Sir Ravindra Jadeja after yesterdays match...

It was Ravindra Jadeja’s golden arm that wrested the advantage from the Mumbai Indians and tilted the match in Chennai Super Kings favour in the first Qualifier of the Pepsi Indian Premier League 2013.

The left-arm spinner who has began the 2012-13 season with record breaking knocks in the domestic circuit has been in the news for his bowling on the international circuit since making his Test debut late last year.

His artistry with the ball has continued into the shortest format of the game. In the crucial game at the Feroz Shah Kotla, the 24-year old finished with 4-0-31-3 which included the key wickets ofDwayne Smith, Dinesh Karthik and Kieron Pollard to help his team book a place in the final.

Although they had been set a 193-run formidable target, Rohit Sharma’s MI were coasting towards the target with Dwayne Smith leading the chase. And with MI on 86 for one after eight overs, ahead of CSK who were 55/1 at the stage, Jadeja struck in his first over to claim Dwayne Smith and followed it up with the wicket of MI’s man in form, Dinesh Karthik.

The left-arm spinner then finished his quota of overs with the all important wicket of Kieron Pollard to put his team in the driver’s seat.

While speaking to IPLT20.com later, Jadeja spoke about the plan to send back both the West Indians who were capable of snatching the game away from CSK.

Excerpts from the interview:

Given the way MI was cruising towards the target what was your plan when handed the ball?

I was thinking that taking a wicket at that point in the match was very crucial. The way they had begun and were well place placed in the first ten overs, they were going very well. Getting a couple of wickets at that time was very crucial and that is what we did. Luckily we got Dwayne Smith (in the ninth over) and then Dinesh Karthik. It was a very crucial time for us and we took two wickets and from there on put pressure on them.

How did you plan the wickets?

The plan was to bowl in good areas and not give boundaries because the format is such that if the batsmen don’t get boundaries then obviously there are chances of getting wickets. So that is what we were trying for; to get a breakthrough and then put pressure on them because they were in a very good position. In the first ten overs they were on 92 for two. We made a good comeback from there and in the last five overs all the bowlers bowled well.

How important was Kieron Pollard’s wicket?

Very! It was very important because in this format he has been very successful and can hit a six easily when required. And after he got out it seemed like the Mumbai Indians were all out. So that situation had come about. It is important to claim their two-three key players and that is what we did on Tuesday.

You get wickets at crucial junctures in a match. What is the key to your success? 

Depending on the situation and speaking to Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) I try to bowl. He tells me what can happen and how the wicket is assisting. And that is the advantage that we try to take. After ten overs the ball was not coming on to the bat. So we were trying to bowl slow deliveries and in the right areas so that they don’t get boundaries.

Which was your favourite wicket today?

Obviously Pollard’s wicket! If he had stayed at the crease longer than maybe we would even have lost the game. Thankfully we got his wicket at the right time when we needed it.

Michael Hussey’s contribution has been vital to the team’s success. Your thoughts

He has given us very good starts when opening, with stands of 50 plus. In the middle overs too he rotates the strike and it is a very good thing that we have got an opener like him. It is good that he has contributed so well throughout the season and we hope in the final too he plays a good long innings and helps the team win.

There were a lot of CSK supporters at the stadium waving yellow flags, giving a you the feeling of home a crowd. Your thoughts 

We have been champions and have been doing well for so many years and we have a lot of fan support. We will try and win it for our fans. That is the only gift we can give to them. They come into the stadiums and support us in all sorts of weather so we hope that we can give them that gift.

What was your planning for Pollard?

He is strong on the on-side, leg-side. The plan was to bowl to him outside off and make him stretch for his big shots. I was trying to keep the ball outside his reach and also was bowling slow to that he struggles with his timing.

And what was the plan for Smith who was well settled at the crease?

The same was for Smith because in that innings the sixes that he hit were over mid-wicket and mid-on. So our effort was to bowl to both of them outside the off-stump because he doesn’t play much over covers or the cut shot. The idea was to bowl to him in that area and give him one run and get the other batter on strike.

How are you feeling not getting much of an opportunity with the bat yet?

I am waiting that whenever I get the opportunity I should be able to make a good contribution to the team. But actually if I don’t get to bat, it means top three-four batsmen are doing well and it helps the team win. I am ready to bat whenever the opportunity presents itself I will try to help the team to get into a good position and win. If I get batting in the final I will focus and try to play my game.

Raina's sayings after yesterdays match...

I have enjoyed batting with Hussey: Raina

Coming to the party at the fall of the first wicket, Suresh Raina smashed a whirlwind 42-ball 82 in an unbroken 140-run stand with Michael Hussey to set the game up for the Chennai Super Kings. The south-paw has been a consistent performer for the MS Dhoni-led side along with the left-handed opener for the team in the Pepsi Indian Premier League 2013. 

With his swashbuckling innings, interspersed with five boundaries and sixes each, Raina who has amassed 548 runs from 17 games so far helped put CSK in a commanding position after MS Dhoni opted to bat first. The youngster who has been part of the franchise since the inception of the tournament spoke about the key to the team’s success as they stake their claim to the trophy for the third time. 

After beating the Mumbai Indians at the Feroz Shah Kotla to book a place in the IPL final for the fifth time in six seasons, Raina spoke to IPLT20.com about his innings and the Chennai Super Kings. 

Excerpts from the interview:

On his innings 

It is important how you bat under pressure. And I have always enjoyed batting with (Michael) Hussey. He is such a nice player, and is amazing when it comes to delivering in pressure situations. I have learnt a lot from him in the middle. The batting is coming good now and hope we do well in one more game (final). 

On whether the plan was that Hussey holds up one end while he attacks?

No nothing like that. I am an experienced player so I knew that I had responsibility on me and when you do well under pressure like I have done before; when you deliver when given the responsibility it feels good. But the plan was the more we bat till the end the better. And since both of us are left-hand batsmen and they have Mitchell Johnson and Harbhajan Singh and their overs were over. (Pragyan) Ojha had to bowl. And since we have had good partnerships in recent games we are used to batting together and hopefully in the coming match also we can do well. 

On the six off Lasith Malinga

I knew he would bowl a Yorker. He didn’t have any other option and when the Yorker is not perfect and if you get a full toss then it gets hit. That is my strength and I have been playing against Malinga for a few years now and have been successful against him in one-dayers, and also in Sri Lanka. I have played many games against him so I know his game plan. But he is a big player and the pressure is there. Tuesday was my day and I was successful. On his day he will do well. 

On it not just being about luck but the planning and work involved in his consistent performances

Yes there is hard work and prayers of the family and blessings of the fans. You feel good when you do well for your team and (Stephen) Fleming feels happy, Hussey feels happy, skipper feels happy. All these senior players are happy. Everyone’s emotions are attached because it could be the last year for some players and then there will be a new season. But when the team is together as a unit it gives strength and everyone enjoys each others success. Today I did well, Hussey and Jadeja did well. The success mantra of our team is that we enjoy each other’s success. 

Having lost both league matches to MI what was the plan in Qualifier 1?

Stephen Fleming has said that we had lost both the matches to MI in league so Tuesday it was important that we balance it. It was a pressure game for both teams. We are playing in Delhi, a different venue for both, support is fifty-fifty. But at the same time I have played in this region and spent a lot of time here, so that helped. In a pressure game whoever gets tense first will lose the battle. But they are good side and they have one more game to go. Hopefully it will be good if we get to play the final against them in Kolkata.

On the importance of mental strength to succeeding in T20 and in crucial matches

More than mental toughness I would say it is all about fitness. How you enjoy on the field. You see how each and everyone is improving their game, fitness is important. I believe in hard work. One has to go out there and field and bring in energy into the team. I have always played like that. If you are low on the inside your best doesn’t come out. When the intensity is good then you get to see quality cricket. The skipper also feels what we have discussed is happening. Twenty20 is all about your fitness, all about your approach to the game. People feel twenty overs is less time but this is high intensity cricket. It is not easy at all. 

On the key to CSK’s success in tough and crucial games

Flemings way of thinking is amazing. He has played over hundred Tests and he knows when you are losing and when you are succeeding. What to do off the field. I am learning a lot from him. And then MS Dhoni (who has done so well for India) and the youngsters in the team are doing well. And everyone cares about each other. Our support staff, Greg King and Tommy are doing much for the team despite various difficulties, some at the personal level. It is a kind of sacrifice. And when you sacrifice something is only when God gives you something. And we I think that is what we have done, our franchise and our support staff. 

On Michael Hussey’s role

A big role! He has got the Orange Cap. He is a very humble guy. He thinks for the team and it is good. On CSK having match winning players who have always performed when needed. God has been kind. When you get the opportunity you have to perform in a pressure situation. As a professional cricketer, the coach, captain, franchise and team all expect that you do well. So when someone performs the expectations from that person increases and I like that. Hope we do well in the next game as well.

On CSK being in the IPL final for the fifth time

It has been a very good effort by the team and especially our coaching staff. We have done well and feel good now. There is one more game to go. There are three days in between so there will be a lot of thinking going on. We have a lot of hard work to do. The Kolkata wicket is not easy, you will have to work hard. I hope if we practice there for a day it will help. God willing things will be good. Let us see what happens.

Todays Match..

                                                 Sunrisers Hyderabad  v/s  Rajasthan Royals
 
                                                               Preview of the match...

The second of the Pepsi IPL 2013 Playoff matches – the Eliminator – will feature the Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. While the Rajasthan Royals finished the regular season third in the standings, Sunrisers Hyderabad clinched their final league match of the season to nudge ahead of the Royal Challengers Bangalore and finish fourth in the table. Both teams have been invincible – or close to invincible – while playing at home. Rahul Dravid’s Rajasthan Royals won all eight of their home games and managed two more wins on the road, while Sunrisers Hyderabad won seven of their eight home matches and won three more on the road. Sunrisers Hyderabad will definitely be the more of the confident teams heading into this contest. They defeated the Royals in emphatic fashion at Hyderabad recently and followed it up with a flourish in their match against the Kolkata Knight Riders in their last league match.

DAY , DATE & TIME...
Wednesday, May 22, 2013, 8 p.m

VENUE
Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, Delhi

THE PROTAGONISTS

The one player in both teams who can run away with the game single-handedly is Rajasthan Royals’ Shane Watson. Watson is not only about runs and overs; his inclusion in the RR XI gives the team the flexibility of using him in a variety of batting positions and an experienced head to tide through difficult situations. 

The Australian has already demolished SRH once this season (at Jaipur when he scored a breezy 98 not out to power RR to a convincing win) and will be expecting a similar show yet again. Either, Rahul Dravid or Ajinkya Rahane will be expected to bat through the innings.

On the bowling front, RR will need James Faulkner to do the job he has done for them right through the season. In the two matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad in particular, Faulkner has destructed the SRH batting line-up all-by-himself, picking up a five-wicket haul in both matches. RR fans will be hopeful of a similar performance.

Sunrisers Hyderabad are in the Playoffs mostly because their bowlers have won them matches. While Dale Steyn, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra and Karan Sharma will be expected to do the same again, there will also be pressure on the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Cameron White to get amongst the runs. 

Dhawan has played entertaining knocks, but given how much rides on this match he will be expected to play a big innings. Skipper White has not contributed too much in the last couple of games, and given that he is the most experienced batsman in the team, he will be expected to contribute with a big score.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad have met twice previously, and on both occasions the hosts held their own. In the first meeting at Jaipur, powered by Shane Watson’s unbeaten 98, Rajasthan Royals chased down the target of 145 with 13 balls to spare. In the second meeting, hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a modest 136 on the board and successfully defended it, restricting the visitors to 113 for 9 in their 20 overs.

TRIVIA

Sunrisers Hyderabad have posted the fewest 50-run partnerships this season - 8 Sunrisers Hyderabad have posted the fewest 50s of all the teams this season - 7 Rajasthan Royals have conceded the most wides this season – 87. They’ve bowled a total of 71 wide deliveries in their 16 matches so far. Off the 9 times Rajasthan Royals have batted first this season, they have gone on to win seven matches. On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad have won six of their eight run-chases.

WHAT'S NEXT

The winner of this clash will travel to Kolkata to take on the loser of Qualifier 1 on May 24, while the losers will pack their bags and head back home hopeful of going the distance next season

West Indies Tour of India 2011 Schedule

West Indies cricket team will travel to India for three match test series and five match ODI series. West Indies who performed exceptionally well against Bangladesh have to perform really well against a mighty Indian side to registered a win in Test series or ODI series.

West Indies tour will start with the first test match at New Delhi from November 6^th to 10^th while 2^nd test match will begin from November 14^th at Eden Garden in Kolkata and last test match will begin from 22^nd November 2011 in Wankhede Stadium Mumbai.

After the test series West Indies will play five match ODI Series against the World Champions India on 29^th November. 2^nd, 5^th, 8^th, and 11^th December 2011. All the One Day internationals will be day/night games.

India v West Indies complete Fixtures Series 2011 Fixtures (All timings are mentioned in GMT+05:30)

Timing	Teams	Venue	Results
Sun 6 Nov – Wed 9 Nov 09:30 AM	1st Test - India v West Indies	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi	India Won by 5 Wickets
Mon 14 Nov – Thu 17 Nov 09:00 AM	2nd Test - India v West Indies	Eden Gardens, Kolkata	India Won by an Innings & 15 Runs
Tue 22 Nov – Sat 26 Nov 09:30 AM	3rd Test - India v West Indies	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai	Match Drawn
Tue 29 Nov (D/N) 14:30 PM	1st ODI - India v West Indies	Barabati Stadium, Cuttack
Fri 2 Dec (D/N) 14:30 PM	2nd ODI - India v West Indies	Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
Mon 5 Dec (D/N) 14:30 PM	3rd ODI - India v West Indies	Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad
Thu 8 Dec (D/N) 14:30 PM	4th ODI - India v West Indies	Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore
Sun 11 Dec (D/N) 20:00 PM	5th ODI - India v West Indies	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai

It was really stupid on my part says Bell

Nottingham: After being at the centre of the run-out drama, England batsman Ian Bell admitted that it was "naive and stupid" on his part to walk off the crease, assuming that the tea break had been called on day three of the second Test against India here on Sunday.

"It was being naive on my part to assume the ball was dead and walk off for tea, it was stupid," stated Bell whose stupendous 159 was overshadowed by the run-out drama at the stroke of tea.


Bell was controversially given run out when he left the crease after completing a run, assuming that the ball is dead and tea had been called.

The batsman was, however, called back after the Indian team, in a fine gesture, withdrew its appeal. "Morgan had clipped one off his pads right down to the boundary, the fielder had dived, it looked like having gone for four, the fielders body-language suggested so. I had touched down for the third (run) and turned and saw Asad (umpire Asad Rauf) pull out the jumper and looked like he was going to hand it over to the bowler," Bell said.

"My initial reaction was naive and to walk off for tea. I walked up to Morgan. I wasn't attempting a run and everything was meandering towards walking off for tea. It wasn't until we reached the boundary ropes, we realised something had changed.

"We felt something was going on. But not thinking it involved us. We were waiting to understand. Even then it was a shock (when I was given out)."

Bell revealed that it was at the very last moment that he was told he could resume his innings. "It was at the very last minute. Prior had padded up to go. There was this last-minute knock on the door that I could go out and bat. After the captains and coaches had met, India had got back to us."

INDIA VS ENGLAND 2nd test 3 rd day Highlights

Nottingham: A magnificent 159 by Ian Bell and some uninspiring bowling by the Indians allowed England to march to an imposing total of 441/6 at the end of day three of the second Test at Nottingham on Sunday.

At stumps, Matt Prior was sitting pretty on 64 while Tim Bresnan was giving him company on 47 as the home team extended their lead to 374.

Prior and Bresnan stretched their unbeaten stand to 102 after India struck back with quick wickets in the post tea session.

Yuvraj Singh dismissed Bell who edged a rising delivery to first slip where VVS Laxman took a sharp catch.

Praveen Kumar then picked up Eoin Morgan's wicket for 70, and was unlucky not to get Jonathan Trott off the very next delivery.

It looked like a clear leg before wicket decision but the umpire ruled the batsman not out. Trott though did not survive long and was finally out in Praveen's next over for just two.

Earlier, in a magnanimous move, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni called back Bell after the latter was declared run out under bizarre circumstances off the last ball before tea.

Morgan flicked the ball off his legs and a sprawling dive by Praveen Kumar at the deep square leg boundary prevented the ball from touching the boundary skirting.

Bell assuming that tea had been called jogged up to Morgan and the two batsmen started walking off before the bails were whipped off at the batsman's end.

The decision was referred to third umpire Billy Bowden who gave the decision in favour of the fielding team which was reversed subsequently.

Bell and Morgan pressed on for England after the loss of Kevin Pietersen as the home team went into tea at 252/4.

Pietersen struck seven boundaries and scored 63 before nicking one to MS Dhoni off the bowling of S Sreesanth.

England progressed to 130/2 at lunch with Bell on 84 and Pietersen on 20 as the hosts moved ahead by 63 runs with eight second innings wickets still in their bag.

Sreesanth struck a crucial blow for India by sending back England skipper Andrew Strauss as the hosts carried on from their overnight score of 24/1.

India tour of England 2011 Schedule

England cricket board confirmed that India will tour England for four match test series, one T20I and five ODIs in the later part of July 2011. With India currently holding number one position in ICC test ranking, ECB thinks it will be great summer for English crowd to watch the battle between two good teams. The four test matches will be played at Lord's, Trent Bridge, Edgbaston and The Oval. First test match will begin from July 21st, while second will be played from 29th July, third will be from August 10th and final test will be played from 18th August to 22nd August 2011. India will play only one twenty20 internationals against England on 31st August 2011 at Old Trafford, Manchester. The ODI series will be played at Chester-le-Street, Southampton, London and Cardiff. India v England complete Fixtures Series 2011 Fixtures (All timings are mentioned in GMT+05:30) Timing Teams Venue Results Fri 15 Jul – Sun 17 Jul 15:30 PM Tour Game - Somerset v India County Ground, Taunton Match Drawn Thu 21 Jul – Mon 25 Jul 15:30 PM 1st Test - India v England Lord's, London England won by 196 Runs Fri 29 Jul – Tue 2 Aug 15:30 PM 2nd Test - India v England Trent Bridge, Nottingham England Won by 319 runs Fri 5 Aug – Sat 6 Aug 15:30 PM Tour Game - Northamptonshire v India County Ground, Northampton Wed 10 Aug – Sun 14 Aug 15:30 PM 3rd Test - India v England Edgbaston, Birmingham Thu 18 Aug – Mon 22 Aug 15:30 PM 4th Test - India v England Kennington Oval, London Thu 25 Aug 14:45 PM Tour Game - Sussex v India County Ground, Hove Fri 26 Aug (D/N) 19:00 PM Tour Game - Kent v India St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury Mon 29 Aug 19:00 PM Tour Game – Leicestershire v India Grace Road, Leicester Wed 31 Aug (D/N) 22:30 PM Only T20I - India v England Old Trafford, Manchester Sat 3 Sep 14:45 PM 1st ODI - India v England Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street Tue 6 Sep (D/N) 18:30 PM 2nd ODI - India v England The Rose Bowl, Southampton Fri 9 Sep (D/N) 18:30 PM 3rd ODI - India v England Kennington Oval, London Sun 11 Sep 14:45 PM 4th ODI - India v England Lord's, London Fri 16 Sep (D/N) 18:30 PM 5th ODI - India v England Sophia Gardens, Cardiff