Ind v Eng-ODI Series-Yuvraj's Sublime 150, Dhoni's Masterly 134 And Morgan's Superb 102

#INDvENG #ODI Series 2017

2nd ODI, #Cuttack

It was a day of centuries at the #Barabati #Stadium in #Cuttack, the venue for 2nd ODI between #India and #England. Trailing 0-1, English captain #EoinMorgan chose to chase on this super flat deck and also assuming that dew in evening would support their batsmen when chasing the total.

Early breakthroughs for #ChrisWoakes, including the prized scalp of talisman #VirakKohli put India on the backfoot early. Woakes snared Rahul, Virat and Dhavan in quick succession to send India reeling at 25 for 3.

In walked #MSDhoni to join #YuvrajSingh. It needed a partnership to not just bail India out of trouble but set a score where they could challenge the English batters. As it turned out, a dream partnership of sublime timing (Yuvraj - 150) and masterly timed innings (Dhoni - 134*) to guide India. They put on a stunning 256 run partnership (5th highest for any wicket in #ODIs). Both scoring majestic centuries in the bargain. By the time Yuvraj left, they had set up a great platform for the young bashers in Jadhav and Pandya to take centrestage.

With the insurance of Dhoni at the other end both didnt disappoint. Jadhav and Pandya slogged their way to get India to a massive 381 for 8 in 50 overs. MS remained unbeaten on 134.

The chase needed a similar response from English batsmen. However, #AlexHales nicked one Dhoni to get England to a worst possible start. Mr. Dependable #JoeRoot then joined #JasonRoy and both decided to take the attack to the Indians. Together they strung a century partnership.

Just when things began to look brighter , a change of bowling worked for Kohli.

#RAshwin,  after a poor game in Pune, bounced back to get Root. His flight and the wicket did him in. He lofted one straight to midwicket where skipper Kohli completed his catch.

#Morgan then stepped in and started accumulating runs. #JasonRoy kept smashing at the other end and propelled the innings with a wonderful 83 before he was castled by #Jaddu, #Moeen made a quickfire 50 and at 203 for 4 in 30 overs, the target seemed achievable. It was 20-20 scenario.

A couple of quick blows though set England back. Ashwin foxed dangerous #BenStokes and then tricked #JosButtler in quick succession to put pressure on England. #Morgan continued his fine strokeplay though and kept the asking rate within grasp. At 349 for 7, needing 33 in 18 balls, the game looked even and slightly tilted towards England since Morgan was in superb touch. 

Then tragedy struck. Bumrah's yorker was somehow dug by Plunkett but straight back to him. By that time, Morgan had followed up too long and way out of his crease. Bumrah ran him out comfortably to release a lot of tension in the India camp. The final couple of overs saw England fizzle out and ended 15 runs short of the target. What a pity! They were in it for most of the game and it would have been an all time classic run-chase if they had pulled this off!

India win the series 2-0 and the third one dayer will be played in #Kolkata on 22nd Jan 2017.

Man of the Match: Yuvraj Singh

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Its 6 Out Of 6 For India Womens Cricket Team In Asia Cup

#AsiaCup #WomensCricket
#IndvPak #AsiaCupFinal, #Bangkok

India maintained its unblemished record of winning all 6 editions of Women's Asia Cup till date and cemented their position as the strongest team in the continent by a fair distance. They now have a 32 match unbeaten record in the Asia Cup tournaments. This is the second edition of Asia Cup being played in #T20 format.

In the final, they were up against arch rivals #Pakistan and it was billed as a "thriller in the offing" game. It turned out to be damp squib. Batting first India scored 121 for 5 as they labored to their score in 20 overs. Pakistan bowlers applied pressure all the way and had it not been for a superb 73 from skipper Mithali Raj, they could have been in big trouble.

However, all signs of a classic game soon evaporated as the India spinners applied their version of the squeeze on the Pak batsmen and snuffed the game away. Mithali Raj was adjudged player of the match and the series. Kudos to the team on this triumph.

Brief Scores: 
Ind 121 for 5, 20 overs
Pak 104 for 6, 20 overs  

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Ind v NEw Zealand ODI Series: Virat Masterclass Sinks Kiwis

#IndvNZ #ODI Series 2016
#Mohali, #Punjab

India Beat New Zealand by 7 Wickets in the 3rd #ODI #Match to take a 2-1 lead in the 5 match series.

Powered by #JimmyNeessham's super hitting in the final overs to sail New Zealand from a precarious 199 for 8 to 285 all out in 49.4 overs, the #Kiwis fancied their chances bowling under lights on a lively Mohali pitch.

