Game on...

I have always wondered about the amount of work that will go on behind the scenes in conducting a cricket match.   With a tournament like IPL - given its huge popularity, international contingent and showbiz connections - it is fair to assume that this will be one hell of a project management task.  Here is a good article written by Amrit Mathur about what goes on behind the scenes.... http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/632970.html

 By all accounts, Sunil Narine is an extraordinary bowler.    There have been mystery spinners in the past – the likes of Chandrasekar and Ajantha Mendis come readily to mind.   But what makes Narine special is that batsmen have not quite figured out how to play him – even with all the expert coaches and video analysis available in today’s game.    We are 30 games into the 2013 IPL and Sunil Narine is at it again – in contention for the purple cap, a hat-trick already, etc etc. After studying his bowling carefully (I am as big an arm-chair expert as any of you J ), I feel there are some ways by which batsmen can play him more effectively.             First, Narine rarely flights the ball.   He bowls flat and fast.   So there is really no point in charging down the track and trying to hit him straight.    Batsmen are much better off playing from the crease.          B ecause of the appreciable spin that he gets, many times away from the bat – batsmen are

Another IPL is around the corner and I wanted to share 7 things that I would love to see in this year’s edition.  Medium Scoring Matches: Call me old fashioned but 20-over games where teams score 200+ is horrible.  I would like to see scores around the 150 mark for a good game of cricket. Super fast bowling:    I would love to see atleast 4 bowlers in the league who can bowl at speeds over 150 kmph.   To see someone bowling at 125 kmph opening the bowling is plain boring. Specialist bowlers:  I am tired of guys like Rajat Bhatia and Virat Kohli bowling in a 20 over game.  This is supposed to be a game where every over counts.  Advertisement in the middle of play and not the other way around. I understand ads are important. But I surely don't want to see the pitch exploding to introduce me to the wonders of a new chocolate !! Better facilities for fans at the stadium: While things have improved a great deal over the last couple of years, going to watch a cricket game is s