Gattuso banned for four matches

What a foolish emotion!

AC Milan's Gennaro Gattuso has been banned for four matches after clashing with Tottenham assistant coach Joe Jordan during a Champions League tie.

Midfielder Gattuso headbutted Jordan at the end of last Tuesday's Champions League match at the San Siro.

European football's governing body Uefa handed down the punishment after a disciplinary hearing on Monday.

Gattuso, who had already apologised for his behaviour, has three days to lodge an appeal if he chooses to do so.

Even if the 33-year-old was successful in any appeal he would not be able to play in the second leg at Tottenham because he incurred a one-match suspension after picking up a booking in the first match.

The veteran Italian headbutted Jordan as tempers flared after Tottenham's 1-0 Champions League last-16 first-leg win at the San Siro.

"I lost control. There is no excuse for what I did. I take my responsibilities for that," said the Milan captain.

"I was nervous. We were both speaking Scottish, something that I learned when I played in his home city of Glasgow, but I can't tell you what we said.

"I didn't want to argue with players and I did it with him but I was wrong to do what I have done. I will have to await what they decide."

Midfielder Gattuso and 59-year-old Scot Jordan had already clashed on the touchline during a bad-tempered second half in which Mathieu Flamini escaped with a only booking for a two-footed challenge on Vedran Corluka.

Croatia full-back Corluka left the field on a stretcher and was later seen on the substitutes' bench with crutches and an ice pack on his ankle.

"The tackle from Flamini was a horrendous tackle," commented Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp. "It was a sending off. He was two or three feet off the floor with his two feet raised. It was a leg-breaking tackle."

The Flamini challenge turned the second half into a feisty affair, with Gattuso becoming increasingly aggressive.

The former Rangers favourite, making his 450th appearance for the Rossoneri, confronted Spurs striker Peter Crouch before collecting a booking that will rule him out of the second leg for a lunge at Steven Pienaar.

At the final whistle, Gattuso removed his shirt and headed straight for Jordan, hurling abuse at the Spurs first-team coach before lashing out with his head.

The Milan midfielder was pulled away by team-mates and briefly stopped to embrace Spurs defender William Gallas before following Jordan down the tunnel.

"I don't know why it all got so silly," Redknapp added. "Gattuso had a flare-up with Joe Jordan. I don't know why.

"He obviously hadn't done his homework. He could've picked a fight with somebody else. Putting his head into Joe's face, it was crazy. He lost his head."

Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri said he was disappointed with his captain's conduct but claimed his rage was sparked by a late tackle on him by Pienaar which preceded the touchline clash with Jordan.

"Flamini's tackle was quite a bad one but the foul on Gattuso on his knee was also a bad one," Allegri stated.

"I don't know what happened at the end of the match. It was not nice to see. I think there was a reason but there is no excuse for that."

Describing the scene on air, BBC Radio 5 live's Mark Pougatch said Gattuso had "lost it".

Italian football journalist Gabriele Marcotti added: "Gattuso is an emotional player but after getting angry he calmed down enough to hug and kiss William Gallas and Harry Redknapp.

"You think he is going to calm down then he goes after Joe Jordan. Absolutely incredible."

Redknapp joked that it was not wise to pick a fight with Jordan, who played for AC Milan between 1981 and 1983 after long spells with Leeds and Manchester United.

"There would be only one winner there - Joe," the 63-year-old Spurs boss said. "I'd have my money on Joe. Of all the people to pick on, don't pick on Joe."

Courtesy: bbc.co.uk

India wins CWC 2011 opening match by 87 runs

India has won by 87 run in the opening match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011against host Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka of Bangladesh today.

India scored very prestigious 370 for four batting first and playing 50 overs.

Bangladesh won the toss in the Opening match. Bangladesh Captain Shakib Al Hasan decided  to fielding first and India went to bat.

In reply, Bangladesh could reach at 283 losing nine wickets in the match playing 50 overs.

There was no doubt that a very tough score India placed before the host Bangladesh Team who decided to bat later winning in toss.

India  reached at 235 on the Castrol Index while Bangladesh with a tough fought 283 and went to 120 on the Castrol Index.

Virender Sehwag is the Man of the Match. He said it was a good start for the team. It was a revenge game and happy to have it done it well. He was happy to have started well and was determined to a play long innings. He specially thanked his Physio and Trainer, who got him fit for the game. Kohli played very well.

Victorious skipper, MS Dhoni said that he was happy but there are a few departments they need to improve on. Fielding is definitely the one. Batting and bowling went quite well today. Overall, a good performance. He added Kohli and Sehwag stabilized the innings and played well.

In the post match presentation, Shakib-Al-Hasan reckoned that they bowled too many bad balls, boundary balls which costs them the game. Sehwag played very well. The fast bowlers were rusty but hopefully they will come back. In the end, he appreciated the crowd for their support.

