SACHIN TENDULKAR SET TO KICK HISTORY INTO TOUCH

SACHIN TENDULKAR'S every move has been tracked ahead of today’s World Cup semi-final against Pakistan.

The fact he intends to use a new bat was a lead item on one television channel’s website. The fact he practised in the nets against left-arm short-pitched bowling led another.

He will go out to bat with the hopes of the country resting on his shoulders as he seeks to make his 100th international century in the biggest match of this World Cup so far.

And he will do so with the words of his captain, MS Dhoni, to “ignore the hype” swirling around this match drowned out by a billion voices.

A game that has been billed here as ‘The Supermatch’ – one which has already gone beyond sport into politics, and one in which Tendulkar’s possible walk into history is a fascinating and compelling subplot – is evidently not just another day at the office.

But for all the hoopla swirling around the semi-final, there is logic in Dhoni’s comments. The moment his players believe they are battling for more than a World Cup final place, so he suggested, it will not be subplots lost but the main one.

“We know the kind of hype India-Pakistan matches generate,” said Dhoni. “But we are not getting involved in all this. We need to know what we are expected to do and focus on that.

“All this is part of cricket and of course we have to accept it. But the key is not to get involved. We are playing the semi-final but we must prepare the same way we have for previous games.”

India have travelled nicely enough through this tournament for all that qualification from the group stages was not guaranteed until the last round of matches. Since then they have ended Australia’s proud World Cup record in the quarter-finals in Ahmedabad and gathered some momentum.

That will be tested against Pakistan in a contest being viewed as India’s batting, led by Tendulkar, versus Pakistan’s bowling.

Umar Gul, the man who many see as the key to unpicking the locks, insisted he is targeting the top three Indian batsmen – Virendar Sehwag, Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir. “Those first three are crucial for us,” he said. “I am looking for these three.” The second of those sees things differently, though. Tendulkar will have a maximum of two chances to pass his milestone at this World Cup. And no one would begrudge him if it came on the grand stage in Mumbai on Saturday.

His record of 99 international centuries in all forms of cricket for India stands head and shoulders above anyone else. Ricky Ponting, next in the list, has 69 to his name.

Tendulkar’s practice session yesterday morning was dissected forensically. The new bat (he was knocking it in with a wooden hammer) has been in more papers than the other semi-final. Pakistan had requested a 4ft by 2ft slab of black granite to be brought over to the nets at the PCA Stadium on Tuesday in order to try to replicate batting against a skidding, low ball.

Yesterday, Tendulkar placed the slab short of a length and had a local left-armer hammer in balls to rise at his head and shoulders as he practised rocking back and lifting upper cuts over an imaginary slip cordon.

He then moved forward to play some square on both sides and then forward again to round off his session punching balls through the offside.

The session was to see how he coped against the possible deployment of Wahab Riaz. The slab, should he get his 100 today, will be worth a fortune by the end of the night.

Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has indicated that paceman Shoaib Akhtar remains a fitness doubt.

Akhtar, who has announced he will retire after the World Cup, has been widely tipped to spearhead Pakistan’s attack.

Akhtar, 35, has not featured since the group-stage loss to New Zealand.

The last time India played Pakistan in Mohali, in November 2007, the match produced a cracker.

Tendulkar top scored for India in a total of 321 but was caught behind off Gul for 99. Pakistan chased them down for the loss of six wickets with Younis Khan making 117. They did it with one ball to spare.

India will be happy enough if Tendulkar is upstaged again, but only as long as he has another chance to reach his milestone on Saturday in Mumbai.

India v Pakistan: Sachin Tendulkar is the best batsman ever to play cricke

It may be sacrilegious to say this, especially to Australians, but Sachin Tendulkar is the best batsman who ever took guard.

His versatility, longevity and productivity are so far ahead of his closest rival in the game. Just as Don Bradman’s Test average of 99.94 was more than 50 per cent better than anyone else, so Tendulkar’s tally of 99 international hundreds is similarly out of reach of his nearest competitor, Ricky Ponting, who has 69.

