Harbhajan certain to get punishment'

Despite Harbhajan Singh sending a mercy petition to BCCI over the slapping incident, he is likely to face further action. On Wednesday, BCCI president Sharad Pawar told TOI , "We'll only follow the procedure. The disciplinary committee will meet after we get the Nanavati commission report. Till then, we are not in the position to comment on the nature of the disciplinary action." Sources said top BCCI officials were angry with Harbhajan's conduct on the field and eager to mete out punishment. "He will be punished for sure for assaulting a fellow cricketer. We are also going to look at Sreesanth's case," a top BCCI official said. A senior Indian player said, "Whatever happened on the field that day was really sad. But from now on we will make sure that these two cricketers (Harbhajan and Sreesanth) do not get to affect the atmosphere in the dressing room. After all, we play for India and right now, we are doing well in world cricket and an incident like this should not spoil our dressing room ambience." Meanwhile, BCCI-appointed commissioner Sudhir Nanavati said he would view the recording of the match before the slapping incident took place to establish what may have provoked Harbhajan. "I want to find out (about the provocation) only for the purpose of seeing whether it was a reaction as far as Harbhajan is concerned," Nanavati said. "So far the documents I have received do not indicate (that there was provocation). I might have to see the whole recording of the cricket match," he told a TV channel, adding: "I might have to discuss with some other players and officials like Yuvraj (Team Mohali skipper), Lalchand Rajput (Mumbai coach) or even team managers because the umpire's statement that I have recorded does not indicate that (provocation)," he said. Nanavati has summoned Harbhajan and Sreesanth to Ahmedabad this weekend and he will submit his final report to Pawar on Monday.

Harbhajan certain to get punishment'

Despite Harbhajan Singh sending a mercy petition to BCCI over the slapping incident, he is likely to face further action. On Wednesday, BCCI president Sharad Pawar told TOI , "We'll only follow the procedure. The disciplinary committee will meet after we get the Nanavati commission report. Till then, we are not in the position to comment on the nature of the disciplinary action." Sources said top BCCI officials were angry with Harbhajan's conduct on the field and eager to mete out punishment. "He will be punished for sure for assaulting a fellow cricketer. We are also going to look at Sreesanth's case," a top BCCI official said. A senior Indian player said, "Whatever happened on the field that day was really sad. But from now on we will make sure that these two cricketers (Harbhajan and Sreesanth) do not get to affect the atmosphere in the dressing room. After all, we play for India and right now, we are doing well in world cricket and an incident like this should not spoil our dressing room ambience." Meanwhile, BCCI-appointed commissioner Sudhir Nanavati said he would view the recording of the match before the slapping incident took place to establish what may have provoked Harbhajan. "I want to find out (about the provocation) only for the purpose of seeing whether it was a reaction as far as Harbhajan is concerned," Nanavati said. "So far the documents I have received do not indicate (that there was provocation). I might have to see the whole recording of the cricket match," he told a TV channel, adding: "I might have to discuss with some other players and officials like Yuvraj (Team Mohali skipper), Lalchand Rajput (Mumbai coach) or even team managers because the umpire's statement that I have recorded does not indicate that (provocation)," he said. Nanavati has summoned Harbhajan and Sreesanth to Ahmedabad this weekend and he will submit his final report to Pawar on Monday.

Icons may go on sale before next IPL

After the IPL auctions earlier this year, Rahul Dravid had wished that players were never 'sold' again. Strangely enough, before the next edition of the IPL, he himself could be put up for sale. When the trading window opens in February next year, icon players like Dravid and Sourav Ganguly could well find themselves on the transfer list. According to sources, some of the franchisees are unhappy with the performance of their icon players and are even exploring avenues to 'sell' them off. IPL commissioner Lalit Modi informed TOI that although the icon players had been given special status, the franchises would be permitted to trade their 'non-performing assets'. According to BCCI sources, some of the franchisees have indicated that they be allowed to trade below-par performers for those the owners feel might be quality replacements. But Modi made it clear on Wednesday that "if the franchisees want to dispose off the icon players or the underperformers in the team, the owners will have to pay off the three-year contract money to them". Or else, they can be traded to some other teams when the IPL trading window opens next February. "This format is quite unpredictable. The top team in the first seven matches may not be the same when the league finishes. But if some franchisee wants new players and wants to dispose off their icon, they will have to pay the three-year contract money. If some other teams are willing to buy them, then those players' salaries will have to be paid by the new owners. In fact, the trading window opens next year in February," Modi said. "The IPL rule is fixed for next three years. There will be eight foreign players in the team out of which four can be inducted in the playing XI. On top of this, if the franchisees want to sign up new players, they are welcome to do so. But in that case, you will have to pay that player's salary. But the rule to have eight of them in the team and four on the field will remain," Modi said. There are some franchisees like team Mohali and Delhi Daredevils, though, who are quite happy with their icons Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag.

