Sunrisers take Shakib, Fizz in Mumbai

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was picked up by the Mumbai Indians for 2.2 crore rupees on the first day of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction yesterday.

The left-armer's base price was set at one crore rupees, but a bidding war between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils escalated the price, with the former roping him in.

Bangladesh's premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan also attracted considerable interest. His base price of one million rupees proved to be far too little and Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mustafizur's former team, picked him up for twice that amount after a short bout with Royal Challengers Bangalore.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes topped the auction, selling for 12.5 crore rupees despite a looming court case for assault.

On a day in which the eight IPL teams spent lavishly on talent, Stokes's deal with Rajasthan Royals came ahead of Indian batsmen Lokesh Rahul (11 crore) and Manish Pandey (11 crore) and Australians Chris Lynn (9.6 crore), Mitchell Starc (9.4 crore) and Glenn Maxwell (9 crore) in the top prices paid.

But England captain Joe Root and wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, and star batsmen Chris Gayle of West Indies and Hashim Amla of South Africa failed to attract bids. Veteran Sri Lanka paceman Lasith Malinga also went unsold but the franchises have the option of getting them back on the auction table Sunday.