Bleacher Report - Articles by Kenny Roger Moise

Greatest TV Soap In Recent Times: The Indian Premier League

Kenny Roger Moise — Sat, 02 May 2009 03:19:50 -0400

It is really hard to describe the IPL in just a few words. I believe any sports fan would see the stark reality involved in the same. To begin with, the IPL has become a TV Soap more or less. Do not ask me which category, anything would do I guess.

There is indeed a lot of political colour involved. Suddenly the guys who play for one's nation becomes hated for no logical reason. Shifting the IPL from India to South Africa in the first place is quite a feat though I would say with the money Lalit has, it comes as no surprise.

Recently, while watching the fag end of a match, I got to see a fan (old woman sitting among the VIPs) holding a prayer book seemingly and saying prayers. I could not help laughing. Do they really appreciate good cricket? One can actually debate as to whether T20 brings the best in Cricket or is it simply organized chaos and mayhem.

It is very early to comment about the teams' performance but cannot help it. It is the IPL after all. Very closely fought matches, rise of the spinners, South Africa is the Country for Old Men. Jokes apart, certain teams like Knight Riders and Royal Challengers have continued to look like Greek tragedies.

The ruckus and ballyhoo over Andrew Flintoff ended when he had to return owing to injury. Suddenly he reminds me of Achilles, only difference being Freddie had a problem on the knee. To any cricket lover, not using players like Collingwood is simply inexplicable. There are in fact many names.

George Bailey for the Super Kings, Mashrafe Mortaza for Knight Riders (was he just a toy for two Bollywood starlets?), using Roelof van der Merwe so late when he has been quite a revelation for the South African team against the Aussies.

If there is something that has continued well from the initial version, it has to be the way the cameramen capture the cheerleaders. It is absolutely pathetic. Those girls look athletic nonetheless unlike Mandira Bedi who is trying to fascinate audiences with her looks and dressing: I wish I could say in a typical Geoffrey Boycott tone, "Even my grandmother could do better than that"

Besides it was quite a funny thing to watch Mr Boycott share the stands with Shilpa Shetty who was very good in showing that she has a big mouth literally by smiling and laughing whenever Warnie and his boys showed traces of last year's form.

Teams like the Super Kings and Royals have had bad starts this year. But the real saving grace of the tournament are the Deccan Chargers. Gilly has definitely made the team look different this year. Dhoni (I only have respect for this guy) looks more like he is playing the IAL (Indian Advertising League) than the IPL. Quite a bankable player still in all ways.

The tournament is far from over. There are times when one get the fishy feeling that something is wrong about the matches. One match which went to the wire had Lalit Modi chanting "Come on guys, we need a Bowl-Out" in the final overs. The match resulted in a Super Over anyways. I guess Lalit Modi has some way to orchestrate things when it comes to the IPL. The charity initiative seems noble though he still is getting more than we can think of.

The few players who have stood out and shown great cricket so far include: Shane Warne, Yusuf Pathan, Matthew Hayden (will he be called back by the Aussies?), Anil Kumble, Sachin, Dirk Nannes, Dilshan, Gilchrist, RP Singh, Yusuf Abdulla, Merwe, Brad Hodge. I will definitely welcome any names that I may have missed.

Many teams have shown a problem of plenty. Knight Riders seems to be having a problem of having plenty of problems within them. It is indeed a saddening fact to see such an outfit at the bottom of the table though quite a few people tell me that they deserve it. Well their future is going to look even more dramatic and uncertain as of now.

The IPL has indeed become a relief at times for me and also a replacement for the never ending list of reality shows that my folks at home watch. Though my mom still retorts that the IPL is just pure showbiz and its looks all planned, I do not why, I end up watching it. Anyways its early days to say if the IPL would become really something in the future.

In Mr King Khan's own words I would like to end "Picture abhi bhi baakhi hai" (The show still goes on, its not over yet).

FA Cup 2009 Semi's: Chelsea Edges Past Arsenal

Kenny Roger Moise — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:03:14 -0400

Clearly a dramatic match as Chelsea came back from one goal down to win the semi-final against Arsenal, 2-1.

The first half looked out of sorts—Arsenal showed better passing at times, whereas Chelsea's defending looked troubled.

Chelsea's attacking intent began to grow and was effective thanks to Frank Lampard who looked instrumental along with Essien and Drogba. I was rather amazed at why Wenger did not use Arshavin from the start.

Adebayor did not look dangerous at all. Theo's crossing was not so impressive. However some good passing within Adebayor, Gibbs and Theo ended in Theo Walcott scoring a goal, which made contact with Ashley Cole's hand en route to goal.

