IPL 2009 NEWS UPDATES

Big B goes out of way to cheer Preity Zinta's IPL team

Bollywood megastar cheered up Preity Zinta's Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kings XI Punjab by giving a short TV bite on her behest. Preity had called last evening for a request - her IPL team was hugely depressed and she was wondering if I could do a small TV bite to cheer them up. I did that and I hope it makes them happy," Amitabh posted on his blog. Commenting on the upcoming Twenty20 series, Amitabh wrote: "Cricket has become so big and important. And the T20 series, now shifted to South Africa due to security concerns and concerns of its reflection on the elections, is a sheer delight

Local umpire gets IPL call

Seven umpires from across the country, have got call from Indian Premier League (IPL) for Twenty20 tournament to be played in South Africa. Umpires Sanjay Hazare, nephew of legendry cricketer Vijay Hazare, has been contacted by the IPL authorities. All the seven have been sent emails by the IPL authorities asking them about their visa documents and other papers.

No IPL option for cinema halls

Inox vice-president (distribution and programming) Utpal Acharya said, "We had approached Sony last time for the screening rights. This time they decided to have a separate body for theatrical rights and tenders were invited for the same. But I am told the tenders have not been opened as yet. We were banking on the aggregator who would provide the feed to us and give the minimum guarantee. Unfortunately nothing has happened till now. It is learnt there were three bidders for the theatrical telecast rights, including UTV, PVR and Group M. It is learnt that Sony, which owns broadcast rights, demanded a minimum guarantee (Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore per screening) to which the multiplex owners objected. "That and the tax burden were too much,'' said an official.

Thomas Cook launches special travel packages for IPL season 2 to South Africa

Thomas Cook, the premium travel agent in the country has been appointed as `Tour Partner` to Kingfisher Airlines for the DLF IPL 2009 to be held in South Africa.
Thomas Cook has always been an agency that believes in enabling its customers to experience the best in the travel trends of the given season. The IPL packages by Thomas Cook start from at an attractive price of Rs 43000 for 3 nights and 4 days including Air fare, transfers, accommodation, travel insurance, and match tickets.


Warne fit and keen for IPL 2009

Despite his long break from active cricket, legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne is fit and keen to lead defending champions Rajasthan Royals to victory in the second edition of IPL in South Africa, according to Rajasthan Royals vice chairman Ranjit Barthakur. Barthakur told mediapersons that the reigning champions Rajasthan Royals plan to build on their fairytale victory in the first edition and add another title in the second edition of the Twenty20 tournament which has been shifted to South Africa.

Taylor to miss IPL 2009

Kings XI Punjab will miss the service of injured West Indies paceman Jerome Taylor during the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in South Africa from April 18 to May 24. The Mohali team has decided to replace Taylor, who survived a motor vehicle accident last month, with South African young left-arm pacer Yusuf Abdulla, co-owner of Kings XI Punjab Ness Wadia said on Saturday. Wadia, however, hoped that star Australia fast bowler Brett Lee, who is nursing an ankle injury, will be available.


Tickets for DLF IPL’s Inaugural Double Header SOLD OUT

The DLF Indian Premier League today announced that tickets for the Season 2009’s inaugural double header on Saturday – April 18th 2009 between the Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers, in Cape Town SOLD OUT within hours of going on sale at www.computicket.com. In fact, the site also reported that very few tickets were left for the next day’s double – header featuring the Delhi Daredevils v Kings XI Punjab and Deccan Chargersv Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, April 19th ensuring that Season 2009 in South Africa got off to a successful start with sellout crowds at the Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town.Computicket – the online destination for ticket sales to Season 2009 also reported heavy ticket sales for DLF Indian Premier League s tickets for Season 2009 in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg as fans rushed online to book their seats to watch their favourite international cricket stars do battle.

Chennai Super Kings.

Chennai Super Kings is yet to receive an official communication from star Australian batsman Michael Hussey who has been quoted as saying he would opt out of the 2009 DLF-Indian Premier League scheduled to be held in South Africa from April 18 to May 24. Hussey, who played a crucial role in Super Kings’ four victories at the start of the inaugural competition last year, has been reported to have pulled out of the DLF-IPL event to give himself time to recover ahead of the Ashes tour of England after a hectic international schedule. Hussey also reportedly indicated that he would make himself available for the Super Kings if the team qualifies for the knock-out (semi-finals and final) stage.

Back in India for the second edition of the Indian Premier League, former Australia opener Matthew Hayden today attributed India's growing stature in Tests and ODIs to the IPL and the country's Twenty20 World Cup triumph.The burly left-hander, who retired from international cricket after the third Test against South Africa in January following a string of sub-par performances, said he would be missing the Chepauk stadium after the IPL was shifted to South Africa since its dates were clashing with the Lok Sabha elections."Bowlers will have a chance there (in South Africa) but small grounds and high altitude will ensure high scores there too," he said, adding that the IPL will "take the game to a wider audience


Delhi Daredevils

Delhi Daredevils manager TA Sekar feels his team is one of the most balanced sides going into the second season of the Twenty20 extravaganza. With a good side that is a mix of hard-hitting batsmen, good all-rounders and steady bowling, there is a lot of flexibility and options, Sekar says.The induction of five more international players has given the team more solidity and it also means a lot of options for captain, Virender Sehwag , who himself is in brilliant form with the bat.Even as skipper Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, lay the foundation for the innings, the Daredevils can expect some explosive innings from Australia’s latest find, David Warner, who Daredevils signed up before he went on to play for Australia.
Former Australian Test paceman Glenn McGrath says he's happy with his fitness as he embarks on a heavy schedule before his first major cricket match in almost a year.McGrath leaves for a 12-day training camp in India on Saturday in preparation for more than a month of Twenty20 matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting says there is some merit in Kolkata Knight Riders Director John Buchanan's proposal to have multiple captains within the team in this month's DLF-Indian Premier League (IPL) in South Africa, reports The Age. Buchanan, one of cricket's most lateral-thinking and controversial coaches, stepped down as Australia's mentor after helping guide Ponting's team to a successful one-day international World Cup defence in the West Indies in 2007.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Cheteshwar Arvind Pujara is a well-known name in the Indian domestic circuit but still a Knight-in-the-making in DLF Indian Premier League. He travelled the length and breadth of the country as part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad last season but watched the glitz from the sidelines. By scoring three triple-hundreds in quick succession in domestic cricket, the 20-year-old phenomenon has provided a fine John Buchanan and Co an option at a time when the Shah Rukh Khan-owned Kolkata Knight Riders are looking at changing their fortunes in the second season of the DLF Indian Premier League


Deccan Charger

With just weeks left for the second edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) to commence in South Africa, city-based team — Deccan Chargers are in high spirits despite the fact that they would not be playing the game in front of their home crowds.Acknowledging the difference due to changes of venues, middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma said: “Playing in front of our home crowd and playing in South Africa are two different things altogether.”“But, I am sure that we would receive a good support out there because when we played the World Cup Twenty20 there and went on to clinch it too,” he added.Rohit said, “I firmly believe that our team is one of the strongest sides in IPL and we have a different plan this time and we hope to implement it on the field.” RP Singh, the side’s left arm pacer too felt that the Chargers were a competitive unit. “It’s an unpredictable game and many of the matches that we lost last year were closely-fought which could have gone our way too. So, I would firmly believe that we are an equal contender in this tournament.”Both Rohit Sharma and RP Singh took part at a function where PUMA announced its association with the Deccan Chargers as the official sponsor of their home and away uniforms.

If Kolkata Knight Riders’ coach John Buchanan sparked a debate with his multiple captain theory then teams such as the current title holder Rajasthan Royals has announced that it would be playing matches before the IPL season kicks off on April 18.Deccan Chargers has cleverly chosen to stay away from the limelight, wanting to let their cricket to do all the talking. At the conclusion of a five-day training camp in the city, the team’s assistant coach Kanwaljit Singh stressed that the team’s camp was mainly to finetune things. “The camp was designed to finetune different aspects of the game and also for team bonding. We ensured that every team member is fit before we leave for South Africa,” he said. R.P. Singh believes that conditions in South Africa should suit the seamers. Be it the team composition or the strategy, Deccan Chargers are silent and are holding the cards close to their chest. “We do have a plan in place,” Kanwaljit said when quizzed repeatedly. Be it the fielding drills or the batting and bowling practice sessions, one could see a sense of purpose amongst every member.