Ind v Eng Test Series 2016 - Fifties From Nos 7-8-9 Ensure India Lead by 117

#IndvEng #TestSeries 2016
3rd Test Match - #Mohali

Day 3
Dogged fifties from India's No. 7 R Ashwin, No. 8 Ravindra Jadeja and No. 9 Jayant Yadav ensured India drove in the advantage in the first innings of this crucial test match (3rd of  5 match series, India leading 1-0). India lead by 117 runs at the changeover and England have their work cut out on a pitch where bounce is going to be the biggest area of concern for either side. India will bat last, so they will look forward to keep England to as low a score as possible. 

Day 2
After Kohli and Pujara ensured safety by batting out a good second session and reaching 148 for 2, the last session on Day 2 started quite dramatically. Pujara mistimed one in the deep in the very first over, Rahane's poor form in the series continued as he perished for a blob soon after. This was followed by a horrible mixup between Kohli and debutant Karun Nair leading to the latter's runout. From 148 for 2, India slipped to 155 for 5. England came back strongly in the game.

First Ashwin and Kohli ensured no further casualty until the score reached 204. Then Kohli lost his concentration and nibbled at a delivery outside off to get caught behind for a wonderful 62. India were still in a perilous condition.

Ravindra Jadeja strode in and got into his groove quickly. His style of batting ensures one thing. He will get quick runs and put pressure on the opposition with his unorthodox batting. Thats exactly what happened since Captain Cook had to place in out fields to avoid runs. As a result, the pressure eased off and both batsmen made merry of the English bowling.

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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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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 - Hunt for Fourth Semifinalist - Ind v Aus

#Ind v #Aus
#WT20, Group 2 Match
#Mohali

New Zealand, West Indies, England - 3 semi final spots booked.
Fourth spot = ??? India or Australia?

Its all come down to this last game in Group 2 to decide who would take that fourth spot in #WT20 2016. The script couldn't have been better. Expect another cracker of a game between these two fierce opponents (almost like two bulls locking horns to show who's the boss?) whose cricketing rivalry has reached unparalleled levels over the last few years in the limited over formats.

On paper, India will have the upper hand in this game.
India is currently ranked #1 in T20, Australia are at #6.
Playing at home will give India an immense advantage with the pitch, conditions, crowds. Their spinners' strength will test out the fragile-to-spin Australian batting.

But, you count out Australia at your own peril.
Their batting is exemplary in most conditions and having played #IPL most of their players are fairly adapted to these Indian conditions. (by the way ... IPL starts a week after this #WT20 so fasten your seat belts for that one too!)

Their bowlers, though inexperienced, always show true Aussie grit and aggression when bowling against any side or situation. Their fielding is world class and way ahead of their Indian counterparts.

Will it be a pure cricketing skill contest when they meet today? 
Not sure ... both teams have had a history of going at each other verbally on the field and therefore expect a #Sledgefest at Mohali. One thing is for sure, Ind v Aus games are not for the faint hearted or purists. They are more like a brawl... and that's what we can expect today.

May the best team win. I dare predict that winner of this match will eventually go and claim the #WT20 trophy as well!

India strengths: MS Dhoni's superlative brain and cool in tight situations, Virat Kohli's superlative form, Ashwin and Jadeja's spin exploits, Bumrah's death bowling.

India weaknesses: Fragile top order - none of Rohit, Dhawan or Raina have got going, Even more fragile middle order after Kohli - Yuvraj, Dhoni, Pandya and Jadeja haven't been too consistent to invoke confidence, Fifth bowler options look limited.

Australia strengths: Top order looks solid - Khawaja's form, Finch's reliability and Warner's destructive nature, Firepower down the line - Big Show Maxwell, Watson and Faulkner can provide fireworks towards end of their innings, Steady bowling attack

Australia weaknesses: Fragile against spin in this conditions, no batsman has runaway with games on his own - its been fits and starts, inexperienced spinners and seamers in a huge crunch match will need a lot nerves and mental strength.  

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Windies Hara Kiri in the Semifinal of 1996 World Cup

Defining Moments of #ICCWorldCup

Aus v WI , 1996, World Cup Semifinal, Mohali

If the first semi final between Sri Lanka and India at Eden Gardens, Kolkata had drama, this second semifinal had its share too! Boy .. what a game!

Again two critical moments in the game

1. The Stuart Law and Michael Bevan partnership

Batting first the Aussies got off to the worst possible start 15/4 (Taylor, Mark Waugh, Ponting, Steve Waugh all come and gone).

The Windies were harboring thought of a 100+ run chase and cantering into the World Cup final. 

The two however had different ideas. Slowly, they started building a solid partnership. Once they got their eyes in, Law took the attack to the opposition while Bevan held fort. A magnificent parttneship of 127 followed before Law was run out but not before laying a foundation for a somewhat fightable score. The Aussies eventually made 207 in their stipulated 50 overs. Something to bowl at...

2. Shivanrine Chanderpaul's wicket
Chasing a modest score, the Windies began cautiously. Chanderpaul and Browne took the score to 25 before Shane Warne got rid off Browne for 10. In came Brian Lara and tore into the Aussie bowling in his inimitable style. 

The two put on a 50+ stand in no time before Lara was bowled by Steve Waugh for 45.

The West Indian captain, Richie Rcihardson joined Chanders and they set about chasing the target like it was a walk in the park. At 165 for 2 in 41 overs, the game seemed done and dusted. 

43 off 54 balls with 8 wickets in hand.

Then tragedy struck for the Windies (just like it had for the Indians when Sachin was out after dominating the opposition bowling). In a rush of blood, Chanderpaul spooned a catch to mid on to be dismissed for 65 and the game turned course dramatically.

Warne claimed 3 wickets in no time after that. The seamers applied run pressure and Windies started collapsing. Richardson was still around and kept pushing the score along. However, he was loosing partners at the other end and fast.

As the last over began and 10 needed to win with two wickets in hand, Richardson smote a boundary followed by a single attempt that led to Ambrose being run out. In walked Courtney Walsh, the batsman with most ducks to his name then.

And what happened, first ball, Damien Fleming castled his off stump.

Windies all out for 202, 5 runs short of the Aussie total.

Extaordinary scenes in Mohali and Aussies celebrated while the West Indian captain sadly walked back unconquered but defeated!

Amazing game of cricket with awesome memories. We were watching this game on Doordarshan (India's TV broadcaster) when there was a power outage in our locality. This is when the Windies fuse went off too. They were coasting at 158 for 2 then and we felt it was a matter of time before they crossed the winning line.

We switched over to All India Radio (India's Radio broadcaster) and the commentary was magical. Hats of Gautam Bhimani and Abhay Chaturvedi for bring the match alive for us. The drama, twists and turns, wickets, runs were so beautifully presented, we felt we were at the stadium.

By the time the power came back, Windies needed 10 in the last over and the rest as they say is all history!!