Amidst all talk of match fixing, IPL -7 started with the new teams, new players at new Venue UAE. Popularity of IPL might be getting decreased year by year due to very long format of the tournament, but there are large number of fans, across the globe, who would never stop loving this beautiful game of bat and ball. And the enthusiasm was clearly shown in the stands by the houseful audience at Abudhabi.
The battle was between defending champion Mumbai Indians and the SRK's KKR.With very less clues about the pitch's behaviour, KKR captain Gautam Gambhir chose to bat after winning the toss. Apparently, Rohit Sharma got what he would have done, had he won the toss. Selection of the overseas player was an easy choice of both of the sides. KKR stuck to their old combination of Kallis ,Narine and Shakib while MI had new faces as Hussey and Anderson jumped in. Selection of Kallis over Tendo raised eyebrows of many. But eventually, it turned out to be the correct decision.
Glimpses of KKR inning
Putting their best foot forward, KKR opened the innings with Gambhir and the legend Kallis. At the other side, new shining ball was given in the hands of Zaheer khan who looked fitter than ever. Desperately trying to get back into the national team, Gambhir and Zaheer , both of the players had to prove their point. But the battle was won by Zaheer Khan by giving just 1 run away and beating Gambhir couple of times with the swing.
From the other end, it was captain of WT20 champion SriLanka, Malinga. And he did it on the third ball, what he is expected to do on every second delivery he bowls , a sharp in-swinging yorker. Gambhir got caught in the crease with poor footwork which ended up losing leg stump. The pressure of building the inning was on Kallis and the young batsman Manish Pandey.
The first Indian who scored century in IPL - Manish Pandey hit couple of boundaries and and a biggie initially, but he also faced many dot balls. Playing with his natural style, Kallis scored run at a ball until 15th Over. The pressure was building on KKR , having lost just 1 wicket and still having the run rate of just 6 at the end of 14th over. Kallis broke the shackles with 2 sixes and a boundary in Ojha's over who earlier bowled his 3 economical overs. Suddenly ,Innocuous looking partnership started throwing ominous signs to MI's captain. KKR getting away with the few good hits, Malinga brought MI back into the picture by getting Manish Pandey, Kallis and Shakib out in successive overs. He ended up with 4-23 , standing upto the expectation. Anderson's last over went for 14 runs and KKR got 163 on the board.
MI fumbled in chase
163 is always a competitive target on any pitch. Hussey and Tare started the chase steadily and carefully until Narine ripped Hussey's bails off with the classic leg spin which led Rayadu to join Tare. But the local duos could not raise the run rate, as Tare departed very soon trying to hit Shakib over the midwicket and ended up giving the skier to the bowler itself.
Rohit Sharma known for his ability of turning the match over specially in IPL, couldn't do much against the tight bowling of Shakib and Kallis. After pulling the ball for six on square leg, he hit the ball straight to the Kallis at mid wicket who couldn't keep himself out of the game. Rest of the things were taken care by Carrabian spinner Narine who ended up getting 4 for 20. No wonder why KKR retained the mystery spinner Narine.
Similarity of both the innings
KKR captain wasted 8 valuable deliveries and he is yet to get off the mark. The grass was as green at the other side. Hussey was not in his magical touch, scored just 3 off 13 balls.
At the end of the 7th Over of KKR innings, Pandey was on 26 (25b 2x4 1x6), Tare got out on 24 (22b 2x4 1x6). Though both the players hit couple of boundaries and six, strike rate is just over 100. These youngsters need to learn the importance of the basics, Singles.
What went against Mumbai ?
Having the likes of Malinga,Zaheer,Harbhajan,Ojha,Pollard in the crew, Mumbai coach wouldn't have been pleased with 163 on the board.
MI were short of 41 runs and the biggest hitter of the team, Pollard got to face just 8 balls. Captain and Coach certainly need to rethink on their strategy.
What is wrong with the pitch?
Unlike typical subcontinent pitch, it did not just help spinners but it was also very useful to the quickers. How often you would have seen a faster bowler getting 4-23 and a spinner getting 4-20 on the same pitch.
Shot of the day!
A batsman certainly needs the daring to even think about hitting Malinga for a six and Manish Pandey did it on the field. Nevertheless, fancy shot of the day was the standing reverse scoop of S Yadav in last over of Anderson.
Forgettable day!
It was a forgettable day for Gambhir, Hussey and IPL debutante Anderson.
Moment of the day!
Talking with each other having smile on the face, Kallis and Pollard showed that Cricket is still a gentleman's game.
Being a slow starter in every IPL Season and coming hard to opponent in rest of the tournament, Can Mumbai continue the history ? How soon new players can gel up with each other and start making impact ? Can KKR hold on to the Momentum and continue the impressive show ?
