India falters at Old Trafford, Incredible win for England

Dravid and his men again proved that they have lost the jeal to win a match. At Old Trafford, they gave up when they were almost to certain to win the match. A record 99 runs partnership between Ravi Bopara and Stuart Broad for the 8th wicket helped England to pull off a near impossible victory and take a 3-1 lead in the seven match series.

Indian skipper Rahul Dravid won the toss and decided to bat first. Although started on a disastrous note by losing Ganguly, Karthik and Dravid with less than 40 runs on the board, Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh played great innings to save the day for India. Sachin scored 55, while Yuvraj scored 71. Zaheer and Chwla batted well in the slog over to see India going past 200. India were bowled out for 212 in 49.4 overs. Broad took 4/51.

England started the innings on an aggressive note and scored runs fluently. However, it lost wickets on regular intervals and no good partnership was built. Despite Collingwood's 47, England were reduced to 114/7 at one stage and the match was in India's hand. However, Ravi Bopara and Stuart Broad changed all the permutations and combinations. They took advantage of India's wayward bowling and lacklustre fielding and batted with patient and skill. Their unbeaten 99-run partnership finally sealed a win for England. Bopara made 43*, while Broad made a career best 45*. Stuart Broad was adjudged man of the match for his all-round effort.

Meek Surrender by India, Humiliating Defeat again

Rahul Dravid cannot be forgiven for what he did after winning the toss thrice in a row. Even after winning the second match after batting first, he again went on defensive and chose to field first. The result: England made merry of the lacklustre Indian bowling attack and made 281/8 in 50 0vers. Bell scored 79, while Collingwood made 44.

In reply, India started on wrong note by losing Sachin and Karthik, but Dravid and Ganguly tried to build the innings with a 104-run partnership for the third wicket. However, India was on back foot again once both the batsmen fell on quick succession. Ganguy made 72, while Dravid scored 56. Yuvraj showed some resistance, but was run out in a mix up for 45. Finally, India was bowled out for 239. India lost the match by 42 runs.

India's bowling, fielding and batting were pathetic in this match at Edgbaston. The only good news for India came when Saurav Ganguly completed 11,000 runs in one-day cricket. Ian Bell was adjudged "Man of the Series". England now leads the seven-match series 2-1.

Delhi HC gives Interim Order on ICL's Plea

The Delhi High court asked all PSUs such as Air India and IndianOil not to fire employees who switched sides to join Indian Cricket League (ICL). The interim order came in the wake of reports that IOC and Air India have threatened employees to terminate their services if they join ICL by dumping BCCI.

The Court also issued notices to Central Government and BCCI to clear their stand on this matter within three weeks. Next hearing will take place on October 5. Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, who passed the order, said players should not have to suffer in the fight between two organisations. "Why should players have swords hanging over their head?"

India pulls off a Cliffhanger against England

When India piled up a mammoth total of 329/7 against England in the second one-dayer, it was expected that it would win the match by a huge margin. But that did not happen. England batsmen put up a brave fight, but fell short by 9 runs in the end. Chasing a victory target of 330, England finished at 320/8 in 50 overs.

Rahul Dravid was adjudged Man of the Match for his unbeaten 92. For England, Bell scored 62, while the tailender Mascarenhas made a scintillating knock of 52 off 39 balls that included 5 hits above the rope.

India piled up Mammoth Score, Sachin given out on 99

India bounced back with a vengeance to pile up a huge total of 329/7 in 50 overs against England in the 2nd one-dayer at Bristol. Sachin Tendulkar again became the victim of a dubious decision by the umpire. The umpire gave him out on 99 when the TV replays clearly showed that the ball touched his arm-guard, not gloves. This is the third instance in the past couple of months when he got out in 90's. In June 2007, Sachin scored 99 and 93 against South Africa.

Rahul Dravid scored runs with incredible aggression and remained unbeaten on 92. Yuvraj scored 49, Ganguly 39 and Dhoni made 21. For England, Flintoff took 5 wickets. With such a huge total on board, India is all set to win this match and level the seven-match series at 1-1.

