AB Devilliers and Dwayne Smith - Two IPL Superstars on Super Sunday...

What a Sunday it has been... Two amazing matches and amazing chases... am speechless after watching the match..

De Villiers' innings has been a simply superb one.. 17 balls 47 with 5 fours and 3 amazing sixers... don't have words to express his innings... He totally destroyed his countryman Dale Steyn, the best bowler in the world... taking him for 23 runs in the 17th over to turn the match in the favour of Bangalore Royal Challengers.  Royal Challengers chased out a target of 181 set by Deccan Chargers thanks to the De Villiers carnage and Dilshan's innings at the top.

IPL Superstar: Amazing AB de Villiers' innings of 47 from 17 balls taking RCB to a great win over DC. Pics courtesy: AFP

AB de Villiers' innings has been the best I've ever seen in quite a while!!

Another amazing match between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians... Dwayne Smith hit 6, 4 and 4 off the last 3 balls.... 14 of the last 3 balls.. Anyone would bet the bowling team to win the match but T20 game is quiet weird... anything can happen and that magical turnaround happened with Dwayne Smith hitting the 14 runs in the remaining 3 balls off Hilfenhaus.

 

IPL Superstar Dwayne Smith hits a winning 6, 4 and 4 of the last 3 balls to win the match for Mumbai Indians against the reigning IPL Champs CSK
Pics courtesy: AP Photo/ Rajanish Kakade

This has been an amazing day for IPL and T20 fans... two wonderful matches...  This years IPL has brought us quite a few amazing matches... looking forward for more such matches...

Gayle sixers.. stay away from them :)

IPL 2012 edition got a Gayle special.... 5 sixers in an over by Royal Challenger's Chris Gayle against Pune Warriors' spinner Rahul Sharma.. it was a special innings which took Royal Challengers to an improbable victory in the last over... courtesy another beautiful innings by AB de Villiers in the end.....

 

IPL 2012 - Chris Gayle hit 5 sixers off Rahul Sharma's over

Chasing 183 for victory after Pune Warriors posted a challenging score of 182 for 6, Chris Gayle started slowly but then quickly shifted gears to score five sixers in one over of Rahul Sharma who has got the best economy rate in IPL. Royal Challengers Bangalore came back into the game courtesy of the Gayle-storm innings but his wicket shifted the match in Pune Warriors. But, AB de Villiers and Saurabh Tiwary scored 24 runs of the final over by Ashish Nehra to snatch an amazing victory.

 

De Villiers celebrates after taking RCB to an improbably victory against Pune Warriors in the IPL 2012 edition

Pics courtesy: Manjunath Kiran/AFP/Getty Images

One of the five sixers that Gayle scored off Rahul Sharma hit a girl spectator and broke her nose. But thankfully, she was quickly taken to Vijay Mallya's hospital and treated quickly for a fracture.  Gayle and Mallya visited the injured girl at the hospital and made her happy. She was even given a free tickets for RCB's  Bangalore matches.

I hope there wouldn't be any more freakish injuries due to the Gaylestorm :) Its best to avoid those hits...
Love watching Chris Gayle's hits.. looking forward to more sixers from Gayle. 

Centurion Ajinkya Rahane - IPL 2012 gets its first century

IPL 2012, the fifth edition, got its first century today in the form of Ajinkya Rahane of Rajasthan Royals who scored a swashbuckling century against Bangalore Royal Challengers at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore.

 

Ajinkya Rahane of Rajasthan Royals scored the first century of this IPL 2012 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore

Pics courtesy: Manjunath Kiran/AFP/Getty Images

Ajinkya Rahane showed his class and temperament during this innings as he initially settled down to build partnership with Dravid and then took over the responsibility of hitting some quality shots with Owais Shah who supported him with a quickfire 60. Atlast the Royals amassed a total of 195 runs in their 20 overs, a score which the Royal Challengers found difficult to chase and they folded out for 136 runs.

 

IPL 2012 saw its first century by Rajasthan Royal's Ajinkya Rahane who scored an unbeaten 103 off 60 balls with 12 fours and 5 sixes

Pics courtesy: Manjunath Kiran/AFP/Getty Images

Enroute to his first IPL century, Rahane also smashed six consecutive fours off an over of S Aravind, which is a first in Twenty20 history. Ajinkya Rahane ended up wioth an unbeaten 103 off 60 balls with 12 fours and five sixes.

I hope the selectors would've taken a note of this innings and the one before where he narrowly missed his century.... These innings were of supreme quality stroke making and deserves to be rewarded with a longer run in the Indian squad.

Virat Kohli fined over finger gesture in Australia

This news is a bit odd to report.. nevertheless, here is it..

Indian batsman Virat Kohli was fined 50% of his match fee after he was seen gesturing to the crowd with his middle finger on the second day of the second test match between India and Australia in Sydney.

Kohli was charged with a level two offence by the match referee Ranjan Madugalle of Sri Lanka on the third morning of the SCG Test. Kohli went to the hearing along with manager Shivlal Yadav and pleaded guilty.

 

Virat Kohli showing the middle finger to the Australian crowd in Sydney

Pic courtesy: Getty Images

The incident happened when Virat Kohli was fielding at the boundary for much of the day and some of the spectators poked fun at him and his family. Kohli also tweeted that he had been sorely provoked before responding with the finger gesture.

 Kohli also said he had heard abuse worse than he ever had in his life. Virat posted on his twitter account, "i agree cricketers dont have to retaliate. what when the crowd says the worst things about your mother and sister. the worst ive heard"

Kohli found support in England's Kevin Pietersen, who replied to his tweet saying "ha ha ha ha ha!!! Welcome to Australia buddy!!" 

Kohli tweeted back saying that he "never heard crap like that. EVER".

Virat Kohli, after losing half of his match fee, began the third day on a more positive note tweeting, "New day new beginning! :)" 

So then, after Clarke hit a triple ton and Ponting & Hussey with hundreds of their own, Australia are sitting pretty in this test match...  What are the odds that India blame this one on the pitch :) 

Same old story.... looking forward for some brand new beginnings.. not sure when though :(

Zaheer Khan's New Hairstyle

Boxing Day test match between India and Australia at Melbourne witnessed a new debut today...  It was Zaheer Khan's new and latest hair style...

Indian bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan came out of the pavilion today in a new hairstyle which stunned quite a few folks including me. Its an interesting hairstyle which can't be said good or bad :)

Check out Zaheer's latest hairstyle and pass your thoughts on it.

 

Indian pace bowler Zaheer Khan's new hairstyle

Photo credit: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images and cricinfo site

 

Zaheer Khan's latest hairstyle that he had for the Boxing Day test match against Australia

Photo credit: Hamish Blair/Getty Images and cricinfo site

 

Zaheer Khan new hairstyle in display for the Boxing Day Test match

Photo credit: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images and cricinfo site

New look for the changed Zaheer Khan.. hope this brings new luck to India too and gets him back to a match winner again.... His dismissal of Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey were classy and looking forward for many more :)

James Pattinson - Australia's new glamour boy

Australian cricket team recruited a new glamour boy in their ranks... its their new Victorian fast bowler James Pattinson who shined in his first test series against New Zealand early this month.

 

Victorian fast bowler James Lee Pattinson - The Latest hunk in Australian cricket team

Photo credit: Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images AsiaPac 

The Australian cricket team were going down n low in their hunk rankings of late and badly required this expansion with newcomer James Pattinson, who is now earning a reputation as the man most likely to take the glamour-boy mantle once held by Michael Clarke.

Pattinson made his Test debut in the Dec 2011 home series against New Zealand, in the first Test in Brisbane on 1 December 2011. Pattinson took 5 wickets for 27 runs in the second innings of his debut Test and helped Australia to a nine-wicket win and took the Man of the Match award too. He took another five-wicket haul in the first innings of the second test (which New Zealand won dramatically), and was named Man of the Series, with fourteen wickets at an average of an amazing 14.00 across the two tests.

Pattinson is already attracting some female admirers on Facebook fan pages due to his single status and also some attention from sponsors keen to hitch their wagon to this talented and upcoming pace bowler.

Here are some more pictures of this new Australian hunk...

 

Australian fast bowler James Pattinson poses during an Australian cricket player portrait session

 Photo Credit: Chris Hyde/Getty Images AsiaPac

 

Australia's new sensation James Pattinson during a bowling practice

Photo credit: Michael Dodge Herald Sun

 

Australian paceman James Pattinson acknowledges the crowd after taking five New Zealand wickets on the fourth day of the first cricket Test match between Australia and New Zealand at the Gabba in Brisbane on December 4, 2011

Photo credit: WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images

 

Young and spiky James Pattinson as an 18 year old youngster

 Photo credit: Cricket Victoria

 

Victorian pace bowler and Australia's latest recruit James Pattinson pose for a portrait photoshoot

Photo credit: Hamish Blair/Getty Images AsiaPac

 

Australia's new test fast bowler James Lee Pattinson

Photo credit: Cricket Victoria

 

Australian James Pattinson poses next to his Baggy Green Cap

 Photo credit: Hamish Blair/Getty Images AsiaPac

James Pattinson made an excellent debut in the Australia-New Zealand series earlier this month winning the Man of the Series award too. Unfortunately, he was down with a calf strain and he is supposed to recover from his injury to be ready for the important Australia-India home series... 


Lets hope that this new Australian hunk JAmes Pattinson lives upto all the expectations that he has gained in a few months...

Virender Sehwag's ODI double century in pictures...

Virender Sehwag Breaks Sachin's Record of 200 Runs. This has been the headlines all over the web and newpapers earlier this month....

 

Virender Sehwag scores a world record 219 runs in an ODI against West Indies in Indore on Dec 8th 2011

Virender Sehwag created history scoring a double century in the fourth one day international cricket match against West Indies in Indore on December 8, 2011.

Sehwag hit 219 runs in  149 balls and the carnage was laced with 25 fours and 7 sixes.  Sehwag's 219 is currently the highest total by an individual in the One Day International Cricket.  He got past Tendulkar's record with a four through point off Andre Russel.

Sehwag became only the second batsman in history to score a double century in a one-day international following Sachin Tendulkar, who made 200 against South Africa in Gwailor last year.  Tendulkar's 200 off 147 balls (25x4, 3x6) came against South Africa at Gwalior in February 2010. He is the first cricketer to score a double century in ODIs.

More pictures of Virender Sehwag breaking Sachin's record on his way to set the highest score in an ODI match

 

Sehwag shared a wonderful partnership with Gautam Gambhir during his double ton

 

Sehwag smashed six sixers in his double century

 

Virender Sehwag smashes his way to a double century to break Sachin Tendulkar's highest ODI run of 200

 

Virender Sehwag exults after reaching the magic figure of 200 against West Indies

 

Sehwag acknowledges the crowd appreciating him after reaching 200 runs to become the second cricketer after Sachin to reach the landmark

 

Gambhir and Sehwag during Sehwag's amazing double century

 

Sehwag smashing one out of the park during his outstanding double century in the ODI against West Indies in Indore

 

Sehwag acknowledging after reaching his century which became double very quickly....

 

Virender Sehwag thanking almighty after his amazing double ton 

(pics courtesy - various cricketing sites)

"I was playing my shots throughout the innings,” Sehwag said. “I thought [about] it [the double-century] when I was batting in the batting Powerplay and thought if I just bat this Powerplay, maybe I'll cross that 200-mark. When Sammy dropped the catch [Sehwag was on 170 at the time], I thought God was with me and was telling me you just bat till the 45th or 46th over and get your 200.”

I was glad to catch this match live in TV...  Hope to see many such innings from Sachin, Sehwag and many other talented cricketers for that matter.. good for cricket ain't it?

Wishing Sehwag for his amazing double century and breaking Sachin's record!

