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Sports Movies in Bollywood

Movies are all-pervasive in an average Indian's life with Bollywood ruling the roost.

It is heartening to see that some producers have chosen subjects that are part of Indian Sports folklore. The latest offering being Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, a biopic on the legendary athlete Milkha Singh, famously called the flying Sikh !! Milka Singh was the first Indian athlete to win a gold at the Commonwealth Games. He won Gold in 200m and 400m runs at the 1958 Asian Games and won the 400m Gold in 1962 Asian Games.  His successes while racing in Pakistan earned him the Flying Sikh tagline.

His most memorable career moment was in the Olympics - Milkha clocked 45.60 sec in the 1960 Summer Olympics 400m race to finish fourth beaten by Malcolm Spence of South Africa for bronze - so near yet so far - Interestingly, he was second overall before the start of the final, but lost out to the field and finished fourth- a photo finish result !

Another film in recent times that came out was Pan Singh Tomar based on the life of soldier-athlete-decoit Pan Singh . This film is based on the life of Pan Singh, who represented India in the 1958 Asian Games.He was a seven-time National Steeplechase Champion. 

Pan Singh look early retirement to settle some family disputes in his native village. The whole thing grew and he transitioned to a dacoit, who was eventually killed by Police.

Another film from recent times was Chak De India. This film from 2007 told the tale of a former india hockey captain - turned - women's hockey team coach , who leads them to glory. It was an inspiring movie and the title song - Chak de... Chak de India still plays during the games when India plays at home - and it is not only confined to hockey but plays even during other sports. Are there any of your favorites that you would like to share ? Keep the comments flowing in.... (All posters are taken from wikipedia).

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God of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar announces retirement from IPL

Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after Mumbai Indians' maiden title win.

'Never too late. It's a special moment. I can't wait to get hold of the trophy. Finally, we've been able to achieve our target. A big thank you to all the supporters. I think this is the right time to stop playing this tournament. I'm 40 and have to accept the reality. I have decided that this is my last season and it has ended perfectly. All the hard work has played off. Things don't come easily and the guys were prepared to do well. Really a very sad news for the millions fans around this globe .....  But God Already Decided .... we cant do any more ... Miss u Sachin

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God Of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar sets record for maximum fours in IPL history

Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar may not have set this IPL season on fire but his 48 off 28 balls on Tuesday was enough for Mumbai Indians to end Kolkata Knight Riders' play-off hopes and brighten their own chances of reaching the knockout phase.

* With eight fours during his innings of 48 off 28 balls, Sachin Tendulkar has set a record for most fours (289) at the IPL. * Tendulkar's strike rate of 171.42 is his second best at the IPL (minimum qualification: 50), behind the 196.88 while scoring 63 off 32 balls against Delhi Daredevils at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi on March 17, 2010. * Tendulkar has received his eighth Man-of-the-Match award in the IPL.

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Happy Birthday God of Cricket

The Little Master Sachin Tendulkar turns 40 today. In an incredible 24-year journey in international cricket, Tendulkar thanks his family for its support and the fans for making him what he is, a genius!

Sachin Tendulkar’s birthday is a special time to celebrate that god gifted him to the world for cricket. God knew cricket game after he born in this world. He you touched our heart. You’re a gifted by god to the entire Cricket world. All the best for the Master’s 40th birthday....

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Stepping in with God Of Crciket Sachin will be different: Ricky Ponting

BANGALORE: In a rare spectacle, God of cricket Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting on Monday found themselves training for the same team with the former Australian captain glued to the batting grind of his Mumbai Indians teammate ahead of their side's IPL campaign.

