The controversy over the CBI searching the office of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal perfectly illustrates why politicians must not get involved with sports administration, especially cricket, which is flush with money and vulnerable to corruption. The CBI said the target of the raid was Rajendra Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, in connection with an old corruption case. But Kejriwal claimed the real motive behind the raid on his office was to seize a file pertaining to an investigation into corruption in the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA).
It’s widely accepted that the DDCA is the most venal, mismanaged cricket association in the country. Earlier this month, the Test match between India and South Africa was allowed to be held there only under the supervision of a Supreme Court-appointed observer. Each state cricket association receives a funding of at least Rs 30 crore a year from the Indian cricket board (BCCI); most state associations have huge sums of money in the bank, but the DDCA is bankrupt. Its stadium was to be renovated at a cost of Rs 24 crore, but over Rs 110 crore was spent. There are allegations of corruption in the selection of the state teams, right from the junior-most level. Delhi’s Ranji Trophy players were not paid match fees for two years.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was the DDCA’s president from 1999 to 2013; he continues to be the go-to man for cricket administrators needing help, and mentor to several powerful officials. Last month, the Delhi Government’s probe into the DDCA’s operations highlighted corruption and lack of transparency in its functioning. Kejriwal has insinuated that the CBI raid on his office was organised at the behest of Jaitley in order to seize files pertaining to the DDCA case. This allegation becomes credible only because Jaitley is deeply entrenched in the DDCA’s affairs, heading it for 14 years. This case demonstrates the perils of representing several interest groups – as Jaitley and other politicians who are involved in cricket do – at the same time.
As the governments of India and Pakistan work towards normalizing ties between the two countries, anti-humanity groups (JuD) start with their rants in hopes of destabilizing future talks.
Hafiz Saeed questions India on 26/11, says no concrete proof in 26/11 attacks even after 7 years
Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief and 26/11 plotter Hafiz Saeed has dared India over the Mumbai attacks probe days after Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Islamabad.
This rant comes after a joint declaration where India and Pakistan agreed to a composite dialogue as well as to expedite the trial of 26/11; In a speech, the JuD chief Saeed says, “Our government remained silent, but let me respond to Sushma. It’s been seven years but they could not prove who was behind the Mumbai attacks and Insha Allah (if Allah wills it) they will never be able to prove it until eternity.”
He also mocked New Delhi for failing to establish any concrete proof in the seven years after 26/11 and claiming that India would never be able to establish his complicity in the attack.
Earlier JuD chief had slammed Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for holding a meeting with Narendra Modi during the Paris climate change conference.
“Nawaz Sharif should not have met with Narendra Modi and exchanged smiles with him in Paris. It has hurt the sentiments of the Kashmiri Muslims,” Saeed said at a seminar titled ‘Kashmir Issue and Rise of Hindu Extremism in India’ at the Lahore High Court on December 2 organised by the Pakistan Justice Party.
He said Sharif should sever relations with India till resolution of the Kashmir issue.
“Nawaz Sharif should announce that there will be no talks with India till it ends atrocities against Kashmiri and Indian Muslims,” he said adding that till the resolution of the Kashmir dispute there should be no trade, no cricket and no talks with India.
Saeed said “When they are not in power they talk about the oppressed Kashmiri people as if they are the champion of the Kashmir cause. But when they are in power they forget them”.
Saeed founded the LeT whose operatives carried out the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people.
NEW DELHI (TIP): Virender Sehwag, the former swashbuckling Indian opener, was felicitated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday (December 3) ahead of the fourth India-South Africa Test in Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. Sehwag had a word of gratitude for his father for allowing him to play the sport and his captains, coaches and friends.
“I want to thank my father for allowing me to play the game of cricket and giving me freedom to do whatever I wanted to. All my coaches, especially AN Sharma for making me the cricketer I am. I want to thank my first captain Ajay Jadeja and other captains Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble. I want to thank Sachin Tendulkar. I would also like to thank all my fans for standing by me in my good and bad times,” the 37-year-old said.
Anurag Thakur, the BCCI secretary, was present at the venue and presented Sehwag with a silver plaque commemorating his stellar achievements and contributions to Indian cricket. Sehwag called time on his glorious international career with over 8,000 runs in both Tests and One-Day Internationals (ODI).
Reputed to take on the bowlers irrespective of the format of the game, Sehwag occupies top three spots in the list of highest individual Test scores by Indians, with two triple centuries and a 293. He is also one of the only four batsmen around the world to have notched up two scores in excess of 300.
Who says you can’t escape to the hills when winter hits? After all, what better place to escape the smog and the crowd of the Capital than the quaint mountains and valleys of Himachal Pradesh?
While popular tourist spots in the region, like Shimla and Manali, may be bustling with vacationers now, places like Dharamsala offer you the opportunity to leave the crowds behind, and instead, visit -monasteries, volunteer at community centres, and check out all the sights in a relaxed manner.
Dharamkot
Dharamkot is a small, quaint village to the north of McLeodganj. It offers a host of upbeat cafés, retreats and Ayurvedic massage centres. Most -importantly, we found a view to kill for, with the entire Kangra Valley in front of us. Also, as yoga retreats gain momentum, most tourists these days hike to Dharamkot to enrol themselves in the Vipassana meditation centre here. Homestays are also easily available.
HPCA Cricket Ground
Amid a picturesque canopy of Deodar woods and green meadows, Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association’s ground stands tall with the snow-capped Dhauladhar range providing a formidable backdrop. This is also the fourth-highest stadium in the world, located at an altitude of 1,457m. Although smaller than, say Mumbai’s famous Wankhede Stadium, visitors will not be disappointed with it at all. Although tourists are not allowed inside the pavilion, the postcard view from the stands more than makes up for it.
One-stop shop
Do not believe people who tell you that Dharamsala is as commercial as Shimla or Dalhousie. It is not. It is a small town that you can probably explore by foot in a day. However, McLeodganj is vibrant and bustling, especially McLeodganj Square (as it is popularly called), with two parallel boulevards of retail outlets. Here, you can steal deals on almost everything — from handicrafts and winter wear to musical instruments and accessories — by bargaining hard.
Tsuglagkhang Complex
This is reportedly the biggest Tibetan monastery outside Tibet. Close to McLeod Square — the main market area, tourists can attend sermons by the Dalai Lama here. His residence is also on the premises of this magnificent temple. With the sounds of holy chants filling the air, the spacious meditation hall -resonates with serenity. However, you can’t use your cell phone here or talk loudly. So, keep your decibel levels in check. At the entrance, one will also spot pillars dedicated to the Tibetan martyrs.
The Tibetan Museum, also located here, may not be extraordinary, but has a massive collection of photographs documenting Tibetan history, heritage and culture.
St John in the Wilderness
This Anglican church is located at a walkable distance from both Dharamsala and McLeodganj, at a place called Forsythganj. The church has a cemetery on its premises, and gives an eerie feeling, especially since it’s situated almost in the middle of nowhere. The beautiful Neo-Gothic structure is ornamented with intricate Belgian-stained glass panes. Built in 1852, the then–viceroy of the country, Lord Elgin, was buried here in 1863.
