Finally, the Bong Connection?

Players from every Test-playing nation barring England, whose season overlaps with the IPL. And, strangely, Bangladesh. You’d have thought at least a couple of them would come in handy in the big-hitting format, and perhaps pull in the crowds in Kolkata. Well, that may yet happen: The Delhi Daredevils have been in talks with Mohammad Ashraful, the Bangladesh captain, and could sign him up soon. "The talks are on," TA Sekhar, part of the Delhi management, told Cricinfo. "It has not been finalised yet." There’s also a bit of red tape to be untangled - the approval of the Indian and Bangladesh boards is pending – but it’s not likely to pose a huge problem for Ashraful who, if the Bangladesher Khela website is to be believed, turned down an offer of approximately US$1.5 million from the Indian Cricket League.

Meanwhile, Kolkata may yet get a star from opar Bangla (across the border). Mohammad Rafique, the left-arm spinner who has announced his retirement, says he has got feelers from Kolkata – and it may be an offer he can’t refuse. "Shah Rukh Khan [who owns the Kolkata team] called and asked me to play for his team. I was just awestruck by the call from my favourite hero,” Rafique was quoted in the Khaleej Times. "I told him I would be available after the South African series. Sourav Ganguly’s brother and the team’s agent have been keeping in touch with me. We will have final talks after the series.”