The best ever series in Test history

My stint as India coach may have begun with a home series against Zimbabwe, and everyone knew what was next. A few months later, with 15 straight Test wins under their belt, the Aussies were coming to conquer their 'final frontier'.

Shoulder surgery had ruled out Anil Kumble, which was a big blow during the Tests. Sourav Ganguly took me to a net during the Delhi Test versus Zimbabwe game to have a look at this kid called Harbhajan Singh. Bhajji was quiet and shy during those days, but he turned the ball a mile and it was obvious to see he was a special talent.

We got a group together for a 26-day conditioning camp in Chennai, and I was then struck by the self-belief of the boys. They appreciated just how tough the Australians were, but they were convinced that they could beat anyone at home, and that conviction was pretty unshakeable. Every minute of the camp was planned, we worked our backsides off during training under the intense Chennai sun, Anil coming along to stand at the nets and to help the spinners we had gathered there.

t was obvious Anil would have more useful things to tell them about spin bowling than a former New Zealand opening batsman. During indoor sessions, we discussed the Australian batsmen, formulated strategies and lived. It was a camp everyone enjoyed. Later, we could even boast that in Chennai when preparing for the Aussies, we had lived on fresh air, fruit juice and cricket.

We watched Australia's warm-up games against India 'A' and Mumbai and were gratified to see both the sides running the Aussies close. Well, they ran them closer than we did in the first Test anyway, which we lost in three days. But the game was a lot closer than its margin suggests.

McGrath and Gillespie bowled superbly to dismiss us for 173, but we had the Aussies at 99-5 before Gilchrist and Hayden launched their offensive. To compound my misery after the heavy defeat, I was congratulated in the hotel foyer for the Australian win. An Indian fan mistook me for a member of the Australian contingent, not exactly the show of faith I needed.

Nalbandian stuns Federer in Madrid

David Nalbandian announced his return from nearly 18 months of indifferent results as he stunned top seed Roger Federer 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday to win the Madrid Masters.

The upset win from the world number 25, who once stood among the elite, prevented a Swiss defence of the title he lifted here a year ago.

He became the second this season to defeat the top three players in the world - Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the same event. Djokovic did it as he won Montreal as well.

Nalbandian last won a title in May, 2006, on clay in Estoril. He lost the Madrid final in 2004 to Marat Safin.

After spending a year without a coach, the Argentine hooked up with Hernan Gumy and has been lifted his game since the summer.

Nalbandian had lost four matches against Federer since beating the Swiss for the Masters Cup title in Shanghai two years ago.

Sachin's ODI retirement not far off: Nadkarni

The time when Sachin Tendulkar quits one-day cricket is "not far off" as he has "indirectly" hinted at that, says Bapu Nadkarni, even though the legendary left-arm spinner backed him to play international cricket for two more years.

"He has actually come out with a statement, saying that 'my body is not the same' and that 'I am still trying to pull out (of that situation) as far as possible'. But the time (of his retirement) is not far off. He has already given it to you indirectly," Nadkarni told IANS here.

Nadkarni, 74, was referring to one of Tendulkar's television interviews in which he had admitted that he was feeling that it was difficult to recover for one-day internationals when compared to five-day Test matches.

Talking about the "big three" of Indian cricket - Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly - Nadkarni said that they still had steam to play international cricket.

"We have to keep them for some time, as long as they are fit enough to play. They should play for at least two more years. Obviously, they have to perform. One odd (unsatisfactory) performance here and there you have to concede. Even (Don) Bradman failed... everybody fails. People in the press should understand this," he said.

"They forget overnight all the performance put in by these gentlemen over the years. So if one series they fail, what's so bad? It's a game of cricket... unless, of course, you find them absolutely dull on the field, which is not accepted in present day cricket."

He particularly defended Rahul Dravid, who had a poor ODI series against Australia, a series that India lost 4-2 last week.

"A question in front of us is Dravid's. He is failing... it's okay, nothing wrong in it. I won't bother about it, as it's a small thing. What about the others? Are they playing consistently? They are not, and that's the problem and that has let us down in the series. This is the point for us to ponder," said the cricketer,who holds the world-record for bowling 23 successive maiden overs in Test cricket.

Sania Mirza slips to 32nd in WTA rankings

Slipping two places, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza was 32nd in the latest WTA Tour rankings released Monday. The 20-year-old, who has had to cut short her engagements because of a stomach muscle injury, however managed to stay in top-20 in the doubles, ranked 19th.

Sania will not be seen in action till the Hopman Cup, were she has earned a direct entry. The tournament begins Dec 30.

