T20: All about luck?

You tell me.

Many former players have said that T20 is all about luck and is "not quite cricket".

Apparently whosoever can slog, does well. "Test players" (and by the token of that phrase they become "real cricketers") don't do well because they can't play those ugly shots.

Similarly bowlers get lucky in getting wickets, because batsmen take more risks.

There are more runouts as well. And its fast-paced so clearly not for the OTs (over thirty-somethings).

So they say.

However, the more I look at the current semi-finalists and the tournament in general, the more I think otherwise.

# Now look at a team like CSK, we know its batsmen heavy and we've always known that apart from Murali they don't have an international bowler. Sure Albie and Oram bowl, but even for their own national teams, they are not the frontline bowlers.

So did T20 make them lucky, and mask their performances?
No. Their bowlers have often been caught underpeforming, and Dhoni hasn't minced any words while stating the same.

# Similary RR underperformed because many of their local players haven't played for Team India. And those who did do well, were Team India players, like Pathan and Jadeja.

Last year RR's performance was most talked about, and Warne's leadership was the focal point of that story; however, we tend to forget that Smith was in-form(and he was the leading ODI batsman), they had Shane Watson doing well, and Jadeja and Pathan to hold fort.

Similarly, in bowling they had Sohail Tanvir (who did exceedingly well-purple cap holder), Munaf, and of course Warne.

I am not taking anything away from Warne. I am only trying to say that their win was no fluke, there were cricketing reasons associated with those victories. No?

# Now look at a team like Punjab, they missed a good opener like Shaun Marsh, missed Lee for most of the tournament and Sreesanth was benched as well due to injury. It reflected in their inconsistent performances.

Meanwhile, one of their leading batsman, Ravi Bopara, went on to score centuries against the Windies. So a good batsman in T20 as well as tests.

# Similarly, who have been the best batsmen of the tournament? Who have top scored? Among Indians, we immediately think of Raina and Rohit; and these two have often been considered test prospects, and not just sloggers.
Also, among internationals, we think of Hayden, AB, Duminy, Sanga etc. Again quality batsmen.

# Look at the bowlers: Malinga, RP, Edwards... these people did not get lucky did they? Wouldn't they be selected by their national teams for ODIs as well?

# And I've already talked about the "old men" doing well.

The point is that the more I look at the teams, those that had good players and were well-led did well.
Sure KKR and MI, despite being good teams, choked at important moments, but would you call that being "not lucky".. for isn't mental strength also a sporting/cricketing skill?

So sure T20 is not TEST cricket, but is it ALL about luck?
You tell me.