Will produce better results on away tours in future: Tendulkar

New Delhi: Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday said that Team India are confident of a good show at home against England and Australia but will certainly aim at preparing well when they play away series against these two teams next time.

"We need to look at one factor. When we played against Australia, they were the home team. England also played at home. There is no point in saying that India only plays well at home. Why do we always look at one side of the coin, it should be always fair," the senior batsman said.

"I feel that it does not come as an excuse for us to go somewhere and not play well. We need to go abroad and win. It's as simple as that. We have done it before (winning abroad). Both England and Australia tours were tough for us. We should make every possible effort to perfect our preparation and produce better results," Tendulkar told a news channel.

The master batsman also admitted that things didn't go as per plan in England and Australia.

India lost eight consecutive Test matches against England and Australia last season.

Tendulkar said that Team India always go out there to perform well but sometimes it just does not work.

"Ideally, we want to win each and every match and that is how we want to prepare ourselves. But sometimes, it's humanly impossible. There are some ups and downs. The best of the teams have rather faced or seen the other side of the coin," he said.

On playing along side his son, Arjun, he said, "I have never thought of it. I used to visit Bandra for hispractice sessions. I just stand at non-striker stand. Just to see how he calls for single and twos. Beyond that, I have not thought of playing with him. It may happen at some exhibition match or club-level game.

"Arjun likes to watch cricket. I have not forced him to make cricket his career. He is passionate about the sport," he said.

Source : NDTV. (2012). ahtlete help. Available: http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/194198-will-produce-better-results-on-away-tours-in-future-tendulkar. Last accessed 31st July 2012.

When Sachin Tendulkar bought a second-hand BMW

One of the richest cricketers of the world at the moment, Sachin Tendulkar today revisited the time when the not-so-well-off batsman managed to buy his favourite luxury car, albeit a second-hand one.

Known for his passion for cars, Tendulkar in 1993 bought a BMW at the age 20, four years into his international career.

"I have always been a BMW fan but the real association with it started when I was 14. One of the firstBMWs that I drove and owned was in 1993. My pockets were not so deep back then so I had to opt for a second-hand BMW and it was a joy to drive that car," Tendulkar said at the launch of a new series of the iconic German car.

According to international magazine 'Forbes', the 39-year-old earned USD 18.6 million last year, and a vast majority of Tendulkar's earnings came from sponsorship deals.

The legend currently has 16 sponsors, including global brands like Adidas, Coca-Cola, Castrol and Toshiba, and they pay a total of USD 16.5 million for his services.

"I drove that car for a few years and moved on to better BMWs like the X5 and M5," India's run machine said. Tendulkar, one of the first few people to test drive the German luxury car maker's new launch in London this month, said he enjoys being in the driver's seat.

"To be honest, I prefer driving. My driver normally gets to sit at the back. There are occasions when I am travelling with my family, then I sit at the back," he said.


Source : Ndtv.com visited on 27 th July 2012.

Sachin Tendulkar's interests not same as India's

Bangalore: Will Sachin Tendulkar be in the team for the 2015 World Cup? He will be 42 then, would have scored even more runs and even more centuries and even more 23s or 75s or 53s or whatever excites cricket statisticians and would have even fewer worlds to conquer than Alexander the Great. His fans would love him to play, the hosts can bank on another round of farewells and final appearances, and his commercial agents will cartwheel all the way to the bank.

But if he is not likely to play, then he has no business being in the Indian team to Sri Lanka this month. In some 36 years since the first tournament, the World Cup has become both a convenient starting point as well as the obvious finishing point for one-day cricket. The four-year cycle gives countries enough time to experiment, consolidate or revamp their teams. Tendulkar has already played six World Cups, and last year achieved his life's ambition of finishing on the winning side.

It would have been a good time to bid farewell to the shorter form of the game to focus on Test cricket and the lucrative IPL. Instead he has been allowed to pick and choose his matches, and the BCCI, so firm and so decisive when it comes to fringe players, is pusillanimity itself when dealing with the seniors.

Of Indian cricket's golden generation, Javagal Srinath, Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, and most recently Rahul Dravid said goodbye on their own terms knowing that if they had kicked in their heels and stayed put, the Board would not have known how to react. There was never a proper entry policy, so it might be too much to expect an exit policy from the Board, yet the players deserve the courtesy of being told how and when. Just as the Board deserves to know from the players just what their plans are.

Sentiment aside, the end of the World Cup was the ideal moment for Tendulkar to have called it a day. He was 38, had to necessarily slow down, and there was no charm in hanging on. The one hundredth international hundred became a distraction, and when it finally came, against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup, it actually led to a defeat since too many deliveries were used up in the latter stages.

