GAME ON!

Two weeks ago, Manchester United had it all. They sat pretty at the top of the Premier League, and had secured a place in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Things were going smooth. But little did they know that this would be the silence before the storm – a red storm called Liverpool FC that would wreck their quiet confidence and transform tranquility to chaos, and how!

On 14^th March 2009 United came tumbling down to earth with a 4-1 hammering by their fiercest rivals in their own backyard. And all so suddenly, the Red Devils seemed so much more human again. That afternoon, Liverpool sent out a message – a message that the battle is far from over.

But United still had the upper hand in the overall picture. Four points ahead of their conquerors, with a game in hand, and ten more to play, they could still cruise home with ease. Fast-forward to 21^st March 2009 – Fulham v United. A spirited performance from the hosts stunned the champions. The next day, Liverpool mauled Aston Villa 5-0. And that was the day the title race came roaring back to life.

With 9 games to go, the picture isn’t as rosy anymore if you are a United fan. 1 point ahead, with a game in hand – a potential lead of 4 points; still too early, and too close, to put the champagne on ice. An out-of-sorts Aston Villa come visiting after the international break. United will be looking to put painful days behind them by registering a convincing win. That task will be made that much more difficult by the farcical sendings-off of Rooney and Scholes in their previous game. But they’ll be charged up nevertheless. The wounded tiger will be ready for the kill.

On a brighter note, its happy days at Anfield back again. Moving in the right direction in the league, securing a quarterfinal berth against rivals Chelsea in the Champions League after a 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid, and to top it all off, their manager signing a new long-term contract, Liverpool seem to be the team with the smile at the moment. But they know any minor slip-up will throw their title pursuit off course, and they’ll be back to being also-rans in the title race.

The Reds’ success has struck a positive note at Stamford Bridge as well. Chelsea will now believe that United are within reach, although that belief will have been shaken by their 1-0 defeat by Tottenham last week.

But the title is still United’s to lose. Nevertheless, Liverpool have done us all a favor (unless you’re a United fan) by throwing the title race open, and unsettling the swagger at Manchester. Only time will tell where the Premier League title will finally find its resting place for the summer – at Manchester, Liverpool, or London.

IPL- QUICKSAND Or QUICK BUCK???!!!

It's IPL season yet again... and the storm around it doesn't seem to subside. Riddled with controversies since it's inception, the 2nd season of the Indian Premier League finds itself in quicksand, yet again!

This time round though, the all powerful Mr. Lalit Modi and Indian Cricket Board have been forced to retrace their steps by the Central and State Governments.

The point of contention: Clash of dates between the General Elections and the IPL .

The IPL committee on it's part has worked and reworked it's itinerary around the poll dates, but increasing security concerns and the reluctance of several of the host states has forced them into a tight corner.

Well, now where does all this leave the IPL?

1. Postpone the event!... Should seem the most obvious solution... but with no window in the ICC calendar , this option was shown the door.

2. Truncate the event- A suggestion, but should be seen only as a last ditch effort. In it's current format, all the 59 matches are indispensable. Moreover, fewer matches means a proportionate fall in revenues... and who are we kidding, the IPL's about the 'money' honey!

3. Cancel the '09 version - No way! This not only means no revenue but starving all us ardent fans of what we love the most... the cricket!!! And this being only the 2nd season, it would set a bad precedent.

So, finally Mr. Modi and his team have decided... to shift the venue. The prospective hosts being either the English or the Proteas!

Well, the people in charge may not be all that gung-ho about it right now, but I say ... "Fear not guys! This is a Blessing in Disguise!

This I reckon, is a golden opportunity for all the franchise's to expand their fan base. Touring overseas will open the doors to many more audiences, a lot of whom might not have been able to catch it on television, be it because of the time zone differences or well, in it's essence the IPL is still a domestic tournament.
But now, all that's set to change! Local fans in England, South Africa or wherever else it finally kick's off have the opportunity to witness first hand, this phenomenon called the Indian Premier League!... and from experience I can assure you that they'll be swept off their feet!

This, moreover, is a strategy being employed by many of the top European Football Clubs! In the recent past several of these clubs have played exhibition matches in South-East and Middle-East Asia during their off season, to enhance their popularity! The result, most average Asians are aware of Manchester United, Christiano Ronaldo and Sir Alex Ferguson to say the least. And the more knowledgable footie fans now recite White Hart Lane, Noucamp, Santiago Bernabeu and the San Siro like the names off their own backyard!

All this despite having a very minimal connection with any of these clubs, either in terms of geography or with respect to countrymen being associated with these institutions. A handful of Asians play in these leagues, the most notable of course being South Korea's Park Ji Sung!

So, if these clubs can become household names despite all these obstacles, surely the IPL can do the same if not better it!

Logistically also, I feel, the IPL has an upper hand. The reason: As it is, the IPL at it's core revolves around International Cricketers who will therefore bring along their own fan following. So for example, if the Royal Challengers are playing at the Lords, then surely the English would be cheering for them, especially since KP is now their skipper as well! All this, in it's nascent stages augers well for IPL!

From Johannesburg to Jamaica, Manchester to Melbourne... IPL is set to create a tsunami! This is the chance to go global in the truest sense! Let the games begin!!!