Bangalore RC, Rajasthan Royals earn thrilling wins in IPL

It was a royal special at Kingsmead as Bangalore Royal Challengers and Rajasthan Royals pulled off thrilling wins in the Indian Premier League on Thursday.

Bangalore beat Chennai Super Kings by two wickets to move into joint fourth position with Deccan Chargers and revive their hopes of reaching the semifinals next week.

Rajasthan cut it even closer in the second match, clipping Mumbai Indians by 2 runs when Mumbai needed four runs from the final over with three wickets in hand.

Rajasthan, the defending champion, rose to third in the eight-team table, while Mumbai slipped to sixth.

Delhi Daredevils lead the Twenty20 tournament with 16 points, followed by Chennai and Rajasthan on 13, but with Chennai enjoying a better run rate.

Mumbai looked like climbing to third with a victory when it needed four runs from the last over to over to overhaul Rajasthan's 145-7. But Mumbai, at 142-7 was all for 143 with a ball to spare.

"All credit to the guys," Rajasthan captain Shane Warne said. "It is these last games that show the spirit of your group. We just wanted to put up a good performance and not worry about winning or losing. But the guys came and showed the desperation and spirit in the side."

Warne, with 3-24 in four overs, was named man of the match, but pace bowler Munaf Patel led the attack in the last over.

He trapped Dhawal Kularni for 1 on the second ball, and Chetanya Nanda was run out for a duck on the third by a throw from Yusuf Pathan to make it 142-9. Harbhajan Singh came in and scored a single, leaving Mumbai needing three runs off the last two balls.

Lasith Malinga played on the off side and set off for a single, but Warne scooped it up and threw to Patel to run him out at the non-striker's end to end the drama.

"I felt towards the end there was a bit of panic and that cost us the game," said Mumbai captain Sachin Tendulkar, who was trapped by Warne for a 30-ball 40.

Bangalore's Vinay Kumar hit the wininng runs in their game with two balls to spare. Set a relatively easy target after bowling out Chennai for 129, Ross Taylor hit 46, sharing a 56-run fourth wicket stand with Virat Kohli (38 off 35 balls) to set up Bangalore nicely after a slow start.

Taylor fell with five runs needed off the last five balls and two wickets in hand.

Kumar then guided his team home in a nervous finish, benefiting from a misfield that allowed a boundary.

"It was a great effort," said Bangalore captain Anil Kumble, who took 2-12. "The bowlers were brilliant and the fielding was brilliant but we struggled a bit at the end. (Jacques) Kallis was brilliant up front .. .everyone contributed."

South Africa allrounder Kallis took 2-18 in four overs including a maiden. Kumar claimed 2-30 in three. The IPL's leading runscorer Matthew Hayden topscored for Chennai with 60.

Today, Kings XI Punjab plays Delhi.

[the article was originally published at http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=949564&lang=eng_news]

Kings XI, Mumbai Indians in a must-win situation

Both Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab are in a must-win situation as they face each other in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Centurion Park here Tuesday.
The two teams have to win all their four remaining matches if they want to make the semi-finals. But Mumbai Indians will also be looking to avenge their three-run loss to Kings XI Punjab in their previous encounter April 29.

Both the teams have come back to their winning ways after having lost their past few matches.

Mumbai Indians comprehensively defeated Bangalore Royal Challengers Sunday and will be hoping to carry forward the winning momentum.

South African Jean Paul Duminy, the Man of the Match against Royal Challengers, said that Mumbai Indians will be looking for a win against Kings XI.

“It has been a good experience so far. But there are few more games that we need to win now. Hopefully, we can carry forward this winning momentum to the coming matches. I am happy that I contributed to my team’s cause,” said Duminy.

Mumbai Indian’s chief mentor Shaun Pollock said that the team is planning to take each game at a time.

“We know that if we don’t win all the matches then we will be out of the tournament. Our future is in our hands. We have to play matches against top five teams of the tournament. We would like to take each game at a time. At some stage in the tournament every team faces such situations,” said Pollock.

