Kochi keen on Ganguly if Jayawardena leaves

Indian Premier League (IPL) debutants Kochi Tuskers Kerala indicated on Wednesday they could opt for former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who remained unsold in the players' auction, if their skipper Mahela Jayardena has to return home to prepare for Sri Lanka's tour of England.

Kochi Tuskers director Mukesh Patel said that they are yet to make any request to the Indian cricket board for Jayawardena's replacement but if the situation arises, Ganguly could be one of their options.

"We haven't asked for Jayawardena's replacement because we don't know the status on the availability of Sri Lankan players. But if there is a need, we may opt for Ganguly," Patel told IANS.

As for Ganguly, he dropped a hint Wednesday that he may after all play in the IPL's fourth season.

During an interview to a Bengali channel, when asked whether he will play in the league, Ganguly said: "...Dekhte paabe (you will see). I am keeping my fingers crossed."

Ganguly has always been linked with Kochi Tuskers, who earlier wanted the southpaw from out of auction but their request was turned down by the Indian board.

Both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Sri Lanka (SLC) have failed to find a solution on the availability of Sri Lankan cricketers for the rest of the IPL season.

Kochi Tuskers had also asked for Ganguly as a replacement for injured Australian recruit Steve Smith. But IPL rules did not permit this as Smith's base price of $200,000 was lower than that of Ganguly's $400,000.