IPL 2019 Final Review: A Final That Exposed Weakness of MI and CSK

Finally, IPL 2019 has got its old champion who loves to keep the trophy with them every alternate year. Rather than saying MI won the title, I would say CSK have lost it. Despite doing everything wrong, MI won and as they say everything is good if the ending is good so they looked at the positives they have achieved. It was an IPL of last overs finishes and its final concluded in the same way.
Let's have a look at things which encapsulated the final-

1. Fielding- They say catches win matches. Well, Mumbai Indians didn't have the great day in the field and it can easily be concluded from the fact that they had dropped a single player Watson four times. So, they have dropped all the catches and lost it so many times in the match but somehow managed to win the title.

2. Never run for a misfield- No matter how much unorthodox you become you cannot ignore any basic rule of cricket. And one such rule is- One should never run for a misfield. Ignoring this basic rule cost Chennai Super Kings the trophy.

MS Dhoni got run out while trying to steal a second run which was actually not there. Batting has always been a matter of concern for CSK throughout the season and the one man on which they had heavily relied got out in a manner no one had imagined. He got run out after 2 years and that too at such a crucial moment!

Another turning point was when a set batsman who had already been gifted four lives and took Chennai Super Kings on the verge of victory single-handedly hesitantly decided to take a second run. Has he not taken that run CSK would have comfortably won the match.

3. Umpiring Standard- The one thing which has been in radar throughout this IPL is umpiring. One decision of wrong run out eliminated RCB and another one made CSK lose the trophy. Serious amendments need to be done to make this gentleman's game fairer. Also, the standard of umpiring needs to be improved on priority.

4. Pressure Game- Honestly speaking throughout the match Mumbai Indians felt the pressure of final no matter how much they deny. That wicket keeping blunder by de-cock, those simple dropped catches by their fielder and that second last penultimate over by Krunal Pandya is the proof of that. Chennai Super Kings was much more composed looking at the kind of experience they had in their team but CSK batting got exposed after Dhoni's dismissal. And last over was simply the contest between an experienced player and an inexperienced one. Lasith Malinga stuck to the basics and his strength and used his 12 years of IPL experience and bowled toe-crushing yorker in the last over which restricted CSK to even equal the title.

All in all, it was not the final anyone would have expected. While Chennai Super Kings fans are still in disbelief, the Mumbai Indians fans are happy about the fact that they have clinched the trophy.

Sachin Tendulkar Era

"That flick would be missed; the delicately placed shot off the pads, the trademark straight-drive with the manufacturer’s logo so visible; the punch to cover; it will all be missed. That innings in a one-day international which always used to be more like a highlights package would be missed maestro .Thanks a lot for so many proud moments, it was an honor watching you batting .The ODI cricket will miss its most fastidious student Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar .”

Words really fell short for me to express what the news of Sachin’s retirement from ODI meant to a true cricket fan like me. We all knew that this is going to happen but the way Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement didn’t give anyone chance to even live and cherish the memories of witnessing the greatest batsman ever in world cricket one last time. He got a chance to end his ODI career against the same  team from which he started but he  just choose to fed away.

As cricket is now being played in different formats a player has to announce his retirement from international cricket thrice viz. Test , ODI and T20.And from IPL , CLT20 post retirement from international cricket. But Sachin Tendulkar became the only player who has announced his retirement from IPL and CLT20 before getting retired from Test cricket.

 24 years in international cricket  and out of which 22 years he had spent without  being part of a world cup winning team. And now ICC World Cup, IPL, CLT20, Ranji Trophy all are currently held by Sachin Tendulkar's team!! May be it’s the accomplishments which are tempting him to take retirements or in his own words that youngsters are now ready to take the responsibilities, in the shorter formats of game atleast, which indirectly means they are still not prepared for tests! But we as a spectator are so much addicted to watch him that many had decided to take retirement from watching  ODI’s post his announcement and remaining  were watching  with the hope that Sachin will still play Test cricket, IPL and CLT20. But now with his retirement from IPL and CLT20 their only hope is test cricket.

More than his scores media’s focus  is now on counting the number of more matches he will play and how much older he is getting .With the speculations that Sachin can retire after West Indies series, I hope we will some how manage to keep watching live cricket by watching the sensational Sachin Tendulkar Era on internet for keeping our interest alive, all thanks to the technology.  

The Level Playing XI

You’ve been a spectator

You’ve been a cheerleader

You’ve been a critic

You’ve been a commentator .Now..

Feel what it is to be an owner !!!

