SPOTLIGHT IPL's Twelfth Man Cricbuzz Staff Share Tweet

"If you want to see how to get behind the home team, there are very few places in the world which come close to Wankhede" ©Cricbuzz

As a build up to the tenth chapter of the Indian Premier League, the official broadcasters fed its viewers with 'Yeh Dus Saal Aapke Naam', calling it a tribute to all its fans. While the fans have enjoyed every bit of the long journey that the tournament has traversed, it has been mostly through the many memorable performances of their favourite cricketers, some by the not so popular ones, some for its fair share of controversies and some for how it just becomes their go-to-daily-soap during the summers. What nobody would ever know are the innumerable names and faces that work hard to make this extravaganza that tad bit smoother, in their own little capacities. In turn, the IPL too has managed to touch so many lives beyond the boundary, providing a livelihood for some, exposure for a few and an experience of a lifetime for most of them. Here's our compilation of those experiences, you might not have known.

The Fans

Fans are an integral part of a cricket match and it goes without saying that visiting grounds that are packed to capacity is a must for a complete cricket experience. There are several fan groups across the world and one among them is the Wankhede's 'NorthStand Gang', that has been making noise since 2009. It started as a small group which has grown in numbers over the years, with their love for cricket bringing them together over and over again.

In 2009, when phones were first allowed in Indian stadiums, Anish D'Souza decided to collect the numbers of fellow fans who used to frequent the matches at Wankhede and Braboune. They called each other, made plans for watching matches together - not only in Mumbai but other places as well - and thus was born the NorthStand Gang.

"Bombay has always had a great Ranji team and going to Wankhede for Ranji matches, the regulars used to sit in the Northstand. The thing with Northstand was it used to give you the straightest possible view. I know a lot of people in Bombay who are regulars and they won't come to watch a match if they don't get NorthStand tickets. It's a Bombay thing, which is very unique. You go to the stadium for that kind of atmosphere," says Vipul Yadav, one of the core members of the group.

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Ashutosh, Faraz, Tanmay and Dhruv are the other core members and each have cricketing experiences of their own, including the 'Sachin..Sachin' chant which began in 1993. And now, living with the times, the chant is 'Oleee, ole, ole, ole, Kohli..Kohli'.

The 'Maa-Lin-gaa..Maa-Lin-gaa' chant, which has become synonymous with the Mumbai crowd whenever the Sri Lankan sets foot at the Wankhede to bowl during the IPL, was one which was started by the NorthStand Group.

"In 2010 IPL, Anish and Ashutosh had gone to watch the match at the Braboune stadium, the same match in which Yusuf Pathan scored a 37-ball 100. In that match, in the last over which Malinga was bowling, he had very little runs to save (Rajasthan Royals needed 12 off 6 in a chase of 213). The crowd was going Lasith..Lasith and Anish started chanting Maa-Lin-gaa. It just caught on with the crowd. Much before the 'RCB..RCB' chants began," Vipul recollects.

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Despite being spoilt for choice with the different formats, their most preferred brand of cricket remains the five-day version. "In a Test match, everyday is an occasion. You go to the stadium, meet the same kind of people every day and become friends, knowing for a fact that these guys genuinely love the game. Even if a Test match is not sold out, with 20,000 odd people, we make a lot of noise. The 2011 World Cup final was the night of our lives but Day 3 of the 2011 Test match was the noisiest of the lot," says Vipul.

"In a T20, you don't get much time to build it on it as everything happens very quickly and the DJ is also playing music. But Test matches are different. There's nothing better than a close Test match," he says.

Does the crowd support contribute to changing the fortunes of team? It does, insists Vipul, who cites the example of Jimmy Connors. The tennis star was 39 years old during the 1991 US open, he played two five-setters and a four setter, and made it to the semi-finals. The crowd felt they were getting him through every match, which Connors also acknowledged.

"When Kohli was egging on the crowd in Bangalore to bring some noise and Mitchell Marsh was trapped by Ishant Sharma, that was a crowd wicket," says Vipul. "Kohli likes this. When the crowd was chanting Ja-de-ja in the Mumbai Test match (against England), Kohli was clapping with the crowd. Kohli loves that"

***

School kids turning up at stadiums in India for Test matches has been happening for the last few years. But it was the NorthStand Gang that started it, when Anish, who was with an NGO, got with him more than 20 kids to watch a Test match in Mumbai in 2011. And these weren't free tickets. The group members paid out of their pockets to make it a special moment for the kids, who were enthralled at the sight of legends like Tendulkar and Dravid.

Apart from the wonderful gesture to get kids to watch cricket, the gang has also paid for ODI and T20 tickets for people who cannot afford it. This is all part of their resolve to do something good for the game. "We think that cricket has given a lot to us and we have to give something back to cricket. Going to women's cricket, Ranji Trophy and other domestic matches is our way of giving back for the game that has given a lot to us."

***

"The N stand in Bangalore will give you the best view, Eden Gardens probably has the best Mexican wave, but if you want to see how to get behind the home team, there are very few places in the world which come close to Wankhede."

So when you visit the Wankhede stadium the next time, just follow the noise to get the best seat in the house.

The Team Bus Driver

"My friends get excited... 'Hey you drive Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni around!'" ©Cricbuzz

"My friends get excited... 'Hey you drive Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni around!'. But I'm not at all starstruck. Truth be told, I liked cricket during the times of Md. Azharuddin and Sachin Tendulkar. I was crazy then. Wouldn't go to school or college if they were playing. But then, we all have to move on with life and livelihood. So, I haven't quite kept myself in touch with the sport since and I'm generally not interested. The players keep to themselves and I like it that way.

The months of April and May are a little different to how I work for the travel agency the rest of the year. For starters, on match days, my work ends well past midnight. But it's just that one phase of the year. [Chuckles] So it's okay. It's been four years now since I began driving the 'away' IPL teams during their visit to Bengaluru.

My work starts with the assignment sheet. It has details of the team's itinerary, including time of arrival at the Bengaluru airport, name of hotel, practice and match timings and departure details. I don't have to worry about the loading and unloading of kitbags. They assign an assistant for that. He ensures there's nothing missing.

It's a different experience because if the team is arriving late in the evening, I'll have to be ready as early as noon. The bomb squad first runs a thorough check of the bus. Then there's a general cleanliness check. Then the police verify my identification, before accompanying me to the airport.

Driving with the players in your bus is so much better. I love the VIP treatment on Bangalore roads with most of the traffic signals cleared. There's a convoy with the bus. So the commute is generally very smooth.

I'm definitely not the kind to request players for a photograph or autograph either, even if my friends egg me on. But there are days when the excitement in the bus can be contagious. Like, last year during the World T20, I was driving the Indian team back to the airport after the win against Bangladesh. And it was Holi. So the players were having a blast playing with colours in the bus. Apparently, the videos taken then were very popular on the Internet and my friends forwarded them back to me.

Those are fun days, for sure. But otherwise, they are focused on the job at hand and I am on mine," says Ravi Shankar.

The Cheerleaders

"When the crowd cheers you on, you feel like dancing a little more." Picture Credits: DNA Entertainment Network ©Select Copyright

When the Indian Premier League descended on the cricketing scene, there was a lot that was ought to change. Not just in the way the game was played but also in the way, it would have been packaged to wear a completely different look. The Indian Kerry Packer a la Lalit Modi picked up the best of the sporting world's elements to present the world with the most glamour-laden cricket tournament - IPL. From money minting strategic time-outs to on-field players being wired up, cricket was showcased in a never-seen-before avatar. And one of the least imagined of it all, was the cheerleaders coming on board. There were the initial hiccups to embrace this boldness but nevertheless, the miscibility happened rather quickly. Ask the television watchers, if an event is not followed by a quick gig by the cheerleaders, the event isn't complete. Likewise for the ones watching it from the stands.

I met the cheerleaders, moments before the toss was set to take place for the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils at the Eden Gardens. It's the only day-game of the season for Kolkata and the reading reveals 91 per cent humidity and 39 degrees Celsius. The team of cheerleaders is standing right under the air-conditioner, soaking in the last bits of cool air before performing to a 67,000-strong crowd in sweltering conditions.

