Irfan Pathan's recent performances on the ongoing tour of Australia didn't go unnoticed as the Indian all-rounder was purchased for a whopping US $9,25,000 by Preity Zinta's Mohali Franchise in round six of the Indian Premier League players' auction on Wednesday.
The left-arm seamer, who base price was US $2,00,000, was far ahead of South Africa's Albie Morkel, who was snapped up by Chennai for US $6,75,000.
Both Mohali and Chennai have so far purchased players worth four million US dollars out of the maximum five million, as specified in the IPL players' auction regulations.
- Dhoni fetches highest price
- Jayasuriya most valuable
- Symonds is 2nd million-dollar buy
- Mallya buys Kallis for US $9,00,000
- Warne humbled in bidding
Former South Africa all-rounder Shaun Pollock became Mumbai's fourth purchase of the day when he was pocketed by the Mukesh Ambani-owned franchise for US $5,50,000.
Australia's 24-year-old leg-spinner Cameron White, who last played international cricket a year ago, was bought by Bangalore for US $5,00,000.
Surprisingly, even the chairman of IPL, Lalit Modi, described him as one of the future stars of Twenty20 cricket, making everyone wonder why he does not find a place in the Australian team at present.
It turned out to be a good day for the Pathan family, as elder brother Yusuf, an all-rounder in domestic cricket, was bought by Jaipur team for US $4,75,000. Jaipur have been quite miserly in their purchases. So far, the Emerging Media-owned team has bought only five players, including Shane Warne, worth 1.7 million dollars.
India discard Ajit Agarkar will also be thanking his stars after pocketing US $3,50,000 after being taken by Kolkata and not his local team Mumbai, which will be captained by long-time friend Sachin Tendulkar.
Joginder Sharma, who bowled the crucial final over in the Twenty20 World Cup final victory over Pakistan last year, was aptly rewarded. He was purchased by Chennai for US $2,25,000.
The Sri Lankan duo of Farveez Maharoof and Tillakaratne Dilshan were bought by GMR Holdings-owned Delhi for US $2,25,000 and 2,50,000 respectively.
