***Official*** IPL 2009

[ret]

teams like K11 have 4 of its remaining games against DC and CSK, and none against the bottom placed KKR. MI too doesn't have a game against KKR

1. DD looks the favorite to make it to the semis
2. Probably two from DC, CSK and K11 will make it
3. One from MI, RR and BRC

 

[Uppercut]

If you had told anyone that Bangalore would make the final 4 after last years efforts and the start they had (and you also told them their Messiah was going to be a massive flop) they'd laugh in your face, I reckon.

And the all top 7 are not just as likely to win, because some of the sides are better than others. Dehli for example, is much more likely to be there than any of the others because they're a lot better than the others.

Yeah true but that's not what i meant.

I wouldn't have Delhi as favourites because, like last season when i had backed them for the tournament, they're burdened by Sehwag's captaincy. Fancy Deccan at the moment.

 

[cowboysfan]

Yeah true but that's not what i meant.

I wouldn't have Delhi as favourites because, like last season when i had backed them for the tournament, they're burdened by Sehwag's captaincy. Fancy Deccan at the moment.

deccan are poised for a big slide imo especially with Castro gone.

 

[ret]

DD,MI,DC,RR would like to see that semi line up

MI will have to pick up its game to make it to the top 4. So far it has one Malinga inspired win over CSK and two against bottom placed KKR

 

[Athlai]

Wouldn't back Deccan at all personally.

I'm going to go with CSK and DD to be my sure bets for the finals.

Both Deccan and Chennai have relied heavily on their openers but I'm backing Dhoni, Oram and Albie to come good over Rohit Sharma and co. With Edwards gone the Deccan attack isn't looking all that threatening either.

 

[Athlai]

MI will have to pick up its game to make it to the top 4. So far it has one Malinga inspired win over CSK and two against bottom placed KKR

Which is weird considering how good the Mumbai team is looking, most of the middle order is gutless.

 

[ret]

Which is weird considering how good the Mumbai team is looking, most of the middle order is gutless.

the problem with MI is that they haven't been able to win close games. They have won when one or two of their players have dominated like Malinga against CSK and Tendulkar-Jayasuriya against KKR. They haven't shown a good fight when things are not going their way

 

[oitoitoi]

The MI seem to be rather inexplicably failing, they've got the players (though they could do with a decent keeper batsmen, they should make a play for Karthik in the off season). Batting could do with more depth, Jayasuriya's relative failure has hurt them. I think if the tournament was in India this year they could have been the top side, however the conditions have suited a team with a stronger middle and lower middle order so far as most openers have been failing!

 

[Manee]

Ryan Harris to bowl well, mark my words!

 

[pasag]

Chennai would be close to the perfect IPL team if they could replace one of Morkel and Oram with an out and out pace bowler like Malinga. Don't need both of them in the side.

 

[pasag]

Hayden's so awesome. Pity that had to end.

 

[Manee]

Shoaib Ahmed really is very slow!

 

[chaminda_00]

Chennai would be close to the perfect IPL team if they could replace one of Morkel and Oram with an out and out pace bowler like Malinga. Don't need both of them in the side.

Ntini or Thurshara meet the criteria? Image what their side would be like if Flintoff played to his potential.

 

[Arjun]

Dhoni's promotion to three comes off nicely as he finishes the innings unbeaten on a rapid 58. Let's just hope he stays there or nearby for the rest of the series.

 

[Arjun]

Tyagi shoots one which bounces off Gibbs' legs and hits the stumps. Good start. A lot better than Gony.

 

[Arjun]

Dwayne Smith is a freak. Makes Afridi look a steady and responsible batsman.

 

[Evermind]

Brilliant stuff from Smith - Chennai's fielding was abysmal.

IPL coming along nicely. Just hope Punjab or Kolkata don't win: they're my least favourite teams.

 

[oitoitoi]

Worst collective fielding display ive ever seen at any level of cricket by chennai today, that run out chance in the 9th over will be on blooper reels for years. Semi final teams will be: Chennai, Punjab, Delhi (if they pick Warner and drop Vettori) - the final spot is up for grabs, should be mumbais but with the way they're underperforming I think Bangalore are in with a chance, unless Symonds really fires for Deccan. This competition is about who can blast 170+ consistently, bowling attacks can be mediocre in all honesty as long they dont give extras and are reasonably backed up in the field.

 

[ret]

Punjab vs Rajasthan, an encounter that could bring one of these two closer to the semi's berth

opening
Pun: Katich and Sohal
Raj: Smith and Asnodkar
comment: even there

3-5
Pun: Sangakara, Yuvi and Mahela
Raj: Lee, YP and Jadeja
comment: K11 has 3 world class players in the middle

6-8
Pun: IP, Srivastava and Chawla
Raj: Raut, Ojha and Warne
comment: RR has an edge

bowling:
Pun: IP, Abdullah, Chawla, Powar and Malik
RR: Munaf, Trivadi, Warne, Harwood and all-rounders
comment: Warne gives RR an edge

Should be a good one, RR match-winners could strike gold

 

[TT Boy]

Brilliant stuff from Smith - Chennai's fielding was abysmal.

IPL coming along nicely. Just hope Punjab or Kolkata don't win: they're my least favourite teams.

Fielding all tournament has been of a village standard but yesterday took the biscuit. Smith should have been dismissed for 0 twice (and Albie should have had figures of 0-3).