I selected an IPL XI last year, so I thought I would repeat the excercise this time round as well.

My criteria is the same as last time:

1. Pick the 4 Non-Indians
2. Pick an U-23 player (last year it was an U-19)
3. Pick players according to best for a position, rather than just the leading performers

Picking the 4 non-Indian players, putting them in their positions, and building a team around them is the easiest way to select an IPL XI in my view.

The 4 Non-Indians: Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Lasith Malinga, AB De Villiers

Hayden was the top scorer and leagues ahead of other batsmen in the IPL, while Malinga was the highest wicket taker among the non-Indian bowlers this year.

Gilchrist was also an automatic pick considering he was the player of the tournament, or the "Golden Player" or whatever it is that Lalit Modi called it.

I picked AB as the 4th overseas player because there were more Indian bowlers among the highest wicket takers than there were Indian batsmen amongs the run scorers.

This way I've got my openers as well as a wicket keeper.

Hence what's left to do is the middle order, an allrounder, and the bowling attack.

Middle Order: Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthik

Raina was the leading run scorer among the Indians, while Rohit Sharma gives me my under-23 player. He may be the oldest looking under-23 year old as Leela says, but the IPL chose him as the best under-23 performer, hence who am I to argue.

Which makes me wonder, isn't Raina under-23?

Plus, Rohit was the 3rd highest Indian run scorer in the IPL.

Sachin Tendulkar was the 2nd highest (surprise, surprise), but I decided to ignore him because I already had my openers, and Sachin doesn't really like to play 20-20.

It gave me no joy in picking Yuvraj, but then I guess not captaining a side will be a blessing for him. And he was 4th on the list of run getters after Raina, Sachin, and Rohit.

Since Raina, Rohit, and Yuvraj provide ample bowling options, I decided that I didn't really need an allrounder at 7; I thought a batsman would be better instead.

This was the toughest choice for me. Do I go for MS Dhoni who was next on the list of runs after Yuvraj, or do I go for Dinesh Karthik who has played some attacking late order knocks for Delhi. As a number 7, I felt DK was the better choice.

That leaves the bowling, which pretty much picks itself.

Bowling Attack: RP Singh, Anil Kumble, Ashish Nehra

The top 3 wicket takers in the IPL this year.

Here's the IPL XI 2009: 1. Matthew Hayden 2. Adam Gilchrist (captain, wicket keeper) 3. Suresh Raina 4. AB De Villiers 5. Yuvraj Singh 6. Rohit Sharma 7. Dinesh Karthik 8. Anil Kumble 9. Ashish Nehra 10. RP Singh 11. Lasith Malinga

The IPL XI 2008: 1. Shaun Marsh 2. Gautam Gambhir 3. Suresh Raina 4. Shane Watson 5. Yusuf Pathan 6. MS Dhoni (wicket keeper) 7. Ravindra Jadeja 8. Irfan Pathan 9. Sohail Tanvir 10. Shane Warne (captain) 11. Sreesanth

Raina is the only one who made it to my team in 2008 and does so this year as well. I must really like him.

It could be quite a match pitting these two teams against each other. Raina can bat for both.

Jrod gave the IPL XI 2008 the name BLINGY KINGS, keeping with the tradition for royalty in the IPL.

So what do we call the IPL XI 2009?

The 4 semi finalists were disclosed yesterday after the Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab royally messed up.

Who the semi finalists were going to play against was left to be decided on the final day of the group matches.

We know that now with the Delhi Daredevils taking on the Deccan Chargers, and Chennai Super Kings taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Before I give my few cents on these matches, I would like to know if anyone predicted these 4 teams to be in the semis.

Did you?

I've seen a number of predictions on blogs and in the comments, but I'm not sure if I came across one that got all the 4 teams - DDD, CSK, RCB, and DC - right.

For if anyone did, they made one hell of a prediction considering that the Royal Challengers and the Chargers were the bottom two teams in the IPL last year.

Who would have thought they would make it to the semis this time round.

Semi Final 1: Delhi Daredevils vs Deccan Chargers

What is the History: They have played 4 matches in the IPL so far and Delhi has won all of them!

What is the Present: Delhi started this year as the favorites, and they played like them too. While Deccan have been the turnaround team of the season after their woeful 2008.

Some Thoughts: It says a lot about Delhi that they have managed to top the table without Sehwag or Gambhir being in any kind of form. On the other side though, Gilchrist and Gibbs have been one of the best opening pairs in the IPL.

