Should one feel happy for the New Zealand cricket opening an IPL window for its players in the recently concluded eight year agreement between the players' association and national board or feel disgusted and let low for one of the major cricketing power is bowing to another cricket board for reasons best anticipated by one and all following the game of cricket especially in the sub continent? The blog has repeatedly thrown out the other board's reaction to the two cricket leagues in one country when there were biased decisions regarding the IPL and the ICL. Now, there is no need to mentioned the latter.
All major cricketing boards including the one in Bangladesh were against their national players from playing in the rebel league and tried almost everything possible to make way for the other one namely the IPL. Few cricketing greats like Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne also insisted that the IPL be included among the ICC's future tours program. The unofficial involvement of the BCCI can never be turned down in this regard. There are domestic tournaments happening in every country including non test playing nations like Ireland. But, no one comes out asking for a window for those tournaments no matter what.
The New Zealand cricket had formerly banned star fast bowler Shane Bond from featuring in the national side after he had enrolled for Delhi Gaints in the ICL. And now, the same cricket board has allowed its players that includes Shane Bond to feature in the IPL. Shane Bond has signed for the Kolkata Knight Riders who come in the bottom of the table in every edition played so far. There is hardly any country's cricket board who does not bow to the richest cricket board in the world - the BCCI and New Zealand has also not been an exception whatsoever.
However, the rest of the plans that come under the 8 year agreement is worth giving a thought for every cricket board who insists in taking the game forward in their country. The agreement has references to $65 million which can evoke interest in cricket among any cricketer from New Zealand. I wish this agreement is more valuable than playing in the IPL. But, this agreement is of no use to the BCCI and the IPL and citing a window for the IPL in this agreement can boost ties with the BCCI. This is no freedom for the NZC. In case the NZC wants to enjoy freedom I wish they visit Reko Blogging which may stop it from bowing to money in the form of IPL and BCCI.
Showing posts with label Kolkata Knight Riders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kolkata Knight Riders. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Did Mumbai try to spoil Bangalore's chances?
Last night, the Kolkata Knight Riders became the fourth team in the tournament to beat the Mumbai Indians after they won the match by 9 wickets. Prior to the match between the aforementioned teams, the Kolkata Knight Riders had a last opportunity to make it to the last four atleast this time especially when they were playing in Kolkata. Had the Kolkata team been able to overcome the Mumbai Indians in the last match of the league stage, by a good run rate, the Royal Challengers Bangalore would have been knocked out and there would have been yet another encounter between both the teams.
The Mumbai Indians gave the Kolkata Knight Riders every opportunity possible so that they make the better of them first with their usual captain Sachin Tendulkar opting to rest himself and then choosing Dwayne Bravo to captain his side. If at all Schin Tendulkar was supposed to rest himself for a match, he would have done it in any of the earlier games which his team played after making it to the semi finals of the tournament long back. But, that was never to be the case. One suggestion might be that Sachin Tendulkar would have wanted to confirm the orange cap so that it is not taken away once again by Kallis.
And, if at all Sachin Tendulkar wanted to give chance to some players who have so far never seen playing in the IPL, still that could have been done long back and not in just one game. Dilhara Fernando would have been handy even in the earlier games as well and Lasith Malinga need not have been dropped or rested. In one way, it is good for the Mumbai Indians in case the Kolkata Knight Riders replace the Royal Challengers for, the Kolkata team are better for the Mumbai team if compared to Bangalore. If Kolkata get through to the semis, then Mumbai can think of a final berth more probably than it would be the case of RCB qualifies.
If the match was followed closely, the Mumbai Indians, despite winning the toss and choosing to bat first neither lost wickets, neither showed any sort of discomfort nor put up a decent total. They were in the 14th over found at 85/4 with a run rate of less than 6 an over. Their total towards the end also didn't sound so appealing and it was thought that the Kolkata would sneak into the semis after the match was gifted to them by Mumbai. Had the Kolkata team went in for a brutal chase, by getting to the target in say 13 overs, they could have got into the last four. But. sad that the Kolkata couldn't do even that despite the cooperation.
Of course, no one takes an inconsequential game seriously and the Mumbai Indians are no exception. And experimenting in such games is welcome by anyone but, losing with an intention that a strong team gets knocked out is unethical though not illegal.
The Mumbai Indians gave the Kolkata Knight Riders every opportunity possible so that they make the better of them first with their usual captain Sachin Tendulkar opting to rest himself and then choosing Dwayne Bravo to captain his side. If at all Schin Tendulkar was supposed to rest himself for a match, he would have done it in any of the earlier games which his team played after making it to the semi finals of the tournament long back. But, that was never to be the case. One suggestion might be that Sachin Tendulkar would have wanted to confirm the orange cap so that it is not taken away once again by Kallis.
And, if at all Sachin Tendulkar wanted to give chance to some players who have so far never seen playing in the IPL, still that could have been done long back and not in just one game. Dilhara Fernando would have been handy even in the earlier games as well and Lasith Malinga need not have been dropped or rested. In one way, it is good for the Mumbai Indians in case the Kolkata Knight Riders replace the Royal Challengers for, the Kolkata team are better for the Mumbai team if compared to Bangalore. If Kolkata get through to the semis, then Mumbai can think of a final berth more probably than it would be the case of RCB qualifies.
If the match was followed closely, the Mumbai Indians, despite winning the toss and choosing to bat first neither lost wickets, neither showed any sort of discomfort nor put up a decent total. They were in the 14th over found at 85/4 with a run rate of less than 6 an over. Their total towards the end also didn't sound so appealing and it was thought that the Kolkata would sneak into the semis after the match was gifted to them by Mumbai. Had the Kolkata team went in for a brutal chase, by getting to the target in say 13 overs, they could have got into the last four. But. sad that the Kolkata couldn't do even that despite the cooperation.
Of course, no one takes an inconsequential game seriously and the Mumbai Indians are no exception. And experimenting in such games is welcome by anyone but, losing with an intention that a strong team gets knocked out is unethical though not illegal.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Unnecessary!
This is with regard to the only one dayer played between the West Indies and Canada yesterday which obviously was won by West Indies by 208 runs. No one could see this ODI between the West Indies and Canada in the ICC's FTP earlier. One has to think as to what on earth makes the ICC have such matches played and that too just one off game wherein one team or both of them are expected to fly to some other country just for that one game which is absolutely unnecessary! Is it so that the West Indies get a practice match before going into the world T20 scheduled there from April 30th onwards?
More than half of the players from the West Indies international team are busy playing in the 3rd edition of the Indian Premier League that includes their captain Chris Gayle. One has to indeed appreciate the West Indies Cricket Board for not forcing their players to fly back home to play this one useless one dayer against a team that is yet to attain test status in cricket. There was a match between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Chennai Superkings wherein players like Chris Gayle who was playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders and on the other side, there was Kieon Pollard and Dwayne Bravo who featured in the match between the Mumbai and Delhi.
May be, this is the first time players from one particular team were playing simultaneously for three different teams and for two different tournaments though the one off match between Canada and West Indies cannot be called as a tournament. Likewise, even Chandrapaul was supposed to be playing for the Royal Challengers which forms a different issue here. This was also the first instance where two West Indian players are awarded the man of the match, first when Kieron Pollard hit a 13 ball 45 runs to see Mumbai Indians win yet another encounter against Delhi Daredevils and on the other side, Chanderpaul hit a century to see his team beat Canada.
And, if one takes pains to go through the scorecard of the match between West Indies and Canada, it was once again a combined effort of Chanderpaul, Darren Bravo and Sarwan who form the senior lot. A little bit of brains from the WICB should have seen them giving young players a chance to showcase their skills especially when they were playing Canada on their home ground. Forget that! When there were senior players in the team, the total should have gone well past 350 atleast. But no. May be the WICB was missing the services of their inform players like Dwayne Bravo and Chris Gayle who are playing in the IPL.
More than half of the players from the West Indies international team are busy playing in the 3rd edition of the Indian Premier League that includes their captain Chris Gayle. One has to indeed appreciate the West Indies Cricket Board for not forcing their players to fly back home to play this one useless one dayer against a team that is yet to attain test status in cricket. There was a match between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Chennai Superkings wherein players like Chris Gayle who was playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders and on the other side, there was Kieon Pollard and Dwayne Bravo who featured in the match between the Mumbai and Delhi.
May be, this is the first time players from one particular team were playing simultaneously for three different teams and for two different tournaments though the one off match between Canada and West Indies cannot be called as a tournament. Likewise, even Chandrapaul was supposed to be playing for the Royal Challengers which forms a different issue here. This was also the first instance where two West Indian players are awarded the man of the match, first when Kieron Pollard hit a 13 ball 45 runs to see Mumbai Indians win yet another encounter against Delhi Daredevils and on the other side, Chanderpaul hit a century to see his team beat Canada.
And, if one takes pains to go through the scorecard of the match between West Indies and Canada, it was once again a combined effort of Chanderpaul, Darren Bravo and Sarwan who form the senior lot. A little bit of brains from the WICB should have seen them giving young players a chance to showcase their skills especially when they were playing Canada on their home ground. Forget that! When there were senior players in the team, the total should have gone well past 350 atleast. But no. May be the WICB was missing the services of their inform players like Dwayne Bravo and Chris Gayle who are playing in the IPL.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
The special IPL pattern
This is needless to be said the third edition of the Indian Premier League and is more than enough to draw some pattern regarding the winners and losers of the trophy. So has been the case regarding the teams that make it to the semis and also the teams which top the ratings in every edition of the same. In its inaugural edition, the winners happened to be the Rajasthan Royals while the runners up happened to be the Chennai Superkings. And the teams that finished last were the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Deccan Chargers who finished at positions 8 and 7 respectively.
But, much to everyone's surprise, it was the same two teams that finished in the last two positions a year prior to the second edition of the IPL who ended as winners of the trophy and the runners up. Had the winners been the Royal Challengers and the runners up been the Deccan Chargers, that would have been just ideal for the team which finished last would have finished first in the second edition while the team that finished second from the last would have ended second from the top. Anyways, that is secondary at the moment. But, one would be surprised with the pattern that the IPL is found following.
It was the Mumbai Indians who finished second from the last in the second edition held at South Africa and the last position was booked long before by the Kolkata Knight Riders. But, this time, if history is anywhere to go by it has been the Mumbai Indians who are found dominating the tournament like the Deccan Chargers did in the previous edition. And, the Kolkata Knight Riders are though following slowly. they have no reason for not to do what the Royal Challengers were found doing in the second edition. Even the RCBs started their IPL campaign without any sort of initial success as long as the team was captained by KP.
It was only after Anil Kumble was made the captain that the RCBs started rocking and eventually reached the finals though there were the Delhi Daredevils who were a better team than both the RCBs and the Deccan Chargers. So, if the pattern is to be followed, it has to be Mumbai Indians beating the Kolkata Knight Riders to lift the trophy. And, if the present edition of the IPL is considered, the Kings XI Punjab are found holding onto the last position and the second from the last is held by Deccan Chargers once again after they lost it to the KKR last year. So, one can expect the KXIP team to lift the trophy next year by beating Deccan Chargers if the pattern is followed.
However, decent teams compared to the KKR have been the RCBs. But, even there were DD who topped the charts last year and their fate is well in front of us.
But, much to everyone's surprise, it was the same two teams that finished in the last two positions a year prior to the second edition of the IPL who ended as winners of the trophy and the runners up. Had the winners been the Royal Challengers and the runners up been the Deccan Chargers, that would have been just ideal for the team which finished last would have finished first in the second edition while the team that finished second from the last would have ended second from the top. Anyways, that is secondary at the moment. But, one would be surprised with the pattern that the IPL is found following.
It was the Mumbai Indians who finished second from the last in the second edition held at South Africa and the last position was booked long before by the Kolkata Knight Riders. But, this time, if history is anywhere to go by it has been the Mumbai Indians who are found dominating the tournament like the Deccan Chargers did in the previous edition. And, the Kolkata Knight Riders are though following slowly. they have no reason for not to do what the Royal Challengers were found doing in the second edition. Even the RCBs started their IPL campaign without any sort of initial success as long as the team was captained by KP.
It was only after Anil Kumble was made the captain that the RCBs started rocking and eventually reached the finals though there were the Delhi Daredevils who were a better team than both the RCBs and the Deccan Chargers. So, if the pattern is to be followed, it has to be Mumbai Indians beating the Kolkata Knight Riders to lift the trophy. And, if the present edition of the IPL is considered, the Kings XI Punjab are found holding onto the last position and the second from the last is held by Deccan Chargers once again after they lost it to the KKR last year. So, one can expect the KXIP team to lift the trophy next year by beating Deccan Chargers if the pattern is followed.
However, decent teams compared to the KKR have been the RCBs. But, even there were DD who topped the charts last year and their fate is well in front of us.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Aussies not for big bucks?
Needless to be said, this is the third edition of the Indian Premier League. For the second time in succession, players from Pakistan are banned (once officially and unofficially this time) from participating in the same. At the same time, one other aspect that needs to be noticed is that some most of the players from Australia are also not found to feature in the IPL despite having the potential in them to attract huge sums of money and a lot of fame as well. The list includes close to a dozen players from the country. This is to be indeed given a closer look.
Last year in 2009 (obviously), Michael Clarke was found to back out from that year's edition of the IPL despite being offered a base price of $1 million the reason for which sources say is not enough for him considering his caliber. And, there was Shaun Tait who withdrew his name from the auction list when he wanted to improve his game as far as his international commitments were considered. This also was found making Shaun Tait back out from the CB series earlier that year for the same reason which drew a lot of applause. This was said to have been done by Shaun Tait to battle depression.
So has been the case with Mitchell Johnson who has not seen featuring in the IPL so far in all three editions though having the potential in him to make it big here. Johnson was believed to have been offered a price if $800,000 which he turned down without a second thought. And this year, though being free from his international commitments, Ricky Ponting is seen nowhere in this edition of the IPL despite having appeared for Kolkata Knight Riders earlier. While others like Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori and others who are also into their international commitments are being seen.
The only players being seen from Australia are players who have quit playing international cricket like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Martyn to name a few. Someone like Andrew Symonds is making his appearance owing to the fact that he has been banned from playing international cricket for Australia for reasons best known to everyone after the T20 world cup last year. The other category include players like Shaun Marsh and David Hussey who have not been featuring for the Australian team for a long time. The only players who play regularly play for Australia and still show interest in IPL have been Brett Lee (if not for his injury), Warner,Watson and Ryan Harris offlate.
Last year in 2009 (obviously), Michael Clarke was found to back out from that year's edition of the IPL despite being offered a base price of $1 million the reason for which sources say is not enough for him considering his caliber. And, there was Shaun Tait who withdrew his name from the auction list when he wanted to improve his game as far as his international commitments were considered. This also was found making Shaun Tait back out from the CB series earlier that year for the same reason which drew a lot of applause. This was said to have been done by Shaun Tait to battle depression.
So has been the case with Mitchell Johnson who has not seen featuring in the IPL so far in all three editions though having the potential in him to make it big here. Johnson was believed to have been offered a price if $800,000 which he turned down without a second thought. And this year, though being free from his international commitments, Ricky Ponting is seen nowhere in this edition of the IPL despite having appeared for Kolkata Knight Riders earlier. While others like Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori and others who are also into their international commitments are being seen.
The only players being seen from Australia are players who have quit playing international cricket like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Martyn to name a few. Someone like Andrew Symonds is making his appearance owing to the fact that he has been banned from playing international cricket for Australia for reasons best known to everyone after the T20 world cup last year. The other category include players like Shaun Marsh and David Hussey who have not been featuring for the Australian team for a long time. The only players who play regularly play for Australia and still show interest in IPL have been Brett Lee (if not for his injury), Warner,Watson and Ryan Harris offlate.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Fixture threatens T20 WC as well
There is worry everywhere regarding the third edition of the Indian Premier League, first with none of the team franchisees opting for players from Pakistan despite the fact that they are the current world T20 champions. This not only deprived the Pakistani players a chance to showcase their talent on the big stage but also deprived the cricket fans at large in India who would have loved to see atleast Shahid Afridi belting the bowlers from the opposition team. Then, following this turn around, the PCB chief Ijaz Butt decides not to send PAK players for the Champions League 2010.
This despite the ICC not zeroing in on holding the tournament in India. Anyway, that was a different issue though a major one as far as the tournament is concerned. And then, the recent development in this regard being that players from India will find it hard to cope up with the schedule of the IPL which is due on March 12th which is just more than a week from now onwards. The news has its say that due to the heavy schedule of the tournament, players from India who will be playing on the first few days of the tournament will have to compromise with their practice sessions.
The Deodhar trophy will be is scheduled between 6th to 9th of this month, which is just 3 days from the start of the first match of the IPL. Luckily, the first day of the tournament consists of only one match that is between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Deccan Chargers. Thanks to the inauguration ceremony that will take place prior to the start of the game which rules out the possibility of another game like the days that follow. Moreover, it is the Kolkata Knight Riders who will have to face the heat for two reasons. One, because of the down to earth performance in the previous two editions of the same and two, for playing the game on the 1st day itself.
The players of both the teams viz the Deccan Chargers and the Kolkata Knight Riders will have to choose between relishing the take off of the tournament after the fireworks & dance parties and playing their first match. Added to these issues is the fact that the ICC world T20 is due to start from 30th of April that is just 5 days after the IPL gets over. Though only two teams make it to the finals, the rest of the players would be exhausted from playing for almost a month and a half. And it is the players from New Zealand & Sri Lanka who will have to take the beating for, they would be the ones who'd be taking the field on the 1st day itself.
This despite the ICC not zeroing in on holding the tournament in India. Anyway, that was a different issue though a major one as far as the tournament is concerned. And then, the recent development in this regard being that players from India will find it hard to cope up with the schedule of the IPL which is due on March 12th which is just more than a week from now onwards. The news has its say that due to the heavy schedule of the tournament, players from India who will be playing on the first few days of the tournament will have to compromise with their practice sessions.
