MS Dhoni has spoken of how the disappointment of the 2007 World Cup exit, and the angry reception the players received, played an important role in shaping his personality in the public domain and as a cricketer

Aishwarya Kumar in New York16-Sep-20162:34

It felt like we had committed a big crime – Dhoni

MS Dhoni, India’s limited-overs captain, has spoken of how the disappointment of the first-round exit in the 2007 World Cup, and the angry reception the players received upon their return home, played an important role in shaping his personality in the public domain and as a cricketer.”When we landed in Delhi, there was a lot of media. At times, people feel that we are not emotional enough about it, but I always felt, as sports persons, you have to be strong enough to go through everything and it has to be within yourself,” Dhoni said. “It is not about coming for a press conference and crying about stuff, or crying in the field about what has happened.”India had crashed out of the tournament in the Caribbean after losing their group matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and having beaten only Bermuda. Dhoni’s house, which was under construction in Ranchi at the time, was pelted with stones in the aftermath of the exit.”At that point of time, when we landed, we had to get out in a police van. I was sitting next to Viru [Virender Sehwag] . It was evening or night time,” Dhoni said. “We were travelling at a decent speed – 60 or 70 kms – and that’s quite a bit for India, that too on the narrow roads. And, you know, media cars around us with their cameras and the big lights on top, it felt as if we had committed a big crime, maybe like a murderer or terrorist or something. We were actually chased by them.”After a while, we entered a police station. We went there, we sat for a while and then we left in our cars after 15-20 minutes. That actually had a big impact on me and I channelised the aggression to become a better cricketer and a better human being.”Dhoni was speaking in New York, ahead of the release of his biopic – . The press conference at Fox Building in Manhattan was unlike the usual ones Dhoni is used to giving. The number seven jersey and the India cap were replaced by a greyish black suit and a silver tie. The movie, which set to release worldwide on September 30, is about Dhoni’s journey from when he started playing cricket to the 2011 World Cup.A group of Dhoni fans, dressed in their best attire, were huddled outside Fox Building, with big smiles on their faces. They had won a contest and made their way from Chicago and other parts of New York to collect their prize: a meet and greet with Dhoni.The change in atmosphere was evident as Dhoni walked in with his wife Sakshi, and Arun Pandey, the producer of the film.”It is a very simple story and that is the beauty of it,” Dhoni said about the movie. “One thing I told Neeraj [the director] was, this story should not be to glorify me. It is about the journey of a professional sports person and that’s what it should be about.”Talking about how he told his life’s story to Sushant Singh Rajput, the actor playing him, Dhoni said it was challenging to go back in time and reconstruct the story because he hardly spent time dwelling on the past. “More than the physical attributes and the characteristics, Rajput wanted to know what I was thinking at different points of time in life and to explain that was hard and nostalgic,” Dhoni said.”I was a bit worried initially when the whole concept of the movie came in, but once we were in, I was not really worried, the reason being I was just narrating my story. I was just telling Neeraj that this is what happened.”Pandey, the producer of the movie, recounted an anecdote that told him Dhoni’s story was important. It was when he saw Dhoni talk to a child at an airport in India – “the question was less than 15 seconds, but Dhoni gave the kid an eight-minute answer,” he said. Pandey met the child’s parents two years later and learnt how Dhoni’s one interaction had inspired him.Dhoni spoke of how important it was for him to have a steady Railways job after he finished high school to give him the stability to pursue a risky career in cricket. He also talked about how it was important for parents in India to encourage their kids to take up sports seriously. Pushing for sports in the long run – that’s what will bring India medals, he said.”How to keep things simple in life? Often, you hear legends talking about ‘watch the ball, hit the ball,’ and that’s how simple it is,” Dhoni concluded, when asked what had worked for him, as a cricketer and as a person.

