Delhi Dare Devils vs Rajasthan Royals :Preview

After amazing performance in the Inaugural season of IPL, Defending Champions performance has nose Dived at the new venue of Indian Premiere League season two.

AB de Villiers

Led by legend Shane Warne, Royals have so far played four games in the tournament; loosing the opener against Bangalore Royal Challengers by 75 runs,luckily next game against Mumbai Indians was washed and in the battle against Punjab, king’s easily defended their score of 139, restricting Rajasthan to 112.

Their only victory came against the otherwise struggling Knight Riders who too gave them run for the victory, taking the game to super over, thanks toY Pathan who displayed his killer capabilities and won the game for his team.

Batting has been the concern for Rajasthan Royals as apart from experienced G Smith and T Henderson the youngsters S Asondkar, NK Patel have failed to deliver on the tracks favoring technique.

Though Rajasthan is blessed with the likes of Yousuf Pathan, T Henderson and R Jadeja who are a delight to watch when in flow but have so far made no impact.

Bowling has always been the strength of Rajasthan Royals. They have the likes of sensational Kaamran Khan, A Mascarenhas, S African T Henderson and Munaf Patel.

Whereas invincible Delhi Dare Devils have displayed their nerves of steel and are unbeaten so far in the tournament. Devils began their previous IPL campaign with style but their performance nose dived as the tournament progressed and will try hard to carry forward their winning streak.

Dare Devils are blessed with the likes of  G Gambhir, V Sehwag and AB Devillers whose  maiden century of  IPL season Two against Chennai Super Kings kept the team in winning momentum. T Dilshan has proved to be the best buy for Delhi and is a delight to watch capable of doing wonders with both bat and cherry.

Daniel Vettori has been the key to dare Devils Success in South Africa supported by Y Mahesh, AM Salvi and P Sangwan.

Delhi is a perfectly balanced side and will be the favorites against Rajasthan Royals who will go all guns into the game as it would decide their fate in the tournament.

India End Long Drought

Gambhir finished on 30 not out, while Dravid was on eight after Harbhajan Singh had ripped through New Zealand’s second innings with figures of six for 63 to set up the win.

India's Harbhajan Singh celebrates after dismissing New Zealand's Iain O'Brien on day four of their first test cricket match in Hamilton

The Indian offspinner had taken five wickets before tea and it was only a stubborn 76-run ninth wicket partnership between Brendon McCullum (84) and Iain O’Brien (14) that allowed the hosts to give India the small target to chase.

Needing to make at least 241 to force the Indians to bat a second time, New Zealand collapsed to 216 for eight at tea on the fourth day, still 25 runs short.

Harbhajan ripped through the Kiwis’ batting, capturing five wickets for 45 runs before tea as the tourists closed in on their first test victory on New Zealand soil since 1976.

However, just as it seemed as if they could force the game into an unlikely fifth day, O’Brien was caught in close by Vangipurappu Laxman to give Harbhajan his sixth wicket.

McCullum then decided to hit out and after hitting left arm spinner Yuvraj Singh for four, attempted to repeat the shot two balls later only to top-edge a catch to Laxman to end the innings.

BACK FOOT

New Zealand were always up against it after losing six wickets in the very first session of the match on Wednesday and started the fourth day in deep trouble at 75-3.

Any hopes of a miracle appeared dashed when they lost Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder in the morning to limp to lunch on 146-5 then three more wickets by tea.

For Complete News Visit:.www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket-news/2304/India-Triumphant–in-Hamilton-.htm

India On Top in Hamilton

Daniel Vettori and Jesse Ryder both struck centuries to lead a New Zealand fight back in the first test against India at Hamilton on Wednesday.

Vettori completed his third test hundred with a superb captain’s knock of 118 while Ryder registered his maiden test ton with 102 to rescue New Zealand from a disastrous start and post 279 on the opening day at Seddon Park.

daniel-vettori

India, in reply, were 29 without loss in their first innings at stumps at the
end of an absorbing day with Virender Sehwag unbeaten on 22 and Gautam
Gambhir not out six.

India have not won a test series in New Zealandfor more than 40 years but thrashed the Kiwis in the one-dayers and could hardly have made a better start to the first of three tests.

virender-sehwag

The tourists would have been in an even better position had Vettori and
Ryder not batted through the entire middle session, adding 186 for the
seventh wicket after India’s fast bowlers had demolished the New
Zealand top order.

Ishant Sharma captured three wickets in a devastating spell before lunch then polished off the innings when he dismissed last-man-out Ryder after tea.

Munaf Patel bagged three wickets, including Vettori then Kyle Mills for a golden duck to be on a hat-trick, while Zaheer Khan triggered the top-order collapse with two early wickets to vindicate Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s decision to field.

For complete News Visit : www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket-news/2198/India-On-Top-in-Hamilton-.htm

Preview: Second ODI, India vs New Zealand

Team India seems to be settled and attuned to the diverse conditions of the land where Sun rises first, but hardly shines.

suresh-raina

As most of the team is touring New Zealand for the first time, the Juveniles showed their nerves of steel and convincingly won the first rain affected ODI after losing closely fought T20’s series which raised few eyebrows and doubts on the capability of the young brigade led by MS Dhoni.

Downpour is expected in Wellington. The moisture and wind has always assisted bowling; testing real character of batters. Toss will be a key factor in Westpac Trust Stadium – so far team winning the flip has triumphed in the tour.

Indian Batting appears to be in good shape as the team is no more dependent on one player’s performance, though they have to avoid mini collapses in middle order to continue the momentum against a side known for its come backs.

Dont’s For India

Sehwag’s brilliance at the top order has been exceptional. He is making the best use of the short boundaries in the dual stadiums.

The young lad Suresh Raina has played brilliantly on the tour so far and will be the man to watch when India tries to double the lead in Wellington on Friday (01: 00 GMT.)

Changing Gautam Gambhir’s preferred opening slot hasn’t been too successful so far, experiment can be dicey in long run for the team.

Hard hitter Yusuf Pathan should be used smartly as he is playing as an all-rounder in the team.

Team India improved the bowling department as Praveen Kumar has filled in the gap left by speedster Ishant Sharma who will be missing the second ODI too due to shoulder injury. Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh can be lethal if they manage to keep it tight.

For Complete Preview Visit:www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket_info/278/Preview-Second-ODI.htm

India Win by 53 Runs in McLean Park

India won the rain curtailed first ODI in Napier against New Zealand on Tuesday, after racing to 4-273 in their allotted 38 overs – thanks to blistering half centuries by Virender Sehwag, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina.

virender-sehwag

New Zealand scored 9-169 in reply after a second rain halt reduced their innings to 28 overs and they finally fell 53-runs short of the revised target.

Loosing both openers cheaply, 58-run partnership between Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor returned some hope to the Kiwi camp, but when Yousuf Pathan got rid of Taylor (34), and Elliot Grant becoming victim of Yuvraj Singh’s superb fielding, last hopes of recovery became more grim as weather over the McLean Park. 

Dhoni top scored for India with a well crafted 84 not out from 89 balls.

For complete News Visit:www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket-news/1749/India-Win-by-53-Runs-in-McLean-Park.htm

1st ODI Preview, India Vs New Zealand

Towering on back to back wins in twenty20 series, New Zealand will have the advantage when they meet India in Mclean Park, Napier to play the first of 5 ODIS on Tuesday (01:00 GMT.)

brendon-mccullum

But Black Caps coach, Andy Moles is trying to be humble as he fancies India as the predominant force in five match epic. “We must respect them but we mustn’t be scared of them,” Moles said to New Zealand Herlad, “The two results have given the guys the confidence that they can compete”.

“From an individual point of view, some of the younger players have found there’s nothing to be scared of and are looking forward to the next challenge.”

Moles felt Kiwis gave too much of a respect to Indian bowling as they chased 150 runs to win the two match series in Wellington and players should know the line which separates respect from getting bogged down.

Brendon McCullum’s recent twenty20 knocks of 61, 56, 49, and 69 has pleased the coach Moles but believes that other players also need to chip in if host are going to make an impact in the series.

For Complete Preview Visit:www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket_info/258/1st-ODI-Preview,-India-Vs-New-Zealand.htm

Loss No.5-Where is Australia Heading?

A winning machine. A power house. A disciplined outfit. A bathering ramp. Few synonyms for team Australia in past. But hold on! Past is over, future is here, and Australia, is struggling. On Friday, they registered their fifth consecutive defeat at home.

Skipper M Clarke

At Melbourne Cricket Ground in the second ODI of the five match series against New Zealand, Australian batting was below par. After putting to bat first they managed 5-225 in their allotted 50 overs which Kiwis romped, reaching 4-226 with seven balls to spare.

Brendon McCullum (43 from 75) gave visitors a solid start, which Ross Taylor(47 from 74) and Grant Elliott (61 not out from 75 balls) made the best use of.

Kiwis chase to the target was comfortable won, but it was 37 th over of David Hussey which marked yet another shameful performance by the home side in a summer which is going horribly wrong.

The Kiwis started the over at 3-143, needing 83 off the remaining 14 overs at virtually a run a ball. But a drop catch by Michael Hussey and wild delivery by David Hussey, which neither Taylor nor Haddin could get hands on raced to the boundary – Hussey leaking 10 important runs in the part-time over. Rest as they say is history. Though Mitchell Johnson tried his best to end the misery for the home side, it seems Austrlia still are away from their best.

Earlier stand in Captain Michael Clarke’s brilliant 98(133) and Michael Hussey’s well played 75 (94), in the crucial 133-run partnership for the forth wicket gave Australia some respectability after put to bat first.

With pressure coming from different quarters it was an impressive performance by Clarke in many ways. He entered Melbourne on a four match loosing streak to replace Ponting, who was rested for the game.

He also had to open in absence of injured Shaun Marsh. Adding to these burdens, Clarke had to face music over his reported last month spat with Test team mate Simon Katich.

Clarke took the challenge courageously and opened the innings with David Warner who added another low score to his highly unimpressive sheet.

When wicket keeper batter Brad Haddin came to crease after getting promoted to No.3, he was welcomed with a huge boo for his controversial role in Sunday’s game, where he was accused by Kiwi skipper of fowl play. His stay was brief. Next man to get out was David Hussey who had nobody but himself to blame. Attempting an unlikely single after hitting straight to Daniel Vettori, a direct hit from captain sealed his fate.

This brought another Hussey and Clarke together, and pair carefully started a rebuild. With boundaries hard to come on vast pasture of MCG, first 50 runs of partnership came at a tick under four per over.

The run-rate was still limping but opting for batting powerplay after 34 overs proved impressive.

For change in Australian fortunes the home side made first time the good use of batting powerplay during the summer, taking 33 runs from five overs giving much needed impetus to declining run rate.

Most importantly Australia did not lost any wicket during the fielding restrictions which allowed some momentum to their innings. Hussey fell in the 46th over when he tried to clear mid-wicket with a swipe off paceman Iain O’Brien.

Clarke’s disappointment was on his face when he failed to reach three figure mark as O’ Brien again became reason for Australian pain.

With three matches remaining in the series it will surely take a great Australian resurgence to end the summer on a good note.