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Category: Sports

  • Ten Sports unveils new logo; targets Rs 20 crore revenue from Ind-Zimbabwe series

    Ten Sports unveils new logo; targets Rs 20 crore revenue from Ind-Zimbabwe series

    MUMBAI: Sports broadcaster Ten Sports, which is airing the India vs Zimbabwe ODI series that kickstarted today (10 July), has also unveiled its new logo on the occasion.

     

    After the dismal performance of the ‘Men in Blue’ in the Bangladesh tour, this India tour of Zimbabwe has become an all-important series for both the audience as well as the broadcaster. What’s more, the broadcaster is targeting ad revenues in excess of Rs 20 crore from the series.

     

    Ten Sports and Taj TV global CEO Rajesh Sethi, “It is a step forward in consolidating all the channels under one uniform network and project the organization value to strive further, break new grounds, surpass our limits and achieve the unattained. The belief is articulated in our new network logo design which is synonymous to all kinds of sports and its belief of genesis to victory and the idents and new design was developed completely by the internal team.”

     

    The network also informed Indianelevision.com that an elongated and extensive research was conducted by the internal team before launching the logo.

     

    Sethi further added, “The interest in this series is very high, which is visible through the fact that around 60 per cent of our inventory has already been sold, this in spite of not having the more sellable names in the team. We are able to command a rate of Rs 3 to 3.5 lakh between ODIs and T20s per 10 second. We expect the revenue for this series to be well over Rs 20 crore with brands like Fogg, Karbonn and Pay You already being associated with the series,” said

     

    What could very well be the beginning of the end for the Dhoni era, this series pitches players who have been on the fringes or are making comebacks under a new captain. Zimbabwe that gave a respectable performance against Pakistan in May can’t be treated as push overs any more.

     

    As official broadcasters of the event, Ten Sports is looking to tap into the vast opportunity that the series brings along.

     

    On the production front, the channel has started its studio show Straight Drive, which will boast of star analysts such as Arun Lal, Atul Wassan and Charu Sharma. The show will see pre, mid and post-match round ups.

     

    To market the series, the channel has tied up with the upcoming movie Drishyam. It is also conducting fan engagement activities like contests and quizzes on various social media platforms.

     

    The channel feels that this could well and truly be the moment of truth for the evolution of cricket in the country and the series presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the ‘New Blues.’

  • ISL Auction: Ranbir Kapoor’s Mumbai City FC snaps up Sunil Chhetri for Rs 1.2 crore

    ISL Auction: Ranbir Kapoor’s Mumbai City FC snaps up Sunil Chhetri for Rs 1.2 crore

    MUMBAI: The first auction of Indian footballers’ new dream tournament IMG-Reliance and Star India funded Indian Super league (ISL) kickstarted in Mumbai with national football sensation Sunil Chhetri going under the hammer for a whopping Rs 1.20 crore. Having a base price of Rs 80 lakh, Chhetri was picked up by Ranbir Kapoor’s Mumbai City FC. 

     

    Kapoor said, “I am excited to have Sunil in our team and we are looking forward to the next season with him in the team. Sunil and Anelka up in front will certainly be a worthy experience.”

     

    Veteran football commentator John Dykes started the auction proceedings along with auction specialist Charlie Ross.

     

    The first player to go down the hammer was the winner of the I-League Player of the Season Jackichand Singh. His base price was Rs 20 lakh and after much tussling and strategising, Pune FC grabbed his services for Rs 45 lakh. Hrithik Roshan sported a big smile after securing Singh’s services. Mumbai co-owner Kapoor and North East United co-owner John Abraham were also aggressively bidding for Singh.

     

    With a base price of Rs 39 lakh, Thoi Singh managed to raise many eyebrows when Chennai FC clinched him for Rs 86 lakh.

     

    Alongside Chhetri who breached the Rs 1 crore mark, Eugeneson Lyngdoh became the first player in the auction to touch the coveted price point. After several rounds of aggressive bidding, which started from the base price of Rs 27.5 lakh, Roshan had the last laugh as Pune City FC secured the midfielder’s services by investing a sum of Rs 1.05 crore. As many as five clubs were vying for Lyngdoh.

