Kevin Pietersen is all set to sign the costliest deal of the IPL for a three year period for an undisclosed IPL franchisee. The deal is set to be priced at more than USD 4 million. According to some sources, one of the wealthiest families in India want to sign him at any cost. As for now, M.S. Dhoni is the highest paid player at USD 1.5 million.

KP had earlier said he will not take up the offer from IPL at any cost. But a few days later he said that the board should consider the Player’s point of view to prevent them from choosing between IPL and ECB. He was clearly bowled over by IPL by then. KP is at the peak of his career and he feels that the board should let him make the most of the opportunity he has. He was quoted saying “I do wonder how long I’m going to do this for,” he said. “Time will tell. I could get injured tomorrow and would be finished. That’s why I was frustrated and irritated when we weren’t allowed to go to India. I definitely want to go next year.” We could see many more English players coming into the fray soon. Dimitri Mascarenhas had already hinted about this when he came here to India to take part for his team, the Rajasthan Royals. But the players to be allowed to play in India will be chosen by the head coach of England. Clearly Andrew Flintoff will not be allowed to take part because of his injury woes and also considering the tight schedule that England have next summer.

Sources also revealed that KP would turn down the Central Contract next year. But when asked about it he said, “Turning down a central contract is not something that has entered my head yet,” he said, “but it would be horrendous if four or five of England’s best players decided to do that and go to India instead. We should not be in a position where we have to choose. No one else had to.”

With the USD 5 million cap being lifted next year, many such contracts will surely be signed which will get a few heads turning. Mine is one of those few. As proposed, if the number of teams are increased to 16 within a couple of years, just imagine the rich entertainment which we will have every summer.