Showing posts with label cricket. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cricket. Show all posts

Left out of Test squad, Mohammad Amir returns to domestic cricket

Left out of Test squad, Mohammad Amir returns to domestic cricket

 


Spurred on by the first axing of his international career, Mohammad Amir is set to play his first domestic first-class game in Pakistan in three years. Amir will play for Sui Southern Gas Corporation (SSGC) in the ongoing domestic season, after being dropped from the Test squad to take on Australia.
Since his reintegration into the Pakistan side, Amir has played 73 international matches across formats, picking up 56 Test wickets at an average of 33.21, 33 ODI wickets at 36.66, and 29 T20I wickets while conceding 6.68 runs per over. He has been, more or less, an automatic pick in all formats, but his recent form in ODIs - he has gone wicketless in his last five games, and has only taken three wickets since the final of last year's Champions Trophy, at an average of 100.66 - has now cost him his place.
Amir played four first-class games for SSGC in 2015 soon after he returned from a five-year ban for spot-fixing, and picked up a five-for in a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match. But he hasn't played any domestic first-class cricket since then, having been a regular for Pakistan in all three formats as well as featuring in county cricket and T20 leagues.
In an interview with ESPNcricinfo before the Asia Cup, Amir spoke of the effects of his five-year break and what it has meant for his bowling.
"After five years [out of the game], a fast bowler takes at least two years to get back on top with the mechanics [of bowling]. It is different for a batsman or a spinner. It has taken two years to get my body used to it. I didn't train or play any cricket for five long years so a significant amount of time was spent on rebuilding myself.
"I had to bowl longer spells to push myself and I feel whenever I bowled longer spells I started getting my rhythm back. Longer break always is a problem for me because I have to start over and this is tough with the amount of cricket I am playing. I sometimes think [it may have helped] if I could have played more domestic cricket to get back that rhythm. There are a lot of ifs and buts, but all I think is if I had not lost those five years my wicket count could have been 300 or so. Things could have different."
He spoke earlier this year of reducing his Test workload to extend his international career, even though he was impressive in the three Tests Pakistan played this year - one against Ireland and two against England - taking 12 wickets at an average of 18.41. His bowling average in the UAE, however, is less flattering, albeit over a small sample size: in four Tests in Pakistan's adopted home, he has taken seven wickets at 56.42

BCCI-PCB go head to head in legal battle

BCCI-PCB go head to head in legal battle


 India and Pakistan were about to talk, then they weren't and so it is fitting that this week the cricket boards of both countries lock horns in Dubai to try and resolve a longstanding and thorny dispute. The arbitrator, over three days, will be the ICC's Dispute Resolutions Committee. The dispute is over an agreement signed in April 2014 to play bilateral games - an agreement that has not been honoured and shows no signs of being so. The PCB eventually filed a notice of dispute with the ICC last November claiming damages from the BCCI.


