Mumbai Indians splash the cash on Jos Buttler in IPL auction

England's Jos Buttler will play for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League after being bought for £385,000.

The wicketkeeper-batsman, who has decided to play in the tournament after losing his Test spot to Jonny Bairstow, was the subject of a bidding war between Mumbai and the Kolkata Knight Riders in Saturday's auction in Bangalore.

The reigning champions stumped up the cash, meaning Buttler's first foray into the IPL will be based at the Wankhede Stadium.

The Mumbai Indians said on their Twitter feed: "Jos Buttler is under the hammer and we are in it. Welcome to our fortress Wankhede Stadium @josbuttler."

Buttler will be in action in the middle on Saturday too, in England's second one-day international against South Africa at Port Elizabeth.

He has scored back-to-back ODI hundreds, the latest coming off 73 balls in the series opener in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen was the first player sold in the auction as Rising Pune Supergiants paid £350,000 for his services.

The travelling Twenty20 specialist joins the newly formed side, returning for his fifth IPL season in all.

Kent wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings and Essex all-rounder Ravi Bopara were unsold in the first round of bidding, while England captain Eoin Morgan is under contract at Sunrisers.

Australia's Shane Watson attracted the highest bid as Royal Challengers Bangalore paid more than £950,000 for him.