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One more senior player left the team at a time when team was facing criticism from all side. Anil Kumble, popularly known as Jumbo, the number one wicket tacker for Indian team in cricket history and number three till today, has announced the retirement from test cricket with immediate effect. He is not going to play in the fourth test match between India and Australia in Nagpur.

Kumble and Saurav Ganguly

In his absense Mahender Singh Dhoni, the ODI skipper of Team India will lead the team. The desicion of retirement came as a shock to the lovers of Kumble. He was facing criticism from all side due to his lack of performance in the on going Border Gavaskar Trophy.

Saurav Ganguly, one more former Indian skipper and great south-paw batsman has already announced his retirement from the cricket. Nagpur test is going to be his last appearence. The desicion of Kumble’s retirement was once again due to the pressure created by some sections of media on these senior players. It is true that new people are coming ahead with good performance, but still the way in which these senior players are forced to announce retirement is not good.

Dada, and then Kumble, both were served Indian team from last 15-20 years. There contribution to the team’s present status can never be justified by a few bad performances. But some section of media never allowed them to settle down. I am really feeling bad about the way in which these giants are saying bye to international cricket.

In his career, Kumble played in 132 test matches while he took 619 test wickets. He led the country in 14 test matches. He was behind Muralitharan (756) and Shane Warne (708), in case of number of test wickets is concerned.

Tags: Anil, Anil Kumble, Australia, Dada, Dhoni, Ganguly, India, Indian Skipper, Kumble, MS Dhoni, ODI, Saurav Ganguly, Skipper, Team India, Test Team

India defeated Sri Lanka in 3rd ODI by 46 runs today and won the five day match series by 3-1 with one match still to go on. India won the first ever One Day Series against Sri Lanka on Sri Lanka ground creating an historical record.

India won the toss and set a respectable target of 259 but the hosting team was all out in 46.2 overs at a score of 212 only. Led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Indian youth brigade done a fabulous job. Dhoni (71), Raina (72) and Kohli (54) are those who made their half century and contributed most to the victory.

Opener Gautam Gambhir (17) was the first one who was sent back to pavilion by Kulasekara. yuvraj singh was struck off by Chaminda Vaas before opening his account. Yuvraj became his 400th victim when he flicked a simple catch at short mid-wicket to Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene for a duck.

Virat Kohli, the Delhi lad was seemed in form but was departed after making 54 runs giving a big blow to India. But soon the India skipper MS Dhoni walked in to take charge with Suresh Raina. Both have been cracked their half centuries scoring 71 and 72 respectivily before departing. The duo powered the Indian total past 202 runs in 38 overs.

Among other players Rohit Sharma scored 18, Harbhajan Singh soon departed after making only 2 runs, while Badrinath gave 6.

In Sri Lankan team, only Jayasuriya (60) cracked his half century and added some good runs to the scores. Thushara and Kapugedera devoted 40 and 30 runs respectively. Others are departed back to pavilion one by one. After 30 overs, Lankans were 132/5. After 33 overs, they were struggling at 142/6. And after 42 overs, Sri Lanka was tottering at 194/8.

Suresh Raina was awarded Man of the Match. For complete score card, please visit Cricket Updates.

Tags: Badrinath, Cricket, Dhoni, Gambhir, Harbhajan, India, Jayasuriya, Jayawardene, Kapugedera, Kohli, MS Dhoni, ODI, ODI Cricket, Raina, Rohit Sharma, Sri Lanka, Thushara, Vaas, Yuvraj

India ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Monday chosen for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2007-08 given for the most outstanding performance in a year. The awards would be presented on August 25, 2008.

The current Indian captain of the ODI (one day international) and T-20 teams became the only second cricketer after master blaster Sachin Tendulkar to be honored with the Khel Ratna Award, the country’s highest honor given for an achievement in sports. .

Dhoni on Monday offered prayers at the famous Deori temple after being conferred with the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.

The President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sharad Pawar said, “We are very happy. He has represented the country with distinction, and deserves the honor. His exemplary leadership and demeanor under pressure, especially in the ICC World Twenty20 and the tri-series in Australia, mark him out as the ideal role-model for millions of young Indians, who want to make a mark in life.”

Dhoni is the model icon among youth. He scored 148 against Pakistan in his fifth ODI in 2005 - then the highest score by an Indian wicketkeeper. Later in the year, he broke his own record as well as set the current world record for the highest score in the second innings in ODI matches as he scored 183 not out against Sri Lanka.

Tags: Award, BCCI, Dhoni, ICC, Indian Captain, Mahender Singh Dhoni, MS Dhoni, ODI, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Sachin, Sachin Tendulkar, T20, Tendulkar

South Africa secured the top position in the International Cricket Council (ICC) One-Day International (ODI) Championship Table after winning the ongoing 3 match series against Bangladesh by 3-0 in Mirpur.

Before this, Australia and South Africa have both 127 ratings points but Graeme Smith’s side is behind by just 0.529 of a point according to decimal calculations.

After winning the series, South Africa is ahead of Australia by 0.191 points and beat Australia for the top position in ODI ranking.

South African captain Graeme Smith’s unbeaten century helped his side to win the match by 7 wickets against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

Bangladesh team won the toss and was dismissed at a small target of 143 runs only in 42.5 overs.

Albie Morkel gave 29 runs taking 4 wickets and Jehaan Botha contributed 34 and snatched 3 wickets.

On the other side this defeat was 14th lose of Bangladesh team in international one day cricket. Its last win was against South Africa in super league during lat year.

South Africa’s achievement is significant because the side that leads the ODI Championship ladder on 1 April, receives US $175,000 for its achievement, while the side that lies second collects US $75,000. Last year also South Africa snatched the position from Australia just before the cut off date of April 1.

ODI rankings – nations

1) South Africa 127
2) Australia 127
3) New Zealand 113
4) India 113
5) Pakistan 109
6) Sri Lanka 107
7) England 105
West Indies 96
9) Bangladesh 46
10) Ireland 28
11) Zimbabwe 18
12) Kenya 0

Tags: Australia, Cricket, India, ODI, ODI Rankings, Rankings, South Africa

There is good news for Cricket lovers that if Australia cancels its tour to Pakistan then there will be a golden chance of India Pakistan series.

Pakistan Cricket Board told that if Australia cancels the tour for security reasons then 3 to 5 one day matches can be held with India against Pakistan team. Sources said that discussion is going with Indian Cricket Control Board regarding this issue but no final decision is taken yet.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalized the venues for the March-April home series against Australia, which also include the troubled port city of Karachi.

The PCB has told Cricket Australia (CA) that the three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and a Twenty20 International in the series would be held.

Earlier Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto’s assassination has increased incidents in Pakistan which make the Australian team to think about its tour. The Australians have expressed concerns about touring Pakistan at a time when there is political unrest in the country and also security hazards with a string of suicide bombings by Islamic militants against security forces and political leaders.

Tags: Cricket Series, India, ODI, Pakistan, Test