Lalit Modi is OUT! CLEAN BOWLED! Nah, actually, make that hit-wicket. Good riddance! I have never been a fan of IPL. Actually, I would have wholeheartedly hated it if not for the fact that Dravid, Tendulkar and Kumble were playing in it. Two reasons why I detested it so much:
1. It is not cricket. It is mockery of cricket.
2. Modi. Do I need to say more? If BCCI was Corrupt, Modi is Corrupt++. And vulgar. And he flaunted it with no shame.
While I've hated IPL, and have never watched a single game in IPL 1, 2 and 3, I've kinda followed it online (you can't help it if you visit CricInfo.com everyday and read as many blogs I read!). And I was particularly impressed with the way Mumbai and Bangalore played this year. I didn't really favor any one particular team, but if I were to pick a team, I would have picked 3, none of which eventually won the trophy though each of these 3 teams deserved (and promised) to win.
In general, here's how I look (love, hate, and why) at the 8 IPL teams, in alphabetical order:
1. Chennai Super Kings: Hate. Reason: Hayden.
2. Deccan Chargers: Hate, in spite of Gilchrist and some connection I have with Andhra. Reason: Andrew Symonds.
3. Delhi Daredevils: Love them. In fact, one of my most favored teams this year. Sehwag and Gambhir are obviously two of the big, but not the only, reasons. The fact that I used to live here hasn't influenced much though. And have nothing against this team, despite the fact the Ashish Nehra plays for them.
4. Kings XI Punjab: Kings? Of what? The 'Also-Rans'. Deserved neither hatred nor love. Poor Zinta -- if they keep losing like this, it won't be too long before her dimples disappear. Oh, btw, it turns out there is Modi-connection here too -- so maybe I can hate them. ;)
5. Kolkata Knight Riders: Oh boy! Where do I start? I would have so loved to see Ganguly just sit home and keep his dignity. Poor guy! Two arrogant Australians screwed him up big time. And a Khan almost did him in.
6. Mumbai Indians: Love them. Because of Tendulkar. I have never really supported a Mumbai Ranji team because of the big bullies they usually are. Does anybody remember the Ranji final in Mysore? But in IPL this year, the way Tendulkar played and led the team, I wanted them to win the championship.
7. Rajasthan Royals: HATE them. Modi. Warne. Modi. Warne.
8. Royal Challengers Bangalore: Ah! My home team with Dravid, Kumble, Kallis, etc., etc. How can you not love them! But there is one thing that is really bad about them: the vulgar Malya.
In the middle of this, while the thugs like Modi were making big by breaking every rule, how did they summon the moral courage to ban Ravindra Jadeja for negotiating for a better deal? I guess one can't use Indian politics, cricket, the business of cricket, and morality in the same sentence.
I never thought I would write about IPL in my blog... I guess strange things do happen.
