MUMBAI: ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) has announced that former Australian spin bowler Shane Warne has signed on as a part of its commentary, presentation and analysis team for a period of three years.

Known for his forthright and honest opinions and a superb cricket brain, cricket fans can look forward to Warne?s analysis of the game starting with the England tour of India later this year in addition to Australia?s upcoming tour of India. The broadcaster says that having mastered the art of all formats of the game at the highest level, and his experience playing with and against some of the biggest names in modern day cricket, Warne?s unique insights will add immense value to ESS?s presentation of cricket.

Warne will also be actively involved in promoting Cricket related broadcast on ESPN Star Sports.

Warne for Australia has claimed over 1,000 wickets in Tests and One-day Internationals. In the new Twenty20 format of the game, Warne showed his ability as a strategist and as an inspiring leader when he led Rajasthan Royals to victory in the first edition of Indian Premier League.

ESS MD Peter Hutton said, "We?re delighted to add one of the legends of the game to our commentary team. Following on from the work with Kevin Pietersen it shows our intention to add the best international commentators to Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and the rest of our regular Indian team."

ESS senior VP production Huw Bevan said, "Warne?s unique experience and no-holds-barred insights will add immense value to ESS?s presentation of cricket. Fans in India would indeed be familiar with his achievements at the international level as well as his heroics for Rajasthan Royals, and we?re delighted to have him as part of our comprehensive cricket coverage."

MUMBAI: Sahara Group-owned IPL team Pune Warriors India Thursday announced former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly as the captain of the team for season 5 of the IPL to be played from 4 April to 27 May.

The franchise also announced that Pune Warriors India team will don new turquoise blue and silver coloru jerseys. Turquoise blue colour stands for zeal, confidence and victory, the very attributes and motto of a Warrior, PWI said.

Sahara Group chairman Subrata Roy said, ?We are extremely proud that the legendary all-rounder and one of the most successful captain of the Indian Cricket Team, Sourav Ganguly, is the Captain and Mentor of Pune Warriors India in this season of IPL. I am sure that his experience, expertise and deep understanding of the nuances of the game will definitely infuse an exemplary spirit of passion and commitment amongst the members of the team.?

The Pune Warriors India?s bowling coach is Allan Donald while Praveen Amre is the batting coach. Paddy Upton is the mental conditioning and high performance coach of the team.

MUMBAI: IPL?s franchise from Pune, Pune Warriors, has retained Sourav Ganguly, who was included in last year?s squad as an injury replacement.

Pune Warriors director Abhijit Sarkar said, "We are privileged to have a player of Sourav Ganguly?s calibre in our squad. He has been one of India?s greatest and most inspirational cricketers. We have no doubt that his presence in the team will boost the team?s prospects in the IPL, and motivate the boys to excel themselves."

Ganguly has played with Shah Rukh Khan?s Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL?s first three editions. Last year, he signed up with Pune Warriors after the start of the 2011 edition of the tournament.

Kings XI Punjab has signed David Miller, the middle-order batsman from South Africa, for the next two seasons.