Virat gets shown mega cash in the IPL
LONDON: Virat Kohli is not shy when it comes to being in the spotlight or making history but he added another envy-inducing achievement to his long list when it was revealed he will will pick up the Indian Premier League’s largest-ever salary.
The India skipper will have a mammoth $2.7 million deposited into his already bulging bank account for his six-week exploits with Royal Challengers Bangalore in this year’s tournament, which gets underway in April. That beats the record of $2.5 million which was dished out to Yuvraj Singh for playing for Delhi Daredevils in 2015.
Kohli, who recently married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, remains the top draw for the two-month cash-rich extravaganza.
Nicknamed King Kohli, the 29-year-old batsman is already listed among the world’s highestpaid athletes after smashing numerous records in his career.
In addition to getting married he also recently became the first batsman to score six double Test centuries as a captain.
The India star will not be the only player cashing in when the the first ball is bowled in the eightteam, 20-over tournament with a host of big international names including Australian captain Steve Smith also cashing in.
Playing alongside Kohli in Bangalore will be South Africa’s AB de Villiers, currently facing the India skipper in South Africa (see above match report) who will earn $1.7 million in the event started by the Indian cricket board in 2008.
Delhi Daredevils announced Ricky Ponting as head coach for the 2018 season. The Australian batting legend coached Mumbai Indians to the 2015 title during a two-year stint.
Australian batsmen Smith and David Warner were also retained by their teams for $1.9 million each, making them the highest-paid foreign stars.
Smith will play for the Rajasthan Royals, the side returning from a two-year ban over match-fixing, and Warner will aim to bring his big-hitting exploits to the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s tilt for the title.
Chennai Super Kings, also returning to IPL after a two-year suspension, have former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni back on board.
Each team was allowed to resign up to three of their 2017 squad before the players are subject to bids from other teams in the auctions slated for Jan. 27 and 28.
Another star performer, Ben Stokes, will be looking to re-enter the IPL fray in the auctions after he was granted a “no objection” certificate by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
The England all-rounder, who missed the ongoing Ashes after being suspended for a pub brawl, was signed for a record fee of $2.16m by Rising Pune Supergiant last year.