Indian Cricket Team Updates

We would like to finish on top of table: Anil Kumble
No pressure of must-win game: Vinay Kumar #RCBvsCSK
Ashwin, Morris are our main bowlers against Gayle: Fleming #RCBvsCSK
Have enjoyed playing under Dravid: James Faulkner
Michael Bevan worked on my batting: Biplab Samantray

We would like to finish on top of table: Anil Kumble

Posted: 17 May 2013 10:25 PM PDT

Keen to retain their pole position on the points table of the Pepsi Indian Premier League 2013, the Mumbai Indians will come out all guns blazing at the HPCA Stadium against the Kings XI Punjab on Saturday afternoon.

Having dominated the league phase of the tournament, the Mumbai Indians are keen to carry the momentum into the Playoffs. While addressing the media team mentor Anil Kumble said, "We would like to keep our leadership position. At the moment we are on top of the table and that is where we would like to finish at the end of the league stage, so it is extremely important to finish at No. 1 if not 2. That is something about which we are very aware and we would like to keep that going as well on Saturday."

Having dominated the league phase and qualified for the Playoffs the team will be looking to give other players a chance to take the field but will not tamper with the existing combination too much. They would like to carry the momentum forward and are also keeping an eye out for the conditions that await them at the Feroze Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi. Kumble explained, "We are looking at that (giving players who have not played many games a chance), but we don't want to unnecessarily tamper with the combination but at the same time we will certainly give a few of them a chance to look at as we need to look at the conditions in Delhi (Playoff) as well."

Asked about the visitors' team combination on a pitch known to suit medium-pacers and their seam combination, the former India captain, said, "Yes, the general strategy here (on this ground) has been going with fast bowlers. We will certainly consider that and look at what we need to do. And probably by the end of day, we will know where we stand in terms of our position (in terms of the points table). It is important that we win on Saturday. And since we have already qualified for Delhi (for the Playoffs) we need to look at those options as well. So we will take a call as to what we need to do. Yes it is a pitch which possibly demands leaning towards medium-pace, that's something which we will certainly keep in mind when we pick the team."

Besides the wicket here, the conditions too will be taken into consideration while picking the team. They are likely to differ from a 4pm game to an 8pm game. Elaborating on the aspect, Kumble said, "Conditions are slightly different from a 4pm game to a 8pm game. I think especially this kind of a place where generally the temperatures drop late in the evenings. Maybe in a 4pm game the pitch would certainly behave differently from the one which played on Friday, so we will keep all that in mind. At l,east here, at 4pm, the temperatures are better than where we have played elsewhere – be it Mumbai or Hyderabad, so it is certainly cricket friendly."

Speaking about batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar's availability for the match, Kumble said, "Sachin is recovering. We are hoping that he will be okay for tomorrow. But it is tough, it has been only three days now. Although it has been only three days, we have already played only one game , and the second game is coming up. So matches keep coming very quickly and it is important that he gets hundred percent (fit) so maybe not Saturday, we might not look at Sachin later."

Speaking about the opposition and the significance of the game, the MI team mentor said, "Every match is important for us. We would certainly like to maintain our leadership position on the table. We want to take the momentum going into the playoffs so that's something we are very particular about. At the same time, we know the capabilities of Kings XI Punjab. They are a very good side and especially in these conditions it's not going to be easy for us. But we don't take any team lightly. It is a very important game like I said, it is important that we carry the momentum. Saturday's match is in that sense very important for us."

The legendary leg-spinner also highlighted former Australia captain Ricky Ponting's vital contribution to the team. He said, "It shows his caliber as a professional cricketer and his stature in the international scene. I mean, it has never been easy for somebody of his stature to step down and he has been really gracious enough to do that because of the team dynamics. He has been extremely interactive with the players, his experience, his depth of knowledge and helping out the Indian players and also talking to the fast bowlers, especially someone like Mitchell Johnson who he has captained in the Australian team. So his inputs, off the field has been really good and that's something that has helped the team as well. His role outside of the field has certainly helped us and his enthusiasm is there for all to see. Sitting in the dug-out, he doesn't just sit there. He does the 12th man duties and also slightly support staff duties as well. So he is doing everything and of course all of us have a common goal and that's something which all of us are gearing up to. It is really nice to have someone of Ricky's stature and experience in the change room."

