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IPLT20 :
Latest News:
Apr 23, 2010
Apr 23, 2010
Apr 23, 2010
Apr 23, 2010
Apr 23, 2010
‘Being on the jury was exciting’
Harsha Bhogle was part of the five member awards jury that met to discuss the performances of nominees in the IPL Jury Awards categories. The winners picked by the jury will be presented their awards on April 23 at the first ever IPL Awards Night. Here’s what he had to say abut the adjudication process.
On his experience as a jury member
It was good because there was a fair debate [in the adjudication meeting]. Some disagreed with the others - for example, Simon Taufel went with the minority vote if you could call it that. I had one choice that I thought was a better choice and got outvoted, but that’s fine - it that happens all the time. It’s good when you sit on a jury like this, I have not done this too many times so I was quite excited about it. It makes you think and look back and that’s the good thing about it all – [when] you are sitting and analysing AB DeVilliers [or] Andrew Symonds, you have to go back to all the performances. I thought the best, the most interesting one was the ‘Most dramatic performance’ award and I think it’s a measure of the strength of the IPL that six performances could have got it and nobody would have complained. That’s the number of dramatic performances you have got so far in the IPL.
On having more sympathy for the selectors after this experience
Selection is easier than judging performances like these (laughs). But it’s good fun. I think this is more fun than anything else because when it comes to selection, you are actually thinking of people’s careers, there’s people’s emotions [involved]. This is an award that lasts 10 minutes, 15 minutes with you. When you are done with the game, you look back warmly at it. It’s a lot easier than being on the selection committee, I’d like to think.
On working with the panel
It was interesting because you can tell Sri [Javagal Srinath] is a fast bowler, he comes aggressively with his opinions and Simon [Taufel] doesn’t hold back either, and suddenly Sunny [Sunil Gavaskar] would come up with something and say, “Oh, I didn’t think of that!” So it was good fun. Initially I think I was a bit reserved, and then I said no, no, no, I’ve got to get my voice heard as well. It was good fun, I would like to be on [such a jury] again.
Harsha Bhogle was part of the five member awards jury that met to discuss the performances of nominees in the IPL Jury Awards categories. The winners picked by the jury will be presented their awards on April 23 at the first ever IPL Awards Night. Here’s what he had to say abut the adjudication process.On his experience as a jury member
It was good because there was a fair debate [in the adjudication meeting]. Some disagreed with the others - for example, Simon Taufel went with the minority vote if you could call it that. I had one choice that I thought was a better choice and got outvoted, but that’s fine - it that happens all the time. It’s good when you sit on a jury like this, I have not done this too many times so I was quite excited about it. It makes you think and look back and that’s the good thing about it all – [when] you are sitting and analysing AB DeVilliers [or] Andrew Symonds, you have to go back to all the performances. I thought the best, the most interesting one was the ‘Most dramatic performance’ award and I think it’s a measure of the strength of the IPL that six performances could have got it and nobody would have complained. That’s the number of dramatic performances you have got so far in the IPL.
On having more sympathy for the selectors after this experience
Selection is easier than judging performances like these (laughs). But it’s good fun. I think this is more fun than anything else because when it comes to selection, you are actually thinking of people’s careers, there’s people’s emotions [involved]. This is an award that lasts 10 minutes, 15 minutes with you. When you are done with the game, you look back warmly at it. It’s a lot easier than being on the selection committee, I’d like to think.
On working with the panel
It was interesting because you can tell Sri [Javagal Srinath] is a fast bowler, he comes aggressively with his opinions and Simon [Taufel] doesn’t hold back either, and suddenly Sunny [Sunil Gavaskar] would come up with something and say, “Oh, I didn’t think of that!” So it was good fun. Initially I think I was a bit reserved, and then I said no, no, no, I’ve got to get my voice heard as well. It was good fun, I would like to be on [such a jury] again.
(Harsha Bhogle is a renowned cricket commentator who’s greatly revered in the world of cricket for his knowledge of the game. He is also on the jury panel for the first Sahara IPL Awards)
Latest News:
Apr 20, 2010
Apr 20, 2010
Apr 20, 2010
Apr 20, 2010
Apr 20, 2010
Apr 20, 2010
Road to the semi-finals: Chennai Super Kings
First year finalists and second year semi-finalists Chennai Super Kings had a legacy to live up to. The start for the Super Kings was quite rusty with the side losing five out of the first seven matches played by them. It did not help that their captain MS Dhoni had to miss out on three games due to an injury he sustained in one of the matches. Matthew Hayden, who was the Orange Cap holder in 2009, has not been in the best of forms this year.
