Indian Cricket Team Fixtures

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Indian Cricket Team Fixtures

So here comes Cricket Lovers' addition to the International fixtures. Below calendar lists Indian Cricket team's future schedules and recent past match total scores. Navigation to this vast data is simplified and consolidated at one place like never before.

What's more, you can subscribe to this calendar with Google and add to your personal Google Calendar. Thus, you can easily keep track of important fixtures from your own device for your favorite Country. Or you can revisit this page, which we are sure is already bookmarked for such clever posts on beautiful game of Cricket and related subjects! Now, that's what we call smart planning!

Tips for exploring Google Calendar better:

• Use backward/ forward button below Month - Year text to go to previous/ next month
• Use Agenda tab to view details in list format
• Click any link to check fixture details like score, timings etc. 

Since we have added calendar recently,  your suggestions and feedback, especially on usability and accuracy, are very important.

Source & Credits:

This calendar is sourced by Google Calendar, which in turn depends on ICC events' schedule. Cricket Lovers' blog is simply embedding calendar here with all data sourced as it is. There can be deviations from actual data for which Cricket Lovers' blog is not responsible.

2013 IPL Season 6 Schedule, Teams, Tickets

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2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) Season 6

An here comes the 2013 IPL season 6 that probably all of us are waiting (?) for! Last 5 seasons have been exciting yet tiring, spectacular yet controversial, breathtaking at end yet boring in the middle. But the All Indian Cricketing circus is back with a bang. This time, you will see Sunrisers Hyderabad as a new team while Deccan Chargers is a thing of a past.

Here, let us quickly look at the schedule of the mega event and then the team & ticket information.

2013 IPL Season 6 Schedule:

Date and Time	Match
#	Apr 3 to Apr 10
Wed Apr 3	1st match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Daredevils
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Thu Apr 4	2nd match - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Mumbai Indians
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Fri Apr 5	3rd match - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Pune Warriors
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
Sat Apr 6	4th match - Delhi Daredevils v Rajasthan Royals
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Sat Apr 6	5th match - Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Sun Apr 7	6th match - Pune Warriors v Kings XI Punjab
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune
Sun Apr 7	7th match - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Royal Challengers Bangalore
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
Mon Apr 8	8th match - Rajasthan Royals v Kolkata Knight Riders
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Tue Apr 9	9th match - Mumbai Indians v Delhi Daredevils
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Wed Apr 10	10th match - Kings XI Punjab v Chennai Super Kings
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh
#	Apr 11 to Apr 20
Thu Apr 11	11th match - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kolkata Knight Riders
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Thu Apr 11	12th match - Pune Warriors v Rajasthan Royals
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune
Fri Apr 12	13th match - Delhi Daredevils v Sunrisers Hyderabad
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Sat Apr 13	14th match - Mumbai Indians v Pune Warriors
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Sat Apr 13	15th match - Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Sun Apr 14	16th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Sun Apr 14	17th match - Rajasthan Royals v Kings XI Punjab
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Mon Apr 15	18th match - Chennai Super Kings v Pune Warriors
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Tue Apr 16	19th match - Kings XI Punjab v Kolkata Knight Riders
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh
Tue Apr 16	20th match - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Delhi Daredevils
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Wed Apr 17	21st match - Pune Warriors v Sunrisers Hyderabad
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune
Wed Apr 17	22nd match - Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Thu Apr 18	23rd match - Delhi Daredevils v Chennai Super Kings
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Fri Apr 19	24th match - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kings XI Punjab
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
Sat Apr 20	25th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Chennai Super Kings
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Sat Apr 20	26th match - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Rajasthan Royals
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
#	Apr 21 to Apr 30
Sun Apr 21	27th match - Delhi Daredevils v Mumbai Indians
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Sun Apr 21	28th match - Kings XI Punjab v Pune Warriors
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh
Mon Apr 22	29th match - Chennai Super Kings v Rajasthan Royals
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Tue Apr 23	30th match - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Pune Warriors
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Tue Apr 23	31st match - Kings XI Punjab v Delhi Daredevils
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh
Wed Apr 24	32nd match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Thu Apr 25	33rd match - Chennai Super Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Fri Apr 26	34th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Kings XI Punjab
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Sat Apr 27	35th match - Rajasthan Royals v Sunrisers Hyderabad
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Sat Apr 27	36th match - Mumbai Indians v Royal Challengers Bangalore
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Sun Apr 28	37th match - Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Sun Apr 28	38th match - Delhi Daredevils v Pune Warriors
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Mon Apr 29	39th match - Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Mon Apr 29	40th match - Mumbai Indians v Kings XI Punjab
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Tue Apr 30	41st match - Pune Warriors v Chennai Super Kings
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune
#	May 1 to May 10
Wed May 1	42nd match - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Mumbai Indians
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
Wed May 1	43rd match - Delhi Daredevils v Kolkata Knight Riders
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Thu May 2	44th match - Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Thu May 2	45th match - Pune Warriors v Royal Challengers Bangalore
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune
Fri May 3	46th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Sat May 4	47th match - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Delhi Daredevils
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
Sat May 4	48th match - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kings XI Punjab
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Sun May 5	49th match - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Sun May 5	50th match - Rajasthan Royals v Pune Warriors
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Mon May 6	51st match - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Sunrisers Hyderabad
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Tue May 7	52nd match - Rajasthan Royals v Delhi Daredevils
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Tue May 7	53rd match - Mumbai Indians v Kolkata Knight Riders
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Wed May 8	54th match - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Chennai Super Kings
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
Thu May 9	55th match - Kings XI Punjab v Rajasthan Royals
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh
Thu May 9	56th match - Pune Warriors v Kolkata Knight Riders
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune
Fri May 10	57th match - Delhi Daredevils v Royal Challengers Bangalore
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
#	May 11 to May 20
Sat May 11	58th match - Pune Warriors v Mumbai Indians
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune
Sat May 11	59th match - Kings XI Punjab v Sunrisers Hyderabad
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh
Sun May 12	60th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bangalore
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	HEC International Cricket Stadium Complex, Ranchi
Sun May 12	61st match - Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Mon May 13	62nd match - Delhi Daredevils v Kings XI Punjab
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Mon May 13	63rd match - Mumbai Indians v Sunrisers Hyderabad
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Tue May 14	64th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Pune Warriors
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	HEC International Cricket Stadium Complex, Ranchi
Wed May 15	65th match - Chennai Super Kings v Delhi Daredevils
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Wed May 15	66th match - Mumbai Indians v Rajasthan Royals
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Thu May 16	67th match - Kings XI Punjab v Royal Challengers Bangalore
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharmasala
Fri May 17	68th match - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
Sat May 18	69th match - Kings XI Punjab v Mumbai Indians
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharmasala
Sat May 18	70th match - Pune Warriors v Delhi Daredevils
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune
Sun May 19	71st match - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Chennai Super Kings
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local	M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Sun May 19	72nd match - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
#	May 21 to May 26
#	Qualifier
Tue May 21	Qualifier 1 - TBC v TBC (1st v 2nd)
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
#	Eliminator
Wed May 22	Eliminator - TBC v TBC (3rd v 4th)
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
#	Qualifier
Fri May 24	Qualifier 2 - TBC v TBC (Winner Eliminator v Loser Qualifier 1)
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Eden Gardens, Kolkata
#	Finals
Sun May 26	Final - TBC v TBC
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local	Eden Gardens, Kolkata
	TBC: To Be Confirmed

Sachin Tendulkar's Unforgettable Innings

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And then..., there comes a day when Sachin Tendulkar announces his retirement from One Day International (ODI) Cricket. As an ardent Sachin Tendulkar fan, I had mixed emotions, may be, failing to express myself - whether to celebrate his golden career, or to express displeasure about his early retirement (than expected). But as I write this, taking emotions out of of mind and coming to reality with his decision, as a blogger, I thoroughly welcome his decision to retire from ODIs. He has done everything that a human being can do in ODIs.

