Daily Archives: 14 March 2010

IPL and Indian Domestic T20 Championships on simultaneously…

Posted on 14 March 2010 by | 2 Comments

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) is the domestic T20 Trophy in India.

For the 2009-2010 season, the SMAT commenced on 25 September 2009 with league games in the South Zone. Meanwhile, the league games in the Central, East, West and North Zones were played from Oct 20 2009 onwards for a 6-day period.

A few observations:

  • Although we have a Super League and Plate League for the Ranji Trophy, why do we still have a Zonal system in place for the domestic T20 championship in India?
  • Why were the SMAT league games in the South Zone and the rest of India played on different dates?

And by the way, while the North, West, East and Central Zones were playing their SMAT league games, the Champions League T20 Cup was on at the same time! Why were the SMAT league games in the Central, North, East and West Zones not played at the same time as the South Zone SMAT league games? I suggest we do not pose that question to the BCCI, for I am not sure we will get a cogent answer! If the North, East, West and Central SMAT League games had been held at the same time that South Zone SMAT League games were held, the SMAT knock-out phase could have, quite conceivably, been conducted in the period Oct 20 to Oct 25.

Now, right after the North, East, West and Central SMAT League games were concluded, the SMAT games took a five-month break. Yes, after 25 October, the Indian cricket calendar got quite crowded, what with the Australian ODI series, Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy, etc.

So, after a 5-month break until March 12 2010, The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals stage commenced. In other words, the domestic T20 championship in India commenced on the same day that IPL-III commenced in India.

So, right at this moment, we have two T20 championships on in India: A domestic inter-state championship and a domestic inter-franchise league!

Somethings just make you go “Hmmmm” in India!

– Mohan

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IPL 3 – Day 2 Random thoughts….

Posted on 14 March 2010 by | 4 Comments

It is early days yet but I am happy to see the three metros off to winning starts. Wouldn’t it be nice for a change if the 4 metros end up in the semis? I had some observations to make based on the bits and pieces that I watched of yesterday’s game (repeat) and of the double header today. One thing that struck me right away was the raw confidence and talent that the ICL boys seem to bring to this year’s edition. Whether it was Hyderabadi grace of Ambati Rayadu, or the brief strokeplay of Abhishek Jhoonjhoonwala on the one side, or the allround ability of R. Satish on the other, these guys do promise to bring an extra dimension to the game.

While the KKR v DC game seemed to have gone to the team making the fewer of several mistakes including dropped catches, poor shot selection, or wides today’s game was determined by sheer class and experience. Yusuf Pathan seem to run away with the game by brute till an unlucky yet brilliant run out by Satish and ultimately some classy bowling by Zaheer Khan and Lasith Malinga. Gambhir on the other hand seems to already relish the captaincy role and he played like one as he saw his team through. A couple of new talents to look for as well in Aditya Tare, the Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper batsman and Paras Dogra from Himachal Pradesh and playing for Kings X1 Punjab. Certainly, interesting and exciting 6 weeks ahead. Meanwhile, tomorrow’s game between Chennai Superkings and Deccan Chargers should be an exciting one.

Srikanth

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