IPL 2017 MI Wins IPL Beating RPS By 1 Run

#IPL 2017 Final
#MIvRPS

Rising Pune had won all the three meetings between the teams this year.
But, Mumbai Indians defeated Rising Pune Supergiant in the 10th edition of Indian Premier League on Sunday to lift their third IPL trophy. Having zipped past nearly all other teams, MI had not been able to defeat RPS.

At various times, skipper Smith, the talismanic MS Dhoni, Manoj Tiwary and even a largely off-colour Ajinkya Rahane had inspired the team to victory. This was one of the closely contested IPL Finals till date.

In a match that went right down to the last ball, Mumbai registered a one-run victory in the packed Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in Hyderabad. MI began favourites in this title clash - for they had good balance and several match-winners in their ranks. If it was not for the brilliance of Krunal Pandya (47), the "blues" would have found it hard to cross 120 and provide some resistance to their nemesis this season. Mumbai were reeling at 79-7 but Krunal Pandya topscored for them with a belligerent 47 before falling to the final delivery of the innings.

Mitchell Johnson's brilliant final over ensured RPS couldnt cross the line and become IPL champions and MI lifted the trophy a third time; 2013, 2015 and now 2017.

MI again tormented Dhoni and Fleming in an IPL final yet again. In four previous final losses in CSK colours, two of those had come against the Mumbai Indians.

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IPL 2017 Final 2017: Balanced MI Take On Their Bogey Rival RPS In Maha Derby

#IPL 2017 #Final
#MIvRPS

Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiant will meet in the Indian Premier League final on Sunday, less than a week after the two sides faced off in the first qualifier, which Pune won. Supergiant cruised to a routine 20-run win in that match, but Mumbai's bowlers appear to have discovered their form since, holding Kolkata Knight Riders to just 107 runs in Friday's second qualifier.

The match will be played at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad.

RPS lead Mumbai 3-0 this season (2 league wins and win in Qualifier 1) and will look to keep their grip hold. MI on the otherhand would like to show who is the real boss? owing to their allround ability and better team strength.

Mumbai's bowlers redeemed themselves in a big way on Friday after their disappointing showing in the first qualifier, bowling out Kolkata in fewer than 19 overs on their way to a fine win. Karn Sharma led the way with four wickets, and he finished with some remarkable numbers overall. 

He wasn't the only one who impressed, with Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Johnson and Lasith Malinga all living up to their hefty expectations. It was the kind of spectacular bowling performance the Indians needed, and a far cry from Tuesday's poor showing.

In their last meeting, Pune had two players score half-centuries (Ajinkya Rahane and Manoj Tiwary), while MS Dhoni added an unbeaten 40. Supergiant were extremely aggressive, but the tactic ultimately paid off. It didn't hurt that Mumbai's top order stumbled, with only Parthiv Patel scoring at a fair rate. Rohit Sharma was kept very quiet, and that's unlikely to happen again.

The absence of both Ben Stokes and Imran Tahir didn't seem to bother Pune all that much in their last match, but their experience could have been crucial in a final. If there's one thing Mumbai aren't shy of, it's just that―experience.

Expect Mumbai's top stars―Sharma, Kieron Pollard and Lendl Simmons―to flash their big-match potential on their way to halting Pune's win streak over Indians. It will be close, but Mumbai are billed win the IPL title on Sunday unless the wily old fox - MS Dhoni and Steve Smith have some tricks in their bag!

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IPL 2017: RPS Skipper Steve Smith Will Not Take Tips From MS Dhoni

#IPL #IPL 10 #IPL 2017

#IndianPremierLeague

#Australia #Skipper #SteveSmith may have just ended a draining Test series against #India, finishing on the losing side, but he won't brook any unsolicited advice as he begins his #Leadership role with #IPL side Rising Pune Supergiants (#RPS)

Steve Smith was a slightly #Controversial appointment to lead the new #Franchise in place of #MSDhoni, the former India skipper who has only played as captain in the previous nine IPL #Editions.

RPS team owner, Sanjiv Goenka, said on Thursday at a team #News #Conference that the change was 'amicable', having earlier explained that the change was made in the best interests of a #Team that had finished seventh out of eight teams on its debut last year.

Asked about the switch to IPL and playing with three other captains, Steve Smith first said he looked forward to interacting with the different leaders. "Centrally, it will make my job easier. The #IPL will be beneficial to me. There are a lot of international #Players and I will get to share the #DressingRoom with them. I will know what people from different parts of the world are thinking," Smith said.

