I Am fit for England tour: Yuvraj

Cricketer Yuvraj Singh in Kolkata on Wednesday said that he is all geared up for the ensuing tour of England with the national squad since he has recovered from the chest infection. Yuvi, who was the Man-of-the-Series in the ICC World Cup tournament, was ruled out for the full tour of the West Indies due to a lung infection he developed soon after the mega event. He also rubbished certain reports as rumours that he refused to play under the leadership of co-player Suresh Raina during the Caribbean tour.

Sachin sells car, keeps number plate

Sachin Tendulkar loves numbers. The man who has over 32,000 runs in international cricket, was happy to sell his red Ferrari Modena 360 to a friend in Surat, but not to give up the attached number plate MH 01 AD 9999. Assistant Regional Transport Officer, A.S. Khairulla has revealed that the ace cricketer has retained his “lucky” number plate.
The little master, as widely reported, is an ardent follower of the teachings of Satya Sai Baba. The Baba believed that 9 is the perfect number as no matter how many times you multiply it, it will add up to nine. Called the Brahman number (the Eternal Absolute), 9 is considered all-powerful. Our source said, “It’s no surprise how nine and its multiples are lucky for Sachin since he follows the Baba’s teachings so closely.”
Speaking exclusively to DC, the RT Officer said, “Sachin Tendulkar made a special request and paid the government-notified fee of Rs 50,000 for the VIP number plate and retained his old car number plate.” “Sachin Tendulkar sent his representative with a letter and a demand draft (Kotak Mahindra Bank) of Rs 50,000 for the transfer of his car,” the officer added. The letter says: “This is to inform you that I have sold my Ferrari car to Jayesh Kumar Batukrai Desai, and am requesting you to retain the same number plate for my new car. I am ready to pay Rs 50,000 as RTO fees.”
Sachin Tendulkar had to buy his new car within 30 days. “His fee for the VIP number plate will be valid for 30 days. His new super car, a red Nissan GT-R has not yet been brought to this office for registration,” the official added further. “The buyer of his Ferrari had to submit a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) for Sachin’s request to retain the old number plate. We gave a new number (MH 02 AV 4722) to the new owner.” Jayesh Desai will get his Ferrari registered with the RTO at Surat and will get a new number.

Gambhir fit for England tour, Sehwag on his way

Indian opener Gautam Gambhir has attained full fitness while his more illustrious teammate Virender Sehwag may just make it in time for selection for the England tour beginning on July 15. The touring party will be announced on July 2 by the BCCI.
"Gambhir is undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore and is fully fit for the upcoming England tour. He is back to his normal training schedule and is working hard on his fitness. He was in Delhi for three days early this month but during that time he was practicing light," said his coach Sanjay Bhardwaj on Friday.

Sri Lanka opener Tharanga banned 3 months

Sri Lanka opening batsman Upul Tharanga was suspended for three months by the International Cricket Council on Friday for using a banned substance during the World Cup.
After the semifinal win against New Zealand on March 29 at Colombo, Tharanga tested positive for metabolites of two glucocorticosteroids — Prednisone and Prednisolone.
He was banned from May 9 to Aug. 8, and will miss Sri Lanka's entire ongoing tour of Britain and Ireland.
He pleaded guilty on Friday before an independent anti-doping tribunal, comprising of chairman Tim Kerr, Anik Sax and Peter Sever.
"The tribunal accepted that Tharanga had ingested the substances when drinking a herbal remedy given to him to ease discomfort caused by a long-standing shoulder injury," the ICC said in a statement.
"It also found that Tharanga had no intention to enhance his sporting performance or to mask the use of another performance-enhancing substance, but that he had failed to satisfy the high levels of personal responsibility implicit upon him as an international cricketer subject to anti-doping rules."
Tharanga apologized to fans and followers "for inadvertently committing an offence."
"I hope my fellow sportsmen will learn from my experience and be more vigilant when taking medical treatment, so that their careers do not suffer in the way that mine has," he said.
The tribunal also disqualified the rankings points he earned from the World Cup. He scored two centuries during the run to the final.
ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said it realizes Tharanga didn't cheat deliberately, "but the ICC maintains its zero-tolerance approach towards doping for the benefit of all its stakeholders."
Tharanga has 21 days to appeal after receiving the written decision.

Indian captain Dhoni’s Rs 645 Tax cheque bounces

 Indian captain MS Dhoni may be one of the richest sportspersons in the country but it seems he does not have even Rs 645 in his bank account.

Dhoni, who is one of the highest tax payers of Jharkhand, found himself in trouble after his cheque of Rs 645 in favour of the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) as holding tax was returned by the bank.

The money was to be paid for Dhoni`s house number 141 at Kunwar Singh Colony under Doranda circle of the RMC on Airport Road. The tax has to be deposited annually to the civic body as holding tax of the property.
"Dhoni had issued a cheque (number 550703) of the State Bank of India, Doranda branch, from his savings account  <愔ţ>            <愔ţ>  01190108959  01190108959          01190108959 amounting to Rs 645 on March 15," RN Jha, the tax collector of Wad 52, told a newspaper when inquired about the incident. The cheque, which was deposited by the RMC on March 16, was duly signed by Dhoni. It was, however, rejected by the SBI, Doranda branch, citing ‘insufficient funds’.

Under Section 35 of the Negotiable Instrument Act, an FIR can be lodged against a depositor if his/her cheque bounces but the state government is not keen on taking legal action against the Indian captain as, they believe, it is nothing more than a human error. The tax officials said that it is for the first time Dhoni’s cheque has bounced.

Styris retires from international cricket

New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris has announced his retirement from international cricket after serving the Black Caps for more than a decade.

Styris had earlier retired from Tests in 2008, but continued playing one-day and Twenty20 internationals for New Zealand. He was also a part of the New Zealand team that reached the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup.

The all-rounder, who will turn 36 next month, is the sixth-highest run-getter in ODIs for Black Caps, scoring 4483 runs from 188 matches.

He scored four ODI centuries and took 137 wickets in his 12-year long playing career, apart from representing his nation in 29 Tests.

The 35-year-old’s retirement comes at a time when New Zealand has just appointed a new captain in Ross Taylor.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed representing my country in the international cricketing environment. It has been an honour and a pleasure to play for the Black Caps alongside so many quality players over the years and to have been a part of many key moments during that time” the all-rounder said.

“Not being on the international circuit means more time at home and I’m really looking forward to spending more time with my family,” the cricketer insisted.

Styris, who represented Chennai Super Kings in the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) just after the World Cup, said he intended to continue playing Twenty20 cricket in domestic competitions.

“I really enjoy the T20 format of the game and see it as a way to stay involved in cricket for another year or two if I can,” the cricketer was quoted as saying by ‘New Zealand Herald’.

Though New Zealand has had a disappointing run in the recent past, Styris has been part of some important triumphs.

The right-hander noted winning the Champions Trophy in 2000, and scoring a hundred on Test debut in a series that turned out to be New Zealand’s first victory in the West Indies, as the highlights of his career.

“Winning the Champions Trophy in Kenya was awesome given it was also the first time New Zealand won an ICC event.

It was also memorable to score a hundred and take wickets on my Test debut, knowing it contributed to a historic series win.”

New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan said he was aware Styris’ departure was imminent for some time, and that the team would miss his consistency.

“Scott has been one of our most consistent performers and a real go-to man in big games,” Vaughan said.

“He was someone who always seemed to play his best under pressure. His competitive attitude and the leadership he demonstrated while in the New Zealand team will be missed.