Malayalis missing own team in IPL

Watching the KKR vs RCB match in the Yacht Club with a whole lot of my friends made me really nostalgic and suddenly I wished Kochi Tuskers still existed.

We all have our own favourite teams, then why am I wishing and hoping?

The IPL has a world culture and thus having our own team made us part of this.

It was such fun last year with matches being played in our city. And I think more than just matches it was the ability to be able to see your stars in front of you.

People from all over Kerala would travel to see the matches. A million fingers would be crossed when we would see black clouds looming over the international stadium.

The silence when the wickets fell and the madness when there was a four or a six. It was fantastic to see it all happen before our own eyes and not just on TV.

It was also great to be able to tell a metro guy that even we have matches being played in our city when they talked about their experiences.

I remember so clearly how Kochi had become a sea of purple and orange. All the paraphernalia and merchandise.

T-shirts, caps, signed bats, banners and more. People selling all this around the stadium. The traffic, the buzz, the tension. The IPL had Kochi swooning.

And there would be those messages and calls; hey are you in the stadium? What’s happening there? Which block are you sitting in? I truly miss us having an IPL team.

When we thought the IPL couldn’t get crazier — it did and KKR was playing. And suddenly the stadium erupted when the magnetic charismatic amazing Shah Rukh Khan walked in.

He waved, he blew kisses, he clapped and from where he was, he indulged every fan.

His team lost (mine too) but he was the winner. He walked around waving to everyone. Touching hands and smiling.

I love the IPL and I know many do too in this cricket crazy Kerala. And I miss miss miss watching the matches live and also having our own team.

IPL 2012: RCB sign former Kochi player Prashanth Parameswaran

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have signed left-handed paceman Prashanth Parameswaran from Kerala as a replacement for injured S Aravind.

Parameswaran will join the squad at the earliest, the RCB said in a statement.

"We are happy with the induction of Parameswaran in our squad. He will boost our bowling resources during the most critical phase of the ongoing tournament," RCB owner Sidhartha Mallya in a statement.

The pacer was a part of the Kochi Tuskers Kerala outfit in the 2011 season of the IPL. (PTI)

IPL Pune team has common goal

PUNE: Steve Smith's journey as a vital cog in Pune's wheel hasn't been that smooth.

In 2009, he was in the auction pool but wasn't picked by any franchise. He was signed the next year by Bangalore as replacement for Jessy Ryder, who is now his teammate. But the 22-year-old Australian did not get a game.

Kochi Tuskers Kerala signed him for the base price of $200,000 last year. However, an ankle injury prevented him from playing.

The middle-order batsman, who also bowls leg-spin, was in the auction pool this year for the base price of $200,000 after Kochi was suspended by the Board. But as the franchises have to do the balancing act between players and spending cap, Smith was not picked by any team.

Pune, who did not participate in the auction due to their differences with the BCCI, signed him later after he captained Sydney Sixers to Big Bash title in Australia. Finally, Smith got his first IPL game with his third team this year. And he bagged Man of the Match on debut helping Pune beat Mumbai in their own den.

Smith has held his own in the season so far with 194 crucial runs at 38.8 with a strike rate of 152.75 (before the start of Pune-Hyderabad game). And he has been the tiger in the field. In T20 internationals for Australia, his T20 average is just 15 and in ODIs 22.8.

Smith had been to India for the World Cup last year. Australia decided to replace him withCameron White for the quarterfinal against India which they lost.

Smith's story of rejection and his search for redemption is symptomatic of Pune team.

Captain Ganguly himself was rejected by all franchise in the auction last year. Even other members have something to prove to the cricket fans and national selectors. Leggie Rahul Sharma and paceman Ashok Dinda are not yet certainties for Team India. Robin Uthappa has failed to cement his place with Men in Blue. Murali Kartik feels he is not far from being the best left-arm spinner in the world but men who matter may not feel so. Left-arm pacemanAshish Nehra, who was a part of the World Cup team but did not play the final after suffering a finger injury, is also trying to get back at selectors.

