Calcutta/Mumbai: After much deliberation Australia captain Michael Clarke has finally agreed to join Pune Warriors India in IPL-V for an undisclosed sum, according to a media release, on Wednesday.

Clarke had earlier confirmed, on Monday, that talks were on to join the franchise but refused to divulge the details of the negotiations.

“We are thrilled to have Michael Clarke on board. The reigning Australian skipper is one of the world’s best cricketers,” Sushanto Roy, managing director, Sahara Adventure Sports Ltd, said.

“His presence in the side, and cricketing proficiency, will boost the prospects of Pune Warriors India in IPL-V,” he added.

Clarke, in fact, was India’s chief tormentor, in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar trophy, in Australia.

The Australia captain smashed two hundreds in the series, including an unbeaten 329, as he amssed 626 runs in the six innings he played.

Incidentally, Clarke had avoided playing in the cash-rich league during the earlier editions as he sought to concentrate on establishing his place in the Australia team.

Having agreed to sign on the dotted line he has become the biggest overseas name to have signed for any franchise this season.

Moreover, with current captain Sourav Ganguly turning 40 in three months, Clarke provides the franchise with more options in matters of captaincy.

Sourav, who was appointed captain for this season in the absence of Yuvraj Singh, said having Clarke on board would bolster the Warriors in all departments of the game.

“He can bat and he can bowl... He is a big player,” Sourav told a website.

“He also wants to re-start playing Twenty20 cricket,” he added.

The only dampner to the deal could be the fact that the Australia captain will only be able to feature in the second half of the Warriors’ campaign, as the West Indies tour ends on April 27.

Clarke missed the ODIs against West Indies dues to a hamstring injury on his left leg.

Pune were given extended time to trade and finalise their squad after they boycotted the auction on February 4 and also threatened to pull out of the IPL.

Having lost Aussies Tim Paine, Mitchell Marsh and James Hopes to injuries this season, they went ahead and roped in Raiphi Gomez, Steven Smith, Marlon Samuels and Luke Wright.

It has been learnt that Pune have got IPL’s clearance for a replacement for Hopes and are likely to clinch a deal with Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal.

Clarke can give solidity to the Warriors middle-order as their top-order comprises of a host of hit-and-miss players like Graeme Smith, Robin Uthappa and Samuels.