Tag Archives: Harbhajan Singh

Sachin out of Champions League T20

Mumbai Indians skipper, Sachin Tendulkar will reportedly miss out on playing for his team in the Champions League as he has not fully recovered from the toe injury.

News site, NDTV reported that the Master Blaster will miss out on the multi-starrer tournament as he has not recovered from the toe injury in time to feature in the last year’s finalists squad.

India's Sachin Tendulkar (R) talks with India's Coach Duncan Fletcher

India's Sachin Tendulkar (R) talks with India's Coach Duncan Fletcher

The Mumbai Indians are already struggling to deal with injuries to their key players, Rohit Sharma and Munaf Patel and the loss of their captain will come as a huge blow for the side.

Harbhajan Singh, who said he has completely recovered from the abdominal tear he suffered during the Tests againstEngland, is expected to lead the Mumbai side in Sachin’s absence.

Mumbai coach Robin Singh had earlier said that Sachin’s absence would not hurt the team much and it may be an opportunity for others to prove their mettle shoulld the batting maestro fail to regain full fitness in time.

                    

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Preview:India look to wrap up series

A win away from clinching the series, India will bank on their explosive batting line-up as they battle history and injury in the fourth One-day international against Sri Lanka at the half-filled Eden Gardens here Thursday.

Indian cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, left, and Virender Sehwag interact during a practice session

Indian cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, left, and Virender Sehwag interact during a practice session

The rollicking form of seasoned campaigners Sachin Tendulkar (208 at 104 average) and stand-in-skipper Virender Sehwag (194 at 64.66 average) is a big plus for the hosts with the duo having amassed nearly 400 runs between them in the five-game series that India lead 2-1.

But more vital is the way they have scored the runs. While Tendulkar has a strike rate of 94.97, Sehwag’s is an enviable 144.97, and the Lankan bowlers must be burning the midnight oil to find a way out to check their tormentors on a ground which is hosting an ODI after 32 months.

Gautam Gambhir, the other vital cog in the Indian batting department, has so far failed to fire in the series and the hosts would be hoping that he gets into form on the morrow in the absence of regular skipper and aggressive bat Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is serving a two-game ban for India’s slow overrate in the second ODI at Nagpur.

India are also without the stylish left hander Yuvraj Singh, who has been ruled out of the remaining matches of the series with a finger injury.

In bowling, young left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja’s spectacular showing (4-32) in the third ODI at Cuttack has raised hopes of finding a suitable partner for experienced offie Harbhajan Singh, more so at Eden, where the spinners have often played a decisive role.

Having last staged an ODI in February 2007, one would have hoped to see a full house at the large Eden stadium, but the renovation of four galleries in preparation for the 2011 World Cup has reduced its capacity.

With only 53 percent of the seats in the 83,635-capacity stadium now available, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has done away with priced tickets for the match, which will be the fourth the two teams will play here. They have won one apiece while the other was a no-result.

For Sri Lanka, dashing opener Tillakratne Dilshan has been in superb form, cracking two back-to-back hundreds before a blitzy 18-ball 41 at Cuttack. Dilshan’s opening partner Upul Tharanga and skipper Kumar Sangakkara are also among runs, though Mahela Jayawardene is going through a lean patch.

Speaking to mediapersons on the match-eve, Sehwag said the Indians would aim to get Dilshan out quickly.

“It is difficult to stop him. It is better to try and get him out. If we can get his wicket, we can put pressure on the Sri Lankan middle order,” he said.

The visitors are also playing the series without several of their regulars, and the absence of the Muttiah Muralitharan — back home after the Test series following an injury — could hurt the Lankans the most Thursday.

The 40-year-old Sanath Jayasuriya, whose aggressive batting and part-time spin could come in handy for the Lankans, may make a comeback into the team after being dropped for two ODIs.

“There is always a chance for him to play. We haven’t finalised the 11,” said Sri Lankan coach Trevor Bayliss at the pre-match media meet.

Bayliss did not think Dhoni and Yuvraj’s unavailability would give a boost to his side. “They have only two players out of the team. We have five,” he pointed out.

The pitch appeared firm, but the extent of the wind and the dew could play a vital part in determining the course of Thursday’s game.

Sewhag said he would opt to field if he won the toss to avoid the problems the bowlers could face because of the evening dew.

Bayliss, however, said the wicket looked hard and good and full of runs.

