What the F..... are our Indian batsmen doin.....

India needed a record score to win but instead Australia edged closer to a milestone of their own, posting their 15th consecutive Test victory as they wrapped up the Boxing Day Test within four days. Australia will now head into the Sydney Test that starts on Wednesday aiming to equal their own record of 16 straight Test wins and they will no doubt fancy their chances after India folded for 161 and crashed to a 337-run defeat at the MCG.

An extra day's rest will also be much appreciated by Australia's fast bowlers, who toiled hard in searing heat against a stonewalling India. Not only did India forget how to fight, they were outplayed in subcontinent-like conditions as Melbourne's temperature nudged 40 degrees. Ricky Ponting rotated his attack and they showed few signs of exhaustion with Mitchell Johnson picking up 3 for 21 and Brett Lee and Brad Hogg each grabbing two.

India, on the other hand, struggled in the conditions. Sourav Ganguly, who was the second-last man out when he departed for 40, had been at the crease for just over an hour when he slumped on the ground after running a two. He needed attention from the team physio and batted on in the sweltering conditions, but his team-mates kept falling around him.

The end came quickly for India, who had five wickets in hand at tea but survived only barely an hour after the break. MS Dhoni attempted a lavish cover-drive against Johnson and edged behind to Adam Gilchrist, who finished with eight dismissals for the match and not only passed Ian Healy's Australian Test wicketkeeping record of 395 victims but also earned $144,000 for Glenn McGrath's cancer charity - he wore pink gloves and his sponsors offered $18,000 per dismissal.

Ponting!!!!!!............U lil beauty.........

Ricky Ponting wanted to regain the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy more than any of his team-mates and his determination translated into consecutive centuries as he commandeered a dominant 2-0 series win. Ponting was resting when New Zealand whitewashed Australia in February and his mission of revenge was completed after his 134 not out set up a 114-run victory in Hobart.

His 107 had done a similar job in securing the opening win in Adelaide, but the home team had some tense moments at Bellerive Oval before Ponting arrived to overcome a deceptive pitch. Australia, who had rested Adam Gilchrist, fell to 3 for 87 after being sent in and needed rescuing by Ponting, who steadied and then accelerated on the way to a rewarding total of 6 for 282.

It was far too much for New Zealand, who lost both openers by the fifth over and had half their order gone by 72. Only Scott Styris held firm with 75 as his team-mates faltered against an Australia attack that took advantage of the low-bouncing surface by constantly changing their pace and running their fingers across the seam.

All-round show gives India series lead..!!!!

It was fitting that Shoaib Akhtar caused one final dent in India's run down the home stretch but it was equally apt that VVS Laxman was at the crease when the winning runs were knocked off and India took a 1-0 lead in this three-Test series. Sachin Tendulkar was unbeaten on a half-century and India chased down a target they had never managed before at the Feroz Shah Kotla with six wickets to spare.

When Akhtar bounced Sourav Ganguly and the ball got big on the pull shot, resulting in a swirling top-edge to fine leg, Pakistan supporters would have got a whiff of the unlikely. A wicket had fallen, Ganguly on 48, with 22 still needed for victory. But there would be no more heroics as Tendulkar took the lead and knocked off the required runs with a minimum of fuss.

In some ways it was ironic that Laxman was at crease when victory was sealed, for the lead-up to this Test match was full of questions over what the composition of the Indian team, especially the middle order, should be. Amid overwhelming calls to include the in-form Yuvraj Singh, Laxman came under pressure for his spot, as he often does. But he delivered in the first innings with a classy unbeaten 76, when it mattered the most, setting up an India win.

Vintage Sachin seals series for India..!!!!!!

Sachin Tendulkar fell within tantalising distance of a first match-winning century in a run chase since July 2001, but India weren't to be denied as they romped to a six-wicket victory [with 21 balls remaining] that wrapped up the series with a match to spare. As in 2006, when India won 4-1 in Pakistan, there was a considerable gulf between the two sides, best exemplified by Tendulkar's sublime batting as India set about their pursuit of 256. Pakistan's total owed much to their own 90s man - Mohammad Yousuf finished the innings on 99 not out - but ultimately, they paid the price for their diffidence in the Powerplay, when only 79 runs were scored.

