Sebastian Vettel: Indian first F1 Grand Prix winner

Red Bull's champion Sebastian Vettel wins inaugural Indian F1 Grand Prix held at new Buddh International Circuit, Delhi on October 30, 2011.

Spectacular motor racing action thrilled a sell-out crowd of 95,000 people at Greater Noida's Buddh International Circuit on Sunday. As Germany's Sebastian Vettel won 11th time this season for Red Bulls. Where many celebrities of India sports stars, movie stars were in the attendance.

McLaren's Jenson Button and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso finished the top three in the India’s first F1 race. The action of first Indian Grand Prix was started when India’s batting great Sachin Tendulkar waved the chequeed flag with a huge cheers rise from the stands after the national anthem, the first big international sporting event after the Commonwealth Games.

Sebastian Vettel led from start to finish, constructing a comfortable lead and finishing 8.4 seconds ahead of McLaren's Jenson Button, with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso a distant third at the Buddh International Circuit. Meanwhile, Red Bull's Mark Webber was fourth, ahead of the Mercedes pair of Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg. Sebastian Vettel has 11 wins this season, and victories in the final two races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi and eying for a world record of 13 wins in a season by Michael Schimacher. Vettel turned in a flawless performance, leading every lap and posting the fastest lap.

The German said that it’s all in all it was a smooth race, the car was very well balanced, and he is very proud to be the first winner in India F1. However, the race witnessed yet another collision between McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's Felipe Massa to intensify their rivalry.

Sachin Tendulkar along with some of his other teammates witnessed the Grand Prix said that this is big for India, as he came out of the track after the chequered flag along with wife Anjali and his children. Sachin also added that it was just wonderful and amazing to be at first ever Indian Grand Prix, it was a great race and he thoroughly enjoyed watching it. Earlier, Sachin was seen chatting with Michael Schumamcher.

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Yuvraj, Kohli and Ishant promotes to Grade A contracts

The cricket control board of India BCCI Working committee has announced the contract grades of players in Kolkata. The all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli and pacer Ishant Sharma were named in the Grade A contract list. Surprisingly Ashish Nehra has been omitted from the list of Contract players.

Yuvraj Singh was back to Grade A list of contract, after being demoted to Grade B following his disastrous form where he almost loses his place in the team. Yuvi was to Grade A after his Man-of-the-Series performance in the World Cup. While Virat Kohli consistent performance scored 995 runs in 2010 and over 1000 runs in 2011ensured his place as Grade A player. Ishant Sharma has raised his game standards and been performing well at the highest level for India gained him Grade A. 

However, the surprising omission was Ashish Nehra, who was part of India's winning World Cup campaign and a B-Grade player last year. Earlier he was ignored for England one-day series, where he expressed his disfavor over exclusion. He even publicly claimed his wonder after also being announced he was fit to play.

The spinners who were showing most significant performance in recent times, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja were promoted to Grade B, in addition with Rohit Sharma who moved from Grade C. Rahul Sharma, whe need to make his debut for Team India was also earned a contract, coming in at Grade C after being part of the T20, ODI and recent Test squads for India. 

The other important major decision taken by BCCI committee was IPL matches will now be a List A matches. Until now the domestic 50-over competitions, with some 40-over ones also included recently are under List A matches, but now IPL matches will now be added to the list.

Contracted Players List: 

Grade A: (Rs. 1 crore per annum) MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma. 

Grade B: (Rs. 50 lakhs per annum) Praveen Kumar, Pragyan Ojha, R Ashwin, Rohit Shamra, Ravindra Jadeja. 

Grade C: (Rs. 25 lakhs per annum) S Sreesanth, Amit Mishra, Cheteshwar Pujara, Abhimanyu Mithun, Vinay Kumar, Ajinkya Rahane, Munaf Patel, Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Wridhiman Saha, Parthiv Patel, S Badrinath, Manoj Tiwary, Piyush Chawla, Dinesh Kartik, Jaidev Unadkat, Umesh Yadav, Rahul Sharma, Varun Aaron. 

Finally a win for England cruises India in T20

England defeated India with 6 wickets in the only T20 played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Saturday. Finally English team managed to win their first game of the tour and return home with some pride after losing one-day series with 5-0.

The ICC world Twenty-20 champions, England will remain No.1 in T-20 rankings with this win. The match between England and India were played as their fight for supremacy, where England has the final laugh. The English team looked more comfort in their last outing in India as their bowling looked impressive where fielding also backing bowlers seemed more destructive and then batsmen completed a comprehensive win.

India 120/9 20 Overs (Raina 39 and Finn 3/22, Bopara 2/16)

England 121/4 18.4 Overs (Pirtersen 53 and R Jadeja & Raina 1/9)

Man of the Match – Kevin Pietersen 53

Earlier, India won the toss and decided to bat first but England bowlers showed much improved performance as both the openers Uthappa (1) and Rahane (0) dismissed cheaply by Bresnan and Finn. While Kohli (15) and Raina (31) studied the innings but its not long as Kohli was caught out in the deep and when Raina looked scoring freely was dislodged. Indian s kipper MS Dhoni seemed struggling to hit the ball he hit a boundary in last over and Yusuf who was known as powerful hitter never seemed to hit the ball, they were deceived by slow bowls by English pacers.

Later England chased down the target of 121 with out any difficult, openers Hales (11) and Kieswetter (12) were dismissed early but Pirtersen (53) ensured England win along with all-rounder S Patel (21).

Kevin Pietersen was dropped on one by Raina and India paid price for missing the catch as he hit 5 - fours and 3 – sixes and played crucial role in England win. India started bowling with Yususf and continued with Jadeja, Ashwin where Kohli and Raina also chipped in with some overs and even looked impressive with a wicket each expect for  Ashwin. But pacers were bowled only 3 overs in 18.4, if the main strike bowlers were not need to bowl then what is the use of them in the line-up?

Michael Schumacher wants to meet Sachin Tendulkar

Michael Schumacher, seven times World Champion is keen to meet the iconic batsmen Sachin Tendulkar for the second time. 

India is hosting its first ever Grand Prix, where the legendary Formula One driver is looking to regain his legacy. Sachin Tendulkar is a die-hard fan of motorsports is expected to wave the chequered flag at the race. The German is keen on meeting Tendulkar at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC).

The 42-year-old Schumacher will be driving for Mercedes Benz in India's inaugural Formula One race here over the weekend. The two legends last met in 2002, when Schumacher gifted Tendulkar the keys of a Ferrari for equalling Australian great Don Bradman's 29 Test centuries.

However, Schumamcaher said that he was not his expectations making his comeback in 2010. Earlier Michael associated with Ferrari for 11 years where he won five of his seven championships with them retired from racing in 2006 served as an advisor for Ferrari. He was supposed to replace Ferrari’s Felipe Massa in the second half of the season in the 2009, but a neck injury hindered his plan.

Finally, Michael Schumacher finally made his comeback in 2010 when he signed a three year contract with the newly formed Mercedes Benz Team.

Gambhir married to Delhi girl Natasha

Indian star batsmen Gautam Gambhir will starts a new innings, but this time it’s Off the field as he tied the knot with Delhi girl Natasha Jain on Friday in a quiet ceremony which was attended by only close family members and friends.

The 30-year-old left-handed opener entered into marriage life with Natasha, a local businessman's daughter whom he met a year ago. The wedding ceremony of Gambhir and Natasha took place at a Westend Farm on the Delhi-Gurgaon road with limited guests attending it apart from the close relatives of the groom and the bridegroom.

Gautam Gambhir will be out of action during the only Twenty20 cricket match of India's ongoing series against England on account of his marriage. 

More than 300 guests were invited for the wedding, the most important among them being Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who also co-owns IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, in addition to Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Munaf Patel.

However, Gambhir did well in the recently finished ODI series against England where India whitewashed the % match one day series with 5-0. Gambhir has scored 213 including two half centuries, after recovering from concussion suffered in the England tour

So let’s wish the newlywed couple, Gambhir and Natasha a very happy and successful Married life ahead..!

Team India schedule for West Indies tour 2011 - India's squad

Squad for the first Test: MS Dhoni (c/wk), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Virat Kohli, Varun Aaron, Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Sharma.

MS Dhoni will lead Team India, while Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh set to return after retaining fitness levels missing England ODI's in home and away as well due to injuries. While off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina dropped, but Praveen Kumar rested for the series. 

Team India's most experienced players Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxaman and opener Gautum Gambhir also included in the squad. While Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane was there in 15 member squad. Ishant will be spearhead, he along with Varun Aaroan or Umesh Yadav will share the share the new ball. R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha along with Rahul Sharma finish the bowling line-up.

Date	Match Details	Timings (IST)	Venue
Nov 06 - Nov 10	India v West Indies, 1st Test	9:30	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Nov 14 - Nov 18	India v West Indies, 2nd Test	9:30	Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Nov 22 - Nov 26	India v West Indies, 3rd Test	9:30	Wankhede Stadium Mumbai
Nov 29 - Tuesday	India v West Indies, 1st ODI	14:30, D/N	Barabati Stadium, Cuttack
Dec 02 - Friday	India v West Indies, 2nd ODI	14:30, D/N	Indira Priyadarshini Stadium, Visakhapatnam
Oct 29 - Saturday	India v West Indies, 3rd ODI	14:30, D/N	Sardar Vallabhai Patel Stadium,  Ahmedabad
Dec 08- Thursday	India v West Indies, 4th ODI	14:30, D/N	Maharani Usharaje Stadium, Indore
Dec 11 - Sunday	India v West Indies, 5th ODI	14:30, D/N	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Sehwag, Sachin back for WI Tests, Harbhajan axed

Indian team is back to full strength in their batting line-up as dashing opener Virender Sehwag and batting maestro was announced in the West Indies squad for Tests. However, Suresh Raina and Harbhajan has been axed from the Indian test squad.

The BCCI Selection Committee announced the 15 member Test squad for three tests against West Indies as they excluded off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who sat out during the England ODI's due to his low power perfromance. While Suresh Raina also dropped as he was lacking the temperament and patince what the Test cricket needed. Parveen Kumar was rested despite of his great form recent times. The squad was filled with senior trio after regaining fitness Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh in the squad for the first of the three Tests against West Indies.

Suresh Raina exclusion means Virat Kohli has a chance to make in 15 memeber squad but he might be stick to bench as Indian team batting line-up is rock soild as no new face can be included in the batting line-up, while the same reflects for Ajinkaya Rahane too. As everone knows that VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid will definetly included in the squad along with Gautam Gambhir. There are rumors that Dhoni might be rested but puttting end to speculations the selection committee announced that MS Dhoni will continue his captaincy duties.

Ishant Sharam will led the Inidan pace attack along with two new faces Umaesh Yadav and Varaun Aaron. The Indain pace wing looks like filled with speed now with Varun and Umesh. Pragyan Ojha and Rahul Sharma was the surprise inclusion in the squad as everyone expected that R Ashwin will be in the squad.

Squad for the first Test: MS Dhoni (c/wk), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Virat Kohli, Varun Aaron, Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Sharma.

Robin Uthappa keen to perform for India

One of the India’s dashing opener Robin Uthappa, who has been recalled to Indian side for a Twenty-20 match against England on Oct 29, 2011 at Eden Gardens. Uthappa has last played for India three years back and the Karnataka lad is keen to perform as an opener.

Robin Uthappa expressed his desire to open the innings for India and go all guns blazing against the world No 1 England in the one-off T20 International here at the Eden Gardens on Saturday. Uthappa said that in T20 player need to be flexible to play any position, but he prefers to open the batting as he really enjoys the role and almost made it was sure that he will be open the Batting for India.

The right handed batsmen added that it was one of the opportunities to go out there in the middle and prove his ability by performing. Uthappa has played crucial role in India’s inaugural World Twenty20 triumph in 2007 was out of the team after some disastrous performances. Later there was no space for him to get into the side as there is plenty of competition as Indian team many options in batting department.

The right handed batsman has been performing well on consistent basis as he scored three back-to-back centuries. One in domestic T20 for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and 132 for India Green in the Challengers Cup has confirmed his return to Indian team. Uthappa said past few years he worked hard to perform more consistent and to play his natural game. Uthappa said that he worked hard on many things he realized that he need to play his natural game and express himself as a batsmen, when he was dropped out.

Uthappa played his last T20 International against Australia in February 2008. 

Sharapova out of WTA Championship, as Wozniacki remained No. 1

The World No. 1 ranked Caroline Wozniacki has retained No. 1 position in the WTA Rankings by the end of the year, after Maria Sharapova of Russia withdrawn from the WTA Championship on Wednesday.

The World No. 2 ranked Maria Sharapova has forced to pull out of the 2011 WTA Championship in Istanbul, after withdrawn from the ankle injury on Wednesday. Sharapova has lost her second round robin match against 2011 French Open champion Li Na of China in straight sets with a 7-6 and 6-4. Sharapova also lost her first round robin match to World No. 7th ranked Samantha Stosur of Australia in consecutive sets with a 1-6 and 5-7 score line. The Russian beauty has been struggling with ankle injury playing Petra Kvitova at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.             

The 21-year-old Wozniacki has retained No. 1 position in the WTA Rankings in 2011 for the second consecutive year, after Sharapova withdrawn from the WTA Tournament. The Danish star has lost her second round robin match to World No. 6th ranked Vera Zvonareva of Russia in three sets with a 2-6, 6-4 and 3-6. Wozniacki will clash against World No. 4th ranked Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic in the third round robin match on Thursday at the WTA Championship in Istanbul. Wozniacki said she is very excited to finish at top by the end of the season.

India whitewash England, wraps ODI series 5-0

World Champions India completes England series with 5–0 by winning their final and 5th ODI at Eden Garden, Kolkata. India cruses past England once aging in one-day series, as they won 5th ODI of Ind vs. Eng by a margin of 95 runs to clean sweep the series with 5-0.

India 271/8 50 Overs (Dhoni 75*, Rahane 42 and S Patel 3/57, Finn 2/47)

England 176/10 37 Overs (Kieswetter 63, Cook 60 and R Jadeja 4/33 Ashwin 3/28)

Man of the Match – R Jadeja 21 (21) & 4/33 (8)

Man of the Series – MS Dhoni for 212 runs with 2 half centuries, highest score of 87* in this series

Indian captain MS Dhoni set the tone with his powerful hitting at the end of the innings with 75* off 69 balls with 4 sixes to boost India’s total to 271/8. As England skipper Alastair Cook sent in hosts to bat first at Eden Gardens on Oct 25. Spinners made it sure that India completes revenge series with 5-0, as left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja clinched 4 wicket haul and Ashwin claims 3 for as England were all out for  176 in 37 overs form 129/0.

India made a steady start to innings as Gambhir (38) and Rahane (42) put-on 80 run stand for first wicket, but there after India lost wickets in cluster of top 3. In-form Virat Kohli (0) went back to pavilion without scoring, new comer Monaj Tiwary (21) along with Suresh Raina (38) consolidated Indian inning with 43 run stand. Then it’s Dhoni part to be finish the innings as he was there right till the end playing the bowlers around for singles and rotating the strike with tail enders. Dhoni hit 4 massive sixes in last few overs, Praveen also chipped in with a six and four India imposed a powerful total of 272 to chase.

England was cursing to chase down the Indias’ target of 272 as their openers Cook (60) and Kieswetter (63) provided them very good start. England were 129/0 at 20 over mark but all of sudden they kept losing wickets as they were bowled out for 176 by 37 overs. Fast bowler Varun Aaron triggered the collapse by cleaning up Cook with a beauty, while Kieswetter was trapped in-front to Jadeja. Then spinners dictated the terms for Team India and part-timers Raina and Tiwary also chipped in with a wicket each.

India whitewashed England after disastrous tour of England in July-September, where India lost test series with 4-0 and also lose the world No.1 ranking and went on to lose one day series as well with 3-0. India won the home series with England despite the absence of seven star players, who part of Team India’s World Cup winning squad. India have been victorious 16 of 18 one-days played against England at home, losing one game and tying the other during the World Cup earlier this year.

England will final go at India in their only twenty-20 before returning back home at the same venue, Eden Garden, Kolkata on October 29, 2011 at 17:30 IST.

Chappell says Sachin was mentally fragile at one point

Former Indian coach and Australian great Greg Chappell, in his new book 'Fierce Focus' claimed that cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar was mentally fragile at a certain stage of his unremarkable career. Greg even said that the batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar has occasionally been mentally fragile (week or delicate) and was overwhelmed with ‘self-doubt’ at a certain stage of his career.

The Indian great of modern era, who is closing to score his 100th ton in cricket, he is idol for many fans of cricket who worship Sachin as a god of cricket. But the Australian legend has revealed other side of Sachin saying that he has doubts on his own ability at one point of stage ahead of India's four-Test tour of Australia this summer, is the former Australia already started the mind games with the Indian great?

Greg Chappell had a controversial 3-year period with Team India as a coach from 2005-2007, where he expelled Ganguly from Captaincy and then later from team too. Chappell claims that Tendulkar’s mental state had been ‘surprisingly fragile’ in 2006. He explained that Sachin has talked with him for about two hours when he was working with the team, and Sachin spoken that he was frustrated with his form and racked with self-doubt. Greg was referring to period when was struggling with form and also having surgery for tennis elbow.

Chappell went on to say that Sachin metal state was surprising to one of the great batsmen of cricket in that kind of frame was really sad! Chappell went on to say that the impractical weight of expectation carried by Sachin Tendulkar has had to bear throughout his career could have also affected him at the time, Sachin has asked him for help.  He even insisted that Sir Don Bradman also carried the expectations of the nation like Sachin, who is carrying entire India’s expectations whenever he used to bat for India since 1989.

Ganguly concerned over India's show at abroad

Indian former captain Sourav Ganguly was not much delighted by the winning streak of Indian on home turf against England. In the –match ODI series India are 4-0 up and looking for clean sweep. But Ganguly real concern is over Team India’s failure show at abroad after performing well for some time.

The Prince of Kolkata said that India in India is one of the toughest teams to defeat. So nothing much pleasure and surprise factor that are doing well in all the departments of fielding, bowling and in particular batting against England in home series. Team India relatively went in with young team as many of the seniors were under rehab and some were ignored. The young guns of Team India are really doing well as a team with much ease and confidence than in England summer, which is pleasing to see.

However, ‘Dada’ expressed his concern at the team's lacklustre shows at abroad. He believes that the real concern is failing to win matches outside India.  They haven't done well abroad for a long time now, he said.

Ganguly recalled the India’s tour to England in July-September, where India failed to win a single match as they with washed in all formats of the Tests with 5-0, one-dayers with 3-0 and also lost only T20 played in the series.  However, the MS Dhoni-led team has bounced back by winning the four ODIs of the home series at Hyderabad, Delhi, Mohali and Mumbai and also eyeing for 5-0 to wrap the series. Now, it’s the payback series for England and Indians are showing no mercy.

Sourav Ganguly is confident that off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who axed for ongoing England series, will make his comeback very soon. India will be touring Australia for and he don’t see staying out of the frame for too long. Harbhajan is a experinced campaigner and a player like him will boost the entire team confidence and it is difficult to believe India will be without Harbhajan services in the tough tour against Australia this winter.

Finally, Ganguly praised the performance of the youngsters in the Indian team. The young blood of Team India is doing consistently well in the absences of senior players and insisted that it is time for young legs to chip in now. He quoted that senior players like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag will be there to guide the young guns, it was high time the youngsters learnt to shoulder responsibility.

Inaugural ICC World Twenty20 Rankings list

Teams:

Team	Position	Ratings
England	1	127
Sri Lanka	2	126
New Zealand	3	117
South Africa	4	113
India	5	112
Australia	6	111
Pakistan	7	97
West Indies	8	89
Afghanistan	9
Zimbabwe	10	54

Player Rankings:

                                                                         

Rankings	Batsmen	Bowler	All-Rounder
1	Eoin Morgan (ENG)	Ajantha Mendis (SL)	Shane Watson (AUS)
2	Brendon McCullum (NZ)	Graeme Swann (ENG)	Shahid Afridi (PAK)
3	Kevin Pietersen (ENG)	Saeed Ajmal (PAK)	Davis Hussey (AUS)
4	Mahela Jayawardene (SL)	Nathan McCullum (NZ)	Mohammed Hafeez (PAK)
5	Suresh Raina (IND)	Johan Botha (SA)	Chris Gayle (WI)