Back!

Back in India and enjoying the not so enjoyable IPL 3.0. Somehow this season IPL doesn't seem as exciting as they advertise it. At least I am not going wow and that is mostly because MI are running riot with the league. 12 points already and virtually assured of a semifinal spot they have made the tournament uninteresting. But what's it with teams that face them? Yesterday Preity's band ran them close, but that is the closest any team seems to come. Is Malinga too hot to handle? Given the time he has been around I think everyone should have figured him out - everyone figured Mendis out, didn't they? But just looking at how Malinga, Murali and Vaas have been among the wickets, it is ominous signs for SL at the T20 WC. But oops! They don't have my team's Vaas in their team!!!
As for the fortune of my team, they keep alternating between the fabulous and the ridiculous. Once Gilly, Gibbs and Symonds are back, the only thing that can save DC looks like the bowling of Vaas and Praghy. Kemar Roach doesn't seem like he is as big a capture as he promised to be with his price tag! Time to rethink strategies Gilly. You can't wait until the 6th over to strategize!!!
So next time around, we are going to see 10 teams (when there were numerous other cities I can't imagine what Kochin and Pune are doing in the pack!!! - just my opinion) and 94 matches. "Cricket overkill" as Symonds put it. Hope L-Mod doesn't decide to pack the 94 matches together. It ain't gonna do any magic for you Mod. I think you will split the 94 matches into 2 seasons like a wise man.
And finally, I believed that the media had boycotted the IPL after the footage terms fiasco. But as I switched channels yesterday after the MI-KXIP match I saw every channel having its cricket "expert" and proving one thing - when it comes to money throw self dignity out of the window. Also noted something funny by chance. N Sid was on Times Now and gave the thumbs down to Ryan Mclaren of the MI calling him a weak link and asking for him to be replaced by Jayasuriya. At the same time, "Hair"sha Bhogle was on CNN-IBN praising Mclaren for being there to allow Malinga have a bowl at the middle order in the middle overs. Funny also to see Bhogle grinning embarrassingly as Cyrus Broacha reported from the IPL that was not.
The latest joke that's catching up - IPL = Injured Player League