Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Who knew how much one walk to the crease could change a career, as Proteas opener Richard Levi stepped up to smash a cricketing world record into the stands?
Levi’s agent Arthur Turner confirmed on Monday the big hitter signed a contract to swing the willow for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League in April and May this year.
He would not reveal the exact worth of the deal, but it is reported Levi would have earned around $400 000 (about R3 million) when he lays down a battle bruised bat in India.
Levi had the cricket world struggling for superlatives two weeks ago when he lashed 51 deliveries over the Hamilton boundary for 117 runs not out in a T20 clash against hosts New Zealand.
While he was left on the rack after the IPL player auction earlier this year, he had the Indians and the Pune Warriors on his trail this time around.
“Richard has been playing brilliant cricket for the Cobras the past two seasons, but he had to show his worth to the Proteas to get this chance,” Turner said.
The Indians won the big man’s signature and the reported R3 million they will be forking out for his powerful shots means every run he bashed in Hamilton was effectively worth around R26 000.
Levi’s deal sees him punching way above the weight of other SA cricketers in the IPL as Robin Peterson was closest to matching his mammoth deal after signing for the Kolkata Knight Riders for $100 000 on February 4.
India’s Ravindra Jadeja signed the biggest deal of that day when he penned a deal with the Chennai Super Kings for $2 million.
