India-Pakistan-Bangladesh TriSeries - Kitply Cup 2008

After IPL's success as a being a thriller among the indian public the tri-series in Bangladesh will be a test of patience. Spectators will have to appreciate the building of an innings as they sit through the pedestrian run-rate of one-day cricket, and watch as overs are bowled without a six being hit or a wicket falling. For the Indian and Pakistani players involved with the IPL, the challenge will be to readjust their batting styles to the longer format: not to go for broke from the onset, think about keeping wickets in hand, and to give a few overs to the bowler if he's in the middle of a dangerous spell.

The tournament's format - three league matches - is such that it allows no room for error. India and Pakistan have the mos t to lose. One slip-up and it will be down to net run-rate to qualify for the final. The irony is that if there's an India-Pakistan final, it is more likely to fade from public memory as most one-day matches eventually do.

Series Fixtures:
1st Match: Bangladesh vs Pakistan at Mirpur Jun 8, 2008 Match scheduled to begin at 15:00 PST
2nd Match: India vs Pakistan at Mirpur Jun 10, 2008 Match scheduled to begin at 15:00 PST
3rd Match: Bangladesh vs India at Mirpur Jun 12, 2008 Match scheduled to begin at 15:00 PST
Final Match: TBC vs TBC at Mirpur Jun 14, 2008 Match scheduled to begin at 15:00 PST

The Teams:

Bangladesh Squad

Mohammad Ashraful (Captain), Mashrafe Mortaza (Vice-Captain), Abdur Razzakz, Alok Kapali, Dolar Mahmud, Farhad Reza, Mahmudullah, Mehrab Hossain jnr, Mushfiqur Rahim (w.k), Nazimuddin, Raqibul Hasan, Shahadat Hossain, Shahriar Nafees, Tamim Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Dhiman Ghosh, Junaid Siddique, Mosharraf Hossain, Rubel Hossain

India Squad

MS Dhoni(captain,w.k), Yuvraj Singh (Vice-Captain), Piyush Chawla, Gautam Gambhir,Praveen Kumar,Pragyan Ojha, Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina,Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, RP Singh, Manpreet Gony,Robin Uthappa

Pakistan Squad

Shoaib Malik (Captain), Misbah-ul-Haq (Vice-Captain), Bazid Khan, Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Anjum, Kamran Akmal (Wicketkeeper), Mohammad Yousuf, Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed,Naumanullah,Shahid Afridi, Sohail Khan,Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Younis Khan, Sohail Khan

The Kitply Cup marks the restart of a hectic international calendar. It may not be the most eye-catching tournament but nevertheless, India and Pakistan won't want this series to be remembered for their inability to make the final.

Lost Opportunity Cost - Chennai sobs silently!!

Hi all, quite long time since i updated about cricket here in my blog. Guess a reason.... and you are correct - i was bit upset over the way Chennai Super Kings lost the match. I am a big fan of Chennai Super Kings. Dhoni was definetly not the major factor (although he is a crowd puller) but because i am a tamilian.

Honestly speaking, i was not happy (which is not a matter at all for the rest, if not, for the players atleast!) about the way Dhoni handled the things when they were expected to put in a total of around 185+ in their final match against Rajasthan Royals. They didnt capitalize the excellent start provided by Raina and Patel. They were simply cowards against the Royals after a bit slog start. Here Dhoni, to keep the momentum, should have sent Badrinath and if not atleast should not have send Morkel. An average indian would have reacted better in that suituation than Morkel. He was a utter flop. If Morkel was no better than an average indian, Dhoni was worse still! He should have send Badrinath ahead, which he did notv(as expected). Atleast he should have set an example by playing his natural game, when the suituation warrants him to do so.

Oh Boy! he was pushing the balls for singles and rotating the strike with C.K'Dera. Dera was already struggling to even face the ball during this period. I mean, literally, he wanted to piss off there. Dhoni played COOL. C'mon, being cool is good but should understand the suituation. Dhoni should have hit more. That is why he was the highest paid player in the series. Except for his two (lucky) sixers, he was mere a flop on that day.

I was cursing him during his batting and the way he was rotating the strikes. I almost predicted the match by the end of the first innings. Poor Super King fans. With some hopes sticking around, i continued to watch the second innings. CSK's gave a brave fight back initially which eventually faded. The time when Royals rose to 103 in 13overs, i thought match is had already slipped and comfortably landed in the safe hands of Royals. With a heavy heart i went to bed. You should have watched the reactions of Dhoni for every wicket of Royals falling down. MAN! i tell you, you look like a country pig wanting to fart but got a bamboo stuck in his ass!! Yes, i mean it. No reactions from this Indian Captian. You cannot anymore paint a picture as being cool Mr.Dhoni (and now you are no more my icon). Your face shows it all. Why dont you cheer up your team when they are worth of it?

Its high time Dhoni. Live up to the hopes of this millions. Tear away the false mask around you - Being cool and be yourself. We loved you when you were so humble and a big hitter (when u started to play for the nation). We cheered you when you were handed over the CAP. We were with you when you failed. You captilized it for your personal benefits (you were in numerous advertisements, linked with film stars and what not). I dont see anything wrong in it. It is human nature! But dont forget your mission and role. Dont let things sit on your head, let it slip away sooner and come back with power - as you used to be once!!! We are waiting to see our real hero - The Dhoni from Ranchi !!!

Chennai super kings pack the Kings XI home once again

The Super kings sent the King's XI packing by winning by 9 wickets in the second semi-final of the Indian Premier League at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.

On a pitch offering generous bounce to the fast bowlers, Chennai's pace attack of Ntini, Gony and Albie Morkel bowled in the perfect channel, denying the Punjab batsmen any room to execute strokes through the off side. Bowling and fielding with exceptional intensity and focus, Chennai Super Kings restricted Kings XI Punjab to just 112 in the second semi-final in Mumbai and gave themselves an excellent chance to fight for the title. Chasing 113 runs to enter the final, Parthiv Patel and Suresh Raina guide Chennai to victory against Kings XI Punjab in the 15th over.

The Chennai Super Kings will meet the Rajasthan Royals, the tournament favourites, in the finals tomorrow in Mumbai at 2000Hrs (IST).