Kartik’s spell was India’s third best in one-dayers

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Left-arm spinner Murali Kartik bowled like a dream and then supported Zaheer Khan in a 52-run ninth-wicket partnership as India stole a two-wicket win over Australia to salvage some pride in the Future Cup here on Wednesday.

Man of the match Kartik bowled a spell of 10-3-27-6 to contain Australia to 193 in 41.3 overs i
Kartik’s spell was India’s third best in one-dayers. Anil Kumble’s 6-12 against West Indies in the Hero Cup, 1993, and Ashish Nehra’s 6-23 against England in the 2003 World Cup take the first two places.

Barring Sachin Tendulkar (21), who probably was playing in his last One-day International at the Wankhede stadium --- the venue will be renovated and the next international is scheduled in 2010 --- and sensible batting by Robin Uthappa (47, 59b, 4x4, 2x6), none of the other top-order batsmen showed the determination to stay in the middle.

From 64 for six by the 19th over, India were guided to victory by two important partnerships, Uthappa and Harbhajan adding 65 for the seventh before the Zaheer-Kartik stand.

India’s hopes vanished when Uthappa was trapped by left-arm wrist spinner Michael Clarke and Harbhajan followed four overs later. But Zaheer and Kartik kept their cool as they had plenty overs at hand. India eventually won with four overs to spare. The two had joined hands in the 36th over.

Shock To Mega Star

Shrija, the second daughter of Chiranjeevi, is said to have married her lover, a Brahmin boy, at the Arya Samaj, Koti, today morning in the presence of her friends. It is reliably learnt that this marriage took place without the knowledge of the parents and elders on either side. More details are awaited on this sudden development.

Shrija, the 18 year old second daughter of Chiranjeevi, married her lover, Gadi Sirish Bhardwaja, a 22 old middle class northern brahmin boy from Begumpet, at Arya Samaj, New Boyanpalli today morning at 11.30A.m in the presence of her friends. Shrija is said to have left her residence in the morning and went to Arya Samaj.

Shrija and Bharadwaja are understood to have met through some common friends a couple of years ago. Their friendship blossomed into love and they both decided to get married once they both turn majors. Bharadwaja is doing his B.Tech and Shrija is doing her C.A. On Oct 12, they contacted the Arya Samaj authorities along with certificates and other proofs of age. The date of marriage has been fixed on Oct 17, and the muhurt is fixed at about 11.30 AM. Even wedding cards have been printed and distributed among their close friends. The close friends attended the marriage ceremony and videographed the entire ceremony.