Cricket: "Afghanistan Achieve ODI Status"

In their last Super eight match, Afghanistan have won by 21 runs against Namibia in world cup qualifier. They stand 6th in the table, as per the rules of ICC top 6 six qualify for the ODI Status.

Afghanistan after recovering from their debacle they are surely making a point that they are not far behind. Now they will tour other ODI status teams shortly. In a press release their captain said that, "our team loves to play with Pakistan and Australia".

Scores: Afghanistan 243 for 7 (Nowroz Mangal 78, Mohammad Shedzad 73) beat Namibia 222 (Snyman 54, Hamid Hassan 3-37) by 21 runs.

Source: Cricinfo

Politics: "65% Turnout in Andhra Pradesh for First Phase of Polling"

Election Officials put the turnout in Andhra Pradesh at 65% for first phase of polling. Next phase of elections will be held on thursday, 23rd April, 2009. This was quite dissappointing as this time around the % of youth were more and the total % is a letdown. South cine actor Chiranjeevi voted from jubilee hills, he was accompanied by his wife, elder daughter and son-in-law. He was pretty confident that PRP (Praja Rajyam) will win decent number of seat from first phase of elections. All the other big shots voted from their respective constituencies.

Voting starting at 9:00 am and closed at 5:00pm in all polling boots, except for naxals hit areas where it closed a little before at 3:00 pm. As the voting is done for the first phase now the campaigning is in full flow for the second phase. FYI the results will be announced on 16th May, 2009.

Polls show a tight race in key state and analysts say the outcome here could determine the balance of power at the national level.

Cricket: "IPL - Matches to be extended for 15 more Mins"

According to the latest news, IPL matches in SouthAfrica are to be extended to 15 mins. There will be 7 & 1/2 Min Break in each innings to generate more revenue.

Source: Cricinfo

Politics: "Andhra Pradesh First Phase elections 2009"

First Phase of Assembly and Lok Sabha elections are going to be held tomorrow in Andhra Pradesh i.e April 16th, 2009. All major parites (Congress,Telugu Desam Party - TDP,Praja Rajyam party - PRP,Telangana Rashtriya Samithi - TRS,.....) have sweated a lot for campaining for their respective parties. Yesterday was the last day for campaining and all parties have done their part to show their strengths.

All the parites are confident in their own ways. Tomorrow is the actual test for the politicians fighting in first phase of elections. Results will be announced on 16th May, 2009. This time, lot of young voters are heading to polling booths to cast their vote. Time will tell who will win with how much majority.

Opinion polls are projecting for a congress win again, but you never know what will be the outcome. All in all, all are expecting to be tough fight among parties. All we can do is just wait for May 16th, 2009.

Going back to 2004 elections, in the first phase, the Congress won 69 Assembly (48 in Telangana) and 11 Lok Sabha (9 in Telangana) positions. TDP could get only 22 Assembly (11 in Telangana) and four Lok Sabha (1 in Telangana) constituencies.

TRS, which was then a part of the Congress-led alliance, could win 26 Assembly and six Lok Sabha seats. The CPI won five (4 in Telangana) and the CPM seven (6 in Telangana). Both the parties got 1 Lok Sabha seat each.

This is a sincere request from me to all the andhrites to go and cast their vote. Think about the future and vote for a party which is our future.

Happy voting!!!

Source for 2004 election stats: Greatandhra

Cricet: "Champion's Rajasthan Royals"

IPL First Season champions Rajasthan Royals. Strictly speaking they were the underdogs. To start with they didnt had a dedicated coach (Shane warne was Coach cum Captain). They had the low profile players apart from few. But as the tournment progressed thir confidence too boosted. Their main stars for the first season where Shane warne, Yousuf pathan, Sohain Tanveer (Who is missing in this season), shane watson to an extend and other contributors to follow.

Following is the list of Players for Rajasthan Royals:

1)Shane Warne (Coach cum Captain)

2)Graeme Smith

3)Shane Watson

4)Tyron Henderson

5)Shaun Tait

6)Sohail Tanvir (Not Available for this season)

7)Mohammed Kaif

8)Yusuf Pathan

9)Munaf Patel

10)Kamran Akmal (Not Available for this season)

11)D. Mascarenhas

12)Morne Morkel

13)Swapnil Asnodkar

14)Siddharth Trivedi

15)Ravindra Jadeja

16)Mahesh Rawat

17)Nirja Patel

18)Dinesh Salunkhe

19)Anup Revandkar

20)Rob Quiney

21)Shane Harwood

22)Lee carseldine

23)Naman Ojha

24)Siddharth Chitnis

25)Paras Dogra

26)Paul Valthaty

27)Raiphi Gomez

28)Ahad Malek

29)Kamran Khan

30)Amit Singh

31)Srideep Mangela

32)Abhishek Raut

Players to watch out for the IPL Second season are Kamran Khan, whom shane warne has himself commended for his speed and accuracy. So IPL lovers beware of this youngster who is ready to make an impact in this tournment.

Source: Rajasthanroyals

Cricket: "IPL Complete Schedule"

Here is the complete Schedule for IPL Season 2.

Click here

Enjoy yourself!!!! :)

Source: Cricinfo

Cricket: "IPL - Indian Premier League"

Indian Premier League is what all indians are waiting for after india has conquered all the series under the leadership of dhoni. Here each one will contest with his own team mates. Players who were mere spectators in prior series will be striving hard not only to hold on to their place in the team but to be in playing 11. This is the prime reason why IPL will be the most interesting and equally threatening to their carriers.

Coming to the teams, inspite of winning the inaugural IPL tournament, rajasthan royals are less favourite than chennai super kings. Chennai super kings though lost the first tournament are the favourites in this tournment. But this is just an assumption as we have a lot of overseas and local players purchased by franchises for the second edition which will indeed show the difference in days to come. But my bet will be on chennai super kings under the leadership of Mahendra singh Dhoni.

The tournment is starting on 18th of April and this is the most anticipated tournment for all the right and wrong reasons lately. Will be shortly publishing the tournament schedule. Have shifted to new house and desperately waiting for weekend to buy a new tv to watch the IPL.