Kolkata once again couldn't break the code of Mumbai, as they lost to them for the second time in this season. But the visitors decoded Delhi with ease at Kolkata and now will look to apply the same against confident hosts on Saturday.
Delhi might be recovering from the 1-run loss to Gujarat, but they got some positives to over look at it in terms of match winning innings from Morris. Although Indian crop batsmen yet to address their consistency along side Dekock and Duminy.
While Zaheer becoming expensive with the new ball, which turning them to rely more on to spinners for wickets in middle overs. While they are pulling things back at the death but couldn't stop batsmen in the powerplay.
Meanwhile Kolkata only lost to Mumbai on both the occasion's and this time around they lacked a fire powered Innings like Pollard. Eventhough the visitors believe they have it in the team and playing at Delhi could ideally suit them in terms of Bowling.
Opening stand is where Kolkata doing it consistently and with a bit more help from the middle order batsmen will destruct any side in the competition. While they heavily dependent on spinners with the conditions and quality in the pace attack.
The pitch at Kotla produced run fest in the last few games and may also help spinners more in the second Innings. So with 4pm start there won't be any worries for spinners with the dew factor.
This match also lies in an even contest between the evenly matched sides, as lot depends on the Indian crop batsmen facing Kolkata's spin attack.
Saturday, 30 April 2016
Delhi up For another Even Contest against Kolkata
Thursday, 28 April 2016
Injured Pune look to Stabilize against Powering Gujarat
Gujarat lions roaring with victories so far with conceading only loss against Sunrises, while Pune just looked like a perfect team with combination and performance on the field against Sunrises. But the new franchise yet to stabilize their position as they face on Gujarat lions in Pune on Friday.
Gujarat lions top order is in prolific form even without Finch, Smith making most use of chances with scoring in absence on him along side Baz. But Gujarat hadn't capitalised on opening stand against Delhi, which makes an area to look inside for more stability.
Kulkarni and PK well led the attack upfront in most matches and against Delhi it proved to be more effective. While spinners where under performed given with the abilities and the shorter format specialists Bravo, Faulkner struggling to stop the flow of runs at the death at most times.
On the other side the new franchise found a much needed win under their sleeves, but more Importantly it came as an unit with all-round show at Hyderabad. It seems Ms can't get better combination with the ingredients he posses in the present squad.
While Dinda fired huge blows early on in his opening match of the season and it was well supported by returned Marsh and , struggling R Ashwin. Although challenge lies for pacers at home, where they don't get enough assistance as in Hyderabad and also for spinners if they bowl second with the dew factor.
Pune still without their specific death bowler to go with, which implies if they don't get early wickets it would be a tough job for Ms. Which may result more pressure on Rahane and Smith to score more with Injury to Duplessis.
Gujarat may consider Finch if he is fit enough in place of Faulkner and they likely to go with expensive Bravo. While Pune forced to make change after Injury to Duplessis and will look for replacement.
The pitch at Pune made for batting along side assisting slower bowlers with an hint of turn, matches here won a piece while chasing and defending. Dew will be factor in second innings of the game.
Meanwhile Gujarat holds edge with an win over the home side earlier, where the top order chased the par score with ease. While the contest lies between lions batsmen and Pune slower bowlers.
Wednesday, 27 April 2016
Mumbai look for Consistency, as Kolkata Seek to take Revenge
Kolkata riding high on confidence with an 3 win streak after their only loss against Mumbai and they are looking to extend the streak, as they face once again the inconsistent Mumbai at Wankhede on Thursday.
Mumbai Indians batsmen performance so far as been fluctuating between highs and lows, but they are able to give a fight back in every match due to good bowling performances. The victory against Kings XI as given them the moral booster to their batsmen after the struggle against Delhi.
Parthiv's match wining knock against Kings XI might give him the confidence, after his poor show in earlier matches. While Pollard form as been a concern for them with lack of runs and wickets so far in the season.
On the other side Kolkata showing all-round performance with bat and ball, the win against Super giants evaluated their middle and lower order depth with the bat. Although Russell yet to show case his performance and his performance will be key agianst Mumbai.
Meanwhile Pandey's absence well taken by Surya Kumar yadav and Sathish inclusion given them an additional bowling option to work with. They look to stick with the winning combination, so as Mumbai on Thursday.
The pitch at Wankhede well known for run fest and chasing as been sucesssful so far in this season. While all the matches played here won during chases with the dew factor in, the second half spinners will have a tough job along side short boundaries.
Mumbai who won the previous encounter against visitors will feel better playing at home, but lot depends on the toss on the chasing paradise. While the contest gonna lie on, how bowlers can restrict the damage batsmen make.
Tuesday, 26 April 2016
Evenly Balanced Sides Seek for More Stability
Well balanced sides showing good sign's so far in this season with only lossing one game a piece. But on Wednesday one side will add one more loss to the table, as Gujarat lions take on Delhi daredevil's at the capital of the nation.
Gujarat as been following the trend of this season in terms of chasing, they have won 4 games out of 5 batting second. The top order giving them more than a brisk start every time and it was well negotiated by their slowly getting in to their groves of the middle and lower order.
While Gujarat have abounded options with the ball, but the death bowling is the area for improvement with Bravo going for too many. They have struggled in one of the game, where they batted first and need to come good to have a sucesssful run in the long tournament.
On the other side everything going well for Daredevil's, after their opening loss from the top order to their death bowling. While the team seems to be in a Combination of Proteas and Indian crop players and they where well lead by Zaheer in terms of tactics, and managing players.
The win in the last game agianst Mumbai will add up more to their confidence, where they defended a par total after a brisk start from Mumbai batsmen. Although batting will be crucial especially from Indian crop players with their inexperience, against experienced Lions batsmen.
The pitch at Kotla as been good for batting through out the game and slowing down a bit in the second half. Slower bowlers will be crucial as the pitch assisting for spinners a bit and with quality spinners in both the sides, it will be an even contest to watch for.
Meanwhile nothing to chose from evenly balanced sides in terms of Combination and depth, as the Contest lies heavily between top order and bowlers of both the sides.
Monday, 25 April 2016
Pune seek to rise against Rising Hyderabad
The sun is rising high in Hyderabad with it's temperature and also with the performance of the team. While Pune hadn't rised in the tournament so far and they are looking for the perfect combination that can rise them up, as they take on Sunrises Hyderabad on Tuesday in Hyderabad.
It's hard to stay if they are still finding their perfect commination, but they are struggling with the combinations they are making and it's showing in the performance. While bowling remained their nightmare to solve the puzzle for Ms and Co.
Batting asn't been far behind with lot dependence on the top order, along side their thin batting line up and Ms position in the batting order as been effecting them. While they need find solutions in Hyderabad or else they gonna fall in to a stage where every game will be an virtual Knockout.
On the other side sunrises bowlers making life easy for their batsmen and Mustafizur addition in this season working pretty well for them along side Hooda. Although the middle order service with the bat less tested with their captain's form at the top of the order.
Meanwhile they look to continue their momentum against the struggling super giants, as they look to go with the unchanged squad. While Pune will consider leaving one of the spinners with the given conditions at Hyderabad.
The pitch at Hyderabad produced good assistance for pacers as well as for slow ball bowlers and it as been a sporting pitch with even contest between bat and ball, unlike other pitches where high scoring games are traditional.
So pacers performance will be crucial once again for both the sides, as the Contest lies on how Pune batsmen handle promising Hyderabad bowlers.
Misfiring Kings XI face on Inconsistent Mumbai
Kings XI performance as been below par in this season, both with the bat and ball. While Mumbai Indians fought till to the end in most of the games, but only managed 2 wins which they look to change their stats as they face Kings XI at Mohali on Monday.
Mumbai continuing to impress with the ball both with pace and spin, while their batsmen haven't managed to take them over the line neither in defending nor in chasing. Once again their batsmen performance lies key for them.
Parthiv and Pollard haven't impressed with the bat so far, where they see for improvement or to replace them. Meanwhile Hardik's performance gone down the line with krunal's creeping up, although Mumbai may not consider him as their present concern.
Kings XI performance as been replicated with their position in the points table, till now they managed only win against Pune with chasing an par score. Apart from that, they haven't had much to cheer about and playing at home as becoming their disadvantage with slowing of the track.
While they are dependent more on the performance of the top order, Maxwell and Miller the trumphs of the side yet to make valid contributions with the bat. Abbott's inclusion in place of Jhonson, only lasted to one good show.
The pitch at Mohali as been slowing down with its typical nature, on Monday it may not change much. Spinners will be in play with big boundaries and with slow ness of the track , so will the dew in later part of the Innings.
Both sides look to change their stats, as they look to change their batsmen in accordingly. While the result much lies on how the struggling middle order Kings XI, respond to Mumbai bowlers.
Sunday, 24 April 2016
Kolkata Look to Stay at the Top, as Take on Pune
One yet making it's road in this season struggling with the combination and performance, while the other side settled with combinations and performance. As both opposite frame of mind teams, face each other on Sunday at Pune in the second match of the double header.
Kolkata played 4 and won 3 so far in this season, they restricted appositions to a par total and later on chased with ease. Lot credit goes to their top order and the bowling department which replicates them at the top the table.
Their opening pair scored more than 65% of the runs during chases, so it's quite clear that their middle order quite untested and with Pandey set to miss few games that may alter the batting order on which Pune will focus on.
Pune on the other side asn't clicked as an unit apart from the opening match, bowling remain an main concern along side with batting in the middle order. Their premier bowler Ashwin as been short of wickets, which shows confidence level with the ball.
Dhoni have considered KP injury as an blessing, but it may not be the same which makes the batting order even thinner. Meanwhile he is short of Indian crop batsmen in the squad to replace KP's quality.
The pitch at Pune showed enough assistance for slower bowlers with good batting conditions on offer. Once again an high scoring contest is in the frame, but it looks like pitch gonna favour Knight riders a lot than the home team.
It's interesting to see with what replacements teams come with after lossing their respective No.3 batsmen, but any ways the contest lies between Pune batting and Kolkata's slow bowlers.
Saturday, 23 April 2016
Gujarat Lions face on Challenging Bangalore Batsmen
As the sun heating up the subcontinent, so as the match at Rajkot started to heat up as the home team face Bangalore on Sunday in first of the double header. While Bangalore look to continue their momentum from the last match, as Gujarat lions seek to get back through their wining way.
Bangalore successfully defended the total for the second time in the season and they seem to have used to defend totals unlike other teams. Although still they have few concerns in their bowling apart from few bowlers in the squad.
Meanwhile it as been all about their batting at the main side of their success, but things looking good with contributions from Indian crop batsmen along side Virat,AB and Watson.
While the home team lost their momentum in defending the total, although enough runs asn't been scored by their batsmen. But Raina's form will be a blessing, after their heavy dependence on openers in the wins.
Eventhough they look slightly slim with their batting, but they got enough bowling to work with by adding steyn in the last game. The lions look to play with the same squad of their last match, which gives them enough variations with the ball.
The pitch at Rajkot will remain the sane from the last match, where there will be enough assistance for spinners with uneven bounce and bigger dimensions of the ground.
Bangalore may consider Chahal on this ground and look to keep the remaining squad as usual. In the mean time the contest gonna lie highly on, Lions bowlers facing on power packed Bangalore batsmen.
Settling Mumbai face On Delhi's Spin Challenge
Mumbai seems to have found their perfect combination, so as Delhi after a couple of wins on their back. But Mumbai played 5 where as Delhi played 3 which will keep some sort of pressure on the visitors, as they face each other on Saturday at Feroz shah Kotla.
Delhi after their opening loss against Kolkata, bounced back pretty sharply with few changes to their combination. Batting looks solid with Dekock and Duminy along with Indian crop batsmen, followed by hard hitting allronders.
While most part of the damage as been done by top order and bowlers responded well with change in conditions accordingly. Delhi seems to be the team with perfect combination so far, but against quality Mumbai bowling attack their young batsmen will be tested.
On the other side Mumbai heavily depended on their top order with the bat and it may not change with the players they posses in middle and lower down the order. In the matches played so far, bowling is due to where they won games and went close till to the end.
Once again lot depends on bowlers, as the pitch at Delhi offering enough assistance for spinners and known for batting. While it will be interesting to see whether the sides make changes from previous game with spin on offer.
Shami returned with good figures against Bangalore, but Zak may bring in Jayant yadav with change in conditions. While Mumbai may also consider Suchith for this game and at the same time look to go with the worked combination.
So on Saturday it's about picking perfect squad in accordance with the conditions on offer, as the Contest gonna lie between young Delhi batsmen and inconsistent Mumbai batsmen against their respective performing bowlers.
Friday, 22 April 2016
Batting heavy Sides look to Seek Solutions Within their Bowling
Evenly matched batting heavy teams face each other at the same point, where they looking for some sort of inspiration in their bowling, as they take each other on Friday at home of Rising Pune super giants.
It's going to be the first home game for the new franchise and they hope their concerns will fall a place at home. After their first win of the tournament, Pune hadn't performed well especially with the ball and also raised some concerns with their combination with the bat.
Ms yet in the process of finding the perfect combination and his pacers making the job even difficult with their poor show at the death. So far the presence of oversees allronder wasn't gone his way, hence once again playing XI will be under radar.
While the story for Bangalore is not far different where they posses some big names with the bat, but the bowling as been below par and Starc's absence clearly reflecting in their bowling figures.
In the process the six changes made in the previous game surprised everyone and made the problem even difficult to solve for Indian test captain. While they heavily relied on Watson with the ball, which may not help them on the long run.
The pitch at Pune known for high scoring games and will be handy for spinners as the game progress. Watson and Rahane will be in focus as it was the home ground in previous season for them.
While Scot Boland may be the option Ms missing in the bowling attack, although the playing XI of both sides will have an impact. Meanwhile for the batting heavy teams on the batting pitch, the edge gonna lie on the performance of bowlers.
Wednesday, 20 April 2016
Momentum in Focus, as Sunrises face on loss Less Gujarat
Gujarat lions is the only the team without a loss in this season so far, it will be the expectations time as they face on Sunrises who are looking to extended the momentum after the frist win of the season against Mumbai Indians.
Sunrises showed good skill with the ball apart from Bangalore game, but they heavily dependent on the lites of Warner and Morgan with the bat. Dhawan's form is a big concern so far, as he is struggling to make starts and Henriques promotion to No.3 asn't worked well for them.
While the the lion's looked formidable with pinch hitters at the top and in the bowling they have too many options to work with. So far their middle order asn't been tested enough, which looks slightly thin with bowling allronders.
This season seems to be in favour of chasing teams, where 13 out of 14 matches won while chasing and that as been reflected in the lions wins. It will be interesting to see how they respond batting first, to continue their wining streak.
Meanwhile both sides have good mixture of bowlers in the attack, it will be an good contest to watch out for if Sunrises click with the bat as an unit.
The pitch at Rajkot as been flat with patches of grass and may help spinners as the game progress, the slow cutters from pacers will be key on the pitch where batsmen likely to run the show.
Jadeaja likely to return to the match after his wedding and sunrises likely to go with the same squad which played the last game. While the contest gonna lie on how Hyderabad batsmen face on Gujarat bowlers.
Mumbai Hope to fill runs, as Bangalore Look to Stop them
Mumbai Indians are facing drought in scoring runs, in which of their two loses cane largely due to inadequate runs on the board. While Bangalore had mixed results even with enough runs, now they come out their home to face their first away game of the season.
Mumbai so far experimented too much with their batting order and it hadn't worked well enough. Bowling is where they are pulling it back, but the surfaces and amount of runs to defend not helping their way to make it over the line.
While Bangalore have the fire power with the bat, but their home ground not helped them with limited resources they have with the ball. Bowling is the area they focus more on Wednesday, with absence of specialist death bowler in the squad.
The hosts Mumbai fortunate enough on playing different surfaces so far and returning home will help their cause at this tricky moment. While their batsmen hope the visitors bowling may help their cause.
The pitch at Wankhede will be the main focus, where the surface behaved abnormally in the opening match of the season. If it returns to it's original flavour bowlers will have a huge work, to contain batsmen with the small boundaries.
Pollard returning to fitness may have a tough job for the captain to pick the overseas for Mumbai, while Gayle absence at the top will alter the batting order for Bangalore and they look to strengthen their bowling with replacing Adam Milne.
Both sides showed concerns in some areas where other side showed strength, it's time for them to mull the concerns to have a good run in the long tournament. Meanwhile the result lies on how Mumbai batsmen out class Bangalore batsmen and viseversa in the bowling.