Good food
There are countless cafés across Dharamsala and McLeodganj serving a range of cuisines, including Chinese, Tibetan, Kashmiri and Israeli. Giving them stiff competition are the roadside stalls with their steamed momos, fried baklebs (tiny Tibetan-styled samosas) and filling thukpas (thick noodle soup with vegetables, boiled chicken pieces and egg slices).
Community service
There are a bunch of places where you can contribute during your stay here. We enrolled ourselves for a couple of hour-long conversation sessions at Tibet World in McLeodganj. Here, we conversed in English with locals to boost their proficiency in the language. To register, submit a passport or stamp-sized photo of yourself, and fill a form with your contact details.
Triund: A trekkers’ paradise
Triund, situated at an elevation of nearly 2,900 m above sea level, lies between the Kangra valley and the lofty Dhauladhar range of the Himalaya in Himachal Pradesh. You can get there by a pleasant trek of 9-10 km from the hill town of McLeod Ganj (about 2080 m), known as the Little Lhasa for it houses the headquarters of the Tibetan Government in Exile and its spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
The trail to Triund is also one of the old routes followed by the Gaddi shepherds of Chamba and Kangra valleys. Two trails lead to Triund from McLeod Ganj: one via Bhagsu, which is a bit roundabout, and the other one through Dharamkot, which is 2 km uphill from McLeod Ganj. From Dharamkot, you can choose either a motorable road or an amazing walk through an alpine forest-covered short cut to reach Gulu Devi temple in upper Dharamkot.
The breathtaking trail to Triund starts here. After the first moderate half of the trek, you will come across two two small but fully loaded shops to reenergize yourself. Snacks, Maggi noodles, energy drinks, cold drinks and tea — everything is available. But the bigger attraction here is the serene view of the valley below. Hence the names: Magic View Café and Best View Café. They do absolute honour to their names. The peace, the calmness and the purity seem so special; it’s not only rare, it’s out-of-this-world. There is nothing more revitalising than a hot bowl of Maggi and a hot sip of strong tea as clouds float around you to carry away your grogginess. A relaxing break here is helpful before you walk the much steeper and more tiring second half of the trail.
The greenery of the surroundings, the misty mountain top, the crisp and pure breeze, various Himalayan flowers and the constant chirping of birds will divert your mind from the strenuous walk uphill. On reaching the top, you have plenty of options to continue ahead. Triund is only the gateway to a number of longer treks deep into the Dhauladhar range. Rooms are available in a guesthouse maintained by the Forest Department (you need prior permission to stay here as it has only six rooms). You can also hire a tent — highly recommended for the unforgettable experience of spending the night atop a hill without electricity. Only nature prevails. There are three shops, or cafes, as they are commonly known, to provide you with food and drinks. Considering the transportation cost, the expensive food will seem reasonable. The tranquillity of the place is indescribable. Just a few hours here will wash away your worries.
To be surrounded by larger-than-life mountains makes you realise the futility of worldliness and leave you feeling that you are merely part of a grander design.
How to reach
1 Dharamsala is a 30-minute drive from Gaggal Airport (also known as Kangra Airport).
2 Alternatively, board a train to Pathankot. Dharamsala is a two-and-a-half hour journey via road from there.
3 McLeodganj is situated 5km away from Dharamsala.
NAGPUR (TIP): No hundreds and only four fifties from two finished Tests begs the question if this series really is being played in run-friendly India.
From the start, the series has been dominated by the ball and India captain Virat Kohli isn’t complaining. India have after all, beaten the No.1 Test team. So what if it has come at the cost of sacrificing personal batting milestones? “I don’t mind compromising on (batsmen’s) averages as long as we are winning Test matches. We are not playing for records, we are not playing for numbers or averages,” Kohli said after India’s series win.
Kohli, however, acknowledged the poor application on the part of his batsmen. “We haven’t applied ourselves properly. It’s been two-odd guys every innings and that does not get you to a big total. It was more a case of batsmen making mistakes rather than the ball doing some crazy things out in the middle.”
Kohli also didn’t forget Amit Mishra’s contribution. “Today, when the (Amla-Du Plesis) partnership was going, he actually held the ball and told me that ‘I will get a wicket’ and in about three overs he got Hashim out.”
TOUGHEST TESTS FOR ME: AMLA
South Africa skipper Hashim Amla admitted that the last three Tests were the toughest of his career. “Probably three of the toughest I have experienced in my Test career. The surface was probably the toughest I have had as well, and the cricket itself was really difficult. So credit to India, they bowled well and unfortunately we ended up on the wrong side of this game,” Amla said on Friday.”But to play on conditions like this, as I said before, I haven’t played on this before in my life, so I suppose it’s a bit of consolation, because it was really challenging.”
When asked whether they found the balance between attack and defence, Amla differed, “Firstly, in terms of not throwing our wickets away, I think we could have still ended up all out for 70 or 100 in the second innings. There were so many plays and misses, edges that could have gone to hand, so it’s easy to say that, how we batted in the second innings, we could have batted in the first innings, but I think the circumstances were different.” Amla also pointed out that both teams have struggled in these conditions.
NEW DELHI (TIP): The government continues to sit tight over BCCI’s proposal seeking nod for resumption of cricketing ties with Pakistan in Sri Lanka next month, amid indications of serious reservations about the cricket body’s plan.
“They have jumped the gun,” a senior government leader said, adding that revival of cricketing ties with the hostile neighbour may not necessarily be in accord with popular mood at a time when Pakistan continues with its support to terror activities.
The reluctance should put paid to early restoration of cricketing contact because India’s schedule has no window to accommodate Pakistan beyond December.
While the BCCI appeared to be out of step with the government’s tough approach towards Pakistan since the latter reneged on the commitment it made at Ufa in Russia earlier this year to discuss terrorism, the step up in attacks have been a further setback.
Authorities here are convinced that the attack on the Army camp this week was part of a larger plan by terror groups and their patrons in Pakistan army and the ISI to carry out big strikes. “They want to go after big civilian targets,” a senior government functionary said while indicating that the BCCI proposal may not fly with the political leadership at this juncture.
“One terror attack when cricket is on and the very set, not just political opponents, who are egging you on to play cricket will be attacking you for sending a wrong message to Pakistan,” the functionary said.
After a series of deliberations, the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) and the PCB have reportedly agreed on Sri Lanka as possible venue.
IPL Chairman and BCCI functionary Rajeev Shukla on Thursday, November 26, revealed that the much-anticipated India-Pakistan series is likely to happen from December 15 in Sri Lanka.
According to Pakistani media reports, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has reportedly given the approval for Pakistan-India limited-over series proposed to be played in Sri Lanka.
Shukla’s comment came hours after Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave his approval to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to send the national team to Sri Lanka.
“I am optimistic that the government will give the go-ahead to us. Both the parties (Boards) have agreed for Sri Lanka as a venue. The whole idea is to resume cricket between the two countries,” Shukla said.
The series will comprise three one-day internationals and two Twenty20s.
Asked about voices that oppose the resumption of cricket ties, Shukla said cricket should be kept separate from politics.
“From day 1 I have been maintaining that cricket should not be brought into political controversy. Even the (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee government had given the nod in worse situation for resumption of cricket. We had sent the Indian team to Pakistan. I think, we should play Pakistan,” Shukla told a news channel.
