Do You Know Her?
She's a well known Bollywood actress.
She's the winner of Big Brother.
She's got a DVD in which she teaches Yoga.
She's got a perfume named after her.
And now...
She's the owner of the Rajasthan Royals, the IPL Champions.
Shilpa Shetty, along with her partner (read boy friend), Raj Kundra, has bought a 12% stake in the franchise from Emerging Media, who bought the franchise last year for US$ 67 million.
Shilpa and her partner dished out Us$ 15.4 million for the 12% stake. That's more than double what Emerging Media paid for it.
Some valuation that. Big profit already.
More importantly, move over Priety Zinta, the IPL has a new beauty!
Haha, no way Q, Preity Zinta is way better than Shilpa Shetty.
Tomorrow England and the Westindies commence the test series. This is an essential programme for England’s build up in their mission to repeat the resounding Ashes success of 2005.
I feel England will have a bit of a selection dilemma on their hands of whether to play 2 spinners. Graeme Swann toiled in the warm up matches and went wicketless and therefore the logical approach will be to go along with 2 spinners in Rashid and Panesar especially with Mushy’s expertise and presence in the background. Also I feel a couple of the fast bowlers toiled in the Caribbean heat whereas when England had Panesar and Rashid operating in tandem they were winning and picking up wickets ever so convincingly.
Although the tradition in the Caribbean is to go along with a single spinner and u may argue that St ‘Kitts side were a weaker force but I personally feel that Rashid has proven enough and deserves the opportunity to be granted with a test debut. Therefore I recommend England pick 2 spinners along with 3 fast bowlers considering the all-round balance of Flintoff is fit or if not England will still be able to play 3 fast bowlers as Rashid is an idealist to fulfil those shoes. From a general overview I feel that Harmison will be the ultimate threat against the Westindies as the wickets tend to suit his type of bowling.
As regards to the batting England have generally done well. Recognitions for KP and the left hand opening pair who seem to have stolen the headlines in the warm up matches. Meanwhile Owais Shah has given the selection committee a headache to ponder over. But Ian Bell’s continuous struggle for form seemed to have justified that position. The only reason I can think England will opt for Bell is as a short leg fielder when the spinners are in operation! Sorely that factor doesn’t come into consideration at test match level. Does it?
Although during this preview I’ve been focusing on England we shall not write of the Westindies though as they have the “block wall” in Chanderpaul in their ranks who England must conquer. However, Westindies have struggled to compete in the last 5 or 6 years as represented by their position in the ICC rankings and therefore put England as firm favourites.
Overall an interesting and exciting series on the menu. I predict England will win 2-0 under the captaincy of Mr Strauss . But test cricket can be a funny game and if Westindies A can make England surrender than why can’t Westindies?
Asshrey ,I agree with u
The boyfriend won't be around too long with Warnie texting hourly updates to the lovely Shilpa!
Excellent review of the Caribbean series Abdul. Over at my blog, 99.94, my mate in freezing London has his take on the same series.
If you ever want a forum for your writing I'd be happy to publish it. Just like at this excellent blog the reader's comments are usually intelligent, rational and respectful.
You can find me by commenting at 99.94 or just email direct nestaquin(at)hotmail(dot)com.
On that series I reckon England are in for a tough tour but like you I still think they have enough to win.
And Q, do you reckon KP might join Warne at Rajasthan. The thought of Smith and KP in the same team would test Warne's man-management skills no end!
the picture attached reeks of fakeness and i dont mean face plastered on the body, i mean silicone plastered on the body!:(
Nesta on a post below I've done an analysis on who i think would bid the hardest for KP.. I feel it will be a toss up between Mumbai and Bangalore though Rajasthan would get into the mix for a bit as I mention.
KP and Smith on the same team will be some viewing... imagine them fighting for victory.. together!
aashrey, preity for the good, shilpa for the bad!
LIB - there ain't no silicon there..
I think Rajasthan will be going for JP Duminy. But they have a huge task of finding replacements for Tanvir and Watson who were their star players last year.
Wasim, one star shone brighter than all others not only at the Royals but in the entire IPL, Shane Warne.
Yet you are right Tanvir and Watson were their opening bowlers and they won't be easy to replace.
Aashrey/ Q,
"Preity Zinta is way better than Shilpa Shetty". - Choose your weapon - I challenge you to a duel.
Haha ott, Abdul's with us too.
And come on.. how is Shilpa Shetty better than preity zinta.
I have a feeling I'm in for a lengthy reply :p
Nesta ur right, it was Warne who brought the best out of the players he had. But I do think Wasim has a point - without 2 star players this year might be tough. They might as well be going for KP.. but they wud need to strengthen their bowling..
Boys, as I said.. one for the good, other for the bad :-)
shilpa shetty, well nobody bothers abt her...i hope she doesnt do herself a disgrace by being another mindless chick like Mandira Bedi!!
Sam u surely can't compare a mindless Mandira bedi with Shilpa Shetty...
who is this abdul guy and why does he think that blogs are posted in the comments sections?
Mandira Bedi might have been mindless, but she sure was pretty.