Kings, Calypso, Poker & Nel

Dwayne Bravo's outstanding performance earned him the man of the match ("Bravo!!!") in last night’s game but by now he will be onboard Mr. Mukesh Ambani's private jet to Jamaica for a West Indian practice session before the Aussies arrive for the first test. As disappointing as his exit may be, another player comes to the table, South African pace man, Andre Nel.

As interesting as Nel’s entry to the team sounds, the Indians’ bowling attack looks well rounded, with eight out of the first 11 squad being able to turn their arms. Nel may have to sit out the next game and Loots Bosman, his South African comrade, may be given a try. Bosman, a hard hitting T20 specialist may turn out to be a wild card in the Mumbai Indians' batting line up, something we will need, to defeat a confident looking Kings XI and book a place at the semi-finals.

But after six straight wins, will the odds catch up on us or will our visit to Mohali find us in second place and sealed with a semi-final spot? It’s clear though, that if Mumbai plays its cards right, it is all but a game of poker. A victory against the Kings XI would mean with the second-last stage and the finals being at home in Mumbai, every one of us knows that “the house always wins!”