The 2011 victory made up for the 2007 World Cup disaster in the West Indies, but already in four years the team had moved on. Now, with three years to go for the next tournament, India must rebuild. Allowing Tendulkar to pick and choose would mean keeping a younger man on tenterhooks or finding at the last moment that a replacement is not ready to take over yet.

I have made the point before that Tendulkar is a creature controlled by his commercial interests - he is a cottage industry which supports the lives of many professionals, all of whom stand to lose if he stops playing. But clearly Tendulkar's interests are no longer the same as the country's, certainly not in One-Day Internationals.

It is a judgement call. Selectors must decide whether Tendulkar is sound investment for 2015, and if they feel he is not, he should be told gently. With the IPL entering the equation, it is not just patriotism that must be satisfied but the bank balance too. It was unfair of Tendulkar to have pulled out of the West Indies tour, for example, to get fit after the IPL.

This week has seen two leading contemporary players bid adieu for different reasons. The fast bowler Brett Lee is simply tired, while the wicketkeeper Mark Boucher may lose an eye in a horrific accident behind the stumps. If the 2015 World Cup is in his sights, Tendulkar should play on but without deciding when and where. If it isn't, he should be honest and inform the selectors. The chairman of selectors was his first international captain - that should make things a bit easier.

Source : WWW.Ndtv.com visited on 24th July 2012 .....

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar and Rekha have their work cut out for them. The two MPs, nominated to the Rajya Sabha in May this year, have been made members of standing committees of Parliament. Their star power will be divided. While God of Cricket Sachin has been made a member of a committee on IT, Rekha will join a group that looks at Food and Civil Supplies. On her first day in the Rajya Sabha, the actor left the house after 20 minutes. A standing committee combines Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members from different parties. Its job is to cover a ministry or department of the Union Government in order to "further strengthen the accountability of the Government to Parliament." It can study bills relevant to its ministry and look at long-term policy of that department

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar and Rekha have their work cut out for them. The two MPs, nominated to the Rajya Sabha in May this year, have been made members of standing committees of Parliament.  

Their star power will be divided. While God of Cricket Sachin has been made a member of a committee on IT, Rekha will join a group that looks at Food and Civil Supplies. On her first day in the Rajya Sabha, the actor left the house after 20 minutes.

A standing committee combines Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members from different parties. Its job is to cover a ministry or department of the Union Government in order to "further strengthen the accountability of the Government to Parliament."  It can study bills relevant to its ministry and look at long-term policy of that department.


Source : Ndtv.com visited on 23 rd July 2012 

Sachin, Yuvraj laud Brett Lee on Twitter

New Delhi: Their on-field face-offs were among the most exhilarating sights in international cricket and as Australian speedster Brett Lee drew curtains on his injury-ravaged career, senior Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute to him saying that it was a "joy" to pad up against the pacer.

"BrettLee_58 Its been a joy to play against u Binga. Congratulations for a successful career.... All the best wishes to you for the future," tweeted Tendulkar.

Lee responded with as much respect, saying that the Indian brought out the best in him.

"@sachin_rt yes mate it's been fun. Thanks for all the hard battles on the pitch. You definitely brought the best out of me," said the 35-year-old, who endured several injuries in a 13-year career before calling it day on Friday.

Not just Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, recuperating after undergoing chemotherapy for a rare germ cellcancer, also lauded the affable Australian, often described as 'the smiling assasin'.

"A man who always bowld his heart out A match winnr champion bowlr wrld clas athlete a lovely friend a good human I'm sad bret lee hs retired," said Yuvraj.

"My favourite lee moment 2004 india vs aus at perth vb series ! Gilly was standing on 30 yard circle and binga was firing 155km! Phew!!," recalled the left-hander.

Lee was quick to acknowledge, saying "@YUVSTRONG12 thanks legend, hope you're going strong."

Tendulkar also paid tribute to South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher who was forced to retire recently after sustaining an eye injury.

"Markb46 What a tragic injury to end Mark Boucher's career. Certainly one of the greatest wkt keepers the game has seen. SA will miss him," he said on the social networking site.

Source : www.Ndtv.com visited on 17th July 2012

Nobody will be able to replace Dravid at No. 3: Sachin Tendulkar

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar reckons Rahul Dravid's retirement has left an huge void in the Indian cricket team and it would be impossible to find an able replacement for such an "incredible" player.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," Tendulkar said.

Dravid has amassed more runs at No 3 than anyone in the history of Test cricket, including the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3.

"So obliviously these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. Before our generation, there were so many great players but the game continues," Tendulkar told a news channel.

Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. Indian cricket today is a far cry from what it was around the time Tendulkar started out, and the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, with the team experiencing success and failures in equal measure.

