Africa were unable to bowl a single delivery at the Australians as bad light prevented the visitors from starting their innings before the close.

India wraps up series with innings victory

Kolkata, November 17 (AP):  India dismissed the West Indies for 463 in its second innings eight minutes before tea on the fourth day after the visitors resumed the day at 195-3.

Pragyan Ojha dismissed Darren Bravo after lunch to trigger a West Indies collapse as India claimed an innings and 15-run victory in the second test on Thursday to take a decisive 2-0 lead in the three game series.


It was then left to pace bowler Umesh Yadav to help remove the tail and finish with figures of 4-80.
The West Indies batting lineup showed a new strength in its second innings as its free stroke play changed the tempo of the game even though it was always doomed to lose after being dismissed for only 153 in the first innings.
The West Indies was cruising at 401-4 at one stage before Ojha, Ashwin and Yadav claimed a pair of wickets each to pick up the last six for just 62 runs.
Bravo was the pick of the batsman and his aggression seemed to rub on to others. After making 195 against Bangladesh at Mirpur last month, Bravo brought up his second test century in 12 matches.
The 22-year-old left-hander dominated the bowling and reached his century with a four, celebrating by taking off his helmet, pumping his fist in the air and waving his bat toward the dressing room.
Bravo earlier survived a chance on 54 when Gautam Gambhir's throw from mid-off went wide of wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni with the batsman almost at the other end.
Then on 119, he was given not out when replays showed a clear bat-pad catch taken by Gambhir at short-leg off left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha.
His fifth-wicket partnership with Samuels made the Indian bowling look pedestrian as they plundered 132 runs off 158 deliveries before Bravo was out caught to a low catch by Rahul Dravid at slip off left-arm spinner Ojha.
Dravid also took a fine one-handed catch to his right off Ojha to dismiss Carlton Baugh for 3, before offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin trapped Samuels lbw in the next over to end West Indies' hopes of prolonging proceedings.
Captain Darren Sammy made a dashing 32 off 37 balls with one four and three sixes, but the end was always inevitable.
Earlier, Chanderpaul, seen as the visiting side's best hope of putting up a resistance, was dismissed when he seemed to be settled in for another big innings.
Chanderpaul hit six fours off 94 balls before he was dismissed by Yadav with the second new ball. Chanderpaul, resuming on 21, played-on a delivery around the off stump much to the joy of the few thousand spectators at the stadium.
The final test will be held in Mumbai from Tuesday.

Uttar Pradesh to be divided into four parts, announces Mayawati

Lucknow, Nov 15 (ANI): With state assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh a little over six months away, Chief Minister Mayawati on Tuesday announced that the state cabinet has approved a proposal to split the state into four regions.

Addressing a press conference here, Mayawati announced that Uttar Pradesh would be reorganised into four smaller states - Bundelkhand, Awadh Pradesh, Poorvanchal and Paschim Pradesh.

She further revealed that the resolution for a division of the state into four parts would be formally passed during the state assembly session that is to begin from November 21.

Poorvanchal comprises of 22 eastern districts of the state, including Gorakhpur and Balia. The current capital Lucknow would fall in Awadh Pradesh, which comprises of 14 districts.

Bundelkhand has seven districts, including Jhansi, while Paschim Pradesh would have 22 districts, comprising Meerut, Ghaziabad and Gutam Buddh Nagar among others.

Further emphasizing that the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has always worked for the betterment of weaker sections of society, Mayawati said: "The Uttar Pradesh government had asked the Centre to provide more funds for development but the Prime Minister didn't respond." (ANI)

Petrol prices slashed by Rs 1.85 per litre across India

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - State-run oil refiners will cut petrol prices by about 3.2 percent from Wednesday, the first reduction since the government ended pricing controls nearly 18 months ago.
With the latest cut of 2.22 rupees a litre, a litre of petrol in Delhi will now cost 66.42 rupees.
Indian Oil Corp, the country's biggest fuel retailer, confirmed cutting petrol prices by 1.85 rupees a litre excluding local taxes.
"Basic price has been cut by 1.85 rupees litre (over 3 cents) and add a 20 percent value added tax in Delhi. It should be about 2.22 rupees a litre," a company source told Reuters.
Earlier this month, state oil retailers -- Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp and Hindustan Petroleum Corp -- raised petrol prices, the sixth major adjustment since June 2010.
The move, which raised the price of petrol in Delhi by 1.80 per litre, spurred public backlash and criticism from political parties within and outside the government given high inflation and a bulging fiscal deficit.
India's headline inflation was nearly unchanged in October at 9.73 percent, above the 9 percent mark for the eleventh straight month, in spite of 13 interest rate rises by the Reserve Bank over the past year and a half.
"The reduction has been possible as a result of favourable impact of the slide down both in the international prices of gasoline and in the Rupee/Dollar parity," the statement said.
The rupee dollar exchange rate came down marginally and remained more or less stable at around 49.30 rupees to a dollar in the fist fortnight of this month, it said.
"If the Rupee/Dollar parity remains at this level or moves further away, its impact would get reflected in the next pricing cycle," the IOC statement said.
The rupee has been Asia's worst performing currency this year and continued to trade at its lowest level in nearly 32 months at 50.67/68 per dollar

What Indians Would Remember Roebuck For

Former cricketer and journalist Peter Roebuck, who passed away today, would be known to many cricket followers in India by an incendiary column he had written in 2008, asking Ricky Ponting to be sacked as Australia's Test captain following the events of the Sydney Test.

The game was dogged by controversial umpiring, charges of racism levelled at Harbhajan Singh and Australia's boorish on-field behaviour, but it ended in a stunning win for the home team in the dying moments of the final day.

While the Australian team and press were busy celebrating the win, Roebuck stood out as the lone dissenting voice. Calling Ponting and his men a "pack of wild dogs", he said the win was an embarrassment to Australian cricket. His acerbic views on the matter won Roebuck many followers in India.

A clip from that column:

Ricky Ponting must be sacked as captain of the Australian cricket team.
If Cricket Australia cares a fig for the tattered reputation of our national team in our national sport, it will not for a moment longer tolerate the sort of arrogant and abrasive conduct seen from the captain and his senior players in the past few days. It was the ugliest performance by an Australian side for 20 years. The only surprising part of it is that the Indians have not already packed and gone home.
That the senior players in the Australian team are oblivious to the fury they raised among many followers of the game in this country and beyond its shores merely confirms their own narrow and self-obsessed viewpoint.
Doubtless, they were not exposed to the messages that poured in from distressed enthusiasts aghast to see the scenes of bad sportsmanship and triumphalism presented at the SCG during and after the match. Pained past players called to express their private disgust. It was a wretched and ill-mannered display and not to be endured from any side let alone an international outfit representing a proud sporting nation. Make no mistake, it is not only the reputation of these cricketers that has suffered — Australia itself has been embarrassed.
The notion that Ponting can hereafter take the Australian team to India is preposterous. He has shown not the slightest interest in the wellbeing of the game, not the slightest sign of diplomatic skill, not a single mark of respect for his accomplished and widely admired opponents. Harbhajan Singh can be an irritating young man but he is head of a family and responsible for raising nine people. And all the Australians elders want to do is to hunt him from the game. Australian fieldsmen fire insults from the corners of their mouths, an intemperate Sikh warrior overreacts, and his rudeness is seized upon.
In the past few days, the Australian captain has presided over a performance that dragged the game into the pits. He turned a group of professional cricketers into a pack of wild dogs. As much can be told from the conduct of his closest allies in the team. As usual, Matthew Hayden crossed himself on reaching three figures in his commanding second innings, a gesture he does not perform while wearing the colours of his state. Exactly how he combines his faith with throwing his weight around on the field has long bemused opposing sides, whose fondness for him ran out a long time ago.

This wasn't the first controversy Roebuck found himself in the middle of. In the mid-80s, he, as Somerset's captain, decided not to renew the contracts of their overseas players Viv Richards and Joel Garner. It led to a public fall-out with Ian Botham, another of Somerset's greats. Botham moved to Worcestershire.

In his final column for Sydney Morning Herald, Roebuck asked the Australian selectors to keep their nerve and not dump out-of-form players just because the public demands so.

He wrote:

Ponting has been hitting the ball superbly in practice and has been countering the fastest bowlers with aplomb. In the middle he has been missing straight balls because he is hurried and out of position. He remains convinced that it is a bad trot, not permanent, but evidence to the contrary is piling up. He needs to score heavily at the Wanderers.

Mohsin Khan to continue as interim coach of Pakistan for the series against Bangladesh.

Mohsin Khan   will continue as interim coach of Pakistan for the series against Bangladesh, which starts later this month. The PCB said the decision to retain Mohsin was taken as no full-time coach was yet to be identified.

Mohsin was initially put in charge of the team in early October, ahead of the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, after Waqar Younis stepped down from the post citing personal reasons. Pakistan won the Test series 1-0 in the UAE, and started the limited-overs leg of the contest on Friday.

The PCB had formed a committee in late August to find Younis' successor and though it arrived at a shortlist of five candidates a month later, no full-time coach has yet been appointed.

Pakistan play two Tests, three ODIs and a Twenty20 against Bangladesh in a series that begins on November 29.

Afridi's return sets up appetising opener

Big Picture

The leadership of a national side has probably never changed hands between characters as contrasting as Shahid Afridi and Misbah-ul-Haq. When impassive replaces expressive, when calm replaces frenetic, chaos is a likely outcome. It could have happened only in Pakistan, and only Pakistan could have moved on as if nothing had happened. It helped that when Misbah was appointed limited-overs captain, he had been in charge of the Test side for some time. It helped that Pakistan had low-profile series against Ireland and Zimbabwe that eased him into the role. What also helped, probably the most, was that Afridi went into one of his retirements so that the heat generated by his removal did not singe the team.

Afridi is back now. Sri Lanka are no Ireland or Zimbabwe. Don't go by the listless unit that turned up for the Test series. They are World Cup finalists and a proud limited-overs side. This five-match series will be a dual test for Misbah the leader. His approach in Tests has been to let things happen while retaining control and pushing matters only when absolutely needed, a bit like his batting style. How will he handle a mercurial, and immensely popular, former captain and key ODI bowler? How will he control the flow against world-class opposition in a format short on time?

What Misbah has inherited from Afridi is a solid group that retained its sanity amid all the drama unfolding off the field over the past 15 months. It is a side that made the semi-final of the World Cup 2011 and has won its previous four bilateral ODI series. Misbah has the side to continue his captaincy run of being unbeaten in a series. What he makes of the additional baggage will determine whether that run continues against an opposition that has stalled in ODIs of late.

Sri Lanka have regressed in Tests but the impact of losing Muttiah Muralitharan has been softer in the shorter format. They have recently lost 2-3 to both England away and Australia at home. While the absence of Muralitharan continues to hurt them in Tests, the batting has crumbled too often of late, with their three losses against Australia coming after the batsmen managed 191, 208 and 132.

The Test series loss to Pakistan has brought a stern outburst from the chairman of selectors, Duleep Mendis, who said that the repeated batting failures had something to do with the mental approach. "Something is not right there and it is the coaches who have to address it," he said. Geoff Marsh has barely settled into the job of head coach. How soon can he rectify the batting, which will have to come good to set up games on the flat pitches in the UAE. Even a 3-2 series win will not be enough for Sri Lanka to hold on to the No. 2 ICC one-day ranking. To add another shade of interest, both sides will be playing under the new rules for the first time.

Form guide (completed games, most recent first)

Pakistan: WWWWW
Sri Lanka: WLWLL

In the spotlight

This is Shahid Afridi's format. This was Afridi's team. With his dozen-a-minute expressions and frenzied hand-waving on the field, he had successfully managed to hold together a team that many expected to fall apart. And then, the leadership was rudely yanked from under his feet after a series win in the West Indies, sending him into bitterness and temporary retirement. He has said that he has no problems playing under Misbah, having "played under a lot of captains, like around 11 or 12." But he is no ordinary player; he is the dethroned captain and was the heartbeat of his side during the World Cup. To say that his performance - and his interaction with Misbah - will be watched, is to state the obvious.

Sri Lanka would not have missed Muralitharan so much had Lasith Malinga been available all the time. He isn't, but whenever he is, they become a different side, capable of stunning turnarounds. Malinga was nearly unplayable during the recent Champions League T20, and played a major role in both their wins against Australia. Pakistan have played him much better though. He averages 47.66 against them against a career average of 25.03. The last time he played them, he took five wickets. Pakistan will be on guard against the yorkers. Will they be able to avoid them?

Team news

Pakistan have gone for Sarfraz Ahmed as the wicketkeeper in place of Adnan Akmal. Sarfraz's last game for Pakistan was in February 2010 but his domestic batting performances have led to his inclusion. The keeping is another issue, but Pakistan are certainly missing Kamran Akmal the batsman. What will Sarfraz make of this opportunity? Also returning is allrounder Abdul Razzaq whose last match was the World Cup 2011 semi-final against India.

Pakistan: (possible) 1 Imran Farhat 2 Mohammad Hafeez 3 Younis Khan 4 Asad Shafiq/Umar Akmal 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt.) 6 Abdul Razzaq 7 Shahid Afridi 8 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk) 9 Umar Gul 10 Saeed Ajmal 11 Junaid Khan

Sri Lanka will be happy to go back to their prolific ODI opening combination of Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan after the indifferent starts during the Tests. Promising wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal played the first three ODIs against Australia as a specialist batsman before being dropped. He is back in the squad now but will Sangakkara continue to don the keeping gloves?

Sri Lanka: (possible) 1 Upul Tharanga 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt) 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk) 4 Dinesh Chandimal 5 Mahela Jayawardene 6 Angelo Mathews 7 Thisara Perera / Kosala Kulasekara 8 Jeevan Mendis 9 Suraj Randiv 10 Lasith Malinga 11 Suranga Lakmal / Dilhara Fernando

Stats & Trivia

• Sri Lanka have beaten Pakistan in their previous two bilateral ODI series, both in 2009
  
• Misbah-ul-Haq averaged 51.69 in 21 games under Shahid Afridi. He averages 94.50 in his short stint of six matches so far
  

Quotes

"It is time for our younger players to stand up and be counted and become those great players, Kumar [Sangakkara] had a fantastic series but we really need to get a couple of our younger players to really stand up and play well for us and to be the next Sangakkara or Jayawardene."
Sri Lanka coach Geoff Marsh wants his side to move beyond relying on their two great batsmen

"Sri Lanka have got an edge on us in the fielding department, we really have to work hard on that, especially in the shorter forms."
Pakistan interim coach Mohsin Khan knows where Pakistan could fall behind

Steyn becomes 20th bowler in ICC rankings history to break 900-point mark threshold

Dubai, Nov 12(ANI): South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has become only the 20th bowler in history to break the 900-point mark barrier in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Player Rankings for Test bowlers after claiming six wickets in his side's eight-wicket win over Australia in Cape Town.

