MOHALI: Rahul Dravid seemed to have given up hope for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL when he said that the team would “play for pride” in their remaining six matches. At the bottom of the eight-team double-leg round-robin tournament with four points, Royal Challengers need to win at least five of the games to have any chance of making the semi-finals. It is indeed a tough ask for a team which is not only affected by poor performances on the field but bothered as much by developments off it.

‘‘We will play for pride and make it hard for the teams in the remainder of the tournament, beginning with Team Mohali on Monday,’’ said the former India captain, who is under pressure from all quarters, including the franchisee. At a press meet at the PCA stadium on the eve of the match against Team Mohali, Dravid was asked how it felt to be termed a ‘good Test team’.

‘‘We have not played good cricket, so such comments will come. It is disappointing for the team, for all who are part of it including the franchisee. But we still have six matches to go and will bounce back with a good performance,’’ he said.

But were the choice of players’ right as the auction? ‘‘Well, there were lot of variables at the auction. The players we picked are all quality players, it’s only that their performances have dipped. The big names are not doing well. We have not got the combination right. All this as magnified after we did not start well and lost some close matches.”
And what does he plan to do differently? Dravid said: “Differently? Well, first of all we must start winning close matches. We have lost three close games.”
Source:ipl.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Kolkata: In an apparent bid to cut costs, the Kolkata Knight Riders team management today “politely” asked five of its players, who are yet to feature in the side’s 14-member squad in any match, to leave the team hotel.

The players are Ranadeb Bose, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sourasish Lahiri, Yashpal Singh and Hokkaido. One of the players said they were “politely given the option of either staying at the team hotel or going home.”

“It was clear what the team management wants. Apparently coach John Buchannon feels that he has found his right combination and had no need for fringe players,” one of the players said.

Source:sports.in.msn.com

Mumbai Indians’ hopes got a big shot in the arm when their icon player and captain Sachin Tendulkar on Monday declared himself fully fit to play his first Indian Premier League match against Chennai Super Kings at Wankhede Stadium on May 14.

“Yes I will be playing the match on May 14. I feel very comfortable. It has been tough and disappointing to have missed the two Tests against South Africa and the first seven IPL ties,” Tendulkar told reporters after a strenuous practice sessions under lights.

“It has been hard work and with help from the physio and masseuse,” Tendulkar, who has not played a competitive match since March-end due to a groin injury, said.

Tendulkar said though ace South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock had done a commendable job as captain, resurrecting the team’s fortunes after a string of defeats in the first four matches, he would take over the reins now that he is fit.

“Shaun Pollock was the makeshift captain and has done a terrific job but I will be captaining the side,” Tendulkar said.

He will open the innings with Sri Lankan ace Sanath Jayasuriya for the Mumbai Indians against Chennai, Tendulkar said.

The batsman however refused to be drawn into comments over off-spinner Harbhajan Singh who has been banned from the IPL for slapping S Sreesanth after the Mumbai Indians match against Punjab Kings XI at Mohali.

“It is a past chapter. Let’s put it behind and look ahead,” Tendulkar said.

“It’s not about who is captain but about helping each other,” Tendulkar said.

Talking in detail about his rehabilitation process, the ace batsman explained that the first half was spent in taking complete rest.

“The first half of my rehabilitation was done by taking rest and I was not allowed to play. I spent time on strengthening my muscles and swimming in the pool. All these contributed to my recovering full fitness,” he said.

When asked about the team’s performance so far, especially the defeats, Tendulkar said the first two matches were very close and in the crunch moments went in the opposition’s favour.

The third and fourth matches the team could not compete as expected, he said, adding the key for the turn around in the team’s fortunes leading to its three match winning streak was the ability to take early wickets.

“We could get early wickets and that was the key,” Tendulkar said.

The master batsman was also very confident that the crowd would support the home team as has always been the case at the Wankhede stadium.

“The crowd has always been a constant support for us and like Shaun has said earlier it acts as the twelfth man for us,” Tendulkar said.

When asked if he would be looking to strike good form after an injury lay-off like in the past, he said, “I always try hard.”

About the rivals from Chennai, Tendulkar said, “They are a tough side. There will be plenty of talking done in the team before the match, it will be a question of implementing them.”

source:rediff.com

Kings XI Punjab won today’s match against Royal Challengers Bangalore comprehensively by 9 wickets and the hero for today’s match for Kings XI was Shaun Marsh who scored 74 and almost hit every bowler for some exquisite shots for four and sixes. Chasing the target of 144, they lost the first wicket at 42 in form of James Hope. After that Marsh and Luke Pomersbach had no looking back and they guided Kings XI to a well deserved victory. With this win, Kings XI have almost made it to the semifinals and Royal Challengers are almost out of the race for a berth in semi’s.

Today – Match 34 – Scorecard – Kings XI Punjab vs Bangalore Royal Challengers

Royal Challengers won the toss today in the 34 th match of DLF -IPL and decided to bat first. As happened in almost every match, they lost first wicket at 4 and then Misbah and Kohli took the score to 36 at which Misbah was out. Kohli also followed him soon and was out when team score was 49. Royal Challengers kept on loosing wickets at regular intervals and this was the reason they could not pose a huge target.Nearly all the Royal Challengers batsmen got the start but no could make it big. Boucher played some good shots in the end and thus helped Royal Challengers to set a target of 143 in alloted 20 overs. All praise go to the Kings XI bowlers who bowled balls right in the deck to restrict the Royal Challengers from hitting boundaries in the last overs.

Today – Match 34 – Scorecard – Kings XI Punjab vs Bangalore Royal Challengers