Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni has beaten him to be the most valuable player in this year’s edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) that begins in South Africa on April 18, 2009.
The Chennai Super Kings’ skipper attracted the highest individual insurance cover of $10.5 million, or Rs 52 crore, as the eight IPL team owners finalised policies for all 120 auctioned players against personal accidents, mediclaim and baggage losses with Oriental Insurance Company (OIC) for a total cover of $286 million, or Rs 1,340 crore, an OIC official said.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Sometimes, perceptions can be dead accurate. Sometimes, they can go so wrong. The buzz before the inaugural IPL season said Royal Challengers - notwithstanding the flamboyance of their owner, Vijay Mallya - looked too much of a "Test" team to shine in Twenty20. Sure enough, they flopped, finishing one place above the bottom. The buzz also had Deccan Chargers as the perfect Twenty20 team. They ended one below Bangalore.
Heads have rolled in both teams. There are new captains - Adam Gilchrist for Hyderabad and Kevin Pietersen for Bangalore (Jacques Kallis will lead when Pietersen leaves after two weeks) - and new coaches, Darren Lehmann for Hyderabad and Ray Jennings for Bangalore. Bangalore have a new approach, Hyderabad a new look - literally, in their redesigned strip. This season, both teams will be seeking redemption.
BANGALORE
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After the embarrassment of 2008, Vijay Mallya may finally have a team to match his persona. Kevin Pietersen will raise the glamour quotient way above Test level, and fellow new boys Jesse Ryder and Robin Uthappa will beef up the team's T20 skills. And with quite a few South African cricketers in their ranks it will be almost like playing at home. Dale Steyn, who publicly said last season the IPL was like a paid holiday, is sure to rev up his performance. Perhaps the most important South African in their ranks will be the coach - Jennings is known to be a hard taskmaster and will certainly crack the whip.
The buzz
It's all about Ray Jennings, who has fired from the hip right from the start. He warned the "older" players, expressed worries about Rahul Dravid's captaincy, and criticized the seniors. "The team lacked energy, commitment and skills. If you don't enjoy each other's company it must be a long six weeks," Jennings said. "I will point fingers at the senior players. They are the one who must have run that type of the culture in the side."
New faces
Don't look beyond Jesse Ryder. Yes, they have KP but he'll be there only for two weeks. Ryder, in contrast, could be the Shane Watson of this edition. He can win a game in 20 minutes of violent batting, with a spectacular fielding effort or with a spell of his nagging, and surprisingly effective, medium-pace.
Watch out for
Dale Steyn has apologised for his silly comment and can be expected to up his game. He has been in great form in international cricket, leading South Africa recently to memorable victories and he will be playing at home.
Missing in action
Rahul Dravid and KP after two weeks. For all the criticism, Dravid was easily the highest run-getter for Bangalore last year. However, he will be returning home for the birth of his second child. Pietersen will go back to play for England in the home series against West Indies.
X Factor
Bhuvneshwar Kumar. A nippy medium pacer, also known as the man who handed Sachin Tendulkar his first duck in Indian domestic cricket, and a useful lower-order batsman. He is not an explosive talent by any stretch of imagination, but is likely to be a very steady and consistent performer.
Strength
The openers. Bangalore struggled to find a regular pair last year but have Ryder and Robin Uthappa for this edition.
Weakness
The relatively thin Indian talent and the unavailability of Pietersen after two weeks. While Ross Taylor will replace KP the batsman, Kallis is unproven as a leader and has lots to prove as a batsman in this format.
