Organised Daredevils take on struggling Supergiants

Match facts

Thursday, May 5, 2016
Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)

Big Picture

After losing their opening match in horrendous fashion, Delhi Daredevils have turned their season around. They have put in six impressive performances, winning five of them and losing one by a run. They have been led admirably by captain Zaheer Khan, whose creative field settings, mentorship and positivity have yielded rich dividends. That is to say nothing of his own bowling, which has been mostly spot on. As young batsmen like Karun Nair and Rishabh Pant find form, the team increasingly looks to have most bases covered.

The opposite is the case for Rising Pune Supergiants, who will make the trip to Feroz Shah Kotla for Thursday's encounter. Supergiants' campaign got off to a bright start, with a win over Mumbai Indians, but has rapidly gone off the rails and is now something of a shambles.

The bowling has been a weak link, with the pacers leaking runs and the lead spinner, R Ashwin, struggling to make an impact. The batting looked strong, but with the injuries to three of their five leading run-scorers - Kevin Pietersen, Faf du Plessis and Steven Smith - they have a massive hole to fill in that department as well. Having lost six of their eight matches so far, Supergiants are on the verge of entering do-or-die territory.

Meanwhile, it is worth keeping one eye on the battle of the captains. Zaheer had served as the leader of the pace attack for India under MS Dhoni. Now, for the first time, he has the chance to pit his captaincy wiles against his former captain. An innovative bowling leader - experienced, yet new to the job - will lock horns with a veteran who has led many a title-winning team.

Form guide

Delhi Daredevils WWLWW (last five matches, most recent first)
Rising Pune Supergiants LLWLL

In the spotlight

It is difficult to look past Zaheer Khan at the moment. He has combined figures of 4 for 48 in 7.3 overs in the last two matches, with his guile and penetration supplementing his returns. His captaincy seems to have rubbed off on his team. One feels that as long as Zaheer can continue to fire as bowler and as captain, Daredevils can continue to be greater than the sum of their parts.

In a team bereft of fast bowling options, Thisara Perera will have an increasingly important role to play. He has bowled well in patches, including towards the end, and his 13-ball 34 against Royal Challengers Bangalore displayed his usefulness with the bat. Supergiants need him to combine these facets consistently and become the go-to bowling allrounder they desperately yearn for.

Team news

After an impressive all-round bowling performance that set up a clinical eight-wicket win, Daredevils have little reason to change their XI.

Delhi Daredevils (probable): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Rishabh Pant, 3 Sanju Samson, 4 Karun Nair, 5 Sam Billings, 6 JP Duminy, 7 Chris Morris, 8 Amit Mishra, 9 Mohammad Shami, 10 Zaheer Khan (capt), 11 Shahbaz Nadeem

Usman Khawaja and George Bailey have joined the Supergiants set-up and are available for selection. Given Smith's injury and Peter Handscomb's unconvincing innings against Mumbai Indians, they might both slot into the playing XI.

Rising Pune Supergiants (probable): 1 Ajinkya Rahane, 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 Saurabh Tiwary, 4 George Bailey, 5 MS Dhoni (capt, wk), 6 Thisara Perera, 7 Rajat Bhatia, 8 Scott Boland, 9 R Ashwin, 10 M Ashwin, 11 Ashok Dinda

Pitch and conditions

The Feroz Shah Kotla tends to favour spinners and slow bowlers. Interestingly, the last three matches played at this venue have been won by the team batting first, bucking the overall trend of this IPL. Two of them, though, were afternoon matches. The evening match saw Gujarat Lions prevail over Daredevils by one run. Temperatures on Thursday are forecast to hit the late 30s. There is a possibility of scattered showers in the afternoon, but that shouldn't affect the match.