In our lifetimes, I am sure, we will never ever be able to see another player having 49 ODI centuries, 96 ODI half centuries, 18426 ODI runs and all this with an amazing strike rate of 86.14 and an unbelievable average of 44.83! Ours is the generation, highly blessed I will say, which has seen the jersey number 10 playing one 'divine' innings after the other and we will be telling our children, grandchildren that 'yes, there was this man, I have seen him batting Live!'

Well, for that generation, which will want a glimpse of Sachin's batting, here is a list of must watch Sachin Tendulkar innings. If you have not seen these innings, may be you have not seen the real Sachin Tendulkar. If you have seen them, may be there is no doubt in your mind, why he is called 'the God of Cricket!'

A gentle advice: I recommend you to add this post to your bookmark/ share on your wall. So whenever you want to get inspired, get sheer joy and entertainment, forget your sorrows and worries, just tune in - watch these innings highlights, and get blessed!

Negative effects of IPL

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Poor form in Test Cricket- IPL to blame?

In one of the earlier posts related to Indian Premier League (IPL), we had enthusiastically talked about Positive effects of IPL. Before the start of IPL 2012, India had lost Test series to England 0-4 in England, to Australia 0-4 in Australia and India failed to qualify for the CB Series and Asia Cup finals. After that, the exciting IPL 2012 happened and all of a sudden, everyone forgot about the most depressing season of Test Cricket for India. And then, new season of Cricket started with tours of Sri Lanka, New Zealand followed by T20 World Cup. As if this schedule was not hectic for Indian team, players were sent to the Champions League in October, this year. And now, we have seen what has happened with Indian team versus England in home series.

In the same post, I had mentioned that there are positive as well as negative effects of IPL. Let's try to find out what aspects of IPL are NOT good for Indian Cricket, particularly, Indian Test Cricket, since the time is right to raise some hard questions.

Bad scheduling of IPL?

1. IPL is scheduled in April and May, which are hottest months of Indian summer. Traditionally, these months were reserved for rest to the players before next season of Cricket - domestic and international - begins. If players are made to play 15 high intensity games in 10 different parts of India, the travel and over-Cricket is bound to take a toll on players, physically and mentally. Finally, who wants to work on Holidays, even if one is paid!
2. It becomes compelling for BCCI to organize this event in these months as Indian Team neither travels nor hosts any international tournament in these months. But, this also means, players are overly exhausted, they do not have recovery time, they do not have time to operate themselves on injuries.
3. At the same time, no other international team has compulsion to adjust team's schedule according to IPL. International players have limited presence in IPL, that too, after their Cricket Board's approval.

The point is, Indian players are more stressed up than their international counterparts, which definitely reflects in their fitness levels.

Possibility of deterioration of Cricketing skills?

1. In IPL, if a batsman gets out playing a rash shot, it is NOT considered as 'throwing of a wicket' or 'batsman not putting price on his wicket'. It is accepted in IPL to play brave shots, even if that means wasting your wicket. On the other hand, Test Cricket teaches you to keep your wicket as long as you can.
2. In IPL, a bowler has maximum of 4 overs. How is it possible to test bowler's fitness, skills in these 4 overs? If a bowler has higher strike rate and higher average, it is not considered a guilt, neither it is associated with the bowler's ability in IPL. Further, since batsmen are always prone to make mistakes while scoring quick runs, many of IPL wickets are not bowlers' wickets but those are just batsmen making mistake and bowler getting wickets.

In Test Cricket, no batsman gets to score runs without hard work, and similarly no bowler gets easy wickets; as they might get in IPL. Lac of 'test' of concentration, fitness, temperament, Cricketing skills and mostly ignored - 'Cricketing intelligence' in IPL makes it tough for players to adapt to Test Cricket as it requires all these skills and their application on field, day after day!

