BOARD OF CONTROL FOR CRICKET IN INDIA

New Delhi:  BCCI interim president, Sunil Gavaskar stressed on the importance of playing the game according to MCC Spirit of Cricket -- Play hard, Play fair --during Captains & Coaches meeting ahead of the seventh IPL which began in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Gavaskar, who was appointed the interim president of the BCCI for IPL affairs by the Supreme Court, chaired the pre-IPL season Captains & Coaches meeting on Tuesday. (Mumbai vs Kolkata Scorecard)

"Sunil Gavaskar, Interim President, BCCI-IPL, chaired the pre-IPL season Captains & Coaches meeting, on Tuesday, 15 April 2014. He stressed to the captains, the importance of their teams playing the game according to the MCC Spirit of Cricket - Play hard, Play fair," a BCCI release said.

"He also addressed their position as role models for followers of the game and other players, as they built their respective careers. He reinforced the core message that integrity was non-negotiable. (Full IPL coverage)

"During the day, he also met with former and recently retired cricketers - VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble - and sought their views on various issues. Sourav Ganguly was unfortunately unavailable, as he was travelling," said Sanjay Patel, BCCI Secretary in the release on Wednesday. (Cricket meets Bollywood)

The IPL-7 on Wednesday started with a clash between defending champion, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, who won the tournament in 2012 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu dhabi today.

The UAE is hosting the high-profile T20 event's first leg from April 16 to 30 owing to a clash of dates with the Indian general elections and security concerns emanating from that.

The tournament will return to India on May 2 after being assured of security in states where voting would be over by that time.

IPL T20 2014 SEASON 7

                                                   
                                                          IPL T20 2014 SEASON 7
                                                                 1.CSK
                                                                 2.DD
                                                                 3.KXIP
                                                                 4KKR
                                                                 5.MI
                                                                 6.RR
                                                                 7.RCB
                                                                  8.SRH

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Indian Premier League (IPL), 2014

The Indian Premier League (IPL), 2014 kicks off with Mumbai Indians (MI) taking on theKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. This is a new season, with new teams in the fray and it isn’t easy to say who will take the first throw of the dice. Both Mumbai and Kolkata have some familiar faces in their side, with some new players coming in. It would depend on how these new recruits blend in and form a unit with the others.

Mumbai have Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Lasith Malinga, Kieron Pollard and Ambati Rayudu from their previous squad. Zaheer Khan returns after three years and one doesn’t know how well he can be utilised, as he hasn’t been a very influential bowler in the format. But, they would form the core strength of the side and have the responsibility of leading the way.

Mumbai will start their batting with Michael Hussey. In the post Sachin Tendulkar era, Hussey has the responsibility of batting at the top and setting the tone for the innings. Mumbai may have to decide on his opening partner though. In the middle, they will have Rohit, Rayudu and Pollard doing the trick. This is a powerful batting line-up and a lot of the focus would be on them.  Corey Anderson, if fit will also come into the side making the middle-order very strong.

The spin bowling duties would be handled by Harbhajan and Pragyan Ojha, who was picked at the auction yet again. Malinga will be the main fast-bowler and Zaheer will partner him. If there are other iffy spots, Mumbai may take a few games to decide on them.

Kolkata will bank on Gautam Gambhir and Jacques Kallis, men who have been a part of their franchise in previous seasons. Even Manvinder Bisla would be a crucial addition, as he can keep wickets and play an attacking hand upfront. In Yusuf Pathan and Ryan ten Doeschate, they have some good all-rounders in the middle-order and men, who can change the game. But, there would also be focus on Robin Uthappa, a cricketer who has had a splendid domestic season and is in great form.

Kolkata are spoilt for choices as far as bowling is concerned. Shakib-Al-Hasan should come in as an all-rounder, and this is one aspect where Kolkata have a lot of depth. They have to zero in on a proper bowling combination, one that will support the wily, Sunil Narine. They have to pick between Andre Russell, Pat Cummins, Umesh Yadav and R Vinay Kumar.

It isn’t easy to say what combination the teams would pick considering the new rosters, but as the season progresses, things would be clearer.