“The slapping incident was him dealing with a guy that he has probably played 20 Tests with,” Ponting was quoted as saying in The Herald Sun. “After this latest issue in India, I think people should be making their own judgments about Harbhajan as they can see his true face now. He has again done something wrong.”
Referring to earlier controversies with Harbhajan, Ponting also said that every minor error was blown out of proportion by the media.
Harbhajan slapped Kings XI Punjab pacer Sreesanth after his team Mumbai Indians lost in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Harbhajan was banned from playing in the IPL this season and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is also conducting a separate inquiry into the incident.
After a Sydney Test marred by on-field confrontations, Ponting was accused of “turning a group of professional cricketers into a pack of wild dogs” by an eminent journalist.The same scribe also labeled Ponting arrogant and called for him to be replaced as captain.
Ponting said his team had several lapses of judgment and also made some minor errors, but claims they were blown out of proportion.
He said he thought the thing that happened was that every time there was a minor error it was turned into something that was a lot bigger than it was.
IPL tournament has now reached a stage when one cannot just go in with a powerful bat and ball - one is required to think and act and plan out a strategy for every match. Earlier we have expressed doubt about Delhi team in absence of Virender Sehwag’s bat - and twice in the last two matches it proved correct. Dhoni has managed to correct himself while both Shane Warne and Ganguly is putting in adequate mind in every match.
Of course this format of cricket depends heavily on batsman and the initial overs and the runs generated is indicative about the outcome. Also - we have seen a reduction of the total scored in matches and this supports the fact that bowlers are on the learning curve and getting their act together - its not a predictable pattern anymore and one has to change the length, swing, pitch, fielding depending on the batsman, the run rate , no of overs in the match among other things.
Just yesterday we witnessed a thrilling contest and with such matches happening more and more, one can so easily name this Indian Premier League a true blockbuster! Delhi never got going at the start but some late order blitz helped them post a decent total on board. The start for the Royals was no different as they too struggled to get out of the blocks early. Smith made desperate attempts to up the ante but fell soon. Watson never looked back and went on to blast yet another fifty. Just when we thought that it would be all too easy for the Royals, few wickets fell in a heap and things looked like taking a turn. But at the end, the ask wasn’t daunting and the local team came up trumps.
Again for Bangalore Challengers and Deccan Chargers - two teams which looks great on paper but has failed to deliver yet, it seems that there is a total lack of strategy or planning which even reflects on sloppy fielding. The other missing factor is a team-spirit and a desire to win.
This is a tight cricket format and leaves very few room for errors. Going into the match will only leave us with long line of stoic faces in the form of Dravid, Laxman, Sehwag, Yuvraj among others who had the potential but lacked the approach. Hopefully we will see all the teams wake up to this call for planning to kill and make the tournament more thrilling and unpredictable.
Delhi absolutely thrashed Rajasthan earlier, in what was the first match of both the teams in the league. This time around, tables seem to be turning and Rajasthan are gelling better. This should be an intriguing battle.
Men at the Helm
Sehwag has proved to be a good captain but he still has distance to traverse before he can slug it out with Warne.
We have the bat
Sehwag, Gambhir and Dhawan are dangerous up the order but Delhi’s middle order looks vulnerable and a few quick breakthroughs fom Rajasthan quickies could open the floodgates. On the other hand Rajasthan have had all the batsmen contributing but they still seem to rely on Pathan and Smith to play bigger innings.
We have the ball
Delhi have class up front with Mc Grath and Asif. Asif has taken wickets but hasn’t been as economiocal as others. Others bowlers could be exploited by Rajasthan. Rajasthan bowlers have come into their own as tournament has progressed. Still there are bowlers who could be taken for runs through some thoughtful play.
Patrolling Party
Both teams have fielded pretty well in the tournament. The valiant efforts of Jadeja on the rope for Rajasthan and by Dhawan for Delhi in the last match against Chennai are testimony to that. Delhi have a slight upper hand as far as over all fielding goes.
High on betting meter
This looks like a real contest on cards. Atleast this is what the book makers say. Almost all betting meters are giving the two teams even chances. Delhi are slightly higher on others.
Who gets the tick?
Last time these two teams met Rajasthan looked minnows but now they are not only giant killers but giants themselves and would be eager to set records straight.
Deccan Chargers v Kolkata Knight Riders at Hyderabad
Last time these two teams met, the pitch didn’t set up a happy background but the struggle was superb. The pitch at Hyderabad is likely to be batting friendly. Expect Chargers to come out with revenge on their minds.
Men at the Helm
Ganguly inspired his boys to victory in the last game against Bangalore with a man of the match performance and that too for his bowling. Gilchrist has led the side well in Laxman’s absence but the side is sorely missing his batting.
We have the bat
Batting of both these teams hasn’t been very good. Its only Rohit and Gilchrist, who have clicked for Deccan and even they haven’t fired together. For Kolkata, only David Hussey has looked convincing. But Taibu showed glimpses in the last match.
We have the ball
Knight Riders’ bowling is much stronger than Deccan which they proved in the last match against Bangalore too. Ishant has been phenomenal. Ojha has taken wickets for Chargers but been costly. They dearly want RP Singh to strike big
Patrolling Party
Barring two or three in each side both are average fielding units. But Kolkata were an inspired lot in the field in the last match and Taibu was a revelation.
High on betting meter
This is the reason why nobody dares to speak against this team called Deccan Chargers winning. Even loss after loss they are still higher on betting meter.
Who gets the tick?
Kolkata put in a great performance in the last match but its time for Gilly, Rohit, Gibbs and Styris to write their own script this time.
Last time these two teams met, it was an absolute run feast. The pitch at Chennai is expected to be even better. Expect some fireworks.
Men at the Helm
Dhoni and Yuvraj have been pretty good at their jobs. Dhoni edged out Yuvraj last time round. Lets see who dodges whom this time.
We have the bat
Both are good batting teams with Punjab having the advantage of batters being in form but injury to Sangakkara comes as a jolt to them. Fleming came good for Chennai in the last match and Morkel seems in thrashing form.
We have the ball
Punjab look a better bowling side but barring Pathan, other bowlers are not that reliable and may yield under pressure. Gony has been bowling well for Chennai. They dearly need Murali to make an impact on the tournament.
Patrolling Party
Both are very good fielding sides. Punjab have a slight edge as Yuvraj and Marsh can pluck catches out of thin air. But then Raina can emulate too..
High on betting meter
Punjab are high on most betting meters courtesy their 5 match winning streak. They fetch a 8 on 13 while Dhoni’s men 6 on 5.
Who gets the tick?
Punjab seem to start the race from a step ahead but we all know what giant leaps the likes of Dhoni and Morkel can make.
