IPL auctioneer Hugh Edmeades collapses on stage, condition stable

Hugh Edmeades, the auctioneer for the 2022 IPL auction, collapsed while on stage while the bidding was on.

The teams were bidding for Sri Lankan all-arounder Wanindu Hasaranga and Punjab Kings were leading with Rs 10.75 crore when Edmeades collapsed and was briefly seen in the broadcast lying motionless on the floor.

A lunch break was called after the incident. The auction will resume at 3.30pm.

The BCCI released a statement saying: "Our auctioneer is stable. The medical guys are attending to him. He should be back for the next set."

Edmeades fell due to postural hypotension. He was replaced by Charu Sharma.

Edmeades was associated with Christie's auction house for 38 years before going solo in 2016. He has conducted over 2,600 auctions across the globe.

He first officiated an IPl auction in 2018. The IPL auction ahead of the 2022 season is being held in Bengaluru over two days.

While the eight existing franchises have already given the list of players retained by them, the new teams—Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants—were allowed to sign three players each before auction.

Each team has a purse of Rs 90 crore and each squad can have a maximum of eight foreign players.

Shreyas Iyer has attracted the highest price so far, bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 12.25 crore. Harshal Patel, who impressed with a record-equalling 32 wickets in the IPL 2021, was welcomed home to Royal Challengers Bangalore for a whopping Rs 10.75 crore.

Suresh Raina and Steve Smith went unsold.