Sunday, April 19, 2009
Kolkata Knight Riders Anthem
This is the audio of the latest version of the KKR anthem.
Enjoy!!!
Click here for Knight Riders Anthem (2009 version)
John Buchanan interview on the change in captaincy
Cape Town: John Buchanan, the Kolkata Knight Riders’ cricket manager, spoke to The Telegraph at The Cullinan hotel on Saturday. The interview focused on the change in the franchise’s captaincy, in the lead-up to the IPL’s second edition.
The following are excerpts:
Q Less than a month ago, you’d declared that the Knight Riders wouldn’t have a fixed captain. Why this change?
A I’d also said (in Calcutta) that we would use the fortnight leading into the tournament to look at a range of options and the way we’d like to run the team... At the end of the day, there could only be one captain, as the laws of the game demand that... After looking at the options, it was felt the best way forward would be to have Brendon McCullum at the helm and he’d be supported by Brad Hodge, Sourav Ganguly and Chris Gayle...
McCullum has been your choice. What’s his USP?
He’s an archetypal 20-over cricketer... His body-language, his enthusiasm, his creativeness, his responsiveness... Those qualities stand out... He’s a genuine all-rounder in that he ’keeps and bats... He’s good behind the stumps and is as energetic and enthusiastic anywhere else in the field as well... In 20-over cricket, he’ll lead by example.
Are you suggesting Sourav doesn’t fit into T20?
If you look at the options we have in the team, then everybody has something to offer... (Coach) Matthew Mott and I are trying to get the best out of the team.
But the impression is that Sourav alone has been made to pay for the Knight Riders’ disappointing show in the IPL’s inaugural edition, last year...
I wouldn’t agree with that... No... Sourav knows that he hasn’t been held accountable... He’d been part of conversations where the focus had been on the best way forward... We tried different things and different methods in Bloemfontein, before opting for what we think is the best way forward.
Quite a few see you as the villain of the piece. Is that a matter of concern?
I’m sure some will see it that way... But I’m hoping that, over time, they’ll understand that my decisions are only driven by one motive — to take the Knight Riders forward. The (captaincy) decision has been taken keeping in mind what’s best for the franchise.
In reaching that decision, were you influenced by McCullum being a much younger cricketer and, therefore, having more to offer in the long-term?
Not necessarily... Of course, I’m aware Sourav is 36 and will soon be 37... Having said that, I didn’t look at age in working on the best dynamics for the team.
Given that Sourav is the franchise’s icon-player, shouldn’t the entire captaincy issue been handled better?
When you look back on almost everything in life, then you do feel that those things could’ve been done a fractionally better... The owners and Sourav were clear about my approach to 20-over cricket and I did have discussions (with Sourav)... What I’ve done has nothing to do with Sourav as a person... Nothing has been personal... It hasn’t been a personal issue between Sourav and me... In a sense, it also has nothing to do with McCullum... It has everything to do with 20-over cricket.
Was it difficult for you when you informed Sourav about his removal?
Yes and no... I’d already had discussions with Sourav... He still has a role to play in the franchise... He isn’t the captain, but that doesn’t mean he can’t or won’t advise.
Have you identified the on-field leaders who’ll be helping the captain?
The group I mentioned earlier — Hodge, Sourav, Gayle... The batting order would be determined by Mott.
Today, what’s the biggest challenge for you and the Knight Riders?
It’s ourselves, really... Just being very sure about what we are and what we’re trying to do... Right now, we have a good understanding of that... The biggest challenge would be to maintain it throughout the tournament... We’ve got to keep doing the things we’re supposed to do... Weather, injuries, travelling... All are going to be factors.
Injuries to Wriddhiman Saha and Cheteshwar Pujara couldn’t have come at a worse time...
It’s been a setback, no doubt about it.
Would you, at this stage, place one team ahead of the others?
No... The wickets will vary, there could be rain and the edition will run till almost the end of May... There’ll be dew for the night matches... So, a lot of factors are going to come into play... Also, don’t forget that the day’s second match could play out very differently...
How do you rate Deccan Chargers?
I wouldn’t read a lot into their finishing last in the inaugural season.
The final one: Are you under a lot more pressure now?
(Grins) Even if that is so, I’m not necessarily feeling it... The players and the support staff have done everything that could’ve been done in the past fortnight... We’ll have to begin delivering from Sunday.
Exclusive Ganguly Interview on latest Captain issue
Here I am publishing small interview with Saurav Ganguly about latest captaincy issue in Kolkata KNight Riders. This interview was done by Anadabazar Patrika
Here it goes:
I-So wat news??
S-And news
I-Wen did you know
S-yesterday buchanan came to my room and said that he wanted Mccullum as captain.
I-Wat did you say??
S-What can i say?? I listened. its not in my dignity to say anything against the coach.
I-Heard that even SRk came up??
S-Yea.he came up and said sorry coz the coach wants Mccullum as captain.And i am doing just that. I want to give the coach a chance, so that he cant crib about it later.
I-Do you think its totally buchanan’s discretion alone??
S-I dunno and dont want to kno either. The owner has the last say and srk is the owner of this team.
I-But last year, if you were unsuccessful, even the coach was.
S- Please lets not get into that.
I-But you scored heavily in the practice matches
S-Not only that, i captained all the matches and won them.
I-Did you imagine somethin like this could happen?
S-i did. Thats why i tried my level best in these matches.
I-What happened then??
S-I an as confounded as you are.
I-So are you shocked??
S-naah.
I-Well, looking at you, it seems so.
S-Nopes. But i have to play well now(jaw hardened)
I-Do you kno that ur ouster from captaincy has raised a flutter in most franchisees??
