Cricket

2010-05-12T20:15:00.000-07:00

ICC WT20: Muralitharan & Pietersen Returning Home

Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and England batsman Kevin Pietersen are to return home from the ICC World Twenty20, although Pietersen could yet feature if England reach the semi-finals.

Muralitharan has suffered a recurrence of the groin injury which was initially thought to have ruled him out of Sri Lanka's campaign, aggravated during his comeback match against the West Indies.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that left-arm fast bowling all-rounder Thilan Thushara will replace Muralitharan in Sri Lanka's squad for the rest of the tournament.

Fresh from hitting back-to-back half-centuries to guide England to wins over Pakistan and South Africa, Pietersen is to fly home to be with his wife as she prepares to give birth to the couple's first child

"England batsman Kevin Pietersen is to return home to the UK in the next 24 hours to be with his pregnant wife for the birth of their first child," an England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement revealed.

"He is expected to return to the West Indies for England’s likely ICC World Twenty20 semi-final, the ECB has confirmed."

Pietersen also confirmed his plans during a TV interview at the conclusion of the game against South Africa, in which he was named the man-of-the-match for his 53 in 33 balls.

Ravi Bopara is expected to take Pietersen's place in the team for the game against New Zealand on Monday 10th May.

Cricket

2010-05-05T19:58:00.000-07:00

St Lucia: Suresh Raina bludgeoned a brilliant 101 off 60 balls as India mauled South Africa by 14 runs at the Beausejour Stadium on Sunday. The victory saw India into round Super Eights stage after their seven-wicket win over Afghanistan on Saturday.
Raina became the first Indian and the third player in the world after Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum to make a T20 international hundred. The southpaw smashed nine boundaries and five sixes to take India to 186-5. After a slow start to their chase, the Proteas gave India a tough fight at the end as they scored 172-5.
Murali Vijay (0) and Dinesh Karthik (16), who replaced Gambhir, perished early as Indian batsmen struggled against the South Africa pace quartet of Rory Kleinveldt, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Albie Morkel.
Going into the game without an indisposed Gautam Gambhir and a 'rested' Zaheer Khan, India were in the woods at 32 for two in the sixth over, before Raina (101) and Yuvraj Singh (37) reconstructed the staggering innings. Raina had an escape on five when he was caught off a Morne Morkel no-ball. It was an expensive error by the fast bowler, with left-hander Raina launching a blistering assault as he reached his century off 59 balls. Together with Yuvraj Singh (37) he shared a stand of 88 in 10 overs.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith had promised his side would be flexible when it came to their openers but few foresaw the skipper dropping himself down to No 3. Jacques Kallis, who opened in Smith's place, was nearly out for a second ball nought when a diving Yusuf Pathan at backward point just failed to hold on to a catch off the bowling of Harbhajan Singh.
Kallis, after the early loss of Loots Bosman, went on to complete a 45-ball fifty with three fours.
The experienced batsman then tried to keep South Africa on course by slog-sweeping Harbhajan for two successive sixes in the 15th over. But a stand of 97 in 11 overs was ended when Smith was run out by Praveen Kumar's throw to MS Dhoni.
Then 118 for two became 128 for three when Kallis fell on 73 after driving leg-spinner Piyush Chawla straight to Ravindra Jadeja in the deep.
South Africa though kept swinging and got the target down to 24 off the last over, bowled by Ashish Nehra and the left-arm quick conceded just nine.
India accelerated in the ninth over when Yuvraj swept spinner Roelof van der Merwe for the first six of the match and, two balls later, Raina lofted all-rounder Kallis high over wide long-on. Both batsmen were severe on fast bowler Rory Kleinveldt, whose four overs cost 48 runs.
India took 25 runs off Kleinveldt's last over, the 18th, with Yusuf Pathan hitting the first ball for six and then taking a single. Raina then struck three fours in a row, over long-on, through extra-cover and straight down the ground, before the batsman completed the over with a majestic six, struck off one knee and high over long-off.
Come the last over, Raina was on 95 and Dhoni was facing. But when he got on strike, for the third ball, Raina wasted little time in completing his hundred with a six over midwicket off Albie Morkel before getting out next ball. This was only the 23-year-old Raina's 13th Twenty20 international and his score easily eclipsed his previous best of 61 not out against New Zealand in Christchurch last year.
Dhoni, whose side beat Afghanistan here on Saturday, ended the innings with a six as India scored a mammoth 75 runs off the last five overs. South Africa complete their group programme against Afghanistan in Barbados on May 5.

