ICC T20 World Cup 2012: India hasn't lived up to the expectations, feels Sunil Gavaskar

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar feels the Indian team hasn’t lived upto its expectations after winning the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007.

Gavaskar said, “India hasn’t lived up to the expectations after belying expectations and winning the inaugural event way back in 2007.

“They have a good team too, but could find that they concede that extra run in the field that can make the difference between winning and losing as was seen in Chennai a few days back.”

On T20 format, he said, “It is a format that brings in the crowds as they get to see plenty of action and if the weather holds, this tournament will be no different.”

Gavaskar feels no team can be called clear favourites in this format.

He wrote in a column for Sify Sports,” This is a very even tournament. Nobody can be called favourites and it is form on the day that matters and not reputation.

“Pakistan has beaten Australia recently, but the Aussies came back dismissing Pakistan for one of the lowest totals in the format.

“South Africa and England played out a drawn series and New Zealand beat India in a thriller in Chennai. “

The former Indian captain wrote that it was heartening to see Yuvraj Singh making a comeback into the Indian team after a yearlong absence due to cancer ailment.

 

Australia vs West Indies, cricket, T20 World Cup cricket

Colombo: Having registered a comprehensive win in their World Twenty20 opener, Australia would aim to seal a Super Eight berth when they take on the flamboyant West Indies in a Group B encounter at the R Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.

However, it won`t be an easy task for George Bailey`s boys as they are up against a formidable Caribbean side which boasts of big-hitting Chris Gayle and mystery spinner Sunil Narine in their ranks.

Led by Shane Watson`s heroics, with both bat and ball, Australia made easy work of an unpredictable Irish side as they cruised to an easy win in the campaign-opener. But come Saturday, the contest is definitely going to be more intense.

 

Raina-Kohli stand revives India

 

A rollicking half-century from Suresh Raina and an 88-run fifth wicket stand with Virat Kohli helped restore India's equilibrium after the loss of Sehwag and Tendulkar soon after lunch. At tea, India were 168 for 4, with Raina on 51 and Kohli on 33.

Raina's was an innings of determination and aggression, and would have given him more breathing space and confidence around his No. 6 spot. What is more, it came at a time India needed their Nos. 5 & 6 to steady the ship as New Zealand's bowlers, who ran in hard all day, threatened to get closer to the Indian lower order. With two quick wickets after lunch, New Zealand had made the most of their first innings total of 365. But it was the Kohli-Raina partnership that buoyed India's hopes.

At the start of his innings, Raina enjoyed most of the strike as he got enough opportunities to go onto his front foot. He struck three attractive boundaries in the second over he faced from Bracewell, including a cracking pull shot off a short ball. When Jeetan Patel tossed up one, Raina struck a sweet six over extra cover, taking 20 runs off the 33 balls he faced from Patel. On 48, he was to receive a reprieve when he was stumped off a no-ball from Patel. It took him 14 more balls to go from 49 to 50, before he dabbed a double past the slip cordon for two.

Ind vs NZ: Dhoni, Kohli lead India's fightback against New Zealand

 Virat Kohli scored a patient half-century against New Zealand after India lost Suresh Raina on the second day of the second Test at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Saturday. 

This was Kohli's successive fifty against New Zealand. Kohli held the one end for India as he hit 50 of 100 balls with the help of six boundaries and a lone six. New Zealand pacer Tim Southee struck again to give India another jolt by dismissing Suresh Raina.

Raina added 99 runs with Virat Kohli for the fifth wicket to lead Indian fightback after the loss of top order early on in the innings. Raina and Kohli took India to 168/4 at tea.

Raina and Kohli were batting brilliantly to defy Kiwis attack in the second session of the day. Raina slammed his seventh Test fifty, smashing eight fours and a six to give India a momentum after the early collapse.