ENGLAND all-rounder Sam Curran was bought for £800 000 by Kings XI Punjab in the auction for the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL).

The 20-year-old attracted the third-highest bid of 72 million rupees, having entered with a base price of 20 million.

Hyderabad Sunrisers signed England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow for £250 000, but Eoin Morgan and Chris Woakes went unsold in Jaipur.

The 12th season of the IPL will run from March 29 to May 19.

The venue for the tournament has yet to be decided.

Players involved in England’s 2019 World Cup squad must return from India by April 25.

RISING STAR CURRAN IN DEMAND
Left-arm seamer Curran has enjoyed a remarkable six months after making his Test debut in June.

He was named England’s man-of-the-series in their 4-1 victory over India and was part of the Surrey team that won the County Championship.

He was also part of England’s 3-0 triumph in Sri Lanka this winter, although he missed the final Test with a side strain.

Curran has played two one-day internationals but no Twenty20s for England.

Kings XI won the bidding for him despite interest from Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore. (BBC Sport)