Calculation of MGR

2008-05-08T16:22:00.000-07:00

MGR is known as Monthly Gross Revenue which is a ka net rake. This is the formula used by the game rooms for calculating the amount of your rakeback. For example if your MGR is $3,000 and your rakeback percentage is 30 then your rake back amount is $900. When your MGR is calculated some rooms decrease the amount of bonus earned by you whereas some rooms do not consider deducting bonus. Tournament fee is also dealt with in the same manner as that of bonus. Some houses follow different methods to calculate your earned share of rake.

India warns cricket cheerleaders

2008-04-25T06:10:00.000-07:00

Indian police say the organisers of the new tournament transforming world cricket could be fined if cheerleaders are deemed to be dressed indecently.

The cheerleaders have been introduced into the Indian Premier League as part of moves to add glamour and entertainment to the game.

Some politicians say the cheerleaders are "vulgar and obscene".

Mumbai police say they will be checking that the cheerleaders' performances do not violate entertainment licences.

The cheerleading girls, wearing short skirts and low-cut tops, have been hired from around the world to perform during the matches which are also being heavily endorsed by leading Bollywood stars.

They include cheerleaders from the Washington Redskins.

'Lines of decency'

Cheerleaders have been brought in from all over the world Pic: Sandipan Chatterjee/Indian Express More Details>>

NFL Cheerleaders, $1 Million Pay Shake Cricket: Andy Mukherjee

2008-04-24T02:01:00.000-07:00

April 24 (Bloomberg) -- If you think ``getting Bangalored'' is still a metaphor for the loss of Western computer-software and network-maintenance jobs to cheaper workers in India, then you aren't following the Washington Redskins cheerleaders.

Twelve of the ``First Ladies of Football,'' as they like to call themselves, are in India's code-writing capital on work.

Yes, this is outsourcing in reverse; and no, India hasn't taken to playing American football. The National Football League in India refers to a domestic soccer competition; and even that has recently undergone a name change. The cheerleaders are supporting Royal Challengers Bangalore, one of the teams participating in India's newly born cricket league.

The Indian Premier League, a 44-day, 59-match annual fixture, has already emerged as one of the largest and most- promising new business opportunities in India in recent years.

Commentators have mostly focused on how lucrative the league is for the players and the Indian cricket board; cricket enthusiasts have considered the pros and cons of the game's condensed format: It finishes within three hours; a Test match, the classical version, can take five days.

More financially oriented analysts have wondered if it would make a profit for the owners of the teams, including billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani, spirits tycoon Vijay Mallya and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan MoreDetails>>

County cricket is here to stay

2008-04-12T18:36:00.000-07:00

While the rest of the world's best moonlight for their millions in the Indian Premier League, cricketers here stick diligently to their day job. The fortunate have a crack at Broadway, while here our lot perform repertory theatre in half-empty, draughty town halls.

Scyld Berry: India heralds dawn of cricket's fourth epoch

First day's play | Second day's play

County preview

Yes, that blessed anachronism of ours, the County Championship, is back on Wednesday; cloaked, as we all should by now be aware, by probably its darkest ever shadow.


	Room for manoeuvre: Empty seats at Lord's for the traditional MCC v county champions curtain-raiser

It's enough to make one feel genuinely sorry for these chaps. But we shouldn't. They are not exactly put-upon. This is no longer a bad day job.

We already know that England's centrally contracted few can earn basic salaries of upwards of £400,000. And, among domestic county players, six-figure salaries are not uncommon. Those bubbling just below the £100,000 mark are positively plentiful.

