This auction was only meant for filling places: Shukla

"It's not a full-fledged auction, that will be held next year. The franchises this time only wanted to fill the places in the squads. It's not like it has gone down and all," Shukla told reporters after the auction.

Rising Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell emerged as the surprise million-dollar buy, fetching a whopping USD one million (Rs 5.3 crore) from Mumbai Indians.

Asked about the Pakistani players' absence, coming in the backdrop of the recent tension at the LoC, Shukla said, "We are not against Pakistani players. There are Pakistani coaches, umpires, supports staffs in the IPL.

"But as of now the players are not in our mind. We will discuss that with the franchises and see."

And about Luke Pomersbach, who was bought by Kings XI Punjab and who was detained by the Delhi police last year following allegations that he had assaulted a US citizen, Shukla said, "That controversy is over, compromise has taken place. We are only responsible for players' behaviour on the field."

Venky Mysore, Kolkata Knight Riders' chief executive, said the inclusion of Sri Lankan spinner Senaka Senanayake will add a new dimension to their attack.

"Sunil Narine is available, almost all of our players are. But the success we had with him and our conditions, we thought we could intensify that kind of attack. We are happy with buying Senanayake, who will add a new dimension to our set-up. And Ryan McLaren as well who will add to our pace back-up," Mysore said. MORE