vIndian.com (16 Jan, 2010) — New Delhi: Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara has replaced Yuvraj Singh as the captain of the Indian Premier League team Kings XI Punjab.
“Kumar Sangakkara is the new captain of Kings XI Punjab. We are hoping for good things to come out of it,” Punjab Kings XI CEO Anil Srivatsa told reporters.
under Yuvraj’s captaincy Kings XI reached semifinals stage in the IPL I and IPL II which is considered as reasonably successful campaigns.
“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 confessed 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.”
Media reports said that Yuvraj’s attitude and the personal split between co-owners Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia were the reasons for his “sacking”.
On January 19 auction, Sangakkara said: “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.”
In another developmet, former Australian opener Matthew Hayden and current opener Shaun marsh has said in Melbourne he will play for Chennai Super King and Punjab Kings XI, respectively.
But Marsh need the green signals from both Australian Cricketers’ Association and Cricket Australia.
All-rounder James Hopes was not too worried with the development but like Marsh, he too was awaiting a go-ahead from CA-ACA.
Hayden reportedly said India meant a lot for him and his family.
Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray said they would not allow Aussie cricketers to play in India unless the attack on the Indians did not stop Down Under.
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