Predictably, the suite owners, who have been offered pavilion seats as compensation, are far from pleased about the exchange.

Ever attended a live cricket match anywhere in India; either domestic or international cricket? Well chances are you went on a pass of some or other sort. The mind set of most of us Indians is that when we think of watching a live match, we first ask around for free passes rather than head for the nearest ticket booking counter.

For the organisers of any international cricket match in India the biggest headache is the allotment of the free passes: to VIPs (and of course those that think of themselves as VVIPs), sponsors, associates of players, it is a long list of people that expect and in fact demand free passes! It is this mindset that led to the building of the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai when there was a perfectly adequate Brabourne stadium over at the Cricket Club of India.

It is probably this same Indian mind set which will have so many expecting their free VIP passes that has caused the Indian Premier League to dictate terms in case of the spectators suites in South Africa as well.

On Wednesday there was a meeting held between the IPL officials and the Western Province Cricket club as well as the Western Province Cricket association when the Indian Premier League laid claim to all rights over the allocation of the suites.

Failing this gaining of full control over the suites, the Indian Premier League said that they would withhold the staging of 8 matches. It was the IPL’s ‘non negotiable position’ that if the West Province club and association wanted to host the 8 matches they would have to relinquish all right to the suites.

To compensate for taking over the suites, the IPL is willing to offer seat in the pavilion as well as free food and drink as well as access to the F&B tent near the field. Reportedly, two games scheduled for Bloemfontein are also in jeopardy for the same reason of suite owners being unhappy about giving over all rights to their suites to the Indian Premier League officials.

If the IPL keep up this kind of autocratic behaviour, they are not going to earn themselves any popularity contests in a country that rose to the challenge of hosting the Indian Premier League with such alacrity and at such short notice and has so far been so accommodating.

The 31-year-old has had several niggling injuries, the latest of which was a hip problem that ruled him out of the final Test and first two one-day internationals in the West Indies.

It has been suggested Flintoff should be wrapped in cotton wool ahead of the Ashes this summer, but the all-rounder told Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek: “I don’t know about that. I have missed so much cricket through injury that I don’t want to miss any more.”

He added: “I’ve not played a lot of Twenty20 cricket and I’d like to play more. I’m not saying the money is not very appealing, but there’s a lot more to it.

“I spent several weeks working very hard at my fitness when I came back from the West Indies and, hopefully, that will stand me in good stead come the summer.”

Other England players, notably Kevin Pietersen, have said the rigours of a long winter away have taken their toll, and Graeme Swann even likened the events of the last few months to an episode of Eastenders.

Flintoff’s Caribbean tour may have been interrupted by injury but he was involved in the debates following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and he insists missing home is normal.

“It’s been a tough winter all round,” he said. “Going to India before Christmas with everything that happened, and coming home and going back, was testing for everyone.

“There have been lots of things going on. These are long tours. We are proud to play for England but people have got things at home as well and families who you desperately miss when you’re away. When you come to the end of a trip, of course people are looking forward to getting home and seeing people you haven’t seen for a long time.”

Last year’s slapping row with S Sreesanth and the subsequent ban firmly behind him, feisty Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh says he is focussed on making an impact in the Indian Premier League’s second edition.

After all the concern over security and the situation in the subcontinent, the IPL finds itself in a country (recently) associated with big cricketing events. Be it the ICC World Cup in 2003 or acme of the newest version of the game, the T20 world cup in 2007, South Africa has set benchmarks in organizing cricketing events.

I do not know the reasons for the new found love of cricket, may be it’s the generosity of Cricket South Africa in terms of financial benefit, the state-of-the art infrastructure, or the just the people. Whatever it is, the affair of cricket with South Africa is very ironic.

If I was a man of literature, I would have said that love forgives and forgets. I may not be a man of literature, but I am a man for sure, and I have found the above statement to be true. So as much it is ironic, this love of cricket and South Africa, it is beautiful enough to worth dedicating a book to.

