On Kochi debut eve,cricket faces politics in knockout match

Even Shantakumaran Sreesanth,with a knack of hogging the limelight,must feel ignored.

Kochi Tuskers Kerala,the local IPL team,bank heavily on Sreesanth to build their brand. They suffered serious birth pangs,and start in the T20 league with a tough game against Royal Challengers Bangalore tomorrow. They need all the luck,hype and support that they can get.

None of which appeared to be in evidence 24 hours ahead. Posters of cricketers,screaming their battle cries,common in the homes of other IPL sides,were absent. Tickets — from Rs 10,000 to Rs 400 — were still available,confirmed the official ticketing partner. At the stadium complex,there were no queues outside ticket counters.

Inside the multi-purpose Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium — a concrete behemoth that will host the inaugural game — a mild sense of the occasion was in evidence. The outfield and wicket have been relaid,the drainage system overhauled. Brand new cricket-specific lights have been installed. The bright hoardings ringing the stadium bring the familiar IPL feel.

Vivek Venugopal,director of Kochi Cricket Pvt Ltd,expressed confidence that the first game would get a good response,in spite of the elections and the World Cup hangover. “We are really excited. This is a wonderful moment for the Kochi IPL team and the sport in the state. We’ll witness a good turnout,” he said.

The team’s first roadshow,with the players and coach Geoff Lawson on bikes,was held on Wednesday. The team’s music video was launched the same day.

Kerala Cricket Association secretary T C Mathew said the buzz around the team would increase when they play their second home game on April 18,when Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings visit. “From what I gather there isn’t as much interest in this game as there is for a One-day International. This could be because elections are around the corner. But we expect a decent turnout,” Mathew said.

The stadium was leased from the Greater Cochin Development Corporation three months ago. A total Rs 1.4 crore have been spent on the new lights and refurbishing the dressing room,Mathew said.

K N Ananthapadmanaban,the former Kerala leg-spinner,said the Kochi IPL team would benefit cricket in Kerala only if it led to an upgradation of infrastructure.

“Ninety-five per cent matches are played on sub-standard turf or matting wickets. Training and practice facilities are mediocre. The league cricket played in Trivandrum and Kochi are two-day games,and teams are allowed to field 13 players because on a given day a couple of them may not even be available,” Ananthapadmanaban said.

“I benefitted from playing in the Chennai league… The Kochi team will have to develop more training centres and groom local talent if Kerala is to produce cricketers good enough to play for the country,” he added.

For a state that did not register a single win in the Plate group last season,the Kochi IPL team promises a ray of hope — as it competes with politics for the public’s mindspace.