Indian Premier League 2 : IPL 2 : IPL 2009

MUMBAI: Mumbai Indians’ captain Sachin Tendulkar is of the opinion that the $5 million cap that has been fixed on each of the eight IPL franchise teams for buying players can’t remain forever.

“I don’t know how that will work in all the years to come in the IPL. To be honest I have not heard of it (about Ricky Ponting’s view that cap should continue so that the T20 event remains competitive),” Tendulkar said. [Read more →]

Yusuf Pathan didn’t just send balls sailing out of the park, he has also effectively hit Kolkata Knight Riders out of the Indian Premier League.

Rajasthan Royals were in trouble at 69-4 chasing Kolkata’s 147. But Pathan smashed 48 from 18 balls, with three sixes and five fours, and knocked off the remaining runs with ease in the company of Mohammad Kaif, who made 34.

It was a must-win match for Kolkata, who were asked to bat by Shane Warne. Their innings lacked momentum from the beginning, and they ended up with an ordinary score.

[Read more →]

This is my hunch. After reading the report from cricinfo, I did some connecting the dots and came up with a few teams who can spend in excess of $4 million. Only 3 teams come to my mind. They are certainly the teams languishing at the bottom of the points table this year. They could be :

1. Deccan Chargers
2. Royal Challengers
3. Knight Riders

I am ruling out Knight Riders on the fact that Shah Rukh is burning enough cash already and he might be savvy but all his money comes from movies. When you compare Shah Rukh with other corporate bigwigs who are in the race he falls short on cash.

Deccan Chargers might want to improve their chances next year. They already have a star packed team but did not click. They might be tempted to change the combination. But, it is not the international stars which have failed them but the dearth of local talent. They might not want to spend that amount Kevin Pietersen. Instead, they might try to get their combination together with the current team.

Do I have to say anything about Royal Challengers performance so far this year. Their performance is abysmal. If there is one team who need Kevin Pietersen so badly that they might even spend $4 million then that is Royal Challengers. It is very evident from Dr. Mallya’s statements off late about trying to get in new players or buying players from other team at a higher cost. Mallya will do whatever it takes to get back into the game. Losing is a term he is not too familiar with untill he bought Bangalore team. He definitely wants to change that. He is also called the Sir Richard Branson of India. He might use this connection to bring Kevin to Bangalore.

Will Daredevils spring in surprise? I don’t think so. I think Mallya is spinning the wheels already. Let us wait and see.