New Delhi, Jan 28 (IBNS): The two-day mega VIVO IPL 2018 Player Auction concluded in Bengaluru with 169 players filling up the 182 available slots.
Right from its inception, the league has been a destination where talent meets opportunity and it was once again evident as out 113 Indian cricketers that were bought, 71 are uncapped, and will get a chance to unleash their potential in the upcoming edition.
Last season, Afghanistan players made their debut and this time, the VIVO IPL has a new addition with Sandeep Lamichhane becoming the first cricketer from Nepal to join the world’s best T20 league.
With 56 overseas players, the 11th season will see representations from nine different nations.
While England all-rounder Ben Stokes set the tone for the auction with a massive winning bid of INR 12.5 crore on Day 1, Mujeeb Zadran, the 16-year-old Afghan boy attracted attention on Day 2 as not only did he become the youngest-ever cricketer to enter IPL Auction, but fetched a massive bid of INR 4 crore.
The India U19 cricketers currently taking part in the ICC World Cup in New Zealand were hot picks as franchises invested in the youth. Fast bowlers Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi were lapped up by KKR and both received bids in excess of INR 3 crore.
Openers Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill were picked by Delhi Daredevils and duo fetched in excess of INR 1 crore.
Key figures from the VIVO IPL 2018 Auction
· Total players sold – 169
· Total Indian players - 113
· Total overseas players 56
· Top overseas buy - Benjamin Stokes (RR) - INR 12.5 cr
· Top Indian buy - Jaydev Unadkat (RR) – INR 11.5 cr
· Top uncapped Indian buy – Krunal Pandya – INR 8.80 cr
· RTM cards used – 19
Rajiv Shukla, Chairman, IPL said: The eight franchises had come well prepared at the VIVO IPL 2018 Player Auction. They had data, analytics and multiple combinations in mind as they went about picking their players. I am particularly delighted to see the faith they have shown in budding Indian cricketers and also uncapped players from overseas. A youngster can grow massively when he is looked after by the world-class coaching and support staff that the teams have at their disposal."
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