Champions Cricket League 2011 20-20, CCL 20-20, Nokia CCL 20-20, Nokia Champions League Twenty20 2011 Groups
Group A:
1: Chennai Super Kings
2: Mumbai Indians
3: Cape Cobras
4: New South Wales
5: Trinidad & Tobago
Group B:
1: Royal Challengers Bangalore
2: Warriors
3: South Australia(Red Backs)
4: Somerset
5: Kolkata Knight Riders
Sehwag 170 Set Bangla with a target of 371
Magnificent knock by Virender Sehwag has helped India to 370/3 against Bangladesh.
Dhoni Smashing TON Leads INDIA to Victory against NZ
Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed a blazing century to set up India's crushing 117-run victory over New Zealand in a World Cup warm-up match on Wednesday.
The Indian skipper cracked three sixes and 11 fours in a 64-ball 108 not out to help his team post an imposing 360-5 and virtually bat New Zealand out of the day-night match in Chennai.
New Zealand were bowled out for 243 after a brisk 94-run stand for the opening wicket between Brendon McCullum (58) and Martin Guptill (38) to suffer their first defeat in two practice matches.
Jesse Ryder (32), Nathan McCullum (29 not out) and Scott Styris (20) were the other main contributors.
Indian spinners, who played a big role in their team's win over defending champions Australia in a warm-up match on Sunday, again struck it rich as they shared seven wickets.
Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and part-time spinner Yuvraj Singh each took two wickets, while off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin bagged one.
"It's a difficult task for any side when they have to chase six or seven runs an over. This is the way we should play all the time," said Harbhajan Singh, who took 2-17.
"When you set that total, teams have to chase and it gives you the chance to get wickets as their batsmen look to do something.
"We have won our two warm-up games, but we are not taking anything for granted. It's up to us now to keep it simple and stick to the basics."
Dhoni and Suresh Raina (50) earlier gave a superb display of power-hitting to help their side set a stiff target, plundering 124 runs for the fifth wicket off just 56 balls.
Raina hit three sixes and four boundaries in a 26-ball knock.
Dhoni's best came when he smashed paceman Jacob Oram for five successive fours, while Raina also punished the same bowler as he hit three sixes in an over. Oram conceded 70 runs in his nine overs.
Dhoni said India were able to achieve "a total that was above par".
Speaking about his own game, he said: "In the past few games I have been in a hurry, but my game is different. I take my time and then like to stay until the end for the slog overs. You have got to remind yourself of your strengths."
New Zealand stand-in skipper Ross Taylor said Dhoni had taken the game away from his side, adding: "Spinners are going to be a big part of the World Cup, and we have got to improve against them."
The stage for the closing-overs onslaught was set by Gautam Gambhir (89) and Virat Kohli (59), who put on 106 for the third wicket after India lost openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar for 42 runs.
Record-breaking batsman Tendulkar, who recently missed the last three one-day internationals in South Africa due to a hamstring injury and was rested against Australia, contributed just 17.
His eagerly awaited return lasted 23 balls before he was deceived by a slower one from paceman Tim Southee and bowled.
India suffered another blow when hard-hitting Sehwag (23) was bowled by an Oram delivery that kept low, but Gambhir and Kohli steadied the innings with their sensible knocks.
Gambhir hit 11 fours in his 85-ball stay while Kohli hit seven boundaries in a 68-ball innings.
India open their World Cup campaign against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Saturday, while New Zealand take on Kenya in their first match the following day in Chennai.
Sachin Tendulkar awarded as NDTV Indian of the year
The Master Blaster bags the LIC-NDTV Indian of the Year award; says Indian team is focused on the World Cup.
Australia crash to Chawla spin in warm-up match
Piyush Chawla spun India to a remarkable 38-run win over defending champions Australia in a high-profile World Cup warm-up match on Sunday.
India was out of the game during the first 72 overs. But the spinners led by Piyush Chawla wrecked the Australian innings. Piyush Chawla, who is playing his first ODI tournament at home, justified his controversial selection with a four-wicket haul.
Earlier, India won the toss and elected to bat first. They could post just 214 in 44.3 overs. Sehwag was the top scorer with 54, while Yusuf Pathan made 32. Virat Kohli scored 21, followed by R Ashwin (25*) and Nehra (19).
For Australia, Brett Lee took three wickets, while Hastings and David Hussey took two wickets each.
Chasing a victory target of 215, Australia were cruising towards an easy victory when they were 118/1 in 21.4 overs. Piyush Chawla changed the game with a four-wicket haul. He destroyed the Australian batting order completely.
Harbhajan Singh did further damage by removing the Kangaroos very quick. Australia bowled out for 176 in 37.5 overs. Ricky Ponting was the top scorer with 57, while Tim Paine made 37. Shane Watson scored 33.
For India, Chawla took four wickets, while Harbhajan Singh took three wickets. India will take on New Zealand in another warm-up game.