Ganguly, Gayle go unsold at IPL-4 auction

BANGALORE - Former Kolkata Knight Riders skippers Sourav Ganguly and Chris Gayle were the only two players to go unsold in the first two sessions of the Indian Premier League-4 auction here Saturday.

Both Ganguly and Gayle, former West Indies skipper and a big hitter, were part of Knight Riders in the first three editions and had the base price $400,000, reserved for marquee players.

Ganguly failed to attract any buyer at the auction being held at the ITC Royal Gardenia. Ganguly was earlier placed in the $200,000 price bracket, but he later increased his base price to $400,000, which is the highest bracket for marquee players in the league.

Ganguly, who was the oldest Indian player up for auction at 38 years and six months, had a tough time with Knight Riders and was also removed from captaincy in the second edition in South Africa. Ganguly, however, came back to lead the side after Dave Whatmore took over the coaching from John Buchanan last year.

But Knight Riders were not interested in Ganguly and released him for the fourth edition.

During Ganguly’s auction, the spotlight was on the Knight Riders’ table, but the team’s think tank looked down as his name was repeatedly called before he went to the unsold basket.

There were also reports that Sahara-owned Pune Warriors may buy him at a base price, but they may have changed their mind after Ganguly hiked the price.