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[Blwe_torch]

The punjabi flavour


CHANDIGARH, IANS: Bollywood diva Preity Zinta and her industrialist beau Ness Wadia-owned Kings XI Punjab is one of the strongest teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the team management is confident of living up to the expectation in the inaugural Twenty20 tournament, starting on Friday.

Zinta and Wadia, along with renowned industrialists Karan Paul and Mohit Burman, pumped in a whopping $76 million to buy the Mohali team's franchise for a period of 10 years.

They have also made a strategical investment of about $5 million in the players' auction to get the best buy. Though the team management claims that they have got the players they wanted, their bench strength will be severely tested once the Australian and West Indies players leave for the series between in two countries in the Caribbean midway through the 44-day event.
(PTI Photo)

http://ipl.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/quickiearticleshow/2956028.cms

[Blwe_torch]

I wish this lady( happens to be BSNL's brand ambassador) and her beau all the best!
I hope the smile remains the same after 2 years.

[gouravk]

all the best in terms of what ? 

[Blwe_torch]

all the best in terms of what ? 

business...business...............they have to maintain a positive balance sheet............don't they? .

[Blwe_torch]

Do the King's Eleven have any website?
I'll be grateful if someone can point me to that.

[dhruvdeepak]

http://www.kingsxipunjab.com/

[Blwe_torch]

http://www.kingsxipunjab.com/

Thanks DD!

[Blwe_torch]

Kings XI strongest team: Yuvi
Akash Ghai
Tribune News Service

Mohali, April 16
The first match between local favourite Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings on Saturday might be hyped as ‘Yuvraj vs Dhoni’ but for Yuvraj it will be just like any other match.

“Using such a term is good to create hype but for both of us it would be just like any other match. Being a skipper, he (Dhoni) too wants to win the match as much as I want,” said the Kings XI captain at the Punjab Cricket Stadium here today.

Terming his team as the strongest unit in the IPL, Yuvi said, “We have a good mixture of top class experienced and young players. Kings XI is going to win the tournament.”

Interestingly, both Yuvraj and Dhoni share a close friendship. “Dhoni is a good friend but on the field we will be rivals. Both the teams would go all out to win their first match,” said the swashbuckling batsman.

On the issue of the top players preferring IPL over their national teams, Yuvraj said, “The players are not going to play in the IPL throughout the year. As the league is just a 44-day affair, the players will be available for their respective national teams during the remaining part of the year,” Yuvraj said.

When asked whether he would repeat the Twenty20 World Cup feat of smashing six sixes in an over during the IPL, Yuvi said, “You never know. Anything can happen in the game, but I feel such a thing happens once in a lifetime.”

Echoing the sentiments of his skipper, coach Tom Moody said, “The team is looking forward to start their campaign on a winning note.”
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080417/sports.htm#8

[dhruvdeepak]

bah. if they really want some spice, dhoni should start calling them Preity's Pansies 

[Blwe_torch]

bah. if they really want some spice, dhoni should start calling them Preity's Pansies 

They don't want to risk being hit for 6 sixers again.

[Blwe_torch]

Zinta and Brett Lee speaks on the Challenges of IPL....watch the video...........

http://broadband.indiatimes.com/popupvideo/2959951.cms

[Blwe_torch]

It’s Kings vs Super Kings
Gopal Sharma
Tribune News Service

Mohali, April 18
Don’t be surprised. This will be a contest with a difference. In fact, a novelty for cricket enthusiasts.

It will be a pleasant surprise for them when Australia spearhead Brett Lee opens the bowling for Kings XI Punjab along with S. Sreesanth or Kyle Mills in the DLF Indian Premier League match against Chennai Super Kings in the evening match at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium here tomorrow.

There will be no Harbhajan Singh to tie up the rival batsmen in knots. Instead, this will be the responsibility of UP’s Piyush Chawla or Mumbai’s Ramesh Powar as Bhajji will be doing duty for Mumbai Indians, while the former two will don Kings XI Punjab colours.

Punjab skipper Yuvraj Singh will not be too friendly, at least on the field, with his pal Mohinder Singh Dhoni, when the two teams take the field. On his part, Yuvi will be found scratching his head to find out ways and means to see the back of Jharkhand player as soon as possible. For, Yuvi knows that if allowed to settle down, Dhoni would be a dangerous customer with the bat.

Similar will be the priority of Dhoni vis-a-vis local favourite Yuvraj. Familiar with the conditions, Yuvraj’s departure at the earliest will be Dhoni’s aim when the swashbuckling southpaw arrives at the crease.

Such is the composition of the teams playing in the inaugural edition of the IPL, the build-up of which has been nothing less than frenzied, that the cricketing world is abuzz with excitement.

