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 ...

Harbhajan Singh, aka the Turbanator, led the Mumbai Indians to the Champions League Twenty20 trophy in 2011, and in 2013 the off-spinner was the Man of the Match in the final against the Rajasthan Royals. (Also Read:  Sachin Tendulkar: All My Dreams Have Come True ) Although they had set the Rajasthan Royals a 203-run target, in the battle of David versus Goliath, the match was evenly placed till about the 16th over of the chase. But Harbhajan Singh struck in the 17th over to claim the key wickets of Ajinkya Rahane, Stuart Binny and Kevon Copper and tipped the balance in MI’s favour. The experienced campaigner took the game away from the Royals and finished with four for 32. (Also Read:  Rohit Sharma: My Team Stuck By Me Through Thick and Thin ) Among his other achievements, the spinner has over 400 Test scalps under his belt and has had the opportunity of playing alongside both Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid during his career. Speaking about the batting legen...

Many eyebrows were raised by the Mumbai Indians’ willingness to cough up a whopping USD 1 million for Glenn Maxwell at the 2013 IPL Player Auction. The surprised voices got louder with each match of IPL 2013 that Maxwell sat out – he played three matches in a tournament that MI went on to win. (Also Read:  Anil Kumble Renews Love Affair With Feroz Shah Kotla ) CLT20 2013 started on a similar note, as the Million-Dollar Man’s name was missing from the MI playing XI in their first two matches. He played against the Perth Scorchers and was again dropped in the semi-final. So, when he found himself at the crease in the final, against the Rajasthan Royals, Maxwell latched on to the chance with both hands. (Also Read:  Kieron Pollard: Fantastic To Win Two Championships In One Year ) Coming in at No.6, he smashed 37 off 14 balls to change the game in MI’s favour. Those runs made the difference in the end as MI defeated RR by 33 runs. (Also Read:  Sachin Tendulkar: ...

Anil Kumble shares a special relationship with the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. Many of his bowling exploits for India were architected there, including the historic 10-wicket haul against Pakistan in 1999. It was on this very ground where the former India captain played his final international match, in 2008. (Also Read:  Sachin Tendulkar: All My Dreams Have Come True ) India’s highest wicket-taker in Test cricket now has another reason to remember his favourite cricket ground fondly. This time, however, it is not for his own performance but that of his wards at the Mumbai Indians. The mentor of the team was brimming with pride after MI drubbed the Rajasthan Royals by 33 runs in the final to lift the Champions League Twenty20 2013 trophy. (Also Read:  Rohit Sharma: My Team Stuck By Me Through Thick and Thin ) In a chat with clt20.com, Kumble spoke about the jittery start his team made to the tournament and how they fought back to take the title. He paid a loving tr...

Although he conceded 30 runs in his first three overs, Kieron Pollard came back to claim three wickets in his last over to play a crucial in Mumbai Indians’ win over the Rajasthan Royals in the Champions League T20 2013 Final. The Caribbean all-rounder has been a huge asset to the team, contributing vital runs, bowling useful overs and fielding exceptionally well. (Also Read:  Rohit Sharma: My Team Stuck By Me Through Thick and Thin ) After winning the Karbonn Smart Champions League Twenty20, a thrilled Pollard told clt20.com, “It is a fantastic feeling to win two championships (IPL and CLT20) in one year. It is really unfortunate that we have to break up as a team now because of the fresh auctions next year. Having said that, it has been fantastic.” (Also Read:  Sachin Tendulkar: All My Dreams Have Come True ) Besides lifting the trophy, the day marked another memorable occasion given that two batting legends – Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid – bid adieu to Tw...

