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IPL auction: Yuvraj goes to RCB for Rs 14 cr; DD bags Karthik (Rs 12.5 cr) & KP (Rs 9 cr)
MUMBAI: The auction of players for the seventh season of Indian Premiere League (IPL) is currently underway in Bengaluru and it’s certainly got everyone’s attention. The auction this year is the biggest with 514 players in the pool – 219 capped players (169 Indians / 50 overseas) and 292 uncapped players (255 Indians / 37 overseas).
The first player to go under the hammer was CSK’s opener Murali Vijay, opening at a base price of Rs 2 crore. He will now be seen in the Delhi Daredevil’s camp after the team bought him for a cool Rs 5 crore.
Next up for bidding was Sri Lanka’s ‘Mr.Dependable’ – Mahela Jayawardena – who went unsold.
After having been shunned by the national side – England – the South African-born Kevin Pietersen was next under the hammer and after some frantic bidding went for a high price of Rs 9 crore to Delhi Daredevils as the team used its right-to-match after Sunrisers won the bid.
The biggest bet was for Yuvraj Singh. After the bid for Yuvraj went past Pietersen’s value, Banglore entered the scene and almost got him for Rs 10 crore. KKR then entered the fray and RCB had to finally make a winning bid of Rs 14 crore for the Punjab lad.
The surprise package was Dinesh Karthik, who just about managed to steal Yuvi’s thunder with a cool bid of Rs 12.5 crore from Delhi Daredevils.
Other highlights are:
# CSK bags Kallis for Rs 5.5 crore. But, the Kolkata Knight Riders have matched the bid.
# Virender Sehwag to KXIP Rs 3.20 crore.
# David Warner goes to Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 5.50 crore.
# Brendon McCullum to CSK for Rs 3.25 crore.
# Mumbai Indians get Michael Hussey for Rs 5 crore.
# Sunrisers Hyderabad reclaim Amit Mishra using their right-to-match card. They get him for Rs 4.75 crore.
# Mumbai Indians win the bid for Zaheer with Rs. 2.6 crore.
# Aaron Finch goes to Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs. 4 crore.
# Robin Uthappa sold to KKR for Rs 5 crore.
# Rajasthan Royals win the bid of Rs. 2.40 crore for Brad Hodge.
# KXIP get Shaun Marsh for Rs 2.20 crore.
# Manoj Tiwary to Delhi Daredevils Rs 2.8 crore.
# Dwayne Smith goes to Chennai Super Kings for Rs 4.5 crore.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
