‘Create window for IPL in FTP calender to avoid conflict’

Deccan Chargers skipper Kumar Sangakkara on Tuesday said playing for the nation is supreme but country vs club situation could be avoided if a window is created for the Indian Premier League in the ICC’s FTP calendar.  Sri Lankan players, playing in the IPL, were ordered by their Cricket Board to return to the country to prepare for the England tour.

Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga, playing for Mumbai Indians, had announced his Test retirement when the SLC asked him to leave the IPL mid-way and return for a rehabilitation programme.

It re-ignited the debate whether players should give priority to country or prefer playing in the cash-rich leagues like IPL.

Sangakkara said such conflicts could be avoided if there is a regular window for the IPL in the FTP calendar.

“There should be a specific window for the IPL and the BCCI should look to ensure that enough Test cricket is played,” Sangakkara told reporters here ahead of their match against Kochi Tuskers Kerala.

“We always do our best to honour the national contracts. But players should not be asked to choose. The country is always the first,” he added.

Although SLC has agreed to let their play in the IPL till May 18, Sangakkara said he would leave little early for England tour preparations and reports also say that Sri Lanka skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene are also packing their bags for an early return.  “We have been given time till May 20. We have a match on May 16 and on May 21. I will return early after the match on May 16,” Sangakkara said.

Jayawardene, captain of the Kochi Tuskers Kerala, said: “We have to be in England by May 18. Since, there is a match on May 19, I have to see. Right now, I have not decided how to go about it. I have to sort out the dates.”

Sanga’s team beats Mahela and Co. in IPL

Kumar Sangakkara-led Deccan Chargers beat the Mahela Jayawardena captained Kochi Tuskers by 55 runs last night in an important IPL match.

Kochi Tuskers Kerala won the toss and elected to field. Deccan Chargers scored 129 for 7 in their 20 overs with a run rate of 6.45. Sangakkara scored 65 in 47 balls with 10 fours. He together with Australia’s Cameron White who chipped in 31 helped a respectable score for Deccan Chargers.

Kochi Tuskers could only manage 74 runs in 16 overs with an excellent spell by Ishant Sharma who claimed 5 for just 12 runs.  Captain Mahela scored only 4 whilst fellow Sri Lankan Thisara Perera scored 22. By the first six overs, Kochi had lost six wickets.