iplcraze

IPL team will be a great platform for players from Kerala

2010-03-30T11:05:00.000+05:30

Source: Rediff.com

March 30, 2010

Buying the Kochi Indian Premier League(IPL) team was more about passion for the game than actual business, say the owners.

Rendezvous Sports World Limited won the bid for the Kochi franchise for a whooping US $333 million (Rs 1533 crores), sending the state of Kerala [ Images ] on cloud nine.

The Kochi IPL team consortium includes Rendezvous Sports, Anchor Earth, Film Waves, Parinee Developers and the Elite and Choliyal group.

It just happened over a casual meeting between friends; they decided why not buy an IPL team. The rest, as they say, will now be history.

But the purchase was just the start. The franchise is now running against time to get everything arranged. Work on an under-construction stadium in Kerala has speeded up since the takeover, while the owners are also burning the midnight oil to identify players they hope to sign up during the auction later this year.

Co-owner Vivek Venugopal, who is a part of the Elite and Choliyal group of companies, spoke to Chief Correspondent Harish Kotian on the franchise's plans for the Kochi team.

There are around five partners involved in buying the Kochi IPL franchise. How did all of you get together and decide to buy this team?

Everybody is passionate about cricket and they all wanted to be a part of the IPL. We all decided one day over a casual get together that we should also look to buy a team; that is where the idea started. Over the last six months we have put in a lot of effort and time to put everything in place, get all the partners on board, and, I think, the hard work has paid off.

It is a great feeling that we finally managed to win the bid for the Kochi franchise; we all are very thrilled. It is a big achievement for Kerala as a state and its cricketers too.

How was the response in Kerala and overseas, like the Middle East where there is a huge Malayalee community?

The response from people in Kerala was very positive; people from all over the state are very excited. We are very happy to have delivered them this IPL franchise.

Even the response from Indians working in the Gulf was very good. It was extremely positive. People from all over the world have been calling me and congratulating me. After this, for another few years, no other team will be added to the IPL, so it is a very big development for Kerala.

Will the stadium in Kerala be ready in time? How much support has the Kerala Cricket Association given Rendezvous Sports World Limited in getting the stadium ready?

The Kerala Cricket Association has been very supportive and they really want to help. They have been very progressive, but we don't know if the stadium will be ready or not. The important thing is that everybody is trying for that and we are working as a team and trying to get it done.

We will have to wait and see if the stadium will be ready in the time. Of course, we would like to play in Kerala, but there is also the question of infrastructure around it, like the roads connecting to the stadium. When you have 50,000 people coming to watch a match you have to make sure they have a good experience. All things are being considered because we want to build a world class stadium in Kerala.

We have taken over the stadium only four days ago, so we are just getting started, getting the machinery in place. It won't happen overnight, but soon we will get the process started.

So, if the stadium is not ready, which other alternate venue would you want to play at?

We are talking to the IPL. It is not just that we decide; there are so many processes involved. Also, everybody has to agree with the alternative available.

The IPL will help us get a stadium, which we will use as our home base if the stadium in Kerala is not ready in time. So we will have to work jointly with them.

How important will it be getting S Sreesanth in your team for IPL 4, since he is one of the most successful Kerala cricketers at the international level?

Sreesanth is a great player. He is a national level player and he has been very successful at the top. There are so many external factors and you just can't say he is in or he is out. You have to look at things like his contract; whether his current owners let him go or whether he wants to join us. So we can't just speculate.

One thing is that we need to get the right team of players and look to get the best combination possible.

Even if you don't manage to sign Sreesanth, wouldn't the team compromise mostly cricketers from the state, because you'll have said that you'll are looking to develop cricket in Kerala?

Of course, we would like to have as many players as possible from Kerala. We think it is a great opportunity for players from Kerala to showcase their talent. There are a couple of good players in the Kerala Ranji Trophy, so it is about giving them a platform to show the world their talent.

Earlier, the players used to be disheartened because there was nobody watching them, and the pipeline to get them in the Indian team was limited. Now they might give it a little bit more and it could prove as a stepping stone for them.

With 10 franchises in the fray in the auction for IPL 4, don't you think the player prices will hit the roof? In that case, for a new franchise like you, the US $7 million dollar won't be enough if you want to rope in top players?

The US $7million purse is for all the franchises in the next auction, so I don't think it is a disadvantage for the two new teams. I don't think the talent pool is finite. It is fluid and I am sure there will be new talent coming along everyday.

Today, if you look at it, the senior players are doing well and also leading their teams with great success. I am sure new players will come and every year we see so many talented players being unearthed.

Like IPL, Kings XI fines only get bigger

2010-03-30T10:55:00.000+05:30

Source: Yahoo.com

Mohali, March 29 -- A sum of Rs 1.8 crore may be the savings of a lifetime for many. In the IPL, it's the amount the Kings XI Punjab players have to pay in fines. They didn't commit a crime and they didn't say anything libelous. But they did bowl really, really slow.

Preity Zinta's men are used to sticky wickets. Disciplinary issues, run-ins with authorities over smoking in public areas, court summons for using pictures of freedom fighters in their promos and allegations of racism (by cheerleaders) have chased them.

On Saturday, days after they were fined $1,40,000 (Rs 64 lakh approximately) for slow over-rate, came an even bigger fine - $2,50,000 (Rs 1.13 crore approximately) - for the same reason. The franchise holders are yet to say if they will absorb the fine. While the top players have contracts worth hundreds of dollars, the earnings of other members hang in the balance. Pegged as a money-spinner, the IPL may well turn out to be the only tournament that leaves its cricketers with less money than they began with.

The Master Blaster remains the best

2010-03-30T10:50:00.000+05:30

Source: rediff.com

March 30, 2010

It is a young man's sport, they said.

The older players will struggle to make an impact, they predicted.

The naysaysers had warned that the Twenty20 version in general, and the Indian Premier League in particular, will mark an end to the careers of veterans in the sport.

Three years on, they have been made to eat their words.

The success of the veteran players in the third edition of the IPL is proving the critics wrong.

In continuing its analysis of the ongoing edition of the IPL, rediff.com takes a look at the veterans who have, with a string of good performances, proved that age is just a number.

He may have kept himself away from the newest version of the game, but Sachin Tendulkar is showing everyone that age is just another number.

Leading the Mumbai Indians side, Tendulkar is amongst top four run-scorers of the tournament thus far. With 303 runs from six innings, at an average of 60.60, the skipper has been responsible in giving the team good starts.

His knock against the Kolkata Knight Riders was perhaps his best innings so far; it helped the side post a convincing win. Chasing a modest 156 for victory, Tendulkar led from the front with 71 from 48 balls, as Mumbai Indians registered a convincing seven-wicket win.

In the process, he registered his seventh IPL fifty overall and fourth in this edition; it was inclusive of 10 hits to the fence.

Shah Rukh Khan: Bollywood cricket boss takes the cheers and the jeers

2010-03-24T15:45:00.000+05:30

Source: cnn.com

March 24, 2010

(CNN) -- Shah Rukh Khan, the Bollywood superstar, has become more than a little accustomed to being adored by millions.

"I don't want to be anonymous... I'm very honest about that. I love being recognized, I love people liking me, I love the fact that people scream when I go out. I think I'll miss all that when it's taken away," he told CNN.

But earlier this year comments by Khan, the owner of the Indian Premier League cricket team Kolkata Knight Riders, caused a storm of controversy and attention he didn't want.

Watch the exclusive clip from CNN's interview, above, as Khan discusses what kind of a cricket boss he is.

Khan questioned the lack of Pakistani players in this year's competition, and Indian Hindu nationalist party Shiv Sena interpreted the comments as inflammatory. Threats were made to boycott his latest film and some activists made some threats against him and his family's safety.

"It just went onto a political agenda platform, onto an activist platform. I'm not on the same playing field. I'm an actor, I'm not a politician," he said.

"This was my point of view... it wasn't as if I was saying something new. I didn't know it would cause so much trouble, and especially when a film was releasing, you don't want that kind of trouble. It just went completely through the roof."

Khan is keen to keep his roles as an actor, cricket team boss and icon for millions as far from the political realm as possible. His face is one of the most salable in India with his image used in a raft of adverts and supporting products.

Yet his recent film "My Name is Khan" did touch upon religious sensitivities, striking a chord among cinema goers in Muslim countries across the world. In the film Khan, himself a Muslim, plays an autistic Muslim immigrant in American soon after the terrorists attack on September 11, 2001.

"I really thought the film was about humanity. It's not about Islam, it could have been about any religion to be honest," he said.

"But I simply thought we made a film about humanity. I knew it would do well but I didn't know it would this well because it is a very niche sort of a subject."

New galaxy of stars arrive

2010-03-24T13:28:00.000+05:30

Source: iplt20.com

23 Mar 2010

DLF IPL 2010 has well and truly taken off. In just over 11 days, we have had everything that can be hoped for from the world's fastest growing league. As if the excitement wasn’t enough, it’s time to welcome on board a new range of stars that’s expected to dazzle in this already glittering carnival of cricket.

Joining the party first up was Chris Gayle on a blockbuster Monday night clash in Mumbai. Turning out for his beloved Kolkata Knight Riders, Gayle hit form straightaway with a measured 75 against Mumbai Indians.

His knock may not have been enough to turn the tide for Kolkata Knight Riders, but Gayle showed the kind of impact he could have on the rest of the tournament. Gayle's return is only good news for the Kolkata Knight Riders. They further await the arrival of Brendon McCullum and David Hussey.

McCullum has just slammed a Test hundred and is in top form in all formats of the game. His arrival will brings the much-needed X-factor to the Knight Riders. McCullum led the side last season and felt that the extra responsibility affected him. "I think the messages that I was preaching I actually wasn`t following myself in terms of that aggressive style of cricket. In hindsight, I think I let the captaincy affect my batting, but fortunately, towards the end of the competition I produced some performances that helped the team win as well," McCullum was quoted as saying.

Gayle and McCullum at the top of the order could spell doom for most bowling attacks. "It’s going to be awesome. We did it in South Africa but we played on some fresher wickets and obviously our games are helped by flat decks, so hopefully we get some flat ones in India. If all goes well we’ll open together and get a few away," added McCullum.

Up north, there was some more good news awaiting fans as the swiftest bowler in the world, Brett Lee, was back again in India. He linked up with his Kings XI Punjab teammates in Mohali. He is fit again and just raring to go.

“[Brett] Lee went to Sydney to get an injection on his injured elbow. He is fit and raring to go. He has obtained necessary clearance from Cricket Australia, but a final call on his playing on Wednesday will be taken on the eve of the match,’’ Col Arvinder Singh, senior vice-president (Cricket Operations), KXIP was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

Also joining the Kings XI Punjab squad was the Orange Cap holder of IPL 2008, Shaun Marsh. The entry of the left-hander from Western Australia means the Kings XI Punjab will have a more prolific profile at the top.

Kings XI Punjab coach Tom Moody was cautious about building up pressure on Marsh straightaway. ``He is ready to go, fit. But again he, like all the other players that currently aren't in the XI, will have to find their way back into the side. It’s not going to be a walk back into the side. Shaun's form two years ago was awesome. But that was two years ago and we hope when he gets his opportunity, whether it’s Wednesday or whenever it may be that he recaptures that form [he performs],'' said Moody.

Two very resourceful cricketers, Paul Collingwood and Daniel Vettori, are set to rejoin Delhi Daredevils. In their own way, the duo will look to lift the morale of the side.

But the team that looks to benefit most from the arrivals is Royal Challengers Bangalore. Arriving in a couple of days is the switch-hit man Kevin Pietersen. He travels straight from Chittagong to Bengaluru after finishing a Test match.

Then a few days later, Cameron White joins RCB, adding another dimension to the line-up. And to round it all off, in the first week of April, Royal Challengers will welcome another dynamic player, Ross Taylor.

So get ready to take off yet and fasten your seat belts – it’s showtime all over again!

Brand IPL touches the sky

2010-03-24T13:22:00.001+05:30

Source: iplt20.com

22 Mar, 2010

Mumbai: After capturing the hearts and minds of millions all across the world, Indian Premier League has now crossed another landmark.

According to a recent study by a UK-based brand valuation consultancy, the brand value of the IPL has more than doubled to USD 4.13 billion (over Rs 18,000 crore) from USD 2.01 billion in 2009.

Interestingly, brand IPL has a higher valuation than English Premier League club Manchester United, which is valued close to USD 3 billion.

"The IPL brand alone has risen significantly from the previous year's valuation providing tremendous economic value to its owner BCCI," Brand Finance, the brand valuation consultancy, said in a media release.

"In comparison to international benchmarks for sporting business such as EPL (English Premier League) which is valued at $12 billion, the IPL juggernaut, in a short span of 3 years, is valued at $4 billion and has the potential to grow further," said Unni Krishnan, Managing Director of Brand Finance India.

"A huge amount of intellectual property is being created by the complete IPL ecosystem which was sustained despite last year's difficult economic conditions. This demonstrates the exponential value of IPL and the brand potential in a cricket loving country like India and other global cricketing countries," Brand Finance said in a release.

The franchises have been a part of this growth. Chennai Super Kings, who were ranked fourth last year, has emerged the most valued franchise in 2010. The CSK franchise has moved up the ladder to number one with a valuation of USD 48.4 million. The Kolkata Knight Riders co-owned by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan comes in second with a valuation of USD 46 million and the Rajasthan Royals, co-owned by Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty comes in third with USD 45.2 million.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore, owned by Vijay Mallya, is ranked fourth with a valuation of USD 41.9 million and is followed by the Mumbai Indians (USD 40.8 million), Delhi Daredevils (USD 40.5 million) and Kings XI Punjab ( USD 36.1 million). The Deccan Chargers are at the base with a valuation of USD 34.4 million.

Preity Zinta may sell stake in Kings XI Punjab team

2010-03-24T13:10:00.000+05:30

Source: business.rediff.com and Business Standard

A day after the two new teams in the fourth season of the Indian Premier League were sold for over Rs 1,500 crore (Rs 15 billion) each, the owners of Kings XI Punjab are understood to have entered into discussions to sell their stake in the team.

According to sources, Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia, owners of KXIP, are looking at offloading their stake in the team for $200 million (Rs 920 crore) to a clutch of investors.

The team was bought by Zinta, Wadia and their business partner, Mohit Burmani, for $76 million (Rs 350 crore at the exchange rate of Rs 46 per dollar) in the first season of IPL in 2008.

However, the management of KXIP said it had no news of any such deal.

"These are mere speculation. In the past, too, there have been rumours of stake sale which turned out to be untrue. The owners have not informed us whether they are selling their stake in the team. We cannot respond to these speculations," said Anil Srivatsa, CEO of KXIP.

Board of Control for Cricket in India officials said Zinta or Wadia might be talking to people for selling their stakes; however, the IPL Governing Council had not been informed.

"These are private deals and the IPL Governing Council does not interfere in such matters. Only when the deal is finalised are the team owners obligated to inform the Governing Council," said Rajiv Shukla, chairman, media and finance committee, BCCI.

Tendulkar rules out playing Twenty20 World Cup

2010-03-24T12:57:00.000+05:30

Source:timesofindia.indiatimes.com

NEW DELHI: Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday ruled out playing in this year's Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies, saying he sticks to his stance of not playing Twenty20 Internationals anymore.

Even though Tendulkar is not among the 30 probables already selected for the April 30-May 16 event, former captain Sunil Gavaskar led the chorus, asking Tendulkar, who is in sensational form, to change his stance and play in the Twenty20 World Cup.

Tendulkar, however, dismissed the possibility. "I will not be playing the ICC World Twenty20. I have not played Twenty20 Internationals from 2007 onwards and I don't think it should become an issue now," Tendulkar said.

Tendulkar, along with senior players Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, had opted out of the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup, which Indian won under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's captaincy.

Since then, Tendulkar has kept himself out of Twenty20 Internationals, saying he did not want to upset the team which had won the 2007 World Cup.

IPL hikes salary cap by $2m to $7m per team

2010-03-24T12:54:00.000+05:30

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

NEW DELHI: The debate over removing the salary cap for players in the Indian Premier League seems to have been settled, at least for now.

IPL team owners will be able to spend up to $7 million on bidding for players at the auction to be held later this year for the next season, an increase of $2 million from the first auction.

IPL chairman Lalit Modi on Tuesday said, "Ten teams will have a purse of $70 million, which is $210 million (about Rs 1,000 crore) in three years. This will be the single largest auction in the sporting world." The three-year player contracts signed by the franchises in 2008 end with this season, so a huge number of players will be up for grabs again.

The only exceptions will be four Indian players and three foreign recruits that each team can retain.

When the first auction was held in 2008, the IPL had imposed a salary cap of $5 million per team. Another $2 million was permitted at the second auction last year and a further $750,000 was the purse available to each team at the auction this year.

After bidding Rs 1,702 crore for the Pune franchise, Sahara group chief Subrata Roy had said IPL should increase the salary cap.

"I was thinking the highest bid would be around $330 million. But I was wrong. The bid reached $370 million, which proves the event's popularity. But as far as the auction is concerned, you have to keep a reality check. That is why I have recommended a $7 million cap. Without a salary limit, it will go berserk," Modi said. The proposal still has to be approved by the IPL governing council.

Former greats want Tendulkar to play in Twenty20 World Cup

2010-03-24T12:52:00.000+05:30

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar's sparkling form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has intensified calls of his inclusion in the Indian team for the Twenty20 World Cup next month.

Tendulkar, who is a month away from his 37th birthday, had decided to stay away from Twenty20 internationals and concentrate on Test and one-day cricket. But former cricketers feel Tendulkar should reconsider his decision and play in the upcoming World Twenty20.

His presence will bolster India's chances in the West Indies, more so when most of the youngsters are going through a lean patch, they say.

"I think the kind of form and the fitness he is in, if he decides to comeback it will be wonderful," former Test cricketer Abbas Ali Baig said.

"He has adapted himself marvellously in the shorter format of the game. When he decided not to play in the Twenty20, he must have been in a different state of mind. But today look at the the way he is playing. If he decides to play, he should be welcomed to the side."

Legendary Sunil Gavaskar also said Tendulkar "should make himself available for World Twenty20."

Navjot Singh Siddhu said Tendulkar still has the hunger for the runs irrespective of the format.

"I think the selectors will have to consider his current form. He has made a strong case the way he is batting in IPL.

"Sachin is a cricketer who can adapt to any situation and score at any level. He is like a little boy whose enthusiasm for cricket refuses to die."

Former Test captain Bishen Singh Bedi felt the decision should be best left to Tendulkar.

"He has not played in the previous two Twenty20 World Cup and we should respect his decision. Why force him to comeback at this stage of life and career," Bedi said.

Former India player Surinder Khanna concurs. "Tendulkar is a champion player and he knows best whether his body can bear the demands of Twenty20 cricket. It was his decision not to play and we should respect whatever decision he takes now."

Tendulkar was not part of India's Twenty20 World Cup winning squad in 2007 and also last year when India made an early exit.

The master batsman has been in blistering form in the ongoing IPL. He scored a match winning knock of unbeaten 71 off 48 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Brabourne Stadium Monday. It was his highest T20 score and second fifty in IPL.

Martyn's IPL career over in a flash

2010-03-24T12:22:00.000+05:30

Source: watoday.com.au

March 24, 2010

The IPL career of former Test star Damien Martyn has ended as abruptly as it began, after the West Australian great was released from his contract with the Rajasthan Royals.

Recruited by old friend, teammate and Royals captain/coach Shane Warne for the third version of the T20 jamboree, Martyn had played just one game, scoring 19 runs from 24 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Martyn confirmed on his Twitter page he was leaving India to return to the Gold Coast after his team won just one of their first four games, ending up at the bottom of the IPL ladder.

"The squad has been trimmed to 19 players and it looks like allrounder Shane Watson might join us next week," Martyn told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

"That's the nature of professional cricket and I knew from the start what my role in the squad was and how this might happen.

"But I have appreciated the chance to taste the whole IPL experience, get the pads on again, play a game and hopefully pass on some knowledge to the younger group here in India."

WAtoday.com.au understands his contract – worth around $109,000- will be paid out in full.

Despite his underwhelming start, Martyn had written on his blog he was beginning to feel like a cricketer again, after controversially calling time on his Test career in the middle of the 2006-07 Ashes series.

The decision to release Martyn comes after the Royals lost two more of their big names, with South African skipper Graeme Smith and English all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas both ruled out of the tournament through injury.

Smith suffered a double fracture in a finger, and Mascarenhas turned an ankle while running out to the crease in an early game.

Martyn said that having seen it up close, the IPL was now the biggest cricketing event in the world.

"This IPL competition has been quite amazing to see up close," Martyn said.

"I have been lucky to be part of a great era of Australian cricket, with some terrific memories, but this tournament is something different.

"There is energy around the place that you don’t get anywhere else in cricket. To experience it is a huge privilege.

"This now is literally the biggest cricket event in the world by all measures. It outdoes anything else you will see."

The State of Indian Premiere League (IPL 3) on Social Media in 2010

2010-03-24T12:11:00.000+05:30

Source: Watblog.com

Guest Post By Sahil Shah (Cross Posted from Socialtrakr)

The Indian Premiere League right from its existence since 2008 has managed to attract eye balls. From cricket to entertainment the hoopla has been all over the country. Every new edition of the IPL is bigger and better than the former. Needless to say, recently two new teams (Pune and Kochi) were added to the bandwagon for IPL’s season 4 at a combined rate of $703 million. Year on year IPL has been growing by leaps and bounds with a newer and a better version coming up every time.

One year ago mashable posted a story on The IPL Fan Club which is now a passé if you think IPL is just about the fan club. There is so much to add to what IPL was doing then and what is being done now, even on Social Media. Back then the fan club clearly didn’t achieve the expected numbers due to filters and now with the onset of Social Media the numbers here are pretty impressive.

IPL Social Media Pie

With Social Media considered as one of the important propositions to address to the Target Audience online, the IPL’s brand value which is doubled since 2009 is being leveraged by it. Here is a take on the main networks IPL is present and performing on:

Viewers became Users on Youtube:

Viewers on TV now have the power to be users (who can express their views via comments) on Youtube. The big news was that first time a league was going LIVE Streaming on Youtube. Considering the amount of influence youtube as a Social Media Platform holds, the future looks promising. About 2 months since the official announcement and 10 days in the tournament, the youtube channel has already got more than 16 million channel views with a whopping list of 54,900 subscribers and 21772 comments (this is why I say users and not only viewers). This clearly states the importance social media holds in today’s lives. I don’t see any surprise if more and more LIVE stream deals happen with youtube in the future too.

One Big Fish captures another:

Facebook has got its own share of the Social Media pie as the most influential Social Network in the world with more than 400 million users. Over here I leave it up to you to decide which one is which Big Fish. The official presence on facebook combing all IPL pages is 4,62,647 fans which is remarkable without any sort of promotion online or offline.

Interestingly there is an anti-IPL page on facebook which has more than 25,000 fans. The most surprising thing about it is that the page was made recently before 2 months. So imagine the amount of Reputation Management IPL needs which is an interesting deal considering the future as the audience (at least some) are already bored of it.

The twitter bird is here to stay

Besides IPL’s official account that has some 9000+ dedicated followers, there are a lot of influencers on twitter that are turning it around for the League. From Shahrukh Khan to Preity Zinta, Cricketing Figures like Shane Warne and Lalit Modi, and obviously the teams on twitter are doing their bit promoting the IPL. The aggregated numbers in terms of followers IPL has over twitter is 4,79,236 (almost half of it is SRK’s fan base). Considering the amount of people getting on to twitter, this platform is the next big thing for live updates

Don’t be surprised

The Social Network that is far bigger than facebook in terms of the reach it has in India, has outdone the latter in the number of people in the communities. With regards to conversations, there is a dire need of fans to interact on Orkut. The now fading platform with too many users switching to facebook, is just for the numbers game (if anyone is interested). Interestingly the numbers are more than facebook and twitter but the conversations are not even half of them.

Google Buzz, Linkedin, Digg and all that jazz

Your browser may not support display of this image. The just-in social network of Google is growing on its own with 1714 followers already. Besides what Buzz has to offer, a lot of opportunities are lying open for the league on this platform. Above and beyond Lalit Modi’s Profile on linkedin, I suppose there is nothing more IPL can do on linkedin. Digg, delicious and other social bookmarking networks have played their part with the expected number of link sharing over the web.

To Sum it up, Youtube as a video sharing platform has been explored completely. They actually took it to the next level via LIVE airing which wasn’t thought of by anyone before and now will become a trend in the future. However Facebook and Twitter – by far the best influential networks on Social Media in India (Orkut losing its sheen) haven’t been explored to core. A fan Page on Facebook can be made more interesting with endless possibilities to explore. Twitter with its LIVE updates via Tweets can garner a loyal audience (full of influencers) and leverage from them as well. Mind you, both these networks can become great resources for a healthy two way communication which is evidently impossible anywhere else. I hope they understand the importance these two networks hold and explore it like they have for Youtube. Maybe we could expect some Social Media Fireworks in the next season of the Indian Premiere League.

New teams, more matches, more ad-revenues - has IPL reached its peak?

2010-03-24T12:04:00.000+05:30

Source: exchange4media.com

The addition of two new teams – Pune and Kochi, which cost more than $600 million – has taken the Indian Premier League (IPL) valuation to new heights and also reiterated advertisers’ confidence in the property.

However there is also a school of thought that is wary about the rise in ad rates and wonder whether there would come a time when brands won’t be able to afford this Rs 18,000-crore IPL property.

With the addition of these two new teams, IPL Season 4 is expected to see over 90 matches. The worry is how much is too much? Will it reduce viewership or create further clutter? Already, out of the eight IPL franchises, probably only two of them have turned profitable in the last three years, some of these existing franchises expect to turn profitable in the next one or two years.

There is another school of thought that believes that IPL has already reached its peak and it may have to completely revamp itself in the next two years in order to retain its viewership and garner new audience.

exchange4media spoke to media planners to find out their views on whether IPL has reached its peak and whether it will only go down from here on.

According to Rajneesh Chaturvedi, National Director, MEC Access, “I believe the recently added Pune and Kochi teams only signify that IPL is here to stay and that that it reiterates the confidence among the investors. With the increase of two new teams, the number of matches will increase, sponsorship rates will increase and hence, the total advertising revenue is bound to increase.”

On a slightly different take, R Venkata Subramanian, VP, Lintas Media Group, observed, “The bidding for the new teams only reiterates the huge potential and brand value of IPL as a property. However, not many IPL franchises have achieved breakeven, which I think will take at least two years for them to see profits and the new players, on the other hand, will only take more time to get profitable. I believe IPL has already reached its peak and can possibly sustain such ratings for two years at the most. With 90-plus matches, I don’t think it can sustain the pressure year-on-year. Hence, it will have to revamp everything to retain viewership and even get new ones.”

Narendra Kumar Alambara, GM and Office Head of Starcom Worldwide, Chennai, noted, “IPL is still in its third year and expectations are still high, hence we cannot say with certainty that this is how far it can get. Today, we have 10 teams, a few years down the line there might be more teams. The fact, however, is that IPL is still evolving. With two more teams coming in, the number of matches will go up, the opportunity to advertise will also be more, the cost of advertising during IPL will be high and hence, I don’t know how many brands will be able to afford IPL in the long run.”

Will Sahara now drop Team India?

2010-03-24T11:25:00.000+05:30

Source: Times of India

NEW DELHI: Is IPL's ever-growing stature adversely affect Team Indian's fortunes? It's likely. After buying the IPL Pune franchisee for a whopping Rs 1702 crore, a strong buzz is that Sahara India is having a rethink on its deal as the main sponsor of the Indian team.

"We haven't taken a call. We will decide on it once the Twenty20 World Cup is over. As of now, we are still with the Indian team and hopefully, will continue our association," Abhijit Sarkar, Sahara's head of corporate communications, told TOI on Tuesday.

Till date, Sahara has paid Rs 400 crore for the Indian team sponsorship in the last four years and so. It's four-year contract with the Indian cricket board ended in December 2009. But it was asked to continue for another six months after BCCI could not find any takers for the sponsorship, at the price it was asking for. As per the deal, Sahara is paying more than Rs 2 crore for an ODI, almost Rs 2 crore for a Test and more than Rs 1.5 crore for a Twenty20 match that India play.

Now that Sahara has joined the big league of IPL team owners after forking out a huge sum, will it have the money and the inclination to continue to be the main sponsors of the national team? If no, then what happens to brand Team India? Well, only time will tell. Sarkar, on his part, clarified, "We wish to continue the association and we'll discuss it out."

On Tuesday, Sahara chief Subroto Roy was quoted by agencies that the group was reviewing the sponsorship with the Indian team.

We need an X-factor: Ganguly

2010-03-24T11:19:00.000+05:30

Source: Yahoo.com

Tue, Mar 23 04:00 PM

Mumbai, March 23 (IANS) After a promising start in the third edition of Indian Premier League (IPL), Kolkata Knight Riders have again lost their way. With three losses on the trot, captain Sourav Ganguly is in search of an 'X-factor' that will bring their campaign back on track.

Knight Riders beat defending champions Deccan Chargers and runners up Royal Challengers Bangalore in their first two matches, but then slumped to defeats against Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.

'We are getting close but we are losing the matches. We have the team but we need an X factor going for us. Hopefully, we can turn it around in the next match,' Ganguly said after Knight Riders lost to Mumbai Indians by seven wickets Monday.

Tendulkar led the Mumbai Indians charge with an unbeaten 71 to surpass the Knight Riders total of 155 with nine balls to spare.

'I thought we were 10 runs short, but it was a fighting total. We started well but took our foot off the accelerator. It was not easy to get the spinners early on that wicket but we gave away too many runs upfront in the first six overs,' Ganguly said.

Ganguly made 31 and took two good catches. His second catch at short-extra cover was a stunner as he jumped in the air and grabbed the ball one-handed to get rid of Saurabh Tiwary.

'It is the requirement of the game (fielding). I am putting a bit of an effort,' Ganguly said.

The Knight Riders skipper said he and Chris Gayle will be opening the batting.

'Gayle and I will keep opening. And Owais (Shah) is a good middle order player,' he said.

Mumbai Indians skipper Tendulkar lauded the bowlers for their performance.

'Bravo, McLaren, Zaheer, Malinga, Harbhajan, all bowled well and were ably supported by the fielders.'

He was all praise for Delhi opener Shikhar Dhawan.

'Shikhar batted well, the first over set the tone. From the other end, I started getting a few boundaries. We managed to put pressure on them early on, and it was then a matter of staying there till the end.'

Dhoni lookalike Tiwary finds his own identity

2010-03-24T11:14:00.000+05:30

Source: Yahoo.com

Wed, Mar 24 04:11 AM

Until 15 days ago, visiting a movie theatre for Saurabh Tiwary often entailed facing a number of wisecracks about him being a wannabe Mahendra Singh Dhoni. It is no secret that the Jamshedpur-based 20-year-old left-hander — whose straightened hair may seem passe for many Dhoni fans — has idolised Dhoni from the start of his career. But, as Tiwary himself admits, maybe he lost his own style along the way.

He scored 593 runs in the Ranji Trophy Plate Division at an average of 98.83, but it's his 20-run cameos for the Mumbai Indians that are putting the left-hander in the spotlight — a fact the former under-19 World Cup winner is well aware of.

"You cannot compare IPL to domestic cricket because even if you score 20 runs in this tournament, it gets coverage," said a nervous Tiwary as he faced up to scrutiny from the local media. Armed with three cell phones, Tiwary stuck to monosyllabic answers, except when he spoke about his captain — Sachin Tendulkar.

Tiwary has been sent ahead of Mumbai's two overseas players Keiron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo so far and the youngster has lived up to Tendulkar's faith. "In the second match against Delhi, when I was batting with Sachin Sir, we were had a good start and were looking to save our wickets while also looking to score because we had some hard-hitting batsmen to follow, such as Kieron Pollard. It enabled us to score a lot of runs in the final overs and post a total in excess of 200," he said, giving an example of how teams set up strategies in T20 cricket.

The IPL has provided a platform for a number of overnight sensations and, having flowered in the middle-order for his team, Tiwary has suddenly become a recognizable face. And he can safely assume that, when he steps into a theatre on Tuesday evening, he will attract a number of stares — this time for being Saurabh Tiwary, not a Dhoni lookalike.

Dalai Lama to see IPL match in Dharamsala

2010-03-24T11:09:00.000+05:30

Source: Yahoo.com

Tue, Mar 23 08:18 PM

Dharamsala, March 23 (IANS) Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama would witness one of the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket matches here, a statement said Tuesday.

'The office of the Dalai Lama has confirmed that His Holiness has accepted the invitation from the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association. He has been invited as a special guest at the IPL match on April 18,' a post on the website of the Tibetan government-in-exile said.

The Nobel laureate, 74, would witness the match between King's XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings at the International Cricket Stadium.

HPCA is hosting two IPL matches in Dharamsala, some 250 km from the state capital, April 16 and 18 - the first time IPL matches have been allotted to the state.

The April 16 match - between King's XI Punjab and Deccan Chargers - would be day and night, while the April 18 one would be played during the day.

Punjab may levy entertainment tax on Kings XI

2010-03-24T11:04:00.000+05:30

Source: Yahoo.com

Wed, Mar 24

The Punjab government may charge entertainment tax from the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches to be played at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium in Mohali.

About a week ago, the Excise and Taxation department had issued a notice to the Kings XI Punjab, which inquired about the ticket sales at PCA stadium.

The notice questioned that why entertainment tax should not be charged from the team for hosting IPL matches, as it was a commercial venture and the team management was earning money — five matches will be played in Mohali during the tournament.

"A notice was issued to Kings XI Punjab. They have replied that they should be exempted from entertainment tax, as no tax was charged in the last two IPL tournaments," Punjab Excise and Taxation Commissioner A Venu Parshad told Newsline. "We have referred the matter to the state government, which will decide weather to charge the tax or not."

Sources said if the government decided to charge the tax, the team management would have to pay 25 per cent from ticket sales.

At present, only the Delhi government charges entertainment tax on IPL matches — the Maharastra government recently backed off from charging the tax.

A few days ago the state Cabinet had reduced the entertainment tax from 125 per cent to 25 per cent in the state.

Sources said so far the government did not charge a single penny from Kings XI Punjab, as the Punjab Cricket Association was exempted from entertainment tax.

But the argument in support of charging the tax is that the PCA stadium has been hired for IPL tournament. Thus, technically, PCA is not hosting the matches.

The Kings XI Punjab, meanwhile, have not given money to the Punjab Police for the security they provided for IPL matches.

"We took up this matter in the past but did not get any money. We will again take up this issue and calculate the security bill they need to pay," G P S Bhullar, Senior Superintendent of Police, Mohali, said.

Security stepped up around PCA
In view of the recent arrest of three suspected militants of the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), security has been stepped up around PCA stadium for Wednesday's match. A DSP with adequate personnel has been deputed to move along with the players, whose routes to and from the stadium would be heavily guarded. Besides, around 300 cops have been added to the 1,583 personnel, who guarded the stadium in the previous match, a senior police officer said. Also, separate routes have been earmarked for the shuttle bus service and new signboards have been fixed to guide spectators. On Wednesday, eight buses will start service from Dussehra Ground in Phase VIII and LIC site in Sector 49 from 5 pm onwards.

FM stations bet big on IPL3; ad revenues estimated to increase over 10 pc

2010-03-23T11:49:00.000+05:30

23rd March, 2010

Source: exchange4media.com

Like the last two years, this year too several IPL franchises have roped in radio partners to reach out to their audience. The ad revenues of FM radio partners are expected to see a jump of about 15 per cent this year.

Apart from on-air campaigns, most of these FM stations are working on on-ground activities to promote the teams they have associated with. In fact, a whole spectrum of marketing and advertising opportunities has opened up with this home coming season of IPL.

exchange4media speaks to a few industry players to get their view on IPL as a property and the advertising opportunities it provides.

What they do:
My FM will continue with its last year’s on-air campaign, titled ‘Full On… IPL Deewangi… Phir Se!’. As part of the campaign, this year the FM station has featured properties such as live score updates, post match discussions called ‘Cricket Critic’, scorecards on team standings and an IPL campaign anthem. My FM also has on-air contests like ‘Toss Ka Boss’ and ‘Man of the Match’, which are slated to create a high level of engagement with listeners and at the same time help generate enough advertising opportunities.

Big FM creates a special IPL spike every year. This property covers all the happenings of the IPL season, team updates, match updates, contests to win tickets, watch screenings, win merchandise, on-ground opportunities, and so on. This year, the theme is ‘Masala Cricket’, that is, spicing up the IPL hype on the Big FM network. Besides this, Big FM also has cricket experts like former Indian player Arun Lal on air providing his views on each match.

Big FM has created official partnerships with Kings XI Punjab and Deccan Chargers and have also created holistic activities around these, including ‘meet n greets’ with the players, team on air, contests to win tickets to the matches, live shows from the stadium, official merchandise, screenings, etc. All of these provide great opportunities for advertisers to latch on to.

Meanwhile, Radio City has created an on-air property that involves contests where tickets to the IPL matches are given out, ball-by-ball updates and an interesting character around cricket, who gives his take on IPL every day. This apart, with an aim to keep the fervour of game alive, some cities will be conducting a live cricket match between the RJs and listeners.

Even Radio Misty, which has its presence in Siliguri and Gangtok, has a lot of on-air and ground campaigns for companies. This is said to have generated good advertising revenue for the FM station. Every day, a quiz contest is held where RJs ask questions to the listeners and then distribute CDs of Shah Rukh Khan’s movies to the winners. On-ground activities are being carried out in colleges and schools. A mobile van is out on the streets and holding quiz contests on IPL and distributing gifts to the winners on the spot.

Another interesting initiative is from Radio Mirchi and MAX, the official broadcaster of DLF IPL, which aims to help its listeners triumph over any kind of inconveniences that keep them from reaching home to watch the match. This will only be on the first few match days with a variety of services. Radio Mirchi would also order pizzas for the listener. Mirchi listeners can also win free shopping vouchers/movie tickets. Radio Mirchi RJs would also speak to the listener’s boss if he does not let him leave early. This apart, Mirchi will send an extra TV set to facilitate enjoying the IPL in one’s own space.

IPL as a property:
According to Anand Chakravarthy, Senior Vice President - Marketing, Big FM, “IPL is a great opportunity for radio stations to engage with their listeners. Good radio stations are always aligned to the biggest consumer vibe at any point of time. Since IPL is the big vibe currently, we will use it to create exciting programming and marketing platforms for our stations. On the business front, advertisers are also looking for every possible opportunity to leverage during the IPL season. Therefore, an exciting radio property with on-air and on-ground also attracts high revenues. Overall it’s a win-win situation for both the IPL franchise, which gets a large amount of ‘free promotion’ on radio stations, and radio stations, which use IPL to engage with audiences.”

Ashit Kukian, COO and President – Ad Sales, Radio City, observed, “Lots of brands are using IPL for their promotion through brand associations, team associations and contests. Radio is an important medium to communicate and reach out to a larger audience. Keeping with the success of IPL, most participating brands have earmarked budgets for the property.”

Harrish M Bhatia, COO, My FM (Dainik Bhaskar), said, “IPL is an extremely important property for radio since cricket is hugely popular. My FM has been associated with IPL from day one. This year’s activities are at an even larger scale since IPL has gained so much popularity. My FM once again brings back all the excitement of this cricketing season to the airwaves.”

