Tag: Michael

AUSTRALIANS RULE THE IPL

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The impact of Australians in the Indian Premier League cannot be overemphasized.


Even franchises acknowledge this; hence the increased confidence in Aussie stars. The current edition of the IPL – in its tenth year – sees half the competing teams coached by Australians.

Since the inception of the tournament, players like Adam Gilchrist, Mike Hussey, Mathew Hayden and the others, have played a crucial role in their respective teams. Even now, David Warner is an outstanding talent for the defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Rising Pune Supergiants’ Steve Smith is in great form. The Kangaroos skipper displaced local favourite Mahendra Singh with his fine blend of skills. Elsewhere at Kings XIPunjab, Glenn Maxwell beat England national team captain Eoin Morgan and West Indies skipper Darren Sammy to the captainship armband despite the latter leading his team to victory at the 2016 World T20. Last season captain Murali Vijay was sidelined for the rest of the season, so a new leader had to be appointed and it had to be yet another Australian cricket star. (more…)

The performance of the Australian players in the Indian Premier League 8th edition

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The performance of the Australian players in the Indian Premier League 8th edition has not been that great.

If one or two are barred, most have been quite off colour which is surprising.

In almost all the previous editions of the league, it’s the Australian players who would rock the stage, then, what’s different this time around? Has everyone lost form together?

The answer would be no. The form does not seem to be the issue. They are hitting the ball quite well.

It’s the motivation thing here. These Aussie guys put all their blood, sweat and tears in the recent World Cup to make sure that they regain the crown for their country and they were able to do that.

After such a big accomplishment, when they have come into the Indian Premier League, which despite of having a lot of glamour is only a domestic tournament, they are finding themselves not fully motivated for the job or for what is expected of them.

Somebody like Glenn Maxwell who had smashed everyone last year is not even averaging 15 in the ongoing tournament.

And, the case with James Faulkner and Shane Watson is not too different either. Those guys are struggling as well.

Steve Smith, who has been a bit of a run machine off late, has got two half centuries, but, in between those two scores, there isn’t any impressive knock. (more…)