Kochi ropes in Yashpal Sharma

Hard hitting batsman Y Sharma has been roped in by Kochi.

Also B Akhil and Chandan Madan. Keralites are delighted at VVS Laxman being granted the Padma Shri.

Kedar Yadav had been roped in earlier.

Amongst the 5 Australians, four are all rounders. Klinger is a batman and the rest - OKeefe, Smith, Hodge and Hastings - are all rounders. All rounders rule the roost in ODIs and T20s.

Deepak Chougule and wicket keeper Sushant Marathe also have been signed by Kochi. Chougule is a strong middle order batsman from Karnataka while Marathe is the third wicket keeper, after McCullum and P Patel. Tanmay Srivastava is an opening batsman and was UP's leading run getter in the 2008-09 season.

For more details about the Kochi team, visit IPL KOCHI.