Chelsea fans would call that "Hand of Devil" I guess, just kidding.

Slowly but steadily the Gunners' custodian Fabianski was looking rather nervous and this was evident as he made a few unnecessary moves right in the first half that nearly gave Chelsea an early equalizer.

It was Lampard who passed the ball to Malouda that resulted in the equalizer for the Blues. The goal comes from a man who has been a favorite for critics off late.

The second half clearly belonged to the boys of Stamford Bridge. Throughout the match we had plenty of dubious referee decisions and some good ones. A few probable penalties and yellow cards were not allowed.

Arsenal showed some poor defending and Chelsea just continued with their attacking mode. Once again Lampard found Drogba in dying minutes of the match for the winner that came once again as Fabiansky came too forward.

Earlier the post denied an attempt at goal by Anelka. Fabregas nearly earned a penalty for the Gunners and Arshavin nearly scored.

Wenger made quite a few substitutions in the second half by bring in Bendtner, Nasri and Arshavin, but it all looked late as Chelsea kept working towards scoring a goal and Arsenal was getting out of ideas.

Chelsea will meet the winners of the other match at the Wembley: Everton versus Manchester United—who could it be?

IPL 2009: Bangalore Royal Challengers Decimate the Champions Royals

Kenny Roger Moise — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:39:53 -0400

If anyone was to see the first over bowled in this match by Dimitri for the Royals, where he took the wickets of Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor in quick succession, they would easily say that Bangalore was going to have yet another bad season.

Well at the end of the match the Challengers scored 133 and ousted the Royals for 58 runs. This is the lowest score in the IPL ever. Dravid's resilient knock of 66, even as wickets fell at regular intervals, was a real treat to watch. His strike rate was a good one for a T20 level.

Kumble's five wickets in four overs for five runs was simply elegance of experience in display. It would not be just if I did not mention the genius of Shane Warne, as the former Aussie player showed why he is so great with some amazing field tactics, great deliveries and an amazing catch.

KP's decision to bat first seemed to pay off once Royals began to bat and the top order was done with by the 10th over. No one actually applied or stuck on to play a significant knock. I guess Mallya would definitely be pleased with the proceedings—at least the start.

As the first day of IPL is over and there is so much yet to happen, today was a day of senior players. Tendulkar, Dravid, Kumble and Hayden would be my picks of the day. Simply goes to show that age is no barrier at all to the T20.

Anyways lots more of IPL action in the coming weeks. Let's see how this unfolds.

Mumbai Indians Begin On a Winning Note

Kenny Roger Moise — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:34:46 -0400

Quite a start to the IPL. The day began with showers that looked very much the spoilsport. After the first six overs the main star of the match was a dog who was seemingly interested in the field placements.

Mumbai have begun on a winning note by beating the Chennai Superkings by 19 runs. Batting first after losing the toss, Mumbai scored 166 with the top scorers being Tendulkar and Nayar. Nayar's blistering knock of 35 made the difference.

Tendulkar was dropped earlier by Hayden on Flintoff's bowling. Though Hayden made up with two other catches and an amazing 44 from 34 deliveries, it was not enough to stop the Superkings from being run over by the Indians.

The key differeence would be the use of spinners, especially by Mumbai in the form of Harbhajan Singh and Sanath Jayasuriya. Somehow the Superkings did not have a blazing start and there were not many magical huge overs for them.

Lack of a spinner in the Superkings side may have cost them I guess. Flintoff's expensive over thanks to the willow of Abhishek Nayar was another thorn in the flesh of the Superkings.

Apart from the Indians' spinners, Lasith Malinga was instrumental in curbing the run rate of the Superkings with his unreadable (I cannot find a better way to describe it) action and his many yorkers, slow deliveries. Well played anyways for a person who is returning from injury.

The key highlight of this match would be Tendulkar's innings. the little master showed a mature innings, innovative shots some of them being cheeky. Well T20 is not all about slam bang cricket I guess after all. I wonder if Oram would be replaced by Morkel in Chennai's next.

Anyways brilliant start to the second season and it's still early days.

The I-League: An Ignored League?

Kenny Roger Moise — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:09:04 -0400

Air-India, Churchill Bros, Dempo, East Bengal, JCT, Mahindra United, Mohammedan Sporting, Mohun Bagan, Sporting Clube de Goa, Mumbai, Chirag United, and Vasco.

If anyone were to ask any Indian (Asian nation) as to what these names are I doubt most would know. These are the names of the football clubs in India's Football League, which is better known as I-League.

