Entering its second year, the Indian Premier League cricket tournament has not lost its lustre or star power.
IT is said that despite its famed multi-cultural and pluralistic ethos, India follows only two religions – cricket and cinema. So naturally, when the two coalesce in the form of the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket championship, there’s explosive action.
The tournament, in its second edition, kicked off last Friday and will go on till May 24. It is outsourced this year to South Africa due to security concerns as it clashes with the Indian general election (from April 16 to May 13).
Interestingly, all the eight IPL teams – Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Bangalore Royal Challengers and Deccan Chargers – have a strong Bollywood connect.
Shilpa Shetty signing cricket bats during a match between South Africa and Australia in Johannesburg, South Africa, on March 27. The actress is disappointed that her team won’t get to play on home ground this year. – AP If the Indian film stars don’t own the teams – auctioned publicly last year for eye-popping sums – they’re endorsing them, performing at live shows to promote them or starring in films which feature the IPL players.
With top film stars batting for different teams, cricket fever is ratcheting up like never before. Here’s a lowdown on the glamour game in IPL.
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