Indian Premier League 2011 Photos

Cheering faceoff

April 13, 2011 12:13

They cheer for different sports and in different countries but that is not all that separate the IPL girls from their counterparts in the United States. A cheerful look:

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They cheer for different sports and in different countries but that is not all that separate the IPL girls from their counterparts in the United States. A cheerful look:
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One aspect that the IPL cheergirls clearly score on is the variety. After drawing flak for short clothes in the past seasons, some teams have brought in a traditional flavour to cheerleading. Only in India!
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The cheering battalions in the IPL usually comprise of a stage, glitzy lights, a set of pom-poms and a continuous flow of dance moves at every wicket or a boundary. Just ask these RCB girls.
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Cheerleaders in NBA reserve all their energy for the half-time which is when they showcase not just their colourful apparels but their brilliant moves and exemplary team-work driven formations.
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While some may argue on the contrary, most of the dance moves of the girls in the T20 event look dated. Not that they can possibly do much within the constrained space of their stage and the sensibilities of the local culture. (AFP Images)
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The sheer extent of the limit to which cheergirls put themselves, especially during breaks in NBA and NFL games, sets the appreciation rolling. Colleges have special teams who participate in national competitions. (Yes, you must have seen a few of those movies too...secretly). (Getty Images)
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There is the small element of having a drummer set the stadium on fire with his beats or the bhangra taking control in an IPL. The cheerleaders do attract a lot of attention as they get the crowd dancing around them. (Getty Images)
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Gymnastics, a strict diet regime and a fitness schedule that can rival that of the strongest body-builder defines the cheerleaders who want to figure and make it big in the American sporting circle. (Getty Images)
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Look closely at the cheerleaders from most of the IPL teams and one would notice that the cheering squads are branded too. Whether on the clothes they wear or the headbands or shoes, branding plays an important role here. (Getty Images)
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Though American society is also not alien to extensive brand promotions, cheering squads usually only sport the names of their teams. Companies and especially apparel sponsors if any, keep from promoting through cheergirls. Though exact reason is unknown, their presence only during half0time may be a reason. (Getty Images)
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The last but the most important aspect of cheering in the United States is that age cannot bring one down as long as the cheering is top-notch. Ask Laura Vikmanis who at 40-something is at the pinnacle of her career with the Cincinnati Bengals. (Getty Images)

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