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Upset No.2!

Can you believe it… two teams at the bottom of the point table in IPL1 are playing for the cup in IPL2!!! This is beauty of cricket. Nobody could have predicted this. (Not ever Imran Hashmi from Zameen… hahaha) But a real stunner. Super Kings are simply outplayed! Dhoni should be worried about his game plans and strategies. There are several questions that should be asked…Why Murali was introduced so late? Where is Dhoni’s powerful stroke play? He must be answerable (to himself at least) for the sake of upcoming T20 World cup.

Chennai started very well and they were playing almost 10 per over till 5-6th over and after that they started loosing wickets regularly. They were definitely 15-20 runs short.

With less than 150 runs to chase Royal’s start was solid with new rising star of Indian cricket…. Manish Pandey. He kept on going with confidence after 100 in the last game he played against Deccan Chargers; first scored by an Indian in both IPL sessions and only second in this session. He must be thinking of repeating same performance against them in the final. And Mr. Dependable played like Mr. Dependable with ease and elegance.

Stage is set now…. Royals Vs Chargers!

Unpredictable…!

IPL-2 brings out the true champion… does it?

What a turn around IPL-2 has proved from IPL-1… no wonder this game is a great equalizer, the two teams who were at the bottom of the table last year are now ending this season just the other way around.

No one would have imagined a final clash between the Deccan Chargers and the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the beginning of this season, but here we are witnessing the clash between the two.

Now that brings up the question… Did any of these teams really look like champions through out this league?

Though one can argue they are in the top gear right now, but then you will have to agree that there were days of inconsistent performance too. With Gilly blasting against Delhi Daredevils in the first Semifinal and Manish Pandey doing the magic for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the last two games, Deccan Chargers and Royal Challengers Bangalore managed to pull it through to the final stage.

I don’t know if this the right format for any league where each team is playing two matches against all other opponents for around one and a half months, the the deciders turn out to be the last three matches!!!

What I know from famous leagues in other sports, the teams play against the opponents at home’ and ‘away’ matches and the champion team is decided based on the total points it has scored through the season and not just by one final match.

Look at IPL-1…Rajasthan Royals had played through out the season like champions, defeating all other opponents quite handsomely and coming out as the deserving champions when they won the thrilling final match. This time it was Delhi Daredevils all through except for one match or rather just first five overs of the second innings of the first Semifinal.

If it’s all about the Semifinals and Finals, then why so many other matches through the tournament? Is it the right way of finding a true champion?

Well, you may argue that you can not be crowned as a champion if you can not win the big matches that count the most! But, I really want to hear it out from you… what do you have to say about it?

Gilli stunned Delhi and played as if playing in a Gully!

Pradip Sangwan’s body language was showing every fear of a rookie bowler bowling against a gifted player. Viru did a costly mistake to introduce him when Nannes was punished for five consecutive fours in the very first over.

Full credit goes to Gilli. He put all his experience of playing finals and winning them. He not only scored runs but killed opponents attitude to play the game to win from the very first over. Even Viru seemed confused when Gilli was in full flow. Only Nehra was looking confident and positive.

With the record of fastest fifty in IPL in just 17 balls, he is also having height strike rate and score (85). This player is unstoppable in full flow. This style of hammering down the ball was introduced by West Indians in early 70s. Richards, Lloyd, Sobers played with the hammer in hand. Recently, Lara had that magic in his bat. In late 80s and early 90s, Aussie era started and won three world cups. Gilli was integral part of the team and Aussies success.

Now, morals are charged up and opponents must be thinking of tightening the screws against him. Another Aussie making his mark with quick 24 in 15 balls was Symonds. A player out of Gibbs, Symonds, Rohit, Gilli and others with quick fire 40-50 runs can make 250+ runs possible. And yeah, this total seems very very difficult for any team in finals.

It’s all ifs and buts but, with such a stunning performance, Deccan Chargers has become strong contender for holding the shining IPL trophy.

And… the Heat is ON!!!

Now all the league matches are over. Semi finals are fixed (!?! I mean which teams are playing against each other….)
Dare-DEVILS will be very happy as they are on the top. And cricket lover DW’iens too 🙂

Icing on the cake for Daredevils is, Sehwag’s back in form with flashing fifty in the last league match against poor Bombay (Sorry Mumbai).

Delhi and Chennai are favorites and why not, they have performed good enough. But keep in mind guys, Deccan Chargers is Dark Horse.

Rohit, Gilli, Roy (Symonds), Gibbs all are hard hitters and will be hunting for bad balls… But Rohit has proved he can hit any good ball over the ropes. Remember the close match against Punjab, yorker-length ball with 143K by Bret Lee is DFL’ed over mid wicket for six! (Professionalism @ its max… DLF Maximum was converted into “DFL’ed” from the commentary box !!!) Awesome hit…. Truly RO-HIT….!

