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Window for IPL not impossible: Sangakkara

Special Correspondent

Jaipur: With the DLF-IPL featuring a slew of international cricketers, Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara doesn’t see a problem in the authorities carving a window for the IPL.

“It’s a case of the administrators balancing their and players’ interests. I am sure everyone can get along well. This is the benchmark of the hype, interests and finances involved. The administrators will have a tough time in the next two years to get it all organised, but it’s not an impossible task.

“That’s what the players have been echoing. The IPL can be fitted into the ICC’s Future Tour Programme (FTP). What is important is the quality of the performance and attitude of the players. When a player represents his country, it’s his duty to give his best shot. When he is representing the franchise, it’s his duty to play well again. “The players want to play for their country as well as do well in competitions like this. I don’t think it should come down to a choice between national duty and such events. All forms of cricket should co-exist and I am sure the administrators will find a way out to achieve that aim,” said Sangakkara.

A majority of the Australians, New Zealanders and the West Indians will leave in the second and third week of the tournament for their national duties. Talking about the possible effect on the points table because of that, Sangakkara said, “It will become more interesting and the combinations put on the field will change. What this would do is allow the Indian domestic players to come up and show the franchisees what they can do.

“The Indian players are a very important part of this tournament. No one should forget that India’s domestic players and the under-19 players can play a pivotal part in the team’s fortunes,” he added.

The tournament will be full of Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans and South Africans from the third week. “Well, the more differences there are in the team combinations, the better and interesting it would be. What’s to be seen is how they jell together and perform as a unit.”

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