Sahara will continue sponsor of Indian team

Sahara to remain sponsor of the Indian cricket team after it outbid Bharti Airtel.

Sahara won by bidding an amount of Rs. 3.34 crores per match, which was higher than Bharti Airtel's 2.89 crores per match bid.

"Sahara India Financial Corporation has been awarded the Indian team Title Sponsorship Rights, for the period 1 July 2010 to 31 December 2013," BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan said in a statement.

"The BCCI will be paid Rs. 3.34 crore per Test/ODI/T20 International during this period," the statement added.

The contract was for 31/2 years, starting from July 1, 2010, which means the Indian team will continue to sport the Sahara India logo till December 31, 2013.

Sahara Group's original contract with the BCCI expired last year. The company spent Rs 400 crore over a 4-year period for team sponsorship. Under the existing contract, Sahara was paying Rs 1.9 crore per Test, Rs 2.08 crore per ODI and and Rs 1.56 crore per Twenty20 International, the BCCI said.

The BCCI had earlier invited bids for the sponsorship in late 2009, but when no parties came forward, Sahara agreed to continue sponsoring the team til June 30 on the existing terms. The old contract will thus finish on June 30, while the new contract will start on July 1 2010.

The BCCI had set a base price of Rs 2.5 crores per match for the three-and-a-half-year period, during which India will be playing between 144 and 167 matches, depending on how far the team progresses in ICC tournaments. Sahara will thus have to shell out between Rs. 481 crores and Rs. 558 crores for the period.

Rohit Sharma century seals India win in ODI

Rohit Sharma hit his 2nd century in consecutive matches to safe a 7-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a tri-series.

Rohit Sharma's 1st century was against Zimbabwe on Friday in a match which the home side won by 6 wickets. But his winning "double" hundred here Sunday ensured victory against Sri Lanka.

Suresh Raina won the toss elected to bowling, Sri Lanka struggled against the inexperienced Indian bowlers to reach 242 all out in 49.5 overs. This target was all too easy for India and they passed it with 39 balls to spare.

"This was one of the best innings of my career because it is never easy to chase in one-day matches," said Sharma.

Sri Lankan skipper Tillekeratne Dilshan added: "The two early run-outs cost us a lot because we felt we wanted a score of at least 280 runs.

"The runs we did get were not enough for a good defence."

Now the rejuvenated Indians are back on track in the series and instead of being under pressure to survive they have the look of victors about them.

Man-of-the-match Sharma's 101 came up in exactly 100 balls. It was a race both against the light, which was generally indifferent, and also against the failing number of runs required for the win.

He didn't take all the limelight though. Virat Kohli weighed in with 82 before being caught on the boundary and they put on 154 for the third wicket. Kohli wanted 92 balls as he hit 4 fours in his 7th half century.

From a team standpoint India recovered well from their shock beating by Zimbabwe and are now back on track for a possible series winning effort.

The pressure now reverts to Sri Lanka who must beat Zimbabwe on Tuesday to put all three on level terms at the half-way stage.

Tri-Series: Zimbabwe beat India by 6 wickets

A maiden ODI century for India by Rohit Sharma was not sufficient to stop Zimbabwe from snatching a spectacular victory in the 1st one-day international of the tri-series.

Zimbabwe won at a dash with 10 balls and six wickets to spare in the first of two matches between them in a tri-series which also includes Sri Lanka.

Top six Zimbabwe batsmen, led by man-of-the-match Brendan Taylor, contributed drastically towards a surprise victory as they overtake an India total of 285-5 to record an impressive 289-4 in reply.

Indian skipper Suresh Raina, who had won the toss and opted to bat, praised the Zimbabwe batsmen but blamed the beat more on the inexperience of his team.

"Some of players have never played at this level," he explained. "However we should have been able to defend 285 runs."

Brendan Taylor's innings of 81 runs, cut short with a boundary catch when missing his 2nd ODI century, was backed up principally by Craig Ervine in his first ODI innings for Zimbabwe. He made 67 with Hamilton Masakadza contributing 46.

Rohit Sharma's century earlier in the day was a mix of prudence and boundary hunting as he gained confidence. He came in when India had lost three wickets for 61 and were momentarily on the back foot.

Their recovery from this, led by Rohit, came with a flurry of boundaries in later overs and 285 runs seemed likely to be sufficient to beat a home team with no great record in internationals.

But the Zimbabweans, who have done their Test cricket return aspirations a boost with this result, set about the task with inspiration and confidence.

Suresh Raina confident of young squad doing well

Skipper of a second-string Indian team to Zimbabwe, Suresh Raina today said the absence of senior players has given the opportunity for youngsters to prove their mettle in the tri-series and two bilateral Twenty20 Internationals against the hosts.

