Phew! Still haven’t gotten over yesterday’s match…can’t express my happiness. RR IS BACK IN BUSINESS! Every match has been exciting but with our last performance, I had a lot of reasons to fear the Delhi Daredevils… firstly because they had not lost a single game till now and they had a great lineup of batsmen! But like I’ve said before its more about luck and that was on our side yesterday. We got those early crucial wickets and I breathed a sigh of relief and surprisingly kept the score below 150, which is fantastic considering Delhi’s always scored above that. While batting Graeme was the rock of Gibralter, he made the base. All batsmen contributed but Yusuf was on fire. He hit 6 sixes and I wasn’t complaining… he turned the game around, despite being badly hit on the shoulder. Anyway the team’s spirits are up with this win. Hope this winning streak continues. Happy about the way things are shaping up, we are 4th on the score board, which is encouraging.

All’s well, just regret the fact that I won’t be in India to cast my vote, really wanted to this time. Elections have to be taken seriously if you are a responsible citizen. Unfortunately with the unexpected turn of events and the IPL being shifted to SA it’s become difficult. I would not miss voting for anything otherwise. But to all those Indian citizens who want the best for our Country, now is the time to make the decision, don’t waste your democratic right to choose. VOTE! Hoping for a best… Will write soon… Thanks so much for all the love and support, love the messages, keep them coming.

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Yesterday was an interesting day, shot for a music video and ad for HDFC life insurance. It was a fun day, Graeme, Yusuf, Shane, Jadeja, Mahesh and me. Graeme taught me how to bat and Shane taught me how to spin the ball! We played for a bit and after I ran four times between the wickets I was gasping for breath! Now I respect my cricketers more, wonder how they do it, handling all that pressure, gawd! We actors have it easier, at least we get retakes… anyway it’s still a thankless job when they lose… Today I was all geared up for an exciting match. It was a beautiful day and a jam packed stadium. It started off well but we lost, wickets kept falling like 9 pins. Dunno what happened. Crickets not good for health when you’re a co-owner, ha ha. Well no one feels good losing, but I’ve taken it in my stride, hoping we have better luck next time. Like I say whoever plays the better cricket of the day deserves to win and today it was KingsXI. For all those Rajasthan Royal fans - keep the faith, be positive and wins will manifest. Off to Johannesburg tomorrow morning, another match day after… keeping my fingers crossed!

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If you’re wondering why it took me so long to blog, reason is I’ve just recovered from the high voltage drama at the Newlands stadium yesterday. What a match, nearly bitten my fingers off in excitement! Can’t express my joy, it was a long wait and at last was happy to see a well deserved win. It reinstated the faith in all those royal fans. Yesterday went by screaming my lungs hoarse till I lost my voice and by the time we reached the Super over I nearly had 2 cardiac arrests. But I was resuscitated by Yusuf’s sixes. It was the most incredible feeling and the stadium was filled with such unimaginable high energy. Never enjoyed a match more, heard it was one of the most entertaining matches in IPL history, well after making the lowest score in IPL history in the first match this history making was some consolation

Phew! Don’t know when I was so happy last but yesterdays win was a High point and a party was called for, had no strength left after the long day, but had to applaud my team for that Royal win…I guess luck was on our side… Go Royals! Halla Bol!

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It’s been a long day, its 11.45pm now… got on a flight in the morning from Cape Town to catch the 4pm match in Durban, was on a flight back after waiting around for 2hours at the stadium, unfortunately the match was rained out. Woke up all excited today, looking forward to play but the weather’s been playing truant. I’ve realized winning in this format of the game has a lot to do with luck as well. Sadly for KingsXI Punjab today scored and played well but Knight Riders won the match by the Duckworth Lewis calculation ‘cause it rained! Must mention it was really heartening to see the Durban fans come out in such huge numbers despite it being a weekday and to top it a cold and rainy one! But drenched fans still waited to see if the match would happen till the last minute. It just made me realize people’s love for the game; it was sad to see disappointed fans but amazed to see the turnout. We play on the 23rd next in Cape Town against the Knight Riders, that will be a difficult one, not the match but the emotion… its terrible to play against a friends team but all’s fair in Love and Cricket I guess Ha ha! Hope we have luck on our side this time, hope u RR supporters are praying and excited cause I sure am. Halla Bol!

