Young Afghanistan off-spinner Mujeeb Zadran, who entered into the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction 2018 with a base price of INR 50 lakhs, but the 16-year-old was secured with a whopping Rs 4 crore bid by the King XI Punjab (KXIP) on the second day of the auction in Bengaluru on Sunday.
It was a quite surprise for everyone, but KXIP Co-owner Preity Zinta said Jadran's 'mysterious bowling' provoked the franchise to bid on him for Rs 4 crore for the 11th season of the IPL with such a whopping price. She also said coaching and scouting members had a joint effort to connect Mujeeb with the team.
According to Press Trust of India, Zinta told reporters after the Day 2 of the IPL auction, “It was a joint effort of the coaching and scouting staff. His (Mujeeb) name was always there and he has been an interesting talent and a bit of a mystery, so we went for him.”
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals CEO –Ranjit Barthakur was asked the reason for giving the big deal to Jaydev Unadkat of Rs 11.5 crore, he replied that it was just to fill the gap of a death bowler in the squad.
Barthakur signed off by saying, “If you look at his performance last year, he was the highest wicket-taker (sic) and in a very short career, he has hauled 100 wickets. We were lacking in death bowling and wanted to fill that gap. We did not go after him for any emotional reason, but to fill the gap.”
