The Indian cricket team will not seek a cover for injured pacer Ishant Sharma as he is expected to be fit for the opening Test against Australia next week even though he has been ruled out of a three-

Australia's bowling coach Troy Cooley has no doubt that India would be a weakened side if gangling fast bowler Ishant Sharma is sidelined for the opening cricket Test in Melbourne due to ankle injury.

Sachin Tendulkar spared the hosts a century as India's middle-order batsmen warmed up with some useful knocks before the two-day practice match against Cricket Australia Chairman's XI ended in a dra

Amid growing concerns over his fitness, Indian pacer Ishant Sharma is learnt to have got his troublesome ankle checked by a doctor here.

The Indian camp though maintained that there was nothing se

Senior batsman Rahul Dravid feels a collective and consistent effort will be key to India's good show against formidable Australia in their four-match Test series starting on Boxing day.

Sachin Tendulkar sacrificed a century to give his Indian teammates crucial batting time ahead of the Test series with Australia in their drawn tour match in Canberra on Friday.

Tendulkar, poised on 9

With a gruelling four-Test series against Australia ahead, India pace spearhead Zaheer Khan on Thursday said he is prepared for the challenge and determined to get in the 'best state of mind'.

"I

India's bowlers were hammered as front-line paceman Ishant Sharma came off with an injury on the opening day of their two-day game against a Chairman's XI at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Thursday.

Wes

Indian bowling failed to make much of an impression as Cricket Australia chairman's XI dominated the opening day of their two-day practice match, making 398 for six declared at the Manuka Oval, here on Thursday.

Cricket risks killing the goose that lays the golden egg if it disrespects fans by scheduling too many meaningless international matches, former India captain Rahul Dravid has said.

Dravid, the first