Prediction for 2009
Will do much better than 2008 and will cause a few upsets
IPL 2008 - The key figures
Final position: 7th
Top scorer: Rahul Dravid with 371 runs at 28.53
Top wicket-taker: Steyn with 10 wickets at 25.23 and economy rate of 6.63
Best result: Five-wicket win over Mumbai Indians
Worst result: 140-run loss to Kolkata Knight Riders
Highest team score: 181 v Delhi
Lowest team score: 82 v Kolkata
HYDERABAD
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Strangely, Deccan Chargers didn't show much interest in the transfer market this year, planning instead to rely on last year's underperforming squad to seek redemption. They will depend heavily on the likes of Rohit Sharma, their best player last year, Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds and Herschelle Gibbs to justify their paycheques. Symonds' career graph has gone downhill since last year, Gilchrist hasn't played much competitive cricket, Gibbs is just making his international comeback - though he has hit form - and even Rohit has slipped since then. The bowling looks pretty weak, with RP Singh leading the attack. They will bank on the fact that for several players, this IPL could be the platform to improve their international career and so, they have to perform.
The buzz
Perhaps the lack of buzz itself was the buzz. For a team that performed woefully last year, they didn't show any visible sense of purpose in this year's auction. The sacking of VVS Laxman as the captain was announced, oddly enough, during Australia's tour of India, a decision widely criticized for its timing. And then the infighting - Shahid Afridi hit out at Laxman, who in turn turned the mirror on Afridi. On the upside - their new uniform, dumping the drab beige for a livelier obsidian blue.
New faces
Neither of the two big signings - West Indians Fidel Edwards and Dwayne Smith - inspires awe. Edwards is quick but hasn't proved himself in Twenty20, and Smith, in theory perfectly suited to the format, has rarely turned on the heat in his international career.
Watch out for
Andrew Symonds. It's a risky pick, given that he hasn't coped well in the recent volatile months, but he undeniably has the skills to turn things around. No one can predict which Andrew Symonds turns up but for his team to do well, Symonds has to fire.
Missing in action
Shahid Afridi. He was the biggest flop last year but it could have just been an aberration for the violent hitter and smart spinner, for whom Twenty20 could have been the calling card.
X Factor
Ravi Teja. He is a young talented attacking opening batsman for the Hyderabad Ranji team and, given the opportunities, can make his name in the IPL. Not many have hit Glenn McGrath for six over cover point.
Strength
Rohit Sharma. He had a stellar first year that prompted experts to believe he would be the face of the new Indian batting line-up. However, he's been on the decline since then and his spot in the Indian team is now in question. This IPL could be his platform to charge back to form. He has the game. Does he have the heart?
Weakness
The bowling. RP Singh will be leading the pack and the rest don't inspire much optimism. Safe to say not many batting line-ups will lose sleep over facing this attack.
Prediction for 2009
Likely to end in the bottom half
IPL 2008 - The key figures
Final position: 8th
Top scorer: Gilchrist with 436 at 33.53
Top wicket-taker: RP Singh: 15 wickets at 29.46 and an economy rate of 8.61
Best result: 10-wicket win over Mumbai
Worst result: Nine-wicket loss to Delhi
Highest team score: 214 for 5 v Rajasthan Royals
Lowest team score: 110 v Kolkata
Top scorer: Gilchrist with 436 at 33.53
Top wicket-taker: RP Singh: 15 wickets at 29.46 and an economy rate of 8.61
Best result: 10-wicket win over Mumbai
Worst result: Nine-wicket loss to Delhi
Highest team score: 214 for 5 v Rajasthan Royals
Lowest team score: 110 v Kolkata
The world's biggest gum company Wrigley today announced its sponsorship tie-up with all the eight franchise teams of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the second edition of the T20 tournament starting in South Africa from April 18.
"Wrigley has entered into separate sponsorship agreements with the eight IPL franchise teams. Our sugar free brand 'Orbit' would be the official 'gum sponsor' of all the teams and 'Boomer' would be the official bubble gum sponsor," Wrigley India Pvt Ltd MD Gautam Sharma told reporters here.
He said the deals would be complimented by various promotional and advertising initiatives including special contests and prizes, fan trips to South Africa, electronic and print media campaigns and so on.
"We hope it will be a win-win partnership for both Wrigley and the IPL franchise teams. We expect our brands, which are already popular, to be further liked by the consumer following this," Sharma said.
Wrigley has a portfolio of eight brands in India including Boomer, Orbit, Doublemint and Juicy Fruit and claims a market share of over 50 per cent in the estimated Rs 1,000 crore Indian chewing gum market.
