The Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions were held in Bangalore on Monday. For the uninitiated, IPL is a Twenty20 cricket tournament held in India in April-May and draws players from across the globe in a month-long extravaganza.
This is its tenth year and the English Premier League replica is now one of the richest and buzziest sporting events of the world.
Unsurprisingly, Twitter couldn't hold its own while the auctions happened.
Besides ensuring that #IPLAuction topped worldwide trends for the better part of the day, Indian cricket fans couldn't stop talking about English cricketer Ben Stokes, who fetched an astronomical sum of Rs. 1.45 billion ($2 million) at the auction, making him the highest overseas purchase in IPL's decade-long history.
Jokes, memes, GIFs and comments galore. Ben Stokes is the muse of the day.
#IPLAuction
Hey England, we've given you 14.5 cr for Stokes, 12 cr for Mills, and 4.2 cr for Woakes.
Now at least give back the Kohinoor.— Fandromeda (@PlayFandromeda) February 20, 2017
Stokes = 14.5 crores
Mills = 12 crores
Nobody would have believed us if we said we'll buy the English 70 years later.#IPL #IPLAuction— Ankita Patel ?? (@Ankitaa55) February 20, 2017
There was some general amusement over IPL's riches as well.
And a few barbs at some selections made by the franchises.
Give DD a few years and they will field a team with 7 Indian wicketkeepers and 4 overseas' wicketkeepers. #IPLAuction
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 20, 2017
If Virat Kohli was to put up for #IPLAuction , Mukesh Ambani will have to sell his house Antilia to buy him.
— PhD in Bak*****!! (@Atheist_Krishna) February 20, 2017
Gujarat's cleverly waiting for the 2nd hand sale next week when they can purchase players for a 60-70% discount. #IPLAuction
— Fandromeda (@PlayFandromeda) February 20, 2017
Hotel staff not serving tea to Gujarat Lions
'Sir first you have to buy something'#IPLAuction— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) February 20, 2017
Sanjiv Goenka is being dorky. Released M Ashwin, now wants him back. RPS behaving like a girl wanting her ex back. What is this #IPLAuction
— Samreen Razzaqui (@SamreenRazzaqui) February 20, 2017
And on the omission of Pakistani cricketers...
The reason why Pakistani players are not included in #IPLAuction is they already are sold out....to the bookies.
— Smoking Skills (@SmokingSkills_) February 20, 2017
Surely when it's cricket, India can never have enough!