Sri Lanka was agreed upon as the neutral venue by the two boards after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) proposed it in a meeting between its president Shashank Manohar and PCB president Shahryar Khan earlier this week in Dubai.
India had refused to play in the UAE and PCB chairman turned down BCCI’s offer to send the Pakistan team to India.
The final step towards the series coming to fruition will be clearance from the Government of India, which the BCCI still awaits.
The two neighbours haven’t played each other in a full bilateral series since 2007 when Pakistan toured India, though Pakistan did visit India in 2012 for a limited-overs series.
The Manohar-Shahryar meeting in Dubai on Sunday was mediated by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) president Giles Clarke, with Najam Sethi also in attendance.
With only a month’s window available between India’s last home Test against South Africa, which is scheduled to end December 7, and the first ODI in Australia on January 12, the Indo-Pak series will be a limited-overs affair.
The two boards had signed an MoU during N Srinivasan’s regime in the BCCI, according to which the two teams will play six bilateral series over eight years.
CAMBRIDGE, MA (Oct. 28, 2015) – Oxigen USA, Inc. is happy to announce the launch of Money Transfer to India with the best exchange rate guaranteed. Indian-Americans can now send money from New Jersey and Florida to their loved ones in India at an effective rate of 70 Rupees per Dollar for a limited time only.
“I am excited to be associated with Oxigen services, which is at the threshold of exponential growth”, says Sachin Tendulkar, Oxigen’s Brand Ambassador. The Cricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar will be in New York in early November and Oxigen customers can win a chance to meet Sachin in person. They can simply register on Oxigen.com, join Oxigen’s Inner Circle and initiate a money transfer by November 3, 2015.
Oxigen.com brings to the US market a new way of transferring funds to India that is far more efficient and hassle-free. Oxigen.com offers several unique features such as 2-click payments, a shopping cart experience that allows multiple types of transfers to multiple recipients in a single check out, and the highest True Exchange Rate (net of fees) guaranteed, enabled by a daily comparison to competitor exchange rates. You can pay your family’s monthly phone, Internet, TV, and utility bills instantly from your US credit card.
Senders can use the Oxigen Happiness Meter to track the “happiness levels” of their loved ones based on how much value they have transferred over time, advancing their recipients through four stages of happiness, with happiness regression for forgetting to send happiness.
Oxigen USA’s Chief Happiness Officer Amir Alexander Hasson said, “As the Diwali gifting season approaches and Oxigen Brand Ambassador Sachin Tendulkar comes to New York for the All Star Cricket Series, it’s hard to think of a better time to launch Oxigen’s US money transfer service”.
For information on Oxigen, visit Oxigen.com/the-inner-circle and Facebook.com/OxigenUSA
The chances of reviving one of sport’s greatest rivalries virtually ended on Thursday, November 19, after Pakistan denied its cricket team the permission to play in India citing security concerns, scuttling plans for a proposed bilateral tournament in December.
The two countries are also unlikely to play in the United Arab Emirates as proposed by Islamabad as the Indian government is not expected to give permission due to the presence of al Qaeda and the Islamic State in West Asia.
“The Pakistani government position is that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) cannot play in India without the government’s permission which has not been given. The government raised security and safety issues for the PCB regarding playing in India,” Najam Sethi, the chief of the PCB’s executive committee, told HT.
Ties between the two cricket boards have soured in recent months over the BCCI’s dogged refusal to play in the UAE, which acts as the home venue for the Pakistan cricket team after a 2009 terror attack on the visiting Sri Lankan team.
“I don’t know why India doesn’t want to play in the UAE. It recently played IPL matches there. We are waiting for a fresh proposal from the BCCI. But our position is clear. We are not going to play in India,” Sethi insisted.
The PCB has also threatened if the BCCI failed to honour its so-called commitment, the matter would be taken to the International Cricket Council, which is currently headed by Indian cricket board chief Shashank Manohar.
Newly-elected BCCI president Manohar recently called Khan, asking if Pakistan was willing to play in India so that the board could begin the process of obtaining clearances from the government.
“There were lots of talks with Mr Khan on various issues. But nothing was discussed officially. Also, the BCCI has not written to the government seeking a clearance for a series with Pakistan,” Manohar Told HT.
India and Pakistan last time played a full series in 2007, before ties were suspended after the 26/11 terror strikes that killed 166 people amid evidence that the attack was planned from the neighbouring country. However, Pakistan visited India for a short limited-over series in December 2012.
Cricket between the two countries rank among the fiercest rivalries in the world but also often evoke political reactions, especially from the Shiv Sena, which has opposed any Pakistani presence in India.
NEW YORK (TIP): Cricket icons from around the world are facing off on U.S. soil as part of the inaugural “Cricket All Stars,” a three game series sponsored in part by Sling International.
The first match took place November 7 at Citi Field in New York, and will be followed by matches on November 11 at Minute Maid Park in Houston and November 14 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Legendary cricket players Sachin Tendulkar of India and Shane Warne of Australia are headlining their respective teams, “Sachin’s Blasters” and “Warne’s Warriors.” The two teams feature former all star players from eight different countries. Fans attending the Cricket All Stars matches can visit the Sling International booth to learn more about the product and snap a picture in the photo booth.
“Our goal is to bring the excitement of cricket to fans living in the U.S., and we wanted to show our support for this rare opportunity to see some of the game’s greatest players live and in–?person,” said Chris Kuelling, senior vice president of International Programming for Sling TV. “Not only is the Cricket All Stars series a must see event for lifelong cricket fans, it’s an opportunity to engage a whole new audience who may never before have experienced the game.”
Sling International’s sponsorship of the Cricket All Stars stems from the brand’s support of the game and commitment to entertainment that connects viewers with their culture. A leading provider of global content to viewers in the U.S., Sling International delivers over 200 international channels including many top rated South Asian channels such as Willow Cricket, Sony, Aapka Colors, ZeeTV, Star Plus, Aaj Tak, TV Asia, ARY Digital, Geo TV, Maa TV, Sun TV and ETV.
Customers of Sling TV who have the “Best of Live TV” package can watch the Cricket All Stars matches on ESPN3 for no extra cost by entering their Sling TV username and password on WatchESPN.com or within the WatchESPN app. Sling customers who wish to subscribe to “Best of Live TV” and receive access to ESPN3 can do so by logging into their account at www.sling.com and adding the “Best of Live TV” package. For more information regarding the Cricket All Stars series please visit www.cricketallstars2015.com
About Sling TV
Sling TV L.L.C., a subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), provides over the top television services including domestic and international live and Video On Demand programming. It is available on televisions, tablets, computers and smartphones. The Sling TV programming portfolio includes content from Disney/ESPN, HBO, AMC, A&E, Turner, Scripps, EPIX, Univision and Maker Studios. Sling Latino offers a suite of standalone and add on Spanish language programming packages tailored to English dominant, bilingual and Spanish dominant U.S. Hispanics. Sling International currently provides more than 200 channels in 18 languages across multiple devices to U.S. households. Sling TV is a next-generation service that meets the entertainment needs of todays contemporary viewers.
Visit www.Sling.com Follow @Sling on Twitter.
http://www.twitter.com/Sling #Tiebacks
Contact Nita Bhasin at media@asbcommunications.com for any queries.
NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Big future. Big money. Who doesn’t want it? And, so, we have a battery of cricketing legends descending on New York to kick off All Stars League Matches.
