Viru's 219 - Proud to Be an Indian:Live Cricket Updates

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What a player - Sehwag's immortal 219 seals the series for India

219 is now a  benchmark for a captain's innings and that benchmark would be bettered very few times in the World cricket, at least in ODIs.

A man who was out first ball duck in Motera scores a double hundred in Indore's Holkar stadium. The man who was best bet to score a 200 in ODI and he took 12 years to get there, but when he got there, he got in style when he cut Pollard for a four to go past his idol's 200*. What a player, if I can chant in Tony Greg style.

Virender Sehwag, the Indian captain for this series and the terrific Delhi opener has scored a 200 in ODIs, which is scored only for 2nd time in history of ODI cricket. And both of those scores of 200+ have come in the state of Madhya Pradesh, not famous for many things. But now its on the world cricket map. Indore is on the world cricket map to have hosted this incredible match which saw highest individual ODI score and highest ODI total for India.

India's 419 is its highest ODI total ever making it only team to go past 400 4 times. The other teams have either not crossed this mark or at max done it 2 times.

Virender Sehwag has scored 219 in ODIs as his highest score, 319 in Tests. And he also crossed 8000 runs in ODIs and he is 20 runs away in Tests. Too much for a man who didnt have a good technique and was dismissed as flop star in 1999?

Dilip Vengsarkar almost ruined the career of this incredible batsman in 2007 when he dropped Sehwag from the team to Australia in favor of Boss DK. Thanks to Anil Kumble who got the man back for Perth test and since then its been a revamped Sehwag.  The likes of Sehwag make the game more interesting to watch in the era flooded by T20 bandagwons and for this precise reason and the ODI highs India has seen this year, the ODI cricket must stay on.

Sehwag makes everything in record book look obsolete and its not long before Sehwag gets a double double hundred in Tests too eclipsing Brian Charles Lara, another cricketing great.

South Africa would be relieved team today passing on the buck to West Indies to leak the highest ODI score.   Both 200 scores have come in MP. Gwalior and now Indore. Indore is now redeemed in the cricketing world and after the 1997 fiasco when a match was abandoned due to bad pitch, the cricket is truly back in the city of Poha Jalebi.

Indore has had a rich cricketing history in India unfortunately, it didnt get its share of matches or didnt give country many players. CK Naydu, the first Indian captain, Narendra Hirwani, the current selector and famous 16 man are the 2 most famous cricketers from this city besides some domestic giants. And yes Indore is also the city where great Rahul Dravid was born!! But thats it.

The pathetic Nehru stadium was a blot on Indore and this excellent cricket stadium in the heart of the city makes a grand return of cricket in the city of Indore. Like every other city in the country, the city of Indore has rejoiced on every great cricketing milestone of India and people have congregated in the heart of city -- Rajwada in thousands, lacs waving tricolor and chanting India India. Be it 2011 World cup wins (QF, SF and then final) or 1996 win over Pakistan or Dhaka win in 1998 or Lords 2002, people in this city have always celebrated with rigor and highest enthusiasm. Its not like Mumbai which boos its own heroes or is indifferent to the cricket in the town. Or like the other big centers where the crowd interest is dwindling.

Holkar stadium today wrote the name of Indore with bright golden letters on world cricket map -- city to host highest ODI score in history of 40 years. And what a pity, I am not around in my own hometown to witness this epic moment in the history of Indian cricket and of course, the history of Indore.

Virender Sehwag well done, we Indoris are proud of you and thank you to redeem our city's cricket and bringing back the glory and respect it always deserved.

Injured Gautam Gambhir to miss West Indies tour

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Caught in the middle of a furious debate club-versus-country after playing in the IPL match Eliminator Shah Rukh Khan-owned Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against the Indians in Mumbai, Gautam Gambhir on Wednesday told the BCCI that it will not be available for bring India to the Caribbean.

Already controversy raged over whether the IPL franchise Gambhir had hidden the extent of his shoulder injury, the government said it had yet to take a formal invitation.

According to sources, Gambhir, who had to stay on a regular skipper MS Dhoni in ODI and T20-series against West Indies, told the council Thursday that he was "unable to load". This was followed by physiotherapist Andrew Leipus KKR letter to the BCCI to reveal chronic shoulder and groin injuries. Leipus has advised the Delhi opener 4-6 weeks of rest.

Gayle complains of not getting enough love and respect in WI

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Overwhelmed by the adulation of the fans during the IPL, West Indies batsman Chris Gayle on Sunday said the love and respect he has got during the Twenty20 event in India eludes him back home.

