IPL Players' draft: MS Dhoni to play for Pune, Rajkot pick Suresh Raina

New Delhi: Indian ODI team skipper MS Dhoni will play for the Pune IPL franchise, while his former CSK teammate Suresh Raina will join Rajkot.

Dhoni and Raina were Pune and Rajkot's first picks at the Players' draft.

Both teams spent Rs. 39 cr each out of their cap of Rs. 66 cr.

The summary of the vivo #IPLdraft pic.twitter.com/tGEGjZcwnr

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In-form Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane was the second choice for Pune, while Rajkot opted for Ravindra Jadeja in the same position . Both players will be entitled to a purse of Rs 9.5 crore per year.

The draft process was necessitated following the suspension of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals from the IPL for two years in the wake of the 2013 spot-fixing and betting scandal.

The suspension was ordered by the Supreme Court-appointed Justice (retd) R M Lodha committee, which was formed to decide the quantum of punishment following the investigations.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was picked by Pune as their third choice and will get a purse of Rs 7.5 crore. New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was Rajkot's choice.

In the fourth spot, both the teams opted Australians with Steve Smith going to Pune and James Faulkner going to Rajkot.

Pune opted for South African batsman Faf du Plessis as their fifth and final player, while West Indian Dwayne Bravo was Rajkot's pick. Both players will get Rs 4 crore.

The draft pool only included players from Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals,. the two teams which have been barred from participation. The players not picked will now go to the general IPL auction scheduled for February 6.

The next edition of the Twenty20 league will be held from April 9 to May 29. 

(With Agency inputs)