Cognizant Technology Solutions building at Chennai.

The proposed comprehensive immigration reforms Bill in the US would affect all major offshore-centric information services services companies.

But it is expected Nasdaq-listed Cognizant would be hit the hardest, considering the company’s low margin bandwidth high exposure to the US market.

According to a recent report by global equity analyst firm JP Morgan, Cognizant’s earning per share — used to gauge a company’s profitability — could be hit by as much as 25 per cent, after the reforms are implemented.

Company Operates

This is primarily because the company operates on a thin operating margin and its exposure to the US is higher, compared to the rest of the pack.

The JP Morgan report is based on a presentation TCS, Cognizant, Infosys and Wipro made at its annual global technology, media and telecom conference in Boston last month.

“Cognizant may be the most vulnerable to the Bill, as its (estimated) CY14 EPS has been hit as much as 25 per cent . . . Cognizant is the most vulnerable, primarily because of its lower margins and its higher percentage of revenues from the US,” the report said.

Michael Buholzer

“In any case, we see FY15/CY14 EPS of all the four firms being impacted by double-digit percentages,” it added.

The Bill, mooted by bipartisan senators, known as the ‘gang of eight’, cleared its first major hurdle on Tuesday, with the Senate clearing it for a debate.

The Senate offered about 100 amendments to the original legislation.

Historically, Cognizant’s operating margin has been 19-20 per cent, something the company considers a necessity to stay healthy by investing profits back into the business.

For the quarter ended March, the company’s operating margin stood at 19.9 per cent.

Keith Bedford

The company’s exposure to the US is the highest compared to its peers, with close to 80 per cent of its revenues coming from there.

TCS, India’s second-largest IT services company, might be hit the second-hardest, with its EPS expected to be impacted by about 18 per cent, followed by Infosys (15 per cent).

Wipro and HCL Technologies were relatively better placed, the report said.

It added most companies expected the Senate’s version of the Bill to go through essentially unchanged, though they remained optimistic the House’s version would be less onerous.

Outplacement

However, companies feel the ‘outplacement’ clause in the Bill is likely to be intensely negotiated with stakeholders, including lawmakers.

The clause debars sending H-1B sponsored employees of H-1B-dependent firms (those with more than 15 per cent of US employees as H-1B ones) to client sites in the US.

This affected the business model of the IT services industry and could be partly offset through greater localisation and near-shore centres, which were added costs for these companies, it said.

NASDAQ Headquarters

“We continue to think the net impact of the immigration Bill is a net negative for the offshore IT services industry.

“It seems that at the least, the net impact would be higher costs (increased visa costs and realignment of non-immigrant visa wages), which is something various players have reconciled with and are agreeable to,” the report said.

Rahul Kanodia, vice-chairman and chief executive of Datamatics Global Services, a Mumbai-based IT services company, said since the ‘outplacement’ clause wouldn’t allow vendors to send their employees to client premises, they would be forced to hire locally.

Cognizant logo on display on the NASDAQ headquarters in Times Square.

IT services companies

Fanny Neguesha

Fanny Neguesha

The couple, who is planning a lavish ceremony later this year, began dating six months ago.

Neguesha confirmed the news by posting a picture of her ring on her Instagram page, with the caption stating ‘it’s official’.

Fanny Neguesha

The source further explained that the Italian striker proposed and the girl delightfully accepted the proposal.

The insider also said that the couple is going on a holiday to start planning for the big day.

A source revealed that Balotelli and Neguesha have talked about getting married before, but this time it is for real.

A Macy's store in Arlington, Virginia, United States.

While there are many companies in the United States, both national and multinational, not all of them enjoy steller reputation.

Let’s take a look at 20 companies that enjoy best reputation in the US, based on Harris Poll 2013 conducted by market research firm Harris Interactive.

A worker sorts packages at the Amazon warehouse in Leipzig, Germany.

Amazon.com

Reputation Quotient: 82.62

Overall rank: 1

Amazon.com, a Seattle-based company, is the largest online retailer in the world, with more than $61 billion revenue in 2012.

Young holiday shoppers interact with iPads at an Apple Store in San Francisco, California.

Apple

Reputation Quotient: 82.54

Overall rank: 2

Apple, a California-based company, is famous for its iMac computers, tablets, smartphones and music player.

