When birthday boy Sachin Tendulkar let his guard down

Sachin Tendulkar is not known to throw big birthday parties. Instead, he likes to keep it low-key, preferring to spend time with family and friends. However, ever since the advent of the IPL, Tendulkar's birthday has become one of the most important events to watch out for during the Twenty20 gala.

But Tendulkar, the Good Samaritan that he is, chose to celebrate his 38th birthday three days in advance (on Thursday) in a special manner, by interacting with inmates of the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre, a place for the medically boarded out defence personnel, in Kirkee (Pune).

In a video conferencing session, Tendulkar, an honorary Group Captain of the Indian Air Force, was supposed to field questions from wheelchair-bound brave men. However, he started the session by asking the group, “From where do you generate such tremendous courage while on the border?”

Once the former servicemen were at ease, they opened up, asking Sachin everything about his life, including his passion for tennis, the World Cup triumph and his favourite holiday destination. Tendulkar candidly replied all their queries, making it a memorable affair for the 60-odd personnel at the event.

“I've been to Dehradun only twice, but the news channels keep on showing the same footage again and again, making me revisit the place all the time,” Tendulkar said jokingly. “But yes, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I enjoyed the long walks. In Mumbai, I can't go for a stroll, so I just loved it in Dehradun.” Asked about his fondness for racquet sport, Tendulkar said, “I was crazy for cricket and tennis during my childhood. Eventually, I chose cricket and I don't think it has turned out to be a bad decision.”

As he was about to sign off after cutting the cake, he promised to play TT and basketball with the servicemen. Now, can there be a better birthday resolution than that?

Sachin offers help to Para-archer
Pune: If you are an Indian para-athlete, it is difficult to raise money to participate in national and international events. As a result, Amol Boriwale, a para-archer who was in danger of missing out on competing in next month’s Asian para-archery Championship in Bangkok, was left with no option but to seek help from Tendulkar.

Boriwale, an armyman, has emerged as one of the best para-archers in the country.

However he was told that he will have to bear expenses of around Rs 1.5 lakh if he is to participate.

Boriwale appealed for help during the maestro’s video interaction with the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre inmates.

Tendulkar not only offered help but also asked him questions about his routine and training. “I am speaking on behalf of the Indian team. You just let us know how we can help you and we will be there for you.”

Virender Sehwag flattered to deceive

The 3rd edition of the IPL has reached its fag end with the culmination of the group stage.

The qualification of the four teams -- Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore -- is also an indication of the fact that these teams played the 'pressure points' better than the four that failed to make it past the initial stage.

While teams like Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders have only themselves to blame, they had plenty of riches within their ranks for their vapid show, others like Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab neither had the firepower nor the form to help their cause.

These four teams, which failed to make it, paid the price for the lack of form of their key players, names which promised a lot, but delivered a little.

Virender Sehwag (Delhi Daredevils)

Matches: 14
Runs: 356
Highest: 75
Average: 25.42
S/R: 163.30
100s: 0
50s: 3

It is disappointing to see a name like his (Virender Sehwag) at the start of this list. He was indeed one of the biggest disappointments of the third edition.

The stats above are an apt indicator of how much the 30-year-old struggled to assert himself in the tournament.

His highest score in the tournament -- 75 off 34 balls vs Rajasthan Royals at Motera -- was also his lone match-winning effort in the tournament.

His two other 50-plus scores -- 74 vs Chennai Super Kings and 64 against Kolkata Knight Riders -- came in losing causes.

More importantly, the one factor that fans always expect from Sehwag's batting is flamboyance. That was found lacking in the last few weeks.

Sachin makes history, scores first ODI double ton

Milestone man Sachin Tendulkar re-wrote the record books on Wednesday, hammering the first double century in the history of one-day cricket to add another feather to his well-adorned cap.

The capacity crowd at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium witnessed history on Wednesday as Tendulkar, statistically the greatest batsman the game has ever seen, pushed a Charl Langeveldt delivery through the off-side and ran a single to achieve a feat which no other cricketer has achieved.

One-Day International cricket, since its 1971 inception, had to wait nearly four decades to see a batsman score 200. The previous best mark was shared by Zimbabwean Charles Coventry (194 not out) and Pakistan's Saeed Anwar (194).

As the crowd erupted with unbridled joy, Tendulkar, tired but composed, took off his helmet, looked skyward, closed his eyes to offer a silent prayer.

His captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni came down from the striker's end to shake hands and hug him.

And as Tendulkar set on his way back to the pavilion after the completion of the Indian innings, a tumultuous celebration greeted him.

The crowd gave him a standing ovation as the entire stadium erupted in euphoria while his teammates were simply ecstatic as they clapped and hugged each other, basking in the glory of their senior teammates.

Tendulkar batted like a man with a mission today and the South African bowlers simply had no clue where to bowl.

Once he crossed the 150-mark, the crowd anticipated something special and Tendulkar did not let them down.

A six off Roelof van der Merwe took him past Kapil Dev's 175 not out and in the next over, he hit Jacques Kallis for a four to equal his previous best of 186 not out that had come against New Zealand in Hyderabad in 1999.

The crowd got restless as Tendulkar approached the 194-run mark and a couple off Wayne Parnell saw him eclipse it.

