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#1
01-15-2010, 01:55 PM
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Latest News from IPL3
 New Delhi: Ending days of speculation, Kumar Sangakkara on Friday replaced Yuvraj Singh as the captain of the Indian Premier League team Kings XI Punjab but insisted that the Indian left-hander would remain the side's "most important" player. The Sri Lankan skipper was tipped to take over the job weeks ago but the team management had so far kept mum on the matter. The side's CEO Anil Srivatsa finally put an end to the speculation by announcing Sangakkara as the new skipper on Friday. "Kumar Sangakkara is the new captain of Kings XI Punjab. We are hoping for good things to come out of it," Srivatsa told reporters. Asked why Yuvraj was removed from the post despite the team's reasonably successful campaigns in the first two seasons of IPL, Srivatsa said being replaced as captain would not affect the left-hander's stature and and hoped it would instead help him to do better with the bat. "Being taken off the leadership role does not diminish Yuvraj's standing in the team. Yuvraj's inputs are vital for us. He has done well for the team in the past two seasons and he has one more year with us. He did his job well enough as we reached semifinals in both the years. This has got nothing to do with all this. He is still what he is in the team," he insisted. Sangakkara echoed Srivatsa's views and said he spoke to Yuvraj immediately after being told about the change of captaincy. "I have enjoyed playing under Yuvraj, he is a very able captain. When everything was not concrete, I spoke to him and after that I decided that it was the right time to take up captaincy. "I don't think it would cause any problem. He is a very good friend. I had a long chat with him on this, everything was done very transparently. Moreover, Yuvraj is the most important player in our side. Any IPL team will be lucky to have him. He can change a match just like that. He is a match winner," he said. "In fact to have a nationwide talent hunt for quality domestic players was his idea and I am sure it will help us this season." There were reports that Yuvraj's attitude and the personal split between co-owners Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia were the reasons for his "sacking" but Srivatsa said such reports were baseless. He also rubbished suggestions that foreign players were being preferred over Indians for leading the IPL sides. "It's just a perception. Nothing to that all. We are a professional team and we have enough cricketing brains to take such decisions," Srivatsa said. "To say that foreigners are being preferred would amount to taking a very narrow view. We don't look at international boundaries when we pick players," Srivatsa said. Asked if the team was looking to buy any specific players during the January 19 auction, Sangakkara said the fast bowling all-rounders could get a look in. "At the next auction, we would be looking for fast bowlers, who are really fast. Fast bowling all-rounders. Plus quality domestic Indian players would also be looked at," Sangakkara said. On how he plans to cope with the busy schedule which has only busier with IPL, Sangakkara said, "We are ready for national, IPL and domestic commitments. We will get three to four weeks off now. That's enough time to recuperate and all the players would be raring to go." "I think it's going to be testing but possible," he added. 
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#2
01-15-2010, 01:57 PM
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Is IPL's top Australian are out of IPL3?
 New Delhi: IPL's top Australian imports Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden on Friday said they have no inhibitions of playing in India despite the Shiv Sena's threat of stopping the Aussies from taking part in the third edition of the tournament. Speaking exclusively to IBN7, Chennai Super Kings' opener Hayden said that India was his 'second home'. "I love playing in India. I have no problems or apprehensions whatsoever of playing there. I am also hurt by the attacks on Indian students but there is no as such hatred between the two communities in both countries. In fact, I see a relation of brotherhood between the two nations and cricket has played a big role," said the former Aussie opener. Earlier, there were reports that Deccan Chargers captain Gilchrist may withdraw from the tournament due to security concerns. However, expressing the solidarity with Hayden, the wicketkeeper-batsman said that he has no worries over touring India for IPL 2010. “I love playing in India. My manager’s quote has been misinterpreted and I am quite keen to play in India. The only time in my career I was apprehensive of playing in India was last year when Indian government didn’t guarantee our security and subsequently tournament was moved to South Africa,” said Gilchrist. Incidentally, under Gilchirst’s leadership, the Deccan Chargers became Champions in the last IPL, played in South Africa and the former Aussie player said he is looking forward to repeat the success. “I can’t speak for other players but I am sure to tour India in March for the IPL. I am confident of Mr. Modi and the IPL organizers. I have some fine memories of India and would like to extend that,” remarked Gilchrist. India's political party Shiv Sena had threatened the Australian players of boycotting IPL games if they take part in the tournament after continous attacks on Indian students in Australia for the past few months. Both Gilchrist and Hayden opined that cricket could play a key role in bridging the differences between the two nations. "Cricket has always played a big role in bringing people closer in these two nations. It has always acted as a bridge and as a player I am happy to have played my part and keen to do so in future in every capacity," said Gilchrist. Hayden expressed his concerns over the attack on the Indian students and appealled to bring a stop to the violence. "Whatever has happened to the Indian students in Australia, I am deeply concerned. Before being an Australian or Indian, it's important for humanity to respect different cultures and communities," said Hayden. The former Queensland also player said that he has huge respect for India and its people and he has been fortunate to be loved and respected so much. Cricket Australia's spokesperson Peter Young too echoed Hayden's sentiments. "As of now, we are not at all worried about playing in India. We have been touring India of late, a number of times. We have been fantastically taken care of there," said Young. On being reminded that the Shiv Sena had in the past disrupted cricket matches in Mumbai and hence would they consider changing Mumbai as one of the venues for the IPL 2010, Young put on a brave face."The question doesn't arise. We have full confidence in the BCCI and IPL organisers. We will go by the way they guide us. As of now, there is no apprehension," said Young.
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