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Gilly, Rohit set up Chargers’ win
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Royals look for a turnaround
Strategy breaks: Modi adamant
Yuki in last 8 of Delhi ITF Futures
Oz succumb to Afridi
Wanderers to host 8 matches
Bagan beaten, out of AFC Cup
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Gilly, Rohit set up Chargers’ win The moment Deccan Chargers posted the highest total of this edition of the Indian Premier League - that of 184 for six, thanks to the brilliance of Adam Gilchrist and Rohit Sharma - it was a daunting proposition for Bangalore Royal Challengers, chasing under lights. The conditions were dry and the wicket Indian-like. Yet, it still proved a destination too far as Chargers won by 24 runs. To make a match of it, Challengers needed both an explosive start as well as to keep wickets intact. But for the third match in a row, their top order failed, leaving Rahul Dravid with an unenviable task to perform. To his credit, he procured 48 runs off no more than 27 balls to regain the “orange cap” from Mathew Hayden - an honour enjoyed for the highest current aggregate runs in the tournament - and the promising Virat Kohli chipped in with 50 from 32 balls; but both efforts were inadequate. The first over in each innings set the tone. Fortunately, for Chargers both went their way. Gilchrist hit the first three balls of Chargers’ venture for boundaries. Then, Jesse Ryder was yorked first ball by Fidel Edwards when Challengers batted. Thereafter, neither Jacques Kallis nor Robin Uthappa got going; the Indian becoming one of New Zealander Scott Syris’ three victims. Dravid’s continued clean hitting is unsurprising; only a reiteration of his persisting prowess. Kohli kept his stroke-play along the ground; a sign of good technique. Aerial shots can come later. The big hitter Challengers have been banking on - their skipper Kevin Pietersen - again didn’t deliver. Registering just 11 off 15 balls, he was beautifully beaten in the air by left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha. Pietersen acknowledged he’s having “a difficult time” in his first season in the IPL. After a year out of international cricket, Gilchrist is a man refreshed. He hasn’t lost much of his ability yet - not that Twenty20 is a true examination of a cricket’s mettle. He won the toss, batted first and pulled, cut to cover and cut to point the first three deliveries from Praveen Kumar to the boundary to emphasise he meant business. The Aussie, admired for his inclination to walk without waiting for an umpire to give him out, then greeted Dale Steyn, one of the fastest bowlers today, with four, four and a straight six. Kallis was treated likewise, before Ryder was twice sent sailing over midwicket and a ball from Anil Kumble converted into a full toss also for a maximum. Rohit Sharma also struck five sixes - three of them in an over from Kumble, who surrendered the “purple cap” - for the highest wickets in the competition - to Rudra Pratap Singh in this match. Sharma, first, swept the Indian veteran, then danced down the track for a pick up to midwicket before pulling a short one. If Gilly obtained his 71 runs off 45 balls, Sharma scored his 52 from 30. The latter became vigilant after getting an inside edge to fine leg to open his account; but once his eyes focussed, he was in his element. Royal Challengers could only muster 57 for three after 10 overs, compared to Chargers’ 92 for two. Gilchrist and Sharma were associated at this juncture in course of their partnership of 61 for the 3rd wicket. Sharma’s acceleration after Gilly’s departure was testimony to his maturity. The near capacity crowd - reflecting the success for the IPL with the South African public - groaned in agony when local hero Herschelle Gibbs was trapped lbw by Kumar for 13 after he had whetted the appetite with a top-edged six off the same bowler. The more internationally oriented among them were equally disheartened when the wristy VVS Laxman failed to clear long off off Ryder’s first ball. Scoreboard Deccan Chargers: Gilchrist c Kohli b Pietersen 71 Gibbs lbw b Kumar 13 Laxman c Steyn b Ryder 5 Rohit c Pietersen b Steyn 52 Styris c Kumar b Pietersen 14 Venugopal Rao run out 9 Teja not out 8 Edwards not out 3 Extras (lb-8, w-1): 9 Total (For 6 wickets in 20 overs): 184 Fall of wickets: 1-46 2-66 3-127 4-147 5-172 6-174. Bowling: Praveen 4-0-37-1; Steyn 3-0-21-1; Kallis 2-0-19-0; Kumble 4-0-39-0; Ryder 3-0-29-1; Pietersen 4-0-31-2. Bangalore Royal Challengers: Ryder b Edwards 0 Uthappa c Ravi Teja b Styris 12 Kallis c Sharma b RP Singh 15 Pietersen st Gilchrist b Ojha 11 Dravid c V Rao b Styris 48 Kohli c Gibbs b RP Singh 50 Bishnoi run out 1 Karan c Gilchrist b Styris 1 Praveen not out 14 Kumble not out 1 Extras (lb-1, w-6): 7 Total (For 8 wickets in 20 overs): 160 Fall of wickets: 1-0 2-19 3-38 4-62 5-115 6-123 7-134 8-158. Bowling: Edwards 4-0-39-1; RP Singh 4-0-17-2; Harmeet 4-0-44-0; Ojha 4-0-27-1; Styris 4-0-32-3.
