Bangalore, Feb 4 (IANS) Ravindra Jadeja, R. Vinay Kumar and Mahela Jayawardene attracted millions from the Indian Premier League franchisees on a day the players’ auction was overshadowed by Sahara India’s pullout from the cash-rich event.
Besides fast bowler Vinay Kumar, West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell, leggie Sunil Narine and Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera were the surprise buys during the day’s auction at the Royal Gardenia Hotel here. Out of the registered 144 players, 25 went under the hammer while 44 remained unsold. India’s V.V.S. Laxman and V.R.V. Singh failed to find any takers.
India all-rounder Jadeja lived up to his ‘hot property’ tag with Chennai Super Kings buying him for $2 million while Vinay Kumar was snapped up by Royal Challengers Bangalore for an unexpected $1 million.
Jadeja, who had a base price of $100,000, was bagged in a tie-breaker between Super Kings and Deccan Chargers. The $2 million budget cap for the auction meant the Super Kings have spent all their money on a single player.
Chargers spent $650,000 on Indian wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, whose base price was $200,000. Chargers went aggressively after Patel, who attracted bids from Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals.
Fast bowlers Shantakumaran Sreesanth, Rudra Pratap Singh and spinner Ramesh Powar were bought by Royals, Mumbai Indians and Kings XI respectively for $400,000, $600,000 and $160,000.
Amongst the Sri Lankans, captain Jayawardene, who led the terminated franchise Kochi Tuskers last year, was the second biggest draw at the auction with Delhi Daredevils dishing out $1.4 million for the marquee player. The veteran batsman was bought by the defunct Kochi Tuskers $1.5 million in the 2011 auction.
Retired Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (reserve price $200,000) was picked up by Royal Challengers for $220,000.
All-rounders were in top demand throughout the day and it was evident in Chargers and Mumbai Indians battling for Tissera Perera. He went for $650,000, 13 times his base price.
West Indies players also were sought after. Russell was bought by Daredevils for $450,000, nine times his base price. Daredevils secured Russell after outbidding Chargers.
Extensive bidding for leggie Narine surprised many. Knight Riders coughed up $700,000 for the West Indian, who had a base price of $50,000. Mumbai Indians were the other franchise interested in him.
Speedster Mitchell Johnson, batsman Brad Hodge and left-arm spinner Brad Hogg were the top three Australians who went under the hammer.
Mumbai Indians bought Johnson for his $300,000 base price. Hogg ($100,000), who made a comeback into the national Twenty20 side at 40, was purchased by Royals for $180,000. Royals also paid a handsome $475,000 for Hodge, who had a base price of $200,000.
New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum (base price $400,000) was snapped up by Knight Riders for $900,000 and was the first to be sold. McCullum was part of the Knight Riders for the first three years before being bought by Kochi Tuskers last year.
Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, who is now a British citizen, went to Kings XI for 200,000, doubling his base price.
The doubt over the availability of players meant established international names like Peter Siddle, Steven Smith (both Australia), Graeme Swann, James Anderson and Ravi Bopara (all England) went unsold.
South Africa’s young fast bowler Vernon Philander and Irish all-rounder Kevin O’Brien also could not find any takers.
