ICC awards of 2008

West Indies' Shivnarine Chanderpaul has become the fifth player to be named as the 2008 ICC Cricketer of the Year at the ICC Awards ceremony in Dubai. Chanderpaul, who also made the shortlist last year, fought off competition from other nominees Mahela Jayawardena from Sri Lanka, as well as South Africa's Graeme Smith and Dale Steyn to take the top award.

India's one-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the ODI Player of the Year award.

India's flamboyant batsman Yuvraj Singh became the inaugural winner of the Twenty20 International Performance of the Year Award in recognition of his amazing six sixes in one over during the ICC World Twenty20 2007 in South Africa.

Six countries were represented in the 12-man ICC Test Team of the Year and three players - Kevin Pietersen of England and the Sri Lanka pair of Kumar Sangakkara and Muttiah Muralitharan - also appeared in the World Test Team of the Year in 2007. Indeed, Sangakkara and Muralitharan also appeared in the 2006 side as well. Smith was named as captain of the team.

ICC Test Team of the Year Graeme Smith (SA, capt), Virender Sehwag (Ind), Mahela Jayawardena (SL), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI), Kevin Pietersen (Eng), Jacques Kallis (SA), Kumar Sangakkara (SL, wk), Brett Lee (Aus), Ryan Sidebottom (Eng), Dale Steyn (SA), Muttiah Muralidaran (SL). 12th man: Stuart Clark (Aus).

India makes Srilankan tails down

On the pitch where you cant see any margin of era for the fast bowlers; the man Ishant Sharma helped India to seal victory over the lankans by bagging the top order batsmans.

It was all set at Galle, the flat pitch, which would allow the ball to spin a lot on day 4 and day 5 pointing srilankans victory.Anil Kumble was looking to level the series and gain the confidence back to his side. India won the toss and elected to bat which was a fabulous decision by him. Sehwag and Gambir had a great start and took india to a safer and secured place in the match. Suddenly everything slipped out from their hands when murali and mendis started to pluck indian wickets. Even though it was a great start by india, they were not able put up a great score on the board; and so were restricted to 329. SriLanka was not a bad side and they started to counter attack on indian bowlers. Until Harbhajan stops lankans to a total of 292 with a 6 wicket haul.

India were leading by 37 runs, but it was not as we thought, india were restricted to a total of 269. With a target of 307 and 2 days to go; it was a 50-50 chance for both the team. Until when our hero ' sharma' swung the new ball and made early break through. The top order were crashed by I.Sharma and Zaheer. 10-3 made indians to get back their confidence; it also mad harbhjan easy to crumble the other batsmans. Harbhajan with 4 wickets and I.Sharma with 3, brought 170 runs victory to the Indian side.

We can say; all happened because of the pace mixing with spin. As it was I.Sharma and Harbhajan who clinched victory to india; but do not forget Sehwag who was the successful batsman to crack down the lankan bowling attack. He was unbeaten on 201 in his first innings; and also made an aggressive 50 which opened the 'door of victory'. By scoring 201, he has taken his 5th 200+ in his test match career. The unbeaten 201 in the first innings was more than half of the team score(329). Thus he was rewarded for his excellent, mind blowing performance by naming him "man of the match".

Now its again going to be tough, the 3 match series have been leveled to 1-1; the third and final match to be played would be more crucial and also exciting.

