India scores dramatic win over South Africa

India claimed a dramatic win in the dying minutes of the second test against South Africa on Thursday, squaring the series 1-1 and retaining top spot in the test cricket rankings.

India won by an innings and 57 runs, with that big margin disguising the nerve-racking ending to the test as the visitors got within touching distance of forcing a draw, losing the last wicket with only 13 minutes of play remaining.

South Africa's Hashim Amla, named man of the match and man of the series, remained unbeaten on 123. He lost his more accomplished batting partners at regular intervals on the final day, but shared some dogged, time-evaporating stands with the tail enders to push his team toward a draw that would have delivered a series victory and that No.1 spot in the rankings.

Harbhajan Singh (5-59) claimed the final wicket, trapping Morne Morkel lbw, prompting the Eden Gardens crowd to erupt in celebrations.

Last man Morkel had hung on valiantly, facing 60 balls as he and Amla batted for 76 minutes in their brave but ultimately fruitless 10th-wicket stand. South Africa scored 290 in its second innings after 296 in its first, compared to India's 643-6 declared in its sole innings.

After the spontaneous celebrations among the India players ended, many made their way to congratulate a disconsolate Amla, who batted throughout the final day and faced 394 balls in his innings. He finished with an aggregate of 490 runs across three innings in the two tests, only being dismissed once.

Emami signs up Dhoni, Preity Zinta to endorse edible oils

On the cricket field, they may belong to rival IPL teams but when Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain of Chennai Super Kings) and Preity Zinta (co-owner of Kings XI Punjab) came together for an ad shoot yesterday, all rivalry was forgotten. Mahi and Preity shot a commercial for Emami Cooking Oil and if these pics are anything to go by, the chemistry between them was indeed there for one and all to see. Dhoni was dressed in a Gladiator like avatar, while PZ was given a Super-woman like get-up with a body-hugging silver dress and a red cape to go with.

While the commercial was directed by noted ad-man Prahlad Kakkar, a special photo shoot featuring the duo was done by ace-photographer Dabboo Ratnani. We got in touch with Dabboo and asked him about his experience of this special photo shoot, "It was a great experience shooting with Preity and Dhoni. They first shot for the commercial with Prahlad Kakkar and then did this photo-shoot which we will use in the ad posters. I've shot with Preity countless times before, she is very charming and a complete sweetheart to work with. As for Dhoni, this was probably the second or third time that I was doing a shoot with him. He is extremely cool, chilled out and very receptive. He was totally involved in the photo shoot, putting in his 100% effort and was very comfortable in front of the camera. All in all, we had a great time."

The commercial is likely to go on air in ten days from now when Dhoni's Men In Blue will be busy taking on the South African cricket team in what promises to be a grueling contest.

Captain MS Dhoni Vice Captain Sehwag and Media

Nottingham (ICC T20 WC, 2009): Team India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Friday dismissed media reports about the reported rift between him and Virender Sehwag.

Dhoni, who was slated to address a press conference on the eve of their opening match against Bangladesh in the World Twenty20 Championship, only read out a statement on the entire team's behalf which spoke about the harmony and unity among the team members.

His brief statement primarily dealt with media reports in India about the alleged rift between Sehwag and him and he firmly squashed it. However, he did not take any questions.

Dhoni's comments on Thursday on Sehwag's injuries and a reply "May be you should ask his physio to issue a press release" lent itself to media speculation of a rift between the two.

"This message is for the people of India and for Indian cricket fans worldwide and comes from the whole team," the statement read out by Dhoni on Friday said.

"Recent reports in the Indian media of a rift between myself and Sehwag amounts to nothing but false and irresponsible media reporting," it said.

Confident Team India set off to retain T20 crown

Despite concerns about pace spearhead Zaheer Khan's fitness and about the players' fatigue factor looming large, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Friday optimistic about India's chances of retaining the T20 World Cup in England.

"We have a very balanced side, very strong in batting. We bat right down to 8 or 9. This is not to say we lack in bowling. We have a strong bowling attack too," he told a press conference in Mumbai before departing with teammates for London by a Friday noon flight.

"We have some outstanding talents in our team and we need to focus on playing to our potential without worrying about the result. We have to give 100 per cent and hopefully we can defend the title," he said about the team's prospects in the tournament starting June 5.

Dhoni In Presentation Ceremony ICC World Cup Twenty20 Final

Dhoni In Presentation Ceremony ICC World Cup Twenty20 Final Talking about the expereince of ICC WORLD CUP T20

How he and his boys make the history

Hot and Sizzling Bipasha and Dhoni in New Ads of Reebok HexRide

For the first time ever, Reebok brand ambassadors, MS Dhoni & Bipasha Basu come together in a TV commercial showcasing the latest edition of HEXRIDE footwear from Reebok and sizzle the small screen with their never-seen-before chemistry.

See more at : http://www.reebokhexride.com/?rfr=bipasha-dhoni