With not a lot to choose between the teams, Hyderabad and Chennai have emerged the better performers...
With not a lot to choose between the teams, Hyderabad and Chennai have emerged the better performers...
HYDERABAD: After seven matches since the start of Indian Cricket League’s Season II, Chennai Superstars and Hyderabad Heroes are leading the chart with four points from two outings each, but the Heroes are slightly ahead of the Superstars if consistency and professionalism are taken into consideration.
Royal Bengal Tigers, though, are not far behind going by their performance in the first week of ICL 20s Challenge.
Other teams such as Delhi Giants, Lahore Badshahs, Chandigarh Lions, Mumbai Champs, Ahmedabad Rockets and debutants Dhaka Warriors didn’t live up to their billing in the first eight days of Season II. DNA takes a bird’s-eye view of week No.1:
Badshahs lack team spirit
Lahore Badshahs, touted to be the pre-tournament favourites, were unlucky and also fared badly in the two matches that they played so far. Understanding among the players seemed to be their biggest problem. First match was sheer bad luck where they lost via the VJD method in a match curtailed by power shortage. In the second match they bowed before the Royal Bengal Tigers’ superior team spirit.
Superstars on fire
Chennai Superstars didn’t have much trouble in bagging two wins in a row, beating Dhaka Warriors and Ahmedabad Rockets at ease. They are sitting pretty on top with four points. Ian Harvey, Russel Arnold, G Vignesh all played their parts.
True Heroes
Hyderabad Heroes were outstanding all through the first week and they capitalised on the impetus they got after beating the much-fancied Lahore Badshahs. Chris Harris was the pick of the lot, taking pressure off the youngsters’ shoulders and allowing them to play their natural game.
Tigers roar
Royal Bengal Tigers were a revelation in their first match against the Badshahs. Initially it was Upul Chandana who scalped four wickets and folded up the Badshahs’ innings for 139. Hamish Marshall, the new recruit, then took over and saw his team through with a scintillating 76 off 53. Captain Craig McMillan chipped in with a valiant 35. This was not all for the Tigers. Their team game made their task easier. The Tigers are the best fielding side.
Warriors disappoint
Be it T20 or ODIs, Dhaka Warriors never did justice to their name - losing both the matches, though Alok Kapali created history on Wednesday, scoring ICL’s first-ever century. But Kapali was not complemented well by his teammates. Atrocious fielding let them down. It is clear that they are yet to come to terms with Twenty20 cricket.
Individual performances
Youngsters like R Sathish, G Vignesh, Parvez Aziz and others deserve special kudos for their performances. Kapali, too, impressed with his scintillating century.
Note: This report was written before the completion of the match between Royal
Bengal Tigers and Delhi Giants. 
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