Meet the man behind every IPL auction you have seen

The IPL 2018 Auction, which witnessed more than 500 players go under the hammer, turned out to be a success story. And a key cog of that success was the man conducting it. Richard Madley, who was a relieved man after a two-day long marathon bidding war, feels IPL is one of the best things that has happened to him. The 60-year-old was standing behind a podium for two days with a hammer older than IPL and which may find its place in an Indian cricket museum in future.

Madley’s tryst with auctioning began decades before he was brought in by Lalit Modi to auction IPL. In 1978 to be precise. In the following three decades he has sold paintings, antiques, memorabilia and more for millions. Auctioning runs in his blood as both his father and father-in-law were auctioneers. He’s a showman and an erudite with a touch of impactful oratory.

Fast forward to 2008, Madley was auctioning Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who turned out to be the most expensive cricketer of that tournament. He claims that selling MS Dhoni to Chennai Super Kings for $1.5 million is the highlight of his career. Madley also went on to add that the sale of Chris Gayle was one of his favorites. “It was when the entire crowd broke into applause when Kings XI Punjab bought Chris Gayle,” he says.

Madley calls the IPL auction unique. According to News18, he said,  “It is not because of the money involved but it is truly unique. Anyone would have said it is a crazy idea before it began. I’d love to keep coming back, watch more IPL, spend more time in India auctioning.”

A little more about the auction legend

With IPL auction on his resume, it’s easy to forget the other things that keep Madley busy throughout the year. As one of the top auctioneers in the world, he is associated with Dreweatts & Bloomsbury, an auction house that deals with arts, furniture, books, scientific instrument, jewelry and other relics. He loves cricket and has also sold cricket memorabilia that belonged to veteran British cricket commentator Brian Johnston, who died in 1994.

“Johnston’s wife asked me to auction his collection after his death in 1994. I sold the finest collection of cricket memorabilia. Bats, balls, paintings, historic pieces,” Madley recalls.