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India v England -Big game for both teams

Having lost their first Super Eights game to West Indies, now India faces an uphill task of beating desperate England in do-or-die encounter at Lords. India the defending WT20 world champion was in similar situation in 2007 world cup also and they have same opponent to beat to enter the semi finals of World twenty20. It’s not an impossible task but it’s really tough beating England in their home ground.

England is in similar situation they must win today’s game to keep their hopes alive in the tournament. England have so far not performed consistently in the tournament. They have lost their first game to Netherlands in the Group game and then they bounce back to beat Pakistan to enter Super Eights.

In their first Super Eights game also they have been beaten comprehensively by South AfricaIndia might have lost the game against West Indies but they are still very good side and England knows about the fact. and now they are in similar situation as they were at Group Stage. They have tough job in their hand since

The main worry for England is their batting apart from K.Pietersen and O.Shah no one looks consistent. Their bowling looks solid but it will come under real test against Indian batting line up.

On the other hand Indian bowling at start and in depth is the main worry for the team management. Their batting might have not clicked against West Indies but every body knows each individual in the Indian team has match winning ability.

With the likes of Rohit Sharma, Gambhir, Raina, Yuvraj, Dhoni and Y.Pathan they can chase down any total or they can set huge target. But it will be interesting to see how Indian teams cope up in pressure situation.

A win for either team will boost their chances of making into the last four. But India must win todays game otherwise the winner of England or West Indies game will qualify for the semifinals along with South Africa irrespective of their last game against South Africa.

India also have to keep their eye on Net Run rate because it will come into play at later stage of the Super Eights stage.

Watch out For

Yuvraj Singh: Who will forget six sixes hit in an over by this man against same team when they last clashed in twenty20 internationals. India is in same situation they were in the last twenty20 world cup. With the kind of form Yuvraj Singh showed in the tournament it will be great to watch how this man bats against England bowlers.

Kevin Pietersen: A dangerous man in any format of the game and with must win game for the team he will be hoping for big score to his name. It will be another interesting battle between him and Indian twin spinners.

Pitch & Conditions

The pitch at Lord’s will be again full of runs and any score between 170-180 runs will be good total on this wicket. Weather also looks fine with some cloudy condition in the evening.

Team News

Despite of loss in the last game by the hand of West Indies, India is likely to go with same playing XI. It was batting that let them down in that game not their bowling. However they may think to bring R.P.Singh back in place of Ishant Sharma.

On the other hand it seems that England have found their best XI and they will likely to continue with same. However with the batting line-up Indian have, England might drop Adil Rashid and give G.Napier a chance for his twenty20 debut.

Likely Playing XI for both teams (Match is schedule to begin at 22:00 PM India Time on 14^th Of June)

India Squad: Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (Captain & Wicketkeeper), Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, P.Ojha, Ishant Sharma.

England Squad: Ravi Bopara, Luke Wright, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood (Captain), Owasis Shah, Dimitri Mascarenhas, James Foster (WK), Grame Swann, Stuart Broad, Adil Rashid, James Anderson.

Stats & Trivia

Both teams have played only one twenty20 Internationals with each other in the last twenty20 World Cup and India come out as winner by 18 runs in the end because of Yuvraj Singh miracle.

So far Indian team has hit 13 sixes in the tournament while England managed just eight.

Sri Lanka v Ireland Super Eights – Mahela and Malinga save Sri Lanka from embarrassing defeat

Sri Lanka nearly narrow escape a defeat by the hands of Ireland with the help of M.Jayawardne (78 runs of 53 balls) brilliant inning under pressure, after electing to bat first they were struggling at 14/2 in the fourth over. But Mahela Jayawardne bring Sri Lankan innings back on track with S.Jayasurya (27 runs of 27 balls) by putting 67 runs of 49 balls for the third wicket.

However Irish bowlers bounce back to take some quick wickets in the middle over to restrict the Sri Lanka from reaching big scores. In the end they set 145 runs target to the Irish.

At half-way stage it was looking like Ireland day but brilliant bowling by L.Malinga (2/19) and A.Mendis (2/22) helped their team to beat Ireland by 9 runs to moved a step closer to the semi-finals of ICC World Twenty20.

Ireland started the run chase well with Captain W.Porterfield (31 runs of 29 balls) and N.O’Brien (31 runs of 37 balls) put on 59 runs for the first wicket in 55 balls. However once Porterfield was dismissed Sri Lanka bowler started to push the required ru n rate way beyond the reach of Ireland.

Mahela Jayawardne was declared Player-of-the-Match for his super batting display.

Match Summary (Sri Lanka won by 9 Runs)

Sri Lanka – 144/9 in 20 Overs

Mahela Jayawardne- 78 Sanath Jayasurya– 27

A.Cusack– 3-0-18-4 W.Rankin- 4-0-27-2

Ireland– 135/7 in 20 Overs

J.Mooney- 31* W.Porterfield– 31

L.Malinga– 4-0-19-2 A.Mendis- 4-0-22-2