Friday, 17 June 2016

Amateur Cricket League - Edition 1

Team                    P     W     L     Pts   NRR

Pool A

HP                      3     2     1     4     +0.983
Silent Assassins        3     2     1     4     +0.826
7 Miles                 3     1     2     2     -0.177
Yes Bank                3     1     2     2     -1.883

Pool B

Supermeal X             3     2     1     4     +0.534
SDS Tours               3     2     1     4     +1.994
EBS                     3     1     2     2     -1.044
Amigos                  3     1     2     2     -1.319

Pool C

Mustangs                3     3     0     6     +3.908
Delhi Cannons           3     2     1     4     +1.217
PTC XI                  3     1     2     2     -1.638
Stallions VK            3     0     3     0     -1.966

Pool D

TwentyTwo Yards         2     2     0     4     +2.6
Delhi Mavericks         3     2     1     4     +0.213
Destructors             2     1     1     2     -1.102
Ronnie Finance          3     0     3     0     -1.313



Matches

Match 1, Pool C: Mustangs beat Stallions VK by 6 wickets

Man of Match: Hemant Star Performer: Aditya
     

Match 2, Pool A: HP beat Silent Assassins by 5 runs

Man of Match: Sudhir Star Performer: Jatin


Match 3, Pool A: Yes Bank beat 7 Miles by 6 runs

Man of Match: Manik Star Performer: Vikas


Match 4, Pool C: Mustangs beat PTC XI by 5 wickets

Man of Match: Lalit Star Performer: Rishab


Match 5, Pool B: Supermeal X beat EBS by 1 wicket

Man of Match: Athar Star Performer: Arun

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 6, Pool D: TwentyTwo Yards beat Ronnie Finance by 48 runs

Man of Match: Sachin Star Performer: Monu

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 7, Pool A: HP beat Yes Bank by 72 runs

Man of Match: Kapil Star Performer: Kumud

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 8, Pool D: Delhi Mavericks beat Ronnie Finance by 6 wickets

Man of Match: Gaurav Star Performer: Gaurav Negi

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 9, Pool B: Supermeal X beat Amigos by 44 runs

Man of Match: Saurav Star Performer: Tilak

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 10, Pool A: Silent Assassins beat 7 Miles by 2 wickets

Man of Match: Devesh Star Performer: Rai

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 11, Pool C: Mustangs beat Delhi Cannons by 8 wickets

Man of the Match: Hemant Star Performer: Shivam

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 12, Pool C: PTC XI beat Stallions VK by 29 runs

Man of the Match: Vivek Star Performer: Akshay

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 13, Pool B: EBS beat Amigos by 6 wickets

Man of the Match: Kunain Star Performer: Keshav

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 14, Pool D: Destructors beat Ronnie Finance by 5 wickets

Man of the Match: Raghav Star Performer: Gaurav Negi

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 15, Pool A: 7 Miles beat HP by 18 runs

Man of the Match: Shivam Star Performer: Joginder

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 16, Pool B: SDS Tours beat Supermeal X by 5 wickets

Man of the Match: Deepak Star Performer: Sanjeev

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 17, Pool A: Silent Assassins beat Yes Bank by 7 wickets

Man of the Match: Divesh Star Performer: Dixit

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 18, Pool C: Delhi Cannons beat PTC XI by 68 runs

Man of the Match:  Star Performer: 

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 19, Pool D: TwentyTwo Yards beat Delhi Mavericks by 56 runs  

Man of the Match: Aman Star Performer: Aneesh 

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 20, Pool D: Delhi Mavericks beat Destructors by 7 wickets

Man of the Match: Gaurav Star Performer: Siddith 

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 21, Pool B: Amigos beat SDS Tours by 12 runs

Man of the Match: Mohit Star Performer: Sunil 

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 22, Pool C: Delhi Cannons beat Stallions VK by 6 runs

Man of the Match: Anubhav Star Performer: Unmesh 

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights

Match 23, Pool D: SDS Tours beat EBS by 10 wickets

Man of the Match: Kunj Sharma Star Performer: Vatan 

Scorecard | Photos | Video Highlights





Saturday, 21 May 2016

DCL Match Preview: SUPERTRON vs RONNIE FINANCE

The last quarter-final match gives us a re-match of a league game. Ronnie Finance start favorites. They have won all their matches so far. They have looked solid in all departments, and no team as yet has managed to expose a weakness. Supertron, however, are the team that gave them the toughest fight. Vished Bangar played an excellent innings and almost got them over the line. They would certainly come into this match believing in their chances.

SUPERTRON

FORM GUIDE





OVERVIEW

Supertron’s strength in this tournament has been their top order, and their weakness has been their middle and lower middle order. In each of their 4 games, they have lost only 2 wickets at the halfway mark (103 / 2 vs Smashers, 79 / 2 vs Ronnie Finance, 85 / 2 vs Stallions, 68 / 2 vs Times Internet). Their last 10 over batting performances are a different story (143 / 3 vs Smashers, 93 / 8 vs Ronnie Finance, 67 / 7 vs Stallions, 65 / 8 vs Times Internet). Their best show was in their first match, when they posted 246 (the highest total of the tournament). The curve has steadily sloped down from there. To win this match, they need to buck that trend. Hard hitting Bangar (one of the batsmen of the tournament), Vibhor and Harsh (fastest fifty of the tournament) need to fire, and the middle order will need to make a contribution. 

In spite of some problems with the batting, Supertron have competed hard in all 4 matches, and won 2. Credit for that goes to their excellent bowling unit. They have kept it tight, and barring Ronnie Finance, none of their opposition batsmen have managed to get away. The best part is that Supertron are not over-reliant on 1 or 2 bowlers. Harsh has been consistent, and apart from him, different people have made contributions in different games.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here for a complete statistical breakdown of Supertron’s batting and bowling performances in this tournament.

RONNIE FINANCE

FORM GUIDE





OVERVIEW

Ronnie Finance have been impressive, to say the least. In the 4 matches they have played, they have chased comfortably in 2 and posted big totals batting first in the other 2. Their strength is the depth in both batting and bowling. The team does not depend on one or two star players. This gives everyone the freedom to express themselves without feeling undue pressure. Nimit is an experienced captain, and he has formed a cohesive team who are happy to play for each other.

Ronnie Finance has opening partnerships of 40, 52, 132, and 32 in the tournament. Opener Gaurav Negi is among the top run getters in the tournament. In the bowling department, left-arm spinner Monu Thapa is the best. With nearly two decades of cricket experience under his belt, he rarely ever bowls a bad ball. Along with control over line and length, he also varies his pace and flight.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here  fora complete statistical breakdown of Ronnie Finance’ batting and bowling performances in this tournament.


Supertron have their work cut out. They certainly have the heavy artillery and bowling depth to win this match, but they will have to play like a unit. The middle order in batting will need to fire. Can their batsmen come good towards the end overs of their innings? If they can, this might just be the most explosive battle of the tournament!

Thursday, 19 May 2016

DELHI CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EDITION 2: Results and Points Table

POINTS TABLE


Team                     P       W        L      Pts     NRR

[Click on any team name for Performance Indicators]

Group A

Stoners                  3       3        0        6     +1.567
Times Internet           3       2        1        4     -0.361
Tornadoes                3       1        2        2     +1.507 
Yes Bank                 3       0        3        0     -2.933

Group B

Amigos                   3       3        0        6     +2.616
Delhi Blasters           3       2        1        4     +1.157
Mac’s Cricket Club       3       1        2        2     -1.063
22 Yards                 3       0        3        0     -1.852

Group C

Ronnie Finance           3       3        0        6     +1.602
Stallions                3       2        1        4     +1.523
Supertron                3       1        2        2     +0.667
Smashers                 3       0        3        0     -4.208

Group D

SDS Tours                3       2        1        4     +1.867
Sledgehammer Asia        3       2        1        4     -1.00
Destructors              3       1        2        2     +0.117
KEI Cables               3       1        2        2     -0.984


TOP PERFORMERS


Top 10 Batsmen and bowlers (after 39 matches) 



COOL STATS


Highest team total: 246/5 - (Supertron vs Smashers, Match 8)
Highest successful run chase: 208/7 - (Delhi Blasters vs 22 Yards, Match 20)
No of successful run chases: 14 out of 39
Avg total for team batting first: 159 (after 39 matches)
Highest individual score: 136* (Sachin Singh, 22 Yards, Match 20)
Best bowling: 3.2-0-7-5 (Ritesh Dahiya, Amigos, QF vs Tornadoes)
No of centuries: 5
No of 5-wicket hauls: 5


MATCHES


PRE-QUARTERFINALS:

Match 1:    KEI Cables vs Stallions: 
           (KEI Cables won by 55 runs )

Match 2:    Stoners vs 22 Yards: 
           (Stoners won by 86 runs )

Match 3:    Smashers vs Amigos: 
           (Amigos won by 7 wickets )

Match 4:    Sledgehammer Asia vs Tornadoes: 
           (Tornadoes won by 24 runs )

Match 5:    Yes Bank vs Ronnie Finance: 
           (Ronnie Finance won by 6 wkts ) 

Match 6:    Delhi Blasters vs Destructors: 
           (Delhi Blasters won by 8 wkts ) 

Match 7:    Times Internet vs Supertron: 
           (Supertron won by 62 runs )

Match 8:    SDS Tours vs Mac's CC: 
           (Mac's CC won by 106 runs ) 


QUARTERFINALS:

CUP QF1:    Amigos vs Tornadoes: 
           (Amigos won by 7 wickets )

CUP QF2:    KEI Cables vs Mac's CC: 
           (Mac's CC won by 7 wickets )

CUP QF3:    Ronnie Finance vs Supertron

CUP QF4:    Stoners vs Delhi Blasters: 
           (Delhi Blasters won by 60 runs )


PLATE QF1:  Smashers vs Sledgehammer Asia: 
           (Sledgehammer Asia won by 12 runs )

PLATE QF2:  SDS Tours vs Stallions: 
           (SDS Tours won by 3 wickets

PLATE QF3:  Yes Bank vs Times Internet: 
           (Times Internet won by 9 wickets

PLATE QF4:  22 Yards vs Destructors: 
           (22 Yards won by 25 runs )



LEAGUE:

Match 1:    Stoners beat Tornadoes by 24 runs






Friday, 13 May 2016

DCL Plate Semifinal Preview: Amigos vs Mac’s CC

Mac’s CC played Amigos during the league phase and had them on the ropes, but at that point they did not look like a side who believed they could win that match. It is a different team now. They destroyed SDS Tours, before manhandling KEI Cables in the quarterfinals. Big wins give big confidence, so if Amigos are expecting the same team they beat during the league stage, they are in for a surprise.

MAC’s CC

FORM GUIDE






OVERVIEW

Mac’s CC has the best opening pair in the tournament. Shyam is one of the top run getters of the DCL, and against KEI Cables Hemant came out of his partner’s shadow with one of the most responsible innings of the season. On a tough wicket, he played solid, sensible cricket, scoring 58 not out and seeing his side through to a 7-wicket win.

We have seen that the two complement each other really well. Shyam is an attacking stroke-player, while his partner is happy to cut the risks, drop a single and give him the strike. Hemant plays sedately but he does not eat up deliveries. He is always looking for singles to give his partner the strike, and he has the skill to put bad balls away for boundaries.

Mac’s CC would be heartened by the fact that they finally got a solid middle order contribution in their quarterfinal. Akash played a match-turning 34 not out, giving evidence that there is more depth in the Mac’s CC line-up than we had initially seen. They will need that depth if they are to challenge the tournament’s best bowling attack.  

It is no mystery that Mac’s CC are a very good fielding side, and most of their bowlers are capable of holding their nerves, lines and lengths under pressure. Off-spinner Sonu has been their best bowler in the tournament, and his contribution will be vital. Amigos like to go after the bowling, but here they are up against a team who will not give them too many easy balls and who are also able to hold their catches.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR


AMIGOS

FORM GUIDE






OVERVIEW

In their quarterfinal against Tornadoes, the Amigos batsmen showed their versatility. On a bowler’s day, Mohit and Rahul Rana put away their big shots and won that match with classic cricket. We know that Amigos can play the big shots, but they can also gun down tricky chases in good bowling conditions. This makes them formidable.

If we talk of their bowlers, we are talking of the best in the tournament. They have bowled out all 5 teams they have played. The most runs they have conceded is 128 (22 Yards). Ritesh Dahiya is currently the top wicket-taker in the tournament (12 wickets, 14.1 overs, average – 4.83). He is a crafty spinner who mixes up quick off-breaks, vicious leg-break and blistering yorkers. The pair of Rahuls (one a genuine right arm quick and the other a left-arm spinner) have 8 wickets each, and they round up the tournament top ten. The rest of the unit is really capable too, including captain off-spinner Varun. Without an obvious weak link to target, Mac’s will have to produce solid batting and be sharp to pick up anyone who’s having a weak day.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR


In their last game, Mac’s CC showed that they have the ability to raise their level against a good team, and coming into this match, they don’t lack anything in motivation. They have punched above their weight already. They have nothing to lose, and if they play like that, Amigos will have their hands full. Mac’s, however, are up against one of the best teams not only in this tournament, but anywhere at this level of cricket. Amigos come to win, and expect to win every match they play. It is a classic ‘underdogs vs champions’ setup and it is never easy to predict a match such as this!


DCL Plate Semifinal Preview: Times Internet vs 22 Yards

22 Yards played by far their best match of the tournament against Destructors in the PLATE quarterfinal. A team that had up until then struggled with both bat and ball, put up one of the most outstanding team efforts of the tournament. If they can play that kind of a match again against a strong Times Internet side, this will be a blockbuster!

22 YARDS

FORM GUIDE






OVERVIEW

If their performance against Destructors is a measure of how good a team 22 Yards really is, then one can confidently say that they did not play to even 50% potential in the matches before that. Against Destructors, opener Aman set up the match with 62, Sachin made a useful contribution in the middle order, and Kshitij produced a late-innings burst. The bowlers followed it up with excellent discipline. It was a real team effort. If 22 Yards can play to that level again, Times Internet will have their hands full.

The problems came up in the matches before that. Too many bowlers leaked too many runs, and too many batsmen were out of form. On a true batting wicket (rain permitting), Times Internet should look to take the attack to the bowlers and disturb their rhythm. It is a big ground, however, and that gives the 22 Yards spinners a better chance to control the game. Left arm spinners Sachin and Anadi, and opener Aman seem to be the players to watch out for.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here for the complete 22 Yards PerformanceIndicator – our unique statistical breakdown of the team’s batting and bowling performances.

TIMES INTERNET

FORM GUIDE






OVERVIEW

Times Internet only confirmed their bowling merit by restricting Yes Bank to 69 all out in the PLATE quarterfinal. It was an equal contribution of pace and spin from one of the most settled and confident bowling sides of the tournament. The trouble for their opposition is that the Times Internet batsmen have also looked really confident and solid. They have 3 successful run chases under their belt (but also 2 sensational batting collapses- against Stoners and Supertron).

22 Yards should take note of the 2 batting collapses. They have the spinners to trigger a panic attack, and this is not a small ground. It is another matter that 22 Yards will have to guard against a collapse of their own. On the whole, after a poor first match, Times Internet have mostly played excellent all-round cricket, and 22 Yards will have to come in really sharp.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here for the Times Internet PerformanceIndicator, with a complete breakdown of their results, top performers in each match, and batting and bowling statistics.

Times Internet has chased in every game so far. If 22 Yards win the toss, they might want to put their opposition in and take them out of their comfort zone. Rain in the evening adds another variable. Batting first may not be very easy. We anticipate a low-scoring thriller – let’s see what we get!



Saturday, 30 April 2016

DCL Match Preview: Stoners vs Delhi Blasters

There are no easy matches anymore, and this is a battle of equals. Two consistent and settled teams with depth in both batting and bowling face off against each other. Everything is at stake, and neither team is prepared to go home soon. What a prospect!

STONERS

FORM GUIDE





OVERVIEW

Stoners have been on a roll. They are a happy and settled side with strong leadership and talented players. Everyone knows their role and they back each other. That’s all it takes really. In fact, Stoners set an excellent example for several other teams in this tournament.

Stoners have batted first 4 times. They have scored big in every game (the lowest is 175 / 2 against Yes Bank in tough batting conditions), and won comfortably each time. In 3 of the 4 matches, they have started calmly during the Power Play overs, but each time they have hit big during the last 6 overs – Real Big.  57, 82, 70, and 95 (in order) is what they have posted in the last 6 in each of their matches. No team can match these death over stats. Captain Mustafa has slammed a century (against Yes Bank), and Bhaskar, Kartik, Sanit and Imran have all made substantial contributions.

While the batsmen have delivered, the bowlers have  slammed the door shut on the opposition each time. The bowling unit is both disciplined and versatile. Seamers Varun and Rakesh (right and left arm) have been excellent at the start, and the spinners (Imran, Rachit, Mustafa) have backed them really well. In the last 3 games almost everyone conceded less than 7 an over.