Temba Bavuma’s sharp reflexes and athleticism pulled off a run-out that could turn out to be match-defining

Firdose Moonda in Perth06-Nov-2016What can you do in 0.264 seconds? Type one word? Shrug your shoulders? Blink? If you’re Temba Bavuma you can react to a push from David Warner’s bat and pull off a piece of fielding that could be match-defining.Bavuma was at point when Warner nudged Kagiso Rabada to point off the back foot and set off for a single, off the second ball of the 13th over. The previous ball, Warner had survived a chance when he edged to third slip but the ball flew over Dean Elgar.Bavuma was in motion as the ball was hit, swooped in and turned his body to the right, to cut down the angle. In one motion, he released the ball while still airborne, as his cap and sunglasses slipped off. His aim was perfect and he found the base of middle stump.Warner’s initial reaction was that he had beaten the throw but replays showed the opposite. He was a fraction away from the crease and was run-out for 35 to give South Africa their first breakthrough.On the last ball of the over, they got a second wicket when Shaun Marsh poked at a good-length delivery that held its line and gifted Faf du Plessis a stomach-high catch at second slip. Australia were 48 without loss at the start of that Rabada over and 2 for 52 at the end of it. All Dale Steyn’s talk about cutting off the head of the snake seemed to be playing out.
Was Temba Bavuma’s effort among the best you have seen to effect a run-out? Tell us about your favourite run-out at [email protected].

When JP Duminy first travelled to Australia in 2008 he was, by his own admission, “just a kid” but he surpassed expectations by playing a vital role in South Africa’s series win

Firdose Moonda21-Oct-2016When JP Duminy first travelled to Australia in 2008 he was, by his own admission, “just a kid”. There were few expectations on him – he only had an outside chance of playing in the three-Test series – until he exceeded all of them. That’s when he began to understand how severely responsibility could rest on his shoulders. With that, came intense pressure to perform.”The difference [from then] is that I was a young kid, playing my debut Test against guys like Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden. It was quite intimidating,” Duminy said on the eve of South Africa’s first tour game under lights in Australia. “Now I am more established than I was then. I am coming into a Test series with a little bit more confidence and a little more stability in my role in the team and how I play Test cricket.”To say Duminy has under-performed in the eight years since his debut is neither cruel nor critical. The numbers back it up.To date, he has played only 36 Tests, added only three more centuries, and has an average of 32.44. He spent a period out of the side with injury – sustained when he returned to Australia in 2012 – but was also dropped twice. The current sentiment in South Africa is that he is a placeholder until someone more capable comes along.JP Duminy made an unbeaten 50 on debut in South Africa’s successful chase of 414 in Perth in 2008•PA Photos

Australia could be the place for Duminy to prove he can fulfill the potential he once showed. In the absence of AB de Villiers, South Africa need senior batsmen to step up. In the context of Duminy’s own career, he needs to step up. He has gone 11 matches without a century since the Galle Test in July 2014, when he got an unbeaten 100 at No. 8.Though his opportunities are sometimes limited by a heavyweight top-order, he also went 11 innings in 2015 without passing 35 and was dumped for the Newlands Test against England last summer.Duminy’s response was to score a double-hundred in a franchise match and force a return, but it was only when he struck an unbeaten 88 against New Zealand in South Africa’s last Test that he was reconsidered. Faf du Plessis, South Africa’s stand-in captain because AB de Villiers is injured, went as far as to say that Duminy’s best was yet to come. Some remain skeptical because Duminy has often threatened without following through, and with an in-form Rilee Rossouw in the squad, an immediate replacement is available if Duminy bombs.That’s why, for Duminy, the lead-up to this series is more important than most and he said he could not have asked for better. “It’s the best preparation we’ve had on any tour, to be honest. I can’t recall this amount of time before a Test match on any tour,” he said. “We’ve got 10 to 14 days of training leading up to the first Test.”JP Duminy has played only 36 Tests in eight years; his last century was in Galle, more than two years ago•AFP

