Cricketers In Their Childhood - Rare Photographs

Rare Childhood Photographs of Cricketers

Childhood Picture of Andrew Staruss

Childhood Picture of Chris Cairns

Childhood Picture of M.S.Dhoni

Gautam Gambhir with his sister Ekta

Childhood Picture of Imran Khan

Childhood Picture of Rahul Dravid

Childhood Picture of Ricky Ponting

Sachin Tendulkar with Coach Mr. R. Achrekar

The Great with The Greatest- Sachin Tendulkar (right) with Sir Don Bradman (left)

Childhood Picture of Sachin Tendulkar

Childhood Picture of Saurav Ganguly

Childhood Pictures of Steve Waugh and Mark Waugh

Childhood Picture of Wasim Akram

Childhood Picture of Yuvraj Singh

Childhood Picture of Zaheer Khan

India's Somdev Deb Burman Breaks Into Top 100 ATP Rankings

After 1999, now 2010. After Leander Paes, now Somdev Deb Burman.

25-year-old Somdev Deb Burman became the first Indian player since Leander Paes in 1999, to break into the Top 100 of the ATP Rankings.

Somdev, the Indian Davis Cup player jumped 7-places in the latest rankings to be now placed at 96 in the ATP Rankings. It has been 11 years since Paes' entry to the top 100 list. He reached this feat after he entered the 2nd round as a qualifier in Delray Beach ATP event.


Congrats Somdev!

Diego Forlan Receives Standing Ovation from Kolkata Football Fans

Uruguayan striker and World Cup Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan received a standing ovation from thousands of Kolkata's (India) soccer crowd on Sunday (1st Aug, 2010). Diego is in Kolkata to co-host a football reality show for private TV channel Mahuaa Bangla, which concluded with the exhibition match between The Challengers and city soccer giants Mohun Bagan


World Cup's Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan was Sunday accorded a standing ovation by thousands of soccer fans as he appeared in an exhibition soccer at the Salt Lake Stadium here. 31-year-old Diego Forlan assisted 1994's winning Brazil defender Branco in coaching The Challengers.

The match ended 2-0 in favor of Mohun Bagan, where goals came from Isfaq Ahmed and Santosh Oraon.

"I love this city and the people for giving me this chance to come here," Forlan told the crowd in broken English.

Wearing blue T-shirt with white stripes and blue jeans and sneakers Forlan opened the game for Challeger by passing the ball from center.

Image Courtesy: Indiablooms.com

MLS Kansas City Wizards Stuns EPL Manchester United 2-1

Kansas City Wizards 2 v/s Manchester United 1

Kansas City Wizards's Sunil Chhetri against Johhny Evans of Manchester United

Kei Kamara's Winning (2nd goal for KCW)

Wow!..Kansas City Wizards has made their fans proud. Two goal from Davy Arnaud and Kamara helped them to stun EPL Manchester United 2-1, and that too playing with 10-men for 50 minutes. In the 40th minute of the game KCW's Jimmy Conard was shown the red card and so the MLS team was reduced to 10 men. Jimmy Conrad was shown a red card after his sliding tackle on Dimitar Berbatov in the penalty box. Dimitar Berbatov scored from the spot kick in the 40th-minute for MU, while Davy Arnaud scored in 11th minute and Kamara scored 2 minutes from the breather.

India's Sunil Chhetri was called upon by KCW's coach Peter Vermes in the final 20-minutes of the game. But, one can imagine the role of a striker when his team is down to 10 men. But nevetheless, Sunil kept MU defenders on their toes and kept them busy with his opportunistic solo runs.

A reported crowd of 52,424 turned out on Sunday to watch the Kansas City Wizards defeat Manchester United at Arrowhead Stadium.

Sunil Chhetri...we as Indians are proud of you. You have made your country and club proud. Good Luck with MLS future.

