It ain’t over till it’s over folks. I was all set to rest in peace after my ‘don’t tell all’ video, but the ferocity of comments has shattered my rest to pieces and compelled me to return for this one last post for this IPL season. I can take anything you guys hurl at me, but the line needs to be drawn somewhere. You can call me anything you want and I won’t mind a bit, but one particular anonymous commenter simply crossed the final frontier of my tolerance by calling me Bishen Singh Bedi. Even the guy who called me Himesh had some sense level of decency, although how he recognised Himesh without a mike held at a precise 47.5 degree angle is a little hard to understand.
If you are still reading this post after my obituary, I assume that you are amongst the 37% of readers who have enjoyed the blog in the right spirit, have contributed to the quality of the blog with your intelligent, witty comments and constructive criticism. I hope I am safe to assume that all the Mr. Anonymous’ and Ms Anonymous’ who started and continued inane & immature discussions in the comments section won’t find this blog interesting enough after the last video post. Also, given that the popularity of the blog should now be about 37% of what it was a week ago, I am reeeaaallllyyyy hoping that bleedin’ spammers like rahul and makmoon (I refuse to promote your site by adding the dot com, you idiot) will find some other more lucrative havens. Finally, the brave hearts would have signed off from this coward’s blog by now. It’s better to have lesser people on the site anyway.
I thought our own FIP Awards may be a good way to end the season. Given below is my list. Feel free to add your own categories and awardees in the comments section based on what you have seen, read or heard. I'll compile a final list of Awards in the next post. Leave your names so I can include the contributor names in the final listing. What say, guys?
FIP Awards
Best Night Rider Award:
Sheikh (for obvious reasons)
Best Batsman of Leg Spin/Googly/Flipper:
The guy who hangs around Big Sister for managing to hold on to his prized wicket in the face of a fierce onslaught by the Sheikh himself
'Highest' Scorer Award:
Little John
Saala Slimeball Award: Dildo
Award for Contribution to Indian Cricket:
Saala Slimeball for running the IPL that’s made sure that Prince will never captain India
Appam Chutiya Award:
Prince of Patiala, jiska Cool Dude ne phir chutiya kaat diya
Har Bhajan Award:
Appam Chutiya for slapping FIP with that one magic ball to Cool Dude
Kaan Moolo Award:
Kaan Moolo
British OBE:
Bhookha Naan for the 21st century version of divide and rule
Astrologer of the Year:
Chatterjee Kaku
Naukri.com Career Shift Award:
The numerologist who advised our team name change
LIC Retirement Benefit Plan Award:
Sparrow
Houdini Fastest Disappearing Act Award:
Dildo
Cyrus Memorial Bakra Award:
Skipper
Kingfisher Free Miles Award:
Our entire team
Greenpeace Award for Environment Consciousness:
Bevdaa for saving water
Colgate Last Laugh Award:
Phoren Babas
One last thing. Trying to guess my identity or calling me fake are both exercises in futility. In time you shall know that in the cricketing world there’s the known, there’s the unknown, and somewhere in between is FIP.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
One more win will be nice: Anil Kumble
Johannesburg: Bangalore Royal Challengers' skipper Anil Kumble was not willing to celebrate after the team's six-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings at the New Wanderers here on Saturday propelled it into Sunday's final of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Former India captain Kumble, who took over the reins from an unimpressive Kevin Pietersen midway through the league, said the party will start with one more win - the final, that is.
"One more win will be nice," said Kumble after Saturday's second semi-final that set up Challengers' date with Deccan Chargers in the final.
Kumble lauded both his batsmen and bowlers for the confidence boosting win over last year's runners-up Super Kings.
The bowlers restricted Super Kings to 146 for five in 20 overs and then 19-year-old Man of the Match Manish Pandey (48) and the veteran Rahul Dravid (44) played some solid knocks as Royal Challengers achieved the target with seven balls to spare.
"Their score was not even a par score. Our batsmen backed themselves to clear the boundary. I thought Praveen and Vinay bowled very well at the end," Kumble said.
Pandey thanked Kumble for allowing him to go after Super Kings bowling.
"Today, I got the license from Anil bhai to hit. I didn't want to get out to Murali and wanted to give Rahul the strike," he said.
Super Kings' skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni felt his team was 15 runs short of a winning total.
"The wicket was a bit slow but they (Royal Challengers) played better cricket. We were looking for a 160 score but we lost wickets at the wrong time. They outplayed us. Our bowling was a bit fragile, but we could have made it tougher for them," he said.
Former India captain Kumble, who took over the reins from an unimpressive Kevin Pietersen midway through the league, said the party will start with one more win - the final, that is.
"One more win will be nice," said Kumble after Saturday's second semi-final that set up Challengers' date with Deccan Chargers in the final.
