Kohli Century Seals Pakistan's Champions Trophy Doom in Dubai Demolition

India's clinical performance leaves bitter rivals on the brink as Kohli's ton provides the glittering finale to a dominant display.

The simmering tension of an India-Pakistan clash, a fixture that transcends mere sport, was always destined to crackle under the Dubai lights. Yet, what began as a contest steeped in historical rivalry descended into a stark demonstration of India's cricketing supremacy, culminating in a Virat Kohli masterclass that all but extinguished Pakistan's hopes for the 2025 Champions Trophy.¹

India, rightly favored, executed a near-flawless plan, first restricting Pakistan to a modest 241.² The narrative, however, was far from straightforward. Pakistan, reeling after early wickets, staged a spirited recovery through a century stand between Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel. The partnership, initially labored, eventually blossomed, threatening to wrest control from India's grasp.

But just as the pendulum appeared to swing, India's trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Hardik Pandya intervened with devastating effect. Kuldeep, the pick of the bowlers with 3/40, weaved his magic, while Axar and Pandya provided crucial support. Pakistan's middle order crumbled, their momentum shattered. Only a defiant 39 from Khushdil Shah prevented a complete capitulation, a score that, in truth, felt like a consolation prize.

The early stages of India's bowling effort were marred by an injury scare. Mohammed Shami, after a wayward opening over that included five wides, complained of leg pain, briefly leaving the field for treatment.^3.  His absence, however, proved a mere footnote in India's overall dominance.

The chase, initially a formality, transformed into a personal odyssey for Virat Kohli. As India cruised towards victory, the crowd, a vibrant tapestry of blue, roared with every run. The climax was a moment of pure theatre: Axar Patel, with victory in sight, deliberately denied himself an easy two, gifting Kohli the opportunity to reach his century. The stadium erupted, a collective celebration of individual brilliance amidst a comprehensive team performance.

This wasn't just a victory; it was a statement. India, with their clinical execution and star-studded lineup, have cemented their place as a formidable force, securing a semi-final berth and leaving Pakistan teetering on the edge of elimination.

For Pakistan, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow. The familiar narrative of inconsistency and middle-order fragility resurfaced, leaving them with a mountain to climb in their remaining fixtures. The gulf in class, evident in every facet of the game, was a stark reminder of the challenges they face.

In the end, this Dubai encounter was more than just a cricket match; it was a microcosm of the enduring rivalry, a clash of cultures and expectations. But on this occasion, it was India who emerged triumphant, their dominance underscored by Kohli's majestic century, a fitting finale to a night that will linger long in the memory. For Pakistan, the journey to the 2025 Champions Trophy now looks fraught with peril, a stark contrast to the celebratory scenes that engulfed the Dubai International Stadium.

Kerala's Cricket Uprising: From Periphery to Pinnacle in Ranji Trophy Drama

In a sporting narrative that resonates far beyond the boundary ropes, Kerala's cricketing odyssey has reached an extraordinary juncture: a maiden Ranji Trophy final. After decades on the fringes of India's domestic cricket scene, a dramatic, nerve-shredding semi-final against Gujarat has propelled them into the national spotlight.

This is not merely a sporting result; it is a cultural tremor. For a state renowned for its fervent devotion to football, the rise of Kerala's cricketers signifies a profound shift in the sporting landscape. The narrative is one of resilience, a testament to the slow but steady development of cricket in a region often overlooked by the game's traditional powerhouses.

The semi-final itself was a study in tension. Kerala managed to take a crucial two-run first-innings lead over Gujarat on the final day, ensuring their berth in the final.¹  This slender advantage, hard-won and fiercely defended, proved the decisive margin, a sliver of advantage wrested from a contest that swung wildly until the very last ball. Reports from the ground spoke of a cauldron of emotion, of dropped catches and desperate dives, of the kind of drama that elevates sport to high theatre.

"This is a victory for the underdog," one commentator observed, a sentiment echoed across social media, where Kerala's triumph sparked celebrations that transcended sporting allegiances. "It demonstrates that the Ranji Trophy remains a vital crucible of talent, a place where dreams can be realised, regardless of geography."

This historic moment comes 68 years after Kerala's Ranji Trophy debut in 1957.²  The team's journey has been one of gradual progress, with a notable semi-final appearance in 2018-19.³ Now, they have taken the next significant step, a testament to the perseverance and growth of cricket in the state.

