MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media’s (MSM) sports channel Sony Six will broadcast the Pepsi IPL 2015 Player Auction live and exclusive from Bangalore this February, ahead of the eighth season of the league. The bidding process will serve as the prelude to the year’s most anticipated sporting extravaganza, the Pepsi IPL 2015. The player auction will be broadcast live on both Sony Six SD and HD on 16 February from 9:30 am onwards.
Ahead of the auction, a total of 122 cricketers including 78 Indians and 44 overseas players have been retained by the franchises for the 2015 season, while six Indian cricketers have been traded during the window for player trade this year.
One of the biggest names to hit the auction table this year is 2014’s most expensive player Yuvraj Singh, who was bought for Rs 14 crore at the event last year. The other marquee players that will be auctioned, apart from Singh, include the Delhi Daredevils captain Kevin Pietersen and the team’s costliest player last year, Dinesh Karthik. Other top flight players who will be up for auction this year include Hashim Amla, Mahela Jayawardene, Eoin Morgan, Kumar Sangakkara, Murali Vijay, Darren Sammy, Angelo Mathews, Aaron Finch and Alex Hales. With a host of marquee names being auctioned this year, the Player Auction for 2015 will be an exciting opportunity for teams looking to rebuild their sides for contention.
Sony Six EVP and business head Prasana Krishnan said, “This year too, we are pleased to bring back the Pepsi IPL 2015 Player Auction live and exclusive to our eager audiences. With a line-up of some of the most renowned names in international cricket up for auction, this year’s edition promises to be an exciting viewing experience. With intriguing rounds of bidding, coupled with high quality and in-depth perspectives from our panelists, we are aiming to keep the audience enthralled throughout the event.”
The auction will be conducted by Richard Madley, a professional auctioneer from England who has been conducting the player auctions since the inaugural season in 2008. Sameer Kochhar and cricket expert Aakash Chopra will be seen sharing their insights on player and team strategies.
This year, the franchises have a salary purse of Rs 63 crore each for the eighth season - a five per cent increase over last season's purse.