Manish Pandey got an unbeaten 200 vs Mumbai in Mumbai in his last Ranji game. But had to sit out in frustration due to hernia surgery in a season which could have boosted his Test berth aspirations.

Angleo Mathews and Tamim Iqbal have made a name for themselves at the international level. But other foreign playes in Pune team (Callum Ferguson, Wayne Parnell, Marlon Samuels, Jesse Ryder, Alfonso Thomas, Luke Wright) are still searching their place at the highest level. And Aussie Test and ODI skipper Michael Clarke, who is supposed to join the team next week, has to prove his T20 credentials more than anyone else after retiring from the shortest version.

But there can be one distinct advantage with such group. The likelihood of class division in the team is less since no player is current international 'star'. It's easier to unite such angry and hungry players towards a common goal.

IPL 5: Delhi's bench strength impresses Mahela

New Delhi: Delhi Daredevils vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene on Friday said an impressive bench strength offers them the luxury of rotating players during the ongoing tournament to give some players a break in a packed Indian Premier League (IPL) schedule.

The Sri Lankan, who played for the Kochi Tuskers Kerala last season, said the packed IPL schedule was not a problem for them as all the other teams had to go through it as well. "I think every team is going through it. Some times we a few days off. If a player has a good game and he is tired we can rotate him," Jayawardene said.

Delhi will be without the services of Kevin Pietersen at the end of the month as he would be going back England to prepare for the home series against the West Indies. Delhi though will welcome back Australian David Warner, who was away on national duty in the West Indies.

"Pietersen is leaving end of the month for his season so Warner will come and join the team. Plus we got many players sitting on the bench. So its all about rotation. If we feel we need to give a player a couple of days off then we give a break and utilize the bench strength. We have Andre on the bench and couple of others. So if Morne Morkel requires a break we will give him," he said.

Jaywardene was also impressed with Delhi's bowling attack. "Bowlers have done a great job. I think Morne has led the pack efficiently. Umesh Yadav is impressive. But I think the way Shahbaz Nadeem is bowling very very well. He is a confident guy on the field and a brilliant fielder. We have got a lot of experience in Ajit Agarkar and Aavishkar Salvi. Vaaron Aaron will be available by the end of the month," he said.

The Sri Lankan also said that every cricketer is working on the surprise element. "I think everyone has done different things to stay on the top of the game. I think in Twenty20 cricket scoring runs is important. To add the surprise element to their scoring quickly batsmen have come with new techniques. Dilshan' Dilscope, KP switch-hit and many more. Bowlers have also evolved different version, to slow balls, slow bouncers and many more. It is great for the game," he said.

IPL auction: Ravindra Jadeja costliest at $2 mn, Vinay Kumar bags $1 mn

VVS Laxman, S Sreesanth and Brendon McCullum - all part of the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala in the 2011 IPL - have commanded the highest reserve price of US$ 400,000 in the final auction shortlist for the 2012 season. The Kochi trio joins England offspinner Graeme Swann, who is yet to feature in the IPL, as the four players to command the maximum base price in the 144-strong list.

On January 20, the BCCI had released a preliminary list comprising of 183 players, who hadn't participated in earlier seasons of the IPL. That has been pruned further by the IPL organisers based on the feedback received from the franchises. The Kochi players, who weren't part of the earlier list, were expectedly included, and the entire roster of players will go under the hammer on February 4 in Bangalore.

"The shortlist comprises some outstanding cricket talent," the IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said. "Given that it was prepared on the basis of the feedback of the franchises themselves, the stage is set for an exciting and eventful player auction, this Saturday. The franchises purchased the bulk of their respective squads in 2011. Their aim at the upcoming auction will be to bring in some players who can make a difference to their prospects in the tournament. The auction will mark the formal opening of IPL 2012."

In all, 16 Kochi players feature in the list including the newly-appointed Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene (reserve price US$ 300,000) and the retired offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan (US$ 200,000). India allrounder Ravindra Jadeja, whose stock has been on the rise following a successful return to ODI action, was pegged at a surprisingly low US$ 100,000. Tamim Iqbal was a notable addition, and will be the only Bangladesh player in the auction, at a reserve price of US$ 50,000.

