IPL auction

It's hard not to talk about the IPL auction when Chennai has a team and is spending like crazy. Although I think 'Chennai Super Kings' is among the stupidest things I've ever seen in print, I'm quite excited - what with the likes of Hayden, Dhoni & Murali in the ranks. Is Dhoni worth $1.5 M? I certainly hope so. However, although I dislike his mug, I think Symonds would've been a better choice.

On a forum I read, someone debated the usefulness of a strong bowling attack on a flat pitch in the 20/20 format. If I remember correctly, the bowling in last year's T20 Cup (it wasn't an official WC, mind) was pretty spectacular and one of the (surprising) reasons that the matches remained competitive. Pundits say that 20/20 will make bowlers obsolete and pitches boringly flat (not that the subcontinent's pitches are anything but), but I, in the tradition of Levitt & Dubner, believe that the new format will result in the resurgence of & necessitate a strong bowling attack.

On with the auction!

I hope I'm in Chennai for a game or two. I'm glad they're starting the matches late in the evening (8 pm, I believe) because the May maasam summer will be a little too much for most of the players. I think the MAC will fill up for quite a few games, hopefully for regional clashes like Hyderabad-Chennai & Bangalore-Chennai.

*sigh* If only Ranji would be followed thus...