Saturday December 15, 11:00AM
Warne to be the highest paid player in IPL

Australian spin legend Shane Warne will be the highest paid cricketer in the BCCI-sponsored Indian Premier League (IPL) with a staggering USD 400,000 in his kitty.

The BCCI managing committee announced the names of 34 cricketers including Warne, who have signed the contract and would be competing in next year's cricket league.

Retired Aussie pacer Glenn McGrath and prolific middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf will earn USD 350,000 and USD 330,000 respectively, announced BCCI treasurer N Srinivasan here on Friday.

Former Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming has been offered USD 350,000 while 10 other cricketers were offered in the USD 225,000 bracket. However, the board did not mention the names of any Indian cricketers, who have been offered a contract amount.

On being asked about Australian captain Ricky Ponting and swashbuckling wicket-keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist's decision on joining the league, Srinivasan said the board was in talks with them and would make a formal announcement soon.

Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar (USD 2,25000) and captain Shoaib Malik (USD 300,000) have also confirmed their participation in the league along with retired Sri Lankan star Sanath Jayasuriya.

Jayasuriya's team mate and highest wicket taker in Tests Muttiah Muralitharan has been offered 250,000 dollars.

So far cricketers from six countries which include players from Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies were given the contract.

The treasurer said that the amount paid to the cricketers would be for a period of one year and their contract will be reviewed later.

Lanky fast bowler from Srilanka, Nuwan Zoysa would be the lowest paid cricketer in the league with an offer of 100,000 dollars.

BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah also announced a hike in the dearness allowance from Rs. 5000 to 10,000 and traveling allowance from Rs. 7000 to 10,000 for the board members and the selectors.