Former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin on Monday said Sourav Ganguly was still “good enough” to play in ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals. “He is still good enough for the shorter versions of the game,” Azhar said at a function where Sourav was felicitated for playing 100 Tests and 300 ODIs. Going down memory lane, Azhar said, “when he played with me, he never wanted to stand close-in, but nowadays I see him standing close-in and doing well.”

New Delhi, May 23: The script for the Kolkata Knight Riders has gone horribly wrong. For some the team was among the favourites to reach the Indian Premier League final. After a failed script plagued by controversies, however, the Knight Rider are almost certainly on the sidelines.

“My performance should be reviewed, as the team has failed to qualify for the semifinals,” said John Buchanan, one of the most successful coaches in the world, on the sidelines of a promotional event for his book If better is possible here on Friday.

Since the team had performed badly over the last few matches, Buchanan felt that what he did with the team certainly had not worked and therefore his contract should be reviewed.

According to reports, it was cost cutting that led to the release of five players from the Knight Riders’ ranks. Buchanan, however has a different take on the issue.

“These five players were cut-off because they don’t have the skills to match up to the requirement in the IPL. For them to be part of the playing XI would be a huge jump. So instead, of making them travel with the team, it would be better if they went back to playing club cricket.”

The IPL was initially seen as a great opportunity for youngsters to mingle with foreign players but it hasn’t been the case with the Knight Riders.

Buchanan also emphasised that he did not want to coach a national team again as he did not have the energy any more.
Source:howrah.org

Indian Premier League Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi today (May 19) described talks of lifting the USD five million cap forcing each of the eight franchise teams to limit their players’ buying power for next year’s edition as “hypothetical”.

“All players have been bought (by the franchise owners) for three years. All the teams probably have eight foreign players. It’s hypothetical (to say) cap will be lifted. The cap is applicable for years two and three,” he told in a media conference.

Reports that the cap may be raised by the IPL authorities has fuelled speculations that England batsman Kevin Pietersen would be signed up for an astronomical sum by one of the franchises.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has expressed his opposition to lifting of the USD 5 mn cap as he felt that the scrapping of this benchmark for salaries could lead to robbing the Twenty20 eague of its competitive edge as franchises with money power would go on a buying spree.

“I have heard there may be no salary cap, but I am not sure if that will be good for the IPL. The more I have thought about it, it might be detrimental to the whole set-up. We want good, competitive cricket with lots of international players playing good, close games,” Ponting told the Australian media.

Source: (PTI)

Chandigarh, May 24 (PTI) Deccan Chargers’ pacer R P Singh may be the leading wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League, but he is sad that his performance could not help his team reach the semi-finals.
The 22-year-old is currently the leading wicket-taker in the IPL along with Kings XI Punjab’s S Sreesanth but he is disappointed as his team is languishing at the bottom of the table, managing just two wins from 12 matches so far.

“I am obviously disappointed as our team couldn’t achieve desired results. I would have been happier had my performance helped my team get a semis berth,” the left-arm bowler said here.

On his success in the IPL, Singh feels the experience of playing in the T-20 World Cup helped him learn how to bowl in this format of the game.

“I just try to stick to the basics and pitch the ball in right areas. The tips I get during training sessions from our coach Robin Singh and even Sri Lankan Nuwan Zoysa has helped me a lot.” Singh says he has learnt a lot from another Lankan fast bowler Chaminda Vaas, who helped him to master the slow delivery.

Admiring Deccan captain Adam Gilchrist’s leadership qualities, Singh said, “I have played against him. But sharing the same dressing room with a legendary player like him is a great experience.” Asked how difficult it is to adjust to different formats of the game, Singh, who has played 13 Tests and 38 ODIs for India, said, “adjustment comes naturally after playing international cricket regularly.”
Source:ptinews.com

As the Indian Premier League reaching its climax, the whole country is under its grip. The tournament has given many talented players that can represent Indian in the international arena. These days the selection committee members are seen watching the IPL matches to have a first hand look at these players’ performance. IPL newsonline talks about Selection Committee chairman Dilip Vengsarkar in this regard.
When you were playing, did you imagine a T20 version of the game?
Not at all. Night matches, colored uniform, white ball, these things did not come to a test player’s mind. Since I started playing, a lot has changed in the cricket world. The game is economically sound, due to which there is huge money and glamour involved.
What are the important points in the IPL that you feel will enrich and develop the game?
India has a huge population of first class cricketers. Such domestic players will get international recognition through IPL. On top of that, these will benefit immensely and can work on their game by rubbing shoulders with senior Indian and foreign players.
Who has impressed you the most so far?
There are so many players who have made a distinct identity during IPL. Picking up one amongst them will not give justice to all of them. But there are many who might go on to represent India in the international arena.

IPL has not given time for players to relax. The Indian team also has a busy schedule ahead. Do you think there should be a rotation policy?
We have many options in front of us and IPL has added many more options. We will study every aspect and choose the best team. We have to win big games ahead so that also has to be kept in mind.
In the last Australia series many youngsters had surprised you. Did anyone surprise you in the IPL?
The players who are selected in the national team are selected on pure merit basis. If someone has played good in the domestic cricket, he is given a chance. As the chairman of the selection committee, I will be unbiased. As far as young players are concerned, many have done exceptionally well, while many have failed too. But this is a different kind of cricket; experience will get the best out of him.
Players who have performed well in IPL, will they get a chance in the national team?
I have said earlier also, we will choose the best combination, one that can win us the big matches. Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly’s team could not perform, but they played good innings individually.
Will they get chance to play the Bangladesh series and Asia Cup?
I will not comment.