Dhoni defends Cook after series lost against SL

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has begun his team’s tour of England on an unlikely footing, rallying to the defence of his rival skipper Alastair Cook.

In his first media conference ahead of the tourists’ opening hit-out against Leicestershire, Dhoni urged Cook’s growing band of critics to remember what they were saying and writing about the opener when the two teams met previously in the Test arena.

It was important to support rather than criticise a player with such obvious ability when they were enduring a form slump, he said.

“The media is the same, it doesn’t matter if it’s here or back home in India,” Dhoni told reporters at Leicestershire’s county ground, Grace Road.

“It’s very important to back players.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s the captain of the side or a batsman or a bowler.

“What’s important is for the media to realise that the last time we were in India we were speaking about him and how well he’d performed.

“A bad phase is something that everybody goes through.

“You just need to back players at the right point.

“When you’re getting those big hundreds and double hundreds everybody will be on your side.

“The real test of character is when you’re not doing well.

“The toughest period in cricket is when the team is not doing well and people start questioning their own ability.”

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Arrest warrant against MS Dhoni

A court in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant against Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus.

© PTI

The Court of District Principal Sessions Judge of Anantapur issued the directive based on a complaint filed by Gopal Rao and Shyam, who are said to belong to a Hindu right-wing organisation.

In the complaint filed last year, the duo had submitted before court that Dhoni had been depicted as a Hindu deity on the cover of a business magazine with the picture showing him bearing, among other things, shoes in one of his hands. That had "hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus", the complainants have alleged.

The court had subsequently issued summons against the representatives of the business magazine, Dhoni and others.

The representatives of the magazine today appeared before court although neither Dhoni nor any lawyer on his behalf was present in court.

"The court issued the warrant of appearance as neither Dhoni nor anyone representing him appeared before it in connection with the complaint. It is not an arrest warrant...It is a warrant of appearance and is bailable," said a senior police officer.

Picture of that controversial ad:

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Team for last 4 ODIs

India selectors today announced the squad for remaining four One day international against Australia. Earlier before the series they announced the squad for only T20 and first 3 ODI's.

After the last Match it was expected that India need some changes in their bowling attack which failed in almost all games. Particularly Ishant Sharma, who was the most expensive among Indian bowlers. His last Four matches figure was 0/52, 1/56, 0/70 and 1/63 that include T20 also.

But selector and Skipper MS Dhoni showed their faith in his bowling and retain him in the squad.

So, selector retained all the players for the next four games which will be dated on 23th, 26th, 30th of Oct and 02 Nov.
 
Indian Squad:

MS Dhoni (Captain & wicket-keeper), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Vinay Kumar, Amit Mishra, Ambati Rayudu, Mohammed Shami, Jaydev Unadkat.

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Match Report 3: India vs Australia

Australia beat India by 4 wickets at Mohali on Saturday. Australia chased down the target of 304 in the last over. Adam Voges and James Faulknar partnership helped Aussies to cross the line after the loss of 6 of their main batsmen.

MS Dhoni
© BCCI

Australia won the toss again and Captain George Bailey decided to Bowl first this time. The only way, they can try now after India's chase in 2nd Match. Opener Rohit Sharma 11(22) and Shikhar Dhawan 8(6), after their match winning partnership of 176 in 2nd Match, failed to replicate that performance in that game.

Virat Kohli 68(73) tried to provide some assistance but the regular fell of wickets on other side made so difficult for Indian's to go beyond 200, as it was appeared at that time. Raina(17), Yuvraj (0) and Jadeja (2) all fell cheaply. It was the irony of life that the top order who made the massive target of 360 appeared like a speck one, were left India 76/4 in 13 overs.

It was Skipper MS Dhoni, who came to the salvage of team. he made 72 runs for 5th wicket with Kohli and 76 runs for 7th wicket with Ashwin and it was because of MS Dhoni's, sensible and aggressive game play that India was able to achieved a total of 303 after 50 overs. He made unbeaten 139 off 121 balls with 12 fours and 5 sixes. With that Dhoni became the first Indian skipper who score century at Mohali.

