09 Sep, 2008
Goa batsman and IPL champions Rajasthan royals opener Swapnil Asnodkar has been given a call to the India A team for the tri series against Australi A and New Zealand A. In an interview with the Times of India he said that he had expected this call since he had a very good IPL series. He also clarified that he wanted to be known to be known to everyone as a world class batsman and not as only a T20 specialist. Can this pinch hitting opener make this call count? Only time can give us an answer.
21 Aug, 2008
The lighting of the torch, too, was smart. The long scroll of Chinese history and the long race of the Chinese people culminating up to this moment are quite touching. And the crowning achievement for that segment: showing the videos of the torch relay around the world, and putting to shame those who protested during the relays. While they were hurling hatred at China, the Chinese were collecting video to show the inclusion and common togetherness of all humanity. That the Olympics are for the world and world played a part in the arrival of these Olympics. There were also many surprises, however, which definitely bucked the propagandistic trend, though they could have simply been propaganda for domestic–rather than foreign–consumption. And the Chinese could be dually applauded and scrutinized for them. To start off with the drummers, Awesome would be the term to describe them–both the modern and old connotations. The countdown from ten in both Arabic and Chinese numerals, was poignant, one of several features which boldly reminded people that China has been a developed and advanced nation longer than any other surviving one, and that there’s a reason why there was a West. Because there was a matching East and China traditionally was the main player in the East.
20 Aug, 2008
India fought hard to get to a meagre 143 which was the target set to the Indian by Sri Lanka owing to a good bowling attack by Zaheer Khan(4-21) and Praveen Kumar(3-34). Sri Lankans were bowled out for 142 in 38.3 overs. India started their innings with Irfan Pathan going out cheaply for 5. Raina soon departed for 1. Yuvraj(20), Kohli(37), Dhoni(39)and Badrinath(27) held the innings together and made sure that India reaches the target in 39.4 overs with 3 wickets in hand.