Swim to meet goal

Swim to meet goal

By Panchamee HEWAVISSENTI

www.sundayobserver.lk

Heshan

Heshan Unamboowe is an outstanding and stunning swimmer who has won many titles in swimming. He recently came to the Sunday Observer Sport Avenue to give the invitation for his birthday party which falls on May 19. There we had a pow -wow with the young swimmer.

Your full name?

Heshan Bandara Unamboowe.

School?

Trinity College, Kandy and I’m going to sit for my O/Ls this year.

Family?

My Appachchi, Dudly Unamboowe is an engineer in Saudi Arabia. Mother Priyanga is a housewife and I have only one sister. She is studying at Mahamaya College, Kandy. She is going to sit for her A/L next year is also engaged in swimming.

Why did you prefer swimming to other sports?

Actually some chose their particular sport because they are interested in that and because of their family background. But for me it is a completely different reason so as to why did I chose swimming. I had wheeze at my childhood.

When my parents took me to a doctor he has told that swimming can be a good medicine for wheeze. Thus my parents put me for swimming. When my sickness got gradually reduced my parents have decided to send me for swimming further.

When did you start swimming and who was your coach?

I started swimming at the age of four and the coach was Mr. Wilson who was once a national coach.

Where did you practice swimming at your childhood?

I first entered Dharmaraja College, Kandy. But at that time there was no sufficient facilities for swimming at Dharmaraja. Trinity was the best for swimming and my parents decided to send me to Trinity from grade 3.

I received proper guidance and training under national coaches at Trinity College since the time I entered Trinity College which I believe is the stepping stone and the secret of my victories. My coach is Mr.Premlath who se help is untold. Of course my dedication to it plays a major role. I believe 'no pain no gain’.

How is the support you get from your teachers and the colleagues?

The support I receive from my teachers and colleagues is enormous. When I have to practice for national and international events I often miss my lessons. It is a privilege to me that my teachers allow me to come to them and even to contact them over the phone at any time to clear any doubt regarding lessons.

My colleagues are never hesitant to render their support in providing me notes and even they help me to clear out any problem on my studies.

Do you have a big fan club?

My friends and family are my biggest fans. Other than that I have fans all over the country. They send me e -mails wishing me for my victories.

My Appachchi is as I feel is my biggest fan. Though he is working in Saudi Arabia, he takes leave from his work to make his presence at every major event I take part in. He calls me everyday from Saudi and encourages me. It’s due to my Appachchi’s and Amma’s blessing which I was able to come so far.

Are you hoping to go abroad for further training in swimming?

Yes. I would like to go to countries like Australia or USA if I would get a sponsorship.

Would you plan to be a professional swimmer?

No. I hope to go abroad and study and become an Aeronautical Engineer.

How do you balance swimming with your studies?

I give priority to my studies. I get up about 4.20 am and get ready to go for swimming training sessions at 5 am at school till 7.30am.

Since I have to take part in swimming practice everyday in the morning, I hardly find time to study in the morning. I have training sessions in the evening as well, but not everyday.

When I don’t have swimming practice in the evening I devote that time for my studies. I study till 10pm. I can’t burn mid night oil because I should maintain good health in order to give a good competition.

I am getting ready for my O/Ls this year. I am working hard for that. I do past papers and prepare shortnotes. When I’m not busy I read shortnotes.

O/L exam is my goal for this year so I put my heart and soul for study in order to get good results.

Swimming isn’t a barrier as long as I give priority to my studies.

Do you go for tuition classes as well?

Yes. Mostly weekends.

What are your hopes with regard to swimming?

The biggest hope is to compete for Olympics. Gradually I have to be trained for the Asian championship and then the world championship.

