Saturday 23 February 2013
China football corruption - mend it like Beckham.....
Many said installing Beckham - currently with French club Paris Saint-Germain - as an "international ambassador" will do little to address the core problems of the competition, which is battling to overcome match-fixing and bribery scandals.
Beijing:
Former
England captain David Beckham is being lined up to promote Chinese
football, state media said on Friday, but fans say rebuilding the
sport's shattered image may be too big a challenge even for him.Officials have confirmed the superstar will make a highly anticipated tour of China "in which he will be appointed the CSL's (Chinese Super League's) ambassador", the state-run China Daily said.
The Chinese Football Association is not expected to confirm the trip until next week, but sports fans took to Internet message boards in droves to criticise the decision.
Many said installing Beckham - currently with French club Paris Saint-Germain - as an "international ambassador" will do little to address the core problems of the competition, which is battling to overcome match-fixing and bribery scandals.
"This is a superficial change by the CFA. Even if Beckham comes, what exactly is he going to do?," said one poster on Sina Weibo, China's version of Twitter.
"Chinese football will become even more rotten. Its prospects are bleak."
Another addressed the player himself: "Want to discredit yourself, or to launder money? You have come to the right place. You could spend half a lifetime disgracing yourself, handsome guy."
A CSL source told the official Xinhua news agency on Thursday it was "almost certain" the 37-year-old would take up the new role.
An official at IMG, which is described in Chinese media as a CSL "marketing partner", was quoted in the China Daily Friday saying: "Yes, we are indeed organising his visit to China as the ambassador."
None of the media reports signalled how much Beckham, who is known as "little Becks" in China, would be paid in the position.
Football in the country is reeling after years of corruption involving officials, referees and players.
A three-year investigation into match-fixing led to 33 people being banned for life and Didier Drogba's former club Shanghai Shenhua being stripped of the 2003 league title earlier this week.
The arrival of the Ivory Coast striker and Nicolas Anelka, his former team-mate at English Premier League side Chelsea, last year signalled to some commentators that Chinese football had turned a corner.
But both players have since left Shenhua, with Drogba going to Turkish league leaders Galatasaray in disputed circumstances and Anelka signing for Juventus on loan.
Iran selects 16 sites for new nuclear plants.........
Tehran,Iran: Iran has selected 16 locations for the construction
of nuclear power plants as part of a plan to generate 20,000 megawatts
of electricity at multiple sites over the next 15 years.
State TV says on Saturday that experts at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran have finished studies to select the best locations across the country. It added that sites were chosen in part for their resistance to earthquakes and military air strikes.
The Islamic republic says it needs 20 large-scale plants to meet its growing electricity needs over the next one-and-a-half decades.
State TV also says that Iran has discovered
new uranium resources in the country that will put its reserves at 4,400
tons compared to 1,527 tons three decades ago.
State TV says on Saturday that experts at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran have finished studies to select the best locations across the country. It added that sites were chosen in part for their resistance to earthquakes and military air strikes.
The Islamic republic says it needs 20 large-scale plants to meet its growing electricity needs over the next one-and-a-half decades.
Kohinoor diamond in royal crown is ours, British PM David Cameron tells India.......
Speaking on the third and final day of a visit to India aimed at drumming up trade and investment, Cameron ruled out handing back the 105-carat Kohinoor diamond, now on display in the Tower of London. The diamond had been set in the crown of the current Queen Elizabeth's late mother.
One of the world's largest diamonds, some Indians - including independence leader Mahatma Gandhi's grandson - have demanded its return to atone for Britain's colonial past.
"It is the same question with the Elgin Marbles," he said, referring to the classical Greek marble sculptures that Athens has long demanded be given back.
"The right answer is for the British Museum and other cultural institutions to do exactly what they do, which is to link up with other institutions around the world to make sure that the things which we have and look after so well are properly shared with people around the world.
"I certainly don't believe in 'returnism', as it were. I don't think that's sensible."