Mumbai Indians are one of the most balanced side in the IPL. With greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya in their batting line-up, they also have Zaheer Khan and Lasith Malinga in the bowling department. Zaheer, who missed the last match, is expected to be back in the side.

Kings XI Punjab also have a good batting line-up but their bowling and fielding hasn’t been up to the mark. The return of Australian speedster Brett Lee has, however, bolstered their bowling attack.

Lee, who is making a comeback from an injury lay-off, was the best Kings XI bowler in their win against Deccan Chargers Saturday. He also wielded the bat sensibly to take his team to a win with one ball to spare.

Kings XI coach Tom Moody said: “The competition’s particularly close. We obviously welcomed back Brett Lee; he made us a little more potent at the top with some pace. And he also showed his skills down the order to be able to finish the game (with a victory). His energy in the game was important.”

Moody, however, is not happy with the quality of cricket his team has played so far in the league.

“We haven’t played particularly played good cricket so far. And we look forward to improving every game we play,” he said.

The coach is worried about his bowlers’ inability to deliver in the death overs.

“So that’s something we need to address seriously. It is a good time for players to reflect and work on the areas that we need to polish up on,” Moody maintained.

[the article was originally published at http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/kings-xi-mumbai-indians-in-a-must-win-situation-preview_100191066.html]

Gautam Gambhir scores sixth ton in IPL

Following are the statistical highlights from the game between Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders:

— The 58-run partnership between Morne van Wyk and Brendon McCullum was Kolkata's best for the opening wicket in the IPL 2009. The pair surpassed the 57-run partnership between Brendon McCullum and Chris Gayle against Kings XI Punjab at Durban.

— Kolkata raced to their hundred in 14.2 overs, which is their fastest in IPL 2009. They had taken 15.2 overs for their 100 against Rajasthan Royals at Cape Town and also against Mumbai Indians at East London.

— Morne van Wyk (74) posted the highest score by a Kolkata batsman in IPL 2009, beating Brad Hodge's 73 against Mumbai Indians at East London on May 1.

— The maiden by Amit Mishra was the first by a Delhi bowler in IPL 2009

— Kolkata Knight Riders (154-3) posted their highest total in the IPL 2009, just beating the 153-3 against Kings XI Punjab at Port Elizabeth on May 3.

— Delhi Daredevils kept intact their record of not losing a wicket in the very next over after the strategy-break.

— Gautam Gambhir (71 not out) made his highest score in IPL 2009 and his sixth fifty in all IPL games.

— Delhi Daredevils provided the third instance in IPL 2009 of a side winning a match by nine or more wickets.

[the article was originally published at http://cricketnext.in.com/news/stats-gambhir-scores-sixth-ton-in-ipl/40611-27.html]

Punjab struggle to 119-8 against Mumbai in IPL

Kumar Sangakkara top-scored with an unbeaten 45 not out as King Kings XI Punjab limped to 119-8 against the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier league on Wednesday.

Lasith Malinga was the pick of the bowlers for Mumbai, taking 2-12 from his four overs.

Sangakkara was the only batsmen to make a real impression against the Mumbai attack, with opener opener Karan Goel the next highest scorer with 12.

Goel was the first wicket to fall, stumped by wicketkeper Pinal Shah after missing a ball from Harbhajan Singh in the fourth over.

Punjab failed to add to its score and were reduced to 2-18 when Ravi Bopara (6) was caught in the slips by Sachin Tendulkar off Dwayne Bravo.

Captain Yuvraj Singh (10) then failed to clear long-on with a low stroke off JP Duminy and was caught by Zaheer Khan.,

Mahela Jayawardene was also caught at long on for seven by Shikhar Dhawan, reducing Punjab to 4-52. Irfan Pathan was the next to fall, suprised by Zaheer Khan's extra bounce, and caught in the deep by Dwayne Bravo for seven.

Malinga got his first wicket when a ferocious inswinger hit Wilkin Mota (5) on the pads and found the stumps.