When you factor in Tendulkar’s prowess in all countries and all conditions – averaging around 50 in every major country apart from Pakistan- and the burden of expectation of a billion people, he must be regarded as the best ever.

Bradman was extraordinary, but he only ever played in Australia and England. Bradman watched Tendulkar bat, famously saying that the way he fashioned runs reminded him of himself. There are similarities – the short stature, the stillness at the crease, the compactness, the control, the total insatiability.

It was often said that Bradman seemed inherently to know where the bowler would direct the next delivery, and Tendulkar appears to have the same gift. Often he seems to be in position to play a shot earlier than his peers. Perhaps that is just because his reflexes are sharper.

Tendulkar is blessed with exceptional balance and timing. He never seems hurried at the crease: a 90mph Brett Lee delivery was calmly upper-cut almost for six in the quarter-final in Ahmedabad. He glides smoothly into position, his bat and body perfectly aligned, the bat apparently an extension of his arms. He strokes, or occasionally punches the ball, rarely assaults it. With deft wrist work, he angles or flicks the ball into space. He dissects bowling attacks rather than destroying them.

Quite apart from his talent, the other thing that sets him apart is the way he plans an innings. Every innings. He is meticulous in his assessment of bowlers and conditions. He is not intent on intimidating a bowler, but on calculating his best shot options. You can practically see him computing bowler type, pitch state and field settings, processing the information and unveiling the appropriate shot.

He decided, for instance, in a Test match on a dry Sydney pitch in 2004 that one of his favourite shots, the cover drive, was a risky stroke against the Australian spinners. He made 241 not out, with not one cover drive.

It has been fascinating to watch the way he has manipulated the bowlers in this World Cup. In the England match after playing and missing twice to James Anderson, he left the balls close to off stump, moved fractionally across to the off and glanced the ball fine on the leg side whenever Anderson strayed straighter.

Seeing Graeme Swann warming up during the drinks break, he changed his bat for a chunkier version. Whenever Swann tossed one up outside off, he stepped out and swung the ball away over the short midwicket boundary with the spin. But when the flatter, skiddier Michael Yardy was bowling, he was back on his stumps and using the pace of the ball to deflect for four to fine leg.

Despite scoring a superlative century of his own, Andrew Strauss said it had been a privilege to be on the field during that Tendulkar innings.

His silky hundred against the South Africans was a masterclass of timing, poise and neat placement. Despite the bat speed and intent of Virender Sehwag producing a flurry of boundaries, Tendulkar outscored his partner in much of their 132-run opening partnership.

Assiduous in his practice and preparation, there is an inevitability about a Tendulkar hundred – although he has never made even a fifty at Lord’s and his one appearance in a World Cup final, in Johannesburg in 2003, ended in failure, when he was caught and bowled by Glenn McGrath for just four.

His innings seem preordained, and who would bet against him achieving his century of centuries in the biggest game of cricket on earth, Wednesday's unique semi-final against Pakistan in Mohali.

Century will add to Sachin's greatness: Afridi

Shahid Afridi has denied reports that said he would not allow Sachin Tendulkar to get his 100th international ton in the World Cup semi final against Pakistan in Mohali on Wednesday.

"How can I stop anybody from scoring a century against any team? I am a big fan of Tendulkar," Afridi, who has a Tendulkar shirt framed and hanging in the dressing room in his Karachi home, told MiD DAY on Monday.

A section of the media had quoted Afridi as saying that his team would make sure the Indian maestro didn't get his landmark century during this World Cup.

"He (Tendulkar) will have to wait until after the World Cup to reach the landmark. We will try and make sure no batsman plays a long innings," the Pakistan skipper reportedly said. However, Afridi denied the comments attributed to him.

"I didn't give any such interview. I never said anything like that. As an opposing captain, I want to get Sachin out as soon as possible but it is not in my hands to stop him from scoring a century," he said.

"Tendulkar is a great player. If he scores a century it will add to his greatness," Afridi added.

