Chris Woakes terms being auctioned for 7.4 crore in the IPL auction "mind-boggling"

Players from around the world had their eyes glued to whatever medium was at their disposal when the IPL 2018 was underway last week. In all 56 overseas players were bought from nine different countries. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had made provisions in their calendar to ensure their players get a preference in the IPL and the results were evident. One among the top English cricketers picked this time around was Chris Woakes.

The all-rounder played 13 matches for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2017 season. He plucked 17 wickets and was one of their key bowlers right through. That coupled with his batting exploits against Australia in the ODI series where he hit a couple of half centuries boost his stake among the teams.

He was bought for INR 4 crore in 2017 by the Knight Riders and this time around the best bid was 7.4 crore and with that, the Royal Challengers Bangalore signed him to play for them. Woakes was in the team bus when his name came up for the auction and he was over the moon when he was sold for £821,500.

“There were a few things being shouted about on the flight. Jason Roy had been sold to Delhi, Stokesy went for a fortune, and we were just waiting for names to come through. It wasn’t until we got onto the bus that my name came through. I saw it come through on an app and I was over the moon. All the lads there and everyone talking about it was a great feeling,” he was quoted as saying by GiveMeSport.

Life-changing

The 28-year-old termed it a life-changing moment and the money he got in the last IPL was put to use for his wedding. He was also happy that a lot of England players got an opportunity this time which will also help them earn that sort of money.

“It’s crazy to think as a cricketer you could earn that sort of money for the amount of time you’re going to be playing. It’s mind-boggling really. I wasn’t even sure if I’d get picked up. This is comfortably life-changing. Last year I’d just got married and it certainly paid for the wedding, put it that way. It’s great to see English players getting the opportunity to play in it and earn that sort of money.”

Moeen Ali who earned a contract worth 1.5 crore will accompany Woakes at RCB their teammate Ben Stokes once again got the biggest bid as Rajasthan Royals proposed to pay him INR 12.5 crore. Jos Buttler was also signed by the same team for 4.4 crore, Jason Roy was bought by the Delhi Daredevils for 1.5 crore. There were also those who went unsold, the likes of Test skipper Joe Root, ODI captain Eoin Morgan and opening batsman Alex Hales.

“Of course you have to be sensitive (to those who were unsold) but guys are old enough and wise enough to know that sometimes it is a bit of a lottery,” added Woakes. “You’re not going to go around gloating. We’re all mates and team-mates and we’ll keep that pretty low key,” he said.