The pretty ladies are quick to step out and they are hit by this heatwave immediately. How long does it take them to shake it off, hardly a moment. Amid raucous cheers from onlookers, one of them is quick to tell, "Your country is amazing. We love them more than they love us. Cricket crazy!" The Vice President of Business Affairs at DNA Entertainment Networks Private Limited, Harisha Prabhu, tells me that this is a mix of seasoned and new cheergirls - few of who have come for the first time.

"This is my first time (in the IPL) and I absolutely love being here, best experience ever. I was a cheerleader in high school. It's a different high for me, it is mind opening and life changing," says one of the newcomers. Such is their bubbling energy levels that every time, one cheerleader finishes interacting, there's a big round of applause and high-fives and hugs exchanged.

One of the team members doesn't wait for the next question and goes on to express her love for India and its love for the game. "Back in our country, cricket is not as madly followed as it is in India. To find a place among their love for the game is a huge matter of respect for us. To be able to add more colour to their loved game, to add life to a dull moment, to keep them entertained during the breaks, is a big privilege for us."

On being asked if they realise that they are just playing a supporting role to the actual cricketing action, which is by far the focus of all and sundry, all of them reply in unison, "We are here for the cricket too, we are a part of the crowd as well. We are happy being where we are..

'How do you manage to drive all the adrenalin rush for the entirety of these three-four hours?' Pat comes the reply, again in unison, "Indians in my opinion feed off cricket, they absolutely love their game. The energy they get to the stadiums and the energy of the players is mindblowing. They get as excited as we do. We feed off their energy and we are glad they do the same too.

"When the crowd cheers you on, you feel like dancing a little more. It's just that extra bit of energy to carry on. And the more you love doing what you do, the more they love it."

Do they too have any favourite cricketers or team? From Virat Kohli to AB de Villiers to Chris Gayle, they enjoy watching all these superstars. But ask them about the team? "Home team, of course," they say. "It is always awesome to perform when the team is doing great and they are indeed. But then there are okay days also, we try to do our bit to lift the entire mood. It's good fun."

I asked them if they knew what the anthem of their team is? They pull out one of their signature moves and cheer out, "Aami KKR..."

Majority of these girls are from South Africa, where cricket has a huge following. Most of them know their game well and by now read the situation well too. But how is the experience different here in India? "It is a privilege to be performing to such amazing country, such great people. We will really carry back a lot with us, a bit of everything, in fact a lot of everything. It is a huge honour for us."

Before signing off, I ask, 'Would you want to come back again?' "Yes! We would not want to go back.."

Cheerleaders indeed, they exactly know how to bring about positive vibes, be it in the sweltering heat or during a low-point in the game.

The Media Manager

"A media manager in the IPL has a very big role to play. It starts with the accreditation for the media. All their cards are centralised, so usually when people apply for the accreditation cards, it goes to Mumbai, then they send us the details of all the journalists who have applied for the Delhi matches. They send us the list, we approve it and send it back to the BCCI's IPL organising committee.

There are three things that are basic for the media to cover the matches. The internet is the most important thing, then the add-ons like the hospitality, food etc. The press box should be a good place to work, they should like the ambiance. The loo should be very neat and clean, the basic amenities should all be in order. During the IPL, 70-odd journalists can sit, we also have an area where they can relax and then the third portion is the area for food. We have hired professional volunteers, we don't take people from associations. The volunteers have worked in different sports like hockey, football, badminton etc. We start with the registration, the entry point during the match when they come inside, the registration starts and then they go to their media box. They have all the facilities there.

During the match also, we have media scorers and after every over, he announces. After that, we distribute the scoresheets, before the start of the match, we distribute the team sheets and again after the match, we send the scoresheets. And then we send a report to the BCCI to the concerned people, the match report. There is not much difference being a media manager during the IPL and then during an international match, everything is almost the same except that we have only 70 seats for media during the IPL but for international matches, we have 120 seats.

The media manager also looks after the photographers. Then we look after the press conferences. One day prior to the match, there is a pre-match press conference and then after the match there is another press conference. I enjoyed doing the T20 World Cup. It was my first assignment and believe me we changed the whole scenario here. Everybody was shocked to see the media box because we didn't do any structural changes but at the same time, we did cosmetic changes which was very well appreciated by all corners.

I support the local team (Delhi Daredevils). Sadly, this year and the last two-three years they are not performing well. It's very sad, we have talent, Rishabh Pant is a new talent. In fact, I was one of the selectors who selected Pant in the Under-19 team. We were three selectors, myself, Nikhil Chopra and Sunil Valson. We are very happy that he is now playing for India as well.

We have a lot of challenges believe me. To set up the media box is not easy. We have to deal with 20-25 agencies, the TV sets, the wifi, the furniture, the cleanliness, hospitality, it is a big challenge. In Delhi, we have the tender committee, they finalise the vendor. It is very difficult to co-ordinate because they don't know what to do so we do it.

I go home at 3 o'clock in the night on match days. In any case, the match gets over at 11.30, then we have a press conference, then as per the rule, media can sit for two hours after the match. So they can sit till 1.30, even if only two or three people are there, we have to remain so until then we can't go. We are one of the last persons to leave the stadium. It's my passion, I enjoy doing these things, I'm doing it honorarily, I don't charge anything, in fact I was the joint secretary here, now I'm in the organising committee, I'm the media manager and I'm also looking after the broadcasting [aspect as well], so it's a very challenging thing. For the broadcasting, it's a very huge set up, we have to provide them AC, so we need electricity, we have called for the generator so there are day-to-day challenges which we have to deal with.

I have to sign all the cheques here, I have to see the accounts as well, if the payments are right or wrong. We work from our heart, so it makes a lot of difference. When I took over, the media box was in shambles, you can't even imagine how bad it was. And we didn't have the budget, but luckily we had justice Mukul Mudgal, he gave me a free hand. He said you do whatever you want but be in limits, which was very good. Earlier, the commentators were not enthusiastic about coming to Delhi but now they want to come here because all the facilities are there," says Salil Seth, the media manager of Delhi.

The Emcee

"I charge the Mumbai crowd by saying Kolkata did 15+ Mexican waves. Can Mumbai beat the record?" (Picture Credits: Facebook) ©Select Copyright

What do you associate with your in-ground experience when watching a game of IPL? Interestingly, not everyone goes for cricket, or to put it better, not everyone goes for 'just the cricket'. To get to your seats without too much fuss, one tends to hit the queue early. While the spectators are still settling in their seats, the Emcee hits his mark. From then on, the non-cricket entertainment takes the crowd on an entertaining ride. From building the mood to welcoming the players for the pre-match practice sessions and then onto the game, the Emcee involves the crowd in various activities to set the tone for the cricketing excitement to follow. One of the most heard voices throughout the entire journey of IPL is that of Sunny Khandelwal. Ask him about his association with the IPL, he proudly says, "Ten on ten".

"I have been doing this from year one of the IPL and fortunately it is also the kind of experience which I draw on my shoulders along, being at all these matches," Sunny says with a lot of pride. Operating with different crowds has its own nuances and reasoning. Sunny, having lent his voice across umpteen matches, has now identified specific crowds with its own USP. "It basically works as how you understand every city's crowd. This year I am working at four stadiums - Eden Gardens, Wankhede Stadium, Maharashtra Cricket Stadium and Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. At fifty per cent of the grounds hosting the IPL this year, I am the voice. What I do in Mumbai is different to what I do in Kolkata. What works there might not work here," he says with an air of confidence.

Sunny goes on to elaborate the various tools he involves while hosting the in-ground entertainment. "For instance, what we do in Kolkata is we motivate the crowd here to pump the bowler as he is running in, and they get behind the bowler wonderfully. It has worked really well at the Eden with their 70,000 crowd. So say, if the bowler is running in, we get the crowd to clap, you can imagine how it rings around the stadium. I am mute but the crowd is thumping and getting the momentum on. That's one of the many things that works well with the Kolkata crowd, the Mexican waves here are never-ending. In Kolkata, it just doesn't end.

"I charge the Mumbai crowd by saying Kolkata did 15+ waves, can you beat the record? Then Mumbai does that. It is about charging the people. For instance with players, if I say Sunil, the crowd comes back with Narine. Same with, if I say, Robin, they come back with Uthappa. So, it works differently with different crowd. Most importantly, if it is a free hit, as an Emcee, it fits the best. I identify that moment to get the crowd going, to provoke the batsman to go for a big shot."

But Sunny tells us about the various challenges involved too. He goes on to explain the loyalties involved with the home team but when it comes to players with mass appeal, he tends to hold himself back and let the crowd be themselves. "It is majorly for the home team. It is 80-20 in their favour. But then players like Virat Kohli, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and AB de Villiers, you cannot take the game away from them. The crowd really goes for them. That is where as an Emcee, I do not stop the crowd from doing that.

"Everything is in the best interest of the sport, in true spirit of the game. We don't restrict the crowd from supporting their own favourite. But at the same time when things are going low for KKR, I try and get the crowd to get behind the team again. There are certain tools that we use too, for example, the 'We will rock you' tune gets the crowd going. I use this when our team is down and it works well, breaks the momentum. It feels really good to get thousands involved," he states.

He tells how his job comes with its own performance pressure too. To hold his own on every match day across different venues involves its own rigours. He, however, mentions that he consciously draws a line between his bit of entertainment and the real action - cricket. "The most critical thing is to understand that cricket is what we are here for. To ensure in every way, that we don't disturb the actual ongoing. It is so important to not say anything when the bowler is in the delivery stride or is about to bowl. So, these are things we need to take care. Nothing comes in the game's way."

Sunny attributes a lot of his popularity and success to his association with the IPL. Despite having done it over and over again for the last ten years, he still takes one game at a time, much like a player. "We try and become the twelfth man on the field. That's what we look forward to do," he signs off.

The Cop

Is watching cricket from the stands really more fun than watching it on television from the comforts of home? Last year, a media manager found himself in trouble when he exclaimed how people braced the 40-degree afternoon heat to come to the stadium and watch IPL games. Some of the stadiums are not well ventilated, food and water are over-priced, there are neither action replays nor close-view of the goings-on. Then where exactly lies the thrill? Maybe, for the purists, the joy lies in hearing the undiluted sound of the ball hitting the bat, or perhaps by being a part of the crowd in the loud atmosphere. But, a police constable, who doesn't wish to be named, isn't convinced.

"Cricket dekhne mein mazaa toh bhayankar aata hai, magar woh mazaa stadium mein kahan? Stadium mein naahi players thik se dikhai dete hai, naahi kuch samajh aata hai. Asli mazaa toh ghar pe TV ke saamne baithkar, chai peeke dekhne mein aata hai. (I love watching cricket, but what's the joy in watching from the stands? Neither can we see the players nor understand what's happening. Real fun is while watching it at home with a cup of hot tea.)

"People come to the stadium, spend money on over-priced tickets, food and water, only to click a selfie and put it on Facebook. There is no other reason to come to the stadium in this heat."

It's a tough job for the security guards out there. Not only do they have to handle a crowd of over 20,000-30,000, but also miss out on the cricketing action. To make matters worse, given that IPL is played during peak summer, they are constantly thirsty. "There is water, but in this heat, we need cold water. That's the least we can ask for," he says.

While he goes on to give his unsubstantiated version of how corruption prevails in the police department during IPL games, he is all the more disturbed at not being able to make any contribution while on duty. "I am on duty, but I don't have any work. I can sit here and chat with you, but if someone calls me, I can't go. We don't have any work, but we are on duty. We are just sitting idle and contributing in no way. It is better for the guys sitting in police station. At least, they get to watch the match."

Free access to the stadium during IPL matches isn't fancy for all, after all.

The Kennel Guard

"A lot of cricketers come to visit the dogs. MS Dhoni comes very often.." ©Cricbuzz

Krishnnya Guttedar has a special job at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. He is one of the 24 trainers who have been assigned to supervise their own dogs that serve as guards for the stadium. Loads has been written about the stadium that has dogs for guards, but Krishna, who has been Sunny - the Labrador's - trainer for the last five years, tells us a slightly different story in his native Marathi.

"We are 24 trainers, who are assigned one dog each. We have been trained at the police academy and in turn have trained the dogs that have been assigned to us. I have been taking care of Sunny since he was a few weeks old. He is five now," he says as a playful Labrador is as excited as ever. "We are assigned the job of walking them, feeding them, ensuring their vaccinations are done on time. They only listen to us. On match days, while 5-6 dogs are guarding the gates, the others are along the boundary lines with their trainers."

Just then Prince, the Golden Retriever walks in, and wants to be pet. When asked if all the dogs are as playful, the question is answered by howls and barking in unison from the enclosure where the dogs are caged. The kennel comprises of three Malinois, a variety of the Belgian Shepherd (Veer, Killer, Zanjeer), two German Shepherds (Hank, Rock), one Golden Retriever (Prince), seven Labradors (Sunny, Prince, Don, Cash, Flash, Axis, Champ), four Dobermans (Rex, Teja, Bruno, Leo) and three Rottweilers (Lucky, Oscar, Chester).

Even for a dog lover, the enclosure can be quite intimidating with the breed of herding dogs clashing with their cages, wanting to be freed to get a measure of the visitor. "Never has anyone been attacked, so far," he said. "A lot of cricketers come to visit the dogs. MS Dhoni comes very often. He loves Prince, who is everyone's favourite." Just then, Piyush Chawla exits the kennels and affirms that he's on the Prince bandwagon as well.

"The labradors are the harmless ones; they only sniff around and ensure the VIPs are brought in unscathed. The rest of them, that are along the boundary lines, are the more intimidating ones. When the ball comes towards them sometimes, they are a bit jumpy, but the trainers take care of them well.

"They don't eat raw meat; only eat dog food. We have to feed them twice a day - once at 12:30 and next at 7. They are so disciplined and well taken care of that even if you feed them some bread crumbs or anything else, they won't eat them. And they're also trained so well that they only eat out of their own bowls," he added with pride.

The Intern

Have you ever interned anywhere? If yes, what was your internship experience like? Were you made to sit in one corner and quietly observe what everyone else was busy doing? Or were you loaded with so much work that you believed you were just an unpaid employee of the company? Or were you the one who was hired specifically to bring coffee and photo copies?

For the number of organisations, freelancers and daily wage workers that get employed to put Indian cricket's greatest extravaganza on show, the Indian Premier League, in a way, nearly creates a parallel economy of its own. While there are several people who work at the tournament to earn a livelihood, there are few who want no money in exchange for their services. Ninaad Dixit happens to be one of them in Indore.

"I've always loved cricket, wanted to be associated with the game since childhood," Dixit said. "But in Bhopal, where I was brought up, there wasn't much of a cricket culture. If I would say that I want to play cricket, my parents would ask me to join a summer camp. Once I got specs, they had all the more reason to not let me play the sport seriously."

Born in 1998, Dixit fell in love with the game since the 2003 World Cup. The memories and statistics of the initial games he watched willingly are still fresh in his mind. "I started reading magazines and books, as many as I could, from wherever I could. Initially, I would just stare at the pictures, and the habit of reading followed later."

However, unlike most late 90s kids, it took time for him to fall in love with Twenty20 cricket.

"I started liking Twenty20 cricket only after 2010. Earlier, it used to annoy me that T20 would get over so quickly. I wanted to watch cricket matches for as long as I could. So, I prefered watching ODIs and Tests."

He is 19 today and is pursuing his graduation in Sports Management in Mumbai. It was only in 2016 that he saw his first match from the stadium. "Even though it was a match between Chhattisgarh and Services, I enjoyed it. Maybe because there was no one in the stadium. At times, I enjoy it like that. Otherwise, some of them come and annoy you."

There is a 'Volunteer' ID card hanging from his neck. He doesn't know what to do and which areas of the stadium does he have the rightful access. But, he isn't too bothered. "Jahan jaana hai jaata hoon. Koi pakad lega toh wahan se nikal jaaunga." (I go wherever I wish to, till somebody stops me)

Of all the things that are happening at the Holkar Stadium as it prepares to host Kings XI Punjab's maiden match of the season, the broadcast set-up interests Dixit the most. "My father works in Doordarshan, so I have a fair bit of idea. I went and spoke to one of the producers who was doing the camera rigs. He told me how that works and which wire goes where. With IPL, all top professionals are at work, so you get to learn some really interesting things.

"I have been here since the start of the month. They haven't given me any work as yet, so I'm just observing. Hopefully, I'll get to do some work by the second or the third match.

"By the way, if you have some work, let me know."

© Cricbuzz