Bengal may be excited about having roped in Test cricket's leading wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan to revive its fortunes in the Ranji Trophy Plate League, but the Sri Lankan off-spinner says he is yet to sign a formal contract and his priority is his country.
Speaking from Colombo on Tuesday, Muralitharan said he is still unsure about his availability though Sri Lanka Cricket has given him the go-ahead.
The spin wizard is now looking forward to the Sri Lanka's tour of Zimbabwe in November, which means Bengal's hopes for getting him for the league round are highly unlikely.
"I am looking forward to our tour to Zimbabwe, beginning November 7. Then, in February-March, we play in Bangladesh; so it remains to be seen whether I am at all available for Bengal."
He said he is contracted with Indian Premier League team Chennai Super Kings for three years and is committed to them. Chennai Super Kings were finalists in the inaugural edition of the IPL and with champions Rajasthan Royal will figure in the inaugural Champions Twenty20 League, from December 3 to 10.
The group phase of the Ranji Trophy Plate League is scheduled from November 3-December 4, with Bengal playing five games before the knock-out stages.
Asked how Bengal clinched a deal with him, Muralitharan said, "I am yet to sign a contract with them (Bengal)... I was contacted by Jeet Banerjee (managing director of Gameplan), who told me that Bengal are in the 'second division' this time and they need my services to get into the 'first division'.
"Later, I had a word with our board (SLC) who gave me clearance to play there on condition that I should be available for the country's commitments. Now, since the Indian board has allowed participation of a foreign player, I gave my consent.
"But, I am not available for the group stage... If it works out then I may sign the contract and play for Bengal, maybe in the knock-out stage," added Muralitharan, who has 756 Tests and 479 ODI wickets to his kitty.
Under the new set of BCCI rules, each state association can sign four outstation players, including one overseas, in their squads. However, there is a condition that the overseas player should have played at least ten Tests or 20 ODIs.
For record, the Maharashtra Cricket Association has already recruited Sri Lankan left arm medium-pacer Sujeewa de Silva and Bangladesh's left-arm spinner Enamul Haque Junior.
Praising the Board of Control for Cricket in India's move to allow a foreigner, the 36-year-old spinner said, "I've heard of Sujeewa joining Maharashtra. It's a good thing for cricket. Youngsters will benefit a lot playing with the experienced players. It will really benefit cricket."
Since Jagmohan Dalmiya took over the reins of the Cricket Association of Bengal, several moves are afoot to uplift the Bengal team.
After convincing their top players, including Ranadeb Bose and Manoj Tiwary to remain with Bengal, the Dalmiya-led administration recently roped in former India all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath as consultant, who will work in tandem with coach Utpal Chatterjee.
Twice Ranji Trophy champions (1938-39 and 1989-90), Bengal were relegated last season after a few of their players, including captain Deep Dasgupta and Rohan Gavaskar, joined the rebel Indian Cricket League.