However, when pressed about whether he would welcome constant inputs from the seniors -- #AjinkyaRahane and England all-rounder #BenStokes were also in the podium -- he was categorical.

"There are plenty of guys to talk to, but it is important not to have too many opinions. If opinions are coming from left, right and centre, it can cloud your judgement," Smith said. "I'll try to stay as clear as possible, but it can be difficult sometimes if there are too many opinions."

#MSDhoni had played in the IPL only as #Captain for nine years before he was replaced by RPS owner, Sanjiv Goenka. Smith will have plenty of captaincy challenges as India's match-winning bowler, #RavichandranAshwin, is also part of the team.

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Ind v Aus Test Series 2017 : Steve Smith Disappointed With BCCI For Mathew Wade Clip

#IndvAus #TestSeries 2017 #India

Here's the Story:

Australian #Skipper #SteveSmith revealed that he was very disappointed with #BCCI's action of releasing a commentary-free version of the #Spat between India's #RavindraJadeja and Australia's #MatthewWade. 

According to Smith, what's said on the field should stay on the field and the BCCI was not right in releasing the video on the internet. 

"I was a little bit disappointed that the BCCI sieved through the #Archives to find a #Conversation out on the #Field that was happening between Matty and Jadeja. I think it's happened between both sides this series so the fact that they've done that to us is a little bit disappointing. Usually what's said on the field should stay on the field," Smith said in the #PostMatch #PressConference.

Smith also offered the members of the Indian #CricketTeam to join them for a beer in the dressing rooms after the end of a thrilling #TestSeries in which both the teams gave more than 100% to get the bragging rights of the #Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

According to ABC Grand Stand's Alister Nicholson, Steve Smith opened up to him and said he asked India's skipper in the fourth Test, #AjinkyaRahane, if they could join India for a beer in the dressing rooms.

For your information, the see-saw four-match Test seriessaw #Sledging and other #Controversies hogging the #Limelight more than the on-field performances. Both the teams were involved in #Abusing the opposition throughout the series. 

What happened actually?

During the first session of Day 3 of the fourth Test, Jadeja was threatening to take the game away from the Aussies with a sublime 63. In a ploy to unsettle the Saurashtra all-rounder, the Australians began to sledge him; wicketkeeper Matthew Wade and Smith himself got involved in a war of words with Jadeja and the on-field #Umpire, #IanGould had to interfere to maintain peace.

It all began with Wade saying something to the Indian all-rounder, and the entire episode was heard on the stump mic. BCCI released the video without any commentary in the background, which then went viral on the internet.

Later, there was one more instance when Wade asked Jadeja the meaning of a Hindi cuss word that Jadeja might have directed at him. The video of this went viral on the internet but this time, it wasn't BCCI's fault as they didn't release the video.

It is good on Steve Smith's part to invite the Indian team for a beer after a long series which is the best way to end a series filled with animosity. At the same time, BCCI could have made sure that the video of the spat between Wade and Jadeja was not made public as what is said on the field, stays on the field. 

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IndvAus Test Series 2017 - India Regain Border-Gavaskar Trophy At Dharamshala

#INDvAUS #TestSeries 2017

#DHARAMSALA: #SteveSmith says #Australia have taken giant strides to slay their subcontinental demons despite their brave campaign in #India ending with a heavy defeat in the deciding #TestMatch, by 8 wickets.

 

In one of the most intense series in recent memory, the last test match finished in anti-climactic fashion after Australia capitulated in their second innings leaving India just 108 to win and their #Bowlers were unable to conjure the miracle required to retain the #BorderGavaskar #Trophy.

Unfortunately for them, a series that had seen numerous momentum swings had no wicked final twist as India showed why they are the best #TestTeam in the world, particularly on #HomeSoil.

 

The visitors hunted for clumps of wickets but instead bowed out amid a flurry of boundaries from an Indian #Batting line-up undaunted by the fourth-innings run chase.

Australia never appeared a genuine winning chance, their only cause for optimism coming when Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara fell in the same over with 60 still needed.

Led by #LokeshRahul's sixth half-century of the series, the world No.1 test side sealed a seventh consecutive series victory midway through the first session, cruising home by eight wickets.

Although bitterly disappointed to fall at the final hurdle, the Australians, who had lost nine consecutive Tests in Asia before this series, exceeded all expectations this campaign.

