IPL Auctions: Pollard and Bond were sold for maximum price

The auction for the 3rd edition of the IPL began with a bash but ended with a whimper. As it progressed, it became clear that the franchisees had come out with precise plans and strategies for what loopholes they needed to plug.

There was none of the excitement neither of the inaugural auction, when every player was up for grabs, nor of the auction 2009, where Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff and Mashrafe Mortaza created headlines.

At this auction, there was only one universal choice - the flamboyant Kieron Pollard, who was bid for by nearly all team. Some of the pace bowlers saw fiercely contested bids, with Shane Bond's bid going the distance, while Kemar Roach and Wayne Parnell were sold for heavy sums. Pollard finally went to the Mumbai Indians after four teams. Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai - were all fixed on the maximum bid of USD 750,000. Mumbai Indians got him via the silent bid method.

The main talking point was the complete lack of interest in the Pakistani players, with none of them getting a single bid. The Pakistan players had come into the auction with fine rare breed and several franchisees could have been predictable to be interested in the likes of Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal and Mohammad Aamer.

The Auction Details:

Chennai Super Kings:

• Thissara Perera (USD 50,000)
• Justin Kemp (USD 100,000)

Deccan Chargers:

• Kemar Roach (USD 720,000)
• Harmeet Singh (U-19, INR 800,000)

Delhi Daredevils:

• Wayne Parnell (USD 610,000)

Kings XI Punjab:

• Mohammad Kaif (USD 250,000)
• Yusuf Abdulla (USD 50,000)

Kolkata Knight Riders:

• Shane Bond (USD 750,000)

Mumbai Indians:

• Kieron Pollard (USD 750,000)
• Harshal Patel (U-19, INR 800,000)

Rajasthan Royals:

• Damien Martyn (USD 100,000)
• Adam Voges (USD 50,000)

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

• Eoin Morgan (USD 220,000)
• Ashok Meenaria (U-19, INR 800,000)

KKR in good shape: Wasim Akram

Former Pakistan skipper and Kolkata Knight Riders bowling coach Wasim Akram said the team is in good shape and would perform well in the 3rd season of the Indian Premiere League beginning in March 2010.

"KKR is in good shape and has a high morale," Wasim Akram said while cooperating with mediapersons at the Eden Gardens after a practice session of the team.

He said even though the team could not perform well last year, he expects that it will be able to live up to the expectations this time.

Stating that the team has a number of talented players, Akram said, "I have worked with Manoj Tiwari and Lakshmi Ratan Shukla earlier. They are still very impressive. Everybody in the team knows his work."

When asked whether he has trained reverse swing to KKR bowlers, Akram, known as the 'Sultan of swing', said, "I have given them some tips. I hope they will be able to adopt them by March 12."

KKR are line up to play their first IPL-3 match against the Deccan Chargers on March 12.

According to Akram, Sri Lankan Ajantha Mendis is a little down on confidence. "He is experienced, but his confidence has to be boosted up."

Speaking on KKR skipper Saurav Ganguly, he said, "He is a very successful skipper and a great motivator. He is very committed to the game. The juniors should learn from him."

"I am happy to be able to work with him," he said adding Dave Whatmore is a great coach.

According to the former Pakistan skipper, Ishant Sharma should not be judged only from his performance in the subcontinent.

"We should not judge him only on his performance on the wickets of the subcontinent," he added.