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Age no bar!

The DLF Indian Premier League (IPL) is heading towards a scintillating finish with the winner of the Twenty20 championship about to be crowned come Sunday.

Before the inaugural event began, this tournament was tilted largely in favour of the youngsters who were said to have fresh legs, more stamina, better reflexes and thus seemed better equipped for the shortest format of the game. But like wise men, there were a select few players, some of whom have even retired from international cricket that were keen to show the young guns that 'Age does not matter, performance does!'. Here are some that led the way with élan...

BATTING STALWARTS

Sanath Jayasuriya: This Sri Lankan warhorse took time to prove his worth. He showed streaks of brilliance with quick scores in the twenties and thirties but did not manage to capitalize. The return of Sachin Tendulkar to his side, the Mumbai Indians, proved the perfect impetus for Jayasuriya as that's when he came into his own. Mumbai's unfortunate exit from the IPL means he did not get a chance to better his 514 runs in 14 matches, the third highest in the tournament.

Adam Gilchrist: The Deccan Chargers may have ended the tournament as the biggest letdown of the IPL, but the same cannot be said about their stand-in captain, Adam Gilchrist. The former Aussie wicketkeeper scored the fastest IPL century off just 42 balls against the Mumbai Indians in one of two victories his side achieved. 436 runs from14 matches make him the fourth highest scorer of the IPL.

Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly: Many scratched their heads wondering how the erstwhile fulcrum of the Indian batting line-up would fare in the shortest format of the game. But all three maestros have proved their critics wrong by coming good at the right time. Although all three captains have been relegated, their performances prove that they 'still' have what it takes, even in a tournament slated to favour young blood.

Tendulkar ended up with 188 runs from 7 games. Dravid scored 371 from 14 games and Ganguly, 349 from 13.

BOWLING MACHINES

Shane Warne: Warne has his name written all over the tournament as a model coach, captain and player. This 38-year-old who threw in the towel to international cricket a short while ago has picked up 17 wickets from 13 games and dares to prove anyone who says that Twenty20 is not meant for spinners wrong. The Royals are in the hunt for the IPL trophy and if they do eventually end up lifting it on Sunday, all credit will go to this man.

Glenn McGrath: True, he has had a rather subdued tournament picking up just 12 wickets from 13 matches but 'Pigeon' has maintained a good economy rate. Anything below 8 runs an over is considered good in the Twenty20 format as batsmen are always looking to go for their shots. McGrath has averaged 6.3 runs per over in his 13 matches with best figures of 4/23.

Shaun Pollock: Another retired veteran who made every match for his side count. He briefly the captained the Mumbai Indians and put the team on a winning course after their 4 successive losses early in the tournament. He picked up 11 wickets in 13 matches with an economy rate of 6.54. The South African also made some handy contributions with the bat in some of Mumbai's earlier games and was consistently one of the better players of his side.

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FA3
Posts: 24

Old is Diamond
Reply #1 on : Fri May 30, 2008, 17:24:02

They haved proved that age is no bar for a quality performer. Keep going Warne, McGrath, Jayasuriya, Saurav, Pollock. Fantastic stuff.

aussie
Posts: 24

WARNE IS GOLD
Reply #2 on : Fri May 30, 2008, 20:51:05

HE IS WITHOUT DOUBT THE BEST BUY OF THE TORNAMENT,
ROAYLS WILL WIN , THE IPL IS THE BEST THING ON THE WORLD CRICKET STAGE, AND AUSTRALIAN CRICKET SHOULD ASK WARNIE TO COME BACK TO BEAT THE POMS IN ENGLAND PLUS ALLOW THE PLAYERS TO PLAY THE FULL IPL TORNAMENT, WELL DONE INDIA, GO HARD WARNIE

rohit
Posts: 24

Age is nothing in place of performance.
Reply #3 on : Sat May 31, 2008, 02:07:49

I do not understand why dhoni and the selecters are backing the young blood.I think they do not understand the value of the 'Big 3'.They lived up to the expectations in the ongoing ipl ,they are worth to be selected in odi's.

Shakir
Posts: 24

OLD HEROS
Reply #4 on : Sat May 31, 2008, 02:23:48

How about having a tournament for the great old players such as Ravi shastri, Vengsakar, Azharudeen, Arjuna, Aravinda, Dulip Mendis, Greag Chappel, Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad to name a few. This tournament will give us a chance to see those great players.

sanjay
Posts: 24

sachin
Reply #5 on : Sat May 31, 2008, 03:58:55

due to injury sachin was not preform as well.
other wise every one knows his genital cut ,pushes ,hard hit when need ,sweep shot,no one have this type of talent in todays players through all over the world
sachin is not old he is younger than younger.....

Anonymous
Posts: 24

Re:
Reply #6 on : Sat May 31, 2008, 04:04:53

hjnylngkjb.lgftbjkgf

shervin
Posts: 24

Jayasuriya
Reply #7 on : Sat May 31, 2008, 04:17:19

What will happen to cricket without Jayasuriya???
He is such an entertainer and the whole cricketing world is grateful to him. Thank you Sanath. Mr. Afridi you let us down very badly.

Anonymous
Posts: 24

Re:
Reply #8 on : Sat May 31, 2008, 05:41:26

well i alwys knew dat old is nt jst gold but dimond,pearl,blue sapphires & everything good .i'll always luv de seniors.all de best sachin,rahul,saurav,anil,vvs laxman,warnie(& i m frm delhi,so)apni dilli ke daredevil pidgeon-mcgrath.

Pauline Prema
Posts: 24

Why rejected
Reply #9 on : Sat May 31, 2008, 07:15:19

Tendulkar is the good performance. Why Age mentioned. Age mentioned only Indian Teams. Its spoil the Elder + younger (Sachin).

Pauline Prema
Posts: 24

Why rejected
Reply #10 on : Sat May 31, 2008, 07:18:21

I am a Sachin Rasigai. Old is God.
Vayathu Oru varambu Illai. Its the good performance. Avargalum Niraya Sathithu Irukkirargal. Memory to them.

ZEB
Posts: 24

Re:Adam Gilchirst
Reply #11 on : Sat May 31, 2008, 08:17:47

Gilly is still top man !!!!!!!!!!

Sohil
Posts: 24

The Royal Bengal Tiger
Reply #12 on : Sat May 31, 2008, 08:41:15

Saurav Ganguly is one of the most devastating batsman in the history of indian cricket.He is one of the best captains of india and there is no one who can beat him.I know he will make a comeback in indian one day side.He has also performed well in the ipl.who can forget the innings against Punjab.
"GO DADA GO"

kalani
Posts: 24

well done
Reply #13 on : Sat May 31, 2008, 11:31:02

they are better than the young players!!! youguys ROX!!!

Debasish Chatterjee
Posts: 24

biased commentators for IPL matches
Reply #14 on : Sat May 31, 2008, 12:01:14

Some Indian commentators appeared to be biased and seemed happy whenever Calcutta Knight Riders
performed badly.It should be borne in mind that the commentators should maintain complete neutrality while giving running commentary and their personal support for any team should not be reflected in their views.The matter should be given some thought by BCCI.

Mahakarsha Bhattacharya
Posts: 24

prince of kolkata
Reply #15 on : Sat May 31, 2008, 13:19:42

why there is no mention of Saurav Ganguly. He is dada. He tought us every thing we are seeing in recent indian teams - winning, belive to win, aggression all of them

pavan
Posts: 24

cricket
Reply #16 on : Sat May 31, 2008, 14:56:55

I'm 22yr old can i join IPL.
Where can I come to learn more about that.
Please can you E-mail me back.

jack
Posts: 24

sanath
Reply #17 on : Sat May 31, 2008, 21:43:34

sanath is the king of sixes

inzamam-ul-haq
Posts: 24

mumbai indians
Reply #18 on : Sat May 31, 2008, 21:47:41

Jayasuriya perfoamed very well in this ipl

Poonam
Posts: 24

but BCCI considers age bar!
Reply #19 on : Sun June 01, 2008, 12:17:24

Should age be no bar??
Definitely it should be.....Indian team selectors seem to think like that. Saurav Ganguly...the man who won the last match against Punjab on his own. He did not leave till he saw his team home. The way he was playing under pressure was no less than the likes of Yuvraj singh or M.S.Dhoni. He has been the most consistent player after his comeback and still if he can not make it to the Indian team......age definitely matters

manish m
Posts: 24

PRINCE GANGULY$$$
Reply #20 on : Sun June 01, 2008, 14:45:18

In all indian players saurav was the only hero who has delivered the allround performence by bat & ball as well.Its really poor job done by selectors to not including the Prince in Indian Team.I really appreciate him because he really worked hard to gain his position back in to team & whenever got the chance delivered his 100%.I think he proved AGE NO BAR.......

Ayesha
Posts: 24

Dravid gave us sme gr8 moments to cheer
Reply #21 on : Mon June 02, 2008, 04:51:37

Thought RCB lost but still v Dravid fans have somefng to cheer abt n smile 4,,,da way ds legend played is simply incredible,,,,he has proved that a player wd gr8 technique can play all da forms ov cricket n m glad to say dat after being one of da greatest test n ODI players,,,he is one of da greatest T 20 players too......will always support hm n nxt yr,,IPL cup wd surely be in Dravid's hands.........

Sajiv
Posts: 24

Age never matters for the success
Reply #22 on : Mon June 02, 2008, 10:57:12

We are really grateful for the wonderful batting display by Master Blaster Sanath jayasuriya. It was a magnificent entertainment and we were luck to see our two legends you & Tendulkar opening batting together. So Sri Lankan Cricket also should realize that Jayasuriya needs a good opening partner to be himself at the wicket. Yaa.. Jayasuriya you are the IPL king of Sixes

a.rehman
Posts: 24

tanveer u r great
Reply #23 on : Tue June 03, 2008, 01:58:46

i think sohail tnveer is the no.1 bowler in now time .He boll very well in all the series and he's slow delivery is superb.One think in this his never feel proud like other.i love him and his bowling

Satish Reddy
Posts: 24

Sachin play powerful cricket at any age
Reply #24 on : Wed June 04, 2008, 09:10:35

sachin is not old he is younger than younger.....
he is always young young......without sachin i wont see match........... he is living legend..