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Ruling out “MS Dhoni” will be unfair : Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif Backed MS Dhoni on his Retirement Controversy

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Mohammad Kaif backed MS Dhoni to play in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup
Mohammad Kaif backed MS Dhoni to play in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup

Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif who played Tests and ODIs. He made it to the national team on the strength of his performances at the Under-19 level, where he captained the India national under-19 cricket team to victory in the Under-19 World Cup in 2000. He retired from all formats of cricket on 13 July 2018.

Kaif on Wednesday backed MS Dhoni to play in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, saying that the wicket-keeper batsman has ”a lot of cricket” left in him and ruling him out will be ”unfair”. “See, people may have eyes on Dhoni that how he is going to play in the IPL (Indian Premier League) and then there will be talks of the T20 World Cup but my view is different from others. I do not judge Dhoni based on his IPL form. He is a great batsman and he is fit now. He wants to play IPL, do captaincy and is showing his availability. He has a winning mentality and knows how to win games under pressure,” Kaif told ANI.

“So, I think ruling him out will be unfair. See a lot of cricket is still left in Dhoni and when a player plays for this long, there are ups and downs in his career. It happens with every cricketer, not just Dhoni,” he added.

Team India former skipper MS Dhoni has been last seen in world cup semi final match against New Zealand where India lost the match. His name hit the media when BCCI announced the center contracted player list without MS Dhoni’s name.

Despite Dhoni failing to take India over the line, Kaif termed him a ”champion player”.

“The semifinal of World Cup which we lost, everyone was expecting Dhoni to win it but it did not happen. So, from there on, people thought that Dhoni should not be there. But for me, Dhoni is a champion player. People should look at Dhoni’s record in the last 10 to 15 years. See, the current form is important but at the same time his form was not that bad that you rule him out,” Kaif said.

The ICC T20 world cup was planned to host by Australia between October 18 and November 15 this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the host cancelled all the in and out sports tournaments.

Indian government extend the lock down till May 3rd in order to control the spread of corona virus. “IPL 2020 season has been postponed indefinitely,” sources within BCCI told ANI on Wednesday.

“In the present scenario, life is more important than sports. I think the decision of BCCI is right. When the situation improves, we will think of sports. Sporting events all over the world have either been postponed or cancelled. In our country, cases are rising. So, as of now, the situation is not under control. So I think it”s the right decision because at this stage first priority is to beat coronavirus and save the people,” he said.

When asked about his views on the window for IPL, Kaif said: “I feel when things are sorted out and there is the possibility of games to be played, then they (BCCI) will look for options.”

Regards Indian former skipper MS Dhoni’s return many revealed their thoughts and plot the possibilities. Where Indian former player Sunil Gavaskar suggest Dhoni should retire silently and Sehwag advice team India to play with their current wicket keeper batsman.

Australian bowler Brad Hogg too predict the possibilities of MS Dhoni’s return to International squad if IPL 2020 cancelled.

“I feel MS Dhoni is the best finisher in the game” : Faf du Plessis Recalls his Favourite Moment in IPL

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Times of Sports
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CSK's Faf du Plessis and MS Dhoni
CSK's Faf du Plessis recalls his favourite moment in IPL and mention MS Dhoni as best finisher

Former South African skipper Faf du Plessis reveals his favourite IPL moment while he played for CSK. As the sports event has been postponed due to the coronavirus threat sports personalities use social media to spend their time. Earlier in Google autocomplete interview Dale Steyn reveals about “AB de Villiers“.

Faf du Plessis favourite IPL moment

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, of Chennai Super Kings, took Suresh Raina’s #MyIPLMoment challenge and shared his favourite moments with his team. Faf took to social media and shared quite a few CSK memories, the most recent one being MS Dhoni’s 84 off 48 balls against RCB.

Faf du Plessis said, “It was one the best knocks that I had ever seen”. Du Plessis also added, “I feel MS Dhoni is the best finisher in the game.” Du Plessis also rated Suresh Raina’s century against Kings XI Punjab back in 2013 as one of the best knocks in the IPL as it helped CSK win the game.

du Plessis on Bravo and Watson

During the video, du Plessis also added Dwayne Bravo and Shane Watson to the list of players who performed brilliantly for the team under pressure. He went on to say, “Dwayne Bravo’s knock against Mumbai Indians in 2018 where he scored 67 or 70 in 40-odd balls was brilliant as we were completely out of the game. How we won it I still don’t know”.

Talking about Shane Watson, Du Plessis said, “Watson’s knock in 2018 final where he scored a century won us the game and he did the same in 2019 but we fell two runs short of victory.”

Du Plessis has nominated former CSK batsman Michael Hussey to share his favourite CSK moments. Michael Hussey is currently appointed as the batting coach of the Chennai Super Kings.

Faf du Plessis Batting Stats

Mat No Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s CT ST
2019 12 1 396 96 36 321 123.36 0 3 36 15 12 0
2018 6 1 162 67* 32.4 129 125.58 0 1 17 6 1 0
2017 2 0 8 8 8 7 114.28 0 0 1 0 0 0
2016 6 0 206 69 34.33 162 127.16 0 2 17 9 4 0
2015 17 2 380 55 29.23 304 125 0 1 37 5 8 0
2014 15 1 303 54* 27.54 235 128.93 0 2 26 7 13 0
2012 13 0 398 73 33.16 304 130.92 0 3 29 17 4 0

 

 

Former Pakistan Bowler Shoaib Akhtar Points Out How he would Dismiss Virat Kohli

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Virat Kohli and Shoaib Akhtar
Former Pakistan Bowler Shoaib Akhtar Points Out How he would Dismiss Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli (born 5 November 1988) is an Indian cricketer who currently captains the India national team. A right-handed top-order batsman, Kohli is regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world. He plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and has been the team’s captain since 2013.

Since October 2017, he has been the top-ranked ODI batsman in the world and is currently holds 2nd position in Test rankings with 886 points. Among Indian batsmen, Kohli has the best ever Test rating (886 points), ODI rating (869 points) and T20I rating (673 points).

The fans considered him as “run-machine” when it comes to chase the target. Steve Smith (Australia) recently dethroned Virat Kohli from No.1 position in ICC test ranking. Virat Kohli’s poor performance in the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington  is the cause for this.

Kohli only scored 2 and 19 runs in the two innings of the first test against New Zealand. This poor performance drags Kohli to 906 points. Steve Smith, whose last Test match was in January against New Zealand, now tops the Test batting charts with 911 points.

Akhtar’s formula to dismiss King Kohli

While many bowlers are not able to figure out how to get him out, Pakistani legend Shoaib Akhtar believes he has the formula to send the India captain packing back.

Shoaib Akhtar, in an Instagram Live video, said he would get rid of Kohli if he was to bowl to him.

“If I was bowling, I would go wider of the crease and pitch the ball up [to Kohli] and shape it away from him in order to make him drive,” he said.

He further added: “If that does not work, I will bowl him at 150 [kph] and he will get out.”

While Kohli has already struck 44 ODI hundreds, and 27 Test tons, Akhtar, in his career, played 46 Tests, in which he picked up 178 wickets at an average of 25.69.

He also played 163 ODIs for Pakistan in which he picked up 247 wickets at an average of 24.97.

“I was not even able to walk” : Mohammed Shami Reveals How MS Dhoni Helped Him During 2015 WC

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Mohammed Shami Reveals How MS Dhoni Helped Him Play With Fractured Knee In 2015 World Cup
Mohammed Shami Reveals How MS Dhoni Helped Him Play With Fractured Knee In 2015 World Cup(Image: BCCI)

Mohammed Shami Ahmed (born 3 September 1990) is an Indian international cricketer who plays for the Indian national cricket team. He is a right-arm fast bowler, who consistently bowls around the 140 to 145 km/h (87 to 90 mph) mark, and swings and seams ball at that pace which makes him a deceptively potent fast bowler.

He is also known as a reverse swing specialist. He made his ODI debut against Pakistan in January 2013 where he bowled a record four maiden overs. He picked a five-wicket haul on his Test debut against West Indies in November 2013.