This guy certainly has huge future. He’s got tremendous temperament… And none other than Sachin praised his batting… Remember two finals against Australia on their home ground.

Well… Vijay Mallya will be happy for his team… but still lots of hustle bustle going inside the team.
Dravid sacked… KP in as a leader… still team was drowning… Dravid’s India trip in middle of the series… KP went back… Dravid performed… and now Anil is leading… so many things happening!!! Well… Kingfisher has less colors than things happening inside… hahahaha.

Does anybody have a doubt on Dhoni… the fox? But still bowing is weak link for them. Part time bowlers have done a good job for them though.

Cricket is a game of full of uncertainties… anybody can win and anybody can loose… (exception Sponsorers!)
The only unhappy man would be SRK… After all, he is the only man after Gandhji who has returned India from South Africa after getting insulted…!!!

John Buchanan get ready to be kicked off!

After all… every game is all about the will to win it and that’s important… but the will to prepare is vital!

All set for the Semifinals… So, which team are you backing?

Well the league round is over and its time to enter the final round. The line up for the semifinals is ready and two of the teams that made it to this stage are those who were at the bottom of the tally, last year.

The so called test team (from the last year’s IPL) rises up to the need of the day under the leadership of a veteran who does not shy away from displaying his age on his jersey. The young Manish Pandey from the under 19 team hits a ton – the first by an Indian, in either season. Sehwag gets back to his form and ends the silence of his bat through this season. Well, with all this happening around, the intensity of the tournament is reaching its peak and rightly so, when we are just 3 days away from finding the champions of this season.

After all the ‘ifs and buts’ on the CricTalks in last few days, we finally have the line-up for the Semifinals.

Fri: May 22 20:00 IST	1st Semi-Final Delhi Daredevils v Deccan Chargers	SuperSport Park
Sat: May 23 20:00 IST	2nd Semi-Final Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore	New Wanderers

For all the four teams, it has come down to winning just two more matches and claim the big money and pride. So close, yet so far… they will really have to battle it out in the field.

But who will get to lift the precious trophy this year?

Will it be Dhoni’s men or Kumble’s red brigade? Can Shewag’s men continue to be at the top till the end or will it be Gilly’s team that wins the contest?

So, which team are you backing?

Side Talks: Adding more to the excitement of the grand finale, lots of Bollywood celebrities are flying to South Africa. Mandira Bedi today caught hold of Katrina Kaif, who was cheering for Bangalore Royal Challengers, to know more about the closing ceremony. As per Katrina Kaif, she would be performing during the closing ceremony themed to showcase the Indian culture.

Kings XI Punjab still have a chance of reaching the IPL-2 Semifinals!

Yes it’s true… even though Kings XI Punjab have lost their last match to Chennai Super Kings, they are still in the race for the Semifinals. In my post “How can Kings XI Punjab reach the IPL 2 Semifinals?” yesterday, I did mention this scenario.

Let us first have a look at the current points

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	N/R	Pts	Net RR	For	Against
Delhi Daredevils	13	9	4	0	0	18	+0.251	1812/237.5	1788/242.4
Chennai	14	8	5	0	1	17	+0.951	2086/255.3	1855/257.1
Deccan Chargers	13	7	6	0	0	14	+0.265	1953/252.4	1927/258.1
Bangalore	13	7	6	0	0	14	-0.253	1824/256.0	1869/253.2
Kings XI Punjab	14	7	7	0	0	14	-0.483	1787/251.2	1887/248.3
Rajasthan Royals	14	6	7	0	1	13	-0.352	1688/253.1	1810/257.5
Mumbai Indians	13	5	7	0	1	11	+0.401	1732/236.2	1636/236.1
Kolkata	14	3	10	0	1	7	-0.789	1757/248.5	1867/237.5

Pay special attention to the points of Kings XI Punjab, Deccan Chargers and Royal Challengers Bangalore. All the teams are currently at par with 14 points. When Deccan Chargers and Royal Challengers Bangalore play against each other today evening, the winning team will clearly make it to the Semifinal. The losing side will end up with 14 points on the table along with Kings XI Punjab, and in this case the Net Run Rate will decide who makes it to the Semifinal against Delhi Daredevils – who are at the top of the table.

In case, Deccan Royal Challengers lose today’s match, it will be really difficult for Kings XI Punjab (Net Run Rate of -.483) to beat Deccan Chargers (Current Net Run Rate of +0.265) and make it to the Semifinals.

In case, Bangalore Royal Challengers lose the match, it could be a tricky situation as the Net Run Rate could play a major part and Kings XI Punjab might just get through to the Semifinals.

