Sri Lanka's Tour in India - Update

[Pintu]

India Sri Lanka Series Update

AFP: Gambhir's absence may hit India hard

Gambhir's absence may hit India hard

By Abhaya Srivastava (AFP) – 4 hours ago

KANPUR, India — India were grappling with a new selection headache Saturday, with in-form opener Gautam Gambhir opting out of the crucial third Test against Sri Lanka in Mumbai.

Gambhir has been given permission by the Indian cricket board to attend his sister's wedding, which falls on the second day of the Test opening at the Brabourne stadium on Wednesday.

Gambhir's absence is likely to throw India on the back foot as they seek to win the three-Test series, which they lead 1-0 after their innings and 144 runs victory in the second match here Friday.

The opening Test in Ahmedabad ended in a draw.

A 2-0 series win will put India on the top of the Test rankings and also deny Kumar Sangakkara's men their maiden victory on Indian soil in the longest version of the game.

Gambhir, 28, has been enjoying a golden run with the bat, having hit four centuries in a row in his last four Tests, including knocks of 114 and 167 in the current series.

It was his vital 233-run opening partnership with Virender Sehwag in the second Test which laid the platform for India's massive victory.

In his last 25 innings, Gambhir has hammered seven centuries and seven half-centuries for a stunning average of 77. Overall, he has scored 2,553 runs from 27 Tests since making his debut in 2004.

India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was measured in his response when asked about Gambhir's unavailability.

"It's difficult to say how much the team will miss Gambhir," Dhoni said. "There are times when you have to adjust to situations. These are things we cannot do much about.

"We are a side that depend a lot on good starts and whoever opens with Sehwag should be able to do that."

The Indians have a reserve opener in their squad in Murali Vijay, who has played only one Test, against Australia in November last year.

But India could promote current number three Rahul Dravid to the opener's slot and include an extra bowler in place of Gambhir, considering the bowler-friendly pitches of Mumbai.

Dravid, a veteran of 136 Tests, has opened the innings on 18 occasions and notched up an average of 32.60.

However, at his favourite number three position, Dravid averages a neat 55.23.

With Sehwag in fine nick at one end, the onus will be on the new opener to adjust to his hard-hitting ways, something that his Delhi teammate Gambhir is used to.

"We enjoy batting in each other?s company," said Sehwag, who made 131 in the second Test.

"For instance, when (Muttiah) Muralitharan came on to bowl on the first day here, Gautam tried to play a risky shot and I just told him to be careful. I told him to think big as it was a great wicket to bat on.

"The very next ball, he hit a beautiful cover drive. That is the kind of rapport we share."

 

[Pintu]

I personally feel Gambhir's absence may hit hard our prospect to claim the series, I don't know why his leave appeal was permitted , may be it is very wrong to question and it is his freedom , but still, however hope for the best.

Regards

 

[Pintu]

India Sri Lanka third test score update :

Cricinfo links :

SL 187/3 (47.4 ov, TM Dilshan 84*, S Sreesanth 1/37) | Live Scorecard | Cricinfo.com

Regards

 

[Pintu]

The Press Association: Dilshan leads fight as wickets fall

Dilshan leads fight as wickets fall

(UKPA) – 4 hours ago

Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan kept Sri Lanka afloat with a strong batting performance as India fought back with quick wickets on the opening day of the final Test in Mumbai.

Sri Lanka, who had chosen to bat first, had made a steady start in the morning with Tharanga Paranavitana (53) and Dilshan giving the team a flying start with a 93-run stand in good time.

But India, with Harbhajan Singh to the fore, hit back with quick wickets in the afternoon session to leave the hosts in a spot of bother at 213 for four at tea.

Dilshan was one run away from a century, while Angelo Mathews was the other end on eight.

Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha removed Kumar Sangakkara (18) immediately after the lunch interval, while Sreesanth snared Mahela Jayawardene (29) and Harbhajan added the scalp of Thilan Samaraweera as the visitors - 128 for one at one stage - slipped to 188 for four.

