Preview: India vs Sri Lanka World Cup 2011 final match

INDIA VS SRI LANKA World Cup 2011 final will probably be the last Cricket World Cup match of two contemporary legends, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and bowling great Muttiah Muralitharan. Sachin Tendulkar has added numerous feathers in his cap with the exception of the Cricket World Cup trophy, whereas Murali has lifted the trophy in the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
The finalists of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, India and Sri Lanka, have played 128 matches so far with each other and the record is in favour of India by 67-50 (NR: 11). In World Cup matches Sri Lankans are leading by 4-2. At the venue of the final match of the Cricket World Cup 2011, both teams have won one match each.
In the India vs Sri Lanka World Cup 2011 final match on Saturday, Indian fast bowler Ashish Nehra, who bowled exceptionally well in the semi final against Pakistan in Mohali, is battling an injury because of a fractured right hand middle finger.
Sri Lanka coach Trevor Bayliss has said spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan will play his last international match on Saturday at Wankhede Stadium despite his fitness problem, which include hamstring injury, side strain, troublesome knee and a groin issue.
In the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, the Indian team will have to give attention to fielding. Throughout the tournament Indian fielding has been an area of concern for the captain and team management, though India has fielded well in crucial encounters against Australia and Pakistan.

In bowling Zaheer Khan has done a good job of containment and of taking wickets, but Harbhajan has not supported him up to his capacity.
Sachin Tendulkar is performing consistently well, but Gautam Gambhir has gifted his wicket many times in the ongoing tournament. Virender Sehwag is providing eletrifying starts in the tournament, and has scored 380 runs so far with an average of 54.29.

Virat Kohli needs improvement and consistency in his batting. Yuvrag Singh, one of the strongest contenders of the man-of-the-series, has performed equally well in both batting and bowling.
In the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Indian batsmen will have to be ready for the yorkers and intelligent deliveries of Lasith Malinga. Muttiah Muralitharan can also create panic for Indian batsmen. Sri Lankan batsmen Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga are playing good cricket and are scoring in every match. Indian bowlers will have to bowl a good line to the Lankan batsmen in form, and play with a cool mind.
The India vs Sri Lanka World Cup 2011 final match is likely to be an entertaining cricket match. Let's see on Saturday, April 2, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, who will play like a real champion, Sachin Tendulkar or Muttiah Muralitharan?
Given below are the India and Sri Lanka squads for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final match:
India: MS Dhoni (capt/wk), Virender Sehwag (vice capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, R. Ashwin, Piyush Chawla, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel and S. Sreesanth.
Coach: Gary Kirsten
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt/wk), Mahela Jayawardene (vice capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath.
Coach: Trevor Bayliss

Manish Pandey of Pune Warriors handed four IPL game ban

It has been announced that Manish Pandey has been hit with just a four-match ban by the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council after the player had been found guilty of violating the rules for uncapped Indian players.

As a result, the highly-promising middle-order batsman from Karnataka will now have to sit out the first four games of the fourth edition of the IPL 4 for his franchise, the Pune Warriors, with the tournament set to finally get under way at the start of April.

Pandey, who played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise during the previous two competitions, was found guilty of asking a franchise for more money than uncapped Indian players were entitled to, with the limit being set at Rs 20 lakh.

However, the player should be thankful that he has only been banned for four matches, as last year Indian international Ravindra Jadeja was suspended from the entire tournament having been found guilty of the same offence.

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Ryan McLaren to play for Kings XI Punjab in IPl 4

Kings XI Punjab have decided to replace injured Stuart Broad and Dimitri Mascarenhas with Ryan McLaren  a South African all-rounder,  ahead of the start of the fourth season of the Indian Premier league competition which starts next month.

The two England players were both forced to withdraw from IPL 4 due to injury, with Stuart Broad having injured his side while representing his country in the World Cup , while Hampshire’s Dimitri Mascarenhas is suffering from an Achilles’ tendon problem.

Ryan McLaren, who has played one-day and Twenty20 international Cricket for the Proteas, represented the Mumbai Indians in last year’s tournament and was approached by his new franchise on the weekend to inquire as to his availability for this season, which gets under way at the start of next month.

As no one opted to sign him during the January player auctions which took place in Bangalore, McLaren will only cost the Kings XI Punjab the base rate of $100,000.

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Indian team all set for India vs Sri Lanka World Cup 2011 final

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THIS SATURDAY on April 2 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, Indian team under the guidance of coach Gary Kirsten and leadership of captain MS Dhoni will take on co-hosts Sri Lanka to win the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 tournament for the second time in the history.

India has played two finals of the Cricket World Cup and won the trophy in 1983. Kapil Dev was the captain of Cricket World Cup winning squad in 1983. In 2003, under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly, India appeared second time in the World Cup final.

In 2011, Indian team is looking perfect and capable of winning the title. In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Indian legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who has scored 464 runs in eight matches, is the second highest run getters among the batsmen and bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan is in the second spot with 19 wickets among the top wicket takers.

