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Antigua, <keyword id="61632" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kieron-Pollard">Kieron Pollard</keyword> smashed six sixes in an over off Sri Lanka's Akila Dananjaya, who had picked a hat-trick only in the previous over, as West Indies won the first T20I by four wickets at the Coolidge Cricket Ground on Thursday. Chasing a target of 132, Pollard's rampage in the sixth over helped the West Indies reach 134/6 in 13.1 overs. West Indies had earlier done well to restrict Sri Lanka to 131/9. However, Dananjaya's hat-trick in the fourth over made the visitors favourites to win the match despite the low total. Dananjaya is the third Sri Lankan to pick up a hat-trick after Thisara Perera and Lasith Malinga. However, Sri Lanka's joy was shortlived as West Indies captain Kieron Pollard became the second after India's Yuvraj Singh to hit six sixes in an over in T20 Internationals off the very next over that Dananjaya bowled. Pollard sent the first over long-on and the second hit the sight screen. The third was muscled over wide long-off and the fourth went sailing over deep midwicket. The fifth six was sent right over the bowler's head while the sixth went over deep midwicket yet again. West Indies needed 70 to win off 90 balls at the start of the over and the deficit was reduced to 34 runs needed off 84 balls. Pollard was dismissed in the next over for 38 off 11 balls after which <keyword id="58128" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dwayne-Bravo">Dwayne Bravo</keyword> and Jason Holder saw the West Indies over the finish line. For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka was the highest scorer with 39 off 34 balls. All six of the players that bowled for West Indies took at least a wicket each with Obed McCoy taking two. The hosts now lead the three-match T20I series 1-0. Brief scores: Sri Lanka 131/9 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 39, Niroshan Dickwella 33; Obed McCoy 2/25) lost to West Indies 134/6 in 13.1 overs (Kieron Pollard 38, Jason Holder 29; Wanindu Hasaranga 3/12) by 4 wickets with 41 balls remaining

Kieron Pollard's 6 sixes in an over takes Windies to win on Sri Lanka

Last year’s champion <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/teams/mumbai-indians/31001/home">Mumbai Indians</a> crashed out of the Champions League T20 losing to <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/teams/northern-knights/87001/players">Northern Knights</a> by six wickets in a one-sided game at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. 
 
MI were outclassed in all departments by the Kiwi side that did not put a foot wrong on their way to securing a place in the main draw. The table toppers in the qualification round, Knights go into the tournament proper along with <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/teams/lahore-lions/89001/players">Lahore Lions</a>, who had earlier defeated Southern Express by 55 runs. 
 
Chasing a 133-run target, NK were off to a brilliant start with openers Anton Devcich and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/Kane-Stuart-Williamson/6001/6071">Kane Williamson</a> putting up an 83-run stand. By the time MI managed to get their first breakthrough in the tenth over, the asking rate was well under five runs per over. If anything that could have bothered <keyword id="836840" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="the-knights">the Knights</keyword> from there on was some quick wickets but that didn’t happen. MI spinners failed to get any purchase ruling out any chance of a comeback. 
 
Williamson top scored for NK with a 36-ball 53 before being snared by Jasprit Bumrah in the 13th over but it was all too late in the day as <keyword id="1731187" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Daryl-Mitchell">Daryl Mitchell</keyword> and Scott Styris completed the formalities with 16 balls to spare. 
 
Earlier, poor shot selection and another top-order crumble crippled MI's chances of making it to the main draw as NK kept the Champions League Twenty20 holders to 132/9. Had it not been some useful contributions from the likes of skipper <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/Kieron-Adrian-Pollard/10001/10060">Kieron Pollard</a> and tailenders Lasith Malinga (20 off eight balls) and Shreyas Gopal (24 off 12), MI would have struggled to get to the total they finally managed to. 
 
Put in to bat by Daniel Flynn, MI got off to a disappointing start losing <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/Michael-Edward-Killeen-Hussey/31001/1033">Michael Hussey</a> (7) with just 10 runs on the board. It was the pressure created by the Knights' opening bowlers, Tim Southee and <keyword id="835484" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Trent-Boult">Trent Boult</keyword>, that stifled MI's big-hitting batsmen who were forced to make mistakes. Southee and Boult maintained a nagging line to restrict MI to just 20 runs in their first four overs. The duo kept up the pressure for most of the innings, conceding just 45 runs between them in their eight overs and taking four wickets, three of which were to Southee. 
 
The flow of wickets meant that MI were always under pressure to get up their run rate. Knights were excellent in the field, adding to the chokehold that Styris applied with his canny stump-to-stump seam-up deliveries. Williamson pulled off a brilliant catch, diving in front at short cover to get rid of Jalaj Saxena in the sixth over which gave Styris his first wicket, and the veteran allrounder removed Lendl Simmons in the next over. The MI opener paid the price of forcing himself too early in the shot while trying to cut a straight delivery that crashed into the stumps. Trying to make room for a late cut, Aditya Tare nicked to wicketkeeper Bradley Watling, and Styris bowed out with superb bowling figures of 4-0-21-3, a performance which earned him the Man of the Match award. 
 <keyword id="13880" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mumbai-Indians">Mumbai Indians</keyword> had lost half of their side by the 11th over with not even 50 runs on the scoreboard. Pollard managed to salvage some pride with a 24-ball 31 and Malinga and Gopal swung their bats in the last couple overs, but MI needed something exceptional to stop Knights from bolting into the main stage of the CLT20 but that did not happen. 
 With this win, the Northern Knights join <keyword id="13883" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Kings-XI-Punjab">Kings XI Punjab</keyword>, Hobart Hurricanes, Cape Cobras and Barbados Tridents in Group B. Lahore Lions, who came second in the qualifiers, join <keyword id="13886" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chennai-Super-Kings">Chennai Super Kings</keyword>, <keyword id="6354925" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Kolkata">Kolkata</keyword> Knight Riders, Perth Scorchers and Dolphins in Group A. 
 
Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians 132/9 (<keyword id="61632" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Kieron-Pollard">Kieron Pollard</keyword> 31, Scott Styris 3/21) lose to Northern Knights 133/4 in 17.2 overs (Kane Williamson 53, Jasprit Bumrah 2/26) by six wickets.

T20 Cricket: Clinical Northern Knights Send Mumbai Indians Crashing Out

Mumbai Indian made up for Saturday's batting failure against Lahore Lions big time, chasing down 162 on a gallop against Southern Express in the Champions League T20 qualifers to keep their tournament proper hopes alive at Raipur on Sunday. 
 
