IPL auction 2018: Gambhir and Harbhajan set their base price at 2 crores

With the 2018 IPL auction around the corner, the franchises would have started working on their plans for the auction day ie. whom to buy, how much does a player is worth, on whom they should use the RTM cards etc.

Similarly, the IPL Governing Council will have their task cut out in consulting with the players and fix their base prices. Ahead of the 2018 IPL auction, the capped players have been given the luxury to fix their own base price at Rs 50 lakhs, Rs 75 lakhs, Rs 1cr, Rs 1.50 cr, and Rs 2 crore.

According to reports in Times of India, veteran players Gautam Gambhir and Harbhajan Singh have already set their base price at Rs 2 crore and the others who're likely to figure in the top bracket are India's limited-overs leggie Yuzvendra Chahal, out-of-favour Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh, West Indian trio of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, and former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum.

"I've had a great decade-long relationship with MI. I'll look to bowl well and win games for whichever team I play for in the IPL. Let's see what happens at the auction," said Harbhajan.

The source also praised Harbhajan and what he has done so far in the IPL. Talking about the offie's influence, the source said, "he played for MI for 10 years, which explains his immense value. He was their first captain to get them a title. He's captaincy material and has gone for 6.95 runs per over, vastly experienced. He's amongst the top wicket-takers in the IPL and is a useful batsman down the order. This is the first time that he'll be available in the auction. Having him in the side, one gets not just match-winning ability, but someone who takes the team along with him. He can mentor and develop the youngsters in the team."

It is also learnt that all-rounder Yusuf Pathan, who is serving a suspension for doping, will have Rs 75 lakhs as his base price while his brother Irfan has put his base price at 50 lakhs.

"Yusuf has been amongst the most successful middle-order batsmen in the IPL, while Irfan has been one of the most prolific allrounders in the league. The franchises are likely to gun for them," the source added.