It's all about commerce at World Cup 2011

The 'HMT' logos from the old two clocks here at Chinnaswamy Stadium have big stickers on them

The 'HMT' logos from the old two clocks here at Chinnaswamy Stadium have big stickers on them. Everything displayed in the ground must have some sort of commercial association with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Otherwise, it doesn't cease to exist.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni at a recent product launch in Mumbai

Similarly, Indian jerseys sold at the merchandise store are not official ones. They are fake ones put out in association with a rival brand and a World Cup logo. Two days back, it is reliably learnt by MiD DAY, that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials were displeased with Mahendra Singh Dhoni's front page newspaper advertisement endorsing an appliance brand - a rival to a brand which ICC roped in as a World Cup
sponsor. Also, there's a hoarding of the Indian captain endorsing a 'rival' cell phone brand outside the Ahmedabad airport. This too has been noticed by ICC and BCCI. Recently, ICC said 'it would throw out players from the World Cup' if they failed to abide by guidelines, promoting rivals of sponsors.

Top security
Meanwhile, security arrangements here have been impeccable. Distinguished members of Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) were forced to go back home, collect their KSCA membership cards, coupled with a letter from KSCA that they are authorised to watch the game from the hospitality lounge. In fact, one such person who works for one of the tournament sponsors was designated a seat in the sponsors' box, was sent home since he didn't the necessary ID card.u00a0 It's professionalism at its very best ufffd previously, at most centres in India, so-called 'big shots' could walk into any ground without hassle.u00a0 In Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, it is the parent cricket body that is also responsible for stadia renovation, hospitality, etc. However, in India, the state associations are responsible for the same.

Prasad steps in
Two senior Indian journalists had asked for early dinner, during the mid-innings interval, at close to half past six in the evening. Initially, the caterers had objected to the request. Minutes later, a neatly dressed Venkatesh Prasad, who is also the Vice-President of KSCA, stepped in.u00a0 He asked the caterers to serve dinner at once, and said something like this in Kannada: "Give them whatever they want. Don't ever object to their demands. They are our guests."