South Africa arrived in Adelaide on Tuesday, 16 days before they take on Australia in Perth. They have two practice matches before the first Test – including a day-night game – and one between the second and third Tests. Their preparation is focused on the pink ball and playing under lights because this trip will be their first encounter with day-night Test cricket. Duminy said they will need some time to adapt “to that difference in colour and in light,” which will take “a few training sessions.”The concerns for South African fans may be that with all the emphasis on Test cricket under lights, the team could forget that the first two matches will be played in normal conditions and if they don’t compete in those, the outcome of the day-night game could be redundant. Duminy allayed such fears, stressing South Africa were using the ample time they had to do as much as they can to win a third successive series in Australia.”We are concentrating on staying in our bubble,” he said. “We are coming into this series with a bit of confidence on the back of our one-day series but we understand that it’s a clean slate. This is Test cricket. We are not looking at what the expectations are. We are looking to concentrate on our preparations. There might be a lot of banter being thrown around in the media but that’s not something we want to focus on.”

South Africa batsman Hashim Amla has called for ‘common sense to prevail’ in regard to allegations of ball tampering against Faf du Plessis

Firdose Moonda in Melbourne18-Nov-20164:27

‘Our captain did nothing wrong’ – Amla

South Africa consider the ball-tampering allegations against Faf du Plessis to be “ridiculous,” and “a joke,” and believe their stand-in captain has done “absolutely nothing wrong.” That was the message from the team’s senior-most batsman Hashim Amla, who addressed the media at the MCG on Friday afternoon, accompanied by the entire South African squad and support staff, who were present to “show solidarity”.Du Plessis was among the group but stood in the background and was not put up to answer any questions. Instead Amla, the designated player for Friday’s media opportunity, began in the unusual fashion of delivering a mini-speech to open proceedings.”Good afternoon everybody. As you can see we have the full team here behind us,” Amla said. “The reason everybody is here is to stand together and to show solidarity to what has been something we actually thought was a joke. It’s not April. But the allegations against Faf were really, for us, a ridiculous thing and as a team we are standing strong. For us it is basically a joke. The boys are here, standing strong.”At the time, Amla was not aware that the ICC was reviewing footage of du Plessis shining the ball after licking his fingers when there appeared to be a sweet in his mouth. “Is it?,” Amla asked when told about the governing body’s investigation. “Whether it is or not, we’ve done nothing wrong and Faf has done absolutely nothing wrong.”Part of South Africa’s defence is that players often have something in their mouths on the field, Amla included. “I chew bubblegum while I am fielding. Do you want me to brush my teeth after lunch every time I come out?” he said. “You’ve got to be logical about this, common sense surely should prevail. If I’ve got something in my mouth, guys are handing out red froggies at lunch time to give the kids, keep them hydrated, energise them and we are in the field for two hours. We eat nuts, biltong, that sort of thing. There was no malicious intent.”Amla said he was unaware that sugary sweets have been used to shine one side of the ball in order to get reverse swing, as Marcus Trescothick wrote in his autobiography. “Is that a tactic?” Amla asked. “Is it proven or what? That’s something that’s new to us. I’ve had sweets in my mouth, bubblegum in my mouth, biltong, nuts, I’m not sure what the big deal is. Are you sure it (an advantage) can be gained? We don’t know. I can only speak for what my captain has done.”Amla went as far as to say the reaction to the footage could be an attempted to discredit South Africa’s dominance in the series. “To me and to a lot of people, it is sounding like sour sweets for people in their heads that we’ve played really good cricket and the timing of it is that it’s a bit weird too,” he said.The visuals emerged the day after the Hobart Test, which South Africa won by an innings and 80 runs to take the series 2-0. Du Plessis had not been reported by the match officials and the ICC were only alerted to the alleged tampering through media reports and then chose to review it of their own volition.Amla maintained that the entire South African camp were convinced of du Plessis’ innocence. “I am just trying to clear what we think is an absolutely wrongful allegation made on our captain. We are standing in solidarity to our captain who has done absolutely nothing wrong. It’s pretty clear what we are trying to do you here. As I said, we’ve done nothing wrong. If there was any doubt whatsoever, you wouldn’t have the full team here. We’ve just basically done nothing wrong.”Less than two hours after Amla spoke, du Plessis was formally charged and pleaded not guilty. South Africa are awaiting legal counsel before a date for the hearing can be decided so it is uncertain whether it will take place before the Adelaide Test next Thursday. If found guilty, du Plessis could face a suspension of one Test.

