Yuvraj Singh Deserves Every Penny Delhi Daredevils Have Spent on Him: Gavaskar

For much of Monday, India's World Cup cricketers followed the IPL auction from their hotel rooms in Melbourne. And there were a few surprises in store for them for sure. Yuvraj Singh, who failed to make the 15-member Indian World Cup squad, being bought for a record Rs 16. crore was probably one of them. Hashim Amla and Cheteshwar Pujara going unsold was probably another.

Yuvraj, who won a record Rs. 14-crore contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore last season, was one of the earliest to be sold on Monday morning with Delhi Daredevils breaking their bank to net the Punjab all-rounder for a whopping Rs. 16 crore. Former India Test captain Sunil Gavaskar is happy for Yuvraj.(IPL 2015 Auction: Yuvraj Singh, Karthik, Mathews Top Buys)

"He deserves every penny Delhi have spent on him. Yuvraj has gone through a lot and I am sure he is worth the money. Delhi need him to make an impact this year," Gavaskar told NDTV in a chat in Adelaide on Monday.

Gavaskar was full of praise for Yuvraj, who held his emotions backs after being ignored by the national selectors for the World Cup Down Under. The 2011 World Cup-winning hero was not on Gavaskar's shortlist for the world championship but the former Test opener feels the India door is not shut on Yuvraj yet. (Yuvraj Singh Finds New Home in Delhi Daredevils)

"When one door closes, another bigger door opens and this is an opportunity for Yuvraj. He can still make a comeback to the national team and he has shown the resolve in domestic cricket," Gavaskar said, lauding Yuvraj's ability to keep his composure and take the "World Cup axe on his chin."

Gavaskar feels Delhi need a match-winner like Yuvraj to make an impact in this season's IPL, starting April 8. "He is such a massive brand ambassador. Plus, Yuvraj will ensure that the Delhi fans are back to support their team," Gavaskar said.