Steyn began the first Test on 899 ratings points and earned three ratings points for his efforts of 4-55 and 2-23 to become only the second South African bowler after Shaun Pollock to achieve the rare distinction.

In rankings terms, 900 or more ratings points means a player is truly outstanding, a benchmark for the very top bowlers.

A delighted Steyn said: "It is very special for me to join the 900-point club. There are a lot of world-class players in that region and it is an honour to be in their company."

"When I go out and bowl I hardly ever think of the rankings, for me it is about representing my country and giving my best for the team so sometimes it means a lot to receive the recognition," he added.

At 902 ratings points, Steyn is 17th in the all-time ratings list with an excellent chance of moving further up that list provided he puts up another stellar performance in the second and final Test which starts in Johannesburg next Thursday.

The 28-year-old has been holding the number one slot in the list since the Durban Test against England in December 2009, although his first time at the top of that table came in April 2008.

Such is Steyn's dominance in the bowling rankings that second-placed England fast bowler James Anderson trails him by 91 ratings points, while his team-mate Morne Morkel, who is the second best South African bowler in third position, is 126 ratings points behind.

Debutant Vernon Philander, one of the architects of Australia's second innings collapse for 47 with figures of 5-15, has entered the bowlers' rankings in 49th position. (ANI)

Dismissing India's openers early is the key: Edwards

Kolkata, Nov 12 (IANS) West Indies fast bowler Fidel Edwards says getting Indian openers Gauatam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag out early would be the key to taking control in the second Test against India at the Eden Gardens, even as he rated Rahul Dravid as the most difficult batsman to bowl to in international cricket.
'The plan is to get the openers out as early as possible. This is one way we can check the flow of runs. Besides, having played as a unit in the previous Test, we need to push India further here as well to create some chances for ourselves,' he said.

The West Indies are down 0-1 in the three Test series after losing the opener at Delhi's Ferozeshah Kotla earlier this week.

The 29-year-old Edwards, who got rid of Dravid in the first Test, said it was hard to dismiss the veteran batsman.

'Dravid is probably the most difficult batsman. All over the world he is knows as The Wall. He is very good upfront, as I have seen him at home. And it is very hard to get him out,' Edwards told mediapersons here after a practice session at the Eden Gardens.

Edwards did not call it his best dismissal, but said the delivery was a good one.

He said the techniques and styles of each opponent batsman is scrutinised in the Windies team meetings and then a plan is decided.

'We try to chart a course, come up with a plan. We watch as much footage as we can. We try to stick to the plans.'

The Barbadian said on the slow subcontinent wickets, bowling to players like Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and V.V.S. Laxman was more difficult.

'Now it's of no use complaining since you need a smarter approach to succeed in these pitches,' Edwards said,adding he would focus on keeping it as straight as possible and extracting reverse swing. 'I will hope the ball keeps low,' he said.

'We pushed them in the first Test, we did well as a unit and fought well. We have come here to play good cricket and hopefully we can push them again and you never know what's going to happen,' he said.

The short statured Edwards, who completed 150 Test wickets when he got rid of Tendulkar at Kotla, said he has grown up watching the exploits of pacers like Ian bishop, Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh.

'All those guys were above six-foot. I also wanted to be tall like them, but nonetheless, will have to keep on performing irrespective of all limitations,' he said.

He said the Windies bowlers have been doing well as a unit in recent times.

'We've been doing well as a bowling unit. It's mostly about sticking to our plans and bowling together every match, which helps to a certain extent in keeping the situation under control,' he said.

Calls for heads after Australia crushed

SYDNEY, November 11, 2011 (AFP) - Australian cricket must make ruthless decisions about its aging side in the wake of the team's shattering defeat to South Africa in three days in Cape Town, Australian newspapers said Saturday.
South Africa staged one of the great Test comebacks to win by eight wickets after trailing by 188 runs on the first innings, skittling Australia for 47 in their second innings and then cruising to victory on the third day.

