Chennai Super Kings were crowned Indian Premier League-3 champions after thumping Mumbai Indians by 22 runs in a thrilling summit clash here tonight.
Electing to bat, Chennai posted 168 for five, thanks to Suresh Raina's unbeaten 57 and then restricted Mumbai to 146 for nine to win their maiden IPL title in the grand finale at the packed D.Y. Patil Stadium.
Chennai though had to spend some anxious moments towards the close of Mumbai run chase with big-hitting Kieron Pollard threatening to almost singlehandedly win the match before he was out in the penultimate over for a 10-ball 27 which was studded with three fours and two sixes.
For Chennai, who have been playing in their second final after finishing runners-up to Rajasthan Royals in 2008, it has been a roller coaster ride having made it to the semifinal in their last league match.
Mumbai, who were playing in an IPL final for the first time, were the most consistent side in the tournament having won 10 of their 14 league matches, but they faltered at the final hurdle.
For Mumbai, captain Sachin Tendulkar, who declared himself fit for the grand finale after sustaining a right hand webbing split in first semifinal, top-scored with a 45-ball 48 which was studded with seven fours but he did not get enough support from his batting colleagues.
Tendulkar's 66-run stand from 58 balls for the second wicket with Abhishek Nayar was the only substantial partnership for Mumbai.
Left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati emerged the most successful Chennai bowler with two for 26 while Doug Bollinger, Albie Morkel, Muttiah Muralitharan and Suresh Raina took a wicket apiece.
Mumbai began their run chase of 169 on a shaky note with opener Shikhar Dhawan failing to score the opening over from Ravichandran Ashwin and was out in the second over bowled by Bollinger for an eight-ball duck.
Mumbai struggled for runs before Tendulkar and Nayar took 10 runs from the fifth over by hitting a four each off Ashwin.
Tendulkar, who celebrated his 37th birthday yesterday, then smote Albie Morkel for two fours to take Mumbai to 33 for one after the first power-play.
With off-spinner Muralitharan introduced in the seventh over, runs came in trickles and he was unlucky not to have got Nayar with Matthew Hayden dropping the batsman when on eight.
Nayar struck two sixes in as many balls off Jakati in the 10th over to take Mumbai score to 58 for one at the halfway mark.
With the asking rate over 11 by the 10th over, Mumbai looked like pressing the accelerator but they lost two wickets in the 12th over with Nayar and Harbhajan Singh returning to the hut in the space of five balls.
Nayar was run out for a 26-ball 27 after being sent back by Tendulkar and Harbhajan, who was surprisingly sent up the order, was LBW to Raina for just one.
Mumbai's hopes almost ended with the departure of Tendulkar in the 15th over and the veteran batsman, who wore the orange cap for being the tournament top scorer, was out while trying to pushed the run rate, holing out to Murali Vijay off Jakati.
Saurabh Tiwary, who have been in fine form in the tournament, followed Tendulkar three balls later as he holed out to Raina off Jakati for a duck.
Mumbai needed 68 from the last five overs and JP Duminy's (6) departure in the 17th over did not help the Mumbai cause.
But big-hitting Kieron Pollard, who was surprisingly sent in number eight, raised hopes of a stunning victory for Mumbai by singlehandedly taking 22 runs from the 18th over bowled by Bollinger.
Mumbai needed 33 runs from the last two overs but a mix up led to Ambati Rayudu's run out in the fifth ball of the penultimate over and next ball Pollard was out to end Mumbai's dreams of winning the title.
Earlier, Suresh Raina took advantage of some sloppy catching by Mumbai Indians as he struck an unbeaten 57 to pilot CSK to 168 for five.
The left-handed Raina, who came one down on team score of 44, was dropped twice - on 14 and 28 - before making a crucial 57 not out in 35 balls embellished with three sixes and as many fours.
But for Raina's knock and his 72-run partnership with his captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (22 in 15 balls) for the fourth wicket, CSK would have ended with a much lesser score.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Chennai made a decent start with openers Matthew Hayden (17) and Murali Vijay (26) putting on 44 runs.
The Mumbai Indians bowling attack then put an effective shackle on the batsmen on a wicket that offered good bounce but on which the ball stopped a bit on the batsmen.
For Mumbai, tall Sri Lanka pace bowler Dilhara Fernando emerged the most successful with 2 for 23 while Zaheer Khan and Kieron Pollard picked one wicket apiece.
Openers Hayden and Vijay started cautiously and saw off one over each from Harbhajan Singh and Lasith Malinga before stepping on the accelerator.
