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[ramshorns]

Mumbai under pressure in battle of survival

Mumbai (PTI): With stand-in captain Harbhajan Singh in fresh controversy and a big question mark still there on Sachin Tendulkar's availability, winless Mumbai Indians will be under tremendous pressure against Deccan Chargers of Hyderabad in a battle for survival in the Indian Premier League here on Sunday.

While the hosts were already struggling to open their account after three matches in the Twenty20 extravaganza in the absence of regukar captain Tendulkar, who is nursing a groin injury, Harbhajan Singh added to their agony as he allegedly slapped rival pacer S Sreesanth after immediately their match against Kings XI Punjab in Mohali last night.

Harbhajan has been slapped with a show cause by the BCCI, asking why action should not be taken against him.

How the Reliance Industries-owned Mumbai team management handles this controversy and whether Harbhajan can be continued to be given the important mantle of captaincy in the likely absence of Tendulkar are other issues facing the squad ahead of the tie against Hyderabad, especially with Andrew Symonds presence in the rival ranks.

A repeat on-field confrontation between the Indian offie and the Aussie all rounder, after their infamous racism-row, would be the last thing that would be looked forward to by the two team managements and right-thinking cricket fans.

Mumbai opened their campaign at the Wankhede Stadium against Bangalore's Royal Challengers came a cropper and then missed a victory over Chennai in the latter's backyard before being embarrassed by the Punjab King's XI at Mohali last night.

In batting, the Mumbai top-order, with Sanath Jayasuriya heading it, has not fired in unison and this has resulted in the team's bottom order trying to salvage the situation, but to no avail.

The bowlers too have not come up to scratch with only Shaun Pollock, to some extent, and the under-scrutiny Harbhajan looking capable of stemming the run-glut from the opposition ranks.

With Deccan chargeres also not able to win a point still, both the teams would be eager to put it across one another and kick-start their tepid campaign under lights at cricket's state-of-the-art stadium in the satellite township of Navi Mumbai, just across the harbour.

Hyderabad are struggling to gel as a team with retired Australian great Adam Gilchrist yet to provide value for the huge amount of money invested in him by the team owners Deccan Chronicle.

Captain V V S Laxman has also not yet shown that the national selectors were wrong in repeatedly ignoring his claims in the shorter forms of the game.

The team would be heartened by the getting-into-groove of the big-hitting Symonds, who powered his way to a century in their previous tie against the Shane Warne-led Rajasthan Royals but ultimately spoiled his show with his poor last over which was feasted on by Warne a couple of nights ago.

The Hyderabad team's attack looks slightly more balanced and penetrative than the home team.

In short, both teams have problems aplenty confronting them ahead of their important clash to break the victory drought in the Twenty20 championship on the wicket prepared by pitch experts from South Africa.

[OldPal]

If DC wins this one and Mumbai plays under HS someone is going to get hurt.

[Vick]

If DC wins this one and Mumbai plays under HS someone is going to get hurt.

DC isnt gonna win it man. Have faith in our man VVS. The most Ch***ya captain in the tournament.

[cricinfo]

If DC wins this one and Mumbai plays under HS someone is going to get hurt.

DC isnt gonna win it man. Have faith in our man VVS. The most Ch***ya captain in the tournament.

yaar dont be so harsh...give him till half way through the tournament

[gouravk]

i think DC will win this one - any team that has utthappa as its main batsman .. duh ...

[ramshorns]

I am always excited about young prospects and see what they have to offer when they are put under the gun.  That is the reason I want to see Ravi Teja in action.  An aggresive player by nature and an excellent fielder.  Played for India U-19 team.  That also ensures Hyderabad cricket is investing into the future.  Under that pretext the lineup I want to see for tomorrow's game in Mumbai is

1. Gilchrist
2. Ravi Teja
3. Laxman
4. Symonds
5. Rohit Sharma
6. Shahid Afridi
7. Arjun Yadav
8. Vaas
9. KalyanaKrishna
10. R.P. Singh
11. Ojha

[LosingNow]

If DC wins this one and Mumbai plays under HS someone is going to get hurt.

DC isnt gonna win it man. Have faith in our man VVS. The most Ch***a captain in the tournament.

The Mumbai team is in a disarray.. this is DC's only chance to win.. but with VVS at the helm anything is possible

[LosingNow]

I am always excited about young prospects and see what they have to offer when they are put under the gun.  That is the reason I want to see Ravi Teja in action.  An aggresive player by nature and an excellent fielder.  Played for India U-19 team.  That also ensures Hyderabad cricket is investing into the future.  Under that pretext the lineup I want to see ifor tomorrow's game in Mumbai is

1. Gilchrist
2. Ravi Teja
3. Laxman
4. Symonds
5. Rohit Sharma
6. Shahid Afridi
7. Arjun Yadav
8. Vaas
9. KalyanaKrishna
10. R.P. Singh
11. Ojha

They should play Stryis ahead of Gilchrist..for one match. He leaves after this match.

[gouravk]

btw why is tendulkars status kept such a secret ? why cant he estimate a date for return ? why does he keep everyone guessing and not play in the end ?

[ramshorns]

I am always excited about young prospects and see what they have to offer when they are put under the gun.  That is the reason I want to see Ravi Teja in action.  An aggresive player by nature and an excellent fielder.  Played for India U-19 team.  That also ensures Hyderabad cricket is investing into the future.  Under that pretext the lineup I want to see ifor tomorrow's game in Mumbai is

1. Gilchrist
2. Ravi Teja
3. Laxman
4. Symonds
5. Rohit Sharma
6. Shahid Afridi
7. Arjun Yadav
8. Vaas
9. KalyanaKrishna
10. R.P. Singh
11. Ojha

They should play Stryis ahead of Gilchrist..for one match. He leaves after this match.

oh, I did not think that Styris was leaving....Hmm... Once Symonds leaves they have Gibbs not the same but worthy enough.  Styris will be a blow.

[ramshorns]

If DC wins this one and Mumbai plays under HS someone is going to get hurt.

DC isnt gonna win it man. Have faith in our man VVS. The most Ch**ya captain in the tournament.

I think if anyone were to use the word beep on players for their on field performanes then Virender Sehwag your favorite hit or miss guy will be leading the pack for missing practices by being arrogant and saying that he will not change his game even if his team needs it.  So no one ever said he is a beep ever, though one could.

If one were to do that then every one is a beep.

Now coming to the 'weed' he broke the cardinal rule of not to touch a player, broke all forms of decency to take his frustration out on an opposing player while being the skipper.  Not the first time he acted against the interests of the team.  He is every bit what I described him on the other thread given his history of getting into issues, gag orders from the board not to run his mouth and what not.

So if you want to take the path of oneupmanship into all the threads and others follow suit this DG or any for that matter would go down the drain in a day.

So big brother you suck it up and grow up.

[pipsqueak]

i like LOTTA.

[ramshorns]

Will Tendulkar play the saviour’s role for Mumbai?



Nandakumar Marar








— Photo: Vivek Bendre
 
GETTING CHARGED UP: V.V.S. Laxman (left) and Shahid Afridi at the Deccan Chargers’ practice session in Mumbai.

MUMBAI: Sachin Tendulkar will need to be more than just a cheerleader for Mumbai Indians after its dismal showing so far in the Indian Premier League when it takes on the Hyderabad Deccan Chargers at home on Sunday. With Harbhajan Singh now provisionally suspended pending an enquiry into the alleged slapping incident at Mohali and neither Shaun Pollock nor Sanath Jayasuriya being discussed as leadership options, a team struggling under the weight of expectations is looking up to someone to provide the spark of inspiration.

Tendulkar has the aura to mould a group of talented, diverse individuals into a fighting unit, but his availability for Sunday’s home tie is in team physio Nitin Patel’s hands.

The Mumbai Indians icon had a batting session at the Mohali nets, revealed coach Lalchand Rajput, who is non committal about the status of his captain’s recovery from groin injury.

Team physio to decide

“Sachin is feeling far better already, but we will wait for the team physio to determine whether he is match fit and then take a final call,” said Rajput.

The presence of Andrew Symonds and the volatile Shahid Afridi in the Hyderabad Deccan Chargers line-up for Sunday’s night game can lead to explosive situations out in the middle.

Both teams have lost three matches in a row, so the clash of personalities lends an edge to the contest between the two IPL sides at the scenic D.Y. Patil stadium at Nerul, near Mumbai.

Venkataraghavan is Match Referee

S. Venkataraghavan, designated Match Referee for the tie, is clear about the way the game should be played. “Players should show aggression with the bat or ball. Words or gestures are not needed.”

The former India captain’s reputation as a no-nonsense cricketing personality will be a sobering effect amidst emotions and passions in the middle.

The teams (from):

Hyderabad Deccan Chargers: V.V.S. Laxman (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Shahid Afridi, Chaminda Vaas, Hershelle Gibbs, Scott Styris, R.P. Singh, Rohit Sharma, Sanjay Bangar, Arjun Yadav, D. Kalyankrishna, Pragyan Ojha, Chamara Silva, Nuwan Zoysa.

Mumbai Indians: Sachin Tendulkar, Shaun Pollock, Sanath Jayasuriya, Dwayne Bravo, Luke Ronchi, Abhishek Nayar, Ashish Nehra, Robin Uttappa, Saurabh Tiwary, Loots Bosman, Dhawal Kulkarni, Mussavir Khote, Ashwell Prince, Ajinkya Rahane

[ramshorns]

'One ball can change game’
 
Mumbai, April 26: Deccan Chargers skipper VVS Laxman is not one who will give up easily. On the eve of the crucial encounter against Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, the Hyderabad captain did not sound pessimistic which would have been natural given that his side have made a disastrous start in the IPL, losing all three matches they have played so far. “I think two out of the three games we lost were very close, we could have won both of them. In Twenty20 one ball or an over can change the result and that is what has happened to us,” Laxman said.

“I think what we need is impeccable finishing. We lost the Kolkata game and the last one because of that. Otherwise I don’t think we have done too badly.” His own form, which has been a major concern, was not worrying the graceful batsman. “I think I had a good start in the last match but I need to carry on and make a big score. I think I’ve hit form and I’ll be able to contribute more with the bat in the coming matches,” Laxman assured. However, he did not reveal the likely composition of the team or the batting order.  Answering questions about Shahid Afiridi and Herschelle Gibbs, who is yet to play a match, Laxman said: “Shahid is an explosive batsman. He can win a match on his own.”
 

[ramshorns]

Deccan at full charge
 
 
Mumbai, April 26: Sparks are bound to fly on Sunday night when Deccan Chargers meet Mumbai Indians in an explosive bottom of the table encounter at the D.Y. Patil Stadium here. It will be a grudge match as the sides make a big push for points in a match they need to desperately win to stay with the other teams in the competition — both sides have lost three matches on the trot so far. The absence of Harbhajan Singh because of suspension in addition to the slow recovery from a groin injury by Sachin Tendulkar, has weakened Mumbai to a great extent.

The temperamental spinner has been suspended with immediate effect after slapping India teammate Sreesanth during a Mumbai-Mohali game on Friday night. “Based on prima facie video evidence as seen and reviewed by the match adjudicator and referee Farokh Engineer from the tapes provided by (broadcasters) Sony & TWI, a decision has been reached to suspend with immediate effect Harbhajan Singh of the Mumbai Indians pending the inquiry into the incident on April 28, 2008,” a release from IPL chairman Lalit Modi said. “A final verdict would be announced by the adjudicator, Farokh Engineer, after the hearing at New Delhi,” it added.

That has avoided a potentially explosive situation on Sunday as Harbhajan and Andrew Symonds had been at loggerheads since India’s recent tour to Australia. Bhajji’s suspension throws up another big question for Mumbai. Who would lead the side should Sachin Tendulkar fail the fitness test before the match? The depleted team will have to look to Sri Lankan veteran Sanath Jayasuriya, who will be under pressure to score given the additional burden.

In the other camp, Symonds has nothing to lose. Fresh from a swashbuckling century in the Chargers’ last game versus Rajasthan Royals at home, the aggressive Aussie is looking to bow out of the IPL competition with a bang — he will not be available after the Mumbai match as he has to leave along with other Australians in the League for the upcoming tour to West Indies. The other interest in the game is the fight to wriggle out of the cellar in the League. Only .07 on the net rate separates the two strong teams which have somehow not been able to notch a win – both have lost two of their matches narrowly. The presence of world class players such as Adam Gilchrist, Shahid Afridi and Herschelle Gibbs will light up Hyderabad hopes even as Mumbai wish for the return of the big man – Tendulkar.

Chargers captain VVS Laxman would look for an effective bowling performance from Chaminda Vaas, R.P. Singh and Sanjay Bangar to scuttle the schemes of Sanath Jayasuriya, Robin Uthappa, Shaun Pollock and Dwayne Bravo if his side are to pull themselves up to restart their campaign with a now-or-never charge.
 

[gouravk]

oh no !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

that is really bad !!!!!!!!!!1


i was so looking forward to bhajji vs monkey 

[justforkix]

I am always excited about young prospects and see what they have to offer when they are put under the gun.  That is the reason I want to see Ravi Teja in action.  An aggresive player by nature and an excellent fielder.  Played for India U-19 team.  That also ensures Hyderabad cricket is investing into the future.  Under that pretext the lineup I want to see ifor tomorrow's game in Mumbai is

1. Gilchrist
2. Ravi Teja
3. Laxman
4. Symonds
5. Rohit Sharma
6. Shahid Afridi
7. Arjun Yadav
8. Vaas
9. KalyanaKrishna
10. R.P. Singh
11. Ojha

They should play Stryis ahead of Gilchrist..for one match. He leaves after this match.

oh, I did not think that Styris was leaving....Hmm... Once Symonds leaves they have Gibbs not the same but worthy enough.  Styris will be a blow.

Styris hs retired from test cricket. So, he's not going anywhere. Only Symo leaves Deccan and they get in Gibbs, so, a pretty good replacement IMO.

I don't think 3 defeats is end of the road. teams can easily bounce back after 3 losses in this format.

[ramshorns]

I am always excited about young prospects and see what they have to offer when they are put under the gun.  That is the reason I want to see Ravi Teja in action.  An aggresive player by nature and an excellent fielder.  Played for India U-19 team.  That also ensures Hyderabad cricket is investing into the future.  Under that pretext the lineup I want to see ifor tomorrow's game in Mumbai is

1. Gilchrist
2. Ravi Teja
3. Laxman
4. Symonds
5. Rohit Sharma
6. Shahid Afridi
7. Arjun Yadav
8. Vaas
9. KalyanaKrishna
10. R.P. Singh
11. Ojha

They should play Stryis ahead of Gilchrist..for one match. He leaves after this match.

oh, I did not think that Styris was leaving....Hmm... Once Symonds leaves they have Gibbs not the same but worthy enough.  Styris will be a blow.

Styris hs retired from test cricket. So, he's not going anywhere. Only Symo leaves Deccan and they get in Gibbs, so, a pretty good replacement IMO.

I don't think 3 defeats is end of the road. teams can easily bounce back after 3 losses in this format.

That is what I thought as well.

[Poochandi]

Titans clash. Let us see who has the skill and ability to hold on to its postion. Right now, they are sharing the helm of the rock bottom. One has to be displaced tonight.

[justforkix]

VVS wins the toss and bowls first - reason he says is DEW and he has 2 spinners.

Finally Mumbai plays the talented Rahane !!!!

[ruchir]

That Jamaican guy was saying there was no dew for last 2 nights. Did VVS misread?

[ruchir]

Question to bowling nay sayers in 20/20 - After watching the Kings XI v Delhi Daredevils game and the DC v MI game going on, do you still think bowlers have no role to play? Yet again, a team was restricted to around 150. And yet again a team is 45/3 in 9th over. This, in 20/20 format.

[LosingNow]

Looks like a 150 pitch.. ball is stopping a bit

[LosingNow]

Indians 55/4 in 10.3 SJ gone. This team is worse disarray than the DC

[ruchir]

Gilly's keeping has been pretty shoddy in IPL. Wonder's what's wrong with him!

[LosingNow]

Nayar is good!!!

[LosingNow]

154.. not bad. This could test the DC

[LosingNow]

scored 99 runs in last 9 overs..

[LosingNow]

Lax opening with Gilly!

[LosingNow]

42 ball 100 from Gilchrist

[cricinfo]

42 ball 100 from Gilchrist

dont forget 34 ball 33 from VVS

[LosingNow]

Another blowout..

We need some competitive games. Indians need to regroup. Give youngsters some responsibilties

[gouravk]

oh but what a blow out ! ill do anything to watch an innings of such magnificence.

[broadbat]

So we have one team that we know will not make the semi's.

[LosingNow]

So we have one team that we know will not make the semi's.

Looks unlikely.. unless they win 8 or 9 out of the 10 remaining. I think semis will be between teams winning 8/9 games ..unless the "elite" win 12-13

[broadbat]

For that matter even DC have a big mountain to climb.

[gouravk]

well if gilly fires anywhere close to half of what he did today ... DCs should sail thru ... truly a one man army ... and after seeing this innings all innings like mccullum hussey symonds completely pale in comparison !!! 

[Libran]

Bloody hell...these games are turning out to be a display of Aussie cricket and to some extent Kiwis... where are our guys

[gouravk]

they are there - i have been impressed by RP singhs bowling for one - after being dropped from the test side he has made a strong comeback.

[broadbat]

Bloody hell...these games are turning out to be a display of Aussie cricket and to some extent Kiwis... where are our guys

Our guy's will come into action once the Aussies leave.