The Deodhar trophy will be is scheduled between 6th to 9th of this month, which is just 3 days from the start of the first match of the IPL. Luckily, the first day of the tournament consists of only one match that is between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Deccan Chargers. Thanks to the inauguration ceremony that will take place prior to the start of the game which rules out the possibility of another game like the days that follow. Moreover, it is the Kolkata Knight Riders who will have to face the heat for two reasons. One, because of the down to earth performance in the previous two editions of the same and two, for playing the game on the 1st day itself.
The players of both the teams viz the Deccan Chargers and the Kolkata Knight Riders will have to choose between relishing the take off of the tournament after the fireworks & dance parties and playing their first match. Added to these issues is the fact that the ICC world T20 is due to start from 30th of April that is just 5 days after the IPL gets over. Though only two teams make it to the finals, the rest of the players would be exhausted from playing for almost a month and a half. And it is the players from New Zealand & Sri Lanka who will have to take the beating for, they would be the ones who'd be taking the field on the 1st day itself.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
A reason to sack Shoaib Akthar
As expected, this time as well, the Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akthar has been eliminated from the list of probables for the world T20 beginning this April. Though this was not a shock news for most of us, it is truly disappointing for atleast some of us if not all. Shoaib Akthar need not be in full praise for the world's fastest delivery bowled by him with a bent elbow which he might be proud of. Neither was his pace of any danger to any of the well known batsmen of the world. On the otherhand, bowlers with a lesser pace and some part time bowlers have managed to fare better than Shoaib.
One need not compare Shoaib with Wasim Akthar or Waqar Younis but, it has been found that every Pakistani captain prefers a part time bowler (who has converted himself into a full time one due to lack of the same in Pakistan cricket) in Shahid Afridi, who is now a days seen bowling 10 overs in every ODI he is found playing. His flash in the pan brilliance was evident when he was able to take 4 wickets for Kolkata Knight Riders in the very first match that he played for the same. This was done against the Delhi Daredevils at Kolkata only to be belted for 14.5 runs an over by Sanath Jayasuriya in their 68 run chase in the next game.
Unlike it has happened to Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan, Shoaib Akthar has been lucky when it came to his bent elbow. Muralitharan was targetted by the entire world with Australians having a major share in it when he was about to claim the world record for having the most wickets in test cricket. But, Shoaib Akthar's other related controversies have always found haunting him wherever he goes and whomever he faces. It is not the ICC alone that has targetted Shoaib off late but the PCB itself when it considers Shoaib Akthar to be dangerous for them off the field than to the opposition on it.
And time as well, the PCB has sidelined Shoaib Akthar for the T20 world cup that is due in the Caribbean in April this year. And the lame excuse that the PCB is found giving this time is neither got to do anything with his fitness or his form. But, the PCB terms Shoaib Akthar unfit for the tour citing his long term absence from international cricket, which reports suggest that Shoaib last played for Pakistan somewhere in May 2009 against Australia at UAE. But, even Pakistan had not played test cricket for more than a year in 2008 after all teams started boycotting their tours to Pakistan. Should the ICC also ban Pak from playing test cricket?
One need not compare Shoaib with Wasim Akthar or Waqar Younis but, it has been found that every Pakistani captain prefers a part time bowler (who has converted himself into a full time one due to lack of the same in Pakistan cricket) in Shahid Afridi, who is now a days seen bowling 10 overs in every ODI he is found playing. His flash in the pan brilliance was evident when he was able to take 4 wickets for Kolkata Knight Riders in the very first match that he played for the same. This was done against the Delhi Daredevils at Kolkata only to be belted for 14.5 runs an over by Sanath Jayasuriya in their 68 run chase in the next game.
Unlike it has happened to Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan, Shoaib Akthar has been lucky when it came to his bent elbow. Muralitharan was targetted by the entire world with Australians having a major share in it when he was about to claim the world record for having the most wickets in test cricket. But, Shoaib Akthar's other related controversies have always found haunting him wherever he goes and whomever he faces. It is not the ICC alone that has targetted Shoaib off late but the PCB itself when it considers Shoaib Akthar to be dangerous for them off the field than to the opposition on it.
And time as well, the PCB has sidelined Shoaib Akthar for the T20 world cup that is due in the Caribbean in April this year. And the lame excuse that the PCB is found giving this time is neither got to do anything with his fitness or his form. But, the PCB terms Shoaib Akthar unfit for the tour citing his long term absence from international cricket, which reports suggest that Shoaib last played for Pakistan somewhere in May 2009 against Australia at UAE. But, even Pakistan had not played test cricket for more than a year in 2008 after all teams started boycotting their tours to Pakistan. Should the ICC also ban Pak from playing test cricket?
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