Robin Uthappa Attracts Highest Bid of Rs 5.30 Lakh in Karnataka Premier League Auction

Hard-hitting batsman Robin Uthappa attracted the highest bid at the Karnataka Premier League (KPL) players' auction with Bellary Tuskers clinching his services for Rs 5.30 lakh here on Thursday.

Karnataka speedster Abhimanyu Mithun drew the second highest bid as he went for Rs 5 lakh to Bijapur Bulls.

The third highest bid of Rs 4 lakh was for Bharath Chipli and Belagavi Panthers were successful in roping him into their team.

The list of cricketers, which was provided by Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), were divided in two groups -- Pool A and Pool B -- for the players' auction.

Pool A consisted of 28 top players from Karnataka and six competing franchises were invited to place their bids from this list.

Also, the continuing three franchises have had the option to retain one player each from Pool A and Pool B respectively.

The minimum bid amount for a Pool A player was Rs 50,000 per season and the total cap for this pool was Rs 12 lakh per season.

The minimum bid amount for a Pool B player was Rs 10,000 per season and the total cap for this pool was Rs 8 lakh per season.

Speaking on the occasion, KSCA Secretary Brijesh Patel said the bids for batsmen, bowlers and all-rounders saw a good tussle among the franchises.

"We truly believe that the league will once again help us identify and hone upcoming cricketing talent as it has in the past as well," he said.

This year's tournament is set to commence in three weeks.

All the six franchises were seen adopting strategic moves to pick important players for their teams.