Britain's then colonial governor-general of India arranged for the huge diamond to be presented to Queen Victoria in 1850.
If Kate Middleton, the wife of Prince William, who is second in line to the throne, eventually becomes queen consort she will don the crown holding the diamond on official occasions.
When Elizabeth II made a state visit to India to mark the 50th anniversary of India's independence from Britain in 1997, many Indians demanded the return of the diamond.
Cameron is keen to tap into India's economic rise, but says he is anxious to focus on the present and future rather than "reach back" into the past.
Aryan makes SRK a proud dad........
Aryan surely makes Shah Rukh Khan a very proud father. This picture, taken during one of the IPL matches in 2010, shows ther young boy on the field with his super dad. SRK cheers his son, as little Aryan displays some great fielding skills on the ground.
If Sachin Tendulkar retires, Test cricket will die: Arjuna Ranatunga.....
Bangalore: Sri Lanka`s
World Cup-winning former captain Arjuna Ranatunga feels Test cricket
would "die" if players like Sachin Tendulkar call it quits.
"If
players like him (Tendulkar) don`t play the longer version of the game,
Test cricket will die. I pray to God he continues to play Test cricket. I
was very happy to know he has retried from ODIs. For me Test is
education and the shorter versions are entertainment," Ranatunga told
PTI.
Ranatunga, who guided Sri Lanka to their first and only World Cup title in 1996, said Tendulkar still has a lot of cricket left in him.
Bangalore: Sri Lanka`s World Cup-winning former captain Arjuna Ranatunga feels Test cricket would "die" if players like Sachin Tendulkar call it quits. "If players like him (Tendulkar) don`t play the longer version of the game, Test cricket will die. I pray to God he continues to play Test cricket. I was very happy to know he has retried from ODIs. For me Test is education and the shorter versions are entertainment," Ranatunga told PTI. Ranatunga, who guided Sri Lanka to their first and only World Cup title in 1996, said Tendulkar still has a lot of cricket left in him.
Instead of blaming the BCCI for the non-implementation of the controversial Decision Review System to avoid umpiring mistakes, Ranatunga turned his ire on the ICC.
"I am not blaming BCCI, but blaming ICC for not making DRS compulsory. They should not allow home countries to take decisions on the matter," he said on the sidelines of Sri Lanka Tourism promotion event here.
"They (the ICC) shout, but hardly bite. I have always said that they haven`t changed. ICC should protect the game not individual countries on the DRS issue," he suggested.
Ranatunga said even if the Indian Board pushes the ICC into a corner, it should have the spine to take bold decisions and make it mandatory for all nations to use DRS.
"This system is the best thing that has happened to
cricket in the last 20 years and I feel DRS should be adopted by all countries. We would have been better batsmen, bowlers and fielders if the DRS was there in our time," Ranatunga opined.
Ranatunga said Twenty20 has ruined cricket as it does not create technically sound players such as Sunil Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Gundappa Vishwanath, Mohammad Azharuddin or Dilip Vengsarkar.
"They are more concerned about playing the shorter version of the game, earning money, not playing for the country," he said.
"I still remember it was a great concern for us to get India out because they had quality batsmen like Rahul Dravid, Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly. Within four days we couldn`t get them out.
"But now, we get to see a side folding up before lunch as it lacks technique. They are interested in hitting the ball rather than concentrating on technique," he argued.
On chances of India winning the ongoing four-match Test series against Australia, Ranatunga said the hosts` prospects are decent as the touring side is weak.
"Without technique you cannot survive in Test cricket. India have very good hitters but they need to concentrate on technique," he said.
"Technique of first six Indian top batsmen, barring few, is abysmal. Australia, on the other hand, is an inexperienced side," he said.
Asked about Mahendra Singh Dhoni`s captaincy, Ranatunga said nobody should comment on his leadership because he is the only Indian who has won two World Cups.
"I think India should allow Dhoni to captain," he said.
