Tuesday 29 April 2008

Costliest slap in cricket’s history


The slap must be reverberating in Harbhajan Singh’s ears. When he hit Sreesanth beneath his eyes, Harbhajan could hardly imagine that it would go down to history as the costliest slap ever in the history of Indian cricket.

IPL Mint in Suit Lalit Modi spelled out the arithmetic in yesterday’s Press Conference.

He said a player's fee is divided over 14 matches and Harbhajan will be paid for only the first two matches. The volatile offie forfeits his fees from third match onwards, besides the ban for the rest of the IPL.

Bhajji was bought by Mukesh Ambani's Mumbai Indians for a cool Rs 3.4 crore but the Jalandhar spinner would get only Rs 48 lakh.

So that slap that earned him a ban as well, cost Bhajji neat Rs three crore.

Meanwhile, having been to umpteen BCCI Press Conferences, I did not expect it to be a tidy affair yesterday but what I witnessed was mind-boggling.

PR guys said press conference would take place at the 17th floor of the Maurya Sheraton and that triggered mayhem. Imagine 200-strong crowd, armed with tripods, mikes and paraphernalia, trying to squeeze themselves into two elevators. By the time half of them managed to reach the place, fresh announcement said they don’t have enough space there, so it would take place at porch. That ensued second round of pandemonium. Well, then we were told they have made the arrangements and it would indeed take place at 17th floor. That triggered a mini-stampede, and TV guys mouthed the most exotic choicest of abuses you can hope to come across before making it to the place just before Modi and Farokh Engineer started the press conference.

Next round of drama took place there that included angry shouts at Modi as well. And all along, Engineer screamed “Please be quiet, show some respect for Mr Modi.”

Well, that was really asking for too much.

Anyway, all this while Modi could have simply booked a hall beforehand and told that the Press Conference would start at so-and-so hour.

13 comments:

Homer said...

very funny Som.. although I don't expect the media people to be laughing after all the trauma..

Cheers

Som said...

No way Homer, y'day's exhaustion still lingers in me and I was not in the right mental state to pen something of substance. And Delhi Daredevils are practising this morning, while Bangalore guys will sweat it out in the afternoon -- you can well imagine the schedule. My friends concur IPL is the worst thing to happen to sports desk across the media world. Down Down Mr Modi.

straight point said...

i can really imagine the plight...

of all the things...professional courtesy is the last thing in their minds...

they also made PC look like they were celebrating the ban with staged hugs and hand shakes...eeessssshhhh !!

Som said...

SP, media is to be equally blamed. YOu just can't imagine how silly they look, especially the TV guys. If you want to see it for yourself sometimes, just let me know.

Homer said...

Som,

I might take you up on that offer the next time I am in India.. btw, are u delhi or mumbai based?

Cheers

Som said...

Homer, I'm Delhi based. Do let me know when you are here. I think something or the other of the BCCI circus would coincide with your sojourn.

Gaurav Sethi said...

som, what black comedy. that first comment of yours inc. can't stop laughing.

straight point said...

som

are you serious...? i for once wanna see what happens there...

Som said...

SP, yes I'm serious. You really want to see how the media goes berserk? If you are serious, do let me know. I can inform you a day in advance and you can join me at the venue to see how media goes berserk.

straight point said...

hey som...how can i contact you?

Som said...

SP, send me your cell no. at mlanchakra@gmail.com

straight point said...

thanks buddy!!

i have mailed you...

Som said...

SP, thanx. Hope they arrange something soon.