Click here for <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/live-score/mi-vs-se/misoe09142014176551/fullscorecard">scorecard</a> and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/live-score/mi-vs-se/misoe09142014176551/commentary">commentary</a>. 
 
In a must-win match for the defending champions, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/lendl-simmons/31001/10059">Lendl Simmons</a> and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/michael-hussey/31001/1033">Michael Hussey</a> rose to the occasion and after early nerves showed such dominance that the Sri Lankan team had no chance and bowed out with two defeats in as many matches. Simmons and Hussey added 139 for the opening stand to help their team reach the target in 16.2 overs with nine wickets in hand. 
 
The Sri Lankans had a big chance to break the stand in the eighth over but wicketkeeper Kusal Perera failed to hit the stumps at the non-striker's end despite having a good view after Hussey, who was on 20 at that time, pushed a Dilruwan Perera delivery on the offside and ran off for a single straight away. The Aussie went on to score 60 off 40 balls. 
 
Simmons remained unbeaten on 76 off 51 balls with the help of 11 fours and one six as <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/kieron-pollard/31001/10060">Kieron Pollard </a>finished the match in style with back-to-back sixes off left-arm spinner Sachith Pathirana. Earlier in the day, SE posted 161 for 6. The sixth-wicket 58-run stand between Angelo Perera and Farveez Maharoof, vastly helped by poor fielding from MI, was largely responsible for the solid total. 
 MI, who lost their opening game to Pakistan's LL on Saturday, won the toss and put the opposition in to bat and their bowlers justified <keyword id="1411" type="POSITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="captain">captain</keyword> Pollard's decision by taking early wickets. Medium pacer Jasprit Bumrah induced a top edge off the dangerous Kusal for 8. 
 
Pollard also got in on the act with a slower delivery and had Yashodha Lanka caught for 9. Opener Danushka Gunathilaka had looked in control during his innings of 30 before falling in a soft manner to innocuous-looking offspinner Jalaj Saxena. 
 Captain Jehan Mubarak was the next to go when in an attempt to slog-sweep <keyword id="43488" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Pragyan-Ojha">Pragyan Ojha</keyword> he lost his offstump for 16. Sekkuge Prasanna (15) hit two big sixes to wake up the crowd but his unfortunate run-out as a result of a misunderstanding with Angelo ended his innings. 
 
Angelo and Maharoof's stand brought the Lankans back into the match before Lasith Malinga, who captained SE to the domestic title in Sri Lanka, cleaned up Angelo for 28 in the last over. Maharoof (41* off 22 balls) got a six and four off the last two balls to finish the innings on a high. 
 
MI made one change to their team that lost to the Lions, bringing in legspinner Shreyas Gopal in place of the injured Praveen Kumar. In the first game of the day at Raipur, New Zealand's Knights secured a thumping 72-run against the Lions to put one foot in the tournament proper. 
 
Brief scores: Southern Express 161 for 6 (Maharoof 41*; Malinga 1/28) lose to <keyword id="13880" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mumbai-Indians">Mumbai Indians</keyword> 165 for 1 in 16.2 overs (Simmons 76*; Pathirana 1/26) by nine wickets

Mumbai Indians Thrash Southern Express In Must-win Game

In the last league match of <keyword id="6354312" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="IPL">IPL</keyword> 7, <keyword id="13880" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Mumbai-Indians">Mumbai Indians</keyword> needed to chase 190 in 87 balls (14.3 overs) at a required rate of 13.2 per over to claim the fourth and final play-offs spot available. <keyword id="61632" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Kieron-Pollard">Kieron Pollard</keyword> said during the mid-innings break that the home team would go all for for it, seeing as if they did not get those 190 runs in the required overs their tournament was over and <keyword id="13802" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rajasthan-Royals">Rajasthan Royals</keyword> would progress. What happened next was unbelievable, as Corey Anderson slammed an unbeaten 95 off just 44 balls and found support from Ambati Rayudu and Aditya Tare to seal a sensational five-wicket win. 

	Here, gocricket.com presents the big overs that made for a pulsating chase as MI took an impossible situation and turned it into a most memorable win.
 

	4th over: 19 runs

	Mumbai were 34 for 1 in three. They needed 156 from 69 balls. Anderson launched Dhawal Kulkarni into the sight screen first ball, then miscued one back to the bowler. A single got on strike Michael Hussey, who flicked six over square leg. A wide, double and triple made made it 19 off the over, leaving MI to score at 13 per over.
 9th over: 15 runs Thirty nine balls, 101 runs required. <keyword id="791756" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Kevon-Cooper">Kevon Cooper</keyword>, who had dismissed Hussey and Kieron Pollard in his first over to set MI back, was taken for a tap. Anderson got four off the second ball, two off the third and six off the fourth. A big over to keep MI ticking. 10th over: 16 runs <keyword id="13937" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rohit-Sharma">Rohit Sharma</keyword> started the over by putting a full toss from Kulkarni away for four past fine leg, but fell on the second as he lofted to sweeper cover. A wide followed, then a dot ball which saw Kulkarni miss a chance to run out Ambati Rayudu. Anderson reached fifty off 25 balls by depositing the fourth ball over long-off for six. Rayudu smashed the final ball down the ground for four. MI needed 70 off 27 balls. 11th over: 19 runs With 70 needed off 27 balls, <keyword id="6378477" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Shane-Watson">Shane Watson</keyword> gave the ball to James Faulkner, normally his death-overs specialist. First ball, Anderson made room and drilled the ball straight back past the stumps for four. A double, single, wide, single followed. Back on strike for the fifth ball, Anderson swung it over long-on for six. The sixth was a yorker, jammed down to third man for four. Now 51 needed from 21. 

	12th over: 18 runs

	Watson, who conceded 15 off his first over, took the ball from Faulkner. It proved a bad move. Rayudu carved the first ball over third man, the second over extra cover, the third past mid-on. Three balls, three fours. A single, boundary and single followed. Now 33 needed from 15.
 

	15th over: 13 runs

	Mumbai managed 24 off the 13th and 14th over to leave the equation at nine off three balls. Watson entrusted Faulkner the duty. First ball, Anderson edged to third man for one. The second, criminally, was a leg-stump full toss. Rayudu swung it over long leg for six. Now two runs needed off one ball. Rayudu tried to cut a short-of-a-length ball but it lobbed to short extra cover, who underarmed the ball at the nonstriker's end but missed. Rayudu turned back for the second but was run out. He sank to his knees in despair, but within moments the umpires ruled that because the scores were tied, Mumbai could get their NRR over that of Rajasthan's if they hit the next ball for four. Faulkner, after several moments of discussions and strategies with the RR think-tank, sent down a second consecutive full toss outside leg stump. Aditya Tare swung it away for six over square leg to cue ecstatic scenes. The MI dugout was cleared, the fans went berserk, Tare raised his jersey over his head, football style, and ran around the field like a man possessed.