"If
players like him (Tendulkar) don`t play the longer version of the game,
Test cricket will die. I pray to God he continues to play Test cricket. I
was very happy to know he has retried from ODIs. For me Test is
education and the shorter versions are entertainment," Ranatunga told
PTI.Ranatunga, who guided Sri Lanka to their first and only World Cup title in 1996, said Tendulkar still has a lot of cricket left in him.
Bangalore: Sri Lanka`s World Cup-winning former captain Arjuna Ranatunga feels Test cricket would "die" if players like Sachin Tendulkar call it quits. "If players like him (Tendulkar) don`t play the longer version of the game, Test cricket will die. I pray to God he continues to play Test cricket. I was very happy to know he has retried from ODIs. For me Test is education and the shorter versions are entertainment," Ranatunga told PTI. Ranatunga, who guided Sri Lanka to their first and only World Cup title in 1996, said Tendulkar still has a lot of cricket left in him.
Instead of blaming the BCCI for the non-implementation of the controversial Decision Review System to avoid umpiring mistakes, Ranatunga turned his ire on the ICC.
"I am not blaming BCCI, but blaming ICC for not making DRS compulsory. They should not allow home countries to take decisions on the matter," he said on the sidelines of Sri Lanka Tourism promotion event here.
"They (the ICC) shout, but hardly bite. I have always said that they haven`t changed. ICC should protect the game not individual countries on the DRS issue," he suggested.
Ranatunga said even if the Indian Board pushes the ICC into a corner, it should have the spine to take bold decisions and make it mandatory for all nations to use DRS.
"This system is the best thing that has happened to
cricket in the last 20 years and I feel DRS should be adopted by all countries. We would have been better batsmen, bowlers and fielders if the DRS was there in our time," Ranatunga opined.
Ranatunga said Twenty20 has ruined cricket as it does not create technically sound players such as Sunil Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Gundappa Vishwanath, Mohammad Azharuddin or Dilip Vengsarkar.
"They are more concerned about playing the shorter version of the game, earning money, not playing for the country," he said.
"I still remember it was a great concern for us to get India out because they had quality batsmen like Rahul Dravid, Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly. Within four days we couldn`t get them out.
"But now, we get to see a side folding up before lunch as it lacks technique. They are interested in hitting the ball rather than concentrating on technique," he argued.
On chances of India winning the ongoing four-match Test series against Australia, Ranatunga said the hosts` prospects are decent as the touring side is weak.
"Without technique you cannot survive in Test cricket. India have very good hitters but they need to concentrate on technique," he said.
"Technique of first six Indian top batsmen, barring few, is abysmal. Australia, on the other hand, is an inexperienced side," he said.
Asked about Mahendra Singh Dhoni`s captaincy, Ranatunga said nobody should comment on his leadership because he is the only Indian who has won two World Cups.
"I think India should allow Dhoni to captain," he said.
Sri Lankan public don`t like juniors playing IPL: Sanath Jayasurya....
Bangalore: Former Sri
Lanka captain and present chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya feels that it
will be better if junior Sri Lankan players are kept away from IPL
although it remains an "individual decision".
The dashing opener
feels that Sri Lankan people don`t like young players participating in
the IPL because they adopt different technique which is detrimental to
their game.
"However, experienced cricketers playing in IPL is infact good. But it is left to individual player`s discretion which of the two games is better for him," he added.
Jayasuriya said that the national captaincy has been handed over to Angelo Mathews for the smooth transition of the team.
"We have picked up some young players and also appointed Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal as captain and vice-captain for smoother transition of the team. We need to get youngsters groomed by playing alongside senior players, before they quit," the prolific opener of yesteryears told mediapersons on the sidelines of a promotional event for the Sri Lanka tourism.
"In few years time, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillekratne Dilshan Thilan Samaraweera and Mahela Jayawardene will not be there on the scene," he stated.
Asked why Sri Lanka hardly win matches overseas, Jayasuriya said it was unfortunate that the team lost in recently concluded Australia series, but they played well in the third Test at Sydney.