On 23 January 2019 he became the fastest Indian bowler to take 100 ODI wickets. On 22 June 2019, Shami took a hat-trick against Afghanistan in world cup 2019 and India record’s 50th World Cup win, and Shami became the fourth Indian cricketer to do so in One Day Cricket after Chetan Sharma, Kapil Dev and Kuldeep Yadav.

Shami played with fractured knee in 2015 world cup

India pacer Mohammed Shami revealed that he played the 2015 World Cup, jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, with a fractured knee. Shami had an impressive stint in the tournament as he was the second-highest wicket-taker for India behind Umesh Yadav.

In seven matches, he picked 17 wickets at an average of 17.29 with best figures of 4-35 while Umesh Yadav clinched 18 wickets in eight games including two four-wicket hauls.

Talking about his World Cup experience, the 29-year-old speedster said he used to take three painkillers and injections to reduce the pain of his knee during matches.

“Sometimes there is an important match and you know you have to play it. In the 2015 World Cup, I carried a knee injury. I was not even able to walk, I used to take painkillers and injections. The physio Nitin Patel helped me, he gave me the confidence to complete the tournament. My knee needed an operation, they told me if I can endure the pain then I can play the World Cup,” Shami said.

“The knee broke in the first match of the tournament, my thighs and knees had come to the same size, doctors had to take out fluids every day, I used to take three painkillers,” he added.

The pacer further said the former skipper MS Dhoni has kept faith in him and motivated him during the tough phase of his career.

India faced a defeat at the hands of eventual champions Australia in the semifinal match at Sydney Cricket Ground. Chasing 329, India were bundled out at 223 as James Faulkner claimed three wickets while Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson bagged two wickets each. Steve Smith’s 105 guided home side to post a giant total of 328-7 in 50 overs.

“Before the semifinal match against Australia, I told the team that I cannot take any more pain. Mahi bhai and the management showed faith in me and they really kept confidence in my abilities. I played the match and gave just 13 runs in my opening spell. Then I went off the park and told Mahi bhai that I cannot bowl any longer. But he told me he cannot go to part-time bowlers and asked me to not give away more than 60 runs. I have never been in such a condition like this, some had said my career is over, but I am still here,” he said.

“I think, to be honest, everyone is fine except Rishabh Pant” : Ishant Sharma Reveals About his Own IPL Teammate

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Ishant Sharma praises Delhi Capitals teammate Rishabh Pant, says he is toughest to bowl to in nets
Ishant Sharma praises Delhi Capitals teammate Rishabh Pant, says he is toughest to bowl to in nets

The out break of deadly novel corona virus made every scheduled sports event to postpone. Thus in turn players steps in social media to get entertain as well as to entertain their fans.

Earlier Australian bowler Brad Hogg too predict the possibilities of MS Dhoni’s return to International squad if IPL 2020 cancelled. Where he also compares IPL and PSL and ranks them.

This time talking about team members, Delhi Capitals’ bowler Ishant Sharma hailed wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.

India pacer Ishant Sharma said that he is the toughest to bowl to in the nets and does not know where he is hitting the ball.

“I think, to be honest, everyone is fine except Rishabh Pant. Because he doesn’t know where he is hitting. He might hit straight on your head as well,” Ishant Sharma said.

The bowler also spoke about overseas success and said it is ‘healthy competition’ and Ishant felt everyone deserves the credit.

“Everybody should take credit. If you don’t take 20 wickets, you can win a Test match. I think it’s been a healthy competition with the bowlers of the Indian cricket team,” Ishant said.

Speaking of the advantages he enjoyed for being a tall bowler, he said, “The advantage (of his height) is that I get a lot of bounce when bowling. However, one of the disadvantages is that I get hit on my head whenever I am riding a car and there’s a bump on the road.”

T20 world cup 

On the other hand Cricket Australia, who cancelled all the in and out matches is in oscillation to host the upcoming Men’s T20 world cup. Regarding this ICC scheduled to have a teleconference with the board members in order to decide the possibilities.

“Well Sunny bhai, we did have snowfall in Lahore last year” : Shoaib Akhtar replies to Sunil Gavaskar

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Shoaib Akhtar replies to Sunil Gavaskar's 'snowfall in Lahore more possible' comment for IND-PAK series
Shoaib Akhtar replies to Sunil Gavaskar's 'snowfall in Lahore more possible' comment for IND-PAK series

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar had recently proposed an idea of India and Pakistan playing a three-match series to generate funds to fight this pandemic. The idea had mostly received negative feedback for playing a cricket match in these testing times is likely to degrade the situation.

