Kevin O’Brien scored the fastest world cup century of all time during Ireland’s sensational win over England. Incidentally, O’Brien scored that century in Bangalore, he got to three figures in just 50 balls and finished with 113, including six sixes and 13 fours. It was one of the finest knocks and magnificent display of clean hitting as Ireland won by three wickets with seven balls to spare.

Recently, O’Brien scored a 44-ball hundred for Gloucestershire against Middlesex in in a Twenty20 match. Earlier, Kevin O’Brien was not registered in the auction for last year’s IPL, but now O’Brien made sure his name was on the list for the fifth edition. He stated that it is an exciting time, waiting for Saturday auction.

Kevin O’Brien base price of $50,000, could make him a attractive hope in an auction where the likes of New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum and England’s Graeme Swann have reserve price of $400,000. Kevin said that last five months with Gloucestershire were tremendously important. He thinks that he is much better player now and also physically strong than he was earlier. He even added that IPL is a great tournament. For six weeks, they have to play with and against the best players in the world.

O’Brien is one of 144 cricketers around the world hoping for an IPL contract in the 2012. Indian Premier League fifth edition is scheduled from April 4 to May 27.

Three players have scored centuries in international cricket this week. Shaun Marsh and Mike Hussey both strike centuries in Australia’s first innings with 411 runs for seven declared over Sri Lanka, while last week’s player of the week Mohammad Hafeez made one over Zimbabwe.

Shaun Marsh’s debut 141 test runs earns him the award this week, coming as it did in the lack of Ricky Ponting and off the back of frequent calls for him to be included in Australia’s Test squad.
Shaun was born in Narrogin, Western Australia, made his state debut at the age of fifteen for their Under-17 team and progressed seamlessly through their age group setup before making his first-class appearance in March 2001.

The father of Geoff Marsh, The 28 year-old left-hander has discuss recently of the fact that he took playing for Australia for fixed and assumed that after, his meteoric climb, he could walk straight into their Test side.

However, in part because of Australia’s strong team and partly because of his failure to score the weight of runs required, he has to wait more than a decade for his call-up. He bided his time getting to know his game and playing for King’s XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and has made sure that he took his first break when it ultimately came.

Shaun Marsh’s success in this game will put anxiety on Ricky Ponting, when he returns and the current condition is harshly similar to when Nasser Hussain selflessly retired to make way for a young Andrew Strauss.

While, Shane has determined to signup for the Sixes, Mitchell Johnson, who is also in deal with international assignments, has chosen not to sign with any BBL side, while Test series skipper Michael Clarke is yet to take a conclusion.

However, Stuart Clark is a Sixes general manager stated that – he has signed Shane Watson, expressive fully well that the concern of fitness or exhaustion may limit the all-rounder’s position in the inaugural edition to just one match or so.

But, Sixes general manager admitted that he wanted to create a long term relationship with the cricketer.

Having signed up with the Sixes, Australia vice-skipper will stay close to the SCG, but would definitely have to manage his serious workload between huge international obligations from August and February.

Stuart Clark started that, he was also thrilled at the fact that Watson may have to choose between the Sixes and the Rajasthan Royals of the Indian Premier League (IPL) if both be eligible for next year’s Twenty20 Champions League fixtures.

Sources revealed: Shane Watson is an excellence cricketer and we are enchanted that he has chosen to join the Sixes. He is a match-winner with both bat and ball and brings a combination of experience and class to younger players what it takes to win. Clark told.

Chennai only managed to score only 128 runs in their 20 overs Dhoni was the only one batsman who stood against the odds and scored 70 runs, but RCB reached that target without any real efforts as Gayle shined in their win. Fleming said that any team playing against Bangalore there first aim will be to dislodge Gayle upfront.

Chris Gayle representing RCB for the first time in IPL 4 there will be no doubts in saying Gayle is responsible for their wins. Gayle played 9 matches and he is the leading run scorer who held orange cap with 511 runs. He hit most number of sixes in the tournament i.e., 38 with two centuries and two half centuries. RCB has won eight games that he played and lost only one game.

The West Indies hard hitting batsman has a very huge impact with his ferocious hitting. Fleming added that RCB is lucky to have Gayle instead of replacement for Dirk Nannes. Bangalore captain Vettori stated that RCB have been heavily dependent on Gayle.

Royal Challengers Bangalore will face same opposition in the first playoff on Tuesday at Wankhede Stadium.

In Today’s IPL match Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians will be going head to head for the second time in the tournament. Two legends of game will be fighting for last time in the cricketing history as Shane will be playing his final match.

This will be final match for both Shane Warne and Rajasthan Royals team in IPL 4 2011, as Rajasthan were eliminated from the tournament. Rajasthan Royals under Shane Warne has crowned the first edition of IPL trophy and proven most consistent side.

Rajasthan Royals has crashed the most powerful team in IPL i.e., Mumbai Indians in their earlier clash. Mumbai Indians managed to score only 94 runs and where Rajasthan chased down that target with ease and most convincing manner.

Shane Warne already quoted that Sachin Tendulkar is the best player he had come across and this will be the final time that Sachin and Warne will be battling.

We have to wait and see whether it will be Sachin bat makes all the talking? Or Warne leg spinners fumble the little master?

Stuart broad has picked up injury in the Proteas fight in their group match of ICC World Cup 2011 and underwent side strain injury. Dimitri Mascarenhas was not yet recovered from his Achilles injury. The Chief Operating Officer Aravinder Singh said that they were looking for replacement as English duo was out due to injuries.