Spectators will need some time to get a hang of the new concept of city-based teams taking on each other rather than Team India fighting tooth and nail with Pakistan or Australia in a Test match or a one-dayer.

But these are not strictly city teams but have some of the best cricket players in the world which were snared by an open auction a couple of months ago in Mumbai.

Players like Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumara Sangakkara, Stephen Fleming, et al, will be seen in action in the 44-day competition spread over eight venues in the country with the inaugural match in Bangalore today.

The presence of offie Muttiah Muralitharan, the most successful Test bowler, will surely add teeth to the Chennai bowling attack which otherwise does not look as penetrative as the bowling attack at the disposal of Yuvraj Singh.

With Makhya Ntini and Albie Morkel slated to join the team after the first two games, Dhoni, the Chennai skipper, will rely on all-rounder Jacob Oram, comeback seamer L. Balaji, Joginder Sharma and Sudeep Tyagi to shoulder the pace bowling burden.

Chennai, however, have an array of impressive batsmen. Apart from skipper Dhoni himself, dangerous opener Mathew Hayden, Stephen Fleming and Mike Hussey and some of the most profilic domestic batsmen like S. Badrinath and Suresh Raina make the Chennai batting formidable.

Though both the teams boast of impressive line-ups, Kings XI Punjab led by Yuvraj Singh have a better pace attack led by fiery Lee who will be joined by nippy Sreesanth.

In Irfan Pathan and Australian James Hopes, Kings XI have two all-rounders, who can make a difference in this version of the game.

In batting, besides Yuvraj, Kings XI will be banking on Kumara Sangakkara, his Sri Lankan team-mate Mahela Jayawardene and Ramnaresh Sarwan and domestic players Pankaj Dharmani and Karan Goel to give solidity to the batting.

King’s XI Punjab (from): Yuvraj Singh, (C), S. Katich, K. Sangakkara, M. Jayawardene, K. Goel, P. Chawla, S. Sreesanth, J. Hopes, K. Mills, I. Pathan, P. Dharmani, W. Mota, VR V Singh, B. Lee, Tanmay.

Start of play: 5 pm
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080419/sports.htm#6

[Blwe_torch]

A bat vs balle contest!

KR Guruprasad & Subhash Rajta, Hindustan Times
Mohali, April 19, 2008

Some have called the Indian Premier League tamasha cricket and few have termed it as the future of the game. On Friday at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on the eve of the IPL tie between Mohali IPL team and the Chennai IPL team, it seemed both assertions are correct.

While both the teams practiced as seriously as any cricket squad worth its salt would, there were loud bhangra numbers blasting out of humungous speakers placed in the stands. A large dance troupe practiced the traditional Punjabi dance.

It made for a confusing sight. But what was heartening was to see both Punjab XI coach Tom Moody and the Chennai team’s coach Kepler Wessels not losing the focus on the basic reason for them being here --- cricket.

Both the teams had exhaustive fielding sessions and then some extended batting and bowling at the nets.

Chennai’s Parthiv Patel kept wickets at the nets, almost a sure sign that captain MS Dhoni is not too keen to keep wickets, at least for Saturday’s game.

This is one game worth a watch to see how Mohali IPL captain Yuvraj Singh deals with his national T20 skipper Dhoni.

Also, this match would see Chennai’s Mutthiah Muralitharan bowl to his Sri Lankan teammates but opponents in this event - Mahela Jayawardene and Kumara Sangakkara.

Both Jaywardene and Sangakkara arrived late on Friday afternoon. They are expected to play on Saturday “mainly to counter the Murali threat”, Moody said.

But Chennai clearly appears a better team to bet on. Not only because they have a strong batting line-up but also that they have been together for a couple of weeks and possibly are better prepared.

Moody, though, said, “But this holds true for all the teams. Most of the overseas players have joined their teams late. Moreover, we have played a couple of practise games at the home ground, which Chennai have not. So, it is an advantage for us.”

However, Wessels said that spending some time together has helped his team bond better.

“We have been together for a few weeks now. And the integration of the local players as well as the overseas players has gone well,” he said. “Hopefully as the tournament progresses it will get better and better.”

It would boil down to a point where the match is a contest between Chennai’s batting strength and Mohali’s bowling, which has Brett Lee, Irfan Pathan and S Sreesanth.

Chennai has Matthew Hayden, Dhoni, Stephen Fleming, Michael Hussey and S Badrinath. They can thus dent any serious bowling attack.

For Chennai bowlers, Yuvraj remains the biggest headache. “Yuvraj is a dangerous player,” said Wessels. “We have a strategy for him as well as for others but I am not going to reveal it.”

