IPL Auction: Shami is a big buy for Punjab, says Kumble

Jaipur, Dec 18 (IANS) With the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction underway, former India skipper and head coach Anil Kumble and ex-Australian batsman David Hussey have expressed their views on the purchase made by different franchises so far.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami attracted an intense bidding war between defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab. However, with a limited price purse, the former lost the player to Punjab for Rs 4.8 crore.

Commenting on Shami's price, Kumble said: "That is a big buy for Kings XI Punjab, I thought they would have gone slightly higher up to Rs 6 crore, good for Shami and good pick-up for Kings XI, well spent."

"He is one of the better fast forwards and they needed a fast forward for the team and they took it early," Hussey was quoted as saying by IPL's official broadcaster Star Sports.

After losing Shami, Chennai once again started bidding hard for medium pacer Mohit Sharma, whose base price was Rs 50 lakh, and eventually pocketed him for a whopping Rs 5 crore.

"That is a fantastic buy. Mohit Sharma, he was one of our picks, bowls in all conditions, can change pace and is a good fielder," Kumble pointed out.

Hussey said: "A predicted buy from Chennai Super Kings, they have taken back their own player."

The auction also saw Mumbai Indians purchasing Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga at his base price of Rs 2 crore.

Speaking on Malinga's buy, Kumble said: "At some point Mumbai Indians will look to rest Jasprit Bumrah and at that point they will need the experience of Lasith Malinga and he could probably be in the starting line up."