Kings XI Punjab will play their first match of IPL 2011 on March 10, 2011 with Sahara Pune Warriors at DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai. The team has started their training camp with a six day fitness camp at HPCA Stadium on Monday. The final training session will be with full squad at Mohali from April 2 to April 8. The teams can replace players from only the unsold players list in the auction. The replacement players will be part of the team for only this edition of IPL 2011.

The IPL rules of replacing player’s limits franchise to buy the players for their base price or less. Stuart Broad was bought for $400,000 and Mascarenhas for $100,000. Mumbai Indians have signed a replacement for injured Sri Lanka fast bowler Dilhara Fernando with Australia’s Clint Mckay. Sahara Pune Warriors is the only team will full 30 members squad for IPL 2011 and KKR team has the least squad of 20 members.

Kings XI Punjab team will be captained by former Australian wicket keeper batsmen Adam Gilchrist. Adam Gilchrist has represented Deccan Chargers for first three editions; he led the team in two seasons. Deccan Chargers were crowned the IPL champions in the second edition of IPL under Gilchrist. Michael Bevan former Australian middle order batsmen will be the coach for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 4.

Preity Zinta is hoping for fine tournament in the fourth edition of IPL. Arvinder Singh the Chief Operating Officer of the team has said that, this team will bring new view and energy to the team and he promised their fans for thrilling action packed season of IPL 4.

Kings XI Punjab full squad for IPL 4 is listed below:

Overseas Players: Adam Gilchrist (c/wk), Shaun Marsh, David Hussey, Ryan Harris, Nathan Rimmington, Dmitri Mascarenhas, Stuart Broad.

Indian International Players: Dinesh Karthik (wk), Praveen Kumar, Piyush Chawla, Abhishek Nayar.

Domestic Players: Paras Dogra, Sunny Singh, Nitin Saini, Bipul Sharma, Love Ablish, Vikaramjeet Malik, Siddarth Chitnis, Paul Valthaty, Shalabh Srivastava, Bhargav Bhatt, Mandeep Singh, Amit Yadav.

The name Kochi Tuskers Kerala is selected through online poll, franchise has first named the team as Indi Commandos. The name Indi Commandos have came under lot of criticism by the cricket lovers of Kerala and fans, as the name was not representing Kerala.

Kerala state animal is Elephant and also known as Indian Elephant. The franchise thought that the suitable name for the Kochi team as Kochi Tuskers Kerala and it is decided through online poll. The fans cannot regret this name as Kerala is famous for Elephants.

Mukesh Patel, the director of Kochi Pvt Ltd stated that the largest animals which are alive now are Elephants and their tusks are eye-catching, threaten and sharp to watch it. The Kochi Tuskers Kerala will be lead by most experienced campaigner of Sri Lanka Mahela Jayawardene.

The Kochi team has bagged in good players like VVS Laxman, Brendon McCullum, Muttiah Muralitharan, Brag Hodge, Sreesanth, Owais Shah, Steven Smith and Parthiv Patel.

Mumbai Indians have retained their four key players starting from Sachin Tendulkar who led the Mumbai Indians for last three editions will also be captain for the upcoming IPL 4. Hard hitting batsmen and useful bowler Kieron Pollard, India’s Turbonator Harbhajan Singh and Yorker specialist Lasith Malinga were the retained players.

Rohit Sharma is the high bided player in the Mumbai Indians team. Rohit Sharma has played last editions with Deccan Chargers; he has the capacity to win a match for his side single handedly. Andrew Symonds former teammate of Rohit Sharma is the Mumbai Indians; as everyone knows Symonds is the most aggressive player. It is very interesting to watch out the dressing with Symonds and Harbhajan Singh. Mumbai Indians squad is filled with Australians and South Africans in the auctioned players list.

Mumbai Indians have bagged few good Indian players from the uncapped list. Ambati Rayudu who played for the Mumbai Indians in the last edition, Dhawal Kulkarini talented all-rounder was also gained by Mumbai Indians.

Mumbai Indians Team IPL 4 2011:

Retained Players:
Sachin Tendulkar (c), Kieron Pollard, Harbhajan Singh, Lasith Malinga.

Auctioned Players:
Rohit Sharma, Andrew Symonds, Aiden Blizzard, James Franklin, Moises Henriques, Davy Jacobs, Clint McKay, Munaf Patel.

Uncapped Players:
Ambati Rayudu, Dhawal Kulkarini, Sarul Kanwar, Ali Murtaza, Rajagopal Sathish, Tirumalasetti Suman, Santosh Yadav, Aditya Tare, Pawan Suyal, Abu Nechim, Yuzendra Chahal.

Coach- Robin Singh, Fielding Coach – Jonty Rhodes.

There is no corruption and match-fixing in IPL. My team has competed in three editions of the IPL and I can say I am very happy that the IPL is clean, Mallya said after talks with ICC President Sharad Pawar at his office in Krishi Bhawan.

The ghost of match-fixing scandal to turn against the world cricket after an alleged fixer Mazhar Majeed said in a covert operation by a British tabloid that several Pakistani cricketers, including captain Salman Butt and Mohammad leading duo Asif and Mohammad Aamer, were involved in the spot-fixing in the third test against England in the Lord.

Majeed also said that apart from spot-fixing, the Pakistani cricketers also involved in determining the outcome of the game.

Mallya said that there is no place for corruption in cricket, and anyone guilty would be dealt with seriously.