His teammates and spectators were on the edge of their seat with a double century round the corner but with Dhoni going berserk at the striker's end and facing most of the deliveries, it was an agonising wait for all.

Dhoni took singles off the final deliveries of the 47th-49th overs and Tendulkar finally took strike with four balls left in the innings.

The first ball he received from Langeveldt was steered past point and Tendulkar ran for a single to remain unbeaten after an unforgettable unbeaten 200 that came off just 147 balls with 25 fours and three sixes in it.

It was yet another milestone for the man, who has some 30,000 international runs under his belt, including 93 centuries (47 in Tests and 46 in ODIs).

When Aamir, SRK recited poems for Sachin Tendulkar

Mukesh Ambani's residence at Cuffe Parade was hopping with the who's who of the city last night. They were gathered there for a bash in honour of Sachin Tendulkar for completing 20 years of cricket.

The party had dances by Bollwood stars, actors like Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan reciting poems for Sachin, cricketers and others guests praising the Little Master for his feat.

Rajeev Shukla, vice president of BCCI, said, "The party was arranged for Sachin for completing 20 years of cricket. It was a great function. Everyone's praises for Sachin, made him emotional."

Aamir Khan, who came to the party along with his wife Kiran, director Raju Hirani and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra, said, "I recited the lines 'Khudi ko kar buland itna ki har takhdir se pehle khuda bande se khud pooche, bata teri raza kya hai' for Sachin. The lines fit him very well."

Shah Rukh Khan recited a poem that his daughter wrote for Sachin.Rani Mukherjee, Priyanka Chopra, Shamita Shetty danced to Bollywood tunes choreographed by Ganesh Hegde.

The Ambanis had even organised a performance by international models. The shows were all performed on a a glass surface over the swimming pool.

Music director Anu Malik said, "It was a great party. The arrangements were superb and it was full of fun. It was nice of the Ambanis to host the party for Sachin."

Needless to say, the entire Indian cricket team was present at the party. They were also joined by former cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shashtri and six players of the Sri Lankan team.

The party also included close friends of the Ambanis. The menu was simple veg food along with drinks.Sachin Tendulkar, who had come along with his family, was the last to leave the party at 2 am.

Dhoni climbs tree to avoid cake thrown by teamamtes!

More than two and-a-half hours after Mahendra Singh Dhoni caught Muttiah Muralitharan off Harbhajan Singh to stamp India as the No 1 Test team in the world, a staffer at the Brabourne Stadium left India's dressing room with a tray full of unopened beer bottles.

The Indian team, it seemed, were content with the frantic celebrations which included eating a huge cake and sipping champagne after the historic victory at the hallowed Cricket Club of India turf. The huge cake was placed in the dressing room before skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni returned from the post-match media conference. Strangely, there were no volunteers when it came to cutting the cake to kick off the wild celebrations. It was then decided that Zaheer Khan, being the performer of the day, would do the honours.

As soon as Zaheer cut the cake, Dhoni made a backdoor exit to evade his teammates who were running to smear the cake over his face. And guess where the India captain decided to hide? On a tree in the CCI parking area!

As they waited for the skipper to come down, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Ishant Sharma were unstoppable when it came to playing Holi with the cake. Dravid came from behind and painted Yuvraj's face with the cream.

Once everyone was back to the dressing room, more champagne was uncorked and for the next 15 minutes, the dressing room was wild.

Sachin warned Yuvraj against calling him grandpa again

At 36, Sachin Tendulkar may be the oldest member of the Indian cricket team but he clearly resents being called a grandfather by his teammates.

Recently when Tendulkar celebrated his 20 years in international cricket, Yuvraj Singh had jokingly said that the veteran batsman was called a 'grandfather' in the Indian dressing room now.

"We have started calling him grandfather," Yuvraj had quipped. Asked what he thought of the reference, Tendulkar said, "I warned him to think twice before calling me grandpa because I have many names to call him in front of the camera."

Tendulkar said even he has a few nicknames for Yuvraj but refused to specify what they might be.

"I have many names for him too, which I cannot reveal in front of the TV camera. I am not revealing them now as I am giving him a chance after my warning," he told 'News24' channel.

I didn't even know who Sachin was: Anjali

For all the fame he achieved even before the start of his international career, Sachin Tendulkar's wife Anjali couldn't recognise him when they first met in 1990 and she says the batting maestro perhaps fell for her lack of cricket knowledge.

"I first met him at the Mumbai airport when he returned from his first tour of England in 1990, after scoring his maiden Test ton. In fact, when I first saw him at the airport, I didn't even know who he was. It was purely by accident!" Anjali, who married Tendulkar in 1995, said.

"I was there to pick up my mother and Sachin was arriving with the Indian team. That's where we saw each other for the first time... we had a courtship of five years and got married in 1995. We had got engaged a year before that in 1994 and that was in New Zealand," she said in a published interview.

Ignorant about cricket when she first started dating Tendulkar, Anjali said she read up everything about the game soon after but the man himself didn't like discussing the sport at home.

"I think what he liked about me was that I knew nothing about cricket when I first met him. But then, me being me, I read everything about the game. I came to know all the fielding positions but he doesn't like me discussing cricket at home. But at times when he is low or upset, I do talk to him about cricket. Again, it's not the game but things related to it that we discuss," she said.

