IPL Season 13 - Match 10 - RCB vs MI - Post Match Review

For starters, RCB had a wonderful bowling combination. Navdeep Saini led the attack for them and Dale Steyn was dropped for the match. Steyn would have got relieved of the pressure to lead the bowling attack, especially when he is out of form. Adam Zampa was brought into the playing eleven and Udana was trusted by captain Kohli. Josh Philippe was dropped and ABD took the role of gloveman. 

ABD for RCB is like Rahul Dravid for Team India!

Mumbai Indians preferred to chase with an intention to keep RCB's score below par . Devdutt Padikkal's role has been clearly assigned by Kohli. When he walks into bat, his role is not only to go for his shots, but to hold one end too, as the next 3 batsmen are Finch, Kohli and ABD. The left right combination is the most irritating aspect for a bowler, who tries to be economical. Padikkal showed lot of maturity in his innings and was instrumental for RCB posting 200 plus.

Aaron Finch played audacious shots to register a fifty and ABD finished it off as usual. Kohli definitely looked out of touch, but is warming up for future games. Shivam Dube fitted well along with ABD to score at a strike rate of 270, with 3 sixers. ABD himself was striking at a rate of 230. Trent Boult and Rahul Chahar were the pick of the bowlers for Mumbai Indians.

Mumbai Indians chase was a story of Ishan Kishan and Kieron Pollard making a match out of the top order collapse. Pawan Negi had a great day in the field with 3 catches, but he dropped the crucial one when needed the most, which kept the match interesting. Ishan Kishan grabbed the opportunity with both hands, scoring a stupendous 99, with amazing six hitting abilities.

RCB tried to lose the match with their fielding effort and bowling loose balls, all resultant of pressure that they always get themselves into. The bowling change by Kohli was actually good, but too many matches has been lost, which puts him under scanner each time he backs his bowler under different circumstances. The pressure to win was evident in the team.

Thanks to the prayers of RCB fans, Ishan Kishan did not finish the match for Mumbai Indians and missed a hundred too. A tie was not expected and a super over win for RCB was a surprise, after Mumbai Indians' finishers were in the perfect mood for the same.

Navdeep Saini and Bumrah bowled excellent super overs for their franchises and created a memorable IPL match for the fans. Ishan Kishan was tired after the innings and Rohit Sharma preferred fresh legs for the super over and relied on Hardik Pandya. The strategy backfired as Saini bowled brilliantly to keep the chase to 8 runs in one over. Kohli lead from the front with his batting, when he finished off the run chase with a whipping flick off a low full toss. Chasing runs brings the best out of Kohli and he forgot about his poor form and was there in the end to earn 2 crucial points for the team.

India versus Australia Women World cup final 2020 - A Preview

A deserving finalist India and Australia would clash again, 3 weeks later than the triangular T-20  tournament, which also featured England. Australia beat India in that final, when they defended 155. Jess Jonassen picked up 5-for and Beth Mooney smashed 71. The world cup started and Indians turned the tables in a week's time by beating Australia, defending a score of 132. With each performance, they have become a confident side and are hard favorites for lifting the trophy.

Australian women, playing at home will have a huge advantage, but then the crowd would cheer for both teams equally. Australia, after losing to India in their first encounter, lifted their game to remain strong contenders for lifting the trophy too. They stopped south Africa from entering the finals in a rain depleted semi-finals.

Harmanpreet Kaur has to bring her A game into this finals, if India have a chance. Smriti Mandana have got starts, but is yet to play one decisive innings. Shafali Varma would continue to play fearless shots at the top, which is one of the main reasons for India's undefeated run. Jemima Rodrigues is a serious talent, whose consistency has benefitted India time and again. She was a perfect cover-up for Harman's poor form.

India would play to their strength of packing the bowling unit with 4 spinners and Shikha pandey. Harman would hope, they have one more good day at the park. Australia women's strong batting had problems only with slow bowlers and they would hate to face India's bowling unit, headed by Poonam Yadav. India's fielding has been top notch and wicket keeper Tanya has been wonderful behind the stumps for Indian spinners. 

Australia would miss the services of Ellyse Perry, but Meg Lanning has a wonderful team, who could step up and be a cover for these misses. Ashley Gardner is a big match player, who along with Meg Lanning, are important players in the top order. Alyssa Healy is a sensational top order bat and she could destroy any attack on a day. Rachel Haynes' contribution at the lower order could add those important runs, which decides the fate of the game.

Jess Jonassen is the only bowler, whom Meg Lanning would rely on, to provide breakthroughs at different points of the game. Ellyse Perry would be seriously missed. The other bowlers have always been inconsistent in their performances. Australia fielding would make their bowlers strong, with their fielding and catching, which is high quality.

Both teams want to bat first and put the scoreboard pressure for their opponents and that way, the toss becomes so much more crucial. MCG is a perfect ground for hosting women's world cup T-20, which has come a long way in promoting the women's cricket and influencing young women to pick up this wonderful sport.

What better occasion than International Women's day to dedicate the world cup victory to their respective countries and women !!! All the best to both the teams...

Prediction:

India - 55 % - AUS - 45% - if India bat first

AUS - 60 % - India - 40 % - if AUS bat first