The IPL Watcher
Newsfile: May 17
Middle order not a concern – Jayawardene : Delhi Daredevils batsman Mahela Jayawardene has dismissed concerns over the team’s vulnerable middle order
Akhila Ranganna
25-Feb-2013
Middle order not a concern – Jayawardene: Delhi Daredevils batsman Mahela Jayawardene has dismissed concerns over the team’s vulnerable middle order. Daredevils' batting has been top-heavy this season with the bulk of runs being scored by captain Virender Sehwag (484). However, Jayawardene, who made an unbeaten 56 in the win over Kings XI Punjab, said it was “good” that the top order was scoring runs. “Sixty-seventy per cent of Twenty20 games are won based on top-order players scoring runs. After that, it is just how you handle the other situations,” Jayawardene said on Wednesday, on the eve of the clash with Royal Challengers Bangalore in Delhi. “If you see the top 10 batsmen in the IPL, all are openers or No. 3 batsmen. It is only when the top order hasn't done well, the responsibility falls on the middle order. On Tuesday [against Kings XI] we handled the situation pretty well [Daredevils were reduced to 37 for 4 chasing 137]. If we can continue to improve upon that, I think that will be an added advantage for us. We have two explosive openers and they can pretty much win a game for us. Going forward, we just need to keep improving, the middle order is not a concern but it is about us handling those situations in a better way,” he said.
Need to sort our technique – Harbhajan: Mumbai Indians captain Harbhajan Singh has said that poor batting from his team in the initial overs played a big part in their 32-run loss to Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai on Wednesday. Chasing a modest 141, openers Herschelle Gibbs and Sachin Tendulkar managed just 26 runs in the first six overs, before Gibbs was dismissed. “I think we need to sort out our technique. We need to bat well in the first six overs,” Harbhajan said. “We played bad cricket today. The first six overs decided our fate. We haven't been playing good cricket, we have done well only in patches. We need to pick up our game, me as well. First we need to qualify for the playoff stage and then from there we will think of moving ahead.”
Malinga six for my girlfriend – Tiwary: Kolkata Knight Riders’ batsman Manoj Tiwary hit Mumbai Indians fast bowler Lasith Malinga for a straight six in the 13th over in Mumbai on Wednesday. That six, for which Tiwary moved outside leg stump to make room and got under the length ball, was for his girlfriend. “My girlfriend had once told me that I can never hit Malinga for a six,” Tiwary told iplt20.com. “I accepted the challenge and it was playing at the back of my mind for a long time. I am feeling very good about it and I am going to call her and tell her that I can hit sixes off Malinga.”
Full postNewsfile: May 16
David Hussey being sued by former agent: Essentially Sports Management Australia (ESMA), the agency that formerly managed David Hussey , has sued him for more than Aus$300,000 because of his apparent failure to pay them the agreed upon commission
Nikita Bastian
25-Feb-2013
David Hussey being sued by former agent: Essentially Sports Management Australia (ESMA), the agency that formerly managed David Hussey, has sued him for more than Aus$300,000 because of his apparent failure to pay them the agreed upon commission from his IPL money, among other incomes. ESMA filed a lawsuit in the Victorian Supreme Court on Friday, Australian papers reported, claiming Hussey owes them $280,000 for his IPL stint, plus another $140,000 if he extends his contract with Kings XI Punjab for the 2013 season. Apart from the IPL money, the agency said Hussey also owes them commission out of his Cricket Australia salary and contract with English county Nottinghamshire.
Awana impresses Hussey: After Kings XI’s batsmen failed to put up a sizeable total against Delhi Daredevils in Delhi on Tuesday, it was seamer Parvinder Awana – who has impressed all through the league – who dragged his side back into the game. He dismissed Virender Sehwag, Ross Taylor and Venugopal Rao in quick succession, to reduce Daredevils to 37 for 4, but even that effort proved to be insufficient as the hosts eventually knocked off the target of 137 with an over and five wickets to spare. "The spell by Awana was world-class today,” Kings XI captain, David Hussey, said. “He very much changed the complexion of the game. The mistake we made was not giving him a fourth-straight over to get Mahela [Jayawardene] out. That was a mistake by me there. Awana keeps competing with the opposition. Hopefully, he has a big future."