"We sell 10 million pieces of gum every day and have a presence in 1.2 million retail stores across 2,000 towns and cities in India. The IPL initiative would further boost reach," Sharma added.
Sharma said Wrigley is also planning other initiatives in the months to come, starting with a campaign featuring Orbit brand ambassador and Bollywood star Deepika Padukone, but refused to reveal further details.Asked about plans for enhancing its portfolio in India, he said: "We keep introducing products all the time. We will have some in future also."
Regarding the gum market, Sharma said the segment was growing at 20 per cent annually till the onset of the current slowdown "Now it has slowed a bit but it is still between 17 and 20 per cent," he added.
New Delhi, Apr 14 (PTI) The Indian Premier League T20 tournament in South Africa will provide India the perfect platform to prepare for their title defence in the World Twenty20 Championships in England in June, feels charismatic opener Gautam Gambhir.
Gambhir said getting the opportunity to play some quality Twenty20 cricket during the IPL would definitely act in favour of the defending champions ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup.
"It's a blessing in disguise for us to play IPL in South Africa before the Twenty20 World Cup. We hardly get to play Twenty20 matches. But to get the chance to play 14 to 15 games in IPL against world class players will definitely help us in our preparations for defending the crown," he said.
Gambhir, who has been in dream form in the recent past and was adjudged player of the tournament during Indias historic New Zealand tour, feels any player's success in the international arena depends on his security in the team.
Meanwhile, Gambhir's Delhi Daredevils teammate and opening partner Virender Sehwag feels the bouncy South African pitches will not only assist fast bowlers but batsmen too can derive benefits from them. PTI
Gambhir said getting the opportunity to play some quality Twenty20 cricket during the IPL would definitely act in favour of the defending champions ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup.
"It's a blessing in disguise for us to play IPL in South Africa before the Twenty20 World Cup. We hardly get to play Twenty20 matches. But to get the chance to play 14 to 15 games in IPL against world class players will definitely help us in our preparations for defending the crown," he said.
Gambhir, who has been in dream form in the recent past and was adjudged player of the tournament during Indias historic New Zealand tour, feels any player's success in the international arena depends on his security in the team.
Meanwhile, Gambhir's Delhi Daredevils teammate and opening partner Virender Sehwag feels the bouncy South African pitches will not only assist fast bowlers but batsmen too can derive benefits from them. PTI
New Delhi: Beverages major Coca-Cola India Tuesday announced a new communication initiative for its sparkling drink brand Sprite featuring Bollywood star and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) promoter Shahrukh Khan and cricket star Sourav Ganguly.
The campaign will be launched during the second season of the IPL Twenty20 cricket tournament in South Africa starting from April 18, Coca-Cola India said in a statement.
“As part of brand Sprite’s 360 degree communication plans, Shahrukh Khan, the Bollywood superstar and owner Kolkata Knight Riders, Saurav Ganguly, the captain of KKR and other members of the team, including Murali Karthik and Ajit Agarkar would feature in a new campaign to be aired during the IPL,” it said.
Sprite is an associate sponsor and the official ‘pouring partner’ of the KKR IPL franchise team.
The campaign would include mass media, besides leveraging out-of-home media through special location specific creatives.
In addition, Sprite and Nokia has launched a ‘Para´ (neighborhood) cricket series in Kolkata. Eleven players from contest would be taken to South Africa to cheer for KKR, it added.
THE Kings XI Punjab lost to the Chennai Super Kings in last year’s second semifinal of the Indian Premier League by a massive nine wickets, after scoring a below-par 112/8 in their 20 overs.
They had an impressive 10 wins from their 14 pool games, the second best record in the tournament behind eventual winners the Rajasthan Royals with 11 from 14.
The team will be led by Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh, who will want to improve on his record in the tournament after scoring 299 runs in 14 innings at an average of just 23.
One of the finds of the tournament was left-handed Australian batsman Shaun Marsh, who scored 616 runs in his 11 innings — the top scorer in the competition — at an average of 68.44. He was also one of just six players to score a century in the inaugural IPL (115) .
The batting line- up also offers a host of experience and fire power in Sri Lankans Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene and Ramnaresh Sarwan from the West Indies.
In the bowling department, Indian fast bowlers Sree Sreesanth and Irfan Pathan will spearhead the attack with Kyle Mills of New Zealand and returning Australian paceman Brett Lee.
Australian Tom Moody will coach the side, which is owned by Bollywood actress Preity Zinta and renowned businessmen Ness Wadia, Mohit Burman and Karan Paul.
Kings XI squad: Yuvraj Singh (Ind), Ajitesh Argal (Ind), Amanpreet Singh (Ind), Brett Lee (Aus), Burt Cockley (Aus), Irfan Pathan (Ind), James Hopes (Aus), Yusuf Abdulla (SA), Karan Goel (Ind), Kumar Sangakkara (SL), Luke Pomersbach (Aus), Mahela Jayawardene (SL), Piyush Chawla (Ind), Ramesh Powar (Ind), Ranadeb Bose (Ind) Ravi Bopara (Ind), Ravikant Shukla (Ind), Ryan Ninan (Ind), Sree Sreesanth (Ind), Shaun Marsh (Aus), Simon Katich (Aus), Sunny Sohal (Ind), Tanmay Srivastava (Ind), Taruwar Kohli (Ind), Uday Kaul (Ind), Vikramjeet Malik (Ind), VRV Singh (Ind), Wilkin Mota (Ind), Yash Gandhi (Ind).
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NEW DELHI: India may be a cricket crazy country but IPL mania is yet to set in. And with tour packages for IPL II -- kickstarting on April 18 --
upwards of Rs 1 lakh, watching a match live could well be a pipedream.
Tour packages for South Africa have so far met with a lukewarm response. STIC Travel Group chairman Subhash Goyal said, "We have received several inquiries but firm bookings have not materialised. The situation may improve once the season begins but I feel people don't have an affiliation for any particular team at present to spend so much money in travel."
Goyal, however, added that the T20 game would draw Indians living in South Africa. "There are 2 million Indians in South Africa who will flock to watch the matches," he said.
The IPL season will last from April 18 to May 24 and feature 59 matches. So, watching the entire thing could cost a king's ransom. Not surprisingly, in these times of economic downturn, individual travellers willing to indulge in a sports vacation are few and far between. While travel companies are flooded with calls from diehard IPL fans, just the mention of the cost for a three-night-four-day package is enough for them to vote for live telecast on TV. Just travel for two matches could cost anywhere over Rs 60,000. With visa fees, stay and match tickets thrown in, costs escalate to Rs 1.2-Rs 1.6 lakh.
One of the country's biggest tour operators, Thomas Cook, has designed five packages -- all named after cricketing terms like hat-trick, googly, four and sixes, leg spin-off spin and bouncers and yorkers. Each of these packages -- including airfare, hotel stay, visa fees and match tickets -- will take you to a city for two matches. The googly package (Rs 49,900 and Rs 53,900 for a person on twin sharing basis in three and four star hotel, respectively) will take you to Johannesburg for two matches -- one at 12.30 pm and the other at 4.30 pm.
The other three-night-four-day packages offer two matches on two different days. The package for the two semi-finals and final is slightly higher at Rs 55,100 and Rs 58,500 for a person on twin sharing basis in three and four star hotels, respectively.
The other big company, Cox and Kings, is offering packages priced between Rs 18,000 to Rs 1.2 lakh that will have an additional airfare of Rs 40,000-44,000 and a match fee of $15 to $20 for each game. The company's VP Ashutosh Mehere said, "There is a growing interest among customers for our South Africa packages as they feel that they can combine it with the IPL matches. We have received a lot of enquiries and there is a lot of interest for the semi-finals and finals. South Africa is a family destination and the IPL is just a three-hour game and it is a perfect vacation for a large number of Indian families."
