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Sri Lanka Cricket has taken strides towards wiping out chucking in domestic and school cricket

Andrew Fidel Fernando02-Jun-2015Sri Lanka Cricket has taken strides towards wiping out chucking in domestic and school cricket. The ICC’s clampdown on suspect actions at the international level spurred a renewed effort to curb throwing domestically, last year. The board had empowered coaches and umpires to root out bad actions, and also bolstered the remedial process for bowlers believed to bowl with a bent elbow.”During the 2014/15 local cricket season as many as 170 bowlers (spin & fast) were reported for suspect bowling actions from club & school cricket,” an SLC release said. “The umpires must be commended for their efforts in this case as 90% of the reported bowlers were clearly identified as to having faulty bowling actions.”Overall a total of 42 bowlers were cleared to bowl after following an intensive remedial bowling program which was tailor-made to suit the individual bowler. Periodical assessments were carried out during the remedial period and bowlers’ progress was monitored. The assessor had to be convinced that the remodeled bowling action was within the legal limitations of the game before clearance was given.”The board said another 128 bowlers remain suspended from bowling in competition cricket, as they have not satisfactorily remodeled their actions. Sachithra Senanayake was among those whose action was successfully remedied in the past year.

Cheteshwar Pujara says he expects to be a “different player” when he returns from his stint with defending English county champions Yorkshire

Gaurav Kalra06-Apr-20159:22

‘Will return a different player’ – Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara says he expects to be a “different player” when he returns from his stint with defending English county champions Yorkshire. Speaking exclusively to ESPNcricinfo, Pujara said he recognises the next few months will be a test of his “character, technique and toughness”.”They are challenging conditions and as a batsman you have to accept the challenge,” he said. “When you score runs in those conditions you get a different confidence. So, technically you have to be correct. You have to be really focused; confidence has to be up to the mark. All the aspects of the game you really have to be very careful when you play in English conditions. So, in this way couple of months in Yorkshire will help me.”The weather is completely different. So, first of all you need to get adjusted to the weather and the conditions. Whatever I’ve heard so far is that initially the ball might do more than what it does in the later stages of the season. So, as a batsman it will be challenging and I’m aware about it but when I’m going there I know that I will be tested – it is a test of my character, technique and my toughness. I’ll take it as a challenge. Once you succeed in such conditions, it is a different satisfaction as a cricketer.”Pujara signed a deal with Yorkshire after failing to attract a bid at the IPL auction in February. He was released by Kings XI Punjab after an underwhelming season last year that saw him score 125 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 100.8 before being dropped from the playing eleven. Pujara admitted that he while he was a “little bit disappointed” at being ignored by the franchises, his focus was on things he could control.”As a cricketer I always try and improve my game and try and focus on things which I can do,” he said. “I definitely want to play all the formats of this game I’m working on improving my game in ODIs and T20s. I am very confident that I will be able to do so. It’s a matter of time and there are some shots that I’m working on in the nets and with more and more practice I think I will be successful.”Not only has Pujara struggled to carve a niche in T20 cricket, his stock has fallen in one-day cricket as well. He was left out of India’s 30-man list of probables for the World Cup and hasn’t made much of an impression in the five ODIs he has played. With an impressive record in List A cricket, where he has scored 3403 runs at an average of 54.01 in 77 games with 10 centuries, the 27-year-old is confident of changing the mindset that has bracketed him as a long-format specialist.”If you look at the domestic circuit (List A) records, I’ve got a very good average as well as a decent strike rate and I’ve been successful even at India A level,” he said. “It’s just that I haven’t played too many ODIs. So, I can’t talk much about international level but if I can do it at the domestic and India A level – when I went to the UK and Australia there were decent fast bowlers against whom I could score runs – I’m very confident that i can do it at the international level. It’s a matter of time and I’m very hopeful that my chance will come.”While his one-day ambitions may take longer to realise, Pujara’s immediate concern will be to revive his Test career. Having established himself as India’s number three, Pujara lost his place in the playing eleven for the final Test of the series against Australia in Sydney after a string of below-par performances. Over eight Test matches in England and Australia, Pujara scored 423 runs at an average of 26.43, going past the half-century mark just twice. While refusing to comment on being dropped, Pujara says he will “prove himself again” when the chance comes.”In Test matches, my start was really good; there were some phases where i accept that I didn’t perform well but it happens,” he said. “If you see a cricketer’s career, nobody’s always successful. You have those up and down phases. If I look at all the series, I did well in South Africa. England was a bad series although I did score in a couple of innings which were really crucial for the team.”I feel number three is the kind of position where you don’t just look at the number of runs you make but you also need to look at the team situation to make sure that the team does not lose another wicket. Once you see through the new ball, the middle-order batsmen get that benefit of playing against the old ball. There is a role which is defined. I do accept that I got starts in Australia but could not convert those starts into a big innings which I’m known for.”Pujara’s indifferent run in recent times has meant a wide chasm has developed between his home and away records. While he averages 75.23 in 13 Tests at home, it plummets to 29.4 in 14 away Tests. Pujara insisted that scoring runs for the country was important, not the conditions they were made in.”When you’re representing your nation you need to perform , doesn’t matter whether it’s in India or overseas,” he says. “I had a decent series in South Africa so it is not that I can’t score overseas. A couple of series were not up to the mark and I have been working on my game. When I play for India, i need to make sure that the team wins and I contribute to the team’s success.”With the retirement of MS Dhoni, India will be begin a new phase as Test team when they play in whites next. Having been a key member of the squad for the last couple of years, he believes the strong bonds built between the players will work in their favour.”Most of the players have played together for the A team and the Test team is almost the same since the last couple of years,” he said. “I just want to focus on the things that I can do for the team at number three and I have always enjoyed playing for the Indian team. I hope we get more success both at home and overseas. We did put up a good show in Australia though we didn’t win too many games. Going ahead we would aim to win as many matches as possible.”Pujara is waiting for his visa formalities to be completed in time for him to join Yorkshire for their season opener against Worcestershire starting on April 12 at New Road.

