Discarded Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh set a new record as he emerged as the costliest ever buy in the Indian Premier League by going for a whopping Rs 160 million to Delhi Daredevils while an unheralded K C Cariappa was a surprise pick in the eighth players' auction.
Yuvraj triggered an unexpected bidding war with four teams vying for the 33-year-old cricketer's services before Delhi clinched the deal for a record price. That Yuvraj, who had been bought for Rs 140 million by Royal Challengers Bangalore last year, went for such a big price came as a huge surprise given the fact that he is no longer in the Indian team. His current form, however, has been good which could have led to the franchises showing interest in him.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik was another player, who commanded a massive price, going to RCB for Rs 105 million at a glitzy auction attended by business bigwigs, Bollywood stars like Preity Zinta and former cricketers such as Anil Kumble, Ricky Ponting, Stephen Fleming and VVS Laxman - part of various teams' support staff.
A 20-year-old Cariappa, an off-spinner who has not even played a first-class match, was a stunning pick by the Kolkata Knight Riders. Cariappa was bought for a Rs 24 million in what was perhaps the most shocking buy in an auction where veterans such as Kumar Sangakkara went unsold despite being brought back in the pool thrice.
Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathew (Rs 75 million to DD), New Zealand pacer Trent Boult (Rs 38 million to Sunrisers Hyderabad), Indian leg-spinner Amit Mishra (Rs 35 million to DD) and Australian opener Aaron Finch (Rs 32 million to Mumbai Indians) were among those who fetched a good price at the auction.
Sri Lankan stalwarts Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan, Indian pacer Irfan Pathan, South African batsman Hashim Amla and New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor went unsold in the initial rounds of the auction. They might still find a buyer in the final round of bidding.
Indian pacer Zaheer Khan, who initially went unsold, suddenly saw a dramatic change in his fortunes when he was brought back in the pool as he went for a hefty Rs 40 million to Delhi Daredevils.
In all, 88 players went under hammer, of which the franchises bought 67. 23 of the players sold on Monday were overseas picks. The franchises shelled out Rs 876 million in purchasing the players.
Surprisingly, former England captain Kevin Pietersen, who was bought for Rs 90 million last year by DD, could get just Rs 20 million as he was sold to Sunrisers Hyderabad at the base price.
Other players sold in the auction were India Test opener Murali Vijay for Rs 30 million (to KXIP), England's Eoin Morgan (Rs 15 million by SRH) and New Zealand's Kane Williamson (Rs 6000,000 by SRH).
New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult also fetched an impressive sum of Rs 38 million from his base price of Rs 5000,000 as he was bought by SRH who joined in after initial bidding between RCB and MI.
There was also intense bidding for Indian pacer Praveen Kumar, who was bought by SRH for Rs 220 million. SRH also strengthened their squad by buying England all-rounder Ravi Bopara for Rs 10 million.
Two other all-rounders in West Indian Darren Sammy and South African David Wiese went to RCB for an identical Rs 280 millione. RCB also bought young Australian pacer Sean Abbott for Rs 10 million.
Veteran Australian Michael Hussey returned to Chennai Super Kings at his base price of Rs 15 million.
Indian-origin Australian pacer Gurinder Sandhu, who has played just two ODIs so far, was the surprise pick for Rs 1.7 crore by big spenders Delhi Daredevils who also bought pacer Jaydev Unadkat for Rs 1.1 crore. Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha also returned to Mumbai Indians for Rs 50 lakh.
Besides CSK, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals were the other franchises who did not spend much in the auction. RR bought South African all-rounder Christopher Morris for Rs 14 million.
