IPL is well in the 2nd half and the trends are clear emerging:
- Mumbai Indians are going strength to strength. Barring an undercooked performance against Royals, they have looked the team to beat. Tendulkar, Rayudu, Sharma, Symonds, Pollard, Harbhajan and Malinga have been too hot to handle. They fire collectively or else most of them fire at one or the other occasion.
- Rajasthan Royals are firing despite the hot and cold opening pair. The bowling looks good with Shane Warne showing off his brilliance. Ross Taylor is the binding factor as is Johan Botha. Dravid looks solid but is unable to accelarate. Watson has lost his form he showed all the months leading upto the world cup. But none is complaining.
- Kolkata Knight Riders are on a roll, something they never saw in previous 3 seasons. They are slightly ahead of MI in the terms of NRR and sit comfortably on the top of the table. Gambhir, Kallis, Pathan and Abdullah are key players.
- Deccan Chargers are fused blown out and they look good to end up in the bottom half of the lot. They are pathetic in every department. Plus continous inclusion of Cameron White is hurting them.
- Kocchi Tuskers are inconsistent, their captain has a knack for media flare, giving statements, questioning opposition tactics and getting out in bizzare fashion. When on field, all the talks of character and flair vanish quickly.
- Pune Warriors are going through a disaster and even Sourav Ganguly's excellence wont save them. Pity to see th man of the tournament of the world cup sliding new lows in the IPL. Good thing is none would remember this month and half, as compared to the previous month and half for Yuvraj Singh.
- Delhi are too dependent on Virender Sehwag. Barring him there is no daredevilry left in the team.
- Punjab are living upto their billing of the weaker teams and Paul Valthaty is now sorted out.
- Bangalore are without Kumble and that shows in the hot and cold performances in this season. The openers havent fired consistently and the Dilshan factor wont exist for them for last 4 games. Virat Kohli is lone player for them in form and the franchisee is more in news for th frenzied kisses between the son of the owner and the Bollywood dumb damsel he dates.
- Finally Chennai Super Kinks have been unbeatable in their own ground, but they aint unbeatables. 4th on the points table, they are worried about the batting form of the captain fantastic who also leads India.
The selection committee meets in a week's time and it remains to be seen who all are rested and selected for the ODI leg of the Windies tour. Wont be a bad idea to rest key players who also form the crux of the Test line up -- Tendulkar, Sehwag, Gambhir, MSD, Zaheer and Harbhajan for the ODIs. And instead send a young team may be led by Gambhir or somebody else comprising of players like Manoj Tiwary, Ashvin etc who have come good this IPL consistently.