     

    On the other hand, Rino Anto was the show stopper of Pool B of the ISL auction. The one-of-a-kind Indian national Left Back went under the hammer with a base price of Rs 17.5 lakh. However this amount was too little when compared to his class and franchise owners recognised it early on. Defending champions Athletico de Kolkata bagged his services after several rounds of counter bidding against various franchises. Anto’s selling price went up to Rs 90 lakh, which was way over his base price. 

     

    Pool B also had nation number 9 Robin Singh. The goal scorer was expected to grab the attention of many a teams but it turned out to be a very cold bidding while he was under the hammer. Delhi Dynamos secured his service paying Rs 51 lakh, a tad higher than his base price of Rs 40 lakh.

     

    A total of Rs 7.22 crore was spent in the first edition of the ISL player auction for garnering the services of top 10 Indian players.  

     

    The auction began with an encouraging speech from ISL founder and chairperson Nita Ambani. 

     

    Ambani said, “Half a million young minds participated in the Reliance Foundation young minds grassroots program out of which the best 23 were selected and now they are privileged with top class facilities in Mumbai, getting top class coaching from top football coaches. We are committed to make the second season bigger and better. We will try our level best to make India a truly footballing nation. Come on India, let’s football.”

  • Star Sports to telecast ISL Draft and Auction live

    Star Sports to telecast ISL Draft and Auction live

    MUMBAI: Star India’s sports broadcaster Star Sports, will telecast the first ever auction of football players in India live and exclusive on Friday, 10 July, 2015 from Mumbai. The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2015 domestic player auction and draft will witness the top football talent in the country going under the hammer, with the eight teams bidding aggressively to add the finest Indian football talent to their roster.

     

    The auction will go live at 10 am on Star Sports 2 and Star Sports HD2 and will be anchored by renowned broadcaster and football expert John Dykes. Charlie Ross, resident auctioneer of Gooding and Company, the American vintage automobile auctioneers and for Mac Dougalls, the Russian Fine Art Auction House, will head the auction proceedings for the day. 

     

    Mobile internet advertising will surge at a 23.1 per cent CAGR to 2019, overtaking display internet advertising globally in 2018 and replacing paid search in the US by 2016 as the leading internet advertising category. Global video advertising spend which is also expected to rise at a CAGR of 19.5 per cent will be catalyzed by a near-doubling of global smartphone connections to 3.85billion in the said year. 

     

    This rapid rise in mobile and internet video advertising calls for media companies to offer both native and programmatory inventory of their advertising portfolios, taking into consideration the timescales and skills set of these two varied mediums which need different management.

     

    The auction will be followed by a domestic draft with 114 players available for selection in the second season of the Hero Indian Super League.

     

    The auction and draft day telecast will begin with a special in-depth analysis on Star Sports 2 and Star Sports HD 2 on what to expect at the auction and draft. Star Sports presenter Seema Jaswal along with former footballers and experts Paul Masefield and Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood will be a part of the pre-auction show.  A special one hour wrap up show featuring all the action from the day long auction will broadcast between 10:30 pm – 11:30 pm on Star Sports 4 & Star Sports HD4.

     

    Each club is regulated to have a minimum squad of 22 players and maximum of 25, consisting of one marquee, eight international and 13 domestic players including two mandatory under-23 developmental players.

     

     

  • World T20 Qualifier is another boost for cricket’s global development

    World T20 Qualifier is another boost for cricket’s global development

    MUMBAI: On the eve of another exciting opportunity for the best Associate and Affiliate Members (AMs) to qualify for a major ICC event, the success of the ICC Development Programme is illustrated by the fact that there are now more people playing cricket outside the 10 full members than ever before.

     

    Indeed, the number of cricketers has increased in those countries three-fold in just the past six years. Now there are 1.4 million male and female participants currently involved in formal cricket programmes beyond the traditional boundaries.

     

    As the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, hosted by Ireland and Scotland, is set to start tomorrow, the truth is the associate game has never been so buoyant as it is today. This is due, in no small part, to the phenomenal financial investment that flows from ICC into its members, both in terms of direct funding and also opportunities afforded through high-performance programmes and tournaments.

     

    The ICC’s Development Programme was launched in 1997. Then, there were 26 Associate and 10 Affiliate Members. 17 years later, the ICC has 95 members (below the 10 full members), including 57 Affiliate and 38 Associate Members.

