Weekend Cricket Diary: Chanderpaul,Pataudi and the IPL

Linus FernandesMay 1, 2011

29th April, 2011:

WICB chief Ernest Hilaire’s comments about the West Indian team hit a raw nerve—Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s.

When he termed the West Indian cricketers of the past 15 years as lacking application and discipline, he overlooked the chip on Chanderpaul’s shoulder.

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The Guyanese bat of Indian origin who uncomplainingly carried Windies hopes, oft receiving less than his share of glory—overshadowed first by Brian Lara, and later Chris, Gayle came out strongly in a letter addressed to Hilaire .

Questioning the use of "we" in his interview, the Guyanese asked him, “Are you speaking for yourself, albeit as CEO of the West Indies Cricket Board or are you speaking for and on behalf of the West Indies Cricket Board itself?”

Chanderpaul threatened to take whatever action necessary to safeguard his reputation.

The boot is truly on the other foot.

If the IPL has not managed to sustain interest amongst viewers , there is very little to be done to retain public interest off-the-field. Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi added his bit to the unholy mess left behind by Lalit Modi.

The Nawab has filed for arbitration in the Bombay High Court seeking to be compensated for the BCCI's termination of his tenure on the IPL Governing Council.

The merry-go-round continues.

Mumbai Indians succumb to Shane Warne's Rajasthan Royals scoring just 94-8 in 20.

Pune Warriors fail to chase 181 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Virat Kohli bags the orange cap.

Hashan Tillekaratne joins the band-wagon of match-fixing allegers.

Harbhajan Singh has a thing or two to teach top-order batsmen on how to retain strike. The off-spinner ran a single short against the Rajasthan Royals ,ensuring that he was back at the crease to face Shane Watson.

Not a page from the coach's book, but surely one from the "cheating manual". Fair play, be damned!

30th April 2011

From starter to finisher, Virender Sehwag was on song in either role for Delhi Daredevils leading them to 157. Sreesanth's best bowling effort in the IPL went in vain; 2 for 10 in four overs in a losing cause for Kochi Tuskers. It is a team game, after all.

KTK slide to the bottom of the table, sitting ugly at nine.

Kolkatta Knight Riders have enjoyed a renaissance in Saurav Ganguly's absence. A win over Kings XI Punjab take them to the top of the table.

I may be wrong but Adam Gilchrist, in this IPL, is not quite the player he was. He is a bit more strained, a little slower to react at the crease. Perhaps, captaining, wicket-keeping and opening the batting is becoming a bit too strenuous for the legend.

Can he take a leaf from Brendon McCullum's book and let Dinesh Karthik don the gloves? Will that destabilize the balance of the side?

1st May, 2011

Rajasthan Royals beat Pune Warriors to send them crashing to their sixth defeat in a row. This time, it was Ross Taylor who did the honours.

Sunny Sohal went berserk for Deccan Chargers against Chennai Super Kings. Six overs of mayhem , however, could not be sustained and CSK proved that consistency is the key.

Quote of the day:
The point of quotations is that one can use another's words to be insulting. – Amanda Cross