KKR appoint Trevor Bayliss as head coach

The Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday named Trevor Bayliss as the chief coach of their side for the fifth edition of Indian Premier League.

Trevor Bayliss, who coached Sri Lankan Cricket team for four years, guiding them to the finals of World T20 (2009) and ICC World Cup (2011) will replace Dav Whatmore who is tipped to take over as national head coach of the Pakistan side.

"We are pleased to welcome Trevor Bayliss as our chief coach. With his rich experience, very successful track record and knowledge of the conditions in the sub continent, we believe he is the right person to take KKR to the next level of performance," Shah Rukh Khan, principal owner of Kolkata franchise was quoted as saying in a media release.

Bayliss on his part stated, "I have followed the IPL Twenty20 Cricket and KKR's performance and I am honoured to become part of this team, which has already built a reputation as a very popular & professional franchise.

"The team, the support staff, the owners and management are outstanding and I look forward to working with everyone and striving for the highest honours," he further added.

Team's co-owner Jay Mehta feels that the Australian's "personality, his humility and effectiveness will be an ideal combination for KKR."

Anderson may play IPL to earn T20 berth

After becoming the 2nd England bowler to scalp 200 wickets in both ODIs and Tests, pacer James Anderson said he might consider playing in the Indian Premier League to convince the selectors of his capabilities in the Twenty20 format.

Anderson was not part of the England squad that won the Twenty20 World Cup in 2010 and the 29-year-old pacer said he would look to perform well in the ongoing ODI series against India to earn a place in the T20 squad as well.

"My immediate priority is to play my part in winning the ODI series against India, but if I bowl well enough perhaps that will push me back into their thinking," Anderson was quoted as saying by the Daily mail.

"If not, one option might be to try to play in the Indian Premier League next spring or elsewhere, something I'm really going to have to consider."

"I'm sure the selectors know my feelings. I want to play T20 cricket for England, I'm disappointed that I'm not and it's down to me to persuade them I should be," he added.

Anderson on Saturday became only the second England bowler after Darren Gough (235) to take 200 wickets in both ODIs and Test cricket during the rain-marred first one-dayer against India at Chester-le-Street.

With the 2012 World Cup Twenty20 just a year and nine matches away for England, Anderson said he is running out of time to convince the selectors.

IPL-5 to begin on April 4

The 5th edition of Indian Premier League will be starting on April 4th, 2012 with the finals scheduled on May 27th. The tournament will be held after India return from their lengthy tour of Australia while South Africa complete their engagements in New Zealand.

The tournament will consist of 74 matches, the same as this season and the complete match schedule will be announced soon.

The IPL has turned into a bone of contention with several countries ready to alter their schedule in accordance with the dates of the tournament. The Future Tour Programme (FTP) is one of the main discussion point during the 5-day ICC session currently being held in Hong Kong, amid calls from several countries to provide a window for IPL.

BCCI loses appeal against Kings XI Punjab

A day after the Rajasthan Royals celebrated taking a step closer to returning to the IPL fold, it was the turn of Kings XI Punjab to feel the same elation today.

KXIP had much to celebrate after the divisional bench of the Bombay High Court upheld the order of the single bench that had stayed the termination of the Indian Premier League franchise by the BCCI.

The BCCI, which on Monday had filed an appeal against the initial decision, was also slammed by the High Court as it said the termination of KXIP was defective.

On Tuesday, the Bombay High Court had upheld the order passed by an independent arbitrator granting stay to the termination of the Royals' contract.

Justice SJ Vazaifdar had dismissed an appeal filed by BCCI challenging the stay granted by the arbitrator and permitted the Royals to participate in the IPL-4 auction that is to be held on January 8 and 9.

The Court has also imposed a condition on the Royals directing them to file confirmation before it by January 3 specifying full details of its ownership pattern and mode of control; apart from directing the IPL franchise to submit USD 2.83 million as guarantee to the BCCI for the contract and USD 18 million as bank guarantee for the players.

Meanwhile, a BCCI source said on Tuesday night that the Indian cricket board is likely to move the Supreme Court challenging High Court's decision regarding the Royals.

BCCI to fight High Court's Kings XI order

The BCCI followed an expected route, by challenging HC order, after Kings XI Punjab was granted temporary stay on their exclusion from the IPL by the High Court. The move comes just a few days after Kings XI were an established interim relief.

