Ask Cricket

Why we call him Gentleman?

2009-06-24T18:39:00.003+05:30

Why we call Sachin Tendulkar a Gentleman?

Pietersen is impressed with Yuvaraj

2009-06-05T18:17:00.007+05:30

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen is impressed by the likes of Yuvraj Singh and feels players like him are taking Twenty20 cricket to the next level.

"There are a number of players taking T20 to the next level. I think all-rounders have the most to offer in T20 cricket," Pietersen said.

"I'm impressed by the likes of Yuvraj Singh of India - and other guys who can hit sixes, take wickets and generally field well," said the South Africa-born batsman who led Bangalore Royal Challengers for a while in the recently concluded Indian premier league

Pietersen considers West Indies captain Chris Gayle as the most destructive batsman in Twenty20 cricket.

"I rate Chris Gayle very highly - quite simply because his batting can tear apart even the best bowling. When he is in the groove, he is practically unstoppable. It's scary to watch him in full flight," he was quoted as saying by The Sun.

Among bowlers, Pietersen rated Brett Lee, Dale Steyn and Fidel Edwards as the toughest.

"The likes of Lee, Edwards and Steyn are probably the toughest bowlers. They are world-class pace bowlers and are difficult to face across all forms of the game and certainly no easier in T20," he said.

The former skipper hoped his England team-mates Stuart Broad and Ravi Bopara would shine in the Twenty20 World Cup.

"I think Stuart Broad and Ravi Bopara could really come to the fore in this tournament. They're very exciting players on the rise in world cricket," said the 28-year-old.

Pietersen also felt with England hosting the tournament, they have a real chance of winning the title.

"And the fact we are playing in our own backyard is a real advantage for England. We certainly know how to handle the conditions and we usually play pretty well on our home grounds.

"I would never discount us from doing well in the contest. The calibre of our players means we're in with a very good chance," he said.

Sourav Ganguly - New roll as a commentator

2009-06-04T14:50:00.001+05:30

India's most successful captain Sourav Ganguly start a new innings post-retirement. It will be behind the microphone, as expert analyst for the ICC World Twenty20 , commencing in England on Saturday.

As per a deal with ESPN-STAR Sports, Ganguly will be part of a commentary panel that includes Ian Chappell, Ian Bishop, Wasim Akram, Sanjay Manjrekar, Harsha Bhogle and Nasser Hussain.

Ganguly, who will begin his stint with the channel from the semi-final stage, said he is excited about his new role, which also comprises interacting with his former teammates.

"I look forward to interviewing my erstwhile teammates. I am very excited about my new role as the ICC World Twenty20 is the biggest event for an analyst like me and I look forward to the semi-finals and the final where I will be commencing my stint with ESS," he said.

R C Venkateish, Managing Director, ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd. said Ganguly's uncanny ability to read match situations made him fit for the job.

2009-06-02T14:12:00.005+05:30

New

Rajasthan is in top in earning from IPL-2009

2009-05-27T10:31:00.003+05:30

Rajasthan has earned a highest profit of Rs. 35.1 crore despite they lost before semifinals. Another team Kings XI Punjab failed to earn a spot in semifinal is on second place with total earning of Rs. 26.1 Crores. The costliest team in the IPL Mumbai Indians did not able to make it to semifinals and may be lack of supporters is on the bottom of table in terms of earning with just 7.0 crore.

This year all franchisees have made the profit compare to last year just two franchisees (KKR and RR)

Table of Income and Expenses.

Income	RR	CSK	KKR	KXIP	DDD	M I	RCB	DC
Broadcasting	67.5	67.5	67.5	67.5	67.5	67.5	67.5	67.5
Sponsership	24.0	24.0	24.0	24.0	24.0	24.0	24.0	24.0
Misc Income	14.2	18.5	18.9	14.3	14.7	14.0	13.5	13.5
Prize Money	0.7	1.2	0.4	0.8	1.2	0.5	2.25	4.5
Total Income	106.4	111.2	110.8	106.6	107.4	106.0	107.25	109.5

Expenses

Franchisee Fee	30.8	41.9	34.5	35.5	35.0	38.6	51.5	49.2
Players	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0
Misc Exp	20.5	27.5	30.5	25.5	25.5	27.5	27.5	25.5
Total Exp	71.3	89.4	85.0	80.5	84.1	99.0	99.1	94.7
Profit	35.1	21.8	25.8	26.1	23.3	7.0	8.15	14.8

* All amounts are in Rs. Crore

* Misc Income - Tickets sell, Advt in stadium, sell of merchandise, media tie-ups included

* Misc exp - Stadium rent, touring, accomodation and team promotion included.

