tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80365687514970579422024-03-13T13:47:06.391-07:00My Role ModelsThis blog is about all of my Role models who have influenced me in some way or the other. I love them and Admire them.Sandeep Chowdharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365872210584131539noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8036568751497057942.post-2035380591274803812008-10-18T12:50:00.000-07:002008-10-18T16:18:06.279-07:00Polyester Prince Dhirubhai Ambani's Biography<h2><span class="mw-headline" style="font-size:100%;">Early life</span></h2> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Dhirubhai Ambani was born on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_28" title="December 28">28 December</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1933" title="1933">1933</a>, at Chorwad, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junagadh" title="Junagadh">Junagadh</a> (now the state of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujarat" title="Gujarat">Gujarat</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" title="India">India</a>) to Hirachand Gordhanbhai Ambani and Jamnaben<sup id="cite_ref-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-0" title="">[1]</a></sup> in a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Modh_Bania&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Modh Bania (page does not exist)">Modh Bania</a> family of very moderate means. Although he was born in Gujarat, he is of Sindhi descent, which is a socio-ethnic group that belonged to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sindh" title="Sindh">Sindh</a>, a former area of Northwest India that now belongs to Pakistan after the Partition. <sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-1" title="">[2]</a></sup> He was the second son of a school teacher. Dhirubhai Ambani is said to have started his entrepreneurial career by selling "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakora" title="Pakora">pakora</a>" to pilgrims in Mount <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girnar" title="Girnar">Girnar</a><sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-2" title="">[3]</a></sup> When he was 16 years old, he moved to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aden" title="Aden">Aden</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemen" title="Yemen">Yemen</a>. He worked with <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=A._Besse_%26_Co.&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="A. Besse & Co. (page does not exist)">A. Besse & Co.</a></b> for a salary of Rs.300. Two years later, A. Besse & Co. became the distributors for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_Oil" title="Shell Oil">Shell</a> products, and Dhirubhai was promoted to manage the company’s filling station at the port of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aden" title="Aden">Aden</a>.</span> over the weekends.</p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">He was married to Kokilaben and had two sons, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukesh_Ambani" title="Mukesh Ambani">Mukesh Ambani</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anil_Ambani" title="Anil Ambani">Anil Ambani</a> and two daughters, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nina_Kothari&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Nina Kothari (page does not exist)">Nina Kothari</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Deepti_Salgaocar&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Deepti Salgaocar (page does not exist)">Deepti Salgaocar</a>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a name="Reliance_Commercial_Corporation" id="Reliance_Commercial_Corporation"></a></span></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" style="font-size:100%;">Reliance Commercial Corporation</span></h2> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">In 1962, Dhirubhai returned to India and started the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliance" title="Reliance">Reliance Commercial Corporation</a> with a capital of Rs.15,000.00. The primary business of Reliance Commercial Corporation was to import polyester yarn and export spices.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">The business was setup in partnership with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Champaklal_Damani&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Champaklal Damani (page does not exist)">Champaklal Damani</a>, his second cousin, who used to be with him in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aden" title="Aden">Aden</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemen" title="Yemen">Yemen</a>. The first office of the Reliance Commercial Corporation was set up at the Narsinatha Street in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masjid_Bunder" title="Masjid Bunder">Masjid Bunder</a>. It was a 350 sq ft. room with a telephone, one table and three chairs. Initially, they had two assistants to help them with their business. In 1965, Champaklal Damani and Dhirubhai Ambani ended their partnership and Dhirubhai started on his own. It is believed that both had different <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperament" title="Temperament">temperaments</a> and a different take on how to conduct business. While Mr. Damani was a cautious trader and did not believe in building yarn inventories, Dhirubhai was a known risk taker and he considered that building inventories, anticipating a price rise, and making profits. <sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-3" title="">[4]</a></sup>. In 1968, he moved to an upmarket apartment at Altamount Road in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Mumbai" title="South Mumbai">South Mumbai</a>. Ambani's net worth was estimated at about Rs.10 lakh by late 1970s.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia_Times" title="Asia Times">Asia Times</a> quotes<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-4" title="">[5]</a></sup>: "His people skills were legendary. A former secretary reveals: "He was very helpful. He followed an 'open-door' policy. Employees could walk into his cabin and discuss their problems with him." The chairman had a special way of dealing with different groups of people, be they employees, shareholders, journalists or government officials. Ambani's competitors allege that he bought off officials and had legislation re-written to suit him. They recall his earlier days and how he picked up the art of profiteering from the then-Byzantine system of controls of Indian officialdom. He exported spices, often at a loss, and used replenishment licenses to import rayon. Later, when rayon started to be manufactured in India, he exported rayon, again at a loss, and imported nylon. Ambani was always a step ahead of the competitors. With the imported items being heavily in demand, his profit margins were rarely under 300 percent."</span></p> <dl><dt><span style="font-size:100%;">Reliance Textiles</span></dt></dl> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Sensing a good opportunity in the textile business, Dhirubhai started his first textile mill at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naroda" title="Naroda">Naroda</a>, in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmedabad" title="Ahmedabad">Ahmedabad</a> in the year 1966. Textiles were manufactured using polyester fibre yarn.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-5" title="">[6]</a></sup> Dhirubhai started the brand <b>"Vimal"</b>, which was named after his elder brother Ramaniklal Ambani's son, Vimal Ambani. Extensive marketing of the brand "Vimal" in the interiors of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" title="India">India</a> made it a household name. Franchise retail outlets were started and they used to sell "only Vimal" brand of textiles. In the year 1975, a Technical team from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Bank" title="World Bank">World Bank</a><i><b>"excellent even by developed country standards"</b></i> during that period. <sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-6" title="">[7]</a></sup></span> visited the Reliance Textiles' Manufacturing unit. This unit has the rare distinction of being certified as </p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a name="Initial_public_offering" id="Initial_public_offering"></a></span></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" style="font-size:100%;">Initial public offering</span></h2> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 141px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ril_logo.jpg" class="image" title="Logo of Reliance Industries Limited"><img alt="Logo of Reliance Industries Limited" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/42/Ril_logo.jpg" class="thumbimage" width="139" border="0" height="98" /></a></span> <div class="thumbcaption"> <div class="magnify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ril_logo.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"> Logo of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliance_Industries_Limited" title="Reliance Industries Limited" class="mw-redirect">Reliance Industries Limited</a></span></div> </div> </div> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Dhirubhai Ambani is credited with starting the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Equity_cult&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Equity cult (page does not exist)">equity cult</a> in India. More than 58,000 investors from various parts of India subscribed to Reliance's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initial_Public_Offering" title="Initial Public Offering" class="mw-redirect">IPO</a> in 1977. Dhirubhai was able to convince people of rural <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujarat" title="Gujarat">Gujarat</a> that being shareholders of his company will only bring returns to their investment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliance_Industries" title="Reliance Industries">Reliance Industries</a> holds the distinction that it is the only <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Private_Sector_Company&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Private Sector Company (page does not exist)">Private Sector Company</a> whose several <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Annual_General_Meetings&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Annual General Meetings (page does not exist)">Annual General Meetings</a> were held in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadium" title="Stadium">stadiums</a>. In 1986, The Annual General Meeting of Reliance Industries was held in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_Maidan" title="Cross Maidan">Cross Maidan</a>, Mumbai and was attended by more than 35,000 shareholders and the Reliance family.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Dhirubhai managed to convince a large number of first-time retail investors to participate in the unfolding Reliance story and put their hard-earned money in the Reliance Textile IPO, promising them, in exchange for their trust, substantial returns on their investments.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Ambani's net worth was estimated at about Rs.1 billion by early 1980s.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a name="Dhirubhai.27s_control_over_stock_exchanges" id="Dhirubhai.27s_control_over_stock_exchanges"></a></span></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" style="font-size:100%;">Dhirubhai's control over stock exchanges</span></h2> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">In 1982, Reliance Industries came up against a rights issue regarding partly convertible debentures.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-7" title="">[8]</a></sup> It was rumored that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliance_Industries" title="Reliance Industries">company</a> was making all efforts to ensure that their stock prices did not slide an inch. Sensing an opportunity, a bear cartel which was a group of stock brokers from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcutta" title="Calcutta" class="mw-redirect">Calcutta</a> started to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_sell" title="Short sell" class="mw-redirect">short sell</a> the shares of Reliance. To counter this, a group of stock brokers till recently referred to as "Friends of Reliance" started to buy the short sold shares of Reliance Industries on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_Stock_Exchange" title="Bombay Stock Exchange">Bombay Stock Exchange</a>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">The Bear Cartel was acting on the belief that the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_trends" title="Market trends">Bulls</a> would be short of cash to complete the transactions and would be ready for settlement under the <i><b>"<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badla" title="Badla">Badla</a>"</b></i> trading system prevalent in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_Stock_Exchange" title="Bombay Stock Exchange">Bombay Stock Exchange</a> during those days. The bulls kept on buying and a price of Rs. 152 per share was maintained till the day of settlement. On the day of settlement, the Bear Cartel was taken aback when the Bulls demanded a physical delivery of shares. To complete the transaction, the much needed cash was provided to the stock brokers who had bought shares of Reliance, by none other than Dhirubhai Ambani. In the case of non-settlement, the Bulls demanded an <i><b>"Unbadla"</b></i> (a penalty sum) of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Rupee" title="Indian Rupee" class="mw-redirect">Rs.</a> 35 per share. With this, the demand increased and the shares of Reliance shot above 180 rupees in minutes. The settlement caused an enormous uproar in the market and Dhirubhai Ambani was the unquestioned king of the stock markets. He proved to his detractors just how dangerous it was to play with Reliance.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">To find a solution to this situation, the Bombay Stock Exchange was closed for three business days. Authorities from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_Stock_Exchange" title="Bombay Stock Exchange">Bombay Stock Exchange</a> intervened in the matter and brought down the "Unbadla" rate to Rs. 2 with a stipulation that the Bear Cartel had to deliver the shares within the next few days. The Bear Cartel bought shares of Reliance from the market at higher price levels and it was also learnt that Dhirubhai Ambani himself supplied those shares to the Bear Cartel and earned a healthy profit out of The Bear Cartel's adventure. <sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-8" title="">[9]</a></sup></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">After this incident, many questions were raised by his detractors and the press. Not many people were able to understand as to how a yarn trader till a few years ago was able to get in such a huge amount of cash flow during a crisis period. The answer to this was provided by the then finance minister, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pranab_Mukherjee" title="Pranab Mukherjee">Pranab Mukherjee</a> in the parliament. He informed the house that a Non-Resident Indian had invested up to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Rupee" title="Indian Rupee" class="mw-redirect">Rs.</a> 22 Crore in Reliance during 1982-83. These investments were routed through many companies like Crocodile, Lota and Fiasco. These companies were primarily registered in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Man" title="Isle of Man">Isle of Man</a>. The interesting factor was that all the promoters or owners of these companies had a common surname <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shah" title="Shah">Shah</a>. An investigation by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reserve_Bank_of_India" title="Reserve Bank of India">Reserve Bank of India</a> in the incident did not find any unethical or illegal acts or transactions committed by Reliance or its promoters.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-9" title="">[10]</a></sup></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a name="Diversification" id="Diversification"></a></span></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" style="font-size:100%;">Diversification</span></h2> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Over time, Dhirubhai diversified his business with the core specialisation being in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrochemicals" title="Petrochemicals" class="mw-redirect">petrochemicals</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications" title="Telecommunications" class="mw-redirect">telecommunications</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_technology" title="Information technology">information technology</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy" title="Energy">energy</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_power" title="Electric power">power</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retail" title="Retail" class="mw-redirect">retail</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textile" title="Textile">textiles</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrastructure" title="Infrastructure">infrastructure</a> services, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_market" title="Capital market">capital markets</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logistics" title="Logistics">logistics</a>. The company as a whole was described by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC" title="BBC">BBC</a><sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-10" title="">[11]</a></sup> as "a business empire with an estimated annual turnover of $12bn, and an 85,000-strong workforce".</span> and additional interests in </p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a name="Criticism" id="Criticism"></a></span></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" style="font-size:100%;">Criticism</span></h2> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 152px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ployesterprince_coverpage.jpg" class="image" title="Paperback Cover page of The Polyester Prince. The rise of Dhirubhai Ambani. Author: Hamish McDonald, Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pty., Limited (Australia), ISBN 1-86448-468-3"><img alt="Paperback Cover page of The Polyester Prince. The rise of Dhirubhai Ambani. Author: Hamish McDonald, Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pty., Limited (Australia), ISBN 1-86448-468-3" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/71/Ployesterprince_coverpage.jpg/150px-Ployesterprince_coverpage.jpg" class="thumbimage" width="150" border="0" height="220" /></a></span> <div class="thumbcaption"> <div class="magnify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ployesterprince_coverpage.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"> Paperback Cover page of The Polyester Prince. The rise of Dhirubhai Ambani. Author: Hamish McDonald, Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pty., Limited (Australia), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1864484683" class="internal">ISBN 1-86448-468-3</a></span></div> </div> </div> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Despite his almost Midas Touch, Ambani has been known to have flexible values and an unethical streak running through him. His biographer himself has cited some instances of his unethical behavior and illegal acts such as defacing public currency when he was just an ordinary employee at a petrol pump in Dubai. He has been accused of having manipulated government policies to suit his own needs, and has been known to be a king-maker in government elections <sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-11" title="">[12]</a></sup>. Although most media sources tend to speak out about business-politics nexus, the Ambani house has always enjoyed more protection and shelter from the media storms that sweep across the country.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a name="Tussle_with_Nusli_Wadia" id="Tussle_with_Nusli_Wadia"></a></span></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline" style="font-size:100%;">Tussle with Nusli Wadia</span></h3> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nusli_Wadia" title="Nusli Wadia">Nusli Wadia</a> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_Dyeing" title="Bombay Dyeing">Bombay Dyeing</a> was, at one point in time, the biggest competitor of Dhirubhai and Reliance Industries. Both Nusli Wadia and Dhirubhai were known for their influence in the political circles and their ability to get the most difficult licenses approved during the times of pre-liberalized economy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">During the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janata_Party" title="Janata Party">Janata Party</a> rule between 1977 - 1979, Nusli Wadia obtained the permission to build a 60,000 tonnes per annum <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Di-methyl_terephthalate&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Di-methyl terephthalate (page does not exist)">Di-methyl terephthalate</a> (DMT) plant. Before the letter of intent was converted into a licence, many hurdles came in the way. Finally, in 1981, Nusli Wadia was granted the license for the plant. This incident acted as a catalyst between the two parties and the competition took an ugly turn.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a name="The_Indian_Express_Articles" id="The_Indian_Express_Articles"></a></span></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline" style="font-size:100%;">The Indian Express Articles</span></h3> <table class="metadata plainlinks ambox ambox-content" style=""> <tbody><tr> <td class="mbox-image"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></td><td class="mbox-text" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size:100%;">At one point in time, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramnath_Goenka" title="Ramnath Goenka">Ramnath Goenka</a> was a friend of Dhirubhai Ambani. Ramnath Goenka was also considered to be close to Nusli Wadia. On many occasions, Ramnath Goenka tried to intervene between the two warring factions and bring an end to the enmity. Goenka and Ambani became rivals mainly because Ambani's corrupt business practices and his illegal actions that led to Goenka not getting a fair share in the company. Later on, Ramnath Goenka chose to support Nusli Wadia. At one point of time, Ramnath Goenka is believed to have said <i>"Nusli is an Englishman. He cannot handle Ambani. I am a bania. I know how to finish him"</i>....</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">As days passed by, The Indian Express, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadsheet" title="Broadsheet">broadsheet</a> daily published by him, carried a series of articles against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliance_Industries" title="Reliance Industries">Reliance Industries</a> and Dhirubhai in which they claimed that Dhirubhai was using unfair trade practices to maximise the profits. Ramnath Goenka did not use his staff at the Indian Express to investigate the case but assigned his close confidante, advisor and chartered accountant <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._Gurumurthy" title="S. Gurumurthy">S. Gurumurthy</a> for this task. Apart from S. Gurumurthy, another journalist Maneck Davar who was not on the rolls of Indian Express started contributing stories. Jamnadas Moorjani, a businessman opposed to the Ambanis was also a part of this campaign.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Both Ambani and Goenka were equally criticized and admired by sections of the society. People criticized Goenka that he was using a national newspaper for the cause of a personal enmity. Critics believed that there were many other businessman in the country who were using more unfair and unethical practices but Goenka chose to target only Ambani and not the others. Critics also admired Goenka for his ability to run these articles without any help from his regular staff. Dhirubhai Ambani was also getting more recognition and admiration, in the meantime. A section of the public started to appreciate Dhirubhai's business sense and his ability to tame the system according to his wishes.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">The end to this tussle came only after Dhirubhai Ambani suffered a stroke. While Dhirubhai Ambani was recovering in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Diego" title="San Diego" class="mw-redirect">San Diego</a>, his sons <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukesh_Ambani" title="Mukesh Ambani">Mukesh Ambani</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anil_Ambani" title="Anil Ambani">Anil Ambani</a> managed the affairs. The Indian Express had turned the guns against Reliance and was directly blaming the government for not doing enough to penalize Reliance Industries. The battle between Wadia - Goenka and the Ambanis took a new direction and became a national crisis. Gurumurthy and another journalist, Mulgaokar consorted with President <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giani_Zail_Singh" title="Giani Zail Singh" class="mw-redirect">Giani Zail Singh</a> and ghost-wrote a hostile letter to the Prime Minister on his behalf. The Indian Express published a draft of the President’s letter as a scoop, not realizing that Zail Singh had made changes to the letter before sending it to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajiv_Gandhi" title="Rajiv Gandhi">Rajiv Gandhi</a>. Ambani had won the battle at this point. Now, while the tussle was directly between the Prime Minister <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajiv_Gandhi" title="Rajiv Gandhi">Rajiv Gandhi</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramnath_Goenka" title="Ramnath Goenka">Ramnath Goenka</a>, Ambani made a quiet exit. The government then raided the Express guest house in Delhi’s Sunder Nagar and found the original draft with corrections in Mulgaokar’s handwriting. By 1988-89, Rajiv’s government retaliated with a series of prosecutions against the Indian Express. Even then, Goenka retained his iconic stature because, to many people, he seemed to be replaying his heroic defiance during the Emergency regime<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since July 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a name="Dhirubhai_and_V.P.Singh" id="Dhirubhai_and_V.P.Singh"></a></span></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline" style="font-size:100%;">Dhirubhai and V.P.Singh</span></h3> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">It was widely known that Dhirubhai didn't enjoy a cordial relation with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V._P._Singh" title="V. P. Singh" class="mw-redirect">Vishwanath Pratap Singh</a>, who succeeded Rajiv Gandhi as the Prime Minister of India. In May 1985, V. P. Singh suddenly stopped the import of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terephthalic_acid" title="Terephthalic acid">Purified Terephthalic Acid</a> from the Open General License category. As a raw material this was very important to manufacture polyester filament yarn. This made it very difficult for Reliance to carry on operations. Reliance was able to secure, from various financial institutions, letters of credit that would allow it to import almost one full year’s requirement of PTA on the eve of the issuance of the government notification, changing the category under which PTA could be imported. In 1990, the government-owned financial institutions like the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_Insurance_Corporation_of_India" title="Life Insurance Corporation of India">Life Insurance Corporation of India</a> and the General Insurance Corporation stonewalled attempts by the Reliance group to acquire managerial control over <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larsen_%26_Toubro" title="Larsen & Toubro">Larsen & Toubro</a>. Sensing defeat, the Ambanis resigned from the board of the company. Dhirubhai, who had become L&T's chairman in April 1989, had to quit his post to make way for D. N. Ghosh, former chairman of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Bank_of_India" title="State Bank of India">State Bank of India</a>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Tahndfs dyugs drhjtdh sh</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a name="Death" id="Death"></a></span></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" style="font-size:100%;">Death</span></h2> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 352px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Dhirubhai-Final_Journey.jpg" class="image" title="Final Journey: Dhirubhai Ambani's funeral saw thousands of people attending. Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani can be seen carrying their father's body as per Hindu traditions"><img alt="Final Journey: Dhirubhai Ambani's funeral saw thousands of people attending. Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani can be seen carrying their father's body as per Hindu traditions" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c5/Dhirubhai-Final_Journey.jpg" class="thumbimage" width="350" border="0" height="322" /></a></span> <div class="thumbcaption"> <div class="magnify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Dhirubhai-Final_Journey.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11" /></a></span></div> <span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Final Journey:</b> Dhirubhai Ambani's funeral saw thousands of people attending. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukesh_Ambani" title="Mukesh Ambani">Mukesh Ambani</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anil_Ambani" title="Anil Ambani">Anil Ambani</a> can be seen carrying their father's body as per <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu" title="Hindu" class="mw-redirect">Hindu</a> traditions</span> and </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Dhirubhai Ambani was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai" title="Mumbai">Mumbai</a> on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_24" title="June 24">June 24</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002" title="2002">2002</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_6" title="July 6">July 6</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002" title="2002">2002</a>, at around 11:50 P.M. (Indian Standard Time).</span> after he suffered a major stroke. This was his second stroke, the first one had occurred in February 1986 and had kept his right hand paralyzed. He was in a state of coma for more than a week. A battery of doctors were unable to save his life. He breathed his last on </p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">His funeral procession was not only attended by business people, politicians and celebrities but also by thousands of ordinary people. His elder son, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukesh_Ambani" title="Mukesh Ambani">Mukesh Ambani</a>, performed the last rites as per <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu" title="Hindu" class="mw-redirect">Hindu</a> traditions. He was cremated at the Chandanwadi Crematorium in Mumbai at around 4:30 PM (Indian Standard Time) on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_7" title="July 7">July 7</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002" title="2002">2002</a>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">He is survived by Kokilaben Ambani, his wife, two sons, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukesh_Ambani" title="Mukesh Ambani">Mukesh Ambani</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anil_Ambani" title="Anil Ambani">Anil Ambani</a>, and two daughters, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nina_Kothari&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Nina Kothari (page does not exist)">Nina Kothari</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Deepti_Salgaonkar&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Deepti Salgaonkar (page does not exist)">Deepti Salgaonkar</a>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Dhirubhai Ambani started his long journey in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay" title="Bombay" class="mw-redirect">Bombay</a> from the Mulji-Jetha Textile Market, where he started as a small-trader. As a mark of respect to this great businessman, The Mumbai Textile Merchants' decided to keep the market closed on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_8" title="July 8">July 8</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002" title="2002">2002</a>. At the time of Dhirubhai's death, Reliance Group had a gross turnover of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Rupee" title="Indian Rupee" class="mw-redirect">Rs.</a> 75,000 Crore or USD $ 15 Billion. In 1976-77, the Reliance group had an annual turnover of Rs 70 crore and it is to be remembered that Dhirubhai had started the business with just <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Rupee" title="Indian Rupee" class="mw-redirect">Rs.</a>15,000(US$350)</span></p> <blockquote class="toccolours" style="padding: 10px 15px; float: none; display: table;"> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">The country has lost iconic proof of what an ordinary Indian fired by the spirit of enterprise and driven by determination can achieve in his own lifetime. <sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-12" title="">[13]</a></sup>.</span></p> <p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:100%;">– <cite><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atal_Bihari_Vajpayee" title="Atal Bihari Vajpayee">Atal Bihari Vajpayee</a>, <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_India" title="Prime Minister of India">Former Prime Minister of India</a></i></cite></span></p> </blockquote> <blockquote class="toccolours" style="padding: 10px 15px; float: none; display: table;"> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">The nation had lost one of the doyens of the modern Indian corporate community, a philanthropist and above all a great human being endowed with great compassion and concern for the underprivileged sections of the society...<br /><br />This new star, which rose on the horizon of the Indian industry three decades ago, remained on the top till the end by virtue of his ability to dream big and translate it into reality through the strength of his tenacity and perseverance His legacy will remain shrouded in the fact that his practices have brought bribery and corruption to indian business for years to come. I join the people of Maharashtra in paying my tribute to the memory of Ambani and convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. <sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-13" title="">[14]</a></sup>.</span></p> <p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:100%;">– <cite>P C Alexander, <i>Governor of Maharastra</i></cite></span></p> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a name="Reliance_after_Dhirubhai" id="Reliance_after_Dhirubhai"></a></span></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" style="font-size:100%;">Reliance after Dhirubhai</span></h2> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">In November 2004, Mukesh Ambani in an interview, admitted to having differences with his brother Anil over 'ownership issues.' He also said that the differences "are in the private domain." He was of the opinion that this will not have any bearing on the functioning of the company saying Reliance is one of the strongest professionally-managed companies. Considering the importance of Reliance Industries to the Indian Economy, this issue got an extensive coverage in the media. <sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-14" title="">[15]</a></sup></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K._V._Kamath" title="K. V. Kamath">Kundapur Vaman Kamath</a>, the Managing Director of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICICI_Bank" title="ICICI Bank">ICICI Bank</a><sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-15" title="">[16]</a></sup> was seen in media, a close friend of the Ambani family who helped to settle the issue. The brothers had entrusted their mother, Kokilaben Ambani, to resolve the issue. On <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_18" title="June 18">June 18</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005" title="2005">2005</a>, Kokilaben Ambani announced the settlement through a press release.</span></p> <blockquote class="toccolours" style="padding: 10px 15px; float: none; display: table;"> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">With the blessings of Srinathji, I have today amicably resolved the issues between my two sons, Mukesh and Anil, keeping in mind the proud legacy of my husband, Dhirubhai Ambani.<br /><br />I am confident that both Mukesh and Anil, will resolutely uphold the values of their father and work towards protecting and enhancing value for over three million shareholders of the Reliance Group, which has been the foundational principle on which my husband built India's largest private sector enterprise.<br /><br />Mukesh will have the responsibility for Reliance Industries and IPCL while Anil will have responsibility for Reliance Infocomm, Reliance Energy and Reliance Capital.<br /><br />My husband's foresight and vision and the values he stood for combined with my blessings will guide them to scale new heights. <sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-16" title="">[17]</a></sup>.</span></p> <p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:100%;">– <cite>Kokilaben Ambani</cite></span></p> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">The Reliance empire was split between the Ambani brothers, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukesh_Ambani" title="Mukesh Ambani">Mukesh Ambani</a> getting RIL and IPCL & his younger sibling <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anil_Ambani" title="Anil Ambani">Anil Ambani</a> heading Reliance Capital, Reliance Energy and Reliance Infocomm. The entity headed by Mukesh Ambani is referred to as the Reliance Industries Limited whereas Anil's Group has been renamed Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG)</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a name="Film" id="Film"></a></span></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" style="font-size:100%;">Film</span></h2> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">A film alleged to be inspired by the life of Dhirubhai Ambani was released on 12th January 2007. The Hindi Film <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_%282006_film%29" title="Guru (2006 film)" class="mw-redirect">Guru</a>, with direction by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mani_Ratnam" title="Mani Ratnam">Mani Ratnam</a>, cinematography by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajiv_Menon" title="Rajiv Menon">Rajiv Menon</a> and music by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.R.Rahman" title="A.R.Rahman" class="mw-redirect">A.R.Rahman</a> shows the struggle of a man striving to make his mark in the Indian business world with a fictional Shakti Group of Industries. The film stars <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhishek_Bacchan" title="Abhishek Bacchan" class="mw-redirect">Abhishek Bacchan</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithun_Chakraborty" title="Mithun Chakraborty">Mithun Chakraborty</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aishwarya_Rai" title="Aishwarya Rai">Aishwarya Rai</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._Madhavan" title="R. Madhavan">Madhavan</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidya_Balan" title="Vidya Balan">Vidya Balan</a>. In the film, Abhishek Bachchan plays Guru Kant Desai,a character implicitly based on Dhirubhai Ambani. Mithun Chakraborty portrays Manikda who bears an uncanny resemblance to the real life <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramnath_Goenka" title="Ramnath Goenka">Ramanath Goenka</a> and Madhvan portrays <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._Gurumurthy" title="S. Gurumurthy">S. Gurumurthy</a>, who twenty years ago, gained national fame, spearheading virulent attacks against the Reliance group in one of India's bloodiest corporate wars ever. The film also portrays the strength of Dhirubhai Ambani with the help of the character of Guru Kant Desai. "GURUBHAI" the name given to Abhishek Bachchan is also similar to the original name "DHIRUBHAI."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a name="Awards_and_recognitions" id="Awards_and_recognitions"></a></span></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" style="font-size:100%;">Awards and recognitions</span></h2> <ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;">November 2000 – Conferred '<b>Man of the Century'</b> award by Chemtech Foundation and Chemical Engineering World in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the chemical industry in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" title="India">India</a></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">2000, 1998 and 1996 – Featured among '<b>Power 50 - the most powerful people in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia" title="Asia">Asia</a></b> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asiaweek" title="Asiaweek">Asiaweek</a> magazine.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">June 1998 - <b>Dean's Medal</b> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wharton_School_of_the_University_of_Pennsylvania" title="Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania">The Wharton School, University of <b>Pennsylvania</b></a>, for setting an outstanding example of leadership. Dhirubhai Ambani has the rare distinction of being the first Indian to get Wharton School Dean's Medal <sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-17" title="">[18]</a></sup></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">August 2001 – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_Times" title="Economic Times" class="mw-redirect">The Economic Times</a> Award for Corporate Excellence for <b>Lifetime Achievement</b></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Dhirubhai Ambani was named the <b>Man of 20th Century</b> by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FICCI" title="FICCI">Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry</a> (FICCI).</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">A poll conducted by The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_of_India" title="Times of India" class="mw-redirect">Times of India</a> in 2000 voted Him <b>"Greatest Creator of Wealth In The Centuries". He is the true son of India'</b></span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a name="Famous_quotes" id="Famous_quotes"></a></span></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" style="font-size:100%;">Famous quotes</span></h2> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">From beginning Dhirubhai was seen in high-regard. His success in the petro-chemical business and his story of rags to riches made him a cult figure in the minds of Indian people. As a quality of business leader he was also a motivator. He gave few public speeches but the words he spoke are still remembered for their value.</span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;">"" With the force of 3million investors RIL will reap the title "World's Biggest Company"</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>"I am deaf to the word "no"."</i></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>"Growth has no limit at Reliance. I keep revising my vision. Only when you dream it you can do it."</i></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>"Think big, think fast, think ahead. Ideas are no one's monopoly"</i></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>"Our dreams have to be bigger. Our ambitions higher. Our commitment deeper. And our efforts greater. This is my dream for Reliance and for India."</i></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>"You do not require an invitation to make profits."</i></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>"If you work with determination and with perfection, success will follow."</i></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>"Pursue your goals even in the face of difficulties, and convert adversities into opportunities."</i></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>"Give the youth a proper environment. Motivate them. Extend them the support they need. Each one of them has infinite source of energy. They will deliver."</i></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>"Between my past, the present and the future, there is one common factor: Relationship and Trust. This is the foundation of our growth"</i></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>"We bet on people."</i></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>"Meeting the deadlines is not good enough, beating the deadlines is my expectation."</i></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>"Don't give up, courage is my conviction."</i></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>"We cannot change our Rulers, but we can change the way they Rule Us."</i></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>"Dhirubhai will go one day. But Reliance's employees and shareholders will keep it afloat. Reliance is now a concept in which the Ambanis have become irrelevant."</i></span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a name="Unauthorized_biography" id="Unauthorized_biography"></a></span></p> <h2> <span class="mw-headline" style="font-size:100%;">Unauthorized biography</span></h2> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Hamish McDonald, who was the Delhi bureau chief for the <i>Far Eastern Economic Review</i> for several years, published an unauthorised biography of Ambani in 1998 in which both his achievements and shortcomings were reported, but the Ambanis threatened legal action if the book was published in India.<sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhirubhai_Ambani#cite_note-18" title="">[19]</a></sup></span></p>Sandeep Chowdharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365872210584131539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8036568751497057942.post-53227697991244936932008-10-18T12:36:00.001-07:002008-10-18T13:03:53.117-07:00Run Making Machine Sachin Tendulkar's Biography<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiY3sqjhxHqxituZY6yOeFsM3L0pqMiGL6t5vjNbDspMTd-shTyU3w-Lyha0fpB5Gbv5AcdE_htQh2fpiYxZvv77a1BCyYMVhu0GEN_nLu3udebs_4oodG6fsOAJlLH-l_2obnAO27Alw/s1600-h/sachin_tendulkar_05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiY3sqjhxHqxituZY6yOeFsM3L0pqMiGL6t5vjNbDspMTd-shTyU3w-Lyha0fpB5Gbv5AcdE_htQh2fpiYxZvv77a1BCyYMVhu0GEN_nLu3udebs_4oodG6fsOAJlLH-l_2obnAO27Alw/s320/sachin_tendulkar_05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258580835992566146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><h2><br /><span class="mw-headline"></span></h2><p><b>Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar</b><span class="unicode audiolink"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/11/Sachin_Tendulkar.ogg" class="internal" title="Sachin Tendulkar.ogg">pronunciation</a></span> <span class="metadata audiolinkinfo"><small>(<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Media_help" title="Wikipedia:Media help">help</a>·<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sachin_Tendulkar.ogg" title="Image:Sachin Tendulkar.ogg">info</a>)</small></span> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathi_language" title="Marathi language">Marathi</a>: सचिन रमेश तेंडुलकर) (born 24 April 1973 in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai" title="Mumbai">Bombay</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharashtra" title="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</a>, India), often referred to as <i>the Little Master</i> or <i>the Master Blaster</i>,<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-1" title="">[2]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-2" title="">[3]</a></sup> is an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team" title="Indian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Indian cricketer</a> widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket" title="Cricket">cricket</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-3" title="">[4]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-4" title="">[5]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-5" title="">[6]</a></sup> In 2002, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisden_Cricketers%27_Almanack" title="Wisden Cricketers' Almanack">Wisden</a> ranked him the second greatest Test batsman of all time next only to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Donald_Bradman" title="Sir Donald Bradman" class="mw-redirect">Sir Donald Bradman</a>, and the second greatest one-day international (ODI) batsman of all time next only to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Viv_Richards" title="Sir Viv Richards" class="mw-redirect">Sir Viv Richards</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-6" title="">[7]</a></sup></p> <p>Tendulkar is the highest run scorer in both Test matches and ODIs, and also the batsman with the most centuries in these two forms of the game. On 17 October 2008, when he surpassed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Lara" title="Brian Lara">Brian Lara</a>'s record for the most runs scored in Test Cricket, he also became the first batsman to score 12,000 runs in that form of the game.<sup id="cite_ref-CricInfo_Tendulkar_TestRunsRecord_7-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-CricInfo_Tendulkar_TestRunsRecord-7" title="">[8]</a></sup> Tendulkar had been the third batsman and first Indian to pass 11,000 runs in Test cricket.<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-8" title="">[9]</a></sup>. He was also the first player to score 10,000 runs in one-day internationals. Tendulkar has been honoured with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_Vibhushan" title="Padma Vibhushan">Padma Vibhushan</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajiv_Gandhi_Khel_Ratna" title="Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna">Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna</a> awards.</p><h2><span class="mw-headline">Early years and personal life</span></h2> <p>Tendulkar was born on 24 April 1973 in Bombay (now <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai" title="Mumbai">Mumbai</a>), India. His father, Ramesh Tendulkar, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathi" title="Marathi" class="mw-redirect">Marathi</a> novelist, named Tendulkar after his favorite music director, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Dev_Burman" title="Sachin Dev Burman">Sachin Dev Burman</a>. Tendulkar's elder brother Ajit, encouraged him to play cricket. Tendulkar has two other siblings: a brother Nitin, and sister Savitai.</p> <p>Tendulkar attended Sharadashram Vidyamandir (High School), where he began his cricketing career under the guidance of his coach and mentor, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramakant_Achrekar" title="Ramakant Achrekar">Ramakant Achrekar</a>. During his school days he attended the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRF_Pace_Foundation" title="MRF Pace Foundation">MRF Pace Foundation</a> to train as a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_bowler" title="Fast bowler" class="mw-redirect">fast bowler</a>. But fast bowling guru <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Lillee" title="Dennis Lillee">Dennis Lillee</a> was unimpressed, and suggested Tendulkar to "just focus" on his batting.</p> <p>When he was young, Tendulkar would practice for hours on end in the nets. If he became exhausted Achrekar would put a one-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupee" title="Rupee">Rupee</a>-coin on the top of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stumps" title="Stumps" class="mw-redirect">stumps</a>, and the bowler who dismissed Tendulkar would get the coin. If Tendulkar passed the whole session without getting dismissed, the coach would give him the coin. Tendulkar now considers the 13 coins he won then as his most prized possessions.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-9" title="">[10]</a></sup></p> <p>While at school, he developed a reputation as a child prodigy. He had become a common conversation point in Mumbai circles, where there were suggestions already that he would become one of the greats. His season in 1988 was extraordinary, scoring a century in every innings he played. He was involved in an unbroken 664-run <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partnership_%28cricket%29" title="Partnership (cricket)">partnership</a> in a Lord Harris Shield inter-school game in 1988 with friend and team mate <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinod_Kambli" title="Vinod Kambli">Vinod Kambli</a>, who also went on to represent India. The destructive pair reduced one bowler to tears and made the rest of the opposition unwilling to continue the game. Tendulkar scored 326* in this innings and scored over a thousand runs in the tournament.<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-10" title="">[11]</a></sup> This was a record partnership in any form of cricket, until 2006 when it was broken by two under-13 batsmen in a match held at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyderabad,_Andhra_Pradesh" title="Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh">Hyderabad</a> in India.</p> <p>When he was 14, Indian batting legend <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunil_Gavaskar" title="Sunil Gavaskar">Sunil Gavaskar</a> gave him a pair of his own ultra light pads. "It was the greatest source of encouragement for me," he said nearly 20 years later after surpassing Gavaskar's top world record of 34 Test centuries. This was in the same year as his first-class debut. Tendulkar never played for any Under-19 teams, crossing straight into the seniors.</p> <p>In 1995, Sachin Tendulkar married Anjali (born 10 November 1967), the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paediatrician" title="Paediatrician" class="mw-redirect">paediatrician</a> daughter of Gujarati industrialist, Anand Mehta. They have two children, Sara (born 12 October 1997), and Arjun (born 24 September 1999).<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-11" title="">[12]</a></sup></p> <p>Tendulkar sponsors 200 underprivileged children every year through Apnalaya, a Mumbai-based <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGO" title="NGO" class="mw-redirect">NGO</a> associated with his mother-in-law, Annaben Mehta. He is reluctant to speak about his charitable activities<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since December 2007" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup>, choosing to preserve the sanctity of his personal life despite media interest in him.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since December 2007" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup></p> <p><a name="Domestic_career" id="Domestic_career"></a></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Domestic career</span></h2> <p>In 1988/1989, aged just 15, he scored 100 not-out in his first <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-class_cricket" title="First-class cricket">first-class</a> match for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai_cricket_team" title="Mumbai cricket team">Bombay</a> against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujarat_cricket_team" title="Gujarat cricket team">Gujarat</a>. At 15 years and 232 days he is the youngest cricketer to score a century on his first-class debut. His first double century was for Mumbai playing against the visiting Australian team at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brabourne_Stadium" title="Brabourne Stadium">Brabourne Stadium</a> in 1998.</p> <p>Tendulkar is the only player to score a century in all three of his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranji_Trophy" title="Ranji Trophy">Ranji Trophy</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duleep_Trophy" title="Duleep Trophy">Duleep Trophy</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irani_Trophy" title="Irani Trophy">Irani Trophy</a> debuts.</p> <p>In 1992, at the age of 19, Tendulkar became the first overseas born player to represent <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkshire_County_Cricket_Club" title="Yorkshire County Cricket Club">Yorkshire</a> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_White" title="Craig White">Craig White</a>, although born in Yorkshire was the first player to be signed as an overseas player by Yorkshire. He had to be listed as an overseas player as he had already played for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Bushrangers" title="Victoria Bushrangers" class="mw-redirect">Victoria</a> in Australia). Tendulkar played 16 first-class matches for the county and scored 1070 runs at an average of 46.52.<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-12" title="">[13]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Indian_Premier_League" id="Indian_Premier_League"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Indian Premier League</span></h3> <p>Tendulkar was made the icon player and captain for his home side, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai_Indians" title="Mumbai Indians">Mumbai Indians</a> in the inaugural <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Premier_League" title="Indian Premier League">Indian Premier League</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty20" title="Twenty20">Twenty20</a> competition in 2008.<sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-13" title="">[14]</a></sup> As an icon player, he was signed for a huge sum of US$1,121,250, 15% more than the second-highest paid player in the team, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanath_Jayasuriya" title="Sanath Jayasuriya">Sanath Jayasuriya</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-14" title="">[15]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="International_career" id="International_career"></a></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">International career</span></h2> <p><a name="Early_career" id="Early_career"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Early career</span></h3> <p>Tendulkar played his first Test match against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistani_cricket_team" title="Pakistani cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Pakistan</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karachi" title="Karachi">Karachi</a> in 1989 under the leadership of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kris_Srikkanth" title="Kris Srikkanth" class="mw-redirect">Kris Srikkanth</a>. According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricinfo" title="Cricinfo">Cricinfo</a>'s Andrew Miller and Martin Williamson, India took an unconventional approach to combating the Pakistani pace attack by calling up a "baby-faced 16-year-old with one season of first-class cricket to his name".