How much did each team spend in the NPL Mini Auction? Here’s how the teams turned out

Kathmandu – The mini auction for the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) cricket tournament was held on Saturday night in Kathmandu. Eight franchises collectively purchased 37 players. Among them, the Chitwan Rhinos spent the most, while the Pokhara Avengers were the most frugal.

Although 164 players were listed in the auction, only 37 were ultimately signed by the franchises. Each team selected players based on their specific needs. Some players fetched high prices, while others sold at their base prices. The auction for foreign players has yet to conclude, as many teams are aiming to strengthen their sides with strong international names.

Here’s the breakdown of each team’s spending and finalized roster:

Janakpur Bolts (NPR 1,975,000):
Retained seven players including marquee Aasif Sheikh. Spent NPR 1.975 million to sign Sachin Bhatta, Aditya Mahata, and Mayan Yadav; also picked up Bikash Aagri from the “wish list.”
Squad includes: Aasif Sheikh, Anil Sah, Shubh Kansakar, Kishore Mahato, Lalit Rajbanshi, Tul Bahadur Thapa, Rupesh Singh, Sachin Bhatta, Aditya Mahata, Mayan Yadav, Bikash Aagri.

Sudurpaschim Royals (NPR 2,400,000):
Retained skipper Dipendra Singh Airee and several other stars. Spent NPR 2.4 million to sign Hemant Dhami, Tek Bahadur Rawat, and Dipesh Thapa, plus Dipak Bohara and Milan Bohara from the wish list.
Squad includes: Dipendra Singh Airee, Vinod Bhandari, Arif Sheikh, Avinash Bohara, Ishan Pande, Naren Saud, Hemant Dhami, Tek Bahadur Rawat, Dipesh Thapa, Dipak Bohara, Milan Bohara.

Karnali Yaks (NPR 2,900,000):
Retained marquee player Sompal Kami. Spent NPR 2.9 million to sign Pawan Sarraf, Imran Sheikh, Deepak Dumre, and Yuvraj Khatri.
Squad includes: Sompal Kami, Gulshan Jha, Nandan Yadav, Arjun Gharti, Dipendra Rawat, Bipin Prasad Sharma, Yunish Bikram Singh Thakuri, Pawan Sarraf, Imran Sheikh, Deepak Dumre, Yuvraj Khatri.

Chitwan Rhinos (NPR 3,900,000 – highest spender):
Retained marquee captain Kushal Malla. Spent NPR 3.9 million to sign Dev Khanal and Arjun Saud, and added Bipin Rawal, Bipin Acharya, and Ranjit Kumar from the wish list.
Squad includes: Kushal Malla, Rejan Dhakal, Kamal Singh Airee, Deepak Bohara, Amarsingh Rautela, Gautam KC, Dev Khanal, Arjun Saud, Bipin Rawal, Bipin Acharya, Ranjit Kumar.

Kathmandu Gorkhas (NPR 3,700,000):
Retained marquee captain Karan KC. Spent NPR 3.7 million to sign Uttam Thapa Magar, Tul Bahadur Thapa, Santosh Yadav, Aakash Tripathi, and Adil Alam.
Squad includes: Karan KC, Bhim Sarki, Dipesh Kandel, Shahab Alam, Pratik Shrestha, Rashid Khan, Uttam Thapa Magar, Tul Bahadur Thapa, Santosh Yadav, Aakash Tripathi, Adil Alam.

Biratnagar Kings (NPR 2,700,000):
Retained Sandeep Lamichhane along with key players. Spent NPR 2.7 million to sign Surya Tamang, Sahil Patel, and Narayan Joshi; plus Sheravan Kisku and Shankar Rana via wish list.
Squad includes: Sandeep Lamichhane, Lokesh Bam, Pratish Jaisi, Bashir Ahmad, Naren Bhatt, Subash Bhandari, Surya Tamang, Sahil Patel, Narayan Joshi, Sheravan Kisku, Shankar Rana.

Pokhara Avengers (NPR 1,100,000 – lowest spender):
Retained marquee player Kushal Bhurtel. Spent only NPR 1.1 million to sign Abhishek Tiwari, Arjun Kumal, and Krishna Paudel; Sandeep Khatri Chhetri joined from the wish list.
Squad includes: Kushal Bhurtel, Dinesh Kharel, Bipin Khatri, Sagar Dhakal, Kiran Thagunna, Aakash Chand, Tritaraj Das, Abhishek Tiwari, Arjun Kumal, Krishna Paudel, Sandeep Khatri Chhetri.

Lumbini Lions (NPR 3,200,000):
Retained marquee captain Rohit Poudel. Spent NPR 3.2 million to sign Dilip Nath, Vishal Patel, and Sher Malla; also added Durgesh Gupta and Adil Khan from wish list.
Squad includes: Rohit Poudel, Sandeep Jora, Vivek Yadav, Tilakraj Bhandari, Abhishe Gautam, Dinesh Adhikari, Dilip Nath, Vishal Patel, Sher Malla, Durgesh Gupta, Adil Khan