MUMBAI: Australia’s Shane Watson attracted a top bid of $1.4 million and will join the Bangalore franchise for the next edition of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament, while former England skipper Kevin Pietersen was bought by newcomers Pune.

All-rounder Watson, who had a base price of 20 million rupees ($295,000), was in high demand in Saturday’s auction for the cash-rich tournament, the ninth edition of which will be played from April 9 to May 29.

“Incredibly excited to join such a great franchise. Looking forward to joining up with my new team mates in April,” the 34-year-old said on Twitter.

The right-handed batsman, who also bowls medium pace, will join a Bangalore team already boasting power-hitters Chris Gayle, AB de Villliers and Virat Kohli, and who have Australia’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc in their ranks.