Indian Cricket Team Updates

The Sunrisers Hyderabad showed a lot of character and nerves of steel as they scrapped their way into the Playoffs of the Pepsi Indian Premier League 2013. However, the Cameron White-led team lost the eliminator to Rajasthan Royals, but not without a fight. SRH, who had more often than not, defended small totals in the competition were not able to pull off the feat against Brad Hodge’s onslaught at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Wednesday night.    (Also Read:  RR vs SRH - Eliminator Report & Stats: IPL 2013 ) After the four-wicket loss, in a last over finish while defending 132 runs, Darren Sammy spoke to IPLT20.com about the game. The West Indian smashed three sixes in his 21-ball 29 and then took a superb catch to send back the dangerous Shane Watson and followed up with wickets of Dishant Yagnik and Stuart Binny to keep the team in the contest.  While speaking to the official website, he highlighted the fighting spirit and the efforts of his team in th...

The Sunrisers Hyderabad showed a lot of character and nerves of steel as they scrapped their way into the Playoffs of the Pepsi Indian Premier League 2013. However, the Cameron White-led team lost the eliminator to Rajasthan Royals, but not without a fight. SRH, who had more often than not, defended small totals in the competition were not able to pull off the feat against Brad Hodge’s onslaught at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Wednesday night.    (Also Read:  RR vs SRH - Eliminator Report & Stats: IPL 2013 ) After the four-wicket loss, in a last over finish while defending 132 runs, Darren Sammy spoke to IPLT20.com about the game. The West Indian smashed three sixes in his 21-ball 29 and then took a superb catch to send back the dangerous Shane Watson and followed up with wickets of Dishant Yagnik and Stuart Binny to keep the team in the contest.  While speaking to the official website, he highlighted the fighting spirit and the efforts of his team in th...

Match Report: Rajasthan Royals progressed to the second Qualifier after they defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by four wickets in the eliminator at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi. Rahul Dravid and Cameron White at the toss during the eliminator match of the 2013 Pepsi Indian Premier League between The Rajasthan Royals and the Sunrisers Hyderabad held at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, Delhi on the 22nd May 2013 Chasing 133, Rahul Dravid got RR rolling with two gorgeous strokes through mid-wicket off Dale Steyn. Ishant Sharma got SRH the first breakthrough as Dravid (12) was caught by Karan Sharma of a leading edge. Shane Watson hit two boundaries off Ishant Sharma in the fourth over and then Ajinkya Rahane hit a six off Ishant Sharma before Watson smashed two boundaries. RR made 44 from their Power Play.  Watson (24) was sent back by Karan Sharma as Darren Sammy pulled off a stunning catch at the mid-wicket boundary. Sammy then knocked back Dishant Yagnik's (0) of...

Have you seen a pair of eyes in which there is fire and calm, determination and mischief, ruthlessness and compassion, all in their most authentic form and in equal measure? If not, just watch Dale Steyn, first on and then off the cricket field. A fast bowler who once famously said, “Where else in the world do you get the opportunity to basically kill someone with two bouncers an over? Or try, legally,” will be seen putting smiles on all faces around him once he steps off the cricket field. Currently the best fast bowler in the world, Steyn is also one of the most charming and humble guys you will come across – a rather rare combination. During an elaborate chat with bcci.tv, the South African bowling spearhead took us on an insightful and delightful journey of his cricketing career. Steyn touched on the physical hazards of his job and let us into a fast bowler’s mind. He spoke of Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald and Waqar Younis (bowling mentor of Sunrisers Hyderabad – St...

Before their first match of the IPL 2013, Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor Kris Srikkanth spoke about ‘belief’ and ‘faith’ being a crucial aspect to their journey in the tournament. He spoke about creating a vibe of positive energy in the dressing room that would bring the team success.   (Also Read:  SRH vs KKR - M72 Report & Stats: IPL 2013 ) Now, 46 days, 16 matches, a super over and a hattrick later, Kris Srikkanth is proud of a team that not many gave a chance of making to the playoffs. The Sunrisers hardly have any superstars nor does it boast of big names from the domestic circuit; yet in their very first year, they have made it to the top four of the tournament. With a renewed team, new backstage staff, refurbished hope and a drive to succeed, the Sunrisers now look forward to putting up a similar spirited performance in the playoffs.  Still over the moon after achieving one of their primary targets in the tournament, Kris Srikkanth spoke to IPLT20.com...

