Sehwag risking WI, Eng tour to play IPL

New Delhi: A World Cup win can bring satisfaction of a lifetime and champion players rummage around for a recliner to relax while the medal sits on the chest perpetually. But winds of change have refashioned perceptions, where the IPL money rules the roost and other issues move to the back-burner.

Virender Sehwag's niggling shoulder injury, which forced him out of the ODIs on the South African tour to be fit for the World Cup, is one such example where a player risks jeopardising his career for franchisee reputation and some extra zeroes.

Sehwag and BCCI's decision to delay the shoulder surgery until after the World Cup was in national interest, but postponing it for franchisee cricket defies logic.

In contrast, neighbouring giants Sri Lanka have issued marching orders to their IPL-serving players midway through the tournament to prepare for national duty for the tour of England.

This opens Sehwag's disregard towards his fitness to even severe scrutiny as India too have energy-sapping tour of the West Indies commencing just six days after the IPL final on May 28, followed by the tour to England.

What more, the delay has already cost India Sehwag's more than useful off-spin. Though it thankfully didn't hurt the team in the World Cup, the signs indicate his decision to delay can make it only worse.

So if the 'Devil' is planning to 'Dare' the scalpel after the IPL, it's almost certain that the most feared opener in world cricket has resigned to the fact that he won't tour the Caribbean.

Does it mean that Sehwag and BCCI have wilted under the pressure of big-spending franchises, treating national interest secondarily? Is India's tour of the West Indies trivial in comparison to domestic entertainment like the IPL?

These and many similar incisive questions are waiting to dissect Sehwag and the Indian board's decision to put off an imminent treatment. Hope it doesn't cost India a disaster in the West Indies after a fairytale in the subcontinent.

Source: http://cricketnext.in.com/news/sehwag-risking-wi-eng-tour-to-play-ipl/56541-13.html

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India seek to break hosts' curse | Cricket News | Cricbuzz.com

India are well used to carrying the hopes of millions of cricket fans but now they will also try to overturn the weight of history by becoming the first main host nation to win the World Cup.

Home advantage is supposed to count for something in many sports but not so when it comes to winning the World Cup where individual brilliance or mathematical error have left those staging the party having to watch someone else walk away with the best present.

England hosted the first three World Cups, starting with the inaugural edition in 1975 and their best-effort saw them finish runners-up to a star-studded West Indies side in 1979.

The pioneers of one-day cricket, England reached the semi-finals in 1975 only to come up against inspired Australia all-rounder Gary Gilmour.

Left-arm paceman Gilmour made the most of a helpful Headingley pitch by taking six wickets for 14 runs as England collapsed to 93 all out and so became the first bowler to take six wickets in a one-day international.

Australia slumped in turn to 39 for six only for Gilmour to defy them with the bat in a match-clinching 28 not out.

Four years later England went one better but this time were undone by the West Indies.

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India, Bangladesh set for rousing cricket opener | Cricket News | Cricbuzz.com

India will look to settle an old score against an increasingly confident Bangladesh when the co-hosts meet in an intriguing opening match of the World Cup on Saturday.

On paper, the day-night clash at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka may look like a no-contest with tournament favourites India having won 20 of their 22 one-day matches against the Tigers.

But the two defeats at Bangladesh's hands will rankle Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men when they take the field in front of some 25,000 partisan fans baying for India's blood.

A 15-run defeat in December 2004 in Dhaka was followed by a stunning five-wicket loss during the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, which knocked India out in the first round.

Indian vice-captain Virender Sehwag, never one to mince words, told reporters ahead of the tournament that his team was charged up for what is widely seen as a grudge match.

"We have not forgotten that World Cup loss," the aggressive opener said. "We can't wait to play them again, and I am confident we will do better this time."

Bangladesh, who also defeated mighty South Africa in the second round of the last World Cup, could not have asked for a better setting to challenge the Indians.

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Captains say World Cup wide open | Cricket News | Cricbuzz.com

Graeme Smith of South Africa and India's Mahendra Singh Dhoni joined a chorus of World Cup skippers predicting a closely contested tournament that will thrill players and fans alike.

At a rare assembly of all 14 captains for a photo-shoot and media conference in Dhaka on Thursday ahead of cricket's showpiece event, the general refrain was that it was impossible to choose a winner.

"I believe every team taking part has a chance to win, it is all very open," Smith said at the function that took place a few hours before the opening ceremony at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Added Dhoni: "All teams are in good touch. The gap between matches will help players recover from niggles which are bound to happen. It means every team will be in good shape for their matches.

"A side that plays consistently well over the next six weeks will do well."

Ricky Ponting, whose Australia won the last three World Cups, was the first off the blocks in making his opening remarks before the floor was thrown open to the media.

"On behalf of the 13 other captains, I welcome the cricket fraternity to the World Cup," said Ponting. "It is the pinnacle of our sport and we will make sure it is a spectacle to remember."

Dhoni, speaking on behalf of the three host nations -- India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka -- said it was fitting the tournament was being held in South Asia where cricket was a major sport.

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Pawar starts his speech in Bengali | Cricket News | Cricbuzz.com

The president of the International Cricket Council Sharad Pawar today surprised everyone as he delivered the introductory lines of his speech at the inauguration ceremony of the World Cup in Bengali.

"Swagato (Welcome)," Pawar said at the Bangabandhu Stadium. "Bangladesh khoobi sundor desh (Bangladesh is a beautiful country)," the Indian Union Minister of Agriculture stated amid thunderous applause from a sell-out crowd.

There was more surprise as Pawar addressed the Bangla crowd saying, "Pradhan Mantrir haath dhore progotir pothe egiye cholechen apnara (The Bangladesh Prime Minister is guiding you (Bangaldeshi public) towards the road to progress)."

Pawar praised the local organisers for arranging the event on such a grand scale.

"This will be a World Cup which everyone will remember," Pawar said.

"I have been associated with two World Cup opening ceremonies but this was organised on a grand scale."

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Spectacular ceremony launches World Cup | Cricket News | Cricbuzz.com

Rock star Bryan Adams provided the sparks as a dazzling opening ceremony, showcasing a vibrant blend of sub-continental traditions and modernity, on Thursday launched the 10th edition of the cricket World Cup, setting the stage for 43 days of high-voltage cricketing extravaganza.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared the event open amid thundering cheers from a packed crowd at the renovated Bangabandhu stadium, marking the return of the showpiece event to the sub-continent after a gap of 15 years.

The evening sky lit up with spectacular fireworks as the high-profile 14-team competition was declared open in front of a host of dignitaries and top ICC and Cricket Board officials.

Captains of all the 14 participating nations got an unforgettable ride on tri-cycles while music, folk songs and dances, breath-taking fireworks and the collective enthusiasm of the Bangladeshi capital ushered in the event in a two-hour spectacle.

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CRICKET WORLD CUP 2011 TEAMS

Cricket World Cup 2011 teams: Cricket World Cup 2011 teams include 4 times winner Australia, 2 times winners West Indies, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Netherlands, Canada, Ireland, England and Kenya. Groups in which Cricket World Cup 2011 teams are divided:

Group A – Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya.

Group B – India, South Africa, England, Bangladesh, West Indies, Netherlands and Ireland.

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