Legal constraints prevent high bidding from Rajasthan Royals in IPL: Shetty

BANGALORE - Rajasthan Royals co-owner Shilpa Shetty on Saturday said that they have not indulged in high-price bidding for players at the ongoing Indian Premier League auction being held in Bangalore due to legal constraints on the team.

Speaking to mediapersons at a news conference in Bangalore, Shetty said that even though there were constraints, the team is making the best out of the situation.

“Royals have obviously gone through a lot of upheavals, and we are just glad to be here, and the price has obviously come down because of the legal constraints, and I just want to say that it’s a day to celebrate because for us at the Royals, we are just making best of whatever the situation is,” Shetty said.

Rajasthan Royals had retained former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne and all-rounder Shane Watson, while today they bought New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor for one million dollars, South African Johan Botha for 950,000 dollars and Rahul Dravid for 500,000 dollars.

Franchise contracts of the IPL’s Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab teams were terminated by the Board for Control of Cricket (BCCI) on October 10 last year on charges of breaching ownership rules.

However, in December 2010, the Bombay High Court gave the team owners a reprieve.

The fourth edition of the tournament is scheduled to be kick off on April 8. (ANI)