It was the left-handed Hayden, who has been struggling in the tournament, who started the attack by hoisting Harbhajan over long on for the first six of the match in the third over.
Vijay then pulled Zaheer Khan into the stands beyond the mid-wicket area and then punched Malinga exquisitely to the extra cover fence for a four.
Malinga was then square cut by Hayden and the duo looked all-set for a big stand.
But Vijay fell caught just inside the boundary line off a skier by Saurabh Tiwary off Fernando. His 26 came off 19 balls and included two sixes and a four.
From 44 for one, it became 47 for two when Hayden, who survived a close leg before wicket appeal off Zaheer earlier, tried to charge out to Kieron Pollard and mistimed a pull to be caught behind by wicketkeeper Ambati Rayudu.
CSK progressed to 58 for two after 10 overs, sign that Mumbai have bounced back into the game.
Raina and S Badrinath (14) got together briefly before the latter got out, caught at fine leg for 14 off Fernando.
Then came the most fruitful stand of the innings between Raina and Dhoni. They put on 72 runs in 35 balls.
But after Dhoni fell in the 18th over, it was Raina -- who struck Pollard for two sixes in the 16th over in which the bowler conceded 29 runs -- who made sure that his team ended with a decent total.
Scorecard
Chennai Super Kings:
M Vijay c Tiwary b Fernando 26
M Hayden c Rayudu b Pollard 17
S Raina not out 57
S Badrinath c Malinga b Fernando 14
MS Dhoni c Fernando b Khan 22
A Morkel run out 15
S Anirudha not out 6
Extras: (LB-3, W-8) 11
Total: (for 5 wkts in 20 overs) 168
Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-47, 3-67, 4-139, 5-157.
Bowling: Harbhajan Singh 4-0-30-0, L Malinga 4-0-33-0, Z Khan 4-0-34-1, D Fernando 4-0-
23-2, K Pollard 4-0-45-1.
Mumbai Indians
S. Dhawan c Dhoni b Bollinger 0
S. Tendulkar c Vijay b Jakati 48
Abhishek Nayar runout (Dhoni) 27
Harbhajan Singh lbw Raina 1
A. Rayudu (wk) runout (Vijay) 21
S. Tiwary c Raina b Jakati 0
J.P. Duminy c Jakati b Muralitharan 6
K. Pollard c Hayden b Morkel 27
Zaheer Khan runout (Ashwin) 1
L. Malinga Not out 1
D. Fernando Not out 2
Extras(b:1 Lb:6 Nb:0 W:5) 12
Total (9 wickets, 20.0 Overs) 146
FoW: 1-1 (Dhawan, 1.4 ov), 2-67 (Abhishek Nayar, 11.2 ov), 3-73 (Harbhajan Singh, 11.6 ov), 4-99 (Tendulkar, 14.2 ov), 5-100 (Tiwary, 14.5 ov), 6-114 (Duminy, 16.6 ov), 7-142 (Rayudu, 18.5 ov), 8-142 (Pollard, 18.6 ov), 9-143 (Khan, 19.3 ov),
Bowling:
R Ashwin 4 1 24 0
D Bollinger 4 0 31 1
A Morkel 3 0 20 1
M Muralitharan 4 0 17 1
S Jakati 3 0 26 2
S Raina 2 0 21 1
Showing posts with label IPL-3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IPL-3. Show all posts
Monday, April 26, 2010
Final after the final: Modi suspended
The IPL commissioner, Mr Lalit Modi, was suspended minutes after the award presentation ceremony of IPL-3 here past midnight on Sunday.
He was issued a show-cause notice capping two weeks of raging controversy over financial wrongdoings in the hugely popular tournament.
Mr Modi was combative to the last, saying at his speech at the presentation ceremony that the IPL was clean, that all decisions were cleared by the governing council and that he took full responsibility for all the decisions.
“In the last few days, we have had a lot of innuendoes, and half truths and motivated leaks (about IPL). I want to tell you that all decisions have been taken by the Governing Council and approved by the general body,” Mr Modi said at the ceremony.
“I reassure you that if there is any flouting of rules and any irregularities I shall take full responsibility. On this occasion, I assure milllions of passionate fans of the league and the game across the globe that the IPL is clean and transparent.”
Earlier, Mr Modi had decided to take the bull by the horns. Having all along opposed Monday’s emergent meeting of the IPL council — called essentially to terminate his tenure as its chairman — Mr Modi, in a dramatic turnaround, said he would chair the meeting scheduled to be held here at 10 am on Monday.
