IPL franchises will be able to trade players early next year ahead of the 2009 season, Lalit Modi, Chairman of the hugely successful tournament disclosed on Sunday.
“There will be a transfer window open early next year just ahead of the 2009 season to enable franchises trade players and bring in the ones they require,” he told PTI in an interview.

Stating that he had been “overwhelmed” by the success of the Twenty20 competition, Modi also disclosed that certain innovations would be introduced in the tournament.

“One of the innovation to be introduced next year would be orange neon ball. This would, however, depend on how successful the trials of the same are,” he said.

“This year we already introduced the Orange and Purple Cap innovations and the Kingfisher Team Fair Play award and will look at continuing with this tradition of innovation in the subsequent leagues,” he added.

Modi said the second season of IPL was not possible before the 2011 ODI World Cup, to be co-hosted by the Asian cricketing nations.

“The second season as of now is a very distant possibility and will not take place definitely until after the 2011 World Cup given the FTP commitments of the Test playing nations and India.

“By then, I firmly believe, IPL would have already established itself as a major event and carved a niche for itself on the international cricketing calender.”

“Importantly, though when the second season does materialise in the future it will not be a full-fledged season like the recently concluded inaugural season. It could, for instance, be a knock-out league or a format which we will evolve in due course of time.” Modi also made it clear that IPL was India’s domestic event and could not be co-hosted by two countries like India and Pakistan.

“No, the DLF IPL is, as the name suggests, a domestic cricket league, featuring the best of international and Indian talent. It will not be co-hosted in conjunction with any other country.

“I am certain that the success of the league will spawn a whole host of similar leagues around the world. Once that happens, it would be our endeavor to see that top two teams from each of the countries play in the Champions League, along the lines of the one being played in football currently.” On the success of IPL, Modi said it was beyond his expectations.

“To say that the inaugural season of the IPL has exceeded my expectations and those of the BCCI would, to simply put it, be an understatement,” Modi said.

“I have been truly overwhelmed by the success of the DLF Indian Premier League. In fact, the global response to the competition has been simply unbelievable, to say the least.

“I had imagined the IPL being huge in terms of spectator interests in India, but what we have achieved and the global interest that a domestic league has generated have been beyond my wildest imagination,” he said.

“The IPL has gained large viewerships in Australia, South Africa, South East Asia, the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) and the Americas.”

The inaugural edition of IPL, contested by eight teams non-stop for 44 days and telecast live by a private television channel during the prime time, gripped the cricket lovers, reportedly exceeding the popularity of TV serials and Bollywood films. “Not to mention the TRPs that we have garnered in India which are quite frankly staggering to say the least. The success of the league is further exemplified in the Set Max’s revenue market share of the top nine Hindi entertainment channels,” Modi said.

“And all this because we have had some of the best cricketers from around the world… Frankly I could not have envisaged a more successful inaugural season than this year,” he added.

“Imagine the likes of Swapnil Asnodkar, Dhawal Kulkarni, Niraj Patel, Abhishek Nayyar (state-level players) and Yusuf Pathan getting mobbed by fans for their performances in the league.” On the revenue did BCCI generate though the IPL, Modi, also the Cricket Board President, said he had not information on that.

“I don’t know the exact nature of revenue the IPL has generated for the BCCI as of now… However, we have at all junctures through out the IPL process attempted to be as transparent as possible in terms of the financials and so have communicated these publicly at all time and so you could also do some back of the cuff calculations to derive a number,” he said.
Source: indiatoday.digitaltoday.in

The Indian Premier League (IPL) transported a handful of players from the obscurity of domestic cricket to international fame. Even the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seems to have taken note of IPL performance in drafting Yusuf Pathan and Pragyan Ojha into the national team. However, advertisers are not convinced.

The newfound popularity of Swapnil Asnodkar, Ravinder Jadeja and Manpreet Gony, and those of Pathan and Ojha, is unlikely to earn them much endorsement money any time soon. At best, given IPL’s city-centric loyalty, they may bag deals for local or regional brands in the short-term.

“While the young players may have found favour with the masses, I believe that one needs to play for the nation before one can actually attract national level endorsements,” says Shailendra Singh, joint managing director with Percept Holdings, a big name in celebrity and talent management.

Doing well for the national team indeed matters much more. The two Sharmas — Rohit and Ishant — attracted deals in droves after their good performance in Australia. Both are citizens of Pepsi’s Youngistaan.