Phone call : shanie , the bookie and KKR

2009-05-23T15:15:00.000+05:30

A bookie calls Shane Warne before the match between Kolkata KnightRiders and Rajasthan Royals.

Cell phone rings. Warne picks up.

Warne : hello
Bookie : I am ….... Here.
Warne : yes tell me
Bookie : how is the pitch
Warne : ya dry and good for batting
Bookie : I want u to loose today’s match
Warne : impossible
Bookie : I will pay u $200,000
Warne : will be difficult to make KKR win.
Bookie : I will pay u $250,000
Warne : May be I could help you by reducing the margin… u tell by what margin we should win… will be much more easier
Bookie : no KKR should win
Warne : OK. I will try my best
Bookie : no make it.
Warne : OK.
Bookie : what will be the score
Warne : 200, if we bat first
Bookie : no make it 120
Warne : Impossible. Agarkar and Kartik are playing.
Bookie : 120 no change.
Warne : I will try
Bookie : OK. If KKR bat first
Warne : 110
Bookie : no make it 175
Warne : no u are asking too much. Ganguli is playing.
Bookie : OK make it $300,000
Warne : This would be the toughest match in my life
Bookie : OK, deal is made.
Warne : yes
Bookie : bye.
Match starts KKR bats first. KKR score only 120 in 20 overs. During the lunch break Shane’s cell rings.

Warne : hello
Bookie : its me. why did KKR score only 120. Our deal was 175.
Warne : What can I do ? They run one when they could run three, defend full toss, get out on wide balls, all catches and shots… I mean, if there is any… exactly directed to the fielders. But I will tell you this, Knight Riders are too good at this , I tried re-arranging the field…but they never miss a fielder.
Bookie : still u could bowl more no-balls. We got only 53 extras.
Warne : I asked all my bowlers to bowl badly. I also made Smith and Asnodkar bowl.
Bookie : Okay… leave that… I want u to loose the match.
Warne : I will try.
Bookie : Rajasthan Royals should be all out for 110
Warne : OK.
Bookie : bye.
Rajasthan Royals bats. They are making a serious attempt to not hit the ball and if at all they hit trying their best to hit to the fielders. They try to run only singles for doubles. But sometimes, they can’t stop themselves from running.
All Rajasthan Royals batsmen charged down to Kartik’s bowling and they purposely miss the ball hoping at least one
would hit the stumps. But they got to run a bye for that as McCullum is still searching for the ball . Inspite of the bad display of batting, they score 118 of 19 overs. Last over, 3 runs
required, the worst part is that its an Agarkar over. Warne is batting with Carseldine. Bookie gets really furious.

Warne is ready to face the last over his cell rings (he plays with his cell).
Warne : hello
Bookie : its me! . What are you upto ?
Warne : We tried the best we could
Bookie : OK forget it. I want u to loose the match
Warne : what can I do. Fate !!! Agarkar is bowling
Bookie : I don’t know… u are loosing

Agarkar bowls… Warne tries to hide his bat behind his back. But the ball hits the bat and goes to third man. So they take a single.
(cell rings)
Warne : sorry what can I do I was hiding my bat but still the ball comes and hit my bat. If I play much worse than this everybody will find out.
Bookie : (gets really tensed). OK I can understand. But please don’t take last two runs.

Warne talks to Carseldine. Agarkar bowls… a juicy full toss. Carseldine uses all his batting skills to restrict that one to a single. Scores are level.
(cell rings)
Bookie : OK. Past is past. Atleast finish it in a tie. I don’t know what u are going to do u are not taking a single or u give u’r bat to the umpire.
Warne : OK. OK. Don’t worry this time I will! see to it we are not taking the single. Let it be obvious also. I am not taking the single.

Agarkar bowls, unfortunately he bowls a no ball. RR wins the match.
Bookie goes mad and Shane warne faints in the field itself

Moral – With a team like KKR, who needs to fix a match =))

Validity of Run

2009-05-22T19:52:00.002+05:30

Many a time we have seen that a batsman while running for run, he losses control over his bat and there is no contact between the batsman and the bat. Still he runs. The completed run is allowed.

Here my question is : whether that run is valid ?

when we refer following laws, and though nowhere in the law it is mentioned that runs should be completed only with the bat in the hand, I think such runs should not be allowed.

Reference:

PAGE NO	LAW NO	DESCRIPTION
11	2.7	The player acting as a runner for a batsman shall carry a bat
20	6.3(a)	Reference to the bat shall imply that the bat is held by the batsman
98	APPENDIX D	Implements of the game: Implement of the game includes bat.
101	--do--	THE BAT : The hand(or hands) holding the bat.
101	--do--	Equipment : a batsman's equipment is his bat
101	--do--	PERSON : A player's person , in case of a batsman, his bat

Referring the above, I think my contention will get some discussion or justice. Wherever referred to batsman/runner, the word bat appears as a must. So while running also, the batsman/runner shall have contact with his bat throughout the act of making and completing the run/runs.

Free Hit

2009-05-22T19:52:00.001+05:30

Day by day the rules of games are being amended. Cricket also one such game where rules are being amended.

Under Law 24: NO BALL, a new rule has been added as playing condition in limited overs match. That is FREE HIT.

Free Hit is a benefit given to batting side for the mistake of the bowling side, especially by the bowler bowling No Ball due to foot fault.

For Free Hit, Only dismissals which are not credited to bowler are allowed. They are HIT THE BALL TWICE, HANDLED THE BALL, OBSTRUCTING THE FIELD and RUN OUT. The ball bowled by the bowler which is free hit, will be considered as one of the legitimate delivery of that over, unless that ball is another no ball or wide ball.

The signal shown by the bowler's end umpire for this Free Hit is quite interesting:

The Umpire raises one of his hand ( Usually right hand) above the head and shows a circle signal with index fingure open.

Concentration

2009-05-21T13:41:00.003+05:30

Concentration

Concentration is a word which is most required in each and every one's life in any matter.

here is one in respect of a sport.

I am a State Qualified Cricket Umpire from Karnataka.

I was officiating as umpire in a match between BUCC and Socials during 80's which is a major tournament conducted by The State Cricket Association.

Mr.Rahul Dravid and his friend Mr.Fazal Khaleel were batting with Rahul Dravid being Striker. I was at the Striker's end ( Square Leg end Umpire ).

During those days an umpire was counting the balls bowled either with marble or coins. I was using one rupee coin to count. Those days umpires were in the habit of wearing white coat too with big pockets. i was putting coins from right pocket to left pocket. Every time i put the coin, light sound was coming.

Suddenly Mr. Rahul Dravid who was the striker, came to me and politely requested me that he is hearing that sound which is disturbing his concentration. I was bit surprised and at the same time i was bit happy to about him regarding his concentration as well mine to improve the same in my umpiring career.

Today the same player has earned world record in the same game with high concentration.

Congrats Mr. Rahul Dravid.

Courtsey : Mr. Nagraj Sanameshwar, Karnataka State Cricket Association's qualified Umpire and Scorer on BCCI panel

Chris Lewis found guilty in smuggling of cocaine

2009-05-20T19:42:00.000+05:30

Chris Lewis, the former England all rounder has been found guilty for smuggling cocaine. 41 year old Chris Lewis was arrested last year in December.He was carrying cans of fruit juice in which the custom officials have found cocaine and was arrested. The total value of the haul is estimated at £140,000, yet while Lewis told the jury he smoked cannabis while in St Lucia, he said he was "completely innocent" of knowingly smuggling in drugs to the country.

Angus frazer his former team mate said its sad incident and when Chris Lewis was playing he was used to buy only good things but since his cricket career is over the source of income has been reduced.

Kolkatta spoiled the party of Rajasthan

2009-05-20T19:35:00.000+05:30

Kolkatta have spoiled the party of Rajasthan. Kolkatta defeated Rajasthan by 4 wickets. Laxmi Ratan Shukla played a brilliant inning of 48. It means last year's champions will have to pack their bags to home now.

They scored 101-9 in their alloted 20 overs. None of the batsman able to capitalize after getting start and their poor performance with the bat is continued.