Delhi will not take things easy – Naman Ojha: Daredevils are the first team to confirm their place in the IPL playoffs, but that will not let their intensity levels drop because of that, wicketkeeper Naman Ojha has said. “We are now safe but we are not complacent,” he told IPLT20.com. “The next game is also important for us. [On Thursday], we play against Royal Challengers Bangalore, which is a very good team, and we will look to play [at our best] against them.”
Full postNewsfile: May 15
’Keep Murali at bay’ : Mumbai Indians allrounder Kieron Pollard , whose unbeaten 122-run partnership with Ambati Rayudu helped steal a thrilling victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday, said their strategy was to score as many runs as
Akhila Ranganna
25-Feb-2013
’Keep Murali at bay’: Mumbai Indians allrounder Kieron Pollard, whose unbeaten 122-run partnership with Ambati Rayudu helped steal a thrilling victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday, said their strategy was to score as many runs as possible and keep Royal Challengers offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan at bay. “We knew we had to chase it down; Rayudu and myself decided that if we can bat a couple of overs and see out Murali, as he is one of the most dangerous bowlers, we could do it. It was such a good batting wicket and the Bangalore ground is small,” Pollard said, after their final-over win.
Didn’t grab opportunities – Lehmann: Deccan Chargers coach Darren Lehmann has said his team failed to execute their plans properly in the IPL. With just two wins from 11 games (and one no-result) Charges are at the bottom of the points table. “We did not excel at the right time and did not grab opportunities,” Lehmann said. “We need to get the basics right. In a high pressure tournament like IPL, you need to execute plans in a lot better way.” However, he said, there was no lack of work ethics on part of the players and he was “happy with their commitment.”
Hilfenhaus ‘sparks’ Super Kings: With two consecutive Man-of-the-Match awards, Australia fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus has played a key role in getting Chennai Super Kings’ faltering IPL campaign back on track. Super Kings are currently fourth on the points table and still in with a chance of making it to the playoffs. Hilfenhaus has picked up nine wickets in the five games he has played so far with an economy rate of 6.63. His performance earned praise from his captain MS Dhoni who said “Hilfenhaus has brought some spark that was missing.” In an interview with the Hindu, Hilfenhaus said his goal was to “zero in on the right areas” irrespective of the format.
Full postIs there a spot for Gilchrist?
After Kumar Sangakkara, Daniel Vettori and Sourav Ganguly, it may be Adam Gilchrist's turn to sit out matches despite being the captain
Devashish Fuloria
25-Feb-2013
After Kumar Sangakkara, Daniel Vettori and Sourav Ganguly, it may be Adam Gilchrist's turn to sit out matches despite being the captain. Gilchrist suffered a hamstring injury during the home game against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 18 but since then, Kings XI have won five of their eight matches under David Hussey's leadership and are in with a shot at making the last four.
Gilchrist’s injury and Paul Valthaty’s lack of form forced Kings XI to open with Mandeep Singh and Nitin Saini against Mumbai Indians and the youngsters responded with a 48-run opening stand – Kings XI’s best at that point. Saini, who is also the wicketkeeper, and Shaun Marsh have since opened with Mandeep, who has settled well at the top to become Kings XI’s leading scorer.
The team's run has also coincided with Azhar Mahmood’s availability, with his all-round skills and experience making him essential to the team. Marsh and David Hussey have each scored more than 300 runs to be the automatic foreign-player choices. Ryan Harris adds much-needed pace to the attack. With the opening pair largely settled and the four overseas slots filled, the captain finds himself squeezed out.
Gilchrist, though, has read the writing on the wall. “Even if I am available for playing, it is not sure that I will play," he said. "The boys are doing a great job right now and the team is really getting along very well.”