The Walt Disney Company

Crowd watches the premiere of Disney Dreams show as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of Disneyland Resort in Marne-la-Vallee, outside Paris, France.

Google's office in Zurich, Switzerland.

Google

Reputation Quotient: 81.32

Overall rank: 4

Google, a California-based company, is well-known for its search engine, online advertising and software products.

Johnson & Johnson

Products made by Johnson & Johnson for sale on a store shelf in Westminster, Colorado, United States.

The Coca-Cola Company

A worker drives a forklift between cases of Coca-Cola in a warehouse at the Swire Coca-Cola facility in Draper, Utah, United States.

A Whole Foods Market in LaJolla, California.

Whole Foods Market

Reputation Quotient: 78.65

Overall rank: 7

Whole Foods Market is the world’s leader in natural and organic foods, with more than 340 stores in North America and the United Kingdom.

Entrance gate to Sony Pictures Entertainment at the Sony Pictures lot in Culver City, California.

Sony

Reputation Quotient: 78.29

Overall rank: 8

Sony, a Tokyo-based company, is one of the top producers of electronic products in the world.

Procter & Gamble's Tide on display at a Walmart store in Chicago.

Procter & Gamble Company

Reputation Quotient: 77.98

Overall rank: 9

P&G touches the lives of about 4.4 billion people around the world. With operations in about 80 countries, P&G brands are available in more than 180 countries worldwide.

Shoppers push a trolley outside a Costco Wholesale store in Los Angeles, California.

Costco

Reputation Quotient: 77.95

Overall rank: 10

The company’s first location, opened in 1976 under the Price Club name, was in a converted airplane hangar on Morena Boulevard in San Diego. Originally serving only small businesses, the company found it could achieve far greater buying clout by also serving a selected audience of non-business members. With that change, the growth of the warehouse club industry was off and running.

Since resuming the Costco name in 1997, the company has grown worldwide with total sales in recent fiscal years exceeding $64 billion.

A Samsung outdoor advertisement sits atop an office building in Seoul, South Korea.

Samsung

Reputation Quotient: 77.70

Overall rank: 11

Samsung’s businesses today span advanced technology, semiconductors, skyscraper and plant construction, petrochemicals, fashion, medicine, finance, hotels, etc. Its flagship company, Samsung Electronics, leads the global market in high-tech electronics manufacturing and digital media.

Kraft cheese products on a shelf at a grocery store in Washington, DC.

Kraft Foods

Reputation Quotient: 77.46

Overall rank: 12

Kraft Foods, a Chicago-based company, manufactures beverage, cheese, dairy foods, snack foods, confectionery and convenience foods.

USAA

United Services Automobile Association

Reputation Quotient: 77.39

Overall rank: 13

United Services Automobile Association, a Texas-based firm, is a group of financial services companies.

Nike running shoes on display at a store in Encinitas, California.

Nike

Reputation Quotient: 77.24

Overall rank: 14

Nike is the world’s leading innovator in athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories.

Microsoft logo at its offices in Bucharest, Romania.

Microsoft

Reputation Quotient: 76.46

Overall rank: 15

Microsoft, a Seattle-based company, is the largest software manufacturer in the world.

Entrance to The Home Depot store in Monrovia, California.

The Home Depot

Reputation Quotient: 76.27

Overall rank: 16

The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer with stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico.

Two customers enter a Lowe's store in Burbank, California.

Lowe’s

Reputation Quotient: 75.67

Overall rank: 17

Lowe’s operates more than 1,750 stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It serves about 15 million customers each week and employ more than 245,000 people.

Warren Buffett with his wife Astrid Menks in Washington, DC.

Berkshire Hathaway

Reputation Quotient: 75.63

Overall rank: 18

Berkshire Hathaway, a Nebraska-based company, runs and manages a number of firms.

Toyota Prius.

Toyota Motor Corporation

Reputation Quotient: 75.59

Overall rank: 19

Toyota Motor Corporation is one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of automobiles.

Ford Classic.

Ford Motor Company

Reputation Quotient: 74.96

Overall rank: 20

Ford Motor Company, a Michigan-based company, manufactures and sells automobiles, commercial vehicles and luxury cars.

A bottle of Diet Coke soft drink in Arlington, Virginia, United States.

Every year, BrandZ and Millward Brown Optimor calculate and rank brands based on their global value.

Let’s take a look at 20 most valuable brands in the world.