Stats and trivia

• Daredevils' opening stands amounted to 58 runs in their first 6 matches. In the last match, openers Quinton de Kock and Pant added 115
• Supergiants' economy rate of 8.14 is second best among all teams; their run rate of 8.38 is fourth

Sirish Raghavan is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Source :http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2016/content/story/1008191.html

India Chances To win WordlCup T20 2016

Friends i am great fan of Cricket and it is my passion as well.My dreams are become a cricketer and play cricket for my nation. But conditions are not so good in terms of financially .

I have played under 14 and under 16 for my school from D.AV. Sr . Sec School Chandigarh. Now Come to Indian Cricket. Now these days India team playing really cool and confident game. MS Dhoni is true leader of Indian Cricket .If your leader is strong from his thinking then your team will always motivated with you.

Past couple of years Indian Team Top in the ICC World rankings T20, One day and test matches Games. Youngster in Indian team are playing really cool .

India Team beast Australia in Australia 3-0 in T 20 games and it is complete white wash for them.They Beat Sir Lanka in T20 again after the 1 down in the series.

They Beat Bangladesh in Asia T20 match in their home. Virat Kohli , Shikar Dhawan, Suresh Raina they all is great form . As always Captain cool MS Dhoni the legend and finisher performing very well. Great new for Indian cricket that Yuvraj Singh give hints of his form is back and i hope he will continue with the same.

Now talked about middle order there is Sir Ravinder Jadega, Pandhya both are great finisher and All rounder. They both are contributing with ball , Bat and their fielding performances. We also have spin attach of experienced R. Ashwin and terminator Harbhjan Singh ( Bhajji) . As per my thinking if R. Ashwin bowled his 4 over and take 2-3 wickets in every match then no one stop team India to wind ICC T20 World cup 2016.

Now lets come to pace attack there s Ashish Nehra match winner and good hands of experience he have. At at age of 38 he is performing like a super man and his performance is improving in every match.

1 another fast bowler we have Jaspreet Bhumra and he have god gifted hand.His pace is around 150 miles per hour and swing ability for both the side give more attacking power.

At the end We all hope that as hosting Nation we will win this 2016 T20 world cup again.Best of Luck Team India.

