It's a do-or-die match for both teams

May 23, 2012

dhoni_gange_do_or_die

Amidst the Indian Premier League's mixed bag of last over finishes and the insinuations about spot-fixing and slanderous nights, irony too has found a place to flourish.


Royal Challengers Bangalore was expected to saunter into the play-offs, however, the men in red and golden shades imploded at Hyderabad. Now the aggrieved team-members, perhaps with a wry smile, will watch their home-turf — Chinnaswamy Stadium — play host to the Eliminator match between defending champion Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians here on Wednesday night. Irony could not have had a louder version!


Destiny's child

The league's recent quixotic results, especially Deccan Chargers' ambush of RCB, have helped CSK find a way back into the last-four stage. Fate's strange ways have also revived an old prefix that tailed M.S. Dhoni's name — ‘destiny's child.' The skipper though leads an outfit that has shed its domineering veneer and the stumble against King's XI Punjab at Dharamshala almost triggered a free-fall until RCB inadvertently lent a helping hand.


CSK's previous visit to Bangalore was spent watching the rain and the forecast hints at a few wet spells though the city has suffered a dry phase over the last two days.


Twin defeats

Squaring up against Mumbai Indians, Dhoni's team will remember its twin defeats against Harbhajan Singh's men in the league stage. History's sobering reminder may well count for nothing in a do-or-die match with the loser crashing out and the winner finding a berth in the second qualifier.


Faf du Plessis (398), Suresh Raina (341) and Dwayne Bravo (305) have clicked for CSK while Dhoni (269) remains a pivotal presence despite the lack of a game-changing innings in the latest edition.


The rest have cobbled together some runs but more needs to be done in a decisive game on a pitch, which has been good to batsmen.


CSK's bowlers though will be hard-pressed against the Mumbai Indians' batsmen with Rohit Sharma (419), Ambati Rayudu (322), Sachin Tendulkar (313) finding adequate backing in recent times from the likes of Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Smith.


Lasith Malinga (22 wickets) is the biggest impact bowler on either side and the way he is countered will also determine Mumbai Indians' progress and CSK's fate.


Combative players

Besides improving his own form, Harbhajan will be well advised to rein in his combative players, who have had many run-ins with rivals and authorities. When Mumbai Indians last played here, a rousing triumph against the host was marred by Rayudu's outburst against Harshal Patel.


It is a trait that could be avoided more so in a season that has seen the IPL churn news of different shades.


The league had commenced at Chennai with Mumbai Indians defeating CSK on April 4.


Life has come a full circle for the two teams and on Wednesday night, only one will be left standing for the remainder of the tournament.


It is a context that can only engineer a cracking contest.


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Agencies
March 15,2020

Chennai, Mar 15: Wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni has left the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) training camp following the postponement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) amidst the coronavirus scare.

The former India skipper had joined the CSK's camp earlier this month in order to practice for the upcoming IPL season.

CSK's official handle tweeted a video of Dhoni and captioned the post as: "It has become your home sir!" Keep whistling, as #Thala Dhoni bids a short adieu to #AnbuDen".

Thirty-eight-year-old Dhoni has been currently enjoying some time away from the game. He last played competitive cricket during the 2019 World Cup.

Dhoni had to face criticism for his slow batting approach during India's matches in the tournament.

Earlier this year, Dhoni did not find a place for himself in the BCCI's centrally contracted players list.

BCCI had released the list of central contract list of players for the period from October 2019 to September 2020.

On Friday, BCCI decided to postpone the IPL until April 15 as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus pandemic.

On Saturday, all the IPL franchises met in Mumbai to discuss as to how to go on with the tournament in the future.

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News Network
June 17,2020

New Delhi, Jun 17: Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Wednesday paid tributes to Indian Army soldiers, who were killed during the face-off with the Chinese troops in Ladakh's Galwan Valley.

Extending condolences to the kin of bravehearts, Kohli said, "No one is more selfless and brave than a soldier."

"Salute and deepest respect to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect our country in the Galwan Valley. NO one is more selfless and brave than a soldier. Sincere condolences to the families. I hope they find peace through our prayers at this difficult time," he tweeted.

The violent face-off happened on late evening and night of June 15 in Ladakh's Galwan Valley as a result of an attempt by the Chinese troops to "unilaterally change" the status quo during de-escalation in Eastern Ladakh and the situation could have been avoided if the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side, India said on Tuesday.

The Army confirmed that 20 soldiers were killed in the face-off, including 17 who were critically injured at the stand-off location and exposed to sub-zero temperatures in the high altitude terrain.

Indian and Chinese troops have disengaged at the Galwan area in Ladakh where they had earlier clashed on the night of June 15 and 16, Indian Army said.

Former cricketer Irfan Pathan tweeted, "We will always be indebted to our jawans of #IndianArmy who lost their lives in #GalwanValley #JaiHind."

Expressing similar sentiments, Indian batsman Shikhar Dhawan wrote, "A sacrifice that will never be forgotten by the nation. Heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the Indian Army officer and the two soldiers. Saluting your bravery, Jai Hind! #GalwanValley."

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Agencies
May 25,2020

Chandigarh, May 25: Legendary former hockey player Balbir Singh Senior died in a private hospital on Monday, his family said.

He was 96 years old. His condition was critical for nearly a fortnight.

He was undergoing treatment at Fortis Mohali and was in a "semi-comatose condition".

He was hospitalised on May 8 with high fever and breathing trouble. His COVID-19 test came negative.

Balbir was part of the Indian teams that won gold at the 1948 London Olympics, Helsinki 1952 and Melbourne 1956. His record for most individual goals scored in an Olympic men's hockey final remains unbeaten.

Balbir had set this record when he scored five goals in India's 6-1 win over Netherlands in the gold medal match of the 1952 Games.

He was the head coach of the Indian team for the 1975 men's World Cup, which India won and the 1971 men's World Cup, where India earned a bronze medal. He was also conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri in 1957.

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