Australian bowlers proved that this Indian batting still have some shortcomings before short balls.  Particularly, M Johnson,  the most experience among Aussie bowling line up, was outstanding for them. His bowling figure was 10-1-46-4. X Doherty was the another admirable bowler for Aussies, even though he was unable to take any wicket but his bowling was economical.

A target of 304 was not the stiff one for Aussies.Their Openers Aaron Finch 38(44) and Philips Hughes 22(40) provided them the good platform of 68 runs in 12.2 overs. Watson (11) and Finch wickets fell in good time but then came the Aussies most reliable and trusted player in this year, George Bailey 43(60), who made 83 runs for 4th wicket with Adam Voges.

Bailey wicket left Australia at 171/4 in 36.2 overs at that point Aussies were at a strong position in the game but with the wickets of Maxwell at 174 runs at 37th over and Brad Haddin's at 213 runs at 42nd over, Indian's were right back in the game.

At that moment in the game it was even steven and any team could win from there. but it was Australia who rose at the occasion at won the game. Adam Voges 76*(88) and James Faulknar 64*(29) played some fantastic shot in their 91 runs partnership in just 50 balls.

Indian bowling was disappointed again particularly Ishant Sharma who gave away 30 runs in 48 over to Faulknar. After that it was the cake walk for Aussies who needed 14 runs required from 12 balls. Indian bowling chart was:

CvC

James Faulknar was chosen as the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.


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Match Report 2: India vs Australia

India beat Australia by 9 wickets and with 6.3 overs to spare at Sawai man singh stadium, Jaipur on wednesday in the 2nd game of the series of 7. It was required only three batsman and 43.3 overs for india to chase that massive colossal target of 359.

Rohit Sharma after India win
© BCCI

On the toss, after winning it Aussies opted to bat first at Jaipur. It was almost like that Aussies just repeating themselves. Great opening stand, followed by the fantastic knock of middle order to powered them to a massive score.

Aaron Finch 50(53) and Phillip Hughes 83(103) just did want every team wants from their openers, a stable opening stand that laid the foundation for a monster score. Aussies were at 74 when they lost their 1st wicket. Shane Watson, who till now don't have a great run in this tour, showed his class and made quick 59 off 53 with 6 fours and 3 sixes. he along with Hughes made 108 runs for 2nd wicket.

Skipper George Bailey, who joined the crease after Watson dismissal played from where he left on 13th Oct in 1st match. Glenn Maxwell -  who was joined him after a unorthodox batting of Hughes -  just know one style of play which is destroying the opponents bowling attack in such a devastating manner that it will be impossible for them to come back in the game. Bailey 92*(50) and Maxwell 53(32) scored 96 in just 51 balls for 4th wicket. That partnership was completely devastated the Indian bowling attack. Aussies with the help of five half centuries placed the massive target of 360 before India.they had finished 359/5.

Skipper George Bailey's unbeaten 92 was his fourth score in excess of 80 in last five appearances and also he is the leading run scorer for Australia in One day Internationals this year.

That "359" score was not new for both Aussies and India, that was the third time Aussies made that score for Indian to chase. last two occasions was 2003 World Cup at Johannesburg and in 2004 at Sydney and on both occasions Aussies have embarrassed India by winning comprehensively. 

Indian bowling were seemed like helpless before Aussie batting. Although they were not allowed Aussies to free their arms in first power play and till that point, things were well under control for the Indians. but it was after 20 overs when Indian started to lose the plot. Aussies, at that point of time, had 9 wickets in hand and 30 overs left, this allowed them to press the accelerator and go for the kill till the last over.

