India players slam Afridi remarks: report

New Delhi: Indian cricket stars Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh have hit out at Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi for his comments that Indians do not have "big clean hearts" like Pakistani Muslims.
Afridi also praised Pakistan's media for being "100 times better" than India's in a Pakistani TV show aired Sunday that has caused hurt and anger across the border in India.
"If Indians were not large-hearted, they would not have made so much of progress and delivered growth," Harbhajan was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency.



"I think it's been an uncalled for reaction. It wouldn't help the love and respect with which he is treated in this country."
India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in a much-hyped semi-final attended by the leaders of both countries before beating Sri Lanka in Mumbai last week to regain the World Cup after 28 years.
"Pakistanis indeed have very large hearts which is evident by their generous gesture of dropping so many catches against India during the semi-final clash," Yuvraj, named man of the tournament, told The Times of India.
"India would not have gone to the final had it not been for Pakistan's large-heartedness!"
Pakistan dropped four catches of Sachin Tendulkar who went on to make a vital 85 and fashion India's 29-run win over their rivals.
Afridi insisted later that his remarks had been taken out of context, although he stood by his comments about the Indian media.
His remarks shocked fans in India, who had greeted his efforts during the World Cup to promote harmony between the estranged neighbours whose diplomatic relations are fraught with tension.
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series on each other's soil since the Mumbai attacks in 2008 derailed their peace process.
New Delhi blamed Pakistan-based Islamist extremists for the attacks, which left 166 people dead.
The two nations have fought three wars since the subcontinent was partitioned in 1947.

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Dhoni: Sachin deserves Bharat Ratna

Mahendra Singh Dhoni joined the growing calls to award Bharat Ratna to Sachin Tendulkar, saying that no cricketer deserves it more than him.

"Yes, 200 per cent, because he is an ideal candidate, he has served the country for 21 years with a few more to come. As a cricketer, you know, if he doesn't get it, then I don't think there's anyone who'll get the Bharat Ratna ever," Dhoni said.



"I think he's done really great things for the country, taking cricket to the next level. He's known even in places where they don't know about the game, so I think it's a very big achievement taking the country forward. He's done remarkably," the Chennai Super Kings skipper said at a press meet to kickstart the IPL's fourth season, starting on Friday.



The Dhoni-led CSK, which won the double of the IPL and Champions League title last season, open their season with a home game against a Gautam Gambhir-led Kolkata Knight Riders.

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Vettori to lead Bangalore in IPL 2011

	Daniel Vettori played for Delhi Daredevils in the first three editions of the IPL © AFP Enlarge

Daniel Vettori who led New Zealand in the 2011 World Cup, has been named the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore for IPL 2011. Vettori, who was in the Delhi Daredevils line-up for the first three seasons, takes over from Anil Kumble, who has retired from the game, but will mentor the Bangalore team this year. Ray Jennings will continue to be the side's coach.

"Vettori is a hugely respected professional not only within his team but among his international peers as well," Kumble was quoted in the team's website. "His unique ability to get players to perform as a unit and deliver more than just the sum of their parts, as he has done time and again with New Zealand, will be a big asset to any team."

Jennings echoed Kumble's views on Vettori's leadership, and also touched upon his bowling abilities. "Vettori is probably the best spinner in the world at the moment and brings in tremendous skills that will be extremely useful on the Indian pitches," Jennings said. "We hope that he will inspire the young Royal Challengers as much with his performance as with his leadership skills in the upcoming season."

Bangalore had a disastrous 2008 season, when they finished seventh in a field of eight teams, but fared much better in the next two editions of the IPL. They were losing finalists in 2009, and finished third in the 2010 edition. They also qualified for the first two editions of the Champions League, but failed to win the event on either occasion.

"We are very excited for the upcoming season," Vijay Mallya, the owner of the Bangalore franchise, said. "Vettori is a highly experienced and respected leader and we hope to ride to the pinnacle of success this IPL under his leadership."

Meanwhile, Deccan Chargers have announced that Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara will lead their side in the IPL. Sangakkara swaps the leadership role with former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist who has taken over as the Kings XI Punjab captain. Australia batsman Cameron White will be Sangakkara's deputy, while Darren Lehman will continue to coach the Hyderabad-based franchise.

© ESPN EMEA Ltd.

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Soldiers are "real heroes", I am not: Harbhajan

Jalandhar: He might have achieved hero-status after helping India win the World Cup, but ace off-spinner Harbhajan Singh described the soldiers as the "real heroes" of the country on Tuesday.



At a function organised by Border Security Force here to felicitate him for helping India win the World Cup, Harbhajan, paid tribute to the soldiers, saying that they are the "real national heroes".
"The real national heroes of the country are you soldiers and all others, including me, are not real heroes. For me, this moment will be cherished as all the real heroes are getting together to felicitate me who is not a real hero," Harbhajan said, accepting the felicitation.
"I am a great admirer of you (soldiers). You have been spending all day and night to protect us. Because of you, we are safe and secure. We cannot forget your contribution in winning the World Cup," he said.
"I salute you all and congratulate you in India's World Cup win. I thank you for honouring me," Harbhajan said after being handed a memento.
Talking about the India-Pakistan World Cup semi-final clash, Harbhajan said, "You must have watched the India-Pakistan match and enjoyed it. Because of your love and affection, we won the World Cup."



BSF Inspector General Himmat

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Sangakkara steps down as ODI and T20 captain

	The World Cup final was Kumar Sangakkara's last game as Sri Lanka's limited-overs' captain

Kumar Sangakkara has stepped down as captain of Sri Lanka's ODI and T20 teams but has offered to continue as the Test captain on an interim basis for the forthcoming series against England and Australia "if this is considered helpful for the new captain". He will continue as a player in all formats of the game.

His decision, revealed on Tuesday, comes days after he led Sri Lanka to the World Cup final. Tillakaratne Dilshan and Angelo Mathews are among those tipped to take charge of the limited-overs' sides, while Thilan Samaraweera is being discussed as an option to lead the Test team.

Sangakkara was the third highest scorer in the 2011 World Cup and scored 48 in their defeat to India in the final.

"I would like to announce that after careful consideration I have concluded that it is in the best long-term interests of the team that I step down now as national captain so that a new leader can be properly groomed for the 2015 World Cup in Australia", a statement from Sangakkara said.

"This was a decision I made prior to the 2011 World Cup. I will be 37 by the next World Cup and I cannot therefore be sure of my place in the team. It is better that Sri Lanka is led now by a player who will be at the peak of their career during that tournament.

"It has been a true honour and a great privilege to serve my country as captain during the past two years and, although bitterly disappointed that we could not win the final, I am very proud of the performances of the team.

"I met with the selectors on Monday and I explained my reasons for my decision and I assured them of my fullest support in helping our new captain settle into the leadership.

"In this regard, I have offered to continue as the Test captain for the forthcoming series with England and possibly Australia if the selectors believe this would help the new captain and aid the transition.

"I have no plans of retirement from international cricket at this stage and subject to form and fitness I would like to be considered for selection in all three formats of the game for the foreseeable future. "

© ESPN EMEA Ltd.

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