Sports ministry set to batter bruised IPL

May 22, 2012

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On a day when the IPL sank further into a morass of scandals, Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken revealed that his ministry had asked the finance ministry to probe allegations of the cricket league franchises using black money to regain or lure players from other teams.

Maken told the Lok Sabha on Monday that on May 18, sports secretary P?K?Deb wrote to his counterpart in the revenue department of the finance ministry, suggesting a “thorough inquiry” into the entire episode involving the alleged use of unaccounted money in the IPL for spot-fixing and other corruption in matches.

Maken’s announcement had serious implications. His ministerial colleague, Rajiv Shukla, who is minister of state for parliamentary affairs, is also the IPL commissioner.


In effect, Maken was accusing Shukla of running an operation that was tainted by black money. Adding irony to the gravity of the issue was Pranab Mukherjee tabling a white paper on black money. That made it a perfect kafkaesque day in Parliament.


“Let us leave it to the finance ministry to decide on that,” BCCI chairman Rajiv Shukla told Deccan Herald when his comments were sought on the sports ministry’s request to the finance ministry for a probe into the use of clack money in the IPL.

Shukla, however, sought to downplay Maken’s demand for bringing the BCCI under RTI, saying “he has been saying this for six months.”

The minister’s announcement was yet another blow to IPL, which, over the last week has been buffeted by charges of four IPL players suspended pending inquiry into charges of match fixing, one facing the charge of molesting a woman, and two landing in police net for attending a rave party featuring extensive use of alcohol and drugs.

“We have urged the revenue secretary to initiate an expeditious probe (into the entire episode), Maken said in the House, responding to members’ concerns over the reports of black money circulating in IPL. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee was present in the House when Maken spoke.

The sports ministry had suggested to the revenue secretary to ask the income tax department and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to conduct an expeditious enquiry, Maken added.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already initiated an enquiry into the alleged spot-fixing in IPL after a sting operation conducted by a news channel highlighted it. It suspended five players recently from all matches till the preliminary probe is completed.

Maken asserted that the government had taken swift action on various issues involving IPL. As many as 19 notices had been issued to the IPL and the BCCI for violations of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) to the tune of over Rs 1,077 crore and further actions were being taken on it.

On May 17, the sports ministry wrote to the enforcement directorate urging it to take early action in the matter. The ministry asked the ED to apprise it with the actions taken by it, he said.

The BCCI had been enjoying income tax exemption since 1996 on the ground of it being a charitable institution. In 2009, the IT department withdrew the exemption from retrospective effect and imposed tax liabilities of Rs 118 crore and Rs 257.12 crore for the fiscal 2007-08 and 2008-09 respectively.

“The income tax liability of Rs 118 crore for 2007-08 has been realised. Out of the total tax liability for 2008-09, Rs 131 crore have been realised and for the rest of the amount, the BCCI has gone to the tax tribunal and filed an appeal. The income tax department is contesting the case,” Ajay Maken said.

The minister, who earlier had made an unsuccessful attempt to introduce a Bill seeking to bring BCCI under Right to information (RTI) Act, reiterated his demand that the cricket board come under the purview of the law.

Maken’s reply, however, did not satisfy former cricketer and BJP member Kirti Azad, who raised the issue in the Lok Sabha during Zero hour. Kirti Azad, demanded an internal audit of the BCCI and other cricket associations in the country.

Demand transparency

Kirti Azad, who went on a day-long hunger-strike outside the Ferozshah Kotla stadium along with a few other former cricketers here on Sunday to demand transparency in the league, received support from JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, the BJP and Left members.


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IPL players nabbed at rave party, let off after questioning


The city police on Monday released the two IPL cricketers - Rahul Sharma and Wayne Parnell (South Africa)- along with 94 others, picked for suspected consumption of banned hallucinogens at a private party held in a hotel in Mumbai’s elite sea-facing north-west suburb Juhu.


The party event manager Vishesh Vijay Handa has been taken into custody under the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropics Substances Act 1985 (NDPS.)


The police on Monday claimed that the raid yielded 110 grammes of banned Cannabis from the terrace of the hotel, where the rave party was going on. However, tests were on to determine the generic specification of the seized substance.


Blood and urine samples were collected from the two IPL cricketers, who play for Pune Warriors. They were released on a personal bond after being questioned. The duo has vehemently professed innocence and denied any kind of ‘narcotics or substance abuse.’


Television actor couple Apurva and Shilpa Agnihotri, present at the party venue were also subjected to medical tests and grilled. The couple has also denied consumption of intoxicants or hallucinogens in the party. On Sunday night, police carried out what it termed ‘controlled operation,’ and swooped on Oakwood Premier Hotel with windows and terrace opening to a panoramic view of waves rolling down on Juhu beach.


The swoop, Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP)Vishwas Nangre Patil told the gathered media, was carried out on ‘a specific tip-off; and it was a controlled operation wherein a mole was planted inside the rave party.’ The raiding party found 96 revellers, allegedly high on drinks and other intoxicants. Of them, 38 were women, including 19 foreigners.


Interestingly, even as the swoop was to take place, media was informed in advance of a possible raid on a ‘bash taking place in a happening Juhu joint.;’While most of the revellers belonging to upper-crust were released on bail by noon, some of them were allowed to go late in the evening.


The police has not yet charged the revellers with any of the stringent and draconian NDPS sections, but ACP Patil said that ‘blood and urine samples collected from the detained persons have been tagged.’

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Agencies
August 5,2020

New Delhi, Aug 5: "Want to know what makes him tick," said Australian pacer Kane Richardson will talking about playing alongside Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020.

The IPL 2020 will be played in the UAE from September 19-November 10 and the tournament will run for 53 days.

In the players' auction which was conducted in December 2019, RCB managed to bag key players like Richardson, Chris Morris, Aaron Finch, Dale Steyn, Joshua Philippe, and Isuru Udana.

In an interaction with news agency, Richardson talked about playing alongside Kohli and the learning curve which is in store for him by being in the same squad as Proteas great Dale Steyn.
"Huge. These guys (Virat, AB de Villiers) are the absolute legends of the game. Anything I can learn from them will be a bonus, that's for sure.

I am really looking forward to playing with Virat, there are few more competitive players in the world. I am really looking forward to seeing what makes him tick," Richardson said.

The 29-year-old pacer also said that he would want to learn from Steyn as to how to be consistent in all formats of the game over a long period of time.

"There are loads I can learn from Dale. He has been amongst the best at the highest level for so long. His control and ability to swing the ball without losing his pace is really impressive. 

I look forward to getting in his ear about how he performs so consistently over a long period, in all forms," said Richardson who has 39 ODI wickets to his credit.

Richardson has so far played 14 games in his IPL career so far and has picked up 18 wickets. The bowler played for Pune Warriors India in 2013, Rajasthan Royals in 2014, and RCB in 2016.

For this year's IPL, RCB has also bagged Australia's limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch, and Richardson thinks having a familiar face in the camp would help him to settle better in the franchise.

"Finchey is an awesome player and a fantastic leader. I am sure it will help to have two Aussies in the side along with Josh who is playing his first tournament after a massive summer in the BBL. We are all professionals, I'm sure it won't take long for us to gel as a side," Richardson said.

However, before the IPL starts, Australia is expected to tour England for a limited-overs series, comprising of three ODIs and as many T20Is.

The side was last seen in action in March this year as they played one ODI against New Zealand in Sydney. After the first match, the remaining two ODIs were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Talking about the series against England, Kane replied: "We will be fresh, that's one thing, while the England players have been in a bubble for some time now. As long as we get enough practice in before and possibly some centre wicket it should not be an issue."

"They are World Cup holders and the number one ranked side for a very good reason. It will be a tough series also given they will have played a fair bit of cricket together by then. We know we need to work hard on our one-day game which will be a priority over the next period," he added.

The pacer also talked about how the lockdown was like for him, and Richardson feels that everyone would come back strong as a result of this break.

"The break from playing has been refreshing, to be honest. We have come back strong and are well into pre-season training with our states. As a bowler, our loads are not at their peak but we are working towards getting ready for a tour of the UK in a few weeks," Richardson said.

The Australian quick has so far played 25 ODIs and 18 T20Is, managing to take 39 and 19 wickets respectively.

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News Network
March 5,2020

Mar 5: India reached a maiden women's Twenty20 World Cup final Thursday after their last four clash against England was washed out, sparking calls for the International Cricket Council to include reserve days in future events.

Harmanpreet Kaur's unbeaten side were due to face the 2009 champions at the Sydney Cricket Ground, but the rain began pouring early in the day with barely any let-up.

With a minimum 10 overs per side needed for a result and no break in the weather, the umpires called it off without a ball being bowled.

Normally, five overs per side are needed to constitute a Twenty20 match, but the rules are different for ICC tournaments.

Four-time champions Australia are scheduled to take on South Africa later in the second semi-final, with that match also under threat.

With no reserve day, the highest-ranked teams from the two groups move into the final if play is not possible

That would pit India against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, where organisers are hoping to attract 90,000 plus fans, denying Australia a chance to defend their crown.

A reserve day is allowed for the final and the lack of one for the semis has been criticised by some players, with England captain Heather Knight among those calling for change.

"If both semi-finals are lost it would be a sad time for the tournament," she told reporters ahead of the match. "It's obviously going to be a shame if it does happen and I'm sure there will be a lot of pressure on the ICC to change that."

Cricket Australia chief Kevin Roberts said he sought clarification from the ICC about adding a reserve day with the Sydney weather looking ominous, but the request was denied.

"We've asked the question and it's not part of the playing conditions and we respect that," he told Melbourne's SEN radio.

"It gives you cause to reflect and think about how you might improve things in the future, but going into a tournament with a given set of playing conditions and rules, I don't think it's time to tinker with the rules."

It is not the way India would have wanted to make the final, but they are deserving of being there having gone through the group phase as the only unbeaten team.

After opening their campaign by upsetting Australia, they beat Bangladesh, New Zealand and then Sri Lanka.

While the entire team played well, teenage batting prodigy Shafali Verma excelled, which saw her elevated to the top of the ICC T20 batting rankings this week aged just 16.

She is only the second Indian after Mithali Raj to reach number one, pushing New Zealand veteran Suzie Bates down to second.

Ranked four in the world, India had made three semi-finals before this year and lost every time, including against England at the last World Cup.

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News Network
May 12,2020

New Delhi, May 12: Virat Kohli's natural talent makes him a cricketing equivalent of Roger Federer while Steve Smith's mental fortitude matches that of Rafael Nadal, said South African swashbuckler AB de Villiers comparing the two contemporary greats.

In an instagram chat with former Zimbabwe seamer Pommie Mbangwa, de Villiers spoke about the two batsmen, who are easily the game's biggest crowd-pullers right now.

"It's a difficult one, but Virat is definitely the more natural ball-striker, there's no doubt about that," de Villiers said during his interaction on 'Sports Hurricane'.

"In tennis terms, I'd say he's more like a (Roger) Federer whereas Smith is like a (Rafael) Nadal. Smith is mentally very strong and figures out a way of scoring runs - he doesn't look natural, but he ends up writing records and doing amazing things at the crease.

"I think mentally, Smith is one of the best I have ever seen. Virat has also scored runs all over the world and won games under pressure," de Villiers,himself a modern day great, said.

De Villiers also felt that when it comes to chasing, Kohli is a shade ahead of Tendulkar.

"Sachin is a role model for both of us (him and Kohli). The way he stood out in his era, the things he achieved and with the grace he did all that is a great example for everyone," de Villiers said.

"And I think Virat will also say that he set the standards for us to follow.

"But personally, in a chase, I'd say Virat is the best I've seen in my life. Sachin was amazing in all formats and all situations, but Virat comes out on top while chasing."

The world knows Kohli as a prolific cricketer but for de Villiers, he is a friend, who has interests beyond cricket and is spiritual at one level.

"He's much deeper than just a cricket player...I think most people realise after a while that there's more to life than just cricket," de Villiers said.

"...Virat's always been a thinker, he experiments (with) a lot of things, he loves trying new things out - gym wise, what he puts in his mouth. He thinks a lot about life after life - what's to come, the different religions, we talk about everything."

De Villiers said that he also shares a great bond with Indian captain's actor wife Anushka Sharma, conversing on a lot of issues including family life.

"We go pretty deep and his missus as well, Anushka, we have very deep conversations, which is fantastic. We talk about children and family. We're waiting for that first little Kohli to come.

"It's a good friendship and we always find a way to talk about cricket as well, but 90 per cent of the time we talk about other stuff. It's refreshing and in the middle of a very intense IPL tournament," he shared.

IPL, for de Villiers, is not just a tournament but also about friendships that he cherishes.

"Obviously, when it comes to the IPL in India, it's been more than friendship," De Villiers said, when asked who his best friends in cricket are.

"Virat obviously - not only during the IPL, we chat throughout the year, which means it's different than just the IPL or cricketing friendship.

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