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Has ‘Team-India’ become ‘Indian-Team’ again?

What is the difference between ‘Team-India’ and ‘Indian Team’ ?
India team
Both are the nick names of Indian cricket team.The Indian cricket team -when they were nicknamed as ‘Indian Team’- consisted of many great players like Sachin, Dravid, Ganguly, Srinath, Kumble etc. All of them were able to win matches themselves and the team was the strongest on paper, but the weakest in reality. It’s because during those days, India had a habit of winning all matches except the final or the Tie-breaker match. We can clearly see it in the 2003 world cup, the tri-series that came after that. Anyway, the concept of ‘Team’ didn’t had much value at that time.

Then comes the ‘Team India’ under MS Dhoni. We can understand the importance of ‘Team India’ from the name itself. This concept gives importance to the team. Under Dhoni, a clevert captain, India attained new heights during this period. India had a lot of gain which included the T20 world cup, #1 ranking in ICC ODI Rankings and many other foreign series. The team was full of youngsters and rather than a ONE MAN SHOW, they had a TEAM WORK SHOW. Instead of individual performance, they concentrated on the victory of team.

But recent results shows that India is going back to its old ‘INDIAN TEAM’ concept. They losses in T20 cup, ICC Champions Trophy etc.. shows it. With the recent loss to Australia, it clearly shows us that the glorious times of Dhoni and his friends are coming to an end. We can only pray to God to not to let it happen like that.

What is your Opinion about this ? Is ‘TEAM INDIA’ going back to the INDIAN TEAM ? Let me know through your comments here.

[Editor’s Note: This post is submitted by our guest blogger Rajeelkp, alias Reji. He is a teen blogger who blogs at labofweb. He loves web, blogging and social sites.

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ICC World Twenty20 Super8 [Schedule and Fixtures]

Pakistan has managed to qualify for the Super8 after defeating Netherlands quite handsomely. The teams were to retain their seeding for the Super8s stage, irrespective of whether they finish first or second in their group. The fixture details of the Super8 stage are already very clear.

Just to remind you, the rule is that if any of the 3^rd seeded team from a group qualifies for the Super8, it will get the seeding of the team that they knock out for the purpose of deciding the Super8 matches.

Thus, Ireland and West Indies now get seeding of Bangladesh and Australia respectively for deciding their matches for the Super8 stage.

The group wise team seeding now stands as given below:

GROUP A	GROUP B	GROUP C	GROUP D
India – A1	Pakistan – B1	West Indies – C1	New Zealand – D1
Ireland – A2	England – B2	Sri Lanka – C2	South Africa – D2
Bangladesh	Netherlands	Australia	Scotland

Super8 – Groups

GROUP E	GROUP F
A1	B1
B2	A2
C1	C2
D2	D1

Schedule and fixtures for Super8

Super 8s	GROUP E	GROUP F
11 THU	England vs South Africa (B2 vs D2) 10:00 PM IST	New Zealand vs Ireland (D1 vs A2) 6:00 PM IST
12 FRI	India vs West Indies (A1 vs C1) 10:00 PM IST	Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (B1 vs C2) 6:00 PM IST
13 SAT	West Indies vs South Africa (C1 vs D2) 6:00 PM IST	New Zealand vs Pakistan (D1 vs B1) 10:00 PM IST
14 SUN	India vs England (A1 vs B2) 10:00 PM IST	Ireland vs Sri Lanka (A2 vs C2) 6:00 PM IST
15 MON	England vs West Indies (B2 vs C1) 10:00 PM IST	Pakistan vs Ireland (B1 vs A2) 6:00 PM IST
16 TUE	India vs South Africa (A1 vs D2) 10:00 PM IST	NewZealand vs Sri Lanka (D1 vs C2) 6:00 PM IST
18 THU	Semifinal – E1 vs F2 10:00 PM IST
19 FRI	Semifinal F1 vs E2 10:00 PM IST 2030 hrs BST
21 SUN	Final 7:30 PM IST

How can Pakistan qualify for the Super8?

The 8th team that will qualify for the Super8 will be either Pakistan or Netherlands. In case, Netherlands wins the match against Pakistan or the match ends in a Tie or No Result, Netherlands will qualify for the Super8.

However, in case Pakistan wins the match, there will be a three way tie between England, Pakistan and Netherlands. In such a situation, Netherlands can not improvise on its current net run rate of +0.05. Thus, England in a way would have already qualified for the Supr8.

The decision on which team out of Pakistan and Netherlands qualifies for the Super8 will depend on the net run rate of both the teams after the match.

Group B standings:

Have a look at the Group B standings for more clarity:

Group B	P	W	L	T	NR	PTS	NRR
B2 – England	2	1	1	0	0	2	+1.175
Netherlands	1	1	0	0	0	2	+0.050
B1 – Pakistan	1	0	1	0	0	0	-2.400

Net Run Rate

A team’s net run rate is calculated by deducting from the average runs per over scored by that team, the average runs per over scored against that team during the group matches.

If a team gets all out in less than its full quota of overs, the full quota of overs to which the batting team would have been entitled are used for calculating of the net run rate of both the teams and not the number of overs in which the team was dismissed.

