Aajnews

Watch live video from aajnews21 on Justin.tv

Live IPL 2011 Cricket Match

Irritate Opposition, Not Your Own Team: Dhoni to Sreesanth

The only people that S Sreesanth should "irritate" on the cricket field are the opposition players, said Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as he once again advised the temperamental pacer to remain within "boundaries". 

"I am very specific to him and told him that he should not cross a few boundaries. It is better that you do not cross those boundaries. If you want to irritate someone that should be the opposition and not your side," Dhoni said of the Kerala bowler, who has a reputation of losing his cool and coming up with animated gestures in the heat of the moment. 

Dhoni said he has no issues with Sreesanth's behaviour as long as he keeps the aggression within limits. 

"Till he does both these things, I am really happy to let him do whatever he wants to do," he said. 

Sreesanth was at his usual aggressive self in the two pre-World Cup warm-up matches that India won and he hit the headlines by getting into an argument with Australian skipper Ricky Ponting during one of the games. 

However, in the second warm-up match against New Zealand, Dhoni said he was satisfied with the way the pacer conducted himself. 

"I do not think there was much. I must say that bit of chit chat is always fine. It does not mean that whenever we play cricket such things does not happen," Dhoni said. 

"As I said, there are certain boundaries that you should not get too personal with a player. If these guidelines are followed I am quite happy with it. More often than not it is the batsman and Sreesanth who knows exactly what is going on," he explained.

World Cup: Odds Favor Asian Giants

The guessing game has received a fresh impetus with the ICC Cricket World Cup scheduled to start this weekend in Dhaka with India taking on Bangladesh. But first up, it will take a brave heart to forecast or predict the winner although in my opinion, the odds seem to favour the three sub-continental giants - India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan - far more than others. 

The huge advantages the trio enjoy include familiar playing conditions and the crowd support. While teams such as Australia, South Africa and England seem to put all their eggs in the pace and seam baskets, I feel, it will be the spinners who will be calling the tune given the low bounce and turn the pitches are likely to afford. 

May be the odd fast bowler like a Steyn or Lee or Johnson might still trouble the batsmen with their sheer pace, but eventually, the very nature of the surface would blunt that edge while bringing into play the spinners. So much for theory, but cricket has the nasty habit of throwing eggs on the pundits' faces and we need to make due allowance for such unpredictability. 

Thus far, a majority of the experts have dubbed the CWC as the most open in its 36-year history, but I would still like to believe that it would be one of the three top Asian teams who will take home the Cup. 

Champions Australia are at a low ebb and I wouldn't read too much into their recent series win against touring England. In the warm-up game against India in Bangalore on Sunday, the Aussies looked all at sea and in their next game against South Africa, they were all but outplayed. Regardless of the brave words emanating from the Aussie camp, I suspect they have a lot of hard work ahead of them even to justify the tag of title favourites. 

As for the South Africans, it is obvious that they are keen to wipe off the tag of chokers. Their captain Smith said as much last week. However, they need to be playing at a different level altogether. They have the players to do that, but under pressure, it is a different ball game. In their favour is the fact that the core group has survived difficult times and it is only logical to expect that the seniors would be wiser. 

England and the West Indies would be the dark horses, but neither team seems to have the balance required to win in the sub-continent. The presence of a quality spinner is mandatory in these conditions, as against a predominantly seam-up attack. Both these teams seem to rely heavily on pace and that could be their undoing. 

Further, the England players are already complaining about the absence of rest between their tour Down Under and the CWC, with just four days at home in between before flying out to Asia. Also, England haven't had happy memories of their recent visits to the sub-continent where they struggled to deal with the spinners and there is little reason to believe that it would be any different in the CWC. 

Similarly, the West Indies cricket overall is in poor health with frequent altercations between players and their Board over payments and what have you. It is hardly makes for an amiable environment for team development, but clearly, the West Indies' best days are behind them although they are capable of tripping a few teams. 

As for New Zealand, it boils down to getting the team together and shrugging off the recent off-the-field distractions involving a couple of their key players. The Kiwis do not have star players, but as always they depend on a collective effort that we are yet to see. 

Their recent trip of the sub-continent was an unmitigated disaster and the loss to Pakistan at home only rubbed salt into their wounds. It remains to be seen whether the Kiwis have the strength of character to rise to the occasion, erasing the past. At best, they have been consistent performers in the CWC, but never quite looking the team that could actually win the Cup. There is little reason to believe that it would be any different this time around. 

