It was like a WWF punch: Sreesanth
The die seems loaded against firebrand spinner Harbhajan Singh following the ugly episode of a slap turned slugfest with pacer Sreesanth after the IPL tie in Mohali on Friday.
Harbhajan's fate will be decided on Monday when match referee Farrokh Engineer takes a call - Harbhajan faces a ban for a significant number of matches, and, at best, may get to play a couple of matches in the last phase of the Twenty20 league.
"Whether it's going to be a 10-match ban for Harbhajan or a ban for fewer matches is something we cannot say at this point, but whatever IPL will decide will be in the best interests of the game. Even BCCI is going to take appropriate action against the cricketer," BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said on Sunday.
Sreesanth, meanwhile, is also expected to be asked to keep his emotions under check. The paceman, who took what he said was "like a WWF punch" from his team-mate, has made it to headlines for his undue aggressive behaviour.
Harbhajan, under suspension till the verdict of the hearing, was a worried man on Sunday, almost resigned to his fate. "Now, it's up to IPL."
'Harbhajan should have controlled his anger'
If Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth are around, can controversies be far behind? If they are on the same team, one can imagine the plight of the opposition. Friday night offered an ugly glimpse of what could happen when the two are in opposite camps. The skeptics have dubbed T20 cricket as a big tamasha (farce). Some have called it bikini cricket while others have refused to take it seriously. But the tamacha (slap) episode proves that despite its slam-bang format with cheerleaders in tow, it is played in all seriousness with millions of rupees and pride at stake for the teams.
What exactly led to Friday night's slapping incident? Frustrated at Mumbai Indians' third defeat in as many matches in the IPL, Harbhajan, leading the team in place of an unfit Sachin Tendulkar, allegedly slapped the Kerala paceman and also used harsh words when the latter approached him to shake hands at the end of the match. Shaken by Harbhajan's behaviour, Sreesanth was in tears in full view of the packed house and was also caught on TV for all to see.
A Mumbai player, on conditions of anonymity, narrated the chain of events which led to the ugly face-off. He said: ‘‘Everybody knows Sreesanth is no saint. His on-field antics are well known. When the Mumbai Indians were fighting a losing battle, Sree did not desist from riling the tailenders. He also taunted Harbhajan when he had come out to bat and did not last long. And when Sree approached Bhajji at the end of the game, the off-spinner could not control his frustration and swung out at Sree. It was just a spur of the moment reaction and should not be blown out of proportion.''
A Mohali player who played a lead part with the ball in the team's win, defended Sreesanth, saying that Harbhajan ought to have controlled his anger. ‘‘We all know how hot-headed Bhajji is. It's one thing to take on the likes of Andrew Symonds and Ricky Pointing but it's totally unacceptable to use one's hand on a fellow-player. Sree is an emotional and demonstrative person. It's not the blow, but Bhajji's behaviour which brought tears to Sree's eyes.''
Different teams, different views. But this incident has not gone down well with the top-brass of the BCCI and they have been prompt in issuing a show cause notice to Harbhajan even before Team Mohali decided to lodge an official complaint, which was only on Saturday afternoon. It is also learnt that Tendulkar played a key role in reconciliation between the two and helped sort out things at their own level. But Sachin's effort has not brought the curtains down on the incident.
Just a few months back the BCCI had strongly supported Harbhajan in the racial-slur case against Symonds. Whether Bhajji can manage to wriggle out of this new problem he has created for himself will be followed with great interest when the BCCI disciplinary committee meets after Harbhajan sends his reply on Monday to the show-cause notice.
Monday, April 28, 2008
LATEST NEWS
Harbhajan Singh faces ban
In the dock for his behaviour, temperamental off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was on Saturday suspended pending his explanation for slapping his Indian team-mate S Sreesanth at the end of an IPL match at Mohali last night and appears headed for a severe punishment which can be a minimum of a ban for five Test matches or 10 One-Day Internationals.
Watch: Will Bhajji face a life ban?
Harbhajan was earlier slapped with a show-cause notice by the BCCI which gave him time till Monday to explain his conduct but bowing to media and public outrage, he was temporarily suspended till the disciplinary hearing before Farookh Engineer, who was the Match Referee in the tie between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians late last night.
Watch: Bhajji's tainted past
The suspension means Harbhajan Singh, who is the stand-in captain for the Mumbai Indians, will not be able to play for the team against Deccan Chargers on Sunday in Mumbai.
Announcing the suspension, IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi said that based on prima facie video evidence as seen and reviewed by the match adjudicator and referee Farookh Engineer from the tapes provided by official channel partner, a decision has been reached to suspend with immediate effect Harbhajan Singh of the Mumbai Indians pending the inquiry into the incident on Monday, April 28, 2008.
"The inquiry into the incident at Mohali in the game between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians will now take place at the Maurya Sheraton, New Delhi on April 28th 2008. A final verdict would be announced by the adjudicator Farookh Engineer post hearing at New Delhi", he said in a statement.
Speaking exclusively to TIMES NOW , Modi said, "I am very particular about maintaining the code of conduct guidelines that the players have signed, that is why Harbhajan has been temporarily suspended, pending inquiry."
As per the ICC Code of Conduct, slapping a fellow player constitutes a level 4 offence and could lead to a life ban or a minimum ban of five Tests to 10 ODIs.
Rajiv Shukla, the vice president of BCCI said that 'there is no room for indiscipline'. Speaking exclusively to TIMES NOW , Rajiv Shukla said, "This is the right step. The incident is unfortunate but that it has taken place, action has to be taken."
The immediate provocation for Harbhajan's action last night appears to be Sreesanth saying "hard luck" to the off spinner who was in a bad mood following the Mumbai team's third successive loss.
