ChinmayC Blog

Article first published as Indian Cricket: The IPL Stakes on Technorati.   The Sahara Group , main sponsor of Indian Cricket for 11 years, suddenly decided to withdraw sponsorship and withdraw also from the Indian Premiere League (IPL) just before the Players’ Auction extravaganza on February 4, 2012 for IPL season five. Long standing disagreement with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the BCCI’s arrogant behavior had been cited as the main reasons for this ‘emotional’ decision . A hue and cry followed across the country and raged on with the media playing a crucial role. It signified a huge loss of money for Indian cricket and also for the cash-rich BCCI. While Sahara Group said new sponsors could very well be arranged very soon by the Board the BCCI kept silent till a written communication was received. Then the hard negotiations started between the two Indian business giants. Of course, the imprint of Sahara on the uniforms of the Indian cricket ...

We have been used to beholding ‘Sahara India’ on the bluish uniforms of Indian cricketers in one-day and T20 games for over a decade now. It has almost acquired a patriotic fervor when Team India plays against international teams. Now, you shall not behold any more! Sahara has decided today to dissociate from cricket sponsorship after a series of disagreements with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). It is poised to aggravate Indian cricket which is already on a low after the Indian team’s disastrous overseas tours. Most significantly, it means a huge loss of money for the cash rich BCCI.   Yesterday, India did end its seven-month long win-less overseas records by defeating Australia by 8 wickets in the second T20 match played in Melbourne. For a change, Indian players were charged up in the field after losing the toss and put in to field first. They effected as many as four run-outs and one stumping that reduced Australia to 131 all out. Ravindra Jadeja excelled both...