IPL: How MI Chased 190 In 88 Balls

The third week of IPL 7 in India was probably more exciting than the previous two weeks in the UAE thanks to some great individual performances and a big run-in between <keyword id="61632" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Kieron-Pollard">Kieron Pollard</keyword> and Mitchell Starc. Here, gocricket.com chronicles the eye-catching events that unfolded over the course of last week. 
 
Tambe spins magic with first hat-trick this season 
 At the age of 42, <keyword id="13802" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rajasthan-Royals">Rajasthan Royals</keyword> legspinner Tambe is having the time of his life. Look at his performances in the tournament from day one, he has been nothing short of brilliant. However, this week Tambe took his game to another level and helped RR register a win from an unlikely position against Kolkata Knight Riders in Ahmedabad on May 5. Chasing 171 to win, the Gautam Gambhir-led KKR were cruising at one time at 121 for 0 in 14 overs before RR captain <keyword id="6378477" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Shane-Watson">Shane Watson</keyword> took three wickets in an over to provide a big opening for his team. However, it was Tambe's hat-trick in the next over that actually put the nail in KKR's coffin. The wickets of Manish Pandey, <keyword id="18938" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Yusuf-Pathan">Yusuf Pathan</keyword> and Ryan ten Doeschate broke KKR's back badly and they ended up losing the match by 10 runs. Tambe's performance this season has proved that age has little significance nowadays in cricket and that it's fitness and willingness to do well that shapes a player's career. 
 
de Villiers breaks run-drought in style 
 It was long coming. AB de Villiers had an ordinary season prior to <keyword id="6354506" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Royal-Challengers-Bangalore">Royal Challengers Bangalore</keyword>'s game against <keyword id="1494441" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Sunrisers-Hyderabad">Sunrisers Hyderabad</keyword> on May 4 and when Virat Kohli's men were reduced to 59 for 4 in 10.1 overs chasing 159 to win, it appeared the match was as good as gone for RCB. Against all odds, de Villiers launched a rearguard action and smashed 89* off 41 balls with the help of six fours and eight sixes to see his side home in the last over. While de Villiers punished all SRH bowlers, his face-off with fellow South African and arguably the greatest bowler in the world at present, <keyword id="12829" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Dale-Steyn">Dale Steyn</keyword>, will be remembered for many years to come. In the penultimate over of the innings, de Viliers took 24 runs off Steyn, hitting three sixes and a four to turn the match on its head. 
 
Pollard-Starc altercation 
 The game between <keyword id="13880" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Mumbai-Indians">Mumbai Indians</keyword> and <keyword id="12643" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Royal-Challengers">Royal Challengers</keyword> Bangalore on May 6 will long be remembered for an ugly altercation between Kieron Pollard and Mitchell Starc. The run-in - towards the end of MI's innings - that saw the West Indian and the Australian almost come to blows, influenced the outcome of the match a great deal as MI took 54 runs off last 20 balls, thanks largely to captain <keyword id="13937" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rohit-Sharma">Rohit Sharma</keyword>'s 59 off 35 balls, to post a mammoth 187 for 5. 
 
The drama began in the 17th over when Starc used some pretty choice language against Pollard after beating him with a bouncer. The West Indian disdainfully signed to Starc to go away, and off the next ball backed away from the crease at the last minute. Starc, instead of stopping himself, followed the West Indian on the legside and almost hit him, leaving a seething Pollard to throw his bat towards the bowler in a menacing way. 
 
However, the West Indian had the last laugh when he took a simple catch at extra cover to send Starc (5) back to the pavilion off the bowling of Lasith Malinga. Not just that, earlier in the match he had also accounted for the dangerous Yuvraj Singh's run out (6) using his footballing skills to great effect. 
 
The IPL Governing Council later on Wednesday fined both Pollard and Starc for breaching its code of conduct. 
 
Maxwell at it once again 
 Orange Cap holder Glenn Maxwell (435 runs in seven matches) fuelled his legend further smashing 90 off 38 balls in Kings XI Punjab's 44-run win over <keyword id="13886" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Chennai-Super-Kings">Chennai Super Kings</keyword> on May 7. The Australian put on view the switch-hit several times hitting eight sixes and six fours and it surely was his innings that made the difference. His approach against R Ashwin was particularly impressive. The India offspinner is normally very effective bowling around the wicket, but not against Maxwell on Wednesday evening. The Big Show smashed back-to-back sixes in the 11th over against the India offspinner who looked befuddled not knowing where he should land the ball, bowling two wides to boot. Things changed drastically after Ashwin's over, with KXIP scoring 162 in the last 10 overs to finish on 231 for 4. With the win against MS Dhoni's men, KXIP made it back to the top of the table with six wins in seven matches, while CSK go down to second after their second defeat in eight matches. 
 
Delhi Daredevils' sorry state 
 Delhi Daredevils took the wooden spoon last season and looking at their performance so far it seems another is on their way. The team under Kevin Pietersen looks absolutely spineless, especially in the bowling department. DD's defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders on May 7 was their sixth in eight matches and the way Pietersen ran himself out tells a great deal about his current state of mind. The former England batsman tapped a Shakib-al-Hasan delivery to offside and ran away for a single straight away, head down and without looking at non-striker batsman <keyword id="57265" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Murali-Vijay">Murali Vijay</keyword>. Wicketkeeper <keyword id="2231057" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Robin-Uthapa">Robin Uthapa</keyword> charged towards the ball, picked it up and ran Pietersen out in a flash with Vijay shaking his head in disbelief at the other end. 
 Pietersen's captaincy is also under the scanner for repeatedly not bringing the in-form duo of <keyword id="69475" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="JP-Duminy">JP Duminy</keyword> and Kedar Jadhav up the batting order. Fast bowler Mohammad Shami is another big concern for DD. He is one of the promising bowlers in the country but his performance so far in the tournament is worrying. Four wickets in eight matches at an economy rate of 8.34 don't justify his talent. At present, it's hard to imagine how DD are going to turn their fortunes around.

IPL Week 3 Review: Tambe, De Villiers, Maxwell Steal The Show

In the first week of IPL 7, Glenn Maxwell dominated the show with his big-hitting prowess. Now, in the second and final week of the UAE leg, gocricket.com takes a look at all the moments which grabbed headlines. 
 
Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals: A chequered rivalry 
 
Before the start of IPL 7, CSK and RR were in the news for events off the field relating to the IPL spot-fixing scandal. When both teams strode out to the ring of fire in Dubai, they added another chapter to the rivalry. CSK made 140 and Rajasthan fell short by seven runs. Ravindra Jadeja was the star for CSK with an unbeaten 36 and a haul of 4/33. In an eerie way, in the match between these two teams in 2013 in Jaipur which is believed to be in the centre of the scandal mentioned above, CSK had made 141 when the bet was that they would make 140. At that time, Gurunath Meiyappan was watching. Now, with Gurunath sidelined, CSK achieved this score. Odd twist of fate? 
 
<keyword id="258312" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Chris-Lynn">Chris Lynn</keyword> takes the catch of the summer 
 In a cricket match, seldom has a catch been the talking point. In the match between <keyword id="6354506" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Royal-Challengers-Bangalore">Royal Challengers Bangalore</keyword> and Kolkata Knight Riders, Chris Lynn provided the moment of the tournament which helped KKR snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. KKR managed to get to 150 and RCB needed nine runs in the last over. Vinay Kumar, who was part of several last-over finishes in the IPL, gave away just three runs in the first three balls. On the fourth ball, the match changed totally. 
 
Vinay bowled a shortish delivery just outside off. AB de Villiers moved to the off side and pulled it high over deep mid wicket. He had not timed it all that well but with the deep mid wicket boundary at Sharjah been short, it seemed the ball would sail over. Lynn, though, had other plans. His job was made difficult by the fact that he slipped up while lining up for the catch. However, he kept his eyes on the ball, raised his hands and arched back like a gymnast to pouch the catch. With the momentum threatening to take him over the ropes, he stuck out his right hand and ensured that he landed just inches in front of the rope. This moment gave KKR victory by two runs. One of the must watch (video link) moments that should be replayed over and over again 
 
Pollard is the best catcher in the IPL. No, he is not, say CSK 
 <keyword id="61632" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Kieron-Pollard">Kieron Pollard</keyword> has built a reputation that he can pouch just about anything. Every team has felt his brilliance in the field, except CSK. In the 2013 IPL clash between CSK and Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede, Pollard dropped Michael Hussey, then playing for CSK, thrice in three balls off Mitchell Johnson. He managed to pouch a good one off Suresh Raina but the three consecutive dropped catches were a sight to behold. 
 In the match against CSK in Dubai, Pollard was once again generous in the field for CSK. In the sixth over, <keyword id="55681" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Brendon-McCullum">Brendon McCullum</keyword> smashed one past mid off. Pollard leapt with one hand but he could not latch onto it. This was a difficult catch but for Pollard's standards, it could have been taken. However, in the 16th over bowled by Harbhajan Singh, Faf du Plessis slog swept the bowler to deep square leg where Pollard dropped a sitter. It seems Pollard suffers from yellow fever when it comes to catching against CSK. 
 
Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals: A tale of two ties 
 KKR and RR played out the first ever tie in the 2009 IPL in Cape Town. In that match, both teams ended on 150 and it was <keyword id="18938" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Yusuf-Pathan">Yusuf Pathan</keyword> who stole the show when he smashed three sixes of Ajantha Mendis to help RR put one over KKR. Five years later and in another neutral venue, KKR and RR played out their second tie. With the scores tied on 152, KKR batted in the one-over eliminator and scored 11. With three needed off the last ball, Steven Smith batted in a way which gave a new definition to smart play under pressure. He knew that in the event of the super over been tied, RR would go through as they had hit more boundaries. He spotted the gap at extra cover and he walked down the track to push it into that gap for a couple. It was the first time that a super over was tied in the IPL. Once again, KKR had failed to get over the line against RR. 
 
Sandeep Sharma shows his mettle 
 
In the IPL, there is a prevalent theme that bat dominates ball to such an extent that bowlers are scarred for life. However, one young gun has thwarted this notion. He was the star performer in the 2012 U-19 World Cup in Australia. With an ability to swing the ball in and away both in the air and off the seam, Sandeep Sharma is a valuable bowling asset for any team. In this edition of the IPL, Sandeep has maintained discipline and he has reaped rich rewards. His performances in the game against Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he picked up three wickets, earned him the Man of the Match award. With an economy rate of 5.63, average of just 8.85 and a strike-rate of just 9.4, Sandeep has added more potency to the already potent Kings XI Punjab.

IPL Week 2 Review: Lynn Takes The Catch Of IPL

Kolkata: Veteran wicketkeeper-batter <keyword id="19979266" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dinesh-Karthik" source="keywords">Dinesh Karthik</keyword>, who has been in phenomenal form in this <keyword id="19906063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IPL" source="keywords">IPL</keyword>, has not given up on his dream to play for India again and would do "everything he can to be in that flight" to the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in June. Karthik, who will turn 39 by the time the World Cup kickstarts on June 2, was also part of the last edition of the <keyword id="21373295" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="T20I-World-Cup" source="keywords">T20I World Cup</keyword> in Australia in 2022, which was also his last appearance for <keyword id="20015089" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Team-India" source="keywords">Team India</keyword>. Since then he has become an off-the-field cricket expert, involved in commentary stints. Returning to IPL this season, he has taken his batting to a new level and displayed some astonishing <keyword id="21373296" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="power-hitting" source="keywords">power-hitting</keyword> to strike at a rate of 205-plus. He is also the third leading run-getter for <keyword id="20282652" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RCB" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="RCB" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="RCB">RCB</keyword> with 226 runs, behind Virat Kohli (361) and skipper Faf du Plessis (232). "At this stage in my life, it would be the greatest feeling for me to represent India. I'm very, very keen to do so. There is nothing bigger in my life other than representing India in this T20 World Cup," the RCB wicketkeeper-batters said ahead of clash against KKR . With Karthik's also emerging as a contender, the <keyword id="20183853" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wicketkeeper" source="keywords">wicketkeeper</keyword> slot will be a hotly-contested one for which the Team India think tank may pick two at the most. Making a comeback from a near-fatal accident, Rishabh Pant has also showed positive intent while captaining Delhi Capitals, and Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals), Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians), KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants) are also in the fray. Karthik said he would respect whatever the Big Three -- coach Rahul Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar -- decide. "I also feel there are three very, very stable, honest people who are at the helm to decide what should be the best Indian team for the World Cup -- Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar. "And I'm completely with them. I respect any decision that they take. But all I can say is I'm 100 per cent ready, and I'll do everything I can to be on that flight to the World Cup." <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="'I'm no Russell or Pollard'" comment="subhead" text="'I'm no Russell or Pollard'">'I'm no Russell or Pollard'</cmsannotation> Karthik further emphasised the importance of understanding his strengths as a player, focusing on precision rather than power-hitting like an Andre Russell or Kieron Pollard. He said he analyses bowlers' patterns to strategise his shots, visualising scenarios during practice to enhance his batting repertoire. "These days as a player, you need to understand your strengths. I'm not a Russell or a Pollard who can just mishit a ball and get a six for it, rather," said Karthik. The other day Karthik smashed seven sixes and five fours in his 35-ball 83 in pursuit of a record 288 but eventually RCB fell short by just 25 runs. "So, I need to understand how I can beat gaps, what sort of balls I can hit for boundaries. And I realised there was a certain pattern in which bowlers were bowling to me, so I needed to try and work out a solution for that. "Hence, when I practice, I try and understand, okay, if this is what they're going to bowl at me, how am I going to get a boundary, visualising a field that is going to be in place for me. "So, I worked like that, and I worked backwards, and that helped me, you know, really learn a couple of shots more, at the back end. It's been great to go out there and express myself, and it's been thoroughly enjoyable to do what I'm doing for RCB as a finisher," he added.

