Fans vote for 'Fake IPL Player' identity

Even as the general elections head towards a climax, there's another poll unfolding — in cyberspace.

Between Saturday and Monday evening, nearly 29,000 readers of fakeiplplayer.blogspot.com — an Indian Premier League (IPL)-related blog that has spawned a cult following within the country and the Indian diaspora — have cast their vote to decide whether the mystery writer should reveal his identity or not.

The unknown blogger may not have turned out even once for his Kolkata Knight Riders team owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan, his rib-tickling posts have endeared him to thousands of fans, and attracted coverage by prestigious newspapers such as Britain's The Telegraph and The Independent.

"You rock, dude", is one of the most common refrains among fans, an overwhelming bulk of whom now wants to know who the cricketer-writer is, or if he is a cricketer in the first place, given his "mastery" over the English language.

Interestingly, the poll process has been initiated by the blogger himself, who goes by the moniker FIP (Fake IPL Player) and describes himself as a no-hope bench-warmer in a team that is at the bottom of the IPL heap with three measly points from 10 outings.

The voting follows a May 9 post headlined "It's decision time folks", where FIP wrote: "I had mentioned (in an earlier piece) about my decision to reveal my identity at the end of IPL... Whether FIP's identity should be disclosed or not, or how it should be taken forward, is as much as your decision as mine. I am putting up a poll on the right side. Pls take a few seconds to make your decision."

Alongside the post, FIP put up six categories, against any of which the blog's fans are required to mark their votes:

Yes, stick to your word man (to reveal his identity)

Yes, I'd like to see your a** kicked

No, let it (identity) remain a mystery

No, I fear for your safety

No, I want this to continue

Who cares a f***?

Till a little before 8 p.m. on Monday, nearly 19,000 blog fans or 64 per cent of the total "voters" till then had plugged for the faceless writer's identity to be revealed.

Wrote a fan under the pseudonym "Anonymous", echoing thousands of others: "of course! want your identity to be revealed. be a sport man! ppl wl love u all the more!"

There are others who noted his "celeb status", and advised him to hire a consultant to guide his career post-cricket, while another — clearly a die hard groupie — appeals rather plaintively: "If you reveal your identity and get your a** kicked, how can you do this next year?"

The popularity of the posts, most of which have attracted over 500 comments, stem from FIP's wicked wit, tongue-in-cheek sexual innuendoes, juicy details of players' drinking binges or womanising, and outrageous nicknames for fellow cricketers, the support staff, team owners including Shah Rukh, and IPL bosses and commentators.

Wrote he after a particularly humiliating loss that fuelled talks of staff sackings: "While our fielding coach was busy browsing naukri.com, our Throwing Coach accusingly glared at our wicketkeeping coach every time Skipper and Buddhiman Baba (Brendon McCullum and Wriddhiman Saha, both wicketkeepers) had their slip-ups in the outfield."

Then, not contented with taking a dig at these two coaches, FIP went for chief coach John Buchanan, referred to as "Bhookha Naan" in the blog: "I am waiting for the day Bhookha blames global warming for our performance."

Understandably, FIP's team management is livid, but the readers find the blog "awesome". Little wonder that the online edition of Britain's Telegraph newspaper ran a story under the headline "Fake IPL Player lights up Kolkata Knight Riders camp in South Africa".

And light up it has, and promises to do so for at least four more days —when polling ends.

[the orginal article was orginally published at http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200905121411.htm]

IPL boss Lalit Modi, must explain trip abroad

An Indian court has ordered Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi to explain why he has left the country without its permission.

Mr Modi, who is accused of cheating and forgery, is on bail. He is in South Africa for the IPL's second tournament.

He denies charges that he failed to give money to victims of last year's Jaipur bomb blasts as promised.

The IPL was moved to South Africa for security reasons because its timing clashed with India's general elections.

Mr Modi says a large part of the promised $1.18m has already been given to the government and that only a small amount remains to be paid.

