When it seemed the Indian Premier League was becoming a tedious affair, the Deccan Chargers’ victories over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the Chennai Super Kings have made the tournament intriguing. Combined with RCB’s slump in form, Kolkata Knight Riders’ inconsistency and Kings XI Punjab’s late surge, the IPL, which has come to the business end, is really getting hotter.

The T20 format is very cruel on the bowlers. Short boundaries, heavy penalties for slight over-stepping and delays in completing their quota on time, and the big, heavy bats that help even mistimed shots clear the boundary effortlessly limit bowlers to mere bowling machines. Batsmen of the size of Goliaths and with the license to go for the kill right from the word go further add to their woes.

In short, the stadia look more like slaughterhouses with the hapless bowlers waiting to be butchered. 

A couple of alterations to the rules of the game can make the contest between bat and ball more even and interesting.

1. During a reverse sweep, the leg-side wide should come out of the equation.

2. When batsmen shuffle, wide should be awarded based on the distance from the bat during the point of contact.

3. Whenever batsmen march down the pitch, the bowler should be allowed to bowl a bouncer (not above the head height).

4. During a powerplay, for once, the bowling captain should have the right to replace a bowler, if he is proving very expensive, in the middle of an over.

Hmmm any more alterations, I think, the batsmen would appeal in the International Court of Justice.

PS:The recommendations and the whole scenario remind me of the caste-based quota system in India.
The match between Deccan Chargers and RCB is to begin in 100 minutes.

This is just one among the myriad posts eulogizing Sachin Tendulkar's double ton.

It wasn't expected from Sachin Tendulkar, at least I didn't expect him to score a double hundred in a one day international, despite being his hardcore fan. Virendar Sehwag was the default choice to break the 200-run barrier while Tendulkar was expected to play a fatherly role guiding the young Indian batting lineup.

Yesterday, Tendulkar, however, chose to play the role of a big brother, protecting his young buddies and bullying the opponents. Once the South Africans were tamed by the master, the young guns too fired ruthlessly decimating the South African attack in Gwalior.

It was Tendulkar of 90s. It was that vintage, audacious and boyish flamboyance that people, especially who have follwed him since his early days in cricket, often relate to on hearing his name.

The innings is very very special, cannot be compared to any of his previous best efforts; back-to-back centuries in Sharjah, 175 in Hyderabad last year, 98 Vs Pakistan in 2003 world cup, and others.

This is a knock that mortals can dream of, an innings that should be captured on a DVD and passed on to generations, and an exhibition of highest quality batting. The knock is a Bible for all the budding cricketers on how to pace an ODI innings, resist the temptation of going after the bowling on a flat surface and build partnerships, and importantly staying humble.

People who have watched the feat in the stadium will claim "I was there!" whenever a discussion on the innings would come up. This innings would have given Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri - typical Tendulkar fans - the ultimate joy of their life. While Gavaskar would be proud of his disciple's feat, Ravi would have fallen short of words to praise the artist. It was fitting that both of them were present in the stadium yesterday and Ravi was doing the commentory along with Danny Morrison when Sachin achieved this milestone.

Take a bow Sir!

PS: Someone from somewhere will still say Tendulkar is selfish and is after records.