Indian Premier League Will Keep me in Shape for 2015 World Cup, Says Jacques Kallis

Veteran South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who retired from the Test format, has set the Indian Premier League as his launch pad for his mission World Cup 2015.

"The Indian Premier League is certainly a good platform to keep me in shape and prepare for next year's World Cup," Kallis -- the Kolkata Knight Riders star -- told reporters on the sidelines of a promotional programme here on Wednesday. (Also read: KKR Opener Uthappa as good as Viru, Hussey)

At a time when most top cricketers prefer to leave the limited-overs version in order to prolong their Test career, Kallis did the opposite when he retired from the longest format post the Durban match against India in the Boxing Day Test last year.

"I don't see it as goodbye because I still have a lot of hunger to push South Africa to that World Cup in 2015 if I am fit and performing," Kallis, who would be 39 in the World Cup, said. (Read: KKR a win away from best winning streak)

Kallis, who played an instrumental role in Kolkata's triumph in the 2012 season, was adjudged man-of-the-match with a match-winning 72 against defending champions Mumbai Indians in their IPL 7 opener.

The senior batsman had scored 43 in their win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first leg in UAE but he opted out of the KKR XI in their last three matches in the interest of the team.

Kolkata will face Royal Challengers Bangalore in the return leg here on Thursday.