All bowlers except B Kumar and R Ashwin, were ended with Econ of more then 7.00, which is quiet obvious when opponent have 350+ score on board. Ishant Sharma was again a disappointment for India. Skipper MS Dhoni had tried him with new ball where he bowled well but failed to deliver what was expected from him that is WICKET. India bowlers stats were:

With Spinners and Pacers were:

Indian Spinners: 22-0-157-1
Indian Pacer: 28-1- 197-2

Indian Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma responded well to the massive target of 360. They both played some mind blowing shots to scored 176 runs in 26.1 overs for 1st wicket. Dhawan, who was the more aggressive among the two was the first one to got out. he had played the stunning knock of 95 off 86 with 14 fours. After his dismissal Virat Kohli came to crease and just blasted on to the Aussie bowlers. He along with Rohit Sharma, who scored 141* off 123 balls with 17 fours and 4 sixes, made 186* in just 104 balls. Kohli was played a blinder, he made 100* in just 52 balls and scored fastest hundred by an Indian.

India chased down that target relatively easily, what seemed like for fans. Rohit Sharma, who had made his 3rd One Day hundred after a span of almost 4 years was awarded with Man of the Match award. 


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Match Report: 1st ODI, India vs Australia

Australia beat India by 72 runs in the 1st ODI at Pune on 13 Oct. Australia after winning the toss, opted to bat first. Openers Aaron Finch 72(79) and Phillip Hughes 47(53) provided them the steady start, they put 110 runs stand for 1st wicket in 18.2 overs. Hughes was the first one who got out. After him Shane Watson came to the crease, who was failed to made any mark and gone cheaply on 2 runs off 4 balls.

Captain George Bailey, who came out after Watson, anchored the Australia's innings along with the Finch. He made 85 runs in 82 balls with the help of 10 fours. Glenn Maxwell scored 31(23) with 3 sixes, but he was again failed to capitalize the start he got. James Faulkner 27(22) provided the last push for Aussies, as Aussies scored 80/2 in the last 10 overs, to get the massive target of 304/8.

MS Dhoni
© BCCI

Indian bowling failed again, after the lone T20 on 10 Oct, where also they gone for so much runs. After first 15 overs Australia were at 85/0, though they not allowed Australian's to score at a good rate but they were too not able to pick up wickets. This help Aussies to maintained the 5.5 -6 RR through out their innings. India's tall fast bowler Ishant Sharma was the most expensive among Indian bowlers. he gave away 56 runs in 7 overs with 1 wicket. Yuvraj Singh (2/34) and R Ashwin (2/55) were the pick of the bowlers for India.   

Here are comparison of Indian Pacer and Spinners:

26-0-124-5 - Indian spinners

24-3-177-2 - Indian pacers

   

"India have never beaten Australia chasing a 300+ target". This statistic made that target of 300 so difficult what it like to be. Failure of Indian opener, Shikhar Dhawan 7(15) to set up the good opening stand and slow start made things more difficult for the other batsman's. 

Suresh Raina 39(45), who joined the Rohit Sharma 42(47) put 40 runs for 2 wicket before Rohit was edged to wicket keeper. Virat Kohli - who was the only one who looked settle than any other batsman - along with the Raina build up the partnership of 71 off 81 balls. He made 61 off 85 balls with 6 fours. After Raina's wicket there was no big partnership between any pair, which is the most important aspect to chase 300 like target. 

None of the batsman, after Kohli were able to cross 20 runs mark, Yuvraj (7), Dhoni (19), Jadeja (11) and Ashwin (5), which resulted into the horrible lose by 72 runs.

Australian bowlers were hard for Indian batsman to tackle because of their speed and line & length. All Aussie bowler were good even there spinner despite the fact that Indians are good to face spinners. 
Johnson ( 1/38) and  Mckay (2/36), both bowled their full quota of overs.Both Faulkner (3/47) and 
Watson (2/31) bowled 8 overs each.

So as we said that 50 overs game is totally different than 20 overs game is prove here with the lost of favorite India Captain George Bailey was awarded with Man of the Match foe their brilliant knock of 85(82).

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Fight for number "ONE" starts from 13 Oct

One day series between India and Australia starts from tomorrow. Experts have predicted Indian as favorite before the tour and their performance in the only T20, which was played on 10 Oct, proved the experts right. India's might batting performance won them the game on a flat, batting friendly pitch of Rajkot.

Captains with the Trophy

Despite a score of 201/7, Australia hadn't able to restricted Indian batsman to reached the target and that happened because of the Yuvraj Singh (77), who play the key role in India's 6 wicket victory over Australia.

Although Australia had lost that match but their batting was a clear indication for Indian spinner, R Ashwin and R Jadeja, that Aussies will not play them in the way they played them in test series where India beat them by 4-0. In the manner in which Australian openers Aaron Finch (89) and Debutant Nic Maddinson (34) were played in power play is also a worry for Indian captain MS Dhoni and bowlers. Failure of Dhoni's main bowler R Ashwin would be the serious concern for captain too. so India will need to put lot of effort to rectify errors in bowling and also in fielding, where we saw few fumbles too.

But 50 overs game is completely different from 20 overs game and if India wants to win the series they will need to play seriously good cricket. Though that is totally different and young Aussie side but still they have some players likes of Shane Watson and Brad Haddin to ruffle the Indian 's feather.

This series is not just a another bilateral series between the two nations. This series will decide who will be the number ONE team in ICC RANKING. At present India is the number one team in ICC RANKING with 123 rating and Australia follow them with 115. but if Australia will win this series by 6-1 then they will replace India at top rank.

Match will be starts from 2.30pm IST on 13 Oct.

Indian Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Vinay Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Jaydev Unadkat, Amit Mishra, Ambati Rayudu. 

Australian Squad: George Bailey (Captain), Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Aaron Finch, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Callum Ferguson, Moises Henriques, Phil Hughes, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Adam Voges.


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India Beat Australia in High scoring encounter

India beat Australia by 6 wicket in the only T20 between them in this tour on Thursday. After winning the toss Indian captain, MS Dhoni opted to bowl first on a flat, batting friendly pitch at Rajkot.

Aussies came out with all gun blazing, their openers Aaron Finch and Debutant Nic Maddinson cleared their intentions from very first over. Both started in a typical T20 style with 6's and 4's all over. They were put on 56 runs partnership in just 29 balls. Maddinson was the first who was got out on 34 off 16 by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. 

Yuvraj Singh
©BCCI

Australia were 74/1 after power play overs, 6 overs. but after that Indian was able reduce that Run Rate of 12.33( after 6 overs) to 10.00 (after 9 overs). Australia score was 90/3 after 9th over. Watson (6) and Bailey (0) were gone back cheaply.

Glenn Maxwell after scoring for in final of CLT20 for Mumbai Indians, played a similar kind of innings here for Aussies. he had hit 3 sixes in Ashwin's over which provided them the momentum they need after few wickets. He made flashy 27 in just 13 balls with 4 sixes. Aaron played an anchor innings for Australia and leaded his team to massive 201/ 7 . He made 89 off 52 with 14 fours and 1 six.

Target of 200 runs is always a tricky and hard won to seek out. As everyone know that batting is India's strong hold but still you never know with 200 scores, team collapse in these kind of situation where they needed to score at 10 runs per over.

Both Opener, Rohit Sharma (8) and Suresh Raina (19) were back to the pavilion after 5.3 overs that left India at 50/2. It seemed like that Shikhar Dhawan, who played some marvelous knocks since his return to Indian Squad, was poised for another big innings but his innings cut short when he going down  the wicket on Doherty and stumped by Haddin on 32 off 19.

Before the match there was one more thing that made headline and that was Yuvraj Singh come back in Team India. When he came to to the cease it was stage sat for him to made a mark on come back game. India were at 83/3 and required 119 more to win. He along with the captain, MS Dhoni made 102* off 51 balls for 5th wicket. Yuvraj was the main contributor in partnership with Dhoni. Yuvraj made 77 in just 35 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes at a SR of 220.

He was later awarded with Man of the Match for his match winning innings. 


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Match Report: RR beat CSK

Rajasthan Royal beat Chennai Super Kings by 14 runs in the first semifinal of Champion League T20 at Sawai Mansingh stadium, Jaipur on Oct,4. Rajasthan Royals who won their last 12 matches - including 8 of IPL-6 and 4 of CLT20 - at this venue proved to be way better than Chennai Super Kings in the first semifinal.

After winning the toss Chennai Super Kings had elected to field. Chennai's bowlers responded well on their captain's decision to bowl first by taking 2 early wickets of Rahul Dravid and Kevin Cooper. which left Royal's 29/2 in 4 overs.

But opener Ajinkya Rahane hold the one end and played a elegant but yet aggressive knock of 70 off 56. He was supported by Shane Watson who made 32 off 24. Rajasthan Royal finished their innings at 159/8.

For Chennai Super Kings, Dwayne Bravo was the stand out bowler. he picked up 3 wicket for just 26 runs at a Econ of 6.5. Morris and Holder scalped two wicket each.

Task ahead of Chennai Super Kings was not too difficult by considering their batting order but you never know with the cricket. Every thing is possible and that exactly happened to them. the rare collapse of their batting order at a crunch game.

Chennai Super Kings were 72/7 in 12.3 overs with all their batting stalwarts like Hussey (9), M Vijay (14),
Badrinath (8), MS Dhoni (3) and Bravo (3) were back in the hut. Only their stand out player in this tournament, Suresh Raina was able to cross 20 mark, he made 29 in 23 balls.

After Raina's departure its looked like an end of Super King's innings but again its cricket and if you ever trying to be a pandit of this game it prove you wrong, that's what happened when Ravichandaran Ashwin came to the crease with many. He along with the Morris made 73 off 43 balls for 8th wicket and even for seconds, made Royals fan and captain worry. he made 46 off 28 before he was caught at mid on.

Pravin Tambe - one the oldest player in this league - was the top notch player for Royal's. He scalped 3 crucial Super King wicket that placed his team right at the top after 13 overs. Watson, Faulkner and Shukla picked up a wicket each.
 
Man of the Match: Pravin Tambe for his bowling figures of 4-0-10-3.



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Fight for final starts from today

So, semi's are starting from today and Teams are ready to fight it out for the final. Rajasthan Royal and Chennai Super King will be playing their match at Rajasthan Royal strong hold, Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur. Rajasthan Royals are unbeaten on this ground in this years CLT20 so far. So Chennai Super Kings have a daunting task ahead them to beat Rajasthan Royals in their home ground.

On one side Rajasthan Royals have Rahul Dravid as Captain, who known as a classic batsman of test cricket in all his career and on other MS Dhoni, captain of Chennai Super Kings, who known as a flashy batsman of this format, someone who created a shot namely, helicopter shot.

Rajasthan Royals have a unbeaten run in this league so far. they reach there with all 16 points while Chennai Super King won  their first 3 match but they lost their last match against T&T - who will be playing Mumbai Indian tomorrow - with 12 points.  

Match will be start from 8.00pm IST.

Rajasthan Royals squad:

R Dravid (C), S Binny, K Cooper, J Faulkner, B Hodge, V Malik, A Menaria, A Rahane, S Samson, R Shukla, S Tait, P Tambe, S Watson, D Yagnik(wkt)

Chennai Super Kings squad: 

MS Dhoni (C)(wkt), R Ashwin, S Badrinath, D Bravo, Faf du Plessis, J Holder, M Hussey, Imtiaz Ahmed, R Jadeja, A Morkel, C Morris, S Raina, WP Saha(wkt), M Sharma, M Vijay.

 

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It only seems like yesterday that we won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 says Dhoni

Looking ahead to the World Cup 2015, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said: “It only seems like yesterday that we won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in front of a passionate and supportive home crowd.


“World Cup is a very special event for every cricketer because it only takes place every four years. Having tasted success in Mumbai in 2011, we’ll be working very hard to retain it.

“I’m keenly looking forward to the tournament and confident that we’ll do well. Our recent victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 has provided the team with a lot of confidence, and I am sure this experience will help us in our preparations for the World Cup in 2015.”


 Courtesy: ICC

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