After guiding Chennai Super Kings to the Indian Premier League semifinal, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday said his side would look for mistakes of Sachin Tendulkar if they face Mumbai Indians in the knock-out stage.
"If we face Mumbai Indians in the knock-out stage, we have to wait for the mistake of Sachin because little master is in top form right now and they are the hot favorites to win the IPL 3," Dhoni said at the post match press conference.
Speaking about Sunday's match, Dhoni made it clear that he was not satisfied with his bowling department which is still struggling to find rhythm.
"The main strike bowlers are still struggling to find form. They are not even capable of utilising the full quota," he said.
Asked about the last over, in which he hit a hapless Irfan Pathan for 18 runs, Dhoni said: "I am not a top-class technical player and knowing that I used my power to wrap up the show but Pathan bowled well."
Dhoni cracked an unbeaten 54 off just 29 balls to guide his team to a six-wicket victory.
He was also all praise for the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium.
"This is one of the most beautiful cricket stadiums of the world. But to host the international matches the venue has to improve. The wicket also needs improvement," he said.
"The facilities for staying here are not up to the mark and the teams have to travel 18kms and back even for practice. Air facilities also need improvement," he added.
Showing posts with label semis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label semis. Show all posts
Given the pedigree that both Bangalore and Delhi have on paper, it is slightly surprising that they have huffed and puffed their way to a somewhat safe position on the points table and have both got one foot in the door for the semi-finals. They haven't yet gotten through for sure (though Bangalore are through for all practical purposes), and they only have themselves to blame for that, since they will feel that if they had been a bit tighter in some games, they would have been sitting on more than 14 points and would have already booked their place in the semi-final.
It is good for the tournament that both Delhi and Bangalore have won though, since they have players that can make watching them very exciting.
What Delhi's victory means though, is that the points table is still technically open. There are six matches to go, with Mumbai on 18 points and Bangalore and Delhi on 14 points. Chennai, Rajasthan and Deccan are locked on 12 points, while Kolkata have 10 and Punjab have 8.
A look at how each team stands from the bottom upwards:
Kings XI Punjab: They are on 8 points, with 2 games in hand. This means that the maximum number of points they can get is 12. Given that Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore are already on more than 12 points, the only way for Punjab to make it to the final four is if no other team crosses 12 points, and Punjab win by such huge margins that they end up having the best net run-rate. Punjab's current net run-rate is a low -0.48, and even if all other teams get to 12 points, they would have to beat Chennai on net run-rate. Chennai have a high NRR of +0.27, and their only remaining match is against Punjab. The difference in net run-rates is such that Punjab will have to win both their remaining matches by at least 100-run margins (or equivalent if bowling first), and in all likelihood beat Chennai by a 130 runs-plus margin. Since this is highly unlikely, Punjab can be safely discounted as a potential semi-finalist.
Kolkata Knight Riders: Kolkata have the worst net run-rate amongst all the teams (-0.63) - even worse than Punjab, and thus qualifying on net run-rates is also out of the question for them. They have 10 points with 2 games in hand, which means they have to win both games, and hope nobody else reaches 14 points. This is possible if Punjab win both their remaining matches (against Deccan and Chennai) and Delhi win their remaining game against Deccan. That would ensure that Kolkata make it to the semi-finals as the fourth team since neither Chennai, Rajasthan, Deccan or Punjab would have 14 points. But of course, if Kolkata lose another match, then they are also out of the semi-finals for all practical purposes.
Deccan Chargers: They are on 12 points with two games in hand. Their net run-rate is also none too good (-0.44). However, that will be made irrelevant if they win both remaining games, since this would take them to 16 points and give them entry to the semi-finals on points alone, since no combination of wins/losses will result in more than four teams ending up on 16 points. If Deccan win only one match, they would be on 14 points. The match Deccan have to win is against the Delhi Daredevils since Delhi are above them on net run-rate, and if Deccan can inflict a heavy defeat on Delhi then they might even be able to afford to lose their match against Punjab, provided they do so narrowly. One win and one loss for Deccan will mean a whole lot of net run-rate calculations will have to be made. If Deccan lose to Punjab heavily though, then their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals will take a severe beating and even a subsequent win against Delhi might not be enough to see them through. Thus Deccan's simplest route is to win both their matches.
Rajasthan Royals: They have 12 points and only a game in hand. Their net run rate is -0.421, and if they lose their last match, then they will be out of the semi-finals for all practical purposes. Thus they need to win their match against Kolkata, and hope that Chennai lose against Punjab, since if Chennai win they will draw level on points and will qualify on account of their superior net run-rate. Even if they win, they are not guaranteed a final-four spot, since Deccan are close to them on net run-rates and have 2 matches in hand. They will need Deccan to lose at least one of the two, and win the other one very narrowly. Thus for Rajasthan to qualify, they need to beat Kolkata - preferably by a big margin - and hope that Chennai lose one match, while Deccan don't win more than one, and not very heavily at that.
Chennai Super Kings: They have 12 points with one game in hand, but their advantage is their very healthy net run rate, which is +0.27. If Chennai lose their final match (which is against Punjab) then they must hope that Kolkata beat Rajasthan, while Deccan lose to Delhi and Punjab and Mumbai beat Kolkata. This would mean Rajasthan, Kolkata, Deccan and Chennai would be tied on 12 points, and Chennai would make it through on account of their strong NRR. If Chennai win, they will be on 14 points, and are likely to make it through to the semi-finals, since they are likely to be amongst three teams fighting for two slots, and their NRR will take them through.
Delhi Daredevils: They have 14 points, with a match in hand. If they win their match against the Deccan Chargers, their entry into the semi-finals will be assured, but if they lose the match, then they must hope that Chennai also lose their match or that Deccan don't win two out of two matches. Any one of the above two will result in Delhi qualifying for the semi-finals even if they lose their last match. However, if Delhi lose and Chennai and Deccan both win their remaining matches, then Delhi will be edged out.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: They have 14 points, with a match in hand. If Bangalore win their final match (against the Mumbai Indians), then they will be through to the semi-finals, but they are still likely to make it even if they lose to Mumbai. The only way they will be edged out if they lose is if Deccan beat Delhi narrowly and Punjab very comprehensively, while Chennai also beat very comprehensively. Meanwhile, Bangalore themselves will have to lose by a mammoth margin to Mumbai (on the order of 110 runs or so) for their Net Run Rate to fall below Delhi's and so be edged out of the semi-finals. Thus for all practical purposes, Bangalore are also through to the semi-finals.
Mumbai Indians: The only thing for them to do is ensure Sachin Tendulkar continues to strike the ball the way he has all tournament long! They are not only in the semi-final, but are guaranteed to qualify as the top-ranked team from the league stage.
It is good for the tournament that both Delhi and Bangalore have won though, since they have players that can make watching them very exciting.
What Delhi's victory means though, is that the points table is still technically open. There are six matches to go, with Mumbai on 18 points and Bangalore and Delhi on 14 points. Chennai, Rajasthan and Deccan are locked on 12 points, while Kolkata have 10 and Punjab have 8.
A look at how each team stands from the bottom upwards:
Kings XI Punjab: They are on 8 points, with 2 games in hand. This means that the maximum number of points they can get is 12. Given that Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore are already on more than 12 points, the only way for Punjab to make it to the final four is if no other team crosses 12 points, and Punjab win by such huge margins that they end up having the best net run-rate. Punjab's current net run-rate is a low -0.48, and even if all other teams get to 12 points, they would have to beat Chennai on net run-rate. Chennai have a high NRR of +0.27, and their only remaining match is against Punjab. The difference in net run-rates is such that Punjab will have to win both their remaining matches by at least 100-run margins (or equivalent if bowling first), and in all likelihood beat Chennai by a 130 runs-plus margin. Since this is highly unlikely, Punjab can be safely discounted as a potential semi-finalist.