Image Courtesy: TheSun.co.uk, Goal.com, Kansascity.com

Indian Striker Sunil Chetri To Play Against Manchester United

A dream coming true for an India sportsman, that too who plays football. Yes, former Dempo Sports Club stiker, and now for MLS Kansas City Wizards, Sunil Chetri is all set to rub shoulders with the greats of Manchester United, this Sunday (25th July, 2010) in a pre-season friendly. Sunil's dream will come true in a newly enovated Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, where he will be up against players like Giggs, Scholes, Gary Neville, Darren Fletcher, Berbatov and Edwin Van der Sar.

"We're looking forward to Sunil getting the opportunity to play," Kansas City Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said.

"He's been working very hard, and this game will give him a chance to measure himself against some of the best players in the world," he added.

"I'm very excited. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play against the best team in the world," said Chetri, who became the first Indian to join an MLS team when he was signed on to Kansas City from Dempo SC ahead of the 2010 season.

Good Luck Sunil! Make your club and country proud.

"The Tendulkar Opus" - Sachin "Bleeds" for His Biography- 10 Limited Edition

Ten limited edition copies of Sachin Tendulkar's autobiography, The Tendulkar Opus, will be released in February 2011. Each book to weigh 37 kilograms (80lb). All 10 has been pre-ordered.

Each book (Ten limited edition copies) would be printed containing a signature page mixed with Sachin's own blood and would cost $75,000 (£49,000) (Rs. 35 lacs) each.

The book has more than 1,500 pictures in 852 pages and each page will be edged in gold leaf.

The book will be produced by Kraken Opus, the publishing company owned by former investment banker Karl Fowler. His previous subjects have included Ferrari, Diego Maradona and Michael Jackson.

Diego Maradona Opus

The Ferrari Opus

The Michael Jackson Opus

Image Courtesy: Krakenopus.com

AFC Cup 2010: East Bengal to Miss Baichung Bhutia Against Al Nejmeh

East Bengal will be without the services of influential India national team captain Baichung Bhutia for Wednesday’s AFC Cup meeting with Lebanon League champions Al Nejmeh at Beirut Sports City Stadium. East Bengal arrived in Beirut on Monday without hamstring injury victim Bhutia, who is set to be sidelined for three weeks.But despite the absence of the former Bury striker, Belgian coach Philippe De Ridder is confident East Bengal can bounce back from last month’s 4-1 home defeat by Syria’s Al Ittihad after drawing 1-1 with I-League leaders Mahindra United at the weekend.

"We were unfortunate to lose the first match at home, but we want to make up for that defeat. We failed to score from the chances we had and this is a big problem for us,” said De Ridder.

"We will miss Baichung, but we have players who can cover him. All the players are good and the replacement should play well to take advantage of the chance to play.

"We want to have a good show in order to get a positive result. We will go into the game against Al Nejmeh to play well and the good result will come based on the performance."

Since their 1-1 draw with Kuwait’s Al Qadisa, Al Nejmeh have appointed former coach Abdulaziz Abdulshafi following the resignation of Lebanon national team coach Emile Rustom.

News Courtsey: The-afc.com

Cricket: "DADA" Saurav Ganguly Felicitated At Eden Gardens

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) Sunday gave a colourful farewell to former India captain Sourav Ganguly on 18th January at Eden Gardens.

With the well decked up Eden Gardens as the venue, cricket administrators, politicians and fellow cricketers recalled the left-hander's significant contribution to the game and dwelt on various facets of his personality to make it a memorable evening.

Ganguly was presented a bat made of one kg gold priced at Rs 2.5 million as confetti was showered and the who's who of Kolkata watched in rapt attention every moment of the function christened 'Celebrating a legend".

Speaking on the occasion, CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya traced Ganguly's development from a flamboyant talent to a cricketer who was maturity personified.

An overwhelmed Sourav said: “The last time I had so much glitter on me was during daughter Sana’s birthday. It gives me immense pleasure to be present here. I’ve spent my entire life at this ground… The first time I came here was when I was 13 and I represented Bengal in a U-15 game versus Orissa. This is one of the best grounds and I consider myself lucky and privileged to have played here. I can’t remember having lost a Test match here,” Sourav said in his sweet speech.

