Monday, April 4, 2011

India Wins 2011 Cricket World Cup

On Saturday, April 2nd, India won the 2011 Cricket World Cup, defeating Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the final, played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India. While 33,000 spectators watched the final in person, some estimates have placed the number of TV viewers worldwide at well over 1 billion people - perhaps the most-viewed sports event ever. Saturday's final followed two semi-final matches, including a March 30th contest between host nation India and rival Pakistan, where Pakistan's prime minister, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh sat side by side to take in the match in an act of "cricket diplomacy." Gathered here are images from the last few days of the 2011 Cricket World Cup, a look at the matches, the players and many of their supporters.

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ANDREW COHEN |

India Wins 2011 Cricket World Cup

APR 4, 2011

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Indian cricket fans ride on an Ambassador car as they celebrate their team's win over Sri Lanka in the Cricket World Cup in Kolkata, India on Saturday, April 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

The sun sets as Sri Lanka and New Zealand play their ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-final match in Colombo, Sri Lanka on March 29, 2011. (Reuters/Philip Brown) #

New Zealand fielder Jesse Ryder (right) catches a ball to dismiss Sri Lankan batsman Upul Tharanga (left) during the Cricket World Cup semi-final match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka on March 29, 2011.(Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images) #

A donkey-led cart passes a cricket fan painting the word "Pasban" on an oversized cricket bat in Karachi March 29, 2011. Cricket-crazy Pakistanis were desperately waiting for Wednesday's showdown with India in the northern Indian town of Mohali, where the two nations will battle it out for a place in the cricket World Cup final. Pasban is a welfare organization which campaigns for human rights.(Reuters/Akhtar Soomro) #

Indian school children display the Indian tricolor as they cheer for the Indian cricket team in Ahmadabad, India on Tuesday, March 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) #

Indian cricket fans celebrate a boundary as they sit outside and watch the second semi-final of the ICC Cricket world Cup between India and Pakistan in Kolkata on March 30, 2011. (DESHAKALYAN CHOWDHURY/AFP/Getty Images) #

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi (right) interacts with Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar during The ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final match between India and Pakistan at The Punjab Cricket Associaton (PCA) Stadium in Mohali on March 30, 2011.(INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images) #

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani (left) speaks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan in Mohali, India, on March 30, 2011. (RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images) #

Members of Pakistani gypsy families watch the Pakistan-India cricket match in their makeshift tent in the slums of Hyderabad, near Karachi, Pakistan on Wednesday, March 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Pervez Masih) #

Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar (left) plays a shot as Pakistani wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal looks on during the Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-final match between India and Pakistan in Mohali, on March 30, 2011. (MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) #

Young Indian women, some partially and some totally visually impaired applaud as they listen to radio commentary at The Andh Prakash Kanya Gruh School for the Blind in Ahmedabad on March 30, 2011, on the continuing ICC Cricket World CUP 2011 semi-final match between India and Pakistan. (SAM PANTHAKY/AFP/Getty Images) #

Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi (left) celebrates with teammates Kamrran Akmal (center) and Saeed Ajmal after taking a catch to dismiss Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-final match between India and Pakistan on March 30, 2011. (MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) #

Pakistani cricket fans watch the Pakistan-India cricket match at a local theatre in Karachi, Pakistan on Wednesday, March 30, 2011.(AP Photo/Fareed Khan) #

An Indian cricket fan prays for her team as she watches the World Cup cricket semifinal match between India and Pakistan, in New Delhi, India on Wednesday, March 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) #

India bowler Harbhajan Singh, left, celebrates the dismissal of Pakistan's captain Shahid Afridi (right) during the Cricket World Cup semifinal match between Pakistan and India in Mohali, India, Wednesday, March 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Gurinder Osan) #

Indians celebrate after their team won the ICC World Cup cricket semifinal match against Pakistan, in Mumbai, India, on Wednesday, March 30, 2011. India upstaged archrival Pakistan by 29 runs in the so-called "mother of all World Cup matches" to progress to the final against Sri Lanka. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) #

