IPL: ........... Premier League

IPL: Indian Premier League or International premier League?

Well first things first. I am a huge fan of M.S.Dhoni. So my bet is on Chennai Super Kings for sure!!!!!!!!!

Now coming to the point. Why do I call the IPL International league? Not because the centre of action happens to be South Africa this time And definitely not because so many international players are part of the tournament. They were there last year as well and as a matter of fact not more than four foreign players can be part of the playing eleven on any match day. So whats the reason for my dilemma!

There are eight teams in the league and when the format was introduced it gave a very rosy picture. Eight different teams representing eight different regions across the length and breadth of India . And eight players leading these teams which were to be a mix of domestic and national players of India and international players from different cricket playing nations. Now the Confusion really is all about the captains. Last year only one team had a foreigner as its captain. The spin wizard Shane Warne led the lesser known Rajasthan Royals to an impressive win last season. But numbers were still in favour of Indian captains. Seven teams had Indian skippers.But everything has changed this time round. The number game has become very balanced with four teams being led by Indian captains and four by foreigners. And why do I question this move? well it is not as much a matter of questioning as it is of surprise, shock and disappointment!

We will look at it one by one.

Deccan Chargers are being led by the wicket keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist. He is a genious no doubt and in fact the side is performing really well under him. The team is gelling well together and his constant chit chat from behind the stumps has motivated the team to do well. And his brutal assault right in the beggining of the innings sends the opposition in a frizzy. So, full support to Gilly for leading the team that is as the top of the points table right now. VVS Laxman should not feel left out as long as his team is winning and he is scoring the important runs needed.

Next change was done with the Royal Challengers Bangalore owned by the Liquor baron Vijay Mallya. Kudos to this man for foraying into so many ventures and achieving success. But luck seems to be evading him in his latest venture. RCB didn't perform to well last year. This season too, after starting on a winning note, they have been on the losing side. But what really miffed me was the removal of Rahul Dravid "The Wall" from captaincy and giving the command to former English skipper Kevin Peiterson. (By the way he is the most expensive player this season alongwith Freddie Flintoff!) Dravid is one person who stays away from controversies and is mature enough not to give silly juicy soundbites to the media. All he does is to let his game do the talking. And this time too he has done just that. The way he raised his bat after reaching his First Fifty in this season expressed the unsaid emotions. And while Dravid is among the leading run scrorers so far, the much hyped Peiterson has nothing much to talk about. We will see what Mr Mallya has to say about this now!!!!!!!!

But the biggest most controversial and rather unfortunate change was with the Shah Rukh Khan owned Kolkata Knight Riders. First it was John Buchanan's multiple captaincy theory(thank God it was only a theory!!!) and then removal of Sourav ganguly from captaincy out of the blue. The reins were handed over to Brendum McCullum instead. I just can't come to terms with this decision. Honestly I feel there is something about an Austrailian coach and Sourav Ganguly. Earlier it was Greg Chappel and now Buchanan! And whats more surprising is the extent of King Khan's modesty.  I will disclose  a little secret here. I love King Khan and his movies Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Dil To Pagal Hai happen to be my favourite.He is an alumini of my college.....not that it matters.....well in fact it does when you are a Fan.......lolz!!! Coming back to his modesty now. As per him all cricket decisions are made by his teams cricket department and he has no say in it. Oh Really I ask. Is he not bothered about his team's performance? Will he not give his opinion if he feels that that would increase his team's winning chances? I can bet on the fact that had the  IPL been held in India this time, this change would never have been made. No way would the Kolkatans' have allowed a match of a team representing their region without Dada being the captain. They worship Dada and rightly so. And Ganguly is not the one to take the beating lying down. His performance so far, both by ball and bat and more so with his attitude shows who the real Dada is afteral!

And about Rajasthan Royals and Shane Warne. No Comments. I think the master of spin has been a great coach, a wonderful captain and has led the team extremely well so far.

So, there we have it. The DLF IPL season 2 being held in South Africa with supporters being confused about whom to support. There is no regional support to talk of. No Delhi crowd cheering for the Daredevils, No Kolkatans to  shout for Dada and No Punjab de puttar backing the Kings XI punjab! Few Indians have flown down to South Africa but that can not match the fervour and frenzy had the matches been held in India. And then there is absence of Indian captains leading four major teams. So lack of individual support too.

What do the cricket obsessed nation do now?......  Cheer for the Bangalore team playing in Cape Town with Kevin Peiterson as the captain! Now that's TRULY INTERNATIONAL......isn't it!

P.S.: My support still is with Chennai Super Kings.......no confusion about that. I love our Captain Cool and am sure Mahi and his team will be the best.

By the way the long blog goes on to show how much I am obsessed with cricket!