Chris Cowdrey had his own way of being less demonstrative while conducting the VIVO ProKabaddi League Auction 2019 at a South Mumbai five star hotel on Monday.
Picking a card from a bag held by his wife, the former cricketer-turned-auctioneer, Chris was business-like, saying: “Anybody wants to kick me of… I am asking for ten (₹10 lakh), he is going back in once, twice and done”.
The gavel is hit hard on the sound block and this time the little-known player goes unsold.
But Chris had a busy morning session as franchises bid hard for Iran’s Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh and Abozar Mighani.
Having done the PKL auction for the first time last year, most in the 12 franchises knew who Chris was — son of the celebrated England cricketer and captain, the late Colin Cowdrey. Chris, now 61, played for Kent and made his Test debut against India at the Wankhede Stadium in 1984.
Talking to The Hindu he said: “I do a lot of charity auctions in the UK, mainly children’s.
“This thing is quite new, I did this last year.
‘New concept’
“It’s a fantastic new concept to us English people because you are not bidding money for a cause, but actually to buy a player for a franchise. It’s very different and exciting. I watch the game, but it doesn’t make any difference to the auction.
“My job is only to put it out there and see who wants to bid. It’s not for me to say “I think he is a good player. I have done mainly cricket auctions, cricket memorabilia, but nothing like this.”