Indian Premier League (IPL) organisers on Thursday stated that there is no threat to the Twenty20 tournament in Jaipur as security concerns of the Australian players, shaken up by the serial bomb blasts in the city, have been addressed.
IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi said the apprehensions of overseas players in the Rajasthan Royals, including captain Shane Warne, over security in Jaipur after the serial blasts were explained to them and they have decided to return to the pink city from their holiday in Goa.
The Australian media reported that Shane Warne, co-patriot Shane Watson and South Africa captain Graeme Smith were terrified by the Jaipur blasts and may return home.
"They (players) were little perturbed. They were not clear of the actual situation on the ground. Their understanding was based on media reports. But now we have told them about the security arrangements and they are happy with the steps IPL has taken," Modi said.
Modi said that heightened security measures would be in place at the Sawai Mansingh stadium during IPL matches. Rajasthan Royals will take on Bangalore Royal Challengers on Saturday, three days after serial blasts rocked the city killing over 90 people and injuring close to two hundred.
"No bags, bottles and lighters will be allowed into the stadium. Everybody will be frisked while entering in, and going leaving the stadium. The players will be completely cordoned off, and nobody will have access to them," Modi said.
The players said they would not return to Jaipur unless they received absolute guarantees about their safety and security and are even contemplating returning home.
"We wouldn't be moving until we had absolute guarantees, written guarantees from heads of (these) states and from heads of security," manager of Rajasthan Royals, Darren Berry told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
"There was a real option of getting on the plane and getting out of here. It is terrifying. To think I was standing in the exact location the bombs went off only two days ago ... it was a couple of kilometres from the team hotel. The whole country has gone into lockdown," the Australian was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald.
"These games are getting big crowds. People over here tell me this has nothing to do with cricket, it is political ... but if some people are prepared to cause this type of damage, detonating bombs in peak-hour to harm the most number of people possible ... 50,000 people come to the stadium to watch the games," Berry said.
Modi said that the players are on way to Jaipur.
"All Australian players will play on Saturday are they returning back (from Goa). They are comfortable with the security arrangements."
In Japiur, IPL chief executive Fraser Castelino said that 'security is a concern' but government is leaving no stone unturned to see that everything falls in place.
"We are closely working with the IPL and the state government. They have ensured us that security arrangements will be tight. All steps are being taken to see the safety of the players and to ensure that there is no untoward incident. Sniffer dogs, bomb squad will be used during the matches."
- Indo-Asian News Service
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Dravid, Charu ignored players I wanted says Vijay Mallya
The internal bickering of the Bangalore Royal Challengers is out in the open with team owner Vijay Mallya revealing that he was at loggerheads with captain Rahul Dravid and the outfit's sacked CEO Charu Sharma over players' selection for the Indian Premier League.
Mallya made it clear that he was not happy with the squad, currently languishing at the bottom of the IPL points table, which has been ridiculed as a Test team in Twenty20 jersey.
The liquor baron said he had some players in mind but Dravid and Sharma completely ignored them and went ahead with their own plan.
"I had my own list (of players) but the fact is Rahul Dravid and Charu Sharma had their own list and at the end of the day, I decided to take the back seat," Mallya told a news channel.
"I was very tempted to bid for players whom I wanted but they held me back. Obviously things have turned out differently," he said.
He said Sharma backed Dravid to the hilt and even in the second auction, where the captain was not present, the former CEO discouraged Mallya to buy players of his choice.
"When Rahul Dravid was not present in the second auction, I wanted to acquire some players but Charu Sharma was very tentative about them. I mean I bought Misbah-ul Haq because I was determined to do it. There were other players I was discouraged about," Mallya said.
On sacking Sharma and replacing him with former Test player Brijesh Patel, Mallya said, "Charu Sharma was appointed CEO because I thought he understood cricket and he would add value to the team and the entire Royal Challengers initiative."
Mallya said Patel's appointment was necessitated because he was tired of complaints that the team did not have good practice facilities in its base in Bangalore.
"When I was questioning the performance of the team, all I was told was that practice facilities are bad, then I was told there was no bonding in the team...so everything was blamed on a particular event or lack of infrastructure."
"So I said to myself things can't continue like this and I brought Brijesh Patel. He is the honourable secretary of the KSCA (Karnataka State Cricket Association) and who better a person to provide match facilities and whatever else the team needs at its base in Bangalore. He understands cricket as well," Mallya explained.
The flamboyant liquor-baron also made it clear that IPL had an unmistakable corporate face, which makes it evidently distinct from other tournaments.
"At the end of the day, people need to understand that the IPL has a corporate side to it, and a very definitive corporate side. It is not at all cricket in the traditional sense," he added.
Now that the team's semifinal hopes have gone up in smoke, Mallya expects Dravid and his teammates to win a few matches to salvage some pride.
"I want from Rahul Dravid to do the best for the team and to produce some good results for us because I don't think Rahul Dravid enjoys being at the bottom of the league tables, and certainly I don't." Mallya added.
-press trust of india
Mallya made it clear that he was not happy with the squad, currently languishing at the bottom of the IPL points table, which has been ridiculed as a Test team in Twenty20 jersey.
The liquor baron said he had some players in mind but Dravid and Sharma completely ignored them and went ahead with their own plan.
"I had my own list (of players) but the fact is Rahul Dravid and Charu Sharma had their own list and at the end of the day, I decided to take the back seat," Mallya told a news channel.
"I was very tempted to bid for players whom I wanted but they held me back. Obviously things have turned out differently," he said.
He said Sharma backed Dravid to the hilt and even in the second auction, where the captain was not present, the former CEO discouraged Mallya to buy players of his choice.
"When Rahul Dravid was not present in the second auction, I wanted to acquire some players but Charu Sharma was very tentative about them. I mean I bought Misbah-ul Haq because I was determined to do it. There were other players I was discouraged about," Mallya said.
On sacking Sharma and replacing him with former Test player Brijesh Patel, Mallya said, "Charu Sharma was appointed CEO because I thought he understood cricket and he would add value to the team and the entire Royal Challengers initiative."
Mallya said Patel's appointment was necessitated because he was tired of complaints that the team did not have good practice facilities in its base in Bangalore.
"When I was questioning the performance of the team, all I was told was that practice facilities are bad, then I was told there was no bonding in the team...so everything was blamed on a particular event or lack of infrastructure."
"So I said to myself things can't continue like this and I brought Brijesh Patel. He is the honourable secretary of the KSCA (Karnataka State Cricket Association) and who better a person to provide match facilities and whatever else the team needs at its base in Bangalore. He understands cricket as well," Mallya explained.
The flamboyant liquor-baron also made it clear that IPL had an unmistakable corporate face, which makes it evidently distinct from other tournaments.
"At the end of the day, people need to understand that the IPL has a corporate side to it, and a very definitive corporate side. It is not at all cricket in the traditional sense," he added.
Now that the team's semifinal hopes have gone up in smoke, Mallya expects Dravid and his teammates to win a few matches to salvage some pride.
"I want from Rahul Dravid to do the best for the team and to produce some good results for us because I don't think Rahul Dravid enjoys being at the bottom of the league tables, and certainly I don't." Mallya added.
-press trust of india
Kolkata fined USD 1000 for slow over rate
For their second successive Indian Premier League match, the Kolkata IPL team were fined for slow over-rate after the Sourav Ganguly-led squad was found two overs behind schedule in their Sunday night's tie against the Hyderabad team.
Match Referee Talat Ali of Pakistan fined Kolkata $1,000 for slow over rate in the match which they won beating their hosts at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium by 23 runs.
The IPL is being played as per the ICC Playing Conditions and Rules, and is set to follow the guidelines in letter and in spirit. Accordingly, any team found guilty of slow over rate is fined $500 per over by the Match Referee.
In their previous match too, the Kolkata outfit was fined $500 for slow over rate, while their opponents Bangalore Royal Challengers copped twice the amount.
Match Referee Talat Ali of Pakistan fined Kolkata $1,000 for slow over rate in the match which they won beating their hosts at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium by 23 runs.
The IPL is being played as per the ICC Playing Conditions and Rules, and is set to follow the guidelines in letter and in spirit. Accordingly, any team found guilty of slow over rate is fined $500 per over by the Match Referee.
In their previous match too, the Kolkata outfit was fined $500 for slow over rate, while their opponents Bangalore Royal Challengers copped twice the amount.
Harbhajan Singh Banned for 5 ODI's
The Indian cricket board has banned off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for five one-day internationals for slapping Sreesanth during an IPL match in Mohali.Speaking to ITGO, the Chief Administrative Officer, Ratnakar Shetty confirmed the decision. "He will not be able to play five one-day internationals." "We have also told him that if he does anything like this again, he may be banned for life."The disciplinary committee of the BCCI, led by its president Sharad Pawar, have found Bhajji guilty under the 3.1 level offence.
Under this provision, the maximum punishment that can be handed out to a player is either a five one-day international ban or a three Test match ban.This decision follows a day after the board-appointed Commissioner Sudhir Nanavati submitted a 14-page report on this issue to the board.Pawar and other members of the committee, president-elect Shashank Manohar and vice-president Chirayu Amin, met at the Cricket Centre to discuss Nanavati's report on the issue.Sharad Pawar said a copy of the report was given to Harbhajan Singh, who was heard by the committee before taking a final decision on the quantum of punishment.
Speaking about the ban imposed on Bhajji, former Indian cricket team member, Chetan Chauhan, told ITGO that this punishment was expected. "But Harbhajan has the right to appeal."Chauhan added, "The ban slapped on Harbhajan is harsh as he has already been punished by IPL for the whole tournament (11 matches) and has also been fined his IPL fees."Earlier, the player had apologised and admitted his guilt in this matter. He pleaded for leniency and assured the committee of a well-behaved conduct in the future.
"The player admitted his guilt in the concerned matter. He prayed for leniency and assured the committee that there would not be any misconduct on his part in the future," the board said.This ban means that Harbhajan will have to miss the tour of Bangladesh and two matches of Asia Cup in Pakistan. Sreesanth was also warned by the cricket board and asked to mend his ways on the field. "The disciplinary committee also considered Sreesanth.
He has to improve a lot and if he is does something similar in future, he will be dealt with firm hand," board secretary Niranjan Shah said.Mumbai Indians' stand-in skipper Harbhajan slapped Kings XI Punjab pacer Sreesanth after the April 25 IPL match in Mohali, which saw the off-spinner being banned from the remainder of the IPL, apart from losing nearly Rs 3 crore of match fee.
Under this provision, the maximum punishment that can be handed out to a player is either a five one-day international ban or a three Test match ban.This decision follows a day after the board-appointed Commissioner Sudhir Nanavati submitted a 14-page report on this issue to the board.Pawar and other members of the committee, president-elect Shashank Manohar and vice-president Chirayu Amin, met at the Cricket Centre to discuss Nanavati's report on the issue.Sharad Pawar said a copy of the report was given to Harbhajan Singh, who was heard by the committee before taking a final decision on the quantum of punishment.
Speaking about the ban imposed on Bhajji, former Indian cricket team member, Chetan Chauhan, told ITGO that this punishment was expected. "But Harbhajan has the right to appeal."Chauhan added, "The ban slapped on Harbhajan is harsh as he has already been punished by IPL for the whole tournament (11 matches) and has also been fined his IPL fees."Earlier, the player had apologised and admitted his guilt in this matter. He pleaded for leniency and assured the committee of a well-behaved conduct in the future.
"The player admitted his guilt in the concerned matter. He prayed for leniency and assured the committee that there would not be any misconduct on his part in the future," the board said.This ban means that Harbhajan will have to miss the tour of Bangladesh and two matches of Asia Cup in Pakistan. Sreesanth was also warned by the cricket board and asked to mend his ways on the field. "The disciplinary committee also considered Sreesanth.
He has to improve a lot and if he is does something similar in future, he will be dealt with firm hand," board secretary Niranjan Shah said.Mumbai Indians' stand-in skipper Harbhajan slapped Kings XI Punjab pacer Sreesanth after the April 25 IPL match in Mohali, which saw the off-spinner being banned from the remainder of the IPL, apart from losing nearly Rs 3 crore of match fee.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Indian Premier League gets highest TPR ratings
Indian Premier League is becoming a big hit with indian girls and house wives. Reports say that due to IPL the week end shows of Movies are not going housefull and every one is glued to their TV sets and watching IPL matches live.
So what Indian women are watching these days??
The answer is Indian Premeir League. Yes you guessed it right this time.
You are wrong if you answered a movie hall. You are watching IPL T20. That is where all this is happening. Ask the ladies, they are watching it. Yes, it is true; women are getting hooked to IPL T20 cricket as never before. More and more Indian women are trooping into the stadiums to watch live IPL matches and even a greater number is sitting in front of the TV.
The fight for the remote control at home is over since the start of IPLT20. According to surveys more and more women are watching IPL T 20. Move over Sas Bahu here comes IPL Ki story.
IPL has all the ingredients of a pot boiler. It has drama, action, suspense, glamour, Hero, Heroines, Villains ,side kicks, and to top it all actual live cricket Add a Bhajji, Sreesanth episode and you can't ask for more.
The new cricket format is obviously packing a big punch with viewers, women in particular. TV audiences, much like those who are watching action at the stadium, seem to be lapping up the big glitzy shows under floodlights every evening. Cricket is at the centre of the action, but it is part of a package with other elements that are almost as essential.People are not watching IPL just for cricket. It is all-round entertainment with film stars, cricket stars, cheerleaders and also some great cricket. Whether it is Akshay Kumar rappelling across Ferozeshah Kotla or cheerleaders strutting their stuff during breaks (sadly fully clad) or the spectacle of watching Muttiah Muralitharan play alongside M S Dhoni, people are liking the cocktail of visual delights.
PL has also been responsible for busting the myth that not too many women watch cricket. Women have shown a far higher interest in IPL. About 36% of the total audience share watching IPL comprises women. IT is a delight to have female spectators in the stadium. They add to the glamour and the cheer. I can see you guys grinning ear to ear.
So what Indian women are watching these days??
The answer is Indian Premeir League. Yes you guessed it right this time.
You are wrong if you answered a movie hall. You are watching IPL T20. That is where all this is happening. Ask the ladies, they are watching it. Yes, it is true; women are getting hooked to IPL T20 cricket as never before. More and more Indian women are trooping into the stadiums to watch live IPL matches and even a greater number is sitting in front of the TV.
The fight for the remote control at home is over since the start of IPLT20. According to surveys more and more women are watching IPL T 20. Move over Sas Bahu here comes IPL Ki story.
IPL has all the ingredients of a pot boiler. It has drama, action, suspense, glamour, Hero, Heroines, Villains ,side kicks, and to top it all actual live cricket Add a Bhajji, Sreesanth episode and you can't ask for more.
The new cricket format is obviously packing a big punch with viewers, women in particular. TV audiences, much like those who are watching action at the stadium, seem to be lapping up the big glitzy shows under floodlights every evening. Cricket is at the centre of the action, but it is part of a package with other elements that are almost as essential.People are not watching IPL just for cricket. It is all-round entertainment with film stars, cricket stars, cheerleaders and also some great cricket. Whether it is Akshay Kumar rappelling across Ferozeshah Kotla or cheerleaders strutting their stuff during breaks (sadly fully clad) or the spectacle of watching Muttiah Muralitharan play alongside M S Dhoni, people are liking the cocktail of visual delights.
PL has also been responsible for busting the myth that not too many women watch cricket. Women have shown a far higher interest in IPL. About 36% of the total audience share watching IPL comprises women. IT is a delight to have female spectators in the stadium. They add to the glamour and the cheer. I can see you guys grinning ear to ear.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
IPL Latest - Ganguly, Warne fined 10% of match fees
Kolkata Knight Riders captain Sourav Ganguly and Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee on account of violating the code of conduct of ICC, said Lalit Modi, IPL commissioner here today.
Lalit Modi said, ”the decision has been taken by the IPL governing body which met here today to discuss the incident which occured in the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals yesterday.” ”Umpire G Pratap Kumar has also been suspended for one match,” he added.
Modi said, ”Sourav Ganguly has been fined under clause 1.3 of the ICC code of conduct as he had no right to pressurise the umpire.He was charged with showing dissent to an umpire’s decision. He is therefore fined 10 per cent of his match fee while Shane Warne has been fined for publically criticising Ganguly.” Ganguly, who did not seem convinced with a catch taken by Rajasthan Royals’ Graeme Smith in yesterday’s match, asked umpire Kumar to refer the decision to third umpire.
Asad Rauf, the third umpire, however, went with Ganguly and ruled him not out after watching the inconclusive replays several times.
Modi further added,”Similarly Mr Shane Warne in his press conference yesterday, breached the ICC rules under Level 1 offence and he, therefore, has been reprimanded.
”The objective of the IPL is to play with the spirit of cricket and under the ICC’s rules. Mr Shane Warne’s was found to have breached level 1 clause 1.17, which is public criticism of any player or match official,” he said.
He said the umpire was suspended because he did not consult the leg umpire and directly refered the issue to third umpire to seek a decision over Ganguly’s catch taken by Graeme Smith.
He further added that, ”the umpire was unaware of the rules and regulations to this effect that is why he has been suspended.” Modi said the IPL governing body has decided to impose a fine of 500 dollars over a team who fails to maintain the required over rate in the match.
”It has been decided that the skipper of the paricipating teams will not speak to the media except prior to the match and after the match.
Modi, however, made it clear that banned speedster Shoiab Akthar will not be allowed to play in the IPL until Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allow him to play.
Replying to a question the IPL commissioner said that Kolkata Knight Riders can include another player in place of Chris Gayle who got injured and is not fit to play now.
Earlier yesterday, match referee Farokh Engineer was seen moving around wearing Rajasthan Royals uniform, Modi said the matter has come to his notice and the board will look into it.
He expressed his surprise over Rajasthan Royals’, who were rated as the underdogs in the tournament, outstanding performance saying that, ”Shane Warne’s leadership has done wonders for the team.”Source: UNI
Lalit Modi said, ”the decision has been taken by the IPL governing body which met here today to discuss the incident which occured in the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals yesterday.” ”Umpire G Pratap Kumar has also been suspended for one match,” he added.
Modi said, ”Sourav Ganguly has been fined under clause 1.3 of the ICC code of conduct as he had no right to pressurise the umpire.He was charged with showing dissent to an umpire’s decision. He is therefore fined 10 per cent of his match fee while Shane Warne has been fined for publically criticising Ganguly.” Ganguly, who did not seem convinced with a catch taken by Rajasthan Royals’ Graeme Smith in yesterday’s match, asked umpire Kumar to refer the decision to third umpire.
Asad Rauf, the third umpire, however, went with Ganguly and ruled him not out after watching the inconclusive replays several times.
Modi further added,”Similarly Mr Shane Warne in his press conference yesterday, breached the ICC rules under Level 1 offence and he, therefore, has been reprimanded.
”The objective of the IPL is to play with the spirit of cricket and under the ICC’s rules. Mr Shane Warne’s was found to have breached level 1 clause 1.17, which is public criticism of any player or match official,” he said.
He said the umpire was suspended because he did not consult the leg umpire and directly refered the issue to third umpire to seek a decision over Ganguly’s catch taken by Graeme Smith.
He further added that, ”the umpire was unaware of the rules and regulations to this effect that is why he has been suspended.” Modi said the IPL governing body has decided to impose a fine of 500 dollars over a team who fails to maintain the required over rate in the match.
”It has been decided that the skipper of the paricipating teams will not speak to the media except prior to the match and after the match.
Modi, however, made it clear that banned speedster Shoiab Akthar will not be allowed to play in the IPL until Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allow him to play.
Replying to a question the IPL commissioner said that Kolkata Knight Riders can include another player in place of Chris Gayle who got injured and is not fit to play now.
Earlier yesterday, match referee Farokh Engineer was seen moving around wearing Rajasthan Royals uniform, Modi said the matter has come to his notice and the board will look into it.
He expressed his surprise over Rajasthan Royals’, who were rated as the underdogs in the tournament, outstanding performance saying that, ”Shane Warne’s leadership has done wonders for the team.”Source: UNI
IPL Champion to get INR 4.8 crore a prize money
The DLF-Indian Premier League (IPL) champion team will be awarded Rs. 4.8 crore, a media release said here on Friday.
Lalit Modi, Chairman and Commissioner, IPL, announced that the total prize money for the inaugural edition would be Rs. 12 crore.
Lalit Modi, Chairman and Commissioner, IPL, announced that the total prize money for the inaugural edition would be Rs. 12 crore.
Apart from the bounty for the winning team, the runner-up will earn Rs. 2.4 crore and the two losing semifinalists Rs. 1.2 crore each.
The prize money will be divided amongst other teams with the fifth finisher earning Rs. 80 lakh, sixth (Rs. 70 lakh), seventh (Rs. 50 lakh) and eighth (Rs. 40 lakh).
The prize money will be divided amongst other teams with the fifth finisher earning Rs. 80 lakh, sixth (Rs. 70 lakh), seventh (Rs. 50 lakh) and eighth (Rs. 40 lakh).
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