They snuffed #AjinkyaRahane and #RohitSharma cheaply as well leaving India struggling at 52 for 2. In walked #Skipper #MSDhoni to join #ViratKohli. Slowly and steadily they began to maneuver the ship in direction safety. The no. 4 slot seems perfect for #MS since he can stablize and take the bowlers to the cleaners in the latter part of the #Innings. he did exactly that and added a valuable 150 partnership with Virat before being dismissed softly off Henry for a well made 80.

Virat on the other hand is increasing his #Chase reputation by the day. Cant remember India failing to chase a score when he has scored above 50. He is the bankable star for India in #Runchases and he did just that smashing his 26th ODI #Ton. A true masterclass to steer India to victory by 7 wickets.

All in all, a clinical victory for India as they head into the 4th ODI attempting to wrap the series.
The #BlackCaps need to find in all their reserves and assist their #Captain #KaneWilliamson salvage something from this horror tour for them.

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Ind v NZ ODI Series: Kiwis Find New Zeal To Beat India By 6 Runs

#IndvNZ #ODISeries2016
#Kotla #NewDelhi

New Zealand defeated India by six runs in a closely-fought second One-Day International (#ODI) cricket match at the #FerozeshahKotla here on Thursday - the #Kiwis' first win on the current tour of the country.

#KedarJadhav (41) was the highest scorer for the hosts and skipper #MSDhoni contributed 39 runs in the team's chase of 243-run target. For New Zealand, #TimSouthee scalped three wickets while #TrentBoult and #MartinGuptill took two #Wickets each. #NewZealand scored 242/9 riding on skipper #KaneWilliamson's fine century (118). With the win, New Zealand squared the five-match series 1-1. It is also after 11 long years that India have lost an ODI at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground here.

"I feel this was one game where we lost wickets against the run of play, it was not that the deliveries were good, we just kept losing wickets," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony. "Until the end we had the run rate under control. When you're chasing you need to play 50 overs and at one stage it didn't look like we would," he said. Dhoni also credited New Zealand as his own bowlers for the superb show in the match.

"I felt the New Zealand bowlers bowled really well but we just kept losing wickets. I don't think there was a lot of #Dew, it was not coming out to the bat," he said. "I think we bowled really well, after the new ball it was key to get #ReverseSwing and put pressure on the #Batsman," Mishy (Amit #Mishra) bowled well and got crucial wickets.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was adjudged #ManOfTheMatch for his 118-run knock which was largely responsible for the visitors 242 run score on the board. Williamson too credited his bowlers for helping the Kiwis register their first win in the tour. "The wicket wasn't easy to increase the scoring rate, at the halfway stage we were a few off where we wanted to be. A lot of credit to the way we bowled, to create pressure on that surface was key and Trent Boult was outstanding," he said.

"The bowling was huge for us. We were below #Par but we did have enough runs to create a squeeze, dealing with the dew is never easy. The dew didn't help the #Spinners and they did a great job. There wasn't much turn but they did great for us. #Seam #Bowling was easier to face on that surface. It was a good game of cricket," Williamson added.

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IPL 2016 - Yusuf Powers KKR To Playoffs Thumping SRH

#IPL2016
#KKR v #SRH
#Kolkata

#KKR needing a MUST WIN match to progress toward #IPL2016 playoffs, played out of their skin to defeat (an already qualified) #SRH by 22 runs at #EdenGardens. On a tacky wicket that offered spin and bounce, they first posted a very competitive 171 (20 runs above par) and then their spinners strangled the SRH batsmen restricting them to 149 for 8.

Yusuf Pathan was undoubtedly the star of the show with his stoic innings. His role (as explained by #Gambhir in the match presentation) has been changed from brisk finisher to cool finisher. He takes his time, builds his innings and then explodes towards the end to guide his team through. He has done that a few times this season and this augurs well for #KKR as they head to the playoffs.

For #SRH, there are warning bells at the business end of the season. Their bowling (undoubtedly their better strength) looked jaded throughout, although they pulled it back in the last five overs. #Mustafizir is looking good, #Bhuvaneshwar and co. looked just OK and that's the area they need to watch out for. Batting remains a worry. Too much dependence on #Warner although #Dhawan did play a good knock today. Consistency seems to be lacking. #KaneWilliamson cannot explode but plays the holding game well. #Yuvraj has been on-off .. so bit of worry for #SRH and they need to really tighten up.

For #KKR, their #Spinners are coming good especially #SunilNarine who finished a fine spell today (3 for 26, his best this season so far). Others in #Piyush, #Yusuf playing their part well. Big loss in #Russell having to retire due to injury but all in all, they look in shape as they move to the qualifiers.

