Rajasthan Through To Semi’s

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Rajasthan Royals became the first team to go through to the IPL Semi-finals after last nights victory over Kolkata Knight Riders. Full scorecard

It was the disciplined bowling of Shane Warne’s team which set up the win, as Kolkata were limited to just 147-8 from their 20 overs. Three wickets for suprise IPL package Sohail Tanvir and tight bowling from Aussies Warne and Watson gave Rajasthan an easy target and helped set up their fourth consecutive victory.

Good new ball bowling from Pakistani Umar Gul gave Rajasthan an early fright after he removed Graeme Smith and Tanvir but Indians Mohammad Kaif and Yusuf Pathan put on a big hitting partnership to make the 148 needed for the win, look very modest. Pathan in particular making 48 from just 18 balls.

It was the shrewdness of the legendary Warne though which condemned Kolkata to defeat and incidentally, virtually ruining any chance they had of reaching the semi’s themselves. His captaincy showed its class again as his bowling changes and field placements unsettled Kolkata and even the usually reliable David Hussey and Sourav Ganguly found it hard going.

Result from Eden Gardens: Rajasthan Royals won by 6 wickets.

 

Mumbai v Kolkata Preview

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Venue: Wankede Stadium Mumbai.

This crucial match in the IPL throws up some interesting battles. Firstly it is the new ball pace pair Ishant Sharma and Pakistan talisman Shoaib Ahktar bowling against opening pair Sanath Jayasuriya and legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Jayasuriya recently scored a century against Chennai (the only hundred scored so far in May) and will be looking to add to that here. Ahktar on the other hand bowled fantastically in the win over the Delhi Daredevils on his debut game.

Both sides will be looking for a win to boost there semi final credentials. So this will be a close game. However I can’t help thinking that Mumbai will make it six wins on the bounce because of Kolkata’s weakness with their batting. Only David Hussey and captain Sourav Ganguly seem to have the experience and guise to hold up a fairly strong Mumbai attack. Mumbai struggled at the beginning especially with Tendulkar out but have come back strong as I predicted before the tournament began.

My predicted result: Mumbai Indians to win. 

 

 

Noffke To Replace Bracken

Australian bowler Ashley Noffke will replace Nathan Bracken in the Bangalore Royal Challengers squad. Noffke replaces his fellow Australian due to Bracken’s injury problems and will play until at least May when Australia’s tour to the Carribean starts.

Noffke will come up against his Australian captain Ricky Ponting and David Hussey in his first match against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 18th.