On whether Tendulkar's fame had come in the way of getting the simple pleasures like a movie, Anjali recalled how the batting great had to come in disguise to watch a movie during their courtship.

"... We had gone to see the movie Roja. I was studying medicine then and a couple of my friends planned. Sachin did try telling me that it would be difficult but I insisted that he come along. To make sure nobody recognised him, we even got him a beard. He wore specs as well and we went in late. We watched the first half of the film, but during the interval, Sachin dropped his specs and people immediately recognised him. It was a bit of disaster and we were forced to leave halfway," she told a newspaper in an interview.

Anjali gave up her promising medical career to be Tendulkar's "biggest support" and after 14 years of marriage, she doesn't regret her decision one bit.

"Though I loved every moment of my studying days and my days at the government hospital, it then came to a stage when I realised that I could not be married to Sachin and also have a full-time career. It wasn't possible because he depends on me for almost everything. It was my decision. I thought I should be at home with him and make everything perfect for him," she recalled.

"In his childhood, brother Ajit did everything for Sachin, sacrificing his own interests. I thought I should do the same. Besides, mine would not have been a 9 to 5 job. I'm a paediatrician, so if there's a patient calling me or someone admitted at odd hours, I have to make myself available", she said.

"With Sachin not around and me with two kids at home, it wouldn't have been possible. I took a decision and I have never, ever regretted it," Anjali said.

Tendulkar completes 20 years of international cricket on Sunday and Anjali said she still can't stop herself from getting tensed when he comes out to bat, so much so that she doesn't even get up to take a phone call when he is at the crease.

"Actually, I have one particular spot in the house from where I can watch TV and also keep an eye on my Ganpati (Ganesha). I don't eat. I don't answer phones. I don't drink.

I don't even move. I don't reply to any sms until he's out," she said.

Nineteen years of knowing the cricketer India worships, Anjali said she has learnt to deal with the pulls and pressures that come with being his better half.

"For me, it's very easy because I've known Sachin for 19 years now. I understand him so well. So whether I am his girlfriend or his wife, it's the same thing, just an extension of that bond. I don't find it very difficult and I'm used to it.

"Maybe, it's also because I've not known any other person in my life except Sachin. Of course, there are many challenges and difficulties to being his wife but the whole family, including my children, has learnt to deal with it," she said.

But Anjali wishes that Tendulkar doesn't have to spend so much time away from his home and two young children.

Dhoni is all candour and humour

Disarming candour and humour were the intrinsic features of M.S. Dhoni’s interaction with the media here on Wednesday night.

After scoring 124 to ambush the Aussies in the second ODI of the Hero Honda Cup seven-match series here, Dhoni, when asked about his ‘special’ innings, said: “It is not that I have scored many centuries so I will keep all of them in my memory.

“It was a good innings but it was a team effort and not just about me. When I went in the run-rate was good and even if scored at five an over we would have had a good base,” Dhoni said.

Dhoni said that even he would have opted to field first if he had won the toss. “Dew was a factor and with spinners in my attack even I would have fielded first. I am happy with the way all the bowlers performed.

“Harbhajan bowled two bad overs but after that he did get his lines right and he is slowly getting there. Ishant is bowling with rhythm and his pace has gone up,” Dhoni said.
Fine innings

Meanwhile Ricky Ponting said that the Indian batsmen were too good and that Dhoni played a fine innings. “We reasoned about the dew factor and the fact that we were missing a bowler like Brett Lee so we decided to back our batsmen and opted to chase.

“Didn’t work out the way I expected though,” Ponting said and admitted that he missed a bowler like Glenn McGrath to bowl in the death. “Today was an opportunity for your younger players to step up and perform. I am sure they will learn along the way,” Ponting said.

Meannwhile, wicket-keeper Tim Paine will fly back home after suffering a broken finger here on Wednesday. “Paine has broken a finger and he will fly out immediately. Because of the different time zones we are unable to get in touch with our selectors back home though we do have David Boon here with us.

“I am sure we will get a replacement in time for the Delhi match (October 31),” said Ponting.

The curious case of Irfan Pathan

In the annals of Indian cricket, Irfan Pathan remains an enigma.On one hand is an Irfan, who happens to be a precarious swinger of the cricket ball. When the cherry is at its reddest, he can even take a hat-trick in the very first over of a Test match (v Pakistan at Karachi, 2006). When in rhythm, he is unplayable, unleashing yorkers at will, much to the peril of even the best in business like Adam Gilchrist and Steve Waugh (India’s tour to Australia 2003-04). So what if he was just a teenager making his debut against the world champions in their own backyard!

Chirpy, animated, enjoying every moment of his game, a team man to the core, relentless in pursuit of excellence.Then there is the other Irfan who happens to crop up every now and then. He doesn’t swing, has no pace and can be mistaken for a part-timer. Pakistan’s leg-spinner Shahid Afridi has clocked higher than him on speed gun, it is rumoured. He cuts a lonely figure in the cricket field. He looks lost, almost like a child on his first day in school!

The latest instance of the second Irfan turning up was during the recent Twenty20 World Cup in England.He played three games and looked largely listless. Giving more than 7 runs per over, he lacked penetration, picking just one wicket in the 7 overs he got to bowl amidst conditions largely conducive to swing bowling.

