All-rounder Vijay Pawle, 36, became the highest paid player across all editions of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) on Tuesday when defending champions Majhi Mumbai team used their Right to Match card to pick their skipper, who had a base price of Rs 3 lakh, for a whopping Rs 32.50 lakh at the Season 3 player auction.
An elated Pawle is planning to use the funds to build a home at his village, Mangle, in Sangli district. “We have a small family house currently. I’m planning to expand the current structure with this money,” Pawle told mid-day over the phone from his village in Sangli on Wednesday.
In the first two editions of the ISPL, Pawle was bought by the Mumbai team for Rs 13.50 lakhs and Rs 14.50 lakh respectively. “I was expecting to do well at the auction this time, but did not anticipate this [amount]. I’m looking forward to giving my best to my team,” he added.
The eight-team ISPL Season 3 will be begin on January 9 in Surat.
Interestingly, Pawle represented Maharashtra in 2023-24 and played alongside India players like Kedar Jadhav and Ruturaj Gaikwad in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. When asked about the difference in playing tennis-ball and leather-ball cricket, he said: “Actually, everyone feels that a career can only be made in leather-ball cricket only and that tennis cricket is a waste of time, but the ISPL has proved this wrong.”
Before taking up cricket though, Pawle underwent a tough phase from 2011 to 2013. “I’m from a middle-class family. I took up various jobs to begin with. I was a Medical Representative in Pune and then even worked at a few grocery shops at my village. In the evening, I used to practice and play tennis-ball matches with which I earned a little prize money. That’s how my journey as a professional cricketer started,” said Pawle, who also plays for the Ratnagiri Jets in the Maharashtra Premier League.
“If I play well in the MPL and stay fit, I can play in the Mushtaq Ali Trophy again. I aspire to play in the IPL too,” Pawle concluded.
Rs 3l
Vijay Pawle’s base price at the ISPL Season 3 auction
Jan 9
Starting date of ISPL Season 3 in Surat
Top 5 buys at ISPL-3 auction
. Vijay Pawle
Price: Rs 32.50 lakh
Team: Majhi Mumbai
Role: All-rounder
. Ketan Mhatre
Price: Rs 26.40 lakh
Team: Chennai Singams
Role: Batter
. Rajendra Singh
Price: Rs 26.10 lakh
Team: Bengaluru Strikers
Role: Bowler
. Sanjay Kanojjiya
Price: Rs 24.55 lakh
Team: Ahmedabad Lions
Role: Batter
. Saif Ali
Price: Rs 23.65 lakh
Team: Tigers of Kolkata
Role: Batter