IPL, KPL players most sought after in Mangaluru Premier League auction

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Mangaluru, September 26, 2015: Wicketkeeper batsman Nihal Ullal saw fierce bidding between Karavali Warriors and United Ullal with the former picking him up for a princely sum of Rs 1.25 lakh. This was the scene at the player auction 2015 for the upcoming Mangaluru Premier League 2.0 that will be held at NMPT ground at Panambur in December. Nihal, having represented Mangalore United and Mysuru Warriors in KPL emerged costliest player to go under the hammer on Saturday.

 

Giving Nihal a run for the money was IPL and KPL find K C Kariappa - the Kolkata Knight Riders and Bijapur Bulls player. Northern Shine picked up this 21-year-old who emerged the highest wicket-taker from just concluded KPL 4.0 for a sum of Rs 1.15 lakh. Nihal and K C Kariappa were among a pool of 72 A group players that the 12 franchisees taking part in the second edition of MPL 2.0 were supposed to pick from their overall purse of Rs 2.50 lakh.

The franchises also picked up four players each from among B and C group players from among a pool of 286 players from Mangaluru zone of Karnataka State Cricket Association who will feature in the tournament. The MPL organisers have also given each franchise the right to pick up two owner’s choice player leaving each of the 12 teams in the fray and divided into two pools of six each to choose from a squad of 16-players to field their final playing 11.

The pool A, B and C players auctioned on the day were categorized in to fast bowlers, wicket keeper batsmen, spinners, and allrounders. Franchisees in their endeavor to find the right mix of players for the squad worked out their strategies well and made an obvious dash to net in the players who have featured in IPL followed by KPL. The base price for each player in A group was Rs 3,000 and the auction had Nihal and Cariappa laughing their way to the bank.

Courtesy: Times of India