LalithModi in Euro-2008

One has to fully appreciate the IPL Management Team and LalithModi in particular for the efforts he has been making to ensure that the 2nd edition of IPL is a bigger success than the inaugural edition. Modi and SRK have spent the last week of Euro-2008 with their favorite team Germany. Modi was mentioning that, he has learned a lot and will use the learning for the IPL. SRK said that the crowds are just wonderful and he also would like to do certain things for his franchise in the lines of the Euro-2008.


AsiaCup

The tournament has reached its final stages with Pakistan hoping to win both the matches and also prays that SriLanka to beat India. Its not easy for India either, we need to win atleast one match to reach to the finals. India is planning to make quite a few changes, bringing in Sehwag,Praveenkumar,Irfan in place of Uthappa,Ishant and Yousuf (unfit), Dhoni is most likely to play two spinners in Chawla and Ohja. I hope Team India should be fresh after 3 days break but the thought of playing yet another game tomorrow will again dampen the enthusiasm for sure. India starts favorites today with the Indian top order batsmen in good form in flat tracks and Pakistan's lack of quality bowling. Pakistan bowling looks very ordinary in the absence of UmarGul,Asif and Akthar. Afridi suppose to be an all rounder has not performed for a long long time with the bat and mostly finds a place as a bowler in the team. If Pakistan bats second and with a target of say 270-280 I think Pakistan has a fair chance of winning but if they had to restrict the same total its not going to be easy.

Coach Gary Kirsten has come in support of Dhoni's post-match comments on back-to-back matches and understands that its very difficult for players like Dhoni in particular. Dhoni has been playing non-stop cricket since the SA tour last year, there has been very little time to rest and recover from injury. He is also the most sort after personality for endorsements today and IMHO its for the individual to manage time and keep himself fit for the demands of the international carrier.