Asked if there was any problem with the system, Tendulkar responded in negative.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot.

"I just feel, you know, that if you compare the Australian series and you felt they always managed to get one big partnership. We were able to pick up early wickets, then invariably there was one partnership which tilted the game in their favour and there were not many big partnerships in our side."

"There are two ways to look at it. The batsmen aren't scoring enough runs and on the other side the bowlers are allowing that one big partnership because one side was getting that advantage of one big partnership, the other side was not," Tendulkar said.

A hectic season awaits the Indian team, starting with New Zealand's tour to the country for a three-Test series in September followed by home series against England and Australia, and Tendulkar was well aware of it.

"Every season is important but this one I am sure everyone is looking for because it is England followed by Australia. It is going to be a competitive season.

"All I can say is we need all the backing, all the support to put up a good performance and produce that kind of cricket that everyone is expecting us to, and entertain everyone."

According to the veteran batsman from Mumbai, the series against New Zealand will set the platform.

"We are playing a Test series after a long time in India and it is against the top two Test sides, England and Australia. The series against New Zealand, I feel, that is going to set a good platform and will be important. We are looking forward to it," said Tendulkar.

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar reckons Rahul Dravid's retirement has left an huge void in the Indian cricket team and it would be impossible to find an able replacement for such an "incredible" player.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," Tendulkar said.

Dravid has amassed more runs at No 3 than anyone in the history of Test cricket, including the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3.

"So obliviously these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. Before our generation, there were so many great players but the game continues," Tendulkar told a news channel.

Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. Indian cricket today is a far cry from what it was around the time Tendulkar started out, and the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, with the team experiencing success and failures in equal measure.

Asked if there was any problem with the system, Tendulkar responded in negative.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot.

"I just feel, you know, that if you compare the Australian series and you felt they always managed to get one big partnership. We were able to pick up early wickets, then invariably there was one partnership which tilted the game in their favour and there were not many big partnerships in our side."

"There are two ways to look at it. The batsmen aren't scoring enough runs and on the other side the bowlers are allowing that one big partnership because one side was getting that advantage of one big partnership, the other side was not," Tendulkar said.

A hectic season awaits the Indian team, starting with New Zealand's tour to the country for a three-Test series in September followed by home series against England and Australia, and Tendulkar was well aware of it.

"Every season is important but this one I am sure everyone is looking for because it is England followed by Australia. It is going to be a competitive season.

"All I can say is we need all the backing, all the support to put up a good performance and produce that kind of cricket that everyone is expecting us to, and entertain everyone."

According to the veteran batsman from Mumbai, the series against New Zealand will set the platform.

"We are playing a Test series after a long time in India and it is against the top two Test sides, England and Australia. The series against New Zealand, I feel, that is going to set a good platform and will be important. We are looking forward to it," said Tendulkar.

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar reckons Rahul Dravid's retirement has left an huge void in the Indian cricket team and it would be impossible to find an able replacement for such an "incredible" player.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," Tendulkar said.

Dravid has amassed more runs at No 3 than anyone in the history of Test cricket, including the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3.

"So obliviously these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. Before our generation, there were so many great players but the game continues," Tendulkar told a news channel.

Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. Indian cricket today is a far cry from what it was around the time Tendulkar started out, and the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, with the team experiencing success and failures in equal measure.

Asked if there was any problem with the system, Tendulkar responded in negative.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot.

"I just feel, you know, that if you compare the Australian series and you felt they always managed to get one big partnership. We were able to pick up early wickets, then invariably there was one partnership which tilted the game in their favour and there were not many big partnerships in our side."

"There are two ways to look at it. The batsmen aren't scoring enough runs and on the other side the bowlers are allowing that one big partnership because one side was getting that advantage of one big partnership, the other side was not," Tendulkar said.

A hectic season awaits the Indian team, starting with New Zealand's tour to the country for a three-Test series in September followed by home series against England and Australia, and Tendulkar was well aware of it.

"Every season is important but this one I am sure everyone is looking for because it is England followed by Australia. It is going to be a competitive season.

"All I can say is we need all the backing, all the support to put up a good performance and produce that kind of cricket that everyone is expecting us to, and entertain everyone."

According to the veteran batsman from Mumbai, the series against New Zealand will set the platform.

"We are playing a Test series after a long time in India and it is against the top two Test sides, England and Australia. The series against New Zealand, I feel, that is going to set a good platform and will be important. We are looking forward to it," said Tendulkar.

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar reckons Rahul Dravid's retirement has left an huge void in the Indian cricket team and it would be impossible to find an able replacement for such an "incredible" player.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," Tendulkar said.

Dravid has amassed more runs at No 3 than anyone in the history of Test cricket, including the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3.

