IPL submits revised schedule to Home Ministry

In a desperate bid to save the Indian Premier League's second edition, its organizers have sent a revised schedule of the high-profile event to the Home Ministry, which will now decide whether security can be arranged for the Twenty20 tournament.

The tournament has come under a cloud of uncertainty in the wake of the deadly terror attack on sri lankan team in Lahore and general elections in India, which coincide with the league that starts April 10.

After a series of meetings, the IPL organisers have re-drawn the tournament's schedule, taking care that no matches are held on polling days in cities hosting the games.

"We have taken care to ensure that host cities are not allotted a match two days before and after the polling day. We have submitted the schedule to the Home Ministry. It is up to them now to advice us," a top IPL source said.
"We will have a meeting if they call us to seek certain clarifications or for any other matter," he added.

The organisers are not in favour of postponing the tournament as it may lead to massive financial losses for the franchise owners as well the tournament itself.

The Home Ministry has made it clear that providing security for the league during the time of the general elections will be difficult, due to shortage of paramilitary forces and the time it is likely to take to deploy them for election duty.

IPL bosses battled to save their multi-million-dollar tournament

Indian Premier League bosses battled to save their multi-million-dollar tournament Wednesday after a government call for it to be postponed for security reasons.

In the wake of Tuesday's deadly assault on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan, questions are also being asked about whether the top world players signed up by the IPL will be prepared to play in South Asia.

The Mumbai siege in late November dealt a massive blow to India's security image, and fears over safety across the region will have been exacerbated by the gun and grenade attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore.

Home minister P. Chidambaram said Tuesday said he would be "stretched" to provide adequate security to the popular Twenty20 tournament, as it clashes with general elections in April and May.

"Since the election dates are unalterable, I have asked to find out if the dates of the IPL can be rescheduled," Chidambaram told reporters.

"I would be happy if the tournament starts when the bulk of the polls is over."The IPL is due to be played across 10 cities in India from April 10 to May 24. The parliamentary elections will be held in five phases between April 16 and May 13.

Chidambaram's comments came hours after the attack on the Sri Lankan team which injured seven players and an assistant coach and killed eight Pakistanis -- six of them policemen escorting their convoy to the stadium.

IPL officials insisted the tournament will not be postponed, citing a lack of alternative dates in an already crowded calendar, but agreed to adjustments so matches do not clash with voting in a particular city."There is no chance of postponing the IPL," tournament commissioner Lalit Modi told Indian media.

"We have taken into account government sensibilities, but I am sure even the Home Minister would not want the whole country to come to a standstill during the elections."Home ministry officials are expected to meet IPL bosses over the next few days to resolve the matter, although reports say the government is determined to see the 59-match tournament postponed.
There are also concerns on whether international players will be willing to set foot on the sub-continent following the Lahore attack.

The biggest draw this year would be the first IPL appearance for England stars Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff, who were signed for a record 1.55 million dollars each per year.

The Mumbai attacks last November has already forced the postponement by a year of the IPL-backed Champions League, featuring the top Twenty20 teams from Australia, South Africa, England, Pakistan and India.

"If I were one of the England guys who signed up for the Indian Premier League, I would be concerned," former England coach Duncan Fletcher wrote in the Guardian newspaper.

"The attacks in Mumbai called into question even the safety of the best hotels. What cricketer is going to start thinking about runs and wickets when there are these more serious matters to consider?"Former England captain Mike Atherton, however, told The Times he hoped the IPL would go ahead.

"If cricket in India takes a blow, then it's almost the end of cricket as a truly international sport -- it becomes an enclave of a few countries here and there."It's vitally important it continues to be played on the sub-continent."

Although IPL officials insist that international players will turn up, one official from a top team conceded the tournament could not go ahead without the support of the government and its security agencies."No one wants to take a chance in these difficult times," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity. "One mad person could ruin everything."

Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who was contracted with Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan's Kolkata Knightriders, has already pulled out of this year's IPL, citing commitments for his country.

Partners and Sponsors with IPL

Lalit Modi told reporter "I want to make it fully clear that all our sponsors and partners are still on board. They have all paid as per the schedule. In fact, a lot of other sponsors have approached us and are willing to pay more than our existing ones". 

Modi's hastily convened media conference was held a day after Kunal Dasgupta, chief executive of Sony Corporation, host broadcaster of the IPL, quit the organization. 

Modi, who is also a vice-president in the Indian cricket board, said that Dasgupta's resignation wouldn’t have any impact on the IPL starting Apr 10. 

Lalit Modi also said "It's an internal matter of Sony Corporation. He (Dasgupta) is a personal friend of mine. He was deeply involved in developing the IPL concept. But the organization, whether it's Sony or IPL, is bigger than any individual. There's no question of Sony pulling out". 

He said "We are jointly working with the management team at Sony to address this and we are confident that we will be able to amicably resolve the operational issues to the satisfaction of all the concerned parties". 

Modi also rubbished speculation that title sponsor DLF paid just 50 per cent of the agreed Rs.2 billion for a period of five years. 

"I want to make it fully clear that all our sponsors and partners remain resolute and steadfast in their commitment to the DLF Indian Premier League. They are all very much still on board and not a single partner has pulled out. They have all paid as per the schedule. In fact, we have received a lot of offers from potential sponsors at multiple prices willing to pay much more for our properties," he said. 

Rajasthan NGO accuses Lalit Modi of cheating

Indian Premier League’s chief Lalit Modi in more trouble, a case of cheating was on Sunday lodged against him for alleged failure to deposit money he publicly promised for the Jaipur blast victims in the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. 

The FIR has been lodged by the state convener of Nagrik Morcha Pandit Suresh Mishra at the Jyoti Nagar police station in Jaipur under Sections 420 (cheating) and 467 (forgery of valuable security or will) IPC, Police Station incharge Lakhan Singh said. "The FIR has been lodged in connection with a cheque Modi had given to Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje for the welfare of Jaipur bomb blast victims," Lakhan Singh said. 

"We shall look into the matter and examine the facts," he said. Mishra, in his complaint, alleged that during the first edition of the IPL, Modi had announced that Rs six crore would be deposited in the Chief Minister's relief fund for victims of the blasts that rocked the pink city on May 13 last year. 

"After the match between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians on May 17 at SMS stadium Jaipur, Lalit Modi had presented a cheque of Rs six crore to then CM Vasundhara Raje but in reality the entire amount was never deposited," he alleged. 

He also claimed this was a ploy to let the match go on since the Morcha had demanded that it be either cancelled or be held for charity. 

"Obviously it was a ploy to hold the match because we had demanded that either the match be cancelled or should be declared as a charity match for the blast victims. Months later some cheques were deposited through various companies which were sponsors of IPL. But this amount was found to be only of around Rs four crore. What happened to rest of the amount?" he asked.

"We demand a probe for this missing Rs two crore. The act of raising money by fooling the public is a crime and we demand that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot orders a judicial inquiry into the matter," Mishra said. 

Modi, who is also the President of the Rajasthan Cricket Association, is already facing charges for allegedly acquiring a piece of land in Nagaur district through unfair means. 

Police has questioned him in this regard. He is also embroiled in a power struggle in the RCA against secretary Subhash Joshi and few district associations, which have put up a united front against him.

Rajasthan NGO accuses Lalit Modi of cheating

Indian Premier League’s chief Lalit Modi in more trouble, a case of cheating was on Sunday lodged against him for alleged failure to deposit money he publicly promised for the Jaipur blast victims in the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

The FIR has been lodged by the state convener of Nagrik Morcha Pandit Suresh Mishra at the Jyoti Nagar police station in Jaipur under Sections 420 (cheating) and 467 (forgery of valuable security or will) IPC, Police Station incharge Lakhan Singh said.

"The FIR has been lodged in connection with a cheque Modi had given to Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje for the welfare of Jaipur bomb blast victims," Lakhan Singh said. "We shall look into the matter and examine the facts," he said. Mishra, in his complaint, alleged that during the first edition of the IPL, Modi had announced that Rs six crore would be deposited in the Chief Minister's relief fund for victims of the blasts that rocked the pink city on May 13 last year.

"After the match between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians on May 17 at SMS stadium Jaipur, Lalit Modi had presented a cheque of Rs six crore to then CM Vasundhara Raje but in reality the entire amount was never deposited," he alleged.

He also claimed this was a ploy to let the match go on since the Morcha had demanded that it be either cancelled or be held for charity. "Obviously it was a ploy to hold the match because we had demanded that either the match be cancelled or should be declared as a charity match for the blast victims. Months later some cheques were deposited through various companies which were sponsors of IPL. But this amount was found to be only of around Rs four crore. What happened to rest of the amount?" he asked.

"We demand a probe for this missing Rs two crore. The act of raising money by fooling the public is a crime and we demand that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot orders a judicial inquiry into the matter," Mishra said. Modi, who is also the President of the Rajasthan Cricket Association, is already facing charges for allegedly acquiring a piece of land in Nagaur district through unfair means. Police has questioned him in this regard. He is also embroiled in a power struggle in the RCA against secretary Subhash Joshi and few district associations, which have put up a united front against him.

IPL drug tribunal bans Asif for one year

Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif was, on Wednesday, handed a one-year ban by the Indian Premier League(IPL) Drugs Tribunal for failing a dope test during the inaugural edition of the Twenty20 tournament last year.

After receiving the test report of Asif’s blood sample, the IPL drug tribunal has confirmed that Mohammad Asif had used banned drugs during the IPL series previous year. The ban will be effective from September 22, 2008 and he cannot play IPL cricket up to September 15, 2009, according to the decision.

After finding the 26-year-old fast bowler guilty of violating the anti-doping code, the IPL Drug Tribunal, chaired by legal expert Shirish Gupte, made the formal announcement today though it arrived at the decision yesterday.

"The year's ineligibility for Mohammad Asif's ban runs from as September 22, 2008 as that was the date when the IPL had imposed the suspension order, post which the cricketer has not been allowed to play any match," the release said.

Asif, playing for Delhi Daredevils. The right-handed fast bowler has a series of run-ins with controversies and was detained in the Dubai airport for 19 days last June with 0.24 grams of opium in his possession when he was returning home after playing in the IPL.

IPL Revisited

The Second season of IPL (Indian Premier League) is starting from April 2009. Let revisit some of records from IPL season 1 played during 18th April 2008 to 1st June 2008.

 Highest Team Score

• Chennai – 240/5
• Kolkata – 222/3

 Highest Individual Score

• B McCullam – 158 runs (73 balls) 10x4, 13x6
• A Symonds – 117 runs (53 balss) 11x4, 7x6
• M Hussey – 116 runs (54 balss) 8x4, 9x6
• S Marsh – 115 runs (69 balss) 11x4, 7x6
• S Jayasurya – 114 runs (48 balss) 9x4, 11x6
• A Gilchrist – 109 runs (47 balss) 9x4, 10x6

 Most Runs in IPL

• S Marsh – 616 runs in 11 matches
• G Gambhir – 534 runs in 14 matches
• S Jayasurya – 514 runs in 14 matches

 Most 6’s in IPL

• S Jayasurya – 31 sixes
• S Marsh – 26 sixes

 Most Wickets

• S Tanvir – 22 wickets in 11 matches
• S Warne – 19 wickets in 15 matches
• S Sreesanth – 19 wickets in 15 matches

 Best bowling in innings

• S Tanvir – 6/14
• A Mishra – 5/17
• L Balaji – 5/24

 Largest Victories

• Kolkata by 140 runs against Bangalore
• Rajasthan by 105 runs against Delhi

IPL Second Season

Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff became most expansive player in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Kevin Pietersen with 1.55 million USD most expensive player of the Indian Premier League. Kevin Pietersen breaks the record of Mahendra Singh Dhoni from last season of IPL. In last season of IPL Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the expensive player of IPL with 1.5 million USD.

