Kevin Pietersen might play for Mumbai Indians
May 19th, 2008Mumbai Partho Mitra
According to a report in a London newspaper, one of India’s wealthiest families, also franchisee owners of an IPL team, wants Kevin Pietersen to sign “at any price”. As such possibilities are strong that Pietersen will be seen in action in the next edition of the Indian Premier League.
Rumors are running high in Mumbai that the Mumbai Indians have offered him a contract in excess of a $4 million for three years and the England and Welsh Cricket Board has all but finalised his release. Other than Mumbai, Bangalore Royal Challengers are also keen to rope in the Englishmen.
Mumbai Indians’ officials however denied any such development.Meanwhile the ECB has given England coach Peter Moores complete authority to decide which contracted players would be permitted to play in the IPL. But in Pietersen’s case, they may have to accede to the demand.
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Pietersen, 28, is all set to be the highest paid player of the tournament surpassing Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s contract amount of $1.5-million per year. Said Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, “Pietersen is a great player. His presence will have a big impact on the IPL.”
On the other hand Andrew Flintoff, however, is unlikely to play given his ongoing fitness problems. Lancashire county Cricket Club vice-president Farokh Engineer, who is here as a match referee, thinks that the Indian crowds would miss out a great action.
Not only Pieterson the next session of IPL will see many players flocking in this cash-rich tournament who missed out the first season.
Tags: Andrew Flintoff, Chennai super kings, Dhoni, ECB, flintoff, indian premier league, Kevin Pietersen, Mumbai IndiansPosted in Cricket News, IPL News |