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Sachin Tendulkar has politely turned down the Type 7 bungalow allotted to him in the New Delhi’s 5, Tuglaq Lane. By virtue of being a Rajya Sabha member, Tendulkar was allotted the bungalow that is supposedly close to Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s house. Tendulkar has said he would not like to waste the tax payer’s money by accepting a building where he is unlikely to stay too long.
“I’m not keen on blocking a government bungalow because this would be a waste of tax paper’s money as I reside in Mumbai,” the Little Master, who was sworn as Rajya Sabha member on Monday, said in statement released to DNA.
Tendulkar pleaded with the authorities to allot the building to someone who might need it more than him. “It would be better if the bungalow is allotted to someone else who needs it more than me,” he said.
The 39-year-old, still active in international cricket, said he would prefer staying in a hotel whenever he is in the Capital to attend the Rajya Sabha sessions. He also made it clear that he would like to meet his own staying expenses in New Delhi when he’s on official work.
<span class="fullpost">The batsman with 100 international centuries felt the privilege of being a member of the upper house of Parliament is bigger than the perks that come with it. “For me, the honour of being nominated as Rajya Sabha MP matters the most,” said Tendulkar, who was nominated to the Rajya Sabha recently.
There has been a controversy over the allotment of a Type 7 quarter to Tendulkar. First time MPs are apparently given Type 5 or Type 6 bungalows. Rajiv Shukla, union minister of state for parliamentary affairs and chairman of the Indian Premier League, clarified on his Twitter post: “All nominated RS MPs entitled to Type 7 accommodation in Delhi. Don’t understand the unnecessary hue & cry surrounding Sachin’s house.”</span>

England great Graham Gooch has backed Jonathan Bairstow to become a "successful Test player" after some early struggles against aggressive fast bowling.

Yorkshire batsman Bairstow, 22, who has played just two Tests, looked uncomfortable against the short ball last time out on national as West Indies quick Kemar Roach gave him a working over before dismissing him for four in his only innings in England's nine-wicket second Test win at Trent Bridge.

But Gooch, a former captain and one of England's greatest opening batsmen, said it was too soon to say that Bairstow, the son of former Test wicket-keeper David, had a weakness against fast bowling.

"You don't judge a player on just a few good balls," Gooch, now England's batting coach, said after Thursday's first day of the third Test against the West Indies here at Edgbaston was washed out without a ball bowled.

"I don't think there's any player that's ever played Test cricket that hasn't punched one (a ball) away in front of his face at some stage.

"Having been there myself, seen the ball right there, it's not a nice experience," added Gooch, whose Test career started with a dreaded 'pair' (two noughts) against an Australia attack boasting fast bowling greats Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson at Edgbaston back in 1975.

"You have to cope with that sort of bowling," insisted Gooch, some of whose best Test innings were played against the fearsome West Indies fast bowling attacks of the 1980s and 1990s.

"I don't think you should make judgements on just a short passage of play.

"He (Bairstow) has to cope with the pressure of playing at the highest level and I think he's got a good attitude, he's an excellent player and, as far as I'm concerned, he will be a successful Test player.

"I think he had discomfort (at Trent Bridge) with a few balls against a good fast bowler. When you first come in, every batsman is vulnerable.

"If you're saying 'do I think there's a problem?', then the answer is no."

Unlike Gooch's time as a player, when the likes of top quality Test fast bowlers such as West Indies duo Malcolm Marshall (Hampshire) and Joel Garner (Somerset) were stalwarts of the county circuit, it has been suggested Bairstow is at a disadvantage because the world's leading quicks are no longer involved in the English first-class game.

But Gooch insisted: "There's going to be the odd quality bowler around in county cricket. One thing that's not there in county cricket, you don't get the sort of tension you get in Test cricket. The pressure is that much more at the highest level.

"That's something every Test player, every top sportsman, has to cope with -- performing under pressure."

England have an unbeatable 2-0 lead in this three-match series against the West Indies and Thursday's washout did little for the tourists' prospects of improving upon a record of just two wins in their last 32 Tests.

"We are disappointed there was no play because we said if we could get a win in a Test in England, it would be an achievement for the team," said West Indies captain Darren Sammy.

"We need as much play as possible over the next four days to accomplish this," added Sammy, whose side lost the series opener at Lord's by five wickets.

"We now have to go all out for the win...The weather outlook for the next few days does not look to bright, so we will keep our fingers crossed that whatever play we can get, we will look to win those sessions."