     

    There has been a substantial increase to the funding of the ICC Development Programme. Between 1998-2007, USD $65million was invested in the ICC Development Programme. In the recently concluded rights cycle, this was increased to USD $250million and in the next cycle approximately USD $300million will be invested.

     

    The results of this investment are evident. There were approximately 277,637 participants in countries below the Full Members in 2005. This number climbed to 410,248 at the end of 2008. At the end of 2014, the number of participants in countries below Full Members stood at 1.4million.

     

    ICC chief executive David Richardson said, “Cricket around the world is in rude health with more people playing the game outside the Full Members than ever before. This is a tribute to the hard work, passion and dedication of people within the Associate and Affiliate Members as well as the significant financial and other resources passed on from the ICC.

     

    Richardson added,  “As the final preparations are put in place for the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2015, this is another special opportunity for those Associates to claim a place at a major ICC event. The ICC World Twenty20 2016 in India will no doubt be a spectacular tournament. No fewer than six places are available for the best sides outside of the Full Members and I know that competition will be fierce over the next three weeks or so as we determine exactly which teams will be traveling to India next year.”

     

    The ICC Development Programme is tasked with building a bigger, better global game by assisting the 95 AMs grow and improve the standard of cricket within their territories. This is done through direct funding, the funding and management of qualification pathways to major events and the provision of guidance and advice in the crucial areas of administration, domestic participation, high performance, education, fund-raising and promotion. This includes senior men’s and women’s cricket as well as the youth game.

     

    Richardson stated, “The ICC is committed to growing the game beyond the historical heartlands and our Development Programme is reaping the rewards of its investment. All over the world, people are taking up cricket for the first time and, through the game’s unique spirit, lives are being changed for the better.”

     

    “While this qualifying tournament is all about Twenty20, the ICC is also working to improve the quality and depth of ODI cricket and Test cricket. Indeed, the ICC Intercontinental Cup is the clear pathway to Test cricket for the Associates and the decision to include the top Associates in the One-Day FTP with the Full Members provides a great opportunity for the best AMs to break into the hierarchy of the ODI game,” he concluded.

  • Govt. sets up committee to examine state of Sports Authority of India centres

    Govt. sets up committee to examine state of Sports Authority of India centres

    NEW DELHI: The government has set up a committee to study the present status of Sports Authority of India centres, particularly in view of the recent attempted suicide by four female inmates of whom one girl trainee died.

     

    Describing the incident at SAI SAG Water Sports centre at Alappuzha, Kerala in May as ‘tragic and shocking’, the Sports Ministry said the Committee will also recommend measures to ensure that such incidents do not occur in future. SAI director (Personnel) will facilitate the working of the Committee.

     

    This incident attracted wide-spread attention and underlined the need for systemic improvement to ensure well-being of inmates in SAI Centres.

     

    The Committee will be headed by sportsperson Ashwini Nachappa with seven members of whom one is Dr. Jaspal Sandhu who is secretary in the University Grants Commission while one is a journalist K P Mohan and there is a former member of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights  Neena P. Nayak. The others are Gopi Chand, Malay Shroff, Bhogeshwar Barua, and hockey expert Baldev Singh. The Committee has been asked to submit its report within three months.

     

    The committee should visit at least one or two centers in each region (North, South, East, West), study the issues involved and give recommendations on issues of athletes at the training centers and recommendations for resolving them, management of their stress levels, quality of food served, timely availability of dietary supplements,   cleanliness, recreational facilities, athlete grievance redressal, anti-sexual harassment measures,  overall security, systems, procedures, checks and balances, system of reporting and monitoring required to ensure holistic development and well being of athletes.

     

    SAI Centres are spread all over the country and have different issues in view of different cultures, climatic conditions, sports disciplines, backgrounds of athletes and locations, etc. The Committee may take into account such differences while making its recommendations. 

  • Sony Six bags broadcasting rights to India vs Sri Lanka 2015 test series

    Sony Six bags broadcasting rights to India vs Sri Lanka 2015 test series

    MUMBAI: In a US $ 3.2 million deal, Multi Screen Media’s (MSM) sports venture Sony Six has acquired the rights of India vs Sri Lanka three test match series. The series to be held in Sri Lanka, will take place between 12 August, 2015 and 1 September, 2015.

     

    This 20-day tour includes three test matches to be held in the cities of Galle, Colombo and Kandy and will be shown live and exclusive on Sony Six.