"There is a need to concentrate more on Test cricket and strengthen the bowling department," Jayasuriya said adding that the selectors have picked up Chaminda Vaas as Sri Lanka`s bowling coach.
The dashing opener
feels that Sri Lankan people don`t like young players participating in
the IPL because they adopt different technique which is detrimental to
their game."However, experienced cricketers playing in IPL is infact good. But it is left to individual player`s discretion which of the two games is better for him," he added.
Jayasuriya said that the national captaincy has been handed over to Angelo Mathews for the smooth transition of the team.
"We have picked up some young players and also appointed Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal as captain and vice-captain for smoother transition of the team. We need to get youngsters groomed by playing alongside senior players, before they quit," the prolific opener of yesteryears told mediapersons on the sidelines of a promotional event for the Sri Lanka tourism.
"In few years time, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillekratne Dilshan Thilan Samaraweera and Mahela Jayawardene will not be there on the scene," he stated.
Asked why Sri Lanka hardly win matches overseas, Jayasuriya said it was unfortunate that the team lost in recently concluded Australia series, but they played well in the third Test at Sydney.
"There is a need to concentrate more on Test cricket and strengthen the bowling department," Jayasuriya said adding that the selectors have picked up Chaminda Vaas as Sri Lanka`s bowling coach.
Woods is a player from another planet: Barack Obama.....
Washington: The US
President Barack Obama said Tiger Woods came across as a player from
"another planet" when he played golf with the legend of the sport, last
weekend.
"I don`t think either party was nervous. He knew that I
wasn`t a big threat to his world ranking and I knew that I better keep
my day job," Obama said in an interview in San Francisco.
"He plays a different game than I do. He`s on another planet," Obama said sharing his experience of playing golf with one of the top golf players of the world.
Obama played gold with Woods over the weekend in Florida.
Woods said the President "hit a few" good shots and the experience was "pretty cool."
"He hit the ball well, and he`s got an amazing touch. He can certainly chip and putt," Woods said of Obama.
"If he spends more time playing the game of golf, I`m sure he can get to where he`s got pretty good stick," he said.
"I don`t think either party was nervous. He knew that I
wasn`t a big threat to his world ranking and I knew that I better keep
my day job," Obama said in an interview in San Francisco."He plays a different game than I do. He`s on another planet," Obama said sharing his experience of playing golf with one of the top golf players of the world.
Obama played gold with Woods over the weekend in Florida.
Woods said the President "hit a few" good shots and the experience was "pretty cool."
"He hit the ball well, and he`s got an amazing touch. He can certainly chip and putt," Woods said of Obama.
"If he spends more time playing the game of golf, I`m sure he can get to where he`s got pretty good stick," he said.
Mahindra Racing finalise new riding pair for 2013 season.....
New Delhi: Mahindra Racing
today announced signing of 16-year-old Andrea Locatelli and 17-year-old
Michael Rinaldi as the team`s new riders for the 2013 season of the
Italian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (CIV), beginning in
Mugello on April 6.
The riders will represent Mahindra Racing in the Moto3 (250cc, 4 stroke) class of the championship.
Mahindra Racing became the first team from India to win an international motorsport championship in Europe, when they won the Constructors` Title in the 125GP class of the CIV in th
eir debut year - 2012.
The team recorded six victories from eight races, with three spectacular double podium finishes.
Mahindra Racing had recently announced the rider pairing of Spaniard Efr?n V?zquez and Portuguese teenager Miguel Oliveira for the 2013 Moto3? World Championship, which begins on April 7 in Qatar.
"I am thrilled to have joined a committed Indian team like Mahindra Racing for the CIV Season 2013. I have been following their development in the past and I am impressed by the progress they have made in such a short span of time," Locatelli said.
His teamate Rinaldi said,"Mahindra Racing enjoys considerable support from the motorsports community in India and I look forward to working along with Locatelli and doing really well for the team in the coming months. Though the championship is highly competitive, we are confident of a strong performance on a good machine."