"So obliviously these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. Before our generation, there were so many great players but the game continues," Tendulkar told a news channel.

Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. Indian cricket today is a far cry from what it was around the time Tendulkar started out, and the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, with the team experiencing success and failures in equal measure.

Asked if there was any problem with the system, Tendulkar responded in negative.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot.

"I just feel, you know, that if you compare the Australian series and you felt they always managed to get one big partnership. We were able to pick up early wickets, then invariably there was one partnership which tilted the game in their favour and there were not many big partnerships in our side."

"There are two ways to look at it. The batsmen aren't scoring enough runs and on the other side the bowlers are allowing that one big partnership because one side was getting that advantage of one big partnership, the other side was not," Tendulkar said.

A hectic season awaits the Indian team, starting with New Zealand's tour to the country for a three-Test series in September followed by home series against England and Australia, and Tendulkar was well aware of it.

"Every season is important but this one I am sure everyone is looking for because it is England followed by Australia. It is going to be a competitive season.

"All I can say is we need all the backing, all the support to put up a good performance and produce that kind of cricket that everyone is expecting us to, and entertain everyone."

According to the veteran batsman from Mumbai, the series against New Zealand will set the platform.

"We are playing a Test series after a long time in India and it is against the top two Test sides, England and Australia. The series against New Zealand, I feel, that is going to set a good platform and will be important. We are looking forward to it," said Tendulkar.

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar reckons Rahul Dravid's retirement has left an huge void in the Indian cricket team and it would be impossible to find an able replacement for such an "incredible" player.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," Tendulkar said.

Dravid has amassed more runs at No 3 than anyone in the history of Test cricket, including the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3.

"So obliviously these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. Before our generation, there were so many great players but the game continues," Tendulkar told a news channel.

Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. Indian cricket today is a far cry from what it was around the time Tendulkar started out, and the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, with the team experiencing success and failures in equal measure.

Asked if there was any problem with the system, Tendulkar responded in negative.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot.

"I just feel, you know, that if you compare the Australian series and you felt they always managed to get one big partnership. We were able to pick up early wickets, then invariably there was one partnership which tilted the game in their favour and there were not many big partnerships in our side."

"There are two ways to look at it. The batsmen aren't scoring enough runs and on the other side the bowlers are allowing that one big partnership because one side was getting that advantage of one big partnership, the other side was not," Tendulkar said.

A hectic season awaits the Indian team, starting with New Zealand's tour to the country for a three-Test series in September followed by home series against England and Australia, and Tendulkar was well aware of it.

"Every season is important but this one I am sure everyone is looking for because it is England followed by Australia. It is going to be a competitive season.

"All I can say is we need all the backing, all the support to put up a good performance and produce that kind of cricket that everyone is expecting us to, and entertain everyone."

According to the veteran batsman from Mumbai, the series against New Zealand will set the platform.

"We are playing a Test series after a long time in India and it is against the top two Test sides, England and Australia. The series against New Zealand, I feel, that is going to set a good platform and will be important. We are looking forward to it," said Tendulkar.

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar reckons Rahul Dravid's retirement has left an huge void in the Indian cricket team and it would be impossible to find an able replacement for such an "incredible" player.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," Tendulkar said.

Dravid has amassed more runs at No 3 than anyone in the history of Test cricket, including the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3.

"So obliviously these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. Before our generation, there were so many great players but the game continues," Tendulkar told a news channel.

Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. Indian cricket today is a far cry from what it was around the time Tendulkar started out, and the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, with the team experiencing success and failures in equal measure.

Asked if there was any problem with the system, Tendulkar responded in negative.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot.

"I just feel, you know, that if you compare the Australian series and you felt they always managed to get one big partnership. We were able to pick up early wickets, then invariably there was one partnership which tilted the game in their favour and there were not many big partnerships in our side."

"There are two ways to look at it. The batsmen aren't scoring enough runs and on the other side the bowlers are allowing that one big partnership because one side was getting that advantage of one big partnership, the other side was not," Tendulkar said.

A hectic season awaits the Indian team, starting with New Zealand's tour to the country for a three-Test series in September followed by home series against England and Australia, and Tendulkar was well aware of it.

"Every season is important but this one I am sure everyone is looking for because it is England followed by Australia. It is going to be a competitive season.

"All I can say is we need all the backing, all the support to put up a good performance and produce that kind of cricket that everyone is expecting us to, and entertain everyone."

According to the veteran batsman from Mumbai, the series against New Zealand will set the platform.

"We are playing a Test series after a long time in India and it is against the top two Test sides, England and Australia. The series against New Zealand, I feel, that is going to set a good platform and will be important. We are looking forward to it," said Tendulkar.