Now for all those of you who think I am a crazy man, talking about random analogies and desperately trying to write an article, consider this; South Africa was banned form international cricket for almost three decades.

For a whole nation to ignore that fact and welcome cricket with open arms is wonderful.

As a cricket team, South Africa, as Harsha Bhogle aptly puts it: “Have been the perpetual semifinalists of International cricket.”

I do not mean to mock the team, personally I have always had great respect for the side, it is just that they have always thrown up good teams sans luck.

Be it the tragic 22 runs off one ball, the last ball run out, or the “dropped World Cup,” South Africa has always had something going wrong in big tournaments.

Now, as then, there are apprehensions about the IPL being a success.

The last season saw cricket, especially subcontinental cricket, taken to another level. I witnessed the tournament with a bunch of people who had no regards for international cricket, only to see them glued to television sets in the middle of end of semester exams.

What IPL ’08 did was to create a new class of cricket fans. Not the kind that would spend hours in front of the TV watching tests matches (like most of us), but the ones that would just come back from work, lay down, watch a game of cricket, have dinner, go to sleep, and then forget all about the game.

The primary concern for me with this year’s edition of the IPL is the crowd.

It is a known fact that the real success behind the IPL was the jam packed stadiums and sell-out crowds for each game. The IPL might have gone to Africa, but it is still a very Indian thing. Yes the international star cast is coming, but the Indian domestic players are the real essence of the teams.

Anybody who even saw a glimpse of last year knows that the passion all through the event was at another level.

There are reasons behind that, mainly the “ease of access.”

Never before in India had people seen so many games happening in quick succession in the same venue, so the moment one got sold out, people started booking for the next game.

Plus the whole concept of a league in India was virgin, and the masses took to it with ease. The other thing with the idea was that never before had fans in India seen cubs and tigers fight with and against each other at the same time.

The IPL did give great opportunities to players who had been playing on the domestic circuit, constantly knocking on the door for an international place. Many young and seasoned players got recognized—Ashok Dinda, Siddartha Trivedi, Manpreet Goni, and Ravindra Jadeja are just a few examples.

However, this year, with all due respect to the cricket fans in SA, there are concerns over the crowds.

The atmosphere at the grounds cannot be the same. In India, where the actual strength of the crowd easily exceeds the official limit, cricket in any form is a religion and people come to the ground to pay tribute to their Gods.

With the time difference also expected to play the spoil sport, Lalit Modi and his team finds themselves in a fix yet again. For them it is like a new league altogether.

As far as the teams are concerned, the domestic players will take some time to adjust to conditions and perform at their best. Under this situation the onus will come on the already “tired and over worked” international players, both Indian and foreign.

For the teams it is like an immigration of sorts, you leave your dens and set out for a far off land, the solace being the priceless exposure and experience.

The players will gain experience, exposure, and obviously money, and Lalit Modi will add another feather to his cap. Nevertheless, the apprehension about this year’s competition remains, as the IPL going to South Africa is almost like Pro 40’s coming to India.

All I wish for as a fan and critic is luck to the IPL and the teams, and also for the IPL, now as then, to surprise all of us.

The Mohali-based side does not have a single Protea in their ranks but Irfan does not see it as a huge disadvantage.

“Of course it would help if you have some South Africans in the side, for the event is taking place here. But I don’t see it as a huge handicap for us,” the left-arm seamer said.

“We played the Twenty20 World Cup here and won it, South Africa did not. So I don’t think you necessarily need to have South Africans to win IPL this time,” the Baroda all-rounder said.

“At the end of the day, whichever team plays better will lift the title,” he added.

Irfan also dismissed suggestions that gelling with teammates would be a problem this year as the side got too little time to camp together.

“On the contrary, I think we had more time this year, at least 10-12 days to mingle with each other. Besides we have played nearly two months together last year,” he told NDTV.

Irfan’s brother Yusuf said he would miss playing before home crowd but was still braced up to give his best to the tournament which proved a turning point in his career.

