Its IPL final today!!!! Its been a rollicking series of matches. Due to security reasons the IPL was shifted out of India to South Africa. It has been great to see an even contest between bat and ball. Apart from Delhi and to an extent Chennai’s Batting, none of the teams have been able to perform consistently. Correction, I think I should say perform consistently well, because KKR have been consistent in losing and playing mediocre cricket. Today I want to discuss the each and every team with it’s progress. After all, that is what every Indian is good at, criticizing it’s cricketers.
KKR: Undoubtedly the worst team of the year. As I said, they were unbelievably consistent in losing the matches from winning positions. Whether is was against RR where they had 5 wickets in hand with 7 to get from 8 with Ganguly at his best or gifting Taylor low full tosses for hitting sixes or giving 26 runs in the final over against Deccan. The only positive thing was the batting of Hodge who with his traditional stroke play scored bulk of KKR’s runs.
MI: Mumbai was truly the most confused side. They were never sure about the batting order or bowling order. What I didn’t understand the lack of talent in local boys. Apart from Ajiknya Rahane and Abhishek Nayar they hardly had any player from the victorious Ranji Team. Sachin is the best batsman in the world, but certainly not a good captain. Most of his field placement lacked any innovation.
RR: They failed because of their batting. Too much dependence on Pathan and Warne lead to their downfall. How can you explain that your openers have a strike rate less than 100 in T20.
KXIP: This was one side which had more bowlers than batsman. I mean how many teams boast of playing 6 bowlers plus their their skipper as part timer picking up 2 hat-tricks. Pathan-Lee-Powar-Chawla-Mota-Srisanth-Yuvraj… beat that for a bowling attack. But then you also have to bat,no?
DC: They started off well, but lost their way in the middle. They have good top order with Rohit Sharma as a finisher but the lower middle order is inexperienced and was seen crumbling under pressure. Bowling department is good with R. P. Singh almost certain to take away the Purple cap, well supported by Ojha, Suman, Sharma and Harris.
BCR: This team makes me laugh. The great KP was brought to change its fortunes, but they just two matches out of the six matches he captained. It was Kumbale who turned the tide and took his team to final. Some players came good at the right time for RCB, like van der Marve, Taylor, Pandye, Kallis. I guess RCB is going to win this IPL.
CSK: Dhoni’s men were all set to get into the final with their strong batting line up. But once it faltered, CSK could do little in the Semis. Haydon and Raina tore most of bowling attacks apart. Murali was at his best this year with the kind of economy rate which one could be proud even in ODIs.
DD: Daredevils were the most balanced side in the IPL. World’s best T20 openers, formidable middle order, variety in bowling attack and excellent fielders. What else do you need? I guess luck. In T20s one batsman can take the game away from you in the matter of few overs. It happened in the Semis with Gilly making 85 in no time. It was also disappointing to see Mc’grath warming the bench for 15 games. It is shame that such a great bowler didnt get a single game to play.
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