Meanwhile, SOTC's cheapest package is a four-day stay in Cape Town for Rs 52,500 per person while a trip to Johannesburg and Durban for the semi-final and final could set you back by a cool Rs 56,000-Rs 60,800 per person. The package for the final even includes one night at Suncity for sightseeing.
But with continuous coverage on television and regular replays, people would much rather enjoy IPL sitting at home.
Tour packages for South Africa have so far met with a lukewarm response. STIC Travel Group chairman Subhash Goyal said, "We have received several inquiries but firm bookings have not materialised. The situation may improve once the season begins but I feel people don't have an affiliation for any particular team at present to spend so much money in travel."
Goyal, however, added that the T20 game would draw Indians living in South Africa. "There are 2 million Indians in South Africa who will flock to watch the matches," he said.
The IPL season will last from April 18 to May 24 and feature 59 matches. So, watching the entire thing could cost a king's ransom. Not surprisingly, in these times of economic downturn, individual travellers willing to indulge in a sports vacation are few and far between. While travel companies are flooded with calls from diehard IPL fans, just the mention of the cost for a three-night-four-day package is enough for them to vote for live telecast on TV. Just travel for two matches could cost anywhere over Rs 60,000. With visa fees, stay and match tickets thrown in, costs escalate to Rs 1.2-Rs 1.6 lakh.
One of the country's biggest tour operators, Thomas Cook, has designed five packages -- all named after cricketing terms like hat-trick, googly, four and sixes, leg spin-off spin and bouncers and yorkers. Each of these packages -- including airfare, hotel stay, visa fees and match tickets -- will take you to a city for two matches. The googly package (Rs 49,900 and Rs 53,900 for a person on twin sharing basis in three and four star hotel, respectively) will take you to Johannesburg for two matches -- one at 12.30 pm and the other at 4.30 pm.
The other three-night-four-day packages offer two matches on two different days. The package for the two semi-finals and final is slightly higher at Rs 55,100 and Rs 58,500 for a person on twin sharing basis in three and four star hotels, respectively.
The other big company, Cox and Kings, is offering packages priced between Rs 18,000 to Rs 1.2 lakh that will have an additional airfare of Rs 40,000-44,000 and a match fee of $15 to $20 for each game. The company's VP Ashutosh Mehere said, "There is a growing interest among customers for our South Africa packages as they feel that they can combine it with the IPL matches. We have received a lot of enquiries and there is a lot of interest for the semi-finals and finals. South Africa is a family destination and the IPL is just a three-hour game and it is a perfect vacation for a large number of Indian families."
Meanwhile, SOTC's cheapest package is a four-day stay in Cape Town for Rs 52,500 per person while a trip to Johannesburg and Durban for the semi-final and final could set you back by a cool Rs 56,000-Rs 60,800 per person. The package for the final even includes one night at Suncity for sightseeing.
But with continuous coverage on television and regular replays, people would much rather enjoy IPL sitting at home.
MUMBAI: If Shane Warne is to be believed, then Rajasthan Royals have just discovered another pocket dynamite ahead of this year's Indian Premier(IPL). He's a bowler, all of 5'7", just 18 years of age and Warne can't stop gushing about the way he bowls left-arm fast.
If Warne discovered the likes of Swapnil Asnodkar last season, who with his belligerent strokeplay set for Royals the perfect strike rate, this year it is Kamran Khan, who has impressed the former Australian leg-spinner.
It took just six balls from Khan, while bowling against the Cape Cobras in a warm-up tie at Cape Town on Saturday, to convince Warne that he has something special up his sleeve, something that might just allow him to sleep peacefully in the absence of Sohail Tanvir and Shane Watson, who, Warne says, would be sorely missed.
What makes the story even more interesting is that this teenager from Azamgarh is yet to play even first-class cricket!
As part of the team rule, Warne immediately gave a nickname to this youngster that alone should set the alarm bells ringing in opposition camps. "We've got one young player who's going to be very interesting. We're tossing up now what his nickname is going to be... Wild Thing or Tornado, something like that. Kamran Khan is a young kid, a left-armer, a slinger, he's a little guy but he bowls 140-plus," Warne said, brushing aside his team's 18-run loss to the South African domestic T20 champs and preferring to revel in the Royals' new discovery.
