#795 Liverpool’s horror March continues as they get knocked out of Champions league; Corona Virus impact has ensured Sports calendar has come to a grand halt probably first time since world war 2; Vasavada-Pujara-Unadkat help Sarashtra win their first ever Ranji title; Australia thrash NZ in first ODI and more...:-)
Liverpool almost have EPl in their pocket. But being defending champions of Champions league, They had to beat Athletico Madrid in 2nd leg of 2nd round after going down 0-1 in first leg. Wijnaldum gave Liverpool the lead just before the break. Though both teams had chances, none scored in 2nd half. Match went into 30 minutes extra time. Firmino gave Liverpool the elad 4 minutes into extra time. That looked like the winner for Liverpool. They looked a bit jaded in last 15 minutes and that showed. Athletico Madrid scored 3 goals in last 13 minutes to shock defending champions 4-2 in aggregate. Llorente scored 2 of those goals. Klopp blamed Athletico Madid style of play for the result which looked like a statement from sore loser. Liverpool looked like winning FA cup, champions league and EPL when March started. Baring EPL, they have been knocked out from other 2 cups. It’s a shocking turn of events. Leipzig thrashed Spurs 4-0 in aggregate to storm to next round. Atlanta outclassed Valencia 8-4 in aggregate to move to next round. PSG overcame first leg deficit to win it 3-2 against Dortmund.
Australia faced NZ in ODI series at home in front of empty stadium (corona virus impact). No spectators was allowed. Fifties by Warner, Finch and Labuschagne gave Australia a total of 258-7. They looked good to get 300 at half way stage. NZ though never looked like getting closer to the target. 3 wickets each by Cummins and Marsh helped Australia beat NZ by 71 runs. NZ look like winning just at home. They struggle in flat conditions across the world. Rest of the series was called off due to travel restrictions. First ODi if India-SA was abandoned due to rain. Rest of the series was called off due to same reason. Formula 1, tennis , rest of champions league have been called off for next 4-6 weeks due to corona virus related impact. IPL has also been moved by 3 weeks. Augusta Masters has been postponed for the first time since world war 2.
In Ranji trophy finals, Saurashtra faced Bengal. Saurashtra had lost in finals 3 times in last 7 years and had yet to win a title. Bengal had a record of losing 11 of 13 finals so far. Saurashtra scored 425 thanks to a brilliant century by Vasavada and fifties by Pujara Barot and VM Jadeja. 142 stand between Vasavada and Pujara was the vital cog in this innings. Last wicket stand of 37 between Unadkat and DA Jadeja was vital too. Fifties by Chatterjee, Saha, and Majumder gave Bengal hope. They were placed at 225-3 and 361-6 at one stage. But Unadkat had the better of Saurastra on final day morning. He helped Saurashtra dismiss Bengal for 381. That final wicket stand of 37 proved vital. Saurashtra won the first Ranji trophy based on first innings lead.