Apple's logo hangs inside a store in New York City's Grand Central Station.

Apple

Brand value: $185 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: One per cent

Global rank in brand value: 1

Apple, a California-based company, is primarily known for its personal computers, mobile phones, iPods and tablets.

Google's office in Zurich, Switzerland.

While there are many companies in the United States, both national and multinational, not all of them enjoy steller reputation.

Let’s take a look at 20 companies that enjoy best reputation in the US, based on Harris Poll 2013 conducted by market research firm Harris Interactive.

A view of the headquarters of IBM Japan in Tokyo.

IBM

Brand value: $112.5 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: Minus three per cent

Global rank in brand value: 3

IBM, a New York-based company, manufactures computer hardware and software and provides infrastructure and hosting services.

Customers at a McDonald's restaurant in Moscow.

McDonald’s

Brand value: $90.3 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: Minus five per cent

Global rank in brand value: 4

McDonald’s, a California-based company, is a fast-food giant that operates in 119 countries.

Coca-Cola

A worker drives a forklift between cases of Coca-Cola in a warehouse at the Swire Coca-Cola facility in Draper, Utah, United States.

AT&T

AT&T

Brand value: $75.5 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: 10 per cent

Global rank in brand value: 6

AT&T, a Dallas-based company, provides mobile-phone services, landline phone services and broadband TV services.

Microsoft

Members of the media examine Microsoft Surface tablet PCs in a scale model of New York during the launch event for the tablet and Microsoft’s Windows 8 in New York City.

Menthol flavoured cigarettes are displayed in a store in New York City.

Marlboro

Brand value: $69.4 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: Minus six per cent

Global rank in brand value: 8

Marlboro, manufactured by Philip Morris USA in America and Philip Morris International outside of the US, is the largest cigarette brand in the world.

Visa

Visa

Brand value: $56 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: 46 per cent

Global rank in brand value: 9

Visa, a Foster City-based company, deals with credit and debit cards around the world.

A woman walks past a branch of China Mobile in Wuhan, Hubei province, China.

China Mobile

Brand value: $55.4 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: 18 per cent

Global rank in brand value: 10

China Mobile, which operates in China, Hong Kong and Pakistan, has the largest mobile-phone subscriber base in the world.

Logo of GE Money Bank is seen behind a traffic light in Prague, the Czech Republic.

General Electric

Brand value: $55.3 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: 21 per cent

Global rank in brand value: 11

General Electric, a New York-based company, operates in many sectors, including energy, technology infrastructure, capital finance and consumer & industrial.

A Verizon Wireless network in Boca Raton, Florida, United States.

Verizon

Brand value: $53 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: Eight per cent

Global rank in brand value: 12

Verizon, a New York-based company, offers fixed-line telephony, fixed-line TV and wireless services.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo

Brand value: $47.7 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: 20 per cent

Global rank in brand value: 13

Wells Fargo, a San Francisco-based company, offers banking and financial services around the world.

A cable car passes the Wells Fargo Bank headquarters in the Financial District in San Francisco, California.

Amazon.co.uk warehouse in Milton Keynes, north of London.

Amazon

Brand value: $45.7 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: 34 per cent

Global rank in brand value: 14

Amazon, a Seattle-based company, is the largest online retailer in the world.

Trucks enter and leave the UPS facility in Hodgkins, Illinois, United States.

UPS

Brand value: $42.7 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: 15 per cent

Global rank in brand value: 15

UPS, a Sandy Springs-based company, deliveres packages in nearly 220 countries and territories around the world.

A branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in Beijing.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China

Brand value: $41.1 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: Minus one per cent

Global rank in brand value: 16

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, a Beijing-based company, has more than 18,000 outlets, including 106 branches outside China.

Passers-by walk past a Vodafone store in central London.

Vodafone

Brand value: $39.7 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: Minus eight per cent

Global rank in brand value: 17

Vodafone, a London-based telecom company, directly operates in 30 nations and has partnership in more than 40 countries.

A Walmart Neighborhood Market store in Bentonville, Arkansas, United States.

Walmart

Brand value: $36.2 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: Five per cent

Global rank in brand value: 18

Walmart, an Arkansas-based retail company, has 8,500 stores in 15 countries.

A worker adjusts a spotlight at the SAP booth in Hannover, Germany.

