Blog Posts by The Indian Express

In a chat with The Indian Express, Jadeja spoke about his expectations from the World Cup and the disappointment of missing out on the IPL action.

On the eve of the India's departure to the West Indies for the World T20, one player who can call himself fully fit and fresh is Ravindra Jadeja. After the IPL banned the Saurashtra all-rounder for negotiating with two teams, Jadeja witnessed all 45 days of the tournament from his home in Jamnagar. The 21-year-old is, however, yet to play any competitive game since he played against South Africa in February.

In a chat with The Indian Express, Jadeja spoke about his expectations from the World Cup and the disappointment of missing out on the IPL action. Excerpts:

Do you consider yourself lucky to be part of the ICC World Twenty20 team?

It's hard to say, but I'm really happy to be part of the ICC World Twenty20 team. I was hoping that my name appeared (in the squad). I'm really eager to go out there and perform. I was part of the India U-19

Talking to Sportline, Amit Mishra chalks out his future plans, which involves, among other things, a short county stint. Excerpts from the interview.

Amit Mishra missed out on the ICC World Twenty20 touring party for the Indians, despite being the second highest wicket-taker after Pragyan Ojha in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this time around. The Delhi-based legspinner has taken the snub by the selectors on his chin.

Talking to Sportline, he chalks out his future plans, which involves, among other things, a short county stint. Excerpts from the interview.

The Indian Premier League is over. What are you plans for the period before the start of the next season?

The plan is still on. A couple of county teams are interested in signing me, let's see how it progresses. I think Hamphire and may be Somerset - who I'm not very clear - are the teams, who want me to play for them.

How close are you to signing a county contract?

Well, it's difficult to say when. My agent has to get back to me

In a chat with The Indian Express, Vinay Kumar spoke about his form, his struggle on the domestic circuit and making the most of his ascension to the national squad.

A consistent domestic performance over the last three seasons helped R Vinay Kumar earn a spot in India's ICC World Twenty20 squad. And the 26-year-old Karnataka pacer managed to justify the faith of the national selectors in IPL III, ending as the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers with 16 wickets in 14 games for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

In a chat with The Indian Express, Vinay Kumar spoke about his form, his struggle on the domestic circuit and making the most of his ascension to the national squad. Excerpts:

Were you expecting a call-up for the ICC World Twenty20?

After finishing the season on a good note, I saw my name in the T20 probables list. I had a feeling I might get a break now, especially after doing consistently well in the last three seasons. Having started off well in the IPL too, I was hoping for

He's my role model and the only reason I am playing cricket, so it was a very special feeling, it's still hard to put in words. He's the best in the world and there's no comparison.

For someone who has idolised Tendulkar from childhood, how did it feel when Tendulkar got his double hundred?

I was clapping standing in the dressing room, but it felt as if I had scored the double hundred myself, that's how thrilling it was. He's my role model and the only reason I am playing cricket, so it was a very special feeling, it's still hard to put in words. He's the best in the world and there's no comparison. I wish I could have been there with him in the middle at the time. Even when he played that innings in Hyderabad, I wished I could have been there - just the feeling of watching him score a double hundred in one-day cricket is unmatchable.

What was special about this innings, apart from the fact that he got a double ton?

I have never seen a batsman looking so much in control on a given

You don't want the top five players going at the same time. It happened with us in the early 90s, when we lost Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge and Malcolm Marshall, and I don't want this to happen to Indian cricket, says Brian Lara in an interview to The Indian Express.

With Sachin Tendulkar just 77 runs short of taking over from him as the highest scorer in Test cricket, former West Indies captain Brian Lara, in the city en route to Australia, wished his "good friend" luck, and hoped that he would get there in the first Test itself. With all the talk in India revolving around seniors and retirement plans, Lara, who will not be playing in the ICL this season, said it was important that the phasing out was gradual. Excerpts from an interview:

On Sourav Ganguly's retirement

I think any sportsman would like to go out on his terms. Sourav is a great servant of Indian cricket and has proved to be a great leader, especially away from home. I remember the series against Australia (2003)

Sourav Ganguly asserted that he was quitting on his own terms and there is nothing like Voluntary Retirement Scheme in sports and more so to players like him and other stalwarts like Kumble and Dravid.

Sourav Ganguly asserted on Tuesday that he was quitting on his own terms and there is nothing like Voluntary Retirement Scheme in sports and more so to players like him and other stalwarts like Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid.

"I don't think it's ever possible that anybody can offer you a VRS in sports," he said.

"You cannot do that to players like (Anil) Kumble, (Rahul) Dravid, (VVS) Laxman, Sachin (Tendulkar) or anyone," said the 36-year-old left-hander.

"What is important is what you get to know from the Board (BCCI) and as far as I, and some of the senior players, are concerned, we have not received any intimation from the Board on anything," he added.

Ganguly said he did not expect to be in the Indian squad for the Test series against Australia after being ignored for the Irani

Former New Zealand all-rounder Craig McMillan feels Australia no more have the same aura of invincibility and says India will be the firm favourites in the upcoming four-Test series beginning in Bangalore on October 9.

Former New Zealand all-rounder Craig McMillan feels Australia no more have the same aura of invincibility and says India will be the firm favourites in the upcoming four-Test series beginning in Bangalore on October 9.

The captain of Indian Cricket League (ICL) Kolkata Tigers team, McMillan, said Australia were yet to fill up the big void left by Shane Warne and in the absence of a good spin attack it will be a tough series from the tourists point of view.

"The Australians have come with a big weakness. In home conditions, I feel it will be tough for them to bowl out the Indians. With the inexperienced spinners, there is a big question mark over them to take 20 wickets. India are the favourites," the 32-year-old said.

Aussies' weak link in the spin department was

Team India opener Virender Sehwag was not in favour of Ricky Ponting's proposal of having a "catches pact" as he felt there was no point in having such an agreement when the Aussies claim catches against the very spirit of the pact.

Swashbuckling batsman Virender Sehwag was not in favour of Australian skipper Ricky Ponting's proposal of having a "catches pact" as he felt there was no point in having such an agreement when the Aussies claim catches against the very spirit of the pact.

During India's tour of Down Under earlier this year, a similar pact was finalised between Ponting and Kumble but at the end India felt aggrieved as the Aussies claimed catches taken off half volleys.

However, Ponting again proposed for a similar catches pact this time too between the two teams in the series beginning this Thursday.

"We suffered the most in the catches pact during the last series. There is no point in having such an arrangement when the Australians are claiming one bounce catches!"