1. Mumbai Crowned Champions of IPL8
Mumbai Indians and their skipper Rohit Sharma’s love affair with Eden Gardens continued as they clinched their second IPL title following a 41-run win over Chennai Super Kings on Sunday.
After being put into bat first, Mumbai Indians posted an imposing 202 for five with skipper Rohit Sharma (50) and Lendl Simmons (68) notching up a 119-run stand off just from 67 balls.
Mumabi bowlers complimented the good work of the batsmen as they took the fizz out of the Chennai’s chase with a very disciplined effort.
They straitjacketed the Chennai batsmen, restricting them to 161 for eight as seasoned spinner Harbhajan Singh took key wickets of Dwayne Smith (57) and Suresh Raina (28) in two overs.
Kiwi paceman Mitchell McClenaghan (3/25) took three wickets while his Lankan pace colleague Lasaith Malinga (2/25) scalped two batsmen.
Mumbai ultimately winning the IPL8 Final by 41 runs to lift their second IPL trophy.
For full match report, click here.
2. Pakistan Welcome Return of Cricket with T20 Series Victory
Pakistan beat Zimbabwe in the second Twenty20 by 2 wickets to sweep the two match series 2-0 in Lahore on Sunday.
Needing 12 runs off the last over with only two wickets in hand, No. 10 batsman Bilawal Bhatti kept his nerve in front of 27,000 fans to take Pakistan to a winning 176-8 with two balls to spare.
Zimbabwe had earlier posted yet again a decent score of 175-3 with Sean Williams scoring an unbeaten 58 off 32 balls and Vusi Sibanda contributing 49.
“In Twenty20 cricket you don’t see one-sided matches and today was no different,” Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said. “I am happy that big crowds came and both matches went well which must have sent strong message about Pakistan to the cricketing world.”
3. Cook and Stokes Centuries Give England the Edge
Contrasting centuries by a relentless Alastair Cook and an inspired Ben Stokes lifted England to 429 for six at the close of a compelling fourth day of the first test against New Zealand on Sunday.
Captain Cook batted all day to reach 153 not out, his 27th test century, and Stokes provided the fireworks by smashing a hundred off 85 balls, the fastest ever made in a test at Lord’s.
Joe Root contributed 84 and England, leading by 295 runs, will start the final day of a fluctuating match as favourites to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
4. EPL Champions Chelsea End Season With A Win
Steven Fletcher threatened to spoil Didier Drogba’s going away party before Diego Costa stepped up and equalised for Chelsea from the penalty spot. Loic Remy then scored twice for the champions in the second half before the title party could begin — with Drogba returning to the field.
The trophy was finally handed to Chelsea, their fourth league title in 11 seasons, but only the fifth in Chelsea’s 110-year history
Mourinho delivered the 2005 and 2006 titles before spending 2007-2013 away from Chelsea.
Before raising the Premier League trophy aloft, Chelsea’s players first decided to lift something just as precious: striker Didier Drogba.
In an unusual, mid-game pause around 30 minutes into Sunday’s season-ending match against Sunderland, which Chelsea won 3-1, Drogba was carried to the touchline in a planned flamboyant substitution.
“I want to play for at least one more season and in order to play more football I feel I need to go to another club,” said Drogba, who contributed eight goals this season. “All the fans know my love for Chelsea and I hope to be back here in the future in another role.”
5. Liverpool Fail To Give Gerrard a Winning Farewell
Steven Gerrard disconsolately trudged off an English Premier League pitch for the final time after his beloved Liverpool were battered 6-1 at Stoke City, their worst top-flight defeat since 1963.
At least the 34-year-old, who leaves for Los Angeles Galaxy having been the heartbeat of Anfield for 15 years, managed a goal on the final day of the season.
The strike was his 186th Liverpool goal after 710 appearances, the most famous of which came when he inspired his boyhood club to Champions League glory in 2005 after AC Milan had been 3-0 up at halftime.
“To start with, it’s an apology. I think everybody, all the supporters connected with Liverpool, will -- like us all -- be embarrassed by that and they deserve an apology,” said Liverpool Manager Brendon Rodgers.
6. Nico Rosberg Takes Monaco Hat-Trick
Germany’s Nico Rosberg celebrated a surprise hat-trick of Monaco Grand Prix victories on Sunday after Mercedes blew championship-leading team mate Lewis Hamilton’s chances with a needless pitstop.
The result, with Hamilton finishing third after leading most of the way, slashed the double Formula One world champion’s overall lead to 10 points after six of the season’s 19 races.
The Briton had started on pole position and did not put a wheel wrong until he pitted for fresh tyres when the safety car was deployed with 14 laps to go.
“I’ve lost the race haven’t I?” the disconsolate driver enquired over the team radio after rejoining in third place behind Rosberg and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel.
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