KG RABADA READY TO MAKE MEMORIES AFTER MANIC IPL AUCTION OPENING DAY

Kagiso Rabada topped the list of South African Betway SA20 stars sold at the IPL mega-auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Rabada, who has played for Punjab Kings for the last three IPL seasons, will now move across to the former champions Gujarat Titans after being picked up for just under R23.05-million.

The Proteas spearhead has enjoyed a stellar IPL career after initially being picked up by Delhi Capitals in 2017. Rabada has played 80 matches and taken 117 wickets at an average of 21.96.

"Hey guys, this is KG here. I am so thrilled to be joining the Gujarat Titans family. I can't wait to get into the camp, make some good memories, do my best and make some good friends too," Rabada said in a video.

Incidentally, Rabada’s Proteas’ teammate David Miller will move out of the Titans franchise after a couple of seasons in Ahmedabad.

Miller “2.0” played an integral role in the Titans winning their first IPL title two seasons back but will now move to the Lucknow Super Giants after he was purchased for R16.08-million.

Miller was accompanied by Proteas T20 captain Aiden Markram after the right-hander was bought for R4.29-million after leading the Sunrisers just two seasons ago.

“We were considering (Miller) but we had a certain price in our mind. Obviously what David Miller has done for Gujarat, we are very happy with what he has done, and especially since he joined … it was almost like ‘Miller 2.0’,” said Gujarat Titans assistant coach Parthiv Patel. 

“We were trying, but we can’t have everyone, especially as Punjab got a lot of money and RCB has a lot of money, but we were keen on David Miller.”

Wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has joined defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders for R7.72-million and will also be joined by fast bowler Anrich Nortje at Eden Gardens. 

Nortje was snapped up by the defending champions for around R13.94-million.

“They are proven world-class players that are available (for the entire duration of the tournament),” said KKR managing director Venky Mysore.

DAY 1: FULL LIST OF IPL AUCTION BUYS - SA20 PLAYERS

Chennai Super Kings

Noor Ahmad (Afghanistan; Durban’s Super Giants): R21.4-million

Devon Conway (New Zealand, Joburg Super Kings):  R13.4-million        

Gujarat Titans

Kagiso Rabada (South Africa, MI Cape Town): R23.05-million

Kolkata Knight Riders

Anrich Nortje (South Africa, Pretoria Capitals): R13.94-million

Quinton de Kock (South Africa, Durban’s Super Giants): R7.72-million

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan, Pretoria Capitals): R4.29-million

Lucknow Super Giants

David Miller (South Africa, Paarl Royals): R16.08-million

Aiden Markram (South Africa, Sunrisers Eastern Cape): R4.29-million

Mumbai Indians

Trent Boult (New Zealand, MI Cape Town): R26.8-million

Punjab Kings

Marcus Stoinis (Australia, Durban’s Super Giants): R23.59-million

Rajasthan Royals

Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka, Joburg Super Kings): R9.44-million

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Liam Livingstone (England, Pretoria Capitals): R18.77-million