Here are a few things I hate about the IPL in no particular order:

1. DLF Maximum: For uninformed, this term is used when a batsman hits a SIX. IPL commentators have stopped using the traditional term six or sixer and substituted this horrendous term prefixed by IPL’s title sonspor DLF. When a batsman hits a six, commentators say “He has hit a DLF maximum” or “This bowler has been hit for a DLF-er”. The sheer ridiculousness of this is astounding. What’s next picking a second sponsor and substituting their name for a 4/boundary?
2. Citi Moment of Success: A term used by the commentators when something “spectacular” happens. Like a big wicket or a drop catch. Highly overused and there are usually multiple such moments in the game. I laugh at the irony in using the name of Citibank with “success” in this recession.
3. Strategic Timeouts: After the first 10 overs of every innings they take a mandatory break of 10 minutes. The over after this break (the 11th) claims one of the most victims, teams often falter here and the momentum is lost. During this break the IPL shows advertisements, Miss Bollywood selections and farcical interviews with school children. Everything is so cheesy and its screwing up the game even more. Even cricketers hate the interruption and Sachin Tendulkar has spoken out against it.
4. The shoddy quality of commentary: The quality of the commentary in the games have gone downhill quickly. Commentators don’t bother to learn the proper names, they mis-pronounce common names (like Yuvraj Singh) and many a time pick out wrong batsman at the crease. Their comments are plain stupid and horribly obvious. Here’s several examples from Cricinfo who have been keeping track.
   

   “Herschelle Gibbs is an opener, he has to score runs.”
   Saba Karim has a eureka moment and lets everyone know

   “Two overs remaining. That’s 12 balls, folks.”
   Alistair Campbell joins the dots for the segment of the audience who thought they were watching the Superbowl

5. Cricketing Theater: Next in line are the theatrics employed by the IPL & it’s commentators. One I saw last night at the semi-final: Danny Morrison & Laxman Sivaramakrishnan jump down onto a inflatable slide and go “wooooo wheee”. Commentators complimenting each other like ladies “oh those shoes are nice”, “that’s a nice jacket” “oh have you lost weight?” – what the hell is that banter it’s not a morning talk show! Other things from IPL include the Miss Bollywood contest and the display of handing over 100,00 rand (approx 12,000 dollars) to various schools in large vanity checques. Ridiculous marketing opportunities squeezed into every available moment.
6. The de-evolution of cricket: Batsman playing shots that are right out of the book of Lagaan – The Movie. Some ridiculous scoop shots, switch hits and terrible hoicks. A lot of these don’t pay off and make a mockery of the batsman. Test cricket was once the pinnacle of cricketing achievement and now it’s being threatened by IPL and T20. Chris Gayle openly spoke that he wouldn’t be sad if Test cricket went extinct and replaced by T20. See, Test cricket under F: Future of cricket.
7. Ok I lied, there were only 6 real ones but 7 had a better ring to it. So i’ll add a cheesy one… how many times will you play “Jai Ho” over the speakers during the game? that song is old and the remix terrible. Also, note to whoever that handles the music there… Nusrat/Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Qawalli does not make for entertaining music that befits a fast paced T20 game.

Twenty20 is a fine game like a shot of adrenaline to cricket and IPL helps unearth new talent and is fun to watch with its fast paced format and mixed team setups. However the management of IPL has taken a game of T20 & cricket to a new low.

Andy Zaltzman has a hilarious look on the IPL and has some really funny terms in his dictionary. These two are my fav:

D: Duckworth-Lewis method
An obviously unfair system for adjudicating the winner of rain- or apocalypse-interrupted matches, relying excessively on mathematics and science rather than the randomised guesswork that had always served limited-overs cricket well in the past. In the next season’s IPL, unfinished matches will be awarded following a dance-off between the two sides’ dancing-girl squad – a far fairer way of determining the superior franchise.

B: Buchanan
John Buchanan is a revolutionary Australian coach who, when in charge of Australia, transformed the world’s best team into still the world’s best team. Famously innovative and unorthodox, as coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders he has found innovative and unorthodox methods to lose almost all the games his team has played. Rumoured to have earmarked a different captain to lead each different kind of defeat. Also rumoured to be planning to turn the Knight Riders into sport’s first entirely electronic franchise next year, in an attempt to prove his theory that cricket would be more efficiently played by computers instead of people.

Welcome back Laxmipathy Balaji to the Indian Cricket Team. He has always been one of the hard workers in the team.

Australia are no longer #1 in ODI Cricket. A change at the top after what seems a decade! Kudos to South Africa. Now, India needs to get the #2 spot.

The third day of the test between India and South Africa saw a lot of records being broken. I’ve compiled a list of the records that were broken, and also compiled some useful facts.

• Third Fastest Double Century
  Sehwag scored his double century in 194 balls, the third fastest ever. He now has the second & third fastest double centuries.
• Fastest Triple Century
  Sehwag scored his triple century in a mere 278 balls. The fastest triple century and the only triple century to be scored at more than a run a ball. The next fastest triple century came in 362 balls, here’s a list of the fastest triples.
• Third player with two triple centuries.
  Sehwag is only the third player with two triple centuries. The other players are Brian Lara and Sir Don Bradman. What is amazing of this feat is that Sehwag has played only 55 test matches, Brian Lara played 130 matches and Bradman 53.
• Highest score by any player in India
  Sehwag has the highest score in India by any player breaking VVS Laxman’s epic 281 at Kolkata. Conveniently he has the only triple century in India.
• 10 consecutive centuries of more than 150 runs
  Sehwag’s last ten centuries have all been above 150. This shows that when he crosses 100, he crosses 150 often. The closest to this record is current India coach Gary Kirsten with 7
• Most number of runs scored in a single day of play (since 1954)
  Sehwag scored 254 runs, the most number of runs in a single day’s play since Denis Compton’s 273 in 1954
• Consecutive 200 plus partnerships
  Sehwag and India are the only player, team to have two consecutive 200 run partnerships in the same innings.
• Most number of runs scored in a single day in India
  India scored 368 runs in the day’s place, the highest ever.

Random Sehwag Facts:

• Sehwag’s last triple century against Pakistan came on this exact day four years ago. He scored 309 against Pakistan at Multan on 28 March 2005 2004
• Sehwag hit 41 boundaries and 5 sixes in his 309
• He has more century’s than fifties. He has 14 centuries and 13 fifties.
• Out of his 14 centuries, 11 are more than 150. A conversion rate of 78%
• He clearly learn’t from Sachin’s nervous 90′s. Sehwag raced from 90-100, 190-200 and 290-300 with atleast a couple of boundaries or a six. he didn’t sit around much in the 90′s

There were so many records broken, created that I may have missed a few. What a thrilling day of test cricket. For the people who say test cricket is boring… think again!

Image courtesy: Cricinfo

Australia maybe have been a champion need for the past decade however once you are at the top of the mountain there is nowhere to go but down. India has shown this by beating Australia consistently this year in Twenty20 games, at home in India and in the CB Series at Australia. South Africa is now the #1 one-day side. Mighty Australians no more.

India has had Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid as a solid back bone in the ODI lineup for the past decade, but now Sachin is the only one left from that three. He is the only one who can keep up with the youngsters. With the inclusion of so many youngsters in the ODI side the future doesn’t look for Ganguly and Dravid.

MS Dhoni’s policy of selecting youngsters is starting to pay off. India has only one player above 30 in their squad and that is the master blaster, Sachin Tendulkar. This ensures that the entire current team can play the next World Cup in 2011. The younger players may not have as much experience as their senior counterparts but they are learning on the tour and in bits and pieces they are contributing to the team. India is building a team for the future. The younger players running between wickets, fielding and enthusiasm make up for any runs they don’t score with the bat. India may still lose a lot of matches but they are building a team for the future.

