India's political and cricket fortunes

Well, the events that unfolded over the last few weeks have been quite invigorating, bit like a roller-coaster ride. It couldn't have been better with the IPL happening both on and off the field (Indian Premier League & the Indian Political League).

Firstly, the uncertainty over any sort of clear majority in the Loksabha elections was palpable. The IPL in South Africa was pretty much similar. For, almost 6 teams jostled for a place in the top four to make it through to the semi-finals. Like the Congress and BJP which formed the fulcrum in their respective alliances (UPA & NDA) with numerous smaller parties revolving around, the Delhi Daredevils and Chennai Superkings were probably the big players on field with the rest beating around the bush trying to have their share of pie.

The mandate looked to be clearly divided with no clear winner emerging. So much so, that the leaders from relatively smaller parties like Mayawati, Sharad Pawar nursed ambitions to become the Prime Minister. While the BSP's and NCP's ebbed away, the resurgence of Royal Challengers and Deccan chargers is a distinctive part between the elections and cricket with the underdogs emerging victorious.For Royal Challenger's the road to the top has been a challenging one especially to stage a comeback after four loses. A testament of the team's will to succeed despite all odds.

The last three matches (Royals Vs KKR, KingsXI Vs Superkings and Royal Challengers Vs Deccan Chargers) were almost like the days before the counting on May 16 with no winners in sight and every party bargaining with every other party in town. While the Royals went down without a fight against the battered Knightriders, KingsXI despite losing to Chennai seemed to be in contention for the semi-finals provided the Royal Challengers lost by huge margins. For Kings XI to make it to the top four, required Deccan Chargers to chase a total of 170 by 11.2 overs, which was quite unlikely.

On the field the wait and the anticipation finally ended with the Royal Challengers joining Daredevils, Deccan and Superkings. At last the points table looked as stable as the people's mandate for the Congress and its allies. Of course, the aftermath was evident with the market shooting up 2000 points like the upsurge of the Royal Challengers. An upsurge that wasn't serendipitous.

With the party's and teams having made and shown great promises it remains to seen if they have the wherewithal to deliver when it really matters.