India's Gautam Gambhir and Yusuf Pathan have become the first cricketers to be bought for more than US$2 million at an Indian Premier League auction.
Opener Gambhir, the first player to go under the hammer for the tournament's fourth edition, was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for $US2.4 million, far higher than his base price of $US200,000.
Gambhir was soon joined in the exclusive bracket by all-rounder Pathan, who was snapped up by the same franchise for $US2.1 million.
Pathan's reserve was $300,000.
The Indians eclipsed the record price of England duo of Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff, who went for $US1.55 million each in 2009.
Former West Indies captain Brian Lara and a host of England's Ashes heroes were also among 353 players up for grabs at the two-day auction in Bangalore.