Thus, any which way you look, the short list of potential winners boils down to India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. These three teams are rich in talent and balance that is so crucial to succeed. The trio also boasts of quality spinners and a seam attack that is capable of achieving breakthroughs first up. Add to the mix an array of stroke players and you end up looking at teams that the neighbours would envy. 

We can discuss endlessly on the prospects, but it is best to remember cricket’s home truth - you begin every match and innings from zero. Forget the records, the reputations and such factors, but for me, the CWC begins from March 23 when the quarter-final shootout commences. Along the way, we will get some indication on how well the teams are prepared. 

For sure, the 2011 CWC will be the swansong for the older generation of players, including our own Sachin, who are hoping for a successful last hurrah, but rarely has Sport is about performance and not fairytale ending as there is always a sting and twist in the tail.

India v Bangladesh 1st Game ICC World Cup – India seek revenge

India who lost their last game against Bangladesh in the last edition of World Cup will search for the revenge when they take on them in front of their supportive home crowd. Bangladesh ensured India's early exit in the first round of the 2007 tournament in the Caribbean and Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is determined to avoid any repeat on the subcontinent.

This time M.S.Dhoni team is much different than it was in 2007 under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid or we can say the Greg Chappel who divided the team in more than two parts which resulted in an early exit from the tournament. However, this time around the teams look more solid and eager to win than before.

The batting demolition of New Zealand in Chennai followed a 38-run victory over three-time defending champion Australia on Sunday in Bangalore, achieved thanks to a superb effort from spinners Piyush Chawla and Harbhajan Singh.

The pace attack led by Zaheer Khan may have to concede the bulk of the work to the slow bowlers, with several part-time options also at India's disposal, while there is a problem of plenty in the batting department.

Indian batting order will much depend on the start given by likes of Sachin, Sehwag, Kohli and Gambhir. If any two of them able to build the Indian inning in the middle overs by keeping wicket in hand then Dhoni, Yuvraj and Pathan can blast any attack out of the park.

Indian team who is carrying the hopes of billion on their shoulder needs to perform as per their potential to make the hopes of billions count in their opening game against Bangladesh.

Pitch & Conditions

The Pitch at Mirpur is likely to get support spinners and will also provide some help to the fat bowlers. Team winning the toss is likely to bat first and put runs in excess of 275 on the board to put pressure on the opposition.

Likely Playing XI for both teams (Match is schedule to begin at 14:00 PM India Time)

Bangladesh who heavily relies on spin is likely to go with two pace bowlers and three pace attacks with additional spinning all-rounder in their squad. So far they have done great with the help of their spinning options and they know to beat India in their back yard they need something special from their bowling attacks.

On the other hand India have already decided on the playing XI with Virat Kohli is in prime form they are likely to go with him that means Suresh Raina will heat the bench against the much awaited World Cup inaugural game. In the bowling department Zaheer Khan is likely to lead the pace attack along with Ashish Nehra and Munaf Patel with Harbhajan Singh leading the spin department along with spinning all-rounder Yuvraj Singh and Yusuf Pathan.

India: Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni (Captain & WK), Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel.

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Raqibul Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Mahmudullah, Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain.

ICC Cricket World CUP 2011

India beat South Africa to enter semis – Twenty20 World Cup

India pull out an outstanding victory against South Africa by 37 runs to not only qualify for the Semifinals but also outplayed South Africa to throw them out of tournament. South Africa needed 154 to win and 126 runs to qualify for the semis but Indian bowlers didn’t allow them to even qualify for the semis.

India's bowlers, seen as the weak link, delivered when most required to help defend a modest total of 153 in the group E match. The 37-run victory for India knocked the hosts out of the championship with New Zealand qualifying as the second team from the group.

India will now play mighty Australians in the Second semi final at Durban andPakistan will face New Zealand in first semifinal at Capetown.

Defending 154 runs, Indian pace bowler R.P Singh started brilliantly and gaveIndia double breakthrough by removing H.Gibbs and South African captain Graeme Smith caught in the slips to a superb catch by Dinesh Karthik. With S Sreesanth dismissing AB de Villiers and the big-hitting Justin Kemp run out to a fine direct throw from Rohit Sharma, South Africa were reduced to 31-5 chasing what had seemed a modest target.