The BCCI will open its appeal before Justices DY Chandrachud and AV Mohta on Tuesday. The fate of the Rajastan Royals in also likely to be exposed later that day, by Justice SJ Vazifdar.

In its appeal, the BCCI have reportedly said that the team from Punjab "did not make out a strong prima facie case that its consortium members were always in control." The BCCI says that the franchisee's case did not meet the requirements in law to get the mandatory injunction that it did.

Last Wednesday, the court's ruling went in favour of the Mohali Indian Premier League team co-owned by Priety Zinta, Ness Wadia, Mohit Burman and Karan Paul. But the court also asked the franchisee to provide "security in the form of an unconditional bank guarantee of a Nationalized Bank for payment of the players' dues, initially for $18 million... and another guarantee of $3.5 million."

The HC order would have to wait until a new arbitrator, appointed jointly by BCCI and Kings XI, decides the dispute. It is expected that the arbitrator would take upto 2 years to give out the final orders, hence giving Kings XI an opportunity to be part of the next 2 editions.

KKR should retain Ganguly in IPL IV

Amidst the reports of Sourav Ganguly's possible release from KKR in IPL IV, former Bengal skippers Sambaran Banerjee and Gopal Bose have said that the Shah Rukh Khan co-owned franchise might lose its support base in Kolkata in absence of its most popular sporting icon.

"Sourav is the best option to lead KKR in the upcoming IPL. I don't understand the rumors about his possible release by the team management. It is really needless and unwanted. Team wants him the most," Sambaran Banerjee, a former national selector and under whom Ganguly made his first-class debut told PTI Bhasha from Kolkata.

There are rumors that KKR have decided to let Kolkata's favourite son be up for auctions and not retain him. More importantly, they won't retain any player although they are keen on retaining explosive West Indian opener Chris Gayle.

"If Sourav is not there, KKR will lose the sentimental attachment that people of Bengal share with the team."

"I doubt whether they will be able to attract good crowds during IPL matches if Sourav is not there. KKR will face a lot of problems in his absence," said the veteran who was instrumental in Ganguly's comeback in the Indian team in 1996.

Similarly another former captain and staunch Ganguly backer Gopal Bose, has said that the former India captain is to Bengal what like Sachin is for Mumbai.

"We cannot imagine the Mumbai team in the absence of Sachin Tendulkar. Similarly Sourav is the face of Kolkata. He is the biggest sporting icon Bengal has ever produced. People are emotionally attached with him. The team management can conduct polls and more then 90% people will vote for Sourav," he said.

"He played well in the previous season and the most amazing part was his fielding."

Banerjee has said that Ganguly does not need to prove anything to anybody. He also hoped that KKR can reach the semi-final in the coming season under his captaincy.

IPL Governing Council to meet on Today

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council will meet on November 17 at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Recreation Centre at the Bandra Kurla Complex here, a Cricket Board official said.

Refusing to reveal the agenda of the meeting, a governing council member told PTI that a decision on the beleaguered Kochi IPL franchisee was not expected during the meeting.

"The franchisee has been given a 30-day notice. A decision cannot be taken before that," the member said.

The BCCI last month gave a 30-day notice to the Kochi IPL consortium to sort out its internal differences and get its ownership structure in order.

No second chance for Rajasthan Royals: Shashank Manohar

BCCI president Shashank Manohar dismissed speculations that past IPL team Rajasthan Royals will get a lifeline from the parent body after the owners wrote a letter to BCCI demanding a second chance.

The champions of the 1st edition of IPL 2008, were expelled from the cash-rich league last Sunday on grounds on a variety of irregularities along with another high profile franchise Rajasthan Royals.

"They may have written a letter but where does the question of revoking the decision come up?" BCCI president Manohar told PTI when contacted at his Nagpur residence.

Manohar further added, "We have taken a final decision. That remains and no further decisions will be taken in this regard."

Last Sunday after the IPL governing council meeting Manohar had told reporters that there were violations in agreement and breach of contract on the part of the franchise that has led to the expulsion. There were discrepancies regarding the shareholding outline and ownership transfers which the board claimed were not sorted out.

Kings XI and Rajasthan Royals agreements are terminated

In a radical step, the Indian Cricket Board unanimously decided to terminate the franchise agreements of Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab, while thrifty the newly-inducted Kochi team.

