3rd ODI: India v New Zealand at Vadodara, Dec 4, 2010

Feisty and firm, capricious and correct, insatiable and insecure, Gautam Gambhir is one of the most complete batsmen of the current era. He is adept at opening in all three forms of the game. He can be more aggressive than Virender Sehwag, he can play the kind of back-to-the-wall innings that would do Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman proud, and he can accumulate without taking any risks, much like Sachin Tendulkar has been doing in the last quarter of his career. He walks down the track to the fastest of bowlers, and an unfriendly word or three with the fielding side only help him concentrate harder, though it's not as if he needs external motivation to make the most of his time as a cricketer. He almost lost the fight to his own high standards and to the fickle selectors, which left him "not wanting to play anymore" when he was dropped for the 2007 World Cup, and insecure when he did make it back. For about eight first years of his career, he was the domestic cheque that would not be honoured at international level. While the bowlers on the Ranji circuit swore by this little left-hand batsman, he had just two international centuries to show after 13 Tests and 19 ODIs when he was left out of the World Cup party.He came back with massive runs in domestic cricket, a few important technical adjustments, and with the reputation of being the best player of spin in India, outside the international side. A century in his second ODI back and a final-winning fifty in the inaugural World Twenty20 paved the way for his Test return. Test fifties against Murali and Mendis in the summer of Murali and Mendis in 2008 told him he belonged. In his next 13 Tests, he scored eight centuries: centuries to set up wins, centuries to bat opposition out, and centuries to hold on for draws, including the near 11-hour marathon in Napier. The Arjuna Award came his way, the ICC named him the Test player of 2009, but much more tellingly Sehwag called him the best Indian Test opener since Sunil Gavaskar. The only plausible flaw in Sehwag's claim is Sehwag himself.

Gambhir led India's domination again, with an in-form Kohli continuing to impress. Another comprehensive win, achieved with as much ease, if not more, as the previous game, and New Zealand have been shut out, slipping to their ninth consecutive defeat in completed ODIs. India's seamers set it up with Zaheer marking an excellent return after not playing the first couple of games, and the spinners then doing their bit. On a track that needed at least 270, New Zealand mustered 224 and true to the track's reputation, the chase was easy with Gambhir leading the way. Expect the teams to make some changes in the next couple of games. Stay put, we'll get you the presentation details in a short while.
Time for the presentation.
Vettori: "A good toss to win. The ball seamed and spun and the track was a bit damp. But as the wicket dried out, 224 was never going to be enough. It was really tough early on. The track got better, and India played exceptionally well, with Gambhir leading the way. We were pushing hard to be as simple as possible. The pressure is not off our backs, we have to keep fighting and it's about time we showed we some good players in the team. Our top order needs to stand up, and hopefully that'll happen in the next couple of games."
Gambhir is Man of the Match: "It was an important game because we did not want to give New Zealand any scope for a comeback this series. Zaheer is a quality bowler and he got Brendon McCullum in the first over, and that set up the game for us. Munaf has been bowling well throughout, as well in the Ranji Trophy. It's good for Indian cricket. Any hundred would be important because I have seen a lot of low scores in the recent past. We've decided before the game that this is a three-game series after the first two matches, and we'll try to put the best side forward."
That's it folks. Thanks for your feedback. See you again for a couple of dead rubbers, on December 7 and December 10. Before you log off for the day, catch up on all the action from a full Saturday of Premier League action on ESPNsoccernet, and follow another two games later on Sunday. Also, don't forget to read Sid Monga's bulletin for the match which is up. Okay, adios.

IPL T20 cheerleader

Starting with the defending champs, the zero to hero Deccan Chargers. You never know what you are going to get out of this team result wise, but you will be guaranteed fireworks either way. Led by the mercurial Adam Gilchrist, the Chargers have a motley crew of seasoned war horses and troubled talents in the shape of Gibbs, Symonds, Laxman, Smith and Vaas. Combine that with the rising talents of Roach, Harris and local lads Ojha and Sharma and you have a well balanced side capable of mauling any opponent. Go Chargers Go Chargers Go Go Go!!

The Super Kings should really have won the first installment of the IPL in 2008. They were simply awesome for a great deal of that first tournament but haven’t gelled since. A team heavy with local players, MS Dhoni’s team has a smattering of talent but no real major depth outside of the likes of Hayden, Hussey, Raina, Muralidaran, Morkel and the Indian skipper himself. Couple of guys past their prime in this team but 20/20 cricket is a strange old game so who knows what they are capable of.

Another team that hasn’t delivered on their ridiculously talented setup is the Mumbai Indians. Tendulkar, Malinga, Khan, Bravo as well as previously brilliant J-P Duminy make this a more than decent side. They have also acquired the dangerous Kieron Pollard who was simply amazing in the 20/20 Champions league last year and joined the team for an undisclosed sum. Pretty much more than anyone else so look for him to shine in the baby blue of Mumbai.

Change of captain and perhaps a change of fortune for the wonderfully balanced Kings Punjab. Yuvraj Singh, arguably the biggest most miserable doos in Indian cricket has been relieved of the captaincy with Kumar Sangakkara, who actually possesses people skills, taking over. It’s a good side this with some prominent local lads, a handful of handy Aussies and a bit of a belter co-owner which always helps.

Another team that hasn’t delivered on their ridiculously talented setup is the Mumbai Indians. Tendulkar, Malinga, Khan, Bravo as well as previously brilliant J-P Duminy make this a more than decent side. They have also acquired the dangerous Kieron Pollard who was simply amazing in the 20/20 Champions league last year and joined the team for an undisclosed sum. Pretty much more than anyone else so look for him to shine in the baby blue of Mumbai.

The Final - Indian Premier League T20 - Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings 168 for 5 (Raina 57*, Dhoni 22, Fernando 2-23) beat Mumbai Indians 146 for 9 (Tendulkar 48, Pollard 27, Jakati 2-27) by 22 runs…
Chennai Super Kings played the smarter cricket and deservingly won the IPL Cup by defeating fancied Mumbai Indians by 22 runs at the packed DY Patil Stadium.
Batting first after winning the toss, the Super Kings shrugged off a slow start as “Player of the Match” Suresh Raina (57 not out), dropped twice, led from the front to pile up 168 for five and then turned in some brilliant performance in the field to restrict Mumbai Indians to 146 for nine.
The much-heralded Mumbai batting line-up caved in under pressure despite a brave 48 by skipper Sachin Tendulkar and big-hitting by Kieron Pollard (27 off 10) even as the Super Kings took some brilliant catches with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni yet again spot-on with his field placements and bowling changes.
Apart from Raina, there were quite a few other heroes for the Super Kings. Spinners Muttiah Muralitharan (17 runs in four overs), Shadab Jakati (2 for 26 from three) and Ravichandran Ashwin (24 in four) and later, seamers Albie Morkel and Doug Bollinger, all chipped in at the right moment to author a historic victory for the Super Kings who had finished runners-up in 2008.
The other factor that tilted the scales in the Super Kings, who also won the Fair Play trophy, favour was the team composition, besides of course their superior fielding. The Chennai outfit kept their faith in their three specialist spinners and held their catches.
The Mumbai Indians went in with just one in Harbhajan Singh while opting for an overly pace attack that was not as effective on a pitch that grew progressively slower.
The home team, faced with a big target, never got into their stride despite a promising second wicket partnership between Tendulkar and Abhishek Nayar who put on 66 runs. But Nayar committed a blunder attempting a non-existing single and was run out. The rot well and truly set in at that point.
Later, despite Tendulkar farming the bowling, wickets fell at the other end. The spinners came into their own with Ashwin up front followed by Muralitharan and Jakati, who dismissed Tendulkar and the dangerous Saurabh Tiwary in one over, doing the bulk of damage.
The Mumbai Indians kept back the powerful Pollard and when he came into bat, the asking rate had climbed to over 15. He blasted some massive hits, but it was all too little too late and he eventually fell to a brilliant catch by Matthew Hayden who thus atoned for a dropped chance earlier in the evening.
The turning point of course was Jakati’s third and the 15th over of the innings when he removed Tendulkar and Tiwary. Thereafter, the rest of the batsmen, barring Pollard, were simply not up to the task and although Pollard took 22 off Bollinger in the 18th over, his exit signaled the end of the Mumbai Indians’ challenge.
Super Kings did well not to look the gift horse in the mouth when they batted. The going in the initial overs was rather painful and scratchy despite a few big hits by the two openers, Murali Vijay and Hayden who looked distinctly out of depth.
In fact, Hayden was lucky to survive a plumb leg-before decision early in his innings, but even otherwise, was unconvincing. At the other end, Vijay batted quite beautifully until he tried to break the shackles and departed in the eighth over.
Hayden followed his partner back into the dugout, miscuing a big hit. Subramaniam Badrinath did not stay long and with the runs all but dried up, he too fell trying to force the pace and the Super Kings were reduced to 67 for three in the 12th over.
In walked skipper Dhoni and almost immediately set about repairing the damage. Raina, meanwhile, lived a charmed life, being dropped when on 13 and 28 and the Mumbai Indians were to pay a heavy price for these lapses.
The pair went on at a good clip to add 72 runs for the fourth wicket before Dhoni fell in the 18th over trying to maintain the brisk pace.
At this stage, the Super Kings still did not have enough runs on the board, but Raina and Albie Morkel came up with some big hits to push the score along. However, just when the partnership appeared to be flourishing, Morkel was run out attempting a bye in the final over.
Lasith Malinga sent down two dot balls to Raina and off the third, the southpaw batsman attempted a suicidal bye that caught Morkel well short of the crease. Another dot ball followed to new man Anirudha Srikkanth and then five wides. Anirudha hit the fifth legal ball to the boundary and finished the innings with a two.
Thus, a total of 168 gave the Super Kings lots to play with after looking hopelessly out of the contest in the first 10 overs when they scored a mere 59 runs.

