Who’s going all the way ?

A few people asked me today whether i was sitting on the fence wrt the semi-finalists for IPL 2010?

Nope – absolutely not. I already gave my gut call to friends a couple of weeks ago. Just haven’t had time to

write much this time around. And also, truth be told – its a very tough call this year. The teams are much better balanced – most have figured out what works and the experience of the last two years is showing.

Nevertheless – I’ll go out on a limb. In no particular order.,

1. Delhi Daredevils: Despite the recent losses, the batting is so strong that they have the firepower to win any game. And unlike last year they aren't peaking early.

2. Bangalore Royal Challengers: The most balanced team – even without Ross Taylor,KP & White still to come. Solid batting, the worlds fastest bowlers (pace and spin)& an enthusiastic youth brigade.

3. Mumbai Indians: I am warming up to my home team. Tendulkar looks very determined to get them there this year. Bowling was always strong but the X factor West Indians along with Duminy (who will play at some stage) will see them through. I just think they should drop Jayasuriya post haste – maybe he’ll prove me wrong but he’s past his sell-by-date.

4. Kolkata Knight Riders: Probably the most controversial of the lot. Somehow my instinct is that Dada will do his damndest to end his career on a high. An inconsistent start notwithstanding; once Gayle & McCullum join they will combine with Hodge, Matthews to provide the firepower & Bond , Kartik & Co are not pushovers.

Probably the least likely of any predictions but i did say I’d stick my neck out.

What about the rest?

Well it is the tightest IPL ever. (i) Deccan is in great touch but i think ‘age’ will creep up (Gilchrist, Symonds, Gibbs, Vaaz, Laxman could prove me wrong but its an ‘old’ team). (ii) Chennai: always a strong team. They’ll miss Dhoni for a bit & beyond Hayden i don't see much of the ‘X’ factor. Plus, i am not as inspired by their bowling.(iii) Punjab: This could be the dark horse despite the worst start. They have the balance (banish Sreesanth instantly though) & i do want to see more of Preity Zinta so it will be great if they can scrape through. I fear that they may have too much to do at the end esp, if they lose to Chennai tomorrow. (iv)Finally, the Rajasthan Royals. I still have a very soft spot for this motley crew but somehow it cant always be Yusuf vs the opponents. Some bad luck with injuries, some ugly selection decisions but overall they’ll continue to conjure magical wins - just not enough.

2010 IPL – surprises galore …

So its week 2 of the IPL and its well on it’s way. I couldn’t get to covering this from the get go as i would have liked but here’s a start for the IPL. And it’s been a tight unpredictable affair (but then that’s 20-20). Consider some of the astonishing facts.

1. Biggest Surprise: KKR wins two on the trot – against the 2 finalists from last years version. Then goes on to lose the next two games – hammered by Chennai and even by the un fancied Rajasthan Royals.

2. 200 is nothing: Mumbai scores 212 and almost loses the game (Yusuf plays the innings of his life to get them within one stroke of victory). Punjab Kings XI scores 200+ & does lose the game.

3. Play ’mate’ of the year: A bizarre selection of Damien Martyn by Shane Warne for the Royals. Retired in 2006; 39 years of age, last played ODI Nov 2006, last played T20 in 2008 for the under-par ICL. No clear rationale except Shane wanted an Australian ‘mate’ in the dressing room for the 6 weeks in India

4. A royal dose of bad luck: The Rajasthan royals had this last year as well but this time its quite bizarre. Even before the start Ravindra Jadeja got banned for 12 months; then Graeme Smith & Dmitri Mascarenhas got injured and now there’s a risk that Shane Watson (who they don't have till Apr 1 in any case may be injured). And of course their strange selections.

5. Most notable underperformers: Has to be the Delhi Daredevils duo of AB De Villiers and Dilshan. Stars from 2009; this duo has underperformed so much (Dilshan has two ducks and hasn't scored over 20 in his first 4 games – the ugly hoick here says it all) that the only reason they are still in the team is Gambhir’s injury.

As a team though it’s got to be the Kings XI – Preity Zinta needs to find some special way to motivate the players.

6. The charge of the ‘old brigade’: The oldies aren’t doing too badly in the young man’s game. From 5 Captains (Tendu, Dada, Gilly, Kumble, Warnie) ; some big hitters in Symonds & Hayden & leading wicket takers in Vaaz & Kumble .

7. Exception to the rule: VVS Laxman & Damien Martyn: embarrassing exceptions – completely confused in trying to modify their classy game and come across as a bunch of sloggers who are in the wrong stadium. Thankfully Laxman was put out of his misery as he was injured due to a freak throw from a Punjab fielder.

8. The revelation of the tournament: Jacque Kallis. What can i say – nobody has been able to get him out in 4 innings (aggregating over 250 runs already and wickets to boot). For someone who endured so much abuse in 2008 to turn in around to be the player of the tournament so far – simply outstanding. In fact i think he may be the best player of the last 12 months overall – but more on that in another post…

For now – the IPL is well on its way and is unpredictable - however i think will become more predictable as it goes along and we’ll know the top 4 by week 3.