No problems with Kumble; don't spread rumours: Kohli

June 3, 2017

Birmingham, Jun 3: India captain Virat Kohli today dismissed the speculated rift with Anil Kumble, stating that there were "no problems" with the chief coach and the entire episode was nothing but rumours.

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"There are a lot speculations and lot of things being written by people without actually being part of the change room which is quite strange. There are no problems whatsoever," Kohli was curt while addressing the media ahead of the Champions Trophy opener against arch-rivals Pakistan.

When the question was rephrased by another scribe about how his journey with Kumble has been through the past year, he answered with an equally deadpan expression.
"It's been really good. The whole journey has been good," he said.

On alleged disagreements with Kumble, the skipper made it clear that one should only comment when aware of the situation.

"Agreements and disagreements happen. I would not comment on things that I am not fully aware of. I would not speculate. I think there is lack of patience right now and nobody admits mistakes. If you (media) write something and it goes wrong, have the heart to admit that you have gone wrong rather than saying that problem has been solved," Kohli said.

Kohli described the team as a family where disagreements can happen. "It's normal to have disagreements, even at home, not everybody agrees on everything. It's human nature. When you don't know about something completely, don't spread rumours and speculate, just focus on cricket," he was terse in his answers.

Kohli said he understands that media has a job to do and he would rather focus on his -- that is playing cricket.

He didn't wish to elaborate on why the BCCI invited coaches' application despite Kumble's phenomenal record.

"I don't understand why there is speculation for a process. I don't even know, I don't want to know. In a tournament which is so much in focus, lot of people like to find rumours before the tournament. They are trying to do their job and get their livelihood, we will focus on our livelihood.

"But one thing that I want to say is that, unless someone is part of something, I don't think they should sit on judgement or speculate."

Questioned on how he deals with off-field pressures, Kohli said he likes to switch off when he is on the field.

"You have to handle stuff when you are thinking. When I don't think, I can carry on with life. I don't take pressure on me all the time. I never played irresponsibly even when I was not captain. I don't feel, I have to do something extra to get something as captain," said the skipper.

Predictably, he termed Pakistan as just another game.

"I don't think any other team also puts a price on just one game. We take the same mindset to every game that we play for India, the mindset does not change."

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News Network
March 22,2024

IPL.jpg

The start of the world’s most lucrative cricket tournament in India is presenting investors with another big opportunity to cash in on the sport, months after the world’s most populous nation hosted the Cricket World Cup.

The eight-week long Indian Premier League begins March 22 for its 17th season. Since its inception, the fast-paced cricket tournament has become a corporate juggernaut to rival the National Football League in the US and the English Premier League in value.

Just as October’s Cricket World Cup boosted consumption in India for months, fans are expected to flock to restaurants, pubs and food delivery platforms over the duration of the tournament. This year’s IPL also coincides with general elections that will last for six weeks starting April 19, a period when companies are expecting higher food and drink sales as people flock to rallies and other events.

“There’s going to be a lot of spending,” said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Bank of Baroda. “IPL, as well as the election, gives a three-month corridor with enhanced economic activity.”

Stocks in India such as McDonald’s franchise operator Westlife Foodworld Ltd. and peer Sapphire Foods India Ltd. gained ahead of the first match on Friday, as well as hotels and beverage makers. Packaged-food companies could also stand to benefit from the IPL craze, said Sachil Bobade, an analyst at investment firm Dolat Capital Market.

The IPL ecosystem was valued at $11 billion (Rs 91,721 crores) in 2023, including the value of media rights and sponsorships, according to Indian valuation consulting firm D&P Advisory.

The league is also attracting record sums of money from sponsors and broadcasters. Conglomerate Tata Group won the title sponsorship rights of the tournament in January for a record 25 billion rupees ($300 million). Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s media venture secured the digital streaming rights in 2022 for five years for $2.7 billion, while Walt Disney Co. paid roughly the same for TV rights.

“There was a serious amount of bidding even this year,” said Vinit Karnik, head of entertainment, esports and sports at media agency GroupM South Asia. “I see growth in IPL in double digits year-on-year,” he adds.

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