This is, of course, no reason for exclusion from the Indian fun. Others are topping up already hefty wages. This is just a reality check amid the present hysteria. As is debunking the worst fears for county cricket right now. With the IPL due to begin two days after the championship, it is fast becoming fashionable to predict its total demise.More Details>>

South Africa put on show of force to beat India

2008-04-06T20:06:00.000-07:00

The scrap between England, India and South Africa for the right to become Australia's 'official challenger' in world cricket swung decisively in South Africa's favour yesterday when they completed a three-day demolition of India which was as comprehensive as it was daunting.More Details>>

India Lose Second Test Match

2008-04-06T20:04:00.000-07:00

Ahmedabad. India lost the second test by a whopping Innings and 90 runs. The result by and large was evident yesterday after the Indian Second Innings collapsed. A valiant 87 bu Saurav Ganguly and 52 by M S Dhoni were too feeble to save the Indian Team from defeat. More Details>>

Cricket-Pakistan's Shoaib files appeal against ban

2008-04-05T08:24:00.000-07:00

KARACHI, April 4 (Reuters) - Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar filed an appeal with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday against the five-year ban imposed on him for six counts of indiscipline.
"I have filed my appeal and followed the procedures of the board. I have respect for the law and the board rules and the Chairman," Shoaib told reporters at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.
The PCB's chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi told a press conference in Lahore that an appellate tribunal would be formed soon to hear the appeal.
"The tribunal will reach a decision based on facts not because of any politics," he said.
Shoaib's lawyer, Azeem Danyal, said the ban was illegal and unconstitutional and they were confident of having it removed.
"We have asked the board to give us a copy of the detailed judgement of the disciplinary committee by Monday after which we can prepare our case," he said.MORE DETAILS>>

I have filed my appeal and followed the procedures of the board. I have respect for the law and the board rules and the Chairman," Shoaib told reporte

2008-04-05T08:21:00.000-07:00

McGrath desperate to finish on a high

2007-03-13T19:29:00.000-07:00

Glenn McGrath has been there and done that in his decade-and-a-half at the top, but as he embarks on the final chapter of his mighty career he has one final goal in mind. The man who bowed out in January as the leading fast bowler in Test history, with 563 scalps, is now aiming to overhaul Wasim Akram as the most successful bowler in World Cup history.

Australia begin their World Cup defence against Scotland at the picturesque Warner Park in St Kitts on Wednesday, and McGrath was in a familiarly laid-back mood as he set out his wish-list for his international swansong. "I noticed I'm No. 2 in World Cup wickets," he said during Australia's final practice session. "Wasim, who I think was one of the best bowlers of all time, is on top with 55 so it would be nice to get a couple in front by the end of the tournament."

McGrath is currently on 45, a haul spread over three tournaments since 1995-96, in which time Australia has lost just four matches out of 28 and never failed to reach the final. McGrath has yet to miss a match, although at the age of 37, and now often deprived of his beloved new ball, his record could yet come under scrutiny in the weeks ahead, especially if Australia fail to arrest their recent run of five consecutive ODI defeats.

Naturally, McGrath would not countenance such a notion, and cited Australia's five-wicket warm-up win over England at St Vincent last week as evidence that his side was returning to its best. "That was back to business as usual," he said, "so hopefully we'll continue from there. Personally, my body's going real good. I've never felt better and the mind's hanging in there as well. I've got seven weeks to play some good cricket and then I'll hang up the boots very comfortably."

Google India announces Cricket World Cup Campaign, joins hands with K. Srikkanth

2007-03-13T03:48:00.000-07:00

With the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 kicking off in just a few hours, all eyes around the world will be glued onto their television sets. But here’s one reason why you could perhaps head to your PC instead.

Google India has announced its Cricket World Cup Campaign that offers cricket enthusiasts an interactive experience via the web.

With this exciting initiative, users can write, share, debate about and enjoy the Cricket World Cup through an integrated platform of Google products like Google Desktop, personalized homepage, Blogger and Orkut through a special landing page, www.google.co.in/cricket. The platform aims to be a one-stop shop for all information related to the World Cup, enabling visitors to access regular updates, post individual comments and analysis of the game.

Speaking about this, Sundaraman K, Head of Sales, Google India said, “Google aims to constantly improve its users experience by designing products that make things easier and deliver better results than what was available before. Cricket is one of the key passions of users in India and this campaign is designed to bring people across communities together, offering them a unique cricket experience across different Google platforms.”

What’s more, cricketer and commentator, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, will host an expert blog ‘Cricket Zone’ with Krish Srikkanth’ at www.worldcupwithkrish.blogspot.com. Through this blog, users will be able to interact with cricket experts as well as other bloggers on the performance of the various teams and engage in match analysis among other interactive sessions. Krish will also bring expert content to an interactive social networking experience through Orkut, on Krishcricket community.

