Sanjay goes bald for 'Agneepath'

Sanjay Dutt has gone partially bald! No no' its not any hair fall but it's the 45-degree temperature at the Diu that made the actor do so. Sanjay had to wear a prosthetic make up to pose bald for his forthcoming film 'Agneepath'. In the beginning Sanju Baba managed to don the look but the raising heat made the make up melt and leak from the actor's head.

This disturbed him in acting and started irritating his eyes. So, the actor decided to shave off his hair partially fromhis forehead. Well must say, Sanju, what a conviction for your work...

Indian American wins city council seat in Texas

 An Indian American has edged past a candidate of Pakistani origin to win a city council seat in Sugar Land, Texas.

In unofficial results, Harish Jajoo edged Pakistani American attorney and investment manager Farha Ahmed on June 11 in the runoff election for the city council seat in District 4 in Sugar Land.

Mr. Jajoo secured 1,473 or 52.38 per cent of the total votes, while 1,340 or 47.62 per cent polled for Ahmed. Mr. Jajoo had a 915-724 advantage in pre-Election Day balloting, while Ahmed polled better on voting day, getting 616 votes to 559 for her opponent.

The tight contest was marred by a flier, circulated before the election and quoting a Pakistani newspaper, erroneously insinuated that Ahmed would represent Afia Sidique, a woman dubbed as “Lady al Qaeda,” in a criminal case.

Siddiqui is a U.S.-educated Pakistani neuroscientist who was sentenced to 86 years in prison in a New York District Court in 2010 for trying to shoot US soldiers at a police station in Afghanistan in 2008. She was shown on the flier in two grainy mug shots along with Ahmed’s photo.

Ahmed issued a statement saying she is a civil litigation attorney and could not represent Siddiqui in a criminal case.

Ahmed did say, however, that she was approached a few years ago “by attorneys and human rights groups to help gather information to find two missing American children who were believed to have been kidnapped overseas.”

“It is inappropriate for me to discuss the details of the case any further other than to state that the children were found. I would also like to humbly request that the identities of the children be safeguarded for their protection,” she said.

Ahmed did not issue any further clarification to indicate if this work involved Siddiqui or her children.

Mr. Jajoo, through a statement said that, “I want to assure you that my campaign had nothing to do with this mailer, and I do not condone this type of tactic. I also believe that the voters deserve to hear from my opponent on this issue as well.”

On results, Mr. Jajoo said, “This culminates a tough race and validates that my campaign was based on right message, right priorities and right approach. I am humbled by the support and enthusiasm of my district voters.”

Mr. Jajoo also said he received a call from Ahmed the night of June 11 after the results were declared “to congratulate me and I invited her to work with me on the issues important to her.”

He said in a press statement that his priorities as a member of the council would be “public safety, infrastructure and quality of life” in Sugar Land.

The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for June 21.

Mr. Jajoo and his wife, Shashi, have two children.

I will have to work out on my flaws in nets: Raina

Stand-in captain Suresh Raina on Thursday admitted the need to spend some time with coach Duncan Fletcher in the nets in order to iron out some flaws in his batting.

Raina who could muster only 74 runs from five ODIs was repeatedly out trying to play the wild slog over deep mid-wicket or extra cover.

“I need to spend some time in the middle. I just can’t go out there and play big shots. I will look to have a couple of sessions with the coach,” Raina stated at the media conference after his team lost the final ODI by seven wickets.

The skipper however wanted to stress on the positives. “It is disappointing that we lost the last two matches but I am happy that we won the series. We need to enjoy the moment,” he said.

Raina felt that turning point was definitely getting all out for 251 with 15 balls to go.

“I feel we fell short by at least 25 to 30 runs. But full credit to Andre Russell for the manner in which he bowled at the death.”

The batting of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Parthiv Patel along with Amit Mishra’s bowling was a big plus for this young team.

“Our fielding has also improved after sessions with new fielding coach Trevor Penny.”

About the upcoming Test series, Raina said that all those who have been selected are raring to go. “Obviously we have prepared well and the seniors who will join us will have to get acclimatised in the next few days.”

Man of the series Rohit said, “It was important for me to get some runs as I wanted to make this tour count. I am glad it came off well.”

Asked about his game plan, he answered, “I kept telling myself that I had to stay in the middle as long as possible. I wanted to take the game through to the end. But it is indeed very disappointing to lose two consecutive matches. I wanted to be around till the 48th or 49th over but it happened otherwise.”

West Indies skipper Darren Sammy lauded his bowlers for bringing them back in the match when it looked like Kohli and Rohit would take the game away.

“Credit to all the bowlers who came back very well. It looked like we would chase 300 at one stage.”

He was ecstatic about Darren Bravo’s match-winning effort of 86.

“We all know what Bravo is capable of doing. About Sarwan, we had to take a decision. Sarwan was cramping, thought it would be good for the team if a new batsman came in.

Although we won the last two matches but we need to start well in order to win the series,” the skipper said.

Sammy was hopeful that the team would do even better in the Test series and is taking inspiration from their victory against Pakistan

For man-of-the-match Russell, staying “positive and bowling in the right areas” helped.

“We have been playing good cricket over the past two games. I tried to remain positive and bowl in right areas.”

With the wicket offering some assistance, Russell admitted that it was a good strip to bowl on in the morning.

“It was a good wicket to bowl on in the morning. One or two of the Indian batsmen are not accustomed to the short ball, so I tried to use it as a surprise weapon.”

