Play Offs Match up - Rehanul Mallick

DCL 2010 competition has reached its next level as 16 out of 21 teams gear up for the knock out round. Some teams fought it hard to make into this elite group and some planned it hard to clear their path from tougher opponents. And for some teams the laid back season of DCL is over and the real fun is about to begin with the first round of play-offs is ahead of them coming weekend.

A glimpse at those matchups may reveal some apparently un-matched competition, but as we have seen historically, there is always one or two upsets in the early round of play-offs. Just like Goutham mentioned that play-offs is all new game and what happened in regular season games counts less or nothing as one bad day can make us see someone’s back earlier than expected.

MegaBytes along with GLCC seem well above the elite group in the play-offs tree. By grabbing the first two spots they have made sure that they won’t face each other before the Final. However I personally see a very early challenge for MegaBytes as they (most likely) will see Juggernauts much earlier than they would have liked. On the other hand GLCC may be looking at Gladiators and RFCC to stop Brownstown from grabbing the semi-final spot against them.

MegaBytes vs Rockets:
So Megz claimed that they made a history by making into the play-offs without beaten even ones. However I was told this is not a unique feat as there are teams who have achieved this amazing distinction before. Nevertheless it is a great achievement and they have joined this elite group. . They came close to this feat last year but were undone by GLCC. But this year they have come stronger and harder at their opponents. Rockets had a promising start of the season but disappointed many during the course of their maiden DCL journey. One would hope that they at least give Megz some fight and not just surrender meagerly. Kishore and Zubair have a lot to ponder about and may try to take a leaf from their senior team to test the nerves of Mighty Megz.

GLCC vs Warriors
Warriors is another split of a formidable DCL team who struggled to made into the play-offs but did it in style on the back of a hat trick from Nadeem. But Nadeem and co. have to work much harder in their first ever play off game against the clear cut favorites of the game.

RFCC vs PTS
At the beginning of the season I thought that RFCC will be the team to watch out for as with the merger of two great teams (Falcons and RBCC) and with the addition of express bowler Maqsood they seemed to belong to the same group as MegaBytes and GLCC. But they failed to live up to that expectation during the regular season. But a huge win against Juggs has sent a strong message out to all the opponents who will come in their way. PTS is the first one to face the music. PTS do possess a decent bowling line up but their fragile batting has to be at their best to challenge the strong RFCC team.

Indus vs Greens
Indus has played some really good cricket throughout the season. They have challenged almost every good team and have never went down without a fight. The key to their success is to keep up with the consistent balanced unit (which most teams fail to manage). Now it is time to ripe the fruits of the good work and carry on with the momentum. Greens may not be an easy team to walk through though. They have got some good bowling and some decent batting as well. Indus are still favorites to take this game.

Bridges vs Dynamites
Bridges has reached a unique feat in the history of DCL by breaking the 200 runs barrier. I don’t know if this is a record but it certainly is a huge achievement and that also against a very good team. But they are up against a team who has also entered the play-offs on a high note by beating Strikers. This could be an interesting contest. Lets see if the unknown Dynamites can explode to burn the Bridges of Lansing. Aditya and Phani can not take things lightly here.

Gladiators vs Brownstown
What can I say about this contest? Some where in the mid way of the Round 2, Viju was the one who pointed out the threat Brownstown will possess to Pool X teams in play offs and declared himself save and comfy at the bottom of Pool X. Well guess what, the wily old fox was after all not as smart as he thought. Now that the wily old fox and his gang failed in their strategy to avoid Brownstown, they need to come out with box full of tricks to see off the challenge of a team who is known to be at their best when it comes to Play-offs. However Brownstown are short of good match practice as comfortable Pool Y wins are not the sort of preparation they wanted for tougher play off games. This seems to be the one of the two most interesting and evenly matched game of the first round of Play-off.

Lions vs Strikers
Strikers loss to Dynamites must have brought some relief in the Lions camp but they can’t afford to relax against a team full of energy. Strikers can strike back really hard. Parthiv and Co. needs to shake off the loss against Dynamites and get their act together to face the challenge of Venu’s Lions. I don’t know how many people know that Lions have a very talented player (John Titus) who hasn’t fired yet but he can be as destructive as anything on a given day. This is the other most interesting and evenly matched game of the first round of Play-off.

Juggernauts vs Cougars
Cougars though made into the Pool X, but couldn’t raise their game to put up a fight against the strong teams. I am not sure how much they have enjoyed beating after beating but they should have learned a lesson or two from Pool X games and this should help them in building against stronger opponents. However it may be too early for us to expect them to upset a team in Play-Off. Juggernauts are clear favorite for this game. Dr. Anand may already be sitting on the drawing board, chalking out strategy for their next game against MegaBytes……….

Running the Show

Vijay opted to stay out of the committee is buzz in the DCL world. Most of the people are happy but their happiness is cut short as the "happy bunch" has nobody to point fingers if something is not done in their own thinking lines. Losing Vijay at top is huge loss to DCL and though it my personal opinion, lot of friends whom I contacted openly agreed to my opinion and are feared that DCL may loose its face value if not soon but for sure in coming days. Some expressed that in couple of years we may not see DCL at all. Though I may not agree with all that opinion but I do have my own fears and I do have my reasons.

DCL is open forum and with that comes extra baggage of nonsense and this nonsense has two faces. One always blaming the committee for petty reasons like proper ground is allotted; we are playing too many games in Lansing; why should we go for umpiring; these are just few but too many issues like this crop up and that may lead a break up in the committee itself. Another face is you need somebody work hard for no apparent reason or benefit. This is going to be very difficult to handle as till now Vijay has taken all nonsense. He used to spent lot of his time running around different city offices just get the grounds most often skipping Lunch/breakfast waiting at front desk of city offices to get appointment . I don't know how the hell he gets the time off from work. I am sure he is one hell of beast who dedicated most of the summer and all the summers in last 5 to 6 year to DCL growth. Running the show is different from running the show to bring out the best with fun and excitement and Vijay was always innovative with his ideas to bring out the great excitement to name some DCL Night, Night tourney, DCL best talent awards, etc… What it does is give the best possible publicity to those DCL stars that thrive day in and day out for their teams.
I still remember the way he struggled to bring in sponsors to run the show at times he was literally …… {I really don’t want to put in words)… only thing I can say is a "thanks buddy"…
If somebody calls it passion, do we have anybody who can replace those big shoes? I thought of saying "I seriously doubt it" but I am saying "Nobody can". Just mark my words.

Vijay is very arrogant in dealing certain things, sometimes he lives in his own thinking and listens to nobody and never lets anybody to advise him and most often imposes his thoughts on other members of the committee. It has become a habit for him ever since who took over from Madhu vedaji to run the show of DCL, and he was very successful in running the DCL year in year out. Can somebody match him? I would say "NO WAY". The best part of Vijay is, he don’t keep anything in mind as he has no meaning for enmity in his dictionary. I am good friend of Vijay and I know in and out about this guy, he is arrogant nice friend to have in anybody's life. One day he is on your face yelling at you next day sharing Pleasants and he takes nothing to heart and that’s simple reason GLCC and MegaBytes are still friends and that’s the only reason Strikers and GLCC support each other. You need to have such personality to run an open league like "DCL".


These are big shoes to fill in, now let me end by asking one simple question to current group of committee members… "Are you guys ready for the show?" I hope so and wish for the best…. And would like to end it with "Thanks once again " to the great man Mr Vijay Namburi.

Welcome to DCL2010 Kick off @ Rumali

MegaBytes
Defending champs and obviously one of the best teams year in and year out and has huge fan following and every body wants them to win it again. Hope DCL mega Star Goutham Nednuri, the captain of MBs listening and from blog's team we wish for the best.
GLCC
2009 is the most disappointing year for GLCC. Never performed up to their potential. DCL family likes GLCC for different reason: D.., hope Samish is listening.
Brownstown
I am very disappointed. Expectations are high on BS from DCL family and hope 2010 they live up to our expectations. What do you say Yasir?
Juggernauts
Finalist but nobody wants remember 2009 as it walked on the line of prediction and at no point they looked a team to be in the finals. Hope they change it this year. Are you ready Doctor Anand ?
Gladiators
Guess they had great time 2009. being a rookie they achieved more than what DCL family expected and by beating GLCC they announced to the world of DCL that they are in for real. Hope 2010 brings them closer to cup and rest is in the hands of Vijju
PS :- I watched finals, to be frank didn't enjoy much as it was one sided but the missed fun was found in the DCL Night, great entertainment by Viju . Hats off to you and hope to see many more.
Bridges
Most exciting team of DCL2009. Aditya aka DCL Viru and Phani are treat to watch but nothing more to talk about. I heard they added great talent this year and hope they bring the best and teams like Bridges are the future of DCL. Kishan any promises ??.

Strikers/ Warriors/one more??
Changed name? or a rift ?? Anyways you guys rock , always provide some spice every season. Hope you add cup to end the 2010. Minesh bahi… ye kya ho raha hai ?

Stars
won't be shining this year, hope to see their players excel in different teams.

RBCC
Has great potential and they proved it by beating GLCC in quarter finals and almost everybody in league expected them to be in the finals but failed to reach there and they know why. I hope Venakt realizes and amends to start the chase for the cup.

Falcons
Loss of Matta still haunting them (just my opinion) but I like the way Srikanth and Hari parankusham fighting to carry forward the legacy of Falcons and wish for the best.

Cougars
Are they in? Regardless every year starts well only to fade in the end.

Indus
Adding another superstar in Nilesh geethe is going to be great advantage to them but what I see is what Indus captain is failing to see. They need a 5th bowler who can contain.. if they can find one, I am sure will take them closer to cup. Think about it Azeem.
Lions
Were great in rookie year(2008) and were no where to see in 2009. If there in any truth in what I heard, Lions have accumulated some good talent and a team to watch in 2010.
Greens
is another team that starts well but quick to say bye to the season. Good luck guys.

Vision Phoenix
Here you go… Another team that’s starts well. Suffered a bit because of "BYEs" (Hope I spelled it right). League has to come up with strict rules and penalties on the teams that skip the games.
A2C2
Have very good fighting spirit and I mean it..
Tigers
????
PTS
One of the exciting team and are just a bowler and batsman away from joining top ranks of the league.

Spiders
Jaggu bhai plays for fun and I request him to add some wins to make it more fun.
Dark Horses
Are they in? If they are then I want somebody from their team to learn on how to enter the score card.

Tribute to Sachin – 2 Decades and Counting - By Goutham Aka "DCL Sachin"

I believe it's an understatement that every one of us grew up watching and idolizing Sachin Tendulkar. Heck with us even our cricketers from various generations - Dravid & Sourav thru the times of Sehwag, Yuvraj and now to the modern day generation of the Rainas and Kohlis have all idolized Sachin. Its not astonishing that Virender Sehwag says he would not have took to cricket if not for his pure idolization of Sachin Tendulkar. I believe a millions of other players all across the globe with far lesser skills than Sehwag have all took to the game wanting to play like Sachin. That said none of us can ever bat like the Genius that he is, but what we can learn from him are the qualities – Humbleness and Modesty that can help us all be great in our own perspectives.

I believe it's not an exaggeration to say that after our independence movement that united the whole country together and made us march in unison, it's Sachin Tendulkar that had a similar effect on the Nation as we have heard a million people say a zillion times that Sachin Tendulkar is a GOD. But Sachins diviness lies in the fact that if not millions there exist at least a few hundreds who don’t believe in God and yet worship Sachin with same kind of fervor. That to me defines Sachin Tendulkar

Such is the greatness of this humble son of India that the great Don felt he batted just like him, Richards (the Blaster) and Gavaskar (the Master) felt hez the perfect conglomeration of both their talents that are poles apart.

In all of sports only a select few Individuals have been labeled as a GOAT while they still have a long way to go before they disappear in the sunset. Sachin Tendulkar definitely brightens that group because it's rare to see someone gain unequivocal support both from the legends of the past and their contemporaries in equal measures. That to me is the hall mark of a player who stands alone, yet not alone at the top of the pedestal

Tendulkars aura lies in the fact most of the times he makes a mockery out of our intelligence. A guy with the highest education credentials and a cave man both are forced to believe in superstitions when ever Sachin bats. Rem those times vn v held on to our seats, stood on one leg for hours coz he hit a boundary and so on to more recently when he changed his bat from MRF to Adidas. We failed to realize that the answer is not in the fact that we stand on one leg or the MRF bat but in the Man itself. I don’t rem being forced to act so blindly ignorant for any other cricketer, do you guyz?

To me Tendulkars greatness is a combination of talent at its zenith and feet at their nadir. This has been proved to be such a deadly combination that any milestone achieved by "His Highness" reverberates across caste, race color and nationality. Tendulkars achievements provide every common man a moment of bliss. I agree that a few other cricketers might have given us similar vibe, but I seriously doubt if any one can provide the same effect when u think of it going back in time again.

Don may be the greatest thing ever to have happened to Test cricket. Sehwag and Richards may be the most destructive; Lara and Ponting may be the most Talented but Sachin Tendulkar I personally believe is the greatest thing ever to have happened to the Game of Cricket. After being the first person on the planet to register a double ton in ODI's, Tendulkar dedicated his master class to all the Indians who have supported him during his ups and downs. I personally think Tendulkar never had any downs in his career coz I sincerely believe he almost gave his 100% every time he walked out to play for India. Very few people, if not any can vouch for the same.

Being in a country where we have seen our politicians create a problem, wait for the public reaction and then offer a solution, Sachin Tendulkar was the only hope who offered instant solutions with his mesmerizing batting & served the Indian people with utmost dedication and affection. He became a household name because we believed he was the magician who could create magic every time he walked onto the field and so did he for the vast majority of his career and just for this reason I believe while Sachins unbelievable stats are incidental, Sachin Tendulkar is Transcendental.

Just like all good things in life and life in general will end at some point of time, so will Sachins career. But Let us hope and pray that he continues to hold his passion for the game and play as long as possible because once he calls it a day it will not only end an era in Indian cricket but also for the nation itself.

Goutham Nedunuri-
A Cricket Fanatic who just like millions considers himself the greatest fan of the greatest cricketer to ever hold a bat.

PS: Chandra please come up with some place and date so that we can do another cake for Sachins ODI Double TON like the one in the pic I did for Sachins 2 decade.