"The IPL is not just a competition between cricketers. It is also a competition between management styles," writes Amit Varma for NDTV. "Contrast Bangalore and Mumbai, for example. Both had a similarly bad start to the tournament - if anything, Mumbai's was worse, what with their acting captain, Harbhajan Singh, involved in Slapgate. But the management of both teams handled it differently."

Mallya used the whip, trying to bring about what some newspapers bizarrely called "corporate-style accountability". (How many corporates can you name that would sack someone on the basis of a week's results?) Mukesh Ambani, on the other hand, kept faith in his side and gave them space. As Lalchand Rajput, their coach, told Outlook: "Even after four defeats, we were not put under pressure. Even I was a bit surprised by this, but they only said as long as you put in your best efforts, it is fine." See the difference in results. Isn't it obvious that Mallya is already being held accountable for his mistakes? Isn't the brand value of his side slipping and sliding even further because of his public tantrums? And when he tries to hire top players or a much-wanted captain for the next season, do you think they will choose to work for him if equivalent offers exist from other franchises?