Himalayan News Service

Kolkata, April 19:

A bat autographed by the Indian cricket team had no takers at an auction here but a bat autographed by the Pakistani team went for IRs 40,000. Beleaguered former skipper Sourav Ganguly got a fillip when a bat signed by him fetched IRs 100,000 ($2,300). Another Rs 450,000 came from the auction of cricket bats and gear of Indian and Pakistani cricketers at the Monday night auction here, a day after India lost the one-day series against Pakistan 2-4.

A bat signed by Sunil Gavaskar and Sourav Ganguly fetched IRs 75,000, while Ganguly’s gloves went for IRs 65,000. A bat commemorating Pakistani skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq’s top score of 329 and Virender Sehwag’s effort of 309 signed by the duo garnered IRs 40,000. Inzamam’s gloves went for IRs 35,000 and his jersey for IRs 50,000. The auction was conducted by NGO Ushasi to raise funds for groundsmen, coaches and tsunami victims.