Do-or-Die for Delhi Daredevils, Deccan Chargers

The Deccan Chargers and Delhi Daredevils – two struggling Indian Premier League teams captained by World Cup finalists – face-off Thursday evening in a do-or-die encounter in Hyderabad.

The winners will keep their qualifying hopes alive, albeit dimly, but the losing team can kiss goodbye to any chances of progressing to the next round and potential IPL4 glory.

Kumar Sangakkara’s Deccan Chargers are seventh in the table, one place ahead of the Delhi Daredevils, led by Virender Sehwag. Both teams are on six points, having won three matches and lost six, but Deccan Chargers are ahead thanks to their better net run-rate.

Ganguly Joins Pune Warriors

Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of India’s cricket team and a hugely popular figure in his hometown Kolkata, will belatedly play in this year’s Indian Premier League after being signed by bottom-placed Sahara Pune Warriors.

Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Sourav Ganguly will be vice-captain at Pune Warriors.

Ganguly replaces bowler Ashish Nehra, who has been ruled out of the 2011 IPL because of injury, Abhijit Sarkar, the team’s director and head of corporate communications at Sahara, told news channel NDTV.

He said that Ganguly will practice with the team but is unlikely to play in Wednesday’s match against top-placed Mumbai Indians, captained by his former national teammate and another cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar.

Ganguly will be vice-captain at Pune Warriors, one of two new IPL franchises this year. Pune Warriors, who are led by Yuvraj Singh, the man-of-the-World Cup, launched their campaign in style with two wins but have since lost six matches in a row and now languish at the bottom of the table with just four points. Ganguly, therefore, has very little time to influence his new team’s fortunes.

Ganguly Standing in Kolkata’s Way

Sourav Ganguly, known by many as “the Prince of Calcutta,” could prove to be more of a villain for his hometown Thursday as his new Indian Premier League team, Pune Warriors, hosts his old side, the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Punit Paranjpe/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Ganguly could play a part in Kolkata’s downfall.

The Kolkata Knight Riders, fourth in the IPL4 table on 14 points, need one win from their last two matches to secure a place in the next phase of the tournament. But a loss at the D.Y. Patil Stadium tonight would pile on the pressure, leaving Kolkata needing to beat the high-flying Mumbai Indians in the final first round game on May 22, with Kings XI Punjab now breathing down their neck.

Pune Warriors are already out of contention with just eight points after a disappointing run of defeats mid-way through their campaign, before Ganguly came on board. Still, with players such as Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, the team is capable of an upset and Pune – one of the two new franchises to join the IPL this year – will be desperate for the scalp of a big team like Kolkata.

A win for captain Yuvraj would also mean he’d be boosting the chances of his old team, Kings XI Punjab, who need Kolkata to lose if they are to stand a chance of progressing. Yet all eyes will be on Ganguly, a man who is revered in Kolkata, but whose cricketing services were no longer required by the local franchise, co-owned by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan.

More In IPL

• Ganguly Standing in Kolkata's Way
• Punjab, Cricket's Comeback Kings
• Crunch Time for Super Kings and Royals
• Sehwag Puts Even Tendulkar in the Shade
• Do-or-Die for Delhi Daredevils, Deccan Chargers

Ganguly was ignored by Kolkata and every other franchise at the IPL auction this year, so the former India cricket captain will be eager to demonstrate that he still has the ability to perform at this level. Playing a devastating innings against his old team would be particularly sweet revenge, no matter if he diplomatically says otherwise.

Ganguly, who is also affectionately known as Dada, unsurprisingly isn’t in the best form of his life after spending much of the year in the commentary box instead of on the wicket. In his first innings for Pune (in a six wicket victory over the Deccan Chargers), he scored a solid but slow 32-ball 32, but in his next outing (this time a six wicket loss to the Deccan Chargers) he was out of for a duck.

Ganguly will be under pressure to perform, but it’s not do-or-die for him or his team – his career and Pune’s tournament are pretty much over – so he will have a bit more freedom to bat for fun and bow out with a bang.