Prayers, plays, paintings for an Indian win at Mohali

Pujas for divine intervention, street plays depicting a 'Tsunami' to cause destruction and portrayal of the men in blue as Indian mythological icons vanquishing rivals today reflected the country's hope for a win in the epic India-Pakistan World Cup cricket semifinal.

The fervent desire to savour an Indian victory in the blockbuster match was a common thread, as the cricket frenzy on the eve of tomorrow's tense showdown in Mohali reached a crescendo.

Normal life appeared to be on the verge of coming to a halt with millions of people preparing to watch the epic day-night encounter on television sets--one of cricket's most intense rivalries.

Several firms have declared a half-day holiday, while others have set up giant screens in their offices to allow employees to watch the match in the office.

To strengthen their hopes with the power of prayers, cricket enthusiasts in Mysore offered puja and performed rituals at Anjaneya Swamy Temple.

A painter in Jabalpur has painted master blaster Sachin Tendulkar as Lord Krishna and explosive batsman Virender Sehwag as Arjun.

"We have portrayed sachin as Krishna and Sehwag as Arjun. The way those two fought Mahabharat will be how these two will win us the world cup," he said.

InMathura, organisers of a puja ritual said 51Kg of milk, different variety of sandalwood paste, Kumkum and one mound of flowers were used to worship holy river Yamuna for the victory of Indian cricket team.

Such a ritual is common among contestants in this holy town fighting elections.

"We are sure that due to grace of Yamuna Ji India would win," said a senior member of a group calling itself Mathurastha Sarva Karma Panditya.

However, not everyone in India is hoping for a victory over Pakistan.

From Internet networking sites to social gatherings, a section of people in Kashmir valley openly acknowledge their support for the neighbouring country.

At the quarter-final stage, Pakistan's thrashing win over the West Indies was celebrated with fire crackers but India's win against Australia passed without a murmur.

In the Valley, the army has also set up a giant television screen in Taiyan, a village of 2,500.

Not wanting to miss the opportunity to watch the cricket encounter from the comfort of their homes, several people in the Information Technology(IT) industry have applied for leave forcing their bosses to work out staffing patterns in the 24x7 industry.

"Everything is lined up. I have got my set of friends. TV is ready, beer is ready, just got to chillout on a summer afternoon and watch the game. It is epic. It is India, Pakistan. It doesn't get bigger than that," one IT professional in Chennai said.

Thrills and spills in India-Pakistan Cup matches

Excitement and pressure will go hand in hand when Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Indians clash with Shahid Afridi's Pakistanis in Wednesday's high-voltage World Cup semi-final in Mohali.

There has never been a dull moment ever since the two countries played their first World Cup match in 1992 at Sydney.

Pakistan, playing impressive cricket in the ongoing tournament, will also be determined to overcome a jinx after having lost all of their four World Cup matches against their arch-rivals.

All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, man of the match in Pakistan's quarter-final win over the West Indies in Dhaka on Wednesday, has said he is keenly looking forward to playing in Mohali.

"It will be really exciting to play India. The atmosphere will be really electrifying. Playing in front of an Indian crowd will be interesting," Hafeez recently told an Indian newspaper.

"I hope India and Pakistan play more matches in future."

It will be the third one-dayer between India and Pakistan in nearly three years as the cricketing ties between the two snapped following the 2008 attacks on India's financial hub Mumbai.

The World Cup matches between India and Pakistan have provided plenty of thrills.

Top Pakistani batsman Javed Miandad was a photographers' delight in 1992 when he jumped up and down, apparently in imitation of Indian wicket-keeper Kiran More who had been repeatedly appealing.

The 43-run defeat at Sydney did not affect Pakistan's chances as they rallied from the brink to win the World Cup under Imran Khan's inspirational leadership.

But the next defeat in the 1996 World Cup did.

Pakistan's 39-run defeat came in the quarter-final at Bangalore where many believed they had lost half the battle before the first ball had been bowled.

Their captain and quality paceman, Wasim Akram, withdrew from the game due to an injury -- a decision the fans found hard to swallow. He was later widely criticised for pulling out of a big match.