Sachin Tandulkar and Shane Warne teams with the All Stars Cricket Cup at a press Conference on November 5, 2015 in New York City. The Series kicks off with a match to be played in New York on November 7. Photo/ Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia
They are from Australia to West Indies, with all cricketing nations in between-India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka .
The inaugural Cricket All-Stars league match between two teams-Sachin Tendulkar’s
“Sachin’s Blasters” and former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne’s “Warne’s Warriors”-will kick off on November 7 at the 48,000 capacity Citi Field in New York. In fact, the All Stars league matches is the brainchild of Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne.
In a random draw conducted Thursday, November 5, in Times Square, both Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne (Warne’s Warriors) bid for 30 of the world’s finest players to sell cricket to America. While other players were selected by drawing names from the trophy (to be given to the winning team at the end of the series), Akhtar was picked by tossing the coin.
“Thank god I am not playing against Tendulkar, he is a brutal force,” said Akhtar after the drawing ceremony.
Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar and Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar have had many legendary face-offs in the days of yore, but the two are set to play together as part of the “Sachin’s Blasters” squad for Cricket All-Stars series.
“Thank god I was the last player and toss mein faisla hua (and it was decided through toss.) He (Tendulkar) is an amazing person but I haven’t seen him as captain. So it will be interesting to see what kind of strategy he would like to give to me and he will get to know a little bit of me,” said Akhtar.
“I am done bowling against him. He is a greatest player history has ever seen. I didn’t want it to be India Pakistan thing once again. I know people want to see me ball Sachin but thank god that we are in the same team,” he added.
When I asked Ricky Ponting about his strategy against Tendulkar, he said “I have played against him most of my life so nothing really changes now but I am excited. There will be more chance today and tomorrow to start working with our respective teams and I know when its game time we will all try to win.”
In the batting order Tendulkar drew Brian Lara, Mahela Jayawardene, Carl Hooper, Moin Khan and his former Indian teammates VVS Laxman, Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag. Whereas Warne picked Mathew Hayden, Michael Vaughan, Ricky Ponting, Jonty Rhodes, Jacques Kallis Andrew Symonds and Kumar Sangakara.
In the bowling group, Tendulkar picked Akhtar, Australian pacer Glenn McGrath for his side that also includes fast bowlers Curtly Ambrose, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, spinner Graeme Swann, and off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. Warne, on the other hand picked, spinners Saqlain Mushtaq, Daniel Vettori and fast bowlers Courtney Walsh, Wasim Akram, Allan Donald and Ajit Agarkar.
The series is the brainchild of Tendulkar and Warne. At the Thursday press conference, Tendulkar and Warne shared how they came up with the idea of T20 all stars match.
“It was incredible co-incidence, both of us (Warne) did not think it will kick off, Shane said we can play three T20 games which will feature the best players of the game, and I thought the same thing. We are to popularize cricket, never thought this would happen, but we are happy and excited now. Everybody is talking about Cricket in Olympics, I think this is the beginning of that,” said Tendulkar.
Australian legendry leg-spinner Warne added, “It’s the second most popular sport behind soccer, we want to make it global. We got 30 superstars who made cricket proud. We love being together, we want to bring joy to the people, the people can watch their heroes and idols close this time, I thank all the people who supported us.”
In a press conference held on Monday, November 2 for select media, both Warne and Tendulkar shared their vision behind playing the exhibition matches, which is “to inspire the younger generation,” “engage non-cricket lovers,” and also globalize the game.
“We are trying to get youngsters in America excited about the game,” Tendulkar said, echoing Warne. “There will be thousands of youngsters at the stands during the matches, and they will definitely get inspired by watching world-class cricketers play in front of them.” Warne, Tendulkar and their two teams will hold net sessions for schoolchildren before the games in a bid to spark interest at the grass roots level.
To help promote the game, the Cricket All-Stars announced that the first thousand cricket players at the school, university or club level, who apply will be entitled to a complimentary ticket to any of the three games being played. The tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis by emailing Cricket All Stars team.
When asked what their expectations are from the league matches, Tendulkar said, “The dream is to bring cricket to America, and if we come back next year and see just one American kid with a cricket bat in his hands, we’ll think it has been a success,” Tendulkar said at the launch of the tour in New York on Thursday.
“David Beckham came here and soccer started to grow – we’re trying to do something similar with cricket,” Warne added.
When asked what gives them confidence for cricket to take off in a baseball and football loving nation like the U.S. Tendulkar said, “I have friends from India who came here in 90’s to study medicine and become big doctors and businessmen. They had no idea about baseball or basketball, but their American friends took them to the stadium and taught them. What I am asking my friends to do is reciprocate that-take Americans to baseball stadiums where cricket will be played, teach them about cricket.”
By no means are we here to compete with other sports like baseball or basketball, but we want to introduce one more sport in America, which is a sports-loving nation,” he added.
Responding to the criticisms lashed out by former Australian Captain Ian Chappell on retired cricketers playing in exhibition matches, Tendulkar in the earlier press conference said, “People will always have opinions-it doesn’t mean it’s the right opinion.”
“The reason for stopping cricket is because you cannot be competitive at that level but that doesn’t mean you stop enjoying playing cricket, and this is what we are doing, we are enjoying cricket,” Tendulkar added. “Once you retire, doesn’t mean you never pick up a cricket bat. You are picking up that bat for fun, and in doing so, if you can inspire thousands, I think there is nothing wrong in it.”
The other two league matches will be played at Minute Maid Park in Houston on November 11 and Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on November 14. These matches will be complete entertainment package with galas, meet-and-greets, community clinics, and fireworks in Houston during Diwali-the perfect crossover festive celebration for cricket fans.
Here you meet some of the legends who were present at the press conference in New York on Novemmber5, 2015. – Photos / Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia
Sachin Tandulker All Stars Cricket Cup team at a press Conference on November 5, 2015 in New York City. The Series kicks off with a match to be played in New York on November 7.
Sachin Tandulkar and Shane Warne teams with the All Stars Cricket Cup at a press Conference on November 5, 2015 in New York City. The Series kicks off with a match to be played in New York on November 7. Photo/ Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia
Shane Warne All Stars Cricket Cup Team
Pakastani Cricketer Moin Khan and Sachin Tandulkar
West Indies Cricketer Carl Hooper and Sachin Tendulkar
Australian Cricketer Shane Warne and Sachin Tandulkar during the draws for the All Star Cricket Match in New York
West Indies Cricketer : Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar
Pakastani Cricketer Shoib Akthar and Sachin Tandulker having lighter time during the Teams’ draws for the All Star Cricket match in NY
In an interview to a Pakistani channel, Pakistan’s former president General Pervez Musharraf made scathing comments about Bal Thackeray and Pakistan’s support to extremist outfits in the past. Haqqani is our hero of 1980s & Osama was our hero. Yes, CIA’s as well. (al-Qaida chief Ayman) al-Zawahiri was our hero,” he added while referring to the Pakistan introduced religious militancy from 1979.
Comparing Hafiz Saeed with RSS and Shiv Sena, former Pakistan president Parvez Musharraf said that those demanding action against Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief in his country were toeing in the Indian line.
