IPL bidding war begins over Levi

Richard Levi's spectacular century against New Zealand has sparked a bidding frenzy across India.

Levi, who clubbed a world record unbeaten 117 off only 51 balls in Sunday's second T20 against the Black Caps, is said to have four Indian Premier League teams fighting over him.

The powerful 24-year-old right-hander, who hit a record 13 sixes at Seddon Park in Hamilton, went unsold at a base price of $50000 during the mini-auctions held in Bangalore on February 4.

The latest news from India suggests the bidding has reached $400000, with Pune Warriors, who are back in the IPL after resolving a dispute with the BCCI, having the inside track ahead of the Mumbai Indians.

Selection chief Andrew Hudson said the opening bat would not stay on after calls for Levi to be included in the ODI squad.

Levi is set to return home with Warriors players Rusty Theron and Colin Ingram after the deciding T20 International in Auckland today .

Cobras selection convener Omar Henry hopes Levi will be sufficiently rested to play against the Lions in Johannesburg on Friday.

Former captain Graeme Smith, pace bowler Dale Steyn, and allrounders Jacques Kallis and Faf du Plessis linked up with the touring Proteas squad ahead of the first of three ODIs starting in Wellington on Saturday.

"We are delighted with the way the T20 squad has progressed throughout this series and it is exciting to see the momentum that is being built for the remainder of the series," Hudson said.

"It's encouraging to see how the youngsters like Richard [Levi] and Marchant [de Lange] have stepped up to the challenges of international cricket ahead of a very important year for the squad."

South Africa face New Zealand in the first of three ODIs in Wellington on Saturday. - Additional reporting by Sapa