Two balls later Malinga clean bowled Piyush Chawla with a full delivery for 5.

Ramesh Powar was run out in in the last over by Shah for 10.

[the article was oringially published at http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=934773&lang=eng_news&cate_img=145.jpg&cate_rss=news_Sports]

Punjab beats Rajasthan by 27 runs in IPL

Kings XI Punjab produced a fine bowling and fielding performance to beat defending champion the Rajasthan Royals by 27 runs in an Indian Premier League match Sunday at Newlands.

After batting first and scoring 139-6, Punjab's bowlers restricted Rajasthan to 112-7 bowling a full length and swinging the ball sharply.

South African pace bowler Yusuf Abdulla was the pick of the bowlers with 3-21, while allrounder Irfan Pathan and spinner Piyush Chawla both chipped in with two wickets apiece.

Rajasthan were on the backfoot as early as the second over when Swapnil Asnodkar (3) was caught by Ramesh Powar off a delivery from Pathan.

Graeme Smith (2) then edged a swinging Pathan delivery to wickekeeper Kumar Sangakkara to leave Rajasthan on two wickets down with just nine runs on the board.

The only two Rajasthan players to make any real impression with the bat were Ravindra Jadeja, who made 37 off 44 balls before he was bowled by Abdulla, and captain Shane Warne who struck an unbeaten 34.

Warne was clearly unimpressed with his team's effort.

"We haven't found the right combination," Warne said. "the blokes at the top are not doing a good job. We've got to find a solution. The bowlers are not firing."

His opposite number Yuvray Singh praised Sangakkara, who struck 60 _ including seven fours and one six _ and Irfan Pathan, who scored 39 off 33 balls for lifting Punjab to a respectable total.

"We needed a partnership and those two gave us that," he said. "We defended the total nicely too."

Punjab had slumped to 4-48 before Sangakkara and Pathan came to the rescue.

[the article was originally published at http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=931499&lang=eng_news&cate_img=145.jpg&cate_rss=news_Sports]

Delhi Daredevils opt to bat against Super Kings

DURBAN: Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag won the toss and opted to bat against Chennai Super Kings in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Kingsmead here Thursday.

This is a crucial tie for both teams, especially for the Chennai Super Kings as they have lost a match to the Mumbai Indians on opening day.

The Daredevils have a win against Kings XI Punjab in their first match, which had been marred by intermittent rain.

[the article was originally published at http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Delhi+Daredevils+opt+to+bat+against+Super+Kings&artid=nn7RTV1rMGw=&SectionID=Aw|qo8JJkxA=&MainSectionID=ngGbWGz5Z14=&SectionName=||WM0BI9WGM=&SEO=Daredevils,%20super%20kings,%20IPL]

Rajasthan Royals look to strike form against a rejuvenated KKR

Defending champions Rajasthan Royals will look for a quick turnaround in their fortunes, while a rejuvenated Kolkata Knight Riders would aim to carry on the winning momentum when the two sides clash in an Indian Premier League match here on Thursday.

Without big stars in their ranks, the Royals have a tough task at hand after the thrashing in their campaign opener and second game against Mumbai Indians being washed out.

Shane Warne's side started its campaign by restricting Bangalore Royal Challengers to just 133 with the legendary spinner leading from the front but that total proved to be a mountain for the Royals as they were bundled out for just 58, the second lowest IPL total.

The Rajasthan youngsters failed to get the measure of another legendary figure in Anil Kumble who throttled them with a five-wicket haul.

In that match, the highest score by any Rajasthan batsman was 11 and they would be itching to leave behind that nightmare by coming good against Knight Riders who have also not done anything exceptional as yet.

Knight Riders, on the other hand, got over their first match disappointment, with a nine-wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab on Tuesday.

West Indian Chris Gayle exhibited his awesome batting prowess while Sourav Ganguly rolled his golden arm to great effect to compensate for his batting failure in the first match.

Warne would expect a better show from his batsmen as their opponents have a strong batting line-up.

