The highly-anticipated IPL 2023 mini-auction kick-started in Kochi today from 2:30 PM (IST) onwards. The franchises have been a bit busy figuring out which players they need to sign at the auction.
Earlier, the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise released Kane Williamson from their squad ahead of the IPL 2023 auction. The veteran cricketer registered himself at the auction for his base price of INR 2 crore.
Meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was the first person to go under the hammer today. Gujarat Titans was the only franchise that showed a great deal of interest to bid for the New Zealand international.
Gujarat Titans secured the services of the star batsman for his base price and they must be absolutely happy that they have signed the experienced batsman for the sixteenth edition of the IPL.
David Hussey reacts after Williamson was sold to Gujarat Titans
Meanwhile, former Chennai Super Kings player David Hussey reacted after Kane Williamson was sold to Gujarat Titans at the auction. The former Australian international said he was literally surprised after CSK didn’t even show any sign of interest to go for Kane Williamson.
It is cognizance of the fact that Williamson is great captaincy material and a very good batsman. With MS Dhoni nearing the end of his cricketing career, CSK should have gone with the New Zealand international for the betterment of the franchise.
Kane Williamson has played 76 games in the Indian Premier League wherein he scored 2101 runs at a superb batting average of 36.2 including 18 half-centuries.
Moreover, he has maintained a strike rate of 126 where he struck as many as 181 boundaries and 64 hits over the fence where he registered his personal best score of 89.
Gujarat Titans would largely benefit from the services of Kane Williamson in the upcoming season. They were the champions of the previous edition of the IPL by beating Rajasthan Royals in the final as they won their maiden title.
