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SRK prepares for next IPL season

Everybody knows about Shah Rukh Khan’s penchant to be a winner all the way.

Far from sulking about his team, Kolkata Knight Riders being defeated at the recently concluded IPL, he is already making all the necessary arrangements like getting international cricketers (one of whom is Andrew Flintoff) on board for the next IPL season.

A source says, “SRK is leaving for London for a few days to join his wife Gauri and children, Suhana and Aryan, who have already left in a private aircraft. Apart from shooting for his next film, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi in London, SRK’s main agenda for the trip is to get some of the biggest international cricketers for his IPL team.
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When contacted, a source close to the actor confirms and says, “Yes, it’s true that SRK is in advanced talks with Flintoff. Shah Rukh Khan has taken complete charge and he’s leaving no stone unturned to make his IPL team a winner next year.” And when one talks about SRK, can entertainment be far behind? The source adds, “His team of cricketers will also perform on stage along with him within the next day for the international audience.”

Rani Mukerji Play Cricket

After playing an angel in Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, actress Rani Mukerji is all set to do another unconventional role — she plays a cricketer in Yash Raj Films’ next venture and is busy practising on the field.

“I don’t know if any actress has played a cricketer before. But, I’m playing one for sure. In fact, I’ve been learning cricket regularly on the field for the past two months. I can most certainly play the game convincingly now, though not as good as professionals yet. It’s a very big challenge for me,” says Rani from her swanky new home in Mumbai.

So, is she equipped to join the Indian Premier League now (IPL) now? “I don’t know about that. But, I’m definitely enjoying it. My practice sessions are on in full swing,” she says.

She will also, for the first time, be paired opposite Shahid Kapur in the film that will be directed by debutant Anurag Singh. Rani says she is hungry for new roles. “At this stage of my career, I feel I need new challenges. When Kunal Kohli offered me an angel’s role, I was kicked. I don’t know of any actress who has played an angel before. Also, for the first time I was playing a character who couldn’t cry. Now, they can stop saying Rani cries so much in all her films. It was pretty cool to play a character who actually doesn’t know how to cry and who had to fly around like Hrithik (Roshan) in Krrish,” she says tongue firmly in her cheek.

Being suspended on a harness, she says, was not easy. “It required a lot of physical strength to assume the correct ‘flying’ posture on the harness. I guess it’d be equally difficult for me to look convincing as a cricketer. But, I’m glad to be doing work with challenges.”

So, is she ok working with a first-time director? “It isn’t as if I haven’t worked with new directors before. I was in Shaad Ali’s first film Saathiya , remember? And, Kunal Kohli started his career with me in Mujhse Dosti Karoge !,” she quips.

After an angel and a cricketer, what would Rani like to play? “Maybe an astronaut like Kalpana Chawla. And, I’d also love to play a doctor. Come to think of it, I’ve never worked with Shahid Kapur before either. I’m doing so now.”

Isn’t there a danger of her being branded a resident Yash Raj heroine since all her recent films have been with that banner alone? “Why? Wasn’t Saawariya with Sanjay Leela Bhansali? And, if Yash Raj is making some of the best films in our country, why should I keep out just because people are talking? “Incidentally, my marriage date, February 10, (as reported by some media) has come and gone. Would mediapersons like to set another date for me so I can start getting my trousseau ready?” "

Sehwag bowls Akshaye Khanna

Akshaye Khanna’s fave games are tennis and squash. The IPL phenomina has kicked here, the guy is trying to learn what cricket is all about these days.

He did go to watch the match played between Delhi Daredevils and Team Jaipur. This was a first for Akshaye Khanna. Akshaye Khanna had never been to a cricket stadium before! When we caught up with him, he said, “I am a die-hard fan of Virendra Sehwag and have been really hooked on to the T20 form of cricket.” Having worn a red and black T in support of the Daredevils, it’s most unfortunate that the team lost. But, let’s hope that the loss hasn’t dulled the sheen of his new passion.

IPL Photos

24 Million Watched IPL Final

Groans or cheers (depending on which team you were supporting) filled the air in numerous pubs, coffee shops, homes and offices with the Indian Premier League reaching its crescendo and millions of viewers logging on to the final between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.

Snap polls suggest that over 24 million watched the nail-biting final, though industry experts say that this is a conservative estimate and the numbers could be much higher.

According to Audience Measurement And Analysis Ltd (aMap)-the overnight audience measurement system-the semi-finals too drew a crowd. Though the semi-finals were damp squibs, over 20 million people watched the Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Daredevils while the second semi-final between Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab drew an audience of 19 million. The aMap has a sample size of 6,000 households in 85 towns.

Media analysts say that IPL viewership has been unprecedented. TAM has pegged the aggregate viewership between April 19 and May 24 at 99 million.

According to TAM, the World Cup cricket ODI final which was simulcast on SAB, Set Max and DD drew in 32.8 million people while the T20 final-in which India played and won-attracted an audience reach of 48 million.

In contrast, aMap said that 27 million watched the 2007 T20 final, indicating that these numbers could be on the lower side of the estimate.

IPL Closing Ceremony

Actress Diya Mirza perfoms during the closing ceremony before the IPL final at the DY Patil Stadium.

Actor Salman Khan perfoms during the closing ceremony before the IPL final at the DY Patil Stadium.

From Left Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar, Arun Lal, Rameez Raja and Damien Fleming at the DY Patil Stadium before the closing ceremony.

Actress Amrita Arora performs during the closing ceremony before the IPL final at the DY Patil Stadium.


Actress Shamita Shetty performs during the closing ceremony before the IPL final at the DY Patil Stadium.

Rajasthan Royals lifts the first IPL Trophy

After 44 days of mind-boggling action and a no-holds-barred feud among eight fierce franchisees, Rajasthan Royals pipped Chennai Super Kings by three wickets in the thrilling grand finale to lift the inaugural Indian Premier League on Sunday.

Chasing Super Kings' modest total of 163 for five, the Royals rode on a brilliant all-round display by Yusuf Pathan, who took three wickets and top-scored with a 39-ball 56 to overhaul the score off the last ball after needing eight from the last over.
Rajasthan Royals celebrate after winning IPL T20 final against Chennai Super Kings at the DY Patil Stadium on June 1, 2008.

Sohail Tanvir (9 not out) hit the winning run, a pull off the expensive L Balaji, in the company of his inspiring captain Shane Warne, who was not out on 9 in a final score of 164 for seven. The winners received the top prize of $1.2 million and a glittering gem-laden trophy while the runners-up won $600,000.

It was a superb final, although a low-scoring one on a slow track, that made up for the disappointment of one-sided semi-finals held at the Wankhede Stadium.

The 25-year-old Pathan did the star turn for the winners by sending back the top three Super Kings' batsmen with his off-breaks while conceding 22 runs.

The Baroda right-hander then stepped in when his team was struggling at 42 for three to play a punishing knock of 56, using his bat like a sledgehammer while hitting four sixes and three fours to put Rajasthan Royals on the path to a thrilling victory in front of 55,000 spectators.

Earlier, Rajasthan Royals used their bowling resources intelligently to restrict Chennai Super Kings to a modest 163 for five wickets in the final of the Indian Premier League.

The Super Kings owed their score mainly to an enterprising 43 by in-form one-down batsman Suresh Raina, who faced only 30 balls while hitting two pulled sixes and a four.

The UP left-hander, back in the Indian One-day team, built on a decent start of 39 in 5.2 overs provided by Parthiv Patel (38 in 33 balls) and Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan (16 in 14 balls).

But his dismissal in the 17th over when he threatened to cut loose derailed Chennai's plans for a more healthy total.

The most impressive bowler for the Royals was off-spinner Yusuf Pathan, who grabbed three for 22 in two spells while Shane Watson accounted for the wicket of Raina.

The Super Kings, who had lost their two home and away ties earlier in the tournament to the same opposition, began their innings on a cautious note on a slow-paced track of low bounce on which the ball did not come on freely to the bat.

Parthiv and Sivaramakrishnan played it safe against Sohail Tanvir, who had grabbed six for 14 against them on May 4 at Jaipur.

Albie Morkel (16) also pulled Warne disdainfully for a six into the stands in the 12th over after the first 10 had yielded 75 runs. The South African all-rounder also swung Pathan over mid-wicket for his second six before he got out in the same over, 13th of the innings.

In trying to repeat the shot he ballooned a catch to stumper Akmal who took a tumble over Mohd Kaif, who also went for the ball, while managing to hold on to the sphere to provide Pathan his third wicket.

The 100 came up in 80 balls after which Raina swung Sidharth Trivedi, bowling his second spell, for a six. Later skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (29 not out in 17 balls) lofted Warne, bowling his last over, over the straight field for another six to take Chennai Super Kings to 117 for three with five overs remaining.

Raina fell in trying to clear the long off area and was caught just inside the rope by Jadeja after which Dhoni and Chamara Kapugedara added 20 runs before the latter holed out to the deep off Tanvir in the last over.

Dhoni, who hit a straight second six in Tanvir's last over, and S Badrinath (6) remained unbeaten at the end of the innings.