It’s decision time folks

Published on May 10, 2009 in IPL 2009 and Latest. 729 Comments

Yet another intense fielding session. And not surprisingly, hardly any dropped catches during practice. Looks like we always save our best for the real thing

2-3 changes are expected in the side for this game. But, it’s almost sure that that Lordie’s playing. Don’t know whether Skipper pushed it through, or a late night call from Dildo did the trick, or the “warning” comments on this blog made the decision, but Lordie’s in. Skipper and Lordie chatted for a longish period during training. Skipper has asked Lordie if he’d like to open today. Bhookha was opposed to the idea till yesterday, but speculation is rife that Bhookha may play along thinking that this is a better way to get rid of him than not letting him bat at all.

I think these few days off have done us a world of good. Skipper looks a lot more relaxed. And so does everyone else. There’s a sense of humour in the group. As a group there’s a sense of security. In some ways, there’s no burden of expectation, which helps I guess. Since Skipper’s fallout with Bhookha, he seems more in control. I think he’s going to fire today and we will win. Just a gut feel.

I wanted to take some time to answer a couple of questions that have come up several times in the comments section.

One, many of you have questioned the ethicality of this blog, given that I am being paid by Dildo. I don’t think so. Dildo’s not paying me or anyone else. We are being paid by the 200 Million Indians who are following this tournament. Everybody who has put in money – the tournament organisers, TV channels, team owners etc. – sell rights and properties to brands and earn big profits. The brands, who have already paid millions, put in a few millions more and advertise on every inch they can lay their hands on. Eventually, all you guys who have spent 4-8 hours in front of your TV watching a little bit of cricket and a lot of advertisements go out to the market and purchase the colas, the mobile phones, the clothes, and the potato chips that you didn’t really need. And that’s how brands make their profit – from every rupee of your hard earned money that you spend on them. So, my friends, Dildo’s not paying me. If there’s anyone who’s paying me, it’s you. It’s my duty to entertain you. And I am doing the best I can, with the limited talent I have at my disposal.

Two, some others have been asking me if the matches are fixed. I want to ask you, why fix matches when you can fix the game? You take a 5-day game, make it into a day game, and then further shorten it to a 3.5 hour game. Throw in scantily dressed dancers, cleavage-showing anchors, beauty contests, dumb ass commentators with stupid jokes. And some seriously good competitive cricketers. And you have a magic potion that can hypnotise 200 Million people for 4 hours every day for more than a month. That 200 Million population has more money in their hands than any betting syndicate in the world. The game’s about your time and your money. On the issue of fixed matches, having seen guys like Aila, Sheikh, Lordie, Priest, Deewar from fairly close quarters now, I can tell you that no amount of money can lure them to lose a match intentionally.

One last thing. I had mentioned about my decision to reveal my identity at the end of IPL. However, many of you wrote back saying that you’d rather this remain a mystery. Several of you also asked me not to chicken out and stick to my word. Now, while I created FIP, your participation by way of comments, love, appreciation, feedback, criticism, jokes, converations, brickbats, abuses etc have made FIP what it is today. FIP belongs to all of you as much as it belongs to me. And whether FIP’s identity should be disclosed or not, or how it should be taken forward, is as much your decision as mine. So, I’d like to throw the question open to all of you. I am putting up a poll on the right side. Pls take a few seconds to make your decision. One small request, please honour the democratic spirit of this blog and click only once.

Not sure if I’d get a chance to post before the match, but will try for sure. If not, see you later.

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