Hashan begins new innings

Umpires and Scorers Association election

Hashan begins new innings

• Minister Dilan Perera withdraws nomination at eleventh hour

By Champika Fernando

Former cricket skipper Hashan Tillakaratne was elected uncontested as president of the Sri Lanka Umpires and Scorers Association when rival candidate Minister of Justice Dilan Perera withdrew his nomination at the eleventh hour saying he did not want to contest.
When contacted Minister Perera refused to shed any light as to why he withdrew his nomination but sources said that the minister decided to refrain from contesting as the nomination of the former cricketer was said to be unconstitutional.
“He didn’t want to contest a man whose nomination was unconstitutional,” said Saman Amarasinghe, the man behind Minister Perera’s candidature.
“When the committee approved Hashan’s candidature with the majority vote after nearly half an hour debate, minister withdrew his nomination,” Amarasinghe, the former Chairman of National Sports Council, said.
However, after a debate the committee has accepted Hashan’s nomination, shutting the door on Justice Minister.
The election began to hot up like never before as two candidates from two rival parties, UNP and UPFA had entered the fray in its 63 year-old history.
Hashan, the UNP organizer for Avissawella, in a pre election press conference said that his intention was to sort out the problems faced by the umpires in the country.
“I have had the services of umpires during my career. I am duty bound to help them. There are a lot of problems faced by the umpires. I came forward to help them,” Thilakaratne last week said.
Minister Perera is the president of the Volleyball Federation of Sri Lanka.
Two hundred and thirty-two members out of over 500 members who had paid their memberships fees were eligible for voting yesterday.
Left handed batsman Tillakaratne was a member of the Sri Lanka's World Cup winning team in 1996.
In addition he led Sri Lanka in 10 Test matches. On his retirement he was appointed executive director of Cricket-Aid, a body formed to provide relief following the December 2004 tsunami.

--- Lakbimanews _--

Ponting passes Test run milestone - make 10,000 Test runs

Ponting passes Test run milestone

Second Test, Antigua (day one):
Australia 259-3 v West Indies

Scorecard

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Ponting was playing in his 118th Test for Australia

Australia captain Ricky Ponting became the seventh batsman to make 10,000 Test runs as his side dominated the first day of the second Test in Antigua.

Ponting needed 61 to become the third Australian to reach the milestone after Allan Border and Steve Waugh.

He reached the target after tea with a drive off Ramnaresh Sarwan but was dismissed soon afterwards for 65.

Simon Katich scored an unbeaten 113 for Australia in front of a small crowd at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Katich, who was promoted to open the batting in the absence of the injured Matthew Hayden, was given a reprieve when he was dropped by Runako Morton on 90.

He reached a third Test century when he drove his 197th delivery from Dwayne Bravo through mid-on for an eighth boundary.

But he had to share centre stage with Ponting after the tourists lost Phil Jaques for 17, when he was trapped lbw by Bravo with the score on 36.

Katich and Ponting rarely looked troubled, adding 136 for the second wicket before the captain's dismissal.

At the close, Ponting said: "It all started in 1995 and it's taken 13 years. I think everyone growing up wishes they can do it.

"I am most proud of my longevity in the game. I've never been one for stats and milestones, I just try to do the best for my team.

"I'm the third fastest person in the history of the game to get 10,000 and that will be a nice thing to look back on at the end of my career."

Michael Hussey came in for Ponting but was caught at midwicket for 10, before Michael Clarke arrived at the crease and he was not out on 38 at the close to leave the Australians poised to make a big score on day two.

