Great Match

The IPL final turned out to be a good match. I expected the match to be a cake walk for RR once they restricted the CSK to a low total. As it turns out Chennai had other plans. They played their hearts out and took the match to the last ball. Had a couple of chances gone their way, Chennai would be the ones basking in all IPL glory. The most enduring image I will have of the final is Dhoni calling his men into a huddle at the end of the match. A general marshalling his men after an honorable defeat. It is very rare to see such a gesture on the cricket field. I am sure they will return a stronger team next year. ps: What would happen when Shane Warne is no longer physically fit, say three years from now ? Will he continue to coach the Royals? Given his anti-authoritarian streak, it would be ironic.

Anticlimax in the offing for IPL?

Well who knows. After 40 days of close matches, two one-sided semifinals are not what I expected. I do not have high hopes for the final. Based on the form, Rajasthan Royals should win by a clear margin. But the thing to look forward to is how Dhoni the captain performs tomorrow ? Is he really a captain in the mould of Mike Brearely or Is he going through a purple patch? Giving the first over in Semifinal to Murali was right out of Martin Crowe's playbook. Can he come up with something to stop Shane Watson & Co? We will know in a day.

Birds of India

Every time I walk to the pantry in office, I pass a cube with fantastic pictures of birds framed all over. Today I talked to the guy. Turns out he is the photographer. His website is full of high quality pictures. A must visit if you are a nature lover. http://www.clementfrancis.com