Traditionally, the sprawling Eden Gardens has seen moderate scores, compared to the now-familiar scenes of teams belting 350 or even more in the 50-over games on other parks. Only once has a team scored 300 plus on this ground, and the credit goes to Sri Lanka who amassed 301 against Pakistan 12 years ago.

While India have emerged victorious in eight of their 15 limited over games at Eden, they lost three of their last four ties. One was rained out.

Sri Lanka have won three of their half-a-dozen games at Eden and lost two, while one was washed out.

Teams (from):

India: Virender Sehwag (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper), Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, Ashish Nehra, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma and Sudeep Tyagi.

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (captain-wicketkeeper), Tillakaratne Dilshan, SanathJayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilina Kandamby, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera, Upul Tharanga, Chanaka Welegedara, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Suraj Randiv and Thissara Perera.

Umpires: Marais Erasmus (South Africa), Sanjay Hazare (India).

Third umpire: Shavir Tarapore.

Match starts at 2.30 p.m.

Leave a comment

Filed under 1

Preview: India vs Ireland

India started their title defense with a convincing victory over Bangladesh; who were expected to qualify along the defending champions to the super eights. But fate had some other plans as cricket minnows Ireland showed Bangladesh the exit door.

India's Harbhajan Singh and Skipper MS Dhoni

India's Harbhajan Singh and Skipper MS Dhoni

Though both India and Ireland have qualified for the Super eight but the win will certainly give psychological edge to the winner.

India seems to have quickly adjusted to the English conditions, after patchy show in the warm up match; they raised their level and crushed Bangladesh by 25 runs.

Defending champions have the best batting line up of the format; Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma top the order capable of turning game with their aggressive stroke play.

The team has gifted players like Suresh Raina who can adjust accordingly with the situation in this fastest format of cricket.

Yuvraaj Singh and Skipper MS Dhoni complete the ideal middle order and are a delight to watch when in flow, Pathan brothers provide  additional depth to the side with their all round abilities.

RP Singh, Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar have been lethal with pace and swing through out the IPL 2 and are in good touch. Harbhajan Singh and P Ojha made their impact in the recently concluded league.

Ireland’s first foray into the shortest form of the game saw qualification for the World Cup secured with wins over Scotland, Bermuda and Kenya – this Associate tournament domination was achieved, amazingly, without a single IPL veteran.

Attack displaying their full potential against Bangladesh and an unseasonable thunderstorm against India might facilitate an escape from Group A. Further progress will depend on England poaching no more players.

Andre Botha. South African, batting at No4, seems well-suited to T20 – knocking 61 runs in the three qualifying matches.They have the likes of  Niall O’Brien, Northants wicketkeeper and William PorterfielGloucestershire left-hand opening batsman who took the captaincy last year at the age of 23.

Boyd Rankin. Standing 6ft 8in tall the right-armer is capable of achieving serious bounce.

Over all  team India is perfectly balanced, and surely are the favorites not only against Ireland but for the Cup too.

Leave a comment

Filed under 1

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

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

Leave a comment

Filed under 1

Cricket 2008- An Overview

Like reverse swing, cricket 2008 has seen some late swings!

The year 2008 witnessed the cricketing monarchs Australia routed at home by the Proteas who finally dropped the monkey of their back. But it doesn’t happen in a day, before Proteas, Indians have left the monkey to scare hell out of the Aussies in January 2008 at Sydney; it was the same monkey [Monkey Gate controversy] which has fuelled the rise of Indian test cricket in 2008.

Indian and England team

Indian and England team

All these happenings on the test arena has set the route of a bigger competition in the classic five day version of the game in the coming years; but the future of five day cricket looks worrisome with the advent of T20 at the end of 2007. Now IPL (Indian Premier League) has brought the change in the way we have looked towards cricket [50 Overs or 5 day game without result]. As a sport, cricket has created a new dimension; IPL’s success story is an example of cricket’s ever changing shape.

If Tendulkar has surpassed Brian Lara to set a new record in test cricket, Brendon McCullum blitzkrieg in IPL made cricket more exciting in 2008.

Here at Octansports we have compiled cricket’s eight memorable moments of the year.

Monkey Gate Scandal:

Harbhajan Singh and Symonds at Sydney Test

Harbhajan Singh and Symonds at Sydney Test

An incident which has blackened the white shirt of the Gentleman’s game, for which Symonds and Harbhajan Singh can not ever be forgiven. Many believed that second test at Sydney has questioned the character and game ethics of cricket. The confrontation occurred during the second test of Border-Gavaskar trophy when Harbhajan racially abused Symonds, who later said that Harbhajan called him ‘Monkey’. It became more controversial after Harbhajan Singh’s reprieve.