SAP

Brand value: $34.36 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: 34 per cent

Global rank in brand value: 19

SAP, a Germany-based software company, has more than 61,000 employees around the world.

Customers use automated teller machines outside a branch of Development Bank of Singapore.

MasterCard

Brand value: $27.8 billion

Per cent change versus 2012: 34 per cent

Global rank in brand value: 20

MasterCard, a New York-based financial services, deals in credit and debit cards around the world.

This road, and who you want to have traveled together?

Our world is so full of wonders that new and amazing places are discovered every day, be that by professional photographers or amateurs. Different geographical locations, climatic conditions and even seasons offer the widest variety of natural wonders: pink lakes, stunning lavender or tulip fields, breath-taking canyons and mountains, and other places you can hardly believe actually exist!

Some of the pictures in this collection will be of all natural sights you can find while traveling around the world, while the others have experienced human interference – but even in these cases, the result of such collaboration is spectacular. The Japanese learned how to tame thousands of orchids and form a romantic tunnel out of them; another one was formed all the way in Ukraine by a passing train; and what eventually ends up as hot tea in our mugs, first grows in stunning tree fields in Asia.

No wonder that traveling in one of the best forms of recreation – even looking at these pictures takes your mind to far away places… And yes, all those of those places are real!

Feel free to add more places in the comments under the article.

Colors And Nature Sky

Colors And Nature Sky

Nature Green

Old yew tree, wales

Cool

Natural Beautiful

Fire, meet Water

Behati Prinsloo

Behati Prinsloo

Next we see her in a multi-hued cover-up and matching bikini bottoms — the bikini top is missing, though!

Behati Prinsloo

Soaking in the sun, her toned torso is complemented by becoming floral in black and red.

Behati Prinsloo

It’s time for one-pieces as Behati slips into an emerald green maillot that features ruching down the front.

Behati Prinsloo

Solid hues reign as she assumes a defiant pose in this strapless citrus reverie.

Behati Prinsloo

The focus shifts to deep purple as she appears pensive in a sun lounger.

Behati Prinsloo

Floating in an idyllic pool, Behati shows off her assets in a combined stripes-and-floral mishmash.

[/caption]

Behati Prinsloo

Scallop-edged ruffles add a touch of flirtiness to this next bandeau and briefs combo.

Behati Prinsloo

Her hair blowing carelessly in the breeze, she oozes allure in a retro-style blue plaid bikini.

Behati Prinsloo

We get a glimpse of the brown-haired looker’s endless legs as she showcases a white mesh cover-up.

Behati Prinsloo

Behati seems to have her attention drawn elsewhere as we pay attention to this feminine ruffled monochrome affair.

Behati Prinsloo

And finally, we see her in this hot pink polka-dotted two-piece.

Shruti Haasan

Sonil Dedhiain Mumbai

Shruti Haasan and Girish Kumar in Ramaiya Vastavaiya

What attracted you to a film like Ramaiya Vastavaiya considering the fact that you are paired opposite a newcomer, Girish Kumar?

It’s a very sweet love story and I play a very sweet character.

Prabhu Deva is the finest director we have today if you want to make a commercial entertainer. He has such a high success rate. As a director, he knows what he wants from his actors.

The film has already been successful in two languages and I am sure people will love this film too.

What was it like working with Girish Kumar?

It was very nice. It is his debut film and he has put in a lot of hard work.

This is the first time I am working with a newcomer. The energy is totally different. Girish brought in a lot of energy.

Shruti Haasan

You have worked with superstars down south. Weren’t you skeptical being cast opposite a complete newcomer?

It is not my responsibility. If I had the choice, I would cast Robert De Niro opposite me (laughs). It is the director who chooses the cast for his film.

The newcomer we are talking about is Girish Kumar, who is Kumar Taurani’s son. A lot has gone into this film in terms of aesthetic value. I liked the script and my character and I have played my character to the fullest and done my best job.

Contemporary love stories have experimented with extra-marital affairs and live-in relationships whileRamaiya Vastavaiya looks like a very traditional love story. Do you think people would want to see it?

Indian cinema is known for its eternal love story. Even contemporary love stories have shades of classic romance.

At the end of the day, the hero of the film does everything that he can to get the girl. I am sure everybody will be able to connect to it.

You’ve had your share of success down south but you are still at a very nascent stage when it comes to Hindi films. Do you introspect about what has gone wrong so far?

I look at my own performance and try to improve that in my next film.

There isn’t really a formula for success. As an actor, I do my job.

Success is something everyone would like to have but I have learnt to dissociate myself from it as it is not in my hands if the film works or doesn’t work at the box office.

There are films that haven’t done well, but where I feel I have given my strongest performance. If I am to sit and strategise things then I should have been a talent manager and not an actress.

Shruti Haasan in Oh My Friend

Is it overwhelming being always known as Kamal Haasan and Sarika’s daughter?

No, I don’t think so. People have a short attention span and nobody is really obsessed about me being a star daughter.

Yes, I would agree if there’s news about my father, then I do get attention. Over the years people have begun knowing me as Shruti Haasan and I have consciously tried to build my own identity.

I never wanted to become a superstar. I just want to be appreciated for my work.

I have interviewed your father Kamal Haasan and he said he would like to work with you only when you become successful in Hindi cinema.

I think I am successful but that is not the criterion for me to work with him. He has already asked me thrice so I am presuming that I am successful (laughs).

He has always been a big inspiration. Even today, he has the same enthusiasm as a newcomer.

He is a very encouraging father and I am proud to be his daughter.

Shruti Haasan

What do you think about marriage and live-in relationships?

I believe in the institution of marriage. I would love to be married but don’t know when it will happen.

As far as live-in relationships are concerned, I haven’t really thought about it. Personally, a live-in relationship is a big question mark as I prefer to live alone.

My mother lives just three streets down from my house but I have always preferred to live alone. I like to be in my own space.

Did you always want to become an actor?

Growing up, I always thought I was too ugly to become an actress. I played a lot of sports and was always out in the sun.

I had this belief that actresses are very beautiful. But I was clear that I always wanted to do something related to films.

Shruti Haasan in D Day

Your character in D Day has been in the news…

I play a commercial sex worker in the film and a lot of news has been created around it.

For me, what is important is that it is a very intense character and I am glad that director Nikhil Advani thought I would suit the character. It’s a very pivotal role and is one of the catalysts of the film.

You play a very ‘bold’ character in D Day. What are your limitations as an actor?

My character isn’t bold in D Day.

I don’t think I have any limitations as an actor. I don’t have any inhibitions and I am learning to do that with each and every film of mine.

I am shameless about my performance and would like to excel in all my films.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston swept not one but two categories with her athletic limbs — she beat Cameron Diaz and Eva Longoria in the gams department and none other than First Lady of the US Michelle Obama for the tanned and toned arms title.

Channing Tatum

Actor Channing Tatum also managed to snag two honours — he came up trumps in the abs department, even with Daniel Craig as a competitor. And surprisingly, he beat out some stiff competition from pouty ladies like Jessica Alba and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to top the Best Lips category too.

Gwen Stefani

Having two children hasn’t stopped Gwen Stefani from retaining her toned tummy, which is why she took this title, right from under the nose of fellow contenders Halle Berry and Julianne Hough.

Kate Middleton

Her charming, pearly-white, million-dollar smile can light up any room, which is why Kate Middleton received 29 per cent of the votes in this segment.

Mario Lopez

American TV personality Mario Lopez knocked Miranda Kerr out of the running with his cute dimples — 53 per cent to 20 per cent.

Sofia Vergara

Sizzling Colombian star Sofia Vergara was a favourite on the Hollyscoop list; her shining brunette locks won Best Hair over Kate Middleton, and her voluptuous figure received a whopping 48 per cent approval over Christina Aguilera and Jessica Simpson.

Scarlett Johansson

Blonde bombshell Scarlett Johansson‘s delicate, well-proportioned nose won 42 per cent of the votes, way ahead of competitors Kate Middleton and Taylor Swift.

George Clooney

Remarkably, there was a category for facial hair too and ladies’ man George Clooney won it, with his well-trimmed beard shaving off contenders Ryan Gosling (27 per cent) and Ben Affleck (23 per cent).

Megan Fox

With just a single extra vote cast for her stunning figure, Megan Fox bested fellow yummy mummy Beyonce for the title of best post-baby bod.

And not that anyone notices her eyebrows too often, but Megan also received 40 per cent approval in that department.

Zooey Deschanel

All she has to do is bat those baby blues and the world is her oyster. Actress Zooey Deschanel‘s pretty peepers beat out competition from eight other candidates of both sexes.