In 2014 the PCB offered conditional support to the Big Three's revamp of the ICC. Under the agreement, which the PCB claims is binding, Pakistan were supposed to play six bilateral series as part of the reworked eight-year Future Tours Programme (FTP) cycle between 2015 and 2023. Four of those series would be hosted by Pakistan, comprising 24 matches across three formats; and the six tours would include up to 14 Tests, 30 ODIs and 12 T20Is.
The two sides have not played a full bilateral tour since Pakistan's last visit to India in 2007. A year later, in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Mumbai, ties became strained. Pakistan did tour India for a limited-overs only series at the end of 2012, though both countries play regularly in ICC events and faced off twice in the recent Asia Cup.
They have an agreement you say. So why no play?
According to the PCB, it is only because the BCCI has not been independent enough from its government's stance of no ties with Pakistan.
And the BCCI says what?
They have maintained at every meeting with PCB that it has no authority to allow India to play Pakistan in a bilateral series. That decision lies only with the Indian government. The PCB doesn't agree, insisting that the BCCI has lacked the will to convince the Indian government. PCB officials argue that if India is allowed to play Pakistan at neutral venues in global tournaments, then why not bilateral series?
I'm presuming the ICC has done...
The ICC has maintained a studied neutrality throughout, except in one instance. Last year the ICC chairman Shashank Manohar advised the PCB against taking legal recourse. Manohar is understood to have told the PCB that it would spoil the relations with BCCI "for life" if it pressed legal proceedings against the BCCI.
Manohar essentially seconded the BCCI line, saying India could only play Pakistan bilaterally subject to permission from the Indian government. The PCB walked out of that meeting in London, feeling Manohar was "pleading" the BCCI case and not acting in neutral fashion.
Which, presumably, left the PCB with no choice but head to the ICC disputes panel?
The PCB felt that the BCCI should not have signed the letter of intent as part of the MoU if it did not have its government's permission. Having failed to get a positive and concrete response from the BCCI, the PCB finally sent a notice of dispute to the BCCI last May.
The PCB has claimed losses of up to USD 70 million from the failure of the BCCI to play two series, in November 2014 and December 2015. The PCB used the prospect of these series to sell its media rights and in their absence, the board claims to have suffered these commercial losses.
In addition, the PCB had several good faith meetings as prescribed under the ICC rules. However, those meetings went nowhere, compelling the PCB to adopt this last course of action: the dispute resolution committee. Consequently, the PCB sent a dispute notice to the ICC last November, which will now be heard by an independent committee.
Which lucky souls get to hear this case then?
The Disputes Panel is made up of three members: Michael Beloff, chair of the panel, who had previously been part of the ICC tribunal that had banned Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir for their roles in the spot-fixing scandal, along with Jan Paulsson and Dr Annabelle Bennett.
Will the decision of the dispute panel will be final?
Yes, the decision, the ICC has pointed out, will be "non-appeallable."

Asia Cup 2018: Ravindra Jadeja has made strong statement in tournament, says stand-in captain Rohit Sharma


Back into the ODI scheme of things after more than a year, Ravindra Jadeja made a strong statement in the Asia Cup and India's stand-in captain Rohit Sharma feels the all-rounder has proved himself right rather than anyone else with his impressive display in Dubai





Dubai: Back into the ODI scheme of things after more than a year, Ravindra Jadeja made a strong statement in the Asia Cup and India's stand-in captain Rohit Sharma feels the all-rounder has proved himself right rather than anyone else with his impressive display in Dubai.
Rohit said Jadeja showed his burning desire to make a strong comeback and grabbed the opportunity with both hands after being sidelined from white ball cricket for close to 15 months.
"When you are out of the team you have that fire inside, you have that burning desire where you want to make a comeback and prove yourself rather than proving anyone else," Rohit said while praising Jadeja.
"I think he has proved himself in this tournament that he is much better than what he was before. His bowling, batting and fielding abilities are very crucial to the team," he added.
Jadeja made a spectacular return to the ODI side and immediately made an impact with figures of 4 for 29 from his 10 overs against Bangladesh in a Super 4 match earlier in the tournament.
Jadeja made his return to the playing eleven exactly after 442 days with his last game coming against the West Indies at Sabina Park on 6 July, 2017.
Desperate to make his comeback in white ball cricket, Jadeja too agreed that he wanted to prove himself rather than anyone else.
"I was almost out for 15 months and I wasn't feeling good. I want to play white-ball cricket, I just wanted to prove myself and improve on my game," he said after helping India lift the Asia Cup title on Friday night with a three-wicket win over Bangladesh in the final.
"You need to prove yourself when you get the opportunity, you need to show you are good enough. I just wanted to play my natural game, try and hit the ball well and win the game for my country," Jadeja said.
In the four matches he played in the Asia Cup, including the final, Jadeja picked up seven wickets besides playing two crucial 20-plus knocks with the bat.
Jadeja also reminded everyone of his fielding abilities with a sensational run out of Mohammad Mithun in the final against Bangladesh.
"What he did today on the field, that run out, I think that was the turning point of the match. That is something that gave us a way to comeback into the game. That run out was crucial," Rohit said.
"He knows that and also as a team we understand what sort of a player he is and what he brings to the table. His made 25 odd today but it was so crucial. I would say it was as good as 50 in the context of the match

India vs West Indies: Selectors await update on Virat Kohli's wrist injury before announcing squad for Test series

India vs West Indies: Selectors await update on Virat Kohli's wrist injury before announcing squad for Test series


"Virat is carrying a wrist niggle," said BCCI member. According to sources, selectors will give rest to Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to keep them fresh for tour of Australia.

New Delhi: The national selection committee is awaiting an update on India captain Virat Kohli's injured wrist as they get ready to announce the squad for the two-match Test series against the Windies.
"Virat is carrying a wrist niggle. Tests have been done and selectors are awaiting the medical update from the National Cricket Academy's support staff. It is not clear how he sustained the wrist injury. It could have been during the England Test matches or training sessions," a senior BCCI office-bearer told PTI on Saturday.
In case Virat's injury is not serious, then the selectors will announce the squad for the two Tests or else they will name the team only for the first Test. The squad is likely to be announced either Saturday evening or on Sunday.
According to sources in the board, the selectors will also rest both Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the Test matches.
In case of Bumrah, he has been bowling non-stop from the third Test against England in Trent Bridge, followed by four games in the Asia Cup.
"Jasprit has bowled 133 overs across three Tests in England and nearly his full quota in all matches in this Dubai heat. He needs a bit of rest to be rejuvenated for the tour of Australia. Also Bhuvi needs to be preserved for the tour Down Under," the official said.
However, there was some good news for the Indian camp as senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has cleared the fitness test and is available for selection.
"Ashwin is fit and has completely recovered from the hip injury," he added.
One of the major decisions will be whether Shikhar Dhawan, a fantastic player on flat sub-continental tracks is selected with the Australia tour ahead.
Prithvi Shaw is expected to be in the squad while Mayank Agarwal has sent a timely reminder with another 90 for Board President's XI against Windies.

India vs West Indies: Mayank Agarwal, Mohammed Siraj earn maiden Test call-ups; Shikhar Dhawan gets the axe








Karnataka batsman Mayank Agarwal was finally rewarded for his consistent performances over the last year or so as The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) named him in the 15-man squad for the two-Test series against Windies. Mohammed Siraj has also earned a maiden Test call-up after his recent exploits with the India A team.

Karnataka batsman Mayank Agarwal was finally rewarded for his consistent performances over the last year as The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) named him in the 15-man squad for the two-Test series against Windies. Mohammed Siraj has also earned a maiden Test call-up after his recent exploits with the India A team.

Agarwal, who amassed 1160 runs in the 2017/18 Ranji Trophy season and has been pushing his case for India selection with consistent performances for the 'A' team, replaced Shikhar Dhawan in the squad. Agarwal also scored 90 for Board President's XI in the ongoing practice match against Windies.
Dhawan, after an underwhelming England tour, was given the axe while KL Rahul's heroics in the fifth Test of the England series helped him retain his spot. Mumbai's Prithvi Shaw is the other opener in the Indian team.

India were sweating over Ravichandran Ashwin and Ishant Sharma's fitness. Ashwin was rested for the final Test of the England tour after aggravating a hip injury while Ishant Sharma had left the field during England's second dig in the Oval Test. Ashwin has been declared fit for the the two Tests, which will be played at Rajkot and Hyderabad.
Ishant Sharma and Hardik Pandya are still recovering from their respective injuries and have not been selected.
The MSK Prasad-led committee have decided to rest Jasprit Bumrah, who featured in three Tests in England and Asia Cup, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who missed the England tour but made a comeback in the Asia Cup 'taking stock of the recent workload.
India captain Virat Kohli, who was rested for the Asia Cup, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara will continue to bat in the middle order. The selectors have also backed Rishabh Pant as Wriddhiman Saha continues to recover from his injury. Hanuma Vihari will be the reserve batsman in the squad.
There will be extra focus on Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Siraj and Thakur as India travel to Australia for the four-Test series after the Windies assignment. The pacers will be key to India's chances Down Under and their performances will give the selectors a fair idea ahead of the important tour.
Indian team for the Windies Tests: Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur



























Asia Cup 2018: India show ice-cold, calculated approach under pressure to defeat super-charged Bangladesh

Asia Cup 2018: India show ice-cold, calculated approach under pressure to defeat super-charged Bangladesh


In the Asia Cup final, India not only showed a refreshing change in approach in the tense chase against Bangladesh, but proved that this team would not go down without a fight

Asia Cup 2018: Bharat show cold, calculated approach harassed to defeat super-charged Asian nation

In the Asia final, Bharat not solely showed a refreshing amendment in approach within the tense chase against Asian nation, however proved that this team wouldn't go down while not a fight.

India’s unconquerable angle was uncommon for the way within which the players unbroken their cool, place their heads down, targeted on the mission and clawed their thanks to the Asia Cup title.

It was this fighting spirit displayed by India’s cricketers that ultimately defeated a super-charged Asian nation. The latter, worthy opponents within the thrill-a-ball final wherever the results of the match was unsure until the ultimate ball, were squeezed come in a slow and agonizing vogue.

If it were the spinners, Kuldeep Yadav (3 for 45), Kedar Jadhav (2 for 41) and Yuzvendra Chahal (1 for 31) World Health Organization scripted the fight back throughout the day, India’s batsmen showed similar pluck beneath lights to thwart the simplest of Bangladesh’s efforts.

Cricket, harassed, could be a take a look at of temperament and character. the higher groups realize heroes in adversity. These players get up to be counted during a aggressive fight. it's not such a lot concerning their talent with bat or ball that's very important to success. Rather, it's the rare ability to rise on top of limitations that produces them true game changers.

On Friday, it had been Jadhav World Health Organization with ball and bat showed a cool head, unbroken his poise and pushed back the opponents time and once more.

In the 1st instance, Asian nation had each reason to be excited at the method their innings had panned out once they were asked to require strike. They threw a surprise of their own by asking tailender Mehidy Hasan to open the batting. If he was sent as a batsman it actually didn't show in his efforts (32 off fifty nine balls). But, invaluably, he unbroken his finish going whereas the a lot of accomplished opener Liton Das (121 in 117 balls) flayed the attack.

The try placed on one hundred twenty for the gap wicket in exactly twenty overs. it had been associate degree improbably sturdy foundation and vulnerable to require the ultimate far from the Indians. it had been here that Jadhav together with his slow and low spin bowling turned disrupter.

The Bangladeshis needed to whack the duvet off the ball as they didn't think about his bowling a threat to their aspirations. however his 2 wickets in gait, in conjunction with Chahal’s wicket and therefore the run-out of Mohammed Mithun dismantled Bangladesh’s hopes of a vast total. Jadhav had done his bit in derailing them.

Chahal and Yadav too showed that they controlled the center overs in these conditions. The trio not solely over-involved the run rate however created recent inroads into the batting line-up to finish the disruption.

India ought to have well pursued down the target of 223. however the loss of the 2 pillars of Indian batting, Rohit Sharma (48) and Shikhar Dhawan (15) left the team deplorably in need of category and kind.

But what ordered editions of Indian Premier League (IPL) had in deep trouble Indian cricket is within the creation of a brand new generation of Indian cricketers World Health Organization were snug batting harassed.

These guys don't panic once the run rate shoots up. Nor do they fight to hit their answer of hassle. in reality it had been amusing to concentrate to one or two of commentators — players of associate degree earlier era – stating that x or y would probability his arm or take his probabilities or opt for the massive hit.

They did nothing of the kind. Dinesh Karthik (37), MS Dhoni (36) and Jadhav (23 not out) unbroken their cool and picked up runs while not ever being hurried. after all there have been the odd boundaries. however that was once true bestowed itself.

All the whereas they whittled down the target. Still, Bharat may have lost out once they were a hundred and sixty for five, except that Ravindra Jadeja (23) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (21) battled it come in a 52-run stand.

Bhuvneshwar batted sort of a top-order ballplayer. He was loath to throw away his wicket and grafted most of the time. Jadeja too looked busy whereas creating a useful contribution.

However Jadeja another time showed that he was a great deal less up to the mark of his emotions at key moments. whilst the target progressively became easier, Jadeja’s excitement levels raised reciprocally.

This approach had let him down within the previous match against Afghanistan once he 1st exposed tailender Khaleel Ahmed to the bowling and later threw away his wicket and conclusion with a wild shot.

On Fri too he perceived to be creating identical mistake. He nearly got run out whereas blindly speeding for a unsafe single. The Bangladeshis combined their error by throwing in associate degree overthrow. within the terribly next delivery, with Bharat needing a mere eleven runs to win in twenty three balls, Jadeja utterly lost it. He wildly threw his bat at the rivals’ best bowler, Belarusian monetary unit Hossein (2 for twenty six from ten overs) to be caught behind.

It required the calm, composed Jadav to place matters in perspective. He had retired hurt with a painful hamstring injury, however came to hobble around and succeed the win in singles.

In fact Jadhav not solely overcame his injury however ensured that a cool head was there at the death to guide the team home.

Indian groups of the past had repeatedly created a large number of run chases. They usually were too excitable, associate degreed therefore appeared incapable of taking an cold, calculated approach harassed.

But within the Asia final, the team not solely showed a refreshing amendment in approach however proved that this team wouldn't go down while not a fight. that ought to actually heat the cockles of Indian cricket’s myriad fans.
INDIA VS BANGLADESH LIVE SCORE (ODI)

INDIA VS BANGLADESH LIVE SCORE (ODI)

INDIA VS BANGLADESH LIVE SCORE (ODI)


That concludes our coverage for this year's Asia Cup. On one hand, 2 big groups - Asian country and state slipped, whereas on the opposite hand 2 not-so-giant-teams - Asian nation and Asian nation punched higher than their weight and reminded that they're no pushovers. Among all that, India emerged because the most dominant force and were the worth winners. A last-ball end within the final was the icing on the cake. thereon note, we tend to bid you farewell. Do be a part of North American country for future games. Cheers!
Rohit Sharma currently joins his teammates on stage to receive the trophy. He then hands it over to the youngest member of the squad - Khaleel Ahmed. a convention started by MS Dhoni. Some very happy faces there because the fireworks go up once more. A team photograph follows and currently each player is taking his address create with the golden trophy. you'll be able to later check it out on their instagram or twitter accounts.
Victorious skipper, Rohit Sharma says that they contend some smart cricket throughout the tournament and this is often an award for that. Praises his players for handling the pressure of the ultimate and mentions that crossing the road was an excellent effort. Credits Asian nation for batting well and putt pressure on them. Lauds his spinners for pull things back within the middle. With a team like that a captain can continuously look smart, Rohit states with an enormous smile on his face. Signs off by thanking the group United Nations agency came go in numbers to support India.
Bangladesh's skipper, Mashrafe Mortaza says that they fought until the last ball however rues the mistakes they committed whereas batting and fielding. Feels that they were a number of runs short however praises his bowlers for giving their all. On preferring Mustafizur Rahman to bowl the penultimate over, Mortaza replies that India were evaluation virtually each ball and it had been necessary for him to stay a lid thereon as he did not wish the spinner to be charged.
Man of the Tournament, Shikhar Dhawan says that it had been an amazing tournament for him and he enjoyed the manner he batted and hopes to hold on with same category and consistency. Adds that he enjoys to bat freely and in a very mature manner. Says that Rohit's consistency at the highest matters to him and that they balance it out (by switch roles of aggressors) and congratulates his skipper for having an excellent Asia Cup with the bat.
Liton Das is awarded the person of the Match for his very good knock with the bat. No interview taken. He should be pessimistic that his maiden ODI ton has gone in a very losing cause. Still, an excellent effort by him.
Ha ha! And here comes the most man! however might he be left behind? the person behind the scenes - Coach Ravi Shastri. He cannot hide his glee. isn't too fazed concerning what happened in European country as this is often a special format. Is happy concerning the intensity shown by his lads. Admits that the team was a small amount flat against city on the other hand force up its socks. On the positives, he identifies the power to stay reading wickets whereas feels the batting was good. But for Mr. Shastri, the department that happy him the foremost was India's fielding. Raves concerning however the fielders wont to dive here and there to save lots of crucial runs. Praises Rohit Sharma for his batting and even additional, his situation skills. Especially, during this final, wherever he managed to urge his team devour all ten wickets even once Bnagladesh were 120/0. And currently finally, the presentation...
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is up for grabs still. He says that the sport against city was a take-heed call for him. it had been required as he was returning from associate degree injury. On wickets like these, he says that one has to bowl tight lines and lengths, while not giving any area to the batsmen and induce mistakes. On his combination with Bumrah, he says that the latter is an incredible bowler together with his stocks speedily rising.
Ravindra Jadeja is that the next in line. Jaddu says that he was out of international cricket for nearly fifteen months and wasn't feeling too smart concerning it. In hibernation, he says that he was simply considering what he might do to come back back to this facet. And once he did get the possibility, he didn't wish to do. Stresses any that he urgently wished to prove himself.
Kuldeep Yadav currently. He says that he was simply asked by Jadhav to back himself whereas taking part in his shots and take care whereas running. On the wicket, he says that it had been a awfully smart one to bat on. a small amount on the slower facet, he reckons. Feels he bowled very well and therefore the batsmen found it tough to choose his line. Later on, he corrected his length and got rewarded. On his batting, he says he possesses legion runs in top notch cricket, thus he's a batting all arounder.
Plenty of folks to speak to tonight. Kedar Jadhav is that the 1st of them. He says that he has been during this state of affairs for quite an range of times within the previous couple of months. Stresses that he was ne'er struggling as he was assured concerning the batting of Bhuvneshwar and Kuldeep. On his hamstring, he says he can ought to assess it in a very number of days. And now, the million dollar question. 'Are you a ballplayer United Nations agency will bowl or a bowler United Nations agency will bat?' asks Kevin Pietersen with a large grin. 'I assume i'm a ballplayer United Nations agency will bowl', replies a sheepish Kedar.
Bangladesh should be praised for his or her efforts nowadays. 1st their move to send Mehidy Hasan to open with Liton Das worked wonders, though the batting that followed thwarted. whereas bowling, they managed to create pressure with correct bowling however somewhere not having a target in more than 250 verified to be their undoing. India conjointly planned their chase with close to perfection as they ne'er allowed the desired run rate to leap over six, except on the fifth ball of the penultimate over. Belarusian monetary unit Hossain was the star with the ball and one will feel that their spinners allow them to down by not providing regular breakthroughs.
With MS Dhoni fired and Kedar Jadhav unable to maneuver freely, the Indian team management set to decision him back and sent Bhuvneshwar Kumar to partner Ravindra Jadeja. In a way, that clad to be the accomplishment because the try place along a 45-run partnership to slim down the target. Things soon got too shut for comfort as Asian nation showed nice resolve by projecting in there. However, they did not have enough runs on the board and within the discernment not batting those nine balls in their innings has hurt them badly.
Mahmudullah smitten within the thirty first over to get rid of Karthik and post that Kedar Jadhav came out with positive intent. on the other hand he force his hamstrings and it resulted in a very slow rotation of strike. That pressure have to be compelled to Dhoni and in an effort to stay the asking rate below check, he contend associate degree uncharacteristic rash shot to urge out off Mustafizur Rahman's bowling.
Seventh Asia Cup title for India! and that they had to sweat laborious to earn it. Chasing a target is rarely simple in a very final and it looked a small amount powerful after they lost Dhawan and Rayudu quite cheaply. Rohit, however, showed his type and unbroken on evaluation from one finish. at the side of Dinesh Karthik, the Indian skipper sewn in a very partnership however once he fell, Asian nation sniffed an opportunity. Although, MS Dhoni accompanied Karthik subsequently and steady the nerves with an important 54-run stand. These 2 planned the chase terribly nicely and at that stage, India were au fait of the chase.

Are Dhawan & Rohit Already Among Best Opening Pairs of All Time?

Hunting in pairs is an old cricketing cliché but nothing better describes the role and relationship between two opening batsmen in cricket.

50-overs cricket has been witness to some great opening pairs over the years – Greenidge-Haynes, Hayden-Gilchrist, Tendulkar-Ganguly, Amla-De Kock, Anwar-Sohail, Boon-Marsh, Smith-Gibbs – to name a few.



The current Indian pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have been prolific over the last few years. They have scored big against the best bowling attacks in different conditions. 

But how good are they really? Are they the best contemporary ODI openers in the world? How do they stack against the all-time great combinations?

Let us try and dig deeper.
Appetite for Big Runs

There are only 18 openers in ODI history who have scored 2000 partnership runs for the first wicket.

Dhawan and Sharma have the fifth-highest runs per dismissal (47.48) amongst all opening partnerships in the history of ODI cricket (min. 2000 partnership runs). That places them with a pantheon of greats of one-day cricket. Only Greenidge-Haynes (52.55), Tendulkar-Ganguly (49.32), Gilchrist-Hayden (48.39) and Amla-De Kock (48.38) average more. 

This also means that they have scored more runs per dismissal than the combinations of Smith-Gibbs, Tendulkar-Sehwag, Boon-Marsh and Finch-Warner – these are some all-time greats!

But here is an interesting stat - Dhawan and Sharma have the best innings/hundreds ratio in the history of ODI cricket. They have scored 13 hundreds in 82 innings – this shows their appetite to score big runs.

No pair, with the exception of Amla- De Kock, has scored more runs for any wicket than Dhawan-Sharma in the last 5 years (incidentally both are opening pairs). Only two others Kohli-Sharma and Taylor-Williamson, also have notched 10 hundred partnerships in this time-frame.

In terms of aggregate runs, Dhawan and Rohit are seventh on the all-time list with 3846 runs.

In terms of strike rate, Dhawan and Rohit are at number 5 on an all-time India list (min. 1000 runs). They score at 89 runs per hundred balls. No pair has scored faster than Gambhir-Sehwag (107 runs per hundred balls).

This is understandable. Rohit likes to build an innings. He starts steadily while Dhawan gives the initial impetus.

Match-Winners

Among contemporary opening pairs, no one, except Amla-De Kock (61.38) averages more in winning matchesthan Dhawan-Rohit (57.94).

Just for perspective, their winning average is better than Hayden-Gilchrist, Gibbs-Kirsten, Sehwag-Tendulkar and Finch-Warner amongst other great opening pairs.

Now here is another remarkable number. Whenever Dhawan and Rohit have both crossed 40 individually in an ODI innings, India has won 22 of 26 such matches (85%). 

India won 18 out of 24 matches (75%) when Tendulkar-Ganguly crossed 40. 

Asia Cup 2018: A Rohit Sharma record that went unnoticed in his Pakistan heroics

Asia Cup 2018: Amid Rohit Sharma's run-scoring spree in the tournament, there has been a major record that went unnoticed during the second Pakistan match.


New Delhi: Rohit Sharma's captaincy has been a true revelation for India who reached UAE a fortnight ago without their prolific batsman and skipper Virat Kohli and posing just the slightest doubt over India's performance. But not just with his analytical mind behind each of his captaincy strategy, Rohit has led the team from the front posing as an example himself when it came to batting. With a stunning century against Pakistan in Super Four and two other fifty-plus scores, Rohit is the second highest run-scorer in the tournament for India after Shikhar Dhawan and amid his run spree in Asia Cup 2018, there has been a major record that went unnoticed with his century against arch-rivals Pakistan. 

Rohit started off his journey amid the searing temperatures in the Gulf with a 23-run knock against minnows Hong Kong in the opener, before he scored 52 against Pakistan (group game) and an unbeaten 83 against Bangladesh in the Super Four clash. But his highlight, so far, in Dubai, has been his unbeaten 111 against Pakistan in Super Four that helped him script a record 210-run partnership with Dhawan (114 runs) and help India reach the final for the tenth time in Asia Cup history. 
With 269 runs from four innings, he managed to surpass Kohli's Asia Cup run tally by 69 runs during the second Pakistan encounter at the Dubai International Stadium. With a total of 835 runs from 25 innings in the tournament history, he is the fifth-highest scorer in Asia Cup. The list is topped by Sri Lanka's legendary players Sanath Jayasuriya (1220 runs) and Kumar Sangakkara (1075 runs), followed by Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar (971 runs).
India now have the Bangladesh clash ahead of them, the Asia Cup 2018 final and if he manages to score 73 runs more on Friday (September 28), He can surpass Pakistan's fourth-placed Shoaib Malik (907 runs), who has been a stand-out performer in their dismal show in UAE.