Azhar Mahmood and Imran Tahir are the only players of Pakistan origin in the auction. Mahmood, however, now possesses a British passport, while Tahir is presently part of South Africa's Test team. Pakistan players have not been part of the IPL since the 2009 season.

Indian interest in the auction will be limited to eight newly-added players, all capped. Seven of them were part of the Kochi franchise last year while the eighth one is the fast bowler VRV Singh. The preliminary list had 25 Zimbabwe internationals, but only seven of them made it to the final draft.

Terminated Kochi Tuskers seek Kerala chief minister's help

THIRUVANANTPURAM: The owners of Kochi Tuskers, the terminated Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, have sought help from Kerala chief Minister Oommen Chandy to revive the state's Twenty20 cricket team.

Chandy said on Thursday that officials from Rendezvous Sports, owners of Kochi Tuskers, have requested him for help to revive the team.

"I told them that I will discuss this issue with my cabinet colleagues and find out what can be done," Chandy told reporters after a special cabinet meeting.

The IPL franchise was terminated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after it defaulted on an annual payment of Rs.156 crore as a bank guarantee.

Prasanth Mishra, a representative of Rendezvous Sports, met Chandy twice and discussed the problems.

"We have also met Sports Minister KB Ganesh Kumar to seek his help as well. We are also going to seek legal recourse of cancelling our franchise because in the past two franchises (Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals) were successful after they went to the court," said Mishra.

Rendezvous won the franchisee rights for the Kochi IPL team for Rs.1,500 crore for 10 years.

Rendezvous is owned by a consortium that includes companies like Kerala-based Elite Group of Vivek Venugopal, Anchor Earth, Parani Development Pvt. Ltd., Anand Shah Developers and Film Waves.

The team had its trouble right from the start. Sashi Tharoor, a Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, lost his job as the minister for state for external affairs after it was revealed that Sunanda Pushkar, whom he later married, was given sweat equity. Tharoor reportedly did the initial spade work to bring the owners together and bid for the team.

Then came a serious difference opinion between the owners and that too was sorted out before the team finally took the field. But then it defaulted in payment to the BCCI.

Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata Qualify for IPL4 play offs

Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata cruise to the play offs rounds of IPL 4th season which will begin from 24th May.

First two teams, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings will play in Qualifier 1 and 3rd and 4th team, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders play in Eliminator. Winner of Qualifier 1 will directly enter the Finals. Loser of Qualifier 1 will play against the winner of eliminator in Qualifier 2 and the Winner will get berth for Finals. Finals will be played at Chennai on 28th May.

Congratulations to Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata for entering Qualifier rounds and wish all good luck .

Kochi misses out on Ganguly, Pune bags Dada in a surprise move

In a surprise move, Pune Warriors signed Saurav Ganguly as a replacement for injured Ashish Nehra for the rest of IPL4 season. Kochi Tuskers management were keen to approach Dada as a replacement for Mahela Jayawardene , if skipper leaves early responding to Sri Lankan Cricket board’s call.

Saurav will participate in Pune Warriors practice camps from today, however unsure to play for next game against Mumbai Indians.

Earlier when Kochi approached to sign Dada, Pune objected strongly against it and BCCI didn’t approve Kochi’s move. Later on, when Steven Smith was injured, Kochi approached to sign Dada for a second time, but BCCI objected citing the reason on higher base price for Ganguly when compared with Steven Smith.

Anyway ,Kochi will surely miss Dada as a replacement skipper, if Mahela leaver by May 16th.

Kochi took sweet revenge by crashing Delhi in style

Kochi Tuskers took sweet revenge on Delhi Devils by defeating Delhi queit comfortably today. Earlier a brilliant show by pacers contained Delhi to a score of only 140 runs in 20 overs, thanks to brilliant bowling by all seamers ,RP Singh, Sreesanth, new man Prashant Parameswaran ( this tall man impressed every one by dismissing Sehwag cheaply in his first over and that was the turning point! ) and Vinay Kumar. Chasing 141, Brendon McCullum went berserk and and played all shots he likes, good support by Micheal Klinger and generous extras given by Delhi bowlers added fuel to the skyrocketing run rate which maintained at 10 per over. Later on, Brad Hodge’s classic shots along with little Parthiv Patel’s convincing smashes made Kochi’s win much earlier than expected. Kochi finished the game in style by scoring 141 in just 15 overs!

