In-form New Zealand cricketer Ross Taylor has been handed an Indian Premier League lifeline after the Black Caps blaster was bought for his reserve price of $390,000 by the Delhi Daredevils.
Surprisingly unsold after the first day of the IPL auction New Zealand's best batsman was granted a reprieve overnight, joining fellow Black Cap Jimmy Neesham at Delhi, who went for his reserve price of $195,000.
International media are describing Taylor as one of the 'bargain buys' of the IPL auction, his selling price nearly $500,000 less than New Zealand teammate Corey Anderson, who sold for $866,000, and more than $2.3 million less than Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh who was bought for a whopping $2.7 million to Royal Challangers Bangalore.
It was some welcome news for Taylor, who is awaiting the birth of his second child and has withdrawn from the New Zealand team for the second test against India starting tomorrow in Wellington.
Other Black Caps players Martin Guptill, Luke Ronchi and the troubled Jesse Ryder weren't so lucky, though, again unsold overnight.
Taylor brings the New Zealand contingent to six in the IPL, alongside Neesham, Corey Anderson (Mumbai), Brendon McCullum (Chennai), Tim Southee (Rajasthan) and Matt Henry (Chennai).