That one over of Kamran featured a seething yorker that sent Cobras' captain Justing Ontong's middle stump cartwheeling a fair way. It was enough evidence for Warnie, the master tactician, to immediately pull Kamran out of the attack, lest the other teams learn more about him because the match was being televised live as well.
Kamran's coach Naushad Khan had no doubt about the boy's amazing potential ever since he saw him bowl with a tennis ball almost five years back in Azamgarh. "Everything about his bowling attracted me. He is really short for a fast bowler, but his unique action, which gathered momentum in the last four steps and finished with a grunt, convinced me that he was special. Before the release, he takes off so much that his left leg almost touches the umpire's face, and the right one gives the impression that he is swimming. It's a delight to watch," says Naushad, adding: "He is a natural talent, straight from the village."
Kamran's shoulders are very strong, by virtue of having cut a lot of wood back in his village. "He has stamina and I tested it by making him bowl yorkers after the training for the day was over," adds Naushad.
Kamran was signed up for an annual contract of Rs 12 lakh by RR after assistant coach Darren Berry saw him bowl at the DY Patil T20 event. Naushad says he found Kamran and Abdulla together. "However, I couldn't take Kamran along initially because his family was reluctant. His father expired, then his mother. Later, he agreed and I got him to stay in a room that I have along with Iqbal. He has struggled a lot, so I know he would stay grounded even when he achieves success," says Naushad.
If Warne discovered the likes of Swapnil Asnodkar last season, who with his belligerent strokeplay set for Royals the perfect strike rate, this year it is Kamran Khan, who has impressed the former Australian leg-spinner.
It took just six balls from Khan, while bowling against the Cape Cobras in a warm-up tie at Cape Town on Saturday, to convince Warne that he has something special up his sleeve, something that might just allow him to sleep peacefully in the absence of Sohail Tanvir and Shane Watson, who, Warne says, would be sorely missed.
What makes the story even more interesting is that this teenager from Azamgarh is yet to play even first-class cricket!
As part of the team rule, Warne immediately gave a nickname to this youngster that alone should set the alarm bells ringing in opposition camps. "We've got one young player who's going to be very interesting. We're tossing up now what his nickname is going to be... Wild Thing or Tornado, something like that. Kamran Khan is a young kid, a left-armer, a slinger, he's a little guy but he bowls 140-plus," Warne said, brushing aside his team's 18-run loss to the South African domestic T20 champs and preferring to revel in the Royals' new discovery.
That one over of Kamran featured a seething yorker that sent Cobras' captain Justing Ontong's middle stump cartwheeling a fair way. It was enough evidence for Warnie, the master tactician, to immediately pull Kamran out of the attack, lest the other teams learn more about him because the match was being televised live as well.
Kamran's coach Naushad Khan had no doubt about the boy's amazing potential ever since he saw him bowl with a tennis ball almost five years back in Azamgarh. "Everything about his bowling attracted me. He is really short for a fast bowler, but his unique action, which gathered momentum in the last four steps and finished with a grunt, convinced me that he was special. Before the release, he takes off so much that his left leg almost touches the umpire's face, and the right one gives the impression that he is swimming. It's a delight to watch," says Naushad, adding: "He is a natural talent, straight from the village."
Kamran's shoulders are very strong, by virtue of having cut a lot of wood back in his village. "He has stamina and I tested it by making him bowl yorkers after the training for the day was over," adds Naushad.
Kamran was signed up for an annual contract of Rs 12 lakh by RR after assistant coach Darren Berry saw him bowl at the DY Patil T20 event. Naushad says he found Kamran and Abdulla together. "However, I couldn't take Kamran along initially because his family was reluctant. His father expired, then his mother. Later, he agreed and I got him to stay in a room that I have along with Iqbal. He has struggled a lot, so I know he would stay grounded even when he achieves success," says Naushad.