Controversial

Justice SP Pathak of Rajasthan High Court asked Mr Modi why his bail should not be cancelled.

According to the complaint filed by a Rajasthan-based group, Nagrik Morcha, Mr Modi promised the money to then Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje for the victims of last May's Jaipur blasts. The group, which is opposed to Mr Modi, says the entire amount was never deposited.

Mr Modi's lawyer had argued in court that more than $1m had already been deposited with the government.

The court gave bail to Mr Modi on the condition that he would not leave India without prior permission.

Mr Modi is a deeply ambitious, colourful and controversial character who is known for his brashness.

He moved the star-studded, multimillion-dollar IPL's second season to South Africa after concerns over security in India, because of a clash of dates with the general elections.

[the article was originally published at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8016272.stm]

IPL and South Africa defuse stadium suite row

The Indian Premier League has reached a compromise with South African cricket provinces over the allocation of corporate suites, ending a row which threatened the tournament. Indian officials originally demanded full control of hospitality boxes at every match to accommodate special guests as a non-negotiable requirement of host stadiums. In return for surrendering boxes, suiteholders were promised free stand tickets, food and beverages for every IPL match at their stadium, but the offer was rejected with some threatening to lock their suites. However, Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola claimed today that parties have found a resolution. "We've come to some sort of an agreement," he confirmed. "We're close to finalising the details and confident that everything is going to run smoothly." Majola declined to reveal full details, saying his organization would do so in a statement to be released tomorrow.

[credit : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ipl-and-south-africa-defuse-stadium-suite-row/446815]

2009 IPL Venue Guide

Newlands, Cape Town
Capacity: 25000
England have Lord's, Australia have the MCG, India have Eden Gardens and South Africa have Newlands. It could be the location, or perhaps the backdrop of Table Mountain, maybe it's the Oak trees or the brewery next door, but Newlands has that special something.

References to 'The New Lands' date back to early colonial maps in 1656 and 1661 when the Dutch deleted settlement located at today's Cape Town city centre literally spread out into new lands where the current suburb of Newlands is located.

Over the past five years numerous changes have been made to the ground - large portions of the grass embankments have been replaced by pavilions, increasing the seating capacity. This has slightly taken away from its former splendour, but the view remains and renovations to the outfield done last year should improve the playing surface.

Malcolm Speed, former ICC CEO and gardener extraordinaire, says of the ground: "Cape Town is my favourite city in South Africa. The Newlands Cricket ground, sitting at the foot of Table Mountain, is a world cricket icon."

Kingsmead, Durban
Capacity: 25000
Kingsmead is located in the humid city of Durban - home to six kilometres of wonderful sandy beaches, which attract plenty of surfers.

The ground used to be the venue for the Boxing Day Test, but the powers-that-be decided to move it to Port Elizabeth because of a drop in spectator numbers - most of them were probably on the beaches or just suffering from Christmas Day hangovers, and who can blame them?

The ground occupies a special place in South African cricket history - Graeme Pollock scored the last of his seven Test centuries here, an epic 274 that inspired a crushing innings and 100-plus run thumping of the Australians.

Of course Gary Kirsten went one better than Pollock in 1999 when he equalled Darryl Cullinan's South African record Test score of 275 against England.

Kingsmead also hosted the timeless Test against England in 1939. The match lasted from March 3-13 and was only called off over fears that the English players would miss their ship home.

Groundsman Wilson Ngobese caused a major stir in 2006 when he attempted to repair a damaged area of the pitch by hammering a dry piece of bulli into a small hole that had appeared in an area comfortably outside the line bowled to either right or left handers. This, according to the laws of the game, is illegal.

The Wanderers, Johannesburg
Capacity: 34000
The New Wanderers ground, situated in Illovo, Johannesburg, became the third cricket venue in the city after the Old Wanderers Stadium and Ellis Park (which serves as the city's main rugby union stadium).

The ground was completely redeveloped following South Africa's readmission to international cricket in 1991 and further renovated for the 2003 World Cup, when it played host to the final between Australia and India.

Known as 'The Bullring' for its rotund design and intimidating atmosphere, the Wanderers is part of a greater sporting complex that is steeped in history, although the clubhouse was recently rebuilt after being gutted by fire in 2004.

The new clubhouse is similar in design to the original and contains an excellent stash of memorabilia, while the bar offers some of the cheapest drinks you'll find.

The ground sports an archetypal South African wicket - hard and dry with plenty of bounce - which often provides lots of seam movement up front.

But while the Wanderers is often generous to seamers, the wicket can also be a great batting strip. Undeniable proof of this came in March 2006 when the ground played host to the most remarkable one-day international game in history, as South Africa successfully chased down Australia's world record total of 434 for four.

SuperSport Park, Centurion
Capacity: 20000
One of the more fledgling stadiums in South Africa, it has been described by numerous skippers as "one of the grounds with the best players' facilities in the world".

A vast majority of the ground is covered with grass embankments for family-friendly spectatorship, occasionally broken by more structured seating area mainly made up of a pavilion at the North end. Beach Cabana-type chalets have been built looking down on the grass area for the more corporate-inclined viewers out there.

Known for being one of the faster pitches in the South Africa, it also furnishes plenty for batsmen partial to the quicker stuff. It has never been seen as turn-friendly, with numerous would-be spinners having to chase leather all over the park.

Says former South African coach Ray Jennings: "It's no ordinary ground. The wicket changes character. That obviously plays on their minds, especially if they've not played at Centurion much before. That's a clear advantage South Africans have there."

It is rated one of the 10 best grounds in the world by Indian legend Kapil Dev and usually provides the canvas for a humdinger contest between bat and ball.

St George's Park, Port Elizabeth
Capacity: 19000
St George's Park is located right in the heart of the Eastern Cape's 'Friendly City', which also goes by the name of 'The Windy City' because of the blustery conditions.

Situated a stone's throw from the Eastern Cape's beautiful beaches, the ground symbolically occupies the central park. The ground is also famous for its brass band, which dates back as far as 1867.

Lesser known interesting facts about St George's Park include: it was the venue for the first Test to be played outside of England or Australia, the ground hosted the first women's international Test, it staged the last Test before South Africa's expulsion from world cricket, South Africa won their first ever Test series win against Australia here, the first Rebel Test was hosted here.

Buffalo Park, East London
Capacity: 15000
The home of Border cricket hosts limited stands but adequate player facilities. Buffalo Park has night cricket lights. It is in the process of long-term development, but remains remarkably picturesque.

OUTsurance Oval, Bloemfontein
Capacity: 20000
Formerly known as Goodyear Park and Springbok Park, it is a well-designed venue incorporating a couple of hefty stands and plenty of grass-laden banks.

The ground hosted its first ODI in December 1992 when South Africa breezed through an eight-wicket win over India.

It boasts top-flight lights and when the grassy banks become colourfully filled with fans, a carnival atmosphere prevails. The OUTsurance Oval is a mere 10-minute walk from the hub of Bloemfontein.

De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley
Capacity: 11000
The venue has two ends which unimaginatively go by the names of North and South stand and boasts plenty of grass embankments.

England seamer Mark Ealham once managed figures of five for 15 in 10 overs against Zimbabwe at the turn of the century.

The ground hosted three matches during the 2003 Cricket World Cup and was formerly known as the De Beers Country Club and the Kimberley Country Club.

[credit : http://www.cricket365.com/story/0,18305,6575_5182612,00.html]

Venkatesh Prasad hoping to ‘study’ foreign players during IPL

New Delhi, April 12: India’s bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad believes that the upcoming IPL Twenty20 tournament in South Africa will present an opportunity for him and the Indian team members to study and decipher the technique of foreign players, which will help strengthen India’s chances in the Twenty20 World Cup to be held later this year in England.

