IPL T20 -The Times of India

IPL 4 AUCTIONS - Indian Premier League Auctions

2011-01-09T04:13:00.000-08:00

List of players auctioned and the prices at which they have been bought by IPL franchise:

Gautam Gambhir sold for Rs 11.04 crore to Kolkata Knight

Riders Dilshan auctioned for Rs2.94crore to Bangalore

Zaheer Khan auctioned for Rs4.08 crore to Bangalore

Ross Taylor auctioned for Rs 4.53crore to Rajasthan

Yusuf Pathan auctioned for Rs9.52cr to Kolkata

Kevin Pietersen auctioned for Rs2.94crore to Hyderabad

Mahela Jayawardene auctioned for Rs 6.8 crore to Kochi

Yuvraj Singh auctioned for Rs8.16crore to Pune

AB de Villiers sold for Rs 4.98 crore to Bangalore

Cameron White sold for Rs 4.98 crore by Deccan CHARGERS

Jacques Kallis auctioned for Rs4.98 crore by Kolkata

Rohit Sharma auctioned for Rs9.06crore by Mumbai

Andrew Symonds auctioned for Rs 3.85 crore by Mumbai

Sourav Ganguly goes unsold in IPL-4

Gilchrist sold for Rs4.08 crore by Punjab

Rahul Dravid sold for Rs2.26crore by Rajasthan

Graeme Smith sold for Rs 2.26 crore by Pune

Robin Uthappa sold for Rs9.52cr to Pune

Daniel Vettori sold for Rs 2.49 crore to Rajasthan Royals

Brendon McCullum sold for Rs 2.15crore to Kochi

Sreesanth sold for Rs 4.08 crore to Kochi

Chris Gayle goes unsold in IPL-4

Irfan Pathan sold for Rs 8.61cr to Delhi

RP Singh sold to Kochi for Rs 2.26 crore

Jesse Ryder and Herschelle Gibbs goes unsold

Michael Hussey bought back by Chennai for Rs 1.95 crore

JP Duminy sold for Rs1.36 crore to Deccan Chargers

Shikhar Dhawan sold for Rs1.36crore to Deccan Chargers

Saurabh Tiwary sold for Rs7.25cr to Bangalore

David Hussey to Punjab for Rs 6.44 crore

Warner to Delhi for Rs 3.45 crore

Brian Lara goes unsold in IPL-4

Parthiv Patel sold for for Rs 1.33crore to Kochi

Wriddhiman Saha sold for $100,000 to Chennai

Dinesh Karthik sold for Rs4.14crore to Punjab

Naman Ojha sold for rs 1.24 crore to Delhi

Brad Haddin Rs 1.49 crore to Kolkata

Mat Prior unsold

Mark Boucher unsold

David Jacobs sold for Rs 86 lakh to Mumbai

James Hopes sold for Rs1.58crore to Delhi Daredevils

Ravindra Jadeja sold for Rs4.3 crore to Kochi

Wright remains unsold

Shakib Ali Hasan sold for Rs 1.92crore to Kolkata

Stuart Broad sold to Kings XI Punjab for Rs1.81 crore

Abhishek Nayar sold to Kings XI Punjab for Rs 3.6crore

Angelo Mathews sold to Pune Warriors for Rs 4.37 crore

Steven Smith sold to Kochi for Rs 92 lakh

Dwayne Bravo sold to Chennai for Rs92 lakh

James Anderson goes unsold

Ishant Sharma sold for Rs2.04 crore to Deccan Chargers

Praveen Kumar sold for Rs3.62crore Kings XI Punjab

Ashish Nehra sold for Rs 3.85 crore to Pune

Brett Lee sold for Rs1.81 crore to Kolkata

Morne Morkel sold for Rs2.15crore to Delhi

Dale Steyn sold for Rs5.44 crore to Deccan Chargers

Ryan Harris sold for Rs1.47crore to Punjab

Dirk Nannes sold for Rs2.94crore to Bangalore

Doug Bollinger sold for Rs3.17crore to Chennai Super King

Muralitharan sold for Rs 4.98crore to Kochi

Graeme Swann not sold

Kumar Sangakkara sold to Hyderabad for Rs 3.17crore

Piyush Chawla sold to Punjab for Rs4.08 crore

Ashwin sold for Rs 3.85crore to Chennai

Ajantha Mendis goes unsold

Ojha sold to Hyderabad for Rs 2.26crore

Murali Kartik goes unsold

Amit Mishra sold to Deccan Chargers for Rs 1.36 crore

Ramesh Powar sold to Kochi for Rs 81.6 lakh

Finch sold to Delhi for Rs 1.36 crore

IPL 4 Auctions | KKR Bought What in IPL4 Auctions | Delhi Daredevils Bought what in IPL-4 Auctions

ICC T20 World Cup Schedule 2009 | Fixtures

2009-05-28T10:33:00.000-07:00

Matches Timings and Schedule:
1st T20 will be played between England v Netherlands on 05, June 2009 in London Day/Night
2nd New Zealand v Scotland on 06, June 2009 in London Day match
3rd Australia v West Indies on 06, June 2009 Day mach in London
4th India v Bangladesh on 06, June 2009 in Nottingham D/N
5th South Africa v Scotland on 07, June 2009 day match in London
6th England v Pakistan on 07, June 2009 D/N match in London
7th Bangladesh v Ireland on 08, June 2009 Day match Nottingham
8th Australia v Sri Lanka on 08, June 2009 D/N in Nottingham
9th Pakistan v Netherlands on 09, June 2009 London day match
10th New Zealand v South Africa on 09, June 2009 D/N in London
11th Sri Lanka v West Indies on 10, June 2009 in Nottingham
12th India v Ireland on 10, June 2009

Super Eight T20 world cup 2009 match schedule and timings
On 11, June 2009
D1 v A2 in Nottingham
B2 v D2 in Nottingham

12, June 2009
B2 v D2 in London
A1 v C1 IN London

13, June 2009
C1 v D2 in London
D1 v B1 IN London

14, June 2009
A2 v C2 in London
A1 v B2 IN London

15, June 2009
B2 v C1 in London
B1 v A2 IN London

16, June 2009
D1 v C2 in Nottingham
D2 v A1 IN Nottingham

Semi Final Matches
18, June 2009 - 1st Semi-Final
19, June 2009 - 2nd Semi-Final

Twenty20 World Cup 2009 – Final on 21, June 2009 London.

Ishant over Mult-Captaincy idea

2009-04-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

Kolkata Knight Riders pace spearhead Ishant Sharma has supported his coach John Buchanan’s multi-captaincy idea.

Ishant said the innovative theory could actually help his Indian Premier League side do well in the second season.

Sourav Ganguly was not amused with the idea but Ishant said there was no harm in having four captains as their different ideas could help the team overcome last year’s failure.

“Sourav Ganguly is a good captain but sometimes you need new ideas which Buchannan theory can generate,” he told News24 Channel.

“Buchannan is a very good coach and bit of support from other players can turn the things around for KKR,” he said.

The lanky fast bowler said his IPL side will miss the services of experience Australia captain Ricky Ponting and Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar.
Source - espnstar.com

IPL Schedule 2009 - IPL goes South Africa

2009-04-13T15:47:00.000-07:00

Sat 18
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 1st match - Rajasthan Royals v Bangalore Royal Challengers Newlands, Cape Town
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 2nd match - Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians Newlands, Cape Town

Sun 19
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 3rd match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Deccan Chargers Newlands, Cape Town
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 4th match - Delhi Daredevils v Kings XI Punjab Newlands, Cape Town

Mon 20
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 5th match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Chennai Super Kings St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth

Tue 21
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 6th match - Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians Kingsmead, Durban
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 7th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Kings XI Punjab Kingsmead, Durban

Wed 22
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 8th match - Delhi Daredevils v Chennai Super Kings Kingsmead, Durban
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 9th match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Deccan Chargers Kingsmead, Durban

Thu 23
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 10th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth

Fri 24
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 11th match - Kings XI Punjab v Bangalore Royal Challengers New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Sat 25
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 12th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Chennai Super Kings Newlands, Cape Town
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 13th match - Deccan Chargers v Mumbai Indians Kingsmead, Durban

Sun 26
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 14th match - Rajasthan Royals v Kings XI Punjab Newlands, Cape Town
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 15th match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Delhi Daredevils St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth

Mon 27
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 16th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians Newlands, Cape Town
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 17th match - Chennai Super Kings v Deccan Chargers Kingsmead, Durban

Tue 28
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 19th match - Delhi Daredevils v Rajasthan Royals SuperSport Park, Centurion

Wed 29
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 18th match - Mumbai Indians v Kings XI Punjab Kingsmead, Durban
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 20th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Bangalore Royal Challengers Kingsmead, Durban

Thu 30
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 21st match - Delhi Daredevils v Deccan Chargers SuperSport Park, Centurion
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 22nd match - Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings SuperSport Park, Centurion

May 2009

Fri 1
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 23rd match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Kings XI Punjab Buffalo Park, East London
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 24th match - Mumbai Indians v Kolkata Knight Riders Kingsmead, Durban

Sat 2
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 25th match - Rajasthan Royals v Deccan Chargers New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 26th match - Chennai Super Kings v Delhi Daredevils St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth

Sun 3
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 27th match - Mumbai Indians v Bangalore Royal Challengers Kingsmead, Durban
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 28th match - Kings XI Punjab v Kolkata Knight Riders Buffalo Park, East London