While South Africa celebrated an astonishing victory, the Australian press called for action.
"Australia's humiliation is complete and the retribution starts now," The Australian said.
"Heads will almost certainly roll after a devastating loss in the first Test and it remains to be seen if Mitchell Johnson or Ricky Ponting play the next Test in the wake of the Newlands loss."
The Daily Telegraph's Malcolm Conn singled out former Test skipper Ponting for blame and called for the blooding of new players. "It's time. Ricky Ponting's mortality has caught up with him," Conn wrote.
"Some former teammates of Australia's best batsman after Bradman were right to believe that when he retired from the captaincy earlier this year Ponting should have walked away altogether.
"His downward spiral has become a freefall but Ponting is not tumbling alone among those involved in Australia's second-innings debacle of 47.
"It will be a tough assignment for captain and new selector Michael Clarke to make some ruthless decisions for the sake of Australia's future. If there's going to be continuing pain let's have it with young players on the way up, not fading players on the way down."
Conn said the Australian summer was the perfect opportunity to continue blooding new players, adding "there will be few more comfortable assignments than meeting New Zealand in Brisbane and Hobart next month."
Erratic paceman Johnson was another in the media's sights.
"Johnson got a consolation wicket in the 30th over, but there have to be serious questions about his future," The Australian said.
"The left-hander has failed to take a wicket in seven of his last 17 innings and is averaging more than 50 runs per wicket since the Perth Test (against England last December)."
The Sydney Morning Herald's Peter Roebuck said that even if the Proteas deserved praise the Australians could not escape censure. "It is one thing to lose a match, another to throw it away," he said.
New chief selector John Inverarity and a fresh panel take over next week, he pointed out. "Already they have plenty to think about, not least their supposed strike bowler (Johnson), greatest batsman (Ponting), batting order and gloveman (Brad Haddin)," he said.
"It's hard to change a team on tour but as the ceremonies were completed, the sound of sharpening knives echoed around the ground."

Amla, Smith tons lead SA to incredible win

South Africa 236 for 2 (Amla 112, Smith 101*) and 96 (Watson 5-17, Harris 4-33) beat Australia 284 (Clarke 151, Steyn 4-55) and 47 (Philander 5-15, Morkel 3-9) by eight wickets

Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla both struck centuries that completed South Africa's humiliation of Australia on the third day at Newlands, where they cruised to victory by eight wickets. If Australia thought their Cape Town experience could not get any worse after they were dismissed for 47 on the second afternoon, they were badly mistaken, with Smith and Amla adding to the hurt for the visitors.

The winning runs came when Smith, who finished unbeaten on 101, clipped Peter Siddle through midwicket and South African fans jumped to their feet to celebrate a famous victory. This was a team that on the second day had been bowled out for 96.

In doing so, South Africa became just the second team in 60 years to win a Test having been bowled out for less than 100 in their first innings; the only other occasion in the modern era was New Zealand's success against India in Wellington in 2002. They also completed the second-highest chase in a Newlands Test.

But it was the way they batted on the third morning that highlighted the ridiculous nature of the second day, on which 23 wickets fell. After a quiet first hour in which they added 31, getting accustomed to the conditions, Amla and Smith demolished the Australia attack. Amla played some wonderful strokes, straight drives, cover drives and flicks off the pads, proving that there was nothing in the pitch that could not be handled by good technique.

He brought up his century, his first against Australia, with a cut for four off Mitchell Johnson from his 126th delivery and the crowd - by that stage anticipating a South Africa victory any moment - erupted. Amla had been dropped twice by the Australians, including off the last ball of the second day, and he made them pay for those errors.

The 195-run partnership ended when Amla, on 112, slashed at Mitchell Johnson and was caught at gully by Michael Clarke with 14 runs still needed for victory. Kallis and Smith pushed them over the line with ease.

Smith was equally masterful, after a couple of lucky edges early in the day. He brutalised Shane Watson during an over that cost 13, smashing a cut for four and walking at the bowler to drive another boundary. His hundred came up with the run that levelled the scores, a single pushed past mid-off from his 138th delivery.

The South Africans batted superbly but Australia's bowlers were disappointing. Johnson collected the late wicket of Amla and in doing so avoided the second wicketless Test of his career, but he found no swing and was rarely threatening. Harris did not bowl terribly but was costly, while Peter Siddle tried hard. But they never looked like taking nine wickets under sunny skies.

Australia had their chance to break into the middle order when in the third over of the day, Amla, on 30, edged Harris to first slip, where Watson moved to his left and put down a catch he should have taken.

It was the last realistic opportunity Australia had, until the match was gone. A desperate use of the referral system confirmed that an lbw appeal from Harris to Amla was rightly denied by the umpire Billy Doctrove, the ball sailing well down the leg side, and it was just another example of the frayed mindset the Australians were experiencing after their humiliating day on Thursday.

They have six days to collect their thoughts before the second Test at the Wanderers.

Kasab should be hanged: Rehman Malik

Addu Atoll (Maldives), Nov 10 (IANS) Ajmal Amir Kasab, convicted by an Indian court for the 26/11 Mumbai attack, is a terrorist and should be sent to the gallows, Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik said here Thursday after delegation level talks between the two countries.

He said the Pakistani judicial commission looking into the terror attack would be coming to India soon and would positively impact the trial of those accused in the Mumbai terror attack.

'The judicial commission has a limited mandate. They'll be in India any time after we hear from the Indian side. They will submit the report after the visit which is going to give a positive impact to the judicial process (of 26/11),' Malik told reporters at the Shangri La Hotel.

Talks between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan's Yousuf Raza Gilani were preceded by delegation level discussions between the two countries.

The judicial commission report, Malik said, would help plug the legal lacuna and move forward the trial of those accused in the Nov 26 Mumbai terror attack.

India had last week welcomed Pakistan's decision to send a judicial commission to interview witnesses connected with the 26/11 terror probe.