Indian Premier League T20
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T20 Cricket World Cup Final between Australia VS England

2020 Cricket World Cup Final between Australia VS EnglandHI, every ONE today i am going to tell you a story of 2020 Cricket World Cup Final 2010 which was held in west indies.When Australia reach in final every One expecting that Australia will win the Title this 3rd 2020 cricket world cup. But England Charge to Twenty20 Glory and win the Title against the most favorite team of Cricket. As you know England never win World cup before today so it is great moment for the people of England and Pakistan too because Australia defeat Pakistan in semi Final so we are happy too So, hugs, handshakes and backslaps all round as England have won their first world title in cricket! They were picked out as the dark horses to win this tournament, and after a stuttering, rain-affected start to the group stages, they hit their stride superbly in the Super Eights, winning all their games in that stage, followed by a thumping win in the semi-finals over Sri Lanka. The England dug-out leapt as one when the winning runs were hit, chasing their victorious captain down and quickly surrounding him in a joyous team huddle. The England celebrations will surely go on long into the night in Bridgetown.Spare a thought for the Australians. They were the team to beat in this tournament, and England were the only ones to manage that feat! They were utterly dominant in the group stages and Super Eights. Their self belief and a magical innings from Michael Hussey powered them to a stunning win in the semi-final over Pakistan, but they have not been at their best today. England looked and played like the more professional side, and they are deserving champions."I dont know about England Government, but I declare National Holiday for Tomorrow!" says Asim in.... the U.S. "Enjoy First ever ICC world cup."Craig Kieswetter gets the Man of the Match award: "I wouldn't say it was easy, but its nice to get runs in a final. KP took the pressure off, allowed me to play quite freely. A lot of work still needs to be done on my keeping, and I'll be putting in some hard yards in at Taunton."Kevin Pietersen gets the Player of the Tournament award, with 248 runs in the competition. "A pretty interesting week for me, a little kid on Monday and this trophy today. This is for the whole team. Winning is a habit you create, and this team is hungry for success. What a great, great tournament, good for the boys. It's never easy playing Australia, but our bowlers did a great job this morning and 150 wasn't enough."Paul Collingwood, victorious captain, on the win: "It's right up there, its got to be, this is the first world cup we've ever won. We've got some good players in the side, and with the work ethic we've had this year I think we're starting to see the results on the pitch. We're getting there, and we have today.""When you want to be the best you've got to beat the best. When we got them three wickets down early doors, we gave ourselves a great opportunity. We want to kick on from this. This is the first trophy we've ever won, we're going to enjoy it, we'r going to savour it."

