INDIA won Under-19 World Cup - 2012

India won their third Under-19 World Cup title as captain Unmukt Chand came up with a crucial, unbeaten ton in the final against Australia. India won its first Under-19 World Cup title in 2000 under the leadership of Mohammed Kaif and in 2008 under Virat Kohli. It is Chand’s third consecutive century in tournament finals to lift the trophy. It is said to be the highest successful chase at this venue to beat defending champions Australia in the final. Australian skipper Bosisto was awarded the Player of the Tournament award.

Earlier Australia posted a competitive total of 225 for 8 with the help of skipper William Bosisto (87 not out) who rebuilt the innings from 38 for 4. India's chase was a Topsy-turvy chase but it was steered around by the captain, who scored 111 not out off 130 balls with six sixes and seven boundaries. He was well supported by Baba Aparajith and Smit Patel who remained unbeaten on 62. India’s U-19 victory was applauded by Sachin Tendulkar, M.S.Dhoni and many former players. BCCI announces Rs 20 lakh cash prize for India Under-19 squad.

VVS Laxman retires from International Cricket

Very Very Special Laxman has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect ending a 16-year career. Laxman represented India in 134 Tests, scoring 8781 runs at 45.97. Laxman made six of his 17 Test centuries against Australia, with an average of 49.67 in 29 Tests and success both home and away. His innings against Australia at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in 2001 with his 281 runs is the greatest achievement, then the highest score by an Indian batsman in Tests. His stand with Rahul Dravid which set up a stunning victory for the home team after following on and ended Australia's consecutive 16-match winning streak is the most memorable match of this era fans. Accidentally his last match also came against Australia. He will be remembered for several innings of extreme elegance under pressure. He is known for his match saving innings. 

I would say his retirement as an end of a glorious chapter of Indian cricket. This graceful batsman has chosen to retire with dignity and kept his pain to himself. He has been constantly criticized for his poor show in last 2 series against England and Australia and also it was said that he is blocking the position young talents. When he was asked about criticism in the emotional press conference, he responded that right from the start of his career there have been a lot of people who wrote negative about him and there have been more people who have been well wishers and talked positive about him. In a country like India, where cricket is more like a religion than a sport, if you try to satisfy each and every one, it's next to impossible.

It is not easy to be a match-winner at any level. Laxman acquired this reputation at the international level. He is an exceptional cricketer, who excelled in pressure situations. If a cricketer’s greatness is to be measured, his performances against the best opposition of his time (Australia) speak for himself. He became the second Indian batsman after Tendulkar to score more than 2000 runs against the Aussies. With Laxman's retirement, only Sachin Tendulkar remains among the golden generation of Indian cricketers after the retirements of all former Indian captains - Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid.    

Olympic Games - 2012 Medal Count

World's Highest-Paid Cricketers

   

1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Total Earnings: $26.5 million
Cricket Pay: $3.5 million
Endorsements: $23 million
National Team: India
IPL Team: Chennai Super Kings
Major Sponsors: Reebok, PepsiCo, Sony

 

2. Sachin Tendulkar

Total Earnings: $18.6 million
Cricket Pay: $2.1 million
Endorsements: $16.5 million
National Team: India
IPL Team: Mumbai Indians
Major Sponsors: Adidas, Coca-Cola, Castrol

3. Gautam Gambhir

Total Earnings: $7.3 million
Cricket Pay: $3.9 million
Endorsements: $3.4 million
National Team: India
IPL Team: Kolkata Knight Riders
Major Sponsors: Reebok, Red Bull, Hero Honda

4. Virat Kohli

Total Earnings: $7.1 million
Cricket Pay: $3.1 million
Endorsements: $4 million
National Team: India
IPL Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore
Major Sponsors: Nike, PepsiCo, Toyota

5. Virender Sehwag

Total Earnings: $6.9 million
Cricket Pay: $2.8 million
Endorsements: $4.1 million
National Team: India
IPL Team: Delhi Daredevils
Major Sponsors: Fila, Hero Honda, Royal Challenge

 

6. Shane Watson

Total Earnings: $5.9 million
Cricket Pay: $2.9 million
Endorsements: $3 million
National Team: Australia
IPL Team: Rajasthan Royals
Major Sponsors: Gunn & Moore, Asics, TAG Heuer

 

7. Michael Clarke

Total Earnings: $4.9 million
Cricket Pay: $2.7 million
Endorsements: $2.2 million
National Team: Australia
IPL Team: Pune Warriors India
Major Sponsors: Spartan Sports, Gillette, Bonds

 

8. Brett Lee

Total Earnings: $4.8 million
Cricket Pay: $1.8 million
Endorsements: $3 million
National Team: Australia*
IPL Team: Kolkata Knight Riders
Major Sponsors: Reebok, Gatorade, Vodafone

*Lee retired from international cricket in July, 2012.

 

9. Ricky Ponting

Total Earnings: $4.1 million
Cricket Pay: $1.8 million
Endorsements: $2.3 million
National Team: Australia
IPL Team: None
Major Sponsors: Kookaburra, Valvoline, Rexona

10. Yusuf Pathan

Total Earnings: $3.7 million
Cricket Pay: $3.3 million
Endorsements: $350,000
National Team: India
IPL Team: Kolkata Knight Riders
Major Sponsors: PepsiCo, Tata Indicom