The IPL is exactly one week old and the excitement has been fascinating. After some upsets on Day 1 with the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals losing, the tournament is shaping out to be another roaring success, save for the rain interruptions.
Sometimes I think if more countries played cricket, we would have lesser famines and droughts in the world
The first week has provided some really thrilling games with yesterday Apr 23, 2009, being the most special. After a superb defense by the Delhi Daredevils or should I say a choke from the Super Kings, the game between Rajasthan Royals and the Kolkata Knight Riders is clearly the game of the tournament so far.
Once again, the leadership of Shane Warne has to be commended, the things that he does on the field are amazing and it is a shame that he did not lead Australia on more occasions. Had he not taken the medication (drugs) that his mum gave him before the World Cup game in 2003, I think he would have been Australia's captain and not Ricky Ponting.
Yusuf Pathan was magnificient and to treat the mystery of Ajantha Mendis with such utter disdain says a lot of his character. He is such a clean hitter of the ball and his ability to clear even the biggest of grounds makes him the most apt player for this form of the game.
The other highlights for me in IPL2 are the manner in which the Deccan Chargers are playing. Clearly the new captain, coach and uniforms have made a big difference to these guys. They have won both their matches comfortably with a great degree of professionalism. Adam Gilchrist is still showing that he has a lot of cricket in him and all the criticism that he received towards the end of his career are now a thing of the past. A good thing for India is that Rohit Sharma is showing some good form too.
One has to mention the performance of my favourite player of all times - the man, the god, Sachin Tendulkar. He has been on the field for just one game, however, he is displaying an amazing sense of purpose with every move that he makes. He batted brilliantly in the first game and led the team on the field with the only aim to win.
The Delhi Daredevils do look as the strongest unit of paper and have shown that on the field in the two games that they have played. They've not used the newbie Dave Warner as yet or have called on the services of the veteran Glenn McGrath and they look undefeatable.
My quote for the week, "I've never been left out from a squad." McGrath replying to Mark Nicholas' question during the first game of the Delhi Daredevils if he has ever been left out of a team.
My dance for the week - Jeremy Coney, Dancing with the Chennai Super Kings cheerleaders and playing a shot over fine leg
My ball of the week - Shane Warne drawing out Bala Akhil (Bangalore Royal Challengers) from his crease and then bowling him out. The true wizard of leg spin bowling
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