"It is pretty disappointing. As champions we wanted to impose ourselves. We were exceptional in bowling and fielding but batsmen could not do well," Warne has said.

"Shot selection was really bad. I think the top 3-4 batsmen could have shown sensibility and played sensible shots. But I promise to come back strong," Warne had said after their first match defeat.

Knight Riders' captain Brendon McCullum, on the other hand, insisted that all was well in KKR camp after the captaincy row.

"It was a nice result after the first match defeat and we bounced back at the right time to gain some momentum. Sourav bowled exceptionally well. In Twenty20 one has to think quickly and I am happy that my decision to bowl him paid rich dividends," he had said.

More than the outcome of the match, it will be an intriguing contest between Warne and Gayle. Warne would also came face to face with old foe Ganguly and the fans could be in for a treat.

[the article was originally published at http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1249713]

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, KKR look to get IPL campaign on track

Thoroughly outplayed in their opening matches, Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab will lock horns on Tuesday hoping to haul their Indian Premier League campaign back on track.

Ravaged by injuries that have denied them the services of star players like Shaun Marsh, Brett Lee and S Sreesanth, the Yuvraj Singh-led Kings XI were handed a 10-wicket drubbing by Delhi Daredevils in their rain-truncated opening match on Sunday.

On the same night, Shah Rukh Khan's Kolkata Knight Riders were beaten by eight wickets by last year's bottom-placed Hyderabad Deccan Chargers.

"I want this nightmare to end," said Shah Rukh after the thrashing.

Kolkata, it seemed, were yet to recover from the pre-tournament furore over captaincy, at the end of which Sourav Ganguly was replaced by New Zealand's Brendon McCullum at the helm.

McCullum couldn't have asked for a worse start to his stint but remained optimistic about the team bouncing back in the coming matches.

"It is a long tournament and we will bounce back," he insisted.

Kings XI, on the other hand, are trying to cope with the injury blows that have left them severely depleted.

Last season's highest scorer Marsh, along with tearaway pacer Lee, were out of contention even before the tournament and adding to their woes is the non-availability of all-rounder James Hopes, who is on national duty.

Sreesanth too has been left with the job of promoting the team from the sidelines as a back injury keeps him out of on-field action.

Against a balanced Delhi, Kings XI's batting struggled to hold up and bowling was such that Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir took just a little over four overs to get past a 54-run target that was set for six overs in the rain-shortened game.

The Mohali-based team's batting relies heavily on skipper Yuvraj and Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara, both of whom didn't contribute much in the lost match.

Yuvraj, however, remained hopeful of a turnaround.

"We are happy with the start, off course we can take some positive out of it and we have enough games coming up, so looking forward to that," he said.

[the article was originally published at http://www.hindustantimes.com/highpl/storypage.aspx?id=2e3cdbef-06d9-483f-a96a-301b13e8b282&category=Chunk-HT-UI-IPLSectionPage-TopStories]

IPL ideal for World T20 preparation: Yuvraj Singh

Mumbai : Flamboyant Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh sees the second edition of the Indian Premier League in South Africa as the perfect dress rehearsal for cricket playing nations ahead of the World Twenty20 Championship in England in June.

"The IPL has come at the right time to help all (countries) to prepare for the T20 World Cup. It will give all the players lot of practice as each team will play at least 14 matches.

It's going to get better, the World T20 Cup (because of IPL)," the left-hander told reporters here today.

Yuvraj, who is the captain of Kings XI Punjab, co-owned by Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, was here along with the latter to announce Emirates association with the Mohali-based outfit as its official team sponsor.

Yuvraj, who did not have a successful Test series in New Zealand which India won 1-0 to rewrite history in Kiwi soil after 41 years, said the Kings XI would play similar to what they dished out last year en route the semi-finals in the first edition of the cash-rich T20 league.

"We won 8-10 games (actually ten out of 14 before losing to Chennai Super Kings in the semi-finals on May 31,2008) last year. We will play in a similar fashion," he said.

