Sehwag concedes India were ‘lucky’ in Napier Test

(EXCLUSIVE)

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali

New Delhi: Virender Sehwag, whose temperament has a lot improved over the last one year, has admitted that he could not believe that he made two mistakes in the same Test match against New Zeland in Napier recently. He also conceded that India was “lucky” to draw the second match after being forced to follow on, thanks to fighting centuries from Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman.

“I was not overconfident and I never thought that I would get out when I tried those shots (cross-batted slog-sweep). I was not attempting to hit a boundary or a six against the spinner,” Sehwag told Mumbai Mirror in an exclusive chat on his return from New Zealand.

“I did not realise that I made two mistakes in a match. I was disappointed, but it was learning process and I have learned from that. I was happy from the team’s point of view that it saved the match. Going by the way, Gambhir, Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh were batting, I was confident that India would not lose the match,” said India’s vice-captain.

Sehwag, who also captained the team in that match after Mahendra Dhoni withdrew with an injury, made 25-ball 34 and 21-ball 22 in the two innings at McLean Park, Napier, as India maintained its 1-0 lead going into the third and final Test.

India eventually won the series 1-0 – the first Test series win in that country in 41 years. Sehwag made only 140 runs in the series, but was a roaring success in the one-day international series that preceded the Tests. The 30-year-old right-hander amassed 299 — the highest on either side — in five ODIs with one century and two half-centuries. He finished with a handsome average of 74.75.

Sehwag, who is among the five Indians named in Wisden Almanack’s world Test XI for 2008 on Wednesday, said that coach Gary Kirsten also boosted the morale of the team when chips were down in Napier. “When we were made to follow on, he did not get panicky. He told us to enjoy the game and that the process would continue. He said as long all of us gave our 100 per cent effort to the cause we should not to worry about the result. That gave us confidence,” he said.

Sehwag, in tremendous form for the last one year, has now made 13 50-plus scores (including three centuries) in his last 22 ODIs. However, his ODI career average (34.33) is, ironically, less than his career Test average (50.06). He said that he was “disappointed” that he failed to convert the starts into big scores in the Test series.

Sehwag, who was also the biggest Indian success on India’s previous forgettable tour of New Zealand in 2002, said that the team settled down after it started the tour by losing the two Twenty20 Internationals. “After the defeats we realised that the first four batsmen, including the openers, will have to play really well. Everyone felt that we were not batting like we did in Sri Lanka last year. The idea was to convert the 20s and 30s into 50s or 60s or even bigger scores,” he said.

After spending a relaxed day at his Hauz Khas home – listening to his one-and-a-half-year-old son Aryavir say “daddy” repeatedly – Sehwag, who is captain of IPL Delhi Daredevils side, will get into promotional activities with the team sponsors before flying out to South Africa with his teammates in a few days. The IPL starts on April 18.
(This piece first appeared in Mumbai Mirror, Mumbai)

Tendulkar looking ahead to IPL, multiple suggestions

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali

Noida (Uttar Pradesh): Criss-crossing cities for promotional activities does not seem to have dimmed Sachin Tendulkar’s enthusiasm ahead of the more energy-sapping Indian Premier League (IPL) starting in South Africa later this week.

The maestro will have some more criss-crossing to do in the Rainbow Nation over the next five weeks.Mumbai Indians’ captain Tendulkar, looking rather haggard with an unusually long stubble, said he was looking forward to the slam-bang 20-over-per-innings variety.

“Mumbai Indians is a well balanced side with Sanath Jayasuriya, JP Duminy, Lasith Malinga, Shaun Pollock in mentor’s role, Jonty Rhodes, Shikhar Dhawan and so many others make it a nice mix of seniors and juniors,” Tendulkar said at an event in which he was announced as as a brand ambassador.

“It (the combination) will be beneficial for the team. I am looking forward to the tournament,” he said, watched by about 3,000 people, mostly enthusiastic students of a technological institue and his wife Anjali. Tendulkar’s team plays the tournament opener against Chennai Super Kings, in Cape Town.

IPL ANOMALY

Asked about the IPL concept, Tendulkar pointed out one anomaly. “I would like to point out one missing point: certain IPL teams didn’t have icon players and that gave them an unfair advantage,” he said.Multiple captains?Tendulkar, who was presented a golden bat and the key to a penthouse here, confirmed that multiple captains were out of question for Mumbai Indians. “Not captain, but multiple suggestions would come (to the captain). There are other players who will walk up to him to give suggestions. The captain takes the decisions, but others will offer suggestions,” he said.