Here are the records of Indian ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 squads

 

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Player	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50	Wickets	BBM	Ct/Stump
Virender Sehwag	7	7	0	380	175	54.29	1	1
Sachin Tendulkar	8	8	0	464	120	58	2	2
Gautam Gambhir	8	8	0	296	69	37	0	3
Virat Kohli	8	8	1	247	100*	35.29	1	1
Yuvraj Singh	8	7	3	341	113	85.25	1	4	13	31/5
MS Dhoni	8	7	2	150	34	30	0	0			6/3
Suresh Raina	3	3	2	74	36*	74	0	0	1	12/1
Yusuf Pathan	6	6	1	74	30*	14.8	0	0	1	49/1
Harbhajan Singh	8	4	0	18	12	4.5	0	0	8	53/3
Zaheer Khan	8	4	0	18	9	4.5	0	0	19	20/3
Munaf Patel	7	4	1	1	1	0.33	0	0	11	48/4
Ravichandran Ashwin	2	1	1	10	10*		0	0	4	41/2
Ashish Nehra	3	2	0	1	1	0. 5	0	0	3	33/2
Piyush Chawla	3	1	0	2	2	2	0	0	4	47/2
Sreesanth	1	0	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	0	NA

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Shahrukh Khan, Shakira to perform together for Kolkata Knight Riders

After Akon, Shahrukh Khan is ready to work with another Hollywood singer Shakira. Shahrukh will be seen shaking his legs with Shakira for his IPL 4 team’s music video. Shahrukh’s KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) has not performed well in last IPL, but this time to charge his team he has roped in Shakira. Salim - Suleiman are composing the song for the video.

Shahrukh met Shakira at the Fifa World Cup in South Africa where Shakira sang Waka Waka.

 

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India vs Pakistan semi final: The road to Mumbai is clear

THE PRESSURE was mounting on both sides when Pakistan came to batting in the second half of the World Cup semi-final against India to chase a not so huge great target of 261runs. Since, their bowling had been good, they didn’t allow India to set a high target.

Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez came to open for Pakistan. But, in the ninth over, Akmal was sent to the pavilion by Zaheer Khan. Since then wickets kept falling within every couple of overs, Pakistan could not get partnerships. Hafeez scored well but was dismissed after making 43 runs. Asad Shafiq scored a decent 30 on 39. By then, it was evident that the Pakistani team was going way behind the average run rate required. But, somehow they managed to keep the momentum and score with a run rate of 4.6 runs.

The momentum broke when Yuvraj took the third and fourth wickets within three overs. Later, Umar Akmal managed to increase run rate by scoring 29 runs in 24 balls. His batting brought Pakistan back into the game but then Harbhajan Singh drowned the hopes of Pakistan making it to the finals. Even Afridi couldn’t surprise the crowd and went back to the pavilion with 19 in 17 balls. But the Pakistani team fought till the end and went all out in 49.5 overs.

The Indian bowling was good. The trio of Zaheer , Munaf and Nehra worked for the team and for the captain. The otherwise underperformers, Munaf Patel and Ashish Nehra, managed to take two wickets each without giving away too much runs.

Yuvraj turned out to be the first spinner for India. He gave 57 runs, bowled a maiden over and took two crucial wickets at a crucial time. Harbhajan and Zaheer also took two wickets each.

The Indian fielding was good; Virat Kohli, Raina and Yuvraj did exceptionally well along with other players. India managed to get two maiden overs. Ashish Nehra gave away just 33 runs for which he shares the credit with fielders. Sachin Tendulkar appeared tense on the field since Pakistan was giving a good fight.

Check here for more information related to >>> ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Cricket Live Score Card

India vs Pakistan semi final: India manages to scrape through

THE AMAZING and delightful performance by Virender Sehwag in the initial overs of India vs Pakistan match on Wednesday had raised hopes of all the Indians that the team would be setting a target of nothing less than 300 runs.

After Sehwag got out with 38 runs in 25 balls in the 6th over, the run rate of more than 9 crumbled down to slightly above 7. However with Gambhir, Sachin picking up the momentum they brought the run rate to 8.5.

Later, Gambhir went down and Virat Kohli scored less and wasted more balls. The 5th batsman to arrive got out on duck and he was none other than Yuvraj Singh, who has been the World cup’s star performer so far, but couldn’t play a yorker by Wahab Riaz.

The next was the turn of Master blaster, Sachin Tendulkar, who managed to score 85 runs in 115 balls, but his innings wasn’t a glorious one. It was Sachin’s pure luck that he stayed on the pitch. Firstly, he was given benefit of doubt when the Pakistani team appealed against him, being stumped out. Secondly, the Pakistani fielders missed three catches offered by him.

MS Dhoni had a long partnership with Sachin, he went for 25 runs in 42 balls in the 42nd over. Suresh Raina came out as a saviour for India in the last overs. He scored 36 runs for 39 balls without losing his wicket. The rest of the batting order showed no wonders. Harbhajan scored 12 in 15 balls, Zaheer scored 9 in 10 balls, Nehra scored 1 in 2 balls and Munaf Patel did not face any ball.

The Pakistani bowling was let down with Umar Gul giving 21 runs in his second over, Afridi didn’t even give the senior bowler 10 complete overs, and he had to finish up with 8 overs. On other hand Wahab Raiz showed some great bowling by taking 5 wickets in 10 overs and giving 46 runs. He could be called Pakistan’s saviour for the day. Saeed Ajmal took 2 wickets for 44 runs.

Pakistan fielded badly and it looked like as if they had soaked their hands in butter. But, they managed to break the momentum of Indian team in the middle overs. However in the last 5 overs their fielding revived and Pakistan managed to save a lot of runs.

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India vs Sri Lanka final match, can Sachin hold the trophy

AFTER ONE of the most exciting matches at PCA stadium in Mohali between India and Pakistan on Wednesday, March 30, all eyes are set on Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, where two host nations will take on each other in the grand final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

It is about 51 hours to go to start the biggest match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai between India and Sri Lanka. Fans of both the teams are excited about the match and pitching for their countries to win the historic trophy. Both the teams have won the world cup once and they are seeking to repeat history. However, for the Indian fans, there is a special attraction to the final as all of them want their beloved Sachin Tendulkar, who is playing his last world cup to hold this trophy as a winner.

It would be one of the greatest gifts to the Little Master if the Indian team manages to win the world cup in Sachin's home town.

The two finalists of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, India and Sri Lanka won against Pakistan and New Zealand respectively in their semi final matches. In the first semi final match of the Cricket World Cup 2011, Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by five wickets on Tuesday, March 29. On Wednesday, March 30 in the second semi final match, India beat Pakistan by 29 runs.

In the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, both Indian and Sri Lankan openers, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sachin Tendulkar are the top two run getters so far. In the eight matches, Tillakaratne Dilshan has scored 467 runs with an average of 66.71 runs and strike rate of 93.02 and Sachin Tendulkar has scored 464 runs in the same number of matches with an average of 58 and strike rate of 90.98.

Among the top five wicket takers of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Indian bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan and Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan are in the second and fifth spot with 19 wickets and 15 wickets each in eight matches

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Sajid-Wajid compose theme song for IPL 4

Post the success of Dabangg, last year Sajid-Wajid are certainly the most 'Wanted' composers in tinsel-town. The duo has now been roped in to compose the theme song of the forthcoming IPL 4 event.

The theme song has been sung by Wajid himself and is called 'Dhum Dhadaka'.The beats have a lot of rhythm.They have also used the trademark horn.

A music video featuring the hosts of IPL 4 will also be shot on April 3.
The track is surely set to become a chartbuster once IPL 4 action kicks off on April 8.

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Tim Southee to play in IPL

New Zealand pace bowler Tim Southee has signed to play for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket competition this year, assistant coach Steve Rixon said today.

Injuries have depleted the defending champions' bowling stocks so they have moved to shore them up by signing Southee, 22, who took 18 wickets at 17.33 during the one-day World Cup on the subcontinent.

Chennai are coached by former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, while Rixon, a former New Zealand coach, is the fielding coach and current New Zealand international Scott Styris is on their playing roster.

"It's good to have (Southee) on board, especially coming out of such a great recent tournament (at the World Cup)," Rixon told Radio Live today.

"It's an absolute bonus for us at the moment to be able to get our hands on such a quality player.

"Tim's recent form over there (at the World Cup) indicates that he handles those conditions beautifully."

 

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India Vs Pakistan semi final match: Team India wins

INDIA HAS won the semifinal match of ICC cricket world cup match being played at Mohali today. Indian bowlers managed a tight line and length and did not allow any Pakistani batsman to go amock as they took wickets at regular intervals to restrict their arch rivals from across the border.

India won this match by 29 runs much to the delight of millions of fans.

Indian bowlers Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra and Munaf Patel bowled brilliantly and did not give any quarter to the opposition to score runs freely. Nehra and Munaf were particularly stingy with their bowling and justified the faith shown by captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Harbhajan Singh bowled brilliantly and ensured that Pakistan batsmen had to work harder to score runs. He also claimed the crucial wickets of Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi to ensure that India won the ICC world cup semifinal match in Mohali.

Earlier, Dhoni's decision to play Nehra in place of spinner Ashwin and Yusuf Pathan was questioned by the  experts but Nehra's performance in the match will silence the critics. Nehra also claimed the wicket of Wahab Riaz, who earlier tormented the Indian batsmen as bowled a dream spell claiming 5 wickets.

As soon as the wicket of Wahab Riaz fell there was widespread jubiliation and fire crackers were set off by Indian fans. Misbah was left to be the sole hope for the Pakistan team as score reads 204 for the loss of 8 wickets in 45 overs.

Cricket being the game of glorious uncertainties, it would have been too early to say that India will  win the match. However, Nehra struck again as he claimed the wicket of Umar Gul and now it could be safely predicted that India will win the match.

Mishbah tried hard to make the best out of the match but the equation proved too tough for the Pakistan team. Pakistan needed 30 runs from the last six balls and this was perhaps the toughest ask for any batsman in the history of the game.

As soon as the match was won by India, fans across the nation burst crackers and danced in streets to express happiness over this victory. The India Vs Pakistan semifinal match had become an issue of prestige for both the sides and it had acquired an even higher profile after Indian PM Manmohan Singh invited the Pakistan PM to watch the match in Mohali.

As expected the man of the match award was given to Sachin Tendulkar as he made 85 crucial runs and held the Indian inning together for quite some time. However, when compared to Tendulkar's standards, this inning was quite patchy as the little master was dropped as many as three times and even survived two very close calls.

India vs Pakistan Semi Final, Sachin completes 50, Live Updates

India reached the 100 mark in the 16th over of the match in the second semi final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 against Pakistan at Mohali's Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, this afternoon. According to the latest score, Sachin Tendulkar completed his 93rd ODI fifty.
Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar opened the Indian inning. Before leaving the crease Sehwag played some good strokes. He was out for 38 runs in 25 balls. Next man Gautam Gambhir scored 27 runs in 32 balls with two fours.
Earlier, Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the second semi final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
Indian captain has made one change in the playing XI from the quarter final match against Australia. He included left-hand medium pacer Ashish Nehra in place of spinner R. Ashwin.
Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi has retained the same team, who won against West Indies in the quarter final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who announced his retirement from the International Cricket, once again watching the match from dressing room.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha speaker, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan are among the important dignitaries, who are watching India vs Pakistan semi final at PCA Stadium, Mohali.
Here are the playing XI of India and Pakistan in the second semi final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011:
India: Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (capt, wk), Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel.
Pakistan: Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi (capt), Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal.

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India Vs Pakistan ICC world cup semi final: Epic battle on

IS IT merely hype or the contest between the two archrivals, India and Pakistan, in the ICC cricket world cup semi final deserves such an attention? The epic battle between India and Pakistan has been billed as clash of titans, some have gone further by terming it as the mother of all cricketing encounters.        
Today in Mohali, the second India vs Pakistan world cup semifinal will witness all sorts of events, emotions will run high, players will be pouring their hearts out to see their team attain triumph in the epic battle.

The environment across the country is euphoric, people are absolutely drowned in the cricket fever in the anticipation of India Vs Pakistan world cup semifinal match being played in Mohali. Media too is adding fuel to the excitement as there are persistent discussions, reports about the huge Indo-Pak cricket contest every day.    

Former war horses too have plunged into the war between India and Pakistan in world cup semifinal. Players such as Saurav Ganguly, Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar, Imran Khan, Inzmam, Waseem Akram, Javed Miandad and Rameez Raza are seen in print and electronic media offering their advice and expert opinion on the all important battle.  

Schools, colleges, offices everywhere its cricket, cricket and cricket. At many places cricket frenzied people have organised worships, rallies in support of Men in Blue playing the India Vs Pakistan world cup semifinal match in Mohali today.
Amid sizzling cricket environment, Indian prime minister has invited his Pakistani counterpart, Yusuf Raza Gillani to watch the match. The meeting against the backdrop of cricket has been termed as cricket diplomacy. It remains to be seen whether this cricket diplomacy will bear any fruit or is it a mere photo opportunity to grab media coverage and keep in shade millions of people from both side of the borders.
Speculations were rife that Pakistani pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar might get a chance to display his might once again at the start of the match; however, they were all doused as Pakistan fielded an unchanged side that had whitewashed West Indies in the quarter final.

Indian team too surprised everybody by leaving emerging spinner, R. Ashwin from the squad. Tried and tested, Ashish Nehra has been preferred over the rookie spinner.   
The team that will hold its nerves in crunch situation is bound to clinch the battle.                                    
Team India 

V Sehwag, SR Tendulkar, G Gambhir, V Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, SK Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Z Khan, MM Patel, A Nehra                                  

Team Pakistan

Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi*, Abdul Razzaq, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal

Lets hope India’s star studded batting line up proves its worth today with flying colors and takes team India to the ICC cricket world cup final. The winner of today’s match will face Sri Lanka in the final to be held on Saturday on April 2 in Mumbai.

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SRS performs yagna for the success of Indian team in World Cup

MAHAJAN SAID that Shri Ram Sena Jammu-Kashmir and the members of Shri Ram Sena are enouraging people to pray whole-heartedly for the success of India in the second semi final that will be played in the afternoon at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium in Mohali, Punjab.

Among others whoe were present at the prayer meeting included Bal Krishan Arora (Secretary), Ajay Gupta (Sr. Vice President), Pawan Choudhary (Vice President),  Shiv Kumar Sharma (City Vice President), Parul Gupta (Youth President), Raghvir Krishan Gupta (Organiser), Anil Chopra (Industry President), Vijay Gupta (Press Secretary), Pardeep Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Deepak Sharma, Vishal  Sharma, Ashok Ji, and others.

Across the nation, commercial establishments and gali-muhallahs have made special arrangements to view this match with as much fun as possible. Restaurants have created special dishes in the names of cricket players of both the countries. Special prizes and schemes to attract consumers have been instituted by various brands.

One finalist has already been decided yesterday when Sri Lanka entered the final of the ICC 2011 World Cup after defeating New Zealand in Colombo.

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India vs Pakistan Semi Final match Cricket World Cup 2011, Live Score Card

ONE OF the biggest days in the history of Cricket has now arrived. The Godfather of all cricket matches is about to be played as the India vs Pakistan semi final takes place in Mohali at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium on Wednesday, March 30 from 2:00 pm onwards.

Millions of cricket-crazy fans from across the globe have already started cheering for their heroes to do well in the super match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. They are praying for the victory of their favourite team at temples, mosques, gurudwaras, and churches.

The winner of the India vs Pakistan second semi final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will play against Sri Lanka on Saturday, April 2, at India's finance capital Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. In the first semi final match of the Cricket World Cup 2011 on Tuesday, March 29, Sri Lanka won by five wickets at R. Premadasa Stadium, in Colombo, and reached its second successive final of the Cricket World Cup.

Prior to the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan semi final match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, last night, the weather in Mohali raised the heart beats of Indian and Pakistani cricket fans. Mohali witnessed some heavy rain and thunderstorms on Tuesday.

According to the Mohali weather report, on Wednesday, March 30, in the afternoon the sky will mostly be sunny, and Mohali temperature will be around 41°C, however, there will be a chance of little rain by the evening.

The two captains, MS Dhoni and Shahid Afridi, will come to the middle of Punjab Cricket Association Stadium for the important toss of the second semi final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 at 2:00 PM and live action for the battle for final will start from 2:30 PM IST. Cricket fans from across the globe will get all the latest updates and informations from Live Score Card link.

India vs Pakistan Semi final Predictions

NUMEROLOGIST SANJAY B Jumaani, on his website, has outlined his predictions. According to Jumaani, “Not only the odds, but the numbers too are piled up in India's favor.

As predicted much before the Cup, if we have to do well, 3,6,9 (a family) are the numbers that have mattered the most for India (3, Jupiter) or Bharat (6, Venus).”

Here's why Jumaani thinks that numbers are stacked against Pakistan. “Last year when Sri Lanka and South Africa toured India, ALL the matches were ‘fixed’ – no pun intended whatsoever - by BCCI on dates adding to a 3, 6 or 9 - including the two Twenty-20 Matches against Sri Lanka! And we won both the series comfortably.”

In this World Cup also, the same numbers have played a significant role. Most matches before the quarter final stages took place on 3, 6, 9 dates. For instance, the matches were on 27th (Bangladesh), 6th (Ireland) 9th (Netherlands) and 12th (South Africa).

Furthermore, India beat defending champions on the 24th! What’s more, India meet Pakistan on 30th (3) in a do-or-die semi-final.

Going by this trend in numbers, Jumaani believes that, “The next match maybe ours too on 30th (3) in Mohali (adds to 21)! The name Mumbai adds to 18 (9!) too.”

Numerologist Anupam Kapil told this CJ that he is backing India from an altogether different perspective. “Pakistan lost wars with India when the playing days were 5, 6, 3 and 3 and also when the month in which Kargil war took place was the third, and when the playing day was 5 they lost the war in Bangladesh,” said Kapil.

“They have lost all the wars in their unfavorable numbers and so if this match is played like a war, Pakistan are bound to lose, despite other factors that are supporting Afridi’s team and though fate no 3, ruled by Jupiter has favoured Pakistan in the past, but now Jupiter which is their bhagya sthan lord is ‘combust’ along with Mars, ruler of their ascendant,” said Kapil.

While both captains’ charts and numbers are not so good, the overall advantage remains with India, which has a probability of 70:30 to win on the 30th.

On asked to compare charts of both nations, Kapil said that “Pakistan is Mesha lagna and Kanya rashi under sade satti and so they may be deprived of ultimate success even after coming this far and both Jupiter and Mars are ‘combust’ for them.”

While for Pakistan its “mithun rashi is afflicted by Ketu now. India is Vrushabh lagna and karka rashi, and this shall help India as Venus is now moving into India’s 10th house,” said Kapil.

The numerologist said that Yuvraj Singh “will surely play very well in both bowling and batting and we should expect yet another entertaining performance from him as Mohali also adds to his lucky number 3. He should wear a yellow band to strengthen Jupiter, which has become combust now. This may be his big game again.”

Kapil is not all that confident about Tendulkar, though. “He can make a very good score, he must play easy and slow, that will help him and the team. There is no doubt that if he sticks down, there will be history in the making. Numbers and planets do support him. If India bats first, he must not play lofted strokes.”

The numbers as per Kapil say that Yuvraj, Sachin, Sehwag, Harbhajan, Raina, Zaheer, Ashwin - in that order – will put in good performances. For Pakistan, players expected to do well are: Mohammad Younus Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, and Wahib Riaz.

Read More On >> Cricket World Cup 2011, India vs Pakistan

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Semi Final match 2011, Live Score Card

Cleck for Live Score Card

IN THE first semi final match of the year's biggest sports event, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has won the toss and decided to bat first against Sri Lanka at the flat wicket of R. Premadasa Stadium, in Colombo this afternoon.
In the crucial match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has made one change in the playing XI from the quarter final match against South Africa. He preferred seamer Andy McKay for Luke Woodcock in the final playing XI.
Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara has retained his line-up from the quarter final match against England.
In the semi final of 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup, the Lankans had set the target for Kiwis and won that match by 81 runs with the brilliant performance of Mahela Jayawardene and Muttiah Muralitharan. Sri Lanka has won their previous four World Cup games against New Zealand.
New Zealand, who is playing its sixth semi final of the Cricket World Cup 2011, has reached the semi finals of the Cricket World Cup on five occasions in 1975, 1979, 1992, 1999 and 2007, but never played even a single final of this mega cricketing event.
Sri Lanka has played semi finals in 1996, 2003, 2007, and final in two times in 1996 and 2007. In 1996, Sri Lanka won the Cricket World Cup trophy.
Here are the playing XI of Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the first semi final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011:
Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara (capt/wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis.
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (wk), Martin Guptill, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Kane Williamson, Nathan McCullum, Daniel Vettori (capt), Jacob Oram, Andy McKay,Tim Southee.

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Preview: India vs Pakistan semi final match 2011

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Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali is all set to ready to host the second semi final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 between two traditional opponents, India and Pakistan on Wednesday, on March 30.

The India vs Pakistan semi final match will be the overall 120th match to be played between these two countries. In 119 matches played between these two countries, India has won 46 matches and lost 69 matches, whereas four matches ended without result.

Last time India and Pakistan have played with other in the Asia Cup 2010 at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. India won that match against Pakistan by three wickets. In World Cups matches, India and Pakistan have played four times and the result is in favour of India by 4-0.

In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, India marched to the semi final with five wins, one loss and a tied match against England, whereas Pakistan reached the semi final with five victories and a lost against New Zealand.
Pakistan's journey to the semi final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011:

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23 Feb	vs Kenya	International Stadium, Hambantota	Pakistan won by 205 runs
26 Feb	vs Sri Lanka	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	Pakistan won by 11 runs
3 Mar	vs Canada	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	Pakistan won by 46 runs
8 Mar	vs New Zealand	Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy	New Zealand won by 110 runs
14 Mar	vs Zimbabwe	Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy	Pakistan won by 7 wickets (D/L)
19 Mar	vs Australia	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	Pakistan won by 4 wickets
23 Mar	vs West Indies	Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur	Pakistan won by 10 wickets

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India's Journey to the semi final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011:

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23 Feb	vs Kenya	International Stadium, Hambantota	Pakistan won by 205 runs
26 Feb	vs Sri Lanka	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	Pakistan won by 11 runs
3 Mar	vs Canada	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	Pakistan won by 46 runs
8 Mar	vs New Zealand	Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy	New Zealand won by 110 runs
14 Mar	vs Zimbabwe	Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy	Pakistan won by 7 wickets (D/L)
19 Mar	vs Australia	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	Pakistan won by 4 wickets
23 Mar	vs West Indies	Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur	Pakistan won by 10 wickets

In the India vs Pakistan semi final match, the toss will play a crucial role for both the captains MS Dhoni and Shahid Afridi. It is expected that due to the dew factor captain will likely to opt bat first after winning the toss at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Wednesday, March 30.

It is also likely that Dhoni may pick Ashish Nehra as the second fast bowler in the playing XI in place of Munaf Patel against Pakistan in the second semi final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. However, Afridi may pick Shoaib Akhtar in the playing XI.

Here are the probables of the India vs Pakistan semi final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011:

India (probable): MS Dhoni (capt/wk), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, R. Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra.

Pakistan (probable): Shahid Afridi (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal (wk), Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Ajmal.

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IPL 2011 Opening Ceremony likely to be hosted by Amitabh Bachchan

The DLF IPL 2011 ceremony as in the earlier season is expected to have breathtaking performances by number of Bollywood celebrities as well as international performers. Set Max channel will telecast live the opening ceremony of the IPL 2011.

IPL 2011 opening ceremony venue has been decided and this time Chepauk stadium in Chennai is going to host the important opening event of IPL season 4. Chennai is the home ground of IPL season 3 winner Chennai Super Kings.

