Blog Posts by Shalini Gupta

Speaking to The Indian Express, Chawla shares his views on his form, career, the IPL and his confidence going into the ICC world Twenty20.

For Piyush Chawla, life has come a full circle. Three years after limping out of the winning World T20 squad in South Africa without playing a game, Chawla hopes to help India regain the trophy in the West Indies.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Chawla shares his views on his form, career, the IPL and his confidence going into the ICC world Twenty20.

You are making a comeback into the Indian team after about two years. How important is this tour for your career?

I have worked really hard during the last one and half years to earn my comeback. Now that the selectors have chosen me for the job, I need to deliver the goods and make a long lasting impression. I want to be part of the Indian team for a longer period and for that the World T20 will be the most important tournament for me. The competition is tough but I need to stand out.

How would you

In a candid chat with the media, the 33-year-old talks about the reasons for announcing his retirement from Test cricket, Kings XI Punjab's chances in IPL-III, Tendulkar and the memorable moments in his Test career spanning 10 years.

Clad in a Kings XI Punjab jersey and shorts, the Australian speedster Brett Lee is the cynosure of all eyes at the Sector 16 Stadium. Cricket fans circle the Aussie legend to get a close view and take his autograph. Lee looks all pumped up for the IPL challenge. Back after an elbow injury, Lee will be an important cog in the Punjab side.

Lee, who was part of the Australian team that won three World Cups and with 310 Test scalps in 76 outings, shocked the world recently when he announced his retirement from Test cricket.

In a candid chat with the media, the 33-year-old talks about the reasons for announcing his retirement from Test cricket, Kings XI Punjab's chances in IPL-III, Sachin Tendulkar and the memorable moments in his Test career spanning 10

Still in the national T20 squad, Yusuf has come to Mohali for the second match against Sri Lanka well aware that it could perhaps be his last chance to prove his worth at the highest level.

Indian all-rounder Yusuf Pathan is at a critical stage of his career after failing to replicate that form consistently at the international level.

A revelation in IPL's first season, he capitalised on his early chances with the Indian ODI and T20 teams, but this year, he was left out of the one-day squad after India's disastrous campaign in the Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Still in the national T20 squad, Yusuf has come to Mohali for the second match against Sri Lanka well aware that it could perhaps be his last chance to prove his worth at the highest level. In an interview with The Indian Express, Yusuf spoke about his strengths and weaknesses. Excerpts:

Big things were expected of you at the international level. Are you disappointed that you haven't been able to rise to the occasion

Speaking to The Sunday Express during the BCCI corporate tournament in Mohali, the 23-year-old UP pacer talks about his form before the season opener, his equation with skipper MS Dhoni and taking responsibility in Zaheer's absence.

RP Singh will be in the spotlight more than ever when he travels to Sri Lanka and later to South Africa for the Champions Trophy.

The reason: his bowling partner, Zaheer Khan, will be missing the action owing to a shoulder injury.

Speaking to The Sunday Express during the BCCI corporate tournament in Mohali, the 23-year-old Uttar Pradesh pacer talks about his form before the season opener, his equation with Indian skipper MS Dhoni and taking responsibility in Zaheer's absence.

Has playing in the Corporate Trophy been helpful?

The tournament has been useful. Match practice adds to the confidence of a player. Moreover, it is nice to turn out for your company.

How well prepared are you for the upcoming Sri Lankan tour and then the Champions Trophy?

"I don't know how to describe my journey. It's been fantastic so far. I enjoyed it. There have been ups and downs and I have been able to overcome those obstacles," said Sachin Tendulkar, after he broke Brian Lara's world record of most Test runs.

Towards the end of his press conference, Sachin Tendulkar was asked how the team was planning to celebrate Anil Kumble's 38th birthday. "There's a cake in the dressing room, and I'm pretty sure he'll get to eat quite a bit of it. Some from his mouth, the rest through his ears and his nose," he said, eyes crinkled, giggle suppressed, looking and sounding much younger than his actual age of 35.

Excerpts from the interaction:

On breaking the record

I don't know how to describe my journey. It's been fantastic so far. I enjoyed it. There have been ups and downs and I have been able to overcome those obstacles. Success is a process and during that journey, sometimes there are stones at you and you convert them into milestones.

On missing out