Battle of Kings; battle of Singhs!

By John Cheeran
So the stage is set for the second semifinal in the IPL between two Kings. Chennai Super Kings and King's XI Punjab.
It is quite likely that Mumbai crowd will again get under the skin of Punjab captain Yuvraj Singh. The Mumbai crowd now have added reason to frustrate Yuvraj after the pugnacious Punjab skipper berated Mumbaikar's for their partisan attitude and Mumbai Indians effectively lost their chances to enter the semifinal thanks to some outstanding fielding efforts from Punjab. That nail biting contest in which Mumbai Indians frittered away their winning position by committing five run outs happened at this very same Wankhede Stadium and the crowd would love nothing better than humbling Punjab Kings.
It is also at another level a fight between two emerging leaders in Indian cricket, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh. Dhoni might have pipped Yuvraj to the Indian team captaincy, but here Yuvraj gets an ideal opportunity to show that his fiery attitude too can bring about success compared with MSD's air conditioned approach to things on an off the field.
These - Punjab and Chennai - are really two strong teams. Both rely on outside talent to define their performance. Punjab mightily depends on the Aussie Shaun Marsh to get an explosive start. Chennai's great local guns such as Badarinath has not boomed for some time now.
I have a sneaky feeling that both captains will come out something special tonight at Wankhede to set up the title clash with Rajasthan Royals.

Brothers in arms: Pathan Partnership

By John Cheeran
I'm not concerned by the fact that chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar again ignored the claims of Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly to play in international one-dayers.
Rahul and Sourav had their time under the sun and it is quite fitting others too given chances to pad up for India.
Yousuf Pathan's entry into Indian team proves that hard work pays off no matter whatever the hurdles in your way. When was the last time two brothers played together in an Indian cricket team? I can but only recall the Amarnath days -- when Surinder, Mohinder and Rajinder - played for India. And they had come from such roots so it was considered only inevitable.
Here from Gujarat has come this successful tale that should be closely read, read aloud and emulated by every Muslim family in India. Give your lads opportunities, back them up against all odds and you will have success one day. After all India is yours too.
It is quite easy to get in the mode of sulking and blaming others for all the ills that plague you. But these two brothers from Baroda -- sons of an ordinary muezzin-- have proved what a combination of ambition, hard work and talent would give you.
Yousuf has captured the imagination of cricket world by his raw courage and hard hitting in crunch situations when more illustrious names found it tough going in the Indian Premier League.
Instead of falling back on the dollies of the state, such as the Sachar Commission report, always rely on you.
World will be watching you.

Rajasthan Royals storm into IPL finals

By John Cheeran
It is all over. No uprising in the final overs, Delhi Daredevils sputtered and ended their innings at 87 all out giving a 105-run win for Rajasthan Royals. Royals moved into the final of the IPL.
It was a bit comical when Glenn McGrath was made to look a fool while he was ran out to signal the end for Devils.
After Shane Watson took those three early wickets, Delhi did not stand much chance. Some start fielding tightened the screws and suddenly it was no contest and it looked Virender sehwag's gameplan came apart for the semifinal. sehwag tried to be proactive by bowling first but that did not work a wee bit thanks to brilliant allround performance from Watson and some bold hitting from Yousuf Pathan.
Naturally i'm happy that my prediction has come true. i had backed Rajasthan Royals and for a change, luck stayed with them.

10 overs gone, five wickets gone, Delhi going nowhere in this IPL semifinal

By John Cheeran
At halfway stage, after 10.1 overs Delhi are 55 for five.
A terrific catch from kaif signals the end of Karthik. Trivedi takes the wicket.
Now you can safely say that who is winning this semifinal.

Is the game up for Delhi (dare) Devils?

By John Cheeran
Is the game up for Delhi Daredevils?
Asking rate is climbing. 13 runs per over is not impossible but pretty tough against Royals.
Shane Warne's last over yielded 8 runs. after nine overs 48/4. Not an exciting situation for Devils. (I think I can now stop typing DARE for Delhi)

Delhi loses four wickets...

By John Cheeran
Things are not looking all that bright for Delhi Daredevils.
They have a tough task ahead of them after losing four wickets for 28 runs. Shane Watson struck early blows and Dinesh karthik and tillekaratne Dilshan have a difficult, daring task ahead of them to win from this stage.
One more wicket will give the decisive edge to Rajasthan Royals.

193 to win. Watson sends back Sehwag

By John Cheeran
193 is not a daunting total for Delhi Daredevils. They have the firepower to defeat Royals.
But Shane Watson has sent back Delhi skipper Virender sehwag and that should have some bearing on the outcome of this match.
May be Rajasthan Royals are some 20 runs short of what could have been a really winning total.
The match is -semifinal of the IPL - well and truly on.

Rajasthan struggles to keep pace

By John Cheeran
Another (third wicket) for Maharoof. Tanvir out for five.
Now Shane Watson waits for his partner to walk in.

Maharoof magic. Asnodkar goes.

By John Cheeran
Maharoof magic. 65 for two. Two wicktes in one over. Asnodkar caught by Tewari. So suddenly Delhi Daredevils back in the game. Very strongly that is.
No Shane Warne's surprise. Sohail Tanvir has come to bat.

