Lack of runs doesn't bother Dhoni

MOHALI: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni insists his own form is not a concern heading into the World Cup semifinal against Pakistan on Wednesday.

Dhoni, also India's wicketkeeper, has a well-deserved reputation as a hard-hitting middle-order batsman.

But his returns with the bat at this World Cup amount to just 125 runs from seven innings at 31.25 with a best of 34.

In India's quarterfinal win over Australia the captain did have an opportunity to play a key innings but was out for seven.

It fell to left-handers Yuvraj Singh (57 not out) and Suresh Raina (34 not out) to see the home side to a five-wicket success in Ahmedabad.

"It's a cricketing aspect," said Dhoni, the face of numerous billboard and television World Cup advertising campaigns.

However, he insisted he was not being distracted by outside influences.

"I have been batting quite well, some of the situations have not been good for really playing flamboyant cricket. Like against Bangladesh, I could not get to bat. Also some shots went straight to fielders.

"What is important, especially in India is when you are batting at five, six or seven, if the top order scores well, it does not give much opportunity to the lower order.

"The last game (against Australia) was ideal where I could have got good runs, which were also needed then, but I could not get them."

The 29-year-old added he was proud to captain India, saying: "It's an honour to lead the side. If you take a pressure job, you will find yourself in a pressure cooker."

This match is being seen by some observers as a way to start an improvement in diplomatic relations between feuding nuclear powers India and Pakistan.

But Dhoni was adamant his team would just concentrate on the job at hand.

"It depends on what you mean by hype, media, sponsors, politicians - we are not getting involved.

"We are expected to play good cricket. The biggest, distinguished guests will be there to see the game, but they are here to enjoy cricket, so we have to be at our best."

India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani are both set to be among a capacity crowd on Wednesday.

"That will be a distraction if looking forward to that, that's the role I have been handed," Dhoni explained.

"Somebody has to lose this game, irrespective of political talking.

"At the end one team will have lost and one will be going into the final. That's part and parcel of sport, every sport." 

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/news/Lack-of-runs-doesnt-bother-Dhoni/articleshow/7816318.cms

Ind vs Pak: Kirsten dossier rates Pakistan 'dangerous'

MOHALI: India need to raise their performance in Wednesday's World Cup semifinal against "dangerous" Pakistan if they aim to win the showpiece event, coach Gary Kirsten has said.

He also added Pakistan were known for playing "fearless" cricket, he has mentioned this in a 16-page document, "Roadmap to Success", prepared by the coach on how to win the World Cup.

"A combination of big-hitters and a potent pace attack with a decent spin attack to follow the pacers makes Pakistan a very dangerous side which is very well known to play fearless cricket," Kirsten said in the dossier.

The former South African batsman also said inconsistency was Pakistan's main concern.

"Pakistan as a team over the years have a tendency to blow hot and cold," said Kirsten.

"It's a great chance for Pakistan to show the world what they are capable of ... The tag of dark horses suits them and enables them to perform harder (eg 2009 ICC World Twenty20 victory)."

Kirsten also highlights the areas where India need to improve, like batting a full quota of 50 overs, making the most of batting powerplay, fielding and the support for in-form paceman Zaheer Khan.

"Our weak link so far, it (powerplay) should be taken only towards the close of an innings. The crucial aspect is not to hit every ball out of the park, but to take advantage of the field restrictions," Kirsten said.

"Only Zaheer has been up to the mark, others, especially (a) senior spinner, should rise to the occasion."

The India coach described record-breaking batsman Sachin Tendulkar as his "hero" and all-rounder Yuvraj Singh as the "Superman".

Yuvraj has already scored 341 runs in seven matches with one hundred and four half-centuries at an astonishing average of 113.66, while Tendulkar is one short of completing 100 international centuries.

"Almost 38, Sachin is still my hero; with two centuries in the tournament he is the backbone of the side," said Kirsten.

"Who thought after 15 months of struggle Yuvi will make such a comeback! He is my man of the tournament and the Superman."

