Sri Lanka Makes It To Semis Of T20 World Cup

Sri Lanka steamrolled New Zealand in a Super 10 Match, and secured a berth in the T20 World Cup semi-finals. The feat was possible due to Rangana Herath, left arm spinner who gave only 3 runs for 5 wickets. The knock out match was turned on its head when Herath seized the opportunity to grab 5 wickets for 3 runs. His sensational spell was also coupled with his role in a run out. His contribution made it possible for Sri Lanka to defend a total of 119 only in their final group 1 game.

New Zealand was bowled out within 15.3 overs for only 60 runs, which is also the third lowest total in the international history of the T20 format. Herath’s figures of 5/3 are the third best ever in the T20 Internationals. He ranks right after team mate AjanthaMedis who holds the record of 6/8 and 6/16.

Today’s result made Sri Lanka finish on top of the Group 1 table, tying with South Africa at 6 points. They have been placed ahead of South Africa on the basis of net run rate. This marks the end of the team’s matches in the Super 10 section. The feat was achieved in the ZahurAhmen Chowdhury Stadium.

The team that Sri Lanka will be up against shall be decided after tomorrows match between Pakistan and West Indies, which will indicate the runners up for Group 2. India was the winner of Group 2 and will take on South Africa, the runner up of Group 1. The former match is to be held on 3rd April while the latter one will take place on 4th April. Both the games are to be held in Mirpur.

New Zealand’s fortunes took a browbeating after their star player Corey Anderson was rushed to the hospital for dislocating a finger while trying to catch the ball during Sri Lanka’s innings. Anderson did not come out to bat in the second innings. It seemed New Zealand had secured a spot in the semis as they were chasing a modest total of 120 runs. They began to a quick start by scoring 18 runs by the end of the second over.

The third over was handed over to Herath who worked his magic in the first ball itself. He caught the ball that was hit by Martin Guptill who ran for a single without receiving a response from fellow batsman Kane Williamson. Herath threw the ball back to Kumar Sangakkara the wicket keeper who dropped the bail within a blink.

Five balls later, Captain Brendan McCullum was also stumped out by Sangakkara as he had misjudged the ball’s delivery. In his second over, Herath dismissed Jimmy Neesham and Ross Taylor for zero runs in two back-to-back deliveries in the sixth over and New Zealand had to take two steps back.

New Zealand was at 23 runs for 4 wickets lost when Herath bowled two maiden overs. Senanayake, off spinner, claimed the wicket of Nathan McCullum which brought up the score tally to 33 for 6 for New Zealand.

On the side of New Zealand, Boult and Neesham both claimed 3 wickets apiece to topple over the top and bottom order of the Sri Lankan line up.

Don’t forget to tune into the nail biting matches of the T20 World Cup 2014 on your television set. To cheer team India in the semis, get your sports memorabilia quick!

England Defeated By Netherland At The World T20 2014

England has not had a good run on the cricket pitch this winter. As if losing the Ashes at 5-0 was not enough, the team lost to Netherlands by a margin of 45 runs at the World T20 tournament. This is perhaps the most humiliating time for the veteran cricketing team.

Netherland beats England

The loss to Netherland can be termed as the worst time in England’s cricketing history. The team from England comprising of first class cricketers lost to a team of relative novices who would probably not make it into county XI. This defeat has ensured the exit of the team from the World T20 cup being played in Bangladesh. The next tournament that the team will participate in would be against Scotland and would be played in Aberdeen.

The team will now probably appoint a new coach. The top job of coaching the team might not be handed over to Ashley Giles. He was the coach for limited overs and he failed to mask England’s half-hearted attempts at the game against a team which qualified for the Super 10 on the last leg of the group matches. Both the teams had been eliminated from the tournament even before this match was played.

Giles has commented that the team’s performance was not good and it was embarrassing and unacceptable. Social networking websites are abuzz with the shocking performance of the English team. In a week or two, England is due to appointing a new head coach. Most followers of the game believe he is not the best person to have the job for his lack of experience.

Giles felt disappointed to see his side being bowled out 88 runs within 17.4 overs. However, from the way the match was played it seemed as if the team had no will or yearn to win the game in the first place.

The Dutch had a quick start which meant bad news for England. The team regrouped to restrict the opponents at 133 runs for 5 wickets lost. When the English team’s time to field came, their approach was casual and by the time they realized how deeply they had sunk their heels in a loss, there was very little left that could be done. Pulls were missed and drives were errant.

This was not the first time that the English team faced defeat at the hands of the Dutch team. Holland defeated England in the World T20 2009 at the Lord’s stadium although it went on till the last ball.

Two of the opening English batsmen were able to reach double digit runs, but once Michael Lumb was out in the third over, the team seemed to have given up. The Dutch team took the game more seriously and fielded tight and bowled well.