Belgian Justine Henin, who won her ninth WTA title in Zurich last week, continued her rule with Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova way behind in second and Serbia's Jelena Jankovic in the third spot. Jankovic's compatriot Ana Ivanovic was fourth followed by Russian Maria Sharapova at the fifth position.

In the ATP men's doubles rankings, Leander Paes was positioned at 17th and Mahesh Bhupathi at the 21st place.

Dhoni highest individual taxpayer in Jharkhand

India's cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who rules the hearts of millions of cricket fans, has also become the darling of the income tax department as he has emerged as the highest individual tax payer in Jharkhand.

According to sources in the income tax department, till Sep this year Dhoni has paid Rs.7.3 million as advance tax.

"Dhoni has emerged as highest tax payer in the current financial year. We expect that he will pay Rs.40 million as tax in fiscal 2007-2008," said an income tax official.

Dhoni is followed by two businessmen of West Singhbhum district.

This year, the income tax department has set a target to collect Rs.5.03 billion in taxes from the state.

According to official sources, the highest corporate taxpayer in the state is public sector unit Central Coalfield Ltd, which has recently been accorded "miniratna" status by the central government.

Jharkhand is meanwhile gearing up to welcome Dhoni home. He is likely to arrive in Ranchi on Wednesday.

McGrath asks Sreesanth to back antics with wickets

"You want your fast bowler to be aggressive. Giving blokes send-offs or sledging when you talk back I don't agree with, but that's up to the officials to sort out. At the end of the day you've got to be able to back it up," he said on the young Indian speedster.

"You can talk the talk but if you can't go out there and perform then you're not going to be around for very long."

Sreesanth has taken India by storm with his aggressive bowling but opinion is divided on his antics.

Right from his celebratory dance after hitting South African fast bowler Andre Nel for a huge six last year to Mammooty-like walks on the ground, he has provided much amusement to spectators. But it has come at a price.

Sreesanth has been censored on numerous occasions and even fined a few times.During the recently completed one-day international series in India, which Australia won 4-2, Sreesanth had some run-ins with burly Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds. And the fast bowler will be on the firing line when India tours Australia later this year.

McGrath warned the Indian medium pace not to get too carried away with his theatrics unless he can back it up out in the middle.

The last time India toured Australia in 2003-04, the Test series was drawn 1-1 although the home team was without McGrath (injured) and leg-spinner Shane Warne (suspended).

While both bowlers are also missing for this tour after retiring at the end of last season, McGrath believes India is still in for a torrid time at the hands of an Australian team about to enter a rebuilding phase.

"I think it's going to be an interesting and exciting time for Australian cricket with the young guys putting their hands up," said McGrath.

Hockey needs India to thrive: Charlesworth

Australian legend Ric Charlesworth believes "hockey needs India doing well to survive and thrive" and feels privileged to play a part in the renaissance of the eight-time Olympic champions.

The newly-appointed Technical Adviser of Indian hockey said the country is a minefield of talented players, who can be groomed to become world beaters again.

"India has now failed to perform for so long that the game [which I have always loved] is lesser, because we are missing the artistry and aesthetics that stamped the first part of the 20th century.

"Equally, hockey needs India doing well to survive and thrive worldwide. I believe India has the raw materials in skilled, clever and talented people to be outstanding again as a hockey nation. In hockey to play a part in the renaissance is a great challenge and I am privileged to have this opportunity," Charlesworth said.

Charlesworth, who till recently was working with the New Zealand images Cricket as a High Performance manager, said the first challenge after being "on the ground" in December would be to know the functioning of Indian hockey.

"Everyday will bring a new challenge...the immediate one will be to discover how hockey works in India...to watch, learn and listen and to construct with Indians a better way forward," said the former Australia hockey captain.

"I have one or two commitments [for a couple of weeks] that I have already agreed to before this assignment. After that I will be practically full time except for the occasional speaking engagement," he added.

The Aussie great said the deal with India is a result of years of negotiations, which could have been even longer without International Hockey Federation's 'Promoting Indian hockey' programme.

"Over some months and following considerable discussion it has been developed. Such things are seldom quick or easy and without FIH's programme for India it may have taken longer. The first contacts were back in 2002 and then after Athens," he said.

On the Indian men's team Asia Cup winning feat, Charlesworth said though the result could not be undermined, but the side needs more exposure.

"I still haven't seen the final game but the result was encouraging. Of course often in hockey the result can deceive but Korea are a quality team. Overall though we haven't played enough games this year, we need more exposure."