Feroz Shah Cortla stadium witnesed one of most bizzre games in IPL4. Eralier in the first innings, Vinay Kumar’s dead ball was hit for a 4 by Nagar, later on, Umesh Yadav’s bodyline no ball was sent for a huge six by McCullum and Mahela Jayawardene got run out during an LBW appeal !

Scores

Delhi : 140/6 ( 20 Overs )

Kochi: 141/3 (15 overs )

Man of the Match: Prashant Parameshwarwn ( debut match – he was signed only few days back by KTK, seeing his bowling at nets,Mahela got impressed and took him in the playing 11 for today! )

Rejuvenated Kochi seeking revenge against Delhi today on return match

Kochi Tuskers again facing Delhi Daredevils one more time, back to back, just after two days of their defeat. Match is scheduled today at 8.00 PM at Delhi.

Kochi Tuskers, not in their best of form, lost last three matches consecutively against Rajasthan Royals, Deccan Chargers and Delhi Daredevils and trailing at number 9 in the point table, today seek revenge on Delhi Daredevils against their humiliating defeat in the last match at Kochi. Kochi team, looked brilliant with their consecutive victories over the giant teams of IPL at one point of time, fell down and lost their winning track suddenly. Self realization of strengths and weakness will be key factor in progressing further from this point. Good news is that Kochi bowlers are performing consistently well and only battling line up needs depth and experience to build partnerships, which will be the key factor to win further games.

Motivated Delhi side is eager to continue their winning momentum today, but lacks consistency in bowling and batting. Virendra Sehawag’s patient batting only helped Delhi to get back on track and their further journey largely depends on the consistency of Sehwag and Warner.

Kochi, looking for a turn around, may go for some changes in the final 11 depending on the pitch conditions while Micheal Klinger may continue as opener today.

KTK reduced ticket prices for the only game left at Kochi

Ticket prices reduced to Rs. 250 and Rs. 400 ( earlier Rs.400 and Rs.600 ) for KTK vs KKR game on May 5, Thursday, 4.00 PM at Kochi, which is the only game left for Kochi for the IPL4 season. This will give all cricket fans from Kerala a wonderul opportunity to watch a live cricket match from the stadium at a very affordable price.

Lets fill the stadium with our fans …. go grad your tickets now… BUY TICKETS

Kochi Tuskers may shift home ground from Kochi for the next IPL season

After loosing to Deccan Chargers cheaply, Mahela Jayawardene expressed concerns about the suitability of picth for T20 matches. Behaviour of ball was quiet unpredictable after pitching and even Ishant Sharma couldn’t believe that his ball making the magic destruction for Kochi Tuskers.

Adding to these worries, Kochi Corporation started locking horns with KTK management on entertaintment tax issues. Things got heated when Kochi Corporation officials who came to inspect the stadium occupancy during the Wednesday’s play , were made to stand outside the stadium for three hours. Mayor suspects that KTK management is trying all ways to escape the entertaintment tax of 24%, which was already discounted by 50% only KTK IPL matches. Rest of the states charge only 5% of entertaintment tax whereas in Kerala the tax is as high as 48%.

Getting enough spectators is yet another issue being faced at Kochi Stadium. Having a seating capacity of 52000, stadium was only half full for all the matches so far. During the last match, Kerala police chased some trespassers who tried to enter teh stadium without tickets.

All these worries, may force the KTK management think of looking for other states for their home ground from next IPL season.

