The 6th edition of IPL has ended in controversial circumstances. And not just one - Spot-fixing, Betting, Conflict of Interest. However, I decided to step aside (:P) from these matters and keep championing the cause of Jharkhand cricket. Jharkhand made it to the Ranji quarter-finals, yet compared to last year, fewer Jharkhand boys appeared in the IPL. Here is a quick performance summary.
- Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) - Team Captain - 18 matches, 461 runs (SR 163), 15 Catches, 2 Stumpings. In better form this year. Continues his tendency to leave the final assault a little late but does it all himself. The only batsman to take apart Dale Steyn in this IPL. Some of his captaincy decisions did confound like coming behind Ashwin in the batting order. Off the field had fun creating the legend of "Sir Jadeja". However, the conflict of interest stories at the end of the league has sullied his reputation a little.
- Shahbaz Nadeem (Delhi Daredevils) - 12 matches, 9 wickets (ER - 5.88), 5 catches. Probably the only player who came out with his reputation intact from the miserable Delhi Daredevils season. The Jharkhand skipper actually improved upon his performances from the last season. could be in line for an India A call, maybe as a back-up left arm spinner to Pragyan Ojha.
- Saurabh Tiwary (Royal Challengers Bangalore) - 9 matches, 109 runs (SR 103), 2 catches. Why RCB retained him at a $1.6 Million contract is a mystery to me. Last season wasn't particularly great. And Tiwary did not have much to do this season as well. He did get one half -century but couldn't really seal his spot even in the brittle RCB middle order.
- Rahul Shukla (Rajasthan Royals) - 3 matches, 3 wickets (ER 9.87 ), 2 catches. Shifted from Mumbai Indians to Rajasthan Royals. Got more chances than last year. Had one decent outing against KKR but nothing much after that. Did come on as a substitute on occasion.
So only 4 players participated in the IPL6 down from last year's 7. No new ones made their debut. Varun Aaron missed out due to injury. While Ishank Jaggi & Sunny Gupta were dropped from their respective teams.
Hoping to see more players in action next year.
It is very difficult to sustain in IPL squad unless the players are not fit and doesn't able to prove their skills in consecutive matches. MSD lead his team well and takes the bales off in fraction of seconds when the batsmen comes out of grease and he stands at top of fantasy cricket when compared with other players.
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