Ayaz Memon

Strong and Robust IPL Has Survived Controversies to Carve Its Own Niche

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been asked frequently who the likely winner of the IPL this season will be, but have desisted from giving any answer. Anybody claiming powers of prescience in forecasting what will happen in T20 cricket is pulling a fast one. ...
Ayaz Memon-April 8, 2018,10:55 am IST Cricketnext
IPL 2018: Ayaz Memon Previews 11th Edition of the League

Defending champions and three-time winners Mumbai Indians will lock horns against two-time champions Chennai Super Kings to mark the beginning of the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), on Saturday. Cricket expert Ayaz Memon a.k.a 'Cricketwallah' previews the forthcoming season of the cash-rich league as he picks his top batsmen, bowlers, all-rounders and youngsters who could take the competition by storm this year. ...
Ayaz Memon-April 4, 2018,8:25 am IST Cricketnext
Time Australians Learnt Winning is Important, But Not Everything

The tearful press conferences of Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft after returning home from South Africa were distressing to watch for any sports lover. World-class athletes are usually the pride and joy of the sport, team and country. Their status should be that of heroes, not villains....
Ayaz Memon-April 1, 2018,10:22 am IST Cricketnext
India's Success in ODIs Shows Test Series Needed Better Planning

India’s comprehensive victories in the first three ODIs, coming on the heels of the win in the last Test, shows up the foolishness of forsaking practice matches at the start of the tour. True, the fourth match was lost, but India can’t lose the series from here. A win in either of the two remaining matches would give them a first-ever ODI rubber in South Africa which is terrific achievement....
Ayaz Memon-February 12, 2018,12:13 pm IST Cricketnext
Ajinkya Rahane’s Resurrection in South Africa a Proof of His Tenacity

Ajinkya Rahane’s resurrection has been one of the highlights of the tour to South Africa. After being sidelined from the playing side for a couple of months, his luck turned quite dramatically within a couple of weeks. Rahane clearly didn’t spend time on the reserve bench moping. Rather, watched closely technical demands being made on batsmen and worked on his mental make-up to come good when the opportunity arrived....
Ayaz Memon-February 4, 2018,11:01 am IST Cricketnext
Johannesburg Triumph Shows Team India Not Far From Series Win Abroad

India’s triumph in the third Test against South Africa was among the best achieved overseas. It was a tough match played on a treacherous pitch and against heavy odds. The hardship quotient made victory even sweeter....
Ayaz Memon-January 29, 2018,4:04 pm IST Cricketnext
Virat Kohli's India is a Good Team That Has Played Badly in South Africa

There were two aspects to Virat Kohli’s press conference after the second Test – and series – against South Africa had been lost: one unsavoury, the other admirable. ...
Ayaz Memon-January 22, 2018,10:36 am IST Cricketnext
India vs South Africa: Ayaz Memon Previews India's African Safari

Senior cricket journalist Ayaz Memon previews India's upcoming Test series in South Africa that begins on January 5. He talks about India's pace battery, seam-friendly conditions and the importance of Cheteshwar Pujara....
Ayaz Memon-January 3, 2018,8:19 am IST Cricketnext
OPINION | Skipper Virat Kohli Set to Face Stiffest Challenge in 2018

Even as the India skipper takes time off, Virat Kohli will have to keep his focus alive to the onerous task that awaits him in South Africa, the first of three major teams India face in 2018. The tour of England comes mid-year and then a trip Down Under before 2018 winds down. India’s record away from the sub-continent remains rather dismal. This puts India – currently undefeated in nine consecutive series – under great scrutiny....
Ayaz Memon-December 10, 2017,11:04 am IST Cricketnext
Eden Travails Throw up Uncomfortable Questions for Virat Kohli & Co.

The charm of Test batsmanship is not in bang-bang big strokes that are the staple of limited overs cricket. Rather, this lies in the ability of the batsman to overcome grim situations, using skill, imagination and mental toughness. Only Cheteshwar Pujara among the specialist batsmen emerged with credit from India’s first innings collapse at the Eden Gardens....
Ayaz Memon-November 19, 2017,10:02 am IST Cricketnext
Mumbai Playing 500th Ranji Game Highlights Team's Dominance Over the Years

There is a flavour to Mumbai cricket that remains distinct. It still bespeaks excellence and showcases a rich, proud legacy that does not find parallel anywhere else perhaps anywhere else in the world....
Ayaz Memon-November 9, 2017,12:17 pm IST Cricketnext
Virat Kohli — In a League of His Own

Cricket statisticians have been in a tailspin ever since Virat Kohli made his debut. His run-making in ODIs has been particularly phenomenal. In 2017 alone, he’s already made 1460 runs, the highest-ever in a calendar year by any captain in the history of the format....
Ayaz Memon-November 5, 2017,10:56 am IST Cricketnext
All Work and No Rest Will Make Kohli and Company a Tired Bunch

These guys are professionals and paid handsomely for their efforts. But there is a threshold beyond which even the most fit will start to wilt. That Kohli, among the fittest players in the world and with boundless enthusiasm for playing, should raise the red flag is telling....
Ayaz Memon-October 29, 2017,11:35 am IST Cricketnext
The Salgaoncar Sting Operation Proves How Vulnerable Cricket Continues to be in India

Indian cricket’s image is unquestionably sullied. The sting operation has already caused immense damage not only to Salgaoncar (who has been suspended from the MCA), but also Indian cricket that has been riled by betting and match-fixing issues since circa 2000....
Ayaz Memon-October 26, 2017,4:10 pm IST Cricketnext
Hardik Pandya Emerges as New Poster Boy of Indian Cricket

Pandya is hot on the heels of Kohli and Dhoni in the popularity stakes after a string of high voltage performances – with bat and ball - that have made him a big hit. And not just with fans....
Ayaz Memon-October 22, 2017,9:17 am IST Cricketnext

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21 Apr, 2018 | Indian Premier League

KKR vs KXIP

191/7
20.0 overs
126/1
11.1 overs

Kings XI Punjab beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 9 wickets (D/L method)

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20 Apr, 2018 | Indian Premier League

CSK vs RR

204/5
20.0 overs
140/10
18.3 overs

Chennai Super Kings beat Rajasthan Royals by 64 runs

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19 Apr, 2018 | Indian Premier League

KXIP vs SRH

193/3
20.0 overs
178/4
20.0 overs

Kings XI Punjab beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 15 runs

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18 Apr, 2018 | Indian Premier League

RR vs KKR

160/8
20.0 overs
163/3
18.5 overs

Kolkata Knight Riders beat Rajasthan Royals by 7 wickets

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17 Apr, 2018 | Indian Premier League

MI vs RCB

213/6
20.0 overs
167/8
20.0 overs

Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 46 runs

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