India Defeats South Africa

India defeats South Africa by an innings and 58 runs to retain the No 1 spot in the ICC Test Ratings. India would have lost the Numero Uno status, if they've lost this match or even played a draw. Though, India does not have any Test match in this year, it would be very interesting to see, how long can they stay at the top.

As far as this match goes, India won emphatically, despite a fighting century by the middle order batsman hashim Amla. Amla remained unbeaten on 127 but South Africa was unable to play the necessary overs today. Had South Africa played those last 9 balls, the efforts of Harbhajan Singh (5 wickets), Amit Mishra (3 wickets) and Ishant Sharma (2 wickets) would have gone in vain.

South African batsmen (apart from Amla) only looked to pass the time in the middle and were interested in sticking to the pitch, whereas Amla attacked the bowling, as and when he got a lose delivery. India had their moments regularly, as both the spinners get wickets at regular intervals. They broke the partnerships when they seemed stubborn and dangerous. Amla was their main target; however they were unable to take his wicket. Other batsmen just played around him.

India would have however, won this game pretty easily, had the rain not made this match such a nail biting finish. Indian supporters looked down when the final overs were going on. Then came the magical over of Harbhajan Singh, who was the real hero for India on Day 5.

The Man of the Match award and the Man of the Series award was given to Hashim Amla for making 490 runs in the series.

Well, this series proves that the real winner is Test Cricket. Who can say after watching such an enthralling Test Series that Test Cricket is boring. What do you think?

India Wins Idea Cup

Zaheer Khan took 6 wickets in the second innings of Bangladesh to complete the Indian whitewash over Bangladesh. Tamim Iqbal scored a brilliant century on the third day evening and shared a century stand with Junaid Siddiqui. This was the fastest century by any Bangladeshi batsmen, surpassing the century of wicketkeeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim in the first test of this series. India took the remaining wickets and completed the formality. Bangladesh though managed to avoid the innings defeat and took a lead of 1 run. Night-watchman Shahadat Hossain made 40 runs to avoid the innings defeat.

India defeated Bangladesh in the first Test match and completed the whitewash by defeating them in the second innings. Zaheer Khan took 6 wickets in the innings and was declared as the 'Man of the Match' and 'Man of the Series'. The worst part of the series for India was injury to S Sreesanth, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh. Dravid and Yuvraj will miss the series against South Africa.

Afridi Ready to Play in IPL

Shahid Afridi is still ready to play in IPL season 3, as he is ready to participate even after not being picked up by any franchisee in the auctions. Sohail Tanveer also joined Afridi and said that he does not have 'anything personal' against India and is ready to participate in the IPL and Champions League. Afridi, who played for Deccan Chargers in the first season of IPL, earlier said that it is an 'insult' for Pakistan Cricket, players and the country, as none of the Pakistani cricketers was picked in the IPL auction.

Meanwhile, IPL boss Lalit Modi said to a television news channel that there is still a 'window of possibility' for Pakistani players to participate in the IPL, as there are still some franchisees, who do not have full quota of players in their side. These franchisees can shun some players and picked Pakistani players, if they liked so. 2 days back, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram also said that there are no indications from the government on picking or dropping Pakistani players and it is a 'disservice of cricket'. After this statement of Modi, it is likely to be taken an indication for the franchisees to pick at least top Pakistani players like Afridi, Tanveer, Abdul Razzaq and Umar Gul.

Pakistan Loses Third ODI

Pakistan lost the third ODI to Australia by 40 runs in Adelaide Oval. With this victory, Australia won yet another ODI series win, as the hosts win the first two ODIs comfortably. Also, Pakistan was defeated in all the Test matches by the mighty Australians.

Australians, after batting first, put a decent total of 286 on the board, thanks mainly to a patient 83 by Shaun Marsh off 113 balls and a brilliant inning of 80 by Michael Clarke and a late onslaught by Michael Hussey. These two added 80 runs off just 33 balls.

Pakistan was soon reduced to 60/4, before Umar Akmal and Fawad Alam and then Shahid Afridi and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan scored briskly, but could not avoid defeat. For Australia, Ryan Harris took 5-43 and Mckay took 3.

I am back

Hey folks! I am back. I met a very bad accident (though accidents are bad only) on 18^th Dec 2009 and after nearly 1 and half months, I am returning to office. I hope you missed me during this time. My right leg got fractured, but now it is fine. Though, there is a slight stiffness, but it will be fine.