India were without #ViratKohli, their inspirational, though out of form, captain; they had been given an unusually bouncy subcontinental pitch and they had won the toss.

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IPL 2016 - Weak Bowling Teams Paying Heavy Price In Points Table

What is common between Rising Pune Super Giants led by MS Dhoni, Royal Challengers Bangalore led by Virat Kohli and Kings XI Punjab led by Murali Vijay (David Miller was dropped off his captaincy last week)?

They are lurking at the bottom of the IPL points table.

Reason??

Pretty simple. Ordinary bowling lineups.
All teams seem to be powerpacked with batting geniuses but their bowling has let them down so badly, they are already on their way out at the half way stage of the competition itself. T20 is funny and anything can happen ... but from the looks of it, none of these 3 teams deserve to make it to the top 4 on current form.

RCB - A batting warehouse this - Kohli, AB Devilliers, Gayle, Watson have been putting up scores in excess of 180 in almost every game. Yet their bowlers have not been able to defend them putting them at risk of early elimination.

RPS - Again batting heavy - Rahane, DuPlessis, Steve Smith, KP, Dhoni. They have been hurt with injuries to top batsmen but again, their bowlers have let them down each time. Mediocre really. Very surprising that MS Dhoni is captaining this side without having a say in the selection? With all due respect to Dinda, Ashwin twins, Perera ... they are looking jaded and almost done with the IPL already.

KXIP - Batting strong again - Vijay, Maxwell, Miller, Shaun Marsh. And although they have collectively failed, the bowling is the bigger weaklink for them too.

Teams will good bowling units are performing really well. Gujarat Lions, Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad have all combined both arts to stay in the hunt. Looks like these 5 teams will battle it out for the four qualification spots (apart from a miracle when one of the lower teams stages a massive comeback).

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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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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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Devilliers Stunner Mandeep Special Sets Up RCB Innings Vs RR

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

Explosive innings by both #ABDevilliers and #MandeepSingh have ensured RCB score 180 for 4 in their stipulated 20 overs.

Struggling at 47 for 2 in 9 overs, these two got together and transcended the game to a completely new level. Mandeep Singh started the charge with some bold shots to infuse life in this RCB struggle. Even AB was struggling to score quickly then.

Once he got in, AB got into his groove and smashed the Royals' bowlers all over the park in his inimitable style. Mandeep joined the party with his style of hitting to smash runs at will. The Royals didn't know what hit them really. All bowlers went for many including Chris Morris, their best bowler.

Now its over to the Royals' batsmen to chase 181 to win this game against Starc and company. Wow... we have great game on here! 

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Mandeep and DeVilliers On The Charge

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

After struggling for the first 9 overs, RCB are on the charge...
#Mandeep Singh has decided to take charge ahead of the top three who have struggled to time the ball. Gayle and Kohli were claimed by Kulkarni early to leave RCB in trouble but Mandeep and Devilliers are opening up to provide much needed impetus.

Royals have bowled well and to a plan.
Their bowlers have put the bowl outside the off stump to prevent RCB batsmen from playing freely.

RCB innings poised for an interesting finish, since this pitch seems a bit difficult to bat on. Game ON...

#LIVE #SCORE
RCB -  113 for 2, 15 overs.

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Royals Get Rid Of Gayle At Stroke Of First Timeout

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

#RCB have won the toss and elected to bat first in this #Eliminator contest vs #Royals. Smasher #Gayle and Basher #Kohli starting their innings.

Its a cautious start for them and that would hearten the Royals.
Gayle trying punch the ball at every opportunity, Kohli playing second fiddle.
RR have shuffled around with their bowling to keep them guessing.

Both teams feeling each other and at the stroke of #timeout, #DhawalKulkarni has clean bowled the dangerous #Gayle for 27. Huge blow. Royals will feel relieved after that missed run out earlier. 

Game ON as AB Devilliers will walk in to join Virat.

#LIVE #SCORE
RCB: 41 For 1, 6 Overs

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Eliminator Battle Royale - RCB vs RR

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

After a stunning performance by #MI yesterday to beat #CSK and qualify for the IPL final on Sunday, the attention now moves to #Eliminator where two "Royal" teams face each other to move ahead in the competition. Winners of this contest will meet #CSK in Qualifier 2 at Ranchi on 22nd May 2015.

So, how does it look for both teams?

#RajasthanRoyals
Their road to the finals have been like the "hare" who rushed ahead in the race only to stumble, crawl and just make it over the line at the last minute. After a glorious start to their campaign this year (5 straight wins), they ran into KXIP and a super over (in a game they should have won easily in regulation time). The Super over lottery was won by KXIP and it marked a remarkable turn of fortunes for RR where they started looking scrappy, scratchy and disjoint that point onwards. Perhaps that loss took a lot of their momentum and motivation out. A couple of washed out games made it difficult for them to gain full points in some games but in the end, it must be said, their opening dash helped them cross the line to qualify from 4th place in the points table.

A batting heavy side - Ajinkya Rahane, Shane Watson, Steve Smith, Sanju Samson, Deepak Hooda have scored well throughout and will challenge the RCB bowling lineup. Bowling seems to be their weakest link and that will be thoroughly tested by Gayle, Virat, Devilliers and Co. Chris Morris has been their best bowler but James Faulkner, Watson, spinners haven't been able to really tie opposition teams down or get wickets regularly. This will remain their biggest concern and Rahul Dravid (chief coach) will have to plan their strategy accordingly.

#RoyalChallengersBangalore
They have been up and down too. Not known to be good starters, this season hasnt been different either. But, they have bounced back very well in spite of bad weather causing their last three games to be curtailed or abandoned. They have just done enough to scrape through to third position in the points table. The top three's indifferent form earlier in the league made it difficult to set or chase targets but that seems to be sorted out now and that's what makes them deadly dangerous.

Bowling is brilliantly led by Mitchell Starc but he needs good support from Arvind, Chahal, Patel and others to stop the RR top order from running away with a big total. Batting will rely heavily on the top three - Gayle-Virat-ABD but others need to step up to plate and score well if any of these three were to fail. 

Interestingly, both sides are languishing at the bottom (#6 RCB and #7 RR) of the fairplay award table. This indicates both sides are volatile and a moment away from behavioral madness. Watson can get under anyone's skin with his Aussie sledging while Virat ka gussa is well documented all over!

All in all, looks like a spicy contest on our hands.
Remember loser of this game packs its bags. No second chances. Its all to play for.

Who will win?
Time will tell.
All the best to both teams.

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Team Australia for World Cup 2015 - Best Bet To Win The Cup?

Obviously the firm favorites to win the cup.
No.1 ranked in ODI, hosts and well-balanced side.
This Australian side looks equipped to go the distance!

It must be said that this team is a pale shadow of the great Aussis teams of 90s and 2000s. They don't have a legendary batting lineup including Gilchrist, Ponting, Waugh, Hayden, Bevan nor do they possess arguably the best balanced bowling attacks of all time (Warne, Mcgrath, Gillespie, Lee). This is a team reinventing itself through new talent.

However, the Australian cricket structure is such that it ensures new talent comes up all the time. Take the case of #GeorgeBailey who is also their current #T20 captain. With limited experience, he has catapulted to great heights in the shorter formats of the game. Many other names including Doherty, Cummins, Hazlewood are already being termed as the #RisingCricketStars of the world !

Batting
Looks solid all the way through with low or no chinks in that armoury.
They have the firepower in Warner, Watson, Maxwell, Finch.
Consistent and steady middle order in Clarke, Bailey, Smith, Marsh
More than useful tail - Haddin, Faulkner, Johnson

Bowling
If at all, this seems to be their weak link.
New seamers in Hazlewood, Cummins, Faulkner and Starc are not experienced enough. Seasoned campaigners like Johnson will have to guide them smartly especially as the tournament moves in the elimination stages. Spinning dept lacks depth too. Doherty, Clarke and other part timers may not be very impactful although its going to be about the seamers in the Australian-NZ summer!

All Rounders
This is their big strength. Great combination of batsmen who can bowl and vice versa. Watson, Clarke, Smith, Faulkner can turn matches on their batting or bowling skills alone.

All in all, this Aussie side looks well set to dethrone India and regain the World Cup crown, unless they fluff up in important games or some match winning innings/performances snatches a game or two away from them!  

The Final 15 in the Australian squad for #ICCWorldCup2015
#Michael Clarke
#George Bailey
#Pat Cummins
#Xavier Doherty
#James Faulkner
#Aaron Finch
#Brad Haddin
#Josh Hazlewood
#Mitchell Johnson
#Mitchell Marsh
#Glenn Maxwell
#Steve Smith
#Mitchell Starc
#David Warner
#Shane Watson