Nayar to rake in $100,000

Abhishek Nayar, the Mumbai allrounder, has been rewarded for his domestic performances with an upgrade of his IPL contract with the Mumbai Indians. Nayar, who received approximately US$40,000 last season, will now get $100,000.

In the four Ranji matches he played this season, Nayar scored 233 runs at 58.25, including 99 in the Ranji Trophy final. "He [Nayar] has earned the benefit for performing during the IPL last season" Wasim Jaffer, the Mumbai captain, said.

Contracts have also been upgraded for Dhawal Kulkarni, Yogesh Takawale and Rohan Raje, who also received $40,000 for 2008.

Kulkarni, who was Mumbai's leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy with 42 at an average of 19.35, will get $70,000 and Takawale, the Maharashtra wicketkeeper who was dropped for the season, will get $75,000. Raje, yet to make his first-class debut for Maharashtra, will receive $50,000.