[deathwalkr]

Was nice to see MSD walking over to Vignesh Puthur and having a few words with him and a pat.

For a person playing his first professional match it sure would have been icing on the cake after taking 3 good wickets.

[rx100]

Originally Posted by rx100

At the half way stage, I think there are three young batters really impressed with their stroke play and composure.

Compared with mid way IPL 2024, all three proved their mettle and already superstars for their team. Young Angkrish definitely a future Indian player.

[harry10]

What a Match.

As a DC supporter it was exhilarating. Ashutosh has nerves of steel and if he keeps doing this then I am sure an India call up will come. Clutch finishers are hard to come by and he looks like one. Punjab must be kicking themselves for letting him go when he clearly showed his potential last season. From 7-3 to chasing 210 is a great effort. Finally a nail biter game.

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by harry10

What a Match.

As a DC supporter it was exhilarating. Ashutosh has nerves of steel and if he keeps doing this then I am sure an India call up will come. Clutch finishers are hard to come by and he looks like one. Punjab must be kicking themselves for letting him go when he clearly showed his potential last season. From 7-3 to chasing 210 is a great effort. Finally a nail biter game.

+1

Ashutosh definitely paced his innings well - held on to his end, and kept rotating the strike when Vipraj, Stubbs were going. The big shots started only after those 2 departed. Well played.

DC top order still needs to introspect though. I was about to switch off at 7/3. Glad that I didn’t.

[Eddy]

My time zone (GMT+8) means I can only watch until the powerplay in the second innings. I continue only if the game looks exciting.

Yesterday, I switched the TV off at 10/3. Followed the score online till the 5th wicket and then slept.

What a pleasant surprise in the morning

I still think DC and LSG are the worst two teams this year, but I am glad they produced a nail biter.

For those who saw, how was Prince Yadav? I picked him in my fantasy team as a left field choice

[harry10]

Originally Posted by Eddy

I still think DC and LSG are the worst two teams this year, but I am glad they produced a nail biter.

For those who saw, how was Prince Yadav? I picked him in my fantasy team as a left field choice

I think DC has a good team. Yesterday win was without KL who was blessed with a beautiful baby girl. As next game is on Sunday I am sure he might play. That will make batting look quite good. Also Natrajan swap with Mohit will make difference in bowling. Once JFM also fires this will be a strong team to beat.

Prince Yadav looked promising. Bowled good line and length and couple of yorkers too. Indian upcoming players from both teams were impressive last night.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by harry10

I think DC has a good team. Yesterday win was without KL who was blessed with a beautiful baby girl. As next game is on Sunday I am sure he might play. That will make batting look quite good. Also Natrajan swap with Mohit will make difference in bowling. Once JFM also fires this will be a strong team to beat.

Prince Yadav looked promising. Bowled good line and length and couple of yorkers too. Indian upcoming players from both teams were impressive last night.

I hope you are right!

We don't know which KL Rahul will turn up, the 125 strike rate + 500 runs or will he change his approach? He will have to get out of the "strike rate is overrated" mindset.

For Delhi to do well, a lot of other things will also have to come together. JFM has to be consistent, Faf has to do well, Natarajan has to remain injury free and Axar will need to display smart captaincy in his first season (unlike yesterday).

Who do you think will make the top 4?

I vote for CSK, MI, SRH and Punjab in no particular order.

[harry10]

Originally Posted by Eddy

I hope you are right!

We don't know which KL Rahul will turn up, the 125 strike rate + 500 runs or will he change his approach? He will have to get out of the "strike rate is overrated" mindset.

For Delhi to do well, a lot of other things will also have to come together. JFM has to be consistent, Faf has to do well, Natarajan has to remain injury free and Axar will need to display smart captaincy in his first season (unlike yesterday).

Who do you think will make the top 4?

I vote for CSK, MI, SRH and Punjab in no particular order.

Valid points.
KL won the CT. Just became a father. So, hopefully he is out of his depressed phase. DC management is also chilled out unlike the toxic Lucknow one. They made a brilliant decision not to make him Captain so he can play freely.

Won't predict the Top 4 right now as it's just been one game for all. Let them play 5 games each and will predict the top 4 then. Right now 200+ has become a joke to make so everyone is looking dangerous.

[SJD@NewDelhi]

Originally Posted by Eddy

....I vote for CSK, MI, SRH and Punjab in no particular order.

Would like to know your reasons behind naming Punjab within Top 4? After their yesterday's win, looks like most probably you will be proved right. I am a fan since Cap'n Gilly's days but get disappointed every season after showing promise. I don't know what transpired at the auctions this year but wonder why they again went for Maxwell instead of persisting with Ashutosh? Maybe that handy extra baller tag? I recollect him being salty about KXIP when he got picked for Lucknow.

[Asish_VK]

'Thala' hiding behind Tail is one of the most ironic scenes in IPL from last season.

Coming to bat after Ashwin! Seriously ?

[rx100]

Originally Posted by Asish_VK

'Thala' hiding behind Tail is one of the most ironic scenes in IPL from last season.

Coming to bat after Ashwin! Seriously ?

Last year it was mentioned as he had some knee issues. But seriously if someone can keep wickets for 20 overs, where is the knee issue. Some team strategies are really baffling, like MSD coming as no 9 and Hetmyer coming at no 8.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by SJD@NewDelhi

Would like to know your reasons behind naming Punjab within Top 4?

Iyer + Ponting combo. Plus I am a Punjabi. Plus Preity Zinta

[harry10]

Originally Posted by Asish_VK

'Thala' hiding behind Tail is one of the most ironic scenes in IPL from last season.

Coming to bat after Ashwin! Seriously ?

Shameful.
Would have been more funny if he would come after even Khaleel. CSk crowd is so shameless. Your team is getting destroyed at your home stadium. And you are cheering for your own player getting out so Dhoni can come out to Bat. And he starts defending and as usual only starts to hit when 0 possibility to win the game is there. This is what happens when you make a player bigger than the game.

Let alone Dhoni. No one except Rachin had any intent to win the game. CSk is clearly carrying Dhoni and they are happy with it. Early days but looking at the teams I can see RR and CSk finding it too hard to avoid the bottom of the table.

[deathwalkr]

Convincing victory by RCB yesterday. They seemed extremely confident and the way they played showed it.

Thripathi, Hooda and Curran seem so woefully out of place...

As for Dhoni mania, even Jadeja mentioned it once and yesterday Rayudu also posted a story talking about that.

But hey it sells tickets. They will milk that factor to the maximum.

[searacer932]

It's quite fascinating to see fans getting emotional about cricket matches between private clubs, isn't it?

Also, I wonder how many people from the "knowledgeable" Chennai crowd can name the Tamil Nadu Ranji state squad? We will know the real knowledge of the crowd from that answer .