Australia Vs Pakistan 2nd Semifinal of World Cup T20 2010

Australia Vs Pakistan 2nd Semifinal of World Cup T20 2010

MCG repeated at Lord’s in Final of ICC World Twenty20 2009

Quite a few scenes witnessed at Lord’s on June 21, 2009 resembled to the ones at the Melbourne Cricket ground (MCG) on March 25, 1992. There was only a change of personnel besides the venue of course.
It was Imran Khan whose team had staged a comeback from nowhere to win the World Cup against all odds in 1992 and now it was the side captained by Younis Khan having exceeded all expectations by annexing the Twenty20 crown.Younis had been talking of Imran from the moment he was handed over the leadership earlier this year. The enterprising right-handed batsman has tried himself to model on the legendary all-rounder who’s also considered the greatest-ever captain produced by the country.
But even Younis, an optimist of the highest order, himself had never spoken of claiming the World Twenty20 title in England in the summer of 2009. His cherished goal remained winning the World Cup in 2011.
This clearly reflected that Pakistan stood no chance whatsoever when they landed in England. Yet they would be returning home with the trophy in their baggage much to the delight of their countrymen who have had very little to celebrate over the years.
The final of ICC World Twenty20 at Lord’s looked like progressing on a predictable course from the moment Kumar Sangakkara elected to bat after winning the toss. It was the only thing the Sri Lankan captain could have expected to ‘win’ on a day when everything was destined to go Pakistan’s way.
It became evident from the very first over that Sri Lanka, the most consistent of all the participating teams, would struggle to find their feet in the final that they would have almost certainly dominated if their opponent was someone else.
Tillakaratne Dilshan, the tournament's most prolific scorer having played the innings of his lifetime in only the previous outing, must have discovered it’s a different ball game playing Pakistan in such an environment when everyone seemed to have taken for granted that Sri Lanka were bound to fail.
Dilshan was named the Player of the Tournament but even he couldn’t contribute a single run when it mattered the most. His early dismissal opened the floodgates as the Sri Lankan batsmen were unable to master the bowling.
Sri Lanka’s average score in the six Powerplay overs leading to final was 53 for one but they had crashed to 34 for four in the final. The skipper tried his best to repair the damage that saved his team from the embarrassment of getting bowled out for a very low total.
Sangakkara’s fighting knock also ensured that the final would not be over quickly although the manner in which all the Pakistani bowlers were getting their acts together his effort was truly outstanding.
Sri Lanka, with the most potent bowling attack in the business, would have fancied their chances of defending the total of 138 against any team but mind you it was Pakistan who could have even surpassed 238 in the prevailing circumstances.
As it turned out, Sri Lanka’s bowling resources proved inadequate and they could never repeat their performance of the earlier games. The likes of Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and Lasith Malinga were made to look ordinary as the day belonged to Shahid Afridi and his team.

the T-20 World Cup for the first time.

We are just a moment away from the world T20 cup and from the title defend it had been a year when the last time this nation had some thing for joy , happiness and celebration . when our national team won the world cup in England on the longest day of the year 21 June and mind it that this day was really the longest day for every pakistani and for every cricket lover the day of glory and pride 2009 is the year to remember after 17 year our national team won the biggest title of all and crowd the title of world champion under the dynamic leadership of younis khan the second khan in the history of pakistan to achieve this.

The same moment of glory is coming again another chance to shine on the biggest stage of them all in world cricket . Another chance to become champion and more over that another chance to give happiness and moment of joy to our mother land and in fact to win the title is the need of the hour as our nation is facing number of problems and difficulties and more over that the people are waiting for the good new and this is the moment for our cricketers to give them some thing to celebrate and now it’s our duty to support our national cricket team.
If we support and stand with our team so it will give our team some confidence and will help them in forgetting the conspiracies and scandals circulating in the print and electronic media. We need to bucked them up which will results in their high morale. And it will help them in looking forward towards another title and towards the crown of champions. My message to the young lads reading this blog that its our responsibility too to support our team and to support our new captain shahid afridi who is looking pretty much confident of defending the title and to bring back title home.

There is no doubt that our national team is going through a hard time. They have some important players injured and banned from international cricket as a punishment. We have to believe in our team, no matter we win or lose after fighting, but we have to be with them. We came back in last world cup from no way out and then we won with the support of local people and with prayers people have done. Although we have very slim chances of winning the world cup this year with the current squad but we can do that as we have done it last year.

just want to convey one important message to our national heroes through this blog no matter what’s the situation is during the matches we the pakistani want you to play like champion and want to see you fight like a army of lions remember that you are the T20 Champion if you stand your ground and keep unity faith and discipline in your line them you will achieve the glory once again if not them remember that the people of pakistan is always supporting you and is always their for you. Just fight like a corner tiger don’t worry about the result .