"Sticky Something' could be KKR Captain for IPL-3

The Fake IPL blog or FIP has an interesting quote in reference to the captainship of the team. The blog reads,” News from our camp is that Sticky Something has verbally confirmed his availability to Dildo for next season depending on certain conditions. The idea is to declare him captain in a few months, and then let him build his team and support staff.

Here, ‘Sticky Something’ is an indication towards the Australian Captain Ricky Ponting, who chose to stay away from the IPL this time, in order to give himself rest for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup and the Ashes in England.

Coach John Buchanan’s future in the Kolkata Knight Riders team also seems bleak. The FIP further says, “Director of Operations and Coach, who till 3 weeks ago were the most important designations in our squad, will now be part of the support staff. Sticky will also oversee a local talent scout after their tour of England later this year. Nobody knows Lordie's role next year.
Apart from the captaincy, the blog also puts an end on all the talk to SRK disinvesting his stake in the team. The mystery blogger tersely writes, “The team's not getting sold in a hurry, I can tell you this much.”

The Fake IPL Player blog’s popularity has soared to dizzying heights and the blog conducted an exclusive poll, wherein the readers were asked whether they wanted to have the identity of the anonymous blogger revealed. A large number of voters wanted the FIP to reveal his identity.

[the article was originally published at http://sports.in.msn.com/ipl/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3011020]

Gilly is a good captain says RP Singh

And now, the young medium pacer is making his presence felt in the ongoing IPL 2 in South Africa, becoming one of the leading wicket takers in the tournament. Hardly surprising, considering that he was the bowler with the second highest number of wickets in his kitty in the inaugural T20 World Cup, also played in SA. So, what is the secret of his success? Laughing aloud, he says, “Just keep it simple and follow the basics.” As an
afterthought, he adds, “It is important to identify the weak points of the batsmen.”

And will a good IPL season mean a recall to the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup? “I don’t know about my chances. I’m just working on my deliveries and trying to be accurate. I’m utilizing the time to become a better bowler,” he says. But he also knows that luck plays a role. “You need luck,” says the player, who knows how difficult it is to make a comeback in Team India: “I was not in the team for the New Zealand series. Out of a population of 100 million, only 15 make it to the team!”

Coming back to the IPL, RP Singh’s squad, Team Hyderabad, is doing well. “We are hoping to play in the finals,” says the bowler. What surprises many, is the transformation his team has undergone since last season. He reasons, “The players are the same. We are working as a tightly knit unit. Last year, we lost some close games. This year, we managed to win even in tight situations.”

But has a change in captaincy made a difference? “Gilly is a good captain. We follow a plan. He has vast experience and it is working to our advantage.” Playing under Adam Gilchrist sure is a boon for the Team India bowler: “Gilly said I have the talent to succeed. I need to be more accurate so that I can serve India for as long as I can.” Encouraging words, for sure!

So, did life change for him after IPL Season I? RP Singh quips, “More than the IPL, life changed for me after the T20 World Cup. Suddenly, I found fame and money coming my way.” But the bowler from UP has managed to keep a cool head. “I have not changed as a person. I’m humble and will stay true to my roots,” justifies RP Singh.

The eligible bachelor is all smiles when you ask him about marriage proposals. “Yes, shaadi ke offers keep coming,” he smiles coyly, adding, “But right now, I’m focussing on my game. My parents won’t pressurise me to settle down because they know that cricket takes up all my energy and time,” RP Singh signs off. Well, that explains the impressive statistics on the field!

[the article was originally published at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Gilly-is-a-good-captain-RP-Singh/articleshow/4482811.cms]

IPL teams may list on the stock market!

Like gladiators, cricketing stars from across the globe are battling it out for their respective Indian Premier League teams in the IPL T20 Cricket Tournament. The competition is on the cricket field today, but the day is not far away when it might move to the stock markets.

The huge success of the IPL has heralded a new innings in the history of Indian cricket. A huge money spinner, the two-year-old IPL is worth a whopping $2 billion, according the United Kingdom-based brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance.

"The IPL brand alone has a value of over $311 million. The brand can certainly create long-term value with its strong intrinsic strength and foundation. The IPL is just like any company today and it holds a long-term shareholder value. In 2-3 years, the IPL clubs may get listed on the bourses just like the popular English Premier League football teams," says Unni Krishnan, Country Manager, Brand Finance India.

This innovative form of the cricket has attracted a huge fan following across the globe. The IPL is a now a product with a 'made in India' tag and a huge brand value.

[the article was originally published at http://business.rediff.com/report/2009/may/05/slide-show-1-ipl-teams-may-list-on-stock-market.htm]

Daredevils, the second IPL team to register 10 wicket win

Delhi Daredevils with their victory over Kings XI Punjab became the second team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to register a 10-wicket win.

Daredevils Sunday also became the first team to post a 10-wicket win in the second edition of the IPL.

The following are the others stats of the match between Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab:

Vettori (3 for 15) recorded his best bowling figures in the IPL, surpassing the 1/19 against Bangalore on April 30, 2008.

Vettori has been adjudged the MOM for the first time in the IPL.

Delhi Daredevils' victory Sunday is their first in three IPL games against Kings XI Punjab.

With their ten-wicket victory, Delhi Daredevils have won eight out of 15 IPL matches contested.

Gambhir's aggregate of 549 runs in the IPL is exceeded only by Shaun Marsh (616).

Karan Goel (38 off 21 balls) posted his highest innings in the IPL, surpassing the 26 off 21 balls against Rajasthan at Jaipur on April 21, 2008.

Ravi Bopara and Karan Goel were associated in a 67-run stand for the first wicket - Kings XI's best for the first wicket against Delhi. The stand is the best for Kings XI for any wicket against Delhi.

Kings XI (102 sixes) became the first team to register 100 sixes in the IPL.

[credit : http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200904201622.htm]

Kings XI set 105 run target for Delhi Daredevils

Karan Goel scored a quickfire 38 as Kings XI Punjab made 104 for 7 wickets in 12 overs against Delhi Daredevils in the third match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Newlands.
Daniel Vettori picked up three for 15 in the match which was shortened to 12 overs per team due to wet field because of rains and drizzle since morning.

Game has now stopped due to rain again.

IPL Miss Bollywood South Africa contest

Cape Town: The hunt for a filmstar during the second edition of the Indian Premier League got underway here in style with Raeesa Goga and Jasmita Chauhan handpicked to represent Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2009 Miss Bollywood South Africa contest.

Raeesa and Jasmita won the beauty contest from among thousand of fans gathered during the opening matches at Newlands here on Saturday.

The Miss Bollywood SA contest is a search for a South African beauty with star qualities from among the crowds during the matches.

The winner will be offered a role in a Bollywood movie and a free business class trip to India apart from 50,000 rand in cash.

A total of 50 winners will be picked up from the crowd from each of the eight venues.

With every IPL match having a designated home team, the Miss Bollywood SA winner of that game will be associated with its side.

[ credit : http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1248938]