Pakistan lost the remaining half of the battle when well-set opener Aamer Sohail lost his cool and wicket after being involved in a verbal duel with Indian seamer Venkatesh Prasad.

Chasing a 288-run target, Pakistan were 113-1 before Sohail was bowled for 55 to become one of Prasad's three victims. It was all over when veteran Miandad was run out for 38 in what turned to be his last World Cup appearance.

The third World Cup clash came at Old Trafford in England in 1999. It was again Prasad who troubled Pakistan, claiming five wickets to help India win by 47 runs in a Super Sixes fixture.

The 2003 World Cup match at Centurion in South Africa was dubbed as a duel between superstars Sachin Tendulkar of India and Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar.

Tendulkar won the fascinating battle, smashing a robust 98 before becoming the paceman's lone victim of the innings. Akhtar conceded 72 in 10 overs in his team's six-wicket defeat.

Tendulkar is now just one ton short of completing 100 international centuries while Akhtar is retiring after the World Cup.

ICC World Cup: Dravid hails 'mind-boggling' Tendulkar

Record breaker: Tendulkar currently has 99 international centuries

India Test batsman Rahul Dravid has paid a glowing tribute Sachin Tendulkar as the 'Little Master' stands on cusp of what he describes as a "mind-boggling" achievement.

Mercurial batsman Tendulkar, 37, stands on the verge of history heading into the clash semi-final clash against arch rivals Pakistan as India attempt to win their second World Cup title.

The Little Master needs just one century for 100 in international cricket, and Dravid admits it will be a "special" feat, regardless of the opposition.

“I think it would be special if he does it any time,” Dravid toldSport360° in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

“It would be great if he could do it in the semi-final as that would mean India will have a good score but I think it’s a special achievement whenever he does it.

“It’s a phenomenal achievement and it’s almost mind-boggling if somebody can score 100 hundreds in international cricket and it’s just a tribute to the longevity of the man and his ability, skill and just the way he has gone about his career, the focus, the determination and the hunger.”

Asked what makes Tendulkar so special, Dravid replied: “I just think his hunger for the game and his desire and also I think his love for the game.

“I mean he has been playing a long time, he has been travelling a long time and he seems to keep enjoying the game.

“It’s not easy to do that when you’ve been on the road for so many years and he just seems to be loving it and enjoying it and getting joy out of playing the game all the time.”

Will Sachin prove Afridi wrong?

If ever there is one man who does not have to prove anything to anybody in the sporting world, it is Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. His closest ally — a heavy cricket bat — has unerringly come down hard on any pretender who dared try pull the rug from under the emperor’s feet; majestically.

It has happened far too often to be judged incidental. Perhaps, Shahid Afridi, in challenging the maestro to score his historic 100th international century against Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup semifinal at Mohali, suffers from a slight case of dementia.Whether Tendulkar takes his destined place among the greatest of all time, transcending sporting barriers — after all, what is sports if barriers remain, is another matter.

But why should a rival captain stoke a fire which already burns bright in his belly?Ask the Pakistani spin wizard Abdul Qadir. Back in 1989, he dared a 16-year old Sachin to hit him and went for 28 in an over, including four sixes.Ask the Aussie magician Shane Warne. He came to conquer but went back vanquished, nightmares haunting him.Ask the Zimbabwean showman Henry Olonga.

He danced in front of Sachin having surprised him with a bouncer and wasn’t the same bowler again after the next match.Ask the Sri Lankan buccaneer Duleep Mendis. He said Sachin could not play the left-arm swing of Chaminda Vas straight down the ground, and poor Vas suffered, driven left and right off either foot.Ask the Zimbabwean upstart Andy Blignaut. He too once bounced the master, and was pulled into submission in the next outing.Ask the Pakistani loose cannon Shoaib Akhtar. He said Sachin was good, but then hinted he was better and lasted just one over into his opening spell during that famous 2003 innings in Centurion.Ask the Aussie task master Greg Chappell.