Kumble lauded both his batsmen and bowlers for the confidence boosting win over last year's runners-up Super Kings.
The bowlers restricted Super Kings to 146 for five in 20 overs and then 19-year-old Man of the Match Manish Pandey (48) and the veteran Rahul Dravid (44) played some solid knocks as Royal Challengers achieved the target with seven balls to spare.
"Their score was not even a par score. Our batsmen backed themselves to clear the boundary. I thought Praveen and Vinay bowled very well at the end," Kumble said.
Pandey thanked Kumble for allowing him to go after Super Kings bowling.
"Today, I got the license from Anil bhai to hit. I didn't want to get out to Murali and wanted to give Rahul the strike," he said.
Super Kings' skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni felt his team was 15 runs short of a winning total.
"The wicket was a bit slow but they (Royal Challengers) played better cricket. We were looking for a 160 score but we lost wickets at the wrong time. They outplayed us. Our bowling was a bit fragile, but we could have made it tougher for them," he said.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Rohit named top under-23 cricketer in IPL
Johannesburg: Rohit Sharma has been named the winner of the Citi Under-23 Success of the Tournament in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which concludes on Sunday.A three-member committee comprising former Indian captains and members of the IPL Governing Council Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi adjudicated the contest.
They reached an unanimous decision that Sharma has been the best cricketer in the Under-23 category in the IPL.
Sharma, who won Rs 1 million as award, has scored 333 runs at an average of 27.75, at a strike rate of 119.
He has also taken 11 wickets at an average of 11.45.
Sharma was delighted to be named the winner.
"It is a great honour to be named the Citi Under-23 Success of the League. I am very pleased with my form in South Africa, it has been a fantastic competition and I have really enjoyed it. To be recognised for my achievements by three of the living legends of Indian cricket is a great thrill for me," he said.
IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi also lauded Sharma's performance.
"His performances have helped light up the DLF IPL. He is without doubt one of the best young cricketers in the world, and he has a very exciting future with both Deccan Chargers and India," he said.
N Rajashekaran, Country Business Manager, Global Business Group, Citi India said: "At Citi, we take great pride in promoting young and upcoming talent and contributing towards their coaching, mentoring and training.
"The DLF IPL is an excellent springboard for young players to showcase their cricketing prowess. We hope that (Sharma) will make both his country and his fans across the globe proud in the years to come."
Modi mulls two IPLs every year
LONDON: With the Indian Premier League proving a smashing hit in its adopted home in South Africa, the organisers of the Twenty20 razzmatazz are mulling a second and shorter version of the event in the same calendar year at an overseas location.
IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi told 'The Daily Telegraph' that the success of the second IPL has prompted the organisers to explore untapped territories like United States and Canada and the League's Governing Council would discuss the issue after the tournament ends in Johannesburg on Sunday.
"The potential is huge," Modi said. "We have turned the challenges and adversities in moving to South Africa into an opportunity. It is fans who determine if you are successful or not and they have come out in force. It has shown that the tournament can be in any region, in any country. This opens up many different opportunities for us," Modi was quoted as saying by the daily.
The IPL mastermind made it clear that India would host the first season and it's only for the second season in the same calendar year that a foreign destination would be considered.
"The IPL will be based in India, but the second season we are planning gives us the chance to see if a market exists and we are seriously looking at what we can do with it," Modi said.
"America throws up challenges but the format we have developed works. It is an opportunity for families to spend a day out. Apart from watching great cricket they have an enjoyable evening out. That will work anywhere," he said.
"Before this tournament we did not know if we could do it. But we do know now. We have to satisfy an appetite across the world and build a fan base across the world," Modi added.
Modi said the Indian cricket board (BCCI) would be in touch with its English and South African counterparts but ruled out the prospect of any country hosting back-to-back events.
"We will talk to the England and Wales Cricket Board, and South Africa are natural allies who want us to come back every year. The public and the boards want us but it is not realistic to come back to the same place every year."
While a second IPL in the same calendar year jeopardises Test cricket's survival, Modi beg to differ.
"People who say we cannot work alongside Test cricket just don't understand. You don't need everyone available all the time. You don't need all countries to be free.''
"In England the Premier League runs at the same time as the Spanish and Italian leagues. We can do the same. They can run concurrently. To do that we must showcase and produce our own stars," Modi said.
"England are playing the West Indies now so those teams are out but not Australia, South Africa or uncapped England players. That is where the misunderstanding is taking place," he added.
IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi told 'The Daily Telegraph' that the success of the second IPL has prompted the organisers to explore untapped territories like United States and Canada and the League's Governing Council would discuss the issue after the tournament ends in Johannesburg on Sunday.
"The potential is huge," Modi said. "We have turned the challenges and adversities in moving to South Africa into an opportunity. It is fans who determine if you are successful or not and they have come out in force. It has shown that the tournament can be in any region, in any country. This opens up many different opportunities for us," Modi was quoted as saying by the daily.
