Big Bazaar is the authorized dealer of Cricket World Cup 2011

ICC has appointed Big Bazaar to sell special cricket merchandise for World Cup 2011 in India as authorized dealer.

Big Bazaar is a chain of shopping mall in India. It works on the same economic model as Wal- Mart. Big Bazaar has 29 outlets in India at present. It is owned by Pantaloon Group.

Big Bazaar will deal in cricket merchandise designed for men, women and children. This cricket merchandise will be priced from Rs 199 to Rs 499. The apparels will include sports attire and accessories like active dry tees, shorts, sports tees, track pants, sweatshirt, head bands and caps, Big Bazaar will also keep a very special type of show piece which will bear cricket-inspired messages. They will also keep a type of  toy called “Stumpy” tagged with the official mascot of the ICC WC 2011.

Source: Black Friday Deals

Indian Skipper Dhoni is confident to win the World Cup Cricket 2010 title

Indian captain Mahendra Sing Dhoni has expressed his deep confidence to win the trophy of Cricket World Cup 2011.He said it’s the ultimate dream of any cricketer to lift the world cup as there won and every one of India dressing room wants to win the trophy not only for themselves but for their Billions of fans He said Team India has every possibility to win the cup .In recent times India is playing very good cricket especially meeting the demand of the situation. He is happy with the preparation of his side as they have played well, backed up each other well lately.

 He also said he knows every match will be tough and will be a fresh challenge. India will have to play to their highest potentials. It will require a lot of hard work, self belief and also a positive approach. Team India is capable of displaying all these at the highest level 

Dhoni also urged the fans and spectators to do their own parts in the tournament to make it more pleasing and successful. Hew also appealed to their fans to be a part of India team and swarm up in the stadium though India not playing.

Dhoni said during a promotional ICC event to mark the 50-day countdown celebrations of the great-event starting next month. The promotional event was held at the world famous V&A Waterfront. The World Cup trophy was put on display and an official promotional film was revealed to celebrate the arrival of the flagship of the game. ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, South Africa captain Grame Smith and Western Cape Premier Helen Zill were present in the event.

Source: Times of India

Dalmiya requests to reconsider tax on World Cup matches

Jagmohan Dalmiya, President of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) requested the state Finance Minister to withdraw the tax levied on tickets of cricket world cup to take place at the Eden Gardens. Dalmiya said the entertainment tax will increase the price of the tickets by 20%. At present the price of India match fixed at Rs 1,500 and Rs 1200 and for non-India matches at Rs 1000 and Rs 700.

Four matches in the world cup tournament ia scheduled to take place in the Eden Garden In West Bengal, India. India will play here only one match on February 17and the three other matches will be held on March 15, 18 and 20.

But Asim Dusgupta, the Finance Minister has not yet given his decision on the request Cricket Association of West Bengal has made. He has told to furnish all detail information about the arrangement. Mr Dalmiya also has promised the required information and hopeful the Minister will consider the matter.

Source: Net Indian

No LG polls in World Cup Cricket 2010 venue areas

In Sri Lanka the local government poll is due to be held in March 2011.But government may not hold the poll in the areas of World cup venues. Sri Lanka is one of the three host countries of World Cup Cricket 2011 starting from February 19, 2011. Colombo, Hambantota and Kandy are the venues scheduled for observing the matches to take place in Sri Lanka.

The Minister of the Local Government extended the term of 330 Local Councils for one year on April 1, 2009. If not ended before these councils can go till April 2011. So now the due date to hold fresh election is April. The election campaign in the areas with World Cup Cricket Venue may disturb smooth observation of the cricket matches. Nishantha Ranathunga, Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary said that R Premadsa International Stadium in Colombo, Suriyawewa in Hambantota and Pallekele in Kandy are the venues for the scheduled matches to be played in Sri Lanka. So the elections of Local Government in these areas may be held after the World Cup Cricket.

Source: Daily News

Kumble withdraws from IPL season 4 auction

Anil Kumble has withdrawn from this weekend’s IPL auction citing other business and commitments.For this withdrawn IPL loses one of the best performing IPL players. This Indian leg spinner retired from international cricket .this decision brings a curtain on his career as a player though, he said, he would remain involved in cricket administration. Kumble had a reserve price of US$400,000, the maximum possible, for the upcoming IPL auction.

In the IPL Bangalore made a forgettable starting under Rahul Dravid and in 2009 also inaugurated very poorly under Kevin Petersen. Anil Kumble took the helm of Bangalore midway and led the team to the final. Next year he captained Bangalore to reach up to semifinal. He was also one of the best performed bowlers in the two previous IPLs. In the first session he took 21 wickets at an economy of 5.86 in 2009 and 17 wickets with an economy of 6.42 in 2010.

Anil Kumble has a very bright career as a cricketer. He is the leading wicket taker of India taking 619 wickets in test and 337 in one-day cricket. Kumble was appointed chairman of the National Cricket Academy He was later elected the president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association. Though he will not play IPL, he will be a part of the RCB's senior leadership team over the next three years.

source: Espn Cricinfo

Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, Vivian Richards and Arjuna Ranatunga on world cup Cricket 2011

Great cricketer Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, Vivian Richards and Arjuna Ranatunga have commented freely about how to make World Cup Cricket presentation more entertaining. They proposed some new initiatives in the discussion. They talked about live match coverage by 3G mobile streaming so that the fans may get easy access to internet and mobile phone. 'Decision Review System' will be introduced in ICC tournament for the first time. ICC chief executive Haoon Lorgat said that a number of initiatives have been taken to intensify the pleasure and passion of the cricket fans. Imran Khan, the former Pakistan captain said India is doing really better for recent year and have best chance to win the cup. In his opinion Sri Lanka is also another team with the caliber to win also.

Kapil Dev also opined India especially the young stars are playing very well in present times two months ahead of the tournament. They are playing meeting the demand of the situation. In his opinion the key players for India are MS Dhoni, Sachin, Sehwag, Pathan and Gambhir .Vivian Richards thinks West Indies will do better though he believes India Will reach the Final specially foe they will play at home.

Arjuna Ranatunga Believes Sri Lanka will blaze in the tournament. He says there are a lot of experienced players in the team like Kumar Sangakkra, Mahela Jayawardene, Malinga, Muralitharan .They can make any difference.

source:  india times.com

Sri Lanka will name their final squad likely on 5th January for World Cup Cricket 2011

Sri Lankan selectors are expected to declare the final team on 5th January after the completion of Premier League limited-over cricket tournament The performance of the players in this tournament will heavily influence the selection of the player for the world cup cricket. But the performance in this league tournament will not be the sole criteria for the selection. While selecting for the final team, a player’s past performance will be taken into consideration though he fails in this Premier League limited-over cricket tournament, Chairman of Selectors, de Silva said.

The Premier League tournament kicks off on December 27. All matches are expected to be completed by January 4 - in time for the selectors’ meeting on January 5 to decide the final squad. The selectors will get time till January 19 to finalize the squad of 15 men

The selectors have the time till January 19 to finalize their 15-man squad, but are expected to name the squad in the first week of January. Last week, Sri Lanka’s selectors announced a 30 manned squad which included Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas - both, members of Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup winning team.

 De Silva said the selectors are satisfied with the current players but consider the veterans if they feel the team needs experienced hands.

Source:  Island Cricket