Breaking News: Kochi Tuskers to sign Sourav Ganguly back in 4th season

[Kanwar]

Former India and Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Sourav Ganguly may make a sensational comeback in the fourth season of the Indian Premier League. Sources reveal that Kochi Tuskers Kerala is keen on signing Ganguly for the fourth season.

With leg-spinner-batsman Steven Smith ruled out, the Kochi franchise wants to sign Ganguly as a replacement player.

With already a week gone since the fourth season kicked off in Chennai, if Kochi signs Ganguly, the southpaw may make his debut against his former club Kolkata Knight Riders on April 20:jump:.

It would be a catch-22 situation for the Kolkata fans when their favourite son sits in the opposition dug-out.
Ganguly, Wasim Jaffer and VRV Singh were the only three Indians to remain unsold at the end of the two-day auction that took place in January in Bangalore.

:happy::jump::hysterical::up:

[nairrk]

The news about Ganguly joining KTK has been there for long time. Now they have seen a way to take him as a replacement of Steven Smith. However, I think they can pay Ganguly only the same amount they agreed to pay to Steven smith. If Ganguly acceptable to this, then the chances are good for him to enter into the IPL Wagon.!

[Kanwar]

well personally i want to see Ganguly playing (as i m big Fan of Him) and he also wanted to prove not to us or public to KKR. Let hope we can see him again playing. The most exciting part is that we might see him playing in Eden Garden against KKR haaaa
so excited to watch that though i am watching very less IPL as it has become very very overdose of cricket for me.

[HARINAMO]

if this happens, it will b a sold out for all. i cant wait to see this happen but still kkr were right in their way to drop ganguly as he was not performing and srk was loosing loads of money

[Kanwar]

Kochi keen on Ganguly if Jayawardena leaves

New Delhi: Indian Premier League (IPL) debutants Kochi Tuskers Kerala indicated on Wednesday they could opt for former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who remained unsold in the players' auction, if their skipper Mahela Jayardena has to return home to prepare for Sri Lanka's tour of England. (Also Read: Lankan cricketers agree to return home early)

Kochi Tuskers director Mukesh Patel said that they are yet to make any request to the Indian cricket board for Jayawardena's replacement but if the situation arises, Ganguly could be one of their options.

"We haven't asked for Jayawardena's replacement because we don't know the status on the availability of Sri Lankan players. But if there is a need, we may opt for Ganguly," Patel told IANS.

As for Ganguly, he dropped a hint Wednesday that he may after all play in the IPL's fourth season.

During an interview to a Bengali channel, when asked whether he will play in the league, Ganguly said: "...Dekhte paabe (you will see). I am keeping my fingers crossed."

Ganguly has always been linked with Kochi Tuskers, who earlier wanted the southpaw from out of auction but their request was turned down by the Indian board.

Both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Sri Lanka (SLC) have failed to find a solution on the availability of Sri Lankan cricketers for the rest of the IPL season.

Kochi Tuskers had also asked for Ganguly as a replacement for injured Australian recruit Steve Smith. But IPL rules did not permit this as Smith's base price of $200,000 was lower than that of Ganguly's $400,000.

[Mr.AB]

There are also rumors that he may opt for Coaching job of Bangladesh Team. Bangladesh approached him earlier as well as their national team coach, but he rejected. Now they have offered him again, and he hasnt given yes/no yet. So expect anything soon. But i think he wants to play and prove his fitness and capabilities. lets wait and watch..

[Kanwar]

Lets Just hope as todays news Sri lanka Board has allowed their players to play till 18th May so i dont know will that effect Ganguly place in Kochi side. I think this will effect as replacement of Austrailian player was demanded by Kochi earlier from BCCI but board rejected as base price of Ganguly is 4lac USD where as replament has 2Lac USD. So that means Ganguly can be in only if somebody expensive with same price leave .