Though Harbhajan, who had only recently escaped unscathed from a searing racial abuse row with Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, and his victim Sreesanth who cried bitterly on the field last night, tried to downplay the incident, the BCCI sought his explanation by Monday.
The IPL also asked the Match Referee and Adjudicator Engineer to hold an inquiry in Delhi on Monday when Singh would appear before him.
Both Harbhajan and Sreesanth tried to downplay the incident. The off-spinner said the issue has been "sorted out" and the pacer remarked that Harbhajan is like his "elder brother".
BCCI's Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty asserted that the BCCI "meant business" in this matter. "We want to tell our players that discipline is equally important and not only their cricketing talent," he said.
Shetty said the Board had issued a letter to Harbhajan asking for his explanation with Monday evening is the deadline.
He mentioned a decision on the off-spinner's participation in the IPL and further disciplinary actions for the alleged misconduct were two separate angles of the issue.
"This has never happened in Indian cricket when somebody physically assaulted another player. It is an extremely serious matter and we are dealing with it very seriously," he added.
Sreesanth's Turnaround
Sreesanth when, he first spoke to TIMES NOW , told us that Bhajji had the right to beat him up. But when Sreesanth spoke to a Malayalee Channel, what actually happened between him and Bhajji after the match at Mohali.
Revealing the facts, Sreesanth's language, his tone was very different and he said that it was more than a slap, it was a slugfest.
Sreesanth said, "I never expected this behaviour, I was very surprised."
"It was said to be a slap, but it was more than that, it was like a slugfest", he said adding that he has forgiven Harbhajan for what he did to him and that he wanted to continue playing for the country.
In the dock for his behaviour, temperamental off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was on Saturday suspended pending his explanation for slapping his Indian team-mate S Sreesanth at the end of an IPL match at Mohali last night and appears headed for a severe punishment which can be a minimum of a ban for five Test matches or 10 One-Day Internationals.
Watch: Will Bhajji face a life ban?
Harbhajan was earlier slapped with a show-cause notice by the BCCI which gave him time till Monday to explain his conduct but bowing to media and public outrage, he was temporarily suspended till the disciplinary hearing before Farookh Engineer, who was the Match Referee in the tie between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians late last night.
Watch: Bhajji's tainted past
The suspension means Harbhajan Singh, who is the stand-in captain for the Mumbai Indians, will not be able to play for the team against Deccan Chargers on Sunday in Mumbai.
Announcing the suspension, IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi said that based on prima facie video evidence as seen and reviewed by the match adjudicator and referee Farookh Engineer from the tapes provided by official channel partner, a decision has been reached to suspend with immediate effect Harbhajan Singh of the Mumbai Indians pending the inquiry into the incident on Monday, April 28, 2008.
"The inquiry into the incident at Mohali in the game between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians will now take place at the Maurya Sheraton, New Delhi on April 28th 2008. A final verdict would be announced by the adjudicator Farookh Engineer post hearing at New Delhi", he said in a statement.
Speaking exclusively to TIMES NOW , Modi said, "I am very particular about maintaining the code of conduct guidelines that the players have signed, that is why Harbhajan has been temporarily suspended, pending inquiry."
As per the ICC Code of Conduct, slapping a fellow player constitutes a level 4 offence and could lead to a life ban or a minimum ban of five Tests to 10 ODIs.
Rajiv Shukla, the vice president of BCCI said that 'there is no room for indiscipline'. Speaking exclusively to TIMES NOW , Rajiv Shukla said, "This is the right step. The incident is unfortunate but that it has taken place, action has to be taken."
The immediate provocation for Harbhajan's action last night appears to be Sreesanth saying "hard luck" to the off spinner who was in a bad mood following the Mumbai team's third successive loss.
Though Harbhajan, who had only recently escaped unscathed from a searing racial abuse row with Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, and his victim Sreesanth who cried bitterly on the field last night, tried to downplay the incident, the BCCI sought his explanation by Monday.
The IPL also asked the Match Referee and Adjudicator Engineer to hold an inquiry in Delhi on Monday when Singh would appear before him.
Both Harbhajan and Sreesanth tried to downplay the incident. The off-spinner said the issue has been "sorted out" and the pacer remarked that Harbhajan is like his "elder brother".
BCCI's Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty asserted that the BCCI "meant business" in this matter. "We want to tell our players that discipline is equally important and not only their cricketing talent," he said.
Shetty said the Board had issued a letter to Harbhajan asking for his explanation with Monday evening is the deadline.
He mentioned a decision on the off-spinner's participation in the IPL and further disciplinary actions for the alleged misconduct were two separate angles of the issue.
"This has never happened in Indian cricket when somebody physically assaulted another player. It is an extremely serious matter and we are dealing with it very seriously," he added.
Sreesanth's Turnaround
Sreesanth when, he first spoke to TIMES NOW , told us that Bhajji had the right to beat him up. But when Sreesanth spoke to a Malayalee Channel, what actually happened between him and Bhajji after the match at Mohali.
Revealing the facts, Sreesanth's language, his tone was very different and he said that it was more than a slap, it was a slugfest.
Sreesanth said, "I never expected this behaviour, I was very surprised."
"It was said to be a slap, but it was more than that, it was like a slugfest", he said adding that he has forgiven Harbhajan for what he did to him and that he wanted to continue playing for the country.
LATEST NEWS
Harbhajan slapped with suspension
Combative Harbhajan Singh has been suspended for slapping his Indian team-mate and IPL rival S Sree Santh just after their league match at Mohali on Friday night.
Watch: Bhajji suspended for slapping Sreesanth
In pics: Public protest against Harbhajan
The Indian Premier League’s chairman and commissioner, Lalit Modi, announced this late on Saturday night even as the slapstick episode was threatening to overrun the league itself. ‘‘There is enough prima facie video evidence to temporarily suspend Harbhajan with immediate effect,’’ he said in a statement.
