IPL 6 - The Super Heros and the Super Villains so Far

IPL 6 - The Super Heros and the Super Villains so Far 

The Indian summer during the recession year changed drastically. Not due to the economical conditions or due to sweltering heat but the cricket madness gripping the nation for 45 days at a stretch and giving the cricket crazy nation its daily dose of action, drama and entertainment, the heights of which that no saas bahu serial could ever fathom.

Now, as the sixth edition of IPL is almost halfway through, we can analyse the hero and the villains of this edition or rather in a cricket crazy nation the super heros and super villains who have lived upto their franchisee and fans expectations and those who have let them down.

The top 5 Super Heroes:

1) Chris Gayle: The list of heroes for sure needs to start with this man especially after that blazing 175 of just 66 balls including 17 sixes and 13 fours. Gayle has hit 34 sixes in the tournament so far and the next best is 17 sixes by Rohit Sharma, the feat of Sharma was achieved by Gayle in that single match itself. Astounding statistics. No wonder he currently holds the orange cap ( Which Mike Hussey might take it post the match against KKR)

2) Dinesh Karthik: Not in the reckoning and out of mind of the Indian selectors and publics mind, Karthik played some terrific knocks at the start of the tournament for Mumbai Indians to give them a terrific platform for the Pollards and Rohit Sharmas to build on. The IPL team can only have four foreigners in their line up so keeing that in mind, an Indian giving the impetus to Mumbai Indian side who are still looking for their elusive title comes as a welcome sigh of relief.

3) Sunil Narine: The "mystery spinner" has been a constant in KKRs dwindling fortunes at this year IPL journey. There are still many batsmen who are not able to read which way his deliveries would turn. Among the top wicket takers last year and still at top of the table this year, the West Indian not only insures that he takes a wicket or two but also keeps the run rate in check.

4) Amit Mishra: The leggie was out of mind of the selectors but with his hatrick and Bhajjis continued misfortunes may get him back in the reckoning. Playing the ideal folly to Steyn and Sharma by coming in as first or second change, Mishra has caste a spell this season with terrific leg spinners and googlies.

5) The Young Indian brigade: IPL teams can only consist of 4 foreigners thus, the young Indian brigade play a huge part in helping the team go over the line. Quiet a few youngsters have made a mark with bat, ball or in the field. Hanuma Vihari from Sunrises has shown great temperament to handle pressure situations, Gurkeerat was just terrific with that catch to dismiss Ross Taylor, for me that is still the catch of the tournament. Rajat Bhatia for KKR with his skill of bowling slow leg cutters and stopping the run flow and then contributing with the bat lower down the order adds balance to the KKR franchise. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has also been a revelation, the only silver lining in Pune warriors terrible show till now. His temperament was tested to the core when Gayle was going at full force and yet he came out with flying colours. He has been the find of this years IPL.

The other names who could not feature in the top 5 are: Mitchel Johnson, Rohit Sharma, Kohli, Vinay Kumar, Gambhir and James Faulkner.

The Super Villains:

1) RP Singh: Who bowls such a huge no-ball when two runs are required of the final ball. That was a mind blasting last ball by RP Singh that made Ravinder Jadeja come back into limelight. Even if one forgets that terrible outing, he hasnt performed as to the standards that skipper Kohli would have set for him.

2) Ricky Ponting: After not playing in the IPL for 4 years ( played in 2008 for KKR) Ponting and Sachins opening stand was one of the highest billed affair. Unfortunately, that affair fizzled out even before it started and add to that Ponting has been sitting out since last 2 games for MI. Fortunately, they have won both under Rohit Sharma.

3) Yousuf Pathan: The sorry run of the elder Pathan brother continues in this years IPL as well. It is hard to believe that the same player during the first 2 seasons of IPL contributed significantly for Rajasthan Royals under Shane Warne and has hardly scored runs with bat or bowled well to actually deserve a place in the playing eleven. Hope he comes good in the coming matches, if not for his sake atleast for his captain Gambhirs sake who has backed him throughout.

4) Adam Gilichrist: The captain who won the cup for Hyderabad in the second edition doesnt even look a pale shadow of the player that he once used to be. Getting out almost every time in single digit, Gilly has not only put pressure on himself but the team as well who rely on his electrifying starts to get going. No wonder Punjab is struggling at the bottom half of the table.

5) Sachin Tendulkar: Age is just a number for this iconic batsman. However, this year IPL thus far has shown that Gods falter too.Having just a couple of good scores and few bad ones and few unlucky dismissals, the master has been way below average by his own standards. Hoping for some fireworks from this little genius.

The other notworthy players who couldnt make it to the top 5 super Villains are this years highest paid player Glenn Maxwell for not making it to the playing 11 even once, Sangakkara, Cameron White, Harbhajan Singh and Murli Vijay.

Hoping as the IPL mania goes into the second half few villains achieve the highs of a hero if not super hero for their franchisee and the super heroes continue to do the good work.