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Lendl Simmons’s magnificent ton helps Mumbai Indians trump Kings XI Punjab by 7 wickets in IPL 2014

May 22, 2014

Lendl SimmonsMohali, May 22: Lendl Simmons‘s magnificent century (100 not out) proved too good for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) as Mumbai Indians (MI) ran out with a comfortable victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2014 on May 21. Simmons trailblazing knock off 61 deliveries helped Mumbai chase down a moderate 157-run target at Mohali. The win also keeps their faint chances of qualifying for the IPL 7 play-offs. Simmons struck an incredible 14 fours and two six.

The win takes Mumbai to fifth in the IPL 7 Points Table. They have 10 points after 12 matches. Punjab have already qualified for the play-offs. They have 18 points after 12 matches.

Simmons and Michael Hussey began the run-chase for Mumbai. Sandeep Sharma bowled the first over. Simmons opened the scoring with a cut for a four in front of point. Simmons then came down the track and flat-batted one past mid-on for his second four. Simmons then drove one through wide mid-off for a four as 13 runs came from the first over.

Beuran Hendricks bowled the second over. He angled one down the leg side and the ball raced away for five wides. Sandeep then bowled one short and wide and Simmons sliced the ball towards third-man for his fourth four. Simmons then top-edged a short delivery behind for two runs.

Hendricks’s second over proved to be eventful. He was given an official warning by the umpire for running on the wicket. Simmons then lifted one over cover for a four. Hendricks seemed affected by it and then bowled a wayward bouncer far too wide on the off side. Simmons then tore into Hendricks with two fours. The second was a crunching pull over square-leg.

Simmons continued his charge against left-arm spinner Akshar Patel. He cut a wide delivery through point for a four. Simmons then cleared his front leg and hammered one down the ground for another four. That brought Mumbai their 50 in the fifth over. Simmons then seemed in agony while running two runs. It seemed as if he had twisted his ankle. That didn’t stop him from flicking one over backward square-leg for a four. He then got to his half-century with a push towards mid-off.

Simmons then threw his bat at a full delivery and edged it past short third-man for a four. Akshar then got the much-wanted breakthrough as his skidder breached Hussey’s defence and hit the stumps. Hussey was bowled for six runs off 13 deliveries. That brought an end to the 68-run opening stand. Simmons, though, cut a short delivery from off-spinner Shivam Sharma behind backward-point for a four.

Akshar bowled one on a good length and Simmons bent down and smacked one over the bowler for a four. Simmons then stepped down the track to Shivam Sharma and struck his first six over wide long-on. Mumbai got to their 100 in the 11th over. Simmons then cut a length delivery outside off-stump from Rishi Dhawan through backward-point for a four.

Dhawan, though, got the breakthrough as Ambati Rayudu drove one straight to Virender Sehwag at short extra-cover. He was out for 17 off 14 deliveries. Simmons then stunned the Mohali crowd as he danced down the track to Sandeep and smashed a six down the ground. Rohit Sharma joined in on the act with a pull in front of deep square-leg for a four.

Rohit then cut a wide delivery from Dhawan past point for another four. Hendricks bowled a short delivery from round the wicket and Rohit guided it towards third-man. Sandeep took the catch in the deep. Rohit was out for 18 off 20 deliveries. But no one could deny Simmons his century as he took a single in the 19th over. Kieron Pollard then hammered the last delivery in the 19th over over long-on for a six and won the match for Mumbai. They won by seven wickets.

Earlier, Punjab posted a total of 156 for eight in their 20 overs. Captain George Bailey top-scored with 39 off 30 deliveries. Manan Vohra scored 36 and Shaun Marsh added 30. Young leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal was the pick of the bowlers as he took two wickets.

Brief scores:

Kings XI Punjab 156 for 8 in 20 overs (Manan Vohra 36, Shaun Marsh 30, George Bailey 39; Jasprit Bumrah 2 for 31, Shreyas Gopal 2 for 32) lost to Mumbai Indians 159 for 3 in 19 overs (Lendl Simmons 100*, Rohit Sharma 18) by 7 wickets.

Man of the Match: Lendl Simmons

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News Network
March 2,2020

Christchurch, Mar 2: India captain Virat Kohli on Monday said the under-fire Rishabh Pant has got a "lot of chances" but the team is not looking to try someone else in the youngster's place just yet as one player can't be singled out in a collective failure.

Pant has been under the scanner for the past one year because of his inconsistent run. His tally of 60 runs across four innings in the 0-2 Test series loss to New Zealand, which concluded here on Monday, has only amplified the debate whether it was prudent to leave out a keeper of Wriddhiman Saha's calibre and back Pant.

"...we have given him (Pant) a lot of chances in the home season as well starting from Australia. Then he was not playing for a bit. In turn he really worked hard on himself," Kohli came to Pant's defence after the series here.

"You need to figure out when is the right time to give someone else a chance. If you push people too early, they can lose confidence," he added.

"...collectively, we didn't perform. I don't believe in singling him out. We take the hit together as a group whether it's the batting group or as a team."

When asked if he believes Pant has taken his place in the side for granted, Kohli made it clear that the culture of this team doesn't encourage anyone to think along those lines.

"I don't see anyone taking his place for granted in this team. That's the culture we have set. People are told to take responsibilities and work hard. Whether it happens or not is a different thing. Then you can have a conversation with the players," he said.

"But no one has come here thinking I am going to play every game or I am indispensable," he added in no uncertain terms.

Kohli, just like head coach Ravi Shastri, made it clear that Pant can make a difference in overseas conditions and he won't like to deviate during future tours.

"The time that he didn't play, he really worked hard on his game. So we thought this is the right time because of his game and the way he plays because he can make a difference lower down the order.

"That was our planning behind it. We can't really fluctuate when it comes to what we planned," he added.

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Agencies
August 4,2020

New Delhi, Aug 4: Former India women's team captain Anjum Chopra firmly believes that the BCCI has a plan for women's cricket but she wants the Board to communicate its ideas more specifically.

Speaking to news agency, Chopra, who is now a successful broadcaster, said the BCCI is thinking in earnest about the progress of women's cricket.

"It's not that the BCCI is not thinking about women's cricket. I only think they need to be more specific in communication about women's cricket," Chopra said.

"I firmly believe that they must be thinking about women's cricket but the communication all this while has been very specific to men's cricket."

The latest trigger for criticism of BCCI was India's withdrawal from a tour of England in September owing to logistical issues arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chopra concedes it was "not nice" but Indian players' participation in the women's IPL, in November, will still be useful preparation for next year's ODI World Cup.

"It is heartening to see women's cricket making headlines. They should have been a part of that England tour and it did not feel nice initially but the women's IPL, irrespective of the format, will be helpful for World Cup preparations. Any form of cricket is good preparation," Chopra said.

"Missing out on a tournament is not nice, but logistically there may have been issues. And you can't send an under-prepared team."

"If you see in isolation we may have missed out on an opportunity to play in England. The more the girls play the better it is, before playing a tournament of the stature of World Cup. The assurance from the president is a very good thing."

Chopra welcomed the Sourav Ganguly-led BCCI's decision to hold the women's event in the UAE alongside the IPL, which will run from September 19 to November 10. The women's IPL will coincide with the business end of the men's league.

"I am definitely happy, it's always nice to be part of any cricket anywhere across the world.

"They should have been nearing the final stages of the preparation for the World Cup by now, but because of the pandemic things did not go as planned," she added.

Chopra had a successful international career spanning over 17 years, during which she represented India in a record six World Cups and became the first woman cricketer to appear in 100 One-day Internationals.

She also felt that the pandemic would not have much impact on the women's game that has gained momentum in recent times.

"...Cricket was on pause button...Once cricket resumes and players are back on the park, everything is going to get picked up. It might take some time to get started as everything starts from zero...

"The awareness the women's game has created, I hope it stays. They will just restart, not start after the pandemic."

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Agencies
August 5,2020

New Delhi, Aug 5: Indian cricketers Suresh Raina and Harmanpreet Kaur were on Wednesday appointed as the global brand ambassadors of the WTF Sports.

Raina is also joining the brand as a Strategic Partner. WTF Sports, a fantasy sports gaming platform, was today formally launched in India and globally.

The announcement was made through a web conference with prominent cricket host, Vikram Sathaye moderating and hosting the webinar and Vinit Bhatia, Manit Parikh and Yash Kadakia Co-Founders - India and Global, WTF Sports introducing the cricketers as the Global Brand Ambassadors.

Kaur said it was a perfect fit for her and she can use her strategy and experience while playing.
"WTF Sports was the perfect fit with me, I can use strategy and my experience while playing, I've actually learnt to strategize better as I've played along. Additionally, when we were under lockdown and I couldn't really practice, it was fun to come on the platform and feel like I'm still playing," Kaur said in a statement.

On the other hand, Raina said, "It is exciting to be a part of a fantasy sports platform like WTF Sports not just as an ambassador but also as the strategic partner, it is everything that I embody and what I believe in, it's fierce, fun and competitive."

The app currently hosts three major sports, multiple playing modes, and exciting contests, ensuring that sports fans can get more skillful by letting them strategize and use their sports knowledge into rewarding behaviour.

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