"Most of the international players will look to use the IPL as a launchpad for the World Twenty20 and you have to be smart here. It`s all about how much of information you want to share and how much information you can gain from others. I am sure there will be a lot of people who would like to know a lot about the Indian team. So I need to be very clear about how much of information I would like to share with others, even if they are from your own IPL team,” Prasad told a cricket website.

"At the same time, I would like to pick the brains of players like Freddie Flintoff, Ntini, Morkel or even Stephen Fleming (Chennai`s head coach) in terms of how the New Zealand guys go about their business in a Twenty20 situation," the former Indian bowler added.

Prasad also said that the conditions this time around will be different than last year and it would be interesting to see how the foreign coaches cope up with the challenge.

"I really don`t know if the domestic players would be able to understand what the foreign coaches are saying. I am not very sure about that. I am not criticising anybody here. But the fact is the way we play our cricket is completely different. So I don`t know how coaches who don`t know how we play our cricket are going to manage.”

"In India, the whole approach is slightly different; for instance, we use much more of our wrists than anybody else, we play more by instinct. We take most of our decisions out there (on the field). You might have a plan, but you also need to go out there and use your mind in terms of assessing the situation and dealing with it," he said.

[credit : http://cricket.zeenews.com/fullstory.aspx?nid=19374]

Moles looking forward to Bond's return

New Zealand cricket team coach Andy Moles says that he is looking forward to strike bowler Shane Bond’s return to international cricket after he quits the unsanctioned ICL Twenty20 competition.

Bond has indicated that he plans to play a full season for Canterbury in 2009-10, not simply the limited overs competitions. And if the cash-strapped ICL folds he would again be available for international selection a year after cutting his ties with New Zealand Cricket.

Bond was barred from playing for New Zealand when he chose the `rebel' ICL over the International Cricket Council (ICC) endorsed Indian Premier League (IPL).

The 33-year-old played the last of his 67 One-Day internationals at the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

The ICL cancelled its most recent tournament while there have been reports of players being offered a release from their contracts.

Marquee players like Bond have not been paid for more than a year.

Should the ICL continue there is a possibility it may be sanctioned by the ICC board at its meeting in Dubai on April 21, removing another obstacle to a Bond comeback.

"If he was available I'm sure the selectors would look favourably because he gives us that extra pace," the NZPA quoted Moles, as saying on Wednesday.

Another ICL-aligned former international, Daryl Tuffey, who took 23 first-class wickets at an average of 18.91 for Auckland this season ahead of the State Championship final, also interested Moles.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan welcomed the prospect of ICL players eventually being welcomed back to the fold.

"You want your national team to include the very best players and I think it's quite clear we haven''t been able to do that in recent times," he said.

Bond played the last of his 17 tests against South Africa in Johannesburg in November 2007.

[credit : http://cricketnext.in.com/news/moles-looking-forward-to-bonds-return/39788-13.html]

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]

There will be no woman around in IPL 2: Shonali Nagrani

Shonali Nagrani who last year anchored IPL season 1, will not be seen this time. “There will be no woman around, ” she said sadly.

This sexy model (Runner up Miss India 2003) has always been associated with cricket on Max. “I was there for the Champions Trophy (2006), World Cup (2007) and IPL first season. I just love this gentleman’s game", she gushes.

So will the absence of woman anchors affect this year’s IPL South African Safari? “It may, for woman on field add a flavor of colour to the proceedings, which anyways is already full of men.” She also felt that having matches at 4 pm will a hurt viewer ship, “as most people will be away at work.”

On IPL craze she says, “Its hit because players from different international teams get a chance to play together. And moreover as the matches are of a shorter duration, you can even party later on.”

If not cricket, Shonali is busy doing a reality show, “I am sorry, I can’t talk about it. But I will watch a few IPL 2 matches as I will be in that part of the world at the same time for something else.” Is it Fear factor 2? “I can’t talk about it.”

Besides anchoring (Salaam-e-Ishq and Great Indian Laughter Challenge) and hosting live shows, Shonali would not mind trying her hand at Bollywood at a later stage, "But I would never do fiction on TV as it takes away all your time.