The dossier, already circulated to the players, also includes tips on diet and avoiding stress. 

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/news/Ind-vs-Pak-Kirsten-dossier-rates-Pakistan-dangerous/articleshow/7815135.cms

India hope to cash in on Pak's Achilles heel: Batting

MOHALI: In any battle, a good general aims at the rival's weak spot and tries to make the first dent there. It's obvious that for India, that weak spot is Pakistan's batting and MS Dhoni would be keen to cause early damage there come Wednesday.

Cricket is a funny game and Pakistani batting may come good in the semifinal, but what must still enthuse India is the lack of experience and proven class in the Pakistani batting line-up. If the going gets tough and the pressure rises, you need experience and class to wade through troubled waters, and Pakistan do not have a batsman who has consistently got big scores on the international stage over a good period of time although, like any top international side, they have the talent.

Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez are doing well as makeshift openers but they give the opposition hopes of an early breakthrough. Asad Shafiq is only 15 ODIs old and has to prove himself at this level. Misbah-ul-Haq's career got stuck in a quagmire after a late blossoming. He has managed to make some healthy contributions in this World Cup but still has not looked commanding.

Umar Akmal is an exciting strokeplayer but tends to let exuberance get the better of him. It's not rare to see him throw a good start away by attempting a low-percentage shot. Pakistan's batting problems have been compounded by skipper Shahid Afridi's consistent failures because he has been such a destroyer of attacks.

The pitch readings have suggested that the Mohali track would favour batsmen more than the bowlers and a 270-280 score would be par for course. If that is the case then Pakistan may need more than the 40s and the 50s the batters have been coming up with. Of course, a team can win the World Cup without a single century against its name, but big knocks do help, especially if a side is batting first and trying to set a big target. A big hundred can lead the team to a total of 300 and beyond which in a pressure game becomes too much for the opposition.

The flip side is that it's the team that wins or loses and not individuals. If three or four batsmen come up with good knocks, it can easily suffice. Yet, big knocks and hefty partnerships have great value in ODIs. 

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/news/India-hope-to-cash-in-on-Paks-Achilles-heel-Batting/articleshow/7821351.cms

Pak bowlers must find a way to sort out Yuvraj, feels Akram

NEW DELHI: Former pace legend Wasim Akram feels Pakistan need to bowl intelligently to Yuvraj Singh and get rid off him as early as possible during their high-voltage World Cup semifinal in Mohali on Wednesday.

Yuvraj who has won four man of the match awards so far has scalped 11 wickets at 24.63 apiece and scored 341 runs at a staggering average of 113.66 in the World Cup so far and Akram feels Pakistan need to stop him if they hope to reach the finals.

"Yuvraj has shown great attitude. He is eager to play long knocks and he has converted good starts to 50's and a century. Yuvraj has understood the virtue of being consistent and trust me, he is only going to get better. Unfortunately, that is not good news for Pakistan," Akram said.

"Shahid Afridi and team will have to bowl intelligently to him. They will have to stop his run-flow and that's the only way I think Yuvraj can be stopped," he added.

The 44-year-old former skipper also heaped praise on India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, describing him judicious and smart.

"MS Dhoni's captaincy has been judicious and smart. I admire his horses-for-courses methods and the decision to leave out Yusuf Pathan and retain Suresh Raina was a great move. It is never easy to drop a match-winner like Pathan but Raina's partnership with Yuvraj proved to be decisive against the Aussies.

"Now, you don't know whether he will play Raina or Pathan in the next match. So, Dhoni has created doubt in the mind of the opposition think-tank. He is keeping everybody guessing. That's smart, indeed!," he added.

Akram also backed the hosts' bowlers, who have been the weak link for India.

"I think the Indian bowlers are doing pretty well. Restricting Australia to 260 was no mean task. Zaheer, Ashwin everybody are doing their jobs and the attack has a lot of variety," said the former seamer, who took 502 and 414 wickets in one-dayers and Tests respectively.

