MUMBAI, February 6 (Reuters) - Australia's Shane Watson attracted a top bid of $1.4 million and will join the Bangalore franchise for the next edition of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament, while former England skipper Kevin Pietersen was bought by newcomers Pune.
All-rounder Watson, who had a base price of 20 million rupees ($295,000), was in high demand in Saturday's auction for the cash-rich tournament, the ninth edition of which will be played from April 9 to May 29.
"Incredibly excited to join such a great franchise. Looking forward to joining up with my new team mates in April," the 34-year-old said on Twitter.
The right-handed batsman, who also bowls medium pace, will join a Bangalore team already boasting power-hitters Chris Gayle, AB de Villliers and Virat Kohli, and who have Australia's pace spearhead Mitchell Starc in their ranks.
Aaron Finch, Australia's captain in the shortest form of the game, went unsold after injuring his left hamstring during a T20 match against India in Melbourne last month.
In-form New Zealand opening batsman Martin Guptill was also unsold in the first round of auctions for marquee players.
Pune, to be led by India's limited-overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and coached by former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming, outbid fellow newcomers Rajkot to land Pietersen for 35 million rupees.
Pune and Rajkot were unveiled as the new teams in the Twenty20 competition in December, replacing Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
The franchise owners of Rajasthan and Chennai were suspended for two years by the Indian cricket board in July for their role in an illegal betting scandal that erupted in 2013.
Pietersen, who has been plying his trade in T20 leagues around the world after England shut the selection door on its controversial former captain, was the first player to be sold at the auction on Saturday.
All-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who fetched 160 million rupees at last year's auction, attracted the highest bid among Indian players on Saturday and will play for the Hyderabad franchise after being bought for 70 million rupees.
Hyderabad also spent 55 million rupees on Ashish Nehra, the 36-year-old fast bowler who has also been included in India's World Twenty20 squad.
Mumbai Indians coach Ponting happy to have Buttler, Southee
Bengaluru, Feb 6 (IANS) Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach Ricky Ponting on Saturday said he was happy to have England wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler and New Zealand pacer Tim Southee in the side after the players went under the hammer in the Indian Premier League (IPL) players’ auction here.
The 27-year-old Southee who had a base price of Rs.1 crore was bought by the defending champions for Rs.2.5 crore while Buttler, who had a base price of Rs.1.5 crore, was bought for Rs.3.8 crore.
“We have got two boys, two overseas players, Jos Buttler and Tim Southee. We are very happy with those picks,” Ponting said via a video message posted by MI in twitter.
“I was very keen to have Buttler to have as a backup batsman and a wicket keeper as well. Tim is a very good new ball bowler and can easily take the place of Lasith Malinga. So we are happy with the buys,” the two-time World Cup winning former Australian skipper said.
On the other hand, veteran Australian all-rounder Shane Watson commanded the highest bid of Rs.9.5 crore from Royal Challengers Bengaluru while star batsman Yuvraj Singh was snapped up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs.7 crore.
"Incredibly excited to join @RCBTweets. Can't wait to meet up with my new teammates in April.#IPL2016," Watson posted on Twitter.
South African all-rounder Chris Morris, who was bagged by Delhi Daredevils for Rs.7 crore, tweeted: "Unbelievably grateful! Very excited to be part of @DelhiDaredevils #humbled."
Among other big buys, medium pacer Mohit Sharma went for Rs.6.5 crore to Kings XI Punjab, while Hyderabad splurged Rs.5.5 crore for veteran left-arm pacer Ashish Nehra.
Delhi bought young Kerala wicket-keeper Sanju Samson and West Indian batsman Carlos Brathwaite for Rs.4.2 crore each. Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh went to new franchise Rising Pune Supergiants for Rs.4.8 crore.
Mitchell joined England star Kevin Pietersen, who was picked up for Rs.3.5 crore. The duo will join India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni at Pune.
