CCL: Trying to script a fairytale win

 

 

Daikin Amma’s Kerala Strikers are playing practice matches and sweating it out on the ground. Those who have doubts about the stars’ mettle on the pitch have got to see them fielding, batting and bowling in earnest, unmindful of the hot sun, the lack of spot boys holding umbrellas or the cool confines of an AC room.

 

The first match of CCL will be played in Mumbai on the 25th and the next day will see Kerala Strikers playing their first match in Bengaluru against the Telugu Warriors. Some guidelines have been put into effect. CEO of Kerala Strikers  Navin Balachandran Nair says, “The scrutiny has been strict this time and some players have not found a place in the team this season due to it. Professional players who were part of some teams in the last season of CCL have been dropped this time.” He adds, “There are guidelines and rules depending on the actor’s number of films, the kind of roles as well as the screen space time he has been in. The selection system is pretty much fool-proof and it has been followed uniformly across all industries!”

 

There are some new inclusions in the team like Asif Ali, Unni Mukundan, Krishnakumar, Suresh Nair, Shafique Rehman and Shyam Mohan along with regulars like Nivin Pauly, who have not been seen too often on the field because of their film commitments. Will lack of practice affect their performance? Navin asserts, “It is not like they have not been practising at all. In fact, Nivin is working in a cricket-based film 1983 and he has been practising whenever they get the time. We are very clear about our agenda and that is to win!”

 

Coach Chandrasenan explains the absence of some key players who played in the last years. “The absence of players from the last season does not really matter because we have some very strong players this time and we will not feel the loss! The team is physically fit and the bowling, batting and fielding have improved from last year,” he says.

 

While the CCL platform has, undoubtedly, catapulted some actors into stardom, there are rumblings from producers because of cancelled film schedules and more seriously, the lack of crowds in the theatres on the days the matches are aired, leading to a revenue loss.

 

Milan Jaleel, President of Kerala Film Producers Association says, “There are concerns and apprehensions among producers and we have planned a meeting with AMMA on the 30th of this month.” A producer explains candidly, “A superstar is paid two crores per film and when his film is released on the same day as a CCL match, the crowds prefer to watch the match leading to dismal crowds at the theatres. Even International One day matches drastically affect footfalls in cinema halls, so our concerns are well placed.”

 

Meanwhile, Arun Benny, who had an unfortunate injury last year during the final practice matches and could not play in the CCL matches, is gung ho about his inclusion this time. He enthuses, “Last year, I was in good form, but could not play. This time we are geared to play as a team.”

 

Director Priyadarshan had given the most valuable advice to the team members on the very first day of practice — avoid ego clashes and do not think of personal gains, play as a team!