Indian Cricket Team Updates

Pravin Tambe’s is story that showcases perseverance and a dedicated pursuit of one’s craft. Although he ended up on the losing side in the final, Rajasthan Royals’ leg-spinner, who turns 42 on October 8, received the Golden Wicket in the Karbonn Smart Champions League Twenty20 2013. He claimed 12 wickets form five matches to finish as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament. (Also Read:  Ajinkya Rahane: Sorry Couldn't Win The Game ) Tambe, who was playing a tournament of this stature for the first time in his long career, foxed and asked questions of some of the best players of spin bowling. In the nurturing environment of the Rahul Dravid-led Royals, he grew from strength to strength and displayed his art in full flow.  (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, Final - Report: CLT20-2013 ) Disappointed about the loss, Tambe said that had RR won the match, they would have had something to give Rahul Dravid, who played his last match against the Mum...

His flair with the bat, his timing and elegance continue to impress. The slightly built Ajinkya Rahane milks bowlers, no matter how much of a threat they pose. Rajasthan Royals’ opener has consistently helped his side lay foundations and even chase down targets. He has the ability to anchor an innings just like his role model and mentor ‘The Wall,’ Rahul Dravid.  Instrumental in taking the Dravid-led side into the CLT20 2013 Final, Rahane amassed 288 runs at an average of 57.60 from six matches. On the grand stage at Feroz Shah Kotla against the Mumbai Indians, he scored 65 off 47 while chasing a mountainous total. Although he received the Golden Bat award for being the highest run scorer in the Karbonn Smart Champions League 2013, the heartbreaking loss in the final left the youngster a little saddened. (Also Read:  Harbhajan Singh: Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid are Special ) While speaking to clt20.com after receiving the trophy, he said that he would have ...

Prolific run-scorer and a delight to watch when he is on song, Rohit Sharma has also impressed with his leadership skills as he lead the mighty Mumbai Indians to the Karbonn Smart Champions League Twenty20 2013 title after lifting the IPL trophy earlier this year. The youngster from Mumbai has been at his best while marshalling his troops after a slow start to the tournament. (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, Final - Report: CLT20-2013 ) A brilliant performer with the bat, he amassed 173 runs from five matches at a strike-rate of 151.75, leaving the audiences mesmerized with his impeccable timing. He made crucial contributions with the bat and led the team proactively, which gained him high praise from various quarters. (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, Final - Stats Highlights: CLT20-2013 ) While speaking to clt20.com after the finals win over the Rajasthan Royals, Sharma said that although captaincy wasn’t an easy task, the support...

142 Runs added by the Mumbai Indians batsmen in the last 10 overs, after being 60 for one in the first 10. 63 Runs scored by the Mumbai Indians in their last four overs. The Rajasthan Royals could manage only 14 while losing 7 wickets. (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, Final - Report: CLT20-2013 ) 23 Number of balls taken by Sanju Samson to score his fifty – the fastest by any player in a CLT20 final. Sydney Sixers’ Michael Lumb had taken 33 balls against the Lions at Johannesburg in the last edition. (Also Read:  Rohit Sharma: My Team Stuck By Me Through Thick and Thin ) 8 All 8 Mumbai Indians batsmen had a strike-rate of more than 100. Each one of them also hit a boundary four or six. (Also Read:  Ajinkya Rahane: Sorry Couldn't Win The Game ) 4.3 Overs taken by the Rajasthan Royals to race to 50 – their joint second-fastest 50 ever. 4 Ajnikya Rahane scored his fourth consecutive 50 in the tournament. He became the first player to...

In a match befitting of a tournament decider, the Mumbai Indians defeated the Rajasthan Royals in a thrilling final played at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium to be crowned champions of the Karbonn Smart CLT20 2013. After posting a daunting 202 runs on the board, MI dismissed their opponents for 169 to win by 33 runs. (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, Final - Stats Highlights: CLT20-2013 ) The Rajasthan Royals’ run-chase was a reflection of true grit, determination and a never-say-die attitude one has come to associate with the team. Set to chase a mammoth 203, the Royals innings began on a disastrous note as opener Kushal Perera was run-out in the very first over. But that set the stage for young Sanju Samson, who was promoted to bat at No.3. The 18-year-old showed no nerves despite the huge task in front of him. He played some outrageous shots – mostly through the leg-side – en route to his fourth half-century in Twenty20 cricket, which gave his team a seriou...

The CLT20 has confirmed that the Event Technical Committee of the Karbonn Smart Champions League 2013 has approved Kusal Perera as a replacement player for Brad Hodge in the Rajasthan Royals squad. Hodge was replaced after sustaining a Grade2-3 MCL ligament tear on his left knee during the semi-final match against Chennai Super Kings in Jaipur last evening. (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, SF 1 - Report: CLT20-2013 ) The CLT20 has confirmed that the Event Technical Committee of the Karbonn Smart Champions League 2013 has approved Sachin Baby as a replacement player for Shaun Tait in the Rajasthan Royals squad. Tait suffered a Grade 1 lateral hamstring strain during training on 20th September and was undergoing routine treatment. He initially responded exceptionally well and returned to light running and bowling off six steps within five days. Tait then returned to bowling in the nets but was unable to bowl beyond 65-70% without onset of pain in the lat...

With 10 wickets from four matches, one of the senior-most – when it comes to age – players in the Rajasthan Royals’ squad, Pravin Tambe, has been instrumental in the team’s fortunes. In fact, the 41-year-old is currently the leading wicket-taker in the Karbonn Smart Champions League Twenty20 2013.  (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, SF 1 - Report: CLT20-2013 ) After taking the key wickets of S Badrinath, Dwayne Bravo and Suresh Raina and posing a few questions to the dangerous MS Dhoni in the semi-final, the leg-spinner is hoping to claim the prized wicket of Sachin Tendulkar in the final if the Mumbai Indians make it to the title clash on October 6.  (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, SF 1 - Stats Highlights: CLT20-2013 ) A few days shy of his 42nd birthday, Tambe has made his presence felt while playing for RR by delivering when required. While speaking to clt20.com after his match-winning performance of 4-0-10-3,...