Sunil Gavaskar’s reply on Indo – Pakistan series

One of the former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar gave his comment regarding Shoaib Akhtar’s idea of bi-lateral series.

Earlier Kapil Dev speaks against Shoaib Akhtar’s India-Pakistan series proposal to raise funds for COVID-19 pandemic.

Gavaskar said that snowfall in Lahore may be possible but a bilateral series between India and Pakistan cannot be played in present circumstances. “There are more chances of snowfall in Lahore than bilateral series between India and Pakistan,” Gavaskar had told former Pakistan batsman Rameez Raja on his Youtube channel.

“Both teams will keep on meeting in World Cups and ICC tournaments, but a series between them seems unlikely right now,” he added.

However, just like Akhtar answered Kapil Dev, the Rawalpindi Express responded to Gavaskar saying, “Well Sunny bhai, we did have snowfall in Lahore last year 🙂 So nothing is impossible.”

BCCI’s donation on COVID relief fund

Furthermore, Dev pointed out BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) donating a whopping INR 51 crore towards the PM Cares Fund and how playing cricket in the near future will involve great risks for both the players and the spectators.

The deadly novel corona virus has affected more than 20,84,000 peoples with a death count to more than 1,34,000. This also add a good news where peoples nearly 5,15,000 has been recovered from this corona virus.

 

“He is a really good player with the short ball” : England’s Jos Buttler all Praises for this Indian Batsman

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England's Jos Buttler all praises for Rohit Sharma for his batting performance
England's Jos Buttler all praises for Rohit Sharma for his batting performance

Due to the out break of corona virus the scheduled events has been postponed without any announcement. Due to this many sports personalities steps into social media to entertain peoples.

England former batsman Kevin Pietersen perform actively in Instagram where he Interviewed Indian skipper Virat Kohli through Instagram live. Where Virat Kohli reveals his favourite batsman pair in Indian team as well as in IPL format and left cricket fans in shock.

Jos Buttler’s live session

Talking during an Instagram live session on Rajasthan Royals page, England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler heaped praises for Indian opener Rohit Sharma.

The English player termed the ‘Hitman’ as a flawless cricketer who scores big runs with ease.”Rohit Sharma I think is an awesome player. Effortless. Quite a lot of Indian players have that awesome style,” Buttler said.

In the 2019 World Cup, the Indian vice-captain scored the highest runs including five centuries, the most by any batsmen in the single edition of the tournament. He accumulated 648 runs at an average of 81.00 in nine games.

“One of the things I have seen with Rohit is that if he gets in, he scores big runs and really affects the game. He must have scored 4-5 hundreds in the World Cup last year,” Buttler said.

“The effortless nature in which he can take players down; he is a really good player with the short ball as well,” he added.

Talking about the change of approach of bowlers towards the Mumbai Indians skipper Buttler said, “It’s not really the case now, but I think a few years ago people used to attack Indian players with the short ball but Rohit smashes them. Then you go fuller and he smashes them right down the ground.

“He has been fantastic for a long time and I just like the way he bats and the effortless nature in which he takes people down,” he added.

The English player who would be seen in action playing for Rajasthan Royals, however, due to the coronavirus pandemic, no sporting events are taking place.

Women’s ODI World Cup 2021 : Indian Team makes it’s Way “In” by Being in Top 4 in Points Table

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Indian women's team qualifies for 2021 world cup after ICC Women’s Championship Technical Committee's announcement
Indian women's team qualifies for 2021 world cup after ICC Women’s Championship Technical Committee's announcement

Due to the corona virus lock down the scheduled sports event has been postponed without any prior announcement on the date. As the deadly virus keeps it’s impact in high many countries announce total lock down in order to prevent the spread.

Earlier Indian government announced a lock down for 21 days which had been ended up in April 14. Due to the increase in spread Indian government extend the lock down till May 3rd without any option left.