Kolkata Knight Riders: Kolkata have the worst net run-rate amongst all the teams (-0.63) - even worse than Punjab, and thus qualifying on net run-rates is also out of the question for them. They have 10 points with 2 games in hand, which means they have to win both games, and hope nobody else reaches 14 points. This is possible if Punjab win both their remaining matches (against Deccan and Chennai) and Delhi win their remaining game against Deccan. That would ensure that Kolkata make it to the semi-finals as the fourth team since neither Chennai, Rajasthan, Deccan or Punjab would have 14 points. But of course, if Kolkata lose another match, then they are also out of the semi-finals for all practical purposes.
Deccan Chargers: They are on 12 points with two games in hand. Their net run-rate is also none too good (-0.44). However, that will be made irrelevant if they win both remaining games, since this would take them to 16 points and give them entry to the semi-finals on points alone, since no combination of wins/losses will result in more than four teams ending up on 16 points. If Deccan win only one match, they would be on 14 points. The match Deccan have to win is against the Delhi Daredevils since Delhi are above them on net run-rate, and if Deccan can inflict a heavy defeat on Delhi then they might even be able to afford to lose their match against Punjab, provided they do so narrowly. One win and one loss for Deccan will mean a whole lot of net run-rate calculations will have to be made. If Deccan lose to Punjab heavily though, then their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals will take a severe beating and even a subsequent win against Delhi might not be enough to see them through. Thus Deccan's simplest route is to win both their matches.
Rajasthan Royals: They have 12 points and only a game in hand. Their net run rate is -0.421, and if they lose their last match, then they will be out of the semi-finals for all practical purposes. Thus they need to win their match against Kolkata, and hope that Chennai lose against Punjab, since if Chennai win they will draw level on points and will qualify on account of their superior net run-rate. Even if they win, they are not guaranteed a final-four spot, since Deccan are close to them on net run-rates and have 2 matches in hand. They will need Deccan to lose at least one of the two, and win the other one very narrowly. Thus for Rajasthan to qualify, they need to beat Kolkata - preferably by a big margin - and hope that Chennai lose one match, while Deccan don't win more than one, and not very heavily at that.
Chennai Super Kings: They have 12 points with one game in hand, but their advantage is their very healthy net run rate, which is +0.27. If Chennai lose their final match (which is against Punjab) then they must hope that Kolkata beat Rajasthan, while Deccan lose to Delhi and Punjab and Mumbai beat Kolkata. This would mean Rajasthan, Kolkata, Deccan and Chennai would be tied on 12 points, and Chennai would make it through on account of their strong NRR. If Chennai win, they will be on 14 points, and are likely to make it through to the semi-finals, since they are likely to be amongst three teams fighting for two slots, and their NRR will take them through.
Delhi Daredevils: They have 14 points, with a match in hand. If they win their match against the Deccan Chargers, their entry into the semi-finals will be assured, but if they lose the match, then they must hope that Chennai also lose their match or that Deccan don't win two out of two matches. Any one of the above two will result in Delhi qualifying for the semi-finals even if they lose their last match. However, if Delhi lose and Chennai and Deccan both win their remaining matches, then Delhi will be edged out.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: They have 14 points, with a match in hand. If Bangalore win their final match (against the Mumbai Indians), then they will be through to the semi-finals, but they are still likely to make it even if they lose to Mumbai. The only way they will be edged out if they lose is if Deccan beat Delhi narrowly and Punjab very comprehensively, while Chennai also beat very comprehensively. Meanwhile, Bangalore themselves will have to lose by a mammoth margin to Mumbai (on the order of 110 runs or so) for their Net Run Rate to fall below Delhi's and so be edged out of the semi-finals. Thus for all practical purposes, Bangalore are also through to the semi-finals.
Mumbai Indians: The only thing for them to do is ensure Sachin Tendulkar continues to strike the ball the way he has all tournament long! They are not only in the semi-final, but are guaranteed to qualify as the top-ranked team from the league stage.
It was his highest ever score in the Indian Premier League .
It ensured his team a spot in the semi-finals of the lucrative competition for the first time in three attempts.
And it helped him grab hold of the Orange Cap - for the highest scorer in the tournament with 512 runs - from Jacques Kallis' head.