RCB player Dinesh Karthik declares that he is 100 per cent ready to play T20I World Cup

Pune has defeated Mumbai in a surprisingly close match. We all love those last ball matches. 
 All-rounder Hardik Pandya's last-over heroics helped <keyword id="13880" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mumbai-Indians">Mumbai Indians</keyword> recover from a mediocre position to post a healthy 184/8 against <keyword id="3315697" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rising-Pune-Supergiant">Rising Pune Supergiant</keyword> (RPS) in the second game of the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium here on Thursday. 
 
Bengal medium pacer Ashoke Dinda was the culprit for the home side conceding 30 runs in the final over when Hardik (35 not out) hammered the right-armer for four sixes (including three consecutive) and a four to change the course of the game. 
 
Earlier, South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who went unsold in the auctions and was a late addition to the Pune squad, brought the hosts back into the game with three quick wickets after the Mumbai opening duo of Jos Buttler (38) and Parthiv Patel (19) added 45 runs for the opening wicket. 
 
Introduced in the fifth over, Tahir struck in his second ball when he bowled Parthiv round his legs before packing Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma (3) and Buttler in his next over to reduce Mumbai to 62/3. 
 
Rohit, who has been out of action for almost five months, was slow on his feet and it was enough for Tahir to break through his defence. One ball later, Tahir trapped the dangerous Buttler in front although television replays later showed that the Englishman had got a thick inside edge. 
 
Before his dismissal, Buttler lived up to his billing, milking his English teammate and IPL-10's costliest buy Ben Stokes (Rs 14.5 crore) for two consecutive sixes and then dispatching rookie Rajasthan medium-pacer Deepak Chahar for a four and a six off back-to-back deliveries. His 19-ball knock was laced with three hits to the fence and as many maximums. 
 
After the strategic time-out, Pune skipper Steve Smith introduced veteran all-rounder Rajat Bhatia, who responded well by taking a simple return catch to pack Ambati Rayudu (10) before dismissing Krunal Pandya (3) cheaply. 
 
Australian leggie Adam Zampa then added to the misery for the visitors by picking the crucial wicket of Nitish Rana (34), comfortably caught by Bhatia at deep midwicket. 
 
Rana looked good for his 28-ball knock, consisting a four and two sixes, but it was the 30-run fourth-wicket stand with Rayudu and 18 runs with Keiron Pollard (27) that mattered more. 
 Pollard, who was dropped by <keyword id="6397" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dhoni">Dhoni</keyword> on 22, struggled to get the big shots before falling to a stunning running catch by Mayank Agarwal at the long-on boundary off Stokes. 
 
The West Indian struck three boundaries and a six in his 17-ball innings as he added 21 runs for the seventh wicket with Hardik Pandya. 
 
Hardik then added 37 runs for the eighth wicket with New Zealander Tim Southee (7) to put Mumbai in a commanding position. 
 
Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians 184/8 (Jos Buttler 38, Hardik Pandya 35 not out, Nitish Rana 34, Imran Tahir 3/28, Rajat Bhatia 2/14) vs Rising Pune Supergiant. 
 
Tweet Alert! 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
	
		.<a href="https://twitter.com/mipaltan">@mipaltan</a>'s <a href="https://twitter.com/RayuduAmbati">@RayuduAmbati</a> has been carried off on a stretcher <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPL?src=hash">#IPL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RPSvMI?src=hash">#RPSvMI</a> <a href="https://t.co/SweaJoFJuM">pic.twitter.com/SweaJoFJuM</a>
	— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/850043407519150080">April 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
	
		Here's are the Playing XIs for <a href="https://twitter.com/RPSupergiants">@RPSupergiants</a> vs. <a href="https://twitter.com/mipaltan">@mipaltan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPL?src=hash">#IPL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RPSvMI?src=hash">#RPSvMI</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZxbitEMi1c">pic.twitter.com/ZxbitEMi1c</a>
	— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/849988305039093760">April 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
	
		Match 2. Rising Pune Supergiant win the toss and elect to field <a href="https://t.co/klZJdA0cfH">https://t.co/klZJdA0cfH</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RPSvMI?src=hash">#RPSvMI</a>
	— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/849985357882023938">April 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
	
		Introducing - <a href="https://twitter.com/RPSupergiants">@RPSupergiants</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Smithy?src=hash">#Smithy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSDhoni?src=hash">#MSDhoni</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Stokes?src=hash">#Stokes</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rahane?src=hash">#Rahane</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPL?src=hash">#IPL</a> <a href="https://t.co/puERcj6iDt">pic.twitter.com/puERcj6iDt</a>
	— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/849978012573499399">April 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
	
		Play Hard, Play Fair - Spirit of Cricket at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPL?src=hash">#IPL</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/stevesmith49">@stevesmith49</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ImRo45">@ImRo45</a> <a href="https://t.co/UwPVL8CYih">pic.twitter.com/UwPVL8CYih</a>
	— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/849975132819009536">April 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
	
		We are in Pune today for <a href="https://twitter.com/RPSupergiants">@RPSupergiants</a> vs. <a href="https://twitter.com/mipaltan">@mipaltan</a>. Match starts at 8 PM IST <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPL?src=hash">#IPL</a> <a href="https://t.co/evncMJFLRQ">pic.twitter.com/evncMJFLRQ</a>
	— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/849973121784393730">April 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
 
Complete squads: 
 
Rising Pune Supergiant 
 
Steve Smith (C), Mayank Agarwal, Ankit Sharma, Baba Aparajith, Ankush Bains, Rajat Bhatia, Deepak Chahar, Rahul Chahar, Dan Christian, <keyword id="6354832" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="MS-Dhoni">MS Dhoni</keyword> (w), Ashok Dinda, Faf du Plessis, Lockie Ferguson, Imran Tahir, Jaskaran Singh, Usman Khawaja, Ajinkya Rahane, Saurabh Kumar, Ben Stokes, Milind Tandon, Manoj Tiwary, Adam Zampa, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishwar Pandey, Rahul Tripathi, Shardul Thakur. 
 
