IPL 2 - The saga so far ....

The results have been somewhat expected. But the games have been more of truncated one-dayers than true T20 humdingers, thus styming the excitement..Suspect the players are still adapting..

So, on to the Leader Board - the defeat of CSKs in the first one hadn't been forecast by the Weathermen, hence, it came as a bit of a surprise.. .However, that loss is easy to account for..It was essentially due to the tactical error by MSD as most have opined. No Murali was a factor but worse was MSD not coming up the order at 18/2 like he did today.....

That the kings from Punjab were smashed was pretty much on the cards -makes me wonder who is deciding their bowling line-up ? The Royals' ship capsized and would likely suffer the same fate albeit the spell of bowling from Warnie has been the biggest joy...The way he set up Kohli and Akhil was completely mind-blowin.What a bowler !

Deccan Chargers' victory over KKR merits more print than others ...One had thought that KKR would perhaps roll over the Chargers, but amazing discipline shown by the Chargers and you know what - KKR look to be headed for that bottom pile as per forecasts....Dada was woeful, he really shouldn't play. I can't cringe about that anymore . Sadly, he is writing his epitaph in just the wrong form of the game...He should relax, have tea, and run his restaurant....Cricket for him should just be a blast from the past...

Now Dravid.. Although he has done his bit, but his brand of t20 isnt too exciting. Here, one expects the youngsters to take the stage and light it up...I have nothing against Dravid - he is undoubtedly one of the best India has ever produced, but I'd rather see the pure & pristine Dravid in a test match; the crash -boom -bang theory is for other students, not him...Same for Kumble....So wrapping up on the point of Old & Gold - Old is indeed gold but T20 needs the new glitter not the old treasure.

(Btw, RCs have so much of talent that they can't be ignored , but it seems that they can't gel well and play together...)

Final prognosis (for today :)) - the equations could change in the coming days - the Chargers may upset the applecart of one or two of the teams if the play with the same intensity and the Mumbai Indians could also become serious contenders not just rank outsiders....But even if that happens, the Daredevils , who seem firmly perched on their lofty mantle, do seem to have the wherewithal to cross the checkered flag first.....Veeru's captaincy is the only thing that could land them for that fatally long pit stop..

In fact, I am tempted to wager my last quids on the Daredevils or the CSKs, but for now, my mints are safely ensconced in my good old wallet. ...

Cricket in America

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Obamatch-NY-Yankees-vs-Mumbai-Indians/articleshow/4431612.cms

Interesting facts including one which states that the first international game on cricket was between Canada and USA in 1844 ! read on...

Worst Airports are from India !

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_has_three_of_worlds_worst_airports/articleshow/3961794.cms

Best Cricket Books.....

1/3/09

This article on cricinfo describes the best books written on cricket . I have read 2 of these 42 books only, both of them being my favorite..I have read many more which are good which do not feature in here which means that the ones listed in here must really be very very good. Will be trying to source these and read when time lets me.

http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/369211.html