On a pitch where most other batsmen were restricted in their shot-making, Tendulkar played with the fluency and confidence of old, finding gaps with effortless ease. To compound Pakistan's problems, Shoaib Akhtar, who bowled with genuine menace for three overs, went off with what looked like a shin injury after completing his fourth. He returned only in the 25th over, by which time India were well past half-way. In his absence, Tendulkar unveiled some stunning drives, including a couple of pushes through the covers off the back foot that brought back memories of the halcyon years.

Sourav Ganguly and Gautam Gambhir didn't make much of an impression. Ganguly poked one into the slip cordon off Shoaib, and Gambhir pulled a poor delivery from Rao Iftikhar Anjum straight to Sohail Tanvir at midwicket. That brought Virender Sehwag to the crease, and though he was scratchy early on, Tendulkar's punched drives and measured clips off the pads gave him the time to play himself into form. A chop behind point set the tone, and a withering cover drive then suggested that Redemption Road wasn't too far away.

Kingsize affair expected at princely state..!!!!

For a ground that still does not have a 300-plus score to its name, the size of the Captain Roop Singh stadium in Gwalior might take a few by surprise.

Picturesque but of noticeably small proportions, the ground may achieve this distinction (hit the elusive 300-plus score) in limited overs cricket when India take on Pakistan in the fourth ODI of the Indian Oil Cup.

The pitch curator Ajay Shastri expects at least 550 runs on Thursday. He assures that the wicket has been prepared with one thought in mind - to create a belter.

“I hope it rains fours and sixes. We need respite from the heat. With the kind of wicket we have made, you could expect a run feast. Both the sides have power-hitters who are in great form. It will be a cracker of a game,” says Shastri.

Shastri contends that since it is a newly laid wicket, bowlers will get help only in the initial stages of the game. While he was happy with the pitch and was confident of having all the ingredients to hand out an entertaining affair, an eminent personality was hell bent in making sure that all arrangements were in place.

Anil Kumble..India's Test Captain..!!!!!!

After days of media speculation and hearsay, veteran leg-spinner Anil Kumble has won the two-horse race for the Test captaincy, edging out Mahendra Singh Dhoni who was billed as the popular favourite for the position.

India’s leading wicket taker will lead the country in the upcoming three-Test series against Pakistan at home. Kumble is India’s 30th Test captain. He is the third spinner to lead India after Bishan Singh Bedi and Srinivas Venkataraghavan.

The selectors didn’t want to cast MS Dhoni in the inferno for the two arduous assignments against Pakistan and Australia. Ex-cricketers had also felt that Dhoni still has to grow as a Test-match player. Kumble was deputy to Sachin Tendulkar and was overlooked many times for the position. India’s old warhorse had led the country in a one-day game against England in 2001-02.

“It’s a great honour, something which every cricketer dreams of. It’s a high pressure job, a challenge and I am looking forward to it,” Kumble told CNN-IBN. “I thought I was pretty close to it when I was the vice-captain. But I just played my game and contributed to the team. It (the captaincy) has happened very late but it is better late than never,” Kumble told CNN-IBN.

Sachin Tendulkar refuses capataincy..!!!!

Sachin Tendulkar today turned down the offer to become the captain of India's Test cricket team just two days before his appointment was to be formally announced here. The veteran batsman, who had initially agreed to take over the mantle after Rahul Dravid stepped down, has informed the Board President Sharad Pawar and national selectors about his decision.

A highly-placed BCCI source said Tendulkar had given his views to the President and selectors. "I cannot say what prompted him to take such a decision but it is some personal reason. All I can say is that he does not want to be the Test captain at this stage," the source said.

The selectors will meet here on Thursday to announce team for the remaining three one-dayers against Pakistan and also the new Test captain with Mahendra singh Dhoni now emerging as the front-runner for the hot-seat.

India has been without a Test captain ever since Dravid abruptly quit the post after the team's successful tour of England. With Tendulkar now out of the equation the 26-year-old Dhoni, who has been impressive in the Twenty20 and ODIs, appears to also take up the responsibilities in the longer of version of the game.

One of the selectors told PTI on condition of anonymity that Dhoni now stood a good chance to be the Test captain. "Tendulkar was the preferred choice but now it will be Dhoni, who has done a good job in one-dayers as well as in Twenty20," he said.

Easy win for the Indians.....!!!!!!!!!!!!