Players have lost focus due to IPL - De Mel

Players have lost focus due to IPL

- De Mel

By Champika Fernando

The flagging fortunes of Sri Lanka at the international level could well be attributed to the infusion of youth into the big league, as team coach Trevor Bayliss emphasized in an exclusive interview with LAKBIMAnEWS a fortnight ago, but chief selector Ashantha de Mel says the players have lost their focus due to the cash-rich Indian Premier League.
“I wish they show the same kind of passion and spirit while playing for the country,” de Mel, who opened bowling for country’s inaugural Test in 1982, said.
Sri Lanka lost 12 matches, won eight and drew two during the period since World Cup, which included a humiliating 3-2 drubbing by the Englishmen in our own backyard, the first series defeat against England at home.
“They seem to be more interested in playing for the IPL than the country and that’s why I said they have lost the focus,” he explained.
The former fast-bowler is not in favour of the wham-bang version of cricket which he thinks doesn’t augur well for the game.
“It’s certainly good for the players and they will be hugely benefited from the IPL. But I doubt whether it would make any positive impact on the game. What I see right now is that the players have got distracted by this, which isn’t good for the game,” he added.
A number of national caps including Sri Lanka’s highest capped ODI player Sanath Jayasuriya, world’s leading bowler Muttaih Muralitharan, skipper Mahela Jayawardene and his deputy Kumar Sangakkara are currently involved with the cash-rich IPL. Having taken nearly two months off from international cricket, the national cricketers would resume their international commitments at the next month’s Asia Cup starting in Pakistan on June 24 but many wonder whether the defending champions have got the same character to retain the title.
The selectors, having watched the swashbuckling 45 ball century of veteran Sri Lanka opener Sanath Jayasuriya at the IPL, had recalled the master-blaster into the national side to strengthen the opening slot.
Though Sri Lanka is close to find a stabilized opening combination in Michael Vandort and Malinda Warnapura in the traditional five-day game, in the shorter version the team has struggled to unearth the right combination of players, which has been a major contributory factor in the dwindling performances of the team.

Lakbima News

History of Asia Cup - 1988

History of Asia Cup - 1988

India halt Lankan charge

The ninth Asia Cup limited overs cricket tournament will be played in Pakistan from June 24 to July 6.
Defending champions Sri Lanka have been drawn alongside Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates in Group A, while archrivals India and Pakistan will battle it out in Group B with Hong Kong.
India have won the event four times, while Sri Lanka have lifted the cup three times, and Pakistan once.
LAKBIMAnEWS continues to take a look at the history of the tournament which was inaugurated in 1984.
The third edition of the tournament named Wills Asia Cup was played in Bangladesh in 1988. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were the participating countries. Although Sri Lanka cruised into the final with three wins in a row they were brushed aside by India in the final.

Promising start

Sri Lanka went to the tournament as defending champions (they annexed the trophy two years ago when the event was held in their shores) and the team under Ranjan Madugalle was determined to do well. They started on a positive note by beating Pakistan by 5 wickets in their first match played at the Dhaka National Stadium on October 27.
Madugalle won the toss and put Pakistan in. They managed 194 for 7 in their allotted 44 overs. The highest scorer was Ijaz Ahmed who made 54.
After their openers Roshan Mahanama (55 runs in 92 balls, 4x3) and Brendan Kuruppu (35) put on 72 runs for the first wicket the Sri Lankans never looked back and reached the target in the 39th over for the loss of 5 wickets.
Pakistan 194/7 in 44 overs (Ijaz Ahamed 54, Saleem Malik 30, Javed Miandad 25; G. Labrooy 3/36, Ravi Ratnayeke 2/27, K. Wijegunawardene 2/29)
Sri Lanka 195/5 in 38.5 overs (Roshan Mahanama 55, Brendan Kuruppu 35, Aravinda de Silva 48, Duleep Mendis 20n.o.; Wasim Akram 2/34)
Man of the match - Roshan Mahanama. (55 runs and 3 catches)

Indian scalp

Sri Lanka’s second match was against India. And the islanders notched up a 17-run win.
India’s captain Dilip Vengsarkar won the toss and invited Sri Lanka to bat first. Aided by two half centuries - Athula Samarasekera (66 runs in 69 balls, 4x2, 6x1) and Aravinda de Silva (69 runs in 63 balls, 4x3) - and 32-ball 49 not out by Arjuna Ranatunga, who captained the team in the absence of injured Madugalle, Sri Lanka made an imposing 271/6 in their 45 overs.
And then they restricted the Indians to 254 with newcomer Kapila Wijegunawardene capturing 4 for 49.
Sri Lanka 271/6 in 45 overs (R. Mahanama 21, A. Samarasekera 66, A de silva 69, A. Ranatunga 49n.o; Kapil Dev 2/39)
India 254 in 44 overs (K Srikanth 42, NS Sidhu 50, M Amarnath 31, D Vengsarkar 34, M Azharuddin 34; K Wijegunawardene 4/49, A Ranatunga 2/27)
Man of the match - Aravinda de Silva.

