India snatch 48-run victory as West Indies crumble under pressure in 2nd ODI

October 12, 2014

Oct 12: Mohammad Shami‘s career-best four for 36 led India to a 48-run victory over West Indies in the second One-Day International (ODI) played at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi on Saturday.

India snatchWest Indies who were put to bowl by Indian skipper MS Dhoni had a task to chase a total of 264 runs in the allotted 50 overs. The West Indies chase started cautiously, the two openers Dwayne Smith and Darren Bravo were in full attention in early four overs and only collected 7 runs of it. But the fifth from Bhuvaneshwar Kumar broke the strict monitoring from Indian bowlers as it went for costly 12 runs.

Both batsmen faced no issues playing the the Indian bowling attack which was deficient in pace and bounce. After 10 overs West Indies had reached 45 runs without any damages. The first break for the Indian bowlers came in the 14th over which was bowled by Mohammed Shami. Bravo missed a delivery pitched in from around the stumps which knocked off his off-stump. The wicket saw Kieron Pollard make his way towards the Kotla pitch to bat at No. 3.

Indian bowlers bowled few tight overs when they had a new batsmen in. Five overs just went for 11 runs. Pollard announced his arrival with a 88 meter six from the last ball of the 19th over bowled by Ravindra Jadeja. The hundred came up in the 23rd over and both the West Indies batsmen easily steamed the lose deliveries across the short Delhi boundary. Pollard gave away his wicket soon after when he tried to hoick a flatter delivery floated outside off by Amit Mishra for a thunderous six but instead inside edged it onto the stumps.

Marlon Samuels joined Smith at the crease but his stay at the wicket was painful for the West Indies team. The centurion from last match hogged too many balls. In a crunch situation when the asking rate was climbing with every ball, Samuels defended two overs from Mishra which poisoned the West Indies innings. The 32nd over by Virat Kohli went for 14 runs soaked some pressure from tense West Indies faces. Smith who was nearing his hundred took the ultimate charge to Shami and smacked him for a six over long-on. And like previous match, he was cleaned up after hitting the six. That was the changing corner of the match.

Things changed quickly after. Samuels was caught by Kohli at cover when he attempted to flash his bat at a short delivery. He took 38 golden deliveries to scratch 16 runs from his bat. Jadeja who bowled the 43rd over and ensured the match doesn’t stem further. His first victim was Andre Russell who was stumped after he failed to spot the turn. Darren Sammy was bowled by Jadeja in the last ball of the over .

The only hope, Dwayne Bravo was grabbed by Shami in the next over. At one point West Indies looked pretty at 170 for 2 but in the end the whole team was just caked away by the Indian bowlers in a jiffy. The West Indies innings ultimately ended on 216 runs from 46.3 overs.

Earlier, India scored 263 runs after losing seven wickets. India had a wobbly start to their innings as Shikhar Dhawan walked back to the pavilion only in the second over of the match. Ajinkya Rahane played few handsome looking shots before he too perished as he played a upish drive straight to the cover fielder. Ambati Rayudu came in to bat at No. 3 in place of Virat Kohli and played sensibily enough for his 32 runs. India achieved stability under a 100 plus partnership between Kohli and Suresh Raina. Dhoni came in with a composed half-century in the end which took India to a respectable score

Jerome Taylor was the most successful bowler for the West Indies team as he picked three wickets giving away 54 runs.

Brief scores:

India 263 for 7 in 50 overs ( Suresh Raina 62, Virat Kohli 62; Jerome Taylor 3 for 54) beat West Indies 215 in 46.3 overs (Dwayne Smith 97, Kieron Pollard 40; Mohammad Shami 4 for 36) by 48 runs.

Man of the match: Mohammed Shami

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News Network
February 29,2020

Melbourne, Feb 29: India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur on Saturday said the team management has given Shafali Verma the freedom to play her natural game, which has set the Women's T20 World Cup ablaze.

The 16-year-old announced her emergence on the global stage by becoming the second highest run getter in the ongoing tournament. She has so far scored 161 runs, hitting 18 fours and nine sixes in four matches at an astounding strike rate of 161.

On Saturday, Shafali hit a 34-ball 47 to steer India to a seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka after spinner Radha Yadav produced a career-best 4/23.

"Shafali is someone who loves to play big shots, and we don't want to stop her. She should continue doing the same and she should continue enjoying her game," Harmanpreet said after the match.

India entered the semifinals with an all-win record as they led Group A with eight points from four games and the captain insisted it is important to continue the winning momentum.

"It's really important to keep the momentum when you are winning games. You really work hard, so you can't afford to lose that momentum. You can't bowl same pace and lengths on these wickets, so you need to keep rotating the bowlers."