In the past few outings of the English team, it won only 5 matches while losing 18 others. It includes ODIs, Tests and T20 matches. Giles’ ability to prepare the team in the right frame of mind for a game would be discussed at his interview for becoming head coach.

For staying clued in about the World T20, don’t forget to tune into the matches on your TV Set. To cheer for team India, buy sports merchandise online without delay!

India Exploits The Match Against Australia To Test Its Weaknesses

India had an advantage in their favour which they turned into an opportunity. The team had qualified for the semis with a game to space against a tough side like Australia. The team decided to test all the areas in which they had a shred of doubt and still went on to win the match.

India Beats Australia

A marked win by 73 runs after bowling out the Australian team for 86 within 16.2 overs will add confidence to the Indian team. On Friday, India will face South Africa in Mirpur for the first Semi-Finals of the tournament. South Africa was placed in the second position on Group 1, after Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand in the Super 10 match on Monday.

The Indian team chose to bat second and the conditions were significantly changed due to dew that started interfering with the game in late evening. The bowlers did not have the opportunity of defending a total in such conditions. Captain Dhoni did not win the toss and the team had to bat first on Sunday. The absence of dew could have hampered the game but it didn’t. ViratKohli was out of the game quite early which provided Yuvrajsingh enough time to get back his prowess.

Initially, Yuvraj struggled to hit the balls but later one he made some clean sweeps to entertain the audience in the stand. It is no wonder that he fetched one of the highest sums offered in the IPL auction. Singh was hesitant to run between the wickets which caused panic among partners at some point. The situation got under control when Dhoni came out to bat alongside him on the field.

Singh hit consecutive sixes off James Muirhead, leg spinner and went for a long haul off a delivery by Michael Starc. A classic swing off mid-wicket in a ball delivered by Shane Watson brought up his total to 50 runs. Yuvraj finally scored 60 runs off 43 balls with four sixes and five hours. With Dhoni, he had an 84 run stand for the fifth wicket. ShikharDhawan’s performance as opening batsman was also concerning as he failed to score good runs in the first three matches.

Dhoni chose AjinkyaRahane although it was Rohit Sharma playing at the other end who was dismissed quickly. The choice of the opening pair was debatable although the 19 runs off 16 balls by the batsman from Mumbai displayed good performance.

The Australian batsmen gave India a lot of practice for catching the ball under lights, which was a problem with the Indian team as brought up Dhoni is several press conferences. RavindraJadeja and Kohli caught two balls each, Rohit took one by diving in front and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar took one in the deep square leg.

Dhoni had reserved Mohit Sharma and Amit Mishra for later stages of the game. Mishra got to bowl for three overs while Sharma was given two. Sharma had replaced bowler Mohammad Shami for the match.

Do tune in to watch India take on South Africa on Friday on your TV sets. Make sure you get sporting merchandise to cheer team India!

Will Dhoni Get His First Half Century In The ICC World T20 2014?

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MS Dhoni is one of the best players in the T20 format. He led the team to victory in the inaugural ICC World T20 series in 2007. Despite being a good player who has displayed style and talent on field, the coveted score of 50 has evaded him all through his career in international T20 cricket. Surprisingly, he is the only player with 772 runs who has not reached the 50 mark.

The closest that Dhoni had gone to achieving half century was in Stadium Australia against the Australian team. He was stuck on 48 when the match ended. Incidentally, in the penultimate over of the match, he was batting at 45 not out. Of the last over delivered, he got to hit only 2 balls off which he scored 3 runs. RavichandranAshwin had in fact faced the other 4 delivered. India was steamrolled at that match where the team lost by 31 runs.

A plausible cause for Dhoni eluding 50 runs at any particular match may be his position in the batting order. Dhoni usually bats in the middle order, where he goes out to play at No. 5 or No. 6. At this point in the game, very few overs are left to score off. A testimonial of this fact is that Dhoni has not been declared out in 16 of the 40 games that he has batted in. He has, in total, been a part of the squad for 43 times off 46 ones.

One of the games that he opted out for was in 2011 when the Indian team was touring the West Indiesciting fatigue. He played back-to-back in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and the IPL which is why he chose to opt out of the match. The other two times was in Zimbabwe, 2010, where Suresh Raina acted as the captain in these two games.

Other players who have also scored very well in the T20 format without a dingle half century are AlbieMorkel, Gary Wilson and HashimAmla. Brad Haddin, Australian Batsman-Wicketkeeper and West Indian player Darren Sammy are also present among the top 10 players who have eluded the half century.

Brendan McCullum with 1959 runs off 64 T20 matches is the highest scorer in the format, followed closely by MahelaJayawardene, 1335 runs in his folio. There are only 13 batsmen who have scored above 1000 runs in this format and sadly none of the Indians feature in it. The only player who comes close to making the list is GautamGambhir with 932 runs. He is followed by Yuvraaj Singh who has scored 868 runs and Suresh Raina, 859 runs.

RavindraJadeja, India’s star all-rounder performer is yet to score a half century in either the domestic or international form of the T20. Despite playing in 104 matches and scoring 1278 runs, his highest score remains 48 not out.

Tune in to the ICC World T20 2014 tourney to see if Dhoni manages to break the jinx. To cheer him on, you can buy sports memorabilia and merchandise. For practising the sport better, get your own cricket kit too!

Rohit Sharma’s Take On Yuvraj Singh And The Crucial Match Against Bangladesh

Rohit Sharma & Yuvraj Singh

Rohit Sharma stands rooted by the side of his team mate Yuvraj Singh for his out-of-form position and expects him to play the his best at the crucial innings against Bangladesh on Friday. Sharma expects the innings to bring Singh back in his top form.

He claims that it is just a matter of an inning. If Yuvraj manages to play it well, he will get his confidence back. Yuvraj has proved his talent time and again in T20 matches including that of World Cup. He hopes that the match against Bangladesh in Super 10 proves to be that elusive inning that would get him his form back. Sharma believes that would be good for the team.

Sharma also dismisses the accusation that Yuvraj has been sloppy on field. He believes Singh to be a good fielder and many good fielders have dropped catches. He stresses on the importance of that inning that would help Yuvraj get his act together.

Sharma agrees that this is the team’s brightest chance of getting in to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup since their victory at the 2007 inaugural edition. However, he doesn’t want to plan too much ahead and hence focuses on one game at a time. The game on Friday against Bangladesh is crucial and the team would take stock of the situation from there. Finals or for that matter Semi-Finals are a far cry.

Rohit believes that winning against Bangladesh is more important than bettering the net-run rate for securing a spot in the top four. If the team wins the match, the run rate would be automatically taken care of.

Luck was by the Indian side as in both games held previously against West Indies and Pakistan the team won the toss. Sharma confirmed that the team would stick to the game plan against Bangladesh as well. Every team member is working on improving their problem areas and all three aspects of the game- batting, fielding and bowling would be crucial for gaining victory. Moreover, the fact that they are playing against the home team created additional pressure as public support would be with the opponent.

Bangladesh would also have the advantage of knowing the conditions and hence play to their strengths. Whether Sharma would be batting in the middle is unsure. The captain and coach are yet to decide the batting order for the match.

Batting second can be a bit of problem as the ball is not being delivered in a straight line because the track is slow.

So far, ShikharDhawan and Sharma have been the openers. Sharma claims that they have good understanding of each other which makes running between wickets for singles easier. By opening strongly, they would make it simpler for the middle order batsmen to score. The PowerPlay or first six overs of the game will be very crucial.

If the team manages to win this match, India will be through to the semi-finals. Hence, don’t miss this nail biting match broadcast on your television set. Get the cheering gear for the Indian team to power them to victory!

The Twenty20 World Cup To Begin Soon!

The Twenty20 world cup is slated to begin soon and fans and cricket lovers cannot wait for all the action to play out in this mega tournament. Why is there a huge craze behind the ICC T20 world cup? This is mainly attributed to the exciting nature of Twenty20 as a universally accepted cricketing format. Cricket was always restricted to One Day Internationals and Test matches. These were loved and supported by genuine cricket fans, who form a sizeable number in India. However, there were non supporters and individuals who did not love these formats due to the lack of their intrinsic interest in the game, especially women and children.

As a result, the Twenty20 format has been a godsend for the ICC as it has brought in more and more non followers especially women. People, who never had an interest in cricket earlier, are now flocking to watch Twenty20 matches or following them meticulously on television. This is because of the shorter duration and interesting format of the game. The format ensures thrilling, intense cricketing clashes that no one wants to miss. Alongside, the best international cricketers going head to head are another temptation for sure. The sheer number of sixes or last minute dismissals or sudden reversals in fortunes is factors that attract everyone to this nail biting format.

As a result, the Twenty20 world cup which starts from the 16th of March, is being eagerly anticipated by fans and lovers of the sport. Television ratings are set to soar into uncharted territory and teams are preparing ardently to make the most of this mega event which comes only once in two years. Alongside, this year’s tournament will be held in Bangladesh with unpredictable and tricky pitches coming into play. The unpredictable nature of these pitches will make life difficult for batsmen and should set up some really exciting contests. Spinners are slated to dominate this edition of the Twenty20 championship.

Teams will be going all out for glory, especially the defending champions West Indies who won the 2012 edition. Alongside, teams like Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, who are in red hot form, will look to cash on the same at this tournament. Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India will be vying for the trophy as well. Expect Pakistan to be the dark horse at this tournament as the team has been playing fabulously in the Asia Cup which is being held in Bangladesh currently. And who can rule out the hosts? Bangladesh has the advantage of playing in home conditions and the team looks pretty good. They will be looking to cause some major upsets at least.

