Olympic champion Carolina Marin of Spain turned out to be the costliest buy of the second edition of the Premier Badminton League (PBL) while Kidambi Srikanth fetched the highest amount by an Indian at the players auction, in New Delhi on Wednesday, says a report in The DNA.
“Marin was bagged by Hyderabad Hunters for Rs 61.5 lakhs, while Srikanth was bought for Rs 51 lakhs by the Awadhe Warriors. Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu was unlucky to fetch an amount of just Rs 39 lakhs despite being the best Indian iconic player after her performance at the Rio Games. Saina Nehwal, who had fetched one of the highest amount during the first edition, was unsold in the first round of bidding and so she was retained by her previous franchise Awadhe Warriors for a base price of Rs 33 lakhs,” the report added.
A report in the www.firstpost.com Sindhu was unlucky to fetch an amount of just Rs 39 lakh despite being the best Indian iconic player after her performance at the Rio Olympics.
"In the draw of lots my name came out last so I got less but it is okay. I am just happy to be back with Chennai. After all, no one will think about the money but will remember how Indian badminton is growing and that is what matters," said Sindhu, who was fetched by Chennai after outbidding Hyderabad by Rs 50,000.
South Korean woman shuttler Sung Ji Hyun emerged as the second costliest player as she went to Mumbai Rockets for Rs 60 lakh, while Denmark's Jan O'Jorgensen fetched Rs 59 lakh from defending champions Delhi Acers after a three-way battle between the Acers, the Rockets and the Blasters.
Denmark's Viktor Axelsen, the Olympic bronze medallist, was bought for a price of Rs 39 lakh by Bengaluru Blasters, while Wan Ho Son and experienced doubles specialist Yoo Yeon