Is motivation to play for country/ Test Cricket reduced?

1. If the player has played just one or two domestic Cricket seasons, he can play IPL. It offers huge amount of money in just 2 to 3 months. Good for them, but due to this early money, fame and opportunity, will those players be still motivated enough to play Test Cricket or be part of International Indian Cricket Team? If one calculates, an average player will definitely get more money by playing IPL than by playing whole season of Test Cricket.

In the end, no one wants to take harder route to earn same amount of money. This leads to the further point:

Have priorities of Indian players changed?

Sachin Tendulkar announces retirement

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Oh My God..! Did I just miss 'if' at the start of the post title? Relax guys, Sachin has not announced his retirement, YET. But there are number of experts, bloggers and at random anyone who knows Cricket, is talking about the 'un-talkable' subject of Sachin Tendulkar's retirement.

Let's just imagine (again- the unimaginable), that Sachin Tendulkar has called it a day and has taken the decision to retire from Cricket. What an impact it will have all over Cricketing and non Cricketing world! How media will react to the news? What news-stories will trend all over the media? Let's look it from funny and 'LOL'ing manner.

Presenting, 'the Retirement that wasn't declared': The news spoofs about Sachin's retirement! Read the effects of this biggest retirement of century and start LOLing..!

Cricketing Effects:

Hmm... Let's start news, what Sachin's colleagues say:

Kohli, Dhoni WELCOME Sachin's retirement, stating this would give youngsters a chance.

On condition of anonymity a source in the team said that the real reason to welcome retirement is because many of Tendulkar ad brands are going to come their (Kohli/ Dhoni's) way.
See... How concerned our team icons are about new comer lads ;-)

Moving on,

Shane Warne- finally able to quit daily dose of sleeping pills

We heard he was prescribed the pills after Sachin started to appear in his dreams- hitting him all over ground nonstop for last 16 years- making it a nightmare!

Indian Test Cricket team to keep number 4 spot vacant as a mark of respect for Sachin Tendulkar!

Our well-placed sources confirmed the real reason being-- NO ONE ELSE TO REPLACE HIM..!!! Vacancy..!! Urgently Required..!!! Apply Now..!!!!

Steve Buckner to restart his umpiring career.

Says, now his umpiring can be impartial! Hmm.. True... No Tendulkar, no need to be partial with opponent team!

Further on,

Sachin to become selector, coach, remote-controlling-captain, mentor and motivator of Indian Cricket Team- OFFICIALLY

Asking how? Yes, he was in these roles 'unofficially' till now, hereon, it will be official role!! No big deal... is it??

Further in spoofs,

Ganguly is made the captain of retired Indian Cricket players (age above 37), the team beats Dhoni's team 3-0 in a "T20" domestic series.

Sachin gets man of the series award for his 3 consecutive centuries. Dhoni blames 'the turning pitches' for the defeat!!!
T20- pitches, Mr Dhoni, are you all right???

13 Cricketers on ground refuse to play Cricket, as crowd INSULTED them.

Crowd stars shouting: 'Sachinnn... Sachin... dhann dhann dhann... Sachinnn... Sachin... dhann dhann dhann... Sachinnn... Sachin... dhann dhann dhann...' when they saw Sachin coming as a commentator in commentary box! Players hurt with this insult, as no one to cheer them.

(News in year 2020) Sachin's unbreakable record of 34000+ international runs and 100 centuries is finally broken, by---

combined efforts of all international batsmen after 7 years of performance in all formats of the game! ICC to facilitate all involved in the effort..!!!

Social Effects:

You can no more commit all your 'sins' as God will no more be busy watching Sachin play!

So... be a good guy/ girl that you are.. and don't commit any sins that you used to :-P

Mumbai and entire Maharashtra along with Sydney to remain shut for entire week to mourn retirement of Sachin Tendulkar.