“Of course I would miss the home crowd but IPL gave me the name and fame that I have today and it’s coming again. So I just cannot wait to get into the action,” said the all-rounder who played a crucial role in Rajasthan Royal’s triumph last year.

Asked if Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne had already assigned him a role, like the Australian had done to all his teammates last year, Yusuf said, “Not yet. First we would get a good idea of the wickets and conditions before roles are assigned.”

Like him, Irfan too said he would miss the frenzy that surrounded the inaugural edition of the Twenty20 extravaganza but was still happy that the tournament was finally getting underway.

“When I heard that IPL is being shifted to South Africa (after it clashed with Lok Sabha elections), I was relieved at least it’s taking place. But I did feel for the fans as well,” Irfan said.

Under the terms of the agreement, TCS will provide expertise information technology solutions to Rajasthan Royals organization, on and off the field, in an effort to enhance the efficiency of the organization and help them retain their title as IPL Champions of season 2 as well.

It will work closely with the professionals engaged with the team to improve their performance on the field and the franchie`s ability to offer greater value in terms of enhancing the viewing experience for the fans.

Shares of TCS declined Rs 8.6, or 1.48%, to trade at Rs 571. The total volume of shares traded was 73,838 at the BSE (12.52 p.m., Wednesday).

Ticket prices for the IPL 2009 games to be played at eight South African stadiums will be reasonably priced to allow local fans to watch as many games as possible, IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi said here on Friday night.

“The ticket prices will be very conservative,” Modi said in an interview on local radio station Talk Radio 702.

“It’s going to be lower than the international prices that one would pay when going to a South Africa game; and probably just marginally higher than you would pay for a domestic match.”

Modi said tickets would start going on sale within the next two days, and depending on the cities where matches would feature, could range between 20 and 80 rands (about $2-8).

Modi expressed confidence that this would add to the huge success of the IPL 2009, which is being played here because of security concerns in India.

“This is a country that loves sport and loves cricket. All the top 100 cricketers from around the world will be participating in this tournament.

“The Morkel brothers (Albe and Morne) will be playing against each other for the first time; there will be Pietersen against Flinthoff; there are going to be lots for rivalries out there.”

Modi said although the majority of spectators would be from South Africa, there would be a few thousand coming in from India as well.

“We have lots and lots of packages that are being put together as we speak and a lot of interest from all around the world for people to come to this beautiful country.”

Modi also unveiled plans for the extravaganzas on the periphery of the IPL games: “There will be entertainment before the game, live bands after the games, and during the breaks.

“We want it to be like a carnival – a taste of modern India coming to South Africa and hopefully leaving a legacy behind.

“The opening ceremony in Cape Town will have acts from Las Vegas, concerts, singers and other special events to be finalised in the next few days. On April 16 we will have a street carnival with over 200 players from all over the world along with many stars and fans tobring the flavour of India to the people for Cape Town.”

The semi-finals are to be held on May 22 and 23 in Pretoria and Johannesburg respectively, as per the full schedule of the Twenty20 League.

In a double header on the first day, last year’s winners Rajasthan Royals would take on Royal Challengers, Bangalore, while Mumbai Indians would clash with first edition’s runners-up Chennai Super Kings at Cape Town.

In all, the 59 matches will be held in eight cities: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, East London, Kimberly, Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth.

Kingsmead in Durban, which has a large number of South Asians, has been allotted the lion’s share of 16 matches while the Centurion Park in Pretoria would host 12 ties.

The Wanderers in Johannesburg and Newlands in Cape Town come next best with eight matches each, with the latter playing host to four of these on the first two days of the cash-rich, high-profile competition.

Seven matches are to be held in St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth while Buffalo Park in East London has been allotted four matches.

Two matches each have been handed over to Outsurance Oval in Bloemfontein and De Beers Oval in Kimberley. Matches would be held at 4 pm (12.30 pm local time) and 8 pm (4.30pm local time) IST.

There are a total of ten double headers (two matches back to back at the same venue) with Durban hosting half of these.

“We are going to have great cricket. We have got the top 100 players of the world participating in it. Now Wankel brothers, who played for the South African team for the first time are going to play against each other. One is playing for Chennai Superkings, the other is playing for Rajasthan royals. Then you have Peiterson facing Flintoff,” IPL commissioner Lalit Modi told Times Now channel.

“Its extremely important for us that the cricketing aspect in this is married with the entertainment aspect. We are going to provide some of the best entertainment ever provided,” Modi said.

“Our pricing policy is going to be very moderate. Our objective is we don’t want to come into tournaments and make it high-priced though we have got the best players in the world. It will be lower than CSA charging for their matches out here. It will be a little higher than what the domestic matches.

“Ticketing has been frozen now, we hope to have the tickets go on sale in next 48 hours. People should log on to iplt20.com and get the information from there,” he added.

“I think people are disappointed that they will not be able to go to the ground and watch but they are also excited that they can watch it on television,” Modi said.

“Sony has decided that for the first time they will show it in three languages – there is going to be a separate Bengali network this year showing the matches in Bengal,” he added.

There have been reports that it will, because of the heavy subsiding it would have to do — of potential franchisee losses and the financial arrangements that would have to be reached with Cricket South Africa and its affiliated associations.

But talk to IPL insiders and team officials and while they are waiting for the final commercial arrangements/realignments, they don’t think the hits will be major. In fact, many believe that team owners at least, will stand to have increased revenues of about 20 per cent. Here’s why.

Drinks after 10 overs?

While this is yet to be confirmed, it is said that this season the IPL is contemplating introducing a drinks break after 10 overs in each session.

If it materialises, that break will give the broadcaster more advertising time and a chance to make more money.

In-stadia advertising

There is no local selling of boards/hoarding in stadiums during the IPL.

The in-stadia advertising basically consists of boards representing the main IPL sponsors (DLF, Hero Honda, Kingfisher, Vodafone, Citibank etc). In addition, the franchisee owners get 12 boards per match in their home base, which they give to their own sponsors — they are not sold separately.

While they are unlikely to get these boards in SA because of the lack of a home ground, there is no revenue loss involved.

TV deals & soaring rates

Each 10 second ad slot is reportedly in the range of 4 lakh, which works out to about 24 lakh per minute, or an extra Rs. 2.4 crore for an extra 10 minutes of ad time. Multiply that into 59 games and you have a cool 140 crore more in the kitty.

In any case, the renegotiated television deal is likely to bring in a half a billion dollars more over the next nine years of the IPL. In the earlier (weighted) deal, the IPL was netting about 300 crore in the first five years and double that over the next five.

The new deal has it evened out every year, so it looks like an increase of about Rs. 250 crore this year alone (which will be shared with the teams). In addition, the TV audience will be larger, with more people in India tuning in.

A cheaper option?

While the logistics of the whole thing seem nightmarish, the costs involved are unlikely to be prohibitive. Why? Top hotels in South Africa, generally speaking, are less expensive than ones in India.

With 30,000 room bookings expected over five-weeks, there will definitely be special deals worked out on hotel and travel. Even in India, grounds were not free, with Rs 50 lakh per match per ground being the standard agreement, unless there was a special agreement.

In addition, the IPL Board was paying a subsidy to all state associations here, a higher one for hosting associations, but everyone got paid anyway. South African associations have nowhere near India’s money, or expectations. That should make a difference.

The same is not the case with England, where, while the ECB wants it, many counties are not exactly happy about the idea of hosting the IPL bang in the middle of their domestic season.
 
The other problem with England is the weather — it will be wet through April and much of May.
 
Modi was scheduled to fly out to Johannesburg on Monday night — and from there to London if need be.
 
“We can’t say anything with certainty yet as talks are still on with both and no deal is signed,” said a BCCI official. “But though we’d like it to be England, practically speaking, South Africa is a better deal. We’ll know by Tuesday.”