India vs Australia 1st ODI: Bowlers won the game for us, says Virat Kohli

Agencies
March 2, 2019

Mar 3: India skipper Virat Kohli has lauded Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav for scripting a memorable chase but said the bowlers set up their six-wicket win over Australia in the first ODI at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday.

India produced a clinical bowling performance, led by Mohammed Shami, to restrict Australia to 236 for seven. The hosts then returned to chase down the target with Dhoni and Kedar forging a 141-run unfinished partnership to score 240 for four in 48.2 overs.

"It was a difficult sort of a game. We did a good job with the ball. You have experience with MS and flair with Kedar. I think Kedar and MS took responsibility, it was great. I think the bowling (won the game for us)," Kohli said.

Shami (2/44) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/46) scalped two wickets and Kohli said India's bowling performance augurs well for the team as they head to the World Cup in a few months' time.

"Kuldeep's been doing it for a while. I have never seen him (Shami) so lean. Got Maxi out with a beautiful ball. I haven't seen him so hungrier. Heading into the World Cup, it's a great sign for India."

On Ravindra Jadeja, who bowled two miserly spells to keep the visitors under tight leash, Kohli said, "Ten overs for less than 35 is a great job on this pitch. He set his fields on his game. He is a great asset in the field too."

Kedar was adjudged the Man of the Match for taking a wicket and top-scoring with an 87-ball 81, which was studded with nine boundaries and a six.

Talking about his bowling, Kedar said, "My bowling is all about reading batsmen's mind. I tried to bowl stump-to-stump. I don't think like I'm a bowler. I enjoy my responsibility."

During India's recent tour of Australia, Kedar and Dhoni had starred in a successful chase in Melbourne in January and the Maharashtra batsman said having the former skipper at the other end eased his mind as he looked to take the chase deep.

"Recently in Australia, we pulled off similar kind of chase. I just did that again today. I tried to learn a lot from him (MS). MS and Cheeku (Virat Kohli) are the best chasers in the game," Kedar said.

"That's what we learn from the captain and that's what we tried to do. I tried to play more shots early. He reads your mind, team needs more solidity. Every time you think the team, most of the times, you'll end up on the winning side."

Australia captain Aaron Finch said his team should have put up a bigger score and stressed on taking regular wickets.

"I think we were 20 or 30 runs short. I thought our bowlers did a terrific job. It's not as if they are trying to get out. We certainly tried our best with the ball," he said.

"I think the quick were good when they were banging it in. You have to continue taking wickets when you play against good teams."

India will play Australia in the second ODI on March 5.

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News Network
March 22,2024

IPL.jpg

The start of the world’s most lucrative cricket tournament in India is presenting investors with another big opportunity to cash in on the sport, months after the world’s most populous nation hosted the Cricket World Cup.

The eight-week long Indian Premier League begins March 22 for its 17th season. Since its inception, the fast-paced cricket tournament has become a corporate juggernaut to rival the National Football League in the US and the English Premier League in value.

Just as October’s Cricket World Cup boosted consumption in India for months, fans are expected to flock to restaurants, pubs and food delivery platforms over the duration of the tournament. This year’s IPL also coincides with general elections that will last for six weeks starting April 19, a period when companies are expecting higher food and drink sales as people flock to rallies and other events.

“There’s going to be a lot of spending,” said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Bank of Baroda. “IPL, as well as the election, gives a three-month corridor with enhanced economic activity.”

Stocks in India such as McDonald’s franchise operator Westlife Foodworld Ltd. and peer Sapphire Foods India Ltd. gained ahead of the first match on Friday, as well as hotels and beverage makers. Packaged-food companies could also stand to benefit from the IPL craze, said Sachil Bobade, an analyst at investment firm Dolat Capital Market.

The IPL ecosystem was valued at $11 billion (Rs 91,721 crores) in 2023, including the value of media rights and sponsorships, according to Indian valuation consulting firm D&P Advisory.

The league is also attracting record sums of money from sponsors and broadcasters. Conglomerate Tata Group won the title sponsorship rights of the tournament in January for a record 25 billion rupees ($300 million). Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s media venture secured the digital streaming rights in 2022 for five years for $2.7 billion, while Walt Disney Co. paid roughly the same for TV rights.

“There was a serious amount of bidding even this year,” said Vinit Karnik, head of entertainment, esports and sports at media agency GroupM South Asia. “I see growth in IPL in double digits year-on-year,” he adds.

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