Yes,i have been all these and now I had also  experienced what it is to be an owner. The Level Playing XI was the team which I had owned in this IPL(obviously the virtual team) and it was indeed a new way of looking at the game. Selecting the playing eleven , making suitable changes –some risky ,some assured while keeping an eye on budget and the franchise and overseas limit so as to make a balanced team use to be my pre match activities .For the first time I had watched cricket from a different perspective of taking care of who is going to earn more points for me irrespective of the quality of their cricket. Analyzing players statistics and guessing game were part of my team making strategies. However the real fun use to be once the match get started .The entire process was just like you are having full course with you and you are sorting out the important topics which can come in exam and what marks they can fetch for you .Just like when paper get handed over to you in exam hall you first scan for question you have prepared ,I use to look for the players which I had selected in the team ,whether they are actually playing or not and yes we do have surprises as we use to have in actual papers some unexpected or some may call out of syllabus question .Well nothing can be done at run time and the best we can do is look for what marks we get in this paper after attempting , including the maximum marks for the question which we had written best .In my case this task use to be of power player i.e. the player which you think will perform best on that day from the two or four teams playing on that day.            

It was tough ,but I am happy that I had almost selected the right set of players on many occasions. But the difference between almost winning and actually winning is that the former doesn’t count . So that’s how my team campaign ended performed and played well but could not quite win the title just like all other eight teams in the actual IPL .

All in all that was a great way of knowing players and teams much better and a all new way of following and watching cricket for me but I doubt I will give a second chance to it because I actually enjoy the spectator , critic and commentator part more than getting stressed by owing a team.

IPL - The Juggernaut Of Entertainment

Ever heard of a stress –buster loaded with stress ? Of course  yes !! In fact you have been experiencing it for past five years. The Indian premier league has entered in its 6^th edition and for the next two months you will not have to look for movies to watch ,for rather you have to manage how to watch the three and a half hour show of complete entertainment  each day.

This holiday season of the year is meant for only entertainment by the bollywood flavored cricket .No matter how much cricket is being played round the year ,this form of cricket has  always been successful to catch the attention of whole cricket loving world .

9 teams ,  76 matches and 1 destination but this journey to destination is  packed with unpredictability and photo –finishes that are bound to keep you on the edges of you seats .From its first season itself the thought of watching the favorite stars of world cricket sharing the same team thrilled every one towards Indian premier league . There is something special about this T20 format that the winner in its tournaments donot have  experienced captain to lead say T20 world cup winners - India (2007 captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni ) ,Pakistan (2009 captain Shahid Afridi) , England (2010 captain Paul Collingwood ) , West Indies (2012 captain Darren Sammy) . IPl also share the same legacy as it has proven to be an event where assertive leaders set the tone in winning sides-from Shane Warne (Rajasthan Royals ) , Adam Gilchrist (Deccan Chargers) , Mahendra Singh Dhoni ( Chennai Super Kings) to Gautam Gambhir ( Kolkata Knight Riders ).

Although there is a lot of money involved in this tournament but it actually does not matter if you had flaunted the heavy purse to own a IPL franchise for ten years and always remain in news only for showing money power at player auctions than any spectacular team performance like the RIL owned Mumbai Indians. Every year IPL remain in news for some or the other reason and this year it seems that Delhi Daredevils is facing plenty of pre-tournament blues much before donning their newly designed blues. Of course lot more actions and twists are lined for you to keep you involved in the event.

So get ready to stop your clock on the juggernaut of entertainment !!

If You Fail To Prepare, Be Prepared To Fail

The continuous failure of world champions India after 2011 world cup triumph whether its eight straight overseas defeat ,or their early exit from major tournaments like Asia cup , world T20 or the recent exit of top IPL teams like Chennai Super Kings , Mumbai Indians and the winners of this years IPL Kolkata Knight Riders from he Champions League T20 ,the one factor which is common for their such inconsistent performance is lack of match preparation.

Indians were having a task in hand before the ICC cricket world cup 2011 and after completion of the task normally teams get carried away in celebrations and often donot have a future strategy , thats why except Australia none of the country had not only repeated their performances in world cups but also dominated in the cricket .But Indians have not got time to get carried away in celebrations also , the only thing which is keeping them away to perform their best is the busy international schedule.