Asia Cup 2018: Bangladesh hope to ride momentum, India look to continue clinical show in tournament final

Asia Cup 2018: Bangladesh hope to ride momentum, India look to continue clinical show in tournament final

It has been an inspirational journey for the depleted Bangladesh team in this Asia Cup. Despite losing two key players — Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan — on their way, they haven't thrown in the towel. Instead, under the motivational leadership of Mashrafe Mortaza, the Tigers have battled all the odds to set up a date against defending champions India in the title clash. This will be Bangladesh's third attempt in four consecutive editions to win this Asian battle of supremacy for the first time but in order to achieve the glory, they have to go past Rohit Sharma's team, which has been clinical in their performances so far.


If Bangladesh want to run India close in this contest, they have to do particularly well in two aspects. First, their misfiring top three batsmen need to keep Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah at bay with the new balls. Secondly, their bowling has to get rid of India's in-form openers as early as possible in order to explore the vulnerable middle-order.
Without Shakib, the Bangladesh bowling lacks a fair bit of bite. In fact, against Pakistan, they were one bowler short as the think-tank decided to play an extra batsman. But part-timers like Mahmadullah and Soumya Sarkar did a commendable job to fill up the gap. However, against the Indian batting line-up, they will face a much stiffer challenge.
Nevertheless, Mortaza has led this bowling attack quite aptly, especially the way he has used his pacers like Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain, is absolutely praiseworthy. Mehidy Hasan, with his off-spin, has given them good starts and on Friday a lot will depend on how he bowls to the Indian openers, especially Shikhar Dhawan.
Their batting in this tournament has revolved around Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, and Mahmadullah. Also, Imrul Kayes, who has been experimented to bat in the middle-order, played a crucial innings against Afghanistan in the Super Four fixture. Meanwhile, in the final, they need contribution from the top order, such as Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, and Mominul Haque as well.
Having secured two hard-earned victories against Afghanistan and Pakistan back-to-back, Bangladesh have momentum with them. Now if they can lift their game a little and put up another spirited show, India won't have a cakewalk. Most importantly, Mortaza's boys should not get fazed by the occasion, as we had seen in the past.
In the last game, Rahim faced a few fitness concerns while keeping and Liton had to chip as a back-up keeper. But on Friday, the former skipper is expected to wear the keeping gloves as well.
India expect another all-round show
Following the tied match against Afghanistan, India are expected to get into their grooves quickly with their first-choice XI. The five players — Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal — who were rested in the last match, will come back for this final. The Afghanistan game has proved that any sort of complacency can be harmful. Hence, on Friday India are eyeing for yet another professional show.
Indian bowling has done an exceptional job in this Asia Cup. The bowlers have constantly kept chipping away with wickets to put pressure on opposition batting. And almost on every occasion, the opposition has crumbled under this pressure.
In the pace department, the Bhuveneshwar-Bumrah combination has always provided the early breakthroughs. In fact, the duo has provided a perfect foil to the spin department, which has been the backbone of this attack on these slow-low tracks in Dubai. Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Chahal, and the part-timer Kedar Jadhav have claimed 23 scalps at an average of 25.26 and an economy of 4.17 altogether in this competition. Hence, to put up any sort of resistance against them, Mushfiqur and Co will have to bat out of their skins.
Meanwhile, the Indian batting will once again depend heavily upon the opening pair, which has scored the bulk of the runs. Others, like Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik, too have made a few useful contributions. However, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav and Ravindra Jadeja must remain vigilant if they are required for a bigger role in the final. But without a doubt, there is a bit of rustiness in this middle-order.
It will be a full house at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium for this final. Both teams should ideally look to chase here as the recent trend shows that the wicket gets quicker under lights.
The fans, organisers, broadcasters and most of the other stakeholders of this Asia Cup expected this game to be an India-Pakistan face-off. However, in the end, we have to say that the two best teams in the competition are featuring in this final and at present, Bangladesh are far a more equipped team than Pakistan to provide this strong Indian team a stiffer challenge in the final.