IPL 2016: Off the field highlights

Newlywed Preity Zinta, who co-owns Kings XI Punjab, recently opened up about the controversies that grip the series every season. While interacting with PTI on the issue of Maharashtra drought that led to the shifting of 13 matches, Zinta confessed that such issues do affect the brand and the business and tagged IPL as a “whipping boy.” She said, “Yes, it does affect the brand and it is unfair to the owners. It affects our business as every year there is some controversy or some rumours that come up. I believe at one level IPL has become a whipping boy for many.”

While the IPL matches keep us hooked to our TV sets, the off field shenanigans too have often grabbed our attention. Move on to find out more about the off field highlights of the 2016 IPL…

Baazigar’s high hopes

Despite being busy with the promotions of his keenly awaited, ‘Fan.’ Shah Rukh Khan was keenly looking forward for the start of the 2016 edition of the Indian Premiere League (IPL). His team, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced the Mumbai Indians in the opening match at the Wankhede Stadium. Before the start of the match, he shared his team’s poster with a caption that read, “Tonight belongs to the Royalty in Mumbai & the Knights in Kolkata. Go KKR. Ami Kolkata.”

Don khush hua!

The 2016 Indian Premier League (IPL) couldn’t have started on a better note for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The team literally crushed Delhi Daredeveils handsomely in their first match at the Eden Gardens. The win was obviously a delight for KKR’s owner, Shah Rukh Khan. Although he wasn’t present at the venue, he tweeted after the match, “Sorry wasn’t there to wish you all in person. Will come to Delhi & bring happiness for both teams.”

Sallu super-impressed with Anant Ambani

Along with some exciting cricket, one particular sight literally shocked people across the nation. People were stunned to see Anant Ambani in a leaner avatar after losing as many as 108 kilograms! Super happy for Anant, superstar Salman Khan shared a selfie with him along with the caption, “So happy to see Anant Ambani,lots of respect n sooo happy fr him.Takes a lot of willpower to loose 108kgs in 18mnths.”

Harsha Bhogle’s enigmatic ouster

This was something that shocked, infuriated and enraged cricket fans across India. Celebrated commentator Harsha Bhogle’s removal from IPL came as a jolt. What’s even weird is that there isn’t any clear reason for his removal. There are speculations that Harsha’s objective analysis of the India-Bangladesh World T20 match seem to have irked few. This is what the commentator shared on his Facebook page, “I still don't know why I am not doing the IPL. I haven't been told. I can accept the fact that people don't like me. But I genuinely hope it isn't because cricketers have complained about what I have to say.” Hashtags like #BringBackHarsha have been doing rounds on social media by his fans.

Drought controversy

This year, the Indian Premiere League (IPL) has been in the news even for the wrong reasons. There was massive outrage against the hosting of 16 IPL matches in Maharashtra as this would mean spending lakhs of liters of water when the state is going through a serious drought. Now, as per a decision of the Bombay High Court on April 13, as many as 13 matches have been shifted out of Maharshtra considering the severe water crisis in the state. Plus, Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants have decided to contribute Rs 5 crore each for the drought-affected areas.