The riders will represent Mahindra Racing in the Moto3 (250cc, 4 stroke) class of the championship.Mahindra Racing became the first team from India to win an international motorsport championship in Europe, when they won the Constructors` Title in the 125GP class of the CIV in th
The team recorded six victories from eight races, with three spectacular double podium finishes.
Mahindra Racing had recently announced the rider pairing of Spaniard Efr?n V?zquez and Portuguese teenager Miguel Oliveira for the 2013 Moto3? World Championship, which begins on April 7 in Qatar.
"I am thrilled to have joined a committed Indian team like Mahindra Racing for the CIV Season 2013. I have been following their development in the past and I am impressed by the progress they have made in such a short span of time," Locatelli said.
His teamate Rinaldi said,"Mahindra Racing enjoys considerable support from the motorsports community in India and I look forward to working along with Locatelli and doing really well for the team in the coming months. Though the championship is highly competitive, we are confident of a strong performance on a good machine."
Saina Nehwal seeded second at All England......
New Delhi: World No.2
Saina Nehwal is seeded second behind Olympic champion Li Xuerui in the
women`s singles at the All England Badminton Championships, starting in
Birmingham March 5.
Saina`s best performance at the Premier Super
Series tournament came in 2010 when she reached the semifinals. The
Hyderabadi will have adequate rest before reaching Birmingham as she is
skipping the German Open Grand Prix Gold, beginning Feb 26.
No other Indian has been seeded, though P.V. Sindhu (women`s singles), Ajay Jayaram and Parupalli Kashyap in the men`s singles are in the main draw.
Jwala Gutta will be making a comeback after a six-month sabbatical following the London Olympics. Jwala will play mixed doubles with her long-term partner V. Diju while in the women`s doubles she and controversial Mumbai girl Prajakta Sawant in the qualifiers.
Ashwini Ponnappa, who had paired up with Jwala to win the World Championships bronze and the Commonwealth Games gold, is playing with Pradnya Gadre and she is playing the mixed doubles with Tarun Kona.
Saina`s best performance at the Premier Super
Series tournament came in 2010 when she reached the semifinals. The
Hyderabadi will have adequate rest before reaching Birmingham as she is
skipping the German Open Grand Prix Gold, beginning Feb 26.No other Indian has been seeded, though P.V. Sindhu (women`s singles), Ajay Jayaram and Parupalli Kashyap in the men`s singles are in the main draw.
Jwala Gutta will be making a comeback after a six-month sabbatical following the London Olympics. Jwala will play mixed doubles with her long-term partner V. Diju while in the women`s doubles she and controversial Mumbai girl Prajakta Sawant in the qualifiers.
Ashwini Ponnappa, who had paired up with Jwala to win the World Championships bronze and the Commonwealth Games gold, is playing with Pradnya Gadre and she is playing the mixed doubles with Tarun Kona.
Ricky Ponting rules out Australia return for Ashes......
Sydney: Former Australia
captain Ricky Ponting has ruled out the likelihood of making a
remarkable return from retirement during the Ashes after agreeing to
join English county club Surrey this northern summer.
Ponting,
who retired from international cricket in December, will join the
English county side on a two-month deal from June, the Sydney Morning
Herald reports.
The Australia-England series begins at Trent Bridge on July 10, and with the Oz set to take an inexperienced batting line-up into the five-match series, Ponting``s knows he could be missed.
The veteran of 168 Tests said it would be strange to be watching the Ashes contest after leading Australia``s past two failed tours to England, but he confirmed he was committed to Surrey only.
Ponting said it will be a very strange experience, adding at some stages only a few hundred miles, or a couple of hours, away there will be a Test match going on between Australia and England and he won``t be a part of it.
Ponting added he has had opportunities to think through those scenarios since he has been retired from international cricket, adding just to be in the country while a series like that is happening will be a lot of fun.
Ponting added once he would be there he would be absolutely 100 per cent dedicated to making sure he does the best he can for Surrey County Cricket Club.
Ponting,
who retired from international cricket in December, will join the
English county side on a two-month deal from June, the Sydney Morning
Herald reports. The Australia-England series begins at Trent Bridge on July 10, and with the Oz set to take an inexperienced batting line-up into the five-match series, Ponting``s knows he could be missed.
The veteran of 168 Tests said it would be strange to be watching the Ashes contest after leading Australia``s past two failed tours to England, but he confirmed he was committed to Surrey only.
Ponting said it will be a very strange experience, adding at some stages only a few hundred miles, or a couple of hours, away there will be a Test match going on between Australia and England and he won``t be a part of it.
Ponting added he has had opportunities to think through those scenarios since he has been retired from international cricket, adding just to be in the country while a series like that is happening will be a lot of fun.
Ponting added once he would be there he would be absolutely 100 per cent dedicated to making sure he does the best he can for Surrey County Cricket Club.
Sachin Tendulkar strikes form, India on even keel against Aussies....
Chennai: Sachin Tendulkar showed glimpses of his vintage form with a
fluent unbeaten half-century as India recovered from two early jolts to
leave the first cricket Test against Australia evenly poised here on
Saturday.
The 39-year-old veteran, who had been struggling for form for a long time, played with decisive footwork and a positive frame of mind to guide India to 182 for three in 52 overs on the second day at the M A Chidambaram Stadium, which saw local boy R Ashwin grab a career-best seven-wicket haul.
Tendulkar (71 batting) and Virat Kohli (50 batting) were at the crease when stumps were drawn with India still trailing by 198 runs. The two have so far added 77 runs for the fourth wicket.
Tendulkar, in the course of his 67th Test half-century, touched another milestone by surpassing 7,000 runs on home turf. Kohli, on the other hand, completed his seventh Test half-century at the fag end of the day.
Resuming at the overnight score of 316/7, the Australians continued to frustrate the Indians with captain Michael Clarke (130) and the tailenders combining to score 64 more runs to take the score to a competitive 380.
Ashwin, who had scalped six wickets on the opening day, cliamed the wicket of last man Nathan Lyon to return with figures of 7/103, while left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (2/71) and Harbhajan Singh (1/87) were the other wicket-takers.
The Indian reply was disastrous to start with as openers Virender Sehwag (10) and Murali Vijay (2) departed in close succession, falling to tearaway pacer James Pattinson, who was used in short spells.
But Cheteshwar Pujara (44) and Tendulkar steadied the innings to some extent with a 93-run third-wicket partnership. Both the batsmen launched a brilliant counter-attack to unsettle the Aussie bowlers.
Tendulkar hit two glorious fours off first two balls he faced from Pattinson and clobbered another majestic boundary off the fourth ball, making his intentions clear.
Just when the duo seemed to be crusing along comfortably, Pattinson provided the breakthrough when he came back for his second spell by accounting for Pujara.
Pujara fell to a off-cutter in the 29th over after striking six fours in his 76-ball stay at the crease.
With three days left in the game, India will look to come close to the Australian total and then push to seize the initiative.
Earlier, both the openers were out bowled. Vijay was the first to go after a 15-ball stay, which included two fours, done in by Pattinson`s pace.
Sehwag quickly followed his partner back to the pavillion, failing to spot a slower one from Pattionson which bounced inside the crease and dislodged the bail of his leg stump.
But Pujara and Tendulkar steadied the rocking boat, bringing up the team`s 50 in the 13th over. The two displayed patience but at the same time kept the scoreboard ticking.
They completed a half-century stand for the third wicket in 68 deliveries to rescue India from the precarious position.
Tendulkar was then joined by Kohli, who had a disappointing series against England, unleashed a flurry of shots to announce his return to form.
Earlier, in the morning session, Australian batsmen frustrated Indian bowlers with determined batting before being bowled out for 380 in their first innings.
