Saturday 1st November 2008
Modi keen to rope in Pietersen
England captain Kevin Pietersen only needs a no objection certificate to play in the Indian Premier League.
The inaugural edition of the cash-rich Twenty20 tournament featured only one English player - Dimitri Mascarenhas.
Several English players are in talks with IPL franchisees, but none have signed on the dotted line because of a row between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL).
IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, however, said he was keen to have Pietersen play in the league.
"I am very keen for Kevin to take part in the IPL," Modi said.
"He has already agreed to be part of it, we just need an NOC from the ECB.
"The ECB have agreed in principle to release players for the next season. They have off course laid down conditions and we are evaluating those conditions."
One of those conditions is that the IPL release 20 players for the ECB's proposed Twenty20 tournament.
The IPL, however, is unwilling to agree as several county teams have links to rebel ICL players.
"However, that the ECB have moved from the position of not allowing their players in the IPL to granting permission is a big step forward," Modi added.
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