Follow-on puts India in strong position against New Zealand

Follow-on puts India in strong position against New Zealand

India is in strong position against New Zealand in the first Test match. With almost 6 sessions to go, you can expect a great for India in this Test Match. Indian spinners forced NZ for follow-on in the first innings. Indian spinners picked up nine first innings wickets between them, Ashwin finishing with 6 for 31. Both Ashwin and Ojha used the the dipping length of the floated, spinning ball, slow turn off the track and the uneven bounce on one side of the pitch to keep up their interrogation of New Zealand's fortitude in adverse circumstances.

Earlier, Cheteshwar Pujara cracked a solid 159 and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit 73 which helped India to reach 438. Dhoni and Pujara earlier consolidated India's position with a 127-run stand for the sixth wicket, while Ashwin contributed 37 runs with five boundaries. 

Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara, who replaced retired Rahul Dravid at number three made his first three-figure score only in his fourth Test and sixth innings.

Some years ago, the question would be asked: Was anyone good enough to replace Rahul Dravid in the Indian team? Now, we the answer in the form of Pujara, who had emerged as a run-making machine on the domestic circuit. Here was a batsman born to play Test cricket, technically sound and temperamentally gifted, immune to the rising Twenty20 phenomenon.

Pujara reached the heights of his mastery in domestic cricket when he hammered three triple-centuries in just one month, an almost unheard of feat.

Hoping see India seal this match by end of fourth day !!!

Sports Tourism in India - Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Welcome To Sporting Extravaganza in India

We will be going places around India to see what India has in store to present in Sports arena as a part of Tourism. Come and get enlightened about the places you can visit in India to fill you with some adrenaline. We will be starting our journey from remote island - Andaman & Nicobar Islands.  

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, popularly called Emerald Islands, float in splendid isolation and lie east of the Indian mainland. Once a hill range extending from Myanmar to Indonesia, these undulating islands are covered with dense forests and awesome beaches which makes sporting minds to go crazy.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands are suitable for Adventure water sports like Scuba diving, Skiing, Sailing, Para sailing, Wind surfing, Snorkeling etc. Trekking through the dense evergreen forests and island camping in beach front forests are other adventure activities. Andaman and Nicobar is a cluster of more than 500 islands stacked together neatly. Surrounded by some of the most beautiful lagoons in Asia, these islands provide options for some splendid adventure activities. 

The islands have a hilly terrain with coastal areas of white sand beaches and coral reef. Its pristine shimmering water offers its visitors an excellent water sports adventure. Not only is water sports like Scuba diving and Snorkelling a possibility here, one can also indulge in pulse racing, and at the same time soothing experience of trekking in the lush green hills. The best time to visit these islands for adventure sports is between November and April. December and January are the peak seasons to come here.

The Andaman and Nicobar islands are bestowed with the reputation of housing some of the most delectable and gorgeous islands in this entire planet. Thus it constitute one of the major temptations for the anxious holiday-makers. Basically, these water sports and related activities are most enjoyed by the adrenaline freaks who prefer to take risks. But there are other water sports as well which are suited for the ones who are not so much adventurous.

1. Andaman Water Sports Complex

Situated in Port Blair, Andaman Water Sports Complex has become one of the major attractions of the town. It offers safe water sports such as Rowing Boats, Paddleboat, Kayaks and bumper boats. Besides this, the complex also facilitates adventure through Water-skiing, Water scooters, Gemini boats, Para-sailing, Sailboats, Wind-surfers, Speedboats, Glass-bottom boats, etc. Boating from this complex  up to the Ross Island is really an exciting experience. 

 

2. Snorkeling

Snorkelling is among the most popular adventure activities in the lagoons of Andaman Islands. This is one sport which does not require you to be a trained and is as much fun for novice as it is for professionals. However, it is advised that if you are a starter, indulge in snorkelling only with the support of a trained professional. The best places for Snorkeling in the Andaman Islands are the Wandoor National Park-Jolly Bouy and the Red Skin Islands. With splendid coral life, Clique islands is also a highly favored islands for snorkelling.

