Indian Premier League 5!

So now it has gone down to the play offs after 7 weeks of cricketament. We finally have 4 teams to be the champion in the fifth edition of the Indian premier league.

Every good thing has to be surrounded by controversy so I would talk about the good part only and leave the other part on you.

There were some extraordinary things that happened. I think this is the best IPL so far, from last matches finishes to the crowds in the stadium.

Who would have thought that Murali at 40 will be a contender of the Karbon Kalam catch competition, a shot hit on long off can be caught at long on, Clarke will return after his marriage to play in a match whose result doesnt matter, guy who hasnt played any first class match eventually win the match for his team, Dada will be running like a sprinter after he takes the wicket of Peterson, a guy from Jharkhand can be a citi rising star, an unknown face from RR camp can take the hat trick and eventually win the match, a west Indian who is seeking place in national side hitting sixes after sixes and wining matches for RCB single handedly, an another west Indian who is still a mystery for all the batsmen including the great Sachin Tendulkar, Jharkhand boy leading a south Indian side, Dada playing in Eden Garden against Kolkata and driving crowd frenzy in his support, an Australian(where we were treated as second class citizens in 80 when India used to go play there) playing under Gautam Gambhir captaincy, CSK would eventually make it to the play offs from no where (seriously no one can play against Dhoni’s luck), an Australian getting Man of the Match award from the CM of Himanchal Pradesh and who would have thought that a lady from England will be shaking legs with Ajay Jadeja in extra innings T20?

Many times moments froze when Fauf took the stunning catch to get rid off Sachin Tendulkar, Dwayne Smith playing his first match of the season and hitting 14 runs in last 3 balls of Hilffenaus, Danny Morrison dancing on the ground to put the crowd in delirium, and SRK hugging Debrata das after his match winning effort.

Only IPL can make you star over night and guys like Gurkeerat, Chandila, Vaulthaty, Nadeem, Awana, Harmeet Singh can’t deny it.

It surely is the best entertainment, the moment extra inning T20 starts till Shibani Dandekar waves good bye we are all glued to TV. Whatever we say before the match that we would not watch but the time your favorite batsman comes on to bat or Dale Steyn steaming in from the other you can resist yourself watching it. And if you are in the stadium you wouldn’t go for recess even in strategic time out as cheer leaders will keep dancing for the full 150 seconds. You concede it or not but everyone stares them amorously irrespective of any age.

I have a suggestion for the IPL committee: They should start promoting umpires and commentators from this wonderful platform. We have some good commentators like Harsha Bhogle(my best), Sunny Gavashkar, Ravi Shastri , Ganguly (I don’t consider Sidhdhu, Shiv Ramkrishnana, and Madan lal as commentator) but we have dearth of umpires to represent from Indian side in international arena.

Personally I am a big fan of fast bowling; I have loved watching Awana, Yada, Aron, Dhinda, Harshal Patel and Parmeshwaran. It feels extremely good when they touch 150 mark. Though I loved watchng Steyn Morkel Narine Malinga Lee as well. And I think there should be an award for best bowling and best fielding also

So amidst all here comes the important question.

Can Dhoni and his boys given the second chance defend the title, can MI break the shackles of being a good team in league matches but not able to finish it, can DD finish it in high note looking at their performances this year and can SRK finally afford to smile after the unfortunate incidents that happened with him this year.

Keeping my finger crossed for the match against CSK on 23^rd May.

Signing Off

Anil Anuragi

Have a good day!!