Fans attend a special prayer ceremony for the victory of the Indian cricket team as they hold a cut-out of Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad March 30, 2011. (Reuters/Krishnendu Halder) #

A Sri Lankan Buddhist devotee offers special prayers to bless tha national cricket team at the Kelaniya Temple in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, on April 1, 2011. (Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images) #

Hindu priests make floral decorations after dressing up an idol of Goddess Bhadrakali in the Indian cricket team jersey, to wish the team victory ahead of the ICC World Cup cricket final match between India and Sri Lanka, at a temple in Ahmadabad, India, Friday, April 1, 2011. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) #

Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga looks on from the balcony after a training session in Mumbai, India, Friday, April 1, 2011.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) #

Indian villagers sit on the back of a tractor trolley loaded with sacks of potatoes and listen on the radio a commentary of the ICC Cricket World Cup final match between Sri Lanka and India, in Allahabad, India, Saturday, April 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh) #

An Indian cricket fan has his beard painted in the colors of the Indian national flag, as he along with others watch on a projection screen the World Cup cricket final match between India and Sri Lanka, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, April 2, 2011.(AP Photo/Manish Swarup) #

A supporter of India holds the national flag outside Wankhede stadium before the Cricket World Cup final match between India and Sri Lanka in Mumbai, India, Saturday, April 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade) #

Sri Lankan cricket team captain Kumara Sangakkara avoids being run-out during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final match between Sri lanka and India at The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 2, 2011. (MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) #

Sri Lankan cricket fans react as they watch India closing in to beat Sri Lanka in the Cricket World Cup final match, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Apr 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) #

Tillakaratne Dilshan of Sri Lanka dives to take a catch off his own bowling to dismiss Virat Kohli of India during the 2011 ICC World Cup Final between India and Sri Lanka played at Wankhede Stadium on April 2, 2011 in Mumbai, India. (Graham Crouch/Getty Images) #

Cricket fans watch the Cricket World Cup final match between India and Sri Lanka, on a big screen inside a shopping mall in Kolkata April 2, 2011. (Reuters/Rupak De Chowdhuri) #

India batsman Gautam Gambhir (right) successfully reaches his crease during a run-out attempt in the final of the Cricket World Cup 2011 match between India and Sri Lanka on April 2, 2011. (PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images) #

Indian cricket fans watch the ICC Cricket World Cup final match between India and Sri Lanka on a television set in Mumbai, India, Saturday, April 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade) #

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (left) hits a six to win against Sri Lanka as teammate Yuvraj Singh reacts during the Cricket World Cup 2011 final in Mumbai on April 2, 2011. India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets. (INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images) #

Indian cricket fans celebrate as their team wins the Cricket World Cup final against Sri Lanka, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, April 2, 2011.(AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi) #

Sri Lankan cricket fans react as they watch a big screen telecast of the Cricket World Cup 2011 final match between Sri Lanka and India, in Colombo on April 2, 2011. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images) #

A cricket fan celebrates in Chandigarh, after India won the ICC Cricket World Cup final match against Sri Lanka, on April 2, 2011. India sparked wild celebrations among their billion supporters after beating Sri Lanka by six wickets in the World Cup final at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. (Reuters/Ajay Verma) #

Indian cricket fans celebrate victory over Sri Lanka in Siliguri on April 2, 2011, after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final match between India and Sri Lanka. India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets to win the 2011 World Cup at The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.(DIPTENDU DUTTA/AFP/Getty Images) #

Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar is carried on his teammates shoulders after India defeated Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final played at The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 2, 2011. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) #

Indian cricket fans celebrate the victory of Indian team by burning fire crackers in Allahabad, India, Sunday, April 3, 2011. The Indian cricket team lifted the Cricket World Cup Saturday night for the first time in 28 years after a six-wicket victory against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh) #

Clarke intent on gentle start

Michael Clarke's first tour as captain of the Australian team will be the last of the Ricky Ponting era, as the new captain said he would wait until the conclusion of the brief Bangladesh trip to impart major change. Clarke, speaking for the team in the minutes before its departure from Sydney on Monday morning, indicated that the three ODI matches in Bangladesh would be a chance to ease into the role without any significant upheaval of team dynamics.

"We're fortunate we have these three one-dayers now and then we get a good break, so it's allowed me to just focus on these three one dayers, not look too far ahead, and not think about changes that I feel might need to be made," Clarke said. "It's just been about coming home, do what you can do to prepare, concentrate on the series, and when I get back from Bangladesh I can worry about whatever else I have to worry about."

Clarke's leadership style is already known to those who have played under him, effectively leaving only Ponting to get used to the concept of taking orders from a new leader. "A lot of the guys have played under me in one day cricket or Twenty20 cricket so they know how I go about things," said Clarke. "I am a different person to Ricky but the way he's led the team for a long time the guys are certainly accustomed to, so it's going to take time for guys to adjust.

"For me it's about being open, letting the guys know if there's anything they need any time, 24/7 they can knock on my door, they can call me, and I just want everyone to have the freedom to be who they are, and play the cricket they love playing."

The notion of subtle change is supported by the presence of Ponting himself but also the long-time team manager Steve Bernard, who has presided over every Australian tour since the 1998 visit to India, but will finish his fulltime tenure once the squad returns home from this journey. Accompanying Bernard is the new manager, Gavin Dovey, who was recruited after spending time as manager of the England rugby union team.

Much like Clarke, Dovey has a difficult act to follow, for Bernard's unique blend of cricket experience - he was a New South Wales fast bowler then a state and national selector - and an amiably organised manner made him the ideal "fixer" on tour.

"Brute (Bernard) has certainly seen the start of my career, and he's here now so he's been a wonderful help, not only to me personally but to a lot of the guys who've played cricket for Australia," Clarke said. "He's been a great team manager, he's made our lives a lot easier by how organised he is, and his knowledge of the game is something I think people certainly when he's gone will realise how good a cricket brain he had.

"Not only was he a successful player himself but the amount of cricket he's watched and seen and the ups and downs he's seen the Australian team go through it's knowledge not many people have at the end of their careers. So he's certainly going to be missed, hopefully we can make this last tour a great one for him."

A little bleary-eyed following a 5 a.m. wake-up call, Clarke said the captaincy would not really sink in until he led the team onto the field for the first match of the limited overs series on April 9. "I don't think it's sunk in just yet, but I'm excited, I know what's ahead of me and my goals are simple," he said. "We go to Bangladesh and want to win this series. When I take the field and have the chance to walk out first in front of the team, it will probably sink in then."

India superstar Sachin Tendulkar says he has no plans to retire after finally winning World Cup

There was no 100th international century for the "Little Master" but he walked away with the only medal that had so far eluded him, as India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final in Mumbai.

With so many records to his name and his trophy collection now complete, the 37-year-old could not be blamed for calling time on his illustrious 20-year international career.

But Tendulkar told CricketWorld.com, "No. This is a moment to enjoy and celebrate. It's not about what I'm going to do in the future. This is a special moment which I really want to enjoy and live it to its fullest.

Should Tendulkar finish his career on a World Cup high or does he have more to offer world cricket? Have your say by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.

"This was the reason why I started playing cricket. I wanted to achieve something, do something for the country. The process has been a long one and I've continued to enjoy my game. I don't see any reason why I need to change anything right now."

The 37-year-old said he was still "speechless" after India's success.

"I started playing cricket dreaming of lifting the trophy one day and that is where it all started," he said.

"I am speechless to be honest, to express how I feel. This is by far the best moment. This is the moment I have been waiting for, for such a long time, 21 or 22 years. It is really worth every bit of it. It is really, really special."

Bangladesh will target Clarke - Siddons

Jamie Siddons, the Bangladesh coach, has said that his team will target Australia's new captain, Michael Clarke, during the three-ODI series, which begins on April 9 in Dhaka. The Australian team left for Bangladesh today and they will play a warm-up game on April 7 before the series begins.

'Take the captain out' is the theme for Bangladesh against Australia

''Every team targets the captain and we will be wanting to get rid of him [Clarke],'' Siddons told theSydney Morning Herald. ''If we get to him, it means we will have got through the openers and [Ricky] Ponting, and we'll be happy to have a crack at him. Obviously if you cut off the head the rest will fall. That's the theme - to take the captain out.''

Bangladesh will focus on stalling Australia with their spinners, and Siddons was hopeful that the left-arm options at his disposal, and the captain Shakib Al Hasan in particular, would play a crucial role in the series.

''He [Shakib] doubts himself very little against the best players in the world and he is probably the best left-arm spinner I've seen. He and [Daniel] Vettori are very close. [Shakib] spins the ball a lot more and as far as street-smarts go, he is the same as Vettori, I reckon.

''I've got a long memory so I remember all these things from when I was on tour with the [Australian] boys. We just think we can hold them up a bit with our left-arm spinners and make some inroads into their batting order.''

Bangladesh had a disappointing World Cup: they were eliminated from Group B after winning only three league matches, though one of those victories was against England. Siddons' contract as Bangladesh coach is up for renewal in June but in the event it is not renewed he said he would accept a position at Cricket Australia's Centre of Excellence.

Nokia India Renews Contract With KKR For IPL 4

Against the backdrop of a cricket loving nation gearing up to welcome the fourth season of India’s most extravagant cricketing bonanza the IPL-4, Nokia India announced it has renewed its principal sponsorship contract of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the team co-owned by Bollywood star Sharukh Khan.

Nokia and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) continue to strengthen their association and shared commitment to make IPL more exciting and engaging for Indian cricket fans.

Nokia and KKR have announced a new promotional campaign dubbed as ” KKR Tension Mat Le Yaar ” will be aired on all digital and mobile mediums for the fans to interact with the team by April 5.

In the new campaign ” KKR Tension Mat Le Yaar ” Sharukh Khan will be seen shaking a leg with Latin singer Shakira in a new music Video for the KKR team. The song has been scored by Salim-Sulaiman and sung by Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Cricket World Cup Gets New Yorkers Rise Before Dawn

NEW YORK -- Cricket fans came out in the wee hours of the morning Saturday, crowding into bars that normally would be closing but made an exception for the World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka.

About eight hours later, or about the length of two Red Sox-Yankees games, most of the spectators went home happy after India overtook Sri Lanka to win its first world title since the 1980s.

"This is really big," New York University student Karthik Ventakesh screamed over the din at the Red Lion in Greenwich Village, two doors from the spot where Bob Dylan once played for folkies in the 1960s. "Cricket is by far India's most popular sport."

At the tiny JujoMukti Tea Lounge in the East Village, fans packed in to watch the match on a screen set up near the front door. Some sat cross-legged on the floor. At the Village Pourhouse on 46th Street in the theater district, every table was reserved ahead of time and every seat at the bar was taken.

"We had about 15, 20 people at 4:30 a.m.," manager Casey Pratt said as he surveyed the room of more than 150 customers by 8:30 a.m. "I think most of them were still waking up at that point so it wasn't too rowdy yet."

Sri Lanka fan Heshan Fernando, a graduate student, took a train from Queens well before sun up to get to the bar along with friend Munich Agrawal, an India supporter.

"My country has been affected by the tsunami, by civil war," Fernando said. "This is huge for us."

To the uninitiated, cricket can seem a stodgy affair that lasts for days, with each player batting for hours at a time. But U.S. sports fans would recognize some elements familiar to baseball and even football.

The biggest cheers were reserved for when a batter smacked the ball over a low barrier surrounding the field and into the bleachers – the baseball equivalent of a home run, but worth six runs in cricket.