Tuesday 9th September 2008
Ganguly not ok with Freddie, KP
While England cricketers are keen to figure in the IPL, Sourav Ganguly does not want them to be part of his team.
Amidst speculations that England skipper Kevin Pietersen and all rounder Andrew Flintoff may join the Kolkata team, Ganguly said he was not keen to have the duo in his ranks.
Ganguly reasoned that the English duo may not be available for the full duration of the tournament and wants only committed players in the side.
He also blamed his side's below par show in the inaugural edition to those who left the team mid-way for national duty.
"There is pressure on my team to do well in the IPL next year, because last year we did not get the results we wanted. That in part was down to players coming and going for international duty.
"I don't know how much Pietersen or Flintoff will be available next year, with the Ashes going on - that's a big competition for them. We need players who can play for us for a longer time and gel with the team, not coming and going like that," the former Indian captain told the 'Sun'.
The Kolkata southpaw also refused to believe that big names were quintessential for success.
"It is a team sport and last year Shane Warne's Rajasthan (Royals) won through a team ethic, not big names. There is a limit with the number of overseas players we can play and a limit to the budget," he said.
