IPL 2 getting better...

Ever since IPL 2 was announced, it was in the news for all the wrong reasons. The stalemate between Modi and the government continued for quite sometime over providing security to the matches in India and finally ended up with the venue being shifted to South Africa. The moneybags who had invested heavily in IPL were not happy, nor was Mr. Modi but the rest of the country was very sure that elections were more important!

Then there was the very famous duel between SET and BCCI over telecast rights. It grabbed headlines for quite a period of time and then finally ended in favour of SET. The cricket crazy nation heaved a sigh of relief, so did Ms. Mandira Bedi who could showcase her new hair style and off shouldered western wear over Extra Innings (I think I missed out on a couple of a's) on Sony Max.

The next issue involved one of the most high profile teams- Kolkata Knight Riders- SRK, Dada and Buchanan- 3 hot heads who were always in the news! Buchanan's theory of having multiple captains received a lot of flak, especially from SM Gavaskar and SRK didn't take it too kindly! The fact that Dada was given a backseat in the team did not go down very well with the babumashais in Kolkata either. The media savvy actor turned businessman that SRK has always been, he worked overtime with the media and managed to clear the air, albeit with great difficulty!

S Sreesanth's injury, his treatment in Sydney, his trip to South Africa and the will he play or not? confusion coupled with whether or not Zinta and Wadia are together grabbed more attention than the "Kings" themselves. Sreesanth has started bowling and getting hit but only time can say what is happening between Zinta and Wadia!

After all this, when it started, it coincided with the first phase of General Elections in India and had lower TRP ratings when compared to last year. The new set of Airtel and Vodafone advertisements attracted better response and the underdressed cheer leaders and additional breaks were widely criticized!

However, things seemed to have changed significantly more than 3 weeks into IPL. Look at the score card these days- you are still confused as to who is going to take the cake. Deccan Chargers started well but are not fully consistent these days. Rajasthan Royals started really bad for the reigning champions but are improving. Mumbai is in the gain one, lose one track. Delhi is totally unpredictable. Bengaluru is gearing up after Dravid came back to India. The Kings of the North and the South are doing their best and struggling to be in the fray. The only consistent team so far has been Kolkata which has been, well, consistently losing matches!

Gilchirst and R P Singh have been the most consistent players this year. Sachin, Hayden, Yuvi, Dhoni, Malinga, Kumble, Ojha, the Pathan Brothers have all being doing quite well for themselves. Yuvi and Rohit have had hat tricks also so far in IPL 2 though we are yet to see the six sixers this time around!

So, who is going to lift the crown this year? Who is going to have the last laugh- Mallya, Zinta, Wadia, Ambani, GMR, Shetty- only time can tell? Well, my votes are with Deccan Chargers and Delhi Daredevils. I would want them to fight against each other in the grand finale and I dont care who among them will win since both of them are my favorites. Will it turn out that way? I am keeping my fingers crossed...