Every year the IPL begins on a politically controversial note. Elections, state issues, cultural misgivings — politicians and political parties leave no stone unturned to derive mileage. We hope cricket is consciously kept away from it and pursued only for the love of the sport.
Every year the IPL begins on a politically controversial note. Elections, state issues, cultural misgivings — politicians and political parties leave no stone unturned to derive mileage. We hope cricket is consciously kept away from it and pursued only for the love of the sport.
CHENNAI: "Goal for this season? We'd love to go and win the IPL in Kolkata." Clean, crisp and sharp, the answer shows qualities that definitely define Michael Hussey's style. "They ( Kolkata Knight Riders) came and beat us to win the title on our home ground last year, so to go and win it there at the Eden Gardens would make it a sweet victory," he adds.
CHENNAI: "Goal for this season? We'd love to go and win the IPL in Kolkata." Clean, crisp and sharp, the answer shows qualities that definitely define Michael Hussey's style. "They ( Kolkata Knight Riders) came and beat us to win the title on our home ground last year, so to go and win it there at the Eden Gardens would make it a sweet victory," he adds.
KOLKATA: His five-year stint in IPL was marked by the odd brilliant performance and an overdose of controversy --- not necessarily fuelled by him. It was hardly a memorable journey for Sourav Ganguly in the high-profile T20 tournament, but IPL-6 will surely be poorer without his presence on the field.
KOLKATA: His five-year stint in IPL was marked by the odd brilliant performance and an overdose of controversy --- not necessarily fuelled by him. It was hardly a memorable journey for Sourav Ganguly in the high-profile T20 tournament, but IPL-6 will surely be poorer without his presence on the field.
KOLKATA: With the four-foreigners rule in place, some of the best players from abroad have to often sit out of IPL matches. England batsman Eoin Morgan, who conceded that "it can be frustrating at times", was quick to remind that one needs to look around and see the bigger picture.
KOLKATA: With the four-foreigners rule in place, some of the best players from abroad have to often sit out of IPL matches. England batsman Eoin Morgan, who conceded that "it can be frustrating at times", was quick to remind that one needs to look around and see the bigger picture.
MUMBAI: Ricky Ponting seems to be busier after retirement. Soon after taking off his Baggy Green in December last year, Ponting got busy playing the Big Bash for Hobart Hurricanes, followed by a hectic season for his favourite team Tasmania.
He's now in India to lead the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, then will head to Surrey for a two-month stint, followed by the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) that has signed him as one of its marquee international cricketers. Just in case he ends up leading MI into the knockouts, the Champions League later this year will require him to be on duty for another two weeks.
MUMBAI: Ricky Ponting seems to be busier after retirement. Soon after taking off his Baggy Green in December last year, Ponting got busy playing the Big Bash for Hobart Hurricanes, followed by a hectic season for his favourite team Tasmania.
He's now in India to lead the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, then will head to Surrey for a two-month stint, followed by the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) that has signed him as one of its marquee international cricketers. Just in case he ends up leading MI into the knockouts, the Champions League later this year will require him to be on duty for another two weeks.
LONDON: The Champions League tie between Bayern Munich and Juventus is the outstanding pairing of the round but there are glittering jewels - and duels - to savour everywhere in the quarterfinals of Europe's elite soccer competition this week.
LONDON: The Champions League tie between Bayern Munich and Juventus is the outstanding pairing of the round but there are glittering jewels - and duels - to savour everywhere in the quarterfinals of Europe's elite soccer competition this week.
It's tough getting to the top. It's tougher staying there. For Kolkata Knight Riders, talent and turmoil had walked hand in hand the first four seasons of the Indian Premier League, but they finally got it right last year. But, then, having tamed the demons within and having reached the pinnacle of the world's richest and raciest T20 league, Shah Rukh Khan's men will now be under a different kind of pressure.