The performances of players like Aditya Sarwate and Jalaj Saxena have been rightly lauded. Their experience and composure proved crucial in the face of intense pressure, a reminder that in the age of T20 pyrotechnics, the fundamentals of patient, disciplined cricket still hold sway.

This achievement also underscores the gradual democratization of Indian cricket. For too long, the game has been dominated by a handful of states. Kerala's rise is a powerful symbol of change, a sign that talent can emerge from any corner of this vast and diverse nation.

In the final, Kerala will face Vidarbha, who triumphed over cricketing giants Mumbai by 80 runs in their semi-final clash.⁴  This sets the stage for a compelling contest between two teams who have defied expectations. Regardless of the outcome, Kerala's journey has already etched itself into the annals of Indian cricket. They have shown that with dedication, belief, and a healthy dose of defiance, even the most improbable dreams can come true.

Gill's Ton, Shami's Swing, and Bangladesh's "Almost" Moment: India Wobbles, Then Wins

 

Right then, let's talk about that India-Bangladesh shindig. Shubman Gill, bless his cotton socks, reminded everyone why he's the golden boy, slapping a century that was smoother than a buttered naan. Mind you, he practically had to drag India across the finish line, which, let's be honest, was a bit of a bore.

Mohammed Shami, meanwhile, was channeling his inner demon, ripping through Bangladesh's batting with a lot of help from their batsmen… well, you get the picture. Five wickets, and he looked like he could have taken another five for good measure. Makes you wonder how he is in that kind of form, just after recovering from an injury, doesn't it?

Bangladesh, bless 'em, put up a bit of a scrap. Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali decided to have a little party in the middle, rescuing their innings from what looked like a complete and utter collapse. They almost made it interesting, you know? Almost. Like that time you almost won the lottery, but then remembered you forgot to buy a ticket. Still, a valiant effort chaps.

India's chase, though… bit of a wobble, wasn't it? Gill was holding it together like a superhero with a roll of duct tape, with Virat still continuing to have "where's my bat?" moment. KL Rahul, bless him, tried to bring some sanity to proceedings, but you could practically hear the collective sigh of relief when they finally crossed the line.

And those dropped catches? Oh, dear. You'd think they were trying to catch greased eels. Still, it's all part of the theatre, isn't it? Keeps us on our toes.

The pitch, apparently, was a bit of a beast. Slow, sticky, the sort of surface that makes batsmen dream of lush green outfields and bouncy tracks. But hey, that's cricket. You get what you're given, and you either deal with it or you go home and sulk.

So, India wins. Gill shines. Shami swings. Bangladesh… well, they tried. Onwards to the next one, then.

 

Time, Gentlemen, Please: The Long Innings is Finally Over for Kohli and Rohit

 

Cricket, as often eloquently written, is more than just a game. It is a theatre, a drama played out on a green stage. And like any good drama, it has its heroes, its villains, and its inevitable denouement. For Indian cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have occupied center stage for the best part of a generation, their names etched in the annals of the game alongside Tendulkar and Dravid. But the roar of the crowd, as intoxicating as it is, can sometimes mask the ticking clock. A point arrives, even for the most celebrated batsmen, when the applause begins to sound more like a nostalgic echo than a celebration of present form.

There is a certain unease in the air these days, a sense that the curtain may be about to fall on two illustrious careers. The relief that washes over the stands when either Kohli or Rohit scores a few runs – a palpable sigh of "thank goodness!" – speaks volumes. It is a far cry from the unbridled joy that once greeted every boundary. Now, fans find themselves engaged in a constant exercise of justification, reaching for straws, citing past glories, and concocting increasingly outlandish explanations for every mistimed shot or hesitant foot. "Remember that innings at Lord's?" or "He's just finding his feet” have become familiar refrains that are laden with palpable desperation.

This is never a good sign. A true measure of a cricketer isn't just in the runs scored, but in the manner of their scoring, the effortless grace, and the commanding presence. When the narrative shifts from celebrating achievement to rationalizing shortcomings, it is a clear indication that the twilight of a career is upon us. It is a bit like watching an aging maestro struggle with a piece they once played flawlessly. The brilliance is still there, flickering occasionally, but the consistency, the effortless command, has faded.

Kohli and Rohit have given Indian cricket so much. Their passion, their dedication, their sheer will to win, are beyond question. But cricket, like life, is a story with chapters. And sometimes, the most graceful act is to know when to turn the page. The time has come, perhaps, for these two titans of the game to hang up their boots, to walk off the field to a standing ovation, their legacy secure, rather than risk tarnishing it with diminishing returns. As it has been observed, the crowd, that fickle beast, can turn in an instant. It is better to leave the stage while the applause is still ringing in your ears, while the memories are still golden, than to linger on, clinging to the past, until the cheers fade into a polite silence. The long innings, is finally over. However, it is a pity that the gentlemen in question are not listening.

 

Accuracy and Reliability of Hawk-eye & Hot Spot

The fact that the "Decision Review System" is not being used in the current Test series between India and Australia has given rise to more BCCI bashing.  

Unfortunately, no one seems to look beyond BCCI's reluctance and delve deep to discover why there are no uniform answers to the following questions: 

• How reliable is the Hawk –eye and the Hot spot?
• How do they account for the variable bounce and the movement off the pitch?
• How accurate is the technology in predicting if there is a small distance between pitching and impact point?
• How does longer distance impair the accuracy of the prediction?
• If the technology is accurate and reliable, why are there instances when many viewers disagree with it?

Actually, the developers of the technologies should assuage these concerns. However, they too appear reluctant to come out with a yes or a no answer without adding riders.

Sri Lanka registers first Test win in South Africa

Sri Lanka leveled the series in South Africa with a 208 runs victory on the fourth day of the second Test in Durban. Incidentally, it was their first Test win on the South African soil.

Sri Lanka set 450 to win and the hosts put up a lame display and thus setting the stage for a thriller in Cape Town next week. Only AB de Villiers (69) and Dale Steyn (43) – who put on 99 runs for the seventh wicket offered resistance.

For Sri Lanka, Rangana Herath did the star turn and took five wickets for 79 to seal Sri Lanka's first ever Test win in South Africa. This win is also the first test victory for Sri Lanka since the retirement of Muttiah Muralitharan.

Herath finished with match figures of nine for 128.

Cricket’s new fangled myths

Glen Turner has written an excellent opinion piece questioning the wisdom of inculcating team culture in cricket.

He takes a dig at this emphasis on

 

"leading by example, role models, desired behaviours, opinion-shapers, trust and honesty, induction processes and so on. All this and more to get players job ready and in between times I suppose they can do some practice and play the odd game. I thought you only had to drink Speights to be the perfect man".

I believe he has it right and more than aiding in a cricketers development, these management theories has actually impaired it. For instance Greg Chappell's who appears to believe in the 'chaos theory' brought in some new fangled ideas and not only managed to shatter many a Indian cricketers morale but also managed to regress Indian cricket.

Can Cricket Australia sack itself?

Cricket Australia (CA) has embarked on a mission impossible.

 

David Crawford, will present a report to the CA board recommending a nine-man independent commission replace the 14-man board of elected state delegates.

 

The nine members will be chosen as follows: 

• Each state will nominate a board member with no state or club ties 
• The six new delegates will then appoint three other independents with specific expertise 

Undeniably, these recommendations have value. It remains to be seen whether CA can get the buy in from the state boards as earlier attempts failed because of the intransigence of the state boards. 

Cricket corruption: First ever-criminal convictions

Undoubtedly, a criminal conviction for cricket corruption is a major breakthrough, but where does it leave cricket?

I would say that cricket administrators, cricketers and cricket fans have a long way to go. The evidence of the past weeks confirms what we cricket lover's long suspected-cricketers are mere mortals and corruption in cricket has permeated corrosively to now challenge its existence.

Obviously, it is not the time for cricket administrators to rest and believe the game has been cleansed and inoculated from further remissions.

Similarly, it is not time yet for cricketers to believe there are no black sheep in their midst. In fact, it is the time for them to be watchful and on their guard.

Importantly, it is not time yet for cricket fans and fanatics to lose hope and conclude that every match is fixed and players corrupt. It is the time to support the game with renewed fervor and show the match-fixers and other assorted charlatans that in spite of their shenanigans they still love the game.

Are Indian’s natural cricketers?

According to Zaheer Khan, fast bowling does not come naturally. In an interview, he said, "It's not a natural thing. Indian bodies are not designed to bowl fast but that said, it's not very different from bowling outside India. Basically you have to spend a lot of time understanding yourself, your art, and then find out what works for you and what doesn't. It also involves a lot of hard work".

Though Zaheer Khan limited himself to fast bowling, I could not help but mull whether Indian's are natural cricketers.  Are Indian's built for playing cricket? Are they flexible enough to take the constant crouching and stretching cricket involves? Can their bodies adjust to long periods of inactivity and sudden bursts of activity?

I sincerely, doubt that we are as a nation natural at sports. Limiting myself to cricket, I believe Kapil Dev to be the only natural cricketer from India and barring him we are 'unaturals' at cricket.

Do you agree?

World Cup 2011-My takeaways

Match of the tournament: Undoubtedly, the finals played against Sri Lanka. It had all the ingredients of a thriller. High stakes-the World Cup, a worthy opponent -Sri Lanka who appeared to have messed up their chances batting first, recouping to set a stiff target in the last five overs. Heart-ache--Sehwag and Sachin out in quick succession, leaving the Indian fan wondering whether it was all over. Flourish- Dhoni's last ball six that brought down the curtains and his far away look captured by the cameras. The final had it all.

Best innings: Raina's unflustered cameo against Pakistan in the semi-finals, set up the game nicely for India. Gambhir innings in the finals run a close second. However, the way team India was playing, gave the impression that if not for Gambhir some one else would have stepped up.

Best ball: Munaf slow leg cutter that bowled Razzaq, during the India vs Pakistan, World Cup semi-final. It put paid to whatever hope the Pakistan team had on over running the Indian total.

Biggest disappointment: Losing to South Africa. There is no two-ways to look at it. The Indian team choked against the "chokers".

Key to India World Cup 2015 campaign: Plan for Zaheer's replacement. Devise a sound strategy. Identify and persist with the team that fits that strategy.

What are your takeaways?

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 team of the tournament

ICC has released the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 team of the tournament made up off familiar suspects.

 

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 team of the tournament: Sachin Tendulkar (India), Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka), Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka, WK and captain), Mahela Jayawardena (Sri Lanka), AB de Villiers (South Africa), Yuvraj Singh (India), Shane Watson (Australia), Shahid Afridi (Pakistan), Dale Steyn (South Africa), Zaheer Khan (India), Muttiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka). 12th man: Tim Southee (New Zealand).

 

As expected. India has the largest representation with the familiar name of Sachin Tendulkar. I do not know what has made Kumara Sangakkara worthy of being the Captain. For me the best captains of the tournament was Shahid Afridi or Vetorri. The New Zealand captain was saddled with an average team and yet made it to the semi-finals. Similarly, Afridi had a team that was ready to implode. However, he still brought the team to the semi-finals.

 

The inclusion of Mahela and Sachin appears based more on their reputation than for any consistent performances. One concludes this team was made to appease a particular quota and is purely an political exercise.

Dedicating the World Cup to Sachin, India and all that

I know I am a minority, but tell me why the Indian players carried Sachin on their shoulders during the first lap around the stadium. I am also at a loss to understand who let his children join the victory parade.

Surely, it is time the nation as an entity comes out of its Sachin fixation and start giving the likes of Gambhir, Kohli, Raina,Yuvraj and Dhoni their due. It is also time we stopped attributing victories to Sachin’s experience or presence in the team.

India Wins World Cup-2011

* India overcome Jayawardane and Malinga challenge

* Gambhir anchors India innings

* Dhoni pilots India to victory


Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni struck a six to bring the World Cup to India on Saturday after 28 years. Chasing a target of 275, India won by 6 wickets and with 10 balls to spare at the Wankhede stadium, Mumbai, thus becoming the first country to win a World Cup on home soil.

Dhoni and Gambhir were the architects of the successful run chase. Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh ably supported them.

Winning a controversial toss, Sri Lanka went on to post a competitive total. Mahela Jayawardene paced his innings beautifully to score an unbeaten 103 and helped Sri Lanka reach 274. However, the India batting over ran the target even though Lasith Malinga provided the Sri Lankan’s with a perfect opportunity by getting rid of Virenedar Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar cheaply. Sadly, the Sri Lanka bowlers were unable to capitalize on the breach and appeared to have lost hope once they confronted a resolute Gambhir and tigerish Dhoni.

Gautam Gambhir came in at a time when the Indian run chase could have either become bogged down or crashed like a house of cards. He played an innings that slowly but surely brought India back in control by completely nullifying the Murali threat. He was always on the look out for runs and rotated the strike in such a way that gave Dhoni sufficient breathing space to find his form. Unfortunately, with his century a stroke away, Gambhir lost his head and lost his wicket.

Thankfully, Dhoni and Yuvraj carried on and completed the formalities. As usual, the BCCI reduced this sublime moment, by immediately announcing that the Indian team members will receive one crore each. They could have done better by announcing this in a meeting felicitating the Indian team.

