Dada is a dude for Knight Riders says Shah Rukh

Sourav Ganguly may no longer be the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders, but team owner Shah Rukh Khan feels the former Indian skipper is still a "dude" and pivotal in the side's scheme of things in the on-going IPL.

"Dada is fantastic and there is no two ways about it. He does not need to prove it to anyone how great as a player he is. We know it in KKR. He's the main cog of our team. He's the guy the team centres around," Shah Rukh said in praise of Ganguly.

"(Brendon) McCullum, (Chris) Gayle, Brad (Hodge), David (Hussey), Ishant (Sharma), (Ashok) Dinda, Laxmi Ratan (Shukla) all feel the support from him, feel his intelligence, feel his winning ways. Dada is a dude," said the Bollywood superstar.

Shah Rukh also felt that Ganguly's two wickets for 24 runs tilted the match in his team's favour against Kings XI Punjab.

"Against Kings XI Punjab he was amazing with those couple of wickets. When Dada came on and got those two early wickets it changed the match in our favour and after that also he sort of kept them quiet and scared. I think that made a lot of difference," he was quoted as saying by IPL official website.

Shah Rukh said it was too early to start celebrating after his team posted its first win in two games by beating Kings XI Punjab.

"It's good for the team that it has started coming together. Our top-order whether it's Ishant Sharma (in bowling) or Sourav Ganguly, Brendon McCullum and Chris Gayle (batting) all are coming good together. We did not play too hot on the first day. I think the first match would be considered as a practice match and we are working on the mistakes committed on day one. The team is working together and that's what makes me feel a little more firm and good. But there is still a long way to go," he said.

Shah Rukh had a tough choice when asked who he thinks is bigger hitter between Chris Gayle or Brendon McCullum. "It is very difficult to say that. With Gayle we have a bet that he has to send one ball from South Africa to Kolkata and with McCullum we have that he has to send one back to New Zealand. We'll find out who is going to win. "I think both have their different strengths. Gayle has this timing and strength, McCullum has all timing and bliss.

McCullum is more like (Virender) Sehwag who times the ball whereas Gayle has got this strength like Yuvraj Singh. You can't really choose between them, they are both fantastic and when they both get going it is fantastic to watch."

[the article was originally published http://cricket.expressindia.com/news/Dada-is-a-dude-for-Knight-Riders--Shah-Rukh/450418/]

Mandira Bedi goes strapless

Small screen's diva Mandira Bedi is back with a bang! Well the pretty lady who shot to fame through Cricket is returning to cricket. In 2003 during the world-cup series Mandira had become a household name and she was more so popular for her sizzling outfits (as they say so - her noodle-strap blouses / dresses) almost mixing cricket and glamour.

Seems like this time the lady, who will be hosting the popular cricket show 'Extra Innings' for IPL series, the T-20 event, is planning to go one step further. If the current reports are to be believed than Mandira at the recently held IPL Press meet went ahead saying, obviously in good humour that they believe in raising the bar, as they can see her strapless (this time). Probably hinting about her would-be appearance in the show.

Well Mandira, people are waiting with bated breath, probably not for the 4s and 6s but watching you.

[credit : http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/09/apr/14-ma-n-dira-bedi-goes-strapless-040912.asp]

Buchanan says Oz openers are the weak link in ODI series against Proteas

Bloemfontein (South Africa), Apr.8 (ANI): Former Australian cricket team coach John Buchanan believes that the openers are the weak link in the ongoing one-day series against the South Africans.

The Kolkata Knight Riders coach is in Bloemfontein preparing for the second edition of the Indian Premier League that gets underway from April 18.

Buchanan believes the team owed its dominance of several years to the opening partnership of Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden.

Both batsmen, who in 114 games together put on partnerships of more than 50 on 43 occasions and topped 100 runs 16 times, recently retired from international cricket.

They had a real presence. The one would step up if the other was not at his best, he said.

That gave Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke a lot more freedom when they came in.

Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin, who opened the batting in the first two one-day internationals against the Proteas, have not impressed as yet.

Haddin, who was exceptional against the Proteas Down Under, admitted on Tuesday that he had been disappointing in South Africa.

The start your team gets off to against the new ball is particularly important in South Africa, he said.

Our top order, but Michael and I in particular, should accept responsibility for our struggles in Centurion.

The Aussies were dismissed for only 131 in the second game after Wayne Parnell and Dale Steyn ripped wreaked havoc in the first 10 overs.

Proteas coach Mickey Arthur believes that whoever wins this game, will have one hand on the trophy. (ANI)

[credit : http://buzz18.in.com/photos/events/shilpa-dresses-up-her-boys/126042/1]