Virender Sehwag may have initially missed getting the 'icon status' in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but he could soon join the elite club which includes Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh. That will also mean that Sehwag is certain to play for Delhi in the Twenty20 league. According to BCCI sources, Delhi franchisee GMR and the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) are trying hard to make sure that Sehwag makes it to the list.

Under the current agreement between IPL and franchisees, Sehwag could be bought in the player auction by any of the teams, since he does not have icon status. GMR has expressed its reservations against this situation and has also written a letter to the IPL - in order to make sure that Sehwag stays with the Delhi team. Sources have also revealed that the Chennai team (India Cements) wants to buy Sehwag, but GMR is keen to appoint the dashing Indian opener as its captain. Even his state association - DDCA - is understandably keen to see Sehwag playing for his city team.

"At the end of the day, one local icon should be there in the team to promote city loyalty," a top official of a franchisee said. That is why the IPL governing council is going to meet "the concerned franchisees" on February 13 in Mumbai to sort out the matter.

Earlier, TOI had reported that the IPL had identified a pool of four icon players from the Indian team, who would play for their individual city team. Most importantly, they wouldn't be auctioned on February 20 in Mumbai and they would get paid 15 per cent more than the highest auctioned player in their respective teams. Now, with this development, Sehwag is also likely to join the group. "Sehwag is symbolic to Delhi cricket and he is a local icon. So, a clause should be there to make sure that at least one big player from the city plays for a franchisee," a DDCA official said.