According to reports, Indian Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan is likely to host the IPL opening ceremony. Also…continue reading IPL 2011 Opening Ceremony

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Ind vs Pak: Not bat and ball but nerves

MADAN LAL, who was part of the 1983 World Cup winning Indian squad, said that no one is a clear favourite in the semi final between India and Pakistan that takes place on March 30 in Mohali.

“The semi final will be a pressure situation for both teams. The advantage is with Dhoni as he’s the captain in all three formats for India, and has more experience than Afridi who is captain only in the shorter format,” said Lal. “The team that will bowl well will win,” added Lal.

What will really make things complicated for Pakistan is if Indian bowlers manage to choke the Pakistanis during partnerships. The moment this happens Pakistani batsmen will start to worry about the formidable Indian batting line up and commit errors in trying to improve the run rate. The worst nightmare for Pakistan, therefore, will be if both bowling and batting fire on all cylinders for India.

Ajay Jadeja, former tough-nut opening and middle order batsman for India, concurred, saying that, “Every time India and Pakistan have played against each other, the encounter has produced performers who were not the usual suspects such as Tendulkar and Afridi. This match will be a match of state of minds and of nerves.”

“Also, there’s no point in playing Harbhajan with a ‘cool head’. He is best when he is aggressive. In fact, he’s of no use when he is ‘cool’,” said Jadeja, who himself blew hot and cold in his playing days.

Akash Chopra, former Indian Test opener, who still plays, and commentates, said that the match between India and Pakistan will be a “clash of equals. Indian batting is superior to that of Pakistan but the latter’s bowling on paper is better than India’s. There’s going to be a lot pressure for both teams.”

Chopra feels that the match might throw up an unusual performer from an already star-studded star cast of cricketers on both sides.

“For India the expected performers would be Tendulkar, Sehwag, Yuvraj, and Zaheer and for Pakistan the Akmal brothers, Afridi and Gul. Though I think this could very well be a match in which Gautam Gambhir will outshine others,” and said that a competitive total on the current Mohali pitch will be in the region of 270-280 runs.

While the pitch is expected to be flattish and non-controversial, Atul Wassan, former Indian medium-pacer, thinks that the pitch will not play that important a role.

“India are favourites though Pakistan have done well and clicked together in the last couple of games. Head to head India is a better team. The Indian team is combining well,” said Wassan.

Wassan, though, has a suggestion for Dhoni. “Dhoni should play Ashish Nehra and combine him with Harbhajan.”

Correctly calling an India-Pakistan match will put anybody in a fix – pun unintended – but this is how Jadeja, Wassan, Lal, and Chopra rated as India’s chances against Pakistan on Wednesday.

Jadeja - 100 per cent that India will win
Wassan - 70:30 in favour of India. The dew factor will come into play for the team batting second.
Chopra - 70:30 in favour of India, and if India bats first it will be 80:20 in favour of India.
Lal - 50:50
Whatever pundits and punters (Ricky has already put his vote in India’s favour) might say, there are two X or 'ex-' factors that may become decisive factors – the inclusion of a fired-up Shoib Akhtar, dying to avenge all previous maulings, and the steel in the eyes of Sachin Tendulkar who has set his eyes on the Cup that he will want to raise to toast his team’s vistory.

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Minor fire erupts at IPL stadium

A minor fire erupted at the new cricket stadium being built by the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) on the outskirts of the city. The Pimpri Chinchwad chief fire officer Kiran Gawade said the fire brigade received a call from a person from the stadium management informing them about a fire in the store room at the ground floor.
"Some 80 boxes containing LED screens and tiles were destroyed in the fire. However, no one was injured in the incident," Gawade said.  Dnyaneshwar Bhalekar, sub officer of Pimpri Chinchwad fire brigade, said:  "The incident took place when construction activity was on at the first floor.
As the labourers were busy completing the welding job, sparks emanating from the metal fell on the boxes kept in the storage room on the ground floor through the ducts kept for ventilation. People were alerted on seeing the smoke emerge from the room."
Hariharan, project co-coordinator for MCA, said: "The fire erupted at 1 pm.  No one was injured in the incident. Fire was bought under control with the help of the PCMC fire brigade and by using the facilities at the stadium. The exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damage will only be ascertained after a detailed enquiry."

Source:Mid-Day

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India vs Pakistan semi final, 'Cricket ka Maha Muqabla'

THERE ARE only two days to go for the most anticipated match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. All eyes of cricket lovers from across the globe are on India vs Pakistan semi final match of the Cricket World Cup on Wednesday, March 30, at Mohali's Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.

Both Indian and Pakistani cricketers know very well the importance of the semi final match of the ongoing Cricket World Cup. All cricketers will have to perform double their potential to beat their opponents.

Captains of both sides will have to maintain calm from toss to the last ball of the match. Both, Dhoni and Afridi, should pick a playing XI according to their performances and the PCA stadium wicket.

