Chennai Open

Chennai is all set to sizzle with the start chennai open. Big names form the world of tennis ve already landed here. Am already phoning my friends for arranging tickets to watch the match. my bet is on Nadal to win the ATP event. Lets c wats in store join in and have fun guys. I wish the players all the best. come on lets ve some exciting tennis !!!!!

India start australia series on the right note

India were the last team to seriously threaten Australia in Tests at home and it took only one day in Melbourne for Anil Kumble to reignite the spark. Kumble was the architect and builder of the Indian challenge, grabbing 5 for 84 and denying Matthew Hayden a satisfactory party after he scored his sixth century in Boxing Day Tests.

At the close Australia were 9 for 337 with Mitchell Johnson on 10 and Stuart Clark on 21. While Andrew Symonds and Adam Gilchrist remained at the crease Australia were still hoping for a recovery and a hefty first-innings score but Kumble ended both of their stays in the final session before the lower order fell away in unusually quick fashion.

Gilchrist top-edged an attempted slog over long-on and was caught at point for 19, soon after Symonds (35) had pulled hard to midwicket. Kumble continued to leave a trail of destruction when Brett Lee was lbw pushing forward to a straighter delivery for 0 before Brad Hogg edged Zaheer Khan to slip for 17. The strikes meant a highly productive day for India, who proved a much harder unit to rattle than Australia's most recent Test guests, Sri Lanka and England.

It was also an impressive recovery after Australia went to lunch at 0 for 111 having chosen to bat, but India's fortunes turned with Kumble's wrong'un. He removed the in-form Phil Jaques and Michael Hussey during a seven-over period in which Australia lost 3 for 30 soon after the first break and only Hayden's determination saved the hosts from more disappointment.

Hayden clearly had a point to prove. It was a less dominant display than many of his hundreds as he fought to again pull his weight after being the only one of Australia's top seven not to register a half-century in last month's Sri Lanka series. He reached triple figures from 126 balls with a well-timed four driven wide of mid-off from RP Singh and enjoyed the moment with an energetic wind-up to swing his bat and propel his bulky frame in a jump for joy.

A few of his runs came from trademark Hayden bludgeoning and walking at the bowler, although more often he relied on timing and placement, and a superbly-judged on-drive for four off Zaheer was a highlight. But Hayden appeared to tire after reaching triple-figures from 126 balls and nudged his way to 124 from 183 before clipping Zaheer to Rahul Dravid at mid-on.

He had already lost his steady partner Michael Clarke, who was unusually watchful in posting 20 from 60 deliveries as he tried to decide how to handle the challenge. The correct answer was probably not to try a jammed square drive with little foot movement to a wide half-volley from RP Singh, but Clarke attempted the shot and edged to second slip where VVS Laxman clutched a sharp chance.

It was the second breakthrough India's left-arm fast bowlers had manufactured by coming around the wicket, after Zaheer added Ricky Ponting (4) to the post-lunch list of victims. Zaheer delievered from wide of the crease and pitched it on off; Ponting played for the angle but the ball straightened and collected the top of off stump.

Zaheer's success was sandwiched between the initial Kumble double-strike that brought India back into the contest. Kumble almost singlehandedly promised the crowd of nearly 70,000 a more competitive series than last year's Ashes, which was played to packed houses around Australia. Kumble had Michael Hussey lbw for 2, struck on the back pad by a wrong'un, and Jaques also fell to the googly. He failed to pick the spin while trying to push back past the bowler and was stumped after slipping as he tried to regain his ground.

Jaques could hardly have guessed that his dismissal would spark such a comeback from India after he and Hayden posted a solid 135-run opening stand. The pair survived several plays and misses and streaky edges against the left-armers following Ponting's decision to bat, but after those wobbles they appeared to be cruising. They scored at a decent pace as Jaques took 108 balls for his 66 and confidently swept a pair of boundaries against Harbhajan Singh, who was nowhere near as threatening as Kumble.

Hayden and Jaques initially tried to deprive India of a positive Boxing Day experience as Hayden wanted to keep that honour for himself - he has now made a century in every Boxing Day Test since 2001-02 except against Pakistan three seasons ago. By the end of the day it was India who were having a more festive season.

Aus VS india biger than Ashes!!!!

Fast bowler Brett Lee says Australia's upcoming Test tour of India will be an "unofficial world championship" marked by a rivalry which now overshadows that over the Ashes.

"The Ashes (between Australia and England) has tradition and history, but India have been playing well for the past two years. They are perhaps closest to us," Lee told reporters during a private visit to Kolkata.

"In this context, the India series can be rated as the unofficial world championship. We have grown up watching the Ashes on TV sets, but this series is going to be bigger."

Australia is scheduled to play four Test matches in India in October.

Lee, who missed Australia's last tour of India in 2001 due to an injury, said he was keen to give a good performance this time but warned that his side faced a huge task to beat India at home.

"Playing in India is a huge challenge and requires a lot of grit," said the Australian, who has so far grabbed 139 wickets in 37 Tests.

"I have never been able to tour India for a Test series and hope it will be different this October. I plan to play the full series this time and give a good show," said Lee.

It would be possible, he added, to beat India at home despite the hosts having a strong batting line-up.

"It is possible to beat India in India. The Australians set a certain benchmark and Ricky Ponting, like Sourav Ganguly likes to lead from the front," he said.

"It will not be easy because India have six (of the) top batsmen in the world. The pitches will be flat and help spinners, but the victory in Sri Lanka was an enormous boost and everyone is eager to come and play in India."

Ponting led Australia to a 3-0 sweep in Sri Lanka in March in his first Test series as captain. Lee was absent with an injury.

"India are a very talented and exciting side under Ganguly and they have given us really good competition," Lee said.

HI ppl

Hey guys i booked my test date tdy. Yup i am taking up IELTS on 10th jan 08. I wish to pursue my masters in Automobile in th UK. Hoping to do my exams well. if any of u ppl are taking up the same exams pls let me know so that we can share materials.

Scholarship Exam

Hey boys and girls if any of you guys are interested in design be it Mechanical, Architectural, Civil. Cadd center is conducting a scholarship exam this month. The dates of these exams are 15th 16th 22nd and 23rd of this month. The exam is pretty easy so take it up and learn the design software u want at a cheaper price.

New coach

South African Gary Kirsten has been appointed as the new coach of the Indian cricket team. After interviewing many applicants the selection panel have zeroed on Gary for the top job. He ll be joining the team from March 08. But he ll be with the Indian squad during the third and fourth test in Australia. He has said he has to complete personal commitments before he takes up the job.. I wish him all the very best...

Sreesanth Doubtful for aus series

Indian pace bowler sreesanth is doubtful for the Australian test series due to an injury he picked up in the last match he played. Many had been looking forward for him in action against Aussies in their home turf. Guess that action will ot be there and there l not be any war of words between Symonds and Sreesanth as well. I know many of You ll be disappointed hearing this news, but lets hope he ll be fit enough to play the one day series.

India Clinch Series

A win at the right time is always a welcome thats wat that can be said about the victory of India in both the test and One days series against arch rivals pakistan. India managed to win comprehensively in both forms of the game proving to the rivals that they cannot win against them in test and one day matches too... This win will be a morale booster before the much awaited Australia series