'In the evening, he came to me, put a hand around me, and said: "Don't worry and don't be upset. The ball which did you in kept very low and even I might have got out playing it. Your chance will definitely come and I am sure you will excel."' Cheteshwar Pujara hails Sachin Tendulkar.
India's star cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara, who is also Election Commission's Brand Ambassador in Gujarat, specially flew down from Abu Dhabi, where he has been part of the Kings XI Punjab in the ongoing Indian Premier League, to cast his vote in Rajkot on Wednesday.
The Gujarat Lions team members and supporting staff came wearing orange turbans to the reception.
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad has arrested five persons for allegedly hatching a conspiracy to extort Rs 8 crore from a retired Indian Police Service officer by preparing and circulating a false affidavit to claim he had raped a woman, an official said on Monday.
Veteran Yuvraj Singh made a comeback to the Indian team, while Virat Kohli took over the captaincy from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, for the forthcoming three-match ODI and T20I series against England, starting in Pune, on January 15.
The Gujarat Lions-RCB game -- featuring Virat's magnificent century -- earned the highest amount.
On Lagaan's 20th anniversary, we bring back Aamir Khan's views expressed in an exclusive interview to Rediff.com Contributor Haresh Pandya in February 2000.
'I would have loved to see Dhoni play the first ever Test in Rajkot.' Fans from Saurashtra share their excitement with Haresh Pandya.
'Indian cricket is in the safe hands of excitingly talented cricketers. No team can afford to underestimate India. If they do, it is to their peril.'
Blessed with a computer-like brain and an elephantine memory, Anandji Dossa was a pioneer in compiling cricket statistics and scores. Haresh Pandya pays tribute to the modest stats-man, who has passed into the ages.
While voters have been traditionally used to Kshatriya candidates in Bhavnagar, parties have fielded candidates from a different community this time around, and it would be interesting see how the divided city votes this time, says Haresh Pandya
He loves horses and fast cars. He can ride well and brandish a sword as expertly as he does a bat. Yet he is down to earth and religious, and has just agreed to an arranged marriage... The unknown side of the star all-rounder from his sister Naina Jadeja.
'Anyone who watched me batting in Tests would know that I was up for it. I was ready to fight it out.'
'It shows his confidence in his own ability,' Geoff Boycott tells Haresh Pandya.
Late Santokben Jadeja's son Kandhal Jadeja is taking on BJP strongman Vitthal Radadiya in the Porbandar Lok Sabha constituency. NCP's Jadeja, with his family clout, will look to limit the chances of Radadaiya, the influential Leuva Patel leader, who is clearly perceived a hot favourite. Haresh Pandya reports.
The promising cricketer has been appointed the Gujarat Election Commission's brand ambassador, says Haresh Pandya
Will BJP's gamble of giving ticket to a Kadva Patel in the Leuva Patel-dominated Rajkot constituency pay off? Haresh Pandya analyses
'Dhoni may be hoping that luck stays with him for a couple of months more.' 'He may want to step down on a triumphant note, holding aloft the World T20 trophy on April 3.'
'That has always been my ambition -- to take the reader behind the scenes, to the places he was not allowed to visit, but which I had the privilege of entering.' Haresh Pandya remembers Ted Corbett, sports journalist extraordinaire, who passed into the ages on August 9.
The SCG may be perfect for the under-performing trio -- Pujara, Dhawan and Ashwin -- to regain their touch.
'Doubtless he was the greatest opener of his era; and also one of the greatest in the history of cricket.'
Despite losing four years of playing days due to World War II, Don Bradman still is head and shoulders above the rest. Haresh Pandya pays tribute to the incomparable Don Bradman.
After watching him finish unbeaten on 38 at the end of Day 1 in the second Test against the West Indies, the chances of Sachin Tendulkar essaying a century in his final Test are looking bright, says Haresh Pandya.
Five brothers playing first class cricket, including four appearing in Test matches as well, reads like a fairy tale. But it is true. Indeed, cricket historians and statisticians have never been tired of recounting how Hanif Mohammad, who passed into the ages on August 11, and his three brothers dominated Pakistan cricket in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Apart from Hanif, eldest Wazir Mohammad and younger ones Mushtaq Mohammad and Sadiq Mohammad represented Pakistan in the top division of cricket.
The semi-final against Australia and if the Indian women are fortunate, Sunday's final will decide her place in history as a captain, though she has long secured her position in the Elysium of women's cricket, says Haresh Pandya.
'Twenty20 cricket can be a lottery at times, but I think we'll definitely reach the semifinals.'
'Is there any other batsman in the world who can hold a candle to Rohit Sharma in purely aesthetic terms?' asks Haresh Pandya.
Rahane's game is a judicious mix of caution and aggression, which enables him to adjust splendidly to any situation, says Haresh Pandya.
Fortune favours the brave, and the loyal. And Vinubhai Kanjibhai Jaipal, who served Gajrajsinh Jadeja unflinchingly through thick and thin, will attest to it, having inherited Rs 600 crore from his late employer, says Haresh Pandya.
'If the BCCI's coffers are inundated with funds today, much of the credit must go to Jagmohan Dalmiya.'
'If Richie Benaud was born to play cricket and born to lead, he was also born to commentate on the game he graced with his inspirational presence.'
'Ravi Shastri told me he would go miles, and pay, to enjoy Vishy make 20 than to watch someone scoring an inelegant, laborious, 200.'
No one in his right senses will expect Ajinkya Rahane to bat like Sachin Tendulkar or make thousands of runs and own a plethora of records. But the right-hander guarantees to carry forward the rich legacy of the fabled Mumbai school of batting.
Raina is much experienced now, fully mature and he could unfold his true genius at the World Cup in Australia-New Zealand next year, writes Haresh Pandya
Mithali Raj trained in classical dance for eight years until she decided one day it was time to follow her heart and exhibit footwork of another kind.
'They should be conserved, preserved, and valued highly.'
Duncan Fletcher's impending exit prompts Haresh Pandya to suggest 'Indian' options for the job of national coach.
- 'Always strong at the psychological game, the Aussies put the pressure on the opponents, knew how to handle the pressure themselves and exploited virtually every situation to their advantage' - 'They are firmly and categorically told never to allow success to go to their heads. You don't find Australian cricketers getting even a little complacent'
'With India's bowling so poor, there will be extra pressure on the batsmen to score more runs. The Indian team, which nonchalantly scores 300/350 runs in ODIs at home, has had problems making even 200/250 runs in Australia.'
In Murali Vijay the team has now rediscovered a technically sound, highly reliable opener, who can be both aggressive and defensive, believes Haresh Pandya
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