Bevon Jacobs during the Ford Trophy Final training, Canterbury V Auckland, 23rd February 2024. Copyright photo: John Davidson / www.photosport.nz Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2024 www.photosport.nz
Bevon-John Jacobs was picked up on the second day of the IPL auction for the minimum base price of $60,000.
The uncapped Auckland batter is one of four New Zealand cricketers picked up on the second day of the Indian Premier League auction in Saudi Arabia.
Jacobs was the only one of the 24 New Zealanders who entered the auction to not have played for his country.
The 22-year-old right-hand batter was the lowest-valued New Zealand player entered in the auction, registering for the minimum base price of $60,000.
That is what the Mumbai Indians picked him up for.
Jacobs told Morning Report he was thrilled to have made the cut.
"It was definitely a long shot. I woke up this morning with the big surprise and it was a surprise, it was awesome to see and I think it's just been a bit overwhelming," Jacobs said.
"I'm looking forward to to the opportunity and I'm very grateful for it."
Jacobs believes the experience will be worth it even if he doesn't get to play.
"Yeah, 100 percent. It's just a massive opportunity. If I get game time that's definitely a bonus. But just going over there and being able to learn as much as I can from the best in the world, that's probably the main takeaway for me. Just seeing how much I can absorb while I'm over there."
Several big name players ply their trade at Mumbai Indians, including India test and one-day skipper Rohit Sharma and Black Caps spinner Mitchell Santner and seamer Trent Boult.
Jacobs is looking forward to rubbing shoulders with some of those stars.
"They do have quite a few big names especially with the likes of Rohit Sharma and, a couple of Kiwi lads in there as well. I'm definitely very excited. I think it's gonna be just a great opportunity for me to learn as much as possible."
However, Jacobs is focusing on the here and now.
"Knowing that it (IPL) is a few months away I'm just keeping my head down a bit and I know that I've got to look at what's in front of me and that's still trying to put my best foot forward for Auckland."
Jacobs hasn't played a lot of T20s but has a strong strike rate of close to 200.
He said he likes to score quickly.
"I definitely give it my my best shot. I've only played nine matches, but I guess I've been chucked in at the finish or trying to come in at the back of the innings and I try and finish it off strong for the team (Auckland).
"If I get that opportunity when I'm over there, then I'll grab it with both hands, and I'll try and do my very best."
Speaking to RNZ last week Jacobs said putting his name forward for the IPL player auction was a last minute decision.
"But it's one of those things you think about, like 'what if?' so I just thought I'd put my name in the hat and see what happens. Obviously I know it's a long shot but you never know what might happen and who might have their eye on you. So I just thought that I'd take a shot and had some people help me sort that out so it was kind of last minute but happy I did it."
Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Jacobs' family moved to New Zealand when he was three years old.
Aces Bevon-John Jacobs during the Plunket Shield - Wellington Firebirds v Auckland Aces at Basin Reserve, Wellington, 11 November 2024. © Copyright image by Marty Melville / www.photosport.nz Photo: Marty Melville
Meanwhile Lockie Ferguson went to Punjab Kings for $406,000 and Glenn Phillips to Gujurat Titans for $406,000.
A number of other Black Caps including Kane Williamson, Finn Allen and Daryl Mitchell went unsold.
On Monday Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra were picked up by Chennai Super Kings.
Meanwhile 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi has become the youngest player to earn an IPL contract.
Suryavanshi, who hit a 58-ball century for India under-19's against Australia a couple of months ago, has been picked up by Rajasthan Royals for $223,000.