‘‘The match adjudicator and referee, Farokh Engineer, has seen and reviewed the evidence and has arrived at this decision,’’ he said in the press release. Harbhajan cannot play in the crucial IPL match against Team Hyderabad on Sunday now, pending the inquiry into the incident.
Before the evidence emerged, Harbhajan had been slapped with a show-cause notice and was given till Monday to present his case. The feisty off-spinner had barely escaped a similar ban during the recent tour to Australia when the host broadcaster couldn’t provide evidence to prove he had made racist remarks against Andrew Symonds.
This time, however, he couldn’t beat the cameras. The ugly incident took place shortly after the encounter between Mumbai Indians and Team Mohali. According to involved parties, the stormy petrels of Indian cricket exchanged cold vibes, if not angry words, during the entire match. They are also known to not get along too well.
During the post-match formalities, Harbhajan (who as acting skipper has presided over three defeats for the costliest team in the IPL) lost his cool and slapped Sree Santh. The Kerala pacer was captured by cameras sobbing like a child. ‘‘I simply said ‘hard luck. Better luck next time’,’’ Sree Santh told TOI .
‘‘I don’t want to say anything about it,’’ said Harbhajan. ‘‘All I can tell you is that whatever happened on the field was not right,’’ he conceded to TOI . ‘‘We are like a family and I am like an elder brother to Sree Santh. We have sorted it out and there is nothing beyond that,’’ he tried to explain.
It is, however, not so simple. As the IPL is governed by ICC laws, its code of conduct automatically applies. For any physical abuse of players, officials or spectators, a player can be suspended for 10 One-dayers or five Test matches, up to a life ban. Worse, Harbhajan might end up being penalised by both IPL and BCCI.
‘‘It’s an unfortunate incident. He could face punishment from both BCCI and IPL. As per the contract between BCCI and its contracted players, we have certain guidelines for the players and if they violate them, they have to face the music,’’ BCCI president Sharad Pawar told TOI.
Mumbai Indians regret Bhajji behaviour, hope for solution
The Mumbai Indians on Sunday regretted the controversy surrounding their suspended stand-in captain Harbhajan Singh and said they are optimistic that the row would be resolved amicably after Monday's hearing in the case.
Reacting to Harbhajan's temporary suspension after he had allegedly slapped Kings XI Punjab player S Sreesanth, an unnamed official of the Mumbai Indians, while terming the incident at Mohali two nights ago as unfortunate, said they were confident that the issue would be sorted out soon.
"The incident involving Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth of the Punjab King's XI was most unfortunate. The Governing Council has set up an adjudication panel to inquire into the incident. The Mumbai Indians are confident that the decision taken by the panel will be in the best interests of cricket and the DLF Indian Premier League," he said in a statement.
"The Mumbai Indians are hopeful that the Harbhajan Singh issue will be resolved amicably," he added.
The IPL swung into action late on Saturday and suspended Harbhajan, who allegedly slapped Sreesanth after the Mumbai Indians had crashed to their third successive defeat in the Twenty20 league at Mohali.
The Cricket Board, under whose overall jurisdiction the IPL functions as a sub-committee, had already slapped a show-cause notice on the off-spinner asking him to explain his conduct at Mohali.
IPL commissioner and chairman Lalit Modi later suspended the bowler and also decided that a panel, headed by match referee Farokh Engineer, would meet both parties at a formal hearing in Delhi before deciding on future course of action.
If found guilty, Harbhajan faces a suspension of five Tests or 10 ODIs, as per the Code of Conduct of the International Cricket Council that is being followed by the IPL Governing Council, or even a life ban.
Harbhajan led the Mumbai Indians team in the first three ties in the absence of regular captain Sachin Tendulkar who is struggling to get fit following a groin injury sustained in Australia which got aggravated during the first home Test against South Africa at the end of last month.
Combative Harbhajan Singh has been suspended for slapping his Indian team-mate and IPL rival S Sree Santh just after their league match at Mohali on Friday night.
Watch: Bhajji suspended for slapping Sreesanth
In pics: Public protest against Harbhajan
The Indian Premier League’s chairman and commissioner, Lalit Modi, announced this late on Saturday night even as the slapstick episode was threatening to overrun the league itself. ‘‘There is enough prima facie video evidence to temporarily suspend Harbhajan with immediate effect,’’ he said in a statement.
‘‘The match adjudicator and referee, Farokh Engineer, has seen and reviewed the evidence and has arrived at this decision,’’ he said in the press release. Harbhajan cannot play in the crucial IPL match against Team Hyderabad on Sunday now, pending the inquiry into the incident.
Before the evidence emerged, Harbhajan had been slapped with a show-cause notice and was given till Monday to present his case. The feisty off-spinner had barely escaped a similar ban during the recent tour to Australia when the host broadcaster couldn’t provide evidence to prove he had made racist remarks against Andrew Symonds.
This time, however, he couldn’t beat the cameras. The ugly incident took place shortly after the encounter between Mumbai Indians and Team Mohali. According to involved parties, the stormy petrels of Indian cricket exchanged cold vibes, if not angry words, during the entire match. They are also known to not get along too well.
During the post-match formalities, Harbhajan (who as acting skipper has presided over three defeats for the costliest team in the IPL) lost his cool and slapped Sree Santh. The Kerala pacer was captured by cameras sobbing like a child. ‘‘I simply said ‘hard luck. Better luck next time’,’’ Sree Santh told TOI .
‘‘I don’t want to say anything about it,’’ said Harbhajan. ‘‘All I can tell you is that whatever happened on the field was not right,’’ he conceded to TOI . ‘‘We are like a family and I am like an elder brother to Sree Santh. We have sorted it out and there is nothing beyond that,’’ he tried to explain.
It is, however, not so simple. As the IPL is governed by ICC laws, its code of conduct automatically applies. For any physical abuse of players, officials or spectators, a player can be suspended for 10 One-dayers or five Test matches, up to a life ban. Worse, Harbhajan might end up being penalised by both IPL and BCCI.
‘‘It’s an unfortunate incident. He could face punishment from both BCCI and IPL. As per the contract between BCCI and its contracted players, we have certain guidelines for the players and if they violate them, they have to face the music,’’ BCCI president Sharad Pawar told TOI.
Mumbai Indians regret Bhajji behaviour, hope for solution
The Mumbai Indians on Sunday regretted the controversy surrounding their suspended stand-in captain Harbhajan Singh and said they are optimistic that the row would be resolved amicably after Monday's hearing in the case.
Reacting to Harbhajan's temporary suspension after he had allegedly slapped Kings XI Punjab player S Sreesanth, an unnamed official of the Mumbai Indians, while terming the incident at Mohali two nights ago as unfortunate, said they were confident that the issue would be sorted out soon.
"The incident involving Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth of the Punjab King's XI was most unfortunate. The Governing Council has set up an adjudication panel to inquire into the incident. The Mumbai Indians are confident that the decision taken by the panel will be in the best interests of cricket and the DLF Indian Premier League," he said in a statement.
"The Mumbai Indians are hopeful that the Harbhajan Singh issue will be resolved amicably," he added.
The IPL swung into action late on Saturday and suspended Harbhajan, who allegedly slapped Sreesanth after the Mumbai Indians had crashed to their third successive defeat in the Twenty20 league at Mohali.
The Cricket Board, under whose overall jurisdiction the IPL functions as a sub-committee, had already slapped a show-cause notice on the off-spinner asking him to explain his conduct at Mohali.
IPL commissioner and chairman Lalit Modi later suspended the bowler and also decided that a panel, headed by match referee Farokh Engineer, would meet both parties at a formal hearing in Delhi before deciding on future course of action.
If found guilty, Harbhajan faces a suspension of five Tests or 10 ODIs, as per the Code of Conduct of the International Cricket Council that is being followed by the IPL Governing Council, or even a life ban.
Harbhajan led the Mumbai Indians team in the first three ties in the absence of regular captain Sachin Tendulkar who is struggling to get fit following a groin injury sustained in Australia which got aggravated during the first home Test against South Africa at the end of last month.
INTERVIEWS
Sourav one of the best captains: McCullum
When Brendon McCullum left the New Zealand shores a couple of weeks back, he wasn't a household name in India. By the time, he is getting ready to leave India, he has managed to achieve a big fan following in this cricket-crazy nation.
It is this passion of Indian cricket that has struck the Kiwi wicketkeeper, who shot into fame in India with a breathtaking 158 in the IPL opener. "I could not believe so many people shouting for a Franchisee team! The crowd, the passion, the following... India has been an eye-opener for me," McCullum, who will play his last IPL match of the season against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday, told TOI on Saturday.
The Kiwi opener went ga ga over Shah Rukh Khan, the owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders, and the skipper of his team Sourav Ganguly. "I had only heard about SRK. Coming here, I could understand what fame actually means...But then, he is such a modest man, you'll never feel overawed by his presence," the Kiwi 'keeper added.
Sourav's ability to inspire the team was also appreciated by McCullum. "Sourav is surely one of the best captains I've played under. Right from the time I came here, I knew my responsibility. The skipper assigned me a job and I tried to do it to the best of my ability," he said.
That's a bit of an understatement as McCullum was the one who single-handedly won the Knight Riders the first game against the Bangalore Royal Challengers. He was on song on Saturday as well against Team Chennai before compatriot Jacob Oram dismissed him to start the Knight Riders' slide.
"It wasn't our day on Saturday...But we learnt our lessons and look to go all guns blazing against Mumbai. I would also like to finish this year's stint with a bang," he said sounding a warning bell for Sachin Tendulkar and Co. But how does he look back at that innings in Bangalore?
"It's kind of surreal. It was a day when everything fell into place. All the shots that I tried came off the middle of the bat," he said, adding that "it would be difficult to replicate that kind of an effort in the future".
Does he know that he has raised the bar for all wicketkeeper-batsmen in the tournament? McCullum, sporting a tatoo on his right forearm, smiles.
"There are quite a few quality 'keepers playing this tournament. So, don't be surprised if somebody else comes up with another knock like that," he said, obviously referring to the likes of Team Hyderabad's Adam Gilchrist and Kumar Sangakkara of Mohali.
McCullum would have loved to carry on his duel for supremacy with these two players, but then, it's time for him to go. And the Kiwi feels the young Wriddhiman Saha, who will do the job in his absence, has it in him to rise to the occasion. "Young Saha is a fine talent. I think he wouldn't let the Knight Riders feel my absence in the tournament," McCullum said, before taking the elevator to his hotel room.
When Brendon McCullum left the New Zealand shores a couple of weeks back, he wasn't a household name in India. By the time, he is getting ready to leave India, he has managed to achieve a big fan following in this cricket-crazy nation.
It is this passion of Indian cricket that has struck the Kiwi wicketkeeper, who shot into fame in India with a breathtaking 158 in the IPL opener. "I could not believe so many people shouting for a Franchisee team! The crowd, the passion, the following... India has been an eye-opener for me," McCullum, who will play his last IPL match of the season against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday, told TOI on Saturday.
The Kiwi opener went ga ga over Shah Rukh Khan, the owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders, and the skipper of his team Sourav Ganguly. "I had only heard about SRK. Coming here, I could understand what fame actually means...But then, he is such a modest man, you'll never feel overawed by his presence," the Kiwi 'keeper added.
Sourav's ability to inspire the team was also appreciated by McCullum. "Sourav is surely one of the best captains I've played under. Right from the time I came here, I knew my responsibility. The skipper assigned me a job and I tried to do it to the best of my ability," he said.
That's a bit of an understatement as McCullum was the one who single-handedly won the Knight Riders the first game against the Bangalore Royal Challengers. He was on song on Saturday as well against Team Chennai before compatriot Jacob Oram dismissed him to start the Knight Riders' slide.
"It wasn't our day on Saturday...But we learnt our lessons and look to go all guns blazing against Mumbai. I would also like to finish this year's stint with a bang," he said sounding a warning bell for Sachin Tendulkar and Co. But how does he look back at that innings in Bangalore?
"It's kind of surreal. It was a day when everything fell into place. All the shots that I tried came off the middle of the bat," he said, adding that "it would be difficult to replicate that kind of an effort in the future".
Does he know that he has raised the bar for all wicketkeeper-batsmen in the tournament? McCullum, sporting a tatoo on his right forearm, smiles.
"There are quite a few quality 'keepers playing this tournament. So, don't be surprised if somebody else comes up with another knock like that," he said, obviously referring to the likes of Team Hyderabad's Adam Gilchrist and Kumar Sangakkara of Mohali.
McCullum would have loved to carry on his duel for supremacy with these two players, but then, it's time for him to go. And the Kiwi feels the young Wriddhiman Saha, who will do the job in his absence, has it in him to rise to the occasion. "Young Saha is a fine talent. I think he wouldn't let the Knight Riders feel my absence in the tournament," McCullum said, before taking the elevator to his hotel room.
INTERVIEWS
Have you set any personal targets for the IPL?
My target is to make sure that I win the match for my team. It was a tremendous feeling when I scored some runs in the T20 World Cup last year. But now, that is in the past. As an opener, my job is to give some good starts to my team. For me, it's important that my runs come handy for the team and that I stand up and be counted when it matters the most. Individual records really do not make much impact if your team does not win.
Batsmen get less time to settle down in the T20 format. Is this a problem?
If you are playing a Twenty20 match, it gives you that extra liberty to play your shots. But when you are an opener, the perfect way to bat is to get used to the pace and bounce of the wicket and then shift gears according to the situation. For me, this format works because it gives me freedom to play my shots. At the same time, you can get enough time to settle down.
After six matches, which team looks the best?
It's too early to comment. This is an unpredictable format and that is why you cannot single out any one team and say that they will win the IPL championship. If you have five bad overs in a game, you can end up on the losing side. From the last couple of matches, one thing is quite clear: any team is capable of winning and so you cannot really take it easy. It's exciting and I am sure that the spectators are going to love every moment of it.
What is your impression of the foreign recruits?
It's a completely different experience. This is the perfect platform to know each other. During international matches, we don't have this kind of interaction. A tournament like IPL will help us make friends with all cricketers from South Africa, Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, West Indies or Pakistan.
How effective is Virender Sehwag as a captain?
Viru is a thinking captain and can rotate his bowlers very intelligently. Even when I am batting with him, I have a great understanding. As a cricketer, he is top class, and even as a teammate off the field, he is very helpful. Under his leadership, Delhi Daredevils are looking good.
Is money a distraction?
Not at all. We are professional cricketers and we know one thing: as long as we are playing well for our city, state or country, money is something which will take care of itself. If tomorrow, we stop performing, money will stop flowing. So, money is not an issue with a cricketer. It's only the outside world which talks about it.
Is it quality cricket or the Bollywood stars which is attracting fans to the stadium?
If you ask this question to a cricketer, he will obviously say it is the cricket. But the presence of Bollywood stars is certainly adding to the excitement. With time, I am sure more and more cricket fans will get involved.
Is it exciting for cricketers to have Bollywood stars around?
Once you are on the field, nothing really matters. It's only how we can win the match that counts.
Hayden wary of Ishant
How Ishant Sharma fares against Matthew Hayden will go a long way in deciding the fate of the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Team Chennai on Saturday. Hayden, of course, is aware of the Ishant threat and he has started making his preparations.
"Ishant has just carried on from where he left off in Australia. He is a fine bowler and I've to be careful against him," Hayden told TOI.
He is also well-aware that the Knight Riders, who have Ricky Ponting in their ranks, will make special preparations against him.
"Yes, Ricky knows about my game. But then, the Indians always make their preparations against me," he added. He also added that it's the youngsters in the team who push him. "I know I have to survive playing cricket. The more the competition, the more I enjoy the game," he said.
INTERVIEWS
We are the winners: Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan's Kolkata Knight Riders play their second match on Sunday and the superstar says “his team are the declared winners".
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan said, "Being an actor I have always thought everything in larger-than-life perspective. Knight Riders' matches will also be no exception. Being a little tongue-in-cheek, at Eden Gardens, we will exhibit two helmets - an 18-carat gold-plated and a diamond studded one respectively to show the other teams that we are the declared winners. The matches are just child's play for us."
"I believe it's my duty to entertain people whether it's in films or in the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. Though I am not going to dance at the gallery, I will be present at Edens."
According to him, the match will surely be a star-studded affair.
"Rani (Mukerji), Bipasha (Basu) and Kareena (Kapoor) have verbally confirmed their presence. With Kareena nowadays we get a Saif Ali Khan for free. So Saif can also be expected. I personally will try to convince John (Abraham) and Karan (Johar) to fly down as well. I have personally invited Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi to come and cheer for us at the Edens," Shah Rukh said.
King Khan is surely doing his bit, while the people Kolkata have already made their plans for the matches.
"We have arranged for a procession from Hatibagan in central Kolkata to the Eden Gardens. Twenty belly dancers will dance their way to the ground on a 16-wheeled container trailer," said Arnab Roy, joint secretary of the Shah Rukh Khan Fans Club.
Roy said this is the first time in the history of Edens that supporters will enter the grounds with drums and play them at the gallery.
"We will also decorate the gallery with Knight Riders flags, banners and festoons. Shah Rukh has promised to help us deck up the gallery," he added.
Fans and fan clubs of Sourav Ganguly, captain of the Knight Riders, and Shah Rukh have arranged mass screening of all the matches at select places across the city.
Golden-black billboards and posters of the 'Knights' - with their faces painted in gold - are evoking much excitement in all Kolkatans irrespective of age.
Ticket sales for the IPL matches began here Monday. And since then, there have been long queues outside the Cricket Association Of Bengal (CAB) ticket counters every day.
"All the tickets for the first two Knight Riders matches at Edens - on April 20 against Deccan Chargers, and April 29 against Mumbai Indians - are sold out. I am sure tickets for the other five matches will also sell like hot cake once Kolkatans get the taste of the first match at Edens," said CAB joint secretary Amitabha Bandopadhyay.
Out of the 14 matches of the Kolkata Knight Riders, seven will be played at the Eden Gardens ground here.
The first match of the IPL kicked off Friday with the Knight Riders emerging victorious over the Bangalore Royal Challengers at the Chinnasawmy Stadium in Bangalore.
As the team's slogan goes, its all about "Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo" (Do, Fight, Win) for the "King's Men".
ICC will have to adjust IPL in its calendar: Dhoni
International Cricket Council will have to adjust IPL in its cricket calendar otherwise it may force cricketers from many countries to opt for retirement, India's ODI captain MS Dhoni said on Sunday.
"They will need to take this decision otherwise we may have a situation where cricketers will prefer retirement," Dhoni said.
He was of the view that BCCI-backed IPL, which is currently holding its inaugural T20 tournament, will become an annual feature.
Dhoni, who is captaining the IPL team Chennai Super Kings and led them to convincing victory over Kings Punjab XI in Mohali on Saturday, felt that with so much money involved in the lucrative league, it would become difficult to stop players (from participating).
Outgoing CEO of ICC, Malcom Speed, said in Mumbai on Wednesday that there was no immediate need to carve out a slot for the IPL in the Future Tours Programme at the moment.
Speed had said the biggest challenge facing the game's administrators right now was how to integrate the T20 format with Tests and ODIs to ensure that none had to face the disinterest of the fans.
Dhoni saw nothing wrong in players making money by playing in the IPL, saying in some countries the players do not earn that big.
"A player has to think about his future too. They need money to maintain a decent lifestyle later in their lives," Dhoni said.
Asked if young cricketers were in the danger of losing their focus with so much money flowing into the game, Dhoni said, "Players know it very well that money will flow only if they do well in the game."
About his comments on how IPL had rolled out, 26 year old Dhoni said, "it's going to be a huge success".
Asked if crowds have started associating themselves with the teams, which have been named after different Indian cities, he said that it would take time before they strongly relate to them.
He, however, said it was great to have players from different nations sharing the same dressing room and felt it would only go a long way in strengthening the relationship.
With IPL offering a mix of Bollywood and cricket, Dhoni said, "In India they both go hand-in-hand."
When asked about a mammoth total of 240 posted by his team against Kings XI Punjab on Saturday and 222 being scored by Knight Riders a day prior to that, will the present tournament see 300 being scored in 20 overs?, Dhoni said "I think that will be difficult", though he went on to add that, "In cricket, you never know."
Dhoni may have cut his long locks that once attracted praise from Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf, but that has not stopped Bollywood making a beeline and wanting him to sign a film.
"There are lots of offers, but I have declined all of them. There is no time for that right now," he said.
Dhoni despite enjoying success in his field which gave him instant popularity at young age is a down-to-earth person. He feels that the downside of being a celebrity in this country is that one constantly remains under the media spotlight.
"There is no privacy in life and media is constantly after you," says Dhoni, but despite that he manages to maintain a level head.
Shah Rukh Khan's Kolkata Knight Riders play their second match on Sunday and the superstar says “his team are the declared winners".
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan said, "Being an actor I have always thought everything in larger-than-life perspective. Knight Riders' matches will also be no exception. Being a little tongue-in-cheek, at Eden Gardens, we will exhibit two helmets - an 18-carat gold-plated and a diamond studded one respectively to show the other teams that we are the declared winners. The matches are just child's play for us."
"I believe it's my duty to entertain people whether it's in films or in the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. Though I am not going to dance at the gallery, I will be present at Edens."
According to him, the match will surely be a star-studded affair.
"Rani (Mukerji), Bipasha (Basu) and Kareena (Kapoor) have verbally confirmed their presence. With Kareena nowadays we get a Saif Ali Khan for free. So Saif can also be expected. I personally will try to convince John (Abraham) and Karan (Johar) to fly down as well. I have personally invited Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi to come and cheer for us at the Edens," Shah Rukh said.
King Khan is surely doing his bit, while the people Kolkata have already made their plans for the matches.
"We have arranged for a procession from Hatibagan in central Kolkata to the Eden Gardens. Twenty belly dancers will dance their way to the ground on a 16-wheeled container trailer," said Arnab Roy, joint secretary of the Shah Rukh Khan Fans Club.
Roy said this is the first time in the history of Edens that supporters will enter the grounds with drums and play them at the gallery.
"We will also decorate the gallery with Knight Riders flags, banners and festoons. Shah Rukh has promised to help us deck up the gallery," he added.
Fans and fan clubs of Sourav Ganguly, captain of the Knight Riders, and Shah Rukh have arranged mass screening of all the matches at select places across the city.
Golden-black billboards and posters of the 'Knights' - with their faces painted in gold - are evoking much excitement in all Kolkatans irrespective of age.