Seems very slim chance for him and for us also those wanted him to play. to include him at the last juncture like after 18th may (as those player will leave those has base price matches Ganguly) are very slim coz he would be there for 1-2 matches

sad anyways i m keeping my finger across

lets hope

[Kanwar]

There are also rumors that he may opt for Coaching job of Bangladesh Team. Bangladesh approached him earlier as well as their national team coach, but he rejected. Now they have offered him again, and he hasnt given yes/no yet. So expect anything soon. But i think he wants to play and prove his fitness and capabilities. lets wait and watch..

Sourav Ganguly to be the batting coach in Bangladesh?

Sourav Ganguly, who was snubbed by all the franchisees in IPL season 4, is most wanted in Bangladesh.

According to reliable sources, the Bangladesh Cricket Board is keen to sign Dada as the new batting coach of the cricket team.

Although, no formal offer has been extended to Sourav but BCB chairman Mohammed Jalal Yunus has expressed their keenness to appoint Dada as the new batting coach.

Sourav had earlier turned down similar offer by BCB before Bangladesh’s tour to England.

The sources added that this time also, Sourav Ganguly is not keen to take up any full time assignment with BCB but he may agree to work as a batting consultant with BCB.

Another buzz making rounds is that Sourav Ganguly may make a come back in Indian Premier League with Kochi Tuskers Kerala.

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board’s decision to call back it’s players from IPL has brightened Ganguly’s chance to play for the team as Kochi's current captain Mahela Jayawardena will have to go back.

Sourav Ganguly was ignored by all the ten franchisees at the IPL auctions for season 4, which were held at Bangalore recently.

[nairrk]

The chances of Ganguly getting into the IPL series is almost doubtful, it will be better for him to take the job to coach the Bangladeshis!!

[Kanwar]

Sri Lankan board caves in to BCCI pressure

NEW DELHI: Faced with intense pressure from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the Sri Lankan cricket board (SLC) allowed its players to play in the Indian Premier League till May 18.

Lankan sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage announced this after meeting key SLC members and the selectors in Colombo on Thursday.

The minister had earlier given Lankan cricketers a May 5 deadline.

"We had a chat with SLC officials and the selection committee and considered the BCCI's request. It was decided to allow the Lankan cricketers to play their IPL matches till May 18. They will have to report to their national team on May 19 in England to play the second practice match," Aluthgamage told TOI.

TOI had reported on Thursday that BCCI was thinking of blocking the IPL fees of the Lankan cricketers and refusing to pay SLC its share of 10% of the players' earnings. Sources said top Lankan cricketers also expressed their wish to stay on and play their IPL matches before joining their national team for the England series.

But the Lankan sports minister dismissed such threats and even claimed that his country didn't bow to Indian pressure. "It wasn't a government issue. Based on the request of the BCCI, we decided to allow our cricketers to fulfill their IPL commitments. Don't forget, we share a good rapport with both BCCI and the Indian government," he said.

Aluthgamage, however, admitted that monetary assistance from the Indian board to its Lankan counterpart was one of the reasons behind avoiding a showdown. "From time to time, the BCCI has been helping SLC with finances and we have high regard for the BCCI," he said.

Earlier during the day, BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said: "The Lankan players are here to stay till May 21 as they have promised and the franchises are also under the same impression. But they want to go early and it is not appropriate,"

The Lankan series in England starts on May 14 with a practice match against Middlesex, followed by another warm-up game against England Lions on May 19. "We will manage the first match with some of the newcomers in the Lankan team, but the players will have to be in England on May 19 for the second match," Aluthgamage said.

When asked if the decision to give a May 5 deadline was linked to the shabby treatment reportedly dished out to Lankan ministers during the World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka in Mumbai on April 2, Aluthgamage said: "These are two separate issues. It is true that 10 to 15 ministers who had gone to Mumbai for the World Cup final matches were given a Rs 5,000 ticket and those ministers underwent security checks at every point, which was embarrassing. But that is a protocol issue. This is cricket and don't mix the game with protocol issues."