Sachin should retire on his own: Shukla

NEW DELHI: Senior BCCI official Rajeev Shukla feels that Sachin Tendulkar should be allowed to retire on his own terms considering the huge contribution the veteran batsman has made to Indian cricket.

"He (Tendulkar) has made a huge contribution to Indian cricket and is a guiding spirit of the team. Nobody has to tell him to go. When Sachin feels, it's time; he will go on his own," Shukla said.

Tendulkar could score just a half century in India's recent 4-0 whitewash of Australia in the Test series with an average of 32, but Shukla was not concerned about it.

"Nobody has a higher record than Tendulkar in the world. You can't take him lightly and dismiss him unceremoniously," he said.

Shukla's views are in agreement with that of the BCCI president N Srinivasan, who has also suggested that Tendulkar should be treated differently and people should not sit in judgement of the senior batsman.

Asked about the controversy regarding the participation of the Sri Lankan players in the IPL beginning on Wednesday, Shukla said that the Board had taken a middle path by taking into the consideration the sentiments of the State (Tamil Nadu) government as well as the security of the players.

"Our decision was not taken under pressure from (TN chief minister) Jayalalithaa. We cannot jeopardise the lives of Lankan players. The most important concern is the safety of Lankan cricketers. We had to take a middle path by protecting the players and also respecting Tamil sentiment. Chief ministers are responsible for the law and order of their states," said Shukla, who is the IPL chairman.

"And we can't change venues in short notice. We would have needed two months to shift venue, two months to prepare pitches. So we cannot shift matches outside Chennai. It's not that people don't want IPL matches to be held there. They only want Lankan players out of Chennai matches. When the Sri Lankan Board has accepted the condition, nobody should have a problem. We cannot ignore Tamil sentiment," he said.

The BCCI had decided not to allow franchises to field Sri Lankan players in the IPL matches to be held in Chennai after TN Chief Minister Jayalalithaa refused to host them in view of the anti-Lankan feelings in the state.

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Watson to decide to bowl or not: Hodge

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Royals batsman Brad Hodge on Sunday said he was not sure whether allrounder Shane Watson would be bowling in the upcoming Indian Premier League and added it was up to the Aussie allrounder to take a call.

Watson was restricted solely to batting duties during Australia's recent 0-4 whitewash against India in the Test series as a part of an injury-prevention plan so that he could be available as an all-rounder in full capacity for the Ashes series in July.

"I'm not sure. He might start bowling from third or fourth match. But it is up to him to decide if he wants to bowl or not. The Rajasthan team management is considering strategies in both cases. He would be available for entire IPL and it would be good to see him bowl," Australia batsman said.

Watson had decided to put bowling on the backburner after injuring his calf during the Sri Lanka series, but while watching Indian skipper MS Dhoni bludgeon the Aussie attack in the first Test he was convinced to eventually bowl again.

Hodge said that Watson is a dominating player and his presence would certainly lift Rajasthan Royals.

"He is a dominating player. He might not have done so well recently but can change the face of the game," he said.

Stating that Watson would put the 'homework gate' episode behind him when he takes the field for the Royals, Hodge said: "He would be happy to be with the Royals after what happened to him a few days back. He has a place for the Royals in his heart. Nice things (also) happened to him in the last week. He was blessed with a baby. He would be looking to get back into good form."

Hodge, meanwhile, felt that the pulling out of the Sri Lankan players from Chennai matches would not give the Chennai Super Kings any undue advantage.

"I don't think they would be getting any major undue advantage out of this. We have only one Sri Lankan player in Kusal Perera. We still have 10 players to select from. Every team has to play only one match in Chennai so I don't think that it is such a big advantage for them."

Talking about Ricky Ponting and other Australians playing for the other IPL teams, Hodge said they have mutual respect for each other.

"We will have to play against fellow Australians but would like them to do well till our Rajasthan Royals win the match," he said.

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'How people remember me is important'

NEW DELHI: From flummoxing an all-conquering Australian side to being dropped from the Indian team, Harbhajan Singh's journey in international cricket has been a roller coaster one, but he says its rigours have taught him to "value relationships" above everything else.

"When I played 100 Tests, it felt great but I have started realising that more important are the relationships that you have developed over the years," the 32-year-old off-spinner said on Sunday.

"It's those you have played cricket with and have known along the way. I would rather be known as a cricketer who was a good human being than being dubbed as a top player and an equally worse human being," he added.

For Harbhajan, if 90 out of 100 people like him, he will consider it as an achievement.

"I only hope that when I stop playing the game, people would say that they cherished being in my company. I know 100 out of 100 guys won't say the same but I want at least 90 people to say that 'Bhajji achha insaan tha' (Bhajji wasn't a bad human being)," the veteran of 101 Tests said during a free-wheeling chat at a city hotel.

Harbhajan did admit that he was a bit "nervous" going into his 100th Test, but things got better in the second innings.

"Obviously, 100 Tests was big thing considering from where I had come. I never imagined I would reach this far. In the first innings in Chennai, I was nervous but it got better in the second innings.

"In the Hyderabad Test match, I bowled well in the first innings. But in the second, I didn't bowl much. The other bowlers were getting wickets in every five overs and the captain was right in continuing with them. I know that I have tried my best and have no complaints.

"A few more wickets would have been better but I had given my 100 per cent."

With another season of IPL round the corner, Harbhajan is hopeful that Mumbai Indians would be able to win their maiden crown this time.

"Cliched it may sound but the focus will be on winning the championship. My own performance will be as important as that of the team's performance."

He had a very successful on-field partnership with Anil Kumble and is excited that the former India captain will be present as a 'mentor' in the MI dressing room.

"It's great to have Anil bhai around. It not only helps to have around while talking cricket but other aspects too. He (Kumble) is someone who can gauge my state of mind. He has always been there with me to give me right kind of advice. His mentorship with MI will be a huge advantage not only for me but for other players," he sounded ecstatic.

Asked if he is looking to use IPL as a platform to get back into the ODI squad for Champions Trophy, the senior off-spinner replied, "I am not thinking that far ahead. I would like to just concentrate on each and every game. IPL is a format which is not too friendly for bowlers. There will be days when you can go for plenty but one can certainly buy a lot of wickets in the bargain."

Trying to out-think the batsman is as important for him as having the right frame of mind.

"It has got more to do with mindset irrespective of the format you are playing. It is equally important to be in the right frame of mind in order to execute the plan."

So apart from Mumbai Indians, which is the team that can go the distance in this edition of IPL, he said, "Chennai Super Kings is a very balanced side. They are a real good team and has played consistently good cricket over the last five editions."

Harbhajan also wished "speedy recovery" to Jesse Ryder, terming the burly New Zealander as a "gem of a person".

"Jesse might have had alcoholic problems as people say but he came across to me as a very warm-hearted person during my tour of New Zealand in 2009. If you know him, he is a great buddy. I pray that he recovers soon," he signed off as he got ready to catch a flight to Bangalore.

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'Monkeygate' won't affect MI: Ponting

MUMBAI: Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting on Sunday assured that the infamous "Monkeygate" episode won't have an effect on the Mumbai Indians dressing room as he gears up to lead Mumbai Indians in the sixth edition of IPL.

"No, no. We are all friends for the next few months. That's one thing I have made very clear to the guys already. Sachin and Harbhajan have not been around the team yet. We will meet up with those guys. We are one, the Mumbai Indians are one," said Ponting at his first media conference ahead of the IPL franchise team's campaign in season 6 of the cash-rich T20 League commencing on April 3.

"I want to play well and captain the side well. I will not leave any stone unturned as far as preparation of team is concerned and ensure that everything we do is for one another," Ponting, who has retired from international cricket, said.

Ponting and MI team's chief mentor Anil Kumble were the rival captains in the controversy-marred Sydney Test of January 2008 when Australian team member Andrew Symonds accused India's Harbhajan Singh, who is an MI player now, of racial abuse.

The Australians complained that Harbhajan allegedly called Symonds a "monkey" during day three of the second Test of the 2007-08 controversy-marred series.

ICC match referee for the series, Mike Procter, slapped a three-Test ban on Harbhajan following a hearing but the decision was overturned when the Indian off spinner appealed against the decision.

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Never felt pressure as captain: Sehwag

NEW DELHI: He has relinquished the Delhi Daredevils captaincy after last season but Virender Sehwag feels that his decision will have no bearing on his approach as he again shoulders the burden of being the batting mainstay of the franchise in the sixth edition of IPL.

"I don't think it matters whether I am captaining the side or not. Captaincy has never affected my game. I have never ever felt the pressure on my batting while leading the side," Sehwag said on Saturday.

"I have never felt any pressure as captain, my approach to batting has always remained the same", he said when asked whether Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene donning the mantle of captain will lessen the burden on him.

For Sehwag, captaincy and performance are two separate entities which should not be mixed with each other.

"I have always maintained that captaincy and performance are two separate issues altogether. If you talk about pressures of captaincy, then I had scored five consecutive half centuries during the last edition of IPL and the highest number of runs for Delhi Daredevils," he said.

Sehwag's five half-centuries in a row (he scored 495 runs last season) is an IPL record but he reckons that it might be surpassed this year.

"Someone can break it this year," he answered with a smile after his interaction with kids during NDTV's 'Marks for Sports' Campaign at Modern School (Barakhamba Road) ground.

Sehwag admitted that Kevin Pietersen, who is out with knee injury will be missed a lot as his contribution was immense in helping the team reach last four stage in the fifth edition of the cash rich league.

"KP is a big occasion player and he will certainly be missed but we have other players who can put their hands up and be counted. We have 10 quality foreign players and whoever replaces him in the XI will get an opportunity to make a name for himself on the big stage. If they can grab their chance and prove their worth, we can win the trophy."

Asked about how he is shaping up going into the first game, the 34-year-old opener said, "Very well and I feel 100 percent fit."

This edition will be doubly important for Sehwag as he tries to make a comeback into the Indian team and he feels that any player on his day can win the championship for his team.

"If one guy can play particularly well on a given day, he can very well win the trophy for his team. Take Manvinder Bisla as an example. He played a superb knock in the IPL final and Kolkata Knight Riders won the trophy. I am hopeful that someone will do it for the Delhi Daredevils this year," Sehwag added.

However, the veteran of 104 Tests and 251 ODIs felt that it will not be fair to earmark certain teams as favourites.

"Look at the IPL history and you know that any team can win the tournament. It is difficult to pinpoint any one team. Every team has the capability to pose equal challenge and it will depend on how a particular team fares on the day."

