The
Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a regular fixture during the summer. The
cricket hungry fans simply revel in the atmosphere and enjoy each and every
match in the stadium braving the heat. The IPL BRAND has only grown strength to
strength. It’s not liked it has not faced it share of hurdles (from moving to South
Africa in its second season due, to general elections to the spot fixing saga; from
two leading teams facing suspension, to matches this season being moved out of
Maharashtra due to severe shortage of water) it has seen it all. The IPL this
season has also not be unscathed from controversies; however, with the
tournament entering the business end what has been the key takeaways so far. Let’s
find out….
1) The two high profile
teams-Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings were replaced by Gujrat Lions
and Pune Super Giants. And with this replacement we also saw a turn of
fortunes, with Gujrat Lions led by Suresh Raina comfortable sitting on the top
of the table and MS Dhoni led side scrapping at the bottom.
2) Delhi Daredevils led by Zak
Khan and mentored by Rahul Dravid have come back strongly after losing their
opening match and are comfortably placed amongst the top four teams.
3) The tide is not even in the
favour of Kings XI Punjab this year as they too are scrapping at the bottom.
But will the change in captaincy bore results or will it be the case of too
little too late?
4) The form of Virat Kohli does
not seem to have rubbed on his team because while he is leading run scorer in
the tournament, his team is sitting at the bottom.
5) The openers of the top four
teams have been among the runs.
6) Most teams in the tournament so
far has won matches chasing. So, if you are a bowler, my prayers are with
you!!!
7) Fast bowlers have been among
the wickets this season, which is very uncanny since; the Indian pitches assist
the spinners the most. (P.S. Seems like the wind is blowing from a different
direction all together).
8) Due to drought situation in Maharashtra,
all the home matches to be played in Mumbai and Pune has been shifted to Vizag.
Now, Mumbai Indians and Pune Super Giants will have to adapt to the conditions
of their second home soon.
9) This season, the bar for
fielding has been raised to a new level altogether and with the top fielder of
the tournament to be rewarded for the first time this year; the competition
will only heat up.
10) The men from the Caribbean has
performed like ‘CHAMPIONS’ for their respective franchises and have extended their
golden form post the ICC tournament as well.