<sup id="cite_ref-Quirkydebuts_15-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-Quirkydebuts-15" title="">[16]</a></sup> He made just 15 runs, being bowled by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waqar_Younis" title="Waqar Younis">Waqar Younis</a>, who also made his debut in that match, but was impressive in how he handled numerous blows to his body at the hands of the Pakistani pace attack. <sup id="cite_ref-Quirkydebuts_15-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-Quirkydebuts-15" title="">[16]</a></sup> Tendulkar followed it up with his maiden <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_cricket" title="Test cricket">Test</a> fifty a few days later at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisalabad" title="Faisalabad">Faisalabad</a>. His <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Day_International" title="One Day International">One Day International</a> (ODI) debut on 18 December was disappointing. He was dismissed without scoring a run, again by Waqar Younis. The series was followed by a tour of New Zealand in which he fell for 88 in the Second Test. His maiden Test century came in the next tour, to England in August 1990 at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Trafford_%28cricket_ground%29" title="Old Trafford (cricket ground)" class="mw-redirect">Old Trafford</a>. Tendulkar further enhanced his development into a world-class batsman during the 1991–1992 tour of Australia that included an unbeaten 148 in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Cricket_Ground" title="Sydney Cricket Ground">Sydney</a> (the first of many battles against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Warne" title="Shane Warne">Shane Warne</a> who made his debut in the match) and a century on the fast and bouncy track at Perth. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merv_Hughes" title="Merv Hughes">Merv Hughes</a> famously commented to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Border" title="Allan Border">Allan Border</a> at the time that "This little prick's going to get more runs than you, AB."<sup id="cite_ref-Tendertouch_16-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-Tendertouch-16" title="">[17]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Rise_through_the_ranks" id="Rise_through_the_ranks"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Rise through the ranks</span></h3> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 182px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sachin_at_the_other_end.jpg" class="image" title="Sachin Tendulkar waits at the bowler's end"><img alt="Sachin Tendulkar waits at the bowler's end" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Sachin_at_the_other_end.jpg/180px-Sachin_at_the_other_end.jpg" class="thumbimage" width="180" border="0" height="121" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"> <div class="magnify"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sachin_at_the_other_end.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11" /></a></div> Sachin Tendulkar waits at the bowler's end</div> </div> </div> <p>Tendulkar's performance through the years 1994–1999 coincided with his physical peak, in his early twenties. On the day of the Hindu festival Holi, Tendulkar was told to open the batting at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland" title="Auckland">Auckland</a> against New Zealand in 1994.<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-17" title="">[18]</a></sup> He went on to make 82 runs off 49 balls. He scored his first ODI century on 9 September 1994 against Australia in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka" title="Sri Lanka">Sri Lanka</a> at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombo" title="Colombo">Colombo</a>. It had taken him 79 ODIs to score a century.</p> <p>In 1996 against Pakistan in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharjah_%28city%29" title="Sharjah (city)">Sharjah</a>, Indian captain <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Azharuddin" title="Mohammed Azharuddin" class="mw-redirect">Mohammed Azharuddin</a> was going through a lean patch. Tendulkar and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navjot_Singh_Sidhu" title="Navjot Singh Sidhu">Navjot Singh Sidhu</a> both made centuries to set a record partnership for the second wicket. After getting out, Tendulkar found Azharuddin in two minds to bat out. Tendulkar boosted Azharuddin to bat and Azharuddin subsequently unleashed 29 runs in mere 10 balls. It enabled India post a score in excess of 300 runs for the first time. India went on to win that match.</p> <p>Tendulkar's rise continued when he was the leading run scorer at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_Cricket_World_Cup" title="1996 Cricket World Cup">1996 Cricket World Cup</a>, topping the batting averages whilst scoring two centuries. He was the only Indian batsman to perform in the infamous semi-final of that World Cup. When Tendulkar's wicket fell, the Indian batting lineup collapsed and India conceded defeat after the crowd began angry demonstrations.</p> <p>This was the beginning of a period at the top of the batting world, culminating in the Australian tour of India in early 1998, with Tendulkar scoring three consecutive centuries. These were characterised by a pre-meditated plan to target Australian spinners <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Warne" title="Shane Warne">Shane Warne</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gavin_Robertson" title="Gavin Robertson">Gavin Robertson</a>, to whom he regularly charged down the pitch to drive over the infield. This technique worked as India beat Australia. The test match success was followed by two scintillating knocks in Sharjah where he scored two consecutive centuries in a must-win game and then in finals against Australia tormenting Shane Warne once again. Following the series Shane Warne ruefully joked that he was having nightmares about his Indian nemesis.<sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-18" title="">[19]</a></sup> He also had a role with the ball in that series, including a 5 wicket haul in an ODI. Set 310 runs to win, Australia were cruising comfortably at 203/3 in the 31st over. Sachin turned the match for India taking wickets of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Bevan" title="Michael Bevan">Michael Bevan</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh" title="Steve Waugh">Steve Waugh</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darren_Lehmann" title="Darren Lehmann">Darren Lehmann</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Moody" title="Tom Moody">Tom Moody</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damien_Martyn" title="Damien Martyn">Damien Martyn</a> for just 32 runs in 10 overs.<sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-19" title="">[20]</a></sup></p> <p>Tendulkar single-handedly won the ICC 1998 quarterfinal at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhaka" title="Dhaka">Dhaka</a> to pave way for India's entry into the semifinals, when he took 4 Australian wickets after scoring 141 runs in just 128 balls.</p> <p>A chronic back problem flared up when Pakistan toured India in 1999, with India losing the historic Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chepauk" title="Chepauk">Chepauk</a> despite a gritty century from Tendulkar himself. The worst was yet to come as Professor Ramesh Tendulkar, Tendulkar's father, died in the middle of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_Cricket_World_Cup" title="1999 Cricket World Cup">1999 Cricket World Cup</a>. Tendulkar flew back to India to attend the final rituals of his father, missing the match against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimbabwe" title="Zimbabwe">Zimbabwe</a>. However, he returned with a bang to the World cup scoring a century (unbeaten 140 off 101 balls) in his very next match against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya" title="Kenya">Kenya</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol" title="Bristol">Bristol</a>. He dedicated this century to his father.<sup id="cite_ref-20" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-20" title="">[21]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Captaincy" id="Captaincy"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Captaincy</span></h3> <p>Tendulkar's two tenures as captain of the Indian cricket team were not very successful. When Tendulkar took over as Captain in 1996, it was with huge hopes and expectations. However, by 1997 the team was performing poorly. Azharuddin was credited with saying <i>"Nahin jeetega! Chote ki naseeb main jeet nahin hai!"</i>,<sup id="cite_ref-21" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-21" title="">[22]</a></sup> which translates into: "He won't win! It's not in the small one's destiny".</p> <p>Tendulkar, succeeding <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_Azharuddin" title="Mohammad Azharuddin">Azharuddin</a> as captain for his second term, then led India on a tour of Australia, where the visitors were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by the newly-crowned world champions.<sup id="cite_ref-22" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-22" title="">[23]</a></sup> After another Test series defeat, this time by a 0-2 margin at home against South Africa, Tendulkar resigned, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly" title="Sourav Ganguly">Sourav Ganguly</a> took over as captain in 2000.</p> <p>Tendulkar remains an integral part of the Indian team's strategic processes. He is often seen in discussion with the captain, at times actively involved in building strategies. Former captain <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahul_Dravid" title="Rahul Dravid">Rahul Dravid</a> publicly acknowledged that Tendulkar had been suggesting moves such as the promotion of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irfan_Pathan" title="Irfan Pathan">Irfan Pathan</a> up the batting order which, although only temporary, had an immediate effect on the team's fortunes.</p> <p><a name="Injuries_and_decline" id="Injuries_and_decline"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Injuries and decline</span></h3> <p>Tendulkar continued his good form in Test cricket in 2001 and 2002, with some pivotal performances with both bat and ball. Tendulkar took three wickets on the final day of the famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border-Gavaskar_Trophy" title="Border-Gavaskar Trophy">Kolkata Test against Australia in 2001</a>. Tendulkar took the key wickets of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Hayden" title="Matthew Hayden">Matthew Hayden</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Gilchrist" title="Adam Gilchrist">Adam Gilchrist</a>, centurions in the previous test.</p> <p>Tendulkar made 673 runs in 11 matches in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Cricket_World_Cup" title="2003 Cricket World Cup">2003 Cricket World Cup</a>, helping India reach the final. While Australia retained the trophy that they had won in 1999, Tendulkar was given the Man of the Tournament award. The drawn series as India toured Australia in 2003/04 saw Tendulkar making his mark in the last Test of the series, with 241* in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Cricket_Ground" title="Sydney Cricket Ground">Sydney</a>, putting India in a virtually unbeatable position. He followed up the innings with an unbeaten 50 in the second innings of the test and then an unbeaten 194 against Pakistan at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multan" title="Multan">Multan</a> in the following series. The 194 was controversial in that he was stranded prior to reaching his double century as a result of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_%28cricket%29" title="Declaration (cricket)" class="mw-redirect">declaration</a> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahul_Dravid" title="Rahul Dravid">Rahul Dravid</a>. In meeting with the press that evening, Tendulkar responded to a question on missing 200 against Pakistan by stating that he was disappointed and that the declaration had taken him by surprise.<sup id="cite_ref-23" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-23" title="">[24]</a></sup> Many former cricketers commented that Dravid's declaration was in bad taste.<sup id="cite_ref-24" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-24" title="">[25]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-25" title="">[26]</a></sup> The media noted at the time that the decision had apparently been made by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly" title="Sourav Ganguly">Sourav Ganguly</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-26" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-26" title="">[27]</a></sup> and Ganguly himself later admitted that it had been a mistake.<sup id="cite_ref-27" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-27" title="">[28]</a></sup> The controversy was put to rest when Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and coach John Wright spoke to the media after the team's victory and stated that the matter was spoken internally and put to rest.<sup id="cite_ref-28" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-28" title="">[29]</a></sup></p> <p>Although he was in strong form, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis_elbow" title="Tennis elbow">tennis elbow</a> then took its toll on Tendulkar, leaving him out of the side for most of the year, coming back only for the last two tests when <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_cricket_team" title="Australian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Australia</a> toured India in 2004. He played a part in India's victory in Mumbai in that series, though Australia took the series 2-1.</p> <p>On 10 December 2005, at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feroz_Shah_Kotla" title="Feroz Shah Kotla">Feroz Shah Kotla</a>, he scored record-breaking 35th Test century, against the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_cricket_team" title="Sri Lankan cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Sri Lankans</a>. On 6 February 2006, Tendulkar scored his 39th ODI hundred, in a match against Pakistan. He followed with a run-a-ball 42 in the second ODI against Pakistan on 11 February 2006, and then a 95 in hostile, seaming conditions on 13 February 2006 in Lahore, which set up an Indian victory.</p> <p>On 19 March 2006, after scoring an unconvincing 1 off 21 balls against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_cricket_team" title="English cricket team" class="mw-redirect">England</a> in the first innings of the third Test in his home ground, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankhede_Stadium" title="Wankhede Stadium">Wankhede</a>, Tendulkar was booed off the ground by a section of the crowd,<sup id="cite_ref-29" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-30" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> the first time that he had ever faced such flak. Tendulkar was to end the three-Test series without a single half-century to his credit, and news of a shoulder operation raised more questions about his longevity. Tendulkar was operated upon for his injured shoulder. In July 2006, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Board_of_Control_for_Cricket_in_India" title="Board of Control for Cricket in India">Board of Control for Cricket in India</a> (BCCI) announced that Tendulkar had overcome his injury problem following a rehabilitation programme and was available for selection, and he was eventually selected for the next series.</p> <p><a name="Return_to_form" id="Return_to_form"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Return to form</span></h3> <p>Tendulkar's comeback came in the DLF cup in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia" title="Malaysia">Malaysia</a> and he was the only Indian batsman to shine. In his comeback match, against West Indies on 14 September 2006, Tendulkar responded to his critics who believed that his career was inexorably sliding with his 40th ODI century. Though he scored 141*, West Indies won the rain-affected match by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duckworth-Lewis_method" title="Duckworth-Lewis method">D/L method</a>.</p> <p>In the preparation for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Cricket_World_Cup" title="2007 Cricket World Cup">2007 Cricket World Cup</a>, Tendulkar was criticized by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Chappell" title="Greg Chappell">Greg Chappell</a> on his attitude.<sup id="cite_ref-31" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-31" title="">[32]</a></sup> As per the report, Chappell felt that Tendulkar would be more useful down the order, while the latter felt that he would be better off opening the innings, the role he had played for most of his career. Chappell also believed that Tendulkar's repeated failures were hurting the team's chances. In a rare show of emotion, Tendulkar hit out at the comments attributed to Chappell by pointing out that no coach has ever suggested his attitude towards cricket is incorrect. On 7 April 2007, the Board of Control for Cricket in India issued a notice to Tendulkar asking for an explanation for his comments made to the media.<sup id="cite_ref-32" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-32" title="">[33]</a></sup></p> <p>At the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket_World_Cup_2007" title="Cricket World Cup 2007" class="mw-redirect">Cricket World Cup 2007</a> in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Indies" title="West Indies" class="mw-redirect">West Indies</a>, Tendulkar and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team" title="Indian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Indian cricket team</a>, led by Rahul Dravid had a dismal campaign. Tendulkar, who was pushed to bat lower down the order by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Chappell" title="Greg Chappell">Greg Chappell</a> had scores of 7 (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh_cricket_team" title="Bangladesh cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Bangladesh</a>), 57* (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bermuda_cricket_team" title="Bermuda cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Bermuda</a>) and 0 (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka_cricket_team" title="Sri Lanka cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Sri Lanka</a>). As a result, former Australian captain <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Chappell" title="Ian Chappell">Ian Chappell</a>, brother of the then Indian coach <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Chappell" title="Greg Chappell">Greg</a>, called for Tendulkar to retire in his column for Mumbai's Mid Day newspaper.<sup id="cite_ref-33" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-33" title="">[34]</a></sup></p> <p>In the subsequent series against Bangladesh, Tendulkar returned to his opening slot and was Man of the Series. He continued by scoring two consecutive scores of 90+ in the Future Cup against South Africa. He was the leading run scorer and was adjudged the Man of the Series.<sup id="cite_ref-34" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-34" title="">[35]</a></sup></p> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 182px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Tendulkar_closup.jpg" class="image" title="Tendulkar upon reaching his 38th Test century against Australia in the 2nd Test at the SCG in 2008, where he finished not out on 154"><img alt="Tendulkar upon reaching his 38th Test century against Australia in the 2nd Test at the SCG in 2008, where he finished not out on 154" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Tendulkar_closup.jpg/180px-Tendulkar_closup.jpg" class="thumbimage" width="180" border="0" height="195" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"> <div class="magnify"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Tendulkar_closup.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11" /></a></div> Tendulkar upon reaching his 38th Test century against Australia in the 2nd Test at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Cricket_Ground" title="Sydney Cricket Ground">SCG</a> in 2008, where he finished <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Not_out" title="Not out">not out</a> on 154</div> </div> </div> <p>On the second day of the Nottingham Test (28 July 2007) Tendulkar became the third cricketer to complete 11,000 Test runs.<sup id="cite_ref-35" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-35" title="">[36]</a></sup> In the subsequent One day series against England, Tendulkar was the leading run scorer from India<sup id="cite_ref-36" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-36" title="">[37]</a></sup> with an average of 53.42. In the ODI Series against Australia in October 2007 Tendulkar was the leading Indian run scorer with 278 runs.<sup id="cite_ref-37" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-37" title="">[38]</a></sup></p> <p>Tendulkar was dismissed seven times in 2007 between 90 and 100, including three times at 99, leading some to suggest that he struggles to cope with nerves in this phase of his career. Tendulkar has got out 23 times between 90 and 100 in his international career. On 8 November 2007 he got out on 99 against Pakistan in an ODI at Mohali to the bowling of Umar Gul caught by Kamran Akmal. In the fourth ODI, he got out on 97 (off 102 balls with 16 fours) after dragging a delivery from Umar Gul on to his stumps, falling short of another century in ODIs in 2007.</p> <p>In the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team_in_Australia_in_2007-08" title="Indian cricket team in Australia in 2007-08">Border-Gavaskar Trophy, 2007-08</a>, Tendulkar showed exceptional form, becoming the leading run scorer with 493 runs in four Tests, despite consistently failing in the second innings. Sachin scored 62 runs in the first innings of the first Test at the MCG in Melbourne, but couldn't prevent a heavy 337-run win for Australia. In the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Test,_2007-08_Border-Gavaskar_Trophy" title="Second Test, 2007-08 Border-Gavaskar Trophy">controversial New Years Test at Sydney</a>, Tendulkar scored an unbeaten 154 as India lost the Test. This was his third century at the SCG, earning him an average of 221.33 at the ground. In the third Test at the WACA in Perth, Sachin was instrumental in India's first innings score of 330, scoring a well compiled 71, only to be dismissed by what was later confirmed to be a questionable LBW decision. India went on to record a historic triumph at the WACA. In the fourth Test at Adelaide, which ended in a draw, he scored 153 in the first innings, involving in a crucial 126 run stand with V.V.S. Laxman for the fifth wicket to lead India to a score of 282 for 5 from 156 for 4. He secured the <i>Player of the Match</i> award.</p> <p>In the One-Day International Commonwealth Bank Tri-Series involving Sri Lanka and Australia, Sachin became the first and only batsman to complete 16,000 runs in ODIs. He achieved this feat against Sri Lanka on 5 February 2008 at Brisbane. He started the CB series well notching up scores of 10, 35, 44 and 32, but could not convert the starts into bigger scores. His form dipped a bit in the middle of the tournament, but Sachin came back strongly in India's must-win game against Sri Lanka at Hobart, scoring 63 off 54 balls. He finished the series with a match winning 117 not out of 120 balls in the first final,<sup id="cite_ref-38" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-38" title="">[39]</a></sup> and 91 runs in the second final.<sup id="cite_ref-39" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-39" title="">[40]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Style_of_play" id="Style_of_play"></a></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Style of play</span></h2> <p>Tendulkar is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambidextrous" title="Ambidextrous" class="mw-redirect">ambidextrous</a>: He bats, bowls, and throws with his right hand, but writes with his left hand.<sup id="cite_ref-40" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-40" title="">[41]</a></sup> He also practices left-handed throws at the nets on a regular basis. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricinfo" title="Cricinfo">Cricinfo</a> columnist Sambit Bal has described him as the "most wholesome batsman of his time".<sup id="cite_ref-CricinfoProfile_41-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-CricinfoProfile-41" title="">[42]</a></sup> His batting is based on complete balance and poise while limiting unnecessary movements and flourishes. He appears to show little preference for the slow and low wickets which are typical in India, and has scored many centuries on the hard, bouncy pitches in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean" title="Caribbean">Caribbean</a> Islands and Australia.<sup id="cite_ref-CricinfoProfile_41-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-CricinfoProfile-41" title="">[42]</a></sup> He is known for his unique punch style of hitting the ball over square. He is also renowned for his picture-perfect straight drive, often completed with no follow-through.</p> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Donald_Bradman" title="Sir Donald Bradman" class="mw-redirect">Sir Donald Bradman</a>, the greatest batsman of all time, considered Tendulkar to have a batting style similar to his. In his biography, it is stated that "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Donald_Bradman" title="Sir Donald Bradman" class="mw-redirect">Bradman</a> was most taken by Tendulkar's technique, compactness and shot production, and had asked his wife to have a look at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tendulkar" title="Tendulkar" class="mw-redirect">Tendulkar</a>, having felt that Tendulkar played like him. Bradman's wife, Jessie, agreed that they did appear similar."<sup id="cite_ref-42" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-42" title="">[43]</a></sup></p> <div class="floatleft"><span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Master_Blaster_at_work.jpg" class="image" title="Tendulkar at the crease."><img alt="Tendulkar at the crease." src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Master_Blaster_at_work.jpg/300px-Master_Blaster_at_work.jpg" width="300" border="0" height="199" /></a></span></div> <p>Former Australian cricket team coach <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buchanan_%28cricketer%29" title="John Buchanan (cricketer)">John Buchanan</a> voiced his opinion that Tendulkar had become susceptible to the short ball early in his innings because of a lack of footwork.<sup id="cite_ref-Sachinweakness_43-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-Sachinweakness-43" title="">[44]</a></sup> Buchanan also believes Tendulkar has a weakness while playing left-arm pace.<sup id="cite_ref-Sachinweakness_43-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-Sachinweakness-43" title="">[44]</a></sup>. He was affected by a series of injuries since 2004. Since then Tendulkar's batting has tended to be less attacking. Explaining this change in his batting style, he has acknowledged that he is batting differently due to that fact that (1) No batsman can bat the same way for the entire length of a long career and (2) He is a senior member of the team now and thus has more responsibility. During the early part of his career he was a more attacking batsman and frequently scored centuries at close to a run a ball. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Chappell" title="Ian Chappell">Ian Chappell</a>, former Australian player, recently remarked that "Tendulkar now, is nothing like the player he was when he was a young bloke".<sup id="cite_ref-Futuresuperstars_44-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-Futuresuperstars-44" title="">[45]</a></sup>. However, during the latest tour of Australia in 2008, Tendulkar displayed glimpses of his attacking style with several masterful innings, dominating attacks in a manner reminiscent of his younger days.</p> <p>While Tendulkar is not a regular bowler, he is adept at bowling <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_pace" title="Medium pace" class="mw-redirect">medium pace</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leg_spin" title="Leg spin">leg spin</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off_spin" title="Off spin">off spin</a> with equal ease. He often bowls when two batsmen of the opposite team have been batting together for a long period, and he can often be a useful partnership breaker. With his bowling, he has helped secure an Indian victory on more than one occasion.<sup id="cite_ref-45" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-45" title="">[46]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Career_achievements" id="Career_achievements"></a></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Career achievements</span></h2> <dl><dd> <div class="noprint relarticle mainarticle"><i>Main articles: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achievements_of_Sachin_Tendulkar" title="Achievements of Sachin Tendulkar">Achievements of Sachin Tendulkar</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ODI_Awards_for_Sachin_Tendulkar" title="List of ODI Awards for Sachin Tendulkar">List of ODI Awards for Sachin Tendulkar</a></i></div> </dd></dl> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 352px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sachin_Tendulkar_graph.png" class="image" title="An innings-by-innings breakdown of Tendulkar's Test match batting career, showing runs scored (red bars) and the average of the last ten innings (blue line)."><img alt="An innings-by-innings breakdown of Tendulkar's Test match batting career, showing runs scored (red bars) and the average of the last ten innings (blue line)." src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Sachin_Tendulkar_graph.png/350px-Sachin_Tendulkar_graph.png" class="thumbimage" width="350" border="0" height="204" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"> <div class="magnify"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sachin_Tendulkar_graph.png" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11" /></a></div> An innings-by-innings breakdown of Tendulkar's Test match batting career, showing runs scored (red bars) and the average of the last ten innings (blue line).</div> </div> </div> <p>Sachin Tendulkar is the most prolific run scorer in one-day internationals with 16,361 runs. With a current aggregate of 12,027 Test runs, he surpassed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Lara" title="Brian Lara">Brian Lara</a>'s previous record tally of 11,953 runs as the highest run scorer in test matches in the second Test of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Cricket_Team" title="Australian Cricket Team" class="mw-redirect">Australia</a>'s 2008 tour of India in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohali" title="Mohali">Mohali</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-CricInfo_Tendulkar_TestRunsRecord_7-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-CricInfo_Tendulkar_TestRunsRecord-7" title="">[8]</a></sup> <sup id="cite_ref-ABC_Tendulkar_TestRunsRecord_46-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-ABC_Tendulkar_TestRunsRecord-46" title="">[47]</a></sup> Sachin described “It is definitely the biggest achievement in 19 years of my career” on the day he achieved the record.<sup id="cite_ref-Tendulkar_scales_another_peak_47-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-Tendulkar_scales_another_peak-47" title="">[48]</a></sup> He also holds the record of highest number of centuries in both Test (39) and ODI cricket (42). Throughout his career, he has made a strong impact on Indian cricket and was, at one time, the foundation of most of the team's victories. In recognition with his impact on sport in a cricket-loving country like India, Tendulkar has been granted the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajiv_Gandhi_Khel_Ratna" title="Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna">Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arjuna_Award" title="Arjuna Award">Arjuna Award</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_Shri" title="Padma Shri">Padma Shri</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_Vibhushan" title="Padma Vibhushan">Padma Vibhushan</a> by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_India" title="Government of India">Government of India</a>. He was also elected Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1997 and is ranked by the objective scoring method of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisden_100" title="Wisden 100">Wisden 100</a> as the second best test batsman and best ODI batsman of all time.</p> <p>Tendulkar has also consistently done well in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket_World_Cup" title="Cricket World Cup">Cricket World Cups</a> (excluding the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Cricket_World_Cup" title="2007 Cricket World Cup">2007 Cricket World Cup</a> in which India were knocked out after only 3 matches). Tendulkar was the highest run scorer of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Cricket_World_Cup" title="2003 Cricket World Cup">2003 Cricket World Cup</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_Cricket_World_Cup" title="1996 Cricket World Cup">1996 Cricket World Cup</a>. Tendulkar has scored over 1000 runs in a calendar year in ODIs 7 times, and in one of these years he scored 1894 runs, easily the record for the highest number of runs scored by any player in a single calendar year for one day internationals. Tendulkar is also one of the very few players who are still playing in international cricket from the 1980s.</p> <p>He has been <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_of_the_Match" title="Man of the Match" class="mw-redirect">Man of the Match</a> 11 times in Test matches and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_of_the_Series" title="Man of the Series" class="mw-redirect">Man of the Series</a> 4 times,<sup id="cite_ref-48" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> out of them twice in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border-Gavaskar_Trophy" title="Border-Gavaskar Trophy">Border-Gavaskar Trophy</a> against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_cricket_team" title="Australian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Australia</a>. The performances earned him respect from Australian cricket fans and players.<sup id="cite_ref-Tendertouch_16-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-Tendertouch-16" title="">[17]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Individual_Honours" id="Individual_Honours"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Individual Honours</span></h3> <ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_Vibhushan" title="Padma Vibhushan">Padma Vibhushan</a>, India's second highest civilian award, 2008.<sup id="cite_ref-49" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-49" title="">[50]</a></sup></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICC_Awards" title="ICC Awards">ICC World ODI XI</a>: 2004, 2007</li><li>Player of the tournament in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Cricket_World_Cup" title="2003 Cricket World Cup">2003 Cricket World Cup</a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisden_Cricketer_of_the_Year" title="Wisden Cricketer of the Year" class="mw-redirect">Wisden Cricketer of the Year</a>: 1997</li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_Shri" title="Padma Shri">Padma Shri</a>, India's fourth highest civilian award, 1999.<sup id="cite_ref-50" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-50" title="">[51]</a></sup></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arjuna_Award" title="Arjuna Award">Arjuna Award</a>, by the Government of India in recognition of his outstanding achievement in Cricket, 1994.<sup id="cite_ref-51" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-51" title="">[52]</a></sup></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajiv_Gandhi_Khel_Ratna" title="Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna">Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna</a>, India’s highest honour given for achievement in sports, 1997-98.<sup id="cite_ref-52" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-52" title="">[53]</a></sup></li></ul> <p>In September 2007, former Australian leg-spinner <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Warne" title="Shane Warne">Shane Warne</a> published his list of 50 greatest cricketers ever, in which Sachin had secured the number 1 spot.<sup id="cite_ref-53" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-53" title="">[54]</a></sup> In January 2008, British Prime Minister <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Brown" title="Gordon Brown">Gordon Brown</a> suggested that Sachin should be conferred with an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_honorary_British_Knights" title="List of honorary British Knights">honorary knighthood</a> for his contribution to international cricket.<sup id="cite_ref-gordon_54-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-gordon-54" title="">[55]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Controversies" id="Controversies"></a></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Controversies</span></h2> <p><a name="Mike_Denness_incident" id="Mike_Denness_incident"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Mike Denness incident</span></h3> <dl><dd> <div class="noprint relarticle mainarticle"><i>Main article: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Denness_and_Indian_cricket_team_incident" title="Mike Denness and Indian cricket team incident">Mike Denness and Indian cricket team incident</a></i></div> </dd></dl> <p>In the second test of India's 2001 tour of South Africa, match referee <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Denness" title="Mike Denness">Mike Denness</a> fined 4 Indian players for excessive appealing as well as the Indian captain <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly" title="Sourav Ganguly">Sourav Ganguly</a> for not controlling his team.<sup id="cite_ref-55" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-55" title="">[56]</a></sup> Tendulkar was given a suspended ban of one game in light of alleged <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_tampering" title="Ball tampering">ball tampering</a>. Television cameras picked up images that suggested Tendulkar may have been involved in cleaning the seam of the cricket ball in the second <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_Cricket" title="Test Cricket" class="mw-redirect">test match</a> between <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team" title="Indian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">India</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_cricket_team" title="South African cricket team" class="mw-redirect">South Africa</a> at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahara_Oval_St_George%27s" title="Sahara Oval St George's">St George's Park</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Elizabeth" title="Port Elizabeth">Port Elizabeth</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-56" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-56" title="">[57]</a></sup> This can, under some conditions, amount to altering the condition of the ball. The match referee <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Denness" title="Mike Denness">Mike Denness</a> found Sachin Tendulkar guilty of ball tampering charges and handed him a one Test match ban.<sup id="cite_ref-57" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-57" title="">[58]</a></sup> The incident escalated to include allegations of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism" title="Racism">racism</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-58" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-58" title="">[59]</a></sup> and led to Mike Denness being barred from entering the venue of the third test match. After a thorough investigation, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Cricket_Council" title="International Cricket Council">International Cricket Council</a> revoked the official status of the match and the ban on Tendulkar was lifted. Tendulkar's ball tampering charges and Sehwag's ban for excessive appealing triggered a massive backlash from the Indian public and even the Indian parliament.<sup id="cite_ref-59" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-59" title="">[60]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Controversy_over_Ferrari_customs_waiver" id="Controversy_over_Ferrari_customs_waiver"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Controversy over Ferrari customs waiver</span></h3> <p>In commemorating Sachin Tendulkar's feat of equalling <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Bradman" title="Don Bradman" class="mw-redirect">Don Bradman's</a> 29 centuries in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_Cricket" title="Test Cricket" class="mw-redirect">Test Cricket</a>, automotive giant <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari" title="Ferrari">Ferrari</a> invited Sachin Tendulkar to its paddock in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverstone" title="Silverstone">Silverstone</a> on the eve of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Grand_Prix" title="British Grand Prix">British Grand Prix</a> (23 July 2002) to receive a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_360_Modena" title="Ferrari 360 Modena" class="mw-redirect">Ferrari 360 Modena</a> from the legendary F1 racer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Schumacher" title="Michael Schumacher">Michael Schumacher</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-60" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-60" title="">[61]</a></sup> On 4 September 2002 India's then finance minister <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaswant_Singh" title="Jaswant Singh">Jaswant Singh</a> wrote to Sachin telling him that the government will waive custom's duty imposed on the car as a measure to applaud his feat.<sup id="cite_ref-61" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-61" title="">[62]</a></sup> However the rules at the time stated that the customs duty can be waived only when receiving an automobile as a prize and not as a gift. It is claimed that the proposals to change the law (Customs Act) was put forth in Financial Bill in February 2003 and amended was passed as a law in May 2003. Subsequently the Ferrari was allowed to be brought to India without payment of the customs duty (Rs 1.13 Crores or 120% on the car value of Rs 75 Lakhs).<sup id="cite_ref-62" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-62" title="">[63]</a></sup> When the move to waive customs duty became public in July 2003, political and social activists protested the waiver<sup id="cite_ref-63" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-63" title="">[64]</a></sup> and filed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Interest_Litigation" title="Public Interest Litigation">PIL</a> in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delhi_High_Court" title="Delhi High Court">Delhi High Court</a>. With the controversy snowballing, Sachin offered to pay the customs duty and the tab was finally picked up by Ferrari.<sup id="cite_ref-64" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-64" title="">[65]</a></sup> Tendulkar has been seen taking his Ferrari 360 Modena for late-night drives in Mumbai.</p> <p><a name="Fan_following" id="Fan_following"></a></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Fan following</span></h2> <p>Sachin Tendulkar's entry into world cricket was very much hyped up by former Indian stars and those who had seen him play. By scoring his first half-century in his second match and his first century aged 17, Tendulkar's consistent performances earned him a fan following across the globe, including amongst Australian crowds, where Tendulkar has consistently scored centuries.<sup id="cite_ref-Tendertouch_16-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-Tendertouch-16" title="">[17]</a></sup> One of the most popular sayings by Sachin's fans is "Cricket is my religion and Tendulkar is my God".<sup id="cite_ref-gordon_54-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-gordon-54" title="">[55]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-65" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-65" title="">[66]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-66" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-66" title="">[67]</a></sup></p> <p>At home in Mumbai, Tendulkar's fan following is so great that he is unable to lead a normal life. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Chappell" title="Ian Chappell">Ian Chappell</a> has said that he would be unable to cope with the lifestyle Tendulkar was forced to lead, having to "wear a wig and go out and watch a movie only at night".<sup id="cite_ref-Futuresuperstars_44-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-Futuresuperstars-44" title="">[45]</a></sup> In an interview with Tim Sheridan, Tendulkar admitted that he sometimes went for quiet drives in the streets of Mumbai late at night when he would be able to enjoy some peace and silence.<sup id="cite_ref-TimSheridan_67-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-TimSheridan-67" title="">[68]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Business_Interests" id="Business_Interests"></a></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Business Interests</span></h2> <p>Tendulkar's immense popularity has led him to numerous profitable business dealings in the past. He currently has the most sponsorships out of all players in world cricket. Sachin Tendulkar was an early pioneer in India on cricket business dealings when he signed a then record sports management deal with Worldtel in 1995, the value of the deal being 30 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crore" title="Crore">crore</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupee" title="Rupee">rupees</a> over 5 years.<sup id="cite_ref-68" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-68" title="">[69]</a></sup> His next contract with WorldTel in 2001 was valued at 80 crores over 5 years.<sup id="cite_ref-69" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-69" title="">[70]</a></sup> In 2006, he signed a contract with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saatchi_and_Saatchi" title="Saatchi and Saatchi" class="mw-redirect">Saatchi and Saatchi</a>'s ICONIX values at 180 crores over 3 years.<sup id="cite_ref-70" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-70" title="">[71]</a></sup> He is the highest earning cricketer in the world.</p> <p>Making use of his popularity, Tendulkar has opened two restaurants: 'Tendulkar's'<sup id="cite_ref-71" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-71" title="">[72]</a></sup> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colaba" title="Colaba">Colaba</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai" title="Mumbai">Mumbai</a>) & 'Sachin's'<sup id="cite_ref-72" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-72" title="">[73]</a></sup> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulund" title="Mulund">Mulund</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai" title="Mumbai">Mumbai</a>). Sachin owns these restaurants in partnership with Sanjay Narang of Mars Restaurants. He has also got a new restaurant in Bangalore called Sachin's.</p> <p>In 2007, Tendulkar also announced a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Venture" title="Joint Venture" class="mw-redirect">JV</a> with the Future Group and Manipal Group to launch healthcare and sports fitness products under the brand name 'S Drive and Sach'.<sup id="cite_ref-73" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-73" title="">[74]</a></sup> A series of comic books by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Comics" title="Virgin Comics">Virgin Comics</a> is also due to be published featuring him as a superhero.<sup id="cite_ref-74" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-74" title="">[75]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Product_and_Brand_Endorsments" id="Product_and_Brand_Endorsments"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Product and Brand Endorsments</span></h3> <p>Sachin Tendulkar endorses the following products:</p> <ul><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepsi" title="Pepsi">Pepsi</a></b>: 1992 - Present<sup id="cite_ref-75" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-75" title="">[76]</a></sup></li><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_%28company%29" title="Canon (company)">Canon</a></b>: 2006 - 2009<sup id="cite_ref-76" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-76" title="">[77]</a></sup></li><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airtel" title="Airtel" class="mw-redirect">Airtel</a></b>: 2004-2006<sup id="cite_ref-77" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-77" title="">[78]</a></sup></li><li><b>Nazara Technologies</b>: 2005 - 2008. License for Mobile Content development based on Sachin.<sup id="cite_ref-78" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-78" title="">[79]</a></sup> <ul><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliance_Communications" title="Reliance Communications">Reliance Communications</a></b> sub-licensed brand 'Sachin Tendulkar' to update the user of the latest <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Cricket_World_Cup" title="2007 Cricket World Cup">2007 Cricket World Cup</a> scores and news in Sachin's voice. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutch" title="Hutch">Hutch</a> - ICC's prime communication sponsor protested calling Reliance's plan as 'ambush marketing', a charge that Reliance Communication denies.<sup id="cite_ref-79" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-79" title="">[80]</a></sup></li></ul> </li><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britannia_Industries" title="Britannia Industries">Britannia</a></b>: 2001 - 2007<sup id="cite_ref-80" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-80" title="">[81]</a></sup></li><li><b>HomeTrade</b>: 2001 - 2002<sup id="cite_ref-81" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-81" title="">[82]</a></sup></li><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITC_Limited" title="ITC Limited">Sunfeast</a></b>: 2007 - 2013/14<sup id="cite_ref-82" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-82" title="">[83]</a></sup></li><li><b>National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC)</b>: 2003 - 2005<sup id="cite_ref-83" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-83" title="">[84]</a></sup></li><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GlaxoSmithKline" title="GlaxoSmithKline">Boost</a></b>: 1990 - Present<sup id="cite_ref-84" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-84" title="">[85]</a></sup></li><li><b>Action Shoes</b>: 1995 - 2000<sup id="cite_ref-85" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-85" title="">[86]</a></sup></li><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adidas" title="Adidas">Adidas</a></b>: 2000-2010<sup id="cite_ref-86" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-86" title="">[87]</a></sup></li><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Palio" title="Fiat Palio">Fiat Palio</a></b>: 2001 to 2003<sup id="cite_ref-87" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-87" title="">[88]</a></sup></li><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newell_Rubbermaid" title="Newell Rubbermaid">Reynolds</a></b>: 2007 - Present<sup id="cite_ref-88" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-88" title="">[89]</a></sup></li><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVS,_India" title="TVS, India" class="mw-redirect">TVS</a></b>: 2002 - 2005<sup id="cite_ref-89" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-89" title="">[90]</a></sup></li><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESPN_Star_Sports" title="ESPN Star Sports">ESPN Star Sports</a></b>: 2002 - Present<sup id="cite_ref-90" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-90" title="">[91]</a></sup></li><li><b>G-Hanz</b>: 2005 - 2007<sup id="cite_ref-91" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-91" title="">[92]</a></sup></li><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanyo" title="Sanyo">Sanyo BPL</a></b>: 2007 - Present<sup id="cite_ref-92" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-92" title="">[93]</a></sup></li><li><b>AIDS Awareness Campaign</b>: 2005<sup id="cite_ref-93" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-93" title="">[94]</a></sup></li><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colgate-Palmolive" title="Colgate-Palmolive">Colgate-Palmolive</a></b><sup id="cite_ref-visa_94-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-visa-94" title="">[95]</a></sup></li><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philips" title="Philips">Philips</a></b><sup id="cite_ref-visa_94-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-visa-94" title="">[95]</a></sup></li><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madras_Rubber_Factory" title="Madras Rubber Factory">MRF</a></b><sup id="cite_ref-visa_94-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-visa-94" title="">[95]</a></sup></li><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_%28company%29" title="Visa (company)" class="mw-redirect">VISA</a></b><sup id="cite_ref-visa_94-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-visa-94" title="">[95]</a></sup></li></ul> <p><a name="Biographies" id="Biographies"></a></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Biographies</span></h2> <p>Sachin Tendulkar has been the subject of various books. The following is the listing of books focused on Tendulkar's career:</p> <ul><li><b>Sachin: The Story of the World's Greatest Batsman</b> by Gulu Ezekiel. Publisher: Penguin Global. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780143028543" class="internal">ISBN 978-0143028543</a><sup id="cite_ref-95" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-95" title="">[96]</a></sup></li><li><b>The A to Z of Sachin Tendulkar</b> by Gulu Ezekiel. Publisher: Penguin Global. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9788174765307" class="internal">ISBN 978-8174765307</a><sup id="cite_ref-96" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-96" title="">[97]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-97" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-97" title="">[98]</a></sup></li><li><b>Sachin Tendulkar-a definitive biography</b> by Vaibhav Purandare. Publisher: Roli Books. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/8174363602" class="internal">ISBN 8174363602</a><sup id="cite_ref-98" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-98" title="">[99]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-99" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-99" title="">[100]</a></sup></li><li><b>Sachin Tendulkar - Masterful</b> by Peter Murray, Ashish Shukla. Publisher: Rupa. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/8171678068" class="internal">ISBN 8171678068</a><sup id="cite_ref-100" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-100" title="">[101]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-101" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar#cite_note-101" title="">[102]</a></sup></li></ul>Sandeep Chowdharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365872210584131539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8036568751497057942.post-56247929830113494742008-10-18T12:32:00.000-07:002008-10-18T13:03:28.272-07:00Indian industrialist N R Narayana Murthy's Biography<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4SB9X3LrQBZWxwJFWAlw4ND4t2bBkP5XFNmtwTcKrSRYFprUM3ekoUqnW89fPK7H9T6CYU_SYaXJ-hDfMaQyQQ1JKoaniq9bXEemnJ3hWo1jcBwdSIvECRAdcmCBCsbM4L1Z7DOTILU/s1600-h/narayanamurthy1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4SB9X3LrQBZWxwJFWAlw4ND4t2bBkP5XFNmtwTcKrSRYFprUM3ekoUqnW89fPK7H9T6CYU_SYaXJ-hDfMaQyQQ1JKoaniq9bXEemnJ3hWo1jcBwdSIvECRAdcmCBCsbM4L1Z7DOTILU/s320/narayanamurthy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258579691329153794" border="0" /></a><br /><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Nagavara Ramarao Narayana Murthy</b>,(<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kannada_language" title="Kannada language">Kannada</a>: <span lang="kn">ನಾಗವಾರ ರಾಮರಾಯ ನಾರಾಯಣ ಮೂರ್ತಿ</span> ) better known as <b>N. R. Narayana Murthy</b>, is an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" title="India">Indian</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrialist" title="Industrialist" class="mw-redirect">industrialist</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_engineer" title="Software engineer" class="mw-redirect">software engineer</a> and one of the seven founders of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infosys_Technologies" title="Infosys Technologies" class="mw-redirect">Infosys Technologies</a>, a global consulting and IT services company based in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" title="India">India</a>. He is currently the non-executive Chairman and Chief Mentor of Infosys. He was the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Executive_Officer" title="Chief Executive Officer" class="mw-redirect">CEO</a> of the company for 21 years, from 1981 to 2002. After stepping down as CEO in 2002, he has broadened his scope of activities to social services as well as promoting India globally.</p> <p>Murthy's corporate and social vision has been appreciated globally and he is the recipient of several awards including <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_Vibushan" title="Padma Vibushan" class="mw-redirect">Padma Vibushan</a> - India's second highest civilian award.