Yesterday saw the first game of 2012's IPL season as a largely similar Chennai Super Kings squad and defending champions came up against the often fancied Mumbai Indians. Somehow the victory of a side with the likes of Tendulkar, Pollard and Malinga was a suprise but this shows how consistent CSK have become at their home ground. They have been one of the better balanced sides in the IPL and normally use their spinners to contain and limit the opposition in the knowledge that they have the batting line-up to win games. However, barring a decent first 10 overs led by Suresh Raina's quick 36, they never really got into the game. Mumbai kept taking wickets to halt momentum and, led impressively by new captain Harbajahn, Pollard, Ojha and Malinga all bagged a couple of wickets at around 4 an over. A final score of 112 all out was never going to be enough and the highly anticipated debut of Richard Levi proved just this. Somehow he seems to toe the ball to the boundary and over it! 50 from 35 balls, with 3 sixes, justified his reputation as a real match winner, Mumbai have plenty of them, and got him man of the match. He may look ugly at times, but if I hit the ball that far I wouldn't be fussed.
Chennai will be disappointed but not disheartened. They'll be confident of coming back and have enough games to allow the odd slip-up. New signing Jadeja had little chance to make an impact on debut but his role as a big hitting batsman and useful spinner suggests he should fit in well and you'd exepct CSK to come back strongly, particularly when Michael Hussey returns. On the other hand Mumbai's new signings had good starts, Ojha bowled well and Dinesh Karthik is a good 20/20 player. Last year I thought they were carrying the odd domestic player and lacked a partner for Tendulkar at the top but their first game would suggest they've gone a long way to solving this. The consistency of Levi will be important, as sides may back themselves to frustrate him into throwing his wicket away, but with Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Rayudu and others in the top order they look strong all round.
Today's game of Kolkata Knight Riders taking on a top heavy Delhi side, and rain allowing, sees 2 good sides looking to step up. Both had made several big new signings, KKR with Brendan McCullum and the exciting West Indian spinner Sunil Narine and Delhi have brought in the likes of Pietersen, Jayawardene and Ross Taylor to add to an incredible opening partnership of Sehwag and Warner. I'd be backing KKR here as the majority of Delhi's big acquisitions are not yet available. Yet its hard to rule out Delhi as Sehwag can win matches on his own. The first few games will be crucial for some of Delhi's less high profile overseas names who will be keen to cement a place in the side before others return. Both sides will be looking to make the final stages, KKR look strong on paper and Delhi will have to quickly work out their best balance as they have plenty of names that look tough to leave out.
In other news, England's bowlers will be thrilled to see their batsman pulling their weight as they finally managed to score some runs in the subcontinent. KP smashed 151 at 91.21 to build on the stability ensured by Cook and Trott's half centuries, leadng to a first innings lead of 185 and plenty of time to bowl Sri Lanka out again and knock the runs off, not that things have been that simple for England this winter. Equally, the US Masters has begun in Augusta this afternoon and it could be an extremely exciting few days as plenty of the big names are going in with good form. British players such as McIlroy, Donald, Westwood and Rose will be looking to somehow stop a rejuvenated Tiger Woods and many others. Could barely be any better for sports fans at the moment!
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