Although it´s being held far off in South Africa between Indian clubs who have on their rosters cricketing heroes from a bunch of countries, it evokes a lot of interest here in Nepal. [break]
Let´s take a moment to find what our own domestic celebs here think about the celeb-filled event there. Are they following it religiously? Whom do they support? What do they think about this sport import that´s fast gaining ground here?
Sudin Pokharel, of the DA69 moniker, is a Mumbai Indians fan. The obvious reason being Sachin Tendulkar. Since his teenage days, the rap singer and sports journalist has been a big fan of Sachin Tendulkar. Although the coffee houses in Kathmandu are showing the IPL matches, Pokharel prefers to watch the IPL in his office. When he is not in office, he enjoys the mega cricketing event with his dad, at home.
The other Pokharel singing sensation, Sugam, is disappointed that his favorite team--the defending champion Rajasthan Royals who came out of nowhere to win last year--bowed out during the league stage this time. Asked why the Royals were his pick of the pack, he says, “I am a huge Shane Warne fan.” Now that the Royals aren´t in the running anymore, Sugam Pokharel will be cheering for the Deccan Chargers. The Chargers have two of his other Australian heroes-- Gilchrist and Symonds--who he thinks can win this IPL. He plans to sit back and watch the match with his family at home.
Nepali cricket all rounder and ten-wicket wonder Mehboob Alam has always been cheering for the Deccan Chargers. In the last IPL, the team finished at the bottom, but he hopes his favorite batsman, Adam Gilchrist, can in the final blitz his way through the opposition. Alam is particularly impressed by former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden, who plays for the Chennai Super Kings. Alam, who was recently in Kathmandu to play inter-college cricket is now back in his hometown of Rajbiraj and will be watching the finals with his brothers.
Nepali Under-17 cricket team captain Prithu Banskota is a regular viewer of the IPL matches, despite his ongoing Grade Eleven exams. His ideal match hero is Mahendra Singh Dhoni and he is a big fan of the Chennai Super Kings. He likes Dhoni´s batting, captaincy and attitude. But due to Banskota´s exams, he has not had the time to round up his friends and watch the matches with them.
Singer Hemanta Sharma, of the “Thapa na thaapa mayalu mayako chino hataima” fame, is also a big cricket fan. Hemanta, who grew up in Bhairahawa, has played cricket from his childhood. Despite being in a different profession, he never fails to watch the IPL matches. He watches the matches at home, with his wife and child. He likes Shane Warne´s personality so he was rooting for the Rajesthan Royals, but with his team´s crashing out in the first round, he switched to the Delhi Daredevils; but that team too got ousted, in the semi-finals. Now, Hemanta will cheer for the Deccan Chargers.
Folk singer Badri Pangeni wanted Mumbai Eleven to win it all, as he is a die-hard fan of the master blaster, Sachin Tendulkar. But as it is crashed out from first round of the tournament, he too will now cheer for the Deccan Chargers. His hero in the IPL is Adam Gilchrist.
The Deccan Chargers, who rose like a phoenix from their ashes, seem to have a lot of Nepali celebs pulling for them this year. “Celebrity Politician” and CA member Gagan Thapa is a big fan of probably the best keeper-batsman, the big blaster Adam Gilchrist. So he´s also going to support the Chargers. “This time the team is very balanced and they mounted a great comeback. They will win,” he says. He watches the game at home.
The males have their teams and their heroes, but what about Nepal´s celebs of the fairer sex? Do they follow sports? Do they even like cricket? Some of them actually do.
Media personality Puja Gurung was heart- broken to see SRK´s Knight Riders Crash make an exit. But she is now supporting the Chennai Super Kings because Sri Lankan spin wizard Murlitharan plays for the team. Sometimes she goes outside to watch the tournament but most often she prefers to stay indoors.
But not all celebs have the time and the interest to follow the marathon event. Film star Richa Ghimire, who does have an interest in the game, has not been able to fit this event into her schedule this year. Another female star, Rekha Thapa, however, has no interest whatsoever in the IPL.
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