The only potential danger (if one had to fish something out) is that they have been untested under pressure. They have not yet come up against a side that can unleash the same medicine, but now they will. They haven’t had to chase either. Losing the toss could break the comfort streak.  

Bottom-line: If they can continue to do what they have done so far, they will be hard for anyone to beat.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here for the Stoners Performance Indicator, with a complete breakdown of their results, top performers in each match, and batting and bowling statistics.

DELHI BLASTERS

FORM GUIDE





OVERVIEW

Delhi Blasters have been in excellent batting form too (the match against Amigos the only exception) and they have the heavy arsenal to fight fire with fire. Ashish and Saurabh have been among the runs, and backed by Varun, Shaurya and Ashwat, they have the capability to score 10 an over. Fascinatingly, their death over performance matches that of Stoners. In their wins, they have scored 80, 85 and 69 in the last 6 overs.

The bowling hasn’t quite produced the same standard of performance as that of Stoners, but they have a frontline of consistent medium pace bowling, backed by the genuine left-arm spin of Devrath. Interestingly, while Stoners has batted first all 4 times, Delhi Blasters has chased in all their matches. In fact, they have the highest successful chase of the tournament (208 against 22 Yards). This goes to show that their batsmen are confident, and no total is exactly a safe total. 

Bottom-line: Stoners has the batting to take on the Delhi Blasters bowling attack and hit big. How well the bowlers hold their nerve and stick to their discipline against the onslaught will be a key factor. The only way to halt the Stoners charge is to take wickets!

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here for the Delhi Blasters PerformanceIndicator, with a complete breakdown of their results, top performers in each match, and batting and bowling statistics.


This clash of equals has the makings of a contest that will go all 12 rounds. Let’s see!

DCL Match Preview: SDS Tours vs Stallions

Both teams were favored to reach the CUP quarter-finals. Both lost to inspired performances. Now in the PLATE division, both are in it to win it. The intensity is palpable. We expect an explosive clash!

SDS TOURS

FORM GUIDE





OVERVIEW

SDS Tours play tough cricket. They bat deep, and the line-up is sprinkled with big hitters. On most days, at least two batsmen fire and they are able to top the 180 mark. The bowling is not that reliable, though. They have a good balance of spin and seam, but except for the first match (they bowled Sledgehammer Asia out for 84), they haven’t fired as a unit. They have conceded nearly 10 runs an over their last 3 matches. Make no mistake, though, the bowling is as capable as any in this tournament. It is a matter of discipline, and tomorrow their motivation to perform should be really high.

One of their biggest strengths is the mystery element. SDS Tours does not have any set patterns of play. The bowlers and batsmen are all equally adaptable, and plans change quickly depending on the match situation. Consequently, it is very hard to plot a strategy against them. The downside is that too many players have been in and out of the team for one reason or another. With all the chopping and changing, they may struggle for rhythm.

Bottom-line: If SDS Tours fire as a unit, they are as good as any team in Delhi cricket. But, they have their off days and those are very hard to predict.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here for the SDS Tours Performance Indicator, with a complete breakdown of their results, top performers in each match, and batting and bowling statistics.

STALLIONS

FORM GUIDE





OVERVIEW

As a team, Stallions is as hard to read as their opponent, and their form is just as liable to fluctuate. They have won twice (convincingly) and lost twice (equally convincingly), and it is very hard to pull out a pattern. On evidence of this tournament, the bowling is the stronger department. In seamer Subhiksh, left-arm spinner Avinash, Mayank, and leg-spinner Daman (the best bowler in our previous tournament), they have 4 bowlers with match-winning capability. In spite of the quality, the bowlers were less than impressive in their last outing against KEI Cables.

The batting will probably count on openers Sameer (in-form batsman) and Soumya to give them a good start. The only time they looked really good with the bat was against Smashers, and that time both openers put on a 100-run stand.

Bottom-line: It is an attacking bowling unit (Stallions) pitted against batsmen who love the big hits (SDS Tours). This will be the battle of the day! However, the Stallions batsmen will need to show up to make a match of it.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here for the Stallions Performance Indicator, with a complete breakdown of their results, top performers in each match, and batting and bowling statistics.


There is no way to predict this one, except to say that it will be an explosive match!