Australian all-rounder Shane Watson today became the first million-dollar buy of the 2016 Indian Premier League players’ auction.
Left team-less after Rajasthan Royals was suspended for two years, Watson kicked-off a bidding storm as soon as his name got picked out of the bag.
Pune, RCB, Mumbai Indians all gunning for the Aussie all-rounder and finally it was Vijay Mallya’s mowhawk-d head that picked up Watson.
Sold for Rs 9.5 crore (USD 1.39 million).
Retired from the longest format, often ignored by his home selectors - Watson was quick to Tweet his happiness.
One quick look at the biggest buys after three sessions of the auction and the eyes do rest on a certain Chris Morris.
The South Africa has quoted his base price at just Rs 50 Lakh and unleashed on the hall a bidding war when his name got picked out of the bag. Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders had their paddles up in a flurry but at the first hint of an ebb, Delhi Daredevils entered at party!
Finally, the South African with just 4 T20s, 9 ODIs and 2 Tests under his belt, was sold for 14 times his base price.
Cue: Party in Pretoria
Another player who went for 14 times his base price and also was bought by Delhi Daredevils was West Indian Carlos Brathwaite.
Looking for his first IPL team, the all rounder entered the big leagues with a Rs 4.2 crore paycheque. His base price was Rs 30 lakh.
Dinesh Karthik though had a bit of a letdown. Bought by RCB for a massive Rs 10.5 crore last year, the veteran keeper fetched Rs 2.3 crore this time. Joining new team Gujarat Lions.