Permutations for Pakistan

Now, let us try to see how Pakistan can beat Netherlands such that it ends up with a better net run rate than Netherlands, so as to qualify for the Super8.

Scenario 1: Pakistan bats first

Suppose Pakistan makes 180 runs in the allotted 20 overs. In that case, Pakistan should restrict Netherlands by 155. In short, what ever Pakistan scores, the margin of victory shall be more than 24 runs.

Scenario 2: Pakistan bowls first

Suppose Netherlands makes 180 runs in the allotted 20 overs. Pakistan would now need to make 181 runs in less than 17.2 overs.

In case Netherlands makes 150 runs in the allotted 20 overs. Pakistan would now need to make 151 runs in less than 17.0 overs.

Quick calculation:

If Y is the number of runs made by Netherlands in the first innings then Pakistan should make Y+1 runs in less than (2540 + 20Y) / (174+Y) overs

IND, IRE, WI, SL, NZ, SA and ENG reach Super 8: AUS out of the contest!

This seems like action packed thriller, so much happening at such a fast pace! India, Ireland, West Indies, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and South Africa have played only one match each but results of other matches have helped them secure their place in the Super8. No one would have predicted this, only eight matches have been played and seven teams have reached the Super8 stage. 🙂

The battle remains between Pakistan and Netherlands for the last spot…

Group standings

Before getting into the details, let us have a look at the group standings after the end of Australia vs. Sri Lanka match on June 8.

Group A:

Bangladesh having lost both its game is out of the tournament, thus the other two teams from the group- India and Ireland have automatically qualified for the Super8.

Group B:

In case Pakistan beats Netherlands in the final match of the group, there will be a 3 way tie… but in no case Netherlands, even after losing to Pakistan, can improve their net rate. This means that England is safely into the Super 8.

The comparison of the NRR between Pakistan and Netherland will decide which team out of them qualifies for the Super8

In case, Netherlands beat Pakistan in the final match of the group, Netherlands will qualify to the Super8 along with England.

In case the match ends in a tie or as ‘No Result’, Ireland will end up topping the group with 3 points and will qualify for the Super8 along with England.

What ever the result of the match between Pakistan and Netherlands may be, England has definitely qualified for the Super8.

Group C:

Australia having lost both its games is out of the tournament, thus the other two teams from the group- West Indies and Sri Lanka have automatically qualified for the Super8.

Group D:

Scotland having lost both its game is out of the tournament, thus the other two teams from the group- New Zealand and South Africa have automatically qualified for the Super8.

The Indian Squad for WT 20

The young Indian team with an average age of 24.6 years looks pretty balanced and much stronger than the team that won the last title.

The suspense around Zaheer’s fitness and availability still continues. In case he is not able to join the squad, he could be replaced with Ashish Nehra who did well at this IPL or perhaps Munaf Patel. If Nehra is included in the squad, it will be his first international match after 2005.

Though Sehwag and Gambhir seemed a little out of touch during the IPL, but they need just one match to get back into the demolishing form again and promise a solid fort at the top of the order. Part time bowlers have proved that they are more than a utility option and with any combination from the playing eleven, Dhoni will have a choice of 9 players whom he can ask to bowl.

No doubt, the defending champions will start their campaign being the tournament’s favorite!

A Quick Recap of IPL Season 2

Winner: Deccan Chargers

League Topper: Delhi Daredevils with 20 points

Best Indian under-23 player: Rohit Sharma (DC)

Player of the tournament: Adam Gilchrist (DC)

Fair play award winner: Kings XI Punjab

Orange Cap: Matthew Hayden (CSK)

Purple Cap: R.P. Singh (DC)

Top 5 Batsmen

Batsman	Innings	Runs	Balls	100’s	50’s	Avg	HS
Matthew Hayden	12	572	395	0	5	52.00	89
Adam Gilchrist	16	495	325	0	3	30.93	85
AB de Villiers	13	465	355	1	3	51.66	105
Suresh Raina	14	434	309	0	2	31.00	98
TM Dilshan	13	418	341	0	4	41.80	67

Top 5 Bowlers

Bowler	Matches	Overs	Maidens	Wickets	Eco	Avg	3 Wickets
Rudra Singh	16	59.4	1	23	6.98	18.13	2
Anil Kumble	16	59.1	1	21	5.86	16.52	2
Ashish Nehra	13	51	1	19	6.78	18.21	1
Pragyan Ojha	15	53.3	0	18	6.50	19.33	2
Lasith Malinga	13	49.3	2	18	6.30	17.33	3

Highest Individual Score

Player	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	SR	Team	Opposition
MK Pandey	114*	73	10	4	156.16	Bangalore	vs Deccan
AB de Villiers	105*	54	5	6	194.44	Delhi	vs Chennai
SK Raina	98	55	10	5	178.18	Chennai	vs Rajasthan
ML Hayden	89	58	8	6	153.44	Chennai	vs Punjab
AC Gilchrist	85	35	10	5	242.85	Deccan	vs Delhi

Maximum Sixes

Player	Matches	Innings	Number of sixes
AC Gilchrist	16	16	29
ML Hayden	12	12	22
SK Raina	14	14	21
RG Sharma	16	16	18
Yuvraj Singh	14	14	16

Maximum Catches

Player	Team	Catches
AB de Villiers	Delhi Daredevils	13
Dinesh Karthik	Delhi Daredevils	12
Herschelle Gibbs	Deccan Chargers	11
Adam Gilchrist	Deccan Chargers	10
Virat Kohli	Royal Challengers Bangalore	9

Highest Partnership

Partners	Runs	Wicket	Team	Against
Naman Ojha, Graeme Smith	135	1	RR	K XI P
Sanath Jayasuriya , Sachin Tendulkar	127	1	MI	KKR
Jacques Kallis, Robin Uthappa	126	2	RCB	MI
Parthiv Patel, Matthew Hayden	106	1	CSK	RCB
Ajinkya Rahane, JP Duminy	104	3	MI	RCB

Fastest 100 by a Team

Team	Against	Date	Overs
Mumbai Indians	Kolkata Knight Riders	27 April	8.4
Chennai Super Kings	Royal Challengers Bangalore	20 April	9.2
Chennai Super Kings	Delhi Daredevils	23 April	9.3

Highest Team Score

Team	Score	Overs	Versus	Venue
Rajasthan Royals	211/4	20	Kings XI Punjab	Kingsmead
Kolkata Knight Riders	189/3	20	Chennai Super Kings	SuperSport Park
Delhi Daredevils	189/5	20	Chennai Super Kings	Kingsmead

Kings XI Punjab still have a chance of reaching the IPL-2 Semifinals!

Yes it’s true… even though Kings XI Punjab have lost their last match to Chennai Super Kings, they are still in the race for the Semifinals. In my post “How can Kings XI Punjab reach the IPL 2 Semifinals?” yesterday, I did mention this scenario.

Let us first have a look at the current points

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	N/R	Pts	Net RR	For	Against
Delhi Daredevils	13	9	4	0	0	18	+0.251	1812/237.5	1788/242.4
Chennai	14	8	5	0	1	17	+0.951	2086/255.3	1855/257.1
Deccan Chargers	13	7	6	0	0	14	+0.265	1953/252.4	1927/258.1
Bangalore	13	7	6	0	0	14	-0.253	1824/256.0	1869/253.2
Kings XI Punjab	14	7	7	0	0	14	-0.483	1787/251.2	1887/248.3
Rajasthan Royals	14	6	7	0	1	13	-0.352	1688/253.1	1810/257.5
Mumbai Indians	13	5	7	0	1	11	+0.401	1732/236.2	1636/236.1
Kolkata	14	3	10	0	1	7	-0.789	1757/248.5	1867/237.5

Pay special attention to the points of Kings XI Punjab, Deccan Chargers and Royal Challengers Bangalore. All the teams are currently at par with 14 points. When Deccan Chargers and Royal Challengers Bangalore play against each other today evening, the winning team will clearly make it to the Semifinal. The losing side will end up with 14 points on the table along with Kings XI Punjab, and in this case the Net Run Rate will decide who makes it to the Semifinal against Delhi Daredevils – who are at the top of the table.

In case, Deccan Royal Challengers lose today’s match, it will be really difficult for Kings XI Punjab (Net Run Rate of -.483) to beat Deccan Chargers (Current Net Run Rate of +0.265) and make it to the Semifinals.

In case, Bangalore Royal Challengers lose the match, it could be a tricky situation as the Net Run Rate could play a major part and Kings XI Punjab might just get through to the Semifinals.

Well, Deccan Royal Challengers and Royal Challengers Bangalore might even be praying for a complete wash out of the match by rains, so that both the teams end up with 15 points each and comfortably reach the Semifinals, without the risk of the pressure match.

Illustration on how bleak or sound are the chances for Kings XI Punjab to make it to the Semifinals?

Let us assume Royal Challengers Bangalore lose the match against Deccan Chargers and try to find how the stats could decide Kings XI Punjab’s fate.

If Deccan chargers play first…

Let’s assume Deccan Chargers score 150 runs in 20 overs

Now, Royal Challengers Bangalore need to score at least 89 runs in 20 overs to still make it to the Semifinals outperforming Kings XI Punjab on the Net Run Rate.

If Royal Challengers Bangalore play first…

Let’s assume Royal Challengers Bangalore score 150 runs in 20 overs

Now Royal Challengers Bangalore need to make sure that if Deccan Chargers win the match they should make 151 (or 156 to be on a safer side) in not less than 12 overs so that Royal Challengers Bangalore still get into the Semifinal outperforming Kings XI Punjab on the Net Run Rate.

Going by this illustration, chances of Kings XI Punjab making it to the Semifinals are very bleak.

Side Talks: The faces of Preeti Zinta and Shilpa Shetty throughout the tournament were live commentary of the fate of their teams. Both of them were caught in private moments of despair on the big screen after their respective matches. Sadly, for Shilpa Shetty the campaign got over last night, while Preeti Zinta would still be hoping for a miracle.