IPL should be only about cricket. The quality of cricket has been good for a change plus number of matches have been close. Bollywood, stupid anchormen/women dancing, late night parties and Danny Morrison should be banned. Value of the brand is purely from the product ie T20 cricket with international cricketers and local players locking horns.
On cricketing note, sehwag/ Gambhir have joined the increasing tribe of Indian stars who perform only at IPL level. Rohit Sharma / Bhajji/ Irfan Pathan epitomise this cult. Raina has lost the ability to shine in any form of the game. Dhoni it appears is all set to retire after T20 World Cup !
Tendulkar should play the annual MPs cricket - think it is a play off between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs. However with Kirti Azad in Lok Sabha bowling line up (albeit it slow off spiners), think Tendulkar will struggle !
On international scene Duncan Fletcher must be licking his lips on extending his contract - after all India has only home series coming up with Sri lanka, Australia, New Zealand, England! All of a sudden bingo our ranking, ratings go up. I just hope Ravi shastri and Sunny Gavaskar are not recruited by Neo Sports for commentary.
Given the form of Sehwag at top of the order may be time to move him down. Gambhir/ Rahane should open with Kohli at 3, Tendulkar, Laxman (both will not be axed till retirement) and the classy Kohli to follow. Bowling will continue to be of club level quality with only Zak providing ammunition. Rest of the bowling is thrid rate - so pick whomever you want - will not make dent in even lancashire 2nd eleven. Where is the next Anil Kumble ?
On cricketing note, sehwag/ Gambhir have joined the increasing tribe of Indian stars who perform only at IPL level. Rohit Sharma / Bhajji/ Irfan Pathan epitomise this cult. Raina has lost the ability to shine in any form of the game. Dhoni it appears is all set to retire after T20 World Cup !
Tendulkar should play the annual MPs cricket - think it is a play off between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs. However with Kirti Azad in Lok Sabha bowling line up (albeit it slow off spiners), think Tendulkar will struggle !
On international scene Duncan Fletcher must be licking his lips on extending his contract - after all India has only home series coming up with Sri lanka, Australia, New Zealand, England! All of a sudden bingo our ranking, ratings go up. I just hope Ravi shastri and Sunny Gavaskar are not recruited by Neo Sports for commentary.
Given the form of Sehwag at top of the order may be time to move him down. Gambhir/ Rahane should open with Kohli at 3, Tendulkar, Laxman (both will not be axed till retirement) and the classy Kohli to follow. Bowling will continue to be of club level quality with only Zak providing ammunition. Rest of the bowling is thrid rate - so pick whomever you want - will not make dent in even lancashire 2nd eleven. Where is the next Anil Kumble ?