Tendulkar, had a two-hour long batting stint at the National Cricket Academy with captain Ponting keeping a close watch on him ahead of MI's IPL campaign opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 4. Sachin Tendulkar spent the longest time at the nets while Ponting, Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik batted for under 45 minutes. A padded up Tendulkar faced the throwdowns with straight bat for nearly 20 minutes on the NCA centre pitch, while Ponting exhibited his array of strokes, including his trademark pull shots. Once Ricky Ponting decided to wind up, Tendulkar, wielding two different bats, slipped into the nets and faced Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha who were bowling in tandem. The veteran batsman concentrated on playing more with the straight bat on either side of the wicket. Occasionally, he unleashed his trademark shots like backfoot punch and hoick over square-leg fielder. He also constantly chatted with Harbhajan and Ojha. While Tendulkar was playing his strokes at the nets, Ponting was studiously watching the veteran Indian bat for close to an hour, a spectacle which turned out to be a treat to watch for those present. Ponting was also seen having animated discussions with Harbhajan and other teammates and MI chief-mentor and former India captain Anil Kumble. After facing the likes of Harbhajan and Ojha, Tendulkar picked up his other bat and walked up to the adjacent net to face club bowlers. While his teammates took some time to rest, he went on knocking the balls. On the other corner, Karthik faced the throwdowns on the concrete pitch focusing to get his cover drives and short-arm pull shots right. Rohit padded then up and faced the throwdowns on the centre pitch to test his wrist-work on either side of the wicket.

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http://facebook.zmu.in

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Saina .. India's answer to China

Saina Nehwal is India's answer to China in the world of Badminton. She has been the nemesis of many a Chinese player and they sure do see her as a formidable opponent. Saina is now World No. 3 and the top 2 are from China. She has been steadily climbing the rankings. Its indeed an interesting play between Saina and the Chinese players. Recently, Saina reached the semis of the prestigious All England Badminton Championships. FLASH  (Mar 27): Saina is nominated for BWF's Female Player of the Year 2012.  She won the bronze at London Olympics in 2012. Well done Saina !! All the Best !! Hope you win this award. (Saina is the only non-Chinese among the five contenders for the top annual award among women shuttlers instituted by the BWF.)

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बस एक जीत और टीम इंडिया..फिर होगी पैसों की बारिश

दुबई। टीम इंडिया को ऑस्ट्रेलिया के खिलाफ बस एक मैच और जीतने की जरूरत है। टीम इंडिया अगर ऐसा करने में कामयाब हो जाती है तो उसपर खुद आइसीसी पैसों की बारिश करेगा। दरअसल, भारत ने तीसरे टेस्ट मैच में ऑस्ट्रेलिया पर छह विकेट की जीत से चार मैचों की सीरीज में 3-0 की अजेय बढ़त बनाकर आइसीसी टेस्ट रैंकिंग में एक अप्रैल तक दूसरे स्थान पर काबिज होने की अपनी उम्मीद बरकरार रखी है। भारत के अलावा ऑस्ट्रेलिया और इंग्लैंड के पास भी एक अप्रैल की समय सीमा तक दक्षिण अफ्रीका के बाद दूसरे स्थान पर रहने और 350000 डॉलर की धनराशि हासिल करने का सुहरा मौका है।

More at: http://bit.ly/YPm3si

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Fan touches Sachin Tendulkar's feet

For fans in India, Sachin Tendulkar is "God of cricket." Whenever Tendulkar plays, fans follow every detail of his batting innings, be it a domestic game or international. On Sunday, when the Master Blaster reached to his century in Ranji Trophy quarter-finals against Baroda at Wankhede Stadium, a fan made a long trip from the stands to the pitch just to touch the feet of Tendulkar.

Tendulkar himself had said that he doesn't feel comfortable when fans touch his feet. A few years back, in an interview published in "OK!" magazine, he had this to say: "I used to receive letters written in blood...but not any more. It feels strange when a fan comes and touches your feet and says you are God. I don't feel comfortable with it, but it is the way they feel about you...that happened again just a couple of weeks ago actually." The 39-year-old had to spend some awkward time on Sunday too when a fan touched his feet. Before the umpires could intervene and chase the fan away, the moment was captured on TV and by the shutterbugs at the stadium. Tendulkar resumed his innings and was bowled for 108, his 80th first-class century. This was his first game since retiring from One Day Internationals and he hit form ahead of Australia Test series. Fans are happy to see the Master back.

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When Sachin's batting is more important than a wedding ceremony

Yesterday, hundreds of them turned up at the Wankhede Stadium to see the ODI-retired batting great and Tendulkar did not disappoint them through his hundred against Baroda in the Ranji Trophy quarter-final. Tendulkar, who scored 108 (10x4 and a six), brought up his 18th Ranji Trophy ton with a nudge to long on. He is now two short of Sunil Gavaskar’s 20 Ranji tons, and just one short of Gavaskar’s record of 81 first-class hundreds.

