Australia's [ Images ] Andrew Symonds [ Images ] became the most expensive foreign player after round three in the Indian Premier League [ Images ] players' auction after Deccan Chronicle's Hyderabad franchise bought the all-rounder for US $1.35 million.

• Dhoni fetches highest price in Round 1
• Jayasuriya most valuable

India's ODI captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni [ Images ] is the most expensive purchase in the IPL, after being grabbed by Chennai for US $1.5m. But the controversial Symonds went close, registering a huge jump on his base opening price of US $2,50,000.

• Warne humbled in bidding

Purchasing Symonds for such a huge amount was interesting, as he was at the centre of the 'racial abuse' controversy involving India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh [ Images ]. He was seen as a villain in India after he lodged a complaint against Harbhajan during the Test series last month, alleging that the Indian offie had called him a 'monkey'.

The second most expensive player in round three was Australia pacer Brett Lee [ Images ], who was taken by the Mohali franchise for US $9,00,000.

Interestingly, Australia captain Ricky Ponting [ Images ] fetched a far lower price at US $4,00,000, bought by Shah Rukh Khan's [ Images ] Kolkata [ Images ] franchise.

Also shocking was that Australia's Michael Hussey [ Images ], regarded as one of the best batsmen in one-day cricket, was not picked by any team and went into the reserve pool which will be auctioned later.

GMR Holding's Delhi franchise finally opened its account with the purchase of New Zealand [ Images ] captain Daniel Vettori [ Images ] for US $6,25,000.

Two other New Zealand players registered good prices. All-rounder Jacob Oram [ Images ] was bought by Chennai for US $6,75,000 against his base price of US $2,00,000, while explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum [ Images ] was taken by Kolkata for US $7,00,000 after his bid started at US $1,75,000.

Player auction results: