Virat versus Maxwell as Royals take on Kings

Virat versus Maxwell as Royals take on Kings

   April 28, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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Dubai: Considered among the finest of the fresh crop of cricketers going around, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell will lock horns in the battle of batting supremacy as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) meet table toppers Kings XI Punjab here on Monday.

  

While Kohli has been in scorching form at international level for a while now, the seventh edition of the IPL has been set on fire by Maxwell’s mauling.The Aussie not only has the Orange Cap perched firmly on his sensible head, his audacious strokeplay has ensured the opposition concede some crucial psychological points before the contest actually gets going. 

Maxwell’s relentless assault means that Kings are yet to taste a defeat, while Royals, after getting off to winning start, have slipped to two consecutive defeats. While the form of Yuvraj remains a concern, over reliance on Virat and A B deVilliers has been another reason for their indifferent performances. To top it all, the suspense over Chris Gayle robs them off the essential firepower against a side that boasts of the in-form dup of Maxwell and Miller. 

Left in disarray after consecutive losses, Royal Challengers Bangalore face the arduous task of taming the yet-to-be-beaten table-toppers Kings XI Punjab when the two sides clash in an IPL match here on Monday.

The contrast in their fortunes could not have been deeper going into tomorrow`s match given that Punjab are yet to taste defeat this IPL while Bangalore have lost two matches on the trot.

RCB, sans West Indian marauder Chris Gayle who is nursing a sore back, were completely outplayed in their most recent match -- against Rajasthan Royals.

Their star-studded batting line-up collapsed to the third lowest IPL total ever before Rajasthan made short work of the paltry 71-run target in Abu Dhabi.

Saturday’s loss was a crushing one and Kohli wants to forget it as quickly as possible but it would be quite a task for his team to turn it around against Punjab, by far the most consistent team of the season so far.

Match detail:

Match: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kings XI Punjab

Date: 28th April 2014

Venue: Dubai International Stadium UAE

Time: 19:30 PKT 18:30 local 14:30 GMT

It would require a very special effort from RCB to stop the powerful Kings batting line-up, something that KKR`s spin combo of Sunil Narine and Piyush Chawla managed to do on Saturday before KXIP produced some magic of their own with the ball through the pace pair of Sandeep Sharma and Mitchell Johnson.

A big positive for KXIP is senior opener Virender Sehwag`s return to some form. The veteran, who has fallen out of national reckoning, is slowly getting back into the groove with some decent contributions in the past couple of matches. But Cheteshwar Pujara is still finding his feet in the format even though his individual form has not yet hurt the team too much. 

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IPL 7 Match - 18 KXIP Vs RCB in Dubai

IPL 7 Match - 18 KXIP Vs RCB in Dubai

   April 28, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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Dubai -::: Royal Challengers Bangalore face the arduous task of taming the yet-to-be-beaten table-toppers Kings XI Punjab when the two sides clash in an IPL match here on 28 April 2014.

A big positive for KXIP is senior opener Virender Sehwag's return to some form. The veteran, who has fallen out of national reckoning, is slowly getting back into the groove with some decent contributions in the past couple of matches. But Cheteshwar Pujara is still finding his feet in the format even though his individual form has not yet hurt the team too much. It would be a massive boost for Bangalore if Gayle returns to the squad after recovering from his back problem, but his availability is still not confirmed. Also, more would be expected from South African swashbuckler AB de Villiers, who is yet to produce an eye-catching performance so far in the tournament. 

Squads Kings XI Punjab: George Bailey (captain), David Miller, Manan Vohra, Virender Sehwag, Mitchell Johnson, Cheteshwar Pujara, Shaun Marsh, Wriddhaman Saha, Thisara Perera, Glenn Maxwell, Rishi Dhawan, Anureet Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Akshar Patel, Beuran Hendricks, Karanveer Singh, Murali Kartik, Shivam Sharma, Shardul Thakur, L Balaji, Parvinder Awana, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Mandeep Singh. 

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli (captain), Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Yuvraj Singh, Parthiv Patel, Albie Morkel, Mitchell Starc, Ashok Dinda, Ravi Rampaul, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nic Maddinson, Varun Aaron, Vijay, Sachin Rana, Yogesh Takawale, Abu Nechim Ahmed, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shadab Jakati, Sandeep Warrier, Harshal Patel, Tanmay Mishra.