Wessels also said that he has his playing eleven ready though he would not give it away to the press.

Moody, however, was more generous as he named his 15-member squad.

Wessels is handicapped with the absence of his main bowlers Makhaya Ntini and Albie Morkel. “But we have Murali and Jacob Oram is a good all-rounder. We have a couple of young fast bowlers like Manpreet Goni. We expect the pitch to seam and we have that aspect covered up.”

Long after the players left the ground, the stadium still reverberated to the bhangra and Bollywood numbers as dancers prepared to perform before the game.

But on Saturday, when dancers leave the field, the cricketers will take over and the order will be restored.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?id=f0f35806-1c3e-43f9-b850-83fa3c256d6aIPL2008_Special&&IsCricket=true&Headline=A+bat+vs+balle+contest

[Blwe_torch]

Face off? No way!

Mahendra Singh Dhoni/ Gameplan


Yenn area, which means my area, is the sum total of the Tamil I have learnt after becoming part of the Chennai Super Kings. However, our first game will not be in yenn area, and we will be playing a very impressive line-up from the Kings XI Punjab in Mohali. It's been a pleasure to be a part of the same side as Yuvraj, but this is not the first time I will play against him. We have been opponents at the under-19 and Duleep Trophy level, but it's been a long time since we have played against each other.

I know Friday's game was being seen as Sourav versus Rahul and Saturday's game being spoken of as Dhoni versus Yuvraj, but at the end of the day it will be teams who will take each other on, and not just a couple of individuals.

That's just fodder for advertisers to whip up excitement before a game, and does not translate into actual rivalry. Fortunately, I am not a bowler otherwise the hype on the 'Dhoni-Yuvi face-off' would have shot through the roof! Yuvraj is an aggressive cricketer, and I know that he will come hard at my team, but that's the charm of this format since it pits you against your teammates and teams you up with your opponents. I have been meeting Yuvraj quite a few times since Thursday, and there have been no cold vibes between us.

In fact, we are flying out on a chartered flight on Friday night to join our teams in Chandigarh. The rest of the Mohali and Chennai teams are already in Mohali practicing hard, while we have been attending various briefings and ceremonies. A significant part of the briefing was a re-affirmation of the Spirit of Cricket Pledge and a declaration that the tournament will be a no-sledge zone. None of this is new to the captains or the rest of the players, but it was done to ensure that we have a trouble-free tournament.

Like the Super Kings, Mohali might also be without a couple of their overseas players. Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara have arrived but late and I’m not sure if they will play Saturday's game, as also Ramnaresh Sarwan.

We have pretty much our entire squad for the game, but will face similar problems in May, when a couple of our players will leave. Therefore, like I said in my first article, it's important for Chennai to start off well when we have the full strength at our disposal. The Mohali wicket has always had a lot of bounce and pace, and it will be interesting to see how we face Lee and Sreesanth.

The mood in Bangalore is really electric. Sadly, I will miss the first encounter between the Knight Riders and Royal Challengers, because Yuvraj and I will have to rush off once the opening ceremony is over.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?id=0b381bd2-8e9b-44b7-b123-bda749ea2039IPL2008_Special&&IsCricket=true&Headline=Face+off%3f+No+way!

[Blwe_torch]

Miss Zinta needs all the luck to keep her team afloat in the tournament.

[Blwe_torch]

We have plans ready if Sachin plays: Yuvraj Singh

Mohali: Looking to open their account in the Indian Premier League, Kings XI Punjab skipper Yuvraj Singh on Thursday said his team had plans ready to tackle Mumbai Indians captain Sachin Tendulkar in case he plays Friday's match here.
 
"If Sachin plays, we have plans ready for him," Yuvraj told a pre-match news conference which he addressed jointly with team coach Tom Moody here on Thursday evening.
 
He said as both teams had lost the two matches which they had played so far "it should be a good fight".
 
"They have players like Shaun Pollock and dangerous batsman like Sanath Jayasuriya. We have prepared well for Friday's game," 26-year-old Yuvraj, whose team will be looking for a win in front of the home crowd, said.
 
Asked if he had any information about Tendulkar, who has been recuperating from a groin injury, playing in the match which is crucial for both teams, Yuvraj joked, "I hope he doesn't play."
 
"But jokes apart, we are concentrating hard on how to win Friday's game," he said and wished the master batsman as he turned 35 on Thursday.
 