Some spectators at the Vijay Merchant Stand revealed to MiD DAY that they cancelled plans of a Sunday siesta at home when they heard Tendulkar was batting. As expected, Sachin Tendulkar was cheered on loudly when he walked in to bat at the fall of Hiken Shah’s wicket. His every move was keenly followed as if there was no tomorrow. The crowd drew great pleasure from Tendulkar’s explicit straight and cover drives, and back foot punches. The straight drives stood out. Tendulkar could well have dominated the Baroda attack, but he preferred to play intently. He consciously stayed away from playing across the line most of the time. He tried to play as straight as possible with most of his runs being scored in the mid-off and mid-on region. When Tendulkar played a rare uppish shot on the off side, a fan spontaneously remarked: “Sachin paaji neeche se khelo. Sirf aapki batting dekhne aaye hai.” (Please play along the ground… we have only come to see you bat). A loud appeal for leg-before was turned down which prompted a fan to say: “Mehnat karo, mehnat. Sachin ko out karna aasan nahi hai.” (Work hard. It isn’t easy to get Tendulkar’s wicket). Forget the wedding A few spectators were dressed in sarees and sherwanis. They slipped off from a wedding ceremony taking place at the Mumbai Cricket Association’s banquet hall to catch a glimpse of Tendulkar’s batting. The news of Tendulkar playing well spread like fire as seats filled up at a decent pace. Restlessness slowly started to creep in among fans as Tendulkar decided to deal in singles in between. Chants of ‘Sachin, Sachin’ grew louder, urging the batting maestro to go for big shots. A fan shouted: “Chagdi maar Sachin.” (C’mon, hit a six). He finally went for one straight down the ground off Ketul Patel much to the delight of the patient fans. Tendulkar was however, embarrassed when a spectator charged on to the field to touch his feet after scoring his hundred. A big inswinging delivery from Murtuja Vahora that sneaked through Tendulkar’s bat and pad to send the leg stump cartwheeling crushed all hopes of what was becoming a memorable Sunday. Tendulkar may have disappointed millions of his fans by retiring from one-day cricket, but the spectators that turned up yesterday gave him a standing ovation just like they would do at his farewell ODI.

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No one can drop Sachin Tendulkar, says Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly, once part of the formidable opening partnership with Sachin Tendulkar in the limited overs format, today supported the latter's decision to retire from the ODI cricket but thought the senior India batsman would have played the series against Pakistan. "I felt that he might have played the series against Pakistan. But it is his decision and I think it is the right. There was a doubt on whether he would play ODI cricket or not. But I am not surprised by his decision. He has done what he thought was right," said Ganguly. The pair of Tendulkar and Ganguly scored 26 hundred-plus partnerships in ODIs. Of these, 21 century stands were for the opening wicket. Both of these happen to be world records. He, along with Ganguly, had been involved in 38 hundred-plus partnerships in international cricket (all three forms combined) which is a world record. The 12,400 runs scored by this pair is also a world record. Ganguly said no one from the national selectors could have asked Tendulkar to retire from the ODI cricket. "I don't think there was any pressure of selectors on him. It is his own decision. No one can drop him," Ganguly added. Tendulkar today announced his retirement from ODIs, bringing to an end a glorious 23-year-old career in the format during which he rewrote numerous batting records. Tendulkar goes out after amassing 18,426 runs in 463 one-dayers at an average of 44.83. The diminutive right-hander has an astonishing 49 hundreds in the format, including a double hundred, the first in this form of the game.

