Ricky is irreplaceable: Dada

Date : 1/19/10

KKR skipper said that it was an amicable decision as the Australian captain wouldn’t have been available for too many matches.

“A player like Ricky in irreplaceable. We would not have done that if he was available for the whole league. He can’t play for eight to 10 matches,” the Kolkata Knight Riders captain told DNA.

“It was a strategic decision taken after consultation with all parties,” Ganguly added. Australia will be touring New Zealand around the time of IPL III in March-April.

The Australia skipper was roped in by Shah Rukh Khan’s KKR for $400,000 in 2008. It was then felt that the price was much lower than the status of Ponting. Ponting pulled out of the IPL II citing personal reasons.

Ganguly denied that West Indian Kieron Pollard will be the biggest draw at the auction. “At least not for us,” Ganguly, who was reinstated as KKR skipper this year, said. “We’ve our own strategy and will be looking for players we want.” Ganguly also declared that the team will be open to hiring Pakistan players.

Another noteworthy buy-out for the season is that of Stephen Fleming. The contract of former New Zealand skipper has been bought out by the Chennai Super Kings. Fleming, purchased for $350,000 will continue to be the coach of MS Dhoni’s side though.

Meanwhile, Lalit Modi strongly defended the contentious tie-break rule that will be applied at the auction. Stating that the rule is universally applied at the auctions, the IPL chairman said there would not be any relaxation even though the franchisees are reportedly opposed to the idea.

“We have determined to implement the fairest process that gives the two tied teams an equal opportunity to bag the player,” IPL CEO Sundar Raman had earlier said without giving details.

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