India had the best of Pakistan in a lacklustre contest on a slightly demanding pitch, restricting them to 239 and then knocking off the runs through a string of contributions from the top order. It was not the most spectacular cricket, but it was sensible from India and perhaps a touch too circumspect from Pakistan, whose batsmen did not do enough, and whose bowlers were committed and disciplined but rarely penetrative.

When Shoaib Malik won the toss and chose to bat it appeared to be a sound decision, given that the pitch was dry, on the slower side, and threatened to break up in the second half. And when Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal got off to a breezy start, it appeared that India would have their work cut out. Akmal square drove crisply for boundaries when he was offered width and Butt used his wrists to guide the ball into gaps with excellent timing.

Both Yuvraj and Dhoni reached the half-century mark, and with only 22 needed for victory Pakistan broke the partnership. Yuvraj (58) slog-swept Abdur Rahman, the left-arm spinner, but did not quite get hold of the ball and failed to clear Afridi in the deep. Soon after, Dhoni (63) flashed at Shoaib, who returned to the attack in the 45th over, and India wobbled at the doorstep of victory. Only 15 were needed for victory at that stage, and you wondered why Malik had not re-introduced Shoaib earlier. Robin Uthappa and Pathan knocked off the remaining runs and the five-wicket win gave India a 1-0 lead in this five-match series.

Pakistanis choke as the South Africans take away the series...!!!!!!

South Africa captain Graeme Smith hailed his side's Test and one-day series victory over Pakistan as an "unbelievable achievement". South Africa won the deciding one-dayer by 14 runs after Pakistan lost their last six wickets for 20 runs. They took the Test series 1-0 and the one-dayers 3-2.

"I don't think any South African team has won two trophies on the subcontinent," Smith said. "Of course we can still improve but two series victories is fantastic." The series result leaves South Africa in second place in the ODI rankings, five points behind Australia.

When asked about Pakistan's sensational collapse, Smith said, "We took huge catches and the ball swung in the end and that helped us to take those last wickets."

Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik was at a loss to explain his side's defeat from a commanding position. "We were unable to maintain that form to the end," Malik said. "It's hard to explain. A win would have been good for the Indian tour." Pakistan kick off their tour of India with a warm-up one-dayer in Delhi on Friday.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive officer Gerald Majola also lauded the series wins. "To Graeme Smith, the team and management: CSA extends its heartiest congratulations on one of the great victories in SA cricket history," a statement from Majola said.

"To have won in this fashion against all the odds to win both the test and ODI series in Pakistan is an unprecedented achievement," it said. "The commitment and will-to-win from everybody was extraordinary and the nation here salutes you all. You have carried on where the South Africa Rugby team finished off in Paris (winning the World Cup)."

Afridi's stunning run.....Chak de phatte!!!!

His ability to bludgeon the ball out of the ground isn't in question, and neither is his ability to bowl a few overs of tight legspin and winkle out crucial wickets. Shahid Afridi has always been known for his occasional bursts of explosiveness, but in 2007 he has been immense with both bat and ball. The Faisalabad ODI against South Africa saw him at his irresistible best - his 3 for 37 and 18-ball 32 won him the Man-of-the-Match award - and continued the rich vein of form that has helped him score 277 runs at an average of almost 40, and take 16 wickets at 18.31 apiece from nine one-day internationals this year.

Afridi's career summary shows just how special 2007 has been. Compare it with his performances in the previous year and the contrast is even starker: in 2006 the runs dried up completely - 15 innings fetched a total of 115, with a highest of 23 and nine single-digit scores. His batting average was an embarrassing 7.66, while his 14 wickets came at a rate of more than 40.

This year, though, the story has been completely different. Not only has he found a way to score runs and take wickets, he has done so without compromising on either the strike-rate or the economy-rate - he has scored his runs at nearly 185 per 100 balls, and conceded just four per over with the ball.

Afridi's legspin has always been the more consistent part of his game, and the numbers show just how effective a bowling option he has been. In ODIs in which he has bowled six or more overs, he has gone at more than seven an over only eight times, while 18 times he has restricted the batsmen to a run-rate of less than three.

The New look Dhoni speaks........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ranchi: After curtains were drawn on the India-Australia series, which came into the limelight as much for the on and off the field verbal duals between the two sides as the cricket played, captain MS Dhoni said his team would continue to play aggressive cricket. "Every one knows about his role and responsibility. And if we can play aggressive cricket, we should play that way," the Ranchi player said in a press conference at his hometown.