Snorkeling is an adventure activity which is very popular off the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. One can enjoy the under-water marine life and view the rarest varieties of corals by Snorkeling in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Snorkeling is an exciting sport that lets you rub shoulders with some unique marine species. Underwater, a kaleidoscope of coral colours showcase a variety of reef fishes, turtles, sharks and  rays. Many visitors, never having seen fish in such densities before, are bewildered by the sheer numbers of the fish in the vast shoals that populate the reefs.

The best snorkelling site in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is at Havelock Islands. The sea around Havelock Islands, display an incredible density and diversity of marine life in seas that sometimes seem to almost boil with fish. The other best places for Snorkeling in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park  near Wandoor, Jolly Bouy and the Red Skin Islands. Cinque Island is another location with some fantastic coral.  Snorkeling is also possible off Port Blair at the Andaman Water Sports Complex. The under water corals in Andaman island beaches are extremely colourful. One can experience the live corals at Jolly buoy, red skin, North bay etc.,  People who do not know swimming also can experience the underwater marine world as they will be escorted by experienced person.

It is possible to snorkel in Andaman & Nicobar Islands throughout the year. However, these Islands are subject to monsoons, which bring with them heavy rains and strong winds, so it's a good idea to make a note of the seasons and so avoid the Islands that are subject to the bad weather. We will take you to all of the best snorkelling spots in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.






3. Scuba Diving  

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are brimming with its rich under-water treasures. The best way to explore great diversities of its marine life, of resplendent fishes and unique coral reefs, is to indulge in scuba diving. There are many institutes run by government that organize Scuba diving in the crystalline lagoons of Andaman and Nicobar. There are also certified private divers who assist you in taking up this sport.

Scuba diving is the biggest activity on the Andaman & Nicobar Islands other than lying around and eating seafood. The best season for diving in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is from December to April. The exciting experience of Scuba diving is a major tourist attraction. One can see the fascinating marine life among the world of amazing water bodies, colourful fishes and amazing corals. One can explore the wonders of scuba diving and can get the rare experience mixed with adventure. However, Diving in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is still in its infancy.

The Indian government takes a serious approach to protecting its marine resources. As a result, marine life populations are robust, and divers are often surrounded by fish. At places like Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in Wandoor, clouds of surgeons and barracuda gather in mid-water, snapper and sweetlips swarm over the rocky reef, and big fish like Giant Trevally and Bumphead Parrotfish are seen on nearly every dive. Giant Grouper and schooling Mobula Rays also make regular appearances. Many sites are home to endemic species like Andaman Damselfish, Andaman Sweetlips, and the distinctive Indian-Ocean Spinecheek Anemonefish.

The Scuba Diving centres has all the facilities and necessary equipments for a great experience of scuba diving. Adding to this there are many skilled trainers who can help the tourist in getting into the deep of the sea.  



4. Trekking 

Andaman and Nicobar Islands has some splendid hills that are perfect for beginners as well as trained. One can go trekking through the nature trail from Mt. Harriet to Kalapathar and enjoy the rare forest life, flora and fauna. There are other trekking routes also at places like Chidiya Tapu.

A LOOK AT INDIAN SQUAD FOR NZ HOME SERIES AND T20 WORLD CUP

Indian Cricket Squad for NZ Home Series and upcoming T20 World Cup has been declared. The most-awaited name was Yuvraj Singh, who earned Indian fans heart and man of the series in World Cup 2011 and his famous six sixes of Stuart Board are still lively in fans mind. So, finally Yuvraj Singh is fit and ready to come-back from cancer treatment. Yuvraj Singh seems to be getting fitter and leaner as his first international outing approaches. 

Yuvraj is back to cricket with T20 World Cup

Yuvraj has been picked to play in the two T20 matches against New Zealand next month and the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka that follows. The fans are overwhelmed with the comeback of Yuvraj Singh. The Man of the tournament of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 has played the role of an all-rounder in crucial tournaments and he would be desperate to be among the runs on the Lankan soil. The dashing southpaw underwent chemotherapy in the United States before returning to India in April and was included in India's preliminary 30-man squad for the Sept 18-Oct 7 tournament in Sri Lanka.

