Semifinal Chances In IPL 2- An Analysis..

           

The IPL2 is blazing hot and making waves in South Africa.The pressure is on and full marks to entertainment.Unlike the first edition of IPL,we now aren't witnessing the single side games.Its getting very competitive and the Net Run-rate is already into play.Now with the exception of Kolkata Knight Riders,the other teams are giving their best shot and desperate to enter into the semis,clearly showing us,the heat is On.

Now my pick as semifinalists(as a prediction)goes with Chennai,Delhi,Rajasthan Royals and the 4th spot stays a half chance between Deccan Chargers and Punjab Kings.

The hot favourites,Chennai Super Kings are proving their mettle so well after the initial setbacks in the tournament.And now with 5 back-to-back wins and luck always swaying their way,the Super Kings are posing a tough threat to the other teams as strong contenders to grab the gold n diamond lady.Their top 4 batsmen,especially Hayden and Raina have been instrumental in their success.Bowling too has been on par and they have done a fair job in defending their scores,although over-shadowed by their batting skills.The team now concentrating on their major concern and area of improvement,fielding.So Dhoni's men clearly marching towards the semifinals. 

     The Delhi Daredevils too going strong,looks in great form to fight for the title.Their batting line-up has been the best so far with Viru and Gauti getting good starts and AB,Dilshan,Kaarthik contributing consistently and now with even Warner in the sidelines,Iam really interested to see who drops out and how the batting order changes in their semifinals.Their bowling attack has been pretty good so far with Nannes and Mishra shaping well.So Daredevils up for their challenges in the semifinals.

   Rajasthan Royals come next with a good chance for the semifinals as their next match opponents would be Kolkata Knight Riders. The young man Ravindra Jadeja is stepping up to play the pivotal role to get his team a good total.Their batting have helped them so far to win matches.So will the big fish,Yusuf find his touch back to guide his team into the semis ? Anyways with Botha now coming into the side and with Smith-Ojha getting some runs ,they are confident of making it to the semifinals.And with their good batting line up to put on a good score on the board,the bowling department is now shifting gears to bowl their heart out and give in their best.Also with the great experience of leggie Warne,they are trying to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

  The Deccan Chargers are also making their best efforts to place themselves within the top 4 spots in the points table.The Chargers are now falling short of expectations after it started off so well in the initial stages of the tournament.The team is looking at its prolific batsmen Gilchrist and Gibbs to deliver their goods up front.Also Rohit,now turning to be a magician for them is getting the required runs in very quick succession. Their bowling have so far been good with RP and Ojha getting them the crucial breakthroughs.And Rohit chipping in as a part-time bowler comes as a surprise package.With their next match against the Royal Chellengers,Deccan's chances of entering the semis are bright.

The Punjab Kings have been equally good with Yuvi,Sanga and Katich in good form.But they are now struggling to give the firepower in the powerplay overs,which is very important to put on a good score.With their next encounter against the in-form Chennai SuperKings ,I think the Punjab Kings are caught on their odd foot.Who Knows,Yuvraj's innings may win them a semifinal chance.

So the Deccan's chances of taking a stroll over the Punjab Kings are pretty good when you see their opponents.

The Royal Chellengers seem to be on the back foot needing a win each against the Deccan Chargers and the powerful Delhi Daredevils.Even if they  manage a win against both the teams,they have a poor net run-rate which will slide them down.So tough time for the Royal Challengers,Bangalore entering the semifinals.

The other team Mumbai has lost their winning touch with that loss against the SuperKings and Kolkata Knight Riders have always been an exception and they are in their own world of racism and other controversies.So,I predict Chennai,Delhi,Rajasthan Royals and Deccan Chargers as the semifinalists in the ingoing IPL2.

Pup 

My Heart Stays With SuperKings !!

Chennai SuperKings as well as the Rajasthan Royals have made it to the top just after Delhi,after an initial setback in the tournament.They have come back strongly into the games so far.Though both the teams have 11 points each,Chennai manages to just nudge out Royals with a net Run-rate as good as +1.281.Both these teams have used their powerplays so well to get into a good position from the start. 

 The Chennai SuperKings have one of the impressive batting line ups.Also the Royals have good batsmen who can take away the match at any point of the game.So batting proves to be their strengths.So today's game will be very important for both the teams.So its almost like Yusuf Vs Hayden and Smith Vs Raina.

 

 The Chennai SuperKings have a prolific batsman in Hayden,who can just get over and dominate any bowler in any wicket.Raina and Dhoni too come to our rescue to put a good total on the board.Also the lower order trio of  Morkel,Badri,and Bailey may be a concern for the Royals.As the bowling department is concerned, Morkel, Tyagi, Balaji, Jakati,Murali and also with Raina chipping into that list,Dhoni has a variety of options to switch over. 

