Indian Cricket Team Updates

Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 139 (126) led India to a three-wicket win in a nail-biting finish in the last game of the five-match ODI series in Ranchi. A maiden ODI century by Angelo Mathews was the saving grace for the visitors after being reduced to 85/4 in the 19th over. Assisted by Lahiru Thirimanne, the Sri Lankan captain revived the innings and powered the side to 286/8 with an unbeaten 139 after electing to bat. The SL captain returned to remove the hosts’ openers in the first five overs but his opposite number fought to seize victory in a high-pressure chase. While Mathews’ 139 went in vain, Kohli’s knock helped India claim the series 5-0.  (Also Read:  Virat emulates Ganguly, Kapil as he leads India to a 5-0 win over Sri Lanka ) Chasing the respectable total, India lost both their openers early. Mathews who had batted with determination to set up the game dislodged Ajinkya Rahane’s bails and in his next over castled Rohit Sharma to leave India on 14/2. Bowling a tight...

Propelled by Rohit Sharma’s magnificent double-century, India marched to a 153-run win in Kolkata. While Eden Gardens celebrated 150 years, Rohit lit-up the stadium with a well paced 264 off 173 to make the occasion memorable. In doing so, he etched his name in the history books by posting the highest individual score in ODI cricket and became the only batsman to post two double hundreds in the 50-over format till date. It was breathtaking knock by the opener that set-up the match for India. The hosts then bowled the visitors out for 251 to take a 4-0 lead in the series.  (Also Read:  Rohit Sharma 264 Runs - Stats: India vs Sri Lanka, 4th ODI ) Post by Indian Cricket Team Updates . Coming out to open with Ajinkya Rahane after India elected to bat, Rohit made the Sri Lankans regret the missed chance to send him back when he was batting on four. The opener taking the aerial route was dropped by Thisara Perera at third-man.  Having received a life, Rohit who wa...

India took an unassailable 3-0 lead with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the third ODI at Hyderabad. After Mahela Jayawardene (118) had helped the visitors to 242 with an exquisite century, Shikhar Dhawan led India’s chase with a blistering 91; while Virat Kohli slammed 53 and in the process became the fastest to reach 6000 runs in ODIs. The Umesh Yadav-led Indian attack had bowled SL out for a sub-par total as the pacer claimed a maiden four-for to put the visitors in a spot of bother. He was ably supported by Axar Patel who picked three as they wrapped up the visitors’ innings for 242.  (Also Read:  Stats Highlights, India vs SL, 3rd ODI Earlier, Yadav dealt early blows to leave the visitors reeling on 7/2 after Sri Lanka opted to bat once again in the series. The young pacer sent back Kusal Perera with a short of length delivery that took the edge of the bat and was caught by Wriddhiman Saha off the last ball of the first over; and was on a hat-trick with the wicke...

Ambati Rayudu's unbeaten maiden ODI century fashioned India's six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second ODI at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad. Finishing off in style the batsman hit the winning boundary to attain the 275-run target with 33 balls to spare and lead the hosts to a 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.  (Also Read:  Stats Highlights, India vs SL, 2nd ODI ) Promoted to No.3, Rayudu rose to the challenge and scored 121 off 118 balls after coming to the crease at 18/1. He was involved in a 122-run stand with Shikhar Dhawan (79) to set-up the innings and then built a 116-run partnership with Virat Kohli to ensure the team a comfortable win.    Angelo Mathews’ unbeaten 92 after coming in to bat at 64/3, had taken the visitors to 274/8. After stitching a crucial 90-run partnership with Kumar Sangakkara (61) the SL captain anchored the innings and was also aided by Dhammika Prasad in a 54-run ninth-wicket unbroken partnership late in the i...

In cricket, and especially in batting, numbers are given an overwhelming importance. The best way for a batsman to prove his worth to the world is by burying the doubts under the sheer weight of runs. However, some batsmen are excused from this rule. With them, you don’t always see how many runs they scored but how they scored them. Such batsmen are like a half loaded gun. You press the trigger. It would either fire or it won’t. But if it does fire, the opposition has no chance of survival. When thinking of these men, a name that pops in mind is Virender Sehwag. He was a gamble that all his captains loved to take. He was the slayer, the guy who messes with the minds of the opposition so bad, they don’t realize what hit them. And while they grope to find their lost wits, the other batsmen make merry and take the game. In Sehwag’s absence, Team India has found his fellow Delhi batsman to play a similar role. Shikhar Dhawan. While the comparisons between the two have become clichéd, t...

After Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan propelled India to 363/5, the hosts bowled Sri Lanka out for 194 to kick-off the ODI series with a 169-run win. Having outplayed the visitors in Cuttack, the home team now lead the five-match series 1-0. (Also Read:  Stats Highlights, India vs SL, 1st ODI ) A magnificent 231-run opening stand by Rahane and Dhawan batted Sri Lanka out of the first game. Complementing each other, the pair scored a century each to put India in a commanding position after being asked to bat. While Rahane exquisitely compiled 111, Dhawan clobbered the bowlers en route to 113 to help the team to a mammoth total.  (Also Read:  Shikhar Dhawan relishes the Virender Sehwag role ) The Indian openers got off to a quiet start with Dhammika Prasad and debutant Lahiru Gamage bowling tight spells with the new ball and asking questions of Rahane and Dhawan. With Kumar Sangakkara failing to hold on to the ball, Dhawan who had reached out to the Pras...