Andrew Symonds |
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Andrew Symonds was one of the most sought-after all-rounders in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). It was also a time when Australian and New Zealand players were reluctant to play in the IPL as they wanted to participate in the ICL. But former KXIP CEO Neil Maxwell did his bit and convinced the players to participate in the IPL.

Andrew Symonds Denied Playing IPL Due To 'Monkey Gate' Scandal: Former KXIP CEO
Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds [Photo-The Sunday Mail]

Andrew Symonds did not want to play IPL due to blowout with Harbhajan Singh: Former KXIP CEO

Former KXIP CEO said he was tasked to convince Australia and New Zealand players to participate in the IPL by tournament architect Lalit Modi. He said most players will convinced but Andrew Symonds was reluctant due to his fall out with Harbhajan Singh after the monkeygate scandal in 2007-08 Border-Gavaskar trophy.

“Lalit Modi asked me to convince the Australian players and the New Zealand players that they needed to come to the IPL, and not go to the ICL or, in Andrew Symonds’ case, not go at all,” Maxwell said on The Top Order podcast. “He didn’t want to go at all, because he had that blowout with Harbhajan.

Deccan Chargers, IPL, 2009 IPL, Winning Team
(Source: ESPNCricinfo via IPL)

“So I had to work the Australian cricket team. I was working them all. I remember we’re putting contracts in front of them, and there was going to be a minimum amount, they were going to this thing called the auction. So Andrew Symonds was going to get 200,000 USD minimum [$US 250,000]. And that was about an Australian Cricket contract [for a whole year] – he was on about 300, let’s say.”

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Symonds was sold to Deccan Chargers in 2008. He became the second most expensive player of the season.