I need to do other things in life as well. Agreed fiction pay’s more, but then you don’t even get the time to spend that money, " she reasons.

[Credit : http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=27199]

IPL clash resolved, Comrades to go ahead

With the 2009 Indian Premier League programme finally resolved and the fact that Sahara Stadium Kingsmead will not host a semi-final, the Comrades Marathon will go ahead on the stipulated date of May 24.

The two semi-finals will be stage on the Reef - SuperSport Park will be the venue for the first semi-final on May 22 while the Wanderers will host the second semi-final and the final on May 23 and May 24 respectively.

However Durban's world famous cricket venue will host 16 matches of the 59-game programme which will take the eight-team event to places such as Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, East London, Kimberley, Bloemfontein and Pretoria.

Though KwaZulu-Natal would have loved to have staged a semi-final they are not unhappy as they have 16 plum games at their home.

Now that it has been confirmed there's no semi-final the issue surrounding the running of the 2009 Comrades Marathon has been resolved.

"We have come to an agreement with the Comrades Marathon Association that they can have Kingsmead from May 21 onwards for their building process for the finish of the 2009 Comrades," said Cassim Docrat, chief executive of KwaZulu-Natal Cricket who held a meeting with the CMA at the weekend.

Normally the CMA would take three weeks to set up the finish area but with the last IPL match at the home of cricket being staged on May 20, KwaZulu-Natal have decided to allow the CMA to take over the venue as soon as the final ball has been bowled.

Docrat said that in future Sahara Stadium would not be hired out for a three-week period ahead of the race.

Dave Dixon, chairman of CMA, did not respond to telephone calls after the agreement between his organisation and KwaZulu-Natal Cricket.

'We will have to follow the guidelines laid down by the event co-ordinator'
Meanwhile all eight chief executive officers of the venues staging the 2009 IPL have been called to a meeting in Johannesburg on Monday to discuss the way forward for the megabucks event which will inject a huge amount of money into the South African economy over the next five to six weeks.

The cost of staging a single game at any one of the stadia around the country is expected to be R300000-800000, according to officials and each union staging the event is likely to make R125000-200000 a game.

Docrat said: "We have been asked to go to Johannesburg where we will be told how the entire IPL event will be staged in this country. I believe we cannot, as a host union, do anything we want to do while the IPL is being staged here. We will have to follow the guidelines laid down by the event co-ordinator, IMG."

Docrat said each centre would have a co-ordinator posted to the eight venues.

[credit : http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=17&art_id=vn20090330121137693C885634]

"I've learnt a lot from Jade Goody " - Shilpa Shetty

JOHANNESBURG: Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty says she has "learnt a lot" from her former "Celebrity Big Brother" housemate Jade Goody who died
of cancer March 22.

"Two years ago we were bickering and fighting on television and now when I look back it all seems so futile because she's not even there," Shilpa told www.thetimes.co.za. here when asked how she felt about Goody's death.

"Life is so unpredictable, may her soul rest in peace. I have no grudges, we patched up and became great friends," added the winner of the British reality TV show.

At the time of Shilpa's win, many had said it was because she had won sympathy from voters after being seen as the victim of alleged racism.

In the video interview to the South African website, Shilpa also spoke about her impatience with long cricket games and being stopped at an Indian airport because there was a criminal charge against her pending for kissing Hollywood star Richard Gere in public.

"The funniest thing was, I was leaving the country and they stopped me at the Indian airport because I had a criminal case! I don't want to give it too much importance. It's still pending. There are so many cases it takes time for the case to be heard," she said

Calling the pending case in a Rajasthan court the work of "a lunatic fringe", the actress said Gere would still be her first choice as co-star if she had to choose someone from Hollywood. "I've always liked Richard (Gere). I like him more as a person. I'd take his name first."

The actress was here over the weekend to support her Rajasthan Royals team for the Indian Premier League (IPL) which starts in South Africa April 18.