Mon 4
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 29th match - Deccan Chargers v Chennai Super Kings St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth

Tue 5
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 30th match - Delhi Daredevils v Kolkata Knight Riders Kingsmead, Durban
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 31st match - Kings XI Punjab v Rajasthan Royals Kingsmead, Durban

Wed 6
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 32nd match - Mumbai Indians v Deccan Chargers SuperSport Park, Centurion

Thu 7
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 33rd match - Kings XI Punjab v Chennai Super Kings SuperSport Park, Centurion
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 34th match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Rajasthan Royals SuperSport Park, Centurion

Fri 8
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 35th match - Delhi Daredevils v Mumbai Indians Buffalo Park, East London

Sat 9
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 36th match - Deccan Chargers v Kings XI Punjab OUTsurance Oval, Bloemfontein
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 37th match - Chennai Super Kings v Rajasthan Royals St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth

Sun 10
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 38th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Daredevils Buffalo Park, East London
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 39th match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Mumbai Indians New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Mon 11
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 40th match - Deccan Chargers v Rajasthan Royals OUTsurance Oval, Bloemfontein

Tue 12
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 41st match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Kolkata Knight Riders SuperSport Park, Centurion
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 42nd match - Kings XI Punjab v Mumbai Indians SuperSport Park, Centurion

Wed 13
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 43rd match - Deccan Chargers v Delhi Daredevils Kingsmead, Durban

Thu 14
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 44th match - Mumbai Indians v Rajasthan Royals Kingsmead, Durban
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 45th match - Chennai Super Kings v Bangalore Royal Challengers Kingsmead, Durban

Fri 15
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 46th match - Kings XI Punjab v Deccan Chargers De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley

Sat 16
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 47th match - Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 48th match - Deccan Chargers v Kolkata Knight Riders St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth

Sun 17
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 49th match - Rajasthan Royals v Delhi Daredevils De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 50th match - Kings XI Punjab v Deccan Chargers New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Mon 18
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 51st match - Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders SuperSport Park, Centurion

Tue 19
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 52nd match - Delhi Daredevils v Bangalore Royal Challengers New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Wed 20
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 53rd match - Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab Kingsmead, Durban
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 54th match - Rajasthan Royals v Kolkata Knight Riders Kingsmead, Durban

Thu 21
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT 55th match - Deccan Chargers v Bangalore Royal Challengers SuperSport Park, Centurion
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 56th match - Mumbai Indians v Delhi Daredevils SuperSport Park, Centurion

Fri 22
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 1st Semi-Final - TBC v TBC SuperSport Park, Centurion

Sat 23
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT 2nd Semi-Final - TBC v TBC New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Sun 24
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT Final - TBC v TBC New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Ganguly era coming to its end - How will it effect Indian Cricket

2008-10-08T09:49:00.000-07:00

Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday made a surprise announcement of his retirement from Test cricket after the end of four-match series against Australia beginning Thursday, bringing to an end a 16-year career that had of late shown a slump.

"Before I leave, I have to make an announcement. This is going to be my last series. I have decided to quit. These four Tests are going to be my last," said Ganguly, winding up a routine press conference.

The announcement by the most successful cricket captain India ever had only served to confirm speculation that surrounded his selection into the Test team for the first two matches last week on the understanding that he would quit after the series.

"I have spoken to my teammates that these four Tests would be my last matches. Thanks for all the support, hopefully I will go out on a winning note," said the stylish 36-year-old left-hander from Kolkata.

Ganguly, a veteran of 109 Tests, has been in and out of the team after he lost captaincy in 2005 following a spat with the then coach Greg Chappell during tour of Zimbabwe. He had assumed the captaincy in the most difficult time for cricket when Mohammad Azharuddin had to step down on match-fixing charges.

Last year, he was dropped from the one-day team during the England tour and ever since had failed to make a serious comeback.

Ganguly made his debut in international cricket in 1992 by being selected for the one-day team and later entered the Test format in 1996. He has also played 311 ODI matches.

Ganguly has scored 6,888 runs in the Tests, averaging 41.74 and 11,363 runs in ODIs at an average of 41.02.

His highest Test score was 239 and ODIs 183. In the latest shorter version of the game -- Twenty20 -- he scored 726 runs, at an average of 25.92, the highest being 91.

The new Chief Selector K Srikkanth said Ganguly had a chat with him before making the announcement.

"He had a chat with me and a co-selector. He probably feels it's time for him. Every now and then the axe was on him and he said 'Chika' let me play without any pressure on me," Srikkanth said.

"I pray he scores a lot of runs in the series and India wins. A guy like Sourav Ganguly deserves it because he has done a lot for this country," he added.

Former captain Bishan Singh Bedi said it was not a time to feel sad but to celebrate because Ganguly deserves a grand farewell.

"His contribution has been enormous. A great Indian cricketer, a legend has hung up his boots. I hope he has done it on his own terms," Bedi said.

Another former skipper Kapil Dev welcomed Ganguly's decision but felt nobody should put pressure on senior players to quit.

"Nobody talks about retirement of the Board officials but they only put pressure on seniors, who are great players and should leave on their own. Nobody but the players themselves should decide when to go," he said.

Venkatapathy Raju, a former selector who had played with him, said he was not shocked by the decision and felt it was right.

Former chief selector Kiran More, who shared a stormy relationships with Ganguly, said it was a big decision by the left-hander.

"He has done a fantastic job for the country. He probably wanted to go on a high and it was a good opportunity against Australia," More said.

Ganguly, the overall fifth-highest run-getter for India, is only the seven batsmen in the world to cross the 10,000-run mark in one-day internationals.

He led India to 21 wins in 49 matches before he was sacked in 2005.

He, however, was a surprise inclusion for the first two Tests against Australia being ignored for the five-day domestic Irani Cup tie last month, a selection trial for the series.

Dhoni statisfied with his team's performance

2008-06-01T20:44:00.000-07:00

Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said he was not disappointed with his team's performance against Rajasthan Royals despite losing the Indian Premier League (IPL) final by a whisker on Sunday night.

It was a close finish at the DY Patil Sports Academy, where Rajasthan Royals romped home to win the title in the very last ball.

"In the final we were not up to the mark. We are not unhappy because the match went down to the last ball," he said during the presentation ceremony.

He went on to add: "The response from the team members was terrific. Even the players who missed out in earlier matches came out to play their best in this game."

The Super Kings skipper also said there was no turning point in the match and said: "We played as a team and lost as a team."

On the overall performance of his team, Dhoni said: "I am happy with overall improvement of the team specifically the individual performances. That's what the young players are here to experience - like big tournament and a big crowd."

Dhoni admitted that playing back-to-back matches took a toll on his team but attributed it to the demanding format of the game.

Rajasthan Royals clinches the IPL Championship

2008-06-01T20:38:00.001-07:00

After 44 days of mind-boggling action and a no-holds-barred feud among eight fierce franchisees, Rajasthan Royals pipped Chennai Super Kings by three wickets in the thrilling grand finale to lift the inaugural Indian Premier League on Sunday. (Watch: Rajasthan Royals win IPL championship)

Chasing Super Kings' modest total of 163 for five, the Royals rode on a brilliant all-round display by Yusuf Pathan, who took three wickets and top-scored with a 39-ball 56 to overhaul the score off the last ball after needing eight from the last over.

Sohail Tanvir (9 not out) hit the winning run, a pull off the expensive L Balaji, in the company of his inspiring captain Shane Warne, who was not out on 9 in a final score of 164 for seven.

The winners received the top prize of $1.2 million and a glittering gem-laden trophy while the runners-up won $600,000

Who was responsible for Punjab's loss?

2008-06-01T00:45:00.000-07:00

Kings XI Punjab skipper Yuvraj Singh defended his decision to bat first but blamed his batsmen for his team's humiliating nine-wicket loss to Chennai Super Kings in the second semi-final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Saturday.

"It was a good wicket on which a score of 160 to 180 could have been built, but the loss of early wickets did us in," Yuvraj told reporters at the Wankhede Stadium.

He added it was the worst day of the IPL for him. His team scored 112 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs, whereas Chennai crossed the target in 14.5 overs.

"We lost too many wickets at the top of the order and it is very tough to come back after falling behind in a Twenty20 game. We still thought we had a chance if we had got a few early wickets, but that too did not happen," he said.

Kings XI coach Tom Moody echoed his captain's views saying the team just did not perform to the potential.

"Our batsmen failed to execute the team's plans. The batting stumbled at this hurdle and unfortunately for us this was the hurdle from which there was no coming back as we are out of the tournament now," Moody said.

Asked to comment on the final on Sunday, Moody tipped fellow Australian Shane Warne to guide Rajasthan Royals to the title.

"They have been the most consistent side in the tournament and Shane Warne's captaincy has worked wonders with the players. Though Chennai Super Kings are a dangerous team, I would go with Rajasthan Royals," he said.

Too much love may spoil your kid.Preity Zinta should now that!!

Girls Dieing to meet him..Who is he?

2008-05-29T21:03:00.000-07:00

The Indian ODI and T20 captain, the Chennai skipper and the player who earned the highest bid during the IPL auction - it is MSD who gets the ladies' votes too! Actress Sophie Choudry calls him a "lion on field and I looove it! He has a fantastic and positive attitude. To be honest, IPL or no IPL, it is Dhoni for me."

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IPL T20 Semi Final Ticket Rates slashed

2008-05-29T21:01:00.000-07:00

After the exit of Mumbai Indians, the Reliance Industries-owned team, from the Indian Premier League ticket prices for the two semi-finals and final of the Twenty20 league has been slashed.

Ticket prices of the semi-finals to be held at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday and on May 31 have been slashed from Rs 6,000 to Rs 4,000 for the MCA Guest (Vithal Divecha) Stand, the franchise owners said in a media release.

For more Visit

Sachin heart broken as Chennai last team to reach IPL T20 Semis

2008-05-27T21:47:00.000-07:00

Chennai Super Kings grabbed the last available semi-final spot in the Indian Premier League after beating Deccan Chargers by seven wickets in their last league match on Tuesday.

Chasing 148 to win, the visitors overhauled the modest target with four balls to spare, thanks to sensible batting by Suresh Raina (54 not out) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (37).

The Chennai team not only sealed a semi-final place for themselves they also broke the heart of Sachin Tendulkar led Mumbai Indians team, which is now out of the tournament.

A lose of Chennai and a Mumbai win tomorrow against Bangalore Royal Challengers would have enabled Mumbai to enter the last-four stage of the tournament. Now Mumbai's last league match has been rendered inconsequential.

Daredevils thankful to Rajasthan Royals

2008-05-27T00:58:00.000-07:00

Niraj Patel (40 not out) and Ravindra Jadeja (23 not out) turned heroes by scoring 16 runs from the match-deciding last over to guide Rajasthan Royals to an improbable last-ball 5-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in a nerve-wrecking Indian Premier League match on Monday.

The young duo stood tall among ruins to share an unfinished 69-run stand for the sixth wicket to single-handedly decide the fate of the match though aided by some blunders by the Mumbai team.

Today's result ensured that Delhi Daredevils make it to the semi-finals with 15 points from 14 matches while Mumbai Indians (12 points from 13 matches) will have to wait the outcome of tomorrow's match between Chennai Super Kings (14 points from 13 and bottom placed Deccan Chargers in Hyderabad.

Exclusive words by Sourav Ganguly

2008-05-27T00:51:00.001-07:00

If love, anger, bravery, mirth, compassion, aversion, amazement, fright and calm are the 'nava rasas' or the nine emotions that as per ancient Indian theory of aesthetics a quality work of art must evoke, then no modern cricketer comes close to Sourav Ganguly.

Nobody can make fans and foes alike run through the gamut of emotions as the former Indian captain. Even in the Sunday night game, he first aroused laughter and loathing among KKR fans as he ran back to drop a catch in the outfield that strictly belonged to teammate Aakash Chopra. It was typical of Ganguly to shout at the hapless fellow fielder when the mistake was his own.

And then as his solo endeavour to sign off on a winning note looked futile with wickets falling at the other end, the KKR captain turned into an object of pity. In fact, at one point, his apparent refusal to move into fourth gear prompted commentators like Arun Lal to wonder why he was delaying the onslaught for whatever it was worth.

The unthinkable happened thereafter. Despite all the shocks that Ganguly has let loose on his unsuspecting fans since his fairytale international comeback in December 2006 - beginning from a half-century on a savage Johannesburg pitch to a double century against Pakistan in Bangalore to a match-winning but already forgotten 87 against South Africa just six weeks ago in Kanpur - few were prepared for the way he batted, smashing an unbeaten 86 off 53 balls, admittedly with Umar Gul in stellar support.

But as the crowd swiveled from amazement to euphoria at Eden Gardens on Sunday, Ganguly remained the quintessence of cool. Facing up to Irfan Pathan and in need of 15 runs off six balls to clinch an unlikely win for the Kolkata Knight Riders, both his face and demeanour were a picture of Buddhist calm. The former India captain looked at peace with himself and with the world.

[more]

knight Riders snacted an exciting tie from Punjab

2008-05-25T21:32:00.000-07:00

Skipper Sourav Ganguly led from the front with an unbeaten knock of 86 as the Kolkata Knight Riders snatched an unbelievable three-wicket win with two balls to spare against the formidable Kings XI Punjab to finish their below-par campaign in the Indian Premier League on a high on Sunday.

Replying to the Kings XI's competitive score of 174 for 6, the Knight Riders reached their winning target of 175 losing seven wickets in 19.4 overs in a nail-biting finish before a crowd of 30,000 at the Eden Gardens.

Man of the match Umar Gul (24; 11 balls, 1x4, 3x6), who also shone with the ball with figures of 4/23, turned the game upside down during a hurricane 49-run seventh wicket stand with Ganguly after the Knight Riders seemed headed towards yet another defeat at 106 for 6.

As Irfan Pathan set out to bowl the last over, the hosts needed 15 runs, but Ganguly finished off the proceedings in a destructive manner, with a six, two, six and one to hand out the Kings XI their fourth defeat.

The Punjab side, already in the semi-finals, remained on 18 points after 13 games

Cool down Sharukh!!