Kevin Pietersen was captain of England team. Vijay Mallya says, “I was always keen to get Pietersen”. Kevin Pietersen joins “Bangalore Royal Challengers” (BRC). A ndrew Flintoff joins “Chennai Super Kings” (CSK). Bangalore (Bangluru) Royal Challengers spent 1.95$ USD million from their 1.35$ USD million base price.

Andrew Flintoff another England Player became Expensive for second season of Indian Premier League. Andrew Flintoff went to Chennai Super Kings whose captain was Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Andrew Flintoff attracted more bids, with his base price of $950,000 rising quickly, as Chennai, Kings XI Punjab and the Rajasthan Royals traded offers. "Flintoff is an outstanding all-rounder who will give value and improve the balance of the team," said N Srinivasan, the secretary of the BCCI and owner of the Chennai Super Kings.

Indian Premier League (IPL) to bid for 17 players at auction. With a total of $13.59 million in their pocket, eight Indian Premier League franchisees will buy 17 players from a pool of 50 when the second edition of the players' auction gets under way on Friday. Lalit Modi told to Reporter "In tomorrow's auction, 18 players from Australia, seven from England, five from Sri Lanka, three from New Zealand, seven from South Africa, six from West Indies and four from Bangladesh would be up for grabs. This time 17 slots are available and a total of $13.59 could be spent tomorrow”.

Rajasthan Royals buy Australian bowler Shaun Tait for $375,000. Mumbai Indians bid $950,000 for South Africa batsman jean Paul Duminy. Pakistan Government takes decision for no one Pakistan player play at IPL. So Kolkata Knight Riders Replace Umar Gul's, Bangalore Royal Challengers can Replace Misbah-ul-Haq and Rajasthan Royals can Replace Sohail Tanvir and Kamran Akmal.

Rajasthan Royals bought South African all-rounder Tyron Henderson. Austrlian opener Phil Jaques went unsold with South African batsman Ashwell Prince. Another Australian Luke Wright also went unsold, the bidders not showing much interest on the Australians up for auction. Kings XI Punjab bought England all-rounder Ravi Bopara. New Zealand all-rounder Jesse Ryder was bought for Bangalore Royal Challengers while another Kiwi cricketer, Kyle Mills was taken by Mumbai Indians.South African Andre Nel went unsold. Sri Lankan paceman Nuwan Kulasekara also failed to make an impact with no team showing any interest in him.

In the auction, 18 players from Australia, seven from England, five from Sri Lanka, three from New Zealand, seven from South Africa, six from West Indies and four from Bangladesh were up for grabs. Second Season of IPL start from April 10 to May 29.

Michael Clark left IPL

Lalit modi Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman and Commissioner said Michael Clark would not play in Second season of IPL. Michael Clark will decide to take rest at home and will spend all his time with family. Australia Vice-captain Michael Clark had given a miss to the inaugural season of the IPL as well owing to a hectic international commitment. Michael Clark is happy to spend time with family.

The Australian vice-captain Michael Clark is only the second foreign player to breach the $1 million mark, after Andrew Symonds got a fee of $1.35 million last year. Michael Clark said that there is very busy schedule of Australia so he want to rest with his family couple of week.

Indian Premier League is the best preparation for the Twenty-20 World cup. So the IPL is the most important for all Players. It's a wonderful thing for cricket, its definitely improved Twenty20 cricket, its played a part in improving one day cricket," he added.

Australian 13 Players Continue with Indian Premier League Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Nathan Bracken, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Simon Katich, Justin Langer, Brett Lee and Cameron White.