All in all, this looks like a fabulous tournament ahead for cricket viewers and enthusiasts. Get hold of your tickets and snap up cool merchandise, autographed gear, sporting and fitness equipment and other memorabilia online. Buy these collectibles at reasonable prices and cheer for your favorite team with elan at the Twenty20 world cup!

Will India’s Bowling Live Up To Expectations At The T20 World Cup?

The ICC T20 world cup is about to kick off from the 16th of March and there is huge excitement and hysteria surrounding the same. A lot of curiosity and speculation centers on the state of the Indian bowling contingent and its performance in recent times. Even skipper MS Dhoni has blamed the poor bowling performance of his team for the losses abroad. While the batsmen have also come a cropper on bouncy and fast wickets abroad, the bowlers have given away runs in almost every game. Even in the ongoing Asia Cup, the Indian bowlers are not performing as well as expected with bowling failures leading to avoidable losses against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Will the Indian bowling unit live up to expectations this Twenty20 world cup? This mainly depends on how they perform in the remaining matches of the Asia Cup as they will be playing in similar conditions. Bangladesh is hosting both the Asia Cup and the T20 world cup and the Indian bowlers should get used to the unpredictable Bangladeshi pitches before the more important tournament begins. When it comes to the quality of the bowling attack, only Shami Ahmed stands out for his sheer consistency. Shami can generate decent pace and his ability to stick to a good line and length along with a good swing action augurs well for the team. Shami has always been the only wicket taker in recent times and will be India’s most viable asset for the tournament.

However, Shami has a tendency to leak runs, one that must be avoided if he is to perform to his full potential. Apart from Shami, the entire bowling attack lacks the tooth and bite required for combating other global competitors successfully. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is another mainstay of the bowling attack but has done little in recent times. He has been leaking runs and has not been getting adequate movement. Bhuvneshwar should be used judiciously by the captain instead of letting him finish seven to eight overs in a go. Ishant Sharma and Varun Aaron are rampantly inconsistent and can give away runs at crucial junctures. However, Ishant has shown promise in recent times and can be a good bet if selected.

Alongside, Amit Mishra should definitely be given a look-in instead of Ravichandran Ashwin who has been ineffective to say the least in recent times. Mishra bowled well in the one match he was given against Pakistan after warming the benches for many of India’s tours. Ashwin should better his performance to stand a chance of selection. Alongside, Ravindra Jadeja is a useful addition to the fifth bowler’s position. He has been generally consistent and represents a handy bowling option. Stuart Binny has not really been tested yet and he should be given a game or two where he can harness his potential to the fullest.

Cheer for India with cool sporting equipment, fitness gear and autographed team merchandise. One can only hope that the Indian team overcomes its limitations and delivers at the Twenty20 world cup!

A Clash Of The Titans Coming Soon!

A clash of the titans is coming soon to your television screens! This is none other than the ICC T20 world cup that starts with a bang from the 16th of March. As a result, cricket fans and enthusiasts are in for a crazy and alluring season of Twenty20 cricket with the Indian Premier League or IPL set to follow the World T20 championships. The ICC organized tournament is held once every couple of years and is one of the most prestigious tournaments for the Twenty20 format. As a result, there is huge excitement and anticipation surrounding the tournament.

The hosts Bangladesh have left no stone unturned in their preparations for this mega event and the superbly organized facilities at the recently held Asia Cup spoke volumes about the nation’s commitment to organizing large scale cricketing events immaculately. The ICC has also held its own qualifiers for two other nations to participate who are not among the major member nations of the world cricket governing body. This year’s cup will see a veritable clash of giants as no team can now be ruled out as minnows or weaklings. Modern cricket has advanced by leaps and bounds and Twenty20 is an unpredictable format in itself where fortunes can fluctuate with every ball.

The hosts Bangladesh deserve special mention for their competent team and their ability to cause upsets on their day. They will be looking to tap into their knowledge of home conditions and score some big wins against premier teams. Alongside, Pakistan is one of the strongest teams in the fray, having reached the finals of the Twenty20 world cup a mindboggling three times! They have also won the tournament in the year 2009. Sri Lanka will be looking to stamp their authority on this title after beating Pakistan in the finals of the Asia Cup. Alongside, India will be looking for redemption after some torrid losses to Australia and New Zealand abroad. The conditions in Bangladesh are quite similar to home environments and India will try to bounce back at the earliest.

The West Indies will seek to defend their title and with power house players in the team, it may just be possible this time as well! England will seek redemption from their horrible Ashes sojourn against Australia while Australia will look to continue its dominance of world cricket after the Ashes win. South Africa and New Zealand will also fancy their chances with both teams in good form after wins and victories recently. Which team will you root for this season? You can now pick up your favorite team merchandise, autographed equipment, sporting gear, memorabilia and jerseys online.

All of this is available at extremely affordable and reasonable prices which will not strain your pocket. Add a special dimension to your love for the game with cool stuff online. Cheer for your favorite team whole heartedly at Twenty20 cricket’s biggest extravaganza which starts this Sunday. May the best team win!

Cheer For India With Gusto This Season!

Are you a trophy deprived Indian fan looking for some redemption? If yes, then the ICC T20 world cup is the right stage for the fulfillment of all your wishes and dreams. Indian cricket lovers and supporters have been enduring a rough patch along with the team itself as India struggles to pick up wins in matches abroad. They have had a nightmarish record abroad with a minimal percentage of wins. Questions have been asked about the skipper and his decisions, the decision to field even non performing players in every match, the skipper’s resistance to change and his insistence on playing his favorites.

These issues have got everyone up in arms against MS Dhoni’s controversial decisions both on and off the field. However, there are many cricket experts and legends of the game who have stressed on Dhoni’s enviable record as the most successful Indian captain ever and have pointed out to circumstances, lagging form of the team as a whole and other factors as the reason for the slump. However, what is a reality is that our team is still very uncomfortable playing on pitches abroad. These fast and bouncy pitches and the unfavorable conditions often pose problems to Indian national team players who flounder at crucial moments.

However, with the T20 world cup set to kick off from the 16th of March, it is time for India to set the record straight. They are back on more or less home turf and the subcontinent pitches will help the team play its natural game. Alongside, India still remains strong contenders for the title in spite of the failures abroad. A strong batting and bowling lineup ensure that the team is well equipped with the right ammunition. Going by the approximate team to be fielded, MS Dhoni should be fit for the T20 cup and Dinesh Karthik may be played as a batsman or benched as the reserve wicket keeper. Alongside, Yuvraj Singh might get a look in depending on the circumstances. Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are the top three on whose shoulders the entire team’s batting performance depends in a manner of speaking. The middle order might have Yuvraj, Raina and any one among Ambati Rayudu or Ajinkya Rahane.

Alongside, MS Dhoni might play Jadeja as an all rounder or even as a specialist spinner going by the nature of the pitch. Four pacers can be played if it is a seaming wicket with Jadeja taking the fifth bowler’s slot. In case of a spinning wicket, either Ashwin or Mishra are certain to complement Jadeja. Shami Ahmed, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma are in form and will form a good pace trio. In case of a fourth pacer, either Varun Aaron or Umesh Yadav may be considered but they have to be consistent to really reap results.

Support team India with gusto and don your favorite jerseys or snap up team merchandise, memorabilia and sporting gear online without any hesitation. After all, this event comes only once every alternate year and you should make the most of it whole heartedly!

Entertainment Options At The IPL

The Indian Premier League or IPL as it is popularly known is not just a celebration of the beautiful game as we know it. The IPL aims at catering to the entire mass of India and the world in general and not just cricket aficionados. Though cricket is religion in India, a large section of the population, especially women, remained aloof to the intricacies of cricket. On the other hand, children, youngsters and older men mostly remained hooked to cricket. However, with the steady departure of the stalwarts of the Indian team, spectator interest in the game started waning. This was witnessed especially when it came to Test cricket.

Women in particular never liked cricket owing to the long durations and careful watching that it entails. Test and ODI cricket was often labeled as boring by a large section of women and other individuals who did not quite possess a keen interest in the nuances of the game. Twenty20 brought about a welcome diversion for every section of the population including women. Matches could now get over within 3-4 hours at the most, with loads of excitement on the pitch owing to the increased sixes, fours and dismissals. Tight contests could be expected among the best stars. This is what essentially caught on as a concept, one that was formulated under the IPL.

The IPL brought together stars from all countries and nations and pitted them against each other for some nail biting action. Alongside, franchises started developing their own loyal legion of supporters and fans. Icon and marquee players played alongside domestic and local Indian talents who blossomed and stole the limelight at many an edition. Off field entertainment reached a new level altogether with a plethora of customer centric events, audience special events, contests, off field interviews, celebrity interactions and so on.

Alongside, special VIP or premium box tickets gave the buyer access to IPL after parties which were attended by Bollywood stars, celebrity team owners and the players themselves. Access to the VIP box also guaranteed first hand access to Bollywood stars, team owners and their whole entourage. This was a major attraction for many individuals. Alongside, the galaxy of VIP’s including Bollywood stars, celebrities, businessmen and even leading politicians at matches was another added attraction for viewers and spectators. Television audiences had plenty of off field entertainment options lined up for them as well.

As a result, the Indian Premier League has always been about entertainment. It fuses together glamour, cricket, stars and mass hysteria for a fabulous entertainment package. The 2014 IPL auction was keenly followed like every year and the composition of teams this year will only make for a more exciting edition ahead. The IPL auction saw over 200 players go under the hammer and threw up some surprising results as well. With the auction over, fans cannot wait for all the action to unfold. You can now lap up all the action with cutting edge sporting gear, jerseys, autographed equipment and other team merchandise.