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Struggling Mumbai Indian need to Make Batting side better

Struggling Mumbai Indian need to Make Batting side better

   April 25, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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Mumbai Indians (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Struggling Mumbai Indian need to Make Batting side better

Chennai Super Kings have been one of the busier teams in the UAE, and on Friday will play their third game inside five days. However, they may not be complaining too much about the short turnaround time, given that they have built up a winning momentum after their last two games. After steamrolling Delhi Daredevils, they were stretched by Rajasthan Royals while batting. Their bowlers stepped up for the second time after a horror opening game against Kings XI Punjab, suggesting that they are developing their all-round game early in the tournament.

Mumbai Indians on the other hand have had the last five days to regroup and reassess their poor start to the tournament, having dropped both games with underwhelming performances. Their batting was a letdown on both occasions and the problems begin at the top. Michael Hussey was never an explosive starter while at Chennai Super Kings. He could afford to be the steady accumulator due to the presence of big hitters lower down the order who would routinely shore up the innings. While Hussey is yet to find his feet in his new franchise, it wouldn't be fair to lay the blame on him.

MI have hitters down the order in the form of Corey Anderson and Kieron Pollard, but the lack of contributions from them has compounded their problems, as scores of 122 and 115 suggest. Even their experienced seam attack of Zaheer Khan and Lasith Malinga need a fighting total to defend, as was the case against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where 115 was still inadequate after having the opposition down at 17 for 3.

Corey Anderson was Mumbai's second-most expensive buy at the auction, behind Hussey, at INR 4.5 crore. Though it's still early days for him in the IPL, he is yet to show what he's capable of. He played eight balls for 2 before he was bowled by Sunil Narine and against Royal Challengers he made 18 off 19 with two fours. He has the power to clear the big boundaries in Dubai. Mumbai need him to step up as a lower-order finisher.

Super Kings have preferred to go in with a more inexperienced Indian seam attack comprising Mohit Sharma and Ishwar Pandey instead of the more experienced Ashish Nehra. Mohit was economical against Daredevils, conceding 17 off three overs and against Royals he bowled two overs for 13. Mohit has been difficult to get away when MS Dhoni stands up to the stumps, which suggests that the captain uses him as a run-saving option. Mohit said that the back of a length deliveries work better in the Dubai pitch, which wasn't the easiest to bat on in Super Kings' last game.

in Short : 

• Mumbai Indians are the only team against whom Chennai Super Kings have a negative win-loss record in the IPL. Super Kings have lost 9 games against Mumbai while only winning 6, out of 15 games 
• The highest run-scorer and the highest wicket-taker in matches between these teams are from Super Kings. Raina has scored 414 runs, while Dwayne Bravo has taken 20 wickets (though he is out of this tournament). 

Mumbai Indians have had the last five days to regroup and reassess their poor start to the tournament.

Kanishkaa Balachandran | ESPNcricinfo 

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why Royal Challengers Bangalore lose game - GAME 11

why Royal Challengers Bangalore lose game - GAME 11

   April 25, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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why Royal Challengers Bangalore lose game - GAME 11 ?

IPL 7, GAME 11—Vinay's over, Lynn's catch turns last-over finish in KKR's favour.

How quickly does a Twenty20 game change? Ask Royal Challengers Bangalore. 

For virtually the entire match it was in their grasp: their bowlers had combined to limit Kolkata Knight Riders to 150 on a flat track in Sharjah, their openers had put them on course in the chase, and even though Yuvraj Singh flapped about towards the end, the asking-rate was never out of hand. Even at the start of the final over with two renowned finishers, AB de Villiers and Albie Morkel, in the middle, Royal Challengers were favourites.

Nine runs were needed, and Knight Riders' two major threats, Sunil Narine and Morne Morkel, had bowled out. Vinay Kumar stepped up to the job and delivered an over filled with full deliveries that kept his old team down to six, sparking delirious celebrations from the Knight Riders camp.

When a bowler defends nine off the final over in a Twenty20, that too against some of the finest hitters in the world, you'd expect him to hog the headlines. 

It is Chris Lynn who everyone will be talking about, however, after he took an acrobatic catch to send back de Villiers and turn the game in the final over.

De Villiers was looking to clear the long boundary at midwicket - the pitch was at the edge of the square - and though he connected well, there wasn't enough to clear the rope. He might still have survived, as Lynn had slipped and fallen before the ball got to him. 

That didn't deter Lynn, who leapt up and plucked that powerful hit bending his back like a high-jumper, and flopped to the ground, somehow managing it all without touching the rope which was a yard behind.

Given the sheer athleticism involved, the stage of the game, and the player who was dismissed by it, it's hard to see how Lynn's catch will be topped this season. "I slipped and I thought if I stood up and dropped the catch, it would look very silly, so just stayed down," was Lynn's straight-faced explanation when asked about his game-changing grab.

After de Villiers' exit Royal Challengers needed six off two, not entirely out of reach, especially for a hitter like Morkel. But the catch left Royal Challengers stunned, and even though the final delivery was a hittable full toss, Morkel couldn't put it away, and Knight Riders' jailbreak was complete.

The high drama at the end masked a diffident performance from Knight Riders for much of the game. The only other passage in the match when they looked in control was when Lynn was in the middle, swatting sixes off the returning Muttiah Muralitharan. Lynn, bought as an afterthought in the IPL auctions showed some of the big-hitting that has earned him loyal fans in the Big Bash League.

Lynn put on 80 for the third wicket with Jacques Kallis, after Gautam Gambhir fell for his third successive duck and the in-form Manish Pandey faltered. Lynn's dismissal in the 12th over drained the momentum from Knight Riders' innings and they finished on what seemed an inadequate score. Varun Aaron showed he had control as well as pace, and legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal turned in his third impressive performance in a row to keep the Knight Riders in check.

Royal Challengers' dominance increased after their openers, Parthiv Patel and Yogesh Takawale, provided a strong start, and Virat Kohli was at his usual best to guide the chase along. Narine was watchfully played out till Kohli was bamboozled off the penultimate ball of his spell to give Knight Riders a faint chance. Yuvraj couldn't force the pace towards the end giving Knight Riders more of a grip on the game, before Vinay and Lynn yanked it out of Royal Challengers' hands.

Friends Views 

why is Yuvraj playing like Pujara in T20... we all know Pujara is not a big hitter but the way Yuvraj has been playing lately he is making Pujara's strike rate look better and he has been more consistent with the bat than Yuvi. 

The way Yuvi has been playing lately he is putting pressure on other batsman to hit the boundaries... Seems like he is too worried about himself not getting out... AB De Villiers should come ahead of Yuvi

Yet another show of a game that in this short form of 20/20 nothing can be predicted till the last ball is bowled. AB and Albie hailing from SA had all the time in the world to plan the strategy seriously between them, especially when there were 12 balls left and the target was within reach...alas! it was not to be...one fielder (Lynn) diving acrobatically to catch the flying ball bravely and another intelligent bowler (V. Kumar) without wavering or panicking at the last 6 balls reversed the result to the amazement of thousands of fans in the stadium and millions watching on TV! Congrats Gambir! No one to my rememberance got 3 ducks in a row! excepting ofcourse Rohit in 50 over match against Srilanka in their soil for 6 ducks!

Wow! It's again a Yuvi show all the way. Any youngster watching, this is how you make your life miserable and miserable for the team too. The match was lost because of Yuvi's yet another pathetic show. Poor RCB, they wasted a fortune on this "Goner"!!! The most expensive players is also the worst player in this tournament. It is like he has become a huge burden on RCB.

Gambhir and Shewag were doth playing well for India, when they both eyed thr Indian captaincy. When Dhoni had a short period of slump, they doth tried to aggravate the situation by purposely playig sadlt according to a plan. And, see, both are out of the team and will never make a come gack.

Siddarth Ravindran | ESPNcricinfo

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Royal Challengers n Kolkata Knight Riders Two teams

Royal Challengers n Kolkata Knight Riders Two teams

   April 25, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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Big Picture — Two teams jolted by recent defeats will be eager to get back the winning momentum. Royal Challengers Bangalore have just a day to shake off a stunning defeat at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders, for it was a game they weren't meant to lose. Any team needing 25 off 18 balls with seven wickets in hand would back itself to seal it, but a combination of nerves, intelligent death bowling from Vinay Kumar, and a blinder of an outfield catch from Chris Lynn turned the match on its head.

