IPL 2016 Players' Draft Updates: Dhoni to Pune; Raina to Rajkot; Pune team logo and name to be decided by next week

When prodded a bit on the fixing issue, Pune representative Talukdar was candid. "Fixing exists in every sport, the two go hand in hand. BCCI and the franchises have to ensure that we cut it down to the least possible level"

When asked about strategy, Talukdar said, "We will not have any problem regarding the sports part of the league. Yes the logistics will be an issue, as we are going out of Kolkata to a new city for the first time, but our experience with Atletico de Kolkata will help us immensely".

Bansal simply said "We will try to learn from the mistakes of the existing franchises and will try not to repeat them."

"BCCI has a great group with senior personnel, who have formulated new rules and regulations, and they would be there to help us," said Bansal.

Questioned as to why he had chosen hard hitting cricketers like Brendon McCullum and James Faulkner, Bansal said it was because the Rajkot pitch is batting friendly. However, he did not disclose the name of the Rajkot team captain.

Speaking about the selection of Dhoni, Pune spokesperson Subroto Talukdar said that they are a new team which needs to build its own brand, and none other than Dhoni would have given them that edge.

Bansal then said that the Rajkot team had an idea that Pune would pick up Dhoni, so they went for the 'next best player' - Suresh Raina.

Talukdar said that the official name and logo of the Pune IPL franchise would be declared by next week.

On who would coach the team, he said, "We have  contacted a few possible contenders for the coach's job", but did not elaborate.

Both team owners said they believed in the integrity of the IPL despite all the scandals it had endured over the last two years.

Keshav Bansal also underlined the difference between the selection of his team and Pune. He said that while Pune consulted known cricketers for choosing players, Rajkot had its own set of people which did not include any cricketer. 

Bansal said he was part of this group and would sit down with the members again to finalise which other cricketers should be tried for in the remainder of the process.

Rajkot owner Keshav Bansal, when asked about his decision to buy an IPL team, attributed it to the 'sporting culture' prevalent in his family.

Bansal said he used to play for University of Manchester and loves cricket, squash and football.

Furthermore, the salaries of all players will be put up on the IPL website.

If Pune for example selects a capped player first, then Rs 12.5 crore will be deducted from their purse of Rs 66 crore. But they will have to pay the player, the amount which he actually used to get from his previous franchise.

For example if the player used to receive Rs 9 crore previously, then he would be paid the same sum by his new owners but the latter's spending power would be reduced by Rs 12.5 crore (and not Rs 9 crore).

Similarly if the cricketer used to demand a salary of Rs 15 crore earlier, then his new owners would in reality, pay him the same sum, but their spending power will be reduced by Rs 12.5 crore and not Rs 15 crore.

Rajkot owner Keshav Bansal said that they are happy with the team as all the players they had targeted are taken in the team.

The third trading window will open on February 8 and be open till February 19.

Finally, the players' auction takes place on February 6. The venue has not been finalised.

The first trading window for players who went unsold will open on December 15 (today) and close on December 31 at 5 pm, says Rajiv Shukla.

Second trading window will open on January 11 until January 22.

The franchisee workshop will be held at Srinagar on January 13 and 14, 2016.

However, Shukla then qualified his comments, saying that all IPL franchises would be contacted before taking a decision on whether Pakistani players could play in the event.

IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla was asked about the Indo-Pak series. His reply was the same - that the government assent is required and the BCCI is waiting for this.

When asked about whether Pakistani players can play IPL, Shukla replied, "Both are different things. There is no connection between Indo-Pakistan series and IPL."

"We are not against Pakistani players. There are Pakistani commentators, match referees, umpires, support staff etc all coming to India to do their job. We are okay with it," Shukla added.

Talukdar, when asked about Sanjeev Goenka group owning Pune franchise, said that since the group owned a team in the Indian Super League (Atletico de Kolkata), they have experience in these matters.

At the subsequent press conference, Pune spokesperson Subroto Talukdar said that Sourav Ganguly wasn't involved in the scheme of things for the Pune team.

He said that a few Bengal players however had been called before the draft. He said Wriddhiman Saha, Manoj Tiwary, Ashok Dinda were among those contacted.

Both teams Pune and Rajkot have a purse of Rs 27 crores left.

The franchisee workshop will be held on January 13 and 14, 2016.

MS Dhoni was purchased by Pune for Rs 12.5 crores, the same price as Raina by Rajkot.

Rahane was sold to Pune for 9.5 crore, Ashwin Rs 7.5 crores, Steve Smith Rs 5.5 crores and Faf du Plessis Rs 4 crores.

Raina was sold to Rajkot for Rs 12.5 crores.

Jadeja has been snapped up for Rs 9.5 crores.

Brendon Mccullum's price is 7.5 crores, James Faulkner Rs 5.5 crores and Dwayne Bravo 4 crores

Dwayne Bravo is the fifth and final pick for Rajkot.

Faf du Plessis is the last draft pick for Pune.

Suresh Raina to play for Rajkot IPL team.

R Ashwin to play for Pune.

Brendon McCullum goes to Rajkot

Steve Smith goes to Pune

Ravindra Jadeja has been snapped up by Rajkot

Rajkot also snaps up James Faulkner, the Aussie all rounder.

The much admired Ajinkya Rahane will play for Pune.

MS Dhoni first to be picked by Pune franchise in the IPL Draft.