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Celebrity stakes in cash rich-cricket

Posted on the February 3rd, 2009 under Uncategorized by premub

What lures Bollywood celebs to pick stakes in cricket? It is undoubtedly the same things for which they knocked the glam world – Money fame and the massive media hype and crowd attention.

Many of the big ticket Bollywood releases bombed, while lesser known filmmakers and cast stole the show and made decent money. Only in the last quarter did Ghajini raked in the money along with Rab Ne. Singh is King was the only cheer for the glitterati before that.

So it is only natural that Shilpa Shetty joins Juhi Chawla, Shah Rukh, Wadia clan and its pretty face to dabble in the IPL turf. Given the inaugural edition’s exploits, IPL is likely to be a sure-shot success.

But the Board of Control for Cricket in India got a deserved snub when Pak barred its players from IPL, though it may not impact the fortunes of the tourney much. The reason cited was geopolitical tensions, but the snub comes as a reaction to India’s decision to call off its Pak tour in the aftermath of Mumbai attacks.

Pakistan’s Sohail Tanvir who was the highest wicket taker (21) was a key performer for IPL’s inaugural edition champions Rajasthan Royals.

A Sindh court has also suspended a ban imposed on nearly 20 Pakistani players for their participation in India’s rebel cricket league, ICL, bankrolled by Subhash Chandra promoted Zee.

The players were kept away from Pak local cricket, apparently at the behest of the cash rich BCCI.

So what stops ICL and IPL from co-existing? Perhaps it is just a clash of giant egos.

The ICC, BCCI and ICL bosses are working behind the scenes to bring about a compromise formula, which could pave the way for such a possibility.

That could boost the fortunes of cricket further and perhaps the fading fortunes of the glitterati scrambling to get intothe cricket bandwagon.

Only worry seems to be a clash between IPL and general elections. Take a bet — More people would pay to watch cricket rather than get paid to add to the numbers in poll rallies.