***Official*** IPL 2009

[Arjun]

Brilliant exchange there.

Praveen has opened with success for India A in an OD Tri Series against Kenya and Sri Lanka A. He also opens for his State in OD cricket too so it is not totally random. That being said, he is totally out of his depth at anything near international cricket, with the bat.

Praveen Kumar bats a lot like Afridi- more a stuntman than a proper batsman. On a flat deck, he's very useful, and can unsettle the bowling, but with few innings since his international debut, his batting has fallen away a lot. He's not cut out to open the innings, and is more of a lower-order striker, once the top six have done the job- and by no means one to do the job solo like, say, one of the Pathans. Hopefully we'll see him back at seven/eight with Ryder opening next time.

 

[Arjun]

Too much was made of players 'making their name' from the IPL last year. Almost all of the best performers were players with a reasonable amount of international experience.

Actually, while most experienced players succeeded in last year's IPL, a lot of newfound successes (Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson, Dave Hussey) from there had subsequently done well for their national teams.

 

[four_or_six]

Actually, while most experienced players succeeded in last year's IPL, a lot of newfound successes (Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson, Dave Hussey) from there had subsequently done well for their national teams.

I'd dispute that, though. There was nothing inexperienced about Watson or David Hussey, they'd both had excellent performances in their domestic T20 competitions, and Watson had been successful at international level. We already knew they were talented players. Marsh perhaps a bit different, but he had already been picked for the Aussie one-day squad before he set foot in India for the IPL.

 

[Shri]

Yusuf Pathan was the only real 'find' in the 2008 IPL. It also helped Raina get his ODI spot back in the Indian team.

 

[zaremba]

Yet another one sided boring game.

Have there been any close games in this IPL season?

I can't believe that so much money, and so much of cricket's future, has been invested in such a duff product as T20 cricket. I'm not saying it doesn't have an appeal, of course it does, but before very long people will start to figure out that it just isn't a particularly good game.

 

[four_or_six]

Have there been any close games in this IPL season?

I can't believe that so much money, and so much of cricket's future, has been invested in such a duff product as T20 cricket. I'm not saying it doesn't have an appeal, of course it does, but before very long people will start to figure out that it just isn't a particularly good game.

It seems like something they need to pitch correctly. I really enjoyed the IPL last year, but this year it's just not so exciting. I think they (the IPL) actually need to not look as though they're trying so hard.

 

[duffer]

Hundreds of inmates at a prison in Kolkata have gone on hunger strike after they were not allowed to watch Indian Premier League cricket matches, officials said on Monday.

BD Sharma, the inspector general of West Bengal prisons, said the protest began after guards rejected prisoners' demands to be able to watch the matches taking place in South Africa that are being broadcast on a private channel.

"They are free to watch the national channels aired by the state-run network, but we can't allow inmates to watch private channels for security reasons. We have to go by the rules," Sharma told AFP.

The protest, by 500 inmates at the Alipore Central Jail in Kolkata, was continuing Monday, Sharma said.

IPL matches, which star the best Indian and international cricketers playing in the popular Twenty20 format, started on Saturday and finish on May 24.

Wow, just wow. Linkage

 

[Burgey]

That infamous heavy ball he carries in his pocket and sneaks out when bowling?

Mints, obviously.

Never forget. Never.

 

[zaremba]

Mints, obviously.

Never forget. Never.

England's fast bowlers in that series eventually prevailed through nothing more than good, honest, over-arm bowling.

 

[Days of Grace]

Haha, one bad game and Oram and Ryder, and now possibly Taylor are dropped from their teams.

Whilst other "superstars" will get unlimited chances.

Kiwis underestimated and treated as inferior ****s yet again.

 

[four_or_six]

KKR really don't have a very inspiring international contingent aside from the batsmen. I wonder if Mendis will replace Henriques, given how successful the spinners have been so far.

 

[biased indian]

Haha, one bad game and Oram and Ryder, and now possibly Taylor are dropped from their teams.

Whilst other "superstars" will get unlimited chances.

Kiwis underestimated and treated as inferior ****s yet again.

ryder will replace taylor in next game

 

[four_or_six]

Nope, they're sticking with Henriques. Are Mendis and/or Mortaza fit?

 

[alternative]

I actually read that they both are fit in an Indian Newspaper, though Pujura is not fit as of yet though.

 

[biased indian]

they are chasing ..thoguht setting a target was easier for them

 

[TT Boy]

Nope, they're sticking with Henriques. Are Mendis and/or Mortaza fit?

Still in pain after having shrapnel removed from his head and back but he said he hoped to be playing very soon (already played some club cricket in Sri Lanka...). As for Mortaza he is ok, just not fancied.

 

[alternative]

Can't believe the line up, deserve to lose and Ganguly to score good is all i care for.

 

[four_or_six]

Can't believe the line up, deserve to lose and Ganguly to score good is all i care for.

In terms of the international players, they don't have much in the way of options. It's quite bizarre that Henriques is their best international bowling option at the moment. Although he's obviously highly regarded in Australia.

 

[alternative]

In terms of the international players, they don't have much in the way of options. It's quite bizarre that Henriques is their best international bowling option at the moment. Although he's obviously highly regarded in Australia.

Yeh definitely have to agree there. Players like Mendis, Shoaib and Mortaza would be handy but you can hardly drop Gayle, Hodge or McCullum.

IMO drop McCullum and give the captaincy to Ganguly and it will be swetet.

 

[alternative]

Good start for KKR.