Resuming at 316 for 7, the visitors resisted the home attack for 38 overs and added 64 runs. They were also helped to an extent by a few decisions that went in their favour much to to India`s frustration.
Since the last-wicket pair of James Pattinson and Nathan Lyon was at the crease at the official lunch time, the morning session was extended and at the fall of the latter, the break was taken.
Indian off-spinner R Ashwin registered his career-best figures (7/103) while Ravindra Jadeja (2/71) took two wickets.
Michael Clarke and Peter Siddle kept the Indian bowlers at bay for about 90 minutes before the Australian captain went for an extravagant shot off Jadeja, miscued it and gave the hosts a chance to clean up the tail.
Clarke stepped out to loft Jadeja over his head for a straight six but just managed an edge that flew to the hands of Bhuvneshwar Kumar at long-off.
Clarke`s splendid 130-run captain`s knock came off 246 balls with 13 boundaries including one shot over the fence. It also ended 54-run fighting stand between him Siddle (19).
Soon, Harbhajan Singh`s long wait to get a wicket ended when he had Siddle caught at first slip.
Playing his 100th Test and going wicket-less on the opening day, it took the off-spinner the last ball of his 24th over to get his first.
There was only frustration for Indian bowlers after that as the last-wicket pair of Pattinson and Lyon batted for another 12 overs.
Ashwin had Lyon plumb in front of the wicket but yet again Dharamsena thought otherwise. However, four balls later, Lyon swept, found an edge and Virat Kohli took an athletic catch at backward short leg to end the Australian innings.
Earlier, neither the spinners nor medium-fast bowlers could trouble the batsmen much until Clarke lost focus and tried to push the accelerator button on.
The chances were far and few as Clarke and Siddle batted with determination. The nearest Clarke came close to getting out was when while coming forward his uppish defensive shot went towards silly point Cheteshwar Pujara, who could not held on to the half-chance.
Then Siddle edged one behind off Harbhajan but that was a tough chance for wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The 39-year-old veteran, who had been struggling for form for a long time, played with decisive footwork and a positive frame of mind to guide India to 182 for three in 52 overs on the second day at the M A Chidambaram Stadium, which saw local boy R Ashwin grab a career-best seven-wicket haul.
Tendulkar (71 batting) and Virat Kohli (50 batting) were at the crease when stumps were drawn with India still trailing by 198 runs. The two have so far added 77 runs for the fourth wicket.
Tendulkar, in the course of his 67th Test half-century, touched another milestone by surpassing 7,000 runs on home turf. Kohli, on the other hand, completed his seventh Test half-century at the fag end of the day.
Resuming at the overnight score of 316/7, the Australians continued to frustrate the Indians with captain Michael Clarke (130) and the tailenders combining to score 64 more runs to take the score to a competitive 380.
Ashwin, who had scalped six wickets on the opening day, cliamed the wicket of last man Nathan Lyon to return with figures of 7/103, while left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (2/71) and Harbhajan Singh (1/87) were the other wicket-takers.
The Indian reply was disastrous to start with as openers Virender Sehwag (10) and Murali Vijay (2) departed in close succession, falling to tearaway pacer James Pattinson, who was used in short spells.
But Cheteshwar Pujara (44) and Tendulkar steadied the innings to some extent with a 93-run third-wicket partnership. Both the batsmen launched a brilliant counter-attack to unsettle the Aussie bowlers.
Tendulkar hit two glorious fours off first two balls he faced from Pattinson and clobbered another majestic boundary off the fourth ball, making his intentions clear.
Just when the duo seemed to be crusing along comfortably, Pattinson provided the breakthrough when he came back for his second spell by accounting for Pujara.
Pujara fell to a off-cutter in the 29th over after striking six fours in his 76-ball stay at the crease.
With three days left in the game, India will look to come close to the Australian total and then push to seize the initiative.
Earlier, both the openers were out bowled. Vijay was the first to go after a 15-ball stay, which included two fours, done in by Pattinson`s pace.
