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Gujarat Lions thrash Pune to register second win of IPL-9

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Rajkot: Gujarat Lions' Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo with Rising Pune Supergiants captain MS Dhoni after winning the IPL match between Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on April 14, 2016. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)

Rajkot: Gujarat Lions’ Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo with Rising Pune Supergiants captain MS Dhoni after winning the IPL match between Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on April 14, 2016. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)

Rajkot: Gujarat Lions produced an impressive all-round performance to outclass Rising Pune Supergiants by seven wickets in their Indian Premier League (IPL) tie at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium here on Thursday.

Batting first, Pune posted 163/5 in 20 overs, thanks to Faf du Plessis’ 43-ball 69.

In reply, riding on Aaron Finch’s 50 and Brendon McCullum’s 49, Gujarat chased down the total comfortably scoring 164/3 in 18 overs.

Chasing a challenging target of 164, openers Finch and McCullum got Gujarat off to a flying start scoring 62 runs in the powerplay.

Finch took the initiative from the word go to hit seven boundaries and two sixes in his 36-ball innings to put his team in a comfortable position. He was well supported in the other end by McCullum, who hit three boundaries and three sixes in his 31-ball innings.

But young leg-spinner Murugan Ashwin brought the much needed breakthrough removing in-form batsman Finch in the ninth over to put Pune back into the game.

McCullum, as he was looking good to reach yet another T20 fifty, was removed by Ishant Sharma in the 14th over to have Gujarat at 120/2.

But despite the openers getting out, the duo has done their job to help team stay on track for their second win of the tournament.

New batsman Suresh Raina (24) and Dwayne Bravo (22 not out) held on scoring runs at a good pace to take team close to victory line.

But after the dismissal of Raina in the 17th over, Bravo along with Ravindra Jadeja (4 not out) took team over the line with ease.

Earlier, electing to bat first on winning the toss, Pune skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni saw his decision justified as openers Faf du Plesis and Ajinkya Rahane (21) gave the team a good Astart.

With du Plesis going after the Gujarat bowlers, Rahane played a steady innings at the other end, with four well-timed hits to the fence. Pravin Tambe handed the hosts the breakthrough when Rahane missed the line of a delivery that kept straight after pitching, only to see the ball hit him on the backfoot.

Rahane’s dismissal did not bring any respite for the Gujarat bowlers as Kevin Pietersen (37) joined du Plesis in the middle and the duo proceeded to lay the foundation for a competitive total.

Bravo finally got rid of Pietersen with an in-swinging slower delivery. He was completely fooled by the clever change of pace as the ball crashed into the stumps.

Tambe struck another crucial blow for the Lions soon after by sending du Plesis back to the pavilion. The South African right-hander had smashed a four and six off the previous two deliveries. He went for a third consecutive bit shot, dancing down the track in an effort to hit the ball over the long on fence. But he miscued his shot as Gujarat wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik pulled of a smart stumping.

Jadeja then sent back Steven Smith (5) early in the next over to put the brakes on Pune’s once soaring run rate. However, Dhoni (22 not out) produced a trademark strong finish, plundering 22 runs off 10 balls help Pune finish on a strong note.

Ravindra Jadeja (2/18), Pravin Tambe (2/33) were the pick of the bowlers for Gujarat.

Brief scores:

Rising Pune Supergiants 163/5 in 20 overs (Faf du Plesis 69, Kevin Pietersen 37; Ravindra Jadeja 2/18, Pravin Tambe 2/33) vs Gujarat Lions 164/3 in 18 overs (Aaron Finch 50, Brendon McCullum 49; Murugan Ashwin 2-31)

(IANS)

Bombay HC orders shifting of IPL matches outside Maharashtra

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Mumbai: Bombay High Court ordered on Wednesday shifting of all IPL matches scheduled after April 30 in Maharashtra.

The order affects 13 IPL matches scheduled to be held in Maharashtra after April 30.

Earlier, BCCI had told the Bombay High Court that it would not be feasible to shift IPL matches out of Pune.

It had also said that franchises of Mumbai and Pune teams are willing to contribute Rs five crore towards the Chief Minister’s drought relief fund.

The BCCI spelt out its stand before a bench of Justices V M Kanade and M S Karnik, hearing a PIL by NGO Loksatta Movement challenging use of large quantities of water in stadiums at a time when the state was reeling under severe drought conditions.

(PTI)

Gujarat Lions beat Kings XI Punjab on IPL debut

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Mohali

Mohali: Debutants Gujarat Lions began their Indian Premier League (IPL) journey with an impressive five-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab at the Punjab Cricket Association’s I.S. Bindra Stadium here on Monday.

Set a 162-run target, Lions reached the mark with 14 balls to spare with Australian opener Aaron Finch (74) scoring the majority of the runs. Dinesh Karthik (41 not out) was also a chief contributor.

Their run chase stuttered early on when former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum departed for a second ball duck, advancing down the track to be smartly stumped by Wriddhiman Saha off the bowling of Sandeep Sharma in the first over.

But Lions recovered from the loss, spearheaded by skipper Suresh Raina (20) and Finch.

Raina guided the team past the 50-run mark in the sixth over with a big six over midwicket. But then he fell off the very next ball, foxed by a Marcus Stoinis slower delivery to offer a simple catch to mid on.

Finch remained unperturbed by Raina’s dismissal and used all his experience to lead his team’s chase, bringing up his 50 in the eight over.

He forged another 50-run partnership with Karthik to bring up the 100 in the 11th over.

Lions were costing at that point but Finch’s sudden stumping in the 12th over, leaving them 117/3, gave Punjab hopes of a turnaround. Lions still needed 41 runs from 42 balls. Ravindra Jadeja’s (8) run out made the game more interesting.

But Karthik ensured they crossed the line without any more hiccups.

Earlier, Kings XI Punjab posted 161 for six after Gujarat captain Suresh Raina won the toss and opted to field, opening batsmen Murali Vijay (42 off 34) and Manan Vohra (38 in 23) provided a 78-run stand in 8.2 overs.

Then Dwayne Bravo (4/22) and left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (2/30) led Gujarat’s fightback as the hosts lost four wickets for 102 runs in 12 overs.

Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis (33 in 22 balls) and wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha (20) did the repair work and took the total to 161/6.

It seemed that Punjab will end up getting 180, thanks to their sound start. Right-handers Vijay and Vohra scored 53 runs without any loss till the powerplay overs (6).

Vijay hit three fours and a six off left-arm medium pacer Pradeep Sangwan, while Vohra also made merry, hitting James Faulkner for three fours in the fifth over.

The Punjab right-hander was dropped at his personal score of eight by Bravo, who ran from the deep midwicket in the fifth over.

Captain Raina’s third bowler, leg-spinner Sarabjit Ladda also went for 21 runs in his two overs.

Then the captain turned to Indian left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who broke the partnership in his second over by trapping Vohra in front of the stumps. Then the hosts’ score reached 78 in 8.2 overs.

Jadeja later also cleaned up Vijay as the right-hander opened up to create some room. He missed the ball and Punjab were 91/2 in 10.4 overs.

In the following over, medium pacer Bravo dealt a double blow, dismantling the stumps of Glenn Maxwell (two) and captain David Miller (15) — which left the home side at 102/4.

Later, Stoinis and Saha were on a damage control mode before the former picked up four boundaries to keep his team in hunt for a competitive total.

Brief scores: KXIP: (161/6, Murali Vijay 42, Manan Vohra 38, Marcus Stoinis 33; Dwayne Bravo 4/22, Ravindra Jadeja 2/30) vs Gujarat Lions (162/5, Aaron Finch 74, Dinesh Karthik 41 not out, Sandeep Sharma 1/21).

(IANS)

KKR overwhelm Delhi Daredevils by 9 wickets

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Kolkata: A stupendous bowling effort backed up by steady batting helped two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) overwhelm Delhi Daredevils by 9 wickets in their Indian Premier League (IPL) opener at the Eden Gardens here on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 99, KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir remained unconquered with a 41-ball 38 alongside Manish Pandey who scored 15 off 12 balls, while Robin Uthappa contributed 35 runs.

Earlier after electing to field, Chinaman bowler Brad Hogg (3/19) and West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell (3/24) helped to skittle out Delhi for 98 on a strip that had some purchase for the bowlers.

(IANS)

IPL-9 kicks off with star-studded opening ceremony

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Mumbai: The ninth edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) got off to a colourful start with a star-studded and glittering opening ceremony at the National Sports Club Of India (NSCI) here on Friday.

With a strong number of cricketers from across the globe, stars from the entertainment sector and other dignitaries filling the stands, the 120-minute plus programme saw the country’s Twenty20 tournament take off in style.

The gala started when Bollywood actress and Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandez danced to the tunes of some famous numbers “Yaar Na Mile Te Mar Jawan”, ” Party On My Mind ” and “Sooraj Dooba Hain” along young boys and girls.

Then came a young and talented Kings United group and the dancers group from Nalasopara here showcased their skills and body flexibility to have the crowd mesmerised.

The performance was followed by former India cricketer Ravi Shastri inviting all captains of eight franchises in the stage to take the MCC’s Spirit of Cricket pledge. All captains signed the pledge to maintain spirit of the game throughout the tournament.

IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla subsequently welcomed all the audience for the ninth edition of the competition.

“On behalf of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) I would like to welcome all for the IPL opening ceremony. IPL 9 will be better and best compared to other editions. IPL is not about just entertainment… it is about cricket all the way. Like the league has brought up young talents, this year will also do so. We will do all is needed to help the Maharashtra farmers and do everything in their interest,” he said.

Next up, Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif danced to the tunes of her famous numbers “Dhoom 3”, “Bang Bang”, “Afghan Jalebi Yaa Baba”, alongside young boys and girls and was followed by a performance by none other than West Indies star all-rounder Dwayne Bravo who danced and sang his song “Champio”. He was later on joined by India’s Ankit Tiwari.

Then came India’s star rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh who entertained the crowd by singing his favourite songs like “Mai Tere Laila O Mere Laila”, “Dum Dum Bum Bum”, “Love Dose”, “Chaar Botal Vodka”.

He gave the stage to star actor Ranveer Singh dancing to his favourite numbers like “Tattad Tattad Ramji Ki Chaal”, “Tune Mari Entry”, and “Malhari” and then the much-awaited performance by musical group Major Lazer.

The last performance of the night was by American singer Chris Brown, who sang his heart out to make the evening a memorable one for the large number of fans and crowd gathered at the venue and seeing it from elsewhere.

(IANS)

Double delight for West Indies in World T20 2016

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Mumbai: The World Twenty20 2016 concluded in a most thrilling fashion with the West Indies scripting history by becoming the first team to clinch the title for the second time. The party for the Windies on Sunday at the iconic Eden Gardens got even bigger and better as before the men’s final, the women’s team won the Women’s World T20 to make it two world titles in a day.

Before the tournament actually kicked off, nobody gave the men from the Caribbean a chance to reach the final, because of their recent troubles off the field with their cricket board and with a few T20 specialists missing from their squad due to injury.

But the depth in the batting and bowling line-up, the talent in their dressing room and their bench strength fought against all odds and proved the critics wrong by eventually claiming their second World T20 title after 2012.

Each and every member of the squad delivered when it mattered most and the final against England will be everlasting in their memories thanks to Carlos Brathwaite’s late assault with the bat which left 2010 winners England stunned.

With the West Indies also winning the U-19 World Cup earlier this year, 2016 is witnessing a revival of sorts for the former superpowers of the game. They may no longer be the same force they used to be in Test cricket, but Sunday’s triumph clearly demonstrated that they are still among the best when it comes to limited-overs cricket.

Besides the West Indies, hosts India, who were termed as favourites to win the title, gave it their all with three successive wins after a loss against New Zealand in the opener, but failed to hold on till the end.

With comfortable back-to-back victories against arch-rivals Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men made their way through to the semi-finals, but surrendered to the mighty West Indians who took the game away from the hosts to leave India and their millions of fans shell-shocked.

Although the 2007 inaugural World T20 winners failed to make it to their third final, their all-win record against traditional rivals Pakistan in the World T20 and 50-over World Cup remained intact.

Courtesy of star batsman Virat Kohli’s sublime form, the hosts outplayed their neighbours in all departments of the game in the Group 2 match to make it 11-0 in their favour in both 20-over and 50-over World Cups.

But the sixth edition of the World T20, like the earlier editions, has seen big totals chased down with ease. New Zealand’s Martin Guptill starting off the tournament with a six off the first ball and Brathwaite finished it off on Sunday with another maximum — sums up why cricket is considered to be a batsman’s game.

But the team which surprised all with their consistency throughout the group stages of the tournament was ICC associate member nation Afghanistan.

After troubling England, South Africa and Sri Lanka, the talented and spirited side scripted one of the most memorable wins by coming out as the only team to have beaten eventual champions West Indies in the tournament.

With the sixth edition of the World T20 in the sub-continent done and dusted, Australia will host the seventh edition in 2020. Expect another run-feast and cracker of a contest between bat and ball.

(IANS)

England-West Indies lock horns to clinch World T20 for second time

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Kolkata: This may not be the final sports buffs would have expected, but both the West Indies and England know they are on the doorstep of history to become the first team to win the World Twenty20 twice as they lock horns in the summit clash here on Sunday.

Very few would have given these two sides a chance when the tourney began, considering the subcontinental conditions. And also, neither of them were in champion form.

England were still recovering from their debacle in the 50-over World Cup last year while West Indies players had problems aplenty with their country’s cricket board, that led to some stars opting out.

The last time these two sides met was in the first match of Group 1 on March 16. Chasing a tough total of 182, Chris Gayle made it look ridiculously easy. The burly Jamaican remained unbeaten on 100 and took West Indies home with six wickets and 11 balls to spare.