A complacent India beat Bangladesh

The Indian team performed adequately to beat Bangladesh in the World Cup 2011 opener. Despite this being a World Cup opener and a ‘revenge match’ the Indian team was complacent while batting. Similarly, the inadequacies in the Bangladesh team helped the Indian bowlers to restrict them to 283, and win by a large margin of 83 runs.

Batting first, the Indian batsmen batting had Bangladesh on the ropes until the end of the second power play. When they should have gone all out to score in excess of 400, they showed lack of intent and let the Bangladesh bowlers restrict them to 370 with some clever, negative bowling.

Similarly, the bowlers, especially Sreesanth, were able to assert themselves only when the Bangladesh batsmen got ahead of themselves. A stronger team would have made India pay for their complacency and lack of intent. India has the potential to go beyond the semi-final, but they have to shed their complacency when playing lesser teams and take each match seriously.

India-SA Tour Preview

This series should settle whether India is a worthy number 1 team in Test cricket. In fact, for once the BCCI appears to have understood the importance of a Test series and given the Indian test cricketers sufficient time to acclimatize themselves with SA conditions.

As usual, on paper the Indian team appears formidable. Their batsmen are in fine form and the bowling has  penetrative power and variety. However, the South African’s are no pushovers. They have batsmen who can counter the Indian bowling attack.

Furthermore, on home grounds the SA batsmen are adept at playing medium pacers. This where, the likes of Sreesanth and Ishanth can dominate.The true pitches in SA will not only provide bounce but will increase their incisiveness.

Similarly, for SA, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel can be devastating. However, SA lacks good support bowlers. Here, India scores over them as they have Harbhajan and to a lesser extent Ojha. If they come good, then they will be the difference between the two teams.

It is doubtful, whether India can replicate the strategy of piling on runs in their first innings to pressure the opposition. The Indian batsmen will have to have the stomach to battle for a win in the fourth innings. If the Indian batsmen can do that, then India may still be the number 1 team at the end of the series.

Can India make it 5-0?

India will bring off a 5-0 series win if they beat New Zealand in the 5th and the final one-dayer at Chennai.

Though it is easy to fall into the trap of judging the Indian team highly based on their performance, one has to admit that they certainly performed much better than expected.

Actually, there is nothing to stop this Indian team completing a white wash. With the curator expressing confidence on Chepauk’s drainage system, barring incessant rains, a full match is likely. The fans in Chennai would dearly love to see Murali Vijay and Ashwin in fine form in the final one-dayer. However, it is unlikely that both will play the match.

The one area of concern is the bowling at the death. Similarly, if Lady Luck decides to smirk instead of smile at them then in a way it is good as the Indian team can go to South Africa with the law of averages favoring them.

SA cricket bonus probe

A 12-page report on the issue of bonuses and unaccounted travel expenses worth R250, 000 by Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) CEO, Gerald Majola, including travel costs of R318238 incurred by his wife, is the cause for rancor in the organization.

Keen followers of cricket may recall ICC banning Zimbabwe cricket, over similar allegations. Now the very same followers are wondering whether ICC will step in and ban CSA.

Split Innings Format and Players Honesty

ODI: Split Innings Format

Is it there a need to revitalise One Day Cricket format?

Frankly, it appears the cricket boards are over reacting. I believe ODIs are a vibrant format. It is only the pointless matches, for instance, New Zealand playing a tri-series along with India in Sri Lanka, which lacks support.

However, I also believe that cricket boards should find new formats to draw new converts. So why don’t they introduce the split-innings one- dayers as a new format?

Fitness:Can we leave it to the players?

Each time India loses heavily, the players divert the attention to the BCCI. Typically, they will claim that the scheduling is so tight that they have no rest and blame the loss on losing key players to injuries.

However, we all know that most Indian players are loath to declare themselves unfit and carry on playing with niggles. By performing below par, they are undermining the team.

The Chairman of selectors Krishnamachari Srikkanth has come out with a good suggestion:

Honesty. "Nobody but the player himself has the best idea of how fit he is or if there's even the slightest injury scare. I can tell you that from my own experience as a cricketer. Any number of physios and fitness trainers can assess the condition, but in the end, the player has to be honest and talk.

Sadly, the players are never honest and continue playing through injuries. Instead of depending on players I believe the BCCI should ruthlessly drop those injured and put the nation’s interest first.

Laxman helps India Level Series

Laxman with Raina see India through a series leveling Test match win against Sri Lanka.

V.V.S.Laxman:

Laxman century was as usual classy and shorn of unnecessary flourishes and saw India register their 35th Test match series overseas. His calmness at the crease blunted the Sri-Lankan bowling attack and the young buck Raina stepped in and capitalised on it.

Laxman’s calmness is the exact antithesis of Dravid’s calmness. Yesterday if it was Dravid instead of Laxman, he would have becalmed the India run chase. This would have aggravated jangled nerves in the dressing room and thus triggering an infamous 5th day batting collapse.

Suresh Raina:

There has never been a doubt about Suresh Raina’s talent and in his debut series he has met expectations. This brings up comparison with Yuvraj Singh. Personally, I believe, Raina is a much better bet, mainly because success or should I say opportunities came too early and easy for Yuvraj, whereas Raina had to wait a long time.

Murali Vijay:

For me, Murali Vijay’s performances through out the series were a disappointment. Like a typical of Tamil Nadu player he has failed to make use of the opportunities that has come his way and is now in danger of being sidelined like Badrinath. This lack of consistency is particularly galling as I envisioned him replacing Dravid as India’s number 3.

India – Sri Lanka Test Series:

Another boring series has come to an end thus marking the beginning of yet another boring One Day Series between the two.


Best of Laxman: The Common Man Stands in Queue


The Laxman Name in History


Brushing Up the Years: A Cartoonist's History of India, 1947 to the Present


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Personal Name Gift - "LAXMAN" Set of 4 Mini-Mousepad Coasters (blue design)


Best of Laxman: The Common Man Balances His Budget

Chennai Super Kings dramatic entry into the semi-finals.

Late onslaught by Dhoni ensures semi-finals berth for Chennai Super Kings

In an amazing turnaround, CSK not only entered the semi-finals but also did it in the most dramatic way possible. Skipper Mahender Singh Dhoni launched an incredible onslaught in the last 12 balls that was not only exhilarating but also enhanced his much-feared reputation as a finisher.

Undoubtedly, the video clipping of the boundary and the back-to-back sixes in the last over he hit off Irfan Pathan will receive viewers far in excess of viewers off Yuvraj’s 6 sixes off the lame duck Stuart Broad’s over on YouTube.

Though Dhoni provided the dramatic finishing touch, it was the 62-run partnership between Suresh Raina (46, 27b, 5x4, 3x6) and Badrinath (53, 36b, 7x4, 2x6) that set the stage for Chennai Super Kings elevation to the semi-finals.

Raina’s improvisation and Badrinath’s ability to change the length of the ball with his nimble footwork turned the things around in what appeared a losing cause.

Now that CSK has made it to the semi-finals, they need to reduce their over reliance on their batsmen and ensure a calm entry into the finals with a much more disciplined performance from their bowlers.

Will CSK breakout from the logjam?

If one looks at the points table, Chennai Super Kings is sitting pretty. However, their comfort is based on their superior run-rate, which may come in handy only if there is a tie for the 4 th place.

Nonetheless, the superior run rate is small comfort if they loose even a match. Then their fate will hinge on the various permutations, combinations, and huge amount of luck.

If Chennai Super Kings were to make their semi-final berth safe, then the simplest way would be to win both their remaining matches and make all speculation irrelevant.

However, it is easier said than done as the team they are facing today, Delhi Daredevils are menacing to say the least. As always, CSK will indeed have 2 plans both of them based on how Virender Sehwag plays.

Knowing Dhoni, he may well start again with a spinner to deny Sehwag the pace. Conversely, if Sehwag still goes berserk, then it will be containment all the way.

The fact that there is Gambhir and Dinesh Karthick too makes Dhoni’s task unenviable. As for CSK batting, Dhoni has less to fear, as Hayden is sure to break loose and end his poor run off form today.

Have the Super Kings turned the corner?

Out of the 8 matches they have played the Chennai Super Kings have won only 3. Their fans know that if not for the win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday they certainly would be competing for the wooden spoon.

However, does their superlative win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore mean that they have turned the corner?

The answer to this question will come at the end of the match against the resurgent Rajasthan Royals. RR despite their defeat at the hands of Delhi Daredevils has once again the look of a charmed side. Having been at the receiving end at the beginning of the tournament they have turned things around and once again look strong enough to breast the tape.

That is why  today's match between the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals will be contest that will reveal whether the Chennai Super Kings have turned the corner or not and indicate which team is more likely to ender the semi-finals.

Not only will that it reveal how they make use of their new arrivals, namely Mike Hussey and David Bollinger.  Among the 2, David Bollinger is certain to play as his inclusion will bolster the toothless Chennai Super Kings bowling attack. 

India vs. Sri Lanka Tri-series Final, Mirpur

Image by Cayusa via Flickr

The Tri- Nation ODI series involving India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka has reached the final stage. The progress of the three teams through the tournament was on the predictable lines.

As anticipated, the toss and the dew had a bear hug on the proceedings and invariably the team bowling second ended up losers.

At the start, the Sri Lankan team appeared more charged up. The youngsters in the squad appeared more relaxed and confident about their abilities. However, as the tournament progressed, a couple of injuries have dented their enthusiasm.

The Indian team took time to warm up but has peaked at the right time.

The Indian bowlers though lavish in the initial stages have now meshed beautifully as a pack. Even so, their form is suspect as the format and opposition in the tournament has been such that they have never been truly under pressure.

Similarly, the batting has been coasting: the top order have imposed themselves and snuffed out any challenge, but their brilliance has left the middle order untested. Let us hope that they continue their dominating ways and settle the match in India’s favour.

The final between India and Sri Lanka may well be a testy one. Sri Lanka has been at the receiving end of some close matches against India in the recent past and India knows that they have been lucky to put it past Sri Lanka on more than a couple of occasions.

As a result, if this match goes down to the wire, frayed tempers could well be the order of the day.

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$5000 fee cost Pakistan the Sydney Test

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PCB's refusal to pay Steve Rixon $ 5000 as fees cost them the Second Test against Australia at Sydney.

Steve Rixon claims Geoff Lawson contacted him in 2008 to correct the flaws in Kamran Akmal's glove work.Unfortunately, PCB refused to pay Steve Rixon $ 5000 as fees.

"Brad was great and if Kamran takes one of those four dropped catches, it's all over - Pakistan win the Test.
I wasn't asking for much, it was petty, but for whatever reason the PCB didn't want a bar of it. They deserve everything they get."

Now why did PCB refuse Rixon's services? Was it because the fee was steep or did they doubt Rixon's competence?

However, it seems churlish on the part of Rixon to claim 'they deserves everything they get'.

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• Pakistan close in on first Test win over Australia in 14 years (guardian.co.uk)

South Africa Rules Reliance ICC Player Rankings

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The latest Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings reveals the ascendancy of South Africa cricketers.

For example, South Africa’s captain Graeme Smith returned to the top five in the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen, gaining seven places to fourth position following his 183 in the last Test match against England.

If that is not proof enough of South Africa dominating the rankings, Jacques Kallis has achieved the sixth position following his 32nd Test century.

Dale Steyn is holding on to the second place in the bowling chart with only Australia’s Mitchell Johnson ahead of him.

Another Protean pacer, Morne Morkel has leapt up eight spots to a career-high position of 16th place.

In the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for Test all-rounder, Kallis still heads the list with Daniel Vettori of New Zealand in second place.

Australia snuffs Pakistan.

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The much-maligned Australian bowling attack blew away the Pakistan batsmen and led their team to a 37-run series defining win.

An excellent rear-guard action by Michael Hussey set up the win for Australia. His 123-run ninth-wicket partnership with Peter Siddle, turned the tide and the Australian bowlers were good enough to get the Pakistani batsmen out in the pressure cooker atmosphere.

Followers of Pakistan cricket know that they are a temperamental side and their capitulation today was in a way expected.

Clearly as today’s events reveal, Ponting’s reluctance to put Pakistan in on winning the toss helped the Pakistani’s dominate the first three days. Instead, Australia chose to bat first and promptly collapsed for only 127 runs on a fresh and frisky 1st day pitch.

Pakistani batsmen followed up their bowling performance by making 333 in their first foray to the batting crease. Their bowlers then once again had the Australians by the scruff of their neck before Hussey and a benign pitch bailed Australia out.

As recounted earlier, the Australian bowlers used the pressure cooker atmosphere, exploited the inherent inconsistencies in the Pakistan batting line-up and snuffed out their challenge.

With this series win, the Australian media may give Ponting and his men breathing space. Coming to Pakistan, their cricketers yet again succumbed to pressure and without learning how to handle it; even Younis Khan cannot save them.

Ponting’s twilight?