Well, Deccan Royal Challengers and Royal Challengers Bangalore might even be praying for a complete wash out of the match by rains, so that both the teams end up with 15 points each and comfortably reach the Semifinals, without the risk of the pressure match.

Illustration on how bleak or sound are the chances for Kings XI Punjab to make it to the Semifinals?

Let us assume Royal Challengers Bangalore lose the match against Deccan Chargers and try to find how the stats could decide Kings XI Punjab’s fate.

If Deccan chargers play first…

Let’s assume Deccan Chargers score 150 runs in 20 overs

Now, Royal Challengers Bangalore need to score at least 89 runs in 20 overs to still make it to the Semifinals outperforming Kings XI Punjab on the Net Run Rate.

If Royal Challengers Bangalore play first…

Let’s assume Royal Challengers Bangalore score 150 runs in 20 overs

Now Royal Challengers Bangalore need to make sure that if Deccan Chargers win the match they should make 151 (or 156 to be on a safer side) in not less than 12 overs so that Royal Challengers Bangalore still get into the Semifinal outperforming Kings XI Punjab on the Net Run Rate.

Going by this illustration, chances of Kings XI Punjab making it to the Semifinals are very bleak.

Side Talks: The faces of Preeti Zinta and Shilpa Shetty throughout the tournament were live commentary of the fate of their teams. Both of them were caught in private moments of despair on the big screen after their respective matches. Sadly, for Shilpa Shetty the campaign got over last night, while Preeti Zinta would still be hoping for a miracle.

Crictalks’ Prediction: Who will reach the IPL-2 Semifinals?

Given all the possible permutations, chances of Chennai Super Kings making it to the semifinals are really good. While for Kings XI Punjab, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Deccan Chargers, it is up to their performances in their respective last matches. For Rajasthan Royals, their chance of making it to the semifinal doesn’t only depend on winning their last match, but also on the result of the match between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings.

Well, who-so-ever makes it to the semifinals or the final, one thing is for sure… the last 7 matches of IPL-2 are going to be mind blowing!!!

The Possibility…

Given that the chances of Rajasthan Royals are bleak, we still feel that they can make it to the semifinals under the leadership of the magic man – Shane Warne. Although Kings XI Punjab has bounced back in the tournament and Chennai Super Kings are seen struggling with their performance in the bowling department in the last few matches, Dhoni’s men would be putting the best show to win the last match and leave least minimum to the mathematical puzzles.

For Deccan Chargers and Royal Challengers Bangalore the task is pretty straight forward. Win the virtual knock-out and reach the semifinals. Given the balance of the teams and the past performances, Deccan chargers do have a slight edge over the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The Prediction…

Considering all the factors, CricTalks is predicting following line up for the semifinal:

First Semifinal – Delhi Daredevils Vs Rajasthan Royals
Second Semifinal – Chennai Super Kings Vs Deccan Chargers

Though, Cricket is a funny game and predicting anything in T20, especially IPL, is quite a challenge, but we here at CricTalks are committed on giving you a fresh look at the game and some real insights. We are open to hear from you what you would like to read and how should we shape up to make it your favorite destination.

The world cup T20 is around the corner and we will are gearing up here to provide you the best coverage.

By the way, are you checking our daily Virgin IHL contest? There are some cool freebies on the shelf to be distributed. Hurrry!!!!

How can Deccan Chargers reach the IPL-2 Semifinals?

Beat Royal Challengers Bangalore and secure a place in the semifinals with a total of 16 points.

If Kolkata Knight Riders beat Rajasthan Royals (who would then be at 13 points) and Chennai Super Kings beat Kings XI Punjab (who would then be at 14 points), Royal Challengers Bangalore can afford to lose the game but with a net run rate better than that of Kings XI Punjab.

Bottom-Line: Win the virtual knock-out against Royal Challengers Bangalore and get to play the semifinal.

How can Royal Challengers Bangalore reach the IPL-2 Semifinals?

Beat Deccan Chargers and secure a place in the semifinals with a total of 16 points.

Bottom-Line: Win the virtual knock-out against Deccan Chargers and get to play the semifinal!

How can Kings XI Punjab reach the IPL-2 Semifinals?

Beat Chennai Super Kings and end up with 16 points to secure a 2nd/3rd place on the point-table.

If in the earlier match, Kolkata Knight Riders beat Rajasthan Royals, and Kings XI Punjab lose this match, Kings XI will still stand at par (14 points) with the losing side of the match between Deccan Chargers and Royal Challengers Bangalore. But in that case, the losing team would know in advance what they need to do to keep their run rate better than Kings XI Punjab.

Bottom-line: Beat Chennai Super Kings and secure the semifinal ticket!