IPL underdogs on their run

As someone said that the new fast paced version of Twenty20 cricket format is not about savage hitting, it’s about culture with the basics all in place. Certainly it is useful for the teams who are considered under-achiever in the tournament but have emerged on the top with some disciplined performance.

Whether it is the Rajasthan Royals or the Kings XI Punjab, the teams with their continuous good performance have been able to bring more gleam to the league by upsetting teams having start studded names.

Rajasthan Royals, captained by Shane Warne, doesn’t have much experienced players who after going down meekly to Delhi Daredevils emerged with some excellent wins including the one against Kolkata Knight Riders and lately the thrashing victory against Chennai Super Kings. They have shown how teamwork actually makes a tem stand tall against all odds.

An underdog side is without doubt a dangerous one as there are players who have not seen much in full version cricket circuit and hence it is always difficult to workout plans for some players in advance. Less experience, right basics and a good execution of team plans on the field have proved successful contrary to those who depend more on star performer with individual concert.

Look at Chennai Super Kings, the absence of Mathew Hayden, Mike Hussey and Jacob Oram has drained them with two losses in a row. Super Kings’ team now only revolves around skipper Dhoni, Stephen Fleming (yet to prove his skills) and Suresh Raina in batting and speedster M. Ntini and MS Gony. From now onwards they need to display teamwork to stay in the game.

The other team Hyderabad Deccan Chargers full of all-rounder like Adam Gilchrist, Gibbs, Shahid Afridi, Scot Styris, R.P. Singh could only manage to get one win out of six games they played so far. They have witnessed some close games; whatsoever they need a win in their game against Super Kings scheduled on Tuesday (May 06) to stage a comeback.

Talking about Kings XI Punjab, this too was marked as underdog considering the T20 format at the start of the tourney so far played some good cricket in the presence of Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardena, Kumar Sangakkara, Yuvrah Singh and Bret Lee. However, it would be interesting to see how these teams move further as Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils gaining momentum with the fall of Kolkata Knight Riders and Bangalore Royal Challengers.