Srinagar, Dec. 17 -- As 29-year-old pacer Auqib Nabi Dar from Sheeri, a small hamlet of north Kashmir, was sold to Delhi Capitals for Rs.8.4 crore, celebrations erupted in the Valley, especially in his village in Baramulla town. Having a base price of Rs.30 lakh, Auqib, who had a good season this year, was waiting for this big opportunity.

Not only his villagers and relatives, cricket fans across the Valley applauded the resilience of this young cricketer whose hard work finally gave him a big breakthrough. "Today he was rewarded for his hard work of over a decade. Everybody here is happy. I am thankful to the BCCI and the franchise that selected my son. I have no words to express this joy," said his father Ghulam Nabi Dar who is a teach...