Sportsmen on Sale: Somber IPL-3 Auction Concludes

Famous British Auctioneer Richard Madeley had said in a press interaction that he had read a lot on historical auctions, but never has he come across any auction where humans are bidden for (not considering the era of slave trade). The star auctioneer would have never thought of conducting the first human auction when he sold cricket players in IPL's first edition in 2008. The annual auction of IPL players concluded yesterday in Mumbai, where various IPL franchisees again shed a lot of money in getting the best players onto their boats.

Trinidad and Tobago's explosive all-rounder Kieron Pollard struck gold this time. Reliance industries-owned Mumbai Indians won him for a whopping $750,000, setting the highest bid of the day. New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond also went for the same price to Shah Rukh Khan-owned Kolkata Knight Riders. West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach (sold at $718,716) and South African left-armer Wayne Parnell (sold at $608,841) were not far behind and both were subjects of competitive biddings, having won by the current IPL champs Deccan Chargers and Delhi Daredevils respectively.

The main talking point however was that none of the 11 Pakistani players received any bids and went unsold, in spite of Pakistan being the current world Twenty20 champions. Many attribute this to be due to fears over visa problems. Following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks - which India blamed on Pakistani-based militants - Pakistan said it would not allow its cricketers to travel to India for the 2009 tournament which ended up being played in South Africa.

Sport journalist Ayaz Memon said "For example, if you do have two or three Pakistani players (in your team) and they are not able to play at the time of tournament for any reasons - visas or whatever - then you are stuck. Several Australian players have been passed because they are not available full-time. The franchisees have become wiser. There is no doubt that (Pakistani batsman) Shahid Afridi is currently the best T20 player." he added.

Meanwhile, the 3rd edition's auction proved not much of a fanfare and the atmosphere was a lot somber. The budgets were limited and so were the vacant slots. Requirements were clear and decisions were logical and quick. This time the auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) was over in less than two hours, record low time, and on the whole it was a ceremony sans much fanfare.