Dilshan, dismissed cheaply in both innings in the second Test in Kanpur, was cautious at the start, but he brought himself up to speed by smacking Sreesanth for a six and two fours in the bowler's fifth over and drove Ojha for consecutive boundaries in the spinner's first over, passing 1,000 Tests runs for the year in the process.

Harbhajan, introduced in the final over before the first drinks interval, immediately found considerable turn.

He produced the breakthrough in his fifth over, getting Paranavitana to drive and finding an edge which sent the ball straight to Rahul Dravid at slip.

 

[Pintu]

India-Sri Lanka clashes score high on TRP test- Entertainment-Media/Entertainment -News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

India-Sri Lanka clashes score high on TRP test
2 Dec 2009, 0008 hrs IST, Meenakshi Verma Ambwani, ET Bureau

NEW DELHI: Test cricket appears to be holding on to its loyal fan following despite swings in television viewership across different formats of cricket. The ongoing India-Sri Lanka test series has managed to garner similar television eyeballs as the last test cricket series played on the home ground against England in December 2008.

As per data collated by overnight television rating agency, aMap, the ratings for the first test match ranged between 0.5-0.8. The second test match, which India went on to win comfortably, scored even better with ratings ranging between 0.7-1 for individuals above the age of 15 years. The series is being telecast on Neo Cricket.

Media planners who buy advertisement spots on behalf of their corporate clients, say that the television rating points (TRPs) garnered by the test matches have been comfortable. Television ratings are crucial as it attracts advertisers to showcase their brand or product hoping to catch maximum eyeballs. “Milestones like the 100th test victory(in the second test match)contributed to the increase in TRPs to the ongoing series. We believe that Indian team’s good performance would draw viewers irrespective of the format,” said Basabdutta Chowdhury CEO Madison Media Plus.

Over the past few months the television viewership of cricket matches has come under scrutiny as advertisers have started questioning the high price of cricket related ad spots in light of deteriorating TRPs. Most recently, sagging television viewership of one day international(ODI) matches was blamed on the spread of the shorter T20 format. “Lack of time has led viewers to prefer watching shorter formats in any sport instead of longer formats,” said Sai Nagesh chief growth officer Dentsu Media India. But he added that the TRPs of the ongoing test matches have been good.

Media planners also believe that if Team India’s performance is good , an ODI and test cricket continue to be an effective medium to target male consumers.

 

[Pintu]

Scoreboard Update link :

cricbuzz:

http://www.cricbuzz.com/livecricketscore/2009/2009_IND_SL/IND_SL_DEC02_DEC06/scorecard_frame.html

cricinfo :

SL 366/8 (89.0 ov, M Muralitharan 0*, AD Mathews 86*, Yuvraj Singh 0/18) - Stumps | Live Scorecard | Cricinfo.com

Regards

 

[sob]

scorecard ind 425/1

Our man from Najafgarh has hit the fastest 250 in test cricket and is currently playing at 275. With 8.3 overs to go can we look at 300 in one day equalling Sir Don Bradman's record.

 

[Pintu]

Sri Lanka 22 for no loss , on the second innings , link of the score update link from cricbuzz:

Cricbuzz - Match


Cricbuzz - Match

Regards

 

[proud_hindustani]

I am sure we will win the test match

 

[Flint]

India on top of the world after mauling Sri Lanka
By Kuldip Lal (AFP) – 44 minutes ago

MUMBAI — India became the number one Test team on Sunday after routing Sri Lanka by an innings and 24 runs in the third and final cricket Test in Mumbai to clinch the series 2-0.

 

[Pintu]

The Press Association: Sangakkara sets up Sri Lanka win

Sangakkara sets up Sri Lanka win

(UKPA) – 33 minutes ago

Kumar Sangakkara struck a dazzling half-century to power Sri Lanka to a 29-run victory over India in the first Twenty20 international in Nagpur.