 On the other hand,Royals's opening batsmen Ojha and Smith are getting tough to handle.Also they will be looking forward to those big ones from Yusuf and Quiney.SupeKings really have a job here in getting rid of the dangerous Yusuf.And the last recognizable batsmen Jadeja and Mascarenhas have been giving good inputs to the team.Royals's bowling will start with Amit.And nobody is able to take Kamran's place,it shows void.Warne will have to bring Yusuf and him early into the attack.

So the game is evenly poised.Still,my heart desires for Chennai.My best wishes to SuperKings. 

Chennai Marching Towards Their 5th Win In A Row ..??

Its all exciting and fun as the De Beers Diamond Oval host this match ,Chennai SuperKings going over The Rajasthan Royals.The 2 big teams have had an outstanding comeback to place themselves in the top 4 spots.So a tough fight coming its way.

Chennai's Key Players for today :: 

                          Hayden,Raina,Dhoni,Balaji,Jakati.

Rajasthan's Key Players for today :: 

                            Yusuf,Smith,Ojha,Jadeja and Warne.

Hayden and Raina have to score at the top for the SuperKings.With Dhoni giving those fireworks in the middle,and Morkel-Bailey contributing their part,Chennai should get a good target on the board.With Morkel or Tyagi getting those early wickets, it should't be tough for murali,Jakati and Balaji to get the match in our favour claiming the tail's wickets.

Smith and Ojha will plan to play a pivotal role for the Royals leaving behind Yusuf for the bigger hits.So Smith's wicket is crucial for the CSK.Quiney may come into the side to provide that firepower in the middle along with the young chap Jadeja.Mascarenhas is the man to look out for in the bowling department.Warne and Yusuf will come into the attack early,no doubt.

Both the sides look good and I am looking forward for their key players to play a huge role and win the game game for their team.Looks like a high-scoring game as the wicket is good for batting.

So is Chennai marching towards its 5th win in a row..??  looking for a stroll over the Royals ?? Lets wait and Watch.. 

Raina,the Super Hero ..

The Chennai SuperKings are on a winning spree.Winning 4 matches in a row with a net run-rate as good as +1.281,Chennai is definitely posing a threat to the other teams.

Now lets take some of the positives from the game :::

** Hayden is standing tall upfront,whatever be the match situation.This is indeed fetching us the run-rate as well as a big start. 

** Raina is proving himself as a dependable batsman and also he has that ability to score some quick runs.Looking forward  for a great knock from him.

** Dhoni is in great form,scoring his second unbeaten half century.He gives us that firepower in the middle overs.

** Balaji has been an outstanding bowler so far for us.He is one man whom you can trust at the death overs.

** Again Raina with that spell yesterday was brilliant enough to stop Yuvi's kill.Its great seeing him turn an all-rounder(may be) slowly.He has been very good with the ball in the previous matches as well.

Some of the negatives that deny us a small edge :::

** So far Chennai has been poor in its Catching department.We are not asking for blinders.Atleast we have to take those sitters,to deny a chance for the opponents to get into the game again.

** Jakati has been splendid so far.But he still should try to control the ball in a wicket which has nothing for the spinners.

** Also some of the fielders are finding it difficult to throw the ball effectively from the boundary line especially Tyagi.I think ,He should get his core exercises done to strengthen his throw.  

** Manpreet Gony is on a low at the moment, we are waiting for him to come out of the shackles.

So if the SuperKings turn these negatives to positive aspects.I see the SuperKings as a strong contender for the gold n diamond lady.

My best Wishes To Them !! 

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Pup

Nail-biting Finish In Favour Of SuperKings !!

What a great finish we have had at the Supersport,Centurion...Full marks for entertainment and pressure.The Punjab Kings really played their heart out to reach somewhere near the SuperKings's total with a run-rate as high as 11.

                At one stage it was all Punjab.They were nearly there.But they lost their way,lost their momentum in the last 2 overs of the game,giving an opportunity for the SuperKings to bounce back and grab a 12 run win over the Punjab Kings.

The Turn-around ::

                    2-0-8-0 ... The young man with those bowling figures,Suresh Raina was the super hero Yesterday night.The part-timer kept his line simple and hit the right areas, has won it for the SuperKings.He conceded just 8 runs of his 2 overs when all the bowlers were going for atleast 10 runs in an over,is the turning point of the game.

An Intellectual Dhoni ::

                         Dhoni has always been a thinking captain on the field.When Murali and Jakati went for more runs,he was too quick to understand the wicket had nothing for the spinners.And he was brave enough to try Raina(a part-timer) leaving back Jakati(a specialist spinner).I would say this is one of the finest moves,which fetched SuperKings their Victory.

Anyways.. the SuperKings are going Great Guns...and no stopping them.

4th win in a row clinched !! Great Job boys !! 

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Pup 

My Instincts Favour Super Kings !!

The Super Kings are threatening their opponents with their roaring Success in South Africa.It was very evident after the CSK thrashed the Deccan Chargers in East London.

          

           So now the Super Kings is all set to face the Punjab Kings for the first time in IPL 2009.The Punjab Kings face the Super Kings after their big defeat against the Rajasthan Royals.So they will be trying hard to grab a win against the CSK.

Punjab Key Players ::

                     Yuvi,Sangakkara,Mahela,Abdullah and maybe even Katich.

Chennai Super Kings Key Players ::

                           Hayden,Raina,Dhoni,Morkel,Murali,Jakati,Balaji,.... I think i will have to write the entire playing eleven here..Who has not performed..?..Every match someone swings it for the SuperKings.

  The Punjab's bowlers have to really bowl a tight line else you can't blame Hayden or Raina for hitting the ball hard to some 120 mts away.They are really capable of that.So Punjab will be looking to dismiss Hayden and Raina for some cheap runs.Now also with Dhoni chipping into the party and Morkel,Oram to support,I don't expect a batting collapse in the SuperKings line-up.

  The SuerKings will again look up to their fast bowlers,Morkel and Tyagi to get those early breakthroughs.So the wickets of Yuvi,Sanga,Mahela are vital for the CSK to claim.Dhoni will also try to bring in Murali and Jakati into the attack very early,to deny them some quick runs.

Is Chennai goin on for another win in a row...?? Its for us to wait and watch.. 

May Super Kings be in the best of their Lucks!!.. Jai Ho Super Kings..      

Pup  

Super Kings In Roaring Form !

SuperKings are now becomming too hot to handle by any team.They are now slowly turning things their way, half-way down the tournament,which is a very good news to its fan base.

 

 Now to their next encounter against the Kings XI Punjab.

      

  I would not say Punjab has created a fear in their opponents,but they have been reasonably good so far by winning 4 games and losing the same number of games.

 

   Punjab's top order batsmen haven't fired really well.So if this time if Sangakkara or Yuvi fire,they have a chance to win here !! 

But with SuperKings's fast bowlers in tremendous form, i don't think it will all happen that easily.Also the man with that magical touch,Jakati is always there to control the game in CSK's favour.

The punjab Kings have good bowlers in Chawla,Abdullah and Irfan. But again they haven't posed a threat to the batsmen either.

The Punjab's bowlers are yet again going to face a nightmare in the form of Hayden. So it will be interesting to watch how they deal with Hayden. Dhoni too is back in form with that unbeaten half century last match after he promoted himself top the order. So the SuperKings are all ready to welcome the Punjab Kings into their den.

Punjab Beware !! Idu Chennai Chennai Super Kings !! 

Pup 

Way To Deal With Deccan Chargers !!

The Chennai Super Kings are really coming back into the tournament strongly with those wins against Delhi and Rajasthan Royals.  With 2 back-to-back wins, the team's morale and confidence is high and this gives a psychological edge over the Deccan Chargers.

        Today Gilchrist and Gibbs will try to fire right from the start.So if we get these 2 men early,

we almost have the match in our hands.

BOWLING STRATEGY:

                        According to me, Balaji will bowl the first over and Ntini will bowl the second. 

Balaji will come back for his second over.Murali and Jakati will bowl the 4th and 5th overs respectively. This will really surprise the Deccan batsmen as they will be aspiring to score as much runs possible within the powerplay overs.The change in pace really affects the Deccan batsmen for sure.So we may have a couple of wickets within the first 6 overs.

BATTING STRATEGY: 

                      The Deccan's will be trying hard to get Hayden in the initial overs.The way Hayden goes right from the start,firing on all cylinders is a treat to watch.If Hayden scores today resisting his wicket,half the job is complete.  Also we have Raina and Badri to provide us the fireworks in the middle overs.And i hope this time Dhoni will stay in the middle until the end overs. So if this strategy works, we go ahead of Deccan Chargers in the points table with 9 points.

         And I feel Ntini should be given a chance today ahead of Oram.Since he hails from East London, it will be great seeing him deliver the goods in front of his home crowd.We still loose an all-rounder here,but i think it will work out without Oram today.

My best Wishes For the Super Kings in today's Encounter against the Deccan Chargers.Cheers !! 

Pup