Guyanese trio, Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Sherfane Rutherford are among six West Indians selected for the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL).
The three, who are all members of the West Indies T20 squad currently playing in Bangladesh were snapped up when the tournament held its auction yesterday in Jaipur, India.
Of an initial list of 1003 players, 346 names were submitted to the eight respective teams which found interest in six West Indians with the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore snapping up Hetmyer for 42m rupees (USD594, 597).
Delhi Capitals pounced on Rutherford and Paul, taking the two Guyanese for 20m rupees (USD283,141) and 5m rupees (USD70,785) respectively.
Hetmyer, the 21-year-old Cumberland native had made an immediate impact following his 2018 Caribbean Premier League season where he turned out for the Guyana Amazon Warriors along with Paul and Rutherford.
Hetmyer scored 440 runs, consisting of a century and two fifties at an average of 40 and a strike rate of 148.
The International Cricket Council Under-19 World Cup winning captain then donned the Maroon colours to smash 259 runs at an average of 51 and strike rate of 140 in India.
Like Hetmyer, Rutherford exploded during the CPL where he was striking over 140 including a 13-ball 45. At just 20-years-old, Rutherford turned out for the West Indies B in the Global T20 Canada where he smashed 11 fours and 10 sixes in an unbeaten knock of 134 from 66 balls. Known on the international scene for his big batting, the Enmore native is also a useful seamer.
Paul, who was also part of the West Indies Under-19 team which won the World Cup, found success after consistent performances in Cricket West Indies Regional tournaments which earned him a call up to the West Indies senior side.
The 20-year-old Saxacalli-born all-rounder is a good lower order batsman, with a first class century to his name and a penetrative bowler taking 19 wickets in 24 matches.
The Guyanese trio were joined by Oshane Thomas who was snapped up by Rajasthan Royals for 1.1 crore (USD153,000), Nicholas Pooran bought by Kings XI Punjab for 4.2 crore (USD594,597) and West Indies T20 captain Carlos Brathwaite sold to Kolkata Knight Riders for 5 crore (USD 707,854).
Among those not sold were Jason Holder, Fabien Allen and Khary Pierre.
