IPl 6 is full of interesting off-field stories. From sponsors to a special show to dance and romance. Deebashree Mohanty tells you more
Apples anybodyIJ
Guess what is the official fruit for saddi dilli ki teamIJ None other than Washington apples! “Our growers and shippers of Washington Apples are delighted to be associated with the Delhi Daredevils. With this association, we are happy to showcase and promote six new tasteful varieties of Washington Apples —Washington Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Cripps Pink, Granny Smith, Braeburn. We are promoting Washington Apples as a healthy, good for you, anytime snack and we share the Daredevils beliefs on health, fitness and nutrition,” Keith Sunderlal, Indian representative of the Washington Apple Commission, said. In the world of sports gears and latest energy drinks, it seems weird that the team has associated with healthy apples. “It is an unique combination. Delhi Daredevils believed that the partnership with Washington Apple will help create focus on the common values of healthy and active lifestyle.” We are confident that this association will motivate our fans to lead a healthy active life,” Hemant Dua, GMR sports head, tells you, adding that this jodi is going to be kamal ki on the field.
Sirf Dekhne ka nahin
None other than ace choreogroaher-cum-director-cum actress is going to watch over you this IPl 6. If you don’t give that jhatka when a boundary is stuck or if your hands don’t go up in yo yo style when a six is launched, beware because Khan is watching. “If it was possible for me to physically visit each and every household watching the match without shaking a leg, I would beat them up. It is IPl - lets make cricket a mental game now,” Farah who is high on the IPl fever already says.
She has been jumping jhapak ever since the makers of the video aprrochaed her and the dancing is going to continue till Virat Kohli (her present favourite) is going to give her the nod for a film. “He is smart, hot and perfect for a film. But he is too busy yaar,” Khan says at an Ariel Colour & Style event held in the Capital recently.
As the brand ambassador of Ariel, Khan says it is timely that the washing powder brand has tied up with cricket. “It is a messy game and cricketers don’t care on the field whether their jerseys are smudged in mud. While on field they only want to dho dalo their opponents,” she says, adding that oput of her three children, her son is the most messy. Her daughters are very mindful.
Khan has a special surprise planned for Sidhu in Set Max’s Extraaa Innings wherein she makes him dance to her steps. Telecast between 3-4 pm.
Viru’s hidden side
This IPl, biwi no1 is also going to make various appearances. So if Aarti Ahlawat Sehwag had no qualms in admitting that in her house, she is the opener and the last man standing both, Dhoni’s wifey too had many tweets about her hubby to share.
“Viru is an honest and a very calm person. He is a great father, had been a good boyfriend, mature son and a loving husband,” his wife says at an Ariel Colour & Style launch held in the Capital.
As for what is going on in her husband's mind before walking in to face the first bowl in IPl, Aarti's reply comes pat: Bas ek mauka de dein... mein chutti kar doonga! is his mantra. “It may not be audible to his fans but each time a bowl comes at him, Viru utters ‘mar dunga’. He has always wanted to be a hard hitter and this IPl he wants to take his best a notch higher,” a shy Aarti tells you, adding that although they had known each other for 17 years, she has never seen him as focused as he is for this season of IPl. Quite a chatterbox at home, Viru may speak about everything but when it comes to tough times, he is as tight lipped as he can be. “He doesn’t like to discuss his problems with me. Nor is he the type to sit and gossip about his teammates. For all that, he has special outings with his friends. He wants to shield us from the politics of cricket as much as he can. He say politely, ‘Janke Kya KarogiIJ,”Aarti says as she unveils Viru’s numberless Jersey at the Ariel Colour & Style launch.
Andar ki baat
When the talk is about IPl, how can TV chanels be left far behindIJ While there are regular chat shows going on in most sports channels, National Geographic has something different planned for its viewers.
For the first time in Indian television history, National Geographic Channel will answer the burning question among Indian Cricket fans; What is the inside story of the IPlIJ This year, get set to be glued to your television sets, as Nat Geo brings INSIDE IPl; a special series that will reveal the facts behind the massive machinery of the Pepsi Indian Premier league.
Featuring as it does, 54 days of cricket, 76 matches, 9 teams, 12 venues and more than a hundred million spectators and TV viewers, the Pepsi IPl 2013 will bring cricket, business and entertainment together to create an exciting concoction that will have Indians and the cricketing world at large, captivated.
From the organisation and preparations for the Pepsi IPl 2013, to its execution, management, broadcast, players and fans, ‘Inside IPl’ will give viewers a never-before peek into the making and shaping of India’s largest annual sporting spectacle.
To be featured later this year.