Some rejected IPL venues

Last year, I had written about the impact of IPL on the Prabhus when it was held in South Africa. Now that IPL is back in India (and half way thru here), you might not be aware that Mr.Modi had actaully consulted other countries before settling for India again..Here are a few of them

Zimbabwe

This would be have been a great place to host the IPL and literally taken new frontiers. However got rejected when Modi realized that the franchise fee amount could not be written on a simple cheque given the million percent rate of inflation. Even the Karbon Kamal (catch to you simple non-IPLians) would need two cheques to write in figures.

Afghanistan
So what if there are terrorists there? Cricket is just a game and Mr. Modi would have ensured world peace by playing the IPL there. However, was rejected finally when His Highness realized that he could not have skimpily dressed cheerleaders - after all, what's IPL without cheerleaders?

China

Maybe the best place to take cricket to - you can almost see Mr. Modi salivating by the amount of TV rights for the world's most populous country (for now, until India beats them). However was rejected when the authorities declared that all balls will be 'Made in China' which means they will need to be changed every over. Mr. Modi actually liked that since it meant more TV ads but wiser counsel prevailed.

USA

The final frontier - rejected however since it meant changing a few rules. Given the differences in driving (right hand vs left hand, light switches - up vs down etc), it would have meant pointing a finger down while giving a batsman out and calling the mid wicket as cover and square leg as point. Too confusing for the umpires.

Pakistan

It was a good choice since cricket sells in Pakistan as much as in India. There are of course a minor irritants likes security but then every time has a bench strength. However, was finally rejected when Modi tried to actually find out who the Board of Cricket in Pakistan was..the board had banned the cricketers while the cricketers had banned the Board. Last heard - the coach was trying to find both..

Now YOU know the real story..

'Holi'day

Hope all of you had a great Holi with a lot of Rang Barse and lots of bhang. I have been told that bhang has different effects on different people. If you are talking to someone, you keep on repeating the lines whilst if you are laughing, you keep on laughing with no apparent reason. Talking of bhang, here is how my conversation with the Better Half went on Holi day

BH: So - the light of my life - did you ever have bhang in your life?

LH (Lesser Half aka Vishnu): Oh yes - marrying you was a bhang by itself!

BH: (with a squeal of delight): Oh!! you mean you were intoxicated by me?

LH: No - I cried then and have not stopped crying till now.

Excuse me while I go back to peeling the potatoes for my dinner. I don't think I will get away easily this time.