IPL 2012 News

IPL franchises not keen on roping in Laxman

Category: Cricket News,DLF IPL Teams,IPL,IPL 2012 News

New Delhi: Already under severe pressure to retain his place in the Test squad, VVS Laxman’s IPL career may just come to a halt as none of the nine franchises are keen on roping in the senior batsman as a full-time player.

Laxman, who was bought by Kochi Tuskers Kerala at a price of $400,000 during the last edition, will again go under the hammer along with fellow India players like Ravindra Jadeja, Parthiv Patel, Rudra Pratap Singh, Brendon McCullum and Mahela Jayawardene and Muttiah Muralitharan.

While there would be a fight among the teams for Jadeja whose game suits the shortest format, Laxman looks like one of the bigger names who might just miss out.

“This auction won’t be a full-fledged one. The franchises have $2 million purse and teams like Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pune Warriors will come to the auction with even lesser money. All the owners will be very choosy about the players they will be zeroing on. I don’t see Laxman fitting into the scheme of things,” an IPL official said on Monday.

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Pune Warriors retain Ganguly for 2012 IPL

Category: Cricket News,IPL,IPL 2012 News,IPL Pune Warriors

New Delhi : Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has been retained by Pune Warriors ahead of Indian Premier League’s (IPL) fifth edition.

Ganguly, who was ignored at the 2011 Players’ Auction in January 2011, came into the Pune franchise as a mid-season replacement for injured Ashish Nehra. He will be part of the team as a player and mentor.

The 39-year-old is reported to have been retained for $400,000, his base price in the last edition.

“He (Ganguly) has been one of India’s greatest and most inspirational cricketers. We have no doubt that his presence in the team will boost our prospects in the IPL, and motivate the boys to excel themselves,” Pune Warriors director Abhijit Sarkar said in a statement Saturday.

Ganguly retired from international cricket in 2008 but has been a regular feature in the domestic events. He played for Bengal in the current edition of Ranji Trophy before flying Down Under for commentating in the ongoing India-Australia series. He also captained Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL’s 2008 and 2010 edition.

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RCB signs Chris Gayle for next two IPL seasons

Category: Cricket News,IPL,IPL 2012 News

A replacement player last season, explosive West Indian batsman Chris Gayle has now been drafted into the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad for the coming two editions of the Indian Premier League.

Gayle joined RCB for the 2011 IPL as a replacement for Australian Dirk Nannes.

He went on to win the the Orange Cap for being the highest scorer in that edition and also played for RCB in the Champions League Twenty20 after being a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the first three editions of the IPL.

Chris Gayle”We are delighted to make Chris Gayle a permanent member of our IPL squad. He is one of the best batsmen in the world. His form helped us qualify for the final of the 2011 edition of the tournament,” Siddhartha Mallya, Director, Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd, said in a statement.

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‘IPL not responsible for poor India show’

Category: Cricket News,IPL,IPL 2012 News

New Delhi: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar Monday refuted suggestions that the the technique of the Indian batsmen has been affected due to slam-bang approach in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Almost all the Indian batsmen, inluding some seniors, struggled on the pacy and bouncy pitches of Australia as they lacked technique to negotiate the disciplined rival attack.

Asked if technique has been compromised by playing in the IPL, where the players need to go after the attack, Gavaskar replied in a negative.

“I don’t think so that for batting style, IPL should be blamed. These cricketers have scored a lot of runs in the Ranji, which is first class cricket and then they are selected to play for India at Test level. (more…)

Ojha joins Mumbai Indians

Category: Cricket News,IPL,IPL 2012 News,IPL Mumbai Indians

Mumbai : Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha Saturday joined Mumbai Indians after four seasons with Deccan Chargers for the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) starting April 4.

Ojha, who is currently with the Test team in Australia, is the sixth player to be transferred during the 2102 trading window. Ojha won the Purple Cap for being the highest wicket-taker in the 2010 edition of the league.

Mumbai Indians’ co-owner Nita Ambani said Ojha’s addtion would bolster the bowling department.

“With a spinner of Pragyan Ojha’s competence, we fortify our bowling department that has won us many matches in the past seasons. Pragyan Ojha is a player of great international repute, and we welcome him with much excitement,” said Nita. (more…)

Johnson eyeing IPL to resurrect his Test career

Category: IPL,IPL 2012 News

Sydney, Jan 11 – Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has had a sudden change of heart and is eyeing the Indian Premier League (IPL) to regain his place in the Test team.

Johnson had shunned lucrative IPL contracts in 2008 to concentrate on his Test career. But now he feels that the high-profile Twenty20 league is the best way to resurrect his Test career.
The 30-year-old Johnson, who is recuperating from a toe surgery, won’t be considered for the upcoming West Indies tour in March and April but is hopeful he might be able to make his comeback in the IPL which runs through April-May.
“I’m definitely confident in my ability. I’m only 30 years of age, I’ve got five or six years left in me so that’s my goal,” said Johnson on Fox Sports.
Johnson was ruled out of international cricket for six months after undergoing an operation on big toe on his left foot last month. He insists that his international career was still not over despite the success of the new bowling attack this summer.
Johnson underwent the surgery after he severely damaged ligaments while batting Australia to victory in the second Test against South Africa in late November. Since then young fast bowlers Pat Cummins and James Pattinson have made brilliant starts to their Test careers and Johnson knows he has to work hard to regain his spot.
“Whether I get back straight away or not we’ll have to find out but I’ll be working as hard as I can. (The IPL) wouldn’t be a bad way to get back into it, four-over spells, short and sharp. If not I’m happy to start back into grade cricket or back into state cricket,” he said.
(IANS)