The Kolkata Knight Riders, in contrast, are under major pressure. The franchise has always promised much in the IPL but it has never made it to the finals. This year, Kolkata has been consistently near the top of the table, so it would be a devastating blow for the team, now led by Gautam Gambhir, to fall short again, particularly if Ganguly plays a key part in its downfall.

* Ganguly Standing in Kolkata’s Way

Sourav Ganguly, known by many as “the Prince of Calcutta,” could prove to be more of a villain for his hometown Thursday as his new Indian Premier League team, Pune Warriors, hosts his old side, the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Punit Paranjpe/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Ganguly could play a part in Kolkata’s downfall.

The Kolkata Knight Riders, fourth in the IPL4 table on 14 points, need one win from their last two matches to secure a place in the next phase of the tournament. But a loss at the D.Y. Patil Stadium tonight would pile on the pressure, leaving Kolkata needing to beat the high-flying Mumbai Indians in the final first round game on May 22, with Kings XI Punjab now breathing down their neck.

Pune Warriors are already out of contention with just eight points after a disappointing run of defeats mid-way through their campaign, before Ganguly came on board. Still, with players such as Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, the team is capable of an upset and Pune – one of the two new franchises to join the IPL this year – will be desperate for the scalp of a big team like Kolkata.

A win for captain Yuvraj would also mean he’d be boosting the chances of his old team, Kings XI Punjab, who need Kolkata to lose if they are to stand a chance of progressing. Yet all eyes will be on Ganguly, a man who is revered in Kolkata, but whose cricketing services were no longer required by the local franchise, co-owned by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan.

More In IPL

• Ganguly Standing in Kolkata's Way
• Punjab, Cricket's Comeback Kings
• Crunch Time for Super Kings and Royals
• Sehwag Puts Even Tendulkar in the Shade
• Do-or-Die for Delhi Daredevils, Deccan Chargers

Ganguly was ignored by Kolkata and every other franchise at the IPL auction this year, so the former India cricket captain will be eager to demonstrate that he still has the ability to perform at this level. Playing a devastating innings against his old team would be particularly sweet revenge, no matter if he diplomatically says otherwise.

Ganguly, who is also affectionately known as Dada, unsurprisingly isn’t in the best form of his life after spending much of the year in the commentary box instead of on the wicket. In his first innings for Pune (in a six wicket victory over the Deccan Chargers), he scored a solid but slow 32-ball 32, but in his next outing (this time a six wicket loss to the Deccan Chargers) he was out of for a duck.

Ganguly will be under pressure to perform, but it’s not do-or-die for him or his team – his career and Pune’s tournament are pretty much over – so he will have a bit more freedom to bat for fun and bow out with a bang.

The Kolkata Knight Riders, in contrast, are under major pressure. The franchise has always promised much in the IPL but it has never made it to the finals. This year, Kolkata has been consistently near the top of the table, so it would be a devastating blow for the team, now led by Gautam Gambhir, to fall short again, particularly if Ganguly plays a key part in its downfall.

Sachin Tendulkar's Proudest Moment,

Sachin Tendulkar said 2011 World Cup triumph was the proudest moment of his life as India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets to capture the "ultimate" prize. "I couldn't have asked for more," said Tendulkar".

"Winning the World Cup is the ultimate thing. It is the proudest moment of my life. It shows it is never too late.
I thank my teammates who were fabulous. I could not really hold back my tears. These are happy tears so I don't mind crying."

Virat Kohli said the victory was a fitting tribute to Tendulkar. "This goes out to all the people of India. Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years. It was time we carried him."

Gautam Gambhir, who played a key role with the bat in making 97 off 122 balls, said the win was a gift to his great teammate Sachin Tendulkar from the entire squad. "All credit for this win should go to Tendulkar. We were all playing for him, this trophy is for him."

Little Tendulkar, on his part, thanked each of his team-mates and the support staff including polar explorer Mike Horn. I would like to thank the support staff especially Mike Horn who joined us at the start of the tournament and was there for our last couple of games" He worked on the mental side and has helped us deal with the expectations and pressure.

The team stuck together in the rough phases and proved people wrong who doubted our ability. Self-belief has been always there but in the last two years, we have been very consistent.

