Pune gets Dinda and Hopes from Delhi Dardevils

Ashok Dinda and Australian all-rounder James Hopes will play for Pune Warriors in the fifth edition of the IPL.

Mumbai: Paceman Ashok Dinda and Australian all-rounder James Hopes will play for Pune Warriors in the fifth edition of the coming Indian Premier League as the players have been transfered from Delhi Daredevils.

"Ashok Dinda is a quality paceman, who has done well for the various teams he has represented in various formats of the game, be it Bengal, East Zone, Kolkata Knight Riders or Delhi Daredevils. He has been a part of the Indian team as well, and impressed one and all with his incisive bowling. "The versatile James Hopes is an ideal cricketer to have in your camp, especially in the shorter forms of the game. Both players will boost our prospects in the upcoming IPL," Abhijit Sarkar, Director, Sahara Adventure Sports Ltd, said. TA Sekar, Head (Cricket), GMR Sports Pvt Ltd, and Delhi Daredevils Team Mentor, said it was not an easy decision for Delhi Daredevils to let Hopes and Dinda go. "They are both excellent cricketers and did well for our team last season. We wish James and Ashok the best in the time ahead," he said. Hopes and Dinda were a part of the Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders outfits respectively, before being acquired by Delhi Daredevils in the 2011 IPL Players Auction. Hopes played 10 games for the Delhi Daredevils, leading the side in the last three games while Dinda played six games for the Delhi Daredevils last season. In another development, Shreevats Goswami, the wicketkeeper-batsman, has been transferred from Kolkata Knight Riders to Rajasthan Royals. "The countdown has well and truly begun for IPL 2012. With only forty days to go before the first match of the season on 4 April 2012, the preparations for the tournament have gained in momentum. The teams and organisers will spare no effort in making the event memorable for the spectators and fans," Rajeev Shukla, Chairman, IPL, said. PTI