THE MUCH awaited auction of players for the fourth season of Indian Premier League (IPL) is round the corner, and in all likelihood, no cricketer from Pakistan is going to find a place in the coveted tourney. The organisers have made it clear that none of the Pakistani players will be included in the auction list.
According to the list of 416 players from across the cricket playing nations, there is not a single name from the neighbouring country Pakistan. The players whose names feature in the list will be auctioned in Bangalore on January 8 and 9 for IPL 4 slated to be organized in April and May- just after the ICC World Cup.
The Pakistani players were a part of the inaugural tournament in 2008, but the scenario took a drastic change post 26/11 Mumbai terror attack when the players from across the border were not considered for auction for second season. However, there were certain Pakistani players whose name were in the list of players auctioned for third season, but the franchisees evaded any controversy whatsoever by not considering their names- which led to a lot of controversy and debate.
Revealing the status of the Pakistsni players’ availability for season 4, an IPL official said that since the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had not forwarded any names for the January auction, their names cannot be considered for auction.
Barring a few cricketers, who played in IPL 3, and who have been retained by their respective franchisees, all the players will be up for auction. Sachin Tendulkar, Harbajhan Singh, Kieron Pollard and Lasith Malinga have been retained by the Mumbai Indian franchise. Chennai Super Kings retained captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Murali Vijay and the South African all-rounder Albie Morkel, whereas Rajasthan Royals showed their faith in Australian duo- Shane Warne and Shane Watson. Royal Challengers Bangalore has retained Virat Kohli and Delhi Daredevils retained swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag.
The Australian trio of Ricky Ponting, vice captain Michael Clarke and pace bowler Mitchell Johnson has decided to refrain from the cash rich event, whereas some new names like James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Michael Yardy, etc., are up for grabs. However, one of the biggest surprises is Brian Lara, who has decided to associate himself with the league as a player after retiring from cricket in 2007.
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