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar reckons Rahul Dravid's retirement has left an huge void in the Indian cricket team and it would be impossible to find an able replacement for such an "incredible" player.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," Tendulkar said.

Dravid has amassed more runs at No 3 than anyone in the history of Test cricket, including the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3.

"So obliviously these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. Before our generation, there were so many great players but the game continues," Tendulkar told a news channel.

Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. Indian cricket today is a far cry from what it was around the time Tendulkar started out, and the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, with the team experiencing success and failures in equal measure.

Asked if there was any problem with the system, Tendulkar responded in negative.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot.

"I just feel, you know, that if you compare the Australian series and you felt they always managed to get one big partnership. We were able to pick up early wickets, then invariably there was one partnership which tilted the game in their favour and there were not many big partnerships in our side."

"There are two ways to look at it. The batsmen aren't scoring enough runs and on the other side the bowlers are allowing that one big partnership because one side was getting that advantage of one big partnership, the other side was not," Tendulkar said.

A hectic season awaits the Indian team, starting with New Zealand's tour to the country for a three-Test series in September followed by home series against England and Australia, and Tendulkar was well aware of it.

"Every season is important but this one I am sure everyone is looking for because it is England followed by Australia. It is going to be a competitive season.

"All I can say is we need all the backing, all the support to put up a good performance and produce that kind of cricket that everyone is expecting us to, and entertain everyone."

According to the veteran batsman from Mumbai, the series against New Zealand will set the platform.

"We are playing a Test series after a long time in India and it is against the top two Test sides, England and Australia. The series against New Zealand, I feel, that is going to set a good platform and will be important. We are looking forward to it," said Tendulkar.

Source : New Delhi: 

Sachin Tendulkar reckons Rahul Dravid's retirement has left an huge void in the Indian cricket team and it would be impossible to find an able replacement for such an "incredible" player.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," Tendulkar said.

Dravid has amassed more runs at No 3 than anyone in the history of Test cricket, including the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3.

"So obliviously these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. Before our generation, there were so many great players but the game continues," Tendulkar told a news channel.

Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. Indian cricket today is a far cry from what it was around the time Tendulkar started out, and the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, with the team experiencing success and failures in equal measure.

Asked if there was any problem with the system, Tendulkar responded in negative.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot.

"I just feel, you know, that if you compare the Australian series and you felt they always managed to get one big partnership. We were able to pick up early wickets, then invariably there was one partnership which tilted the game in their favour and there were not many big partnerships in our side."

"There are two ways to look at it. The batsmen aren't scoring enough runs and on the other side the bowlers are allowing that one big partnership because one side was getting that advantage of one big partnership, the other side was not," Tendulkar said.

A hectic season awaits the Indian team, starting with New Zealand's tour to the country for a three-Test series in September followed by home series against England and Australia, and Tendulkar was well aware of it.

"Every season is important but this one I am sure everyone is looking for because it is England followed by Australia. It is going to be a competitive season.

"All I can say is we need all the backing, all the support to put up a good performance and produce that kind of cricket that everyone is expecting us to, and entertain everyone."

According to the veteran batsman from Mumbai, the series against New Zealand will set the platform.

"We are playing a Test series after a long time in India and it is against the top two Test sides, England and Australia. The series against New Zealand, I feel, that is going to set a good platform and will be important. We are looking forward to it," said Tendulkar.

Source : Ndtv.com visited on 15th July 2012.

You can't make anyone forcibly like Test cricket: Tendulkar

New Delhi: There has been a raging debate whether the next crop of Indian youngsters are passionate enough about playing Test cricket but Sachin Tendulkar reckons that players cannot be forced into liking the longer format.

"To make someone like Test cricket, it has to come from within. There is no set formula that you have to do certain things and then you start liking Test cricket. I grew up dreaming about playing for India - that was the biggest thing I wanted to achieve: to play Test cricket for India and to do well," Tendulkar said.

"Every practice session I went out, I was prepared to work as hard as any of my coaches wanted me to; the only thing

I wanted was an India cap. Yes, maybe there are individuals around who feel, 'If I don't play Test cricket I don't miss much.' You need not force them into something they don't want to be," he told a sports channel.

"If someone wants to be in Test cricket, then he will find his way, will be ready to push himself as hard as anyone to realise his dreams. I don't like to push someone to like Test cricket and make him like Test cricket forcibly. I would just keep those two individuals separate," Tendulkar, who has scored 15470 runs from 188 Test matches, said.

Having played top flight cricket for 23 years now, Tendulkar has forged successful on-field partnerships with the likes of Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and now the next generation of players.

