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.

IPL is more International

The critics wrote it off, the former cricketer's disliked the shorter format and some believed the city based culture was hard to establish given the nationalistic sentiment about the game in India. By and large there were more skeptics than an optimistic audience.

But the IPL took off with a bang, with a hope to nurture young Indian cricketers giving them an opportunity one could never ever fathom about - sharing the same dressing room with the connoisseurs of the game or effecting a run chase with Sachin Tendulkar or setting a field in consultation with Adam Gilchrist or a keeper saying "Common Warney" when Shane Warne is about to bowl! The IPL was a boon that began with a boom, no doubt.

Now in the middle of the second leg of the IPL one wonders if the IPL has actually had one of its objective fulfilled, which is to have some fine young prospects forming the back bone of Indian cricket. With 8 teams and over 60 Indian players, the percentage of an Indian prospect outshining a player of international repute is very negligible. Barring a few like Ravindra Jadeja, Shadab Jakati, Abhishek Nayar, Rajat Bhatia and Pradeep Sangwan the rest of the chunk has failed to create any considerable impact.

Time and again the onus has been on the established players to either make or break the game. While the IPL was expected to have some young talent shining through amidst the galaxy of stars, its still players like Hayden, Gilchrist, Tendulkar and Warne who continue to reign.

The game against Mumbai and Royals (May 14th) was an example of the inability of the Indian talent to take responsibility and perform. The idea of sending Yogesh Takawale and Rahane up the order before Sachin and Jayasurya backfired. Eventually it was upto Sachin to help resurrect Mumbai Indians. The Royal Challenger's, Bangalore have been largely dependent on the experience of Anil Kumble while the likes of Robin Uthappa, Karan Sharma, Rajesh Bishnoi haven't delivered as expected. Similarly, Chennai SuperKings have been doing well, thanks to Matthew Hayden and Delhi with AB De Villiers and Dirk Nannes. And for Punjab its a certain Yusuf Abdulla from SouthAfrica.

While a few performances have been heartening, its the international players who have been the kingmakers of the IPL. However the experience of being the subordinates amidst all the master's is sure to keep them in good stead. And with a hope they will rule one fine day.

Batting
ML Hayden -> 486(Runs)

AC Gilchrist -> 329(Runs)

SK Raina -> 322(Runs)

AB de Villiers -> 315(Runs)

SR Tendulkar -> 307(Runs)

JP Duminy -> 301(Runs)

Bowling
SL Malinga ->16 (Wkts)

RP Singh -> 16 (Wkts)

A Nehra -> 15 (Wkts)

YA Abdulla ->14 (Wkts)

SK Warne -> 14 (Wkts)

A Kumble -> 13 (Wkts)

Royal Challenger's timely Resurgence

Not withstanding last year's debacle, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) owned by the liquor baron were expected to be on high spirits right through the 2009 IPL season. The expectations were certainly high after the signings of Kevin Pietersen, Jesse Ryder alike.

But the last couple of games for the RCB (match 41&44) against the battered KnightRiders and a balanced SuperKings outfit is sure to give them a high. A high better than Whyte & Mackay whisky, the team's sponsors.

The Knightriders can't help ruing their luck, thanks to their bowlers. Despite being in shatters McCullum's knock was a testament of grit. 170 by T20 standards is a winning total and any team ought to have defended it. On the other hand the Superkings were undone by some sensible bowling and fielding by Kumble and co. While not many team's have capitalized on Suresh Raina's weakness for the short pitch deliveries, the RCB had surely done their homework well. The think tank comprising of the coach, analyst deserve the credit, for Raina has been in pristine form in the shorter version ever since his return to international cricket.

Considering the myriad of drop catches in the tournament, RCB's fielding was quite refreshing. Van Der Merwe's caught and bowled of a straight drive from Dhoni was brilliant. Dhoni's wicket was probably the turning point, for he along with Hayden were putting on a nice partnership. The rest of the lineup fell like a pack of cards after Dhoni and Hayden's departure when the Superkings were reduced to 101/4.

In response the RCB didn't quite seem to be confident enough in chasing at over 6runs per over. Robin Uthappa's form has been disastrous, Virat kohli's form patchy and the onus was again on Ross Taylor to see the team through. And he did do it with elan. However Van der Merwe's complacent running would deserve some stick from Ray Jennings, the RCB coach.

While the RCB may have lost an opportunity to up the run rate considering the fact that the Mumbai India's and the Royals have that one point advantage (courtesy:a wash out of the first game between MI and Royals), it was a humdinger of a performance by their "go-to man" Ross Taylor nevertheless.

Whether the RCB can make it to the top 4 still remains a mystery, if only they can grab the horse by its ears and create those opportunities rather than playing it too safe.

Playing your Natural Game - a silly theory

Rahul Dravid during the Newzealand series said he didn't quite understand what the whole "natural game" thing was all about and what mattered was it is the ability to adapt for any player, which makes him a great player eventually. I think it's become a cliche of sorts. Thanks to the power play's in ODI and the T20 format.

While most of the player's credit their success to the "natural game" phenomenon, i feel it has seldom worked barring for a few. The whole problem is, it is embarrassing for the players and teams ending up on the losing side. The game between Rajasthan Royal and Royal Challengers Bangalore was a testimony to this.

First it was Robin Uthappa who succumbed with a mistimed shot with the score reading 17/2 with 15 overs to spare. At this point, all that was required of Robin to stick his neck out and build a nice partnership alongside Kevin Pietersen with Dravid due to come next. The Royals had their share of natural game players in Asnodkar and Tyron Henderson. Asnodkar trying to pull of a good length outswinging delivery wouldn't have even impressed Shipla Shetty, for it made him inept to handle quality bowling.

However it was the master who came out and showed how the game is played. Having lost early wickets Dravid ensured he played a long innings, building partnerships and once set paced the innings brilliantly with boundaries. And deservingly the knock earned him the man of the match which is sure to keep the critics hiding behind their couch.

Clearly it is the ability to play to the situation accordingly and use the natural game as a weapon to counter the opponents at the right moment. The Gayle's, Tendulkar's and the McCullum's know it at the back of their mind and that is why they succeed.

A one off knock could just be a flash in the pan. But its high time the mentality amongst the youngsters change, or else playing the natural game every time would make you look really stupid.