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Brendon McCullum for the Kolkata Knight Riders - Source: Getty Images -
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Black Caps wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum has been scooped up by his former club the Kolkata Knight Riders in this evening's IPL player auction.
McCullum was sold to the Knight Riders, after a brief biding war with the Rajasthan Royals, for US$900,000. His base price was US$400,000.
The Black Caps vice captain played for the Knight Riders between 2008 and 2010, smashing an unbeaten 158 on debut in 2008, against the Bangalore Royal Challengers.
McCullum played for the now defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala in last year's tournament.
The IPL was shaken only minutes before the start of the player auction with the news the Pune-based team was potentially pulling out of the competition, due to the loss of their major sponsor Sahara.
Nine other Kiwis are in the auction for edition five of the IPL, including Doug Bracewell who has a reserve price of US$50,000.
That may be seen as a bargain for the big-hitting all-rounder as the franchises look to secure players on a one-year contract for the tournament starting in April, with the option of a second year in 2013.
Fellow New Zealand all-rounder Rob Nicol (US$50,000) and Central Districts fast bowler Adam Milne (US$20,000) are the other young hopefuls chasing their first IPL contract.
Wellington fast bowler Andy McKay (US$50,000), the unluckiest player to miss New Zealand selection for the Zimbabwe series, is also up, while current internationals Jacob Oram and Tim Southee return to the auction at US$100,000 apiece after playing for Rajasthan Royals and defending champion Chennai Super Kings respectively as injury replacements last year.
All were on a list of 144 players for auction, issued by the IPL this week.
Jesse Ryder and James Franklin are among six Kiwis already locked in on two-year deals so they won't enter the auction.
Ryder, who blasted 96 off 67 balls in his comeback innings for Wellington on Wednesday, will return to Pune Warriors, his manager, Aaron Klee, confirmed.
Pune Warriors, who were placed ninth last year, have two new coaches, Sourav Ganguly and Allan Donald.