The moment Darren Sammy hit Iqbal Abdullah for a six, he had not only won a lot of hearts in the crowd, but had also sealed a spot in the Playoffs for the Sunrisers. The deafening roar of the crowd accompanied the Sunrisers dugout as they ran to the centre of the pitch to congratulate Sammy. (Also Read:  SRH vs KKR - M72 Report & Stats: IPL 2013 ) The home team’s theme song was played at high decibels as the crowd sang along and danced with jubilation. The Sunrisers then took a victory lap in the stadium gifting the crowd with team merchandise along the way.  During the lap, players doused each other with water and energy drinks, while the rest acknowledged the cheers of the crowd.  Sammy did his own version of the ‘Gangnam’ as coach Tom Moody and team mentors Kris Srikkanth and VVS congratulated the team. Though the excitement began to wane as the stadium emptied, the dressing room mood was still upbeat. There were smiles and hugs all around as ...

Match Report: Sunrisers Hyderabad secured their spot in Pepsi IPL 2013 Playoffs, knocking out Royal Challengers Bangalore out of the race, courtesy, their five wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday night. Batting first SRH restricted KKR to just 130 before their batsmen chased down the target in 18.5 overs. Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Cameron White and Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir after the toss during match 72 of the Pepsi Indian Premier League between The Sunrisers Hyderabad and The Kolkata Knight Riders held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on the 19th May 2013 Chasing a modest 131, Parthiv Patel got SRH rolling with consecutive boundaries off Pradeep Sangwan in the second over. Patel, playing the role of the aggressor, went after Yusuf Pathan striking consecutive boundaries, before Shikhar Dhawan joined in with a slog-swept six. SRH made 45 from their Power Play. D...

Roll back the books of cricket and one will find only a handful of cricketers from Orissa who have made the big cut. The state of Orissa has been best known to have produced cricketers like Debasis Mohanty and Shiv Sundar Das who have gone on to represent the country after going through the rigours of domestic cricket.  Years have passed since and not many have managed to don the national colours. Ask 24-year old Biplab Samantray how much this IPL experience means to him and you will know how eager he is to take his state’s name forward in international cricket. It might be a long way to go for the middle-order bat before he achieves his goal, but it is only baby steps that will help Samantray take the giant leap. (Also Read:  SRH vs RR - M68 Report & Stats: IPL 2013 ) On a day when bowlers made merry at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in Hyderabad on Friday, Samantray managed to gather himself a calm and composed half century that helped his side re...

Match Report: Sunrisers Hyderabad took a step closer to securing their Playoff seat with a convincing 23-run win over Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday night. Batting first, SRH posted 136 on the back of Biplab Samantray's maiden half-century, before their bowlers restricted RR to just 113. Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Cameron White and Rajasthan Royals captain Rahul Dravid shake hands after the toss during match 68 of the Pepsi Indian Premier League between The Sunrisers Hyderabad and The Rajasthan Royals held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on the 17th May 2013 Chasing 137, RR started positively as Rahul Dravid pulled Ishant Sharma for a six and whipped one through midwicket in the second over. Ajinkya Rahane joined in slog-sweeping Karan Sharma for a six. RR made 33 from their Power Play overs with both openers playing conservative cricket. Rahul Dravid (25) was run out by Cameron White as he tried...

Less than a week left in the league stage of the Pepsi IPL 2013, three teams have 18 or more points. In 2012, the fourth team to qualify for the playoffs - Chennai Super Kings - did so with just 17 points. Yet, things are so competitive in the top half of the table in 2013 that even the top two teams on the table at present aren't guaranteed a passage through to the last four. Chennai are sitting at the top with 20 points and a Net Run-Rate that is ahead of Rajasthan Royals by the wafer thin margin of 0.045. While it's not possible for any combination of four other teams to beat Chennai and Rajasthan on points alone, NRR could end up playing a crucial role in qualification. Technically, the two table-toppers are still not assured of a playoff spot. In fact, the only thing that's guaranteed at this point is that neither Delhi Daredevils and Pune Warriors India are in the qualification race. Even Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab could technically stil...