Gayle-powered RCB hang on to snatch a win

April 5, 2013

Gayle-powered_RCB

Bangalore, Apr 5: Harbhajan Singh grinned broadly as Chris Gayle lay on the ground writhing in pain. The two had collided after the Mumbai Indians spinner had tried to field on his follow-through but only managed to bring the big Jamaican down.

Gayle went down clutching his left leg and

Harbhajan, unaware of the seriousness of the injury, could only see the lighter side of the incident. But Gayle didn't. It only brought out the kind of aggressive streak he is renowned for.

Until then, the Royal Challengers Bangalore opener was quiet, almost submissive, as Mumbai Indians' surprise package Jaspreet Bumrah hogged the limelight. The rookie Gujarat pacer with an unorthodox action had removed the dangerous-looking rival skipper Virat Kohli and Mayank Agarwal to leave the hosts stuttering at 31-3 in 6.1 overs, after being sent in by Mumbai skipper Ricky Ponting.

HOBBLING AWAY

It only seemed to get worse for RCB at the half-way mark after Gayle ran into Harbhajan. But Gayle held on. Up after quick treatment, the Jamaican was ready to pull his team out of trouble like he has done on many occasions.

What followed was a brutal assault that would have surprised even the staunchest Gayle fan. The left-hander, on 23 off 22 balls at that time, took off, smashing 69 off 36 balls. He finally ended with a buccaneering 92 (58b, 11x4, 5x6) as RCB again owed it to Gayle, finishing at 156/5 on a spicy wicket.

Such was the Gayle storm that swept the M. Chinnaswamy stadium, one was left wondering what would have happened had he not been injured. On Thursday, he stayed mostly rooted to the crease, taking advantage of his wide reach and ability to pick the length quickly.

Post the injury, Gayle first took on his West Indies team mate Keiron Pollard, launching a 95-metre six between two fours. While wickets fell regularly at the other end, Gayle, like a wounded solider, battled on.

LATE ASSAULT

The arrival of Arun Karthik — one of three surname namesakes in action on the night, the other two being Murali and Dinesh — helped Gayle. The opener stayed on, hobbling to the other end when there was a single to be had and coming down with brutal force when given width.

Gayle was severe on Munaf Patel's last two overs, hitting four fours and two sixes.

It was dream come true for fans when the batting greats, Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar, opened the batting. They started well but both showed signs that their athletic best was behind them. Tendulkar was run out, failing to return to the crease in time and Ponting then pulled his back foot back too late to be stumped against spinner Murali Kartik. That set the tone for a close finish.

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News Network
January 8,2020

Indore, Jan 8: Skipper Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 30 as India beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second Twenty20 international in Indore on Tuesday.

The hosts rode a 71-run opening stand between KL Rahul, who hit 45, and Shikhar Dhawan, who made 32, to chase down their target of 143 in 17.3 overs and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after the first match was rained off.

Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga took the wickets of the Indian openers but Shreyas Iyer, who scored 34 before falling to paceman Lahiru Kumara, and Kohli, who hit the winning six, got the team home.

The third match is on Friday in Pune.

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News Network
May 5,2020

May 5: Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar says he is interested in becoming India's bowling coach if there is an offer, asserting that he is capable of grooming "more aggressive, fast and talkative" pacers.

Akhtar expressed his willingness in an interview on social networking app 'Helo'.

Asked if he would like to be associated with the Indian bowling unit in future, he responded in the positive. India's current bowling is Bharat Arun.

"I will definitely. My job is to spread knowledge. What I have learned is knowledge and I will spread it," Akhtar said.

One of the fastest bowlers to have played the game, he added, "I will produce more aggressive, fast and more talkative bowlers than the current ones who will tell-off the batsmen in a way that you will enjoy a lot."

He said he has always wanted to share his knowledge among budding cricketers and that he is looking to produce more aggressive bowlers.

He also added that he would like to "coach" IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, for whom he has played in the cash-rich T20 league's inaugural edition.

The former pacer also spoke about his early interactions with Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar in the 1998 series.

"I had seen him but didn't know how big a name he was in India. In Chennai, I got to know that he was known as a god in India.

"Mind you, he is a very good friend of mine. In 1998, when I bowled as fast as I could, Indian public celebrated with me. I have a big fan following in India," Akhtar said.

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Agencies
February 26,2020

It could be Virat Kohli versus Faf du Plessis in the Asia XI-World XI two-match T20 series that has been organised by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on March 18 and 21 -- subject to the India skipper confirming his availability.

The matches will be played to celebrate the 100th anniversary of their founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The BCB is awaiting a confirmation from Kohli as well as K.L. Rahul for the March 18 game as India are set to play South Africa on the same day in the final ODI of a three-match series at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Agencies had earlier reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly had sent the names of Kohli, Mohammed Shami, Shikhar Dhawan and Kuldeep Yadav to the BCB for the two matches. And they all feature in the Asia XI team with the addition of wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant and Rahul.

Announcing the names, BCB President Nazmul Hassan said: "We have already received four names from India. We haven't signed contracts but Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Shikhar Dhawan and Mohammed Shami are supposed to come. They have said K.L. Rahul and Virat Kohli will play one game each, but that hasn't been finalised.

"Players like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman have finalised with us, from Afghanistan. Nepal's Sandeep Lamichhane will play while from Sri Lanka, we will have Lasith Malinga and Thisara Perera. From Bangladesh, we will have Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman, Mahmudullah and Liton Das.

"I don't remember all the names, but we will have three or four players from South Africa. Definitely, there will be the same number of players from West Indies. Australia and New Zealand will be playing but we will try to find some (players). Bairstow is definitely coming. Ngidi is coming. Chris Gayle is supposed to play. Faf du Plessis. We will have some of the best players around. We are uncertain about Pakistan since the PSL is will be ongoing. We will invite some of the cricketing greats."

Squads: Asia XI: Virat Kohli*, K.L. Rahul*, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Shikhar Dhawan, Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Thisara Perera, Rashid Khan, Mustifizur Rehman, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lasith Malinga, Muzeeb ur Rehman

World XI: Alex Hales, Chris Gayle, Faf du Plessis (Captain), Nicholas Pooran, Ross Taylor, Jonny Bairstow, Kieron Pollard, Adil Rashid, Sheldon Cottrell, Lungi Ngidi, Andrew Tye, Mitchell McClenaghan. (Coach: Tom Moody)

Note: (*) For one game; Kohli's selection subject to confirmation.

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