Ticket sales for the IPL matches began here Monday. And since then, there have been long queues outside the Cricket Association Of Bengal (CAB) ticket counters every day.
"All the tickets for the first two Knight Riders matches at Edens - on April 20 against Deccan Chargers, and April 29 against Mumbai Indians - are sold out. I am sure tickets for the other five matches will also sell like hot cake once Kolkatans get the taste of the first match at Edens," said CAB joint secretary Amitabha Bandopadhyay.
Out of the 14 matches of the Kolkata Knight Riders, seven will be played at the Eden Gardens ground here.
The first match of the IPL kicked off Friday with the Knight Riders emerging victorious over the Bangalore Royal Challengers at the Chinnasawmy Stadium in Bangalore.
As the team's slogan goes, its all about "Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo" (Do, Fight, Win) for the "King's Men".
ICC will have to adjust IPL in its calendar: Dhoni
International Cricket Council will have to adjust IPL in its cricket calendar otherwise it may force cricketers from many countries to opt for retirement, India's ODI captain MS Dhoni said on Sunday.
"They will need to take this decision otherwise we may have a situation where cricketers will prefer retirement," Dhoni said.
He was of the view that BCCI-backed IPL, which is currently holding its inaugural T20 tournament, will become an annual feature.
Dhoni, who is captaining the IPL team Chennai Super Kings and led them to convincing victory over Kings Punjab XI in Mohali on Saturday, felt that with so much money involved in the lucrative league, it would become difficult to stop players (from participating).
Outgoing CEO of ICC, Malcom Speed, said in Mumbai on Wednesday that there was no immediate need to carve out a slot for the IPL in the Future Tours Programme at the moment.
Speed had said the biggest challenge facing the game's administrators right now was how to integrate the T20 format with Tests and ODIs to ensure that none had to face the disinterest of the fans.
Dhoni saw nothing wrong in players making money by playing in the IPL, saying in some countries the players do not earn that big.
"A player has to think about his future too. They need money to maintain a decent lifestyle later in their lives," Dhoni said.
Asked if young cricketers were in the danger of losing their focus with so much money flowing into the game, Dhoni said, "Players know it very well that money will flow only if they do well in the game."
About his comments on how IPL had rolled out, 26 year old Dhoni said, "it's going to be a huge success".
Asked if crowds have started associating themselves with the teams, which have been named after different Indian cities, he said that it would take time before they strongly relate to them.
He, however, said it was great to have players from different nations sharing the same dressing room and felt it would only go a long way in strengthening the relationship.
With IPL offering a mix of Bollywood and cricket, Dhoni said, "In India they both go hand-in-hand."
When asked about a mammoth total of 240 posted by his team against Kings XI Punjab on Saturday and 222 being scored by Knight Riders a day prior to that, will the present tournament see 300 being scored in 20 overs?, Dhoni said "I think that will be difficult", though he went on to add that, "In cricket, you never know."
Dhoni may have cut his long locks that once attracted praise from Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf, but that has not stopped Bollywood making a beeline and wanting him to sign a film.
"There are lots of offers, but I have declined all of them. There is no time for that right now," he said.
Dhoni despite enjoying success in his field which gave him instant popularity at young age is a down-to-earth person. He feels that the downside of being a celebrity in this country is that one constantly remains under the media spotlight.
"There is no privacy in life and media is constantly after you," says Dhoni, but despite that he manages to maintain a level head.
INTERVIEWS
I have time to get in shape for IPL: Sachin
Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday brushed aside reports saying he was doubtful for the opening Mumbai Indians IPL tie against Bangalore Royal Challengers on Sunday.
He said there were two more days left for him to get into shape to lead his team at the Wankhede Stadium.
"I am following the fitness regime given to me by the physio. There are two more days for the match. No decision has been taken as yet (whether he will play or not). It will be decided before the 20th," said the champion batsman at the team launch.
Tendulkar has not played any competitive cricket since being ruled out of the last two Test matches against South Africa after aggravating an old groin injury. He could not take part in the Olympic Torch relay event in New Delhi for the same reason.
Team coach Lalchand Rajput announced that off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been appointed vice-captain of the team.
Also present at the official launch of the squad was guest of honour Sunil Gavaskar and Nita Ambani, wife of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, the franchise owner of the team.
Tendulkar said surprise was the key element in Twenty20 matches. "The key factor in Twenty20 (matches) is introduction of surprise element and we will have quite a few of these planned (for our rivals)," he said.
The 27 players, barring the absent Lasith Malinga and Loots Bosman, and support staff, were applied tilak mixed with mud from Tendulkar's nursery Shivaji Park ground in Dadar.
Tendulkar turned nostalgic and said he could never forget Shivaji Park and the way he had been taken around the ground and other places on a scooter by boyhood mentor Ramakant Achrekar.
Achrekar was especially present on the occasion to apply tilak on the forehead of all Mumbai Indians players. "I have grown up in that area and can never forget those days. I used to be taken around by Sir (Achrekar) on his scooter for playing matches. I would not have reached where I am without those happenings," he said.
Tendulkar, who skipped last year's World Twenty20 Championship won by India, said he had limited experience of playing the shortest form of the game when representing Mumbai last year in domestic cricket.
"I have played a few Twenty20 games for Mumbai last year and I enjoyed it. It's a great challenge and I am looking forward to it," he said.
"Shaun (Pollock) has already started giving tips to the young fast bowlers of our team. I am not sure how the wickets and conditions will be as the matches would start at 8 pm. I don't know how much dew will be there. We will have a few practice sessions to see how the conditions are," he added.
I'll talk it out with Bhajji: Hayden
Matthew Hayden will be in the spotlight when his team Chennai Super Kings begins its IPL campaign on Saturday. But going into his opening match in India since the tour down under, Hayden has decided to leave the past behind and is hoping to sort any differences even with Harbhajan Singh. Times Now's Nidhi Tuli speaks exclusively to the man himself who says that he will try and talk to Bhajji.
