In less than five full games of rugby, Stade Francais coach Ewen McKenzie says Mark Gasnier has already exceeded expectations and proven himself to be a dual international in the making.

The emergence of Ishant Sharma as strike force and the resurgence of Zaheer Khan have given India's bowling the edge and made the team potential world beaters, according to senior Test batsman VVS Laxman said.

For better or for worse, Ricky Ponting has earned a rest.