ICC World T20 Complete Fixtures

Fixtures

DATE AND TIMEMATCHWEATHER

• Tue Mar 8 (20 ovs)15:00 local (09:30 GMT)
  1st Match, First Round Group B - Hong Kong v ZimbabweVidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, NagpurLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Tue Mar 8 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  2nd Match, First Round Group B - Afghanistan v ScotlandVidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, NagpurLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Wed Mar 9 (20 ovs)15:00 local (09:30 GMT)
  3rd Match, First Round Group A - Bangladesh v NetherlandsHimachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, DharamsalaLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Wed Mar 9 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  4th Match, First Round Group A - Ireland v OmanHimachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, DharamsalaLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Thu Mar 10 (20 ovs)15:00 local (09:30 GMT)
  5th Match, First Round Group B - Scotland v ZimbabweVidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, NagpurLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Thu Mar 10 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  6th Match, First Round Group B - Afghanistan v Hong KongVidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, NagpurLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Fri Mar 11 (20 ovs)15:00 local (09:30 GMT)
  7th Match, First Round Group A - Netherlands v OmanHimachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, DharamsalaLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Fri Mar 11 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  8th Match, First Round Group A - Bangladesh v IrelandHimachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, DharamsalaLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Sat Mar 12 (20 ovs)15:00 local (09:30 GMT)
  9th Match, First Round Group B - Afghanistan v ZimbabweVidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, NagpurLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Sat Mar 12 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  10th Match, First Round Group B - Hong Kong v ScotlandVidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, NagpurLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Sun Mar 13 (20 ovs)15:00 local (09:30 GMT)
  11th Match, First Round Group A - Ireland v NetherlandsHimachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, DharamsalaLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Sun Mar 13 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  12th Match, First Round Group A - Bangladesh v OmanHimachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, DharamsalaLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Tue Mar 15 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  13th Match, Super 10 Group 2 - India v New ZealandVidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, NagpurLIVE D/N
  22 - 35° C
• Wed Mar 16 (20 ovs)15:00 local (09:30 GMT)
  14th Match, Super 10 Group 2 - Bangladesh v PakistanEden Gardens, KolkataLIVE D/N
  22 - 34° C
• Wed Mar 16 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  15th Match, Super 10 Group 1 - England v West IndiesWankhede Stadium, MumbaiLIVE D/N
  23 - 31° C
• Thu Mar 17 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  16th Match, Super 10 Group 1 - Afghanistan v Sri LankaEden Gardens, KolkataLIVE D/N
  23 - 34° C
• Fri Mar 18 (20 ovs)15:00 local (09:30 GMT)
  17th Match, Super 10 Group 2 - Australia v New ZealandHimachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, DharamsalaLIVE D/N
  3 - 11° C
• Fri Mar 18 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  18th Match, Super 10 Group 1 - England v South AfricaWankhede Stadium, MumbaiLIVE D/N
  25 - 32° C
• Sat Mar 19 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  19th Match, Super 10 Group 2 - India v PakistanEden Gardens, KolkataLIVE D/N
  26 - 36° C
• Sun Mar 20 (20 ovs)15:00 local (09:30 GMT)
  20th Match, Super 10 Group 1 - Afghanistan v South AfricaWankhede Stadium, MumbaiLIVE D/N
  26 - 35° C
• Sun Mar 20 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  21st Match, Super 10 Group 1 - Sri Lanka v West IndiesM Chinnaswamy Stadium, BangaloreLIVE D/N
  23 - 37° C
• Mon Mar 21 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  22nd Match, Super 10 Group 2 - Australia v BangladeshM Chinnaswamy Stadium, BangaloreLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Tue Mar 22 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  23rd Match, Super 10 Group 2 - New Zealand v PakistanPunjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, ChandigarhLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Wed Mar 23 (20 ovs)15:00 local (09:30 GMT)
  24th Match, Super 10 Group 1 - Afghanistan v EnglandFeroz Shah Kotla, DelhiLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Wed Mar 23 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  25th Match, Super 10 Group 2 - India v BangladeshM Chinnaswamy Stadium, BangaloreLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Fri Mar 25 (20 ovs)15:00 local (09:30 GMT)
  26th Match, Super 10 Group 2 - Australia v PakistanPunjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, ChandigarhLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Fri Mar 25 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  27th Match, Super 10 Group 1 - South Africa v West IndiesVidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, NagpurLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Sat Mar 26 (20 ovs)15:00 local (09:30 GMT)
  28th Match, Super 10 Group 2 - Bangladesh v New ZealandEden Gardens, KolkataLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Sat Mar 26 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  29th Match, Super 10 Group 1 - England v Sri LankaFeroz Shah Kotla, DelhiLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Sun Mar 27 (20 ovs)15:00 local (09:30 GMT)
  30st Match, Super 10 Group 1 - Afghanistan v West IndiesVidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, NagpurLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Sun Mar 27 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  31th Match, Super 10 Group 2 - India v AustraliaPunjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, ChandigarhLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Mon Mar 28 (20 ovs)19:30 local (14:00 GMT)
  32nd Match, Super 10 Group 1 - South Africa v Sri LankaFeroz Shah Kotla, DelhiLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Wed Mar 30 (20 ovs)19:00 local (13:30 GMT)
  1st Semi-Final - TBC v TBCFeroz Shah Kotla, DelhiLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Thu Mar 31 (20 ovs)19:00 local (13:30 GMT)
  2nd Semi-Final - TBC v TBCWankhede Stadium, MumbaiLIVE D/N
  N/A
• Sun Apr 3 (20 ovs)19:00 local (13:30 GMT)
  Final - TBC v TBC (Reserve Day)Eden Gardens, KolkataLIVE D/N
  N/A

 No responsibility is taken by ESPNcricinfo for the accuracy of this information.