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Words are not enough to sing Sachin Tendulkar's praise: Pakistan cricket team

Bangalore:  The Pakistani players on Sunday fell short of words while describing Sachin Tendulkar's impact on world cricket and said the Indian batting legend will be missed sorely in One-day cricket following his retirement. Tendulkar called it a day on his 23-year-old One-day career on the eve of the series against arch-rivals Pakistan. Pakistan fast bowler Sohail Tanvir said he enjoyed bowling against Tendulkar because the margin of error was so slim that he could dispatch even good deliveries to the fence. "In every cricketer's life there comes a day when he decides to hang up his shoes. Words are not enough to describe his achievements for India. He deserves highest of respects in world cricket," he said. Tanvir wished luck to Sachin and hoped he would smash many more centuries for India in Test matches. Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez said the players of his country feel sad that Tendulkar will not be seen on the field in ODIs. "To be honest we (Pakistanis) will miss him and feel really sad that he will not play anymore international ODIs for India. I admire the man for his sheer domineering character. He rattled all kinds of bowlers around the world," Hafeez said. "Sachin is a great entertainer of cricket and wish him good luck for the future," he added. Another Pakistan quick bowler Umar Gul said the presence of Tendulkar in the India team has immensely contributed in nurturing young cricketers such as Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina. "I am suer Virat and Raina have learnt a lot from the maestro," he said. The young batting sensation Umar Amin said he would have loved to play against Tendulkar in the upcoming series. "I played against India in 2010 Asia Cup, but unfortunately he wasn't there. I would like to say only one thing that if cricket is the religion then Sachin is God," Amin said.

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Sachin Tendulkar wished by cricketers on glorious ODI career

Sachin Tendulkar, who on Sunday announced retirement from One-Day Internationals, was congratulated by many cricketers around the globe for his glorious career that spanned over 23 years. Tendulkar brought an end to an illustrious career in coloured kits that has spread across two decades. Various cricketers have come out and praised him and have conveyed their heart-felt messages to the great man on Twitter. Yuvraj Singh: In my heart and fellow indians! The pride of our country I salute to u for ur contribution to indian cricket. Emotional time ! Letting sachin go from one dayers ! 18 thousand plus runs ur jaw drops when u c those records , master u will always live Pragyan Ojha: The pride of our country ,I salute you for ur contribution to indian cricket @sachin_rt. Parthiv Patel: Words cant describe his greatness...true legend...greatest batsman ever to play cricket...grt grt grt human being..#respect Harbhajan Singh: Sachin tendulkar a grt batsman.grt human being.a grt frnd.grt man 2 look up 2.proud indian.Real son of india.I salute u nd luv u RP Singh: The legend's retirement will be a void felt not only in Indian cricket but World cricket. #RetireTheJerseyNo10 Suresh Raina: "The reason for playing cricket. The reason for watching cricket. Sachin Tendulkar..... No words.. Love you Paji pic.twitter.com/VF4ySwib" Rohit Sharma: My mentor my hero my friend and my reason for falling in love with the sport. Truly heartbroken Rahul Sharma: "Sad that I won't be able to see sachin tendulkar paaji on the field fr an ODI again but a huge salute to him and his craft." Ravi Bopara: Well done to @sachin_rt on his amazing ODI career. Inspiration to millions if not billions. We will never see another Sachin in our lifetime Hashim Amla: Conclusion of a sterling ODI career from a wonderful batsman. Congrats Sachin Tendulkar

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God of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar: Cricket World Will Miss You Sir

