Yuvraj dedicates match-winning knock to Tendulkar

October 11, 2013

Yuvraj_match-winningRajkot, Oct 11: He should have been on cloud nine after smashing a match-winning unbeaten 77 against Australia in the one-off T20 International in his comeback match, but Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh said he had mixed feelings as it came on the day Sachin Tendulkar retires from Test cricket.

An emotional Yuvraj, who guided India to a six-wicket win over Australia here, dedicated his unbeaten innings to Tendulkar who yesterday announced that he would quit Test cricket after playing his 200th match against the West Indies next month.

"Well I don't know if I am happy or sad. Happy that I hit the ball and sad day that Sachin is retiring. But really happy the way I hit the ball and how I continued to play well since the India A and West Indies A series," Yuvraj said at the post-match press conference.

"Definitely, I would like to dedicate it to Sachin and hopefully, maybe tell him on the phone as well. That is the least I can do, dedicate this knock to him. I will also like to dedicate this knock to my mother who prayed a lot for my comeback. Everyday she has been praying for me," he said.

The 31-year-old batsman, who last played an international match in January, was recalled to the national team after a string of fine performances for India A against West Indies A and a solid display for India Blue in the NKP Salve Challenger Series.

"Yuvi is back my friend," he told the media.

Yuvraj said it was an emotional moment for the country when an iconic cricketer like Tendulkar retires and added that he did not want to see him leave the game.

"I don't think I am going to let him go away. I am going to catch hold of his feet and not (let him) leave the dressing room. It has been amazing to play with him for so many years. One of the greatest players to have played the game. I don't know what to say," he said, adding that the team did not discuss Tendulkar's retirement in the dressing room.

"There are so many things to say about Sachin, probably the best Indian cricketer ever played. Just the milestone as not only as a cricketer but just as a man, who is an ambassador of cricket around the world. So it is going to be an emotional time for the whole of India," Yuvraj said.

"Sachin will always be very special to me. I am sure I will have the opportunity to play with him, I don't know if I will (be selected) but if I am not playing, I will definitely come and watch (his last match)," he added.

Yuvraj, who survived a germ cell cancer, said that people should respect Tendulkar's decision.

"It is upto him when he wanted to retire. A player of his stature should decide when he wants to leave. I would want him to play for 10 more years with us. It is his decision and we need to respect that. It will be an emotional time for India when he plays his last match," he said.

Describing the qualities he likes about Tendulkar, the flamboyant left-hand batsman said that it would be tough to see the champion batsman go.

"He is a very down-to-earth person. He never showed he is the great Sachin Tendulkar.

He was always trying to reach out to youngsters although we were a bit reluctant to go out to him. Personally he has always guided me on and off the field about things in my life, specially the World Cup journey. So it has been very special playing with him. I can't really express it in words. It is tough for me to see him go."

He said it would be next to impossible for anybody to fill in the shoes of the 40-year-old retiring batsman.

"The way he hits the ball, the way he is always still. The best batsman I have seen in my career, technique-wise. How he has been smart all these years to know what bowlers are going to bowl to him.

He always been one or two steps ahead, and that is why he been consistent for so many years. To have such consistency over so many years is really tough for any batsman. He is just something amazing. He has been a God's gift to India. It is going to be difficult for anybody to replace him as the next Tendulkar," he said.

Yuvraj rated his comeback knock as special and said, "Definitely it is special. I have come back after a few months. I have worked quite hard in the off season and I have worked on the mental aspect of my game," he said.

"Just happy the way I hit the ball. I have been playing well in the domestic season. I had a tough off season, shed a few kilos, so I am happy the way I am hitting the ball," he added.

On the unbeaten 102-run stand he had with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Yuvraj said, "We have had a lot of partnerships in the past. And we have always discussed which bowlers to go after. If I get out then, one person is attacking and one person is trying to rotate the strike. We have a very good understanding between us for last couple of years. So talking to him always helps."

