Blackaps rookie revelation Kyle Jamieson has set a new high watermark for New Zealanders at the Indian Premier League auction.
The breakout star has been picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore - where former NZ coach Mike Hesson is director of cricket operations - for a whopping NZ$2.86 million, the fourth highest price tag in auction history.
After setting his reserve at NZ$142,000, Ricky Ponting-coached Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings - owned by Bollywood star Preity Zinta - jousted to secure the Aucklander's signature.
Ultimately, Hesson prevailed, securing the 26-year-old's services for the iconic Twenty20 tournament and celebrating with a typically reserved fist-bump.
"It's pretty surreal really," Jamieson admits. "It's such a unique experience, watching yourself go through an auction like that in the early hours of the morning.
"I think it's still sinking in a bit."
Currently in Blackcaps camp for the upcoming T20 series against Australia, Jamieson reveals that despite insisting that he'd sleep through the auction, he eventually caved to curiosity.
"I woke up at around midnight and decided to check the phone," he says. "I was just trying to embrace the whole experience... rather than try to avoid the situation, I'd sit back and enjoy it.
"I called my partner and woke her up. That was a pretty cool moment... there weren't a whole lot of words spoken.
"Then I called Mum and Dad, and turned the phone off to try to get some sleep."
The payday adds another highlight to Jamieson's remarkable season, which has seen him named to Wisden's World Test XI, taking a whopping 33 wickets at an average of just 13.3 runs, alongside a batting average of 56.5 runs.
He's only played four T20 internationals to date, with best bowling figures of 2/15 and an impressive economy rate of 7.75.
The highest prices fetched by Kiwis before Jamieson wereTrent Boult and Corey Anderson, but neither player reached seven figures.
The only other new NZ players to be picked up went to Mumbai Indians - quick bowler Adam Milne earned a NZ$610,000 contract, while all-rounder Jimmy Neesham was nabbed for NZ$95,500.
Six Blackcaps players were already contracted to teams.
The IPL start date has yet to be confirmed, but the season is expected to run from April to June.
A potential clash with the start of the Blackcaps test series in England may mean that the likes of Jamieson, captain Kane Williamson and Boult will miss the opening match.
Jamieson joins a star-laden Bangalore squad, which also includes Indian captain Virat Kohli, South Africa's AB de Villiers and Aussie dynamo Glenn Maxwell.
Other big winners on the night were South African allrounder Chris Morris, who set a new IPL record with his NZ$3.1m haul to Rajasthan Royals, while Maxwell was also picked up by Royal Challengers for NZ$2.7m.
Quick bowler Riley Meredith - who's part of the Australian T20 squad to tour New Zealand next month - netted NZ$1.3m, the highest-ever for an uncapped overseas player.
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