Bangalore: Indian Premier League, most lucrative league has always made many unknown players to heroes. The same thing happened with Krunal Pandya on the first day of IPL auction.
Krunal Pandya on Saturday became the costliest uncapped buy in IPL history, going for a whopping Rs 8.8 crore to Mumbai Indians as rookie players, both Indian and overseas, turned overnight millionaires in the auction in Bengaluru.
From India’s U-19 World Cup stars to domestic and foreign recruits, uncapped players were the sought after lot for the eight teams.
Little-known Jofra Archer from the West Indies attracted a Rs 7.2 crore winning bid from Rajasthan Royals.
Krunal going to Mumbai Indians was expected but not the astronomical figure he went for, surpassing Pawan Negi who was bought by Delhi Daredevils for Rs 8.5 crore in the 2016 auction. Krunal’s base price was Rs 40 lakh.
Mumbai Indians exercised the Right to Match for Krunal after a bidding war broke out between Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Krunal remaining at Mumbai Indians also means that he and his brother Hardik Pandya will turn out for the same IPL team again.