Prince Harry

What is it about redheads? Prince Harry was voted the best among celebs, even though the likes of Christina Hendricks and Isla Fisher were in the running too.

Angelina Jolie

With her razor-sharp cheekbones, Angelina Jolie bested her closest rival in this segment — Keira Knightley.

Jennifer Love Hewitt

Sofia Vergara, Katy Perry, Scarlett Johansson and Kate Upton were all in the running, but Jennifer Love Hewitt‘s ample cleavage helped her emerge the victor.

David Beckham

So the category may have everyone blushing a little, but David Beckham took a 54 per cent lead for ‘Best Bulge’ over Jon Hamm (17 per cent), Michael Fassbender (15 per cent) and Cristiano Ronaldo (14 per cent).

Victoria Beckham

And finally, Victoria Beckham joined her husband on the Hollyscoop list for her chiselled jawline, which was voted even better than male contenders Robert Pattinson and Chris Pine.

BCCI

The Indian Premier League has hit the headlines for the wrong reasons over the last few days. But apart from the spot-fixing controversy there were many moments that made the T20 tournament a memorable spectacle for cricket fans.

Chris Gayle underlined his batting prowess with a 30-ball hundred while South African youngster David Miller played a blinder, scoring a match-winning 101 from 38 balls.

Suresh Raina finally got his first IPL century before narrowly coming close to hitting another one as he finished 99 not out.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni also underlined his status as the best finisher in world cricket with another sparking innings, while Mike Hussey was consistent as ever.

David Miller

David Miller achieved instant stardom after his magical innings of 101 from 38 balls that helped Kings XI Punjab snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore, in Mohali, on May 6, 2013.

When Miller walked out to bat, Punjab were struggling at 51 for four after 7.4 overs after being set a huge 191 for victory.

David Hussey’s dismissal to Murali Kartik, after scoring 13, left them further crippled and they were reeling at 68 for four at the halfway stage, with 123 needed from 10 overs for victory.

Miller took time to get going before he launched an unbelievable assault on the RCB bowlers, all of whom have played international cricket.

He started by hitting Vinay Kumar for two fours and a six before hammering RP Singh for two sixes and three fours. He raced to his fifty from 24 balls while his next 50 came from just 14 balls.

In fact, RCB captain Virat Kohli dropped a high catch off Miller when was on 41 and it be proved to be very crucial in the final analysis.

Miller gave Chris Gayle a dose of his own medicine, hitting him for two sixes and two fours in the 18th over. The South African ended the match in some style — a huge straight six that brought up his century and also victory, with two overs to spare.

Miller’s knock is special because it came when Punjab were under tremendous pressure and had to content with quality bowlers. Without doubt, it has to be ranked a tad higher than Gayle’s 30-ball hundred.

Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle scripted history when he scored the fastest century in Twenty20 cricket en route to his astonishing innings of 175, the highest ever in the shortest format of the game.

The West Indies ace proved unstoppable as he shred the hapless Pune Warriors’ bowling to pieces in front of his beloved home crowd at the M Chinnaswamy stadium.

The tall Jamaican began his devastation trail with five boundaries off Ishwar Pandey in the second over of the innings. Mitchell Marsh went for 28 runs in the fifth over, hit for four sixes and a four, that saw Gayle bring up his fifty from just 17 balls.

Aaron Finch tried some part-time spin but even he was smashed for four sixes and a four for 29 runs in the over.

He brought up his hundred in his trademark style, slamming a full delivery from Ashok Dinda for a six, off just 37 balls.

Gayle carried his bat through the innings to finish on a mammoth 175 from just 66 balls, laced with 13 fours and 17 sixes, the most hit by a batsman in an innings in T20 cricket.

In reply, Pune were bundled out for 133 and lost by a huge margin of 130 runs.

Mike Hussey (left) and Shane Watson

It’s rare to see a batsman score a century and his team end up on the losing side in T20s.

Shane Watson had to swallow a bitter pill after he scored 101 off 61 balls. His effort was undone by a poor showing by his Rajasthan Royals bowlers as Chennai Super Kings chased down 186 with a delivery to spare.

Watson looked in his element, as he started the innings with a boundary off Mohit Sharma and punished him again in his next over. The Australian raced to his half-century from 29 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes, before he slowed down in the middle overs.

