Jadeja expected to be the prize catch at IPL auction

Bengaluru: India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will be the top draw when some 144 players from 11 countries go under the hammer at today's auction for the 2012 Indian Premier League .

The nine league franchises have been allowed to spend an additional $2 million as their squad strengths have been increased from 30 to 33, but no more than 30 players out of 144 on auction are expected to be bought.

Jadeja, who has a base value of $100,000, was bought by terminated franchise Kochi Tuskers last year for $950,000. But his match-winning performance yesterday in a T20 game in Australia, is expected to take him past the $1 million mark.