Which IPL franchise will you be supporting?

[Jamee999]

Yeah, Boucher can totally smash it, like at RoadFest Jo'berg.

 

[Jono]

The only thing about Bangalore that I don't understand is why they went with Jaffer. They really didn't need a player like him at all.

I don't mind Jaffer, and when he's on I reckon he's great to watch, but with Dravid, Kallis and Chanderpaul already in the team, what was the point? I know he was cheap and all, but there were better players on offer. Styris for example.

 

[silentstriker]

The only thing about Bangalore that I don't understand is why they went with Jaffer. They really didn't need a player like him at all.

I don't mind Jaffer, and when he's on I reckon he's great to watch, but with Dravid, Kallis and Chanderpaul already in the team, what was the point? I know he was cheap and all, but there were better players on offer. Styris for example.

Jaffer on Indian pitches is pretty much unstoppable.

 

[Jono]

In first class cricket, definitely. Particularly to spinners.

What will be the point of him in a 20/20 though? He only has 3 List A tons.

Will gladly be proven wrong though, as he's attractive to watch.

 

[Agent TBY]

Mohali. Absolutely gun team, with Kumar, Mahela, Sarwan and Yuvraj. Bowling isn't half bad either: Lee, Pathan, Sreeshant, Chawla and Powar.

In saying that, I'll probably go watch a lot of Mumbai's games because I live here, and will end up supporting them.

 

[Agent TBY]

The only thing about Bangalore that I don't understand is why they went with Jaffer. They really didn't need a player like him at all.

I don't mind Jaffer, and when he's on I reckon he's great to watch, but with Dravid, Kallis and Chanderpaul already in the team, what was the point? I know he was cheap and all, but there were better players on offer. Styris for example.

He's an Indian plus an Opener? Buying too many international players would've just been stupid, and Bangalore already have a big enough list.

 

[Top_Cat]

Jaffer on Indian pitches is pretty much unstoppable.

I see what you're saying but I found that in the 20/20 WC, the most interesting thing to come out of it was that the best players were the best 20/20 players too and the 20/20 'specialists' (like all the English players who excelled in 20/20 domestically) were found out even in the super short form of the game. Class showing through was something I certainly didn't expect to occur and it was a pleasant surprise. That Misbah was one of the tournament's best batsmen was a bit of a surprise and I was glad to see him back because I have always rated him but he also showed how much better he was by doing well in the Test side when recalled. Obviously Yuvraj was an exception. I know everyone was worried that great players would be reduced to mere mortals by the shortened nature of the game but it wasn't the case in the end. Sure less classy players did well but did any of the great ones do poorly? I don't think so.

 

[ret]

Whilst Boucher often plays innings of a gutsy, graft-like nature, the man can absolutely tee-off when he needs to.

If he comes in with Kallis, Dravid and Chanderpaul laying a platform, Boucher with White can go nuts.

And Chanderpaul showed in 2007 in ODIs that he can be absolutely brilliant as well.

Now I do agree that Boucher is a dynamite and a useful player to have in ur side

Other concern for B'lore, I hv is that I don't think its top order would make the most out of the power-plays, which are very imp w/ most teams looking to hit 50 runs in them. As an opponent playing against B'lore, I would love to see a top order of jaffar, kallis & dravid

2ndly if Cpaul, Boucher, Kallis & White are going to be in the playing X1 then Blore bowling would not have Bracken or Steyn!!! Which means it will be mostly banking on Zak and Kumble, along with the all-round capabilities of Kallis & White. Again as an opponent, I would not mind facing such an attack

And yes, if i remember correctly it was you said that ppl writing of B'lore are crazy. .... too be honest, with the kind of comments [lacking cricketing intelligence], i hv seen from some of the guys supporting B'lore, i can only feel more for B'lore

cheers

 

[pup11]

Now I do agree that Boucher is a dynamite and a useful player to have in ur side

Other concern for B'lore, I hv is that I don't think its top order would make the most out of the power-plays, which are very imp w/ most teams looking to hit 50 runs in them. As an opponent playing against B'lore, I would love to see a top order of jaffar, kallis & dravid

2ndly if Cpaul, Boucher, Kallis & White are going to be in the playing X1 then Blore bowling would not have Bracken or Steyn!!! Which means it will be mostly banking on Zak and Kumble, along with the all-round capabilities of Kallis & White. Again as an opponent, I would not mind facing such an attack

And yes, if i remember correctly it was you said that ppl writing of B'lore are crazy. .... too be honest, with the kind of comments [lacking cricketing intelligence], i hv seen from some of the guys supporting B'lore, i can only feel more for B'lore

cheers

I think we are reading too much into B'lore batting line-up having too many defensive batsmen, i am sure they would work some way of scoring at a fair clip as all of them are mighty fine batsmen [except Jaffer], as T20 is not all about slogging one can score fairly quickly even by batting in an orthodox fashion.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Kolkata

A top 4 of Gayle, McCullum, Ponting, Ganguly is like a wet dream when it comes to 20-20.

 

[TT Boy]

Now I do agree that Boucher is a dynamite and a useful player to have in ur side

Other concern for B'lore, I hv is that I don't think its top order would make the most out of the power-plays, which are very imp w/ most teams looking to hit 50 runs in them. As an opponent playing against B'lore, I would love to see a top order of jaffar, kallis & dravid

2ndly if Cpaul, Boucher, Kallis & White are going to be in the playing X1 then Blore bowling would not have Bracken or Steyn!!! Which means it will be mostly banking on Zak and Kumble, along with the all-round capabilities of Kallis & White. Again as an opponent, I would not mind facing such an attack

And yes, if i remember correctly it was you said that ppl writing of B'lore are crazy. .... too be honest, with the kind of comments [lacking cricketing intelligence], i hv seen from some of the guys supporting B'lore, i can only feel more for B'lore

cheers

That is the concern not only for the sides but for me as a viewer, nothing against young Indian cricketers but it would be disappointing to tune in and Bangalore have the likes of Steyn, Chanderpaul and White on the bench and in their place is some military medium pacer or nineteen year old kid.

I understand one of the so called rationales is for the development of Indian cricketers but merely being involved in the squads could be sufficient enough tuition and doubtlessly given the number of games, the whole squad will probably be utilised at one point or another. I’m not suggesting having no limit to the amount of ‘foreigners’ on the field (a number such as 6 or 7 would be ideal) but merely from a wider perspective you want to see the best and I’m sure there is millions of Indian fans who would rather watch Brett Lee in action than Ajit Bhalchandra Agarkar or Joginder Sharma.

 

[ret]

I think we are reading too much into B'lore batting line-up having too many defensive batsmen, i am sure they would work some way of scoring at a fair clip as all of them are mighty fine batsmen [except Jaffer], as T20 is not all about slogging one can score fairly quickly even by batting in an orthodox fashion.

Let's hope that B'lore does find a way

BTW, one assumption that some ppl make when we talk batting in 20T is that it's either slogging or orthodox play when batting is being discussed. When i say that Dravid or Kallis could slow things down for B'lore, I don't imply that I encourage a team with sloggers. No, thats not the point

to illustrate, let's take the potential top order of some of the teams

Mumbai ----> Tendulkar, Jayasuriya, Uthappa
Hybad ----> Gilly, Rohit and Symo
Mohali ----> Sangakara, Pathan & Sarwan
Delhi ----> Sehwag, Gambhir & Malik
Kolkatta ----> Gayle, McCullun & Ponting
Chennai ----> Hayden, Fleming & Hussey

There are not many sloggers above and these guys are pretty good at scoring quickly while playing normal cricket .... the point is NOT orthodox vs slogging

And add to that fact that when compared with some of the teams, B'lore is a weak fielding side. which means more runs given away in the field and thats other factor too

cheers

 

[silentstriker]

That is the concern not only for the sides but for me as a viewer, nothing against young Indian cricketers but it would be disappointing to tune in and Bangalore have the likes of Steyn, Chanderpaul and White on the bench and in their place is some military medium pacer or nineteen year old kid.

I understand one of the so called rationales is for the development of Indian cricketers but merely being involved in the squads could be sufficient enough tuition and doubtlessly given the number of games, the whole squad will probably be utilised at one point or another. I’m not suggesting having no limit to the amount of ‘foreigners’ on the field (a number such as 6 or 7 would be ideal) but merely from a wider perspective you want to see the best and I’m sure there is millions of Indian fans who would rather watch Brett Lee in action than Ajit Bhalchandra Agarkar or Joginder Sharma.

Depending on how popular this gets outside India, this would change I think. But yea, definitely, I'd have liked 5-6 limit.

 

[ret]

That is the concern not only for the sides but for me as a viewer, nothing against young Indian cricketers but it would be disappointing to tune in and Bangalore have the likes of Steyn, Chanderpaul and White on the bench and in their place is some military medium pacer or nineteen year old kid.

I understand one of the so called rationales is for the development of Indian cricketers but merely being involved in the squads could be sufficient enough tuition and doubtlessly given the number of games, the whole squad will probably be utilised at one point or another. I’m not suggesting having no limit to the amount of ‘foreigners’ on the field (a number such as 6 or 7 would be ideal) but merely from a wider perspective you want to see the best and I’m sure there is millions of Indian fans who would rather watch Brett Lee rrin action than Ajit Bhalchandra Agarkar or Joginder Sharma.

That's a good point

considering that the teams r spending so many dollars to acquire international players, the limit on playing them into the XI should be increased

may be, the ideal balance would be 50% International & 50% Indians, which translates into something like 5 International to 6 Indians

right now, the teams that will probably do well would be the ones having a good pool of Ind players in their squads rather than big international names who may not play in all games or tournaments

cheers

 

[eglezdzdiyd]

i'll be going for hyderabad. Pretty much should be the most entretaining attacking team with gilly, symo, gibbs, afridi, plus also laxman who i enjoy watching.

 

[NUFAN]

Kolkata

A top 4 of Gayle, McCullum, Ponting, Ganguly is like a wet dream when it comes to 20-20.

Wow that is awesome actually.

Probably as Ret will tell you though is that it's unlikely those first 3 will play cause you can only have 4 Internationals.

Cheers.

 

[completeNZer]

gooooo Delhi

 

[Prince EWS]

I think Dravid, and Kallis will surprise you.

And Chanderpaul even moreso. He's a perfect example of players who bat patiently because it's the right thing to do more times than not - not because they can't score more quickly. He's played some real quickfire innings in his time.

 

[Somerset]

Am hoping the New Zealanders perform well - McCullum could prove a particularly good buy. Will be behind Chennai though, with both Fleming and Oram and a host of other quality players (Hayden, Albie Morkel and Murali).

 

[TT Boy]

And Chanderpaul even moreso. He's a perfect example of players who bat patiently because it's the right thing to do more times than not - not because they can't score more quickly. He's played some real quickfire innings in his time.

But usually when it suits him, can think of endless innings where he has batted ridiculously slow to the detriment to his side.
A top four of Dravid, Jaffer, Kallis and Chanderpaul maybe not the sure fire recipe for 20/20 disaster that people are suggesting but it is rather ‘excessive’.