The 'Nawab of Najafgarh' wants everyone to keep guessing when asked about whether one would find him wearing spectacles during the league.

"You will see that," he answered. Being the 'fitness ambassador of Delhi, Sehwag lauded the initiative taken up by NDTV and Nirmal.

"It is a great privilege to be associated with NDTV Marks for Sports Campaign. I believe country has a great sporting talent and such initiative will encourage parents and teachers to support more active and healthier outlook in their children's lives. Also if there can be marks for studies, there should be marks for sports as well," he concluded.

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'I would again enjoy bowling at death'

JAIPUR: Former Australia pacer Shaun Tait feels that seasoned players like Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden, Jason Gillespie shouldn't have hurried retirement which would have enabled a smooth transition for the next generation.

"I feel the likes of Jason Gillespie, Shane Warne, Michael Kasprowicz and Mathew Hayden were the players from whom the younger lot could learn and I feel they should have hung for more time," Tait said during an interaction with the media.

"I am not sure but there have been some changes in Australian cricket and at the domestic level too. The youngsters, when inducted into the team learn from their seasoned teammates," he said.

When asked whether the IPL was losing its global character in wake of the decision of pulling out Sri Lankan players out of Chennai and the few England players being barred by their respective counties, Shaun Tait called it a "shame".

"It is not in the hands of players. They have to abide with what the authorities say. The IPL would not lose its global character but it is a shame that players have to face such situation. It is the decision taken by others. At the end of the day, IPL is an Indian tournament but a very good one," he said.

Questioned on where the Royals' campaign went haywire last year, he replied, "We were not up to the mark in the death overs in the previous season. I enjoy bowling at the death but your plans work out at times and some times, they don't. I would again enjoy bowling at death."

Tait has often been labelled as someone who has pace but is evry erratic. The bowler assured that he is working on that aspect of his game.

"I know I was erratic at times but have worked on this. My foot was popping out of the bowling crease but recently I had improved in the Big Bash and Bangladesh Premier league. It's ok as of now. I plan to bowl a lot straighter and keep things simple."

Despite his international career being curtailed by injuries, Tait doesn't want to compromise on pace.

"I have been plagued with injuries in my career but still don't want to cut down on my pace. I have not played one dayers for quite some time to reduce workload and concentrate on T20 only. To avoid more injuries, I work out a lot. But still I want to bowl around 150 kmph as cutting down on pace would be too difficult," said the Aussie quick.

Asked about the previous season, Tait said, "The previous season for Rajasthan Royals was not that bad. We had fought hard till the end but had lost a couple of matches which we should have won. We hope for a top-4 finish this time. We have worked on a few grey areas like death bowling and have few more options in attack. The likes of James Faulkner would lend us more bowling strength. We have good relationship and we mix up well and help each other," said Tait.

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I got my rhythm back against Oz: Ishant

NEW DELHI: India pacer Ishant Sharma feels that he has got his "rhythm back" in the recently-concluded home Test series against Australia after spending the better part of last year on the sidelines due to ankle surgery.

"I think I am slowly getting back into my rhythm. I am pretty happy with my performance against Australia. Although, I couldn't do much in the first couple of Tests, I did well in the last two matches. Overall, I am satisfied with my performance," said the lanky fast bowler, who finished with only seven wickets from the four-Test series.

He has received a lot of flak having got only 144 wickets from 51 Tests but the 24-year-old is reasonably happy about how his international career has panned out so far.

"I think I have done reasonably well in my career so far. I hope to continue to do well. In India, the wickets are not too conducive for pace bowling," Ishant stated after a session with young trainees at a cricket clinic 'You vs Ishant' at the Vasant Kunj Sports Complex.

Ishant said he and his pace bowling partner Bhuvneshwar Kumar complemented each other in the team.

"I concentrated in getting the reverse swing with the old ball (against Australia). Bhuvneshwar swings the new ball and he has done well. For me, it was more about containment with the new ball and wait for old ball," he said.

Ishant's tips for young fast bowling aspirants is simple: try to bowl as fast as you can at the beginning and not worry unduly about the line and length.

"According to me, when you are young, you should think of raw pace only. Line and length can be learnt later on in a match situation. If you think of bowling line and length from a young age, you won't have pace."

Ishant feels that talented pacers should be nurtured with a lot of care and qualified support staff (physios and trainers) should take good care of them.

"It is important to have physios and trainers. They play an important part in the career of fast bowlers," he said.

The Delhi lad didn't play too many ODIs in the last three years but his hopeful of breaking into the India squad for the ICC Champions Trophy in June and a limited overs away series in Zimbabwe.

"I am hoping that I can be in the squad for the Champions Trophy and then the Zimbabwe ODI tour. Then there is the Test series in South Africa which would be one but that is some time away and I am not thinking about that," he said.

Ishant will be playing for Hyderabad Sunrisers in the upcoming sixth edition of IPL and is hopeful that the franchise will do well.

"We have a good mix of experienced players and youngsters. Most of the players have been in the team (Deccan Chargers) before it was taken over by another owner and named Hyderabad Sunrisers," he said.

Asked about the prospect of bowling again against former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, who is captaining Mumbai Indians and with whom he had a fascinating contest in his debut season in 2007-08, Ishant said.

"In IPL, I am going to bowl just four overs and it's difficult to say who would win a contest between a batsman and a bowler. It can go either way."

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Muralitharan joins RCB training camp

BANGALORE: Amidst controversy over Sri Lankan players' participation in Chennai matches of the IPL, spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan on Saturday joined Royal Challengers Bangalore's conditioning camp at the National Cricket Academy for the Twenty20 league, starting April 3.

The 40-year-old off-spinner, who retired from international cricket in 2011, bowled in tandem with left-arm spinner Murali Karthik in the nets.

Muralitharan looked unfazed by the controversy and gave some tips to Tamil Nadu lad Karthik during the net session.

Muralitharan did not try anything unusual and concentrated on line and length. He surprised some RCB batsmen with his famous doosra.

Muralitharan appeared friendly and jovial, making younger teammates feel comfortable.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni look-alike Saurabh Tiwary also joined the training camp, first loosening his muscles and then going in for fielding and catching drills. Later, he sweat it out with his bat in the nets.

RCB spearhead Zaheer Khan, who took part in some sprinting on Friday, did not attend the session on Saturday.

Zaheer had sustained a calf injury during Mumbai's Ranji Trophy game against Gujarat last December and was then dropped from the Indian Test squad against England.

RCB think-tank has decided to take rest tomorrow and resume the camp on April one, expectedly in the presence of big stars Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Tillakaratne Dilshan at the nets.

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Ryder: Huge talent with human frailties

WELLINGTON: New Zealand cricket's wild child Jesse Ryder, seriously injured in a vicious assault this week, is a huge talent with the bat who struggles with alcohol demons and is a self-confessed bad boy.

In a tumultuous international career marred by a string of disciplinary lapses, the powerful all-rounder averages 40.93 in 18 Tests but last year went into self-imposed exile to sort out his "personal issues".

The 28-year-old, who continues to catch the eye in domestic competition, has rejected all overtures to return to the New Zealand team, despite public clamour for his recall.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, Ryder was rushed to hospital after being assaulted as he left a bar in the South Island city of Christchurch.

Ryder had been drinking with his Wellington team-mates after a season-ending loss to Canterbury, but police said alcohol was not a factor in the beating he sustained. Witnesses said the attack appeared unprovoked.

But drink has frequently been at the centre of Ryder's troubles and the player has in the past sought psychological help to help get his career back on track.

In a 2010 interview he revealed how his life changed when his parents split.

"Dad bounced when I was about 14; he just took off man. He just dropped me off at a mate's one day and said he'd see me in a week. He never came back," he told the Sunday News.

"That's probably where that rebel streak and badness comes from. I just didn't have any boundaries once he left."

His formative teenage years were spent moving around friends' homes, sleeping on their couches and forming an association with alcohol.

"I guess I could be classed as a bad boy and it's true, I did like going out (drinking). It wasn't so much fighting, more so just getting on the beers with the boys."

But his cricket talent shone through and by the time he left school the left-handed batsman was already on the New Zealand radar.

In 2008, he made an inauspicious start to his Test career, scoring one and 38 on debut against Bangladesh but the following year he made his debut Test century against India and followed up with a career-best 201.

Yet the career of the New Zealander, who has also taken Test and one-day international wickets with his right-arm medium, has frequently been disrupted by alcohol-related incidents.

During the 2008 home series against England his season ended early when he cut his hand trying to break into a bar toilet after a night out drinking following a one-day international victory.

The following year he was dropped after another night out because he missed a team meeting and was unable to train.

That stung Ryder because it was the players and not officials who told him they would not tolerate such behaviour.

"At that stage, we had peer assessments and that was the worst thing. I never want to let the boys down," he said.

Despite his off-field problems, Ryder's prodigious talent ensured he remained an important part of the Black Caps side and in 2010 then New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan pledged to help him.

But the demons reappeared the following year and Ryder was censured after a drunken night during an indoor cricket tournament.

And last year he went drinking in a breach of team protocol after a one-day defeat against South Africa, becoming involved in a heated argument with bar patrons.

After being dropped from the next game, Ryder began his self-imposed international exile and has not appeared in New Zealand colours since.

He rejected lucrative offers to play in Sri Lanka, English county cricket and Australia's Twenty20 Big Bash League.

But with the domestic season over he was about to head to the lucrative India Premier League when he was attacked on Thursday.

While Thursday's incident did not appear to be alcohol-related, New Zealand Cricket Players' Association chief executive Heath Mills said Ryder was known to have resumed drinking in recent weeks and steps had been taken to help him.

"It will be an ongoing battle for Jesse and we need to do all we can to help him, but he's got those demons. And so it shouldn't be a surprise in the future if we have to deal with isolated issues."

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Kohli, Raina in top 10 in T20 rankings

DUBAI: Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina are the two Indians to figure in the list of top 10 in ICC Player Rankings for T20I batsmen, while India continue to hold onto the number three slot in the teams category, issued on Friday.

Rankings: Team | Batting | Bowling | All-rounder

Kohli with 731 points is at number eight position, followed by Raina (719) in the latest rankings table, which is headed by New Zealand's wicketkeeper captain Brendon McCullum (810).

Yuvraj Singh (14) and Gautam Gambhir (18) are the other two Indians to have found a place in the top-20 batsmen's list.

In the team rankings, India are placed third behind Sri Lanka and T20 champions the West Indies.

Offie Ravichandran Ashwin is the only Indian to have featured in the list of top-20 bowlers in the shortest format, which is headed by Sunil Narine of the West Indies.

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Indian players ruling the roost in IPL

KOLKATA: While the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchisees may splurge on recruiting foreign imports, it's the Indian players who are ruling the roost -- from topping the batting charts to being the most successful captain.

The top four run getters since the cricket jamboree began in 2008 are all from India. Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) batting mainstay Suresh Raina tops the chart with 2254 runs at an average of 33.64.

Close on Raina's heels are Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) skipper Gautam Gambhir (2065) and batting maestro from Mumbai Indians (MI) Sachin Tendulkar, who has amassed 2047 from 64 innings.

However, the toast of the Indians is CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who with 78 matches has not only captained in most games but is also the most successful captain with a win percentage of 60 and two IPL crowns to boast.

The Indians captaining their sides have also been hogging the limelight as batsmen. KKR skipper Gambhir with 2065 runs is the highest run getter as a captain followed by Dhoni who has scored 1783 runs having a strike rate of 136.52 which is only second best to Kings XI skipper Adam Gilchrist who has a strike rate of 140.20.

The Indian are also giving a run for their money to their foreign counterparts in the bowling department with as many as four desi bowlers among the top five wicket takers.

While MI's Sri Lankan import Lasith Malinga with 83 scalps tops the chart, closely following him are four Indians -- Delhi Daredevils' leggie Amit Mishra and MI's Rudra Pratap Singh with 74 wickets each, Kings XI Punjab spinner Piyush Chawla (73) and Munaf Patel of Rajasthan Royals (RR), who has taken 70 wickets.

Though not considered among the best for their fielding abilities, the Indians are also shining in the field with MI's Rohit Sharma and CSK's Raina having 42 pouches each, to become the highest catchers in the high-profile league.

However, when it comes to scoring centuries, the Indians have been outshone by the overseas players, who have scored 15 of the total 24 hundreds.

Royal Challengers' Caribbean import Chris Gayle (three) has the most number of centuries to his credit followed by Delhi Daredevil's Aussie David Warner and CSK's homespun hero Murali Vijay with two each.

KKR's New Zealand recruit Brendon McCullum holds the record for the highest individual innings score, courtesy an unbeaten 158 in the maiden game of the tourney in 2008.

But the record for the fastest century rests with an Indian - Yusuf Pathan. Now a KKR player, he had blasted a 37 ball 100 while playing for RR against MI in the third edition of the IPL.

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Pune sign Finch as Clarke's replacement

PUNE: Pune Warriors have roped in Aaron Finch as replacement for Michael Clarke for the upcoming sixth edition of the Indian Premier League.

The Australian captain was ruled out of the entire season with a back injury.

Finch, a top-order batsman from Australia, tweeted the development and is expected to leave for India on Saturday.

Pune Warriors will be Finch's third team in the IPL, having represented Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils

He was released by Delhi Daredevils in November last year and went unsold in the auction on February 3 at a base price of $200,000.

He represents Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League and averaged 66.40 in eight matches last season, scoring 332 runs with a highest score of 111 not out.

But he could not translate that performance for Australia, scoring 4, 7 and 1 in the three T20Is in January against Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

Overall, he has scored 1699 runs in 58 domestic T20 matches at 36.14 with a strike-rate of 130.49.

The Warriors will be led by Angelo Mathews this season.

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Pak asylum-seeker in frame for Ashes

SYDNEY: Australia's chief selector John Inverarity says Pakistani asylum-seeker Fawad Ahmed will be in contention for a place in the Ashes squad to tour England if he is granted citizenship in time.

The 31-year-old leg-spinner was handed a permanent visa to remain in Australia in November after leaving his home in the border region near Afghanistan, where he said he was targeted by Muslim extremists.

But to play for Australia in the Ashes from July he needs fast-tracked citizenship and an Australian passport. Otherwise, under International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, he will not become available until August 18, before the fifth Test at the Oval.

"Fawad Ahmed is a mature and very good leg-spinner," Inverarity said.

"I've seen quite a bit of him and all those who have played against him, and the coaching staff, rate him as a good bowler.

"He would certainly come under consideration. It will all be considered on merit. He will be treated no differently from anybody else."

Inverarity admitted the significance of a former asylum-seeker from Pakistan playing for Australia could not be understated.

"If it were all to happen, it would be a wonderful thing for our Australian society, someone who through the medium of cricket has become a central figure in our community," he said.

Since his arrival, Ahmed has established himself with the Melbourne Renegades in the T20 Big Bash League and made an appearance for the Prime Minister's XI against the West Indies in January.

He is seen as a handy back-up to Nathan Lyon, with few other stand-out spinning candidates beyond Xavier Doherty and Glenn Maxwell.

Lyon had an ordinary tour of India, during which Australia lost the Test series 4-0, although he bounced back to take nine wickets in the fourth Test and Inverarity threw his support behind him.

"He is our lead spinner and we hope he develops and becomes a really good spin bowler," he said of Lyon.

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Jesse Ryder in coma after bar brawl

WELLINGTON: Troubled New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder was in an induced coma with a fractured skull and serious internal injuries on Thursday after being severely beaten as he left a bar in the South Island city of Christchurch, police said.

The 28-year-old was in a critical condition in hospital, and his family were at his bedside.

The attack came just days before the talented batsman was to take up a lucrative Indian Premier League ( IPL) contract.

Ryder has a history of disciplinary lapses and alcohol-related incidents, but although he had been drinking before the early morning attack police said alcohol was not a factor.

Detective senior sergeant Brian Archer said there was a brief altercation involving Ryder and "two or three" people when he stepped outside the bar.

Ryder then crossed the road to a nearby fast-food outlet where he was attacked by one of the people from the initial confrontation.

"The hospital advise he is in a critical condition. He is in an induced coma as a result of suffering multiple injuries," Archer said.

Prime Minister John Key, who led messages of support for Ryder, said the attack appeared "somewhat unprovoked, so there must be something behind that and the assault seems extremely vicious".

"Obviously we wish him a speedy recovery," he added.

A witness, identified only as Adam, told Fairfax Media Ryder tried to fight back as four men "absolutely smashed him".

He said he was not sure if the attackers were known to Ryder but said they "damn knew who he was".

Police were viewing closed-circuit television coverage of the brutal attack and Archer said they were following "positive lines of enquiry".

The incident occurred while Ryder was having a night out with his Wellington team-mates after earlier losing a season-ending one-day match to Canterbury.

The batsman is on a self-imposed break from international cricket to address "personal issues" following a series of incidents.

New Zealand Cricket Players' Association chief executive Heath Mills said Ryder was known to have resumed drinking in recent weeks.

"It will be an ongoing struggle for Jesse and we need to do all we can to help him. So it shouldn't be a surprise if, in the future, we have to deal with isolated issues," Mills said.

"What I will say is Jesse was having a few drinks with his team-mates at the conclusion of his season. The actual assault was not an alcohol-fuelled incident."

Ryder, who last played for New Zealand a year ago, was due to fly out to India this weekend to compete for the Delhi Daredevils, who paid $260,000 for his services at an auction.

Last year, Ryder, who has a Test average of 40.93 and a highest Test score of 201, took his manager and a psychologist with him to India when he played for the Pune Warriors.

"We are all shocked by what has occurred and extremely concerned for Jesse. New Zealand Cricket's thoughts are with him and his family," said New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White.

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Doing well in overseas matters: Gambhir

NEW DELHI: Lauding the team for their 4-0 triumph over Australia in the recently concluded Test series, out-of-favour opener Gautam Gambhir on Thursday stressed on the need to win Test series abroad in order to be recognized as a force in world cricket.

"Unless a team wins overseas, they are not recognized as a force. I have always believed that winning in overseas conditions matters a lot. I am happy that we have done well at home. There is nothing wrong in using home advantage as every country does that", Gambhir told reporters at a promotional event.

"But look at South Africa. They beat Australia in Australia and England in England. Actually, they are the No. 1 side in the world," he said.

"My personal aim has always been to be a member of the overseas Test series winning squad and score runs in team's victory," Gambhir said at the launch of a new cricket portal CricLan.com.

Gambhir, who has just started training after recovering from mild jaundice, said that "form is a state of mind" when asked about his century plus score in a first-class match versus Aussies and 60 plus score in a T20 game against Punjab.

"For me, form is always a state of mind. If you are confident and fearless and ready to express yourself, that's what matters the most."

The stylish left-hander also supported BCCI's move to have a proper India 'A' team's tour of South Africa before the senior team goes there at the end of the year.

"It's a good thing that India A team will be travelling to South Africa. This tour will give the players fair idea about what to expect when the senior team goes there. Normally, when we go to South Africa, we play a couple of practice matches and by the time we gauge the pace and bounce of the wicket, the Test series gets over. So it's a welcome move."

Gambhir, who is the captain of the defending IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders, said that he wants his boys to forget about any "external pressures and play fearless cricket."

"I want the likes of Yusuf (Pathan), Manoj (Tiwary) and Bisla (Manvinder) to forget about any kind of pressure and play fearlessly. There was a lot of criticism that KKR wasn't performing upto its potential. We worked very hard and were champions last year. Now I want my boys to be fearless and express themselves out there in the middle," he said.

To Gambhir, captaining KKR is an "honour" rather than "pressure."

"It's always been an honour to lead KKR and it's not about me only. It's also about all the 23 players."

Terming it as a "political decision" Gambhir stressed that one or two Sri Lankan players not playing a game in Chennai would not matter a lot.

KKR has one Sri Lankan player in offie Sachitra Senanayeke.

"One or two individuals don't matter in a team. If 11 people are going in the same direction, it is a bigger threat for the opposition. In any case, we will get Senanayeke for other 15 league games. Hope that he will strike a good combination with Sunil Narine."

Gambhir also supported KKR management's decision to appoint Australian pacer Brett Lee as the Team mentor.

"I don't think there will be any additional pressure on Brett. It is better to appoint someone who is a part of the set-up rather than someone new. Also Brett has been bowling really well. He recently clocked 150 kmph during the Big Bash (for Sydney Sixers). If he can bowl at that pace in the IPL, there is nothing like it."

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Smith receives Test Championship mace

DUBAI: South Africa captain Graeme Smith on Thursday received the ICC Test Championship mace and prize money of $450,000 for leading the team to the top spot in ICC Test rankings on the annual cut-off date of April 1.