The Kochi franchisee has been issued a notice and has been given 10 days time by the BCCI, asking them to decide all their disputes.

The decision means that the 4th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will feature eight teams for the time being despite the addition of two new teams in Kochi and Pune. If Kochi is also scrapped, then of course there will be only 7 teams.

The decision was taken at disaster meeting of the IPL Governing council at MCA Recreation Centre here.

"It was unanimously decided that the franchise agreements with Kings XI and Rajasthan Royals be terminated forthwith based on the Legal opinions obtained by BCCI in the matters," the BCCI said in a release.

"It was further unanimously decided to issue a notice to the unincorporated joint venture holding the Kochi franchise calling upon them to resolve all their disputes and form a company which will hold the IPL franchise rights."

"Accordingly, P R Raman, advocate for BCCI has been given instructions to issue all the three notices," BCCI said.

Shane Warne looking forward to IPL-4

Australian spinner Shane Warne expressed his willingness to play in the 4th edition of the Indian Premier League 2011.

The Rajasthan Royals captain, who lead his team to a title win in the inaugural edition 2008, had a three-year contract with his t20 franchise which expired after the 3rd edition.

Although a fresh auction will be held in September for IPL-4, the Australian star is not in favour of IPL franchisees retaining any player for the next season.

Warne, who is currently in England, said he is looking forward to play the in the Twenty20 cricket league in India for one more year.

"It's great here in England, love coming over for the so called summer !!! Hahaha. P.S: Yes will play 1 more year. I'm looking forward to IPL 4!," he wrote on his twitter page.

Warne has been uncertain about featuring in the IPL and had earlier described his chances of playing in next year's event as fifty-fifty.

No match-fixing in 3rd IPL 2010: Paul Condon

Outgoing ICC Anti-Corruption chief Paul Condon said he had no evidence to propose there had been any fraud in the 3rd edition of the IPL.

"3rd IPL from a clean cricket point of view seems to have been a very clean event," Paul Condon told a news conference at Lord's.

"There were rumours and unclear allegations about match-fixing in 3rd IPL 2010."

"No one has come forward from within the Indian board or the IPL or franchises or journalists, players or team managers, anyone with any specific allegations about match-fixing in the IPL 2010. All there has been is a nonspecific rumour."

The Anti-Corruption and Security Unit did not monitor the first two IPL Twenty20 competitions. Condon, who has been in accuse of the unit since it was set up 10 years ago to deal with a match-fixing scandal which resulted in life bans for three international captains, will be succeeded by former senior British police offical Ronnie Flanagan on July 1.

I am getting younger: Sourav Ganguly

After first proving those who said he couldn't score runs in the T20 format wrong, Ganguly proceeded to baffle fans and critics alike by throwing himself about in the field with the alertness of a 20 year old. Dada, as he is lovingly known, had never made headlines for his fielding, but in a crucial match for the Kolkata Knight Riders against the Delhi Daredevils, he was brilliant in the field.

"As far as my fielding is concerned, I'm getting younger!" said Ganguly.

He was happy with the win, which saw KKR remain in strife for a semi-final spot. Throwing light on the team selection, Ganguly discovered that the decision to play Ajantha Mendis instead of Shane Bond was taken at the ground itself.

"It was a good game and it was good to win. It is always a difficult decision to leave Shane Bond out. I wasn't sure whom to play, Bond or Mendis, when we reached the ground. But then on seeing the wicket, I thought Mendis would do well. Even Iqbal Abdulla bowled well. He is a youngster and all time he gets an opportunity, he proves himself."

Sourav Ganguly praised Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag, and said their wickets turned the match for KKR.

"I think we should have got 190 today. We're a bit stuck during the middle overs. Till the time Sehwag was around, I thought they were very much in the match. He is a champion batsman and when he bats, anything is possible. So Sehwag, along with Gambhir, kept them in the match. It was only when Sehwag was dismissed that we began to sense victory. Everyone thinks they know how to bowl to Sehwag but he keeps pumping them into the stands! He is a champion batsman. Both Sehwag and Gambhir are really fine players.

"We have been playing well for quite sometime now. Hopefully, we will be able to win the next match. Every time we win one, we lose the very next game."

Delhi skipper Gautam Gambhir gave credit to Kolkata for the win, and said that he should have ensured he stayed till the end to finish the match for Delhi. Gambhir was run-out by a direct hit via his opposite number, Sourav Ganguly.

