Lights....Camera...Action.... errr sorry...Auction !!!!

It was indeed "lights...camera...action" at Goa in the players auction for the 2nd edition of Indian Premier League - T20 tournament, scheduled from 10th April to 29th May'09. Its cricketing extravaganza at its glittering best. Players from all over the world would chance their arms & wield their willows to glory amidst all fanfare & glitz.
The action at the Auction under Lalit Modi, was enough indication of what is expected to follow, when the tournament starts. The focus was ofcourse on the English duo of Kevin Pieterson & Andrew Flintoff & the new cricketing sensation Jean Paul Duminy of SA. While Bangalore Royal Challengers bought off Pieterson, the Chennai Super Kings managed to bag Flintoff & Duminy was picked up by the Mumbai Indians. However, the toughest bidding fight came from unexpected quarters, as Kolkata Knight Riders & Kings X1 Punjab slugged it out for the Bangladeshi pacer Mortaza Mashrafe, with KKR finally nosing ahead & clinching the deal. Mortaza must be over the moon at having got more than 10 times his initial bidding price.

The event had enough glam value despite the absence of King Khan. With Preity Zinta along with beau Ness Wadia showing up for Punjab X1, Juhi Chawla coming up for KKR & new stake holders for Rajasthan Royals(champions of the 1st edition), Shilpa Shetty was smiling merry at the clicking cameras. There was also the elegant Neeta Ambani showing up for the Mumbai Indians.

Looking now at the team composition, I believe, the Chennai Super Kings are very well placed. Under Dhoni(he seems to be winning virtually everything), the team has a wonderful combination of power, youth & experience, & now with Flintoff getting onboard, the team looks more than formidable.
Rajasthan Royals, would be hit badly with the absence of Sohail Tanvir, but having bagged Shaun Tait & Tyron Henderson, they should be feeling better. Mumbai Indians have a lot of ageing players, but having picked up Duminy, they have the potential to beat any team on their day.
Punjab X1 & Delhi Dare Devils look a decent side as ever, while Deccan Chargers, Hyd & Bangalore Royal Challengers(inspite of picking up Pieterson) still dont quite give the confidence of a champion team.
KKR,(my support goes for this team)having bagged Mortaza of Bangadesh, have a fairly balanced team. The loss of Paki players should not bother them, as they have a formidable batting & bowling deptt. Again a very good mix of power batting, good raw pace & a good blend of youth & experience. With Dada Saurav still hungry for cricket, I expect them to definitely make the top four grade...after which it is anybody's guess to the champions podium. Hope their theme song, "Korbo lodbo jitbo re...." inspires them enough this time around to go the distance.

Either ways, its going to be a colourful cricketing extravaganza, & all the cricket enthusiasts over the world can look forward to humdinger of matches. Its also a very good platform for the young talent from across India to showcase themselves & carve a place in the National level.....

May the best entertainer win!!!!