This lock down lead to halt all scheduled events including many sports events. The most awaited cash rich Indian Premier League has been postponed without setting date as the lock down extends due to increase in novel corona virus spread.

Earlier the 13th edition of Indian Premier League has been planned to start from March 29 and face the first postpone date to April 15 due to the 21 day lock down imposed by Indian government.

The south Africa tour of India too postponed, where the first ODI match has been cancelled due to rain. An another major event of the year too face the same fate. The another major event of the year 2020 too face the same fate.

Asia cup 2020

The Asia cup was scheduled to begin in September. The host Pakistan decide to organise the event in UAE. The PCB states that talks of making changes in its dates are doing the rounds. Where the PCB chairman Ehsan Mani released an Updates on Asia Cup 2020.

Indian women’s team qualifies for ODI world cup 2021

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier is scheduled to be played from July 3-19 in Sri Lanka. Due to the COVID pandemic fear the tournament is in fear of cancelling. Thus ICC Women’s Championship Technical Committee (TC) decided that teams will share points in all three series in the ICC Women’s Championship which did not take place during the competition window.

The host New Zealand, along with the next four highest-placed teams on the points table qualify directly. India (23) join Australia (37 points), England (29) and South Africa (25). Pakistan (19), New Zealand (17), West Indies (13) and Sri Lanka (5) complete the table.

Which made the Indian women’s cricket team to qualify for the ODI World Cup 2021 by virtue of being the top four.

Indo-Pakistan women’s match 

Initially, there were debates on who should progress between India and Pakistan as the two had a series to be played between them.

The India-Pakistan series was originally scheduled in the sixth round of the competition, between July and November 2019, but despite the best efforts of both the boards, it was unable to take place.

The TC stated that as the series could not be played because of a Force Majeure event after the BCCI said they were unable to obtain the necessary government clearances to allow the team to participate in the bilateral series, which forms a part of the ICC Women’s Championship, Hindustan Times reported.

“This is mother of all World Cups” : Indian Head Coach Ravi Shastri Mention this Deadly Corona Virus in Cricket Terms

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Indian head coach Ravi Shastri
Indian head coach Ravi Shastri

The spread of novel corona virus made its impact globally and force all events to halt. The deadly virus mark its path all over the world. In order to control the spread many government imposed total lock down.

Earlier Indian government announced it’s first lock down till April 15, as the positive case keeps it’s number in hike Indian government extent the lock down to  May 3rd. Many celebrities and sports players urge peoples to stay inside and maintain social distancing.

Also watch : David Warner Shaves Head to Support Workers Fighting Coronavirus and Ask Virat Kohli to Follow

In that list Indian cricket head coach Ravi Shastri makes his statement regarding social distancing. He termed the virus ‘mother of all World Cups’ and asked people to combat this disease.

“As I would know, sports teach you life lessons that can be applied to just about anything you want to pursue for the rest of your life. Today the COVID-19 has put us in a situation where we got our backs to the wall. To combat this coronavirus is like chasing a World Cup where you give your everything in trying to win it. What’s staring you at the face is no ordinary World Cup. This is the mother of all World Cups where not just eleven are playing but 1.4 billion are in the playing arena and competing. Guys, we can win this. For that, we have to observe the basics. You have got your Prime Minister leading from the front ahead of the curve like other countries have farmed out,” Shastri said.

“You have to obey the orders that come from the top: be its centre, state or the frontline workers who are risking their lives. Two orders that stand out: staying home and maintaining social distancing. It is not easy but to win the game you got to go through the pain to break the chain and see the gain. Come on, guys! let’s do it together. Let us get out there in a bruit force of 1.4 billion and beat this corona and get your hands on the World Cup of humanity. Let’s do it,” he added.

The deadly corona virus globally infect over 20,00,000 and took more than 1,25,000 lives. The corona virus spreads rapidly with an recovery count of more than 4,90,000.

 

“we don’t know if it can be held or not” : PCB chairman Ehsan Mani Updates on Asia Cup 2020

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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani has provided an update on the probable future of the Asia Cup
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani has provided an update on the probable future of the Asia Cup

The out break of corona virus made almost every event to postpone from it’s scheduled date. The deadly virus mark its presence in every nook and corner of the world and made the peoples to panic in fear.

