Ponting to skip IPL 2009 to fulfill his Australia commitments

Potchefstroom (South Africa), Feb.20 (ANI): Australia's cricket captain Ricky Ponting has ruled himself out of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition this year, saying that he would prefer to devote his time to Australia.

Ponting said that he had conveyed his decision to the management of his IPL franchise Kolkata Knightriders. He said that the latter have accepted his decision and also his commitment to appear for side in the 2010 edition of the tournament.

"I have been talking with my team, Kolkata Knight Riders, for a month or two, and, in the end, my only choice was to withdraw from the 2009 competition. But I will most certainly be back for 2010 when I hope to be able to make a much greater contribution," Fox Sports quoted Ponting as saying in a statement.

The franchise has been fantastic about the whole thing, and I want to thank them for their understanding," he added. (ANI)