Hundred in Chennai after 26/11 my best: Sachin

Ref :

http://cricket.ndtv.com/storypage.aspx?id=SPOEN20100142390&keyword=News

Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar rated the century he scored in Chennai against England that helped India chase 387 runs in the fourth innings soon after the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai as the best of his career.

"It was not about the Test match but about something which happened two weeks before that. Something that had happened in Mumbai. It was difficult to prepare for a Test (under those circumstances). It was gracious of England to come here," Tendulkar, who alongwith wife Anjali, hosted a fund-raising dinner for the 'Crusade against Cancer Foundation' here.

"There were all sorts of talks around and then suddenly all our focus was on the match. England dominated the match for almost four days before Virendra Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir brought us back into it," he recounted.

"Generally when we win, it is the ground-smen who run to congratulate us, but on that day the grounds-women rushed to congratulate us. It was just because of something that had numbed the nation," he said.

"By no means India winning a Test match could compensate the lives lost. But for our team, we had succeeded in bringing a fraction of a smile on the faces of the people. That is why the hundred in Chennai Test match will be the best (of my career)," Tendulkar said.

He scored an unbeaten 100 as India upset all calculations to score an unlikely six wicket victory over England while chasing a target of 387.

Wimbledon invites Sachin to Royal Box

Ref :

http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_wimbledon-invites-sachin-to-royal-box_1395231

Mumbai: That Sachin Tendulkar is a tennis fan is known. His love for Wimbledon is also well documented. He never misses an opportunity to watch ‘live’ action on the hallowed lawns of Big W. He was seen there last year. He will be seen this year too.

However, this time, the Maestro will be there as a guest rather than as a visitor. He will watch the proceedings ‘live’ from the box. The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club has invited him to witness the matches from the Royal Box. His invitation is for June 26, the first Saturday of the Wimbledon fortnight. It is also known as Sporting Saturday when guests from the field of sports are invited.

As a guest to the Royal Box, Tendulkar could be watching the match alongside Tim Phillips, the Duke of Kent, who also happens to be the life president of All England Club. “That’s right. The Duke should be there alongside him,” a spokesman for the club said.

The invites are sent by the club “taking into account suggestions from members of the championships’ organising committee.” The Royal Box has a capacity of 74 seats with dark green Lloyd Loom wicker chairs.

When approached, Tendulkar confirmed the invite and his acceptance. “Yes, I have been invited there and I will be going,” he told DNA. Wimbledon starts on June 21. As per a club communication, British and overseas Royal Families, heads of government, the world of tennis, media organisations are among those who get invited to the Royal Box.

Tendulkar, however, has a dress code to follow. Protocol says: “dress is smart, suits/jacket and tie etc.” The other protocol to watch from the Royal Box is that ladies should not wear hats, “as they tend to obscure the vision of those seated behind them.”

Sachin to join campaign against drugs

Ref : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Sachin-to-join-campaign-against-drugs/638158/

Mumbai :

Starting Saturday, master batsman Sachin Tendulkar will promote a no-drugs campaign for the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). The campaign, mostly targeted at those in the 18-30 age group, will feature the star cricketer advising people to “Think health, not drugs”.

NCB zonal director Yashodhan Wanage said, “Tendulkar is a youth icon; he epitomises health and fitness, which is the theme of our campaign. He has agreed to be part of the campaign and accordingly, his posters with anti-drug messages will be put up across the city.”

The campaign follows a United Nations resolution that directed anti-drug enforcement agencies across the globe to observe and promote June 26 as the International Day Against Drug Abuse.

Wanage said many cases had shown youngsters were easy targets for psychotropic substances. “The reasons have been different; peer pressure, lifestyle, or bad influence, the cases are on the rise. It is very important to curb the menace of drug addiction at a very young age.”

Sachin Tendulkar dreaming of winning T20 World Cup or Fifty50 world cup

http://www.deccanchronicle.com//sports/tendulkar-dreams-winning-world-cup-383

London, June 15: Arguably the most accomplished batsman of contemporary times, Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar still has unfulfilled dreams, one of them being to win the World Cup for his team when the event comes to Asia next year.

Tendulkar, the highest run-getter in the Test and one-day format of the game, hopes to play in the final of the World Cup when it is jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh early next year.

“As far as the World Cup is concerned it is a process. We don’t want to jump to the 50th floor straight away, we must start on the ground floor,” he said.

“We must take it step-by-step but to get there would be a fascinating journey. It is our dream, not just mine but the entire nation, to get there.

“To play the final in Mumbai is something you can only dream of and everything has to come together,” he added.

Tendulkar said if India played to their potential, there was a good chance of being in the finals of the event.

“I think we can do something we have been longing to do for quite some time,” he said.

Part of the Test side which is currently the world number one in ICC rankings, Tendulkar said the tough part was not to get there but would be to maintain it.

“To be number one is special, it was our dream and our target to get to the number one spot in Test cricket,” he said.

“We have had a good run in the last 20 months. Everyone wants to be number one and we cannot relax because there are other countries who want to be number one. It means a lot to us,” he added.

The 37-year-old once again parried queries on his future maintaining that he would quit the moment he felt that he had stopped enjoying his game.