IPL Postponed amid COVID19

This deadly virus made the BCCI to postpone the cash rich Indian Premier League from it’s actual date. The 13th edition of IPL was planned to start from March 29 with it’s opening match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.

As the Indian government extend the lock down till May 3, the execution of postponed IPL gets in oscillation. BCCI seeks it’s all possible ways to host the tournament in order to prevent the huge loss which could make a dent in Indian economy.

The another major event of the year 2020 too face the same fate. The Asia cup was scheduled to begin in September. The host Pakistan decide to organise the event in UAE. The PCB states that talks of making changes in its dates are doing the rounds.

Earlier Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani has provided an update on the probable future of the Asia Cup amid coronavirus outbreak across the globe.

PCB’s Update on Asia cup 2020

“I have read and heard about these speculations but right now just remember that having or not having the Asia Cup is not a decision between Pakistan and India it involves other countries as well,” asserted Mani on Tuesday.

Pakistan were initially to host the event, but the location was shifted to Dubai and Abu Dhabi after India expressed reluctance to travel to the neighbouring country owing to security concerns.

“…it is important to have the Asia Cup if cricket activities resume by then because the development of Asian cricket depends on funding from the tournament. It is important for many countries who are members of the Asian Cricket Council,” he added in a podcast released by the PCB.

However, Mani also conceded that holding the Asia Cup this year is a big challenge because “we don’t know if it can be held or not.”

“But if the conditions change and we can have the Asia Cup, it must be held as earnings from it are distributed as development funds to member countries for next two years,” he said.

“The financial impact will be felt by many countries if the ICC can’t distribute their shares from the tournament. Many countries including Pakistan will feel the pinch,” he admitted.

Mani confirmed that Pakistan was to receive around USD 7 to 8 million in June and January.

“Pakistan is fortunate it has good financial controls in place and in short term, it will be better off than most countries if the lockdowns continue because of the coronavirus pandemic,” he claimed. “We are to get 7 to 8 Million dollars from the ICC in June but we know they might not come so we have planned accordingly,” he added.

What if India had not won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 Under MS Dhoni Captaincy?

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India wins T20 world cup in 2007
India wins T20 world cup in 2007

Back in 2007, India had been embarrassingly eliminated from the Cricket World Cup. They failed to even go past the first-round while Bangladesh, who were still finding their feet at the time, move to the Super 8’s in their stead.

That the first-ever T20 World Cup was in the same year was God sent for the men in blue as they exorcized their failures in the 50 over format by becoming the inaugural T20 Champions. But what if India had not won the event?

What if India lost to England or South Africa in the Super 8’s or what if they crashed out against the 50-over format World Cup holders Australia? What if Sreesanth dropped Misbah ul-Haq’s catch in the final against Pakistan?

Let us now explore all the possibilities.

What if India had not won the inaugural T20 World Cup?

The T20 World Cup featured 12 teams. Every country took the event very seriously and sent their A team to South Africa for the competition. India on the other hand, seemed to want to get the event over with. They sent a team full of young or fringe players and gave their senior players a rest.

A much younger MS Dhoni was given the reigns of the side but not much was expected from the wicketkeeper-batsman and his team. However, the side played fearlessly and with a bit of luck, skill and a lot of courage finally crossed the line in the end.

There is reason to believe that India’s victory helped popularise the format. However, the exciting nature of T20 meant that sooner or later, it would have been popular anyway. Although, India’s victory definitely gave it a jumpstart.

The T20 World Cup win is also credited with the rise of the Indian Premier League. However, the IPL would have begun regardless of India’s standing in the competition.

The then BCCI Vice President Lalit Modi revealed that they had been working on the idea 2 years before it was eventually announced at a high profile event in Delhi when asked if the IPL was a knee-jerk reaction to the formation of the Indian Cricket League; a rebel league threatening to rob the BCCI of their players and committee members.

So, what difference did India’s win actually make?

The Indian team was bereft of a captain after Rahul Dravid stepped down. The side was in the trenches and perhaps at it’s lowest morally. However, Dhoni’s young side seemed to not care about what was happening outside of the event.

Slowly, the rest of the country also seemed to be less and less worried about it.

