Team News - 18th march
 When Deccan Chargers charge, they create Havoc
Neil Maxwell named Mohali IPL team’s CEO
Sanjay Gupta to direct Vijay Mallya's IPL film
Tamil movie stars Vijay and Nayantara add attraction to IPL
Balaji included in IPL Chennai team
Gambhir dying to play Daredevil for Delhi
When Deccan Chargers charge, they create Havoc
Hyderabad, India - March 18, 2008
The Deccan Chargers entered the cricketing arena with a war cry on Tuesday as their jubilant captain, V.V.S. Laxman, said that quality cricket is great entertainment in itself and does not need any Bollywood star to promote it. The skipper's comment was given added impetus by the thunderous drumming which accompanied the colourful launch of Deccan Chargers, the the Deccan Chronicle IPL team for Hyderabad, at Novotel in Hitex on Tuesday evening.
"I think ultimately IPL is a cricket tournament and people will come to see great cricketers playing," said Laxman. "With my colleagues I'll try to play the best cricket we can. That's the biggest entertainment for a cricket fan."
The team would be represented by a charging bull, signifying strength, power and aggression while the red and gold bands on the flag stand for dominance and victory.
Deccan Chargers have already acquired a fan following, going by the enthusiastic messages scrawled over the board. 'Blast the rest,' read one, 'Charge your way through, Deccan,' said another. Vice-captain Adam Gilchrist of Australia said in a video message that he was very excited at being the vice-captain of the Deccan Chargers.
While thanking the Deccan Chronicle for "setting the team up in a professional manner," Gilchrist said he was "looking forward to forming a great relationship with the passionate fans." Laxman also lauded the efforts of Deccan Chronicle in getting Hyderabad a team in the IPL.
"Cricket is not only passion or religion but karma; it's part of everyone's lives," he said. "Over the next few years we will have more youngsters from this part of the country representing India."
"Deccan Chronicle group has always believed in promoting sports including cricket and the Deccan Chargers is our way of contributing to this vision. We are confident that Deccan Chargers would inspire a whole new generation of young cricketers in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa to build on their talent and reach greater heights," saidT. Venkattram Reddy, chairman, Deccan Chronicle.
"We will always and play with this spirit," said J. Krishnan, CEO of Deccan Chargers.
He also echoed Laxman's words when he said there won't be any film stars on the ground. "We're talking about cricket here," he added. "Our team is good enough to entertain the spectators. I don't think we need any film stars to woo the crowd."
And Laxman added in good measure, "My and my team will go all out to entertain you."
"We will take cricket to the grassroots in Hyderabad, Andhra and Orissa by setting up academies of international standard which will groom youngsters and help them realise their dreams," saidKrishnan.
Earlier, the show began with dynamic drum beats as the Hyderabad Cricket Association president and state labour minister,G. Vinod, unfurled the team flag.
It was interspersed by dances by a Latina trio and Sameera Reddy, not to forget the foot-tapping drumming by Taufeeq Qureshi and his band called Mumbai Stamps.
Skipper Laxman and Coach Robin Singh were visibly proud. "I'm in an enviable position," said the captain. "Any cricketer of my team can play at any position. So the team management can decide the batting order."
Robin Singh was also happy to see so many match winners in one team. "I've played with some of them and have coached others," he said. "It's going to be tremendous experience."
And there need not be any anxiety about the Aussies in the team gelling with the Indians after the recent tempestuous tour.
"I know Gilly (Adam Gilchrist) and Symmo (Andrew Symonds) very well," said Laxman. "They are not only great cricketers, they are good human beings. Forget about sledging and concentrate on cricket."
The entire squad of Deccan Chargers was also announced on the occasion. They include V.V.S. Laxman (captain), Adam Gilchrist (vice-captain), Andrew Symonds, Herschelle Gibbs, Shahid Afridi, Chaminda Vaas, Scott Styris, Chamara Silva, Nuwan Zoysa, R. P. Singh, Rohit Sharma, N. Arjun Yadav, Dwaraka Ravi Teja, Pragyan Prayish Ojha, Doddapaneni Kalyankrishna, P. Vijay Kumar, Y. Venu Gopal Rao, Halhadhar Das, Sanjay Bangar and Sarvesh Kumar.
Source - Televisionpoint - Top ^
Neil Maxwell named Mohali IPL team’s CEO
New Delhi, India - March 18, 2008
Former Australian cricketer Neil Maxwell was Tuesday appointed the chief executive officer (CEO) of the India Premier League’s (IPL) Mohali team. Maxwell, who represented Australia ‘A’ as well as New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria state teams as an all-rounder, will be a part of Mohali’s core management group and will oversee the operations and work towards the team’s brand building.
Maxwell has valuable experience to offer in marketing and communication. He has worked in various administrative and marketing capacities with Cricket NSW, the Melbourne Cricket Club, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) at Lord’s and New Zealand Cricket.
In partnership with fellow cricketer Shane Lee, he had also established two international sports marketing groups, Sporting Frontiers India and Sporting Frontiers Cricket.
“I am extremely excited to be part of Team Mohali, as this is the first time in the history of cricket that a league of such a magnitude has been formed across the world.
“This gives me a good opportunity to be associated with a sport that I love so much and we promise a lot of exciting and unforgettable cricketing action from Team Mohali,” Maxwell said.
Source - Thaindian - Top ^
Send gifts to your love one's in India -
www.giftsbuddy.com
Sanjay Gupta to direct Vijay Mallya's IPL film
Mumbai, India - March 18, 2008
Industrialist Vijay Mallya and Rediff have joined hands with producer-director Sanjay Gupta to create the Royal Challengers (RC) ad film.
Vijay Mallaya's UB group had won the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise for Bangalore. The team has been named Royal Challengers (RC).
The ad is being made to bring about an awareness of Mallya's Indian Premier League team, stated an official release.
While the ad featuring Rahul Dravid, Zahir Khan and Virat Kohli will be directed by Sanjay Gupta, Allan Amin of Dhoom fame has been officially appointed as the action director for the same.
Source - Indiantelevision - Top ^
Send gifts to your love one's in India -
www.giftsbuddy.com
Tamil movie stars Vijay and Nayantara add attraction to IPL
Chennai, India - March 18, 2008
The Chennai team of BCCI’s Indian Premiere League (IPL) has roped in two top stars from Kollywood to add colour to the team.
Chennai Super Kings formally embraced the glamour that cinema is believed to bring along by roping in two Kollywood biggies as its brand ambassadors. The leading young actor Ilaya Thalapathy Vijay and the hot girl of Kollywood Nayantara were officially announced as brand ambassadors of the team.
The announcement was made at a glittering function held in Chennai today (March 18). Vijay, who was present in the function said, “I am thrilled to be part of the Chennai Super Kings. I am an ardent fan of cricket, thanks to my son, who is glued to the television set whenever India plays.”
He added that, “To be part of our Chennai team is a delight for me and I hope that I can contribute my bit in my new role. All my fans and well-wishers too have a great passion for the sport. Let's all join hands together and support Chennai Super Kings to ensure that namma team rocks”.
Nayantara, who is the other star ambassador, could not turn up for the event.
K Srikkanth, former Indian skipper and cricketing brand ambassador of Chennai Super Kings, was also present on the occasion.
IPL, the BCCI's money-rich Indian Premier League, already has top Bollywood stars Sharukh Khan and Preity Zinta as popular franchises.
Source - indiaglitz - Top ^
Balaji included in IPL Chennai team
Chennai, India - March 18, 2008
Out of the national side for the past three years, pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji has been included as an additional bowler in the Indian Premier League's (IPL) Chennai Super Kings team.
Announcing Balaji's inclusion, V B Chandrasekar, a former selector and head of cricketing matters in the Chennai Super Kings, said, "We have pitchforked him in our team as an additional bowler. He has been in action after recovery from injury in the TNCA's first division matches this season."
"Balaji has been effective in two spells of 10 overs, though he has not been tried on the trot. He is surely going to be a lethal weapon in our scheme of things in the Twenty 20 IPL matches," he said.
He said the whole composition of the team has to be decided this evening and the squad list would be sent to BCCI's IPL Committee first.
"This is mandatory. We cannot officialy release the list to the media now. You will have two or three more surprises in our composition. We also have plans to launch the team by month end," he said.
Balaji was sidelined after a stress fracture and had last played for India in 2005, during the Indian Oil Cup in Sri Lanka.
He returned to action in the Irani Trophy match and Challenger Trophy matches for India Red at Chennai in 2006.
Source - The Hindu - Top ^
Gambhir dying to play Daredevil for Delhi
New Delhi , India - March 17, 2008
Gautam Gambhir was India's highest scorer in the tri-series in Australia and can very well be one of the options to be picked to play South Africa in the Test series. But at the Indian Premier League, Gambhir will be a key player for Delhi Daredevils.
Gautam Gambhir, the highest run getter during the Australia tri-series, is confident that he would carry forward his good one-day form to the Indian Premier League (IPL), kicking off next month.
"I hope my good form in the tri-series continues in the IPL. I am doing well in one-dayers so I think I should be doing well in the Twenty20 version also," Gambhir, who scored 440 runs from 10 matches in the Australia tri-series, said.
"IPL is a good idea, it is exciting and am looking forward to playing in the tournament. It is the people's game. I think cricket fans will enjoy a lot in the IPL," Gambhir said on the sidelines of announcement of official sponsors of Delhi Dare Devils on Saturday.
Gambhir, who has been in and out of the ODI team, said the Australia tour was the defining moment of his career and notching up most runs was a big achievement.
"Playing against Australia is a big challenge. They are world champions and we were playing at their home, becoming highest run getter there is a big achievement," he said.
"In Australia everything clicked. Our batting, bowling and fielding clicked, so we won the series," Gambhir said.
Bengal batsman Manoj Tiwary, meanwhile, said he was disappointed not to play for Kolkata team under his mentor Sourav Ganguly.
"I was making up my mind all along that I would play for Kolkata under Ganguly but it will not happen now. I am a bit disappointed. But as a professional I have to play with any team. I believe I will adapt well here," Tiwary said.
"I am excited to play the IPL. It will be a big learning experience for me. Playing along with some of the big Indian and international stars will be a great platform to learn."
He also feels that Virender Sehwag had it in him to lead the side well.
"Sehwag is a thinking cricketer. He has experience of some years of international cricket. I think he will be a good captain."
The 22-year-old also rued that he could not do well in his debut match against Australia in the tri-series.
"I am disappointed I failed in my debut match, but I think I have to take it positively. I have to do better in the domestic matches," he said.
"I will not forget the moment when Sachin told me to forget my first international innings of my career and think ahead after I scored only two. He also taught me a lot during the series. I will try to apply those in the matches to come," Tiwary said.
Source - dnaindia - Top ^ |