2008-05-23T01:09:00.000-07:00

The defeat of his Knights in the Indian Premier League seems to have left the team owner King Khan with a bitter aftertaste. The first season of the Indian Premier League will be now remembered for Shah Rukh Khan's tirades, which show no sign of easing.

Still apparently in a fit of sulks, Khan has lashed at the IPL, saying on Thursday that he hadn't paid his team to lose, but to win.

Khan had felt quite at home among his Knights - so much so he wouldn't budge an inch from their side. But then one fine evening he was asked by the authorities to keep his beloved team at arm's length - the actor was miffed, and swift came the first salvo in these words:

"My hanging around in the dressing room is apparently 'anti-Anti-Corruption'. I'm like, listen, don't tell me that I am corrupt...let CBI, ICC Code of Conduct team - anybody - dare try to stop me from meeting my team for every match."

Khan was then provided with a solution - following the tradition of handing out purple and orange caps to the players, IPL announced a red, all-area accreditation badge to one member of each of the eight franchisees, to be given by the ICC's Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) which gave them access to the team dugout and dressing room as well.

But Khan did not take the bait provided by the officials and was absent from the very next match.
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Secret of Rajasthan Royals phenomial performance in IPL T20

2008-05-22T06:21:00.000-07:00

The best laid out plans are the ones that usually go awry first. So when Team Jaipur declared that they had a few to tackle Mahendra Singh Dhoni, one couldn't help but look at the pinch of salt hungrily.

The trap had, however, been put in motion well before the match began on a hot Sunday evening. To begin with, the hosts spread the word that the Sawai Man Singh was a good batting track; then, there were enough hints to indicate that it would eventually take turn too.Chennai, gullible as formidable units usually are, fell for the trick: they realized what they had walked into only when their top order got blown away. By the time Dhoni stepped out to bat, he was smarting with doubts. Shane Warne promptly took charge of the ball.

It was barely the eighth over of the innings, probably the earliest he has bowled in the IPL so far. Graeme Smith, without even bothering to look at his captain, went over to first slip. Mid off went back, mid-wicket went deeper, cover moved wider and gully went squarer. Warne tossed his leg-break up. The ball pitched perfectly outside leg-stump, fizzed through the air and ripped past his probing willow. Next ball was a straighter one; Dhoni warded it off without any problem. The third one was again outside the leg, just that it was a little flatter.

Dhoni lunged at it once again and could only manage a thin edge. Smith gleefully accepted the dolly and Team Jaipur celebrated in the middle, jumping like a bunch of little boys who had got lucky on their first date. The plan had worked, almost as they had conceived it.

So what weakness did Warne and his coach Darren Berry see in Dhoni's formidable arsenal? Was it just a fluke or is it something that can be exploited by others as well? The most valuable player in the IPL, of course, doesn't have the perfect technique.

Yusuf and Kaif heroics buried Kolkatta Riders

2008-05-21T03:59:00.000-07:00

Yusuf Pathan and Mohammad Kaif drummed up a crucial unfinished 81-run partnership as Rajasthan Royals confirmed their semi-final berth by cantering to a six-wicket victory over a lacklustre Kolkata Knight Riders here on Tuesday.

Pathan (48 not out off 18 balls) and Kaif (34 not out off 31 balls) took the game away from the Knight Riders during their rollicking 42-ball stand after the hosts posted a modest 147 for eight in the face of a disciplined bowling performance from the league leaders.

Pathan, who played a hurricane knock studded with five fours and three sixes, ended the game in style with an overboundary off pacer Umar Gul as the Royals reached 150 for four with 21 balls still remaining in the Eden Gardens game.

About Yusuf Pathan
Yousuf Pathan is not only brother of 'old-time' hero Irfaan pathan but also the record holder of hitting fasted fifty of IPL T20.Lets have a sneak peak at his career till now.Surely this hard hitting spinner from Baroda has reserved a berth in National team.By the way he was the part of ICC T20 champion squad.

Yusuf Khan Pathan (born November 17, 1982 in Baroda) is an Indian cricketer. Pathan made his debut in first-class cricket in 2001/02. He is a hard hitting right handed batsman and a right-arm offbreak bowler. His younger brother Irfan Pathan is also an Indian cricketer.

Yusuf was a part of the Indian squad which won the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship, held in South Africa in September 2007. ^[1] He contributed both with the bat and bowl conceding just five runs in his debut T20 over and scoring 15 off 8 balls.

He represents Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. He was signed for USD 475,000.

Sehwag-Gambhir Duo kept the Semis Berth Chances Open

2008-05-19T22:20:00.000-07:00

A typical Virender Sehwag (47) blistering knock and his 90-run first wicket stand with Gautam Gambhir (39) helped Delhi Daredevils survive a middle order collapse to coast to a 5-wicket win over Bangalore Royal Challengers in an absorbing Indian Premier League tie here on Monday.

