IPL is here to stay

Skeptics predicted that the enthusiasm for the IPL would soon subside. They expected TV audiences to slide and empty spaces in the stadium to appear. Astonishingly, though, IPL fever has run and run, interest has been sustained. Clearly, this tournament is here to stay.

And this has all culminated in what should now be an intense final dash for qualification to the semi-finals. Six teams appear to be fighting for the four berths and every game is crucial. We still have five games (four after Saturday night) to play and there is not a whiff of complacency in the camp.

It is during these high-pressure phases of tournaments like this that mental strength really counts. All the teams have talent in abundance. The key question is who will deliver when the stakes are at their highest. Cool, calculating heads will be priceless. I believe the Kings XI have the big-game players.

We will go into the game full of confidence. Our last victory on Monday against the Royal Challengers could not have been much more clinical. I thought it was one of our best all-round games. The bowling early on with the new ball was penetrative. Then at the latter end of the tournament we held them in check, restricting them to a low total. The batting was awesome.

Shaun Marsh, a left-hander from Western Australia, was our main batting star. He has been a model of consistency giving us solid starts in every game he has played thus far. He has adapted brilliantly to the T20 game. He appears calm and unruffled at the crease, and he plays proper strokes with a still head and powerful wrists.

It could be that the IPL could be his launching pad into the international game. I know he is already now in the Australia ODI squad, but his performances here will surely have also pushed him closer to the final playing XI. Fortunately, Tom Moody, our coach, realised his value having coached him back in Perth and he persuaded the owners to sign him up. One of the best buys of the tournament.

We lost Ramnaresh Sarwan this week but Luke Pomersbach showed that we have an able replacement. His hitting against the Royal Challengers was exhilarating. He has huge destructive potential with the ability to hit the ball very powerfully. In the practice nets he is downright dangerous to be within hitting range.

The batting will need to continue to be strong against the good attacks that we’ll be facing during the week. And we must continue to bat positively and sensibly, trying to keep wickets intact early. Other aspects of our game are looking pretty good. The bowling has been getting better and better, and we’re still working really hard on the fielding though, our weakest area thus far.

On a personal note, I am making excellent progress on my injury. The side strain has been healing quickly thanks to our physiotherapist and I started gym work properly during the week. Fingers crossed, I will return this week against the Mumbai Indians.That is going be a really tough game as they have risen fast, not least because Sunny (Jayasuriya) has rediscovered his form and confidence. His 114 from 48 balls last week was an incredible innings. Vintage Jayasuriya. When he clobbered 48 from just 17 balls against the Knight Riders.

I’ve thought he’s been hitting the ball throughout the tournament, but had never really got going. But the return of Sachin Tendulkar might just have been the change he needed. Tendulkar’s arrival allowed him to play with freedom. Sunny is at his best when he is going full throttle.

There have been some other Sri Lankan highlights this week. Farveez Maharoof’s 39 from 16 balls, which included a breathtaking four sixes in an over off Shane Warne, once again showcased what batting potential he has. His bowling has also been good for the Delhi Daredevils