Williamson was back on the auction block in the world’s richest domestic cricket league as teams had their chance to battle for the best talent for the upcoming season last night (NZ time).
It was purchased by the Gujarat Titans, picking up the Black Caps T20 and ODI skipper for its base price of NIR 2 crore (approximately NZ$386,000).
Williamson was one of two New Zealanders to be picked up at auction, with fast bowler Kyle Jamieson sold to the Chennai Super Kings for his base price of INR 1 crore (NZ$192,000). The signing of Jamieson may have come as a surprise to some as the 27-year-old has been battling a back injury since June and has not been seen in the professional game since.
Speaking to NZME earlier this month, Jamieson said he hoped to return in early 2023.
“Everything is tracking quite well. We are cautiously optimistic about where things stand. We’ve done quite a bit of work over the past few months. I’m definitely feeling pretty good and when the time comes I’ll be sure to go.
While Jamieson was recently hampered by injury, Williamson had his troubles in that area during the 2022 IPL season. Struggling with a nagging elbow problem, he scored just 216 runs at a batting frequency of 93.50 – the lowest of any batsman in the league who had to deal with at least 100 throws.
He hopes for a turnaround in form when he dons his new colors in 2023. Other kiwis available at auction included Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi and Scott Kuggeleijn. They were all unsold.
Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee (Kolkata Knight Riders), Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner (Chennai Super Kings), Finn Allen (Royal Challengers Bangalore) and Glenn Phillips (Sunrisers Hyderabad) were all retained by their clubs after the 2022 campaign.
England pace bowler Sam Curran cashed in on his success at this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia. The 24-year-old, the second highest wicket taker of the tournament and man of the match for England’s victory in the final, became the most expensive player in IPL history, being signed by the Punjab Kings for INR 18.5 crore (NZ$3.5 million).
Australian Cameron Green (NZ$3.3 million), West Indian Nicholas Pooran (NZ$3 million) and Ben Stokes (NZ$3.1 million) and Harry Brook (NZ$2.5 million) from England made the top five most expensive players complete.