In a weeks time the most anticipated carnival in cricket (globalization of cricket T20) is all set to kick off in Capetown . I would like to make some predictions (my version of how things should shape up this season) lets see how much of it, actually is true after the tournament.
Among the eight IPL teams I feel after the initial round robin matches the table should figure as below (one being the team having won the maximum points i.e. the strongest):
1) Bangalore Royal Challengers
2) Chennai Super Kings
3) Mumbai Indians
4) Delhi Daredevils
5) Rajasthan Royals
6) Kolkata Knight Riders
7) Deccan Chargers
8) Punjab Kings XI
Well obviously this is just a prediction, Royal Challengers on paper is the strongest team for IPL2 lets see how the big shots gel together, at the same time if some one like Adam Gilchrist has an extraordinary run during the tournament we could see Chargers heading the table.
I think it is safe to say that season 1 had some star players(match winning players) in the form of Swapnil Asnodkar, Yousuf Pathan, Shaun Marsh .I would like to rate the players whowm I feel would really make an impact in the tournament.
Jesse Ryder (BRC) :
Undoubtedly the most anticipated player in this season of IPL. I some times wonder if the auction would have taken place after the Indian tour of NZL Ryder would be definitely worth the same price tag as team mate KP. Without any question this big hitter playing for the entire tournament would be a real blast to watch and perhaps he may be responsible for BRC's victories (this is one of the reason I have rated Royal Challengers first)
Robbin Uthappa (BRC)
Once a prominent member of Dhoni’s T20 and ODI eleven. However after a string of poor performance he was asked to go into the domestic circuit to find form. Very recently in the Challengers trophy he showed what a class player he is, by scoring three centuries in four matches. He has had a wonderful domestic season last year, has been named in the World T20 playing team and would be desperate to get into the playing eleven by the virtue of some powerful performances at IPL 2.
Rohit Sharma (DC)
After some really poor performance in T20’s and ODI’s in NZ this young cricketer would definitely like to show what his cricketing skills are worth so as to push himself back into Dhoni’s playing XI at T20 world cup and beyond
Brendon McCullum(KKR)
His availability for the entire season would mean a real boost for KKR to claim the top of the table in IPL2. In the Indian tour of NZL , we all saw how much of a devastating batsman he is and how well he is able to play a responsible innings. However one important character we r unable to find in watching his three years of cricketing life is consistency.
Brad Hodge(KKR) :
I always considered, Australian national selectors and Ricky Ponting have been very unfair to Brad Hodge. If you see his domestic record in Australia and in England you can easily confirm how good of a player he is in any form of the game. With almost little chance to make into the national team now, Brad would be determined to make the most of his time for KKR, in order to have his cricketing career something to remember by.
Albie Morkel (CSK):
Last year his performance at IPL earned him a central contract with Cricket South Africa and with the SA selectors showing faith in giving him a chance to make his debut in the third test against the aussies, Albie would be determined to not let them, his fans in SA and India down. I feel he would have a real impact in CSK’s journey this year both as a result of his bowling and bating.
Grahame Smith (RR)
Truly I donot need to write anything about this exceptional batsman, his cricketing skills(in all forms of the game) is truly God send . With Shane Watson called for national duties a lot would lie on Smith’s shoulders from the RR fans and Warne.
Gautam Ghambhir (DD)
Recently Indian and DD fellow opener Viru compared Gauti to the great Gavaskar. I strongly disagree. Gauti not only has the perseverance and cricketing skills of the legend but is also capable of accelerating his game, to the blitzkrieg pace of team mate Viru when the situation demands. Gauti is a consistent player and I feel even if he plays at the same level as he did consistently these last one and half years we would be in for a treat. I always considered Gautam Gambhir to be an enigmatic cricketer, as time passes we get to see more and more different forms of this master blasters batting!!
I would love to hear your suggestion about who all do u guys feel would, "IPL ko HILA ke Rakh DeGA"
1 comment:
Hmm.... it does seem to be a formidable list , to say the least.
Bangalore royal challengers( or shud we say avengers?)look like the strongest team,atleast on paper.
I feel a couple of players would be key if htey were to come out trumps this season. The first , quite obviously , is KP, not just as the batting mainstay and as a leader of men, but also as the one who would be looked upto when it would come to reading the conditions(remember , KP has played most of cricket in South Africa).
I also feel Boucher is one heck of an important player. He has been smoking 'em pretty clean against the aussies. It would be interesting to see if he can carry on his good form in the IPL as well.
There you go....seeing all these stars is indeed a mouth watering proposition. I can't wait till the action starts.
P.S. : Poor, his performance in the last IPL might have been, don't count out a certain southpaw from punjab. Yes , I am talking about the one who clubbed 6 sixes in an over in the T20 world cup....watch out for him
Post a Comment