Jhunjhunwala to play for Rajasthan Royals

Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, the Bengal batsman who recently cut ties with the ICL, could become the first player from the rebel league to take up an IPL contract. Cricinfo has learnt that Jhunjhunwala has been asked by Rajasthan Royals to represent them in the exhibition match against Middlesex at Lord's on Monday which could be followed by a permanent deal with the franchise.

Jhunjhunwala was among the 79 ICL players who accepted the BCCI's amnesty offer which allowed them to return to the domestic fold. After the November ICL tournament was scrapped due to the non availability of Pakistan players in the league, Jhunjhunwala headed to England to play for the Essex leagues. He was called by Rajasthan to attend a training camp in Jaipur which began on Sunday for the benefit of the England-bound players for the exhibition match. The camp was conducted under the supervision of Darren Berry, the team's coach, and former Indian team physio John Gloster.

Jhunjhunwala will stay back in England to finish his league stint and then return to India to attend the Ranji camp for Bengal, his former state team. He joined the ICL during its inception in 2007 and represented the Royal Bengal Tigers.