For all the hip and hype, glitz and glamour, the IPL-2 has underlined the fact that in testing playing conditions, there is no substitute for experience and skill. Is it any wonder then that the ageing pros have cornered all the glory so far while lending credence to Sachin's statement that T20 is not necessarily a game for the young and by the young?
A majority of the young Indian players, not yet exposed to international cricket, have been struggling to cope with the bounce and movement on the South African pitches. Not just the batsmen, but so also the bowlers who are unable to hit the correct length and line to be really effective. It goes to show that in most case, the talent we judge on the flat and placid sub-continental pitches is grossly overvalued.
If you overlook the odd good performance by a "new face", then there is precious little "new" or "fresh" about the IPL save for the fact that the conditions have produced some close games and thrilling contests. The matches so far have also given lie to the belief that T20 is all about old-fashioned slogging or a glorified version of "village cricket".
Some of the captains too have been all at sea, struggling to come to terms with the conditions even as they learn to manage the resources at their disposal. Teams that have focused far too much on strategy and planning, have not exactly fared well while those who have kept things simple and gone with the flow, find themselves at the top of the heap.
The resurgence of Deccan Chargers is a case in point. Gilchrist's captaincy has been more about motivation and leading from the front, much like Warne whose bag of tricks appears to be bottomless. Undoubtedly, these two former Australian stars have been the pick of the eight captains.
In contrast, the much-acclaimed Dhoni of the Super Kings has been found wanting resulting in his team languishing at the bottom with just one win. A long way from last year's showing when they began the campaign with four consecutive victories and going on to make it to the final before losing to Warne's Royals.
Dhoni appears to be strangely subdued and I have a sneaking suspicion that he has just about had enough and desperately needs a break. Having played huge amount of cricket in all formats the past six months, not counting the travel, Dhoni seems to be rather flat. His batting has lacked a sense of urgency and his team selection has confounded the discerning.
Consequently, his persistence with the likes of Parthiv and Joginder besides sticking to a batting order that is rigid and a bowling attack that is without variation, has only added to the team's woes. In the normal course, Dhoni would have boldly experimented with his line-up, but in the past fortnight, he seems content to let things float along. It is so much unlike the Dhoni that we have grown used to and it is to be hoped that he will pull up his socks sooner than later or else, his team is doomed to disaster.
Among the foreign signings, few of the highly-paid players have justified their price tags. The likes of Pietersen and Flintoff, or for that matter even Smith and McCullum, apart from a clutch of other overseas stars, have performed below par. I do wonder then whether there is a strong case for revisiting this process of valuation of players.
There are times when I believe that a majority of the players are grossly overvalued and for the life of me, I cannot understand the process that is in place for valuation. I am sure, these are issues that the franchises would soon address while assessing their returns on inevestments.
As of now, the IPL is still to spark to life. The promised and expected fireworks have occurred only off the field, at the end of the game. It is to be hoped then that as the tournament progresses, the players would get used to the conditions and begin to entertain us.
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