"We have to thank the senior players who have taken a rest and it has given a great opportunity for the youngsters to do well. We have a good bench and all of them have done well in domestic cricket," said the 23-year-old, who is yet to play in a Test match, ahead of the team's leaving here.

The Indian Cricket team will be without 8 senior players, including regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and veteran batsman Sachin Tendulkar, for the May 28-June 9 tri-series, also involving Sri Lanka, and the two T20 Internationals against Zimbabwe on June 12 and 13.

Raina said the young team under him was a balanced one and expressed confidence that they would do well in the tri-series and the T20 Internationals.

"It's going to be an exciting series. We have a well-balanced team. We have lot of good batsmen who have done well in first class cricket and in IPL. We have a good medium pace attack and good set of all-rounders. We will win the series if we work hard," he said.

Raina said leading the country was an honour and a dream come true for him but it has also imposed extra responsibility on his shoulders.

"I have dreamt about leading India. By the grace of God I have got the opportunity. It's a great challenge and I'm looking forward to it. But it has also thrust great responsibility on me," said the Uttar Pradesh batsman who has been named captain in the absence of MS Dhoni.

ICC World Cup 2011, Schedule

Group A	Group B
Australia	India
Pakistan	South Africa
New Zealand	England
Sri Lanka	West Indies
Zimbabwe	Bangladesh
Canada	Ireland
Kenya	Netherlands

Date	Match Details	Time IST	Place
Feb 19 - Sa	Bangladesh v India, 1st match	-	Dhaka
Feb 20 - Su	New Zealand v Kenya, 2nd match	-	Chennai
Feb 20 - Su	Sri Lanka v Canada, 3rd match	-	Hambantota
Feb 21 - Mo	Australia v Zimbabwe, 4th match	-	Ahmedabad
Feb 22 - Tu	England v Netherlands, 5th match	-	Nagpur
Feb 23 - We	Pakistan v Kenya, 6th match	-	Hambantota
Feb 24 - Th	South Africa v West Indies, 7th match	-	Delhi
Feb 25 - Fr	Australia v New Zealand, 8th match	-	Nagpur
Feb 25 - Fr	Bangladesh v Ireland, 9th match	-	Dhaka
Feb 26 - Sa	Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 10th match	-	Colombo
Feb 27- Su	India v England, 11th match	-	Kolkata
Feb 28- Mo	Zimbabwe v Canada, 13th match	-	Nagpur
Feb 28- Mo	West Indies v Netherlands, 12th match	-	Delhi
Mar 01 - Tu	Sri Lanka v Kenya, 14th match	-	Colombo
Mar 02 - We	England v Ireland, 15th match	-	Bengaluru
Mar 03- Th	South Africa v Netherlands, 16th match	-	Chandigarh
Mar 03- Th	Pakistan v Canada, 17th match	-	Colombo
Mar 04- Fr	Bangladesh v West Indies, 19th match	-	Dhaka
Mar 04- Fr	New Zealand v Zimbabwe, 18th match	-	Ahmedabad
Mar 05 - Sa	Sri Lanka v Australia, 20th match	-	Colombo
Mar 06- Su	India v Ireland, 21st match	-	Bengaluru
Mar 06- Su	England v South Africa, 22nd match	-	Chennai
Mar 07- Mo	Kenya v Canada, 23rd match	-	Delhi
Mar 08 - Tu	Pakistan v New Zealand, 24th match	-	Pallekele
Mar 09 - We	India v Netherlands, 25th match	-	Delhi
Mar 10- Th	Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, 26th match	-	Pallekele
Mar 11- Fr	West Indies v Ireland, 27th match	-	Chandigarh
Mar 11- Fr	Bangladesh v England, 28th match	-	Chittagong
Mar 12 - Sa	India v South Africa, 29th match	-	Nagpur
Mar 13- Su	New Zealand v Canada, 30th match	-	Mumbai
Mar 13- Su	Australia v Kenya, 31st match	-	Bengaluru
Mar 14- Mo	Bangladesh v Netherlands, 33rd match	-	Chittagong
Mar 14- Mo	Pakistan v Zimbabwe, 32nd match	-	Pallekele
Mar 15 - Tu	South Africa v Ireland, 34th match	-	Kolkata
Mar 16 - We	Australia v Canada, 35th match	-	Bengaluru
Mar 17- Th	England v West Indies, 36th match	-	Chennai
Mar 18- Fr	Ireland v Netherlands, 38th match	-	Kolkata
Mar 18- Fr	Sri Lanka v New Zealand, 37th match	-	Mumbai
Mar 19 - Sa	Australia v Pakistan, 39th match	-	Colombo
Mar 19 - Sa	Bangladesh v South Africa, 40th match	-	Dhaka
Mar 20- Su	Zimbabwe v Kenya, 41st match	-	Kolkata
Mar 20- Su	India v West Indies, 42nd match	-	Chennai
Mar 23 - We	TBC v TBC, First quarter-final	-	Dhaka
Mar 24- Th	TBC v TBC, Second quarter-final	-	Colombo
Mar 25- Fr	TBC v TBC, Third quarter-final	-	Dhaka
Mar 26 - Sa	TBC v TBC, Fourth quarter-final	-	Ahmedabad
Mar 29 - Tu	TBC v TBC, First semi-final	-	Colombo
Mar 30 - We	TBC v TBC, Second semi-final	-	Chandigarh
Apr 02 - Sa	TBC v TBC, Final	-	Mumbai

