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IED Attack It was a narrow escape for West Bengal Chief Minister Budhadeb Bhattacharjee, state industries minister Nirupam Sen and Union Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Sunday, November 2 when  an IED went off a few moments after their convoys passed Salboni in West Midnapore district. All the leaders were returning from Salboni after attending a foundation lying ceremony of a mega steel Plant. Maoists had planted the IED near a high electric wire tower which snapped the wires after the explosion. A police vehicle that was following the convoy was damaged badly. The area is Maoist dominated and state police department had made strict security arrangements. The explosion was so powerful that it caused a huge crater by the road and snapped overhead high tension wires.

Results Though security agencies had made elaborate security arrangements but still the insurgents have succeeded in carrying out the explosion. It was sheer luck that the leaders have survived the attack otherwise it could have caused a very big loss to the nation. Though the militants could not succeed in their attack but it has sent wrong signals at the international level about security arrangements in the state of West Bengal that will further affect the foreign investment. It must be learnt that the state already has lost Nano mother plant to Gujarat because of political ‘problems’ in the state. After it, most of the investors are showing reluctance to invest in the state. It was just a foundation lying ceremony what will happen next? If the Maoists can target some ‘most guarded’ persons then those workers who will work in the steel plant will be very easy targets for them.

Government The year 2008 has witnessed a big increase in the Maoists related incidents. Their power is increasing with every passing day. They have become the biggest internal threat to the security of the nation. But all the affected state governments as well as the centre government have ignored the threat. The recent  killings of CRPF and ‘elite force personal’ are the sign of the increased power of Maoists. They have advanced weapons, better training in jungle warfare, better communication and information sources as compared to the security agencies. All it shows that centre and the state governments will have to launch a united operation against the Maoists and only then they can be defeated.

Result The third test played between India and Australia at the Firozeshah Kotla ground in New Delhi ended into a draw. India in its first inning had declared their first inning at the score of 613 for seven on the second day of the match. On day three Australia had made 338 for the loss of four wickets. Virender Sehwag had taken three wickets of Mathew Hayden (83), Rickey Ponting (87) and Mike Hussey (53) out of four Australian wickets on day three. The fourth was S. Katich who was bowled out by Mishra for 64. Though Indian bowlers dominated on day three but they were not lucky enough to put their opponents into trouble.

Australian Batting On day four Indians could not bowl as they have bowled so far in the series. Some bowlers bowled inconsistently to the field which indirectly helped the Australians. Their fielding, too, was not good enough as they failed to convert some chances into success. They dropped some catches that could have changed the situation in their favor. It is evident from the fact that Clarke was dropped twice. He made 112 runs that involved six fours and one six. He was caught by Mishra at Zaheer’s bowl. Shane Watson (36) and Cameron White (44) also gave a stiff resistance. They both were bowled out by Sehwag. Remaining two batsmen, B. Lee and M. Johnson were dismissed by Kumble. All the Australian team could make 577 runs thus giving a small lead of 36 runs to their opponents.

India-Second Inning Gambhir and Sehwag tried to give a good start to their side in the second inning but Sehwag could not stay for more time and was bowled out by B. Lee on 16. The second wicket, India lost. was of Ishant Sharma, who could make only one run. When fourth day’s play was called of India had made 43 runs at the loss of two wickets. On day fifth when the play resumed both the Indian batsmen started with caution but Rahul (11) could not stay and was dismissed in the eighth over of the day by B. Lee. Gambhir (36) was trapped by Johnson in front of the wicket. Sachin Tendulkar could not complete his half century and was caught at the first slip by Hayden on White’s bowl at 47. India Skipper Anil Kumble declared the innings at the score of 208 for five while VVS Laxman (59) and S. Ganguly (32) were on the crease. Australia scored 31 runs in their second inning while Hayden (16) and Katich (14) were on the crease. VVS Laxman was declared man of the match.

Match-Winner World’s third leading test-wicket-taker, Indian Leg-spinner Anil Kumble announced his retirement from the international cricket after the third test between India and Australia at the Firozeshah Kotla ground in New Delhi, on Sunday, November 2. Called by his teammates as AK47 and Jumbo, Kumble was considered to be the back bone of the Indian cricket team. He has remained a part of the Indian team for almost 18 years and it will be impossible to fill the void in the team that has been created by his departure. He along with Harbhajan Singh formed a deadliest spin bowlers’ due that had won many matches for their team.

Decision Kumble, already had decided to leave after the series. His physical fitness problems ‘helped him’ to make the decision as he had realized that he won’t be 100 percent fit for the fourth test that will be played in Nagpur. During the Third test in New Delhi, his left little finger had been injured. He had not played even in the second test match of the series because of shoulder problems. He is the second senior player of the Indian Team after Sourabh Ganguly who have decided to retire after this series. Physical problems had impacted his bowling. He had taken only 28 wickets in 10 tests.

Records After Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and Australia’s retired Shane Warne, he is the third spinner who has taken more than 600 test wickets. He has taken 619 wickets in 132 test matches. In 1999, he had become the second bowler in test cricket history after England’s Jim Laker who have taken 10 wickets in an inning. In 2001 he had undergone a shoulder surgery. He has also played 271 one-day internationals and have taken 337 wickets.

Last Match All the cricket loving community have praised him for his decision. Kotla giant screens had flashed the news of his retirement, midway through the last day of the third test. He told that he had taken the final decision on Saturday night and had informed his teammates the following day. He bowled last time for India on Sunday evening before being greeted by the crowd and his teammates on his ‘departure’.