Dhoni, Symonds get biggest slices of IPL pie

The 26-year-old Dhoni set the tempo for the first ever auction of world8217;s top cricketers when he was acquired by the Chennai franchisee for a three-year period, adding another mind-boggling chapter of monetary gains in the BCCI8217;s multi-million dollar Indian Premier League scheduled to begin in mid-April.

Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who recently made headlines for being at the centre of a racial row involving Harbhajan Singh, proved that the controversy had not dented his brand value as he attracted the second highest price of USD 1.35 million appro Rs 5.4 crore with the Hyderabad team securing his services.

Eight franchise owners, including corporate tycoons like Mukesh Ambani and liquor baron Vijay Mallya and Bollywood superstars Shahrukh Khan and Priety Zinta, bid for 77 cricketers in a pioneering process which has the potential to change the face of the game.

Flamboyant Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya, despite being aged 38, was sold out to Ambani-owned Mumbai team for a whopping Rs 3.9 crore, while Australian speedster Brett Lee Rs 3.6 crore, South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis Rs 3.6 crore, Harbhajan Singh Rs 3.4 crore, West Indian opener Chris Gayle Rs 3.2 crore and retiring Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist Rs 2.8 crore were some of the other big draws.