Also read: Yuvi, Bhajji would be eager to open account in IPL
As Tendulkar turns 35, he readies for Twenty20 test
 
Yuvraj also said that he would be looking for a better performance from his strike bowlers, S Sreesanth and Brett Lee, while a decision would be taken if off-spinner Romesh Powar would be brought in place of Piyush Chawla, who has not impressed so far. He said it was "tough" captaining a side though he was liking the experience.
 
"It's been tough. Nothing comes easy in cricket. It has been my first tournament as captain, but it has been a good experience," he said.
 
Yuvraj also said that he was looking forward to a contest with Mumbai Indians stand-in skipper Harbhajan Singh, who he said is going to go "all out" on Friday like him.
 
Asked about some controversy surrounding the cheerleaders with some comments coming from Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi and a minister in the Maharashtra government as well, Yuvraj said their presence was "always exciting".
 
He, however, said they were not there to watch cheerleaders perform, but their job as players was to concentrate on their game and win matches.
 
Yuvraj felt sad about foreign players who were in the squad but could not be accommodated in the playing eleven and added he hoped things will change from next season.
 
Tom Moody said the young Indian players were learning a lot from foreigners as well as the top Indian players.
 
© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved

[Blwe_torch]

Daler paaji...elbowing the wind!

[Blwe_torch]

Sanga and Panga.....oops, I meant Preity Zinta.

[cricinfo]

Sanga and Panga.....oops, I meant Preity Zinta.

where is Sanga looking at ?

[Blwe_torch]

Not concerned about Riders: Moody
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Mohali: Three wins after two losses have given the Kings XI Punjab the confidence of defeating the Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday. “They have world class players but we will execute our strategy,” said Kings XI coach Tom Moody on Friday.

The following are excerpts

About Saturday’s game plan

We are very positive of doing well. We are confident after three straight wins and getting better with each game. The way Shaun (Marsh) played in the last game has given a fillip to us. I am not at all concerned about the Kolkata Knight Riders… They have world class players but we have a plan to execute.

His comments on Shaun Marsh’s innings

It’s not surprising. He is one of Australia’s leading young cricketer and has a very promising future. His performance is not a surprise for us.

Secret behind Kings XI’s turnaround in the tournament

There is no mystery behind the turnaround... It’s hard work and an ability to believe in oneself. Playing away from home does not matter too much for us… We would like our winning spree to continue.

Strengths and weaknesses of the Knight Riders

In the Twenty20 cricket every opponent is tough. It all depends on using the conditions to benefit us. We have been able to use the conditions to our benefit.

Brett Lee’s absence

We have players who will get a chance to prove their worth. James Hopes is now fit and has been cleared for selection for tomorrow’s match.
 
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080503/jsp/sports/story_9219693.jsp

[luna]

they r playing so well !! i love marsh

[LosingNow]

they r playing so well !! i love marsh

Welcome to the forum.. we are truly going international with your presence from nepal!!

[Blwe_torch]

they r playing so well !! i love marsh

Welcome to the DG Luna!

[pipsqueak]

they r playing so well !! i love marsh

Thomas Hardy too loved marshes and moors!

welcome, luna.

[Blwe_torch]

they r playing so well !! i love marsh

Thomas Hardy too loved marshes and moors!

welcome, luna.

btw...is Luna a lady? 

[poondu]

Preity at Cannes

[Blwe_torch]

Wow!

[LosingNow]

Wow!

Nah.. the cut needs to go down further

[pipsqueak]

Wow!

Nah.. the cut needs to go down further

i think she needs to hit the gym to get toned up unless "pleasingly plump" is the desire. 

[LosingNow]

Wow!

Nah.. the cut needs to go down further

i think she needs to hit the gym to get toned up. 

Glad you noticed that too

[pipsqueak]

Wow!

Nah.. the cut needs to go down further

i think she needs to hit the gym to get toned up. 

Glad you noticed that too

blwe likes the 60's Marilyn Monroe look, it seems! catch up with times, blwe!   

[Blwe_torch]

Wow!

Nah.. the cut needs to go down further

i think she needs to hit the gym to get toned up. 

Glad you noticed that too

blwe likes the 60's Marilyn Munroe look, it seems! catch up with times, blwe!   

 

[LosingNow]

Wow!

Nah.. the cut needs to go down further

i think she needs to hit the gym to get toned up. 

Glad you noticed that too

blwe likes the 60's Marilyn Munroe look, it seems! catch up with times, blwe!   

To be fair, Preity's USP has been that of a chubby, dimpled, "little" sister. She has played a couple of decent mature roles too...Kya Kehna comes immediately to mind.

[pipsqueak]

Wow!

Nah.. the cut needs to go down further

i think she needs to hit the gym to get toned up. 

Glad you noticed that too

blwe likes the 60's Marilyn Monroe look, it seems! catch up with times, blwe!   

