We don't want easy matches: Kirsten

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India might have been made to toil hard by Ireland but coach Gary Kirsten is happy that his side has not got any "easy matches" so far in the World Cup as this has helped Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men get a hang of different situations.
India made heavy weather of what seemed to be a comfortable chase of 208 against the associate nation on Sunday.
India endured stiff tests even in their previous matches -- against Bangladesh and England --winning the former and managing to tie the latter.

 It was important that we chased and got used to batting second and getting to understand what to do in different situations," said Kirsten.

"Two points is everything and we will face different challenges in different games, we don't want to have easy games all the way through," he added.

India are now up against another minnow, the Netherlands, on Wednesday and Kirsten said all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who picked up five wickets and scored and unbeaten 50 on Sunday, has struck form just at the right time.

"Yuvraj did well all round," he said.
"He has been working hard on his cricket and wants to contribute with bat and ball. I am pleased with the way he went about his batting," he added.

Gambhir named KKR captain

India batsman Gautam Gambhir [ Images ] was on Monday named captain of Kolkata Knight Riders [ Images ] team for the Indian Premier League [ Images ] season four starting next month.

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Announcing Gambhir's appointment as KKR captain, the IPL team described him a thorough professional and praised his leadership qualities.
"We are delighted that Gautam Gambhir will be leading our team. He is a thorough professional and his performance and leadership qualities speak for themselves," KKR CEO & MD Venky Mysore said in a KKR release.
Gambhir said he was looking forward to leading the team in IPL IV.
"It's a pleasure and an honour to lead the KKR team. I believe that the KKR management has put together a terrific team. I am looking forward to the season and feel very optimistic," said Gambhir, who was Delhi Daredevils [ Images ] captain last season.
He was bought by KKR for a record-breaking $2.4 million (Rs 11.04 crore) in the IPL auction held in Bangalore in January.
Along with Gambhir, six members of the KKR squad are currently playing in the World Cup. They are Yusuf Pathan [ Images ], Jacques Kallis [ Images ], Brett Lee [ Images ], Brad Haddin [ Images ], Ryan ten Doeschate and Shakib al Hasan.

 

Kotla ground faces tough World Cup test

New Delhi's historic Feroz Shah Kotla ground will come under scrutiny when it hosts a high-profile World Cup match between South Africa and the West Indies after an international ban.

Ponting faces charge over TV incident

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting on Wednesday faced a charge by the International Cricket Council after he damaged a dressing room television set

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