As a part of this initiative, Google is also hosting a blogging cricket contest, entries for which can be submitted at www.google.co.in/cricket/contest. This will include posts on anything from on-the-ground reporting from West Indies to viewers’ opinions on the progress of the various teams at the World Cup. Both existing and new users will get a chance to participate in the contest.

In addition, Google will also have a fully equipped Blogger vehicle that will visit Bhopal, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, educating people on the use of Internet and blogging for self-expression. This educational road show will take off on March 19, 2007 from Chandigarh.

Well, cricket is a religion in India. Several big companies have even designed games and various cricket-related products and services to further induce the spirit if the game in the country, such as Microsoft’s Xbox 360 ‘Good Luck India’ Campaign and the ‘Yuvraj Singh International Cricket 2007’ - Xbox 360 Game, to name a few.

India squad for the World Cup

2007-03-01T20:08:00.001-08:00

Rahul Dravid (captain), 32. Right-hand batsman. occasional wicketkeeper. 310 matches. 10,044 runs @ 40.01, 12 centuries, 77 fifties, strike rate 70.75. 183 catches, 14 stumpings.

Technically accomplished and rated among the finest number three batsmen ever.

His defensive approach was initially seen as not suited for one-dayers until he took over as wicket-keeper and added steel to the middle-order to help India reach the 2003 World Cup final.

In February, became only the sixth player to score 10,000 one-day runs.

Sachin Tendulkar , 33 (birthday April 24). Right-hand batsman, right-arm spin and slow-medium bowler. 381 matches. 14,783 @ 44.12, 41 centuries, 76 fifties, 85.65. 147 @ 44.02, 5/32, 5.05, 52.27. 115 catches.

All-time great batsman who has broken many batting records since bursting into the international scene as a 16-year-old in 1989.

Holds the records for most one-day caps, runs and hundreds and most Test hundreds (35).

Leading World Cup run-getter with 1,732 runs at an average of nearly 60, including four hundreds.

Many injuries in the last seven years from the wear and tear of constant playing have slowed his scoring.

Has moved down the batting order to boost the middle-order.

Sourav Ganguly , 34. Left-hand batsman, right-arm slow-medium bowler. 286 matches. 10,470 @ 41.22, 22 centuries, 64 fifties, 73.94. 94 @ 37.37, 5/16, 5.05, 44.37. 98 catches.

Gifted off-side player, discarded after one ODI on debut as a teenager in Australia in 1991-2 but made hundreds in his first two tests on comeback in 1996.

Has a record 16 century opening partnerships with Sachin Tendulkar, with his 22 hundreds third in the all-time list.

India's most successful test captain, was sacked as one-day player in October 2005 and from Tests four months later but made a strong comeback in the South Africa Test series defeat and subsequent home one-day series wins over West Indies and Sri Lanka.

Robin Uthappa , 21. Right-hand batsman. 8 matches. 255 @ 36.42, 3 fifties, 114.34.

Well-built and explosive top-order batsman who blasted a match-winning 86 on one-day debut versus England in April 2006.

Hit two more breezy 50s during the recent home one-day series wins over West Indies and Sri Lanka.

Yuvraj Singh , 25. Left-hand batsman, left-arm orthodox spinner. 163 matches. 4,412 @ 35.29, 7 centuries, 25 fifties, 85.98. 42 @ 37.85, 4/6, 4.90, 46.30.

Talent ed batsman with raw power and brilliant fielder at point, seen as key to Indian World Cup hopes. Hit a match-winning 84 as teenager in his first ODI innings versus Australia in the Champions Trophy quarter-final in 2000.

After a slump blamed on poor attitude, showed his class in a century stand with Mohammad Kaif to chase 326 for a memorable NatWest series final win over hosts England in 2002.

Tightened technique by playing straighter to be rewarded with at least a fifty every third innings since August 2005 and three man-of-the-series awards in a row.

Tore knee ligaments in October to become a World Cup doubt, but eased concerns by lashing 95 not out in the home series win over Sri Lanka in February.

Virender Sehwag , 28. Right-hand batsman, right-arm off-break bowler. 167 matches. 4,833 @ 31.18, 7 centuries, 24 fifties, 96.04. 72 @ 40.90, 3/25, 5.26, 46.61. 69 catches.

A batsman who relies more on instinct than technique. Hit then seventh fastest one-day hundred against New Zealand in August 2001 and a century on Test debut in South Africa two months later.