Smith received the mace from the ICC's umpires and referees manager, Vince van der Bijl, in a ceremony at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

"I am truly honoured and humbled to receive the Reliance ICC Test Championship mace and prize money, not just on behalf of myself, the players and the team management but on behalf of all South Africans," said Smith.

"We all appreciate the enormous privilege of representing our country and taking on the responsibility that goes with it," he added.

South Africa have finished at the number one spot for the first time since the current ranking system was introduced in 2003.

India are placed third behind England in the current rankings.

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Muralitharan upset with IPL GC ruling

NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan great Muttiah Muralitharan is disappointed at the IPL governing council's move to disallow players from his country to play matches in Chennai, a decision taken in view of the prevailing anti-Sinhalese sentiments in the state.

Bowing to intense political pressure, top Sri Lankan players were yesterday withdrawn from the Chennai matches of the high-profile IPL after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa refused to host them due to the growing political tensions in the state resulting from the treatment of ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka.

"It's a sad (day) for cricket as we are not allowed to play in a certain part of India. It is a government decision, if they cannot provide security for us, we have to be cautious," Muralitharan, who plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, told 'NDTV'.

"I have spoken to Royal Challengers, they do not have any problems. I can play the non-Chennai games," he added.

Himself a Sri Lankan Tamil, Muralitharan said he had never faced problems in the island nation.

"I played for 20 years in the Lankan team, I did not have any problems as a Tamil. The government and the cricket board always supported me throughout my career even when I went through a lot of problems.

"Earlier, there was a time of war between the Tamils and Lankans but now people are living in peace in my country. So the concerned authorities in India must come and see how we are living in Sri Lanka and forget what happened in the past. We don't want another war-like situation now."

The 40-year-old off-spinner, who retired from international cricket in 2011, said he was ready to play in Chennai.

"If they allow us to play, we will definitely play in Chennai. Chennai is like a second home for me as my wife Madhimalar is from there. It is a sentimental situation for me. We do not want to get into politics and we just want to play our cricket and entertain our fans."

Muralitharan has played all five seasons of the IPL thus far, for Chennai Super Kings (2008-2010), Kochi Tuskers Kerala (2011) and Royal Challengers Bangalore last year.

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Pujara will find answers to ODIs: Dravid

NEW DELHI: Rahul Dravid says Cheteshwar Pujara, who succeeded the former India captain at the crucial number position in the Test side, has it in him to be a successful player in ODIs as well.

Seen by many as one who could go on to be an able successor to the former great, Pujara has an average of 65 after 13 Tests, having scored four hundreds and three half-centuries, and Dravid believed the Saurashtra batsman "approaches" Test cricket the way he did.

"He's had a great start to his international career, in fact a much better start than I did. I think he has been brought up in the old school of batsmanship. He is developing more shots and he approaches Test cricket in the same way as I did," Dravid said.

The 40-year-old was speaking at 'A Day with Dravid', an ESPNcricinfo event in which nine cricket fans from across the world got the chance to interact with him.

Pujara hasn't made his ODI debut yet, but in 61 domestic one-day matches Pujara averages 56.97, with eight hundreds and 17 fifties.

"He's got some good basics in place. You can see that he is constantly improving and he is someone who will find answers to questions. He is going to have his ups and downs and face a lot of challenges adapting to different forms of the game and conditions.

"With his attitude and the way he is going about playing his cricket, I think he will find answers to a lot of these questions and one of them will be one-day cricket."

Dravid felt that for Test cricket to survive, it needed better scheduling, with more matches for all teams.

"One thing I'd like to see definitely is scheduling to be a lot better, and the ability for most countries to play a lot more Test cricket.

"I'd love to see all the teams get the opportunity to play a lot more cricket against each other. I think it will really see Test cricket come up and improve, and the only way for it to survive is to play it as often as possible."

Dravid said adapting to bounce was something he found difficult to adjust to while batting overseas early on in his career.

"I wanted to do well abroad in conditions that I wasn't used to. One of the things I found difficult adjusting to was bounce early on in my international career.

"When I went to Australia, South Africa or England for the first time, I would see some of the foreign top-order batsmen leave balls on length.

"Indian batsmen's instinct was to play at those balls because if you left those balls in India, they would probably hit the top of off or middle stump. That ability to adjust to that bounce and know which ball to leave instinctively on length, especially early on in your innings, was one of the most difficult adjustments to play."

Dravid expressed admiration for contemporary players who have mastered the art of playing the switch hit.

"I can't imagine the way some guys pull that off. When I see someone like a (Kevin) Pietersen or (David) Warner pull it off, you can see the value of the shot. If you were to play the switch hit, then the wide rule should change as well.

"You should allow the bowler to bowl outside the off stump. I think it's an incredibly skilful and difficult shot to play and I'm all for it as long as you give the bowler protection as well."

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Pujara seventh in Test batting rankings

DUBAI: Consistent performances with the bat have helped India's Cheteshwar Pujara move into the top 10 of the ICC rankings for Test batsmen for the first-time in his career.

Pujara's unbeaten 82 helped India script a six-wicket win in the fourth Test against Australia in New Delhi, thereby registering a historic 4-0 series sweep. As a result, Pujara jumped five places, in the rankings released Wednesday, to a best seventh position with 777 ratings points.

South Africa's Hashim Amla continues to lead the batting table.

Another South African, Dale Steyn, leads the bowlers' table.

India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is now at his best sixth after jumping two places while Man of the Match in the New Delhi Test, Ravindra Jadeja, made a whopping leap of eight places to 27th.

Delhi pacer Ishant Sharma also climbed in the rankings by three places to 31st.

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SL players should pull out of IPL: Arjuna

NEW DELHI: Former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga on Wednesday slammed IPL governing council's decision to withdraw Sri Lankan cricketers from Chennai matches of the tournament and asked the players to opt out of the entire high-profile event beginning April 3.

"... as far as cricketers are concerned I think if they can't play in south India (Chennai) they should play in other part either. I personally feel if players are not welcomed in one part of India they should not be part of any IPL," Ranatunga said.

"The excuse that the south Indian politician gave was war crimes. And, I Am sure the players should take that into consideration and think of the country and pull out from the entire Indian Premier League," he told 'Times Now'.

Ranatunga termed the decision a political gimmick and said that the IPL governing council should have taken all the matches away from Chennai.

"I think what IPL should have done was pulled out all the matches from south India if they are so keen on Sri Lankan players participation. But, it's all political gimmick," he said.

On Tuesday, bowing to intense political pressure, the IPL governing council, withdrew top Sri Lankan players from the Chennai matches of the high-profile IPL after Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa refused to host them in view of the prevailing anti-Sinhalese sentiments in the state.

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India to finish third in ICC Test rankings

DUBAI: India will have to settle for the third spot behind England in the ICC Test team rankings after the latter managed to salvage a draw in the final Test against New Zealand in Auckland on Tuesday.

India not only needed to win the Delhi Test but also had to hope for a New Zealand victory in the Auckland Test.

India could have earned $350,000 if New Zealand won the series 1-0, as they would have finished second in the rankings table at the cut-off date of April 1.

India, for finishing third, will now have to settle for $250,000 while Australia will bag USD 150,000 for being fourth.

India, for their 4-0 whitewash of the Australians, gained seven ranking points to finish the season on 112. While England lost four points after all their three Tests against the Kiwis ended in a draw.

South Africa, with 128 points, have already sealed its position as the number-one ranked Test side at the cut-off date and have been assured of a reward of $450,000.

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Won't allow SL players in Chennai: Jaya

CHENNAI: With anti-Sri Lankan sentiments being whipped up in Tamil Nadu, chief minister J Jayalalithaa said on Tuesday that her government will not permit IPL matches in Chennai that involve Sri Lankan players, umpires and even support staff for the event.

"In view of the popular antipathy and anger in Tamil Nadu against the actions of the government of Sri Lanka, the state government is of the view that IPL matches involving Sri Lankan players, umpires and other officials should not be played in Tamil Nadu," she said in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The chief minister said the BCCI may be advised by the Centre to prevail upon the IPL organizers not to allow Sri Lankan players, officials, umpires and support staff to take part in the tournament in Tamil Nadu.

"We will permit IPL matches to be held in Tamil Nadu, only if organizers provide an undertaking that no Sri Lankan players, umpires, officials or support staff participate in these matches," she said.

Justifying her stand, Jayalalithaa said, "In such a hostile and tense environment, we apprehend that the participation of Sri Lankan players in the IPL tournament, with many games to be played in Chennai, will aggravate an already surcharged atmosphere and further offend the sentiments of the people."

Pointing out that all political parties in Tamil Nadu have repeatedly voiced their grave concern regarding these issues, she said, "The atmosphere is, therefore, already surcharged with a groundswell of popular opinion against the Sri Lankan government."

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No Lankan players to play in Chennai

NEW DELHI: Bowing to intense political pressure, top Sri Lankan players were on Tuesday withdrawn from the Chennai matches of the high-profile IPL after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa refused to host them in view of the prevailing anti-Sinhalese sentiments in the state.

Jayalalithaa wrote a letter to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh making it clear that IPL matches would be permitted in the state only if there were no Sri Lankan players, umpires, officials or support staff in these matches beginning April 3.

A few hours later, the IPL Governing Council met to discuss the issue and decided that Sri Lankan players will not participate in IPL League matches in Chennai.

The Governing Council will advise the nine IPL franchises accordingly, putting an end to the intense speculation regarding the fate of the Sri Lankan players.

Altogether 13 Sri Lankan players, two of whom are captains of their respective teams, are taking part in the sixth edition of the league which will start from April 3.

Chennai, the home for Chennai Super Kings, will stage 10 matches in all, including two eliminators, and will continue to remain a venue.

"The IPL Governing Council met this afternoon to discuss the issue. The security of all involved in the IPL, whether players, spectators or those working in the stadiums, is of paramount importance to the BCCI.

"The Governing Council decided that Sri Lankan players will not participate in the Pepsi IPL 2013 League matches in Chennai and will advise the nine franchises accordingly", IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla said in statement.

Shukla said that the Governing Council took the decision after the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister wrote to the Prime Minister stating that she would not permit the Sri Lankan players in Chennai.

"This is with reference to news reports last week that the government of Sri Lanka has issued a travel advisory that its citizens should exercise caution when travelling to Tamil Nadu", the statement said.

"Today, the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has written to the Prime Minister of India stating that she will not permit the participation of Sri Lankan players or umpires in matches in Chennai during Pepsi IPL 2013", the statement added.