'We look forward to the visit of the judicial commission,' Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai had told reporters Nov 5.

Pakistan's High Commissioner Shahid Malik has conveyed to Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram that the Pakistani government would soon be sending the commission to take forward the process of bringing to justice the perpetrators and conspirators of the Mumbai carnage.

The commission is expected to record the statements of Mumbai Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate R.V. Sawant Waghule and investigating officer Ramesh Mahale, who had recorded the confessional statement of Ajmal Amir Kasab, convicted of the terror attack.

Islamabad has contended that the charges against seven LeT militants, including its 'operation commander' Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, who are currently lodged in a Pakistani jail, were based on Kasab's statement and hence the magistrate and the investigating officer's statements were necessary to furnish before the anti-terror court.

At least 166 people were killed in the 26/11 attack by 10 Pakistan-based terrorists in Mumbai.

Media is putting pressure on Tendulkar: Dhoni

New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni Wednesday requested the media not to put pressure on Sachin Tendulkar for scoring his 100th international century and said the milestone was round the corner.
Tendulkar fell 24 short of his 100th international century but his fine 76 gave India a five-wicket win over the West Indies in the first cricket Test at the Ferozeshah Kotla here.


'We are not under pressure as a team. The media is putting pressure on him. Let him score his hundred and he will do that at some point of time. He is pretty good at doing that (scoring centuries). Let him score the hundred without pressure,' Dhoni told reporters at the post-match press conference.

Dhoni said expectations from Tendulkar are as high as 'Everest' and that the batting maestro was very much aware of it.

'If you are talking about the gentleman, expectations from him by the people have been as high as (Mount) Everest. Since his second year in international cricket he has been the star. When he scores 50, people say he had not scored runs and it has been like that each and every match,' Dhoni said.

'What we have seen is that any individual, when he reaches a milestone, he may take a little bit longer time than usual. But I think it's around the corner. We have to wait and see,' he added.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy said he would be happy to see Tendulkar achieving the milestone during next month's tour to Australia but not against his side.

'As I have said, we admire Tendulkar, he is a great cricketer. But I would want Tendulkar to score his hundred against Australia. I would want to watch it and enjoy and not when playing against him,' he said.

First manned multicopter takes flight, brave human sits amidst blades

What could have ended in human chop suey, instead resulted in victory for German engineers at e-volo as they successfully completed the first manned flight of an electric multicopter. The human death trap multicopter uses multiple mini helicopters to lift the passenger upwards -- who's snuggled in the center of the carnage, firmly strapped to a squishy exercise ball. Like an UAV, the hovering device is controlled via radio control from the ground -- talk about trusting. The passenger was able to hold on for one minute and 30-second of flight victory, causing raucous celebrations from the Wright brothers in aviation heaven.

Baba Agnivesh wants own private ashram in Big Boss

Baba Agnivesh, the latest entrant on Bigg Boss, is a holy social activist who wishes to help the contestants see beyond trivial issues and get rid of any negativity that they may be experiencing.

Baba is confident that he will be able to reduce the number of fights in the house as he doesn't believe that fights lead to any solution.

Baba was escorted by Pooja Bedi into the house, who introduced him to all the members of the house.

Baba was happy to meet the housemates but his only issue was that he wasn't comfortable sharing a room with women and requested Shraddha the captain of the house, to offer her room to him as it has a single bed.

Shraddha happily offered her room to Baba as she didn't want to disrespect him as he is an elderly and holy man, she admitted.

Tendukar, Laxman help India to 5-wicket victory in the 1st Test match against West Indies

New Delhi, November 9 (AP): Sachin Tendulkar slammed a solid 76 to help India score a comfortable five-wicket victory over the West Indies on Wednesday in the first test, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-game series.
Tendulkar missed out on a potential 100th international century, but his innings put India in a winning position on the fourth day at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.


He added 67 for the third wicket with Rahul Dravid (31) and 71 for the next with V.V.S. Laxman (58 not out) as India cruised to the win with almost five sessions to spare.
Yuvraj Singh (18) was bowled by West Indian captain Darren Sammy with just one run needed for victory, leaving captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the other not out batsman without scoring a run.
Tendulkar, who resumed on 33, closed in on the historic 100 centuries milestone but was trapped lbw by leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo when trying to pull a short-pitched delivery. He hit 10 fours in his 148-ball innings.
A crowd of more than 10,000 had turned up at the ground to watch Tendulkar get another three-figure mark but went back disappointed as the Mumbai batsman failed to do so.
Tendulkar, who became the first batsman to reach 15,000 test runs on Tuesday, has been on 99 centuries since the World Cup in March-April this year when he struck tons against England and South Africa.
Tendulkar smashed two fours each off overs from pace bowlers Darren Sammy and Ravi Rampaul to raise hopes of ensuring a win as well as reaching the milestone.
Laxman, who had started with a couple of trademark shots off the leg to pace bowler Fidel Edwards early in his innings, struck six fours off 105 balls.
The wristy Hyderabad batsman ensured India returned to winning ways in style after a forgettable previous test series which it lost 4-0 in England.
Earlier, overnight batsman Dravid was out for 31, adding only one run to his overnight score.
Pace bowler Fidel Edwards bowled a beautiful incoming delivery that went between bat and pad. Dravid batted for a total of 154 minutes, hitting only three fours off 101 balls.
The West Indies, which had won a previous two-test series in Bangladesh by a 1-0 margin, had a comfortable 95-run first innings lead but failed to drive home the advantage when India bowled the visitors out for only 180 in the second innings.
"That was a big lead, we all felt we did not bat the way we should have in the first innings," Dhoni said. "It was not an easy wicket to score, you had to be aware of the ball that kept low."
India's famed batting lineup, which had folded for only 209 in the first innings, made few mistakes the second time around and also buried fears of low bounce on a pitch which did not see huge scores.
"When you play against a top team, you want to create the opportunity to win which we did that in the first innings," Sammy said. We did not bat well in the second but believe we can win matches here."
The next test will be held in Kolkata from November 14 to 18 and the final game in Mumbai from November 22 to 26.
The tests will be followed by a series of five one-day internationals.

