NEW DELHI: Exactly a week ago, IT professionals Pinky and Rakesh Yadav endured a nerve-wracking evening. While Pinky was at home, Rakesh was on his way back from office. Just 18 kilometres away, their 16-year-old daughter Deeya's name was about to flash up in the WPL auction.
While Deeya was with Haryana's U23 squad in Kerala for the T20 games, nervousness peaked within Pinky and Rakesh when auctioneer Mallika Sagar took her name. The auction room was quiet for 10-15 seconds before Delhi Capitals – who were tracking the teenager for a while - raised their paddle and took her in at a base price of Rs 10 lakh.
"When finally DC raised the paddle, I was hugely relieved. It was our first experience as well because we aren’t aware of how the auction works. So it was an amazing experience - though quite a nervous one, ” recalled Rakesh in a chat with IANS.
For Pinky, more than nerves, it was fear. She watched players go unsold before Deeya's name came. "I was scared that when her name comes up, what would happen. But suddenly DC came and made the bid, I was like, 'Oh God, I was not expecting this but it has happened now'. We are still in shock – like did this happen for real and so soon?" she told IANS.