IPL 2011 Final

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won their second consecutive IPL in convincing style by beating Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 58 runs.
From the 159 run opening partnership between M. Hussey and M. Vijay to the early wicket of RCB's C. Gayle everything went right for CSK, as a target of 205 proved to be be beyond RCB.

Whilst there is no denying CSK produced a quality display, other factors definitely helped them to win. Before the final, seven out of the last eight matches at the ground (Chennai) were won by the team batting first. Once CSK captain MS Dhoni won the toss a significant advantage was gained.
Also RCB had to qualify for the final via a third place playoff that took place just a day before the final, compare this to CSK's four day rest before the final and its not hard to see why Chennai performed better on the day. The scheduling of the playoffs might need to be looked at.
Regardless of this, as a Chennai fan I am still very happy that they have become the first team to win the tournament twice.

IPL Semifinals 2011

It's semifinal time in the fourth year of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and we were in the unusual position of the semifinal fixtures being played as the last games of the league. It will be Chennai against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), but what do the matches on Sunday tell us about the respective chances of each team?

Firstly, RCB are my pick as the favourites to win the tournament. The destructive batting of Chris Gayle, by far the best batsman on current form, has propelled them to the top of the table and their easy win against Chennai on Sunday showed why they are serious challengers. I would, however, never rule out Chennai who have a never give up attitude that makes them difficult opponents. If they do not beat RCB in their semi I still expect them to make the final through the additional playoff.

Of the other two teams it is Mumbai who stand out as most likely to make the extra playoff, especially after their last gasp win over KKR a few days ago. KKR were almost certain to win before a lot of luck and a bit of bad bowling got them off the hook and earned them an unlikely win. After a long streak of losing games this was a much needed win for Mumbai which could be the turn around in form they need to win the tournament. KKR will have a tough time bouncing back from this loss, and it is unlikely they will make the final.

As always T20 cricket is a very unpredictable game so i will not rule out anyone winning at this stage. The matches start later today with the final taking place this Saturday.

IPL World Record

Another thing I love is cricket, and a game of T20 is a nice distraction now and then.

Just a quick comment on the stunning world record partnership between AC Gilchrist and SE Marsh in the
63rd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) last night. A massive 206 runs were hit off 16 overs that proved too much for even Gayle of the opposition Royal Challengers Bangalore to match despite his recent amazing form. Gilchrist scored 105(55) including eight fours and nine sixes. Kings XI Punjab won the match by 111 runs, the second highest win in IPL history, and puts them within reach of a playoff place which was looking unlikely just a week ago