Eye-watering salaries are expected by any player at a top club these days, meaning wage bills across the continent continue to soar

UEFA has revealed the 20 clubs with the highest wage bills across the 2018 financial year in its annual Club Licensing Benchmarking Report, with Barcelona and Real Madrid once again splashing the most cash. 

A record 35 clubs in Europe boasted wage bills of over €100 million across 2018, while the Catalans have become the first side to boast a wage total in excess of €500m. 

Though La Liga's two biggest clubs have spent the most individually, Premier League sides make up nine of the 20 clubs with the highest wage bills.

Getty20Crystal Palace | €132m (£113m/$147m)AdvertisementGetty19Monaco | €133m (£114m/$148m)Getty Images18Leicester City | €134m (£115m/$149m)ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Getty Images17AC Milan | €150m (£129m/$167m)

The Red Devils may be back in the hunt for Champions League qualification, but they still look like a team of individuals

"I think we can beat any opponent, away or at home," Erik ten Hag told reporters after Manchester United's crucial 2-1 victory at Aston Villa. "Sometimes away we have to believe it more, we deserved to win at Arsenal and could have won at Liverpool. It's about belief."

Sunday's three points could go a long way to ensuring United salvage a top-four finish, which seemed unthinkable just a few weeks ago. Ten Hag's side are now within five points of Villa, who are still sitting fifth, and six behind fourth-placed Tottenham, having won their last three games.

United have won four on the bounce in all competitions, their best run of the season so far, and it could continue with favourable fixtures against Luton Town and Fulham up next. On the surface, it appears the tide has turned.

But dig a little bit deeper, and it's obvious Ten Hag's side are still a mess. Villa will certainly be wondering how on earth they ended up empty-handed after a second-half barrage that saw Andre Onana finally justify his £48 million ($61m) transfer fee in the United goal.

