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It’s only in its second season yet, but the term IPL and money have almost become synonymous. It’s no  doubt that the 20-20 cricket format has been evolved for wholesome entertainment-with all the music, cheerleaders and sixes, and anything which entertains has huge money attached to it; especially when its cricket. Needless to say IPL has made all the parties attached to it-the players, team owners, BCCI and sponsors; all happy.

Well a little bit about the Indian premier league’s origin- so it’s only in its second season, it was launched by the BCCI in the year 2008. The format of the IPL is much on the lines of English premier league (remember all the flashy names like Knight Riders and Deccan chargers!), and the much controversial cheerleaders are also taken from it. The IPL is basically based on the franchise system where the highest bidder gets to own the team. Also this encourages a lot of betting. That is the reason that IPL has huge stakes involved in it. In fact it is not just a sport now, it’s more of a business and the businesspersons involved are A class celebs. Be it SRK, Preity Zinta or  Ambani, all of them are big time celebrities. They all have huge stakes in their own teams in IPL, amounting to some hundred crores of rupees! And here is the jaw dropping figure- the total base price for auction in IPL was whopping $400 million! Quite a sum I would call it.

Dhoni was the most expensive player in the first season bought by the Chennai super Kings team and now in season two Andrew Flintoff has beaten Dhoni for the most expensive player title. Basically there much more than meets the eye at the IPL. It has graduated from being a sport to being a form of entertainment and currently the IPL is Post Graduating from being entertainment to a big money making industry.

Tags: BCCI, Cheerleaders, Chennai Super Kings, Cricket, Entertainment, Flintoff, Indian Premiere League, Indian Premiere League 2009, IPL, Players, Sports, Team Owners

With a cricket crazy nation like ours, where from kids to grandmas are hooked to the square cuts and clean bowled, seldom do we pay much attention to our official national game-hockey. How many times have you ever heard your friends praising our hockey players, and let alone praising, do you even know the player’s names when you know what is the favorite bathroom song of your favorite cricketer?

Well I am not trying to make you feel guilty here but just talking about how your days are going to change as our very own national sport hockey is bringing back home the prestigious trophies. Recently our hockey team beat the host nation Malaysia 3-1 to bring home the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, which was the fourth such experience for our hockey team. This just happened at the right time for India would be facing the world cup challenge next year. And all our team needs right now is support from us fans, the media and the government. All three entities can together bring back the game of hockey to life.

Probably hockey needs to learn a lot from its counterpart cricket. So to begin it needs its own well organized federation like BCCI to make the sport more organized and to fill its shortcomings. The next big support has to come from the media be it electronic or print. Our hockey team has been winning in the past as much as our cricket team but still it fails to make it to the headlines, where as even when a cricketer gets married; his photographs are adorned on the front pages. So probably the media can bring about the much needed change and move up hockey as much as cricket. Well I am not saying that hockey should replace cricket, but may be the two of them could co-exist together.

When people will see or read more of hockey then obviously they are bound to get more involved in it. Also our government should not be partial towards cricket and completely ignore the national sport. I mean have you ever thought when our cricket team wins; the government announces flats, lands and huge sums of money for the cricketers whereas when the hockey players win, they barely make it to a page in the newspaper. So basically the system needs to be revamped, like government investing more in hockey, building proper infrastructure and training facilities, people taking a little more interest in the sport, media putting some extra words on the victories and I am sure soon the game can win back its well deserved position.

Tags: BCCI, Clean Bowled, Cricket, Electronic Media, Favorite Cricketer, Hockey, Hockey in India, Hockey Players, Hockey Team, Hockey World Cup, Indian Hockey, Infrastructure, Media, National Game, National Sports, Print Media, Sports, Square Cut, Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, World Cup

These days money has become the most powerful factor through out the world. I was really shocked to see that one small game Cricket is going to establish a new example, a new trend which includes the combination of sport ship along with the power of money and glamor. This is for sure the best example of globalization.