Tri-angle Series In Zimbabwe, 2010

Date	Match Details	Time IST	Place
May 28 - Fri	Zimbabwe v India, 1st Match ZIM won by 6 wickets	13:00	Bulawayo
May 30 - Sun	India v Sri Lanka, 2nd Match Ind won by 7 wickets	13:00	Bulawayo
Jun 01 - Tue	Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, 3rd Match	13:00	Bulawayo
Jun 03 - Thu	Zimbabwe v India, 4th Match	13:00	Harare
Jun 05 - Sat	India v Sri Lanka, 5th Match	13:00	Harare
Jun 07 - Mon	Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, 6th Match	13:00	Harare
Jun 09 - Wed	Final	13:00	Harare

Asia Cup 2010, Schedule

Dilshan to skipper SL in Zimbabwe series

Sri Lanka have named Tillkaratne Dilshan as skipper after deciding to rest several senior players for their tri-angle series in Zimbabwe.

Regular skipper Kumar Sangakkara, vice-captain Muttiah Muralitharan, Ex-captain Mahela Jayawardene and faster Lasith Malinga were all rested for the tri-series.

Young All-rounder Angelo Mathews, 22, has been appointed vice-captain as Sri Lanka seek to trial young players ahead of the 2011 World Cup. India will also take part in the tri-series.

Leg spinning all rounder Jeewan Mendis and batsman Dinesh Chandimal are the new players in the squad.

Sri Lanka Squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan (Captain), Angelo Mathews (Vice-Captain), Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Chamara Kapugedera, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Ajantha Mendis, Jeewan Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Chamara Silva, Thisera Perera

Asia Cup 2010, Schedule

Date	Match Details	Time (IST)	Place
Jun 15 - Tue	Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 1st match SL won by 16 runs	14:30	Dambulla
Jun 16 - Wed	India v Bangladesh, 2nd match Ind won by 6 wickets	14:30	Dambulla
Jun 18 - Fri	Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, 3rd match	14:30	Dambulla
Jun 19 - Sat	Pakistan v India, 4th match	14:30	Dambulla
Jun 21 - Mon	Pakistan v Bangladesh, 5th match	14:30	Dambulla
Jun 22 - Tue	Sri Lanka v India, 6th match	14:30	Dambulla
Jun 24 - Thu	Final	14:30	Dambulla

Tri-angle Series In Zimbabwe, 2010

Suresh Raina to lead India in Zimbabwe Tri-Series

Senior players were rested as India named a 2nd-string squad with Suresh Raina as the skipper and Virat Kohli his Vice-captain for the low-profile Zimbabwe tour starting 28th May 2010.

Regular Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and senior players Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Gautam Gambhir, Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh & Ashish Nehra were rested as the BCCI senior selection committee named a young 15-member team with new faces galore.

Stumper Dinesh Karthik has been named the specialist wicketkeeper for the tour which begins with a tri-series - also involving Sri Lanka - on May 28 while Madhya Pradesh batsman-wicketkeeper Naman Ojha is also part of the team.

Once the tri-series is over on June 9, spinner Piyush Chawla will join the team for India's subsequent two T20 Internationals against Zimbabwe on June 12 and 13.

Apart from Karthik and Naman Ojha, the side includes specialist opening batsmen Murali Vijay, Raina, Kohli and Rohit Sharma, besides all-rounders in Yusuf Pathan and Ravindra Jadeja.

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra, left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will spearhead the slow bowling department in the tri-series, while the largely inexperienced pace assail will comprise Umesh Yadav, R Vinay Kumar, Ashok Dinda and Pankaj Singh.

Zimbabwe Tri-series squad: Suresh Raina (C), Virat Kohli (v-c), Murali Vijay, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Rohit Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Vinay Kumar, Ashok Dinda, Pankaj Singh, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha, Naman Ojha.