Fact is even I am not so aware of this league. Most of the time, football in India means the World Cup or the famous leagues like La Liga, Serie A, and yes the EPL. Then there is the national cricket team and the IPL.

The thing is these teams do not actually represent any state or district. At least the vast majority of them are teams financed by companies. This model is very similar to that followed in Japan. Some of the players continue to work for the companies after their retirement.

They have a steady income and get to play football. Many Indians including me keep talking about the nations we support in the world arena of soccer. Do we actually support football in our own nation?

I could actually state some of the political factors that hamper India's progress as a footballing nation but then that would be an endless debate. The I-League was started in 2007-08. It had replaced the National Football League which was on for at least 11 seasons.

A lot has been done to promote football in India and the I-League is the latest initiative. India's rankings in world football may be a joke to Indians themselves but we need to make a start somewhere. I wish and believe that slowly and steadily more people will start following the I-League seriously.

The above picture is that of the 2008-09 I-League finals fought between Mohammedan Sporting and Churchill Bros where the latter won 6-2. The very reason I write this is because sports articles in Indian sports sections are covering the IPL. In some corner you get to see the I-League.

It is high time. The I-League increases its visibility and scope so that it becomes a huge affair and not just another sport relinquished by a minority of the vast population.

Sir Stanley Matthews: A Legend for All Ages, an Evergreen Footballer

Kenny Roger Moise — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:33:41 -0400

"He told me that he used to play for just 20 pounds a week. Today he would be worth all the money in the Bank of England." —Gianfranco Zola

This is probably one of the many quotes about the one and only Sir Stanley Matthews. There are so many greats in the history of football, but today I wish to write about this right winger for so many reasons. I wonder whether my attempt in doing so will be good enough, as the list is endless.

In 1934, after Stan made his international debut for England against Wales, this was what was written about him in the Daily Mail: "I saw Matthews play just as moderately in the recent inter-League match, exhibiting the same slowness and hesitation. Perhaps he lacks the big match temperament."

Probably the reporter never foresaw what this man was going to achieve. His first professional club was Stoke City FC. He played for Stoke City from 1932 to 1947. His career, as was inevitable, was hampered by the Second World War. Still he managed to score 51 goals in 259 appearances.

A teetotaller and vegetarian, Matthews kept himself fit enough to still be playing at the top level at the age of 50, and finally retired in 1965.

A mark of Matthews' greatness was that his testimonial was played against a World XI boasting true greats like Ferenc Puskás, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Lev Yashin, and Josef Masopust.

At the end of the game, which Stoke won 6-4, Matthews was carried off the field on the shoulders of Yashin and Puskas. He played nearly 700 league games, was never booked, and after retiring was the first footballer to be knighted.

His next club was Blackpool. His transfer from Stoke City to Blackpool was monetarily £11,500 for a person at the age of 32.

Probably the most famous stint was that at the FA Cup final against Bolton Wanderers. Blackpool was lagging 3-1 when in 30 minutes, Stan's speed and dribbling saw Blackpool make an amazing turnaround. Stan Mortensen scored a hat-trick for Blackpool but the match was rightly termed as the Matthews Final. The final score was 4-3.

This man was running along the right side of teams even in his 60s. He was not a machine. He was the true embodiment of a football player. I seriously do not think we could have another player like him again.

Nowadays when I see players being transferred and exchanged around with big numbers attached, I wonder how many of them would match this great.

Yes, we do live in different times and Stanley did change teams too. I still cannot help looking on in awe at what this man has achieved. Even at the age of 50, he always claimed that he had retired "too early." Can anyone beat that?

There is probably a lot more that I can write about this great, but I suggest every football lover read about him instead. As I end this article I wish to quote from the dedication engraved below his statue outside Stoke City's Britannia Stadium:

"His name is symbolic of the beauty of the game, his fame timeless and international, his sportsmanship and modesty universally acclaimed. A magical player, of the people, for the people."

Associate Nations: Fodder for the Big Names or Future Stars?

Kenny Roger Moise — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 15:08:49 -0400

Ever since the success of the first Cricket World Cup in 1975, ICC has been holding ICC World Cup Qualifiers ahead of every World Cup till date. As every one of us gear up for the IPL and the forthcoming different versions of game, it is time we have a look at some of the big names among these Associate members. Truth is these players are just plain amateurs. Some of them play the game just for a part-time basis. It really comes down to the question as to whether teams form part of the punching bag at the biggest stage. Well, in that case Sri Lanka was an associate member in 1979. So was Zimbabwe in the late 80s. The ICC World Cup Qualifiers are taking place as we speak in South Africa. This slideshow is just a look at the Super 8s. The picture of the title slide is that of Dwayne Leverock who plays for Bermuda. This is a picture of him taking a catch to get rid of Robin Uthappa (India) in the ICC World Cup 2007.

