Sachin Tendulkar to be awarded Bharat Ratna

Sachin Tendulkar will become the first sportsperson to receive a Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, the government announced hours after the batting great’s 200th and final test ended on Saturday.Cricket’s most prolific run-scorer bid an emotional farewell to the game at his home ground in Mumbai, ending a glittering 24-year career during which he bagged almost every batting record.

“Sachin Tendulkar is undoubtedly an outstanding cricketer – a living legend who has inspired millions across the globe,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s office said in a statement.

“During the last 24 years, since the young age of 16 years, Tendulkar has played cricket across the world and won laurels for our country.

“He has been a true ambassador of India in the world of sports. His achievements in cricket are unparalleled, the records set by him unmatched, and the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by him exemplary.

“That he has been honoured with several awards is testimony to his extraordinary brilliance as a sportsman.”

A perfect role model for the country’s youth and the sport worldwide with his impeccable image on and off the field, Tendulkar was nominated to the Rajya Sabha last year.

He left the game after playing more test matches (200), scoring the most test (15,921) and one-day international (18,426) runs, and compiling more test (51) and one-day (49) hundreds than any other player in cricket history.

 

Yuvraj doubtful for Rajkot ODI

India batsman Yuvraj Singh is likely to miss the first one-day international of the series against Sri Lanka here Tuesday with a finger injury.

India's Yuvraj Singh's injured finger is seen as he talks to Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, right, during a practice session in Rajkot, India, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009. India will play the first one day international cricket match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Yuvraj fractured a finger on his left hand while fielding in the second Twenty20 international in Mohali, Saturday night. Yuvraj was the star of the match with his 25 ball 60 and also picked up three wickets to help India win.

Team sources told IANS that the injury could even rule out Yuvraj from the rest of the series.

An MRI scan was conducted Sunday at the team hotel here Sunday. And reports suggested that Yuvraj would need at least three weeks to recover.

India On Top in Hamilton

Daniel Vettori and Jesse Ryder both struck centuries to lead a New Zealand fight back in the first test against India at Hamilton on Wednesday.

Vettori completed his third test hundred with a superb captain’s knock of 118 while Ryder registered his maiden test ton with 102 to rescue New Zealand from a disastrous start and post 279 on the opening day at Seddon Park.

daniel-vettori

India, in reply, were 29 without loss in their first innings at stumps at the
end of an absorbing day with Virender Sehwag unbeaten on 22 and Gautam
Gambhir not out six.

India have not won a test series in New Zealandfor more than 40 years but thrashed the Kiwis in the one-dayers and could hardly have made a better start to the first of three tests.

virender-sehwag

The tourists would have been in an even better position had Vettori and
Ryder not batted through the entire middle session, adding 186 for the
seventh wicket after India’s fast bowlers had demolished the New
Zealand top order.

Ishant Sharma captured three wickets in a devastating spell before lunch then polished off the innings when he dismissed last-man-out Ryder after tea.

Munaf Patel bagged three wickets, including Vettori then Kyle Mills for a golden duck to be on a hat-trick, while Zaheer Khan triggered the top-order collapse with two early wickets to vindicate Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s decision to field.

For complete News Visit : www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket-news/2198/India-On-Top-in-Hamilton-.htm

Ryder shines to avoid whitewash

Jesse Ryder shone with both bat and ball in New Zealand’s eight wicket win over India in their fifth and final one-day international at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

Ryder captured three wickets then blasted a quick half-century to set up his team for their first win of the series as the hosts avoided a whitewash.

Jesse Ryder

Martin Guptill also chipped in with an unbeaten 57 as New Zealand cruised past India’s modest total of 149 with a reply of 151-2 in 23.2 overs.

India’s chances of winning the match were in ruins after they were bowled out cheaply with 25-year-old Ryder picking up the wickets of Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan with his medium pacers.

For complete news visit:www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket-news/2097/Ryder-shines-to-avoid-whitewash.htm