IPL: Energy and Excitment, Whose On Top?

With just over two weeks of IPL3 completed, we getting grips to the top performers in this years extravaganza.

Already we have had some nail biting matches, mega hits and super blows. The IPL has become a blockbuster sports event that has grasped the attention of millions world wide.

With billions of dollars been spent, you would hope that the latest cricket intervention would crab so much attention from cricket lovers and sports fans locally and abroad.

With out a shadow of a doubt, the international stars make the occasion more special. World class talent mix matched many against that compatriots.

The likes of Aussie speedster bowling at 150km/h to the ever present legend Adam Gilchrist whose power hitting makes it difficult to leave your seat when his out in the middle.

The atmosphere seems to be loud and noisy, music blasting, cheerleaders dancing, superstars waving their teams flags high up in the extravagant suites alongside top government officials and celebrities.

The IPL has taken T20 far beyond the old time Test match, creating the excitment off the pitch, and thus making the game so much more interesting.

But with so much distractions off the pitch, you would think it would be difficult for players to concentrate on the game, well you wrong.

It seems like they having a blast of a time, enjoying the crowds appreciation for the game.

And if you looking for some of the top performers in this seasons IPL, look no further than the Mumbia Indians and Royal Challengers, with brilliance both with the bat and ball.

India's hero Sachin has come out and blasted the ball with ease and class, Australia's Matty Hayden seems to have found the "mongoose" that sends the ball further than ever. The hard hitting of the Chargers with Gilly, Gibbs, Saymond's and Sharma seem to destroy bowling figures faster than any military equipment.

But after all the big names are mentioned, there's one that stands out in 2010 more than ever. Jacques Kallis the South African who was rejected a place in the first T20 World Cup because of his lack of T20 ability, so he was told.

He proved his critics wrong and came back in IPL2 stronger, then displayed his game even better in the second T20 WC in England last year, and now in IPL3 has become one of the best.

With only four games played so far, he(Kallis) has a strike rate of 134.69 with 264 runs, three scores over fifty and no average as he hasn't been dismissed yet. Remarkable for a test player who was told he bats to slow.

But that's not all, he also to four wickets and played a huge part in the field with his experience and cricketing knowledge. It's evident that Anil Kumble (RCB Captain) is thankful for the present of Kallis in his team, as they are always in consultation during the game.

Kallis has also received three man of the match awards out of the four games played so far.

With his South African captain Smith currently injured and racing against time to be fit for the upcoming T20 WC in the Carri-bean, SA selectors will be licking their lips and hoping this forms continues right through the summer.

But Jakes isn't the only South African paying well, Dale Steyn seems to have found his rhythm and is proving to be a difficulty against recent opposition.

Gibbs, has had moderate scores and will look to up his game while the likes of Albie Morkel and Kemp seem to have found their feet in the bowling department, both of whom are great strikers of the cricket ball and could clear any outfield with the power their possess.

Young talents Theron who made his debut for Kings IV Pujab has played his part in the victory over Chennai with an excellent display of death bowling.

Other South Africans yet to make their mark in this season is AB de Villiers who was majestic in the previous seasons, JP Duminy who is coming back from injury and will be getting a game soon, Wayne Parnell who is finding it hard to break into the Daredevils teams since Nannes and Maharoof are picking up wickets, Roelof van der Merwe sitting on the sidelines as RCB continue the brilliance.

So looking ahead to the next couple weeks of en-trolling action from the Indian Premier League, we will look for great all round performance

And for the second week running Jacques Kallis gets my, Man of the Week.