When asked about S Sreesanth’s aggressive behaviour, which has been put under the scanner by several sections of the cricketing community, Dhoni said if the aggression is abiding by the code of conduct, there is nothing wrong in it. "In cricket we have guidelines and so long one plays within the frame work, it is okay," he said.

On the upcoming series against Pakistan amidst a hectic cricket schedule, the Indian captain said the break before the series was a welcome relief. "We have enough time before the tough series against Pakistan. We have played cricket for over five months, perhaps the busiest cricketing schedule in Indian cricket. It is important to relax, regenerate energy and charge our batteries before the important series ahead," he said.

Dhoni also said the ongoing Challenger Trophy is a great opportunity for youngsters to give eye catching performances and pave their way in the national side. "It is a great platform for all those players who want to get a chance," Dhoni said. Dhoni was also quick to defend the decision of the senior members of the team not to participate in the Challenger Trophy. "Players with 15 years of experience don’t need to prove themselves," he said.

The World Champions do it again.....!!!!!!!

The one-day series might have gone but India lived up to their world champions tag in the Twenty20, finishing with a thumping seven-wicket win in Mumbai. Australia have bossed around for most of the last month but India can take consolation from one stat: the last eight internationals between the two sides have been shared 4-4.

Ricky Ponting's blazing 76 launched a meaty Australian total but it was soon to be overshadowed by Gautam Gambhir's swash and buckle. The jury is still out on his Test and 50-over credentials but there's few who will argue with his ability to swing a Twenty20 match. With fifties against New Zealand, England, Pakistan and Australia he's been India's most valuable batsmen in the shortest format. Only Matthew Hayden has managed a similar number of fifties; nobody has managed to defy expectations so consistently.

Like he's done on each of those occasions, Gambhir set the agenda in an emphatic manner, partnering Robin Uthappa and Yuvraj Singh in rollicking stands. Gambhir cut loose with a fearlessness that was missing in some of the 50-over games. The dance down the track was a regular feature but the chiselled square-cut was the sight of the evening.

Australia won the big moments and the small ones

If you were looking for a few instances that illustrated the difference between Australia and India in this series, billed as the "battle of champions" by some local television channels, try these couple of moments, both from the sixth match of the series in Nagpur.

The first involved free hits. Brad Haddin looked to swing Murali Kartik down the ground, but the top edge ended up in Sreesanth's hands just outside the circle at mid-off. Haddin, however, managed to scamper two. Later Sourav Ganguly, looking for a free swing over midwicket, top-edged Brett Lee behind the wicketkeeper and Adam Gilchrist collected the ball on the first bounce after making considerable ground. The Indians strolled a single. Palpably the difference here was in the intent.

In the same match, with Australia 109 for 3, Andrew Symonds top-edged Harbhajan Singh, and the ball swirled high over midwicket; Sreesanth, who was back on the ropes, was quick on his feet to make the ground, but his hands let him down and the ball slipped out of his grasp. Symonds, on two, went on to smash 107 off 88 balls. Later, Ganguly floated a tired lofted shot off Brad Hogg in the direction of long-off and Brad Hodge made the distance from the boundary and caught the ball with a slide. India never recovered from losing their set batsman. Give the Australians a chance, and they are most likely to make the most of it.

In his syndicated newspaper column on the morning of the final match, Gilchrist reflected on the closeness of the series despite the 4-1 scoreline. The difference, he wrote, was that Australia had won most of the "50-50 moments". In other words, whenever the match had been in the balance, Australia found the men and means to swing it their way.

All that separated the teams in Nagpur, possibly the best match of the series, was a couple of loose overs at the start of Australia's innings and a few tight ones in the latter half of the Indian innings. The margin was 18 runs - not insignificant in the context of one-day cricket - which boiled down to a few extra singles, some singles converted into twos, and a few runs saved in the field.

In the end, a 4-2 result looks far better than 5-1, which it could have easily been. But India will reflect and rue that it could very well have been 3-3. It will be difficult to argue, however, that Australia weren't decidedly the better side.

Kartik spins India to consolatory win..!!!!!