S-nopes, havent heard bout it. No one told me so.
I-All your close ones and fans are flabbergasted and want to you to leave the franchisee.
S-Well. I thought about it. But i want to give them all a fitting reply by playing well. I have to play well.
I-Mcullum said that you would help him..
S-Yes, he came to me
I-Are you surprised that mccullum was rased to the helm??
S-Well, doesnt matter if m surprised. I heard that the captaincy was first offered to gayle who declined for he dint know the team too well. you still think that i should cry for that post?
I-What plans for tomorrow.
S-nothing. Will hit the gym and go on a ride to cape town.
I-Alone??
S-yep.Alone
PS:- The content is translated in English by Arunava. We are not responsible for the above translated text.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
2009 IPL schedule
April 18: Opening ceremony followed by Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers;
Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings (Newlands, Cape Town )
April 19: Kolkata Knight Riders v Deccan Chargers (Newlands, Cape Town);
Delhi Daredevils vs Kings XI Punjab (Newlands, Cape Town)
April 20: Royal Challengers v Chennai Super Kings ( St. George's Park , Port Elizabeth )
April 21: Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians (Kingsmead, Durban );
Kolkata Knight Riders v Kings XI Punjab (Kingsmead, Durban )
April 22: Delhi Daredevils v Chennai Super Kings (Kingsmead, Durban );
Royal Challengers v Deccan Chargers (Newlands, Cape Town )
April 23: Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals ( St. George's Park , Port Elizabeth )
April 24: Kings XI Punjab v Royal Challengers (Wanderers, Johannesburg )
April 25: Kolkata Knight Riders v Chennai Super Kings (Newlands, Cape Town );
Deccan Chargers v Mumbai Indians (Kingsmead, Durban )
April 26: Rajasthan Royals v Kings XI Punjab (Newlands, Cape Town);
Royal Challengers v Delhi Daredevils (St. George's Park, Port Elizabeth)
April 27: Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians (Newlands, Cape Town );
Chennai Super Kings v Deccan Chargers (Kingsmead, Durban )
April 28: Delhi Daredevils v Rajasthan Royals ( Supersport Park , Centurion, Pretoria )
April 29: Mumbai Indians v Kings XI Punjab (Kingsmead, Durban );
Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers (Kingsmead, Durban )
April 30: Delhi Daredevils v Deccan Chargers (Supersport Park, Centurion, Pretoria);
Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings (Supersport Park, Centurion, Pretoria)
May 1: Royal Challengers v Kings XI Punjab ( Buffalo Park , East London);
Mumbai Indians v Kolkata Knight Riders (Kingsmead, Durban )
May 2: Rajasthan Royals v Deccan Chargers (Wanderers, Johannesburg );
Chennai Super Kings v Delhi Daredevils ( St. George's Park , Port Elizabeth )
May 3: Mumbai Indians v Royal Challengers (Kingsmead, Durban );
Kings XI Punjab v Kolkata Knight Riders ( Buffalo Park , East London )
May 4: Deccan Chargers v Chennai Super Kings ( St. George's Park , Port Elizabeth )
May 5: Delhi Daredevils v Kolkata Knight Riders (Kingsmead, Durban );
Kings XI Punjab v Rajasthan Royals (Kingsmead, Durban )
May 6: Mumbai Indians v Deccan Chargers ( Supersport Park , Centurion, Pretoria )
May 7: Kings XI Punjab v Chennai Super Kings ( Supersport Park , Centurion, Pretoria );
Royal Challengers v Rajasthan Royals ( Supersport Park , Centurion, Pretoria )
May 8: Delhi Daredevils v Mumbai Indians ( Buffalo Park , East London )
May 9: Deccan Chargers v Kings XI Punjab ( Outsurance Park , Bloemfontein );
Chennai Super Kings v Rajasthan Royals ( St. George's Park , Port Elizabeth )
May 10: Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Daredevils ( Buffalo Park , East London);
Royal Challengers v Mumbai Indians (Wanderers, Johannesburg )
May 11: Deccan Chargers vs Rajasthan Royals ( Outsurance Park , Bloemfontein )
May 12: Royal Challengers vs Kolkata Knight Riders ( Supersport Park , Centurion, Pretoria );
Kings XI Punjab v Mumbai Indians ( Supersport Park , Centurion, Pretoria )
May 13: Deccan Chargers v Delhi Daredevils (Kingsmead, Durban )
May 14: Mumbai Indians v Rajasthan Royals (Kingsmead, Durban );
Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers (Kingsmead, Durban )
May 15: Kings XI Punjab v Delhi Daredevils (De Beers Diamond, Oval, Kimberley )
May 16: Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians (Wanderers, Johannesburg );
Deccan Chargers v Kolkata Knight Riders ( St. George's Park , Port Elizabeth )
May 17: Rajasthan Royals v Delhi Daredevils (De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley );
Kings XI Punjab v Deccan Chargers (Wanderers, Johannesburg )
May 18: Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders ( Supersport Park , Centurion, Pretoria )
May 19: Delhi Daredevils v Royal Challengers (Wanderers, Johannesburg )
May 20: Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab (Kingsmead, Durban );
Rajasthan Royals v Kolkata Knight Riders (Kingsmead, Durban )
May 21: Deccan Chargers v Royal Challengers ( Supersport Park , Centurion, Pretoria );
Mumbai Indians v Delhi Daredevils ( Supersport Park , Centurion, Pretoria )
May 22: Semifinal 1 at Supersport Park , Centurion, Pretoria
May 23: Semifinal 2 at Wanderers, Johannesburg
May 24: Closing ceremony followed by final (Wanderers, Johannesburg ).