Virat Kohli and Manoj Tiwary consolidate after early losses

Gayle's absence reflected in the sombre mood at Sabina Park

The final ODI of the five-match Digicel series got underway under the shadow of the Chris Gayle versus the West Indies Cricket Board conflict which turned from bad to worse after a stormy Wednesday night meeting between the two parties.

This reflected in the arena; the atmosphere was sombre.

On a surface with some juice, India was 73 for two after 15 overs here on Thursday. Much of the cricket was compelling.

Openers Parthiv Patel and Shikhar Dhwan were fired out early by the West Indian paceman. Then Virat Kohli and Manoj Tiwary, rightfully batting down the order, consolidated.

Bounce and carry

The surface at the Sabina Park had pace, bounce and carry. Batting demanded guts and application.

Kemar Roach worked up pace, extracted lift. Andre Russell too got the ball to climb.

Parthiv attempted the pull Rusell but found the ball coming on to the bat too quickly. The miscued stroke was held brilliantly by Anthony Martin.Dhawan, back in the squad, did not appear comfortable. He attempted to cut Roach and was picked up at first slip.

Kohli is a positive batsman who relishes a combat. Without being overly aggressive, he is a busy batsman. Kohli's straight-drive off Roach was a top-shot. Then, he cover-drove Sammy.

Sammy won the toss and opted to field. Adrian Barath replaced Danza Hyatt in the West Indies team. S. Badrinath and Praveen Kumar made way for Dhawan and Vinay Kumar in the Indian eleven.

Kohli who looked good for a three—figure mark was unfortunately run—out at 94 (104 balls, 10x4) but his fourth wicket partnership of 110 runs with Rohit (57, 72 balls, 2x4, 1x6) laid the foundation for the visitors to put up a stiff total.

But another failure from skipper Suresh Raina (0) and Yusuf Pathan’s (30, 29 balls, 2x4, 1x6) failure to make it count after getting set put paid to India’s hopes of posting a huge total.

From 189 for three in 35.5 overs, Indian batsmen blew away a golden opportunity to post a 300 plus total on a wicket where the ball was coming onto the bat.

If Virat was unlucky as he was beaten by fantastic throw from the deep by Ramnaresh Sarwan going for a second run, Rohit was guilty of throwing it away after doing all the hard work.

Skipper Raina would like to forget this series in a hurry as he compiled a poor 74 runs in five matches. Yusuf on his part was looking good to fire all cylinders but failed to handle the extra bounce.

Kohli’s innings was blemish free and it looks like he would walk into the first XI of the Test team after such a quality performance.

The Delhi youngster batted with lot of responsibility as he first steadied the ship with a 58—run third wicket partnership with Manoj Tiwary (22, 22 balls, 1x4, 1x6) and then a century stand with Rohit Sharma.

Skipper Raina will have to take bulk of the blame as India failed to consume 15 deliveries in the end which might mean that they finished atleast 25 runs short of what they were supposed to score.

Put into bat after Darren Sammy won the toss, India lost openers Parthiv Patel (6) and Shikhar Dhawan (11) by the seventh over as both were done in by the extra bounce in the strip.

Parthiv wasn’t in position to pull a Russell bouncer and was holed out at midwicket while Dhawan failed to negotiate a rising delivery and was cramped for room going for a cut shot off Kemar Roach. He was snapped up in the first slip.

Kohli started clipping Russell delightfully to midwicket fence off the eighth ball he received.

The next boundary was rather a streaky edge past slip off Sammy but he made it up with a delightful cover drive in the West Indian skipper’s fourth over.

Manoj for the first time looked comfortable in his short international career. A six off Sammy which hit the wooden roof of the club’s bar was a breathtaking shot. Just when he looked like geting into the groove, he edged one from Kieron Pollard straight to Carlton Baugh.

India now had the best batting passage of the innings as two best young batsmen put their wares out on display.

Both Kohli and Rohit looked to hit down the ground and picked up runs with ease as the 100 runs came up in the 22nd over.

Kohli was careful in his shot selection and hit fours off leg—spinner Anthony Martin and Russell in successive overs.

The former India colts skipper bisected a Martin delivery through the backward point region and then spanked Russell through covers.

He reached his half century in the 23rd over with a single off Martin having faced only 63 deliveries. He celebrated it with a cheeky steer for four off Lendl Simmons.

Rohit having settled into a nice groove at the other end, slammed returning Roach over midwicket for an effortless six in the 36th over.

However, Kohli dismissal led to a dramatic collapse.

India were to suffer another blow almost immediately when skipper Raina played an ill—advised lofted shot to be out in the deep off Pollard.

Rohit and Pathan were well and truly into a repair act when Sharma was cleaned up by Martin.

Russell struck twin blows in one over when he had Pathan (30) caught behind and Amit Mishra (0) bowled in his eighth over, the 46th of the innings.

Scorecard

India: S Dhawan c Sarwan b Roach 11, P Patel c Martin b Russell 6, V Kohli run out (Sarwan ) 94, M Tiwary c Baugh b Pollard 22, R Sharma b Martin 57, S Raina c Barath b Pollard 0, Y Pathan c Baugh b Russell 30, R Ashwin not out 8, A Mishra b Russell 0, V Kumar c Baugh b Roach 2, I Sharma b Russell 0

Extras (lb—1, w—19, nb—1) 21

Total (All out, 47.3 overs ) 251

Fall of wickets: 1—15, 2—21, 3—79, 4—189, 5—190, 6—225, 7—245, 8—246, 9—249

Bowling: Roach 10—0—52—2, Sammy 6—0—48—0, Russell 8.3—0—35—4, Pollard 8—0—39—2, Martin 10—1—39—1, Simmons 5—0—37—0.