The IPL mastermind made it clear that India would host the first season and it's only for the second season in the same calendar year that a foreign destination would be considered.
"The IPL will be based in India, but the second season we are planning gives us the chance to see if a market exists and we are seriously looking at what we can do with it," Modi said.
"America throws up challenges but the format we have developed works. It is an opportunity for families to spend a day out. Apart from watching great cricket they have an enjoyable evening out. That will work anywhere," he said.
"Before this tournament we did not know if we could do it. But we do know now. We have to satisfy an appetite across the world and build a fan base across the world," Modi added.
Modi said the Indian cricket board (BCCI) would be in touch with its English and South African counterparts but ruled out the prospect of any country hosting back-to-back events.
"We will talk to the England and Wales Cricket Board, and South Africa are natural allies who want us to come back every year. The public and the boards want us but it is not realistic to come back to the same place every year."
While a second IPL in the same calendar year jeopardises Test cricket's survival, Modi beg to differ.
"People who say we cannot work alongside Test cricket just don't understand. You don't need everyone available all the time. You don't need all countries to be free.''
"In England the Premier League runs at the same time as the Spanish and Italian leagues. We can do the same. They can run concurrently. To do that we must showcase and produce our own stars," Modi said.
"England are playing the West Indies now so those teams are out but not Australia, South Africa or uncapped England players. That is where the misunderstanding is taking place," he added.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Brilliant Bhatia helps Delhi beat Chargers
Brilliant bowling by Rajat Bhatia towards the end helped Delhi Daredevils snatch a 12-run victory against Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday.
Bhatia's (4/15) medium pace first bowled Andrew Symonds (41), who was going great guns, and then knocked Dwayne Smith's stumps (1) to bring Delhi back into the game after they looked down and out following Adam Gilchrist's hurricane 33-ball 64.
http://sifyimg.edgesuite.net/static.sify.com/content/media/image/jfoa2Ieagaa.jpeg
In Image: Delhi Daredevils player Rajat Bhatia, extreme right, Dirk Nannes, second from right, along with other teammates celebrate their team's victory over Deccan Chargers.
Bhatia's (4/15) medium pace first bowled Andrew Symonds (41), who was going great guns, and then knocked Dwayne Smith's stumps (1) to bring Delhi back into the game after they looked down and out following Adam Gilchrist's hurricane 33-ball 64.
http://sifyimg.edgesuite.net/static.sify.com/content/media/image/jfoa2Ieagaa.jpeg
In Image: Delhi Daredevils player Rajat Bhatia, extreme right, Dirk Nannes, second from right, along with other teammates celebrate their team's victory over Deccan Chargers.
We committed 'cricket suicide': Gilchrist
Deccan Chargers captain Adam Gilchrist blamed the team's fielding and lower-order batting after losing to Delhi Daredevils by 12 runs in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday.
The Chargers were cruising along nicely in their run chase in reply to Delhi's 173 for four before all hell broke loose and from 148 for three, Deccan lost the remaining seven wickets for just 13 runs.
"We committed cricket suicide with our lower-order batting and fielding," Gilchrist said at the post-match ceremony after three catches went down when Delhi were batting.
"We gifted the game away," said the Deccan Chargers skipper, who blasted his way to a 33-ball 64 runs that set the tone of the run chase.
AB de Villiers (44) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (37) made Deccan pay the price after they were dropped on seven and eight, respectively.
Gilchrist was livid with the fielding. "Level of catching in this tournament hasn't been high. We are pretty disappointed. Would have been nice to get the two points."
Making the semi-final could prove to be a bit difficult following this defeat but the Australian felt they are still in the mix.
His Delhi Daredevils counterpart, Virender Sehwag, was a relieved man and admitted they didn't have much chance with Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds going great guns.
"We put up a good total but then didn't have much chance the way Gilchrist and Symonds were batting," said Sehwag, who returned to action after missing some of the action due to a finger injury.
He praised Rajat Bhatia and Rahul Sangwan for their efforts.
"Both Rajat and Sangwan bolwed very well. I had faith in Rajat because he bowls a lot of yorkers and he did the job," said Sehwag, who said they would like to keep winning and pick up the winning cheque of USD 50,000.
"That is a huge bonus," said Sehwag.
The Chargers were cruising along nicely in their run chase in reply to Delhi's 173 for four before all hell broke loose and from 148 for three, Deccan lost the remaining seven wickets for just 13 runs.
"We committed cricket suicide with our lower-order batting and fielding," Gilchrist said at the post-match ceremony after three catches went down when Delhi were batting.
"We gifted the game away," said the Deccan Chargers skipper, who blasted his way to a 33-ball 64 runs that set the tone of the run chase.
