India To Play Its First Day Night Test Match In Kolkata vs Bangladesh

IPL 2017: DJ Bravo New Song Featuring VK and MSD

#DJBravo #IPL #IPL 2017

Rhythm is the essence of West Indies and Gujarat Lions all-rounder, Dwayne Bravo, be it delivering those perfect slower ones in the Indian Premier League, breaking into victory moves or expressing it all in music.

After creating waves with his #Hit #Song '#Champion', Dwayne Bravo seems set to produce another track which features India captain #ViratKohli and his predecessor #MSDhoni.

The number 'Champion' by the 33-year-old Trinidadian was a hit during the 2016 World Twenty20 in India, which was won by West Indies.

 

This time around, Bravo's song revolves around India and arguably its two biggest #Cricketing names at the moment.

Bravo goes: "Let us go over to India, India, India. I call up a boy named Kohli, Kohli, Kohli. We tell him to WhatsApp Dhoni, Dhoni, Dhoni." As the all-rounder ends the song, the two burst out laughing.

#Kohli also featured in Bravo's song 'Chalo, Chalo', which features many cricketers like Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Michael Hussey and Irfan Pathan.

Bravo will hope his song will put a spring in the step of his teammates.

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IPL 2017 - Virat is Back For RCB vs MI In A Crucial Tie For The Hosts

#IPL #IPL 2017

#IndianPremierLeague

Two losses out of three matches have set the alarm bells ringing in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (#RCB) ranks, and they would be mighty pleased to see their #Captain #ViratKohli back in action after the his #Shoulder #Injury sustained during the #IndvAus #TestMatch #Series. 

A #HomeGame vs Mumbai Indians (#MI) would be an ideal platform for the captain to get a feel of things and try to get RCB back on track. #Mumbai on the other hand are upbeat after two consecutive home #Wins, including an easy one over Sunrisers Hyderabad (#SRH).

The Delhi #Superstar has been declared #FitToPlay on Thursday by the #BCCI #MedicalTeam.

#Kohli, who had dropped hints of making a return after posting a video on his #Instagram account of his gym session on April 11, did some #Fielding drills during the team's #NetSession on Wednesday.

Last year, Kohli had scored a staggering 973 runs in 16 matches with four centuries to guide #RCB to the finals against Sunrisers Hyderabad (#SRH) and he would look to improve #Bangalore's current sixth place #Standing on the points-table.

In Kohli's absence, #ABD de Villiers made his presence felt as he smashed his way to an unbeaten 89 off just 46 balls to help RCB post a respectable 148-4 on his comeback match after recovering from an injury.

The poor form of Chris #Gayle is also a concern for RCB. The West Indian power-hitter has been struggling to carve out big scores, which is reflected in his failure to score even one half century in his last 10 innings.

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IPL 2017: Big Names Missing At This Years Tournament

#IPL10 #IPL
#IndianPremierLeague

The #IPL is underway and we have casualties galore across most teams on display. Teams have spent crores of rupees on players and now they have to scratch their brains for replacements and team compositions.

As the #ICC #Calendar gets busier with every passing year, #Cricketers are becoming prone to #Injuries. Injuries and/or national duties will keep several star cricketers from their respective #Franchises.

Several big names in the business are either going to miss some part of the tournament or have been ruled due to injuries or national team's fixtures.

Here are the cricketers who are injured so far:

#Virat Kohli - Biggest casualty of the IPL owing to the shulder injury he sustained in the #Ranchi #TestMatch against Australia. He will miss a few initial games atleast but will be vary that he will need to be fully fit for the upcoming #ChampionsTrophy in June.

#KLRahul - Will miss the complete tournament
#ABD  de Villiers - Will miss initial games but uncertain for the whole tournament.

#LasithMalinga - Will miss initial games for #MumbaiIndians (#MI). Presently, on national duty for #SriLanka, the slingy #Speedster will add bite to the MI attack when is joins back.

#AselaGunaratne - Initial games. 
#QuintondeKock (#DD) - Complete Tournament
#JPDuminy (#DD) - Complete Tournament
#RaviAshwin (#RPS) - Complete tournament
#MitchellMarsh (#RPS) - Complete Tournament
#MuraliVijay (#KXIP) - Complete season
#UmeshYadav (#KKR) - Initial matches
#RavindraJadeja (#GL) - Initial matches
#MustafizurRahman (#RCB) - Initial matches

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Did Mitchell Starc do a Twitter goof-up by messaging the wrong Virat Kohli? - Yahoo Cricket (blog)

#IPL #IPL 2017 #IPL 10

#IndianPremierLeague

Things are definitely not going well for #Australian #Pacer #MitchellStarc. After getting sidelined from the #India-Australia #TestSeries midway due to stress #Fracture on his right knee, he has now landed in an embarrassing situation. 

#Starc, with hopes of settling down the air with India and RCB skipper #ViratKohli, sent him a personal message on #Twitter. The message was a lighthearted one with congratulatory words on the Test series win against Australia and also the emphatic home season India had against New Zealand, England and Bangladesh which helped Kohli and his men to climb the No. 1 spot in #ICC #Test #Rankings. Moreover, Starc also wished Kohli to have a #Speedy #Recovery from a shoulder #Injury which the swashbuckling batsman sustained in Bangalore Test keeping him out of the final Test of the series at Dharamsala.

There was nothing wrong with Starc's message. But the only, and perhaps the biggest, problem was that Starc sent it to a parody account of Kohli. Starc, who is dart on target when it comes to bowling absolute yorkers to batsmen on field, went haywire on Twitter by messaging the fan account @imVkohIIi rather than Kohli's official handle @imVkohli.

"Hey friend Hopefully I don't have to look for a new IPL team?? Haha media hey! Didn't get a chance to have a proper catch up mate but Congrats on the series win and on your summer personally… I hope that shoulder is on the mend and not too bad? Good luck for the IPL, here's hoping to an RCB win. Cheers mate," Starc tweeted. Now obviously, the owner of the account could not resist this glaring opportunity and swiftly shared this message to display the great blunder Starc did. Not only did he share the message but being a good bloke replied Starc with humbleness and made the speedster aware of what blunder he had committed.

The owner replied (ignore the glaring English), "Thanx for all these on Virat's behalf. Hoping your injury is well nowe & wishing good luck for all ur upcoming matches. As we all know that u & virat r good frnds on & off the field as many times virat had mention it. As i m fan of @imVkohli & hoping u both to playing together for RCB next year. Lets cheer together for RCB & hope to…"

Starc has played under Kohli's captaincy for RCB in 2014 and 2015, but opted out of IPL 2017 with intentions of being fully fit for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in June. But the India-Australia series turned bitter for Starc as he had to fly back home due to the injury.

The four-game Test series against the mighty Australia did spark a lot of controversies throughout wherein Australian media targeting Kohli topped the list. But regardless of the controversies from the series, this goof-up by Starc certainly has made things lighter.

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IPL 2017: Royal Challengers Bangalore complete squad, key players and list of matches

#IPL #IPL 10 #IPL 2017

#IndianPremierLeague

Arguably the most popular #T20 #Tournament in the world, the #IPL started in 2007 after India's unprecedented success in the 2007 T20 World Cup, when they lifted the trophy in South Africa. 

The IPL started with a bang when #BrendonMcCullum, then playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders (#KKR) scored a massive 158 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (#RCB). The #VijayMallya owned team had performed poorly in the first season and came 2nd last on the number's table. The team was criticised for a poor selection of players, which consisted of test specialists like Rahul Dravid, Wasim Jafar and Jaques Kallis. 

The team has come a long way since then and has remained a top contender for the title, despite never having won the tournament in its decade-long history. Led by Indian Captain #ViratKohli, the #RCB displays a mixture of youth and experience but remains heavily dependent on its famous #BattingLineup.

