BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan and left-handed opener Chris Gayle are set to play next year in the inaugural Indian Premier League.

The signing of the two West Indies batting stars have increased the number of international players signing up for the IPL to 49, after agreement was also reached with the South African triumvirate of Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Makhaya Ntini.

high voltage action

"IPL had publicly promised the Indian cricket fans of delivering high voltage Twenty20 cricket action through some of the most talented international and national cricketers," Lalit Modi, the IPL chairman said.

"In line with that commitment, I am happy to state that we have completed the first phase by signing some of the best international talent available."

Sarwan and Gayle now carry the number to three of West Indies players involved in the IPL - which is sanctioned by the Indian cricket board with support from other major national boards. Left-handed protagonist Shivnarine Chanderpaul has also signed for the 44-day IPL event which starts next year and will feature eight franchises in the inaugural season.

The teams will play home and away games leading up to a grand final.

The IPL was launched to counter an unofficial Indian Twenty20 league set to start on November 30, which also has West Indies involvement with the signing of former captain and batting superstar Brian Lara.