Indian, SL players spend time with Deprived children

It crooked out to be a memorable evening for needy children from ‘Make A Wish Foundation’ as they got to spend few fun moments with members of the Indian and Sri Lankan team on Monday.

The juncture was a fun fair at the G D Somani School in south Mumbai here organized by the Yuvraj Singh Foundation.

Zaheer Khan, S Sreesanth, left arm spinner Pragan Ojha and stylish middle order batsman Yuvraj were present from the Indian side; the Sri Lankans were represented by Captain Kumar Sangakara and Mahela Jayawardene.

The children, many of them distress with life bullying diseases, had to wait for over two hours from the scheduled time but the cricketers made up for the delay by handing them gifts of their choice, besides taking stills with them.

“It’s a great opportunity to make a few wishes of these kids possible,” Yuvraj said on the occasion.

India made a good Cricket Treate In Nagpur ODI Today

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed 124 off 107 deliveries Wednesday to lift his team to an imposing 354 for seven wickets in the second one-day international against Australia.

It was Dhoni's fifth ODI hundred as he featured in century partnerships with Gautam Gambhir (76) and Suresh Raina (62) that gives India an excellent chance of bouncing back from its four-run defeat in the opener and leveling the seven-match series.

Dhoni, who hit nine boundaries, moved from 90 to 108 by hoisting three sixes _ the first off swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus and then two from successive deliveries in the next over from medium-pacer Shane Watson.

Coming in to bat with India struggling on 97-3, Dhoni helped resurrect the innings with a 119-run partnership dominated by the in-form Gambhir, who was eventually run out by a direct hit from Nathan Hauritz at the non-striker's end.

Gambhir's composed 80-ball innings included six boundaries.

Dhoni then took charge of the game as Raina took some time to get his eye in. They shared a 136-run partnership for the fifth wicket that didn't end until the 50th over, when Dhoni was bowled by paceman Mitchell Johnson.

Johnson, who passed a fitness test before being included, claimed 3-75 after having Raina caught behind off the second last ball of the innings. Praveen Kumar was run out on the final delivery.

Raina's 50-ball innings included one six and six boundaries.

Put in to bat after Australia captain Ricky Ponting won the toss, India lost opener Sachin Tendulkar for 4 as he edged seamer Peter Siddle to Cameroon White in the slips to make it 21-1 in the fourth over.

Virender Sehwag hit 40 from 34 deliveries with a six and six boundaries before lofting Johnson straight to Hilfenhaus at mid off.

Yuvraj Singh, returning from an injury-forced absence, made 23 before hitting a soft return catch to Hilfenhaus.

Hilfenhaus replaced pace ace Brett Lee in the team, while top-order batsman Shaun Marsh came in for injured allrounder James Hopes.

Yuvaraj is Fit to Play 2nd ODI at Nagpur

Indian cricket skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said today said that flashy middle order batsman Yuvraj Singh has been confirmed fit for Nagpur ODI on Wednesday.

Addressing a press meeting on the eve of 2nd one-day, Dhoni said, "Yuvraj is fit for second ODI. His return will make major variation in the middle order."

Dhoni further said that dew factor will play major role in tomorrow's day-night encounter.

"During Challenger trophy we seen lots of dew in a match but there was no impact of dew in another match here. So it will be vital."

Reacting on ex- Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist proposal to promote himself up in the order, Dhoni said that it is impossible to disturb the current batting order.

Dhoni further said that Yuvraj's presence in the side will strengthen the batting and bowling department. "We have Sachin and Sehwag in opening order followed by Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj at No-3 and No-4 respectively. So there is no possibility for me to move myself up."

Indian skipper said that team's priority is to improve the bowling performance in the death overs.

Injury makes Australia in Back Foot In @nd ODI against India in Nagpur

Injured Australian fast bowlers Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson have been ruled out of the second one-day international against India to be played in Nagpur on Wednesday.

Lee was detected with a mild elbow damage following the opening game at Vadodara, while scans showed Johnson had sustained a minor ankle strain while fielding.

The injuries are minor and both are expected to play in the third game of in the seven-match series.

All rounder James Hopes had previously been ruled out of conflict for the Nagpur game due to a cramp injury.

New South Wales all rounder Moises Henriques has been called up as cover and will stay with the squad until after game four, the Courier Mail reports.

Henriques will leave Australia on Tuesday night and will arrive in New Delhi on Wednesday.