Speaking about Rohit Sharma's leadership, Kumble showered high praise on the MI youngster and while concurring with Coach John Wright said, "This is probably the first instance where Rohit was given the captaincy role and he certainly responded really well. He is pretty calm on the field and he is pretty smart in taking those decisions and in every game. He has grown and responsibility has helped his batting as well. His nature itself is pretty cool and he is not someone who reacts to rather than thinking and takes those decisions.

It's nice to have someone of Rohit's capabilities. He is young and it is nice to see him in this role and I am glad he has taken it really well and it has not affected his particular batting abilities. It has only enhanced him as a person and as a captain so it is really nice that we have someone like Rohit in the squad who can take this forward. I think it will only help him. Help him going forward not just as captain of Mumbai Indians but for him in future in the Indian cricket as well. It will help him grow as a person and as a leader so I am really glad that he has accepted responsibility and is doing a great job so far."

"It is something which has probably had a positive impact on him as a batsman and also as a leader. He has played with Mumbai Indians for a while and especially the Indian boys, all of them are his age. It's nice to have someone as a young leader in the set-up and Rohit has certainly responded."

Asked if HP player Rishi Dhawan is likely to feature in the game on May 18, he said, "He is certainly in the mix. Rishi has been really good with us so far. He has played a couple of games. He did really well and he played in Mumbai and after that we had to make a few changes based on the team dynamics. He certainly is in the mix and hopefully if he gets a game, it will be great to have someone from Himachal play on his home ground."

Asked if the table-toppers have a problem of plenty of ideas in the dressing room given the MI team's star-studded line-up and their star-studded support staff he said, "No not really. At the end of it, it is always good to have ideas but you also need people to execute it on the field and I am really glad that whatever ideas we have been throwing open, the execution has been good. We only want that to continue. It is not a question of just throwing ideas because we have a star studded support staff but at the same time it is also important to assimilate all those ideas and make it simple and that's the tough part. So that is where the star studded support staff will help."

source: iplt20.com

No pressure of must-win game: Vinay Kumar #RCBvsCSK

Posted: 17 May 2013 10:20 PM PDT

Royal Challengers Bangalore have been a formidable batting side. This season, they bolstered their pace bowling attack, resulting in their improved death bowling. However, in the last match, a rampant Adam Gilchrist led Kings XI Punjab to a successful chase of 175 runs.

Ahead of RCB's last home game of the season, against Chennai Super Kings, their highest wicket-taker, Vinay Kumar, admitted that death bowling has been a let-down for the team in the last few matches.

"We did really well as a bowling unit in the first few games. We have defended nine and seven runs in the last over in this tournament. In the last few games that hasn't been the case and we have been giving away runs in the death overs," Vinay said, adding, it is not an issue that only RCB are confronting at this stage of the tournament.

"But that's happening with every team – the bowlers did well in the first half of the tournament and now the batsmen are doing well. Sometimes, the dew factor also plays a part as the ball tends to slip a bit. In this format, even an inch's difference can result in you being hit for a six."

Their contest against CSK is a perform-or-perish scenario for RCB. A loss will virtually end their chances of making it to the Playoffs. Vinay said the best way to get the best out of themselves is for the team to not get overly desperate.

"The pressure is there from game-one. The IPL is such tournament that if you want to win the title, you have to take every game as a crucial game. If we keep thinking about this game as a must-win game, we will only make things tough for ourselves mentally," he said.

source: iplt20.com

Ashwin, Morris are our main bowlers against Gayle: Fleming #RCBvsCSK

Posted: 17 May 2013 10:12 PM PDT

The match in Bengaluru on Saturday night between the Royal Challengers and Chennai Super Kings bears more consequences than being a mere contest between two of the strongest IPL teams.

While the hosts will do anything to end up on the winning side to give themselves a chance in the top-four, CSK would want to end the league phase with a win and a first place on the points table.

Super Kings coach, Stephen Fleming, stressed on the importance of ending in the top-two in order to have an advantage in the Playoffs and secure a spot in the Champions League T20.

"If Rajasthan Royals don't win their game (against Sunrisers Hyderabad), we will automatically be in the top two," Fleming said. "If that happens, we may have the option of giving opportunities to guys who have been on the sidelines for a while. But we're not going to be throwing games away or do anything stupid because we realise that consistency has always been our key."