Scored 309 in the first Multan Test in 2004, the first Test triple hundred by an Indian, to spark the team's historic first series win in Pakistan.

Has endured poor batting form since August, with just one 50 in his last 13 one-day innings, but was chosen on past record.

Irfan Pathan , 22. Left-arm medium fast, left-hand batsman. 73 matches. 115 @ 25.91, 5/27, 5.02, 30.91. 1,006 @ 25.15, 5 fifties, 80.09.

Made India debut as 19-year-old in Australia in 2003 and ability to swing the ball and bat raised hopes as a successor to Kapil Dev.

Shone in India's maiden Test and one-day series victory in Pakistan in 2004, took a hat-trick in the first over of the Karachi Test in 2006 and contributed with bat and ball in a record 17 straight one-day wins while chasing in 2006.

Has endured a dip in bowling form since mid-2006 and was sent sent home to play domestic cricket from South Africa.

Selectors hope for a form reversal, but has played just one of eight ODIs versus West Indies and Sri Lanka in the last month due to a sore shoulder.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni , 25. Right-hand batsman, wicketkeeper. 66 matches. 1,958 @ 46.61, 2 centuries, 12 fifties, 98.49. 61 catches, 12 stumpings.

Explosive batsman who struck 148 in his fifth ODI in a home series against Pakistan in April 2005 and a match-winning 183 not out against Sri Lanka at home later that year to record the highest one-day score by a wicketkeeper.

Dhoni struck 148 for his maiden Test hundred on the 2006 Pakistan tour.

Hugely popular with fans for long hair and model looks and has a fleet of motorbikes.

Has good temperament and can curb natural aggression when needed.

Dinesh Karthik , 21. Right-hand batsman, wicketkeeper. 13 matches. 150 @ 18.75, 1 fifty, 58.59. 34 catches, four stumpings.

Won one-day and Test caps in 2004, but was edged out by Dhoni in late 2005 after managing one fifty in 10 Tests.

India's best wicketkeeper, he was chosen after his gutsy batting in the 2006-7 South Africa series defeats where hopefuls Mohammad Kaif and Suresh Raina both flopped.

Ajit Agarkar , 29. Right-arm fast-medium bowler, right-hand batsman. 180 matches. 272 wickets @ 27.55, best bowling 6/42, economy rate 5.05, strike rate 32.72. 1,240 @ 15.30, 3 fifties, 82.17. 49 catches.

The most experienced seamer in the team, capable of producing sharp pace that belies his thin frame, but has suffered repeated injuries.

Has cut down on pace in the last two seasons by focusing on line and length and swing.

Was fastest to 50 ODI wickets and also scored a 21-ball one-day fifty. Scored a Test hundred against England at Lord's in 2002.

Made his World Cup debut in 1999 in England but was ignored for 2003.

Harbhajan Singh , 26. Right-arm off-break bowler, right-hand batsman. 147 matches. 170 @ 31.96, 5/31, 4.13, 46.41.

A match-winning bowler at home with leg-spinner Anil Kumble.

Was reported for throwing and criticised for poor attitude soon after Test debut aged 17, but produced a sensational 32-wicket haul to spark a 2-1 home Test series victory over Australia in 2001 that also featured the first Test hat-trick by an Indian.

Also a handy lower order batsman who is tipped to play ahead of Kumble if India opt for one spinner in key Cup games. He was cleared of throwing his doosra in 2005.

Anil Kumble , 36. Right-arm leg-break bowler, right-hand batsman. 270 matches. 334 @ 31.05, 6/12, 4.31, 43.23.

India 's greatest and most successful one-day and Test bowler, and fourth highest wicket-taker (547) in Test history.

Relies on accuracy and variation rather than sharp turn.

In 1999, became only the second bowler after England spinner Jim Laker to take all 10 wickets in a Test innings, against Pakistan.

Has played few one-dayers after being dropped for the 2003 World Cup final, but picked for sheer experience after taking 23 wickets to bowl India to their first Test series win in the West Indies in 35

Zaheer Khan , 28. Left-arm fast medium bowler, right-hand batsman. 117 matches. 172 @ 27.53, 5/42, 4.89, 33.77. 26 catches.

A robust paceman who can move the ball at sharp pace.

Made a promising debut in the 2000 Champions Trophy in Kenya to raise hopes as a future pace spearhead before touching a low point in the 2003 World Cup final with a nervous 10-ball first over which cost 15 runs and set the tone for a huge Australian victory.