<br /><span class="mw-headline"></span></p><h2><span class="mw-headline">Early life</span></h2> <p>Born into a Kannada <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhva" title="Madhva">Madhva</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmin" title="Brahmin">Brahmin</a> family in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysore" title="Mysore">Mysore</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" title="India">India</a> on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_20" title="August 20">August 20</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1946" title="1946">1946</a>, Murthy graduated with a degree in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_engineering" title="Electrical engineering">electrical engineering</a> from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Institute_of_Engineering" title="National Institute of Engineering">National Institute of Engineering</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Mysore" title="University of Mysore">University of Mysore</a> in 1967 after attending government school, and received his master's degree from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IIT_Kanpur" title="IIT Kanpur" class="mw-redirect">IIT Kanpur</a> in 1969.</p> <p>His first position was at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IIM_Ahmedabad" title="IIM Ahmedabad" class="mw-redirect">IIM Ahmedabad</a> as chief <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_programmer" title="Systems programmer" class="mw-redirect">systems programmer</a> <sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-1" title="">[2]</a></sup> where he worked on a time-sharing system and designed and implemented a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" title="BASIC">BASIC</a> interpreter for ECIL (Electronics Corporation of India Limited).</p> <p>After <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IIM_Ahmedabad" title="IIM Ahmedabad" class="mw-redirect">IIM Ahmedabad</a>, he then joined <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patni_Computer_Systems" title="Patni Computer Systems">Patni Computer Systems</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pune" title="Pune">Pune</a>. Before moving to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai" title="Mumbai">Mumbai</a>, Murthy met his wife <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudha_Murthy" title="Sudha Murthy">Sudha Murthy</a> in Pune who at the time was an engineer working at Tata Engineering and Locomotive Co. Ltd. (Telco, now known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_Motors" title="Tata Motors">Tata Motors</a>) in Pune. In 1981, he founded Infosys with six other software professionals. He served as president of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASSCOM" title="NASSCOM">National Association of Software and Service Companies</a>, India from 1992 to 1994. Mr. Murthy is the brother-in-law of serial entrepreneur Gururaj "Desh" Deshpande and the uncle of former <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASSCOM" title="NASSCOM">NASSCOM</a> Chairman and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MphasiS" title="MphasiS">MphasiS</a> chief <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Rao" title="Jerry Rao">Jerry Rao</a></p> <p><a name="Corporate_Profile" id="Corporate_Profile"></a></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Corporate Profile</span></h2> <p>Murthy served as the founder <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEO" title="CEO" class="mw-redirect">CEO</a> of Infosys for 21 years, and was succeeded by co-founder <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nandan_Nilekani" title="Nandan Nilekani">Nandan Nilekani</a> in March 2002. He is the chairman of the governing body of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Institute_of_Information_Technology_-_Bangalore" title="International Institute of Information Technology - Bangalore">International Institute of Information Technology - Bangalore</a>, and was the Chairman of the Governing Body of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IIMA" title="IIMA" class="mw-redirect">Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad</a>. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Directors of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INSEAD" title="INSEAD">INSEAD</a>, Board of Overseers of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Pennsylvania" title="University of Pennsylvania">University of Pennsylvania</a>'s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wharton_School" title="Wharton School" class="mw-redirect">Wharton School</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornell_University" title="Cornell University">Cornell University</a> Board of Trustees, Business Advisory Council of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Lakes_Institute_of_Management" title="Great Lakes Institute of Management">Great Lakes Institute of Management</a> - Chennai, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_Management_University" title="Singapore Management University">Singapore Management University</a> Board of Trustees and the Board of Advisors for the William F. Achtmeyer Center for Global Leadership at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuck_School_of_Business" title="Tuck School of Business">Tuck School of Business</a>. Mr. Murthy also sits on the Board of Governors of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Institute_of_Management" title="Asian Institute of Management">Asian Institute of Management</a> (AIM), a graduate school of business located in the Philippines and is also the Chairman of the Board of Members of School of Management<a href="http://www.som.ait.ac.th/abso/sb.htm" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.som.ait.ac.th/abso/sb.htm" rel="nofollow">[2]</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Institute_of_Technology" title="Asian Institute of Technology">Asian Institute of Technology</a> (AIT) located in Bangkok, Thailand. He is the chairman of the <a href="http://www.asiabusinesscouncil.org/" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.asiabusinesscouncil.org" rel="nofollow">[3]</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Asia_Business_Council&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Asia Business Council (page does not exist)">Asia Business Council</a>, an organization headquartered in Hong Kong.</p> <p>He is also a member of the Advisory Boards and Councils of various well-known universities – such as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford" title="Stanford" class="mw-redirect">Stanford</a> Graduate School of Business, the Corporate Governance initiative at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard" title="Harvard" class="mw-redirect">Harvard</a> Business School, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yale" title="Yale" class="mw-redirect">Yale</a> University and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Tokyo" title="University of Tokyo">University of Tokyo</a>’s President's Council.</p> <p>Murthy serves as an independent director on the board of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DBS_Bank" title="DBS Bank">DBS Bank</a> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore" title="Singapore">Singapore</a>. This is the largest government-owned bank in Singapore. He also serves as a director on the Central Board of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reserve_Bank_of_India" title="Reserve Bank of India">Reserve Bank of India</a>, as the co-chairman of the Indo-British Partnership, as a member of the Prime Minister's council on trade and industry, as a member of the Asia Advisory Board of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BT_Group_plc" title="BT Group plc" class="mw-redirect">British Telecommunications plc.</a> and as a member of the Board of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NDTV" title="NDTV">NDTV</a>, India. He also serves as an independent director on the board of the European FMCG giant<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unilever" title="Unilever">Unilever</a>. He is an IT advisor to several Asian countries. He is also an Independent Director on the board of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HSBC" title="HSBC">HSBC</a>.</p> <p>He retired from his executive position at Infosys on 20th August, 2006. However, he continues as the Non-Executive Chairman of the board <sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-2" title="">[3]</a></sup>.</p> <p><a name="Accolades" id="Accolades"></a></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Accolades</span></h2> <p>Murthy has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors. In 2008, he was awarded the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_Vibhushan" title="Padma Vibhushan">Padma Vibhushan</a>, a second highest civilian award by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" title="India">India</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9gion_d%27honneur" title="Légion d'honneur">Légion d'honneur</a> highest civilan award by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France" title="France">France</a>. In 2000, he was awarded the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_Shri" title="Padma Shri">Padma Shri</a>, a civilian award by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_India" title="Government of India">Government of India</a>. He was the first recipient of the Indo-French Forum Medal (in the year 2003), awarded by the Indo-French Forum, in recognition of his role in promoting Indo-French ties. He was voted the World Entrepreneur of the Year - 2003 by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_%26_Young" title="Ernst & Young">Ernst & Young</a>. He was one of the two people named as Asia's Businessmen of the Year for 2003 by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortune_%28magazine%29" title="Fortune (magazine)">Fortune</a> magazine. In 2001, he was named by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TIME" title="TIME" class="mw-redirect">TIME</a> / <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNN" title="CNN">CNN</a> as one of the twenty-five, most influential global executives, a group selected for their lasting influence in creating new industries and reshaping markets. He was awarded the Max Schmidheiny Liberty 2001 prize ( Switzerland), in recognition of his promotion of individual responsibility and liberty. In 1999, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BusinessWeek" title="BusinessWeek">BusinessWeek</a> named him one of the nine entrepreneurs of the year and he was also featured in the BusinessWeek's 'The Stars of Asia' (for three successive years - 1998, 1999 and 2000). In 1998, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IITK" title="IITK" class="mw-redirect">Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur</a>, one of the premier institutes of higher learning in India, conferred on him the Distinguished Alumnus Award, and in 1996-97, he was awarded the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JRD_Tata" title="JRD Tata" class="mw-redirect">JRD Tata</a> Corporate Leadership Award.</p> <p>In December 2005, Narayana Murthy was voted as the 7th most admired CEO/Chairman in the world in a global study conducted by Burson-Marsteller with the Economist Intelligence Unit <a href="http://specials.rediff.com/money/2005/dec/15suman.htm" class="external autonumber" title="http://specials.rediff.com/money/2005/dec/15suman.htm" rel="nofollow">[4]</a>. The list included 14 others with distinguished names such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates" title="Bill Gates">Bill Gates</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs" title="Steve Jobs">Steve Jobs</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffett" title="Warren Buffett">Warren Buffett</a>. In May 2006, Narayana Murthy has, for the fifth year running, emerged the most admired business leader of India in a study conducted by Brand-comm, a leading Brand Consulting, Advertising and PR firm.</p> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Economist" title="The Economist">The Economist</a> ranked him 8th among the top 15 most admired global leaders (2005). He was ranked 28th among the world's most-respected business leaders by the Financial Times (2005). He topped the Economic Times Corporate Dossier list of India's most powerful CEOs for two consecutive years – 2004 and 2005.</p> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TIME" title="TIME" class="mw-redirect">TIME</a> magazine’s “Global Tech Influentials” list (August 2004) named Mr. Murthy as one of the ten leaders who are helping shape the future of technology. In November 2006, TIME magazine again voted him as one of the Asian heroes who have brought about revolutionary changes in Asia in the last 60 years. The list featured people who have had a significant impact on Asian history over the past 60 years and it included others such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahatma_Gandhi" title="Mahatma Gandhi" class="mw-redirect">Mahatma Gandhi</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalai_Lama" title="Dalai Lama">Dalai Lama</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_Teresa" title="Mother Teresa">Mother Teresa</a>,<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali_Jinnah" title="Muhammad Ali Jinnah">Muhammad Ali Jinnah</a> etc.</p> <p>He was the first recipient of the Indo-French Forum Medal (2003), awarded by the Indo-French Forum in recognition of his role in promoting Indo-French ties. He was voted the World Entrepreneur of the Year – 2003 by Ernst and Young. He was one of two people named as Asia's Businessmen of the Year for 2003 by Fortune magazine. In 2001, he was named by TIME/CNN as one of the 25 most influential global executives, selected for their lasting influence in creating new industries and reshaping markets. He was awarded the Max Schmidheiny Liberty 2001 prize (Switzerland), in recognition of his promotion of individual responsibility and liberty. In 1999, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BusinessWeek" title="BusinessWeek">BusinessWeek</a> named him one of their nine Entrepreneurs of the Year, and he was featured in BusinessWeek's 'The Stars of Asia' for three successive years – 1998, 1999 and 2000. He was recently awarded the Commander of the British Order (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBE" title="CBE" class="mw-redirect">CBE</a>) by the British government.</p> <p><a name="Controversies" id="Controversies"></a></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Controversies</span></h2> <p>Narayana Murthy's trait of plain-speak and honesty has landed him in many altercations with local political leaders. While the political leaders insist that Narayana Murthy was eyeing India's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_India" title="President of India">presidential nomination</a>, Narayana Murthy has repeated many times that he has no interest in politics.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-3" title="">[4]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-4" title="">[5]</a></sup></p> <p>The former <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_India" title="President of India">President of India</a>, Dr. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._P._J._Abdul_Kalam" title="A. P. J. Abdul Kalam" class="mw-redirect">A. P. J. Abdul Kalam</a> visited Infosys campus on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_8" title="April 8">April 8</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007" title="2007">2007</a> and during the event, the instrumental version of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_anthem_of_India" title="National anthem of India" class="mw-redirect">Indian national anthem</a> was played instead of a recital. When a newsreporter asked for explanation, Narayana Murthy replied that he didn't want to embarrass his foreign guests leading to protests from various a wide section of politicians and social activitists. Narayana Murthy quickly apologized for the incident<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-5" title="">[6]</a></sup> but political parties insisted on action against him.<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-6" title="">[7]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-rediffslide_7-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-rediffslide-7" title="">[8]</a></sup> While the lower courts issued summons to Murthy for explanation, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Court_of_Karnataka" title="High Court of Karnataka" class="mw-redirect">High Court of Karnataka</a> quashed all proceedings on the case because of lack of any substance in the charges against Murthy<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-8" title="">[9]</a></sup> The controversy however deflected attention from the fact that Abdul Kalam thought highly of Narayana Murthy for the post of President of India.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-9" title="">[10]</a></sup></p> <p>Narayana Murthy was critical of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandh" title="Bandh">bandh</a> (forced closure of business) call by politicians protesting against the decision of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaveri_river_water_dispute" title="Kaveri river water dispute" class="mw-redirect">Kaveri river water dispute</a><sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-10" title="">[11]</a></sup> leading to protests from political activists against Murthy.<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-11" title="">[12]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-rediffslide_7-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-rediffslide-7" title="">[8]</a></sup> Earlier in 2005, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deve_Gowda" title="Deve Gowda" class="mw-redirect">Deve Gowda</a>, former <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_India" title="Prime Minister of India">Indian PM</a>, accused Murthy of "double-talk" when Murthy expressed his concerns on the state of Bangalore infrastructure. In response, Murthy resigned from the post of Chairman for the then upcoming greenfield International airport project (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIAL" title="BIAL" class="mw-redirect">BIAL</a>) taking offense to the assertion that he didn't spend adequate time in the project.<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-12" title="">[13]</a></sup> Murthy also replied to every point raised by Gowda on land acquisition by Infosys leading the ex-PM to go silent.<sup id="cite_ref-rediffslide_7-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-rediffslide-7" title="">[8]</a></sup></p> <p>As Chairman of The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Institute_of_Management,_Ahmedabad" title="Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad" class="mw-redirect">Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad</a>, Narayana Murthy spoke his mind on the Human Resource Development Ministry's action to reduce admission fee<sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-13" title="">[14]</a></sup> as well as the move to decline permission to the institute for setting up of global campus. In both cases, the HRD ministers had to concede to Murthy after public spats.<sup id="cite_ref-rediffslide_7-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-rediffslide-7" title="">[8]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Quotes" id="Quotes"></a></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Quotes</span></h2> <ul><li>“Our assets walk out of the door each evening. We have to make sure that they come back the next morning.” <a href="http://www.infosys.com/about/cases/INFOSYS6%20case%20withchanges.pdf" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.infosys.com/about/cases/INFOSYS6%20case%20withchanges.pdf" rel="nofollow">[5]</a></li></ul> <ul><li>“Performance leads to recognition. Recognition brings respect. Respect enhances power. Humility and grace in one's moments of power enhances dignity of an organisation,” <a href="http://www.ciol.com/content/news/2006/106061407.asp" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.ciol.com/content/news/2006/106061407.asp" rel="nofollow">[6]</a></li></ul> <ul><li>“The real power of money is the power to give it away.” <a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20050123/ai_n9699057" class="external autonumber" title="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20050123/ai_n9699057" rel="nofollow">[7]</a></li></ul> <ul><li>“In God we trust, everybody else bring data to the table.” <a href="http://www.rediff.com/money/2006/aug/28forbes.htm" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.rediff.com/money/2006/aug/28forbes.htm" rel="nofollow">[8]</a></li></ul> <ul><li>“Progress is often equal to the difference between mind and mindset.” <a href="http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2006/03/17/stories/2006031700230300.htm" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2006/03/17/stories/2006031700230300.htm" rel="nofollow">[9]</a></li></ul> <ul><li>“I want Infosys to be a place where people of different genders, nationalities, races and religious beliefs work together in an environment of intense competition but utmost harmony, courtesy and dignity to add more and more value to our customers day after day.” <a href="http://www.ciol.com/content/news/2006/106061407.asp" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.ciol.com/content/news/2006/106061407.asp" rel="nofollow">[10]</a></li></ul> <ul><li>"Ships are safest in the harbor but they are not meant to be there. They have to sail long and hard and face stormy seas to reach the comfort of a desirable destination" <a href="http://www.ciol.com/content/news/2006/106061407.asp" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.ciol.com/content/news/2006/106061407.asp" rel="nofollow">[11]</a></li></ul> <p><a name="Awards" id="Awards"></a></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Awards</span></h2> <ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_Shri" title="Padma Shri">Padma Shri</a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_Vibhushan" title="Padma Vibhushan">Padma Vibhushan</a></li><li>Officer of the Legion of Honour - Government of France<sup id="cite_ref-legion_14-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_R_Narayana_Murthy#cite_note-legion-14" title="">[15]</a></sup></li></ul>Sandeep Chowdharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365872210584131539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8036568751497057942.post-1435295578391228842008-10-18T12:42:00.000-07:002008-10-18T13:02:20.616-07:00Iceman Steve Waugh's Biography<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtG3MJEP7aieRtLjuJPOOmNwhw-YGqI3I9U7o6iJvHxcn0euKN3wA3r2ZTbUCwsCaIxm23s6ZL8pgd2kW2D6UFR3QYQKTe7fnV-0-jA6JacrvXM63-ac7_bMvPsb_Pj4lSljIvDIaq68/s1600-h/SRWaugh.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtG3MJEP7aieRtLjuJPOOmNwhw-YGqI3I9U7o6iJvHxcn0euKN3wA3r2ZTbUCwsCaIxm23s6ZL8pgd2kW2D6UFR3QYQKTe7fnV-0-jA6JacrvXM63-ac7_bMvPsb_Pj4lSljIvDIaq68/s320/SRWaugh.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258583013075526002" border="0" /></a><br /><b><br />Stephen Rodger Waugh</b>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Australia" title="Order of Australia">AO</a> (born 2 June 1965 in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canterbury,_New_South_Wales" title="Canterbury, New South Wales">Canterbury, New South Wales</a>) is a former Australian cricketer and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twins" title="Twins" class="mw-redirect">fraternal twin</a> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Waugh" title="Mark Waugh">Mark Waugh</a> who <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_national_cricket_captains" title="Australian national cricket captains">captained</a> the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_cricket_team" title="Australian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Australian</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_cricket" title="Test cricket">Test cricket</a> team from 1999 to 2004. He is the most capped Test player in history with 168 appearances. He is known amongst friends as "Tugga" (as in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tug_of_war" title="Tug of war">tug of war</a>), and amongst the public as "Iceman" for his ability to remain calm and cool in high-pressure situations throughout his career.<sup id="cite_ref-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-0" title="">[1]</a></sup> He was named <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_of_the_Year" title="Australian of the Year">Australian of the Year</a> in 2004.<br /><br /><h2><span class="mw-headline">Early life</span></h2> <dl><dd> <div class="noprint relarticle mainarticle"><i>Main article: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_life_of_Mark_and_Steve_Waugh" title="Early life of Mark and Steve Waugh">Early life of Mark and Steve Waugh</a></i></div> </dd></dl> <p>Born at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canterbury_Hospital" title="Canterbury Hospital">Canterbury Hospital</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campsie,_New_South_Wales" title="Campsie, New South Wales">Campsie, New South Wales</a> on 2 June 1965, Waugh was one of twin boys born to Rodger and Beverley Waugh. He arrived four minutes before <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Waugh" title="Mark Waugh">Mark</a>. His father was a bank official and his mother was a teacher within the New South Wales Department of Education.<sup id="cite_ref-born_1-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-born-1" title="">[2]</a></sup> The family settled in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Sydney" title="Western Sydney" class="mw-redirect">western Sydney</a> suburb of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panania,_New_South_Wales" title="Panania, New South Wales">Panania</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-2" title="">[3]</a></sup> The twins were later joined by two more brothers, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dean_Waugh&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dean Waugh (page does not exist)">Dean</a> and Danny.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-3" title="">[4]</a></sup> From an early age, the parents introduced their children to sport.<sup id="cite_ref-k8_4-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k8-4" title="">[5]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-p348_5-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p348-5" title="">[6]</a></sup> By the age of six, the twins were playing organised <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_%28soccer%29" title="Football (soccer)" class="mw-redirect">soccer</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis" title="Tennis">tennis</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket" title="Cricket">cricket</a>. In their first cricket match, the brothers were both dismissed for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_%28cricket%29" title="Duck (cricket)">ducks</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-k11_6-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k11-6" title="">[7]</a></sup></p> <p>The twins came from a sporting family. Their paternal grandfather Edward was a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greyhound_racing" title="Greyhound racing">greyhound</a> trainer. Raised in the northern coastal town of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangalow" title="Bangalow" class="mw-redirect">Bangalow</a>, Edward earned selection for the New South Wales Country team in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_league" title="Rugby league">rugby league</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-7" title="">[8]</a></sup> He was about to join Eastern Suburbs in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales_Rugby_League" title="New South Wales Rugby League">New South Wales Rugby League</a>, but had to give up his career due to family reasons.<sup id="cite_ref-k8_4-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k8-4" title="">[5]</a></sup> Rodger was Edward's only son and was promising <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis" title="Tennis">tennis</a> player, who was ranked eighth in Australia in his junior years and was the state champion at under-14 level.<sup id="cite_ref-k8_4-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k8-4" title="">[5]</a></sup> On the maternal side, Bev was a tennis player who won the under-14 singles at the South Australian Championships. Her eldest brother Dion Bourne was an opening batsman who played for Bankstown in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Grade_Cricket" title="Sydney Grade Cricket">Sydney Grade Cricket</a> and remains the leading runscorer in the club's history.<sup id="cite_ref-k8_4-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k8-4" title="">[5]</a></sup></p> <p>The twins made their first representative cricket team when they were selected the Bankstown District under-10s at the age of eight.<sup id="cite_ref-k12_8-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k12-8" title="">[9]</a></sup> In 1976, the twins were the youngest ever to be selected in the New South Wales Primary Schools' soccer team. Playing for Panania Primary School, the twins swept their school to win the Umbro International Shield, a statewide knockout soccer competition, scoring all of their team's three goals in the final.<sup id="cite_ref-k14_9-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k14-9" title="">[10]</a></sup> They were a key part of their school's consecutive state cricket championships,<sup id="cite_ref-k14_9-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k14-9" title="">[10]</a></sup> and were part of school tennis team that came second in the state in their final year.<sup id="cite_ref-k15_10-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k15-10" title="">[11]</a></sup> In his final year, Steve was the vice-captain of the cricket team and captained the state soccer team.<sup id="cite_ref-k15_10-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k15-10" title="">[11]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-p348_5-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p348-5" title="">[6]</a></sup> The twins were instrumental in New South Wales winning the cricket carnival without a defeat, in one match combining in a partnership of 150.<sup id="cite_ref-p348_5-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p348-5" title="">[6]</a></sup></p> <p>By this time, the increasing time demands led to conflicts between the sports, and were in one case delisted from a team due to a conflict of commitments.<sup id="cite_ref-k15_10-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k15-10" title="">[11]</a></sup> The twins progressed to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Hills_Boys_Technology_High_School" title="East Hills Boys Technology High School">East Hills Boys Technology High School</a>, which had a history of producing Australian international representatives in a number of sports.<sup id="cite_ref-k17_11-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k17-11" title="">[12]</a></sup> Aged 13, the twins were invited by their uncle Bourne, then the captain of Bankstown's first grade team, to trial for the club's under-16 team for the Green Shield, and both were selected. Aged fourteen, both made their senior grade cricket debut in 1979–1980, playing in the Fourth XI. The twins broke into East Hills Boys First XI in the same season,<sup id="cite_ref-k18_12-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k18-12" title="">[13]</a></sup> and achieved the same level in soccer.<sup id="cite_ref-k19_13-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k19-13" title="">[14]</a></sup> In 1980–81 the brothers were elevated to the Third XI mid-season.<sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-14" title="">[15]</a></sup></p> <p>The brothers often won formed a two man team—in one match taking 16/85 between them.<sup id="cite_ref-k21_15-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k21-15" title="">[16]</a></sup> At the end of 1980, the twins were selected in the state under-16 team for the national carnival.<sup id="cite_ref-k22_16-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k22-16" title="">[17]</a></sup> The pair changed soccer teams to play in the reserve grade for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_United" title="Sydney United">Sydney Croatia</a> in the state league being paid small amounts in the professional league. However, they quickly left as their cricket careers increasingly demanded more time.<sup id="cite_ref-k23_17-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k23-17" title="">[18]</a></sup></p> <p>The brothers were promoted to Bankstown's Second XI,<sup id="cite_ref-k23_17-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k23-17" title="">[18]</a></sup> before being selected for the First XI in the 1982–83 season, aged 17, both making their debut against Western Suburbs. However, Waugh was dropped back to the Second XI,<sup id="cite_ref-k24_18-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k24-18" title="">[19]</a></sup> He was regarded as an aggressive player, something that characterised his early international career.<sup id="cite_ref-p348_5-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p348-5" title="">[6]</a></sup></p> <p>The twins finished high school at the end of 1983.<sup id="cite_ref-k27_19-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k27-19" title="">[20]</a></sup> In 1983–84, both were members of New South Wales Combined High Schools and the state under-19 team.<sup id="cite_ref-k26_20-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k26-20" title="">[21]</a></sup> Waugh made 170 against Great Public Schools.<sup id="cite_ref-p349_21-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p349-21" title="">[22]</a></sup> The brothers were then selected for Australia for the first time. They had been named in the national under-19 team to play a Test and ODI series against the touring Sri Lankan counterparts.<sup id="cite_ref-k27_19-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k27-19" title="">[20]</a></sup></p> <p>The under-19 series pitted several future international players against one another.<sup id="cite_ref-k29_22-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k29-22" title="">[23]</a></sup> Waugh scored 187 in the Third Test at Melbourne as Australia won 1–0.<sup id="cite_ref-k29_22-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k29-22" title="">[23]</a></sup> After leaving high school, Waugh enrolled in a teaching course, but withdrew after a few lectures.<sup id="cite_ref-p349_21-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p349-21" title="">[22]</a></sup> He made his maiden First XI century during the seasonwith tons against Sydney University and Waverley.<sup id="cite_ref-p349_21-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p349-21" title="">[22]</a></sup></p> <p>At the start of the 1984–85 season, the brothers were included in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales_Blues" title="New South Wales Blues">New South Wales</a> state squad.<sup id="cite_ref-k33_23-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k33-23" title="">[24]</a></sup></p> <p>At the end of the season, the twins signed a contract to spend the Australian winter to play for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Egerton_Cricket_Club&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Egerton Cricket Club (page does not exist)">Egerton</a> in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bolton_League&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Bolton League (page does not exist)">Bolton League</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancashire" title="Lancashire">Lancashire</a> in northern England. Each club was allowed to have one professional; Steve was officially designated as such but would split the earnings with Mark. The twins were billeted with a local family.<sup id="cite_ref-k36_24-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k36-24" title="">[25]</a></sup> However, during the year, an Australian rebel tour to South Africa was staged, breaking the boycott against the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartheid" title="Apartheid" class="mw-redirect">apartheid</a> regime. Some players defected from the Australian Test team to play in South Africa. This resulted in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Gilbert" title="Dave Gilbert">Dave Gilbert</a> being promoted to the national squad, forcing him to forfeit his Esso scholarship, which allowed him to play Second XI cricket in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Championship" title="County Championship">County Championship</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-k37_25-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k37-25" title="">[26]</a></sup> Steve was selected to replace Gilbert with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essex_County_Cricket_Club" title="Essex County Cricket Club">Essex</a>, leaving Mark as the lone professional.<sup id="cite_ref-k38_26-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k38-26" title="">[27]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="International_career" id="International_career"></a></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">International career</span></h2> <p><a name="Early_international_career" id="Early_international_career"></a></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Early international career</span></h3> <p>Waugh made his first-class debut for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales_Blues" title="New South Wales Blues">New South Wales</a> (NSW) in 1984–85,<sup id="cite_ref-p349_21-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p349-21" title="">[22]</a></sup> batting at number nine and bowling medium pace.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since May 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> In the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pura_Cup" title="Pura Cup" class="mw-redirect">Sheffield Shield</a> final that season, he scored 71<sup id="cite_ref-p349_21-4" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p349-21" title="">[22]</a></sup> while batting with the tail to help NSW to victory. After nine first-class matches for NSW,<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since May 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> he made his Test debut against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team" title="Indian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">India</a> in the 1985–86 season, in the Second Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne_Cricket_Ground" title="Melbourne Cricket Ground">Melbourne</a>. He scored 13 and 5 and took 2/36 in the first innings.<sup id="cite_ref-p350_27-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p350-27" title="">[28]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> Failing to make a substantial score in the series (he tallied 26 runs in four innings), Waugh was retained for the subsequent tour of New Zealand. He had a good all-round match in the Second Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMI_Stadium" title="AMI Stadium">Christchurch</a>, making 74 and claiming 4/56, but his batting average was only 17.40 for the series, scoring 86 runs.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> Waugh had more success in the one-day format during the season. He made his debut against New Zealand at the MCG and took 1/13 and a catch. He did not bat as the match was washed out.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> He was retained for all of Australia's 12 matches in the triangular tournament, scoring 266 runs at 38.00 with two half-centuries, including a top score of 81 in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_Day" title="Australia Day">Australia Day</a> victory over India.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> He took seven wickets at 33.00.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup> Waugh was retained for all four ODIs on the tour of New Zealand, scoring 111 runs at 27.75 and taking four wickets at 3975.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>The Australian selectors persisted with Waugh, and he toured India in 1986, despite having scored only 113 runs at 12.56 in his Test career.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> During the three Tests, Waugh had limited opportunities and scored 59 runs for once out and took two wickets. At this stage of his career, Waugh bore a heavy workload as a bowler although he was ostensibly selected for his batting.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since May 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> He played in all six ODIs on tour, scoring 111 runs at 55.50 and taking seven wickets at 35.86.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-4" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>He bowled a long spell, taking 3/76, in the First Test against England at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brisbane_Cricket_Ground" title="Brisbane Cricket Ground" class="mw-redirect">Brisbane</a> in 1986–87, then scored 0 and 28 as Australia slumped to defeat. In the Second Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WACA_Ground" title="WACA Ground">Perth</a>, he made 71 and had match figures of 5/159 including 5/69 in the second innings, then he scored 79 not out in the drawn Third Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelaide_Oval" title="Adelaide Oval">Adelaide</a>. Scores of 49 and 73 in the last two Tests, gave him series figures of 310 runs (at 44.29) and ten wickets (at 33.60), a fighting effort in a team defeated 1–2. The win in the Fifth Test was the first time that Waugh was in a victorious Test team, in his 13th match.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-p351_31-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p351-31" title="">[32]</a></sup> Waugh played in all of Australia's 13 ODIs for the home season, scoring 372 runs at 37.20 with two half-centuries and taking 21 wickets at 21.80.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-5" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-4" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> Waugh regularly performed with both bat and ball. In a match against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan_national_cricket_team" title="Pakistan national cricket team">Pakistan</a>, he scored 82 and then took 4/48 but could not stop the visitors taking a one-wicket victory from the second last ball. He then scored 83* and took 2/30 in an Australia Day victory on England.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-6" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-5" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> He was unable to maintain his form in the finals, scoring one and 1 and taking a total of 1/78 as England won 2–0.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-7" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-6" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup><!--Sharjah --></p> <p>Early in his international career, Waugh was a natural, uninhibited strokeplayer who liked to drive off the back foot. He could score quickly, but was inconsistent at Test level<sup id="cite_ref-32" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-32" title="">[33]</a></sup> and seemed better suited to ODI cricket.<sup id="cite_ref-az_33-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-az-33" title="">[34]</a></sup> In the shorter game, he often accelerated the scoring in the later overs of the innings. As a bowler, he employed a carefully disguised slower ball bowled from the back of the hand,<sup id="cite_ref-az_33-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-az-33" title="">[34]</a></sup> and regularly sent down the final overs, when this change of pace was difficult to score from.</p> <p><a name="1987_World_Cup"></a></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">1987 World Cup</span></h3> <p>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1987_Cricket_World_Cup" title="1987 Cricket World Cup">1987 World Cup</a>, played on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_subcontinent" title="Indian subcontinent">Indian subcontinent</a>, was the turning point of Waugh's career. Australia began the tournament as 18–1 outsiders.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since August 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> Having scored 19* in the death overs against India in the first match, Waugh's tight bowling in the closing overs finished with his dismissal of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maninder_Singh" title="Maninder Singh">Maninder Singh</a> in the final over, which secured a one-run victory.<sup id="cite_ref-az_33-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-az-33" title="">[34]</a></sup> In the following match against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimbabwe_national_cricket_team" title="Zimbabwe national cricket team">Zimbabwe</a>, Waugh scored 45 before conceding only seven runs in six overs of bowling as the Australians won by 96 runs.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-8" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-7" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> In the following match against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_cricket_team" title="New Zealand cricket team" class="mw-redirect">New Zealand</a>, Waugh bowled the last over with the Kiwis requiring seven runs for victory: he restricted them to only three runs by taking three wickets in the over.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since May 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> He ended with 2/36, as one of the last over wickets was a run out.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since August 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-9" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup></p> <p>In the second round robin rotation, Waugh took 1/59 and scored 42 in a 56-run loss to India, before taking 2/37 in a 17-run win over New Zealand. In Australia's final group match, Waugh scored 10* before taking 1/9 from four overs in a 70-run win over Zimbabwe. Australia qualified for the semi-finals and faced co-hosts <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistani_cricket_team" title="Pakistani cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Pakistan</a> on their home soil in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahore" title="Lahore">Lahore</a>. Batting first, Waugh hit 16 from the final over of the innings in a cameo of 32*,<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-10" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-8" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> a match that Australia won by 18 runs.<sup id="cite_ref-az_33-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-az-33" title="">[34]</a></sup> In the final, he scored an unbeaten five in a brief innings at the end of the innings. He was a key player as Australia defended a target of 254 against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_cricket_team" title="England cricket team">England</a> at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eden_Gardens" title="Eden Gardens">Kolkata</a>. He claimed the wickets of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Lamb" title="Allan Lamb">Allan Lamb</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_DeFreitas" title="Phillip DeFreitas">Phillip DeFreitas</a> in the 47th and 49th overs as England stumbled towards the end of the run-chase. Australia won by seven runs to claim the World Cup for the first time.<sup id="cite_ref-az_33-4" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-az-33" title="">[34]</a></sup> Waugh compiled 167 runs at 55.66 and took 11 wickets at 26.18.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-11" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup> These performances in tight situations earned him the nickname of "Iceman".<sup id="cite_ref-p351_31-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p351-31" title="">[32]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Breakthrough_tour" id="Breakthrough_tour"></a></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Breakthrough tour</span></h3> <p>However, Waugh continued to be inconsistent in Test matches. He made only 194 runs at 32.33 in five Tests in 1987–88 against the touring New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka teams.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-4" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> His bowling helped to keep him in the team, with nine wickets at 29.67.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-5" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> Waugh's ODI form remained strong, playing in all of Australia's 11 ODIs for the season, scoring 226 runs at 32.29 and taking 18 wickets at 23.50. He scored one half-century and took a haul of 4/33 in one match against Sri Lanka.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-12" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-9" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>A Test tour of Pakistan in late 1988 was unproductive, with 92 runs at 18.40 with one half century and two wickets at 108.00.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-6" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> In 1988–89 against the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Indies_cricket_team" title="West Indies cricket team">West Indies</a>, Waugh mixed some batting failures with two entertaining innings of 90 and 91 on the faster pitches of Brisbane and Perth, respectively. He bowled a series of bouncers at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viv_Richards" title="Viv Richards">Viv Richards</a> at Brisbane and claimed 3/77 and 5/92 in the Third Test at Melbourne. Of Waugh's spell at Brisbane, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_O%27Reilly_%28cricketer%29" title="Bill O'Reilly (cricketer)">Bill O'Reilly</a> wrote:</p> <blockquote> <p>The most significant incident of the Brisbane Test … was the salutation young Steve Waugh served up, in the form of three consecutive bouncers, to visiting captain Viv Richards … I took it immediately as an uncompromising message to the opposing skipper that Waugh was sick to death of the bouncer policy that the West Indies have for so long adopted as their standard method of attack.<sup id="cite_ref-34" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-34" title="">[35]</a></sup></p> </blockquote> <p>Waugh continued to perform strongly in the ODIs, scoring 270 runs as 38.57 and taking seven wickets at 49.42. His highest score and best bowling analysis occurred in the same match, taking 3/57 before scoring 54 against West Indies in Melbourne. Depsite this, Australia still lost the match.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-13" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-10" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>Heading into the 1989 Ashes series, Waugh's batting average was 30.52 from 26 Tests.<sup id="cite_ref-35" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-35" title="">[36]</a></sup> In the three-match ODI series that preceded the Tests, Waugh scored 113 runs at 37.66 and took three wickets at 54.00.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-14" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-11" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>Waugh finally scored his maiden Test century, 177 not out in the First Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headingley_Stadium" title="Headingley Stadium">Leeds</a>. It was a free flowing innings marked by square driving, in just over five hours of batting which helped Australia set the platform for a win with a large first innings. He followed this with an unbeaten 152 in the Second Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord%27s" title="Lord's" class="mw-redirect">Lord's</a>, adeptly shepherding his tailend partners to help Australia set up a winning 242 run lead in the first innings. He was not dismissed until the fist innings of the Third Test for 43, by which time he had amassed 393 runs. Waugh scored 92 in the Fourth Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Trafford_Cricket_Ground" title="Old Trafford Cricket Ground">Old Trafford</a> in another win. He did not pass 20 in either of the last two Tests and finished the series with 506 runs at 126.5. He bowled less frequently, with only two wickets in the six Tests. It was on this tour that he first experienced back problems that would hinder his bowling. On the brief tour of India for the Nehru Cup ODI tournament that followed the Ashes series, Waugh played as a specialist batsman for the first time.<sup id="cite_ref-36" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-36" title="">[37]</a></sup> He scored 88 runs at 22.00 and did not bowl a ball.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-15" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup></p> <p>As Australia returned home for the 1989/90 international season. He scored 378 runs at 37.8 in the six Tests in Australia and the one off Test in New Zealand. The highlight was an unbeaten 134 against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_cricket_team" title="Sri Lankan cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Sri Lanka</a> in the Second Test in Hobart. This followed twin half centuries in the First Test. His focus on batting saw him aggregate only 1/19 with the ball for the seven Tests. Thereafter his Test form tapered off.</p> <p>The ODIs followed a similar pattern. Australia played ten ODIs on home soil during the season, followed by five in New Zealand.<sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-12" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> After taking two wickets at 38.50 in the first three ODIs, Waugh did not bowl again for the season. After scoring only 99 runs at 19.80 in the first nine ODIs in Australia, Waugh was dropped for the Second Final against Pakistan, which Australia won.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-16" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-13" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> He played in all five ODIs in New Zealand, making only 72 runs at 18.00.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-17" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup> He returned to the bowling crease in the Sharjah tournament, taking four wickets at 28.00 and scoring 98 runs at 49.00.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-18" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup></p> <p>In 1990, Waugh joined his twin brother <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Waugh" title="Mark Waugh">Mark</a> in an unbeaten partnership of 464 in 407 minutes for NSW against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Warriors" title="Western Warriors">Western Australia</a> (WA) at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WACA_Ground" title="WACA Ground">WACA Ground</a>, setting a world first-class record. Both teams were at full strength and WA's attack included Test bowlers <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Alderman" title="Terry Alderman">Terry Alderman</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Reid" title="Bruce Reid">Bruce Reid</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Matthews_%28cricketer%29" title="Chris Matthews (cricketer)" class="mw-redirect">Chris Matthews</a>. The twins ended with 216 and 229 respectively.<sup id="cite_ref-37" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-37" title="">[38]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Omission" id="Omission"></a></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Omission</span></h3> <p>He suffered a form slump during the 1990–91 Ashes series in Australia, and was dropped for the Fourth Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelaide_Oval" title="Adelaide Oval">Adelaide</a> after making only 82 runs at 20.50.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-7" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> He was replaced by his twin Mark, who scored a century on debut.<sup id="cite_ref-c322_38-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-c322-38" title="">[39]</a></sup></p> <p>However, Waugh remained a regular in the ODI team, playing in all ten ODIs, scoring 141 runs at 35.25 and taking seven wickets at 49.42.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-19" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-14" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>Recalled for the Third Test in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinidad" title="Trinidad">Trinidad</a> during the 1991 tour of the Caribbean, he and Mark became the first twins to play in a Test match together.<sup id="cite_ref-c322_38-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-c322-38" title="">[39]</a></sup> However, he failed to post a significant score and was dropped for the Fifth Test, Australia's only win for the series.</p> <p>He played in all five ODIs and scored 86 runs at 28.66 and took five wickets at 30.60.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-20" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-15" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>Waugh remained out of the Test team for eighteen months and did not see action in the five-day format in 1991–92 season.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-8" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> Nevertheless, Waugh played in all 18 ODIs for the season.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-21" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-16" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> In the triangular series, he scored only 146 runs at 18.25 but consistently took wickets, with 16 scalps at 19.00.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-22" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-17" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> As a result, he retained his position in the team for all eight of Australia's group matches in the subsequent <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Cricket_World_Cup" title="1992 Cricket World Cup">1992 Cricket World Cup</a> held in Australia and New Zealand. He scored 187 runs at 26.71 and took eight wickets at 34.63.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-23" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-18" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> He scored 55 and took 2/28 in a 128-run win over Zimbabwe as Australia failed to progress beyond the group stage.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-24" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-19" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>He returned as number three batsman for the 1992–93 home Test series against the West Indies, but his form was again moderate. His 228 runs at 25.33 was bolstered by a score of 100 in the Third Test in Sydney. Waugh called this "probably the most important hundred of my Test career ... word had reached me that if I didn't get runs, then I was going to be dropped".