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NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders splurged a record-breaking Rs 25.20 crore to secure top Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and Rs 18 crore for Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana in the Indian Premier League players' auction on Tuesday.

Uncapped Indian players were also in huge demand. Uttar Pradesh's 20-year-old left-arm spinner Prashant Veer and Rajasthan's 19-year-old keeper-batter Kartik Sharma went to Chennai Super Kings for Rs 14.20 crore each. Both became the highest paid uncapped players in IPL auction history, having started at a base price of Rs 30 lakh each.

Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi Dar also attracted a significant Rs 8.40 crore from Delhi Capitals, placing him among the top gainers of the mini auction. Dar's base price was also Rs 30 lakh.

India internationals struggle

India internationals Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan went unsold despite good recent form. However, Sarfaraz was later snapped up by Chennai Super Kings for Rs 75 lakh during the accelerated auction after smashing a 22-ball 73 in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match for Mumbai against Rajasthan just before the auction.

Green surpassed compatriot Mitchell Starc (Rs 24.75 crore) to become the most expensive overseas player at an IPL auction. Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings engaged in an intense bidding war for him, with the latter ultimately emerging victorious.

KKR also attempted to acquire Venkatesh Iyer but pulled out against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who secured the India all-rounder for Rs 7 crore. The three-time champions then pursued Pathirana after Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants withdrew following a competitive bidding battle.

Entering at a base price of Rs 2 crore, Pathirana became the most expensive Sri Lankan player sold in IPL history.

Salary details and KKR response

For Green, Rs 18 crore of his salary (USD 1.9 million) will go directly to him, while the rest will be allocated to the BCCI's player development programme as per foreign player auction rules. Pathirana receives the full Rs 18 crore as it falls within the salary cap.

KKR managing director Venky Mysore said the franchise was pleased with the price paid for Green, who is expected to "add a lot" to the team.

"We are very happy. Something that we were focused on and hoping. Quite happy with the price at which we got him. Would have been a concern if it had gone higher. We were keen and attached but had it affected our rest of auction, we would have let him go," Mysore said.

"He will add lot to our team and with our new power coach Andre Russell, we know what he does, with bat and ball, couldn't be happier.

"The rule the BCCI made on the Rs 18 crore, our standpoint is there is no concern, in any case it's an outflow for franchise."

Green, who has previously played for Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has featured in 29 IPL matches to date, aggregating 707 runs and taking 16 wickets.

"I'm so excited to be part of Kolkata for this year's IPL. To get down to the Eden Gardens, to get used to the atmosphere. I hope it is a great year for us. So see you soon. Ami KKR!" said Green.

Other notable buys

Bangladesh's experienced left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman went to KKR for Rs 9.20 crore, while uncapped Madhya Pradesh left-arm fast bowler Mangesh Yadav joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 5.20 crore, following a heated bidding war with Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Sunrisers Hyderabad spent Rs 13 crore to acquire English hitter Liam Livingstone, while Lucknow Super Giants secured Australian keeper-batter Josh Inglis for Rs 8.60 crore. Cooper Connolly of Australia was snapped up by Punjab Kings for Rs 3 crore, marking their first pick of the mini auction.

Shaw remained unsold despite strong recent domestic form. Big-hitting South African batter David Miller was bought by Delhi Capitals at his base price of Rs 2 crore, while New Zealand swashbuckler Devon Conway went unsold at the same base price.

Seasoned South African opener Quinton de Kock returned to Mumbai Indians for a base price of Rs 1 crore. Spencer Johnson remained unsold, while Anrich Nortje, who entered with a base price of Rs 2 crore, was enlisted by LSG, who opened the bidding for the pacer. Lungi Ngidi joined Delhi Capitals for his base price of Rs 2 crore.

Auction pool in a nutshell

A total of 359 players, including 246 Indians and 113 overseas players, were part of the mini auction pool, with 10 franchises bidding to fill 77 slots, including 31 reserved for foreign players.

(With PTI Inputs)