IPL T20 Cricket

IPL’s most successful team Rajasthan Royals have some striking similarities with Kapil’s 1983 world cup winning team. These similarities once again illustrate the importance of leadership and team work in winning matches. Both teams entered into the tournament without any expectations but surprised everyone with their performance. Both teams consist of useful all-rounders and good fielders. Major difference is Kapil Devils played in 60 overs cricket while Rajasthan Royals are playing in T20 matches.

Similarities between Rajasthan Royals Vs Kapil’s devils: 1. Leadership: Like Kapil Dev, Shane Warne is leading from the front. Shane Warne hit match winning six against Hyderabad in the penultimate ball of the match. Who will forget Kapil’s 175 against Zimbabwe? Both are inspiration leaders.

2. Team Work: Rajasthan Royals are playing as if they are playing as a team for the last 10 years. All the team members already have nicknames.

3. Underdogs: Both 1983 Kapil team and Rajasthan Royals entered into the tournament as underdogs. Will Shane Warne lift IPL 2008 cup?

4. No stars: Like Kapil & Gavaskar (captain & opener), Shane Warne and Graeme Smith (captain & opener) are showing no egos and mingled with teammates very well.

5. Good All-rounders: Mohinder Amaranath played all-rounder role in semi-finals and finals. Shane Watson is playing that role for Jaipur IPL team. Both are match winners. Like Amaranath, Shane Watson won two man of the match awards. 6. Senior & Hitter opening combination: Like Gavaskar and Srikanth, Jaipur has Graeme Smith and Asnodkar. Swapnil Asnodkar/Yusuf Pathan successfully replicated Srikanth hitting.

7. Fielding: Both teams are great fielding sides.

8. Mental Strength: Both teams recovered wonderfully after the humiliating defeats.

9. Huge losses: Kapil’s team lost two league matches against Australia and West Indies by huge margins. Rajasthan suffered two huge defeats against Delhi and Mumbai.

10. Youngsters: Like Kapil, Shane Warne imbibed fearlessness in these players.

Kapil Devils won the 1983 cricket world cup by defeating mighty West Indies in the finals at Lords. I hope Shane Warne will win DLF Indian Premier League Tournament in the finals at DY Patil stadium in Mumbai.