Undeserving

Much as I can acknowledge that DC did not deserve to win against KKR on Saturday night, I must say that they had to win against KXIP on Sunday. But I must also question Ryan Harris' running off the last ball against KXIP. The non striker had almost completed the third run and was indeed running to the danger end. So what was Ryan thinking as he strolled towards the dug out after completing the second run? After all T20 is all about taking your chances - even if it is non existent or slimmest. Just take Yuvraj Singh for example. Who would bet on him taking not one but two hat tricks in the same tournament? It's all about taking chances and Ryan just missed the plot. On a foot note - kudos to Rohit. He proved everyone wrong about his attitude. Despite the result, DC are still 3rd thanks to CSK and DD pulling well clear with victories. Now DC has to slug it out with RCB, KXIP and RR for the two semi final spots - something that could not have been so tough had DD not laid down for KXIP to roll over them on Friday and had DC not committed that cricket suicide. Looking at the remaining matches to be played, it looks quite absorbing.
RCB have the might of DD to face up before heading against DC in the last league match which could turn out to be a potential quarterfinal.
RR could falter if they take KKR as a sitting duck in their last match.
KXIP have to contend with CSK who have already cemented their spot in the last 4 - something that might let CSK to go with fringe players and boost KXIP.
There's a lot to joke about off the field. It was a pathetic sight yesterday to watch the RR cheerleaders dance with their most minimal clothing on when everyone else at the ground was running to cover themselves against the biting cold. Mandira Bedi finally listened to what has been said about her dress sense - but still has to improve on all other senses. Akash Chopra finally got himself convinced that he had to cheer for KKR and even that couldn't turn KKRs fortune around. Sameer Kochar made the most laughable joke. After the last ball six that won the match for DC against KKR, Sameer burst on to the screen with the hang over of the excitement still lingering. But all of it ended in anti climax when he finished saying it was a comfortable victory for the Chargers. It was also funny to watch the square leg umpire trying to stop Mortaza from bowling before that contentious no ball during the match.
The next one is something I have wanted to talk about for a long time. It's about the IPL trophy. The organizers have put in a lot of thought, money and what not into making the IPL a big success. But alas! Where were they when they designed the trophy? Every time the trophy comes on screen and the commentators start praising the trophy ravishly, I begin to think if I am the only one who feels otherwise. Just look at the trophy - does it look even slightly attractive? Alright, its replete with diamonds and rubies. But it looks like a hastily arranged India map made of some white stones from which a few stones have fallen off. Come on Modi - try finding something else. This trophy doesn't reflect the mood of the IPL!!
The joy and thrill and money in the IPL has indeed turned a few heads. While some former foreign players and foreign boards are going green with jealousy - Javed Miandad calls IPL a joke and alleges match fixing while most English commentators have blamed Chris Gayle's late arrival in England for West Indies' test loss - many of the ICL players are already quitting it - Hemang Badani is the latest in this list.