"It's been great honour to be part of this team. Thanks to (coach) Gary (Kirsten) and Paddy Upton (mental conditioning expert)." ( Source - CricBuzz)

"I couldn't have asked for anything more than this" - Sachin Tendulkar

Posted by Shamliee Raj N | 12:33 PM | 2011 world cup, Sachin Tendulkar | 2 comments »

"I couldn't have asked for anything more than this. Winning the World Cup is the proudest moment of my life. Thanks to my team-mates. Without them, nothing would have happened. I couldn't control my tears of joy."
Sachin Tendulkar, who's played six World Cups, on his best moment.

"I took a quite few decisions tonight, if we hadn't won I would have been asked quite a few questions: Why no Ashwin, why Sreesanth, why no Yuvraj, why did I bat ahead?! That pushed me and motivated to do well"
MS Dhoni puts a light spin on his selection decisions ahead of India's title win.

"This is unbelievable. The Under-19 World Cup, then the World Twenty20 but this is the most special. For Sachin, for everyone else."
Yuvraj Singh, the Player of the Tournament, sums it up.

"Very proud of everyone, especially Mahela who rose up to the occasion and put up a great hundred. When you look at this Indian team anything less than 350 looks less! They deserved this title, the way they played in front of a great crowd."
Kumar Sangakkara, the Sri Lanka captain, is gracious in defeat.

"All credit goes to Sachin Tendulkar. We played for him. Beating Australia and Pakistan and now this, its a dream come true."

Gautam Gambhir, who gave India the upper hand in the final with his 97.

"It means the world to me. I have been part of the three World Cups. This is for the nation. Thank you very much, we love you. This cup is for the people. Love you India!"
Harbhajan Singh was among several Indian players who shed a tear following India's victory.

"This goes out to all the people of India. This is my first World Cup; I can't ask for more. Tendulkar has carried the burden of nation for 21 years; It was time we carried him. Chak de India!"
Virat Kohli leads the Tendulkar tributes.

Source - ESPNcricinfo staff

Sachin Tendulkar, Coke's new Happiness Ambassador

Coca-cola, a world-leading beverage firm, has announced Sachin Tendulkar as their new “Happiness Ambassador”. He was an ambassador for PepsiCo, an arch rival of Coke for which he has now signed three-year endorsement deal. As a brand ambassador he will be involved in strategic communication initiatives of Coke, including corporate, CSR and brand campaigns.

When made this announcement Wasim Basir, Director, Integrated Marketing Communication, Coca-Cola India, said"We are extremely pleased to have Sachin on board as the Company's 'Happiness Ambassador'. He will help us spread happiness through our actions and various initiatives,"

About this new venture, Sachin said "I am pleased to become a part of the Coca-Cola family... I look forward to a long and significant innings with the Company,"

Toxic Chemicals Found in Slew of Baby Products

Just when you tossed all those old baby bottles and sippy cups to switch to BPA-free versions, a new report says highchairs, changing table pads, baby carriers, sleep positioners, rocking chairs and nursing pillows contain chemicals that could be dangerous to your child.
The New York Times reports baby products made with polyurethane foam include flame retardants -- like those banned from kid's pjs in the '70s -- that could be carcinogens.

A study, published today in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, didn't look at whether kids actually took in chlorinated Tris from the products, but, according to The Times, findings show infants using those products are exposed to the chemical in higher levels than recommended.

Researchers looked at foam samples from 101 baby products, and found a third contained the chemical, while 80 percent of all products tested used some sort of flame retardant, The Times reports, adding that the retardants, while toxic, are still legal.

According to the newspaper, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says chlorinated Tris "may pose a significant health risk to consumers."

Of the products tested, 14 contained TCEP, a flame retardant called a cancer-causing agent by the State of California, according to The Times.


"Why do you need fire retardant in a nursing pillow?" Arlene Blum, a biophysical chemist who played a role in banning Tris flame retardants from kid's pajamas, tells the newspaper. "The whole issue is, they are toxic chemicals that are in our homes at high levels; and right now, people don't know much about it."

Industry trade group the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, however, tells The Times federal safety standards are being followed.

"Not only do these safety standards contain flammability requirements, they also restrict the use of substances that are harmful or toxic and to which children might be exposed," the group tells the newspaper in a statement.

Brad Pitt And Angelina Jolie Plan To Make Another Movie Together

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie famously met and fell in love on the set of 2005's Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and Pitt has revealed that the two are looking to re-unite on screen.

He sat down with NPR as part of his press for new movie The Tree of Life at the Cannes Film Festival, and talked about his plans for another movie with partner Angelina.

"We're not ones to repeat ourselves, but we'd like to, because right now, we're hopscotching with films so one can be with the kids and one's free to work. And why aren't we doing them together? Why aren't we doing everything together?"

Brad and Angie have talked about how they always travel as a family for films, and that one can not be working while the other is so that the kids have at least one full-time parent. Brad says that being a papa has made him change the movies he picks.

"I'm painfully aware that my kids are going to see these [movies] when they're older, and I want them to understand something about their dad, and I want them to be proud of their dad."

Indeed, Pitt and Jolie have both done more kid-friendly films since becoming parents. He lent his voice to 2010's kids' animated movie Megamind. Angie is in Cannes promoting Kung Fu Panda 2. Their six children are, of course, with them at the fest.

Brad also talked about what made him want to have so many kids in the first place, and reveals what his specialty is at home. See what he said after the jump!

Pitt revealed that a childhood friend's family made him want to have several children.

"I had a friend who had a big family when I was a kid. I just loved the chaos around the breakfast table and the fighting and the ribbing, and the mom making pancakes for everyone or the dad making pancakes. And I just decided then if I was ever going to do it — this left some indelible mark on me — if I was ever going to do it, that's the way I was going to do it."

Those memories influenced what is now one of Pitt's favorite daddy duties.

"Breakfast is pretty much my specialty. And barbecue."

Links: Angelina Jolie • Brad Pitt

Bangladesh nature

SOURCE MOHON DEBNATH

bbbbb

Aninda's Imagination: WORLD PEACE THREAD OSAMA BIN LADEN KILLED

Aninda's Imagination: WORLD PEACE THREAD OSAMA BIN LADEN KILLED

Out 1 Film Journal : Back to the Junkyard

Aninda has sent you a link to a blog:

null

Blog: Out 1 Film Journal
Post: Back to the Junkyard
Link: http://www.out1filmjournal.com/2011/01/back-to-junkyard.html

--
Powered by Blogger
http://www.blogger.com/

Rock it heartless!!!: Man with glasses : The sense of stylish

Rock it heartless!!!: Man with glasses : The sense of stylish: "Glasses, the first impression back to 'those days' is NERD, BORED, UNATTRACTIVE.... But now, glasses seems to be an additional deco for th..."

Rock it heartless!!!: Catherine Zeta Jones, moody and not so happy?

Rock it heartless!!!: Catherine Zeta Jones, moody and not so happy?: "Catherine Zeta Jones has revealed that she's battling with bipolar disorder by checking herself in a mental health facility seeking for a tr..."

WORLD PEACE THREAD OSAMA BIN LADEN KILLED

Osama bin Laden, the face of global terrorism and architect of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, was killed in a firefight with elite American forces Monday, then quickly buried at sea in a stunning finale to a furtive decade on the run.
Long believed to be hiding in caves, bin Laden was tracked down in a costly, custom-built hideout not far from a Pakistani military academy.
"Justice has been done," President Barack Obama said in a dramatic announcement at the White House while a crowd cheered outside and hundreds more gathered at ground zero in Manhattan to celebrate the news.
Photos: America Reacts to death of Osama bin Laden
Bin Laden hid in plain site in Pakistan
Intel hunt led to shootout at bin Laden fortress
Special report: The death of Osama bin Laden
The military operation took mere minutes.
U.S. helicopters ferrying elite counter-terrorism troops into the compound identified by the CIA as bin Laden's hideout -- and back out again in less than 40 minutes. Bin Laden was shot in the head, officials said, after he and his bodyguards resisted the assault.