<sup id="cite_ref-39" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-39" title="">[40]</a></sup> He continued to be a fixture in the ODI team, playing in all ten matches and scoring 213 runs at 23.66 with one half-century and taking nine wickets at 39.22.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-25" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-20" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>Solid performances on the tour of New Zealand, where he scored 178 Test runs at 44.50, enabled Waugh to hold his position on the 1993 Ashes tour of England. He completed his tour with 120 runs at 30.00 and three wickets at 57.66 in the five ODIs.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-26" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup> The three-match ODI series in England preceded the Tests and Waugh scored 41 runs at 20.50 and took five wickets at 30.20.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-27" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-21" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>During the Test series, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Slater" title="Michael Slater">Michael Slater</a> became the regular opener and Boon returned to the middle order. Waugh gained the number six position ahead of two promising Western Australians, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Langer" title="Justin Langer">Justin Langer</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damien_Martyn" title="Damien Martyn">Damien Martyn</a>. In the Fourth Test at Headingley, Waugh's 157 not out earned comparisons to his efforts in 1989 and he shared an unbroken stand of 332 with Allan Border.<sup id="cite_ref-40" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-40" title="">[41]</a></sup> He also scored half-centuries in the First and Fifth Tests and ended with 416 at 83.2 from limited opportunities — he played nine innings, only five of which were completed. Australia's top order batting dominated the English attack, and the tourists retained the Ashes 4–1.</p> <p>===New approach===Returning to Australia, he solidified his position by scoring an unbeaten 147 against New Zealand in an innings victory in the Third Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brisbane" title="Brisbane">Brisbane</a>, ending the series with 216 runs once dismissed.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-9" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> He missed part of the 1993–94 triangular ODI tournament with New Zealand and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_cricket_team" title="South African cricket team" class="mw-redirect">South Africa</a> due to a hamstring injury in late December, as well as the first two Tests against the South Africans. He returned for the end of the ODIs and ended with 141 runs at 23.50 and taking four wickets at 54.50.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-28" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-22" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> Waugh played in the Third Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelaide_Oval" title="Adelaide Oval">Adelaide Oval</a> in late January with Australia trailing 1–0.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since May 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> He scored a 160 and took 4/26 as Australia won the Test and levelled the series.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-10" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> He was named as the international player of the [Australian] season</p> <p>He took 5/28 and scored 86 in the Second Test of the return series in South Africa at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newlands" title="Newlands">Newlands</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town" title="Cape Town">Cape Town</a> to help Australia level the series 1–1 after losing the first at Wanderers in Johannesburg. Another half century saw him end with 195 runs at 65.00 and his bowling was at its most productive in five years, with 10 wickets at 13.00.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-11" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> In the ODI series, he received the player of the series for his all-round efforts, which hauled Australia back from a deficit of 2–4 to draw the series at 4–4.<sup id="cite_ref-41" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-41" title="">[42]</a></sup> Waugh took 2/48 in the final match as Australia levelled the series by one run. He ended with 291 runs at 48.50 and five wickets at 56.40.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-29" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-23" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>At the conclusion of the tour, the ACB interviewed Waugh, along with David Boon, Mark Taylor and Ian Healy to discern their opinions on the direction of the team after the impending retirement of Allan Border as captain. Although more experienced than Taylor, Waugh was not considered for the captaincy. Surprisingly, Healy was made vice-captain to Taylor ahead of Waugh.<sup id="cite_ref-42" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-42" title="">[43]</a></sup></p> <p><!--Sharjah --></p> <p>The new leadership took the team to Sri Lanka for the Singer World Series ODI tournament and then on a Test-playing tour of Pakistan.<sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-24" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> Waugh scored 53 runs at 17.66 and took five wickets in 16.20.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-30" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup> On the latter tour, Waugh made 73 in the First Test, which Australia agonisingly lost by one wicket.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-12" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> His 98 in the Second Test at Rawalpindi was notable for his survival against a hostile barrage of short-pitched bowling from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasim_Akram" title="Wasim Akram">Wasim Akram</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waqar_Younis" title="Waqar Younis">Waqar Younis</a>. He eventually fell when a bouncer struck his body and rolled onto the stumps.<sup id="cite_ref-43" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-43" title="">[44]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-44" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-44" title="">[45]</a></sup> A shoulder injury forced him out of the final Test, which Australia drew and therefore lost the series.<sup id="cite_ref-45" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-45" title="">[46]</a></sup> Waugh scored 153 runs at 38.25 with two half-centuries and took two wickets at 72.00 as Australia won the ODI tournament.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-31" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-25" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>During the 1994–95 Ashes series against England, he narrowly missed centuries in the Second and Fifth Test in Melbourne and Perth respectively, when he was 94 and 99 not out respectively when the last wicket fell.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-13" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-46" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-46" title="">[47]</a></sup> In the second instance, his brother Mark was run out after a mix-up while running for the injured <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_McDermott" title="Craig McDermott">Craig McDermott</a>.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since May 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> It was an uneven series performance, scoring 94* and 26* in the Second Test and 99* and 80 in the Fifth, but not passing 20 in the six innings of the other three Tests. He ended the series with 345 at 49.28 and did not bowl for the entire series.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-14" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> The ODI tournament included <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_A_cricket_team" title="Australia A cricket team">Australia A</a>; matches involving the A team were not recognised as ODIs.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since August 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> Waugh played only one ODI for the season, scoring a duck and not bowling a ball.<re fname="odilist"> The season ended with short ODI tournament in New Zealand, which Australia won. Waugh scored 81 runs at 27.00 in four matches and did not bowl.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-32" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-26" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></re></p> <p><a name="Worrell_Trophy_regained.2C_1995" id="Worrell_Trophy_regained.2C_1995"></a></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Worrell Trophy regained, 1995</span></h3> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 182px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Curtly_ambrose2_crop.jpg" class="image" title="Curtly Ambrose, the West Indian bowler with whom Waugh had a much-publicised altercation during the 1995 Frank Worrell Trophy."><img alt="Curtly Ambrose, the West Indian bowler with whom Waugh had a much-publicised altercation during the 1995 Frank Worrell Trophy." src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Curtly_ambrose2_crop.jpg/180px-Curtly_ambrose2_crop.jpg" class="thumbimage" width="180" border="0" height="197" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"> <div class="magnify"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Curtly_ambrose2_crop.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11" /></a></div> Curtly Ambrose, the West Indian bowler with whom Waugh had a much-publicised altercation during the 1995 Frank Worrell Trophy.</div> </div> </div> <p>The West Indies had been the <i>bête noire</i> of Australian cricket since winning the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Worrell_Trophy" title="Frank Worrell Trophy">Frank Worrell Trophy</a> in 1978. At the beginning of Australia's 1995 tour of the Caribbean, the West Indies had not lost a Test series since 1980,<sup id="cite_ref-47" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-47" title="">[48]</a></sup> and had not lost a Test series to Australia at home since 1973.<sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-49" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-49" title="">[50]</a></sup> The Tests were preceded by an ODI series that was lost 1–4. Waugh scored 164 runs at 32.80 and took three wickets at 41.00.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-33" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-27" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> In a low-scoring, four-Test series, Waugh compiled 429 runs at an average of 107.25 and claimed five wickets (for 62 runs)<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-15" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> to win the player of the series award; his twin Mark was the next best batsman with 240 runs at 40 average.</p> <p>Waugh was at the centre of a controversy during the First Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington_Oval" title="Kensington Oval">Barbados</a> when he claimed a low catch from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Lara" title="Brian Lara">Brian Lara</a> in the first innings. Television replays were inconclusive, but suggested that the ball may have hit the ground. Lara, noted for accepting the word of the fielder without question, left the field.<sup id="cite_ref-50" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-50" title="">[51]</a></sup> Following his dismissal, the West Indies' batting collapsed, and Australia went on to win by ten wickets.<sup id="cite_ref-51" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-51" title="">[52]</a></sup> Waugh later faced accusations of dishonesty and cheating over the incident.<sup id="cite_ref-az_33-5" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-az-33" title="">[34]</a></sup></p> <p>After scoring 65 not out in the drawn Second Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antigua" title="Antigua">Antigua</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-16" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> Waugh defied the Caribbean pacemen on a green pitch at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen%27s_Park_Oval" title="Queen's Park Oval">Trinidad</a> suited to their hostile bowling during the Third Test.<sup id="cite_ref-52" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-52" title="">[53]</a></sup> In the first innings, he scored an unbeaten 63 of Australia's 128 and had a mid-pitch confrontation with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtly_Ambrose" title="Curtly Ambrose">Curtly Ambrose</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-az_33-6" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-az-33" title="">[34]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-p354_53-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p354-53" title="">[54]</a></sup> After Waugh had evaded a bouncer from Ambrose, the pair exchanged glares. Waugh swore and told Ambrose to return to his bowling mark. An angry Ambrose had to be physically dragged away by his captain:<sup id="cite_ref-54" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-54" title="">[55]</a></sup> a photograph of this moment has become one of the iconic images of cricket in the 1990s. It symbolised the point when Australia was no longer intimidated by the West Indies. Waugh "showed he was prepared to put it all on the line", said <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Langer" title="Justin Langer">Justin Langer</a>, "in the toughest conditions [...] against probably the best fast bowler of our time. To stand up to him [Ambrose] and go toe to toe [...] gave us a huge boost."<sup id="cite_ref-55" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-55" title="">[56]</a></sup></p> <p>Nevertheless, the West Indies won the match and levelled the series. In the decider in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabina_Park" title="Sabina Park">Jamaica</a>, Waugh took 2/14 in the West Indies' first innings of 265<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-17" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> and then arrived at the crease with Australia at 73 for three in reply.<sup id="cite_ref-56" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-56" title="">[57]</a></sup> He compiled a long partnership of 231 runs with his brother Mark, who was eventually out for 126.<sup id="cite_ref-c322_38-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-c322-38" title="">[39]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-57" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-57" title="">[58]</a></sup> Waugh was the last man to go, out for 200 after nine hours of batting. "Steve had made up his mind to bat and bat", wrote <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Reiffel" title="Paul Reiffel">Paul Reiffel</a>, "to stay out there and anchor the proceedings. [... H]e copped a lot of blows on his arms, chest and ribs. When he came back to the dressing room at the end of day two, we could see the spots and bruises on his body [...]. I remember when I walked in [...] he didn't say anything to me, but then he didn't need to. We all pretty much knew that we just had to support him.</p> <p>"He was in a trance-like state. [... I]n the wee hours of the second morning, a security guard was found rifling through Steve's kit bag. That incident [...] didn't affect his concentration. It all [...] just went to show how strong a character he was."<sup id="cite_ref-58" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-58" title="">[59]</a></sup></p> <p>Waugh played patiently and reached his double century with an all-run four to fine-leg off a quicker ball from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Hooper" title="Carl Hooper">Carl Hooper</a>. He was the last man out. With a large lead on first innings, Australia dismissed the opposition for a low score to win a crushing victory.<sup id="cite_ref-59" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-59" title="">[60]</a></sup></p> <p>After some post-win wassailing, Waugh retired to bed in his cricket whites, socks and baggy green. "[Y]ou could say that Steve's legacy gained a lot of momentum from his efforts at Jamaica", wrote Reiffel.<sup id="cite_ref-60" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-60" title="">[61]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="No_1_batsman" id="No_1_batsman"></a></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">No 1 batsman</span></h3> <p>Waugh started the 1995–96 Australian season ranked as the world's leading Test batsman.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since May 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> He made an unbeaten 112 as Australia defeated Pakistan in the First Test at Brisbane and scored 200 runs at 50.00 for the series.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-18" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-p354_53-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p354-53" title="">[54]</a></sup> Suffering an injury in December, he missed the First Test against Sri Lanka and part of the triangular ODI tournament, then returned for the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne to score 131 not out.<sup id="cite_ref-p355_61-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p355-61" title="">[62]</a></sup> Waugh returned during the latter stages of the triangular tournament, playing in the last four matches after missing the first six.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-34" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-28" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> He scored his maiden ODI century, ten years after his ODI debut, with an unbeaten 102 against Sri Lanka in Melbourne. Despite this, Australia lost by three wickets. Waugh ended with 128 runs at 42.66 and did not take a wicket, bowling only four overs on his comeback from injury.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-35" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-29" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> He helped Australia to a 3–0 result in the Test series by scoring 170 and 61 not out at Adelaide to end the series with 362 runs for once out. He also took 4/34 in the Third Test.<sup id="cite_ref-p355_61-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p355-61" title="">[62]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-19" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup></p> <p>During the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_Cricket_World_Cup" title="1996 Cricket World Cup">1996 Cricket World Cup</a> on the subcontinent, Waugh scored 82 and featured in a 207-run partnership with his brother during Australia's first match against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenyan_cricket_team" title="Kenyan cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Kenya</a>: an Australian record partnership at the World Cup. He made an unbeaten half-century in the quarter-final against New Zealand at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennai" title="Chennai">Madras</a>, sealing a successful run chase. However, he was less effective in the semi-final and final, failing to pass 20 on either occasion. Australia lost the final to Sri Lanka at Lahore.</p> <p><br />After the World Cup, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoff_Marsh" title="Geoff Marsh">Geoff Marsh</a> replaced <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Simpson_%28cricketer%29" title="Bob Simpson (cricketer)">Bob Simpson</a> as coach.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since August 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> The Australians started the new era with two ODI tournaments in Sri Lanka and India.<sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-30" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> Waugh scored 366 runs at 40.66 with three half-centuries and took five wickets at 37.40 across nine matches.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-36" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup> The tour ended with a solitary Test against India in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delhi" title="Delhi">Delhi</a>, where Waugh was the only Australian to make a half-century in a defeat.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since August 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-20" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup></p> <p>Waugh failed to make a century in the five Tests of the 1996–97 Australian season against the West Indies, scoring 255 runs at 36.42 with three half centuries.<sup id="cite_ref-az_33-7" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-az-33" title="">[34]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-21" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> He also missed the Second Test against the West Indies after injuring a groin while bowling in the First.</p> <p>The injury meant that Waugh was only available for six of Australia's eight ODI matches in the annual triangular tournament. Waugh managed only 159 runs at 26.50 and only bowled three overs without taking a wicket as he came back from injury as Australia missed the finals.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-37" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-22" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup></p> <p>Waugh returned to form on the 1997 tour of South Africa, averaging 78.25. He scored 160 in the First Test at Johannesburg, compiling a 309-run partnership with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Blewett" title="Greg Blewett">Greg Blewett</a>. They batted for the entire third day's play to set up an innings victory. Waugh then top scored with half-centuries in both innings of the Third Test, which Australia lost. After the team's vice-captain <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Healy" title="Ian Healy">Ian Healy</a> was suspended for throwing his bat after his dismissal,<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since May 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> Waugh replaced him as Mark Taylor's deputy.<sup id="cite_ref-p355_61-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-p355-61" title="">[62]</a></sup> Waugh continued his strong run in the seven ODIs, scoring 301 runs at 50.16 with four half-centuries. After scoring 50 and 50* in the first two matches, he scored 89 in a run chase in the sixth match as Australia sealed the series 4–2 with one over in hand. He then scored 91 in the last match in a vain run chase.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-38" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-31" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>On the 1997 Ashes tour, Australia started poorly with a 0–3 loss in the ODI series, with Waugh managing only 60 runs at 20.00.</p> <p>Theis continued as Australia lost the First Test by nine wickets, drew the Second Test, then won the toss in the Third Test at Manchester. Gambling on batting first on green pitch, Australia slumped to 3/42 in the first hour when Waugh came out to bat. He made 108. Similarly, he began his second innings with Australia on 3/39 and scored 116. These two centuries in a low-scoring match won the game. Australia levelled the series and regained the initiative, retaining the Ashes with a 3–2 result. Waugh's only other notable score was 75, scored in the Fifth Test win at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nottingham" title="Nottingham">Nottingham</a>, and he finished with 390 runs at 39 average for the series.</p> <p><a name="Captaincy" id="Captaincy"></a></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Captaincy</span></h2> <p><a name="ODI_captain" id="ODI_captain"></a></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">ODI captain</span></h3> <p>Waugh took over the captaincy of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-day_cricket" title="One-day cricket" class="mw-redirect">one-day</a> side in 1997–98, after captain <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Taylor_%28cricketer%29" title="Mark Taylor (cricketer)">Mark Taylor</a> and vice-captain <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Healy" title="Ian Healy">Ian Healy</a>, the two oldest players in the team were dropped<sup id="cite_ref-k263_62-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k263-62" title="">[63]</a></sup> following Australia's failure to qualify for the Australian tri-nations tournament in the 1996–97 season.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since June 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> Planning began for a more modern team for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_Cricket_World_Cup" title="1999 Cricket World Cup">1999 Cricket World Cup</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-k263_62-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k263-62" title="">[63]</a></sup> with new wicket-keeper <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Gilchrist" title="Adam Gilchrist">Adam Gilchrist</a> chosen primarily on his batting skill in response to the use of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romesh_Kaluwitharana" title="Romesh Kaluwitharana">Romesh Kaluwitharana</a> by the successful 1996 Sri Lankan team.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since June 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> The new team made a difficult start, losing all four of its preliminary matches against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_cricket_team" title="South African cricket team" class="mw-redirect">South Africa</a><sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-39" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-32" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_di_Venuto" title="Michael di Venuto" class="mw-redirect">Michael di Venuto</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Moody" title="Tom Moody">Tom Moody</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Law" title="Stuart Law">Stuart Law</a> were all tried as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Waugh" title="Mark Waugh">Mark Waugh</a>'s new opening partner.<sup id="cite_ref-63" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-63" title="">[64]</a></sup> Waugh himself struggled, scoring only 12 runs, including three ducks in his first six innings before scoring 45* in the last round-robin match to ensure Australia qualified for the finals ahead of New Zealand.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-40" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-33" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>However, with Gilchrist's elevation to opener in the finals series, Australia defeated the South Africans 2–1.<sup id="cite_ref-64" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-64" title="">[65]</a></sup> Waugh scored 53 and 71 in his two innings, and ended the series with 181 runs at 22.63. He bowled only four overs and took a solitary wicket in the series, which was his first ODI wicket in over a year.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-41" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup></p> <div class="thumb tleft"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 222px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Stencil_waugh.JPG" class="image" title="Stencil drawing depicting Steve Waugh"><img alt="Stencil drawing depicting Steve Waugh" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Stencil_waugh.JPG/220px-Stencil_waugh.JPG" class="thumbimage" width="220" border="0" height="163" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"> <div class="magnify"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Stencil_waugh.JPG" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11" /></a></div> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stencil" title="Stencil">Stencil</a> drawing depicting Steve Waugh</div> </div> </div> <p>Waugh scored steadily in the 1997–98 Test season against New Zealand and South Africa, getting to 80 three times in six Tests without going on to a century and averaging 40.89; Australia won both series. He bowled more often than in the preceding few years and took six wickets at 17.33.</p> <p>The southern hemisphere season ended with Waugh leading his first overseas tour, a four-match ODI tour of New Zealand. He scored 112 runs at 37.33 and took three wickets at 42.00 as the series was drawn 2–2.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-42" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-34" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>On the 1998 tour of India, he hit 80 in the Second Test at Calcutta, but missed the following Test due to injury. He ended with 152 runs at 38.</p> <p>He recovered to lead in the triangular tournament in India. Australia won both games to Zimbabwe but lost both to India. However, Waugh's men turned the tables in the final to beat the Indians by four wickets. Waugh contributed with bat and ball, taking 2/42 and scoring 57. This was followed by a triangular tournament in Sharjah, where Australia won all four group matches against India and New Zealand. This time, the Indians turned the table to win the final by six wickets despite Waugh's 70.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-43" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-35" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> Waugh totalled 254 runs at 28.22 and eight wickets at 33.50 for the two tournaments.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-44" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup></p> <p><br />Later in the year, he top scored with 157 in the First Test against Pakistan at Karachi, enabling Australia to force an innings victory and gain their first victory in the country for 39 years. It formed the basis of Australia's 1–0 series win, in which Waugh scored 235 runs at 58.75.</p> <p>Waugh led the ODI team in a 3–0 sweep of Pakistan after the Tests, but he managed only 40 runs at 13.33.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-45" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-36" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>The following season, Waugh suffered hamstring injuries and missed the majority of the ODI tournament.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since August 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> In the two matches in which he played, Waugh made only a duck and 20 and Australia lost both matches.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-46" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-37" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Warne" title="Shane Warne">Shane Warne</a> led Australia to victory in his absence,<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since August 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> winning eight of the remaining 10 matches.<sup id="cite_ref-auslistodi_30-38" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslistodi-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p>Waugh began the Ashes series with centuries in the First Test at Brisbane (112) and the Third Test at Melbourne but was criticised for taking singles off the first ball of the over, and exposing the tail-end batsmen to the strike. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_MacGill" title="Stuart MacGill">Stuart MacGill</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_McGrath" title="Glenn McGrath">Glenn McGrath</a> fell to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darren_Gough" title="Darren Gough">Darren Gough</a> after one such instance as Australia collapsed in the second innings whilst chasing a small target. This criticism could be considered more than a little unfair, however, given his strong record overall of batting well with lower order batsman such as Merv Hughes, Jason Gillespie, Ian Healy, Shane Warne and even Glenn McGrath precisely by putting his faith in them. In the Fifth Test of the season, Waugh was involved in a century partnership with brother Mark for the second consecutive year. Again however, he fell within sight of triple figures for 96, while his brother reached his century. Australia won the Test and the series 3–1.</p> <p><a name="Struggles_in_the_Caribbean" id="Struggles_in_the_Caribbean"></a></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Struggles in the Caribbean</span></h3> <p>Mark Taylor retired at the end of the 1998–99 season and Waugh replaced him as Test captain, beginning with a tour of the Caribbean. Australia was expected to win as the West Indies had just been whitewashed 5–0 by South Africa.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since June 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> After easily winning the First Test, Australia was stymied by West Indies skipper <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Lara" title="Brian Lara">Brian Lara</a>, who batted with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Adams" title="Jimmy Adams">Jimmy Adams</a> for the entire second day of the Second Test. This led to a victory for the home side, and in the Third Test, Lara batted for the entire final day to secure an unlikely win by one wicket. This result placed Waugh under immense pressure and he made a controversial decision to drop Shane Warne from the team for the final Fourth Test.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since June 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> Australia won the final Test despite a third consecutive century from Lara, and retained the Frank Worrell Trophy 2–2.<sup id="cite_ref-65" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-65" title="">[66]</a></sup></p> <p>The subsequent ODI series between the two teams was drawn 3–3.<sup id="cite_ref-k291_66-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k291-66" title="">[67]</a></sup> The series was notable for two incidents. In the fifth match at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgetown,_Guyana" title="Georgetown, Guyana">Georgetown, Guyana</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-k290_67-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k290-67" title="">[68]</a></sup> Waugh was facing the bowling of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Arthurton" title="Keith Arthurton">Keith Arthurton</a> with his team needing four runs from the final over to win.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since June 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> He struck the last ball of the match into the outfield, and attempted three runs to tie the match.<sup id="cite_ref-k290_67-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k290-67" title="">[68]</a></sup> A crowd invasion resulted in all the stumps being removed, with Waugh out of his ground when the ball was returned by the fielder. The match was declared a tie.<sup id="cite_ref-k290_67-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k290-67" title="">[68]</a></sup> During the West Indies run-chase in the final match in Barbados, local batsman <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherwin_Campbell" title="Sherwin Campbell">Sherwin Campbell</a> was run out after he fell over because of a collision with the bowler (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendon_Julian" title="Brendon Julian">Brendon Julian</a>) who was attempting to field the ball.<sup id="cite_ref-k290_67-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k290-67" title="">[68]</a></sup> This resulted in a crowd riot and Waugh was nearly struck in the head with a glass bottle.<sup id="cite_ref-k291_66-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k291-66" title="">[67]</a></sup> The match continued after Campbell was reinstated, but Waugh criticised the security and questioned the integrity of the match.</p> <p>Waugh struggled in the lead-up to the World Cup, scoring 135 runs at 22.50 and taking two wickets at 33.00.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-47" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="1999_World_Cup_victory"></a></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">1999 World Cup victory</span></h3> <p>Australia then had a slow start to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_Cricket_World_Cup" title="1999 Cricket World Cup">1999 World Cup</a> in England. After a scratchy win against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland_cricket_team" title="Scotland cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Scotland</a>, Australia suffered defeats to New Zealand and Pakistan,<sup id="cite_ref-68" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-68" title="">[69]</a></sup> so they had to win their two remaining group matches (against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh_cricket_team" title="Bangladesh cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Bangladesh</a> and the West Indies), then all three "Super Six" matches to progress to the semi-finals: this meant seven consecutive matches without defeat to win the World Cup.<sup id="cite_ref-69" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-69" title="">[70]</a></sup> After defeating Bangladesh, Waugh and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Bevan" title="Michael Bevan">Michael Bevan</a> were criticised for deliberately batting slowly in order to minimise damage to the net run rate of the West Indies. This would enhance Australia's chances: if the West Indies' run rate remained high, they would qualify ahead of New Zealand. Since the Australians had lost to New Zealand, it would be the Kiwis that carried two points through to the next phase if the West Indies was eliminated.<sup id="cite_ref-70" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-70" title="">[71]</a></sup></p> <p>When questioned about the ethics of this manipulation at a press conference, Waugh retorted, "We're not here to win friends mate".<sup id="cite_ref-71" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-71" title="">[72]</a></sup> Having beaten India and Zimbabwe in their first two Super Six matches, Waugh saved his best for two must-win games against South Africa: he scored an unbeaten 120 against South Africa in the "Super Six" phase and 56 in the semi-final.<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_29-48" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-odilist-29" title="">[30]</a></sup> The latter match was tied and Australia progressed to the final,<sup id="cite_ref-72" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-72" title="">[73]</a></sup> where they crushed Pakistan by eight wickets to win the trophy.<sup id="cite_ref-73" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-73" title="">[74]</a></sup></p> <p>The World Cup victory did not immediately turn around Waugh's fortunes in the Test arena. The following tour to Sri Lanka continued the difficulties, when Australia lost the First Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kandy" title="Kandy">Kandy</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> a result exacerbated by a horrific fielding collision between Waugh and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Gillespie" title="Jason Gillespie">Jason Gillespie</a>. Waugh's nose made contact with Gillespie's shin as both attempted a catch. Gillespie suffered a broken leg<sup id="cite_ref-k299_74-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k299-74" title="">[75]</a></sup> that sidelined him for 15 months,<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since July 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> and Waugh had his nose broken.<sup id="cite_ref-k299_74-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k299-74" title="">[75]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-75" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-75" title="">[76]</a></sup> Although Waugh returned for the following match,<sup id="cite_ref-k299_74-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k299-74" title="">[75]</a></sup> the last two Tests were drawn due to interruptions from monsoonal weather.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since July 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> In losing 0–1, the Australians struggled to combat the bowling of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muttiah_Muralitharan" title="Muttiah Muralitharan">Muttiah Muralitharan</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-76" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-76" title="">[77]</a></sup> Waugh had a lean series with 52 runs at 17.33.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-23" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> Waugh's team then travelled an inaugural Test against Zimbabwe at Harare. Australia won by ten wickets and Waugh's 151 not out was the first century in Tests between the nations.<sup id="cite_ref-k299_74-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k299-74" title="">[75]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-77" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-77" title="">[78]</a></sup> After the team's return home, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buchanan_%28cricketer%29" title="John Buchanan (cricketer)">John Buchanan</a> replaced <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoff_Marsh" title="Geoff Marsh">Geoff Marsh</a> as team coach.</p> <p><a name="World_record_of_16_consecutive_Test_victories" id="World_record_of_16_consecutive_Test_victories"></a></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">World record of 16 consecutive Test victories</span></h3> <p>The 1999–00 Test season, his first as captain in a home series, saw further change as Gilchrist ousted Healy from the wicket-keeper's position.<sup id="cite_ref-k299_74-4" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k299-74" title="">[75]</a></sup> With Gilchrist averaging over 50,<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since July 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> the team went on to claim a clean-sweep of both Test series, 3–0 against Pakistan and India respectively.<sup id="cite_ref-78" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-78" title="">[79]</a></sup> Waugh had lean stretch during the Pakistan series, scoring 58 runs at 14.50,<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-24" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> but his team won by margins of ten wickets, four wickets and an innings respectively.<sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> Waugh returned to form in the First Test against India at the Adelaide Oval, scoring 150 in the first innings. Waugh only passed fifty once more in the series to end with 276 runs at 55.20.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-25" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> Australia won all three Tests by comfortable margins of 285 runs, 180 runs and an innings respectively.<sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup></p> <p>After losing their first match, his team proceeded to win the season's triangular ODI tournament without further defeat. They then toured New Zealand and won the ODI series 5–1, losing their final match, which ended a world record of 14 consecutive ODI victories.<sup id="cite_ref-79" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-79" title="">[80]</a></sup> They then swept the Tests against New Zealand 3–0 in early 2000,<sup id="cite_ref-80" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-80" title="">[81]</a></sup> taking the Tests by 62 runs, six wickets and six wickets respectively.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-26" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> Waugh led the way in the Second Test at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basin_Reserve" title="Basin Reserve">Basin Reserve</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellington" title="Wellington">Wellington</a> with an unbeaten 151 but otherwise did not pass 20, totalling 214 runs at 53.50.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-27" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> His men had won all nine of their Tests during the southern hemisphere summer.<sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-4" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup></p> <p>His team continued their winning streak with an undefeated home season in 2000–01 when the West Indies were white-washed 5–0. The first two Tests were won by an innings,<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-28" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> and the Second Test at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WACA_Ground" title="WACA Ground">WACA Ground</a> brought a twelfth consecutive Test victory, surpassing the record held by the 1980s West Indies team led by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Lloyd" title="Clive Lloyd">Clive Lloyd</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-81" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-81" title="">[82]</a></sup> Waugh missed the Third Test with injury and Gilchrist led the team in his absence and kept the winning streak alive.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since July 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-29" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> Waugh returned for the last two Tests and scored centuries in the first innings of both Tests with 121* and 103 respectively,<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-30" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> which Australia won by 352 runs and six wickets respectively.<sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-5" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> Waugh compiled 349 runs at 69.80.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-31" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup></p> <p>Waugh then led the Australians undefeated in the triangular ODI tournament against the West Indies and Zimbabwe, despite employing a rotation system which saw the team often understrength with players rested.<sup id="cite_ref-82" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-82" title="">[83]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Failure_in_India" id="Failure_in_India"></a></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Failure in India</span></h3> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 182px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Harbhajan_Singh_bowling.jpg" class="image" title="Harbhajan Singh was man of the series in the 2000–01 Border Gavaskar Trophy, playing a large part in stopping Australia's winning Test run."><img alt="Harbhajan Singh was man of the series in the 2000–01 Border Gavaskar Trophy, playing a large part in stopping Australia's winning Test run." src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/Harbhajan_Singh_bowling.jpg/180px-Harbhajan_Singh_bowling.jpg" class="thumbimage" width="180" border="0" height="353" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"> <div class="magnify"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Harbhajan_Singh_bowling.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11" /></a></div> Harbhajan Singh was man of the series in the 2000–01 Border Gavaskar Trophy, playing a large part in stopping Australia's winning Test run.</div> </div> </div> <p>The only significant result that Australia had failed to achieve during Waugh's international career was victory in a Test series in India. Waugh began calling this the "Final Frontier"<sup id="cite_ref-83" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-83" title="">[84]</a></sup> as Australia had not won there since 1969–70.<sup id="cite_ref-84" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-84" title="">[85]</a></sup> Australia easily won the First Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai" title="Mumbai">Mumbai</a> by ten wickets to extend the winning sequence to 16.<sup id="cite_ref-k322_85-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k322-85" title="">[86]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-86" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-86" title="">[87]</a></sup> India, looked set for defeat in the Second Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eden_Gardens" title="Eden Gardens">Eden Gardens</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata" title="Kolkata">Kolkata</a> after conceding a first innings lead of 274.<sup id="cite_ref-k322_85-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k322-85" title="">[86]</a></sup> Waugh top-scored in the first innings with 110.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-32" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> Waugh chose to enforce the follow-on, the only time that Australia had chosen to do so for more than five years.<sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-6" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> However, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V._V._S._Laxman" title="V. V. S. Laxman">V. V. S. Laxman</a> (281) and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahul_Dravid" title="Rahul Dravid">Rahul Dravid</a> (180)<sup id="cite_ref-k322_85-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k322-85" title="">[86]</a></sup> batted for the entire fourth day's play and set Australia a target of 384 on a dusty, spinning wicket. The Australians were unable to cope with the spin of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harbhajan_Singh" title="Harbhajan Singh">Harbhajan Singh</a> on the final day, and became only the third team to lose a Test after enforcing the follow-on.<sup id="cite_ref-87" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-87" title="">[88]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-88" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-88" title="">[89]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-89" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-89" title="">[90]</a></sup> Starting the final Test well, Australia's batting collapsed on the second morning, losing 6/26 after Waugh became the sixth batsman to be given out <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handled_the_ball" title="Handled the ball">handled the ball</a>—he pushed a ball from Harbhajan away from the stumps after being hit on the pads.<sup id="cite_ref-90" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-90" title="">[91]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-91" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-91" title="">[92]</a></sup> Waugh's pair of 47s was not enough as Harbhajan finished with 15 wickets in the match to lead India to a two-wicket win in another thrilling finish.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-33" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-92" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-92" title="">[93]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-93" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-93" title="">[94]</a></sup></p> <p>Waugh's team regrouped and won a 4–1 series victory over England during the 2001 Ashes tour.<sup id="cite_ref-k329_94-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k329-94" title="">[95]</a></sup> He scored 105 in the First Test at Edgbaston as the Australians started the series with an innings victory. Waugh did not pass 50 in the next two Tests,<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-34" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> but Australia won both by eight and seven wickets respectively to retain the Ashes.<sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-7" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> However, Waugh pulled a calf muscle and missed the Fourth Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headingley_cricket_ground" title="Headingley cricket ground" class="mw-redirect">Headingley</a> which Australia lost.<sup id="cite_ref-k328_95-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k328-95" title="">[96]</a></sup> In his final Test innings on English soil at The Oval, he combined with brother Mark (120) in a partnership of 197, and scored 157 not out.<sup id="cite_ref-k328_95-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k328-95" title="">[96]</a></sup> Australia won by an innings to seal the series 4–1, with Waugh scoring 321 runs at 107.00.<sup id="cite_ref-k329_94-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k329-94" title="">[95]</a></sup></p> <p>He was unable to maintain this form during the 2001–02 Australian season, failing to score a century in the six Tests against New Zealand and South Africa;<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-35" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> The first two Tests against New Zealand were drawn due to rain, and the Third also ended in a draw.<sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-8" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-96" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-96" title="">[97]</a></sup> Waugh failed to pass double figures until scoring 67 in the second innings of the final Test, finishing the series with 78 runs at 19.50.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-36" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup></p> <p>Australia then went on to face South Africa, who were the second-ranked Test team in the world and were seen as the leading challengers to Australian supremacy.</p> <p>Waugh managed only eight and 13 in the First Test,<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-37" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> but Australia managed to win by 246 runs in any case.<sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-9" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> His best score of the series was 90 in the Second Test at the MCG.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-38" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> His innings was ended by a run out decision, which the umpire did not refer to the video umpire. Waugh attracted criticism for not leaving the ground until he had watched a replay of the incident on the stadium's video screen.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since July 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> Australia powered to a nine-wicket win and then polished off a 3–0 sweep with a ten-wicket triumph in the Third Test at the SCG, with Waugh scoring 30.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-39" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-10" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="ODI_captaincy_changed" id="ODI_captaincy_changed"></a></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">ODI captaincy changed</span></h3> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 352px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Steve_Waugh_ODI_graph.png" class="image" title="Waugh's ODI career batting performance."><img alt="Waugh's ODI career batting performance." src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Steve_Waugh_ODI_graph.png/350px-Steve_Waugh_ODI_graph.png" class="thumbimage" width="350" border="0" height="247" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"> <div class="magnify"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Steve_Waugh_ODI_graph.png" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11" /></a></div> Waugh's ODI career batting performance.</div> </div> </div> <p>Australia made an uncertain start to the triangular ODI tournament, losing the first three of its preliminary matches. A rotation policy designed to ease the workload on older players while giving younger players experience appeared to unsettle the team, and was scrapped. Following this decision, Australia won three of the last five matches, but failed to qualify for the finals for only the third time in 23 years. In their final match, Australia needed a win and a bonus point against South Africa as New Zealand captain <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Fleming" title="Stephen Fleming">Stephen Fleming</a>, in retaliation to Waugh's tactics in the World Cup, had conceded a bonus point to South Africa in the previous match.<sup id="cite_ref-97" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-97" title="">[98]</a></sup> The team's performance caused a reaction similar that of 1997. With an eye toward the next World Cup, the selectors dropped the Waugh brothers and handed the captaincy to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Ponting" title="Ricky Ponting">Ricky Ponting</a>. Waugh made his displeasure at the decision public and stated a desire to regain his place in the side.<sup id="cite_ref-98" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-98" title="">[99]</a></sup></p> <p>Continuing as Test captain, Waugh led the team to a 2–1 victory in South Africa to retain Australia's ranking as the number one team.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since July 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-11" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> Australia crushed the hosts in the First Test by an innings and 360 runs, won the Second Test by four wickets, before losing the last.<sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-12" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> His own form was poor,<sup id="cite_ref-99" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-99" title="">[100]</a></sup> with 95 runs at 19.00.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-40" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> He left the tour once the ODI series began. Arriving in Australia alone, he faced media questioning over his playing future. Waugh's reply was, "We've just beaten the next best team in the world 5–1, and all you want to talk about is getting me out of the team."</p> <p>The speculation continued about the future of both Waugh brothers in the lead up to the Test series against Pakistan played in mid-2002.<sup id="cite_ref-k342_100-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k342-100" title="">[101]</a></sup> The matches were hosted in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates" title="United Arab Emirates">United Arab Emirates</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka" title="Sri Lanka">Sri Lanka</a>, due to security concerns following a bomb blast inside Pakistan.<sup id="cite_ref-k341_101-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k341-101" title="">[102]</a></sup> Australia had a crushing 3–0 win, winning the two latter matches by an innings,<sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-13" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> but the Waughs had little influence on the result. However, Steve hit 103 not out in his last innings of the series, after scoring consecutive ducks.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-41" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> This may have saved his career; his brother was dropped for the 2002–03 Ashes series and promptly announced his retirement from international cricket.<sup id="cite_ref-102" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-102" title="">[103]</a></sup></p> <p>Despite his team being well on top, Waugh struggled in the early part of the Ashes series and he scored only 106 runs in four innings in the first three Tests.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-42" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> It mattered little to the match results; Australia crushed England in the First Test by 384 runs and proceeded to record consecutive innings victories.<sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-14" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> In the Fourth Test at the MCG, he scored 77 in the first innings and took his first Test wicket in four years;<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-43" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> he did not bowl himself often as captain. However, his score of 14 in the second innings was characterised by many inside edges and false strokes led to increased speculation that he would be dropped.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since July 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> Australia managed to reach their target with five wickets down,<sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-15" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> despite a stumble on the final morning.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since July 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup></p> <p>The Fifth Test in his hometown Sydney started with speculation that it would be Waugh's last Test unless he reversed his form slump.<sup id="cite_ref-k351_103-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k351-103" title="">[104]</a></sup> Asked before the final Test to nominate the defining moment of his career, Waugh made a prediction rather than reflecting, and said: "It might be yet to come".<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since July 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> On the second day of the match, he scored a chanceless century, bringing up three figures with a cover driven boundary from the last ball of the day from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Dawson" title="Richard Dawson">Richard Dawson</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-104" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-104" title="">[105]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-k351_103-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-k351-103" title="">[104]</a></sup> Waugh left the ground to a standing ovation. In the second innings, Australia faced a large target and slumped to a heavy defeat by 225 on a deteriorating pitch, its only loss of the series.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since July 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-44" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> When he was dismissed cheaply in the second innings, Waugh ran off the field, as the crowd gave him a standing ovation in the expectation that he would retire after what was regarded as a fairytale century.</p> <p>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Cricket_World_Cup" title="2003 Cricket World Cup">2003 Cricket World Cup</a> came and Waugh's desire to return for a fifth World Cup was denied. A chance for a last minute reprieve came when all rounder <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Watson" title="Shane Watson">Shane Watson</a> was injured before the tournament. Waugh had been using his newspaper column to promote his bowling abilities and had been increasingly using himself as a bowler in an attempt to strengthen his case for a recall. However, his successor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Ponting" title="Ricky Ponting">Ricky Ponting</a> publicly called for the inclusion of then out of form <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Symonds" title="Andrew Symonds">Andrew Symonds</a>. Ponting got his wish, and although the selection was regarded as being highly controversial at the time, Symonds established himself at international level with a series of match winnings innings.</p> <p>During the April 2003 tour to the West Indies, Waugh made 25 in the First Test and did not bat in the Second, before scoring 115 in the Third Test victory.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-45" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> Australia won all three Tests by nine wickets, 118 runs and nine wickets respectively.<sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-16" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> He scored 41 and 45* in the Fourth Test to end the series with 226 runs at 75.33. It was in this match, that Australia lost as the home team broke the record for the highest successful Test run chase.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since July 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> Waugh received some criticism over claims he refused to control his players. This came after a heated confrontation between <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_McGrath" title="Glenn McGrath">Glenn McGrath</a> and West Indian batsman <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramnaresh_Sarwan" title="Ramnaresh Sarwan">Ramnaresh Sarwan</a> as the hosts headed towards their target.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since July 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup></p> <p>The Australian winter of 2003 saw Waugh score consecutive unbeaten centuries of 100 and 156 as Australia took a 2–0 sweep over Bangladesh with innings victories.<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-46" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-17" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> The Australian summer started in late-2003 and after scoring 78 and 61 in the two Tests against Zimbabwe,<sup id="cite_ref-testlist_28-47" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-testlist-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> which Australia won by an innings and nine wickets respectively,<sup id="cite_ref-auslist_48-18" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-auslist-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> Waugh announced that the 2003–04 series against India would be his last.</p> <p><a name="Farewell_season" id="Farewell_season"></a></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Farewell season</span></h3> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 352px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Steve_Waugh_Graph.png" class="image" title="Steve Waugh's Test career performance graph."><img alt="Steve Waugh's Test career performance graph." src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Steve_Waugh_Graph.png/350px-Steve_Waugh_Graph.png" class="thumbimage" width="350" border="0" height="179" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"> <div class="magnify"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Steve_Waugh_Graph.png" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11" /></a></div> Steve Waugh's Test career performance graph.</div> </div> </div> <p>In the First Test, he was involved in a controversial <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run_out" title="Run out">run out</a> when he had a mix up with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damien_Martyn" title="Damien Martyn">Damien Martyn</a> and both players ended up at the same end. Martyn, who had established himself at the crease, sacrificed himself by walking out of his ground for Waugh, who had yet to score. This generated criticism that Waugh's farewell series was being put ahead of team victory. With long bowling spearheads <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Warne" title="Shane Warne">Shane Warne</a> and McGrath unavailable due to drugs suspension and injury respectively, Australia struggled to bowl out the Indian batsmen. After a rain affected draw in the First Test, the next two Tests were shared and Australia needed a win to reclaim the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Gavaskar_Trophy" title="Border Gavaskar Trophy" class="mw-redirect">Border Gavaskar Trophy</a> in the final Fourth Test at Waugh's home ground at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Cricket_Ground" title="Sydney Cricket Ground">Sydney Cricket Ground</a>. Promoters paid tribute to Waugh by handing out giant red handkerchiefs to incoming spectators; Waugh had always used a red handkerchief to wipe perspiration while he was batting. Any hope of a fairytale win for Waugh's Australians was snuffed out when Indian captain <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly" title="Sourav Ganguly">Sourav Ganguly</a>, with whom Waugh had many highly publicised confrontations allowed his team to bat into the third morning and amass 7/705. He then made Australia chase an improbable 449 with just over one day's play. Waugh's highest Test score of the season was his last: 80 in the Fourth Test at Sydney, which secured a draw for Australia. After a typically obdurate start to his innings, he took a more aggressive style once Australia had moved into a position of safety, striking several sixes from his trademark slog-sweep shot much to the delight of the crowd. Ironically, it was the highest fourth innings score of his Test career. When he passed 50, several ferries on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Harbour" title="Sydney Harbour" class="mw-redirect">Sydney Harbour</a> sounded their horns in acknowledgement. A record fifth-day SCG crowd turned out to watch Waugh's final day as an Australian player.</p> <p><a name="Legacy" id="Legacy"></a></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Legacy</span></h3> <p>Waugh turned an already successful side into a dominant one that in many cricket watchers' views ranks with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Donald_Bradman" title="Sir Donald Bradman" class="mw-redirect">Sir Donald Bradman</a>'s 1948 Invincibles and the West Indian teams of the 1980s as one of the best cricket teams of all time. Steve Waugh's ruthless approach led to a succession of drubbings of hapless, outclassed opposition and a record run of 16 consecutive Test match wins, easily eclipsing the previous record of 11 by the West Indies. His 168 test matches is the record for test matches played, of these he captained Australia on 57 occasions the fourth highest of all time, and Australia's 41 victories under his leadership is the most of any Test captain. He holds the unique record of having scored over 150 runs in one innings against each test playing nation at the time.</p> <p><a name="Style" id="Style"></a></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Style</span></h2> <p>A shot that Waugh gradually developed (during the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket_at_the_1998_Commonwealth_Games" title="Cricket at the 1998 Commonwealth Games">1998 Commonwealth Games</a> specifically) against spin <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling_%28cricket%29" title="Bowling (cricket)">bowling</a>, the "slog sweep" is theoretically technically unsound, but has proven highly effective against the spinners and even against faster <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowler_%28cricket%29" title="Bowler (cricket)">bowlers</a> at times. What was also noticeable about Waugh (particularly in the test arena) on his return to the side was his reluctance (and eventual refusal) to play the 'risky' hook shot, rather simply to either play defensively on the back foot, sway or duck out of the way. With this shot removed from Waugh's repertoire his batting developed a safer more reliable look and his test match batting average steadily rose to around 50 for the remainder of his test career.</p> <p>Waugh's ability to continue to play despite a back injury that largely prevented him bowling further enhanced his reputation. Waugh, along with the bowling of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Warne" title="Shane Warne">Shane Warne</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_McGrath" title="Glenn McGrath">Glenn McGrath</a>, provided perhaps the major foundation upon which the Australian team rose to become what was widely regarded as the best team in the world by the mid-1990s<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since February 2007" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup>. He contributed to many one day victories but, often batting in the middle order, his first one-day hundred did not come until his 187th match, for Australia against Sri Lanka at Melbourne in 1995-96.</p> <p><a name="Outside_cricket" id="Outside_cricket"></a></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Outside cricket</span></h2> <p>Waugh helps to raise funds for a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leper" title="Leper" class="mw-redirect">leper</a> children's colony, "Udayan", in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcutta" title="Calcutta" class="mw-redirect">Calcutta</a>. He reportedly also encouraged his players to learn about and enjoy the countries they visited and played in, presumably partly to reduce the siege mentality of some previous Australian teams playing in south Asia.</p> <p>Waugh is a keen <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photographer" title="Photographer">photographer</a> and has produced several "tour diaries" which feature his images. In his latter years as a cricketer, he has written for a number of newspapers. He insists on writing them himself rather than with the assistance of professional journalists. Steve Waugh was recently stated in an article as commenting: "If you don't help people who are in need, it's just not cricket". He is also a prolific author and his ever expanding series of tour diaries and thoughts provide an insight into the mind of Steve Waugh. Recently, he has written an auto-biography called <i>Out of my comfort zone</i>, a book which has brought lots of controversy.</p> <p>Waugh was named <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_of_the_Year" title="Australian of the Year">Australian of the Year</a> in 2004,<sup id="cite_ref-105" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-105" title="">[106]</a></sup> in recognition of both his sporting achievements and charity work. Waugh is married to Lynette with three children and was named <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Father_Of_The_Year_award" title="Australian Father Of The Year award" class="mw-redirect">Australian Father of the Year</a> in 2005.</p> <p>Waugh will work as an athletics liaison officer for Australia at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Summer_Olympics" title="2008 Summer Olympics">2008 Summer Olympics</a> in Beijing.<sup id="cite_ref-106" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Waugh#cite_note-106" title="">[107]</a></sup></p> <p>Waugh has been touted as a potential viable candidate for Australian government elections, although he personally disavows any political plans. Recently, rumours were published in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crikey" title="Crikey">Crikey</a> that Waugh might be the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Labor_Party" title="Australian Labor Party">Australian Labor Party</a> candidate for the seat of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennelong" title="Bennelong">Bennelong</a>, although subsequently <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxine_McKew" title="Maxine McKew">Maxine McKew</a> was nominated.</p> <p>He was also involved with the Australian Football side during the Asian Cup, assisting the team as a psychological mentor</p> <p><a name="Honours" id="Honours"></a></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Honours</span></h2> <p>Waugh was awarded the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Sports_Medal" title="Australian Sports Medal">Australian Sports Medal</a> on 14 July 2000.</p> <p>He was awarded the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_of_the_Year" title="Australian of the Year">Australian of the Year</a> award in 2004, for his cricketing feats also for his work with charities, most noticeably, Udayan Home in Barrackpore, India, helping children suffring with leprosy.</p> <p>In the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 2003, he was appointed an Officer of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Australia" title="Order of Australia">Order of Australia</a> (AO), <i>"for service to cricket as a leading player, and to the community, particularly through the Udayan children's home"</i>.</p> <p>He is an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Living_Treasures" title="Australian Living Treasures">Australian Living Treasure</a>.</p>Sandeep Chowdharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365872210584131539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8036568751497057942.post-64890031859502209892008-10-18T12:27:00.000-07:002008-10-18T12:57:25.483-07:00World's Richest Person Bill Gates Biography<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6esB0JP0Mt13tDnQv0W2uu0-w7e3Yc0xkvfj-qfWitdJw11AhZ9MeaDfvvOejmt-cGQJvIOVuFG1QzrBrzp9cDAKtz5mWVIgL1lSbWRYVC9JAf7DTjiw5aE29cG6N-Xm9rDqz0O9gUc/s1600-h/03-07GatesSenateHearing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6esB0JP0Mt13tDnQv0W2uu0-w7e3Yc0xkvfj-qfWitdJw11AhZ9MeaDfvvOejmt-cGQJvIOVuFG1QzrBrzp9cDAKtz5mWVIgL1lSbWRYVC9JAf7DTjiw5aE29cG6N-Xm9rDqz0O9gUc/s320/03-07GatesSenateHearing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258578574347442594" border="0" /></a><br /><p><b>William Henry</b> "<b>Bill</b>" <b>Gates III</b> (born October 28, 1955),<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-2" title="">[3]</a></sup> is an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States" title="United States">American</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_magnate" title="Business magnate">business magnate</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philanthropist" title="Philanthropist" class="mw-redirect">philanthropist</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_100_wealthiest_people" title="List of the 100 wealthiest people">world's third richest person</a> (as of February 8, 2008),<sup id="cite_ref-networth_1-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-networth-1" title="">[2]</a></sup> the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes_400" title="Forbes 400">second richest American</a> (as of October 10, 2008),<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-3" title="">[4]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-4" title="">[5]</a></sup> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chairman_of_the_board" title="Chairman of the board" class="mw-redirect">chairman</a><sup id="cite_ref-chapman_5-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-chapman-5" title="">[6]</a></sup> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft" title="Microsoft">Microsoft</a>, the software company he founded with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Allen" title="Paul Allen">Paul Allen</a>. During his career at Microsoft, Gates held the positions of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_executive_officer" title="Chief executive officer">CEO</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_architecture" title="Software architecture">chief software architect</a>, and remains the largest individual shareholder with more than 8 percent of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_stock" title="Common stock">common stock</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-6" title="">[7]</a></sup> He has also authored or co-authored several books.</p> <p>Gates is one of the best-known entrepreneurs of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_computer" title="Personal computer">personal computer</a> revolution. Although he is admired by many, a large number of industry insiders criticize his business tactics, which they consider anti-competitive, an opinion which has in some cases been upheld by the courts.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-7" title="">[8]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-8" title="">[9]</a></sup> In the later stages of his career, Gates has pursued a number of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philanthropy" title="Philanthropy">philanthropic</a> endeavors, donating large amounts of money to various charitable organizations and scientific research programs through the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_%26_Melinda_Gates_Foundation" title="Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation">Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation</a>, established in 2000.</p> <p>Bill Gates stepped down as chief executive officer of Microsoft in January, 2000. He remained as chairman and created the position of chief software architect. In June, 2006, Gates announced that he would be transitioning from full-time work at Microsoft to part-time work at Microsoft and full-time work at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_%26_Melinda_Gates_Foundation" title="Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation">Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation</a>. He gradually transferred his duties to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Ozzie" title="Ray Ozzie">Ray Ozzie</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_software_architect" title="Chief software architect" class="mw-redirect">chief software architect</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Mundie" title="Craig Mundie">Craig Mundie</a>, chief research and strategy officer. Gates's last full-time day at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft" title="Microsoft">Microsoft</a> was June 27, 2008. He remains at Microsoft as a part-time, non-executive chairman.</p><p><br /></p><h2><span class="mw-headline">Early life</span></h2> <p>Gates was born in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle" title="Seattle">Seattle</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington" title="Washington">Washington</a>, to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._Gates,_Sr." title="William H. Gates, Sr.">William H. Gates, Sr.</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Maxwell_Gates" title="Mary Maxwell Gates">Mary Maxwell Gates</a>. His family was upper middle class; his father was a prominent lawyer, his mother served on the board of directors for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Interstate_BancSystem" title="First Interstate BancSystem">First Interstate BancSystem</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Way_of_America" title="United Way of America">United Way</a>, and her father, J. W. Maxwell, was a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_bank#United_States" title="National bank">national bank</a> president. Gates has one older sister, Kristi (Kristianne), and one younger sister, Libby. He was the fourth of his name in his family, but was known as William Gates III or "Trey" because his father had dropped his own "III" suffix.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-9" title="">[10]</a></sup> Early on in his life, Gates's parents had a law career in mind for him.<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-10" title="">[11]</a></sup></p> <p>At thirteen he enrolled in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakeside_School" title="Lakeside School">Lakeside School</a>, an exclusive preparatory school.<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-11" title="">[12]</a></sup> When he was in the eighth grade, the Mothers Club at the school used proceeds from Lakeside School's rummage sale to buy an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASR-33" title="ASR-33" class="mw-redirect">ASR-33</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teletype" title="Teletype" class="mw-redirect">teletype</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_terminal" title="Computer terminal">terminal</a> and a block of computer time on a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Electric" title="General Electric">General Electric</a> (GE) computer for the school's students.<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-12" title="">[13]</a></sup> Gates took an interest in programming the GE system in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC_programming_language" title="BASIC programming language" class="mw-redirect">BASIC</a> and was excused from math classes to pursue his interest. He wrote his first computer program on this machine: an implementation of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tic-tac-toe" title="Tic-tac-toe">tic-tac-toe</a> that allowed users to play games against the computer. Gates was fascinated by the machine and how it would always execute software code perfectly. When he reflected back on that moment, he commented on it and said, "There was just something neat about the machine."<sup id="cite_ref-dlzsnr_13-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-dlzsnr-13" title="">[14]</a></sup> After the Mothers Club donation was exhausted, he and other students sought time on systems including <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Equipment_Corporation" title="Digital Equipment Corporation">DEC</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programmed_Data_Processor" title="Programmed Data Processor">PDP</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minicomputer" title="Minicomputer">minicomputers</a>. One of these systems was a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP-10" title="PDP-10">PDP-10</a> belonging to Computer Center Corporation (CCC), which banned four Lakeside students—Gates, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Allen" title="Paul Allen">Paul Allen</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ric_Weiland" title="Ric Weiland">Ric Weiland</a>, and Kent Evans—for the summer after it caught them exploiting bugs in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system" title="Operating system">operating system</a> to obtain free computer time.<sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-14" title="">[15]</a></sup></p> <p>At the end of the ban, the four students offered to find bugs in CCC's software in exchange for computer time. Rather than use the system via teletype, Gates went to CCC's offices and studied <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_code" title="Source code">source code</a> for various programs that ran on the system, including programs in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FORTRAN" title="FORTRAN" class="mw-redirect">FORTRAN</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LISP" title="LISP" class="mw-redirect">LISP</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_language" title="Machine language" class="mw-redirect">machine language</a>. The arrangement with CCC continued until 1970, when it went out of business. The following year, Information Sciences Inc. hired the four Lakeside students to write a payroll program in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COBOL" title="COBOL">COBOL</a>, providing them computer time and royalties. After his administrators became aware of his programming abilities, Gates wrote the school's computer program to schedule students in classes. He modified the code so that he was placed in classes with mostly female students. He later stated that "it was hard to tear myself away from a machine at which I could so unambiguously demonstrate success."<sup id="cite_ref-dlzsnr_13-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-dlzsnr-13" title="">[14]</a></sup> At age 17, Gates formed a venture with Allen, called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traf-O-Data" title="Traf-O-Data">Traf-O-Data</a>, to make <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_counter" title="Traffic counter">traffic counters</a> based on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_8008" title="Intel 8008">Intel 8008</a> processor.<sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-15" title="">[16]</a></sup></p> <p>Gates graduated from Lakeside School in 1973. He scored 1590 out of 1600 on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scholastic_Aptitude_Test" title="Scholastic Aptitude Test" class="mw-redirect">Scholastic Aptitude Test</a><sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-16" title="">[17]</a></sup> and subsequently enrolled at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_College" title="Harvard College">Harvard College</a> in the fall of 1973.<sup id="cite_ref-wzxoxv_17-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-wzxoxv-17" title="">[18]</a></sup> Prior to the mid 1990s, an SAT score of 1590 was equivalent to an IQ of about 170 (roughly the one in a million level),<sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-18" title="">[19]</a></sup> a figure that would frequently be cited by the press.<sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-19" title="">[20]</a></sup> While at Harvard, he met his future business partner, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Ballmer" title="Steve Ballmer">Steve Ballmer</a>, whom he later appointed as CEO of Microsoft. He also met computer scientist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christos_Papadimitriou" title="Christos Papadimitriou">Christos Papadimitriou</a> at Harvard, with whom he collaborated on a paper about algorithms.<sup id="cite_ref-gatespapadimitriou_20-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-gatespapadimitriou-20" title="">[21]</a></sup> He did not have a definite study plan while a student at Harvard<sup id="cite_ref-lmxgxg_21-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-lmxgxg-21" title="">[22]</a></sup> and spent a lot of time using the school's computers. He remained in contact with Paul Allen, joining him at Honeywell during the summer of 1974.<sup id="cite_ref-22" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-22" title="">[23]</a></sup> The following year saw the release of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MITS_Altair_8800" title="MITS Altair 8800" class="mw-redirect">MITS Altair 8800</a> based on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_8080" title="Intel 8080">Intel 8080</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU" title="CPU" class="mw-redirect">CPU</a>, and Gates and Allen saw this as the opportunity to start their own computer software company.<sup id="cite_ref-23" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-23" title="">[24]</a></sup> He had talked this decision over with his parents, who were supportive of him after seeing how much Gates wanted to start a company.<sup id="cite_ref-lmxgxg_21-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-lmxgxg-21" title="">[22]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Microsoft" id="Microsoft"></a></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Microsoft</span></h2> <dl><dd> <div class="noprint relarticle mainarticle"><i>Main articles: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Microsoft" title="History of Microsoft">History of Microsoft</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft" title="Microsoft">Microsoft</a></i></div> </dd></dl> <p><a name="BASIC" id="BASIC"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">BASIC</span></h3> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 202px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Altair_8800_Computer.jpg" class="image" title="MITS Altair 8800 Computer with 8 inch floppy disk system"><img alt="MITS Altair 8800 Computer with 8 inch floppy disk system" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/Altair_8800_Computer.jpg/200px-Altair_8800_Computer.jpg" class="thumbimage" width="200" border="0" height="180" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"> <div class="magnify"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Altair_8800_Computer.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11" /></a></div> MITS Altair 8800 Computer with 8 inch floppy disk system</div> </div> </div> <p>After reading the January 1975 issue of <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_Electronics" title="Popular Electronics">Popular Electronics</a></i> that demonstrated the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altair_8800" title="Altair 8800">Altair 8800</a>, Gates contacted <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro_Instrumentation_and_Telemetry_Systems" title="Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems">Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems</a> (MITS), the creators of the new microcomputer, to inform them that he and others were working on a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" title="BASIC">BASIC</a> interpreter for the platform.<sup id="cite_ref-keyevents_24-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-keyevents-24" title="">[25]</a></sup> In reality, Gates and Allen did not have an Altair and had not written code for it; they merely wanted to gauge MITS's interest. MITS president <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._Edward_Roberts" title="H. Edward Roberts" class="mw-redirect">Ed Roberts</a> agreed to meet them for a demo, and over the course of a few weeks they developed an Altair <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emulator" title="Emulator">emulator</a> that ran on a minicomputer, and then the BASIC interpreter. The demonstration, held at MITS's offices in Albuquerque, was a success and resulted in a deal with MITS to distribute the interpreter as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altair_BASIC" title="Altair BASIC">Altair BASIC</a>. Paul Allen was hired into MITS,<sup id="cite_ref-thocp1_25-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-thocp1-25" title="">[26]</a></sup> and Gates took a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leave_of_absence" title="Leave of absence">leave of absence</a> from Harvard to work with Allen at MITS in Albuquerque in November 1975. They named their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partnership" title="Partnership">partnership</a> "Micro-soft" and had their first office located in Albuquerque.<sup id="cite_ref-thocp1_25-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-thocp1-25" title="">[26]</a></sup> Within a year, the hyphen was dropped, and on November 26, 1976, the trade name "Microsoft" was registered with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USPTO" title="USPTO" class="mw-redirect">USPTO</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-thocp1_25-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-thocp1-25" title="">[26]</a></sup></p> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft" title="Microsoft">Microsoft</a>'s BASIC was popular with computer hobbyists, but Gates discovered that a pre-market copy had leaked into the community and was being widely copied and distributed. In February 1976, Gates wrote an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Letter_to_Hobbyists" title="Open Letter to Hobbyists">Open Letter to Hobbyists</a> in the MITS newsletter saying that MITS could not continue to produce, distribute, and maintain high-quality software without payment.<sup id="cite_ref-26" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-26" title="">[27]</a></sup> This letter was unpopular with many computer hobbyists, but Gates persisted in his belief that software developers should be able to demand payment. Microsoft became independent of MITS in late 1976, and it continued to develop programming language software for various systems.<sup id="cite_ref-thocp1_25-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-thocp1-25" title="">[26]</a></sup> The company moved from Albuquerque to its new home in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellevue,_Washington" title="Bellevue, Washington">Bellevue, Washington</a> on January 1, 1979.<sup id="cite_ref-keyevents_24-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-keyevents-24" title="">[25]</a></sup></p> <p>During Microsoft's early years, all employees had broad responsibility for the company's business. Gates oversaw the business details, but continued to write code as well. In the first five years, he personally reviewed every line of code the company shipped, and often rewrote parts of it as he saw fit.<sup id="cite_ref-waterloo_27-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-waterloo-27" title="">[28]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="IBM_partnership" id="IBM_partnership"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">IBM partnership</span></h3> <p>In 1980, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM" title="IBM">IBM</a> approached Microsoft to write the BASIC interpreter for its upcoming personal computer, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_PC" title="IBM PC" class="mw-redirect">IBM PC</a>. When IBM's representatives mentioned that they needed an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system" title="Operating system">operating system</a>, Gates referred them to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Research" title="Digital Research">Digital Research</a> (DRI), makers of the widely used <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CP/M" title="CP/M">CP/M</a> operating system.<sup id="cite_ref-28" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> IBM's discussions with Digital Research went poorly, and they did not reach a licensing agreement. IBM representative Jack Sams mentioned the licensing difficulties during a subsequent meeting with Gates and told him to get an acceptable operating system. A few weeks later Gates proposed using <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/86-DOS" title="86-DOS">86-DOS</a> (QDOS), an operating system similar to CP/M that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Paterson" title="Tim Paterson">Tim Paterson</a> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Computer_Products" title="Seattle Computer Products">Seattle Computer Products</a> had made for hardware similar to the PC. Microsoft made a deal with SCP to become the exclusive licensing agent, and later the full owner, of 86-DOS. After adapting the operating system for the PC, Microsoft delivered it to IBM as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_PC-DOS" title="IBM PC-DOS">PC-DOS</a> in exchange for a one-time fee of $50,000. Gates insisted that IBM let Microsoft keep the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright" title="Copyright">copyright</a> on the operating system, because he believed that other hardware vendors would clone IBM's system.<sup id="cite_ref-29" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-29" title="">[30]</a></sup> They did, and the sales of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS-DOS" title="MS-DOS">MS-DOS</a> made Microsoft a major player in the industry.<sup id="cite_ref-30" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-30" title="">[31]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Windows" id="Windows"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Windows</span></h3> <p>Gates oversaw Microsoft's company restructuring on June 25, 1981, which re-incorporated the company in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington" title="Washington">Washington</a> and made Gates President of Microsoft and the Chairman of the Board.<sup id="cite_ref-keyevents_24-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-keyevents-24" title="">[25]</a></sup> Microsoft launched its first retail version of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows" title="Microsoft Windows">Microsoft Windows</a> on November 20, 1985, and in August, the company struck a deal with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM" title="IBM">IBM</a> to develop a separate operating system called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OS/2" title="OS/2">OS/2</a>. Although the two companies successfully developed the first version of the new system, mounting creative differences undermined the partnership. Gates distributed an internal memo on May 16, 1991 announcing that the OS/2 partnership was over and Microsoft would shift its efforts to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_NT" title="Windows NT">Windows NT</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kernel_%28computer_science%29" title="Kernel (computer science)">kernel</a> development.<sup id="cite_ref-31" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-31" title="">[32]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Management_style" id="Management_style"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Management style</span></h3> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 252px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Billgates.JPG" class="image" title="Bill Gates giving his deposition at Microsoft on August 27, 1998"><img alt="Bill Gates giving his deposition at Microsoft on August 27, 1998" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Billgates.JPG/250px-Billgates.JPG" class="thumbimage" width="250" border="0" height="185" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"> <div class="magnify"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Billgates.JPG" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11" /></a></div> Bill Gates giving his deposition at Microsoft on August 27, 1998</div> </div> </div> <p>From Microsoft's founding in 1975 until 2006, Gates had primary responsibility for the company's product strategy. He aggressively broadened the company's range of products, and wherever Microsoft achieved a dominant position he vigorously defended it.</p> <p>As an executive, Gates met regularly with Microsoft's senior managers and program managers. Firsthand accounts of these meetings describe him as verbally combative, berating managers for perceived holes in their business strategies or proposals that placed the company's long-term interests at risk.<sup id="cite_ref-rensin_32-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-rensin-32" title="">[33]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-33" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-33" title="">[34]</a></sup> He often interrupted presentations with such comments as, "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!"<sup id="cite_ref-time_GOS_34-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-time_GOS-34" title="">[35]</a></sup> and, "Why don't you just give up your <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Option_%28finance%29" title="Option (finance)">options</a> and join the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_Corps" title="Peace Corps">Peace Corps</a>?"<sup id="cite_ref-35" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-35" title="">[36]</a></sup> The target of his outburst then had to defend the proposal in detail until, hopefully, Gates was fully convinced.<sup id="cite_ref-time_GOS_34-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-time_GOS-34" title="">[35]</a></sup> When subordinates appeared to be procrastinating, he was known to remark sarcastically, "I'll do it over the weekend."<sup id="cite_ref-chapman_5-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-chapman-5" title="">[6]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-pdc97_36-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-pdc97-36" title="">[37]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-herbold_37-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-herbold-37" title="">[38]</a></sup></p> <p>Gates's role at Microsoft for most of its history was primarily a management and executive role. However, he was an active software developer in the early years, particularly on the company's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programming_language" title="Programming language">programming language</a> products. He has not officially been on a development team since working on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS-80_Model_100_line" title="TRS-80 Model 100 line">TRS-80 Model 100 line</a>, but wrote code as late as 1989 that shipped in the company's products.<sup id="cite_ref-pdc97_36-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-pdc97-36" title="">[37]</a></sup> On June 15, 2006, Gates announced that he would transition out of his day-to-day role over the next two years to dedicate more time to philanthropy. He divided his responsibilities between two successors, placing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Ozzie" title="Ray Ozzie">Ray Ozzie</a> in charge of day-to-day management and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Mundie" title="Craig Mundie">Craig Mundie</a> in charge of long-term product strategy.<sup id="cite_ref-mscorpnews_38-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-mscorpnews-38" title="">[39]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Antitrust_law_violations" id="Antitrust_law_violations"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Antitrust law violations</span></h3> <dl><dd><i>Further information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Microsoft_antitrust_case" title="United States Microsoft antitrust case">United States Microsoft antitrust case</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_Microsoft_competition_case" title="European Union Microsoft competition case">European Union Microsoft competition case</a></i></dd></dl> <p>Many decisions that led to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_antitrust_law" title="United States antitrust law">antitrust</a> litigation over Microsoft's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_practices" title="Business practices" class="mw-redirect">business practices</a> have had Gates's approval. In the 1998 <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Microsoft" title="United States v. Microsoft" class="mw-redirect">United States v. Microsoft</a></i> case, Gates gave deposition testimony that several journalists characterized as evasive. He argued with examiner <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Boies" title="David Boies">David Boies</a> over the contextual meaning of words like "compete," "concerned," and "we."<sup id="cite_ref-39" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-39" title="">[40]</a></sup> <i>BusinessWeek</i> reported:</p> <blockquote class="toccolours" style="padding: 10px 15px; float: none; display: table;"> <p>Early rounds of his deposition show him offering obfuscatory answers and saying 'I don't recall,' so many times that even the presiding judge had to chuckle. Worse, many of the technology chief's denials and pleas of ignorance were directly refuted by prosecutors with snippets of e-mail Gates both sent and received.<sup id="cite_ref-40" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-40" title="">[41]</a></sup></p> </blockquote> <p>Gates later said that he had simply resisted attempts by Boies to mischaracterize his words and actions. As to his demeanor during the deposition, he said, "Did I fence with Boies? ... I plead guilty. Whatever that penalty is should be levied against me: rudeness to Boies in the first degree."<sup id="cite_ref-truth_41-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-truth-41" title="">[42]</a></sup> Despite Gates's denials, the judge ruled that Microsoft had committed monopolization and tying, blocking competition, in violation of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherman_Antitrust_Act" title="Sherman Antitrust Act">Sherman Antitrust Act</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-truth_41-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-truth-41" title="">[42]</a></sup></p> <p>The <b>European Union Microsoft competition case</b> is also a case brought by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Commission" title="European Commission">European Commission</a> of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union" title="European Union">European Union</a> (EU) against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft" title="Microsoft">Microsoft</a> for abuse of its dominant position in the market (according to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Competition_law" title="Competition law">competition law</a>). It started as a complaint from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novell" title="Novell">Novell</a> over Microsoft's licensing practices in 1993, and eventually resulted in the EU ordering Microsoft to divulge certain information about its server products and release a version of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows" title="Microsoft Windows">Microsoft Windows</a> without <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Media_Player" title="Windows Media Player">Windows Media Player</a>.</p> <p><a name="Appearance_in_ads" id="Appearance_in_ads"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Appearance in ads</span></h3> <p>Bill Gates decided in 2008 to appear in at least 1 commercial in a series of ads to promote <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft" title="Microsoft">Microsoft</a>. This commercial, co-starring <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Seinfeld" title="Jerry Seinfeld">Jerry Seinfeld</a>, is a 1 and a half minute talk between strangers as Seinfeld walks up on a discount shoe store (Shoe Circus) in a mall and notices Bill Gates buying shoes inside. The salesman is trying to sell Mr. Gates shoes that are a size too big. Mr. Seinfeld begins to inform him about a pair of shoes called Conquistadors that run "a little tight" and sells him on them in a size 10 (whereas the store clerk was attempting an 11). As Mr. Gates is buying the shoes he holds up his discount card, this card uses a slightly altered version of his own mugshot of his arrest in New Mexico in 1977 for a traffic violation <sup id="cite_ref-42" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-42" title="">[43]</a></sup>. As they are walking out of the mall, Jerry Seinfeld asks Bill Gates if he has melded his mind to other developers, after getting a yes, he then asks if they are working on a way to make computers edible, again getting a yes. Most critics are still in debate over the exact meaning of this commercial saying that it is too vague to make sense to them. Though some say that it is an homage to Mr. Seinfeld's own show about "nothing"(<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld" title="Seinfeld">Seinfeld</a>). <sup id="cite_ref-43" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-43" title="">[44]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Personal_life" id="Personal_life"></a></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Personal life</span></h2> <p>Gates married <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melinda_Gates" title="Melinda Gates">Melinda Gates</a> (née French) from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas,_TX" title="Dallas, TX" class="mw-redirect">Dallas</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas" title="Texas">Texas</a> on January 1, 1994. They have three children: Jennifer Katharine(1996), Rory John(1999) and Phoebe Adele(2002). <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates%27_house" title="Bill Gates' house" class="mw-redirect">Bill Gates' house</a> is a 21st century <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_sheltering" title="Earth sheltering">earth-sheltered home</a> in the side of a hill overlooking <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Washington" title="Lake Washington">Lake Washington</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medina,_Washington" title="Medina, Washington">Medina</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington" title="Washington">Washington</a>. According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_County,_Washington" title="King County, Washington">King County</a> public records, as of 2006, the total assessed value of the property (land and house) is $125 million, and the annual property tax is $991,000. Also among Gates's private acquisitions is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codex_Leicester" title="Codex Leicester">Codex Leicester</a>, a collection of writings by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci" title="Leonardo da Vinci">Leonardo da Vinci</a>, which Gates bought for $30.8 million at an auction in 1994.<sup id="cite_ref-44" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-44" title="">[45]</a></sup> Gates is also known as an avid reader, and the ceiling of his large home library is engraved with a quotation from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Gatsby" title="The Great Gatsby">The Great Gatsby</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-45" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-45" title="">[46]</a></sup> He also enjoys playing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_%28card_game%29" title="Bridge (card game)" class="mw-redirect">bridge</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis" title="Tennis">tennis</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf" title="Golf">golf</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-46" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-46" title="">[47]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-47" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-47" title="">[48]</a></sup></p> <p>Gates was number one on the "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes_400" title="Forbes 400">Forbes 400</a>" list from 1993 through to 2007 and number one on <i>Forbes</i> list of "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_billionaires" title="Lists of billionaires" class="mw-redirect">The World's Richest People</a>" from 1995 to 2007. In 1999, Gates's wealth briefly surpassed $101 billion, causing the media to call him a "centibillionaire".<sup id="cite_ref-48" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> Since 2000, the nominal value of his Microsoft holdings has declined due to a fall in Microsoft's stock price after the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dot-com_bubble" title="Dot-com bubble">dot-com bubble</a> burst and the multi-billion dollar donations he has made to his charitable foundations. In a May 2006 interview, Gates commented that he wished that he were not the richest man in the world because he disliked the attention it brought.<sup id="cite_ref-49" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-49" title="">[50]</a></sup> Gates has several investments outside Microsoft, which in 2006 paid him a salary of $616,667, and $350,000 bonus totalling $966,667.<sup id="cite_ref-50" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-50" title="">[51]</a></sup> He founded <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corbis" title="Corbis">Corbis</a>, a digital imaging company, in 1989. In 2004 he became a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Board_of_directors" title="Board of directors">director</a> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkshire_Hathaway" title="Berkshire Hathaway">Berkshire Hathaway</a>, the investment company headed by long-time friend <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffett" title="Warren Buffett">Warren Buffett</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-51" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-51" title="">[52]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Philanthropy" id="Philanthropy"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Philanthropy</span></h3> <dl><dd><i>Further information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_%26_Melinda_Gates_Foundation" title="Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation">Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation</a></i></dd></dl> <p>Gates began to realize the expectations others had of him when public opinion mounted that he could give more of his wealth to charity. Gates studied the work of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Carnegie" title="Andrew Carnegie">Andrew Carnegie</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_D._Rockefeller" title="John D. Rockefeller">John D. Rockefeller</a> and in 1994 sold some of his Microsoft stock to create the William H. Gates Foundation. In 2000, Gates and his wife combined three family foundations into one to create the charitable <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_%26_Melinda_Gates_Foundation" title="Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation">Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation</a>, which is the largest <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparency_%28humanities%29" title="Transparency (humanities)" class="mw-redirect">transparently</a> operated <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charitable_foundation" title="Charitable foundation" class="mw-redirect">charitable foundation</a> in the world.<sup id="cite_ref-52" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-52" title="">[53]</a></sup> The foundation is setup to allow benefactors access how its money is being spent, unlike other major <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charitable_organization" title="Charitable organization">charitable organizations</a> such as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellcome_Trust" title="Wellcome Trust">Wellcome Trust</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-53" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-53" title="">[54]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-54" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-54" title="">[55]</a></sup> The generosity and extensive philanthropy of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Rockefeller" title="David Rockefeller">David Rockefeller</a> has been credited as a major influence. Gates and his father have met with Rockefeller several times and have modeled their giving in part on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockefeller_family" title="Rockefeller family">Rockefeller family</a>'s philanthropic focus, namely those global problems that are ignored by governments and other organizations.<sup id="cite_ref-bill_foundation_55-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-bill_foundation-55" title="">[56]</a></sup> As of 2007 Bill and Melinda Gates were the second most generous philanthropist in America, having given over $28 billion to charity.<sup id="cite_ref-56" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-56" title="">[57]</a></sup></p> <p>The foundation has also received criticism because it invests the assets that it has not yet distributed, with the exclusive goal of maximizing the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Return_on_investment" title="Return on investment" class="mw-redirect">return on investment</a>. As a result, its investments include companies that have been criticized for worsening poverty in the same developing countries where the Foundation is attempting to relieve poverty. These include companies that pollute heavily and pharmaceutical companies that do not sell into the developing world.