Short games but long tournament.

Greed on the steering wheel and stupidity as a co-passenger are driving the IPL into a new journey. What started as a pleasant trip is turning into a never-ending journey. A tournament that began with a flourish, completely overshadowing the rival ICL in every way, captivated entire India and much of the cricket following western world. Everyone associated himself with the team of closest proximity to where they hailed from. Not an exception, I was backing Chennai Super Kings, never minding that it was led by MS DHONI and opened with Hayden and Parthiv Patel. For the first times since the radio days, I was supporting the Aussies. It was refreshingly new. Huge totals were put in the first few games, making one feel for the bowlers, do they deserve such a treatment. Nevertheless, it was thorough-bred entertainment from start to finish. Each game was anticipated and followed very closely.

As the tournament progressed and as the Aussies and NZealanders disappeared to show up for their country against WI and England respectively, as the pitch started deteriorating and as bowlers began to understand their role better, totals were falling. The pressure to perform might have been a factor. With a few exceptions, great names with huge price tag looked very ordinary and very inconsistent. It was always beyond me why people pay huge sums for a piece of art only because the artist was popular. It was foolish to me. Now they are not alone.


Rajasthan seems to have a magic formula to T20 cricket. Other teams went with the direction of the wind, winning a few and losing the rest. . Maybe because Chennai is losing, but I am getting tired of the length of a tournament. It is afterall a shortened version of the game to keep up with the fast pace of modern man. It seems never-ending. Low totals and some ordinary cricket have blown away the initial charm. Now I can't wait for the semi finals and the finals to get over. And why are the semis and finals, all, scheduled in Mumbai? I hope Mumbai doesn't make it to the semis. This will hurt the greedy organizers. Chennai is hopeless. Yet, I am rooting for MS Dhoni' Super Kings. Bring Back Hayden! Bring home the Ugly Cup.