Sachin, the greatest batsman ever!

Sachin Tendulkar became the first batsman to score a double century in One-Day Internationals, the first ever double century in the history of ODI cricket lead India to a crushing 153-run victory over South Africa

The master batsman, who holds the record for most runs and centuries in Test (13,447) and one-day (17,398) cricket, was at his vintage best as he blazed his way to 200 from a mere 147 deliveries, inclusive of 25 boundaries and three sixes. In carrying his bat through the innings he propelled India to a mammoth 401 for three in 50 overs.

The 37-year-old batsman underlined his reputation as the greatest player in the history of cricket by breaching the 200-run mark, the first instance since the 50-over format was introduced in 1971.

His previous best was an unbeaten 186 against New Zealand , at Hyderabad, in 1999.

Tendulkar, who registered his 46th ODI century in the process, got to 200 with a single off Charl Langeveldt in the final over of the game, having earlier broken the World record for the highest individual innings, of 194, jointly held by Pakistan's Saeed Anwar and Zimbabwe's Charles Coventry. Anwar rattled up that total against India in May 1997 while Coventry hit 194 not out against Bangladesh last year.

The cricket fraternity on Wednesday hailed Sachin Tendulkar on becoming the first batsman in the history of one-day cricket to smash a double century, describing the feat as an incredible achievement.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar led the tributes, saying Tendulkar has established himself as the greatest batsman ever.

"There is just no question about that. He is the greatest batsman the game has ever seen," declared Gavaskar.

"See his record! Who else has got 90-plus centuries, 17000-plus runs in ODIs and 13000-plus runs in Test cricket? He is comfortably the greatest batsman ever," added Gavaskar.

Former Test player Bapu Nadkarni found it difficult to find words to describe the feats of Tendulkar and said, "Whatever record is seen to be impossible to achieve, he makes it possible. That's all I can say.

"It seems as he's getting older, he is becoming more and more mature. No wonder Sir Donald Bradman saw himself in the way Sachin bats," Nadkarni said.

The greatest accumulator of runs in the history of cricket, Tendulkar possesses nearly all major batting records even though he insisted he never chased milestones.

Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar said records are meant to be broken and he would be glad to see an Indian eclipsing his epic unbeaten 200. "No record is unbreakable. Records are made to be broken and I would like to see an Indian breaking this record," Tendulkar said, dedicating the knock to all his fans.

Harbhajan leads India to innings victory at Eden

India thwarted stubborn resistance from South Africa's Hashim Amla and the tailenders to clinch a series-leveling innings and 57 runs victory in the second Test at Kolkata.

Playing a role of match winner, Harbhajan Singh (five wickets for 59 runs) and Amit Mishra (three for 78) claimed eight wickets as India beat South Africa by an innings and 57 runs on a thrilling final day in the second Test to level the two-match series 1-1 and remain the number one Test team in the world. South Africa was bowled out for 290 despite a fighting 123 not out by Hashim Amla.

The home team was in serious danger of losing the top spot after SA won the Nagpur Test last week and then bad weather on Wednesday allowed only 31 overs of play.

The victory ensured M S Dhoni's men retain the ICC Championships mace, which they won after beating Sri Lanka 2-0 in the home series in December last year.

Dhoni, Laxman tons light up Eden

VVS Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit centuries in a record partnership before India declared their first innings on 643 for six, on Day 3 of the second and final Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday. The total is India's highest against South Africa, beating the 627 they scored at Chennai in 2007-08, and gave them a huge lead of 347 runs. In their second innings, South Africa faced just five deliveries, scoring six for no loss, before play was called off early due to bad light. In their first essay, they were dismissed for 296. Laxman continued his love affair with the Eden Gardens, bringing up his fourth century in his ninth match at the historic venue. He was unbeaten on 143 off 260 deliveries, inclusive of 16 boundaries. Dhoni registered his first Test century in Kolkata, scoring 132 from 187 deliveries, inclusive of 12 boundaries and three sixes. The duo were involved in an unbroken stand of 259 runs, a new record partnership for the seventh wicket. It bettered the 235-run stand between Ravi Shastri and Syed Kirmani against England at the Wankhede in 1984-85.

Sehwag, Tendulkar put India in control

Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar hit their second successive centuries before South Africa staged a late fightback on day two of the second and final Test, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday.
At close, India were 342 for five in 76 overs, a lead of 46 runs, after South Africa were bowled out for 296 in their first innings in the morning.
Sehwag benefitted from two lifelines to score 165 from 174 deliveries, inclusive of 23 boundaries and two sixes, before falling to part-timer J P Duminy. He was involved in a huge partnership of 249 runs off 348 deliveries for the third wicket with Tendulkar, who scored his fourth century on the trot.
Tendulkar continued his good run with the bat, scoring 106 from 206 deliveries, inclusive of 12 boundaries, before he was caught at first slip off Paul Harris.
South Africa staged a late comeback, claiming three wickets for five runs, including those of Tendulkar, Sehwag and S Badrinath, to regain a bit of the initiative the hosts had.
Earlier, resuming on 266 for nine, South Africa's last pair added 30 runs before Zaheer Khan trapped Wayne Parnell leg before wicket for 12 to finish off the tourists' first innings.
Zaheer played a crucial role in India's comeback, claiming four for 90 in 22 overs, while Harbhajan Singh claimed three for 64.
Hashim Amla (114) and Alviro Petersen (100) had scored centuries on Day 1 to set up a solid foundation before the middle order failed to come to the party. South Africa had lost their way completely after the tea break, losing seven wickets for 38 runs in 25 overs in the post-tea session.

