In pics: the IPL auction/boxing match

Round One

As the first round of bidding got underway, Vijay Mallya’s Royal Challengers made the successful bid for Pietersen while Flintoff joins Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings.

They also overtook Dhoni as most expensive players in the IPL. He had fetched $ 1.5 million at Chennai last year.

Mumbai Indians made a successful bid for South African JP Duminy at USD 950,000 while Australian tear-way pacer Shaun Tait was lapped up by defending champions Rajasthan Royals for USD 375,000.

Mallya, whose fondness for Pietersen is no secret was understandably elated.

"I was always keen to get Pietersen,” he said.

“He would be a superb addition to the team. We had a list of players before the auction and KP topped that list. We needed to strengthen our batting and I was prepared to pay more for him."

"It is a worthwhile investment and ensure the balance that we wanted in our team", he said.

Mallya also refused to comment on speculations that Rahul Dravid would be stripped of captaincy in favour of Pietersen.

Round 2

In the second round of bidding, the GMR Group owned Delhi Daredevils got the English pair of Owais Shah for USD 275,000, Paul Collingwood for USD 275,000, while West Indian quickie Fiedel Edwards went for his base price of USD 150,000 to Deccan Chargers

Sri Lanka’s middle-order batsman Chamara Kapugedara and Australian wicket-keeper Brad Haddin, who had base prices of USD 150,000 did not attract any buyers at the bidding and were left unsold.

Round Three

A surprisingly ferocious battle ensued for uncapped South African Tyron Henderson, before he was finally bagged by the Rajasthan Royals for USD 650,000.

Australia’s Phil Jaques, and South African Ashwell Prince were left unsold while England’s all-rounder Ravi Bopara at USD 450,000, became King’s XI Punjab’s first purchase at the bidding.

Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Kulasekara was unsold while Thilan Tushara was brought over by Chennai Super Kings for USD 140,000. Luke Wright of England too went unsold.

Royal Challengers made a successful bid for New Zealand’s Jesse Ryder at USD 160,000 while his team-mate Kyle Mills for USD 150,000.

South African bowler Andre Nel, who donned Mumbai Indians colours last year, remained unsold.

comments