Mumbai Indians 
 
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah, Jos Buttler, Shreyas Gopal, Krishnappa Gowtham, Asela Gunaratne, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell Johnson, Kulwant Khejroliya, Siddhesh Lad, Mitchell McClenaghan, Lasith Malinga, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Parthiv Patel (wk), Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Punia, Nitish Rana, Ambati Rayudu, Jitesh Sharma, Karn Sharma, Lendl Simmons, Tim Southee, Jagadeesha Suchith, Saurabh Tiwary, Vinay Kumar.

IPL 2017, Pune vs Mumbai: Pune defeat Mumbai in a last ball clincher

Four defeats in a row after the heady highs of 2013, when <keyword id="13880" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Mumbai-Indians">Mumbai Indians</keyword> won the rare double of the IPL and the Champions League, has put the spotlight on a fickle batting order. <keyword id="13937" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rohit-Sharma">Rohit Sharma</keyword>, <keyword id="10149" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Mike-Hussey">Mike Hussey</keyword> and Corey Anderson look every bit the quality that they're worth, but a closer look will point out that one is retired and doesn't play too much cricket, another has returned from a serious knee injury, while the third has been struggling with form for quite some time in India colours. 
 You could argue that they have been outplayed in all departments in the four games they've played, but a batting of this quality repeatedly failing has put more pressure on their bowling to either restrict oppositions, or bowl them out cheaply. There is a small matter of MI's star all-round duo of Corey Anderson and Kieron Pollard also not throwing their weight into the fixtures as yet, even though Pollard somewhat redeemed himself with a tidy innings of 33 against <keyword id="6354884" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Delhi-Daredevils">Delhi Daredevils</keyword>. 
 
The opening combination was shuffled against Delhi Daredevils after Hussey's travails at the top of the order. Since retiring from international cricket, Hussey hasn't featured in many team sheets and for a batsman who relies on effortless stroke-play, timing has deserted his game, and he struggled throughout his 18-ball 10 at Sharjah even though he went in at five. 
 The Australian is of great pedigree, and has repeatedly shown his worth when he was with <keyword id="13886" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Chennai-Super-Kings">Chennai Super Kings</keyword>, but for MI to persist with him may compound their problems at this stage. Ben Dunk, another Australian is warming the bench and the management may want to give the veteran the rest he needs to return to his A-game. 
 
Rohit, on the other hand, continues to baffle with his on-again-off-again form. A one-day double-hundred and several good scores have intertwined with painful ordeals at the crease, all during a period where he has enjoyed some of his best times in an India shirt, a Test century on debut included. He batted at No 4 for his franchise in the first three games, but decided to take the opening slot against DD, not that bad a decision given he opens for India in limited-overs cricket, only to run himself out to a direct hit. 
 
Anderson showed glimpses of his batting prowess after he was promoted to one-drop against Chennai Super Kings, but has struggled on the slow surfaces of UAE. Mumbai Indians have done well to promote him up the order, for making him and Pollard bat at five and six leaves them with little to make a mark with in the end. 
 
The Indian recruits, some of whom played an integral part in their title run a year ago, have come undone with the likes of Aditya Tare and Ambati Rayudu not converting their starts into substantial scores. They form a key part of the MI batting line-up, and even though CM Gautam gave the team solidity against DD, foreign signings living up neither to their name nor their game is alarming. 
 
"Our batting needs to improve. We have tried things like changing the batting order," Rohit said after the loss to DD. "It's not working out at all. Our batters need to step up. Hopefully, we would win a few matches when we go back to Mumbai." 
 A change in location with the tournament shifting back to India next week may give the franchise the boost they need on home turf. The IPL is a long tournament, but often teams have failed to arrest a slide as poor as four consecutive defeats. Teams often rely on their overseas signings to lift their performances and <keyword id="13883" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Kings-XI-Punjab">Kings XI Punjab</keyword> and Chennai Super Kings have benefited from the forms of some of their star signings. Two of them are Glenn Maxwell and Dwayne Smith. How Mumbai Indians would be ruing having let them go to two teams that are leading the points table is anybody's guess.

IPL: Foreign Flops Hurting
Mumbai Indians

<keyword id="12643" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Royal-Challengers">Royal Challengers</keyword> Bangalore are known for their all-powerful batting line-up. They boast of some of the biggest hitters of the cricket ball in the world today. It is their bowling that has more often than not let them down. As the IPL 7 began, breaking the norm, RCB bowlers stepped up and performed admirably contributing to their good start. However, against <keyword id="13880" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Mumbai-Indians">Mumbai Indians</keyword> at Wankhede on Tuesday, they were wayward conceding 25 extras which in the end proved to be the difference between the sides. 
 <keyword id="346085" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="RCB-coach">RCB coach</keyword> <keyword id="13837" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Daniel-Vettori">Daniel Vettori</keyword> refused to pinpoint the reason(s) behind the team's fourth defeat in seven games but did acknowledge that the bowling let them down against MI. 
 
"Bowling let us down a little bit. My main issue is mainly around the extras. I think the extras contributed a lot to that. 25 extras is far too many and that was almost the difference between the two teams," Vettori said during a post-match press conference on Monday. 
 Chasing 188 is by no means an easy task but with the likes of Chris Gayle, <keyword id="6354486" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Virat-Kohli">Virat Kohli</keyword> and <keyword id="77602" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="AB-de-Villiers">AB de Villiers</keyword> in their ranks, RCB must have backed themselves to get over the line. They were in good shape even after losing both their openers, sitting pretty on 94/2 with Kohli and De Villiers in the middle. However, they lost both the batsmen within the space of six deliveries making life difficult for the upcoming batsmen. 
 
