IPL 6: Low-profile, big-budget - the big gainers

Sunday's IPL 6 auction in Chennai saw 37 players sold for a combined total of $11.89 million. Of those, Australian allrounder Glenn Maxwell attracted the maximum bid of $1 million and the two other notable
signings were Kane Richardson, who was bought by Pune Warriors India for $700,000, and South Africa's Chris Morris, bought by Chennai Super Kings for $625,000.

Among the lesser-known players who also earned big bucks were the uncapped Western Australia fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile ($450,000), Sri Lankan offspinner Sachitra Senanayake ($625,000) and young Australian allrounder James Faulker who found himself richer after Rajasthan Royals paid $400,000 for his services.

Here's a look at these rookie players:

Glenn Maxwell (Mumbai Indians): Maxwell, 24, is a batting allrounder from Victoria who bowls offspin and is known for his excellent fielding. In 40 Twenty20 matches, Maxwell averages 21.96 with the bat and 30.20 with the ball. He first broke into the Australian limited-overs side in August 2012 and since then has played nine ODIs and Twenty20 internationals. He has been marked out as a player for the future, even earning a maiden Test call-up for the forthcoming tour of India.

Sachitra Senanayake (Kolkata Knight Riders): The tall 27-year-old offspinner has played seven ODIs and two Twenty20s for Sri Lanka, having earned an international debut in 2012 following a string of successful performances on the domestic circuit. In the 2011-12 Premier Limited-Over tournament, Sri Lanka's main one-day competition, he was the highest wicket-taker with 16 in six games at 11.18. Senanayake last played an international in June 2012.

Kane Richardson (Pune Warriors India): Richardson, 21, is seen as one of the brightest pace prospects in Australia. He impressed during Australia's run to the Under-19 World Cup title in 2010 and has since then lined up good limited-overs numbers playing for South Australia. Richardson has played one ODI, against Sri Lanka in January.

Chris Morris (Chennai Super Kings): Fast-bowling South African allrounder Morris has acquired a reputation of a successful limited-overs cricketer and made a name for himself during the 2012 Champions League Twenty20 where his domestic side Lions reached the final. In the tournament he hustled batsmen with his raw pace and upsetting lift from the deck from a tall frame. He is capable of bowling in the mid-14okph range consistently and can also hit the ball hard, as evident by a Twenty20 strike-rate of 172.29. Morris, 25, has taken 34 Twenty20 wickets at an average of 16.68.

Nathan Coulter-Nile (Mumbai Indians): Coulter-Nile has been an active domestic cricketer for Western Australia since 2009 and in 26 Twenty20 matches since then has taken 25 wickets with a best of 3 for 9. A tall right-arm fast bowler, he has impressed many in Australia.
James Faulkner (Rajasthan Royals): Just 22, Faulker is rated highly in Australia as an allrounder and his rise is being regarded as crucial to the health of his country's cricket. A left-arm fast-medium bowler and right-hand middle-order batsman, Faulker has played two ODIs and T20Is. In 33 Twenty20 matches he has 35 wickets at 24.34.