The multiple captain issue is currently being hotly debated after Knightriders coach John Buchanan propounded the theory, inviting mostly criticism from experts.Tendulkar declined to comment on the relocation of the IPL, but said that it would not impact its popularity.

“It’s disappointing that the IPL has coincided with general election. I don’t think there would be less interest in South Africa. Although it’s difficult to replicate the atmosphere in South Africa, this season will be no different.”

WHY SACHIN OPTED OUT

Interestingly, Tendulkar plays the IPL but had opted out of the 2007 T20 World Cup. He explained why. “We were in England and immediately after that the team had to go to South Africa for the World Cup. I said my body was not fully fit and I was not in a position to give my best, my 100 percent for India,” he said.

“I thought I should not be part of the team and instead allow someone else to go who can give 100 per cent. Although I would have loved to be there, I don’t want to disturb the combination.”

SACHIN'S 3 GURUS

In the hour-long function, Tendulkar answered a variety of questions. The former India captain said he has three gurus — his late father, elder brother Ajit and veteran coach Ramakant Achrekar.

“My father gave me direction. His most important advice was that everything in life was temporary; (a man’s) nature is permanent. He said if you are a good human being, people will remember you even when you don’t have a bat in your hand.”On Ajit, who encouraged Tendulkar to play cricket and steered his career, the maestro said: “He guided me. Because of him I started playing cricket. Had it not been for him, I would perhaps have been doing masti,” he said turning to an attentive students who packed the huge amphitheatre and applauded now and then.

Tendulkar said it was Achrekar’s persistence that he never missed a practice session.“If these people would not have been there, I would have been a different person,” he averred.
(This piecce first appeared in Mumbai Mirror)

What recession? Tendulkar gifted penthouse and golden bat

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali

Noida (Uttar Pradesh): In these times of global downturn, Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday rushed to this fledgling Uttar Pradesh city on the outskirts of Delhi and returned with the key of an expensive penthouse overlooking one of the finest golf courses in the National Capital Region and a golden bat. Not to mention of the accolades that were poured on him at a function where awestruck students excitedly chanted “Saaaaachin, Saaaachin…” thoughout.

Jaypee Group, one of fastest growing cement producers of India, had organised the function to announce Tendulkar as their brand ambassador. They celebrated their “long-term” tie-up with confetti and continuous chants of “Sasaachin, Saaachin…” by students of Jaypee Institute of Technology University, the venue of the function.

It turned out to be one of the lengthiest press conferences I have attended, with Tendulkar happily answering wide ranging questions in front of about 3,000 people, comprising mostly awestruck students. Jaiprakash Gaur, founder-chairman of Jaypee Group and a Tendulkar fan, asked the 35-year-old bating maestro not to stop until he completes 100 international centuries. Tendulkar, having hit 43 one-day tons and 42 in Tests, is currently 15 short of the ‘target’ set by the diminutive Gaur. The founder-chairman is 79 mention cricket, rather Tendulkar, and turns a 12-year-old cricket buff. This quality was evident in ample measure here.

THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN BAT

To further egg him on, the golden bat that Gaur presented to Tendulkar had ‘M 100’ written in bold and it was explained that it signified “mission 100”. In other words, Gaur wanted the Mumbaikar not to stop before a century of centuries. He said that he was “not retiring” and also asked Tendulkar to carry till the mission was accomplished, something that amused the cricketer’s wife Anjali who was sitting on the stage. “I am not retiring and Sachin should also not retire for 11 years,” said Gaur, drawing yet another round of applause from the packed house.

No one spelt out the duration of the Tendulkar-Jaypee Group arrangement, but Gaur said that the former India captain would be involved in building a stadium/cricket academy, in education and hospitality.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE

Tendulkar, who will soon leave for South Africa for the Indian Premier League (IPL) starting this weekend, later answered a variety of questions. He said the Mumbai Indians, which he captains, will perform well in the 37-day tournament. Sporting unusually long stubble, Tendulkar said his team was a balanced outfit.

