Anand advises MP Sachin to enjoy his new role; Dhoni says he will play his innings well in Rajya Sabha too

Sachin Tendulkar took oath as a member of Rajya Sabha on Monday has found enough support from the sporting fraternity. World chess champion Viswanathan Anand said that Sachin Tendulkar serving as Rajya Sabha member would be a big step in his life and wished the cricket legend to enjoy his new role. "I hope he (Tendulkar) enjoys his role and he is able to do it very well. It's a big step for him and I think he will enjoy it," Anand said.

According to a report in Indian Express Anand said that he was not the one to lobby for himself to be conferred the Bharat Ratna, but thanked his well-wishers for thinking that he deserves the country's highest civilian award.  "I simply can't imagine myself campaigning for that award. I am not gonna do that. What happens happens. I don't want to say anything that might influence anything," he said.

"I appreciate the support ... anyone who takes position on my behalf supporting me. Feeling that people are behind you gives you a lot of strength, that I appreciate," he said.

Meanwhile MS Dhoni hopes India’s batting maestro will be as successful in the Parliament as he was on the cricket field, says a report in The DNA. "I would like to wish him all the best. He has been contributing to cricket. He has done well in every field. This (Rajya Sabha) is a new avenue for him and I am sure he will do well and contribute there too,” Dhoni, who is also the honorary Lieutenant Colonel of army, said.

According to media reports one of the most accomplished fast bowling coaches Ian Pont, believes Varun Aaron and Harshal Patel are India's two most talented quick bowlers. "One lad I am working with, Harshal Patel of RCB, has tremendous swing away and bowls good lengths, but doesn't have Aaron's pace. If Aaron can learn to hit his spot, then he will cause some major problems," he said.

According to media reports the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Zaka Ashraf has said that there is a great possibility of Pakistan touring India for a one-off match this year in a bid to normalise bilateral ties between the two countries. Ashraf, who returned to Lahore after a week-long visit to India, said “Hopefully within this month we could be in a position to announce the date for a one-off bilateral match that Pakistan will go and play in India.”

Meanwhile Bangladesh Cricket Board chief Mustafa Kamal has said they are still interested in touring Pakistan for a cricket series, and, if it wasn't for the high court injunction, the tour would have not been postponed. The shambolic circumstances under which the tour of Bangladesh to Pakistan was postponed, has threatened to tarnish the affable relationship between the two cricket boards.