IPL2009 after a week

Unexpected !! Surprising !! Boring !!

First of all, IPL gave the cricket world a bit of shock when it was revealed that there would not be any opening ceremony and Indian media was totally in the dark about IPL opening ceremony.

The grounds are pretty sparsely filled, especially during the first innings. But it looks like the broadcasting team have been told to keep talking about the excitement and the fever at the ground. The camera men have been instructed not to pan towards empty stands. And the producers keep telling the spectators to scream and shout when the camera pans to them.Though the evening matches are better in terms of crowd presence, but it did not, of course, reveal any sign of a sold-out match. There could be two reasons behind it. May be, people bought the tickets, but did not come to the stadium for any mysterious reason, or IPL revealed fake reports regarding ticket selling with a view to catching the attraction of cricket fans in India as well as in South Africa.Local cricket fans just come and spend a nice evening on the grass, and show no feeling of being delighted at boundaries or sixes or fall of wicket.

With the pitches assisting the bowlers, high scoring games have become a rarity with the last 2-3 matches being an exception. Finally something for the bowlers to cheer as they also have a say in the course of the game..

Another striking feature has been that thus far the orange and purple caps have been with the Indians. (Hayden took over orange cap now :-( ).. Spinners have dominated on many occasions..

Wasn't south africa chosen over england because the weather would be fine ?? hmmm.. Doesn't seem so, with rain curtailed matches and rain washing out a match, surely rain has played a spoil sport..

Highlights of Week1:

• The dog that came into the field and dodged every security personnel for a long time (longer than the strategic break)
• The absence of Indian fans- the fun loving fans who scream, shout and boo the players accordingly.. SA crowd have been well-behaved.
• $1.5million for just 3 games.. Flintoff is going back home with a knee injury
• Strategic breaks that affect the flow of the game, and the players have to re-group themselves and start afresh once again...
• The classy innings have come from the ex-trio of Indian cricket.. Sachin in the opening game a well crafted 59, Dravid with a 66 in their opening match and Dada's 2 wickets in an over was remeniscent of Toronto Sahara Cup and his brilliant innings of 46 in the tied game.. Just shows what experience is all about.
• Matty returned to form a little too late in his career!! Orange cap holder. Seems like the mountain of a man is back to his devastating form. Bowlers beware !!
• The first century of IPL2009 from AB, 2nd fifty came up in a jiffy to post the highest team total thus far ..
• Anil Kumble's 5 for 5. This happened in IPL only..
• The super over in RR vs KKR match is worth mentioning.. Warne's faith in the young Kamran Khan is really appreciable. Handed him the ball on 2 crunch situations and he impressed on both occasions. (deserved MoM)
  
• The tables have turned upside down with the DC at the top of the table, and the much deserving DD right up there.
  

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	N/R	Pts	Net RR
Deccan Chargers	2	2	0	0	0	4	+2.158
Delhi Daredevils	2	2	0	0	0	4	+0.985
Mumbai Indians	2	1	0	0	1	3	+0.950
Rajasthan Royals	3	0	1	1	1	3	-1.875
Chennai	3	1	2	0	0	2	+1.067
Kings XI Punjab	3	1	2	0	0	2	-0.364
Bangalore	4	1	3	0	0	2	-0.669
Kolkata	3	1	1	1	0	2	-0.887

Chennai have a stiff task ahead having to win now.. KKR is in their familiar territory-bottom of the table..

Surprisingly even the Kingfisher Fair play award table has seen a change with KKR ranked higher (change of captain has worked atleast here), and rajasthan are at the bottom..

Bangalore (4 Matches)							31
Punjab (3 Matches)							30
Kolkata (3 Matches)							30
Chennai (3 Matches)							28
Deccan (2 Matches)							20
Delhi (2 Match)							19
Rajasthan (3 Match)							19
Mumbai (2 Match)							10