"Today I tried to be positive and got a few boundaries. In the upcoming games I'll try to give my best," Harmanpreet said.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Atapattu rued the reprieves given by her side to Shafali in the form of two dropped catches.

"I think that score was not enough, we lost couple of chances, specially Shafali, it was hard to stop her," she said.

"Yeah, I got a good start but unfortunately got out in the 10th, would have wanted to stay in there till the 16th or the 17th over. I hope we can beat Bangladesh in our last game," she added.

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News Network
April 8,2020

New Delhi, Apr 8: Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar on Wednesday proposed a three-match ODI series against arch-rivals India to raise funds for the fight against the Covid19 pandemic in both the countries.

The two nations have not played a full-series since 2007 due to the terrorist attacks on India by Pakistan-based outfits and the resultant diplomatic tension. They only play each other in ICC events and Asia Cup.

"In this time of crisis, I want to propose a three-match series in which for the first time, the people of neither country would be upset at the outcome of the games," Akhtar told PTI from Islamabad.

"If Virat (Kohli) scores a hundred, we will be happy, if Babar Azam scores a hundred, you will be happy. Both teams will be winners irrespective of whatever happens on the field," he said.

"You are bound to get massive viewership for the games. For the first time, both countries will play for each other. And whatever funds are generated through this can be donated equally to the government of India and Pakistan to fight this pandemic," added the 44-year-old.

No idea of logistics

With both countries in a lockdown amid the fast-spreading pandemic, the games can only be organised when things improve. However, Akhtar feels the sooner they are held, the better it would be but could not tell how the logistics of such an initiative would be worked out.

"Everyone is sitting at home at the moment, so there will be a massive following for the games. May be not now, when things start improving, the games could be organised at a neutral location like Dubai. Chartered flights could be arranged and the matches could he held.

"The whole world will tune into it, so much money can be raised to deal with this crisis. In difficult times, the character of the nation comes forward."

Start of a new era?

"It could even lead to resumption of bilateral cricketing ties and relations of both countries improve diplomatically. You never know," said the 'Rawalpindi Express'.

In these extraordinary times, Akhtar feels both countries should help each other. "We can only propose the matches. The rest is up to the authorities (to decide)."

India cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh were recently trolled for asking their social media followers to donate to Shahid Afridi's charity foundation which is doing its bit in Pakistan's fight against the deadly virus.

"It was inhuman to criticise them. It is not about countries or religion at the moment, it is about humanity," he opined.

India memories

Akhtar has spent a lot of time in India as a commentator. He fondly recalled his days in Mumbai during the World T20 in 2016, the last time he came to India for work.

"I am forever grateful about the love I have received from the people of India. For the first time I am revealing this, whatever I used to earn from India, I made a significant amount there, thirty percent of it, I used to distribute among the low income staff who used to work with me in the TV," he remembered.

Akhtar used to visit the city's slum areas with his face covered to hand out financial help to elder women there.

"From drivers, runners to my security guys. I took care of a lot of people. I was like if am earning from this country, I have to help my colleagues also.

"I also remember visiting slums of Dharavi and Sion in the wee hours to meet people I worked with," added Akhtar.

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News Network
March 5,2020

New Delhi, Mar 5: India's men's team skipper Virat Kohli congratulated the Harmanpreet Kaur-led women's side for reaching its maiden final of the T20 World Cup in Australia, saying the outfit's performance is something to be "proud" of.

The Indian women's team advanced to the the summit clash owing to a superior group stage record, after the semifinal clash against England was abandoned without a ball being bowled at the Sydney Cricket Ground due to persistent rain.

"Congratulations to the Indian Women's team on qualifying for the @T20WorldCup final. We are proud of you girls and wish you all the luck for the finals," Kohli tweeted.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag also took to Twitter to wish the Indian side luck for the final which is scheduled to be played in Melbourne on Sunday.

"...A reward for winning all the matches in the group stage. Congratulations @BCCIWomen and wishing you glory this Sunday #T20WorldCup," Sehwag said.

Former India Test specialist VVS Laxman hailed the side for its unbeaten record in the tournament so far.

"Would have been great to see the match, but many congratulations to @BCCIWomen for making it to the finals of the #T20WorldCup . A reward for winning 4 out of 4 in the group stages. Wishing the girls the very best for the finals on #WomensDay"

India have been in red-hot form in the tournament winning all four of their group A matches.

They began with a win over defending champions Australia followed by victories against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Sri Lanka to top group A with eight points from four matches.

The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will take on the winner of the second semifinal between hosts Australia and South Africa in the summit clash.

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