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Strategy breaks: Modi adamant
Durban, April 22 The seven-and-half-minute break at the end of every 10 overs has been criticised for slowing down the pace of the game with some players complaining that it was also disturbing their rhythm. Modi said he was aware of the issues raised by players and would consider the suggestions. "Some players feel one way and others feel the other. We will evolve over the time. Some players want two-minute breaks like in America. We are going to test it out and see," Modi told CNN-IBN. Organisers claim that the strategy breaks were introduced this season to allow teams time to make their plans in the middle of the game. But critics argue that the breaks were meant to increase revenue by giving away slots to advertisers. Star players like Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar have given a thumbs down to the idea, saying that the breaks have only broken the momentum of the matches. Meanwhile, Modi said Kings XI Punjab, who lost to Kolkata Knight Riders by Duckworth/Lewis method last night, want the system scrapped. — PTI |
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Yuki in last 8 of Delhi ITF Futures
New Delhi, April 22 The young wild card entrant hardly broke a sweat in beating an opponent, who is 807 places above him in the ATP ranking list, in the second round clash at DLTA Complex. Apart from Yuki, fifth seed Vishnu Vardhan, eighth seed Rohan Gajjar were the other Indians to book their berths in the last-eight stage competition. Yuki will now fight it out with Gajjar, who made a spirited comeback to beat national champion Ranjit Virali Murugesan 4-6 6-3 6-2 in his second round match. Vardhan beat Vivek Shokeen 6-3 6-4 to set up a quarterfinal clash with third seed Goran Tosic. However, it was curtains for Vijay Kannan and Purav Raja, who lost their encounters to seventh seed Briton Sean Thornley and Adam El Mihdawy of America respectively. Kannan fought well before losing his match 3-6 6-3 4-6 while Raja hardly troubled Adam in his 2-6 4-6 defeat. —
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Dubai, April 22 The experienced leg-spinner, subtly varying his pace on a slow turning wicket, ripped through the Australian middle order as the visitors collapsed to 168 all out after a solid start. Pakistan made hard work of reaching a modest target before sealing victory in the 45th over with Misbah-ul Haq finishing on 30 not out. Afridi completed figures of six for 38, the best by a Pakistan bowler against Australia. Australia looked on course for a decent total when Brad Haddin and Shane Watson, who each made 40, took the score to 95 in the 19th over but the spinners triggered a dramatic collapse. — Reuters Scoreboard Australia: Marsh run out 16 Haddin c Younis b Afridi 40 Watson b Shahid Afridi 40 M. Clarke c Akmal b Ajmal 4 Symonds c Akmal b Afridi 2 Ferguson c Misbah b Afridi 2 Hopes not out 48 Hauritz b Ajmal 1 Bracken b Afridi 1 S. Clark b Afridi 2 Hilfenhaus b Gul 4 Extras (lb-1, w-7): 8 Total (all out, 38.5 overs): 168 Fall of wickets: 1-41 2-95 3-100 4-107 5-108 6-109 7-110 8-118 9-122 10-168. Bowling: Umar Gul 9.5-0-48-1 (1w), Shoaib Akhtar 6-0-35-0 (2w), Rao Iftikhar 2-0-18-0, Shahid Afridi 10-0-38-6 (4w), Saeed Ajmal 10-1-19-2, Shoiab Malik 1-0-9-0. Pakistan: Butt lbw b Hilfenhaus 5 Akmal c Haddin b Clark 48 Younis c Bracken b Hopes 11 Malik c Haddin b Hopes 24 Misbah not out 30 Afridi c Bracken b Hilfenhaus 24 Jamshed b Symonds 9 Gul not out 8 Extras (lb-5, w-1, nb-6): 12 Total (six wickets, 44.1 overs): 171 Fall of wickets: 1-5 2-33 3-81 4-99 5-138 6-152 Bowling: N.Bracken 9.1-2-25-0, B.Hilfenhaus 10-3-42-2 (nb-6, w-1), J.Hopes 8-1-22-2, S.Clark 8-1-32-1, N.Hauritz 6-0-27-0, A.Symonds 3-0-18-1 Man-of-the-match: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
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Johannesburg, April 22 While IPL organisers demanded complete control over the corporate suites, the GCB had earlier refused to bend over, resulting in a stand-off. IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi said the Wanderers would host all eight matches as per schedule and tickets for the first game on May 2 between Delhi Daredevils and Chennai Super Kings will go on sale tomorrow. "We are extremely pleased with the co-operation of the Gauteng Cricket Board and in particular the assistance received from their CEO - Mr Alan Kourie," Modi said. "With this amicable resolution, I am glad the fans in Johannesburg will now be able to witness the cricket carnival that is the Season 2009 of the DLF Indian Premier League. The Grand Final will definitely be worthy of being hosted in the bull-ring one of the best cricket stadia in the world," he added. His sentiments found an echo in Kourie's comments. "We are happy and proud to have reached an amicable resolution with the DLF Indian Premier League - as it now clears the way for hosting the business end of one of the best cricketing leagues in the world. "Gauteng cricket fans will now be able to witness some truly amazing cricketers in action at our very own Wanderers Stadium. I believe the Grand Final of Season 2009 in South Africa will be an exciting experience for all of us, especially if the inaugural ceremony and the cricket that preceded it was anything to go by," said Kourie. The Wanderers will host six league games from May 2 to 19 and one semi-final on May 23 with the final the next day. — PTI
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Bagan beaten, out of AFC Cup
New Delhi, April 22 Al Kuwait are on top of Group D with 10 points from four matches followed by Al Wihdat and Al Karamah on seven and six points, respectively. Two top teams from each of eight groups will make it to the pre-quarterfinal knock-out phase of the tournament, Asia's second tier club competition. Al Kuwait completely dominated the match taking 4-0 lead by the half time and Mohun Bagan, though without talismanic striker and captain Baichung Bhutia and key central defender Peter Odafe due to injuries, had to defend their citadel for most part of the match last night. Syrian midfielder Jehad Al Hussien was the star of the Kuwaiti side pumping in a hat-trick (ninth, 22nd, 72nd minutes). Captain Faraj Laheeb (34th, 39th) and Jarah Al Ataiqi's (78th) were the other goal scorers for the home side. NS Manju had a nightmarish day at Bagan defence conceding a spot kick and then scoring an own goal to play a big role in the abject surrender of the Kolkata side. Al Kuwait went in front with just nine minutes into the game when Al Hussien was fouled inside the box by Manju and the Syrian international made no mistake from the spot. Al Hussien doubled the lead for his side after 21 minutes with a first-time volley that off-colour Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee could react only the after the ball had gone past him under his body. Captain Laheeb then played his part pumping two goals in succession exposing the porous Mohun Bagan defence. First his powerful low shot in the 34th minute from outside the box was beyond Sangram's reach. — PTI |
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The moment Deccan Chargers posted the highest total of this edition of the Indian Premier League - that of 184 for six, thanks to the brilliance of Adam Gilchrist and Rohit Sharma - it was a daunting proposition for Bangalore Royal Challengers, chasing under lights. The conditions were dry and the wicket Indian-like. Yet, it still proved a destination too far as Chargers won by 24 runs.
Dubai, April 22
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