Asia Cup 2014: Kohli-Rahane-Shami laid the path for India’s first win in 2014!!!

(It was Captain’s Day…Kohli got better of Rahim)

The three men, who ensured India’s six wicket win over Bangladesh, had not only dominated the game but also did it in fashion. In the first innings, Bangladesh had setup a challenging target of 280 for India in which captain Rahim scored a fighting 113runs off  117 balls and was also involved in 133 run best partnership for any wicket against India in recent times, other partner been young opener Anamul Haque who scored 77 in the partnership. Rahim’s ton was first century against India by a Bangladeshi player since 2008 (Alok Kapali had scored a century in June 2008 Asia cup). But the highlight from an Indian perspective was Shami’s e very aggression and ever improving line-length with precise control in seam positioning. He gave too little for the batsmen to work with and hence he also registered his career best figures of 4-50.

But chasing 280 was proving to be a stiff target when Dhawan-Sharma went one after other in quick succession leaving India 54 for 2 in the 13^th over and that’s when partnership between Kohli and Rahane started to build. The stand-in captain came early in the innings and started to middling the bowl from the word go. After the departure of Sharma Rahane came in and joined his skipper to consolidate a partnership. It was slow beginning for Rahane but kept hanging around other than throwing his wicket. It was the calmness of the Kohli that also gave Rahane confidence to stay onto the wicket and struggle for runs. Rahane’s last five one day innings doesn’t reflect a great show of 2, 3, 3, 36 &7.

Both constructed their respective innings in their own style of play. On one side Rahane was quiet and rotating strike were as Kohli was in punishing mood, stoking the ball off the middle of the bat and more importantly in the gap. Together they shared 213 run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane (73) and Virat Kohli (136) for which he was also selected as the Man-Of-The-Match. He scored his 19^th century overall and 5^th in Bangladesh.

Hall mark of the partnership were Kohli's brilliant stroke making with precise power generating ability to put over any field setting on the other hand Ajinkya's paitence, finding gaps, conversion of singles into doubles & later on chipping over the field was the teaser. One being pure class and the other was just elegant as they come. the perfect duo partnership made India come over an embarrassing tour of New Zealand.

“It was important for someone like Ajinkya to bat through the innings. He was playing so well in New Zealand & South Africa (in test matches) and he played beautifully here too. He is very positive guy and works very hard. So it was good for us to stay together till the end.” Kohli said for Rahane.

At the post match presentation, “i always thank my dad every time I achieve something. He worked very hard to help me get where I am”.

He also said, “I am very happy with the team performed today, we bowled well today and there was an improvement in the death overs. It was good to see everyone step up in the absence of Dhoni”.

Some Facts and News during the match:

• In 9 matches when Kohli was the skipper of the team, he has scored 3 centuries and 2 half centuries including innings against Bangladesh on Wednesday.

• Whenever Kohli scores 50+ runs India’s chances of winning goes up to 75%, Meanwhile, India have won 12 out of 13 matches in which Kohli had scored century while chasing.

• Kohli becomes fast player to score 19^th century and difference is of 65 innings less than C. Gayle.

• Out of 19 centuries Kohli has scored 13 has come while chasing.

• Shami creates 25% chances of taking a wicket whereas Varun Aaron gives away a boundary in every 6.3 balls (on an average one boundary ball in each over)

• Mushifiqur Rahim was injured while fielding and was rushed to the hospital, injury doesn’t seems to be too serious tough.

• In pervious encounter with Bangladesh India lost the match and was kicked out of Asia Cup 2012 were Sachin scored his unsuccessful but important ton (100^th hundred).

Some flaws:

• Unsettled bowling attack. India’s bowling isn’t famous for taking sweat out of opposition but on a pitch were some balls were keeping low, seaming early-on in the innings bowling didn’t looked threating at all except Shami as a result team like Bangladesh was able to put-on a challenging total. My point is what happens when India finds themselves at 100 for 4 against a better bowling attack like Srilanka or Pakistan.

• With the absence of MSD, fielding looked unsorted and unenergetic. Kohli himself gave away two over-throws resulting in boundaries (later being reason for Rahim’s century).

India had won the match that good news but Virat had to look beyond what’s happening and rectify the errors. We all now he is next captain for Team India and he is still learning under guidance of MSD. He can do it. Well do Kohli & Co. and Well, GO INDIA GO!!!

On Thursday Afghanistan will face Pakistan…

Next huddle for India is Srilanka where they meet on Friday.

Till then enjoy cricket, take care and never say bye to me

#$D

de Villiers is the Next Brand!!!

Is that anything that AB de Villiers can’t do? If you think No, then think again. Name it and de Villiers is there in the list. To start things off:-

On-Field achievements: If a player in a team can be placed at any position in the field & do wonders for you at same time if he score runs at a blistering strike rate with consistency doesn’t it makes a captains work a lot easier. And if he also keeps-wicket behind the stumps in emergence and blessed with cricketing mind-set to run the game that’s just puts the cherry on top.

Yes there is a man that could all of those things in the game of cricket. His name is AB de Villiers. Abraham Benjamin de Villiers is the man you are looking for your team. He is now been referred as “World’s No.1 test batsmen” and just to justify his tag he is not only No.1 ranked batsmen player in the one-day internationals but also in the longest format of cricket. He is the player of all seasons.

He is doing it all on his own capability.

He is just keep continuing his form what others call a ‘Purple Patch’ in their careers.  de Villiers ability as batsmen has prompted a universal appreciation for his stroke making ability in pressure situation and he often invents an unorthodox shot when others would have just played “sensible”.

AB de Villiers is now been looked upon the player that could carry forward the torch from the great like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Pointing, Jacques Kallis etc. with these legends been retired de Villiers is the new heavyweight batsmen of the International Cricket.

His performance can be judged or moreover can be accepted by the kind of runs he scores consistently when his team is under pressure and these runs have come all-over the globe against each test playing nation. These series of runs-scoring machine started off against Australia in 2012 home series and since then he has scored 12 consecutive test half centuries pervious best being 11 consecutive held by Legends like Viv Richards and greats like Virender Sehwag, Gautum Gambhir.

With his century-knock against Australia in the on-going series he has achieved several milestone of its own. He brought his 19^th ton and became only fourth South African to pass 7,000 Test runs, after Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith and Gary Kirsten.

Talking of the current series, he was on the pitch on three occasions and has scored 91 & 48 both fighting innings that went in vain losing to Australia in the first test, meanwhile in the second test he earned 116 runs against name but also was featured in 149 run partnership with JP Duminy for the sixth wicket before falling to Lyon (figures 46-7-130-5) that can be graded as a soft dismissal by his standards.

Off-field Talent: If you thought de Villiers is a threat on the cricket field, well think again folks. He is a versatile individual and one its own kind. He could have pursued a career in a host of other sports namely, A scratch golfer, Rugby, Football, Swimming, Hockey and Tennis to a national junior standard.

Apart from sports-person, de Villiers is also a Musician, Surprised, not at all, he is a singer, plays guitar and writes his own stuff. His debut album, Maak Jou Drome Waar (African’s for “Make Your Dreams Come True) had already created a stir in South Africa.

It’s no doubt that AB de Villier is a special player, highly competitive individual but what out-stand him is his humbleness and this makes him the most loved person.

And whether I missed it, he can bowl and he is also the captain of ODI and T20 Internationals for SA. He is truly a Cricketing Golden Boy in modern era.

Thanks for hanging around….Keep reading and never say bye to me!!

#$D

New Zealand's Fight back or Victory delayed for India!!!

A brilliant fight-back by New Zealand. They were reeling at 94/5 at one point but then Brendon McCullum and Watling got together and made sure that they not only steadied the ship but also helped the hosts achieve a lead. Both were watchful to start off with but then McCullum opened up and placed his innings to perfection. While, Watling gave the perfect support that his skipper was looking for. However, the work is far from over for the man in the middle and these two need to continue the same momentum tomorrow. The Indian bowlers lost the bite after lunch and looked listless. Their fielding was shabby as they dropped a couple of catches, both of McCullum, which is proving costly. The visitors would look to wrap it up as soon as possible and make sure the target is minimal.

Brendon McCullum has also pulled out his toughest Test knock to take the Test into the fourth day and make sure India will have to bat again. He was on 114* scoring his second ton in the series and 9th overall with BJ Watling on 52* New Zealand's best sixth-wicket partnership worth 158. For India, Zaheer Khan has 3-60.

Watling is known for such fighting innings, but McCullum had to battle his attacking instincts, swallow his pride along with pain-killing pills, and absorb all the pressure before opening up. He was also assisted by the Indian fielders when Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma dropped him when his score was 9 and 36.

New Zealand are 252-5, a lead of six runs, but technically at stumps on the third day of the second Test New Zealand are 6 for 5 going into the Day four against India in Wellington. India is in strong position at present but bowlers need to break the on-going partnership and wrap up the attacking lower order were India need to win the Test and level the series after losing the narrow finish in first Test by 40 runs.

See you tomorrow with more excitement and news. Till then take care and never say bye to me.

#$D

Selection as per Performance…. FINALLY!!!

There is a saying, “someone’s loss is someone’s gain”. This has proven in Indian Cricket time and time again and just carry on the tradition selectors have made some changes that didn't actually shook any fan who know somewhat about cricket, it was just a matter of question “WHEN” then “WHY”.

On Feb 11, 2014: The Sandip Patil-led selection panel announced the squad for both Asia Cup in February as well as For the T20 World Championship that to be held in next month in Bangladesh.

Many would argue on I.Sharma, has selectors lost their patience on Ishant Sharma came at the wrong time since his show in test arena in New Zealand is phenomenal but  poor show in the One Day format became the reason of exclusion from both the tournaments (Asia Cup & T20 W. Cup). His place was in question earlier but as a result of drop in last three ODI in New Zealand just driven a stamp on what has to come next for 25 year Delhi fast bowler is axe from the team. On the similar grounds, Suresh Raina has fallen miserably too, according to his batting figures in his last 24 innings scoring only a single half-century with an average of 26.40. The average even drops to 24.25 since the end of the ODI series against Zimbabwe last year in August.  Still Indian selectors decided to persist with the left-hander for the world T20 due to his impressive track record in the shortest form of cricket and activeness in the field could still make a difference.

There is not much a difference in the batting squad for Asia cup apart from inclusion of Rayudu, Pujara and exclusion of Raina. This could explain that selectors need someone willing to stay on the pitch on one end while other players can play their natural game. For the T20 cup, the selectors have once again felt Yuvraj Singh can be the player that can make a huge difference in the team.The Sandeep Patil committee has alsodecided to go with the three spinners in both formats namely R. Ashwin, R. Jadeja and Amit Mishra.

The Indian Captain will be having choices of finalizing the fast bowlers as bunch of aspirants are included which will surely be led by Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar along with Varun Aaron support for both the tournaments. MSD will also eyeing on the inclusion of Ishwar Pandey in the Asia Cup and Mohit Sharma in the T20 Cup.

Raina’s drop has come at the right time for Stuart Binny has he hammered a ton in the Irani Cup (were committee sat for team selection) as confirmed his place in both the formats. Only the Right-handed all-rounder will be hoping is for some participation and contributing more than just an over to the team which came in his debut and only match in New Zealand.

Asia Cup will be held from Feb 25 to March 8 whereas, ICC World Twenty20 from March 16 to April 6, both in Bangladesh.

The Squad:

Asia Cup: MS Dhoni (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kolhi, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ambati Rayudu, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Varun Aaron, Stuart Binny, Amit Mishra, Ishwar Pandey.

ICC World T20: MS Dhoni (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kolhi, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Varun Aaron, Stuart Binny, Amit Mishra, Mohit Sharma.

As always I say, keep reading and never say bye to me.

#$D

IPL 7 Auction… The Next Big Thing!!!

Since T20 was introduced, it’s been an entertaining addition to cricket and Indian Premier League (IPL) has taken it to new heights. It’s been tried and tested not only at international level but also domestically in every test playing nations and most benefited nations are England (Friends life t20), Australia (Big Bash) and India (IPL) and South Africa is rising (Ram Slam) and IPL 7 won’t be much different rather than stepping one step more ahead.

It’s far from start of the Indian league but newspapers and other media is getting hot as auction dates are reaching nearer. With each day passing-by market is steaming with various updates, rumours and announcements. It’s already announced that there are some change in auction rules for IPL 7, primary being the introduction of “JOKER” card and retention of players per side has increased upto five.

Announcements:

The franchises will be allotted a budget of Rs.60 crore with 5% increment each year for 2015 and 2016.

Taking advantage to change teams like Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super kings and Rajasthan Royals have retained 5 of their players and in addition to it they can get a joker-card for purpose of buy-back one capped or uncapped player. It means Joker card gives the team privilege right of refusal. The other teams have decided to retain fewer players and buy from the auction; such team being:-

·      Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Lasith Malinga, Kieron Pollard, Harbhajan Singh and Ambati Rayudu. Leaving Rs.21 crore in their bag.

·      Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, R. Ashwin, R. Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo. Going in the auction with remaining Rs.21 crore.

·      Rajasthan Royals: A.Rahane, Sanju Samson, Shane Watson, J.Faulkner and Stuart Binny. Remaining Rs.22.5 crore in their basket.

·      Sunrisers Hyderabad: Shikhar Dhawan and Dale Steyn. Remaining Amount Rs.38 crore.

·      Kings XI Punjab: David Miller and Manan Vohra. Remaining Purse amount Rs.43.5 crore.

·      Royal Challenge Bangalore: Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB De Villers bagging Rs.29.5 crore into the auction.

·      Kolkata Knight Riders: Gautam Gambhir and Sunil Narine. Remaining Rs.38 crore in their Bag

·      Delhi Daredevils being the only team not to retain any player, instead they opted to rebuild team by avoiding players like Shewag, kevin Pietersen, Warner, M.Morkel.

Updates and Notes:

·      Auction will be held at ITC Gardenia marking it the first occasion in the history when uncapped players will also be auctioned and that to in Indian Currency and not in US dollars.

·      There will be about 540 capped and uncapped players going under the hammer on Feb 12-13 for the next three seasons

·      Bifurcating players into 244 capped players (over 170  Indian & 50 Foreigners) and 292 uncapped players (255 Indian & 37 Foreigners)

·      Base price starts from Rs30 lakh, Rs.50 Lakh, Rs.1 crore, Rs.1.5 crore and maximum of  Rs.2 crore to which only 31 capped players have been named for the maximum base price (11 are Indian, 10 Australian, 3 from England & Srilanka, 2 New Zealander’s and 1 from South Africa & West Indies each).

·      Base price for uncapped players have to be fixed by themselves on the three options minimum being Rs.10 Lakh and other two been Rs.20 Lakh & Rs.30 Lakh.

·      The BCCI has clearly stated that, they will not entertain player agents or managers and the name of an uncapped player will be forwarded only by the association.

Rumours and Speculations:

As the Big Auction is less than a week away all sorts of rumours have come in just to spice up and bring some more heat going into the auction on Feb 12 &13, 2014.

·      Ahead of the February 12 auction for the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League, it is expected the show will be dominated by the foreign stars.

·      It’s been rumoured for a while now that Virat Kohli Captain of RCB wants Yuvraj Singh to play by his side

·      Shane Watson may lead Royals for the seventh edition in IPL

·      It was once said that some of the matches may be shifted to Srilanka (but now it seems unlikely)

·      Less number of foreign players in a team squad, reducing it to 9 players from 11 in last edition.

International Players like Corey Anderson, McCullum brothers, Kevin Pietersen, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Hussey, Brett Lee, Quinton de Cock, Steve Smith, Flinch, Faf du Plessis, Morkel brothers, Dwain Smith, Yuvraj Singh, Shewag, Pathan brothers and many many more exciting players will be in the eye of eight different franchises. With Delhi in rebuilding mood they will surely targeting these players.

Thus, folks get gear up for exciting and trilling ride one more time of IPL 7 in April but for now, it’s “AUCTION TIME”.

Till then see ya take care and never say bye to me.

#$D