In the last few days I have been one of the few skeptics of IPL who have felt that the viewers are exposed to an overdose of 20-20 cricket. Once the IPL is over then we have the 20-20 world cup in England. But seeing yesterday's match between Rajasthan Royals (RRs) and Kolkatta Knight Riders (KKRs)I don't think anybody will complain if we can get such terrific entertainment at least on a weekly basis.
Let me be frank with you. I am the biggest Shane Warne fan. Probably one of the few bowlers I can watch bowling over after over, day after day, match after match and series after series...(Others being Akram, Saqlain (provided he is landing his doosras right on the money), Flintoff, Ambrose etc..I am sure there will be others but I'll keep that for another day. The point is that even though I have seen his horrible debut against India (read Shastri and Tendulkar) and again the thrashing he has received in 1998-99 and other on "nightmarish" tours to India, he has still done enough (at least in my mind)to make him my favourite cricketer (ok..along with Sachin..today is his bday..thats my gift to him..:)). Who can forget his "ball of the century" to Gatting, the ball of this century to Strauss, the demolition of West Indies in 1996 semi final, heroics in 99 semi final where he got Australia out from a near death situation, and then crushing Pakistan's hopes in the final (please note that sub-continent teams are supposed to be adept against quality spin bowling).