AB de Villiers (44) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (37) made Deccan pay the price after they were dropped on seven and eight, respectively.
Gilchrist was livid with the fielding. "Level of catching in this tournament hasn't been high. We are pretty disappointed. Would have been nice to get the two points."
Making the semi-final could prove to be a bit difficult following this defeat but the Australian felt they are still in the mix.
His Delhi Daredevils counterpart, Virender Sehwag, was a relieved man and admitted they didn't have much chance with Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds going great guns.
"We put up a good total but then didn't have much chance the way Gilchrist and Symonds were batting," said Sehwag, who returned to action after missing some of the action due to a finger injury.
He praised Rajat Bhatia and Rahul Sangwan for their efforts.
"Both Rajat and Sangwan bolwed very well. I had faith in Rajat because he bowls a lot of yorkers and he did the job," said Sehwag, who said they would like to keep winning and pick up the winning cheque of USD 50,000.
"That is a huge bonus," said Sehwag.
Racism in KKR camp: Ajay Jadeja
New Delhi: Former India Test cricketer Ajay Jadeja made a sensational claim on Monday, saying that the Indian players were being ill-treated by the foreign staff of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the ongoing Indian Premier League in South Africa.
http://static.sify.com/content/media/image/jeotffiighh.jpg
Jadeja hinted that a member of the KKR foreign coaching staff had racial overtones to his language used for an Indian player. 'I can assure you that there is definitely a divide and Indian players are being treated very badly.' Jadeja told a television channel.
'I am an Indian player. I know so many players in the team (the Kolkata Knight Riders). One player was asked to come off the field and when he asked 'Why did you want me to come off the field?' one of the coaches in the KKR said 'You Indian, you do what I ask you to do'," he said.
'There is definitely a divide. I know it from the source himself. The players are not feeling comfortable,' he added.
http://static.sify.com/content/media/image/jeotffiighh.jpg
Jadeja hinted that a member of the KKR foreign coaching staff had racial overtones to his language used for an Indian player. 'I can assure you that there is definitely a divide and Indian players are being treated very badly.' Jadeja told a television channel.
'I am an Indian player. I know so many players in the team (the Kolkata Knight Riders). One player was asked to come off the field and when he asked 'Why did you want me to come off the field?' one of the coaches in the KKR said 'You Indian, you do what I ask you to do'," he said.
'There is definitely a divide. I know it from the source himself. The players are not feeling comfortable,' he added.
Chennai hope to maintain winning spree against Bangalore
Durban: On a roll after five wins on the trot, Chennai Super Kings under charismatic skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will guard against stepping on the banana skin when it takes on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League here on Thursday.
Dhoni's men didn't exactly have a rollicking start to their IPL campaign, winning just one of their first five matches.
http://static.sify.com/content/media/image/je1wFFabhfh.jpg
The win against Deccan Chargers, however, marked the beginning of their spectacular five-match winning streak and Anil Kumble's men would require something extraordinary on Thursday to halt the Chennai juggernaut.
Matthew Hayden has been key to Chennai's success with his characteristic power-hitting that has often given the side a flying start, making most of the first six overs.
Suresh Raina has been trailing Hayden closely in the run-getters' chart and his natural ability to counter-attack right from ball one has served the team well.
Dhoni himself too has shrugged off his indifferent form and looks in good nick, while S Badrinath finally seems at peace with his role in the side.
And even when the batsmen tended to falter, Chennai's bowlers have bent their back to atone for that, which explains their second place in the points table with six wins from 10 outings.
For them, Sudeep Tyagi and L Balaji have done a decent job so far, while Muttiah Muralitharan has been both among the wickets and unplayable. Even Raina has rolled his arms to good effect, proving quite parsimonious with his left-arm spin.
In contrast, Kumble doesn't have equal riches at his disposal and it would take quite an effort to upset Chennai's applecart on Thursday.
Bangalore's top order has been pretty inconsistent. Jacques Kallis played well in patches, while both Jesse Ryder and Robin Uthappa have let the side down.
Often, the side needed Rahul Dravid to save them the blushes but overall, it has been a pretty slipshod show by the side which is placed sixth after managing just five wins from 11 outings.
Ross Taylor's return to form, however, would please Kumble, who would expect the Kiwi batsman to maintain the form on Thursday.
Dhoni's men didn't exactly have a rollicking start to their IPL campaign, winning just one of their first five matches.
http://static.sify.com/content/media/image/je1wFFabhfh.jpg
The win against Deccan Chargers, however, marked the beginning of their spectacular five-match winning streak and Anil Kumble's men would require something extraordinary on Thursday to halt the Chennai juggernaut.
Matthew Hayden has been key to Chennai's success with his characteristic power-hitting that has often given the side a flying start, making most of the first six overs.
Suresh Raina has been trailing Hayden closely in the run-getters' chart and his natural ability to counter-attack right from ball one has served the team well.
Dhoni himself too has shrugged off his indifferent form and looks in good nick, while S Badrinath finally seems at peace with his role in the side.
And even when the batsmen tended to falter, Chennai's bowlers have bent their back to atone for that, which explains their second place in the points table with six wins from 10 outings.
For them, Sudeep Tyagi and L Balaji have done a decent job so far, while Muttiah Muralitharan has been both among the wickets and unplayable. Even Raina has rolled his arms to good effect, proving quite parsimonious with his left-arm spin.
In contrast, Kumble doesn't have equal riches at his disposal and it would take quite an effort to upset Chennai's applecart on Thursday.
Bangalore's top order has been pretty inconsistent. Jacques Kallis played well in patches, while both Jesse Ryder and Robin Uthappa have let the side down.
Often, the side needed Rahul Dravid to save them the blushes but overall, it has been a pretty slipshod show by the side which is placed sixth after managing just five wins from 11 outings.
Ross Taylor's return to form, however, would please Kumble, who would expect the Kiwi batsman to maintain the form on Thursday.
Warne-less Rajasthan start underdog against Mumbai
Durban: With their inspirational skipper Shane Warne ruled out owing to a hamstring injury, Rajasthan Royals will be a lesser force when they take on in-form Mumbai Indians in a crucial Indian Premier League match here on Thursday.
Warne's hamstring injury means his much-anticipated face-off with Mumbai skipper Sachin Tendulkar, which was prevented by rain the last time around, will not happen yet again.
http://static.sify.com/content/media/image/je1qXjcggaf.jpg
Both the teams are tied on 11 points after 11 games but Mumbai is ahead on net run rate at the fourth spot and Thursday's match might prove be crucial in deciding the semifinal spots.
Rajasthan's current form is not too encouraging and after the team lost to Chennai Super Kings and Deccan Chargers in its last two matches, Warne's imposing presence would surely be missed by the defending champions.
Mumbai, on the other hand, seems to have recovered from a hat-trick of losses and have registered two back-to-back wins over Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab to put their campaign back on track.
The team's batting looks solid with Tendulkar in sublime form and JP Duminy emerging as the middle order mainstay. Among others, Dwayne Bravo has also been among the runs while Ajinkya Rahane is in sparkling form.
Sanath Jayasuriya's form, however, remains a concern and Tendulkar would expect the Sri Lankan to wriggle out of the bad patch on Thursday and play his natural, swashbuckling cricket.
Mumbai bowlers are not doing too badly and injured pace spearhead Zaheer Khan's absence has not been felt much.
Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh have combined to lead the attack well, although the fiery off-spinner has complained that he is not aware of his role in the team.
In comparison, Rajasthan's batting is too reliant on Graeme Smith and Yusuf Pathan although Naman Ojha, who was initially sent back, has turned out to be quite a surprise package.
However, the unavailability of pacers Kamran Khan and Amit Singh, both of whom were found guilty of having a suspect action, has taken the bite out of Rajasthan's bowling attack.
And with the talismanic Warne, known to surprise the opposition with unconventional and often successful bowling changes, missing from action, it would be interesting to see how Rajasthan reacts to tight situations in the match.
Warne's hamstring injury means his much-anticipated face-off with Mumbai skipper Sachin Tendulkar, which was prevented by rain the last time around, will not happen yet again.
http://static.sify.com/content/media/image/je1qXjcggaf.jpg
Both the teams are tied on 11 points after 11 games but Mumbai is ahead on net run rate at the fourth spot and Thursday's match might prove be crucial in deciding the semifinal spots.
Rajasthan's current form is not too encouraging and after the team lost to Chennai Super Kings and Deccan Chargers in its last two matches, Warne's imposing presence would surely be missed by the defending champions.
Mumbai, on the other hand, seems to have recovered from a hat-trick of losses and have registered two back-to-back wins over Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab to put their campaign back on track.
The team's batting looks solid with Tendulkar in sublime form and JP Duminy emerging as the middle order mainstay. Among others, Dwayne Bravo has also been among the runs while Ajinkya Rahane is in sparkling form.
Sanath Jayasuriya's form, however, remains a concern and Tendulkar would expect the Sri Lankan to wriggle out of the bad patch on Thursday and play his natural, swashbuckling cricket.
Mumbai bowlers are not doing too badly and injured pace spearhead Zaheer Khan's absence has not been felt much.
Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh have combined to lead the attack well, although the fiery off-spinner has complained that he is not aware of his role in the team.
In comparison, Rajasthan's batting is too reliant on Graeme Smith and Yusuf Pathan although Naman Ojha, who was initially sent back, has turned out to be quite a surprise package.
However, the unavailability of pacers Kamran Khan and Amit Singh, both of whom were found guilty of having a suspect action, has taken the bite out of Rajasthan's bowling attack.
And with the talismanic Warne, known to surprise the opposition with unconventional and often successful bowling changes, missing from action, it would be interesting to see how Rajasthan reacts to tight situations in the match.
Nothing works like victory: Tendulkar
Centurion: "Nothing works like victory," a happy Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar said on Tuesday night after his team cruised to an eight-wicket win over Kings XI.
"Generally, nothing works like victory. When you start winning, your body language is different, your intensity is different and that is what has happened today," he said after the match, which saw brilliant performances from Dwayne Bravo, Sachin himself and the spinners led by Man of the Match Harbhajan Singh.
Tendulkar was happy with his spinners and fielders and credited them for the win.
http://static.sify.com/content/media/image/jfnaBpehcba.jpg
"We bowled well in the second half. Harbhajan and JP Duminy....these two guys brought us in the game and some brilliant catches. We were getting wickets at regular intervals and that was key to us," Tendulkar said.
Harbhajan was also happy with his performance as he gave away just nine runs in his four overs while also taking one wicket.
"I am very pleased with this performance. We fielded brilliantly. This was an important game for both the teams and am happy to stand on the winning side.
"The first two balls set the tone. I was trying to spin the ball away from the batsmen and that worked. I am happy with what we did today. It clicked," the wily off-spinner said.
Yuvraj Singh blamed poor batting for the defeat.
"We did not bat properly. Except from Sunny (Sohal) not one tried to bat till the 20th over. We did not have enough runs on the board. We needed at least 150 runs," he said.
The Punjab southpaw also praised his rival players for their super show.
"Harbhajan, Duminy and (Lasith) Malinga bowled really well. They did not give us opportunities to score and then Bravo played a blazing innings. We were 40 runs short. We kept losing wickets and did not get momentum," he said.
"Generally, nothing works like victory. When you start winning, your body language is different, your intensity is different and that is what has happened today," he said after the match, which saw brilliant performances from Dwayne Bravo, Sachin himself and the spinners led by Man of the Match Harbhajan Singh.
Tendulkar was happy with his spinners and fielders and credited them for the win.
http://static.sify.com/content/media/image/jfnaBpehcba.jpg
"We bowled well in the second half. Harbhajan and JP Duminy....these two guys brought us in the game and some brilliant catches. We were getting wickets at regular intervals and that was key to us," Tendulkar said.
Harbhajan was also happy with his performance as he gave away just nine runs in his four overs while also taking one wicket.
"I am very pleased with this performance. We fielded brilliantly. This was an important game for both the teams and am happy to stand on the winning side.
"The first two balls set the tone. I was trying to spin the ball away from the batsmen and that worked. I am happy with what we did today. It clicked," the wily off-spinner said.
Yuvraj Singh blamed poor batting for the defeat.
"We did not bat properly. Except from Sunny (Sohal) not one tried to bat till the 20th over. We did not have enough runs on the board. We needed at least 150 runs," he said.
The Punjab southpaw also praised his rival players for their super show.
"Harbhajan, Duminy and (Lasith) Malinga bowled really well. They did not give us opportunities to score and then Bravo played a blazing innings. We were 40 runs short. We kept losing wickets and did not get momentum," he said.
IPL suspends controversial SMS game
Chennai: Indian Premier League (IPL) organisers have suspended a controversial mobile phone-based contest following concerns raised by the country's sports minister last week that it amounted to gambling.
http://static.sify.com/content/media/image/jeqpprhihid.jpg
The IPL, promoted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and featuring some of the top players in world cricket, had introduced a SMS contest aimed at keeping interest in India alive.
The league, which was a huge commercial success in its inaugural edition in India last year, is being played in South Africa this year as the tournament clashes with India's general elections.
"There was no formal complaint. Such SMS contests are being played world over," IPL governing council member Rajeev Shukla said on Tuesday.
"But it has been closed for now," he added.
He did not say for how long.
Former Indian cricketers had raised serious misgivings about the contest, in which participants have to predict the sequence of runs that will be scored in the next over, saying that it amounted to gambling, which is illegal in India.
India's Sports Minister Manohar Singh Gill expressed concern that it could also give rise to a fresh bout of corruption in the game.
"We have already had...a match-fixing scandal in the game," he said in a strongly worded statement on Saturday, referring to a scandal that broke in India and rocked international cricket in 2000.
"It seems the ICC (International Cricket Council) had expressed concerns about such possibilities in the IPL league," he added.
http://static.sify.com/content/media/image/jeqpprhihid.jpg
The IPL, promoted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and featuring some of the top players in world cricket, had introduced a SMS contest aimed at keeping interest in India alive.
The league, which was a huge commercial success in its inaugural edition in India last year, is being played in South Africa this year as the tournament clashes with India's general elections.
"There was no formal complaint. Such SMS contests are being played world over," IPL governing council member Rajeev Shukla said on Tuesday.
"But it has been closed for now," he added.
He did not say for how long.
Former Indian cricketers had raised serious misgivings about the contest, in which participants have to predict the sequence of runs that will be scored in the next over, saying that it amounted to gambling, which is illegal in India.
India's Sports Minister Manohar Singh Gill expressed concern that it could also give rise to a fresh bout of corruption in the game.
"We have already had...a match-fixing scandal in the game," he said in a strongly worded statement on Saturday, referring to a scandal that broke in India and rocked international cricket in 2000.
"It seems the ICC (International Cricket Council) had expressed concerns about such possibilities in the IPL league," he added.
Hayden attributes IPL golden run to retirement
Australian opener Matthew Hayden has credited his sizzling form in the Indian Premier League to his international retirement, saying that being free from
"The only reason that I'm playing the way I am now is because I have retired. I have been able to let go of the fact that I don't want to play international cricket," he told a cricket website.
"I know that I've only got a very short time playing cricket in this particular period, so I've got all my mind, skills and fitness towards the IPL," he added.
Hayden said many of his peers' form and fitness gets affected by playing continuous cricket.
"This is not the case with most other international players, who know they will leave this tournament and head straight to the Twenty20 World Cup, and then another international series, then the domestic cricket next summer - it is just never-ending cricket," he said.
IPL 2009
In nine matches for the Chennai Super Kings, Hayden has scored 426 runs at an average of 47.33.
"During this tournament I've spent more time on the ocean than I have on a cricket field. It does give me an edge, because in a tournament which is played over half a day and when you play every other day, there is a lot of time spent on thinking cricket. You need to have a balance in life," he said.
"never-ending cricket"has helped him remain fresh for the Twenty20 event.
"The only reason that I'm playing the way I am now is because I have retired. I have been able to let go of the fact that I don't want to play international cricket," he told a cricket website.
"I know that I've only got a very short time playing cricket in this particular period, so I've got all my mind, skills and fitness towards the IPL," he added.
Hayden said many of his peers' form and fitness gets affected by playing continuous cricket.
"This is not the case with most other international players, who know they will leave this tournament and head straight to the Twenty20 World Cup, and then another international series, then the domestic cricket next summer - it is just never-ending cricket," he said.
IPL 2009
In nine matches for the Chennai Super Kings, Hayden has scored 426 runs at an average of 47.33.
"During this tournament I've spent more time on the ocean than I have on a cricket field. It does give me an edge, because in a tournament which is played over half a day and when you play every other day, there is a lot of time spent on thinking cricket. You need to have a balance in life," he said.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
IPL points table
| Team | Played | Won | Loss | N/R | Point | R/R |
| Delhi Daredevils | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0.36 |
| Super Kings | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 1.22 |
| Deccan Chargers | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 12 | 0.29 |
| Mumbai Indians | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 0.54 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 11 | -0.37 |
| Royal Challengers | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 10 | -0.36 |
| Kings XI Punjab | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 10 | -0.57 |
| Knight Riders | 11 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 3 | -1.04 |
Saturday, April 25, 2009
IPL Schedule 2009
The DLF Indian Premier League will be played from April 2009 onwards. Below is the IPL schedule for all the IPL matches games in the IPL.
You can get the IPL match timings also below.
| Match No. | Between Teams | Venue | Match Date and Time[IST] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mumbai Indians Vs Chennai Super Kings | Cape Town | April 18 4 p.m |
| 2 | Rajasthan Royals Vs Bangalore Royal Challengers | Cape Town | April 18 8 p.m |
| 3 | Delhi Daredevils Vs Kings XI Punjab | Cape Town | April 19 4 p.m |
| 4 | Deccan Chargers Vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Cape Town | April 19 8 p.m |
| 5 | Chennai Super Kings Vs Bangalore Royal Challengers | Port Elizabeth | April 20 8 p.m |
| 6 | Kings XI Punjab Vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Durban | April 21 4 p.m |
| 7 | Rajasthan Royals Vs Mumbai Indians | Durban | April 21 8 p.m |
| 8 | Bangalore Royal Challengers Vs Deccan Chargers | Cape Town | April 22 8 p.m |
| 9 | Chennai Super Kings Vs Delhi Daredevils | Durban | April 23 4 p.m |
| 10 | Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Rajasthan Royals | Cape Town | April 23 8 p.m |
| 11 | Bangalore Royal Challengers Vs Kings XI Punjab | Durban | April 24 8 p.m |
| 12 | Mumbai Indians Vs Deccan Chargers | Durban | April 25 4 p.m |
| 13 | Chennai Super Kings Vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Cape Town | April 25 8 p.m |
| 14 | Bangalore Royal Challengers Vs Delhi Daredevils | Port Elizabeth | April 26 4 p.m |
| 15 | Kings XI Punjab Vs Rajasthan Royals | Cape Town | April 26 8 p.m |
| 16 | Deccan Chargers Vs Chennai Super Kings | Durban | April 27 4 p.m |
| 17 | Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Mumbai Indians | Port Elizabeth | April 27 8 p.m |
| 18 | Delhi Daredevils Vs Rajasthan Royals | Pretoria | April 28 8 p.m |
| 19 | Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Bangalore Royal Challengers | Durban | April 29 4 p.m |
| 20 | Kings XI Punjab Vs Mumbai Indians | Durban | April 29 8 p.m |
| 21 | Deccan Chargers Vs Delhi Daredevils | Pretoria | April 30 4 p.m |
| 22 | Rajasthan Royals Vs Chennai Super Kings | Pretoria | April 30 8 p.m |
| 23 | Mumbai Indians Vs Kolkata Knight Riders | East London | May 1 4 p.m |
| 24 | Kings XI Punjab Vs Bangalore Royal Challengers | Durban | May 1 8 p.m |
| 25 | Deccan Chargers Vs Rajasthan Royals | Port Elizabeth | May 2 4 p.m |
| 26 | Delhi Daredevils Vs Chennai Super Kings | Johannesburg | May 2 8 p.m |
| 27 | Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Kings XI Punjab | Port Elizabeth | May 3 4 p.m |
| 28 | Bangalore Royal Challengers Vs Mumbai Indians | Johannesburg | May 3 8 p.m |
| 29 | Chennai Super Kings Vs Deccan Chargers | East London | May 4 8 p.m |
| 30 | Rajasthan Royals Vs Kings XI Punjab | Durban | May 5 4 p.m |
| 31 | Delhi Daredevils Vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Durban | May 5 8 p.m |
| 32 | Deccan Chargers Vs Mumbai Indians | Pretoria | May 6 8 p.m |
| 33 | Bangalore Royal Challengers Vs Rajasthan Royals | Pretoria | May 7 4 p.m |
| 34 | Kings XI Punjab Vs Chennai Super Kings | Pretoria | May 7 8 p.m |
| 35 | Delhi Daredevils Vs Mumbai Indians | East London | May 8 8 p.m |
| 36 | Deccan Chargers Vs Kings XI Punjab | Kimberley | May 9 4 p.m |
| 37 | Chennai Super Kings Vs Rajasthan Royals | Kimberley | May 9 8 p.m |
| 38 | Mumbai Indians Vs Bangalore Royal Challengers | Port Elizabeth | May 10 4 p.m |
| 39 | Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Delhi Daredevils | Johannesburg | May 10 8 p.m |
| 40 | Rajasthan Royals Vs Deccan Chargers | Kimberley | May 11 8 p.m |
| 41 | Bangalore Royal Challengers Vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Pretoria | May 12 4 p.m |
| 42 | Mumbai Indians Vs Kings XI Punjab | Pretoria | May 12 8 p.m |
| 43 | Delhi Daredevils Vs Deccan Chargers | Durban | May 13 8 p.m |
| 44 | Bangalore Royal Challengers Vs Chennai Super Kings | Durban | May 14 4 p.m |
| 45 | Mumbai Indians Vs Rajasthan Royals | Durban | May 14 8 p.m |
| 46 | Kings XI Punjab Vs Delhi Daredevils | Bloemfontein | May 15 8 p.m |
| 47 | Chennai Super Kings Vs Mumbai Indians | Port Elizabeth | May 16 4 p.m |
| 48 | Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Deccan Chargers | Johannesburg | May 16 8 p.m |
| 49 | Kings XI Punjab Vs Deccan Chargers | Johannesburg | May 17 4 p.m |
| 50 | Rajasthan Royals Vs Delhi Daredevils | Bloemfontein | May 17 8 p.m |
| 51 | Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Chennai Super Kings | Pretoria | May 18 8 p.m |
| 52 | Delhi Daredevils Vs Bangalore Royal Challengers | Johannesburg | May 19 8 p.m |
| 53 | Rajasthan Royals Vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Durban | May 20 4 p.m |
| 54 | Chennai Super Kings Vs Kings XI Punjab | Durban | May 20 8 p.m |
| 55 | Mumbai Indians Vs Delhi Daredevils | Pretoria | May 21 4 p.m |
| 56 | Deccan Chargers Vs Bangalore Royal Challengers | Pretoria | May 21 8 p.m |
| 57 | Semi Final 1 | Pretoria | May 22 8 p.m |
| 58 | Semi Final 2 | Johannesburg | May 23 8 p.m |
| 59 | Final | Johannesburg | May 24 8 p.m |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