"Zaheer has been bowling well since the last two years but in this World Cup, he has been unplayable at times. Zaheer's length is perfect, he is coming around the wicket and bowling well. For a left-hander to come around the wicket means Zaheer has got a lot of confidence," he added.

Wasim feels India would be in immense pressure against Pakistan since they are the hosts.

"India will be the team under pressure, not Pakistan. The media in India is big and strong. The pressure created by them is simply mind-boggling and then there are a billion people with massive expectations," he said.

"The fact that Pakistan is playing away from home is an advantage. Given the high security at Mohali, the Pak team has been largely confined to its practice sessions and the hotel. Hence, there will be no dearth in focus." 

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/news/Pak-bowlers-must-find-a-way-to-sort-out-Yuvraj-feels-Akram/articleshow/7817161.cms

SL vs NZ: Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by 5 wickets to enter World Cup final

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka reached the World Cup final with a five-wicket win against New Zealand on Tuesday as veteran off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan said goodbye to his home crowd.

Sri Lanka, set a modest 218 to win, wobbled in the middle before reaching their target in 47.5 overs with Tillakaratne Dilshan (73) and skipper Kumar Sangakkara (54) setting the foundation at a packed R Premadasa stadium.

Muralitharan took his 534th wicket off his last ball on home soil as New Zealand were bowled out for a below-par score of 217 in 48.5 overs.

Muralitharan, who last year retired from Tests after finishing as the highest wicket-taker with 800, now aims to win his second title -- after being part of the 1996 Cup winning squad -- in Saturday's final in Mumbai.

Sri Lanka, cruising along at 160-1, lost four wickets in the space of 25 runs to raise fears of an unlikely defeat before Thilan Samaraweera (23 not out) and Angelo Mathews (14 not out) guided them home with an unbroken 35-run stand.

The victory took Sri Lanka into their second successive World Cup final, after finishing runners-up to Australia in 2007, as a capacity 35,000 celebrated with firecrackers.

Sri Lanka play the winners of Wednesday's semifinal between India and Pakistan in Mohali.

New Zealand, who for the sixth time failed in a World Cup semi-final, seemed to be succumbing like England did during their 10-wicket quarterfinal defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka, but they staged a brave rearguard action.

It was 34-year-old Dilshan who was once again in rampaging mood, taking the co-hosts to 40 by the eighth over in the company of Upul Tharanga who fell after scoring a 31-ball 30 with four boundaries and a six.

Dilshan then found an equally aggressive and in-form partner in captain Sangakkara as they added 120 for the second wicket, before Dilshan played straight into the hands of Jesse Ryder off Tim Southee.

Dilshan hit 10 boundaries and a six during his 93-ball knock.

Sri Lanka then lost Mahela Jayawardene (one) and Sangakkara in the space of eight runs and then Chamara Silva (13) before the team held their nerve.

Dilshan also became the top run-getter of the tournament with 467.

It was Ajantha Mendis (3-35) and Lasith Malinga (3-55), along with Muralitharan (2-42), who kept New Zealand under control after Daniel Vettori won the toss and opted to bat.

Scott Styris, who top scored with 57, added 77 for the fourth wicket with Ross Taylor (36) but the Sri Lankan bowlers never allowed them to run away with a big total, dismissing the Kiwis in 48.5 overs.

Styris and Kane Williamson (22) added 42 in the batting powerplay but New Zealand lost their last seven wickets for just 56 runs.

Sri Lanka once again dismissed hard-hitting Brendon McCullum through a spinner when left-armer Rangana Herath bowled him in the eighth over for 13.

Martin Guptill (39) and Jesse Ryder (19) took the total to 69 before Muralitharan had the big left-hander caught off a quickish delivery.

Soon it became 84-3 when Malinga bowled Guptill with a ferocious yorker after the opener had hit three boundaries off 65 balls.

Styris hit five boundaries during his 77-ball knock. 

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/news/SL-vs-NZ-Sri-Lanka-beat-New-Zealand-by-5-wickets-to-enter-World-Cup-final/articleshow/7814962.cms

Ind vs Pak: Heavy rain and thunderstorm ahead of Indo-Pak semifinal match

MOHALI: Heavy rain and thunderstorm lashed Mohali on the eve of the blockbuster World Cup semifinal clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium on Wednesday.

The Meteorological Department has forecasted a partly cloudy sky to prevail in this region with a little chance of light rain by the evening on Wednesday.

"The local forecast for tomorrow is partly cloudy sky with less chance of rain," an official of the Chandigarh-based MeT Department said.

Earlier in the day, Mohali and Chandigarh witnessed bright sunshine. Dust storm with drizzle had occurred on Monday.

According to the MeT's area forecast, including that of entire Punjab, there could be dust storm or thunderstorm with light rain at a few places in the state on Wednesday.

The MeT said that currently western disturbance is prevailing over Jammu and Kashmir and its neighbourhood while Rajasthan and its neighbourhood has been experiencing an Upper Air Cyclonic Circulation.

The maximum temperature at Mohali and Chandigarh is hovering in the range of 30-32 degrees Celsius.

The maximum relative humidity on Tuesday was around 68 per cent and the minimum relative humidity was likely to be around 39 per cent.

According to the Mohali pitch curator Daljit Singh, ball is likely to seam around under the flood lights. 

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/news/Ind-vs-Pak-Heavy-rain-and-thunderstorm-ahead-of-Indo-Pak-semifinal-match/articleshow/7819709.cms

Ind vs Aus: Yuvraj, Sachin, Raina help Men in Blue avenge 2003 humiliation

Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina celebrate after beating Australia during the quarterfinal match of the Cricket World Cup at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera in Ahmedabad. (AFP Photo)

AHMEDABAD: It was billed as the blockbuster and the quarterfinal, the second of the 2011 Cricket World Cup at the Sardar Patel Stadium at Motera on Thursday lived up to the expectations.

India survived a Ricky Ponting masterclass (104, 118 balls, 7x4, 1 x6) and some tense moments to beat four-time World Champions Australia by five wickets and 14 balls to spare to set up a potentially explosive clash with arch rivals Pakistan in Mohali on March 30.

The hosts rose to the occasion in style, first with a superb bowling and fielding effort, then the great master Sachin Tendulkar set the stage alight with glorious strokeplay to put the side on cruise mode before some quintessential Indian harakiri.

The Aussies sensing a chance changed colours, bowled with venom, sledged hard and even bled - Brett Lee getting a cut under his eye while fielding. They did it all but couldn't stop India from progressing.

There were many heroes for India as they set about their chase of 261, but Yuvraj Singh, yet again, emerged as the knight in shining armour coming up with a match-winning knock of unbeaten 57 runs besides picking up two wickets earlier. The effort earned the southpaw his fourth Man-of-the-match award in this World Cup.

Also rising to the challenge was young Suresh Raina with a gutsy unbeaten 34. Yuvraj and Raina realized 74 runs from 61 balls just when the Aussies had turned on the screws.

There was some intense drama before though courtesy a horrible mix-up between Gautam Gambhir (50; 64b, 7x4) and Yuvraj (their third in the span of five minutes) resulting in the run out of Gambhir. Yuvraj edged David Hussey to Cameron White at slip and even before Yuvraj could realize, Gambhir had dashed towards him from the non-striker's end and it was a point of no return.

Five overs earlier, Virat Kohli swatted a full toss straight down the throat of Michael Clarke at mid-wicket.

Skipper MS Dhoni cracked a thundering boundary, but another attempt off Lee saw Dhoni cut the bowler straight to Michael Clarke at point. The Indians had slid to 187 for 5 in 37.3 overs and seemed to be spoiling their own party till Yuvraj and Raina came into their own.

Of course, Tendulkar (53; 68b, 7x4) was on a different planet altogether as he caressed, punched, pulled, drove and also played the upper cut, the way only he can to raise hopes of the ton of tons. 

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/news/Ind-vs-Aus-Yuvraj-Sachin-Raina-help-Men-in-Blue-avenge-2003-humiliation/articleshow/7783584.cms