Poor form and stress injuries blamed mainly on a big leap on delivery led to his axing in February last year with critics also questioning his attitude.

Made a strong comeback for the 2006-7 South Africa tour after re-discovering his rhythm during a stint with English county Worcestershire.

Shanthakumaran Sreesanth , 24. Right-arm fast-medium bowler, right-hand batsman. 27 matches. 35 @ 36.11, 6/55, 5.75, 37.62.

Pacy and high on aggression, was picked in 2005 after good domestic displays and took 6-55 during a 5-1 home one-day series win over England in 2006.

Shone in India's first Test series win in West Indies for 35 years in 2006 and the first Test win in South Africa.

Averages more than 36 per wicket in one-dayers, but still chosen for his wicket-taking abilities.

Munaf Patel , 23. Right-arm fast-medium bowler, right-hand batsman. 17 matches. 22 @ 28.68, 4/49, 4.65, 37.00.

A natural talent who hails from a rural village, Patel raised hopes as India's fastest bowler and then overcame injuries to grab 10 wickets in a warm-up tie against visiting England in early 2006 and seven on his Test debut against the same team.

Fitness has remained an issue after recent ankle and back injuries, but could still score with his nagging accuracy.

Finally the Villain,

Greg Chappell (Coach), 58. Former Australia captain who led the team to 21 wins from 48 Tests.

Coached South Australia and was consultant at Pakistan Cricket Academy before being appointed India coach in May 2005 till the World Cup.

All The Best .........................

 TEAM   INDIA

Rahul Dravid - The Wall of Indian Cricket

2007-02-24T21:06:00.000-08:00

Rahul Dravid, the leader of the Indian cricket team who has surpassed and also created many remarkable records, is certainly man with a difference. Dravid was born on 11th January 1973 in the city of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, India. His complete name is Rahul Sharad Dravid though he is well-known with nicknames such as Jammy and The Wall, attributed to him for different reasons.

Rahul did his schooling from St. Jospeh’s Boys High School, Bangalore and graduated from St. Joseph’s College of Commerce. Dravid started playing cricket at an early age of 12. He played for the state in under-15, under-17 and under-19 cricket tournaments. Soon Dravid played the County cricket for Scotland and Kent. At that time his coach was Keki Tarapore, an Indian cricketer who played in one test match in 1948. In 1991 Dravid also led Karnataka to the Ranji Trophy and made a double century in the final match. In 1996 Rahul got an opportunity to play international cricket. He made his test debut against England at Lords in the 2nd Test match of India’s tour of England. In the same year Dravid’s ODI test debut was against Sri Lanka at Singapore in the Singer Cup tournament. Rahul was one amongst he Wisden cricketers of the year 2000.

In the world of cricket Rahul is known for his consistent batting and active leadership. He is one of the best defensive batsman India could ever produce. This defensive style of playing fetched him the nickname of ‘The Wall’. He is blessed with immense skill to rotate the strike and play with front foot defence, neither scoring runs nor getting out. Rahul’s brilliant strategy of playing cricket has enabled him to create some outstanding records in the cricket world. Dravid has scored 23 centuries in Test cricket at an average of 57.65 which included 5 double centuries while in one-dayers he has an average of 40.16 at a strike rate of 70. He has played a total of 104 test matches and 291 ODIs and the runs scored are 9049 and 9510 respectively. Dravid is also the world record holder for the highest percentage of runs in the matches won under a single captain, where the captain himself has won more than 20 tests. Under the captainship of Bengali boy Saurav Ganguly, Indian team played 21 matches out of which Rahul Dravid played in every single wins and scored a record average of 102.84 and made 2571 runs, with nine hundreds- three of them double-centuries- and ten fifties in 32 innings. Dravid made a great contribution of 23% of the total runs scored by India in those 21 matches. It is only due his superb and consistent performance that Dravid was first made the vice-captain and then the captain of Indian team. Apart from batting Rahul has also done wicket keeping in many matches. His innocent face and distinct attitude has made him the heartthrob of females all over the world.

Lately the Indian skipper and his boys played a scintillating test innings in and against West Indies and brought home the Cup. Prior to this Dravid along with Vireder Sehwag was crowned the hero of the Allianz Cup 2006 (Pakistan v India Test Series) as the dup played a record breaking innings on Pakistan soil.