Diego Maradona Visits Missionaries of Charity, Kolkata

The GOD - Diego Armando Maradona's Kolkata Visit - Pictures

Diego Armando Maradona during his visit to Missionaries of Charity

Diego Maradona and Veronica at Miisionaries of Charity

Diego Maradona's footprint was taken in a football academy in Maheshtala, Kolkata

Diego Armando Maradona, the "God of Soccer" himself, was a picture of serenity at the Mother House, the world headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, on Sunday(7th December, 2008).

Diego Maradona, lit a candle and prayed at Mother Teresa's tomb during a special mass before talking to the sisters and children -- many of them orphans -- who live at the home.

“This is the second biggest reception of my life after Napoli,” said Maradona on a TV channel, as he described his two-day visit to Kolkata, India.

Long Live THE KING, Long Live HIS Dynasty!

Image Courtesys: NDTV, AFP Google

The God - Diego Armando Maradona Lands in Kolkata, India

The GOD - Diego Armando Maradona finally arrived in my city, Kolkata earlier today (dec 6) morning amidst a rousing reception by thousands of mad "GOD" fans. The football capital of the country was awake to welcome the GOD.

Maradona finally touched down Kolkata at 1.15 A.M. in the morning. Half an hour later the moment arrived Kolkatans and myself had been waiting for. We chanted Diego Diego that reverberated in the air, even the GOD, Maradona dressed in a black suit could not control his emotions as he got up from his seat to acknowledge the cheers.

A historic moment for the football capital Kolkata, India. At half past 2 in the morning, Diego Maradona along with his girlfriend Veronica finally checked in at the hotel ITC Sonar Bangla. The legendary soccer star received a traditional Indian welcome.

Anil Kumble Retires from Internaional Cricket : Profile and Pictures

The Delhi Test : Anil Kumble Bids Farewell To International Cricket




The End of an ERA - Anil Kumble

Cara Black and Leander Paes Wins US Open Mixed Doubles Title

Cara Black of Zimbabwe and Leander Paes of India won their first U.S. Open mixed doubles title by beating Liezel Huber of the United States and Jamie Murray of Britain 7-6 (6), 6-4 in the final Thursday.

Paes has won four Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, and Black has won three — but this was the first for each at Flushing Meadows and the first for them as a team.

They were seeded fifth at the U.S. Open. Huber and Murray were unseeded.

Image Courtsey: Daijiworld.com

Top 15 Highlights Of Beijing Olympics - Why You Should Remember Beijing Olympics

Why You Should Remember Beijing Olympics : 15 Truths

1) First individual gold medal for India - Abhinav Bindra in Shooting

2) First medal for India in Boxing - Vijender Kumar (Bronze) in 75Kg Category

3) Wrestling medal for India (Bronze) by Sushil Kumar after 1952 Helsinki Olympics

4) Angel Valodia Matos of Cuba kicks Swedish referee Chakir Chelbat in 80Kg division. Gets lifetime ban.

5) Ara Abrahamian of Sweden (84Kg Greco/Roman) throws his bronze medal after the medal ceremony.

6) Michael Phelps of USA wins 8 gold medals in a single Olympics, out of which 7 were World Records.

7) Usain Bolt of Jamaica breaks 100m World Record - clocks 9.69 seconds. Breaks 12-year-old Michael Johnson's 200m World Record - clocks 19.30 seconds.

8) Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia breaks World Record in Women's Pole Vault - leaps 5.05 meters.

9) First women athlete of Cameroon Francoise Mbango Etone gets Gold in Women's Triple Jump.

10) Liu Xiang of China fails to defend his 110m-hurdles title. Withdrwas after injury.

11) Rohullah Nikpai wins Afghanistan's first Olympic medal with a bronze in the men's 58-kg taekwondo.

12) Robina Muqimyar of Afghanistan becomes first Woman Athlete of her country to take part in Olympics.

13) USA's Men and Women's 4X100m Relay teams fail to qualify for the finals.

14) For the last time Oympics have seen Baseball and Softball.

15) US sprinter Tyson Gay fails for the 100m final.