At Dharamshala, the setting for cricket was wonderful but somewhat bizarre. This is peak summer with day temperatures touching 40 degrees yet the stadium background is dominated by the magnificent snow- capped Dhauladhar mountain range. Also, while there is practically no local cricket in the
region, Dharamshala has one of the most magnificent cricket facilities in the world.
"There is nothing like this anywhere else", gushed David Warner, echoing a sentiment shared by every other player. This is fantastic, far superior to Newlands, Capetown. Not just for the amazing view but also in terms of cricket infrastructure.
At the post match celebration, Warner quickly dismissed concerns about the short ball that hit him on the chin. He shrugged off the injury as casually as he swats a short ball over the fence.
So are the Delhi Daredevils this season, given their positive intent on the field and the momentum they are riding.
Unmukt Chand, captain of the India under 19 team, thinks the IPL is an extended tutorial for young players. In a bit of a daze, he still can't get over the fact that he is in the same playing eleven as Warner and Jayawardane, an elder statesman of cricket who has 500 international appearances for Sri Lanka.
Unmukt is a huge talent, also a student struggling to keep a balance between academics and cricket. On tours, and during the IPL, his kitbag has both books and bats and he makes it a point to catch up daily on his college work. Senior pros are impressed by his ability and his attitude and coach Eric Simons feels he could be the next Virat Kohli.
The writer is a Daredevils official