Delhi Go Through To IPL Semifinals

Mumbai might have to miss the party in their own home when IPL finals are played in Mumbai. Mumbai lost to Jaipur on Monday and might have made their entry into IPL Semifinals a remote possibility.

Jaipur cut down Mumbai on Monday and confirmed that Delhi, on 15 points, entered the IPL semifinals.

Mumbai's fortunes have been swinging with Sachin Tendulkar’s forced absence, and were further compounded Harbhajan Singh’s ouster after ‘Slapgate’. The return of the Little Master raised hopes of a final-four showing. And in the end, an unbeaten sixth-wicket stand between Ravinder Jadeja and Niraj Patel took Jaipur to a last-ball win.

Mumbai now have to win their final IPL match (on Wednesday) and hope that, in the interim, Chennai lose their last game against Hyderabad on Tuesday — and badly — so that net-run rate carries them through. If Chennai beat Hyderabad, they’re through as the third placed team on 16 points irrespective of what Mumbai do in their final game.

Jaipur chose to bowl first and they stuck to their guns, with Sohail Tanvir cutting through Mumbai, taking 4 for 14. On a pitch that was not the best to bat on, with the ball not coming onto the bat, only Sanath Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar got past 30, with the rest falling away. In a crunch game, this was never likely to be enough.

Virender Sehwag and his merry men will celebrate as they go through to the IPL semifinals, but not for long, for they know the team that helped them into the semis is the one most likely to stop them in their tracks.

The opening combination of Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya was the one to watch out for even before the Indian Premier League (IPL) commenced. And the duo --- despite making the crowds wait for half the tournament before eventually walking out to open the Mumbai innings together --- has lived up to its reputation.

Mumbai are hosting the final of the inaugural IPL tournament but they’ve been shut out of their own party.

Latest Points of IPL T20

Team	Matches	Won	Lost	Points
IPL JAIPUR	13	11	2	22
IPL MOHALI	12	9	3	18
IPL DELHI	14	7	6	15
IPL CHENNAI	13	7	6	14
IPL MUMBAI	13	6	7	12
IPL KOLKATA	13	5	7	11
IPL BANGLORE	13	4	9	8
IPL HYDRABAD	13	2	11	4

IPL's Ness in Mess with Punjab Police

Panga with police anywhere can get you in a jam, but Panga with Punjab Police and you are the jam. Some one should have warned Ness not to mess with Punjab Police (PP).

His recent spat with the Local SSP Khatra is has set the clash of egos rolling. The local interest has shifted from the IPL match to the match between the SSP and Ness. Although the result will probably be a draw but lot of boundaries will be broken before the dust settles.

Wadia who owns the Mohali IPL team along with Bollywood actress Preity Zinta and two others, had a spat with Khatra Friday.

"I want to talk to you" said Ness to the SSP and then all hell broke loose. The two had a heated argument when Wadia leveled serious allegations against the police. He had alleged that the police was marketing tickets in black and had stolen T- shirts and liquor. He had also alleged that the police were terrorising his men deployed in the stadium.

Objecting to the allegations Khatra tried to reason with Wadia. (if Ness was in a police station he would have discovered how Punjab Police reasons with people)

SSP said Wadia used derogatory language against him and against Punjab police, in particular charging the police of selling tickets for the IPL matches in the grey market and also ignoring unauthorized entry of people into the stadium.

Khatra said Wadia not only shouted at him but also said he(Ness) would not 'speak to small and mean people like him'.

The police official said Wadia insulted him in the presence of several people even as he tried to reason out the issue with him.

Now Punjab Police has opened its IPL innings with sending a bill of Rs. 1.8 crore for providing security for IPL T20 Tournament. This bill has to be settled before the last IPL match to be played on May 28.

The Punjab Police have raised the amount for providing security for the IPL matches at the PCA Stadium in Mohali and the Deputy Commissioner has been asked to ensure that security is provided only if the organisers pay the amount since it is a commercial venture.

A letter written by Khatra to his seniors (Punjab Home Secretary, Punjab DGP, IG (Zone) Patiala, DIG (Patiala Range) states, “The IPL has been engaged in a cross commercial activity, therefore, it is inevitable that they have to be charged for the services rendered by the Punjab Police.

On April 25, Modi, IPL Commissioner, was allegedly smoking in the lounge room in the stadium, which is considered to be a public place. At this SHO requested him not to smoke at the public place, since it is banned. Later a DDR was lodged by police against Modi for smoking in a public place.

Accordingly, a Daily Dairy Report (DDR) dated April 26 was recorded in Phase VIII Police Station which also stated that Ness was found smoking.

According to the DDR, when Khatra entered the stadium to supervise the security arrangements, Ness was present at the reception. He (Ness) said, “He wanted to talk to me regarding an earlier match. He alleged that the Mohali police were selling the IPL tickets in black and some people were allowed entry in the stadium without tickets.”

“However, I emphatically contradicted the allegations and said that only 50 per cent tickets were sold and the tickets for the match were being sold from the counters, so how can police black market the tickets and who will buy them? As for the entry without ticket is concerned, private security of 300 personnel is deployed at the gates, so how can any lapses take place. The police is only to maintain law and order,” stated the DDR.

Khatra alleged, “It has been closely observed during the IPL matches that these were not played with the spirit to boost sports, however, it is established that the people connected with this tournament i.e. players, owners and BCCI have engaged to have pecuniary gains,” said the SSP adding that IPL had engaged in a cross-commercial activities.

When contacted the Deputy Commissioner confirmed that he had received the letter from the SSP. “Suitable action would be taken after the panchayat elections,” he said. Ness Wadia could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

The SSP has sent a copy of the letter to the Punjab home secretary, the DGP, the IG Zone and the DIG range.

Whats a little booze here n there when Punjab police is around, Ness should consider himself lucky they did not take Priety Zinta away. I think Ness should start looking for an alternate venue for next years IPL matches since Mohali police will play a different ball game from now on.

IPL Trophy

The diamond-studded Indian Premier League (IPL) winner's trophy, encrusted with other precious gems like rubies and yellow and blue sapphires, was unveiled on Monday by IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi.

"It's a handcrafted and very expensive rotating trophy, the value of which, I will not reveal. It has been crafted by ORRA's design team," said Modi at the trophy unveiling function.

Refusing to disclose the value of the IPL trophy, Modi said, the winning team, who would be richer by $12,00,000, would get to keep the replica of the IPL trophy as the original one was a rotating trophy.

"With ORRA’s big reputation, it was an obvious choice for us to commission ORRA for creating a truly distinct and exquisite work of art, one befitting the stature and success of the IPL.

"Needless to say that the trophy that has been unveiled now, will definitely take pride of place in the trophy showcase of one of our franchises after the grand final on June 1," he said.

The IPL Trophy, which has a player in gold leafing, holding a bat adjacent to a map of the country with the names of the IPL teams engraved in it and symbolised by eight rubies, was crafted by 14 artisans, said chief designer Mona Mehta.

IPL Team Points

Latest IPL T20 Team Rankings as on 20.5.08

How IPL teams stand

Team	Matches	Won	Lost	Points
IPL JAIPUR	10	8	2	16
IPL MOHALI	10	7	3	14
IPL CHENNAI	11	7	4	14
IPL MUMBAI	10	6	4	12
IPL DELHI	11	5	6	10
IPL KOLKATA	11	5	6	10
IPL HYDRABAD	11	2	9	4
IPL BANGLORE	10	2	8	4

IPL Points Table

IPL Team Rankings as on 17.5.2008

IPL Ranking Table

Team	Matches	Won	Lost	Points
IPL JAIPUR	9	7	2	14
IPL MOHALI	9	6	3	12
IPL CHENNAI	10	6	4	12
IPL MUMBAI	9	5	4	10
IPL DELHI	10	5	5	10
IPL KOLKATA	10	5	5	10
IPL HYDRABAD	10	2	8	4
IPL BANGLORE	9	2	7	4

IPL gives 6 Crore for the victims of Jaipur blasts

IPL owners and sponsors are showing their more humane side. We know that these people are in the IPL not for charity but to make money. Whats the use of money if it can not be help some good cause. This is exactly what the IPL owners and sponsors have done.

The owners and sponsors of the Indian Premier League (IPL) have decided to donate Rs 6 crore for the victims of the serial bombings that rocked the city on Tuesday.This warm gesture from them and would help the families of victims of Jaipur blasts.

"The eight franchisees and five sponsors of the league would come together to donate Rs 6 crores towards the Rajasthan chief minister's relief fund, as aid towards the victims of the terror attacks in Jaipur. This contribution will go towards the rehabilitation of the affected families of the victims," IPL chairman and commissioner said in a statement on Friday.

A cheque would be handed over to the Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje during Saturday's game between Rajasthan and the Bangalore team.

The eight IPL franchises have donated Rs 50 Lakh each, while the five IPL sponsors namely have contributed Rs 40 Lakh each, the statement said.

As a mark of respect to the victims of the terror attacks, both the teams will wear black armbands during the game on Saturday.

This goes a long way to show that India Stands together in the face of tragedy and terror. I hope the unifying spirit of IPL prevails and brings peace and harmony in the nation which is melting pot of all religions, races and cultures, just like the IPL. In this lies the strength and uniqueness of India.

Latest IPL T20 Points

IPLT20 Team rankings based on points on 14.5.2008

POINTS TABLE

Team	Matches	Won	Lost	Points
IPL JAIPUR	8	6	2	12
IPL MOHALI	9	6	3	12
IPL CHENNAI	9	6	3	12
IPL KOLKATA	9	5	4	10
IPL DELHI	9	4	5	8
IPL MUMBAI	7	3	4	6
IPL HYDRABAD	8	2	6	4
IPL BANGLORE	9	2	7	4