Tuesday, 19 April 2016
Run-out hurts More on Sporting pitch than on Batting pitch
In a 120 ball game where every ball is an event for 13 players on the field, conditions will also play it's part along with the combination of the squad. While fielding remains as an underneath and most vital factor irrespective of conditions and combinations.
Most often these days we are witnessing an low scoring game on a spotting wicket, than a even contest between bat and ball. But major change may consider as the batsmen approach to the game, but the underneath factor fielding and communication between batsmen is less talked about.
We sense to consider run-outs on a batting paradise is an worst way to get out, but a run-out frustrates even more on a sporting pitch compared it with on a batting wicket. Where fielding is considered as an first bowling option on a batting wicket and on a sporting wicket it considered as an sixth bowling option.
Batsmen doesn't need much time to settle on a batting pitch in playing strokes, but it's not the same on the sporting pitch. That's where the difference lies after fall of an wicket, the shift in momentum takes place more often than not on a sporting pitch.
But the other side is, where batsmen don't get enough boundary delivery's and they look to avoid dots by picking up close runs as many as possible. It's where the aspect of fielding comes in to play and the teams as been more proactive than earlier decades.
It's where teams as been stressing on more to have an edge on appositions irrespective of conditions to mull them off. But when it comes in to T20 league's the communication between batsmen, is where they are lacking as they used to play together only seasonally.
Coming back to bowling team perspective on a batting pitch, they don't have too many chances to take a wicket and hence stress more on fielding to restrict. On a sporting pitch where there always an odd ball kisses the outside or an inside, getting an run-out is always an bonus.
At the end it hurts more when team losses a wicket to an sixth bowling option rather to the first one. But batsmen can't do much to avoid dots and with the renewed philosophy in fielding, it making run-outs another bowling option with lot batting pitches on offer.
Friday, 15 April 2016
Unfamiliar Voice May Hurt Viewer ship Ratting
The Vivo IPL 9 slowly crawling in to intense matches after a dull start to the tournament, but it not limited to the performances on the field. The focus lot shifted in to commentary boxes as it is now available in regional languages like Telugu,Tamil and Bengali.
On one side it considered as a great initiative to make the game more regionalized, but at the other side it also causes decline in revenue as most viewers prefer to hear from the familiar voices they know.
India still not digitized yet, in most parts cable's where in use and it is the aportunity the cable dealers will capitalize on. Where they are subscribing for an regional language on a low fare, which in turn benefit them on their level.
But most of the fans who watch the game on regular basis, will miss familiar voices which in turn may not watch the game. Which causes a decline in ad ratings with decline in viewers, due to those familiar commentators are limited to English and Hindi.
It's important to remember viewers like to watch the game not just due to players on the field, but also like to hear the voice behind the game. Which gives them some sort of entertainment and excitement even in an uneven contest.
Wednesday, 6 April 2016
WT20 2016 Raised Hopes on Associates
The world T20 2016 as been more successful enough when compared it with previous editions, although the previous editions have the same structure but failed to attract around the globe. The major transformation for this change is due to the rise of associate nations performance through out the tournament.
The initial phase of the tournament hasn't caught much eyes with lack of promotion for associates in the qualifiers and the delayed start sale of tickets also played it's part. But gradually the tournament got momentum with Oman registering their maiden win in WT20 against Ireland.
Qualifiers started to produce some close finishes between Netherlands and Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Scotland. The seeds laid in the qualifiers transformed in to plants in super 10, where the associates Bangladesh and Afghanistan threatened top ranked teams.
Bangladesh haven't registered a win in super10, but produced some close and thrilling finishes ever had in WT20. The last ball loss against India may hunt Bangla, but the thrill and excitement it produced will last more in the hearts of Cricket fans around the globe.
Earlier the match against Australia, Bangla almost dragged to the end by picking up wickets at Church situations and lot thanks to Mustafizur Rahaman for his exceptional talent in deceiving the batsmen with his various slower cutters under his sleeve.
WT20 as to be the biggest story for Afghan Cricket, where they won all their qualifying matches with ease and dominance. They progressed with every game in super10 stage against srilanka it was a tough fight after loss of early wickets. But they showed lot of character in rebuilding and came hard with the ball.
In the next encounter aginst Proteas they threated to chase 209 at a stage it looked like it slipping away from the Proteas. Then against England they almost won with picking 7 wickets for 50 odd runs, but fallen short to chase later on.
After that it was the big match against Windes, where they beaten the T20 stars in some style with registering a win in Super10. At end it was only the Afghan who won against the mighty Windes through out the tournament.
While the other associates feel unlucky with the way results have been drawn, due to uneven rains. There are also pretty close finishes in qualifiers where the table would have turned the points in favour of others.
At the end a lot of disappointment shown by them in the way the structure of the qualifying phase been handled. But Bangladesh and Afghan showed with their performance on the field, with rise in the standards of the performance in associate nations. Those performance raised hopes on Associates even more and it may begin altogether a new way in the future.
Tuesday, 5 April 2016
Spot of Bother for a Place
The world T20 as been a good event for players to establish themselves at the highest level, but there are few who can feel the opposite of it. It had posed them in an uncertain place to get forward in the path.
Shikar Dhawan
You don't see Ms changing the squad in a tournament unless there is a fitness concern. But the form Dhawan going through had made the change in the crucial semifinal against Windes. Which in fact a reflection of spot of bother in the squad, especially in T20's with his inconsistent stats and form.
Suresh Raina
He is regarded as one of most reliable resources for Dhoni irrespective of the performance, he had promoted up the order to spent more time at the crease. But it made the old problems to face in the new positron, once again handling short delivers as been never ending journey for the batting all-rounder. Being lost his position in ODI's, now he face a crucial phase in his career to rebound his form and position in the shorter format.
Afridi
A lot of speculation surrounded around him as people treated, it will be his last days in international Cricket. Afridi done a reasonable job with the ball, but his tactics costed the team a lot in terms of captaincy. It costed him to step down later the tournament and it seems like he had already played his last T20, although he held his retirement on hold.
Darren Sammy
It's the opposite story with Sammy where his tactics helped in big time in lifting the trophy, but his performance in the team as been uncertain where he bowled 3 overs through the tournament and hardly scored helpful runs to the team in crunch time. His position may not last for a while with less T20 played by Windes.
Dale steyn
The Proteas sphere heard failed to live up to the expectations after returning from Injury, his bowling figures against England had a huge impact of the outcome. It seems that the ferry tail of light as gone in the shorter format where slower balls from the faster bowler treated as wicket taking ones.
Saturday, 2 April 2016
Transformed England and perceiving Windes face the last fight
12 months earlier the team was under the scanner with lack of moral and ethical issues, in competing with the standard of modern game. It needed transformation altogether for England, to build up new environment.
It came in a good time and in a short time to turnaround from all the disappointments to success in all formats. They turned good irrespective of the results and stats, it's not any different in this tournament so far for England.
While Windes came in to the tournament with bit of controversy around and their moral wasn't that good either. It's not the case with their potential in the modern games, but they regrouped well for this event with some purpose to show their passion.
Wines laid easy roads to the semi's with wining comfortably aginst England and srilanka, then fought till the end with Proteas. They lost their last group match against Afghanistan but they already spotted in semis by that time.
While for England it came tough aginst the Windes with a Gayle Strom, later won aginst Proteas with chasing a record total in WT20's. They almost slipped aginst Afghan eventually made a come back and with srilanka it was almost the same scenario.
Both sides had to face pretty dangerous teams in semis, where Windes pinch hitting laid easy road to the final aginst the Hosts. Meanwhile England showed dominance aginst the Kiwis, who are only without a loss in group stage.
Thankfully for England the conditions where unlike to subcontinent and batsmen friendly, but Windes got the taste of all the conditions with playing at different venues. England have played all their matches so far at Kotla and Wankhede and it's time for them to take on a new challenge at Kolkata on the big day.
Both the sides are firmly grouped with pinch hitters and stroke players, as both sides bat deep enough to ensure a fight till the end. While Windes bowling makes the edge with T20 specialist and England showing rich performance at the death overs with lethal yorkers.
While the pitch on the eve of the final seems to have a pinch of grass to hold it tight and good for batting, although seamers may get some assistance early on. Unlike to Wankhede and Kotla spinners will be in play with bigger boundaries and miss hits may not fly over the ropes this time around, toss gonna be crucial as dew will play it's part.
So with conditions in favour of batsmen and presence of big hitters in both the sides, along with match winners will give an even contest in the final. But the damage control with the ball will decere the Champions.