Australian skipper Ricky Ponting says the process of parting ways with IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was “amicable” and the decision will allow him to focus more on regaining the Ashes and retaining the 2011 World Cup, to be held in sub-continent.
KKR bought out Ponting contract, a day before the auction for the third edition, considering he will not be available for the whole season.
Ponting, who skipped the entire second edition of the Twenty20 tournament in South Africa, was bought for $400,000 by the Bolywood star Shah Rukh Khan’s co-owned side in 2008.
“It was an amicable process. I wanted to play for the Knight Riders but I was only available for a handful of games.
For the all the right reasons, the Knight Riders are looking for players who will be available for most, if not all the games, of the tournament in the hope of gaining more consistency after a couple of lean seasons.
“I fully understand and accept the situation. In the end it (agreeing to the buyout) was an easy decision because it leaves me totally focused on the Ashes next summer and the World Cup. There are no distractions,” Ponting told The Australian .