Venugopal Rao’s brother Gnaneswara Rao signed with Kochi Tuskers Kerala

Yaleeka Gnaneswara Rao (born August 25, 1984 in Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh), is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm off break bowler. Rao is a middle order batsman and was selected to represent the India U-19 cricket team in 2000/01 and was part of the India squad during the 2000/01 U-19 Cricket World Cup. Rao was selected as the captain for the tour of England (2002 season) though he was unable to play the first Test and Maninder Bisla was the stand-in captain for the match. The series was lost in the third Test as India lost by 185 runs.

Rao made his debut in Ranji Trophy domestic cricket in the 2000/01 cricket season for his home state – AP and currently represents the AP team in Indian domestic cricket.

VIRENDER SEHWAG HELPS DELHI DAREDEVILS ROUT KOCHI TUSKERS KERALA

Virender Sehwaghelps Delhi Daredevils rout Kochi Tuskers Kerala– Indian Premier League news

Delhi Daredevils have beaten Kochi Tuskers Kerala by a handsome margin of 38 runs in their crucial encounter of the Indian Premier League at Kochi.

Delhi’s victory was led by their captain Virender Sehwag who played a blinder of an innings to make sure that his team gets two important points.

It was a difficult track at Kochi and the ball was keeping low with inconsistent pace. Batsmen from both teams struggled on the pitch but Sehwag played an innings which turned out to be the difference between the two sides.

The Delhi captain scored 80 runs off just 47 balls in which he struck 8 boundaries and 5 towering hits out of the park.

Sehwag said after the match that he was very happy with his innings as it won the game for the Daredevils. Sehwag admitted that the wicket was very difficult to bat on and he thought 120 or 130 will prove to be a fighting score. However, he was very happy when his team reached 157 runs in their innings.

The Delhi bowlers bowled well in the second innings and Sehwag said that he had asked his bowlers to bowl within the stumps.

Sehwag said, “I am absolutely happy. Once we crossed 120, I thought we had got par. We were very happy when we reached 158. I was hitting the ball nicely and it was obvious that I had to bat longer. I told myself if I just stayed longer we could get 130, a good total on this wicket. Just told my bowlers to bowl straight and the wicket would do the rest.”

Kochi captain Mahela Jayawardene also praised Sehwag’s innings and said that it was important to get him out early but that did not happen. He added that 157 runs were a little too much on the track and admitted that his bowlers did not bowl well.

“130-140 would have been competitive, but 160 is tough. Viru batted really well. It was crucial to get him early. The way we bowled in the last 10, we didn't have any control over things. The best thing was to bat without thinking too much about it. We didn't bowl good areas,” said Jayawardene.

Delhi needed this victory badly as they were reeling at the bottom of the points table before the match. However, this is not the case anymore as Sehwag’s match-winning knock has made sure that his team jumps up to number seven in the points table.

The Daredevils have not done that well in the current season but their management would be hoping that they can raise their game in the crunch part of the tournament and carry on with the same momentum which they got against the Tuskers.

KTK vs DC: Ishant fiver helps Chargers crush Tuckers by 55 runs

Fire-breathing Ishant Sharma bowled Deccan Chargers to a sensational 55-run win over Kochi Tuskers Kerala at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium on Wednesday.

The lanky Delhi seamer picked up three wickets in his first over and added two more in his second for a final analysis of five for 12 off three overs as Kumar Sangakkara's Chargers scored their third victory in seven matches. Ishant Sharma’s figures are the third-best in the history of IPL. Only Royals’ Sohail Tanvir (6/14 in 2008) and Bangalore's Anil Kumble (5/5 2009) have better figures. When Mahela Jayawardene decided to bowl first and restricted the Chargers to 129 for seven in 20 overs, he would have nursed hopes that the Kerala side would get the momentum back after its disappointing loss to Rajasthan Royals. But Sharma had other ideas as he bowled with pace and also in the right areas to choke the Kochi batsmen on a wicket that had a lot in it for the pacers; the former Indian pacer bowled to a field of two slips and gully in his first three overs, quite unusual in a T20 match. He became only the third bowler in IPL 4 to take five wickets in a match after Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh. The Tuskers were bowled out for 74 in 16.3 overs, the lowest total in this IPL. The Kochi procession started in the second over of the day after Dale Steyn had sent back Brendon McCullum in the first. Sharma then swung into action removing Parthiv Patel, Raiphi Vincent Gomez and Brad Hodge in the second over. Sharma then sent back Jadhav and Mahela Jayawardene to virtually win the match for his side inside the first four overs as Kochi tumbled to an almost bizarre 11 for six. And when MS Gony accounted for Thissara Perera for 22 to reduce Kochi to 47 for seven, it was all over bar the shouting.

Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Deccan Chargers

The Deccan side will be desperate for a win, and cannot afford any further losses. The Chargers will face the Kochi side in their next encounter. Kochi is a better team as compared to the Deccan side, though Kochi lost their last encounter to Rajasthan Royals.

Deccan is struggling with their form, lying at the bottom of the table. They look weak, as their batting and bowling department seems ordinary. The battingside especially lacks experience, except for Sangakkara. The bowling has got quality, but so far it has failed to impress. They have only 4 points from 6 games, and have lost two consecutive matches in a row.

They face the Kochi side on 27th of April. The Kochi side looks strong and formidable, in spite their previous loss to Rajasthan. Kochi side is placed 5th in the table with 6 points. They have got a perfect combination of batting and bowling and both the department have quality players. Mccullum and Jayawardene are in fine touch. Jadeja is contributing handsomely, both with the bat and ball. They have the legend, Muralitharan who can rip of any batting order on a given day. The Kochi side has won 3 games out of the 6 played. But most importantly, they have won all the 3 games against the top side. They have beaten, the top placed Mumbai side, 3rd placed Knight Riders and the defending Champions, Chennai Super Kings.

On the other hand, the Chargers have some quality players like White, Christian and Steyn, but it is not clicking at the moment. The Chargers will have to give their best, if they have to get the better of Kochi. The Kochi will come hard at the struggling Chargers side, following their poor performance against the Rajashtan team. It is a very important match up for both the teams, especially for the Chargers.

The Chargers will look to bounce back and win this encounter and for this to happen, the team needs to show a bit of composure. Players like Cameron White, Dhawan and Steyn will have to come good. If it happens, it will be an exciting encounter and will be hard to predict the winnerr. Irrespective of who wins or loses, the fans will surely experience a scintillating match- up between the two sides.

Buy 2 get 1 free offer for KTK tickets

Buy two tickets and get third ticket for free for KTK upcoming matches at Kochi. This offer will be applicable for Rs.400 and Rs.600 ticket category.

Lets fill the stadium with our fans …. go grad your tickets now… BUY TICKETS

Bangladesh Cricket Board eyeing for Dada along with Kochi Team

While Sourav Ganguly’s return to Cricket is almost certain, more options are opening in front of Dada. While Kochi Tuskers management is keen to sign the former Indian captain as a replacement for Mahela Jayawardene, Bangladesh cricket board has approached to sign Dada for the role of batting coach for national team.

Following the Sri Lankan Cricket boards adamant recalling of players midst of IPL, source learnt that Sri Lankan players have agreed with the deadline of May 5 to reach back in Sri Lanka. However IPL team managements has not get confirmation from BCCI to go ahead with replacement for Sri Lankan players and Kochi Tuskers management is waiting to get the green signal from BCCI to approach Dada.

Just after the capped players auction was over, Kochi team management realized the potential of such an experienced leader for the team and approached BCCI to sign Dada for the team. But as per the IPL rules, re-signing a capped player who was not signed in auction can be done only with the permission of all other IPL teams. Some of the IPL teams, including Pune, objected to Kochi team’s wish and Ganguly’s return to IPL hope took a backseat. When Steven Smith injured and went back to Australia, Kochi team approached BCCI again to Sign dada for the team and this time there is no permission required from other IPL owners as rule allows to replace and injured player with another player, but again hopes lost as the replaced player’s base price should be same or less than the injured player.

Now, in the current scenario, if Mahela Jayewardene leaves the team early, Kochi team is eager to bring-in Dada, a third attempt. But need to wait for BCCI’s nod and Dada’s decision.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed !