BENGALURU, India, CMC – Rising West Indies star Carlos Brathwaite made headlines at the Indian Premier League auction here Saturday when he was snapped up by Delhi Daredevils for US$626 000.
The 27-year-old, who made a huge impact with his power-hitting on the recent Test tour of Australia, entered the draft with a base price of US$30 000 but saw his value catapult as Delhi moved quickly to secure his services.
He will now make his first ever appearance in the glitzy multi-million-dollar tournament that runs from April 8 to May 29.
Carlos Brathwaite hits straight
West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite … snapped up by Delhi Daredevils for hefty price.
“Excited to be a part of IPL and DelhiDaredevils. Giving thanks,” Brathwaite tweeted shortly afterward.
He was one four West Indies players to find success during the auction. Opener Dwayne Smith was picked up by new franchise Gujarat Lions for US$343 000, Test and one-day captain Jason Holder was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for $104 000 while leg-spinner Samuel Badree went to Royal Challengers Bangalore for $74 000.
Brathwaite, a powerful lower order batsman and steady seamer, has been on the fringe of West Indies Test selection for some time but finally made his debut on the tour Down Under last December.
He struck 59 in his first Test innings at Melbourne and then flaunted his bold attacking style in the final Test in Sydney, blasting 69 from 71 balls with seven fours and four sixes.
However, it was his scintillating hundred in a one-day game against Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI last October in Colombo, that would have caught the attention.
He faced just 58 balls and slammed ten fours and seven sixes in a devastating knock.
Smith, meanwhile, also saw his value rise significantly after entering at a base price of $50 000. A seasoned IPL campaigner, will play alongside West Indies teammate Dwayne Bravo who was one of Lions’ retained players.
Last season, both Smith and Bravo represented the now suspended Chennai Super Kings.
West Indies Twenty20 captain Darren Sammy went unsold, however, after entering at a base price of $50 000.
The 32-year-old lower order batsman and medium pacer turned out for Royal Challengers Bangalore last season but played just two matches and scored 13 runs, without taking a wicket.
Barbados and West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Shane Dowrich and Windies one-day opener Johnson Charles also went unsold after entering the auction at a base price of $30 000.