Our very own fab-four veteran batsman VVS Laxman retained his place in the Indian Test squad for the two-match series against New Zealand, starting August 23 in Hyderabad despite his poor show in the last eight Tests in England and Australia. Sachin Tendulkar will be back in action after his two-month break, having skipped the limited overs series in Sri Lanka recently, while young batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has predictably got the nod as replacement for the retired Rahul Dravid in the longer version.

The most surprising pick has been Piyush Chawla's inclusion in T20 World Cup squad. The surprise pick certainly is leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, who last played for India in the 2011 World Cup and since then has been confined to the sidelines. Gautam Gambhir, MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh are the seven players who were a part of the Indian squad that won the maiden T20 World Cup organised in Johannesburg in 2007.

The announcement would have come as a huge relief for two players-Harbhajan Singh and Rohit Sharma. Bhajji went into hibernation after his struggle in the Indian Premier League where he failed both as the Mumbai Indians' skipper and as a spin bowler. The ‘Turbanator’ had earlier failed to impress in the away series in England and thus the selectors had no other choice but to drop him.

Rohit Sharma, despite his failures, has once again retained his place which could have been given to the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu. Sharma’s body language these days is enough to suggest the kind of form he is in. The selectors could have easily replaced him with Rahane, who was the highlight of IPL 2012.

Manoj Tiwary has capitalised the few opportunities which have come his way and has been rewarded for his patience as well as consistency. While the selectors should be hailed for their decision to prioritise Tiwary over Yusuf, one might wonder if they have missed a trick by not including Ambati Rayudu. The right-hander who has been consistent for the Mumbai Indians in IPL was in contention for a place in the shorter format of the game.

But the biggest shocker has come with the selection of Piyush Chawla. One can understand that the selectors wanted a leg-spinner to add variety, but for that purpose Pragyan Ojha would have been a better choice.

Indian Cricket Team in new T20 Jersey

 First Indian Cricket will take on New Zealand as the first home series of the season - against New Zealand - beginning with the Test match at Hyderabad on August 23. The visitors will play one more Test at Bangalore before ending their tour with two T20 Internationals at Vizag and Chennai. This will be followed by the ICC World T20 Championship in Sri Lanka from September 18 to October 7. The season will continue with the visit by England and Australia before the IPL.

India Test squad: MS Dhoni (c), Virender  Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Pragyan Ojha, Umesh Yadav, Ajinkya Rahane, Piyush Chawla, Ishant Sharma, Suresh Raina

India T20 squad: MS Dhoni (capt/wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Manoj Tiwary, Irfan Pathan, R Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, L Balaji, Piyush Chawla, Harbhajan Singh, Ashok Dinda.

Best Sports Movies of Bollywood

In India, only two are discussed more than anything else these are - Movies and Sports especially Cricket. Even if our national game is called Hockey, but we have always been attracted to cricket, which as become synonyms for Sports in India. Bollywood produces over three hundred films a year. Most of these are action or romantic films that star many big banner heroes and heroines. And while sport is the only other big thing in India, there are not many movies that have sports based themes. 

Right now, we are producing like 2-3 sports movies in year. Seeing the condition of Sports, apart from Cricket and they we performed at London Olympics. Bollywood can motivate next gen of India through realistic sports movies. Bollywood can be the most inspiring element of Indian society and going by this fact, the movie makers should dish out more and more meaningful movies on sports as history has it records that sports and Bollywood is a great combination and is certain to influence the Indian folks.

Check out this list of some awesome Sports movies from Bollywood :-

Ferrari ki Sawaari

Ferrari Ki Sawari is a simple rise-of-the-underdog story of a talented boy who dreams of making it big in the world of cricket. What makes the narrative interesting is its less-taken route (through a Ferrari) and the ensuing eventful journey. The slick sports car gives that additional momentum to the movie thereby ensuring a roller-coaster ride.

Cricket is the most common sport, Ferrari is the most uncommon car and together they make for a lethal combo in debutante Rajesh Mapuskar's film. The sport is something that everyone can relate to and the sports car is something that every other person dreams of. At a broader level, the Ferrari also stands as a metaphor for that larger-than-life aspiration of any individual that might seem unachievable at the outset but isn't entirely impossible.

