laxman backs India against aus
Gurgaon: Former Test batsman VVS laxman believes the current Indian cricket team is hungry for more success and backed the hosts to triumph over Australia in the upcoming limited-over series. “There are lot of talented cricketers in the Indian side who are eager to perform. The upcoming Australia series at home will be a good test for them. I think India are favourites to win the series. They have the fire power to do it,” laxman told reporters at an award function here last night. India will be playing Australia in a seven-match ODI series preceded by a T20 encounter at Rajkot on October 10.
MSD Wanted to become a soldier
New Delhi: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni aspired to be a soldier but says, destiny intervened to make him a cricketer. “Since childhood I wanted to join the Army. Seeing the soldiers, I thought that one day I’ll be the same,” Dhoni told Aaj Tak while spending a day with the Parachute Regiment in Ranchi. In fact Dhoni said the uniform helped him overcome his fear of height. “The uniform is something special. Maybe this is all in uniform, that I was not afraid,” he said. Dhoni shared some light moments with the army personnel, who asked him how he managed to remain cool despite performing his stressful job. “A day before any press conference, I go and sit in the fridge, that’s how I remain cool,” he said.
500 days for wc 2015
Dubai: Sachin Tendulkar believes defending champions India are favourites to retain the ICC Cricket World Cup title in 2015 and exuded confidence that the trophy will remain in the sub-continent. With exactly 500 days to go before the first ball is bowled in the World Cup 2015 on February 14, Tendulkar hoped that MS Dhoni’s side will successfully defended the title and make India only the third country after West Indies and Australia to win back-to-back titles. “Along with India, Pakistan and Sri lanka are also good sides. I am partial towards India and want them to do well. That would be really exciting. It will give so much happiness to the entire nation,” he said.
South vs West in Duleep trophy
Chennai: South Zone have their nose slightly ahead as they kick off the Duleep Trophy campaign against West Zone who are missing quite a few key players due to their commitments to the India ‘A’ squad and the franchise competing in the Champions league Twenty20. West Zone will be without Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara and Abhishek Nayar to name a few in the four-day match starting here on Thursday. West captain Wasim Jaffer was cautious in his pre-match comments. The seasoned right-hander said his team will concentrate on the job in hand and look to progress in the tournament.
Ajmal wants to play vs India
lahore: Pakistan’s spin duo Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman have called for restoration of bilateral cricket ties with India. “Such is the importance of Indo-Pak contests that even if both the teams play in a third country their match attracts big crowds,” Ajmal said in an interview. “So I see no reason for India and Pakistan not to be playing more regularly against each other. Politics should not dictate sporting ties between the two nations. Cricket has always helped in improving relations between the two countries,” he said. “I made my debut against India in the Asia Cup in 2008 but I am yet to play a Test against India,” he added.
