IPL 2016 RCB And DD Battle In Knockout Epic

#IPL2016
#DD v #RCB
#Raipur

This is the last match of the league stage.
This is the match that will give us the 4th entrant into the Qualifiers.
All calculations, permutations and combinations have been rested now.
Simple. Winner takes all.

The edge?
Surely with #RCB considering how they have comeback in this tournament. #ViratKohli and #ABDeviliers have masterminded that comeback with some scintillating batting performances. More so by Virat with his 4 classy hundreds and amassing 865 runs so far. Will he (or rather when will he reach 1000 runs in this IPL season is anyone's guess). Bowling which has been their biggest pain point seems to be falling in place aided by a big bank of runs by #AB-VK safe vaults.

If they win today, they go to 2nd position on that table giving them two chances to qualify for the final (a huge incentive).

#DD on the other hand have been silent achievers, much so like the eternal #RahulDravid career. Silent but gigantic achievements, that's it. No fuss. No hoopla... They have combined well to deliver the goods. Had it not been for their too-much chop-n-change policy, they could have easily qualified by now. Their bowling is very balanced and their batting seems to have the depth to take on any attack.

All in all a mouth watering clash at Raipur.

May the best team win.
Who will win?

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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 - 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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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 Blockbuster - India vs Pakistan At Eden Gardens

The Blockbuster!!
‪#‎India‬ v ‪#‎Pakistan‬ from Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 19th Mar 2016

India enter this must-win game under tremendous pressure of their poor outing against New Zealand few days ago. They have to win to hope for any chance to qualify for the semi-finals. Interestingly, they have never beaten Pakistan in a One- Day game at Kolkata. That makes it even more challenging for them.

The batting that was looking very settled showed their weaknesses against spin and temperament when chasing down a smallish total and inexperienced spin attack of NZ.

Pakistan on the other hand look upbeat after their solid all-round victory against Bangladesh at this venue. They will also have advantage of knowing these conditions better than India, having already played here.

On recent form and head to head comparison, India does look the better side and their record over Pakistan in last few years has been better, but they are under the weather of a MUST-WIN game, against Pak, at Kolkata in a ‪#‎WT20‬ game! Wow!!

Virat Kohli holds key for India in a run chase while Rohit and Dhawan need to fire at the top if India are batting first. MS Dhoni is the all seasons man but needs able support from Raina, Yuvraj and Jadeja to anchor around him in tense situations.

Pakistan's bowling, their biggest strength, had a good outing in Kolkata. Mohamad Amir is by far the best pacer on view in this tournament so far and he will hold key for them upfront. Wahab Riaz, Irfan and Sami will need to support him well.

All in all, a mouth-watering prospect for spectators.

Can imagine the buzz around the Eden Gardens tomorrow.

Can't wait for the game to begin!

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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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Killer "Gayle" Wakes Up - Thrashes KXIP Into Oblivion

#ChrisGayle vs #KXIP

The sleep whale, #ChrisGayle, woke up today and covered up for that poor form he was carrying all throughout this #IPL8. He's just that kind of a player. On his day, he can literally decimate any bowling attack in the world. Neither big names in bowling matter, nor where they pitch the ball does! That's why he is an impact player and this innings will have impacted #RCB no ends and they will look to soar ahead in the points table from now on, clearly knowing other teams will be vary of a Gayle storm possibility every game.

Today he was simply unstoppable right from the word go!
Mitchell Johnson was selected to start his run feast and he carried that along to all other bowlers including Axar Patel, Karn Singh, Glenn Maxwell and Sandeep Sharma. Anureet Singh was the only bowler to hold his head high with a brilliant spell for 0 for 25 in 4 overs when there was carnage at the other end.

Gayle's innings included 7 fours and 12 massive sixes i.e. exactly 100 runs came in boundaries. He was so dominant that his other superstar colleagues Virat Kohli and AB Devilliers were rendered mere spectators in that onslaught. Not that they were complaining but they are brisk scorers in their own right and to see them as bystanders in an innings indicates the complete domination shown by Christopher Gayle! 

This is only the second century at this year's IPL (next to Brendon McCullum's 100 against KXIP as well). No wonder the two most explosive batsmen in world cricket have centuries to their name. On their day, no bowler is great enough to take them out.

In response, the jolted and shocked KXIP team capitulated poorly for 88 all out in 13 overs. Aravind and Starc grabbed 4 wickets each. The impact by Gayle was so much that no batsmen looked settled or focused. 

There are Thunderstorms forecasted for many venues in coming days. We witnessed a Gayle storm yet again today! Thank you very much maannn!!

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CWC15 - Virat Kohli - Know Your Player

Virat likes to be in the center of things. Read More..
He likes to be admired and respected. If allowed to be in control of situations he will do wonders. He is an honest and well informed person others can safely rely on him for any kind of judgment. Love him or hate him you cannot ignore him.

Consciously or unconsciously he is committed to his game and wants to be the number one. His greatest challenge is self reliance. He needs to be confident and the way forward for him is to understand that as long as he relies on others for a sense of self worth he will not be in control of his life. He needs to go out and show his worth.

Luck is enhanced when he celebrates being who he is for only when he is comfortable with himself can he be confident in his skill and talents, attracting the luck and recognition he deserves.

If he is able to establish his sense of identity he will do tremendously well.

His Power Thought
“I am at the center of my world. What I think and feel matters”.

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CWC 2015 - Ind Beats Pak At Adelaide - Champions For India

Champions of #India's Historic win against #Pakistan at #Adelaide #CWC 2015

#Shikhar Dhawan​ - set the foundation with a un-Dhawan like innings - risk free and lot of patience. My man of the match really.

#Virat Kohli​ - got back into form and took to the Pak bowlers with usual disdain and touch of arrogance. Did most of the two chances he got.

#Suresh Raina​ - capitalized brilliantly on a solid platform and took the game away from Pak with his power hitting

#MS Dhoni​ - marshalled his troops well in this crunch game and on back of a some poor cricket over last three months. Press, media and supporters, including me, were gunning for his throat. His personal form is still a worry but this CWC needs Dhoni more as India captain than batsman.

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Astrology - Virat Kohli's Personality Traits

He likes to be admired and respected. If allowed to be in control of situations he will do wonders. He is an honest and well informed person others can safely rely on him for any kind of judgment. Love him or hate him you cannot ignore him. 

Consciously or unconsciously he is committed to his game and wants to be the number one. His greatest challenge is self reliance. He needs to be confident and the way forward for him is to understand that as long as he relies on others for a sense of self worth he will not be in control of his life. He needs to go out and show his worth.

Luck is enhanced when he celebrates being who he is for only when he is comfortable with himself can he be confident in his skill and talents, attracting the luck and recognition he deserves.

If he is able to establish his sense of identity he will do tremendously well.

His Power Thought
“I am at the center of my world. What I think and feel matters”.

God Bless
Dolly Manghat
http://www.dollymanghat.com

Why Will Pak Beat India At Adelaide In 2015 ICC World Cup?

Checked out the wonderful Ad above? Am sure all of Pak will be as frustrated as the guy shown ...

In all world cup editions till date where Pak have faced Ind, they have been on the losing side. Amazingly, all those losses have been pretty one sided.

1992 - by 30+ runs at Sydney (league match, Pak went on to win the World Cup then)

1996 - by 50+ runs at Bengaluru (quarter final - knockout game)

1999 - by 40+ runs at Manchester (super sixes match, Pak reached finals of the World Cup then)

2003 - by 6 wickets at Jo'burg 

2011 - by 40+ runs at Mohali (semi final - knockout game)

2015 - WHO WILL WIN? - at Adelaide (league match)

Clear indicator they seem to be under pressure against India at the biggest stage of cricket.

So, how is it about to change?

Will Pak beat Ind at Adelaide?

If we were to go by law of averages - it is long over due.

24 years without winning against Ind will hurt surely...

Here are some reasons to think why Pak will emerge victorious at the Adelaide Oval on 15th Feb '15:

 - Australian pitches are about bowling strengths than batting. Although AO is a belter of a track and one of the best pitches for batting in Australia, the natural bounce and swing should suit the Pak bowling (much much superior than the pedestrian Ind bowling at the moment)

 - Ind is in a hopeless situation at the moment in all departments - bowling and batting (fielding exempted because their fielders don't get enough runs to defend anyway). This is the best time for Pak to capitalize and deal a blow on their already low confidence.

 - Ind has been sledging all the way in Australia without focusing on cricket. Clearly distracted. Pak on the other hand seem to be focused on the game. Although they are finding it a bit tough in NZ, they seem more zoned in on the job.

 - They can exploit weaknesses in the Indian batting big time .. get through Kohli, Rahane and Dhoni and the rest will take care of itself. The same does not apply to India's bowling woefully struggling to get a few wickets eveyr game. Pak batsman can (although weaker of the two teams) target that and make up for loss of superstar value!

Lets see how it goes? because don't think Pak will get a better opportunity to strike early, strike dearly at Ind in a World Cup match. If they meet again later in the tournament in knock-out stages (it has never happened before) then I will back India to win that game. 

If India reach knockouts, they will be a completely different outfit to negotiate. That man Dhoni has ability and mastery of setting up "big games" psychologically and winning them.  

Go Pak grab your chance! Team India ... watch out if you need to keep your 100% record intact! 

Ind meet Pak at the Adelaide Oval in the Pool B opening match on 15th Feb.

Match starts 8:50 am India time, 9:20 am Pakistan time.

Let the match EXPLODE.........

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Will Eng Steamroll Ind at WACA Today? (30 Jan 15)

We're nearing the end of the first innings of the virtual semi final between England and India at #WACA, Perth in the on going CarltonMid TriSeries. India have batted poorly yet again and may be closing in on a meagre score of about 200 (it reads 194 for 9 in 47.4 overs as I write this blog piece)

#StevenFinn once again the damager-in-chief with 3 wickets supported well by Anderson, Moeen Ali and Woakes.

For a change ... the Indian openers gave a solid start :) (Rahane and Dhawan)
80 odd in 20 overs. Cautious but solid.
With wickets in hand, the charge would definitely on.
However, it seems the other batsman had decided to undo all the good work by collapsing like nine pins once the initial partnership was broken.

Kohli still playing at 3 (inspite of all the hoo-hah about him moving to 4 to add stability in the frail middle order) isn't doing much (he hasn't been able to carry his test form to one dayers unlike Steven Smith for Aus)

Raina, Rayudu, Jadeja, Binny - will they be able to do much on these Australian pitches in the world cup? nothing on show today suggested that's going to happen. Other teams in Pool B are merrily watching this Indian team disintegrate. More so the Pakistanis who are their first opponent in the WC Pool B opener at Adelaide Oval on 15th Feb.

MSD looks painfully out of sorts - batting wise (well ...) and mind wise (this was supposedly his best strength until a few months ago). Unless he really has some ace up his sleeve, he can safely pass on the World Cup to another team in two months time.

Will be back shortly with the Eng reply.
Batsmen have failed miserably. The bowlers haven't even started showing any fight yet on this tour.
Tough days ahead for Team India.

A conspiracy theory could be - England were deliberately scheduled to  play India at Brisbane and Perth (two of the fastest and bounciest tracks in Australia) to deflate their confidence going into the World Cup.

Another theory is that MSD is practicing batting first in all these games to test his bowlers defending a total. LOL ... bowlers will be the perfect scapegoats and batsmen will hide the ignominy of elimination from the cup under that pretext.