Windies get the better of 17-wicket on second day of the 1st test match

West Indies 304 (Chanderpaul 118, Brathwaite 63, Ojha 6-72, Ashwin 3-81) and 21 for 2 (K Edwrads 15*, F Edwards 0*) lead India 209 (Sehwag 55, Dravid 54, Sammy 3-35) by 116 runs

Their batsmen tied themselves in knots, the edges their bowlers produced kept falling short, they took a wicket off a no-ball too, they saw the Indian openers plunder 89 runs in 12.3 overs, but even with what seemed a below-par total of 304 to defend, West Indies didn't give up. Carlton Baugh did sensational work behind the stumps; Darren Sammy, the captain who has to keep justifying his place in the side every time he walks out, took three wickets and had a hand in two others; and the other bowlers chipped in with timely breakthroughs to bowl India out for their lowest total at home in three-and-a-half years.

The 95-run lead they secured in the first innings could prove to be match-winning on a slow and low track where scoring runs remains a struggle. West Indies learned that when they lost five wickets for 48 runs in the morning session, and two for 21 in the evening. They would have wondered what the fuss over the pitch was all about when Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir all but blew them away. Then came two freak dismissals, an opening that their bowlers burst through.

There was no bursting through by the Indian bowlers in the morning. They tried honestly with stump-to-stump lines and restrictive fields. That five of the seven wickets they took today fell lbw spoke of India's accuracy, and that none of the 11 wickets to spin came through exploding deliveries and bat-pad catches pointed at the hard work required.

Sensational as 5 for 48 in the morning might sound, nothing happened for the first seven overs. They had to turn to the spin of Pragyan Ojha, who bowled straight, and trapped Carlton Baugh and Sammy in his first two overs of the day. That brought Ojha his first Test five-for.

Overnight centurion Shivnarine Chanderpaul could add only seven before an Ishant Sharma delivery stayed low and he was given lbw. Chanderpaul could be unhappy with two men at the other end: Ravi Rampaul, who had declined an easy single last ball, and the umpire, because the wide angle from round the stumps could have carried the ball down leg.

The rest fell soon enough, in stark contrast to how mush West Indies had to struggle for their first wicket. Fidel Edwards must have walked under a ladder when coming to the ground: in his first three overs he produced two edges that didn't carry, one that was dropped, and bowled Sehwag off a no-ball. The Indian openers never thought of caution despite all that, and kept hitting boundaries, 10 of the between them.

While the batsmen's skill at livening up the game on a dull track shone through, it was also possible because West Indies were prepared to attack much more than India did. Perhaps the build-up of their attack didn't allow them the line-and-length business. Often Edwards and Ravi Rampaul bowled without either mid-off or mid-on, they pitched it up regularly, and the openers kept attacking.

The reward came unexpectedly, though, when a Sehwag straight drive ran Gambhir out. You could say luck had evened out, you could also say Gambhir held the bat in the wrong hand, which cost him some distance as he tried to make it back after having backed up. Three overs later Baugh made a good collection down the leg side. Sehwag had tried a vertical-sweep, and even though his back foot never left the crease, Baugh knew Sehwag would have to move it to resist backward momentum. He waited, he saw Sehwag lift it momentarily, and stumped him. All this thought-processing happened in about two seconds.

Just as fast, it seemed, Sammy called back Edwards, who had gone for 49 in his five overs. Edwards responded by trapping Sachin Tendulkar with a skidder that moved in, a typical mode of dismissal on this track. Soon Baugh took a low catch off Devendra Bishoo to send VVS Laxman back.

Yuvraj Singh counterattacked, added 32 with Dravid, but immediately after tea drove Sammy straight to short cover. Half the side gone, half of West Indies' total achieved, in walked India's captain to face West Indies'. Four balls later, he walked back, having missed a straight delivery. Two runs later, Baugh was into the game again, catching a healthy leg-side edge when standing up to Sammy. Ashwin gone too.

