The IPL Mania - the current scenario

Everyone's got something to say about the IPL. It seems to have overtaken the election discussions. Although May 16th still looms like a predicted earthquake most Indians are fed up discussing the future of Democratic India.

Here are some interesting points I've collected about IPL from across the globe:

• Delhi Daredevils are the hot fav for the title this year - they really have the best opening pair of the world. Definite place in the finals.
• Deccan Chargers are suprised with their own success - with a poor support from the world Hyderabadis and Andhrites you need not be surprised with their lack of spirit. I've decided to ask all my friends who declare themselves as Pakka Hyderabadis to wake up and post some support on the DC blogs. I've started a mini campaign for the DCs after listening to Gilchrist's awestruck tone - 'We didnt have this score after an entire series last year'! They might just make it to the semis if they keep it up!
• Punjab XI are doing well but retain their headstrong attiude - We were surprised to have lost - attitude of 2008. With this kind of attitude it won't be a big surprise if they lose this year too and again in the Semis. They don't have to mind too much because Ms.Zinta is always there to hug and console each one of them.
• Chennai Super Kings keep mustering enormous support from all over the world. They act as if they are the BEST. I say they have the BEST man DHONI that's all. But their dress code sucks Yellow for heaven's sake is not too pleasing to the eyes. Can they win? They have a good chance if Dhoni takes up his role seriously. Semi-finals is a must - Mind it!
• Rajasthan Royals poor guys again this year they have a poor batting line up and a poor team. Shane is their outstanding performer and the best captain. With their new trump card(Khan) they might just manage till the semi-finals. Don't know what's Shilpa upto - nothing except her banana smiles and lots of giggling with her younger sister!
• Mumbai Indians have some good players and great support but as a team don't seem to be making it great. Sachin is in top form and may help push them till the Semis.
• Banglore Royal Challengers -quite a fancy name and nothing much apart from that. I don't see any great stuff happening there and with Dravid on 'paternity leave' some of the runs might reduce too! Sure elimination!
• Kolkota Knight Riders or Khan Knight Riders(renamed) seems to be in dire straits. Inspite of the dynamic SRK supporting it on all non-cricketing terms the team seems to be faring miserably. Saurav seems to be the only consistent performer and most of the team spirt seems to be missing after he was removed from the captaincy. He doesn't mind it but excuse us - the rest of the world including his team seems to really feel it! They are on the royal path to elimination.

This is SP reporting from Brussels - opinions collected from friends all over the world and summarised.

Kamran Kiri-ket Khan!

There are a lot of youngsters in this IPL who might not know the 'C' of the word 'Cricket' but surely know whats a long hop, leg by, first slip, middle order, yorker, dot, etc.!

IPL as it designed to do HAS actually promoted tons of talent in India. Many youngsters whom we would never have discovered are being discovered and some have gone to SA this year without ever having played a first class cricket match or spoken a single sentence in English!

For example consider this dynamite Kamran Khan an 18 year old - a discovery of the season! Introduced as the trump card by Shane Warne he is a little dynamite who has a major language barrier (but no performance barriers) with the captain. As Yousuf Pathan said - 'There are a lot of expectating from Khhaamraann and Sane has got him into the Zaipur team'.

Once they get more experience all these fine cricketers surely get some fine coaches to fine tune their language skills. For now they are dealing magnificently in mixed teams with international players on an international platform with just one common love and language - the language of cricket!

Let's respect them for this spirit and encourage them to Play their best games ever!

The Invincible Modi!

Been hearing tons about him but, after listening to his inaugural address of the IPL -2 yesterday I should admit that I was quite impressed.

Lalit Kumar Modi, (born November 29, 1963) is the Chairman and Commissioner of Indian Premier League, Chairman of Champions League, President and Managing director Modi Enterprises, former President of the Rajasthan Cricket Association, Vice President of BCCI, Vice President of Punjab Cricket Association, Executive Director of Godfrey Philips India and Director of Various Modi Group Companies. - Wiki

With that impressive list to back him up obviously he would be the aggressive, sharp, brash, ruthless and reviled leader as he is often fondly described as. However he DID manage to MOVE the IPL lock stock and barrel from India to the SA in under a month thanks to THIS attitude. The Move overall is very impressive and commendable - a mammoth achievement.

Maybe a loss to many advertisers, brand managers and event managers in India and ofcourse a pinch on the purse for the IPL owners but everything is not lost YET! Some profits may arise after all - after the successful launch yesterday.

Some of the salient features that bowled me over:

- The overall MOVE fighting the bureaucratic government policies and going against the norms of committees and fundas of reporting.

- Direct and immediate decision -actions must have taken place for the massive MOVE

- Proper security Measures in place

- Impressing the SA govt. into QUICK action - imagine impressing a foreign govt. to ACT fast

- Venue Management - proper grounds, entry tickets and security management

- Retaining the good will of the international players - convincing them to re-join their teams - although the money factor would have played a key role, people like Kevin Pieterson needed some goading to join in this year - (goading to go home?)

- Organising the inaugural function - the entire show and I'm sure the closing ceremoney is planned too.

- Back up plans to fill in the on the rainy cricket days! Wow today we saw some Three Tons of Fun sisters singing to the galley...

- The BOLD decision to ban the Pakistan players from playing in the IPL - almost a death statement as it turned out but nobody concerned seems to be batting even an eyelid!

The easiest thing for Modi would have been to block flight tickets and ferry the cricketers from all over the world to SA! Well thanks to him we have loads of cricket for the next month to watch and enjoy!

Three cheers to IPL and Kudos to Modi!