IPL 2014 Set To Start Off With A Bang!

The Indian Premier League is back in style this season and cricket fans and enthusiasts cannot wait to see all the action unfold this year! The IPL has always been the darling of the masses and is revered for its nail biting action and intense clashes on the field. The Indian Premier League has truly lived up to its billing as the numero uno sporting event in the country. It is the most notable event in the global cricket circuit. The hysteria and hoopla surrounding the IPL is easy to understand. The entire package of entertainment offered by this event caters to almost every type of individual and not just cricket fans.

The IPL has brought the zing back into the beautiful gentleman’s game. It has lent Twenty20 cricket a new air of respectability and commercial acclaim. The IPL pits global stars against each other, thereby making for some mouth watering contests. Alongside, it also boosts Indian cricket with the huge number of domestic and local players who are recruited to franchises and who get a chance to shine on the global state. There are many youngsters who have first made their mark at the IPL and gone on to play for their national teams. Today, they are stars in their own right. Ravindra Jadeja is the foremost among these players and is one of the mainstays of Team India in recent times. This year’s IPL is set to be even more happening and exciting thanks to the power packed 2014 IPL auction. The auction led to the creation of some fabulous teams and sports fans cannot wait for the exciting on-field battles ahead!

The IPL auction brought out the best in team owners and franchises as they battled for the best stars and players for their teams. Now that team news is out, everyone is geared up for the best IPL season ever. IPL season 7 will be even more exciting as this is the first time that each and every franchise has been able to build a balanced team. Each franchise has its own mix of global and domestic stars. There are big names in almost every team. Teams like Punjab and Rajasthan were not that well balanced in the past. Alongside, the induction of hotly awaited talents from around the globe is another big plus point. Add to that celebrities, events, and promotional packages, special offers, prizes, contests, television events and you get the picture!

IPL 7 should be unfolding in style. Everyone is waiting with bated breath for the much talked about opening and closing ceremonies. Some of the biggest stars like Pitbull have performed at these ceremonies and this year should be no different. You can now enjoy the IPL in style with fabulous team merchandise, autographed jerseys, memorabilia, caps, sporting equipment and other gear. Deck up in your favorite team colors and be the envy of fellow IPL fans this season. Clear out your calendars and get ready for some intense days ahead as IPL 7 gears up for its annual April launch.

India’s T20 World Cup Team

Team India will be looking to go all out at the fifth edition of the ICC World T20 event held in Bangladesh this year. The tournament starts from the 16th of March and will surely be a feast for cricket fans and enthusiasts. The Indian team created history under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, India’s most successful captain, statistically, at the first edition of the tournament in the year 2007. India defeated Pakistan successfully by 5 runs in the final after an intensely exciting contest. Since then, the Indian cricket team has established its dominance on the world cricketing arena. The 2011 World Cup and the Champions Trophy apart, India raced to the top spot on the rankings chart for both ODI’s and Tests. MS Dhoni was hailed as the man who could veritably do no wrong. The Indian team was hailed as a fleet of match winners who could beat any team in the world.

However, things have changed immensely since the past couple of years. India has not been faring well abroad. Questions are being raised about the morale of the team and the strategies employed by the once infallible skipper MS Dhoni. These questions and doubts pertain to team selection, match strategy and lack of opportunities for youngsters in the Indian team. The Indian team has been doing badly overseas and has recently been defeated in succession by both Australia and New Zealand. The ICC T20 world cup may just be the ideal opportunity for skipper MS Dhoni to redeem both himself and his team. Top experts and legends of the game have blasted Dhoni for persisting with the same sets of players and giving chances to only his preferred players.

However, some have supported him, stating that a captain’s success depends on the team at his disposal. The Indian squad for the T20 world cup looks strong on paper at least. However, the wickets of Bangladesh and the weather will be more suitable for the Indian contingent. When it comes to the bowling attack, Shami Ahmed has been the only consistent performer. Expect him to trouble batsmen with ado at the T20 world cup. Alongside, the list of probables also contains Ishant Sharma, Ishwar Pandey, Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Varun Aaron, Karn Sharma, S Nadeem, Vinay Kumar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar apart from R Ashwin and R Jadeja.

The all rounders slots are filled up by R Jadeja, Stuart Binny, Rajat Bhatia and Sanju Samson while batsmen in the list include Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Yuvraj Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Mandeep Singh, Parthiv Patel and Unmukt Chand.

Among batsmen, Dhawan, Sharma, Kohli, Raina and Dhoni are slated to be permanent fixtures while R Jadeja will also be coming in at number 7. The number 6 slot is a tossup between Ajinkya Rahane, Rayudu, Yuvraj Singh and others. Dinesh Karthik will have an edge over Parthiv Patel and Kedar Jadhav when it comes to being the reserve wicket keeper batsman. Similarly, for the final bowling XI, Shami, Bhuvneshwar and Ashwin pick themselves. The fourth bowler’s slot will most probably be a contest between Ishant Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav while Harbhajan Singh or Amit Mishra might be in contention if conditions are favorable. Enjoy all the action with your favorite team India jerseys and other sporting equipment!