“Mumbai Indians is a well balanced side with Sanath Jayasuriya, JP Duminy, Lasith Malinga, Shaun Pollock in mentor’s role, Jonty Rhodes (the fielding coach), Shikhar Dhawan and so many others make it a nice blend of seniors and juniors. It (the combination) will be beneficial for the team. I am looking forward to the tournament,” he said. Mumbai Indians plays the tournament opener against Chennai Super Kings in Cape Town on Saturday.

Tendulkar, however, pointed out a shortcoming in IPL format – “Certain IPL teams didn’t have icon players that gave them an unfair advantage.” He was perhaps referring to Chennai Super Kings, which bought Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the auction, giving it strength while majority of the eight teams had one icon player each who was not up for grabs at the player auction.

MULTIPLE SUGGESTIONS, NOT CAPTAINS

Tendulkar said that Mumbai Indians would not have multiple captains. “Not captain, but multiple suggestions would come (to the captain). There are other players who will walk up to him to give suggestions. The captain takes the decisions, but others will offer suggestions,” he said.

The multiple captain issue is currently being debated after Kolkata Knightriders coach John Buchanan propounded the theory, inviting mostly criticism from experts. The former Australia coach had said he was planning to have four captains, instead of just Sourav Ganguly, who led the side last year.

Tendulkar declined to comment on the relocation of the IPL to South Africa, but said that it would not impact its popularity.

Answering another question, the former India captain said he has three gurus – his late father, elder brother Ajit and veteran coach Ramakant Achrekar. “If these people would not have been there, I would have been a different person,” he averred.

BCCI will not suffer losses due IPL's relocation: BCCI treasurer

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali

New Delhi: Contrary to popular belief, the Indian cricket board may not suffer any loss due to the relocation of the 2009 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to South Africa. Most of the expenses of the eightteam tournament will be borne by the franchise owners as per the existing terms and conditions, while the board will offset its extra expenditure with enhanced revenue from the new media rights deal.

Although its too early to say what would exactly be the final expenditure , I dont think the board will suffer losses due to the shifting of the tournament. The teams expenses will be borne by their owners. Lalit (Modi) is in South Africa to thrash other details out, BCCI treasurer MP Pandove told Mumbai Mirror on Wednesday.

OWNERS AGREE CLARIFYING FURTHER

Pandove said that when the BCCI officials met the franchise owners in Mumbai on Sunday, IPL commissioner Modi gave them two choices after the government declined to provide security as the IPL clashed with general election. When Lalit told them either the IPL can be shifted abroad or we dont have the tournament this year. He also told them the revised terms and conditions of holding the tournament abroad and that they all agreed to bear the costs of renting the grounds, hotels, air fare, travel etc., something that they did in India last year, he disclosed.

Last year, the franchise owners were given two options for using grounds of the BCCI-affiliated associations . They were told that if they simply rented the ground, they would have to pay the hosts Rs.10 lakhs per match and if the hosts took care of other arrangements, like security , technical conduct of the game and the media etc. they would have to pay Rs.50 lakh per match, said Pandove. Almost all franchise owners settled for the second option.

Pandove stressed that the franchisees would be doing the same in South Africa. BCCI would bear the expenses of the other aspects of the tournament pertaining to production , umpires/referee, match officials , ICCs Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, doping, subvention to its affiliated associations in India, advertisements and promotions, look and feel, replay screens, 3D signs, International Management Group, prize money, payment to players, accreditation , insurance, and administrative expenses etc.

BANKING ON TV DEAL

The BCCI treasurer said that the extra expenditure would be off set by the extra income from the media rights deal. This year, the revenue from television would be much more with the fresh deal, he said. The board has sealed a Rs 8200 crore deal for the next nine years with Multi Screen Media and World Sport Group. The BCCI will also save some expenses as the rescheduled IPL has been shortened by a week. The tournament will now start on April 18 and the final will be played on May 24.

Pandoves claim are just the opposite of what some of the IPL team owners had to say on Sunday, minutes after the decision to take the league to a foreign destination was taken. Nita Ambani, co-owner of Mumbai Indians told the media, IPL has assured us that there won't be any losses. Banglore Royal Challengers owner Vijay Mallya had said that Modi had given an assurance to the team owners that their financial interests would be fully protected. It will be interesting how both the BCCI and franchisees will end up not incurring any losses.
(This piece first appeared in Mumbai Mirror)