The stage was set for India's most loved cricketing son to bid adieu to his home crowd with the sort of innings that he often played to illuminate this venue for almost two decades. Instead, it was Murali Kartik, forever condemned to Indian cricket's fringes, who basked in the late-afternoon sunshine with a mesmeric spell of left-arm spin bowling, before taking part in the unlikeliest of rearguard actions to script a famous victory.

Australia's pace bowlers had bullied and toyed with India's top order, before a defiant 65-run partnership between Robin Uthappa and Harbhajan Singh gave India fleeting hope. However, it was a stunning 52-run stand for the ninth wicket between Kartik and Zaheer Khan that gave India a consolation win in a series otherwise dominated by the world champions.

By one of those strange quirks of fate, the Kartik-Zaheer partnership mirrored the epic one between Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble in Bangalore 11 years earlier. A crowd that had become despondent with Uthappa's exit roused itself to cheer every forward defensive prod, every nudge and even every swipe that just evaded the outside edge.

Dazzling, delicate; a reassuring presence

This is all to nitpick, of course, especially as Pakistan has less batting heroes than it should. Much more convenient to say that alongside Javed Miandad he is the greatest Pakistani batsman and undoubtedly, one of the best, most compelling of modern batsmen.

Captaincy brought out the human in Inzamam, despite his reluctance for the post. He was a caricature before: aloo, overweight, loves a nap, (and his food even more), comedy runner, loses runs when he loses pounds, hits fans. He probably didn't mind it, because nobody minds goodwill, sympathy and endearment the world over.

His dry, sharp wit, already known to teammates, emerged when he had to address press conferences. He was also honest: asked to assess an under-utilised bowler's performance once, he replied, "If he had performed I could've told you."

Fifteen years after his Test debut, Inzamam-ul-Haq signed off a glittering career on the final day of the second Test against South Africa in Lahore. His performance in the sign-off Test wasn't what he would have wanted it to be, and while that hardly diminishes from an exceptional career, it did mean he missed out on a couple of important landmarks.

The 17 runs in his 120th and final Test not only left Inzamam - who finished with a Test aggregate of 8830 - two runs short of equalling Javed Miandad as Pakistan's leading run-getter in Tests, but also brought his career batting average down to 49.60, marginally below the 50-mark, which is considered by many as a benchmark to distinguish between a good and a great batsman. In Inzamam's case, however, that definition clearly doesn't hold.

Shud hav shown lil bit of character !!!

If this was a final, as Ricky Ponting wanted his side to view the fifth one-dayer in Vadodara, it was reminiscent of the hopelessly one-sided conclusion to the World Cup in 1999. Mahendra Singh Dhoni let out a big smile at the toss, with the crowd cheering as if the result was a foregone conclusion, but trudged away in the knowledge that his side could no longer win the series. Even drawing level from here will take some getting.

The distinctly brick-red surface, one that demanded application, was to leave India's batsmen ashen faced. A combination of injudicious shot-selection, accurate new-ball bowling, efficient left-arm pace and outstanding wicketkeeping is often a recipe for a lop-sided contest. It resulted in India's lowest home total against Australia. In fact the game was up much earlier; spectators leaving the ground after 25 overs of the game realised as much.

India's bowlers keep series alive...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

India's bowlers fought back from a blistering opening by Matthew Hayden to snatch an eight-run victory and keep the seven-match series alive. Two of India's additions at Chandigarh, RP Singh and Murali Kartik, bowled superbly in the dying stages and Zaheer Khan held his nerve with a composed last over to secure the win.

Australia appeared to be cruising with ten overs remaining. The asking-rate was seven, they had six wickets in hand and a calm Symonds at the crease, but the out-of-form Brad Hodge struggled to rotate the strike and the required run-rate gradually expanded.

India were kept in the game largely by their spinners, Kartik and Harbhajan Singh, who built the pressure on Hodge by denying him singles which kept Symonds away from the strike. Irfan Pathan was also difficult to get away and Singh's return after a miserable start was superb.

Pressure is definitely on India !!!!!!!!!!!!!

India have left themselves a mountain to climb to win this series; down 0-2 and with four games to play, they will have to raise their game significantly, knowing Australia need only a half-chance to shut out the opposition in the fourth one-day international at the Sector 16 Stadium in Chandigarh.

India have, however, responded well to such extreme pressure in the recent past. Trailing 3-1 in the NatWest Series in England, they were out for the count but managed to stretch the series till the final game at Lord's. At the World Twenty20, India were faced with three must-win games against Pakistan, England and South Africa and won all three to make the semi-finals - and the two knockout games as well.

The trend in the series has been for Australia to bat first and score 300, putting the Indian batsmen under immense pressure against an incisive new-ball attack. India's openers haven't coped well - 1, 11 and 10 in three innings - and the lack of partnerships at the top has crippled their run-chases.

Australian brilliance overshadows Yuvraj ton

It wasn't a one-sided drubbing like the Kochi game, but the Australians won all the key moments in the contest to sweep to a 47-run win in Hyderabad. The visitors now have a 2-0 lead after three games of the seven-match series. Following a coruscating 67-ball 89 by Andrew Symonds which powered them to 290, Australia survived an equally brilliant 121 by Yuvraj Singh and restricted the Indian run-chase to 243.

A determined yet classy 121 from 115 balls from stylish batsman Yuvraj Singh failed to get India past the post as the hosts fell short by 47 runs. Tendulkar was at his crafty best as he coupled his trademark straight drives with deft paddle strokes to frustrate the Australians, much to the delight of the 39000-strong crowd and Telugu superstar Venkatesh. Yuvraj Singh, who quietly worked his way when Tendulkar was on song, came into his own later on. India were dealt their fourth blow when Tendulkar moved away from his stumps only to be castled by spinner Brad Hogg after a gritty 43 from 71 balls, as a 95-run fourth wicket stand was brought to an end. India, however, were on par with Australia at this stage.

Definitely a game on our hands....!!!!

The day-time temperature in Hyderabad is around 32 degrees Celsius. It gets hotter inside a stadium filled with tens of thousands of noisy fans and when there's no love lost between the two teams, the contest could well and truly boil over. India and Australia play each other in the third of seven ODIs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Friday, and if the walk matches the ample talk from both teams, it could be a bumpy but exhilarating ride.

Australia are likely to be strengthened by the return of their captain Ricky Ponting, who missed the first two games because of a hamstring strain he sustained during the ICC World Twenty20. Australia's one worry has been their tendency to lose quick wickets at the start - 18 for 2 at Bangalore and 8 for 2 at Kochi - and Ponting's inclusion, most likely at the expense of Brad Hodge, will allay fears of the middle order having to bail them out again. Ponting hasn't played an ODI since the World Cup final and even though he didn't contribute much in Australia's Twenty20 campaign, his captaincy and presence at No. 3 and will undoubtedly bolster his team.

All-round display seals Australian win

Australia duly claimed the 1-0 lead that they had threatened during Saturday's washed-out series opener, stamping their authority over India with an 84-run victory that was achieved even in the absence of Ricky Ponting. Mahendra Singh Dhoni put the Australians in to bat in the hope of exploiting the wet conditions, but as the sun dried out the pitch and its surrounding area, India's hopes evaporated. First, Australia amassed a total of 306 for 6, then prised out ten wickets with clinical efficiency.

Ganguly to miss second one-dayer

Sourav Ganguly, who pulled his right hamstring while fielding in the first one-dayer against Australia in Bangalore, has been rested for the second game in Kochi as a precautionary measure. The team management has informed that the injury is not serious, and that Ganguly should be available for the remainder of the series.

"An MRI scan was performed on Sourav's right hamstring this morning and it has determined no injury to the region," Niranjan Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, said in a statement. "Based on the findings, a vigorous rehab approach will be commencing immediately. On the report of team physio John Gloster and other analysis, the team management feels that Sourav will progress quickly and hence it was decided to rest him for a game."

The second one-dayer gets underway on October 2 while the third, at Hyderabad, is scheduled for October 5.

American Gandhi

Another Gandhi Jayanti will go by in a couple of days. More pious song and sentiment will be sung and wrung from it even as the world indulges in violence and bloodshed. Poor Mahatma will be turning in his grave when the UN celebrates his birthday as the "International Day of Peace and Non-violence" with a speech by Sonia Gandhi — "no relation to M.K.Gandhi," as the western media will note.

Americans love Gandhi, probably more than Brits, who lost the jewel in their crown to him and, therefore, had less reason to. President Roosevelt nagged Churchill into granting independence to India. Martin Luther King was profoundly influenced by Gandhi during the civil rights movement.

