IPL will give cricket a new dimension - Stephen Fleming

Former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming opined the lucrative Indian Premier league with its million-dollar deals has changed the face of international cricket.

Fleming, who was bought by Chennai Super Kings for $350,000 said he was "astounded" by the huge money on show.

"Like most players, I was astounded by the

money involved in the IPL, but I feel, it is going to be incredibly exciting and the league is something that has changed the face of cricket."

Fellow Kiwi, Jacob Oram, who pocketed $675,000 to play in the League and Australian Michael Hussey shared Fleming's views.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni ($1.5 million), Muttiah Muralitharan ($600,000), Matthew Hayden ($375,000), Parthiv Patel ($325,000), Joginder Sharma ($225,000), Albie

Morkel ($675.000), Suresh Raina ($650,000) and Makhaya Ntini ($200,000) were the other players bought by the Chennai franchise in the IPL auction early last month.

India 11 beats Pakistan 11 in ICL

The India 11 side defeated Pakistan 11 in a close encounter in the ICL 20s World Series match at Hyderabad on Friday night.

Chasing 153 to win, India XI achieved the target in 19.4 overs for the loss of six wickets with opener Khaleel top scoring with 63.

Earlier, Pakistan XI captain Inzamam-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat. The team got off to a flier and were 36 for no loss after three overs, but soon lost two quick wickets to be placed at 57 for two at the end of the seventh over.

Spin from both ends then dried up the runs. Pakistan XI, however, ploughed through and were sitting handsomely at 113 for four at the end of the 15th over. But some good bowling and sharp fielding from India XI restricted the Pakistani side to 152 for eight.

In reply, the Indians started on an explosive note and were 43 for one after five overs. At the halfway mark, the ICL India side was well placed at 83 for one.

A tussle between the ball and bat in the next eight overs and with two overs to go, India XI needed 16 runs to win. The skipper then took India home with some power hitting with two balls to spare.

Khaleel brought up his maiden fifty off only 39 balls in the 12th over. An unfortunate run out of the inform T P Singh, backing too far at the non-striker end brought the Pakistani side back into the game at the Indian score of 103/3 in the 13th over.

Some smart out- fielding from Abdul Razzaq brought an end to Khaleel's brilliant innings of 63 in the 15th over. With just five overs to go the match was in India's control, needing 34 runs 30 balls with six wickets in hand. With two overs to go the ICL-Indians needed 16 runs and five wickets in hand. In the end, some power hitting by captain Sathish helped the ICL Indians score a magnificent victory by four wickets.

Akshay Kumar signs as Delhi's IPL brand ambassador

Bollywood’s daredevil or a Delhiite? Bollywood action superstar Akshay Kumar made it clear on Monday that he is a pure Delhiite as his heart beats for Delhi when he was roped in as brand ambassador of the Indian Premier League's 'Delhi Daredevils' by the GMR Group the franchise owners of the team.

The Delhi-6 lad, as capital’s Chandni Chowk area popularly known as where Akshay was born and brought up, made a grand entry emerging from the dim light while unveiling Daredevils' attire in a red and black shirt with helmets and a willow on making a batting gesture.

"I am a pakka Dilliwalah since my heart beats for Delhi. I would like to thank the GMR Group for picking me as the first fan of Delhi Daredevils. I hope I would become a lucky mascot for the team," Akshay said during the ceremony.

On the occasion, the team’s website was also launched at the event. Arc Worldwide has developed the website that has host of innovative fan friendly features and shall be the one stop shop for all information on the Daredevils, from downloading unique wallpapers to blogging and it will be also the focal point of interaction during and after the league.

The high-adrenaline event also saw GMR Sports bringing together the likes of Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, speedster Mohd. Asif and Delhi’s very own ace batsman Virender Sehwag, the captain of Daredevils and Gautam Gambhir.

Hero Honda will be the main sponsor of the Delhi Daredevils team, while Kingfisher and Religare are the associate sponsors. Adidas will sponsor the team‘s playing attire. Leo Burnett is the advertising agency that will manage their account.

Cricket and Bollywood are going hand in hand with the much-famed IPL countdown begins. IPL has had some big Bollywood names in the form of Sharukh Khan Juhi Chawla and Preity Zinta, among others. Now, GMR Sports has roped in Akshay Kumar as Brand Ambassador for the Delhi Daredevils team for the upcoming DLF Indian Premier League Twenty20 cricket tournament.

Addressing the mediapersons, Srinivas Bommidala, Chairman, GMR Sports, said, “GMR Group has a very close connection with Delhi. We are soon presenting Delhi a world-class facility airport. And with Delhi Daredevils, we want to take Indian sports to a new level.”

For bringing in Akshay as brand ambassador, Yogesh Shetty, CEO, GMR Sports, said, “Akshay Kumar’s daredevil personality suits with our team Delhi Daredevils. We are privileged to have him as the first fan of the team.”

The Delhi Daredevils has a fine balanced team that comprises the Delhi dasher Virender Sehwag (Captain), Gautam Gambhir, Manoj Tiwary, Mohammad Asif, Daniel Vettori, Dinesh Karthik, Shoaib Malik, Glenn McGrath, Abraham de Villiers, Tillekratne Dilshan, Farveez Maharoof, Amit Misra, Pradeep Sangwan, Brett Geeves, Rajat Bhatia, Shikhar Dhawan, Yo Mahesh, Mitthun Manhas, and Mayank Tehlan, while Greg Shepperd is the coach of the team.

The Delhi Daredevils will kick-off their campaign against the Rajasthan Royals at the Feroze Shah Kotla stadium on April 19.