Sourav Ganguly and Zaheer Khan have not only made a successful comeback to the Indian cricket team, but are also bagging new sponsorship deals. New bowling sensation S Sreesanth is also in the running for lucrative new endorsement deals.

This comes even as poster boy M S Dhoni and Rahul Dravid are not signing on any new deals. Agents representing them said this was on account of their 'packed schedules' and because they 'represent all categories'.

After signing a Rs 1 crore (Rs 10 million) deal with consumer electronics company TCL, Ganguly, the former Indian captain, is on the verge of signing a deal with one of the world's largest sports goods manufacturing company.

This is in addition to Ganguly's contracts with Tata Indicom and Hero Honda.

The contract with Pepsi, which expires at the end of this month, may not be renewed, however, because Ganguly has reportedly asked for Rs 40 lakh for a contract till July 2007.

His innings of 98 in the first one-day against the West Indies could, however, strengthen his claims.

Rumours of Ganguly switching to Coca-Cola (whom he endorsed almost five years ago) were denied by a Coke executive who said the company has not held any such discussions with the cricketer.

Besides, a source pointed out that Pepsi is a global sponsor of the International Cricket Council and the anti-ambushing marketing clause does not permit Coke to use a member of the playing team to advertise during the World Cup.

Pace bowler Khan has signed an agreement with an apparel company and has even shot a commercial for them. Globosport, the firm managing Khan, is in talks with Khan to endorse a car, a bike, lubricant and a shaving cream.

"Out of these four companies, two of them want to feature Khan in a campaign for the upcoming World Cup and this seems very likely," said a source.

Meanwhile, Sreesanth has already signed a deal with TCL, though the deal is not believed to be as big as Ganguly's.