Chak De 

Starring the reigning king of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, this film is acknowledged to be one of the best films on Sports movies. Chak De! India explores many issues like attitudes towards women, religious bigotry, the after effects of Partition, and the dominance of cricket over other sports in India, with a sensitivity that is particularly heart warming. The title song of the movie “Chak De India” seemed to have become the second national anthem for India, with the song being played on almost every occasion the Indian players register a win in the International arena. The songs picked at India's maiden T20 World Cup win year 2007, with India celebrating world cup triumph after 24 years.

The story of this movie is about a former hockey player Kabir Khan (played by Superstar Shahrukh Khan) who was demonised as a traitor when India lost a hockey match against Pakistan due to Kabir’s mistake. He later comes back and assumes the position of the coach of the national women hockey team. The women team was neglected always despite having a talented bunch of players. Kabir after assuming the post tries to bring discipline in the team. His efforts to uplift the team’s performance works as the team finally wins gold medal at the commonwealth games.

Iqbal

Iqbal, a movie that released in 2005, the story of undying faith and commitment of a young man , who is challenged by his senses, is a treat to watch. Iqbal , a village boy who is deaf and dumb , aspires to get selected to the Indian cricket team and his industrious efforts and never -say -die attitude makes him live his dream.was the endearing and gritty story of an eighteen year old deaf and mute boy who dreams of playing cricket for his country. The film had Shreyas Talpade playing the protagonist, while Naseeruddin Shah played local drunkard Mohit, who, as Iqbal’s coach and helped the realisation of the boy’s dreams.

After getting rejected by a famous cricket academy, Iqbal seeks the help of Mohit (Nasseruddin Shah) who was once a great cricketer. Mohit trains Iqbal and Iqbal gets a chance to play for a weak Ranji team. The team finally manages to win the Ranji Trophy riding on the magnificent bowling of Iqbal. Iqbal overcomes all the hurdles and gets selected for the national team.

Lagaan

A classic Bollywood movie which will always be remembered as one of the best movies made in India. It was a huge hit in 2001 when it was released. It was also in the race for an OSCAR award in the ‘Best movie in Foreign Language’ category. Directed by Ashutosh Gowriker , the movie is considered by many to be the best Indian sport based movie made ever. It is the story of resilience and perseverance of British ruled rural India. The movie showed how a group of villager agrees to play a match of cricket with the British rulers to save their village from the exorbitant taxes imposed on them. The uneducated group emerges victorious despite not having any knowledge of the game.

The villagers had no knowledge of the game cricket but were helped by the sister of a powerful British officer. She decided to help as she was impressed by Bhuvan’s courage to take on the British in their own game. The match was a nail biting affair and the match went down to the wire. The villagers won the match at the end when Bhuvan hit the last ball for a six.

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander

This story of love, revenge, hard work, determination and self belief is built around a popular cycle race event in the town of Dehradun. Winning this annual event is a matter of pride for the colleges of Dehradun. Aamir Khan (in the lead role) is forced to participate in the race representing the Modern college when his elder brother, a potential winner of the race, gets injured due to the evil intentions of his opponents. Another stellar performance from Aamir Khan came in the year 1992, in the movie Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikander. The movie was directed by Mansoor Khan and was a huge box office success.

Aamir, a carefree youngster, rises up to the occasion and practices hard to win the race for his college and most importantly for his brother. On the day of race, his opponent from an elite college called Rajput College tries every trick to strike Aamir off the race but thanks to sheer determination, Aamir wins the race at the end. The movie was a huge success and people still remember the movie for its brilliant story, performances of the actors and great sound tracks.

List of other Sports movies from Bollywood :- 

Awaal Number , Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal, Rok Sako To Rok Lo, Patiala House, Dil Bole Hadiappa, Paan Singh Tomar,  Hip Hip Hurray ,  Boxer , All Rounder , Kabhi Ajnabee The ,  Maalamaal  , Stumped , Awwal Number , Chamatkar , Chain Kulii ki Main Kulii , Hattrick , Say Salaam India , Ta Ra Rum Pum , Apne .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RF !!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RF !!!

