#MSDhoni has pulled a rabbit out the hat once again!
This time in a crunch run chase vs #WestIndies at #WACA, #Perth in the ongoing #CWC15.
Wobbling at 107 for 5 and needing 75 runs to win with the untested lower order with him, he once again showed why he is the most feared and respected batsman in run chases. The calmness and methodology implemented seems to win him games as if it was a foregone conclusion!
It may be tight run chase with run pressure (v Aus at the Gabba in 2011, v Sri Lanka at Jamaica in a tri series final in 2013 and so many games) or it may be a dogged run chase (like today), he has the tools and mindset for them all... seldom does he fall short of the winning total. He is always there at the end either hitting the winning runs or helping his partner hit them. Its just extraordinary. A genius ability really to be able to do it over and over....
There have been some great finishers in the past including #MichaelBevan, #JavedMiandad and #LanceKluesner (these names just came to my mind .. a few more are in that list) but the regularity with which Dhoni pulls India out of these situations is exemplary. Also shows India's top order issues to handle pressure situations in second innings of a one day match.
To add to that he has to handle captaincy and Indian media that seems to tear into its captain at every single opportunity.
Hats off #MS, a true modern great in ODIs.
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#WestIndies v #India, #WACA, #Perth
6th Mar 2015
How many times has he done it? How many more times will he have to do it for India?
The extraordinary genius of #MSDhoni in a troubled #runchase came to the fore yet again as he "coolly" crossed the winning line v West Indies in a Pool B match today.
Chasing a modest target of 182, (after the bowlers had decimated the Windies batting earlier in the day), the Indians were at the receiving end for the first time in this tournament. They looked wobbly against genuine pace and bounce that #WACA had to offer to the Windies pace battery. #JeromeTaylor was superb, #KemarRoach was pacy, #JasonHolder nippy and #AndreRussell nagging to throw a great challenge at this strong batting lineup.
#ShikharDhawan and #RohitSharma were out to outswinging beauties by Taylor
#ViratKohli tried to pull a bouncy delivery and spooned a catch to long leg
#SureshRaina's woes with the rising delivery continued while #RavindraJadeja too was claimed by the extra bounce on a lively Perth track.
What looked like a walk in the park considering form of these Indian batsmen, it was a major setback for them in seaming conditions and warning that if they dont tighten up, they could be in for some rude shocks ahead in the tournament.
At a tricky 134 for 6 and still 50 odd runs away from the target, it needed someone with a cool head to steer the ship home. And who better than "Mr. Cool" himself to step up to the occasion. His demeanor at the crease, ability to analyze situations and skills to execute percentage plans is exemplary and was on show here.
He guided young #RaviAshwin through an invaluable partnership to guide India through to a 4 wicket win. Fortunately, there was no run pressure so both could take their time completing their desired goal. Whatever the case #MS is too good to plan and implement runchases and there are amazing examples where he's won many a game for India from seemingly hopeless causes.
Final #LIVE #Cricket #Score
WI - 182 All out
India - 185 for 6 (39.1 overs)
Man of the Match: #MohamadShami for this 3 wickets earlier in the day that started the Windies' slide.
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#WestIndies v #India , #WACA, #Perth
West Indies bowlers have struck baack and how?
With their backs against the proverbial wall, the seam bowlers have come hard at India and reaped dividends for their discipline, pace and bounce.
Going in with all quicks against this India batting line up on a lively pitch like #WACA seems to be have been a thought-out decision. All wickets to fall so far have been due to bounce or pace off the wicket.
First two to go were beauties in swing bowling. Pitched on the stump and swung away late taking the edges behind the stumps. #ShikharDhawan was claimed by #DarrenSammy in the second slip while #RohitSharma was caught behind by #DeneshRamdin. #JeromeTaylor the bowler on both occasions.
Next to go was #ViratKohli trying to pull a bouncing #AndreRussell delivery and spooning a simple catch at long leg. Bounce undid him as with some of the WI top order batsmen.
#AjinkyaRahane's patient vigil at the crease was undone by a superfast delivery by #KemarRoach. The edge flew to the #wicket-keeper. Rahane reviewed the OUT decision and after several camera angles and inconclusive evidence, the third umpire decided to uphold the umpire's decision.
#SureshRaina and his inability to face the bouncing delivery was exposed yet again when he tried to slap a innocuous delivery from #DwayneSmith and edged it behind.
#Live #Cricket #Score:
India - 109 for 5 in 23.3 overs.
Skipper #MSDhoni will be India's biggest hope to drive them home from this precarious position.
He has #RavindraJadeja and the bowlers to cross the line. The only plus for them is they dont have any run pressure so they can bide their time.
Kudos to WI for this fightback.
Yet again in this world cup, the sub 200 totals are becoming a headache for teams chasing!
Wonderful atmosphere at the #WACA. Cracking game in the offing....
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#WestIndies v #India, #WACA, #Perth
India's dominating performances at the #CWC15 continued today in this Pool B encounter.
Electing to bat on a belter of a WACA track, the Windies have imploded big time in a game they need to win to improve their chances of a quarter final berth.
The WI innings started really slowly and never really got going...
The top order crumbled under relentless pace pressure from the Indian seamers, Shami and Yadav.
The middle order failed to make amends too (Carter, Simmons and Russell) came and went with nothing to show.
The late order #DarrenSammy and skipper #JasonHolder seem to have brought some respite and stability to the sinking ship. From 85 for 7, the two stitched together a partnership of 39 before Sammy fell.
Holder, now in company of #JeromeTaylor has added an unbeaten 42 invaluable runs by unsettling the Indian bowlers. Just goes to show it is a mindset game!
#LIVE #Cricket #Score:
WI - 172 for 8 in 42 overs
Jason Holder - 49*
Jerome Taylor - 10*
India bowlers
#MohamadShami - 3 wickets
Yadav, Sharma, Ashwin, Jadeja - 1 wicket each
West Indies #Fans will be extremely disappointed by this performance of their unpredictable team. The problem is .. this unpredictability is on the wrong side for now!
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#WestIndies v #India, #WACA, #Perth
6th Mar 2015
Tragedy has struck for the West Indies!
Barely 10 overs in their innings, their top 4 batsmen have returned to the pavilion.
Impressive start from the Indian bowlers must be said.
Both #MohamadShami and #UmeshYadav have exploited the pitch conditions beautifully to tie down the free strokemakers and then nail them into submission.
The Windies started really cautiously. Seeing #DwayneSmith and #ChrisGayle (two thunderous strokemakers upfront) play the way they did in first 5 overs, gave an indication that they had a plan to settle down and then smash it around.
Then, it started happening for India.
#DwayneSmith tried to slash a delivery close to his body. It bounced higher than anticipated and flew into Dhoni's gloves. Shami the bowler. Well bowled
WI - 8 for 1
In 8th over, #MarlonSamuels was tragically #runout. Gayle, trying to break shackles smashed one in the air to midon where the fielder, Shami, dived and fielded. Gayle was ball watching while Samuels was already down the other end for a run. Both players in the same batting crease. Oh no. Shami threw it at the non-striker;s end where #ViratKohli disturbed the bails.
WI - 15 for 2
This runout rattled Gayle and he decided to throw caution to the wind by smashing Yadav for a boundary, an edgy 2 and a trademark six over midwicket. Everyone thought this was the moment for Gayle to explode. With luck riding by his side, he would have fancied taking his chances. But one too many you'd think. He tried to pull a jumping bouncer (bowled by Shami) from outside off to square leg where #MohitSharma was waiting to pounce on the steepler of a catch. India fans explode. The big man gone.
WI - 35 for 3
In the very next over, Yadav produced an inside edge to castle #DeneshRamdin's defence. Out first ball.
WI - 35 for 4
They need someone to hold fort for a while now.
Can #JonathanCarter play that role with the lower middle order batsmen?
We'll wait to see.
#LIVE #Cricket #Score
WI - 49 for 4 (13 overs)
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#WestIndies v #India , #WACA, #Perth
6th Mar 2015
West Indies captain #JasonHolder won the toss and elected to bat first on flat WACA pitch v India.
This game is extremely crucial from Windies point of view. They need to beat India to remain in hunt for that Quarterfinal berth from Pool B. A loss will make it really tough for them but the group becomes really exiting in that case with Pakistan, Ireland and an outside Zimbabwe waiting to pounce on an opportunity.
India on the other hand would like to maintain their unbeaten record and top Pool B. This will ensure they will face either England or Bangladesh in their quarterfinal game (in all probability).
#MSDhoni mentioned he was happy to chase at the WACA because the wicket would play even throughout. Windies have brought in #KemarRoach to bolster their speed attack and going without any spinner! Thats very surprising but seems to be their strategy to unsettle India's batting through pace and bounce.
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#Bangladesh v #Scotland, #Nelson
Bangladesh brought in all their experience and skill into play chasing down 320 set by a spirited Scotland. It needed all the big guns to fire to scale the big target set by the #Scots.
#TamimIqbal top scored with 95 and laid a solid foundation in the run chase.
#Mahmadullah stroked a fluent 62 and added a valuable century run partnership to set stage for Bangla middle order to steer the chase
#MushfiqurRahim played a real cameo of 60 in 42 balls to up the tempo
#ShakibUlHasan (52*) and #SabbirRahman (42*) steered the ship home for Bangladesh comfortably.
Earlier in the day, #KyleCoetzer produced a remarkable 156 to set up a massive score of 318 against all expectations. He was well supported by #Machan and #Mommsen. Scotland put into bat by Bangladesh backfired on them through Coetzer and company's breathtaking batting display.
As it stands, Bangladesh have 5 points from 4 games and placed 4th in #PoolA just above England whom they face next. That game is a virtual knockout as winner takes it all in the next stage of #CWC15
Scores:
Scotland: 318 for 8, 50 overs
Bangladesh:322 for 4, 48.1 overs
Man of the Match: Kyle Coetzer
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#MillionDollarCatch
There is contest going around in New Zealand at this #CWC15.
Take a one handed clean catch in the audience and be part of a one million dollar kitty.
Notes -
1. Catch must be single handed. Not two handed.
2. Catch has to be clean - no juggling, no rebounds
3. Catch must be completed - no half attempts or dropping after catching. #HerchelleGibbs are you listening?
The million dollars will be divided equally among all spectators who pull out this feat until the final of the world cup. So far just three people have managed to pull it off! This guy is one of them and he achieved his feat in today's game #Pak v #UAE. Therefore he is currently sitting with a cool $333333=00 purse.
As more people catch it as specified, the kitty per person will go down.
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