Racism controversy hits Kinght Riders

2009-05-13T13:38:00.003+05:30

Ajay Jadeja, a former cricketer told a TV channel yesterday that he had evidence and information from an Indian player in the KKR team who was racially discriminated by Andy Bichel, the bowling coach of the team. John Buchanan is their main coach. TV channels are claiming that player is Ajit Agarkar.

He was asked to come off the field and when he asked why, one of the KKR coaches told him, ‘You bloody Indian, you do what I ask you to do.”

KKR was hit earlier by many controversies including four captains theory and then bashing at senior cricket expert, Sunil Gavaskar by owner Shahrukh Khan. John Buchanan given all the rights during this season has dismissed Sourav Ganguly from Captaincy.

No wonder, they are out of this tournament and their presence is sheer formality. This season was nightmare for them.

It has been proven after two incidents, Indian cricketers are not comfortable with aussies. Greg Chappel and John Buchanan both had let down their team. Similarity between Greg Chappel and John Buchanan, thier team didnt qualify even in second stage. In World Cup 2007, India's jinx has been ended in 1st round under coaching of Greg Chappel and in IPL 2009, KKR couldnt give a single hope of qualifying for a semi final.

Mr. Shahrukh Khan - Jaago !! (be alert!!) get new coach but not an aussie. There are many free former players who are capable of coaching. Atleast you wont be having these much negative controversies.

Unsung heroes of the IPL 2009

2009-05-12T13:49:00.002+05:30

Pragyan Ojha

Pragyan Ojha had made his impact in IPL 2009 with taking 11 wickets from 9 games.

His Record
Matches - 9
Wickets - 11
Economy Rate - 5.94
Average - 18.02

With such a good economy rate and where bowlers are bound to hit by the batsmen he managed it well and proved his part many times in the DC team. He is not afraid to bowl flighted deliveries and purchasing some turn from the South African pitches.

Shadab Jakati

Goa's slow left arm spinner, playing from Chennai Super Kings has taken 9 wickets from 5 matches so far.

Pinch Hitter or Night Watchman?

2009-05-11T10:50:00.000+05:30

We see a lot of pinch hitters coming at no.3 when team need to score at higher strike rate. But it will be surprising to see who has started it? I remember one incident in 1989 India hosted Nehru Cup. In 9th match of the series at Kanpur against England, India won the toss and put England into bat. England scored 255/7 in 50 overs. It was tough score to surpass then. India had lost both the openers, Raman Lamba and K. Srikanth at the score of 65. With asking rate climbing over 6 it was very difficult situation to reach to the target. But with all surprises Captain, K Srikanth sent Chetan Sharma at no.4. Commentators were all in surprise. They didnt have word even for this situation. They knew that lower order or tailender batsman coming at no. 3 or 4 would be called night watchman in tests. But they didnt had a word for ODIs then.

Proving his captain's trust, Chetan Sharma scored his 1st and only ODI century and take India to home. In 1989 strike rate of about 75 was considered good but Chetan Sharma scored his 100 in just 96 balls and guided India to a victory.

I think this was the first ever incident when pinch hitter was used.

Do you agree with John Buchanan for more International players in IPL?

2009-05-08T13:38:00.000+05:30

John Buchanan has said that there should be more International players in IPL.

John Buchanan forgot that it is a IPL - Indian Premier League and not International Premier League. BCCI has started this league to counter with ICL. Though its main objective is to earn money but still it is started to find young talent of India and to motivate them.

Looking at Kolkatta Knight Rider's performance in both the season it has been clear that Mr. Buchanan is not able to create any enthusiasm or any instinct in players.

Lets see Kolkatta Knight Rider's performance in both the IPL till date

Performance in first IPL

Kolkatta was placed 6th in IPL 2008, They started well with win over Vijay Malya's team Royal Challengers Bangalore but then failed to capitalize and then they started losing. Shahrukh Khan, the owner of Kolkatta Knight Riders had attended almost all the matches when Kolkatta played.

Captain - Sourav Ganguly
Matches Played - 14
Won - 6
Lost - 7
No Result - 1
Highest team Score - 222
Highest individual score - 158* (McCullum)

Overall points they got - 13

The fourth semifinalist team was Delhi Daredevils and their total points were 15.
They lost the semifinal place with just 2 points. McCullum played only 1st part of the IPL-2008.
Chris Gayle was injured so he didnt play a single match.