Its happening again- India reaches final

'Asia Cup' has reached its climax. And India is looking to bag Asia cup. All the past details gathered, leads you to a single statement "India will win". Srilankans have never won an asia cup outside the continent. And we are sure Dhoni wont miss this opportunity and make complete use of it to bag the asia cup.
Indian opening pairs are really a worth to the team. Sehwag and Gambir are being opening for india in a quite decent manner, they have a great partnership and great understanding between them; and also they both maintain the pace; aggressive openers. Raina's momentum and consistency; also play a match winning role. He has been consistent and at present he is leading run maker of this tournament. Yuvi staying till the end and clearing the ropes at the right time add more colour to the indian team. Dhoni; the man who is always cool, his patience, captaincy will no doubt make this team to win the final. But, the bowling department is not as strong; and do not compete with the batting. P.kumar and I.sharma can take wickets. But, none of the other bowlers support them; and also make ease on their side. But what ever the target is been put up on the board, the batting line up has the capability to chase it.
Also Srilanka is not at all a bad side, the front line player Jayasurya can take their team to somewhere where indians can dream to. His aggressiveness makes the bowler to lose their hope. Sangakara is also one of the leading run maker of this tournament. Captain Jayawardene can make some bold decision, which could change the face of the match. Their main advantage is that, none of the indian players have faced Ajantha Mendis; that inexperience could make him to take over indian batsman. Do not forget the spinner Muralidharan who has been a threat for indian plenty of times.
What ever be the trick playing inside Jayawardene's mind it is not going to put back Dhoni from lifting the cup and getting the title. It is going to be one sided match.
We all would cheer "COME ON INDIA, COME ON". And definitely see Dhoni lifting the cup.

Cant they win finals???

We were very sad, its really frustrating us. After winning all the league match in the 'Kitply cup' triseries; india fails to win the final. It was a one sided match as we all knew the new Indian team was selected after 'IPL'. The team was 3 times stronger than the earlier one; we expected India to win, we were dreaming Dhoni to lift the Kitply cup. But as usually dhoni's men fails.

Lots of supporting fans were present in favour of Pakistan at Mirpur stadium. Pak won the toss and choose to bat first. Pakistan's start was not up to the mark, but they dint loose their confident. Slow and a steady partnership between Salman Butt and Younis Khan made pakistan spectators to boost up and cheer them. Fascinating century from both of them ; boarded 315 on the score board.

Our expectation dint step back us from thinking of loosing this match. The big target dint upset us; as india was having a great batting line up towards the end. But none of them were able to stand steady inside the crease for a long time. All the indian batsman were trying to keep their momentum going which ended up in a rainfall of wickets. At last Dhoni was only our hope; but, he couldn't make it. And once again dhoni lost his trophy which was deserved, and made for them. But pakistans hard work and planning were marvellous so that they clinched victory and lifted the trophy.

3hundred 3rd man -- 'viru'

Indians were for this test series to start, after winning confident in them; while returning from Oz . Kumble's men were ready to face the fearless South Africans. It was all set at chennai. S.African placed a great score of 540 in 2 days, it was difficult and challenging for indians.

Sunlight started to diminish on day 2, when the man Sehwag (viru) came and opened hos account. At the end of day 2 he was unbeaten on 50. Day 3 was a day meant for viru only for him; he was on the pitch; holding his breath and his bat. He was not only fighting with the S.African bowlers, but also the hot sun; it was too hot and humid. But, he never stoped he was looking brilliant, his storks were referred from the book, and some of his play made an entry into the book of cricket. End of day 3 was nearing , without any baffling he crossed the 300 mark ; and was the third player to cross this 300 line twice in world history of cricket.He was really pumped up by his non stop able innings. We all were eagerly waiting for the 4th day to arrive, and seethe exciting moment of sehwag breaking Brian Lara's record of 400 mark. But he fails; he broke our expectations in the 1st session itself, when he gave his wicket to Nitini. Although he disappointed us, those stunning knows made our mind relaxed and more over we gave him a unique place in our mind.

Even though we had a hope of winning this match, it was drawn by the excellent batting performance showcased by McKenzie.

Oz kicks indian dash in T20

'Bursting audience' were gathered everywhere around the MCG stadium as it was a match between the world champions(australia) and world T20 camps(India). Ricky ponting was not present and his responsible cap was held to M.clarke. Dhoni was confident of winning it with an ease; as they were winning every match of this format they played.

India selected to bat kept loosing their wickets. Only Irfan pathan was able to defend Oz attack. Fortunately it was the second lowest score played in this format boarded by Indians. Oz wrapped indian team and allowed just 74 on board. After loosing to india each time they played in this format, Oz clinched victory in a terrific manner. No doubt it was the day meant for Ozs; performance on the field was outstanding, captain himself played the roll model for others.When Adam Gilchrist and the captain raised the bat and came on to bat, we could smell the victory, as well as the Oz. After losing a wicket Ozs puts an end to the indian 's victory tour in this format.