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Karan Thapar interviewing Chairman of IPL Lalit Modi

Indian Premier League or IPL as its most commonly known has clearly changed the scope, reach, face and impact of cricket as a game in a country (India) where the same game is also referred to as a second religion for many.

The reasons for the league being loved are different for different batches of people. Some like it for its format, some enjoy the same because its great entertainment for a few hours, for some it might just be involvement of some of the famous and favorite celebrities and also for some maybe its just the love for the game of cricket. I'm not a big sports fan or a cricket fanatic but I do appreciate how the league has taken the country and also the world by the storm.

I found this video interview (read: verbose ;) ) on the website of CNN IBN. Here's Karan Thapar grilling (almost literally) Lalit Modi, who is the Chairman of IPL. I'd not tell you more about the four part interview besides that if you like cricket as a game and IPL as a format you'd not want to miss this one. Your comments on this four part video is anticipated. I'm sure fans, viewers and people who do enjoy watching interviews would have at least something to say after they're done watching this one.

Part One of the Four Part Interview

Part Two of the Four Part Interview

Part Three of the Four Part Interview

Part Four of the Four Part Interview

I hope you've found this interview (read: verbose) worth a watch. Just in case if you'd rather prefer having a text copy of the same, feel free to click here to get the same. Hoping to read your comment on this post and to see you return to this blog sooner than later.

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Manish :)

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IPL franchise owners get lessons in what cricket players and fans want

Indians love Bollywood and cricket with rare passion. When the two mix, you would expect an explosive entertaining cocktail.

However, the IPL has delivered harsh lessons to the Bollywood demigods - Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and [to some extent] Shilpa Shetty - who own IPL franchisees.

So here goes:

1. You’re the owner not the coach. So stay in your VIP box and don’t exert pressure on players by high-fiving in the dug-out and then pulling a sour-face when the team doesn’t do well!
2. You’re not a cricket expert, just as cricketers aren’t actors. Don’t try to assume a ‘cricketing role’ and discuss team composition with the media, before the coach and players have figured stuff out.
3. Let the captain and coach talk cricket. Please show unstinting support and marketing smarts, but don’t stray onto essentially play-related decisions.
4. Put the team first. Don’t single out a player for undue praise or criticism – injects unwanted stress into a competitive situation.
5. No leaks: Discussing pre-match strategies is also a no-no. This isn’t a film that needs leaks to keep the buzz going. Zip up, smile and wave from your VIP box! Makes for great TV!
6. No remote-control: Everyone recognises you’ve made an investment. Now be a smart investor and monitor, but do not try to ‘remote control’ cricketing decisions. The under-performance of remote-controlled teams is a clear indicator that exerting undue pressure doesn’t lead to wins.
7. Respect the team: Treat all team members with respect i.e. players, coaches and support teams. All of them matter in helping the team perform well. Remember, a coach has 'been there, done that', and whereas you haven’t.  So please listen, by all means discuss things out, but don’t hoist your methods without considering whether they will work in the operating environment.
8. Handling a loss: How will you Teams dread meeting you after a losing a match. What can you do to make them feel better? [Hint: Its not a lecture! Its not TV interviews saying how disappointed you are.] This is where you can make a real difference. How about trying to cheer the team up – emphasizing that ‘we’re all in it together, till the end’.
9. Interacting with sports journalists: Cricket reporters love the game, have tracked matches & players for years. They can spot a fake from the word go! Don’t make yourself look ridiculous by pretending you’ve suddenly acquired cricketing insight, and especially, don’t attempt to defy the logic of the game by presenting 'exciting changes'.
10. It’s a game. You win some, you lose some. If you’ve made an investment, stick with it through thick and thin, and help create a strong community of supporters i.e. the FANS who have made this whole industry worth all the money it attracts.

While we’re at it, these ten apply to the non-Bollywood franchise owners too, ahoy Vijay Mallya, Tina Ambani! Remember Roman Abramovich didn't buy the Chelsea football team to decide team composition or play decisions – a professional coach did this. The club benefitted from the assurance of steady financial support and superb marketing, while the players were focused on football all the way!

Invest in building your team’s fan community. Work on ensuring that the 'halo effect' of your brand rubs-off onto the teams’ brand. And reap a steady harvest of support that will outlast seasons and enhance the valuations of your investment. As Rahul Chopra, avid cricket fan says, it takes one egoistic owner to ruin a team, and one smart investor to reap the benefits!

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Preity Zinta

Bollywood mega star Preity Zinta being interviewed at the One & Only in Cape Town.
She is the co owner of the Kings XI Punjab cricket team in the IPL. Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

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