     

    Sony Six and Sony Kix business head Prasana Krishnan said, ”We are delighted to partner Sri Lanka Cricket Board as the official broadcaster of the series. The fixture between the two Asian giants is one of the most sought after and keenly followed contests in cricket and we are proud to be bringing it live to our viewers. And it will be interesting to watch how the Indian squad fares under Virat’s aggressive style of leadership.”

     

    Sri Lanka Cricket chairman Sidath Wettimuny added, ”Sony Six has established itself as one of the most exciting sports channels in the industry and we are thrilled to be associated with them for this test series. The channel’s track record in showcasing premier sporting properties further cemented our decision in making them our broadcaster partner in bringing the high-quality sporting action. Through this deal, we believe we will be able to expand and reach out to a wider and newer audience.”

     

    It can be noted that the broadcasting rights for the Sri Lanka Cricket Board are with Essel Group’s sports arm Ten Sports. However, this series is a back up for the curtailed West Indies vs India series which ended mid way due to organisational differences between West Indies players and their cricket board. Subsequently, as the series was not a part of the calendar initially, it was not a part of the official broadcasting deal between Sri Lanka Cricket Board and Ten Sports.

     

    With the rights of the test series going to Sony Six, several reports linked it to the alleged differences between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra. Clarifying the networks stand, Ten Sports CEO Rajesh Sethi told Indiantelevision.com, ”Firstly, this has nothing to do with BCCI- Subhash Chandra relationship and we have a very cordial relationship with the Sri Lanka Cricket Board as well.”

     

    He further added, ”This series was not a part of the deal and hence separate bidding took place, which is absolutely normal and technical. We also did bid for the series but we have to understand that it is a three test match series, with no ODIs or T20 matches and hence going ballistic was not our strategy. If it was a full-fledged series with Test, ODIs and T20s, we would have aggressively pushed for it.”

     

    According to Sethi, the duration and format of the series does not allow the broadcaster to monetize the property well. Besides, the weather under which the test series will be played will have an impact on the broadcaster. Paramount possibilities of rain enhance the chance of interruptions and that’s something which will be on advertisers mind too.

     

    The series is highly important as Team India will go all guns blazing to write off the critics and restore fans’ faith after its debacle in Bangladesh. It should also prove to be one of the most vital one for Virat Kohli as he captains the India squad in what will be his first ever complete test series. Not just that, legendary batsman Kumar Sangakkara will bid adieu to the world of cricket after the series. So competition, agony, history and team spirit can make the series an exquisite experience for the cricket lovers.

  • Pakistan vaults into third place in ICC Test Championship table

    Pakistan vaults into third place in ICC Test Championship table

    MUMBAI: Pakistan has jumped three places to stand third in the ICC Test Championship table following a seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the third and final cricket Test in Pallekele on Tuesday.

     

    Pakistan had entered the series in sixth position on 97 points, one ahead of Sri Lanka. The 2-1 series win has earned it four ratings points and because the middle of the table is so tightly-packed, a leap of three places.

     

    The team now trails second-ranked Australia by 10 points and leads fourth-ranked New Zealand by two points.

     

    Sri Lanka, in contrast, has dropped four points and has slipped to 92 points, while retaining its seventh position overall.

     

    The Ashes begins on Wednesday and England will not only be aiming to reclaim the Urn but also improve its ranking. England is currently sitting in sixth position and a series win by 3-0 or better will move it to as high as second.

     

    ICC Test Championship table (as on 7 July 2015)

     Rank   Team              Points

    1          South Africa   130

    2          Australia         111

    3          Pakistan          101

    4          New Zealand   99

    5          India                97

    6          England           97

    7          Sri Lanka        92

    8          West Indies     81

    9          Bangladesh     41

    10        Zimbabwe       5

  • After Serie A MSM bags broadcasting rights of FA Cup

    After Serie A MSM bags broadcasting rights of FA Cup

    MUMBAI: When Multi Screen Media (MSM) CEO NP Singh said that the network was looking at building an ecosystem for football in the country, he had a foolproof strategy to back it up. The network has bagged the exclusive three-year broadcasting rights for The Emirates FA Cup from the 2015-16 to the 2017-18 season and Italian Seire A.

     

    Indiantelevision.com was the first to report about the channel acquiring the telecast rights for Italian Seire A. It can be noted that both the assets were earlier with Star India’s sports channel Star Sports.

