No more easy money for New Zealand players in IPL 4

WELLINGTON - The era of New Zealand cricketers earning easy money in the Indian Premier League might end, as the IPL franchisees are deciding to cut back on the number of foreign players.

When the IPL competition was introduced, it was seen as a lucrative short-term earner for the Black Caps, but now only the elite will be recruited.

Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor are likely to be chosen without hesitation for IPL 4, but other New Zealand players will struggle.

All international teams except the West Indies and Pakistan, who will be playing each other in a series, have created a window in their calendars to cater for the IPL. That means more players are available for longer periods, the NZ Herald reports.

Franchises are likely to need only seven to eight overseas players rather than the 10 used previously. Only four non-Indian players are allowed on the field at any one time.

Any Black Caps selected in IPL 4 will likely earn more pro rata than in the past because they will be there for the tournament duration rather than just a few weeks, the paper said.

However, the contracts offered at the player auction on January 8 are estimated as likely to be 25-30 per cent less than in the past, it added.

Most player agents are believed to be communicating with the Indian franchises regularly.

Only seven franchises are currently locked into IPL 4 but eight teams are expected because that will make the competition easier to plan. (ANI)