This year's IPL is hotting up! I thought this is the right time to enter the blogging community on the world net! Especially after watching the match between Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals played at Chepauk, Chennai, on the 3rd of April'10, any IPL fan would be very happy at the prospects of this yearly event! A few years back from now in an ODI, when Australia made a 430+ and South Africa managed to chase that down, the cricketing world gave a stunned look at it. But later did we realise that it had shown very little of the future of Cricket to come! CSK's opener M Vijay, played an incredible innings of 127 of just 56 balls comprising of 11 sixes and 8 fours. This innings will certainly go down as one of the best the game has ever witnessed. He made the RR's bowling look very weak. Well, that is what many say, but I couldn't remember how weak their bowling was, because Vijay didn't let me concentrate on anything other than his magic with the bat. He was literally weaving black magic out there with that little stick in his hand. He seemed to be hitting everything that came his way. The innings was like a highlights package. With very good support at the other end from Albertus Morkel, the all rounder from South Africa, who in this edition of IPL has been found wanted of some form, the CSK innings got shooted up to 246/5 in 20 overs. After CSK posted such a huge score on board, certainly the odds were stacked against the RRs. They had to play their skin-out to reach anywhere closer to this target. But guess what, with another spectacular opening knock by Naman Ojha, the wicket keeper batsman, RRs almost made it. It was incredible that they could reach so close even after loosing the most fearsome batsman in their batting line up, Yusuf Pathan, for a cheap score. When many felt that the difference between the two teams on the day was Murali Vijay's innings, I undoubtedly felt that the man who really made the difference was this tall Australian fast bowler from down under, who joined the team just hours before the match flying all the way from New Zea Land, Doug Bollinger. Not only did he manage to finish his quota of 4 overs giving away just 15 runs, he also picked up two vital wickets. And more importantly, he took one of the most skillful and also the most mindful catches in the history of the game, to get rid of the hard hitting all rounder from the RRs, Yusuf Pathan. His wicket really made a difference. The reason I say that is, the RRs lost the match by just 23 runs and if Yusuf had stayed for a little longer, he would have certainly made things much easier for Naman and also another terrific talent that joined the RRs from down under, the Australian all rounder, Shane Watson. It was a game that went CSK's way just not because of the heroics of Vijay, but certainly because of the heroics of Doug Bollinger. Though he had a big score on the board to back him, 15 runs in 4 overs with 2 wickets and a great catch to get rid of the most dangerous batsman in the opponent team, speaks volumes about his ability. Also he was the only bowler who had an economy rate (3.75) of even under 8 in the whole match. CSK badly needed such a performer with the ball. Hope he stays fit to help guide CSK to greater heights in the series.
In the other match that took place on the same night, Mumbai Indians Vs Deccan Chargers Hyderabad, IPL once again showed, how much of a help it does to identify or even groom young talent for Indian cricket. Though the batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar got out after scoring a modest 35, MIs managed to reach a total of 178. Thanks to the level of maturity, guts and determination shown by the young brigade of the MIs. Ambati Rayudu's well paced 55 and Saurabh Tiwary's slam dunk 44, made a huge difference in the match. Chargers had the most suitable bowling line up on a track that offered some assistance to slower bowlers. But the Ambati and Saurabh made the hitting look so easy. Though the score was close to 180, which has almost become a benchmark for teams batting first in this edition of IPL, to be a winning score, most of the fans watching the match thought that DCs have a great chance to win the game, as MIs didn't have a decent spinner apart from the Turbanator whose form has also been found wanting this season, to curtail the Gillys, the Herschelles and the Symos. But the MIs have always had these more than useful little all rounders like Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo, who can bowl some very useful slower balls on a pitch which assisted that kind of bowling. These guys also give 100% everytime on the field of play, be it with the ball, bat or their body while fielding. They always give a 100% to the MIs. Their plan of sticking to the Basics and some fantastic out fielding and catching, helped them emerge as winners once again and keep their dream run going in this edition of IPL. For the form they are in, it wouldn't be a surprise for many, if the most successful batsman in the history of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, lifts the title this time for the MIs.
The points table gives a very interesting look now. Apart from the MIs, no other can be rated as favourites. RCB and DD are with 10 points each right behind the MIs, but CSK, RRs and KKR, are just a win away from becoming on par with them. And never underestimate Gilly's boys. They are the defending champs and once Gilly becomes clever to include back Chaminda Vaas in the side, then I am sure they will have it in them to turn around the table. Who knows though down and out now, the KXIP may anytime play some major roles in the future of this edition. So, the season has really got hotter now. More TV hits for Sony MAX and also for many other Cricket telecasters and websites. Its all raining sixers in the stadium and its all raining money in the IPL market! Already my butt is on the corner of my chair while typing this...imagine a victorious MS lifting the title...a real dream come true for a CSK fan like me :)
Will be back soon with my keys... Cheers :)
