World Of Cricket

Mumbai: Harbhajan in, Gambhir out as India announced their squad against Australia.

World Champions India announced their squad against Australia

Indian squad includes: MS Dhoni (capt. & wk.), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Ashok Dinda, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shikhar Dhawan, M Vijay, Ajinkya Rahane.

This squad seems to be a balanced squad since this squad includes combination of both experienced and young players.

After a long time Gautam Gambhir is dropped from the Indian side. His performance against Pakistan and England was poor. Harbhajan Singh is included in Indian squad after a long time. Harbhajan’s performance against Australia is very good and that is why he is included in the squad. Virender Sehwag who was dropped against England is also included in the squad. Sachin Tendulkar who played well in the domestic tournament is also included against tough Australian series.

On the other hand keeping in view importance of India tour,Australia announced 17-man squad instead of 16-man. Australia’s selection of a 17 man squad has provided them with a wide variety of options. Australia have a good variety of world class pace bowlers in the form of Mitchell Johnson,Pattinson,starc and siddle but spin bowling has been a problem for Australia after the retirement of Shane Warne.  Whether to go with 3 pace bowlers or not, it will depend on the condition. Against Pakistan and England, we have seen bowlers swinging and seaming the bowl but Indians are aware of Australian pace attack strength.

Dhaka: India defeated Pakistan by six wickets in the Asia Cup one-day tournament at Shere Bangla National Stadium of Mirpur on Sunday. Virat Kohli brutally assaulted Pakistani bowlers and scored 183 runs.

Virat Kohli is pumped up after reaching his third hundred in four ODIs © AFP

Pakistan won the toss and Misbah-ul-Haq elected to bat first for the first time in Asia Cup 2012 tournament.  Pakistan’s openers backed their captain with the decision to bat first by scoring a partnership of  224 runs. Which is Pakistan’s highest against India, surpassing the 144 between Aamer Sohail and Saeed Anwar at Singapore on April 5, 1996.  Mohammad Hafeez made 105 runs with 9 fours and 1 six in his innings. His partner Nasir Jamshed made 112  runs with 10 fours and 1 six.

Shahid Afridi completed his 7,000 ODI runs in this match, he is the sixth Pakistani to complete 7,000 runs in ODIs, joining Inzamam-ul-Haq (11739), Mohammad Yousuf (9720), Saeed Anwar (8824), Javed Miandad (7381) and Salim Malik (7170).

Pakistan lost some quick wickets in the last stage, Younis Khan then came to bat and scored fiery 52 off 34 balls. This is   his sixth fifty against India which helped Pakistan post the score of 329-6 in 5o overs.

India had to chase 330 runs in 50 overs but Hafeez seemed to spoil their chase by taking the wicket of Gambhir on the second ball of first over. India were 0-1 (0.2) then Tendulkar and Kohli made a  solid partnership 125 runs. Where Sahcin Tendulkar scored 52 runs with 5 fours  and 1 six in his 96th ODI 50. Tendulkar fell victim to Saeed Ajmal, next batsman to come was Rohit Sharma who made a solid partnership with kohli which took the match out of Pakistan’s hand.

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Rohit and Virat put on 172 for the third wicket – India’s second highest against Pakistan. Virat kohli recorded a career-best innings in ODIs by scoring 183 off 148 balls. The said innings is also the highest by a batsman against Pakistan, obliterating the 156 off 138 balls by Brian Lara at Adelaide on January 28, 2005. Rohit Sharma’s 68 is his third fifty against Pakistan & 12th overall in ODIs.

India by scoring 330/4 in 47.5 overs posted it in the record book as their highest successful chase in ODIs, eclipsing the 326 for eight against England at Lord’s on July 13, 2002.

Pakistan qualified for the final game even after losing this one against India as they’ve 9 points. India will have to wait for the result of Bangladesh v Sri Lanka game which will be played on March 20.

Result: India won by 6 wickets.

Man Of The Match: Virat Kohli (India).

Dhaka: Bangladesh delivered an upset 5-wicket defeat to India. The remarkable 100th international century of master-blaster Sachin Tendulkar went in vain.

Bangladesh defeated India after 5 years © AFP

Bangladesh won the toss and decided to field first. Gautam Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar started the innings, India lost their first wicket at 25 when Shafiul Islam bowled Gambhir (11).

Virat Kohli then came in and supported Tendulkar in his art work. Both played really good looking shot, specially the ‘little-master’ was looking in great touch.

Kohli (66) after making 2nd wicket partnership worth 148 with Tendulkar got out to Abdur Razzaq in the start of 3rd powerplay. Suresh Raina was promoted up the order to use the powerplay as the score of India was 173/2 in 35.5 overs.

Sachin reached to his 100th international century in 44th over by taking single; his team-mates, fans were on the feet, Bangladeshi fielders congratulated him and he raised his bat to acknowledge the praise. It was not only a proud moment for India but also for Cricket. It is a milestone which may never be achieved again.

In the 47th over, Mashrafe Mortaza first sent Raina (51) back in the pavilion and then sent legend Tendulkar back. The master scored 114 off 147 balls and struck 12 FOURS & 1 SIX.

Rohit Sharma (4) didn’t last long, he was undone by a beautiful throw of Nasir Hossain. MS Dhoni added 21 runs and remained not-out with Jadeja (4).

India with the accomplishment of Sachin mounted a huge score of 289 in 50.0 overs and lost 5 wickets. Mortaza took 2 wickets, Shafiul Islam and Abdur Razzaq took 1 wicket each.

Tamim & Nazimuddin started things for Bangladesh. Team India received gift when Nazimuddin skied one ball high up in the air and Rohit took an easy catch.

Jahurul Islam who was playing his 8th ODI played a good knock with Tamim, both showed their aggressive intent and raised a partnership of 113 runs. Jahurul after making his 1st international fifty got out to Jadeja.

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Young batsman Nasir Hossain came in but then settled Tamim Iqbal got out after making 70, he gave a good platform to the follow-up batsmen. Old captain and one of world’s best all rounders; Shakib Al Hasan joined Nasir in Bangladesh’s interest.

Both took Indian bowlers on their target and nailed them. World Of Cricket never witnessed such hard hitting from Bangladesh before.

After scoring 49 off 31, Shakib got out to Ashwin, he was given stump-out, replays showed that his one foot was out of the line, one was on the line and the line belongs to the 3rd umpire who gave Shakib out.

It was a good and important breakthrough for India but they never what is coming next. Bangladeshi captain Mushfiqur Rahim hit 2 consecutive Sixes to Irfan Pathan in 48th over, then a FOUR & a SIX in the next over to Parveen Kumar which took the game completely away from India.

Nasir Hossain skied one in greed of ending the game in style and was caught out as 2 runs were required off 8 balls. In the next over, new batsman Mahmudullah hit FOUR to win the game.

He embraced Mushfiqur Rahim and the other Bangladeshi players from the pavilion ran out to celebrate their outstanding victory. Bangladesh scored 293/5 in 49.2 overs to win the game. Parveen Kumar took 3 wickets for 56 in 10 overs, Ravichandran Ashwin & Jadeja took 1, 1 wicket.

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar was honoured with souvenir by Bangladesh Cricket Board, it was presented by its president Mustafa Kamal.

Last time when Bangladesh defeated India was 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup (West Indies) [March 17, 2007], it was also a 5-wicket victory and was also a group match, India was bowled out in it for 191 and Bangladesh chased it successfully in 48.3 overs.

This victory of Bangladesh will keep the tournament alive, Pakistan who is on top of the group with 9 points can still find itself in a problem as India is at no.2 with 4 points and Bangladesh is at no.3 with 4 points (positions are different because of run-rate). India will face Pakistan in the next match on March 18, 2012 and Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka on March 20, 2012.

HQ Photo Gallery: Click here and enjoy the photos from the match.

Result: Bangladesh won by 5 wickets.

Man Of The Match: Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh).

Dhaka: India defeated Sri Lanka by 50 runs in the 2nd match of ACC Asia Cup. Gautam Gambhir & Virat Kohli scored centuries to take India across the bridge safely.

India began their Asia Cup campaign with a comprehensive win © AFP

Sri Lanka won the toss & decided to bowl first. After a long long time, Sri Lanka dropped/rested their lethal fast bowler Lasith Malinga.

Lankans dropped first blood when Lakmal took the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar at 6.

But then Gambhir & Kohli took the control from the bowlers in impressive style and hit them hard. Chandimal dropped Gambhir when he was at 36.

Both batsmen went on from there to score centuries. Gambhir after scoring 100 closed his account and Kohli left at 108, both batsmen gave their wickets to Maharoof in same over.

India’s cool captain MS Dhoni continued his impressive form by scoring 46 and remained not-out with Suresh Raina (36).  India scored 304/3 in 50.0 overs. Maharoof took 2 wickets & Lakmal took 1.

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In chasing the huge total, Sri Lanka lost Dilshan in the 4th over. Old partners Jayawardene & Sangakkara stepped up to lead Sri Lanka again, they added 93 runs off 86 balls.

Mahela got out after scoring 78 runs off 59 balls, he struck 10 FOURS & 2 SIXES in it. Chandimal didn’t last long as Ashwin bowled him at 13.

Sangakkara was the next one to go, he played smooth innings and scored 65 runs. Sri Lankan team continued to fall, first Thrimanne, then Kulasekara and Kapugedera got out.

Tharanga who performed good at his new position in CB Series failed to perform here and got out at 17. Maharoof & Prasanna got out at 18 & 0 respectively.

The Sri Lankan team was wrapped up at the score of 254 in 45.1 overs. Irfan Pathan took 4 wickets for 32 in 8.1 overs, Vinay Kumar & Ravichandran Ashwin took 3, 3 wickets.

Sri Lanka will have to bat good to win the match in Asia, they’ll be looking to add Malinga back in their squad. India will be happy to start the Asia Cup journey with a comprehensive win.

Sri Lanka will face Pakistan on January 15 & India will face Bangladesh on January 16.

HQ Photo Gallery: Click here and see the photos from this match.

Result: India won by 50 runs.

Man Of The Match: Virat Kohli (Pakistan).

Mumbai: Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) announced squad of India for the Asia Cup 2012 which will start from March 11, 2012 & will feature Bangladesh, Pakistan & Sri Lanka.

India: MS Dhoni will be the captain & Virat Kohli will be the vice-captain in Asia Cup 2012 © Associated Press

The selection committee has dropped/axed/rested Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Umesh Yadav & Parthiv Patel. Yusuf Pathan & Ashok Dinda will make their comebacks.

Virat Kohli has been named vice-captain after his impressive run in the ODI’s for India, he was the highest run-getter in this format in 2011. He is also the leading run-scorer in the ongoing ‘Commonwealth Bank Series’, his last masterpiece was witnessed in the 11th game of CBS when he screwed Sri Lanka by scoring 133 runs off 86 balls & wrapped-up the game in 36.4 overs.

38 years old, Sachin Tendulkar who scored 143 runs in the 7 matches during his 1st 50-over assignment after the world cup is also selected for the Asia Cup. He’ll indeed search for his 100th hundred.

Chairman of selection committee Kris Srikkanth said: ”The selection committee and board feels that Virat Kohli could be good future captaincy material,”

“Unfortunately Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan have been asked to take rest by the physiotherapist. It is purely on injury grounds both have been rested,” he said. “I can assure you that nobody has been dropped.”

The CB series is also the only ODI series the injury-prone Zaheer has been involved in since the World Cup. The decision to rest him and Yadav opened the doors for Dinda, who last represented India in the previous edition of the Asia Cup, in 2010. His selection comes on the back of a successful Ranji Trophy, in which he was the second-highest wicket-taker with 37 in six matches. Several other contenders for a fast bowling slot, including Varun Aaron and Sreesanth, are still recovering from injuries.

Allrounder Yusuf has recovered from a knee injury which cut short his Ranji season, and will resume his battle for the No. 7 allrounder’s slot with Ravindra Jadeja.

Among the fringe players, India have retained batsman Manoj Tiwary and legspinner Rahul Sharma, but have axed backup wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel.

India are defending champions of the Asia Cup, which will be held in Mirpur from March 11 to 22 and also features Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Squad of India for Asia Cup:

MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Virat Kohli (vice-capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Manoj Tiwary, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Vinay Kumar, Rahul Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Ashok Dinda.

Hobart: A brilliant century from precocious youngster Virat Kohli has steered India to an astonishing seven-wicket bonus-point victory over Sri Lanka on Tuesday night.

Virat Kohli celebrates his ninth ODI ton © AFP

Courtesy: Cricket Australia

Set 321 for victory and needing to reach the target within 40 overs to secure a bonus-point and keep their Commonwealth Bank Series finals hopes alive, the previously misfiring Indian batting line-up clicked into gear at Blundstone Arena to produce a victory that will stun the cricket world.

They passed the target on the fourth-ball of the 37th over to move level with Sri Lanka in second place on the Commonwealth Bank Series ladder, but still need to rely on Australia winning against Sri Lanka on Friday to go through to the final with a superior win/loss record against their fellow tourists.

It was the equal third highest Indian run chase in ODI history, but given it came up with more than 12 overs to spare must be ranked at the very top of the tree.

On target from the outset thanks to a whirlwind partnership of 54 from 33 deliveries between Sachin Tendulkar (39) and Virender Sehwag (30), the unlikely task of reaching 321 within 40 overs never really looked beyond India while they kept wickets in hand.

With Kohli (133 not out from 86 balls) dominating a 115-run third wicket partnership with the more staid, but still aggressive, Gautam Gambhir (63 from 64 deliveries) the Sri Lankan attack had no answers – even the normally tidy Lasith Malinga posting ragged figures in the face of an unbelievable onslaught.

Although he took the precious wicket of Tendulkar, Malinga was carted for 24-runs from his seventh over and finished with figures of 1-96 from 7.4 overs in a match where bat dominated ball from the outset.

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Sri Lankan opener Tillakaratne Dilshan carried his bat through the first innings for a dazzling 160 from 165 deliveries and added 200-runs for the third wicket with fellow centurion Kumar Sangakkara (105 from 87 balls).

With 320 runs in the bank, Sri Lanka would have been confident of defending the total – and certainly the 40-over period within which India had to earn a bonus point – but were pushed from the outset on a stunning night of cricket in Hobart.

Kohli shared a 120-run stand with the big hitting Suresh Raina (40 from 24 balls) and the pair bought up their century partnership from just 45 deliveries amid a flurry of fours and sixes to really take the match away from Sri Lanka.

Only a small crowd turned out to see the match but will talk about the Indian batting for years to come given the non-stop shot making and heavy hitting on display.

Kohli smashed 16 fours and two sixes in his highest limited overs score for India, an innings that may spur him to greater heights in what is a burgeoning career.

All eyes will now turn to Melbourne for the final match of the series on Friday with Indian fans praying the hosts beat Sri Lanka to ensure that their magnificent effort was not in vain.

Result: India won by 7 runs.

Man Of The Match: Virat Kohli (India).