Man of the Match:
Yusuf Pathan

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IPL 2016 - Gujarat Lions Dim Mumbai Indians Chances To Qualify

#GL vs #MI
#IPL2016
#Kanpur, #GreenPark

Going into the last game of their respective campaigns, both teams had different agenda.
While #GujaratLions were seeking to top the table and go into Qualifier 1 (which gives them two shots at the Final), #MumbaiIndians were in a Must-Win situation to scrape through to the qualifiers by winning and hoping some results go their way. High stakes for both sides.

On a friendly deck at the #GreenPark, MI took first strike and suddenly found themselves in a hole.
After a brisk 30, captain #RohitSharma perished (huge blow in context of the game). He was soon followed by #Guptill and #KrunalPandya leaving Mumbai tottering at 45 for 3. #DhavalKulkarni and #DRSmith doing the damage for #GL.

Youngster #NitishRana and England batting mainstay #JosButtler then set about resurrecting the #MI innings. Rana was the aggressor surprisingly and his clean hitting was a pleasure to witness. Refreshing energy and audacious strokeplay made his innings very interesting but of priceless value for MI.

When Buttler fell for 33 off a brilliant c&b by #DJBravo, the scoreboard read 120 for 4, 13.4 overs.
An ideal launch pad for #Pollard to come in and take the game away from #GL. The well set Rana was going great guns as he smashed the Gujarat bowlers all over the place.

Rana was eventually out for a brilliant 70 (36 balls, 7 fours, 4 sixes). This eventually turned out to be the turning point in the game. Mumbai lost steam after that and last 3 overs only saw 19 runs accumulated. Pollard fell, Hardik Pandya couldn't hit a ball from the middle of the bat and Harbhajan's wild swings could only reach safe hands of long on. 

From a brilliant 153 for 5 in 17 overs, MI capitulated to 172 for 7 in 20 overs. 20 runs short. Massive in a #T20 game. Brilliant spells from Bravo and #PravinKumar minimized damage in the end overs.

It was upto Gujarat to lose the game since the target was well below par.
And their start was abysmal. #AaronFinch was out second ball trapped plumb in front by #VinayKumar. Captain #SureshRaina coming in 1-drop looked shaky upfront trying to move around the crease but unable to connect. The Big #Baz #McCullum wasn't looking comfortable either. However, #McClenaghan's over changed all that.  Raina smashed him for 3 fours and a six to change the momentum #GL way.

No looking back after that as Baz and Raina completed demoralized the MI bowlers, smashing them all over the park before McCullum was out with score on 96 in the 10th over. Comfortably placed.

#DineshKarthik got a rough caught behind decision while Raina's pyrotechnics to finish the game lobbed a straight one to the keeper made the game interesting. MI had a sniff. Or did they? Dr. Smith razed all their hopes biffing boundaries and sixes galore. #Jadeja finished the game with a heave over extra cover that eluded Guptill's outstretched hands for the winning single. Gujarat had won the match by 6 wickets.

Raina's blitzkrieg innings earned him the man of the match award.
Some really ordinary fielding from MI contributed to their loss as well.

Gujarat now top of the league assured of  1 or 2 finish (depending of how #SRH finish after their match against #KKR). #SRH confirmed of qualification though. #MI will have to wait for #KKR v #SRH and #DD v #RCB game' results and hope to scrape through.

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IPL 2016 - Dhoni Proves He Is Still Force To Reckon With vs KXIP

#IPL2016
#RisingPuneSupergiants vs #KXIP
21st May 2016, Vizag

Billed as the "Battle for the Bottom Of Table" clash, this was an inconsequential rubber between two sides that struggled throughout the season (especially KXIP who couldn't raise the bar when needed while RPS couldn't deliver knockout punches in those closing moments).

#MuraliVijay has done wonders for his own form since promotion to captaincy (at the expense of David Miller) halfway through the season. He is playing like a dream and continued his brilliant run with yet another fluent half century. With the classy #Amla for company he gave #KXIP a great start adding 60 in 7 overs before Amla fell.

After #Saha fell cheaply, he got together with #Gurkeerat to push their team with another 58 run stand. Unfortunately, he was bowled by #RAshwin and that put brakes on their scoring too. A flurry of wickets for Ashwin (his best bowling performance after a long, long time and his poor form has led to RPS failing to qualify for the Qualifiers/Eliminator) meant the score read 172 for 7 in 20 overs. 15 runs short.

However, as they always say "Runs On the Board" always plays a vital role in crunch games when pressure is on. #Rahane and #Khawaja started well but #Sandeep snapped Rahane while #AxarPatel foxed #Bailey to pull things back. #SaurabhTiwary and Khawaja smashed a few but 3 wickets in 2 overs for addition of just 8 runs pushed Pune completely on the backfoot. From 78 for 2 they slumped to 85 for 5 in a blink of an eye.

