Watson goes for $1.98m in IPL auction

Hello and Welcome to the Live Updates of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016 auctions. Watch out for Lions, Pune strategy Another factor which could have a massive influence on bidding is the pattern that Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiants adopt.

Shane Watson was involved in a furious bidding war between Pune, Bangalore and Mumbai before he was finally sold to Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 9.5 crore. The entry of two new teams and the two-year long exit of the suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals has thrown into the auction pool a host of players that CSK and RR would have otherwise retained. Pietersen has been in great form recently and scored a truckload of runs in the Big Bash. Given the various dynamics that go into the thinking of the franchises, there may well be big grossers – defying the auction’s stature – among the 351 players that will go under Richard Madley’s hammer.

Giving Yuvraj company in the elite price-band are cricketers ranging from Kevin Pietersen to Shane Watson. For the ninth season, the franchises have a salary purse of Rs 66 crore (Rs 660 million) each, which is a Rs 3 crore jump from last season’s purse with a balance sum of 198.28 crores remaining with the 8 franchises.

They only have five players each in their ranks but possess a regal pedigree. Ironically, yes ironically, he is one of nine marquee players. The message is that he is not worthy enough for even Rs 2 crores.

New Zealand opener Martin Guptill and Australia opener Aaron Finch both went unsold in the first round of bidding. With the upcoming Asia Cup and World T20, Yuvi will look to have his presence felt in the side. “I cut a cake and everyone congratulated me”. He has been an exceptional performer for any team that he has played in – school or state team. “He has all the capabilities of filling up that slot if he gets enough chances”.

Ashish Nehra sold to Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs. 550 lakh. But chairman of selectors Sandeep Patil said the 25-year-old had recovered and would be given time to prove his fitness, leaving open the possibility of calling up a late replacement before the final selection deadline. Suresh Raina will be the skipper of the Lions while MS Dhoni is named the captain of the Pune outfit.