Mark Boucher and Albie Morkel scored 36 apiece later in the innings but the paucity of wickets in hand put paid to their hopes. Singh came back to dismiss Albie to finish with 4-13 and with other bowlers too chipping in when required, the last nail went quite easily into the South African coffin.

Earlier M.S. Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first. Indian opener again gave India a good start by adding 32 runs for the first wicket but in the space of 4 deliveries Indians loss three quick wickets. But thanks to Rohit Sharma who made 50 of 40 balls and M.S. Dhoni 45 of 33 balls who manage to give Indians a fighting total of 153/5 in 20 Overs. Yuvraj Singh the hero againstEngland were not playing in this match due to sore elbow.

Rohit Sharma was declared Man of the Match.

Match Summary

India – 153/5 in 20 Overs

Rohit Sharma – 50* M.S. Dhoni– 45

Shaun Pollock– 4-0-17-2 Makhaya Ntini– 4-0-30-1

South Africa – 116/9 in 20 Overs

Mark Boucher –36 Albie Morkel– 36

R.P Singh– 4-0-13-4 S. Sreesanth– 4-0-23-2

India Vs South Africa Highlights – India qualified for Semi Finals in Twenty20

Twenty20 Cricket World Cup 2007 – India Vs Pakistan (Most Exciting Encounter of 20-20)

India Vs Pakistan – India beat Pakistan by Bowl out after match was Tied

Indian good show in World cup against Pakistan continues as they beat Pakistan in bowl out encounter after the match was tied at Kingsmead, Durban. The match was one of the most thrilling encounters of twenty20 World Cup so far.

The match to decide the fate of group D went to the wire as Pakistan failed to cross the final hurdle in chasing a modest 142 and their bowlers could not compete well in the 'bowl out' like they did earlier in the match.

Pakistan were restricted to 141-7 in reply to 141-9 and then India prevailed 3-0 in the 'bowl out', something like the penalty shoot in football and hockey, in which five bowlers from each side have a go at the three stumps without any batsman taking strike.

The Pakistan seamers shone early in the day but failed to be on the spot in the contest to decide the match. Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik probably got it wrong in nominating the seamers to bowl in conditions where the ball was wobbling a lot.

India on the other hand went with the spinners early on. Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh and Robin Uthappa broke the stumps while Yasir Arafat, Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi missed for Pakistan, rendering the remaining strikes useless as a decisive lead had been taken.

India Vs Pakistan Twenty20 Highlights

India Vs Pakistan Bowl Out

Sri Lanka Vs Kenya – Sri Lanka thrashed Kenya to enter Super eight

Kenya team received another thrashing defeat from Sri Lankan lions to knocked out of the twenty20 World cup. Sri Lanka defeat Kenya by huge margin of 172 runs.

Earlier Kenyan Captain Steve Tikolo won the toss and elected to field first. But it was a day which belongs to only Sri Lanka who have piles world record runs (260/6) in their allotted 20 overs at the Wanderers inJohannesburg. Sanath Jayasuriya led the Lankan onslaught as the southpaw plundered a brilliant 88 runs of just 44 deliveries.

But the man of the moment at the end of the Lankan innings was young turk Jehan Mubarak who smashed an  unbeaten 46 of just 13 deliveries hitting five towering sixes along with three boundaries. Sri Lankan Captain Mahela Jayawardne also hit fine and quickest half century, scoring 65 runs in just 37 balls with 2 sixes and 9 fours.

Kenyan bowlers, Nehemiah Odhiambo and Lameck Ngoche suffered the most at the hands of the Lankan batsmen, giving 57 and 61 runs respectively, of their four overs.

Chasing 261 runs of their allotted 20 overs, Kenya never looked even threatening to pose any challenge to the Lankan's mammoth total. Kenya could just manage 88 runs in their 19.3 overs before Thomas Odoyo declared himself retired hurt, to put an end to Kenya's misery. Only three of the Kenyan Batsmen could get into double figures with Alex Obanda top scoring with 21 runs to his name.

Sanath Jayasurya was declared Man of the Match.

Match Summary

Sri Lanka – 260/6 in 20 Overs

Sanath Jayasuriya – 88 Mahela Jayawardena – 65

Jimmy Kamande – 3-0-14-1 Jimmy Kamande – 4-0-48-3

Kenya – 88/9 in 19.3 Overs

Alex Obanda – 21 David Obuya – 18

Chaminda Vaas – 4-1-15-2 Sanath Jayasuriya – 3-0-9-1

England Vs Australia – Australia beat England to enter super eight

England set a mere 136 run target for the mighty Aussies and now its all up to England bowlers to save this match and throw out number one contestant Australia from this twenty20 world cup.

