Ricky Ponting will not play in 2nd edition of IPL

A one word response to this - Thanks.

There is no point of someone coming for only two weeks time. This would disturb team's strategy and balance and I am sure Kolkata Knight Riders and IPL management would have said the same thing to him.

There was no point in him making claims of putting country ahead of IPL. The fact that he was negotiating with IPL and KKR for 2-3 months shows that he was trying his best to squeeze in some time this year but IPL and team management did not agree to it. There is also some possibility of him not being picked for matches when he is available and that is going to tarnish his reputation. Ponting has made right decision for himself and the team management but there this is not a case of putting country in front of money.

A day without IPL

Yesterday's match between Delhi Daredevils (DD) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) got abandoned due to rain. This was the first match to be abandoned in IPL. It knocked out KKR from race for semis and also hurt DD's chances of qualifying for the semis.
The race to semis had become very interesting and it is a shame that this match has tilted the balance for some of the teams.
Moreover, this is the first day after more than a month when there was no cricket match. I really struggled to find something meaniningful to engage myself hoping that this does not happen again. Delhi has another match tomorrow and hopefully weather won't intervene then.
What will happen after the tournament is over on June 1? I have become highly addicted to it and would love to see it going on beyond June 1 as well. It will be terrible to see the same Soaps on TV after June 1 in place of IPL.