I have not been given enough chances - Raina

Suresh Raina has said he wants to establish himself as Test batsman, the only format in which he has not nailed down a spot in India's batting order. Raina, the only Indian to have scored a century in all three international formats, attributed his inability to cement a Test spot to his lack of opportunities.

"I have been doing consistently well in ODIs and T20s. Even in the IPL, I scored runs," Raina told Hindustan Times. "It's true that I didn't do well in three innings in Test cricket in 2012. It was the same story in 2015, but that doesn't mean I am not experienced enough to be in the Test side.

"I have not been given enough chances to prove my calibre as a Test cricketer. You can't judge a player on the basis of just one match after a hectic series of one-day and T20 games. I am not asking for five Test matches to prove myself. Give me two-three games. And if I don't perform, drop me forever."

Raina moves on from Rhiti Sports

Suresh Raina has changed management companies, moving to IOS Sports and Entertainment from Rhiti Sports, a firm launched by MS Dhoni's friend and in which the India captain had a 15% stake. Raina feels his decision to move on from Rhiti Sports will put an end to the conflict of interest allegations.

"I have signed a three-year deal with IOS Sports and Entertainment. I am happy to be associated with the new company. Above all, I am happy that there would be no conflict-of-interest under the BCCI system."

After scoring a century on Test debut in Colombo in 2010, Raina has played just 18 Tests spread over four stints. His maiden stint lasted eight matches, when he was dropped after the first Test in South Africa in 2010; he had made 32 runs in six innings.

He was drafted back into the side for India's three-Test series in the West Indies in 2011. In seven consecutive Tests - three in the Caribbean followed by four in England - he managed 337 runs in 13 innings at 25.92. Sandeep Patil then took over as the selection-panel chairman and the new committee moved on to consider Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane to fill the open slot in India's batting order.

Raina made a surprise comeback for the two-Test series in New Zealand in 2012 but made just 58 runs. His last comeback to the Test team was the most disastrous of all, a pair in Sydney earlier this year.

Since then Raina appears to have faded from the selectors' radar for the longest format, having not even been considered for India A's ongoing series against Australia A. Raina, however, is confident he has it in him to make a good Test cricketer.

"I am sure I have the ability to be a consistent performer at Test level, but it's just a matter of getting the chance to do so," Raina said. "Before gearing up for the World T20, I will focus on my Test comeback.

"Ahead of the World Twenty20, I have plenty of opportunities to play in the longer version of the game, especially in the Ranji Trophy in October-November before we tour Australia in January for an away series.

"The domestic games will give me a platform to show my calibre and stake claim for a recall to the Test side. I am desperate for this. The Test series against South Africa in India will allow me to play at least four-five Ranji games for UP."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Dushmantha Chameera likely to miss first Test against India

Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera is expected to miss Sri Lanka's first Test against India in Galle from August 12 to 16 because he has not recovered fully from a side strain that kept him out of the third Test against Pakistan and the five-match ODI series.

"We were unfortunate to miss Chameera in the Test and in the ODIs, he would have definitely been a determining factor had he been fit," Sri Lanka Cricket chief selector Kapila Wijegunawardene said. "Chameera is being monitored closely and undergoing treatment. A side strain is not serious but a painful one which sometimes can take a long time to heal. The muscles are all attached to your bones and it takes a little while longer.

"We are hoping that by the second Test against India he will be ready. We don't want to rush him because we want him fit and ready because having him makes a huge difference to the composition of our attack."

Chameera had helped bowl Sri Lanka to victory in the second Test against Pakistan at the P Sara Oval last month with a match haul of four wickets on debut, but suffered a side strain which has kept him out of international cricket since.

Chameera's pace troubled the Pakistan batsmen and Wahab Riaz was sent home with a fractured wrist after being hit during the second Test.

Sri Lanka's fast bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake said that 23-year-old Chameera was the most exciting fast-bowling find he had come across since Lasith Malinga. With the decline in pace and effectiveness of Sri Lanka's fast-bowling spearhead - Malinga, Sri Lanka are looking at Chameera to be his replacement.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.