The modern day cricket demands players to switch between formats  and perform continuously . It is really appreciable the way players have  adapted themselves to this changing demand. But with so much back to back cricket going on ,the technical term “form “ of the players is being replaced by the “day” of the players. With the advent of most uncertain format ,the players performance also became uncertain. They don’t get  enough time to improvise and over come their mistakes  and hence the players who is currently not making any mistakes is said to be in good  touch on the other hand  the one who is not in his best of touch continues to perform  below par .The recent exit of India in the major tournaments is not because it is a bad team it’s the fact that they have many  players who are not having best of their days in the middle and actually have not got enough  time to work on that .No matter whether the team is a world champion or an average team if  you donot prepare well ,you just cannot expect a favorable result .

Maximum players of England and Australia keep themselves away from the IPL so as to prepare themselves for the upcoming series for their nation and the recent performance of these teams proves that they are actually doing it right .On the contrary India plays with almost same team through out the year in all the formats ,and all players compulsorily play in IPL . Proper planning need to be done urgently looking at the terrible failure of Indian team in recent times whether its opting for three different captains and keeping different teams for all the three formats or players keeping themselves  away from the IPLs .However the later doesn’t seem to be fit in the Indian context looking at the competition among players  for each position ,the only possibility is if board itself take decision for the betterment of Indian team .

Oh Yeah I Am Predicting It

Even before the IPL has started CSK and DD were my favorite teams but  the way CSK has made it to the playoffs gives perfect climax to the story. The IPL 5 has truly served the purpose of T-20 .We have seen many cliffhangers in the league stage which have made us to miss many heartbeats and even after so many ups and downs we are having no surprises and  the best teams have made it to the playoffs .

With the first successful chase of 43 runs in 2 overs , I am predicting it right  about who is going to win a particular match including the way CSK has qualified to the playoffs ,well it might be the  unpredictability factor which had made it more predictable . Deccan Chargers has been given the chokers tag in this IPL looking at their performance in which they are not able to finish the things their way and unfortunately the results do not show how well they have played . It’s the  Deccan  Chargers only who finally got charged up and short circuited  Rajasthan Royals and then doused the hopes of Royal Challengers Bangalore and given the perfect culmination to the league stage  and hence Chennai Super Kings like every year made their way to the playoffs in style .Finally the stats also confirmed that Deccan Chargers , Kings eleven Punjab ,Rajasthan Royals have emerged as the team of this IPL .The games have  been s close because all teams are of equal caliber and now we can expect even better contest between the top 4 teams who have won the battle of nerves in league stage .

For me CSK and DD are the strong contenders of final berth looking at the CSKs  ability  of handling pressure and its team composite full of all rounder although the team has not performed to its potential and have certainly missed specialists but they are the strongest among all four .On the other hand DD have the most reliable and solid batting lineup and so far their bowlers have also complemented that so we can expect a close contest if CSK do not miss this golden opportunity given to it and play to its potential .The reason why KKR and MI could not win IPL 5 are obvious because KKR has to play with DD and MI to CSK and only one can win it !!! Apart from them MI is winning it ugly and are pretty much inconsistent with  their team composition (they probably have tried the maximum number of opening combinations in IPLs ) and also with their  performance ,although KKR played exceptionally well after a not so good start but they are very much dependent on their bowler Sunil Narine and openers ,which may cost them at this level when best play against best .

But one this is sure that this IPL season has been proven better from its previous edition and so we can expect a even better cricket in the play offs and may be hope for a surprise at the end !!!!      

Intermission Time In IPL

Well its all about lights camera and action in IPL and this fifth season of IPL is turning out to be most unpredictable one . Its intermission time in IPL - with already lots of action and drama in the first half which is dominated by Delhi Daredevils (which are among my favorites this time) with its awe inspiring batting line up led by Sehwag - The captain who like an accomplished actor done his fight scenes .

It’s the right match winning combination doing the trick for Delhi Daredevils . The first half surly goes to Delhi daredevils and South African players who are playing a important match winning role for their respective teams.

Now as the tournament has entered in its second par it would now be interesting to see Australians impact in the culmination part with Michael Clarke the mastermind of Australia's 2-0 test series win against WI playing under Sourav Ganguly the pied piper of Indian Team whose international career featured a fierce ,competitive clashes with Australians .The IPL magic is really on with many stars getting in form and many have proving them selves .Their is a interesting going on between Virender Sehwag And Ajinkya Rahane , batsman ff contrasting styles  battling for orange cap in this IPL.....!!!The matches will surly going to be more exciting  as from here on every win and loss is going to create an impact. The teams have changed their gears and its still an open tournament for every one .I strongly believe that there is going to be a twist and expecting an anticlimax of this IPL....!!!!!!!!!