Emphatic win

Sri Lanka next met Bangladesh and duly pocketed the tie by nine wickets. Sri Lanka used the match to try out some more players in the squad and in the absence of Ranatunga, Ravi Ratnayeke captained the team.
Bangladesh managed only 118/8 in their 45 overs as they found Ratnayeke too hot to handle. He captured 4 for 23 in eight overs.
Then he opened batting with Kuruppu and managed 17 runs. Kuruppu (58n.o) and Samarasekera 38 n.o led Sri Lanka to an emphatic win in 30.5 overs. The win put Sri Lanka in the final.
Man of the match - B. Kuruppu.

Low scores

Meanwhile, India met Pakistan in an eagerly awaited tie.
Both teams had one win each against Bangladesh (India beat them by nine wickets and Pakistan were victorious by 173 runs) while they had come unstuck against Sri Lanka. A win was very important for both teams.
Eventually it was the Indians who sealed the low scoring match by four wickets.
Pakistan who batted first managed only 142 as off break bowler Arshad Ayub captured 5 for 21 (then best bowling figures by an Indian in ODIs). Then led by an unbeaten 74 by Mohinder Amaranath, India registered a famous win against their archrivals.

Luck runs out

Sri Lanka went to the final (played in Dhaka on Nov 4) as favourites after remaining unbeaten. Ranatunga lost the toss and Sri Lanka batted first. For the first time in the tourney Sri Lanka’s batsmen failed and they managed only 176 with Mendis’ 36 being the highest. It was their bad running more than their poor stroke-play that put the Lankans in a hole. Samarasekera, de Silva, Ranatunga and Ratnayeke found themselves lacking speed or being extremely unlucky.
India embraced the good fortune with both hands. And opener Navjot Singh Sidhu took the game away from Sri Lanka. His 76 made in 87 balls included 4 fours and 3 sixes. Captain Vengsarkar made an unbeaten 50. India clinched the match by six wickets inside 38 overs and put their hands around the Asia Cup for the second time.
Sidhu was the man of the match and he also pocketed the man of the series title in virtue of his three half centuries in the tournament.
Sri Lanka 176 in 43.2 overs (R. Mahanama 23, B. Kuruppu 21, A. Samarasekera 26, D. Mendis 36; K. Srikanth 3/12)
India 180/ 4 in 37.1 overs (K. Srikanth 23, N. Sidhu 76, D. Vengsarkar 50n.o; K. Wijegunawardene 2/33).

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Sri Lanka without top runners at Asian Grand Prix

Sri Lanka without top runners at Asian Grand Prix

Sri Lanka sans top-notch sprinters including Susanthika Jayasinghe will field a mediocre ten-member contingent at the forthcoming Asian Grand Prix 2008 series which will commence later next month in Thailand.
The first two legs are scheduled for June 23 and 27 in Thailand while the final leg will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam on June 30.
Jayasinghe opted out due to her training commitments ahead of Olympics in the United States, high jumper Manjula Kumara failed to secure a place due to his poor form and Rohan Pradeep Kumara is sidelined with an injury.
The team includes three girls and seven boys, including the men’s 4x400 relay quartet which eyes an Olympic berth.
Women’s 400m sprinter Menaka Wickramasinghe who clocked an impressive 52.93 seconds last year will be a possible medal prospect, though hard to predict anything due to poor preparations, while Premila Priyadarshani, the South Asian athletic champion, will carry the burden of the nation in the shorter sprints.
Priyangika Madumathi, the national women’s high jump champion, is sure to improve her performance.
Prasanna Amarasekera will however be the main medal prospect in the 400m men’s sprint in the absence of seniors Sugatha Tilakeratne and Rohan Pradeep Kumara. Prasanna will play the anchor role in the 400m relay. South Asian Champion Umanga Surendra who found favour with selectors ahead of teenager Shehan Ambepitiya will compete in the 100 metres.
The relay team comprises Prasanna, Prabath Mendis, Rohitha Pushpakumara, Dulan Priyashantha, Asoka Jayasundara and Shiwantha Mudalige.