He took control in the end overs, hitting Ravindra Jadeja for two straight sixes in the 17th over before registering the first century of IPL 6 in the next over.

Veteran Michael Hussey, however, trumped Watson’s effort with a magical innings of 88 from 51 balls in Chennai Super Kings’ reply. The left-hander showed he had not lost any of his batting prowess despite retiring from international cricket last year. Hussey went on the attack right from the start as Chennai brought up their 100 in the 11th over to stay in touch with the asking rate.

Hussey raised his half-century from 31 balls, and continued the assault on the Rajasthan bowlers in the middle overs. He was unlucky to be run out on 88 after a misunderstanding with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni but by then he put Chennai in pole position to steal an unlikely victory.

Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina has never missed an IPL match in the last six seasons and is the highest run-getter over the six seasons of the tournament with 2720 runs in 97 matches.

However, one thing missing from his exploits was an IPL hundred. The Chennai left-hander attained that landmark against Kings XI Punjab with a blazing innings of 100 from 53 balls, which included seven fours and six sixes.

Raina walked in to bat in the fourth over, after the dismissal of Wriddhiman Saha for 18. He got off the mark with a boundary off David Hussey and there was no looking back after that. He ensured runs kept coming at a good rate in the middle overs before cutting loose in the final run.

Manpreet Gony was taken to the cleaners as Raina slammed him two straight sixes, in the 16th over. R Satish also came under the hammer as the left-hander hit him for back-to-back fours before launching into Praveen Kumar down the ground for his fifth six.

He brought up his century in some style, lofting the ball back over the bowler’s head for a six. His hundred came from 51 balls.

A week later, Raina narrowly missed a century as he blazed 99 not out from 52 balls to lift Chennai to a huge 223 for three in their 20 overs against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

He and Mike Hussey put on 133 runs from 72 balls for the second wicket as they hammered the Hyderabad bowlers to all parts of the stadium.

Virender Sehwag

There is no doubt that Virender Sehwag and Delhi Daredevils would like to forget this year’s IPL in a hurry.

While Delhi finished at the bottom with just three wins from 16 games, Sehwag tallied a lowly 295 runs from 13 matches, at an average of 24.58.

His lone half-century came against Mumbai Indians. He blasted 95 from 57 balls to give Delhi an easy nine-wicket victory, with three overs to spare.

It was one of those rare days in the IPL when Sehwag got going from the start and hit boundaries at will. He slammed 13 fours and two sixes to delight his home fans at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in Delhi.

He was lucky, though, in that knock as he was dropped on two by the fielder at short fine leg. Mumbai were made to pay big time for that lapse.

Jasprit Bumrah, who dropped that catch, was hit for two fours and a six, in the next over followed by another couple of fours against Munaf Patel.

Even Lasith Malinga took some punishment as Sehwag brought up his fifty from 31 balls before ending the match with a four.

Virat Kohli

Royal Challengers Bangalore depended heavily on Gayle to get them off to a quick start and lay the foundation for a huge total. But there were times when he failed to deliver. Virat Kohli came to the fore on one such occasion, against Delhi Daredevils, in Delhi.

Irfan Pathan bowled Gayle for four in the second over of the innings, but Kohli stepped in and took the Delhi bowlers apart in a superb exhibition of attacking batting.

After getting off the mark with a boundary, courtesy a stylish flick through midwicket off Morne Morkel, Kohli went berserk. He was also helped along the way as Sehwag dropped him at short fine leg.

In the closing overs, however, he was relentless. He hit Morkel for two fours in the 17th over before slamming Umesh Yadav for two sixes and a four off successive deliveries in the next.

He took a liking to Yadav, hitting him for two sixes and two fours in his next over before he was run-out off the final delivery for 99, attempting an impossible second run.

He finished one run short of a well-deserved century, having hit 10 fours and four sixes in his 58-ball knock.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma was named captain of Mumbai Indians this season after regular skipper Ricky Ponting opted to drop himself following his struggle with the bat in the first few matches of the tournament.

By the halfway stage of the tournament, he had left many surprised with the way he handled the additional burden of captaincy. His batting rose a few notches higher and his leadership skills impressed.

One of his many stellar knocks was the 79 against Kings XI Punjab at the Wankhede stadium.

Mumbai’s policy of keeping wickets in hand in the final overs worked wonders as the batsman went on an all-out attack. He heaved Manpreet Gony over midwicket for his 100th six in the IPL, before hitting Azhar Mahmood for a four and a six in the next over.

Captain David Hussey took a surprise gamble by bringing himself to bowl the final over and Rohit needed no second invitation as he hit him for three sixes and two fours, scoring 27 runs from the over.

That proved a match-turning moment in the ultimate analysis as Mumbai sneaked home by four runs in a thrilling finish.

Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik walked in to bat with Mumbai Indians having lost both their openers in the first two overs, with just a single on the board.

There was no stopping the Tamil Nadu Ranji wicketkeeper-batsman, who started with a flurry of boundaries en route to a superlative knock of 86 from 48 balls, inclusive of 14 fours and two sixes.

Ashish Nehra was hit for a six and two fours in the sixth over before Yadav was slammed for three boundaries by in the ninth.

Karthik brought up his fifty from 29 balls and continued the assault, putting on 131 runs from 79 balls for the third wicket with Rohit Sharma, who made 74 from 50 balls, as the duo lifted Mumbai to a huge 209 for five.

Azhar Mahmood

Azhar Mahmood, 39, showed why he is still one of most sought after players in T20 cricket. Punjab were reeling at six for two in the third over when Mahmood walked out to bat; by the time he finished he had propelled his team to a mighty 183 for six.

Shaun Marsh (63 from 47 balls) provided the momentum in the early overs before Mahmood take charge in the second half of the innings.

He went after Mumbai’s best bowler, Lasith Malinga, whom he hit for a six and three fours, to throw all their plans out of the window. Part-timer Glenn Maxwell also came in for some rough treatment and was carted for two sixes and a four in his only over as Mahmood raced to 50 from 27 balls.

Harbhajan was hit for a four and a six off successive deliveries in the 17th over before Malinga trapped Mahmood leg before wicket after a whirlwind innings of 80 from 44 balls, that included eight fours and four sixes.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Is there a better finisher in cricket than Mahendra Singh Dhoni?

When he walked out to bat, against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai were struggling to get the innings going and needed 84 from 10 overs for victory on a difficult pitch for batting.

Dhoni realised the need of the hour and launched a calculated assault. He took 14 balls to get his first boundary when he pulled a short ball from Darren Sammy through midwicket before lofting it back over the bowler’s head for another four two balls later.

Hyderabad knew their big hope rested with pace ace Dale Steyn but Dhoni reserved some special treatment for him. He carted a length delivery over mid-on for a six and when an angry Steyn tried the short ball, the Chennai skipper pulled it high and handsome over long-on for the second six of the over.

Chennai looked be in some trouble with 28 needed from 12 deliveries, but Dhoni stayed cool and changed the script. He hit Styen for a four and six off successive deliveries.

Jennifer Lawrence

Quite a few Hollywood stars arrived at the 66th Cannes Film Festival over the weekend to attend movie premieres.

Actress Jennifer Lawrence, who won her first Best Actress Oscar for David O Russell’s touching romantic comedy Silver Linings Playbook earlier this year, turned up to attend the Jimmy P (Psychotherapy Of A Plains Indian) premiere in a two-toned Christian Dior gown.

The actress, alongwith her Hunger Games costar Liam Hemsworth, was at the festival to promote the new film in the franchise.

Cheryl Cole

British crooner Cheryl Cole was a knockout in her deep red sheer Zuhair Murad gown as she attended the JimmyP premiere.

Eva Longoria

Actress Eva Longoria fulfilled her brand ambassador duties for L’Oreal, and arrived in a rather odd-looking Versace dress. She paired it with Brian Atwood nude shoes.

Doutzen Kroes

Victoria’s Secret model Doutzen Kroes made heads turn in her white cutout dress as she arrived for the Jimmy P screening.

Jane Fonda

Septuagenarian Jane Fonda made quite a splash in her fuschia off shoulder gown as she turned up to catch theInside Llewyn Davis premiere.

Lady Victoria Hervey

French model and socialite Lady Victoria Harvey was relatively conservatively dress in a sequinned gown that accentuated her collarbone.

Paz Vega

Spanish stunner Paz Vega poses for pictures in a sheer panelled Stephane Rolland couture.

Rooney Mara

The spunky Rooney Mara did yet another monochrome look as she attended the exclusive ‘For The Love Of Cinema’ event hosted by Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen at the famous Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc.