It's Dhoni's day again

Today, First IPL finals qualifier match was played between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings at Wankhade stadium, Mumbai. The toss was won by MS Dhoni and he chose to field first.

Royal Challengers Bangalore was looking more destructive when Chris Gayle was on the crease, but today was not the day for the big man. He departed after hitting a six leaving RCB in jeopardy. Later on Virat Kohli added some magnificent runs and made RCB to put up a total of 175 runs on board.


This total was not a great one as the pitch was well known for hitting biggies. CSK in 19.4 overs, chased their target successfully. The man behind the win was Suresh Raina and Albie Morkel. In the 19th over, 3 sixes was the sole reason for RCB's loss. CSK won the match by 6 wickets and 2 balls to spare.

Now CSK are into the IPL 2011 finals. This is their 3rd entry to the IPL finals. RCB have lost the qualifier match, so now they have to face the winners of MI vs KKR match. If RCB wins, then RCB will face CSK in finals else, the winners from MI vs. KKR match will be facing CSK in finals.

RCB are on top...... :-)

Yesterday's IPL match was very crucial for the top 4 four teams. The top four teams before the match were,
1. Chennai Super Kings
2. Royal Challengers Bangalore
3. Mumbai Indians
4. Kolkata Knight Riders

Before their 14th IPL match, it was already known that these 4 teams are into playoffs. Now the fight was to get into first 2 positions to gain advantage. If they could not, atleast they should get into first 3 positions to get an entry to Champions League. It was already known that RCB and CSK are into Champions League even if they loose the match. There were so many combinations possible like, if CSK wins, RCB will end up 3rd. if CSK looses, RCB comes first and CSK ends up 2nd only if their net run rate is better than MI. On the other hand, If KKR wins against MI, they have chances to get into 2nd or 3rd position depending upon how CSK looses against RCB. If MI wins, KKR ends up 4th position there by missing Champions League this time.

Yesterday first match was played between RCB and CSK. CSK put up a total of 128 runs only as they could not face RCB's bowling attack. It was skipper MS Dhoni who helped to put up this total. He quick fired to score 70 runs in just 40 deliveries that included 3 fours and 6 sixes. For RCB this total was not that challenging. Chris Gayle who is at top form scored a magnificent 75 runs in just 50 deliveries that included 4 fours and 6 sixes. He was unbeaten till the end of the innings. RCB scored 129 runs in 18 overs and won the match by 8 wickets. After this win there was a swap in the ranking RCB were back on top and CSK on 2nd.

In the second match, KKR played well a put up a total of 175 runs on board. All the batsmen contributed runs which helped in building in this total. In reply to this, MI also played equally good and chased the target successfully in the last delivery of the innings. There was one over from Lakshmipathy Balaji where he conceded 21 runs in just 6 deliveries which turned the match in favor of MI. MI won the match by 5 wickets. After the second match, the rankings table remained same with RCB topping the table.

Rajasthan Royals outplay Mumbai Indians

On Friday, Rajasthan Royals played their home match against Mumbai Indians at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. The toss was won by Shane Warne and he chose to bowl first.

Davy Jacobs and Sachin Tendulkar opened the batting innings for the MI. The start was pretty good, but they likewise the wickets were also started to fall. Not even a single batsman showed his performance in this match. Everyone failed to play their trademark shots as well. Even Kieron Pollard, Andrew Symonds who love to hunt the ball failed in this match. Mumbai Indians could not resist the bowling attack done by Rajasthan Royals and they finally ended  scoring a total of just 94 runs on board in 20 overs with the loss of 8 wickets (MI - 94/8, 20over). Johan Botha was the most economical bowler whose economy rate was just 3 runs per over and took 3 wickets. Apart from him, other bowlers also bowled well.

Rajasthan Royals in reply, chased their target of 95 runs in 18.1 overs with the loss of 3 wickets (RR - 95/3, 18.1over). Shane Watson scored 26 runs and Johan Botha who bowled an awesome spell, batted magnificently  as well. He scored 45 runs in 39 balls that included 2 fours and a six. Ali Murtaza was economical from MI side but failed to take a wicket.

Rajasthan Royals won the match by 7 wickets. Man of the match was Johan Botha for hitting 45 runs, taking 3 wickets and a catch.

Kings XI Punjab play their match for pride

Kings XI Punjab played their home match against Mumbai Indians, today at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali - Chandigarh. King XI Punjab have only 2 matches which has made impossible to get into IPL-3 semi-finals. They had to play this match against Mumbai Indians for pride. Mumbai Indians won the toss & elected to bat first.
Opening the innings with the openers Sachin Tendulkar & Shikhar Dhawan, Mumbai Indians gave a great start. But in the 1st ball of 2nd over, Shikhar Dhawan was bowled out in Irfan Pathan's over. Mumbai Indians, started to score at a run rate of 10 runs per over till the second wicket was gone. After this, Mumbai Indians started to play slowing where the run rate started to decrease & even they started to loose wickets in regular intervals. After 20 overs, Mumbai Indians managed to score 154 runs loosing 9 wickets. Kings XI Punjab's economical bowler was Piyush Chawla, whose economical rate was 6 runs per over taking 3 wickets.
Chasing the target of 155 runs set by Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab started their innings with an aggressive start. 1st wicket was gone in the 5th over, where Mahela Jayawardena got out. Punjab was looking good as they had scored 41 runs 4.3 deliveries. Right from the start Punjab team was on the positive go, they were loosing wickets in a very long intervals. Skipper Kumar Sangakkara scored 56 runs from 42 deliveries which included 6 fours & a six. Kings XI Punjab reached their target by 19.2 deliveries thereby winning the match by 6 wickets. This was Kings XI Punjab's 3rd victory & Mumbai Indians 3rd loss in this IPL edition 3.

Mumbai Indians continue their winning spree

Mumbai Indians played their home match against Deccan Chargers at Brabourne Stadium yesterday. Mumbai Indians won the toss & elected to bat first.
Mumbai Indians started their innings very well with the openers Shikhar Dhawan & the skipper Sachin Tendulkar. Mumbai Indians first wicket fell in the very first ball of the 7th over, even Sachin Tendulkar was out in the beginning of the 8th over where he got out for lbw bowled by Rahul Sharma. Sachin Tendulkar was out for 35 runs which was scored in 25 balls. Later on Mumbai Indians played well & their loosing wickets frequency was long, by the end of 20 overs, they lost 5 wickets & the fifth wicket fell in the last delivery of the 20th over. Teams top scorer was Ambati Rayudu who was unbeaten scoring 55 runs in just 29 balls which included 6 fours & 2 sixes. Deccan Chargers economic bowler was Pragyan Ojha whose economy was 6.5 runs per over taking 3 wickets.
Chasing the target of 179 runs which was set by the Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers started their innings. They started their batting moderately, where Herschelle Gibbs & the skipper Adam Gilchrist opened the innings for the Deccan Chargers. They lost Gibbs in the first delivery of the 5th over & with in 6.1 overs Deccan Charger lost 3 crucial wickets in total. It was Gibbs first then VVS Laxman & 3rd one was the skipper Adam Gilchrist. After this Andrew Symonds & Rohit Sharma started to build partnership, but eventually this did not work as Rohit Sharma was out in the first delivery of the 11th over. Deccan Chargers started to loose wickets & by 18.2 overs they lost all 10 wickets scoring just 115 runs at an run rate of 6.25 runs per over. Mumbai Indians most economical bowler in the match was Zaheer Khan with the economy of 5 runs per over taking 2 wickets.
Mumbai Indians won the match by 63 runs & this was their 7th victory in the 8 matches played in IPL edition 3. Mumbai Indians are still at the top in the IPL rankings table. while Deccan Chargers are in the 7th position in the table.

Mumbai Indians won the match by 4 wickets

Mumbai Indians played another home match at Brabourne stadium today against the visitors Kings XI Punjab. Mumbai Indian wons the toss & put the Kings XI Punjab to bat first.

Kings XI Punjab started their innings moderately, they lost Ravi Bopara in second over but Shaun Marsh played well & scored 57 runs 47 balls, meanwhile they were loosing wickets regularly. By the end of 20 overs they scored a total of 163 loosing all the 10 wickets.

Mumbai Indians started their chase of the target 164, it was Sachin Tendulkar & Shikhar Dhawan who opened the innings for Mumbai Indians. Mumbai Indians were batting well & were meeting the required rate. Things were going very well for Mumbai Indians till they lost their 5th wicket in 16th over. The asking rate started to increase, but Mumbai Indians overcame these when Sathish hit 2 consecutive fours in the first 2 balls of 19th over. Then the things changed, Mumbai Indians were back on the track, finally scoring their target of 164 in 19.3 overs.

Mumbai Indians won the match by 4 wickets & they are still holding the top position in the rankings table.

Mumbai Indians won by 5 wickets against CSK

Mumbai Indians played their home match against the Chennai Super Kings at Brabourne stadium. Skipper Sachin Tendulkar won the toss & elected to field first.

Chennai Super Kings lost two early wickets loosing Parthiv Patel & Mathew Hayden. But, Suresh Raina & Badrinath both played very well giving a partnership of 142 runs which gave a huge total for the CSK. Suresh Raina was unbeaten for 83 & Bardinath was also unbeaten for 55, thereby making a total of 180 in 20 overs loosing only 2 wickets.

Mumbai Indians started their innings very aggressively where Dhawan cruised to his 50 in 32 deliveries. Later on Mumbai Indians started to loose wickets but the run rate was very good. Sachin Tendulkar scored his 2nd half century in this IPL season 3, with his guidance finally Mumbai Indians reached their target by the end of 19 overs. Mumbai Indians won the match by 5 wickets.

Mumbai Indians won the match by 7 wickets

Mumbai Indians played their home match against the visitors Kolkata Knight Riders at Brabourne stadium. Kolkata Knight Riders batted first to put a total of 155 for 3 in 20 overs. Chris Gayle smashed 75 runs, but Kolkata Knight Riders struggled to put a decent score of 155 runs in 20 overs by just loosing 3 wickets.

Chasing 155 runs, Mumbai Indians gave a aggressive start, but things went on little hectic to Mumbai Indians when they started to loose wickets & pressure was building up, But at the end Sathish made to go easy & made Mumbai Indians victorious. All the credit goes to the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar who kept his nerves right from the start of the innings of Mumbai Indians. He was unbeaten scoring 71 runs of 48 balls. Now, Mumbai Indians are back to top the points table, leaving behind Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Won against Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians played their home match against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Brabourne Stadium. MI won the toss & elected to bat first. MI lost Sanath Jayasurya at the early stage, but Sachin tendulkar & Saurabh Tiwary had a good partnership but all went sore when Tiwary was out when MI were 71. Later on MI kept on loosing wickets in regular intervals, finally landing up with a total score of 151 for 9.

Royal Challengers Bangalore gave good start as Jacques Kallis & Manish Pandey gave a magnificent start. Finally RCB completed their target by scoring a total of 155 runs in 19.1 overs just loosing 3 wickets. Teams Top scorer was Jacques Kallis scoring a unbeaten 66 runs of 55 balls.

RCB have moved up to the 1st place in the points table & MI have dropped down to second place.

Mumbai Indians Vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

Mumbai Indians are playing their home match against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Brabourne Stadium. Mumbai Indians won the toss & have elected to bat first.

Mumbai Indians won by 98 runs against Delhi Daredevils

Hi all, Sorry i went to my home town so could not post any updates. Now i am back, so there will be regular updates on cricket.

Delhi Daredevils played their home match against the visitors "Mumbai Indians" in Kotla. Gautam Gambhir won the toss & let the MI to bat first.

Having a very good batting line-up, MI started their batting. In the second over Gautam Gambhir left the field due to injuiry. Daredevils Wicket keeper Dinesh Karthik led the time due to Gambhir's absence. However Mumbai Indians put up a total score of 218/7 due to the good batting conditions of the pitch. Sachin Tendulkar scored a remarkable 62 off 32 balls which gave impetus to their innings. Saurabh Tiwary also added a score of 61 of 37 balls to their team. Mumbai Indians put up a target of 219 for the Daredevils to win. Only Dirk Nannes of Daredevils had a good bowling figure.

Delhi Daredevils started their innings with T Dilshan & Virender Sehwag as their openers. While they were 56 for 1 in 6 overs, Dwayne Bravo took out Sehwag's wicket with his first ball in the seventh over. Later on Daredevils lost their wickets on regular basis, finally Delhi daredevils ended up at 120 in 16.3 overs. Hence, MI won by 98 runs which is a huge margin win. This was the second successive win for MI & the first defeat for Daredevils.

MI's team director Sekar very confident about teams good display

53 year old former bowler TA Sekar who is Mumbai Indians' team director is very confident that his team will give a good performance this time. MI did not do well in the last two seasons of the Indian Premier League. But this time, franchise would turn into an impressive display this edition riding on MI's skipper Sachin Tendulkar's good form.

He said that they have a very good side & they have worked really hard. Prior to the current camp they already had 2 camps which was in Jamnagar & Baroda. Seven to Eight Indian players will play a big role in the success of the team in this edition of the IPL.

Mumbai Indians will be starting their campaign with a home match on March 13th against IPL season 1 champions "Rajasthan Royals" at the Brabourne Stadium. Later he also praised about the team owners, Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, for their support & interest shown towards the team.

Sachin Tendulkar & Zaheer Khan Joins MI camp

India's little master Sachin Tendulkar & Pace Bowler Zaheer Khan have joined the MI (Mumbai Indians) camp ahead of this year's IPL Season 3. Mumbai Indians had finished fifth & Seventh in the last two IPL editions. A week ago, conditioning camp of the team had started off.

Meanwhile the captain Sachin Tendulkar along with Zaheer Khan had some interactions with the Team members. They also watched the Team playing a practice match, even the team owners Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani were present.