Will India Win This T20 World Cup?

The Twenty20 world cup is all set to start with a bang from the 16th of March onwards. The entire global cricket contingent is leaving no stone unturned in their preparations for the same. The Indian cricket team is no different. However, things have changed quite radically in comparison to the past scenario. India was earlier number 1 in all formats of the game. However, they have slipped from the top spot on the back of several losses on away tours. Heavy losses to England, Australia and New Zealand over the past couple of years have put the team on the back foot. India’s once unbeatable team is now being scrutinized for shortcomings and other flaws.

Will India manage to pull off a repeat of 2007? This is something that looks dicey from the very start. In 2007, MS Dhoni’s team managed to pull off a five run victory over Pakistan. They haven’t done very well in the ICC Twenty20 world cup since. The team did win the World Cup in the year 2011 though. However, the team is now a mere shadow of its former confident self. There is clearly something that the skipper is not getting right these days. Team selection has been flawed and youngsters are only warming the bench. However, the Indian team for the World Cup looks strong indeed.

A lot will depend on the bowling line-up at this tournament. The bowlers will have to work in tandem in order to outsmart the best batsmen from rival teams. Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the fabulously consistent Shami Ahmed can form a lethal strike force if they are used in the right manner. Ishant has recently struck form and Shami has always been lethally effective as a wicket taker. Bhuvneshwar has not been very consistent but can be a good foil to the other two strike bowlers. R Ashwin has to deliver with the ball and not just let his bat do the talking. Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra are waiting in the wings and Mishra would be an ideal bet as an attacking leg spinner. Ravindra Jadeja is a solid player who gives just the right dose of balance to the team with his solid batting and effective bowling. He has in fact been one of the best bowlers for India on their tours abroad.

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan should be able to give consistent starts if India are to think of winning the Twenty20 world cup. Virat Kohli has been the only one with a consistent track record and is easily the best batsman in the team at the moment. MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and either Yuvraj Singh/Ajinkya Rahane must fire on all cylinders. The skipper himself has to be a lot more consistent. Rooting for India at the T20 world cup? Celebrate with the best team jerseys, autographed gear, sporting equipment and other team merchandise. This is one of the biggest carnivals witnessed by the entire cricket fraternity. India has strong chances but must play to its strengths if it has to win the tournament!

All You Need To Know About The ICC Champions Trophy

International cricket has been immensely benefited by the introduction of the T20 world cup. The ICC World Twenty20 championship is one of the biggest flagship events of the ICC, the governing body for cricket all over the world. The ICC Champions Trophy and the World Cup are two of the biggest sporting events globally. Alongside, the ICC Twenty20 World Cup is also one of the biggest cricketing events in recent times. This event usually sees a lot of competition among the member nations of the ICC along with 2 other countries. Cricket fans and enthusiasts are very enthused about this event. The World T20 has obtained high levels of popularity in recent times and the competition has evolved immensely with the rising popularity of Twenty20. Twenty20 as a format has contributed to the development and enhancement of the game at large.

Despite coming under attack from cricket legends and experts with regard to its shortening of the game and the threat to Test cricket, the Twenty20 format has been accepted as a universal cricketing format of choice in recent times. Alongside, the chief appeal of the World T20 lies in the exciting mixture of teams, top global stars and the exciting contests on offer. The Twenty20 World Cup is itself a fabulous package of entertainment, excitement and top clashes among the very best international players. The ICC World Twenty20 championship is organized by the ICC and the tournament takes place every couple of years. The ICC T20 world cup matches receive international accreditation as per the norms and rules of the ICC. Alongside, there are special World T20 Qualifier matches held by the ICC which determine the remaining two member nations who take part in the tournament apart from the ten member nations.

The first ever T20 world cup was staged at South Africa and India lifted the trophy at the inaugural edition. This tournament was held from the 11th to the 24th of September and India carved its place in the annals of cricketing history with a resounding victory. India defeated Pakistan by 5 runs in nail biting contest at the final. England hosted the second T20 world cup which has held from the 5th of June to the 21st and Pakistan came out trumps in the final, defeating Sri Lanka in another tensely fought affair. The third and fourth editions of the tournament were held in West Indies and Sri Lanka respectively. England and West Indies won these two editions respectively. Bangladesh will be hosting the T20 world cup in 2014 and there seems to be a thrilling contest ahead. You can enjoy the T20 world cup in style with autographed equipment, sporting and fitness gear, cool team merchandise and other gear. Cheer for India with cool memorabilia and other team jerseys.

