By IANS
Hyderabad : After bagging a fat pay check, Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds wants to help Deccan Chargers of Hyderabad win the title in the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) starting Friday.
“I must thank the owners for bidding for me in such a big way. It came as a surprise. But now my ambition is to win the tournament. Money is definitely a factor. I think IPL is a new frontier in cricket,” he said.
On the possible clash between international assignments and IPL, Symonds said: “This is something that should never happen. I think the cricket boards and the ICC should see to it that there is a window for IPL.”
He also said that since Twenty20 is a very fast format, there would be no place for sledging.
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ITC Welcomgroup is IPL’s hospitality partner
ITC Welcomgroup tied up with the DLF IPL Sunday to be the league’s hospitality partner.
As per the agreement, ITC Welcomgroup will play host to the cricketers and league officials catering to their hospitality and food and beverage needs.
“I am very pleased to have the country’s leading chain of hotels, resorts and palaces join us as the preferred hospitality partner of the DLF Indian Premier League. I am certain that the cricketers and officials alike will enjoy the traditional Indian hospitality and world-class standards that the ITC-Welcomgroup is renowned for,” said Lalit Modi, chairman and commissioner of IPL.
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Warne gears up for IPL challenge
Shane Warne, who is the coach and captain of Jaipur’s Royal Challengers, met the team management and franchise owners, Emerging Media Ltd, Sunday to take stock of the preparation of the team.
Warne, who has been busy these days trying out a career in poker, will have his task cut out as the captain since some top stars of the team will be missing for their first few matches.
South African Graeme Smith and Morne Morkel have been asked by their board to complete their domestic duties before playing in the league.
And Warne is leaving no stone unturned to field a good combination for the first match against Delhi Daredevils Saturday.