Refusing to name a favourite player, Shilpa said: "Whoever makes the most runs and gets the most wickets for the Rajasthan Royals becomes my favourite player. It gives them some incentive!"

Admitting to being a huge fan of Twenty20 cricket, Shilpa said she had never had the patience to watch a whole match.

"I've always been a very impatient person so even when I'm reading a book I always read the last chapters and the same with cricket, I always watch the last 20 overs."

[Credit : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ET-Cetera/Ive-learnt-a-lot-from-Jade-Goody/articleshow/4337934.cms]

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]

Mohali teams fans, can chat with IPL players online

VADODARA: Fans of Team Mohali will be able to interact with their favourite cricketers during the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) next month. The team management has decided to allow the players of Team Mohali to chat online with their fans. It is probably the only team that has decided to allow the players' interaction with the fans online.

The players will be able to login on the team's website and chat with the fans an hour after the match is over.

"It is an innovative and exciting idea and I am looking forward to chat with my fans online. I have never interacted with cricket fans online and this is a great opportunity for me," said Irfan Pathan, who plays for Team Mohali.

"Such interactions will help us know the views and ideas of our fans. Many cricket followers want to ask lot of questions to the players and such chatting will help us connect with them," Irfan added.

The chatting facility is also expected to help cricketers, who will be playing in South Africa, connect with their fans back home. The Team Mohali players will also be allowed to post blogs on the team website wherein they will express their views on several aspects of cricket.

[credit : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Vadodara/Team-Mohali-fans-can-chat-with-IPL-players-online/articleshow/4331537.cms]

Kingfisher most likely to be the official partner for IPL - 2

Industry sources told Business Line, “Kingfisher Airlines was the official partner for IPL last year. And this time around too, it is almost imminent that Kingfisher will be the official carrier.”

While the Bangalore-based airline does not fly to South Africa, the details are being worked out on the arrangements it will make to ferry people there.

No domestic airline from India flies to South Africa. However, it being domestic league some enquiries have been made with certain Indian carriers. “Jet Airways has received initial queries about operating charters to South Africa for the IPL season 2. However, at this point in time, we cannot confirm anything,” said a statement from the Mr Naresh Goyal-owned carrier.

Among foreign carriers too, only South African Airways has direct flights. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Egypt Air also fly to South Africa from India, but via different routes.

Apart from being the official airline in IPL season 1, Kingfisher Airlines had also bagged the rights for being the Official Umpire Partner for the league and sponsored all third umpire decisions during the 59 matches. The umpire partnership deal was worth Rs 106 crore for a five-year period.

Mr Mallya also owns one of the IPL franchises called Royal Challengers Bangalore through his flagship firm UB Group.

[credit : http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3155556]

England loses the IPL race to South Africa?

NEW DELHI: The moment Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi switched his travel plans to go Johannesburg instead of London, it was evident where the second edition of the Twenty20 cricket tournament is headed.

Modi dropped enough hints in his now famous late night exclusive interviews to Indian television channels to suit the prime time overseas, that South Africa is his preference, the fickle late winter weather ruling England out.

He said the organisers needed to take the weather pattern into account besides other factors like the April 26 London marathon which could make getting rooms extremely difficult. And then there is the English County season and the Test and One-day series against the West Indies.

Modi had made it clear that South Africa is a more attractive proposition what with their domestic season ending before the IPL gets underway. In England, some key venues will not be available for the IPL games without disrupting their domestic programme.

Moreover, South Africa is closer to India and that would give a time advantage over England.

Importantly, in this time of recession, the cost of holding the tournament will be cheaper in South Africa than in England, though the overall expenses will go a manifold because of the switch from India.

The other vexed problem for the organisers was the TV rights issue. In South Africa, Supersport has the rights to the IPL as well as all international cricket played in the country whereas in England Setanta holds the IPL rights and Sky Sports the international rights. Sky will have to telecast the England-West Indies series when the IPL would be on.

Simply put, South Africa has good stadiums, impeccable facilities and perfect weather to boot. Of course, the presence of Indian diaspora will be as good as it is in England and they all enjoy the shortest version of the game as seen in the Twenty20 World Championship two years ago.

Let warm Durban host IPL final

JOHANNESBURG: Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock on Wednesday said Durban should host the final and semi-final matches of the Indian Premier League because of the favourable weather conditions in the city.

"Durban is the only city in the country with the warm weather to make it feasible to hold matches that deep into winter," Pollock said.

Pollock, adviser to the Mumbai Indians franchise, though was apprehensive how local fans would connect with the teams.

"Our fans may struggle initially to identify with teams. In that respect, it would have been better to have franchises based in particular cities to give people time to get to know 'their' team," he said.

The tournament will see 59 matches being played in five weeks, which Pollock said would be very demanding from players, who will shuttle between six different venues.

"It will also mean, with 25 players per franchise, that guys will lead a nomadic life on the road, unable to leave their stuff at their base camp," Pollock said.

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IPL ?? It’s action time at Napier

Oh, by the way, lest we forget, the Indian cricket team is currently in New Zealand for a Test series with the second of the three-match rubber commencing at Napier on Thursday! Jokes apart, the IPL has been hogging the limelight following the shift to South Africa, relegating Dhoni’s men to the background. India’s wonderful performance in the first Test that they won by 10 wickets has been overshadowed by the hoopla over IPL 2009.

Our cricketers must have heaved a huge sigh of relief when the IPL was rescheduled to start on April 18 that will provide them a few days to recover at home on their return from New Zealand before flying out to South Africa. Going into the second Test, it is to be hoped that the Indian players are not distracted by the IPL that follows a 45-day tour of New Zealand.

Honestly, I was glad that South Africa was chosen ahead of England, and to an extent, not surprised at all. More than the weather factor, it would have been an overkill of T20 cricket had England been the venue. With T20 World Cup scheduled to start within a week after the IPL and again, in England, it would have led to the dilution of the Cup.

As it is, there is far too much cricket being played to an extent that performances are quickly forgotten, victories are not savoured and there is no time for post-mortem of defeats. It is time that the ICC’s programme committee took a step back and put an end to this madness of non-stop cricket. But I wonder whether the authorities give a tuppence for such thoughts when the cash registers are ringing.

Be that as it may and reverting to the New Zealand tour, I am sure Dhoni would be keen on wrapping up the series – another historic achievement it would be – and to this end, might be reluctant to disturb the winning combination that had performed creditably in the first Test.

Going by reports, the Indian team is definitely enjoying itself with some well-planned rest day activities devised to keep them fresh in body and mind. The bounce and confidence that the team is radiating do not bode well for the Kiwis who can expect to be rolled over at Napier.

Barring Vettori, McCullum and to a lesser extent Ryder, the New Zealand side appears a patched up combination lacking in quality and the intensity that is needed to sustain high levels of performance over five days. It would seem that the Kiwis are far too much in awe of the Indians. New Zealand would have to play out of their skins to come back into the series, a task that appears hopelessly beyond them.

India’s main concern should be complacency, something they need to guard against. Cricket, besides being a great leveler, can be a cruel sport to those who believe they have everything sewn up. Although it is difficult to visualize a Kiwi resurgence, you cannot take anything for granted in cricket. In the event, the Indians would be better off by keeping it tight and going in for the kill at Napier.

The Kiwis have been hinting at a “green top” for the second Test in an effort to provide some assistance to their bowlers, but it could boomerang on them given the Indian seam attack. Zaheer and Ishant are undoubtedly the best new ball pair in world cricket at the moment and if the third seamer, Munaf or Balaji, gets going, then we could well witness a repeat of the Hamilton Test.

The series has turned out to be anything but a close contest with India the better side in every department. Kiwis have been not just outplayed, but also outclassed. We could well look forward to another Indian win at Napier if form book remains unchanged.

India are on a roll and the momentum is very much with them. The Kiwis better watch out!

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