You guessed it right - we are talking about Sachin Tendulkar .
Tendulkar's unbeaten 59-ball 89, inclusive of 10 boundaries and two sixes, helped Mumbai Indians post a formidable 174 for five and eventually beat Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday.
The Mumbai skipper, shared a crucial 63-run fourth wicket partnership with JP Duminy (31) and then added 50 runs with Kieron Pollard (25) for the fifth wicket to help the table toppers recover from 30 for three.
Tendulkar, when on 45 was dropped by Aditya Dole off Siddharth Trivedi , and the Master Blaster made the Rajasthan side pay heavily for their blunder, smashing 20 in the bowler's final over.
During his knock he surpassed Royal Banngalore Challengers' Jacques Kallis tally of 501 runs and took possession of the Orange Cap.
And his side ensured that his record - of not losing a match having scored a fifty in this tournament - remained in tact for a fifth match in succession.
It ensured his team a spot in the semi-finals of the lucrative competition for the first time in three attempts.And it helped him grab hold of the Orange Cap - for the highest scorer in the tournament with 512 runs - from Jacques Kallis' head.
You guessed it right - we are talking about Sachin Tendulkar .
Tendulkar's unbeaten 59-ball 89, inclusive of 10 boundaries and two sixes, helped Mumbai Indians post a formidable 174 for five and eventually beat Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday.
The Mumbai skipper, shared a crucial 63-run fourth wicket partnership with JP Duminy (31) and then added 50 runs with Kieron Pollard (25) for the fifth wicket to help the table toppers recover from 30 for three.
Tendulkar, when on 45 was dropped by Aditya Dole off Siddharth Trivedi , and the Master Blaster made the Rajasthan side pay heavily for their blunder, smashing 20 in the bowler's final over.
During his knock he surpassed Royal Banngalore Challengers' Jacques Kallis tally of 501 runs and took possession of the Orange Cap.
And his side ensured that his record - of not losing a match having scored a fifty in this tournament - remained in tact for a fifth match in succession.
Sachin Tendulkar took the Mumbai Indians to the semi-finals of the IPL by thumping the Rajasthan Royals for the first time on their home ground. Though they had an almost perfect start, the Royals were dazzled by Tendulkar's magic on Sunday as they lost by 37 runs at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium on Sunday.
Shane Warne tried all his tactics at the 'fortress' but Tendulkar was up for it as he revived the Mumbai Indians with an unbeaten 89 off 59 balls. Once tottering, the Mumbai Indians managed an impressive 174-5, thanks to a super innings from their skipper.
In their chase, Royals were never in the hunt with Zaheer Khan and some needless run outs giving Mumbai control right from the onset. The home team could manage only 137-8 in their 20 overs.
Rajasthan lost three wickets for 11 runs and never managed a fightback with Adam Voges (28) top-scoring for them. After both openers perished, they were jolted when Shane Watson (one) was run out in the third over due to a mix-up with Faiz Fazal. Yusuf Pathan (10), who had slammed a hundred against the Mumbai Indians in their previous outing, could manage only one six before skying one off Kieron Pollard.
Earlier, after electing to bowl, Shane Watson ripped through the Mumbai top order with three quick wickets to have the visitors on the mat at 30-3 in the fourth over. The Aussie all-rounder snared Sanath Jayasuriya (one), Ambati Rayadu (zero) and Saurabh Tiwary (15).
Tendulkar and JP Duminy (31 off 32) then started the recovery process with some steady batting. The master also stitched a crucial stand with Kieron Pollard (25 off 13).
After a patient half-century, Tendulkar, who was dropped on 45 by Aditya Dole, opened up his shoulders in the end, blasting Siddarth Trivedi for 20 runs in the last over including two sixes. The Mumbai skipper also smashed 10 boundaries in his unconquered knock.
Tendulkar's blaze in the end also helped him snatch back the Orange Cap from Royal Challengers Bangalore's Jacques Kallis. The South Africa all-rounder now trails Tendulkar by 11 runs.
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