Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
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India take 1-0 lead after resounding win
After the dampener in Dharamsala, it was all too easy for India in Mohali. Only once have India failed down to chase a score that’s shy of 150 while playing a T20I at home. Wednesday (September 18) wasn’t going to be an anomaly as India strolled past 150 in 19 overs with seven wickets in hand, and exposed some of the very visible frailties of the South African line-up as the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Deepak Chahar was India’s star – ending with 4-0-22-2 – but the Indian bowlers were aided by South Africa’s inability to kick on.
It was all Quinton de Kock at the start as the South Africa captain put the bowlers under pressure despite the loss of Reeza Hendricks. South Africa moved to 39 for the loss of a wicket in the powerplay as Temba Bavuma settled in. De Kock kept the runs flowing and had 33 off the first 39. Bavuma finally broke free in the eighth over with a six against Hardik Pandya but it was more of a false alarm.
De Kock registered a 35-ball half-century but failed to kick on. When the captain was dismissed – caught towards the left of mid-on – South Africa had 88 on the board in the 12th over. The onus then moved to Bavuma to provide the impetus. Rassie van der Dussen was caught and bowled by Ravindra Jadeja and that didn’t help Bavuma. He consumed 43 balls for his 49 as the noose kept tightening.
South Africa kept hoping for a late push but David Miller’s 15-ball 18 and Bavuma only kept delaying it. There was no final flourish but there were two sixes in the last over that did give South Africa something they could work with.
In the chase, India got off to a fast start – smashing 30 in the first three. Shikhar Dhawan slapped Kagiso Rabada to the deep point fence before Rohit Sharma climbed onto Anrich Nortje. The pacer fed Rohit juicy back of length balls and had to bear the brunt. The first one was sent over midwicket with a front foot pull while the second one went sailing over fine leg even before the opener completed his swivel.
Rohit fell for 12 – trapped lbw by Andile Phehlukwayo – but his innings had ten dot balls. The first break came in the fourth over but the visitors failed to smash the door open. Dhawan and Virat Kohli collaborated to score 61 for the second-wicket and drove the chase forward.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for South Africa as Miller plucked a one-handed stunner at long-on to end Dhawan’s innings of 40 off 31 but the wicket came a tad too late. The equation came down to 45 in the last six overs and it was all too routine for the India captain. Kohli completed his half-century off 40 balls and ended unbeaten on 72 to power India home. He also became India’s leading run-scorer in T20Is going past Rohit Sharma.
Brief scores: South Africa 149/5 in 20 overs (Quinton de Kock 52; Deepak Chahar 2-22) lost to India 151/3 in 19 overs (Virat Kohli 72*) by seven wickets.
Abdul Qadir passes away aged 63
Former Pakistan legspinner Abdul Qadir, aged 63, passed away after a cardiac arrest on Friday, September 6.
Qadir represented Pakistan in 67 Tests and 104 ODIs between 1977 and 1993 and was widely recognized as the foremost legspinner of his times. Known for possessing a wide array of variations, Qadir was celebrated for his successes against a strong West Indies team. A career-highlight remained the 30 wickets he picked in a three-Test series against England.
Qadir represented Pakistan in two World Cups (1983 and 1987), and also led the national team briefly. Post-retirement, Qadir had served as chief selector of the Pakistan team and also as a commentator.
“PCB is shocked at the news of ‘maestro’ Abdul Qadir’s passing and has offered its deepest condolences to his family and friends,” tweeted PCB.
India vs South Africa: MS Dhoni unavailable for T20I series
The Indian team for the upcoming series against South Africa for both T20 and Test series is due to be picked in the first week of September.
HIGHLIGHTS
- MS Dhoni won’t be available for the T20Is vs South Africa, according to sources
- Dhoni has been out of action for the past month-and-a-half after the World Cup
- Indian team for the T20Is and Tests vs SA will be picked in the first week of September
Former India captain MS Dhoni will not be available to play in the three T20 matches against South Africa at home starting September 15th.
This has been confirmed to India Today by sources close to Dhoni. “He won’t be available to play these games,” a source said.
The Indian team for the upcoming series against South Africa for both T20 and Test series is due to be picked in the first week of September.
A report quoting sources close to selection committee said the selectors would largely stick to the T20 team that did well in West Indies and Dhoni won’t be picked. The selection committee can safety avoid the Dhoni question for now.
Dhoni has been out of action for the past month-and-a-half after the World Cup during which he also did a fifteen day stint with Indian territorial army in his capacity of Hon Lieutenant colonel. Dhoni is currently in USA for a Chennai Super Kings event.
In Dhoni’s absence, Rishabh Pant donned the gloves in both ODIs as well the T20I matches and in the first Test against West Indies. Pant appeares the best suited to take over from Dhoni in the long run but the two-time World Cup-winning captain is yet to take a call on his future.
