IPL has more than enough gas to cover the fourth stage

The game between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkatta Knight Riders was a humdinger. A last-ball finish was a perfect ending to a cliff-hanger.

Fresh personnel could not take KKR over the line. Captain Cool MS Dhoni retains the Midas touch though he seemed a little lacklustre in the field.

The sea change in cricketing personnel has left this viewer confused. Sure, the IPL auctions happened over three months ago. But it’s still incongruous to see Kallis turn out as one of Shah Rukh’s boys and Gautam Gambhir, the 11 crores man freeze under the pressure of being the most expensive player in the league.

Perhaps, by season’s end, I’ll have all the players and teams sorted out. But until then, the merry-go-round adds to the entertainment. Of course, without a fresh round of auctions, the newer teams would have been at a huge disadvantage.

Yusuf Pathan, promoted up the order for a flashy team, reminded us that maybe he’s better suited for the rustic Rajasthan Royals. But the IPL moves on and so does the Pathan.

Then what’s this? Envision Rahul Dravid opening the innings for Rajasthan Royals under the charismatic Shane Warne.

The blonde leggie showed why Shilpa Shetty rates him so highly. Her team’s valuation has more than doubled over the past three years. No wonder, she looks like the cat who swallowed the canary.

Daniel Christian proved that fringe players now make their bones in the lucrative IPL.

VVS Laxman finally got the hang of the IPL. Opening the innings for new team Kochi Tuskers Kerala, he kept tonking the bowlers over their heads. Senior pros have discovered that the top of the order is best for their more conventional styles. Lofting the ball carries less risk with field restrictions in place.

However, 161 on flat, batsman-friendly wickets is no big ask. Kochi succumbed to Royal Challengers Bangalore—the presence of Muttiah Muralidharan notwithstanding.

Three games gone and though some interest has abated , the IPL has enough to draw in fans and spectators.

Quote of the day:
Nothing changes your opinion of a friend so surely as success – yours or his. – Franklin P. Jones