Finally IPL has shown its impact on Test cricket and despite the fact that Test cricket is the real cricket, Sri Lankan board has decided to reduce the England vs Sri Lanka test series to a two match series.
The fifth edition of the money making machine, IPL will start from April 4 and thus the normal three match series has been cut short to two matches so that players can be accumulated in IPL.
In a serious blow to Pune Warriors, Australian all-rounder James Hopes has been ruled out of IPL due to a knee injury.
West Indies cricketer Marlon Samuels is now the only foreign player with Pune Warriors and now they can get two more foreign players after the IPL governing body gave them permission to have a player as a replacement of Yuvraj Singh.
The gala opening of India most loved cricket league, IPL 2012 will take place on April 3, 2012 at YMCA College of Physical Education. To grace the occasion, many celebrities will attend the ceremony.
Bollywood’s biggest star Amitabh Bachchan has confirmed that he will also be present on the occasion. International celebrity Katy Perry along with Indian Bollywood superstars Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka will also participate in the opening ceremony of Indian Premier.
In an unprecedented move, Rajasthan Royals owners, Tresco International, Emerging Media and Blue Water Estate have decided to sell 88.4% of shares to Kolkata based Jain Group where as the star faces, Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra will keep their 11.6% stock holding.
This is for the first time that IPL team will be sold and other franchises are keeping close eye on how this deal gets going. Reports suggest BCCI might create some hiccups in this deal as they don’t want to dilute the brand value of IPL. Also Rajasthan Royals have some pending cases of tax irregularities which will create some problems in selling shares to the new owner.
Who ever might become the owner, what an IPL fan wants is full on entertainment and that’s what we wish for in this upcoming season of IPL.
The media rights for the IPL’s internet, mobile, radio and television rights for certain territories for a span of four years i.e 2011 t0 2014 has been awarded to Times Internet Limited. Times Internet Limited is part of the Times of India group and has won it for Rs. 261.6 crore (approx $58 million).
