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IPL2011 Finals

IPL2011-CSK-Winners

What a season this IPL2011 was. Though for me it was an over-dose of cricket following immediately to the World Cup and with 74 matches, IPL2011 was memorable. I got a chance to watch the first match of the season in the M.A.Chidambaram Stadium, I was lucky to get tickets gifted to watch it from the special Anna Pavilion (Air conditioned corporate box of TNCA).

Though I was delighted for CSK winning the trophy again this year, the final’s match between CSK and RCB turned out to be an anti-climax. At the end of first innings and after Chris Gayle of RCB getting out, the final’s match was literally over with the result obvious. In contrast to this the qualifying match (Semi-Finals) few days back between the same two teams (CSK and RCB) was exciting with nail-biting finish.

Congrats to M.S.Dhoni & entire CSK team – Chennai loves you guys, see you next year!

Twenty20 – India vs Pakistan

I was part of history yesterday (at least let me feel it that way), watching among millions through TV of course the first ever Twenty20 match played by India. This was the 10th International Twenty20 match. Having watched a cricket match after few years, I feel the 20:20 format has great potential and in all likelihood become mainstream cricket just the way One-Day did for Test matches. The four hours (half-a-day) is very convenient for audience to enjoy a good cricket match and sight-seeing all within a day.

In yesterday’s match (India vs Pakistan) it was good cricket with typical swings of a India-Pakistan match till the last ball. I really enjoyed watching the bowl-out which decided who got the 2 points with each side nominating 5 bowlers who bowled one ball each. Of course, the way Indians played left much to be desired!. One thing was obvious, though Indians may not be the champions in the game – Indian businesses (sponsors) are clearly who are paying for the tournament.