The England stars Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen added a dimension to that concept by making money in their sleep on Friday. Former England cricket captains Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff won record contracts of $1.55 million each in the second round of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 auction held in Goa today.

“I was prepared to pay up to $2 million for Kevin Pietersen,” Vijay Mallya, owner of the Bangalore team, said in Goa today. “It was a conscious decision and we wanted him.”

Australia paceman Shaun Tait was the first player auctioned, going to defending champions Rajasthan Royals for $US375,000 ($A574,448), where he will join former Australia teammate Shane Warne.

Teams will be allowed 10 overseas players this season, up from eight in the league’s first edition. The clubs could spend as much as $2 million and choose 17 from among the 43 available players. Australia’s Michael Clarke opted out, citing a busy schedule.

“With the inclusion of these new players, we are better equipped to be a match-winner,” N. Srinivasan, managing director of India Cements Ltd. and owner of the Chennai team. “Last year, we were plain unlucky.”