"It's amazing I can score no runs and still be loved and appreciated round the World! Never get these sort of luv an respect in West Indies (sic)!!!," the Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman wrote on his twitter page referring to the duck he got in the IPL final loss to Chennai Super Kings on Saturday night.

The opener, who almost single-handedly steered his team to the IPL 4 final, could not work his magic in the finals but managed to bag the Orange Cap for maximum number of runs in this season of the tournament - 608 from 12 matches.

While Gayle ended up on the losing side, his fellow West Indian player - all-rounder Dwayne Bravo - who is a part of the Chennai Super Kings outfit finished on a high.

And Gayle admitted that while Bravo tasted victory, he is also celebrating RCB's successful campaign in the fourth edition of the cash-rich event.

"The party must go on...it was 3 WI players in finals, but at least 1 WI player taste IPL championship! Bravo.. Big up!! All 3 celebrating!!!," tweeted Gayle after the final match.

Interestingly, Gayle had gone unsold in the players' auction and was called in by RCB as an injury replacement. His coming to the event irked the West Indies Cricket Board, which accused the player of going without permission.

Gayle, in turn, alleged that the WICB left him to fend for himself during the injury problems he faced after the World Cup.

Chennai Super Kings Won The IPL 2011...!!!!!

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Chennai team celebrates after winning IPL final against Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai, on Saturday. 

IPL Final: Chennai Super Kings win by 58 runs

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Michael Hussey opens Chennai and Murali Vijay made 159 runs for the window first to set the plot in the victory of Chennai Bangalore hit 58 in their last IPL match at MA Chidambaram in Chennai on Saturday. 

It was his second straight victory after victory in the IPL-3 last year, where they beat in the final in Mumbai.

Chasing 206, Bangalore can only manage to score 147 / 8 V Chennai, after losing in-form opener Chris Gayle is a duck.

They were on a back foot from thestart as the search for a mammoth total with Gayle opened again on the bench was never an easy task.

He has refused offie R Ashwin with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni makes the final honors behind the stumps.

Ashwin, then came around to get rid of the other opener Mayank Agarwal Bangalore is 10 pushes on the wall. Bangalore, 16 / 2 of his place in the autumn.

Bangalore's South African recruit AB de Villiers, could not stay too long in the center and fell into the seventh most Shadab Jakaya a ball against LBW wrote his initials on the dashboard. He Scored 18.

Jakaya but was not yet finished, he came around and get rid of Luke Pomersbach in his next over and Bangalore has been reduced to 62 / 4

Virat Kolhi, which was strong during this time, was returned to the house of Suresh Raina at 10th. Raina trapped leg before 35 and Bangalore have been reduced to 69 / 5 in 10 overs.

The second ball saw during the Bangalore captain Daniel Vettori invest without having to open your account. He was captured and shot by Ashwin when the team total was 70 / 6.

In most of the 13 Dwayne Bravo got rid of Abhimanyu Mithun of 11 to reduce in Bangalore 92 / 7.

Post those things were easy to Chennai bowlers, who pressed on to victory. The only man who was met Saurabh Tiwary.

Tiwary, but could not prevent the inevitable and in Bangalore ended up losing the match, but he remained unbeaten at 42

Chennai innings

Chennai opener Murali Vijay and Michael Hussey put 159 works for the first wicket as Chennai posted 205 / 5 in Bangalore.

Earlier, Chennai captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat in the last match of the IPL-4. And Michael Hussy opens Chennai and Murali Vijay was a flyer. Both rates now run a good 10 races and acceleration.

A good start was needed because of the superlative form of open opposition IPL Chris Gayle has been this season. Gayle, who wore the orange cap, was the top scorer this season.

Individuals have become double and borders have become more frequent as the two openers continued to identify gaps in the field. Even with the help of sloppy fielding Bangalore. Luke Pomersbach Vijay Abhimanyu Mithun left near the end of the 10th over when he averaged more than 40. Chennai were 94 / 0 after the halfway mark.

Finally, in the 15 most Hussey departed, but not before giving his team after an impressive opening wicket stands. He made 159 runs with Vijay for the first wicket. He scored 63 of his 45 balls innings with decorative three, four and a similar number of six.

Chennai and Rajasthan look to get closer to playoffs

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Chennai: The figures for a match between two very fit side and that's it! Both Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals had a good last week and the momentum is with both parties.

T20 cricket is about all the momentum and when they take each other on a sweltering afternoon Wednesday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, this is really a battle of attrition.

