It is hardly surprising, given their performances during the triumphant Ashes series against England, that a number of the Australian heroes; Mitchell Johnson, Brad Haddin and Steven Smith are among a group of 31 players that have been allocated the highest base price of Rs 20 million (US$ 320,000 approx.) ahead of the forthcoming IPL auction.
There is a list of 232 capped players, from ten different countries, available for selection at the auction in Bangalore on February 12 and 13. The list contains 46 Indians, a number of whom, such as Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthik, Pragyan Ojha and Yusuf Pathan, are also listed with the top price players.
Leading Sri Lankan pair, Kumar Sangakkara and Dinesh Chandimal, are missing from the auction, as they take a break before their country undertakes a tour of England, although their teammates Mahela Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews have put themselves forward.
The Kiwi, Corey Anderson, is sure to attract plenty of interest in his signature, having smashed the fastest ODI century in history, during the winter, and became the fastest player to score an ODI century and take an ODI five-for. His base price is set at Rs 10 million, though he may well go for substantially more, when the bidding is finished.
The ICC’s No. 1 ranked T20 batsman, Alex Hales needs a top priced deal, if he is to be released by his English county, Nottinghamshire, to take part in the IPL. His county colleague, Samit Patel, is covered by the same arrangement with the county club.
Once again, there will be no representatives from Pakistan, though Pakistan born Azhar Mahmood (England) and Fawad Ahmad (Australia), are on the list of available players.
The oldest capped player on the list, is the 43 year old Australian spinner, Brad Hogg, at 43, who has a reserve price of Rs 15 million. Hogg had previously played for the Rajasthan Royals until IPL 2013, though he appeared in just one match last season.