Hamish Marshall’s third T20 century led Wellington to a six-wicket victory over Otago in Alexandra

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Dec-2016
ScorecardFile photo: Hamish Marshall struck 12 fours and three sixes•Getty Images

Hamish Marshall’s third T20 century led Wellington to a six-wicket victory over Otago in Alexandra. His innings was all the more remarkable considering the target was only 160.Marshall walloped 100 off only 58 balls with 12 fours and three sixes to secure the win with more than three overs to spare. His knock was, perhaps, necessary as well considering Otago were able to get regular wickets at the other end. The first one fell with the score on 30, while the second and third came within 13 runs. But that mattered less and less with Marshall lasting longer and longer. His first fifty came in 34 balls and the second one took only 24.Otago struggled to have a batsman make similarly big runs. Only their opener and captain Hamish Rutherford got past 32 – and even then he fell for 47. While he was in, the second wicket contributed 41 runs at 9.46 per over and, in the slog overs, Michael Bracewell and Josh Finnie added 58 runs for the fifth wicket at 9.40 per over. The late surge, it turned out, came a little too late.Credit for that should also go to the Wellington bowlers. Luke Woodcock and Hamish Bennett picked up three wickets between them, and conceded a little over seven runs an over each. Grant Elliott was better, giving away just over a run a ball.The most economical bowler on the day though was Otago left-arm spinner Anaru Kitchen, who opened the bowling and finished with 4-0-15-1.

Ish Sodhi, who played three games, found dip, drift and turn to pick up nine wickets, including the second-best figures in the competition’s history, and the best since 2012

Will Macpherson in Sydney18-Jan-2017Ish Sodhi, the New Zealand legspinner, said his career-best 6 for 11 in T20s that knocked defending BBL champions Sydney Thunder out of contention has rejuvenated his love for the game.Sodhi who played three games for Adelaide Strikers found dip, drift and turn to pick up nine wickets, including the second-best figures in the competition’s history, and the best since 2012. He admitted, however, just a few weeks ago, he had “faced a few setbacks at home” and “wasn’t in the form I wanted to be in”.”The boys have rejuvenated my love for the game,” he said. “On the field and off it, just the conversations I had with guys like Brad Hodge. Today I got to meet one of my heroes growing up, Stuart McGill, and you can’t put a price on that. I will take some great experiences back home with me and hopefully I can impact some of my team-mates.”I had faced a few setbacks at home, and I wasn’t in the form I wanted to be in. I got it back in the T20s for New Zealand and I’m glad that I have transferred it to performances in the BBL. I don’t know if I’ll be back next year – it’s quite unfortunate that our seasons clash so heavily. I love it here though – if I get the chance again, if it is next year or five years time, I’ll be happy.”After a mixed showing for Northern Districts in New Zealand’s domestic T20 competition, he was recalled for the final two T20Is against Bangladesh this month. He picked up five wickets before joining Strikers as an overseas replacement for England’s injured Chris Jordan.He eventually filled the role vacated by Adil Rashid, who has been on international duty. Rashid’s absence has been a major factor in Strikers being the first side to fall out of finals contention this season. Despite his best performance in the shortest format till date, Sodhi was critical of his first over because he went wicketless.”If I’m really harsh on myself, I probably took a little time to adjust to the conditions. In the first over, I bowled like I was at the MCG or Adelaide Oval – a little flatter and into the deck so I could spin it on,” he said. “But there was more in the surface for me – I should have used it from ball one. I got going in the second over and it worked out really well for me.”Of his meeting with MacGill, he said: “He spoke a lot about repetition. Growing up, if you liked legspin, you loved watching MacGill bowl, Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, those guys. Just to sit down with him was inspiring. He didn’t have to say much – he did tell me a lot, which was great – but just being in his presence was amazing.”He’s a guy who gave me something to look up to when I was younger and something to look forward to. He taught me a lot and hopefully I can continue to make him proud.”