India’s next white-ball assignment will be in November when Bangladesh come home for three T20I matches. Selectors will ultimately have to take a big judgement call on Dhoni’s future, if he decides to have another crack at the next T20 World Cup scheduled in October, 2020.
Dhoni’s first India captain Sourav Ganguly had earlier told India Today that Mahi should continue to play only if he is confident he can play like Dhoni of old. “MS (Dhoni) is at a stage in his career where he has to take a decision what can I do ahead, can I contribute in the future, can I take India to victory like M.S. Dhoni, not someone else,” he said.
Virat’s another century and Iyer’s half century helps India to clinch the series by 2-0
The series of white ball cricket comes to an end with clinical performance by team India.
This time toss was won by West Indies and they elected to bat first. There were many interruptions between the games for rain and atlast the overs are reduced to 35. They get a blasting start as the made 114 for no loss in 1st 10 overs. Gayle scored 72 runs in 42 balls including 8 fours and 5 sixes and Evin Lewis 43 of just 29 balls including 5 boundaries and 3 maximum. After their wickets, wickets are falling in regular interval and and their score after 35 overs is 240. In this innings Pooran made 30 runs of 16 balls including 1 four and 3 maximum.
Now India have to chase 254 runs in 35 overs. They didn’t get the ideal start as Rohit Sharma was run out by Fabien Allen. There was a small partnership between Shikaar Dhawan and Indian Skipper before Dhawan fell to Fabien Allen on a run a ball 36 includes 5 boundaries. Then Rishabh Pant came and gone in golden duck.
There come Shreyas Iyer who scored 65 runs of 41 balls including 3 boundaries and 5 maximum. He and Virat made a match winning partnership of 120 runs in 95 deliveries and Virat too made his 43rd ODI century in just 95 balls and help India to seal the series. Jadav too played a small knock.
The last match heros Virat and shreyas was also the heros of the 3rd ODI.
May be this one will be the last ODI for the Universe Boss.
Brief scores: West Indies 240/7 in 35 overs (Chris Gayle 72; Khaleel Ahmed 3-68) lost to India 256/4 in 32.3 overs (Virat Kohli 114*, Shreyas Iyer 65) by six wickets by DLS method.
Virat’s ton, Iyer’s half century and Bhuvi 4fers help India to lead the 3 match ODI series by 1-0
As the 1st ODI is washed out due to rain in Guyana, Virat Kohli and his Co. came to a Port of Spain for 2nd ODI.
This time too Indian skipper won the toss and elected to bat first. Team India remain unchanged but Carribean side had a forced change as one of their spinners Fabien Allen get injured, to replace him Oshane Thomas came in side.
West Indies gave blow to India in very first over by taking the wicket of Shikar Dhawan who made just 2 runs in 3 balls. Then there is a partnership for 2nd wicket between Indian captain and vice captain of 74 runs. Then Rohit gave away his wicket in frustation as he made 18 runs of 32 balls which include two boundaries. And then Rishab Pant came to bat but can’t left any impression as he made 20 runs of 35 deliveries including 2 fours. Then there come Shreyas Iyer whi scored 71 runs including 5 fours and 1 six and had 125 run partnership with Indian skipper for 5th wicket as he made his 42nd ODI tons which include 12 fours and 1 six. Later Kedar,Jadega played a small cameos to take India score to 279.
As in the 2nd innings Caribbean get a good start as their 1st wicket fall in 42 as Chris Gayle who was playing his 300th ODI for West Indies becoming 1st West Indies player to do that. There were some impact of rains in middle and the target were revised ans they had to make 270 in 46 overs according to D/Ls method. Evin Lewis looks positive as he made a half century and they were looking good in the track of chasing as they were 125-3. But after that Caribbean batsmen fell like house of cards as they were 182-8. Bhuvneshwar kumar took 4 wickets and West Indies were all out in 210. And India won the match by 59 runs.
Brief scores: India 279/7 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 120; Shreyas Iyer 71; Carlos Brathwaite 3-53) beat West Indies210 in 42 overs (Evin Lewis 65; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4-31) by 59 runs by DLS method.
Records:–
- Virat Kohli suppress Sourav Ganguly to became 2nd highest ODI run getter for India and 8th in world.
- Virat Kohli took fewest innings to score 2000 runs against any team(Virat took 42 innings against West Indies).
- Virat Kohli became highest run scorer against West Indies suppressing Javed Mianad.
- Chris Gayle played his 300th ODI, first West Indies batsman to do that.
- Chris Gayle also became the top ODI run scorer for West Indies.
Top scorer for WEST INDIES in ODI
Introduce Yourself (Example Post)
This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.
You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.
Why do this?
- Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
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The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.
To help you get started, here are a few questions:
- Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
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You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.
Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.
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