Unpredictable IPL 5

How many times have you seen a team chasing down 43 runs in 12 balls , making 21 runs in 6 balls and making 23 runs in the final overs that too in a single tournament….!! But this IPL has given such excitement just in its initial stage .All teams are giving their best in the field and every match have a culmination at the end.

IPL 5 seems to be a open tournament at the initial stage where all the teams have started their campaign well compared to  the previous two IPLs where the champions were almost known to every one .Its unpredictability at its best this time both in the match results and the about the  winner .If we look at the stats all teams equation goes head t o head and every team have potential to win the IPL .In every tournament we can predict a team who can win including 50 over world cups but this IPL is going exceptionally well and in fact that’s what T-20 is all about it has the history of giving the last unpredictable results .

The defending champions Chennai Super Kings  might not have got  best of the starts in the tournament but it’s a long tournament and they have the potential to bounce back although  getting a good start is also necessary as it is also very difficult to bounce back also and get the right rhythm .Mumbai Indian the all time favorite of many to win seems to take a semi final berth  with their top weapons Lasith Malinga and Sachin Tendulkar but still winning the title seems  difficult time time also because of their inconsistent performance ,it is a good team no doubt but win matches on individual performance not by team effort ,for me it’s a team of 11 individuals !!!Pune Warriors India is also among the favorites this time with the DADA impact and so far it is performing well against a truly good leader ,it would be an achievement if they book their berth in semi finals  . Royal Challenger Bangalore have the marauder Gayle with them ,their batting seems to be perfect but its their lack of fifth bowler which is causing trouble to them ,they are having a constant trouble since last season to deal with the death overs in the bowling department and in T-20 only these overs decide the result of the match ,so may cost them badly .Delhi Daredevils have every thing in their team ,a perfect balanced side with superb batting lineup and a descent bowling and they all the performing ,if they can keep that going they are surly going the title this time .Rajasthan Royals  is also doing reasonably well this in this tournament with his assured batting performance hopefully they will be among the four semi finalist .Apart from that Kolkata Knight Riders , Kings XI Punjab , Deccan Charger have the potential but are very inconsistent with their performance ,so it seems difficult that any of them can go to the next stage of the game .

The tournament has now got the  pace and its going to be interesting to watch how the teams progress from their on .We are surly going to many more memorable wins and powerful performances in the coming matches , no matter who is going to win this IPL but billions hearts will be won for sure with such cricket.

Schizophrenic IPL

Lights Cricket Action – That’s what IPL is known for!!!! It have got every thing with it -name , fame and money , unpredictability at its best both in the game and for the players of their career. Many experts have mixed opinion about this format probably it is the last thing they recommend about cricket and hence as they are uncertain about its future.

IPL has entered into its fifth successful year and no doubt it has given a perfect platform for the youngsters to play with the best international players of different countries and learn from them , it can make any one hero overnight and can also take one to the astray. But choosing only this format can proved to be biggest mistake .As many youngsters are focusing on this format only, as short cut always attract every one but it cut short your career .Therefore it became very important for the players to give priority to the first class cricket if they want a extended career in cricket.

As if we analyze the international players who play IPLs then maximum of them, are either retired ,some are not currently in their international team ,those who are playing have proven themselves in all format of the game and obviously every member of current Indian is playing but there are some also who  put their country first .Well if we talk about the first category about the retired ones they have nothing to loose but have many thing to give to the youngsters ,if we  take the ones who are currently  not  in the team then they are focusing on first class cricket and IPLs to perform well and get their position back and the third one have nothing to prove they are just enjoying their game and their success and failure in IPL wont affect their stature and international career but talking about the untold category i.e. of the players who just play for IPLs and even ready to skip the first class cricket so as to not get injured what they are going to achieve out of this ,where are they all going ?? The one of that category should also decide their priority if they have to make career in cricket with domestic cricket first and then IPL .Of course playing IPL is not harm it has very positives associated with it but one should try to go in at least one of the recognized group having some purpose.

IPLs gives a international exposure to the domestic players and can prove to be great learning experience. With so man fomats introduced ,international cricket it can be rated now as Test Cricket>ODI Cricket>T-20>IPL and the domestic player which lie between  ODI and T-20 the players should decide their priority and try to go up in the order rather then going down the order.

From an international audience point of view also the rating is same ,but for now its time for that part of the year when cricket has maximum fan following ,it the time for electrifying IPL5 so hold on your nerves get ready for some  power packed hefty performances…!!!!!!!!!!