Asked how he has managed to bond with the players, he replied, "It's important to know each other's nature, each other's personality, how they react to various situations... I have played with the current lot for some time, and there was one stage, when I was already a part of the Indian team for six years when Rahul and Sourav joined me.

"So in every generation this process has to take place. I can say that I have played with all of them, so that understanding is very much there," he added.

SOURCE : NDTV. (2012). Test cricket. Available: http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/193426-sachin-zaheer-in-ranji-probables-for-. Last accessed 13th July 2012.

Sachin, Zaheer in Ranji probables for Mumbai - 2012 - 2013

New Delhi: Senior cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan were on Thursday included among the probables for the Mumbai Ranji Trophy squad for the forthcoming 2012-2013 domestic season.

Tendulkar did not play a single match for Mumbai in the national championships last season while Zaheer figured in a few games to get back into full match fitness after an injury lay-off.

Also among the list of 35 probables announced by Mumbai Cricket Association's joint secretary Nitin Dalal are Amol Muzumdar, Bhavin Thakkar, Wilkin Mota and Vinit Indulkar who had not played for the team in the previous season.

"All these four players have become eligible to play for Mumbai after serving a one-year cool-off period (after representing other associations)," said Dalal.

MCA has also appointed for India skipper Nari Contractor as the head of its Cricket Improvement Committee, according to Dalal.

The list of probables: Sachin Tendulkar, Wasim Jaffer, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan, Abhishek Nayar, Ramesh Powar, Suryakumar Yadav, Dhaval Kulkarni, Amol Muzumdar, Iqbal Abdullah, Ankit Chavan, Aavishkar Salvi, Aditya Tare, Wilkin Mota, Hiken Shah, Vinit Indulkar, Bhavin Thakkar, Harmeet Singh, Kshemal Waingankar, Praful Waghela, Kaustubh Pawar, Balwinder Singh Sandhu (Jr), Sagar Gorivale, Siddhesh Lad, Javed Khan, Nikhil Patil (Jr), Prateek Dabholkar, Swapnil Salvi, Swapnil Pradhan, Neelkanth Parab, Mohd. Ameer, Rakesh Prabhu, Oninder Singh Gill.

Source : NDTV. (2012). Ranji Trophy. Available: http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/193426-sachin-zaheer-in-ranji-probables-for-mumbai. Last accessed 13th July 2012.

Why Maestro decided to skip Sri Lanka tour

New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar will not be taking field when India play Sri Lanka later this month as he has opted out of the series. And the reason for this is that he wanted to spend some quality time with his children.

"I requested BCCI that I wanted to spend time with my family. This is the time for school holidays. If I had decided to go to Sri Lanka, I would have started my preparation by now. But I wanted to spend some quality time with my children since after this I would be playing continuously for next 10 months," he said.

"Holidays are different from spending time during school days or on weekends."

A doting and protective father that he has been, Tendulkar said that he would never force his son Arjun or daughter Sara and let them choose their preferred careers.

Arjun has recently been selected for the Mumbai U-14 side after string of good performances in Mumbai school circuit.

"Arjun is passionate about cricket and Sara is passionate about medicine. But every individual is different. I want to guide them and support them. I don't want to force them and will like them to choose their fields. I will only have good wishes for them and tell them to enjoy whatever they do," he said.

Tendulkar also said that to be on top one has to be "madly in love" with cricket.

Asked how elite sportspersons guard themselves from various aspects like pressure and injuries, Tendulkar said ,"I can answer from a cricketer's point of view. You have got to be madly in love with cricket. Before you lay a foundation on the cricket field, there should be a solid foundation in your heart and you start building on that."

"After that as you start playing more and more matches, you learn how to score runs and how to take wickets," Tendulkar said in an interview to a sports channel.

The 39-year-old Tendulkar also stressed that though he is now a Member of Parliament his focus would remain on cricket.

"I consider it as an honour as I have been nominated by the president of India. I have been nominated for my contribution to cricket. I am a cricketer and I will be focussed on my game."

He said that he will certainly speak and give his opinion on various issues "when the time is right."

"Overnight, I cannot bring any change and it also involves a lot of things. It's not right also," he explained.


Source : NDTV. (2012). Sachin Sri Lanka's tour. Available: http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/193320-why-sachin-tendulkar-decided-to-skip-sri-lanka-tour?pfrom=home-otherstories. Last accessed 11th July 2012.

No plans to quit ODIs, says maestro : Sachin Tendulkar

 Record-breaking Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Friday scotched speculation over his future in one-day cricket, saying he had no plans to retire as long as he was enjoying the game.

The master batsman, 39, on Wednesday opted out of India's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka for a one-day series and a one-off Twenty20 match, leading to speculation over his one-day career.

Tendulkar said he skipped the Sri Lanka tour to spend time with his family.

"It's not about what XYZ thinks, it's about what I feel and I feel as long as I am enjoying and I feel like being part of it, I'll continue (playing one-dayers)," Tendulkar told a news channel.

"I think it (speculation over retirement) has been going on since 2006. It's been six years now. I am enjoying cricket and as long as I am passionate about cricket it makes sense being part of team sport."

Tendulkar said he decided to stop playing Twenty20 internationals in 2007 because he felt he should not be part of the squad. He has figured in just one T20 international and was not part of India's 2007 World Cup-winning squad.

"I felt I should not be part of T20 squad because the team did well. When I get that feeling in one-day cricket maybe I would take that decision," said Tendulkar.

"When I feel like taking that decision (to quit one-day cricket) I will take that. I don't want the rest of the guys to take that decision for me."

Tendulkar holds four world batting records -- maximum runs in Tests (15,470) and one-day internationals (18,426) and centuries in Tests (51) and one-dayers (49).

He completed an unprecedented century of centuries during the Asia Cup in Dhaka in March.

The one-day series in Sri Lanka starts in Hambantota on July 21 while the Twenty20 match will be played on August 7.

 Source :NDTV. (2012). ODI. Available: http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/193122-no-plans-to-quit-odis-says-sachin-tendulkar. Last accessed 09/07/2012.

Sachin's records will be broken one day: Kapil

Kolkata: Praising Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar for his disciplined life and dedication to the game, former Indian skipper Kapil Dev Sunday said the maestro's records will also be broken one day.

"When we were playing we used to think that whether the future will see any greater batsman than Sunil Gavaskar. But we were wrong. There have been greater players than Gavaskar. Because the game of cricket is bigger than any player."

"Sachin has played brilliantly throughout the career and has accumulated huge records but his records will also be broken one day because this is cricket," Kapil said.

Kapil, who was in the city to address a programme of 'Aakash Institute', said dedication, discipline and self confidence were the three key factors that makes a person successful.

"During the end of my cricket career there was a lot of hype regarding two young talents: one was Sachin Tendulkar and the other one was Vinod Kambli.

"Both of them were very talented. But now look where Sachin has reached. Kambli couldn't make it big because of his lack of discipline," he said.


Source : NdTV. (2012). Sachin's record. Available: http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/193212-sachin-tendulkars-records-will-be-broken-one-day-kapil-dev. Last accessed 2012.

Supporter of Fedrer - Sachin Tendulkar, Kylie Minogue in Wimbledon Royal Box

London: India cricket superstar Sachin Tendulkar and Australian pop star Kylie Minogue were in the Wimbledon Royal Box on Friday to watch the potentially epic semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

Tendulkar, who this week opted to sit out India's one-day series in Sri Lanka, was with wife Anjali.

Minogue was accompanied by Spanish model boyfriend Andres Velencoso.

Also in the Royal Box were former Wimbledon champions Rod Laver, Goran Ivanisevic and Manuel Santana.


Source :NDTV. (2012). Wimbelden. Available: http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/193123-sachin-tendulkar-kylie-minogue-in-wimbledon-royal-box. Last accessed 07/07/2012.

Sachin has right to pick and choose series: Sehwag

Noida: Opening batsman Virender Sehwag feels Sachin Tendulkar will be missed by the Indian team during the upcoming limited overs series in Sri Lanka, but he has the right to pick and choose which series he wants to play.

"Not only me but the whole country misses Sachin when he is not in action. But one should realise that he is 39 years and he should be allowed to pick and choose which series he wants to go. He will certainly be available for the Test series against New Zealand," Sehwag told reporters at the inauguration of Saba Karim-Genesis Pro-Cricket Centre here.

Speaking on his own form, Sehwag said he has no fitness concerns now and he is all geared up for the Lanka tour, starting July 21.

"I played almost all the matches in Indian Premier League and there is no fitness issue now. The ODI tour of Sri Lanka will also help me in preparing for the Twenty20 World Cup to be held there," he said.

Sehwag is also not unduly concerned by the fact that India's next generation of young batsmen did not do well in first class matches during the recent 'A' tour of the West Indies.

"Before I became a prominent member of the senior team I have also gone for 'A' tours. Some people get runs on this kind of tours and some don't. That does not mean that those who fail are not good enough. The best part is that you can make mistakes and learn from it, try to rectify in your domestic cricket and come back stronger," he said.

Source : Ndtv.com., visited on 06/07/2012

Along with Jadeja : No place for Pathan brothers

Yes, I am talking about Irfan pathan and Yusuf Pathan. they are not indlcuded for Sri Lanka's next month Cricket Tour. however, Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan are the positive squad for indians during the Sri Lanka series.