Royal Challengers Bangalore full squad for IPL 2017

Existing players: Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel, Mandeep Singh, Adam Milne, Sarfaraz Khan, S Aravind, Kedar Jadhav, Shane Watson, Stuart Binny, Samuel Badree, Iqbal Abdulla, Travis Head, Sachin Baby, Avesh Khan, Tabraiz Shamsi

Players Bought: 

• Pawan Negi (1 Cr), 
• Tymal Mills (12 Cr), 
• Aniket Choudhary (INR 2 Cr), 
• Praveen Dubey (10 Lakh), 
• Billy Stanlake (30 Lakh)

Key players:

Virat Kohli 

He might have hit a rough patch in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series but T20 is a different ball game altogether and Kohli;s track record in the format speaks for itself. 

In 154 IPL matches, Kohli has played since 2008, he has amassed 4534 runs at an impressive average of 38.10 and a strike rate of 132. 07. In the last season of the IPL, Virat had hit a golden patch scoring 973 runs in 16 innings with a strike rate of 152.03 and an incredible average of 81.08.

Chris Gayle

The big #Jamaican is easily the most experienced batsman in the team and the most destructive one, on his day. #Gayle has been playing as a mercenary in #T20 tournaments all over the world and is easily a nightmare for any #Bowler at the top of the order. He has 3220 runs in the 82 matches that he has played in the #IPL, with an average of 46 and a strike rate of 156.92 and a top score of 175 against Pune. He also happens to have the fastest T20 #Century to his name.

AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers is #Superman. #ABD Villiers is at a stage of human evolution where he has left the homo sapiens way behind. De Villiers can captain, can bat anywhere, keep wickets, field anywhere, and even bowl at a decent speed. While it is to be seen, if #Kohli and management use him as a finisher or up the order, De Villiers will find ways to score on anyone, anywhere on the field.

Tymal Mills

The Englishman is the newest buy in the team and this is first IPL season. At 24 years of age, Mills has a bright future ahead of him and playing for RCB in the IPL could only propel him to new heights of stardom. Mills is the only pacer in the team who comes with some reputation. Considering the batting line-up, it is very unlikely that he would be short of runs to defend but his skills with the back of the hand slow ball mixed well with his ability to fire #Yorkers at will could be the last piece of the puzzle #RCB need to win the #IPL.

#RCB #Match #Schedule for IPL 2017

Match 1: SRH vs RCB, April 5, 2017, 20:00 IST

Match 2: RCB vs Delhi Daredevils, April 8, 2017, 20:00 IST

Match 3: Kings XI Punjab vs RCB, April 10, 2017, 20:00 IST

Match 4: RCB vs Mumbai Indians, April 14, 2017, 16:00 IST

Match 5: RCB vs Rising Pune Supergiant, April 16, 2017, 20:00 IST

Match 6: Gujarat Lions vs RCB, April 18, 2017, 20:00 IST

Match 7: KKR vs RCB, April 23, 2017, 20:00 IST

Match 8: RCB vs SRH, April 25, 2017, 20:00 IST

Match 9: RCB vs Gujarat Lions, April 27, 2017, 20:00 IST

Match 10: Rising Pune Supergiant vs RCB, April 29, 2017, 16:00 IST

Match 11: Mumbai Indians vs RCB, May 1, 2017, 16:00 IST

Match 12: RCB vs Kings XI Punjab, May 5, 2017, 20:00 IST

Match 13: RCB vs KKR, May 7, 2017, 16:00 IST

Match 14: Delhi Daredevils vs RCB, May 15, 2017, 20:00 IST

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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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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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India Beats England In 2nd Test By 246 Runs To Take 1-0 Lead In Series

#IndvEng #TestSeries 2016
2nd Test Match, #Vizag

India crushed England by 246 runs to win the 2nd test and take a 1-0 lead in the 5 Test series.
Starting at 87-2 overnight, they soon crumbled to 115 for 6 and eventually capitulated after lunch to 158 all out. R Ashwin, debutant Jayant Yadav, Mohd Shami and Ravindra Jadeja shared the bowling honours.

Man of the match undoubtedly went to Virat Kohli for his stunning century in the first innings and stoic 81 in the second innings, clearly the difference between the two sides. 

England will be heartbroken because they had fought valiantly until the fag end of the day yesterday only to lose the openers late in the day to hand India the advantage going into Day 5. 




Rookie off-spinner Jayant Yadav enjoyed a memorable Test debut with figures of 3-30 while star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also bagged three wickets. Ashwin was the most successful among the Indian bowlers with a total of eight wickets in the match.

The third Test begins at Mohali on November 26.

Brief Scores:
India Ist Innings: 455
England Ist Innings: 255
India IInd Innings: 204
England IInd Innings: 158

India won by 246 runs

Man of the Match: Virat Kohli

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India Cricket - Test Players Must Provide Excitement Says Virat Kohli

#India #Cricket

India must play exciting #TestCricket to entertain crowds, #Skipper #ViratKohli said after defeating New Zealand, amid waning interest in the game's longest form. India regained the #TopSpot in the world #Rankings in #Tests.

The series against the #BlackCaps marks the start of a packed programme of international cricket for India who also host #England, #Bangladesh and #Australia later this #Season. Kohli said players needed to interact with the crowd during Tests, in a similar fashion to the high-energy, limited-overs games.

"You have to interact with them, you have to make sure they are a part of the whole thing. You feed off their energy. It happens so much in limited-overs, so why not in Test cricket?"

The comments come as Test cricket struggles to find an audience in the #Twenty20 era, prompting last year's introduction of day-night Tests played under lights with a pink ball in Australia. 

Former cricket greats including Shane #Warne and some cricket board chiefs have also flagged slashing the format from five to four days. But controversial plans to create a two-tier Test system have been scrapped by cricket's world governing body #ICC after India's powerful board led a backlash.

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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 Test Series - Kohli Double, Rahane Tons Flatten Kiwis On Day 2

#IndvNZ #TestSeries
#Indore
#TestMatch

Day 2: Stumps - New Zealand, 29 for 0 (9 overs) trail by 529 runs


Rahane and Kohli put India in control at the end of the second day of the third Test. 

Day two of the third Test in Indore was studded with centuries from #Virat #Kohli and #Ajinkya #Rahane. The pair added 365 for the fourth wicket and en route broke a series of record, both personal and partnership ones. It was indeed a day to remember for the pair as India went through two sessions without losing a wicket.

The tiring New Zealand bowlers were punished as the duo kept collecting runs before Kohli fell in the first over after Tea for 211 while Rahane departed after for 188. Rohit Sharma then carted the bowlers away for a quick-fire half-century after which India soon declared for 557/5.

#Martin #Guptill and Tom Latham have started their innings strongly, seeing out the nine overs unscathed. New Zealand end with 28/0, with Guptill on 17 and Latham on 6.

#Rohit #Sharma came out all guns blazing with the intent of scoring quick runs. With #Jadeja, he added 53 runs in 59 balls before reaching his fifty in the bargain. India have done enough to last them across both innings.

Penalty: 
Ravindra Jadeja runs straight down the wicket. That, after a prior warning. A five-run penalty has been levied. 

Records tumbling: 
Kohli's 193* is the second highest by an Indian captain against New Zealand in Tests. Only Sachin Tendulkar's 217 in Ahmedabad in 1999 is higher.

New best scores: 

Kohli now has his second-best Test score, surpassing 169. Rahane, too, crosses his previous-best Test score of 147, getting to a score of 150-plus for the first time in Test cricket.

The last time two non-openers scored 150-plus in the same innings for India was Ganguly (239) & Yuvraj (165) vs Pakistan in Bangalore in 2007.

Kohli and Rahane surpass the Ganguly-Tendulkar stand of 281 to now being the second-highest against New Zealand in Tests. 

Century twins: 

After Kohli got to his century yesterday, Ajinkya Rahane scored his eighth Test century, his third at home, on the second day. Albeit increasing trouble against the short ball, he has emerged a winner. 

#LIVE #Score
India 557 for 5 decl
New Zealand 28/0 (9.0 Ovs)
Guptill  17 (30)

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India Win Second Test Match Against New Zealand To Clinch Series

#IndvNZ #TestSeries 2016
2nd Test Match - Kolkata

India's bowlers propelled the hosts to a comprehensive 178-run win over New Zealand in the second Test Monday, to clinch the series and reclaim the top spot in the world rankings.

Chasing 376 runs for victory, New Zealand were bowled out for 197 in the final session on the fourth day in Kolkata, with India's Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja taking three wickets each.

Shami claimed the final wicket of Trent Boult, sparking celebrations in the Indian team who now take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series after winning the first Test in Kanpur.

The victory also sees India jump back to the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings after starting the series just one point behind archrivals Pakistan.

Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who took five scalps in the first innings, shared 12 wickets between them on a two-paced track at Eden Gardens that offered the seam bowlers of both sides great help.

But batsman Wriddhiman Saha was awarded man of the match for his unbeaten half-centuries in both innings against New Zealand's seamers.
Spinners also played their part after Ashwin broke New Zealand's opening stand just after lunch, trapping Martin Guptill lbw for 24.

Tom Latham also scored a gritty 74 before falling to Ashwin soon after the tea break. Ashwin got Latham on a well-crafted off-spinner that pitched and spun away from the left-hander, who was caught behind. Latham's 49-run second-wicket partnership with Henry Nicholls had raised the visitors' hopes of batting the day out, but Ashwin's partner Jadeja soon joined forces.

Jadeja claimed the wicket of Nicholls after his angled delivery got the edge of the New Zealander's bat for an easy catch at slips. Shami got some reverse swing towards the end of the day to rattle New Zealand's middle-order with the wickets of Mitchell Santner and BJ Watling.

Earlier India, who resumed the day on 227 for eight in their second innings, were bowled out for 263 with Saha scoring an unbeaten 58. The contributions of Saha, who scored an unbeaten 54 in the first innings, proved vital to India putting up decent totals.

India's pace duo of Shami and Kumar helped bowl out New Zealand for 204 in response to India's 316 in the first innings. New Zealand pacers Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Neil Wagner, who shared 14 wickets between them in the two innings, also enjoyed the seaming conditions.

India secured a 112-run lead in the first innings that proved vital in outplaying the visitors, who lost regular skipper Kane Williamson to a viral infection just before the start of the match.

Rohit Sharma's dominant 82 on Sunday gave India the upper hand in its 250th Test at home. Half-centuries from Cheteshwar Pujara (87) and Ajinkya Rahane (77) in the first innings also ensured India made a solid start.
The final Test will be played in Indore starting on October 8.

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Ind v NZ Test Series: India Win Historic 500th Test Match In Style

#IndvNZ #TestSeries 2016
Green Park Staudium, Kanpur
1st Test Match (3 Test Series)

500th Test Match for India.

Indian Cricket Team completed a comprehensive victory over New Zealand Kiwis by 197 runs in the first #TestMatch of the series played at Kanpur. 

It was also a historic occasion for India playing their 500th Test Match. Top and lower middle order batting and some vintage #Spin #Bowling did the #Kiwis in. 

Excellent contributions with the bat from Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara at the top the innings while brilliant all round performance from Ravindra Jadeja and Ravic...handran Ashwin with the bat late down the order and brilliant spells of bowling gave New Zealand no chance of a comeback.

Kane Williamson, Luke Ronchi and Mitchell Santner were the star performers for the Kiwis in a losing cause. Virat Kohli didn't fire but will be happy to see his troops performing and winning without him scoring.


The second test match starts from Eden Gardens, Kolkata in a couple of days time.


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IPL 2016 Warners Davids Ambush Virats Goliaths SRH Wins IPL Crown

#IPL2016 Final
#RCBvsSRH
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

With all Odds stacked against them, (underdogs tag, lesser firepower than their fancied opponents, etc) the Sunrisers Hyderbad #SRH ambushed Royal Challengers Bangalore #RCB in a thrilling IPL final at the latter's den (another remarkable feat) to lift the IPL 2016 Cup and honors.

It all began with a bold decision at the toss that took everyone (experts were baffled and there were mixed reactions about it) when David Warner won the toss and elected to bat first. Huge move. His explanation? he would play to his strength of bowling second and defending a score in a big final. Since RCB was trouncing every team along the way by chasing down targets easily, experts felt this decision could backfire but their conviction seemed in place.

Dhawan and Warner got off to a slowish start scoring 21 in 3 overs but then Warner began to open his arms and soon they were 60 in 6 overs, an ideal start to the final. The fall of Dhawan's wicket followed shortly by Henriques evened things up and RCB started garnering hopes of restricting the SRH total.

In walked Yuvraj and unleashed a barrage of hits. Warner on the other end was blitzing his way as well. The two added a quickfire half-century stand before Warner fell to Aravind, a sliced edge to short third man. Deepak Hooda never looked in and holed out to long on. Once Yuvraj holed out to long off as well, the SRH were in serious trouble of being restricted to under 175. 

This is when Ben Cutting took centrestage. He first steadied the innings and then unleashed his fury in the last over on Shane Watson. He smashed 3 sixes and 1 four in the over (one of the sixes being a massive 117 metre hit that went out of the stadium) to not only cross the 200 run mark but lending a very good buffer to their initial goal of around 175-180 as par score.

But, was 208 enough to defend against the firebrand RCB line up of Gayle, Kohli, AB, Watson, Rahul? Not enough surely, especially considering their batting form in the second leg of the tournament.

Gayle and Kohli started in same fashion as SRH, but exploded in the same fashion too. Gayle looked  to hit the groove first and smashed a couple of sixes off Sran to increase their momentum. Kohli was happy to play second fiddle. Gayle then thrashed Henriques, Cutting and Bipul to post his fifty off 28 deliveries. Kohli then joined the party and the 100 came up in 10 overs! Perfectly on course ...

It was Cutting again who turned it around for SRH but inducing a top-edge from Gayle down to third man. In walked whom? AB ... it was like the storm was gone but fire would break in soon. Sran then prized out the other opener, Kohli, for a superb 54 and the game began to veer. 

AB holed out to extra cover off Bipul, Rahul was castled by Cutting and Watson holed one again to covers off Mustafizur to tilt the game in SRH favour. Chris Jordan was runt soon after. Stuart Binny played some lusty blows but was run out owing to silly basic mistake of looking at the ball when running between wickets.

With Bhuvi and Mustafizur to ball the last 4 overs, with 47 needed and SachinBaby and Abdulla at the crease, the task was almost impossible. From 114 for no loss in 11 overs, they had slumped to 162 for 7 in 16 overs. The writing was on the wall and with all their efforts, they finally ended on 200 for 7 in 20 overs. SRH had won by 8 runs. History was made. SRH champions for the first time. RCB three final losses would be gut-wrenching for them (earlier losses in 2009 and 2011 will hurt too). 

A terrific tournament was capped by a terrific final.
Warner's Davids had conquered the Royal Goliaths.

Man of the Match: Ben Cutting for his all-round performance
Player of the Tournament: Virat Kohli

Orange Cap: Virat Kohli
Purple Cap: Bhivaneshwar Kumar

Fairplay Award: Sunrisers Hyderabad (it has been observed since beginning of the IPL that teams that conduct themselves well on the ground are ones that do well in the tournament. This year was no exception)

Emerging Player of Tournament: Mustafizur Rehman
All round Player: A B Devilliers

Almost all top honors shared by SRH and RCB players clearing showing they were the two best teams in the tournament.

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