Two Days Ago it Was a Fairy Tale....Now its a Dream for RCB

RCB reach the final

Well, one says, magic is not possible, some say, luck may shine on you once, cricketers say you chase down a 200 target in 20 overs and hit a last ball six once in an era, but all these speculations were cornered by another spirited run chase by Bangalore. Well two days ago they won a thriller, yesterday they won an action flick, first powered by Warner Tsunami and then by Gayle Storm and Kohli Strong Winds. 

Well both Kohli and Gayle played their hearts out

Well, RCB, are on a roll as they stormed their way into the grand finale of CLT20 2011, first time for the domestic chokers. I call RCB chokers because in previous editions of IPL as well as Clt20 they reach the semis or finals but they lose, disappointing their fans.

But this time the story seems to be different for the team owned by business tycoon Mallya. Well the team headed by Vettori has played some spirited cricket and won the lost matches. Well yesterday to 'Mr Dependable' Kohli produced a gem supported by a rather imperial and dominating innings by the man '333'
whom we also call the Gayle Force. 

WARNER Hits another 123*

David Warner is questioning the selectors again and again for his exclusion from the Kangaroos team. Being the first player to score two back to back centuries in T20 cricket and also becoming the highest run getter in a single edition of Champions League Warner has proved his mettle. Look at his stupendous average of 189 with a strike rate nearly touching 200. Warner Tsunami is becoming more and more sever as he dosen't get out only. Well is he the next Gilly (Gilchrist) ?

But still RCB have won another dream game, though in this game they won comfortably despite losing Dilshan early. Virat Kohli is again pushing the doors for his inclusion in the test team, as he is playing some really superb innings. Main thing I like about his batting is that he likes to finish the game once he has got a start. He has matured over the years just like Warner who earlier just played cricket based on instinct.

Well West Indies Board doesn't want Gayle and Pollard, Can BCCI adopt them? Just imagine Gayle and Sehwag opening....well bowlers would say we give up...

And also thank God, Warner and Gayle don't play for the same team in Big Bash....otherwise the bowl would be more outside the stadium rather than inside...
These were my views, please comment below so I can hear your views...you can jsut select Name/URL and if you don't wanna give URL its your wish, but please give your name...
Is Warner the next Gilchrist?
Should Kohli play the tests?
What will be your dream opening pair for a team?  
Who should play the final of CLT20 2011 with Mumbai?
Please keep commenting on following questions...

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Warner Tsunami, Cyclone and Earthquake hit Chennai

Warner Tsunami, Cyclone and Earthquake hit Chennai

Warner smashing the ball

Well, we are all familiar with the Gayle Storm, Mccullum Bomb, Sehwag Hurricane, Dhoni Dhamaka and Pathan Thunder.

Chris Gayle hitting a six

 But one innings that comprised of all these “Natural Disaters” was produced yesterday night by none other than the Australian chucky opener David Warner. It was one of the best innings of T20 I have seen leave apart Mccullum’s 158*.

Mccullum plays one handed scoop

 But what Warner had produced yeaterday was a one man show ripping Chennai apart right from the word. On a track where scoring 100 was also difficult the Blues scored 200:- courtesy Warner. He never let the bowler’s to settle down. He used the switch hit to good effect and scored almost 30 runs from that particluar stroke. Rest 104 runs involved power packed hitting down the ground as well as some well timed strokes through the covers or straight down the ground. He had hit Bravo for 108 m six, highest in the Clt20 so far. But what Warner has done is that he has reshaped the batting in 20-20 cricket. He played himself in and then in the last 10 overs took some ordinary bowling by the Super Kings to a task. The main part of his innings I liked was that he played for 20 overs and there was not even one mis hit. He was striking the ball wherever he wanted to.

Pietersen invented the switch hit

 I think now Kevin Pietersen, the inventor of the switch hit stroke will have to take training from David to how to hit the stroke in the gap and over the ropes no matter what surface are you playing or which bowler are you facing. Well one can say it was just Warner Special Day as he even took two catches and helped in an important run out. I feel if he had come to bowl a couple of overs, even then he would have taken a wicket or a two. Warner’s 134 of 67 balls was only the second ton in clt20 history. Warner has come a long way since the last two years. Earlier the young lad used to just hit the ball on instinct but yesterday’s inning showed how mature he has become. I believe he should open with Watson for the Australians in ODI and 20-20. His national call is not far now, seeing his yesterday’s innings. He is a jubilant fielder and one of the best in Blues sides, thus it is an extra feature of him which makes him more special. Well Warner if you can bat on a low and slow pitch and time the ball as you were doing yesterday you are getting into the leagues of Sehwag and Gayle, on who the track and the bowler has no effect. They just know when definition, i.e. hit the ball as it comes, no matter come what may.

Dear readers I would like to ask,

Whether it was a special knock by David Warner or was it just a poor performance by Chennai Bowlers and anyone could have hit them on the day?

Please I would welcome your comments below:

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Indian Team's Selection for Home Series Against England...

The Team goes as follows:

• MS Dhoni (captain)
• Manoj Tiwary
• Ajinkya Rahane
• Gautam Gambhir
• Parthiv Patel
• Suresh Raina
• Virat Kohli
• Ravindra Jadeja
• R Ashwin
• Rahul Sharma
• Varun Aaron
• Umesh Yadav
• Praveen Kumar

ASHWIN HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE SQUAD

Well I truly am very impressed by the selectors for selecting such a great team, giving youngsters a chance to prove their worth. Bhajji's exclusion was not a surprise, seeing his recent poor performances. There are more than three players who haven't played a single one dayer. Here inclusion of Ashwin is a boost for the youngster as he didn't get many chances to prove how stupendous player he is.  

Rahane is going through a good phase and he has got runs under his belt both in domestic and international arena. I think Varun Aaron should have been given a chance in England but its good to be late than never, so play him right from the start.

Rahane gets one more chance

Rahul Shrama, came as surprise and according to me, Ojha should have been given a go. 

Nehra has been neglected for first two odi's

The Board has done a foolish thing by not including Nehra in the squad. He is India's premier bowler after Zaheer and he should have been given a chance. Also he declared himself fit and his performances throughout the WC had been good. Another player which I believe should have been played was Iqbal Abdulla. The young lad has been impressive with his bowling.

Abdulla plays for KKR

In all its a good team with many youngsters, but still it could have been much better.

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Champions League T20.....A Platform for Young Cricketers

I truly have been impressed with the performances of some of the teams in 2011 CLT20. Especially some of the players have played outstanding cricket this season. Unlike last year teams from England and other nations have shown character and played well. The way Trinidad team has played just shows how young cricketers in absence of star players like Pollard and elder Bravo can rise to occasion and put up a good show. Though the results have not favored the West Indian giants but they truly have given hiccups to many teams. Another team which impressed all of us is Somerset. One would have thought this team would miss stupendous players like Trescothick, Kieswetter and many a more. But under rated South African Van Der Merwe

van  Merwe

has played superbly. His performances with both bat and ball have caught many eyes. Few days back injury hit Mumbai team played in Sarul Kanwar, the Punjabi lad was hitting the bowlers through the line as if they don't have any respect. Many young batsman like Smuts (Warriors), S. Ganga (T& T), Levi (Cobras), Ferguson (Redbacks) have changed the course of the match. One such example is Moises Henriques

, who with his all round abilities when New South Wales a lost match.

Moises Henriques

This was about batsman, but the young bowlers are not behind. Samuel Badree, Rusty Theron, S. Aravind, Merwe, Rampaul, I. Abdulla have been on prime form and have given best batsman trouble.
Speaking of the young blood, the legends have also net stepped back. Kallis bats and bowls as if he is a 20 year old boy smacking the bowl around when batting and destroying timber when bowling. He has proved that 20-20 is not just about hitting big sixes, its about playing sensibly and when the opportunity arrives take the bowler for a beating. Ashwell Prince is one such case. He paces his innings so well. Malinga as we know is still best at bowling unplayable deliveries. Dwayne Bravo also had put up an all round show against the Cobras the other day.

Kallis hitting a ball long way

As far now this is the best Champions League we ever had with stiff competition and every team performing well.
Though it is difficult to predict who will make the top 4 but according team any of the following teams will make it to the semis:
 

• Kolkata
• Mumbai
• Chennai
• Somerset
• Warriors
• New South Wales

Look out for the interesting matches to follow in the competition, till then its good bye from me.

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The Great Wall of India: A Tribute

Rahul Dravid .....The Great Wall of India.....one of the greatest batsman Indian Cricket Team has seen over the years. None can be compared to his temperament and fitness. The humble man who hails from Karnataka has made his presence felt over the world with his superb technique and excellent stroke play.

Playing since 1996 Dravid has never looked back. The cool batsman made his debut against English. Though he wasn't successful there but he came to limelight when he scored his first test century against South Africa in 1997. He successfully played the fast bowlers like Allen Donald and Shaun Pollock and since then THE WALL has been rock solid. Be it any team Dravid has shown his resilience against every bowler. With 35 test tons now as he surpassed Sunil Gavaskar on Sunday against England the batsman has fought hard. He has saved India many a times from some really tricky situations. What makes him a LEGEND is his love and confidence towards his game. He was made the captain of Indian Team in 2005. He has received many awards like Wisden, ICC awards and many others.
Who can forget his 270 against Pakistan? Who can forget his partnership with VVS Laxman that won India a lost match? Who can forget his match saving innings in Sri Lanka?
And now who can forget England Tour of 2011....though Indians have lost the series but then also Dravid stood his ground and nearly scored 500 runs. None can underestimate this talented cricketer.
He has been criticized for playing slow but I ask you isn't he a match saviour ? What happens if he has faced 30000 balls in test cricket but he has scored 12,500 runs.
Rahul you are one of the batting greats....I hail you for your excellent contribution to our nation.....Thank YOU RAHUL DRAVID.

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Has Indian Cricket Team's Downfall Started ?

CRICKET.........A sport which is followed like a religion in India. This thought is justified as over the years Indian Cricket Team has proved its mantle in the international arena. Winning three World Cups, becoming No. 1 in Test Cricket and becoming the best cricket team in the world. But off late we have been forced to change our thinking about this team. The question is that whether this team deserves to be No. 1 or not ? Getting to the top is difficult but consistently maintaining that position is more difficult. Is this the team that won 2011 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ? India's recent shameful loss to England has raised many eyebrows.

What are the Causes for such a hopeless performance ? 

• Injuries to key players like Zaheer Khan, Bhajji and Sehwag. 
• Indian Premier League fatigue
• Batsman cannot play on fast bouncy pitches
• Weak bench strength
• Poor captaincy
• Its just an outstanding team which had a bad month in England

The causes may be many. But we can only blame the BCCI or the players. Every cricket expert is blaming IPL as the reason for India's disastrous performance because many key players were injured during the league.

MS Dhoni, the Indian skipper has been lashed for taking nasty decisions during these test matches. He is also being scrutinized for his poor batting form. Many believe that the darkest patch of his career is round the corner and he may have to fight like a true warrior.

In this series India haven't just bowled well but their batting line up which is believed to be one of the best till date misfired. No batsman except Dravid could bat up to his potential.
The bowling line up which is good enough to get any team out couldn't bowl the right length.
What can be done now?

• Forget this series
• Batsman have to perform well
• Improve bench strength
• Field well(many dropped catches)
• Win the Australian series and shut the critics up

Well the main question is that can this team be the best in the world ? Can they fightback ? Do they still they have the winning element in them?

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