He said Afghan and Kashmiri mujahideen were their heroes in the 1990s, but the situation has now changed while referring to Saeed “I do not want to discuss this (Saeed) issue,” Musharraf shot back at his interviewer on a popular Pakistani TV channel on Saturday night. “Since India is going after this, we are also following them.”
Musharraf rantingly asked the interviewer to ascertain what RSS was doing in India. “They do not play cricket with us. You saw what happened with (Pakistan cricket board chief) Shahryar Khan,” he said. “The face of (ex-Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud) Kasuri’s book release organiser was blackened. Ghulam Ali’s concert was banned and he was thrown out.”
“This is what is happening there. Are we catching any Sena leader? Was not Bal Thackeray a terrorist… did anybody catch him… a serving Army colonel was involved in the Samjautha blast in which 100 (sic) Pakistanis were killed. You are talking about Saeed, give us that Colonel,” he said.
He cited PM Narendra Modi and his Cabinet’s presentations to the RSS brass to draw a link between Shiv Sena’s protests against Pakistan’s and BJP’s parent organisation.
He cited Pakistan’s support for the US-backed Afghan war and said the atmosphere changed after 1979 when Islamabad introduced religious militancy in its favour to throw the Soviets out. “We brought mujahideen from around the world. We trained the Taliban… and sent them in. They were our heroes. (Afghan warlord Jalaluddin) Haqqani is our hero of 1980s. Osama (bin Laden) was our hero. Yes, CIA’s as well. (al-Qaida chief Ayman) al-Zawahiri was our hero,” he acknowledged.
But he added that the atmosphere has changed now. “The hero has become a villain.”
He said a similar thing was replicated in Kashmir in the 1990s. “A freedom struggle started there in the 1990s. They (Kashmiris) were killed badly. Indian Army killed them, they came to Pakistan. We gave them heroes’ reception.”
Musharraf acknowledged Pakistan trained and supported Kashmiri rebels. “They were mujahideen who would fight the Indian Army for their rights. LeT was formed along with 10-12 such groups,” he said. He called these groups their heroes who were putting their lives at stake. “Now this has converted into terrorism.”
Asserting that attempts will be made by Pakistan to engineer terrorism in Kathua-Samba region in Jammu, a top Army commander on Monday (October 26) cautioned people and ex-servicemen to remain vigilant to foil such designs.
“As General (Goverdhan Singh) and (former Minister) Gulchain Singh Charak have said that attempts have been made (by Pakistan) in Jammu-Kathua to create terrorism. This is being done and it will continue to do so in future as well”, GOC-in-C Western Command Lt Gen K J Singh said here today.
“But, it is the duty every civilian & ex-servicemen living along the border line that we should remain vigilant and share any kind of information with related to such activities,” he said.
“In this endeavor, we have honoured some people to infuse such a sense among the people living in the border areas,” the General Officer Commanding-In-Chief (GOC-in-C) said.
In this regard, the Command has started two programmes- one Jagruk Hindustani Border Area Cricket League. Today was the final of this league, Singh said.
Lt Gen Singh was speaking at a function organised by J&K Ex-service League to observe Martyrdom of First Maha Vir Chakra Awardee of Indian Army, Brigadier Rajinder Singh, bestowed with the sobriquet of “The Saviour of Kashmir”.
“To make children of Jammu region aware of its warriors and brave martyr soldiers, we are organising a light and sound show at Balidan Memorial which gives description about the brave martyr soldiers. We will add a 10-minute capsule clip to it on Brigadier Rajinder Singh,” he said.
Jammu and Kashmir Ex-service League today observed martyrdom day of Brig Rajinder Singh as large number of citizens including Army personnel and ex-servicemen from the region joined to pay homage to him.
His daughters, Urvashi Pathania and Usha Parmar, were also present on the occasion. Brig Rajinder Singh hailed from a small village Bagoona (now re-named as Rajindera Pura) of district Samba, 30-km east of Jammu.
After studying in his village school and at Jammu he graduated from the Prince of Wales College (now Gandhi Memorial Science College) in 1921.
He was commissioned in the J&K State Force in June 1921. He became Brigadier in May 1942, commanded Jammu Brigade, Kashmir Brigade and took over as Chief of Staff J&K state Force from Maj Gen H L Scot on September 24, 1947.
He died fighting Tribal raiders at Buniyar in Uri in bid to stop their advance into Kashmir valley from Pakistan.
Virender Sehwag, who announced his retirement from international cricket on Tuesday, was a throwback to the days when sport at the highest level was still played primarily for fun. There was a time when being an amateur in sport was honorable, when those who played sport for money were seen with disdain, and the phrase “playing like an amateur” was not derogatory. In his 14 years in international cricket, Sehwag seemed to be the only cricketer around who played with the spirit of the amateur – he was there to have fun and entertain the spectators. His natural game was to hit the ball from the outset, and that’s the way he played right to the end. Unlike his illustrious teammates, universally acknowledged as greater batsmen, Sehwag didn’t become a nervous wreck when batting in his 90s – he would step out of the crease to hit sixers even when batting in his 290s.
He continued in this vein even when Sourav Ganguly converted him into an opener. His lack of anxiety, his indifference to high numbers made him the first Indian to hit a triple century in Test cricket. In fact, he scored two triple centuries and was once out at 293. Fourteen of his 23 Test centuries exceeded 150 runs. This is really remarkable, for conventional wisdom suggests that a man with such a high-risk, attacking game can’t play very long innings. The pace of his innings was scintillating – he scored the fastest Test triple century on record, and five of the 10 fastest double centuries in Tests. His quick scoring gave the Indian bowlers time to dismiss the opposition and score a win, as at Multan in 2004 and Mumbai in 2009.
Sehwag’s game was based on a quick eye and quicker reflexes, supplemented by a wide range of strokes and fearlessness. As age dimmed his eyesight and dulled his reflexes, his game declined. His last century for India came three years ago, and he hadn’t played for India for 30 months. At 37, he knew he was now good only for one of those T20 leagues.
Virender Sehwag has retired from international cricket, officially. On his 37th birthday, Sehwag, who hinted at retirement during the Masters Champions League opening in Dubai on Monday, announced on Tuesday his retirement from all forms of international cricket & IPL. Sehwag won’t be playing in the upcoming edition of the IPL.
I hereby retire from all forms of international cricket and from the Indian Premier League. A statement will follow.
Sehwag’s decision comes barely a few days after Zaheer Khan decided to call time on his career.
In a glorious international career from 1999, Sehwag played 104 Tests scoring 8586 runs at an impressive average of 49.34, hitting 23 centuries and 32 half-centuries. He is the only triple centurion in Tests for India having scored a career-best knock of 319 against Pakistan at Multan, which also is an Indian record. He is also one of those rare batsmen to have scored two triple tons with his next one (309) coming against South Africa.
In 251 ODIs, he accumulated 8273 runs at an average of 35.05 and scored 15 hundreds apart from hitting 38 fifties.
In 19 Twenty20 Internationals, he managed 394 runs with two half-centuries.
He has been a part of two World Cup winning teams under Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s leadership — 2007 World T20 in South Africa and the ICC ODI World Cup in India.
Sehwag, famous for his hand-eye co-ordination and giving the ball a solid whack, did not lose his sense of humour while announcing his retirement. He quoted Mark Twain and joked about the advance news of his retirement.
