New Delhi, March 25
“Don’t speculate if this was Sachin Tendulkar’s last Test match in India,” says Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Don’t speculate, says the man. If he thought he’d be obeyed, he little knows. He might as well have told the sun not to rise. Clearly, Dhoni’s wish is command to none. India is speculating. The media is speculating. The fans are speculating.

For instance, can that final clap and wave by Sachin Tendulkar in the balcony of the Indian dressing room, after India had won the Delhi Test match, be construed as the final goodbye?

Arms aloft, Tendulkar waved at the adoring fans below the balcony, around the stadium. If that wasn’t a final goodbye, what is?

Did or didn’t his lips form a quiet “thank you” as he turned away? If yes, what’s the import of those words?

And irrespective of what the man himself was thinking as he walked off after being dismissed in the second innings, wasn’t the whole of Ferozeshah Kotla thinking — ‘It’s his last innings for India in India, isn’t it?”

Absence of facts provides fertile ground for speculation. Facts on what Tendulkar is thinking aren’t forthcoming. The facts that are known are these:

He’ll turn 40 on April 24. India’s next home series on the ICC’s Futures Tour Programme is scheduled for October 2014 against West Indies. India’s calendar is full, though — there’s the IPL, the Champions Trophy, Champions League, ODIs and T20s against Australia... No Tests, though, which come only on the tours to South Africa, New Zealand and England.

It’s possible that the BCCI might organise a Tendulkar Farewell Test/series in India between now and October 2014. The only gap on the calendar could be between the ODI series in Zimbabwe (which ends in mid-July) and he Champions League (September 2013).

This is the data the 22,000-plus spectators came to the stadium with over the second and third days of the fourth Test. Sachin Tendulkar batted on both days, he failed on both days. In the first innings, he was extremely fortunate to be ruled not out when on 1; he eventually fell to the same bowler, Nathan Lyon, in the same mode, LBW. In the second innings, he was again LBW to Lyon, out for the 1 he should have got in the first.

People had been waiting for Tendulkar to walk in in both innings; they had been harrying the No. 3, Virat Kohli, to get out, for they wanted to see the master bat. “Ishant was a bit angry when they wanted Virat to get out so that Sachin paaji could come out and bat,” Mahendra Singh Dhoni later chuckled.

When Tendulkar fell, hand shoulders fell. People held their head in their hands, people left their jaws hanging, people forgot to breathe. The silence of the people suggested a greater loss than the loss of just another Indian wicket — it suggested that they, in the heart of their hearts, thought, even knew, that they would never see Tendulkar bat in a Test in India again. They knew that there would be the IPL circus that would pitch its tents in several cities, but the format that provides a suitable canvas for Tendulkar to create his masterpieces could be gone. Should he play for India abroad, though? India would need his experience abroad, say several experts.

Tendulkar played an important innings of 81 in the first Test, coming in at 12/2 as India chased Australia’s 380. Dhoni’s 224 won India that match, but Tendulkar’s 81 laid the first stone in the foundation of the win. It’s just that the consistency is gone; he’s come down from Tendulkarian heights to dwell among occasional stars. His averages over the last two years are 47.25 and 23.80, and 32 this year. Aakash Chopra, the former Indian opener, believes that Tendulkar is useful abroad only if he’s scoring. “The current selection committee has taken some touch decisions and I think they need to take another tough one (on Tendulkar), Chopra said.

It’s impossible to know what the great man himself is thinking. He was extremely aware of the fans as he fielded, turning around and bestowing small waves and smiles on them all day. After India won, the team did a victory lap. Kohli handed him the Gavaskar Trophy, tried to stir up the crowd. Pointing at Tendulkar, he seemed to be telling them something. Was it: “Cheer this man for the one last time, for there won’t be another such”? Or perhaps he was only saying: “This man is not going anywhere yet!”

New Delhi, March 25
The 4-0 clean sweep against Australia in the just-concluded Test series has justified the BCCI's faith in the team and its leader Mahendra Singh Dhoni, according to Board President N Srinivasan who said a "stern" test awaits the team when they tour South Africa.

Lauding India for its historic series victory over the Australians, Srinivasan said the Board “always had confidence in the team" despite its below-par performances in recent times.

“It is very nice to see India winning. We always had the confidence in the team. We understood that the team was going through a period of transition after some great stalwarts of Indian cricket chose to retire. But I think our faith in the team, the captain and the players have been justified,” he said.

“Cricket is a sport. In sport you cannot be winning all the time. I don't think that the Indian players want to lose. They also want to win, they fought hard. Sometimes they had bad luck, circumstances were against them. But overall, we should be proud of our cricketers,” he said.

