Things We've Learned From The IPL Today (19/04)

April 19:

Punjab v. Chennai
Delhi v. Rajasthan

Star among stars... Glenn McGrath (Delhi D'devils)
Michael Hussey doesn't count, since we all know he's a Probot sent from the future to destroy the entire human race; and I didn't really watch James Hopes' innings, so I can't judge how good it was as a response. (Plus, bowlers never get enough credit, and this was the first match of the tournament that was won by a team's bowling performance.) His teammate Farveez Maharoof was also a worthy candidate, with a sprightly 2-for-11, but I doubt that could've have happened unless Glenn McG had started the fall with a wicket-maiden (yes, a wicket-maiden!) in the third over. The more things change...

Old-timer on an egg-timer... Mohammad Kaif (Rajasthan Royals)
He's only in his mid-20s, but at the crease today he looked about fifty-four. He will keep his place in the side -- mostly by being the lone specialist in a team full of fielding stiffs -- but his jittery, up-on-the-tiptoes backfoot glides are not the right recipe for Twenty20.

Catch from the catchment... Subramaniam Badrinath (Chennai SuperKings)
I didn't really catch most of his frantic innings, but he's got great averages in all forms of domestic competition, and he's only coming in seventh in a strong batting lineup. He could prove very important after the Aussie internationals leave.

3 Bullets to the head...

• Shane Watson's face looks like it's already anticipating his body's eventual breakdown due in about 3 weeks or so. He's all grimaces and winces and furrowed-brow contortions on the field. Sorry, Australia, this was a failed prototype... you can recall it now. Time to get back to the lab and start over.

• Does every single event on and off the field during the next 6 weeks need sponsorship? Even the meaningless 'Spirit of the Game Award' they always give out now has a corporate sponsor in front of its name. (You know, because nothing conveys the idea of fair play and the spirit of friendly competition more than cold, crass commercialization.)

• Not IPL related in the slightest, but is this an automatic entry in the All-Ugly World XI, or what?
  
  

Comments

[Miriam]

Hi, just wanted to say that I really like this round-up.

[D.S. Henry]

Thanks, M. Keep coming by, we'll be doing them throughout the tournament, or at least until the caffeine runs out (Trans-continental time differences are a bitch.)

[Q]

Virat Kohli was captain of the U19 Indian team that won the world cup a few months back. Its besides the point that he looks 25.

How could you miss Ponting's chat with Sharma before he bowled to Symonds.

Good work Henry.