When I look back at my IPL initial thoughts written couple of days right after the start of IPL season 2, I am happy now at the team standings (more or less) and it matches pretty much what I anticipated initially.
Delhi and Chennai emerged strong after league phase, Bangalore and Deccan looking good in this edition compared to previous season, Rajasthan and Punjab just couldn't cope up with the absence of key players and alien conditions and KKR just managed to win 3 games as predicted.
The biggest flop of this season IMHO is... (no it's not someone connected to KKR - enough on Bhooka bashing and FIP) Sachin Tendulkar, the captain. He just couldn't handle the job effectively and surprisingly there is no mention on this from anyone including ex-cricketers and media. Every single move/decision that he took back fired. From dropping Jayasuriya in a crucial match and then moving him to middle order to promoting Duminy as opener and demoting himself as opener(how come he always gets (and even adamant at times) opener slot in ODI for team India and Gambhir had to play #3) and bringing himself on as bowler (and conceding crucial 19 runs in an over) against Delhi to not able to chase a smallish target against Punjab to losing wickets in heap against Rajasthan..the list goes on. Not to mention the chat that he has with his bowlers after every ball and looking visibly disappointed/dejected when his team is down. Mumbai Indians need to think about the role of on field leader carefully at least for the next season. They goofed up big time last year with captaincy and looks like their losses this year could be attributed to some poor decision making.
On a final note, I am predicting Chennai Vs Delhi finals and as last year, I will be rooting for my home team Chennai to win the trophy.
Delhi and Chennai emerged strong after league phase, Bangalore and Deccan looking good in this edition compared to previous season, Rajasthan and Punjab just couldn't cope up with the absence of key players and alien conditions and KKR just managed to win 3 games as predicted.
The biggest flop of this season IMHO is... (no it's not someone connected to KKR - enough on Bhooka bashing and FIP) Sachin Tendulkar, the captain. He just couldn't handle the job effectively and surprisingly there is no mention on this from anyone including ex-cricketers and media. Every single move/decision that he took back fired. From dropping Jayasuriya in a crucial match and then moving him to middle order to promoting Duminy as opener and demoting himself as opener(how come he always gets (and even adamant at times) opener slot in ODI for team India and Gambhir had to play #3) and bringing himself on as bowler (and conceding crucial 19 runs in an over) against Delhi to not able to chase a smallish target against Punjab to losing wickets in heap against Rajasthan..the list goes on. Not to mention the chat that he has with his bowlers after every ball and looking visibly disappointed/dejected when his team is down. Mumbai Indians need to think about the role of on field leader carefully at least for the next season. They goofed up big time last year with captaincy and looks like their losses this year could be attributed to some poor decision making.
On a final note, I am predicting Chennai Vs Delhi finals and as last year, I will be rooting for my home team Chennai to win the trophy.
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