Administrative transfers

Balu Nayar, the man who helped shape IPL, will not be there to see it through its opening season. Nayar was the managing director of IMG India, the sports management company that was involved with the concept, design and monetisation of IPL. He is now starting a private equity fund on his own with the backing of a global investment major. Nayar is being replaced by Tim Wright, who has been roped in by IMG to oversee the inaugural tournament starting April 18. "An attractive entrepreneurial opportunity came up, and I felt that the time was right to move on," said Nayar.

In another IPL-related move, TA Sekhar, former India bowler, national selector, and the head coach at the MRF Pace Academy, is set to join GMR, the Delhi franchise, as vice-president (sports administration) from March 1. Sekhar has been MRF's hands-on head coach for the last 20 years and will remain associated with the Chennai-based academy as consultant.