Melbourne, Oct 2 : Indian off spinner Harbhajan Singh, who was interested in playing for one of the two Australian sides that will take part in the inaugural Twenty20 Champions League later this year, will be ineligible to play under the competition's rules.

India's leading off-spinner, with 291 Test wickets, was keen to play for Western Australia or Victoria in the eight-team competition to be staged in India in the first week of December, Fox Sports News reported.

But Cricket Australia (CA) on Thursday ruled out that prospect, saying he was ineligible to play for either state under the competition's rules.

The fact that Harbhajan had not played for either side during last summer's Australian domestic Twenty20 competition, when the Bushrangers and Warriors qualified for the tournament in India, meant he could not now be included.

"It's an interesting prospect when you think about it because he's a champion player, but it's my understanding from the management here that he would not be eligible," a CA spokesman said.

Victorian batsman David Hussey said despite Harbhajan's history of volatility, he could have fitted in with the Bushrangers side.

"I've actually met him and he's a really nice guy one-on-one. He's a great cricketer and a great bloke to just talk cricket with," Hussey said.

But he said the Bushrangers were confident of their chances in the 6 million dollar event with the players that have won them all three domestic Twenty20 competitions staged in Australia.

ANI