Ramnaresh Sarwan News Topic

Sarwan, Gayle join Indian Premier League

West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, batsman Chris Gayle and three South African cricketers have signed up for the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL).

Sarwan and Gayle will join left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul in the new Twenty20 league which starts next April. The latest signings takes the list of international players to 49.

The 44-day IPL event will feature eight franchises in the inaugural season with each squad containing 16 players. They will play home and away games leading up to a grand final.

Promoted by the Indian cricket board with support from other major national boards, the IPL was launched to counter an unofficial Indian Twenty20 league due to start on Nov. 30.