Semi-Final 1 - Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings

The first semi-final of the Karbonn Smart CLT20 2013 will see the Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings lock horns in a bid to progress to the title clash.

RR have been invincible at home this season; they were undefeated in eight matches in the IPL season and followed that up winning all four matches in the Karbonn Smart CLT20 2013. Their run to the semi-final has been clinical – winning each of their matches convincingly and not leaving anything to chance. In their most recent outing, against the Otago Volts, they restricted a formidable opposition line-up to a reasonable 139 and chased it down in the last over.

CSK are among the most successful teams in the Twenty20 format. However, the side received a jolt in their final league outing when they were decimated by Trinidad & Tobago. After being put in to bat, CSK frittered away a solid platform built by Murali Vijay and Suresh Raina to be bowled out for 118. Their opponents didn’t release the pressure in the run-chase, knocking off the runs in 15.1 overs to displace CSK from the top of Group B.

CSK will start as favourites because of the depth in their line-up and their prior experience of playing in knockout matches. However, Rajasthan Royals, for whom punching above their weight must have become second nature by now, will not feel burdened by the pressures of this high-stakes contest. Expect a keen battle between two very focused sides.

When

Friday, October 4, 2013, 8 pm IST

Where

Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

The Protagonists

There will be a sense of calmness – influenced by captain Rahul Dravid – in everything the Rajasthan Royals do. Consider this: the Royals have been unbeaten in the competition despite their two big guns – Dravid and Watson – not firing. There might not be a better time than this match against CSK for the two big guns to come good.

The top order, containing Dravid, Ajinkya Rahane and Sanju Samson, will be expected to build a platform from which the finishers – Shane Watson, Stuart Binny and Brad Hodge – will be expected to provide the final flourish. The two Australians – Watson and Hodge – in particular are the match-changers in the Royals’ ranks; both men possess the abilities to clear the fence on a consistent basis and get stuck into a bowler.

Among the Royals bowlers, James Faulkner has been impressive, picking up wickets consistently. In addition, the team has found a surprise performer almost every match; if it was Pravin Tambe in one game, it was Vikramjeet Singh in the other, and Rahul Shukla in another. Whose turn will it be on this occasion? Only time will tell.

CSK are a side packed with match-winners. However, the three players who almost always rise to the occasion are Michael Hussey, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni. The Australian is the all-weather man in the team; he can set the pace early on, steady the ship when the chips are down, or force the issue at the end of the innings. Raina on the other hand is pretty much the enforcer; the highest run-getter in the IPL & CLT20, the left-hander has always played with a lot of freedom in this format.

How much does one say about MS Dhoni? The captain with the midas touch, Dhoni will be keen to stamp his authority yet again, especially after his team’s poor performance in the previous match. Dhoni, the batsman, is possibly the best finisher in world cricket currently; one only needs to look at his innings against the Sunrisers Hyerabad to understand the kind of damage he can cause.

Previous Meetings

The Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings have met on 13 occasions previously. MS Dhoni’s team has an edge over Rahul Dravid’s boys having defeated them on eight occasions. Both teams won their respective home matches in the most recent IPL season. While RR registered a convincing five-wicket victory at Jaipur, CSK clinched their home game off the penultimate ball of the match winning by five wickets as well.

Interestingly, in the contests between RR and CSK, it is the chasing team that has fared better. Of the 13 matches between the two sides, eight have been won by the team chasing.

Trivia

The Chennai Super Kings have won only two of their four matches at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

The team that values every delivery best is the Chennai Super Kings; they have the lowest dot-ball percentage in the Karbonn Smart CLT20 2013 – 35.8 percent.

The Rajasthan Royals have been meanest in conceding boundaries; among all the bowling sides in the Karbonn Smart CLT20 2013, they have the lowest boundary percentage – 50.90 percent.

Winning the toss and batting first has been a very rare occurrence in the Karbonn Smart CLT20 2013; of the 26 matches played so far in the competition (including the Qualifiers), the captain winning the toss has opted to bat first only thrice.

What Next

The future course of the two teams will be determined by the result of this match. Whichever team wins this match will travel to Delhi for the all-important Final on October 6. The loser of this match will pack their kits and head home, although they will receive a purse of USD 500,000 as consolation.
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It could be tough for CSK: Menaria....

RR all-rounder says Super Kings might have their work cut out at their Jaipur fortress

The first semi-final of the Karbonn Smart Champions League Twenty20 promises to be a thrilling contest as the Rajasthan Royals take on the formidable the Chennai Super Kings at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

Unbeaten on their home turf in 2013, the Royals who have developed a keen understanding of their conditions will hope to extend their winning streak and book a place in the final. Addressing the media ahead of the clash, Ashok Menaria said that they will stick to their routines and treat is as just another game.

“Every team plans. We go according to the plans set out by Paddy Upton and Rahul Bhai (Dravid). All 20 overs of our bowling are planned out and we know exactly what we have to do, which fielder will stay where and how to bowl to each batsman. This is all planned in any case at the team meeting, and we play according to that. We don’t try to do too much extra apart from that, and maybe that’s why we have been successful,” Menaria said.

