Delighted to get his maiden call-up to the Indian Test team, Saurashtra batsman Cheteshwar Pujara on Monday said the selection for the two-match series against Australia did not come as a surprise to him but it was a dream-come-true moment of his career.

"It's a dream-come-true for any cricketer. I was hoping for the call after my recent performances. I am really happy at my selection," said Pujara, who is currently playing in a tournament here.

Pujara made his way into the Indian Test squad in place of out-of-form Yuvraj Singh, who was today dropped from the two-Test series starting October 1 in Mohali because of his poor form and fitness.

Pujara, who was the lone new face in the team announced by the Cricket Board selection committee in Chennai, said making debut against Australia would a great challenge for him.

"It's going to be a challenge. They (Australia) have been the world's best team for years. I will try to deliver my best," he said.

Pujara has been a prolific run-getter in the domestic circuit and also for India 'A' in the last couple of seasons.

"I owe it to my parents and want to thank them, especially my father, who is my coach too," he said.

The right-hander said that he would like to fine-tune his skills and learn more tricks of the game from his seniors in the national team during the Australia series.

"I will try to deliver my best and perform according to the best of my ability and to my team's requirement," Pujara said.

Australia is scheduled to play a three-day practice match against the Board President's XI at Sector 16 cricket stadium here followed by the opening Test to be played at Mohali from October 1.

Posted in 0 comments Posted by VIDYA SHANKER PANDEY at 10:07 AM    

The Election Commission has announced the elections to the 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly in six phases — on October 21, 24, 28, November 1, 9 and 20. Votes will be counted on November 24.
Over 5,50,88,402 electors were eligible to exercise their franchise through 56,943 polling stations. The model code of conduct comes into effect immediately and would apply to all candidates, political parties, the Union and the State governments. The notification for the first phase would be issued on September 27 and that for the sixth phase on October 27. The election process would end by November 26 and the term of the present Assembly would expire on November 27. Thirty-eight seats were reserved for the Scheduled Castes and two for the Scheduled Tribes.
The election would be held between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. In the naxal-infested areas and other sensitive segments, the closing of the poll hour is 3 p.m. Over 89 per cent of the voters were covered in the photo electoral rolls and 82.65 per cent issued Electoral Photo Identity Cards.

Posted in Labels: Bihar Assembly Elections 0 comments Posted by VIDYA SHANKER PANDEY at 2:42 PM