SRK Elated

Shah Rukh Khan is elated, and Sourav Ganguly relieved. Shoaib Akhtar is on his way and his availability may well help Knight Riders revive their faltering Indian Premier League campaign.

On the heels of four straight defeats, the back-and-golds needed this boost before taking on Royal Challengers at home on May 8.

"This is very good news for us. We are looking forward to his arrival here," Knight Riders team director Joy Bhattacharya told this paper. "Hopefully by tomorrow or day after he will join us," he added.

IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi too welcomed the appellate tribunal’s ruling saying that he was relieved to hear the news. "Shoaib was very keen to play in the League. For the last few weeks he has been in constant touch. But as we have maintained, he was only allowed to participate if his ban was lifted or deferred. Now he is allowed to join the Knight Riders straightaway.

"I had a talk with Shah Rukh after the decision was announced. He was elated," Modi said adding: "Shoaib has a very big fan base in India. His participation will surely draw large crowds, and it is definitely a shot in the arm for the Knight Riders."

There is, however, some apprehension in the team about Akhtar’s match fitness. With Umar Gul bowling so well, a section in the team feels that Akhtar’s inclusion will force an overseas batsman to sit out which might make the batting — a problem area anyway, even weaker.

"After his (Akhtar’s) arrival, the team physio will examine his fitness and if he gives the go-ahead, then I don’t think there will be any problem. We might see him play as early in the next match," Bhattacharya said.

Ganguly is also thinking on the same lines. According to him, the trio of Akhtar, Gul and Ishant Sharma will make the best pace bowling combination in the tournament and subject to Akhtar’s fitness, he has already decided to include him in the XI. Ganguly also rubbished thoughts that problem child Akhtar will make life difficult for him.

The Pakistan speedster, a Rs 1.7 crore buy for the Knight Riders, could not play the first six matches owing to his suspension.

Meanwhile, the Cricket Association of Bengal is excited about the fact that Akhtar’s inclusion is likely to guarantee a full-house. "Knight Riders’ sudden form slump was a cause for concern over ticket sales ahead of Thursday’s game. Now that Akhtar is coming, the trend will change," a CAB official said.


ShamikChakrabarty-HowrahNewsService