Asked whether he could be seen playing in the ongoing IPL, Ganguly told a television channel, "...Dekhte paabe (you will see). I am keeping my fingers crossed."

There may be a latest window of opportunity for the 38-year-old, as it is believed that Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene who is the skipper of Kochi Tuskers Kerala will leave for Sri Lanka in the first week of May for the upcoming tour of England.

Ganguly is tipped to lead debutantes Kochi once Jayawardene leaves for national duty.

The Lankan cricketers have been asked to return home early to prepare for the national team's tour of England, getting underway on May 14.

This gives a fresh lease of hope to the former Kolkata Knight Riders skipper, who did not find any takers during the IPL auction in January, after his former franchise Kolkata Knight Riders did not retain him.

It is learnt the Kochi team management had tried to rope in Ganguly in place of injured Australian recruit Steve Smith.

However, IPL rules did not permit this as the Australian's base price (USD 200,000) was higher than that of Ganguly (USD 400,000).

Kochi had previously sought permission from the BCCI to recruit Dada outside the auction but IPL's Governing Council had rejected the move.

Meanwhile, asked to pick four sides to make it to the IPL semifinals, Ganguly said, "It's difficult. But Kolkata Knight Riders are doing well, apart from Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Kochi Tuskers.

"Knight Riders were in a similar position last year. So it's all about maintaining the momentum," Ganguly said.