<sup id="cite_ref-57" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-57" title="">[58]</a></sup> In response to press criticism, the foundation announced in 2007 a review of its investments to assess social responsibility.<sup id="cite_ref-58" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-58" title="">[59]</a></sup> It subsequently cancelled the review and stood by its policy of investing for maximum return, while using voting rights to influence company practices.<sup id="cite_ref-59" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-59" title="">[60]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Recognition" id="Recognition"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Recognition</span></h3> <p><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_%28magazine%29" title="Time (magazine)">Time</a></i> magazine named Gates one of the 100 people who most influenced the 20th century, as well as one of the 100 most influential people of 2004, 2005, and 2006. <i>Time</i> also collectively named Gates, his wife <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melinda_Gates" title="Melinda Gates">Melinda</a> and alternative rock band <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U2" title="U2">U2</a>'s lead singer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bono" title="Bono">Bono</a> as the 2005 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Person_of_the_Year" title="Person of the Year" class="mw-redirect">Persons of the Year</a> for their humanitarian efforts.<sup id="cite_ref-60" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-60" title="">[61]</a></sup> In 2006, he was voted eighth in the list of "Heroes of our time".<sup id="cite_ref-61" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-61" title="">[62]</a></sup> Gates was listed in the <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sunday_Times_%28UK%29" title="The Sunday Times (UK)" class="mw-redirect">Sunday Times</a></i> power list in 1999, named CEO of the year by <i>Chief Executive Officers magazine</i> in 1994, ranked number one in the "Top 50 Cyber Elite" by <i>Time</i> in 1998, ranked number two in the <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upside_%28magazine%29" title="Upside (magazine)">Upside</a></i> Elite 100 in 1999 and was included in <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Guardian" title="The Guardian">The Guardian</a></i> as one of the "Top 100 influential people in media" in 2001.<sup id="cite_ref-62" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-62" title="">[63]</a></sup></p> <p>Gates has received <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorary_degree" title="Honorary degree">honorary doctorates</a> from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyenrode_Business_Universiteit" title="Nyenrode Business Universiteit">Nyenrode Business Universiteit</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breukelen" title="Breukelen">Breukelen</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Netherlands" title="The Netherlands" class="mw-redirect">The Netherlands</a> in 2000,<sup id="cite_ref-63" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-63" title="">[64]</a></sup> the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Institute_of_Technology" title="Royal Institute of Technology">Royal Institute of Technology</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm" title="Stockholm">Stockholm</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden" title="Sweden">Sweden</a> in 2002, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waseda_University" title="Waseda University">Waseda University</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo" title="Tokyo">Tokyo</a>, Japan in 2005, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_University" title="Harvard University">Harvard University</a> in June 2007,<sup id="cite_ref-64" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-64" title="">[65]</a></sup> and from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karolinska_Institutet" title="Karolinska Institutet">Karolinska Institutet</a>, Stockholm, in January 2008.<sup id="cite_ref-65" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-65" title="">[66]</a></sup> Gates was also made an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_honours_system#Honorary_Awards" title="British honours system" class="mw-redirect">honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire</a> (KBE) from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II_of_the_United_Kingdom" title="Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom">Queen Elizabeth II</a> in 2005,<sup id="cite_ref-66" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-66" title="">[67]</a></sup> in addition to having <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entomology" title="Entomology">entomologists</a> name the Bill Gates flower fly, <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates%27_flower_fly" title="Bill Gates' flower fly">Eristalis gatesi</a></i>, in his honor.<sup id="cite_ref-67" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-67" title="">[68]</a></sup></p> <p>In November 2006, he and his wife were awarded the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Aztec_Eagle" title="Order of the Aztec Eagle">Order of the Aztec Eagle</a> for their philanthropic work around the world in the areas of health and education, particularly in Mexico, and specifically in the program "<i>Un país de lectores"</i>.<sup id="cite_ref-68" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-68" title="">[69]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Investments" id="Investments"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Investments</span></h3> <ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascade_Investments_LLC" title="Cascade Investments LLC" class="mw-redirect">Cascade Investments LLC</a>, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Private_investment&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Private investment (page does not exist)">private investment</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holding_company" title="Holding company">holding company</a>, incorporated in United States, is controlled by Bill Gates, and is headquartered in the city of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirkland,_WA" title="Kirkland, WA" class="mw-redirect">Kirkland, WA</a>.</li></ul> <ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapphire_Energy" title="Sapphire Energy" class="mw-redirect">Sapphire Energy</a>, a company working to turn <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae_to_fuel" title="Algae to fuel" class="mw-redirect">algae to fuel</a>, is financed by Bill Gates<sup id="cite_ref-69" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates#cite_note-69" title="">[70]</a></sup>.</li></ul><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sandeep Chowdharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365872210584131539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8036568751497057942.post-13897050668298824942008-10-18T12:21:00.000-07:002008-10-18T12:55:40.788-07:00Greatest Investor Warren Buffet's Biography<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qlxL0pl-1S-LFH6PxlGHjdJtSqEcAxci4LvSB95_A34edfLb6zIKRDFoNx6m-Pq1SoHlOeNoO3X5M7fBVb22RMnfRoI8eDlvqLgDet4Olt8rgII3ZddULufZP63q3_odlIQDqx4-ZKU/s1600-h/Buffett2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qlxL0pl-1S-LFH6PxlGHjdJtSqEcAxci4LvSB95_A34edfLb6zIKRDFoNx6m-Pq1SoHlOeNoO3X5M7fBVb22RMnfRoI8eDlvqLgDet4Olt8rgII3ZddULufZP63q3_odlIQDqx4-ZKU/s320/Buffett2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258577391510120866" border="0" /></a><br /><h2><br /></h2><h2><span class="mw-headline">Early life and Benjamin Graham</span></h2> <p>Warren Buffett was born in Omaha, Nebraska on 30th August 1930, to Leila, (Stahl), and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Buffett" title="Howard Buffett">Howard Buffett</a>. As the son of a local stockbroker, it is likely that he was exposed to markets at a very young age.<br /></p><p><b>Warren Buffett</b> (born August 30, 1930) is an American <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investor" title="Investor">investor</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Businessman" title="Businessman" class="mw-redirect">businessman</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philanthropist" title="Philanthropist" class="mw-redirect">philanthropist</a>. He is one of the world's most successful investors and the largest <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shareholder" title="Shareholder">shareholder</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_executive_officer" title="Chief executive officer">CEO</a> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkshire_Hathaway" title="Berkshire Hathaway">Berkshire Hathaway</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-investopedia_2-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-investopedia-2" title="">[3]</a></sup> He was ranked by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes" title="Forbes">Forbes</a> as the richest man in the world during the first half of 2008, with an estimated net worth of $62.3 billion.</p> <p>Often called the "<b>Oracle of Omaha</b>",<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-3" title="">[4]</a></sup> Buffett is noted for his adherence to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_investing" title="Value investing">value investing</a> philosophy and for his personal <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frugality" title="Frugality">frugality</a> despite his immense <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth" title="Wealth">wealth</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-4" title="">[5]</a></sup> His 2006 annual <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salary" title="Salary">salary</a> was about $100,000, which is small compared to senior <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_compensation" title="Executive compensation">executive remuneration</a> in comparable companies.<sup id="cite_ref-fool1_5-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-fool1-5" title="">[6]</a></sup> When Buffett spent $9.7 million of Berkshire's funds on a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_jet" title="Business jet">business jet</a> in 1989, he jokingly named it "<i>The Indefensible</i>" because of his past criticisms of such purchases by other CEOs.<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-6" title="">[7]</a></sup> He lives in the same house in the central <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dundee,_Nebraska" title="Dundee, Nebraska" class="mw-redirect">Dundee</a> neighborhood of Omaha that he bought in 1958 for $31,500 and today, it is valued at around $700,000.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-7" title="">[8]</a></sup></p> <p>Buffett also is a notable philanthropist. In 2006, he announced a plan to give away his fortune to charity, with 83% of it going to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_%26_Melinda_Gates_Foundation" title="Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation">Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-8" title="">[9]</a></sup> In 2007, he was listed among <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_%28magazine%29" title="Time (magazine)"><i>Time</i></a>'s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_100" title="Time 100">100 Most Influential People</a> in The World.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-9" title="">[10]</a></sup> He also serves as a member of the board of trustees at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grinnell_College" title="Grinnell College">Grinnell College</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-10" title="">[11]</a></sup></p> <div class="thumb tleft"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 158px;"> <table style="border: 0pt none ; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; width: 154px;" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td style="margin: 0pt;" class="thumbimage"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Benjamin_Graham.jpg" class="image" title="Benjamin Graham(1894–1976)"><img alt="Benjamin Graham(1894–1976)" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/68/Benjamin_Graham.jpg" width="75" border="0" height="82" /></a></td> <td style="border: 0pt none ; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 2px;"><br /></td> <td style="margin: 0pt;" class="thumbimage"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Phil_Fisher.jpg" class="image" title="Benjamin Graham(1894–1976)"><img alt="Benjamin Graham(1894–1976)" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/76/Phil_Fisher.jpg" width="75" border="0" height="85" /></a></td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top;"> <td style="border: 0pt none ; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <div class="thumbcaption"> <center><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Graham" title="Benjamin Graham">Benjamin Graham</a><br />(1894–1976)</center> </div> </td> <td style="border: 0pt none ; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"><br /></td> <td style="border: 0pt none ; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <div class="thumbcaption"> <center><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Arthur_Fisher" title="Philip Arthur Fisher">Phil<br />Fisher</a><br />(1907–2004)</center> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> </div> <p>One of his influential mentors was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Graham" title="Benjamin Graham">Benjamin Graham</a>. Graham’s philosophy had such an impact on Buffett that he enrolled in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_Business_School" title="Columbia Business School">Columbia Business School</a> to study directly under him. In Buffett’s own words: “I’m 15 percent <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Arthur_Fisher" title="Philip Arthur Fisher">Fisher</a> and 85 percent Benjamin Graham”.<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-11" title="">[12]</a></sup> As Buffett often would say about Graham’s teachings: “The basic ideas of investing are to look at stocks as business, use the market's fluctuations to your advantage, and seek a margin of safety. That’s what Ben Graham taught us. A hundred years from now they will still be the cornerstones of investing”.<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-12" title="">[13]</a></sup><span class="editsection"></span> <span class="mw-headline">Political connections</span></p> <p>In addition to other political contributions over the years, Mr. Buffett has formally endorsed and made campaign contributions to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama" title="Barack Obama">Barack Obama</a>'s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama_presidential_campaign,_2008" title="Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008">presidential campaign</a>, this coming after Buffett supported Hillary Clinton's 2008 Presidential Campaign. On 2nd July 2008, Mr. Buffett attended a $28,500 per plate fundraiser for Mr. Obama's campaign in Chicago hosted by Mr. Obama's National Finance Chair, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_Pritzker" title="Penny Pritzker">Penny Pritzker</a> and her husband, as well as Obama advisor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerie_Jarrett" title="Valerie Jarrett">Valerie Jarrett</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-13" title="">[14]</a></sup></p> <p>During the second <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election_debates,_2008" title="United States presidential election debates, 2008">2008 U.S. presidential debate</a>, Candidate John McCain and Candidate Barack Obama, (after being asked first by presidential debate mediator Tom Brokaw), both mentioned Buffett as a possible future Secretary of the Treasury. <sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-14" title="">[15]</a></sup></p> <p>Later in the 3rd and final presidential debate Obama mentioned Warren Buffett as potential economic advisor.</p> <p><a name="Writings" id="Writings"></a></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span> <span class="mw-headline">Writings</span></h2> <p>Warren Buffett's writings include his annual reports and various articles. In his article "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Superinvestors_of_Graham-and-Doddsville" title="The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville">The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville</a>", Buffett condemned the academic position that the market was efficient and that beating the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%26P_500" title="S&P 500">S&P 500</a> was "pure chance" by highlighting a number of students of the Graham and Dodd value investing school of thought. In addition to himself, Buffett named Walter J. Schloss, Tom Knapp, Ed Anderson (Tweedy, Brown Inc.), Bill Ruane (Sequoia Fund, Inc.), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Munger" title="Charles Munger" class="mw-redirect">Charles Munger</a>, Rick Guerin (Pacific Partners, Ltd.), and Stan Perlmeter (Perlmeter Investments) as having beaten the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%26P_500" title="S&P 500">S&P 500</a>, "year in and year out".</p> <p>On September 29, 2008, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bantam_Books" title="Bantam Books">Bantam Books</a> released <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Snowball:_Warren_Buffett_and_the_Business_of_Life" title="The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life">The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life</a></i> written by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Schroeder" title="Alice Schroeder">Alice Schroeder</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-15" title="">[16]</a></sup> This book is notable because it is the first biography written with Buffett's cooperation.<sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-16" title="">[17]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Personal_life" id="Personal_life"></a></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span> <span class="mw-headline">Personal life</span></h2> <p>Mr. Buffett married <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Buffett" title="Susan Buffett">Susan Thompson</a> in 1952. They had three children, Susie, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Graham_Buffett" title="Howard Graham Buffett">Howard</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Buffett" title="Peter Buffett">Peter</a>. The couple began living separately in 1977, although they remained married until her death in July 2004. Their daughter Susie lives in Omaha and does charitable work through the <i>Susan A. Buffett Foundation</i> and is a national board member of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls,_Inc." title="Girls, Inc.">Girls, Inc.</a></p> <p>In 2006, on his seventy-sixth birthday, he married his never-before-married longtime-companion, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Astrid_Menks&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Astrid Menks (page does not exist)">Astrid Menks</a>, who was sixty years old. She had lived with him since his wife's departure in 1977 to San Francisco.<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-17" title="">[18]</a></sup> Interestingly, it was Susan Buffett who arranged for the two to meet before she left Omaha to pursue her singing career. All three were close and holiday cards to friends were signed "Warren, Susie and Astrid"<sup id="cite_ref-lowenstein_18-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-lowenstein-18" title="">[19]</a></sup>. Susan Buffett briefly discussed this relationship in an interview on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Rose_%28talk_show%29" title="Charlie Rose (talk show)">Charlie Rose Show</a> shortly before her death, in a rare glimpse into Buffett's personal life.<sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-19" title="">[20]</a></sup></p> <p>He remains an avid player of the card game <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_bridge" title="Contract bridge">bridge</a>, and has said that he spends twelve hours a week playing the game.<sup id="cite_ref-20" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-20" title="">[21]</a></sup> He often plays with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates" title="Bill Gates">Bill Gates</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Allen" title="Paul Allen">Paul Allen</a>.</p> <p>In 2006, he sponsored a bridge match for the Buffett Cup. Modeled on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryder_Cup" title="Ryder Cup">Ryder Cup</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf" title="Golf">golf</a>, held immediately before it, and in the same city, in the event, a team of twelve bridge players from the United States took on twelve <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe" title="Europe">Europeans</a>.</p> <p>In 2006, he auctioned his 2001 Lincoln Town Car<sup id="cite_ref-21" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-21" title="">[22]</a></sup> on eBay to raise money for Girls Inc.<sup id="cite_ref-22" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-22" title="">[23]</a></sup></p> <p>Warren Buffett works with Christopher Webber on an animated series with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DiC_Entertainment" title="DiC Entertainment" class="mw-redirect">DiC Entertainment</a> chief <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Heyward" title="Andy Heyward">Andy Heyward</a>. According to information presented by Buffett at the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting on May 6, 2006, the series will feature Buffett and Munger in roles and the series will teach children healthy financial habits for life. Cartoon drawings of Buffett and Munger were displayed throughout the events during the weekend as well as in a special animated movie from Heyward, displayed before the meeting.</p> <p>In December 2006 it was reported that Mr. Buffett does not carry a cell phone, does not have a computer at his desk, and drives his own automobile,<sup id="cite_ref-23" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-23" title="">[24]</a></sup> a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac_DTS" title="Cadillac DTS">Cadillac DTS</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-24" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-24" title="">[25]</a></sup></p> <p>In 2007, he auctioned a luncheon with him that raised a final bid of $650,100 for a charity.<sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-25" title="">[26]</a></sup></p> <p>Buffett's DNA report revealed that his paternal ancestors hail from northern <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandinavia" title="Scandinavia">Scandinavia</a>, while his maternal ancestors most likely have roots in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_Peninsula" title="Iberian Peninsula">Iberia</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonia" title="Estonia">Estonia</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-26" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-26" title="">[27]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Historical_timeline" id="Historical_timeline"></a></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span> <span class="mw-headline">Historical timeline</span></h2> <table class="toccolours" style="margin-left: 0.5em;" align="right"> <tbody><tr> <td><b>Education</b>:<br /><dl><dd><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodrow_Wilson_High_School_%28Washington,_DC%29" title="Woodrow Wilson High School (Washington, DC)">Woodrow Wilson High School</a>, Washington, D.C. in 1947<sup id="cite_ref-27" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-27" title="">[28]</a></sup></dd><dd><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wharton_School_of_the_University_of_Pennsylvania" title="Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania">The Wharton School</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Pennsylvania" title="University of Pennsylvania">University of Pennsylvania</a>, 1947–1949</dd><dd><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor_of_Science" title="Bachelor of Science">B.S.</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Nebraska" title="University of Nebraska" class="mw-redirect">University of Nebraska</a>, 1950</dd><dd><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master%27s_degree" title="Master's degree">M.S.</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economics" title="Economics">Economics</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_University" title="Columbia University">Columbia University</a>, in 1951.</dd></dl> <p><b>Employment</b>:<br /></p> <dl><dd>1951–1954 <i>Buffett-Falk & Co.</i>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omaha,_Nebraska" title="Omaha, Nebraska">Omaha</a> - Investment Salesman</dd><dd>1954–1956 <i>Graham-Newman Corp.</i>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York,_New_York" title="New York, New York" class="mw-redirect">New York</a> - Securities Analyst</dd><dd>1956–1969 <i>Buffett Partnership, Ltd.</i>, Omaha - General Partner</dd><dd>1970–Present <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkshire_Hathaway" title="Berkshire Hathaway">Berkshire Hathaway Inc</a>, Omaha - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chair_%28official%29" title="Chair (official)">Chairman</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Executive_Officer" title="Chief Executive Officer" class="mw-redirect">CEO</a></dd></dl> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p><b>1943: (13 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Buffett filed his first income tax return, deducting his bicycle as a work expense for $35.<sup id="cite_ref-28" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-28" title="">[29]</a></sup></li></ul> <p><b>1945: (15 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>In his freshman year of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_school" title="High school">high school</a>, Buffett and a friend spent $25 to purchase a used <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball" title="Pinball">pinball machine</a>, which they placed in a barber shop. Within months, they owned three machines in different locations.</li></ul> <p><b>1949: (19 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>In 1949, he was initiated into <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_Sigma_Phi" title="Alpha Sigma Phi">Alpha Sigma Phi</a> Fraternity while an undergraduate at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wharton_School" title="Wharton School" class="mw-redirect">Wharton School</a> at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Pennsylvania" title="University of Pennsylvania">University of Pennsylvania</a>. His father and uncles also were Alpha Sigma Phi brothers from the chapter at Nebraska, to which Warren eventually transferred.</li></ul> <p><b>1950: (20 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Buffett applied for admission to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Business_School" title="Harvard Business School">Harvard Business School</a>, but was turned down.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated1_29-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-autogenerated1-29" title="">[30]</a></sup></li><li>Buffett enrolled at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_Business_School" title="Columbia Business School">Columbia Business School</a> after learning that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Graham" title="Benjamin Graham">Benjamin Graham</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Dodd" title="David Dodd">David Dodd</a>, two well-known <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Securities_analyst" title="Securities analyst" class="mw-redirect">securities analysts</a>, taught there.</li></ul> <p><b>1951: (21 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Buffett discovered <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Graham" title="Benjamin Graham">Graham</a> was on the board of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GEICO" title="GEICO">GEICO</a> insurance at the time. After taking a train to Washington, D.C. on a Saturday, Buffett knocked on the door of GEICO's headquarters until a janitor allowed him in. There, he met Lorimer Davidson, the vice president, who was to become a lasting influence on him and life-long friend.<sup id="cite_ref-30" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> They talked for four hours about the insurance business. Davidson recalled that he found Buffett to be an “extraordinary man” after fifteen minutes.</li><li>Buffett was graduated from Columbia and wanted to work on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_Street" title="Wall Street">Wall Street</a>. <b>Both his father and Ben Graham urged him not to. Buffett offered to work for Graham for free, but Graham refused.</b><sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated1_29-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-autogenerated1-29" title="">[30]</a></sup> He purchased a Sinclair Texaco gas station as a side investment, but that venture did not work out so well as he had hoped. Meanwhile, he worked as a stockbroker. During that time, Buffett also took a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Carnegie" title="Dale Carnegie">Dale Carnegie</a> public speaking course. Using what he learned, he felt confident enough to teach a night class at the University of Nebraska, "Investment Principles." The average age of the students he taught was more than twice his own.</li></ul> <p><b>1952: (22 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Buffett married <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Buffett" title="Susan Buffett">Susan Thompson</a>.</li></ul> <p><b>1953: (23 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Susan and Warren Buffett had her first child, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Susan_Alice_Buffett&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Susan Alice Buffett (page does not exist)">Susan Alice Buffett</a>.</li></ul> <p><b>1954: (24 years old)</b></p> <ul><li><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Graham" title="Benjamin Graham">Benjamin Graham</a> offered Buffett a job at his partnership with a starting salary of $12,000 a year.</b> Here, he worked closely with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Walter_Schloss&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Walter Schloss (page does not exist)">Walter Schloss</a>.</li><li>Graham, who was a tough man to work for, was adamant that a stock provide a wide margin of safety after weighting the trade-off between its price and intrinsic value. Graham’s demand that a stock be worth more than its price made sense to Buffett, but it also made him question whether the criteria were too stringent, causing them to miss out on some big winners that had more qualitative values.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated1_29-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-autogenerated1-29" title="">[30]</a></sup></li><li>Susan and Warren Buffett had her second child, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Graham_Buffett" title="Howard Graham Buffett">Howard Graham Buffett</a>.</li></ul> <p><b>1956: (26 years old)</b></p> <ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Graham" title="Benjamin Graham">Benjamin Graham</a> retired and closed his partnership.</li><li>Buffett's personal savings were now over $140,000.</li><li>Buffett returned home to Omaha and created Buffett Partnership Ltd., an investment partnership.</li></ul> <table class="floatRight" style="border-style: none; margin: 0.5em 0.75em; background-color: inherit; border-collapse: collapse;" width="33%" align="right"> <tbody><tr> <td style="color: rgb(178, 183, 242); font-size: 40px; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding-top: 4px;" valign="top" width="20">“</td> <td style="padding: 0pt 10px;" valign="top" align="left">I’ll tell you why I like the cigarette business. It costs a penny to make. Sell it for a dollar. It’s addictive. And there’s fantastic brand loyalty.</td> <td style="padding: 4px; color: rgb(178, 183, 242); font-size: 40px; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right;" valign="bottom" width="20">”</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 10px;"> <p style="font-size: smaller; line-height: 1em; text-align: right;"><cite style="font-style: normal;">—Warren Buffet<sup id="cite_ref-31" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-31" title="">[32]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-32" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-32" title="">[33]</a></sup>, 1987</cite></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p><b>1957: (27 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Buffett had three partnerships operating the entire year.</li><li>Buffett purchased a five-bedroom, stucco house at 5505 Farnam Street for $31,500.</li></ul> <p><b>1958: (28 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Susan and Warren Buffett had her third child, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Andrew_Buffett" title="Peter Andrew Buffett" class="mw-redirect">Peter Andrew Buffett</a></li><li>Buffett had five partnerships operating the entire year.</li></ul> <p><b>1959: (29 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Buffett had six partnerships operating the entire year.</li><li>Buffett was introduced to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Munger" title="Charlie Munger">Charlie Munger</a>.</li></ul> <p><b>1960: (30 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Buffett had seven partnerships operating the entire year.</li><li>The partnerships were: Buffett Associates, Buffett Fund, Dacee, Emdee, Glenoff, Mo-Buff, and Underwood.</li><li>Buffett asked one of his partners, a doctor, to find ten other doctors who will be willing to invest $10,000 each into his partnership. Eventually, eleven doctors agreed to invest.</li></ul> <p><b>1961: (31 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Buffett revealed that Sanborn Map Company accounted for 35% of the partnerships' assets.</li><li>Buffett explained that in 1958, Sanborn sold at $45 per share when the value of the Sanborn investment portfolio was $65 per share. This meant buyers valued Sanborn at "minus $20" per share, and buyers were unwilling to pay more than 70 cents on the dollar for an investment portfolio with a map business thrown in for nothing.</li><li>Buffett revealed that he earned a spot on the board of Sanborn.</li></ul> <p><b>1962: (32 years old)</b></p> <ul><li><b>Buffett became a millionaire</b> because Buffett's partnerships, in January 1962, had in excess of $7,178,500 of which over $1,025,000 belonged to Buffett.</li><li>Buffett merged all partnerships into one partnership.</li><li>Buffett discovered a textile manufacturing firm, Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett's partnerships began purchasing shares at $7.60 per share.</li></ul> <p><b>1965: (35 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>When Buffett's partnerships aggressively began purchasing Berkshire, they paid $14.86 per share while the company had working capital (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_asset" title="Current asset">current assets</a> minus current liabilities) of $19 per share. This did not include the value of fixed assets (factory and equipment).</li><li>Buffett took control of Berkshire Hathaway at the board meeting and named a new president, Ken Chace, to run the company.</li></ul> <p><b>1966: (36 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Buffett closed the partnership to new money.</li><li>Buffett wrote in his letter “unless it appears that circumstances have changed (under some conditions added capital would improve results) or unless new partners can bring some asset to the partnership other than simply capital, I intend to admit no additional partners to BPL.”</li><li>In a second letter, Buffett announced his first investment in a private business — Hochschild, Kohn and Co, a privately owned Baltimore department store.</li></ul> <p><b>1967: (37 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Berkshire paid out its first and only dividend of 10 cents.</li></ul> <p><b>1969: (39 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Following his most successful year, Buffett liquidated the partnership and transferred their assets to his partners. Among the assets paid out were shares of Berkshire Hathaway.</li></ul> <p><b>1970: (40 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>As chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, began writing his now-famous annual letters to shareholders.</li></ul> <p><b>1973: (43 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Berkshire began to acquire stock in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Post_Company" title="Washington Post Company" class="mw-redirect">Washington Post Company</a>. Buffett became close friends with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katharine_Graham" title="Katharine Graham">Katharine Graham</a>, who controlled the company and its flagship newspaper, and became a member of its board of directors.</li></ul> <p><b>1974: (44 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>The SEC opened a formal investigation into Warren Buffett and one of Berkshire's mergers due to possible conflict of interest. Nothing ever came of it.</li></ul> <p><b>1977: (47 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Berkshire indirectly purchased the Buffalo Evening News for $32.5 million. Antitrust charges started.</li></ul> <p><b>1979: (49 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Berkshire began to acquire stock in ABC. With the stock trading at $290 per share, Buffett's net worth neared $140 million. However, he lived solely on his salary of $50,000 per year.</li><li>Berkshire began the year trading at $775 per share, and ended at $1,310. Buffett's net worth reached $620 million, placing him on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes_400" title="Forbes 400">Forbes 400</a> for the first time.</li></ul> <p><b>1987: (57 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Berkshire Hathaway purchased 12% stake in Salomon Inc., making it the largest shareholder and Buffet the director.</li></ul> <p><b>1988: (58 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Buffett began buying stock in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca-Cola_Company" title="Coca-Cola Company" class="mw-redirect">Coca-Cola Company</a>, eventually purchasing up to 7 percent of the company for $1.02 billion. It would turn out to be one of Berkshire's most lucrative investments, and one which it still holds.</li></ul> <p><b>1990: (60 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Scandals involving Greenberg and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gutfreund" title="John Gutfreund">John Gutfreund</a> (former CEO of Salomon Brothers) surfaced.</li></ul> <p><b>1999: (69 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Buffett was named the top money manager of the twentieth century in a survey by the Carson Group, ahead of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Lynch" title="Peter Lynch">Peter Lynch</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Templeton" title="John Templeton">John Templeton</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-33" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-33" title="">[34]</a></sup></li></ul> <p><b>2002: (72 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Buffett entered in $11 billion worth of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forward_contract" title="Forward contract">forward contracts</a> to deliver U.S. dollars against other currencies. By April 2006, his total gain on these contracts was over $2 billion.</li></ul> <p><b>2004: (73 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>His wife, Susan, died.</li></ul> <p><b>2006: (75 years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Buffett announced in June that he gradually would give away 85% of his Berkshire holdings to five foundations in annual gifts of stock, starting in July 2006. The largest contribution would go to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_and_Melinda_Gates_Foundation" title="Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation" class="mw-redirect">Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-34" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-34" title="">[35]</a></sup></li></ul> <p><b>2007: (76 Years old)</b></p> <ul><li>In a letter to shareholders, Buffett announced that he was looking for a younger successor or perhaps, successors, to run his investment business.<sup id="cite_ref-35" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-35" title="">[36]</a></sup> Buffett had previously selected Lou Simpson, who runs investments at Geico, to fill that role. However, Simpson is only six years younger than Buffett.</li></ul> <p><b>2008: (77 Years old)</b></p> <ul><li>Buffett became the richest man in the world, valued at $62 billion according to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes" title="Forbes">Forbes</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-36" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-36" title="">[37]</a></sup> dethroning <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates" title="Bill Gates">Bill Gates</a>, who held the title for fifteen years straight.</li><li>Buffett became the richest man in the world, valued at $58 billion according to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahoo" title="Yahoo" class="mw-redirect">Yahoo</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-37" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-37" title="">[38]</a></sup>. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates" title="Bill Gates">Bill Gates</a> had been number 1 on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes" title="Forbes">Forbes</a> list for 15 consecutive years.</li></ul> <p><a name="Public_stances" id="Public_stances"></a></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Public stances</span></h2><table class="metadata plainlinks ambox ambox-style" style=""> <tbody><tr> <td class="mbox-image"><br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <ul><li>Buffett emphasized the non-productive aspect of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold" title="Gold">gold</a> in 1998 at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard" title="Harvard" class="mw-redirect">Harvard</a>: "It gets dug out of the ground in Africa, or someplace. Then we melt it down, dig another hole, bury it again and pay people to stand around guarding it. It has no utility. Anyone watching from Mars would be scratching their head." In 1977 Buffett was also quoted as saying about stocks, gold, farmland, and inflation: "stocks are probably still the best of all the poor alternatives in an era of inflation - at least they are if you buy in at appropriate prices."<sup id="cite_ref-38" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-38" title="">[39]</a></sup></li><li>Buffett stated that he only paid 19% of his income for 2006 ($48.1 million) in total federal taxes, while his employees paid 33% of theirs, despite making much less money.<sup id="cite_ref-39" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-39" title="">[40]</a></sup></li><li>Buffett believes that the U.S. dollar will lose value in the long run. He views the United States' expanding <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_deficit" title="Trade deficit" class="mw-redirect">trade deficit</a> as an alarming trend that will devalue the U.S. dollar and U.S. assets. As a result it is putting a larger portion of ownership of U.S. assets in the hands of foreigners. This induced Buffett to enter the foreign currency market for the first time in 2002. However, he substantially reduced his stake in 2005 as changing interest rates increased the costs of holding currency contracts. Buffett continues to be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_market" title="Bear market" class="mw-redirect">bearish</a> on the dollar, and says he is looking to make acquisitions of companies which derive a substantial portion of their revenues from outside the United States. Buffett invested in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PetroChina" title="PetroChina">PetroChina</a> Company Limited and in a rare move, posted a commentary<sup id="cite_ref-40" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-40" title="">[41]</a></sup> on Berkshire Hathaway's website stating why he would not divest from the company despite calls from some activists to do so. (He did, however, sell this stake, apparently for purely financial reasons.)</li><li>Buffett believes that the world is nearing its maximum capacity of oil production and that gradually depleted oil fields could reduce the amount produced.<sup id="cite_ref-41" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-41" title="">[42]</a></sup></li><li>Buffett believes government should not be in the business of gambling. He believes it is a tax on ignorance.<sup id="cite_ref-42" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-42" title="">[43]</a></sup></li><li>Buffett's speeches are known for mixing business discussions with humor. Each year, Buffett presides over Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholder meeting in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qwest_Center" title="Qwest Center" class="mw-redirect">Qwest Center</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omaha,_Nebraska" title="Omaha, Nebraska">Omaha, Nebraska</a>, an event drawing over 20,000 visitors from both United States and abroad, giving it the nickname "Woodstock of Capitalism".<sup id="cite_ref-43" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-43" title="">[44]</a></sup></li><li>Berkshire's annual reports and letters to shareholders, prepared by Buffett, frequently receive coverage by the financial media. Buffett's writings are known for containing literary quotes ranging from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible" title="Bible">Bible</a> to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mae_West" title="Mae West">Mae West</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-44" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-44" title="">[45]</a></sup> as well as Midwestern advice, and numerous jokes. Various websites extol Buffett's virtues while others decry Buffett’s business models or dismiss his investment advice and decisions.</li><li>Buffett favors the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inheritance_tax" title="Inheritance tax">inheritance tax</a>, saying that repealing it would be like "choosing the 2020 Olympic team by picking the eldest sons of the gold-medal winners in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_Summer_Olympics" title="2000 Summer Olympics">2000 Olympics</a>".<sup id="cite_ref-45" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-45" title="">[46]</a></sup> In 2007, Buffett testified before the Senate and urged them to preserve the estate tax so as to avoid a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutocracy" title="Plutocracy">plutocracy</a>.</li><li>Buffett has endorsed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama" title="Barack Obama">Barack Obama</a> for president<sup id="cite_ref-46" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-46" title="">[47]</a></sup> and intimated that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCain" title="John McCain">John McCain</a>'s views on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice" title="Social justice">social justice</a> were so far from his own, that McCain would need a "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobotomy" title="Lobotomy">lobotomy</a>" for Buffett to change his endorsement.<sup id="cite_ref-47" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-47" title="">[48]</a></sup></li><li>Buffett has called the 2007—present downturn in the financial sector "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poetic_justice" title="Poetic justice">poetic justice</a>".<sup id="cite_ref-48" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-48" title="">[49]</a></sup></li><li>In his letter to shareholders in March, 2005, Warren Buffet predicted that in another ten years’ time the net ownership of the U.S. by outsiders would amount to $11 trillion. “Americans … would chafe at the idea of perpetually paying tribute to their creditors and owners abroad. A country that is now aspiring to an ‘<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ownership_society" title="Ownership society">ownership society</a>’ will not find happiness in - and I’ll use hyperbole here for emphasis - a '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sharecropper_society&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Sharecropper society (page does not exist)">sharecropper society</a>’.”</li><li>Author Ann Pettifor has adopted the image in her writings and has stated: "He is right. And so the thing we must fear most now, is not just the collapse of banks and investment funds, or of the international financial architecture, but of a 'sharecropper society, angry at its downfall."<sup id="cite_ref-49" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-49" title="">[50]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-50" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-50" title="">[51]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-51" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-51" title="">[52]</a></sup></li></ul> <p><a name="Philanthropy" id="Philanthropy"></a></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Philanthropy</span></h2> <p>In June 2006, Buffett gave approximately 10 million <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkshire_Hathaway" title="Berkshire Hathaway">Berkshire Hathaway</a> Class B shares to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_%26_Melinda_Gates_Foundation" title="Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation">Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation</a> (worth approximately USD 30.7 billion as of 23rd June 2006)<sup id="cite_ref-52" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-52" title="">[53]</a></sup> making it the largest charitable donation in history and Buffett one of the leaders in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philanthrocapitalism" title="Philanthrocapitalism" class="mw-redirect">philanthrocapitalism</a> revolution.<sup id="cite_ref-53" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-53" title="">[54]</a></sup> The foundation will receive 5% of the total donation on an annualised basis each July, beginning in 2006. Buffett also will join the board of directors of the Gates Foundation, although he does not plan to be actively involved in the foundation's investments.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since September 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup></p> <p>He also announced plans to contribute additional Berkshire stock valued at approximately $6.7 billion to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Thompson_Buffett_Foundation" title="Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation" class="mw-redirect">Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation</a> and to other foundations headed by his three children. This is a significant shift<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since September 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> from previous statements Buffett has made, having stated that most of his fortune would pass to his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffett_Foundation" title="Buffett Foundation">Buffett Foundation</a>.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since September 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> The bulk of the estate of his wife, valued at $2.6 billion, went to that foundation when she died in 2004.<sup id="cite_ref-54" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-54" title="">[55]</a></sup></p> <p>His children will not inherit a significant proportion of his wealth. These actions are consistent with statements he has made in the past indicating his opposition to the transfer of great fortunes from one generation to the next.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since September 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup> Buffett once commented, "I want to give my kids just enough so that they would feel that they could do anything, but not so much that they would feel like doing nothing".<sup id="cite_ref-55" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-55" title="">[56]</a></sup></p> <p>The following quotation from 1988, respectively, highlights Warren Buffett's thoughts on his wealth and why he long planned to re-allocate it:</p> <blockquote class="templatequote"> <div> <p>"I don't have a problem with guilt about money. The way I see it is that my money represents an enormous number of claim checks on society. It's like I have these little pieces of paper that I can turn into consumption. If I wanted to, I could hire 10,000 people to do nothing but paint my picture every day for the rest of my life. And the GNP would go up. But the utility of the product would be zilch, and I would be keeping those 10,000 people from doing AIDS research, or teaching, or nursing. I don't do that though. I don't use very many of those claim checks. There's nothing material I want very much. And I'm going to give virtually all of those claim checks to charity when my wife and I die. (Lowe 1997:165–166)</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>On 27th June 2008, Zhao Danyang, a general manager at Pure Heart China Growth Investment Fund, won the 2008 5-day online "Power Lunch with Warren Buffett" charity <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auction" title="Auction">auction</a> on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EBay" title="EBay">eBay</a> with high bid of $2,110,100. Zhao had the right to dine with 76-year-old Buffett, at New York's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wollensky" title="Smith & Wollensky" class="mw-redirect">Smith & Wollensky</a> Steakhouse, and invite up to 7 companions for the private lunch and can ask Buffett anything at all, except what he's buying or selling. Auction proceeds benefit the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco" title="San Francisco" class="mw-redirect">San Francisco</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glide_Foundation" title="Glide Foundation">Glide Foundation</a>. In 2007 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohnish_Pabrai" title="Mohnish Pabrai">Mohnish Pabrai</a> dined with Buffett.<sup id="cite_ref-56" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-56" title="">[57]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-57" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-57" title="">[58]</a></sup></p> <p>Buffett also helped <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dow_Chemical" title="Dow Chemical" class="mw-redirect">Dow Chemical</a> pay for its $ 18.8 billion takeover of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohm_%26_Haas" title="Rohm & Haas" class="mw-redirect">Rohm & Haas</a>. He thus became the single largest shareholder in the enlarged group with his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkshire_Hathaway" title="Berkshire Hathaway">Berkshire Hathaway</a>, which provided $ 3 billion, underlining his instrumental role during the current crisis in debt and equity markets.<sup id="cite_ref-58" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffet#cite_note-58" title="">[59]</a></sup></p>Sandeep Chowdharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365872210584131539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8036568751497057942.post-56614988318490143382008-10-18T12:10:00.000-07:002008-10-18T12:55:09.786-07:00Best Captain of India Sourav Ganguly's Biography<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NZFeaQbKIu0WUJSdRKPW8tWRENvZYgUCAlEQ8fp0yAkkay1pm-GNmxp1jyPmKjvMlBXpfthw8c5cLGji6XcvmXtidRuzlptFJngIgQ1JCwyEke5mLIh-38ujKmpIgFobnuYjI0DaLVQ/s1600-h/saurav_ganguly_05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NZFeaQbKIu0WUJSdRKPW8tWRENvZYgUCAlEQ8fp0yAkkay1pm-GNmxp1jyPmKjvMlBXpfthw8c5cLGji6XcvmXtidRuzlptFJngIgQ1JCwyEke5mLIh-38ujKmpIgFobnuYjI0DaLVQ/s320/saurav_ganguly_05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258573766458830610" border="0" /></a><br /><h2><span class="mw-headline">Early life</span></h2> <p>The youngest son of Chandidas and Nirupa Ganguly, Ganguly was born on 8 July 1972 in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata" title="Kolkata">Kolkata</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-cricinfo_6-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-cricinfo-6" title="">[7]</a></sup> His father ran a flourishing print business and was one of the richest men in Kolkata.<sup id="cite_ref-Gulu_7-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-Gulu-7" title="">[8]</a></sup> He had a luxurious childhood and was nicknamed the Maharaja.<sup id="cite_ref-bio_8-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-bio-8" title="">[9]</a></sup> Though he was asked to concentrate on his studies and not to play cricket, he was inspired to do so by his brother <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snehasish_Ganguly" title="Snehasish Ganguly">Snehasish Ganguly</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-liveindia_9-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-liveindia-9" title="">[10]</a></sup> an accomplished left-handed batsman for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengal_cricket_team" title="Bengal cricket team">Bengal</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-Gulu_7-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-Gulu-7" title="">[8]</a></sup> Though he was acutally right-handed, he batted left-handed so that he could use his brother's equipment.<sup id="cite_ref-liveindia_9-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-liveindia-9" title="">[10]</a></sup> After he showed some promise as a batsman, he was enrolled in a cricket academy.<sup id="cite_ref-liveindia_9-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-liveindia-9" title="">[10]</a></sup> An indoor multi-gym and concrete wicket was built at home for him and his brother, and he would often watch cricket videos, especially those of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Gower" title="David Gower">David Gower</a>, whom he admired.<sup id="cite_ref-Gulu_7-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-Gulu-7" title="">[8]</a></sup> After he scored a century against the Orissa U-15 side,<sup id="cite_ref-liveindia_9-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-liveindia-9" title="">[10]</a></sup> he was made captain of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Xavier%27s_Collegiate_School" title="St. Xavier's Collegiate School">St Xavier's School's</a> cricket team,<sup id="cite_ref-bio_8-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-bio-8" title="">[9]</a></sup> where several of his teammates complained against his arrogance.<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-10" title="">[11]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="International_career" id="International_career"></a></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">International career</span></h2> <div class="thumb tleft"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 352px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sourav_Ganguly_Graph.png" class="image" title="An innings-by-innings breakdown of Ganguly's Test match batting career, showing runs scored (red bars) and the average of the last ten innings (blue line)."><img alt="An innings-by-innings breakdown of Ganguly's Test match batting career, showing runs scored (red bars) and the average of the last ten innings (blue line)." src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3f/Sourav_Ganguly_Graph.png/350px-Sourav_Ganguly_Graph.png" class="thumbimage" width="350" border="0" height="204" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"> <div class="magnify"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sourav_Ganguly_Graph.png" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11" /></a></div> An innings-by-innings breakdown of Ganguly's Test match batting career, showing runs scored (red bars) and the average of the last ten innings (blue line).</div> </div> </div> <p><a name="Debut_and_early_career" id="Debut_and_early_career"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Debut and early career</span></h3> <p>Following a prolific <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranji_Trophy" title="Ranji Trophy">Ranji season</a> in 1990-91,<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-11" title="">[12]</a></sup> Ganguly made his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Day_International" title="One Day International">One Day International</a> debut for India against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Indies_national_cricket_team" title="West Indies national cricket team" class="mw-redirect">West Indies</a> in 1992,<sup id="cite_ref-cricinfo_6-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-cricinfo-6" title="">[7]</a></sup> and scored three runs.<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-12" title="">[13]</a></sup> He was dropped immediately since he was perceived to be "arrogant" and his attitude towards the game was openly questioned.<sup id="cite_ref-rediff_13-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-rediff-13" title="">[14]</a></sup> He toiled away in domestic cricket, scoring heavily in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons<sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-14" title="">[15]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-15" title="">[16]</a></sup> Following an innings of 171 in the 1995-96 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duleep_Trophy" title="Duleep Trophy">Duleep Trophy</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-16" title="">[17]</a></sup> he was recalled to the national side for the tour of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England" title="England">England</a> in 1996 amidst intense media scrutiny.<sup id="cite_ref-rediff_13-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-rediff-13" title="">[14]</a></sup> He played in one ODI,<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-17" title="">[18]</a></sup> but was omitted from the team for the first test. However, after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navjot_Sidhu" title="Navjot Sidhu" class="mw-redirect">Navjot Sidhu</a> left the touring party citing ill-treatment by the then captain <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Azharuddin" title="Mohammed Azharuddin" class="mw-redirect">Mohammed Azharuddin</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-18" title="">[19]</a></sup> made his Test debut at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord%27s_Cricket_Ground" title="Lord's Cricket Ground">Lord's</a> alongside <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahul_Dravid" title="Rahul Dravid">Rahul Dravid</a>, in what was umpire <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dickie_Bird" title="Dickie Bird" class="mw-redirect">Dickie Bird</a>'s last test.<sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-19" title="">[20]</a></sup> He scored a century, becoming only the third cricketer to score a century on debut at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord%27s_Cricket_Ground" title="Lord's Cricket Ground">Lord's</a>, after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Graham" title="Harry Graham">Harry Graham</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hampshire" title="John Hampshire">John Hampshire</a>. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Strauss" title="Andrew Strauss">Andrew Strauss</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Prior" title="Matt Prior" class="mw-redirect">Matt Prior</a> have since accomplished this feat, but his 131 still remains the highest by any batsman on his debut at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord%27s_Cricket_Ground" title="Lord's Cricket Ground">Lord's</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-20" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-20" title="">[21]</a></sup> In the next Test match at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trent_Bridge" title="Trent Bridge">Trent Bridge</a> he made 136, thus becoming only the 3rd batsman to make a century in each of his first two innings (after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Rowe" title="Lawrence Rowe">Lawrence Rowe</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Kallicharran" title="Alvin Kallicharran">Alvin Kallicharran</a>). He shared a 255 run stand with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar" title="Sachin Tendulkar">Sachin Tendulkar</a>, which became at that time the highest partnership for India against any country for any wicket outside India.<sup id="cite_ref-21" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-21" title="">[22]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Opening_in_ODIs" id="Opening_in_ODIs"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Opening in ODIs</span></h3> <p>In 1997 Ganguly scored his maiden ODI century, opening the innings he scored 113, in his side's 238, against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka_national_cricket_team" title="Sri Lanka national cricket team">Sri Lanka</a>. Later that year he won four consecutive Man of the match awards in the Sahara Cup with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan_national_cricket_team" title="Pakistan national cricket team">Pakistan</a>, the second of these was won after he took 5/16 off 10 overs, his best bowling in an ODI. After a barren run in Test cricket his form returned at the end of the year with three centuries in four Tests all against Sri Lanka two of this involved 250-plus stands with Sachin Tendulkar.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since October 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup></p> <p>In January 1998, in the final of the Independence Cup at Dhaka, against Pakistan, he scored 124 as India successfully chased down 315 off 48 overs, winning the Man of the match award. In March 1998 he was part of the India team that defeated <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_national_cricket_team" title="Australia national cricket team">Australia</a>, his biggest impact came in Calcutta as he took three wickets having opened the bowling with his medium pace.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since October 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup></p> <p>In the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_Cricket_World_Cup" title="1999 Cricket World Cup">1999 World Cup</a> Ganguly scored 183 against Sri Lanka at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taunton" title="Taunton">Taunton</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somerset" title="Somerset">Somerset</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England" title="England">England</a>. The innings took 158 balls and included 17 fours and 7 sixes. It is the second highest in World Cup history and the highest by an Indian in the tournament. His partnership of 318 with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahul_Dravid" title="Rahul Dravid">Rahul Dravid</a> is the highest ever in the World Cup and is the second highest in all ODI cricket.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since October 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup></p> <p>In 1999/00 India lost Test series to both <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_cricket_team" title="Australia cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Australia</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa_cricket_team" title="South Africa cricket team" class="mw-redirect">South Africa</a> in the five Tests. Ganguly struggled scoring 224 runs at 22.40, however his ODI form was impressive, with five centuries over the season taking him to the top of the One Day Ratings for batsmen.<sup id="cite_ref-22" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-22" title="">[23]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="Ascension_to_captaincy" id="Ascension_to_captaincy"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Ascension to captaincy</span></h3> <p>In 2000, after the match fixing scandal, Ganguly was named the captain of the India team. In the Champions Trophy of that year he scored 2 centuries but his second in the final was in vain as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_national_cricket_team" title="New Zealand national cricket team">New Zealand</a> won by four wickets. In 2003 under his captaincy India reached the World Cup Final, where they lost to the Australians.</p> <p>While he has achieved significant success as captain, his individual performance deteriorated during his captaincy, especially after successes in the World Cup, the tour of Australia in 2003 and the Pakistan series in 2004. Following indifferent form in 2004 and poor form in 2005, he was dropped from the team in October 2005. He remained active on the first-class cricket scene in hopes of a recall, but his performance was a mixed bag - he hit a couple of centuries in domestic cricket, but his English county stint in 2005 and subsequent appearances in the Challenger Trophy were failures.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since October 2008" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup></p> <p>In 2004, he was awarded the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_Shri" title="Padma Shri">Padma Shri</a>.</p> <p><a name="Comeback" id="Comeback"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Comeback</span></h3> <p>Following India's poor batting display in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICC_Champions_Trophy" title="ICC Champions Trophy">ICC Champions Trophy</a> 2006<sup id="cite_ref-23" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-23" title="">[24]</a></sup> and the ODI series in South Africa, in which they were whitewashed 4-0,<sup id="cite_ref-24" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-24" title="">[25]</a></sup> Ganguly made his comeback to the test team.<sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-25" title="">[26]</a></sup> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasim_Jaffer" title="Wasim Jaffer">Wasim Jaffer</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaheer_Khan" title="Zaheer Khan">Zaheer Khan</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anil_Kumble" title="Anil Kumble">Anil Kumble</a> had earlier been selected for the one-day squad,<sup id="cite_ref-26" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-26" title="">[27]</a></sup> in what was seen as an indictment of coach <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Chappell" title="Greg Chappell">Greg Chappell</a>'s youth-first policy.<sup id="cite_ref-27" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-27" title="">[28]</a></sup> Coming in at 37/4, he scored 83 in a tour match against the Rest of South Africa, modifying his original batting style and taking a middle-stump guard,<sup id="cite_ref-28" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-28" title="">[29]</a></sup> an innings that set up a victory for India.<sup id="cite_ref-29" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-29" title="">[30]</a></sup> In his first test innings since his comeback, against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa_national_cricket_team" title="South Africa national cricket team">the Proteas</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanderers_Stadium" title="Wanderers Stadium">Johannesburg</a>, he scored 51 in a low scoring game, an innings that helped India win a test match in South Africa for the first time.<sup id="cite_ref-30" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-30" title="">[31]</a></sup> Though India went on to lose the series, he topped the run scroing charts for his side.<sup id="cite_ref-31" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-31" title="">[32]</a></sup></p> <p>After his successful Test comeback he was recalled for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Day_International" title="One Day International">ODI team</a>, as India played host to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Indies_Cricket_Team" title="West Indies Cricket Team" class="mw-redirect">West Indies</a><sup id="cite_ref-32" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-32" title="">[33]</a></sup> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_Cricket_Team" title="Sri Lankan Cricket Team" class="mw-redirect">Sri Lanka</a><sup id="cite_ref-33" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-33" title="">[34]</a></sup> in back to back ODI tournaments. In his first ODI innings in almost 2 years,<sup id="cite_ref-odilist_34-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-odilist-34" title="">[35]</a></sup> he scored a matchwinning 98.<sup id="cite_ref-35" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-35" title="">[36]</a></sup> He performed creditably in both series, averaging almost 70<sup id="cite_ref-36" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-36" title="">[37]</a></sup> and won the Man of the Series Award against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_Cricket_Team" title="Sri Lankan Cricket Team" class="mw-redirect">Sri Lanka</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-37" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-37" title="">[38]</a></sup></p> <p><a name="2007_World_Cup_and_aftermath"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">2007 World Cup and aftermath</span></h3> <p>Following his good performance, Ganguly was named in the squad for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Cricket_World_Cup" title="2007 Cricket World Cup">2007 Cricket World Cup</a>. He was the leading scorer for India in their first round defeat against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh_national_cricket_team" title="Bangladesh national cricket team">Bangladesh</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-38" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-38" title="">[39]</a></sup> After India were knocked out of the tournament in the group stage, there were reports of a rift between certain members of the Indian team and their coach <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Chappell" title="Greg Chappell">Greg Chappell</a>. Ganguly, allegedly, ignored instructions from the team management to score quickly.<sup id="cite_ref-39" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-39" title="">[40]</a></sup> After <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar" title="Sachin Tendulkar">Sachin Tendulkar</a> issued a statement saying that what hurt the team most was that "the coach has questioned our attitude", <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Chappell" title="Greg Chappell">Chappell</a> decided not to renew his contract with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team" title="Indian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Indian team</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-40" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-40" title="">[41]</a></sup></p> <p>On 12 December 2007, Ganguly scored his maiden double century of his career while playing against Pakistan in the first innings of the third and final test match of the series. He was involved in a 300 run partnership for the 5th wicket along with Yuvraj Singh - a much needed partnership that saved India which was struggling at 61 for the fall of four wickets. He later went on to score 239 before being dismissed by Danish Kaneria.</p> <p>On 18 April 2008, Ganguly led the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata_Knight_Riders" title="Kolkata Knight Riders">Kolkata Knight Riders</a> team owned by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shah_Rukh_Khan" title="Shah Rukh Khan" class="mw-redirect">Shah Rukh Khan</a> in the IPL <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty20" title="Twenty20">Twenty20</a> cricket match to a 140 run victory over Bangalore Royal Challengers led by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahul_Dravid" title="Rahul Dravid">Rahul Dravid</a> and owned by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vijay_Mallya" title="Vijay Mallya">Vijay Mallya</a>. Ganguly opened the innings with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendan_McCullum" title="Brendan McCullum" class="mw-redirect">Brendan McCullum</a> and scored 10 runs while his partner <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendan_McCullum" title="Brendan McCullum" class="mw-redirect">Brendan McCullum</a> remained unbeaten blasting his way to a record 158* runs in 73 balls. On 1 May in a game between the Knight Riders and the Rajasthan Royals, Ganguly made his highest score of the season and his second T20 half century, scoring 51 runs off of 39 balls at a strike rate of 130.76. In his innings, Ganguly hit four 4s and two sixes, topping the scorers list for the Knight Riders.</p> <p>Ganguly has been prolific in both Test and ODI cricket in the year 2007. He scored 1106 Test runs at an average of 61.44 (with three centuries and four fifties) in 2007 to become the second highest rungetter in Test matches of that year<sup id="cite_ref-41" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-41" title="">[42]</a></sup> after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Kallis" title="Jacques Kallis">Jacques Kallis</a>. He is the fifth highest rungetter in 2007 in ODIs,<sup id="cite_ref-42" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-42" title="">[43]</a></sup> where he scored 1240 runs at 44.28.</p> <p><a name="Retirement_from_International_Cricket" id="Retirement_from_International_Cricket"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Retirement from International Cricket</span></h3> <p>On October 7th 2008, Ganguly announced that the test series against Australia starting in October 2008 would be his last<sup id="cite_ref-43" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-43" title="">[44]</a></sup> and stated "To be honest, I didn't expect to be picked for this series."</p> <p><a name="Playing_Style" id="Playing_Style"></a></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Playing Style</span></h2> <p>Sourav Ganguly is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left-handed" title="Left-handed" class="mw-redirect">left-handed</a> batsman whose runs come primarily from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off-side" title="Off-side" class="mw-redirect">off-side</a>. Throughout his career, he has played off-side shots such as the square cut, square drive and cover drive with elegance and complete command. Early in his career he was not comfortable with the hook and pull, often giving his wicket away with mistiming such shots. He was also criticized for having difficulty in handling short pitched balls and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouncers" title="Bouncers" class="mw-redirect">bouncers</a>, notoriously exploited by the Australians and South Africans. However, after his comeback in 2007, he has worked upon these weaknesses to a large extent. He can hit powerful shots to the off-side on front and back foot with equal ease.</p> <p>In <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Day_Internationals" title="One Day Internationals" class="mw-redirect">One Day Internationals</a>, where he usually opens the innings, he tries to take the advantage of fielding restrictions by advancing down the pitch and hitting pace bowlers over extra cover and mid-off. He is also notorious for attacking <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_arm" title="Left arm" class="mw-redirect">left arm</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spin" title="Spin">spin</a> bowlers. Due to excellent <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand-eye_coordination" title="Hand-eye coordination" class="mw-redirect">hand-eye coordination</a>, he picks the length of the ball early, comes down the pitch and hits the ball aerially over mid-on or midwicket, often for a six. However, he has a weakness in running between the wickets and judging quick singles. There have been many instances where Ganguly's batting partner has been run out due to Ganguly's calling for a run, and then sending him back while halfway down the pitch.</p> <p>Ganguly is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_arm" title="Right arm" class="mw-redirect">right arm</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium" title="Medium">medium</a> pace bowler. He can <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing" title="Swing">swing</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seam" title="Seam">seam</a> the ball both ways and often chips in with useful wickets to break partnerships. Despite not being very athletic as a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fielder" title="Fielder" class="mw-redirect">fielder</a>, Ganguly has taken 100 catches in one-day Internationals.</p> <p><a name="Controversies" id="Controversies"></a></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Controversies</span></h2> <p><a name="County_Cricket" id="County_Cricket"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">County Cricket</span></h3> <p>Ganguly's County cricket career in England was not a success. In "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wisden_Cricketer" title="The Wisden Cricketer">The Wisden Cricketer</a>" <a href="http://content-www.cricinfo.com/wisdencricketer/content/story/295629.html" class="external autonumber" title="http://content-www.cricinfo.com/wisdencricketer/content/story/295629.html" rel="nofollow">[3]</a> it was described as follows: <i>"The imperious Indian - dubbed 'Lord Snooty' - deigned to represent Lancashire in 2000. At the crease it was sometimes uncertain whether his partner was a batsman or a batman being dispatched to take his discarded sweater to the pavilion or carry his kit bag. But mutiny was afoot among the lower orders. In one match Ganguly, after reaching his fifty, raised his bat to the home balcony, only to find it deserted. He did not inspire at Glamorgan or Northamptonshire either. At the latter in 2006 he averaged 4.80 from his four first-class appearances."</i></p> <p><a name="The_Chappell_-_Ganguly_controversy" id="The_Chappell_-_Ganguly_controversy"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">The Chappell - Ganguly controversy</span></h3> <dl><dd> <div class="noprint relarticle mainarticle"><i>Main article: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chappell_Ganguly_controversy" title="Chappell Ganguly controversy">Chappell Ganguly controversy</a></i></div> </dd></dl> <p>His dispute with then coach <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Chappell" title="Greg Chappell">Greg Chappell</a> resulted in many headlines during 2005 and early 2006. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Chappell" title="Greg Chappell">Greg Chappell</a> emailed the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Board_of_Control_for_Cricket_in_India" title="Board of Control for Cricket in India">BCCI</a> stating that Ganguly was unfit to lead India and that his "divide and rule" behaviour was damaging the team. This email was leaked to the media and resulted in huge backlash from Ganguly's fans. Eventually due to his poor form and differences with the coach he was stripped of his captaincy and dropped from the team. However, 10 months later, during India's tour to South Africa, Ganguly was recalled after his middle order replacements <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suresh_Raina" title="Suresh Raina">Suresh Raina</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_Kaif" title="Mohammad Kaif">Mohammad Kaif</a> suffered poor form.</p> <p><a name="Shirt_take-off_at_Lords" id="Shirt_take-off_at_Lords"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Shirt take-off at Lords</span></h3> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 202px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ganguly_shirt.jpg" class="image" title="The shirt that Ganguly took off during the celebrative mood after his team's extraordinary win in the Natwest Series Final"><img alt="The shirt that Ganguly took off during the celebrative mood after his team's extraordinary win in the Natwest Series Final" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Ganguly_shirt.jpg/200px-Ganguly_shirt.jpg" class="thumbimage" width="200" border="0" height="150" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"> <div class="magnify"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ganguly_shirt.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11" /></a></div> The shirt that Ganguly took off during the celebrative mood after his team's extraordinary win in the Natwest Series Final</div> </div> </div> <p>During the final match of the 2002 Natwest Trophy held in Lords after a stunning performance by team mates <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuvraj_Singh" title="Yuvraj Singh">Yuvraj Singh</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_Kaif" title="Mohammad Kaif">Mohammad Kaif</a>, Sourav Ganguly took off his shirt in public and brandished it in the air to celebrate India's winning of the match. He was later strongly condemned for tarnishing the gentleman's game image of cricket and disrespecting Lords protocol. Ganguly said that he was only mimicking an act performed by the English all-rounder <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Flintoff" title="Andrew Flintoff">Andrew Flintoff</a> during a tour of India.</p> <p><a name="Other_controversies" id="Other_controversies"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Other controversies</span></h3> <p>Ganguly is an aggressive player and has often attracted controversy. He has attracted the wrath of match referrees quite a few times, the most severe of which was a ban for 6 matches by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Cricket_Council" title="International Cricket Council">ICC</a> match referee <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Lloyd" title="Clive Lloyd">Clive Lloyd</a> for slow over rates against Pakistan and therefore his tour to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka" title="Sri Lanka">Sri Lanka</a> for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Oil_Cup_2005" title="Indian Oil Cup 2005">Indian Oil Cup 2005</a> was uncertain. These circumstances led to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahul_Dravid" title="Rahul Dravid">Rahul Dravid</a> being made captain for the tour. Later, Justice Albey Sachs reduced the punishment from 6 matches to 4, and this permitted Ganguly to join the team, but as a player and not captain. In his opening match he made the highest score of the side (51) taking (110) balls<a href="http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005/OD_TOURNEYS/IOC/SCORECARDS/IND_SL_IOC_ODI4_03AUG2005.html" class="external autonumber" title="http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005/OD_TOURNEYS/IOC/SCORECARDS/IND_SL_IOC_ODI4_03AUG2005.html" rel="nofollow">[4]</a>. He was again named captain for the Zimbabwe tour of August-September 2005. With this, he has captained India in the highest number of Tests (49).</p> <p>During the 2003 World Cup final against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_cricket_team" title="Australian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Australia</a>, Ganguly won the toss and decided to field. This decision raised eyebrows but Sourav remained confident that there would be moisture on the pitch that would help his bowlers, however the bowlers flopped and Sourav performed poorly with the bat. India went on to lose by 125 runs, a staggering defeat.</p> <p>Ganguly's performance in the last couple of seasons has been really poor. This put his place in the Indian team under pressure. In the tour of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimbabwe_cricket_team" title="Zimbabwe cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Zimbabwe</a>, in which he was newly reinstated as skipper, Ganguly ground out a painfully slow century, against what is regarded as one of the weakest bowling attacks in international cricket. During the match he told reporters that newly-appointed coach <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Chappell" title="Greg Chappell">Greg Chappell</a> had asked him to stand down as captain - a comment which Chappell later played down. However, forty-eight hours after saying that he respected the Indian captain and looked forward to working with him in the future, Chappell sent an <a href="http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/220105.html" class="external text" title="http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/220105.html" rel="nofollow">email</a> to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Both Ganguly and Chappell were summoned to a BCCI board meeting in which they agreed to work together for the good of the team. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahul_Dravid" title="Rahul Dravid">Rahul Dravid</a> was appointed captain for the series against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka_cricket_team" title="Sri Lanka cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Sri Lanka</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa_cricket_team" title="South Africa cricket team" class="mw-redirect">South Africa</a> after Ganguly was not selected for the opening games due to injury. When the two series got over, Rahul Dravid was asked to continue as skipper.</p> <p>On 22 November 2005, Ganguly stepped down as captain of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengal_cricket_team" title="Bengal cricket team">Bengal cricket team</a> after being replaced as captain of the Indian Test team. He played in the first two Test matches in the three-Test series against Sri Lanka. However, on 14 December, he was controversially dropped, for the third Test at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmedabad" title="Ahmedabad">Ahmedabad</a>, to make way for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasim_Jaffer" title="Wasim Jaffer">Wasim Jaffer</a>, an opening batsman for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai_cricket_team" title="Mumbai cricket team">Mumbai</a>. Jaffer was picked by the selectors as they wished to build up a player selection pool with sufficient experience to succeed at international level.</p> <p>Despite this, he retained his A-grade contract from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Board_of_Control_for_Cricket_in_India" title="Board of Control for Cricket in India">BCCI</a>, in December 2005.</p> <p>Following the drop, fans blocked roads and railway tracks in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata" title="Kolkata">Kolkata</a>, burning effigies of chief selector <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiran_More" title="Kiran More">Kiran More</a> and Indian coach Chappell, and the urban development minister of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Bengal" title="West Bengal">West Bengal</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Asoke_Bhattacharya&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Asoke Bhattacharya (page does not exist)">Asoke Bhattacharya</a>, said Ganguly was a victim of the internal politics of the BCCI.<sup id="cite_ref-44" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-44" title="">[45]</a></sup> Cricinfo editor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambit_Bal" title="Sambit Bal">Sambit Bal</a> wrote in a commentary that this was <i>in all probability ... the end of the road for him.</i><sup id="cite_ref-45" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-45" title="">[46]</a></sup> However, it was announced on 25 December 2005 that he was selected as part of the Indian team to tour Pakistan. Kiran More cited his experience as the key reason, with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Kaif" title="Mohammed Kaif" class="mw-redirect">Mohammed Kaif</a> being dropped.<sup id="cite_ref-46" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-46" title="">[47]</a></sup> He was in the playing XI in the Lahore and Karachi Tests, but was dropped for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisalabad" title="Faisalabad">Faisalabad</a> match. He was unable to play in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_cricket_team" title="England cricket team">England</a> home series and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Indies_cricket_team" title="West Indies cricket team">West Indies</a> tour. He was also not selected for the following Tri-series in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka_cricket_team" title="Sri Lanka cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Sri Lanka</a>. However, he was chosen amongst 30 probables for the ICC Champions Trophy after being left out in the dark for almost close to a year. Ganguly failed in the Challenger Trophy, however, managing less than 30 runs in two games, and so the chances of recall to the ODI side look bleak.</p> <p>Ganguly later sent an email hitting out at his one time mentor saying that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagmohan_Dalmiya" title="Jagmohan Dalmiya">Jagmohan Dalmiya</a> did not deserve to become <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAB" title="CAB" class="mw-redirect">CAB</a> president as he had played with his career and that Ganguly was a victim of internal politics within the BCCI. This was in the backdrop of the CAB elections which <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagmohan_Dalmiya" title="Jagmohan Dalmiya">Jagmohan Dalmiya</a> won.</p> <p><a name="Records" id="Records"></a></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Records</span></h2> <p>Ganguly is the seventh Indian cricketer to have played 100 Test matches.<sup id="cite_ref-47" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-47" title="">[48]</a></sup> He is currently the 4th highest overall run scorer for India in Tests.<sup id="cite_ref-48" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-48" title="">[49]</a></sup> He is the fourth Indian to have played in more than 300 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Day_International" title="One Day International">One Day Internationals</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-49" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-49" title="">[50]</a></sup> In terms of overall runs scored in ODIs, Ganguly is the second among Indians after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar" title="Sachin Tendulkar">Sachin Tendulkar</a> (who has the highest ODI runs in the world) and the fourth in the world.<sup id="cite_ref-50" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-50" title="">[51]</a></sup> Ganguly has scored 15 centuries in Test matches and 22 in ODIs. He is one of only seven batsmen to score more than 10,000 runs in ODIs.<sup id="cite_ref-51" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-51" title="">[52]</a></sup> Ganguly has 22 centuries in ODIs, in terms of number of centuries in ODIs, he is only behind<sup id="cite_ref-52" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-52" title="">[53]</a></sup> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar" title="Sachin Tendulkar">Sachin Tendulkar</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanath_Jayasuriya" title="Sanath Jayasuriya">Sanath Jayasuriya</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Ponting" title="Ricky Ponting">Ricky Ponting</a>. Sourav, along with Sachin Tendulkar, formed by far the most successful opening pair in One Day Cricket, having amassed the highest number of century partnerships (26) for the first wicket. Together, they have scored more than 7000 runs at an average of 48.98, now with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin" title="Sachin">Sachin</a> he is a world record holder for creating most no. of 50 run partnership in the first wicket(44 fifties).<sup id="cite_ref-53" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-53" title="">[54]</a></sup></p> <p>Ganguly is the fourth player to cross 11,000 ODI runs and third player to cross 10,000 ODI runs and so far the fastest in ODI history, after Sachin Tendulkar. He also reached 6000, 7000, 8000 and 9000 ODI runs milestones in the fewest number of matches. Sourav can bowl medium-pacers as well, but has under-achieved in this aspect in Test matches, taking 31 wickets in 99 matches, at an average of 52.47. As of 2006, he is the only Indian captain to win a Test series in Pakistan (although two of the three tests of that series was led by Rahul Dravid). He is also one of the 3 players in the world to achieve amazing treble of 10,000 runs, 100 wickets and 100 catches in ODI cricket history, the others being <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar" title="Sachin Tendulkar">Sachin Tendulkar</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanath_Jayasuriya" title="Sanath Jayasuriya">Sanath Jayasuriya</a>.</p> <p><a name="Test" id="Test"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Test</span></h3> <ul><li>Captained India in a record 49 Test matches<sup id="cite_ref-54" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-54" title="">[55]</a></sup></li><li>Led India to a record 21 Test wins<sup id="cite_ref-55" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-55" title="">[56]</a></sup></li><li>His test average has never been less than 40.<sup id="cite_ref-56" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourav_Ganguly#cite_note-56" title="">[57]</a></sup></li></ul> <p><a name="ODIs" id="ODIs"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">ODIs</span></h3> <ul><li>Hold the record of most 200+ ODI partnerships (6 times) along with Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting.</li><li>Holds the record, shared with Sachin Tendulkar, for most 1st wicket ODI partnerships of 175+ runs (7 times).</li><li>Holds the record, shared with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahendra_Singh_Dhoni" title="Mahendra Singh Dhoni">Mahendra Singh Dhoni</a>, for the second highest score by an Indian cricketer in an ODI — 183, against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka_cricket_team" title="Sri Lanka cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Sri Lanka</a> in 1999.</li><li>Held the record, shared with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar" title="Sachin Tendulkar">Sachin Tendulkar</a>, for the highest first wicket partnership for India in an ODI match, 258, against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya_cricket_team" title="Kenya cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Kenya</a> in 2001. This record was bettered by Sri Lankan opening pair of Jayasuriya and Tharanga in 2006 at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headingley_Stadium" title="Headingley Stadium">Headingley</a>.</li><li>Was involved in the first 300 run ODI partnership with Rahul Dravid.</li><li>Sixth on the all time list with 31 man of the match awards.</li><li>He is also the only player to win 4 consecutive man of the match awards in ODIs.</li><li>India's most successful ODI <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain" title="Captain">captain</a>.</li><li>First Indian to score an ODI century against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_cricket_team" title="Australia cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Australia</a> in Australia.</li><li>Highest ODI runs scorer in the world (in a calendar year) in 1997,1999,2000.</li><li>Third in the list of hitting maximum number of sixes in ODIs.</li><li>Second in the list of highest number of centuries in a single calendar year ever. 7 centuries in 2000.</li></ul> <p><a name="Man_of_the_Series_awards" id="Man_of_the_Series_awards"></a></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Man of the Series awards</span></h2> <p><a name="3_Awards_in_Test_cricket"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">3 Awards in Test cricket</span></h3> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"> <tbody><tr style="background: rgb(192, 192, 192) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <th>#</th> <th>Series</th> <th>Season</th> <th>Series Performance</th> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#fff8dc"> <td>1</td> <td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Cricket_Team" title="Indian Cricket Team" class="mw-redirect">India</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_cricket_team" title="England cricket team">England</a> Test Series</td> <td>1996</td> <td>315 Runs (2 Matches, 3 Innings, 2x100); 37.5-4-125-6</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ddddff"> <td>2</td> <td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_cricket_team" title="Sri Lankan cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Sri Lanka</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team" title="Indian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">India</a> Test Series</td> <td>1997/98</td> <td>392 Runs (3 Matches, 4 Innings, 2x100, 1x50); 7-4-19-0</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#fff8dc"> <td>3</td> <td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan_cricket_team" title="Pakistan cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Pakistan</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team" title="Indian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">India</a> Test Series</td> <td>2007</td> <td>534 Runs (3 Matches, 6 Innings, 1x200, 1x50); 37-10-77-4</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p><a name="7_Awards_in_ODI_cricket"></a></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">7 Awards in ODI cricket</span></h3> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr style="background: rgb(192, 192, 192) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <th>#</th> <th>Series (Opponents)</th> <th>Season</th> <th>Series Performance</th> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#fff8dc"> <td>1</td> <td>Sahara Friendship Series (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistani_cricket_team" title="Pakistani cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Pakistan</a> v/s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team" title="Indian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">India</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Cricket_Club" title="Toronto Cricket Club" class="mw-redirect">Toronto</a>)</td> <td>1997</td> <td>222 Runs (5 Matches & 5 Innings, 2x50); 48.5-8-160-15 (1x5 Wicket); 3 Catches</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ddddff"> <td>2</td> <td>Pepsi Cup (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistani_cricket_team" title="Pakistani cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Pakistan</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_cricket_team" title="Sri Lankan cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Sri Lanka</a>)</td> <td>1998/99</td> <td>278 Runs (5 Innings, 1x100, 2x50); 20-0-101-6; 2 Catches</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#fff8dc"> <td>3</td> <td>DMC Cup (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Indies_cricket_team" title="West Indies cricket team">West Indies</a> v/s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team" title="Indian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">India</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Cricket_Club" title="Toronto Cricket Club" class="mw-redirect">Toronto</a>)</td> <td>1999</td> <td>89 Runs (3 Innings, 1x50); 10-1-53-3; 1 Catch</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ddddff"> <td>4</td> <td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_cricket_team" title="New Zealand cricket team" class="mw-redirect">New Zealand</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team" title="Indian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">India</a> ODI Tour</td> <td>1999/00</td> <td>301 Runs (5 Innings, 1x100, 1x50); 18-3-95-2; 1 Catch</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#fff8dc"> <td>5</td> <td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimbabwe_cricket_team" title="Zimbabwe cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Zimbabwe</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team" title="Indian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">India</a> ODI Tour</td> <td>2000/01</td> <td>264 Runs (4 Innings, 1x100, 1x50); 12-1-51-5 (1x5 Wicket)</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ddddff"> <td>6</td> <td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team" title="Indian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">India</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Indies_cricket_team" title="West Indies cricket team">West Indies</a> ODI Tour</td> <td>2002</td> <td>136 Runs (3 Innings, 1x50); 3-0-20-0; 2 Catches</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#fff8dc"> <td>7</td> <td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_cricket_team" title="Sri Lankan cricket team" class="mw-redirect">Sri Lanka</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team" title="Indian cricket team" class="mw-redirect">India</a> ODI Tour</td> <td>2006/07</td> <td>168 Runs (3 Innings, 2x50); 8-0-43-1; 2 Catches</td></tr></tbody></table>Sandeep Chowdharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365872210584131539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8036568751497057942.post-24362022943341005852008-10-18T11:55:00.000-07:002008-10-18T12:54:33.235-07:00Gladiator Paritala Ravindra's Biography<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL5mSc9hJCMZ6iiU4NcH4-0D7UDvnEQWGwTy4vPsaquvvLXRtU5nMbHx-v27MPG_E8bT8zjvS7mmUAesYP6Ud9T-bMrjSOqiuws4RQJ5vxJND3TjJ_tk65oDi5qdjgRy3imdWwxg8Bqo/s1600-h/RAVI1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL5mSc9hJCMZ6iiU4NcH4-0D7UDvnEQWGwTy4vPsaquvvLXRtU5nMbHx-v27MPG_E8bT8zjvS7mmUAesYP6Ud9T-bMrjSOqiuws4RQJ5vxJND3TjJ_tk65oDi5qdjgRy3imdWwxg8Bqo/s320/RAVI1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258571509030288386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUFfYSfYF4CDFZgFMSndHJfsiRre04OCbQf8pcOduND2Y_pOvavdsZyEDOC7cQd71jdc6chpgygh5-e1VMauuZDcw_frlxU5Mc1udA4HEN4xiM6c9AaEN59gMWjoWzn62fgfcnfUJuYM/s1600-h/RAVI2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUFfYSfYF4CDFZgFMSndHJfsiRre04OCbQf8pcOduND2Y_pOvavdsZyEDOC7cQd71jdc6chpgygh5-e1VMauuZDcw_frlxU5Mc1udA4HEN4xiM6c9AaEN59gMWjoWzn62fgfcnfUJuYM/s320/RAVI2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258571518570050978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmp20pwR5quIBf5LBynmeD1yLiqJXwR2Lw14JaUGxznKhMeW7P248N10n5HKHw5jA0IIPF2mQx7l3rByqf9fgHWFJ4r5e7n_hhu-ChxfTOFfOntvSActo-i89ISRiMyzfXp_O0w8WV6w/s1600-h/RAVI3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmp20pwR5quIBf5LBynmeD1yLiqJXwR2Lw14JaUGxznKhMeW7P248N10n5HKHw5jA0IIPF2mQx7l3rByqf9fgHWFJ4r5e7n_hhu-ChxfTOFfOntvSActo-i89ISRiMyzfXp_O0w8WV6w/s320/RAVI3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258571526384517762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfgLRyxvkXZs_w7JkrDvEc5zbb5PXJP011WIwLZfazT67AtYHAf2yRZTAuc3MUDBgxQnG2pR6dAC0rnYwLvDZKpT_B2sc1rpQX6xDrK8_i_2bZukXVPLsrXkSunWhMGvM6GA-lNTT6do/s1600-h/RAVI4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfgLRyxvkXZs_w7JkrDvEc5zbb5PXJP011WIwLZfazT67AtYHAf2yRZTAuc3MUDBgxQnG2pR6dAC0rnYwLvDZKpT_B2sc1rpQX6xDrK8_i_2bZukXVPLsrXkSunWhMGvM6GA-lNTT6do/s320/RAVI4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258571530606418770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF9NwH9E92g1EHk8YX5OZzjb3fKcv1irHAX9fK2P83l_Q6NdBNksY6-jbscG85I4XVfyeA89PNcG4aTHJ_U1AEEKrxi6I3LYrPblrGz-LYZQp2f5kDuzqdxvDUN6veyDnRJDrUa6AVb8/s1600-h/RAVI5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF9NwH9E92g1EHk8YX5OZzjb3fKcv1irHAX9fK2P83l_Q6NdBNksY6-jbscG85I4XVfyeA89PNcG4aTHJ_U1AEEKrxi6I3LYrPblrGz-LYZQp2f5kDuzqdxvDUN6veyDnRJDrUa6AVb8/s320/RAVI5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258571536576434338" border="0" /></a>Sandeep Chowdharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365872210584131539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8036568751497057942.post-44965690846028464542008-10-18T11:48:00.000-07:002008-10-18T12:53:54.391-07:00Legend of the Legend's N T Rama Rao's Biography<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:85%;" ><b>MARRIAGE</b></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"> </p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" align="justify"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >In May 1942, Just as he entered his 20th year, Rama Rao married Basava Rama Taraka, daughter of his mother`s brother. He got married and failed in his inter examination, not once but twice. His friends used to tease him, saying "Vivaham Vidya Nashanam", the fellow got married and failed in his examinations.<br /><br />During the two years he did odd jobs, like wholesale tobacco business to supplement the family income. Mean While his friends heckling became too much to bear. He became angry and he became serious. He was determined to pass the exam. He worked day and night and eventually pass the intermediate examination with admission to the Andhra Christian college in Guntur for a Bachelor of Arts Course in 1945.<br /><br />Rama Rao continued to stay in Vijayawada even after joining college in Guntur. He would have his meal and leave home at 7.30 in the morning and take a train for Guntur. After attending classes, he would return home again by train by 7.30 in the evening, He always carried his lunch to College.</span> </p><p align="left"> </p><p align="left"><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:85%;" >MAKING OF AN ARTIST</span></b> </p><p align="left"> </p><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Became a noted Telugu actor. Both became great friends. Both took active part in stageing Play in the college till they passed out in 1947. In 1946, at the annual conference of Andhra Nataka Kala Parishad held in Vijayawada, Rama Rao, Jaggaiah and Mallikamba, a radio artist, staged a play called ' Chesina Papam' The committed sin, written by the Kopparapu Subba Rao and bagged the first prize for the best play.<br /><br />Rama Rao, Jaggaiah and their friends continued their dramatic activities in vijayawada after they finished college. After leaving college, Jaggaiah took a teacher's job in a school in Duggirala, his native place. Every evening, he used to go to Vijayawada, nearly 20 Km. Away, by train to work for the amatenr drama group, National Art theatre, and return to his village the next morning.<br /></span></div> <div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The first offer to join films came Rama Rao's way while he was still in college .C.Pullaiah, the famous Telugu film director, heard about Rama Rao's acting abilities through a friend who happened to see him on the stage in a couple of plays, and came down from madras with offer of a role in 'Keelu Gurram' (The Magic Horse), the film he was planning to make shortly.<br /><br />But N.T. Rama Rao rejected that offer politely. He didn't want to disturb his studies and join films at that point of time, because he was keen to getting his degree. Pulliah wasn't the one who would give up easily. He then went to his father. But Laxmaiah, left the decision to his son. N.T. Rama Rao told Pulliah "See, Iam more determined now than ever to pursue my studies". If my father has put the burden of the decision on me, I must at least make him feel happy that I am behavires as a responsible man. Letme get my degree first. Once I finish my studies, I can come down to Madras to try my luck in films. But most certainly not now.<br /><br />L.V.Prasad, who has already established himself as a director in the Telugu film industry, happened to be in Vijayawada that night. Prasad was on a talent-scouting mission of Andhra. He was in search of new faces to introduce in a film called Srimati he was planning to direct for Sarathi Studios.<br /><br />A well wosher caught hold of Rama Rao around 11 in the night and took him to Prasad. Prasad, who was busy watching a film in a hall, had a good look at him. He asked him to come to Madras .<br /><br />The third class Vijayawada-Madras train fare was Rs. 8 in those days. Staying in a modest lodge in Madras cost Rs. 4 a day. But Rama Rao didn't see why he should ask his already over-burdened father to form out even those few rupees.<br /><br />Prasad gave him his first cine test at the Shobhanachala (now Venus) Studio on May 21, 1947. The test lasted an hour and a half on the sets of Drohi, a film then under production. The test over, Prasad told Rama Rao to go back, the result would be communicated later. The young man was not sure how he fared in the test. Uncertain of what was in store for him, he boarded the Calcutta Mail to return to Vijayawada where he now had a wife and a little son.<br /><br />Armed with a BA degree in economics, Rama Rao was eager to take up a job. His parents did their duty by him by educating him. It was now his turn to support them as well as his young wife and son. He had already become conscious of his physique. He began to do exercises and eat ground maze instead of rice to maintain a strong and muscular body.<br /><br />He kept trying for all kinds of jobs. He applied for a sub-inspector's job but failed to get it. Later he applied for a job as a King's Commissioned Officer (KCO) and was one of the two selected from the state. He was asked to proceed to Dehradun for an interview. But his father was not enthusiastic about his son joining the military service because nobody in the family went to the military so far. Rama Rao didn't go for the interview.<br /><br />Meanwhile, a letter arrived from Prasad. The film for which Rama Rao was tested was being put off for the time being, said the letter. But the director was making another film called Mana Desam (Our Country). There was a small but crucial role in it. The role would be his if he wished. He was welcome to go to Madras if he wanted to do the role.<br /><br />This came as a disappointment. He was not interested in a bit role and there was no question of going to Madras for it. He put the letter aside without sending a reply.<br /><br />Rama Rao now sat for the Madras Service Commission examination for a sub-registrar's job. Out of the 1100 candidates who took the test, seven were selected. Rama Rao was one of them. He was pleased that at least now he could earn his living. Everybody he knew said it was o good job. He took up the job in Guntur. The salary was Rs. 120 per month. With allowances, the total worked out to Rs 190. In October 1947, barely two months after Independence, this wasn't exactly a princely sum. But for a man who badly needed a job to support his parents, wife and child, it wasn't something to be scoffed at.</span></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;" align="center"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:85%;" >SERVICES</span></b></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" align="left"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >With the lunch box in hand and much relief and excitement in his heart, Rama Rao arrived in the Registrar's office on the morning of the first day. Like the others, he took off his coat, hung it to the chair and got down to work with all the enthusiasm at his command.<br /><br />Come lunch time and the oldest peon in the office brought him coffee and snacks. Having neither asked for it nor paid for it, Rama Rao was puzzled. He showed the peon his own lunch box and asked, "Why have you brought all this for me?"<br /><br />The old man gave him a mysterious smile and said, "My young master, this is a practice in this office. I arrange for coffee and anacks for all the people working here. Now you are one of us. That's why I've brought these for you too."<br /><br />The mystery stayed unsolved, but only until that evening. In the registrar's office, the employees used to hang their coats to the chairs the moment they arrivedin the office. The senior most peon was apparently in charge of what went on in the office. Even before a customer's documents reached a sub-registrar, the bargain would have been struck about the "price". Once the papers were signed, the peon would pick them up and go out with the customer, collect the bribe behind a wall.<br /><br />From bribes thus collected all day, he would arrange for snacks and coffee for all. He would then distribute what was left among the employees, in keeping with their status. The district registrar got the biggest chunk followed by the joint registrar, sub-registrar, head clerk, clerks and then the peons, in that order. The Head peon would work it all out neatly and put each one's share in the pocket of his coat.<br /><br />At the end of the day, every one would quietly pick up his coat and leave, as though they were oblivious of what had transpired. When Rama Rao picked up his coat, he discovered to his amazement that one of his pockets contained hundred-odd rupees which did not belong to him. He flew into a rage. "Nonsense," he screamed. " I won't accept this." There was a big commotion in the office. They were surprised to see a man who was refusing to accept what came to be known as "collection money."<br /><br />The first day's experience in his first regular job was a shattering experience. He was shocked by what he saw; A bunch of educated people accepting bribes as a matter of routine without feeling a tinge of guilt. He was deeply disillusioned and didn't know what to do.<br /><br />Soon after, a letter arrived from Madras, this time from a young, Calcutta-trained film enthusiast called BA Subba Rao. Subba Rao got an opportunity to direct a film called palleturi Pilla (Village Girl), his first venture. The eager director was looking around for a he-man to play the lead in the film. He happened to see Rama Rao's photograph in LV Prasad's album and was impressed by his looks. The letter said he would like to consider giving Rama Rao the hero's role. Could he please come down to Madras at the earliest? Of course, all the expenses would be paid for. The letter was accompanied by a note from LV Prasad: Good chance, take it.<br /><br />This came at a time when Rama Rao's morale had hit the rock bottom. Soon the word spread like wild fire in the office. The younger lot in the office, flabbergasted by Rama Rao's refusal to accept "collection money", persuaded him to go with them on a picnic to a nearby beauty spot called Kondaveedu. They all stayed at the place for three days. They politely told Rama Rao that he was perfectly unsuitable for a sub-registrar's job. If he did not accept bribes, how on earth was he going to live on a lowly salary? It was no job for an honest man like him. He won't be able to send his son to a good school, let alone buy a decent sari for his wife. Now that he was being offered a hero's role-a dream come true for any young man – why not grab it?<br /><br />For the once Rama Rao was in two minds. Several doubts nagged him about his future. He was now in his 25th year. Even though he detested the open corruption in his office, at least he had a government job.There was a certain sense of security-something any youth of his kind from a middleclass family would crave for.<br /><br />Now, should he give up all those and go to Madras? Where was the guarantee that he was going to make it in films? What if he didn't make the grade? What would be the fate of his family? If he failed to make it in films, he could not possibly go back to government service because, having crossed the crucial 25th year, he would be considered over-age for a government job. Should he, therefore, keep the bird that was already in his hands or give it up and go into the bush to look for two-a doubtful venture?<br /><br />P. Chalapathi Rao, the joint registrar in Rama Rao's office was a kind man. He knew the ways of the would and Rama Rao respected him for his academic brilliance and wouldly wisdom. He was among the people who went to the picnic to kondaveedu. Chalapathi Rao was fond of Rama Rao and somehow believed that a bright future awaited him in Madras.<br /><br />Chalapathi Rao argued thus: A government employee's career was like the tail of a sheep. Beyond a point it never grew. Here was a good opportunity that came your way. It was possible luck would favour you, too. God had blessed you with good looks, education and culture and an ability to act. Fate now beckoned you to Madras. Luck might not lag behind. Victory favoured the brave. Now that a good oppoutunity was knocking at your door, be wise and open the door of your fortune.<br /><br />Rama Rao was at last convinced. His brother Trivikrama Rao too did his bit. "Why hesitate at a crucial moment like this in life? Go ahead and take a chance." On a good day chosen by an astrologer friend he boarded the Madras Mail. His colleagues in the office and those who took part in his stage activities bid him a fond farewell.</span> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" align="left"> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" align="left"> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" align="left"> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" align="left"><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:85%;" >JOURNEY TO MADRAS</span></b> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" align="left"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" align="left"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >After arrival in Madras, Rama Rao dumped his luggage at Neo Modern Home (Rs 4 a day) and headed straight to L V Prasad's office. He asked Prasad point blank: "Sri, is there any defect in me?<br /><br />" Prasad replied, "No defect at all, Mr Rama Rao."<br /><br />Rama Rao didn't ask why he was offered a small role and not the hero's. all that he then said was, "Sir,<br />I am an educated man. I don't want to be a burden to anybody. I can make out my own livelihood with<br />my hands back home on my farm if it came to that."<br /><br />Prasad understood and tried to soothe the young man's ruffled feelings: "there are not defects in you. It's just luck, you know. If luck favours, you, you will be a top star. I have all my hopes and faith in you."<br /><br />" If it's a matter of luck," Rama Rao told himself, "I can take the challenge and try it out. If things don't work out here, I can always go back home. I can work hard on my farm and support my wife and son."<br /><br />When BA Subba Rao told LV Prasad that he would like to consider Rama Rao for a hero's role just after having a look at his photograph in the album, Prasad thought Subba Rao was jumping to decisions without careful thinkings. Prasad told him: "Rama Rao is raw, a novice. Why do you want to take a risk by offering him a hero's role, that too in your first picture?<br /><br />Subba Rao said he wished to meet Rama Rao, got his address and wrote the letter which now brought the young man to Madras.<br /><br />Those were the days when the men who were playing hero's roles had a certain feminity about them. They lacked the he-man image. Being an addict of western movies since the Silent Era, Subba Rao always liked the idea of a he-man playing the hero's role in his first directorial venture.<br /><br />As Subba Rao sat in his first floor office and looked out of the window, he saw a handsome and wellbuilt young man enter the gate about 200 yards away. Dressed in a white dhoti and lalchi – or kurta, the collarless and full-sleeved loose shirt-in pucca Andhra style, the young man oozed dignith and self-confidence as he strode toward Subba Rao's office.<br /><br />The young man entered Subba Rao's office and addressed him thus, "Sorry Sir, but where is Mr BA Subba Rao's office?"<br /><br />The short gentleman's eyes lit up. He said, "Yes, I am subba Rao. You are Mr NT Rama Rao, isn't it?"<br /><br />" Yes sir."<br /><br />" Please sir down."<br /><br />" Thank you sir. I got your letter and here I am at your disposal. What tests do you want to take; voice test, screen test?"<br /><br />Subba Rao just smiled and said, "Mr Rama Rao, I don't believe in this test business. I have seen you and heard you. That's enough. You shall be the hero in my film. Now let's go to Mr Prasad." His dream of a he-man playing his hero had at last come true.<br /><br />As a matter of fact, Prasad thought Rama Rao was a bit heavy for a hero's role. Palleturi Pilla was Subba Rao's first film and Prasad was concerned that Subba Rao was determined to gamble on a virtually unknown entity as the hero.<br /><br />" Don't be in such a hurry," Prasad suggested to Subba Rao. "The audiences do not know who you are. Now you want to take a new man as you're hero. It's a great risk that could affect your future. Think it over."<br /><br />Prasad then suggested, "Why don't we see how he behaves in front of the camera? I want to give him a small role in my film, Mana Desam. See how he fares in it. After that you can decide."<br /><br />But Subba Rao had no intention of changing his mind. He smiled and said, "Sir, you are giving me advice like my elder brother. I appreciate your concern and anxiety. With due respect to you, I have already made up my mind about my hero. I would like to sign a contract with him and only then send him back. If things don't work out, I can always cancel it. But I don't want to send him back empty-handed."<br /><br />A sum of Rs 1116 was offered to Rama Rao as fee for playing the first hero's role of his life. He gladly accepted it and an agreement was signed and off he went home to Vijayawada, resigned the sub-registrar's job exactly three weeks after he took it, and came back to Madras to launch himself into the screen career – a career that was to make him rich and famous.</span><br /></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(249, 81, 0);font-size:130%;" ><b><br /></b></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:85%;" >LIFE ON SILVER SCREEN</span></b></p> <div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The third film role came his way in maya Rambha, a folklore drama, a little later. But three roles could not guarantee him two square meals a day. He hired a small room in the Thousand Lights area. Sharing the rook with him were his brother was doing at the time of the making of Palleture Pilla and decided to stay on, and a few other young men who were trying their luck in films. Yoganand and Tatineni Prakash Rao, who later became wellknown directors, were among them.</span></div> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Because he could not afford the bus fare, Rama Rao used to walk long distances to meet prospective directores in search of roles. A proud man, he never liked to borrow, even from his best friends.<br /><br />A meal in a restaurant used to cost eight annas – half a rupee – in those days. It was round this time that he had to go without a meal for three consecutive days because he did not have eight annas. "Just for the sake of eight annas!" recalls Rama Rao. But there is no bitterness or anger in his voice. Only a broad smile and a certain pride that he could take it without a grudge.<br /><br />His room-mates were deeply upset when they heard about the incident. Yoganand was hurt. "Could you not have mentioned it to me?" he said. Rama Rao politely brushed aside the complaint. "I need to experience things in life so that I can train myself to face any eventuality with courage." Nobody could argue with him on that score.<br /><br />Yoganand had been a good friend since those days. He directed several films Rama Rao and Trivikrama Rao produced under the National Art Theatre banner, including Todu Dongalu (which won a national award), Jaya Simha and Ummadi Kutumbam (which were box office hits of their time).<br /><br />It was also around this time that HM Reddy said he would give Rama Rao a hero's role in his next film. A veteran who made well-acclaimed films like Gruhalakshmi, Tenali Ramakrishna and later Satyame Jayam, Reddy was a big name in the 1940s. Getting a break in a film of his could make all the difference to the career of anyone who hoped to make it on the screen.<br /><br />Reddy would ask Rama Rao to present himself at his office or home at all sorts of odd hours, as if to check if the young man had the patience. "Come at 7.30 tomorrow morning, " he would say. Eager to please, Rama Rao would show up on the dot. Reddy would nod his head patronizingly and say, "Oh you have come. It's just that I am tied up at the moment. What about four o'clock the day after tomorrow afternoon?"<br /><br />"Most certainly, sir," Rama Rao would way and walk back to his room. After scores of trips, Reddy would say, "Well, I've got this hero's role for you. You will wear a fur cap and have a huge alsatian with you. Now let's see how you will deliver these dialogues…Good, very good. Now, how about coming to my place sharp at 10 in the morning on Friday?"<br /><br />This futile exercise went on for one whole year. Rama Rao took it all stoically, never losing heart or optimism.<br /><br />Then came the hero's role in Samsaram. When released in 1950, the film was a success: it ran for 100 days in 11 theatres and for 25 weeks in one. But shavukaru, the fifth film that he did, was released earlier than the fourth, Samsaram, and that turned the tables in Rama Rao's favour.<br /><br />Directed by Prasad, it starred him with Janaki – who later made a name for herself as a singing star – and was produced by Vijaya Productions. B. Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani started the company by taking the Vauhini Studios on lease. The film had a 100-day run in one theatre when released first in 1950, but it did good business and Janaki, whose first film it was, came to be known as Shavukaru Janaki, whose first film it was, came to be known as Shavukaru Janaki. Even today she is known by this name.<br /><br />The film's moderate success pleased its producers who now planned something big. They wanted to get the four top Telugu directors to make one film each. KV Reddy was to direct Patala Bhairavi; BN Reddy, Malleswari; Prasad, Pelli Chesi Choodu; and M. Kameswara Rao, chandra Haram. The idea was that each director would finish making one film in six months.<br /><br />They asked Rama Rao if he would sign an exclusive contract to work in their films. Rama Rao said he would sign on the dotted line provided they made him the hero in all the four films. He argued with Nagi Reddy thus: "If I am not successful in the hands of such eminent directors, then there won't be any chance of my succeeding in this line. Give me a chance and I will do my best. If I don't click in these films. I will give up my film career and go back to my village."<br /><br />Prasad had already directed Rama Rao in two films and all the five films in which he had acted had done well at the box office. Nagi Reddy and chakrapani thought it was a risk worth taking and agreed to give him the hero's role in all the four films. They signed him up for a two-years exclusive contract.<br /><br />They paid him Rs 500 per month and Rs 5,000 per film in the first year during which two films were completed, and Rs 750 per month and Rs 7,500 per film in the second year to make the remaining two films.<br /><br />Rama Rao was now confident that he was going to make it. Armed with the Vijaya contract, he now brought his wife and son to Madras from Vijayawada.<br /><br />Word soon reached HM Reddy that Vijaya's had signed up Rama Rao. One day he met him and said, "But what about my film? I have already signed up two heroines for it and I want you as hero in my film."<br /><br />"But, "said Rama Rao, "You kept me waiting for more than a year without offering me a single role. How an I do anything now? I have already signed the contract."<br /><br />Reddy then offered to pay twice the amount Vijaya's would pay him. "Sorry but I don't do things like this. A promise is a promise and there is no going back on it," Rama Rao told the great man.<br /><br />Impressed by the young man's straight forwardness, Reddy smiled and hugged Rama Rao and said, "You are a gentleman. This is the first time that I am meeting a person like you. Keep it up, son. You will go far in life."<br /><br />The first of the four films to be made was Patala Bhairavi, a folklore drama involving a wily magician, a beautiful princess and a poor but brave young man. Rama Rao played the young man. Rama Rao played the young man. The wicked magician has evil designs on the princess. But the young man takes him on, destroys the magician and wins the princess's heart. In the great KV Reddy's hands, this simple tale acquired a peculiar dimension. The role of the magician, played by the legendary S V Ranga Rao who passed away recently, provided scope for trick photography and imaginative setting like mysterious caves and a massive fortress.<br /><br />The film, released in 1951, was a runaway success: It celebrated 100-day runs in 34 cinema halls, silver jubilee (25 weeks) in 13 theatres and golden jubilee (50 weeks) in one. It broke all the previous box office records in the Telugu film industry. The film was soon made into a Tamil version by Vijaya's and a Hindi version by Gemini's – both with Rama Rao as hero. They too turned out to be hits.<br /><br />The film established Rama Rao as a mass hero and Vijaya's s producers of entertaining films. Incidentally, it was Patala Bhairavi's enormous success that encouraged Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani to undertake a massive reconstruction of the most sophisticated cinematic equipment.<br /><br />Patala Bhairavi was the turning point in Rama Rao's career as weel. Says he, "With that film I became a top hero." Concedes Akkineni Nageswara Rao, his long-time professional rival and personal friend: "Patala Bhairavi made him known to the comman man" – a major factor in the making of super hero.<br /><br />Malleswari and Pelli Chesi Choodu, two of the other three Vijaya Productions, followed soon. They too did well at the box office. Rama Rao now began to receive film offers on a regular basis. By the end of 1953, he had already starred in 14 films and felt encouraged to launch the National Art Theatre to Produce films along with his brother Trivikrama Rao.<br /><br />The first film they produced was Todu Dongalu, in which he played the hero. A social film, meaning Fellow Thieves, it sought to expose the state of affairs in society. Film critics raved about it; the film became the first Telugu movie to receive a certificate of merit from the President of India in 1954. It was the only Telugu film screened at a film festival in China that year. But, at the box office it was flop.<br /><br />Trivikrama Rao first came to Madras in 1949 just to see how his brother was doing in films. Strangely enough, his arrival in Madras coincided with Rama Rao fighting with the Australian bull during the shooting of palleturi Pilla and the fracturing of his wrist. Both the brothers, fond of each other, rarely stayed away from one another. Trivikrama Rao now stayed behind in Madras to look after his brother while he recovered from the injury; he stayed back in the city to assist his brother.<br /><br />For Rama Rao's younger brother, the failure of Todu Dongalu at the box office came as a rude shock. Even though the critical acclaim the film won pleased both the brother, it put Trivikrama Rao in the red by a couple of lakhs of rupees. There was serious talk that he should give up film production and go back to the village to take up farming. But Rama Rao encouraged him not to lose heart and give it up so easily but to try once again.<br /><br />The result was the making of Jaya Simha, a folklore drama, the next year, 1955. The film was a hit. It celebrated 100-day runs a dozen cinema halls and silver jubilee in one. Trivikrama Rao stayed on in Madras for good to produce many more films in collaboration with his brother.</span></div> <div align="justify"> </div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div align="justify"><br /><br /><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">SILVER SCREEN GOD</span></b><br /><br />The first godly role that Rama Rao played was in his 30th film, Maya Bazaar. Produced by Vijaya Productions and directed by the famous KV Reddy, it was based on an episode in the Mahabharata, the Hindu epic. Rama Rao played Krishna's role. Hitherto, Rama Rao never played a godly role and there was considerable opposition from his colleagues' hot favourite was a man called Raghuramiah, who excelled in playing this particular role on the stage.<br /><br />But Reddy's calculated gamble paid dividends; the film was a huge success: 100-day runs in 24 theatres and silver jubilee in four. Of the 30 films in which he acted upto Maya Bazaar, as many as 20 had celebrated 100-day runs in 169 theatres, nine films ran for 25 weeks each in 30 halls and one for 50 weeks in one theatre.<br /><br />It is a fallacy, therefore, to say that it was only in films in which he played godly roles that Rama Rao was primarily successful.<br /><br />He never looked back since.<br /><br />The other godly role he is famous for is that of Rama, the hero of Ramayana, the Hindu epic. Interestingly enough, it was Ravana, the villain in the Ramayana, whose character Rama Rao portrayed before that of Rama. It was in Bhookailas, a Telugu film, in which he featured as Ravana. Sampoorna Ramayanam, first made in Tamil and dubbed later into Telugu, was the first film in which he played Rama's role. Both the films were released in 1958.<br /><br />But the film that brought him instant fame for playing a godly role was Sri Venkateswara Mahatmyam, the story of the Lord of the Seven Hills at Tirumala-Tirupati. Directed by P. Pullaiah, a veteran, the black and white film cost Rs 11 lakh to make and was released in 1960. It celebrated silver jubilee, 100-day runs and grossed over Rs one crore on barely 20 prints – a record for that time.<br /><br />The film tells the story of Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu, and there is a scene in which Rama Rao emerges from the idol of the Lord and walks towards the camera – the audience. This particular scene created a sensation at that time and made a deep impression on the viewers, most of them humble and unlettered. The identification between man and god was complete.<br /><br />The poor Telugu villagers who could not afford to make the trip to Tirupati instead went to the nearest cinema hall to see the film. Thoughtfully enough, the film's producers advised owners of the cinema halls to put up an idol of the Lord in front of the halls. The villagers would come, break coconuts, prostrate before the idol, put some coins or crumpled notes in specially erected cash boxes called hundis (just like the one in Tirumala) and then enter the halls to see the film. Pretty soon, news of this reached the administrators of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) – ever vigilant in matters of this kind. They promptly wrote to Pulliah, the director, and staked their claim to the sums thus collected: Rs 46,000.<br /><br />Pulliah contributed another Rs 4,000 from his own pocket and presented a sum of Rs 50,000 to TTD with a request that a shed be built with the money for poor pilgrims. The idea was accepted along with the money but the shed was not built. Several sheds and other types of accommodation were built on the Tirumala Hills subsequently, but the contributions from the film's patrons went unacknowledged for some unknown reason.<br /><br />It was following the release of Sri Venkateswara Mahatmyam that the deification of Rama Rao began; 28 Bezulullah Road, Rama Rao's residence at the time in Madras, slowly became a shrine of a kind. Busloads of pilgrims would arrive every morning from Tirupati. In the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord of the Seven Hills at Tirumala, the pilgrims were face to face with a shimmering and silent idol which only overwhelmed them during those few fleeting seconds. That did not seem enough. A good many of them would head for Madras to see the man who played Lord Venkateswara in flesh and blood.<br /><br />They would arrive early in the morning, their heads clean-shaven and their hands folded in reverence. They would crowd the not-so-large compound of the modest house, while others stood in a serpentine queue along the road outside the house. Rama Rao, who'd be up before four in the morning as a matter of routine, would finish his yoga exercise, bath and breakfast (omelette, puris or upma and milk). The make-up man would finish getting him ready for the role he would play that morning.<br /><br />With the make-up on and with his hands folded, Rama Rao would arrive in the veranda, gently wave at his admirers, smile at them and talk to them. He would normally ask: Where have you come from? How is life in your village? What do you do for a living? Do you get enough to eat? Is drinking water available in your village?<br /><br />The pilgrims, fresh from Tirupati where they stood only in awe in the presence of the Lord's would be often at a loss for words. Unlike the idol, this one – whom they saw in the film walking out of the idol – actually smiled and spoke to them. Suddenly they found themselves pouring their hearts out to him: There's no drinking water in our village, one would say. Our MLA does not do anything for us, another would complain. We cannot get anything done without bribing somebody or the other, Yet another would moan. Rama Rao would nod is his head in sympathy while the rows and rows of clean-shaven pilgrims filed past him, making room for the hundreds have a glimpse of their living god.<br /><br />Such complaints gradually grew in number; it began to dawn on Rama Rao that all was not well and that most people were generally unhappy with the state of affairs. It disturbed him in a strange way, but he did not really pause to think what all this meant. He was so engrossed in his work that he had no time to do so. It was time for him to leave for the studio. The last of the pilgrims had to be rushed through to see him before he drove off in his black Cadillac.<br /><br />Little did he realise then that these people's gripes were to work on his subconscious and eventually drag him in to politics some day so that he could do something for them?<br /><br />The man never seemed to have any time for anything else except his work. His habits like waking up early, doing Yoga exercises were formed at the age of 15, when he was still at school in Vijayawada. It's a life disciplined out of necessity. Every day, before going to school in the morning and after returning from school, he would milch the cows and supply milk to customers, mostly hotels, on his old Hercules bicycle. On the way back home, he would collect fodder for the cattle.<br /><br />Even though he entered the film industry with a good break, he had to rough it up in the initial stages, sometimes even going without food for days.<br /><br />In the beginning, he kept himself busy watching the then veterans at work or improving his dialogue delivery by haranguing at the ferocious waves of the Bay of Bengal that lashed at the expansive Marina Beach in Madras, somewhat in the manner of Abraham Lincoln. Then there were rounds to make to the studios and homes of directors in search of a role or two. Once the roles came his way, he had to toil with his lines and the characters he was to portray.<br /><br />Krishna is apparently Rama Rao's most favourite godly role. He acted as Krishna in as many as 17 films out of the 42 mythological films in which he had starred! In a film called DaanaVeera Shooora Karna (1997), he played Karna, Duryodhana and Krishna too. He also wrote the script; he produced and edited the film as well. Every day, six in the morning he would be made up to play Duryodhana, wear a heavy crown and spend the whole day either acting or directing. This went on for three weeks with out a break; during the last three days of shooting, he worked round the clock without a wink of sleep.<br /><br />The Mahabharata provide material for a majority of his mythologicals: 23 in all. In Srimadvirata Parvam , ( 1979 ) he performed the incredible feat of portraying five roles as diverse as those of Krishna, Duryodhana, Keechaka, Arjuna and Brihannala.<br /><br />He played Arjuna in four films, Duryodhana in four, Karna in one, and Bheeshma and Bheema in one each.<br /><br />The other Hindu epic, the Ramayana, Yielded comparatively fewer Rama Rao films: eight. He played Rama in six of them and Ravana in three. In one film, Sri Rama Pattabhisekham (1978), he played Rama and Ravana as well! He played Vishnu in four and Shiva in one.<br /><br />What is surprising is that whether he played Krishna or Duryodhana, Rama or Ravana, Karna or Yama Dharmaraja, most of the mythologicals in which he worked did well at the box office. While he is remembered most for playing the roles of Rama, Krishna and Lord Venkateshwara, his positive interpretation of the traditionally negative characters like Ravan, Duryodhana and Karna also won him critical acclaim. The audiences lapped up both kinds of films. Lava Kusha made history in the Telugu film industry by becoming the first film to celebrate diamond jubilee by only in 1982 by Akkineni Nageshwara Rao's Premabhisekam. Two mythological of Rama Rao's celebrated golden jubilees, seven silver jubilees and 25 others had 100-day runs in 225 theatres.<br /><br />It is not just in godly roles that Rama Rao captured the hearts and imagination of his audiences. He played all the important emperors and kings in India history and folklore: Chandragupta, the great Mauryan emperor; Akbar, the benevolent Moghul emperor; Krishnadeva Raya, the famous Vijayanagara monarch in the 16th century; Dushyanta, the here of Sanskrit Poet Kalidasa's magnum opus Shakuntalam; Harishchandra, the king who never told a lie; Bhatti Vikramarka, the king with unlimited patience and wisdom who had an answer for every riddle asked of him; and Valmiki, the sage who penned the Ramayana.<br /><br />In the mythologicals, he plays divine role and performs miracles. In folklores. Numbering 55, he plays the swash buckling hero who bestowed with super qualities, goes about punishing wicked villains and rescuing assorted princesses whit full breasts and large hips, and emerge the victor and walk away with the heroin in the last reel.<br /><br />On the other hand, while playing the wronged hero in the immensely popular socials, 184 of them, Rama Rao creates around himself the halo of a pop Robin Hood, emerging at the end as a law unto himself in Bobbilipuli(The Tiger of Bobbili), his 1982 blockbuster, for instance, he plays the hero up against a corrupt society. He retires to a cave from where he metes out rough and ready justice to all wrongdoers. Finally, after his arrest, he defiantly tells the judge: "Because the court cannot ensure justice, I was obliged to take law into my hands". The audience cheers wildly in approbation.<br /><br />This in short is how Rama Rao became a cult figure for the state's weekly two-crore cinema-going people who revere him almost as a demi-god.<br /><br />Success did not come to the man easily or overnight. He worked hard for it and chose each role he played with great care. If a producer said he wished to make a film with him, Rama Rao would first ask: "Who are the technicians?" If he liked the director and his team, he would then ask: "What's the story?" Only if the story session convinced him that he would be suitable for the role, would he then accept the role.<br /><br />From the very first film of his, he evolved an acting style of his own. He would create characters from his own imagination. He would write his dialogues – sent him earlier by the director – in his won elegant hand. This helped him to remember his lines will; he rarely fumbled for his words in front of the camera. Later, he had the dialogues read out to him; eyes closed; he would listen and then remember.<br /><br />He would wake up before four in the morning, do his exercises, finish his bath, pray for half an hour, have breakfast and be ready for make-up. Pitambaram, the make-up man who worked with him for 25 years in Madras, would get him ready for the role he was due to play that morning. He would then drive to the studio in his imported car. In his time, he owned a Cadillac, a Chrysler, a Buick, Chevrolet, a Studbaker and now a Packard. He liked to change his car every five years. But the fist car he bought in December 1951, a Morris Minor (MDO 1522), continues to adorn the spacious garage of his Madras home.<br /><br />He worked two shifts a day: 7 am to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. The moment he arrived on the sets, the atmosphere would undergo a sea change and become businesslike. No small talks or gossip for him. Once the shot was over, he would sit in a chair in a corner and promptly doze off until summoned for the next shot. He would do as many retakes as the director would want him to. If any of his old-time colleagues were around, he would ask: Was that shore all right? If the man said, "not quite, you overdid the scene a bit", he would smile and say, "OK, let's do it once again".<br /><br />Rama Rao would cooperate with director, notwithstanding his age or experience. He would venture to give his advice or suggestions only when asked to. "The director is supreme", he would say. "He must be having some idea about what the film is all about. He knows best. Why should I interfere?"<br /><br />Though laudable in principle, this often turned out to be disadvantageous to him. Overawed by Rama Rao's presence, many young directors often hesitated to get the best out of him and made do with indifferent performance. This resulted in quite a few mediocre films.<br /><br />Because he is pleasant and easy to work with, producers used to flock to him with roles. He used to give all sheets 12 to 18 months in advance. That is to say, he would tell the producers when exactly he would be available to act in their films. This helped them to plan their films accordingly. And, whatever happened, he would always stick to his dates. While shooting, he broke his hand four time, suffered a snake bite on one occasion and the wheel of a bullock cart went over him on yet another. But he was always ready almost soon after, for the next shot. Except twice, when he had to be hospitalised.<br /><br />Rama Rao kept good health all his life. He never touched liquor; there was no question of late nights, brawls or hangovers. He smoked chutta, the native cigar, in his youth but soon gave it up. He used to eat paan in his Vijayawada days but promptly gave it up when director LV Prasad said that a man aspiring to be a film hero must possess teeth that sparkled. He did not seem to know what "star tantrums" were either. In an industry notorious for complex man-woman relationships, he was rarely linked with any of his heroines; well, almost.<br /><br />He teamed up with nearly 50 of them, including Anjali Devi, Savitri, Bhanumathi, Jamuna, KR Vijaya, Waheeda Rahman, Jayalalitha, Vyjayantimala, B.Saroja Devi, S.Janki, Krishsnakumari, G.Varalakshmi, S.Varalakshmi, Vanisri, Jayapradha, Jayasudha, Rati Agnihotir and Sridevi.<br /><br />Because he was a strict disciplinarian who never let down his producers, he made one film every six weeks, on an average. During 1963, 1965-67,and 1969 he made practically one film every month. In 1964 he bettered his own record by completing as many as 15 films in a calendar year!<br /><br />According to a well-informed film industry source in Madras, his 292 films may have grossed a staggering total of Rs.200 crores.<br /><br />Interestingly enough, Rama Rao charged his producers only in thousands for as long as 22 years. He was paid a paltry Rs.7,500 for playing Krishna for the first time in Maya Bazaar in 1956. He graduated to charging a fee of Re one lakh per film only in 1972. From then on, the fee reportedly went up by Rs. five lakh once every few years. In the late 1970s, when producers began to swamp him with role, he reportedly began to charge Rs.20 lakh per film. These figures are based on unconfirmed reports; in the Indian film industry there's no such thing as an authentic figure when it comes to the star's fee.<br /><br />Considering that Telugu films have a limited market in the sense that they can be shown mostly in Andhra Pradesh and a few towns outside the state where there are clusters of Telugu-speaking people, Rama Rao was possibly the highest paid film star of his time in the country. Comparisons are odius: Amitabh Bachchan, whose fee reportedly took a quantum jump after his 1982 accident from Rs.20 lakh to Rs. 45 lakh per film, is a saleable commodity all over India and in several foreign countries where people of Indian origin live. Marlon Brando charged more than Rs.2.5. crore for his brief role in Superman because the whole world is his audience. On a single day, the film grossed more than Rs.5 crore in 1395 theaters in Canada and the United States!<br /><br />There were stars twinkling on the Telugu film horizon before Rama Rao got there; a lot more made the rather steep climb after him. But none has become the kind of phenomenon that he did and none so unique. Why?<br />" He stopped eating rice after entering films," says Basavarama Taraka, 56, his wife for 42 years who cooks all his meals. Even though he can be a voracious eater, he east an omelette, a couple of idlis or pesarattus (a dosa-like Andhra delicacy, made of rice and greengram) and tea for breakfast, chapatis, chicken and vegetables for lunch and dinner. On April 14, 1983, the Telugu New Year day (Ugadi), Rama Rao took to eating vegetarian food and wearing saffron robes.<br /><br />When playing godly roles, he would be completely off non-vegetarian food and sleep on a mattress on the floor. If playing villainous roles like Ravana, Duryodhna or Yama Dharmaraja, he would eat only non-vegetarian food in order to work himself up into the required mood.<br /><br />He would be particular about the garments he wore and the crown he would don. No fake zari garments and cardboard crown for him. Metallic crowns are heavy. Most stars who have to put them on while playing mythological roles normally prefer crowns made of cardboard.<br /><br />The late SV Ranga Rao, a veteran who made a name for himself by playing most of the bad characters in Indian mythology, detested metallic crowns. If any producer tried to persuade him to wear them, he would yell at him, "What nonsense! Why should I burden my head with that wretched thing? Get me a cardboard crown".<br /><br />With Rama Rao it was exactly the opposite. He would chide people who suggested that he wear a cardboard crown. "How can I act like a real god or king without a proper crown?" he would ask. He was in a hurry to finish making Daana Veera Shoora Karma (released in 1977) to pre-empt a professional rival's project on a similar subject. Apart from playing Karna, Duryodhana and Krishna he wrote its script. He was also its producer, director and was in charge of costumes.<br /><br />He would arrive on the sets dressed up as Duryodhana, donning a copper crown coated with gold that weighed about three kilograms. Throughout the day, he let the crown stay on they head and went about his work. This went on for three weeks at the end of which he sustaine an injury on his forehead, caused by the base of the crown. The injury lift a permanent scar. During the last three days, he worked day and night for all the 72 hours continuously, practically without sleep.</div> <div align="justify"> </div> <div align="justify"><p style="text-align: center;" align="center"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);font-size:85%;" ><b>ENTRY IN TO POLITICS</b></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;" align="center"> </p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><strong>A glorious day in ooty in October 1981. </strong></span></p> <div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />A movie entitled "SARDAR PAPARAYUDU" was being shot at Ooty. On that day Sri N.T. Rama Rao who was greatly respected and idolized as a mythical cine hero by the Telugu-speaking people was acting in the above movie. Sri N.T. Rama Rao was playing the role of SARDAR PAPARAYUDU who was a dedicated individual to put an end to the injustice and atrocities of the society.<br /><br />During the during the breake time. Sri NTR was sitting in a chair and closing his eyes, he was recollecting the dialogues of the following scene. At that time some journalists came there and NTR warmly greeted them and enquired of their welfare. While conversing with NTR one Journalist said to NTR " Sir, in another six months you will be sixty years of age and in view of that will you be taking any major and important decision?"<br /><br />Sri NTR thought over for a while and replied to the journalist " I was born in a small village called Nimmakuru. The Telugu-speaking people have been supporting me and endearing me to their hearts for the last 30 years. They have been showering so much love on me. They have been seeing the movies in which I acted and they have made me a wealthy man. They brought me honor and fame. I am greatly indebted to the Telugu-speaking people. Now it is my duty to pay off the debt, which I owe to the people. From my next birthday onwards I would like to spend fifteen days of a month in the service of the people. " Sri N.T.R. never comments on any thing in a jocular way but if he takes a decision he is bound by it and he fulfills it under any circumstances. All the magazines of the silver screen published the exciting news. A political newspaper from Nellore announced that Sri N.T.R. was starting a new political party. This news spread like wild fire throughout the state. People began to discuss the matter at great length. </span></div> <div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br /></span></div> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><strong>The political conditions in the state</strong></span><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;"> </p> <div align="left"> <p style="margin: 0px;"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >In the General Elections of 1978 the Congress Party secured only 37% of votes but came to power. The political and social conditions began to deteriorate during the Congress regime. Corruption spread like cancer to all walks of political and social life. The Chief Minister got celebrated the attainment of 60 Years (Shashtipurthi) of age, with great pomp and show. Donations were collected on a grand scale by making the public believe that the collected donations were for the Congress party fund and the political power was misused by the Congress leaders and the people were awe stricken at the turn of the events. </span></p> </div> <p style="margin: 0px;" align="left"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >As there was disharmony among the Congress leaders, the Chief Minister had to step down. Another Chief Minister was sent from the Delhi Darbar. The new Chief Minister formed his Government consisting of 61 ministers. Some Congress legislators became chairmen of several corporations. All the national newspapers announced that the Government would become bankrupt. Everyone looted the Government and because of disharmony among the Congress leaders the Chief Minister was sent from New Delhi. During his regime corruption spread in new dimensions. When the Assembly was about to be dissolved in two or three months the Chief Minister had to step down and the fourth Chief Minister in a span of 5 years was appointed by the Delhi Political Pundits. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0px;" align="left"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0px;" align="left"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><strong>Abnormal failure of congress in a span of five years </strong></span></p> <div align="left"> <p style="margin: 0px;"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><br />The people were disgusted and disappointed with the rule of the Congress Party in a span of five years. Changing of Chief Ministers for every simple reason, the Government getting entangled in corruption is the apparent causes for the failure of the Congress rule. A common man also was able to perceive the truth about the failure of the administration in the political and social fields. The developmental activities came to a stand still and the Goverments's expenditure on establishment sector doubled up. The five-year rule of the Congress from 1978-83 is to be considered as the " Golden Age of Corruption". No one knows who will be appointed as the C.M. and no one knows when the C.M. will be removed. The administrators are hand in glove with the political leaders. Bribery was rampant, crores of rupees were collected in the name of party funds and no one was there to check it. The Congress leaders became sycophants and they were frequently going to Delhi, and staying in star hotels and they were appeasing their bosses to protect their positions and ranks.<br /><br />The people in the state felt whether there was justice, rule of law, and administration at all; the opposition parties also were in the same position. Elected representatives of the Janatha Party and of Reddy Congress Party suddenly changed their minds, relinquished their parties and joined the ruling Congress. An opposition leader, who was dead against to the ruling party, overnight changed his mind, jumped into the Congress Party and became the Cabinet Minister. It was all a great fun and shame. The Congress High Command offered positions to the stepped down ministers and they made the people believe that the Congress was in good command of the situation.<br /></span></p></div> <p><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><strong>Politics and N.T.R</strong></span><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span></p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div align="justify"><br />Sri N.T.R. determined to serve the people by entering into politics. Some of the close friends of N.T.R. said, "Politics is a kind of quagmire. After knowing the truth about the politics, why do you get into politics? You are so successful on the silver screen. You are earning so well in this field."<br /><br />N.T.R. began to think in a different angle. He knew pretty well that the celluloid world would give him infinite wealth. When the Congress High Command changed the Chief Ministers four times, he felt that the self-respect of the Telugu speaking people was wounded. Sri N.T.R. felt that the self-respect of the Telugu-speaking people was pawned to the High Command. On one particular occasion, when the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh went to the Hyderabad Airport, in order to welcome a Congress leader from Delhi, the leader ill-treated the Chief Minister. This incident caused so much dismay to all the Telugu Speaking people.<br /><br />Sri N.T.R. knew the feelings of the people of Andhra Pradesh. He didn't like to waste time. He completed the call sheets of the pictures to which he entered into contract. Some leaders, who didn't like the politics of Congress, were waiting for a chance. They were curiously watching the situation. On March 21, 1982 when N.T.R. came to Hyderabad from Ooty there was red-carpet welcome to him from his fans, well wishers and from some political leaders.<br /><br />Meanwhile there were dramatic changes in the Congress Party. Sri Nadella Bhasakara Rao, the sitting member of the Legislative Assembly resigned from Congress, even to the primary membership. He decided to join the new party, which was being started by N.T.R.<br /><br />On the 28th of March 1982 Sri N.T.R. reached Hyderabad. The steering committee consisting of 13 members was formed. Sri N.T.R. was the founder President of the new Party. N.T.R. has great faith in auspicious Muhurthams. He decided to declare the formation of a new party on the 29th of March 1982 at 2.30 p.m. There was tremendous response from the public and the Congress Party members began to shiver.<br /><br />On the 29th of March 1982 at 2.30 in the afternoon Sri N.T.R. and his followers assembled in the new <a href="http://m.la/" target="_blank">M.LA</a>. Quarters. The followers of N.T.R. began to shout "Sri N.T.R. Jindabad, Sri N.T.R. Jindabad". There was an echo of the shouting. The meeting place was shifted from the small hall to the lawn of the New M.L.A. quarters.<br /><br />Sri NTR started addressing the gathering "My dear brothers and sisters, I have been seriously considering the idea of entering into politics. I was wondering how people would react to this new idea; when I see all of you here, It gives me immense pleasure and from this moment onwards I am entering into politics". At the declaration of NTR the people in the gathering were greatly excited and they began to clap their hands with whistles.<br /><br />Someone from the gathering has asked " Sir, what is the name of your party?" Sri NTR glanced around and said, "Telugu Desam". He also said "I am a born Telugu; from today onwards I dedicate my life for the service of the Telugu's and for the state. I would work for protecting the Telugu culture, for enhancing the greatness of Telugu Language and I would strive to protect the self-respect of the people. That's why our party's name is "Telugu desam". </div> </span> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><strong>The first public meeting </strong></span></p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div align="justify"><br />The first public meeting was held on the 11th of April 1982 in Nizam College Grounds. Sri NTR started in the open Jeep from Rama Krishna Studio. There was tremendous ovation from the people all the way up to the meeting place. People came from all corners of Andhra Pradesh to attend the meeting. Sri NTR said, " You are all behind me ! There is no question of going back". Sri NTR delivered an emotional speech and people began to think about the realities of life. The people were greatly impressed by the oratory of Sri NTR. The leaders who attended the meeting felt that the Congress party would face a tug of war in the ensuing elections.<br /><br />Lord Venkateswara of Tirupathi is considered by all the people as the deity of the Kaliyuga. Many people start something new after having the Darshan of Lord Venkateswara. Sri N.T.R. who follows the spiritual path of life has decided to hold the second meeting. Every Year the birthday of Sri N.T. Rama Rao is celebrated by his friends and fans in great pomp and show. The 60th birthday of Sri N.T.R. has great significance because he is entering the field of politics<br /><br />It was a mammoth gathering. Sri N.T.R. has many fans in the RoyalaSeema area. The fans of N.T.R. came to the Tirupathi meeting to see him and to hear his message. Every one who attended the meeting was enamoured of N.T.R. The success of the second meeting heralded a new era in the political history of Andhra Pradesh. In the beginning some political leaders thought that because of cinema glamour people were coming to the public meetings of Sri N.T.R. But gradually they realized that N.T.R. made a mark on the political map of Andhra Pradesh<br /></div></span> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><strong>Chaitanya Radham </strong></span></p> <div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />Usually political leaders go in cars or helicopters to address the people. But N.T.R. has made a new experiment. He got repaired a Chevrolet van which was like a moving platform. Wherever people gathered, N.T.R. used to go to the top of the van and address the people to make them know about the misrule of Congress. People slowly developed faith in the ideology of the <strong>Telugu Desam</strong>. The Chevrolet van was named as <strong>Chaitanya Radham.<br /></strong><br />The caption on the Chaitanya Radham is "Telugu Desam is calling you! Come on!. People young and old, women and children ran after he <strong>Chaitanya Radham</strong> and they were very keen to listen to the speeches of Sri N.T.R. The whirlwind trip continued. Sri N.T.R. didn't stay in hotels and lodges. He moved in the van; delivered speeches from the top of the van; ate in the van; slept in the van and took his bath near the roadside water point. It was a new way of canvassing. </span></div> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><strong>N.T.R's speeches and appreciation of the people</strong></span><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />N.T.R. was good at delivering long dialogues with clear pronunciation. This art helped him to attract the people and endear them to his heart. There was sweetness in his words and clarity in delivering the dialogues. People never heard such refined words from a political leader. It was a new experience to them. The people greatly felt happy and they were greatly excited when they heard the oratory of Sri N.T.R. Through the canvassing speeches N.T.R. gave a new meaning to politics. People gasped and clapped when N.T.R. delivered beautiful and musical speeches. The speeches and dialogues of N.T.R. were released in the form of cassettes.<br /></span></div> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><strong>Indira Gandhi </strong></span></p> <div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />The news of the popularity of Sri N.T.R. spread far and wide and Smt. Indira Gandhi also came to know about it. Smt. Indira Gandhi felt that it would be very difficult for the Congress to face the Telugu Desam. So, she has decided to change the Chief Minister. Finally the Congress High Command decided to make Sri. K. Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.<br /></span></div> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><strong>General elections before the schedule </strong></span></p> <div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />Sri N.T.R. toured all the places in Andhra Pradesh travelling in his famous <strong>Chaitanya ratham</strong>, giving lectures how the Congress party exploited them. The rural folk were greatly inspired by the speeches of Sri N.T. Rama Rao and they revered him by <strong>Mangalaharathulu</strong> and <strong>Raktha tilakam</strong>. The Congress leaders were perturbed at the popularity of Sri N.R.R. The popularity was like a big tidal wave and the Congress leaders decided to hold the elections in January 1983 instead of March 1983.</span></div> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><strong>The process of selecting candidates</strong></span><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <div align="justify"> <p style="margin: 0px;"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Sri N.T. Rama Rao wanted to introduce new values into politics. He didn't want to select the candidates in a haphazard manner. He selected educated candidates who have good name in the society. Among the candidates who contested on behalf of the Telugu Desam there were 125 graduates, 28 post graduates, 20 physicians, 8 Engineering graduates and 47 law graduates. In Indian politics no other party gave so much importance to youth and qualified candidates. </span></p> </div> <p style="margin: 0px;" align="justify"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Smt. Indira Gandhi thought that the people of Andhra Pradesh were on her side. In the general elections of 1977 the Janatha party came to power at the center. But in Andhra Pradesh the Congress party secured majority of the seats. During her election campaign Smt. Indira Gandhi came to know that the people of Andhra were unhappy became the Congress High command went on changing the Chief Minister. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0px;" align="justify"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >The general elections were to take place in 3 states. Smt. Indira Gandhi alloted 10 days for Andhra Pradesh for election campaign and 9 days for the other two states. Before N.T.R. came to the political scene, people in large numbers used to attend the meetings of Smt. Indira Gandhi. Now, there was a lot of change. At many places there was thin attendance and people expressed their anger by demonstrations. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0px;" align="justify"> </p> <p style="margin: 0px;" align="justify"> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><strong>The last election meetings </strong></span></p> <div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />Smt. Indira Gandhi and Sri N.T.R. planned to have their last election meetings at Tirupathi. The public meeting of Smt. Indira Gandhi was arranged in the premises of Municipal High School at Tirupathi. There was very poor attendance. When Smt. Indira Gandhi talked ill of Sri N.T. Rama Rao the audience began to leave the premises. Somehow Smt. Indira Gandhi completed the election campaign and left for New Delhi. </span></div> <div align="justify"> </div> <div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br /></span></div> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><strong>N.T.R. public meeting at tirupathi </strong></span></p> <div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />The last election meeting of the Telugu Desam was held at Tirupathi. Before the arrival of N.T.R. people anxiously waited for him. All the streets were full with the people who came in large numbers to attend the meeting of Sri N.T. Rama Rao. Everywhere there were yellow flags and people wearing yellow shirts. There was festive mood everywhere. When N.T.R. entered the town people showered flowers on him. </span></div> <div align="justify"> </div> <div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br /></span></div> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><strong><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Sri N.T. rama rao reminded the people of their self-respect</span></strong><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div align="justify"><br />In the last election meeting Sri N.T. Rama Rao delivered an emotional speech. "The Telugu speaking people have been subjected to humiliations for the last 35 years. In a span of 4 years four Chief Ministers were changed by the Delhi High Command. 294 elected representatives represent 60 million Telugu-speaking people. The Congress High Command sends some one as the Chief Minister. The elected representatives have no voice. Is it not a humiliation to the Telugu speaking people?." Thus, N.T.R. criticized the Congress leaders, who are like puppets in the hands of Smt. Indira Gandhi.<br /><br />The Telugu Desam is not just a political party, but it is a social revolution to uphold the social and political values of the people. The people have to rule themselves. Corrupt leaders are to be removed from their ranks. Our leaders have forgotten their self-respect. Now, the Telugu speaking people have to get up from their sleep.<br /><br />The emotional speech of Sri N.T.R. greatly influenced the voters. After complicating the election campaign at Tirupathi, Sri N.T.R. went uphill to have the darshan of Lord Venkateswara and got tonsured as a mark of devotion and left for Hyderabad. Polling was to take place on the following day.<br /><br />Sri N.T. R. wanted to join hands with the left front. But they did not cooperate with him. He allotted 5 constituencies to Sanjaya Vichar Manch and the Telugu Desam candidates contested in all the remaining 289 Assembly constituencies. </div> <div align="justify"> </div> <div align="justify"><br /></div></span> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><strong><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >January 6, 1983</span></strong><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div align="justify">Reddy was very confident that the Congress Party would get the absolute majority. At 10 O' clock night the first result was declared. At Shadnagar the Congress candidate Dr. Sankar Rao won the election. In Shadnagar constituency 65,673 votes polled and out of this, the Congress candidate secured 32,919 votes, and the Telugu Desam candidate secured 29,916 votes and the independent candidate secured 2796 votes. Sri N.T.R. was not surprised at this result. He was very confident that the Telugu Desam would get absolute majority.<br /><br />On the following day the daily news papers carried the headings as "Telugu Desam superhit". "In the storm of the Telugu Desam the address of the Congress" is lost. The National Congress which has a history of 97 years, was defeated by the Telugu Desam which was founded 9 months before.<br /><br />All the results were announced by the afternoon of the 7th of January 1983. The Telugu Desam candidates secured absolute majority in 199 constituencies, the Sanjaya Manch secured 4 seats. In the entire state a total of 2,14,96,754 votes polled and out of this, the Telugu Desam got 96,23,361 votes. The Congress secured 60 seats, the C.P.I. 4 seats, the C.P.I (M) 5 seats, the B.J.P 3 seats, and the independents 19 seats.<br /><br />After the announcement of the results the Telugu Desam members assembled at the Rama Krishna Studio and distributed sweets. They also danced with a state of joy in ecstasy. At about 2 p.m. Sri N.T. Rama Rao came out and greeted the audience with the victory symbol of showing two fingers which represent `V' (V for victory). The audience whistled and clapped hands expressing joy to their leaders.</div></span></div></span>Sandeep Chowdharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365872210584131539noreply@blogger.com0