ICL files case against BCCI in Delhi HC

The tussle between BCCI and ICL took an interesting turn with the Indian Cricket Leage (ICL) filing a case against the BCCI in Delhi High Court. The ICL alleged that BCCI is threatening the players in the country against joining ICL, which is completely illegal and unwarranted. The ICL also argues that BCCI has no right to deny pensions to former cricketers who joined the ICL.

Another fight is over the use of Indian Flag. BCCI maintained that only it is the lone recognized cricket body in India to use the Indian Flag. ICL challenges it in the HC, stating that BCCI cannot make such an claim since it is an autonomous body.

Laxmi Ratan Shukla says No to ICL

Days after joining the ICL, Bengal cricketer Laxmi Ratan Shukla withdrew from the league and decided to continue playing for Bengal. His decision was a result of intense pressure from family and friends not to join ICL, which might have affected his career prospects. Speculations are high that some other cricketers like Reetinder Singh Sodhi may also withdraw from the ICL. Delhi opening batsman Aakash Chopra has already declined ICL's offer.

BCCI ropes in Gavaskar to fight ICL

--By BNO Correspondent

It's Sunil Gavaskar Vs Kapil Dev. The BCCI has reportedly roped in former skipper Sunil Gavaskar to fight Kapil Dev-headed India Cricket League (ICL). BCCI is planning to convert its Twenty20 domestic tournament into a Cricket League. It will be known as Professional Cricket League. Sunil Gavaskar will be head of the newly proposed Cricket League.

BCCI's cricket league will feature international players. Each state will float a team mixed with international players. Each team will have a sponsor for a contract period of five years. The whole package will be offered to bidding broadcasters. According to BCCI sources, Vice President Lalit Modi will meet the IMG officials in Singapore to discuss the format.

BCCI sacks Prasanna

--By BNO Correspondent

Legendary spinner EAS Prasanna has been sacked as Spin Coach at Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The decision came in the wake of his support to India Cricket League (ICL) and its players. It can be recalled that the BCCI had sent a circular to all state cricket associations to debar players, officials, umpires and scorers who join the ICL.

BCCI sacks Kapil, hikes Money in Domestic Cricket

The BCCI finally dared to sack legendary cricketer Kapil Dev as the Chairman of National Cricket Academy (NCA). The decision came a day after Kapil Dev held a press conference on the capacity of the Chairman of Indian Cricket League (ICL). According to BCCI, the 48-year-old had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect and replaced by vice-chairman Ajay Shirke until the next meeting of the NCA.

Rattled by the ICL's massive recruitment drive and to prevent the exodus of its players, the BCCI announced hefty pay hikes for domestic cricketers. The BCCI came out with a series of financial measures to retain its players. Now the domestic players will receive Rs. 35,000 per day instead of the existing fee of Rs. 16,000 per day. The total prize money for domestic tournament would be hiked to Rs 4.2 crore. The BCCI made it clear that all players associated with ICL will be debarred from representing any state cricket associations or Team India.

England strikes back, Humiliating Loss for India

After the loss in the Test Series against India, England players bounced back with more aggression and agility in the field to inflict a humiliating 104-run defeat on India. England went into the match with three new debutants, but proved too much for Indian Paper Lions. Dravid continued with his defensive tactics and put England into bat despite winning a good toss. England took advantage of the conditions and piled up a challenging total of 288 for the loss of two wickets.

Indian bowlers never looked in form. Barring RP Singh, none of the bowlers were impressive. For England, Alastair Cook and Ian Bel scored their maiden centuries.

India began chasing the target of 289 on a disastrous note by losing Ganguly early. Ganguly was run out trying to take impossible single. Soon, other top order batsmen fell like a pack of cards and at one stage India was 34/4. Dravid, Dhoni and Karthik tried hard, but could not save the team from an embarrassing defeat. Dravid scored 46, while Karthik remained unbeaten on 44. Ian Bel was adjudged Man of the Match.

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