Extended Christmas Holidays, you know! 

Bloggers, newspaper columnist, statisticians loose their jobs due to slow-down in 'market'

Yes! The most iconic, the most written about, the most talked about Cricketer is no more in action! On whom to write, talk!!! No job, sit idle :-)

Sachin's critics desperately in search of another bread and butter

Ohh.. How can you forget them! They had a very secured job for last 23 years...

Moving on,

A crazy Sachin fan names his twins as:- 1. Sachin, 2. Tendulkar.

We learned both of them are-- baby GIRLS!
Crazy fan perhaps mad too..!!!

Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary changes his appearance first time.

After... about.. many years. Yes, for the first time! You know him... He paints his body in tricolor, writes Tendulkar-10 on his back!

Further in the news,

Arjun Tendulkar files application for changing his name to:- BharatRatna

making his full name read:-- Bharatratna Sachin Tendulkar
Hmmm... Now that's a very smart kid...

Suddenly, half of grounds in India are to be named after Sachin Tendulkar, and we heard those are football and hockey grounds.. not cricket..!

How strange..!
In fact, terrible... because Cricket in India is run by full time politicians.. how can they give anything to anyone except between themselves, even names!

As soon as Sachin's retirement news broke, 5 people reportedly died out of heart attack, 13 tried to set ablaze themselves

RIP Sachin fans!

News and Media Effects:

Positive effects of IPL

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Why IPL is such a mega hit event - for all of us?

DLF IPL Logo

Indian Premier League (IPL), the glamorous baby of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has now entered in its 5th year. For any newly organised event this is sufficient period to make a mark - and so did  IPL, in style. At the beginning of first season in 2008, nobody knew what shape IPL will take. The only know thing was that it may have inspired from English Premier League - ace football league - as far as concept of format was concerned and it was to be played in India - where Cricket is religion.

While taking its shape, IPL has already impacted Cricket, Business and Entertainment. The effects of IPL, there are several - positive and negative. Let's talk the positive effects of IPL.

1. Cricketing Effects

• Youngsters get experience, money:

In country like India, sports is not generally something parents ask their children to persue. Because, if you reach to the top, only then, you get money, fame and can secure your life. Else you are just another unknown face. And you cannot earn a safe bread butter, because you are not a Doctor or an Engineer! But IPL has provided chance for all those 'middle level Cricketers' from India and abroad, who were unknown faces but IPL provided them stage to put their performance and get instant recognition, money and fame. Ravindra Jadeja, prime example from India or Shaun Marsh from Australia.

Talking about experience, how amazing and invaluable would it be for these upcoming young Cricketers to share dressing rooms with the legends of Cricket! What a learning it would be to bat under guidance of Sachin Tendulkar or being trained leg spin by Share Warne. Generally, the international players do not play domestic Cricket. So, these players never have chance to have interaction with the greats of game. But with IPL, it is a 2 month long journey that these youngsters can travel with the big daddys of Cricket. Indeed, the most positive effect IPL.

• International icons playing alongside:

Now how did it feel when Sachin Tendulkar came along with Sanath Jayasurya for opening the innings for Mumbai Indians in first IPL edition? May be the most explosive opening pair one can imagine. What a different site it is when Dale Steyn clean bowled Jack Kallis - his national teammate - and celebrated it wildly. This is another biggest effect of IPL. The iconic players rub shoulders together, forgetting their country monetarily, and bring out the best for their clubs. This is not just interesting to watch but also great professional lesson to everyone of us as to how to value team more than an individual.

IPL also gives rare chance for the ageing and fading icons to play Cricket. This not only extends their innings in Cricket but also gives chance to their fans to see them play again. It is always better to see players like Sourav Ganguly, Adam Gilchrist in Cricketing jersey rather than 3 piece suit, isn't it?

