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New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum has replaced Sourav Ganguly as skipper of the Kolkata Knight Riders for their first match.

According to reports received here, McCullum will lead the side for the initial games. The Knight Riders team management, however, will make the news official later on Friday.

Ganguly, who led the team in the first IPL season, and West Indies captain Chris Gayle have been given the role of senior management in the team.

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The decision to appoint McCullum in place of Ganguly seems to be a part of the multi-captain theory proposed by coach John Buchanan, which was opposed by Ganguly.

Buchanan had proposed rotating the captaincy among Ganguly, McCullum, Chris Gayle and Lakshmi Ratan Shukla, which created quite a furore.

It is unclear when Ganguly will be made the captain and whether other players in the side will also be given a chance to captain the side during the IPL.

The multi-captaincy theory had been met with a mixed response. Ganguly fans though will be very disappointed with this decision.

Ganguly is the third captain to have lost captaincy after the first season. VVS Laxman was the first to go when Deccan Chargers made Adam Gilchrist the skipper and then Rahul Dravid made way for Kevin Pietersen at Bangalore Royal Challengers.

MATCH PREVIEW

Openers could be key for Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians Vs Chennai Super Kings
18-April-2009

Openers could be the key to Mumbai Indians’ success against Chennai SuperKings (CSK) in the inaugural match of IPL 2009. Based on IPL 2008 key data, MI depends on their openers for the team’s success. CSK relies more on the consistency of their batsmen through the entire innings. However, MI bowlers have performed better in crunch situations and have the track record to indicate that they can restrict the CSK onslaught. While the overall team Indices for Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stand very close to each other, the fulcrum of the match might be the first few overs. It remains to be seen how the conditions in South Africa suit the teams.

The Champions should guard against Complacency

Rajasthan Royals Vs Bangalore Royal Challengers
18-April-2009

Rajasthan Royals, the Champions of IPL 2008 should guard against complacency when they face the resilient Bangalore Royal Challengers in the second match on the inaugural day. The Champions of IPL 2009 will go into this match with a high team Index and a higher confidence level against the Challengers. But the Royal Challengers’ ranks look much different in 2009 with the induction of powerhouses like Kevin Pieterson and Jesse Ryder. The Royals should be aware of the fact that a resurgent Challengers can pose a big threat to their campaign in the second edition of IPL.

IPL Schedule 2009 South Africa

1st Match Saturday, April 18, 2009 Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST Newlands, Cape Town
2nd Match Saturday, April 18, 2009 Bangalore Royal Challengers v Rajasthan Royals
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST Newlands, Cape Town
3rd Match Sunday, April 19, 2009 Delhi Daredevils v Kings XI Punjab
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST Newlands, Cape Town
4th Match Sunday, April 19, 2009 Deccan Chargers v Kolkata Knight Riders
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST Newlands, Cape Town
5th Match Monday, April 20, 2009 Bangalore Royal Challengers v Chennai Super Kings
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
6th Match Tuesday, April 21, 2009 Kings XI Punjab v Kolkata Knight Riders
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST Kingsmead, Durban
7th Match Tuesday, April 21, 2009 Mumbai Indians v Rajasthan Royals
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST Kingsmead, Durban
8th Match Tuesday, April 21, 2009 Bangalore Royal Challengers v Deccan Chargers
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST Newlands, Cape Town
9th Match Thursday, April 23, 2009 Chennai Super Kings v Delhi Daredevils
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST Kingsmead, Durban
10th Match Thursday, April 23, 2009 Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST Newlands, Cape Town
11th Match Friday, April 24, 2009 Bangalore Royal Challengers v Kings XI Punjab
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST Kingsmead, Durban
12th Match Saturday, April 25, 2009 Deccan Chargers v Mumbai Indians
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST Kingsmead, Durban
13th Match Saturday, April 25, 2009 Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST Newlands, Cape Town
14th Match Sunday, April 26, 2009 Bangalore Royal Challengers v Delhi Daredevils
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
15th Match Sunday, April 26, 2009 Kings XI Punjab v Rajasthan Royals
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST Newlands, Cape Town
16th Match Monday, April 27, 2009 Chennai Super Kings v Deccan Chargers
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST Kingsmead, Durban
17th Match Monday, April 27, 2009 Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
18th Match Tuesday, April 28, 2009 Delhi Daredevils v Rajasthan Royals
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST SuperSport Park, Centurion
19th Match Wednesday, April 29, 2009 Bangalore Royal Challengers v Kolkata Knight Riders
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST Kingsmead, Durban
20th Match Wednesday, April 29, 2009 Kings XI Punjab v Mumbai Indians
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST Kingsmead, Durban
21st Match Thursday, April 30, 2009 Deccan Chargers v Delhi Daredevils
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST SuperSport Park, Centurion
22nd Match Thursday, April 30, 2009 Chennai Super Kings v Rajasthan Royals
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST SuperSport Park, Centurion
23rd Match Friday, May 01, 2009 Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST Buffalo Park, East London
24th Match Friday, May 01, 2009 Bangalore Royal Challengers v Kings XI Punjab
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST Kingsmead, Durban
25th Match Saturday, May 02, 2009 Deccan Chargers v Rajasthan Royals
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
26th Match Saturday, May 02, 2009 Chennai Super Kings v Delhi Daredevils
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
27th Match Sunday, May 03, 2009 Kings XI Punjab v Kolkata Knight Riders
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
28th Match Sunday, May 03, 2009 Bangalore Royal Challengers v Mumbai Indians
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
29th Match Monday, May 04, 2009 Chennai Super Kings v Deccan Chargers
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST Buffalo Park, East London
30th Match Tuesday, May 05, 2009 Kings XI Punjab v Rajasthan Royals
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST Kingsmead, Durban
31st Match Tuesday, May 05, 2009 Delhi Daredevils v Kolkata Knight Riders
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST Kingsmead, Durban
32nd Match Wednesday, May 06, 2009 Deccan Chargers v Mumbai Indians
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST SuperSport Park, Centurion
33rd Match Thursday, May 07, 2009 Bangalore Royal Challengers v Rajasthan Royals
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST SuperSport Park, Centurion
34th Match Thursday, May 07, 2009 Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST SuperSport Park, Centurion
35th Match Friday, May 08, 2009 Delhi Daredevils v Mumbai Indians
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST Buffalo Park, East London
36th Match Saturday, May 09, 2009 Deccan Chargers v Kings XI Punjab
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley
37th Match Saturday, May 09, 2009 Chennai Super Kings v Rajasthan Royals
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley
38th Match Sunday, May 10, 2009 Bangalore Royal Challengers v Mumbai Indians
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
39th Match Sunday, May 10, 2009 Delhi Daredevils v Kolkata Knight Riders
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
40th Match Monday, May 11, 2009 Deccan Chargers v Rajasthan Royals
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley
41st Match Tuesday, May 12, 2009 Bangalore Royal Challengers v Kolkata Knight Riders
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST SuperSport Park, Centurion
42nd Match Tuesday, May 12, 2009 Kings XI Punjab v Mumbai Indians
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST SuperSport Park, Centurion
43rd Match Wednesday, May 13, 2009 Deccan Chargers v Delhi Daredevils
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST Kingsmead, Durban
44th Match Thursday, May 14, 2009 Bangalore Royal Challengers v Chennai Super Kings
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST Kingsmead, Durban
45th Match Thursday, May 14, 2009 Mumbai Indians v Rajasthan Royals
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST Kingsmead, Durban
46th Match Friday, May 15, 2009 Delhi Daredevils v Kings XI Punjab
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST OUTsurance Oval, Bloemfontein
47th Match Saturday, May 16, 2009 Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
48th Match Saturday, May 16, 2009 Deccan Chargers v Kolkata Knight Riders
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
49th Match Sunday, May 17, 2009 Deccan Chargers v Kings XI Punjab
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
50th Match Sunday, May 17, 2009 Delhi Daredevils v Rajasthan Royals
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST OUTsurance Oval, Bloemfontein
51st Match Monday, May 18, 2009 Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST SuperSport Park, Centurion
52nd Match Tuesday, May 19, 2009 Bangalore Royal Challengers v Delhi Daredevils
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
53rd Match Wednesday, May 20, 2009 Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST Kingsmead, Durban
54th Match Wednesday, May 20, 2009 Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST Kingsmead, Durban
55th Match Thursday, May 21, 2009 Delhi Daredevils v Mumbai Indians
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST SuperSport Park, Centurion
56th Match Thursday, May 21, 2009 Bangalore Royal Challengers v Deccan Chargers
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST SuperSport Park, Centurion
1st Semi Friday, May 22, 2009 TBC v TBC
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST SuperSport Park, Centurion
2nd Semi Saturday, May 23, 2009 TBC v TBC
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Final Sunday, May 24, 2009 TBC v TBC
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

MAX adds Extraaa zing to the DLF IPL broadcast HIGHLIGHTS::: Mandira Bedi Back on popular Request

· Shankar- Ehsaan-Loy create "Ek Desh, Ek Junoon" musical magic; First Lady of Indian Cricket- Mandira Bedi - back on MAX on popular demand; Channel presents fresh faces & new heartthrobs for MAX Extraaa Innings T20

Season 2 of the DLF IPL broadcast just got bigger and more exciting. MAX, India’s Premium Hindi Movies and Special Events channel has announced a slew of power packed initiatives for the second season of the DLF IPL action on the channel. MAX has roped in the dynamic trio of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy to create musical magic for it’s popular wrap-around programming ‘Extraaa Innings T20’. Based on MAX’s popular campaign for the DLF IPL - “Ek Desh Ek Junoon” - the musical maestros’ powerful composition will be played as an opening montage on every episode of Extraaa Innings T20.