"Enjoy the game and chase your dreams because dreams do come true.” These words, spoken on March 16, 2012, have been etched in the memories of Indian cricket fans. They were uttered by Sachin Tendulkar after he scored his 100th international century. (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, Final - Report: CLT20-2013 ) The man dreamed of playing cricket for India as a toddler. When he fulfilled it, as a 15-year-old, he got greedy and kept on adding dream after dream. Today, 25 years later, that man can finally say that he has lived all his cricketing dreams. (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, Final - Stats Highlights: CLT20-2013 ) For a legend like him, who, at 40, is nearing the twilight of his playing career, every moment spent in the field and the dressing room, is a still frame of photograph that he takes in his mind to prepare for the life after. (Also Read:  Rohit Sharma: My Team Stuck By Me Through Thick and Thin ) For Tendul...

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...

Under the leadership of the calm and composed Rahul Dravid and the able guidance of coach Paddy Upton, the Rajasthan Royals put up a formidable showing in IPL 2013 to reach the Playoffs of that tournament and claim a berth in Champions League Twenty20 2013.  ( Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, M1 - Report: CLT20-2013 ) The Royals have been training meticulously at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium for their maiden CLT20 campaign. After yet another session in Jaipur, Ajinkya Rahane, a key player in RR’s ranks spoke to clt20.com about the team and its preparations, as they eagerly look forward to taking on the Mumbai Indians in their opening game.  ( Also Read:   Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, M1 - Stats Highlights: CLT20-2013 ) Excerpts from his interview: How does it feel to make it to the CLT20? It is a great feeling. Champions League Twenty20 is a great platform and obviously the team is very excited and looking forward to the tour...

With figures of 4-0-24-3, Vikramjeet Malik played a crucial role in the Rajasthan Royals getting off to a winning start in the Karbonn Smart Champions League Twenty20 2013. The 30-year-old pacer had carefully planned his scalps and gave the Royals breakthroughs at crucial junctures in the game. Handed the new ball, he first removed Dwayne Smith and then dismissed Dinesh Karthik in his first spell. Malik then returned in the last over to claim Kieron Pollard off the first ball, thus restricting the Mumbai Indians to 142. The RR batters then ensured that the home team sailed to victory at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, M1 - Report: CLT20-2013 ) While speaking to clt20.com after RR’s seven-wicket win, Malik discussed his dismissals and talked about his team’s maiden CLT20 victory. (Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, M1 - Stats Highlights: CLT20-2013 ) Excerpts from his interview: Did you expect to win wi...

2     Number of players to aggregate 500 runs in Champions League T20. Kieron Pollard joined David Warner in doing so.    ( Also Read:   Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, M1 - Report: CLT20-2013 ) 5     Number of players to complete the all-round double of 3,000 runs and 100 wickets in Twenty20 cricket. Shane Watson joined Albie Morkel, Kieron Pollard, Azhar Mahmood and Scott Styris. 9 Number of consecutive matches won by Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur. Their last defeat here had come on May 20, 2012 when the Mumbai Indians beat them by 10 wickets. 40 Years 253 days – Rahul Dravid became the oldest to captain a side in a Champions League T20 match. 116.66 Kieron Pollard’s strike-rate in the match – his lowest in an innings where he faced 25 balls or more. Sanju Samson became the youngest player to hit a fifty in the Champions League as Rajasthan Royals beat Mumbai Indians by seven wickets in Jaipur. source: clt20.com ...

The Karbonn Smart CLT20 2013 got off to a thrilling start with the Rajasthan Royals getting the better of the Mumbai Indians in the final over of the inaugural match. After restricting MI to a modest 142, the hosts knocked off the runs in the final over to register a seven-wicket victory.  ( Also Read:  Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, M1 - Stats Highlights: CLT20-2013 ) Despite losing skipper Rahul Dravid in the second over, the Royals were unflustered thanks mainly to the serenity that Ajinkya Rahane and Sanju Samson brought to the crease. Both players went about their task of scoring runs in a clinical manner; they not only picked the gaps regularly, but also hit crisp shots during their innings. (Also Read:  Vikramjeet Malik: I Had Plans For Smith, Karthik & Pollard ) Young Samson, who impressed with his temperament and choice of shots, rode his luck. He was comprehensively beaten by an inswinger from Mitchell Johnson and was rapped on the pads in ...