By IANS
Mumbai : Dimitri Mascarenhas Tuesday became the first England player to be contracted by the Indian Premier League (IPL). The all-rounder was picked by the Jaipur franchise at the second auction of the mega event.
Rajasthan Royals signed Mascarenhas, who plays for English County Hampshire, for $100,000.
England and Wales Cricket Board had not allowed its players to feature in IPL, citing their commitment to the International Cricket Council schedule and county cricket.
But many players showed interest in playing in the cash-rich league and rake in the big bucks. Mascarenhas got the clearance from his county and his joining the IPL will perhaps pave the way for more England players to join the bandwagon.
“We struck the deal today,” said county chairman Rod Bransgrove. “He will have limited exposure to the IPL this season and will be a Hampshire player for the next two seasons.”
Hampshire will issue a no-objection certificate to him for taking part in IPL and in turn the county will be compensated.
Big-hitting Mascarenhas, who blasted five sixes off Yuvraj Singh during the India-England NatWest limited overs series last summer, will not need ECB’s approval as he is not centrally contracted player.