Both teams have very strong batting line ups - probably the best in tournament, hence at the end it will all be about whose bowling does better.

RP Singh is the leading wicket taker in the IPL, while Nehra is 2nd on the list. Ojha and Nannes are both among the top 10 wicket takers with the same number of wickets.

That leaves very little to chose between the 2 teams.

What is the Future: The tide has to turn so I say that Deccan will win their first ever match against Delhi and make it to the finals, making a complete turnaround!

Semi Final 2: Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

What is the History: Even stevens, with both teams winning 2 matches apiece out of the 4 they have played each other in. Surprisingly Bangalore beat Chennai last year as well as this year.

What is the Present: Chennai were always expected to make it into the semis, however Bangalore have been the surprise element. Their luck changed completely as soon KP left, and with Kumble at the helm they look like a completely different team.

Some Thoughts: You talk about Sehwag-Gambhir, Gilchrist-Gibbs, and the likes, but Chennai have 1 man who is equivalent to an opening pair all by himself - Matthew Hayden! He stands far ahead of the rest of the batsmen when it comes to the number of runs scored in the IPL this year; the gap would have been more had he not rested out the last 2 matches.

For Bangalore to have any chance against them, they need to get Hayden early.

Bangalore have chopped and changed their opening pairs as well as their batting line up, giving them an uncertain look. Their bowling has also lacked the bite despite a few bursts here and there from Kumble and Praveen Kumar.

Chennai look far too strong in front of them.

What is the Future: Talking about turnarounds, a Deccan-Bangalore final will make it just that! The bottom 2 from 2008, ending as the top 2 in 2009. So while I think they don't stand a chance, here's rooting for Bangalore.

I'm postponing my Q4 report till after the finals, because it doesn't make sense to do one now with just 3 matches to go.

But as far as the Orange and Purple Cap are concerned, it is the left handers yet again who are in contention for that. Its highly doubtful that anyone will overtake Hayden in the runs tally, while RP Singh and Nehra are in the race for the purple one.

Quarterly Reports: Q1, Q2, Q3.

Yesterday was the 25th day of the IPL, which hosted the 41st and 42nd match of the league, thus ending the 3rd Quarter of the group stages.

Deccan Chargers dominated Q1 and Q2, ending both quarters at the top of the table.

However at the end of Q3, it is the Delhi Daredevils that are sitting pretty on top, having lost only 2 matches, the lowest among all teams, thus far.

They have also played the least number of matches, hence are in a very strong position with the most points and matches in hand.

Despite their dominance, none of the Daredevil's top order batsmen - Gambhir, Sehwag, Dilshan, De Villiers, or Warner - feature among the top 5 run scorers at the end of Q3.

Leading Batsmen
1. Matthew Hayden (CSK) - 9 inn, 426 runs at 47.33
2. Suresh Raina (CSK) - 9 inn, 309 runs at 34.33
3. JP Duminy (MI) - 9 inn, 297 runs at 49.50
4. Yuvraj Singh (KXIP) - 11 inn, 296 runs at 32.88
5. Jacques Kallis (RCB) - 10 inn, 274 runs at 30.44

Hayden firmly holds on to the number 1 position, just like he did in Q1 and Q2. Only this time he has stretched his lead further, and is more than a 100 runs ahead of the next best batsman. It doesn't look like anyone will be catching up with him by the time the IPL ends, and he will certainly be taking the Orange cap back to Australia.

Raina also continued his good form in Q3 and ended the quarter in the same position he held at the end of Q2. His and Hayden's form has finally managed to get the Chennai Super Kings into the top 4, something they had not managed in the previous 2 quarters. CSK even topped the table briefly during this period and are now sitting at 2nd place.

Duminy breaks into the top 5 for the first time this quarter on the back of some powerful performances for the Mumbai Indians that included 4 50s, which are the most among all batsmen. His form has been instrumental in driving MI into the top 4 and they end Q3 with an eye on a semi-final spot.

Yuvraj finally found some form this quarter and ends it in the top 5 after 2 50s. He has not been as devastating as he should have been in the IPL, and his lack of consistency has resulted in KXIP staring at an exit before the semis.

Kallis holds on to his position within the top 5, but just barely. He was 4th at the end of Q2, and this time slips a notch lower. Only 9 runs separate Kallis and the 3 men that follow him - AB De Villiers, Adam Gilchrist, and Sachin Tendulkar.

Its interesting to note that the top 4 run scorers in the IPL at the end of Q3 are left handers.

