DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) – Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph fetched a record million-dollar deal while his Twenty20 Captain Rovman Powell also picked up a lucrative contract, to be among four West Indies players sold in the Indian Premier League auction here Tuesday.

The 27-year-old Joseph, who has made 115 international appearances across all three formats, was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for US$1.3 million following a bidding war with Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants.

Powell, appointed to lead the regional side earlier this year, was the first player sold in the auction when he was snapped up by Rajasthan Royals for US$892,000 following a tussle with Kolkata Knight Riders over his services.

The 30-year-old right-hander is currently leading West Indies in the fourth T20 International against England at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad.

Powell and Joseph were joined by West Indies One-Day International Captain Shai Hope and left-hander Sherfane Rutherford, who also found success in the auction.

Hope, an elegant, 30-year-old right-hander, was bought by Delhi Capitals for US$90,000 in his first-ever IPL deal, while Rutherford heads to Kolkata Knight Riders for US$181,000.

Surprisingly, there were no deals for leading West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder who featured last season for Rajasthan Royals, taking four wickets in eight matches, while the likes of left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein and all-rounders Keemo Paul and Odean Smith also went unsold.

Joseph’s deal came as a surprise, especially after the six-foot, foot-inch Antiguan entered the auction at a base price of US$120,000.

However, once bidding began his price climbed rapidly before RCB finally clinched the deal, Joseph going as the second most expensive West Indian in an IPL auction, following Nicholas Pooran’s US$1.9-million deal in 2022.

“He’s got lots of attributes and strengths that we’re excited about,” said RCB’s Director of Cricket Mo Bobat.

Joseph has previously turned out for Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans, the latter for whom he took seven wickets in as many games for last season.

Powell, meanwhile, found his services in demand and this eventually boosted his US$120,000 base price.

The right-hander, who has played 66 T20 Internationals and 51 One-Day Internationals, will now turn out for his third franchise in as many seasons after representing KKR in 2023 and Capitals last year.

“When we did our sweep of the spots available, Rovman Powell was the highest-ranked player for the spot we had in terms of our batting line-up,” said Royals’ Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara.

Powell joins West Indies teammate Shimron Hetmyer who had been retained by the franchise.

The IPL is expected to bowl off in March next year.