Akhtar controversial book launch cancelled

The programmed release of Shoiab Akhtar's controversial book here tomorrow has suddenly been cancelled without any reason being given.

Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar was to release Shoiab Akhtar's autobiography 'Controversially Yours' at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) premises.

"The event has been cancelled," confirmed a CCI official, without transferring any reason.

According to sources, the event was cancelled due to unexpected conditions.

The sudden cancellation generated speculation that it may be because of the less than flattering remarks about Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.

In his tell-all autobiography, Akhtar has made many controversial claims including one where he says that the Indian batsman Tendulkar did not have the ability to finish matches in the initial stages of his career.

Meanwhile, a protest was held in suburban Dahisar today against Akhtar, for his comments on Tendulkar. Protesters carried Akthar's posters on donkey-backs.

On Monday, Akhtar is scheduled to attend another function to promote his book in the city.

England in India 2011, ODI Series Schedule

Date	Match Details	Time (IST)	Place
Oct 14 - Fr	India v England, 1st ODI	14:30	Hyderabad
Oct 17 - Mo	India v England, 2nd ODI	14:30	Delhi
Oct 20 - Th	India v England, 3rd ODI	14:30	Chandigarh
Oct 23 - Su	India v England, 4th ODI	14:30	Mumbai
Oct 26 - We	India v England, 5th ODI	14:30	Kolkata
Oct 29 - Sa	India v England, Only T20I	20:00	Kolkata

MS Dhoni chosen to lead ICC World ODI XI

Following their successful WC triumph, as many as four Indians have found a place in the annual ODI XI announced by the ICC here on Monday.

MS Dhoni has been bestowed with the honour of being nominated as the skipper of the team and he has been joined by fellow team-mates Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh.

The team comprises of two players each from Sri Lanka and South Africa and a player each from Pakistan, Australia and England.

Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan has been nominated as the fellow opener with Virender Sehwag while the middle order consists of stalwarts like Kumar Sangakkara, AB de Villiers, Shane Watson and Yuvraj Singh with the keeper being Dhoni. Graeme Swann is the lone spinner in the side while the pace department includes Zaheer Khan, Umar Gul and Dale Steyn. Sri Lankan pace sensation Lasith Malinga has been nominated as the 12th man.

Chairman of the LG ICC Awards selection panel, Lloyd said: "This has been an outstanding year for 50-over cricket. I think everyone saw in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 how exciting this format can be.

"The ICC Cricket World Cup was rightly applauded as one of the greatest in history and no one who was in Mumbai will forget that remarkable evening.

"The ODI team of the year reflects the success of India with four players selected - Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, M S Dhoni and Zaheer Khan. Yuvraj was, of course, the player of the tournament and MS Dhoni, the man-of-the-match in the final, whilst fellow finalists Sri Lanka has three players in the side."

Lloyd was joined on the panel by former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas, former England captain Mike Gatting, former New Zealand bowler Danny Morrison and former South African bowler Paul Adams.

ICC ODI Team of the Year

• Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka)
• Virender Sehwag (India)
• Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
• AB de Villiers (South Africa)
• Shane Watson (Australia)
• Yuvraj Singh (India)
• MS Dhoni (India, wicketkeeper & captain)
• Graeme Swann (England)
• Umar Gul (Pakistan)
• Dale Steyn (South Africa)
• Zaheer Khan (India)

12th Man - Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

England continued their unbeaten run against India

England won by seven wickets against India in the rain-hit second One-day International of the NatWest series at the Rose Bowl here Tuesday.

The match had been reduced to 23 overs a side after a delayed start due to rain.

Put to bat first, India scored 187 for eight with the help of Ajinkya Rahane.

Rahane's 54 and Suresh Raina's blistering 40 off 19 balls.

But England skipper Alastair Cook-led England reached the target of 188 in 22.1 overs.

Cook led the run-chase with 80 off 63 balls.

The first ODI had been called off due to rain.

England lead the ODI series 1-0 after winning the second ODI.

Manoj Tiwary to replace injured Rohit Sharma

Manoj Tiwary has been called up to replace the injured Rohit Sharma for the remainder of the ODI series against England. Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the series after being struck on his hand by a Stuart Broad delivery resulting in a fracture.

Tiwary has played only three ODIs for India thus far, making his debut in 2008 against Australia. He was included in the squad for the ODI series in the West Indies recently and he played 2 matches notching up a top score of 22.

Tiwary represented the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL last year and was one of their top performers.

India are already struggling without many key players in the squad, but the form shown by newbie, Ajinkya Rahane would have given the troubled visitors some hope and they will hope Tiwary can do the same for India.

England aim to dominate India in ODI Series too: Bresnan

England fast-bowler Tim Bresnan has sounded a notice to India saying that they will come hard at them in the upcoming ODI series. England, according to Bresnan, wants to inflict another whitewash on the World Champions.

India will go into the five-match ODI series, starting September 3, without five of their World Cup heroes due to injuries.

Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan have all been ruled out of ODI action and Gautam Gambhir is also likely to miss the series due to concussion.

Bresnan pointed out that India will go into the series as favourites following their victory in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 a couple of months ago. However, he added that England is a tough side to beat at home and they will be full of confidence following their 3-2 series win against Sri Lanka earlier in the summer.

"If we come out with confidence against India, we should get the result we're after. We sustained the assault during the Test matches and we'll be looking to do the same in the one-dayers," Bresnan said.

Bresnan maintained that England are eyeing nothing short of victory in all the remaining matches in the tour, which also includes a one-off Twenty20 Cricket match on Wednesday.

I Support Anna Hazare

Gambhir likely to be fit for ODIs

The uncertainty over Gautam Gambhir's contribution in the upcoming ODI series against England is all but over with the Indian opener likely to be fit for the five-match ODI Series, team manager Shivlal Yadav said here today.

Yadav said Gambhir should be fine for next month's ODI series after his MRI scan did not show anything untoward.

Gambhir is critical to India's plans in the ODIs now that his fellow opener Virender Sehwag has been completely ruled out for the five one-dayers and one-off Twenty20 match.

Gambhir suffered the concussion after he backpedalled at mid-on in a bid to catch a miscued pull off Kevin Pietersen during the 4th Test. The chance was fluffed when he fell back and hit his head on the ground with a thud.

Even though speculation over his availability has died down after the MRI scan, the left-hander did not come out to practice with his colleagues on Wednesday.

The present series has been one of misfortune for Gambhir. He was painfully hit on his right elbow while fielding at forward short leg during the 1st Test at Lord's.

He subsequently had to miss the 2nd Test at Trent Bridge. He did play the 3rd Test at Edgbaston and scored 38 and 14 in the two innings.

India can overtake Sri Lanka in ICC ODI rankings

Going by present form, it looks highly unlikely but if India can manage to beat England by a 4-1 margin or better in the upcoming one-day series, they can climb to 2nd spot from 3rd in the ICC ranking chart.

World champions India (117) are placed 3rd behind Sri Lanka (119) in the list, headed by Australia (130)

Australia's 3-2 series win has restricted Sri Lanka to earn only one ratings point which, in turn, has given India a chance to reclaim the second position.

To achieve the number two position, India will have to beat England by 4-1 or whitewash the hosts in the five-match ODI series, starting at Chester-le-Street on September 3.

Pakistan in Zimbabwe 2011 Series Schedule

Date	Match Details	Time (GMT)	Place
Sep 01 - 05	Zimbabwe v Pakistan, Only Test	07:30	Bulawayo
Sep 08 - Thu	Zimbabwe v Pakistan, 1st ODI	07:00	Bulawayo
Sep 11 - Sun	Zimbabwe v Pakistan, 2nd ODI	07:00	Harare
Sep 14 - Wed	Zimbabwe v Pakistan, 3rd ODI	07:00	Harare
Sep 16 - Fri	Zimbabwe v Pakistan, 1st T20I	12:00	Harare
Sep 18 - Sun	Zimbabwe v Pakistan, 2nd T20I	12:00	Harare