Mumbai: Billions of hearts were left shattered on Sunday when the great Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement from the One Day International Cricket. The wave of shock gripped the Indian sub-continent when the news hit the television screens that Sachin has said bye bye to the ODI cricket with immediate effect. The news was more of an emotional issue in also the sense that reports had on Friday stated that Sachin may be playing in the ODI series against Pakistan beginning from December 25. And his withdrawal from the game has come at the time when Indian squad was about to be announced for the home series against the arch rivals. His undying passion for the love of the game can never be overshadowed. He is a living legend in true senses. He owns the place of God in the religion of Cricket. He is the greatest ever Cricketer in the history of the gentlemen’s game. He holds most number of world records. He is a player who has played most number of international Cricket matches. He has been the ray of light in tough times for India. He has given his everything to the game. But all this would become history now as the great Sachin Tendulkar has called it off from the One Day International Cricket on Sunday. After the tough decision, an emotional Sachin Tendulkar said, "The way I have been honoured and supported over the years was immense. I am grateful to all those who have been my strength, to all those who loved me and to those too who stood by me through thick and thins." "I have been fortunate to have been a part of the team that won the World Cup in 2011. I thank God. I wish that the Indian team should begin the preparations for the 2015 ODI World Cup. I wish them the very best of luck," said Sachin after his retirement. The intensity of Sachin's fan following can be understood by the fact that people used to turn off their TV sets when Sachin got out. There have been countless stories of Sachin's encounter with his untainted fans. THE MAGICAL STATISTICS: Sachin has played most number of ODIs in the world limiting the figure to 463 stacking a mountainous total of 18, 426 runs facing 21367 deliveries. He is the first man on the planet earth to reach 200* in a single innings. He did the wonder against the South Africa. With a prolific batting average of 44.83, he has maintained the grinding zeal and the never dying hunger to score runs. He also has 41 not-out innings to his name. Having stroked 49 ODI tons with his bat Sachin has also made 96 half centuries that is most by any batsman in the world. He with his classical straight drives and majestic cover drives, has hit 2016 boundaries throughout his career and also sent the ball gazing the skies for six 195 times. PERSONAL LIFE AND EARLY CAREER Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar was born on April 24, 1973 into a Rajapur Saraswat Brahmin family in Mumbai. His father Ramesh Tendulkar was a reputed Marathi novelist and his mother Rajni worked in an insurance industry. Ramesh named Tendulkar after his favourite music director, Sachin Dev Burman. Tendulkar has three elder siblings: two half-brothers Nitin and Ajit, and a half-sister Savita. They were Ramesh's children from his first marriage. He spent his formative years in the Sahitya Sahawas Cooperative Housing Society, Bandra (East), Bombay. When Tendulkar was young, he was considered to be a bully, and often picked up fights with new children in his school. He also showed an interest in the game of Tennis with his idol being John McEnroe. To help curb his mischievous and bullying tendencies, Ajit introduced him to cricket in 1984. He introduced the young Sachin to Ramakant Achrekar, a famous cricket coach of Bombay and a club cricketer of repute, at Shivaji Park, Dadar, Bombay. Achrekar was impressed with Tendulkar's talent and advised him to shift his schooling to Sharadashram Vidyamandir (English) High School, a school at Dadar which had a dominant cricket team and had produced many notable cricketers. Prior to this, Tendulkar had attended the Indian Education Society's New English School in Bandra (East). He was also coached under the guidance of Achrekar at Shivaji Park in the mornings and evenings. Tendulkar would practice for hours on end in the nets. If he became exhausted, Achrekar would put a one-rupee coin on the top of the stumps, and the bowler who dismissed Tendulkar would get the coin. If Tendulkar passed the whole session without getting dismissed, the coach would give him the coin. Tendulkar now considers the 13 coins he won then as some of his most prized possessions. He moved in with his aunt and uncle, who lived near Shivaji Park, during this period, due to his hectic schedule. Meanwhile at school, he developed a reputation as a child prodigy. He had become a common conversation point in Mumbai cricketing circles, where there were suggestions already that he would become one of the greats. Besides school cricket, he also played club cricket, initially representing John Bright Cricket Club in Bombay's premier club cricket tournament, the Kanga League, and later went on to play for the Cricket Club of India. In 1987, at the age of 14, he attended the MRF Pace Foundation in Madras (now Chennai) to train as a fast bowler, but Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee, who took a world record 355 Test wickets, was unimpressed, suggesting that Tendulkar focus on his batting instead. A couple of months later, former Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar gave him a pair of his own ultra light pads. "It was the greatest source of encouragement for me," Tendulkar had said nearly 20 years later after surpassing Gavaskar's world record of 34 Test centuries. His season in 1988 was extraordinary, with Tendulkar scoring a century in every innings he played. He was involved in an unbroken 664-run partnership in a Lord Harris Shield inter-school game against Anjuman-E-Islam High School in 1988 with his friend and team-mate Vinod Kambli, who would also go on to represent India. The destructive pair reduced one bowler to tears and made the rest of the opposition unwilling to continue the game. Tendulkar scored 326 (not out) in this innings and scored over a thousand runs in the tournament. This was a record partnership in any form of cricket until 2006, when it was broken by two under-13 batsmen in a match held at Hyderabad in India. On 24 May 1995, at the age of 22, Tendulkar married Anjali, a paediatrician and daughter of Gujarati industrialist Anand Mehta and British social worker Annabel Mehta. Anjali is six years his senior. They have two children, Sara (born 12 October 1997) and Arjun (born 24 September 1999). Arjun, a left handed batsman, has recently been included in under-14 probables list of Mumbai Cricket Association for off-season training camp. And Sachin's retirement has left many with moist eyes. He would be remembered till the world exits.

