India's flamboyant all-rounder Yuvraj Singh was sold to Royal Challengers Bangalore for a staggering Rs.14 crores in the players' auction for the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) here Wednesday.
Among the first set of eight marquee players, Yuvraj, who was earlier with the disbanded Pune Warriors, fetched the highest price. He was followed by maverick former England captain Kevin Pietersen, who was sold to Delhi Daredevils for a whopping Rs.9 crore.
India's Test opener Murali Vijay, who was earlier with Chennai Super Kings, was also bagged by the Daredevils for a handsome Rs.5 crore. Vijay was the first cricketer to go under the hammer.
The second cricketer up for auction was Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene, who surprisingly went unsold.
Australia's Ashes hero Mitchell Johnson was sold to Kings XI Punjab for Rs. 6.50 crores while his compatriot David Warner went to Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs.5.5 crores.
India discard Virender Sehwag was sold to Kings XI Punjab for Rs.3.2 crores while Kolkata Knight Riders used their right to match card to buy back South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis for Rs.5.5 crores that was made by Chennai Super Kings.
The auction list of 514 players features 219 capped players (169 Indians and 50 overseas players) and 292 uncapped players (255 Indians and 37 overseas players).
There are 16 marquee players and they have been divided in two sets of eight each. There are 30 players, including 11 Indians, with a maximum base price of Rs.2 crore (US $320,000 approximately).
-- Indo-Asian News Service
abr/rd
