October 16 was the day of two crownings - the long-anticipated and inevitable awarding of the Formula One World Championship to speedy German Sebastian Vettel and that of the unfancied and depleted Mumbai Indians. While the former raised two trademark fingers in celebration of the double championship win, the Mumbai Indians whom no one gave a chance lifted the Champions League Twenty20 trophy, which incidentally or not looks very much like the UEFA Champions League trophy.
As I have been mentioning for some time, Sebastian Vettel's place atop the world had been decided for quite a while as he racked up race win after win. Many went to the extent of saying that the real battle was for second place, which too seems to be sealed by the only other contender before Japan, Englishman Jenson Button. Vettel bagged fifteen points when all he needed was one, and could have collected 25 if not for a slightly defective pit stop strategy which was however good enough to earn him the title.
Few listed Mumbai Indians as a contender before the start of the slam-bang fest. Names such as Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore and New South Wales Blues sprung to mind as potential cup-lifters. With a host of injured players, a tired captain who was dropped from the national team and heavy reliance (no pun intended) on a certain seamer with a funny hairstyle and bowling action, Mumbai were anything but favourites. Yet, they beat several other sides with more imposing names on the way to having their name etched on the cup. In the final on a slow turny pitch in Chennai, one of the rarer Indian ones not favouring batsmen, the side pieced together 139 and defended it with purpose against a red team loaded with big men who had not played outside of the run-festival-assisting Bangalore ground. The team captained by Vettori but laying their fortunes on Gayle's form floundered, making a highly insufficient 108. And the Mumbai Indians, their fans and Nita Ambani tasted victory for the first time in their short existence.
The sporting, particularly cricket and tennis, calendar is getting increasingly packed with more events and this could bore fans and take the essence of the sports out of them, tiring and injuring the players greatly in the process. But watching two crowns being handed out of the same day, as on May 28 (IPL and UEFA Champions League) has a certain fun to it.
As I have been mentioning for some time, Sebastian Vettel's place atop the world had been decided for quite a while as he racked up race win after win. Many went to the extent of saying that the real battle was for second place, which too seems to be sealed by the only other contender before Japan, Englishman Jenson Button. Vettel bagged fifteen points when all he needed was one, and could have collected 25 if not for a slightly defective pit stop strategy which was however good enough to earn him the title.
Few listed Mumbai Indians as a contender before the start of the slam-bang fest. Names such as Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore and New South Wales Blues sprung to mind as potential cup-lifters. With a host of injured players, a tired captain who was dropped from the national team and heavy reliance (no pun intended) on a certain seamer with a funny hairstyle and bowling action, Mumbai were anything but favourites. Yet, they beat several other sides with more imposing names on the way to having their name etched on the cup. In the final on a slow turny pitch in Chennai, one of the rarer Indian ones not favouring batsmen, the side pieced together 139 and defended it with purpose against a red team loaded with big men who had not played outside of the run-festival-assisting Bangalore ground. The team captained by Vettori but laying their fortunes on Gayle's form floundered, making a highly insufficient 108. And the Mumbai Indians, their fans and Nita Ambani tasted victory for the first time in their short existence.
The sporting, particularly cricket and tennis, calendar is getting increasingly packed with more events and this could bore fans and take the essence of the sports out of them, tiring and injuring the players greatly in the process. But watching two crowns being handed out of the same day, as on May 28 (IPL and UEFA Champions League) has a certain fun to it.
Alonso, who was the last "young" champion in F1 has found it difficult to win after his first 2 titles ( maybe because of the car, but the car is well, an integral part of any win or loss). Kimi won his title late and then lost all motivation. Will this young German - Sebastian, be persevering enough to chase down the multiple record holder - Schumi , I wonder. Arjun
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