Captains can make or break their team's hopes

May 20,2009 | Abbas Ali Baig

The two matches on the 19th were different in many ways.Whereas for Delhi Daredevils, clear leaders on the table, their match against the Bangalore side was not of the utmost significance,Chennai were facing the Kolkata Knight Riders, a team desperate to redeem themselves and salvage some pride; any slip- up would cost them dearly.

Chennai got a respectable 188, a match winning total in the context of IPL2, thanks to Raina, Dhoni and a sound start by their openers.They must have justifiably thought they were home and dry. But Kolkata, far from being disheartened, retaliated with a blistering exhibition of batsmanship led by their skipper and ably supported by Hodge and Saha , and managed to overtake this daunting total. This was done in emphatic style and notwithstanding the dismal steak which is bedeviling Ganguly.The result meant that Chennai missed a golden opportunity of sealing a semi final spot and Kolkata redeemed some belated pride.

The other match brought the Royal Challengers fighting qualities to the fore,when they restricted Delhi to 134, an eminentally gettable score.The start was a disaster as Delhi contrived to lose two wickets in the very first over. (How many times in IPL2 has a team lost a first over wicket—an astounding 33 times!!). Retrieval efforts saw them reach 134 which the Bangalore team achieved without too much fuss thereby propelling themselves to position 4 on the table. Still vulnerable with Punjab and Jaipur breathing down their neck. It was good to see Dravid back in form and Taylor carrying on in his own inimitable way.The match underlined Delhi's relative weakness in the bowling department and, with the openers not clicking (inexplicably with Sehwag unable to come out of the horrors), they may struggle in the last stages of the tournament.

In todays matches, if Jaipur are outstaged by Kolkata, they are out of reckoning and Punjab need to beat Chennai emphatically to achieve some extra points and remain in the race.

An intriguing array of captains: Kumble has been exemplary apart from his bowling which augers well for the team. Dhoni, ofcourse, has been Dhoni—unflappable and totally in control. Yuraj has done brilliantly as bowler but needs to keep his cool in control in crunch situations. Sehwag as is his wont, is unmoved by any happenings on the field,good or bad. Tendulkar has made a few tactical errors and his own form has been patchy. Warne, the magician, has done enough to keep his fragile unit in contention and has led imaginatively and boldly. Gilchrist has been consistent and led from the front. They will all play a signficant role as their teams fight out the final battles.