Just FYI just found this interesting thought I’ll share it with u especially the
Indian media..– finally a sane article in the  Economic Times written by Raghu
Krishnan. 
An IPL auction turned into a diplomatic row, on the night of Tuesday,  January 19,
almost every Indian TV news-channel spun a conspiracy theory about the fact that
there were no takers for Pakistani cricketers among the IPL franchisees in the
auction held earlier in the day. It could not, the TV news-channel anchors solemnly
opined, be a coincidence that none of the IPL franchisees had bid for the Pakistani
cricketers. Pakistan, the anchors noted, was the reigning T20 world champ and the
non-participation in the IPL of that country’s cricketers for the second consecutive
year would have a detrimental effect on Indo-Pak relations. The TV anchors apparently
failed to realise that the answer to the question of why no Pak cricketer had been
bought lay in the comment that the channels had themselves made that the 2010 season
would be the second consecutive year in which cricketers from Pakistan would not be
participating in the IPL.With only 11 players being bought out of 67 and with each
franchisee not having more than one or two slots to fill, it would have not made
much sense to invest in a player about whose participation there was considerable
doubt, going by the previous year’s experience. IPL commissioner Lalit Modi stated in
the post-auction press conference that Pakistani cricketers had not participated in
the 2009 tournament because their cricketing board had advised not them not to play
in India in the wake of 26/11. After such an experience, the IPL franchisees would
themselves have not been too keen on even the most gifted Pakistani
cricketer. Instead of hinting at conspiracies and insinuating that the Government of
India (GoI) had informally told the franchisees through the BCCI not to bid for
cricketers from Pakistan, the anchors could have put themselves in the buyers’
shoes.Where was the need for any GoI advice when the TV news-channels were quoting
not just intelligence agencies but even visiting US defence secretary Robert Gates
as stating that a Pakistan-based nexus of Al-Qaeda, the Taliban and the LeT was
planning another 26/11. Unless, of course, it is anybody’s contention that Lalit
Modi got Gates to say all this! Instead, the TV news-channels outdid each other in
spinning out inside stories and conspiracy theories of GoI intervention being behind
the absence of bids for Pakistani cricketers. And in a subcontinent where people are
only too willing to take offence, it did not take too long for those in Pakistan to
react to this `snub’. A Pakistani parliamentary delegation cancelled its visit to
India. Pakistan’s ministers stated that what happened during the auction would
affect bilateral ties.India’s sports minister M S Gill stated that the GoI had
nothing to do with this and that the franchisees were taking their own bidding
decisions, based on their specific cricketing and corporate strategies. However, the
hype goes on and some TV channels have even talked about the adverse impact on
Indo-Pak relations! To equate the IPL with a full-fledged Indo-Pak CBM (confidence
building measure) is patently absurd. A performance in India by Pakistan’s leading
Sufi singers could do more to build good will than an individual investment of even
$750,000 by an Indian franchisee on Shahid Afridi for IPL3, 4 or 5!

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After being thru a hundred questions at the airport security reached Israel(before
taking the flight and after landing)with the only consolation that NO israel flight
has ever been or can ever be hijacked its so safe!!I had heard that Israel is
extreme when it comes to security measures now Ive seen it! Drove down from Tel Aviv
to the Dead Sea,always been intrigued by it…Doing a little research makes me
realise why so many people throng to get here.Being the lowest elevation on the
earths dry land (422mts below sea level),the saltiest lake in the world 8.5 times
saltier than the ocean,the water here has medicinal properties and natural minerals
to heal and cure many ailments the air is high in oxygen levels and free of pollen
and allergies..so not wasting any time I took a plunge and the effects were
amazing,you have to see it to believe it!!Been to many places all around the world
but this was an experience of a lifetime,one of the most rejuvenating…so glad i
came and had the opportunity to do this.So if u want to detox i would highly
recommend this place:)well worth it after all the rigorous security checks…ive jus
come Alive in the Dead Sea.

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Well the IPL has officially kickstarted with the Auction ,how exciting!As you are aware,the Team is focusing their efforts on 2 senior batsmen, as we believe we have one of the strongest bowling attacks with strength in depth(the technicalities I’ve been told!;).

Last year was disappointing for us but a learning curve, but we didn’t see any need to fundamentally change our strategy, of blending experience with youth. We have some exciting new talent for 2010 as well, and we used the auction to supplement our squad - although there were no definite ‘must buys’ this year. Most importantly, our focus this year has been to work with many of our existing squad. Indeed, Darren Berry is currently in India.

The Batting needs some additional experience to support Graeme Smith and as a result we have two international class batsmen who can provide the platform for other players to perform around, but also have the potential of winning games themselves. I am sure Rajasthan Royals might have surprised some with our selection of Damien Martyn (he retired 18 months ago), but he was a truly world class top order batsman that others will learn a lot from. Our inspirational captain has a hunch about Damien and when it comes to cricket we are very happy to trust Shane Warnes “hunches”!(D)amien!!:)Adam Voges again is someone we are kicked about ,great statistics in the past and a great price! Can’t wait for this squad to come together.

More importantly,As for all the noise about our Pakistani players, it is a shame that we will(once again)miss some of the best players in the world. We are in constant contact with them,and we understand and empathise with their hurt in the current scenario.. But I can say THIS with complete confidence from. Our end that it wasn’t a contrived attempt to insult or ignore..It is a huge loss for US to lose such quality players some of the Best in 20-20 cricket. However, for such a long tournament we have to be completely convinced on player availability ie: NOT just their dates but their presence in India, as providing security is a huge concern, with threats from some Lunatic fringes..we could not afford that risk as we value our players!!it was a catch 22 situation for us. Wish we(indians and pakistanis )could handle the situation a little sensitively and with a bit of maturity and request Journos to not politicise it any further. Don’t we have enough on our hands to handle already!??!let’s not make the situation any more volatile.People in both countries  love good Cricket and there’s nothin bigger than the sport. let’s grow up and move forward. Phew!I’ve said my piece.Stay positive.. it works..everytime!:)

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Hello all u lovely people ,hope you’ve had a wonderful New year. 

After a mini European tour through the Mediterranean cruise we were on, saw the Vatican city in Rome, the pyramids in Egypt, Acropolis in Athens…breathtakingly beautiful! Was amazed by the ethos and the architecture. Back in London greeted by a snow storm, one of the worst since the 70’s I was told…anyway we were back in time to attend our second wedding reception (and finally the LAST!) very kindly thrown by a very dear friend of ours MP Keith Vaz. When he told us he wanted to do it at the House of commons I thought he was joking but he actually did! So despite the snow storm, and we nearly thought we wouldn’t make it since a lot of cars had broken down. Wouldn’t miss it for the world, so in my Manish malhotra sari,nearly frozen (yes, beauty comes with pain) trudging along in the snow, reached the venue:) Worth all the effort as we were just so humbled by the honour, the warmth and graciousness extended to us. Also got the opportunity of getting to know the articulate Honourable Mr. Speaker and his wife sally who very sweetly gave us a tour of their residence in the house of commons,have to applaud him for his memory nd humility nd humour, both such wonderful people. Was really touched by the memorabilia personally signed by the PM Gordon Brown given to us as a wedding present. Was such a special night made memorable for life by Keith. Can’t thank him enough.

Looked out of the window today nd the snow clad lawn looked like a scene out of a film,serene nd perfect (only from inside it was -6 degrees outside!) Writing this blog with gloves and ear muffs, looking like an eskimo:) hahaha, Cant wait to come back to warm Mumbai…back to work soon, got to dub for my indo chinese project “Desire”. Watch this space!

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