IPL Quirks, Comments and Random Thoughts

Quotes

“I think I will donate the money to Mother Teresa or something like that.”
Shoaib Akhtar explains what he will do with the proceeds after auctioning his Kolkata Knight Riders helmet

Does Shoaib realize that he cannot meet her on earth? And “something like that” …. I can’t find words to describe his charitable intention.

“I am as dedicated to my Knights as I am to my kids.” Shah Rukh in an sms

Does SRK need to be so “filmi”? Seriously I hope this is just a dialog and not his attitude. SRK, most of us would like to believe that you are much more dedicated to your kids than your team and are okay with that.

“My team told me that they have yet to meet a better human being than me. This is a huge compliment.” Shah Rukh again.

SRK do you really need this validation? And please have Shoaib introduce the team to “Mother Theresa and some others like that” – they need to meet more people.

Quotes referenced from cricinfo.

Misnomers:

Deccan Chargers: Unstoppables – They have been very much stoppable, and while choosing this tagline, the marketing folks completely failed to account for an average/below average season. Similarly the “hum jeetange shaan se” of Bangalore – you first need to win.

Title Songs:

I think SRK’s song/dance beats Priety’s song/dance routine. For the first few times I saw the SRK one, I simply thought it was a new song in a movie. By the time I realized it was their theme song, I was much surprised as I did not see too much cricket/cricketers in it. Probably a successful marketing strategy though.

Any thoughts/comments/quotes to add?

Dhoni as a captain

Prior to the IPL, despite the T-20 world cup and the Australia ODI series, I have not been a full fledged fan of MSD. Somehow I thought he was just one step better than Yuvi and was riding a lot on his luck (with too much fluff). But the IPL has made me a convert especially seeing all the other captains in action at the same time.

• He takes victories and defeats in his stride.
• He is able to get the maximum out of the team at hand.
• He is aware of the situation (like the fact that D/L method would come into play against KKR).
• I like his comments like “sone ke liya baadh may waqt milege”.
• His keeping is good – because he makes very few mistakes at the crunch times.
• His batting has evolved – he is batting more responsibly but still with aggression – imagine if he did an Afridi (here one minute, gone the next) the Indian fan base/media will eat him up.
• He is probably very aware that these “good times” with full adulation will eventually end for him and someone else will take on the mantle (something Ganguly does not seem ready for). So he “appears” to take this with equanimity – though maximizing the money and fame in the meantime :-)
• And his off-field style is great :-) He carries himself very well.

Things he can improve:

• His post match conferences when he sometimes targets “his opening batsmen” or “weak bowling”, can be more diplomatic.
• Not sure if he is open to new ideas?

What are your thoughts on Dhoni as a captain?

To be on the wrong side of a last ball win in a final

I think Dhoni would be feeling entirely different emotions than what happened at the T-20 worldcup final, much like many of the CSK fans must be feeling. It was a great match to watch – a fitting tribute to a successful IPL year. There will be many ifs in this match, but CSK can take heart that a “not a very fancied team ” (after Hayden, Hussey and Oram left ) still did very well.

Looking back: sending Kapugedra ahead of Badrinath may have costed some runs – as Kapu has barely played in the last few matches and had not looked in touch. The catch that Raina dropped off Pathan – RR could have been reeling at that point (but Raina has been brilliant otherwise and I sometimes forget he is only 21). The last one of course is the last over wide/run by Balaji/Patel. But despite these it looked like “midas” just moved away…

Congrats CSK team for a good season.

Looking ahead to the next season:

-need to get some strong Indian bowlers (who can also bat). Joginder/Balaji struggled in many matches – and CSK need to have more options.

-If Hayden, Hussey, Ntini, Murali, Morkel, Oram are all available, fit and in form next year, and the 4 player international limit stays, more local talent is needed in the bowling department.

Your thoughts on this season for IPL and the what the next one holds?

CSK vs RR – The finals

CSK are the underdogs again!

Concerns for the CSK from the semi-final

• Vidyut getting out in the same manner every match…
• Balaji’s bowling at the death.
• Fielding – should have effected one more run-out (though the catching has been good).

Things CSK can take into the final

• CSK has really played well in the last 3 matches.
• Graeme Smith – “rock at the top” is out for the match. So whoever replaces him (Akmal?) will not handle the pressure as easily as Smith might have.
• Raina’s catch, batting, fielding – has been great.
• The semi-final is atleast the second match for Chennai where there was no clear “man of the match”. It was an all out team effort. I thought they should have awarded it to be shared by Ntini, Gony and Raina and Patel.

Hoping for a good match with a CSK win!

Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab: A clinical performance

Gony and Ntini came up with an inspired spell as hoped for.. I did not think KXIP’s batting would collapse as much as it did . Some reasons why maybe.

• CSK/Dhoni made sure CSK were tagged as the underdogs so all the pressure was on KXIP.
• The game between KXIP-RR, gave the KXIP a little bit of false confidence.
• CSK having played several pressure matches in the last few games.
• Starting with Murali – though it did not work, was a good move.
• Great bowling by Ntini/Gony leveraging RR’s strategy from the previous game.
• Continuing to bowl out Ntini/Gony – Dhoni going for the kill and maintaining the pressure.
• Employing a short mid on by Dhoni/Ntini against Marsh (got the wicket right away) – inspired?
• The game against RCB – so that we got out the complacence during the chase.

Things that surprised me during the CSK innings about Yuvraj’s captaincy.

• Why did Sreesanth bowl only one over?
• Why did Yuvraj not crowd the batsmen, have more attacking field when Piyush and Powar were bowling?
• They seemed to have given up the match after their batting. Even RCB showed more spunk.

Hats off to Kumar Sangakkara – seriously deserves a fair play award.

Congrats to the CSK team and looking forward to the finals!