IPL 2012 Theme

IPL Matches Highlights

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The Must Watch Video Highlights of IPL 2012 (Updated after every Must Watch Action on Field)

Hey, did you see Chris Gayle's 5 sixers? Did you see Ajinkya Rahane's 6 fours in an over? Checked yesterday's match highlights? Watched that extraordinary catch in today's match, buddy? Are you able to watch IPL matches - Live? If your answer to all above questions is a big NO... amm... or let's say, a big YES, even then, watching IPL matches' highlights is a very exciting stuff! 

But where do you get the videos that YOU want to watch? Well, who wants to visit a site having 2000+, and counting, IPL 2012 highlights videos, not sorted accordingly our liking, find out which video to watch and then start buffering... time consuming, isn't it? Hmm... not anymore! Bringing specially for YOU, the selective videos which are the must watch! A brilliant catch or a brilliant over bowled, or a superb nail-biting finish or a batting power packed performance happened in IPL till now, you will get all over here.

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• Best Player Bowling: IPL 2012 - MI vs DC - Dale Steyn, Match 40

Watch this for the best spell in this IPL. Steyn - the master of swing, pace, accuracy!

• 2nd Inning Highlights: IPL 2012 - DD vs RR, Match 39

Watch this for
(a) Ajinkya Rahane's performance (b) How one good over can change result of match- 19th over

• 1st Inning Highlights: IPL 2012 - KKR vs RCB, Match 38:

Watch this for Gambhi's fireworks:

Poor Indian Batting Performance Continues

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It is said that when calamities strike, they strike from all directions. Indian team, trapped deep inside tornado, must have realized by now that this is the darkest hour of their cricketing life. If they have not realized, well, God help them! Perth debacle takes the tally to the straight 7th Test Match loss for India away from home. While the only match they won at home was against very weak West Indies side. And in that series too, India could have easily lost the last game, thanks to R Ashwin for the last over sensible batting, which saved the Test and series!

Batting: The real culprit

Last 7 Away Test Matches Batting 'non'- Performance

And The Empire India begins...

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Cometh the hour, cometh the Champion!

Mission Accomplished

Rome wasn't built in a day, neither was Team India. The process that was started around 10 years back, under Captaincy of Sourav Ganguly, has reached its peak under the Leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The process saw its lowest point at 2007 world cup when Team India thrashed out in league matches. Come 2011 and I can say with very much pride that INDIA IS WORLD CHAMPION after 28 years! The warriors of team India who Changed the game and made India proud:





MS Dhoni: Emperor of World

Leading from the front

Midas Singh Dhoni touches and converts in Gold- 24 carat. He is in true sense the greatest leader(!) India has ever produced. Picture this: 114 for 3, India need another 160 odd runs with 6 runs per over. MS Dhoni with poor run with bat throughout WC. And boy, he promotes himself up to carry on left- right batting combination against wild Malinga and unplayable Murali.

How many people would come at that situation when your team is under huge pressure to rebuild innings that too in Big World Cup Final, your own form is the worst in career and people are talking about your position in the side, opponents are high on confidence (and perhaps skills), 121 crore fans expecting you to Win from  bottom of their heart  and none another than Yuvraj the best player in the tournament is waiting in dressing room!
In fact, if Dhoni had not come, it would have been a safe game for Dhoni himself. But a real warrior Dhoni is, did it, not to prove anything to anyone but to prove himself. This was the occasion, this was the challenge, his team required him the most, but nobody expecting him to confront this situation as Yuvraj was the option available, but Dhoni had different plans, he decided to took all the responsibility on his shoulders and finished the mission with unbeaten 91, smashing winning six.. This event separates him from a good captain  to the greatest leader. Now, he has gone beyond captaincy. He is being a captain with great success in the past as he has won Twenty-20 World Cup, 1st Ranking in Test Cricket, IPL Championship, Champions League Trophy and remember he is yet to loose a series in Test cricket. But, I think this is not just a captaincy, he is a great borne leader and he built a team knowing strengths and weaknesses of his team and opponents. He took bold decisions through out the World cup too. Many a times he was criticized  for his experiments when few went wrong, but he is great person to admit his mistakes. In fact he learned from his mistakes every now and then. But the best thing is that he never frightened to commit a mistake. People call Dhoni is Lucky, I don't think so. Dhoni writes his own luck  and that is what he has done in last 4 years for India!
Dhoni- the Emperor in India Cricket.