Situation perfectly positioned for the "Greatest Finisher Of All Time" - #MSDhoni. He first steadied the landslide with #ThisaraPerera to get the game within his striking zone. His usual tactic of taking the game deep and building up pressure on the other side.

The equation 2 overs - 30 runs to win. Steep but right in the MS Zone...

The make things worse, Perera was out first ball of the 19th over caught behind off Mohit. A big blow since Perera;s lusty hits were crucial for RPS cause. R Ashwin joined him. Again he steadied himself that over with just 7 runs taking the game to the last over. Last overs are MS Dynasty.

Still 23 from 6 was a bit too much for Dhoni, who has not been in great form off-late in close matches.

Ball 1 - DOT BALL - Gold dust! Axar fires this one into #Dhoni who mistimes it mid-wicket.

Ball 2 - WIDE ... Pressure of bowling to #Dhoni!! Axar fires this down leg and Saha does well to gather that wide.

Ball 2 - CRASSSSH .... SIX over long on. #MS powers this with brute force.

Ball 3 - CRACK ... BUT WHAT A SAVE !!! ... Dhoni smashes this over cover and wants to enjoy that boundary. In flies superman #Amla and makes an unbelievable stop on the boundary. Big chance to snap two missed by Dhoni. Is this the moment?

Ball 4 - VHOOM .... Dhoni corrects his shot making line and smashes this one  over long off for a one bounce boundary. Well done. #Axar under tremendous pressure now to defend 12 from 2 balls.

Ball 5- SMASSSSH - Cows corner is beckoning and MS pulverizes that short delivery to deep midwicket. What calmness and power under pressure! #Axar the opposite - cringy and sweaty.

6  needed to win. 4 wont do. Has to be the maximum.

Ball 6 - HELICOPTER SHOT ! - Flicks this one in his inimitable style over mid-wicket once again! Better delivery from #Axar but #Dhoni is right upto it, clears his front leg and launches this one to finish an incredible game in the coolest way possible.

No expressions of joy on his face. Usual self. Coolly walks to his partner Ashwin and hugs him. No bellowing, hand gestures, angry face or relief. That's #CaptainCool #MSDhoni for you.

KXIP shouldn't be disappointed. They ran into the Finishing Machine who just turned it on tonight.

RPS ending their campaign in 7th place, KXIP in 8th on the points table. Both teams eliminated from the championship. But, owing to Dhoni ... RPS won the battle of honour.

Man of the Match: M S Dhoni

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#WT20 West Indies Stun India Storm Into Finals

#IndvsWI
#Semifinal, #Wankhede, #Mumbai

West Indies have pulled out a rabbit out of the hat.
They trounced the favourites India, chasing 192 in a brilliant run chase.

After a poor start, loosing Gayle and Samuels under 3 overs for not too many, Johnston Charles and Lendl Simmons started a repair job. Charles took the initiative and attacked the spinners first to pull back the momentum in favour of the Windies.

Lendl Simmons rode his luck through his brilliant innings of 82 off 51 balls.
On 18, he was caught behind point by Bumrah off Ashwin. He trudged back only to see umpires call him back because Ashwin had overstepped! Not out and Free hit...

On 44, he was caught at covers by Ashwin off Pandya. He started walking back again and wait wait ... he was called back again. Pandya has overstepped. Not out and the ensuing Free Hit was dispatched for six over mid-wicket.

He got another life towards end of the match when he launched Bumrah towards mid-wicket where Jadeja held on to a catch near the rope and parried it back to Virat to complete the catch. Simmons started the walk back again but destiny, it seemed, wanted him to win it for the Windies Umpires checked with third umpire and replays showed Jadeja had touched the boundary rope when taking that catch. SIX!

Andre Russell came in and delivered the finishing punches to hand India defeat and power West Indies to the #WT20 Final at Kolkata. They will play England in Sunday's game. Incidentally, the Windies Women have also qualified for the Final and will take on Australia at the same venue early in the day.

For Dhoni's men, they will rue in all those no-balls on a belter of a pitch that had nothing for the bowlers. #Dew made it worse. Hence those No-ball wickets and missed opportunities will haunt them for a while. In hindsight, they will also rue the fact that they didn't go big early in their innings as Sammy correctly put it, India were 10 runs short and indeed that proved to be the case.

