WT20 Virat Ind Take On Gayle WI In Semifinal2

#IndvsWI #Semifinal #WT20
from Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Termed as battle between David and Goliath by Darren Sammy​ (WI skipper) but also warned public about who won that battle? Its going to be an intriguing game that will depend a lot of which WI team will land up on the pitch. They are too mercurial. On their day, they can blast any opposition away while on others, they can just capitulate against minnows (that loss to Afghanistan couple of days ago is a strong reminder)

Also pitted against each other are the batting powerhouses Chris Gayle-SPARTAN​ vs Virat Kohli​.
It could come down to their battle as well. Who performs well on the day may determine the outcome.

The Mumbai pitch being a batting paradise so far, gives Indian batsman a first opportunity to score a few runs. Their top order is woefully out of form and will look to redeem themselves. Ashwin was brutally dealt with in the last game and he'll look to make amends especially bowling to Gayle at the top.

WI bowlers have done well too. Bravo's end over bankability, Badree's spin and Russell's pace seem to be doing the job at the moment but will be tested by this Indian batting lineup.

As for their batting, WI look better at the top with Charleston and Samuels looking solid while their powerhouses Fletcher, Gayle, Sammy and Russell could do a lot of damage all through.

However, the biggest deciding factor in the game seems to be MS Dhoni's cool captaincy.
He's just taken that to another level and can win games on his cool attitude alone.
Lets see how it goes? Odds in favour of India but their performances have revolved around Virat and that has hidden some big flaws in their batting top order. Also, with Yuvraj Singh​ out due to an ankle injury some forced changes seem inevitable. No injury worries for WI but their only worry would be how would they handle the 78000 Indian fans. Its 15 vs 78000.

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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 Indias Houdini Escape Vs Bangladesh In A 1 Run Classic

#Ind v #Ban
#WT20 - Group 2 Match
Chinnaswany Stadium, Bengaluru

What is it about Bangladesh that gives Indian cricket team nightmares?

It was on the same day, 23rd Mar 2007, that Bangladesh announced them on world stage beating the fancied Indian team in a group game at #ICC 50-Over #WorldCup in West Indies. Wreckers in chief - Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan (all brimming youngsters then)!

Fast forward to 23rd Mar 2016 (exactly 9 years on), they planned another coup on India in #TW20 World Cup and it almost came off.... almost, well .... they gave it away to India on a plate really. Such was Bangladesh's dominance that off the 240 balls bowled by both sides, they were all but winning on the first 237 of them. 3 balls later they had gifted a match to India on a golden platter (when Indian team had already started packing their bags after a dismal WT20 campaign). It just summed up the entire show.

Winning the toss and electing to field on a "tacky" wicket, Bangladesh seamers and spinners never really allowed the Indian batsmen to get away. India's top-order in woeful form didnt help matters either. Shikhar and Rohit tried to hit their way out of trouble but claimed by Shakib and Mustafizur respectively for not many. In form Virat Kohli walked to a raucous applause from his #RCB crowd and he set up to do a repair job with another out-of-form batsman in Raina. His sublime batting and ability to run ones-twos helped India to crawl back into the lead.

Just like previous matches though, a middle order collapse ensued. Kohli was bowled by Suvagata. Hardik Pandya, who was prromoted ahead of Yuvraj and Dhoni inflicted some lusty blows but Raina and him were caught in the deep off consecutive deliveries by Al-Amin left India reeling. Sowmya Sarkar's catch to dismiss Pandya should easily win him the "Catch of the Tournament" award. Yuvraj came and went. Dhoni and Ashwin tried to hit out but could only scrape through the last few overs to set up a well below par 146 on a not-so-bad wicket.

Considering evening dew and pitch improving, Bangladesh had the best chance to upstage India. In came Tamim with the same mindset as that 2007. Flashing hard, he set out punishing the Indian bowlers. India's fielding was well below par too. A dropped chance off Ashwin by Bumrah proved more than costly. In the following over, Bumrah was dispatched for 4 boundaries by Tamim (rubbing a lot of salt and pepper on the injuries).

Although India kept picking wickets, Bangladesh was always ahead. They had a plan. Every batsman coming in was looking to be aggressive and this kept the runs coming in. Dhoni;s smartness accounted for Sabbir's stumping, Mashrafe promoted himself and smashed Raina for six signalling his intentions. Ravindra Jadeja though came up with his variety of spin to dismiss both Tamim and Mashrafe to balance the scales.

Meanwhile Shakib was collecting boundaries and sixes at regular intervals to keep Bangladesh within touching distance but once he edged to slip off a beauty from Ashwin, things began to look interesting.

With Sowmya Sarkar and Mahmadullah at the crease, things were still in Bangla control. Both of them were cautious and the occasional big shot was all that was needed to cross the finish line. 

34 from 24 balls.

Dhoni's spinners had completed their quota. Bumrah had forgettable night thus far (2 overs for 21) while the fifth bowler still had one over to go. Bangladesh were probably waiting for that over to come. Smartly, Dhoni opted to get the seasoned bowlers first and gambled with Bumrah. It paid off. Just 6 runs from the 17th over. With wonderful ball control and ability to york, Bumrah ensured a low scoring over. 

28 from 18 balls.  

Ball passed on to veteran Nehra. His second ball smashed to boundary by Sowmya but ballooned a low full toss the same over (off Nehra). Advantage India. In walks Mushfiqur, the dimunitive, tenacious player tailor-made for these tense situations. The final ball of the over smashed by Mahmudullah through covers for four. Advantage Bangladesh again.

17 from 12 balls.

It had to be toss up between Bumrah and Pandya. Should Dhoni hold back Bumrah for the final over and squeeze in the yorkers or get him on now and make it as difficult as possible in the final over. He chose the latter option. Bumrah once again bowled beautifully conceding just 6 singles.

11 from 6 balls.

So, stage set for the final over showdown.
Bangladesh's best finisher in Mahmudullah and supercool experienced Mushfiqur vs rookie medium pacer Pandya (who was taken to the cleaners earlier in the innings). 

Ball 1 - Pandya bowls outside off, Mahmudullah strokes to deep cover for a single

Ball 2 - Pandya balls wider of the shuffling Mushfiqur but on length and thats good enough for him to smash it over covers for four. Jubilant Bangla fans dance in the aisles.

Ball 3 - Pandya goes a bit fuller but then again cheeky Mushfiqur scoops it over his shoulder past the outstretched hands of Dhoni for another four at fine leg. Mushiqur starts celebrating and punching the air. Bangla fans go wild. Job almost done!

9 off 3 achieved already, 2 from 3 balls needed.
Plain and simple. Two singles would do it. The field was still in-out type to cater to the boundary hit.

Ball 4 - Very very short of length ball that sat up and Mushfiqur goes for the glory shot. A pull over midwicket. Instead he mistimes it holes it straight down deep midwicket's throat. Shikhar Dhawan accepting a dolly. Mushfiq is gutted and ambles back. Batsmen have crossed over, so Mahmudullah on strike which is advantage Bangladesh. Shuvagata the new batsman at the non-striker's end.

Ball 5 - Inexplicably (or was it planned), Pandya delivers a low full toss that Mahmudullah can park anywhere in the stadium but he chooses height over distance. His looping shot is wonderfully taken by Jadeja at deep midwicket (this was smart captaincy by Dhoni to replace Dhawan with Jadeja at midwicket). Batsman cross over, Shuvagata on strike for the final ball. Mustafizur, the new man in, will be off strike, ready to run his fastest no matter what Suvagata comes up on that last ball.

2 runs from  1 ball.

Its all about this last ball now. From an easy walk in the park, Bangladesh have managed to dig themselves into a hole from nowhere. Most importantly, their experienced batsmen have done this!

After a lot of deliberation, mid pitch talks and lot of advice from all round, Pandya starts from the top of his bowling mark.

The plan looks to be set. Bounce it outside off, hope batsman misses and run the batsman out. Dhoni even removes his right glove to grip the ball better if needed. 

Pandya pitches short and wide of offstump (but well within the wide marker), Shuvagata swings and misses, Dhoni gathers and starts running towards the stumps (smartly does not throw from his place to avoid missing them or ricochets for overthrows). Mustafizur is out of his blocks from the non-striker's end too. Its all about who wins this running race now. Bolt vs Gatlin? Dhoni wins. He whips the stumps while Mustafizur slides his bat in the popping crease. Who won? Third umpire called on to make the decision.

Everyone is tense. Players, Umpires, Crowd all waiting for the flash screen to indicate the result. OUT would mean India win, NOT OUT would mean the match goes into a super over knock out. Wow!

And O - U - T appears on the screen announcing an amazing Houdini escape for the Indian team. Nowhere for the first 237 balls, winners by virtue of the last three! 

Amazing scenes at the Chinnaswany Stadium. Crowd goes wild, India players celebrate while Bangla supporters and players are gutted. Cruel, cruel game this!

INDIA WIN BY 1 RUN.

One for the memories. A classic to remember for all time. 
The day Bangladesh will never forget and so will India. The day when Bangladesh gave away their win and a chance for India to move to the semifinals.

Man of the Match: Ravi Ashwin

Brief Score:
India: 146 for 7, 20 overs
Bangladesh: 145 for 9, 20 overs

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 Ind v Pak Another Rank Turner - Pak 118 for 5 in their 18 overs

#Ind v #Pak
Group 2 Match
#EdenGardens, #Kolkata

Is this a #WT20 game or test match?

The first 10 overs of Pak innings resembled a test match on a typical Indian turner pitch. No batsman was able to read spin on this wicket and runs were coming in a trickle.
It took some lusty hitting from Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal to get Pak's score some respectability.
All talk of pitch livening after the rains is out of the window.

Pak 118 for 5, 18 overs.

Its over to Pak's bowlers vs India's batsmen now.
Both teams with their best strengths on show.

Pakistan dont have too many spinners.
They opted for 4 seamers.
Afridi and Malik their only spinning options.
Who will come up trumps?
Pak bowling guile will trump or Indian batsmen will clinically finish the game?

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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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WT20 - Power Masters LalaAfridi and GayleStorm Dominate Day 2

#WT20 - #Pak v #Ban
Group 2 Match
Eden Gardens, Kolkata

#Lala #Afridi sends a warning to #India with a brilliant all round performance vs #Bangladesh

Pakistan's batting, the seemingly weak link came to the party today with their top order really clicking well to set up a big score of 201 in 20 overs. Shehzad, Hafeez built a solid platform and Afridi just launched a breath-taking assault on the hapless Bangla bowlers to pile up a huge score.

In return, Bangladesh were no match for the fiery Pak seamers, especially Mohammad Amir. They could only manage 146 for 6 in their 20 overs. Shakib's fifty ad Shabbir's brief onslaught the only highlights of their innings.

#LIVE #SCORE
Pak - 201 for 5, 20 overs
Ban - 146 for 6, 20 overs
Man of the Match: Shahid Khan Afridi Lala

#WT20 - #Eng v #WI
Group 1 Match
Wankhede, Mumbai

#Gayle "Storm" strikes #England

Chasing a daunting 183, the Superstar West Indian smashed his second WT20 hundred (only player to do so) in just 47 balls to help Windies canter home by 6 wickets and 2 overs to spare!

He was lethal on seamers, spinners, medium pacers and just about everything that England threw at him. He has sent a strong message to other teams in the competition to not take #WI lightly.

#LIVE #SCORE
England - 183 for 5, 20 overs
West Indies - 184 for 4, 18.1 overs
Man of the Match: Chris Gayle-SPARTAN

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