Another interesting fact is that after Raina and Yuvraj, the next best Indian batsman is Sachin - no Rohit Sharma, no Gambhir, no Sehwag, no Dhoni, no Pathan, but Sachin. Is the petition still running?

Leading bowlers
1. RP Singh (DC) - 10 inn, 16 wickets at 14.93
2. Lasith Malinga (MI) - 10 inn, 15 wickets at 15.13
3. Ashish Nehra (DDD) - 8 inn, 14 wickets at 16.14
4. Yusuf Abdullah (KXIP) - 9 inn, 14 wickets at 17.21
5. Laxmipathy Balaji (CSK) - 8 inn, 12 wickets at 16.41

RP Singh who was at number 2 at the end of both Q1 and Q2, ends this quarter as the leading wicket taker in the IPL. His success has played an important role in Deccan Chargers holding on to a place in the top 4.

RP's rise however has been helped by the fact that Kings XI Punjab have kept Yusuf Abdullah out of the team for the last 2 matches due to the return of Brett Lee. I feel that is a bit harsh on the man who was the leading wicket taker of the IPL till Q2.

Malinga has been consistent throughout the IPL staying among the top 5 bowlers in all quarters, despite being a bit more expensive lately.

While Balaji has surprised one and all by holding on to the 5th position since the end of Q2.

I was a bit shocked to see Nehra among the top 5 bowlers but then realised how well he had bowled in the last few matches for the Daredevils.

The race towards the purple cap seems to be between RP, Malinga, and Nehra, and I sense that its going to go to Sri Lanka.

Left handers dominate the top 5 bowlers as well with 3 of them of that variety.

What is it with left handers and the IPL? The Orange Cap and Purple Cap winners of IPL 2008 were both left handers!

Its interesting to note that there are no spinners among the top 5 bowlers despite all the talk about the impact the spinners have had in this IPL. However, there are 4 spinners in the top 10.

Other Stats
Highest Team Score: 211-4, RR vs KXIP
Highest Individual Score: 105*, AB De Villiers (DDD) vs CSK
Best Strike Rate (min 150 runs): 164.61, Dwayne Smith (DC)
Most Sixes: 17, Matthew Hayden (CSK)
Best Bowling Performance: 5-5, Anil Kumble (BRC) vs RR
Best Economy Rate (min 18 overs): 5.63, Harbhajan Singh (MI)

Finally 200 was surpassed during Q3 and it was none other than by the defending champions who scored 211-4 against the Kings XI.

Given the strong batting line ups of CSK, DDD, DC, and Kings XI it sure was a surprise to see a relatively weaker Rajasthan Royals become the first and only team to score more than 200 in this season of the IPL.

AB De Villiers' unbeaten 105 remains the top score by a batsman, while Dwayne Smith still has the best strike rate, which in fact is higher than the rate he had at the end of Q2.

Hayden's 6 sixes in one match against the Kings XI has enabled him to overtake his former opening partner Adam Gilchrist in the number of 6s hit by a batsman in the IPL this season. Though he leads by only 1.

No one has yet been able to better Kumble's performance in the very first match of this IPL, while Bhajji gives Straight Points some food for thought regarding his economical performances for MI.

The final quarter of the IPL starts tomorrow and ends in about 8 days from now. Almost the last week of the tournament and we're still not sure about the final 4 - this is what I call the beauty of the IPL.

We'll be back with the Q4 report at the end of the group stages.

16 days and 28 matches later, the IPL is exactly half way through the group stages and the Deccan Chargers are still sitting pretty at the top of the table, just like they were at the end of Q1.

Despite being at the half way mark, not all teams have played against each other, while some teams are into their return matches.

Hence, not all the batsmen have had the same number of innings.

Leading Batsmen
1. Matthew Hayden (CSK) - 6 inn, 246 runs at 41.00
2. Suresh Raina (CSK) - 6 inn, 232 runs at 38.67
3. Brad Hodge (KKR) - 7 inn, 230 runs at 46.00
4. Jacques Kallis (RCB) - 7 inn, 220 runs at 36.67
5. Adam Gilchrist (DC) - 6 inn, 210 runs at 41.80

I was a bit surprised when I took a look at what I listed. 3 Australians in the top 5? I thought their stock was falling.

Matthew Hayden has been in super form in the IPL and continues to lead the runs table, just like he was doing at the end of Q1. I see him walking away with the orange cap this season.

Adam Gilchrist holds on to his 5th position, which he had at the end of Q1, but ony just. Sachin Tendulkar, who has dropped out of the top 5, is breathing up his neck with 1 run short, while Gibbs, Dilshan, and Duminy are not far behind.

