Rabada fetches R9.8m in IPL auction

Cape Town - Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was drafted by the Delhi Daredevils for close to R10m at the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) auction.

Rabada, 21, entered the auction with a base price of $149 254 (R1.9m), but a bidding war between the Daredevils and the Kings XI Punjab saw the South African speedster go to the Daredevils for IND 500 lakhs or $750 000 (R9.8m).

Rabada became the third most expensive foreign player at this year's IPL auction with England all-rounder Ben Stokes fetching more than $2m for the Rising Pune Giants and Stokes' compatriot, fast bowler Tymal Mills, fetching $1.8m.

Rabada, who is South Africa's No 1 Test bowler, has played 16 T20Is for the Proteas and has taken 22 wickets at an average of 22.63.

He will play in his debut IPL season after opting to sit out last year to play for Kent in the English County Championship.

Rabada joins Proteas team-mates Quinton de Kock, Chris Morris and JP Duminy in the Dehli Daredevils squad.

The IPL begins on April 5 and runs until May 21.

Just the kind of player we needed. Time to welcome the dynamic South African, @KagisoRabada25 to the #DDsquad #DilDilliHai #VIVOIPLauction pic.twitter.com/D4m9a5BwBf

— Delhi Daredevils (@DelhiDaredevils) February 20, 2017