IPL mega auction: Bengal Sports Minister Manoj Tiwary shortlisted; Arjun Tendulkar, Sreesanth make the cut

Indian cricketers and Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs of West Bengal, Manoj Tiwary has been named in the final list. Tiwary, who hasn’t found takers since the 2018 edition of the IPL was also named in the Ranji Trophy squad for Bengal, recently.

Tiwary, who is listed at the base price of INR 50 Lakh, has played 98 matches in the IPL scoring 1695 runs featuring for four franchises including the then Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rising Pune Supergiant and the then Punjab Kings.

Not just Tiwary, a couple of more veteran Indian players have been shortlisted as well. Former India pacer S Sreesanth, who made a return to competitive cricket last year after serving his 7-year ban for allegedly being involved in spot-fixing in the IPL during the 2013 season playing for the Rajasthan Royals has made the list at INR 50 Lakh.

The 38-year old featured in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in the 2021 season and had registered for the mini-auction in 2021 but didn’t find any takers. However, he didn’t play in the recent domestic season, which might affect his chances of getting picked up at the auction.

Cheteshwar Pujara, who won his maiden IPL with the Chennai Super Kings is listed as a right-hand batsman and leg-spinner at INR 50 Lakh.

Former Mumbai Indians pacer and the son of Indian cricket great Sachin Tendulkar, Arjun has returned to the auction at a base price of INR 20 Lakh, the same as the last year. Arjun was picked up by the five-time champions in the 2021 auction but didn’t play a single game before his tournament was cut short due to an injury.

The two-day auction will take place in Bengaluru on February 12 and 13.