It's tough getting to the top. It's tougher staying there. For Kolkata Knight Riders, talent and turmoil had walked hand in hand the first four seasons of the Indian Premier League, but they finally got it right last year. But, then, having tamed the demons within and having reached the pinnacle of the world's richest and raciest T20 league, Shah Rukh Khan's men will now be under a different kind of pressure.
Glenn Maxwell, Mumbai Indians | He is the million-dollar man of the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League. Mumbai Indians paid through their noses to get this Victorian to don the blue jersey. Maxwell made his mark in Australia's domestic circuit with a 19-ball half century against Tasmania two seasons ago. That whirlwind knock remains the fastest half-century effort in Australia's domestic history. Sure he can bat and is a flexible option for a skipper. He has the ability to adapt and bat at any position and under trying situations. If flexibility is Maxwell's USP, his off-spinners need to be more potent. A brilliant fielder, he can be an intoxicating package if he shows better shot selection.
Glenn Maxwell, Mumbai Indians | He is the million-dollar man of the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League. Mumbai Indians paid through their noses to get this Victorian to don the blue jersey. Maxwell made his mark in Australia's domestic circuit with a 19-ball half century against Tasmania two seasons ago. That whirlwind knock remains the fastest half-century effort in Australia's domestic history. Sure he can bat and is a flexible option for a skipper. He has the ability to adapt and bat at any position and under trying situations. If flexibility is Maxwell's USP, his off-spinners need to be more potent. A brilliant fielder, he can be an intoxicating package if he shows better shot selection.
A look back at the key performers and passages of play which led to India's whitewash of Australia in the 2012-13 Border Gavaskar Trophy.
1st Test, Day 2: Tendulkar rolls back the years
Sachin Tendulkar walked to the crease in the sixth over of India's first innings with the scorecard reading 12 for 2, in reply to Australia's 380, and buckled down to take the score to 182 for 3 by stumps. The early loss of the openers brought to the crease Tendulkar and he proceeded to hit three superbly-timed fours before the over was up. Tendulkar's innings was an extension of the stroke-filled 140 he made in the recent Irani Trophy, and was peppered with some excellent boundaries square of the wicket on both sides. This was vintage Tendulkar, rolling his wrists to caress the ball around the ground and playing forward with a solidity not seen for some time. Tendulkar combined for solid partnerships of 93 with Cheteshwar Pujara and 77 with Virat Kohli as India finished the second day 198 in arrears of Australia, Tendulkar batting on 71.
A look back at the key performers and passages of play which led to India's whitewash of Australia in the 2012-13 Border Gavaskar Trophy.
1st Test, Day 2: Tendulkar rolls back the years
Sachin Tendulkar walked to the crease in the sixth over of India's first innings with the scorecard reading 12 for 2, in reply to Australia's 380, and buckled down to take the score to 182 for 3 by stumps. The early loss of the openers brought to the crease Tendulkar and he proceeded to hit three superbly-timed fours before the over was up. Tendulkar's innings was an extension of the stroke-filled 140 he made in the recent Irani Trophy, and was peppered with some excellent boundaries square of the wicket on both sides. This was vintage Tendulkar, rolling his wrists to caress the ball around the ground and playing forward with a solidity not seen for some time. Tendulkar combined for solid partnerships of 93 with Cheteshwar Pujara and 77 with Virat Kohli as India finished the second day 198 in arrears of Australia, Tendulkar batting on 71.
Sepang: Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel stormed to victory in a thrilling Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday, leading a Red Bull one-two ahead of team mate Mark Webber in a race packed with intrigue, incident and plenty of bad blood. The Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg crossed the line in unison 12 seconds behind Vettel, while last year's winner Fernando Alonso crashed out on the second lap when his damaged front wing buckled under the Ferrari's chassis.
Sepang: Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel stormed to victory in a thrilling Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday, leading a Red Bull one-two ahead of team mate Mark Webber in a race packed with intrigue, incident and plenty of bad blood. The Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg crossed the line in unison 12 seconds behind Vettel, while last year's winner Fernando Alonso crashed out on the second lap when his damaged front wing buckled under the Ferrari's chassis.