Virender Sehwag’s full retirement statement
To paraphrase Mark Twain, the report of my retirement yesterday was exaggerated! However, I have always done what I felt was right and not what conformists thought to be right. God has been kind and I have done what I wanted to do – on the field and in my life. And I had decided some time back that I will retire on my 37th birthday. So today, while I spend my day with my family, I hereby announce my retirement from all forms of International Cricket and from the Indian Premier League.
Cricket has been my life and continues to be so. Playing for India was a memorable journey and I tried to make it more memorable for my team mates and the Indian cricket fans. I believe that I was reasonably successful in doing so. For that, I wish to thank all my team mates over the years – some of the greatest players of the game. I would like to thank all my captains who believed in me and backed me to the hilt. I also thank our greatest partner, the Indian cricket fan, for all the love, support and memories.
I have also played against a lot of great players and it was an absolute pleasure and honour to do so. It was possibly the greatest motivation there was to play to the best of my ability. I have lived my dream and played at the finest of cricket grounds across the globe and I want to thank the groundsmen, clubs, associations and everyone who painstakingly prepare the arena for our performances.
I miss my father today, he was there when the journey started and I wish he could have been there today as well but I know I made him proud and wherever he is today, he is watching me with pride. I want to thank my coach, Mr. A.N. Sharma sir, who was possibly the only coach who could have groomed me into the player that I became. I would probably have struggled to play for my school under any other coach. My mother, my wife Aarti and my children Aaryavir and Vedant are my biggest strength and their presence in my life keeps my mind without fear and head held high.
I would like to thank the BCCI for all its support over the years. The work that the BCCI does at such a scale is phenomenal and it has had some fine administrators over the years who have led the Board in developing the game, appreciating the contribution of players and have brought a lot of benefit to the players.
I would also like to thank the Delhi and District Cricket Association and particularly Mr. Arun Jaitley who always supported me and sought our feedback and implemented what the players wanted and his presence ensured that I always had someone to rely upon personally and for the furtherance of the game’s best interest in Delhi.
I would like to thank everyone at the Haryana Cricket Association who have welcomed me with so much love and affection and it is really exciting to work with some really talented youngsters. I would especially like to thank Anirudh Chaudhary and Ranbir Singh Mahendra, who has always had words of motivation for me during the toughest of times and I have felt safe in the knowledge that I can always turn to him for well considered advice which I value immensely.
I would also like to thank the Delhi Daredevils and the Kings XI Punjab, the franchisees that I represented, for believing in me and letting me be a part of them. I always gave my best for my team and consider myself fortunate to play with some brilliant players in the IPL.
I would also like to thank the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC). Very little is known about the effort they put in to promote sportsmen and sportswomen across various disciplines. ONGC gave me the security to pursue my game and the organization will always have a special place in my heart.
I must also add that I have enjoyed every Press conference and every interaction with the members of the media through out my international career and the presence of Indian media on foreign tours has left some very pleasant memories that I shall always cherish.
I want to thank all my sponsors for believing in me and all the bat manufacturers that have been associated with me over the years for providing me the willow that I love.
I want to tell everyone at the Sehwag International School, Jhajjar that I now hope to have a higher frequency of visits to the campus to be with you all.
I also want to thank everyone for all the cricketing advice given to me over the years and I apologise for not accepting most of it! I had a reason for not following it; I did it my way!
Hours after another black ink incidence, President Pranab Mukherjee issued another statement on rising intolerance by fringe elements in the country.
Backdrop: The President’s strong words on the need to maintain pluralism and dissent in the society come against the backdrop of series of hate incidents including in Mumbai where BJP ally Shiv Sena forced cancellation of a music concert by Pakistani legend Ghulam Ali and talks between Indian and Pakistani cricket board Chiefs and blackened the face of Sudheendra Kulkarni. Earlier in the day, a handful of activists allegedly belonging to a right-wing organisation blackened the face of independent MLA of J-K Assembly Sheikh Abdul Rashid using paint, ink and mobil oil protesting against his hosting a beef party in Srinagar earlier this month.
Addressing a gathering organised by Nayaprajanma, a local weekly newspaper in West Bengal, he expressed apprehension about “whether tolerance and acceptance of dissent are on the wane?”
He said: “Our collective strength must to be harnessed to resist evil powers in society. Indian civilization has survived for 5000 years because of its tolerance. We have a Constitution that accommodates all these differences. Hope Mahamaya – the combination of all positive forces would eliminate the Asuras or divisive forces.”
The official handle of President of India tweeted: “Remember teachings of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa ‘Jato Mat Tato Path’ As there are a number of beliefs, there are a number of ways. Humanism and pluralism should not be abandoned under any circumstance. Assimilation through receiving is a characteristic of Indian society.”
Earlier this month, President Pranab Mukherjee said the core values of diversity, tolerance and plurality of Indian civilisation must be kept in mind and cannot be allowed to be wasted, in remarks that come against the backdrop of the Dadri lynching over rumours of beef eating.
“I firmly believe that we cannot allow the core values of our civilization to be wasted and the core values is what over the years the civilization celebrated diversity, promoted and advocated tolerance, endurance and plurality. These core civilization values keep us together over the centuries. Many ancient civilizations have fallen. But that is right that aggression after aggression, long foreign rule, the Indian civilization has survived because of its core civilizational values and we must keep that in mind. And if we keep those core values in mind, nothing can prevent our democracy to move,” he said.
ISLAMABAD (TIP): Pakistani authorities are set to hang a man who says he was 15 when he was arrested for a murder he claims he did not commit, lawyers said on Saturday, in the latest case to shine a spotlight on Pakistan’s crumbling criminal justice system.
Ansar Iqbal says he was 15 when he and a friend were arrested 16 years ago for the murder of neighbor, which the victim’s family said was over an argument at a cricket match. Iqbal says police framed him because he was poor by planting two guns at his house.
Pakistani law forbids the execution of juveniles, but the country’s courts have refused to examine Iqbal’s school records and birth certificate because they say they were submitted too late, said Maya Foa of British legal aid group Reprieve.
His old school record and a new birth certificate issued this year give his age as 14 and 15 respectively. Record keeping in Pakistan is poor and records are easily forged.
Instead, the court concluded he was in his early 20s based on a policeman’s estimate at the time of his arrest, Foa said. Iqbal’s friend was tried as a juvenile.
“The onus has to be on the government and prosecution to prove that the individual facing the gallows is not a juvenile if all the available evidence points otherwise,” she said.
“Otherwise it puts the defendant in an impossible position.”
Iqbal’s lawyer, Munir Basit, confirmed his client had been tried as an adult and had been notified he was to hang at Sargodha jail next week.
“He has received his black warrant in the concerned jail,” Basit said.
Court and prosecution officials were not available for comment.
Pakistan brought back hanging in December as a way to crack down on militancy after Taliban gunmen massacred more than 130 pupils at an army-run school.
But very few of the 240 people hanged have any links to militancy. Most, like Iqbal, were convicted of murder. Many of their families say they were falsely accused and too poor to get good lawyers. Few, if any, wealthy convicts have been hanged.
Pakistan’s criminal justice system is widely considered corrupt. Police frequently ask for bribes and few are trained in preserving a crime scene or collecting evidence. Instead, they rely on easily manipulated oral statements. Accusations of torture are common.
Unskilled, poorly paid court-appointed lawyers often fail to examine witnesses or do not turn up for hearings, and tales of judges who ask for bribes are common.
KOLKATA (TIP): Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Jagmohan Dalmiya, hailed as the architect of India’s rise as the game’s financial superpower, passed away in a private hospital in Kolkata on Sunday. He was 75.
Dalmiya, who had also served as president of the International Cricket Council (1997- 2000), was admitted to hospital after suffering a heart attack on Sept 17.
A businessman known for his marketing acumen, Dalmiya was a key figure in bringing the 1987 and 1996 cricket World Cups to the sub-continent. He took over as BCCI president for a second time earlier this year, after a gap of nearly a decade, but had not been keeping well for the past few months.
A key figure in the BCCI ever since he joined it in 1979, Dalmiya played a major role in helping it to emerge as the wealthiest cricket board in the world, with the lifestyles of India’s leading cricketers being transformed. His stint as the first Asian head of the ICC marked a shift in the game’s balance of power from the old superpowers, England and Australia, towards Asia, particularly India. It was a controversial tenure, but even his detractors acknowledged that he opened their eyes to the game’s revenue-making potential.
BCCI sources said board secretary Anurag Thakur would soon call for a special general body meeting to decide the way forward.
Since Dalmiya was from East Zone, the next president will also have to be a nominee from the same zone before BCCI heads for another election.
The sources said the board could also appoint a consensus candidate, which would be acceptable to all factions. A Union Cabinet minister is expected to play a key role in deciding the next president.
Dalmiya was admitted to the BM Birla Heart Research Centre after suffering a heart attack on Thursday evening. He underwent coronary angiography under Dr Anil Mishra’s supervision and a clot was aspirated out to establish good flow in coronary arteries.
He was kept under observation in the CCU during the last two days and was ‘stable’ as per the medical bulletin issued by the hospital.
On Sunday afternoon, a procedure was done in the afternoon to implant two stents, according to hospital sources. He was brought back to his CCU bed and looked to have taken the procedure in his stride.
In the evening, though, his condition deteriorated. “At 6pm his condition deteriorated and shortly afterwards he suffered a massive cardiac arrest from which he could not recover,” said one of the doctors who was in the team looking after him. “He died of internal gastrointestinal bleeding and internal organ failure.
Even though he had been ailing, the news of his death stunned the city’s cricketing fraternity. The CAB has cancelled the Gandhi-Mandela Lecture, which Dalmiya was supposed to deliver with Ali Bacher on October 7, a day before the India-South Africa T20 International at Eden Gardens.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who went to the hospital to pay her respects, described his death as a huge loss for sports. “He was a giant amongst sports administrators, a true lover of Bengal,” she tweeted.
BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur wrote:
“The greatest sports administrator of India has passed away, an era ends. A personal loss to me and Indian cricket. I knew Dalmiya ji for over 15 years. He was a mentor to us all and a true lover of the game. His guidance and passion was immense.”
Bengal skipper Laxmi Ratan Shukla felt like he had lost a guardian. “It is shocking news for me. I have grown up seeing him and played all my cricket seeing him in charge of things. It is a great loss,” was all that he could say.
Ranadeb Bose, a former Bengal cricketer, was equally shocked. “I can’t believe this… I went to the hospital to meet him at 5.30pm today when a medical examination was going on and I was told he would be fine in 2-3 days… And three hours after that, I hear this!”
Dalmiya’s body will be brought to the CAB around noon on Monday and kept there till 3 pm for people to pay their last respect. His last rites will be performed in the evening.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee named former India skipper Sourav Ganguly as the new chief of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) as the successor to Jagmohan Dalmiya, who passed away on September 20th. Ganguly, who is currently the joint secretary of the Bengal association since 2014, will be the first Test player to head CAB. Abhishek, late Jagmohan Dalmiya’s son, is in line to become the joint secretary of the association.
“We’ll have to call for a meeting with all the members. I have to be thankful to all the members for this opportunity. If all the 117 members agree, then I’m ready to take up the responsibility. It will be a challenge, we have to keep working everyday. We will all work together,” Ganguly told the press.
“It’s not CM’s sole decision. She has spoken to everyone. I’m very happy that she wanted Abhishek (Dalmiya) in. Whatever time they want me to go, I’ll go. It’s an emotional time for him and I will support him,” Ganguly added.
Ganguly’s new role as the head of an East zone state association gives him the power to play a crucial role in the upcoming BCCI’s presidential elections.
Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad has paid homage to the late Jagmohan Dalmiya, saying he was someone who had a lot of respect for Pakistani cricket and cricketers. Miandad, who was the coach of Pakistan when the team went to India in 1999 for a series, said Dalmiya had provided great hospitality to the visiting side.
“I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of Dalmiya, who was widely respected for his role in raising the status of the subcontinent and South Asian region in world cricket,” Miandad told PTI. “Dalmiya’s passing away has left a big void in cricket,” he added. Dalmiya, who was holding the post of the BCCI President, passed away in Kolkata on Sunday. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in an official statement said Dalmiya was a true friend of Pakistan cricket. Miandad said the late Indian cricket chief had played a major role in encouraging Indo-Pak cricket encounters. “The 1999 and 2004 series are two big examples of this. They were held despite tensions in relations between the two countries,” said Miandad. Meanwhile, Miandad said that chances of Indo-Pak series taking place in December in the UAE are slim. “To be honest, I don’t entertain too many hopes now,” he added. The legendary cricketer also advised the PCB to leave no stone unturned to make the Pakistan Super League a success.
KOLKATA (TIP): BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya died, Sunday, September 20, of cardiac arrest, at the age of 75.
Dalmiya was admitted to the BM Birla Heart Research Institute on September 17 night after he complained of chest pain.
The 75 year old veteran cricket administrator has been physically indisposed for quite some time with a lot many ailments and was not taking active part in the BCCI’s day to day activities.
Dalmiya’s death has been mourned by the BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur and many great names in the cricketing world, including Sourav Ganguli.
Update : Sep 20, 2015: BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya Dies Of Cardiac Arrest – Full report to Follow
KOLKATA (TIP): BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya was rushed to the BM Birla Heart Research Institute he complained of chest pain late on September 17 night.
The 75-year-old veteran cricket administrator has been physically indisposed for quite some time with lot of ailments and was actively not taking any part in the BCCI’s day to day activities.
“Jagmohan Dalmiya was admitted to the BM Birla Hospital after 9 pm after he was brought here with complaints of chest pain. A medical team has been assigned and they are monitoring his health,” a hospital source said.
It has been learnt that Dalmiya might have suffered a cardiac attack due to which he needed to be hospitalised.
During the time of hospitalisation, his son Abhishek Dalmiya is learnt to have accompanied him. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly also rushed from his Behala residence while minister in-charge of sports (West Bengal) Arup Biswas also rushed to the hospital.
The senior officials of local body Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) have also rushed to the hospital.
That Dalmiya’s health has been an issue was an open secret in the Indian cricket circle for quite some time after he took over the BCCI president’s post in March, this year.
Due to Dalmiya’s health conditions, it has been secretary Anurag Thakur who has called the shots.