On Sunday, the top brass of the BCCI met to finalise their approach for the meeting. According to sources, Mr Srinivasan shared a 16-page-long “chargesheet” with president Shahshank Manohar, IPL vice-chairman Niranjan Shah and chief administrative officer Prof. Ratnakar Shetty that lists in great detail all the allegations against Mr Modi.
“Mr Srinivasan has ensured that no important matter escapes the IPL meeting. He’s listed every contentious decision taken by Modi in pointwise manner in his report. That doesn’t give him (Modi) much room to manevoure if he shows up tomorrow,” a board official told this newspaper.
When Mr Srinivasan first circulated a notice for the meeting, Mr Modi called it illegal, saying as chairman only he had the powers to do so and dared the council to go ahead.
A meeting on Saturday between Mr Pawar and Mr Vijay Mallya, chairman of United Breweries and owner of Royal Challenger Bangalore, assumed significance in the face of the Modi-BCCI standoff though they denied it had anything to do with the IPL.
He was issued a show-cause notice capping two weeks of raging controversy over financial wrongdoings in the hugely popular tournament.
Mr Modi was combative to the last, saying at his speech at the presentation ceremony that the IPL was clean, that all decisions were cleared by the governing council and that he took full responsibility for all the decisions.
“In the last few days, we have had a lot of innuendoes, and half truths and motivated leaks (about IPL). I want to tell you that all decisions have been taken by the Governing Council and approved by the general body,” Mr Modi said at the ceremony.
“I reassure you that if there is any flouting of rules and any irregularities I shall take full responsibility. On this occasion, I assure milllions of passionate fans of the league and the game across the globe that the IPL is clean and transparent.”
Earlier, Mr Modi had decided to take the bull by the horns. Having all along opposed Monday’s emergent meeting of the IPL council — called essentially to terminate his tenure as its chairman — Mr Modi, in a dramatic turnaround, said he would chair the meeting scheduled to be held here at 10 am on Monday.
On Sunday, the top brass of the BCCI met to finalise their approach for the meeting. According to sources, Mr Srinivasan shared a 16-page-long “chargesheet” with president Shahshank Manohar, IPL vice-chairman Niranjan Shah and chief administrative officer Prof. Ratnakar Shetty that lists in great detail all the allegations against Mr Modi.
“Mr Srinivasan has ensured that no important matter escapes the IPL meeting. He’s listed every contentious decision taken by Modi in pointwise manner in his report. That doesn’t give him (Modi) much room to manevoure if he shows up tomorrow,” a board official told this newspaper.
When Mr Srinivasan first circulated a notice for the meeting, Mr Modi called it illegal, saying as chairman only he had the powers to do so and dared the council to go ahead.
A meeting on Saturday between Mr Pawar and Mr Vijay Mallya, chairman of United Breweries and owner of Royal Challenger Bangalore, assumed significance in the face of the Modi-BCCI standoff though they denied it had anything to do with the IPL.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Mumbai up for Royal Challenge
For the second time in five days, the Royal Challengers Bangalore come up against familiar foes in table toppers, the Mumbai Indians. The last time the two teams met there was more than just cricket on their minds as the shocking blasts at the Chinnaswamy Stadium took the sheen away from the game.
Credit to the teams that they turned out like professionals and played the game under extreme pressure in a match that didn’t have any bearing on their progress. Of course, the bombings did have a victim in the fact that Bengaluru lost out on hosting the semis with Mumbai being hastily put up for the show. But then Mumbai are always geared up for it.
The Sachin Tendulkar-led team had already ensured themselves a place in the semis and though the Challengers lost that game, they didn’t lose the plot, making the last four on the strength of their previous performances.
As such when they clash on Wednesday, in the first semifinal of the IPL at the super-dapper D.Y. Patil Stadium, there will be much more than a grudge at stake.
For the Challengers, who have had a 50-50 record in the league with seven wins from 14 games, it will be a huge task against the explosive Indians. Not only do they have to play out of their skins to get past the local outfit but they also have the important matter of getting out of the rut.
Having lost four out of their last six games, Anil Kumble has a huge responsibility of lifting the team for their biggest match of this season; the Challengers have swung between the brilliant and the ordinary and the fact that they squeezed into the semis, edging out the Delhi Daredevils, on a better run rate than on the power of their wins should itself be a wake-up call.
Against the Indians it will be suicidal to even think of getting on the field without being fully prepared. Of course, the Mumbai Indians lost their last inconsequential match to the Kolkata Knight Riders but it was mainly because they rested five of their top stars and allowed their bench strength to get a feel of the league.
On paper, the sides are fairly evenly matched with explosive batsmen in both the line-ups, but where the Indians outscore the Challengers is in their ability to push themselves to greater heights.
Tendulkar has been the unstoppable force for the home team, powering away to the top of the run charts and he has been ably supported by a middle order which has the likes of Ambati Rayudu, Saurabh Tiwary and J.P. Duminy to go with the intimidating presence of the giant West Indian, Kieron Pollard.
The power of their batsmen has given their bowlers, Zaheer Khan, Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh the liberty to go full tilt at the opposition and rivals have wilted under the sustained onslaught.
For Kumble, the problem lies with his batsmen; Manish Pandey has been completely out of sorts this season while the big-hitting Ross Taylor, despite six games, hasn’t been able to get on. Also the tendency of Jacques Kallis to slow things down after the Power Play has hurt the Bangalore outfit and there could be a little rejig in the batting order. The biggest issue will be on deciding on Rahul Dravid or Kevin Pietersen at the No. 3 slot but then again, it will depend on the start by the openers.
The Challengers’ bowling looks healthy with Dale Steyn, Praveen Kumar and Vinay Kumar being supported by the increasingly promising Pankaj Singh and with Kumble himself itching to bowl, the Indians will be wary of their familiar foes.
Credit to the teams that they turned out like professionals and played the game under extreme pressure in a match that didn’t have any bearing on their progress. Of course, the bombings did have a victim in the fact that Bengaluru lost out on hosting the semis with Mumbai being hastily put up for the show. But then Mumbai are always geared up for it.
The Sachin Tendulkar-led team had already ensured themselves a place in the semis and though the Challengers lost that game, they didn’t lose the plot, making the last four on the strength of their previous performances.
As such when they clash on Wednesday, in the first semifinal of the IPL at the super-dapper D.Y. Patil Stadium, there will be much more than a grudge at stake.
For the Challengers, who have had a 50-50 record in the league with seven wins from 14 games, it will be a huge task against the explosive Indians. Not only do they have to play out of their skins to get past the local outfit but they also have the important matter of getting out of the rut.
Having lost four out of their last six games, Anil Kumble has a huge responsibility of lifting the team for their biggest match of this season; the Challengers have swung between the brilliant and the ordinary and the fact that they squeezed into the semis, edging out the Delhi Daredevils, on a better run rate than on the power of their wins should itself be a wake-up call.
Against the Indians it will be suicidal to even think of getting on the field without being fully prepared. Of course, the Mumbai Indians lost their last inconsequential match to the Kolkata Knight Riders but it was mainly because they rested five of their top stars and allowed their bench strength to get a feel of the league.
On paper, the sides are fairly evenly matched with explosive batsmen in both the line-ups, but where the Indians outscore the Challengers is in their ability to push themselves to greater heights.
Tendulkar has been the unstoppable force for the home team, powering away to the top of the run charts and he has been ably supported by a middle order which has the likes of Ambati Rayudu, Saurabh Tiwary and J.P. Duminy to go with the intimidating presence of the giant West Indian, Kieron Pollard.
The power of their batsmen has given their bowlers, Zaheer Khan, Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh the liberty to go full tilt at the opposition and rivals have wilted under the sustained onslaught.
For Kumble, the problem lies with his batsmen; Manish Pandey has been completely out of sorts this season while the big-hitting Ross Taylor, despite six games, hasn’t been able to get on. Also the tendency of Jacques Kallis to slow things down after the Power Play has hurt the Bangalore outfit and there could be a little rejig in the batting order. The biggest issue will be on deciding on Rahul Dravid or Kevin Pietersen at the No. 3 slot but then again, it will depend on the start by the openers.
The Challengers’ bowling looks healthy with Dale Steyn, Praveen Kumar and Vinay Kumar being supported by the increasingly promising Pankaj Singh and with Kumble himself itching to bowl, the Indians will be wary of their familiar foes.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Bulls barge into top bracket
Deccan Chargers took a giant leap towards the IPL-3 semifinals in scenic Dharamshala as a Rohit Sharma special (68 not out, 38b, 6x4, 3x6) guided the Bulls to a thrilling five-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab at the HPCA Stadium here on Friday.
Chasing 175, Sharma’s skilful knock and useful contributions by Tirumalasetti Suman and Aussie rookie Mitchell Marsh got the Chargers home in the final over of the match with five wickets in hand and lifted them to fourth in the IPL points table.
Deccan Chargers skipper Adam Gilchrist got the chase off on the right note with a four off the very first ball of Vikramjeet Malik. However, the trailblazer fell in the very next over as he skied Irfan Pathan to Juan Theron. Monish Mishra continued his fine form and struck four boundaries in his 20 before falling leg-before to Malik.