Shukla said the Governing Council had to take the local sentiments and the safety and security of Sri Lankan players into account before taking a final decision.

"We had to take two things into account. We have to take the local sentiments into account and at same time the safety and security of the Sri Lankan players are paramount," he said.

"If the local administration has given something we have to listen to that as ultimately we need the help of the state authorities to hold the tournament like security arrangement. We can't ignore the advice from the local administration," he said.

In the letter to the Prime Minister, Jayalalithaa said BCCI may be advised by the Centre to prevail upon the IPL Organizers not to allow Sri Lankan players, officials, umpires and support staff to take part in the tournament in the state.

"In view of the popular antipathy and anger in Tamil Nadu against the actions of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Government of Tamil Nadu is of the view that IPL matches involving Sri Lankan players, umpires and other officials should not be played in Tamil Nadu," she said.

"The Government of Tamil Nadu will permit IPL matches to be held in Tamil Nadu only if the organizers provide an undertaking that no Sri Lankan players, umpires, officials or support staff would participate in these matches," she said.

Sri Lankan Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that the Lankan players will be told not to take part in Chennai matches if the BCCI or the Indian government were not able to provide security to them.

"We have written to the BCCI whether they can provide security to our players. We have also requested the foreign ministry to ask the Indian government whether they would provide security to our players. Only in case our players are provided security we will allow them to take part in the matches in Chennai," he said.

For the league stages, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils and Hyderabad Sunrisers will have to bench key players like Lasith Malinga, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, respectively for their matches in Chennai.

Barring Kings XI Punjab, all the other franchises have at least one or more Sri Lankan players in their squad.

Sri Lankans in the IPL:
CSK: Akila Dananjaya and N Kulasekara,
Delhi Daredevils: Mahela Jayawardene (captain) and Jeevan Mendis.
Knight Riders: Sachithra Senanayake.
Mumbai Indians: Lasith Malinga.
Pune Warriors India: Ajantha Mendis and Angelo Mathews.
Rajasthan Royals: Kusal Janith Perera.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Muthaiah Muralitharan and Tillakaratne Dilshan.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Kumar Sangakkara and Thisara Perera.

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No Lankan players to play in Chennai

NEW DELHI: Bowing to intense political pressure, top Sri Lankan players were on Tuesday withdrawn from the Chennai matches of the high-profile IPL after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa refused to host them in view of the prevailing anti-Sinhalese sentiments in the state.

Jayalalithaa wrote a letter to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh making it clear that IPL matches would be permitted in the state only if there were no Sri Lankan players, umpires, officials or support staff in these matches beginning April 3.

A few hours later, the IPL Governing Council met to discuss the issue and decided that Sri Lankan players will not participate in IPL League matches in Chennai.

The Governing Council will advise the nine IPL franchises accordingly, putting an end to the intense speculation regarding the fate of the Sri Lankan players.

Altogether 13 Sri Lankan players, two of whom are captains of their respective teams, are taking part in the sixth edition of the league which will start from April 3.

Chennai, the home for Chennai Super Kings, will stage 10 matches in all, including two eliminators, and will continue to remain a venue.

"The IPL Governing Council met this afternoon to discuss the issue. The security of all involved in the IPL, whether players, spectators or those working in the stadiums, is of paramount importance to the BCCI.

"The Governing Council decided that Sri Lankan players will not participate in the Pepsi IPL 2013 League matches in Chennai and will advise the nine franchises accordingly", IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla said in statement.

Shukla said that the Governing Council took the decision after the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister wrote to the Prime Minister stating that she would not permit the Sri Lankan players in Chennai.

"This is with reference to news reports last week that the government of Sri Lanka has issued a travel advisory that its citizens should exercise caution when travelling to Tamil Nadu", the statement said.

"Today, the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has written to the Prime Minister of India stating that she will not permit the participation of Sri Lankan players or umpires in matches in Chennai during Pepsi IPL 2013", the statement added.

Shukla said the Governing Council had to take the local sentiments and the safety and security of Sri Lankan players into account before taking a final decision.

"We had to take two things into account. We have to take the local sentiments into account and at same time the safety and security of the Sri Lankan players are paramount," he said.

"If the local administration has given something we have to listen to that as ultimately we need the help of the state authorities to hold the tournament like security arrangement. We can't ignore the advice from the local administration," he said.

In the letter to the Prime Minister, Jayalalithaa said BCCI may be advised by the Centre to prevail upon the IPL Organizers not to allow Sri Lankan players, officials, umpires and support staff to take part in the tournament in the state.

"In view of the popular antipathy and anger in Tamil Nadu against the actions of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Government of Tamil Nadu is of the view that IPL matches involving Sri Lankan players, umpires and other officials should not be played in Tamil Nadu," she said.

"The Government of Tamil Nadu will permit IPL matches to be held in Tamil Nadu only if the organizers provide an undertaking that no Sri Lankan players, umpires, officials or support staff would participate in these matches," she said.

Sri Lankan Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that the Lankan players will be told not to take part in Chennai matches if the BCCI or the Indian government were not able to provide security to them.

"We have written to the BCCI whether they can provide security to our players. We have also requested the foreign ministry to ask the Indian government whether they would provide security to our players. Only in case our players are provided security we will allow them to take part in the matches in Chennai," he said.

For the league stages, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils and Hyderabad Sunrisers will have to bench key players like Lasith Malinga, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, respectively for their matches in Chennai.

Barring Kings XI Punjab, all the other franchises have at least one or more Sri Lankan players in their squad.

Sri Lankans in the IPL:
CSK: Akila Dananjaya and N Kulasekara,
Delhi Daredevils: Mahela Jayawardene (captain) and Jeevan Mendis.
Knight Riders: Sachithra Senanayake.
Mumbai Indians: Lasith Malinga.
Pune Warriors India: Ajantha Mendis and Angelo Mathews.
Rajasthan Royals: Kusal Janith Perera.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Muthaiah Muralitharan and Tillakaratne Dilshan.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Kumar Sangakkara and Thisara Perera.

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Australian media lambasts Clarke's men

NEW DELHI: A livid Australian media labelled their side as "worst" in 34 years and ridiculed the shot selection of their top order batsmen to "insanity" after India inflicted a humiliating 4-0 whitewash on the visitors.

"IT's official. Australian cricket's class of 2013 are the worst to tour India ... and the nation's worst Test outfit in 34 years. That is the macabre reputation Michael Clarke's battered troops will bring home," a write-up in the Telegraph read.

'Herald Sun' was more harsh in chiding the batsmen. "THEY say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Unless Australia's batsmen change something - starting today - they might wake up in a mental ward before the Ashes."

"The real concern ahead of the Ashes is not so much the batting averages in India, but the wider mentality that governs the decisions, and mistakes, Australia's batsmen are making," the report added.

The Australian sports writers came down heavily on the top-order and stand-in captain Shane Watson was hit hardest.

"The struggling all-rounder can no longer be a selection untouchable after his form slump yesterday hit crisis point during Australia's latest batting collapse.

"...If any player should forensically analyse their form on this shambolic tour, it is Watson," wrote Telegraph.

"With Michael Clarke, he arrived as Australia's most seasoned player. He returns home as the only specialist batsman in the series not to post a fifty. Even tail-enders Siddle (51 and 50) and Mitchell Starc (99) managed half-centuries on this tour.

"In the ultimate indictment, No.11 Nathan Lyon (244 balls) managed to survive more deliveries on this tour than Watson (239). Lyon (18) also finished with a superior batting average to Watson (16.5)," the critical piece added.

Continuing in the same vein, Sydney Morning Herald pilloried Watson the most.

"Watson, the captain in Delhi, has been the most guilty and there was more of the same on Sunday. His shot, rocking back and trying unsuccessfully to heave the left-armer Pragyan Ojha to the boundary, was not one out of the leadership handbook."

'Herald Sun' also questioned the way Australian batsmen got themselves out.

"Australia's second highest individual score in this series is 99 ... by paceman Mitchell Starc. Getting out in India is not a crime. Getting out the same way is."

"Too often on this tour Australia's top-order have come unstuck with either carbon-copy dismissals, reckless strokeplay or, worse, going against the initial plans they had in place to counter India's bowlers."

Syndey Morning Herald wrote that the only remedy for Australia's redemption seem to be overhaul of the top order.

"When the dust settles from Australia's tour de farce, one subject should stand out above all else. Not ''Homeworkgate'', not the dynamic between Michael Clarke and Shane Watson, and not Mickey Arthur's Twitter account.

"...As treacherous as conditions were against the trickery of Ravindra Jadeja on Sunday, Australia's top order was culpable for yet another collapse."

The media was worried as the Ashes series is looming large against a very formidable England.

"Watching the final-day massacre from his Sydney lounge-room, the injured Clarke must wonder how on earth Australia rebuilds for the Ashes," wrote 'Telegraph'.

"..Australia's batsmen still haven't collectively clicked, largely making unforced errors that will be fatal during the Ashes," feared Herald Sun.

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No one can talk about Sachin: Srinivasan

NEW DELHI: BCCI president N Srinivasan on Monday refused to be drawn into a debate on whether it was time for Sachin Tendulkar to call it quits from Test cricket, saying he is the "greatest batsman India has produced" and it won't be fair to the batsman to discuss about his retirement.

Asked whether the BCCI was giving special treatment to Tendulkar when compared to the likes of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, both of whom are presently out of the team due to non-performance, Srinivasan said, "I don't think any one us can talk about Sachin (Tendulkar)".

"Sachin is probably the greatest cricketer India has ever produced. I don't think it is wise to sit and analyse his performance series wise," Srinivasan said.

Srinivasan's personal opinion was that Tendulkar has no comparison as he belongs to an altogether different league.

"Sachin is different from others. This is my personal view and I distinguish between selection matters and personal view," the BCCI chief said.

Srinivasan also refused to react to a column by renowned historian and cricket writer, Ramachandra Guha where he said that Tendulkar should have retired on a high, like Vijay Merchant, who quit international cricket after scoring a flawless century against England in 1951.

"It's not fair to be quizzed about Sachin because I am not a selector. I don't think we should be discussing this. It's not fair on Sachin to be discussed at all," the BCCI president said.

Tendulkar scored a solid 81 in the first Test in Chennai but failed to score any other big knock in India's historic 4-0 clean sweep against Australia in the four-match series.