It has been quite some time that Dalmiya has not been able to properly conduct any BCCI meetings in the near past.
In fact, Dalmiya could not coherently answer any question when he met the three-member SC appointed panel headed by Justice RM Lodha, where his son was prompting all the questions to him.
There has been dissenting voices in BCCI about his failing health and recently there were calls to remove him from the post of president.
NEW DELHI (TIP): Test captain Virat Kohli is becoming quite the entrepreneur when it comes to sports leagues. After his maiden venture in partnering with the Indian Soccer League (ISL) franchise FC Goa last year, Kohli has now taken a dip in the tennis pool, becoming a co-owner of the UAE Royals team in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL).
The skipper joins two other owners – Neelesh Bhatnagar and Sachin Gadoya – in ownership of the Royals. The team will feature 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer this season along with 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, Ana Ivanovic, Daniel Nestor, Kristina Mladenovic and Tomas Berdych.
“Kohli is a big tennis fan, especially of Federer. He’s made some investments in sporting ventures like the ISL franchise FC Goa. The owners of UAE Royals got in touch with him and he was excited to come on board,” IPTL founder and managing director Mahesh Bhupathi told TOI from Dubai on Thursday.
Kohli has followed Federer for some time now, flying down to London earlier this year to see the Swiss Ace in action at Wimbledon. “I am a huge fan of Federer and with him joining the Royals, my decision to be on board with the team was firm. The Royals feature some of tennis’ greatest players and I am confident about the prospects of the team in the IPTL,” Kohli said.
Joining Kohli in the franchise will be cricket team director Ravi Shastri. “The owners have also brought on Shastri as a mentor-cum-advisor. He is close to Kohli and has been working with the youngsters in the Indian team,” Bhupathi said.
The UAE leg of the league will be held from December 14- 16 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. Asked how many rounds that the duo will attend, Bhupathi said: “It’s still not clear how many rounds they’ll be able to attend. They will be here in Dubai for the Royals’ matches for sure. Kohli has expressed the desire to hit a few balls with Federer as well, so that will be something to look forward to.”
The Royals team features Ivanisevic but his ward and defending US Open champion Marin Cilic is missing from the roster this season. Bhupathi, however, said negotiations are still on with some of the players. “Cilic was part of the Royals but we haven’t been able to finalise him as yet. Talks are still on with Cilic as well as a few other players. We’ll have more clarity once some of the contracts are finalized,” the IPTL managing director said.
Meanwhile, the New Delhi leg will be held between December 10 and 12 and ticket sales are already promising.
New Delhi (TIP): The CBI has sent documents related to former IPL boss Lalit Modi, being probed for alleged money laundering in conduct of the T- 20 cricket tournament, to Interpol for issuance of a Red Corner Notice against him.
“All necessary documents in the case being probed by Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been sent to the Interpol for issuance of the notice,” official sources said.
The move came after a Mumbai Court recently issued a non-bailable warrant against the former IPL Commissioner.
The ED has sought Interpol’s help as domestic legal options available to it for serving its summons to Modi issued under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) failed. After his lawyer in Mumbai refused to accept the summons, contending he was not authorised for it, the ED had e-mailed it to the former IPL honcho, who has made London his home, but elicited no response from him.
CBI is the nodal agency for Interpol-related affairs in India.
The Red Corner Notice is issued “to seek the location and arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition or similar lawful action” in a criminal case probe.
Once the red corner notice has been issued, the Interpol seeks to arrest the person concerned in any part of the world and notifies that country to take his or her custody for further action at their end.Sources said the ED is also mulling to seek Modi’s extradition by sending a request to the Ministry of External Affairs through the Home Ministry. The ED is probing Modi, the Indian Premier League (IPL) and its executives for alleged violation of anti-money laundering laws after registering a criminal FIR in 2012. The FIR was filed after the Central agency took cognizance of a cheating complaint filed by former BCCI chief N Srinivasan against Modi and half a dozen others with the Chennai police.
The ED subsequently invoked PMLA along with sections 420 (cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC to probe if BCCI-IPL and the exchequer had been cheated in the award of telecast rights for the T20 tournament in 2009. The case relates to a 2008 deal between World Sports Group (WSG) and Multi Screen Media (MSM) for television rights of Indian Premier League (IPL) worth Rs 425 crore.
In 2008, the BCCI had awarded media rights for ten years to WSG for USD 918 million. WSG entered into a deal with MSM to make Sony the official broadcaster. The contract was replaced a year later with a nine-year deal where MSM paid US $1.63 billion. The ED started a probe in 2009 under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) to investigate whether payment of Rs 425 crore facilitation fee by MSM Singapore to WSG Mauritius was made illegally.
It is also probing 16 foreign exchange violation cases vis-a-vis IPL, Modi and others. The most important of the cases is the one related to media rights deal in which the agency slapped show-cause notices against Modi and 13 others in February this yearThe ED, in its notice, has accused Modi of sending “fraud” emails and being a suspect beneficiary of Rs 125 crore illegal funds in connection with the Rs 425 crore deal for grant of media rights of the T- 20 tournament.
NEW DELHI (TIP): Inching close to nailing controversial businessman Lalit Modi, the CBI has sent documents related to the former IPL boss, being probed for alleged money laundering in conduct of the T-20 cricket tournament, to Interpol for issuance of a Red Corner Notice against him. Interpol is likely to put up the notice worldwide in a couple of days, said officials.
“All necessary documents in the case being probed by Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been sent to the Interpol for issuance of the notice,” sources said.
The move came after a Mumbai court recently issued a non-bailable warrant against the former IPL commissioner.
The ED has sought Interpol’s help as domestic legal options available to it for serving its summons to Modi issued under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) failed. After his lawyer in Mumbai refused to accept the summons, contending he was not authorized for it, the ED had e-mailed it to the former IPL honcho, who has made London his home, but elicited no response from him.
CBI is the nodal agency for Interpol-related affairs in India. The agency officials said that they verified and legally scrutinized ED’s request after which it has been forwarded to Interpol.
The Red Corner Notice is issued “to seek the location and arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition or similar lawful action” in a criminal case probe.
Once the Red Corner Notice has been issued, the Interpol seeks to arrest the person concerned in any part of the world and notifies that country to take his or her custody for further action at their end.
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Tsuglagkhang Complex
This Anglican church is located at a walkable distance from both Dharamsala and McLeodganj, at a place called Forsythganj. The church has a cemetery on its premises, and gives an eerie feeling, especially since it’s situated almost in the middle of nowhere. The beautiful Neo-Gothic structure is ornamented with intricate Belgian-stained glass panes. Built in 1852, the then–viceroy of the country, Lord Elgin, was buried here in 1863.
Triund, situated at an elevation of nearly 2,900 m above sea level, lies between the Kangra valley and the lofty Dhauladhar range of the Himalaya in Himachal Pradesh. You can get there by a pleasant trek of 9-10 km from the hill town of McLeod Ganj (about 2080 m), known as the Little Lhasa for it houses the headquarters of the Tibetan Government in Exile and its spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
NAGPUR (TIP): No hundreds and only four fifties from two finished Tests begs the question if this series really is being played in run-friendly India.
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Sehwag’s decision comes barely a few days after Zaheer Khan decided to call time on his career.