     

    Following an agreement with MP & Silva, The Emirates FA Cup and Serie A Tim rights holder for the India sub-continent, Sony Kix will exclusively showcase live coverage from the two football properties in a bid to tap into the growing popularity of the sport in the region. These acquisitions strengthen the current portfolio of live football programming which already boasts of a strong line-up of marquee properties including the UEFA Euro 2016, Qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2016, European Qualifiers for 2018 FIFA World Cup, 2018 FIFA World Cup and Copa America.

     

    With the consistent increase in viewership for football witnessed in the past decade in India, the channel is looking to capitalise on this opportunity and provide Indian viewers with a slice of the best in football across the globe. The acquisitions come as a mode to bolster the group’s football portfolio, consolidating their position as the ultimate destination for international football. The Italian jewel of premier division football – the Serie A, along with the oldest and most historic association football competition in the world – The Emirates FA Cup, will surely add a new dimension to the channel’s library of iconic sports properties.

     

    Starting 2 August, 2015, Sony Kix will broadcast the traditional curtain raiser to the English football season, the FA Community Shield which will be played between FA Cup champion Arsenal and Barclays Premier League winner Chelsea, followed by The Emirates FA Cup.

     

    The Italian Serie A Tim Football Championship, the topmost division in professional league in Italian football, kicks-off the 2015 season on the weekend of 22 August 2015. This will be the 114th season of top-tier Italian football, featuring some of the best teams and players in international football. The channel will also showcase in-depth post-match highlights accompanied by a weekly highlight bulletin providing exclusive insights into the league.

     

    This comprehensive and holistic offering of the league will be accompanied by high quality audio and visual feed of the live matches, providing viewers with an unparalleled and enhanced viewing experience.

     

    Sony Kix and Sony Six business head Prasana Krishnan said, “We are witnessing a golden era of sports viewership transition in the country, and are proud to be offering two of the world’s most renowned events in football. We have seen an overwhelming demand for football viewership in the country, and through these acquisitions, we wish to cater to that need and reiterate our commitment towards providing high quality sports content for our viewers.”

  • ICC Cricket WC 2015 gives economic boost to Australia, NZ: PwC

    ICC Cricket WC 2015 gives economic boost to Australia, NZ: PwC

    MUMBAI: The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, hosted by Australia and New Zealand during February and March this year, was one the biggest events in the history of both countries and provided a significant positive boost to the local economies.

     

    The findings of an economic impact and benefits analysis carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers show that the tournament generated more than $AU 1.1 billion in direct spending, created the equivalent of 8,320 full time jobs, and had a total of 2 million bed nights across the two countries.

     

    Attendance at tournament matches was 1,016,420, with 295,000 international and interstate/inter-regional visitors to Host Cities.

     

    Of these, there were 145,000 international visitors to Australia and New Zealand for the tournament providing a huge boost to tourism, with the largest number of overseas visitors coming from Asia.

     

    The tournament was watched by more than 1.5 billion people worldwide.

    ICC chief executive David Richardson said the outstanding success and popularity of the tournament proved that cricket was not only popular across both countries but a significant contributor to the local economies. 

     

    “The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 was the most popular ever played,” said Richardson.

     

    “The venues were world class, the host cities were world class and the two countries delivered a world class tournament which was watched by more people around the world than ever before,” he added.

     

    Australian Sports Minister Sussan Ley said the Australian and New Zealand governments had worked closely with the World Cup organisers to ensure the greatest spectacle for sports fans while also maximising the trade and tourism opportunities created by the tournament.

     

    “While fierce rivals on the field Australia and New Zealand have a proud tradition of working together to deliver world-class sporting events,” Ley said.

     

    “The Cricket World Cup has been an outstanding success across all measures which is highlighted by the contribution it has made to the economies of both countries through trade and tourism as well as the unique benefits of sport diplomacy with key partners and markets around the world,” Ley added.

     

    Cricket World Cup 2015 chief executive officer John Harnden, said the $1.1 billion in direct spending converted into an increase in gross domestic product of $AU460 million across the two countries.

     

    “This was the biggest event in Australia since the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and it has changed cricket in New Zealand forever,” Harnden said.

     

    “The Cricket World Cup generated two million bed nights across the two countries and around $855 million was spent by visitors while here for the tournament which is great for the tourism industries of both countries.

