If there is one question that I cannot answer after last night's match, it must be this - who was the better team?
To me, both CSK and Kings XI seem very similar outfits. Strong with the bat, but really not there with the ball.
The scorebook shows only who won and who lost. Personally, I am putting down the Kings XI as a semi-finalist. Their batting is just beginning to come good. Yes, there are a few problems here and there. But Katich looks effortless, Yuvraj is discovering the streetfighter side to him and Jayawardene is back in the groove. Sunny Sohal and Karan Goel seem to be overdoing the pinch-hitting bit. And Sangakkara is due. Due big time.
The problem for Kings XI in the bowling department has been magnified by Yusuf Abdulla going off the boil a shade, and the return of Sreesanth. On talent, the latter is still one of the best in India. But his attitude stinks, and more importantly, prevents him from doing anything worthwhile. One match after coming back and he was exchanging words with Hayden. Mind you, this was not after he had Hayden fishing outside the off stump, but after the latter had clubbed him violently to Mt. Kilimanjaro, twice.
Once Vikramjit Malik comes back in place of the Appam-eater, things should start looking better.For Malik has the advantage of grey cells that work in the right direction.
CSK's momentum clearly is their batting. Hayden was brilliant yesterday, as was Raina. And Dhoni seems to be finding the groove that he seemed to have lost. Working as a combination, this line-up enables them to put up good totals which can be defended by an attack that is less than brilliant.
Morkel and Balaji flatter to deceive and Gony is still searching for the rhythm he had last year. In fact, the entire attack now seems to be revolving around Jakati and a few surprise overs from Raina. IMHO, CSK will have to find more cohesion in their bowling. Because their batting hasn't really been put to the 'chase under pressure' test.
As far as the semis go, I would put down DD and DC as my two certain picks. The other two spots to me look very open.
PS: While the news channels cuddle up coyly to the likes of Dhoni and Yuvraj, smiling and blushing and calling them 'Mahi' and 'Yuvi', the pint-sized bomber Raina is discussed with noticeably less affection. Probably because he does not have a cute /macho/whatever image. Probably because he does not talk much. And probably because he does not have too many female fans. Whatever the reason, Raina is a player who in current form must rank in the top Five in international limited overs cricket.
But the eternal fool that I am, will always want cricketers to get coverage for what they do on the field. Silly me.
To me, both CSK and Kings XI seem very similar outfits. Strong with the bat, but really not there with the ball.
The scorebook shows only who won and who lost. Personally, I am putting down the Kings XI as a semi-finalist. Their batting is just beginning to come good. Yes, there are a few problems here and there. But Katich looks effortless, Yuvraj is discovering the streetfighter side to him and Jayawardene is back in the groove. Sunny Sohal and Karan Goel seem to be overdoing the pinch-hitting bit. And Sangakkara is due. Due big time.
The problem for Kings XI in the bowling department has been magnified by Yusuf Abdulla going off the boil a shade, and the return of Sreesanth. On talent, the latter is still one of the best in India. But his attitude stinks, and more importantly, prevents him from doing anything worthwhile. One match after coming back and he was exchanging words with Hayden. Mind you, this was not after he had Hayden fishing outside the off stump, but after the latter had clubbed him violently to Mt. Kilimanjaro, twice.
Once Vikramjit Malik comes back in place of the Appam-eater, things should start looking better.For Malik has the advantage of grey cells that work in the right direction.
CSK's momentum clearly is their batting. Hayden was brilliant yesterday, as was Raina. And Dhoni seems to be finding the groove that he seemed to have lost. Working as a combination, this line-up enables them to put up good totals which can be defended by an attack that is less than brilliant.
Morkel and Balaji flatter to deceive and Gony is still searching for the rhythm he had last year. In fact, the entire attack now seems to be revolving around Jakati and a few surprise overs from Raina. IMHO, CSK will have to find more cohesion in their bowling. Because their batting hasn't really been put to the 'chase under pressure' test.
As far as the semis go, I would put down DD and DC as my two certain picks. The other two spots to me look very open.
PS: While the news channels cuddle up coyly to the likes of Dhoni and Yuvraj, smiling and blushing and calling them 'Mahi' and 'Yuvi', the pint-sized bomber Raina is discussed with noticeably less affection. Probably because he does not have a cute /macho/whatever image. Probably because he does not talk much. And probably because he does not have too many female fans. Whatever the reason, Raina is a player who in current form must rank in the top Five in international limited overs cricket.
But the eternal fool that I am, will always want cricketers to get coverage for what they do on the field. Silly me.
No comments:
Post a Comment