KPL bidding: Amit Verma and Goutham earn more than star batsmen Rahul and Pandey

Star players at Desi tourneys Amit Verma and K Goutham of Swastik Union Club, fetched the highest bids of Rs 7.2 lakh each at the 6th edition of the Karnataka Premier League (KPL). Bellary Tuskers bought Amit and Belagavi Panthers bought K Gowtham, reports Kannada Prabha.

The bidding for the KPL T20 scheduled to be held in September was held at the Karnataka State Cricket Association on Sunday. Both Amit and Gowtham of 'A' group started with a opening bid of Rs 50,000 and fetched the highest bid of Rs 7.2 lakh each. In the 'B' group R Jonathan who had an opening bid of Rs 20,000 fetched Rs 5.10 lakh from Namma Shimogga team, becoming the highest bid player in 'B' group.

In the bid a total of 215 players participated. Totally 7 teams spent Rs 2.06 crore to purchase 126 players. From the beginning franchisees were competing for Amit Varma. Bellary, Bengaluru and Mysuru teams were vying with each other to net him. Finally, he went to Bellary team. Heavy competition was also witnessed for K Gowtham. In 'B' Group there was heavy demand for Jonathan.

Several star performers who have proved their mettle in IPL and other Desi tournaments were disappointed. H S Sharath, a Ranji player had a open bidding of Rs 50,000 went to Bijapura for the same amount, as also CM Gowtham who was picked up by Bellary team for Rs 50,000. Stuart Binny was purchased by Belagavi team for Rs 1.10 lakh, Abhimanyu Mithun was picked up by Bijapura team for Rs 1 lakh and S Aravind by Belagavi team for Rs 1.50 lakh. This time the telecast rights are being bought by Star Sports said KSCA administrators to Kannada Prabha.

The bidders did not show much interest in star batsmen Manish Pande and KL Rahul, who are both playing at the national team. The first name put up for bidding was that of Rahul. He was picked up by Bellary Tuskers team at the opening price of Rs 50,000. Manish Pande was picked up by Belagavi team for Rs 1.6 lakh. As both of them have berths in the one-day test against Australia, it is doubtful if they will play at KPL. Hence the bidders did not show interest in them.

The surprise sales was for 5 players: Stalin Hover bought by Belagavi team for Rs 4.50 lakh, Pradeep T bought by Shimogga team for Rs 4.80 lakh, Navin MG bought by Bijapura team for Rs 4.80 lakh, Sunil Raju bought by Mysuru team for Rs 5 lakh and Dikshamshu Negi bought by Bijapura team for Rs 4.40 lakh, reports Kannada Prabha.

All the seven teams purchased 18 players each and the total spent was Rs 2.06 crore.

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