Ten Hag may have saved his job by overseeing a mini-resurgence, but that does not mean United are back – or indeed anywhere near becoming a top side again.

Getty'Bit of an odd bunch'

"They’re better than they were, but they’re still not great," United legend Gary Neville told after the Villa game. "You still don’t see any patterns or combinations. They concede so many chances. They don’t control games. They don’t keep possession better than other teams. But they do have players who can win matches. They’re a bit of an odd bunch. They just play in moments during matches."

Rasmus Hojlund has transformed into United's main match-winner since opening his Premier League scoring account in the 3-2 win over Villa on Boxing Day, and the 21-year-old made it five goals in as many league appearances at the weekend – becoming the second-youngest player to achieve the feat in the Premier League after Nicolas Anelka.

The Red Devils also had super-sub Scott McTominay to thank for their latest win, as the Scotland midfielder stepped off the bench to head home his seventh Premier League goal of the season. But the fact McTominay is the club's top scorer in the competition despite only starting 12 games speaks volumes.

Neville is absolutely right, United are still relying on individual moments, with no clear identity to their play on or off the ball. They were overrun in midfield against Villa, which has become a theme against the top sides under Ten Hag, and it was far too easy for Unai Emery's men to get in behind the visitors' defence.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesDamning away record

The reaction to Ten Hag's "we can beat anyone" claim on social media was predictably strong. One account replied "Manchester United won’t go far with this manager if he actually believes this", while another pointed out that Arsenal had a 2.53 expected goals total compared to United's 0.98 when the hosts triumphed 3-1 at Emirates Stadium back in September.

In the 0-0 draw against Liverpool at Anfield in December, United saw 34 shots reign down on their net, and only managed six themselves, while giving up 69 percent of the possession. Yes, the Red Devils had the better clear-cut chances, but Ten Hag once again set up not to lose rather than trying to go toe-to-toe.

Incredibly, Sunday's victory over Villa was actually the first game United have won on the road against a top-nine side since Ten Hag's appointment – at the 20th time of asking. It doesn't get more damning than that.

Getty Images'Problems are still there'

On another day, United could easily have trudged off the pitch at Villa Park bemoaning another dismal away defeat. Roy Keane certainly wasn't impressed, as he admitted to that his old club "got away with it" before insisting "the problems are still there for them".

One of those is Casemiro, who struggled to keep up with Villa's relentless energy in the middle of the park. The Brazilian has been a key player for United since returning from injury, but his 31-year-old legs are starting to let him down.

Neville recently called the board "crazy" for handing Casemiro a four-year contract after his £70m ($88m) move to Old Trafford from Real Madrid in 2022, and it's hard to disagree. It's a similar story for his former Madrid team-mate Raphael Varane, with the World Cup winner now lacking the speed and intensity that made him one of the best defenders in the world in his prime.

One man who does at least still have age on his side is Marcus Rashford, but the 26-year-old has looked equally ineffective this term, and was hooked after 73 minutes at Villa after consistently giving the ball away in the final third. Rashford may have been United's talisman in Ten Hag's debut season, but he's clearly in decline now, and serious questions will be asked over his future in the summer – especially if Paris Saint-Germain do indeed reignite their interest in the England international.

On the right-flank, meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho's failure to track back left Diogo Dalot exposed time and time again at Villa Park. The talented teenager has arguably been United's standout player in 2023-24, but if he doesn't learn to be more disciplined defensively, opposing teams will continue to get a lot of joy on that side of the pitch.

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Getty ImagesHas the story changed?

In the first half of the season, as United wrestled with an unprecedented injury crisis, Ten Hag repeatedly claimed he would "change the story" as soon as he was able to call upon a full-strength side again. The Dutchman has so far been proven right, with their recent upturn in form coinciding with the return of players like Casemiro, Varane, Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo.

Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw have also played their part, though the former has suffered a fresh injury setback that could keep him sidelined until April, and the latter came off at half-time against Villa due to a fitness scare. United definitely rode their luck in the second half without Shaw, which does not bode well if he faces another spell out.

Even though results have improved due to increased strength in depth, United scraped past Villa and Wolves in unimpressive fashion, the 3-0 scoreline against West Ham at Old Trafford flattered them, and they were outplayed by Tottenham in a 2-2 draw on home turf.

The fact Ten Hag is finally enjoying some continuity with his starting XI doesn't hide the fact United are still lacking quality across the pitch.

Manchester United's patience with Antony appears to have finally run out, as they will reportedly listen to offers for the Brazilian in the summer.

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Antony signed in summer of 2022Has failed to live up to £86m price tagUnited to finally cut losses in summerWHAT HAPPENED?

The winger joined from Ajax in the summer of 2022, signing for an eye-watering sum of £86 million ($109m) and amid much fanfare. But manager Erik ten Hag, who spearheaded the approach having managed him in the Netherlands, is yet to get the best out of him. With no goals or assists in 20 league games Antony has gone down as one of the worst signings in Premier League history. Indeed, the reports that United may finally be willing to admit their mistake and let him go.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

That decision will reportedly be made as part of a summer of change at the club, when minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes over footballing operations and drives the approach for the coming transfer window. The British billionaire is expected to scrutinise the effectiveness of United's squad – which was recently revealed to be the most expensive in football history – with Antony one of many to face the chopping block. The 's report even notes that the club would be prepared to lose over half the £86m fee paid in order to get him gone.

DID YOU KNOW?

Antony's struggles at United have been clear to see in recent weeks. Even Ten Hag, who has remained one of his staunch defenders when the likes of Jadon Sancho and Facundo Pellistri were afforded no such leniency, has looked elswhere of late. The Brazilian has started just one of United's last eight matches, and has seen youngsters Omari Forson and Amad Diallo brought on ahead of him from the bench.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ANTONY?

Ten Hag has pointed towards Antony's struggles with domestic abuse allegations – which he vehemently denies – being behind his poor form this season. But his dire record of nine goals in 70 matches across his entire United career makes for grim reading, and will likely lead to his eventual sale in the summer. Antony has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in the past.

USWNT star and 2023 NWSL Cup finalist Rose Lavelle sent a good luck video on social media to FC Cincinnati ahead of their MLS Playoff match.

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FCC set to play Conference semifinal SaturdayUSWNT star in attendanceNo. 1 seed has high expectations in playoffsWHAT HAPPENED?

The official FC Cincy account posted the clip on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, highlighting that the superstar footballer would be in attendance Saturday evening. Lavell herself just played in NWSL final – unfortunately just coming up short in an OL Reign loss to Gotham FC – but maybe she'll bring some good luck to her hometown team on the evening.

AdvertisementWHAT LAVELLE SAID

Speaking while wearing an FC Cincinnati hat and jersey with a winter coat on, Lavelle said: "Hey guys, it's Rose – I'm so excited to be at the game tonight and I'm so excited to cheer on the Orange and Blue. Let's get the win, VAMOS FCC!"

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The expectations are beyond the ceiling this postseason for Cincy; they're the No. 1 overall seed and sport the 2023 MVP favorite on their roster in midfielder Lucho Acosta. On top of that, they won the MLS regular season award by finishing top of the table, being handed the Supporters' Shield as a result. Now, Pat Noonan's side are set to take one 2022 MLS Cup finalists, Philadelphia Union, in their biggest test yet. However, with Lavelle – a World Cup champion – in the stands, cheering them on, they might just get over the line.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR FC CINCINNATI?

FCC are headed to the Eastern Conference finals, and have a date with the Columbus Crew. Lavelle's attendance proved to be lucky after all, with Pat Noonan's side now set to host their intra-state rivals on December 2.

Somerset have continued to cement their reputation as one of the best run, and financially secure, county set-ups after they announced a record profit

Andrew McGlashan06-Dec-2012Somerset have continued to cement their reputation as one of the best run, and financially secure, counties after they announced a record profit of £409,000 up to September 2012, a marginal increase on the previous year.It is a considerable achievement by Somerset considering last season was one of the wettest on record with the weather impacting all counties.Somerset’s position was strengthened by their second-place finish in the County Championship as well as being able to stage a home quarter-final in the Friends Life t20. There was also the impact of their successful Champions League T20 run in 2011 when they reached the semi-finals.Chief executive Guy Lavender told the club’s website: “This has been a very tough year and whilst we have seen some weather-related reductions in match receipts, we have been able to drive the club’s business forward in a number of different areas. It is of credit to both our playing and non-playing staff who have worked hard to make sure that we have thrived again this year.”Somerset are also producing a regular supply of cricketers for England. Nick Compton, whose career has been transformed since moving from Middlesex, is currently opening the batting in India while both Craig Kieswetter and Jos Buttler are involved in various parts of the limited-overs set-up.Andy Nash, the chairman, added that there remain two major targets for the club. “Our twin ambitions are to win the County Championship and to bring one day international cricket to the County Ground. We are well placed to begin preparatory work on the next phase of ground development and having consolidated and strengthened our cricketing squad for next season, we are in good shape for the 2013 campaign.”The club are in the process of recruiting a new director of cricket after Brian Rose stepped down at the end of last season. Dave Nosworthy, the former Highveld Lions coach, is understood to be the leading candidate for the position.Alviro Petersen, the South Africa opening batsman, has been signed as an overseas player for the first part of the season.

South Africa took an unassailable 3-0 lead, with the result settled in anti-climatic fashion by the Duckworth-Lewis method after thundershowers interrupted play

The Report by Siddhartha Talya17-Jan-2012
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Faf du Plessis’ fluent innings helped South Africa recover after they lost three wickets cheaply•Getty ImagesSouth Africa took an unassailable 3-0 lead after the most closely fought game of the five-match series thus far, with the result settled in anticlimactic fashion by the Duckworth-Lewis method. Thundershowers interrupted play at the end of 34 overs of South Africa’s chase, at which time the teams were on even terms but the hosts just four runs ahead mathematically. In that context, captain AB de Villiers’ counterattacking, unbeaten 39 and his brief partnership with Albie Morkel, which included a retrospectively decisive 26 runs in the last three overs, settled the game for South Africa.Batting down the order, at No.6, and promoting Faf du Plessis to No.4 proved a masterstroke from de Villiers, who showed excellent adaptability to a tricky situation posed by the weather. A light drizzle infused a sense of urgency in his approach, and by the time it had developed into pouring rain, he had taken his team past the required target. His efforts, together with du Plessis’ fluent half-century earlier in the innings, undermined a spirited performance from Sri Lanka in the field and a much-improved show with the bat.Three fours in an over against Kosala Kulasekara signalled the acceleration South Africa needed to get their noses ahead. de Villiers, in the 32nd over, smashed two deliveries through extra cover and walked across to clip one through square leg. The next over fetched five and what turned out to be the final over of the match yielded eight, including a wide and at least a run scored off every other ball. de Villiers and Albie Morkel had got together when their opponents held the advantage, following the run-outs of du Plessis and JP Duminy.du Plessis revived South African hopes after an early double-strike from Lasith Malinga, and an irresponsible shot from a set Alviro Petersen, jolted the hosts, who were missing the services of two key batsmen – Jacques Kallis was rested and Hashim Amla out on paternal duties. du Plessis was fluent throughout. He timed the ball well, punching it firmly through the off side, subtly working the ball and opening the face on either side behind the stumps and crashing deliveries past the covers for a couple of boundaries. Duminy moved along steadily at the other end, picking up the singles and twos comfortably as the field spread, and collecting boundaries himself with some expert placement.But just as it seemed South Africa were going to inch ahead due to that 61-run stand, Duminy, racing to the non-striker’s end in the 24th over for a single, was given run-out by the third umpire Billy Doctrove. Nuwan Kulasekara scored a direct hit but the side angle showed Duminy to just have made it as the bails were knocked off, while the front-on angle showed the bat just on the line. As the big screen flashed “Out” there was disbelief on Duminy’s face and in the South African dressing-room, where Gary Kirsten had his arms up in the air. It took an age for Duminy to walk off, and the pressure was back on the hosts again. A little more than five overs later, a cramping du Plessis departed, struggling to complete a quick single and found short as Kumar Sangakkara took off the bails. But as it turned out, he’d done enough for his captain to complete the job in time.Angelo Mathews, the Sri Lanka vice-captain, had aimed for a target of 250 in this game and his team exceeded expectations. The openers, led by Upul Tharanga, with Tillakaratne Dilshan uncharacteristically playing second fiddle while recovering from two consecutive ducks, approached their innings methodically, forging a 94-run stand. The focus was on settling down and batting long, illustrated by only two boundaries being struck in the first 10 overs, both from Tharanga.Both improvised, Tharanga smashing two sixes in the first over of spin and Dilshan pulling off his trademark scoop. But they kicked off a trend of batsmen being dismissed after getting starts and not converting them to something substantial, top-edging sweeps.Sangakkara struck three delectable boundaries through different parts of the ground, including his favourite cover drive, but both he and Mahela Jayawardene were run out, thanks to brilliant pieces of fielding from du Plessis and Colin Ingram. Nuwan Kulasekara made a handy 40 down the order, and Dinesh Chandimal and Mathews chipped in.But despite a collective effort with the bat, more energy and fight in the field, and the fact that the match was evenly poised when rain interrupted, Sri Lanka hadn’t done enough.

India have dropped Virender Sehwag for the first three matches of the five-ODI series against England, which begins on January 11 in Rajkot

Amol Karhadkar06-Jan-2013India have dropped Virender Sehwag for the first three matches of the five-ODI series against England, which begins on January 11 in Rajkot. The decision came after Sehwag was left out of the XI that beat Pakistan in an ODI in Delhi earlier in the day. India gave a maiden limited-overs call-up to Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored 203 off 221 balls in a Ranji Trophy match last week.A BCCI source told ESPNcricinfo that this could well be the end of Sehwag’s limited-overs career. Sehwag has been dropped, said the source, because “he doesn’t figure in the plans for the 2015 World Cup”. Pujara has been brought in “to anchor the innings, especially in the wake of new rules”, which now allow a maximum of two bouncers per over and require a minimum of five fielders inside the circle at all times, which encourages more attacking bowling. The selectors have left it to the team management to decide Pujara’s batting position.Pujara’s inclusion was the only change to the squad that lost 1-2 to Pakistan, which meant MS Dhoni, India’s best batsman in the series, kept his captaincy despite calls from former selectors for fresh leadership. The sources said Dhoni’s captaincy didn’t go through much of a debate.Rohit Sharma was retained despite poor returns in ODIs of late. His last six scores were 5, 0, 0, 4, 4 and 4. Since the end of the series against West Indies in 2011, when he was the Man of the Series, Rohit has averaged 13 over 14 matches with one half-century. Rohit escaped the axe primarily because of “lack of alternatives”. He might not have made it had Manoj Tiwary been fit.Since his double-century against West Indies in December 2011, Sehwag has averaged 23 over 11 matches, including a top score of 96. Sehwag is possibly seen as the weaker fielder, which becomes significant keeping in mind the World Cup in Australia.Sehwag’s replacement, Pujara, is quick in the field and has been scoring runs. After his double-century that stunned Madhya Pradesh six days ago, Pujara said he knew his time was not far away. “That [ODI selection] is something that is not in my control,” Pujara had told ESPNcricinfo. “I have always performed in domestic one-dayers. I don’t need to worry about it. My time will come. One way or the other I will get my chance to play in the ODI team. I just need to keep performing.”The bowlers were all retained after they successfully defended 167 against Pakistan on Sunday, India’s fourth-lowest score batting first in an ODI win.Squad: MS Dhoni (capt), Cheteshwar Pujara, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Ashok Dinda, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shami Ahmed, Amit Mishra.

A spirited performance on the field, followed by a resilient 95-run stand between David Warner and Unmukt Chand helped Daredevils add a third win to come level with Knight Riders

The Report by Devashish Fuloria01-May-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsDavid Warner played a measured 66 to marshall the chase•BCCIA spirited performance on the field, followed by a resilient 95-run stand between David Warner and Unmukt Chand helped Delhi Daredevils add a third win to come level with Kolkata Knight Riders. Knight Riders are now level with Daredevils, squandering a two-point advantage. The task of making it to the playoffs, for both, remains a distant dream.Daredevils had been the happier side halfway into their innings. The first couple of overs from Brett Lee and L Balaji indicated there was help for the bowlers, but Virender Sehwag laced a couple of boundaries to set the innings into motion. Gautam Gambhir spilled an easy chance off Sehwag at short cover, but it didn’t hurt Knight Riders much. Sehwag steered a length delivery into the hands of slip in the next over, the relief writ large on Gambhir’s face. And when Mahela Jayawardene fell in an identical manner the next over, Knight Riders had found an opening.Unmukt Chand had a torrid time in his first four games, but he set about improving his run with a patient stay in the middle. He was at sea against Sunil Narine’s variations, but hung in and kept rotating the strike. Fortunately for Daredevils, there wasn’t much scoreboard pressure; only a couple of productive overs were needed to catch up with the required rate.That impetus was provided by measured aggression from David Warner, who pierced the boundary every now and then and helped bring the equation under control during the 12th over that yielded 15 runs. By that time, Chand had settled down and started stroking boundaries – an upper-cut past slip being the most stylish – to bring up his best score this IPL. He fell trying to hasten the end but Warner, who scored his third half-century this IPL, switched gears, unleashed the ruthless strokeplay he’s acquired a reputation for and sealed victory with 13 balls to spare.Gambhir called the Raipur stadium one of the best in the country in terms of facilities, but the venue didn’t bring any cheer for Knight Riders after they chose to bat. Manvinder Bisla, who was in imperious touch in the last two matches, started with a casual pull that rocketed to the deep square-leg boundary, but, off the very next ball, Gambhir called him for a suicidal single and paid the price as Irfan, the bowler, beat him in a dash to the striker’s end.What followed was a period in which the Daredevils seamers – and the fielders – started shutting escape routes for the batsmen. Bisla was beaten for pace by a sharp delivery from Umesh Yadav. Yusuf Pathan attempted to mark his authority with a huge hit off Morne Morkel, but was brilliantly caught next ball by Irfan, who took the skier running backwards from square leg.That brought the experienced pair of Jacques Kallis and Eoin Morgan together, but their alliance was short-lived. Morgan reverse-swept Shahbaz Nadeem for a boundary, but when he tried to pull the long-hop next ball, Yadav charged in from deep square leg to take a good, low diving catch. Kallis followed Morgan in the next over, as another stunning, one-handed catch at point, from Ben Rohrer, reduced Knight Riders to 50 for 4 in the ninth over.Debabrata Das and Rajat Bhatia started the repair job, making slow progress with occasional hits to the boundary to bring Knight Riders to 83 for 5 with five overs to go. They hobbled to 110 for 6 at the end of the 18th, but some timely hitting by Lee propped up the score to 136, a good effort on a ground with bigger boundaries. It wasn’t good enough, however.