The first casualty of IPL 4 - Virender Sehwag and then - Gabriella Pasqualotto

A few years ago, the tour itinerary was the most looked after thing – even before the Tour was to commence, cricket pundits would start discussing the fate of the various Test matches and One dayers that are to be played.

A tour to the land of Caribbeans was often considered fierce and many players would go missing [would get dropped] after the tour.  Now there are talks that some seniors might rest themselves and may not be available for the upcoming  tour of WI beginning next month; the first Test against England is slated on 21^st July.  Lots of youngsters like Rahul Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Saurabh Tiwary, Valthaty should be fancying their chances after their show in IPL.  That way IPL has been unearthing hoarded talent.

But players have been stretching their nerves and Virender Sehwag has started the list of injured in action – his shoulder injury is a concern and is to undergo a surgery which will hamper his participation in England. 

So no Sehwag for the 5 ODI in Windies  and one T20 at Port of Spain on June 4 ; the first game of the three-Test series at Kingston is slated  on June 20.
This is not the first time – Sehwag was out of the previous two editions of T20 and also missed the 5 match ODI series in SA earlier this year.  Whether this list would grow is the concern but the BCCI seemingly is busy counting the money and is not worried !

They call it a physical activity, a competitive sport of organised routines – but  why this tumbling and jumping and how it makes the game attractive is never understood – atleast by me…!!

I feel pity for them [but they earn so much – much more than many top executives in India !] – there has been growing presence of such sidesteps in the garb of promoting games.  In IPL, they became integral part of the brand with unabashed glamour.  Whenever a wicket falls, batsman club hits or during the strategic breaks, they ascend the small stage and gyrate – sometimes in ugly manner.  No doubt they do with unbounded enthusiasm but what has this to do with cricket and why are there teams of high paid dancers is not comprehensible to the common cricket lover.

It was good for Cricket when the new Chairman Chirayu Amin discontinued the nocturnal IPL parties.  Now there is news of a cheer girl Gabriella Pasqualotto, who was dancing for  Mumbai Indians had written something  on her blog [which some call nasty] and  was promptly given the marching orders last week.
Again good to read that she  gave a clean chit to the Indians who preferred the company of 'dark corners' rather than shapely cheerleaders: and that is a direct reference to the star captain MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma.  Of course, we always expect the icon Sachin and the likes of Dravid not to fall to such temptations.

Regards – Sampathkumar S