Saif Ali Khan won't be a Franchise of IPL Team

Saif Ali Khan Wont any IPL Team

Bollywood film star Saif Ali Khan said he has come away from his once cherished dream of owning an IPL team as his fellow stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Shilpa Shetty and Preity Zinta. He said keeping such a team is very expensive and he is not a billionaire.

Saif told once they were considering owning a team but letter they gave up the idea. He now feels a blessing that he didn’t involve. 

His relation  with cricket is of long day’s. He is the son of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, former cricketer and captain of Indian cricket team . More ever the film star is now working with the  skipper and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in commercials for Lay`s chips. He also has real likings for watching cricket. He wishes to watch a match being in the field between India and Australia.

Instead Saif wants to engage himself in acting and producing. Recently he has started producing films besides acting. Saif Ali Khan successfully produced Love Aaj Kal (2009).At present he  is giving support for his spy thriller Agent Vinod under his banner Illuminati Films.

Source: Hindustan Times

Is IPL Auction a Crime?

Indian Premier League auction has raised questions whether it’s a crime to arrange the auction in the way it is being done. Guru Nair, vice-chairman of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee's cultural cell wrote a letter to Protivqa Patil , the president of India questioning the legality of the auction.  Mr Guru Nair alleged whether it is permissible to porches players in India in foreign currency. He also questioned if the law India can allow any auction of human being, personal skills or services of an individual'. He wrote to know if its obligatory to arrange the game in India if the auction is held in India. He expressed his deep dissatisfaction that some Nation players remain unsold and it’s a treason against the country’s tradition.. He alleged it’s a crime against cricket as a game and the organizers should face trial for treason.

Source: sify.com

Fletcher Sees No firm favorites in the 2011 World Cup

Fletcher Sees No firm favorites in the 2011 World Cup

Duncan Fletcher, the former coach of England sees no firm favorites in the knocking world cup though he admits the teams like India, South Africa and England are playing at their pick. He says it will be an open game for all teams and its impossible to predict the winner.

India, South Africa and England have immerged chiefly because of the downfall of Australia. Both India and South Africa have their strength and weakness and Australia cannot be underestimated any way said Fletcher. He also said Sri Lanka can’t be ruled out as they have their dangerous sides always.

He says South Africa will be very dangerous with players like Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers as they are in their top rank.

About his own country he opined  England have a good athletic side in one day cricket and presently they are at their peak for their momentum victory over Australia But they also have some problems. The English find it difficult to play in slow pitch in the sub-continent. Some of the young players may find it difficult to accommodate themselves to the Indian condition. About Pakistan he said they also can’t be underestimated.

Admitting India as favorite as they will play in home ground, he said India will have to play under tremendous pressure of doing the best in home.

About the key factors he expressed, one thing that is obviously going to be the key factor is the spin. The spinners will be very dangerous .Another key factor may be adapting to the sub-continent wicket.

Source: One India

2011 Cricket World Cup fever In Sri Lanka

Cricket World Cup has stirred Sri Lankan Island deeply. The fans are showing their profound love for cricket. The authorities are also trying to raise cricket inspiration among them. A huge cricket ball has been displayed in the sub-urban area of Attalla on January 11. People are keeping print of their colored palms on the ball. This ball and a replica of world cup 1996 are touring throughout the Island to raise public support for world cup 2011. The tour will stop on February 19  in Hambantota, a southern town. Two world cup matches are scheduled in a venue here in this town.

Source : Island Cricket

Ganguly, Lara, Gayle are unsold at IPL Auction

The IPL auction represented a great surprise by showing Sourav Ganguly,  Brian Lara, and Chris Gayle a cold shoulder. A lot of fans of the once great players remained disappointed as none of the franchise picked them up. Sourav Gunguly , the former Indian captain ,has not been kept by Kolkata Night Riders(KKR) which is the team of Kolkata and Sourav captained the team in 2008 and 2010 IPL. And none of the other franchise bought him .Sourav is seen a great hero in his home town and his fans burnt the effigy of Shahrukh Khan the owner of KKR. Another legendry player Brian Lara with the base price of $ 400,000 has also been ignored in the auction. The greatest surprise is the omission of one of the best destructive opening batsman Chris Gayle. Chris Gayle scored the first T20 international century.

Sourav scored 538 runs in total in 24 IPL innings with an average of 23.39, 3 fifties and with his highest 91.About his omission t IPL chairman Chirayu Amin said it was the decision of the owners of the franchise. Shahrukh Khan said they can still keep Ganguly making him a part management of the team.

England’s Ashes winning players James Anderson, Matt Prior and Graeme Smith were also not taken by any franchise. An official said the English players were not favored as they are no available for the whole session. New Zealand and South African players got a god bid for this reason.

The players unsold at the auction……..

Sourav Ganguly ($400,000)                 

Brian Lara ($400,000)

Chris Gayle ($400,000)

James Anderson ($400,000)

Graeme Swann  ($400,000)

Luke Wright $400,000)

Jesse Ryder  ($100,000)

Herschelle Gibbs  ($200,000)

Graham Manou ($50,000)

Matt Prior ($200,000)

Mark Boucher  ($200,000)

Dilhara Fernando ($100,000)

Ajanta Mendis ($200,000)

Murali Kartik  ($200,000)

Chamara Kapugedera  ($100,000)

Tamim Iqbal ($100,000)

Source: Rediff

Michael Bevan to appoint as a Coach of Kings XI Punjab

Michel Bevan, a former Australian player, has been appointed the coach of Kings X1 Punjab, A franchise of the fourth Indian Premier League to be held just after the Cricket World Cup 2011. He is replacing Coach Tom Moody who is also an Australian. Bevan was a mainstay of Australian middle order. He was also a part of world cup winning Australian team in 2009 and 2003.

Kings XI Punjab was terminated by IPL in October. But Bombay high court stayed this expulsion order in December. However the participation of the team in the 4th IPL has been confirmed only last Wednesday.

Bevan is also happy with his present responsibility and says his first focus will be on getting the pool of talents from the coming player’s auction. He also promises to present the cricket lovers some great cricketing moments in the upcoming IPL tournament.

Source: Espn Cricinfo