Weekend of the veterans!

The South African pitches and conditions will expose the batsmen's limitations even as the bowlers revel (for a change!) in the 2009 IPL. The four weekend games underlined the fact that even in T20 format, there is no substitute for experience and class. In fact, it was the veterans who showed the way and perhaps, even set the trend for the competition.


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For me, the most defining moments over the weekend were Dravid's mighty six, Sachin's inside-out shot over cover, Kumble's five-for, Vetteori's crafty spell and of course, Warne's guile that mocked at the batsmen. Never mind that Warne's Royals lost, but in those four magical overs, he provided us salvation from the boring sixes and boundaries. Ditto Kumble and Vettori. Of course, there was the slinging Malinga making a statement for the quick bowlers, but I feel that this year's IPL is likely to throw up a lot of surprises.

Being just another cricket fan, it matters little to me personally the business side of the game, for this is beyond my comprehension and I am not about to get into a discussion on the commercialization of cricket. I leave it to the multitude of experts, philosophers and historians who might feel that the game is being led down the garden path.


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The point is that if you take a simplistic perspective of cricket as it being just a sport and there is more to life, then you might enjoy the offerings, though it is only in between the commercials on the telly. I have strong reservations over the break after 10 overs, for it takes away the element of momentum and continuity. But then, the organizers can justify the gimmick saying they would like to earn as much as they spend. Damn the viewers! It's like take it or leave it.

Back to cricket, watching the likes of Sachin and Dravid was indeed a pleasure. While a big innings from Sachin is always to be expected in any format, Dravid was a revelation to those who believed that he is a T20 misfit.


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I had a sneaking feeling that the much-maligned Dravid was intent on making a strong statement to his detractors as was evident in his emphatic celebration on reaching 50. It is a pity that Dravid would soon be flying back home to be with his wife for the birth of their second child, but then, as I said earlier, there is more to life than just cricket.

As well as these two veterans batted, Kumble could barely hide his blushes after the five-for performance. There was a look of disbelief on his face, but the affable leggie would have surely savoured the moment, just like Warne did after outthinking the batsmen.


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I felt that all the eight teams were not prepared for the very English conditions in Cape Town with all the rain and the moisture, and hence the pronounced movement off the deck. There was something for the spinners too by way of purchase and the experienced tweakers exploited the situation to the full.

As for the batsmen, they will have plenty to fear until such time they get a hang of the conditions. There will be a premium on technique, especially while countering the bounce that could be especially disconcerting to the inexperienced Indian batsmen. They might yet get away on the odd occasion, but not most of the time as was the case last year on the docile Indian pitches.

Of the eight teams on view at the weekend, I found the Royal Challengers, Mumbai Indians and the Deccan Chargers the most improved lot. The three teams were at the receiving end last year, but now, with a revamp, they could well emerge as the front-runners.

The true test of the depth in the teams will come later when the foreign signings depart for their respective international commitments. But for now, the tournament appears wide open and that will inject more interest for the Indian spectators, if not the locals in South Africa.