Fever pitch

I’m glad IPL’s started and I at least have something to watch on TV (apart from news, i.e.). I’m surprised at the way Royal Challengers have bounced back after the mauling they received at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders in their first match. Jaques Kallis has been superlative for them (and amazing supporting roles by Kumble the magician and Uthapa the unpredictable).

It’s saddening to watch the fortunes of some teams go so bad so soon – Rajasthan Royals and Kings’ XI Punjab. The first edition of IPL had seen them surprising several teams (and RR went on to win the finals while Punjab lost in the Semis). It reminds me of the fortunes of the ladies who own these teams who hail from the tinsel town. Both Preity Zinta and Shilpa Shetty were popular heroines (okay, Ms Shetty was NOT exactly popular but known). But their careers have long been on the wane and there’s only one way to go for them – down. Looks their teams too are headed the same way along with them. And, come to think of it – these blokes in the side can’t even claim to be ‘reading scripts’ and get away when their losses seem to have been scripted by the bad team-building choices by the owner-nis. But as Jadeja said they still might be laughing all the way to the bank despite losses in the matches! But it surely is NOT the best thing for the future of IPL.

For now I’m placing my money on Royal Challengers and Deccan Chargers to reach the semis along with Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings). Seems the Kolkata and Delhi teams are losing steam faster than one thought now. And the battle for the wooden spoon seems to be the toughest – between the Punjabis and the Rajasthanis.