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Bangalore - India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja fetched a fee of more than $2 million in the Indian Premier League player auction on Saturday, with Chennai Super Kings prevailing in fierce bidding.
Chennai and Deccan Chargers both offered $2 million for Jadeja before Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai clinched him in a tie-breaker for an undisclosed sum.
Jadeja played for Kochi Tuskers Kerala last year before they were barred for non-payment of their fee to organisers, making him the most sought-after of 144 players on offer.
Other players going for hefty amounts during the auction included Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene to Delhi Daredevils for $1.4 million, India pace bowler Vinay Kumar to Royal Challengers Bangalore for $1 million and New Zealand's Brendon McCullum to Kolkata Knight Riders for $900 000.
Sri Lankan spin great Muttiah Muralitharan went to Bangalore for $220 000 while South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs ($50 000) and Australian pace bowler Mitchell Johnson ($300 000) were both taken by Mumbai Indians.
Veteran Brad Hogg, 40, who made a return to the Australian side during this week's two Twenty20 games against India, was bought by Rajasthan Royals for $180 000.
The auction this year was primarily for Kochi players looking for new teams as well as others who had either remained unsold during the main auction last year or showed interest later on.
There have been some other changes for the coming season as well, with England batsman Kevin Pietersen moving from Deccan to Delhi, Dinesh Karthik joining Mumbai from Kings XI Punjab, and Pragyan Ojha going from Deccan to Mumbai during a transfer window last month.
Teams have been allowed to increase their squads from 30 to 33 and the number of foreign players from 10 to 11. However, only a maximum of four foreigners can play in any game.
This year's IPL will be played from April 4 to May 27.
