That winning feeling

Mumbai: The first half of IPL has been a glorious spectacle of livewire contests that have triggered celebrations on and off the field.

Who can forget the bear hug that Ganguly gave Ishant Sharma the moment he bowled the last ball to T Suman as KKR, last year’s bottom placed team, beat the defending champions in the tournament opener? Or the wild celebrations in the Mumbai camp as they beat Rajasthan Royals by a close margin of four runs.

The moment when Sachin Tendulkar ran all around the circle to celebrate Gilchrist’s wicket – a dismissal he planned to perfection with Harbhajan. The time when Mahela Jayawardene got all pumped up after he hit his ex team-mate Muralidaran for a six in the Super Over and took his team closer to victory.

IPL has brought out competitiveness in the players, especially in those who have recently taken a break, or retired, from international cricket. How else do you explain the fist-pumping by the 39-year-old Anil Kumble after every wicket or the spring in the stride of Sourav Ganguly after he took a splendid one-handed catch in the match against MI?

The IPL has seen some great sights that you may otherwise not get to see, like a Englishman partnering with an Australian to help him get a century – as in the Paul Collingwood - David Warner pairing. An Indian captain, MS Dhoni, tells an Aussie batsman, Matthew Hayden to go and attack India’s premier fast bowler, Ishant Sharma. Or a Sri Lankan cricketer, TM Dilshan, plans a strategy against his ex-team-mate, Chaminda Vaas and exposes his weaknesses. Adam Gilchrist celebrates with Andrew Symonds as they beat a hapless Punjab team with a Sri Lankan captain. Virender Sehwag jumps out to hug AB de Villiers as the latter takes a splendid catch was worth going miles to see. These moments are peculiarly IPL.

Celebrities too, are right in the thick of it when it comes to celebrations and excitement. Team-owners celebrate victories at the after parties following every match. Matches held in the south of India have seen stars from the south make an appearance and greet their fans. Fashion designers, sportsmen, businessmen, politicians, the ordinary man all have embraced IPL whole-heartedly.

Some distinct trends have emerged in the first half of IPL 2010. Teams have been opening their attack with a spinner and have one or two attacking batsmen ready for the No.4 slot in each team. All teams try to have one express bowler in their ranks just to intimidate the opposition.

After a hard days’ work, it’s time to party. The IPL Nights are informal get-togethers for teams after every match – a time to unwind and let one’s hair down after a closely fought – and followed - contest. Players from both sides come together in an evening of music, gourmet cuisine and bonhomie.

The first thirty matches have seen a lot of change in fortunes. At the half-way mark it still is not clear as to who’ll be in the top four slot as all teams are separated by a margin of not more than 2-3 wins.

Here’s looking to a deluge of sensational runs, inspired spells of bowling and razor sharp reflexes from fielders in the second half of IPL 2010.