IND vs SA- Second Test outlook

Planets alignment during Ind & SA last test match (Feb 14 -18, 2010) at Kolkatta are in a favorable position. Team India may put an impressive performance during the first three days. Retrograde Saturn's may impact the match too negatively on 17 & 18th Feb 2010, so i hope India takes enough advantage during first three days of the match and may be able to level the series :)

India tests first Test defeat after 15 matches..

While India crashed to a humiliating innings and six runs defeat against South Africa in the first Test in Nagpur on Tuesday, Sachin Tendulkar's managed to score a (100) defiant ton. Tendulkar's 46th century, his fourth against the South Africans and first at home against the Proteas, was the lone significant knock in the entire Indian innings. Tendulkar was lucky to see his glide off Parnell grassed by Jacques Kallis in the slip cordon, when he was on 45. Tendulkar subsequently was watchful but at the same time walloped the bad deliveries. He and Dhoni rekindled India's hopes with a steady 70-run partnership and the sparse crowd at the VCA Stadium roared in appreciation after Tendulkar reached his 46th Test century. Following on, India resumed on 66 for two this morning, but folded for 319 in their second essay to allow South Africa to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. It was South Africa's fifth Test win in India in 11 attempts. More importantly, it was India's first Test defeat in 15 matches. Since losing the third Test at Colombo to Sri Lanka in August 2008, India had won eight -- including the last four in succession and drawn six of its last 14 Tests. It was also M S Dhoni's first Test loss at the helm of affairs. Indian's captain had an impeccable (and flawless) record thus far, winning eight (and drawing three) of his 11 previous Tests since an injury to Anil Kumble ahead of the third Test (also against South Africa) at Kanpur in April 2008, handed him the leadership for the first time. Hashim Amla who scored 253 not in South Afirca's first innings, was named man of the match, while Dale Steyn who wrecked India's first innings, claiming seven wickets for 51 runs, was adjudged all-rounder of the match.

Hopefully we will draw the match: Sehwag

It is a difficult to do the explanation on a day when nothing has gone in your team's favour. Team India's plight on Monday no different.

Having witnessed South Africa post a mammoth 558 for six (declared) in their first innings in the first two days, the hosts' response was disappointing to say the least.

They could muster only 233 in their first innings, after being 221 for four at one stage. To make matters worse, they lost both their openers before stumps (66-2) on day three to have the ignominy of an innings defeat staring at their face.

Explaining the collapse was a tough ask. And the person sent to do that was the one who impressed the most in an otherwise vapid batting display.

And to his credit Virender Sehwag did put up a brave face, trying to remain positive ahead of the impending negative result.

"We'll try hard. And hopefully we can draw the match," he said, when asked if it was possible now for India to get something out o this match. "Sachin is still there and is playing well.

"And I think we have good enough batsmen to do the job but they just need to be patient," added Sehwag.

The opener didn't hide his disappointment at the Indian batting collapse.

"We are obviously disappointed that we couldn't have many good partnerships," he explained, adding, "It was not that difficult a wicket to bat on but we managed just one 100-plus partnership. And that wasn't enough."

Sehwag was, however, quick to give credit to the bowler who plotted the Indian downfall -- Dale Steyn

"I think Steyn bowled really well," admitted Sehwag, adding, "Especially his dismissals of Murali Vijay and Sachin were great, in one case the ball came in and in the other, it went away."

The veteran admitted though that a change of ball after tea had helped the South Africans considerably.

"The old ball had got soft and the umpire accepted their request for a change," explained Sehwag, adding, "And the new ball benefitted them."

With the pitch deteriorating with each passing day, batting isn't going to be easy. But Sehwag nonetheless remained hopeful of a positive outcome.

"The wicket isn't going to get any better for sure," he said. "The only thing we should do is to try and spend more time at the wicket," added Sehwag.

IND vs SA -First Test Outlook

The First test between India and South Africa at Nagupr may end on a positive note for India as per India's fate number 6 (Feb 6), the Venusian number indicates a good start to the match for India. Interestingly, the number on last day of the match is also 6 (10+2+2010= 6) which again indicates India may have an upper hand in the match on the last day-given all -is- well in between.

However, planets indicate team India may be in trouble on the 2nd ((Sachin may do well :)) and 3rd day as moon is not favorable. 3rd day numbers are a combination of 8 & 4 (8.2.2010 =13) ruled by Saturn and Rahu respectively, indicating a difficult day with lots of ups and downs over all.

4th day numbers are 9 & 5 (9+2+2010=14) indicate aggression and injuries. You may have no clue which way match will turn.

Over all this test will have lots of troubles in store for India!