Despite the long wait, there are no regrets. Despite the long answers, there is no sense of boredom. Such is the charm of Sachin Tendulkar. The new brand ambassador of Jaypee Cements, Tendulkar spoke on the recent series win in New Zealand, the IPL and his Mumbai Indians side, among other issues.
On the win in New Zealand
The series win in New Zealand was fantastic. We broke the jinx by winning after a long wait of 41 years. This was something that was really satisfying.
On playing under MS Dhoni
He has been instrumental in elevating our performance. Our team’s success under his leadership has vindicated my faith in him. After Rahul Dravid had decided to step down, I had suggested his name for the captaincy and he has not let me down.
On the multiple captaincy idea
It is not a matter of multiple captains but a matter of multiple strategies. Having one captain does not mean he does everything himself. Other players also give him suggestions. I am not criticising Buchanan’s idea but we are not doing any such experiment with the Mumbai Indians. Let them (Kolkata Knight Riders) do whatever they want. At Mumbai Indians we will do what we want. It is always nice for a captain to have more options. That is what we generally do.
On Mumbai Indians
We are strong contenders. We have some great players and that gives us a good combination.
On preparing for the IPL
At Mumbai Indians we are a perfect blend of youth and experience. This year we will be focusing on making good use of this blend in our team and will try to win the tournament.
Ishant eyes Sachin’s scalp
Ishant Sharma, who plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders, has denied reports that he was in favour of John Buchanan’s multiple captaincy idea. “I have not said anything like that. It will be good for the team if we have only one captain. ”
Asked whose wicket he wants the most in the IPL, Ishant said: “There are many batsmen whose wicket I would like to take, but Sachin Tendulkar’s would be special. He is the legend of the game.”
Though the lanky bowler refused to pick his favourite team for the IPL, he said that winning would be crucial. “Maintaining the winning momentum will be important.”
MYSORE: With the dates of the general elections and the Indian Premier League (IPL) conflicting, the coordinators of the IPL decided upon staging
the tournament in South Africa where the second season of the month long tournament is all set to commence from this weekend. But is the decision to shift the venue of the cricket extravaganza out of the country a logical one or would it upset India's reputation? Here is what the city's young cricket buffs have to say.
The organizers of the IPL took a wrong decision. They could have rather waited for the elections to get over and held the match later. As a result of their decision, the country is now bound to face revenue loss at this time of recession. Also, if they held the tournament in India, many cricket stadiums at home would have witnessed a facelift which is not possible now.
Ravi Nandan K S, BPEd ( Bachelor in physical education), student, department of physical education, University of Mysore
It is unfortunate that IPL is being hosted elsewhere this year. By shifting the tournament's venue, the organizers are sending across a false message to other countries that India isn't a secure country. That apart, at South Africa, they cannot even expect a big crowd of viewers like in India. We have already seen that the stadium at SA was almost empty in the IPL warm up match whereas in India the stadiums get filled up even for the warm up matches. If they held it here, the players could have enjoyed better encouragement too.
Chetan U M, BPEd student, UOM
Had they held the tournament a little later and in India, the players who have just returned from New Zealand after playing a series could have rested a little. They would get a good break and could have probably played better too. Even the viewers would have enjoyed better then.
Ravi Shastri, BPEd student, UOM
Hosting the IPL in South Africa will affect the viewers here as there would be a change in timings. Many cricket enthusiasts are already disappointed. Also, several Indians who were probably longing to match the match live will be disheartened now. That also proves that it would be an economic loss to our country.
Puttaswamy, BPEd student, UOM
The shifting of the IPL venue shows where our country is heading. The organizers of the IPL had to finally give in as our politicians did not seem to be bothered about retaining the event in the country. It is all about money for our politicians. Had it brought profit to the government, they would have surely tried their best to hold the tournament here.
Gowrishankar H T, BPEd, UOM
The organizers of IPL can certainly not expect as many viewers they could have looked forward to in India. It is sad that the elections and IPL dates clashed but the tournament would have had a special charm had it been hosted in our country. Now, it seems like it is just another television series.
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