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.