We CaN bEaT tHeM

Harbhajan Singh says India can beat Australia four-nil

Kolkata, Oct 6 : Indian off spinner Harbhajan Singh has said that he is looking forward to scalping Aussie captain Ricky Ponting as the four-test series starts in Bangalore this week.

After inaugurating a community prayer hall here last evening, Singh said he hoped India would be able to demolish Australia four-nil.

"I sought blessings from goddess that we beat Australia 4-0. I am sure with all your support and wishes, we will beat Australia. I'll get Ponting's wicket also by goddess' blessings," he said.

Harbhajan, who took 32 wickets in the 2-1 victory over Australia in 2001, needs nine more scalps to reach 300 in Tests.

He sought to downplay the controversy surrounding the five senior players ahead of the start of the test series.

"I am sure they'll come up strong and score plenty of runs. They'll win games for India. They have done it many times. I am sure they will do it again," Harbhajan said.

Harbhajan added that Australia was a good side though its bowling lacked sting after the retirement of all-time greats like Shane Warne and Glen Mc Grath.

"Australia is still a good side. They don't have quality of Shane Warne Mc Grath or Gilchrist in their side. We are looking forward to play some good cricket and tough cricket against them. I am sure if we play to our potential, we can beat any team. We are looking forward for the series to get start," Harbhajan said.

Australia won a four-test series 2-1 four years ago to record their first series victory on Indian soil in 35 years but are rebuilding after several high-profile retirements.

The first test starts in Bangalore on October 9. The remaining tests are in Mohali, Delhi and Nagpur.

jOkEs ArOuNd ThE wOrLd

Teacher: How old is ur father.
Sunny: As old as I am.

Teacher: How is it possible?
Sunny: He became father only after I was born.

Rambabu at an Art Gallery: I suppose this horrible looking thing is what you call modern art ?

Art dealer: I beg your pardon sir, thats a mirror!

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Durga Puja: It's a million dollar business

he temple priest has rung his bell,
A cloud of smoke from candles and lamps
Haloes the Goddess, glowing bright
This beat of drums both maddens and dulls.

The incense burns: so heady the musk,
Our senses flounder in the flood.
This endless chant of sacred words
Soon drugs our lips and stuns our minds.

-- Thus wrote poet Srinjay Chakravarty, depicting aptly the spirit of Durga Puja, the greatest festival of the Bengalis the world over.

Bengalis, no matter in which corner of the world they reside in, ensure that they look, feel and eat their best during the four days of the festival that coincide with the last four days of Navratri.

And in their fervour to make the most of the festival, they often forget to acknowledge the contribution of those who work round the clock for months to make Durga Puja a success.

Do you know that beneath the veneer of ornate pandals, intricately sculptured idols, rustling new clothes and endless series of cultural exercises, Durga Puja happens to be a million-dollar business, orchestrated by several tireless souls.

Take the case of Kumartuli, India's only potter town, for instance.

Its unassuming, dingy lanes transform into makeshift dwelling places for hundreds associated with the idol making industry, a thriving business, months before the festival begins.

Apart from delivering more than 10,000 idols to Kolkata and other parts of India, Kumartuli churns out over 1,500 idols only for export to Indians living in the United States, South Africa, Canada, England, Australia, and parts of Europe.

As one enters Kumartuli, an intoxicating smell of wet clay fills one's senses -- a smell that reminds one of the untimely shower. At the moment, this seat of about 300 kumors (potters) is buzzing with activity.

Having shipped out more than 1,000 idols so far to various parts of the world, potters here have their hands full finishing idols ordered by local clubs and Puja committees.

Artistic acumen of Kumartuli potters/artists like Madhusudan Pal, Jayanta Pal, Pradeep Rudrapal, Sanatan Rudrapal, Mohanbanshi Rudrapal, is stuff stories are made of.

According to Jayanta Pal, "On an average, four to five people directly work on each idol, whereas about 250 people, mostly residents of southern suburbs of Kolkata, are indirectly involved in the process."

"The cost of an idol varies according to its size. For example, a 12-foot idol is expected to fetch Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000, whereas a taller version, a 20-foot structure, can fetch as much as Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000," says Pal.

Dravid, Ganguly have poor record against Australia

One team that always gives Australia a headache is India. Though known for its inconsistency, India always raises its game several notches when facing the World champions.

India are able to trouble the all-conquering Aussies because of the world class batsmen it has produced over the years.

A look at India's best players against Australia over the years reveals interesting details.

It is not Sachin Tendulkar emerges the best batsman against Australia, but charimastic all-rounder Ravi Shastri.

Among the current lot, only VVS Laxman makes it to the all-time top 10.

Overall Test Career				Record vs Australia				Difference in Avg
Player	Mts	Runs	Hs	Avg	Mts	Runs	HS	Avg
RJ Shastri	80	3830	206	35.79	9	622	206	77.75	+41.96
NR Mongia	44	1442	152	24.03	6	348	152	43.50	+19.47
DG Phadkar	31	1229	123	32.34	5	318	123	45.43	+13.09
ML Jaisimha	39	2056	129	30.69	6	434	101	43.40	+12.71
GR Viswanath	91	6080	222	41.93	18	1538	161*	53.03	+11.10
S Abid Ali	29	1018	81	20.36	5	304	81	30.40	+10.04
SMH Kirmani	88	2759	102	27.05	17	756	101*	36.00	+8.95
Nawab of Pataudi Jr.	46	2793	203*	34.91	11	829	128*	43.63	+8.72
NJ Contractor	31	1611	108	31.59	6	480	108	40.00	+8.41
VVS Laxman	96	6000	281	43.80	20	1823	281	50.64	+6.84

The table below shows how batsmen from the current squad have performed against Australia. While VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag raised their level, others like Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly failed to live upto expectations.

	Overall Test Career				Record against Australia				Difference in Avg
Player	Mts	Runs	Hs	Avg	Mts	Runs	HS	Avg
VVS Laxman	96	6000	281	43.80	20	1823	281	50.64	+6.84
V Sehwag	59	5074	319	52.85	10	1049	195	55.21	+2.36
SR Tendulkar	150	11877	248*	54.23	25	2352	241*	56.00	+1.77
R Dravid	124	10223	270	54.38	22	1717	233	47.69	-6.68
SC Ganguly	109	6888	239	41.75	20	1079	144	31.74	-10.01
MS Dhoni	29	1418	148	33.76	4	141	38	17.63	-16.14
G Gambhir	17	1002	139	37.11	1	4	3	2.00	-35.11