Dravid and Ishant Sharma added 49 for the eighth wicket, Dravid reached his sixth fifty-plus score past his 38th birthday, but West Indies's success lay in how, unlike four of those six efforts, Dravid couldn't convert this into three figures. Before Dravid was hurried into a pull off Rampaul, though, it was Marlon Samuels who broke through with Ishant's wicket. Rampaul followed up Dravid's wicket with a golden duck for Umesh Yadav.

Ducks weren't done for the day. The West Indies top order repeated the mistake from the first innings, allowing the spinners, who opened the innings, to bowl wherever they wanted to bowl. Kieran Powell fell for a duck, and Kraigg Brathwaite pushed down the wrong line just before stumps, making it 17 wickets for the day, setting up a delicious finish to the match.

Dhoni becomes India's most successful wicketkeeper

New Delhi, Nov 6 (IANS) Mahendra Singh Dhoni Sunday surpassed Syed Kirmani to become India's most successful wicketkeeper in Tests.
Dhoni went past Kirmani when he stumped Kraigg Brathwaite off Pragyan Ojha for his 199th victim in 62 Tests. Kirmani had played 88 Tests.

Dhoni did not have to wait much for his 200th victim and reached the milestone when he caught Marlon Samuels off Ravichandran Ashwin.

Dhoni is 13th in the overall list of wicketkeepers with most dismissals. South Africa's Mark Boucher heads the chart with 521 dismissals in 139 Tests, followed by Adam Gilchrist (416 in 96 Tests) and Ian Healy (395 in 119 Tests).

Dhoni's 200 dismissals include 174 caught behinds and 26 stumpings.

Apart from Dhoni and Kirmani, only two other Indian wicketkeepers --Kiran More (130, 49 Tests) and Nayan Mongia (107, 44 Tests) have completed 100 Test dismissals.

Chanderpaul hundred defies India

[Brief Scores - India vs West Indies: 1st Test, Day 1: West Indies 256-5. Chanderpaul 110*, Brathwaite 62; Ojha 3-58, Ashwin 2-79]

Nothing about Shivnarine Chanderpaul's bizarre stance and dour run-gathering style suggests he should have succeeded at the Test level. But here he is, touching 9,000 Test runs and punishing old foes like there's no tomorrow.
The veteran left-hander completed his seventh Test hundred against India, bringing respectability to West Indies after their poor start to the series starter at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.
He was helped ably by the 18-year-old opener Kraigg Brathwaite who defied India for over two sessions in making a watchful 62.
That the Kotla wicket was slow as a snail became evident in the first over when deliveries banged into the middle by Ishant Sharma and debutant Umesh Yadav went to MS Dhoni on the volley. Not surprisingly, the other debutant Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha did the bulk of the bowling and took all five wickets.
BRAITHWAITE DEFIES ODDS
Two years ago, the 16-year-old Brathwaite scored a double hundred in a domestic game. He described his effort as thus: "You've got to concentrate, put all your faith and truth in god, and then just do what you do, just bat and bat."
That's what he did today: bat, bat and bat -- getting fully forward to the spinners, playing with his bat and offering the full face. He's something of a child prodigy and became the first West Indian in over 70 years to score two Test fifties while aged 18. He could be the ice to Chris Gayle's fire, whenever he's back.
The youngster added 108 with Chanderpaul after they'd been begun poorly, losing Kieron Powell and Kirk Edwards to Ojha in the first session, and Darren Bravo to Ashwin immediately after the break.
Brathwaite's settling down allowed Chanderpaul to accelerate after their slow start. The senior guy pressed past fifty off 77 balls and a hundred off 144. He has been a thorn in India's side and would prove difficult to dislodge for their inexperienced bowlers.
Chanderpaul said today the wicket here was like the flat ones in Guyana where nothing happens for the pacers and he could play his natural game.
OJHA, ASHWIN AMONG WICKETS
Ojha has been in good form, having had a short, successful stint with Surrey for whom he took 24 wickets in four games. He then followed that up with nine wickets in the Irani Trophy.
Ojha nearly began with a wicket in his first over when he put down Kieron Powell off his own bowling. Next over, he had his man LBW.
He's one of the most economical spinners in world cricket, getting into his rhythm quickly. Operating from around the wicket to the right-handers, Ojha bowled at a steady pace and got sharp turn.
Kirk Edwards was tentative with his footwork and struggling to read the orthodox breaks mixed with the straight balls. The runs dried up and he eventually hit a return catch to Ojha.
Immediately after the break, Bravo played back to cut Ashwin. The ball stayed low, went with the angle and crashed into middle stump.
The other debutant, Umesh bowled too short today and rarely troubled the batsmen despite getting some reverse swing. Testing the middle of a slow wicket would prove futile. He was wayward with the second new ball, allowing Chanderpaul to hasten their scoring rate late in the day.
Ishant bowled full and straight. He had a couple of LBW shouts and some edges falling short of the slip cordon. On a luckier day, he would have picked up a couple of wickets.