He, however, refused to be drawn into a debate on the controversial multiple captaincy theory put forth by Kolkata Knight Riders coach John Buchanan.

[credit : http://sports.indiainfo.com/article/0904112026_sport_yuvraj/336559.html]

Yuvraj Singh : IPL ideal for Cup preparations

Mumbai: Yuvraj Singh said on Saturday that the Indian Premier League (IPL), starting on April 18, would be the ideal preparation for the World Twenty20 to be held in England in June.

“The IPL has come at the right time, before the world championships. Each team has 14 games before the semi-finals and final, and it would be a good practice for everybody,” Yuvraj, captain of Kings XI Punjab, said at a press conference here.

He, however, refused to be drawn into a debate on the controversial multiple captaincy theory put forth by Kolkata Knight Riders coach John Buchanan.

“No comments. I do not want to say anything about other teams,” Yuvraj said

He also refused to single out any side as the Kings XI’s main rivals, saying all eight teams were good. “I don’t want to single out any team. There are lot of good teams,” he said.

Yuvraj felt the performance of fast bowlers would be a key factor in the coming IPL as the wickets in South Africa are faster than the Indian pitches where the first edition was played.

“The conditions will be different this year. The wickets will be fast and fast bowling will be important and their performance would be crucial,” he said.

Kings XI Punjab owner Preity Zinta said the absence of Australian speedster Brett Lee, who is set to miss most part of the league due to national commitments, would not be felt.

“We have Burt Cockley, a young Australian who can bowl at 140 kmph. He will be our mainstay in the fast bowling department. We have a lot of aces up our sleeves,” the Bollywood actress said.

“Lee is available (for part of the tournament). We have to go there and see what is the best balance,” he said.

Yuvraj also revealed that he went through an emotional turmoil during the first one-day International on the recent tour of New Zealand.

The Punjab player said that the news of the terrorists’ attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers on March 3 in Lahore while he was at the crease in Napier, had left him a shaken man.

“I was batting with Mahendra Singh Dhoni when one of our teammates passed on the news. My hands started shaking and I couldn’t bat,” Yuvraj said.

Yuvraj was run out for two in that match. The impact of the terror attack, however, would remain a conjecture.

The Kings XI Punjab captain would meet the Lankan cricketers for the first time after the attack when he flies to South Africa to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) next week. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, two of the players who were wounded in the attack, are the Yuvraj’s teammates in the Mohali-based side.

“I had spoken to Sangakkara and Mahela (Jayawardene) after the match. Thankfully, they were safe. I am looking forward to playing with them,” the middle order batsman said.

[credit : http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090412/jsp/sports/story_10809302.jsp]

Abdullah joins King's XI

King's XI Punjab have strengthened their squad for the 2009 Indian Premier League season with the signing of Yusuf Abdullah.

The left-arm seamer made his international Twenty20 debut for South Africa against Australia last month, claiming 1-16.

He has been drafted in by the King's XI to replace the West Indies' Jerome Taylor, who has had to withdraw due to injuries sustained in a car accident.

"I got a call from Tom Moody (Punjab coach) the day after my debut asking if I was interested," Abdullah said.

Opportunity

"I'm quite excited about the upcoming challenge. The IPL is in town and this is a good opportunity for me, hopefully I can do well.

"I'm familiar with the wickets, and that can play to my advantage."

Abdullah, who plays his domestic cricket for the Dolphins, was on the final IPL shortlist earlier this year but was not signed by any team.

"He's a talented bowler, and it was a good opportunity for us to get some local talent into our squad," Punjab assistant coach, Dave Nosworthy, said.

"It's exciting to have the IPL in the country, and hopefully we'll perform to our capabilities and keep the crowds entertained."

[credit : http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,15815_5153221,00.html]

IPL might get bigger : Preity Zinta

Preity Zinta, who co-owns Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kings XI Punjab, says the Twenty20 tournament moving to South Africa is like "asking Preity Zinta an actor to perform in a theatre where nobody knows her", but the Bollywood star also hopes the shift helps in making the event bigger.

"The option was to either have it outside India or not at all. No one is happy to shift from home ground. That thrill of playing across our own country at domestic tournaments is gone. Going to various cities with the matches is a high," Preity told IANS in an interview.

"But we've to be optimistic. Last year when the IPL started everyone thought it would flop. It became the biggest hit ever. Likewise, the shift to South Africa could make the IPL bigger," she said on a positive note.

The actress is a little upset that the IPL crisis coincided with the release of her film "Videsh - Heaven On Earth" in India.

"The timing of the IPL crisis was unfortunate. My most challenging film 'Heaven On Earth' is on release. I'd have liked more time nurturing it. You know I did 'Heaven On Earth' for myself... I just needed to connect more with my inner self. This film made me do that," said Preity.

Excerpts from the interview with IANS:

Was it a shock to you when the IPL was relocated to South Africa?

The option was to either have it outside India or not at all. No one is happy to shift from home ground. That thrill of playing across our own country at domestic tournaments is gone. Going to various cities with the matches is a high. However, people can still watch it on TV. That's still there.

But an Indian event shifted to South Africa?

I know. But we've to be optimistic. Last year when the IPL started everyone thought it would flop. It became the biggest hit ever. Likewise the shift to South Africa could make the IPL bigger. What else can I do except be hopeful?

But it's being translocated to a new culture and environment?

Of course, it is! But what can we do? I've always believed whatever happens in life happens for the best. The timing of the IPL crisis was unfortunate. My most challenging film, 'Heaven On Earth', is on release. I'd have liked more time nurturing it. You know I did 'Heaven On Earth' for myself. Lots of times I've done things for this reason and that. But this time it was entirely for me. I just needed to connect more with my inner self. This film made me do that.

Tell me about your preparation for the role.

I've worked quite a lot with battered women. I've studied so many kinds of mental disorders. Domestic violence comes much after other forms of disorder. Every scene in 'Heaven On Earth' rings true. I had a hundred notions on how to play the role. But when I met abused women I decided it has to be very real. I'm very proud of it. Let's see how audiences in India react.

So the IPL moving out of India is like uprooting a national event?

Exactly. It's like asking an actor to perform in a theatre where nobody knows
him. But we'll make sure that the quality and profile of the game don't change. Only two percent of the audience watches the game in a stadium. Most of them watch the game on television.

But there's that vibe when the game happens on home ground. That spirit can't be captured anywhere. Having said that I don't want to sound whiny and petty. I want to thank South Africa for agreeing to host the IPL games. They've gone out of their way to accommodate us, flung their fields open to us. I think South Africa will make a beautiful home for the games.

Wasn't the choice between South Africa and England?

Yes, there were several options. But it finally came down to choosing between those two countries. We didn't want to go into a place where there was too much rain. I think South Africa will be fun. Who knows, they might even allow me to play. That's my secret fantasy. Miracles do happen, you know.

Is it just elections that ousted IPL from India. Or was there a security scare after what happened to the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan?

I refuse to believe India is scared about the security. Does the country shut down because we can't get enough security? I think we need to vote even more carefully. We must put proper people in places of power. I don't think we should vote for anyone who has got criminal records. See their track records and then vote.

How will you be ready with the IPL in South Africa in time?

We Indians don't only exist in chaos. We thrive in it. Even last year when IPL happened for the first time we grappled with all odds. I know I'm going to have sleepless nights. But that's a different story. I can't pretend I'm not disappointed by the relocation. But South Africa is a terrific country.

I'll have lots to do besides cricket. In Punjab it was difficult for me to move out. Preity Zinta will have a blast shopping in South Africa. Preity Zinta, the team owner, is worried. We've no players from South Africa. Neither does Shah Rukh (Khan).

Are the boys demoralized by the relocation?

Their choice was between no IPL and IPL in South Africa.

[Credit : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bollywood/IPL-might-get-bigger-Preity/articleshow/4330193.cms]