Former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson, who got himself in hot water for ditching Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the last moment, went unsold at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 auction held today (Saturday).
With some of the big names of professional cricket remained unsold in the bidding, West Indian T20 specialist Chris Gayle and former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson are the most prominent.
Gayle, one of the IPL's star performers over the past decade, also remained unsold in Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) third edition. Meanwhile, Johnson refused to play the league despite being picked by Karachi Kings.
England's Test captain Joe Root, entering the IPL auction for the first time, failed to attract any bids in first round.
Mitchell Johnson lashes out at female Pakistani fan over PSL
Meanwhile, England’s all-rounder Ben Stokes once again attracted the highest price of $1.96 million in the early sales at auction on Saturday, despite uncertainty over his availability.
The Rajasthan Royals' winning bid was $200,000 less than the record price Rising Pune Supergiant paid for him last season.
The IPL will run from April 7 to May 27.
Mitchell Johnson skipped PSL to play in IPL. Well, hard luck!
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) January 27, 2018
IPL 2018 UNSOLD PLAYERS
Chris Gayle
Lasith Malinga
Amla
Sothee
Ishanth sharma
McClenaghan
Mitchell Johnson
Josh hazlewood
Sam billings
Parthiv patel
Faulkner#IPLAuction2018 #IPLAuction #IPL2018— Anjaneya bakthan (@Marana_replier7) January 27, 2018
New biopic coming up this year ..
Mitchell Johnson - The Unsold Story #IPLAuction
— Abhishek #408 (@ImAbhishek7_) January 27, 2018
Seems like Mitchell Johnson will now be playing for Karachi Kings.
— Clive (@vanillawallah) January 27, 2018
Mitchell Johnson Call to @imranahmadkh Can I play now in PSL,
Immy reply.Sorry #UnsoldMJ— Abdul Basit Jamlera (@RehanKh21284766) January 27, 2018
@Russell12A Refused To Play Final Of PSL in Lahore ICC Banned him For 1 year.@henrygayle Said No Talent In Karachi Kings After The Statement Gayle Unsold In PSL IPL & BBL.
And Now@MitchJohnson398 Ignored PSL Ahead Of IPL.
Unpicked In IPL #BeautyOfPSL— MiR AfZal (@MiROfficial10) January 27, 2018