The situation for Australia on the other hand is looking quite bleak. They have only 3 players below 30 in their squad – James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson and future Captain Michael Clarke. Let’s take a look at Australia’s key players with the 2011 World Cup in mind:

1. Mathew Hayden – He is 36 right now and in 2011 he will be 39. Unless he finds the fountain of youth it will be highly unlikely that we shall see him there.
2. Ricky Ponting – He is 33 right now, in 3 years he is 36. Depending on his form, personal life, IPL he may or may not be there. However, there is a good chance he is still around to lead the side. But we can’t predict his form at 36.
3. Mike Hussey – Currently 33 – He will be in the same boat as Ponting, the World Cup maybe his swan song.
4. Adam Gilchrist – 36 years – Retired. One of the most prolific partnerships in ODI history is broken. This is going to hurt Australia a lot because it means a completely new opening pair at the top of the order.
5. Brad Hogg – 37 years – Retired. Australia’s one-day specialist since Shane Warne is gone. Over the years Brad Hogg was an effective foil to Lee, McGrath and Gillespie picking up crucial wickets in the middle overs and being a useful batting option lower down the order. Australia has no quality spinners left. Stuart MacGill is an exception but he is old and struggling with injuries as well. Now Australia has to go find an unexperienced newbie to start in the XI.
6. Brett Lee – He is 31, comparatively young but he is a fast bowler, the fastest bowler. Bowling at 150kph for another 3 years with his current form is going to take a lot of effort and mental strength. The world cup maybe his final ODI appearance too.

With the exception of Brett Lee, Australia’s bowling unit is very inexperienced in the ODIs. The next 4-5 years is going to prove crucial for Australian cricket as a lot of old warhorses will go out form, retire themselves or be forced to retire (like Steve Waugh). They have to introduce a lot of youth give them a little experience and if they have to survive, follow India’s example and make the tough choices. Cricinfo takes a look at what Australia’s 2011 World Cup team could look like. There are a lot of new faces in there but no Hayden, Gilchrist, Hogg, Hussey, Symonds.

The winds of change are blowing and Cricket’s future looks promising.

Today morning there was the first ever IPL draft. IPL the Twenty20, corporate version of cricket. There was a lot of bidding going on the final results of which you can view here.

On the overall process: All players were divided into categories. These categories were created depending on the base price for every player. The players were bought in an auction style when the appropriate category was introduced. Nowhere will you see players being traded like vegetables. However, the players are making a lot of money so i dont think they would mind being tossed around like that.

Onwards to the good stuff, the teams.

Team Jaipur. Owned by: Emerging Media

World class spinner in Shane Warne: $450k. A player who has played only 20-20 game, Yusuf Pathan: $475k and Mohd. Kaif for $675k, stupid. Other players you selected are not too great, nothing that sizzles. They screwed up and underspent, BCCI required them to spend atleast 3.3million and they spent only 2.9million. Pink bungling idiots.

Current Count: 4 Batsmen, 2 Bowlers, 1 Allrounder, 1 Wicketkeeper.
5 International, 3 Locals
Money Spent: 2.925 Million

Team Chennai aka Chennai Super Kings. Owned by: India Cements.

They paid 1.5 million for MS Dhoni which is a serious commitment making him the most expensive player in the IPL. However Matthew Hayden an awesome top order player who can turn the tide of game in the opening overs went for a paltry $375k, a lucky steal! Comparitively, Glenn McGrath the last player sold went for for $375k. Chennai got a really good deal and it is reflected on the size of their roster. They managed to get Muralitharan and Mike Hussey who went surprisingly late. The other players are quite good as they are 20-20 specialists and have fared well in T20 games.

Current Count: 4 Batsmen, 2 Bowlers, 3 Allrounders 2 Wicketkeepers.
7 International, 4 Locals
Money Spent: 5.95 Million

Team Mumbai. Owned by: Reliance Industries

Mumbai played the IPL draft quite differently. They didn’t get too many players, instead they spent a lot of money on few players. Sachin, Jayasuriya, Harbhajan, Uthappa all went over 800k. They have a total of 8 players like Jaipur but have spent 1 million dollars more. This includes the 1.125 Million they have to pay to Sachin for being their icon player. I am not sure what Mumbai’s logic was in this draft.

Current Count: 3 Batsmen, 3 Bowlers, 2 Allrounders, no wicketkeepers
5 International, 3 Local
Money Spent: 3.85 Million

Team Bangalore aka Royal Challengers owned by: Kingfisher

The name for Bangalore’s team is “Royal Challengers” – named after the whisky “Royal Challenge”, sucky name.

They seemed the more stingy bunch of the IPL which is surprising considering they are owned by Vijay Mallya. Their most expensive player was Kallis (who didn’t play the T20 world cup) at $975k. The next most expensive player was Anil Kumble and Australian spinner Cameron White at 500k. Both players are big “ifs” in the T20 format. Anil Kumble hasn’t played well in ODIs and he hasn’t played a T20 at all. However they have some good bowlers in Zaheer Khan, Dale Steyn and Nathan Bracken.

Current Count: 3 Batsmen, 5 Bowlers, 1 Allrounder, 1 Wicketkeeper
6 International, 4 Local
Money Spent: 4.99 Million

Team Hyderabad owned by: Deccan Chronicle

Their key player VVS Laxman gave up his Icon status for the “sake of the team” and forfeited extra money. Icon players 15% more than the top player and Laxman gave up that. Currently he gets $375k, if he was the icon player he would have gotten 15% more than Andrew Symonds’ 1.35 million. Stupid move VVS. The IPL is a money making franchise not your state Ranji team.

Laxman giving up the icon status means Hyderabad sports an awesome team. They have Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Herschelle Gibbs, Shahid Afridi (T20 Man of the Series) and Scott Styris who are all T20 experts and master blasters. They also managed to sneak in India’s best T20 bowler – RP Singh.

Current Count: 4 Batsmen, 3 Bowlers, 3 Allrounders 1 Wicketkeeper
8 International, 3 Local
Money Spent: 5.89 Million

Team Mohali owned by: Preity Zinta and Wadia Group

They were one of they teams that have two players from the same city. Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh. Yuvraj was the icon player for Mohali. They sprung for a lot of bowlers and have an excellent bowling lineup. Brett Lee, Sreesanth and Irfan Pathan – all excellent in the T20 format. The other choices are not bad. Mohali has also confirmed that Tom Moody will be their coach

Current Count: 4 Batsmen, 4 Bowlers, 1 Allrounder, 1 Wicketkeeper
5 International, 5 Local
Money Spent: 5.68 Million

Team Kolkata owned by: Shah Rukh Khan led Red Chillies Entertainment

This is a very interesting team for several reasons. The icon player is recently dumped Sourav Ganguly who has a massive impact on Kolkata crowds. If he plays well people are going to shout again for his inclusion in the ODI team. Second, his rival captain Ricky Ponting is in the team as well. Third, Ponting’s arch nemesis of late Ishant Sharma (the second most expensive Indian player) has also been roped in. Fourth and the icing on the cake is the ex-Aussie coach John Buchanan. The net sessions and the dressing room is going to have a lot of friction.

The team itself is a very well balanced team although they are a little heavy on the batting side. They managed to grab David Hussey who has been the star of the Australian regional T20s. Umar Gul was an excellent bowler in the T20 world cup and is a steal at $150k. Shoaib Akhtar will be making a comeback after his recent debacles and Tatenda Taibu the lone Zimbabwean and the cheapest player is in the team as well.

