Monday, 29 July 2013
Sunday, 28 July 2013
Virat Kohli is an aggressive captain in Sourav Ganguly mould, says Coach Rajkumar Sharma
NEW DELHI : Noted coach Rajkumar Sharma, who played a pivotal role in shaping up Virat Kohli's career, feels that his ward's aggressive captaincy resembles a lot with Sourav Ganguly's methods but insisted that he should also learn the ropes from current skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"Virat is an aggressive player by nature. He is someone who always likes to attack and take the opposition head on which is also reflected in his captaincy. For me, Virat belongs to the Sourav Ganguly 'School of captaincy' which is to attack the opposition from the word 'go'," Sharma said.
Just like any concerned coach, Sharma is also aware that aggression should be blended with caution which is the hallmark of a good captain.
"I am all for aggressive captaincy but I believe that he should also know the line that one shouldn't overstep. If he does that, then I come into picture to make him aware," Sharma analysed.
Kohli, in his maiden stint as India captain has led the team to the final of the tri-series in West Indies but his coach doesn't want his ward to be pushed into the hot seat.
"Mahendra Singh Dhoni is an exceptional captain and I believe that Virat still has a lot to learn from Dhoni although no two persons are the same and their thought process is bound to be different. I feel that till Dhoni is playing, he is the best man to lead India and Virat will certainly get it when his turn comes around," Sharma opined.
However the former first-class cricketer doesn't believe that age should be a criteria while selecting a captain.
"Age has got nothing do with captaincy. It's more about how good one is when it comes to analysing match situation, reacting to it and also about leading from the front with good performances."The coach also believes Virat has come of age in the past couple of years and is more confident about his game."He had some problems but that was way back in 2008 during IPL 1. After that, he understood his mistakes and also worked hard on his game. He has matured a lot and that's for everyone to see," Sharma concluded.
© TOI
Thursday, 25 July 2013
India vs Zimbabwe Stats : Virat Kohli is the Fastest to hit 15 ODI hundreds
Virat Kohli is the only batsman to register 15 hundreds in 109 ODIs since debut. Hashim Amla has scored eleven hundreds in 74 ODIs. Four batsmen had recorded ten hundreds each in their first 109 Tests - Brian Lara, Gordon Greenidge, Herschelle Gibbs and Marcus Trescothick.
Here are Some Stats about the rivalry ~
# India's six-wicket triumph is their sixth in eight matches against Zimbabwe at Harare in ODIs.
# The aforesaid win is India's 40th in 52 matches against Zimbabwe (Lost 10 and Tied two) - winning % 78.84.
# Sikandar Raza (82 off 112 balls) has registered his maiden fifty in ODIs, obliterating the 37 vs Bangladesh at Bulawayo on May 8, 2013.
# Raza is the fifth Zimbabwean opener to register a fifty or more vs India at Harare in ODIs. Craig Wishart is the only player to record a hundred vs India at Harare - 102 off 124 balls on September 30, 1998.
# Raza's 82 is the second highest by a Zimbabwean player against India at Harare in ODIs, next only to Craig Wishart (as above).
# Vusi Sibanda (34) has registered his highest score vs India in ODIs. In six innings vs India, he has managed just 66 runs at an average of 11.00.
# For the first time, three successive opening partnerships of fifty or more have been recorded for Zimbabwe vs India in ODIs - 88 at Bulawayo on May 28, 2010 and 128 at Harare on June 3, 2010 - both by the same pair - Hamilton
Masakadza and Brendan Taylor followed by 72 between Vusi Sibanda and Sikandar Raza at Harare on July 24, 2013.
# Since posting 110 by Chamu Chibhabha and Vusi Sibanda vs Pakistan at Harare on September 14, 2011, Zimbabwe, for the first time, have recorded two fifty-plus opening stands in succession in ODIs - 79 by Masakadza and Sibanda vs Bangladesh at Bulawayo on May 8, 2013 and 72 by Sibanda and Raza.
# Playing in his first ODI after 25 months, Amit Mishra (3/43) has produced his best bowling figures vs Zimbabwe in ODIs.
