Indian Premier League and Cricket News by IPL Cricket Forum

The Rajasthan Royals family has just added a new member.
Leicestershire spinner Jeremy Snape has agreed a deal to join Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals as high performance coach for three weeks.

It means Snape, who was an assistant coach during England’s 2007 World Cup campaign, becomes the second English player after Hampshire skipper Dimitri Mascarenhas to miss the early part of the domestic season to take part in the multi-million pound Twenty20 tournament.

Snape, 34, joins Mascarenhas and Somerset captain Justin Langer at the Jaipur-based side.

His recruitment to the lucrative competition is of no immediate concern to England as he last appeared in the international arena during last year’s World Twenty20 in South Africa, but it is sure to make an impact with the England and Wales Cricket Board, who are keen to stop any senior stars compromising their Test futures for the lure of quick money.

But David Smith, Foxes’ chief executive, is certain the stint can only be beneficial to both player and county.

He said: “Leicestershire CCC are very supportive of his involvement and are sure that he can pass on the experiences gained in India to our younger players, particularly, in our 20/20 campaign starting on 11th June at Grace Road against Lancashire.”

Snape was due to fly out on Wednesday will return on May 2 meaning he will miss one Friend’s Provident Game against Northamptonshire on 20th April and three LV County Championship games.

That call for a Royal feast for all the Rajasthan Royals Fans.

Taking a break from training day, Delhi Daredevils coach Shippard shared his views on his team’s training and about the IPL league.
Delhi Daredevils coach Greg Shippard believes the coaches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams have a difficult and challenging job at hand. “The teams have players from different backgrounds. There are local players as well as international stars along with youngsters. They will have to gel as a team in this short period and that will be a challenging task for any coach,” said Shippard.

“IPL is a new concept. The players will have to bond together, develop a team relationship and play as a unit,” he added.

Shippard, who is the successful coach of the Australian state team Victoria, said Twnety20 cricket is getting huge popularity and is a very energetic and entertaining format of the game.

“It is very popular format in Australia. Crowds have swelled in T20 matches unlike in other domestic competition. T20 is very demanding physically and mentally for the players,” he said.

“We have got a good team and we are hopeful about our chances in the tournament. In the next few days we will assess the skills of the players and prepare them for the tournament,” he added.

Cricket director of Daredevils T.A. Sekar said the six fast bowlers whom they have picked in the side will be up for the task at hand.

“Mohd Asif and Glenn McGrath have the experience. Then we have Farveez Mahroof, young Pradeep Sangwan and Yo Mahesh. With Daniel Vettori in the side, we have variety in our attack.”

The Delhi Daredevil captain Sehwag and Coach Shippard will have to work hard with the boys and gentlemen of their team to win the cup.