Consequently, as India made an unceremonious exit from the World Cup, he faces the axe again, as selectors decide in favour of Ashish Nehra for the forthcoming short trip to the Caribbean.That was not how it was when he was baptised into international cricket by fire...five years ago.Irfan’s career has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride. As he notched up one impressive performance with the ball after another, word spread… about a curly haired teenager. Next up was India’s historic tour to Pakistan, where he drew rave reviews from none other than the original Sultan of Swing - Wasim Akram, as also from legendary Imran Khan.

His rise had just begun. Within a year, having established his bowling credentials, he impressed with his batting prowess as well. Soon he was being hailed with the ultimate of compliments - that of being the next Kapil Dev!

And then, in the summer of 2005, came the Greg Chappell era, which in retrospect, can also be termed as a turning point in his career.A vital cog to Chappell’s wheel of fortune from the onset, Irfan quickly became the blue eyed boy for the hard nosed Aussie. He began batting at number three as a part of Chappell’s attempt to infuse flexibility in the team.

While Irfan the batsman did post a few decent outings, Irfan the bowler suddenly began losing his zip. He lost his swing, then the speed…confidence, and soon his place in the side. With too many people telling him what to do, Irfan’s mind was filled with clutter. No longer the cheery boy next door enjoying a simple game of cricket, he seemed a man weighed down by the burden of expectations of an entire nation. Sent back home in middle of a tour from South Africa in December of 2006, and with a career at the crossroads at the age of just 22, Irfan’s cricketing arc seemed at it’s lowest ebb.

So, Irfan got down to the basics. He embraced the daily grind of domestic cricket to fight his way back into the team. Empty stadiums, sub-standard playing conditions, pedestrian opposition could not douse the fire in his belly.Like a man possessed, he practiced hard. Day in…day out.Soon…the results began to show. Among the many positive things that followed post the Greg Chappell era after the 2007 World Cup debacle, was re-emergence of Irfan Pathan as a bowler.Things began falling into place for him. With his swing back, Irfan laid claim to the new ball yet again.

And then came…the most defining moment. A part of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s young brigade at the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, Irfan was among the show stoppers as India shocked the world the lift the World Cup! The icing on the cake was when he was adjudicated man of the match in the pulsating final against Pakistan.

His cricketing life had come full circle. He marked his return to the place where he had made his debut with a man-of-the-match performance at Perth that helped India crush the mighty Australians in what was their invincible fortress.Though inconsistent with the ball, Irfan has only taken positive strides with the bat.Another Kodak moment in his career was when he, along with his elder brother- Yusuf, eked out an astonishing victory from a hopeless position for India against Sri Lankans at Colombo.

But just when everything seemed to be getting back on the track, Irfan again faced omission following the Twenty20 World Cup disaster….and now would not be a part of the Champions Trophy extravaganza in South Africa.A veteran already, at the age of 25, one hopes Irfan does full justice to his immense potential. He may be the final jigsaw that could transform India into a winning combination at the 2011 World Cup.

When Tendulkar evoked no appreciation

Cricket is known often to have acted as the bridge that connected India-Pakistan in troubled times but there were instances when even the great Sachin Tendulkar's shots evoked no applause from the crowd across the border.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman and senior diplomat Shaharyar Khan says before the 1999 series it was winning that mattered and not the skill and art of cricket.

Post-1999 things changed and perhaps for the first time the attitude of fans and players of the two countries underwent a sea change.

"Something had changed in crowd attitudes. Only a few years earlier a Bangalore crowd had whistled and screamed invectives at Saeed Anwar and Aamer Sohail in an ICC Champions Trophy match and Pakistan boundaries were received in pin-drop silence," he wrote in the book 'Shadows across the playing field' co-authored by former United Nations under-secretary-general Shashi Tharoor.

"The same sullen attitude was true when Indian teams played in Pakistan. I recall being acutely embarrassed when Sachin Tendulkar's brilliant stroke play evoked no appreciation from the spectators," he said.

"But during the 1999 tour, a certain maturity from the crowds witnessing India-Pakistan contests was apparent," he said of the bilateral series held after a gap of 10 years "against the backdrop of acute tension".

"The teams interacted sportingly on field and even the crowd trouble after Tendulkar's run-out at Kolkata was not aimed against the Pakistani team but was essentially a show of frustration," Shaharyar added.

The former PCB boss, born in Bhopal, also recalled the threats Pakistan team received from protesters who were against the revival of cricketing ties between the two countries.

"The game was on, with the establishment against the marauding agitators who had even threatened to let loose poisonous snakes into the Pakistan dressing room!"

The 75-year-old ex-armyman said a new benchmark in public relations was achieved through friendly cricket series between the two countries.

"Perhaps one small incident encapsulated the entire syndrome of the friendship series. At Lahore, Inzamam(-ul Haq) was batting and played a ball to point where (Anil) Kumble fielded and flung the ball hard towards the 'keeper, except that the throw was a little off the mark and missed Inzamam's nose by a whisker. Inzamam turned angrily towards Kumble and heated words were exchanged between the two.

"The incident sent a chill down my spine... but at close, Inzamam and Kumble walked smiling arm-in-arm, the heated exchange forgiven and forgotten. This was the response of two mature and responsible cricketers (so as not to mar the goodwill achieved during the entire 2004 series)," he wrote.

Although post-Mumbai terror attacks there is no bilateral series proposed between India and Pakistan in the new Future Tours Programme, Shaharyar is hopeful that cricket will soon resume between the neighbours.

"It's often been a case of two steps forward and one (or two) steps back in the peace process. The Mumbai terrorist attack must be seen as part of the same syndrome.

"I am convinced that cricket will again provide the catalyst to bring about harmony, tolerance and good neighbourly relations between the two countries," he concluded.

Dhoni’s six pack

Mahendra Singh Dhoni may not have been aware that he had just led his team to a sixth consecutive ODI series win when rain washed out the final ODI against West Indies in St Lucia on Sunday and gave them the series 2-1.

This series win equalled a streak previously achieved when Rahul Dravid was captain of the ODI team. In 2006-07 the Indian team beat West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Ireland, South Africa and Scotland.

However Dhoni did know that it was his team’s third win on the trot abroad. “I think we really have a very good side,” he said, beginning a rather simple explanation. When pressed, the skipper lavished credit on his bowlers for making this possible.

“It’s a pleasure to win series out of the country. The bowlers took the initiative, we have a very good bowling attack and the youngsters who came in and got a chance have proved himself.”

Traditionally batting has always been India’s strength. In the lead up to this series, with Zaheer Khan injured, the fast bowling department was under a bit of pressure, especially with Ishant Sharma struggling.

However, Ashish Nehra, making a comeback, picked up important wickets both at the top of the innings and at death. Ishant, used in different roles, raised his game as the series unfolded. “Throughout the series if you see we batted first because there was something on offer for the fast bowlers,” said Dhoni.

“Ishant was concentrating more on what he needs to do rather than looking at the batsman. Today he was bowling in the right areas and there was a bit help in the pitch for the fast bowlers,” Dhoni said of Ishant. “In earlier matches he was bowling one change but today he looked a totally different bowler with the new ball.”

The team can now look forward to a spell of rest with their next assignment being a tri-series in Sri Lanka, also featuring New Zealand, in September. The team will then play the Champions Trophy in South Africa following which several players will take part in the Champions League Twenty20 tournament in India.

B'Day Spl: Exclusive interview with dhoni parents

Jharkhand has very few celebrities. Now. Or ever. It is not surprising then that the day Mahendra Singh Dhoni returns to Ranchi, Jharkhand's capital, it goes dizzy with excitement.

The moment his plane lands he is chased from the airport by an army of television cameras and ardent fans. Everyone, old friends and new admirers, want to meet him. He is made the chief guest at any important function happening and often there will be requests from the chief minister to attend a certain event.

If he goes for a haircut chaos reigns. He once attempted a cut at one of the city's fashionable barber shops, Kaya and the crowds that gathered, especially from the Women's College opposite, imprisoned him in the shop for three hours. Finally the police resorted to a lathi charge to give him an exit route. Dhoni is still very much Ranchi-based.

A total Ranchi boy.
The only place he calls home is a little cottage, fronted by gorgeous and lovingly-attended dahlias, zinnias and roses, where his parents -- Pan and Devki Singh live in a colony in the town's Doranda suburb.

Dhoni was born here and this was where he was schooled and where he rose to fame playing fabulous strokes at the colony's stadium.

The cricketer pops home once in two months and if he is lucky he spends a day with his parents, his sister Jayanti Gupta, who is an English teacher and lives down the road and his favourite dogs, a Labrador named Zarah and an Alsation Sam.

Dhoni's parents are a modest, simple couple. Pan Singh still roams the colony on a bicycle and Dhoni's fame has changed their lifestyle very little. It just meant getting used to the voracious, insatiable media. Even their neighbours across the fence get their fair share of media attention.

Devki Singh plies you with cups of tea, biscuits, sweets and Chuda when you visit his home. The pride of the house is a giant television screen on which they track their son's games with pride and nervousness. A large picture of Dhoni graces one wall. And there's a cabinet of trophies belonging to Dhoni, and his elder brother Narendra, across the way.

Pan and Devki Singh spoke to Vaihayasi Pande Daniel at their home in Ranchi. Jayanti, talked about 'Mahi' in an interview over the phone some days later.

Where is your family originally from?

Pan Singh: We are from an area that has become part of Uttaranchal (Uttarakhand). My district is Almora. The name of my village? You will have to go into the dehaat for that. It is Talasaalam. It is about 15.5 miles from Almora. In those days it was reachable only on foot. Now it is a bus road and it is 40 km away from Almora. It is a mountainous and you have go all the way around by road.

I came to Ranchi in 1964. I was doing farming in Almora. But was hoping to get a service job. Actually from Almora I went to Lucknow and from there to Bokaro. The steel plant was being built in Bokaro and there was a promise of jobs. But I was late in reaching there (and there were no jobs). I do not have much education so I was simply looking for some kind of job. Hoping to get something.

But when I reached this township I got a job with Hindustan Steel Authority. I got a job as an unskilled worker. But by retirement my designation was work supervisor.

She (the mother) is from Nainital district. She came here in 1969.

But your son is from Ranchi?

Pan Singh: Yes. He went to our company school, DAV. He started playing on the school team. He was born in Ranchi on July 7, 1981 in a hospital right here.

Did he start playing cricket from very young?

Pan Singh: He played cricket from childhood. The stadium used to be opposite our house. He played on the grounds and from there for the school. No one in our family had an aptitude for cricket before him. Yes, this he inherited from Ranchi.

As soon as he got a little big -- 4 or 5 -- he had an interest in cricket. Apart from cricket in school he played other sports too. He played badminton for the school team. He was good. But did not represent the school. Actually it began with football. He was a goalkeeper.

On holidays when he was not busy they would set up matches amongst themselves for one or two hours. He was part of the colony team you know how kids form their own mohalla team form cricket teams. But I would say that he did not live on the cricket grounds

Devki Singh: But right from very small. He would go to the ground nearby and I would watch him from here home. Right from the morning.

Irfan Pathan to marry Shivangi Dev

It's a decision that could break a million hearts. 'Baroda bomber' Irfan Pathan is set to marry long-time friend Shivangi Dev, daughter of an Indian diplomat in Australia. Pathan, who has known Shivangi for the past six years, told TOI that their parents had finally given their nod to the wedding.

"We know each other really well now," said a blushing Irfan, who first met his lady-love in Canberra in 2003. The younger Pathan, however, is sure of the venue. "It will take some time but certainly in Vadodara. It will be a traditional wedding," he said.

TOI had first reported about Irfan's relationship with Shivangi, in March last year. Irfan had first met her during a practice match. "She was very shy and didn't talk much during our first meeting. It took quite some time before we got comfortable with each other and got into a relationship," Irfan said.

So, who proposed first? "I was the one who proposed to her about three years ago. I was in Vadodara when I called her up and asked her if she would marry me," he said. She said yes.

Initially, there was some resistance from both families. "Now, our families have accepted our relationship," he added.

Shivangi, who has visited Irfan's home twice, works as a chartered accountant in Australia and also teaches dance to children. "She is a very good dance teacher and has a major fan following in her dance school," said Irfan who has visited her school.

We got it all wrong: Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted that his side literally took their eyes off the ball in the second One-day International against West Indies on Sunday at Sabina Park.

India allowed West Indies to draw level in their four-match ODI series with an eight-wicket victory, after Dhoni almost single-handedly led an Indian revival with 95 to help them set their rivals a respectable target of 189.

Dhoni struck six fours and two sixes from 130 balls, but the target was never going to be treacherous for West Indies, and the Indian captain felt his side took things for granted.

"We could have done a bit better," Dhoni said. "We could have given the respect to the balls that really needed or demanded that respect, and by the time we realised, we had already lost three wickets.

He added: "I think it was a good pitch, but the batsmen just went with their strokes and before we knew it we had three down. Once you are in that situation, you are just playing catch-up.

"R.P. [Singh] and I had a partnership, otherwise it would have been quite embarrassing."

India had only themselves to blame for their defeat, after they plunged to 82 for eight in the 22nd over after choosing to bat.

But Dhoni staged a rearguard action in the form of a 101-run, ninth-wicket stand with Singh before they both fell in the space of six balls as India were dismissed for 188 in 48.2 overs.

"I don't think there was that much in it for the bowlers, they bowled really well, they were swinging the ball well, and when it stopped swinging, they were able to get reverse swing," the India captain said.

"I think we made a mistake in our approach to batting rather than the decision of whether to bat or field."

He continued: "Later on, the pitch became better for batting. When you are batting first, initially you expect the pitch to do a bit, and after that you can capitalise if you get a good start."

At the same time, West Indies captain Chris Gayle praised Ravi Rampaul and Jerome Taylor for setting his side up for the victory.

"It's nice to square the series," he said.

"There were some good performances from the guys. Rampaul and Taylor set the game for us and from now we will look to go from strength to strength.

"There was moisture in the pitch early, and Taylor and Ravi utilised it well, and the catching was also good, so we just need to keep working on our game."

The series is now tied 1-1, after India won the high-scoring, opening match last Friday by 20 runs at the same venue.

The series concludes with a pair of ODIs - this coming Friday and Sunday - at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St. Lucia.

Remarkable young lady meets Dhoni and Gayle

Kingston, Jamaica: Kordell Clarke, a special teenager from Jamaica who has lived a traumatic life and who has overcome more obstacles than most face in a lifetime, received a unique 18th birthday gift courtesy of Digicel. She was the company’s representative at the toss to officially commence the Second Digicel One Day International at Sabina Park.

West Indies captain, Chris Gayle, and India’s, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, were joined by the inspirational young lady who was lauded by Jamaican Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, for her outstanding academic triumphs and having defeated great odds during her yet brief life.

It was really great to meet Gayle and Dhoni and I’m really happy,” Kordell said afterwards as she soaked up the atmosphere of her first ever cricket match despite passing the world famous Sabina Park on a daily basis on her way to school.

She and her brother, Ramon Clarke, and a friend were also special guests in the Digicel Corporate Box for the duration of the game.

The captains, having heard of her many challenges in life – all of which she overcame with great determination and grace – told her how pleased they were to meet her and thanked her for coming to meet them.

Kordell, who celebrated her birthday on June 20 is a lower sixth form student at the Alpha Academy in Kingston where she secured 12 CXC subjects with seven distinctions and five grade twos.Hers has not been a life of smooth sailing or mere minor obstacles.

Kordell’s father died when she was 10 and she also lost a brother to cancer. Wracked by painful scoliosis which caused her body to be bent and her spine to form a painful S shape, Kordell faced the distinct possibility of being crippled for life.

With the help of Prime Minister Golding, her mother Pauline Livingston, corporate Jamaica and her friends, Kordell was able to successfully complete corrective surgery.

She now hopes to read for a degree in actuarial science at the University of West Indies. Digicel was honoured to select such a remarkable young lady as its ambassador for the day.

MS Dhoni a victim of erratic emotions

As India start their outing in West Indies tomorrow, skipper M S Dhoni must be feeling the pressure that is associated with the job of the Indian cricket captain.

A dismal show in the T20 World Cup in England coupled with his off-the-field antic, Dhoni is certainly not the blue-eyed boy he was in the recent past. “Where have I gone wrong?” he must be wondering.

I wouldn’t like to go into where the swashbuckling batsman-stumper has gone wrong, since that is a debatable area. But, I have a question to ask all our experts and fans. Can we stop this temporary romance with our heroes?.

My younger brother, an avid Dhoni fan just the other day, came running to me saying, “He should be sacked. He is a disaster as a skipper.” An article in a newspaper pointed out that if Dhoni didn’t change, then his days at the helm could be numbered. Even if such a frustration coming from somebody (my brother), who is in no way a cricket expert is acceptable, how is it that some former players are somewhat indicating that the Jharkhand boy may not be the best bet as the captain. And after just one series? Surprisingly, all of them were talking quite highly of him just before the beginning of the World Cup.

But is this something new in Indian cricket or India for that matter? Be it Amitabh Bachchan or Shah Rukh Khan or Sunil Gavaskar or Sourav Ganguly or even Sachin Tendulkar, they all have been victims of this emotional fluctuation of critics and fans.

I, as a journalist do have a problem with the arrogance Dhoni showed in England. In my view, a bit of humility would have done him good, but at the same time, I would not write him off. Yes, his selection of players in some key matches in the World Cup was wrong. Even his strategies went haywire, but isn’t that natural? It happens to everybody. Interestingly, had Dhoni’s gambles worked, we would have been worshipping him now. But we tend to show lack of maturity.

In one sense, however, it is a blessing in disguise for Dhoni. This is the first time during his stint at the helm that he has realised how tough discharging the duties of the Indian skipper is. You are always under strict vigil. And perhaps, he would understand what his predecessors (whom he quite cleverly showed the exit door) had to go through. This should be a learning lesson for him.

But, what about us? Will we continue with our erratic attitude towards those who make us proud? We will for sure. In about ten days’ time, if India humble West Indies, Dhoni will win back the confidence of the very people who are after his head now. They say form is temporary, class is permanent, but we tend to differ and make a statement.

If it’s time for Dhoni to change, so is it for fans and critics. Let’s mature please.

Sachin Tendulkar parallel for Advani the skipper

A sense of disquiet has crept into the BJP ever since L.K. Advani signalled at the national executive that he had no intention to quit active politics in the near future and might stay put to play a longer innings, preferably as the skipper and not as a night watchman or a tail-ender.

The signal has come despite a feeling among most of those who matter in the BJP and the RSS that he is no longer a vote-catcher or a crowd mobiliser.

The irony of a simile borrowed from cricket — Advani is as obsessive about the sport as he is about films — was not lost on the more perceptive executive members. In his concluding remarks, he repeatedly alluded to his party’s defeat (he insisted the drop of 22 seats between 2004 and 2009 was a “setback” and not a “rout”) and said: “When we lost, the people were disappointed exactly the way they get disappointed whenever Sachin Tendulkar gets out in 90s.”

One of the members elaborated on the comparison and said that unlike Tendulkar, who withdrew when he realised he was a far better batsman than captain, Advani was “unwilling to believe his best years are behind him and that it’s time he lets the party move on under a new captain”. Tendulkar was happy being a member of the Indian team, the source pointed out, without “disturbing” its spirit and structure and simultaneously playing to the best of his ability.

The verdict in the BJP is that Advani would not do a Tendulkar. “Initially, everyone in the BJP, including the chief ministers, believed it was a matter of time before the Advani era was over. Now it seems increasingly clear he wants a role for himself, as a player and not a mentor,” an insider said.

At the fag end of his speech, when Advani announced he would tour the country in the coming months, most of the listeners prepared themselves to watch another “yatra” unroll. A source close to Advani, however, claimed it would not be a chariot ride but “meetings to pep up the morale of our workers”.

A prelude to yet another tenure as the BJP president when the incumbent, Rajnath Singh, demits office in September this year? In his first briefing after the two-day session, spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy was asked why Advani had arrogated to himself the role of revving up the party when a president was in place. He was mum.

Advani rejected the suggestion. When journalists in Coorg, where he is now holidaying, asked whether he would take over as party president, Advani said: “No chance.”

The doubts over Advani’s role arose because when he was made the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha — the most coveted role for an out-of-power leader — the “understanding” between the BJP and the RSS was it was a holding operation.

By the end of 2009, the BJP will have a new president. This appointment is expected to trigger a number of changes at the top, underpinned by the strategy that it was time to usher in the “younger generation” and prepare the party to take on a Rahul Gandhi-spearheaded Congress in 2014. Advani is 82 and if he is to lead the next election, he will be 87.

Yet in his address on June 21, Advani tactically avoided a mention of the second generation of leaders in the BJP as he deplored the party’s “train compartment” mentality “which makes those in leadership positions ignore promising, talented and committed cadres who are ‘standing outside’ and waiting for the door to open.... We must identify, train, groom and empower third, fourth and fifth generation leaders....”

“How can the second rung move up if those at the top of the queue are not moving?” an insider asked.

Sources said the initial assessment was if, for instance, Sushma Swaraj (57), who was appointed the deputy leader of the parliamentary party and effectively functioned as Advani’s number two in the Lok Sabha, was elevated as the leader of the Opposition, the message would be the generational change the BJP had been talking of since 2004 was a reality. A part of the strategy was put in place after Arun Jaitley (also 57) was made the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

Both these appointments were jointly decided by the BJP and the RSS. At 59, the new RSS chief, Mohanrao Bhagwat is considered “young” by the organisation’s geriatric standards. “The Sangh works through signals and insinuations. It hoped the BJP would get the message about a generational transition with Mohanraoji’s anointment,” an RSS source said.

The sources said the RSS was also convinced that “public perceptions” about a leader were as important as other criteria such as acceptability within the party and organisational skills. A BJP functionary of Sangh provenance, who used to have reservations about Jaitley and Sushma, conceded: “On the perception scale, they score higher over their peers. Jaitley has a positive image, he is articulate and has worked as a general secretary in most states. So he cannot be faulted for being out of touch with the organisation. Sushma is an asset, she has charisma and after Vajpayee and Advani, she is our best orator.”

This is why the oblique attacks against Jaitley by Jaswant Singh, Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie were criticised by veterans like Sunderlal Patwa at the executive. “These persons are outsiders to the Sangh. Yet, each one of them got the best of the NDA government. That’s why their remarks were dismissed with the contempt they deserved. Jaitley has come in through the ABVP (the Sangh’s student wing),” a source said.

But with Advani digging in his heels, all eyes are on the RSS to see if it can implement the second part of its blueprint for change. “The Sangh has not revealed its hand right now because there are pulls and pressures within,” a source said.

One section wants the Sangh to keep off the BJP and chart a “modernisation” course for itself before delivering homilies to the party. The other believes that it should continue being pro-active.

Indians appeared reluctant to play us: Afridi

The Indian team under Mahendra Singh Dhoni was reluctant to play against Pakistan in the Twenty20 World Cup and it showed in their attitude, alleged flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

Even though the arch-rivals did not meet in the main tournament, they featured in a sold-out warm up match and Afridi alleged Dhoni and his men did not look keen to play Pakistan even though they claimed so.

"I was a bit disappointed. It didn't appear to me by the attitude of the Indian players that they want to play against us," Afridi told 'Geo TV' after his arriving home on Wednesday morning.

"On the face, they said they would like to see cricket between the two countries but I think in their hearts they thought otherwise. Their attitude and behaviour while playing against us showed this," Afridi said.

Pakistan and India have froze bilateral cricket ties since the Mumbai terror attacks last November with the Indians cancelling a scheduled Test tour earlier this year.
Afridi said he still believed that cricket could heal relations between the two nations and bring people together.

"I always say use sports to foster good relations and remove misunderstandings," said Afridi who starred in the tournament both with the bat and ball. He said Pakistan had proved critics wrong by winning the World Cup when everyone had tipped India and South Africa as favourites.

"I think our performance is a lesson for other teams. We are world champions and I hope teams will now come to Pakistan."

Younis Khan retires from T20 cricket

After leading Pakistan to World Twenty20 title Sunday, Younis Khan dropped a bombshell when he announced his retirement from the shortest version of the game.

"I am already 34 and probably too old for this kind of cricket," said the senior batsman who was Pakistan's most prolific run-getter in the tournament.

"Today I have decided to retire from Twenty20 cricket," said the Pakistan captain, adding that he would like to focus on Test and ODI cricket.

Younis had said before the tournament that he might quit Twenty20 cricket.He said Pakistan have a number of emerging youngsters like pacer Mohammad Aamer and all-rounder Fawad Alam, who can take the game forward in the country.

"We have a number of talented cricketers who can really excel in this version of the game," said Younis.Younis said leading Pakistan to the world title was the proudest moment in his international career. "I've always dreamt of winning the World Cup," he said.

MS Dhoni under fire from students on environmental issue

Under fire for his team's debacle in the Twenty20 World Cup, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been criticised by students of a West Sikkim school for endorsing potato chips which uses non bio-degradable wrappers.

Students of the Government Secondary School at Yuksom in West Sikkim have written to Dhoni with a wrapper stapled to it to draw his attention how the product was adversely affecting the ecology of the state.

While participating in a cleanliness drive from Yuksom to Dzongri last month, the students had come across wrappers of the potato chips comprising 47 per cent of the non bio-degradable waste in the state.

"Please come and see for yourself. Should not we aspire to keep our pristine environment unpolluted?" the students wrote seeking his cooperation in their endeavour to keep the environment clean.

The students also appealed to Dhoni to consider making some arrangement to collect the wrappers for disposal.

They, however, expressed their adulation of the cricketer and urged him to visit their school with the national team to play a cricket match with them.

"We will take you on a guided tour of the rich biodiversity of Yuksom region," the students said.