Shankar Mahadevan, the lead singer of the group averred, “Cricket is religion in India. We have tried to compose a score that is truly reflective of the country’s passion and junoon for the sport. It’s a fun song, all about celebration and highly charged emotions. It’s our musical ode to the lovers of cricket and we are sure viewers of MAX will enjoy this unique and powerful rock meets desi experience.”

In line with the channel’s continuous efforts to maximize the entertainment quotient of cricket related programming, MAX has brought back the ravishing and articulate first lady of Indian cricket – Mandira Bedi, as a co host for Extraaa Innings T20. Mandira’s association with MAX spans over six years and the talented presenter played a significant role in attracting, engaging and expanding the audience base for cricket viewing in India. Extraaa Innings during the ICC World Cup 2003 took the nation by storm and created viewership history on MAX.

Commenting on the association, Mandira Bedi said, “Extraaa Innings has always been very special to me. The show gave me an opportunity to live my passion for cricket. I am really excited to co-host Extraaa Innings again, and that too for this rocking cricket tournament that from season one has captured the eyeballs and hearts of cricket fans all over India and the world. I am thrilled to be playing a part in making cricket a complete family experience. Extraaa Innings combined the academic Cricket with mainstream entertainment like never before.

This year, for the DLF IPL broadcast, MAX is pleased to announce a fresh new team of anchors for Extraaa Innings T20 - Samir Kochhar who successfully hosted DLF IPL season 1, is back with us for season 2, Meiyang Chang - one of the most popular Indian Idol contestants and the host of the Indian Idol 4 show and Gaurav Kapur - the very recognizable VJ and presenter for six long years & now ready to set the big screen on fire with two upcoming films.

Speaking on the occasion, Sneha Rajani, EVP & Business Head, MAX, said, “Extraaa Innings has been a path breaking show around MAX’s big ticket cricket events. We have pioneered the innovative mix of cricket and entertainment through the show, which has completely revolutionised what viewers expect from wrap around cricket programming. Last year with the launch of DLF IPL, our new version of Extraaa Innings T20 welcomed new faces to our broadcast. To top this, this time we have on board Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s chartbusting composition as the opener to Extraaa Innings T20 and of course our fresh line-up of dynamic presenters. Our audience is in for a veritable feast, with MAX presenting the biggest and the best in cricket and entertainment - in a style that truly reflects our nation’s passion!”

Vodafone and Airtel Digital TV are the proud presenting sponsors for season 2 of the DLF IPL broadcast on MAX. Coca Cola, Hyundai, Havells, LG, Godrej, Samsung and HUL are the Associate Sponsors for the cricket broadcast on the channel.

IPL Thunders in India

TVs in lounge rooms and cafes across cricket-mad India are again expected to be switched to the IPL in prime time.

But there’ll be a significant difference between the second season and the immensely popular launch in 2008: the matches they’re watching will be staged in South Africa.

Organizers of the lucrative Twenty20 cricket league shifted the event off shore because of concerns over security with India’s general elections going on at the same time.

New Delhi-based business executive Anjan Mitra’s attitude seems to be typical of fans who’ll be tuning in during the April 18-May 24 tournament.

“I consider myself part of a cricket audience that watches matches on television, I won’t necessarily go to a match even if it’s being played in my home city,” the 44-year-old Mitra said.

“I love cricket, I follow the game and watch it on TV. I saw almost 95 percent of IPL action last year. I’ll try and do it again and see as many games as possible.”

Mitra said he had mixed feelings about the IPL being played in a foreign country.

“It may not have the same excitement that we experienced when matches were played in India. South Africa is way off to truly feel connected for a domestic tournament,” he said.

There’s only one connection Parminder Andley is concerned about - and that’s his television.

He said his daily schedule over the next five weeks would be primarily dictated by the IPL match program.

“The IPL matches brought about a change in my daily schedule last summer as one tried to get back home in time for the telecast of matches,” said the 55-year-old Andley, a manager with a newspaper publishing firm who described himself as “an avid cricket watcher.”

IPL matches will start at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Indian time - as they did in 2008 - aimed at the peak time for TV viewers. The match schedule, however, may reduce the enthusiasm of local spectators in South Africa, where matches will start around noon even on weekdays.

Andley said he “somehow managed to see most of the matches last season.”

“It would’ve been more exciting if the matches were played in India, but cricket is cricket and the IPL is an exciting format,” he said.

Sunil Goel, a banker, said IPL matches would again bring about a dramatic change to his lifestyle.

“I’ll again be spending most of my evenings with the entire family watching cricket on television,” said Goel. “Dinner in the living room in front of our television set, and post-dinner discussion about the match will be the usual routine.”

India’s top cricketers, representing the eight city-based franchises, have said they will miss the excitement of playing in front of boisterous capacity crowds at Indian venues. Also, the concept of home and away games for the eight franchises has been discarded after the competition was shifted.

The 59-match competition will open Saturday in Cape Town.

Shilpa Shetty’s Rajasthan Royals Gain Official Sponsor

UltraTech Cement Limited, the single largest cement brand in the country humbly announced its alliance with the defending champions of Indian Premier League 2008, the Rajasthan Royals. Through this involvement, UltraTech will be the Official Team Sponsor of the Jaipur based IPL Team.

Shilpa Shetty and boyfriend Raj Kundra were present at the event that announced Ultratech Cement Limited as a major contributor to the Rajasthan Royals. Due to their busy schedule, Shilpa Shetty Raj Kundra, co-owners of the Rajasthan Royals will not be present at the IPL opening on April 18. Encouraged leadership, originality, professionalism and a well thought out strategic advance lead the team to win India’s first IPL. By essential roles explicitly and delegating task, the Rajasthan Royals came together as a unified entity, finally rising as champions. This nation completely blends with UltraTech cement who is known to be leaders and champions in its own field.

Ever since February, Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and boyfriend Raj Kundra who is a London-based businessman announced that they had bought a 12 percent wager in the Indian Premier League team, the Rajasthan Royals.

‘The team’s success story last year was an inspiration for me. That’s why I am investing in this team,’ Kundra said at a press conference that month. The couple had invested $15.4 million in the team. Shilpa called it a strategic business investment and said: ‘I completely relate to Rajasthan Royals. My story is similar to the team’s journey to the top. It is an honor to be a part of Rajasthan Royals.’ Ever since then, the couple had become proud owners of this winning team.

Shilpa’s heartening words and support charged up the ambience and certainty of the players.

Shilpa said, “Rajasthan Royals is a heady mix of youth, experience and emerging talent and the same even holds true for UltraTech. Through this association we will be cementing our relationship, a definite ‘Best Choice’ for us!”

Warne's recipe for Success

RR skipper Shane Warne said he deliberately let the rival team off the hook to see how the youngsters react to a tight situation.

Chasing 142 runs in a warm-up Twenty20 match ahead of the IPL starting April 18, Royals crumbled to 114 all out against the local outfit, which is the reigning domestic Twenty20 champion in South Africa.

The defending IPL champions had the Cobras on the mat at 65 for five but Warne said he consciously handed the ball to untried bowlers to make sure that his batsmen were chasing a target of over 100.

“I did not want it to be a 100-run innings because I wanted my batsmen to have a bigger total to chase. I wanted to see how the batsmen would react to chasing down a big total and what they could offer in a tight match situation,” Warne was quoted as saying by the ‘South African Press Association’ - a news agency.

“One or two of the bowlers were quite surprised when I withdrew them from the attack but I explained that I wanted to see how some of the new and younger players perform in a match situation,” Warne stated. Warne said although he was disappointed with the defeat, he was pleased to get an idea of the younger players’ potential during the match.

“Obviously I was disappointed that we lost but this was a great chance to take stock of what the players have to offer,” he said.

The Royals have two more warm-up games lined up here ahead of the IPL opening next weekend at Newlands.

Bhajji focussed On good Show in IPL

Feisty Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh says he is focussed on making an impact in the Indian Premier League’s second edition.

Harbhajan is keen to leave behind last year’s slapping row with S Sreesanth and the subsequent ban.

Harbhajan reveals Indian team’s secret of success

“I missed the whole IPL last year because of reasons well known. But I’m looking forward to come back and it should be nice against Andrew Symonds, Matthew Hayden and all these big guys,” said Harbhajan, who was banned from inaugural IPL season after playing only three matches for Mumbai Indians for slapping Sreesanth.

Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth after a match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab in Mohali for which he was banned for 11 matches which cost him around Rs three crore.

The Punjab off-spinner, who was in prime form during India’s just-concluded tour of New Zealand scalping 16 wickets, said the main reason Team India has been doing well is that the players are no more insecure about their place in the side.

Last Year Stats...Rajasthan Royals Emerged as Winners

Teams	MP	W	L	RR	P

Rajasthan	14	11	3	+0.632	22
Punjab	14	10	4	+0.509	20
Chennai	14	8	6	-0.192	16
Delhi	14	7	6	+0.342	15
Mumbai	14	7	7	+0.570	14
Kolkata	14	6	7	-0.147	13
Bangalore	14	4	10	-1.160	8
Deccan	14	2	12	-0.467	4