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By K.R. Nayar  No one is sure of getting tickets for the IPL including Sourav Ganguly, President of the BCCI. Here is what my cricket-crazy friend, who wanted a ticket to watch the IPL even before the final decision has been made on permitting spectators into the stadium, had to say. IPL tickets have always been in high demand  I have a cricket- crazy friend who calls me as soon as something sensational happens in cricket. He often stuns me with his questions, which at times are such that I would never imagine he would ask. I recently got this call from him as soon as news of the Emirates Cricket Board receiving the Letter of Intent from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was released.  Like many people who rarely wait for a response after the customary Hello and start talking right away, this friend asked me: “Can you get me a ticket for an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at one of the UAE venues?” When I reminded him that the decision on wh...

By K.R. Nayar Trailing cricket teams over the years has given me the opportunity to witness some interesting friendships among great cricketers. Though some of them play against each other and are huge rivals on the field, their friendship has remained strong even after their playing days. Read the story on tales of friendships in cricket… Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene   July 30 is celebrated as the International Day of Friendship by the United Nations, and that prompted me to look at all those close friendships that I've seen among cricketers over the years. While some have talked about their friendship to me, I've seen others display it off the field too. But if you are watching a match, it is highly unlikely to determine who among the players are good friends. In fact, some of them may be great friends and might be playing in rival teams! One of the advantages of trailing international teams during a series or a tournament, and often travelling with them on the s...

By K.R. Nayar A deep love for the game can overcome any physical handicap. Cricketers with one eye, fewer toes, and fingers and even some illness, have refused to give up playing and gone on to become well-known cricketers. There is an instance of a batsman even playing with one leg for Northamptonshire. Read the story below..… Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi played with one eye During my cricket talks with youngsters, I often mention to them that if they sincerely love the game, then nothing can stop them from becoming a good cricketer. School children are never shy to express what they feel and I remember one boy during one of the interactions who said that he loves the game but that he is too fat and unable to reduce his weight. Another boy noted that he eats well but just does not gain weight or the required strength. That gave me the opportunity to tell them about instances of cricketers who were not blessed like them with two hands, two eyes, and two legs but still became great cri...

By K.R. Nayar Given that a large number of cricket fans are excited about the Indian Premier League (IPL) to be held in the UAE, one could go a step further to say that IPL can also lift the Happiness Index of the cricket lovers in the UAE. The UAE Government, which is always looking for opportunities to keep its citizens and residents happy, is expected to support the conduct of the league. There is also a likelihood of fans being allowed entry into the stadium with strict safety measures.  Read the story below… Happiness Street in Dubai  The IPL, in all probability, could contribute to boosting the Happiness Index of the UAE. One of the aims of the UAE Government has been to get the country among the top five happiest countries in the world by 2021. An IPL promo video (below) that shows how holding the IPL can contribute to the raising of the general happiness index has been released at the right time.  In Dubai, there is a ‘Happiness Street’ that stretches along with...

By K.R. Nayar Japanese cricketers have coined cricketing terms in their language, and on one occasion I got to hear them using it during a match in the UAE. Cricket enthusiast Shyam Bhatia, watching the devotion of the Japanese to the game,  decided to donate cricket kits regularly to promote the game there. Japan Cricket Association’s CEO Naoki Alex Miyaji believes that since the Japanese are known for their hard work, they will make a mark in international cricket one day.  Read the story below... Japan won the ICC qualifier to participate in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup   In November 2000, the Japanese cricket team came to the UAE to play in the Asian Cricket Council trophy. I was eager to see them play cricket because most people believed the Japanese and Chinese would never play cricket. The Japanese are well known for their innovation in every field, and hence I was keen to see what innovation they would bring to cricket to create an identity of their own...

By K.R. Nayar Instructions on the norms to be followed by IPL players and officials in the UAE will include downloading of the Covid-19 Dubai (DXB) Smart App. A health insurance that covers treatment in the UAE may also be needed for players and officials. India's two top batsmen as captains add to the excitement IPL players, support staff and all those associated with the league may have to download the Covid-19 Dubai (DXB) Smart App on arrival in the UAE for the 13th Edition of the league set to held from September 19 to November 8. Franchises will soon receive intimations on the procedures to be followed in the UAE. The Emirates Cricket Board may have to present a dossier to the IPL Governing Council on the norms to be followed here, and among them priority will be downloading of this Smart App. All those who will be coming for the IPL will have to follow the health and safety protocol that will be mentioned in the App. Since tourists coming to the UAE have already been instr...

By K.R. Nayar  Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises are keen to ensure safety of their players and support staff and are hence requesting for special arrangements at all UAE venues of the league. Informal discussions on whether a one-month training camp before the start of the league should be held in the UAE or in India have also been held. The start time for two-header match days will also be announced soon.  All Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises are set to request for special safety arrangements for their players and support staff during their stay in the UAE for the league set to be held from September 19 to November 8, 2020. According to a source in India, some of their requirements have already been discussed with a few officials of the IPL Governing Council. In the light of these informal discussions, franchise representatives are likely to examine all venues in the UAE that will stage the matches. They have mentioned that they will seek approval from experts o...

By K.R. Nayar We have seen many batsmen get out for a duck, but we may not be aware of the type of duck he has fallen for. There is nothing one can do if one, unfortunately, gets out for a duck. But knowledge about the various types of duck, right from a golden to a laughing duck would be interesting. When South African captain Graeme Smith got out for a golden duck  No batsman ever wishes to get out for a duck. It’s humiliating because then he makes no contribution as a batsman. But not much can be done if he actually falls for a duck, other than trying harder the next time. However, as a fan of cricket, it is always interesting to be aware of the different types of ducks that exist in cricket.  As reporters, even if a great batsman gets out for a duck, we talk of his dismissal with a tinge of shame attached to it. A cricketer who gets out for a duck often walks back to the pavilion, head down and dejected, and never with a smile.  The duck has spared no one ...

By K.R. Nayar Cricket lovers are hoping that they are permitted to watch IPL matches from the stadium in the UAE. There are several reasons why approval could be granted to cheer the IPL stars from the stands especially in the light of tourists being permitted into the country and the start of summer festivals. Cricket fans enjoying the action at the Dubai International Stadium  Ever since it was confirmed that the IPL 2020 will be held in the UAE, what most people are keen to know is  whether they would be able to watch the matches from the stadium.  Last Sunday, Mubashir Usmani, General Secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) had stated that they would seek permission from the UAE government to permit spectators into the stadium.  In the light of Dubai opening doors for tourists from July 7th after  nearly four months of border closure and grounding of flights, it is likely that permission for spectators into the ground will be granted. ...

By K.R. Nayar The IPL Governing Council will give the official notification to the Emirates Cricket Board naming them as hosts of the 13th edition of the league on Friday or Saturday. There is a possibility that the ECB could be asked to create a bio-secure environment in the stadium to protect players from the coronavirus. And the steps to be followed to ensure bio-security are many. The Indian Premier League Governing Council. Picture courtesy: IPL Dubai.  The Indian Premier League (IPL) in the UAE is likely to be played in a bio-secure environment. The IPL Governing Council is expected to request the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to create such an environment for the safety of the cricketers and support staff. According to information from India, the ECB will be officially notified of hosting the IPL on Friday or Saturday. Brijesh Patel, Chairman of the IPL, is expected to inform the ECB on the decisions of the Governing Council meeting and all protocols to be followed during t...

By K.R. Nayar The tasks ahead of the Emirates Cricket Board are humongous, right from acquiring permission for the IPL teams to land in the UAE, most likely by chartered flights, to ensuring safe stay, and providing appropriate practice facilities for players in sanitised conditions. Additionally, they need to arrange safe travel between the emirates, and permission for spectators to watch the action live, among the many other things, keeping in mind that all of these need to be done before the teams arrive here in August. Indian Premier League trophy  With the ICC Twenty20 World Cup being postponed, the path is now clear for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to stage the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year.  Since the UAE is being talked about as the host for this event, extensive work has already commenced because the task ahead of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) in preparing for this event is expected to be enormous. From getting cleara...

By K.R. Nayar Nicknames of cricketers are fascinating. After a few students once asked me about other names given to cricketers, I decided to keep track of them and was shocked to learn that some of them were are also known by their nicknames as Monkey, Big Dog, Tadpole, and a few scary ones like Python, Skull, and Bomber. Monkey A.N. Hornby I was once invited to judge a quiz competition organised by a school in Dubai. Since cricket is popular among students, there were many questions related to cricket. After the quiz, a few youngsters decided to test my knowledge, especially on nicknames of cricketers. Frankly, I was nervous whether I would be able to respond correctly to all their questions. Fortunately, most of the ones they asked were of popular cricketers like Ricky Ponting who is nicknamed Punter, Anil Kumble (Jumbo), Brian Lara (Prince), Sourav Ganguly (Dada and Prince of Kolkata), Ian Botham (Beefy) and Virat Kohli (Chikku). After that day, I decided to keep a track of all...