A successful run in the Ranji Trophy with an all-round performance had raised hopes that Abhishek Nayar will be one of the high earners in the Indian Premier League auction on Sunday.
And the Mumbai all-rounder was not left disappointed as he emerged the most valuable Indian player with a bid of $675,000 from Pune Warriors India.
With a successful Ranji season behind him, where the left-handed batsman scored 966 runs at an average of 99.60 and took 19 wickets bowling right-arm seam, the expectations were high. For Nayar though it was a relief to be picked.
"When I heard about the bid, I was relieved more than happy," he said. "I did not have the best of seasons last time around and wanted a chance to play in the league and do well for the team I play for," he added.
The all-rounder, who scored only 45 runs in the entire IPL 5, however has had a phenomenal Ranji season, where he smashed three hundreds and eight half centuries, helping Mumbai to their 40th Ranji Trophy victory.
"It has been a good Ranji season for me, where everything fell in place, with the bat and ball. I am just happy to be in a position to play in the IPL," he said.
{{/usCountry}}"It has been a good Ranji season for me, where everything fell in place, with the bat and ball. I am just happy to be in a position to play in the IPL," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Nayar, who played for Kings XI Punjab last season, however does not mind the transition and says its part of an IPL player's life.
"It's such big event and a chance to play in it is good enough. If you're in the IPL for some time such things become a normal happening," Nayar said.
Asked whether he would have been happier if his home team Mumbai Indians had picked him, Nayar said: "Such things are not in my hands."