Kolkata Knight Riders - only IPL team to make substantial profits

Kolkata Knight Riders may not have made the semi-finals of the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) season, but the market grapevine is abuzz that they are, perhaps, the only franchise to make a substantial profit.

Bollywood star SRK(Shahrukh Khan) appeared visibly disappointed with his team's performance, particularly in the later half of the league, as they finished sixth in the eight-team Twenty20 tournament. But market sources insist that his team had broken even before the half-way stage itself, thanks to vigorous merchandising.

The team management has finalised plans to invest the profits in a manner that would enhance the image of the Knight Riders. One of the projects that can give them greater visibility is their ultra modern world class academy headed by their high-profile Australian coach John Buchanan.

"We had a roller-caster ride in the first season, but we see a brighter future for us and for that we have to tap talented players and nurture them. The proposed academy will act as the nursery for the Knight Riders," team director Joy Bhattacharya told reporters.

He also said that the IPL had showcased talent in domestic cricket.

"The IPL gave a great opportunity to local players like Ashoke Dinda or Wrdiddhiman Saha to perform so well on the bigger stage and helped them to get into the India A side. The academy will scout for talent from all over the country so that we get the right mix of players for our side," he said.

Asked if the proposed academy would be a take-over of an existing one as speculated, Bhattacharya said: "It is too early to take the call. All I can say is that the academy would be headed by John Buchanan."

Bhattacharya said a review of the performance of the team was done, but refused to be drawn into any discussion over the reported differences between the franchise owners and the captain. "Everything is fine with the team and the review has addressed the issues that had cropped up during the tournament."

"We are confident the second season will produce better results for us," he said.

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.

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

Harbhajan Singh banned for 11 IPL matches

Slapping Sreesanth after the match proved very painful for harbhajan's IPL career as he is now banned for 11 IPL matches and he should start practicing for next IPL as chances of his team Mumbai Indians reaching semifinals look bleak in this IPl season.

The Ex captain of Mumbai Team - Harbhajn singh was found guilty for slapping Sreesanth after match against punjab, So he has been banned from playing next 11 IPL matches

Match referee Farokh Engineer found Harbhajan guilty of Level 4.2 offence and imposed a 11-match IPL ban on him with immediate effect. Harbhajan pleaded guilty and admitted that he slapped Sreesanth after the IPL match in Mohali. The hearing was held in ITC Maurya in Delhi. The 11-match ban means Harbhajan won't be playing in any IPL matches this season unless Mumbai Indians reach the semi finals.