Trouble brews for Misbah
The perils of endorsing whisky, a question of coffee at Chelmsford, and a visit from the Great Khali
George Binoy
12-May-2008
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"Born in Bangalore to thrill the nation." That's the ad line emblazoned on large hoardings across the city, advertising the Bangalore Royal Challengers. The team name and logo drew flak from India's union health minister, Anbumani Ramadoss, who criticised them for allegedly promoting alcohol through surrogate advertising. If you didn't know already, Bangalore's owner, Vijay Mallya, also owns the UB Group, which makes a brand of whiskey called Royal Challenge.
"Born in Bangalore to thrill the nation." That's the ad line emblazoned on large hoardings across the city, advertising the Bangalore Royal Challengers. The team name and logo drew flak from India's union health minister, Anbumani Ramadoss, who criticised them for allegedly promoting alcohol through surrogate advertising. If you didn't know already, Bangalore's owner, Vijay Mallya, also owns the UB Group, which makes a brand of whiskey called Royal Challenge.
The issue has caught on in Pakistan, for Misbah-ul-Haq is part of the Bangalore squad and wears the Royal Challengers logo on his shirt. "We do discourage our players from even sporting logos promoting alcohol or tobacco products," the Pakistan board's chief executive, Shafqat Naghmi, said. "Players usually take prior clearance for endorsing or starring in any brand commercials. I am not sure whether Misbah has taken permission for the Royal Challengers, and I am also not sure whether he is required to wear or market any brand of the UB group." In the past the PCB had asked the ICC to exempt its players from wearing the Johnnie Walker logo during the Super Series in 2005, and South Africa's Hashim Amla was given permission by his board to not sport the team sponsor Castle Lager's logo because it conflicted with his religious beliefs.
IPL on celluloid?
Bollywood already plays a significant role in the Indian Premier League - actors Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta are among the owners of the Kolkata and Punjab franchises, but another film-maker wants to take the IPL where those two haven't: onto the silver screen. Ajit Pal, who is making the movie Victory, about a small-town boy who makes it big on the international stage, hopes to shoot a few clips during IPL games to capture the atmosphere and the noise created by packed houses. "It won't be difficult to do the shoot. Yes, I know the mood of the crowd at the IPL matches will be crazy, but that's exactly what I am looking for." Now all he needs is the go-ahead from the IPL's high and mighty - essentially Lalit Modi - but Pal is confident of "getting the consent of the IPL officials any moment now".
Bollywood already plays a significant role in the Indian Premier League - actors Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta are among the owners of the Kolkata and Punjab franchises, but another film-maker wants to take the IPL where those two haven't: onto the silver screen. Ajit Pal, who is making the movie Victory, about a small-town boy who makes it big on the international stage, hopes to shoot a few clips during IPL games to capture the atmosphere and the noise created by packed houses. "It won't be difficult to do the shoot. Yes, I know the mood of the crowd at the IPL matches will be crazy, but that's exactly what I am looking for." Now all he needs is the go-ahead from the IPL's high and mighty - essentially Lalit Modi - but Pal is confident of "getting the consent of the IPL officials any moment now".
Cricket-crazy Khali
Those of you who've grown out of the entertainment-wrestling phase might need an introduction to the Great Khali. He's a 7'2" wrestler, who once went by the name of Dalip Singh Rana and now trades punches with the likes of John Cena and the Undertaker. He recently visited India and managed to meet one of his idols, who's considerably shorter at 5'5" - Sachin Tendulkar. A bit of a shame, then, that there isn't a picture of the two of them together. Several ICL players, however, did manage a photo opportunity with Khali.
Those of you who've grown out of the entertainment-wrestling phase might need an introduction to the Great Khali. He's a 7'2" wrestler, who once went by the name of Dalip Singh Rana and now trades punches with the likes of John Cena and the Undertaker. He recently visited India and managed to meet one of his idols, who's considerably shorter at 5'5" - Sachin Tendulkar. A bit of a shame, then, that there isn't a picture of the two of them together. Several ICL players, however, did manage a photo opportunity with Khali.
Cricketers first, politicians next
The BCCI's coffers are overflowing and they've decided to give away some pocket change for a noble cause - keeping India's Members of Parliament (MPs) slim and trim. The Indian board has donated Rs 1.5 crore (approximately US$360,000) towards the construction of a state-of-the-art gymnasium at the Constitution Club, which is exclusively for MPs, in Delhi. "The MPs had sought the BCCI's help for setting up a gym at the Constitution Club. BCCI president, Sharad Pawar [also the union minister for agriculture] has acceded to their request ... This will help the MPs to keep themselves fit and we are happy to be able to help in this regard," BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla, himself an MP, said.