He said he hoped to continue his form in the seven-match ODI series starting October 13 in Pune.

"I hope to continue the good form. Play according to the situation and try to make India win again. Australia is ranked number two in ODIs. They have a very good side.

It is going to be a good series so I hope to contribute with my batting, bowling and fielding. It is going to be a tough series and hopefully we can play good tough cricket, sensible cricket and win the series," he said.

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Agencies
January 16,2020

New Delhi, Jan 16: Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Thursday dropped from the BCCI's list of centrally contracted players, raising fresh doubts on the future of the former India captain who has not played since the World Cup semifinal loss to New Zealand last year.

The BCCI announced the central contracts for the period of October 2019 to September 2020. Dhoni was in the A category, which fetches a player Rs 5 crore, until last year.

Skipper Virat Kohli, his deputy Rohit Sharma and top pacer Jasprit Bumrah were retained in the highest A+ bracket of Rs 7 crore.

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News Network
April 12,2020

New Delhi, Apr 12: As devotees across the world celebrate Easter today, former Sri Lanka skipper and current Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) president Kumar Sangakkara on Sunday condoled the demise of people who lost their lives during last year's Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka and said someone must seek answers to the questions which still remain unresolved.

"A year on we all share the pain of the families grieving lives lost, we stand with you and for you. We remember. So many questions still unanswered, but answer them someone must," Sangakkara tweeted.

On April 21, 2019, multiple blasts ripped through Sri Lanka when the Christian community was celebrating Easter Sunday.
The explosions rattled churches and high-end hotels across the country, killing 258 people and injuring over 500.

A local terror group called National Thowheeth Jama'ath had claimed responsibility for the devastating attacks.

The island nation was put under a state of emergency for a period of four months from April to August.

The Sri Lankan police had then said that 293 suspects were arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday bombings in the island country in April.

This year, most of the devotees would be offering the prayers from their homes as mass gatherings have been suspended in most countries due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Easter marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ following his crucifixion on Good Friday. It also marks the culmination of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and penance.

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News Network
June 11,2020

New Delhi, Jun 11: BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has indicated that this year's IPL could be conducted in empty stadiums, insisting that all possible options are being explored to ensure that the suspended event does take place despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a letter to all the affiliated units sent late on Wednesday after the ICC Board meeting, Ganguly seemed confident of an IPL this year despite its current status of being indefinitely suspended because of the raging pandemic, which has claimed more than 8,000 lives in India.

"The BCCI is working on all possible options to ensure that we are able to stage IPL this year, even if it means playing the tournament in empty stadiums," Ganguly wrote.

"The fans, franchises, players, broadcasters, sponsors and all other stakeholders are keenly looking forward to the possibility of IPL being hosted this year.

"Recently, a lot of players both from India and other countries, participating in the IPL have shown keenness on being part of this year's IPL. We are optimistic and the BCCI will shortly decide on the future course of action on this," the former India captain said.

It is widely speculated that the IPL is eyeing the October event if the T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in Australia at that time is postponed. The ICC has deferred a decision on the World Cup's fate until next month.

Ganguly also said that the BCCI is working on the domestic schedule while exploring various formats which would make tournaments like Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Vijay Hazare "competitive and feasible".

"Moving ahead, the BCCI is in process of planning the domestic competitions for the next cricketing season. We are working on various options and formats in our endeavour to ensure that various domestic tournaments are held, they stay competitive and participation feasible," said the former India captain.

"The BCCI will come up with more details in next couple of weeks," he added.

He also informed that BCCI is preparing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for resumption of cricket in all state units to ensure medical safety of those involved.

The president also informed that the BCCI has made "all efforts to release funds/grants to its various members."

"Associations which have made proper submission of their accounts and funds utilization certificates have already received their grants," he said.

The other units will also receive their grants once they submit relevant documents, the president assured while informing that vendors have also been paid.

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