KOLKATA: Bengal players once again failed to set the auction floor on fire as only five from the state found berths in various sides after two days of player’s auction in Bengaluru on Sunday.
As expected Mohammad Shami once again led the pack as the India pacer with a base price of Rs 2 crore was picked up by IPL’s new entrant Gujarat Titans after a good bidding war for Rs 6.25 crore.
Wriddhiman Saha must have had a sleepless night on Saturday after going unsold. However, the wicketkeeper-batter finally joined his statemate at Titans following a bidding tussle with Chennai Super Kings during the accelerated list bidding process late on Sunday. Saha, who had his base price at Rs 1 crore, was picked for Rs 1.90 crore.
“I was a bit surprised not to be picked on the first day as I felt I am good enough to find a berth among 20 wicketkeepers if we calculate 10 franchises opting for two glovesmen each,” he stated.
The Siliguri boy will have Australian World Cup winner Mathew Wade as his teammate behind the stumps.
Bengal pacers Ishan Porel and Akash Deep too found takers but their new ball partner Mukesh Kumar went unsold. While Porel, with a base price of Rs 20 lakh, went to his old franchise Punjab Kings for Rs 25 lakh. Akash along with all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed too returned ‘home’ when Royal Challengers Bangalore got him at his base price of Rs 20 lakh.
All-rounder Writtick Chatterjee will look forward to making his IPL debut after being roped in by Punjab Kings for Rs 20 lakh.
None of the other Bengal players could make the final auction list.
Bengal players in IPL:
Mohammed Shami, Wriddhiman Saha: Gujarat Titans
