5/22/2008 9:01:51 PM

Two ‘dark-skinned’ cheerleaders from London today (May 22) demanded an apology for the alleged racism that they have hand to face.

Cheerleaders - Ellesha Newton and Sherinne Anderson - claimed that they were told to sit out and not take the stage because they weren’t white.

Protesting the treatment meted out to them the cheerleaders also demanded the payment that was promised to them.

“Indians are not racist but the incident proves otherwise,” the cheerleaders told reporters in Mumbai.

The two girls were reportedly seen sobbing outside the grounds. They claimed that officials from Wizcraft International Entertainment, the event management company hired by the Mohali team franchisee, had asked them to leave the Mohali stadium.

The two victims of alleged racism - Ellesha Newton and Sherinne Anderson - are on record saying that when asked why, they were being asked to leave, some Wizcraft employees simply told them it was because of the colour of their skin.

Fierce Performance Production, a company with offices in Mumbai and London, brought a team of 12 cheerleaders to root for Team Mohali. Director of the company, Jorge Aldana, confirmed the incident and said the two girls were allowed to perform only after he waded in and took up the matter with Wizcraft officials.

On Tuesday, Sabbas Joseph, director of Wizkraft, the event management company hired by the Mohali team franchisee, refuted the allegations.

“No such incident took place on April 19. They are totally fabricated and seem to have been raised with some ulterior motive. We had a contract with the cheerleading team in question for the first two matches. All payments have been made and we have nothing to do with them anymore,” he said.

When contacted, Punjab Cricket Association treasurer, GS Walia, said, “We aren’t aware of any such incident.”

Kings XI Punjab CEO Neil Maxwell has already denied allegations that the cheerleaders were not allowed to perform on the basis of their colour and termed the allegations as baseless.

Other cheer teams -such as the Washington Redskins, brought in by Team Bangalore -have African-Americans on the squad. But this is the first time colour has become an issue.

“Stopping anyone from performing on the basis of colour of skin is not only illegal but unconstitutional. If such a thing has happened, especially against women coming from abroad, it should be condemned and action taken against those at fault,” said Manjeet Sandhu, district secretary of the Chandigarh chapter of All-India Democratic Women’s Association.

5/23/2008 11:09:33 AM

Is Twenty20 a young man’s game? The answer to that was provided by none other than Bangalore Royal Challengers’ skipper Rahul Dravid on Thursday (May 23).

The former India captain has said, “T20 is a bit of a hit-and-miss game… A good player is a good player - you get a bit of experience - and it’s just a mind thing, really. I have not played a lot of Twenty20, and I am sure the more I play, the better I am going to get at it. It’s just that it has probably come at very late stage for me, if I was 21-22, I would have cracked this thing without a doubt.”

This is the first time one of India’s ‘Big Three’ - Sachin, Sourav and Rahul - has admitted that age is a factor when it comes to the shortest version of the game.

Dravid, Tendulkar and Ganguly had opted to stay out of the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup in South Africa which India went on to win.

While on one hand, Dravid made it clear that it doesn’t take too much to master the format, the technician also gave the impression that probably he was tired of re-inventing himself.

The IPL tournament has been a mixed bag for the plus 30s - incidentally Rahul Dravid has been amongst the bigger run getters for Bangalore scoring 329 runs.

So perhaps Dravid is being a bit too harsh on himself by hoping that he was younger!

It’s the same story for Hyderabad’s superstar Adam Gilchrist, whose slam-bang approach at the top for the Deccan team has seen him amass 335 runs at an average of over 30 runs (33.50).

Sanath Jayasuriya at 38 years has found his form a bit late in the tournament, but the Matara Mauler shows the young kids just how to hit the sixers, hitting 356 runs at an average close to 40 (39.55).

Sachin Tendulkar has not played too many games for Mumbai, but a score of 65 against Mohali means the Bombay Bomber is on his way to prime form with an average of 25.

But the story of the tournament has been Shane Warne, who is now the top wicket taker in the IPL with 14 wickets in his bag (scoring 20.28 runs on average)

Sri Lankan Mahela Jaywardene and Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi looked clearly unconvinced with Dravid’s argument for low performance, when TIMES NOW’s Afreen Kidwai quizzed them.

“If you go and tell that to Sanath Jayasuriya I think he will say that is not the case. I think it’s all about adapting to the format and trying to be a bit more innovative and enjoying yourself,” said Jayawardene, while Afridi pointed to Jayasuriya’s age. “What Mahela says is right, age does not matter - Sanath is 38 now, and he is doing very well,” he said.

Howver earlier TIMES NOW spoke to cricket expert Charu Sharma on the age factor playing its role on the IPL performance, and Sharma said it was not so much the number of years as getting into a rut.

“The truth, is ‘age’ is not an inanimate figure. It not about being 30 or 38. What it does indicate is that you are more set in your ways which have been developed because of a need for the job that one individually performs. If Rahul over the years has performed a job where he has eschewed all risk, where he has been far more careful, where he has been aware that getting out serves no purpose, he’s in a more classic mold, then for a batsman such as Rahul it might take just a little longer to adjust to the T20 demands - where you just have to essentially take a risk virtually off every ball,” said Sharma.

18th May - Eden Gardens Kolkaya

5/24/2008 8:27:59 AM

All eyes will be on the Chairman of Selectors for the Indian team — Dilip Vengsarkar, who will look to pick the right squad for the upcoming tri-series in Bangladesh and the subsequent Asia Cup in Pakistan. Form and fitness will be top most priority in the upcoming team selection and the boss himself has sent this message across to the players.

Dilip Vengsarkar said, “The team will be chosen on May 30 on the basis of players’ form and fitness. The best team will be picked.” This statement comes as a big thumbs up for young players whom have outshined in the IPL.

The selection panel chief said while the Indian Premier League was a very good concept and has given a very good chance to young players to show their wares, one-day internationals were different. “IPL is a very good concept. Young players with potential have come along. But one-day international is a different ball game,” he said.

Vengsarkar also indicated that along with choosing the team for the June 8-14 tri-series and the June 24-July 6 Asia Cup, the selectors were also scheduled to pick fringe players and fast bowlers for the National Cricket Academy’s camp in Bangalore in June. He later held a meeting with NCA director Dav Whatmore at the Mumbai Cricket Association’s office to discuss the camps.

5/21/2008 10:14:10 PM

Kings XI Punjab halted Mumbai Indians’ winning streak with a thrilling one-run victory off
the last ball in the Indian Premier League at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai today (May 21).

In a thrill-a-minute frenzied final phase of the match, the home team - chasing the visitors’ 189 for four - were dismissed for 188 after losing their last six wickets in three overs and one ball in a dramatic change of fortunes.

Seemingly cuising to a comfortable victory with captain Sachin Tendulkar (64) on song, Mumbai Indians suddenly lost the plot and a clutch of wickets - mostly to run-outs and the list included their skipper - to end up on the losing side.

From 159 for three in 16.5 overs, the home team slumped to 188 all out when last man Vikrant Yeligati was run out at the non-striker’s end by a superb piece of fielding by Punjab XI skipper Yuvraj Singh when two runs were needed off the final ball.

Five batsmen were run out in the innings and among those the most crucial dismissal was Tendulkar’s who got mixed up with Robin Uthappa’s yes-no call and was stranded out of the crease at the non-striker’s end.

Mumbai Indians lost Shaun Pollock and Uthappa quickly and the loss of three wickets in just seven balls unnerved the rest of the batsmen who took enormous risks and failed.

Taking the centre stage after the fall of the swashbuckling opening partner Sanath Jayasuriya (20) in the third over, Tendulkar played the anchor role to hit 12 fours in 46 balls before being run out off the last ball of the 17th over.

Mumbai Indians lost their poise at his dismissal and that of Pollock’s, out first ball top-edging Yuvraj to third man, and a frenzied last two overs - when needing 27 runs - ended in a heart-stopping loss that put an end to their winning six-match streak.

The victory, third in the row, put Punjab XI virtually in the semifinals while leaving Mumbai Indians, on 12 points from 11 ties, with the difficult task of winning at least two out of their last three away ties to enter the last four.

Tendulkar, playing in only his fourth IPL tie after missing the first seven matches, cleverly batted around power-hitters Dwayne Smith (20) and Abhishek Nayar (27) but the clutch of wickets in the end undid his good work.

Incidentally, Mumbai Indians had lost their previous tie to the visitors at Mohali on April 25.

5/21/2008 6:47:31 PM

The inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League, has been marred by controversies ever since its commencement. The latest issue that looks to haunt the tournament is a reportedly rift between Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shahrukh Khan and skipper Sourav Ganguly. Sources close to TIMES NOW revealed that all is not well between the two after the sudden dip in the performance levels reportedly upset the King Khan.

The differences between the two have come out in the open after the team’s poor performance against the Rajasthan Royals cost them their chance to feature in the top four teams. According to sources close to TIMES NOW, both SRK and Ganguly have conflicting opinions over various issues like team selection, team combination and player selection. The two reportedly had a differences over tax payments as well.

The biggest row, however has followed the dismal performance of the team, which sources say is worrying team owner Shahrukh Khan the most. Sources also revealed that Ganguly has been unhappy right from the beginning of the season right from the auction, where SRK and Buchanan did not pay much heed to Sourav’s suggestions.

Difference of opinions about team composition

If IPL is about big money, it’s about even bigger egos. With names like Shahrukh Khan and Sourav Ganguly fireworks were never far away. It has taken a series of poor showing that virtually ruled Kolkata Knight Riders out of the semi-final race to bring the differences out in the open.

Team owner Shahrukh Khan and captain Sourav Ganguly had different opinions about team composition and players to buy during the auction. The other major reason for the rift is Shahrukh’s faith in coach John Buchanan that saw him giving more powers to the Australian in team issues surpassing Ganguly. The King Khan further upset Ganguly by announcing that Buchanan would be taking control of the team next season.

The tax issue

The differences between the two didn’t end there and West Bengal government was the unlikely culprit in fomenting the discord. Sharukh Khan is the only team owner who pays an entertainment tax for the matches played on home-ground Eden Gardens, unlike other franchises who’ve been exempted from this.

SRK wanted Ganguly to speak to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and try and get it abolished. But Ganguly, who is known to be close to the CM and the ruling party, refused to oblige. This forced Shahrukh to shelve plans of a show at the Eden Gardens.

Row over auction

Team owner Shah Rukh and captain Sourav Ganguly were not on the same wavelength when it came to bid for the players in the auction. According to the Times of India the differences first surfaced during the auction itself with Dada wanted more batsmen and the team management wanted more bowlers.

Ganguly wanted Adam Gilchrist in the team as wicket-keeper and opening batsman while Buchanan impressed upon SRK to bid for Brendon McCullum to fill the slot. This choice proved crucial as McCullum had to return on national duty after the initial matches. Meanwhile, the captain also wanted more batsmen in the side but SRK persisted with more bowlers and this has clearly hampered Knight Riders campaign in the tournament.

Row over Shoaib Akhtar

The last straw in the strained relationship was squabbling over team selection for the matches in the IPL. Shoaib Akhtar provided the latest flashpoint when Ganguly and Buchanan differed over the Pakistan pacer’s inclusion in the Rajasthan game. Buchanan was adamant that Shoaib is unfit while Ganguly wanted him to paly. The Aussie’s wish prevailed as Umar Gul got the nod for the game.

All the while during Kolkata’s do-or-die encounter against Rajasthan the King Khan was conspicous by his absence. Shahrukh Khan who had pledged support to his team and promised to be present with his team during turbulent times did not go to support his team at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday (May 20). Shahrukh Khan has however featured in all the games that were played at the Eden adding more fuel to the specualtion of a rift between Dada and SRK.

Sourav Ganguly react

Reacting to the possible rift between SRK and Dada, Sourav Ganguly spoke to TIMES NOW earlier and said, “He has seen the reports and he said he will clarify his stand in the controversy later.” Following which Ganguly said, “The reports are not true and this is just about it he wants to say.”

Refusing to comment on the issue and not denying any such reports earlier hinted at a possible rift between the two. However, owner Shahrukh Khan has not reacted to reports over possible rift between the two.

5/23/2008 8:06:23 PM

With the heat of the Indian Premier League catching up the players are all set to fight it out on the fields. As Kings Eleven Punjab and Deccan Chargers are scheduled to battle it out today (May 23), TIMES NOW caught up with Shahid Afridi and Mahela Jayawardene to find out their reaction about the IPL and their plans for the forthcoming matches.

Afreen: Mahela, that is a big game today, are you all set to give the Deccan Chargers a tough time?

Jayawardene: Yeah, I think we have been playing some good cricket. Going into the latter part of the tournament it’s important that we keep that momentum going. They are a very good side so we need to keep a open mind and make sure that we get our job done.

Afreen: Will they get the job done today Shahid?

Afridi: Everybody knows our standing and Mohali is doing very well in batting bowling and fielding. We are not doing that well.

Afreen: Are you all set to hit Afridi out of the park today and take him on when he bowls

Jayawardene: I don’t know whether i can do that. A few boundaries will make me happy rather than hitting him out of the park. It’s about playing some smart cricket. We have managed to get some crucial wins and are enjoying our game so will just keep going.

Afreen: When IPL started everybody was charged up and enthusiastic. Shahid where do you think your team is going wrong?

Afridi: Our batting, which was our strength, could not perform well and our bowling was weak from the beginning. We were not strong enough to defend 200 runs.

Afreen: Are you enjoying playing the IPL?

Afridi: Obviously, it’s very entertaining and the way the crowd is coming and responding, its very enjoyable.

Afreen: Mahela are you enjoying the IPL experience?

Jayawardene: Yeah, it’s very unique and different from what we have been experiencing in the last 10 years. It’s a good challenge to improve our skills and learn to adapt to different situations.

Afreen: Do you both want to give a message to either of the teams, Deccan Chargers or Punjab Kings XI?

Jayawardene: I think both the teams are definitely going to enjoy the outing tonight. They are not under that much pressure so we’ll make sure we don’t make mistakes and have a good game.

Afridi: Mahela, we are here to win so be careful.

21 May 2008
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown (Anderson 120), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Hargreaves, Scholes (Giggs 87), Carrick, Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney (Nani 101).
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, O’Shea, Fletcher, Silvestre.

Booked: Scholes, Ferdinand, Vidic, Tevez.

Goals: Ronaldo 26.

Chelsea: Cech, Essien, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Makelele (Belletti 120), Lampard, Joe Cole (Anelka 99), Drogba, Malouda (Kalou 92).
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Shevchenko, Obi, Alex.

Sent Off: Drogba (116).

Booked: Makelele, Carvalho, Ballack, Essien.

Goals: Lampard 45.

Man Utd win 6-5 on penalties

Att: 69,552

Ref: Lubos Michel (Slovakia).

man of the match: Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo 7.80 (on 90 minutes).