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'BCCI's faith in team & captain justified'

NEW DELHI: The 4-0 clean sweep against Australia in the just-concluded Test series has justified the BCCI's faith in the team and its leader Mahendra Singh Dhoni, according to Board president N Srinivasan who said a "stern" test awaits the team when they tour South Africa.

Lauding India for its historic series victory over the Australians, Srinivasan said the Board "always had confidence in the team" despite its below-par performances in recent times.

"It is very nice to see India winning. We always had the confidence in the team. We understood that the team was going through a period of transition after some great stalwarts of Indian cricket chose to retire. But I think our faith in the team, the captain and the players have been justified," he told a news channel.

"Cricket is a sport. In sport you cannot be winning all the time. I don't think that the Indian players want to lose. They also want to win, they fought hard. Sometimes they had bad luck, circumstances were against them. But overall, we should be proud of our cricketers," he said.

Srinivasan was particularly happy with the way India bounced back after the 1-2 defeat at the hands of England at home in the previous series, but said stern tests awaits Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men when they tour South Africa later this year.

"Against England I thought may be were little bit unlucky at times, but the team regrouped and performed extremely well against Australia. But we will have tests in South Africa and New Zealand towards the end of this year and early part of next year.

"But all of that is part of building of a team and the character of the players will also come out," he said.

The BCCI chief, however, refused to comment on the selectors' decision to drop the frontline opening duo of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir for under-performance during the series against Australia.

"I don't comment on selection matters. But I think overall the selectors have been very sincere and have been trying their best looking at the present and future of Indian cricket," Srinivasan said.

Without directly stating that Sehwag and Gambhir's exclusion was the correct decision, Srinivasan praised the performances of Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara and Shikhar Dhawan.

"I don't have to say that," was his immediate reaction when asked whether the changes made in the team have borne out results or not.

"What we should be happy about is the performances of Shikhar Dhawan, Pujara and Vijay. The team is looking different, looking confident. The bowlers also have performed well," he said.

Asked whether it would be difficult for the likes of Sehwag and Gambhir to make a comeback in the team, Srinivasan said, "It is for the selectors to answer. All I can say is that the team looks good."

Srinivasan spoke highly of Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is also the skipper of his IPL team Chennai Super Kings.

"He (Dhoni) has always been playing a good role. He has always been an outstanding player. We can't forget that he has captained India to two World Cup wins. He is an experienced captain. I think he has sailed well through all ups and downs," the BCCI president said.

Srinivisan also refused to give a direct answer when asked whether he backed Dhoni when the selectors at one point of time thought of replacing the wicketkeeper-batsman as skipper after the disastrous tour of England and Australia.

"It is not proper to discuss what happens in a selection meeting. But the constitution of the BCCI does say that the president has to approve the national team," Srinivasan said.

"I definitely believed that the team should be backed," he said.

Talking about the fate of Sri Lankan players, who are uncertain to play in Chennai in the upcoming IPL in view of the prevailing anti-Sinhalese sentiments in Tamil Nadu, Srinivasan hoped that the matter will be sorted out before the commencement of the Twenty20 league on April 3.

"These are operational matters, we have got an event management company in IMG to deal with," he said.

"I believe the government of Tamil Nadu is extremely capable of handling any situation. There is absolutely no problem of law and order here. IPL is some time away and these are issues I think will get sorted out.

"India is a safe place. Every state in India is safe to play cricket," Srinivasan said.

Asked about the recent CBI raids at his residence regarding the non-payment of custom duties of 11 imported cars, Srinivasan said, "No car was taken away and its not 11 cars as stated. I was not even in India.

"I believe there was a visit, some checking took place because the CBI was possibly looking at some offender not directly related to us. They just wanted to verify some facts which they did," he said.

"India Cements has paid all duties on everything which are applicable. We never defaulted on anything," he added.

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Srini hints he stopped Dhoni's sacking

NEW DELHI: Indian cricket board president N Srinivasan hinted that the board's constitution gives him the power to approve any decision of the national selectors, including that on the captain.

When a television anchor asked whether there was substance in the media reports that selectors were under pressure to sack Mahendra Singh Dhoni after India lost four Tests in England and another four in Australia, but you had backed him, all that Srinivasan would say was "it is not proper to discuss selection matters. The constitution of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does say that the president has to approve the national team."

When the anchor rephrased the question and asked: "So, you have the last word as president?"

Srinivasan: "That's what the constitution of the BCCI says."

Asked whether Dhoni should choose to drop the shorter versions of the game format, as suggested by some experts including former captain Rahul Dravid, Srinivasan said it is for the selectors to take the call.

"The selectors are there to take a call. We have an experienced group of selectors. It is for them to decide. But personally I feel that Dhoni is discharging the duties (captaining in all three formats) well," he said.

Former India selector Mohinder Amarnath had claimed that the last selection committee headed by Kris Srikkanth unanimously agreed to sack Dhoni after the team's whitewash in England and Australia. But Srinivasan reportedly didn't approve the move.

Asked if he spoke to Dhoni when the team was going through a tough phase, Srinivasan said: "All the Indian players are aware that the board is behind them. The BCCI has given confidence to the players that they should play their game. We will watch their back."

Srinivasan said Dhoni is very experienced captain and given the glorious uncertainties of the game he has sailed the team well.

"During this season, his innings against England and the double hundred against Australia were game changers. He has always been an outstanding player. He gave us two World Cups. He is very experienced captain. Everybody will agree that given the glorious uncertainties of cricket Dhoni has sailed well," he said.

Incidentally, Dhoni who captains Srinivasan-owned Chennai Super Kings is now also the vice-president of a Chennai-based corporate.

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Team showed a lot of character: Dhoni

NEW DELHI: Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday applauded his team for a 4-0 series whitewash against Australia, saying every player showed character to come out with flying colours of what has been a tough phase for Indian cricket in the last one and a half years.

Scorecard | Match in Pics

"It is a big boost to win 4-0 with this unit. Credit goes to every one. The last one and a half years has not been great for us in Tests, but they showed a lot of character, put in good performance and battled it out," Dhoni said at the post match presentation ceremony.

"You need to battle it out and that was the case in this series," he added.

India suffered a series whitewash against both England and Australia last year, before they went down to England 1-2 once again at their own backyard.

India, however, got their act together to complete a historic 4-0 clean sweep against Australia by recording an emphatic six-wicket victory in the fourth and final cricket Test, and Dhoni felt it was an important series from the team's point of view.

"I think it was an important series for us, there were a few changes in the side. It was up to the individuals to rise up and do well. I think they all did it, everybody performed."

The captain said the fact that India batted second in every Test on the series but still managed to come out victorious, says a lot about the current side.

"Almost all the pitches were turning, and on all the wickets we batted second, which meant we had to face the (Aussie) bowlers in the fourth innings, we all know how difficult that is," said Dhoni.

He said the Kotla wicket was slightly better on Sunday as compared to Saturday.

"This wicket I thought it got slightly better ... I may be wrong, but I thought yesterday was harder to bat on. The new ball did not turn as much," he said.

A satisfied Dhoni said the team would enjoy a little time off before regrouping for the Champions Trophy in June.

"We get some time off now -- no international cricket -- and can regroup before the Champions Trophy."

Man of the Series, Ravichandran Ashwin, who emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the four-Test rubber with 29 scalps, said he made a few changes in his bowling technique after the home series against England.

"Everything has gone pretty well, there were a few changes I had to make after the England series. Very happy at how it has come out. I had to work on my delivery stride. We had very little time, I was lucky to have a coach to identify it pretty quickly," said Ashwin.

"I definitely needed a kick on the backside and they gave me one," he added.

Talking about the Kotla pitch, Ashwin said, "It was quite a tricky wicket for both batsmen and bowlers. I thought (Cheteshwar) Pujara played a terrific innings today. (Ravindra) Jadeja managed to trouble the Aussie batsmen. "

Asked if he was satisfied with his performance in this series, Ashwin replied, "Satisfaction is not something intend to attain, hopefully I can build on this."

Jadeja, who won the Man of the Match award, said he was just looking to take as many wickets as possible.

"I did well in this game. The wicket helped the spinners so I was bowling well. Just wanted to get as many as possible.

"Unfortunately, I didn't score much runs with the bat, but I bowled well in the series. I'm used to playing on such wickets in Rajkot. I was bowling in the right areas and the rest the wicket was doing," Jadeja, who claimed seven wickets in the fourth Test and score valuable 43 runs in India's first innings, said.

Meanwhile, Australian stand-in-skipper Shane Watson said 150-200 on this track was a good total but his bowlers failed to do the job.

"It was a hard fought Test, going into the game this is what I asked of the team. We gave it everything we had. We were up for it, but unfortunately things did not go according to plan with the ball in the second innings.

"We always thought 150-200 on this wicket if we bowled well was going to be enough but we just did not bowl as well as we would have wanted to," said Watson.

He conceded that Pujara took the game away from the visitors.

"Pujara batted very nicely to take it away from us," he said.

Watson said that it was a great learning curve for an inexperienced Aussie side.

"This is really as foreign as you get to playing cricket for an Australian cricket team. It's been a great learning curve for all of us. Everyone has got a hell of a lot out of this tour," said Watson.

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Has Sachin played his last Test in India?

NEW DELHI: There was a certain buzz as Sachin Tendulkar walked to the wicket on this hazy Sunday afternoon; nobody was saying it loudly but on the minds of thousands of adoring fans there was a question -- has the batting maestro played his last international match in India?

For 24 years over 198 Tests, 463 ODIs and a single T20 match, every time he has come out to bat or made his way back to the pavilion he has been cheered in virtually every single cricket ground in the world. Therefore, the applause he got on Sunday in the final moments of the final Test against Australia was not unusual.

But there was little doubt that Sunday was different as the diminutive Tendulkar emerged from the pavilion, turned his head to look into the sun and slowly made his way to the wicket with India needing 32 runs for a historic 4-0 sweep against Australia. Was it his last Test innings on the Indian soil?

Many would have hoped that he would hit the winning runs. But that was not to be as Tendulkar lasted only five balls, falling leg before to Nathan Lyon for one run.

A hush fell on the ground but as he made his lonely walk back to the dressing room the crowd suddenly was on its feet and cheered him again.

Exactly a month from Sunday, Tendulkar will turn 40. There is little doubt that his reflexes have slowed in the last couple of years. There have been too many failures against fast bowlers in England and Australia and even against spinners at home by the lofty standards he has set for himself.

There are flashes of brilliance as in the first Test against Australia at Chennai last month when he played a solid knock of 81. But he has never gone past 50 subsequently and his average for the series is 32.

Given India's cricket calendar, the next home Test will be in mid-2014 when Tendulkar would be past 41. Prior to that the Indian team is scheduled to travel to South Africa this December followed by a tour of New Zealand in early 2014.

He would probably be in the team for these overseas tours because many believe that he lends solidity to a team that has lost some of its great players in recent months, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and in all probability Virender Sehwag.

But cricket pundits reckon that it was highly unlikely that we will see the great batsman play an international match in India. At the same time, they also utter a word of caution -- you never know about Tendulkar.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, at his post-match press conference, had a world of advice to the media: Do not speculate.

"Either I will tell you yes or no. You (media) had asked me the same question in 2005 also," he told a reporter who had asked Dhoni whether Tendulkar had played his last Test in India.

Pakistan's fast bowling great Wasim Akram said it's difficult to know Tendulkar's mind though he felt the Kotla Test could be the veteran batsman's last match on home soil.

"It looks like he has played his last Test on home soil. But it is tough to say anything about Tendulkar. It's difficult to day what he thinks and what is in his mind. You cannot speculate anything about him," Akram said.

Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar said it's for Tendulkar to decide on whether he is available when India next play on home soil or not.

"He (Tendulkar) is the greatest player India has produced. I don't want to comment on somebody's personal career. He's the best person to judge about his career. It's for him to decide whether he's available when India next play on Indian soil," said Vengsarkar.

India's 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev refused to speculate on the issue, saying that it's for the selectors or Tendulkar to decide.

"He might play for next three years or more, what's there for we, the formers players, to comment on this. It is up to the selectors for one series or more and it is upto Sachin to take the call. As far as we are concerned we will continue to admire whatever Sachin do in the 22-yard strip," said Kapil.

India's tour of South Africa in December would be a real test of character for the players and former captain Sourav Ganguly felt that the team would need Tendulkar's experience there.

"Selectors are probably giving Sachin Tendulkar an 'extension' keeping his 200th Test milestone in mind. It would have not been the case had it been someone else. India would look forward to his experience on South Africa tour. His top form would be quite crucial in South African conditions," he said.

Former India spinner Erapalli Prasanna, however, suggested that Tendulkar may retire from Test cricket shortly.

"Going by the schedule, it is obvious for anybody to guess it is the last Test match for Sachin in India. But entirely it is up to the selectors and Tendulkar to take the call to play more Test matches or not.

"I would advise millions of Sachin's fans to watch closely the maestro in live action in the IPL, where he represents Mumbai Indians. Perhaps this is the only time Indian fans could watch Sachin play live," said Prasanna.

Former India opener WV Raman also felt that Tendulkar might have played his last match on home soil.

"Considering the schedule, we do not have home matches in the next two years, therefore it could be considered that Sachin has played his last match in India," Raman said.

Giving a cautious response on the issue, former batsman and chairman of selectors Chandu Borde said, "It's a million dollar question. It's difficult to predict when it's Tendulkar. You know never know... Retirement is a decision best left to him. I'm sure he will take an intelligent decision.

Lalchand Rajput, former India coach and opener, said Tendulkar may take a call on whether to play on home soil or not after the Test series in South Africa.

"I think he will take a call after the tour of South Africa. India needs the experience of Tendulkar on that tough tour. India would need a good blend of experienced players and younger ones on that important tour," he said.

Former all-rounder Bapu Nadkarni felt that Tendulkar has gone past his prime but said that he should be allowed to take a call on when to retire.

"He does not look the Tendulkar of old. I don't know what is wrong. I think his reflexes have slowed down but I may be wrong. But it's his decision. A man as mature as Tendulkar should be allowed to take his own decision," he said.

Former pacer TA Sekar said Tendulkar should be left to decide on the issue of his retirement.

"It is left to Tendulkar to decide continue playing. He has achieved all the milestones, which are impossible to be equalled or surpassed by anyone in years to come. Will have to see whether Indian crowd as they are supporting him prepared to see an Indian team without Tendulkar.

"For the last 23 years, it has been the same situation where people come to see him play. In case he quits, he will be creating a big vacuum. Nobody can predict Sachin's association with Indian and world cricket is over," he said.

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Pujara, the man who strives for Asterisks

AHMEDABAD: India's latest batting sensation Cheteshwar Pujara's unbeaten knock of 82 runs to help India seal the Test series against the Aussies 4-0 is the sign of what the man loves the most 'asterisk'.

In cricket, the asterisk means you are a victor. Undefeated. It determines one's average. While the world is trying to find out what drives Cheteshwar Pujara to play those marathon innings, Pujara himself has close connection with asterisk since he was playing junior age-group tournaments. His friend Pradeep recalls an instance when Chintu, as he is fondly called, scored a double-century before getting out.

For a budding cricketer, it should have been a day for celebration. Not for Chintu. He had scored a double ton and was well-set. How on earth could he lose his wicket?

Pradeep says, "Chintu's father Arvind Pujara always insists that there should be an asterisk after your score. That makes you a complete cricketer. He believes there is no high in the sport than a not out. It means you have conquered every bowler and can walk out with your head held high."

The asterisk was indoctrinated when Pujara was just three.

At the Railway Ground, the father and son bonded over cricket, redefined their relationship and charted out the stance, grip and back lift. All for the lofty aspiration - to play for India.

Arpit Vasvada and Kunal Karamchandani, two of Pujara's closet friends, claim that when he's not playing cricket, he is immersed in reading spiritual and motivational books.

Arvind retrieves a file comprising records of his son's big hundreds, starting from his junior days. There's a write-up by the late Trevor Chesterfield who watched Pujara bat in the 2006 U-19 World Cup. Chesterfield likens him to two batting giants: Barry Richards and Rahul Dravid.

"All thanks to his father, he has a neat technique," Saurashtra's long-time coach Debu Mitra said. "But during the lunch break of this match, I told him not to close the face of his bat. He didn't for the rest of his innings and scored a 170-odd."

After playing number of long innings, even today, Chintu is busy collecting asterisks.

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Don't speculate on Sachin's career: MSD

NEW DELHI: Batting great Sachin Tendulkar left the cricketing world guessing by not announcing his much speculated retirement after India whitewashed Australia 4-0 to lift the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Sunday.

Even skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni asked the media not to speculate on Tendulkar, who retired from one-day internationals in December.

"Do not speculate on Sachin's career. In 2005, you (media) also said the same thing but that never happened," said Dhoni in the post-match press conference.

The cricketing world was abuzz with rumours that the fourth Test would be last time Tendulkar will bat in a Test match on Indian soil or ever. Over the weekend, the Kotla witnessed a healthy turnout.

Whenever he came out to bat or went back to the pavilion, the crowd gave Tendulkar a standing ovation.

Given that India will not play another Test match in India for more than a year, speculation is rife about when Tendulkar will call it a day as by the time he plays his Test on home soil, the legend will already be 41.

Of late, he has also struggled with his form, being among the least run scorers amongst the Indian batsmen with his last Test century coming in January 2011 against South Africa.

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India 266/8 at stumps, lead by 4 runs

NEW DELHI: Nathan Lyon scalped five wickets as Indian batsmen were tested for the first time in the series on a crumbling track but still managed to take a slender four-run first-innings lead in the fourth and final Test against Australia on Saturday.

Scorecard | Match in Pics

At stumps after an intriguing second day's play, India struggled their way to 266 for eight despite a century-plus opening stand between Cheteshwar Pujara (52) and Murali Vijay (57) after the visitors had scored 262 in their first innings.

The bulk of the damage was done in the post-tea session when India lost six wickets as the Australian bowlers looked menacing for the first time.

If India manage a lead of even 50 runs, it could turn out to be a decisive one considering Australia's lack of firepower to counter the Indian spinners.

Curator Venkat Sundaram designed the pitch at the Feroz Shah Kotla keeping in mind the requirements of the Indian team, but it boomeranged on the hosts instead, as Lyon (5/94) extracted sharp turn and bounce to get rid of top-order players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Pujara and debutant Ajinkya Rahane.

Ravindra Jadeja survived a hostile spell from James Pattinson and faced constant sledging from the close-in fielders as he fought his way to a fighting 43 before getting a questionable leg before decision off Glenn Maxwell.

Pattinson and Peter Siddle also got certain deliveries to rear up awkwardly from the good length spot, which caused trouble for the batsmen.

Having gone into tea at a relatively comfortable 114 for two, the trouble started in the final session with an inspired spell of fast bowling from Siddle.

A nasty bouncer accounted for Vijay as he lobbed a simple catch to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade.

A second bouncer by the bowler softened up debutant Rahane (7), who got hit on the helmet and didn't recover from the psychological blow. Lyon took advantage of the situation as he got one to pitch on the rough as Rahane presented a tame catch to the backward short-leg fielder.

Operating from the Delhi Gate End, Lyon used the deteriorating pitch conditions to good effect, using the rough created outside the leg-stump well. Also he got awkward bounce that created problems for the Indian batsmen who time and again got beaten while trying to play for the turn.

Even Tendulkar (32) found it difficult to hit him. Having survived a confident leg before appeal in the post-lunch session, the veteran did hit five boundaries with three lovely ones of Siddle. But the offie pushed one quicker through the air and it hurried off the surface to find the batsman plumb in-front.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit a few boundaries en route to his 24 but he committed early into a slow bouncer from Pattinson to give a simple catch to mid-wicket.

Earlier, the makeshift opening stand of Pujara and Vijay turned out to be a productive one as it yielded 108 runs in 25 overs with both players helping themselves to contrasting half-centuries.

While Pujara's 76-ball 52, with five boundaries, was a busy innings, Vijay, who has been in fine form since the Hyderabad Test match, contributed a useful 57 off 123 balls and hit eight fours.

However, the Tamil Nadu opener was subdued after the completion of his 50 as his next seven runs came off 38 deliveries.

At the onset, Pujara played a majestic backfoot cover drive off Pattinson after Vijay opened his account with a streaky boundary past the slip cordon.

Pattinson drifted one onto his pads and he promptly got his second boundary. Then came the best shot of the morning session as he hit left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson for a straight drive.

The three boundaries gave Pujara confidence to get off the blocks. Pujara's stroke-making must have inspired Vijay as he elegantly played pacer Pattinson through the wide mid-on area.

The first five overs of the innings produced 34 runs and it looked as if Vijay and Pujara were already in the Indian Premier League mode, which is scheduled to start in 10 days' time from now.

The 50-run partnership was completed in the 10th over. Pujara was finally dismissed after completing a well deserved half-century. Facing a Lyon delivery, Pujara played for the turn, but the ball went straight to hit the off-stump. Pujara faced 76 balls and hit five boundaries in the process.

Kohli also didn't stay long as Lyon trapped him plumb-in-front for one.

Around 1:25 pm, Tendulkar walked out amid standing ovation from the 20,000 odd weekend crowd, and got off the mark off the 10th delivery that he faced.

In the morning, Australia finished their first innings on 262, adding 31 runs to their overnight total of 231 for eight.

Siddle completed his maiden Test fifty but was done in by a straighter one from Ashwin who completed his fourth five-wicket haul in the series. Siddle scored 51 off 136 balls with four boundaries. Ashwin finished with figures of five for 57 in 34 overs.

The Australian innings lasted a shade over 14 overs as Pattinson's (30) dogged resistance ended with Pragyan Ojha getting his 100th Test wicket. Ojha completed the feat in his 22nd Test and is the third fastest to reach the milestone after Erapalli Prasanna and Anil Kumble.

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India, Australia indulge in sledging

NEW DELHI: Sparks flew thick and fast between Ravindra Jadeja and David Warner as the two players found themselves involved in an ugly spat during the second day's play of the fourth and final Test on Saturday.

It all started when Aussie pacer James Pattinson had a word with Jadeja, something that the India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni did not like.

When Pattinson returned to bowl, Dhoni was warned by the umpire for running on the pitch.

While a smiling Dhoni tried to settle the matter at his end, Warner, positioned at mid-on, looked the most animated and mumbled some profane words. Jadeja, at the non-striker's end, retorted by showing the handle of his bat.

This further provoked the Australian opener and he complained to the umpire. The on-field umpires then called upon Jadeja and had a word with him.

Both Dhoni and Australia's stand-in skipper Shane Watson were called in to soothe the fraying nerves but that did not seem to have deterred Warner and Jadeja from having another round of sledging. They once again exchanged expletives before heading to their respective ends.

As Watson was walking past the India skipper after settling the matter, he himself got engaged in a war of words with Dhoni.

In the same over, after the verbal spat, the third ball was played by Dhoni towards square-leg and Siddle, who was stationed there, flung the ball towards the India skipper. The ball narrowly missed Dhoni and he reacted angrily.

After that Pattinson had a huge leg before appeal against Jadeja turned down by the umpire. The shout seemed like a never-ending one but umpire Aleem Dar rightly ruled in favour of the batsman as the yorker was going down the leg.

After the over, drinks break was taken, which saw both on-field umpires having a long chat with Dhoni and Jadeja and later on, with the Australian skipper.

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Match is evenly poised: Murali Vijay

NEW DELHI: India's opening batsman Murali Vijay said on Saturday that the fourth Test against Australia was evenly poised after the second day's play at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

Scorecard | Match in Pics

"The match is evenly poised at the moment. It will be interesting to see what happens," said Vijay as India finished the day with a slim lead of four runs.

India reached 266 for eight in the first innings at stumps after bowling out Australia for 262 runs within the first hour.

Vijay, who top scored with 57, said the Kotla wicket was difficult to bat on and it will only get tougher as the match continues.

"The wicket will get slower and lower and the cracks are also opening up. It is a difficult pitch to bat on. Actually it is difficult to score runs on this pitch. You can stay in there but difficult to keep the scoreboard ticking," he said.

Asked how he placed his innings on a crumbling track, Vijay said: "We did well in patches. I batted well and could have stayed on for a longer period but unfortunately got out at the wrong time."

Vijay said India have to chase down any target set by Australia for a historic 4-0 whitewash of the visitors.

"See whatever target they set us we have to chase it down. There are no two ways about it," he said.

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'Whatever target Oz set will be chased'

NEW DELHI: Opener Murali Vijay on Saturday said that the ongoing fourth Test match against Australia is "evenly poised and can go either way" but expressed confidence of chasing down any target set by the opponents.

"It is interesting. The match is evenly poised right now. It can go either way. It will be crucial as to how many runs the tail-enders score," Vijay, who made 57 in India's day end score of 266 for eight on Saturday, said.

Asked what will be an achievable fourth innings target, Vijay replied, "Whatever target they set will be chased. No two ways about it."

Vijay criticised the track in a veiled manner, stating that it was difficult to judge the speed of the deliveries.

"The wicket is getting slower and lower. The cracks are getting wider and it is really difficult to judge the speed of the deliveries," he said.

The opener, however, revealed that the pitch prepared by Venkat Sundaram is certainly not conducive for good batting.

"It's a wicket where scoring runs is extremely difficult. However, it's not that difficult to stay on the wicket. We did bat well, but in patches. I could have batted a little longer but got out at the wrong time."

His stop-gap opening partner Cheteshwar Pujara got a nasty hit on a finger of his right hand and Vijay said that the physio was working on him.

"It's swollen a bit and the physio is working on him." He, meanwhile, didn't wish to divulge the details of the heated exchange between Ravindra Jadeja and David Warner.

"It's part and parcel of the game. Whatever happened on the field can't be told outside," he replied with a smile.

Were the Aussies a bit more aggressive than they have been in this series so far, Vijay said, "It's nothing new. They were aggressive throughout the tournament (series)."

Having scored a couple of centuries and a half century since his comeback in the Test team, Vijay agreed that it has been a good series for him so far.

"It's been a good tournament for me so far and I am happy to contribute to the team's cause," he concluded.

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Jadeja's special liking for Aus skippers

NEW DELHI: After making Michael Clarke his 'bunny', left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja on Friday accounted for stand-in captain Shane Watson in the fourth Test, showing his special liking for Australian skippers.

Jadeja got Clarke out in five out of the six innings so far and with Watson's scalp in his kitty, he now has an Australian skipper out six times in seven innings in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Watson was stumped by Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni off Jadeja in the post-lunch session.

Jadeja had made Clarke dance to his tunes in the first three Tests where the Australian skipper was bowled twice, stumped twice and caught once off his own bowling.

Clarke has missed out on the fourth and final Test which commenced on Friday due to a back injury.

Jadeja has so far scalped 17 wickets in the series with best bowling figures of three for 33.

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4th Test: Aus 231/8 at stumps on Day 1

NEW DELHI: India's quest for a historic clean sweep started on a good note as the host spinners continued their dominance over Australia to take the honours on the opening day of the fourth and final Test on Friday.

Scorecard | Match In Pics

Australia, sans their injured skipper Michael Clarke, managed 231 for eight at stumps on the first day after opting to bat on a dodgy Feroz Shah Kotla strip.

The visitors' total was given a semblance of respectability by the 53-run eight-wicket partnership between Steven Smith and Peter Siddle followed by an unbroken 43-run ninth-wicket stand between Siddle and James Pattinson.

Phillip Hughes, with a quick fire 45 in the top-order, and Steven Smith, with a patient 46 in the middle-order, were the two major contributors.

The gutsy Siddle (47 batting) also fought hard, adding some crucial runs with Pattinson.

Ravichandran Ashwin (4/40) was the wrecker-in-chief and was ably complemented by Ravindra Jadeja (2/34) and Ishant Sharma (2/35).

If the first day's pitch was any indication, the match is unlikely to go into the fifth day as the considerable wear and tear made life difficult for the Aussie batsmen, majority of whom didn't seem to possess the requisite technique to counter the questions asked by the Jadeja-Ashwin duo.

After Ishant provided a couple of breakthroughs in the opening session, Ashwin and Jadeja ripped through the middle-order in the post-lunch session, helped by some atrocious shot selection on part of the opposition batsmen.

From a relatively secure 94 for two at lunch, the visitors suddenly looked in a hurry and paid dearly for their indiscretion losing wickets in a heap.

Credit should also be given to India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for rotating his bowlers successfully. He frequently changed the ends from which each one of them operated, thereby making life difficult for the batsmen.

Ed Cowan (37) did all the hard work surviving the dangerous first session playing and missing on a number of occasions. Just when he looked set, Cowan went for a sweep shot and was bowled round his legs.

Leading the side, Shane Watson didn't impress on his Test captaincy debut. Having survived a stumping appeal in the first session, the all-rounder was removed by a typical left-arm spinner's delivery from Ravindra Jadeja.

The delivery pitched on the leg-middle as he drew Watson forward and the stand-in captain was beaten comprehensively while trying to whip the delivery through mid-wicket.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni whipped off the bails in a flash. Watson made 17.

Matthew Wade (2) was caught by the silly point fielder to give Ashwin his second wicket while IPL's newest 'million dollar' man Glenn Maxwell gave Jadeja the charge to offer a simple catch to Ishant at mid-on.

Mitchell Johnson had no clue about Ashwin's carrom ball, failing to offer a stroke thinking that the ball would spin away. To his utter surprise, it spun back sharply to hit the off-stump.

From a relatively decent 106 for two, the Aussies were left gasping for breath at 136 for seven, and the writing was on the wall.

However, Smith and Siddle added 53 runs for the eighth wicket to stem the rot. Smith hit two huge sixes off Pragyan Ojha during his 145-ball innings.

In the morning session, Ishant, who had yesterday spoken about him being more effective with the old ball, decided to prove himself 'wrong' as he got a couple scalps early on.

For a change, Ishant got a wicket in his very first over with a fullish delivery outside the off-stump which Warner played away from his body with minimal feet movement.

Virat Kohli, standing at second slip, finally held onto a catch, having missed a couple of chances in Mohali.

While Ishant and his new ball partner Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled well in tandem but the track, prepared by curator Venkat Sundaram, also helped their cause to some extent.

Hughes, who found some form going his way during the second inning in Mohali, took the attacking route knowing well that playing a game of survival would be difficult on this track. He hit 10 boundaries in his 59-ball 45.

The left-hander hit some flowing cover drives off both Bhuvneshwar and Ishant. He dispatched a lot of length deliveries to the boundary but somehow never looked set, which was partly due to the nature of the pitch. Even some of the deliveries bowled by Ashwin rose awkwardly and frequently hit the handle of the bat.

In fact, before his dismissal in the 21st over, Ishant softened up Hughes with a delivery that took off from short of a good length spot and hit him flush on the grill of his helmet. The delivery unnerved Hughes big time and two balls later, a delivery that landed on the same spot kept low and the batsman played on.

Cowan and Hughes added 67 runs for the second wicket, which was the lone bright spot in another disappointing show by Australia's top-order.

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