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IPL players deserve better pay: Kapil

March 26, 2010 09:02 IST

While former players are being critical about the money related to the Indian Premier League, and how it could lure current cricketers to the latest version of the Twenty20 game, the IPL has received support from Kapil Dev.

The Indian cricket icon believes there is nothing wrong in money flowing into the game, but the players should get more.

"What is wrong if sportspersons get more money? If someone is paying Rs 1700 crore just to buy an IPL team and spends just Rs 35 crore on players, is it fair? At least 10 per cent of the money should be spent on players," Kapil said.

"If I had it my way I would have ensured that Rs 100 crore was spent on players," the former India captain said on the sidelines of the India International Sports Summit.

The IPL recently announced an increase in the salary cap for players to seven million dollars from five million.

Kapil also expressed concern about the number of players getting injured in the tournament, saying it is because of the packed schedule.

"Injuries are a part and parcel of the game. It can happen anywhere. Over-exhaustion of players is the concern of the officials," he said.

Formerly associated with the 'rebel' league, the all-rounder said that ICL failed because it didn't get enough backing from the BCCI.

"ICL was a private affair while the IPL is the product of the BCCI and is approved by the ICC. What can you do when the government overpowers you?"

He, however, wished all the ICL players playing in the IPL the very best.

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