T20 Mumbai League Auction: Rs 15 Lakh for Musheer, Rs 14.75 Lakh for Mhatre, and More Big Deals

Youngsters Atharva Ankolekar and Musheer Khan were the standout names at the T20 Mumbai League auction, as eight teams engaged in a fierce bidding war on Wednesday.

Eagle Thane Strikers secured left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Ankolekar for a hefty Rs 16.25 lakh, while Musheer and Sairaj Patil were picked up by ARCS Andheri and Eagle Thane Strikers respectively, both fetching Rs 15 lakh.

Ayush Mhatre and Angkrish Raghuvanshi — currently featuring in the IPL— were signed by Triumph Knights Mumbai North East (Rs 14.75 lakh) and SoBo Mumbai Falcons (Rs 14 lakh). Veteran spinner Shams Mulani also attracted attention, securing a Rs 14 lakh deal from Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs.

Tanush Kotian, who was part of India’s Test squad in Australia, was bought by North Mumbai Panthers for Rs 10 lakh.

With the league making a comeback after six years, nearly 280 players went under the hammer. Amid the buzz around youngsters like Mhatre and Raghuvanshi, India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav had high praise for both.

“Both are very promising cricketers and crazy young talent, very hardworking, good boys. You’re seeing what’s happening with them when they’re playing franchise cricket. It’s a great thing that two young boys are making a mark in franchise cricket at such a young age and are dominating,” said Suryakumar, the icon player for Triumph Knights Mumbai North East.

Suryakumar is confident that the league would play a crucial role in shaping young talent.

“I feel this league is very important for all the cricketers who want to make a mark going forward for Mumbai cricket, for the IPL franchise, and then going on to play for India,” he added.

Mumbai Cricket Association president Ajinkya Naik with India T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, who is also the icon player for Triumph Knights Mumbai North East.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Mumbai Cricket Association president Ajinkya Naik confirmed that the tournament will feature the Impact Player rule, in line with the IPL.

“We will follow all the rules that’s there in the IPL. There will be nothing different,” he said, noting that the league would also offer a platform for young players to catch the eye of IPL scouts expected to be in attendance.