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Kane Williamson expresses surprise over Martin Guptill snub in IPL auction 2016

Martin Guptill has been one of the most prolific limited-overs batsmen in the past two years.

Martin Guptill did not land a IPL deal despite his exhilarating form in limited-overs cricket © Getty Images
Martin Guptill did not land a IPL deal despite his exhilarating form in limited-overs cricket © Getty Images

Martin Guptill was touted by experts and fans alike as a hot pick in the auction for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016. Understandably so, Guptill has been one of the most prolific batsmen in the past two years. His feats include emerging the top run-scorer in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and a fantastic home summer following that where he scored what was to be a short-lived fastest Twenty20 International (T20I) hundred for New Zealand. So when he went unsold in the auctions in two separate rounds, one and all were zapped. Compatriot Kane Williamson has also expressed his shock at the snub. ALSO READ: Kane Williamson: Brendon McCullum’s final ODI match not a distraction

Williamson said had he been a team owner he would definitely have bought the on-song opening batsman. Williamson was not the only cricketer publicly mention his astonishment. Scott Styris also had a say, while Jimmy Neesham tweeted about the absurdity of the proceedings in general which may at least part have been influenced by Guptill’s non-selection.

“If I owned a team I would have picked Guptill. He’s playing amazing cricket at the moment and he’s a world class player, certainly in the white ball format,” said Williamson who himself will wear the Sunrisers Hyderabad jersey in the cash-rich league.

“It’s tough to say what teams want. I’m not sure. For Gup the focus will be on the game tomorrow [third ODI against Australia] and the tests as well, I haven’t spoken to him about that. He’ll be fine; there’s so much cricket ahead and he’s playing so well and he’s such a vital member of the team and his focus will be there,” Williamson said.

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