Icons may go on sale before next IPL

After the IPL auctions earlier this year, Rahul Dravid had wished that players were never 'sold' again. Strangely enough, before the next edition of the IPL, he himself could be put up for sale. When the trading window opens in February next year, icon players like Dravid and Sourav Ganguly could well find themselves on the transfer list. According to sources, some of the franchisees are unhappy with the performance of their icon players and are even exploring avenues to 'sell' them off. IPL commissioner Lalit Modi informed TOI that although the icon players had been given special status, the franchises would be permitted to trade their 'non-performing assets'. According to BCCI sources, some of the franchisees have indicated that they be allowed to trade below-par performers for those the owners feel might be quality replacements. But Modi made it clear on Wednesday that "if the franchisees want to dispose off the icon players or the underperformers in the team, the owners will have to pay off the three-year contract money to them". Or else, they can be traded to some other teams when the IPL trading window opens next February. "This format is quite unpredictable. The top team in the first seven matches may not be the same when the league finishes. But if some franchisee wants new players and wants to dispose off their icon, they will have to pay the three-year contract money. If some other teams are willing to buy them, then those players' salaries will have to be paid by the new owners. In fact, the trading window opens next year in February," Modi said. "The IPL rule is fixed for next three years. There will be eight foreign players in the team out of which four can be inducted in the playing XI. On top of this, if the franchisees want to sign up new players, they are welcome to do so. But in that case, you will have to pay that player's salary. But the rule to have eight of them in the team and four on the field will remain," Modi said. There are some franchisees like team Mohali and Delhi Daredevils, though, who are quite happy with their icons Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag.

Mumbai solve Jaipur jigsaw puzzle

Resurgent Mumbai Indians excelled with a superb all-round display to stun table-toppers Rajasthan Royals in their track and recorded a comprehensive seven-wicket victory, their third successive after four straight losses, in the Indian Premier League at the DY Patil Stadium on Wednesday.Helped by some pathetic batting display by the visiting team, who went into their seventh tie with five successive wins behind them, the hosts bowled purposefully and fielded brilliantly to skittle out Rajasthan Royals for a meagre 103 in 16.2 overs.The only way Rajasthan could win from that position when the asking rate was just over five was to trigger a dramatic collapse, which did not happen, and Mumbai Indians romped home by making 104 for three wickets in 15.1 overs to keep themselves firmly in the hunt for a semi-final berth.

Girls and TV serial crazy ladies enjoy IPL T20

Ask the ladies, they are watching it. Yes, it is true; women are getting hooked to IPL T20 cricket as never before. More and more Indian women are trooping into the stadiums to watch live Indian Premier League matches and even a greater number is sitting in front of the TV.

The Scene opens with tantalizing music, moves on to an item number with scantily clad females and suddenly stars like Shahrukh khan, Preity Zinta, Akshay Kumar, Katerina Kaif appear.
Question: Where are you?
You are wrong if you answered a movie hall. You are watching IPL T20. That is where all this is happening. Ask the ladies, they are watching it. Yes, it is true; women are getting hooked to IPL T20 cricket as never before. More and more Indian women are trooping into the stadiums to watch live IPL matches and even a greater number is sitting in front of the TV.
The fight for the remote control at home is over since the start of IPLT20. According to surveys (I have no idea who does these surveys, I think they just make it up) more and more women are watching IPL T 20. Move over Sas Bahu here comes IPL Ki story.
IPL has all the ingredients of a pot boiler. It has drama, action, suspense, glamour, Hero, Heroines, Villains (Remember the politicians who made the cheerleaders dress up), side kicks, and to top it all actual live cricket (almost forgot that one). Add a Bhajji, Sreesanth episode and you can't ask for more. (They have made up, in case you did not know).

The new cricket format is obviously packing a big punch with viewers, women in particular. TV audiences, much like those who are watching action at the stadium, seem to be lapping up the big glitzy shows under floodlights every evening. Cricket is at the centre of the action, but it is part of a package with other elements that are almost as essential.People are not watching IPL just for cricket. It is all-round entertainment with film stars, cricket stars, cheerleaders and also some great cricket. Whether it is Akshay Kumar rappelling across Ferozeshah Kotla or cheerleaders strutting their stuff during breaks (sadly fully clad) or the spectacle of watching Muttiah Muralitharan play alongside M S Dhoni, people are liking the cocktail of visual delights.
PL has also been responsible for busting the myth that not too many women watch cricket. Women have shown a far higher interest in IPL. About 36% of the total audience share watching IPL comprises women. IT is a delight to have female spectators in the stadium. They add to the glamour and the cheer. I can see you guys grinning ear to ear.

Another indicator is TRP ratings that the programme has drawn. IPL began its innings with a bang and a viewer ship of 8.21 in six metros on April 18 but this came down to 4.97 on April 19. The latest figures available with TAM show that viewer ship has gone up to 5.57 for six metros — Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai.
Do the guys mind? "Not at all" is the response I get from the youngsters all around. They love to have the ladies in the stadium. According to them it lends pep and color to the spectators. Husbands at home are not complaining either since there is no arguments about what to watch. Joy all around thanks to IPL T20.