Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

KKR or Pune Warriors? Who will win the match? All eyes are on 5 May, when the most prestigious match of the IPL5 will be played at Eden Gardens. CAB already announced that there are no tickets remained for the public. Even the Board wants the wicket must be neutral. The IPL officials think it is the final match. So the chairman of IPL and board secretary will watch the match. And both the team would not get their favourite wicket. Sourav already felt the heat and enthusiasm of Kolkatans around this match. But he didn't understand the reason of it. The CAB secretary cleared it to him that it is the match between Dada and Shah Rukh Khan to Kolkatans. Then Sourav remarked that his relationship with King Khan is as good as before. Several giant screen will be set up in the city. Among them, 2 at Chandpal ghat and Shahid Minar areas and others at Howrah Kadamtala, Shyambazar, Salt Lake, Goria, Behala, Ultodanga etc. However, Kolkata shall now wait and see the most sensation...

Third test match between India and England would be played at Eden Gardens from 5th November 2012. The first test would be started from 16 October in Ahmedabad. Second test in Nagpur and the fourth in Mumbai. The England cricket team will arrive India on 28 October. They'll play 5 ODI and 2 T-20 matches also. -- A. B.

Although KKR lost the toss, finally won the match. They defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by 42 runs this evening in IPL5 cricket match in Bengaluru. The start was great, first two matches they lost, so this particular match was a real fight to win for KKR. The superb partnership of Captain Gautam Gambhir and Kallis and after the dismissal of Kallis - Bisla, the openers showed their expected responsibility to stay at crease and score as much run as possible in the first 6 overs. So, hats off to captain Gambhir and for his marvellous 64 runs. Kallis, Gambhir and Bisla contributed 132 runs out of total 165 runs. So, they layed the pillars of success - it can be said. In the second innings, Balaji played the crucial role to dismiss Bangalore players. He took 4 wickets. In the last match, Rahul Dravid's Rajasthan Royals scored 165 runs and Gautam Gambhir's Kolkata Knight Riders lost the match, and today KKR showed that they can also score 165 runs to set the chal...

Kotla failed. Will Eden witness the 100th century of Sachin Tendulkar? It is the question. Kolkata not so responsive to India team, but CAB hopeful that Sachin-magic will attract the cricket lovers of Kolkata. Let's hope for it. All the eyes now at Eden Gardens, where India will play the second test against West Indies. And certainly the main attraction is 'the god of cricket' -- A. B.

The captain of Bangla Manoj Tiwary now charmed with the expertise of Kallis. Manoj is one of the best performer of Kolkata Knight Riders in this season. And according to him, Kallis is responsible for the change. Valuable advises from Kallis proved fruitful to shine his performance. Kallis advised him to play as per the standard of the ball. Manoj should not take unnecessary risks. He always trying to play his natural play. So he is not facing any major problem during batting. And he is hopeful to reach in the final. -- A. B.

Interrupted by rains, today's match reduced to 13 overs and Kolkata Knight Riders lost the match. -- A. B.

IPL Cricket match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore being played in Bengaluru now stopped due to rain. It will possibly be started within 15 minutes. At the moment KKR scored 69 runs and lost 3 wickets. -- A. B.

Kolkata now watching India vs Sri Lanka cricket match at the Lords of India - Eden Gardens. I think it is the best gift of Santa for Kolkata on the eve of Christmas!