Arunrajkumar’s Weblog

Renault launched their 2008 f1 season by unveiling their official car for the season. The R28 car had their revised line up with Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jr. After their disappointing run in 2007 they hope to get back into winning ways. Renault President Bernard Rey said that they want to be in their place this season fighting it out at the front of the field. Return of Alonso has given the team a big boost. Having won back to back title doubles in 2005 and 2006, Renault finished a disappointing third in last year’s constructors’ standings, 153 less than champions Ferrari.see below the debut of R28 in Valencia circuit.

India was crushed by the Aussies in the T20 international played at the MCG today. The Aussies first bowled magnificently to bundle the Indians for a paltry 74. Only Irfhan Pathan managed a decent score of 26 others all came up a cropper. The Aussies followed their wonderful bowling with good batting. Both their openers were dispatching the balls to all corners of the field. When it looked that they would sail away without losing a wicket Gilly got out holing it to long on off Praveen kumar. The Aussies sailed home comfortably without losing any more wickets. Let’s hope the Indians pick up their level right in time for the ODI series.

The hot topic in cricket world is the issue of sledging by harbhajan on Symonds. Reports have it that Bhajji had commented Symonds that he is a monkey(i am not sure of it). They say that the stump mic has caught the conversation live. Meanwhile, the Indian team has once again threatened that they will quit the tour if any action is taken against Harbhajan. Click here to see the video base to this topic.

Guys most of you really got an heart attack on seeing how Sachin “The little master” scored his 39th century against the mighty Aussies in the 4th test at Adelaide. The century showed in what destructive form this master batsmen is. Just watch this video for some stunning stuff. Keep your heart beat controlled buddy’s

In an great turn of events in form Saurav Ganguly has been dropped from the squad announced for the ODI tri series in Australia. The announcement comes after recent good showing by Ganguly in both the tests and ODI’d. Ganguly is not the only one to be left out. Even Rahul Dravid has been left out. In their place Raina and Sehwag have drafted into the squad. The management has tried to justify its decision by stating Ganguly’s poor fielding as the reason for dropping him. Let’s hope the DADA bounces back in his own style known only to him.

India at last has ended the 16 match winning streak that too in a pitch considered to be the home turf of Australia. India beat Australia by 75 at Perth to win the third test. Aussies still lead the series 2-1 after victories at Melbourne and Sydney. Set 413 to win the Aussies put up a tough fight to narrow down the lead to 75. The test series is all set for an intriguing final at Adelaide. Let’s hope that the final is a fitting one between the two giants in cricket.

Virender Shewag the blazer following the steps of the Sachin ones again proved his worth with a blazing hundred against a local team in the practice match. This puts him almost sure of a place in the Indian side for the third test at Perth. Viru finished at 113 off just 78 deliveries which included 18 hits to the fence and he cleared the stands twice. Bad form of Yuvraj continued. Dinesh Karthik also helped himself with a good knock of 97. The knocks of Viru and Karthik puts Yuvraj’s place under a big scanner and will most probably excluded from the side for the third test. The other problem area for India is its bowling. The 22 year old R.P Singh has been trust upon the job of leading the pace attack and the responsibility of carrying the attack falls on the young shoulders of 19 year old Ishant Sharma which does not bode well. Reports that India will field three seamers in which Pathan should make his way back into the team.

Well the Australian opens begins today. It’s going to be another fortnight of high quality tennis. This time around there are a lot of young players as well as experienced heads in contention for that crown down under. In the women’s side Venus is going in pursuit of the title that has remained elusive for her through out her career. She reached final in 2003 but still has not really got any where near the crown. But, this time she enters the finals with lot of confidence and also in prime form. Most of you would know that she trashed Maria last month in spite of her recurring injuries. Venus is definitely in the fray for the title lest her injury prone body allows her to do so. Justin Henin-Hardene also enters the fight making a comeback from her injury. Remember she took away two of the three grand slams that she played last year. With Serana, Maria and others the women’s fight for the title really looks hot!!!

How many of you would have really expected five years ago that the record created by the crafty Sampras will be broken within five years. I still remember the ace man serving out aces like arrows out of his rockets. But, now his record stands to be broken by another man embracing the racket like his girl friend. It is none other than Roger Fedrer. Roger took home three of the four grand slams last year to equal the legendary Bjorn Borg record of 12 grand slams and he is just two away from equaling Pete’s record of fourteen. If he repeats what happened last year then he is sure to clean off his record. Though there are lot of youngsters who are in the fray for the title like Nadal, Djokovic Roger still remains the hot favorite to take away the title home without much of a fuss. Let’s hope the cool dude does it again that too in his style!!

It’s all set for the final head to head match between India and Pakistan. India has won the one day series (3-2) and leading the test series 1-0. The third test which is sure to be an humdinger takes off tomm at Bangalore. We can really hope to have a lot of fireworks with pace spearhead Akthar fit for the test and raring to go. The Pakistan camp is still reeling under injury related problems with Malik still a doubtful starter. But, the good news is that Yusuf and Younus Khan are among the runs that should really make them pretty happy and a lot of confidence to go into the final test., Lets wait and see how this mother of contests turns out to be.

Regards,

Darky…