Maharoof packs off Smith

By John Cheeran
Bowling change. Maharoof comes in.
Another hit from Smith lands just short of boundary.
Now shikar Dhawan catches Smith off Maharoof. 25 runs from 21 balls.
Delhi Daredevils takes first wicket. 65 for one.

First six in Royals innings

By John Cheeran
Maharoof drops Asnodkar in the boundary line. four more runs.
First sixer comes along as Asnodkar slams Yo Mahesh to fine leg.
Now another four.

Smith vs McGrath

By John Cheeran
Smith joins the fun with a hampered leg. Smacks McGrath for three boundaries in a row.
Chnages in the field. 45 for no loss.

Asnodkar turns the tap on.Boundaries...

By John Cheeran
Unpredictable Asnodkar. Whacks Mohammad Asif for two boundaries. Rameez Raja is eager for some uppercuts for his tea. Another four for Asnodkar.
Runs are beginning to flow.
The momentum is here.

No fireworks yet...

By John Cheeran
Trouble in the beginning for Royals. Smith needs a runner. Mohammad Kaif comes in.
Political heavyweights including Sharad Pawar is watching the action.
Now what's Sawpnil Asnodkar doing against McGrath? Hits out. Two runs.
Yes, classical Asnodkar. Edge thru second slip, four runs.
Ravi Shastri says this is living dangerously!
Asnodkar is doing what virender Sehwag has converted into an art. And later Sourav Ganguly.
After three overs 15 for no loss.

Where are the boundaries?

By John Cheeran
Where are the boundaries?
Yes Graeme Smith finally found them in the second over.
Now there is a direct hit. Third umpire reviews replay.
Have Royals lost their first wicket?
No, green light flashes. Not out...

So semifinal starts at Wankhede stadium

By John Cheeran
Glenn McGrath starts first over. Sedate beginning. Indications are this really is a tough contest. Chances must be taken but carefully.
It is a maiden. Only a wide that has opened Delhi Daredevils' account.

Predict the winner: Who will win the IPL semis today? Rajashtan Royals...

By John Cheeran
Who will the IPL semifinal between Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals?
I go for Rajasthan Royals. They despite topping the league phase remain underdogs. They have the power and skill and sense to go on to the championship itself.
But let me state this also. Normally it happens like this. The team that I supports trips down and rival emerges winner. That's why I'm being told always bet on worst fears. But this time let me bet on my best fear and back Rajasthan Royals.
I hope Mumbai crowd would be rooting for Rajasthan.
As it is, Virender Sehwag has won the toss and is bowling.
It will not be easy out there for Shane Warne and company.

A to Z of Indian Premier League (IPL)

By John Cheeran
The Indian Premier League is in its last stretch. Here is an A-Z about the IPL.

A for Aussies

(John Buchanan, Tom Moody, Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson, Shane Warne, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, Dareen Lehmann, Justin Langer, Brad Hodge, Cameron White, Brett Lee, James Hopes, Luke Pomersbach, Simon Katich -- these Aussies have dominated the IPL than any other mercenaries)

B for Ban, Bhajji and Bangalored!
C for Cheerleaders
D for Dugout, dotball, dollars
E for Extras
F for Franchise, freehit, fantastic (the most abused word during the IPL), foreigners
G for Glamour, girls
H for Hotheads (Harbhajan, Sreesanth, Yuvi); hit wicket
I for IPL
J for Jab We Met (Charu Sharma meeting Vijay Mallya)
K for Kingfisher; King Khan and all other Kings in IPL
L for Lekha Washington; last ball dramas
M for Modi (Lalit); Money and Mind It!
N for Nightlife; not out, net run rate
O for Orange cap
P for Purple cap, partnerships
Q for Queen of IPL- Preity Zinta
R for Rajasthan Royals, Run outs, Run Rate and reverse sweep
S for Sixer, Shah Rukh, Slapgate
T for Twenty20, teen brigade
U for Unsung heroes (*Yousuf Pathan, Swapnil Asnodkar); upper cut
V for Vijay Mallya
W for Warne
X for Xenophobia of Mukesh Ambani (Ambani, when asked about his team's early defeats, said "just wait for these Aussies to go home, then we will know who is winning"), Xtra Innings
Y for Youth power
Z for zeroes (Challengers and Chargers)

My Best IPL XI

By John Cheeran

Let me present my best XI from the IPL.

Shaun Marsh
Sanat Jayasuriya
Gautam Gambhir
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Yuvraj Singh
Venugopala Rao
Shane Watson
Shane Warne
Glenn McGrath
Manpreet Goni
S Sreesanth
Swapnil Asnodkar (the 12th man)

In which the owner takes it all!

By John Cheeran
Kolkata Knight Riders have a new promotional song and I think it promotes not the team, which has failed to make the semifinals of the IPL, but its marquee owner Shah Rukh Khan.
Setting aside my strong, coloured opinions on Sourav Ganguly as a cricketer and captain, I must say that Shah Rukh Khan has erred in ignoring his team’s captain and other members of Riders team while filming the song. You cannot have a cricket team without cricketers. There can be a movie without stars, though.
What is it that provokes an owner, that too a co-owner, to think that he is some sort of junta leader so that he can mistake himself for the team?
Is SRK, after all, really thinking that he is King Khan?
In that case Prince of Kolkata is right to correct the King.