According to Fleming, another reason why the team will be happy to play the benched players against RCB is to give a break to some of the regular players ahead of the knock-out games.

"Some of the guys are coping with injuries and fatigue and we'd like to give them some rest if the opportunity comes up. If it doesn't, we still have to play very well and confirm a spot in the top-two. So, the way the competition is set up, there's still a reason for us to focus despite making it to the Playoffs," said the CSK coach.

Despite being in a more advantageous situation than RCB, Fleming knows CSK cannot put their feet up given the hosts face a must-win scenario.

"When a team is desperate to win, they generally give their best game out and we expect RCB to do the same against us on Saturday."

For all the opponents, a major sub-plot for stopping RCB is stopping Chris Gayle, and Fleming said CSK were no different.

"There's huge amount of planning done on Chris Gayle and we're no different. We're lucky enough to implement our plans and get Chris out early on a number of occasions. The worrying thing might be that he must be due (for a big score against us). So, we must ensure we hit the right areas all over again and hopefully it's our day. He's been remarkably consistent for such a dynamic player. His consistency on this ground is particularly brilliant. So, we know we have our work cut out."

While getting Gayle out early is a team goal, Fleming said R Ashwin and Chris Morris were the two main weapons that CSK will unleash over the Caribbean giant.

"There are two-three bowlers we are looking to use. Ashwin's had success against Chris. Chris Morris had a successful outing against him in the last game we played against them. However, the key plans may not always come off and the other bowlers have to be just as good as the bowlers who we originally plan to use against him. Chris (Gayle) has been very smart to take it slowly in the first six overs and give himself a chance to have a go from the seventh onwards. So, it doesn't necessarily have to be the frontline bowlers against Chris. So, it is our responsibility as a bowling group to take whoever gets the first chance," he said.

While focusing on Gayle, Fleming also warned his bowlers of the likes of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and others in the power-packed RCB line-up.

"It will be a high-scoring game if any one of their top-three get going. RCB are very top-heavy with their batting and their first three guns are very big. Hopefully, we're good enough to pick wickets and put their middle-order under pressure. Any team coach will say the same thing – if you can get RCB's top-order out, you will be able to control the run-rate."

source: iplt20.com

Have enjoyed playing under Dravid: James Faulkner

Posted: 17 May 2013 10:02 PM PDT

With 26 wickets from fourteen matches, Rajasthan Royals' seamer James Faulkner has got the Purple Cap back. On Friday, against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, James Faulkner became the first bowler to take two five-wicket hauls in IPL. He also recorded the best bowling figures this season which read 4-1-16-5 against SRH as he bettered his own previous five-wicket haul against the same opponent.

James Faulkner's magnificent bowling could not help his team register a victory, but the medium pacer was confident that his side would comeback fighting in the tournament. "I suppose it is disappointing to lose after taking a fiver, but I am sure the boys will learn from the loss and we will be better and stronger for our next game," Faulkner told IPLT20.com.

Faulkner was exceptional with the ball. He struck two early blows in the second over of the match taking the wickets of both the SRH openers and he said that the team was pumped up after striking early. "We got to a pretty good start with the ball. Also, our fielding tonight (against SRH) was exceptional. The energy on the field was tremendous and we were charged up to perform. In T20s, you can bowl poorly and take wickets and sometimes you bowl brilliantly and end up without a wicket. I thought I bowled pretty well. The skill and the luck factor is a combined mixture that worked out well for me in this case, but disappointing that we did not get the win that we were after."

The Purple Cap has changed heads quite often in the tournament, but at the moment it sits pretty with James Faulkner. For Faulkner though, it was all about the team benefiting at the end of it. "I do not fuss much about the Purple Cap. It is all about the team at the end of the day. You take a fiver or bowl well, at the end of the day your team should benefit. We have a big week ahead now and we have to gather our thoughts for the all important playoffs."

From being labeled as underdogs to finding a place in the Playoffs, the Rajasthan Royals have come a long way. Their youngsters have performed well when thrown into tough situations and their key players have delivered when it has mattered the most. For Faulkner, who has represented as many as three IPL teams including RR, it has been a memorable journey with the franchise.

"We have tried to play the same brand of cricket that we have played throughout the tournament. I have been given a great opportunity with the Royals and I have been really welcomed in the RR family. I have really enjoyed playing with each and every player in the team so far, and playing under Rahul Dravid who has been brilliant. Dravid has thrown the ball at me at different situations and I am glad that I have come out with success on most occasions. I guess that is what they picked me up for in the auctions, and I am just trying to do my job to the best I can. I am looking forward to finishing on a high and as a team I am confident we can finish off the tournament playing well."

source: iplt20.com

Michael Bevan worked on my batting: Biplab Samantray

Posted: 17 May 2013 09:56 PM PDT

Roll back the books of cricket and one will find only a handful of cricketers from Orissa who have made the big cut. The state of Orissa has been best known to have produced cricketers like Debasis Mohanty and Shiv Sundar Das who have gone on to represent the country after going through the rigours of domestic cricket.

Years have passed since and not many have managed to don the national colours. Ask 24-year old Biplab Samantray how much this IPL experience means to him and you will know how eager he is to take his state's name forward in international cricket. It might be a long way to go for the middle-order bat before he achieves his goal, but it is only baby steps that will help Samantray take the giant leap. (Also Read: SRH vs RR - M68 Report & Stats: IPL 2013)

On a day when bowlers made merry at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in Hyderabad on Friday, Samantray managed to gather himself a calm and composed half century that helped his side register a defendable total of 136 after being reduced to five for three at one stage. An important knock for Samantray and for the team as at the end of it all, SRH got those vital two points on the board with a 23-run victory. Samantray after his heartening half century was kind enough for a chat with IPLT20.com, wherein he spoke about his knock against the Rajasthan Royals, the advice he took with a lot of keenness from his former Odisha coach, Michael Bevan and his hopes of getting Odisha on the world map.

Excerpts from the interview

Your highest score for SRH in the IPL this season, you should be a happy man!

Absolutely! It was a very satisfying knock for me. It was a crucial match for the team. I am glad that I could score a half century and would like to thank God for helping us end up on the winning side.

How important was this knock for you, especially after not scoring regularly in the opportunities you got?

Honestly speaking, I needed this kind of an innings to give myself the confidence that I could play a vital role in the batting line-up. There are a lot of quality batsmen in our team and I had to make the most of the opportunities I got. I have not had the best of times with the bat, but I am happy that I could help my team today (against RR).

After an early wobble, how did you cope up with the pressure of batting through the innings?

It was difficult, but I was prepared. We had been in a similar situation against the Pune Warriors India earlier in the tournament and I was there at the middle trying to steady the innings that time. I got out on 37 that day and did not bat through the innings. Today, I was prepared to play the role of batting through the innings and I am glad I was there till the 19th over.

The wickets in Hyderbad have been on the slower side. Was it a tough wicket to bat?

It was a difficult wicket to bat on initially as the wicket was slow. The pressure was on us to perform as they had bowled well at the start of the innings. We lost crucial wickets and were five for the loss of three wickets at one point of time. I told myself that I had to bat through the innings no matter how many balls I consumed.

And, you put up a half century stand with Darren Sammy. What were the talks between you two at that time?

Darren Sammy helped me a lot as he took the role of the aggressor. He asked me to play through the innings. He just told me that we needed one partnership to get back the innings under control and we did exactly that.

We are nearing the end of the tournament, what have you learnt from this IPL?

The IPL is like a dream come true for me. As a youngster, I can ask for nothing more when I have the best of facilities and the best of knowledge from the best of players at disposal. I need to make the most of the opportunities I get and make a meaningful contribution for the team's success. At the moment the focus will be to end the tournament on a high. We still have one match to go and the team's focus will be on that to assure ourselves a place in the Playoffs.

As a kid, who have been your cricketing idols?

From where I belong, Odisha – undoubtedly Debasis Mohanty and SS Das who have represented the country are my idols. I know there have not been many from our state who have made the grand stage and I want to take Odisha to the next level and place it in the world map. I want to make my state proud. In international cricket, Brian Lara and Michael Bevan have been my cricketing idols.

Michael Bevan was coach of the Odisha cricket team in the 2011-12 season. What did you learn from one of your idols?

It was a great experience to learn under the guidance of Michael Bevan. He spent a lot of hours with me talking about cricket and trying to fine tune my skills. He taught me to have a clear mind and play my natural game. He also asked me to play according to the situation of the game, may it be any form of cricket. I feel I tried to put whatever Bevan told me against the Rajasthan Royals. I played myself in, played according to the situation and played my natural game.

source: iplt20.com

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