Cricketers Speak !

India's New Jersey !

“Lots of research has gone into it. I don't know whether the research will result in extra runs but we will definitely feel more comfortable,” team skipper MS Dhoni remarked humorously while speaking at the launch ceremony.

“When people are swapping channels they see white and immediately know it is Test cricket and blue with One-Day cricket,” he went on to add. “Now that we have a T20 shirt there will be a strong association between the format and the T-shirt.”

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Sehwag commented on how the jersey increased his sense of duty, and appealed to his patriotism.

“When I wear the India colours I have to give my best,” said Sehwag. “The jersey also has the colour of the national flag on it ... makes it very special.”

India’s young vice-captain Virat Kohli was also all-praises for the new kit, expressing his appreciation for its aesthetic qualities.

“Pretty stylish. Colour and design are eye-catching,” he said.

Prominent characteristics of the new jersey include a streak of the Indian flag tri-colours on the left shoulder, a new collar, and three stars placed atop the BCCI logo, to symbolise India’s three World Cup triumphs.

The launch of a new T20 kit comes directly before the Men in Blue kick off their new season, with New Zealand due to tour India in late August for a 2-match Test series, followed by a 2-match T20I series.

The tour will be succeeded by the all-important ICC World Twenty20, due to be held in Sri Lanka this September. Following their 2011 World Cup victory, India are among the top favourites to take the T20 World Cup home.
Author : Rishab Sharma 

Words on 5th Odi-Micromax cup     

Dhoni: "This was a very good wicket to bat on. Gautam batted well, we had a very good platform. The last 10 overs we had to get a fair amount of runs, we knew it will get a bit easy to bat on in the second half. Most of the Sri Lankan fields are quite big, if it's not needed it is advisable to not go for the big shots. This outfield was quick and we could use the pace of the bowler. If one of me and Irfan got out, we may not have got to that score. So we played safe for a while. We still need to improve, not only in the bowling but also the batting. The guy who was set usually carried it forward but it's important that we dictate the bowling and score 15 runs more than the par score. If we are playing with part-time bowlers, we need to those 10 to 15 runs. The [limping] is not a major concern, it's not a big injury. Hopefully I'll play the next game."

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Irfan Pathan " Man of the Match " for his all-round performance: "God's grace. Was bowling well throughout the series. Had too many bad deliveries today but got five wickets. The batting gave me a lot of confidence, it came at the right time, in Premadasa and here. The ball does swing with the humid conditions, and with the two new balls it does help swing the ball. It's a great feeling."

Encouraging to see Thirimanne and Mendis taking on the challenge. Unfortunately we fell short by 20 runs, we gave away some runs on the field. The Indians have a very good batting line-up. But we did too many mistakes on specific days and that was the result of our downfall. Mendis works really hard and is a wonderful asset for us. We've got the SLPL before the World T20."

Words on 4th Odi- Micromax cup             

"The part-timers bowled really well, the pace was important and they bowled to their field. What also matters is the variations you have, Manoj was the away going spinner for us, it was a good wicket, but they bowled well for us, we requested Manoj to bowl a lot in the net sessions, if we don't get a perfect allrounder, we are comfortable playing seven batsmen. Kohli has improved a lot, once he gets set, he's someone who doesn't like to throw away his wicket, he's a very improved cricketer, very hungry to get runs. Suresh Raina also, he bats at No. 6 or 7, the time has come for him to bat at 4 or 5. The problem is, you have to see what's best for the side, the kind of finisher he is at 6 or 7. Last one or two years we haven't found anyone who can fit in his shoes. I think batsmen have taken the responsibilty, it was important that whoever got off to a start, they had to score if not a  hundred, at least 80-90."                                           Caste your vote of 4th Odi at Cricket Fever .

It's been going well for me, just trying to keep it simple, I got set and got out in the last match, I thought about it. It always pleases a sportsperson than when we perform and the team wins. (On Malinga) Luckily, I'm strong on the leg side, he's the sort of bowler if you don't get on top of him, he can change the match. I was very disappointed with the last match as I didn't have the strike-rate to set up a platform for the side."

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"To control that line-up you need to pick up wicket, that's where we lacked in the last few games, dropping catches doesn't help. The wicket was a touch slow, under lights the ball does a bit, the quicks bowled well, we didn't bat well, 30-40 runs short. When you set a target like that, you set attacking fields, if you get through that initial period, it becomes easy for them. Lot of credit to Nuwan Pradeep, bowled with lot of pace, good control as well."

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