Watch: I'm looking forward to playing with Bhajji, says Hayden
On Bhajji on playing in his team
Laughing out the point of view, Matthew Hayden said, "There is a lot of facade around the competition between me and Bhajji. We really respect each other and I think because we have had that competitive tension, and the fact is that we both love winning. That perhaps brings the best or the worst out of us. But, I am really looking forward to playing Bhajji in this series and also when I come back here to India. He has always been successful against Australia and I guess I have to put a stop to that. That is my job."
On whether he has spoken to Bhajji
Hayden said, "I think we are playing his side in the second round, so I will be definitely taking the opportunity to make sure that there is nothing hidden beneath the surface that needs to come out. You can never do that when you are under pressure or competing against each other because you are always looking for that edge all the time. I always say never know someone until you play with him and in this case I will definitely take the opportunity to have a chat with Bhajji."
Matthew-Bhajji battle
Bhajji and Matthew Hayden found themselves caught in a war of words during the Commonwealth Bank Series that took place Down Under in December 2007 - February 2008. Here's why Australian Matthew Hayden is hoping to sort it all out by talking to Harbhajan Singh. The duo have been involved in a long battle.
On February 26, 2008, Australian opener Hayden called the Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh an 'obnoxious little weed' on a local radio station in Australia, which sparked a huge controversy off the cricketing field.
Earlier, it all began in Sydney, the incident between Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan Singh that marred India's tour Down Under also saw Hayden having a verbal go at the Indian spinner during second Test. Hayden were seen intervening and backing his skipper Ricky Ponting by stating that I have seen it and it's time you paid for your action.
Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday brushed aside reports saying he was doubtful for the opening Mumbai Indians IPL tie against Bangalore Royal Challengers on Sunday.
He said there were two more days left for him to get into shape to lead his team at the Wankhede Stadium.
"I am following the fitness regime given to me by the physio. There are two more days for the match. No decision has been taken as yet (whether he will play or not). It will be decided before the 20th," said the champion batsman at the team launch.
Tendulkar has not played any competitive cricket since being ruled out of the last two Test matches against South Africa after aggravating an old groin injury. He could not take part in the Olympic Torch relay event in New Delhi for the same reason.
Team coach Lalchand Rajput announced that off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been appointed vice-captain of the team.
Also present at the official launch of the squad was guest of honour Sunil Gavaskar and Nita Ambani, wife of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, the franchise owner of the team.
Tendulkar said surprise was the key element in Twenty20 matches. "The key factor in Twenty20 (matches) is introduction of surprise element and we will have quite a few of these planned (for our rivals)," he said.
The 27 players, barring the absent Lasith Malinga and Loots Bosman, and support staff, were applied tilak mixed with mud from Tendulkar's nursery Shivaji Park ground in Dadar.
Tendulkar turned nostalgic and said he could never forget Shivaji Park and the way he had been taken around the ground and other places on a scooter by boyhood mentor Ramakant Achrekar.
Achrekar was especially present on the occasion to apply tilak on the forehead of all Mumbai Indians players. "I have grown up in that area and can never forget those days. I used to be taken around by Sir (Achrekar) on his scooter for playing matches. I would not have reached where I am without those happenings," he said.
Tendulkar, who skipped last year's World Twenty20 Championship won by India, said he had limited experience of playing the shortest form of the game when representing Mumbai last year in domestic cricket.
"I have played a few Twenty20 games for Mumbai last year and I enjoyed it. It's a great challenge and I am looking forward to it," he said.
"Shaun (Pollock) has already started giving tips to the young fast bowlers of our team. I am not sure how the wickets and conditions will be as the matches would start at 8 pm. I don't know how much dew will be there. We will have a few practice sessions to see how the conditions are," he added.
I'll talk it out with Bhajji: Hayden
Matthew Hayden will be in the spotlight when his team Chennai Super Kings begins its IPL campaign on Saturday. But going into his opening match in India since the tour down under, Hayden has decided to leave the past behind and is hoping to sort any differences even with Harbhajan Singh. Times Now's Nidhi Tuli speaks exclusively to the man himself who says that he will try and talk to Bhajji.
Watch: I'm looking forward to playing with Bhajji, says Hayden
On Bhajji on playing in his team
Laughing out the point of view, Matthew Hayden said, "There is a lot of facade around the competition between me and Bhajji. We really respect each other and I think because we have had that competitive tension, and the fact is that we both love winning. That perhaps brings the best or the worst out of us. But, I am really looking forward to playing Bhajji in this series and also when I come back here to India. He has always been successful against Australia and I guess I have to put a stop to that. That is my job."
On whether he has spoken to Bhajji
Hayden said, "I think we are playing his side in the second round, so I will be definitely taking the opportunity to make sure that there is nothing hidden beneath the surface that needs to come out. You can never do that when you are under pressure or competing against each other because you are always looking for that edge all the time. I always say never know someone until you play with him and in this case I will definitely take the opportunity to have a chat with Bhajji."
Matthew-Bhajji battle
Bhajji and Matthew Hayden found themselves caught in a war of words during the Commonwealth Bank Series that took place Down Under in December 2007 - February 2008. Here's why Australian Matthew Hayden is hoping to sort it all out by talking to Harbhajan Singh. The duo have been involved in a long battle.
On February 26, 2008, Australian opener Hayden called the Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh an 'obnoxious little weed' on a local radio station in Australia, which sparked a huge controversy off the cricketing field.
Earlier, it all began in Sydney, the incident between Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan Singh that marred India's tour Down Under also saw Hayden having a verbal go at the Indian spinner during second Test. Hayden were seen intervening and backing his skipper Ricky Ponting by stating that I have seen it and it's time you paid for your action.
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