Chasing 155 for a crucial victory, the Daredevils rode on Sehwag and Gambhir's rollicking start to reach 158 for five with 10 balls to spare to notch up their sixth win from 12 matches and kept them in the reckoning for a semifinal berth.

Earlier, after being put in to bat, Bangalore Royal Challengers continued their characteristic wobbly start to post a modest 154 for 7, raised mainly on Sreevats Goswami's debut half century (52) and Misbah-ul-Haq's (47) late charge.

Sehwag and Gambhir, who faced only 41 balls for their 90-run stand, were cautious for the first two overs but began raining fours and sixes after that with Gambhir, IPL's top run getter, punishing Dale Steyn and his captain doing the same to Zaheer Khan.

After the second over, the IPL's top two run getters got at least two fours in an over before Sehwag was out courtesy a brilliant catch by Bharat Chipli in the seventh over after hitting Praveen Kumar for three fours and a six in that over

Exclusive: Interview with Sanath Jayasuriya

2008-05-18T05:25:00.000-07:00

After his blistering century against Chennai in the IPL, Sanath Jayasuriya had said, "I am very happy with the hundred. But that's gone now. Tomorrow is a new game and I look forward to some different things. I would like to repeat what I did yesterday." He was referring to the Kolkata game. Sanath was as good as his word for he stayed unbeaten with 48 to crush Kolkata.

Hardened professional that he is, the Mumbai Indians’ star kept regretting that his team's batsmen had not got partnerships going and that he himself got out after making 20-30 runs. He also said that the key to success was one of the top four batsmen batting 15 overs. He hasn't got out in two innings now.

About the high expectations of him Sanath said, "Whether you are playing for your country or your club, you are always under pressure to perform. The expectations are very high. But I think the team management has really been supportive of the players. Even when we lost four games in succession at the beginning, they were always behind us. That is why we were able to come back to strongly. The boys are really enjoying what they are doing."

Is T20 only about big hitting? "You can get carried away due to big hitting because the match is just 20 overs.

Because here you can hardly have time to get set. So what you are always looking for is a big shot. But I think the best thing for a batsman to do is to play his natural game. It's not just about big hitting, it's all about playing your natural game."

A lot of people are asking whether secrets are being leaked out by players about their country teammates playing for IPL sides. Jayasuriya thought that was not a problem. "These days everyone knows every player's strengths and weaknesses. With so much of cricket being played and all the teams having the technological assistance, all the teams are carefully examining video footage of other players. So the teammates in international cricket playing against each other doesn't make much of a difference."

Jayasuriya said there was need to keep the sanctity of the 50-over and Test cricket and then create some space for T20.

Would the IPL show extend his playing career? "Not really. It's just that I am very happy with my knocks."
How was the dressing room atmosphere? "The whole dressing room was very happy. We were talking about only this - if someone scores 80 or a hundred, we will win. And that's what happened. Against Chennai it was me, in the future it could be someone else. It wasn't as if I was in a bad nick. I was getting to the 20s or 30s quickly and then getting out. I didn't realise that I was in good nick till I reached the 50. There was more bounce and carry through the wicket. So when I got a start, it came nicely on to the bat. So I thought I should not throw it away and better keep on batting. Otherwise, it wouldn't help the team."

But he had a warning for his young fans. "Some of the shots we play, they should not follow. They should play the normal cricketing shots at the start of their cricketing career."

Mission Possible for Mumbai Indians

2008-05-18T05:21:00.000-07:00

For weeks, Sachin Tendulkar sat on the sidelines clutching his painful groin; he even watched helplessly as his side jumped out of the frying pan into the Harbhajan Singh fire and back into the frying pan.

The Mumbai Indians, and their owners, however, did not lose their faith. Unlike the Royal Challengers, they could fall back on hope: after all, they had a few players who could make an impact, at least in the immediate now. It was merely a question of one victory; the turnaround could always be round the corner.

The onus was taken by Shaun Pollock. The reluctant captain, who hides a sharp wit behind that perpetual frown, realised at that right time that his swansong was turning out to be no more than a squeak. Digging deep into his repertoire, he pulled out slower deliveries, sharp incutters, late outswingers and... eventually the rabbit.

With unexpected support from the maverick Ashish Nehra, he transformed MI from a batting powerhouse into a bowling force. It took them a while, four straight defeats and a firm word from the franchise for the penny to drop. But at least it did. [MORE]

IPL Players getting Payment in Installment

2008-05-18T05:20:00.000-07:00

After Australian cricketers complained of delay in the payment of their Indian Premier League wages, Kings XI Punjab CEO Neil Maxwell on Sunday said clearing the money was a time-taking process as it involved "taxation issues".

