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ICC Cricket World Cup, 2014/15 news from ESPN Cricinfo.com

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Injured Pietersen could miss out on IPL riches


LONDON: Indian Premier League teams are unlikely to splash out cash to sign up England cricket star Kevin Pietersen, now that he has a fractured thumb.

According to The Mirror, Pietersen had hoped to play for England in Saturday's T20 at Eden Gardens, knowing a big -performance in front of an adoring Indian public would give him, or any others looking for an IPL team, a timely leg-up just weeks before the auction for next year's -tournament takes place.

But a fractured thumb suffered in the field on Sunday in Mumbai makes him a big doubt for the game, although he will have a fitness test on Friday in the hope he might still be able to make it.

The 31-year-old batsman is a cult hero in India thanks to his time as England captain when the side returned following terrorist attacks in Mumbai in 2008.

He also turned out for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League in both 2009 and 2010.

However, having seen his auction fee - the amount a team is willing to pay for his services - tumble from $1.55 million last year to $650,000 this year, there are doubts about him catching the eye of IPL franchises looking to bolster their squads for the spring.

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