Sehwag quickly followed his partner back to the pavillion, failing to spot a slower one from Pattionson which bounced inside the crease and dislodged the bail of his leg stump.
But Pujara and Tendulkar steadied the rocking boat, bringing up the team`s 50 in the 13th over. The two displayed patience but at the same time kept the scoreboard ticking.
They completed a half-century stand for the third wicket in 68 deliveries to rescue India from the precarious position.
Tendulkar was then joined by Kohli, who had a disappointing series against England, unleashed a flurry of shots to announce his return to form.
Earlier, in the morning session, Australian batsmen frustrated Indian bowlers with determined batting before being bowled out for 380 in their first innings.
Resuming at 316 for 7, the visitors resisted the home attack for 38 overs and added 64 runs. They were also helped to an extent by a few decisions that went in their favour much to to India`s frustration.
Since the last-wicket pair of James Pattinson and Nathan Lyon was at the crease at the official lunch time, the morning session was extended and at the fall of the latter, the break was taken.
Indian off-spinner R Ashwin registered his career-best figures (7/103) while Ravindra Jadeja (2/71) took two wickets.
Michael Clarke and Peter Siddle kept the Indian bowlers at bay for about 90 minutes before the Australian captain went for an extravagant shot off Jadeja, miscued it and gave the hosts a chance to clean up the tail.
Clarke stepped out to loft Jadeja over his head for a straight six but just managed an edge that flew to the hands of Bhuvneshwar Kumar at long-off.
Clarke`s splendid 130-run captain`s knock came off 246 balls with 13 boundaries including one shot over the fence. It also ended 54-run fighting stand between him Siddle (19).
Soon, Harbhajan Singh`s long wait to get a wicket ended when he had Siddle caught at first slip.
Playing his 100th Test and going wicket-less on the opening day, it took the off-spinner the last ball of his 24th over to get his first.
There was only frustration for Indian bowlers after that as the last-wicket pair of Pattinson and Lyon batted for another 12 overs.
Ashwin had Lyon plumb in front of the wicket but yet again Dharamsena thought otherwise. However, four balls later, Lyon swept, found an edge and Virat Kohli took an athletic catch at backward short leg to end the Australian innings.
Earlier, neither the spinners nor medium-fast bowlers could trouble the batsmen much until Clarke lost focus and tried to push the accelerator button on.
The chances were far and few as Clarke and Siddle batted with determination. The nearest Clarke came close to getting out was when while coming forward his uppish defensive shot went towards silly point Cheteshwar Pujara, who could not held on to the half-chance.
Then Siddle edged one behind off Harbhajan but that was a tough chance for wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
TENDULKAR BACK AGAIN..... :)....
INDIA Score: 182/3 II Overs: 52 (Tendulkar: 71*, Kohli: 50*)
That’s Stumps on Day 2! Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli are still at the crease for India. Kohli completed his Test fifty in the final over of the second day with a single off Lyon. India were given early setbacks in Vijay and Sehwag by charging Pattinson. However, first Pujara and tendulkar and then Tendulkar and Kohli led the counterattack driving India safely out of the danger zone. India have avoided follow-on. The good news is that Tendulkar and Kohli have looked good today. Especially Tendulkar who was right on the money from the word go! Pattinson took all three wickets in Indian innings and was bowled for short bursts. He bowled just six in the 52 overs bowled today.
That’s Stumps on Day 2! Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli are still at the crease for India. Kohli completed his Test fifty in the final over of the second day with a single off Lyon. India were given early setbacks in Vijay and Sehwag by charging Pattinson. However, first Pujara and tendulkar and then Tendulkar and Kohli led the counterattack driving India safely out of the danger zone. India have avoided follow-on. The good news is that Tendulkar and Kohli have looked good today. Especially Tendulkar who was right on the money from the word go! Pattinson took all three wickets in Indian innings and was bowled for short bursts. He bowled just six in the 52 overs bowled today.
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