IPL and how wrong can one be - "Times of India"

There is a general dissatisfaction around the country with the erstwhile great newspaper 'The Times of India'. I have been sensing the downfall over last 4-5 years. I do not read newspaper so religiously, so cannot comment like an expert but a recent statement in today's TOI left me so amazed that I was forced to write this piece.

After Mumbai's win over Deccan yesterday, today's Sunday Times wrote "The Chargers were then dismissed for 115, which made Mumbai the first team in IPL3 to qualify for the semifinals. They are now assured of a fourth-place finish even in the worst case scenario from here on." Bull S**t! Of the highest order!!

There are 8 teams, each playing 14 matches and four teams qualify for the semis. Even the dumbest person would agree that you would have to win 8 out of 14 to be assured of a top 4 finish. Even the dumbest.........TOI is dumber than the dumbest. I played GOD and forced the results of all the matches and Mumbai Indians finish 6th in the worst case scenario!! Apparently the "worst case scenario" of TOI has a very different connotation. Anyway, here is the table which can emerge as a worst case scenario (non-TOI definition). :-

Team Played Won Lost Points

Royal Challengers Bangalore 14 9 5 18

Chennai Super Kings 14 9 5 18

Rajasthan Royals 14 9 5 18

Delhi Daredevils 14 8 6 16

Kolkata Knight Riders 14 8 6 16

Mumbai Indians 14 7 7 14

Deccan Chargers 14 4 10 8

Kings XI Punjab 14 2 12 4

What is most interesting is that even after winning the next match, Mumbai cannot be assured of a top 4 finish - it will come to net run rate. So TOI was not just off in their calculation, they were way way off.

I do not agree that the reporters in TOI are super super dumb and they just don't get it. Almost certainly, there is only on explanation to this. TOI wants to "make news". They want to be the first one to tell the world that Mumbai qualified for the semis. So what, if is it not true! Given the form of MI (and the super run rate), they will surely win another match and qualify for the semis. So why not take a premature credit of being the first one to announce something, even before it has happened, knowing that it will most likely happen!

Any other newspaper will wait for at least two more matches (April 9th, 5 more days) to make the above claim. TOI brings you the same news 5 days earlier than anybody else! 5 full days!! So what if it is not true yet, we are Indians, we have faith, it will come true for sure!!!

I just have one word for this - "disgusting" :)

- Anand Gautam

4th April 2010