The Veteran (Gurgaon), 06 Apr, 2025: 6 matches have been played from the last published report and quite a lot happened. RCB, who after winning the first two away matches against their worst nemeses, lost badly in their home encounter and losing their top spot to DC who had won all of their first 3. Interestingly and ironically, tournament favorite SRH managed to win only 1 out of 4 matches and stayed at the bottom of the points table. Two other big names MI and CSK too remained in bottom three making the tournament interesting. There may be some invisible script writer in the background who is pulling the string, but that is not diminishing any fun factor from the game.

Here are some events which added to the fun factor. Pandya’s heroics of 5 wickets and a quick fire 28 of 16 balls was not enough to bring MI the much needed win. Pant’s agonizing run continued with he becoming the lowest performing but highest paid player of all time of the IPL. Ms Dhoni declared semi retirement with decision of not playing out side Chennai. Archer having been hit for 76 runs in the opening game, made a come back and helped his team winning against Punjab. Buttler and Sai Sudarsan continues their great form and key to GT being in top 3. However, the most interesting stories are that the Indian uncapped players are doing better than capped players in many situations and changing the mode of the games.

In the IL Master group, while the Dude and the HR firmed their position with their second wins each, this week’s highlights are the come backs. Finally, the Expert and the Terminator found their winning ways. Week started with Expert having a godly clutched game which awed even the ClutchGod and the Terminator had a close fight and after lot of jinxing and black magic and what not finally managed to have the last hurrah. In both these matches the Lone Wolf was at the receiving end. Even after these set backs, this week belongs to the Lone wolf.

In the very start of the week Lone wolf had changed her name back. That or some black magic or luck or something unknown had bring the mojo back for the Lone Wolf and then some. As mentioned earlier, the week began with she having a heart breaking clutch of all time by the Expert. While this would have demotivated the other mortals, only fueled the conviction for her. With vengeance and resolve, she used all her expertise and probably some magic of the dark kind to come dazzling to the top not only once but twice. In fact, we should be grateful to the Expert and the Terminator who dared and managed to stop the juggernaut. But Lone Wolf, do not be complacent. mark the words of Veteran that the other masters are looking at you and they are already making their plans. So beware and be brave. Great job last week.

Even though it was not a very happening week for the front runner Dark Horse as he received his first wooden spoon and did not manage to add any win to the tally. His performance of the first one and a half week was so overwhelming that he is still topping at all categories. He is at top of the leader-board, top of captain cool and also has the highest number of wins where although he ties with the ClutchGod but slightly ahead with least wooden spoons. Hats off to the consistency, but probably need some improvements. Hard luck this week mate. Do well next week.

The Expert, although slowly but surely was closing the gap between hers and the Dark Horse. She did well to cross the Veteran and now standing tall at the second position for both captain cool and the overall leader-board. She is now back to her winning ways as well. Looks like she is playing for the long haul. She might not be showing the dazzling display of her best, but a she is a competitor to recon. Good job mate.

The Veteran performed well below average which brought him his first wooden spoon and also losing him the second spot to the Expert. He managed not to get even a single win so far and need some miracles. Best of luck for that.

Not much to talk about the other players. Mostly they are doing below average except the Bond. Who now holds 5 wooden spoons and probably need to eat his words where he challenged the Lone Wolf to a contest of who gets to 10 wooden spoons first. Need to improve mate and good luck for that.