Asia Cup 2016: Onus lies on Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma to provide solid platform for India

 

Shikhar and Rohit have found the confidence as a pair for India upfront and that has been the reason for Mahendra Singh Dhoni to find success in the shortest format of the game. Shikhar's transition in form has been a positive factor for India in Australia and against Sri Lanka at home recently.

The left-hander had a miserable time with the bat against South Africa in 2015 and struggled prior to that series too. But since then his approach should be lauded and he seems to make the chances count when he sets out to bat.

Rohit missed out against Sri Lanka apart from the 43 runs in Ranchi and the slow Bangladeshi pitches will test his approach and patience.

With the coveted Asia Cup in Bangaldesh, Dhawan will hope to get India ticking alongside Rohit Sharma who had a dream ODI and T20 series against Australia. With Rohit likely to take his time and look to finish games, the onus lies on Dhawan in setting the attack mode from the very beginning.

The understanding and running between the wickets between the duo has been notable. India will want the two batsmen to continue their surge at the top of the order. India who face Bangladesh in the first game will need to be wary of their bowlers who have made a mark at home. The challenge against Mustafizur Rahman and the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Taskin Ahmed will test the opening duo.

Shikhar and Rohit's application has provided a cushion to skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and their performances will be the key again in Asia Cup to give India the platform for the rest of the team.

 

 

Indian Premier League has got its share of bad name​: Mahendra Singh Dhoni​

 

"Lodha Commission has not given me the report. So you have to ask the BCCI (about what they plan to do," said Dhoni here today.IPL and controversies go hand in hand but Dhoni defended the cash-rich league.

"Yes, it (IPL) has got its share of bad name but you have to look at the positives as well. It is a platform where you can identify the players on the domestic circuit, gauge their performance throughout the season. It is also about how the young players handle pressure, you see youngsters embracing it. I think that is fantastic for Indian cricket. 

"Yes, money is a big factor. People talk about cricketers getting a lot of money. Yes, a lot of cricketers are getting a lot of money but at the same time, thousands and thousands of them are not."

Sanjiv Goenka, owner of new IPL franchise Pune Supergiants, sharing the dais with Dhoni, was also asked about his thoughts on brand IPL taking a hit.

"I have been asked this before. I am not going to comment about the past. We take it as it comes. We are not thinking beyond two years. An opportunity came to be associated with IPL for two years and we took it," said Goenka.

Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions have replaced the suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for the coming two seasons.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni: Change in fortunes with change in formats for Indian skipper

 

The win against the Dinesh Chandimal-led side, is Dhoni's second consecutive series win after hammering Australia 3-0 in a historic whitewash.

Not long ago, there were questions being raised about Dhoni's personal form, and also whether he was the right man to lead India after the team suffered a 1-4 defeat in the ODIs against the Aussies.

But ever since the T20Is began, Dhoni has rediscovered his mojo.

While the comebacks of Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh has strengthened the middle-order, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah have given more bowling options to Dhoni.

Also the fact the the Asia Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 will be played on sub-continental tracks, Dhoni has some world-class spinners at his disposal and if the tracks assists spinners, there aren't many leaders who can capitalise on them better than Dhoni.

While he is yet to score a big knock for the team, with everything going his way, a swashbuckling innings shouldn't be too far away.

 

3rd T20I, India vs Sri Lanka Photos

 

INDIA'S CAPTAIN MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI TOSSES HIS HELMET TO A TEAMMATE DURING THEIR THIRD TWENTY20 CRICKET MATCH AGAINST SRI LANKA, IN VISHAKAPATNAM.

 

MEMBERS OF THE INDIAN CRICKET TEAM CELEBRATE WITH THE WINNING TROPHY AFTER THEIR TWENTY20 CRICKET SERIES WIN AGAINST SRI LANKA, IN VISHAKAPATNAM.

 

MEMBERS OF THE INDIAN CRICKET TEAM CELEBRATE WITH THE WINNING TROPHY AFTER THEIR TWENTY20 CRICKET SERIES WIN AGAINST SRI LANKA, IN VISHAKAPATNAM.

 

INDIAN CRICKETERS SHIKHAR DHAWAN, LEFT, AND AJINKYA RAHANE GREET EACH OTHER TO CELEBRATE THEIR VICTORY AGAINST SRI LANKA IN THE THIRD TWENTY20 CRICKET MATCH, IN VISHAKAPATNAM.

 

INDIA'S RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN CELEBRATES AFTER TAKING THE WICKET OF SRI LANKAN BATSMAN TILLAKARATNE DILSHAN, NOT SEEN, DURING THEIR THIRD TWENTY20 CRICKET MATCH IN VISHAKAPATNAM

 

SRI LANKAN PLAYERS CELEBRATE THE DISMISSAL OF INDIA'S BATSMAN ROHIT SHARMA DURING THEIR THIRD TWENTY20 CRICKET MATCH, IN VISHAKAPATNAM.

IND vs SL, 3rd T20I: Clinical India trounce Sri Lanka by 9 wickets

 

The win also helped India win the three-match series 2-1 and maintain their numero uno position in the ICC Twenty20 ranking. It also meant that Mahendra Singh Dhoni has lead the team to back-to-back Twenty20 series win following their 3-0 success in Australia.

Hero of the match Ravichandran Ashwin produced a dream spell to taking four wickets in a mind-blowing opening spell after MS Dhoni won the toss and invited Sri Lanka to bat first at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.

The 29-year-old spinner, who won the man of the match award, was also adjudged player of the series for his nine wickets.

Today, Ashwin's efforts were ably supported by other pace and spin bowlers. Part-timer Suresh Raina was impressive, chipping in with two wickets, even as Ashish Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja produced good spells.

Ashwin thus recorded the best bowling figures for an Indian bowler in T20I. His figures read 4-1-8-4.

Chasing a tricky looking 82, India lost opener Rohit Sharma early, but Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane kept cool and won the match with 37 balls remaining.

The Delhi batsman, who had played a pivotal role in India's series leveling win at Ranchi with maiden T20I fifty, played a gem of innings of 46 runs off 46 deliveries. After bidding his time, the left-handed batsman hit a six and four of successive debutant Asela Gunaratne in the 14th over to wrap up the match and series.

He and Rahane stitched a undefeated 55-run second wicket partnership to make sure India avoid any slip chasing the target. Rahane made a patient looking 22 off 24 deliveries.

The Delhi batsman was the top scorer with 106 runs at an average of 53. He was the only batsman to cross the 100-run mark.

The lone wicket in India's innings was claimed by Dushmantha Chameera. The 24-year-old paceman had a great series, and was the hero in Sri Lanka's win at Pune. He scalped five wickets in the three series, same as India's old war-horse Ashish Nehra.

Sri Lanka's total of 82 was also their lowest total in this format. Their previous lowest total was 87 against Australia, at Bridgetown in a 2010 World T20 match.

Talking about records, it's India's biggest win in terms of wickets.

After convincing wins over World Champions Sri Lanka and Australia, India will enter the Asia Cup T20 as favourites. The tournament proper starts on February 24 in Bangladesh.

Consistency will give us confidence, says MS Dhoni

 

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin weaved his magic with a career-best four-wicket haul as India today trounced Sri Lanka by nine wickets in the deciding third and final Twenty20 International to clinch the three-match series 2-1.

And Dhoni feels his boys need to be expressive going into upcoming important assignments.

"I feel it was a very good game, important we restricted them to a decent total. Ashwin was the pick but he was well supported by the others. In between you will lose one or two games. We want to keep playing the way we re playing. Consistency will give us the confidence," Dhoni said at the post match press conference.

"We need to be expressive, the fans will put the pressure on us but we need to take it one game at a time," the skipper said when asked about their chances in the ICC World Twenty20 to be hosted at home turf.

Dhoni also said the experience of playing in the Indian Premier League has held them in good stead in the shortest format of the game.

"Eight seasons of IPL has given us the experience. Always good to have the conditions suiting you to an extent. Spinners can come into play here, which gives us the liberty to try out a few things," he said.

Man-of-the-match Ashwin said he is presently reaping the benefits of his hardwork.

"I hope this lasts forever. The ball is coming out pretty well. I've been working pretty hard, I want to contribute and attribute to the team rather than being a deficiency," he said.

"I thought I would get a five-for today. The wicket had a bit of dampness in it. I have a couple of variation when using the new ball. I want to keep the batsmen guessing, and wickets makes me a different bowler. I always have the courage to flight the ball."

Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal said batsmen let the islanders down in the entire series.

"We didn't perform well throughout the series as batsmen. If we got 140-plus, we would have had a chance, but we didn't do that. Losing wickets happens with an inexperienced team," he said.

"I'm impressed with our bowlers, Shanaka and Chameera. We need to regroup as a team."

Mahendra Singh Dhoni becomes first captain to win 30 Twenty20 International matches

The 34-year-old has led India 56 times in the shortest format of the games, winning 30 games, with a success rate of 55.45%. Besides the 24 defeats, there were a No Result and a Tie too.

Dhoni also holds the record for most matches as captain.

Ireland captain William Porterfield has 43 matches with 23 wins in the second place, ahead of West Indian Darren Sammy, with 41 matches and 22 wins.

Yesterday, India won the second match of the three-match series at Dhoni's home-ground Ranchi by 69 runs thanks to an all-round show from both the batsmen and bowlers.

Shikhar Dhawan made a career-best 51 off 25 deliveries, and after a solid foundation with fellow opener Rohit Sharma, who made 43 off 36, India posted 196 runs.

In defence, Indian bowlers dismissed the Lankans for 127 with Ravinchandran Ashwin taking three wickets, while conceding only 14 runs from his four overs spell.

Ashish Nehra, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah also got two wickets each.

Third and final match will be played tomorrow at Visakhapatnam.

ICC World Twenty20: Youngsters Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah making all the right noises

In the build-up to the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 in March to be held in India, the young duo have been making all the right noises to justify their place in the team. Both Pandya and Bumrah starred for India in the 2nd T20I in Ranchi on Friday to help the side level the series at 1-1.

Pandya who was promoted up the batting order, smashed 27 runs from just 12 deliveries as India posted a mammoth 196/6. Pandya was electric on the field and took a stunning catch to dismiss the in-form Chamara Kapugedera. Pandya's all-round abilities is a big plus for India and he is showing why he can be the answer for India in limited overs cricket in that role.

Pandya has looked to cash in on his experience in the tour of Australia and that has rubbed off on him against the Lankans too. With the Asia Cup coming up followed by the mega World Cup tourney, Pandya looks like to have an important bearing in the shortest format of the game.

Fellow youngster Jasprit Bumrah too has relieved the pressure of Indian death bowling worries as he has excelled in that role against both Australia and Lanka. The youngster was handled the ball in the final overs by Dhoni on Friday and he stepped up by bowling yorkers and full length deliveries that also saw him pick two wickets.

Bumrah fascinated everybody with his skills in the final overs in Australia too where India won the T20I series 3-0. He had picked up six wickets from three matches against the Aussies and created trouble for Aussies with his yorkers. His unusual style of bowling has helped him too.

India have consistently been let down in recent times with the death overs bowling and the way Bumrah has shown his prowess, it has given Dhoni more confidence to try different things.

Their consistency also means that Mohammed Shami may not get a chance in the starting XI as veteran Ashish Nehra too has justified his role as an upfront bowler. It will be tough ask for Shami to replace either Bumrah or Pandya and only depending on circumstances Dhoni may opt for the former.

The skipper has lauded both the youngsters in recent times and if they can continue their hard work consistently then it would help them to cement their places in both the limited overs format of the game.

Experimenting is a word banned from Indian cricket: MS Dhoni

Dhoni was obviously referring to the promotion of Hardik Pandya ahead of more established batsmen like himself and Yuvraj Singh and off course the introduction of Ravichandran Aswhin as opening bowler.

But the skipper assured that Team India will continue to experiment, to give every team member enough opportunity to prove themselves.

"Almost 200 runs were scored, but there was something for everyone. Experimenting is a word banned from Indian cricket, but yes we're trying different things. Our top order has done well, so we're trying to give everyone an opportunity whenever possible," he said during the post match presentation.

He also stressed on the importance of fielding and hailed his bowlers for a brilliant outing.

"Most of our fielders are above average. Sometimes in T20s, even the slower ones can get away. But yes, fielding is very important. Being a bit unorthodox behind the stumps really helps, but credit to the bowlers for beating the batsman," he added.

India vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I: Dhawan, Ashwin star as clinical hosts hit back to level series 1-1

After losing the first match at Pune, Shikhar Dhawan and Ravinchandran Ashwin played stellar roles to help India register a convincing 69-run win at Ranchi to level the series 1-1.

Chasing India's 196/6, the visitors could managed only 127 from the stipulated 20 overs with the loss of nine wickets.

Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal won the toss and invited India to bat first on a seemingly dry top. Unlike the pitch in Pune, the pitch at JSCA International Stadium Complex was a typical sub-continental one, with limited assist to new ball bowlers.

India started their innings in a confident note with Rohit Sharma hitting the very first delivery of the match for a four over the covers. The Mumbai batsman was, however, soon overshadowed by a brilliant Dhawan.

The Delhi batsmen went onto registered his first fifty of the format. He reached the mini-milestone off just 22 deliveries. His batting efforts earned him the Man of the Match award, eclipsing Thisara Perera's brilliant hat-trick.

He was ably supported by a Rohit, who made 43 off 36 deliveries. Their 75-run opening stand laid the foundation for India to post a good total. Besides the openers, Indian top-order batsmen produced runs even as skipper Dhoni promoted rookie Hardik Pandya ahead of himself and Yuvraj Singh.

Ajinkya Rahane, batting at no.3, contributed with 25 valuable runs off 21 deliveries, while Suresh Raina and Pandya played two superb innings to get India to a good total.

Raina scored 30 off 19 balls, and he took some to time to get into the T20 mood. But it was altogether a different story for Pandya, who scored 27 off 12.

If it was not for Perera's hat-trick, India could have ended up scoring more than 210. The Sri Lankan bowler got the wickets of Raina, Pandya and Yuvraj in the penultimate over to restrict the Indian innings.

Dhoni started the defence with Ashwin opening the bowling. And his tactics showed results with spinner getting the better of Lankan opener Tillakaratne Dilshan in the second ball. Ashwin's superb start was responded by Ashish Nehra, by taking the wicket of Seekkuge Prasanna in the very next over.

From that double-blow, the visitors never recovered with Indian spinners taking over the reigns in the middle overs.

Ashwin returned with an impressive figures of 4-0-14-3, while Nehra was bit expensive for his 3-0-26-2.

Jedeja contained the middle order batsmen, taking two wickets by conceding 24 runs in his four-overs spell.

Skipper Dhoni himself got into act with a super-fast stumping to dismiss rival skipper, who made 31.

Chamara Kapugedera was the top scorer for Sri Lanka with 32 off 27.

But towards the end, youngster Jasprit Bumrah showed his guile once again, taking two wickets to clean up the Lankan tail.

Third and final match of the series will be played at Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni threatens to file Rs 100-crore defamation case against Hindi daily for match-fixing allegations

As per a report in Deccan Chronicle, Dhoni has sent a legal notice to the accusers (a Hindi daily), who reportedly claim that he fixed a Test match against England at Old Trafford in 2014.

The accusers, quoting Sunil Dev who was a manager of Team India on England tour, had alleged that Dhoni purposefully chose to bat on a wet wicket resulting in a loss for Men in Blue as the match wrapped up under three days.

Now, Dhoni's lawyers have reportedly sent a nine-page legal notice which reads: "The said video contains footage of an absolute dubious sting operation of the aforementioned Mr (Sunil) Dev, which in the present circumstances is nothing but a false propaganda initiated by you to defame my client. In fact, the so-called Indian cricket official (Sunil Dev) who you have credited to be the source of information has strongly denied the incident."

"Our client (Mahendra Singh Dhoni) reserves the right to institute proceedings for the recovery of damages up to Rs. 100 crores (1 billion) from you on account of the defamation, mental agony and trauma caused to him due to this by causing loss of his reputation," the notice continues.

1st T20I: It was more English wicket than Indian, says MS Dhoni

Indian batsmen were all at sea against the seam and bounce extracted by rookie Sri Lanka pacers to get all-out for 101 in 18.5 overs thereby losing the match by five wickets.

"The wicket was completely different to what we have been playing in the last one month (in Australia). It was more like an English wicket. There was spongy bounce, and variable pace. The wicket was also not rolled properly. Looking at the wicket, we should not have played a few big shots that we played," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Asked if it was difficult to adjust to the Indian conditions after playing a month in Australia, Dhoni's sarcastic reply was:"It was more English conditions than Indian conditions."
Dhoni felt that another 25-30 runs could have made the contest interesting.

"This was not a 160 wicket. This was more of a 135-140 kind of wicket because there was some help for the fast bowlers. Our shot selection should have been better. Looking at the positives, everybody got a chance to bat today. The bowlers did really well and another 25 runs could have made it interesting. When we went there to field, we believed that we can try hard to defend a small total," said the skipper.

Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal also echoed Dhoni's sentiments stating that "toss became important" after he saw fresh grass on the 22-yard strip.

"I'm over the moon. I thought toss was important. I saw some fresh grass on the pitch. Credit goes to bowlers, they did a really good job. It's a young team. Every time we tell them to back themselves and do what they are capable of. We are missing a lot of senior players but the youngsters have put their hands up and grabbed the opportunity."

‘A father is always a father, and son stays the son’

Former India skipper Kapil Dev (left) feels it is too early to compare Virat Kohli's Test captaincy to that of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's as the leadership role is still very new to the team's batting star.

Jaipur: Former India skipper Kapil Dev feels it is too early to compare Virat Kohli's Test captaincy to that of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's as the leadership role is still very new to the team's batting star.

"Baap Baap hota hain aur beta beta hota hain (a father is always a father, and son stays the son)," was Kapil's witty reply when asked who is a better captain between Dhoni and his successor in Tests.

"There is a still long way to go before Kohli - the captain matches the achievements of Dhoni. Having said that, Kohli has been doing great as a batsman and I am sure he will be equally good as India's captain," said Kapil at a promotional event.

India go into the four-match Test series against South Africa having lost the T20 and ODI contests. Kapil said the outcome of the series will depend on the kind of pitches prepared.

"India will do well if the pitches are prepared keeping their strength in mind. That is to have good batting wickets that also offer assistance to their spinners. It will be tough to win if the curators end up preparing surfaces that suit South Africa."

And for having this point of view, it wasn't a surprise that he came out in support of Team Director Ravi Shastri after his controversial argument with Mumbai pitch curator Sudhir Naik post India's defeat in the fifth ODI.

"I am with Ravi on what happened. It was 2-2, the series was on the line and we should have had the pitch that suited India. But that wasn't the case. There is nothing wrong if the home team captain wants a pitch of his choice. We play on fast and bouncy tracks when we travel to South Africa," reasoned Kapil.

Talking about Virender Sehwag's retirement, the World Cup winning captain felt the former India opener deserved a farewell game but the lack of it did not make him a lesser legend.

"We should leave it to selectors to decide. It is not possible to give everyone a farewell game. If you ask me, it doesn't matter whether Sehwag played one more game for India. The fact is that he remains a great player. Azharuddin who played 99 Tests wanted one more game but it didn't pan out that way," he added.

Post announcing his retirement, Sehwag himself had expressed the desire of getting a fitting farewell from the game.