While I’m writing this post, the Deccan Chargers and the Rajasthan Royals must be preparing for a hard battle in the searing heat of Nagpur. Yes, today’s IPL match is in Nagpur. And I’m sure the city is all geared up for a hot hot battle between the teams desperate to push for a semi final birth. 🙂
I think this year’s IPL has been a very closely fought contest. Baring Mumbai Indians, all other teams have shown both glimpses of brilliance and farce. Mumbai, after two mediocre seasons looks all set to finally show the world what their old war horses are capable of. The quartet of Sachi-Sanath-Zaheer-Harbhajan along with the young guns Sourabh Tiwari, Lasith Malinga and Dwayne Bravo have peaked at the right time for Mumbai Indians. Their closest competitors this season, the Delhi Dare Devils and the Royal Challengers have also done well. Though even they wilted under pressure of the big games. The performance of the heavy weights of the first two seasons, Chennai Super Kings has been surprisingly drab. Yes they showed the brilliance in the matches they won. But unfortunately, they have won just 3 out of 9 and are now struggling in the bottom 3.
Winners of the last IPL, the deccan chargers have also been on and off. They have made a habit of winning alternate matches I guess. Same is true for Dada and Shahrukh’s team the Kolkata Night Riders. The Kings XI Punjab have been the laggards this season, like KKR in the last one. However nothing can be said. If they end up winning all the remaining matches and if others do badly, who knows? Punjab might be in the semis. All said and done, I think Mumbai, the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Delhi Dare Devils will surely make it to the semis. And you will see a BIG cat fight for the final birth. Boy, the contests are getting interesting.
Now lets come back to the original question. Who do you think will win the IPL 3? My money is still on Mumbai. Lets vote.
Mayur's blog 
I feel Mumbai have a fare chance to win IPL III but still i am supporting Rajasthan Royals. They are not very strong on paper but their team spirit is very high. Again, where there is Shane Warne, anything can happen. My full support to RR(in spite I am aware of MI as the strongest team )
Hi Mayur,
It is indeed going to be a pretty close finish . But I beg to differ a little on a few thoughts:
1. It’s going to be a close contest for the No.3 and No.4 positions
2. Bangalore is in no way assured of anything yet- yes they’re sitting pretty right now, but they have been in very indifferent form of late. To top that, they’ve been tampering extensively with their line-up. Kumble needs to find consistency in his team soon.
3. Bangalore, Rajasthan, Chennai, Kolkata all will vie for the 2 spots. There’s a slim chance that DC and Punjab might also put up a string of good wins, but as mentioned, very slim.
4. Slight correction, Chennai had won 4 out of 9 , and now 5 out of 10 wins (after defeating Mumbai yesterday). They are on a roll here.
We’ve got a blog on sports – primarily cricket and football. Do check it out if you get time!
Cheers,
TheVickerman
Hi Vickerman,
Surely I’ll check your blog.
Yeah right now all possibilities exist. The way Chennai won yesterday was fantastic. I think they are peeking at the right time. I remember the first season when every one thought The Royals were underdogs. They did nothing to improve that image by losing the first three games. In fact they didn’t even top the table and yet won the tournament. All credits to Shane Warne. Similarly the Deccan Chargers had merely scraped through to the semis thanks to some inspired performances from Gilly and Rohit Sharma. They went on to win the tournament. This year Mumbai is on top. I’m supporting them. But if the history repeated itself, you might see a new team winning the IPL. KKR may be, who knows!
Ala re ala.
MI is my favourite team.