Yuvraj Singh:

Yuvi gives Indian team the aggression- I say arrogance- that a World Champion team needs to carry with them. Not to show off, but to lift the spirit of their own team! And don't forget, arrogance is acceptable when you are MoM for 4 matches and Player of tournament in World Cup! It suits you only when you score 362 runs with a massive average of 90.50 and claim 15 wickets in World cup tournament!
This is Yuvraj for you, 'Yuvraj' of Empire India!

Youngistaan:

Dream come true!

The brilliance of Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohali, Suresh Raina, R Ashwin was shown whenever required. Who can forget Gambhir's 97 runs- chasing 275- in WC final- when Sehwag and Sachin got out within first 6 overs? Probably Gambhir has played greatest inning of his life.
Virat, to whom India looks as future captain is good batter, athletic fielder. And Suresh Raina- my favorite- is superb finisher the best fielder and partnership breaking bowler.
You can invest your hopes in Generation next of Indian Empire!




Zaheer Khan:

To build an empire, you should be the best in all departments. Exception is Indian bowling, which is faaaar away from tag of best bowling unit. But standing out tall is Zaheer. He claimed 21 wickets- sharing top wicket taker spot in WC with Shahid Afridi. He led the attack from front and produced match wining performances- produced crucial wickets just when needed. All other bowling is still a big concern- though empire is built!

And...

Sachin Tendulkar:

IPL - 4 Teams After Auction

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Hi Guys,
I think IPL season 4 is going to be very exciting as two new teams have joined the event from this season, viz. Pune Warriors and Kochi. Now there will be 10 teams playing IPL season 4. Recently Auctions for IPL - 4 are over and most of the players will be playing for a different franchise as compared to last three seasons. Few franchises have retained their best players, like Sachin Tendulkar will play for Mumbai Indians only.

Just to become familiar with the new teams and the amount paid to each player do refer the following info:

Asia won, next is World to win..!

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It took 15 years for Indian Cricket Team to claim the Asia Cup again. The last time we celebrated the Asia Cup win was way back in 1995 at Sharjah. Since then, India lost to Sri Lanka on last 3 occasions when the team reached the finals ie.- 1998, 2004, 2008. But Asia Cup 2010 is thankfully exception to the poor record of the team in the finals. This can be regarded as the most significant victory after India beat Australia in their own yard.

Life is like Cricket

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A few days ago, my school mate who lives in a metro city now, came back to our town. He said to me, "yaar, chotya cityt bore hotay re..." (It is boring to be in small city). I said, "pan tu tar ethech rahat hotas aani teva tula nahi bore vatale" (You were living here a few years ago, you did not feel the same then..!). The conversation then shifted to more interesting subjects as you can imagine, but the point remained in my mind... And then I realized, there is greater analogy between Life and Cricket!

Downs and downs..!

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"There are ups and downs in sports...", "That was not our day...", "It is uncertain...", "Wins and losses are part of game..."-- All this is true but up to certain extent. Though I am not a critic of Indian Cricket Team, I cannot resists myself from doing that

Super Raina!

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Suresh Super Raina will be the correct name for Raina these days. He is batting superb. Importantly, he is able to carry the form he had shown in IPL to ICC World T20.

Raina played the winning knock against the South Africa (SA). But it wasn't all easy in the start as it may look in the score card! Raina came almost in first over. The pitch was bouncy. The ball was new- hard. It was swinging. Dale Steyn was bowling in the very good areas and so were the others and hence they had already picked up Murli Vijay.