Universal Music India released the official ICC Cricket World Cup – 

 Sinhalese. In Hindi, the song is sung by Shankar Mahadevan, sung by Raghab Chatterjee in Bangla and by Ranidu Lankage in Sinhalese, as a

total depicting the languages of all the host countries. Universal

Music India has the world-wide rights to release the album around the world on 10th Feb-11.

The album is led by the foot-tapping and infectious official World Cup song of the same name by Bollywood music directors, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The rest of the album consists high-energy mix of international hits from the likes of Enrique Iglesias, Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Lady Gaga as well as artists providing a local flavour, such as AR Rahman and other big Bollywood hits.

All participating teams are threats for India – MS Dhoni:

Indian skipper MS Dhoni said, ” All participating teams are dangerous as far as threats to Indian team are concerned. It is very important to bank on your strengths rather than thinking too much about the conditions and opposition. i think all the teams will play with their best bowling attack with fast bowlers or spinners. But team with a quality spinner in the squad, will definitely have an edge over other teams.”

As part of preparations, India will play two warm-up matches, one against Australia at Bangalore on13th Feb and other againstNew Zealand at Chennai on 17th Feb.

Indian Spinners have to handle pressure: Piyush chawla:

After earning a surprise call into the Indian squad for 2011 Cricket World Cup, Piyush Chawla said that Indian spinners would be under immense pressure to perform at the mega event with home playing conditions.  he also hoped that they would stand up to the expectations as he will share the spin attack along with Harbhajan. The UP bowler so far has played 22 One day international matches all in foreign countries.He also played 2 test matches and said that he would relish the opportunity to play for India in front of Home crowd for the first time in a limited overs match.

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                                                         Ponting’s worries continues:

Australian Cricket Team Captain. 36-year-old Ricky Ponting has endured a troubled build-up to his quest for a fourth consecutive World Cup crown and his third title as Australia captain. Complicating the issue was a broken little finger that forced him out of the 5th Sydney Ashes Test and also from the entire seven-game ODI series against England, leaving him well short of match fitness for the World Cup.In Ponting’s absence, Michael Clarke led the Australians to an emphatic 6-1 ODI series victory over England to give the World Cup champions a boost after the post-Ashes despondency.

Ponting said, he wants to keep playing and he would love to lead the team. Also added that he wants to be known for more than just being three time Ashed losing Australian captain. Ponting also hoped that he would be able to play in Australia’s two warm up games before their 2011-World Cup opening match against Zimbabwe on 21st February.

Michael Beloff Statement to media on Spot fixing by Pakistan players:

The Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Tribunal Mr.Michael Beloff issued following statement to the media at the end of hearing of 3 Pakistan players – Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir at the Qatar Financial Centre Civil and Commercial Court……. More

Sehwag and White are the key players in 2011 World Cup – Dale Steyn:

South Africa’s Bowling spear head and World’s No.1 Test bowler Dale Steyn said Indian dashing opener Virender Sehwag and Australia’s Cameron White are the key players for their teams in the upcoming 2011Cricket World cup.

“As the World cup is being played in home conditions, as an opening bowler you should get players like Sehwag out very fast, who can very devastating in the first Power play and ball will travel very fast in the sub-continent conditions” – Steyn Quoted. Steyn also said “Some other big hitting players like Australia’s Cameroon white, who takes part in the later power plays are also very destructive and can take the game away from you“

Final World Cup for Daniel Vettori As New Zealand Skipper:

Daniel Vettori has decided to step down as New Zealand captain at the end of the upcoming Cricket World Cup – 2011.This would end Vettori’s Four years captaincy term. Although Vettori steps down as skipper, but he will be available for theteam as long as he can as part of the team.

Vettori was the youngest player for Kiwis when he represented New Zealand at 18, now is one of the Eight players to have scored 3000 runs taken more than 300 Test Wickets. He is closing very fast on Kapil Dev (India) who has scored 4000 runs and taken 400 Wickets.Vettori already has 339 Wickets and 4053 runs.

Under Vettori’s captaincy, New Zealand have won 6 out of 32 Tests. Also New Zealand has slipped to 8th in Testrankings and 7th in ODI rankings.Vettori’s future in One day internationals is definitely doubtful once he steps down as skiper, but will definitely feature in New Zealand Test team.