The only glimmer of hope was Suresh Raina, who was their second most successful batsman. Raina and Murali Vijay have led the batting this year with a lot of high scores taking the pressure off Hayden and Dhoni. CSK had been hampered with the absence of Michael Hussey for the first half of the tournament and injuries to Justin Kemp made matters worse. Jacob Oram too who was an integral part of the team last year missed out due to injury. Albie Morkel has done little of note to fill the gap left by Oram.
Yet, the second half of the tournament saw Chennai come back with a vengeance with Vijay, Badrinath and Raina starring with the bat and R Ashwin, Bollinger and Muralidaran coming into their own.
Ashwin has bowled with tremendous spirit and control. Opening with Bollinger, the spinner has performed well enough to keep Muralidaran out at times.
Boasting of one of the best batting line-ups in IPL, CSK have done justice to their reputation by making it to the semis for the third time in three years.
CSK lose to DC - A target of 190 was too much to ask for, as the men in yellow fell short of the target by 31 runs in their first match of this year in front of their home crowd
CSK beat KKR - A target of 164 was a formidable one, set up by MS Dhoni and S Badrinath, with the skipper contributing with a breezy 66* off 33 balls. The visiting CSK side came back brilliantly to bowl out KKR and win by 55 runs to record their first win of the tournament
CSK beat DD - If Delhi did something, Chennai could do it better. CSK shot down 186 with five wickets in hand, as Hayden and his Mongoose bat tore apart the Delhi bowling; Raina added the finishing touches
CSK lose to KXIP – Super finish, Super Over! All R Ashwin simply had to do was to play it somewhere and take the single, but it went straight to Kaif, and the match was tied. The Super Over beckoned, and Punjab held their nerve to register their first win of the tournament after a scratchy start
CSK lose to RCB - Chennai's southern neighbours Bangalore went on a rampage, tearing apart a depleted CSK pace attack, with Uthappa providing the fire as the bowlers lit the fuse. CSK lost another match on the run
CSK lose to MI - 180 on the board courtesy Raina and Badrinath was not enough, as Tendulkar and Dhawan one again proved to be the fulcrum of the chasing attack, and Chennai recorded another loss in their road to the semi-finals, their third in a row
CSK lose to RR - MS Dhoni may have returned from injury, but his return could not change fortunes for CSK as they once again fell short chasing, this time by 17 runs. Albie Morkel's fireworks came a little too late for them
CSK beat RCB - A charged Super Kings finally ended their losing streak, defeating a full strength RCB by five wickets. Murali Vijay was the chief architect of the win, Suresh Raina the finisher. A lethal double act.
CSK beat RR - Chepauk witnessed records being broken, as Murali Vijay and Albie Morkel posted a huge total of 246, with Vijay scoring a magnificent 127 off just 56 balls. Doug Bollinger, making his IPL debut, helped his side win a close match as RR replied with a strong 223/5
CSK beat MI - After the previous match's run-fest, 164 looked a small total, till Ashwin, Jakati and co. confounded the men in blue and gold to snatch away two points, reaching fourth place in the points table
CSK lose to DC - Gilchrist got the better of his fellow glovesman once again. The Super Kings were lacklustre with the bat, mustering just 138 and eventually losing by six wickets
CSK beat KKR – Chepauk was soon becoming the run-fest capital, thus this time they decided to make it a spinner's paradise. Ashwin and Jakati - with strong support from the pacers - bundled out the Knight Riders for 139. Vijay and Raina sparked off celebrations as they romped home with 9 wickets to spare
CSK lose to DD - A vital win was needed for them, but they fell short. Limited to a sub-par 112/9, the men in yellow struck quickly, but the total was too small to defend, as they lost by 6 wickets
CSK beat KXIP – The vital battle was fought1457 metres above Chennai in the idyllic Dharamsala. The Kings XI Punjab had set a daunting 192 – if CSK won, they would qualify for the semi-finals. Raina and Badrinath came and went, but Dhoni stayed on, smashing the ball out of the park twice in the last over to lead his team to the top four with a sparkling 54*
The only glimmer of hope was Suresh Raina, who was their second most successful batsman. Raina and Murali Vijay have led the batting this year with a lot of high scores taking the pressure off Hayden and Dhoni. CSK had been hampered with the absence of Michael Hussey for the first half of the tournament and injuries to Justin Kemp made matters worse. Jacob Oram too who was an integral part of the team last year missed out due to injury. Albie Morkel has done little of note to fill the gap left by Oram.