"The momentum is certainly with us, and we must make the most of it. The team that wins here is close to sealing a top-four beds, while the loser starts to slip. We must be cautious in our approach, "CSK coach Stephen Fleming said.

There is another common factor between these two teams, and this is their home record. Rajasthan Royals IPL triumph was the first based on their excellent showing in Jaipur, and they do the same this time.

The Chennai Super Kings story follows a similar pattern as well and they looked invincible MA Chidambaram Stadium today. MS Dhoni has always maintained that the conditions Chepauk give them the upper hand and will not be different on Wednesday.

Royals, despite their success in Jaipur, it was not the best racers. But despite record levels of CSK beautiful house is an area where you can put a decent challenge.

The course offers a bit of a turn and the Royals skipper Shane Warne likes these conditions. This kind of attack they've got, just as good Royals.

Siddharth Trivedi likes to take the pace of the ball and the likes of Warne and Botha may just play an important role in the game.

Both was almost the best player in the Rajasthan Royals to date. The world knows he is a decent cricketer limited overs, but was brilliant with the bat so well. Botha, with Rahul Dravid are the anchors of this team and CSK search both soon enough.

"Both performance was not a surprise to me. It is a very good player and a drummer courageous. A wonderful purchase I would say Shane," Fleming said. The coach believes CSK has depth in their spin attack to fight against the Royals.

Ganguly back in IPL with Pune Warriors India

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After conducting the auction unsold players, former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday made a dramatic return to the Indian Premier League by recording a struggling franchise in Pune Warriors as a replacement for injured pacer Ashish Nehra.

"We waited for the fitness report Ashish Nehra and, finally, the report came yesterday. I was already in talks with Ganguly and decided that a lot of experience that Sourav is a cricket will no doubt help the team. So Ganguly finished yesterday evening, 'Pune Warriors team director Abhijit Sarkar said, referring to a finger injury, Nehra is nursing.

Ganguly, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders IPL for three seasons captain in two versions were not sold at auction players in January, despite a relatively modest base price of $ 400,000.

The 38-year-old turned down the role of mentor with KKR and then speculated on a possible return by another franchise.

The left hand Batman was first sought by Tusker Kochi Kerala, but their request was rejected by the board of directors of the IPL.

However, he signed the paper and Pune on Monday, when a significant boost to the team that lost six games in a row, when you start a promising pair of wins back-to-back. 

Sri Lanka plans to stage IPL-style tournament

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Pakistan  Shahid Afridi versatility and former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori has been named to head both parties provincial competition Sri Lanka Premier League Twenty20 (SLPL).

Afridi is Nagenahira while left arm spinner Vettori was elected captain Uthuru, representing the northeastern provinces have been isolated from the sport because of the war three decades.

Vettori is the captain of Bangalore Royal Challengers in the IPL tournament that also features Sri Lanka star Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena and Tillekeratne Dilshan.

The organizers of the event, Somerert Entertainment Ventures (SEV) found a window for IPL-style tournament between tours Sri Lanka tour of England and Australia in Sri Lanka, according to the Daily Mirror.

Six national captains, four in Sri Lanka - Sanath Jayasuriya, Jayawardena, Sangakkara and Dilshan - to seven teams in the province for the next tournament.

The seventh is the former vice-captain of Sri Lanka, Chaminda Vaas. showcase Sri Lanka T20 Premier League about 35 international stars of the sport and the first of its kind in Sri Lanka.

18-day event will begin in July and will feature 24 games, including the semifinals and finals, R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Dilshan leads Basnahira, Sangakkara (Kandurata), Jayawardane (Wayamba), Jayasuriya (Ruhuna) and Vaas (UVA).

Five foreign players may be registered with the provincial team, but only four are allowed to play in the game. Sri Lanka, the selectors and national cricket authorities have agreed to blood so many young people and nearly 70 cricketers of Sri Lanka have recorded seven teams in the tournament.

Almost all Pakistani national cricketers will be invited to play in SLPL.

In addition, Chris Gayle and Bravo cousins (Dwayne and Darren) from the West Indies, the Pathan brothers (Irfan and Yousuf), India, Herschelle Gibbs, David Warner and Shaun Tait are seen as a function of the ground in Sri Lanka.

Availability of retired great Muttiah Muralitharan has not yet been confirmed, but some unconfirmed reports have revealed that he is willing to play in the series.

Milind Rege, the tournament director in 2011 Cricket World Cup will be responsible for all matters of the cricket tournament. Rege, a former Ranji Trophy captain of Mumbai and the Tata Group recently retired CEO of a committee member.