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God of cricket Sachin Tendulkar completes 34,000 runs in international cricket

Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday created yet another record in his illustrious career when he completed 34,000 runs in international cricket, during the first day's play between India and England in the third Test at the Eden Gardens. Sachin Tendulkar achieved the milestone in his 193rd Test appearance for India in his 23-years long career.

Sachin fought hard against a disciplined English bowling attack on Wednesday at Kolkata, Sachin Tendulkar struggled a bit at the start, but came out looking extremely fluent after Tea, Tendulkar reached his 66th Test fifty, on the first ball after tea. Sachin Tendulkar scored 76 runs of faced 155 balls with 13 fours, as India reach 230 for five. Sachin Tendulkar, who has faced recent criticism on his form, got some respite after being willed on by former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly. Ganguly gave his former team mate some words of encouragement, ahead of the third Test between India and England that will be played at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Addressing a gathering which had all the members of the Indian team, Ganguly said, "Many stories are being written about the match. I wish all the luck to Sachin. I hope he scores a ton at Eden Gardens."

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God of cricket Sachin Tendulkar doesn't need any advice on his future: BCCI

Sachin Tendulkar's streak of low scores might have raised a question mark over his future but senior BCCI official and IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla today came out in support of the senior batsman saying one needs to look at his "colossal record" before making any comment.

"He will hang up his boots when he thinks it's time for him to go. He does not need any advise on this. Before making a comment on his performance you have to see his colossal record and his past performance," Shukla told reporters outside the Parliament adding that the veteran cricketer will come back strongly in the forthcoming matches. "He will do well in forthcoming matches," Shukla said. God Of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar has been battling poor form for sometime and his last 10 innings have yielded just 153 runs at an average of 15.3, the lowest by an Indian top-order batsman in the corresponding period. The 39-year-old's last three figure score in Tests came in January last year against South Africa. Asked about India's loss to England in the second Test at Mumbai today, Shukla said: "It is sad. After the victory in Ahmedabad the batting line-up could not perform the way it should have. It was a turning wicket and English spinners performed better." Shukla, though, said the board will look into the matter and would take necessary corrective measures. "We will discuss the shortcomings and so will the team management to see how the performance can be improved," he said. On the selection of the team for the next two Tests against England, Shukla said it remains the prerogative of the Selection Committee and nobody should interfere in their domain. "Selectors are also former players and they will take a call on this. Whom to select and whom not to, it is their domain," he added.

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Sachin Tendulkar conferred Order of Australia

God of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar has become the first Indian sportsman to be honored with membership of the Order of Australia.

Arts Minister Simon Crean conferred the award on the cricketer at a ceremony on Tuesday in Mumbai, Tendulkar's home city, after the honor was announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard during her visit to India last month. Tendulkar was recognized "for his service to Australia-India relations by promoting goodwill, friendship and sportsmanship through the sport of cricket", said a statement from the Australian consulate-general. "Mr Sachin Tendulkar, as a member and former Captain of the Indian Cricket Team, has made an outstanding contribution to international cricket for more than 20 years," it said, describing his career as an "inspiration". The 39-year-old batsman is the world's leading scorer in both Test and one-day cricket and has compiled an unprecedented 100 international centuries. West Indies batting star Brian Lara was also honored with membership of the Order of Australia in 2009. Two other Indians, former attorney-general Soli Sorabjee and Mother Teresa, have previously been awarded Australian honors. Tendulkar's popularity in the country was cemented when legendary cricketer Don Bradman said he was reminded of his own batting after watching the Indian play. Announcing his honour in New Delhi in October, Gillard said Tendulkar deserved the "special honor" because he was a "very special cricketer". "Cricket is of course a great bond between Australia and India. We are both cricket-mad nations," she said.