IN-FORM Chevrolet Warriors fast bowler Rusty Theron is on the verge of landing a lucrative contract to take part in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Theron, 26, confirmed yesterday that he had been contacted by the management of Kings XI Punjab, but said he was not in a position to divulge any details.

It is believed that Theron is being sought by the Indian franchise as a replacement for West Indian Jerome Taylor and he may be expected to fly to India as early as Saturday.

The Chevrolet Warriors play the bizhub Highveld Lions in the Standard Bank Pro20 final at Axxess DSL St George’s on Friday.

“All I can say is that I was contacted by someone from the Kings XI franchise and that they are interested in signing me up,” said Theron yesterday.

“There are still some processes that have to followed and cleared before I will be able to say anymore.”

Jamaican Taylor, who was bought for $150000 (R1.1-million) by the Kings XI at last year’s auction, was unable to play a single match in last year’s IPL edition in South Africa after being injured in a car accident just before the tournament.

He was replaced for the duration of the tournament by South African seamer Yusuf Abdullah, who was then bought for $50000 (R369616) for this season’s campaign.

However, the injured Dolphins left-armer has not played a franchise game since the MTN 40 fixture against the Warriors in East London on January 13 this year.

If a deal is struck, Theron would essentially be brought in to bolster a bowling attack that includes the likes of Brett Lee, Sree Sreesanth and Irfan Pathan.

Other noteworthy names in the team coached by Australian World Cup winner Tom Moody are Ravi Bopara (England), Mahela Jayawardene, Kumara Sangakkara (both Sri Lanka), Yuvraj Singh, Mohammed Kaif (both India) and Simon Katich (Australia).

For the deal to come through, it is believed the Kings XI need to get an official go-ahead from the IPL governing body to bring Theron onto their books.

It is also unclear what price Theron will command, but it is not impossible that the amount may run into six figures in dollars.

The flame-haired Warriors hero has become one of the hottest new properties in world cricket and it seems his performances have not gone unnoticed in India.

The former Grey High pupil has not played full international cricket as yet but is included in South Africa’s provisional 30-man squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies starting on April 30.

He has also been handed a contract with Cricket South Africa – a rare occurrence for someone who has yet to represent the Proteas.

The Kings XI have an aura of glamour and verve around them thanks to owners Bollywood star Preity Zinta and businessman Ness Wadia.

The side made the semi-finals of the first edition in India in 2008 but failed to improve on that in South Africa last year. This was mainly from being depleted by the absence of Lee and Sreesanth at various stages.

The third edition of the IPL kicks off on Friday.