Brad Hodge has really turned the heat up in his last 2 games. Finally, he has learnt the art of scoring in the IPL. He is the highest run scorer in all 20-20 cricket, but till now he had not shown a similar run of form in the IPL, till his two knocks of 70 odd that have led him to the 3rd spot in the list of highest run getters. Though he hasn't done KKR any good who are still perched at the bottom of the table.

Another surprise, or should I say shock, is seeing Jacques Kallis perched at number 4. He has overtaken his more illustrious South African team mates - Herschelle Gibbs and AB De Villiers - both of whom have dropped out of the top 5. His form has been instrumental in taking the Royal Challengers into the top 4.

Suresh Raina almost scored the 2nd century of the tournament but a scoreboard malfunction denied him. His 30s and 40s in Q1 have been converted into higher scores in Q2, yet he nor Hayden have been able to get the Super Kings into the top 4.

Moreover, its slightly surprising not to see anyone from the Delhi Daredevils or Kings XI Punjab in the top 5, considering that they are well placed to make it to the semis.

Leading Bowlers
1. Yusuf Abdullah (KXIP) - 7 inn, 14 wickets at 12.78
2. RP Singh (DC) - 6 inn, 12 wickets at 11.33
3. Lasith Malinga (MI) - 6 inn, 11 wickets at 9.75
4. Pragyan Ojha (DC) - 6 inn, 10 wickets at 12.40
5. Laxmipathy Balaji (CSK) - 5 inn, 10 wickets at 12.50

The top 4 wicket takers are the same as they were at the end of Q1; they have only swapped places with Yusuf Abdullah taking the lead over Malinga, RP, and Ojha.

Abdullah has bowled magnificently in the last few matches and he has been behind Kings XI's late surge to take them into the top 4.

RP and Ojha continue to impress for the Chargers, while Malinga's pace has been too hot to handle for a number of the batsmen.

Balaji's 4 wickets against the Royals has led him into 5th position but there are a number of bowlers right next to him.

Kumble is equal on 10 wickets, while Munaf Patel, the man Balaji replaced at 5, Ashish Nehra, Irfan Pathan, and Ishant Sharma are just a wicket behind. And Praveen Kumar is sitting on 8.

Looks like the India bowlers like to stick together - from Ojha to Praveen, its all of them.

The biggest surprise for me in these lists is that no one from the Delhi Daredevils or the Rajasthan Royals is in there. And none of them look like making it either. Yet Delhi are placed 3rd in the points table.

Other Stats
Highest Team Score: 189-5, DDD vs CSK
Highest Individual Score: 105*, AB De Villiers (DDD) vs CSK
Best Strike Rate (min 100 runs): 161.90, Dwayne Smith (DC)
Most Sixes: 13, Adam Gilchrist (DC)
Best Bowling Performance: 5-5, Anil Kumble (BRC) vs RR
Best Economy Rate (min 12 overs): 4.83, Lasith Malinga (MI)

No one has been able to surpass Delhi's 189 or AB De Villiers 105* yet, nor has anyone been able to pick up more than 5 wickets in a match. With the way the pitches have been behaving, I doubt the batting records will be surpassed.

But another 5 or 6 wicket haul cannot be counted out.

Adam Gilchrist still leads the sixes tally, with Raina, Yusuf Pathan, and Rohit Sharma closely behind.

Malinga continues to be the most economical bowler, despite what Kallis did to him last night.

Can Malinga climb back to the top of the bowling list or will Abdullah cement his place there?

Who will win the race to the top between the team mates - Hayden and Raina?

Will the Chargers continue to remain at the top?

Will the top 4 teams remain the same?

In another 9 days, Q3 will end, and Well Pitched will have the answers for you.

This post should have really come up a couple of days ago as the actual quarter of the IPL is at 14 group matches, but Dubai Sports City was keeping me busy.

Here are my quarterly reports from last season: Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4.

This update comes after 18 of the group matches have been played with half the teams appearing in 5 games each and the other half in 4.

Some games have been washed out so all the batsmen, except those from Bangalore Royal Challengers (5) and Mumbai Indians (3) have had 4 innings each.

Leading Batsmen
1. Matthew Hayden (CSK) - 215 runs at 53.75
2. Herschelle Gibbs (DC) - 183 runs at 91.50
3. AB De Villiers (DDD) - 176 runs at 88.00
4. Sachin Tendulkar (MI) - 163 at 81.50
5. Adam Gilchrist (DC) - 163 at 40.75

Hayden has been in smashing form this season stroking 2 fifties in his 4 innings and scoring at a strike rate of almost 163.