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Since his 150 odd runs in the first Ashes Test at Cardiff, Ponting’s personal form has been at best modest. In addition to his indifferent form, the Australian cricket team has been floundering in a trough of inconsistency and routinely losing to teams that they would have whipped without much effort.

Starting with South Africa, teams that have never had a chance earlier come good in Australia. So much so even Australia’s series victory over West Indies created an impression that Australia was lucky to hold on to win the series.

Another factor that seems to have turned the tide against Ponting is the widespread condemnation that followed some really churlish and childish behaviour of his team. So dramatic was the change in the Australian public perception, one paper went to the extent of calling Ponting a “serial offender”.

All of this has increased the attention on Ponting and if one were to go by the Australian media, it appears that Ponting’s reign may well end sooner than expected.

In fact so intense has been the debate over Ponting that Shane Watson came to his captain's defence after play yesterday and declared, “We know exactly how Ricky Ponting plays. There's no doubt there's a big one coming really soon."

There is no denying the fact Ponting is still a great batsmen and a fielder, but he is certainly under pressure to turn around his team’s fortune because his captaincy record post Shane Warne has been patchy.

The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that despite all his vaunted powers as a cricketer, the Australian media has fused Ponting’s moderate form and the declining fortunes of the Australian cricket team together.

They have created a situation where if there is no dramatic turn around in Ponting and the Australian cricket team’s form, Ponting will have no other option than to leave.

Let us hope Cricket Australia is steadfast in their support of Ponting and look at finding the solution to the real problem in Australian cricket, i.e., lack of new talent.

(Just as this article was posted comes the news that  Australia beat Pakistan by 36 runs thus scripting an amazing turn around. However, it remains to be seen whether the Australian media back off from Ponting.)

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Sri Lanka fashion a comfortable win

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India vs. Sri Lanka Tri-Nation Series Bangladesh-2010

Relatively inexperienced Sri Lanka held their nerves and overhauled India’s’ 279/9 with nearly 12 balls to spare.

ODI matches in Bangladesh tend to favor the team that wins the toss and this match once again confirmed the truism.

India’s lackluster batting and inability to inflict damage to the Sri Lanka batting in the initial overs did India in their opening match of the Tri-Nation ODI Series.

Put into bat, India should have made more than 279/9 on an nonthreatening pitch and average Sri Lanka bowling. Nevertheless, it has to be said that Sri Lanka held their nerves to restrict India even when Yuvraj and Dhoni put on 99 runs for the 4th wicket.

Once again, India failed to up the tempo in the final over’s despite Yuvraj's brilliant innings and missed putting up an imposing total.

Though the Indian bowlers were ineffective and struggled with the ground conditions, they did a relatively good job of controlling the match until Thissara Perera smashed 36 runs off 15 balls to seal the contest.

The Indian bowlers also helped Sri Lanka, by predominantly bowling yorkers. Unfortunately, they lacked control and Sri Lanka capitalised on it to fashion a comfortable win.

With this win, Sri Lanka appears comfortably placed to make it to the final. India needs to rethink on their over-dependence on Harbhajan Singh and yorkers.

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The Bangladesh Tour- Tri-nation ODI series and Test series

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The Indian cricket team has reached Bangladesh for a month long tour that includes a tri-nation ODI series and a 2 Test series.

India’s tour of Bangladesh starts with an ODI series against their host and Sri Lanka. The ODI series scheduled between January 4 and January 13 involves India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka playing twice against each other.

Unfortunately, for Bangladesh, they are there to give a local flavor and it is likely that India will meet Sri Lanka in the finals on January 13 at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. However, given that both the teams have just concluded a high scoring ODI series in India, it remains to be seen whether India can beat Sri Lanka.

The Test series between India and Bangladesh follows the Tri-Nation ODI series.

India will play the 1st Test against Bangladesh on January 17-21 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong and the 2nd Test on January 24-28 at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Bangladesh cricket has reached a stage similar to Sri Lanka of the 90’s, (albeit with a dismal Test record); Bangladesh needs to protect their batsmen.

Therefore, they will prepare pitches that will blunt the Indian bowling attack, so that the batsmen will, with a bit of luck, run up a massive score.

The objective is to boost their batsmens confidence. This may backfire if India wins the toss and bats first and runs up a massive score.

In essence, this will be a series where the batsmen will hold the aces, run-fest will be the order of the day, and surely, it will further enthuse the doomsday crowd.

Whether Bangla cricket fans will turn up to watch the Indian batsmen toy with their bowling is debatable.

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