Sharma almost lost Suman early. Going down the track to Piyush Chawla, the 26-year-old was beaten for flight. However, the KXIP skipper failed to grab the ball and an important chance fell by the wayside.
Suman (43, 31b, 3x4, 3x6) made the most of his reprieve before a Chawla top-spinner saw Suman trying to cut the ball, but he could only find the toe of the bat and Sangakkara made no mistake this time around and held a fine catch.
Andrew Symonds failed to get the task done and was dismissed by Theron for four.
Earlier, Deccan Chargers’ Ryan Harris set the hosts back in the first over itself dismissing compatriot Shaun Marsh for a first-ball duck. Mahela Jayawardene got into his groove and alongside skipper Sangakkara went about rebuilding the innings, cautiously at first, before unleashing some exquisite strokeplay.
Scoreboard
Kings XI Punjab
Mahela Jayawardene not out 93, Shaun Marsh c Adam Gilchrist b Ryan Harris 0, Kumar Sangakkara c Pragyan Ojha b Rahul Sharma 52, Yuvraj Singh c Andrew Symonds b R.P. Singh 20, Irfan Pathan not out 1.
Extras (lb-3, w-4, nb-1) 8
Total (in 20 overs) 174/3
FoW: 1-1, 2-87, 3-173.
Bowling: Ryan Harris 4-0-27-1, R.P. Singh 4-0-51-1, Mitchell Marsh 4-0-32-0, Andrew Symonds 2-0-16-0, Rohit Sharma 1-0-8-0, Pragyan Ojha 2-0-19-0, Rahul Sharma 3-0-18-1.
Deccan chargers
Adam Gilchrist c Juan Theron b Irfan Pathan 9, Monish Mishra lbw Vikramjeet Malik 20, Tirumalasetti Suman c Kumar Sangakkara b Piyush Chawla 43, Rohit Sharma not out 68, Andrew Symonds b Juan Theron 4, Mitchell Marsh c Mahela Jayawardene b Yuvraj Singh 15, Bodapati Sumanth not out 6.
Extras (lb-6, w-7) 13
Total (in 19.1 overs) 178/5
FoW: 1-13, 2-54, 3-120, 4-126, 5-154.
Bowling: Vikramjeet Malik 2.1-0-23-1, Irfan Pathan 3-0-35-1, Shalabh Srivastava 4-0-36-0, Juan Theron 4-0-32-1, Piyush Chawla 4-0-24-1, Yuvraj Singh 2-0-22-1.
Chasing 175, Sharma’s skilful knock and useful contributions by Tirumalasetti Suman and Aussie rookie Mitchell Marsh got the Chargers home in the final over of the match with five wickets in hand and lifted them to fourth in the IPL points table.
Deccan Chargers skipper Adam Gilchrist got the chase off on the right note with a four off the very first ball of Vikramjeet Malik. However, the trailblazer fell in the very next over as he skied Irfan Pathan to Juan Theron. Monish Mishra continued his fine form and struck four boundaries in his 20 before falling leg-before to Malik.
Sharma almost lost Suman early. Going down the track to Piyush Chawla, the 26-year-old was beaten for flight. However, the KXIP skipper failed to grab the ball and an important chance fell by the wayside.
Suman (43, 31b, 3x4, 3x6) made the most of his reprieve before a Chawla top-spinner saw Suman trying to cut the ball, but he could only find the toe of the bat and Sangakkara made no mistake this time around and held a fine catch.
Andrew Symonds failed to get the task done and was dismissed by Theron for four.
Earlier, Deccan Chargers’ Ryan Harris set the hosts back in the first over itself dismissing compatriot Shaun Marsh for a first-ball duck. Mahela Jayawardene got into his groove and alongside skipper Sangakkara went about rebuilding the innings, cautiously at first, before unleashing some exquisite strokeplay.
Scoreboard
Kings XI Punjab
Mahela Jayawardene not out 93, Shaun Marsh c Adam Gilchrist b Ryan Harris 0, Kumar Sangakkara c Pragyan Ojha b Rahul Sharma 52, Yuvraj Singh c Andrew Symonds b R.P. Singh 20, Irfan Pathan not out 1.
Extras (lb-3, w-4, nb-1) 8
Total (in 20 overs) 174/3
FoW: 1-1, 2-87, 3-173.
Bowling: Ryan Harris 4-0-27-1, R.P. Singh 4-0-51-1, Mitchell Marsh 4-0-32-0, Andrew Symonds 2-0-16-0, Rohit Sharma 1-0-8-0, Pragyan Ojha 2-0-19-0, Rahul Sharma 3-0-18-1.
Deccan chargers
Adam Gilchrist c Juan Theron b Irfan Pathan 9, Monish Mishra lbw Vikramjeet Malik 20, Tirumalasetti Suman c Kumar Sangakkara b Piyush Chawla 43, Rohit Sharma not out 68, Andrew Symonds b Juan Theron 4, Mitchell Marsh c Mahela Jayawardene b Yuvraj Singh 15, Bodapati Sumanth not out 6.
Extras (lb-6, w-7) 13
Total (in 19.1 overs) 178/5
FoW: 1-13, 2-54, 3-120, 4-126, 5-154.
Bowling: Vikramjeet Malik 2.1-0-23-1, Irfan Pathan 3-0-35-1, Shalabh Srivastava 4-0-36-0, Juan Theron 4-0-32-1, Piyush Chawla 4-0-24-1, Yuvraj Singh 2-0-22-1.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Preity seeks help from almighty
Bollywood actor Preity Zinta, whose team Kings XI Punjab has received a drubbing in the IPL, on Thursday took a holy dip in river Ganga here and participated in a ‘yagna’ praying for victory.
Preity, 35, who arrived along with her mother Neelprabha in a helicopter, drove to Parmarth Ashram of former Union Minister Swami Chinmayanand and took a dip at Neeldhara area. She also visited the Dharmgangeshwar temple and performed a yagna meant for attaining victory over enemies, ashram sources said. Preity’s IPL team Kings XI Punjab is at the bottom of the tournament and is virtually out of the semifinals. Zinta maintained a distance from the media during her visit.
Preity, 35, who arrived along with her mother Neelprabha in a helicopter, drove to Parmarth Ashram of former Union Minister Swami Chinmayanand and took a dip at Neeldhara area. She also visited the Dharmgangeshwar temple and performed a yagna meant for attaining victory over enemies, ashram sources said. Preity’s IPL team Kings XI Punjab is at the bottom of the tournament and is virtually out of the semifinals. Zinta maintained a distance from the media during her visit.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Chargers top IPL popularity chart
Defending champions Deccan Chargers were rated the most popular side of Indian Premier League while last year’s laggards Kolkata Knight Riders was second in cricket lovers’ popularity chart, a survey said.
The Adam Gilchrist-led side, which started IPL campaign on a losing note against KKR but since then have recaptured the rhythm to clinch three consecutive wins, got 33 per cent vote in the ‘eBay Battle of the Fans’ survey.
In the third position is Royal Challengers Bangalore followed by Delhi Daredevils, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. Rajasthan Royals was the least popular side behind Kings XI Punjab.
The ‘eBay Battle of the Fans’ is a barometer that measures the popularity of an IPL team by quantity of team merchandise bought by fans on eBay.
Reacting to popularity chart, Deccan Chargers skipper Adam Gilchrist on Monday appreciated the expansion of the Indian Premier League matches. “It is a pleasant surprise. The popularity is an indication that we have been playing a very positive, attractive brand of cricket. We appreciate any kind of support we get and this would surely add to the morale of the team and spur them on to taking the game to a higher level.
Chargers pace spearhead Chaminda Vaas said, “We have been doing very well on the field and this vote is a testimony to that. We have been showing a lot of improvement in all the departments viz batting, bowling and fielding and such news boosts the confidence in the camp.”
Battle of Fan Ratings
DC 33%
KKR 18%
RCB 12%
DD 11%
CSK 9%
MI 8%
KXI P 6%
RR 4%
The Adam Gilchrist-led side, which started IPL campaign on a losing note against KKR but since then have recaptured the rhythm to clinch three consecutive wins, got 33 per cent vote in the ‘eBay Battle of the Fans’ survey.
In the third position is Royal Challengers Bangalore followed by Delhi Daredevils, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. Rajasthan Royals was the least popular side behind Kings XI Punjab.
The ‘eBay Battle of the Fans’ is a barometer that measures the popularity of an IPL team by quantity of team merchandise bought by fans on eBay.
Reacting to popularity chart, Deccan Chargers skipper Adam Gilchrist on Monday appreciated the expansion of the Indian Premier League matches. “It is a pleasant surprise. The popularity is an indication that we have been playing a very positive, attractive brand of cricket. We appreciate any kind of support we get and this would surely add to the morale of the team and spur them on to taking the game to a higher level.
Chargers pace spearhead Chaminda Vaas said, “We have been doing very well on the field and this vote is a testimony to that. We have been showing a lot of improvement in all the departments viz batting, bowling and fielding and such news boosts the confidence in the camp.”
Battle of Fan Ratings
DC 33%
KKR 18%
RCB 12%
DD 11%
CSK 9%
MI 8%
KXI P 6%
RR 4%
Friday, March 12, 2010
Chargers play KKR in IPL opener today
Defending champions Deccan Chargers are determined to continue their fairytale in the third edition of the Indian premier League that gets underway on Friday.
Deepika Padukone, Lionel Richie and Bjorn Again, Abba’s next generation, will kick off the tournament at a gala show at 6.30 pm at the D.Y. Patel stadium in Navi Mumbai. The action will start at 8 pm, when Deccan Chargers take on Kolkata Knight Riders, triggering 45 days of cut-throat competition among eight teams. For the first time, the IPL can be accessed over mobile phones and You Tube and, in some cities, in theatres.
The Chargers can bank on happy memories. It was at the same Patil Stadium where Adam Gilchrist smacked a century with 10 sixes and nine fours to script a 10-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in IPL-1.
During IPL-3, a disabled child will get a customised bike for every Gilly six, something that motivates the captain even further. “After last’s year’s turnaround season we are under intense pressure from the other teams. We are determined to prove it wasn’t just luck. My motivation level is even higher and I want as many children as possible to benefit from our success,” he said.
Gilly also struck an emotional chord with the fans in Hyderabad. “We feel homeless, and are very disappointed for the fans of Hyderabad,” he said. The last time they played away from home in South Africa, Chargers returned as champions. Just like in IPL-2, KKR will be Chargers’ opening opponents. Last year, Chargers thrashed KKR. The omens are good.
Deepika Padukone, Lionel Richie and Bjorn Again, Abba’s next generation, will kick off the tournament at a gala show at 6.30 pm at the D.Y. Patel stadium in Navi Mumbai. The action will start at 8 pm, when Deccan Chargers take on Kolkata Knight Riders, triggering 45 days of cut-throat competition among eight teams. For the first time, the IPL can be accessed over mobile phones and You Tube and, in some cities, in theatres.
The Chargers can bank on happy memories. It was at the same Patil Stadium where Adam Gilchrist smacked a century with 10 sixes and nine fours to script a 10-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in IPL-1.
During IPL-3, a disabled child will get a customised bike for every Gilly six, something that motivates the captain even further. “After last’s year’s turnaround season we are under intense pressure from the other teams. We are determined to prove it wasn’t just luck. My motivation level is even higher and I want as many children as possible to benefit from our success,” he said.
Gilly also struck an emotional chord with the fans in Hyderabad. “We feel homeless, and are very disappointed for the fans of Hyderabad,” he said. The last time they played away from home in South Africa, Chargers returned as champions. Just like in IPL-2, KKR will be Chargers’ opening opponents. Last year, Chargers thrashed KKR. The omens are good.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Deccan Chargers make aggressive statement
Defending champions Deccan Chargers issued a stern warning to their rivals as they announced their plans to go all out in IPL-3 as well.
Speaking at a promotional event in a city pub on Thursday night, Chargers skipper Adam Gilchrist, sporting a horn-hat said: “Aggressive approach works. That’s how cricket is played these days — it’s attack, attack, attack.”
Coach Darren Lehmann seconded the opinion. “We will continue with the brand of cricket we have been playing. We have a great team spirit, hopefully we will come out on top,” he said.
However, both kept their feet on the ground. “We understand that last year has gone by and everyone starts on an even keel now,” Gilchrist said, adding “you are only as good as your last innings, and my last one was a second-ball duck... I’ve got to start again.”
Lehmann felt “no pressure” of being defending champions. “We don’t want to think about the past but concentrate on the future.”
He also picked out fast bowler Kemar Roach and Australian U-19 World Cup winning captain Mitchell Marsh as the players to look out for. “Marsh is a strong young lad. He is six-foot-five and bowls quick,” Lehmann said.
Gilly felt new-comers Rahul Sharma and Monish Mishra could prove a handful for the opponents. Individuals apart, Gilly attributed the Chargers’ success in IPL-2 to a great team effort. “I was part of the group that made it happen. It was not because of any individual effort, all the players were involved in the win.
Asked to pick a team for a possible bitter rivalry, Symonds said: “Maybe Mumbai Indians are a team that could be one of our bitter rivals down the track.” It may not be out of place to mention that Harbhajan Singh — prime accused in the ‘Monkeygate’ controversy involving Symonds in 2008 — and his staunch supporter Sachin Tendulkar, play for Mumbai Indians.