"It was a tough total to chase. 190 in any T20 game is hard and the start that we got was fantastic. Chris and Parthiv set the tone and Virat picked it up as well. We lost some crucial wickets and when you do that you put up pressure on guys coming in. It's the guys that are set who need to kick on. Unfortunately it didn't happen today," Vettori observed. 
 The match was also marred by controversy with some ugly scenes being played out in the middle involving RCB paceman <keyword id="427499" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Mitchell-Starc">Mitchell Starc</keyword> and MI allrounder Kieron Pollard. Vettori said it was something that nobody wants to see on a cricket field but refused to speculate anything 
 
"It's obviously an incident you never want to see on a cricket field." 
 
"I haven't had the chance to talk to Mitchell or anyone else involved. But I am sure that the match referee will be involved. We will wait and see what it is before we speculate on anything," he said.

IPL: We Conceded Far Too Many
Extras: Vettori

In terms of ambition, the Champions League T20 was to be the perfect tool to showcase, and popularise, franchise cricket. It was modelled on the UEFA Champions League, with clubs from cricketing nations teaming up for a short T20 event. But into its sixth edition, it hasn't delivered on the promise front. The <keyword id="6354312" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="IPL">IPL</keyword> in India is still the benchmark, and the involvement of international teams somehow fails to pique interest among fans who get behind their local franchises (a reason to include a fourth Indian team). From September 13, however, up until October 4, the disappointments of the England tour will be forgotten, and cricket's shortest format will once again drum up the entertainment before the home season in India gets under way. 
 
In many ways, the timeframe set apart for the Champions League is about perfect for a T20 competition. The IPL lasts two months; back-to-back games in the middle of the Indian summer making it an annual TV soap opera. The expectancy of home advantage is less; teams from South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand make it a more global event, and the chance to see several international players, who could soon be seen being snapped up by several franchises in next year's IPL. The Champions League then is the IPL's poorer cousin, but the unpredictable nature of the competition could make it for interesting viewing. 
 
Chhattisgarh's Raipur International Cricket Stadium will host the six qualifiers featuring Lahore Lions (Pakistan), Mumbai Indians (India), Northern Knights (New Zealand) and Southern Express (Sri Lanka), before the main league kicks off with games scheduled in Hyderabad, Mohali and Bangalore. Gocricket.com takes a look at the teams making up the competition: 
 
Kolkata Knight Riders: The IPL champions gained direct entry into the league stages by virtue of their title triumph a few months ago, but have been hampered by injuries to Morne Morkel and <keyword id="258312" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Chris-Lynn">Chris Lynn</keyword>, who have been ruled out of the tournament, as was Shakib Al Hasan, serving a disciplinary sanction by the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The Indian domestic season was over before the IPL meaning several Indian players will be without practice, a situation that forced <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/yusuf-pathan/30001/4096">Yusuf Pathan</a>, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/piyush-chawla/30001/4089">Piyush Chawla</a>, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/manvinder-bisla/30001/27013">Manvinder Bisla</a> and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/kuldeep-yadav/30001/4133">Kuldeep Yadav</a> to undergo a boot camp in South Africa. <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/gautam-gambhir/30001/4043">Gautam Gambhir</a>, the inspirational two-time IPL-winning captain, however, is back playing franchise cricket after a nightmarish return to the Indian team on the England tour. Gambhir would have to brush aside that traumatic experience to lead his troops. 
 
Perth Scorchers: Like KKR, Perth Scorchers triumphed at the Big Bash League, but like the Indian franchise, they too come into the tournament with a depleted squad. Simon Katich was their leading run-getter but is not available, nor is Shaun Marsh, who was injured. The franchise will rely heavily on <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/mitchell-marsh/1001/27022">Mitchell Marsh</a>, who is coming off a successful trip with the Australian team in Zimbabwe. 
 
Dolphins: Winners of South Africa's domestic T20 competition, Dolphins make their Champions League bow under former South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Morne van Wyk, who has previously turned out for KKR. With <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/david-miller/8001/8076">David Miller</a> opting to play for Kings XI Punjab, the Dolphins squad will miss the services of their explosive batsman, but <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/kyle-abbott/8001/29036">Kyle Abbott</a>'s presence in the bowling line-up gives them some international quality. 
 
Barbados Tridents: The 2014 Caribbean Premier League champions will be without <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/dwayne-smith/26001/10043">Dwayne Smith</a>, Shoaib Malik and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/kieron-pollard/31001/10060">Kieron Pollard</a> but still have enough quality to surprise bigger teams. Zimbabwe's hard-hitting ODI captain <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/elton-chigumbura/11001/11033">Elton Chigumbura</a>, James Franklin and <keyword id="1319274" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Dilshan-Munaweera">Dilshan Munaweera</keyword> will bolster the batting, while Ravi Rampaul will lead the bowling attack. 
 
Kings XI Punjab: KXIP turned out to be the surprise package of the IPL and despite falling short of a maiden title, turned heads with their all-round performances. Despite an injury to Sandeep Sharma, who was a revelation with the new ball, the KXIP line-up screams quality under the astute leadership of <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/george-bailey/29001/26015">George Bailey</a>. Add to that the explosive batting order comprising <keyword id="7567" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Virender-Sehwag">Virender Sehwag</keyword>, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/glenn-maxwell/29001/36006">Glenn Maxwell</a>, David Miller and Thisara Perera. 
 
Hobart Hurricanes: Bailey's absence from the Hurricanes has given discarded Australian wicketkeeper-batsman <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/tim-paine/1001/1088">Tim Paine</a> a chance to step up. Former Pakistan captain <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/shoaib-malik/7001/7011">Shoaib Malik</a> will give the side important advice about playing on subcontinent surfaces, while Chennai Super Kings' pace bowling duo – Doug Bollinger and Ben Hilfenhaus – would know a thing or two about their former team. Aiden Blizzard and Ben Dunk add muscle to their batting order. 
 
Cape Cobras: After falling two runs short of the Ram Slam T20 title, Cape Cobras will be out to go one better at the Champions League with a team full of South Africa's top players. Justin Ontong has at his service the class of <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/hashim-amla/8001/8034">Hashim Amla</a>, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/jp-duminy/8001/8053">JP Duminy</a> and Vernon Philander, and their most successful domestic spinner, Dane Piedt. Veterans Justin Kemp and Robin Peterson are sure to lift the team with their all-round skills. 
 
Chennai Super Kings: CSK are out to emulate Mumbai Indians by attempting a second title. Free from international duty, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ms-dhoni/26001/4057">MS Dhoni</a> will look to his franchise to give his much-criticised captaincy a boost. Their all-round T20 skill under the Indian captain makes them one of the most feared sides in the competition. 
 
