Pacer Mohammed, who fetched the highest price in TNPL auction, dreams of playing IPL

Tamil Nadu pacer M. Mohammed surprised by fetching highest bid in TNPL auction, dreams of playing in IPL.

It wasn’t the India players Vijay Shankar and Washington Sundar, but Tamil Nadu pacer M. Mohammed, who fetched the highest bid (Rs 18.4 lakh) of the 2025 Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) auction here on Saturday.

“I watched the live streaming. I was very happy. I felt like it was a reward for having worked hard for a long time. I was actually shocked, since I had expected Vijay Shankar and Washington Sundar to go for the highest prices!” said the 33-year-old.

“I debuted for Tamil Nadu in 2012 in the Ranji Trophy. I’m happy that I have been able to play consistently for Tamil Nadu all these years. Now, I take this as a recognition,” he added.

Five franchises bid for Mohammed. Lyca Kovai Kings (LKK), which had released him, and Chepauk Super Gillies (CSG) were engaged in a fierce bidding war. “When I was released by LKK, captain Shahrukh Khan said that they’ll go all out for me in the auction. And when they had bid as much as Rs 13.5 lakh for me, I thought I’ll continue playing for LKK!”

Mohammed, who dreams of playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), can play some big shots with the bat too.

On being picked up by SKM Salem Spartans (SAL), the team that finished at the bottom last season, he said: “Very happy to be playing for it. It’s helping a team like that to get to the top-four or semifinals or even win the title, that you get a bigger name. I like playing for such teams. And this year, we have a fine team.”