Nishant Mittal, CEO, Radio Misty, too, agreed that IPL was a very good radio property and said, “This format of game has got huge following in these three years and has also captured the attention of youths. Radio being a people medium, there is a lot of opportunity. This will be a major property for radio in coming years.”

Impact on advertising revenues:

Kukian of Radio City explained, “I believe the overall advertising revenues will definitely see an increase of 10-15 per cent on radio. Radio City will surely match the industry average and seeing the progress the brand has made in this space, we might even cross the benchmark.”

My FM’s Bhatia noted, “The third season of IPL is also seeing various teams roping in radio for team promotions, tickets and merchandise sales, etc, which will help in increasing the revenues over the last year in our markets.”

Mittal of Radio Misty said, “IPL is a great season for radio. Major FMCG, telecom and soft drinks companies have planned major events around IPL. This has given us good revenue as well. Local ads have gone up during these activities on-air and we are hoping to get better responses ahead.”

IPL has certainly opened up various opportunities for FM stations, especially advertising opportunities, wherein local advertisers and new brands can explore radio as a medium to reach out to larger audience and in a cost efficient manner.

IPOs to follow IPL: 3 teams may sell stake

2010-03-23T11:43:00.000+05:30

Source: hindustantimes.com

At least three of the 10 teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) are planning initial public offerings (IPO) or other forms of stake sales of their clubs.

Sources tracking the IPL said they expected a lot of fresh investment activity in the coming months leading up to the fresh player auction in September-October.

According to IPL rules, for first three years no owner can exit by selling its entire stake.

Investment banking sources said India Cements Ltd, which owns the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK), is likely to be the first off the block in the race to getting the club listed on stock exchanges as a separate entity.

"The management had made its intention clear to put it (CSK) separately to another company,” an analyst who had participated in an India Cements analysts’ conference said. “When it passes that first holding period of three years, it plans an IPO to realise the value.”

CSK is the only team that had achieved break-even in the first year itself. India Cements Vice chairman and managing director N Srinivasan said such reports were speculative.

“All I can say is that today it is well ensconced within India Cements,” Srinivasan, who is also the Secretary of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said.

Kings XI Punjab, which is owned by a consortium of promoters including Ness Wadia and Preity Zinta, is also learnt to be keen on divesting if it gets the right price.

The management, however, was tight lipped. “I cannot talk about it at this moment,” its CEO Anil Srivastava said.

The Subroto Roy-promoted Sahara Adventure Sports, which stunned everybody by picking up the Pune team for a $370 million (Rs 1,702 crore) has also not ruled out the possibility of an IPO or a selling minority stake to a strategic partner.

“There are umpteen opportunities such as an IPO or selling stake to a new partner,” a Sahara India Pariwar spokesperson said.

Venugopal Dhoot whose V C Digital — which with a bid of $320 million (Rs 1,470 crore) lost out in the auction for the two new teams on Sunday — is keen to buy a minority stake in one of the existing teams.

“I am disappointed that we lost out by a small margin,” Dhoot said. “But at this point, I do not want to comment.”
Sources, however, indicated that Dhoot is keen on picking up 10 per cent stake in the newly set up Pune team.

'Outsiders' got IPL's Kochi franchise

2010-03-23T11:40:00.000+05:30

Source: Sify.com

Rendezvous Sports World Ltd (RSWL), the consortium of businessmen which won the Kochi franchise for the 2011 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament, has yet to decide whether its base would be Kerala or elsewhere.

According to Vivek Venugopal, co-owner of the team, all these details including the name, logo, etc had to be finalised within a couple of weeks. The five stakeholders were constantly in touch and would finalise the details shortly, he told Business Standard.

Whether to call the team the Kerala Tuskers or something else was also to be decided and suggestions are welcome, he said.

Although it is the Kochi franchise, only one business group from Kerala was involved in this successful bid, the second largest one for an IPL team, and only indirectly. Venugopal is one of the directors of the Thrissur-based Elite group of companies. The group is into international trade, food processing, distribution, real estate and construction; it makes ready to eat food items under the brand name, Elite. It runs around 20 companies — Yamuna Roller Flour Mills, Elite Foods, Elite Breads, Elite Agro Specialities, Elite Natural and Elite Homes.

Venugopal is directly involved, however, in a Bangalore-based company called Trading and Infrastructure. The group has presence mainly in the southern states and in Gujarat. He is the son-in-law of A V Anoop, managing director of the Chennai-based Cholayil Pharmaceuticals, active in ayurveda-based consumer products such as Medimix soap. The group is also running the Cholayil Sanjeevanam for ayurvedic treatment and naturopathy restaurants in various parts of the country. The Cholayil group is also actively involved in the film industry, producing a number of Malayalam movies.

Apart from himself, he said the consortium partners were Pavinee Developers, Anchor Earth, Film Waves and Anand Shah Developers. None are based in Kerala.

He added the team would have at least six players from Kerala. The main hurdle before the Kochi franchise is lack of an exclusive cricket stadium. The Kerala Cricket Association has acquired 23 acres at Edakochi near here for an international cricket stadium, but construction is yet to begin.

KCA is, however, confident of finishing the work by 2012. Another option before IPL is the Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium at Kaloor. Greater Cochin Development Authority, owner of the stadium, is ready to lend it for this use, for home matches. However, it is not exclusively a cricket stadium.

IPL3 ratings for 8 matches in 6 metros higher than IPL2, but fall short of IPL1

2010-03-22T11:29:00.000+05:30

March22,2010

Source: exchange4media.com

The home coming seems to be paying off for the Indian Premier League (IPL) in its third season. As per TAM data for CS 4+, for six metros from March 12-16, 2010, average ratings for IPL3 is higher than that of IPL2, even if marginal. The average ratings for the first eight matches of IPL3 stand at a TVR of 5.72 per cent, as against a TVR of 5.16 per cent as average ratings for the first eight matches of IPL2.

However, when compared to the average ratings of the first eight matches during the first edition of IPL, wherein MAX had received an impressive TVR of 6.23 per cent, IPL3 ratings have not kept up. While these may be only the initial stages of IPL3, but certainly these numbers highlight the response to the home coming season. By the end of this tournament it will be amply clear whether IPL3 has reached a saturation point or whether it has the potential of becoming India’s Super Bowl.

According to the ratings from TAM Sports of TAM Media Research for the third season, the highest ratings have been for the inaugural match of IPL3, wherein MAX received a TVR of 6.95 per cent. The second highest rating was received for the match between Deccan Chargers and Chennai Super Kings, which saw a TVR of 6.70 per cent.

Most of the matches played during the afternoon time band remained in the range of 4.5 per cent TVR, while those played in the evening received a TVR of over 5-6 per cent. For instance, the match between Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore, was played on March 16 in the afternoon, received the lowest ratings of 4.20 per cent TVR.

In comparison, the inaugural match in the first edition of IPL had seen the ratings touch a TVR of 8.21 per cent, which remains the highest TVR for any IPL match till date. The opening match of IPL2 saw a TVR of 5.55 per cent.

As for the advertisers, Vodafone Essar Ltd, Samsung India Ltd, and Videocon Industries Ltd have emerged as the top three advertisers on IPL3.

What remains to be seen is whether IPL3 will continue to attract high viewership or whether the ratings will dwindle as the tournament progresses, at least until the semi-finals.

Deccan skipper Gilchrist appreciates IPL expansion

2010-03-22T11:27:00.000+05:30

Source: Ptinews.com

Cuttack, Mar 21 (PTI) Upbeat over successive wins at the Barabati stadium here, Deccan Chargers skipper Adam Gilchrist today appreciated the expansion of the Indian Premier League matches.

"It is good that IPL is expanding. Good substances will come up by this," Gilchrist said denying money factor behind expansion of the IPL matches.

He said passion for cricket in India was the prime factor behind expansion of IPL matches and added the Deccan Chargers played a good game at Barabati.

"We won both the matches at the home venue," he said adding that there was not much difficulty in making a successive win.

Delhi Daredevils captain Dinesh Karthik, however, admitted to have succumbed to the pressure of T20 matches.

This was the third successive match the Daredevils lost while their opponent Deccan Charges won its third game back to back.

Size of bids for new IPL teams surprises all, even Modi

2010-03-22T10:59:00.000+05:30

22 Mar 2010

Source:economictimes.indiatimes.com

CHENNAI/MUMBAI: The Sahara group won the bid for IPL franchise Pune on Sunday. Giving reasons for their choice of city, Abhijit Sarkar, corporate communications head at Sahara, told TOI: "It’s close to Aamby Valley. We have our business reasons for choosing Pune."

The second bid was for $333.33 million (Rs 1,533 crore) from a consortium of investors under Rendezvous Sports who opted for Kochi as their base camp. “It would suffice at this point of time to let you know that we are a group of investors passionate about cricket.

“Some are from Kerala, some from other parts of India and some from abroad. I would not like to reveal too many details at this point of time,” said Vivek Venugopal, a builder from Kerala and one of the investors in the state. However, it is learnt that the group also includes Anchor Switches, Rosy Blue Diamond , Mukesh Patel, and Ravi and Sanjay Gaikwad.

Anchor Switches is a company from Gujarat owned by Mehul Shah. Rosy Blue Diamond is one of the world’s largest diamond manufacturing companies. Dilip Mehta is the CEO of this company, which owns jewellry brand ‘Orra’ . Ravi and Sanjay Gaikwad are Mumbai-based businessmen. Sanjay Gaikwad is the CEO of UFO Moviez while Mukesh Patel is an education baron who runs technology, management and engineering institutions.

The size of the bids surprised one and all, including Modi himself. “I was expecting something in the range of $320m, but this does come as a surprise to me. You talk about recession, but all I can say is that there’s no recession in IPL,’’ exulted a beaming Modi. Among the losers , Aman Vohra placed a bid of $261.3 million, Adani Group bid $315 million for Ahmedabad and VC Digital bid $319.9 million for Pune.

"Kochi does not have a cricket stadium as yet. The Kerala Cricket Association is in the process of building a world class cricket stadium . Till the ground becomes ready, IPL will provide alternative venues to Rendezvous," Modi added. Pune, on the other hand, has a stadium under construction 30km from the city.

Sources close to Tharoor were, however, categorical that they would insist on some of the matches being held in Kochi. “We’ve a stadium there. If we have an IPL team, it’s for hosting matches in Kerala,” they said.

Pune and Kochi are new IPL franchises

2010-03-22T10:48:00.000+05:30

March 21, 2010

Source: Rediff.com

Pune and Kochi are the two new teams for the forthcoming editions of the Indian Premier League,commissioner Lalit Modi announced in Chennai, on Sunday.

Sahara Adventure Sports Group successfully won the Pune franchise after they bid the highest amount of US $370 million (Rs 1702 crore), while the Kochi team was won by a consortium, Rendezvous Sports World Limited, for a whopping amount of $333 million (Rs 1533.33 crore), for a period of ten years.

"There were five qualified bids and the bidding was extremely tough," Modi said.

Sahara had highest bids for three cities -- Ahmedabad, Pune and Nagpur -- but eventually they chose Pune as their franchise.

"Rendezvous Group has Vivek Venugopal, Anchor Switches, Rosy Blue Diamond, Mukesh Patel, Ravi and Sanjay Gaikwad as part of the consortium," Modi wrote on his Twitter page.

He further added that: "The new ground in Kochi will go into construction soon. Till it is ready, the matches will be played at another venue."

The other cities which were in the fray were Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Kanpur, Dharamsala, Vizag, Rajkot, Cuttack, Baroda, Indore and Gwalior.

Adani Entreprises and Videocon, the only two bidders at the last auction, which was cancelled by the IPL and fresh tenders were issued on March 7, lost out this time.

The addition of two new teams takes the total number to ten, which means that the number of matches played will go up from 60 to 94 from the fourth season in 2011.

Modi pointed out that the sale of the two new franchises for such a high amount proved that IPL was recession-proof. The existing eights team had fetched a total value of at Rs 2,840 crores but the two new teams were sold for a combined worth of Rs 3,235.53 crores.

"As far as IPL is concerned there is no recession at all. We will continue to be on upward trend," the IPL chief said.

Modi said he does not foresee IPL growing to more than 10 teams in the near future.

"We have no plans to expand further immediately. The IPL will be limited to ten teams only in near future. Also there are no plans to hold IPL abroad in the future. I don't foresee any expansion in many years to come but then you never know," he said.

The IPL will also provide Rendezvous Sports with an alternative venue if the Kerala Cricket Association's cricket stadium is not ready in time for next year's tournament.

"The Kerala Cricket Association are in the process of building the infrastructure so the teams will play only there once the stadium is ready. But till it is ready, the IPL will provide them with alternate venue and that coule be anywhere in India," said Modi.

When asked whether Pakistan's players would feature in the auction to be held later this year, Modi replied: "We hope the Pakistan players are allowed but that will only be decided when the auction takes places in September-October."

Meanwhile, minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor denied he was actively involved in the successful bid for the Kochi franchise.

"I am not part of the bid but was pleased to give Rendezvous Sports World my encouragement and blessings.My interest is in transforming Kerala. My own role has been limited to blessing and encouraging this venture because I feel very strongly that Keralites in India and abroad need something like this. I think it will help in the transformation of Kerala and that is my spirit. With that spirit I have given it my blessing. Beyond that I have no involvement," Tharoor said.