IPL 2 : Down to the deciders...

We are now in the final stages of the IPL2. With only 2 games left to be played per team, and its not clear who are the four teams who will play the semi finals. Its so close this time. Of course, Delhi Daredevills , who are at the top, are through. From the other 6 (leaving KKR) , any 3 can make it. Take your pick. Lets take a look at the highlights from last few matches.

Heroics of Rohit Sharma : Two matches, back to back, and Rohit Sharma is assigned the task to finish it up for his team. He does one of them, and gets out on the other. Luck favours the brave, but not every day. The first match, against KKR, needing 21 runs of the last over, scores 26 runs, and wins it for the team. What a match. I would say Mortaza lost it for the KKR, rather than Rohit winning it. He just didnt bowl how it was required. First match for him in the IPL, and I think the pressure did him in. First bowl itself was a no ball,reason being there were not enough fielders in the ring, and it went for four. And with six balls still remaining and 15 to win, it looked difficult still. Two sixes came after that, and it reduced to 1 off last ball, which Sharma dispatched to the onside with a skilled hook off a bouncer. Thrilling finish indeed. Now, the second match, next day, different opponent, KXIP this time. And this time it was 11 runs required of the last over. Irfan was given the ball, and he started with a wide, and a boundary. With 4 required of 4 balls, it looked easy. But then Rohit tried to smash the ball, and saw his stumps broken off a slower one. It was 4 off 3 then, and then RP Singh was out the next ball. Harris came to the crease, required 3 off the last ball. Hit the ball to the cover boundary, and guess what, stopped after running the second one, without trying to squeeze the third one.

Secret of Munaf Patel : The way Munaf has been performing recently, I wonder whats his secret. In the last match, took an amazing catch off his own bowling, running towards short leg, and then in the last over, kept his nerves till the last ball, protected a single, held a throw from Warne, and ran the non striker out. Winning it for his team. What a finish. Again, in this game against DD, took an amazing catch, again off his own bowling to bowl Gambhir out. This is amazing how he is performing recently. Especially when he plays for RR, under Shane Warne. He is the ace bowler for his team, and I think that gives him the edge. Many times you see stars perform better when given the responsibility. And such is the case with this guy. Not a swift mover in the field, but has the uncanny length, and upright seam every time he comes to ball.Also because of his height, extracts bounce every other ball. I guess Dhoni needs to take a leaf out of Warnes book and treat Munaf like he does.

Ah ! That Warne Vs Sachin Battle again

Those who watched the Mumbai Indians (MI) VS Rajasthan Royals (RR) match (14May,Durban,IPL2) would have seen the Warne Vs Tendulkar battle. It was amazing. Deja vu.

Warne might have won it in the end by bowling sachin out LBW, but it was sachin who was giving him some run for his money. It was fabulous.

With 146 runs to win, MI didn't start well. Lost 3 wickets early, but Sachin and Sanath were on the crease. Sanath scored 16, and when he was out, at 56/4, it was all on Sachin and Duminy. Duminy got out on 4, and the score was 76/5. Sachin was scoring briskly as well, and then Shane Warne brought himself on. Shane started with legside, a wide, a not-so-wide, and sachin scored 5-6 off those deliveries, paddle sweeping, hitting one, and missing other. And then came the straight one. And this time sachin was struck straight on the pads.Shane appealed profusely, as if praying, and the dreaded finger came up.