Briefly CLT20

Hope another team picks me

Retired Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is hopeful of being picked by a franchise after the BCCI terminated his present IPL side,Kochi Tuskers Keralas contract.

I am hopeful that if they Kochi are not playing,some other franchise will take me as I am fit and playing this format continuously. I want to play two more years in IPL, Muralitharan said. If the BCCI has decided something,then we cant do anything. BCCI has taken this decision but I hope that they will arrange something for the 20 contracted players of the franchise. Its a three-party agreement and we have our three-year contract with BCCI, he added.

Gambhir as good as Dhoni

Kolkata Knight Riders Laxmipathy Balaji says skipper Gautam Gambhir is as good as Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni when it comes to leading the side. That KKR moved beyond the league stages of the IPL for the first time,in the fourth edition of the tournament,was due to Gambhirs captaincy,Balaji felt.

Gautam Gambhir played a pivotal role in the turnaround of the fortunes of the team. He always used to set an example for the rest of the team-members. He always led from the front and I have no doubt whatsoever that leadership skill wise,Gautam is on-par with MS Dhoni, Balaji said.