Icon player
In the Indian Premier League, an icon player is a player who can only play for his home city in the competition. Each team is assigned at most one icon player. Unlike all the other players initially recruited by teams, the icon players were not bid for in the player auction of 20 February 2008. The salary of each icon player is 15% more than the next highest earner in their team.[1] As of the 2010 season, the clause pertaining to icon players has been removed on account of complaints by franchises with icon players that having these players was a handicap in the player auction.[2]
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[edit] Introduction
Initially there were four Icon Players designated by the Indian Premier League organizing committee. Sachin Tendulkar for Mumbai Indians, Sourav Ganguly for Kolkata Knight Riders, Rahul Dravid for Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Yuvraj Singh for Kings XI Punjab. Later, on the request of Delhi Daredevils, Virender Sehwag's name was added to the list. Deccan Chargers also asked for Icon Player status to be given to VVS Laxman, but he declined the offer in order to allow the franchise to spend more money on other players and still not breach the US$5 million salary cap.[3] The purpose behind designating the Icon Players is to ensure that top draw players will represent their respective city sides, which is important for the league to increase fan support and interest among the locals.
It has been reported that all the franchises with icon players felt that having the icon player was a handicap in the player auction, as the money spent on the icon resulted in less room under the salary cap to purchase other players.[4] For example, the presence of Sachin Tendulkar as an icon was cited as the main reason why Mumbai Indians could not compete with Chennai Super Kings for Mahendra Singh Dhoni.[citation needed]
[edit] List of icon players
- Sachin Tendulkar for Mumbai Indians
- Rahul Dravid for Royal Challengers Bangalore
- Sourav Ganguly for Kolkata Knight Riders
- Yuvraj Singh for Kings XI Punjab
- Virender Sehwag for Delhi Daredevils
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Cricinfo - IPL to decide on 'icon' status for Sehwag and Laxman
- ^ Rao, K Shriniwas (2009-08-12). "IPL bids goodbye to 'icon' players". Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/IPL-bids-goodbye-to-icon-players/articleshow/4883340.cms. Retrieved 2010-02-11.
- ^ The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Sports | Laxman truly is special
- ^ "Cricket". The Times Of India. http://cricket.indiatimes.com/Icons_proved_a_handicap_complain_IPL_franchisees/articleshow/2802685.cms.
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