Stokes tops IPL bidding war despite court date

BANGALORE: England's star allrounder Ben Stokes topped the Indian Premier League auction on Saturday selling for $1.96 million despite a looming court case for assault.

On a day in which the eight IPL teams spent over $50m on talent, Stokes's deal with Rajasthan Royals came ahead of Indian batsmen Lokesh Rahul and Manish Pandey and Australians Chris Lynn, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell in the top prices paid.

But England captain Joe Root and wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, and star batsmen Chris Gayle of West Indies and Hashim Amla of South Africa failed to attract bids.

Veteran Sri Lanka paceman Lasith Malinga also went unsold but the franchises have the option of getting them back on the auction table Sunday.

Rajasthan Royals, returning to the world's wealthiest cricket league from a two-year match-fixing ban, paid $200,000 less than the record laid out for Stokes last year by Rising Pune Supergiant.

However, Stokes was delighted with the deal.

"Buzzing to be representing @rajasthanroyals in this years IPl (IPL) and great to be playing alongside @josbuttler," he wrote on twitter.

Though Stokes's legal team has assured the IPL that he will be available for the full April 7-May 27 season, all eyes will be on his court hearing on February 13.

If he is stopped from playing the whole season then the Royal have the right to find a replacement for Stokes, one of the best performers last season, who attracted bids from several franchises.

His new team are desperate for success. The Royals were inaugural IPL champions in 2008 under Australian legend Shane Watson, but were barred for two seasons with Chennai Super Kings in 2015 over a spot-fixing scandal.

Stokes edged out Australian batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner as the highest-paid foreigner in the IPL. Smith and Warner were retained by their teams for $1.9 million each to avoid the auction.

India captain Virat Kohli secured a record $2.7 million deal before the auction to stay with Royal Challengers Bangalore.