--------Lakbimanews.LK

‘Kalu’ to coach Malaysia national Cricket team

‘Kalu’ to coach Malaysia national team

Sri Lankan World Cup winner Romesh Kaluwitharana has been appointed coach of the Malaysian senior squad on a short-term contract.
Five applicants are on the short-list for the long-term position as national coach of Malaysia but none are able to join before July. The Malaysian Cricket Association will bank on Kaluwitharana to boost the national squad in time for the ACC Trophy which takes place at the end of July.
Kaluwitharana said that this is a new challenge for him and his main aim is to better the squad and to take them to victory in the ACC Trophy.
“I will need to see the Malaysian squad’s cricketing standard first and then plan out my strategy. I do not want to make a lot of changes but I will develop them mentally and look to improve their approach to the game.
“I have been in contact with ACC Development Officer Rumesh Ratnayake and he has been providing me with valuable information about Malaysia’s cricketing standard. I am very excited and look forward to this task,” added Kaluwitharana.
Malaysian Captain Rohan Vishnu Suppiah said: “All the players are looking forward to Mr. Kaluwitharana’s arrival and it is a tremendous honour for all of us to have a coach of his experience. It was he along with Sanath Jayasuriya who changed the face of one-day batting and I hope he will be able to provide us with some good batting tips as Malaysia’s downfall in the past has been its batting.”
- ACC

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I Can Do It Again For The Country - Sanath Jayasuriya : return to the national side

By Ranjan Paranavithana & Champika Fernando

Sanath Jayasuriya who makes a return to the national side for the Asia Cup in Pakistan next month following some breathtaking performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League, yesterday said that it came at the right time for him.
“I believe it came at the right time. I was waiting for this moment. When I was dropped from the side, I knew only way to earn my place back is to score some runs,” the veteran cricketer said from Mumbai.
Following a disastrous performance at the CB tri-nation series involving, hosts Australia, India and Sri Lanka, the 39-year-old country’s highest capped player was dropped for the West Indies tour.
“I couldn’t make runs in the domestic circuit even though my bowling and fielding has been pretty impressive. So the only thing that was needed was to score a few runs,” he added.
Jayasuriya who retired from Test cricket last year now plays for the Mumbai Indians as the third highest paid player in the cash-rich Indian Premier League.
“I have no long-term plans. But I believe I could help Sri Lanka to lift Asia Cup for the second time in a row,” he explained.
It is reported yesterday that Jayasuriya was included in the 15-man squad following the intervention of Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge after the selectors initially dropped him for the Asia Cup bound team. But Lokuge denied any hands in the selection and said he approved the team, the selectors had submitted to him.
“Who says I pressurized the selectors. There’s no underhand move,” the minister explained.
The selectors met on Tuesday and finalized a 15-member team sans veteran opener but the minister is said to have delayed ratifying the squad, which helped Jayasuriya make his case with an unbeaten 114 for the Mumbai Indians against the Chennai Super Kings.
Accordingly the selectors axed out of form Upul Tharanga and three other players who were part of the ODI squad in the West Indies have been dropped - fast bowlers Ishara Amerasinghe and Thilan Thushara, and legspinner Malinga Bandara. Farveez Maharoof and Dilhara Fernando return from injuries while Muttiah Muralitharan, who had been rested for the West Indies ODIs has been recalled.
The Asia Cup will be held in Pakistan from June 24 to July 6. Sri Lanka has been grouped alongside Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates. The top two teams from each group qualify to the next phase, where the teams will play each other once to decide the two finalists.
Sri Lanka squad: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Udawatte, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Kaushal Weeraratne, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Jehan Mubarak, Nuwan Kulasekera.