“I think it is premature to say that the new faces will be lapped up by the ad industry at this point. They need to prove themselves in the international arena and represent the country. Players like Ishant, who played a crucial role in Australia, have bagged prestigious accounts,” says Jeet Banerjee, managing director, Gameplan.

Even consumer durable companies, among the biggest cricket advertisers, are not sure about the pull of the IPL stars. “Whether there is an opportunity in taking these new players on board as brand endorsers depends on factors like brand identity and target segment. At LG we are not yet considering such a move,” says V Ramachandran, director-sales and marketing, LG Electronics India.

At best, the IPL stars can hope to bag local deals, like Pathan has. “Since IPL is about cities backing teams, there could be an opportunity for local-level advertising. Even MNCs, who wish to localise their advertising initiatives, might see an opportunity in signing up some one like Abhishek Nayar or Manpreet Gony,” adds Singh.
Source: business-standard.com

Sydney, June 6 (IANS) After his low-key investment in the unfancied Rajasthan Royals fetched him a multimillion-dollar windfall in the Indian Premier League (IPL), business magnate Lachlan Murdoch is eyeing rich stakes in the fast-growing and lucrative Indian media. Murdoch was one of three members of the consortium that owned Rajasthan Royals with Manoj Badale being the chairman and major shareholder.Badale’s company, Emerging Media, leads the consortium, with Murdoch brought on board as its media partner and businessman Suresh Chellaram as its Indian partner.

“We wanted a strong media partner and a strong Indian partner, recognising the potential of the franchise over a number of years,” Badale said.An Indian-born, London-based entrepreneur, Badale says Murdoch has been “a delight to work with”.

More important for Murdoch, the victory may also give him a high-profile ticket into other Indian media deals.Badale hinted that the investment in the Royals was only Murdoch’s first step in Indian media:“Lachlan is definitely intrigued by India. Actually, I think he’s more than intrigued. He sees the huge potential this country has,” Badale was quoted as saying in The Australian.

Murdoch, a director of News Corporation - which owns News Limited, publisher of The Australian, has given little away about his reasons for investing in the franchise or about the size of his stake.In January he would say only that “the potential for Indian domestic cricket has never looked better”.But in the past he has been linked with high-profile identities on the subcontinent.

Most prominently, Murdoch has been associated with one of the richest men in India and Asia, and the owner of the rival Mumbai Indians IPL team, Mukesh Ambani, amid speculation the two may pursue Indian media ventures.

Those who know Murdoch say he was “very happy” with the Rajasthan Royals winning the inaugural IPL. The team is set to gain tens of millions of dollars in sponsorship, merchandising, gate attendances and TV rights in coming years as a result of winning the tournament, multiplying the team’s US $ 1.2 million prize money for the win many times over.

Neil Maxwell, Australian chief executive of the rival Kings XI Punjab side, said that the win would substantially expand the value of the Royals.“It brings a status, which in India is particularly important. It increases your following both in corporate sense and in public sense,” he said.

“The key for them (Rajasthan Royals) will be to leverage that success over the next 12 months. The potential from a business perspective is the capital appreciation of the franchise. It is in the interests of the franchises to make sure the IPL grows, so that it increases the value of the franchises,” Maxwell said.

The inaugural IPL exceeded all expectations, with the matches characterised by large crowds and large TV ratings in India.The Rajasthan Royals, which were purchased for $US67 million by the Emerging Media consortium and have the IPL’s cheapest playing roster, could prove lucrative in their own right for Murdoch.

Badale believes the IPL could become one of the world’s leading sport and media rights properties.

“The Rajasthan Royals need to bring all the things to market: fan-based memberships, corporate hospitality and sports sponsorship. Indians want to be associated with winners,” said Badale.
Source:thaindian.com

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan new pace sensation Sohail Tanvir termed Indian Premier League (ICL) one of the best organised domestic cricket event of the world.
While talking to reporters at Islamabad International Airport, he said that the cricketing world appreciated India for organising such a great cricket event.
“Pakistan will also organise such an event this years in the great interest of the players,” he said.
The left-arm pacer disclosed that he was offered contract by three counties and a few other foreign teams. “Before joining the IPL, I had various offers at very good pay package but I could not make any decision on this offers,” he maintained. Tanvir, who topped the list of most wicket takers in IPL (21 wickets in 9 matches) said that he learned a great deal by playing under the captaincy legend Shan Warn.
“It was a good experience for me and I am very happy with my performance,” he said. He said that he had developed friendly relations with international players including Glenn Mcgrath, Shane Warne, Farveez Mahroof, Shaun Pollock, Shane Watson and Irfan Pathan.
“I also learned from top bowlers during the IPL,” he added. Sohail said that he earlier refused these offers due to commitments with Pakistan team and the IPL but now he was considering because he had a free month of July. Tanvir, who was welcomed with rose petals in a historical reception at the airport by his club mates, friends, family members and office bearers of Rawalpindi District Cricket Association (RDCA), thanked his fans particularly the Indian spectators and organisers who praised him over his outstanding performance with the ball.
Replying a question regarding the Muhammad Asif saga, he said that he was unaware about the incident and did not want to make any comments on this issue. “I am fit and satisfied with my performance and I would love to serve my country,” he concluded.
Source: nation.com.pk

By Nandakumar Marar

MUMBAI: Chennai Super Kings captain, M.S. Dhoni, talked about performing as a team all over again, after his team crushed Kings XI Punjab by nine wickets to confirm a final place in the DLF-IPL on Saturday.

“I have always maintained that you can’t go by what you have done. Every match requires a fresh start. You have to start from scratch. We have to do it again in the next game,” he said.
Asked about the serene expression on his face despite the pressure of competing in a semifinal, he said: If I were to tell you that I don’t feel the pressure, I will be lying. When you want something done from the bowler, it won’t help if he sees a tense captain. Pressure is there, it is important at times to hide it.”

Makhaya Ntini, named man of the match, also referred to the need to conceal tense feelings from opponents. “I am always smiling, that is how I play my game. The pressure is there, I don’t show anything to any batsmen. I let the ball do the talking.”

The South African sent back openers Shaun Marsh and James Hopes to rattle Kings XI early on.
Kings XI captain Yuvraj Singh, opting to bat after winning the toss, stuck to his reading about the Wankhede track. “It was a good wicket to bat on. We did not do well under pressure,” he said, complimenting the Chennai bowlers for a commendable job.

Dhoni felt his bowlers were up to the mark, followed by efforts from Parthiv Patel and Suresh Raina to make light of the chase. “The intensity was good, whether bowling or fielding. Though we lost an early wicket, Parthiv and Raina gave us the kind of start that was needed.”
Source: hindu.com

Top 10 Batsmen

As on: 1 June, 2008 02:01:09

Top 10 bowlers

As on: 1 June, 2008 02:01:09

Maximum fours

As on: 1 June, 2008 02:01:09

Maximum Sixes

As on: 1 June, 2008 02:01:09

Maximum Catches

As on: 1 June, 2008 02:01:09

Man of the series - Shane Watson
Purple cap winner (best bowler) - Sohail Tanveer
Orange cap winner (best batsman)- Shaun Marsh

This info was submitted to us by Monika Sood

The winners of DLF - IPL team - Rajasthan Royals celebrating the win over Chennai Super Kings

In the final of DLF - Indian Premier League, one can not ask for a better match. It was a real thriller in which both the teams fought till the very last bowl. Rajasthan Royals needed 8 runs in last over and Chennai Super Kings needed to defend it or take 3 wickets. But it was Rajasthan Royals who holded the nerves and won the match and thus won the inaugural  DLF - IPL cup.

Chasing a target of  164 Rajasthan Royals kept loosing wickets at regular interval and it looked like Super Kings had a chance but Yousaf Pathan again came to the rescue of Rajasthan Royals and scored 56 before being run out. After that all the batsmen played some useful innings and in the end it was on the shoulders of Shane Warne to take his team toward the victory.The last over was bowled by Balaji and they got 2 on very first bowl and then the next one was a dot ball. Rajasthan Royals needed 6 runs of 3 balls and then a blunder was done by both Patel and Balaji. He bowled a wide which was missed by Patel and Rajasthan Royals got 2 runs and the equation changed to 4 runs from 3 balls. The drama was not ending and it was  1 run from 1 ball. Tanveer scored a boundary and it was all over for Chennai Super Kings.

Rajasthan Royals were treated as underdogs at the start but they have shown that they were the best team in the tournament and thus deserved the Inaugral Cup of DLF- IPL

Today was a final match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in the DLF - IPL 2008. This was played at Dr. DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai, on June 1, 2008. Rajasthan Royals won the toss and decided to bowl first. Parthiv Patel and Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan opened the batting for Chennai Super Kings and took the score to 39 before Chennai Super Kings was out. The score of the team was 117 for the loss of 3 wickets in 15 overs. Suresh Raina was the top scorer for Chennai Super Kings, he scored 43 runs. In the end the team scored 163/5 runs in 20 overs.

Scorecard-Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings-Final Mathc-IPL 2008

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