Begin Slideshow

Arsenal Stunner Marks Another Draw in the Champions League

Kenny Roger Moise — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:36:37 -0400

What a goal! What a goal! I would really like to know whether Wenger will dispose of Adebayor after the 66th minute stunner that helped Arsenal seal a draw before they head to the Emirates Stadium.

Marcos Senna had put Arsenal in a sticky situation with a 25-yard strike that gave Villarreal an early lead. Manuel Alumnia had to be replaced owing to injury. The replacement Lukasz Fabianski showed his worth with a couple of saves that placed the hearts of many Arsenal fans in their mouth.

All set for yet another decider at the Emirates Stadium. These matches will now decide who is Europe's best in all aspects of the game. Yes we can have plenty of debates over which team has better players.

But on the given day, which team fares better is the million dollar question. The movement showcased by Arsenal by the likes of Theo and Fabregas and an ultimate finish by Adebayor was a visual treat to all football fans.

All I hope is that we do not get to see penalties but rather see the better team win!

Porto Deny Manchester United

Kenny Roger Moise — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:19:28 -0400

Mariano Gonzalez had other plans in mind as he scored an equalizer a minute before the game ended. What began to look like yet another victory for the Red Devils at Old Trafford was denied as an unmarked Gonzalez caught them by the tail.

Like I said in my previous article, Ferguson needs to pay attention to Jonny Evans.

His sloppy defense has once again exposed Manchester United's vulnerability at the back with the absence of Ferdinand. Rooney did justice to his name despite the result.

Cristian Rodriguez's strike at the fourth minute—thanks to a small blunder from Jonny Evans—was quite a dream start for the visitors but Rooney scored the equalizer and also provided Tevez to make the second one.

I must say that for 21-year-old Evans, making up for the absence of Ferdinand is no easy task and complementing with a returning Vidic.

Now it will be a thriller at Porto for all football fans as it becomes a do-or-die situation for both teams.

Unofficial Reign of the BCCI: It's All About the Money!!

Kenny Roger Moise — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:13:36 -0400

The decision from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to drop the players that belong to the ICL (Indian Cricket League) is baffling by all means. Once again it goes to show that BCCI with the money power it has, dominates and domineers over everyone else regardless of the game.

The Pakistani players affected by this include Abdul Razzaq who is a very useful all-rounder. It is sad to see that a player of his calibre cannot represent his nation in the T20 World Cup just because he plays for a League that is not approved by the BCCI (Board of Cricket Control in India).

The other two players are right arm fast-medium bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and dashing batsman Imran Nazir. All the three names are recognizable in cricketing fraternity. I do agree the IPL has brought in a whole lot of entertainment, but this is not a healthy facet to cricket.

Now I wonder if Sri Lanka is going to follow suit. The T20 version of cricket has definitely changed the face and outlook of cricket. It has made the game look even more commercially viable. But the idea of having one major league and the others just follow suit or live under suppression is detestable.

Thanks to the BCCI and its power-play in the ICC, there are plenty of unanswered questions as to why ICL would not be accredited. There are talented players there too. Some of us can claim they are just a bunch of old men. Why not have a challenge between the ICL and the IPL?

If the game is meant to be democratic, then it should involve all kinds of leagues irrespective of where they hail from, who endorses them? If the individual/team loves cricket and plays for the love of the game, I see no harm in allowing them to play or even represent one's own nation.

If a little known John Davison of Canada could strike one of the fastest centuries in the World Cup (50 over format) against a test playing nation West Indies, I do not find anything wrong in allowing players from the ICL play up to their capability for their respective nation.

FC Porto Vs. Manchester United: Walk In The Park?

Kenny Roger Moise — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:43:14 -0400

Most people wish to dismiss this match as a piece of cake for the Red Devils. Well I would love to know how many among us had similar thoughts running in our minds before Manchester United's clash against Fulham recently.

If the game was so predictable, there would be no fun or even thrill in watching it. As Porto go to Old Trafford tomorrow, Man Utd will be without Rio Ferdinand. Man Utd is still recovering from the magic of Macheda's last minute goal.

Ferguson need to pay attention on the position of Johny Evans as defense of Man Utd has suddenly looked sluggish off late. Can Pedro and his men from Porto pull off a surprise at Old Trafford. Besides the so called clean sheet of Man Utd custodian Van Der Saar who I thoroughly admire was broken long back.

As long as it lasted, the media was all about it. I cannot help saying that Porto has not been the same since Mourinho has left. They have reached so far, that in itself may be an argument to my earlier statement. I really wonder what is going through Ferguson's mind about facing Porto.

That memory may be quite strong though it has been a long time ago. But it would be interesting to see how Lisandro Lopez is going to be used especially now that he is a regular for Argentina under Mardona.

The trio of Lisandro Lopez, Givanildo Vieira de Souza or simply known as Hulk and Cristian Rodriguez are the formidable strike force in Porto against the likes of Ronaldo, Rooney and now Macheda. It should be a good match as anything is possible.

Bayern Munich vs. Barcelona

Kenny Roger Moise — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:10:56 -0400

Yet another match-up between two European football powerhouses are that of Bayern Munich and Barcelona. With enough firepower on either side that have been marching their way in the Champions League by means of goal-fests, it should also be a test of who has the best defense lines?

Defense-wise Puyol seems to be the first name that crops up in my mind taking both teams in consideration. Bayern do have the amazing Phillip Lahm in their defense lines. Some say offense is the best defense. But I would say both offense and defense would be crucial.

The midfield guys will be the ones to watch out. Demand of the ball by whom is an aspect we all would be very aware of. What matters would be who would be supplying the ball around.

The charismatic Xavi is there for the men at Nou Camp but Bayern is well-equipped with the likes of the menacing Frenchman Ribery. Gudjohnsen and Iniesta are the names I can think of from Barca. But the Bayern captain Van Bommel may have some special plans for Barca when they meet.

The Champions League surely will miss the Italian teams this time around, however we have the likes of Luca Toni in this game.

So let the excitement unravel even further when these two teams meet.

Liverpool VS Chelsea: Whose Side Are You On?

Kenny Roger Moise — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:35:04 -0400

The 8th and 14th of April are two dates that most English fans will love, as well as dread, the most. These two days will be the Quarter-Final matches (first and second leg) between Liverpool and Chelsea.

Though two other colossal giants, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, meet on the same days, this article is more about the teams mentioned in the title. Liverpool's amazing form as well as Chelsea's late surge make this match a really tough one to predict.

After seeing Gerrard and Lampard play side by side for England, it will be a treat for all football fans as they face off against each other. Liverpool look all set with the likes of Benayoun, Riera, Torres, Kuyt and so on.

Chelsea have seen a late surge since Guus Hiddink has taken the helm. John Terry will have to marshall his talented troops against an equally formidable side. I find it hard to compare these two teams as they can be great on any given day.

My only hope is that the better team wins both on the respective match-days and in the end. The last thing on my mind are penalty shootouts, that would be the worst way to see either of the two sides exit.

Personally, my bet would be on Liverpool as they have been relatively consistent when compared to Chelsea. No disrespect to the Blues but I believe that there are times the fluidity of movement within the Liverpool team is simply too good for any team.

The Champions League matches are played at home and away in a two leg format; I believe the team that plays better in both legs is the better team, in fact that team that actually deserves to win.

Last minute breathtaking goals would be entertaining but I would prefer to see goals that result from natural game-play and not some individual brilliance, although it is always welcome

Fast and Furious Sexagenarian: Land Speed Record Breaker Burt Munro

Kenny Roger Moise — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:32:33 -0400

Imagine a man owning a bike for nearly six decades and moreover setting land speed records with the same. Herbert James Munro or Burt Munro may not be the conventional sportsman to any of us.

But his life is a true example of sheer grit, determination and absolute passion for the Indian Scout, a motorcycle. This man looked like he was destined to be the World's fastest Indian.

With an original speed of 55 mph, Burt reworked on the Indian scout so much that it finally touched a speed of 183.58 mph at Bonneville Salt Flats, where motorcycle enthusiasts meet every year to test the intensity of their machines in terms of speed.

When Burt made this record, his bike was 47 years old and he was 68 years old. There are very few examples of resilience and extreme determination that I have ever come across. This New Zealander is indeed a class act.

He had worked so much so patiently on his machine and that too many times. Perseverance at its best I guess. I wish to end this tribute article by one his quotes about his attempts to break the speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats, the moment he was talking about was when he hit 206 mph speed:

"At the Salt in 1967 we were going like a bomb. Then she got the wobbles just over half way through the run. To slow her down I sat up. The wind tore my goggles off and the blast forced my eyeballs back into my head—couldn't see a thing.

"We were so far off the black line that we missed a steel marker stake by inches. I put her down—a few scratches all round but nothing much else."

Shaquille O'Neal: Player for All Seasons

Kenny Roger Moise — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 05:08:47 -0400

Do I really need to provide an intro for this person? This slideshow is a tribute to a genius and legend of a player who never failed to impress regardless of which team he belonged to. Records, MVP, I can just lose count thinking of the awards and honors this seven foot one basketball player has achieved. Being a fan of MJ, I find it hard to praise anyone else, but Shaq is a different kind of player. Some of his detractors may claim that he has a height advantage. Well, it is also a disadvantage I would say. One simple look at his stellar career is more than enough. I shall make a brief yet honest attempt at what this player has achieved.

Begin Slideshow

Vince Papale: An Invincible Eagle

Kenny Roger Moise — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:32:16 -0400

I am pretty new to the NFL. I always thought that the game was indeed special and unique. That is when I chanced to see a movie called Invincible.

There have been sports-based movies that I have seen before. But come to think of it, Vince Papale stands in my mind and stands out as a beacon, a person who achieved greatness against all odds.

Nowadays, we look forward to seeing players from the college draft, but Vince never played college football. He was just a natural athlete.

His performance at the Philadelphia Bell took him to Dick Vermeil, coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. He was the oldest rookie to play in the NFL at 30, when he did in 1976.

He played for three seasons. This was a time when the city of Philadelphia was looking for hope and happiness. This Eagle went on to play 41 of 44 regular games between 1976 and 1979. His position as a wide receiver even helped Dick Vermeil earn his first victory in the NFL.

He may not have been that great a player, like Tommy McDonald or Steve van Buren. But every now and then there is a player who comes and changes the spirit of the team.

Someone who plays as a catalyst or a play-maker. Vince achieved all this when America was reeling under Watergate, Vietnam War and the energy crisis.

Just a look at what a normal 30-year-old part-time bartender and substitute-teacher did; no one can fail to be impressed and inspired. All he did was just believe in himself and love the game.

Deccan Chargers: Uncharged or Recharged?

Kenny Roger Moise — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:00:37 -0400

Deccan Chargers. Quite a nice name, I would say. Looking at the lineup, I would not be surprised if anyone called them the Destroyers. With the likes of Adam Gilchrist, Hershelle Gibbs, Shahid Afridi, and Andrew Symonds, whoa!

Give me a minute. Are these guys on one team? That was my expression.

Unfortunately, the results told a different story altogether, despite having a decent bowling attack with RP Singh, Chaminda Vaas, and Nuwan Zoysa. The revelation of the last season included Rohit Sharma, who was a consistent performer with the bat, and Pragyan Ojha the spinner.

This year the only addition to the bowling arsenal is Fidel Edwards, the exciting pacer all the way from the West Indies. They still have Scott Styris, Dwayne Smith, and Ryan Harris in the all-rounders department.

Darren Lehman is the new coach, Gilly is the captain taking over VVS Laxman, and there will be no CEO for this season as they have had enough problems with the men occupying the post. They have also taken in six domestic players, and this would be a great platform for them.

Let us hope that the Deccan Chargers are all charged up for this season and they offer a lot more than they did last year.

Bangalore Royal Challengers: Dark Horses or Glamour?

Kenny Roger Moise — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:26:01 -0400

The ads and promos made the team look rather promising, despite getting comments as the most boring lineup since they had a few test match stars. It is indeed sad when people tend to put down an outfit just because of who they have. I do agree every individual is important, but the magic of teamwork can come from a great set of individuals.

BRC does have a great set of T20 players like Robin Uthappa, Mark Boucher, Ross Taylor, Jacques Kallis, and even Dravid, who managed to play some T20 like innings, though he is definitely suited to the longer version of the game.

This season the BRC is looking rather venomous.

The entry of Kevin Pietersen as the new captain teaming up with the likes of Jesse Ryder and Roelof van der Werve is a treat. It would be a real test for opposing batsmen if Dale Steyn and Nathan Bracken are to bowl together. Virat Kohli and Cameron White need to do a little more to prove themselves according to my opinion for the BRC.

Praveen Kumar is still there, but yes, the BRC will miss Zaheer Khan as he is now on the Mumbai Indians. Anyone who wishes to still call this side a test match side could be gravely proven wrong on any given day.

Last year the BRC had a lot of glamour associated with them as they had the cheerleaders from the Washington Redskins as their own cheerleaders. I do not think I have to explain more. The glamour quotient was furthered by the presence of Katrina Kaif as the brand ambassador.

This season the BRC looks far different from the others. It is way too early to write them off and no one should look at the team that played in the first edition as this is a totally different outfit.

Kolkata Knight Riders: Can The Knights Dethrone The Rest?