“I want to play for as long as possible and as long as I have the desire and the hunger I will carry on,” he was quoted as saying by a website.

“The day I do not want to get out of bed and do anything then I know it will be time to go in another direction,” he added.

IAF confers honorary Group Captain rank on Tendulkar

Ref : http://beta.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/article482545.ece

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday announced it will confer the rank of Honorary Group Captain to national cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar under the provision to grant such a rank to eminent personalities.

In recognition of his glorious achievement as a cricketer, the IAF had mooted the proposal to bestow an honorary rank and the President of India, in her capacity as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, gave her assent, a Defence Ministry release said here.

Besides the recognition, the IAF said Sachin Tendulkar’s association with the Force will motivate the younger generation to join it and serve the country. Till date the government has granted honorary ranks to 21 persons including noted industrialists and aviation enthusiasts J.R.D. Tata and Vijaipat Singhania.

“I am very proud to be associated with this dynamic force and I shall do my very best to be a brand ambassador for the IAF. I am looking forward to familiarising myself with the Indian Air Force. I once again salute the IAF for this great honour bestowed on me,” Sachin Tendulkar told the IAF, the release said.

Mr. Tendulkar is currently away from India and the IAF plans to hold a special ceremony during which the rank will be conferred.

As per the IAF records, former ruler of Jawhar, Yashwant Rao Patangshah Vikramshah Mukane was the first to be granted the honorary rank of Flight Lieutenant on September 30, 1944. The list includes rulers of a number of erstwhile princely States.

J.R.D Tata was first made an honorary Group Captain in 1948, later promoted as Air Commodore in October 1966 and finally made the honorary Air Vice Marshal in 1974.

Mr. Singhania, was the last to be granted the honorary rank in October 1990 after he flew round-the-globe in a micro-light aircraft.

SACHIN's CENTURIES

Year 2010:

44th Test century: The master batsman started the new year with another century. Though against the minnows, his 44th century came under testing circumstances. India, who played their first Test of the year against Bangladesh in January, were heavily let down by their batsmen in the first innings in Chittagong. Out of 243 runs, Sachin scored 105 and saved India blushes. While wickets were tumbling from one end, Sachin at the other end dig deep and kept the battle on. He was adjudged 'man of the match' for his fighting knock.

45th Test century:In the second Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh, Sachin slammed another ton. As compared to the hundred scored in the first Test, this one was a more relaxed one. During the process, he had a 200-run plus with Rahul Dravid for the third wicket.

46th Test century:Sachin slammed 46th hundred of his Test career on the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa in Nagpur.

His fourth century against the Proteas was also his first at home against them.

In reply to South Africa's 558 runs, India were bundled out for 233 runs. South Africa enforced follow-on and picked top four wickets. Sachin rose to the occasion and hit his 46th ton. Unfortunately, his resistance ended soon after his ton as Paul Harris deceived him with his spin for 100 runs. However his ton went in vain as India slumped to an embarrassing defeat by an innings and six runs

47th Test century: Hurt by the Nagpur sting, India reached Kolkata for the second Test. After Indian bowlers wrapped up the South African innings for 296, Sachin along with Sehwag got down to the batting business. He made his 47th Test ton, his fifth against the visitors. Having played four Tests so far in 2010, Sachin has made centuries in each of them.

SACHIN's CENTURIES

Year 2008

38th century: Sachin started the new year on a high Down Under. During the second Test against Australia in Sydney, Sachin made an unbeaten 154 runs as his 38th Test century. However, some umpiring blunders gave Australian an edge over the Indians in the match that was well in visitors' grasp.

39th century: After a forgettable Sydney Test, India moved to Adelaide for the third Test. Sachin carried his form to the Adelaide Oval and made 154 runs to get his 39th Test ton, which was also his 80th international hundred. The match ended in a draw.

40th century: Sachin got his 40th ton at Nagpur during the fourth Test against Australia. The four-match series was aready in India's pocket, but Sachin's innings of 109 runs helped India put up a good total. India won the match by 172 runs and clinched the series 2-0 to lift the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. During the same series, Sachin surpassed Brian Lara's record of maximum Test runs. It came during the second Test at Mohali.

41st century: Many called this knock as Sachin's one of the best Test knocks. After condemnable terror attacks on Mumbai, India played England in Chennai. And the Mumbaikar made that match a historic one. If Virender Sehwag set the stage, Sachin along with Yuvraj Singh chased the total with an hour to spare for the close of the match. He made unbeaten 103 runs and dedicated his 41st ton to all his countrymen.

Year 2009

42nd century: It came at a place which proved to be Indian batting's graveyard in 2002-03. India went to New Zealand this year after that debacle tour. It was tipped to be one of the toughest tour as nobody knew how the conditions were.

After Indian pacers ripped the Kiwi batting apart in the first Test at Hamilton, Sachin got down to his task and slammed 160 runs for his 42nd ton. Most importantly, his knock backed by lethal bowling gave India a win in New Zealand after a gap of 33 years.

43rd Test century: Sachin celebrated his 20 years in Test cricket with an unbeaten 100 runs in the second innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad in December 2009. There were seven centuries scored in that match. Failing to score in the first innings, Sachin scored a subdued 298-ball 100 runs in the second.