Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan created history by taking his 800th Test wicket during the last day of the first Test match against India in Galle. Pragyan Ojha has gained a somewhat dubious fame by becoming Murli's 800th victim when he was caught at slip by Mahela Jayawardene. Muralitharan is now a legend with innumerable records to his credit and it looks like he is going to be in the top-slot for quite a few years to come.

Hats off from Batchmates.

Wow! We have got a symbol for the rupee. Great actually, considering that it is only the fifth currency in the world to acquire a distinctive identity. The symbol, created by D. Udaya Kumar, who teaches at IIT Mumbai's Industrial Design Centre blends the letter 'R', its Devnagari equivalent and two lines representing the Indian flag. The design won Kumar a prize of of Rs 2.5 lakh in a contest where five symbols had made to the last stage. However, it is not going to be a usable symbol just yet. Also, the new symbol will have to be accepted by the Unicode Consortium's Unicode Technical Committee to gain international acceptance.

Till then, keep earning more of what the symbol represents. The real thing.

The western countries have criticised India as a breeding ground for superstition over the years. But accepting our weaknesses in areas where they actually exist, we will not take criticism any longer. Not that is, from so-called advanced nations who downplay their own merits and demerits on the strength of an animal oracle. Paul, the octupus is the newest sensation of the moment, especially after predicting Germany's match results prior to the play. The Argentine chief has already posted an octupus recipe following his country's defeat while Germans are threatening to make a feast of the poor thing.

Just play your game. Chances of winning get better that way.

India always supports the Latin Amerian countries in football. It is understandable that of the two main football pockets in the Country, Goa would have a natural affinity with Portgal because of its history. However, why Bengal will become Brazil and Argentina all over is not all that clear. It is quite impossible to gauge the intensity with which football fanatics in this region are fighting for their respective favourites. With Brazil's departure in the quarter finals, yesterday was a tragic day for a lot of people. Argentine fans in the meanwhile are getting geared up for today's match against Germany. Somehow, it never occurs to anyone that India is nowhere near the scene.

Sports truly unites.

India witnesses a champion in Vishwanathan Anand once again this year, as he won this year's World Chess Championships against Veselin Topalov in Bulgaria. Even the 200-year-old volcanic eruption 'Eyjafjallajökull' in Iceland and the fly ash caused by it disrupting air service across Europe had not been able to dissuade Anand. The defending champion reached Sofia after traveling 40 hours by road to topple his opponent and retain the crown!

And India still won't come out of the 'cricket-o-mania'. Still refuse to recognise the potential of other sports?