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Yesterday was the first match of the season for us and a lot of expectations from the Royals. We lost the toss and had to bowl first and someone told me that it’s said that 80% of the teams that batted first win! And yesterday proved that both teams that batted first won. We started off really well in the first half, bowled and fielded exceptionally well but don’t know what happened when they went out to bat! Anyway as some consolation we lost the first game even last season and went on to win the championship, so fingers crossed this time too. I’ve always been positive and believe everything happens for the best, not going to let this loss dampen my spirits. Lost my voice screaming with excitement cheering for the team. It was great to see the jam packed stadium and a lot of RR supporters. Can’t wait for the 21st when we will be playing versus Mumbai Indians. It’s been raining here since 7am, wonder what’s going to happen to the matches today, let’s wait and watch. Nevertheless thanks so much for the support and best wishes, means a lot.

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The day started with a press conference with Preity, Shah Rukh, Me and Lalit making an announcement of the Miss Bollywood search. With the world press anxious and eager to know about the finer details, welcomed us with open arms. From there we headed straight to the Carnival where the eight teams alighted their respective floats. It was overwhelming to see the turnout and the 2km strip was jammed packed with people on both sides. It was an encouraging sight to see, just goes to show the IPL has been a big hit with the locals. At the starting point it was great to see all the teams congregated under one roof, and I noted the camaraderie between fellow players and so called rivals. I expected South Africa to be really cold as its winter here so here I was carrying 40 kg’s of warm clothes and wearing a Jodhpuri jacket today in the sweltering heat it was 32c and sunny phew!!! Tired and tanned after a very long and fruitful day. It has started sinking in that we are just two days away from the opening of the 2009 IPL season 2!

Tomorrow is going to be a big night, where all family, friends, teams and people associated with the IPL will meet for one Big Gala Party with international bands and the famous Cirque de Soleil perform. Can’t wait it’s all so exciting considering its my first year. I would like to thank all the RR fans who have been writing in and showing their support and all my fans for keeping in touch with me through my blog. Lots of Love and need all the luck and support from you all.

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In South Africa and the Cricket Safari begins! Landed yesterday and went straight to the Sahara Newlands Stadium, where Rajasthan Royals were playing against Cape Cobras. Seen many matches in my life but seeing your own team playing for the first time is a feeling that’s inexplicable. It started off well for us, but lost the game, grrr… but that’s how unpredictable this format is, also gotta take into account that the Cape Cobras have been playing the domestic season for the last six weeks, and our team just got together a couple of days ago and most of our star players weren’t even on the field. It was just a warm-up match and a good one at that… have to admit wasn’t so confident about the crowds coming in comparison to India, but after yesterday even that thought’s put to rest. The stadium was 70% full just to watch a warm-up match! Can’t wait till the 18th, that’s when the REAL fun begins. Will keep writing more often and I will be based here for the next 5 weeks, so excited ’cause so much to look forward to! See ya!

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On a flight (what’s new) going to New Delhi for some work so thought I would pen down my thoughts. Back from South Africa, we are all set and raring to unleash on the 18th April. I believe some meetings are destined; one experience I would like to share with you was a chance meeting with Royalty. While at the hotel I was staying in at Johannesburg, I got to know that Her Highness Queen Rania of Jordan was staying there too. I have been a huge admirer of her Beauty and work and just two days before that I had seen a picture of her in a magazine and mentioned that how extraordinary a woman she is. Low and behold while walking through the lobby I saw from a distance Queen Rania walking from the other side with her entire entourage.  So I politely stepped to the side to clear the passage out of courtesy, we exchanged a smile and while she was passing me she stopped and actually had a conversation with me.  I knew who she was but had no idea she would even know of me, but as we spoke I realized that London was her second home, so I guess that’s what connected us. I was overwhelmed by her kindness and humility and admired her selfless work towards humanity.  Yet another time we bumped into each other at the poolside and here managed to have an extended conversation and exchanged numbers and bid goodbye. Till Queen Rania was kind enough to accept the Invitation and join us in the presidents box at the Wanderers stadium to watch her first ever T20 cricket match, South Africa Vs Australia. Very sweetly she was trying to understand the game.

It was our third meeting in the same day, so Queen Rania joked saying “You will get bored of me if you meet me so much”.  But every time I met her respect for her just grew, her radiance, her kindness left me spell bound.  She made me realize the importance of charity and giving back to society. It really amazed me that a lady in her position is still so down to earth, her simplicity just amazed me. For me she wasn’t just the Queen of Jordan but the Queen of hearts! She definitely won mine.

Lastly I got to know that I was getting married this October from the media. Just to clear the record in an interview that I did in London, I just said that I am looking forward to getting married sometime after October… haven’t thought of a month or a date. I will be more than happy to make an official announcement the day we are ready to make one but for now the congratulatory calls can be kept on hold My hands are quite full right now juggling so many things. Will write soon again, lots of love, Shilpa

P.S. Thank you to all those who’ve been wishing our team Rajasthan Royals. We always need your support.

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