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Xtra Time Web Desk: Black Caps fast bowler Kyle Jamieson woke up at midnight in the team hotel in Christchurch to follow the auction of IPL 2021. It was a surreal experience for the 26 year old Aucklander as he was snapped up by Royal Challengers Bangalore for a whopping INR 15 crore, making him the second most expensive cricketer after South African all rounder Chris Morris in IPL 2021. It was the fourth highest amount that a cricketer was sold in the history of IPL.

Jamieson, who made his international debut against India in January, last year has seen a steep climb in his career. From being a reserve in the Canterbury state side four years back to becoming an instant millionaire, it has been a dream rise for Jamieson.

Watching a three-way bidding war play out in front of his very eyes was a surreal experience.

“I woke up around midnight and decided to check the phone – just trying to embrace the whole experience,” Jamieson said on Friday.

“I don't know if this will ever happen again. Rather than trying to avoid the situation, [I thought] I’ll sit back and enjoy it. It was certainly a weird hour and a half waiting for my name to be called up.”

Former Black Caps quick and T20 franchise coach Shane Bond, who is bowling coach for the rival Mumbai Indians, messaged Jamieson while the teams were duelling it out for him.

Jamieson will join a star-studded RCB team, headlined by Indian captain Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Australian power allrounder Glenn Maxwell who scooped INR 14.25 crore earlier in the night.

“I had a message from Shane Bond as it was going and he was saying, ‘How good is this’. I didn’t actually know what the amount of money how that translated to New Zealand dollars. It was quite cool to share that moment with him and ride that two or three minutes with him.”

After realising he'd been bought for a staggering 15 crore rupees, partner Emma was the first person he called, quickly followed by parents Michael and Sheryl. Cricket runs in the family with his dad playing at premier level for Papatoetoe and representing New Zealand at the over-50 World Cup.