But there were no such emotions for VVS Laxman, who has always been a figurative thorn in the Australian flesh on the field. “I have enjoyed playing against the Australians. Gilchrist has been the most enterprising cricketers, a sportive guy who would share a drink with you after the game. I’ve played with Brett Lee and Symonds right from my U-19 days,” Laxman said.
“It’s great to play alongside these guys for the Deccan Chargers, for whom we all want to do well,” the Indian middle-order batsman added. Gilchrist supplemented Laxman’s view on team bonding when asked about his erstwhile long-time opening partner Matthew Hayden, who turns up for Chennai Super Kings. “I am comfortable with opening partners — I’ve had a few in the two IPLs as well the Champions League last year. But Haydos is an opponent and an enemy, there’s no time for him,” he said.
Well, sports and politics do not mix and Gilly is the best example of that. He has turned down an offer from the Australian Labour Party to contest the elections. “I promise I will not be in politics,” he revealed.
“I do a bit of commentary for an Australian television network and hope my relationship with the Deccan Chargers will go a long way,” he added.
Gilchrist also struck an emotional chord with the Hyderabadis when he began with “Namaskaaram. Baagunnara?, in anglicised Telugu.
He concluded with a “Shukriya,” after thanking the fans for their support over the past two years. “You all stuck with us (after the disappointing first season). Sorry, we could not visit Hyderabad after winning IPL-2 in South Africa last year. This time if we do win the title, we’ll definitely come to the city to meet you,” Gilchrist said to thunderous applause.
Speaking at a promotional event in a city pub on Thursday night, Chargers skipper Adam Gilchrist, sporting a horn-hat said: “Aggressive approach works. That’s how cricket is played these days — it’s attack, attack, attack.”
Coach Darren Lehmann seconded the opinion. “We will continue with the brand of cricket we have been playing. We have a great team spirit, hopefully we will come out on top,” he said.
However, both kept their feet on the ground. “We understand that last year has gone by and everyone starts on an even keel now,” Gilchrist said, adding “you are only as good as your last innings, and my last one was a second-ball duck... I’ve got to start again.”
Lehmann felt “no pressure” of being defending champions. “We don’t want to think about the past but concentrate on the future.”
He also picked out fast bowler Kemar Roach and Australian U-19 World Cup winning captain Mitchell Marsh as the players to look out for. “Marsh is a strong young lad. He is six-foot-five and bowls quick,” Lehmann said.
Gilly felt new-comers Rahul Sharma and Monish Mishra could prove a handful for the opponents. Individuals apart, Gilly attributed the Chargers’ success in IPL-2 to a great team effort. “I was part of the group that made it happen. It was not because of any individual effort, all the players were involved in the win.
Asked to pick a team for a possible bitter rivalry, Symonds said: “Maybe Mumbai Indians are a team that could be one of our bitter rivals down the track.” It may not be out of place to mention that Harbhajan Singh — prime accused in the ‘Monkeygate’ controversy involving Symonds in 2008 — and his staunch supporter Sachin Tendulkar, play for Mumbai Indians.
But there were no such emotions for VVS Laxman, who has always been a figurative thorn in the Australian flesh on the field. “I have enjoyed playing against the Australians. Gilchrist has been the most enterprising cricketers, a sportive guy who would share a drink with you after the game. I’ve played with Brett Lee and Symonds right from my U-19 days,” Laxman said.
“It’s great to play alongside these guys for the Deccan Chargers, for whom we all want to do well,” the Indian middle-order batsman added. Gilchrist supplemented Laxman’s view on team bonding when asked about his erstwhile long-time opening partner Matthew Hayden, who turns up for Chennai Super Kings. “I am comfortable with opening partners — I’ve had a few in the two IPLs as well the Champions League last year. But Haydos is an opponent and an enemy, there’s no time for him,” he said.
Well, sports and politics do not mix and Gilly is the best example of that. He has turned down an offer from the Australian Labour Party to contest the elections. “I promise I will not be in politics,” he revealed.
“I do a bit of commentary for an Australian television network and hope my relationship with the Deccan Chargers will go a long way,” he added.
Gilchrist also struck an emotional chord with the Hyderabadis when he began with “Namaskaaram. Baagunnara?, in anglicised Telugu.
He concluded with a “Shukriya,” after thanking the fans for their support over the past two years. “You all stuck with us (after the disappointing first season). Sorry, we could not visit Hyderabad after winning IPL-2 in South Africa last year. This time if we do win the title, we’ll definitely come to the city to meet you,” Gilchrist said to thunderous applause.