 

Yellow Jersey to Yellow metal ! Bradley Wiggins wins Olympic Gold !

Bradley Wiggins wins Olympic Gold !

As if becoming the first Briton to win the Tour de France were not enough for one summer, Wiggins has made this an extraordinary year by any bike racer's standards. It’s been the best summer of Bradley Wiggins life and this is a guy who had won six world track championships and three gold medals. Within a 10-day span he became the first Brit to win the Tour de France then the first man to win Le Tour and the Olympic road time trial championship in the same year.

Importantly also for London, Wiggins' triumph provided a sporting counterpoint as memorable as Danny Boyle's opening ceremony

Bradley Wiggins has just become the most decorated British Olympian of all time. Bradley Wiggins – Tour de France and all-time top GB medal winner. We should enter him for Eurovision.

Before the Tour he achieved a run of stage-race victories in Paris-Nice, the Tour de Romandie and the Dauphiné, something no rider of any nationality had done before. In earlier eras, before the cycle of success kicked into high gear, that alone would have been enough to earn him a place in British cycling's Valhalla. Now, in the space of 10 days, he has won the yellow jersey, the most coveted prize in cycling, and an Olympic gold medal in the city where he grew up.

And the 32-year-old pointed to British armed forces fighting the Taliban in the blood and dust of Afghanistan as real men and women of courage – people who help him keep his feet on the ground after all the adulation from ecstatic fans everywhere. Wiggins, who is surely on his way to a knighthood, has taken British cycling to new heights and he predicts more glory for his fellow riders in the Velodrome.

More Articles on Bradley Wiggins in Sports Vista:-

Yellow Jersey to Yellow metal ! Now Bradley is ready for Olympics

Chris Froome keen to lead, Bradley Wiggins is called “Le Gentleman”

Tour de France 2012: Bradley Wiggins ready to be first Briton to win 99th Tour de France 

Five Must Watch Sports Movies !

Ali 

Ali 

A biography of sports legend, Muhammad Ali, from his early days to his days in the ring. The film tells the story of boxing icon Muhammad Ali, played by Will Smith, from 1964 to 1974 featuring his capture of the heavyweight title from Sonny Liston (Michael Bentt), his conversion to Islam, criticism of the Vietnam War, banishment from boxing, his return to fight Joe Frazier (James Toney) in 1971, and, lastly, his reclaiming the title from George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle fight of 1974.

The Greatest Game Ever Played

The Greatest Game Ever Played

A golf drama based on the true story of the 1913 US Open, where 20-year-old Francis Ouimet defeated his idol, 1900 US Open champion, Englishman, Harry Vardon. The film is about Francis Ouimet, the first amateur to win a U.S. Open. Amateur Golf in that era was then a sport only for the wealthy, and Francis came from an immigrant family that was part of the working class.

The Longest Yard

The Longest Yard

Perhaps Sandler's best movie, the Longest Yard is yet another movie that can generate more than a few different emotions. Adam Sandler plays the protagonist, Paul Crewe, a disgraced former professional football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL, who is forced to form a team from the prison inmates to play football against their guards. It marked as first movie for the great Khali from India.

Invictus

Invictus

One of the greatest sport/political movies of all time, and without a doubt the best, perhaps the only good, rugby movie of all time. Morgan Freeman was terrific as Nelson Mandela, the President who views rugby as a way of united the apartheid country in his first term as the South African President, initiates a unique venture to unite the apartheid-torn land: enlist the national rugby team on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Coach Carter

The true-life story of a coach who tries to teach his players that there's more to life than basketball is brought to the screen in this sports drama. The definition of a movie where education prevails over athletics. 

Coach Carter

Towards the end of the season, he sees that their grades, and most notably his star players', are faltering and that they won't have a realistic chance at college. He locks up the gym, forces them into the library and gets them to start working. A large amount of the kids go to college, and Coach Carter's deed is done. A great, true story, one that will make you laugh and tear at the same time.