Guest gaurav_indian Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 He's our million-dollar wicket! PORT ELIZABETH: "So, how much did you cost your owners? Man, look at him, he's our million-dollar wicket, no?" If you thought sledging was an art being banned by cricket administrators the world over, with Test cricket being the only format left to mouth off a bit, think again. The Indian Premier League (IPL) has opened a few new avenues that may just allow the dying concept of verbal volleys to survive. Whether you were bought for a million dollars or merely a few thousand, whether you were the most sought-after cricketer in the auction or the last to be bought, whether you happen to be last year's wooden-spooner or this year's defending champion, everybody in the IPL is having a go, or having to go through sledging. Shane Warne has been greeting players by asking about their price. A lot of players have had to bear the brunt of questions like how much a team is paying a batsman for every four, or how much for a six. In turn, Warne hasn't been spared either. "You still don't seem to be earning much anyway. You were the cheapest team last year and the cheapest this time again," is what he got to hear from a leading Indian batsman in return. The worst of the lot has been in store for Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab. The moment a Knight Riders cricketer walks out to the middle, the first question thrown at him is about team owner Shah Rukh Khan and the rumours about a possible sell-off: "He's decided to put you all on sale? Is it true? But who's going to buy you?" For Kings XI Punjab, it's worse: "Well, look who wants to be the Man of the Match today! He's really excited." That's in reference to team co-owner Preity Zinta's penchant for hugging every Man of the Match, and the idea is to tease the Kings XI cricketer by saying that he's trying to play well to 'impress' the actress. For the young guns, it's unpleasant out there. Delhi bowler Dirk Nannes has been told a hundred times about how he's playing at the cost of Glenn McGrath, and Parthiv Patel has been asked why he's still nursing dreams of playing for India since he's earning enough from the IPL. The only cricketers spared are the seniors, the biggest names in the game who enjoy thorough respect. No one dares say a word when Tendulkar, Jayasuriya or Gilchrist are going hammer and tongs. Here's one hilarious incident doing the IPL rounds: In a reference to Knight Riders coach John Buchanan, a senior wicketkeeper yelled to Brendon McCullum as the KR skipper was headed back to the pavilion after yet another cheap dismissal: 'Hey, send the laptop in next!" http://ipl.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Hes-our-million-dollar-wicket/articleshow/4484199.cms :hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sachinism Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 hahaha awesome stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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