MUMBAI, May 8 -- The auction works on different dynamics, where player profiles and reputations may not always fetch big price tags. What often plays a bigger part in determining the price is the teams' auction strategy and how the bidding unfolds. The theme again played out during the T20 Mumbai League auction held here on Wednesday as all-rounder Atharva Ankolekar emerged the costliest buy ahead of young IPL players, Ayush Mhatre, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Musheer Khan. Ankolekar secured the highest bid of the auction to be picked up by Eagle Thane Strikers for Rs.16.25 lakh. With the spotlight on all-rounders, Musheer, a member of the Punjab Kings squad, and Sairaj Patil were the other all-rounders who attracted mega deals of Rs.15 lakh each. Musheer went to ARCS Andheri, while medium pace all-rounder Sairaj was signed by Eagle Thane Strikers. Rising stars from the ongoing IPL, Mhatre and Raghuvanshi, were picked up by Triumph Knights Mumbai North East and SoBo Mumbai Falcons for Rs.14.75 lakh and Rs.14 lakh respectively. The 24-year-old Ankolekar, who has played for India Under-19, came into the limelight in the 2024 T20 Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament final, scoring a six-ball 16 not out in a match-winning partnership with Suryansh Shedge. He did well with the ball too. "It's a big moment for me, and I'm grateful for the trust the team has placed in me," Ankolekar said. Shedge was bagged for Rs.13.75 lakh by Triumph Knights Mumbai NorthEast. India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, who is also an Icon Player of Triumph Knights Mumbai North East, attended the auction. He said: "You must have seen in 2018, Shivam Dube had a terrific T20 Mumbai League season and then he went on to make a name for himself. Having such a league for your state is I think a big boost for all the cricketers across categories." "(The likes of) Ayush and Angkrish have reached this stage after performing in the age groups, whenever possible they got chances of playing for Mumbai," MCA president Ajinkya Naik said about some young players fetching big pay cheques. "The cost is secondary but performances are primary and whatever Ayush and Angkrish are getting is a reward for their performances."...