He suggested Tendulkar should retire, and how Sachin has grown in stature, Chappell humbled.And, most recently, ask the English spin-man Graeme Swann. He came to test and took back to England three sixes from the champion.They messed with Sachin, and were left struggling to find a hole big enough to hide themselves in. Not for nothing does the little genius keep his thoughts to himself, lest it should lessen the intensity of his art. Obviously, Sachin Tendulkar, has a great memory; he remembers his notes and learns his lessons quickly.Should history repeat itself at the picturesque venue in Mohali, this time it could well be Afridi’s turn to cower.

Sachin hand in Yuvi ‘rebirth’

Sachin Tendulkar, one understands, convinced Yuvraj Singh not to quit when the dashing left-hander had been low on confidence earlier this season. “The selectors had made him feel so unwanted... Plus, there was the fitness issue... Injury, illness... Yuvraj seemed to get everything... He spoke to a few people, most notably Sachin, who advised him not to give in so easily,” a well-placed source told The Telegraph on Sunday. Just as well that Yuvraj didn’t quit, or India probably wouldn’t have made the World Cup semi-final. Yuvraj was dropped from the Asia Cup squad last June and, then, omitted from the Test line-up after the July-August series in Sri Lanka. Now, it’s certain that an excellent run in the World Cup will earn him a Test recall. After all, if some can be rewarded for T20 performances, why not the seasoned Yuvraj for everything he has been doing in the 50-over game?

Tendulkar to use new bat for semi-final

Tendulkar is fully aware that his team and country are just two wins away from a dream he and many others have been dreaming of for the past 28 years.

Mohali: Sachin Tendulkar will be using a new bat for the India-Pakistan semifinal. He walked out of the team bus carrying two fresh bats that glittered in the flashlights as photographers went about clicking the bat that had no marks of the ball.

Tendulkar is fully aware that his team and country are just two wins away from a dream he and many others have been dreaming of for the past 28 years. Being extremely fastidious about the bat he uses, and since it was new, he personally did some knocking with it in preparation for the match.

For nearly 15 minutes, he got his teammates to bowl to him to test out his bat.

When he went for a warm-up football game, he requested his team's support staff to hit the balls.

Will this be the bat that will fetch him his 100th century?

Rs 100cr riding on Sachin’s 100th international century

It’s a Rs 100-crore question. Will Sachin Tendulkar get his 100th international century in the World Cup semi-final clash between India and Pakistan at Mohali on Wednesday? Bookies, who have already accepted bets of Rs60 crore on Tendulkar scoring a century against Pakistan, expect the figure to cross the Rs100-crore mark by Wednesday.

“The craze surrounding Sachin’s 100th international hundred, especially against Pakistan, has given us a good business opportunity,” said a city bookie, requesting anonymity because the betting business is illegal.

He added that despite the odds going against Tendulkar’s ton, most people are placing bets in his favour.

The odds on Tendulkar scoring a century are Rs 4.5 per rupee bet. But bookies are hopeful of Sachin scoring a half-century — the odds are Rs 1.1 per rupee bet. The lower the rate, the higher the chances of that result taking place.

Not just Tendulkar, bookies feel that neither an Indian nor a Pakistani player would be able to score a century on Wednesday. “That’s because both sides are expected to give 100% in fielding and bowling, thereby restricting runs,” the bookie explained.

The bookies also expect Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh to score 50 runs and more.

India are favoured to win the match against Pakistan with the odds of 62 paise for every rupee. Pakistan are far behind with a rate of Rs 1.55.

India are also favourites to lift the World Cup and are quoted at Rs 1.62 per rupee bet. Sri Lanka follow closely with a rate of Rs 1.8.

Bookies also expect a record turnover for the India-Pakistan match. “The match is expected to generate around Rs 6,000 crore,” the bookie said. This would be the highest turnover for a single cricket match. The India-Australia match on March 24 had witnessed a business of Rs 2,000 crore.

