IPL-5 : 'Pretty' Zinta's Petty Problem

After a lackluster season last year, it was very important for Indian Premier League to kick-off well this year. With their association with Youtube continuing and thanks to a wonderful internet service here in Sweden, it is a treat to catch the matches live (HD quality!). IMG Media is doing a superb job with the broadcast, commentary is better, nice highlights packages and most importantly, several of the less fancied teams are challenging the established super-star teams.

It is still early days in the tournament, but looks like it's going to be a really tight race to the top four this year. Teams suffered from a slight identity crisis last year due to shuffling of players, but things look better settled this year.

Chennai Super Kings

Two time champions are finding it hard to really get going. Are they becoming a tad too predictable? Though not many of their players are suffering from loss of form, things are just not happening their way. But they surely have a knack of somehow sneaking into the play-offs. Dhoni has a lot to ponder over, importantly, when to drop Vijay and look for better replacement.

Deccan Chargers

They have a deadly weapon in Dale Steyn. Not only does he resemble Daniel Craig, he also possesses the 'License to Kill' demeanor ! But too bad there are no good bowlers to support him from the other end, they lost two matches from what looked like 'sure win' situations. Their batting also doesn't look all that promising, save couple of foreign players. It'll be a miracle if they make it to the top-4.

Delhi Daredevils

Delhi boasts a battery of pace bowlers, useful spinners and a truly amazing batting lineup. Sehwag looks totally in control of the team and the players seem to have a good chemistry. Going by their current form and excellent ground fielding, they look certain to make it to the qualifiers.

KingsXI Punjab

'Pretty' Zinta's team has a weak link in its Indian players. All foreign players are really good buys though, but it is a bit too harsh to expect them to carry the team throughout the tournament (this harsh expectation, that's the petty problem mentioned in the title!). Like Deccan, it'll be a near miracle if they go past the league stage. But you never know, stranger things have happened before.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Well balanced team with a really dependable bunch  players in all departments. If there is something that could stop the march of King Khan's Knights (KKK unintended!), it would be losing important matches and failing under pressure. Players like Pathan and Balaji can be erratic with their performances, that is something for Gambhir to watch out. 

Mumbai Indians

Started the season very well, riding on their Champions League victory. Undoubtedly they are the side with best players doing the right jobs; Malinga, Pollard, Ojha, Karthik, Rohit Sharma. There is really nothing that looks like stopping them from storming into the qualifiers. Although, Harbhajan would be better-off to remember that he is leading a cricket team and not a football team; altercations with umpires are punishable.

Pune Warriors

Much like Team India of early 2000s, Sourav Ganguly has formed a formidable underdog unit with the resources at his disposal. Both bowling and batting have some useful names, but lack of someone reliable could be a factor. With Ganguly in the team, it is always 10 players and 1 captain, so that shortcoming may play a part in close encounters.

Rajasthan Royals

Another underdog team which has surprised opponents with some quality cricket. Three of their batsmen are in the top 5 run-getters list, Dravid seems to be doing alright leading the side with a good mix of youth and experience. Bowling is a weak link and Indian players in the team lack experience. But they can upset even the best side if Shah and Hodge get going.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Very very formidable batting lineup and a thoroughly world-class bowling attack. Like Chennai, sometimes they find it hard to get going and convert good performances to wins, but with Gayle ready to blow away the opposition, they can always snatch victory from the clenched taut jaws of defeat. A place in qualifiers looks certain as long as they don't lose critical matches.