Yet, the second half of the tournament saw Chennai come back with a vengeance with Vijay, Badrinath and Raina starring with the bat and R Ashwin, Bollinger and Muralidaran coming into their own.
Ashwin has bowled with tremendous spirit and control. Opening with Bollinger, the spinner has performed well enough to keep Muralidaran out at times.
Boasting of one of the best batting line-ups in IPL, CSK have done justice to their reputation by making it to the semis for the third time in three years.
CSK lose to DC - A target of 190 was too much to ask for, as the men in yellow fell short of the target by 31 runs in their first match of this year in front of their home crowd
CSK beat KKR - A target of 164 was a formidable one, set up by MS Dhoni and S Badrinath, with the skipper contributing with a breezy 66* off 33 balls. The visiting CSK side came back brilliantly to bowl out KKR and win by 55 runs to record their first win of the tournament
CSK beat DD - If Delhi did something, Chennai could do it better. CSK shot down 186 with five wickets in hand, as Hayden and his Mongoose bat tore apart the Delhi bowling; Raina added the finishing touches
CSK lose to KXIP – Super finish, Super Over! All R Ashwin simply had to do was to play it somewhere and take the single, but it went straight to Kaif, and the match was tied. The Super Over beckoned, and Punjab held their nerve to register their first win of the tournament after a scratchy start
CSK lose to RCB - Chennai's southern neighbours Bangalore went on a rampage, tearing apart a depleted CSK pace attack, with Uthappa providing the fire as the bowlers lit the fuse. CSK lost another match on the run
CSK lose to MI - 180 on the board courtesy Raina and Badrinath was not enough, as Tendulkar and Dhawan one again proved to be the fulcrum of the chasing attack, and Chennai recorded another loss in their road to the semi-finals, their third in a row
CSK lose to RR - MS Dhoni may have returned from injury, but his return could not change fortunes for CSK as they once again fell short chasing, this time by 17 runs. Albie Morkel's fireworks came a little too late for them
CSK beat RCB - A charged Super Kings finally ended their losing streak, defeating a full strength RCB by five wickets. Murali Vijay was the chief architect of the win, Suresh Raina the finisher. A lethal double act.
CSK beat RR - Chepauk witnessed records being broken, as Murali Vijay and Albie Morkel posted a huge total of 246, with Vijay scoring a magnificent 127 off just 56 balls. Doug Bollinger, making his IPL debut, helped his side win a close match as RR replied with a strong 223/5
CSK beat MI - After the previous match's run-fest, 164 looked a small total, till Ashwin, Jakati and co. confounded the men in blue and gold to snatch away two points, reaching fourth place in the points table
CSK lose to DC - Gilchrist got the better of his fellow glovesman once again. The Super Kings were lacklustre with the bat, mustering just 138 and eventually losing by six wickets
CSK beat KKR – Chepauk was soon becoming the run-fest capital, thus this time they decided to make it a spinner's paradise. Ashwin and Jakati - with strong support from the pacers - bundled out the Knight Riders for 139. Vijay and Raina sparked off celebrations as they romped home with 9 wickets to spare
CSK lose to DD - A vital win was needed for them, but they fell short. Limited to a sub-par 112/9, the men in yellow struck quickly, but the total was too small to defend, as they lost by 6 wickets
CSK beat KXIP – The vital battle was fought1457 metres above Chennai in the idyllic Dharamsala. The Kings XI Punjab had set a daunting 192 – if CSK won, they would qualify for the semi-finals. Raina and Badrinath came and went, but Dhoni stayed on, smashing the ball out of the park twice in the last over to lead his team to the top four with a sparkling 54*
Latest News:
Apr 17, 2010
Apr 17, 2010
Apr 17, 2010
Apr 17, 2010
Apr 17, 2010
Apr 17, 2010
Toss Report: RCB vs MI
Bengaluru: Anil Kumble won the toss and decided to ask Mumbai Indians to bat first.
Speaking to Mike Haysman, he said that “It’s a good wicket and the ball will come on to the bat. It will slow down a little later, so we’d like to bowl first.” He also added that their strength lies in chasing down targets and in the batting order, so he opted to bowl first. The Royal Challengers Bangalore side is unchanged for this match.
Sachin Tendulkar did not have any qualms on losing the toss, and said “It has a good amount of grass cover, and the wicket looks quite true, and it will come onto the bat well.”
