Rediff

Mumbai, Feb 9: Adam Gilchrist has become the most sought after player for the inaugural Indian Premier League. None other than Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan has lined up for the signature of the retiring Australian great for his Kolkata team, according to a newspaper report.

Khan, who bought the Kolkata franchisee for US $85 million last month, is believed to have told former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who will lead the team, to sign Gilchrist for the Twenty20 competition, which begins on April 18, the Herald Sun reported.

Gilchrist is one of the 11 Australians who have signed an expression of interest to play in the IPL.

With the sponsorship conflict between Cricket Australia and IPL

organisers lingering on, and Australia having commitments in

Pakistan in March-April, Gilchrist could be the only Aussie player available for the cash-rich tournament.

Technically, there is also a two-year moratorium on retired players joining a franchisee team but it is understood that Gilchrist's playing in the IPL has become a mere formality after IPL organisers hinted that they would waive the "cooling off" period in his case.

The report also claimed that Gilchrist can expect a base payment of US $300,000, which could double or triple when the franchises bid for players, and he would be earning more in 44 days in the IPL than a full year of international action.