A neck-to-neck race

The battle for the top spot continues between Sambit Bal and Sanjay Manjrekar. While Sambit was on top at the end of day one, leading Manjrekar by three points, it's Manjrekar who is heading the pack at end of day two, leading by four points - 20 points from Laxmi Ratan Shukla just giving him the edge.

Manjrekar knows these are early days yet but is "tempted to ponder a profession change". He says, "I am thinking of hanging up my commentary boots and becoming a selector."

Someone who has had a quiet competition so far is Ian Chappell. His team, the Godfathers, is in third place with 454 points. Chappell believes he "committed a blunder in strategy", but he has corrected that now, even though it has cost him some changes.

He has Jesse Ryder, Matthew Hayden - as trump - and MS Gony for today's game between Chennai Super Kings and Bangalore Royal Challengers and is hopeful that he will "pick up points quickly".

He is confident enough to issue a challenge to our editor. "I hope Sambit isn't already choosing his favourite brand of beer, because I'll soon be on his tail."