Speaking to Sunil Gavaskar, he said that even though they have made it to the semi-finals, they would be looking to continue the winning momentum. The Mumbai Indians have revamped their side for this match.
While Dilhara Fernando retained his place in Mumbai Indians line-up, Aditya Tare and Abhishek Nayyar are getting a match and Ryan McLaren is also a part of the playing XI. Also out of the playing XI are Chandan Madan and Ali Murtaza.
Starting XIs
Mumbai Indians: Sachin Tendulkar (captain), JP Duminy, Saurabh Tiwary, Ambati Rayudu, Kieron Pollard, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Dilhara Fernando, Aditya Tare (wk), Abhishek Nayar, Ryan McLaren
Speaking to Mike Haysman, he said that “It’s a good wicket and the ball will come on to the bat. It will slow down a little later, so we’d like to bowl first.” He also added that their strength lies in chasing down targets and in the batting order, so he opted to bowl first. The Royal Challengers Bangalore side is unchanged for this match.
Sachin Tendulkar did not have any qualms on losing the toss, and said “It has a good amount of grass cover, and the wicket looks quite true, and it will come onto the bat well.”
Speaking to Sunil Gavaskar, he said that even though they have made it to the semi-finals, they would be looking to continue the winning momentum. The Mumbai Indians have revamped their side for this match.
While Dilhara Fernando retained his place in Mumbai Indians line-up, Aditya Tare and Abhishek Nayyar are getting a match and Ryan McLaren is also a part of the playing XI. Also out of the playing XI are Chandan Madan and Ali Murtaza.
Starting XIs
Mumbai Indians: Sachin Tendulkar (captain), JP Duminy, Saurabh Tiwary, Ambati Rayudu, Kieron Pollard, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Dilhara Fernando, Aditya Tare (wk), Abhishek Nayar, Ryan McLaren
Latest News:
Apr 13, 2010
Apr 13, 2010
Apr 13, 2010
Apr 13, 2010
Apr 13, 2010
Apr 13, 2010
T20 cricket can often seem one-dimensional for the purists of the game.But the connoisseurs were in for a real treat on Monday night in Nagpur.The first 15 minutes of the game gave them so much to savour that it didn't matter what happened afterwards.
Dale Steyn showed his full flair as a fast bowler and reminded us Indians,once again,what he is capable of. Just in case we had forgotten his heroics in the home Test Series.
A beautiful seaming delivery got Adam Gilchrist caught-behind first ball. Then he rattled Herschelle Gibbs stumps with a pacy full length delivery. Young T Suman found himself fending off a rising delivery to be caught close on the leg side.
Three different and exceptional deliveries,getting rid of three top-order batsmen in the space of two overs.It was all quite brilliant.
Then to round off the glorious fifteen minutes of that cricket capsule,Rohit Sharma played a superb cover drive off a good delivery from Steyn, like only a few batsmen in this country can. It was top class Test action in the garb of T20.
Royal Challengers should have won the game comfortably with the kind of depth they have in their batting. Watching Anil Kumble trod back to the pavilion after the unsuccessful run chase,I guess he may have a few words to say to his batsmen.And those words may not be too complimentary.
TCM
Latest News:
Apr 12, 2010
Apr 12, 2010
Apr 12, 2010
Apr 12, 2010
Apr 12, 2010
As the tournament heads towards an interesting climax, commentator and former Australian paceman Michael Kasprowicz shares his favourites with iplt20.com
- Best captain: I think Shane Warne, because having asked a couple of players in the Rajasthan team, [Abhishek] Jhunjhunwala in particular, asking about what he does, what makes him a good captain he replied - it’s just like he empowers the individual, he gives them the opportunity to do something and trusts them, and provides the confidence for them to go out there and perform. He is really good at that and used to do that obviously in the Australian team and in every team he is involved and he is leading - that’s his strength, sort of getting everyone to play better, find something extra in themselves.
- Best bowler: I think we have seen the effectiveness of spin and it is a tough one to actually single out individuals because there have been plenty of great individual performances. But I think you’ve got the accuracy of the spinners coming to it with the surfaces and the pace in them. There are two I really like as a former fast bowler - I really enjoy Shaun Tait because of his action, it is a bit different with the pace, and also Dale Steyn - he is bowling in unbelievable heat at the moment, a 150kmph regularly, [he has] really good pace and means of getting it through and just continuing with that energy.
