'My speculation is that the BCCI believes that it is dangerous for credible insiders to stay outside its area of influence. It wants people like these three cricketers inside the tent rather than outside it,' says Aakar Patel.
What does Gideon Haigh, widely considered the finest cricket writer of our time, think of the man currently acclaimed as the finest cricketer on the planet?
'The biggest motivation is being a part of the Indian cricket team.'
In a significant statement, the head of Board of Control for Cricket in India's Committee of Administrators (COA) Vinod Rai on Thursday made it clear that the BCCI officials don't need their approval to convene a Special General Meeting (SGM).
Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Ajit Agarkar also skipped optional practice in in extremely windy and demanding conditions at Basin Reserve, the venue of the first Test against New Zealand.
India has been struggling to find a reliable opening batsman in Tests.
For a leg-spinner coming from the land of Bhagwat Chandrasekhar and pilloried in initial years for not being able to turn his leg-breaks or possessing a googly, Anil Kumble ended his 18-year career with a massive haul of 619 Test and 337 ODI wickets.
Dravid also lavished praise at his stroke-making capabilities during the epic knock.
Ravichandran Ashwin's sense of humour is unmatched and he won a lot of hearts with a moving speech in which he even made up for a faux pas by former India keeper Farookh Engineer.
'I thank Sachinpaaji for taking me to Coach Gary Kirsten and telling him that 'Sreesanth should play' (in the World Cup final against Sri Lanka) and thanks to Dhonibhai for giving me that opportunity.'
The Indian spin legend fondly recollected what easily got elevated to the top echelon of achievements in international cricket.
'What I would love him to do most is to become a life coach and share his incredible story of struggle, success, and survival,' says marketing guru Sandeep Goyal.
A 22 year old took the honours on Day 3.
What has changed to make our team so much more lethal, asks Aakar Patel.
Cheteshwar Pujara set a few records during his unbeaten ton.
The Power Bat is a visiting-card sized sticker on the shoulder of the bat that captures the speed of impact, quality of the shot and other parameters when the batsman hits the ball.
Unfazed by the delaying tactics adopted by the members of the Board of Control for Cricket in India at its last SGM, the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators has strengthened its resolve to implement the mandate given to them by the apex court.
'It helps me get into a mindset that I have nothing to lose and play accordingly.'
Featuring Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, V V S Laxman, Mohammad Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly, Vinod Kambli...
Rajneesh Gupta presents interesting numbers at the start of India-Australia Test series.
Sachin's Blasters has Lara, Sehwag, Mahela, Murali and, of course, Tendulkar! Warne's Warriers has Ponting, Kallis, Sanga, Akram and Donald...
'Fantasy players create their own team, get phantom money and start playing the virtual game.'
Rajneesh Gupta on a memorable triple ton.
Rajneesh Gupta lists some amazing coincidences in cricket -- a feature guaranteed to amuse you in these anxious times.
'Somewhere along the way, elected office-bearers appeared to have lost sight of the interest of cricket and begun to pursue their own interpretation of what the game should be.' 'Families made it a tradition to have their representatives occupy, if not usurp, positions in state associations,' points out Vinod Rai, who will step down as head of the BCCI's Committee of Administrators on Wednesday, October 23.
'That was a morning where if I wanted to fly, I would have flown as well.'
Rajneesh Gupta surveys the bowling landscape in India-Australia Tests.
While the likes of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and Jos Buttler are already big hits with the fans, others like Rishabh Pant and Vijay Shankar will be looking for attention with some good performances.
How many Tests has India won in South Africa? Who first captained India in South Africa in 1992-1993? Rajneesh Gupta answers all your questions.
Rajneesh Gupta lists some amazing coincidences in cricket -- a feature guaranteed to amuse you in these anxious times.
His cricketing brain, always sharp, was blessed with exceptional speed of information absorption and processing. He could quickly zero in on what needed to be done and use the element of surprise to overpower the opposition, observes Shreekant Sambrani.
Australia's legendary spinner Shane Warne picked his greatest Indian eleven, comprising the players he played against. A notable absentee from his list is VVS Laxman, who is named as 12th man.
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