2014 is one of the biggest years for international cricket with the IPL lined up right after the Champions League T20. For the cricket lover, it is only unlimited entertainment.

Enjoy Your IPL In Style

The Indian Premier League is one sporting league of epic proportions. It has carved out its own niche in arguably the most crazy country when it comes to cricket. Indeed, the game is a veritable religion in India. Those who are not cricket fans often find themselves in a sticky spot with regard to social interactions and gatherings and do not often gain acceptance into various social circles. This is the sad reality of a nation that eats, breathes and drinks cricket at all times. For such a nation, the IPL is the crowning glory of all the achievements of India in the global sphere. This magnum opus of the BCCI has come a long way since its launch seven years ago.

There have been loads of controversies and other stories surrounding the IPL along with several murky and questionable incidents. However, these events have done nothing to dampen the popularity of this fabulous sporting league. The IPL has its own legion of fans and supporters from all across the globe. There are millions of franchise and city supporters while television audiences also number millions especially on other sides of the globe. The Indian Premier League will soon be back in its seventh avatar and cricket fans cannot wait to get a piece of the action.

The 2014 IPL auction did throw up some interesting results. Yuvraj Singh created history when he was sold to the Royal Challengers Bangalore for a cool INR 14 crores while Dinesh Karthik and Kevin Pieterson followed with final bids of INR 12.5 crores and INR 9 crores respectively. Apart from these global giants, domestic players too made headlines at the IPL auction with Karan Sharma getting a great salary of INR 3.75 crores courtesy the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Alongside, franchises focused mainly on domestic players on day 2 of the auctions, leading to great opportunities for a plethora of talented youngsters at this mega event. The teams look evenly matched and it would be hard to pinpoint one as the favorite ahead of the actual event.

The IPL opening and closing ceremonies are also at the forefront of mass curiosity and excitement. After Pitbull’s performance, there has been large scale demand for even bigger and better performers and this year may just throw up a surprise for entertainment junkies. Alongside, tickets can be booked online in advance. Make sure you book your tickets at the earliest in order to avoid the last minute rush for tickets. Alongside, you can also buy cool team merchandise online. Get hold of a wide selection of autographed sporting gear, caps, cricket equipment, fitness equipment, memorabilia and other collectibles online. You will find these items at extremely reasonable prices.

Tickets are slated to start at INR 500 on an average but can go up to INR 20, 000 or even more for VIP box or premium seats. These come with refreshments and access to the coveted IPL after parties which are attended by Bollywood stars and the players themselves. Enjoy your IPL in style this season!

India Getting Caught In The IPL Fever

IPL or Indian Premier League started in 2008 and has since then seen a stellar popularity among the cricket loving masses. It is one of the most awaited sporting events of the year. The game is played in the Twenty20 format. Hence the games don’t last for more than 3-4 hours. It sees a lot of fanfare and entertainment at the time of the match. The IPL sees more participation from women and children as audience because of the entertainment quotient. Singers and dancers perform during breaks which can keep non-followers of cricket entertained as well.

Usually there are 8 participating teams every year. The number has varied over the years with Kochi Tuskers backing out of the tournament. Currently, with the addition of Pune Warriors India, 9 teams are participating in the tournament.

Every year, an auction is conducted to pick players for teams. Team owners and managers often retain consistent players in the teams. However, sometimes newer players are picked up for the team’s benefit, quite similar to the process in the English Premier League.

This year won’t be any different from the past ones, with the auction being slated to be held on February 6 2014. The process shall be no different from the rest.

A top base price for ipl auction is agreed upon every year. This year, the highest amount being notched up is Rs 20 million or $320,000. Close to 232 players from 10 different countries are up for the auction to be held in Bangalore. Among international players, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson feature among the top 31 players to have attracted the top base price for ipl auction. They are much in demand since their performance in the Ashes tournament.

Indians featuring the top list include veteran such as Yuvraj Singh and Virendra Sehwag. Other players such as Yusuf Pathan, Dinesh Kartik and Pragyan Ojha have also been up for the Rs 20 million slots. Irrfan Pathan, the all-rounder, has failed to notch up the Rs 20 million slots like his brother. However, he has managed to bag a price tag of Rs 15 million.

Like other past years, Pakistani players won’t be allowed to be a part of the ipl auction. However, two players of Pakistani origin, Fawad Ahmad and Azhar Mahmood from Australia and England respectively would be allowed to participate. Speculations suggest the ipl auction will see Corey Anderson from New Zealand as the most sought after player after he has become the fastest player to hit a century, off 36 balls, against West Indies.

This year, Sri Lankan players such as Kumar Sangakkara won’t be a part of the ipl because of a tournament later in the year. However, his co-players on the Sri Lankan team players such as Mahela Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews shall be a part of the process.

To know where to buy IPL merchandise before the games begin in April log into online classifieds. You can find stores selling them in your city.