The T20 World Cup victory gave the nation a tailor-made leader who had already shown his ability to inspire the side.

This was also perfect timing as it gave the Wicket-keeper batsman time to create aside in a manner he believed that would win them the 50-over World Cup as well. Many before him had tried and come agonizingly close but no once since Kapil Dev had achieved the feat.

In the series’ between, Dhoni kept on impressing everyone with his ability to keep his calm at crunch situations. His belief in his players and his ability to impart that composure onto them won many fans and pundits over.

After 4 years of hard and controversial calls, MS Dhoni built a side ready to conquer the world. Everything he had touched before had turned to gold but this was the one competition that perhaps mattered more than any other in the game.

Much like the T20 World Cup, Dhoni’s side conquered the world once again. This time, in a format, where they couldn’t even cross the first stage 4 years back. The demons had truly been vanquished and it all began at South Africa in 2007.

The rise and rise of MS Dhoni

A lot of what happened today would have still happened eventually. T20 would have boomed much like ODI cricket did before it. The IPL would have still happened and even revolutionize the sport.

Despite their condescending take on the format in the beginning, the BCCI would have warmed up to the format and the tournament much like they’ve opened up to the DRS now.

MSD

 

However, without the victory, there would have been no MS Dhoni and perhaps even the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup win for India.

The Legendary keeper before the tournament was a promising player but no one would have thought that he would go on to capture the imagination of everyone. Leadership changed the way he carried himself.

Once a player who spoke of his desire to never let his strike rate fall below 100, he became one of the most responsible batsmen and arguably the country’s greatest finisher.

His glovework rapidly improved as well and it seemed that he could do no wrong.

Without that evening at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg though, none of this would have been possible.

WATCH : On This Day Sachin Tendulkar scored maiden IPL century vs Kochi Tuskers in Mumbai

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Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar hits century in IPL against Kochi Tuskers Kerala

On this day in 2011, the then Mumbai Indians captain Sachin Tendulkar registered his maiden Indian Premier League century against Kochi Tuskers Kerala in the 13th match of the fourth season of the tournament at the Wankhede Stadium.

Opening the batting with wicket-keeper batsman Davy Jacobs (12), Tendulkar hit a boundary off Kochi pacer Rudra Partap Singh in the first over itself. Having hit a boundary down the ground, Tendulkar then hit one on the off-side off R Vinay Kumar in the next over.

Tendulkar, then 37, continued his streak of boundaries against Vinay Kumar and KTK all-rounder Thisara Perera as Indians scored 44/0 in the powerplay.

Dominant partner in the 61-run opening partnership, Tendulkar slowed down post the powerplay to only complete his 10th IPL half-century in the 14th over.

Tendulkar once again took the attack against Vinay Kumar as he hit him for two sixes and a four in the 16th over. In the penultimate over, Tendulkar hit a four and a six off Perera including a helicopter shot to reach the vicinity of the three-figure mark.

Having hit two more fours off Vinay Kumar in the last over, Tendulkar ran a single off the final delivery of the innings to end up scoring 100* (66) with the help of 12 fours and three sixes. The legendary batsman was aided by Ambati Rayudu’s fourth IPL half-century, 53 (33), as Mumbai scored 182/2 in 20 overs.

Tendulkar’s innings wasn’t enough for MI to register their third consecutive victory of the season as Kochi sealed the chase in just 19 overs on the back of individual half-centuries from their opening batsmen in Brendon McCullum (81) and captain Mahela Jaywardene (56).

Sachin Tendulkar Stats : 

M I N/O R HS 100s 50s 4s 6s Avg S/R Ct St
Test 200 329 33 15921 248* v BAN 51 68 2058 69 53.78 – 115 0
ODI 463 452 41 18426 200* v SA 49 96 2016 195 44.83 86.23 140 0
World Cup 45 44 4 2278 152 v NAM 6 15 241 27 56.95 88.98 12 0
T20I 1 1 0 10 10 v SA 0 0 2 0 10 83.33 1 0
IPL 78 78 11 2334 100* v KOC 1 13 295 29 34.83 119.81 23 0
CL 13 13 0 265 69 v HL 0 1 34 4 20.38 109.05 3 0

 

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