Yuvraj Singh - I am absolutely fine, will be back soon....

Flamboyant Indian batting allrounder and World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh is currently recuperating from a "non-malignant tumour" in his left lung.

 

Get well soon Yuvi!!!

The 29-year-old Indian left-handed batsman withdrew from the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies after revealing that he is being treated for a tumour in his left lung.  His mother Shabnam Singh made the revelation in a formal statement on Saturday.

 

Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh with his mother Shabnam Singh who revealed that Yuvi was recuperating from a non-malignant tumour" in his left lung

According to a statement released by his mother, Shabnam Singh, Yuvi had been troubled by bouts of coughing and vomitting during the 2011 World Cup but had ignored the problem during the tournament, "assuming it was due to stress."

When the problem persisted after the World Cup, Yuvraj sought medical advice and tests revealed "a golf-ball sized" growth on his left lung, the statement said. Initial reports had suggested that Yuvraj "had what in medical terms is called an abnormal tumor called lymphoma. The danger was, we were told, that it could be malignant."

Yuvraj tweeted that he would be returning sooner rather than later.

 

"Overwhelmed with ur love n support. I am absolutely fine, just need to get match fitness and training will be back soon,"  Yuvi tweeted.

Yuvraj's mother also said that his entire focus now is to re-gain his full fitness. He is already preparing himself to play the one-day series in Australia. He doesn't want to rush things, he wants to be hundred percent fit before resuming his cricket for India.

We are all glad that this was not a serious issue... Lets wish Yuvraj Singh a speedy recovery 

Here are some more pictures of this handsome cricketer Yuvraj Singh...

 

Yuvraj Singh raises his bat to acknowledge the crowd of his accomplishment in his trademark smug style

 

Ever cheerful and always playful Yuvraj Singh is seen playing here with his ICC award

 

Yuvraj Singh endorses Reebok and is here seen with F1 racer Lewis Hamilton who also supports Reebok

 

Yuvraj Singh modeling - make for a perfect Yuvi wallpaper picture

 

Yuvraj Singh models for Reebok shoes

 

Yuvraj Singh also endorses Revital

 

Handsome Yuvi modeling for a ramp walk

 

 Yuvraj Singh's trademark shot for six

 

Yuvraj Singh acknowledges his landmark in his style

Wishing Yuvraj Singh a speedy recovery! And am sure he'll come back to play more winning knocks for India..... 

Pictures of Cricketers walking down the ramp - Part 2

Continuing the new series that I started sometime back on Cricketers who walk the ramp for fashion shows, for photo shoots and promotional events...

If you've missed the first part - Check out the Part 1 - Indian Cricketers walking the ramp & fashion shows

Here is the second set of pictures showing Indian cricketers like Dhoni, Harbhajan, Uthappa, Zaheer Khan and many more taking the ramp n showing their fashionable side to the whole world.

 

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni posing at Kolkata Fashion Week

 

Harbhajan Singh talking at a promotional event

 

Handsome Yuvraj Singh in a wonderful suit posing during a promotional event

 

Fast bowler Zaheer Khan doing a ramp walk

 

One of India's greatest cricketers - Rahul Dravid giving us a wonderful pose in this photo shoot

 

Virender Sehwag smiling in a cool pose for a photo shoot

 

Robin Uthappa during a fashion ramp walk (he gets a new lease of life after he was selected in the team for the T20 match against England)

 

Indian cricket rebel icon Sreesanth posing for a promotional event

 

Captain Cool Mahi (Dhoni) in coat n suit during a ramp walk

 

Handsome Yuvraj Singh in a funny pose during the ramp walk for Sahara's new jersey launch for Team India

 

Sahara India launch's Indian cricket team's new jersey at a launch event where Indian cricketers including captain Dhoni, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj, Rohit Sharma gracing the occasion 

 

Team India on the ramp posing during Sahara India jersey launch event

Pictures Courtesy: Various internet sources

Will try to come up with more posts involving other cricketers in fashion ramp walk events and photo shoots. Have fun!