Virender Sehwag made the highest 175 off 140 ball in the opening match. He got freed of the runway before 15 balls are remained. This is a record of an individual wicket of achieving such high score in a world cup match. His position now is 6th in the ranking of wc highest score in a single match.

Sehwag showed a very fantastic five of 6's and 14 of 4's.

Indian Batsman Virat Kohli also presented his strength with the 100 from 83 balls placing eight 4's and two boundaries.  

Gautam Gambhir who joined Shewag on Sachin's exit scored 39. Mahmudullah in his second ball bowled him. Gambhir played 39 balls with placing three of 4's.

Earlier Bangladesh Captain Shakib Al Hasan run out Sachin Tendulkar with a magnificent throw from mid-wicket area. Sachin added 28 from 29 balls while he played four 4's. 

India was 301 playing 42 overs and losing only two wickets while this report is filed. It is assumed that India may hit at 350 in the match setting India's Level at a very high as the hot favorite of the WC 2011.

India achieved a tremendous starting grabbing 60 from first 10, 129 from first 20, 242 from 35 and 301 from  42 overs in the match. India finally showed 7.40 Run Rate in the match.

Wickets fell like Sachin Tendulkar on 10.5 Over while total score is 69, Gautam Gambhir went when India hit 152 at 23.2 Over, Virender Sehwag left while they have already collected 355 from 47.3 and finally Yusuf Pathan on the last ball  50th Over when India stands on 370.  

Bangladesh lost its five top order batsmen during chasing of India's 370 in their 2nd innings of the maiden match of Cricket World Cup 2011at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka of Bangladesh this night.

Bangladesh lost Imrul Kayes at 6.5 over when Imrul collected 34 from 27 showing a very speedy run rate. It also helped Bangladesh to back in the match rapidly.

Then Bangladesh lost second wicket Zunaed Siddique as he was stamped by Dhoni with Habhajan Singh's delivery at 23.1 over. Zunaed also led the team an important 37 from 51 delivery while Bangladesh reached 129 playing 23 overs.

Then Bangladesh Captain Shakib Al Hasan entered the Pitch and tried to bat very carefully. Meanwhile MM Patel hit Bangladesh gaining the most important wicket of the day Tamim Iqbal. Tamim collected 70 by reaching 17th ODI fifty in the Match. Bangladesh was on 188 at this time playing of 32.1 over.

Then Mushfiqur Rahim joined with Shakib Al Hasan, the captain of Bangladesh also played good but peoples expectation was more. Shakib extended the team with 55 from 50. He was dismissed at 39.4 over when Bangladesh could collect 234 for 4.

Mushfiqur Rahim tried to play in speedy way. Raqibul Hasan joined the team to take the match at a honorable position. But Mushfiqur Rahim had to leave collecting 25 only playing 30 deliveries. Bangladesh was on 248 playing total 42.3 overs.

Then Mahmudullah joined with Raqibul Hasan while he was bowled out by Munaf at 44.3 overs just taking 5 from 5. 

Then Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak and Rubel Hossain joined  one after another but they could not set in the pitch. Raqibul Hasan also did better as he collected 28 runs playing 28 deliveries.

Bangladesh hits 10 per over

Bangladesh has to chase 370 of India now in the opening day of Cricket World Cup 2011.


Tigers are very furious now with their brave and strength! They will not leave India without challenge. They hit 51 from the first five overs.


Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes are bating for tigers as opening batsmen. 


The stadium now filled with huge claps and bands as the Bangladesh team is also fighting against India in the 2nd innings here at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka of Bangladesh.


India played first and scored a very tough 370 depending on the 175 of Virender Sehwag and 100 of Virat Kohli.


However, the match is expected very challenging for Bangladesh.


Will Bangladesh be successful chasing a high score against a Team like India?   

India's prestigious 370 in CWC 2011 opening

India scored very prestigious 370 for 4 in the maiden match of Cricket World Cup 2011against host Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka of Bangladesh today.

It is no doubt a very tough score before the Bangladesh Team who decided to bat later winning in toss.

Virender Sehwag made the highest 175 off 140 ball in the opening match. He got freed of the runway before 15 balls are remained. This is a record of an individual wicket of achieving such high score in a world cup match. His position now is 6th in the ranking of wc highest score in a single match.

Sehwag showed a very fantastic five of 6's and 14 of 4's.

Indian Batsman Virat Kohli also presented his strength with the 100 from 83 balls placing eight 4's and two boundaries.  

Gautam Gambhir who joined Shewag on Sachin's exit scored 39. Mahmudullah in his second ball bowled him. Gambhir played 39 balls with placing three of 4's.

Earlier Bangladesh Captain Shakib Al Hasan run out Sachin Tendulkar with a magnificent throw from mid-wicket area. Sachin added 28 from 29 balls while he played four 4's. 

India was 301 playing 42 overs and losing only two wickets while this report is filed. It is assumed that India may hit at 350 in the match setting India's Level at a very high as the hot favorite of the WC 2011.

India achieved a tremendous starting grabbing 60 from first 10, 129 from first 20, 242 from 35 and 301 from  42 overs in the match. India finally showed 7.40 Run Rate in the match.

Wickets fell like Sachin Tendulkar on 10.5 Over while total score is 69, Gautam Gambhir went when India hit 152 at 23.2 Over, Virender Sehwag left while they have already collected 355 from 47.3 and finally Yusuf Pathan on the last ball  50th Over when India stands on 370.   

Bangladesh side: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mushfiqur Rahim(wicket keeper), Shakib Al Hasan (c), Raqibul Hasan, Naeem Islam, Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam and Rubel Hossain

Indian side: SR Tendulkar, V Sehwag, G Gambhir, V Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (captain and wicket keeper), YK Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Z Khan, S Sreesanth, MM Patel.

India already touches 300 in today's match

India has already crossed 300 runs Bench Mark playing 42 over losing only two wickets in the ongoing maiden match of Cricket World Cup 2011against host Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka of Bangladesh.

Virender Sehwag has already made a record of individual 152 playing just 125 balls in the tournament where he is going ahead for double century.

Gautam Gambhir who joined Shewag on Sachin's exit scored 39. Mahmudullah in his second ball bowled him.

Earlier Bangladesh Captain Shakib Al Hasan run out Sachin Tendulkar with a magnificent throw from mid-wicket area.

India was 301 playing 42 overs and losing only two wickets while this report is filed. It is assumed that India may hit at 350 in the match setting India's Level at a very high as the hot favorite of the WC 2011.

India achieved a tremendous starting grabbing 60 from first 10, 129 from first 20, 242 from 35 and 301 from  42 overs in the match.   

Bangladesh side: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mushfiqur Rahim(wicket keeper), Shakib Al Hasan (c), Raqibul Hasan, Naeem Islam, Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam and Rubel Hossain

Indian side: SR Tendulkar, V Sehwag, G Gambhir, V Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (captain and wicket keeper), YK Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Z Khan, S Sreesanth, MM Patel.

Sachin Tendulkar is run out

Sachin Tendulkar of India is run out. India did 60 from first 10 overs and it happened at 6th over when Tendulkar was run out.

India were 69 for one after 11 overs against Bangladesh in the World Cup opener at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium this noon on Saturday.

Opener Sachin Tendulkar was run out on 28 off 29 balls after an amateurish mix-up with Virender Sehwag who was not out on 36.

Gautam Gambhir was unbeaten on 0.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak was introduced early in the attack to tame the Indian openers and the move paid off as he bowled two good overs back-to-back for 20 runs in four overs.

Pacer Rubel Hossain gave away 28 runs in his five overs.

The Tigers won the crucial toss and captain Shakib Al Hasan chose to bowl first, saying his team was confident to chase a target below 260.

There have been five scores over 250 that have been successfully chased in day-night games in Mirpur. The highest ever target chased is 297 by India against Bangladesh in the tri-nation tournament in 2010.

Veteran batsman Mohammad Ashraful has been left out of the Bangladesh side that is the youngest in the World Cup, with Razzak at 28 years being the oldest member.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said he would have bowled first too had he won the toss because he believed dew could be a big factor.

Of 42 matches played in Mirpur, 27 have been won by the team batting second and only 15 by the team batting first. In day-night games, only three out of 16 matches have been won by teams batting first.

The last 13 games in Mirpur have been won by teams chasing. Of the 23 matches between the two, India won in 20, while one was abandoned.

India are the current favourites in this tournament, with their consistency over the previous months and depth of the players' calibre.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, are at the moment reasonably balanced, consisting of prodigious bowlers and batsmen with a combination of confidence and talent.

India saw an upsetting exit in the 2007 World Cup in West Indies at the hands of Bangladesh, as the Tigers had halted the next-door neighbour's dream run most unceremoniously. The upset is said to be one of the major events in tournament's history.

Their confidence is also at a new high following their victories in the home series against Zimbabwe (3-1) and New Zealand (4-0).


Bangladesh side: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mushfiqur Rahim(wicket keeper), Shakib Al Hasan (c), Raqibul Hasan, Naeem Islam, Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam and Rubel Hossain

Indian side: SR Tendulkar, V Sehwag, G Gambhir, V Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (captain and wicket keeper), YK Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Z Khan, S Sreesanth, MM Patel.

India collects 42 from first 6 over

India has collected 42 runs from 6 overs in the beginning of CWC 2011 today at Dhaka, Bangladesh . Run rate is 7 per over.

Sachin Tendulkar and virender sehwag are now bating first. They are the opening batsmen in CWC 2011 which has just begun now.