MI vs KTK: Kochi Tuskers Kerala shock Mumbai Indians by 8 wickets

MUMBAI: It has to be for some good reason that former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara reckons his teammate and close friend Mahela Jayawardene to be a very good Twenty20 batsman. 

The reasons were quite obvious at the Wankhede on Friday evening when Jayawardene - leading a side that coming into this match had looked listless - led from the front and scored a clinical half century that set the pace for what has to be one of Indian Premier League's best chases. 

Mumbai Indians lost the toss, but made good use of the opportunity to bat first and set a formidable 182. Sachin Tendulkar scored 100 of those runs in 66 balls with 12 boundaries and three sixes when it began to seem like the Tuskers had been throttled again. In the end, it was Mumbai Indians who were left to bite the dust as Kochi finally arrived in IPL, making a mockery of what was supposed to be Tendulkar's evening. 

Chasing under lights in front of the Wankhede crowd, especially when it's not exactly cheering for you, can be intimidating. But chasing under lights can get better in these conditions no doubt as India showed two weeks ago in the World Cup final. Jayawardene seemed to have taken enough notes from that game to keep for the future. 

On Friday, the time arrived for the Sri Lankan to use that bit of experience and he did it with aplomb, winning the toss and yet deciding to bat second. The pitch eased wonderfully and along with New Zealander Brendon McCullum, who scored a blistering 81, the skipper saw his team through. 

Jayawardene had spoken of how it would be ideal for Kochi to beat a team that has been looking in top form. In the run up to this game, the Tuskers had been slammed as too weak against a very powerful Mumbai line up. The odds too were heavily in Mumbai Indians' favour, considering the matches that both teams have played so far in the tournament. 

The Tuskers defied it all thanks to the top order finally finding its feet in the middle and Jayawardene's astute skills paving the way for what has got to be an important victory for Kochi. 

Mumbai can blame themselves for the defeat. Tendulkar's century alone was never going to be enough if the bowling failed to live up to the expectation. That's precisely what happened when McCullum got the opportunity to free his arms and strike 10 boundaries and two sixes during the chase. It was the innings that rode on the platform provided by Jaywardene's 56 and in the end, the two openers made Mumbai Indians pay heavily. 

As far as scoring rate goes, Jayawardene's half century was more brisk than McCullum's. However, the prolific Sri Lankan's knock was void of any flashy batting unlike his Kiwi teammate. 

Towards the end, when the equation came down to 35 runs from 17 balls, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja - who seems to have taken a liking for IPL - smashed 25 off 11 balls which made difference.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl-2011/news/MI-vs-KTK-Kochi-Tuskers-Kerala-shock-Mumbai-Indians-by-8-wickets/articleshow/7991234.cms

Fitting Finale: Sachin Tendulkar vs Muttiah Muralitharan

MUMBAI: It may not provide the pure thrill of an India-Australia encounter; it may not offer the political drama of an India-Pakistan clash either. Yet, this India-Sri Lanka final has something that makes it even more engrossing. 

A straight contest between the world's best batsman and best bowler of all time: Sachin Tendulkar versus Muttiah Muralitharan. 18,093 runs against 534 wickets. (And we are only talking one-dayers here.) A maestro and a magician on the game's biggest stage. 

Add the cauldron-like atmosphere at the Wankhede Stadium, and it promises to be a match for the gods, a battle for eternity. There's been some concern whether Murali's aching hamstring and dodgy knee will allow him to play but given the stage and the occasion, it's safe to bet that if he can walk, he'll be out there wheeling away. 

There is also a twist to the contest that makes it even more gut-wrenching: it is the last World Cupfor both. Only one of them will be going home with the trophy; the other will go away with a heavy heart and a strange feeling of emptiness. 

Sure, it may not hurt Murali as much as it will Sachin: he has, after all, already been part of one Cup-winning side. He has also often shown the ability to take triumphs and tribulations alike in his stride. The tsunami and accompanying devastation back home has clearly helped him see life's bigger picture. 

Sachin has probably not reached that stage yet: winning the World Cup has been a lifelong dream for him. He wants it desperately because that's the only thing missing from his array of exploits. If the hundredth ton comes along with it, it would be a fitting last chapter, to at least his one-day career. 

"It's the most important tournament in my life," he had said just before the tricky quarterfinal against Australia; they were the magic words that made his mates in the team wake up to the possibility of a day without him. Since then, Team India has been a transformed side. 

Murali does not believe in such hyperbole: he makes his own destiny. More importantly, he makes his mates do the 'dirty work' by unleashing his charm offensive in the dressing room. "We will really miss him," said vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene. "He keeps us laughing all the time. 

That itself is amazing if you consider his long and tumultuous journey, from a maverick spinner who had to bowl outside the leg-stump simply to stop Tendulkar once, to the world's greatest. He has been in the midst of many storms, and been the cause of quite a few too, only to emerge with a smile. 

It may just be a joke but Murali apparently believes he is a better bat than Sachin. That is what makes this last battle so delightful while being intriguing too. In the 46 times that they have crossed paths, however, Murali has got him only five times; Sachin has managed 8 hundreds and 12 fifties. 

The numbers are evidently in favour of Sachin. Murali, however, will be backing himself this time, even though his body is battered; after all, Sachin did go through a nightmare against the two Pakistani off-spinners in the semifinal. 

Murali has much more variety, much more control and much more guile. He will lure Sachin with his flight; he will trick him with his turn and he will try to mesmerize him with his big, big eyes. If nothing works he will ambush him with his doosras. 

Sachin, though, will be unperturbed for the most part; if the ball doesn't stop or grip as it did in Mohali, he won't even worry. He will use his feet, soft hands and firm pushes to counter the magic. If the ball comes on nicely to the bat, it will transcend into a battle in the minds. One legend against another.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/news/Fitting-Finale-Sachin-Tendulkar-vs-Muttiah-Muralitharan/articleshow/7839040.cms