It was Royal Challengers' first defeat in three games, but more importantly, it was the wake-up call they needed to ward off complacency. Chris Gayle's likely return will perk them up, but the opening position is not their worry, for they have managed well without him. Yuvraj Singh has scores of 52*, 0 and 31 but he won't be very satisfied with his strike-rate. Virat Kohli cannot be expected to win them every game, which means the others around him have to be more consistent.

Still, the Royal Challengers may not be as concerned about form as the Rajasthan Royals will be. The team succumbed to Glenn Maxwell defending 191 and against Chennai Super Kings, they failed to chase 141. They could not pin down Super Kings at 74 for 5, and despite restricting them to a middling total, the batsmen never really asserted themselves.

It begs the question of whether Shane Watson should move up the order, with Abhishek Nayar struggling. If Watson can take control at the top, it relieves the pressure on the middle order. 

Varun Aaron had to endure negative press coming into this IPL, after he leaked 74 off only 7.5 overs in an ODI against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup. Fortunately, he has managed to turn that around with economical spells. He took 1 for 9 off three overs against Delhi Daredevils and his best performance was 3 for 16 against Knight Riders. That he has managed to be penetrative without compromising on his pace is a bonus for Royal Challengers and himself.

Rajat Bhatia joked that the Dubai pitch was slower than his bowling. The experienced medium-pacer has been hard to get at because of the pace he takes off the ball, forcing the batsmen to use extra muscle to clear the long boundaries. He makes the batsmen play to his tunes and that explains his economy rate of 6.63. He was at his miserly best against Super Kings, giving away just 13 off four overs and picking up two wickets.

Among current players, Shane Watson is the leading run-scorer in matches between Royals and Royal Challengers, with 210 runs. The record, though, is held by Rahul Dravid (323) who has retired.  Virat Kohli has a below-par record against Royals, with only 158 runs at a below-par strike rate of 92 and an average of 17.55. Kanishkaa Balachandran | ESPNcricinfo 

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IPL 7: Is Mukesh Ambani the wealthiest Indian cricket team owner?

IPL 7: Is Mukesh Ambani the wealthiest Indian cricket team owner?

   April 23, 2014       prabhakardalvi

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Business tycoon Mukesh Ambani is the wealthiest Indian cricket team owner with an estimated net worth of USD 21.2 billion, according to a Wealth-X estimate.

Ambani is the Chairperson, Managing Director and the largest shareholder of Reliance Industries, and through Reliance, Ambani owns the Mumbai Indians, the defending IPL champions.

According to Wealth-X, a global wealth intelligence and prospecting company, Ambani's worth is almost ten times the personal fortune of media baron Kalanidhi Maran who is at the second spot among the IPL owners and represents a significant chunk of the collective total. Collectively the eight ultra high net worth individuals on the Wealth-X list control USD 25.17 billion, the Wealth-X report said.

Kalanidhi Maran the owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad was placed in the second position with a net worth of USD 2.2 billion, followed by Vijay Mallya (Royal Challengers Bangalore, USD 640 million), and Sharukh Khan (Kolkata Knight Riders, USD 600 million) in the third and fourth place respectively. Others in the list include, Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao (Delhi Daredevils, USD 270 million), Manoj Badale (Rajasthan Royals, USD 160 million), Narayanaswami Srinivasan (Chennai Super Kings, USD 70 million) and Preity Zinta (Kings XI Punjab, USD 30 million). To compile the list, Wealth-X selected the most prominent and significant shareholder from each of the eight teams competing in the ongoing IPL.

The 2014 IPL season began on April 16 and would run till June 1. There are eight teams vying for the trophy this season one less than 2013 after the withdrawal of the Pune Warriors India.

Wealth-X provides insight into the ultra wealthy with the world's largest collection of curated research on ultra high net worth (UHNW) individuals, defined as those with net assets of USD 30 million and above.

Source : IPL 7: Is Mukesh Ambani the wealthiest Indian cricket team owner?

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