Going into the IPL auction, there was no doubt that England star Ben Stokes would attract the most attention after his glittering display with bat and ball during the recent tour of India.
The franchises didn’t disappoint as there was a massive bidding war for the 25-year-old all-rounder before Rising Pune Supergiants bought him for a staggering ₹14.5 crore [Dh7.9m].
The second highest earner was Stokes’ international teammate Tymal Mills, who was purchased for ₹12 crore [Dh6.6m] by the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Pune captain Steve Smith was quick to congratulate Stokes, insisting that the first round is on the Englishman when they meet next.
Here, we look at the top Twitter reactions on the Stokes and Mills purchases.
Ben must be quite stoked today.
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) February 20, 2017
Welcome to Pune @benstokes38 first round is on you!
— Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) February 20, 2017
If Carlsberg did Cricket weeks @benstokes38 ... Named England VC & then picked up for £1.7m in the #IPL ... #NiceWork
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 20, 2017
Kerching! Stokes & Mills picked up for big bucks by @RPSupergiants & @RCBTweets respectively 🤑🤑🤑#VIVOIPLauction
— mark butcher (@markbutcher72) February 20, 2017
Fair to say @tmills15 just got a hell of a lot better looking!! So pleased for him. What a contract. Very happy at breakfast here💰💰💰💰💰💰💰 pic.twitter.com/Q3OCDt16XI
— Luke Wright (@lukewright204) February 20, 2017
Ben Stokes must be the new richest kiwi sportsman. Or is it still a golf caddie?
— Tim Freeburn (@TimBurna) February 20, 2017
Just for the fans of @BBL and @thePSLt20 to understand Ben Stokes price of $2.8 mill. His salary is twice the salary cap of each League! 🍾
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) February 20, 2017
Ben Stokes right now... #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/HiJ7Kg6ATA
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 20, 2017
Pic 1: Stokes & Mills Yesterday night
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) February 20, 2017
Pic 2: Stokes & Mills when wakes up today pic.twitter.com/iauvms7UYP
RCB conceded 40 runs in the last two overs of the IPL final. Big reason they lost that game to SRH. Enter Tymal Mills!#IPLAuction
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 20, 2017
Have to say though, Mills has a long history of injuries. Big call to commit that much money to him in an auction.
— Chinmay Bhogle (@chinmaybhogle) February 20, 2017
It's not my money...but ₹14.5 Crore even for Stokes is a little too much. #RPS likely to struggle to buy quality bowlers with ₹3Cr left.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 20, 2017