Moreover, It has been a culture of upside or down side for selectors to choose the perfect candidate for Sri Lanka series after dismal performance in Australia and Bangladesh and many other previous matches. the possible changes could be assume as Ajikya Rahane and Pragyan Ojha in place of Pathan brothers.

Well, it will show the postive and negative impact on the Sri Lanka's series .As a fan, we would be hope that team India do well ..wherever, they go for future matches and create a victory for their country.

Sachin Tendulkar rested, Sehwag, Zaheer included in team and Jadeja dropped for Sri Lanka tour

Virender shewag will be the explosive oepning batsman and zaheer will handle the pace spearhead on limited over matches at sri Lanka's next month tour.


It has been the importance for both to comeback for team as they have missed the last international assignments (Bangladesh) due to injuries and bad performance respectively  Zaheer and Sehwag.


Sachin Tendulkar, who completed his 100th international century during the Asia Cup, has been rested from the 15-man squad which will play five One-Day Internationals and one Twenty20 International during the three-week tour.

Also missing out are Harbhajan Singh, the offspinner who hasn't played for India since the tour of England last year, and Ravindra Jadeja and Yusuf Pathan, the two allrounders who have been in and out of the team for a while now.

Ajinkya Rahane, the right-hand batsman, has been recalled mainly on the back of impressive performances for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League but had an ordinary tour of the West Indies with India A. Pragyan Ojha, the left-arm spinner, too returns to the ODI squad after nearly two years on the sidelines. Ojha, 25, last played an ODI in Dambulla in August 2010.

Alongside R Ashwin, the offspinner, and Rahul Sharma, the legspinner, Ojha forms a three-man specialist spin bowling component that could have a crucial role to play on the slowish surfaces at Hambantota, the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and Pallekele, where the six matches will be played.


Sri Lanka's Tour - Indian Team Members

1. Virender Sehwag, 
2. Gautam Gambhir,
3.  Virat Kohli (vice-capt), 
4. Ajinkya Rahane,
5.  Rohit Sharma,
6.  Suresh Raina,
7.  MS Dhoni (capt, wk),
8.  R Ashwin,
9.  Pragyan Ojha,
10.  R Vinay Kumar,
11.  Zaheer Khan, 
12. Rahul Sharma,
13.  Umesh Yadav,
14.  Ashok Dinda, 
15. Manoj Tiwary.

Source : NDTV. (2012). Sri lanka tour. Available: http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/193004-sachin-tendulkar-rested-virender-sehwag-zaheer-khan-included-in-team-for-sri-lanka-tour?pfrom=home-lateststories. Last accessed 04/07/2012.

Arjun Tendulkar named in Mumbai's Under-14 probables list

 A month after he scored his first century, Arjun Tendulkar has made it to the under-14 probables list for the off season training camp by the Mumbai Cricket Association.

Arjun, son of legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar, had slammed the first century of his blooming career in the MCA's Under-14 selection trials held at the Cross Maidan in Mumbai on May 26.

The 12-year old had made 124 to help Khar Gymkhana beat Goregaon Centre by an innings and 21 runs and enter the final of the tournament. He had hit 14 boundaries and a six during his knock.

Arjun, who is a left hander unlike his father, had made his debut at the national level in January last year in the Cadence Trophy in Pune. He has been in news since then. In the same tournament this year, he made 65 off 39 balls against PCMC Varroc Vengsarkar CA.

Arjun, who also bowls left-arm pace, impressed everyone with his bowling prowess when he finished with figures of eight for 22 that helped Dhirubhai Ambani International School beat Jamnabai Narsee School in November 2011.

Born on 24th September 1999, Arjun is often seen going to the stadium to watch his father play and enthusiastically cheering for him.

List of U-14 Probables: Arjun Tendulkar, Akash Sawla, Dhruva Vedak, Bhupen Lalwani, Varun Joijode, Riddesh Sawant, Sidak Singh, Aman Sharma, Azim Shaikh, Prithvi Shaw, Shivam Mehrotra,  Kaustubh Dipte, Sarvesh Rahate, Agni Chopra, Mukund Sardar, Jay Dave, Rahul Dube, Mehtab Ansari, Suraj Patel, Tanush Kotian, Aftab Ansari, Akash Malbari, Prathamesh Chavan (W.K.), Ojas Pandit, Aditya Jha, Om Jadhav, Samit Pawar, Hashir Dafedar, Sagar Chabria, Rishikesh Padwal (W.K.), Mahesh Patil, Jairaj Deshmukh.

Source:

NDTV. (2012). Arjun Tendulkar. Available: http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/192481-arjun-tendulkar-named-in-mumbais-under-14-probables-list. Last accessed 03/07/2012.