Sri Lanka are set to extend a deadline to recall their players from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to avoid embarrassing India. Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has said that the decision taken by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) may be overturned soon.
“We’re looking at giving players more time to play the IPL before they join the team for the England tour,” he said. “We have excellent relations with India. We don’t want to upset them.”
Aluthgamage said he will be suggesting to the cricket administrators to allow players to join the team by May 18 in London. The change of heart comes days after the SLC ordered its players home by May 5 to prepare for the England tour, more than three weeks before the IPL ends.
The BCCI had asked the SLC to reconsider pulling out players early. Eleven Sri Lankan players are currently playing in the IPL. Aluthgamage said the extended deadline will only affect seven players who were selected for the Test squad while also brushing aside speculation that the compromise came after the BCCI used its financial clout and threatened to withhold the 10 per cent royalty due to the SLC, in the event of an early pullout.
Kochi pull off thrilling win
Kochi Tuskers stunned favourites Kolkata Knight Riders by six runs in an exciting IPL showdown.
It was the hosts’ second defeat from five outings and Kochi’s third win from as many games.
Ravindra Jadeja struck an 18-ball 29 with three sixes and a four to take Kochi to 132 for seven before Kolkata were restricted to 126 for nine on a slow Eden Gardens track. The hosts, leading the points table before this match, lost quick wickets in their chase and could never recover from the early setbacks despite a fighting 46-run knock by Manoj Tiwary.
Jadeja impressed with the ball as well, picking up two wickets including the key scalp of Tiwary. Spinners Yusuf Pathan (three for 20) and Shakibal Hasan (three for 28) earlier shared six wickets after Kolkata captain Gautam Gambhir elected to field.
New Zealand star Brendon McCullum (23) and Mahela Jayawardene (25) gave Kochi a steady start, putting on 49 runs for the opening wicket. Bangladesh left-arm spinner Shakib gave Kolkata a key breakthrough when he had McCullum caught by Eoin Morgan while Pathan accounted for Jayawardene, Brad Hodge and Parthiv Patel in quick succession.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2011.
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