press trust of india
New Delhi, October 1
The indian premier league, the ambitious cash-rich Twenty20 venture launched by the BCCI, today announced the signing of eight current Sri Lankan cricketers, including captain Mahela Jayawardene and spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan, for its inaugural edition.
Barely three days after the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) released its second list of 18 players, the IPL responded by coming out with the names of its first high-profile signings, intensifying the recruitment battle between the two rival groups.
Apart from Jayawardene and Muralitharan, the dashing Sanath Jayasuriya, wicketkeeper batsman Kumara Sangakkara and pacemen Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Zoysa, Farveez Maharoof and Dilhara Fernando were the other players to play in the inaugural season.