Dravid, Sachin most successful Test pair

London: The Indian pair of middle-order Rahul Dravid and batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar on Saturday become the most successful run-getters in Test cricket.The duo surpassed the previous record of West Indies legendary pair of Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes who have together shared 6482 runs in partnerships during their Test career. [...]

4th Test: India reeling at 103/5 at end of Day 3

London: Ian Bell brought up his maiden double hundred in Tests and Graeme Swann took 3/27 as England took a firm grip on day three of the fourth and final match against India at the Oval on Saturday.At stumps India were 103/5, and still trail England by 488 runs after the hosts declared their innings at 591/6.Graeme Swann bowled beautifully to pile more misery on Team India. [...]

'When things are going bad, skipper needs to be proactive'

Widely regarded as one of the best captains in the history of cricket, Mike Brearley was a master in man-mangement, quite literally. For he was famously described by his opponents as having a “degree in people”. In a conversation, the 69-year old talks about MS Dhoni’s captaincy, the Indian team and his disappointment at witnessing this terribly lopsided series. [...]

Exclusive interview with Indian chairman of selectors cricket,Kris Srikkanth

He says "Let us accept that England played better cricket while nothing really clicked for us. These things happen. England utilised the conditions better than we did. We are not the No. 1 in Test cricket any more, but I am sure we will regain the spot in 12-18 months." [...]

Bit sad that India lost No 1 rankings: Kirsten

Former India coach Gary Kirsten is a bit surprised and sad after watching India's abject capitulation in England that led to the team surrendering the No 1 rank in Tests to Andrew Strauss's men."I am bit surprised with the results, but not in a negative way," the current South Africa coach said on the sidelines of a promotional event in Johannesburg. [...]

Wrong message sent out by RP Singh’s selection

The Indian cricket team has been dethroned from their No.1 position in the ongoing Test series in England by the hosts, the body language and attitude of most of the players has come under intense scrutiny as have the decisions taken by the team think-tank and the role of the support staff. So it wasn’t much of a ‘surprise’ when the recalled from oblivion Rudra Pratap Singh was preferred ahead of Munaf Patel to replace the injured Praveen Kumar [...]

IPL's impact on Indian cricket

"Now that India has lost so miserably in England, kids would listen to me when I tell them to get their forward defense right" said a visibly frustrated veteran cricket coach. When someone of his standing, having groomed nearly a dozen International and scores of first-class cricketers, says something like this, you ought to pay heed. [...]

I was Initially Nervous: Rudra Pratap

London:India's medium pacer Rudra Pratap Singh, who made a comeback to Test cricket after three years, has said he was nervous bowling on the first day of the fourth and final cricket Test against England at The Oval here Thursday."I was initially nervous, that's why the first over I bowled here and there but gradually I got my line and length," said Rudra Pratap. [...]

England series not one of the toughest, says Sreesanth

London: India are staring at a whitewash in the four-match Test series against England but pacer Shantakumaran Sreesanth believes that the series was not one of the toughest he has faced."I don't think it's one of the toughest series (I've been involved in). The one against South Africa at home in 2008 was tougher," said Sreesanth, after England piled up a mammoth 457 for three on the second day of the fourth Test at The Oval. [...]

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's got to make the blazer fit again

"Stand-in captain, stand-in blazer," he said with a smile when asked if he'd had one cut to fit his own shoulders yet. This was in 2008: India were still chasing Australia for the number one spot in the ICC's Test rankings and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, in Anil Kumble's absence, was leading the side for only the second time in the longer format. And while he had walked out for the toss wearing a clearly oversized jacket, it was abundantly clear that captaincy fit him just right. [...]