IPL Time

It is yet another IPL season, and this time it is South Africa who have got the opportunity to show case the biggest cricketing event, only next to the world cups. Not sure, whether even the last T20 world cup churned out so many spectators and so much fanfare. Yesterday featured the Match-10 of the tournament and man, what a finish. It was the first nail biting and dramatic end of any match played so far. Even the Chennai-Delhi match's fate was decided, once Freddie got out. Anyway, the tournament is underway and each team has a long way to go. 

If Lalit Modi had to battle with the Indian Government to get security clearance, he has to fight a different battle here. It is with the rain gods. Not a single day passes, without an inherent threat with the heavens opening up. My much awaited show off between Sachin and Shane was a disaster. Not a single ball was bowled. Hope, we get to see a battle Royale between the two again.

I am trying my best to write before each match, analysing the strengths and weaknesses of the teams playing on that day. Anyway, it is much better than doing a post mortem analysis. 

Today Yuvraj's Kings XI Punjab are taking on Bangalore Royal Challengers. The RC guys have got it completely wrong after their first shocking victory against Rajasthan. Other than Rahul Dravid, nobody seems to be in any kind of a form, let alone score some big runs. The inclusion of Jesse and Ross from the Kiwi camp hasn't brought any result so far. Poor Mallya, somebody seems to be ill advising him. KP, the co-owner of the costliest player tag is yet to make any impact with the bat. He has only managed to get a warning for showing dissent. Poor fellow, the ghosts of the Indian and West Indian tours are still haunting him. Poor guy, tries too much to emulate Shane Warne in leading a bunch of players with lot of star value.

I think Ray Jennings has got some kind of an inclination towards South African players, otherwise, who would prefer Kallis over Cameroon White. Poor White could neither gain the confidence of Australians. A T20 specialist brought to India to play test matches, just for the credential that he can turn the ball 2 inches, his confidence shattered, now he finds his place only in the RC dug out. 

Robin Uthappa is yet another flop so far. He has no clue of how to play the moving ball. Could only wack some air with the bat and when he finds the ball in the middle of the bat, oh boy, he finds some fielder as well. 

The only glimmering hope for RC is Dravid, a big surprise for everyone but not for me. He is atleast living upto thinking that Test cricketers can still play T20 better. Think he is a making a statement to 20 world cup probables. But what could he possibly do, when half of the team is back in the dug out and he is expected to dig the team out of danger. A typical role for him, but he doesn't have the luxury to get his toe clamped to the crease as in a test match. The match ends before he begins to cut lose. May be, he should be playing a parallel game before coming to the middle. 

As of today, Bangalore Chennai and Kolkatta all sail the same boat. Played 3, won 1, lost 2. If RC wins this match, they get pushed into the top 4. They have to do some serious changes at the top of the order. Open with someone like Virat Kohli. If someone with a stature of Parthiv Patel can whack Dale Steyn for a Six, Kohli could atleast clear the infield and scamper for a two.Bring Uthappa at the end. He would be happy not to play the boomeranging ball. Bring in Dravid at No.3. That is the position beat suited for him and the team as well. Kallis should make way for Cameroon White. No need to play him even after KP had left for international duty. Jennings can learn at least one thing from the Davis Cup.  'Non-playing captain'. A toss could decide between Jesse and Ross. I prefer Jesse over Ross, for he has taken some wickets. The only bowling hope for RC is Dale Steyn. 

Punjab team can be written off from the contest. Other than Ravi Bopara and Yuvraj, nobody promises. Their bowling is in pieces. I think somebody had done a reverese encouragement of Irfan Pathan by pipping him to be the next Wasim Akram. Poor guy, he took this wrong advice and gave up his swing bowling. Today, he is not even a shadow of what he was 3 years ago.

Let us see, what happens tonight.