Indian Premier League and Cricket News by IPL Cricket Forum

Ediitorial - Mohit Goyal 

Indian Premier League Match Preview

Kolkata Knight Riders v Bangalore Royal Challengers at Kolkata

Bangalore have been facing a lot of flack and being termed a test eleven while Kolkata who had been tagged favorites after the first two matches have lost four on the trot. Both will be out to prove their points.

Men at the Helm

They might say anything but the men at helm Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid have a lot to prove in the shortest version of the game. There is no doubt over their abilities but they need to put a stamp on this version by innovation, improvisation and adaptation.

We have the bat

None of the two teams has been batting well but Kolkata had a good game in terms of batting against Kings XI Punjab and that gives them an edge in this department. Ganguly needs to fire for them and so does Kallis for Bangalore.

We have the ball

Ishant has been a sensation with the ball for Kolkata but his costly last over against Punjab probably cost Kolkata the match. Other bowlers need to come good too. On the other hand, Bangalore are a superb bowling unit. Their bowlers have been doing well consistently. It’s their batting which has let them down. Watch out for Steyn and Zaheer.

Patrolling Party

Kolkata are not a great fielding unit but Hussey and Hafeez are live wires on the field. Bangalore took some sensational catches in the previous games but the last game was a fielding disaster for them. Kohli, Dravid and White are likely to come good.

High on betting meter

Kolkata are high on betting meter owing to their batters and home advantage. But a slow pitch could favour the visitors heavily.

Who gets the tick?

This may be dubbed as the clash of the minnows but it’s going to be a very exciting match. Probably its Bangalore’s turn to make the March

Ediitorial - Mohit Goyal 

Indian Premier League Match Preview

Delhi Daredevils v Chennai Super Kings at Delhi

The two teams are locked at eight points a piece. But Delhi have their noses in front with a game in hand. Chennai would be looking to overhaul them while Delhi will try to move a step more towards semi finals.

Men at the Helm

The men at helm were the instant hits on the international scene. Both are very aggressive but have a very calm demeanor while leading their sides.

We have the bat

Sehwag and Gambhir are in raging form. But the middle order has been a cause for concern. Dhoni and co need to get their act together after three straight losses. They have all the artillery, they just require to pull the triggers in tandem.

We have the ball

Delhi look stronger in this department too but if Ntini and Murali come to party for Chennai they could spell trouble. A couple of quick wickets and a not so in form middle order could be exposed.

Patrolling Party

Chennai are a pretty good fielding side but Delhi have arguably been the best fielding side in the league till now. De Villiers, Gambhir, Malik and Dhawan for Delhi and Raina, Badrinath and Morkel for Chennai would be worth looking out for.

High on betting meter

Delhi are high on most betting meters with gains of around 60 percent while Chennai give gains of about 125 percent

Who gets the tick?

Delhi look a stronger side but Dhoni may greet them with some surprises. Sehwag must have his plans chalked out too but just wonder if he does plan at all except for having a go.

Editorial: Mohit Goyal

Match Preview
Mumbai Indians v Rajasthan Royals at Mumbai
The pre tournament underdogs on roll meet resurgent tigers in their den. This is going to be a cracker of a game in the Indian Premier Legaue - IPL.
 
Men at the Helm
It’s a clash of two greats of cricket, Shane Warne and Shaun Pollock, retired from international scene and who have been leading their sides wonderfully well. Warne has had a longer at the helm and that is likely to work to his advantage.
 
We have the bat
Jayasuriya, Uthappa, Bravo and Pollock make a pretty good T20 batting line up and so do Smith, Pathan and Watson. Sachin could have been the difference between the batting of the two sides but in his absence they are fairly balanced but Jayasuriya could be that difference on his day.
 
We have the ball
Rajasthan’s bowling has been very tight with Tanvir, Munaf and Siddharth coming good. For Mumbai, Pollock, Nehra and Bravo have bowled some extraordinary spells. The pan seems to hang in balance here too.
 
Patrolling Party
Fielding of both the sides has been comparable and fairly good. Rajasthan seem to have a slight upper hand on over all athleticism.
 
High on betting meter
Royals are pretty high on most betting meters. Five wins in six matches make them the favorites to pull off this one too.
 
Who gets the tick?
This is a perfect match man to man. The result will be a reflection of which team gels better and may be an odd out of the ordinary performance. It’s Mumbai’s turn probably.

© IPl Cricket Forum

Editorial - Mohit Goyal. :

As was expected, Super Kings have been the worst hit by the departure of some foreign players for national duties. But Deccan Chargers have been unexpected bloopers. They will hope to turn late bloomers in this edition of Indian Premier League.

Men at the Helm

Laxman hasn’t looked as inspiring as he could have been. He hasn’t shown much imagination and innovation as of now. May be it’s his turn this time. Dhoni has been an inspiring captain but doesn’t seem to have the same charisma after Hayden and Hussey have left. Just leaves us wondering, “Why?”

We have the bat

On paper, Deccan are a much stronger batting side but apart from Rohit Sharma nobody has shown the hunger to succeed. An innings from Gilchrist or Gibbs, and their fortunes could take a “U” turn. Chennai batters have their work cut out. Big guns Dhoni, Fleming and Raina need to come good.

We have the ball

The two teams involved don’t have the strongest of balling units in the league. But with Ntini and Albie Morkel joining Murali, Super Kings look one up. For Deccan, Afridi has been balling well and RP Singh showed signs of return to form in the last match against Mumbai.

Patrolling Party

Deccan’s fielding has got a boost with Gibbs adding to Styris, Afridi and Rohit. Still, Chennai look slightly better in fielding with Raina, Morkel and Ntini being the leading athletes.

High on betting meter

Most bookmakers are giving the teams an equal chance of around 5 on 6 while a few are keeping Chennai ahead, but only marginally.

Who gets the tick?

This is going to be a very exciting match after last couple of one sided ties. The match will probably be decided in the innings when Deccan come out to bat. Whether the bat can blaze away or the ball can dodge the bat will decide the course of the game.

© IPL Cricket Forum

Bangalore Royal Challengers: 126 all out (19.2 Ovs)
Kings XI Punjab: 127/4 (18.2 Ovs)

Kings XI Punjab won by 6 wkts

Just another dull and boring Cricket with a one sided game ending in a predictable fashion. One thing which most of us do not realize is the irresponsible batting of the openers - which we saw yesterday as also today. They seemingly fail to realize that much depemds on the opening pair in a 20Twenty Cricket either to maul the bowlers and keep them umder check or to build the foundation for a respectable score.

Hats off to Sreesanth for wonderful swing and the first two wickets. Bangalore never looked comfortable in this entire game and was no match to Yuvraj and team who like Rajasthan Royals have managed to be consistent in the last few matches both in terms of performance and team-work.

Apart from the contrast between the two team owners and their camp there is nothing much worth mentioning in this dull and lack-lusture match maybe except for the vigorous energy of Shaun Marsh who continued his debutant spell with a good piece of batting.

Sreesanth grabbed the man of the match trophy today for his good bowling.

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