Carolina Marin costliest at badminton league players' auction

New Delhi: Rio Olympic champion Carolina Marin of Spain was bagged by Hyderabad Hunters for Rs.61.5 lakh, becoming the costliest buy in the Premier Badminton League (PBL) auction for players held here on Wednesday.

The second highest bid went for South Korean woman shuttler Sung Ji Hyun, with Mumbai Rockets paying Rs.60 lakh for her. Denmark shuttler Jan ‘O' Jorgensen proved to be the third costliest after he was bought for Rs.59 lakh in the auction held here at a city hotel. The Dane went to Delhi Acers.

However, India's Rio Olympic silver medallist P.V. Sindhu went to Chennai Smashers for Rs.39 lakh - way below expectations. Her illustrious compatriot, Saina Nehwal went to Awadhe Warriors for Rs.33 lakh.

Denmark's Viktor Axelsen too got a price of Rs.39 lakh landing up with Bengaluru Blasters, as did Wan Ho Son who was clinched by Delhi. None of the men's singles badminton "Big Three" players - Chinese duo of Chen Long and Lin Dan and Malaysian superstar Lee Chong Wei -- will play in the PBL.