To be fair, Preity's USP has been that of a chubby, dimpled, "little" sister. She has played a couple of decent mature roles too...Kya Kehna comes immediately to mind.

she seems quite slim on TV at the matches - i haven't seen her movies/other pictures. i must confess that i knew such a person existed only after this IPL business. 

[LosingNow]

Wow!

Nah.. the cut needs to go down further

i think she needs to hit the gym to get toned up. 

Glad you noticed that too

blwe likes the 60's Marilyn Monroe look, it seems! catch up with times, blwe!   

To be fair, Preity's USP has been that of a chubby, dimpled, "little" sister. She has played a couple of decent mature roles too...Kya Kehna comes immediately to mind.

she seems quite slim on TV at the matches - i haven't seen her movies/other pictures. i must confess that i knew such a person existed only after this IPL business. 

Yea.. she has a small frame.. and that KXIP jersey is always oversized.

Actually, she is a decent actress. I liked her work in Kya Kehna, Dil Chahta Hai and even Salaam Namaste.

BTW, what is with that Rakhi ..isnt that an out-of-place accessory.. a fashion faux pas

[Blwe_torch]

Wow!

Nah.. the cut needs to go down further

i think she needs to hit the gym to get toned up. 

Glad you noticed that too

blwe likes the 60's Marilyn Monroe look, it seems! catch up with times, blwe!   

To be fair, Preity's USP has been that of a chubby, dimpled, "little" sister. She has played a couple of decent mature roles too...Kya Kehna comes immediately to mind.

she seems quite slim on TV at the matches - i haven't seen her movies/other pictures. i must confess that i knew such a person existed only after this IPL business. 

Yea.. she has a small frame.. and that KXIP jersey is always oversized.

Actually, she is a decent actress. I liked her work in Kya Kehna, Dil Chahta Hai and even Salaam Namaste.

BTW, what is with that Rakhi ..isnt that an out-of-place accessory.. a fashion faux pas

It is the sacred thread ( lucky charm) after her visit to Vaishnodevi....just before the start of the tournament.

[pipsqueak]

Wow!

Nah.. the cut needs to go down further

i think she needs to hit the gym to get toned up. 

Glad you noticed that too

blwe likes the 60's Marilyn Monroe look, it seems! catch up with times, blwe!   

To be fair, Preity's USP has been that of a chubby, dimpled, "little" sister. She has played a couple of decent mature roles too...Kya Kehna comes immediately to mind.

It is the sacred thread ( lucky charm) after her visit to Vaishnodevi....just before the start of the tournament.

she seems quite slim on TV at the matches - i haven't seen her movies/other pictures. i must confess that i knew such a person existed only after this IPL business. 

Yea.. she has a small frame.. and that KXIP jersey is always oversized.

Actually, she is a decent actress. I liked her work in Kya Kehna, Dil Chahta Hai and even Salaam Namaste.

BTW, what is with that Rakhi ..isnt that an out-of-place accessory.. a fashion faux pas

women wear rakhi?   

[LosingNow]

Wow!

Nah.. the cut needs to go down further

i think she needs to hit the gym to get toned up. 

Glad you noticed that too

blwe likes the 60's Marilyn Monroe look, it seems! catch up with times, blwe!   

To be fair, Preity's USP has been that of a chubby, dimpled, "little" sister. She has played a couple of decent mature roles too...Kya Kehna comes immediately to mind.

It is the sacred thread ( lucky charm) after her visit to Vaishnodevi....just before the start of the tournament.

she seems quite slim on TV at the matches - i haven't seen her movies/other pictures. i must confess that i knew such a person existed only after this IPL business. 

Yea.. she has a small frame.. and that KXIP jersey is always oversized.

Actually, she is a decent actress. I liked her work in Kya Kehna, Dil Chahta Hai and even Salaam Namaste.

BTW, what is with that Rakhi ..isnt that an out-of-place accessory.. a fashion faux pas

women wear rakhi?   

It is technically not Rakhi (as in what is tied by sisters on the wrists of their brothers).. but more like the sacred thread (as Blwe mentioned) that you tie ..typically after puja.

[Blwe_torch]

I am having one on my wrist now.....

[pipsqueak]

It is technically not Rakhi (as in what is tied by sisters on the wrists of their brothers).. but more like the sacred thread (as Blwe mentioned) that you tie ..typically after puja.

ah, i missed blwe's post.

how can one wear it forever? don't they get soaked in water etc.?

another thing i cannot understand is how these cricketers, esp. bowlers wear so many thick chains with even thicker pendants! won't it be annoying when running in to bowl? i am an anti-jewellery person in general.