Full postTough road ahead for Super Kings
Sunday’s results, with wins for Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab, has put the pressure right back on Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings
S Rajesh
25-Feb-2013
Sunday’s results, with wins for Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab, has put the pressure right back on Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings. For Super Kings especially, there’s little breathing room since they’ve played a match more than Royal Challengers.
The best-case scenario for Super Kings is two wins and 19 points, and if they get there they’ll almost certainly find a place in the last four. There’s still a possibility, though, of three teams – Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers and Mumbai Indians – finishing with more than 19 points, and Kolkata Knight Riders and Super Kings being tied on 19, in which case net run rates will come into play.
However, if Super Kings lose to the Knight Riders, the best they can finish with is 17 points, in which case they’ll need several results to go their way to make the cut. Their best-case scenario will then be that Mumbai Indians lose all their matches so they stay on 16, and Royals and Kings XI win no more than one match, so that they don’t move beyond 16. Alternatively, if Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers, the Super Kings will want Royal Challengers to win no more than one game, so that they stay on 17, which will bring net run rates into play.
If Super Kings finish on 17 and other results don’t go their way, then as many as six teams could go past them. Super Kings are also the first team to finish their league games – they play their last match on Thursday – which means they’ll have plenty of time to sit back and consider the impact of each result on their fortunes.
Full postNewsfile: May 14
Prasad lauds Vettori : Royal Challengers Bangalore’s bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad has hailed captain Daniel Vettori 's decision to give up his spot in the playing XI for Muttiah Muralitharan
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Prasad lauds Vettori: Royal Challengers Bangalore’s bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad has hailed captain Daniel Vettori's decision to give up his spot in the playing XI for Muttiah Muralitharan. Vettori picked up just five wickets from nine games, and post his decision, Royal Challengers have enjoyed a run of three straight victories. "It is magnanimous of Dan to sit out,” Prasad said on the eve of the clash with Mumbai Indians. “Stepping aside as a player is understandable but doing it as a captain is incredible. It shows that the atmosphere in the team is positive. And Murali has done very well after coming in.” Prasad indicated the arrangement was likely to continue and also had words of praise for Virat Kohli, the stand-in captain. "It is not just that he [Kohli] has been vibrant on the field, he has been taking key positions as well, fielding at long-on or midwicket or wherever required. His bowling changes have also been fantastic. He has shown that he is ready to take on responsibility.”
Full postStill no Tamim?
When Pune Warriors play, you can be sure much of the feedback ESPNcricinfo receives is to do with Tamim Iqbal
Nikita Bastian
25-Feb-2013
When Pune Warriors play, you can be sure much of the feedback ESPNcricinfo receives is to do with Tamim Iqbal. Warriors have now played 15 games in the tournament, used six openers and won only four matches. The batting has not clicked and they have failed to chase down very gettable targets on occasion.
Mohnish Mishra, Michael Clarke, Sourav Ganguly, Robin Uthappa, Jesse Ryder and Manish Pandey have been Warriors' openers, in various combinations, till now. While Ganguly and Clarke have, expectedly, struggled to score at pace, Jesse Ryder has backed up two half-centuries with seven single-digit scores. Robin Uthappa has been the team’s leading run-scorer, but even his runs have come at a rather lethargic strike-rate of 118.50.
Yet the big-hitting Tamim, who produced scores of 64, 70, 59 and 60 in the last international tournament he played, the Asia Cup, has not got a game. Not even one that is of no consequence to his team.
A Bangladesh boy, Tamim has the benefit of being familiar with the conditions, and could even fit into any plan – if any – the team has to play a right hand-left hand combination at the top of the order. All that, plus a struggling team, surely means it’s worth giving Tamim a go? Maybe Warriors' last league game, against Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday, will be the day.
Full postThe Ganguly question
Sourav Ganguly has always had the ability to keep everyone guessing – friends, foes, team-mates and opponents alike
Kanishkaa Balachandran
25-Feb-2013
Sourav Ganguly has always had the ability to keep everyone guessing – friends, foes, team-mates and opponents alike. Will he play? Where will he bat? Will he be on time? The latest question mark concerns his place in the Pune Warriors side as it winds down a disappointing IPL season. On the eve of Warriors’ game against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Pune on Friday, there were rumours that he would not play the three remaining games. The franchise owner Subroto Roy had said the previous night that Ganguly would take up a mentoring role next season and wanted to give youngsters a chance in the remaining matches.
On matchday, the speculation seemed confirmed when Steven Smith walked out for the toss instead. Ganguly, he said, was sitting out the game. That left the door open for the future, and for Ganguly himself to clear the air. He did so during a television interview at the dugout, saying he had only taken a short break. “It's been a long time on the road. [I] Just wanted to give an opportunity to the youngsters," he said. "I'll be back for the next game and lead the side."
When asked to confirm his mentoring role, Ganguly, seeing the lighter side, chuckled, saying: "I don't know. I make the headlines for good and bad things.”
While Ganguly's captaincy has had its moments of inspiration and innovation, his batting - 261 runs at a strike-rate of 100.71 – would not, in other circumstances, merit a place in the side. In that sense, his dropping wasn't surprising but his absence didn't help his team, who lost the match by 35 runs. It's likely he will return and one can never write him off until he utters those famous parting words - "just one last thing, lads."
Full postHome no longer a fortress for CSK
In the past, a home game for Chennai Super Kings would have started with them as clear favourites
Madhusudhan Ramakrishnan
25-Feb-2013
In the past, a home game for Chennai Super Kings would have started with them as clear favourites. The MA Chidambaram stadium was a virtual fortress throughout the last season as Super Kings went undefeated at home. In the final, they thrashed an in-form Royal Challengers Bangalore with M Vijay and Michael Hussey adding 159 for the opening wicket. However, all that has changed this year. Super Kings have struggled to win consistently at home and have suffered three losses from seven games, including one in the opening match of the season against Mumbai Indians. Two further losses against Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab have put the two-time champions in a tight spot from which they have to win all their remaining games to qualify for the play-offs.
Super Kings now face the unenviable task of taking on Delhi Daredevils, who are the table-toppers presently. Daredevils were the last team to beat Super Kings in Chennai before their unbeaten run in 2011.
The stats in the table below clearly highlight Super Kings' woes at home this season. They won 14 and lost just two matches at home in the 2010 and 2011 seasons and had an average difference (difference between batting and bowling averages) of 5.37 and 15.93 in the two seasons at home. Their run-rate difference (difference between batting run-rate and bowling economy-rate) at home in the previous two seasons was 0.71 and 1.05 respectively. In sharp contrast, the average difference at home in this season is -1.56 and the run-rate difference is -0.07. While they managed a positive value of the average difference in away matches too in the 2010 and 2011 seasons, they have failed to do so in 2012.
Full postNewsfile: May 12
Bollinger flies home: Chennai Super Kings’ fast bowler Doug Bollinger has returned to Australia due to personal reasons
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Bollinger flies home: Chennai Super Kings’ fast bowler Doug Bollinger has returned to Australia due to personal reasons. Super Kings had tweeted the news ahead of their game against Delhi Daredevils on Saturday, saying Bollinger would be unavailable for the match. Details of how long he will be away are not yet known.
Doug Bollinger is back in Australia for personal reasons and will not be available for today's game. #CSKvsDD
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 12, 2012
Botha keeps the faith: Rajasthan Royals have only 12 points from 13 matches and have slipped to sixth place, but their allrounder Johan Botha believes the team can still make the playoffs. He was particularly confident because Rajasthan’s remaining matches include teams out of the running. “The fact that we have to play two against Pune and Hyderabad and the last against Mumbai Indians gives a little chance," he said. "While the other teams fighting for a play-off slot will be playing against big teams.”
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