# Elton Chigumbura (43 not out) has recorded his highest score vs India in ODIs.
# Ravindra Jadeja (10-3-33-0) has failed to capture a wicket for the first time vs Zimbabwe in ODIs.
# For the first time in an ODI, Jadeja has delivered three maiden overs.
# Shikhar Dhawan (17) took his tally to 515 at an average of 51.50 in eleven ODIs in 2013. His tally includes two hundreds and two fifties.
# Virat Kohli (115 off 108 balls) has registered his highest score vs Zimbabwe in ODIs, eclipsing the 18 at Harare on June 3, 2010.
# Kohli's first century vs Zimbabwe is his 15th in ODIs. As captain, he has recorded two hundreds in four innings - his aggregate being 250 (ave.62.50)at a strike rate of 100.80.
# Kohli is the only batsman to register 15 hundreds in 109 ODIs since debut. Hashim Amla has scored eleven hundreds in 74 ODIs. Four batsmen had recorded ten hundreds each in their first 109 Tests - Brian Lara, Gordon Greenidge, Herschelle Gibbs and Marcus Trescothick.
# Kohli's aggregate of 4493 (ave.49.37) in 109 is an Indian record for the highest runs' tally by an Indian and the fourth highest, next only to Vivian Richards (4600), Gordon Greenidge (4545) and Brian Lara (4544).
# Kohli's aforesaid hundred is his tenth away from home in ODIs.
# Kohli's match-winning innings is the second highest by an Indian player vs Zimbabwe at Harare in ODIs - the only other centurion being Yuvraj Singh - 120 off 124 balls on September 4, 2005.
# Kohli has recorded fourteen hundreds in a winning cause in ODIs - his aggregate being 3411 (ave.67.59) in 67 matches.
# Kohli has received his 15th Man of the Match award - his first vs Zimbabwe.
# The three leading Indian run-getters in ODIs this year are - Virat Kohli (607), Dhawan (515) and Sharma (501).
# In eleven innings in ODIs this year, Dhawan and Sharma have managed 618 partnership runs at an average of 56.18, including three hundred-plus and two fifty-plus stands.
# Ambati Rayudu (63 not out) is the eleventh Indian batsman to register a fifty on ODI debut. Robin Uthappa's 86 off 96 balls vs England at Indore on April 15, 2006 is the highest individual innings on debut for India.
# Rayudu and Kohli were involved in a stand of 159 - India's highest third-wicket partnership vs Zimbabwe in ODIs, outstripping the 143 between Sachin Tendulkar and Ajay Jadeja at Singapore on September 4, 1999.
# The aforesaid partnership is India's highest for any wicket vs Zimbabwe at Harare, obliterating the 158 for the sixth wicket between Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh on September 4, 2005.
[Via : Sports.NDTV]
'Hunger for Success' matters more than experience in ODIs, Says Virat Kohli
With Mahendra Singh Dhoni rested, Virat Kohli-led India side departed for Zimbabwe on Monday, brimming with confidence. For the man at the helm, his team is strong despite several key players being given a break.
India takes on hosts Zimbabwe in a 5-ODI contest starting Wednesday and Captain Kohli said the touring party is completely focused on maintaining its winning momentum. "I don't think experience matters, especially in a limited overs game. You need 11 players, who are hungry for success, who are hardworking and whose vision is team victory. All 15 players are strong and it is a strong unit, which is good," he was quoted as saying.
India have had rousing success in the past two months with the Champions Trophy win followed by the tri-series title in West Indies, where Kohli captained the team in three matches.
The 24-year-old said while he can't guarantee wins, he hopes to lead by setting examples. "I can't guarantee (wins/maintaining momentum). If we continue this way, it will be a good time for Indian cricket. A lot of things that would make people happy. I always like to lead from the front and set an example for whoever is playing with or around me. I like taking responsibilities. That is a natural thing for me," he said.
Playing fearlessly is Virat Kohli's mantra..
Post your Good Wishes!
[Via : Sports.NDTV]
Wednesday, 24 July 2013
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
It's Time to Lead | Mission Zimbabwe | Good Wishes To 'Captain Virat' and his young brigade
Virat Kohli will continue to lead the side in the absence of Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir fails to make a comeback. India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been rested for the five-match ODI series in Zimbabwe in July. Ajinkya Rahane and Ambati Rayudu have been retained from the team that is playing the ongoing tri-series in West Indies.
Test and ODI regulars like Ishant Sharma, R Ashwin, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been rested. Regular Test opener Murali Vijay, who was included in the ODI team that played the ICC Champions Trophy and the West Indies tri-series has been dropped.
Meanwhile Gautam Gambhir, who last played an ODI for India against England earlier this year, was named among the probables for the Windies series by the selectors, has been ignored.
India will play the first three games of bilateral series against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club and the last two in Bulawayo. The series commences on July 24 and ends August 3rd.
Full squad for the Zimbabwe ODIs ~
Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Cheteshwar Pujara, Dinesh Karthik, Ambati Rayudu, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Parvez Rasool, Mohd Shami Ahmed, R Vinay Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohit Sharma.
Saturday, 20 July 2013
Virat Kohli calls fixing, doping 'Threats' to the game of Cricket
Mumbai, July 20 : Virat Kohli has been a revelation since his India debut five years ago. His ability to play with aggression and daring has helped him become one of the best limited overs batsmen in the world today. As he prepares for his first tour as captain, in the ODI series in Zimbabwe, Kohli showed aggression off the field as well.
Speaking to reporters at an event on Friday, he minced no words while describing players who have brought the game to disrepute. Indian players have been mired in the spot-fixing scandal as well as doping.
"In the game of cricket, a hero is one who respects the game and a villain is one who corrupts the game and must be punished. If you do not respect the game that has given you everything then it is wrong. They should be punished and they have been punished in the past," he said. "This (doping) is not at all acceptable. Whoever doesn't respect sport, corrupts it, should be handed the harshest punishment."
Benefit of doubt
However, he said athletes could also take banned substances by mistake. "You may have taken an antibiotic but if it has a banned substance, you will test positive. You may not know about it."
Kohli is confident in his ability to lead a young side. "I don't think experience matters, especially in the limited overs game. You need 11 players who are hungry for success, hard-working and whose vision is team victory. It is a strong unit, which is good. We need to keep winning, and continue making people happy."
The 24-year-old added: "I like to always lead from the front and set an example for whoever is playing with me or around me. I like taking responsibilities. That comes naturally to me.
Need for confidence
"The best quality is not to be afraid of anything. Even if you have seniors or players with lot more experience in your team, you need confidence in your ability and think you can lead them. It is important you set an example with your performance quickly and then you gain respect," he added.
The top-ranked Indian in the ICC batting rankings said he always looked up to Sachin Tendulkar. "My superhero is Sachin Tendulkar, will always be for life. I used to dream of playing for India, the way he single-handedly won matches for India made a big impact on me. While we were playing in the 2011 World Cup final, I remember him getting out. I walked in and felt alone against the opposition. It was then that I felt I needed superpower as well," said Kohli.
On the selection of Jammu and Kashmir player Pervez Rasool, Kohli hoped he makes an impact. "It is a good sign players are not just coming from major cities. You can see everybody is working hard and the thinking is not narrow-minded in India. If he gets an opportunity to play, I am sure he will try to give a good performance."
©YahooCricket, HT
Friday, 19 July 2013
My superhero is Sachin Tendulkar, says Virat Kohli
Kids idolize many superheroes - Superman, Spiderman or Batman. For star India batsman Virat Kohli though, his superhero is none other than Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar.
Speaking to the media in Mumbai on Friday, Kohli says that he will always idolize Tendulkar.
"My superhero is Sachin Tendulkar. Will always be for life," Kohli said in an event, where he was unveiled as a brand ambassador of a newly launched teen superhero MaxSteel.
The 24-year-old, who is set to lead Team India for the upcoming 5 ODIs against Zimbabwe starting Wednesday, talked about 'heroes and villains' in cricket.
"In the game of cricket, a hero is one who respects the game. And a villain is the one who corrupts the game and must be punished," the Delhi player said.
Talking of toys in sports, Kohli terms the cricket bat not merely as a toy but a weapon.
"The bat is not a toy, it's a weapon. It gives me everything in life, which helps me to do everything on the field."
Kohli is a two-time World Cup winner, albeit at different age levels - he led India Under-19s to the ICC World Cup title in 2007 and was an integral part of the 2011 victorious ICC World Cup campaign at home.
© NDTV
Friday, 12 July 2013
Spectacular MS Dhoni leads India to Tri-Nation Series Victory
PORT OF SPAIN : It was bitter deja-vu for Sri Lanka as MS Dhoni almost single-handedly denied them the Tri-Nations Cup with an innings of spectacular calmness and aggression on Thursday evening.
A sequence of implosions on either side all came down to Dhoni, arguably the best finisher in the modern game, facing Shaminda Eranga's last over of the match with India needing 15 to win. Eranga had bowled superbly throughout the game and Lanka were just one wicket away from what would have been a hard-earned title.
Toppled Over
It was a match of collapses. Sent in by India, Sri Lanka disintegrated to 201 all out from a strong 171/2, thanks to the combined firepower or Ravindra Jadeja (4/23) and R. Ashwin (2/42). India matched their rivals at the game of toppling over. They looked assured of an easy win on 139/3, needing just 63 in almost 20 overs, when Rangana Herath destroyed them with his left-arm spin.
Herath removed the well-set and determined Rohit Sharma (58) with a dirt-kisser that almost rolled onto the middle stump. He then claimed Jadeja and Ashwin off consecutive deliveries, sending alarm bells ringing in the Indian camp.
Things looked even graver because India had lost the breezy Suresh Raina to his own folly a little earlier. That left skipper Dhoni alone with the tail to get the 50-odd for victory. Bhuvneshwar Kumar faced 15 balls without scoring before Lasith Malinga speared a yorker onto his pads for India’s 8th wicket.
It looked all over when R. Vinay Kumar, who had replaced Umesh Yadav for the final, lasted 16 balls before yielding to temptation, leaving India nine wickets down. Dhoni, however, was up to the big moment, having seen his team through way bigger moments in what is already one of the most awe-inspiring ODI careers of all time.
Shaky start
The chase began with a stutter. Shikhar Dhawan, so central to India’s beginnings these days, was snared for 16 by an Eranga ball that rose ominously on him and rested in Sangakkara’s gloves behind the wicket. Two overs later the same bowler and fieldsman featured in Virat Kohli’s dismissal for 2, sinking India to 27/2 in the 11th over.
As he has all this series, Rohit played a holding role, seeing out the rough times and switching gears later. He partnered Dinesh Karthik for 50 runs – the alliance ending when Karthik perished trying to hit Herath out of the park.
Rohit top-edged Malinga for six early in his knock, but gained control as he went along. A glorious cover drive and a pull off Malinga brought him a half-century and it was his wicket that triggered India’s slip into disaster.
Jadeja shines
Lanka had earlier suffered from an astonishing collapse of their own as they lost eight wickets for just 30 runs to be bundled out for 201. On a pitch that had a little something for bowlers of all types, only Sangakkara (71) and Thirimanne (46) stood out with the bat.
Expectedly it was swing bowler Bhuvnshwar’s early strikes that got things moving for India. The youngster saw off the backs of openers Upul Tharanga and Mahela Jayawardene: the former done in on the inside edge for Dhoni to take a smart catch down the legside; Jayawardene, in his 400th ODI, brain-freezing into slashing a wide delivery to slip.
The men in form, Sangakkara and Thirimanne, brought in a semblance of control through a 122-run alliance for the third wicket. Their time, however, was helped in no little measure by an untidy India in the field.
Cheap wickets
Ashwin, having recently made the position his own, dropped Thirimanne at slip when the batsman had scored 2. Dhoni then inexplicably chose to deploy part-timers Kohli and Raina, whose nine overs in total allowed the new batsmen to settle in.
Even the introduction of spin failed to make an impact – at least early on. Sangakkara looked especially dangerous as he turned it on with a spate of hits against Ishant Sharma in the batting Powerplay. But in the same over, Thirimanne was caught on an attempted slog. Sangakkara followed suit against Ashwin a couple of overs later.
Thus began an unimpeded slide as batsmen went on a spree of irresponsible hoicks. Jadeja was the biggest gainer with four wickets and was responsible for two of Dhoni’s three stumpings on the afternoon. None of Lanka's last six batsmen reached double figures. With Dhoni up to his tricks, it wouldn't have mattered anyway.
Dhoni's Charisma
The nerveless Dhoni, who missed the previous matches due to a hamstring injury, had other plans. And all they took were three deliveries: a monster hit that clattered onto the roof, a slash over point for four, and another savage hit over extra-cover for six. India's captain cool had done it again with an unbeaten 45 in acute crisis, guiding his team to victory after they had lost six wickets for 43 runs during a disturbing phase of play.
India's one-wicket win was only the second occasion of this slender margin of victory in an ODI competition final involving three or more teams. The previous occasion was in Pakistan's famous verdict over India at Sharjah - the site of Javed Miandad's legendary last-ball six off Chetan Sharma.
[Via : YahooCricket]
Thursday, 11 July 2013
Wednesday, 10 July 2013
Report : India Reaches the Final | Tri-Nation Series 2013
PORT OF SPAIN : Bhuvneshwar Kumar kept up his first spell exploits as India trumped Sri Lanka by 81 runs (D-L method) to enter the final of the ongoing ODI Tri-Nation series in the Caribbean islands.
The young swing bowler’s unbelievable figures of 6-1-8-4 halted Lanka’s pursuit of a revised target of 178 in 26 overs, an initial collapse leading to full-blown devastation and concluding in a bonus point win for Virat Kohli’s team.
But like the one that preceded it, this match too appeared to be heading into a reserve day after rain restricted India’s first innings 119/3 in 29 overs.
Two in two
India had to restrict Lanka to 167 to win with the bonus point and get ahead of the Windies' Net Run Rate. They began in right earnest with dismissals off successive balls. Bhuvneshwar's angle consumed the left-hander Upul Tharanga.
On the next ball, the Meerut lad trapped Kumar Sangakkara leg before, although replays indicated a borderline decision with reference to height. Bhuvneshwar then beat Dinesh Chandimal’s outside edge on the hat-trick delivery as the injured MS Dhoni looked on proudly from the dressing room.
More drama unfolded when Yadav bruised Chandimal’s right elbow with devilish pace, recreating the torrid time Lasith Malinga and Angelo Mathews had given to Rohit Sharma when India batted.
Mahela goesBhuvneshwar took his third as Mahela Jayawardene (11) backed away and chopped the bowler to third man and his fourth when Lahiru Thirimanne (0) slapped him straight to Kohli at cover.
Lanka were 40/4 after ten overs and the spinners, R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, completed the formalities. The chase ended on 96 in 24.4 overs.
Rohit battered
It was Rohit’s laborious, unbeaten 48 that formed the bulk of his team’s total after Mathews elected to field in helpful conditions for seam bowling.
The Lankan captain bowled five overs for just five runs while Malinga’s three included a maiden to Kohli and went for a total of seven runs.
Rohit was nailed on the box, rapped on the gloves and dropped by Jeevan Mendis at point. But he battled through it all even as the in-form Shikhar Dhawan (15) gave Mathews the charge and edged to slip for India's first wicket.
Slow going
The going was slow and just 37 came off the mandatory Powerplay. Skipper Kohli (31) looked out of sorts as he struggled to gauge the length of deliveries.
One such misjudgment cost him dear: trapped on the backfoot by a Rangana Herath slider. Dinesh Karthik (12) was done in in similar fashion, his particular case involving the ball crashing into the stumps.
By the time Rohit sought to make the most of his time spent in the middle, clouds had gathered and the impetus, besides a six off the left-arm spinner, never came.
Good Fortune
The weather left time enough only for Sri Lanka to bat. And India's modest total was lent a veneer of fight and respectability, thanks to the mysterious ways of the Duckworth-Lewis equation.
By virtue of being the top two sides in the fray respectively, India and Sri Lanka will contest the final on Thursday.
[ Via : YahooCricket ]
Saturday, 6 July 2013
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