Indian Premier League

Chandigarh

cricket

The R Ashwin's transfer saga in the(IPL) continues. The latest is that the veteran spinner is back on trade list, and is now closest to the national capital than he ever was since the negotiations between Delhi Capitals and Kings XI Punjab started about a couple of months ago.Mirror understands that the talks have resumed between the two North Indian franchises and a formula has been arrived at by the managements. Ashwin, who was the skipper of the KXIP in the last two years, has agreed to be traded despite the arrival of Anil Kumble inas coach.As was predicted, Kumble surely does not want to part with his ace spinner but it is learnt that Ashwin is determined on leaving for the Capitals. Insiders say Ashwin seems to be of the view that Delhi pitch will suit him and it could propel him to the India white ball squad too. He has not given up on white ball recall for the national team. As per the arrangement, by swapping Ashwin, Kings XI Punjab would get Trent Boult and Jagadeesha Suchith. Boult, one of the World Cup heroes of New Zealand, was bought for Rs 2.2 crore and Suchith, a left-arm-spinner from Karnataka, was snapped for Rs 20 lakh, by Delhi previously.Over and above giving them to Kings XI Punjab, Delhi is understood to have agreed to pay Rs 1.5 crore to the Mohali side. The papers are understood to have gone to the players for signing. Ashwin has already signed on the dotted lines. He would continue to be paid Rs 7.6 crore, his auction value, by the Delhi side.A Delhi franchise official refused to comment but a Kings XI Punjab owner has conceded that the talks on the topic are underway again. "We had left the matter to our coach Anil. He was to take the decision but all I can say is such a proposal is on the table and the talks are on. Nothing, though, has been finalised," Mohit Burman, one of the owners of the franchise, told Mirror.No-ball trackingMeanwhile, the IPL Governing Council is planning to have an umpire assigned specifically to check "no balls" after a number of howlers in the past few seasons led to heightened concerns about quality of Indian match officials, PTI reported.It was also learnt that the much-hyped 'Power Player' concept of substitutions during IPL games was shelved for the time being as the project can't be piloted during upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (National T20), starting later this week.The GC chaired by former Test batsman Brijesh Patel met at theheadquarters to discuss a slew of issues including FTP window, availability of foreign players, FTP of Indian team and possibility of franchises playing friendlies abroad.However, the talking point was having an exclusive umpire to check on the contentious front-foot and height no balls."If all goes well, during the next Indian Premier League, you could see another umpire apart from the regular umpires just to "observe" no-balls. The concept sounds weird, but this was among the issues discussed in the first IPL Governing Council meeting which was held here," a senior GC member told reporters after the meet."We want to use the technology. We are having another umpire for only observing no-balls. There will be an umpire, who will be focused on no-balls only. And he will not be third or fourth umpire," the influential member said. There was a lot of hue and cry during the last IPL, when some debatable decisions were taken with regards to front-foot no-balls.India skipper Virat Kohli even had a heated word with Indian umpire S Ravi, who failed to spot a no-ball by Mumbai Indians' Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga, which proved costly for the Royal Challengers Bangalore during one of the IPL matches.It is understood that the concept of having such umpires could be tried at any of the domestic tournament before a final call will be taken on it.On the concept of 'Power Player', the official said: "The matter was discussed but there is too little time to implement during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which starts on Friday, November 8."(With agency inputs)