Showing posts with label Dhoni. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dhoni. Show all posts

Friday, January 18, 2019

India vs Australia: No one is more committed to Indian cricket than MS Dhoni, says Virat Kohli

January 18, 2019 0
India vs Australia: No one is more committed to Indian cricket than MS Dhoni, says Virat Kohli
L-R: Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni (Getty Images)
MELBOURNE: No one is more committed to Indian cricket than Mahendra Singh Dhoni and batting at number five is the ideal spot for him, said Virat Kohli in stout defence of the former captain.

Dhoni faced criticism for slow batting in the ODI series-opener in Sydney before redeeming his pride and reputation with match-winning contributions in the Adelaide and Melbourne ODIs.

READ ALSO: I'm ready to bat at any position, says MS Dhoni

Acknowledging Dhoni's contribution in the historic series-triumph in Australia, Kohli defended the former captain saying he should be allowed breathing space.

READ ALSO: Dhoni powers India to first-ever bilateral ODI series win in Australia

"I think firstly as a team we are very happy for Dhoni that he is amongst the runs, because it is very important to get runs under your belt to get that rhythm and confidence back. Especially when you have not been playing so much international cricket," said the India captain at the post-match press conference.

"Many things happen outside. People say a lot of things but as an individual we know that there is no one more committed to Indian cricket than Dhoni and people should let him have his space because he has contributed so much for the nation.

"They should let him figure out things on his own and what he needs to do. He is one of the most intelligent cricketers and he is not someone who is not aware about what needs to be done. As a team we are totally in sync with what he is doing and we are all very happy for him," said Kohli.


The skipper also reckons that the just-concluded Australia series has proved that number five is the most logical spot for Dhoni.


"Dhoni batted at number four in 2016 for a while. But after that he has been pretty happy playing at five and six for the team. We felt that number five was the ideal position for him. And if you saw him bat at Adelaide as well he was pretty comfortable in that position because that allows him to do a bit of both - get some game time as well as finish games off, attacking as and when required," Kohli said.


Dhoni played a crucial role in India winning the decisive third ODI with his unbeaten 87-run knock on Friday and at Adelaide too his unbeaten half-century had scripted India's win.


"He was more himself from that game (Adelaide) on, and he built onto this knock today. We are pretty happy with the batting combination that we had in Adelaide. When someone like Hardik Pandya is not there you have to balance somehow. So a lot of things vary in that regard. But we as a team, and myself as captain, we feel that Dhoni at five is the most logical. It is the ideal place for him and the team as well," Kohli said.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

Sunday, January 6, 2019

India vs Australia: India make history, win first-ever cricket Test series in Australia

January 06, 2019 0
India vs Australia: India make history, win first-ever cricket Test series in Australia
Indian cricketers celebrate after winning the Test series in Sydney. (Photo courtesy: BCCI Twitter handle)
NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli and his men made history as India registered their maiden Test series victory on Australian soil after the fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground was drawn due to rain on Day 5 on Monday.

SCORECARD

Cheteshwar Pujara was declared the Man of the Match and the Man of the Series.

Rain prevented any play on Day 5 with Australia needing to bat out the last day to salvage a draw.

India won the series 2-1 with victories in the first Test in Adelaide by 31 runs and in the third Test in Melbourne by 137 runs to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia had won the second Test in Perth by 146 runs.

No Indian team had managed to win a Test series since they began touring Australia in 1947-48.

The hosts were 6/0 at stumps on a weather-affected Day 4 after being forced to follow-on by India.

Australia were dismissed in their first innings for 300 in reply to India's 622/7.

India had taken a stranglehold after making Australia to follow-on at home for the first time in 30 years on Day 4.

Play started almost four hours late due to rain, with the home team resuming on 236/6 after lunch.

But needing a win to level the four-match series, Australia crumbled to 300 all out, compounding the misery after some soft dismissals by the top order.

Kohli sent them straight back into bat -- the first time Australia have been asked to follow on at home since Mike Gatting's England did the same in 1988, also in Sydney.

Marcus Harris, not out two, and Usman Khawaja, unbeaten on four, survived four overs before tea was taken early for bad light. They didn't come back with play abandoned for the day.

India's spinners had picked up five of the six wickets on Day 3, but under overcast skies when play finally began on Day 4 Kohli took the new ball straight away and threw it to his pacers.


It immediately paid dividends with Pat Cummins, who scored a gutsy 63 in the Melbourne Test, lasting just three balls, clean bowled by Mohammed Shami without adding to his overnight 25.


The recalled Handscomb began with purpose, confidently stroking two boundaries to move to 37 before swiping at a Jasprit Bumrah delivery and dragging it onto his stumps.


That brought Nathan Lyon to the crease but he only lasted five balls, out lbw to a full toss from Kuldeep Yadav.


Hanuma Vihari dropped a sitter when Josh Hazlewood was on nought, and it proved costly with the tailender putting on 42 with Mitchell Starc for the last wicket before he fell to Yadav, who was the pick of the bowlers with 5-99 -- his second career five-wicket haul.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

India vs Australia, 4th Test: Rain halts India's charge on Day 4, Australia 6/0 following on

January 06, 2019 0
India vs Australia, 4th Test: Rain halts India's charge on Day 4, Australia 6/0 following on
AFP Photo.
SYDNEY: Australia were forced to follow-on on home soil for the first time in 30 years after being dismissed for 300 as India went for the jugular in search of a maiden series triumph Down Under on the fourth day of the final Test on Sunday.

SCORECARD | BLOG

Openers Usman Khawaja (4) and Marcus Harris (2) safely negotiated four overs until bad light and light drizzle forced an early end to an already heavily rain-disrupted day just before the re-scheduled tea break.

Australia will resume on six without loss on Monday, still without a century in the series and 316 runs adrift of India's mammoth first innings effort of 622-7 declared.

The tourists, leading 2-1 in the four-Test series, only need a draw to secure a breakthrough triumph in Australia but skipper Virat Kohli did not hesitate to send the hosts back in when they fell well short of the 423 runs needed to avoid the follow-on.

Play at the Sydney Cricket Ground had finally got underway after a rain delay of almost four hours and India needed just 80 minutes to take the last four wickets at a cost of 64 runs.

Mohammed Shami immediately took the second new ball and removed Pat Cummins's off stump with the sixth delivery of the day to dismiss his fellow paceman for 25.

Peter Handscomb, recalled for his ability to play spin, followed for 37 after adding nine runs to his overnight tally, dragging the ball onto his stumps to give quick Jasprit Bumrah his first wicket of the match.


Nathan Lyon faced just five balls before he was adjudged lbw to fellow spinner Kuldeep Yadav for a duck, a decision Australia decided against reviewing despite a question mark over whether the ball would have hit the stumps.


Josh Hazlewood was dropped by Hanuma Vihari off Kuldeep's bowling when he had yet to score and he and fellow tailender Mitchell Starc (29 not out) fought a dogged rearguard to put on 42 for the final wicket.


Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep (5-99) finally got his man to secure a second five-wicket haul in his sixth Test, though, trapping Hazlewood leg before wicket for 21, in a decision confirmed after a review.


England were the last team to force Australia to follow-on at home in the drawn 1988 Sydney Test, a result the hosts are unlikely to repeat unless the weather intervenes decisively.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

Saturday, January 5, 2019

India vs Australia Live Score, 4th Test: Bad weather delays start on Day 4

January 05, 2019 0
India vs Australia Live Score, 4th Test: Bad weather delays start on Day 4
(AP Photo)
LIVE SCORECARD | BLOG

5:15 am If no further rain, play on day four will begin at 0530 IST

Update: The covers are off. The umpires have done their inspection. If there is no further rain, play will commence… https://t.co/wQvZJluQ9g

— BCCI (@BCCI) 1546731596000


The covers are coming off! #AUSvIND https://t.co/kcJB3XAL4y

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 1546731490000


5:05 am Rain has stopped, ground staff peeling off the covers.

Rain has stopped. A little brighter now. Covers getting removed. Umpires out too... #AusvInd #SCG #7Cricket @7Cricket

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) 1546731242000


4:45 am Bit of rain now in Sydney as the SCG ground staff brings the covers on.

4:30 am Bad light delays start.

Bad light has delayed the start of play on day four at the SCG #AUSvIND https://t.co/MhFHdcWbmd

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 1546729030000


4:25 am Hello and welcome to day four of the fourth and final Test between India and Australia at Sydney.

With a bit of rain forecast on the Sunday, following a shortened third day due to bad light and rain, India would want to make the most of the active sessions the Test would see on its last two days. Play was scheduled to start half an hour early today due to early stumps on day three, but the light is not good enough to get on the park.

The visitors took control of the match on Saturday after spin twins Kuldeep Yadav (3/71) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/62) reduced the hosts to 236/6, still 386 behind India's 622/7 declared.

The not-out batsmen on the crease -- Peter Handscomb and Pat Cummins -- will thus have a task at hand once the day's play gets underway.

Day 4 Round-up

Australia's batting woes returned on the third day of the fourth Test on Saturday and they had slumped to 236/6 when bad light and rain brought an early end to their response to India's mammoth first-innings tally of 622/7 declared.


The tourists only need a draw to claim a first series win in Australia and the home side's hopes of preventing even that faded as they blew a solid start to lose five wickets after lunch.


Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Shaun Marsh and Travis Head were all dismissed after lunch and captain Tim Paine followed soon after the tea break.


Peter Handscomb, unbeaten on 28, and fast bowler Pat Cummins, who had made 25, were at the crease when the rain clouds gathered over a Sydney Cricket Ground swathed in pink for the McGrath Foundation breast cancer support charity day.


Most of the Australian batsmen made starts but only opener Harris was able to get past the half century mark -- his 79 the highest score by the home side in a series during which India have pillaged five centuries.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

India vs Australia, 4th Test: Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja put India on top on Day 3

January 05, 2019 0
India vs Australia, 4th Test: Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja put India on top on Day 3
AP Photo.
SYDNEY: Australia's batting woes returned on the third day of the fourth Test on Saturday and they had slumped to 236 for six when bad light and rain brought an early end to their response to India's mammoth first-innings tally of 622-7 declared.

SCORECARD | BLOG

The tourists only need a draw to claim a first series win in Australia and the home side's hopes of preventing even that faded as they blew a solid start to lose five wickets after lunch.

Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Shaun Marsh and Travis Head were all dismissed after lunch and captain Tim Paine followed soon after the tea break.

Peter Handscomb, unbeaten on 28, and fast bowler Pat Cummins, who had made 25, were at the crease when the rainclouds gathered over a Sydney Cricket Ground swathed in pink for the McGrath Foundation breast cancer support charity day.

Most of the Australian batsmen made starts but only opener Harris was able to get past the half century mark -- his 79 the highest score by the home side in a series during which India have pillaged five centuries.

The left-hander showed plenty of intent but just when it seemed he could be heading for a maiden Test ton he calamitously played the ball onto his own stumps off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja.

India's disciplined pace attack played a leading role in the victories in Adelaide and Melbourne that gave the tourists a 2-1 series lead coming to Sydney but it was the spinners who did most of the damage on Saturday.

Jadeja (2-62) also accounted for Marsh, who must surely have exhausted his supply of Test recalls after departing for eight having left his bat hanging to gift Ajinkya Rahane the simplest of catches at first slip.

Rahane had to work considerably harder for the catch at short midwicket that dismissed Labuschagne (38), diving low to his left to grab the ball with both hands off the bowling of quick Mohammed Shami.

Kuldeep Yadav (3-71) made Travis Head his second victim of the day shortly before tea, the batsman charging down the track to take on the left-arm wrist spinner only to send the ball straight back to him for the catch.


Paine gave the 24-year-old his third wicket, a peach of a delivery that clean bowled the Australia captain through his gaping gate for five.


The surface that India's batsmen had plundered almost at will for two days was still offering little movement for the bowlers and the Australians will be cursing themselves for some soft dismissals after the solid start to the day.


The openers had put on 72 when Usman Khawaja, moved up from number three to replace the dropped Aaron Finch, miscued a slog off Kuldeep to depart for 27 in the opening session.


Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

Monday, December 24, 2018

Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya included in India ODI squad; MS Dhoni returns to T20I team

December 24, 2018 0
Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya included in India ODI squad; MS Dhoni returns to T20I team
MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya. (TOI Photo)
NEW DELHI: Mahendra Singh Dhoni was Monday brought back to India's T20 squad to ensure he gets "enough game-time" before the ODI World Cup but the young Rishabh Pant was axed from the 50-over side for the upcoming series against Australia and New Zealand.

While Dhoni's inclusion in the shortest format came as a surprise after he was dropped for the Australia leg just last month, Pant's omission is an indication that he is currently not in the team management's 2019 World Cup radar as a first XI player.

The convenor of selection committee, Amitabh Chaudhary, refused to comment on the matter but a source privy to the development justified the 37-year-old Dhoni's selection.

"Since there are only eight ODIs (three against Australia and five against New Zealand), selectors want to give MS as much game time as possible (before the World Cup). Three T20Is means 11 international matches through the next one month," a BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Pant, on the other hand, will come back to play five ODIs against England Lions in India from January 23.

The 16-member squad for the twin ODI series against Australia (starting January 12) and New Zealand (starting January 23) is pretty much the core team for the World Cup in England that starts May 30. The three T20 Internationals against the Kiwis are lined up from February 6.

The selection committee's decision to bring back Dhoni is set to raise a few eyebrows as the logic given before the Australia T20s was that he was not going to be in the scheme of things for the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2020. The former captain is already retired from the Test format.

"That's the reason Rishabh is a part of T20 squad. Also now with Kedar (Jadhav) and Hardik (Pandya) are fit and Kedar being an off break bowler, it will be difficult for the team management to fit in Rishabh in playing XI in the World Cup unless someone gets injured. Already Dinesh Karthik and KL Rahul are there in case MS gets injured," he added.

Karthik, 33, has played 86 ODIs and was part of India's Asia Cup squad but was left out for the West Indies matches.

Karthik was inconsistent and could not convert starts into big scores at the Asia Cup and finished with a total of 146 in six matches, missing the opportunity to secure the number four spot India have been looking to fill ahead of the 50-over World Cup next year.

But Karthik could well have sealed the spot with captain Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri confirming recently that India's period of experimenting with their ODI side is over with five months left before the World Cup in England.

Interestingly, skipper Virat Kohli, when asked about Dhoni's T20 omission in November, had stated that the veteran had offered to give up the format so that Pant could be groomed for the job.

"...he (Dhoni) just feels that in the T20 format, someone like Rishabh can get more chances," Kohli had said last month.

From the last T20 squad, Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey have been dropped as Hardik expectedly made a comeback and Kedar was also included to give him more game time.

The squad is also an indicator that till the World Cup, all doors are closed for Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and premier spinner R Ashwin.

The other senior bowler Ravindra Jadeja, however after a good show in the Asia Cup, is in the mix with first choice wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed has impressed the team management enough and if all goes well, will surely board the UK-bound flight.

India are currently engaged in a Test series against Australia and will play three ODIs against them starting in Sydney.

This will be followed by a limited-overs engagement with New Zealand, beginning with five ODIs from January 23.


India’s squad for ODI series against Australia and New Zealand:

Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Shami


India’s squad for T20I series against New Zealand

Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed


Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

Saturday, November 3, 2018

India vs West Indies: India face T20 test sans Dhoni the colossus, Windies seek redemption

November 03, 2018 0
India vs West Indies: India face T20 test sans Dhoni the colossus, Windies seek redemption
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul during a practice session. (PTI Photo)
KOLKATA: The 'end of Dhoni era' notion has been dismissed unequivocally but then India, for the first time, will still be without the figure with a monumental body of work when they face West Indies in the opening T20 International Sunday.

Less than a week after two-time World Cup-winning skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was left out of India's T20I squad, captain Virat Kohli has said he remains an integral part of India's plans.

Chief selector MSK Prasad also said that it was not the end of the road for Dhoni in T20Is.

With Kohli rested for the three matches, Rohit Sharma will lead the side against the reigning T20 champions.

Under Jason Holder, West Indies were mauled 0-2 in the Test series in six days' of action. In the following five-match ODI series, they posed some challenge before being thrashed 1-3 with a nine-wicket loss in Thiruvananthapuram in the final one-dayer.

But it will not be an easy task for India against the Carlos Brathwaite-led team as the two-month long series begin its final leg, giving the visitors a chance to regain some pride.

Brathwaite will be back at the same venue where he hit four consecutive sixes off Ben Stokes to break the hearts of English fans by winning their second World Twenty20 title in 2016.

The Windies, who missed the big names in the Test and ODI series, will be bolstered by the arrival of star players Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell, who will be back at his IPL home venue.

The stats also favour the World T20 holders who have a five-two record from eight exchanges from 2009-17.

India failed to overcome Brathwaite's men in their last four encounters and the Windies ended the home team's campaign in the 2016 T20I World Cup, defeating them in the semi-finals in Mumbai.

India's last win against West Indies came way back on March 23, 2014 in the World T20 in Bangladesh, and Sharma will have his task cut out in his quest to start well at his happy hunting ground.

The 31-year-old has a world record score of 264 in ODIs at the Eden Gardens in 2014, besides winning two IPL titles, in 2013 and 2015. He would look to carry his fine form from the ODI series, in which he finished behind Kohli, with 389 runs, at a staggering average of 129.66.

Captaincy seems to bring out the best in Sharma who notched up 317 runs (average 105.66) in five innings in their title-winning campaign at the Asia Cup.

The Windies, on the other hand, will look forward to their youngster Shimron Hetmeyer, who scored 259 runs in the ODI series, including a century in Guwahati.

Kohli's absence would mean KL Rahul will come into the picture while Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant are expected to add firepower in the middle order alongside Krunal Pandya.

Pant is expected to fulfil the wicket-keeping responsibilities while Karthik could take on one of the positions in the outfield.

The Indian seam attack will be led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, which now includes additional variation in the form of left-arm quick Khaleel Ahmed.

In the spin department, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav will look to continue their chemistry, and India have also named uncapped Krunal Pandya and Shahbaz Nadeem, who returned with a record List A figures of 8/10 for Jharkhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.


The Eden centre strip promises to be full of runs, and batsmen from both sides will look to make merry.


Squads:


India: Rohit Sharma (Capt), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Dinesh Karthik, Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, K Khaleel Ahmed, Umesh Yadav, Shahbaz Nadeem.


West Indies: Carlos Brathwaite (Capt), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Oshane Thomas, Khary Pierre, Obed McCoy, Rovman Powell, Nicholas Pooran.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

Thursday, November 1, 2018

India vs West Indies: Clinical India beat abysmal Windies in fifth ODI, win series 3-1

November 01, 2018 0
India vs West Indies: Clinical India beat abysmal Windies in fifth ODI, win series 3-1
Indian cricket team with the trophy after winning the 5th ODI against West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram. (PTI Photo)
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ball swung from the beginning for the seamers and it spun for the spinners. It also stopped on the batsmen making batting a tricky business. Add to that some mindless shots by the West Indies batsmen and what had the potential to be a thrilling series decider turned out to be a damp squib here at the Sports Hub on Thursday as India cruised to a nine-wicket win and took the series 3-1.

West Indies were bowled out for a paltry 104 in 31.5 overs and India chased down the target in 14.1 overs losing just one wicket finishing the match in just over three-and-a-half-hours and in the process making the threat of possible evening showers irrelevant. Ravindra Jadeja (4/34) capitalized on the good start given by the seamers to set up India's sixth consecutive series win at home. This was also India's eighth successive series triumph against West Indies.

Match1

The pitch at Sports Hub was not a batting paradise as most expected and even Jason Holder seemed to have misread it electing to bat. But on a track where 230-250 would have given them a golden chance, five batsmen perished going for ambitious lofted shots, four among them caught in the deep.

West Indies decided to go for an all-Powell opening partnership with Rovman Powell, who had struggled against spin promoted to open the batting in place of Chandrapaul Hemraj. The troubles of Kieron Powell (0) though had no end as Bhuvneshwar Kumar got the ball rolling with a delivery that moved away from the left-hander and got the nick. Dhoni did the rest to snap his 425th dismissal as a wicketkeeper, rising to third in ODIs, pipping Mark Boucher. He has only Kumar Sangakkara (482) and Adam Gilchrist (472) ahead of him.

Match2

Jasprit Bumrah then got the big wicket in his first over. Shai Hope, the joint top-scorer for Windies till then in the series with 250 runs, could not add to his tally. Bumrah surprised Hope (0) with prodigious movement off the deck to dislodge the timber.

Marlon Samuels had a history of coming good in crunch matches and for a while, it looked he was getting into the groove. Samuels welcomed Khaleel Ahmed by launching him over long-on for a six and then picking him over mid-wicket for a four.

However, Jadeja who had started with a maiden against Samuels (24) got the better of the veteran the next over with a ball that gripped and turned. Samuels' half-hearted poke landed safely in the hands of skipper Kohli at extra cover.

Shimron Hetmyer, already a hit among locals because of his swashbuckling batting style, was greeted with huge cheers. But Jadeja trapped him in front for nine. The umpire did not give it initially but on review, India got their man.

From then on, the batting was inexplicable at best. Rovman Powell (16) pulled Khaleel straight to deep-square leg. Fabian Allen (4) top-edged a hook off Bumrah to fine-leg. Captain Holder (25), solid till then, attempted to loft Khaleel over mid-off and perished to Jadhav again, at mid-off. Any hope of a West Indies revival was over once Holder was gone as the seventh wicket.

Keemo Paul (5) and Kemar Roach (5) also could not control the adrenaline rush and were holed out in deep. Jadeja completed the formalities dismissing Oshane Thomas (0) leg-before for his fourth.


Shikhar Dhawan had the chance to get a decent hit but Oshane Thomas cramped him for room as the left-hander dragged the ball back on to his stumps, attempting a cut. But fittingly, the most prolific Indian batsmen of this series, Rohit Sharma (63 no) and Virat Kohli (33 no) finished off the chase without further hiccups.


Injured Nurse out of tour


West Indies off-spinner Ashley Nurse has been ruled out of the rest of the India tour with a pectoral muscle injury. Nurse, who was the Man of the Match in the visitors' only win of the tour in the third ODI in Pune, injured his shoulder during the previous match in Mumbai and was forced to sit out of the final game here on Thursday. Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo came into the Windies eleven in place of Nurse. Nurse will miss the three T20 matches also starting Sunday.


Match3

Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

India vs West Indies: India thrash West Indies by 9 wickets, clinch series 3-1

November 01, 2018 0
India vs West Indies: India thrash West Indies by 9 wickets, clinch series 3-1
(AP Photo)
NEW DELHI: A ruthless India completed a nine-wicket demolition of the West Indies in the fifth and final ODI on Thursday for their sixth successive series win at home.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja took four wickets to help India bundle out the West Indies for 104 in just 31.5 overs. Pacers Khaleel Ahmed and Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with two wickets each.

The home team took just 14.5 overs to reach the paltry target, courtesy an unbeaten 99-run stand between Rohit Sharma (62 off 54) and captain Virat Kohli (33 off 29), following another low score from Shikhar Dhawan.

It was a complete surrender from the West Indies, who let themselves down after competing hard in the first three ODIs. The previous game at Mumbai too was dominated by the hosts before they romped to a 3-1 series win here.

India last a lost a series at home in 2015, when they went down 2-3 against South Africa.

The hosts wasted in no time completing the 105-run target after the bowlers laid the foundation of a massive victory.

Rohit continued his fine form, notching up a half-century, in the process going past the 1,000-run mark for the calendar year 2018 and also hitting his 200th six in ODIs.

The India vice-captain had a lucky escape when he was caught behind by Shai Hope off Oshane Thomas' bowling on 18. He made most of that reprieve as he hit five boundaries and struck five imperious sixes. Kohli too was solid at the other end and his innings comprised six fours.

Dhawan's soft dismissal would probably be one of the lows for India as he chopped on a delivery from Thomas, who worked up good pace but was inconsistent with his line and length.

Earlier, the West Indies were in trouble right from the start after skipper Jason Holder chose to bat. Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar had Kieran Powell caught behind by M S Dhoni for a duck off the fourth ball, giving India their first wicket.

Shai Hope, who has been one of the best West Indies batsmen on tour alongside Shimron Hetmyer, was castled by Bumrah off a beauty in the second over to leave the team at 2 for 2.

The experienced Marlon Samuels, from whom a lot was expected, led a brief revival, hitting some crisp boundaries and the only six of the innings.

The Indian domination could be gauged from the fact that the first boundary came in the sixth over when Rovman Powell lofted one from Bumrah over the infield.

Samuels' resistance ended in the 12th over when he fell to a soft dismissal of Jadeja for 24, spooning a catch to skipper Virat Kohli.


As has often been the case in the series, Holder showed patience and skill to resist the rampant Indian bowlers but his dismissal hastened the end.


The lanky Holder was taken by Kedar Jadhav, running in from the deep when he tried to go ariel against Khaleel Ahmed. He was the top-scorer with 25.


The spinners took over and polished off the tail.


Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

Monday, October 29, 2018

IND vs WI 4th ODI: India crush West Indies by 224 runs, take 2-1 lead

October 29, 2018 0
IND vs WI 4th ODI: India crush West Indies by 224 runs, take 2-1 lead
(AFP Photo)
MUMBAI: India embarrassed the West Indies by 224 runs in the fourth One-day International on Monday for one of their biggest wins and a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Scorecard | Blog

Rohit Sharma (162) and Ambati Rayudu (100) struck belligerent centuries to guide India to an imposing 377 for five after the hosts opted to bat.

The duo took centre stage after a rare failure by skipper Virat Kohli.

Rohit's 21st century came off 137 balls with the help of 20 fours and four hits over the fence, while Rayudu decorated his 100-run knock with eight boundaries and four sixes.

Chasing 378, West Indies simply caved in against India's clinical bowling attack on what was a batting-friendly wicket to be bundled out for a paltry 153 in 36.2 overs.

Young pacer Khaleel Ahmed (3/13) impressed upfront before chinaman Kuldeep Yadav (3/42)) ran through the West Indies' tail.

The Indians dished out an impressive effort on the field, inflicting two run outs besides Rohit holding onto three fine catches in the slips.

This is India's third biggest win in the format. Their biggest-ever win in ODI remains the 257-run demolition of Bermuda in the 2007 ICC World Cup.

West Indies' chase never really got going as they lost half of their side inside the 50-run mark with Khaleel doing the bulk of the damage.

Except for skipper Jason Holder (54 not out), no other West Indian batsmen could withstand the Indian attack, as the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals and were never really in the hunt.

West Indies lost two wickets - Chandrapul Hemraj (14) and Shai Hope (0) - in the fifth over. While Hemraj gave a sitter to Rayadu off Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Hope was run out courtesy a stunning direct hit by Kuldeep from mid-on.

Matters became worse for the visitors after Kieran Powell (4) was run-out in the very next over by Kohli.

Wickets kept tumbling and the next to be dismissed was Shimron Hetymar (13), who was trapped in front by Ahmed in the 10th over, even though the batsman went for an unsuccessful review.

The 20-year-old Ahmed was on fire as he picked up two more wickets in quick succession. He first cleaned up Rovman Powell (1) and then accounted for Samuels, who edged one to Rohit in the first slip.

Batting first, India made a quick start with Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan (38) and added a run-a-ball 71 for the opening stand before the latter pulled a Keemo Paul short delivery straight to Powell at the midwicket boundary.

Kohli, who hit three consecutive tons before Monday's match, played aggressively for his 16 before edging a Kemar Roach delivery to Hope behind the stumps.

Rohit and Rayudu held fort and continued to play aggressive brand of cricket.

The duo continued the onslaught and made the West Indies attack look ordinary, picking up boundaries and sixes at will.

After Kohli's dismissal, Rohit, who had scored a match-winning unbeaten 152 in the lung-opener at Guhawati, and Rayudu built the innings and in the process shared a breezy 211-run stand for the third wicket, which came off just 163 deliveries.

Rohit didn't spare a single West Indian bowler and made his intentions clear when he opened the account with a boundary over point.

The Mumbaikar initially played second fiddle to Dhawan but after his half century, that came off 60 balls, he upped the ante.


Rohit displayed all the shots in the book - the drives, pulls, flicks and cuts - before he departed in the 44th over.


Rayadu, on the other hand, took time to settle down, but then hammered the bowlers with his exquisite stroke-play - first in Rohit's company and then alongside veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni (23).


Kedar Jadhav (16) and Ravindra Jadeja (7) remained unbeaten as the hosts amassed 116 runs in the last 10 overs.


India won the first ODI by eight wickets before the second game ended in a tie. West Indies bounced back to win the third ODI by 43 runs. The final match of the series will be played in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

Sunday, October 28, 2018

India vs West Indies 4th ODI: India seek 'perfect' balance against West Indies

October 28, 2018 0
India vs West Indies 4th ODI: India seek 'perfect' balance against West Indies
India ended up as the losing side in Pune. (AFP Photo)
MUMBAI: India will look to find the 'perfect' balance in their playing eleven when they take on a resurgent West Indies in the fourth One-day International on Monday.

Going with five specialist bowlers in Pune on Saturday did not work for India, who ended up as the losing side for the first time in the home series against the West Indies.

With the series surprisingly tied at 1-1 and two matches to go, Virat Kohli's team finds itself in a must-win situation at the Cricket Club of India (CCI). Credit must be given to the West Indies, who have not only moved on from a dismal Test series but have given the formidable hosts a run for their money in the one-day format.

As Kohli pointed out after the 43-run loss in the third ODI, the return of Kedar Jadhav from injury will give the team a much-needed depth in both the batting and bowling department.

"You will always drift to one side when you don't have the balance. We have to think about the perfect balance we need," said the skipper after the defeat.

An unstable middle-order and lack of runs from MS Dhoni's bat are other issues facing India, not just for Monday's fixture but also in the long run with 15 games remaining before the World Cup in England next year.

Having lost his place in the T20 team, Dhoni is in desperate need of runs in the limited opportunities that are left ahead of the 50-over showpiece event.

Ambati Rayudu (22) did get a start in Pune but if the right-hander wants to hold on to the number four spot, he will have to keep scoring consistently.

Rishabh Pant, who batted at five ahead of Dhoni in the previous game, has been his usual aggressive self but a significant score in his debut ODI series is still awaited.

Amid all the uncertainty, Jadhav's return in the middle-order is more than welcome. His fitness has been a concern in the recent past but he looked good in his first competitive game, played during the Deodhar Trophy, after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Besides his powerful hitting, his off-spin could also come handy.

Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, who have had twin failures, are due for a big partnership.

The biggest positive for the hosts has been the form of skipper Kohli, who struck his third hundred in a row during the third ODI, becoming the first Indian to do so.

While most will back Kohli to get another hundred at the CCI, the skipper would be expecting a much-improved performance from his team.

On the bowling front, Jasprit Bumrah made a stunning comeback, clinching four wickets last night. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, however, conceded runs in the death overs but trust him to bounce back.

The role of both the spinners -- Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav -- will be crucial in restricting the opposition batsmen.

For the West Indies, their biggest asset has been wicket-keeper Shai Hope, who has played two key innings, a 123 in Visakhapatnam followed by a crucial 95 in Pune.

He would be hoping for another big knock tomorrow and so will Shimron Hetmyer, who failed to convert his start in the third game.

The 21-year-old southpaw, who had scores of 106 and 94 before the Pune game, would be the one watch out for again.

Apart from these two star players, Windies would be hoping that the likes of Kieron Powell, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Rovman Powell fire in the crucial contest.

The experienced Marlon Samuels shone with the ball last night with three wickets but his bat has not done the talking so far. Skipper Jason Holder would also be itching to make a match-winning contribution.

The bowlers would have taken confidence from bundling out India in Pune. Pacer Obed McCoy and off-spinner Ashley Nurse will be high on confidence as the West Indies aim to take the series lead.


With the encounter on Monday, international cricket returns to the CCI, which last hosted a Test in 2009 and an ODI back in 2006.


Squads:


India: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav.


West Indies: Jason Holder (Captain), Fabian Allen, Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

Saturday, October 27, 2018

India vs West Indies 3rd ODI: Virat Kohli's ton in vain as West Indies beat India by 43 runs to level series

October 27, 2018 0
India vs West Indies 3rd ODI: Virat Kohli's ton in vain as West Indies beat India by 43 runs to level series
Marlon Samuels (L) celebrates with team mates after taking the wicket of Virat Kohli. (AFP Photo)
PUNE: Centurion Virat Kohli threw the concept of law of averages in sport out of the equation with another milestone but the Indian team's collective failure allowed the West Indies to level the series with a 43-run win in the third ODI here on Saturday.

Scorecard | As it happened

Kohli became the first Indian and 10th overall to score three successive hundreds in the One-day format but it could not prevent West Indies from tasting their first win of the tour.

READ ALSO: Virat Kohli first Indian to score three consecutive tons in ODIs

After making a commendable recovery from a shaky start to post 283 for nine on the board, West Indies bowlers rattled the Indian middle and lower middle-order, to snuff out a victory and level the series.

The hosts were bundled out for 240 in 47.4 overs.

India had won the lung-opener in Guwahati before West Indies ensured a tie in the second game at Visakhapatnam.

Between victory and defeat, stood a determined Kohli (107), who notched up his 38th ODI hundred and seventh against the Windies. The India skipper was going all guns blazing till he was dismissed. He hit 10 boundaries and a lone six in his 119-ball knock at the MCA International Stadium.

India had their chances till Kohli was at the crease. But West Indies skipper Jason Holder's gamble to bring in off-spinner Marlon Samuels (3-12) paid off, as he got the prized wicket of Kohli in the 42nd over and that changed the complexion of the game.

Kohli tried to pull a quicker one by Samuels, but missed it and the ball came onto the stumps. After Kohli's dismissal it was just a matter of time. Samuels added two more wickets to his kitty.

With track slowing down, it proved to be a tough job for the Indian tail-enders.

In contrast, West Indies' lower-order batsmen Ashley Nurse (40) and Kemar Roach (15) produced a crucial 56-run stand for the ninth wicket.

Kohli, who walked in early after the fall of Rohit Sharma (8), took time to settle. Looking stable as ever, the India captain notched up his fifty with a pull shot and eventually reached the three-figure mark with a single down to fine leg in company of Bhuvanehwar Kumar (10).

Shikhar Dhawan (35), Ambati Rayadu (22) and Rishabh Pant (24) got starts but failed to convert them as the Windies bowlers stuck at regular intervals.

A lot was expected from veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was dropped from the West Indies and Australia T20 series. But he fell for mere 7, giving Holder his second wicket.

For the Windies, Holder (2/46), Obed McCoy (2/38) and Ashley Nurse (2/48) played their roles to perfection.

Earlier, pacer Jasprit Bumrah denied Shai Hope a second-consecutive century on his way to a four-wicket haul but the West Indies made a superb recovery after a shaky start.

Returning to the team after being rested for the first two matches, Bumrah emerged the most effective bowler, conceding just 35 in his 10 overs.

Bumrah sent both the visiting openers -- Kieran Powell (21) and Chanderpaul Hemraj (15) -- in his first spell to give India a solid start and later dismissed Hope and Ashley Nurse (40).

Hope, who had struck an unbeaten 123 in the Visakhapatnam ODI, played a significant role in reviving the Caribbean innings with his 95-run knock, which came off 113 balls.

Towards the end, Nurse and Kemar Roach (15 not out) added crucial 56 runs for the ninth wicket, taking the side close to 300-run mark.

The West Indies batsmen got starts but could not convert them into big knocks and also struggled to form big partnerships.

Hope, though, dug in from one end, raising a 56-run stand with Shimron Hetmyer (37) for the fourth wicket. The credit to break that partnership goes to former skipper Dhoni's brilliant glove work as he took the bails off with lightning speed when Hetmeyer was marginally outside the crease, trying to launch Kuldeep Yadav (2/52).


Before that stumping, Dhoni had taken a breath-taking catch to remove Kieran Powell, racing towards the backward square leg boundary and diving to hold on to the top-edge off Bumrah. Hope also combined with skipper Jason Holder (32) for a 76-run stand for the sixth wicket.


Continuing with his good form and combative attitude, Hope handled the middle overs with elan. He was severe against Yuzvendra Chahal, whom he hit for sixes with ease never letting the bowler dominate.


The innings looked like falling apart again but Nurse and Roach contributed 55 runs with combined eight boundaries to ensure they have a fighting total.



Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

Ind vs WI 3rd ODI Live Cricket Score Updates: Dhoni stunner sends Hemraj back

October 27, 2018 0
Ind vs WI 3rd ODI Live Cricket Score Updates: Dhoni stunner sends Hemraj back
(Twitter Photo)
LIVE BLOG | LIVE SCORECARD

Left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed comes into the attack

Over 7: Bhuvi gives away just two runs. West Indies 27/1

Over 5.5: OUT! Fine diving catch by Dhoni sends Hemraj back for 15. Bumrah with the wicket after being hit for a four and a six off successive deliveries. West Indies 25/1

Over 5: Four runs from the Bhuvi over. West Indies 15/0

Over 3.6: Loud lbw appeal for Hemraj by Bumrah but umpire says no. Review taken and lost as the ball was pitched outside leg. West Indies 11/0

Over 3: Hemraj gets off the mark with a four off Bhuvi towards backward point. West Indies 10/0

Over 2: Great start by Bumrah as he bowls a fine maiden over. West Indies 4/0

OVER 1: Powell hits a four off Bhuvi. West Indies 4/0

Powell and Hemraj are at the crease. Powell is on strike while Bhuvneshwar will open the attack

Playing XIs

West Indies (Playing XI): Kieran Powell, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shai Hope (w), Marlon Samuels, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder (c), Fabian Allen, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Obed McCoy

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (w), Rishabh Pant, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, K Khaleel Ahmed, Yuzvendra Chahal

TOSS: Indian skipper Virat Kohli wins toss, elects to bowl against West Indies in third ODI

Pitch Report

This pitch is going to be flat. There is little bit of grass so ball might move a bit initially but once ball becomes old. It should be an excellent batting track. We are in for plenty of runs again on this pitch.

PREVIEW

Can West Indies catch up with the high-flying Indians to level the series at the Gahunje stadium in the third ODI in Pune on Saturday? They can but for that to happen the visitors can't afford to spill catches, especially those of Indian captain Virat Kohli, who is redefining the meaning of consistency. Windies captain Jason Holder had failed to latch on to a catch at mid-off off Kohli's bat in the tied second ODI at Vizag when he was on 44.


For the Windies to be competitive, their batsmen need to show consistency and team effort. They can't waste great platforms like 221-3 in the 32nd over. They can't hope to ride on individual batting brilliance of Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer. Their spinners could also do with some luck because leggie Devendra Bishoo, offie Ashely Nurse and part-timer Marlon Samuels haven't bowled too badly. And if the wicket is a bit dicey, left-arm pacer Obed McCoy can also prove to be a handful.


The visitors will also have to contend with an improved Indian bowling attack, what with pace mainstays Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah coming back into the mix after a well-earned rest. The Windies though would have been boosted themselves after contesting a thrilling tie in Vizag which saw India field first despite knowing that there would be a lot of dew in the second innings which could hamper their three-man spin attack.



What will be more challenging at Gahunje then? Batting first and bowling with dew coming into picture? Or fielding first and asking the batsmen to negotiate some swing when temperatures will drop and the breeze will pick up? Answering that is as difficult as predicting the nature of the Gahunje wicket.


In four of the five international games at Gahunje (three ODIs, two T20 games), India had batted second. The only time India batted first at Gahunje in an international game was in February 2016. They were bowled out then for 101 in a humiliating five-wicket loss to Sri Lanka when Kohli was rested However, this Indian bunch doesn't live in the past.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

Friday, October 26, 2018

MS Dhoni dropped from T20I series against West Indies, Australia

October 26, 2018 0
MS Dhoni dropped from T20I series against West Indies, Australia
MS Dhoni (Getty Images)
PUNE: Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Friday dropped from India's 16-member teams for both the T20 International series against the West Indies and Australia later this year.

Captain Virat Kohli was rested from the three-match T20I series against the West Indies beginning on November 4. Rohit Sharma will lead the team in Kohli's absence.

Kohli, however, returns for the four-match Test series against Australia later this year with the BCCI's selection committee naming a 18-member team for the important assignment. He will also lead the side in the three T20 matches against Australia.

The selection panel also named a 15-member India A team for first four-day game against New Zealand A.


Team for three T20I match series against Windies:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Dinesh Karthik, Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed, Umesh Yadav, Shahbaz Nadeem


Team for three T20I match series against Australia:
Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed


Team for Four Test match series against Australia:
Virat Kohli (C), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteswar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Parthiv Patel, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd Shami, Ishant SHarma, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.


India A team for first four-day game against New Zealand A:
Ajinkya Rahane (C), M Vijay, Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Parthiv Patel (wk), K Gowtham, Shahbaz Nadeem, Md Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Deepak Chahar, R Gurbani, Vijay Shankar, KS Bharath.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

Sunday, October 21, 2018

IND vs WI 1st ODI: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma trample West Indies in India's 8-wicket win

October 21, 2018 0
IND vs WI 1st ODI: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma trample West Indies in India's 8-wicket win
(PTI Photo)
GUWAHATI: Skipper Virat Kohli and his deputy Rohit Sharma conjured up breathtaking centuries as India's ruthless domination over the West Indies continued with a facile eight-wicket win in the first One-day International, on Sunday.

Making mockery of what looked like a stiff 323-run target, the home team cantered to the win with 7.5 overs to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Kohli pounded the Caribbean bowlers with 21 fours and two sixes to raise his 36th ODI century and now needs just 81 runs to join the elite club of cricketers who have amassed 10,000 runs in the One-day format.

After early departure of Shikhar Dhawan (4), Kohli raised a massive 246-run stand for the second wicket with Rohit, who remained unbeaten on 152. It was Rohit's 20th ODI hundred which came off 117 balls with 15 fours and eight sixes.

While Kohli and Rohit plundered boundaries to entertain the packed stadium, it painted a sorry picture of the West Indies attack, which once was intimidating for any batting line up in the world.

The only high point for the West Indies while defending their total was 21-year-old newcomer Oshane Thomas' raw pace up front.

Playing his first ODI in more than three months, Kohli was unstoppable. It seemed another routine affair for Kohli as he also got past the milestone of 2000 International runs in the calendar year.

He emulated iconic Sachin Tendulkar in scoring 2000-plus runs in three successive years. After Kohli was stumped off leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, India's vice captain took the side home in company of Ambati Rayudu (22).

After their rout in the Test series, West Indies did a good job by putting on board a challenging 322 for eight, capitalising on the absence of India's frontline pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah.

The duo has been rested for the first two ODIs and the 21-year-old Shimron Hetmyer (106) put to sword an under-strength Indian attack to raise his third ODI hundred.

Hetmyer punished the Indian bowlers with six fours and as many sixes in his entertaining 78-ball knock.

However, any hopes of a close contest evaporated when Kohli and Rohit started striking the ball clean and hard.

The Indian bowling looked lacklustre while the fielding was shoddy as India, on a high after their Test series win, seemed to have underestimated their opponents.

The Guyanese lad brought up his half-century in 41 balls and brought up two 50-run plus partnerships with Rovman Powell (22) and skipper Jason Holder (38).

Hetmyer notched up his century by lofting Mohammed Shami for a six over extra cover. While he used brute force against the pace, Hetmyer also looked fluent against the spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja before being dismissed by the latter after immediately betting the milestone-mark.

Looking to redeem themselves after the 2-0 Test series thumping under six days, the touring side put up a strong challenge after being put in by home captain Virat Kohli.


Visiting skipper Jason Holder on the eve of the match had said 300-plus is the benchmark of ODI cricket and his young batters responded well with Devendra Bishoo taking the team past the milestone in the penultimate over.


Opener Kieran Powell set up the foundation with a 39-ball 51 (6x4, 2x6) in a 67-run stand for the second wicket with Shai Hope (32).


Powell and his debutant opening partner Chandrapaul Hemraj dealt in boundaries against Shami and Yadav.


West Indies lost three wickets in quick succession but the Guyana youngster came to take charge after Marlon Samuels departed for a duck in his landmark 200th ODI.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

India vs West Indies Live Score updates, 1st ODI: India lose Shikhar Dhawan early

October 21, 2018 0
India vs West Indies Live Score updates, 1st ODI: India lose Shikhar Dhawan early
(AFP Photo)
Live Blog | Scorecard | Target for India - 323

Overs 2: India 10/1 - OUT! Thomas strikes early to dismiss Dhawan (4)

Debutant Oshane Thomas struck in his first over itself as the fast bowler forced Shikhar Dhawan to drag the ball into his middle stump. Early blow for India

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan began the India run chase. Kemar Roach with the ball for the Windies

Overs 50: West Indies 322/8 - India need 323 to win the series opener

After a brilliant century by Shimron Hetmyer - 106 off 78 balls, Devendra Bishoo 22* and Kemar Roach 26* added an unbeaten 44 runs to take the score over 300-run mark. Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick of India bowling attack, returning with figures of 3/41 in 10 overs. Opener Kieran Powell (51 off 39) also contributed handsomely with a quick-fire fifty.

Overs 48.4: West Indies 303/8 - 300 came up for West Indies. Devendra Bishoo 16* and Kemar Roach 15*

Overs 46: West Indies 287/8: Good over from Umesh Yadav, gave away just three singles in it.

* Good day with the ball for Yuzvendra Chahal - 3 for 41 in 10 overs

Overs 43.2: West Indies 278/8 - OUT! Chahal cleans up Holder for 38

Yuzvendra Chahal ended Windies skipper Jason Holder's good knock on 38, off 42 balls. Holder hit five boundaries, but his wicket will hamper the big finish the visitors must be hoping.

Overs 43: West Indies 277/7 - Jason Holder 38* and Devendra Bishoo 7* in the middle. 300 on the card?

Overs 41: West Indies 263/7 - Ravindra Jadeja first to complete his quota of 10 overs, returned with figures of 2/66

Overs 39.3: West Indies 252/7 - OUT! Yuzvendra Chahal dismisses Ashley Nurse (2)

Another bowling change, another wicket for India. Chahal trapped Nurse leg before for his second wicket of the match

Overs 38.4: West Indies 248/6 - OUT! Ravindra Jadeja strikes to dismiss Shimron Hetmyer

Shimron Hetmyer's brilliant innings ended soon after reaching the three-figure mark, finding Rishabh Pant near the boundary ropes. Hetmyer scored 106 off 78 balls and added quick sixty runs for the sixth wicket with captain Jason Holder.

Overs 37.5: West Indies 245/5 - HUNDRED for Hetmyer off 74 balls, his 3rd in ODIs

Shimron Hetmyer hit six sixes and equal numbers of fours to reach the landmark. Hetmyer also became the joint-fastest to 500 runs for West Indies in 13 innings.