Besides the sure-shot contenders, four teams will contest the qualifying stages with two of them set to go through: 
 
Mumbai Indians: The defending CLT20 champions had to endure a difficult IPL but emerged late to snatch fourth place to earn a shot at a title defence. For majority of the competition, MI suffered by failing to field the right combinations and captain Rohit Sharma's absence means fellow seniors like Kieron Pollard, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/harbhajan-singh/31001/4008">Harbhajan Singh</a> and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/lasith-malinga/31001/9036">Lasith Malinga</a> will have to step up. Star signing Corey Anderson's lack of form was a subject of great debate during the competition, but his game-changing 94 against Rajasthan Royals proved how dangerous the side could be with the big players firing. 
 
Lahore Lions: Pakistan's T20 champions had to endure a difficult passage into India with a visa delay, but on match day, their quality is set to leave an impact on the competition. The absence of Pakistani players from the IPL means the Lions will lend additional charm to the event, and the team is full of quality with six Pakistan internationals – <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ahmed-shehzad/7001/7070">Ahmed Shehzad</a>, Umar Akmal, Nasir Jamshed, Aizaz Cheema, Wahab Riaz and captain Mohammad Hafeez. 
 
Nothern Knights: <keyword id="13837" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Daniel-Vettori">Daniel Vettori</keyword>'s withdrawal from the competition wouldn't affect the side that already boasts of <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/kane-williamson/6001/6071">Kane Williamson</a>, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, BJ Watling and Ish Sodhi, the fulcrum of the revival in New Zealand cricket. Scott Styris brings in years of experience, most importantly of having played in India on several occasions. 
 
Southern Express: Without Lasith Malinga and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/tillakaratne-dilshan/9001/9034">Tillakaratne Dilshan</a>, the Sri Lankan side does look weak but expect them to fight tooth and nail. The familiarity with conditions in the subcontinent will make them a force to reckon with.

CLT20: Another Shot At Winning Over The IPL Faithful

Almost all the captains in the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League have had some moments of joy, but one <keyword id="16561" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="skipper">skipper</keyword> who has seldom been found without any jest is Mumbai Indians' Rohit Sharma. Not many expected MI to be one of the first teams to be written off after such a successful campaign last season, when they clinched their maiden title as well as the Champions League T20. More than Rohit's smile gone missing, the look on his face is more gloomy than reassuring, more burdensome than inspirational. After all, he had to bear the burden of MI being defending champions despite the fact that their icon player <keyword id="6354267" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Sachin-Tendulkar">Sachin Tendulkar</keyword> was gone and a couple key components not around. After seven losses in ten games, Mumbai's chances of making the play-offs are next to impossible barring some earth-shattering mathematical calculations. The manner in which they were found wanting in a six-wicket loss to <keyword id="6354467" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Kolkata-Knight-Riders">Kolkata Knight Riders</keyword> on Wednesday night just went on to show that their near-perfect win over Sunrisers Hyderabad was just one hit game amid many listless performances. 

	There are many factors that did not work for MI during a so far painful campaign for them. Here we pinpoint the major ones.
 

	It all started at the auction table
 One of the biggest setbacks for the defending champions was to see the players they let go off from their 2013 squad do exceedingly well this year for other franchises. The biggest examples being Dwayne Smith, <keyword id="470051" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Glenn-Maxwell">Glenn Maxwell</keyword> and Mitchell Johnson, who contributed strongly whenever being called upon to do so last year. Especially Smith, who had made it a habit of forging solid opening stands with Tendulkar, invariably creating momentum for strokeplayers like Rohit, Dinesh Karthik and Kieron Pollard to tee off at any given point of time. That opening slot turned out to be a massive weak link for the team this year as new recruit and veteran <keyword id="6377175" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Michael-Hussey">Michael Hussey</keyword> (30 runs from four games) and Ben Dunk (40 runs from three games) failed miserably with the bat. They alternated the one opening slot with Aditya Tare (106 runs from 10 games) and CM Gautam (121 runs from nine games) but neither could live up to the billing. Plus, playing at least three uncapped Indian players in all matches turned out be a big problem for MI as the options did not enthuse confidence. The reason being the retention of five players for the 2014 auction and the heavy spending on Hussey, Corey Anderson left MI with less purse to buy quality domestic players. 

	Non-performing overseas players
 After being touted as the next big thing in world cricket, fastest ODI centurion Anderson was the cynosure of all eyes when <keyword id="6354312" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="IPL">IPL</keyword> 7 began. However, 150 runs and four wickets in 10 isn't what you'd want to get from a player who was paid Rs 4.5 crore. Perhaps the big occasion, near alien conditions and huge crowds overawed Anderson but what about Hussey? The former Chennai Super Kings veteran was a real force in the two-time champion side and was expected to do much the same for his new franchise, but his poor returns put MI under tremendous pressure and invariably exposed the frailties of a susceptible middle order. 

	Big runs go missing
 

	After the loss to KKR, Rohit said: "We need to keep scoring 170-plus if we need to win consistently, we aren't doing that." His reasoning is valid. MI have crossed 170 twice so far and ended up winning those games. Their highest run-getter in the tournament, Ambati Rayudu (310 runs in 10 games) is languishing at ninth in the top run-getters. Rohit, Pollard, Rayudu and Lendl Simmons (a late recruit) have combined for seven fifties that includes one score above 70 and two over 60.
 

	After Malinga, who?
 

	The champion bowler that he is in this format, Malinga didn't disappoint with 16 wickets in 10 games. However, he lacked support from the other end. The only instance in the tournament so far when a MI bowler took three or more wickets is Malinga's 4/23 in the season opener. Harbhajan Singh's drought of wickets has not helped apply pressure in the middle overs. In comparison to 24 wickets last season, Harbhajan's eight this year leaves a big vacuum.
 Harbhajan, Johnson, Malinga and Pragyan Ojha took 84 wickets last season. In 2014, injury to <keyword id="12644" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Zaheer-Khan">Zaheer Khan</keyword> has forced MI to try Jasprit Bumrah (two wickets), <keyword id="6366707" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Praveen-Kumar">Praveen Kumar</keyword> (two wickets) and Pawan Suyal (one wicket) as his replacement. Ojha (economy 8.29) and Pollard (10.73) have been the biggest disappointments with one wicket apiece. 

	A combination of the above factors has left Rohit with more than just a creased forehead. Last year, the responsibility brought the best out of him but now the burden of leading an under-performing group is looking too heavy a yoke to bear.

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