I was surprised to see the immense popularity which Indian Premier League, the organization of the T20 cricket matches, by the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI), got during last season. This year, IPL 2 has crossed the boundaries of nation, and now it is all set to develop a new example of globalization.

A tournament which was originally developed for India is now shifted to South Africa (for the reason of General Elections in India). The tournament which was mainly claimed by the organizers that it will provide the platform for the Indian players has now totally shifted to the hands of the players who don’t belong to India. Here are a few examples:

The captaincy of the Kolkata Knight Riders has taken from the Icon Player of team Saurav Ganguly and given to the dashing Kiwi player McCullum. As far as the point of view of the team is concerned, they are free to take any decision in the favor of their team, but I think the idea of dropping Ganguly as the skipper, or the idea of four skippers in a match, which was in air a few days back, are all silly, as without Ganguly there is no identity of the team. As far as my views are concerned, I think Dada should come back to India. People from Bengal are really hurt from this issue and we don’t know why Dada is still there in the team. He is undoubtedly the best ever player of the Kolkata and the team which is representing the City of Joy should for sure include him as the skipper.

The second example is the exit of Mohhamad Kaif and a few more players (all Indian) from the Rajasthan Royals team. The reason behind is still not clear to any one, some one claims it is because of a rift between the skipper and coach Shane Warne and Kaif, some says it is because of an attempt to cut the cost of the team. If the first reason is true then too my views is that the team management require interfering in the matter and solving the matter. If the second reason is true then why they did not remove any player who was not Indian?

These examples are a few examples which are a clear indication that Indian Premiere League is not the Indian League any more. For last season at least it looked like an Indian league whether it is because of the Indian Players in the decision making slot, or whether it was played in the presence of the cricket crazy Indian fans, but this time I am not sure if it can generate the same type of attraction among the Indian people.

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Tags: BCCI, Bollywood, Cricket, Dada, Ganguly, Glamor, Globalization, India, Indian Premier League, IPL, IPL 2, Kaif, KKR, Kolkata, Kolkata Knight Riders, McCullum, Rajasthan Royals, Saurav Ganguly, Shane Warne, South Africa, Sports, T20, Warne

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In a recent decision BCCI has agreed to the request of the England cricket team to postpone the remaining two matches of the present Hero Honda Cup series due to the terror attack in South Mumbai. In this series England has already lost 5 matches in a row and they are 0-5 down to India.

Although the desicion was taken for the remaining two ODI matches which were supposed to play in Guwahati and Delhi, but BCCI is hopeful that they can be able to host the two test matches.

Venkatesh Prasad has confirmed that the team management has got the information that England team is going back so the members of the Indian teams are also returning to their homes.

England team management has confirmed that they are going back, but did not confirmed anything about the two test matches, which are scheduled in next month.

Tags: BCCI, Cricket, Cricket Team, Delhi, England, Firing, Guwahati, India, Mumbai, ODI, South Mumbai, Terror, Terror Attack, Terrorism, Venkatesh Prasad

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Saurav Ganguly, popularly known as Prince of Kolkata, Dada (big brother), or Maharaj (King), or Bengal Tiger, has played the last day of international cricket today. With this one golden era came to an end. Some people will remember him as the best captain of the cricketing history, and some people know him in the form of Trouble Shooter for Team India.

Saurav Ganguly Leading the Country for Last Time

One thing is for sure, he was a giant. The ability of Dada to come out from the difficult situations in life and in cricket ground was superb. Even the critics of Ganguly will appreciate this. So many times his critics asked for his resign, but he played some brilliant knock to make them silent.

Controversy and Dada both were moving on the same track early from his inclusion in the team for the first time in 1992. That time Dada was selected for Australia’s tour, but people called it as the influence of the Jagmohan Dalmiya, the then president of Board of Cricket Control in India BCCI. There too he became the part of a controversy and he was removed from the team. The reason behind this was his inability to act as a twelfth player in the team.

People some time says that he got the captaincy (which was unfortunately the same day 10th November when he retired too) due to the influence of Jagmohan Dalmiya only. But Ganguly always made his critics silent by his bat. The best part of Bengal Tiger was that he was a by born leader, and a fighter.

With time the spirit of Ganguly became a bit down and that too because of his removal from the team due to the influence of Greig Chappel. Due to frustration he decided to quit the International cricket. Some people claim that he made this decision due to the threat given by some anti-social events to his daughter. We all know that Dada loves his daughter more than his life. Dada was aware that retirement was inevitable. In his career he played 113 test matches and made 7212 runs with 16 hundreds with an average of 42.17 runs. His career best was of 239 runs. During tests he got 32 wickets too. In ODI’s he played 311 matches and made 11363 runs, with 22 centuries. He also took 100 wickets too in ODI’s.

Any ways the terrific career which starts from Lords ends in Nagpur. The career which starts from a great century ends at a Golden Duck, though with a superb win over the World Champions.

Tags: BCCI, Bengal Tiger, Captain, Dada, Dalmiya, Ganguly, Greig Chappel, India, Jagmohan Dalmiya, Maharaj, Prince of Kolkata, Saurav Ganguly

India ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Monday chosen for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2007-08 given for the most outstanding performance in a year. The awards would be presented on August 25, 2008.

The current Indian captain of the ODI (one day international) and T-20 teams became the only second cricketer after master blaster Sachin Tendulkar to be honored with the Khel Ratna Award, the country’s highest honor given for an achievement in sports. .

Dhoni on Monday offered prayers at the famous Deori temple after being conferred with the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.

The President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sharad Pawar said, “We are very happy. He has represented the country with distinction, and deserves the honor. His exemplary leadership and demeanor under pressure, especially in the ICC World Twenty20 and the tri-series in Australia, mark him out as the ideal role-model for millions of young Indians, who want to make a mark in life.”

Dhoni is the model icon among youth. He scored 148 against Pakistan in his fifth ODI in 2005 - then the highest score by an Indian wicketkeeper. Later in the year, he broke his own record as well as set the current world record for the highest score in the second innings in ODI matches as he scored 183 not out against Sri Lanka.

Tags: Award, BCCI, Dhoni, ICC, Indian Captain, Mahender Singh Dhoni, MS Dhoni, ODI, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Sachin, Sachin Tendulkar, T20, Tendulkar

25 June, marks a special day in Indian cricket history. 25 years back on June 25, 1983, it was the lucky day, when Indian team won the first and the only cricket World cup till now. Captained by 23-year-old Kapil Dev, the memento was won by India, beating two-time world champions West Indies in the finals by 43 runs.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) organized the special ceremony for the ‘Kapil Devils’ to mark the 25 years of triumph on Sunday, June 22 in New Delhi. The Indian cricket fraternity has felicitated the silver jubilee year to celebrate one of the greatest victories in the cricket history. Members of Dev’s team were very delighted over the BCCI’s special felicitation ceremony.

All the former Indian Test captains, all Delhi-based Test cricketers, former and current women cricket captains, Delhi-based women international cricketers, including former and present office bearers of the BCCI were invited. BCCI president Sharad Pawar, welcomed the 1983 World Cup team members and congratulated them on completing silver jubilee year.

An emotional Dev said, “The entire team contributed to the victory. It brought the Indian cricket to the centre-stage of world cricket that we enjoy today. As a captain, how it happened, I really don’t know! But, when it happened, then only we could realize it. What we achieved 25 years ago was really unimaginable. In my opinion, the love and affection of countrymen, which we got, cannot be weighed in money.”

“Somewhere, I must say that the 1983 team believed in themselves. That time when somebody asked me, if we could be the world champions; I said no!” added the India’s all time most successful all-rounders.

Sunil Gavaskar, one of the senior members of 1983 squad said, “His dedication, discipline as a captain is there for everybody to learn. The way people follow Sachin Tendulkar today, we used to follow Dev at that time. He is the man who showed us the way. The time when he lifted the trophy was the greatest memory of my life. He is still the greatest cricketer India has ever produced.”

“The 1983 World Cup win was a start that led us to the Asia Cup, Rottman’s Cup, Benson and Hedges and World Championship triumphs. It was a tournament that captivated the imagination of the whole nation,” added the legendary opening batsman.

Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Mohammed Azharuddin and former board presidents Salve, Raj Singh Dungarpur, Inderjit Singh Bindra and Ranbir Singh Mahendra were also present in the function to honor the team.

The Board presented a silver memento and cheque of Rs. 25 lakh to each of the 14 member of the 1983 squad.

The contribution of the victory team of 1983 world champions is actually priceless as they have marked the history with golden words and landed Indian cricket to success doors.

Tags: , 1983 World Cup, BCCI, Cricket, Gavaskar, India, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, World Cup

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A live bomb found at Vishnu Das Bhave auditorium in Navi Mumbai last night has created panic waves for the cricket fans as the site is just a few Km away from the upcoming IPL Final venue. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said that it will not deter the grand finale of IPL, expressing his confidence in Maharashtra Police.

Ratnakar said that Sundays Indian Premier League final would go ahead without any hindrance.

“We have full faith in the police force of Maharashtra and we are confident that they will take all necessary safety measures for Sunday’s finals,” he said.

As a precautionary measure, 800 extra security personnel along with sniffer dogs will be deployed at the stadium during the match, sources said.

“In the IPL, 58 matches have been held so far and 59th and the last match is on Sunday. We hope it will be an enjoyable affair,” he added.

The bomb was defused as soon as a viewer saw the bomb and reported to police. The theatre was evacuated at around 9 pm and a bomb detection squad defused the bomb.

Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Ramrao Wagh said, “A low intensity bomb was defused in the Vishnudas Bhave Theatre during the interval of a play.”

Tags: BCCI, Bomb scare, Cricket, Final, IPL Final, IPL Tournament

A senior Board of Control for Cricket in India official on Thursday said that the Board will be ready to probe in the matter regarding the allegations of racial abuse by 2 London based cheer girls who spoke to the media about it a month after they claimed the incident took place.

The dark-skinned cheer girls, who were hired by the Kings XI Punjab team, through event management company Wizcraft International Entertainment, had alleged that they were asked to sit out just before the April 19 match in Mohali because they were not white (skinned).

The board said that if any formal complaint is lodged by them with the Indian Premier League, they will look into the matter.

“I am surprised why these cheer girls have taken over a month to speak out and that too in the media. As far as I know, there has been no complaint from them lodged with the IPL,” BCCI Joint Secretary and IPL committee member M P Pandove said in Chandigarh.

He said IPL will “definitely look into the matter if it is brought to the notice of the IPL commissioner by the alleged victims officially”.

However, Kings XI Punjab chief executive officer Neil Maxwell has already denied any truth in the racial abuse and he termed the allegations as baseless.

Tags: BCCI, Cheer Girls, Cricket, IPL, Kings XI Punjab

Indian former batting maestro Sunil Gavaskar has resigned from the post of the Chairman of International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday. He decided to quit from the post after being asked to choose between the twin role of his position with the ICC and his job as a TV commentator-cum-media columnist.

“Mr Gavaskar confirmed his decision to the ICC on Wednesday, a day after chairing this year’s meeting in Dubai,” an ICC statement said.

The former India captain, who was holding the post for eight years, had faced a lot of criticism during the recently concluded India-Australia series after he publicly questioned the sportsman spirit of the Aussie cricketers for their conduct in the Sydney Test.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the eight years I have held the role (of ICC cricket committee chairman), which is an honorary position, and it has been extremely fulfilling to be able to give back to the game through that role,” Gavaskar said about his decision.

“However, with more and more cricket being played it has become clear that it is not possible for me to do justice to two jobs, the chairmanship of the ICC cricket committee and my media commitments.” He added.

Tags: BCCI, Cricket, Gavaskar, ICC, Suni Gavaskar