Maxwell, who also manages top Australian cricketers like Brett Lee, Michael Hussey and Shane Watson, admitted the payments were slowly being made in phases.

"The players are being paid in installments because there are a number of taxation issues. It is the first installment that is taking the most time because it's not simple as a lot of taxes are involved," Maxwell told a news channel reacting to Australian media reports which said players were getting frustrated with long delay in their IPL payments.

Maxwell said too much was being read into the delay and asserted that every player would be paid his contract money.

"I think too much is being made out of it. It's a little lengthy process and everyone has to be patient. The players are contracted with their franchisees and they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding," he explained.

Australia's Test cricketers had a short stint at the IPL and played only for the first couple of weeks before leaving to fulfill their national commitments in the West Indies.

The top Aussie cricketers who returned included skipper Ricky Ponting, pace spearhead Brett Lee, Michael Hussey, Simon Katich and all-rounder Andrew Symonds among others.

Daredevils finally broke the dead lock

2008-05-15T23:44:00.000-07:00

Amit Mishra registered the second hat-trick of the Indian Premier League as Delhi Daredevils staved off Deccan Chargers' audacious design for an upset win and eked out a nervy 12-run victory to snap their losing spree on Thursday.

Chasing 195, the lowly Deccans did not have a single match-winning knock but they put together a string of cameos to reach near the target before eventually folding up for 182 for nine.

Mishra removed Ravi Teja, Pragyan Ojha and RP Singh off three successive balls in a dramatic last over to record the second hat-trick of the tournament. His figure read 4-0-17-5.

But lets have a closer look on Amit Mishra
What Wiki says about him

Amit Mishra pronunciation (help·info) (born November 24, 1982 in Delhi) is an Indian cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and legbreak bowler.

Comparisons his critics have made with Shane Warne are by all means undeserved, despite a similar run-up, and bowl. Mishra is an attacking cricketer who bowls a praised leg break and googly.

Mishra was initially called into the Indian squad for the Test against the West Indies in 2002, but was not given a chance to play. He was allowed to play, however, during the TVS Cup in 2003, which took place in Dhaka.

Today we are going witness a nice clash between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders,whom are you supporting to??

Sanath Fireworks reinvented hopes for Mumbai Indians

2008-05-14T23:08:00.000-07:00

Riding on Sanath Jayasuriya's swashbuckling, unbeaten knock of 114 that contained an amazing eleven sixes and nine fours, Mumbai Indians outclassed Chennai Super Kings by nine wickets in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday.

The Sri Lankan veteran flicked, slashed and pulled the short-pitched balls served to him on a platter by the visiting team's bowlers as the home team, chasing Chennai's total of 156 for six, surged to a comprehensive win in only the 14th over.

Jayasuriya finished the match with a flourish by slamming Lankan compatriot Chamara Kapugedara for 26 runs in five balls, with three sixes to boot.

By the way this was Sachin's first match of the Cricket carnival and he must have enjoyed the party thrown by Sanath Jayasuriya by standing on the Non-stricker's end!!Isn't it ,Sachin??

IPL T20 getting heavy on Pocket for someone

2008-05-13T22:29:00.000-07:00

In an apparent bid to cut cost, the Kolkata Knight Riders team management "politely" asked five of the players, who are yet to feature in the side's 14-member squad in any match, to leave the team hotel. The players are Ranadeb Bose, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sourasish Lahiri, Yashpal Singh and Rohan Banerjee. One of the players said they were "politely given the option of either staying at the team hotel or going home". ( Watch )

"It was clear what the team management wants. Apparently coach John Buchanan feels that he has found his set combination and had no need for the fringe players," one of the players said.

Ranadeb Bose, one of the players spoke to Times Now and said, "I did not expect this was coming. I was surprised when John said that we have to win more games and we have to concentrate on the first 11 or first 14. This is unfair on our part that we will not practice or play any game. So, it is better we go back and relax rather than staying with the side."
[...more]

Shoaib's Entry marked the begining of Delhi's Exit

2008-05-13T22:16:00.000-07:00

So all eyes were set to see Rawalpindi Express back in action after a long awaited entry in IPL T20.Kolkata Knight Riders proved that they will have to work upon upgrading their batting line-up as the team managed to score measly 130 on a batting pitch.Sourav's fans were again disappointed with his early dismissal.he got out on a 'simply-whats the use' pull shot when he was on 7.But the game started when when Shoaib took his run-up to ball his first delivery of the tournament.It was quite evident that he was on the field to prove himself and did so.With an outstanding 4 for 11,he clearly brought Delhi on their knees and as 'I' expected Delhi dare devils lost the match.
Delhi should tie up their laces to win matches on 15th,17th and 22nd with Hydrabad,Mohali and again with Kolkata to keep their chances alive to reach Semis.Lets see what happens,but whatever you say IPL T20 is getting Hot and interesting day by day!!