India's Sourav Ganguly ... dropped from India's squad last month. - AP

MUMBAI, India (AP)

Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly said yesterday he hoped the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament would help him regain a place in the country's one-day team.

Ganguly was dropped last month from the touring team for the limited-over squad during the triangular series featuring Australia and Sri Lanka that was won by India.

"I was dropped ... for whatever reason," Ganguly said at a press conference in Mumbai for the Kolkata Knight Riders, which he captains. "I'm 35, I'm sure I'll get another opportunity sometime."

Eastern India's Calcutta city is also called Kolkata.

India's selectors omitted both Ganguly and another former captain Rahul Dravid. India's chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar had said they were looking to build a stronger, younger Indian team in preparation for the World Cup.

"I hope Dilip (Vengsarkar) is watching this press conference," Ganguly said.

Different level

He said the Twenty20 format would take cricket to a different level and he was delighted to be part of it.

The IPL received criticism after team owners spent almost US$42 million at a January auction to staff their sides with the world's best cricketers.

"It's good for world cricket. It's a huge opportunity for cricketers," said Ganguly. "Earning money is important and we must treat player's decisions to play with respect."

Famous Bollywood movie star Shah Rukh Khan, part of a consortium that bought the Calcutta team, said he would be the 12th man when the matches begin next month.

"I have a special T-shirt prepared for it and I've told the team that I'll be the 12th man," said Khan.

The team features India's new fast bowler Ishant Sharma, West Indian Chris Gayle, Australians Ricky Ponting and David Hussey, Pakistani cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul and Brendon McCullum from New Zealand.

Former Australian coach John Buchanan will lead the players.

Khan said the games would help people come together.

"Let's not get stuck in regionalism. We have players from all over the world," said Khan after displaying golden-coloured helmets signifying the team's knight motif. "The idea is to play together - united we stand."