Friday, April 24, 2009
IPL2: RR Vs KKR
What a Superb match. First IPL2 match, that goes to wire. In a nail biting match, RR going to take on KKR. Both teams are fighting for points. Both are down in total points chart. After winning a toss, KKR, decided to field first. At time of toss, Warne said, first time in is carrier he is unable to decide whether to bat OR ball first. So you can understand how important this match for both teams.
RR, once again got a disasters start. They loss first 2 wickets on score of 14 runs. Yusuf Pathan has got promoted in order, in absence of Hard Hitter, Henderson, and, he did not disappoint his captain. He scores quick 42 runs in 21 balls (4x6, 6X2) before his departure. After him, Jadeja, Mascarenhas, Raut played a handful innings to take team to at least bowl something for.
KKR openers walked in to make 151. Started cautiously, but again McCullum fails to deliver and got out on 3. Then, Gayle and Shukla try to consolidate innings. Gayle carried on his form, to score blistering 41 runs in 33 balls (4x2, 6x4). After Gayle departs, Gangly took charge in hand. but got no support from other hand, as wickets kept fowling in regular interval. With help of Yashpal Singh he tries, to put his team in reach of victory. He got out when KKR required 2 runs to win in 1 ball. Ishant Sharma manages to score one run and got run out taking second run. Scores are level now.
First time in IPL2, Super over come in to play to decide winner of this game. Where team batting first will bat first with help of 3 batsmen and only one bowler is allowed from opposition to bowl. If batting side lost 2 wickets, they lost game.
KKR, is decide to go with McCullum, Gayle and Ganguly and RR decided to go with 18 years, new comer Kaman Khan. They gave 16 runs target to RR to win.
RR, decided to go with Pathan, Jadeja and Mascarenhas And from KKR it was mysterious bowler Ajantha Mendis to take on them. But Pathan out played Mendis and showed why world called him hard hitter of cricket ball. He smashed 6,2,6,4 in consecutive bowls to give thrilling victory to his side. What a win.
IPL2: DDD Vs CSK
Today, 3D (DDD),won the toss and decided to first use beautiful batting condition in Kingsmead, Durban. A dream pair in today’s all kind of world cricket arena, once again having lots of expectations of their fans, to give flying start to their home state team.
But CSK and L.Ballaji had different plans. Gauti step out to Ballaji on first ball of innings, Ballaji did not change his length and forced him to play in slip, got his man on first ball of innings. What a start of game. Then sehwag follows him in 2nd over without to much disturbing the score. It’s 2 for 8, and, now it’s time for Dilshan and AB’Devilliers to shape innings to a respectable total.
Dilshan was in supreme touch. He did not waste too many deliveries and score quick 50 runs (4x7, 6x2), to give much needed momentum to his side. Meantime, on other hand AB’Devilliers, who is playing supportive role, took charge in hand after Dilshan departure. He played a marvelous inning and rattled all CSK bowlers all over park in his blistering unbeaten innings of 105 from 54 balls which included 4x5 and 6x6 massive sixes to take 3D to a highest score of 189 in IPL2.
In reply to 3D, Hayden and Patel, CSK successful opening pair, has started very well. Hayden took attack to opposition to take score 50 runs in only 5 over’s loss of none.
He reaches his 2nd fifty in IPL2, to become leading score maker. Its look like they have decided to finish game before 20 over’s.
When everything is looking fine for CSK, turn around happen. Patel and Hayden got out in quick succession. Afterwards I think CSK is not able to handle situation. Raina, Dhoni, Flintoff, Morkel all are unable to capitalize start they have got. These hard hitters in world cricket are not able to put ball out of park and lost wickets and momentum in process, to cause 2nd loss in tournament.
I don’t think its great bowling performance by 3D. Except Vettori, others ball normal spells. I think CSK, given up the match, without trying. They needed 10 RPO, which is possible to make in this kind of format with such a powerful batting line up. They are unable to put breaks with likes of Muralitharan, Flintoff & Morkel. This is definitely a worry factor for CSK & Dhoni. Last time also they bounce back after initial losses. Hope this time also they will like to repeat last year script.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Mystery Unclothed
As I had tagged in my last blog, Only God Save Kiwis, seems to be true on final day of 3rd test. Rain, came to rescue black caps from test defeats. When Indian were only short of 2 wickets from creating a history, rain started pouring down buckets. Finally umpires decided to called of test because of rain & murky weather.
Black Caps resumed their inning toady with determination to stay as long as possible on wickets to save test match. Taylor & Franklin shown responsibility and sincere efforts to save test. Taylor was instrumental in his knock of 107 runs, before falling to Harbhajan with a excellent Yorker. After that when nothing seems happening Dhoni decided to hand over ball to Tendulkar. Tendulkar Make Hey of this opportunity, with taking two crucial wickets of McCullum & Franklin. After That classic Off-spinner Harbhajan wiped off Southee took India 2 wickets away victory.
Overall this is a fruitful series for India. Everybody saying this is going to be a Acid Test foe Dhoni’s Men. Dhoni also needs to prove his captains skill in Kiwis land. But this new Indian team took this challenge and prove all critics wrong.
Players like Gambhir, Sehwag, Dravid, Sachin, Laxman, Dhoni, Zaheer, Yuvraj, Harbhajan and Ishant proved there metal. This new team shown all world that they can adjust to any condition and beat any side in world on any surface.
This is really good sign for Indian Cricket. Hope they will continues their winning strick in ICC T20 world cup in England also.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Gambhir Brilliance Leads India
India started ahead toady with lead of 182 runs. Dravid & Gambhir shows there class yet again. When they played out 1st hour of play with out any wicket, New Zealand bowlers had lost their hope to win final test. They knows how crucial is to take advantage of 1st hours play. But, Gambhir & Dravid in no mood of mercy. They rattled kiwis lack luster attack all over Basin Reserve.
Gambhir is well accompanied by Rahul Dravid (60) and VVS Laxman (61). Dravid fall out to Vettori with a smart and athletic piece of wicket keeping from McCullum. Dravid tries to play paddle swipe shot and McCullum took a great catch at leg slip. Before this, he was looking in grate temperament to score 100 in may be his last innings in New Zealand soil. Tendulkar falls on 9 runs to a classic left arm delivery from Vettori.
After tea when nothing looks working for kiwis then Vettori has decided to use his last card by taking new ball. This trick works for kiwis and a much needed break through provided by O’Brien. He got the ball to swing. Gambhir and Laxman both falls to him in back to back over’s.
At end of days play Dhoni 16 (4X3) and Yuvraj 15 (4X2) were unbeaten at the crease.
Tomorrow India might like to score quick runs and I think may declare at lunch with lead around to 550-600. And for New Zealand perspective this will be a huge task to survive near 5 sessions in front of Zaheer, Ishant and Harbhajan. My bet is on Harbhajan. If he get his length right and got some bounce from pitch, then no one can stop Indians wining test series after 41 years.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
God Will Only Save Kiwis from Indians
When Indians came to field to defend their 1st inning total 379, all eyes were on how they will make use on new ball & early morning seaming conditions. Can Ishant & Zaheer will able to get early break through? These kinds of questions will be on every Indians mind.
Its Zaheer, who took responsibility as a senior bowling member in the team. He claimed his 7th time 5 wickets hall mark, in The Basin Reserve. He used weather conditions better than any other bowler. Even though he was bowling against wind, he got success. He put all his experience in count to claim 5 wickets. This was a match winning performance by him. Kiwi’s batsman has no answer to his swinging deliveries. Kiwi’s opener Martin Guptill was his first victim, then Flynn, McIntosh and kiwi’s new star batsman J. Ryder and Tim Southee are went to Zaheer.
On other hand Harbhajan has supported very well to Zaheer to keep pressure on both sides. He bowled with lot of flight and variation. Bounce of Basin Reserve also helped him a lot and he not missed to use it with good effect by claming 3 kiwi wicket including important wicket of B.McCullum. Bhajji always likes bouncy wickets. Ishant and Munaf claim one wicket each to restrict kiwis, with a massive match winning lead of 182 runs.
I think tomorrow, India will try to make sure to gone pass 400 figure mark. And looking at India’s heavy batting line up it should not be impossible for them. If this track hold tight and carries some bounce on day 4th and 5th I swore, their will be nobody except God to save kiwis from Turbinator.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
See-Saw in the Basin Reserve
But, Indian openers had some different plans. Sehwag and Gambhir again provided nice start. Together they put up a 73 runs partnership in no time of 15 over’s. Sehwag again was looking in good touch, hitting 48 runs in just 51 balls including 4X7, 1X6. Gambhir also looking solid on the other end.
Kiwis then able to put break on Indians runs with back to back wickets of Sehwag & Gambhir, (23 runs) in quick succession, sending Indian openers back in pavilion.
Solid Dravid & Classy Sachin again put up a much needed partnership of 90 runs to anchor India, which includes Sachin’s 62 runs with 4X11. Sachin is look good nick & seems to make hundred.
But again, Kiwis hit back to Indians clamming Sachin, Laxman (4), Yuvraj (9) & Dravid (31) wickets in quick time. That puts India on back foot on score of 20for 6.
Skipper Dhoni & his tail have something different mindset. Indians tail shown good temperament & willingness to stay on crease, paid off. Lower order added 143 runs with important contributions from Skipper MSD (52), Harbhajan (52), and Zaheer (30) helped India to reach affordable score of 347 for 9 at end of day one.
Day 1, play is like See-Saw situation. Tomorrow kiwis will look to take early wickets and try to make comparative total to level series 1-1.
Friday, April 3, 2009
SA Vs AUS 1st ODI Match Preview
Mitchell Johnson & David Hussy’s are in good nick. Aussi have brought one day specialties like Bracken & Hopes in team. Hope they will contribute to team’s success. Aussi’s are not finding good opening pair combination, like Gilly & Hayden. Michael Clarke is surly not looking comfortable in top order. So they must look for some specialist for opening slot.
Africans, must be happy with their Captain Smith is coming back from injury. Africans must be high on confidence after winning T20. They brought fresh players inside team, which will try to lift team’s moral and add exuberance. I personally like to see how Smith tackles Johnson rattling pace & bodyline stuff. This is going to be interesting battle. Spinners will play a crucial role. Johan Botha is in terrific form. He is not only bowling economical spells but taking wickets at crucial juncture. Unfortunately Aussi don’t have good quality spinner. They depend on part timers like Clarke, Hussy & might be North.
So don’t miss to watch 1st Day Night ODI starting at 12.30 GMT. Hopefully this match will go to wire.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
History or Mystery in Wellington
In Wellington not only 22 players will play but stormy and cold weather and pitch will play 23rd and 24th player’s crucial role. Both pitch & weather will be a key factor. Indians are looking more balanced side in batting and blowing department than kiwis. If you take look at records of number of fifties made by India’s playing eleven and kiwis eleven, its nearly more than 180 fifties compared to 48 fifties of black caps. Only Indian master blaster Sachin Tendulkar himself has scored nearly 45 fifties alone in test matches.
Bowlers also in nice rhythm. India’s new peace duo Zaheer & Ishant bowling good and tight spells in tandem to keep pressure on kiwis opening batsman. They also successful in taking early wickets. Both of them equally supported by third seamer Munaf Patel & India’s Spin Back Bone Harbhajan Singh. Forth seamer L.Ballaji might get chance to play last test, as conditions are looking friendly to swing bowling. India only concern of fielding department. They will have to take crucial catches to support blowers.
On other hand New Zealand players will try to carry forward their 2nd test performance in Wellington. They have definite advantage of home condition. Form of Jessie Ryder, Ross Taylor, McCullum and skipper Denial Vettori will lift team’s confidence. They will again have to continue their great show, which they have left in 2nd test. Skipper Vettori must have concerned about his blowing department. In last test they are unable to crack India’s Batting line up and failed to take 22 wickets. If they are deciding a strategy to have a whole in The Wall Rahul Dravid, India has second Wall Gautam Gambhir ready to put more pressure on kiwis. More worries for kiwi skipper.
Good news for India is, their magical skipper may play final frontier tomorrow. His presence will definitely increase confidence of Indian players. Both teams will defiantely try to make first use of grassy pitch & weather conditions and tries to take early wickets.
For me it’s going to be bowler’s game. They are the ones who is going stand in between History or Mystery in Wellington.
Tomorrow another two interesting battle will going on in between Australia Vs South Africa and West Indies Vs England.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Cricket Carnival Coming Up
Great news for cricket fans! Cricket carnival begins. You will not get time switch of your TV set. Best teams in the world of cricket are rearing to go in this season.
Carnival begins with most popular & entertaining T20 games. First to go Indian Premier League (IPL) April 18th to May 24th 2009; followed in no time ICC T20 World Cup June 5th to 21st 2009; Ashes start from July 8th to 24th August 2009.
All teams are looking in good touch.
On the other hand some of players are also looking in form of their life. Mitchell Johnson, Hussey Brothers, South Africa’s sensation JP Duminy, Botha, Albie Morkel, Indian stalwarts Sehwag, Dhoni, Yuvraj, Gambhir, Tendulkar, Zaheer, Harbhajan And Ishant Sharma.
This non stop action will be a great treat for cricket fans. So enjoy & have a ball.