The Indian Premier League is back in style this season and cricket fans and enthusiasts cannot wait to see all the action unfold this year! The IPL has always been the darling of the masses and is revered for its nail biting action and intense clashes on the field. The Indian Premier League has truly lived up to its billing as the numero uno sporting event in the country. It is the most notable event in the global cricket circuit. The hysteria and hoopla surrounding the IPL is easy to understand. The entire package of entertainment offered by this event caters to almost every type of individual and not just cricket fans.
The IPL has brought the zing back into the beautiful gentleman’s game. It has lent Twenty20 cricket a new air of respectability and commercial acclaim. The IPL pits global stars against each other, thereby making for some mouth watering contests. Alongside, it also boosts Indian cricket with the huge number of domestic and local players who are recruited to franchises and who get a chance to shine on the global state. There are many youngsters who have first made their mark at the IPL and gone on to play for their national teams. Today, they are stars in their own right. Ravindra Jadeja is the foremost among these players and is one of the mainstays of Team India in recent times. This year’s IPL is set to be even more happening and exciting thanks to the power packed 2014 IPL auction. The auction led to the creation of some fabulous teams and sports fans cannot wait for the exciting on-field battles ahead!
The IPL auction brought out the best in team owners and franchises as they battled for the best stars and players for their teams. Now that team news is out, everyone is geared up for the best IPL season ever. IPL season 7 will be even more exciting as this is the first time that each and every franchise has been able to build a balanced team. Each franchise has its own mix of global and domestic stars. There are big names in almost every team. Teams like Punjab and Rajasthan were not that well balanced in the past. Alongside, the induction of hotly awaited talents from around the globe is another big plus point. Add to that celebrities, events, and promotional packages, special offers, prizes, contests, television events and you get the picture!
IPL 7 should be unfolding in style. Everyone is waiting with bated breath for the much talked about opening and closing ceremonies. Some of the biggest stars like Pitbull have performed at these ceremonies and this year should be no different. You can now enjoy the IPL in style with fabulous team merchandise, autographed jerseys, memorabilia, caps, sporting equipment and other gear. Deck up in your favorite team colors and be the envy of fellow IPL fans this season. Clear out your calendars and get ready for some intense days ahead as IPL 7 gears up for its annual April launch.
Team India will be looking to go all out at the fifth edition of the ICC World T20 event held in Bangladesh this year. The tournament starts from the 16th of March and will surely be a feast for cricket fans and enthusiasts. The Indian team created history under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, India’s most successful captain, statistically, at the first edition of the tournament in the year 2007. India defeated Pakistan successfully by 5 runs in the final after an intensely exciting contest. Since then, the Indian cricket team has established its dominance on the world cricketing arena. The 2011 World Cup and the Champions Trophy apart, India raced to the top spot on the rankings chart for both ODI’s and Tests. MS Dhoni was hailed as the man who could veritably do no wrong. The Indian team was hailed as a fleet of match winners who could beat any team in the world.
However, things have changed immensely since the past couple of years. India has not been faring well abroad. Questions are being raised about the morale of the team and the strategies employed by the once infallible skipper MS Dhoni. These questions and doubts pertain to team selection, match strategy and lack of opportunities for youngsters in the Indian team. The Indian team has been doing badly overseas and has recently been defeated in succession by both Australia and New Zealand. The ICC T20 world cup may just be the ideal opportunity for skipper MS Dhoni to redeem both himself and his team. Top experts and legends of the game have blasted Dhoni for persisting with the same sets of players and giving chances to only his preferred players.
However, some have supported him, stating that a captain’s success depends on the team at his disposal. The Indian squad for the T20 world cup looks strong on paper at least. However, the wickets of Bangladesh and the weather will be more suitable for the Indian contingent. When it comes to the bowling attack, Shami Ahmed has been the only consistent performer. Expect him to trouble batsmen with ado at the T20 world cup. Alongside, the list of probables also contains Ishant Sharma, Ishwar Pandey, Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Varun Aaron, Karn Sharma, S Nadeem, Vinay Kumar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar apart from R Ashwin and R Jadeja.
The all rounders slots are filled up by R Jadeja, Stuart Binny, Rajat Bhatia and Sanju Samson while batsmen in the list include Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Yuvraj Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Mandeep Singh, Parthiv Patel and Unmukt Chand.
Among batsmen, Dhawan, Sharma, Kohli, Raina and Dhoni are slated to be permanent fixtures while R Jadeja will also be coming in at number 7. The number 6 slot is a tossup between Ajinkya Rahane, Rayudu, Yuvraj Singh and others. Dinesh Karthik will have an edge over Parthiv Patel and Kedar Jadhav when it comes to being the reserve wicket keeper batsman. Similarly, for the final bowling XI, Shami, Bhuvneshwar and Ashwin pick themselves. The fourth bowler’s slot will most probably be a contest between Ishant Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav while Harbhajan Singh or Amit Mishra might be in contention if conditions are favorable. Enjoy all the action with your favorite team India jerseys and other sporting equipment!
The Twenty20 world cup is all set to start with a bang from the 16th of March onwards. The entire global cricket contingent is leaving no stone unturned in their preparations for the same. The Indian cricket team is no different. However, things have changed quite radically in comparison to the past scenario. India was earlier number 1 in all formats of the game. However, they have slipped from the top spot on the back of several losses on away tours. Heavy losses to England, Australia and New Zealand over the past couple of years have put the team on the back foot. India’s once unbeatable team is now being scrutinized for shortcomings and other flaws.
Will India manage to pull off a repeat of 2007? This is something that looks dicey from the very start. In 2007, MS Dhoni’s team managed to pull off a five run victory over Pakistan. They haven’t done very well in the ICC Twenty20 world cup since. The team did win the World Cup in the year 2011 though. However, the team is now a mere shadow of its former confident self. There is clearly something that the skipper is not getting right these days. Team selection has been flawed and youngsters are only warming the bench. However, the Indian team for the World Cup looks strong indeed.
A lot will depend on the bowling line-up at this tournament. The bowlers will have to work in tandem in order to outsmart the best batsmen from rival teams. Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the fabulously consistent Shami Ahmed can form a lethal strike force if they are used in the right manner. Ishant has recently struck form and Shami has always been lethally effective as a wicket taker. Bhuvneshwar has not been very consistent but can be a good foil to the other two strike bowlers. R Ashwin has to deliver with the ball and not just let his bat do the talking. Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra are waiting in the wings and Mishra would be an ideal bet as an attacking leg spinner. Ravindra Jadeja is a solid player who gives just the right dose of balance to the team with his solid batting and effective bowling. He has in fact been one of the best bowlers for India on their tours abroad.
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan should be able to give consistent starts if India are to think of winning the Twenty20 world cup. Virat Kohli has been the only one with a consistent track record and is easily the best batsman in the team at the moment. MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and either Yuvraj Singh/Ajinkya Rahane must fire on all cylinders. The skipper himself has to be a lot more consistent. Rooting for India at the T20 world cup? Celebrate with the best team jerseys, autographed gear, sporting equipment and other team merchandise. This is one of the biggest carnivals witnessed by the entire cricket fraternity. India has strong chances but must play to its strengths if it has to win the tournament!
International cricket has been immensely benefited by the introduction of the T20 world cup. The ICC World Twenty20 championship is one of the biggest flagship events of the ICC, the governing body for cricket all over the world. The ICC Champions Trophy and the World Cup are two of the biggest sporting events globally. Alongside, the ICC Twenty20 World Cup is also one of the biggest cricketing events in recent times. This event usually sees a lot of competition among the member nations of the ICC along with 2 other countries. Cricket fans and enthusiasts are very enthused about this event. The World T20 has obtained high levels of popularity in recent times and the competition has evolved immensely with the rising popularity of Twenty20. Twenty20 as a format has contributed to the development and enhancement of the game at large.
Despite coming under attack from cricket legends and experts with regard to its shortening of the game and the threat to Test cricket, the Twenty20 format has been accepted as a universal cricketing format of choice in recent times. Alongside, the chief appeal of the World T20 lies in the exciting mixture of teams, top global stars and the exciting contests on offer. The Twenty20 World Cup is itself a fabulous package of entertainment, excitement and top clashes among the very best international players. The ICC World Twenty20 championship is organized by the ICC and the tournament takes place every couple of years. The ICC T20 world cup matches receive international accreditation as per the norms and rules of the ICC. Alongside, there are special World T20 Qualifier matches held by the ICC which determine the remaining two member nations who take part in the tournament apart from the ten member nations.
The first ever T20 world cup was staged at South Africa and India lifted the trophy at the inaugural edition. This tournament was held from the 11th to the 24th of September and India carved its place in the annals of cricketing history with a resounding victory. India defeated Pakistan by 5 runs in nail biting contest at the final. England hosted the second T20 world cup which has held from the 5th of June to the 21st and Pakistan came out trumps in the final, defeating Sri Lanka in another tensely fought affair. The third and fourth editions of the tournament were held in West Indies and Sri Lanka respectively. England and West Indies won these two editions respectively. Bangladesh will be hosting the T20 world cup in 2014 and there seems to be a thrilling contest ahead. You can enjoy the T20 world cup in style with autographed equipment, sporting and fitness gear, cool team merchandise and other gear. Cheer for India with cool memorabilia and other team jerseys.
2014 is one of the biggest years for international cricket with the IPL lined up right after the Champions League T20. For the cricket lover, it is only unlimited entertainment.
The Indian Premier League is one sporting league of epic proportions. It has carved out its own niche in arguably the most crazy country when it comes to cricket. Indeed, the game is a veritable religion in India. Those who are not cricket fans often find themselves in a sticky spot with regard to social interactions and gatherings and do not often gain acceptance into various social circles. This is the sad reality of a nation that eats, breathes and drinks cricket at all times. For such a nation, the IPL is the crowning glory of all the achievements of India in the global sphere. This magnum opus of the BCCI has come a long way since its launch seven years ago.
There have been loads of controversies and other stories surrounding the IPL along with several murky and questionable incidents. However, these events have done nothing to dampen the popularity of this fabulous sporting league. The IPL has its own legion of fans and supporters from all across the globe. There are millions of franchise and city supporters while television audiences also number millions especially on other sides of the globe. The Indian Premier League will soon be back in its seventh avatar and cricket fans cannot wait to get a piece of the action.
The 2014 IPL auction did throw up some interesting results. Yuvraj Singh created history when he was sold to the Royal Challengers Bangalore for a cool INR 14 crores while Dinesh Karthik and Kevin Pieterson followed with final bids of INR 12.5 crores and INR 9 crores respectively. Apart from these global giants, domestic players too made headlines at the IPL auction with Karan Sharma getting a great salary of INR 3.75 crores courtesy the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Alongside, franchises focused mainly on domestic players on day 2 of the auctions, leading to great opportunities for a plethora of talented youngsters at this mega event. The teams look evenly matched and it would be hard to pinpoint one as the favorite ahead of the actual event.
The IPL opening and closing ceremonies are also at the forefront of mass curiosity and excitement. After Pitbull’s performance, there has been large scale demand for even bigger and better performers and this year may just throw up a surprise for entertainment junkies. Alongside, tickets can be booked online in advance. Make sure you book your tickets at the earliest in order to avoid the last minute rush for tickets. Alongside, you can also buy cool team merchandise online. Get hold of a wide selection of autographed sporting gear, caps, cricket equipment, fitness equipment, memorabilia and other collectibles online. You will find these items at extremely reasonable prices.
Tickets are slated to start at INR 500 on an average but can go up to INR 20, 000 or even more for VIP box or premium seats. These come with refreshments and access to the coveted IPL after parties which are attended by Bollywood stars and the players themselves. Enjoy your IPL in style this season!
IPL or Indian Premier League started in 2008 and has since then seen a stellar popularity among the cricket loving masses. It is one of the most awaited sporting events of the year. The game is played in the Twenty20 format. Hence the games don’t last for more than 3-4 hours. It sees a lot of fanfare and entertainment at the time of the match. The IPL sees more participation from women and children as audience because of the entertainment quotient. Singers and dancers perform during breaks which can keep non-followers of cricket entertained as well.
Usually there are 8 participating teams every year. The number has varied over the years with Kochi Tuskers backing out of the tournament. Currently, with the addition of Pune Warriors India, 9 teams are participating in the tournament.
Every year, an auction is conducted to pick players for teams. Team owners and managers often retain consistent players in the teams. However, sometimes newer players are picked up for the team’s benefit, quite similar to the process in the English Premier League.
This year won’t be any different from the past ones, with the auction being slated to be held on February 6 2014. The process shall be no different from the rest.
A top base price for ipl auction is agreed upon every year. This year, the highest amount being notched up is Rs 20 million or $320,000. Close to 232 players from 10 different countries are up for the auction to be held in Bangalore. Among international players, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson feature among the top 31 players to have attracted the top base price for ipl auction. They are much in demand since their performance in the Ashes tournament.
Indians featuring the top list include veteran such as Yuvraj Singh and Virendra Sehwag. Other players such as Yusuf Pathan, Dinesh Kartik and Pragyan Ojha have also been up for the Rs 20 million slots. Irrfan Pathan, the all-rounder, has failed to notch up the Rs 20 million slots like his brother. However, he has managed to bag a price tag of Rs 15 million.
Like other past years, Pakistani players won’t be allowed to be a part of the ipl auction. However, two players of Pakistani origin, Fawad Ahmad and Azhar Mahmood from Australia and England respectively would be allowed to participate. Speculations suggest the ipl auction will see Corey Anderson from New Zealand as the most sought after player after he has become the fastest player to hit a century, off 36 balls, against West Indies.
This year, Sri Lankan players such as Kumar Sangakkara won’t be a part of the ipl because of a tournament later in the year. However, his co-players on the Sri Lankan team players such as Mahela Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews shall be a part of the process.
To know where to buy IPL merchandise before the games begin in April log into online classifieds. You can find stores selling them in your city.