Overs 37.3: West Indies 239/5 - Shimron Hetmyer, playing on 98*, is taking some medical attention in the middle for what looks like pain in his right shoulder.

Overs 35: West Indies 219/5 - Shimron Hetmyer 90* and Jason Holder 7* lead the charge as Windies look for a big total

Overs 32: West Indies 200/5 - Shimron Hetmyer 76* and Jason Holder 2* brought up 200 for the visitors with another big over, 10 runs off Umesh Yadav.

Overs 30.3: West Indies 188/5 - OUT! Jadeja cleans up Powell for 22

Another bowling change by Virat Kohli gave immediate result. Ravindra Jadeja clean bowled Rovman Powell to break the 74-run fifth wicket partnership. Powell hit four boundaries in his 23-ball innings.

Overs 30: West Indies 183/4 - Another big over for the visitors. 11 runs came off Umesh Yadav over. Shimron Hetmyer 61* and Rovman Powell 22*

Overs 27.4: West Indies 164/4 - Fifty-run partnership between Shimron Hetmyer 51* and Rovman Powell 17*

Overs 26.4: West Indies 158/4 - FIFTY for Shimron Hetmyer off 41 balls, his 2nd in ODIs.

Hetmyer hit three sixes and two fours to reach the milestone.

Overs 25: West Indies 150/4 - 150 came up for West Indies. Shimron Hetmyer 46* & Rovman Powell 8*

Overs 24: West Indies 143/4 - Shimron Hetmyer (41*) and Rovman Powell (6*) smacked 17 runs off Mohammed Shami as the duo smashed two fours and a six in the over.

Overs 21.4: West Indies 114/4 - OUT! Shami scalps Hope for his second wicket

Mohammed Shami came back to the attack and gave India their fourth breakthrough. Shai Hope, after a vigilant 32 off 51 balls, became second victim of India pacer. West Indies lost three wickets in fairly quick succession.

Overs 21: West Indies 112/3 - Shimron Hetmyer hit a six off Ravindra Jadeja as the Windies scored 10 in the over

Overs 19.4: West Indies 101/3 - Hundred came up for the visitors. Shai Hope 29* and Shimron Hetmyer 8*

Overs 15.3: West Indies 86/3 - OUT! Yuzvendra Chahal dismisses Marlon Samuels for a duck

Windies lost another wicket in quick time. Marlon Samuels, playing his 200th one-day international, out leg before wicket to Chahal. The batsman thought of going for a review but took too long to decide and umpire says the time was over for DRS. The post wicket review showed that it would have been a wasted review if Windies had taken it.

Overs 14.5: West Indies 84/2 - OUT! Khaleel Ahmed gets rid of Kieran Powell (51)

Kieran Powell miscued one to find Shikhar Dhawan at long-on boundary. Powell hit two sixes and six fours during his quick-fire 39-ball 51 knock and added 65 runs for the second wicket with Shai Hope.

Overs 13.1: West Indies 80/1 - FIFTY for Kieran Powell off 36 balls

Powell's 9th ODI half-century included two sixes and six fours as he lead the Windies innings with wicket-keeper batsman Shai Hope.

Overs 11.2: West Indies 69/1 - Fifty-run stand between Kieran Powell 41* and Shai Hope 17* for the second wicket

* Virat Kohli brings in a spinner - Yuzvendra Chahal replaces Umesh Yadav to bowl the 12th over.

Overs 10: West Indies 59/1 - End of first Powerplay. Kieran Powell lead Windies revival after the early wicket of debutabt Hemraj

Overs 9: West Indies 51/1 - Fifty came up for West Indies. Kieran Powell 33* and Shai Hope 8* scored 10 off Khaleel Ahmed's first over.

* Khaleel Ahmed came in to bowl his first over, the 9th of the innings. West Indies 41/1

Overs 7: West Indies 36/1 - SIX! Kieran Powell (24*) smacked Mohd Shami over long-off for first maximum of the match

Overs 4.3: West Indies 19/1 - OUT! Shami cleans up Hemraj for 9

Mohammed Shami gave India an early breakthrough as he clean bowled debutant Channdrapaul Hemraj in the fifth over. Hemraj had hit Shami for back-to-back fours in the bowler's previous over.

Overs 3: West Indies 13/0 - Debutant Chandrapaul Hemraj ended the over with back-to-back fours off Mohd Shami

Pant receives his ODI cap from Dhoni

Proud moment for @RishabPant777 as he receives his ODI cap from @msdhoni 👏👏🙌 #INDvWI https://t.co/NPb26PJY0B

— BCCI (@BCCI) 1540108267000


Over 1: West Indies 4/0 - Kieran Powell started with a boundary off the first ball.

Here we go...Kieran Powell and debutant Chandrapaul Hemraj start the Windies innings. Mohammed Shami with the ball for India


TOSS | India won the toss and opted to bowl first against West Indies

TEAM NEWS: Rishabh Pant makes his ODI debut today. And for the visitors, Oshane Thomas and Chandrapaul Hemraj making their debuts


India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(w), Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, K Khaleel Ahmed, Yuzvendra Chahal


Windies (Playing XI): Kieran Powell, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shai Hope(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Marlon Samuels, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder(c), Ashley Nurse, Devendra Bishoo, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

India ODI squad: Dhoni's cover, Kohli's workload key issues

October 10, 2018 0
India ODI squad: Dhoni's cover, Kohli's workload key issues
HYDERABAD: Mahendra Singh Dhoni's poor batting form might force selectors to include the flamboyant Rishabh Pant when they pick the ODI squad for the limited-overs leg of the ongoing home series against the West Indies, on Thursday.

ALSO READ: India need to get a fix on their ODI middle-order

It is still not clear whether the squad will be announced for the first three games or the entire series, which comprises five ODIs and three T20 Internationals and starts on October 21.

Skipper Virat Kohli's presence may be another key issue even though it's unlikely that he will be inclined to rest for the entire series.

However, the primary bone of contention will be whether the selectors and the team management will at least agree on having a cover batsman for Dhoni, whose wicketkeeping remains sharp but batting form has been on the slide.

"We all know that Dhoni will play till the World Cup but there is no harm in grooming Pant, who could be a terrific No.6 or 7 batsman, who has the ability to finish games," a senior BCCI official privy to selection matters said.

Since his debut Test hundred at the Oval followed by a stroke-filled 92 in Rajkot, calls for the 20-year-old's inclusion have only grown louder.

While Dinesh Karthik is already there, his consistency and inability to finish matches at crucial junctures will keep the team management worried.

There are a few other permutations that the selectors might consider.

Kedar Jadhav's dodgy hamstring will rule him out of the limited-overs leg which opens up one potential middle-order batting slot.


Ambati Rayudu, after a good Asia Cup performance, will retain his place even if Kohli decides to play.


Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah are set to come back after a much-needed break during the ongoing Test series.


Ravindra Jadeja is also expected to make it after his lion-hearted show as Axar Patel's replacement.


The axe might just fall on Manish Pandey, who has had a poor run of late since getting a chance against Afghanistan.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

Thursday, October 4, 2018

India vs West Indies Live Cricket Score, 1st Test, Day 2: India target big total

October 04, 2018 0
India vs West Indies Live Cricket Score, 1st Test, Day 2: India target big total
Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant (PTI Photo)
LIVE SCORECARD | LIVE BLOG
9 a.m. Kohli taking some throw-downs to warm up ahead of the start of day's play. He is 28 runs away from another Test century.

In the zone - captain @imVkohli #TeamIndia #INDvWI Day ✌🏻 begins in half hour 🤙🏻 https://t.co/1AEEGKV8rX

— BCCI (@BCCI) 1538710209000


8:25 am:
Watch how Shaw reacted to Sachin Tendulkar's tweet congratulating him for a fantastic debut

Twitter applauds, @PrithviShaw reacts! Watch the youngster react to tweets from the legends of the game - by… https://t.co/ZKQ8061WRF

— BCCI (@BCCI) 1538666994000

8:20 am: Hello and welcome once again to Timesofindia.com's continued coverage of first Test between India and West Indies at Rajkot, which witnessed an entertaining opening day highlighted by debutant Prithvi Shaw's century.

Day 1 Round-up: Teenage sensation Prithvi Shaw announced his arrival in top-flight cricket by becoming the youngest Indian to score a Test century on debut, headlining the home team's march to 364/4 against West Indies on day one of the series-opener in Rajkot.


Shaw (134 off 154 balls) and Cheteshwar Pujara (86 off 130) laid the foundation for a big score with a 206-run partnership after the early loss of KL Rahul (0).


Skipper Virat Kohli (72 not out off 137) and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane (41 off 92) then took the innings forward with a 105-run stand in the final session, putting India in the driver's seat before the latter was caught behind off spinner Roston Chase.


Kohli looked set for another hundred and was batting alongside Rishabh Pant (17 not out off 21) at close of play. Eighty nine overs were bowled on day one with India scoring at 4.08 runs per over.


The West Indies, handed a big setback even before toss with the last-minute withdrawal of captain Jason Holder, looked ordinary at best on the field. Barring pacer Shanon Gabriel (1/66), none of the bowlers troubled the Indian batsmen on a greenish surface which did not seem to do much.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

India vs West Indies, 1st Test: Debutant Prithvi Shaw hits sparkling ton as India dominate Day 1

October 04, 2018 0
India vs West Indies, 1st Test: Debutant Prithvi Shaw hits sparkling ton as India dominate Day 1
L-R: Prithvi Shaw and Virat Kohli
RAJKOT: Teenage sensation Prithvi Shaw announced his arrival in top-flight cricket by becoming the youngest Indian to score a Test century on debut, headlining the home team's march to 364 for four against West Indies on day one of the series-opener here.

Scorecard | As it happened

Shaw (134 off 154 balls) and Cheteshwar Pujara (86 off 130) laid the foundation for a big score with a 206-run partnership after the early loss of KL Rahul (0).

Skipper Virat Kohli (72 not out off 137) and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane (41 off 92) then took the innings forward with a 105-run stand in the final session, putting India in the driver's seat before the latter was caught behind off spinner Roston Chase.

READ ALSO: Shaw second youngest Indian Test centurion after Tendulkar

Kohli looked set for another hundred and was batting alongside Rishabh Pant (17 not out off 21) at close of play. Eighty nine overs were bowled on day one with India scoring at 4.08 runs per over.

READ ALSO: WATCH - Pujara bats with water bottle in his pocket

The West Indies, handed a big setback even before toss with the last-minute withdrawal of captain Jason Holder, looked ordinary at best on the field. Barring pacer Shanon Gabriel (1/66), none of the bowlers troubled the Indian batsmen on a greenish surface which did not seem to do much.

The opposition attack was far from threatening but due credit must be given to Shaw, who batted like a seasoned campaigner in his first match for India. His back-foot play off the pacers was a treat to the eyes and when spinners were deployed, he was not afraid to use the long handle.

At 18 years and 329 days, Shaw reached the milestone off just 99 balls, adding to a host of records he holds in his blossoming career. He had earlier made waves by reaching three figures in his first Ranji Trophy appearance and was the youngest to hit a century on Duleep Trophy debut.

In the process, Shaw also became the second youngest Indian to score a maiden Test ton after the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

Shaw, who was 75 not out at lunch, reached the three figures in the afternoon session with a typical punch to the cover, the same way he got his first runs in international cricket.

More than half of his runs came through boundaries, 19 in total. Unfortunately, Shaw fell at the stroke of tea, in what was a soft dismissal as he chipped one straight into the hands of leggie Devendra Bishoo.

He was not facing one of the best attacks but he gave ample evidence of his brilliance on way to a memorable hundred. Pujara too looked at ease at the other end until he was caught behind off debutant Sherman Lewis, missing out on a 16th Test ton.

In the morning, Shaw, who became the 293rd cricketer to represent India in Tests, showed supreme confidence from ball one, on which he offered a watchful leave.

The Mumbaikar punched the second ball he faced towards the cover boundary for a three, his first runs in international cricket, easing whatever nerves left inside.

Gabriel was clocking in the higher 140kph but that did not faze Shaw. Gabriel trapped his opening partner Rahul in front with a sharp incoming delivery to give the West Indies an early breakthrough. Rahul was better off not taking the DRS as the ball was clearly crashing into the stumps.

Shaw, however, continued batting with confidence and his first boundary came in the second over bowled by Keemo Paul, another back-foot punch towards the point boundary.

He got more aggressive in Paul's following over, hitting him for three fours as the pacer was duly punished for bowling far too many looseners. After Rahul's dismissal, Shaw and Pujara gave the innings a move on and did not look in any sort of trouble.


While Shaw punched and drove effortlessly off pacers, he was equally comfortable against the spin duo of Bishoo and Chase.


The teenage prodigy collected two fours off Bishoo in the 11th over and did the same to Chase in the 20th over. He also produced a delightful straight drive on way to reaching his half-century which came off 56 balls.


The West Indians looked listless on the field as boundaries came at will for India. Their troubles had mounted even before the start of the game as Holder pulled out with an ankle injury, giving Kraigg Brathwaite a chance to lead the team.


Their lead pacer, Kemar Roach, was already ruled out of the series opener due to a bereavement in the family.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Money and muscle: India ahead in Asia as World Cup looms

September 30, 2018 0
Money and muscle: India ahead in Asia as World Cup looms
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. (Getty Images)
DUBAI: With their powerful batting and fast improving bowling, India are Asia's best hope at the World Cup which takes place in England next year.

Even without batting star and regular captain Virat Kohli, India powered their way to the Asia Cup title in Dubai, outlasting Bangladesh by three wickets off the last ball in the final.

"India proved to be well ahead of everyone," former Pakistan skipper Wasim told AFP.

"Their exposure is greater, they have financial benefits and the money invested in their system like the Indian Premier League is bearing fruits."

He added: "It's hard to predict eight months in advance but I am sure Pakistan will bounce back. They have some serious work to do in both bowling and batting. Bangladesh have an inspirational captain in Mashrafe Mortaza and Afghanistan is becoming a dangerous team."

Untitled-16
Indian team celebrates after winning the Asia Cup in Dubai. (AFP Photo)

Bangladesh, led by Mortaza, fought hard to beat higher-ranked Pakistan and Sri Lanka, who both require some serious work ahead of the World Cup starting from May 30.

Fast-rising Afghanistan, who had to qualify for the World Cup, proved they will be a thorn for many teams with their wicket-taking spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman and a never-say-die spirit.

Champions Trophy holders Pakistan had promised more at the Asia Cup but failed to deliver, unable to put up a fighting total as 162 and 237-7 could not challenge a powerful Indian batting line-up.

Head coach Mickey Arthur termed it a "confidence crisis."

"It's a confidence thing," said Arthur after two defeats against India. "These guys work every day on their catching, but the minute one goes down, it's kind of like a disease.

"We've got to trust the skills to come out in the end. We've banked the work. It's time for that to pay off."

While Rohit Sharma will continue to challenge Kohli as stand-in captain, Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews was not only forced to step down but was also dropped from the squad for the forthcoming England one-day series.

Pakistan have since dropped pace spearhead Mohammad Amir who went wicketless in three Asia Cup matches.

He has yet to play a 50-over World Cup -- missing the 2011 and 2015 events due to a five-year ban for spot fixing on Pakistan's tour of England in 2010.

Afghanistan shocked Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the first round at the Asia Cup.


Every time Afghanistan bat first and score 250-plus they will cause problems for the rivals through Rashid who on Sunday became the number one allrounder in one-day cricket besides being number two bowler in that format.


Afghanistan's best came against a depleted India -- resting Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal -- as they tied the game in the last over.


Only a three-run defeat off the last ball against Bagladesh deprived Afghanistan from a place in the final.


"We have sounded a warning for the World Cup teams," said Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan. "We need to work in a few areas so we have time to do that before the World Cup."
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com