Kolkata bowling coach, Wasim Akram was delighted with his wards' show in front of a packed Eden Garden and heaped praises on faster Ashok Dinda, who packed off the dangerous David Warner in the first over, and was denied another wicket when Sehwag nicked a ball behind to the keeper.

"I am very happy with the way he bowled. He runs in straightaway, right from the first ball. I have always maintained that there aren't any warm-up deliveries in this format and you need to warm up before the match, which is what he does."

Lalit Modi offers 5000 passes for IPL 2010 semis and finals to MCA

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) chief Sharad Pawar said that IPL Chairman Lalit Modi has clarified the locate over the non-issue of passes for league matches to the MCA and offered 5,000 passes for semifinal and final of the IPL Twenty20 event.

"I had a talk on this issue with the BCCI President and IPL Chairman. Lalit Modi has cleared a few things," Pawar said at MCA's Annual General Meeting.

"The opening match did not belong to Navi Mumbai but to Deccan Chargers as it was originally scheduled at Hyderabad and was shifted here only due to the Telangana violence.

"Hence, the IPL could not provide passes on time as they themselves an established the passes late," he said.

"The IPL and the Board have taken this issue fatally and Modi has offered to provide our members with 5,000 passes in advance for the semifinal and the final matches," Pawar said.

On matches hosted by the Mumbai Indians, Pawar said that the IPL franchisee had straight approached the Cricket Club of India and hence MCA could not get the 20 per cent passes reserved for the host association.

"This has happened because we do not have our stadium as it is under-construction. The phase is fleeting and for this year only as once we have our stadium, nobody can deny us our share of 20 per cent seats," he added.

Meanwhile, addressing the AGM, MCA treasurer Ratnakar Shetty said that the court has refused relief to petitioners of a PIL which contended that permission for revamping of the Wankhede Stadium has been given without considering the environmental issues.

"Recently, the judges visited the site and said that MCA was not wrong in construction and refused to grant relief to the petitioners. Besides, the judges have also asked the Railways to issue an NOC. We are expecting an NOC from Railways in a week," he said.

An NOC is required from the Railways for the building of the stadium as construction is not allowed within 30 metres of the railway track, he said.

KKR in good shape: Wasim Akram

Former Pakistan skipper and Kolkata Knight Riders bowling coach Wasim Akram said the team is in good shape and would perform well in the 3rd season of the Indian Premiere League beginning in March 2010.

"KKR is in good shape and has a high morale," Wasim Akram said while cooperating with mediapersons at the Eden Gardens after a practice session of the team.

He said even though the team could not perform well last year, he expects that it will be able to live up to the expectations this time.

Stating that the team has a number of talented players, Akram said, "I have worked with Manoj Tiwari and Lakshmi Ratan Shukla earlier. They are still very impressive. Everybody in the team knows his work."

When asked whether he has trained reverse swing to KKR bowlers, Akram, known as the 'Sultan of swing', said, "I have given them some tips. I hope they will be able to adopt them by March 12."

KKR are line up to play their first IPL-3 match against the Deccan Chargers on March 12.

According to Akram, Sri Lankan Ajantha Mendis is a little down on confidence. "He is experienced, but his confidence has to be boosted up."

Speaking on KKR skipper Saurav Ganguly, he said, "He is a very successful skipper and a great motivator. He is very committed to the game. The juniors should learn from him."

"I am happy to be able to work with him," he said adding Dave Whatmore is a great coach.

According to the former Pakistan skipper, Ishant Sharma should not be judged only from his performance in the subcontinent.

"We should not judge him only on his performance on the wickets of the subcontinent," he added.

Pakistan players apply to IPL for Third edition

At least 12 players from Pakistan have applied to the IPL requesting to be placed 3rd edition auction. Still it is not known yet who all the players are, the report quoted a player as saying that most of the team currently touring Australia has been in touch with the IPL.

Earlier, IPL Chairman Lalit Modi had announced that if Pakistan players need themselves included in the auction group for the 3rd edition of the IPL, they would have to submit their names by December 31.

"All the players here have sent emails to Lalit Modi expressing their interest for next season," one of the players was quoted as saying by cricinfo. "We haven't yet applied for visas to India but we have the NOC's in place from the board."

An IPL official confirmed that "over 12 players" had applied from Pakistan though he was also unsure of the exact number.

For its part, the PCB has issued general NOCs for all its players to take part in the lucrative tournament, since it was keen that the players would not miss out on this edition after having missed the second IPL in South Africa.

However, with the uncertain political equations between India and Pakistan, it is not yet clear what kind of interest franchises will show in Pakistan players during the auction.

There is also the question of four players - Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Gul - who already have contracts with IPL franchisees. These contracts have been suspended currently, and the franchisees will have to let go of other foreign players if they want to retain the services of these four.

Sangakkara replaces Yuvraj Singh as Kings XI Skipper

Sri Lankan Captain Kumara Sangakkara has replaced Yuvraj Singh as the skipper of the Kings Eleven Punjab, the IPL team. The assessment has been reportedly conveyed to Yuvraj Singh by the CEO of the franchisee.

Yuvraj led the team in the first two seasons of the IPL, reaching the semi-finals in the 1st season, but not managing to repeat that success in the 2nd season.

Earlier reports suggested that Yuvraj Singh was being replaced because his approach was a problem and not because of the perform of the team.

Stuart Broad and James Anderson say no to IPL

England fasters Stuart Broad and James Anderson will not play Indian Premier League in 2010.

The fasters were in line for exciting opportunities in the cash-laden climes of the IPL but will instead turn their full attention to their International careers.

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff injured his knee while playing in the IPL last year while Kevin Pietersen had to refute claims he aggravated an Achilles injury while training with Bangalore Royal Challengers.

BBC radio quoted Stuart Broad, who also turned down an India term last year, as saying that his "First priority" was to represent his country.

As per the announcement released by a management agency representing Broad, the faster was quoted as saying that remaining fit for the Ashes was his main priority.

"Whilst the chance to play in the IPL is potentially a great opportunity, my first priority is, and always will be, to represent my country,'' Broad said.

"The IPL is a tournament I would like to play in at some stage in the future but my International career is my sole focus at this stage in my career," he added

James Anderson too had the same reasons to give and said, "I am proud to be playing cricket for England and my International career is more important than anything which is why I have decided not to compete in the IPL in 2010."

Yuvraj Singh sacked as Kings XI Skipper

There have been reports responsibility rounds that the Kings XI Captain Yuvraj Singh has been sacked from the captaincy by the team management.

Reports said that the team coach Tom Moody was unhappy with Yuvraj's approach which apparently led to his sacking. The report also stated that Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara would take over as the skipper of the Punjab team through the IPL 3rd edition.

Kumara Sangakkara, however, refused these reports and said, "I already have my hands full with the Sri Lanka job. I cannot take another one and I feel an Indian should lead an Indian franchise."

Praising Yuvraj, Kumara Sangakkara said, "He is a very good skipper and I enjoyed playing under his captainship in the IPL. I haven't heard anything of this sort"

Pakistan cricketers ruled out of IPL III

Pakistani players will not play in the Indian Premier League III 2010 as their board has failed to get their visas before the deadline for confirmation of participation, IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi said on Monday.

"We have been informed by PCB that they have not been able to get the visas as of now. So we are not being able to expand the deadline. Today is the complete deadline for confirmation of Pakistani players. The swap window is day after tomorrow," Modi said.

"Unfortunately, the Pakistani players are out and they will not be allowed to take part in the next IPL because we are handicapped by the fact that the exchange window is day after tomorrow. We are informing the teams that they now can go for the replacement of the Pakistani players," he told the Times Now channel.

The Indian Premier League III 2010 will be played different venues in the country in March-April.

Dav Whatmore to coach Kolkata Knight Riders

Former Indian Skipper Sourav Ganguly said Dav Whatmore will be the coach of Kolkata Knight Riders in the 3rd edition of Indian Premier League.

Ganguly who is expected to be back as Kolkata Knight Riders Skipper in the 3rd edition, said, "I have been informed that Whatmore will be our next coach. I know him for a long time. It will be exciting to work with him."

"Whatmore is very experienced and I'm looking forward to his association," he said.

Meanwhile, an official declaration on Whatmore's appointment is still awaited.

When contacted KKR CEO Joy Bhattacharya told PTI that an official announcement on Whatmore's appointment would be made in a couple of days.

The Australian just quit from the post of director of operations at National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

Whatmore coached Sri Lanka to World Cup victory in 1996 and was also coach of Bangladesh team.