“All 15 members of the squad know exactly what they have to do tomorrow,” he added.

Asked if facing CSK would be a tougher ask, the all-rounder said, “It can be tough for them as well since they have to come and play in Jaipur. We have won 12 matches in a row in Jaipur and CSK knows that too.”

Menaria, who has been opening the bowling for the hosts, said, “I bowled under Shane Warne in my first year, but not much after that. When we started our camp, eight days before the tournament, Rahul Bhai and the coach had prepared me for bowling the opening over. I have practiced with the new ball for those eight days, so it wasn’t that difficult for me to open the bowling. “

The Royals have pulled through from tough situations to post wins, while CSK came undone under pressure when faced with it for the first time against Trinidad &Tobago. Asked if that it is an added advantage for the Royals, he said, “CSK have several big-name players and match-winners, but any team can have a bad day in Twenty20 cricket. But that doesn’t mean they will always have bad days. They have been the most consistent team across all the IPLs. So RR cannot take them lightly.”

The Super Kings have a well-rounded bowling attack that can bowl under various conditions. Asked if the RR batsmen have worked out a strategy for them, Menaria said, “We have been playing in these conditions for the last 15 days. Our practice pitches are also similar, and we have played this year’s IPL also in similar conditions. So more than other teams, our batsmen are best prepared to bat here. Because we are used to this wicket and we have done well here and not lost a game in the last 12 matches we have played so maybe that is the reason that we play here. “

Menaria has had little opportunity to bat but he said that he is mentally prepared if required to wield the willow. “I will bat, bowl and field according to the team plan. As for my batting, Rahul Bhai and the coach have explained in detail to me in the nets what I need to do and when I’ll get to bat. I’m ready to bat at any number. I wear my pads and sit, so I can go in if needed up the order too,” he said.

“Rajasthan’s bowling is also very good. Look at James Faulkner, Kevon Cooper, Watto (Shane Watson), Pravin Tambe – I think our bowling unit has done the best job in the tournament so far. It will be difficult for their batsmen to face us. Yes, CSK’s attack is tough, but as you play bigger matches, you will face tough attacks and tough batsmen.”

“We find it easy to play in Rajasthan. We have practiced here since years. You won’t find a greener wicket in the country than here, and no IPL team practices on such green wickets. We have had an advantage there. And our batsmen’s basics are very sound. Rahul Bhai is a Test match legend. Watson, Ajinkya Rahane – we have men in the top order who can play the moving ball well, so that makes it easier for us,” he added.
With speculation rife on Dravid’s retirement, asked if they had anything planned for their captain, he replied, “Rahul Bhai hasn’t decided about that and we also don’t know whether it is his last match here or not, but if it is, then we should win it for him. He has achieved so much in cricket.”

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Dilshan blitz bags Sri Lanka consolation win

Fiery opener’s 51-ball 74 helps Sri Lanka win third T20I by six wickets

Tillakaratne Dilshan scored a swashbuckling 74 off 51 balls as Sri Lanka beat South Africa by six wickets in the last of the three Twenty20s, on Tuesday (Aug 6). The result not only helped avoid a 3-0 whitewash, it also ensured Sri Lanka retained its No. 1 status in Twenty20.

Already down 0-2 in the series, Sri Lanka was spirited in its chase of South Africa’s 163 for 3 and eventually won with 11 balls to spare. While South Africa won the series 2-1, after losing the One-Day International series 1-4, Tuesday’s win was doubly important for Sri Lanka as a 3-0 whitewash would have pushed it down to No. 3 in the T20 rankings behind Pakistan and South Africa.

Dilshan, who hit nine boundaries, was instrumental in the victory, his second six, off Morne Morkel in the 19th over, taking Sri Lanka past the finish line. Mahela Jayawardene also hit a quickfire 33 in an opening stand of 67 off 35 balls with Dilshan.

Sri Lanka was 123 for 4 in the 16th over when Thisara Perera (25 not out) put on a match-winning stand of 41 with Dilshan for the fifth wicket. With 27 runs needed off 18 balls, Perera scored 21 runs from the 18th over bowled by Wayne Parnell, hitting him for three fours and a six, to ease the pressure.

Earlier, Faf du Plessis, the South Africa captain, hit 85 off 65 balls, and with help from JP Duminy’s unbeaten 34-ball 51, powered South Africa to what appeared to be a challenging total. Du Plessis hit 10 boundaries and three sixes during a third-wicket stand of 112 with Duminy after winning the toss for the third time in a row and electing to bat.

Du Plessis and Duminy put on a century stand after Henry Davids, the opener, was dismissed off the first ball of the match, leg-before to Nuwan Kulasekara. Duminy hit his 100th six in Twenty20 internationals when he lofted Kulasekara over the mid-wicket fence in the 17th over. Du Plessis was dismissed in the final over, bowled by Lakmal.

Sri Lanka had rested Kumar Sangakkara and Lasith Malinga for the game. They were replaced by Dilshan and Suranga Lakmal.

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All-round Dilshan stars as Sri Lanka wins series

Hosts take 3-1 lead in five-match series against South Africa after key contributions from Mendis and Malinga with the ball and Sangakkara with the bat

Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara pulverised South Africa's bowling as Sri Lanka took a decisive 3-1 lead in its five-match One-Day International series with an eight-wicket victory in Pallekele on Sunday (July 28).

Dilshan was unbeaten on 115 and Sangakkara made 91 during a record second-wicket partnership of 184 runs to take the hosts past South Africa's 238.

Dilshan's 17th ODI century was studded with 16 boundaries. Sangakkara kept pace with his partner with eight fours and two sixes. The pair put on Sri Lanka's highest ODI stand for any wicket against South Africa. Sangakkara missed his second hundred in the series when he holed out in the deep off Morne Morkel when just ten more were needed for victory.
 
Earlier, JP Duminy hit 97 and Hashim Amla made 77 to lift South Africa to 238 after they won the toss and elected to bat. But the South Africans undid a good start by losing eight wickets for 87 runs after cruising at 118 for 1 in the 22nd over.

Duminy lashed seven boundaries and two sixes before he was last man out in the 49th over, bowled by Ajantha Mendis three runs short of a century. Mendis finished with 4 for 51, while Lasith Malinga claimed 3 for 52 and Dilshan took two wickets.

Amla, batting for the first time in the series after being injured while fielding in the only other game he played, anchored the start with a fluent half-century that contained nine boundaries. Duminy shared a second-wicket stand of 101 with Amla after Malinga had bowled Quinton de Kock in the third over.

Dilshan removed Amla lbw and had AB de Villiers caught behind by Sangakkara in the space of eight runs to make it 126 for 3 in the 25th over.

Dhawan, Unadkat, put India 2-0 up

It was seen as the one factor that could level the playing field, yet even when the toss went Zimbabwe’s way, India romped to a 58-run victory in the second One-Day International at Harare Sports Club on Friday (July 26).

Once again Zimbabwe contributed heavily to its own demise, gifting Shikhar Dhawan three lives on his way to a century that allowed India to recover from 65 for 4 to a formidable total of 294 for 8.

Then, having made a positive start to its reply in reaching 109 for 1 in 20 overs, Zimbabwe’s batsmen threw their wickets away to slump to 236 for 9. Whenever Zimbabwe found some momentum, all India needed to do was maintain composure, and Zimbabwe obliged by doing the rest.

That said, there was a standout performer for India in the shape of Jaydev Unadkat, who came on at first change and made crucial breakthroughs, ending with 4 for 41 in ten overs and effecting a run-out.

Unadkat’s excellent bouncer to Sikandar Raza brought India’s first wicket in the 11th over, and he struck twice in the 21st, just as Vusi Sibanda was looking threatening. Sibanda whipped a delivery straight to midwicket to depart for 55, and then Unadkat pounced on a loose ball to run out Brendan Taylor for a duck.

Zimbabwe’s challenge faded away from there, with Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra taking care of the middle order as they trapped Sean Williams and Malcolm Waller lbw respectively.

Reduced to 133 for 6 in the 31st over it became clear that Zimbabwe was not going to threaten the Indian total, and although Elton Chigumbura hit 46 and Prosper Utseya made an unbeaten 52, their effort only served to prolong the match.

Unadkat claimed two wickets in the final over, having not only provided the turning points in the innings, but shown excellent control throughout.

While Virat Kohli’s century in the first match owed much to the timid bowling and a friendly pitch, so Dhawan’s 116 (127 balls) in this game was aided by an embarrassing display in the field by Zimbabwe.

The ramshackle nature of Zimbabwe’s showing was evident in the fact that it conceded 28 extras, including 15 wides and eight no-balls, and required four hours to get through its overs.

Although Zimbabwe made a bright start, with Brian Vitori, the recalled seamer, removing Rohit Sharma with his first delivery, its troubles began when Kyle Jarvis had Dhawan caught, only for the third umpire to confirm that the bowler had overstepped.

Jarvis’s over ended up going for 15, but in his next one, he struck in controversial circumstances when Kohli was adjudged to have been caught by Waller at mid-on.

Kohli stood his ground, believing that the ball had bounced in front of the fielder, and even asked the umpires to question the third umpire’s confirmation that he was out. The third umpire checked again, before Kohli was eventually sent on his way. Chris Broad, the match referee, would have been watching on with interest.

However, Zimbabwe continued to be the master of its own downfall, as Taylor dropped a regulation catch from Dhawan behind the stumps when the left-hand batsman was on just 14, and Vitori put down a difficult return chance from Ambati Rayudu.

Vitori’s drop had little impact as Rayudu gifted an easy chance soon after, and Zimbabwe was well and truly in the game when Suresh Raina continued his poor run of form as he was caught down the leg side for 4.

That put pressure on Dinesh Karthik as he came to the crease at 65 for 4, but he responded in style, putting on a 159-run partnership with Dhawan that swung the match firmly in India’s favour.

Karthik went on to score 69 before he was run out in a mix-up with Dhawan, who departed in the next over when he played an Utseya delivery on.

Despite that double blow, India finished strongly as R Vinay Kumar and Mohammad Shami took 23 off the final over of the innings, taking India to a total that was well beyond the Zimbabweans.