IPL:

Brendon McCullum send shiver down to spines with his bleitzkreig

Brendon McCullum sending shiver down spines with his blitzkrieg

After the success of T20 World Championship 2007, Lalit Modi conceptualized ‘Indian Premier League (IPL)-a replica of English Premier League (EPL) with utmost success. It began with the blitzkrieg of Brendon McCullum, as the tournament progressed everyone witnessed an entertaining and exhilarating exhibition of modern day cricket. For many reasons IPL [first edition] will be remembered. It has thrown some gutsy batsman-ship as well as courageous bowling performances. If McCullum’s century was a watershed in batting, Sohail Tanveer’s figures of 4-0-14-6 have become an avalanche to climb in the shortest version of the game. Between all the pomp and show Englishmen decided not to be a part of it. Reason too much cricket!

Winner-takes-it-all:

“I will make you an offer which you can not refuse” the famous dialogue from ‘Godfather’ could aptly describe England’s refusal to participate in IPL [Indian Premier League] rather than too much cricket. And why not a three hour extravaganza pays you $20 million if you win!

West Indies with the Stanford trophy

West Indians with the Stanford Trophy

Allen Stanford, American billionaire has put a prize of $100 million to fund his five-year Stanford super series. It was Englishmen’s bad luck that they lost to West Indies-all-star side and got nothing out of it, but out to embarrassment by their wives whom Stanford lapped- wife of England’s player!!

Tendulkar Surpasses Brian Lara:

Sachin Tendulkar after Surpassing Lara's record

Sachin Tendulkar after Surpassing Lara's record

Records are set to be broken; In case of Sachin Tendulkar every record of cricket looks dwarf- forget his own height, his greatness knows no barrier, and he keeps on surpassing every hurdle without a blink. Tendulkar showed it in the second test against Australia at Mohali. The diminutive right hand batsman reached to the towering heights when he surpassed Brian Charles Lara’s record of most test runs (11,953). Today Tendulkar holds most of the cricketing records of test cricket: most test hundreds (41), One Day runs (16,422) with 42 centuries on his name.

Decline of the Monarchs:

Mitchel Johnson- a lone battle ahead

Mitchel Johnson- a lone battle ahead

When the year 2008 began no one has ever thought that monarchs of test cricket Australia will be reduced to an average test team; now they are made to fight for every run or made to wait for batsmen’s to make mistakes for wickets. An invincible side within a year turned into beatable team on any given day. The year has seen Australians re-shuffling their line-up again and again for a combination which can either redeem their reputation or prevent anymore decline. Re-shuffling of 26 players in the playing eleven in 2008 is just an example of Aussies disgruntle.

Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly bid Adieu:

Anil Kumble waved to the crowd at Kotla

Anil Kumble waving to the crowd at Kotla

It was hurting to see India’s two great test players bidding adieu in a series. Top leggie Anil Kumble and middle order batsman Sourav Ganguly call it a day in the Border-Gavaskar series. While formers’ decision was surprising, later took the call after continuous pressure from the selectors.

India Wins at Home

India currently ranked second in test cricket

India currently ranked second in test cricket

Indians have continued their chariot ride since their surprising win at 2007 T20 World Cup. Their 2-1 loss in the controversial series in Australia didn’t hamper the success; it was subdued in M.S. Dhoni’s leadership when they won the VB series 2-0. At home they had beaten Australia and England. Currently they are the second ranked side in the test cricket which is the biggest achievement since they entered the test scene in 1932.

3rd Test- England Vs South Africa Edgbaston:

Graeme Smith at Edgbaston Test

Graeme Smith at Edgbaston

For a batsman nothing holds better in his memories than his not-out hundred, which took his team to victory. It becomes more prominent in his career, when he finishes the draught of winning the series. South African captain and opener Graeme Smith did it against England at Edgbaston in the third test. The Proteas haven’t won a test series in England since their re-entry in the cricketing arena. It wasn’t all and all a test match with goods only for Proteas, but the test also saved Paul Collingwood who was under the knife for not performing- sometimes good players stand-up when everyone fails. Later in the evening after his innings Collingwood said, “Today was very special,” he said. “Everything went my way, and it was certainly a day I’ll never forget.”

Leave a comment

Filed under Cricket