Bangalore, Jan 9 : Pune Warriors' owner Sushanto Roy's late effort to buy India international Mohammad Kaif was scotched by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), but he is happy to see the Uttar Pradesh captain back in the Indian Premier League (IPL)reckoning.
Though Kaif was bought by RCB for $130,000 he almost went unsold if the new IPL franchises Warriros had not recalled him after the re-bidding for the unsold players was over in the auction. It was all going Pune's way when suddenly Deccan Chargers and RCB owner Vijay Mallya raised the stakes, sending the auction hall at ITC Royal Gardenia into peels of laughter.
Kaif, who was with Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab in the first three season, had a base price of $100,000 and was the only player to appear for the bidding three times.
Pune Warriors is owned by Lucknow-based Sahara India Pariwar and they were keen on getting the player from their state.
Roy said he is happy for Kaif and wanted the Uttar Pradesh Ranji Trophy captain in
IPL-4.
"The purpose of recalling Kaif was to keep him in the IPL. It's fine, we could not get him, he has gone for a higher price. It's very good for him and I am happy for him," Roy said.
Roy said he had a "lot of fun" during the two days of auction and is looking forward to the fourth season of the Twenty20 tournament.
"It was first time for me and before coming to the auction, I felt these are big guys and big names and will be serious. But it was a lot of fun being with them. It was quite a light-hearted environment even though we were bidding against each other. I think we have really got a good 10 teams," he said.
© IANS