Now lets see the performance in IPL-2009 (records till 7/5/2009)

Captain - Brendon McCullum
Matches played - 9
Won - 1
Lost - 7
No Result - 1
Highest Team Score - 154/3
Highest Individual Score - 73* (Bradd Hodge)

Overall Points - 3

Even after scoring 154/3 their tournament's highest total they lost the match. They put down a lot of catches. They missed many run out chances. Their fielding was sloppy. Shahrukh Khan has spent 300 crores on team. He is paying John Buchanan a handsome amount. That is almost 4-5 crores. With dismal performance of Kolkatta, Shahrukh Khan had to come back home saying " Unless Kolkatta start winning he will not return to South Africa". Given all the authority and all the powers to John Buchanan he removed Sourav Ganguly from captaincy. I doubt he wanted him to be in team like his Austrlian fellow Greg Chappell. John Buchanan used all the International players more than Indian players. Still their performance in this tournament is pathetic so far.

Now Buchanan is asking for more International players in format.

He should look at Rajasthan team. Where all the Indian players are contributing. Yusuf Pathan, when seleted to IPL-2008, he had just one international match (T20I - World Cup final against Pak) on his name. Ravindra Jadeja, U-19 at that time had no international experience. Munaf Patel was struggling to get the place in Indian team. Mohd Kaif, sacked from Indian team. Rest all players were unknown in the circuit. He had few international players like Sohail Tanvir, who joined in second part of the IPL-2008. Shane Watson starred in that tournament. Mascarenhas didnt get much opportunities. Still they managed to win the torunament, courtsey Shane Warne's inspiring captaincy. Watson's all round performance and some heroic performances from Yusuf Pathan, Ravindra Jadeja, Sohail Tanvir, Munaf Patel and Niraj Patel.

If you look at their performance in current tournament they are still one of the main contender for the semi final spot. This time they dont have Shane Watson and Sohail Tanvir and yet they are performing very well. Yusuf Pathan once again giving them many memorable wins. In last two matches Amit Singh took 8 wickets. Ravindra Jadeja contributing with both bat and bowl.
Kamran Khan, out of action right now due to suspicious bowling action, he has performed well. Munaf Patel at the death producing some super spells.

Mr. Buchanan its not compulsory that you can win with only foreign players, take some coaching tips from Shane Warne.

Sachin's Rare Pics

2009-05-07T15:40:00.002+05:30

I would like to share Sachin's rare and vintage pics to Sachin Fans.

Biography:

Name: Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar

Birth Date : April 24, 1973

Birth Place: Bombay (Now Mumbai), Maharashtra, India

Nick Name: Little Master and Tendlya

Height: 5' 5"

This is the pic when Sachin was teen

Sachin's Baby Pic

Sachin's Record

Test:

Matches : 159 (Indian Record)
Innings : 261
Not outs : 27
Runs : 12773 (World Record)
Highest : 248*
Batting Avg : 54.58
100s : 42 (World Record)
50s : 52
Catches : 102
Wickets : 44
Bowling Avg : 51.63

Sachin made his test debut on 15th November, 1989 at Karachi against Pakistan. In his very first match, he faced fast bowlers like Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Imran Khan. Not to forget Abdul Qadir the dangerous spinner of that time. We can assume Tendulkar's greatness, he was only 16 when he made his Test debut. Tendulkar was hit on the mouth bythe delivery of Waqar Younis. Any other batsman would have left the field but Sachin has continued his batting with a blood-soaked shirt.
He scored 15 in first inning and did not bat in second of the first test of his career. I remember the match against Pakistan though that match was just a exhibition limited overs match, when India required some 40+ runs in 2 overs and Kris Srikanth and Sachin Tendulkar was on the crease. Everyone expected to bat Srikanth as he was the hard hitter of that time.
But due surprise of all Sachin Tendulkar has blasted some 27 runs in one over of Abdul Qadir including 3 back to back sixes. That gave Sachin a lot of confidence and he hasnt looked back then.

Sachin's debut Match in Karachi

For more Sachin Tendulkar's Vintage pics click on www.askcricket.com/photos.html