- Best batsman: One of the things I find very interesting is the leading run scorers, like Tendulkar or Kallis, are the batsmen who play normal cricket shots. As a bowler you have to bowl your highest percentage delivery which may be a full yorker at the end of the innings, hitting straight down the ground. For the batsmen as well, the highest percentage shot might be giving it the full face looking to hit it straight down - once you start going across around midwicket or giving yourself room and slicing it, you open it up to error. Players like Tendulkar and Kallis have demonstrated that they just score big runs and not by trying to be too flashy but by playing good cricket shots - that is the key.
- Best fielder: I am really impressed with Sathish [in the Mumbai team]. I think he is electric around the point area, amazing speed. But then you have the best players in the world [in IPL] - the best throwing arms in the world so it’s tough to single out any one when you have so many good players doing it, I find it very tough. But I reckon for a local, one with quick feet to the ball and accuracy [in] the number of times he hits the stumps, I feel Sathish has caught my eye.
- Best moment: I think that close game when Rajasthan Royals played Deccan Chargers, getting down to the last ball and getting the wicket of the last player. That’s everything you want in a Twenty20 game if you are a Rajasthan Royals supporter because you are taken right to the edge, to the limit. And even with the shot with the bat you thought, initially the Deccan followers thought they had won the game. But then to get dragged up in emotion, to be pulled back down when he took the catch, I think that was a great game and I think that’s what Twenty20 cricket is all about. Twenty overs condense the time, condense the skill - I suppose and they condense the results too.
- Best young player:I think the Chennai Super Kings batsman, Murali Vijay, that innings he played [a century against RR] was just played beautifully and when Harsha Bhogle talks about ... I thought it was a great innings because he has always been technically correct but he mixed [it well]. As I said earlier about playing in percentages, playing technically correct [is important] but [he] found that towards the end of the innings he was in and he could clear midwicket but his only sixes were straight down the ground.
Latest News:
Apr 09, 2010
Apr 09, 2010
Apr 09, 2010
Apr 09, 2010
Apr 09, 2010
Latest News:
Apr 08, 2010
Apr 08, 2010
Apr 08, 2010
Apr 08, 2010
Apr 08, 2010
Apr 08, 2010
Toss Report: RCB vs DC
Bengaluru: Adam Gilchrist has won the toss and elected to bowl first at Bengaluru.
Talking about his decision to bat first, Deccan Chargers skipper said that it was a nice wicket with a bit of shine on it. “There is grass on this pitch and we would like to start well with the ball,” the wicketkeeper-captain said.
“Bangalore is always a nice venue and has a great atmosphere. Everyone has watched the matches played here with great interest. We haven’t been performing to our fullest, and we hope to ignite the flame within,” Gilly said.
Anil Kumble was okay with the decision to bat. He remarked, “That’s fine. You can’t do much about the toss. We would also have liked to bowl first as it’s a good track and would remain so for the full 40 overs.”
Commenting on what his team needs to do, he said, “We need to play good cricket throughout the 40 overs.”
Kevin Pietersen will be sitting in the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s dug out for this match and pacer Dale Steeyn gets a game in his place. On his choice of overseas players, the RCB captain said, “It’s difficult to make KP to sit out, but we had to select four overseas players. And with the quality we have in our team with hitters like Ross Taylor and Cameron White, and Jacques Kallis opening [that’s the only option]. We hope to go out there and play a good game.”
Talking about his decision to bat first, Deccan Chargers skipper said that it was a nice wicket with a bit of shine on it. “There is grass on this pitch and we would like to start well with the ball,” the wicketkeeper-captain said.
“Bangalore is always a nice venue and has a great atmosphere. Everyone has watched the matches played here with great interest. We haven’t been performing to our fullest, and we hope to ignite the flame within,” Gilly said.
Anil Kumble was okay with the decision to bat. He remarked, “That’s fine. You can’t do much about the toss. We would also have liked to bowl first as it’s a good track and would remain so for the full 40 overs.”
Commenting on what his team needs to do, he said, “We need to play good cricket throughout the 40 overs.”
Kevin Pietersen will be sitting in the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s dug out for this match and pacer Dale Steeyn gets a game in his place. On his choice of overseas players, the RCB captain said, “It’s difficult to make KP to sit out, but we had to select four overseas players. And with the quality we have in our team with hitters like Ross Taylor and Cameron White, and Jacques Kallis opening [that’s the only option]. We hope to go out there and play a good game.”
