Page 181 - IPL 2

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Did any of the players tell you “calm down, you are going to hurt yourself”?
Its funny you ask this question, as it reminds me of an instance in the inaugural season when the Kings XI were at Jaipur playing their
first ever away match. People always told me that cricket was a very funny game – where you could be up one minute and down the next.
And I experienced that in all its glorious uncertainty. One moment the Kings XI were cruising and then the dew suddenly turned the
tables on us. The crowd being fickle, as always, started passing comments to which a friend of mine said I would be better moving away
from the players dug-out area to hospitality lounge. That’s the time I realized my team needed my support the most and I just stood my
ground, inspite of all that was happening around me, with the comments and all. I did not want to abandon ship – so I just stood there,
soaking it all in, just to support our team and we lost that game. But on the flight back from Jaipur some of my players walked up to me
and told me what they thought of me standing there for them inspite of all the adversity and that they really appreciated the support.
After that, somehow, I felt very accepted with the boys and I suddenly felt that I was part of the team.
Tell us about your experience in South Africa.
In one word it was simply “fantastic”. I have done a lot of shows in South Africa, with Mr. Bachchan, SRK and Hrithik and so I always
knew about the large Indian diaspora there. But the way the Indians in South Africa and the South Africans too embraced the IPL was
simply overwhelming. South Africa is definitely a very sporting country and I think that it was a beautiful exchange that happened
through the medium of the IPL. In fact, I told Lalit, who I think is one of the greatest minds in sport, the very same thing when he
announced the HEAT initiative there: H – Help , E – Educate and T – Teach.
I remember Lalit standing with that mike and he said, “We want to leave a glow behind, with Help, Educate And Teach” and, at that
moment, I felt so proud. South Africa is a wonderful country that simply opened its arms to us and embraced us all. Which other country
would? And I believe South Africa is a country of doers. Which other country could have been able to stage the IPL all in a matter of 3
weeks? And they did it in style. It was all so well done and so I say it was a beautiful exchange. I really had a fabulous time there, though
I missed going on a safari. I would like to go back for that.
Your team has the most owners, as different entities, does that hamper decision-making or aid it?
Different owners of course often means different opinions, and it’s not always the best thing sometimes. But it is also amazing because
it brings with it an amazing amalgamation of different thought processes and ideas. So there are pluses and minuses. Each of us have
a different way of thinking and it’s healthy to have an environment to discuss and do things and I think that we are so different that it
makes for a really nice colourful mix.
Season 3, going back to Mohali, are you looking forward to playing there, on homeground?
Oh YES! I cannot tell you how excited I am about it. Just cannot wait for the action to start in Mohali and Dharamsala, it should be a
lot of fun! Going back to our own stadium, amongst our Punjabi fans – what more could one ask for. I think IPL 2010 will be bigger and
better this year. I also think that the Kings XI Punjab are going to perform much better this year. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that
there are no injuries and everyone is fine. And of course the aloo parathe – ooh, I am quite excited! I am trying to juggle my filming dates
around, after having taken a long sabbatical from films for the IPL, to ensure that I am there for my team at most games. More than the
fans, I will be the one that is more upset if any miss any crucial matches.
170 KINGS XI PUNJAB
In Conversation with Ness Wadia and Mohit Burman, Co-Owners, Kings XI Punjab...
Tell us how the alliance happened between all of you?
MB: We were all friends so it was an opportunity for us to work together and build something we believed in.
Tell us how you got involved with the IPL?
“ MB: All of us have spent considerable time abroad studying and working. For all of us, sports has been an integral part of growing up.
We have seen how successful different leagues are overseas and the IPL gave us an opportunity to partake in a possible future creation.
You have quite a large number of collaborators /co-owners in the franchise. Does that hamper or aid in the decision making process?
MB: It was like setting any new business where there are many partners. There were ups and downs but looking back we have been
able to build a strong franchise.
You managed quite a coup with your foreign players, who was the think tank behind the shortlist pre auction?
NW: It was a team effort between Tom Moody - our coach, Yuvraj Singh, Amar Bindra and myself.
Did any of you think the monies were unviable, in terms of buying the franchise or in the player auctions?
MB: In the beginning, yes. There was no way I thought we could make money. The player auction, had it been a silent one, would have
enabled franchises to pay much less.
Was their any player that all of you thought unanimously is a must have, irrespective of price?
MB: Brett Lee
Tell us about Tom Moody as coach.
NW: Tom is experienced, methodical. A very good coach and the players respect him.
Did IPL 1 surpass your expectations?
NW: Yes, it did in each and every way and form. Right from the auction through to the organization by a fantastic IMG/IPL team. The
fans and most of all, the PCA and Kings XI team.
MB: Not only mine, but the worlds.
What was your first reaction to the news that IPL 2 would be moving out of the country?
NW: Oh no! Here we go again!
MB: Fright and stress on how this could be achievable in such a short time.
Were you surprised at how South Africa, both authorities and public, embraced the tournament?
“ NW: No, because South Africa is a leading sports country and has very good infrastructure with wonderful proactive people. “
MB: No. The sport culture is immense in S.A and therefore the importance given to the IPL by everyone there was very high.