On expected lines, Royal Challengers Bangalore have retained the services of Chris Gayle, AB De Villiers and Virat Kohli for IPL 7. The fans had voted these three in and the team management obliged. Keep Reading
Gary Kirsten is back in India. This time as the Delhi Daredevils coach for the seventh innings of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He confirmed this development to the press today.
“It is indeed a massive privilege to work with the Delhi Daredevils side after having worked with two international sides. I have always maintained that building a quality side is a process and I am looking forward to taking up this new challenge in franchise cricket,” Kirsten said.
There will be no further changes to the Delhi side for the upcoming IPL season – TA Sekar as mentor, Eric Simmons as assistant coach and Pakistani Mushtaq Ahmed as spin coach.
Gary has admitted that Eric Simmons has played broker in the signing as chief coach.
“I was recommended by Mr Simons and after having a chat with the owners, I found them to be good people. My job will be to help the boys perform to the best of their abilities. Also having Simons around helps a lot as we go back a long way and complement each other really well.”
Delhi Daredevils had a torrid run in IPL 6 where they finished eight, bettering Pune Warriors India only. With the new signing, they hope to jump into a new league just as India became champions under Gary Kirsten’s leadership.
Gary’s immediate responsibility would be during the transfer window which opens up later this year. This will be followed by a round of fresh auctions. Gary’s intellect will be put to test even before a single ball is bowled.
Speculations are rife that IPL 7 will be moved out of India as the Indian general elections will hit the country. Five years back due to to the same reason, IPL 2 shifted out to South Africa. This time around, BCCI is eyeing Australia as probable hosts.
The M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore was almost full, and the estimate is about 40,000 people. I was one of this select group of people to have witnessed a black man marauding a group of hapless international class cricketers. Christopher Henry Gayle rewrote cricket history and I was one of the onlookers. Keep Reading
Aussies are known for their never say die attitude. The past twenty years has seen players who have excelled and have held great esteem among players from other countries. Not just the image, players from other countries sweated to see certain names on the list. The table has turned topsy turvy and we are witnessing the weakest Australian team since the world series. Keep Reading
The day belonged to the Indian captain. Mahendra Singh Dhoni blasted his first double century in test cricket in over 200 balls. Thus, he became the first Indian wicket keeper to achieve this feat. Virat’s fiery century was overshadowed by MSD, yet, together, both have helped India attain a comfortable 135 runs lead over the visiting Australians at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. Keep Reading
India was battered black and blue by the visiting English team two months back. Morale of players is at an all time low. They are desperately praying for mother luck, to turn the LBW decisions in their favor, edges to carry cleanly into the hands of Indian fielders and the movement to die when Aussie bowlers are on. Keep Reading
Indian selectors shocked the cricket fraternity (read fans) by doling out a team which had more holes in them, and brought in or retained some who did not merit selection. Keep Reading
