Preview: ISU Redbirds vs. Rapchiks

No tournament is complete without the emergence of a young team that comes in and grabs everyone's attention. ISU Redbirds is such a team that has so far made a mark for itself in the CICA tournament. With back-to-back wins, the Redbirds are looking as a strong and cohesive unit brimming with zest and determination. It is the unsatiated desire to win and the team chemistry that has worked for the the Redbirds giving them positive and proven results. With a restricted albeit commendably strong and fierce bowling attack, the Redbirds will be rearing to restrict the Rapchiks' run flow. A modest batting line up where a lot of players have contributed to the victories in the previous games, will give the Redbirds a serious chance of setting an imposing target.

Rapchiks, on the other hand is a team that has earned quite a reputation in the CICA tournament. They earned the title of runners-up in 2006 losing to Howitzers. Having made the highest score (165/6 in 16 overs) by any team in this tournament so far, Rapchiks have amassed an intimidating run rate and would like to make history repeat itself this weekend with a fresh team.

Granted that the weather is not going to play spoil sport (the weekend forecast looks disappointing here in Central Illinois), this will be one the very closely watched and interesting encounters so far in the tournament. An encounter that will set precedents regardless of the outcome. If the Redbirds win, it will be a glorious example of how the favorites bite the dust and the dark horses steal the glory. If the Rapchiks win (really??), it will be another feather in their hat and testament of their reputation.

Cricket has peculiar habit of making the prognosticators take a back seat almost always and question their logic or lack of it. Numerous scoresheets reveal situations where the mighty have fallen and the rookies have risen. So without making any predictions at this stage of the tournament the only words that come to my mouth (or fingers for those of you who are pedantic) are "LET THE GAMES BEGIN".