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)

England tops inaugural ICC Twenty20 Rankings

ICC has launched the ranking system for Twenty20 today, where England, the World Twenty20 champions have topped the rankings in ICC’s inaugural Twenty20 Rankings.

Eoin Morgan, England middle-order T20 specialist batsmen tops the batsmen ratings, Sri Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis is the top bowler and Australia’s all-rounder, Shane Watson is announced as the No. 1 all-rounder in ICC Twenty20 Rankings.

The England team sealed top spot with 127 points followed by Sri Lanka placed just below them with 126 points. The reaming teams New Zealand in third place with 117 points, South Africa with 113, India with 112, Australia with 11 and Pakistan at 7th place with 97 points, followed by West Indies, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.

England will lose its No.1, if they lose only T20 in the ongoing India tour which is scheduled on Oct, 29. If England wins their T20 against India they will have a 4-point lead over Sri Lanka, if they England will slip below Sri Lanka and India.

Since August 2009, England has played 20 T20s, where they won 12 and they lost 6 games while 2 ended in no results. Whereas Pakistan played the most matches i.e., 24 during the same period, as the lost more than 50% of matches where placed 7th in the rankings.

England Coach Andy Flower said that the evolution of ranking system for international Twenty20 cricket provides real context to the various series played between member countries on an ongoing basis. He added that until now they haven't had the chance to play a large number of Twenty20 Internationals so this will offer a benchmark as to who is performing at international level.

Bangladesh, along with Associate Members Canada, Ireland, Kenya, Netherlands and Scotland, which have T20 international status, will join the table as soon as they have played at least eight T20s since August 2009 to qualify for a ranking.

Eoin Morgan tops the batsmen ratings followed by Brendon McCullum, Kevin Pietersen, Mahela Jayawardene and Suresh Raina. In the bowling department spinner dominate the ratings as seven spinners were toped in ICC T20 rankings, as Ajantha Mendis topped the bowlers followed by Graeme Swann, Saeed Ajmal, Nathan McCullum and Johan Botha. While Shane Watson ranked No.1 in ratings for all-rounders lined-up along with Shahid Afridi, Davis Hussey, Mohammed Hafeez and Chris Gayle.

Raina and Kohli takes India to 4-0 lead

India makes it 4-0 as the England team failed one again in the ongoing series. India won the 4th ODI with comprehensive 6 wickets at Mumbai on Oct 23. Where the host extends their lead to 4-0 and will be aiming to clean the series with 5-0. 

England 220/10 46.1 Overs (Bresnan 45 and Kevin Pietersen 41, Varun Aaron 3/24)

India 300/5 49.2 Overs (V Kohli 86* and Raina 80)

Man of the Match – Suresh Raina 80 (62)

Suresh Raina’s aggressive 80 from 60 balls and Virat Kohli’s well paced innings of aggression and clam 86* guided India to yet another win the series. Kohli and Raina recued the Indian innings as they were 46/3 when they started together and Team India was in all sorts of trouble losing all the top 3 and Raina, who is finding it hard to hit the into gaps in the series joined the party with man in form, Virat Kohli.

Earlier England won the toss and elected to bat, Craig Kieswetter started counter attack to Indian pacers but both the openers felt back-to-back delivers from Ashwin and P Kumar.  Pietersen and Trott then rescued the England innings adding 73 runs. Vinay Kumar broke the partnership and then spinners showed act by cleaning up the middle order of England and new debutant Varun Aaron was impressive with his pace rattled the tail enders.

In reply, India got off to a sloppy start as they lost three wickets with just 46 runs on the board.  Parthiv Patel and Gautam Gambhir were cleaned up by Finn, while Rahane was brilliant catch by Kieswetter. But the Raina and Kohli pace their innings very well rotating the strike early in their innings and putting the bad balls to boundaries. Soon both the batsmen completed their half-centuries from 65 (Kohli) and 50 (Raina) deliveries respectively.

Then Raina shifted the gears and clobbered the English pace attack to all parts of the ground but perished to Finn. Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni made sure India didn’t lose any further wicket and guided India to a comprehensive 6 wicket win.

India will play their final and 5th ODI against England at Eden Gardens on October 25, 2011.

Virat Kohli completes 1000 runs in a Calendar Year!

The young Indian middle-order batsmen Virat Kohli has scored his 7th ODI century against England in 2nd one-day match at Delhi. Thereby, Kohli has completed 1000 runs in a Calendar year of 2011. Virat Kohli felt 5 runs short of 1000 runs in a calendar year in 2010, where he scored 995 runs.

Virat Kohli has been in great form in this year, when compared to the earlier stages of his career. Earlier Kohli used to get fifties but failed to convert them into big centuries. Now, he is a matured cricketer, playing according to the conditions and game plan of the team. As he is capitalizing the starts to convert them into match winning knocks.

The Delhi lad, Virat Kohli joins Shane Watson of Australia and Jonathan Trott from England, who scored 1000 runs in a calendar year of 2011. Sachin Tendulkar has scored 1000 runs seven times which is most by any batsmen and followed by his former teammate Sourav Ganguly 6 times and Australia’s two-time World Cup winning captain got there 6 times.

Right-handed batsmen, Virat Kholi is the 28th occasion of Indian batsmen to achieve these feet, while iconic batsmen Sachin Tendulkar achieved this feet 7 times and this is most by any batsmen in the World. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly got to 1000 runs in a calendar year 6 times. The Wall Rahul Dravid and current Indian skipper MS Dhoni did it thrice, while M Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja and Virender Sehwag scored 1000 runs twice. Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and now Virat Kholi completed the list of batsmen scoring 1000 runs.