Earlier England Captain Paul Collingwood won the toss and decided to bat first but his batsman fails to capitalize on his decision and bowled out for 135 runs in 20 overs. Only Andrew Flintoff (31 runs of 24 balls) & Kevin Pietersen (21 runs of 30 balls) gave some resistance to England total.

This match was must win for the Australians to remain a live in the twenty20 World Cup and they did exactly what situation is demanding by beating England by 8 wickets to enter super eight stage of the Twenty20 World Cup.

Australian openers started really well by hammering England bowlers for more than 10 runs an over.That was an easy win for the Australians after their big loss to Zimbabwe.

Match Summary

England – 136/10 in 20 Overs

Andrew Flintoff – 31 K. Pietersen – 21

N.Bracken – 4-0-16-3 M.Johnson – 4-0-22-3

Australia – 136/2 in 14.5 Overs

Matthew Hayden – 67* Adam Gilchrist – 45

Andrew Flintoff– 4-0-25-1 Chris Schofield – 3.5-0-31-1

Super Eight Team Qualified for wenty20 World Cup

Here are the two group’s scenarios for Super Eight Stage:

Group E - South Africa, England, New Zealand & India

Group F – Bangladesh, Australia, Sri Lanka & Pakistan

ICC Cricket World CUP 2011 Schedule

After 14 Years, Cricket World Cup is finally returned to Asia (India-Sri Lanka-Bangladesh). Last time World Cup was hosted in Asia in 1996 and Sri Lanka emerge winners of the ICC Wills World Cup. Unfortunately, this time Pakistan will not host any games of 2011 world cup because of security concern.

ICC has tried their best to shorten the 2011 world cup as compared to 2007 world cup. So there will be 49 number of games will be played in 2011 as compared to 51 in 2007. Also the length of the tournament will be shorten by a week. Out of forty nine games, India will host 29 matches, Sri Lanka will host 12 matches and 8 games will be hosted by Bangladesh.

India will host one quarter final in Ahmedabad, one semi final in Mohali and Final of World Cup 2011 in Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. While Sri Lanka will host the 2^nd quarterfinal and 1^st semi final in R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo and Bangladesh will host 1^st and 3^rd quarterfinal in Mirpur, Dhaka.

Fourteen teams will participate in 2011 World Cup with 14 teams divided into two groups each containing seven teams. Group A contains Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Canada while Group B includes India, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and Netherlands.

The tournament will start with the game between India and Bangladesh on February 19^th at Mirpur, Dhaka and tournament will ends with the Final on April 2 in renovated Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. There will be total 13 venues will be used for the tournament.

First quarter final will be played on March 23^rd in Mirpur, while second quarter final will be played on March 24^th in Ahmedabad. Third quarterfinal will be played in Mirpur on 25^th March and fourth quarterfinal will be hosted by Sri Lanka in Colombo on March 26^th 2011. First semi final will be played on 29^th March in Colombo and second semi final will be played on March 30^th in Mohali.

Groups for the 2011 World Cup

Group A - Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Canada.

Group B - India, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands.

Previous ICC World Cup Winners

1975 – West Indies
1979 – West Indies
1983 – India
1987 – Australia
1992 – Pakistan
1996 – Sri Lanka
1999 – Australia
2003 - Australia
2007 - Australia

World Cup 2011 Fixtures (All timings are mentioned in GMT+05:30)

Timing	Teams	Venue	Results
Sat Feb 19 (D/N) 14:00 PM	1st match Group B - India v Bangladesh	Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Sun Feb 20 09:30 AM	2nd match Group A- Kenya v New Zealand	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Sun Feb 20 (D/N) 14:30 PM	3rd match Group A- Sri Lanka v Canada	Hambantota International Cricket Stadium
Mon Feb 21 (D/N) 14:30 PM	4th match Group A - Australia v Zimbabwe	Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad
Tue Feb 22 (D/N) 14:30 PM	5th match Group B- England v Netherlands	Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
Wed Feb 23 (D/N) 14:30 PM	6th match Group A - Kenya v Pakistan	Hambantota International Cricket Stadium
Thu Feb 24 (D/N) 14:30 PM	7th match Group B- South Africa v West Indies	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Fri Feb 25 09:30 AM	9th match Group A- Australia v New Zealand	Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
Fri Feb 25 (D/N) 14:00 PM	8th match Group B- Bangladesh v Ireland	Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Sat Feb 26 (D/N) 14:30 PM	10th match Group A- Pakistan v Sri Lanka	R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Sun Feb 27 (D/N) 14:30PM	11th match Group B - India v England	Venue TBC
Mon Feb 28 09:30 AM	12th match Group A- Canada v Zimbabwe	Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
Mon Feb 28 (D/N) 14:30 PM	13th match Group B- Netherlands v West Indies	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Tue Mar 1 (D/N) 14:30 PM	14th match Group A- Kenya v Sri Lanka	R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Wed Mar 2 (D/N) 14:30 PM	15th match Group B - England v Ireland	M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Thu Mar 3 09:30 AM	16th match Group B- Netherlands v South Africa	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh
Thu Mar 3 (D/N) 14:30 PM	17th match Group A- Canada v Pakistan	R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Fri Mar 4 09:30 AM	18th match Group A - New Zealand v Zimbabwe	Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad
Fri Mar 4 (D/N) 14:00 PM	19th match Group B- Bangladesh v West Indies	Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Sat Mar 5 (D/N) 14:30 PM	20th match Group A - Australia v Sri Lanka	R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Sun Mar 6 09:30 AM	21st match Group B- England v South Africa	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Sun Mar 6 (D/N) 14:30 PM	22nd match Group B - India v Ireland	M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Mon Mar 7 (D/N) 14:30 PM	23rd match Group A- Canada v Kenya	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Tue Mar 8 (D/N) 14:30 PM	24th match Group A- New Zealand v Pakistan	Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
Wed Mar 9 (D/N) 14:30 PM	25th match Group B- India v Netherlands	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Thu Mar 10 (D/N) 14:30 PM	26th match Group A - Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe	Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
Fri Mar 11 09:30 AM	27th match Group B- Ireland v West Indies	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh
Fri Mar 11 (D/N) 14:00 PM	28th match Group B - Bangladesh v England	Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong
Sat Mar 12 (D/N) 14:30 PM	29th match Group B- India v South Africa	Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
Sun Mar 13 09:30 AM	30th match Group A - Canada v New Zealand	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Sun Mar 13 (D/N) 14:30 PM	31st match Group A- Australia v Kenya	M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Mon Mar 14 09:00 AM	32nd match Group B- Bangladesh v Netherlands	Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong
Mon Mar 14 (D/N) 14:30 PM	33rd match Group A- Pakistan v Zimbabwe	Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
Tue Mar 15 (D/N) 14:30 PM	34th match Group B- Ireland v South Africa	Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Wed Mar 16 (D/N) 14:30 PM	35th match Group A - Australia v Canada	M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Thu Mar 17 (D/N) 14:30 PM	36th match Group B - England v West Indies	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Fri Mar 18 09:30 AM	37th match Group B - Ireland v Netherlands	Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Fri Mar 18 (D/N) 14:30 PM	38th match Group A- New Zealand v Sri Lanka	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Sat Mar 19 09:00 AM	39th match Group B- Bangladesh v South Africa	Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Sat Mar 19 (D/N) 14:30 PM	40th match Group A- Australia v Pakistan	R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Sun Mar 20 09:30 AM	41st match Group A- Kenya v Zimbabwe	Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Sun Mar 20 (D/N) 14:30 PM	42nd match Group B - India v West Indies	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Wed Mar 23 (D/N) 14:00 PM	1st Quarter Final – A1 v B4	Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Thu Mar 24 (D/N) 14:30 PM	2nd Quarter Final – A2 v B3	Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad
Fri Mar 25 (D/N) 14:00 PM	3rd Quarter Final – A3 v B2	Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Sat Mar 26 (D/N) 14:30 PM	4th Quarter Final – A4 v B1	R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Tue Mar 29 (D/N) 14:30 PM	Semi Final – Winner of 1st QF v Winenr of 3rd QF	R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Wed Mar 30 (D/N) 14:30 PM	Semi Final – Winner of 2nd QF v Winner of 4th QF	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh
Sat Apr 2 (D/N) 14:30 PM	Final - TBC v TBC	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai