IPL Update- Who said its a Batsman's Game?
With over a quarter of the games of this seasons IPL done, here is my update. Bowlers dominating, best players, new teams worth 1700 crore. Here are the top 5 things so far (in no particular order)
1) Who said it is a batsman's game? I mean we all know that this format is tailor made for the batsmen but what is interesting this year is that the teams that are topping the points table are the ones with good all round bowling attacks. Bangalore with Steyn, Kallis, Kumble, and Praveen Kumar. Mumbai with Malinga, Zaheer and Bhajji. Deccan with Vaas
, Symonds (who has bowled well), and RP Singh. On the other side of the table you have Punjab who has Sreesanth (struggling and inconsistent) and Irfaan Pathan who is suffering from a major crisis of confidence. Sure, the top teams have batsmen that are in great nick, but if you have bowlers who can pick up good wickets or bowl some really tight overs at crucial points, then the entire unit becomes that much stronger.
, Symonds (who has bowled well), and RP Singh. On the other side of the table you have Punjab who has Sreesanth (struggling and inconsistent) and Irfaan Pathan who is suffering from a major crisis of confidence. Sure, the top teams have batsmen that are in great nick, but if you have bowlers who can pick up good wickets or bowl some really tight overs at crucial points, then the entire unit becomes that much stronger.2) New Teams- When Lalit Modi was asked if he felt the new teams prices would lead to a sell out by some original team owners he said, it might, but if he was in their place, he would hold on till he got a billion dollar valuation. Two things- a) The man is a legend and b) My thought is that he is right, the prices were fine and a team valued at a billion will be in this league in the next 3 or at the most 4 years.
3) Old Boys- Kallis, Kumble, Gilly, Vaas, Hayden and of course Sachin Tendulkar. These guys are still getting it done all the time. Average age of this crew? 36.83. Old boys not performing, Ganguly (though he took the catch of the tournament so far) and Sanath Jayasuriya. They need to hang up their boots, it is time. We don't know about Dravid yet because well, Banagalore hasn't needed them to bat yet.
4) New Boys- No stand outs yet. Hmm...May be Saurabh Tiwary but still to early to claim him a success. I though that t at this point would have more names by now, but no such luck. Hopefully by tournaments end I will have more in this section.
5) Waiting to see him shine- Kierron Pollard. For $750,000 this guy better not be another JP Duminy
Best Innings- Yusuf Pathan vs. Mumbai Indians. 100 in 37 balls. I was there. The best innings I have seen.
Worst Innings- The entire Chennai team that batted against Punjab in the super over match the other day. To give that match away after being that position is pathetic. Sorry I don't credit Punjab for doing anything to win that match. And for all you morons who keep saying that the match was fixed. If you think it is possible to fix a match such that it ends up in a tie and they winner wins in a super over with a reverse sweep, you need to get your head examined
Best Batsman- Jaques Kallis. He didn't get out till yesterday.
Wow
WowBest Bowler- Mallinga- He may not have the best stats, but his overs lead to so much pressure on the batsman that he indirectly creates wickets. He would be my first choice as a bowler. Close second, and I know a lot of you don't like him, is Anil Kumble. He is bowling phenomenally.
Biggest Surprise- Robin Utthapa- Where did this kid come from. Right from being a future star, to being a failure, to his two game changing innings. Wow!!!
Biggest Disappointment- Delhi Daredevils. They have lost their way, will they find it?
Most exciting thing looking forward- Will the new arrivals, Gayle, Bond, Shane Watson (still to come), Brett Lee (still to play) change the tables.
Best Decision- SRK didn't attend the KKR-Mumbai match. He doesn't want to get booed, by the city that made him, as he is shown on screen cheering the fall of a Mumbai wicket. Good call by his PR agent.
PRG- Pat on the back moment- I called a Deccan-Mumbai final and it is looking on the cards. I also called Punjab as the worst team and that too is on track.
PRG- Moron moment- I called Delhi and Chennai to be in the semi finals. Looking a bit dodgy, especially Delhi.
More later...
Photo credit Chaminda Vaas- http://www.cricinfo.com/ipl2010/content/image/452638.html?object=418064;page=1
Photo Credit Jaques Kallis- http://static.cricketnext.com/pix/slideshow/05-2009/delhi-daredevils-vs/kallis2005_b.jpg
Dude, Delhi is finished...I think Bangalore peaked early too. Mumbai- Chennai...
ReplyDeleteWatch Sachin come back and take the run lead...SACHEEEENNNNN
ReplyDeleteAgree with you PRG- Bowlers are playing a critical role. Good observation. Also another point is that experience is coming in to play in a big way. You see some of the Mumbai boys have these moment where they play well and then get carried away.
ReplyDeleteBillion dollar valuation?? Have to disagree with you..
Pollard is going to fail....Watch
ReplyDeleteGanguly has to go dude.. HE IS RUBBISH....
ReplyDeleteWould like to see Sanath given one more chance though...
Deccan Vs Mumbai final......insider info
ReplyDeleteMate, you cannot be serious about Billion Dollar valuations!!!!??? These guys cannot even breakeven on cash flow for the next few years!!! Absolute hype!!! Not a viable business, and I would love to meet someone who can convince me otherwise....
ReplyDelete@ Chiggs. Valuations are not necessarily based on profitability.
ReplyDeleteJan 2008- Kings XI Punjab was bought for $76 mln. This mornings economic times has Ness Wadia talking about selling for $250-$300 mln
If I wrote on my blog in 2008 that in 26 months a new team would be sold for $370 mln everyone would have laughed then too.
Few things about the league
1) The popularity and awareness is just starting. Tie ups like YouTube and some other media tie ups just started this year. The whole new band of viewers that this leads to is tremendous. Lalit Modi was talking about a British tie up that has lead to more viewership then sky sports.
2) This is only the second year IPL has been held in India. When it was in South Africa, viewership dropped. The increase this year vs the last two years is staggering.
3) 2008-09 the world was in or coming out of a recession. With the economy doing better the number of sponsors will increase rapidly. This will prop up valuations. There will be a bidding war to sponsor teams.
4) Merchandise is only just picking up as a concept in India. Compare to the US where every one owns a jersey, t-shirt, cap etc. of their home team, India is far behind. But we are catching up fast. Just go to Mumbai match and see how many people are wearing official gear vs two years ago when hardly anyone was. People are buying jersey's, caps, horns, flags and anything that they can get their hands on. Next year if the Mumbai Indian's get a new Jersey, I will buy it.
5) This IPL does not have players from Pakistan. So far, players from England and Australia have not even arrived and yet people are glued to the TV. If this event changes its schedule a bit and more international players come, again, viewership and brand value will fly even higher.
6) We both could be wrong. But if I was to bet, I would say that at least one team will hit a billion in a few years...
players from england and australia are no here because they would rather be playing for their country!!!
ReplyDeletea billion dollar valuation is rubbish!!! None of the teams have their own grounds or ay kind of infrastructure.The only way they can recover their money is by tanking games!!!!