HARD-HITTING batter Apoorv Wankhade emerged as the costliest player during the first ever auction of Vidarbha Premier League Season 2 held on Sunday. The 34 year-old right-handed batter, who had a Category B base price of Rs 1.5 lakh, went to Nagpur Heroz for a whopping Rs 8.30 lakh during a fierce bidding between Neco Master Blaster and Nagpur Heroz. Neco Master Blaster’s captain Jitesh Sharma, who raised the paddle, was challenged by Heroz’s mentor former Vidarbha Ranji Trophy winning captain Faiz Fazal. In the end it was Faiz who won experienced Wankhade who has represented Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders. “We wanted him anyhow. We were lucky that we got Umesh Yadav at base price of Rs 2.5 lakh and also Rajneesh Gurbani for Rs 3.20 lakh. That helped us in saving money. In auctions, you never get all what you want but I am really very satisfied with this squad. We have a very strong bowling line-up and got Appu (Wankhade).

 

We all know how destructive he can be,” a satisfied Faiz told ‘The Hitavada’ immediately after the auction. On his part Jitesh said, “We also wanted Wankhade that’s why we went that far. But I am satisfied with my squad as I got another hard-hitter in Vaibhav Chandekar (Rs 4.40 lakh). I am happy with what we have.” There was another bidding war between Orange Tigers and Bharat Rangers for wicketkeeper-batter 22-year-old Vishesh Ram Tiwari from Category B who had a base price of Rs 1.5 lakh. After intense bidding, it was Orange Tigers who ran away with Tiwari worth Rs 7 lakh. From Category C with base price of Rs 1 lakh, off spinner Kunal Nagar was picked by India Warriors for Rs 6 lakh. Similarly, left-handed 31-year-old batter Rishikesh Pawar, also from Category C, went to Bharat Rangers for Rs 4 lakh. Charu Sharma was the auctioneer of the event.