India's charismatic one-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today emerged as the hottest property in world cricket after being sold out for a staggering USD 1.5 million dollars (approx Rs 6 crore) in a landmark auction which marked the beginning of a lucrative new era in cricket.

The 26-year-old Dhoni set the tempo for the first ever auction of world's top cricketers when he was acquired by the Chennai franchisee for a three-year period, adding another mind-boggling chapter of monetary gains in the BCCI's multi-million dollar Indian Premier League scheduled to begin in mid-April.

Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who recently made headlines for being at the centre of a racial row involving Harbhajan Singh, proved that the controversy had not dented his brand value as he attracted the second highest price of USD 1.35 million (appro Rs 5.4 crore) with the Hyderabad team securing his services.

Eight franchise owners, including corporate tycoons like Mukesh Ambani and liquor baron Vijay Mallya and Bollywood superstars Shahrukh Khan and Priety Zinta, bid for 77 cricketers in a pioneering process which has the potential to change the face of the game.