Karbonn Smart KPL 2015: Stuart Binny & A Mithun attract the highest bids in the Auction

Big Buy - Bijapur Bulls added Robin Uthappa and A Mithun to their squad having retained KC Cariappa and R Samarth

Bangalore, July 25, 2015: All rounder Stuart Binny emerged the biggest buy of the Karbonn Smart Karnataka Premier League 2015 Auction held at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. The India one-day player was picked by newcomers Namma Shivamogga for a whopping Rs. 5.50 lakhs.

Little known Nidesh M created the biggest flutter of the auction when he went from a base price of Rs 10,000 (in Pool B) to an astronomical Rs 3.15 lakhs. The bidding, for the right-hand batsman with a highest score of 74 against his name, oscillated with 3 to 4 teams showing interest. However, Bijapur Bulls persisted and bagged him.

Speedster Abhimanyu Mithun drew the second highest bid as he went for Rs. 5.10 lakhs to Bijapur Bulls, a raise of Rs 10,000 from last year. Batsmen Mayank Agarwal and Amit Verma were bought for the third highest bids at Rs. 3.80 lakhs to Belagavi Panthers and Bellary Tuskers respectively.

Karbonn Smart KPL 2015’s biggest buy, Stuart Binny, who missed last year’s tournament due to national duty, said, “It’s really good to be playing KPL once again. Unfortunately, last year I was away and missed the tournament. I am very happy to be playing for Namma Shivamogga this year.”

Talking after the auction, Hon Secy of KSCA, Brijesh Patel announced that the Association would add 25% of the amount each player was bought for at the auction as a token of appreciation. “I think the teams had done their homework and were well prepared. They seem to have made the right choices and the teams look well balanced. We look forward to a bigger and better KPL season IV”, he said.

“We have got a very good team. We wanted to get back last year’s team but that did not happen. We hadn’t planned this but are happy overall. It is just our second year and we are still learning”, said Arjun Ranga, owner of defending champs Mysuru Warriors.

Charu Sharma hosted the auction

Owner of Namma Shivamogga, Umapathi, said, “I would like to thank KSCA for giving me the opportunity to own a team. I have a near perfect coach. I hadn’t really planned to bid on many of these players but had decided on Stuart Binny, Shreyas Gopal, Akhil B and Sadiq Kirmani. I have a great team now and we will all give our best to win the trophy.”

“We are very happy with the players we have bought, three of them have played in the IPL, one is in the Indian team and another in the India ‘A’ team. We expect them to share their experience with the youngsters and help them raise their game”, said G.K Anil Kumar, Coach of Namma Shivamogga.

“Stuart Binny has led Karnataka before and he will be an able leader for our team of youngsters, guiding them through every step”, he added.

Karnataka left-arm seamer Sreenath Arvind, who was retained by Hubli Tigers along with opening batsman K.L Rahul was happy with the players his team picked up. “We got a good lot today and the team is looking well balanced. There are four all-rounders in the team and that will make a huge difference for us”, he said.

“This is an important day for KPL IV”, said Mr. P.R Ashok Anand, Hon. President, KSCA adding, “Last year was a resounding success and this year we hope that the teams will raise the bar and make it a more memorable tournament. All the franchisees will have done their math and know in their minds the players they want from this auction and we wish them all the best.”

A total of 241 players came under the hammer with130 of them going unsold and 111 found teams to play for apart from the 12 who were retained.