Andrew Symonds didn't wish to play IPL 2008 due to 'Monkeygate' scandal reveals KXIP CEO

Kings XI Punjab CEO Neil Maxwell has revealed that former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds h denied playing in inaugural edition of IPL in 2008 due to infamous 'Monkeygate' incident that h taken place in Sydney earlier that year. It so happened that star off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and all-rounder Andrew Symonds were involved in a heated exchange during that contest and when Bhajji h used a cuss word in Hindi, Australians misunderstood him and thought that he h racially abused Symonds by calling him a 'Monkey'.

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'He didn't want to go': KXIP CEO

“Lalit Modi asked me to convince Australian players and New Zealand players that y needed to come to IPL, and t go to ICL (Indian Cricket League) or, in Andrew Symonds’ case, t go at all. He (Symonds) didn’t want to go at all, because he h that blowout with Harbhajan", Neil Maxwell h said this on Top Order podcast.

“So I h to work Australian cricket team. I was working m all. I remember we’re putting contracts in front of m, and re was going to be a minimum amount, y were going to this thing called auction. So Andrew Symonds was going to get 200,000 USD and that was about an Australian Cricket contract.  He was on about 300, let’s say", Maxwell ded.

two-time World Cup winner was eventually brought by w-defunct Deccan Chargers who h finished at bottom of points table in 2008 but regrouped well in following season as y ended up lifting trophy. Apart from 'Monkeygate' scandal, Test match was also kwn for some horrendous umpiring where all decisions h gone against India and in favour of hosts which eventually cost Anil Kumble-led side match.  neless, a spirited Indian team settled scores when y beat Ponting & Co. in following Test match at Perth. 

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