The BCCI's coffers are overflowing and they've decided to give away some pocket change for a noble cause - keeping India's Members of Parliament (MPs) slim and trim. The Indian board has donated Rs 1.5 crore (approximately US$360,000) towards the construction of a state-of-the-art gymnasium at the Constitution Club, which is exclusively for MPs, in Delhi. "The MPs had sought the BCCI's help for setting up a gym at the Constitution Club. BCCI president, Sharad Pawar [also the union minister for agriculture] has acceded to their request ... This will help the MPs to keep themselves fit and we are happy to be able to help in this regard," BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla, himself an MP, said.
Coffee at Chelmsford
Will Buckley wrote in the Observer during New Zealand's recent tour match that "there could hardly be a greater contrast than that between the all-singing, all-dancing money glut that is the IPL and nondescript Chelmsford, where you cannot even get a coffee for love or loose change". Essex County Cricket Club found the statement so outrageous that it felt compelled to issue a press release which said, "Essex County Cricket Club is delighted to refute the Observer's claim of a coffee shortage at The Ford County Ground ... We can confirm it is certainly possible to get a cup of coffee for 'loose change' - if not necessarily 'love' - on all match days at The Ford County Ground. Furthermore, facilities are available to media, admin and playing staff to take advantage of free coffee AND tea provisions - albeit without a maid service on-hand." Essex coach Paul Grayson said that he, in fact, had not one but two cups. "I am pleased to confirm I enjoyed at least two mugs of coffee - made by my own fair hands - on Saturday and also saw several players and spectators taking advantage of a variety of hot beverages."
Will Buckley wrote in the Observer during New Zealand's recent tour match that "there could hardly be a greater contrast than that between the all-singing, all-dancing money glut that is the IPL and nondescript Chelmsford, where you cannot even get a coffee for love or loose change". Essex County Cricket Club found the statement so outrageous that it felt compelled to issue a press release which said, "Essex County Cricket Club is delighted to refute the Observer's claim of a coffee shortage at The Ford County Ground ... We can confirm it is certainly possible to get a cup of coffee for 'loose change' - if not necessarily 'love' - on all match days at The Ford County Ground. Furthermore, facilities are available to media, admin and playing staff to take advantage of free coffee AND tea provisions - albeit without a maid service on-hand." Essex coach Paul Grayson said that he, in fact, had not one but two cups. "I am pleased to confirm I enjoyed at least two mugs of coffee - made by my own fair hands - on Saturday and also saw several players and spectators taking advantage of a variety of hot beverages."
Twenty20 in Toronto
Canada has shortened its cricket championship from a tournament that spanned seven days to a manic two-day affair by dropping the 50-over format and embracing Twenty20 cricket. "We've basically had a situation [over the years] where we had good cricket played in Canada but not a lot of spectators because of the length and duration of the games," said Atul Ahuja, who took over as head of the national association last November. The idea was to ... introduce a shorter version that's more exciting and full of a lot more entertainment, and that would be attractive to spectators." So now, eight teams representing seven provinces will compete in 24 matches held over two days at four venues. And you thought the IPL was action-packed.
Canada has shortened its cricket championship from a tournament that spanned seven days to a manic two-day affair by dropping the 50-over format and embracing Twenty20 cricket. "We've basically had a situation [over the years] where we had good cricket played in Canada but not a lot of spectators because of the length and duration of the games," said Atul Ahuja, who took over as head of the national association last November. The idea was to ... introduce a shorter version that's more exciting and full of a lot more entertainment, and that would be attractive to spectators." So now, eight teams representing seven provinces will compete in 24 matches held over two days at four venues. And you thought the IPL was action-packed.
Quote hanger
"I'd rather be playing against him."
Greg Chappell fancies his chances against Shahid Afridi, after his co-commentator Aamer Sohail, said that picking Afridi in your team was like playing Russian roulette. Afridi has scored 47 runs in six innings in the IPL
"I'd rather be playing against him."
Greg Chappell fancies his chances against Shahid Afridi, after his co-commentator Aamer Sohail, said that picking Afridi in your team was like playing Russian roulette. Afridi has scored 47 runs in six innings in the IPL
George Binoy is a staff writer at Cricinfo