#LIVE #SCORE
India: 192 for 2, 20 overs
West Indies: 196 for 3, 19.4 overs

Man of the Match: Lendl Simmons (82 off 51 balls)
 
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WT20 - Virat Masterclass Against Aus Propels India In Semis

‪#‎IND‬ v ‪#‎AUS‬

Group 2 Match, Mohali

An absolute superlative batting performance from Virat Kohli ensured India beating Australia's challenging total of 160 to book a semi-final berth at ‪#‎WT20‬. It was almost surreal batting from Virat after India were rocked earlier and struggling at 50 for 3 in 8 overs.

Firstly, along with Yuvraj he steadied things before Yuvraj sprained his ankle and got out soon after. Once MS Dhoni joined him, they started pushing the Aussie fielders and ran wonderfully between the wickets to get the target in sight.

However it was still daunting to score 39 in 3 overs.
This is when Virat unleashed his astonishing mental and batting skills to cruise through to the target. He first smashed 19 runs off Faulkner's 18th over and then 16 in Coulter-Nile's 19th over to set up just 4 in the final over. Dhoni finished the game in his customary smash over midwicket for a boundary.

Stunning win for Indian Cricket Team
They will now play West Indies in the second semifinal of #WT20 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. NZ play England in the first semis at Kotla, New Delhi.

‪#‎LIVE‬ ‪#‎SCORE‬
Aus: 160 for 6, 20 overs
Ind: 161 for 4, 19.1 overs

Man of the Match: Virat Kohli (82 off 51 balls)

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WT20 India Beat Pak, Keep Their Record Intact

#Ind v #Pak

#WT20 Group 2 Match
#EdenGardens, #Kolkata

After a hiccup upfront losing 3 quick wickets, chase specialists Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh steered India home to a comfortable win against Pakistan. Muhammad Amir with his typical initial burst picked up Rohit Sharma, while Mohamad Sami castled Dhawan and Raina off consecutive deliveries to leave India stuttering at 23 for 3. Demons of that horror run chase against NZ three days ago creeped into Indian spectators' thoughts.

However, Yuvi smothered the spinners with sweep while Virat took on the seamers with his wristy flicks and cuts. They took the occassional risk to up the run-rate and those paid off. Once in command, both of them cut loose and dashed Pak hopes of a comeback.

Although Irfan accounted for Yuvi, the damage had been done. In walked Dhoni and finished off the game in his inimitable style with a sixer and single off Irfan. Virat's unbeaten fifty was a masterpiece considering all other batsmen struggled to time the ball. He was undoubtedly man of the match.

#LIVE #SCORE
Pak 118 for 5, 18 overs.
India 119 for 5, 16.2 overs
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WT20 - Power Masters LalaAfridi and GayleStorm Dominate Day 2

#WT20 - #Pak v #Ban
Group 2 Match
Eden Gardens, Kolkata

#Lala #Afridi sends a warning to #India with a brilliant all round performance vs #Bangladesh

Pakistan's batting, the seemingly weak link came to the party today with their top order really clicking well to set up a big score of 201 in 20 overs. Shehzad, Hafeez built a solid platform and Afridi just launched a breath-taking assault on the hapless Bangla bowlers to pile up a huge score.

In return, Bangladesh were no match for the fiery Pak seamers, especially Mohammad Amir. They could only manage 146 for 6 in their 20 overs. Shakib's fifty ad Shabbir's brief onslaught the only highlights of their innings.

#LIVE #SCORE
Pak - 201 for 5, 20 overs
Ban - 146 for 6, 20 overs
Man of the Match: Shahid Khan Afridi Lala

#WT20 - #Eng v #WI
Group 1 Match
Wankhede, Mumbai

#Gayle "Storm" strikes #England

Chasing a daunting 183, the Superstar West Indian smashed his second WT20 hundred (only player to do so) in just 47 balls to help Windies canter home by 6 wickets and 2 overs to spare!

He was lethal on seamers, spinners, medium pacers and just about everything that England threw at him. He has sent a strong message to other teams in the competition to not take #WI lightly.

#LIVE #SCORE
England - 183 for 5, 20 overs
West Indies - 184 for 4, 18.1 overs
Man of the Match: Chris Gayle-SPARTAN

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WT20 - New Zealand Ambush India In Their Den

#‎Ind‬ v ‪#‎NZ‬
Group 2 - Match 
VCA Ground, Nagpur

Kiwis handed India their second worst ‪#‎T20‬ defeat at Nagpur today. 
Defending a smallish 126, their spinners demmolished the famed batting line up for 79 !

Indian batsmen inexplicably imploded chasing this total and folded cheaply.
Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni tried but without support from others, they faded away.

Architects of NZ win were Corey Anderson with the bat while spinners Nathan McCullum (2 wicket) and Ish Sodhi (3 wickets). However, ‪#‎MitchellSantner‬ pulled off a match-winning performance with with valuable 18 runs and 4 wickets and was adjudged Man of the M
atch.

Group 2 and the #T20 World Cup opens up safter this astonishing result. What a start!!!

Brief LIVE Scores
NZ - 126 for 7, 20 overs
Ind - 70 all out, 18.1 overs

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Australia Lead 2-0 After Two Facile 300+ Runchases, Rohit Tons in Vain

#IND v #AUS
2nd #ODI at #GABBA, #Brisbane
15th Jan 2016

#Australia cruise to another facile win against spineless #India in the second ODI at #GABBA, Brisbane, Australia today.

First, the Indian batsmen faltered late in their batting innings when 330 looked pretty easy, to end up on 308 in their 50 overs. Some good death bowling by Faulkner and Hastings too.

In reply, none of the Australian batsmen were troubled by this lacklustre bowling attack. Finch, Shaun Marsh, Bailey scored fifties while Smith chipped in with 46 and Maxwell 34. 

Easy win yet again for Australia, (lead 2-0 in 5 match series) and that should be worrying Dhoni really. His bowlers arent able to defend 300+ scores and not even able to make a match of out it!

Rohit should be the most disappointed man. Both his hundreds have gone in vain. In hindsight, his run-out could have been the turning point in this game. What do you think? (with him around 330 was a big possibility).

What happens next?
We move to #MCG on 17th Jan for the 3rd ODI, and supposedly this is India's chance to come back (do they have a choice?) with pitch that might suit their spinners?

Perhaps bat second? Not sure. I can guarantee .. if India was chasing in these first two games they would have floundered under the relentless Aussie attack. Its not about the quality of bowling (Australia are considerably weaker without their heavyweights), its about the mental fortitude which India is lacking big time.

Lets see what happens. For now, they sit down and lick their wounds.

#LIVE #SCORE
India - 308 for 8, 50 overs
Australia - 309 for 3, 49 overs

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RCB Annihilate Hopeless Royals - Breeze Into Qualifier 2

#RCB vs #RR
#Eliminator
#MCA Stadium, Pune
20th May 2015

A much anticipated duel between the two "Royal" teams Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals ended in a damp squib at the MCA stadium in Pune.

#RCB outclassed a clueless and planless #RR team in all departments to secure a Qualifier 2 entry to meet #CSK. The winner there will compete with #MI for the #IPL crown on Sunday in Kolkata.

Today's game was rightly called the Eliminator, since losers would pack bags.
Hence it was expected both teams to compete really fiercely but only one team landed up and played this match. Royals were nowhere after first 9 overs of their bowling innings. It all went horribly wrong for them there on.

At 47 for 2 in 9 overs, RCB were under serious pressure and looked out of sorts. That's when #ABDevilliers and #MandeepSingh got together and delivered a stunning 113 run partnership off just 70 balls to set tone for a massive first innings total of 180 for 4.

The wicket wasn't easy to bat on, hence it was important to score decent and put the bowlers in action. Not only did RCB score brilliantly but when they came out to bowl, they delivered a perfectly clinical bowling performance too.

None of the RR batsman got going or carried on after a start.
Rahane top score with 42 but never got going.

Watson was out in the 2nd over followed closely by Samson and Smith (a hugely disappointing IPL for him after the glory of CWC15). Every batsman came in, tried to hang in and then got out. Karun Nair, Deepak Hooda, James Faulkner, Stuart Binny completed a procession of wickets to complete a royal misery.

What was surprising that head coach Rahul Dravid didn't plan this well at all? This was abject, not poor. Not that RCB didn't do very well but the manner in which RR cracked indicated poor intensity, application and skill.

RCB are not complaining. They are flying to Ranchi to take on CSK, a bogey team for them.
They need to much better in all departments to beat that MS Dhoni led super side.

#LIVE #SCORE
RCB - 180 for 4, 20 overs
RR - 109 all out, 19 overs

Man of the Match: A B Devilliers

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MI Crush CSK To Enter IPL Final

#CSK vs #MI
#Qualifier 1
#Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
19th May 2015

A superb all round performance from Mumbai Indians​ ensured they qualified for the IPL - Indian Premier League​ final beating Chennai Super Kings​ by 26 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. 

Watched by a sea of blue MI fans, they batted and bowled CSK out of the game easily. Their openers put another sterling show by setting up 90 for the opening stand to lay foundation for #Pollard to play his usual cameos to end with a flourish and set a challenging 188 run target for CSK to win.

After a lucky horror decision against Dwayne Smith and accounting for Mike Hussey, Faf Du Plessis and Suresh Raina momentarily steadied the ship and looked threatening. It all ended in one dramatic and special Harbhajan Singh​ over. He claimed wickets of Suresh Raina​ and MS Dhoni​ off consecutive deliveries firmly turned tide in their favor.

The middle and late order batsmen tried hard but the target was beyind them.

MI will head to Kolkata for the IPL final (24th May 2015) and await winner of Qualifier 2, scheduled for 22nd May 2015 in Ranchi. CSK will now play that game against winners of the Eliminator (#RCB or #RR).

#LIVE #SCORES
MI - 187 for 6, 20 overs
CSK - 162 all out, 19 overs 

Man of the Match: #Kieron #Pollard

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CSK Win Thriller By 1 Run vs Morkel Stunner for DD

#CSK vs #DD
#IPL8
9th Apr 2015

An #AlbieMorkel stunner couldn't put DD over the line against CSK in a sensational thriller at Chennai. Chasing 151 to win, DD made a hash of it losing wickets upfront to Ashish Nehra and then again in the middle innings to make it real tough but Morkel was the last man standing. He came in at 3 and was there until the end but just couldnt hit the last ball of the match a couple of yards further to earn the sixer needed to win! It was that close... CSK and Dhoni will have heaved a big sigh of relief as they got out of jail here...

Needing 20 to win in the last over by Dwayne Bravo, Morkel edged one behind to thirdman for a boundary, much needed start. Two singles of the next two balls meant DD needed 14 in 3 balls with Morkel on strike. He smote the next delivery over long on for a massive six to bring the equation to 8 in 2 and within striking range. 

The next delivery was cut fiercely towards deep point, where Suresh Raina dived full length to stop a certain boundary and restrict Morkel to two. 

6 needed from 1 ball.

A long discussion between Dhoni and co to set fields, and Bravo served a wide half volley that Morkel smashed between long off and deep extra cover. The ball sailed for a long time and everyone felt it would go the distance but it just fell short by a couple of metres inside the rope. Boundary! Oh no... DD fall 1 run short of a tie and CSK win...

Earlier in the day, put into bat, CSK didnt look comfortable upfront against Coulter-Nile and struggled to keep the momentum going but Faf Du Plessis and Dwayne Smith steadied the ship before a typical Dhoni end-over show took them to a respectable 150 for 7 in 20 overs.

A superb game DD should have won though ... Albie you beauty! 
Superb!

Brief Scores:
CSK: 150 for 7 (20 overs)
DD: 149 for 9 (20 overs)

Man of the Match: Ashish Nehra for his three wickets to dent DD's start in their run-chase.

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Rohit Masterclass In Vain As KKR beat MI At Eden Gardens

#MI vs #KKR
#EdenGardens
8th Apr 2015

After a glittering opening ceremony of #IPL8 yesterday, the business began with a big game between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders and 2013 champs Mumbai Indians.

Both teams packed with heavy weights, some of them super heroes from the recently included #CWC15, made it an even contest. MI boasted of Rohit Sharma, Corey Anderson, Kieron Pollard, Lasith Malinga, Aaron Finch while KKR were powered by Gautam Gambhir, Morne Morkel, Sunil Narine and surprise pick KC Cariappa from the domestic league (for a whopping 2.5 crore!)

Put into bat, Mumbai Indians were put under enormous pressure by Morne Morkel with his bounce and perfect line and length bowling. Rohit and Co. were unable to get a fluent start and runs weren't flowing enough. That pressure resulted in three quick wickets for KKR to be right on top in this match. Morkel accounted for Finch and Rayudu while Shakib sent Tare back to reduce MI to 37 for 3 in 6 overs.

Corey Anderson joined Rohit and started steadying the ship. Slowly and steadily they built the innings to an ideal launch pad scenario and took off around the 14th over. Some breath taking display of batting from both batsmen, especially Rohit, ensured they reached a healthy 169 for 3 in 20 overs. Rohit with a handsome 98 and Anderson with a beefy 55 remained unbeaten.

KKR's chase started in a wobbly manner.
Gautam was dropped behind by Tare off Vinay Kumat very early
Robin Uthappa was dropped by Anderson off his own bowling in the very next over and eventually edged one to slip where Harbhajan took a straight chance!

Manish Pandey, the new man in brought urgency and fluency to the KKR innings. That seemed to have rubbed on Gambhir and he opened up too. Soon both were dealing in boundaries and keeping abreast with the run rate. Pandey fell to Harbahajan for a solid 40. 98 for 2 in 12 overs.

That brought in young Suryakumar Yadav who was timing the ball beautifully from ball one. 

Gautam continued well and completed his 50 before holing one into the deep off Bumrah to make it interesting at 121 for 3.

New man Yusuf struggled for a while but Suryakumar at the other end smashed Malinga all over the park to complete a facile win for KKR. Their unbeaten streak of wins continuing from previous IPL.

Brief Scores:
MI: 168 for 3 (20 overs)
KKR: 170 for 3 (18.3 overs)

Man of the Match: Morne Morkel, for that miserly spell upfront to put brakes on MI innings.

All in all, great start to the IPL and looking forward to some cool action over the next two months!

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CWC15 LIVE - Australia Thump India, Meet NZ In Sunday's Final

#India vs #Australia
#SCG
26th Mar 2015

Australia have thumped India in the second semifinal at #SCG clinically.
India looked up for it in their run chase until the 13th over when Dhawan and Rohit were taking the Australian bowlers on... but once Dhawan went, it was a procession of wickets that pushed them back.

After that, it was downhill although #MSDhoni and #AjinkyaRahane strung a small partnership to raise some hopes but it was a big ask and they capitulated under immense pressure.

They didnt seem to have a Plan B, but their Plan A went horribly wrong losing the top 4 batsmen in a freak period after being 76 for no loss in 13 overs to go to 108 for 4 in 22 overs.

For Australia, it was #MitchellStarc yet again doing most of the damage along with #MitchellJohnson and #JamesFaulkner. It was the perfect game for Australia - bat first, pile score and put pressure on the opposition. India were not up for it today and their winless summer against Australia continued. Disappointing end to their campaign

Australia will now play New Zealand in the big Sunday final.

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Aus: 328 for 7
Ind: 233 all out 46.3 overs

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CWC15 - Elliott Heroics Pull Off Dramatic Win For NZ vs SA

#NewZealand vs #SouthAfrica
#Auckland
24th Mar 2015

#GrantElliott couldn't have chosen a better day to demonstrate why he was picked up in the New Zealand squad for #CWC15. At 36, he was already on the wane when a surprise call up to the Kiwi squad had raised everyone's eyebrows and questions. Well ... all those questions were answered today.

When he walked in to bat NZ had just lost #MartinGuptill to a needless runout and SA sniffed half a chance to stage a comeback. Shortly after, #RossTaylor edged one behind off #JPDuminy to put further pressure on the Kiwi middle order. frankly they werent tested enough in the competition thus far. This was different though. World Cup semi final, a highly pumped SA super bowling attack made life very tough out there.

#CoreyAnderson joined him and together they set out task to rebuild the innings and buidl solid platfrom for a late dash at the target. They did it beautifully mixing caution with aggression to keep within touching distance. Their century partnership laid a solid foundation for the Kiwis to move ahead in the game.

As things got tense, Anderson holed out to square leg, #LukeRonchi holed out to midwicket, Elliott runout was missed, his skier was spilled on the deep square leg fence... thats it .. he may have felt. This was his day and he made most of it. 

In the end, with 5 in 2 balls, he planted #DaleSteyn over the long on boundary to complete an exhilarating, thrilling and ever-so-close win. New Zealand qualified for the finals (for the first time in 10 attempts) where they await either India or Australia (2nd Semifinal, SCG on 26th Mar 2015)

Extraordinary scenes of jubilation and sorrow.
SA gutted, NZ overjoyed .. 

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
SA: 281 for 5, 43 overs
NZ: 299 for 6, 42.5 overs (target revised to 297 - D/L system)

Man of the Match: #GrantElliott

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CWC15 LIVE - NZ Beat WI To Complete Semifinal Lineup

#NewZealand vs #WestIndies
#Wellington
21st Mar 2015

New Zealand have completed a clinical win against West Indies in their quarterfinal match at #CWC15. They will now face #SouthAfrica in the first semi-final at Auckland on 24th March 2015.

It was #MartinGuptill's show.
From Ball 1 to Ball 300, he was at the crease and scored an unbelievable 237* in 161 balls to catapult the New Zealand score to 393 for 6 in 50 overs. Truly sensational knock that knocked West Indies out of the game.

They tried. And hard.
Windies came out with purpose and threw caution to the wind.
Gayle, Samuels, Carter, Sammy, Holder came out and dished out some treatment to the Kiwi bowlers. But, the task was too daunting to overhaul.

For New Zealand, #TrentBoult captured 4 wickets while Vettori and Southee took 2 wickets each.  
Easy game for Kiwis, the action starts now with the top four teams taking their spots in the semifinals. The #CWC15 moving towards the grand finale!

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
NZ: 393 for 6, 50 overs
WI: 250 all out, 30.2 overs

Man of the Match: #MartinGuptill

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