SL Players at loggerheads over contract

SLCricket , players at loggerheads over contract

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was facing a deadlock over central contracts with players refusing to sign because of certain clauses SLC has brought in to safeguard domestic cricket. The matter is being resolved between SLC and the Cricketers’ Association who are representing the players. SLC is hopeful that the issue would be settled once the players return from India and the contracts would be signed ahead of next month’s Asia Cup.

SLC sources said that the players are refusing to sign because they don’t want to be tied down playing domestic cricket which would deprive them of playing county cricket in England and the on-going IPL Twenty20 in India.
SLC feel that these clauses are necessary if domestic cricket is to be safeguarded. Without a strong domestic structure they point out would lead to a weak national team.

SLC requires around Rs 160 million to conduct its domestic tournaments and they feel if the national players are not going to make themselves available to play the sponsors will lose interest. A case in point was the recently concluded domestic provincial Twenty 20 tournament where the majority of national cricketers were absent as they were tied down playing in the IPL.

SLC sources said that certain sponsors had shown reservations to come forward in the future because without the presence of national stars the Twenty20 provincial tournament failed to attract the attention it should have and proved to be a flop.

SLC sources also pointed out that when national players get injured it is the SLC that has to spend for their medical expenses getting them back to fitness. A case in point was the injuries to fast bowlers Farveez Maharoof, Dilhara Fernando and Lasith Malinga. Maharoof and Fernando were not available for selection for the series in the Caribbean due to injury but soon after recovery they flew to India to play in the IPL. Malinga who was also signed to play in the IPL could not make it because of a nagging knee injury for which SLC is spending heavily on his medical expenses to get him back to fitness. Part of the delay sources said was due to the national team’s physio resigning from his post to be available for the IPL when SLC had refused him permission.

Sources said that in future no foreign physio would be assigned to the national side and local physios who they think are equally good would be made use of.

The source also pointed out that Sri Lanka’s prime batsman Kumar Sangakkara had got injured while playing in the IPL and questioned whether he would be fully fit to play in next month’s Asia Cup.

“We don’t want to deprive the cricketers from earning extra money but what we want is for them to play in the domestic tournaments, which is from where we draw our reserves for the national team,” the source indicated.

They said that a permanent domestic program has been drawn up where the national players will have a fair idea to plan out their commitments for the year. The program would run from October to mid-December for Premier club cricket (league, limited overs and Twenty20) and from December to March for provincial cricket (league, limited overs and Twenty20).

Another clause in the contract which has not met with the players’ approval is asking them to go through SLC instead of an agent for future contracts.

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The Master Blaster - Sanath J. ROCKS IPL

"Sachin helped me right throughout my innings" : Sanath Jayasuriya

16th May 2008

After losing their first three matches of the DLF Indian Premier League (IPL), the Mumbai Indians seem to be back on track having won consecutive games after the initial hiccups. Yesterday, they were put to the test by Dhoni and his Super Kings. But a brilliant innings by opener Sanath Jayasuriya took the gloss away from Sachin Tendulkar's return and they've now won four on the trot.

The Sri Lankan veteran said that he had a good start to the IPL but was not able to convert his 20s and 30s. However, his blistering knock of 114 against the Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday more than made up for the string of small scores. His Mumbai teammates were happy with his performance, which was the second fastest century of the IPL so far.

Jayasuriya mentioned that he did not realize he was playing so well till Tendulkar, playing at the non-striker's end told him that he had reached his fifty. He accepted that he was dormant so far in the tournament and was due for a big innings soon. "I was batting well and realized that I can get a good one in one of these games. I've been playing positively for a long time," the experienced cricketer said.

He was all praise for his captain Sachin Tendulkar with whom he opened the batting.

"To me, it's much easier batting with Sachin as you know there is a player who can bat for a long time. (I feel) relaxed knowing that he can play a long innings at the other end."

He added that the Master Blaster did help him with his batting, "Sachin was happy about my batting. He wanted me to watch the ball and play my natural game. He helped me right throughout my innings. It was easier as he knows my strengths. I got the strike and he just wanted me to bat."

Mumbai Indians will now face the Sourav Ganguly-led Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on May 16. Mumbai had already beaten Kolkata at the latter's home ground, the Eden Gardens earlier and this will make for an exciting contest

Jayasuriya was cautious about Kolkata saying, "The Kolkata Knight Riders are a very good side. They defended 130 (against Delhi) with some good bowling by Shoaib (Akhtar) and some very good fielding. They have been winning so they also have confidence at the moment."
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Mumbai Indians

Played:8 | Won:4 | Lost:4 | Draw:0
	Owner: Reliance Industries Ltd Franchise fee: $111.9 million Most expensive player: Sachin Tendulkar - $1,121,250
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Team Mumbai exemplifies the essence of its home city. The land of a myriad dreams is a melting pot and Mumbai Indians does its best to showcase the same. This franchise is the most expensive in the league and has a fantastic side headed by none other than the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar who is also its Icon Player. Harbhajan Singh, Robin Uthappa, Sanath Jayasuriya, Shaun Pollock, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Loots Bosman alongside young talent from Mumbai Abhishek Nayar, Ajinkya Rahane, Pinal Shah and Yogesh Takawade make up the Mumbai squad balancing youth and experience. Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Limited owns the team and one can surely look forward to some scintillating performances from the Mumbai Indians.

Gavaskar steps down from ICC role

Gavaskar is known for his strong opinions on cricketing matters

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has quit as chairman of the International Cricket Council's cricket committee after eight years in the job.

He was asked to choose between his role and working as a media pundit amid concerns about a conflict of interest.

"It has been extremely fulfilling to be able to give back to the game.

"But with more and more cricket being played it has become clear that it is not possible for me to do justice to two jobs," Gavaskar said.

"I envisaged the potential for this sort of issue two years ago and intimated then that I was not able to continue in the role but when I was asked to do so I was honoured to be re-elected.

"Now, however, it is clear I cannot combine both roles and therefore I am relinquishing the chair of the ICC cricket committee," he added.

The 58-year-old is renowned for pulling no punches in his newspaper columns.

In 2002, he called England the "champion whingers of the world" after they complained about practice facilities in India.

And at the start of this year, Gavaskar accused match referee Mike Procter of being biased against Indians after Harbhajan Singh was found guilty of racially abusing Andrew Symonds following a Test match in Australia.

In March, he called England and Australia "dinosaurs still trying to voice their prejudiced opinions in the media" in response to India's growing influence in the modern game.

As a result, he was summoned to a meeting with then ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed to discuss the matter

Despite that, Dave Richardson, the ICC's current acting CEO, praised Gavaskar for his work, saying: "He has brought his vast experience of the game to bear."

He added: "Having someone of Sunil's stature involved has to be of benefit to the game and given the ICC's lengthy relationship with him we hope we can still utilise his knowledge in some other capacity in the future."

During his playing career, Gavaskar appeared in 125 Tests and 108 one-day internationals for India, and was a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning side.

He was the first batsman to score 10,000 Test runs and still lies fifth in the all-time list behind Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Allan Border and Steve Waugh.

In his ICC role, he was in charge of one of the world governing body's most important committees, which is responsible for discussing and making recommendations on any cricket-playing matters.