It would be too early to comment on any of these team's future run in the tournament!
The battle was between defending champion Mumbai Indians and the SRK's KKR.With very less clues about the pitch's behaviour, KKR captain Gautam Gambhir chose to bat after winning the toss. Apparently, Rohit Sharma got what he would have done, had he won the toss. Selection of the overseas player was an easy choice of both of the sides. KKR stuck to their old combination of Kallis ,Narine and Shakib while MI had new faces as Hussey and Anderson jumped in. Selection of Kallis over Tendo raised eyebrows of many. But eventually, it turned out to be the correct decision.
Glimpses of KKR inning
Putting their best foot forward, KKR opened the innings with Gambhir and the legend Kallis. At the other side, new shining ball was given in the hands of Zaheer khan who looked fitter than ever. Desperately trying to get back into the national team, Gambhir and Zaheer , both of the players had to prove their point. But the battle was won by Zaheer Khan by giving just 1 run away and beating Gambhir couple of times with the swing.
From the other end, it was captain of WT20 champion SriLanka, Malinga. And he did it on the third ball, what he is expected to do on every second delivery he bowls , a sharp in-swinging yorker. Gambhir got caught in the crease with poor footwork which ended up losing leg stump. The pressure of building the inning was on Kallis and the young batsman Manish Pandey.
The first Indian who scored century in IPL - Manish Pandey hit couple of boundaries and and a biggie initially, but he also faced many dot balls. Playing with his natural style, Kallis scored run at a ball until 15th Over. The pressure was building on KKR , having lost just 1 wicket and still having the run rate of just 6 at the end of 14th over. Kallis broke the shackles with 2 sixes and a boundary in Ojha's over who earlier bowled his 3 economical overs. Suddenly ,Innocuous looking partnership started throwing ominous signs to MI's captain. KKR getting away with the few good hits, Malinga brought MI back into the picture by getting Manish Pandey, Kallis and Shakib out in successive overs. He ended up with 4-23 , standing upto the expectation. Anderson's last over went for 14 runs and KKR got 163 on the board.
MI fumbled in chase
163 is always a competitive target on any pitch. Hussey and Tare started the chase steadily and carefully until Narine ripped Hussey's bails off with the classic leg spin which led Rayadu to join Tare. But the local duos could not raise the run rate, as Tare departed very soon trying to hit Shakib over the midwicket and ended up giving the skier to the bowler itself.
Rohit Sharma known for his ability of turning the match over specially in IPL, couldn't do much against the tight bowling of Shakib and Kallis. After pulling the ball for six on square leg, he hit the ball straight to the Kallis at mid wicket who couldn't keep himself out of the game. Rest of the things were taken care by Carrabian spinner Narine who ended up getting 4 for 20. No wonder why KKR retained the mystery spinner Narine.
Similarity of both the innings
KKR captain wasted 8 valuable deliveries and he is yet to get off the mark. The grass was as green at the other side. Hussey was not in his magical touch, scored just 3 off 13 balls.
At the end of the 7th Over of KKR innings, Pandey was on 26 (25b 2x4 1x6), Tare got out on 24 (22b 2x4 1x6). Though both the players hit couple of boundaries and six, strike rate is just over 100. These youngsters need to learn the importance of the basics, Singles.
What went against Mumbai ?
Having the likes of Malinga,Zaheer,Harbhajan,Ojha,Pollard in the crew, Mumbai coach wouldn't have been pleased with 163 on the board.
MI were short of 41 runs and the biggest hitter of the team, Pollard got to face just 8 balls. Captain and Coach certainly need to rethink on their strategy.
What is wrong with the pitch?
Unlike typical subcontinent pitch, it did not just help spinners but it was also very useful to the quickers. How often you would have seen a faster bowler getting 4-23 and a spinner getting 4-20 on the same pitch.
Shot of the day!
A batsman certainly needs the daring to even think about hitting Malinga for a six and Manish Pandey did it on the field. Nevertheless, fancy shot of the day was the standing reverse scoop of S Yadav in last over of Anderson.
Forgettable day!
It was a forgettable day for Gambhir, Hussey and IPL debutante Anderson.
Moment of the day!
Talking with each other having smile on the face, Kallis and Pollard showed that Cricket is still a gentleman's game.
Being a slow starter in every IPL Season and coming hard to opponent in rest of the tournament, Can Mumbai continue the history ? How soon new players can gel up with each other and start making impact ? Can KKR hold on to the Momentum and continue the impressive show ?
It would be too early to comment on any of these team's future run in the tournament!
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