13 Number of consecutive matches won by Rajasthan Royals at home this year – all 8 IPL games and all 5 CLT20 games. (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, SF 1 - Report: CLT20-2013 ) 28 Number of wickets taken by Dwayne Bravo in CLT20 – most by any bowler. He was earlier at level with CSK teammate R Ashwin, with 25 wickets. (Also Read:  Pravin Tambe: I Hope To Take Sachin Tendulkar's Wicket ) 46 R Ashwin’s score – highest by a No.9 batsman in CLT20. Lasith Malinga held the previous record with an unbeaten 37 against Chennai Super Kings at Chennai in 2011. 73 Runs added by Chris Morris and R Ashwin – highest partnership for eighth wicket in a CLT20 match. The previous best was 53 (unbeaten) between Harbhajan Singh and Lasith Malinga for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings at Chennai in 2011. 90 Number of balls Pravin Tambe has bowled in the tournament without getting hit for a six – most by any bowler in this edition of CLT20. 100...

On a day when the Afghanistan cricket team wrote a fairytale script to clinch their berth in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, the Rajasthan Royals – underdogs in the first semi-final of the Karbonn Smart CLT20 2013 – scripted one of their own as they overcame the formidable Chennai Super Kings by 14 runs to march to the title clash on October 6. After posting a competitive 159 runs, RR restricted CSK to 145/8.(Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, SF 1 - Stats Highlights: CLT20-2013 ) The Royals needed an out-of-the-world performance from their bowlers and fielders to humble the mighty Super Kings. And that is exactly what Rahul Dravid’s men brought to the ground on the day. They were led by their 41-year-old leg-spinner Pravin Tambe, who broke the backbone of the CSK innings with sensational figures of 4-0-10-3. (Also Read:  Pravin Tambe: I Hope To Take Sachin Tendulkar's Wicket ) Royals’ bowlers and fielders ensured they made it difficult for the ...

The first semi-final of the Karbonn Smart Champions League Twenty20 promises to be a thrilling contest as the Rajasthan Royals take on the formidable the Chennai Super Kings at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Otago Volts, M18 - Report: CLT20-2013 ) Unbeaten on their home turf in 2013, the Royals who have developed a keen understanding of their conditions will hope to extend their winning streak and book a place in the final. Addressing the media ahead of the clash, Ashok Menaria said that they will stick to their routines and treat is as just another game. (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Perth Scorchers, M15 - Report: CLT20-2013 ) “Every team plans. We go according to the plans set out by Paddy Upton and Rahul Bhai (Dravid). All 20 overs of our bowling are planned out and we know exactly what we have to do, which fielder will stay where and how to bowl to each batsman. This is all planned in any case at the team meeting, and we play ...

It will be a battle to watch out for as MS Dhoni’s 2010 champions take on Rahul Dravid’s men who are yet to be beaten at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in 2013, in the first semi-final of the Karbonn Smart Champions League Twnety20. (Also Read:  CSK: CLT20 2013 ) With the semi-finalists decided only on the last day of the league phase, the tournament has kept interests piqued till the very end. Toppled from their pole position by Trinidad & Tobago in Group B, the Chennai Super Kings will be pitted against Group A toppers Rajasthan Royals on Friday evening. (Also Read:  RR: CLT20 2013 ) To examine and evaluate the strengths and the weaknesses of these teams ahead of their clash we caught up with commentator and cricket expert Harsh Bhogle to give us an insight into the semi-final.  Here’s what Harsha Bhogle had to say:  The Royals – It’s a ground where they have won four games on the trot so they must me doing something right. In the IPL they made...

They ended the Otago Volts’ unbeaten streak and continued their own perfect run at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Having won all their home games in 2013, the Rajasthan Royals are looking to carry the momentum into the semi-finals of the Karbonn Smart Champions League Twenty20. (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Otago Volts, M18 - Report: CLT20-2013 ) The Royals, who have been cruising along, were given a tough fight by the Volts in their last league game. And although they faced a slight setback in the middle overs while chasing the 140-run target, they got past the finish line with five balls to spare. Earlier, their bowlers had done an excellent job to put the visitors under pressure by claiming quick wickets and restricting them to 139. Brought back into the side, Rahul Shukla claimed three in a first-over maiden wicket to tip the balance in RR’s favour. (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Otago Volts, M18 - Stats Highlights: CLT20-2013 ) And later, as they took guar...

226.08  Brad Hodge’s strike-rate in the match. In terms of strike-rate, there have been only three better performances for Rajasthan Royals in an innings of 50 or more. ( Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Otago Volts, M18 - Report: CLT20-2013 ) 200  Number of T20 matches played by Brad Hodge. He became fourth player to reach the 200-game mark, after Albie Morkel (242), David Hussey (221) and Kieron Pollard (214). (Also Read:  Ajinkya Rahane: I Wanted To Stay Till The End ) 66  Number of balls bowled by Pravin Tambe in the tournament without conceding a six. 23  Number of balls taken by Brad Hodge to race to his 50 – fastest by a Rajasthan Royals batsman in CLT20. Sanju Samson held the previous record with his 41-ball 50 against Mumbai Indians at Jaipur on Sep 21. 12  out of 12 – Rajasthan Royals’ win record at home this year. They won all 8 IPL games and all 4 CLT20 games held in Jaipur in 2013. 4  Number of wickets lost by...