Royal thrill

RCB and RR have made it really tight at the top now. Just when I thought the pattern that would make the bottom 4 drift away from the top 4 was emerging comes two thrilling matches. But looking at how their opponents played, it must not have gotten thrilling at all. While CSK clearly looked like they underestimated RCB's late order, Sachin's MI got everything wrong with their late order.
The story of both matches looked quite similar. CSK were in the driver's seat with yet another Hayden 50. They were then pegged back spectacularly by RCB. When RCB chased, it looked like CSK had the game in their hands when they packed off the top order. But Taylor's heroics for the second game running derailed CSK. Such was their excitement that even after the last shot from Vinay Kumar went for 4, they were still running between the wickets to get the winning runs.
RR had a whirlwind start and MI stemmed the rot with a good bowling display at the end. With 145 to chase and Sachin and Sanath in their ranks, MI looked set to win home and dry. But it was yet another "rat" from the hat from Sachin when he sent in Bravo, Takawale and Rahane to bat before he and Sanath stepped in. But Warne (yeah despite an injury that threatened to take 10 days off he played with the limp) had other ideas. Not only did he marshall his troops well but he set the example by removing both the stroke makers. And then finally with 6 needed off the last over, MI conspired to lose by 2 runs - it looked like a repeat of the "cricket suicide" from the previous day. It's now 2 points separating 2nd place and 6th place - the last week is going to be very exciting.
Isn't somebody going to tell Mandira that the off shoulders that she wears only reminds people of what they see in the biology labs? Come on Mandy, you can do better. Don't get fooled into thinking that TViewers are mesmerized by your dress sense.