Sangakkara hit 78 from 37 deliveries, building sizeable partnerships with Tillakaratne Dilshan (34) and Chamara Kapugedera (47) as Sri Lanka amassed 215 for five.

Opener Gautam Gambhir ensured a bright start to the India response with a knock of 55 from 26 balls, but the chase faltered after his departure. The hosts managed only 186 for nine.

The Sri Lanka captain, looking in excellent touch from the start, hammered Pragyan Ojha out of the attack, bludgeoning a six and two boundaries, and reached his half-century off just 21 deliveries by landing consecutive blows off Ashok Dinda.

India scalped Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene (nine) in quick succession, but Sangakkara found support in Kapugedera, the duo flaying the home attack.

Kapugedera, who survived a run-out chance on 23 - Ishant Sharma missing an easy opportunity - hit Asish Nehra for four successive boundaries in the left-arm seamer's final over.

Sangakkara, grassed in the final over, steered Sri Lanka past the 200 mark before he was run out while attempting a second run on the final delivery of the innings.

Virender Sehwag was dropped at mid-off by debutant Chinthaka Jayasinghe off the bowling of Nuwan Kulasekara, but he made only 26 before falling to the same bowler. Gambhir then got the chase under way in earnest, smashing Lasith Malinga for four boundaries in the bowler's first over, India finishing with 77 from the powerplay.

The opener reached his fifty in 19 deliveries, but was bowled as he attempted to paddle-sweep Angelo Mathews.

Sri Lanka's sharp performance in the field proved the difference as India slipped from 93 for one to 129 for seven. Nehra (22) landed a few hits at the end but his efforts were not enough.

 

[Pintu]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/416324_New-faces-and-format-helped--Sangakkara

New faces and format helped: Sangakkara

STAFF WRITER 22:21 HRS IST

Nagpur, Dec 9 (PTI) The new format and a fresh set of faces, including veteran Sanath Jayasuriya, definitely helped Sri Lanka clinch the first Twenty20 International against India by 29 runs, said visiting team skipper Kumar Sangakkara.

"It was a new format and there were fresh faces who are one-day specialists in the team who were ready to stand up and be counted," said Sangakkara who played a stellar knock of 78 to power the tourists to 215 for 5.

In reply, India were halted at 186 for nine by determined Lanka bowling and excellent fielding.

Sangakkara said the wicket of Gautam Gambhir was obviously the key point in the contest when the Indian left-hander was going great guns.

"The wicket of (Virender) Sehwag after they started well was a bonus. Then we got the wicket of Gambhir. At that stage they needed one boundary an over.

 

[Pintu]

AFP: Sangakkara powers S.Lanka to T20 win over India

Sangakkara powers S.Lanka to T20 win over India

(AFP) – 5 hours ago

NAGPUR, India — Kumar Sangakkara smashed a career-best 78 off just 37 balls to set up Sri Lanka's 29-run win in the first Twenty20 international against India here on Wednesday.

Sangakkara smashed 11 fours and two sixes to help Sri Lanka amass 215-5 before Angelo Mathews and Sanath Jayasuriya picked two wickets each to restrict India to 186-9 in 20 overs at the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium.

The Indians were set back by the early dismissal of the explosive Virender Sehwag, caught at deep point off paceman Nuwan Kulasekara (1-36). His 14-ball 26 contained three fours and a six.

The in-form Gautam Gambhir (55) tried to counter-attack, hitting the second fastest Twenty20 half-century, off 19 balls, with the help of 11 fours, but fell while trying to paddle sweep Mathews in the ninth over.

Spurred by the key wicket of Gambhir, the islanders triggered a middle-order collapse to register their first win on the tour after losing the preceding Test series 2-0.

