Sachin Tendulkar gifts BMW car to Saina Nehwal

Badminton player Saina Nehwal on Sunday received a brand new BMW car for winning a bronze medal at the London Olympics from none other than batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who said that the world is yet to see the best of the star shuttler.

The felicitation function was organised by Vice President of Andhra Badminton Association Chamundeshwari Nath, who honoured the city girl by buying her the luxurious car.

"I am sure that she (Saina) is happy but not satisfied. We are also not satisfied because we know that you can go to greater heights. You have that ability with Gopi's guidance. There are better days ahead and as a sportsperson, you always try to believe that your best is yet to come," the iconic Indian batsman said at the felicitation function.

While announcing a BMW car for Saina and a car each for her coach P Gopichand and budding talent PV Sindhu, Sachin said, "I am quite confident that your best is yet to come and you will emerge victorious across the world and that is what we want".

Heaping praises on Saina, Tendulkar said, "Whatever I have seen of her there is no drama involved, it's just quality badminton and that is what you expect from a sportsperson. After winning (bronze medal) also, she has not got carried away and that's the beauty of being a champion sport person".

Saina gave India its first-ever medal in badminton at Olympics when her Chinese opponent withdrew from the bronze medal play-off after injuring her knee.

"This medal means a lot for India, I am sure this medal has not come without dedication, hard work, focus and having a vision," Tendulkar said.

Congratulating all the medal winners, he said it was "terrific" for India at London. "You all deserve praise and good things that are coming your way," he added.

Responding to the accolade, Saina said she had waited for her Olympic moment since her childhood days.

"I dreamt of being a Olympic champion at the age of 9...It is unbelievable to have won the medal. I am so happy. I should thank Gopi sir for making it possible. He really worked hard with me for many years.

"Myself winning the first medal will really change a lot of things for badminton in India and I am sure we shall have lot more medals in future. I hope badminton becomes one of the most popular games, though may not be like cricket, in our country," Saina said.

VVS has looked after his God-given gifts well: Sachin

Sachin Tendulkar, who was Laxman's first Test captain, talks about vvs laxman

Sachin Tendulkar’s two captaincy stints for India are not laced with great success. But he’ll never forget VVS Laxman’s 167 at Sydney in the final innings of that ill-fated Test series which ended 3-0 in Australia’s favour.

He will also remember Laxman’s valuable half century on debut against an Allan Donald-led pace attack in Ahmedabad 1996 which in a way helped Tendulkar win his second Test as captain.

Laxman put a full stop to his international career with immediate effect on Saturday, probably leaving the selectors flushed with embarrassment since they already picked him in the squad for the August 23-27 opening Test against New Zealand in Hyderabad.

Laxman’s first Test captain to talk about the retiring hero and the grand manner in which he played the game.

When did you first hear about VVS Laxman?
I heard about him from Amol Muzumdar since they were teammates (at the junior level) before meeting him for the first time in 1996. We were in England when he accompanied Amol, who came to visit me during the tour.

What did you feel when you first saw him play?
I thought he was really fantastic. I remember when I was his captain on the 1996-97 tour of South Africa, he got hit and broke his finger in Johannesburg. He was crying in one corner of the dressing room. I went up to him and said, ‘don’t worry. This is just the beginning and you have a long way to go.’ Now, I am really happy with whatever he has been able to achieve and his contribution has been immense. He has inspired a lot of youngsters and he’s played some unbelievable knocks — very important ones. He has also been a terrific fielder in slips; really good catcher and yes, that has probably gone a bit unnoticed. He has been a terrific catcher, he’s got beautiful hands.

Your best VVS Laxman moment?
It has to be the 281 (against Australia at Kolkata in 2001) although he played some unbelievable knocks around that period. But 281 has to be on top of the list.

In Sydney (2000) when things were going so bad for you, he went out and scored 167 in the Test match. How did you feel as captain?
If we have to go into statistics of that series… we played three Tests and you would expect the top seven guys to contribute in 7x 6= 42 innings. In 42 innings, Sourav Ganguly scored a fifty, Laxman got a hundred and I got two fifties and a hundred. Other than that, not one scored runs. Out of 42 innings, if you are going to have only five to six 50 plus scores, you are bound to have a disastrous tour. Laxman really played well in Sydney, hit some terrific shots and that is why I requested the BCCI and the selection committee to keep him for the one-day triangular series.

A lot of people remember Dilip Vengsarkar’s three consecutive hundreds at Lord’s. But Laxman did the same at a famous venue too — the Sydney Cricket Ground with his hundreds in 2000, 2004 and 2008…
Absolutely awesome! It is an equally big achievement because those hundreds came against top opposition as well.

If God gave you a choice and offered you VVS Laxman’s skills, which one would you pick?
That ability to use his wrists so well while batting. Many a time… 99 per cent batters would play a ball to the covers and the same ball Laxman would end up playing an on-drive. And it’s not decided…it’s just God’s gift — his natural talent and ability to find gaps and use his wrists. I am sure he has not specially worked on it. It is a gift from God and he has looked after it pretty well.

Your view on his decision to quit?
It’s HIS decision. He knows his body and mental frame of mind. Only he can talk about his mental make-up. You can judge physical preparation; a physio can tell you what things are not right and whether one is in good shape, but if you have to judge from the mental side, he’s the only person who can answer you.

Sachin Tendulkar, Rekha add glamour to vice president poll

Newly nominated members of the Rajya Sabha, master blaster Sachin Tendulkar and veteran actress Rekha, cast their votes on Tuesday to choose India's 14th vice president.

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood veteran Rekha made a grand entry Tuesday as they walked in to the polling room in Parliament House to cast their votes in the vice presidential election.

As the two, who were nominated to the Rajya Sabha in April this year, entered the room, shutterbugs went into a frenzy, clicking furiously to capture the moment.

Hamid Ansari is all set to be re-elected the country's 14th vice-president. He held the post 2007-2012.

The vice president is elected by members of an electoral college consisting of members of both houses of parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote. Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha are also entitled to take part in the election.

You make us proud: Sachin Tendulkar lavishes praise on Gagan Narang

Cricketing maestro Sachin Tendulkar Monday saluted shooter Gagan Narang for winning the first medal for India at the London Olympics.

In a tweet, soon after Narang got the bronze in the 10-metre air rifle event, Tendulkar said he had made all Indians proud.

"Gagan Narang, you make us proud by winning the first medal in Olympics 2012. Let's hope and pray that we follow it up by achieving many more,"

Sachin Tendulkar unveils all-new BMW 3 series

Indian cricket superstar and car-fanatic Sachin Tendulkar was unveiled as the brand ambassador of German luxury carmaker BMW on Friday.



Tendulkar about his choice of BMW.

"My association started way back in 1993 when I bought my first BMW. Since then I have had many cars from the BMW stable. My children and my wife are big fans of BMW."

Sachin is an avid auto enthusiast who is picky about his collection which includes a few models from Ferrari and big cars as well. He explains his outlook while associating with a brand like BMW.

"When you talk about a brand like BMW, you don’t think twice. You know that you are going to get amazing quality, comfort and above all, perfect safety."

BMW is the sponsor of the London Olympics and Sachin enjoys watching other sports.

"I am supporting the entire Indian Olympic squad. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to go as I have to prepare for the series in New Zealand. The training schedule has started and I will not be able to go to England. But my good wishes are always with them."