Latest News:
Apr 04, 2010
Apr 04, 2010
Apr 04, 2010
Apr 04, 2010
Apr 04, 2010
Apr 04, 2010
Latest News:
Mar 30, 2010
Mar 30, 2010
Mar 30, 2010
Mar 30, 2010
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Mar 30, 2010
Newspaper round-up – March 30
“We play Kings XI Punjab on Tuesday, and though they have not been having the best of times this season, with just that one win against Chennai under their belt, they can never be ruled out or taken for granted... We are still leading the table but we will not be resting on our laurels. There is still work to do before we are able to make sure of a semifinal berth, and we have to keep winning to get closer to doing that,” wrote Sanath Jaysuriya in The Times of India on the eve of Mumbai Indians’ match against Kings XI Punjab.
“During the first IPL, I was probably a spoilt kid....Now, I realise the importance of coming back into the Indian team, having got a chance, done well and then being left out. I have matured in the last two years, but there's still a long way to go,” Virat Kohli was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.
“The form of Mumbai Indians has been compelling in recent matches and they clearly have one of the secrets to winning consistently, which is to have unexpected match-winners hiding in your team ready to strike when least expected,” Jacques Kallis wrote in The Times of India. “Not only is each game finely balanced, but the points table as we approach the halfway point of the tournament, has a very tense and closely contested look to it,” he added.
“A lot of people are placing the entire blame on Yuvraj Singh’s shoulders, but I don’t think that is very fair. He cannot be expected to single-handedly take us over the line every time, and the whole team has to play as a unit if we are to turn the tide,” wrote Kumara Sangakkara in The Times of India.
When Sunil Gavaskar bowed to Sachin Tendulkar and to touch his feet, Tendulkar said, "Nako, nako," in Marathi, reported DNA. In reaction to the incident Gavaskar was quoted as saying, "He is such a loveable chap...he is most respectful of elders.”
“During the first IPL, I was probably a spoilt kid....Now, I realise the importance of coming back into the Indian team, having got a chance, done well and then being left out. I have matured in the last two years, but there's still a long way to go,” Virat Kohli was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.
“The form of Mumbai Indians has been compelling in recent matches and they clearly have one of the secrets to winning consistently, which is to have unexpected match-winners hiding in your team ready to strike when least expected,” Jacques Kallis wrote in The Times of India. “Not only is each game finely balanced, but the points table as we approach the halfway point of the tournament, has a very tense and closely contested look to it,” he added.
“A lot of people are placing the entire blame on Yuvraj Singh’s shoulders, but I don’t think that is very fair. He cannot be expected to single-handedly take us over the line every time, and the whole team has to play as a unit if we are to turn the tide,” wrote Kumara Sangakkara in The Times of India.
When Sunil Gavaskar bowed to Sachin Tendulkar and to touch his feet, Tendulkar said, "Nako, nako," in Marathi, reported DNA. In reaction to the incident Gavaskar was quoted as saying, "He is such a loveable chap...he is most respectful of elders.”
Latest News:
Mar 27, 2010
Mar 27, 2010
Mar 27, 2010
Mar 27, 2010
Mar 27, 2010
Mar 27, 2010
Warne plays the underdog cardAhmedabad:
The talk around Chennai Super Kings is all about the Mongoose bat and its purveyor, Matthew Hayden.
So when Chennai Super Kings come up against Shane Warne's Rajasthan Royals, at the Motera ground, there will be a lot of expectation over the outcome.
Much of the anticipation lies around what Warne will do to counter the Mongoose bat and its wielder.
Yet Warne, keeping his cards close to his chest on that subject at the pre-match press conference, preferred to shift the emphasis to Chennai’s full array of stars – not just one bat.
“Look at Chennai. They have got Murali [Muttiah Muralidaran], [Suresh] Raina, Hayden and [MS] Dhoni, so are the favourites,” Warne reasoned. “We are the underdogs, there is definitely going to be pressure on those guys.”
“We will go in there, get into the contest and do the best we can,” Warne continued.
Pressed again on Hayden and his Mongoose, his Australian compatriot opened out a bit more.
“He is just one player,” said Warne. “He has had one good innings with the mongoose bat. Every bat has its advantages and disadvantages.
“We have a plan for Matthew Hayden, doesn't matter what bat he is using. He is going to play the same anyway. Maybe we can get him to try those short singles and run him out by half a bat again.”
Same old Shane Warne, beginning the battle off the pitch…and with the ability to end it on it.
Who was the star performer in the RR vs DC match?
Yusuf Pathan
Shaun Tait
Michael Lumb
Latest News:
Mar 26, 2010
Mar 26, 2010
Mar 26, 2010
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Mar 26, 2010
