Elementary for Watson, leap for Negi

Bengaluru, February 6

Rookie all-rounder Pawan Negi stunned the cricket fraternity by commanding the second highest bid (Rs 8.5 cr) while veteran Australian star Shane Watson (Rs 9.5 cr) emerged as the most expensive player at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction here on Saturday. Star batsman Yuvraj Singh was snapped up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 7 crore.

On a day when the IPL franchises decided to shell out surprisingly high amounts for young Indian players, Delhi Daredevils’ decision to pay Rs 8.5 crore for Negi was the highlight of the day. Negi, who was included in the Indian squad for the World T20 on Friday, had a base price of Rs 30 lakh.

Watson, who has represented Rajasthan Royals (RR) every year since joining them in the inaugural edition in 2008, was bought by Vijay Mallay-owned RCB for Rs 9.5 crore from a base price of Rs 2 crore.

This is first time Watson has featured in the auction since the inaugural edition in 2008. He is the only player to win the player of the tournament award twice. But his deal was annulled after the Rajasthan and Chennai franchises were suspended for two years after the IPL was hit by a match fixing corruption scandal.

A bidding war between the Pune, Bangalore and Mumbai franchises was the key to Watson’s auction price soaring well above his base price.

“Incredibly excited to join such a great franchise. Looking forward to joining up with my new teammates in April,” the 34-year-old said on Twitter.

With Watson joining them, RCB will feature a power-packed squad this year. Their line-up also includes destructive West Indies opener Chris Gayle South African veteran AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli and Australian pacer Mitchell Starc.

Yuvi gets Rs 7 cr bid

Yuvraj on the other hand, will make the move to Hyderabad from Delhi Daredevils, who had bought him last year for Rs16 crore. The veteran southpaw has been bought for a much reduced price this year, with the Sunrisers shelling out Rs 7 crore for his services. Yuvraj had a base price of Rs 2 crore.

The Daredevils have replaced Yuvraj with South all-rounder Christopher Morris, who has been bought for the same price as the Indian star. The 28-year-old had a base price of Rs 50 lakhs.

Among other big buys, Indian medium-pacer Mohit Sharma went for Rs 6.5 crore to Kings XI Punjab, while Hyderabad splurged Rs 5.5 crore for veteran left-arm pacer Ashish Nehra.

Delhi bought young Kerala wicketkeeper Sanju Samson and West Indian batsman Carlos Brathwaite for Rs 4.2 crore each. Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh went to new franchise Rising Pune Supergiants for Rs 4.8 crore.

Mitchell joined England star Kevin Pietersen, who was picked up for Rs 3.5 crore. The duo will join India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni at Pune. Pietersen had a base price of Rs.2 crore.

Tamil Nadu leg-spinner Murugan Ashwin and rookie fast bowler Nathu Singh were among other young Indian players to rake in the big bucks. Ashwin was bought by Pune for a whopping Rs 4.5 crore. Nathu, who had grabbed the headlines by making it to the Board President’s XI during South Africa’s tour of India late last year, was picked up by Mumbai Indians for a whopping Rs 3.2 crores. — IANS