Kenny Roger Moise — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:56:54 -0400

Kolkata Knight Riders were the most successful franchise financially speaking in the first version of the IPL. Due to the recent turn of events they had to leave out a few Pakistani players which did blow a dent to the team.

But the management has indeed played their cards well. There are some new and exciting players in this team that makes them look quite the formidable team despite the recent confusion over captaincy. I cannot help feeling whether that too is a publicity stunt. However, time shall tell. The idea of having four captains is quite intriguing.

The batsmen feature David Hussey, Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, Brad Hodge. India's most successful captain Sourav Ganguly has quite a lot to manage even this time. The all-rounders in this team are an excellent lot which features Moises Enriques, Angelo Mathews and Mashrafe Mortaza.

The last one being a dramatic story where two teams were at loggerheads to get this explosive batsman plus fast bowler. The other team that tried to win this Bangladeshi player was Kings XI Punjab. KKR's bowling includes Ishant Sharma, spin whizkid Ajantha Mendis, Ashok Dinda, Murali Karthik and the South African Charl Langeveldt.

With all the ruckus over the captaincy and the right mix of players on the ground. The question over whether the Knights can be crowned Kings by the end of IPL 2 remains to be seen.

Mumbai Indians: Spirited Fighters

Kenny Roger Moise — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:32:12 -0400

With quite a catchy theme song Mumbai Indians were looking really great when the IPL began last year. However, they did not have quite a good start. Four start losses and everyone was beginning to make early judgments on this extremely talented team.

Well as the IPL 2 is all set to begin, this team is looking even more better I would say. They have got quite some new faces. The Indians have bagged Zaheer Khan (former Bangalore Royal Challengers) and Shikhar Dhawan (former Delhi Daredevils) as part of the transfer window. Apart from these, they now have Kiwi pacer Kyle Mills and the dashing South African batsman Jean Paul Duminy.

Tendulkar and Jayasuriya: I really do not have to talk about them, we all are aware of what they can do. Ashraful will be a great addition to an already youthful side with the likes of in form Rahane, Dhawal Kulkarni, Yogesh Takawale. Luke Ronchi has been retained and so is the spin wizard Harbhajan Singh.

The absolutely new faces to all will be Ryan Mclaren (South Africa) and Graham Napier (England). The IPL has indeed proven to be a boon for lots of the U21 and U19 sides across test cricket playing nations.

The medium pace of Dwayne Bravo will be further assisted by Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando. All this is beginning to make me wonder if the Indians have a problem of plenty. They have quite a great arsenal but what would be the ideal mix.

1950: USA Beat England 1-0 .. Amazing Match

Kenny Roger Moise — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 12:01:16 -0400

There has been many upsets in the world of football. But if there is one to remember for all times it is the defeat England received from the USA in the 1950 World Cup held at Brazil.

This was a time when England was a highly ranked team and USA team did not even feature in the betting odds. After 90 minutes of play time, the score read 1-0 in favor of the Americans. The USA team were captained by Ed McIlvenny and they had a rotation system for captaincy in place.

The goal scorer was Joe Gaetjens who headed in from a cross by Walter Bahr. Many critics could argue that there were players in the US team who were not US citizens and they were namely: Gaetjens, McIlvenny and Maca but FIFA cleared them of all such charges long ago.

Whatever they may say, this match was the typical David and Goliath match and this result is clear enough. Both teams played well, but the US team played better. One could blame the English for not having made Stanley Matthews available. He was at that point one of the greatest players alive.

Credit goes to each and every player in the USA team including the goalkeeper Frank Borghi. It was not after another 4 decades that the USA Football team resurfaced at the World Cup.

This match however till this date is an example for all teams out there to always play the game in its fullest spirit and always respect the opponent even if they are not ranked.

Dhoni and The SuperKings

Kenny Roger Moise — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:15:00 -0400

Chennai Chennai Chennai Superkings. May not be that great a theme song but then as the IPL arrives its time to look at some of the teams and my first pick would be the Chennai Superkings.

Dhoni might be busy with the Kiwis as of now, practically speaking he is injured so he is relaxing. Let us hope that he is available for the IPL. From the looks of it, CSK has made a few moves to improve its bowling compared to last season.

Balaji's form in last IPL was great. Murali is yet to show his class in the IPL. Ntini was lethal in certain matches but Albie Morkel need to be a tad more careful about the amount of runs he gives. The inclusion of Thilan Thushara should help but the best part I cannot help resisting mention is the big name: Andrew Flintoff.

The big man from England shall definitely be a trump card for CSK both with the willow and the cork. Apart from that, the inclusion of George Bailey comes in as a nice surprise. With an impressive track record as a destructive batsman and right-arm medium pace in the Pura Cup, he is definitely an asset to the team.

CSK did make a surprise selection last year in the form of Manpreet Gony who was impressive with his bowling but the best part was the relative ease with which he heaved a ball into the roof of the stands.

Joginder Sharma (Man with the Golden Arm owing to his T20 WC heroics), Jacob Oram, Badrinath, Michael Hussey, Matthew Hayden all present to make the team to make CSK quite a formidable team. I thought CSK would go for the Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladeshi all-rounder but I guess that would become a problem of plenty.

Well, Dhoni will have to once again show how his shrewd captaincy stands out in IPL 2 as the other teams have also bolstered their lineup this time.

England Victorious But Injured

Kenny Roger Moise — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 02:52:34 -0400

England had an easy outing against the Slovakians as most of them would like it. But Capello's worries are far from over. Within the first half of the match, Capello had to make three substitutions all springing from injuries.

The victims are Emile Heskey, Carlton Cole and Peter Crouch. Rooney scored twice, one of them thanks to a great, yet usual cross from David Beckham. Beckham has thus broken the record held by Bobby Moore for most appearances by an outfield player.

After seeing Lampard score zilch in 27 attempts at goal in the last World Cup, it was quite a great thing to see the Chelsea star score one for England from a free kick. Now that the friendly is over, it's back to business.

Capello can indeed use Aaron Lennon whose speed is remarkable but he needs to pay attention to England's defense, which has had monumental lapses in the past. Often these lapses were converted by the opposition into a major advantage.

The best thing is indeed the new found ease of movement within the players and I believe the credit should go to Capello. The disciplinarian has indeed induced some life into a team that is usually star-studded in terms of cast but not in performance.

Well, this team is slowly becoming a team to reckon with as WC 2010 approaches. England's next test is on April 1st against the Ukrainians. That should be a tough one.

Indian Premier League: Outsourced To South Africa

Kenny Roger Moise — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 11:57:54 -0400

Indeed a year has gone by and elections have changed the atmosphere in a nation like India. However, the magic of IPL is all set to resume and this time it has a major difference. It is happening in South Africa.

Much has been debated about this move and a lot of it being on the grounds of political mileage. Well here are some thoughts I would like to share about the last IPL. Cash rich teams, icon player system and then having a mix of players from across the globe, it was indeed a fiesta of cricket.

It was also an introduction of a whole new set of cricketing scenarios. When Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar (Kolkata Knight Riders) rattled the batting order of the Delhi Daredevils by taking the first four wickets, the whole city of Kolkata erupted in joy.

It is hard to believe that this happens in a nation where it almost a second nature of people to verbally abuse players of the neighbouring nation. IPL has brought in lots of new perspectives.

Well, its all set to begin again mid-April as Cricketing officials in South Africa and India are breaking their heads to make sure it happens. Besides with the English cricketers making their foray into this version, it can only get better.

The teams are looking a bit different this time with new players for each. Defending champs Rajasthan Royals are definitely going to face some heat this time. It is indeed a celebration of sorts. Lets hope that all goes well and it happens as planned.

The All Elusive Kevin Pietersen

Kenny Roger Moise — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:33:40 -0400

One of the most entertaining and affluent strikers of the cricket ball and its hard to see him go through a phase like the recent one but nothing is impossible for the Giant as he will be a key player to watch out in the IPL this time and it would quite a delight to watch him mix with likes of Dale Steyn and Jesse Ryder

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England's Soccer Team: An Italian Affair

Kenny Roger Moise — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:44:14 -0400

With this weekend marking a continuation of the FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualifiers in Europe, all teams have been busy with practice sessions and prep talk with the media.

The England team despite the 2-0 loss to Spain at Seville has been looking a rather different outfit ever since the arrival of Capello. The very fact that he has made the duo Lampard and Gerrard work and compliment each other is achievement enough.

But then the English team is no stranger to injury. Ledley King has been a problem of sorts and then the tall, towering Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch is doubtful. Wayne Rooney, the star from Manchester United as always will hold key for Capello's strategy as they begin the weekend with a friendly against Slovakia.

Slovakia has been showing signs of consistency in recent matches as they are leading their respective WC 2010 Qualifier Group against the likes of Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, and Poland is commendable.

With Beckham likely to match his 109th appearance, one can only watch the former England captain with awe at his career.

From a foul that ruined England's match against Argentina in one WC and then scoring the winning goal against the same in the next WC, he has indeed come quite a distance. Well, this should be the beginning of yet another great footballing month as April arrives.