As Rajasthan Royals take on Mumbai Indians on the latter's home turf at Wankhede in Mumbai in the fourth edition of IPL for one last time, it's going to be battle between two of the greatest icons of this gentleman's game. Unlike David v/s Goliath contest, this one is going to be the Goliath v/s Goliath encounter.
Sachin R. Tendulkar is a run machine with a soul. While Shane Warne is a hunter eager to spring a surprise on every opposing batsmen. Both of them commands respect from everyone.
Like so many engrossing battles in the past, it promises to be an equally fascinating one even though Shane Warne has retired from International cricket. While Sachin is going stronger than ever before. But knowing these class acts, this game will be just another game where winner takes all.
Be it the qualification for play-offs for Sachin Tendulkar led Mumbai Indians or for the pride of Rajasthan Royals who would love to give their maverick retiring skipper, Shane Warne a fitting farewell.
As far as IPL - 4 is concerned, Rajasthan Royals are out of it. While Mumbai Indians are knocking on the door of play-offs with their one foot inside it. Keeping this aside, this match is geared up for another classic Warne v/s Tendulkar saga.
Apart from media hype, both these fiercely competent, battle hardened champions would like to gain an upper hand on each other for one last time in a competent game. They will try every trick in their arsenal to outwit each other as captains for their respective teams.
More than their captaincy, this is tipped to be the grand battle between Sachin Tendulkar, the world's greatest batsman against Shane Warne, the world's greatest leg spinner. Knowing the wily Warne, he will try to outsmart Sachin in his own den at Mumbai. Both of them are proven match winners with enviable records to back their claims.
Being an ardent Sachin Tendulkar fan, I am uber confident that Sachin will try to assert his dominance on the spin wizard. Apart from Sachin R. Tendulkar and Brian Lara to some extent, no other batsmen in the history of this glorious game have got the better of bamboozling guile and wily craftiness of Shane Warne.
Ultimately, it's a team game that will be fought between two worthy adversaries. With one team having nothing to lose, while other team would like to seal their spot for play-offs in this game itself. Mumbai Indians have suffered two consecutive defeats in their last two games, they will try everything to reverse this downslide. They also need not have to look far for inspiration than their skipper.
Even T-20 is a team game. But adding little spicy contest within a contest would take this game to the next level altogether. Besides, it's apparent that Mumbai Indians are in this competition to win it and not just settle as one of the best teams in the this edition.
Sachin Tendulkar would be much more motivated as Shane Warne has already led his team to the inaugural Championship triumph. It's difficult to choose between two geniuses. But this time I'd love to see Sachin R. Tendulkar add the glittering IPL trophy to his already crowded cabinet replete with awards.
After all, Sachin R. Tendulkar is the god's chosen one. Just as on 2nd April, 2011, Sachin realized his long standing dream of winning the elusive World Cup for the second time. I am sure that he wouldn't leave any stone unturned to win this fourth IPL edition. Even god would admire his for what creation he has done on his karmabhoomi leaving his peers and more than a billion fans in awe of his indomitable and inimitable genius.
I'd like to sign off with a popular hindi song, 'Jara Bachke Jara Hatke, Yeh hai Mumbai Meri Jaan".
No comments:
Post a Comment