IPL5 - Post2

Not following the IPL much this time around. Sign of cricketing overdose. But still switch on to SET Max every night because it is the best thing on air. Random observations on the IPL so far.

• Too many last over finishes making things seem a bit fishy.
• Add the messed up points table where almost every team except the Chargers is near to the top of the table. Things become fishier
• Indian performances going backwards compared to the foreign contingent. Not good signs for the future. Where is this year's Paul Valthaty or Manish Pandey? Shahbaz Nadeem is the only domestic player who has made some name for himself.
• Saurav Ganguly still HAS the passion. And thats why he keeps coming back. And thats why I admire him.
• IPL 5 certainly seems to be the last time we will be we seeing Gilchrist and Murali. 
• Dravid & Rahane - what an elegant combo. Period.
• Wondering if the drama & hoopla behind IPL will last longer with the sponsors reducing (most of the ads are for Sony SIX, MIX, MAX & PIX and Indian Idol), owners in trouble (Mallya's airlines), and stars fading away.

IPL5

IPL5 has started, with presumably much less interest than the earlier editions. (I know why my following has been reduced). But still have managed to catch a few glimpses of the games going on so far. A few random observations on the events so far.

• I get to see the retired fellows again. Rahul Dravid batting & Dada's captaincy are good  enough reasons  to follow IPL
• Is there a more "elegant" T20 batsman than Ajinkya Rahane? He is making even Dravid look a bit ugly. (Aside - Have declared Rahane as Dravid's successor in the Indian team)
• How does Rajasthan Royals put up such a fight with hardly any big names?
• How does KKR continue to find itself near to the bottom of the heap even after picking proven & effective T20 performers.
• Why Mumbai Indians wasting so many talented players in the reserves?
• West Indies cricket is the biggest loser in IPL

Just a few thoughts to open this season of IPL.