Thursday, July 4, 2024
Latest:

My Views Room

Think Write



Livingstone
Cricket 

Liam Livingstone top overseas player at IPL auction, Jofra Archer to play for Mumbai Indians

Team MVR

England’s Liam Livingstone on Sunday became the most expensive foreign player in this season’s IPL auction at 11.50 crore, while fellow England international Jofra Archer also fetched a high price of 8 crores despite being doubtful for the upcoming edition.

Livingstone went to Punjab Kings as the 10 teams splurged millions in Bangalore but the final day witnessed England white-ball stars including Eoin Morgan and Dawid Malan going unsold.

However, Archer’s price of 8 crore remained the day’s surprise after the franchises had been warned to pick the quick bowler at their own risk and with a view to potential participation only in 2023 and 2024 due to his elbow injury.

Mumbai owner Akash Ambani said Archer will make a “formidable” pace pair with India’s Jasprit Bumrah who was retained by the franchise ahead of the auctions.

“We had discussed his name in the pre-auction meetings, but firmed up on our plans last night after being priced out on all the other fast bowlers,” Ambani said.

“Of course he is not available this year but we believe in the best of him and when he is fit and available I believe that with Bumrah he will make a formidable partnership.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted: “You know you are good when you go for a Million dollars & you are injured !!! #Jofra #IPLAuction2022.”

Livingstone, who hit England’s fastest T20 century in 42 balls in a game against Pakistan last year, stood out this auction following his play for Rajasthan Royals the previous season after being bought for $100,000.

The 28-year-old remained above overseas big buys including Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga and the West Indies’ Nicholas Pooran as the two secured bids of 10.75 crores each on day one.

Punjab, still searching for their first IPL title in 14 seasons, also bagged West Indies bowling all-rounder Odean Smith for 6 crores.

Both Livingstone, who can also bowl off spin and leg spin, and Smith had a base price of $130,000.

2016 winners Sunrisers Hyderabad got West Indies bowling all-rounder Romario Shepherd for 7.75 crores.

Singapore all-rounder Tim David turned heads with a winning bid of 8.25 crore sending him to Mumbai.

India’s Ishan Kishan remained the costliest player to be sold this auction after he went for 15.25 crore on day one when Mumbai bought the wicketkeeper-batsman back to their franchise that has won a record five titles.

Mumbai also got batting great Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun, a left-arm pace bowler, for 30 lakh in the final stages of the accelerated auction.

Auctioneer Hugh Edmeades, who collapsed on the stage on Saturday and remained under medical care while Indian sports presenter Charu Sharma stood in for the job, returned to the final session amid a standing ovation.

Two new teams including Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants spent big and got some good late sweeps.

South African batsman David Miller went to Gujarat for 3 crore. England pace bowler Mark Wood set for Lucknow for 7.50 crore.