In the maha muqabala a sinister element has been added. This is becasue prior to the India vs Pakistan semi final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has warned his Pakistani team not to indulge in any spot-fixing. He also said that he is keeping a close watch on this aspect.

India vs Pakistan semi final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 is being describing as the "mother of all Indo-Pak matches" Indian and Pakistani cricket-mad fans are in no mood to listen to any negative result about their country. They want only one thing that their country wins at any cost against their estranged neighbour.

Indian fans are claiming to have Sachin, Sahwag, Yuvraj, Dhoni and Zaheer as their crunch situation performers. The overall record is also in India's favour.

Then there's the massive expectation of Sachin scoring his hundredth international hundred against arch-rival Pakistan. For Indian fans and cricket lovers around the world the icing on the cake would be sachin making a dashing century and leading the country to a good win.

But Pakistan is not going to sit on their hanuches and let India dictate proceedings on the field. Players like Afridi, Gul, the Akmal brothers, and their shrewd spinners are going to throw everything they have in their loaded arsenal at the famed Indian batting line-up.

It seems everything is set for the maha muqabla to begin - talent, revenge, pressure, patriotism, landmarks, past record, the setting in Mohali, the distinguished audience, expectation of fans in respective countries and those in tens of other countries - and of course, a place in the final of the ICC 2011 World Cup.

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Preview: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Semi Final match Cricket World Cup 2011

THE ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 has now almost reached its final destination. In the first Semi Final of the ongoing Cricket World Cup,  Sri Lanka will meet New Zealand at R. Premadasa Stadium, in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Thursday, March 29.
In the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup also, Sri Lanka and New Zealand had met in the  first Semi Final match played at Sabina Park, Kingston in Jamaica, where the Lankans had  won that match by 81 runs. Then, Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene had scored a brilliant 115 runs, whereas all time great spinner Muttiah Muralitharan sent four Kiwis batsman back to the pavilion.
In the last league match of Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, the Lankans defeated Kiwis by a big margin of 112 runs at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 18th.
In the journey to the Semi Final of the Cricket World Cup 2011, Sri Lanka started the campaign against qualifier Canada with a big victory. In the next match, they lost against Pakistan in a close match by 11 runs.
The Lankans won by nine wickets against another qualifier Kenya in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. In its fourth match against defending champion Australia, the match was washed away due to rain. In the fifth match Sri Lanka routed Zimbabwe by 139 runs.
In its Quarter Final match, Sri Lanka thrashed the English team by 10 wickets at R Premadasa Stadium, in Colombo on Saturday, March 26. Both Sri Lankan openers Tharanga and Dilshan knocked a brilliant hundred.
New Zealand, which is playing its fifth Semi Final in the Cricket World Cup is in  full rhythm in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. They have lost two matches in the group league one against Australia by seven wickets and another against host Lankans.
New Zealand team won two matches by the margin of 10 wickets against minnows of the group, Kenya and Zimbabwe. In the third Quarter Final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, the Kiwis defeated one of the strongest contenders of the tournament South Africa by 49 runs.
Withboth the teams having strong batting, who ever wins the toss will like to bat first at R Premadasa Stadium. Sri Lankan crowd will definitely cheer for their country in the first Semi Final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. In this situation, it will be very interesting to see whether New Zealand will be able to make first appearance in the finals of the Cricket World Cup.
Here are the Sri Lanka and New Zealand squads in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011:
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt/wk), Mahela Jayawardene (vice capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath.
New Zealand:  Daniel Vettori (capt), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum (wk), Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock.

India vs Pakistan semi final: Bookies favour Dhoni

THIS MATCH has everything going for it as it offers the prospects of top class cricket, a great cricket ground, lakhs of fans rooting for two teams and the traditional India-Pakistan rivalry on the field and off it.

In addition, cricket diplomacy has added an extra sheen of political power play to an already glamourised 'match of matches' between India and Pakistan.

India has been given top ratings by the bookmakers as it was also the pre-tournament favourite to lift the ICC cricket world cup 2011 trophy.

Despite captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team not playing in the usual flamboyant style as is expected of potential winners, it has come out with some outstanding performances to prove a threat to other teams. India despite having a weak bowling and a jittery fielding side has won the confidence of bookmakers, who are offering 2.6 dollars for every dollar put on India.

In comparison to India, for every dollar put on Pakistan, the bookmakers are offering 5.25 dollars. This is despite the fact that Pakistan has been the most consistent team in the ongoing ICC cricket world cup with captain Shahid Afridi going great guns with the ball.

Pakistani bowlers have delivered during the tournment and it would be a sight to watch as to how Indian greats such as Tendulkar and Sehwag handle the fire and fury of this young side.

This being possibly the last world cup of the little master, a lot of emotions are also accompanying this match as most of cricket lovers want India to win the world cup as a tribute to the master blaster.

Indian team's performance on Wednesday would depend a lot on Sachin as to how he deconstructs the Pakistan attack as he has done it so many times in the past.

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