Ricky Ponting hopes for a Sachin Tendulkar-sort rebirth

Australian captain Ricky Ponting is hoping for a "Tendulkar-sort rebirth" after his century against India in the World Cup quarterfinal in Ahmedabad last Thursday.

"I guess with even making some runs in this last game that I've played and getting that really good feeling back about my batting again, hopefully it might be a bit of a kick-start for a Tendulkar-sort rebirth, if you like," Ponting told AAP today, on his arrival from India.

Tendulkar has scored 379 World Cup runs, the third highest aggregate of the tournament, at an average of 54. He averaged 81 in his most recent test series against South Africa in a battle between the world's top two ranked nations.

Amidst lot of critcism, the star batsmen who had led Australia to back-to-back World Cup triumphs feels that he still has a lot to contribute.

Ponting said the next couple of days would be crucial for him in determining the way forward for both himself and the team.

"I see myself as a leader around the group, simple as that, whether I'm captain or not I still think I've got a lot to offer as far as leadership qualities go."

Though heartened by the recent support of senior officials, Ponting said he was "absolutely" prepared to drop down the order and not continue as captain, "if that's what they (Cricket Australia,) and I believe is the best way forward."

He admitted the quantity of runs he scored in recent months had been "a lot shorter" than what he wanted.

But Ponting stressed he had no imminent retirement date in mind.

"I'll know the right time that it's time for me to not be playing any more and I haven't found that time just yet," Ponting said.

The skipper feels that the upcoming review of Australian cricket needed to examine the game from the bottom up.

"Starting at grassroot level and junior cricket, right the way through the elite teams and their performances, we have to turn that upside down and inside out," Ponting said.

Questioned about Australia's reliance on the pace trio of Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson at the World Cup, Ponting said pre-tournament injuries to spinners Nathan Hauritz and Xavier Doherty robbed him of alternatives.

"You look at the other teams that are left in the tournament now, they are probably doing it a slightly different way than what we did," Ponting said.

"A lot of them are only playing their two quicks and having a lot of spinning options, but unfortunately for us we never had that luxury."

He expected CA to send the strongest available side to Bangladesh for next month's three-match one-day series and said he definitely wanted to be part of that squad.

Ponting said his injured finger was OK, despite taking another knock on it in the quarter-final. "I'll probably have it looked at again some time in the next few days before we depart for Bangladesh," Ponting said.

When Sachin rolled his arm over after a year and a half

The crowd at the Motera Stadium went berserk on Thursday when India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni called on Sachin Tendulkar to bowl the 30th over.

There was a deafening noise as the Little Master rolled his arm over in international cricket after nearly a year-and-half. Tendulkar had last bowled in November 2009 in Guwahati against the Australians.

His third delivery on Thursday was a beauty, it pitched on leg stump and spun past the face of Michael Clarke's bat just outside off stump. Clarke was flummoxed. Tendulkar gave away five and four runs respectively in the two overs he bowled.

Getting to the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera wasn't an easy task for fans yesterday. The drive from the city to the venue on the outskirts which takes about 20 minutes on a normal day, took almost an hour yesterday due to too much traffic as all roads seemed to be leading to the stadium.

Seeing the traffic, most fans decided to walk the final kilometre-plus stretch around the stadium, but that proved to be too tiring given the hot weather here around this time of the year.

The 35,000-odd vociferous crowd at the Sardar Patel Stadium were left thirsty and fuming on Thursday, given the limited availability of bottled water at the venue. By the time the Australian innings was over, there was no water left and fans were forced to settle for tap water to quench their thirst. Not that this disrupted their spirit one bit though. Every ball of the endearing contest was cheered enthusiastically. Sadly, there would have been quite a few dry throats at the end of it all.

Sachin Tendulkar inspired me to play such a clam knock under pressure:Raina

Having played one of the most mature match- winning innings of his career, Yuvraj Singh feels beating Australia in the quarter- final of the World Cup meant more to him that anything else he had felt before.

Guiding the team to victory, along with Suresh Raina, at a time when the match could have gone either way, Yuvraj said playing straight and on the ground was the main aim. “ The pressure was something else today. I don’t know if I have hit the purple- patch, but this was definitely the best cricket I have played in a while. After Raina came in, I asked him to play straight and down the ground. Beating Australia in the quarter- final is something special,” he said.

Raina on his part said that it was little master Sachin Tendulkar who had inspired him to play such a clam knock under pressure.

“ When I was sitting in the dressing room, Sachin came up to me and gave me a high- five and said that he expected me to play calmly and do well. I just wanted to follow what he had said,” he said.

India’s brilliant show on the field finally brought a smile to Dhoni’s face. “ We are not known for our fielding, but I think we had the best fielders on the ground today. We all gave in more than a 100 per cent,” the skipper said.

Ponting almost chocked as he bid adieu to his dreams of lifting his third successive World Cup trophy for Australia as captain. “ We competed hard, but India was a better side. We have had moments in the tournament and it is disappointing to bow out at this stage,” he said.

World Cup: Sachin Tendulkar bowls the delivery of India-Australia match

Zaheer Khan was India’s standout bowler, but the ball of the game was bowled by Sachin Tendulkar. The Little Master proved that he is a genius with the ball too. If it were to be bowled by an Englishman, the English media would have declared it the ball of the century.

Tendulkar, bowling the 30th over of Australian innings, was asked to swing his arm around. In the absence of a leg-spinner, Tendulkar bowled some leg-breaks and came out with deliveries that would have made a certain Shane Warne proud. He turned the third ball of his first over square, the ball pitching outside the leg stump and missing the off-stump by a distance.

Michael Clarke, facing the delivery, was reduced to a mute spectator. He just saw the ball spin and beat him. He missed the edge but a better batsman would perhaps have got out to the delivery. Clarke, looking awfully off-colour, was not good enough to negotiate the delivery.

Tendulkar, incidentally, was bowling in an international after over 15 months. He went on to bowl another over and conceded just nine runs in his two overs at an average of 4.5. One would have wished Dhoni to give Tendulkar a few more overs and Munaf Patel a few less. But then, Dhoni’s bowling changes and decisions on the field left a lot to be wished.

The skipper is still to master the reading of the ball and his calls for decision review proved to be India’s undoing. He appealed for an lbw in a Munaf over and the ball was miles away from the target. Next, he asked for a review for a caught behind that was not to be.

The letdown of the Indian bowling was Harbhajan Singh. On a turning track, he went wicketless in 10 overs. India would have done well with a couple of wickets from their premier spinner. If he cannot take a wicket on a turning track, where else he would? The other two spinners, R Ashwin and Yuvraj Singh, bowled with a lot control and guile. Both claimed two wickets each. A little more penetration from Harbhajan, India’s task would have been much easier, target would have been smaller.

The star of India’s bowling, of course, was Zaheer, who refreshingly enough, bowled a few toe-crushers he was known for. The spearhead came in short burst and exploited the old ball to perfection. The ball that got the wicket of Mike Hussey was a peach and Zaheer would have ended up with at least one more than two wickets if Dhoni had an opportunity to seek a review of the umpire’s decision.

He would have had Ricky Ponting before the Australia skipper reached his century. The yorker was well directed but the umpire would not uphold the appeal for lbw.

The other pacer in the squad was a spectator on the field. Munaf ended up with figures of none for 44 in seven overs. The Australians had singled him out and if Munaf was needed to complete his 10 overs, Australia’s score would have been much more than 260. Dhoni and India selectors would have to revisit the bowling combination.

Yuvraj's special person is Sachin Tendulkar!

India's most elegant southpaw, Yuvraj Singh, has emerged as the biggest match winner and No.1 all-rounder for India in the ongoing World Cup.

Yuvraj's unbeaten 57 runs knock against Australia in the crucial game helped India to end the supremacy of Kangaroos in the cricket.

Yuvraj has bagged four ‘Man of the Match Awards’ so far in the tournament. After this performance he doesn’t need any introduction.

Just before the beginning of World Cup, the Punjab cricketer was struggling for a place in the World Cup. He was also dropped from the ODI series against Australia. Yuvraj Singh’s temperament against Australia deserves kudos. He scored well fought hundred against West Indies when team was struggling.

There were no doubts that he is the backbone of Team India’s middle order but he shut the mouths of critics, who raised finger on his selection in the World Cup squad.

What inspires Yuvraj to get his form back in the prestigious tournament? In a post match press briefing, an elated Yuvraj said that he is playing this tournament for a special person but he didn’t reveal the name.

Soon after his statement, media started making speculation regarding the special person. Whether the someone special is his father or Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who is most probably playing his last World Cup.

If past some incidents are recalled, the special person is no other than Sachin Tendulkar. The Indian batting maestro has always helped Yuvraj get back in the form when he was off colour.

Tendulkar has reportedly given tips to Yuvraj Singh before the beginning of this mega event. Yuvraj Singh’s father Yograj Singh also feels that the special person may be Tendulkar, who wants to be a part of World Cup winning side.

India is just two wins away from repeating the history after 28 years. No one can stop Men in Blue from lifting the coveted title if Yuvraj continues his golden form with the bat and ball.

Yuvraj has scored 341 runs, including four fifty and one hundred and also scalped 11 wickets in the seven games.

Ricky Ponting dares question Sachin Tendulkar

Ricky Ponting stands his ground after being caught behind against Pakistan. Photo: AFP

AHMEDABAD: Ricky Ponting decided to fight back on Indian television when he was unfavourably compared to much-loved batting icon Sachin Tendulkar.

Ponting edged a ball to Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal while batting in Sunday's World Cup Group A match in Colombo and the appeal was turned down, although Pakistan got their man after requesting a video referral of the incident.

A day later in Chennai, Tendulkar was caught behind in the first over of the Group B game against West Indies and immediately walked, even though Australian umpire Steve Davis shook his head to indicate not out.

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Ravi Rampaul celebrates after Sachin Tendulkar walks. Photo: AP

Tendulkar was praised by Windies captain Darren Sammy as a "a true gentleman" for walking.

When a viewer asked Ponting on a TV show why he didn't walk and Tendulkar did, Ponting went onto the front foot.

"I've never known Sachin to be someone that walks all the time, so I'm not sure why he chose to walk the other day," the Australia captain said.

Tendulkar was praised by Windies captain Darren Sammy as a "a true gentleman" for walking.

When a viewer asked Ponting on a TV show why he didn't walk and Tendulkar did, Ponting went onto the front foot.

"I've never known Sachin to be someone that walks all the time, so I'm not sure why he chose to walk the other day," the Australia captain said.

"If I get a nick behind to the 'keeper, then I stand there until the umpire makes a decision.

"If Sachin had looked up the other day and noticed that the umpire was giving him not out, then I'm not sure he would have walked either."

Ponting's former fierce rival Saurav Ganguly supported Ponting's view that walking can be a bad idea, especially in a big game like Thursday's quarter-final between Australia and India in Ahmedabad.

"Sachin has never done that in the past, let's be honest, and he shouldn't because there have been times when he has been given out and he was not out," the ex-India skipper said.

"At the end of the career, it balances.

"I think it's fair for everyone to wait for the umpire's decision, including Sachin Tendulkar.

"It could be a big game India 100 for three, Tendulkar batting on 55, he's holding the key to India's success.

"I would really not want him to walk unless an umpire has given him out.

"He needs to stick to the umpire's decision. Whether he does that consistently, we'll have to wait and see."

Criticised for his furious glare directed at Steve Smith after the pair clashed as they went for the same catch in a game against Canada, and also for damaging a TV screen in the dressing room after being run out against Zimbabwe, Ponting continues to attract negative headlines.

Scoring 102 runs at 20.40 isn't helping his cause amid speculation his reign as captain could be under threat at board level at Cricket Australia.

"I know that if I make some runs in this quarter-final against India it might keep everyone quiet for a while," Ponting told the "Headlines Today" TV network.