In fact, Hayden was in similar form last season as well and at this stage (end of Q1), he was the second highest run scorer behind Brendon McCullum.

Hayden had an impact in only a handful games last year. His availability for the entire tournament this time round could land him the Orange Cap that Shaun Marsh took home in 2008.

Who said 20-20 was a game for the younger ones?
Both members of the Deccan Chargers opening pair are among the top 5 run scorers. No wonder they are the only unbeaten side thus far.

Its taken them more than that though; as initially Symonds and later Rohit Sharma were among the leading run scorers at various stages of the league in 2008, yet they hardly managed to win a game.

Sachin Tendulkar has been awesome. His partnership with Jayasuriya at the top of the order has set the IPL alight. By this time last year, Sachin had not appeared in any game; but this season he has ensured that Mumbai Indians get off to a flying start.

Two 50s, a strike rate of 130+, and flowing strokeplay has resulted in a petition that wants Sachin to be a part of the World 20-20!

AB De Villiers walked into the IPL on the back of a very strong season for South Africa; he has continued the same form for the Delhi Daredevils. He is the only centurion this season and has the 3rd highest strike rate among all batsmen that have scored more than a 100 runs.

Unlike last year, McCullum, Sharma, Raina, Sehwag, and Gambhir have not got going yet.

While much was expected of Kevin Pietersen, who is the most expensive player in the IPL, but all he has managed is a mere 80 runs in 5 innings with a best of 37.

Leading Bowlers
1. Lasith Malinga (MI) - 9 wickets at 5.00
2. RP Singh (DC) - 9 wickets at 10.88
3. Pragyan Ojha (DC) - 8 wickets at 9.12
4. Yusuf Abdullah (KXIP) - 7 wickets at 13.00
5. Munaf Patel (RR) - 7 wickets at 14.14

Malinga has no doubt been the pick of the bowlers, managing those 9 wickets in only 3 matches. He has bowled with pace making early breakthroughs for Mumbai and also striking late blows with brilliant fast bowling.

He has been a sight.

RP Singh was amongst the highest wicket takers in IPL 2008, as was Pragyan Ojha, and both of them have scripted the Chargers' success this season along with their opening pair and Fidel Edwards.

Yusuf Abdullah is enjoying his home conditions and looks extremely lively. Much more than what his run up and action suggest. He's much quicker and surely makes Priety smile.

Munaf Patel, similar to last year, is looking lethal under Warne. He has bowled some unplayable deliveries and has picked up wickets regularly. If only Warne could captain India; they would have a three-pronged quality pace attack!

Deccan Chargers, undoubtedly, have been the dominant team in the IPL winning all their games, which is already double the number of matches they won in 2008!

I'm not sure if sports betting is legal in South Africa, but if I was a gambler, my money would be on the Chargers.

It would have been last year as well given the team they had, but this season they are truly displaying their worth and potential.

Speaking of betting, any idea why Lalit Modi may have said no to the services of the ICC's Anti Corruption Unit? Does the IPL have its own unit? Is the IPL immune to corruption? Is there no betting taking place on IPL matches? Is Modi indulging in some IPL cricket betting? Which one is it Lalit?

Other Stats
Highest Team Score: 189-5, DDD vs CSK.
Highest Individual Score: 105*, AB De Villiers (DDD) vs CSK.
Best Strike Rate (min 100 runs): 171.57, Adam Gilchrist (DC).
Most Sixes: 11, Adam Gilchrist (DC).
Best Bowling Performance: 5-5, Anil Kumble (BRC) vs RR.
Best Economy Rate (min 8 overs): 4.35, Lasith Malinga (MI).

This year the scores have been generally lower than they were in IPL 2008. That might have something to do with the pitches in South Africa, but despite the relatively lower scores, the matches have been one sides besides just a few.

Last season, there were many more closer matches, or is that just my imagination.

Malinga is not only the highest wicket taker, but also has the best economy rate - that is saying something for a fast bowler.

Who says 20-20 is not a game for the pacers?

Anil Kumble's 5-5 was pure magic and it was a great sight to witness him with the purple cap along with Dravid with the Orange. Sadly that was short lived; as was Bangalore's winning start.

I'll have the next update after the next 10 games so that I have the results of the first half, i.e. after 28 group matches.

It will be interesting to see where these players stand then and how the first half of IPL 2009 compares with that of IPL 2008.