Sangakkara earlier played a captain's knock, putting on 74 runs in 6.1 overs for the second wicket with Tillakaratne Dilshan (34) after the visitors were put in to bat.

Sangakkara, 32, hit left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha for two fours and a six to race to his fourth half-century in his 19th Twenty20 international before being run out off the last ball of the innings.

Chamara Kapugedera further boosted the total with a quickfire 47 off 20 balls with seven boundaries and a six.

India paid the price for some sloppy fielding with Yuvraj Singh dropping a sitter at point when Jayasuriya (26) was on two, the unlucky bowler being Ishant Sharma.

But Jayasuriya, who slammed Ashish Nehra for five fours in an over, could not make the most of the reprieve, with Ishant taking a fine catch off debutant Ashok Dinda.

Dilshan, dropped on 13 by Ishant off his own bowling, combined with Sangakkara to take Sri Lanka to 89-1 after 10 overs before being bowled by a yorker from Rohit Sharma.

India struck again to remove Mahela Jayawardene cheaply for nine but Kapugedera and Sangakkara made light of the setback, unleashing a flurry of hits to the fence to unsettle the Indians.

The second and final Twenty20 match will be played in Mohali on Saturday.

 

[Pintu]

Score Update Cricbuzz link :

http://www.cricbuzz.com/livecricketscore/2009/2009_IND_SL/IND_SL_DEC09/scorecard_frame.html

Regards

 

[Pintu]

Something "funny and fishy" about dropped catches: Dhoni - Top Stories - Sri Lanka in India, 2009 - Series & Tournaments - Cricket - Sports - The Times of India

Something "funny and fishy" about dropped catches: Dhoni
PTI 12 December 2009, 10:34pm IST

MOHALI: India captain M S Dhoni was clearly unhappy with the sloppy fielding by his side for the second consecutive game but said there was "something funny and fishy" in Saturday's T20 International as Sri Lanka were also not at their best in that department of the game.

"Had we taken those catches the Sri Lankan scoreboard would have been different. We would not have chased down 200-plus, its a big total," Dhoni said after India spank Sri Lanka by six wickets in the second and final Twenty20 International to level the T20 series 1-1.

"There is something funny and fishy. Sri Lanka also dropped catches, missed run out chances. May be the crowd, ground or the light any cricketer at this level should have taken those catches," he added.

Dhoni said the difference between the Indian performance in Nagpur and here was that every batsman found the groove soon after one was out.

"It was a good batting track but the important thing was that we got a good start with Virender Sehwag giving us the platform. But after that those coming in found the groove. When Gambhir was out I could keep the pace and when Sehwag was out Yuvraj scored at a brisk pace," said the Indian captain.

He said if India are to become world champions again in T20 and ODIs, bowling and fielding will have to be improved.

"We need to improve in bowling, not merely in T20 but in ODIs also. Because chasing 200-plus in T20 is not ideal. The same in ODIs. We have the firepower in batting."

Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara conceded his side did not take the chances that came their way but gave credit to the Indian batsmen for their fine show.

"200-plus was a big score. I thought 206 was a winning total. But the dropped catches and run out misses we did not take our chances. But played really well. Virender Sehwag started well and then Dhoni and Yuvraj finished the game," he said.

He thought Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando bowled well but as the Indians gradually took the game away from them.

"Malinga and Fernando bowled well. We did well in the first six overs but after that it was more of a containment. Moreover we did not take the chances," rued the visiting captain.

Birthday boy and man of the match Yuvraj Singh termed Saturday's innings of 60 not out from just 25 balls as the best innings under India colours.

"I have not done well so today's innings is the best. I am happy that I could do well in front of my home crowd. The track was good better than in Nagpur," said Yuvraj, who belongs to nearby Chandigarh.

"I played to my strength today playing straight most of the time," added Yuvraj who turns 28 today.

Asked about any birthday celebrations later in the night, Yuvraj quipped "no party tonight".

 

[Pintu]

AFP: Birthday boy Yuvraj leads India to record T20 win

Birthday boy Yuvraj leads India to record T20 win

(AFP) – 5 hours ago

MOHALI, India — Yuvraj Singh took 3-23 and smashed an unbeaten 60 off 25 balls on his 28th birthday as India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets on Saturday to draw the two-match Twenty20 series 1-1.

India, who lost the first match in Nagpur on Wednesday by 29 runs, chased down Sri Lanka's challenging 206-7 with five balls to spare at the Punjab Cricket Association ground here.

It was the highest successful chase in the shortest form of the game, surpassing South Africa's 208-2 against the West Indies in the World Twenty20 in Johannesburg in September 2007.

Virender Sehwag set up the record run spree with 64 off 36 balls with seven boundaries and three sixes, and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni chipped in with a quick fire 46.

But Yuvraj took the game away from the Sri Lankans with five sixes, the last off Angelo Mathews clinching the match for the hosts.

India, set a stiff target of 10.4 runs an over under lights, made a rollicking start when Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir hammered 58 for the first wicket by the sixth over.

Gambhir was run out for 21 attempting a third run, but Dhoni joined Sehwag to add 50 in 30 balls for the second wicket.

Yuvraj plundered 23 runs in the 16th over bowled by seamer Nuwan Kulasekara, which included two sixes and two boundaries.

Sri Lanka's innings was boosted by a captain's knock from Kumar Sangakkara, who made 59 from 31 balls after winning the toss and electing to bat.

The left-hander, who hit a superb 78 off 37 balls in Nagpur, smashed eight boundaries and two sixes.

Chinthaka Jayasinghe made 38 from 28 balls and Angelo Mathews hit an unbeaten 26, including a six off the last ball of the innings from seamer Ashish Nehra.

Sangakkara and veteran Sanath Jayasuriya plundered 81 in 39 balls for the second wicket after danger man Tillakaratne Dilshan was bowled by Ishant Sharma for one in the second over.

Jayasuriya made 31 off 21 balls with five fours and a six.

Sangakkara fell in the 11th over when he holed out in the deep off Yuvraj, the first of three wickets for the left-arm spinner.

The two teams will now play five one-day internationals starting in Rajkot on Tuesday.

India had won the preceding Test series 2-0 to go on top of the official world rankings.

 

[Pintu]

Scoreboard Update , cricinfo link :

India 211/4 (19.1 ov, Yuvraj Singh 60*, KD Karthik 4*, AD Mathews 0/49) - Match over | Live Scorecard | Cricinfo.com

cricbuzz link:

http://www.cricbuzz.com/livecricketscore/2009/2009_IND_SL/IND_SL_DEC12/scorecard_frame.html

Regards

 

[Pintu]

The Press Association: India edge thrilling one-dayer

India edge thrilling one-dayer

(UKPA) – 1 hour ago

India secured a three-run victory in a thrilling finish to the first one-day international against Sri Lanka in Rajkot.

Virender Sehwag hammered 146 off 102 deliveries and featured in century partnerships with Sachin Tendulkar (69) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (72) as India finished on 414 for seven.

Sri Lanka replied in similar style with Tillakaratne Dilshan smashing 160 and contributing to substantial stands with Upul Tharanga (67) and Kumar Sangakkara (90). Thilina Kandamby (24) and Angelo Mathews (38) got Sri Lanka close, but the home side sneaked to victory by restricting the visitors to 411 for eight.

South Africa hold the record for the highest successful run chase, scoring 438 for nine in reply to Australia's 434 in Johannesburg in March 2006.

Sri Lanka's response was just as brutal as India's innings had been earlier as Dilshan and Tharanga kept pace with the required run rate. The visitors put on 188 for the opening wicket before Tharanga was stumped by Dhoni off part-time spinner Suresh Raina.

Sangakkara was dropped by Harbhajan Singh on 58 and went on to add 128 for the second wicket until he mistimed a pull off Praveen Kumar and ended up presenting Ravindra Jadeja at deep square leg with a simple catch.

Sri Lanka needed a further 99 from 81 deliveries at that stage, but Harbhajan, who had conceded only 17 from his first five overs, removed Sanath Jayasuriya and Dilshan in quick succession to bring India back into contention.

Mahela Jayawardene was run out cheaply, but Kandamby and Mathews put the chase back on track with a 56-run stand for the sixth wicket.

Kandamby was then run out and Thilan Samaraweera followed him back to the pavilion, leaving Sri Lanka needing 11 off the last over. Ashish Nehra conceded only seven and claimed the wicket of Mathews as Sri Lanka fell agonisingly short.

In the morning, India slipped from 309 for one to 352 for six - but Virat Kohli (27) and Jadeja (30 not out) scored what proved to be vital runs down the order.

 

[Pintu]

AFP: India stop Sri Lanka in high-scoring thriller

India stop Sri Lanka in high-scoring thriller

(AFP) – 3 hours ago

RAJKOT, India — India overcame a brilliant century by Tillakaratne Dilshan to defeat Sri Lanka by three runs in a dramatic start to the five-match one-day series on Tuesday.

Dilshan made 160 off 124 balls as the tourists made a spirited effort to surpass India's highest one-day total of 414-7, before falling agonisingly short in a high-scoring thriller.

Sri Lanka were on their way to recording the second highest run chase in one-day history when they began the penultimate over needing 15 to win off the last 12 balls with five wickets in hand.

But pace spearhead Zaheer Khan conceded just four runs and seamer Ashish Nehra gave away seven runs in the final over to seal India's win.

Three wickets fell in the last two overs, including that of Thilina Kandamby (24) and Angelo Mathews (38), to end Sri Lanka's desperate bid to record a famous win.

The biggest chase in one-day history stands in the name of South Africa, who made 438-9 to defeat Australia at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on March 12, 2006.

Earlier, Virender Sehwag smashed 146 off 102 balls on a ground with shorter boundaries as India surpassed their previous one-day record of 413-5 against Bermuda in the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.

Sri Lanka made a spectacular chase of the daunting target as Dilshan and Upul Tharanga (67) hammered 188 for the first wicket in 24 overs.

Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara propelled Sri Lanka further with a blistering 90 off 43 balls that contained 10 fours and five sixes.

Sangakkara and Dilshan added 128 for the second wicket from just 75 balls to lift the tourists to a comfortable 316-1 by the 37th over, when India hit back with four wickets in the space of 29 runs.

Sangakkara was caught on the square-leg fence off seamer Praveen Kumar, before off-spinner Harbhajan Singh had Sanath Jayasuriya stumped and then bowled danger man Dilshan in successive overs.

Mahela Jayawardena was run out for three attempting a second run, but Thilina Kandamby and Mathews put on 56 for the sixth wicket to keep the tourists' hopes alive.

The swashbuckling Sehwag hit 17 boundaries and six sixes after the tourists won the toss and elected to field in good batting conditions.

The fifth-highest total in one-day cricket was fuelled by a blazing opening stand of 153 in 20 overs by Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar.

Tendulkar, the world's leading Test and one-day batsman, made 69 off 63 balls with 10 fours and a six before he was bowled by Dilhara Fernando.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni continued the batting feast as he added 156 for the second wicket with Sehwag, before both batsmen fell in successive overs.

Dhoni hit seven boundaries and three sixes in 72 off 53 balls.

The second match will be played in Nagpur on Friday.

India had won the preceding Test series 2-0 and both teams won one Twenty20 international each.

 

[Pintu]

Scoreboard :

Cricbuzz link :

http://live1.cricbuzz.com/livecricketscore/2009/2009_IND_SL/IND_SL_DEC15/scorecard_frame.html


Regards