However, England bounced back in some style by winning against South Africa in the next contest. With the help of Joe Root and other power hitters they chased down a target of 229.

The ‘Three Lions’ had a bit of a scare against minnows Afghanistan, but nevertheless they scraped past the finishing pole and then quite easily skipped past the Sri Lankan threat.

In the semis, it was opener Jason Roy who played an outstanding knock (44-ball, 78) chasing 153 to oust New Zealand from the competition.

On their way to the final, West Indies beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets and then went past South Africa by three wickets. But then they fell against Afghanistan.

However, the team showed great character to rally back from the disappointment and produced an all-round team effort against India in the semi-finals at the Wankhede on Thursday.

The Eden Gardens, however, will be a different strip altogether. The wickets here are known to have purchase for the bowlers and at this time of the year it turns too.

West Indies have come armed with all-rounders and spinners who are perfect for such conditions. And in the finals they are likely to go with the same outfit as they did against India.

However, if there is grass on the surface, pacer Jerome Taylor might get a look in.

The batting has been explosive to say the least. Lendl Simmons, who came into the side against India, has struck form and with players like Andrew Russell and Johnson Charles, the 2012 champions are a powerful batting unit.

Fighting fire with fire, England have their very own batting arsenal. Top order willowers Jason Roy and Alex Hales have been great, followed by consistency from the likes of Joe Root and Jos Buttler. It is also the time for their captain Eoin Morgan to come good.

“We’ve just got to do our business like we want to do — a style of cricket that is positive. Plan to do that on Sunday as well. We know how strong West Indies are as a side. We have to play well to beat them, make sure we look at our own game,” Root told reporters here ahead of the clash.

England have a young and inexperienced bowling line-up which will be put to the test here but then again they have been crafty about the trade and have yielded favourable results.

Head to head statistics show England have lost nine of their 13 T20 encounters against the West Indies. The Eden Gardens is also the stage where England had lost to Australia in the final of the 50-over World Cup in 1987 after their skipper Mike Gatting needlessly went for a famous reverse sweep that finished in the hands of the wicket-keeper.

Similarly, West Indies perished to Pakistan by five wickets from a favourable posiition in the invitational Nehru Cup final two years later.

Both sides, would be hoping to avoid any more reverse at the iconic venue.

Cricket lovers have to wait till Sunday night to see whether Morgan’s men create history in front of a packed stadium, or whether the West Indies cricketers end up dancing to their calypso.

Squads:

West Indies: Chris Gayle, Lendl Simmons, Johnson Charles, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin (wicketkeeper), Andre Russell, Darren Sammy (captain), Carlos Brathwaite, Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn, Evin Lewis, Jason Holder, Ashley Nurse, Jerome Taylor.

England: Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (captain), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett.

(IANS)

West Indies stun India to enter World T20 final

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Mumbai: West Indies defeated India by seven wickets in the second semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium here on Thursday to enter the final of the World Twenty20 cricket tournament.

Batting first, India posted a competitive total of 192/2 in 20 overs, thanks to Virat Kohli’s 89.

In reply, star batsmen Lendl Simmons and Johnson Charles struck quickfire half-centuries as Windies chased down the score, posting 196/3 in 19.4 overs.

(IANS)

West Indies opt to bowl against India in World T20 semis. India 161/2 in 18 overs

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Mumbai: West Indies skipper Darren Sammy won the toss and decided to bowl against India in the second semi-final of the World Twenty20 cricket tournament at the Wankhede Stadium here on Thursday.

India made two changes to their side. Batsmen Ajinkya Rahane and Manish Pandey came in for Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh, who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

Batsmen Chris Gayle and Lendl Simmons return for Evin Lewis and injured Andre Fletcher, who had a hamstring problem against Afghanistan.

The teams:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Suresh Raina, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashish Nehra, Hardik Pandya.

West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Chris Gayle, Johnson Charles, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite, Sulieman Benn, Samuel Badree.

(IANS)

Manish Pandey replaces injured Yuvraj in WT20 squad

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New Delhi: Right-hand batsman Manish Pandey will replace injured Yuvraj Singh in India’s squad for the remainder of the World T20 cricket tournament, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Tuesday.

It said its Event Technical Committee had approved the replacement, a statement said.

Yuvraj twisted his ankle while batting in India’s group match against Australia in Mohali and cannot take further part in the tournament. Yuvraj scored 21 runs off 18 balls to help India win by six wickets.

The 26-year-old Pandey played two T20 Internationals against Zimbabwe in Harare last year. He has also played four One-Days.

India will take on the West Indies in the second semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.

(IANS)

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