     

    “The Australian and New Zealand Governments were great supporters of the event. The introduction of a single visa for the Cricket World Cup was a significant initiative which made it easier for international guests to visit New Zealand and Australia. Most importantly, both countries provided a safe, warm and welcoming experience for all fans from around the world and provided them with an experience they would not forget.

     

    “When you consider the TV audience of over 1.5 billion, saturation of coverage across all digital platforms and the mainstream media coverage of the event across the 14 host cities, the Cricket World Cup has not only showcased the best of Australia and New Zealand but has enhanced the tournament’s reputation as a major global driver for economic and community benefit,” concluded Harnden.

  • Ten Sports upbeat about India tour of Zimbabwe

    Ten Sports upbeat about India tour of Zimbabwe

    MUMBAI: After all the hue and cry, the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally decided to go ahead with the Zimbabwe tour, a week after reportedly calling it off.

     

    As per earlier reports, BCCI citing Team India’s fatigue and conflict with broadcaster Ten Sports had decided to cancel the Zimbabwe tour. But after rounds of negotiations between the representatives of the two boards in Barbados, the decision of going ahead with the tour was taken.

     

    Subhash Chandra owned Essel group, the parent company of Ten Sports, which is reportedly investing heavily to form an alternative cricket regulatory board and organise lucrative cricket leagues is what had irked BCCI and thus the decision to call off the series which is to be aired on Ten Sports.

     

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Rajesh Sethi says, “The tour was never called off officially and we were always prepared for it. Ten Sports shares a very cordial relationship with all the five boards and pleased to have their broadcasting rights (Zimbabwe, South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka). We are upbeat about the series.”

     

    Adding some relief to the cricket fans of Zimbabwe board chairman Wilson Manase had earlier said, “While negotiations are still on with respect to Team India tour to Zimbabwe, but it seems confirmed that the tour will go ahead. Consequently Team India is expected in Zimbabwe on the 7th of next month. Team Zimbabwe must get ready and be prepared to give Team India a rousing welcome.”

     

    The tour will help Zimbabwe cricket raise some money which they are in real need of, says a cricket expert and historian on condition of anonymity. “In the battle of ego between BCCI and the broadcaster, we should not forget the third stake holder Zimbabwe cricket, which desperately needs to generate revenue. So I am thankful to BCCI that they have decided to go ahead with the tour. From cricket perspective it’s never over till the last ball is bowled and the Bangladesh tour is the proof of that. Zimbabwe cricketers will come hard to the Indians. Having said that the senior bras desperately needed a break and team sent will try their level best to leave a mark. Overall, I expect it to be a good series,” he adds.

     

    Media planning fraternity feels that the ad rate for the series will go down as big names are missing from the team. “MS Dhoni featured in the Forbes list of top 100 richest athletes and he also has a huge fan following and so does Virat Kohli. Hence their absence will make life difficult for the sales team of Ten Sports,” feels a senior media planner who closely deals with sports planning and buying.

     

    Normally for a bilateral series, a 10 second ad slot is sold at Rs 3.5 to Rs 4 lakh. But, with big guns missing from the playing 11, media buyers feel that Ten Sports will be able to fetch around Rs 2 lakh for every 10 second slot.

     

     “Ad rates are directly proportional to the viewership. Dhoni, Kohli are big names and they generate huge word of mouth which results in higher ad rates. So the fact that they are missing will certainly impact the ad rates. But, if the tour was cancelled it would have yielded nothing. Hence it’s good for all three parties involved that the tour is happening,” says a media planner.

     

    Ajinkya Rahane who was dropped after the first ODI in Bangladesh will be leading the team in Zimbabwe. The selection committee has given a career reviving opportunity to veteran wrist spinner Harbajjan Singh by selecting him in place of Ravichandran Ashwin. Singh’s performance in IPL 2015 was key to Mumbai Indian’s success and was acknowledged by numerous pundits. Now it remains to be seen if Rahane can pull off a successful tour in the land of Lions.

     

    The ODI squad for Zimbabwe tour:  Ajinkya Rahane (capt), M Vijay, Ambati Rayudu, Manoj Tiwary, Kedar Jadhav, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Harbhajan Singh, Axar Patel, Karn Sharma, Dhawal Kulkarni, Stuart Binny, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma.