SUB - STANDARD

Going into the first match of the Indian Premier League 2010, there were talks about the two teams not being full-strength. So it wasn't quite surprising that the quality of cricket on display at Navi Mumbai yesterday was sub-standard.

KKR was useless in the first halves of both innings, but had the last laugh as DC threw it all away in the respective second halves.

TEAM PERFORMANCE REVIEWS:

DC: The team looked almost sleepy on the field. I think they took the first match as defending champs against the wooden spoon holders too lightly. Gilly would want his boys to tighten their belt soon.

KKR: Soon to face a selection dillema... Gayle, Bond and McCullum will soon join the squad. Owais Shah, Angelo Matthews and Charl Langveldt gave evidence yesterday that they should not be dropped. Will reputations count over performance and form? We will soon know...

MATCHES TODAY:

MI v RR: Wow! Sachin Tendulkar v Shane Warne... A rivalry renewed (even though it is from a past era)! If the match gets over before the last over, then my money is on MI to win it. If the match goes to the last over, then my money is on MI to lose it.

KXIP v DD: Two new captains leading their squads... DD are the overwhelming favourites going by their current form. I will not be able to watch this match because I'll be travelling, but I'd be interested to see Sanga's plans to counter TM Dilshan.

Lets hope that today's matches will match the quality of the names that will be taking the field. Close matches are not good enough, we want good cricket too.