Srinivasan was particularly happy with the way India bounced back after the 1-2 defeat at the hands of England at home in the previous series, but said stern tests awaits Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men when they tour South Africa later this year.

“Against England I thought may be were little bit unlucky at times, but the team regrouped and performed extremely well against Australia. But we will have tests in South Africa and New Zealand towards the end of this year and early part of next year.

“But all of that is part of building of a team and the character of the players will also come out,” he said. The BCCI chief, however, refused to comment on the selectors decision to drop the frontline opening duo of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir for under-performance during the series against Australia. “I don't comment on selection matters. But I think overall the selectors have been very sincere and have been trying their best looking at the present and future of Indian cricket,” Srinivasan said. Without directly stating that Sehwag and Gambhir's exclusion was the correct decision, Srinivasan praised the performances of of Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara and Shikhar Dhawan.

“I don't have to say that,” was his immediate reaction when asked whether the changes made in the team have borne out results or not.

“What we should be happy about is the performances of Shikhar Dhawan, Pujara and Vijay. The team is looking different, looking confident. The bowlers also have performed well,” he said.

Asked whether it would be difficult for the likes of Sehwag and Gambhir to make a comeback in the team, Srinivasan said, “It is for the selectors to answer. All I can say is that the team looks good.” Srinivasan spoke highly of Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is also the skipper of Chennai Super Kings.

“He (Dhoni) has always been playing a good role. He has always been an outstanding player. We can't forget that he has captained India to two World Cup wins. He is an experienced captain. I think he has sailed well through all ups and downs,” the BCCI president said.

New Delhi, March 25
Savouring their stupendous series-win over Australia, six Indian cricketers, including skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, on Monday spent time driving on the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, country's only Formula One circuit.

Dhoni rode his 'X132 Hellcat' bike, which he bought last year, on the 5.14km long circuit. The Indian captain is known for his passion for high-speed mean machines and even owns a team in FIM Supersport World Championship.

Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who had waved the chequered flag during the inaugural Indian Grand Prix in 2011, took a taxi ride as a BIC official drove him around the free-flowing circuit and also drove a sports car.

Paceman Ishant Sharma brought his own Audi RX5 while young batsman Virat Kohli also drove a sports car.

Spinner Pragyan Ojha rode Dhoni's bike as well as Ishant's car. Ajinkya Rahane also experienced the drive on the fast lane.

Dhoni, who visited the BIC for the first time rued his delayed visit to the circuit. “It was an amazing experience. I think I am a bit late to come here. But surely I will come during the Super Sports series. Driving Hellcat was good but will bring a sports bike next time around,” Dhoni said. Kohli was also delighted as he said, “It was one of the best experiences. I have never driven so fast.”

New Delhi, March 25
It’s been a series of stunning failures for Australia. They won the toss in each Test, they batted first each time on tracks that were tough to bat on, became progressively tougher with deterioration. They got the best conditions to bat on — first-day, first show of the tracks.

They failed collectively at the top, in the middle. The tale would have been much sorrier if their tail hadn’t wagged. Australia could well have considered reversing the batting order — send the tail first, for the non-specialists were performing the rescue act anyway. Consider these figures.

In the first Test, Australia were 153/5 in the first innings, then went on to make 380. The last five wickets added 227 runs. In the second innings, they were 137/7, then went on to make 241. The last three wickets added 104. In the third Test at Mohali, they were reduced to 251/7 but managed to reach 408; the last three wickets added 157. In the second innings, they were 126/7, then the last three wickets put on 97 to take the team to 223.

In the fourth Test, they were 136/7, the last three wickets accrued 126 to take the score to 262; in the second innings in Delhi, they were 94/7 before the last three weighed in with 70 to take Australia to 164. Steve Waugh, the former Australian captain, reckons that winning the toss gave Australia a significant advantage — “a four-five wicket advantage”. Australia were unable to press it home.

“It was a really good series for us,” Mahendra Singh Dhoni said, before adding: “Thanks to me, as I lot all four tosses. So the batsmen had to bat under difficult conditions in all Tests.”

Australian batsmen passed 50 13 times in the series, but only once did a batsman went on to reach 100; they had 13 50s and only one century.

Indian batsmen had only five 50s but six 100s — when they got in, they made their knocks count. They made them large. The top five scores in the series were by Indian batsmen, including two double centuries.

The wickets may cop a fair bit of blame for Australia’s troubles, but that can’t be put forward as the most significant factor — in the last two Test matches, their No. 9 batsmen made big scores. In Mohali, Mitchell Starc top-scored for them in the match with 99 in the first innings, having played 144 balls. In Delhi, Peter Siddle made 51 and 50, playing a total of 181 balls in the two innings.

Shane Watson, the captain in the fourth Test, and the man widely expected to be Pietersen-like gamechanger for Australia, was a significant failure. He’d given up bowling to concentrate on his batting, yet made only 99 in the six innings he played, with a highest of 28. He played only 239 balls in the series, which was worse than No. 11 Nathan Lyon (244), Starc (254), Siddle (350), and only 14 more than tailender James Pattinson (225).

The worrying thing for Australia is that their best batsman in their domestic season was Ricky Ponting, who was struggling terribly in international cricket. This lays bare the quality of Australian bowling, and batting, at present.

Early in the series, Ravindra Jadeja summed up the difference between England, who won here last December, and Australia. It was “ego”, he said. “The Australians have this ego… They try to play more positive. If they have played three-four overs maiden, they show their aggression, so that they don’t come under pressure,” he said.

The Indian batsmen, in conditions where even their No. 10 can score centuries in domestic cricket, set examples that the Australians couldn’t follow.

The one attribute the Australians should have learnt from India was patience. They failed to do so, trying to win with the famed Aussie aggression. It didn’t work because they didn’t have the skills of a Pietersen.

At Rurka Kalan and nearby villages, it's not unusual to see one thousand tiny tots, teeming with enthusiasm and bobbing with energy as they pursue their only aim in life. In these villages with bare minimum facilities, the beautiful game of football is not just all over the landscape but also over the mindscape of every inhabitant.

In fact, it's been like this for the past 12 years.

With a decade-strong glorious history seeped in football, Rurka Kalan has become the conveyor belt for the national team with a steady supply of young, enthusiastic talent who are eager to make a life out of this game. Since the age of 7, children here begin eating, sleeping and living football.

By 14, they are ready and eager to make it to various football clubs across the country. In a few years', the youngsters get absorbed in the Indian team. Invariably, this has been the recipe that Rurka Kalan, a small but very famous football hub on the Jandiala-Goraya Road in Phillaur tehsil of Jalandhar district has been dishing out invariably.

Anwar Ali, Prem Kumar, Amrit Pal Singh, Sukhwinder Kumar — all products of Rurka Kalan Football Academy — may not be household names but any passionate follower of the game would tell you how much inspiration these names hold in Indian football.

Anwar Ali is a bit different from others. Along with inspiration, he is also held in awe. In 2011, this modest lad from the village held the distinction of being the highest paid defender in the I-League (Dempo). Guess how much did he get? An unprecedented Rs 1 crore for a 15-month contract. It may not be an IPL-like gravy train for most of them but those who pursue their art seriously do manage to earn a hard-earned, steady and satisfying income for the rest of their lives. With the passage of time, the club that started as a sporting body has morphed into an integrated community-based grassroots organisation.

To think that this is just a village-level endeavour would be too simplistic. Already, the club has the best of coaches from the world of football. Coach Crag Smith from Scotland says, “I haven't seen a programme like this in any of the major football-playing countries where rural kids are trained so scientifically.” Hearteningly, Coventry University, UK will be sending sports scientists and trainers to educate coaches and players on March 27.

Gurmangal Dass, one of the men behind the endeavour, says, “We began Youth Football Club (YFC) in 2001 and now we have centres in 9 villages — Rurka Kalan, Bundala Jandiala, Shanker, Bilga, Aluna Tola Sarhali, Bhodey Saprai and Attari (near Indo-Pak Border). We try to better the lives of 2,000 children under various programmes. And everything is free of cost.”

The YFC was started by the village football team with a paltry sum of Rs 70,000 which was collected by winning local tournaments. Now, the YFC has its own modern stadium with 5,000 seating capacity, a modern health club, a hostel for boys, Youth Development Centre and a computer institute. YFC has a residential football academy, which hosts 30 players and has 1,000 children in the day scholar coaching programme.

It is also providing computer education to 200 youth. It reaches 2,000 youth every year, giving them free coaching, sports kits, boarding and lodging, education and medical aid.

ACHIEVEMENTS Won Street Child World Cup Soccer Tournament held in Durban, South Africa, in March 2010 Runner-up in Manchester United Premier Cup held in Gurgaon, 2011 More than 15 trainees represented India in various international championships India's highest paid defender Anwar Ali who has represented India 35 times belongs to this academy Finished in top three in Punjab State Schools Football Championship 2010, '11, '12 Kamal Preet Singh played for Indian National Team in Asia Cup 2012 held in Dubai success stories At one time Anwar Ali was worth a crore. The golden boy from Rurka, has more than 35 India caps to his credit. Part of the national team that won Nehru Cup in 2010. Presently, he plays for Sikkim United in the I-League. Born to a daily wager in Jagatpur village, Prem Kumar, striker, is the main stay of Punjab team. In the recently-concluded Satosh Trophy he was the highest scorer till the team bowed out of the premier tournament. He has turned professional and play for J&K Bank. Amrit Pal Singh, son of a small landholder, plays for India and Churchill Brothers.

New Delhi, March 25
India's Olympians have launched a strong protest against the inclusion of the Hockey India secretary general, Narinder Batra, in the 12-member Working Group that the Sports Ministry has constituted for re-drafting the National Sports Development Bill.

The Sports Ministry last week had decided to establish a group under the chairmanship of Justice Mukul Mudgal to prepare a revised draft of the bill, which was initially drafted in 2011.

Chandigarh, March 25
Tiger Woods is back on track. After a disappointing finish in the final holes of the Arnold Palmer Invitational's second round when he finished bogey-bogey-bogey on a course that he has dominated and won seven titles, Tiger roared back into contention with a superb 66 in the third round to lead the tournament by two shots going into the final round.

Unfortunately play was suspended due to a tornado warning in Florida, which only led golf commentators and golf gurus to comment that it was just delaying the inevitable, as Woods had birdied the par-three second hole with a brilliant eight-iron shot to ten feet from 201 yards and walked away with a three stroke cushion.

Tiger will make history this week if he wins as he will tie Sam Snead's record of eight victories in the same tournament and it will leave him just six titles short of tying the all time record of Sam Snead of 82 victories on the PGA Tour. Furthermore, vIctory this week will also mean a return to number one status in the world rankings. However, victory or not, Tiger is back. He has already carded two victories in four starts this season and has got his personal life in order and is openly dating a skier.

"I have always believed that Tiger Woods is too good a player and that he will always bounce back and dominate the game again the way he has done in the last," said Jeev Milka Singh when asked to comment on Tigers form.

Though he is working to be back in the same playing field as Tiger, Jeev currently heads to Indonesia to play the Japanese Tour this week after a tough week at the Maybank Malaysian Open. Not only did just two Indians make the cut, but the tournament itself was shortened to 54 holes due to bad weather, lightening and rain.

Jeev failed to capitalize on a good start in his third and final round when he was five under for nine holes and had moved to within three strokes of the leaders before play was called off yet again and announced that the tournament would be played over 54 holes in order to finish on Sunday. "It was a good week for me but unfortunately I could not keep the momentum going due to the weather interruptions," said Jeev.

Other Indian professionals like Shiv Kapur, SSP Chowrasia, Jyoti Randhawa, Digvijay Singh and Gaganjeet Bhullar head to the Asian Tour's Chiangmai Golf Classic in Thailand.

"My game is looking good and I am playing well but the weather delays took their toll on me and I made a few mental errors coming in and missed the cut by one shot," said Jyoti. "But I am looking forward to the next few weeks." As for the European Tour, both the men and ladies head to Agadir, Morocco, this week. While Smriti Mehra will play in Lalla Meryem Cup, none of the Indian men professionals will be playing the Trophee Hassan as it is quite a long trip for just a single event in the region.

Meumbai, March 25
Mumbai Indians kicked off their Indian Premier League training camp on Monday at the Wankhede Stadium under the watchful eyes of chief coach John Wright, chief mentor Anil Kumble and assistant coach Robin Singh.

Seven players, including members of the triumphant Mumbai Ranji squad Dhawal Kulkarni, Aditya Tare, Sushant Marathe and Suryakumar Yadav, attended the first day's session, a team spokesperson said.

"The others are expected to join the camp as and when they are free from their domestic duties," the spokesperson added.

MI will be led by former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting in the T20 tournament, commencing on April 3 this season.

The IPL franchise is starting its campaign against Royal Challengers in Bangalore on April 4. MI's first home game is scheduled for April 9 against Delhi Daredevils after their second away game against former champions Chennai Super Kings on April 6. — PTI

BRIEFLY

New Zealand on top
Auckland: New Zealand are on top as England require another 391 runs with six wickets in hand on Day 5 of the third Test at Auckland. Ian Bell (8) is at the crease as England were tottering at 90/4 after 52.1 overs. New Zealand made 443, in reply England made 204 runs. In the second innings Kiwis made 241/6 decl.

SL vs Bangladesh match called off
Hamabantota: The second ODI between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was washed out due to persistent rains. Lanka were 33/0 after 5 overs when the match was called off. Kusal Perera (18) and Dilshan (10) were at crease. — Agencies