First One Day International, Bangalore: No result

The first one-day international between India and Australia in Bangalore was abandoned due to rain with the tourists in a strong position. The world champions had made 307-7 in their 50 overs and then took an early wicket to reduce India to 9-1 before the weather intervened.

Michael Clarke's career-best 130 was in vain, the 26-year-old having rebuilt the Aussies' innings after Sri Sreesanth had grabbed three wickets. That left Australia on 90-4 in the 17th over, but Clarke and Brad Haddin (69) put on 144 for the fifth wicket to change the course of the match. Clarke was finally run out off the last ball of the innings, having hit 10 fours and three sixes.

AJAY DIRECTS KAJOL IN 'U ME AUR HUM'

Ajay Devgan is known as a versatile actor who has umpteen numbers of movies to his credit and those in different roles. However, this time he will be seen as three-in-one - actor, producer as well as director. Another highlight of his forthcoming venture is that he will act along with his wife Kajol. Yes, he did act with her in his earlier production - 'Raju Chacha', too. Ajay has titled this movie as 'U, Me Aur Hum'. In this romantic film, Ajay Devgan and Kajol play lead roles with Sumeet Raghvan, Karan Khanna and Isha Sharvani. Written by Robin Bhatt, Sutanu Gupta and Akarsh Khurana, the film has dialogues by Ashwani Dheer. Vishal Bharadwaj has given music and Munna Dhiman, lyrics.

The co-producer of the film is none other than Ajay's one time very close colleague in production -- Kumar Mangat. Though the film had its Muhurt at Andheri , the first shooting schedule was flagged off on a cruise liner later. This is to recall that Ajay Devgan had directed for the first time brilliant promos of Gordhan Tanwani's 'Pyar To Hona Hi Tha' as early as 1998. Besides himself, it featured his wife Kajol, with Remo's rocking title track playing in the background.

click for larger view

This had then proved that Ajay would one day direct a movie, too. However, it was only in 2007, that Ajay announced his directorial debut movie 'U, Me Aur Hum'. The second shooting schedule of ' U, Me Aur Hum' that commenced at Bombay's Filmistan studio got completed there. Interestingly, Ajay has roped in Isha Sharvani, who hasn't been in the industry for long. After debuting in Subhash Ghai's 'Kisna' she was first noticed in Ram Gopal Verma's 'Darwaza Band Rakho' . Incidentally, Isha is currently promoting her forthcoming movie 'Good Boy Bad Boy'. But, Isha is very excited to work with "the very talented Ajay and Kajol". Isha, who is a trained dancer, had rehearsed for Ajay and Kajol's Salsa number in the past. Again, she has worked with both in 'U Me Aur Hum'.

"CHAK DE"....INDIA........!!!!!!

Ten days earlier, India and Pakistan couldn't be separated in Durban. In front of a frenzied crowd at the Wanderers on Monday, they played out perhaps the best final ever seen in a major tournament. Once again, the ice-cool Misbah-ul-Haq threatened to drag Pakistan back from the brink, but the Indians just about held their nerve to clinch a five-run victory and the inaugural ICC World Twenty20.

After scrapping hard to get to 157 for 5 in the face of some tigerish bowling and fielding, India were inspired with the ball, and Pakistan appeared to be well out of contention with 54 needed from 24 balls and just three wickets in hand. But when Misbah thumped Harbhajan Singh for three sixes and Sohail Tanvir chipped in with a four-ball 12, the improbable became possible.

With Misbah on strike, Pakistan needed 13 from the final over. After a great deal of thought, Mahendra Singh Dhoni gambled on the inexperienced Joginder Sharma. When he started with a wide, Indian fans groaned, and the situation became even more desperate when Misbah pummelled a full toss miles over long-off for six. But with victory in his grasp, his judgement failed him. Moving across his stumps, he went for the scoop down to fine leg. He didn't connect cleanly, and millions on the subcontinent held their breath as Sreesanth came under the ball at short fine leg. When he held it, the stadium erupted.

The architects of the Indian triumph were the two left-armers, Rudra Pratap Singh and Irfan Pathan, both of whom scalped three wickets to scupper the chase. Singh struck in both his opening overs, having Mohammad Hafeez caught at slip and knocking Kamran Akmal's off stump out of the ground, but Imran Nazir played a blinder at the other end to keep his side ahead of the asking rate.