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has chosen Sri Lanka's star Lasith Malinga, as the official Event Ambassador for the ICC World Twenty 20 Sri Lanka 2012. The cricketing icon is renowned and admired for his unique cricketing style and vibrancy and is one of the world's best Twenty20 players.

Malinga, was selected as the Event Ambassador in recognition of his skills as a role model both on and off the field of play. His ?explosive bowling action' propelled Lasith to global fame and his distinct, stylish and colourful personality is synonymous with the intensity of T20 cricket.

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive commenting on the event's new ambassador said, "It is wonderful to have Lasith Malinga as the tournament ambassador for the ICC World Twenty20 to be held in Sri Lanka. Lasith is a special player and one of the most recognisable cricketers in the world. Whenever he runs in to bowl with his distinctive action there is a thrill in the game. I am sure he will add to the buzz that has already surfaced and crowds will flock to see players like Lasith represent their country in the ICC World Twenty20."

Malinga will be the ?face' of the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 advertising campaign in the host nation and will promote the event globally.

Malinga commenting on his new role said, "I am honoured to play a part in the first ICC World Twenty20 tournament to be hosted in Asia. As an ambassador, I hope to take the T20 message to all communities and passionate fans across the world. I sincerely thank the ICC for giving Sri Lanka the opportunity to host an event of this magnitude and I invite all cricket fans to show their support and unite in the spirit of the game."

With all tickets for Saturday's game between Kolkata Knight Riders and Pune Warriors India sold out, plans are afoot to install 12 giant screens across the city so that enthusiasts can watch the action live even when on the move.

The giant screens would be put up by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) around the venue Eden Gardens and other parts of Kolkata and even in neighbouring districts for fans who have missed out on tickets for what is turning out to be one of most keenly awaited game in the Indian Premier League's history.

With Kolkata's favourite local boy Sourav Ganguly leading the Warriors, match fever has reached a peak.

"At home you have your television. But what about those who will be out on the roads for various reasons? As the local cricketing body we want them to savour the flavour of the match while on the move," CAB joint secretary Biswarup Dey told IANS.

Dey said six of the screens would be installed around the Eden Gardens, after discussions with police and the IPL and Kolkata Knight Riders authorities. KKR are the local organisers of the game, with the CAB acting as the facilitator.

The other screens are likely to come up at important intersections like Gariahat, Sealdah, College Street, Kankurgachi, Salt Lake and even in the neighbouring Howrah district.

"We have already discussed the matter verbally with the police. We will now send them a formal letter for permission. I don't think they will have any objections to installation of giant screens in other parts of the city.

"Regarding those we are planning to install in the vicinity of the stadium, we have to ascertain how far from the venue they want those to be put up," he said.

If the giant screens come through, it will be a first for IPL.

"But then no other game in the tournament's history has aroused such raw passion," Dey said.

With passions running high, security has been beefed up for the match.

"There will be more policemen, tighter security for the players and spectators in and around the stadium to ensure there is no untoward incidents," he said.

Mahela Jayawardene says Virender Sehwag is an instinctive leader who has done a fabulous job for Delhi Daredevils in the ongoing Indian Premier League. "Viru has done a splendid job. During the course of the tournament, I have seen him take incredible decisions on the spur of the moment and they have really paid off. He is an instinctive leader. In T20 cricket, you need to make quick decisions and for that you need to have a clear mind," Jayawardene told PTI during an exclusive interview her.

Advancing efforts to conserve the growing population of tigers, the Centre today asked the states to expedite steps towards raising, arming and deploying the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) in and around big cat habitats.
"We persuade all the states to raise, arm and deploy the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF). I would like to request all of you to ensure that this be expedited by all the states," Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan told All India Meeting of Field Directors of Tiger Reserves.
Stating that field protection is something which continues to remain extremely high on tiger agenda of India, which holds over half the world's tiger population, the Minister said the Centre supported the states in a "very big way" to deploy the local workforce for protection of big cats.

"Despite a 100 nt central assistance to four states-- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Orissa-- the deployment of STPF has not taken place," she said. Karnataka has emerged as the first state to deploy STPF.
"I am happy to announce and also to congratulate Karnataka, which has emerged as the first state to implement the STPF," she said after distributing awards for best performance to various tiger reserves in the country.
"Tiger conservation is a collective responsibility between government of India, state governments and civil aociety. Today tigers need support from one and all," Natarajan said.
According to the latest tiger census report, the current tiger population is estimated at 1,706. The results include figures from 17 states with tiger reserves.
The Minster also released a book 'Fundamentals of the Wildlife Management' written by Rajesh Gopal, Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). PTI TGB NAM