Current Count: 3 Batsmen, 5 Bowlers, 1 Allrounder, 2 Wicketkeepers
8 International, 3 Local
Money Spent: 6.07 Million

Team Delhi aka Delhi Daredevils owned by GMR Holdings

This is a mixed bag team. They have two Delhi local players in Sehwag and Gambhir which should bring the crowds. They managed to grab Glenn McGrath as the last player at $375k which is not bad. Paying 675k for Maoj Tiwary, wtf. Dinesh Karthik went for $525k which should give him some motivation to show the board what he can do. They have a lot of all-rounders/batsmen who can bowl; Sehwag, Vettori, Shoaib Malik, Farveez Maharoof, Dilshan. Delhi has already annouced their coach: Victoria’s Greg Shipperd. The third aussie coach in IPL.

Current Count: 5 Batsmen, 3 Bowlers, 2 Allrounders, 1 Wicketkeeper
7 International, 4 Local
Money Spent: 5.68 Million

That’s been one intensive day with its ups(Chennai/Hyderabad) and downs(Jaipur). The draft has surprised quite a few people with some low key players going for a lot of money and other famed players going for nothing. Can’t wait to see the other local players that these IPL teams signup.

Jamaican Police are now saying Bob Woolmer was murdered. He was strangled and his death was a result of asphyxiation.

This may be related to Pakistan’s loss to Ireland, but I keep thinking no one would be so idiotic to kill someone over a game. This may have to do with ICC”s Anti-Corruption investigation or something… I hope it’s that. If not, Pakistan cricket has sunk to an ultimate low.

Technorati Tags: Bob Woolmer, Cricket, Pakistan, World Cup

Ireland beat Pakistan on Saturday – their first International win. After a loss to the West Indies and Ireland, Pakistan are out of the World Cup. They seem to have paid a very high price for their loss.

Angry fans are calling for the arrest of Bob Woolmer and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq. In Inzamam’s hometown of Multan people are chanting “Death to Inzamam” (you think the poor sod would atleast get some support at home). The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board Nasim Ashraf, is being asked to resign. Anti-Pakistan Cricket rallies are being held and the team management has decided not to bring the team home after their final match against Zimbabwe for their own safety.

But all that was nothing compared to what happened yesterday.Bob Woolmer was found unconscious in the hotel room and was shortly pronounced dead on arrival at the Jamaican Hospital. Pakistan lost their coach. So far doctors are saying it’s either stress or a heart attack. Tributes are coming from all over the world, RIP Robert Woolmer. Excellent coach and an excellent person! After Woolmer’s death Inzamam-ul-Haq, still in shock retired from the one-day scene and resigned as test captain. Pakistan lost an excellent player.

All of this resulting from a loss to Ireland. Pakistan has yet to face the music back home. One wonders what’s in store for them. All of this stinks. When did Cricket become like this?

Update (03/20): PCB’s Chairman has resigned and the entire selection committee has resigned as well.

Coverage of Pakistan Loss
Coverage of Bob Woolmer’s Passing

Technorati Tags: Bob Woolmer, Cricket, Inzamam, Ireland, Pakistan

Well it’s official that Sourav Ganguly’s return is a success. How much of a success? Well I dug up his stats. Here you go

in ODIs

ODIs Played: 4
Total Runs: 241
Average: 60.25
Lowest/Highest Score: 13/98

Ganguly’s score of 13 in the 2nd ODI against West Indies is his lowest and the only non-50 score. Stats include two ODIs against West Indies and 2 ODIs against Sri Lanka.

in Tests

Tests: 3
Runs: 214
Average: 42.80
Lowest/Highest Score: 0/66

Ganguly’s lowest is a third ball duck in the first innings of the SA test. Stats include three test matches and 6 innings. He had only two fifty plus scores.

Analysis

A layman’s analysis – He’s awesome in ODIs and he’s almost as good in Test matches. However he hasn’t gone all the way. It’s definitely a successful comeback. His form in ODIs is a good omen ahead of the Worldcup in West Indies.

Sources: Various news reports, Cricinfo Statsguru filters

Technorati Tags: Cricket, Sourav Ganguly, India