IPL Diaries
Season six, bring it on
Time to start on the mad merry-go-round again. (This year, with better use of downtime)
Ryan ten Doeschate
03-Apr-2013
It is almost with disbelief that I reflect on the fact that I started writing this diary a year ago, and that we are now already at the start of the new IPL season.
Our team branding has changed, our personnel have changed, and even the elevated freeway that connects Kolkata to the suburb of Salt Lake has progressed a lot in the last 12 months, but things feel calmingly familiar within the squad.
A week's preparation is already under our belts, and though it has been a disruptive time, with the squad being completed in increments as players jet in from five continents, it feels as though we are all set for tonight's opening match against Delhi Daredevils.
Full postExperiencing KKR's triumph from the inside
I happily concede that I lack the skills necessary to put into words the experience I've had with the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 5.
Ryan Ten Doeschate
25-Feb-2013
I happily concede that I lack the skills necessary to put into words the experience I've had with the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 5.
It seems forever since we set out on the journey with the rain-affected loss to Delhi, and now I'm already back home in Essex reflecting on a truly amazing two months. I've tried to use this blog to convey the perspective of a cricketer, the things you may not always see and the feelings that are unique to those on the inside.
I won't expand on the unbelievable chase on Sunday, the heroics of one Mavinder Bisla and the ultra-cool knock of Jacques Kallis. But here is my version of the peripheries of the last few days that I hope you might find interesting.
Full postThe organised chaos of match-day
Match Number 65 .
Ryan Ten Doeschate
25-Feb-2013
Match Number 65.
I can hardly believe that we have already reached game number 65. This IPL has produced fantastic cricket matches and I'm sure that like me it has kept all the viewers interested throughout. What does a match day entail for the players of KKR?
The group can be divided into those who make breakfast and those who don’t. Because the matches start so late it can be a long day waiting around so most of the guys choose to sleep in and start their day after lunch. Breakfast is very relaxed and it's fair to say the mind isn't thinking about cricket just yet.
Full postDifferent cultures, familiar characters
Over the first few years of the IPL, it had an image of ‘wild’ cheerleaders, players at late night parties drinking vodka through yard-glasses, models parading nude through hotels at 5 am in the morning, cash being burnt as fuel in fire-places, and
Dirk Nannes
25-Feb-2013
Over the first few years of the IPL, it had an image of ‘wild’ cheerleaders, players at late night parties drinking vodka through yard-glasses, models parading nude through hotels at 5 am in the morning, cash being burnt as fuel in fire-places, and the ‘hit-and-giggle’ cricket being an afterthought to every sin imaginable.
At least that’s what IPL detractors would have you think. However the truth is very different.
Contrary to any negative sentiments outsiders may hold, the players treat the IPL as a serious tournament, played with terrific intent and passion by many of the best cricketers in the world. It’s a high value, high pressure and cutthroat event where good form is rewarded, and poor form is condemned.
But the IPL has done much more than simply create a new event on the cricketing calendar or even ‘bolster player bank accounts’. It has become a melting pot of cricketing ideas and backgrounds. It’s a place where cricket tactics are shared among players from all corners of the cricketing world.
Full postTickets, please
What's the most challenging aspect of the IPL
Ryan Ten Doeschate
25-Feb-2013
What's the most challenging aspect of the IPL? Bowling to Chris Gayle? Deciphering Muttiah Muralitharan’s masterpieces? Or dealing with the pace of Dale Steyn? No chance, try managing your match-day ticket allocation.
These tickets are always in high demand, but never have they been more precious than for our last home match against Pune Warriors. The requests usually start weeks before from the local guys in our squad. I can only imagine what it must be like for them trying to satisfy friends and family, and in an effort to help, I always end up half promising my allocation to three or four guys. It can be a little awkward on match days when it is delivery time and you have no tickets to give, but I think the guys understand.
A few of us were treated to a fantastic round of golf on Thursday. We were kindly asked if we could spare some tickets, which of course we want to oblige to. But then I remember that I've promised a sponsor six tickets (already two more than our allocation, which I'm hoping to get off Morgs [Eoin Morgan]) and so the ticket-juggling cycle begins.
Full post$2 a day, but no lack of smiles
April 25 It is a rare day off and some of the guys are heading out to play golf this afternoon
Ryan Ten Doeschate
25-Feb-2013
April 25
It is a rare day off and some of the guys are heading out to play golf this afternoon. It's the second time I am missing out on swinging the clubs and more importantly on ending the debate over the longest drive challenge that I have with Binga [Brett Lee].
Instead I'm shooting an ad with Manoj [Tiwary], Sunil [Narine] and Shakib [Al Hasan]. These shoots are always funny, today even more so as Sunil and I are expected to recite a long script in one take. Thankfully the director is displaying Dravidian patience today. It's starting to feel like my job is a concoction of air travel, acting (commercials) and a bit of cricket on the side, not that I'm complaining.
April 26
This is the earliest I've been up in ages. Morgs [Eoin Morgan] is involved with an Irish charity (GOAL) that does some amazing work in Kolkata and he's invited me along to get an idea of the support that is being provided.
Full postWhy 200 cricketers have become nocturnal
It’s 3am, and sleep is still a long way away
Dirk Nannes
25-Feb-2013
It’s 3am, and sleep is still a long way away. It’s not that I’m out at the bar having a drink – far from it. It’s halfway through the IPL, I’m sitting here in my room, watching some silly TV show, wondering how the hell my sleep cycle has come to this. And I’m not alone.
Over the past three weeks, like the other 200-odd players across the IPL, I’ve turned nocturnal.
How does this happen?
It all starts with the first night game, finishing just before midnight. After the game, most players will eat dinner at the ground, share stories from the game, talk to the physio, ice aches and pains, get a debrief from the coach or owner, pack the kit bag, and then prepare to leave on the team bus for the hotel.
Full postTackling Narine on a tennis court
Ryan Ten Doeschate
25-Feb-2013
April 18
We're making some changes after our loss to Kings XI Punjab at home on Sunday. I'm sitting out tonight so have arranged to go to the stadium this morning and face some net bowling. It's an inspiring experience to see these young bowlers run in and give their all at these sessions, predominantly for our benefit. But it's also a chance for them to be involved, to learn some new tricks - Waz [Wasim Akram] is very good at chatting and sharing his knowledge with them - and of course to rub shoulders with the Gambhirs, McCullums and Kallises of the world.
We're making some changes after our loss to Kings XI Punjab at home on Sunday. I'm sitting out tonight so have arranged to go to the stadium this morning and face some net bowling. It's an inspiring experience to see these young bowlers run in and give their all at these sessions, predominantly for our benefit. But it's also a chance for them to be involved, to learn some new tricks - Waz [Wasim Akram] is very good at chatting and sharing his knowledge with them - and of course to rub shoulders with the Gambhirs, McCullums and Kallises of the world.
The net bowlers are very much a background component of the IPL but, on reflection, are a massive part of our preparation. There are hundreds of guys with great skills, especially spinners, and it just highlights how tough it is to make it to the top of the Indian cricket system.
Full postBring your patience on away trips
The flight to Chandigarh was standard enough
Dirk Nannes
25-Feb-2013
The flight to Chandigarh was standard enough. Like all flights in India, it had the guy who bypassed check-in and took all his worldly possessions with him as hand luggage. It’s strange to me, but no matter how full the overhead compartment, there always seems to be room on top of my laptop for a 23kg suitcase.
There was the guy who taps you on the shoulder while you are soundly sleeping, smiles and says “Can I have one snap?” Before you can get angry, he’s always nice enough to say, “Sorry to disturb you,” before he leaves happily.
Each flight has the guy who needs to get off the plane before it lands. He’s on his phone, two bags in hand and at the door before you’re off the runway, oblivious to everyone else who is patiently waiting to get off.
Full postA bit of song and dance, and much cake
April 11 Today is another tiring travel day
Ryan Ten Doeschate
25-Feb-2013
April 11
Today is another tiring travel day. It is a lunch-time departure, so I use the morning to catch up on some gym work and spend some time relaxing by the pool. We only reach Kolkata at 8 pm and it's back to the pool for a recovery session. I have a full week’s worth of dirty laundry to contend with and then it's straight to bed.
Today is another tiring travel day. It is a lunch-time departure, so I use the morning to catch up on some gym work and spend some time relaxing by the pool. We only reach Kolkata at 8 pm and it's back to the pool for a recovery session. I have a full week’s worth of dirty laundry to contend with and then it's straight to bed.
April 12
Morgs [Eoin Morgan] and I have decided to venture out into town for dinner, albeit Italian as opposed to Bengali cuisine. It is amazing how aware the Kolkata public are with respect to the KKR players. We are asked for autographs and photos on numerous occasions and even get a mention from the band playing at the Park Hotel.
Morgs [Eoin Morgan] and I have decided to venture out into town for dinner, albeit Italian as opposed to Bengali cuisine. It is amazing how aware the Kolkata public are with respect to the KKR players. We are asked for autographs and photos on numerous occasions and even get a mention from the band playing at the Park Hotel.
April 13
We host Rajasthan Royals this evening. It turns out to be a low-scoring affair and we get over the line with a few balls to spare. I have some Dutch friends over and they cannot contain their amazement at the fanatical support of the Kolkata faithful.
Full postWe host Rajasthan Royals this evening. It turns out to be a low-scoring affair and we get over the line with a few balls to spare. I have some Dutch friends over and they cannot contain their amazement at the fanatical support of the Kolkata faithful.
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